bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Counseling for Neurofibromatosis 1, Neurofibromatosis 2, and Schwannomatosis—Practice Resource of the National Society of Genetic Counselors
Authors: Radtke Heather B. , Bergner Amanda L. , Goetsch Allison L. , McGowan Caroline , Panzer Karin , Cannon Ashley
Published: June 2020

The goal of this practice resource is to provide genetic counselors and other healthcare professionals with a resource to reference when providing genetic counseling services to individuals and families undergoing evaluation for neurofibromatosis (NF) or who have received a diagnosis of NF, including NF1, NF2, and schwannomatosis. This resource represents the opinions of a multi‐center working group of Certified Genetic Counselors with experience in the care of individuals with NF, providing topics to be considered for the incorporation into a clinical genetic counseling session.
Surgical treatment for chronic pancreatitis: A single‐center retrospective study in Japan
Authors: Matsumoto Ippei , Kamei Keiko , Murase Takaaki , Yoshida Yuta , Kawaguchi Kohei , Matsumoto Masataka , Satoi Shumpei , Takebe Atsushi , Nakai Takuya , Takeyama Yoshifumi
Published: June 2020

Background/Purpose

To determine the short‐ and long‐term results of surgical treatments for chronic pancreatitis (CP) at a high‐volume center in Japan.

Methods

The records of 151 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for CP were retrospectively reviewed. Selection of surgical procedures used had been according to the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for CP 2015. Long‐term (≥1 year) follow‐up was performed in 100 patients (median of 37 months).

Results

Surgical drainage procedures were performed in 107 patients (Frey operation in 81, longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy in 26), pancreatic resection in 37 (subtotal stomach‐preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy in 11, distal pancreatectomy in 26), and other procedures in six. The rates of postoperative mortality and morbidity were 1% and 26%, respectively. The rates of complete and partial pain relief were 62% and 37%. The frequency of occurrence of severe morbidity was significantly higher after pancreatic resection than in patients receiving drainage procedures (13% vs 2%, P = .019). The rate of new‐onset diabetes was also significantly higher after resection than drainage (60% vs 25%, P = .017).

Conclusions

Surgical treatment for painful chronic pancreatitis can be safe and effective. An optimal procedure should guarantee pain relief and preserve a maximum of pancreatic function.
New metastasectomy criteria for peritoneal metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma: A study of the Japanese Society of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery
Authors: Iida Hiroya , Tani Masaji , Aihara Tsukasa , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Tanabe Minoru , Yamamoto Masakazu , Yamaue Hiroki
Published: June 2020

Background/Purpose

Peritoneal metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rare. We investigated patients who underwent peritoneal metastasectomy in a multicenter study in Japan.

Methods

The study included 92 patients with HCC who underwent resection for peritoneal metastasis between January 2007 and December 2013. We investigated background and operative factors, as well as overall and recurrence‐free survival rates. Patients were classified according to the extent of peritoneal metastasis using the peritoneal cancer index (PCI) and the completeness of cytoreduction (CC) scores to examine whether peritoneal metastasectomy contributed to survival.

Results

The mean maximum tumor size was 4.1 cm. Forty patients (43.5%) had multiple peritoneal metastases. Peritoneal metastasectomy and hepatectomy were performed simultaneously in 48 patients (52.2%). Overall, the 5‐year survival rate after resection was 36.0%, and the recurrence‐free survival rate was 13.0%. Multivariate analysis revealed that PCI scores of ≤6 + CC scores of 0 were an independent prognostic factor. The 5‐year survival rate when these criteria were met was 43%, which was significantly better than that in those who did not meet these criteria (P < .001).

Conclusions

Peritoneal metastasectomy of HCC appears to contribute to improved survival of patients with a PCI scores of ≤6, without remnant tumors.
Access to HIV prevention services in East African cross‐border areas: a 2016‐2017 cross‐sectional bio‐behavioural study
Authors: Virkud Arti V , Arimi Peter , Ssengooba Freddie , Mulholland Grace E , Herce Michael E , Markiewicz Milissa , Weir Sharon , Edwards Jessie K
Published: June 2020

Introduction

East African cross‐border areas are visited by mobile and vulnerable populations, such as men, female sex workers, men who have sex with men, truck drivers, fisher folks and young women. These groups may not benefit from traditional HIV prevention interventions available at the health facilities where they live, but may benefit from services offered at public venues identified as places where people meet new sexual partners (e.g. bars, nightclubs, transportation hubs and guest houses). The goal of this analysis was to estimate availability, access and uptake of prevention services by populations who visit these venues.

Methods

We collected cross‐sectional data using the Priorities for Local AIDS Control Efforts sampling method at cross‐border locations near or along the land and lake borders of Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda from June 2016–February 2017. This bio‐behavioural survey captured information from a probability sample of 11,428 individuals at 833 venues across all areas. Data were weighted using survey sampling weights and analysed using methods to account for the complex sampling design.

Results

Among the 85.6% of persons who had access to condoms, 60.5% did not use a condom at their last anal or vaginal sexual encounter. Venues visited by high percentages of persons living with HIV were not more likely than other venues to offer condoms. In 12 of the 22 cross‐border areas, male or female condoms were available at less than 33% of the venues visited by persons having difficulty accessing condoms. In 17 of the 22 cross‐border areas, education outreach visits in the preceding six months occurred at less than 50% of the venues where participants had low effective use of condoms.

Conclusions

Individuals visiting venues in cross‐border areas report poor access to and low effective use of condoms and other prevention services. Availability of HIV prevention services differed by venue and population type and cross‐border area, suggesting opportunities for more granular targeting of HIV prevention interventions and transnational coordination of HIV programming.
Disparities in the PrEP continuum for trans women compared to MSM in San Francisco, California: results from population‐based cross‐sectional behavioural surveillance studies
Authors: Wilson Erin C , Turner Caitlin M , Arayasirikul Sean , Lightfoot Marguerita , Scheer Susan , Raymond Henry F , Liu Albert
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Although transgender women (trans women) often are conflated with men who have sex with men  (MSM) in HIV research and services, there are distinct population differences that are important for implementing effective HIV prevention. Our objective was to examine pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) disparities between the two populations and compare individual, social and structural factors that influence differences between MSM and trans women along the PrEP continuum.

Methods

We analysed data from two population‐based studies, one with trans women (Trans*National Study, 2016 ‐ 18) and the other with MSM (National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, 2017). Trans women were recruited via respondent‐driven sampling and MSM using time location sampling. Key indicators of the PrEP continuum were evaluated, including awareness, health insurance, provider discussions, recent use and adherence. Associations were also examined for PrEP continuum indicators and structural barriers (e.g. employment, homelessness).

Results

Transwomen were more likely than MSM to be Latino/a (30.4% vs. 25.8%; prevalence ratio (PR)=1.08, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.14) or African American (7.1% vs. 4.5%; PR = 1.12, 1.02 to 1.24), live at or below the poverty limit (70.7% vs. 15.8%; PR = 1.47; 1.41 to 1.53), be unemployed (50.1% vs. 26.3%; PR = 1.18, 1.13 to 1.24), be homeless (8.4% vs. 3.5%; PR = 1.15, 1.06 to 1.25) and to have less than a college degree (PR = 1.41, 1.34 to 1.48). Trans women were more likely than MSM to have health insurance (95.7% vs. 89.7%, PR = 1.17, 1.06 to 1.28), but less likely than MSM to have heard of PrEP (79.1% vs. 96.7%; PR = 0.77, 0.73 to 0.81), talked with a provider about PrEP (35.5% vs. 54.9%; PR = 0.87, 0.83 to 0.91) and less likely than MSM to have used PrEP in the past six months (14.6% vs. 39.8%; PR = 0.80, 0.76 to 0.84). Among PrEP users, trans women were less likely to report being adherent to PrEP than MSM (70.4% vs. 87.4%; PR = 0.80, 0.70 to 0.91).

Conclusions

We found PrEP disparities for trans women compared to MSM and the need for differentiated implementation strategies to meet the specific PrEP barriers trans women face. Inclusion of trans women’s HIV risks is needed in CDC guidance for PrEP. Interventions to increase trans women’s awareness of PrEP including at the provider and community level are also needed. Finally, programming that addresses trans women’s barriers to housing and income is also needed to reduce PrEP disparities.
Matrix metalloproteinase 3 as a valuable marker for patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Shi Shengjie , Su Min , Shen Ge , Hu Yan , Yi Fan , Zeng Ziyan , Zhu Pan , Yang Gang , Zhou Hui , Li Qiong , Xie Xiaobing
Published: June 2020

The situation of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) continues to evolve, our study explored the significance of serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) as a marker for patients with COVID‐19. Sixty‐two COVID‐19 patients in the First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine and Loudi Center for Diseases Prevention and Control, from January to March 2020, were sampled as the novel coronavirus pneumonia infected group. One hundred and thirty‐one cases from the First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, including 67 healthy individuals and 64 non‐COVID‐19 inpatients, served as the noninfected group. Approximately every 5 days, sera from 20 cases were collected and analyzed three times, using an automatic biochemical analyzer, to detect serum MMP3 concentrations. Correlation was analyzed between MMP3 and other proinflammatory cytokines. Following normality tests, differences in serum MMP3 levels between the infected and noninfected group were analyzed via SPSS (version 25.0) software, using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. The MMP3 concentration was 44.44 (23.46 ~ 72.12) ng/mL in the infected group and 32.42 (28.16 ~ 41.21) ng/mL in the noninfected group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (Z = −2.799, P = .005 < .05). A positive correlation was found between MMP3 and interleukin 1β (IL‐1β; r = .681, P = .000 < .05), and IL‐6 (r = .529, P = .002 < .05). Serum MMP3 concentration, measured over three separate time points, were 55.98 (30.80 ~ 75.97) ng/mL, 34.84 (0.00 ~ 51.84) ng/mL, and 5.71 (0.00 ~ 40.46) ng/mL, respectively. Detection of serum MMP3 levels may play an important role in the development of therapeutic approaches for COVID‐19 and may indicate the severity of disease.
Association between a progesterone receptor mutation and hepatitis E sero‐positivity in liver transplant recipients
Authors: Debes Jose D. , Groothuismink Zwier M. A. , de Man Robert A. , Boonstra Andre
Published: June 2020

Problem

We investigated if the PROGINS mutation increases the risk of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in liver transplant recipients. PROGINS was analyzed through KASP assay; HEV serologies assessed via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and multiplex cytokine assays were evaluated in plasma with the ProcartaPlex human immunoassay. Seventy liver transplant recipients were evaluated, of which 23 (33%) were HEV immunoglobuln G (IgG)‐positive (HEV+). The frequency of PROGINS in the HEV+ group was 34%, compared with 14% in those that were HEV IgG negative (HEV−). Cytokine measurements in a sub‐set of samples from HEV+/PROGINS+ individuals showed decreased plasma levels of monokine induced by gamma interferon, a proliferation‐inducing ligand, and stem cell factor, as well as increased levels of eotaxin‐3 and interleukin‐31 compared with those HEV−/PROGINS− samples. Our findings suggest an association between the PROGINS mutation and seropositivity for HEV in liver transplant recipients with consequent distorted cytokine levels.
Intratonsillar detection of 27 distinct viruses: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Silvoniemi Antti , Mikola Emilia , Ivaska Lotta , Jeskanen Marja , Löyttyniemi Eliisa , Puhakka Tuomo , Vuorinen Tytti , Jartti Tuomas
Published: June 2020

Palatine tonsils have been observed to harbor several distinct respiratory and herpesviruses in separate studies. In this study, the presence of these viruses in palatine tonsils was comprehensively studied in both children and adults. A cross‐sectional analysis of 181 patients (median age 22 years; range, 2.6‐66) operated for a benign tonsillar disease was conducted. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect 27 distinct viruses in all: eight human herpesviruses, 16 respiratory viruses, parvo B19, and polyoma BK/JC viruses. Clinical characteristics of the patients and underlying conditions were evaluated. In total, 92% of patients had virus detected in tonsils (Epstein‐Barr virus 72%, human herpesvirus 7, and 6B 54% and 16%, respectively, enterovirus 18%, parvovirus B19 7% and the rest <4%). No herpes simplex virus 2, varicella zoster virus, polyoma JC virus, parainfluenza‐, metapneumo‐, or coronaviruses were found. Enterovirus was more common in children and was frequently observed in the presence of HHV6B. None of the viruses showed a positive association to the tonsillar disease. Respiratory symptoms were not associated with the prevalence of viruses. This study comprehensively reports a cross‐sectional view of intratonsillar virus infections in elective tonsillectomy patients in a wide age range cohort. Tonsils are a major virus reservoir for distinct herpes and respiratory viruses without a positive association with tonsillar disease or respiratory symptoms.
Study of the azo‐hydrazone tautomerism of Acid Orange 20 by spectroscopic techniques: UV–Visible, Raman, and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Vannucci Giulia , Cañamares Maria Vega , Prati Silvia , Sanchez‐Cortes Santiago
Published: June 2020

Acid Organge 20 is a synthetic monoazo dye, which molecular structure consists of a naphtol unit and a sulfonated benezene ring linked together by an azo chromophore group. As a phenylazonaphthol with the OH group in para position respect to the azo group, it undergoes an azo‐hydrazone tautomerism. In this work, the study of the preponderance of one tautomer over the other in different pH conditions was carried out by means of UV–Vis, Raman, and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopies. Raman spectra of powder and aqueous solutions of the dye were obtained at different excitation lines at the natural pH of the AO20 solutions. The best results were obtained at 633 nm, and the observed Raman bands suggested the presence of the hydrazone tautomer. The molecular structure and the theoretical Raman spectra of the two tautomers were calculated by density functional theory (DFT) methods. The obtained results were used for the assignment of the Acid Orange 20 vibrational modes. The SERS analysis of the dye solutions were carried out employing Ag nanostars, pH below and above 4.7, and excitation at 442, 532, and 633 nm. The hydrazone tautomer was prevalent in most conditions. The azo tautomer was only detected at pH ~ 5 under excitation with the 532 nm wavelength due to resonant Raman conditions. Finally, the effect of pH on the morphology of metal nanoparticles employed as SERS substrates was evaluated by TEM.
Recurrence beyond the Milan criteria after curative‐intent resection of hepatocellular carcinoma: A novel tumor‐burden based prediction model
Authors: Tsilimigras Diamantis I. , Mehta Rittal , Guglielmi Alfredo , Ratti Francesca , Marques Hugo P. , Soubrane Olivier , Lam Vincent , Poultsides George A. , Popescu Irinel , Alexandrescu Sorin , Martel Guillaume , Hugh Tom , Aldrighetti Luca , Endo Itaru , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: June 2020

Background

Accurate prediction of recurrence patterns of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may allow for prioritization of patients for resection or transplantation as well as guide post‐resection surveillance strategies.

Methods

Patients who underwent curative‐intent R0 resection for HCC between 2000 and 2017 were identified using a multi‐institutional database. A prognostic model that incorporated HCC tumor burden score (TBS) to predict recurrence beyond the Milan criteria (MC) was developed and validated.

Results

Among 718 patients who underwent R0 resection for HCC, 185 (25.8%) recurred within and 110 (15.3%) beyond the MC. On multivariable analysis, AFP more than 400 ng/mL (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27‐4.02), lymphovascular invasion (HR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.14‐3.50), and TBS (HR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03‐1.12) were associated with recurrence beyond the MC. A weighted TBS‐based score was constructed: [0.074*TBS + 0.692*lymphovascular invasion (yes: 1, no: 0) + 0.816*AFP > 400 (yes:1, no:0)]. Patients with a low, medium, and high TBS‐based risk score had a 5‐year incidence of recurring beyond the MC of 16.2%, 28.6%, and 47.2%, respectively (P < .001). The predictive accuracy of the model was very good in the training (C‐index: 0.761) and validation (C‐index: 0.706) datasets and outperformed the previously reported clinical risk score (CRS; C‐index: 0.680).

Conclusion

A TBS‐based model accurately predicted recurrence beyond MC after curative‐intent resection of HCC and outperformed the CRS. Incorporating TBS allows for better risk stratification and identifies patients in need of closer surveillance.
Challenges in sentinel node pathology in the era of adjuvant treatment
Authors: Franke Viola , Madu Max F. , Bierman Carolien , Klop Willem M. C. , van Houdt Winan J. , Wouters Michel W. J. M. , van de Wiel Bart A. , van Akkooi Alexander C. J.
Published: June 2020

Background

With the approval of adjuvant therapy for stage III melanoma, accurate staging is more important than ever. Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is an accurate staging tool, yet the presence of capsular nevi (CN) can lead to a false‐positive diagnosis.

Patients and Methods

Retrospective analysis of the American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th edition stage IIIA melanoma patients who were treated at our institute between 2000 and 2015. SNB slides were reviewed for this study by an expert melanoma pathologist.

Results

Of 159 eligible patients, 14 originally diagnosed with metastatic melanoma merely had CN (8.8%). Another two merely had melanophages (1.3%). Thus, 10.1% of SNs were considered false positive after revision. In 12 patients, the SN tumor burden was originally reported as larger than 1 mm but turned out to be less than 1 mm. Four patients originally reported as SN tumor burden less than 1 mm before revision turned out to have larger than 1 mm. These patients might have been over‐ or undertreated in the current era of adjuvant therapy for stage III melanoma.

Conclusions

Distinguishing metastatic melanoma from benign CN and melanophages can be a diagnostic challenge. We plead for an expert pathologists' review, especially when using the SNB + results to determine treatment consequences.
The impact of near infrared fluorescence imaging on parathyroid function after total thyroidectomy
Authors: Kim Yoo Seok , Erten Ozgun , Kahramangil Bora , Aydin Husnu , Donmez Mustafa , Berber Eren
Published: June 2020

Background

Compared with conventional thyroidectomy, hypocalcemia rate was reported to be lower after total thyroidectomy (TT) utilizing near infrared fluorescence imaging (NIFI). The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of NIFI on postoperative parathyroid function after TT.

Methods

This was a retrospective institutional review board‐approved study comparing 100 patients who underwent TT with NIFI guidance and 200 patients without, by the same surgeon. Clinical parameters were compared using χ2 and t test.

Results

Average number of parathyroid glands identified intraoperatively was similar between two groups. However, rate of incidental parathyroidectomy was higher in conventional (14%) versus NIFI group (6%) (P = .039), despite similar (4% vs 6%, respectively) autotransplantation rates (P = .562). Incidences of transient (6.5% vs 5.0%) and permanent (0.5% vs 0%) hypocalcemia were not statistically different between conventional and NIFI groups (P = NS).

Conclusion

The use of NIFI during thyroidectomy may decrease the rate of incidental parathyroidectomy by increasing the ability of the surgeon to recognize parathyroid glands with fluorescent contrast distinction. Nevertheless, in contrary to recent reports in literature, postoperative hypocalcemia rate was not altered compared with conventional technique, suggesting that preservation of parathyroid vasculature, rather than an augmented ability to detect the glands, may dominantly affect postoperative function.
Long noncoding RNAs SET‐binding factor 2‐antisense RNA1 promotes cell growth through targeting miR‐431‐5p/CDK14 axis in human papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Wen Hu‐Ling , Xu Zheng‐Min , Wen Dan , Lin Shi‐Yu , Liang Yu , Xie Jian‐Ping
Published: June 2020

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is a frequent thyroid malignancy. With the significant regulatory role in tumor progression, more attention has been employed to investigate mechanism of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in progression of PTC. We prospectively explored the mechanism whereby lncRNA SET‐binding factor 2‐antisense RNA1 (SBF2‐AS1) is implicated in pathogenesis of PTC. First, differentially expressed SBF2‐AS1 between PTC and normal adjacent thyroid tissues was determined, and result indicated a higher SBF2‐AS1 expression in PTC tissues than adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, highly SBF2‐AS1 expression predicted a poor prognosis in PTC patients. Second, SBF2‐AS1 overexpression promoted cell viability and cycle of PTC, while inhibited cell apoptosis. However, SBF2‐AS1 downregulation reduced viability and cycle, while promoted cell apoptosis. Moreover, SBF2‐AS1 could bind with miR‐431‐5p and showed negative correlation with miR‐431‐5p in PTC patients. Furthermore, miR‐431‐5p bind with cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) 14 and showed negative correlation with CDK14 in PTC patients. Finally, overexpression of CDK14 counteracted with the inhibitory role of SBF2‐AS1 downregulation on cell viability, cycle, and apoptosis of PTC. In conclusion, SBF2‐AS1 exhibited oncogenic property in PTC, and knockdown of SBF2‐AS1 could be a therapeutic strategy for PTC.
The Proximal Airway Is a Reservoir for Adaptive Immunologic Memory in Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis
Authors: Gelbard Alexander , Wanjalla Celestine , Wootten Christopher T. , Drake Wonder P. , Lowery Anne S. , Wheeler David A. , Cardenas Maria F. , Sikora Andrew G. , Pathak Ravi R. , McDonnell Wyatt , Mallal Simon , Pilkinton Mark
Published: June 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

Characterization of the localized adaptive immune response in the airway scar of patients with idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS).

Study Design

Basic Science.

Methods

Utilizing 36 patients with subglottic stenosis (25 idiopathic subglottic stenosis [iSGS], 10 iatrogenic post‐intubation stenosis [iLTS], and one granulomatosis with polyangiitis [GPA]) we applied immunohistochemical and immunologic techniques coupled with RNA sequencing.

Results

iSGS, iLTS, and GPA demonstrate a significant immune infiltrate in the subglottic scar consisting of adaptive cell subsets (T cells along with dendritic cells). Interrogation of T cell subtypes showed significantly more CD69+ CD103+ CD8+ tissue resident memory T cells (TRM) in the iSGS airway scar than iLTS specimens (iSGS vs. iLTS; 50% vs. 28%, P = .0065). Additionally, subglottic CD8+ clones possessed T‐cell receptor (TCR) sequences with known antigen specificity for viral and intracellular pathogens.

Conclusions

The human subglottis is significantly enriched for CD8+ tissue resident memory T cells in iSGS, which possess TCR sequences proven to recognize viral and intracellular pathogens. These results inform our understanding of iSGS, provide a direction for future discovery, and demonstrate immunologic function in the human proximal airway. Laryngoscope, 131:610–617, 2021
Creep rupture life assessment of superheater tube with oxide formation in power plant
Authors: Qi Jing , Xu Hong , Lu Ping , Zhou Keyi
Published: June 2020

This paper proposes a method for predicting the creep rupture life of superheater tubes, considering the continuous increasing metal temperature and stress as a result of oxide formation. The steam‐side oxide growth was assessed by the parabolic oxidation rate law, and the temperature profiles of superheater tubes was calculated combining the 3D computational fluid dynamics simulation and the 1D analytical models. Based on the estimated temperature and maximum elastic hoop stress, the parametric extrapolation technique was utilized to assess the creep rupture life. The validity of this method was confirmed by measuring the oxide thickness and the steam temperature in the field. The results found that T91 alloy in the steam outlet region and T23 alloy at the connection point was susceptible to creep rupture failure, which had the greatest cumulative damage and thickest oxide scale. The cumulative damage of superheater tubes varied significantly with tube count. Results suggested that replacement of the particular T91 alloy tubing section having the minimum creep rupture life with a better heat‐resistant steel would avoid mechanical failure by creep for the subject boiler system.
Improving Properties of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) by Adding Expanded Graphite without Surface Modification via Water‐Assisted Mixing Extrusion
Authors: Tong Jun , Li Wei , Chen Hai‐Chu , Tan Ling‐Cao
Published: June 2020

Expanded graphite (EG) is introduced into poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) by melt mixing extrusion with water injection. The results demonstrate that the unfunctionalized EG in composite prepared with water injection exbibits better dispersion than that in the one prepared without water injection due to the promoting role of water during extrusion. Thus, the PVDF/EG composite with loading of 4 wt% prepared by water‐assisted mixing extrusion (WAME) exhibits electrical conductivity of about three orders of magnitude higher than the neat PVDF and one order of magnitude higher than the one prepared without water injection. Comparing to the neat PVDF, the thermal conductivity of the composites prepared with and without water injection is increased by 101.5% and 75.0%, respectively. The introduced EG leads to increased Young’s modulus and tensile strength especially for the composite prepared by WAME. The present work indicates that WAME can promote the dispersion of EG in PVDF matrix without any extra functionalization.
Weighted operator least squares problems and the J‐trace in Krein spaces
Authors: Contino Maximiliano , Maestripieri Alejandra , Marcantognini Stefania
Published: June 2020

Given and W operators in the algebra of bounded linear operators on the Krein space , the minimization problem , for , is studied when the weight W is selfadjoint. The analogous maximization and min‐max problems are also considered. Complete answers to these problems and to those naturally associated to trace clase operators on Krein spaces are given.
Overexpression of SNTG2, TRAF3IP2, and ITGA6 transcripts is associated with osteoporotic vertebral fracture in elderly women from community
Authors: Jales Neto Levi H. , Wicik Zofia , Torres Georgea H. F. , Takayama Liliam , Caparbo Valéria F. , Lopes Neuza H. M. , Pereira Alexandre C. , Pereira Rosa M. R.
Published: June 2020

Background

Vertebral fractures (VFs) are the most common clinical manifestation of osteoporosis associated with high morbimortality. A personal/familiar history of fractures increases the risk of fractures. The purpose of this study is to identify possible molecular markers associated with osteoporotic VFs in elderly women from community.

Methods

Transcriptomic analysis using Affymetrix HTA2 microarray was performed using whole blood samples of 240 subjects from a population‐based survey (Sao Paulo Ageing & Health [SPAH] study). Only elderly women with osteoporosis diagnosis by densitometry were analyzed, and divided in two groups: VF: women with osteoporosis and VFs versus no vertebral fracture (NVF): women with osteoporosis and NVFs. They were matched for age, chronic disease, medication use, and bone mineral density (BMD). The logistic regression model adjusted for age was applied for transcriptome data analysis. SYBR green‐based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to validate the most significant expression changes obtained in the microarray experiment.

Results

Microarray analysis identified 142 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, p < .01), 57 upregulated and 85 downregulated, compared VF versus NVF groups. The DEG with the greatest expression difference was the Gamma2‐Syntrophin (SNTG2) (β = 31.88, p = .005). Validation by qPCR confirmed increased expression in VF group of Syntrophin (SNTG2, fold change = 2.79, p = .009), TRAF3 Interacting Protein2 (TRAF3IP2, fold change = 2.79, p = .020), and Integrin Subunit Alpha 6 (ITGA6, fold change = 2.86, p = .038).

Conclusion

Our data identified and validated the association of SNTG2 (608715), TRAF3IP2 (607043), and ITGA6 (147556) with osteoporotic VF in elderly women, independently of BMD. These results suggest that these transcripts have potential clinical significance and may help to explain the molecular mechanisms and biological functions of vertebral fracture.
Identification and functional characterization of a novel surfactant protein A2 mutation (p.N207Y) in a Chinese family with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Liu Lv , Qin Jieli , Guo Ting , Chen Ping , Ouyang Ruoyun , Peng Hong , Luo Hong
Published: June 2020

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious disorder with a high mortality rate worldwide. It is characterized by irreversible scarring of the lung parenchyma resulting from excessive collagen production by proliferating fibroblasts/myofibroblasts. Previous studies have revealed that mutations in surfactant protein‐related genes and telomerase complex genes are crucial underlying genetic factors.

Methods

In this study, we enrolled a family with IPF from the central southern region of China. Whole‐exome sequencing was employed to explore candidate genes in this family. Real‐time PCR and western blotting were used to study the functions of the identified mutations in vitro.

Results

A novel mutation (NM_001098668.4: c.619A>T; NP_001092138.1: p.N207Y) in surfactant protein A2 (SFTPA2,), having not been previously reported to be a mutation, was identified and co‐separated with all affected individuals in the IPF family. Functional research further revealed that the novel mutation affects the secretion of SFTPA2 protein and induces endoplasmic reticulum stress as well as apoptosis in A549 cells.

Conclusion

We are confident that this novel mutation (NM_001098668.4: c.619A>T; NP_001092138.1: p.N207Y) in SFTPA2 is the genetic mutation of the IPF family. Our study not only confirms the importance of SFTPA2 in IPF but also expands the spectrum of SFTPA2 mutations and contributes to the genetic diagnosis and counseling of IPF patients.
Strength of ensemble learning in multiclass classification of rockburst intensity
Authors: Zhang Junfei , Wang Yuhang , Sun Yuantian , Li Guichen
Published: June 2020

Rockbust is a violent expulsion of rock due to the extreme release of strain energy stored in surrounding rock mass, leading to considerable damages to underground strucures and equipment, and threatening workers' safety. As the operational depth of engineering projects increases, a larger number of factors influence the mechanism of rockburst. Therefore, accurate classification of rockburst intensity cannot be achieved based on conventional criteria. It is urgent to develop new models with high accuracy and ease to implement in practice. This study proposed an ensemble machine learning method by aggregating seven individual classifiers including back propagation neural network, support vector machine, decision tree, k‐nearest neighbours, logistic regression, multiple linear regression and Naïve Bayes. In addition, we proposed nine data imputation methods to replace the missing values in the compiled database including 188 rockburst instances. Five‐fold cross validation and the beetle antennae search algorithm are used to tune hyperparameters and voting weights of the individual classifiers. The results show that the rockburst classification accuracy obtained by the classifier ensemble has increased by 15.4% compared with the best individual classifier on the test set. The predictor importance obtained by the classifier ensemble shows that the elastic energy index is the most sensitive input variable for rockburst intensity classification. This robust ensemble method can be extended to solve other classification problems in underground engineering projects.
Obesity as a Potential Predictor of Disease Severity in Young COVID‐19 Patients: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Deng Ming , Qi Yongjian , Deng Liping , Wang Huawei , Xu Yancheng , Li Zhen , Meng Zhe , Tang Jun , Dai Zhe
Published: June 2020

Objective

This study aims to explore the indicators for severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in young patients between the ages of 18 and 40 years.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 65 consecutively admitted patients with COVID‐19 who were between 18 and 40 years old in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in Wuhan, China. Among them, 53 were moderate cases, and 12 were severe or critical cases. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics and treatment data were collected. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was implemented to explore risk factors.

Results

The patients with severe/critical cases had obviously higher BMI (average 29.23 vs. 22.79 kg/m2) and lower liver computed tomography value (average 50.00 vs. 65.00 mU) than the group of moderate cases. The patients with severe/critical cases had higher fasting glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatinine compared with patients with moderate cases (all P < 0.01). More severe/critical cases (58.33% vs. 1.92%) had positive urine protein levels. The severe/critical cases also experienced a significant process of serum albumin decline. Logistic regression analysis showed that male sex, high BMI (especially obesity), elevated fasting blood glucose, and urinary protein positivity were all risk factors for young patients with severe COVID‐19.

Conclusions

Obesity is an important predictor of COVID‐19 severity in young patients. The main mechanism is related to damage of the liver and kidney.
Polydiacetylene (PDA) based supramolecular gel upon coassembly with a bolaamphiphilic cogelator
Authors: Liu Feiyang , Ding Zhaofu , Xu Yangyang , Gao Jiangang , Lalevée Jacques
Published: June 2020

Supramolecular gel systems provide an ideal platform for the study of conjugated polydiacetylene (PDA) in soft materials. Compared with the well studied amphiphiles, the bolaamphiphilic molecules received much less attention in the fabrication of supramolecular gels. It's a big challenge to develop bolaamphiphilic type cogelators with reasonable molecular structures for the preparation of PDA supramolecular gels. Herein, a novel bolaamphiphilic cogelator containing an imidazole group at both ends was designed and coassembled with commercially available diacetylene acid monomer at 1:2 molar ratio by multiple non‐covalent interactions. A white supramolecular gel was successfully prepared through the conventional heating‐cooling method and systematically characterized by 1H‐NMR, FT‐IR, XRD, SEM and rheology test. After UV irradiation, blue PDA was polymerized in the supramolecular gel system, as verified by UV‐Vis absorption and Raman spectroscopy. When heated to 55°C and 75°C, a successive blue‐to‐purple‐to‐red colorimetric transition was observed for the PDA supramolecular gel. Interestingly, after cooled to room temperature, the purple PDA could return to the original blue phase reversibly, while the red PDA remained in the red phase with an obvious fluorescence enhancement effect. This work would promote the investigation of bolaamphiphilic molecules as well as conjugated PDA in soft materials.
Review on nano‐and microfiller‐based polyamide 6 hybrid composite: Effect on mechanical properties and morphology
Authors: Ghanta Tarun Sai , Aparna Sridhar , Verma Namrata , Purnima Doddipatla
Published: June 2020

Polyamide 6 (PA6)‐based composites are of evolving interest due to its high strength, wear resistance, and barrier properties. The use of binary composites mostly with nanomaterial and glass fibers has been reviewed and presented in literature. However to obtain a balance of properties like stiffness, toughness, and strength along with cost reduction, ternary composites of PA6 have been designed. To achieve the balance, PA6 blend‐based composites, with combination of microfiller/nanofiller or PA6 with combination micro‐microfiller, PA6 with microfiller/nanofiller and fiber have been designed. The properties of PA6‐based ternary hybrid composites depend on type of dispersed phase used, presence of compatibilizer, type of filler used (nanofiller or microfiller or fiber or hybrid) and combination of fillers used. However, a review in this direction is not available in literature. Here, in this study, an overall understanding of various fillers, dispersed phase, and their combinations can be understood along with the discussion on effect of these on tensile properties and morphology of hybrid composite. In this study, an attempt has been made to review the various fillers and dispersed phase and their combinations which have been used in designing the PA6 hybrid composite with good balance of stiffness, toughness, and strength.
When impulsive behaviours do not equal self-control failures: the (added) value of temptation enactments
Authors: Ghoniem Amir , Hofmann Wilhelm
Published: June 2020

Most work on self-control and impulsivity typically assumes, more or less tacitly, that people value self-control as more important than succumbing to temptations. According to this narrative, people regard impulsive behaviours as ‘failures’ of self-control and experience negative self-evaluations such as feelings of guilt or shame in response. Here, we direct attention to a neglected but crucial meta-behavioural valuation dimension of impulsive behaviour. We posit that individual differences in people's valuation of temptation enactment (VOTE) qualify whether and to what extent impulsive behaviours trigger negative self-evaluations and whether and to what extent people feel motivated to self-improve. Using a newly constructed VOTE scale, we first show that individual differences in VOTE can be reliably measured and clearly distinguished from traditional impulsivity or self-control scales (Studies 1–3; total N = 576). Across three subsequent studies (total N = 460), we then demonstrate that high VOTE, as compared with low VOTE, reduces the link between impulsive behaviours and negative self-conscious emotions (Studies 4 and 5), as well as between past impulsive behaviour and self-improvement motivation (Study 6). These findings have implications for the discourse on self-control failure and for the link between impulsive behaviour and self-evaluation, self-improvement motivation, and well-being.
Efficient synthesis of branched poly(acrylic acid) derivatives via postpolymerization modification
Authors: Bou Zerdan Raghida , Geng Zhishuai , Narupai Benjaporn , Diaz Yvonne J. , Bates Morgan W. , Laitar David S. , Souvagya Biswas , Van Dyk Antony K. , Hawker Craig J.
Published: June 2020

The utility of pentafluorophenyl esters for the selective introduction of functional units and branch points in well‐defined poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) derivatives is demonstrated using a combination of controlled radical polymerization and postpolymerization modification. Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer enables the synthesis of well‐defined copolymers—poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate‐co‐tert‐butyl acrylate)—with the active ester repeat units serving as attachment points for reaction with primary amines, specifically tris(2‐(t‐butoxycarbonyl)ethyl)methyl amine (Behera's amine). Deprotection using trifluoroacetic acid removes both the backbone and side chain t‐butyl esters to give a series of branched PAA derivatives containing novel tricarboxylic acid side chains that are well suited to complexation and multidentate interactions. Surprisingly, the active ester homopolymer is shown to have the highest reactivity with Behera's amine when compared to copolymers with lower incorporation of pentafluorophenyl esters, suggesting an intriguing interplay of neighboring group effects and steric interactions. The ability to tune the efficiency of postpolymerization modification gives a library of PAA derivatives.
Widely Tunable Terahertz‐Generating Semiconductor Disk Laser
Authors: Fedorova Ksenia A. , Guoyu Heyang , Wichmann Matthias , Kriso Christian , Zhang Fan , Stolz Wolfgang , Scheller Maik , Koch Martin , Rahimi-Iman Arash
Published: June 2020

The demand for tunable terahertz (THz) generating laser sources is significantly growing as they are used in a wide range of applications including THz imaging, spectroscopy, and metrology. However, the development of THz systems for the use in many practical applications is generally impeded by the limited availability of compact, sufficiently powerful and cost‐effective room‐temperature sources in the desired spectral ranges. Herein, the development of a compact, continuous‐wave, room‐temperature, tunable THz‐generating laser source in the 0.79–1.11 THz spectral region is reported. The laser source is based on intracavity difference‐frequency generation in an aperiodically poled lithium niobate (aPPLN) crystal within a dual‐wavelength vertical‐external‐cavity surface‐emitting laser. Furthermore, spectral coverage in the THz domain is compared for such a device utilizing a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) and an aPPLN crystal. The demonstrated results pave the way to an effective approach for the development of high‐performance, room‐temperature, widely tunable THz lasers for a variety of applications in science and industry.
Packet loss detection in networked control systems
Authors: Baglietto Marco , Battistelli Giorgio , Tesi Pietro
Published: June 2020

One of the main issues related to the reliable operation of network control systems concerns the design of mechanisms able to detect anomalies in the functioning of the communication network through which the control loops are closed. In this article, we address the problem of detecting the occurrence of packet losses and design a mechanism that can detect the occurrence of packet losses directly from process sensor data. Specifically, we propose a moving‐horizon estimation scheme that permits to detect if the packet‐loss rate exceeds prescribed thresholds, which are representative of stability and performance of the control system. We discuss theoretical properties of the proposed solution along with an approximation scheme with reduced computational burden. A numerical example is discussed to substantiate the analysis.
Seeded graph matching via large neighborhood statistics
Authors: Mossel Elchanan , Xu Jiaming
Published: June 2020

We study a noisy graph isomorphism problem, where the goal is to perfectly recover the vertex correspondence between two edge‐correlated graphs, with an initial seed set of correctly matched vertex pairs revealed as side information. We show that it is possible to achieve the information‐theoretic limit of graph sparsity in time polynomial in the number of vertices n. Moreover, we show the number of seeds needed for perfect recovery in polynomial‐time can be as low as in the sparse graph regime (with the average degree smaller than ) and in the dense graph regime, for a small positive constant . Unlike previous work on graph matching, which used small neighborhoods or small subgraphs with a logarithmic number of vertices in order to match vertices, our algorithms match vertices if their large neighborhoods have a significant overlap in the number of seeds.
Boosting the Cycling Stability of Aqueous Flexible Zn Batteries via F Doping in Nickel–Cobalt Carbonate Hydroxide Cathode
Authors: Li Xuejin , Tang Yongchao , Zhu Jiaxiong , Lv Haiming , Zhao Lianming , Wang Wenlong , Zhi Chunyi , Li Hongfei
Published: June 2020

Cathodes of rechargeable Zn batteries typically face the issues of irreversible phase transformation, structure collapse, and volume expansion during repeated charge/discharge cycles, which result in an increased transfer resistance and poor long‐term cycling stability. Herein, a facile F doping strategy is developed to boost the cycling stability of nickel cobalt carbonate hydroxide (NiCo–CH) cathode. Benefiting from the extremely high electronegativity, the phase and morphology stabilities as well as the electrical conductivity of NiCo–CH are remarkably enhanced by F incorporation (NiCo–CH–F). Phase interface and amorphous microdomains are also introduced, which are favorable for the electrochemical performance of cathode. Benefiting from these features, NiCo–CH–F delivers a high capacity (245 mA h g−1), excellent rate capability (64% retention at 8 A g−1), and outstanding cycling stability (maintains 90% after 10 000 cycles). Moreover, the quasi‐solid‐state battery also manifests superior cycling stability (maintains 90% after 7200 cycles) and desirable flexibility. This work offers a general strategy to boost the cycling stability of cathode materials for aqueous Zn batteries.
Combinatorial Discovery and Validation of Heptapeptides with UTP Binding Induced Structure
Authors: Kroiss Daniela , Aramini James M. , Ragoonath Sangitaa , Ulijn Rein V. , Tuttle Tell
Published: June 2020

In biology, supramolecular recognition typically involves an ‘induced‐fit’ mechanism, where structures rearrange upon complexation to accommodate binding ligands. Designing minimalistic compounds with such adaptability is challenging as they involve subtle conformational changes that are energetically similar. Here, we demonstrate the integration of combinatorial screening with molecular modelling to identify heptapeptides that form a stable loop upon recognition of uridine triphosphate (UTP). Peptide sequences selected using phage display were refined computationally and correlated with experimental KD values. This combined approach may serve as a method for the de novo selection and subsequent rationalization of the compositional and organizational principles that dictate chemical functionality in flexible structures with dynamic conformations.