bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotional Intelligence and Social Abilities are a Priority in Asperger’s Adolescents
Authors: Tapia-Pancardo Diana Cecilia
Published: November 2019

Objective: To analyze the influence of Emotional Intelligence and Social Abilities development as interventions in an Asperger’s adolescent, to facilitate his interpersonal relationships.

Materials and Method: Qualitative and ethnographic methodology with intervention in different settings like personal, family and scholar; one Asperger’s adolescent, his mother, his teachers and school authorities informed through deep semi-structured interviews, with a 5 year follow up. Participants signed an informed consent and the qualitative analysis was according to de Souza Minayo.

Results: Two categories emerged: 1. Emotional impact in his parents due to lack of empathy in their son. 2. Language problems that impair his communication with peers and teachers.

Conclusion: Interventions favored identification and thinking of self and others’ emotions, regulate negative behaviors, increase of assertive and better interpersonal relationships.
Single-Institution Case Series of Patients Undergoing Cholecystectomy for Gallbladder Torsion
Authors: Noda Takehiro , Ohara Nobuyoshi , Hatano Hisanori , Shimizu Junzo , Hirota Masashi , Takata Akihiro , Oshima Kazuteru , Tanida Tsukasa , Komori Takamichi , Morita Shunji , Imamura Hiroshi , Iwazawa Takashi , Akagi Kenzo , Dono Keizo
Published: November 2019

Gallbladder torsion is one subtype of acute cholecystitis. Because of the very low incidence of the condition, there are few reports analyzing multiple cases of gallbladder torsion. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult and reported to be made in only 26% of patients. Herein, we report 6 consecutive cases of gallbladder torsion in 7 years and highlight the clinical and radiologic findings that facilitate preoperative diagnosis. Between 2005 and 2011, a total of 6 patients received a diagnosis of and were treated for gallbladder torsion in Toyonaka Municipal Hospital. A total of 5 patients received a diagnosis of gallbladder torsion or were suspected of having gallbladder torsion preoperatively, and 1 additional patient was diagnosed intraoperatively. The computed tomography findings of both excessive gallbladder swelling and rotation of the gallbladder fundus were observed in 5 patients, which were indicative findings of gallbladder torsion. The remaining 1 patient received a diagnosis intraoperatively. The twisted cystic duct and artery had been observed as a “whirl sign” preoperatively in 2 patients. Emergency cholecystectomy was performed: laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 4 patients and open cholecystectomy in 2 patients. The patients treated by laparoscopic approach showed more rapid recovery and shorter postoperative hospital stay before discharge. The radiologic findings of both excessive gallbladder swelling and rotation of the gallbladder fundus are indicative of gallbladder torsion. The laparoscopic cholecystectomy approach could be considered the first choice for patients with gallbladder torsion.
Homolateral Hip Dislocation, Floating Hip Injury, and Floating Knee Injury: A Unique Presentation of a Rare Injury
Authors: Li Dongzhe , Fang Yue , Xiang Zhou
Published: November 2019

Introduction:

Floating joint injury is an unusual injury pattern that is hard to deal with and often caused by high-energy trauma. In this report, a patient had a homolateral floating hip injury (FHI), floating knee injury (FKI), and hip dislocation at our hospital, and there was no case reported before.

Case Presentation:

A 48-year-old driver who encountered a traffic accident was seen. Radiologic examination revealed acetabulum comminuted fractures and hip joint posterior dislocation with some fracture pieces in the joint space on the left side. The femur, tibia, and fibula were simultaneously disrupted with open trauma of the left calf. Open reduction and screw-plate fixation of the acetabulum fracture, intramedullary nail fixation of the femoral fracture, and external fixator for his tibia and fibula fracture were carried out.

Conclusion:

The treatment of multiple fractures should focus on life-threatening injuries above all, and then deal with the fractures according to the situation of the patient. Open reduction and internal fixation are priority choices except in some special cases like where soft tissue is in poor condition. Individual therapy and early rehabilitation are effective for homolateral FHI and FKI.
Innate immunity to adenovirus: lessons from mice
Authors: Atasheva Svetlana , Yao Jia , Shayakhmetov Dmitry M.
Published: November 2019

Adenovirus is a highly evolutionary successful pathogen, as it is widely prevalent across the animal kingdom, infecting hosts ranging from lizards and frogs to dolphins, birds, and humans. Although natural adenovirus infections in humans rarely cause severe pathology, intravenous injection of high doses of adenovirus‐based vectors triggers rapid activation of the innate immune system, leading to cytokine storm syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, thrombocytopenia, and hepatotoxicity, which individually or in combination may cause morbidity and mortality. Much of the information on exactly how adenovirus activates the innate immune system has been gathered from mouse experimental systems. Intravenous administration of adenovirus to mice revealed mechanistic insights into cellular and molecular components of the innate immunity that detect adenovirus particles, activate pro‐inflammatory signaling pathways and cytokine production, sequester adenovirus particles from the bloodstream, and eliminate adenovirus‐infected cells. Collectively, this information greatly improved our understanding of mechanisms of activation of innate immunity to adenovirus and may pave the way for designing safer adenovirus‐based vectors for therapy of genetic and acquired human diseases.
Promotional role of MgO on sorption‐enhanced steam reforming of ethanol over Ni/CaO catalysts
Authors: Sang Sier , Zhao Zhi‐Jian , Tian Hao , Sun Zhao , Li Hongfang , Assabumrungrat Suttichai , Muhammad Tahir , Zeng Liang , Gong Jinlong
Published: November 2019

This article describes the design and synthesis of MgO‐modified Ni/CaO catalysts for sorption‐enhanced steam reforming of ethanol. The results show that the introduction of MgO effectively increases the dispersion of CaO via forming MgCa(CO3)2 precursor. In the prepared MgO‐modified Ni/CaO catalysts, metallic Ni exists around MgO supported on CaO. Both 100% ethanol conversion and >96% hydrogen purity can be stabilized in 10 cycles over the catalyst containing 20 wt% MgO. The interaction between metallic Ni and MgO enhances the sintering resistance of the catalyst. More importantly, reaction pathway studies have confirmed that the formation of CaCO3 hinders the activation of H2O on the Ni/CaO catalyst surface, and thus inhibits the conversion of the reaction intermediates including HCO* and CH
x*. MgO can dissociate H2O to form hydroxyl groups which participate in the conversion of the reaction intermediates, thereby the MgO‐modified Ni/CaO catalysts have better catalytic performance and carbon deposition resistance.
Chronic neutrophilic leukemia: 2020 update on diagnosis, molecular genetics, prognosis, and management
Authors: Szuber Natasha , Elliott Michelle , Tefferi Ayalew
Published: November 2019

Disease overview

Chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) is a rare, often aggressive myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) defined by persistent mature neutrophilic leukocytosis, bone marrow granulocyte hyperplasia, and frequent hepatosplenomegaly. The seminal discovery of oncogenic driver mutations in colony‐stimulating factor 3 receptor (CSF3R) in the majority of patients with CNL in 2013 anchored a new scientific framework, deepening our understanding of its molecular pathogenesis, providing a diagnostic biomarker, and rationalizing the use of pharmacological targeting.

Diagnostic criteria

In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) included the presence of activating CSF3R mutations as a central diagnostic feature of CNL. Other criteria include leukocytosis of ≥25 × 109/L comprising >80% neutrophils with <10% circulating precursors and rare blasts, and absence of dysplasia or monocytosis, while not fulfilling criteria for other MPN.

Disease updates

Increasingly comprehensive genetic profiling of CNL has disclosed a complex genomic landscape and additional prognostically relevant mutational combinations. Though prognostic determination and therapeutic decision‐making remain challenging, emerging data on prognostic markers and the use of newer therapeutic agents, such as JAK inhibitors, are helping to define state‐of‐the‐art management in CNL.
Is motor competence associated with the risk of central obesity in preschoolers?
Authors: Henrique Rafael S. , Stodden David F. , Fransen Job , Feitoza Anderson H. P. , Ré Alessandro H. N. , Martins Clarice M. L. , dos Prazeres Thaliane M. P. , Cattuzzo Maria T.
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To investigate the association between motor competence (MC) and central obesity in preschool children.

Methods

The sample comprised of 472 children aged 3 to 5 years (4.58 ± 0.70 years, 248 boys) from Recife, Brazil. MC was assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development‐2. Waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR) was calculated and a cutoff of 0.5 was used to define central obesity. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between MC and WHtR ≥ 0.5.

Results

The prevalence of central obesity (WHtR) was 54.0% and 46.4% for boys and girls, respectively. Older children (OR = 0.61; CI = 0.44‐0.84; P < .01) and those with higher MC in locomotor skills (OR = 0.96; CI = 0.93‐0.99; P < .01) were less likely to present WHtR ≥ 0.5. Sex and object control skills were not associated with WHtR ≥ 0.5.

Conclusions

To reduce the risks of central obesity in children, health practitioners should focus on increasing competence in locomotor skills since preschool years.
Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Tandem Defunctionalization of Biorenewable Ferulic acid and Derivates into Bio‐Catechol
Authors: Bomon Jeroen , Van Den Broeck Elias , Bal Mathias , Liao Yuhe , Sergeyev Sergey , Van Speybroeck Veronique , Sels Bert F. , Maes Bert U. W.
Published: November 2019

An efficient conversion of biorenewable ferulic acid into bio‐catechol has been developed. The transformation comprises two consecutive defunctionalizations of the substrate, that is, C−O (demethylation) and C−C (de‐2‐carboxyvinylation) bond cleavage, occurring in one step. The process only requires heating of ferulic acid with HCl (or H2SO4) as catalyst in pressurized hot water (250 °C, 50 bar N2). The versatility is shown on a variety of other (biorenewable) substrates yielding up to 84 % di‐ (catechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone) and trihydroxybenzenes (pyrogallol, hydroxyquinol), in most cases just requiring simple extraction as work‐up.
Oxidative Stability and Characterization of Quinoa Oil Extracted from Wholemeal and Germ Flours
Authors: Mufari Jesica Romina , Gorostegui Horacio Adrián , Miranda‐Villa Patricia Paola , Bergesse Antonella Estefanía , Calandri Edgardo Luis
Published: November 2019

Quinoa seeds are a source of lipids of great quality, and they highlight the content and composition of fatty acids and the presence of antioxidants such as tocopherols. Solvent extraction of quinoa oils was carried out from two matrices (wholemeal and germ flours), and in both cases, the extraction performance, physical–chemical characteristics, and oxidative stability were determined. Oxidative stability of the oil was assessed using an accelerated aging experiment under storage conditions at 60 °C for 12 days, in which the following parameters were measured: peroxide value, acid value, conjugated dienes and trienes, and scavenging radical capacity. Germ flour showed greater extraction yields (27.30 ± 0.15 g/100 g) compared to wholemeal (5.88 ± 0.02 g/100 g). Both oils presented similar physicochemical parameters, although the tocopherol content was higher in the oil extracted from germ flour (1354 vs. 735 mg/kg oil). At the same time, wholemeal oil showed a superior oxidative stability; hence, the wet milled process produces a minor impact on the compounds responsible for protection against lipid oxidation.
Layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly of multifunctional enzymatic UF membranes
Authors: Yurekli Yilmaz
Published: November 2019

In order to eliminate membrane fouling and to ensure enzymatic hydrolysis of urea, multifunctional biocatalytic membranes were prepared by using urease (URE) and trypsin (TRY) enzymes on the sulfonated polysulfone (SPSf) ultrafiltration membrane via layer‐by‐layer (LbL) self‐assembly method. The membrane architecture consisted of multilayer assembly with TRY and URE enzymes as the outer layer and inner sandwiched layer, respectively. Polyethyleneimine (PEI) and alginate (ALG) were used as cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes. Sulfonation and PEI deposition were successfully accomplished as confirmed by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy analysis, contact angle measurements, staining with toluidine blue and Congo red dyes and dead‐end filtration experiments. A characteristic value of SPSf membrane with a high water permeability (1000 L/m2.h.bar) and 95% bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection was observed. In static conditions, URE activities of SPSf2‐PEI‐URE membrane were not affected by BSA fouling, while TRY immobilizations with increased concentrations (SPSf2‐PEI‐URE‐PEI‐ALG‐TRY) significantly lowered the activity of URE. In dynamic conditions, each deposited layer exhibited individual resistance to flow that can be considered as irreversible fouling and caused 90% of flux decline for the SPSf2‐PEI‐URE‐PEI‐ALG‐TRY membrane assembly. The recovery of the initial flux for the multilayered membrane at the end of six fouling and washing cycles was observed 85%. Moreover, at the end of 5 cycles, 78% of the URE initial activity of the multilayered membrane was preserved. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48750.
Maintenance of Efficacy and Safety of Ustekinumab Through One Year in a Phase II Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Crossover Trial of Patients With Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: van Vollenhoven Ronald F. , Hahn Bevra H. , Tsokos George C. , Lipsky Peter , Fei Kaiyin , Gordon Robert M. , Gregan Irene , Lo Kim Hung , Chevrier Marc , Rose Shawn
Published: November 2019

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab through 1 year in a phase II trial in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Eligible patients were diagnosed as having clinically active SLE (based on Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics criteria), despite standard background therapy. Active disease was defined by an SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI‐2K) score of ≥6 as well as having ≥1 British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) A organ domain score and/or ≥2 BILAG B organ domain scores present at screening. Patients (n = 102) were randomized (3:2) to receive either ustekinumab (~6 mg/kg of single intravenous infusion at week 0, then 90‐mg subcutaneous injections every 8 weeks beginning at week 8) or a matching placebo added to standard therapy. At week 24, the placebo group crossed over to receive a subcutaneous 90‐mg dose of ustekinumab every 8 weeks, and the original ustekinumab group continued to receive therapy through week 40. Maintenance of efficacy was assessed using the SLEDAI‐2K, the SLE Responder Index 4 (SRI‐4), physician global assessment, and mucocutaneous and joint disease measures in a modified intent‐to‐treat population.

Results

SRI‐4 response rates were significantly greater in the ustekinumab group (62%) versus the placebo group (33%) in the week 24 primary end point analysis (P = 0.006) and were maintained at week 48 (63.3%) in the ustekinumab group. In the ustekinumab group, response rates across other disease measures were also maintained through week 48. Among patients in the placebo group who crossed over to ustekinumab treatment (n = 33), increased response rates across efficacy measures were noted. Among all ustekinumab‐treated patients, 81.7% had ≥1 adverse event (AE), and 15.1% had ≥1 serious AE through week 56. No deaths, malignancies, opportunistic infections, or tuberculosis cases were observed.

Conclusion

Ustekinumab provided sustained clinical benefit in patients with SLE through 1 year, with a safety profile consistent with other indications.
Effect of perturbations in the Coriolis and centrifugal forces in the Robe‐finite straight segment model with arbitrary density parameter
Authors: Kaur Bhavneet , Kumar Dinesh , Chauhan Shipra
Published: November 2019

The present article is a study of the effect of small perturbations ϵ and ϵ′ in the Coriolis and centrifugal forces, respectively, on the existence and stability of the equilibrium points in the Robe's restricted three‐body problem when the smaller primary is a finite straight segment. The effect of small perturbations in the centrifugal force has a substantial effect on the location of the equilibrium points, but a small perturbation in the Coriolis force has no impact on them. The present model has two collinear, two out‐of‐plane, and an infinite number of noncollinear equilibrium points. Furthermore, we have discussed the stability of the equilibrium points analytically. The collinear equilibrium points L1 and L2 are found to be conditionally stable for the parameters μ, k, l, ϵ, and ϵ′. It is perceived that, for any ϵ with ∣ϵ ∣  ≪ 1 and ϵ′ ≤ 0.2, L1 is stable, and for ϵ′ ≥ 0.23, it becomes unstable. Furthermore, for any ϵ with |ϵ| ≪ 1 and ϵ′ ≤ −0.025, L2 is stable, and for ϵ′ ≥ −0.024, it becomes unstable. The noncollinear and out‐of‐plane equilibrium points are always unstable.
Development of the nasopharynx: A radiological study of children
Authors: Cohen Oded , Betito Hadar Rotem , Adi Meital , Shapira‐Galitz Yael , Halperin Doron , Lahav Yonatan , Warman Meir
Published: November 2019

The relation between pharyngeal tonsil and the bony nasopharynx determines the nasopharyngeal airway patency. Despite its importance, an anatomical study utilizing advanced imaging has not been conducted. The aim of the study was to evaluate the pharyngeal tonsil and bony nasopharynx depth and their ratio (adenoid‐nasopharyngeal ratio [ANR]) with relation to sex and age in the general pediatric population. After excluding reported history of adenoidectomy, acute upper airway illness, allergy, and poor quality, 200 randomly selected head computed tomographies (CTs) of children were evaluated. CTs were divided into five age groups (0–5, 5.1–8, 8.1–11, 11.1–14, and 14.1–17 years). For each CT scan, the pharyngeal tonsil, bony nasopharynx and ANR values were calculated. A significant difference was found in the bony nasopharynx and pharyngeal tonsil depth between the five age subgroups (P < 0.001). Both bony nasopharynx and pharyngeal tonsil depth significantly increased between the age groups of 0–5 years to 5.1–8 years (4.17 mm increase, P < 0.001 and 3.47 mm increase, P < 0.009, respectively). The pharyngeal tonsil depth gradually decreases following the age of 8 years. No difference was found between age groups beyond age of eight for both the pharyngeal tonsil tissue and the bony nasopharynx. The ANR has an upward trend in the age group of 5.1–8 years. No sexual predilection was found. The bony nasopharynx and the pharyngeal tonsil tissue both grow during childhood. Different growth rates result in the narrowest airway in the age group of 5.1–8 years (ANR peak). These growth curves should be taken under consideration when treating pediatric pharyngeal tonsil hypertrophy. Clin. Anat., 33:1019–1024, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hybrid Electrode Innovations in Triple and Quadruple Dimensions for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Pham Tuyet Nhung , Hur Jaehyun , Kim Il Tae , Lee Yongil , Lee Young‐Chul
Published: November 2019

Hybrid electrodes for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) based on the dimensional combination of various nanomaterials have been widely investigated in recent years. This is an inevitable development trend that seeks to inherit and promote the remarkable achievements of the double designs for an ideal electrode in both performance and stability. However, a clear and in‐depth understanding of the origin of the common progress trends, as well as the opportunities and challenges of such designs, are somewhat elusive due to the lack of detailed reviews of the field. Herein, we present a review of the hybrid electrodes arising from triple and quadruple combinational dimensions in LIB applications. The critical challenges of normal electrode operation are discussed in a detailed way to better understand how interactions and synergistic effects in hybrid design affect the mechanical aspects, electrochemical properties, performance and cycle life of batteries. Finally, the developments and innovations in future electrodes based on these higher‐dimensional hybrid designs are presented.
Zig‐Zag Type Molecular Design Strategy of N‐Type Hosts for Sky‐Blue Thermally‐Activated Delayed Fluorescence Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Yang Chang Yoon , Lee Kyung Hyung , Lee Jun Yeob
Published: November 2019

N‐type hosts for long lifetime in sky‐blue thermally‐activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) were investigated by synthesizing four hosts with zig‐zag‐type backbone structure for high triplet energy. The four hosts had two CN units at different positions of the zig‐zag‐type backbone structure and two dibenzofuran units through either the 2 or 4‐position of dibenzofuran. The position of the CN unit was controlled at the meta and para‐positions in the zig‐zag‐type backbone to study the relationship between material parameters and lifetime of the TADF OLEDs. It was revealed that the meta‐orientation of the CN units in the backbone was advantageous to extend device lifetime of the sky‐blue TADF OLEDs.
A new distribution‐free k‐sample test: Analysis of kernel density functionals
Authors: Chen Su
Published: November 2019

Abstract

A novel distribution‐free k‐sample test of differences in location shifts based on the analysis of kernel density functional estimation is introduced and studied. The proposed test parallels one‐way analysis of variance and the Kruskal–Wallis (KW) test aiming at testing locations of unknown distributions. In contrast to the rank (score)‐transformed non‐parametric approach, such as the KW test, the proposed F‐test uses the measurement responses along with well‐known kernel density estimation (KDE) to estimate the locations and construct the test statistic. A practical optimal bandwidth selection procedure is also provided. Our simulation studies and real data example indicate that the proposed analysis of kernel density functional estimate (ANDFE) test is superior to existing competitors for fat‐tailed or heavy‐tailed distributions when the k groups differ mainly in location rather than shape, especially with unbalanced data. ANDFE is also highly recommended when it is unclear whether test groups differ mainly in shape or location. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 48: 167–186; 2020 © 2019 Statistical Society of Canada
Revisiting Bromohexitols as a Novel Class of Microenvironment‐Activated Prodrugs for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Johansson Henrik , Hussain Omar , Allison Simon J. , Robinson Tony V. , Phillips Roger M. , Sejer Pedersen Daniel
Published: November 2019

Bromohexitols represent a potent class of DNA‐alkylating carbohydrate chemotherapeutics that has been largely ignored over the last decades due to safety concerns. The limited structure−activity relationship data available reveals significant changes in cytotoxicity with even subtle changes in stereochemistry. However, no attempts have been made to improve the therapeutic window by rational drug design or by using a prodrug approach to exploit differences between tumour physiology and healthy tissue, such as acidic extracellular pH and hypoxia. Herein, we report the photochemical synthesis of highly substituted endoperoxides as key precursors for dibromohexitol derivatives and investigate their use as microenvironment‐activated prodrugs for targeting cancer cells. One endoperoxide was identified to have a marked increased activity under hypoxic and low pH conditions, indicating that endoperoxides may serve as microenvironment‐activated prodrugs.
Epidermal growth factor receptor mutation analysis in tissue and plasma from the AURA3 trial: Osimertinib versus platinum‐pemetrexed for T790M mutation‐positive advanced non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Papadimitrakopoulou Vassiliki A. , Han Ji‐Youn , Ahn Myung‐Ju , Ramalingam Suresh S. , Delmonte Angelo , Hsia Te‐Chun , Laskin Janessa , Kim Sang‐We , He Yong , Tsai Chun‐Ming , Hida Toyoaki , Maemondo Makoto , Kato Terufumi , Jenkins Suzanne , Patel Sabina , Huang Xiangning , Laus Gianluca , Markovets Aleksandra , Thress Kenneth S. , Wu Yi‐Long , Mok Tony
Published: November 2019

Background

This study assesses different technologies for detecting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations from circulating tumor DNA in patients with EGFR T790M‐positive advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from the AURA3 study (NCT02151981), and it evaluates clinical responses to osimertinib and platinum‐pemetrexed according to the plasma T790M status.

Methods

Tumor tissue biopsy samples were tested for T790M during screening with the cobas EGFR Mutation Test (cobas tissue). Plasma samples were collected at screening and at the baseline and were retrospectively analyzed for EGFR mutations with the cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2 (cobas plasma), droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR; Biodesix), and next‐generation sequencing (NGS; Guardant360, Guardant Health).

Results

With cobas tissue test results as a reference, the plasma T790M positive percent agreement (PPA) was 51% (110 of 215 samples) by cobas plasma, 58% (110 of 189) by ddPCR, and 66% (136 of 207) by NGS. Plasma T790M detection was associated with a larger median baseline tumor size (56 mm for T790M‐positive vs 39 mm for T790M‐negative; P < .0001) and the presence of extrathoracic disease (58% for M1b‐positive vs 39% for M0‐1a‐positive; P = .002). Progression‐free survival (PFS) was prolonged in randomized patients (tissue T790M‐positive) with a T790M‐negative cobas plasma result in comparison with those with a T790M‐positive plasma result in both osimertinib (median, 12.5 vs 8.3 months) and platinum‐pemetrexed groups (median, 5.6 vs 4.2 months).

Conclusions

PPA was similar between ddPCR and NGS assays; both were more sensitive than cobas plasma. All 3 test platforms are suitable for routine clinical practice. In patients with tissue T790M‐positive NSCLC, an absence of detectable plasma T790M at the baseline is associated with longer PFS, which may be attributed to a lower disease burden.
Impact of age at diagnosis of de novo metastatic prostate cancer on survival
Authors: Bernard Brandon , Burnett Colin , Sweeney Christopher J. , Rider Jennifer R. , Sridhar Srikala S.
Published: November 2019

Background

An older age at the diagnosis of prostate cancer has been linked to worse prostate cancer–specific survival (PCSS). However, these studies were conducted before the approval of many life‐prolonging drugs. This study was aimed at describing outcomes in a contemporary cohort of men diagnosed with de novo metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) and assessing associations with the age at diagnosis while controlling for known prognostic factors.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry was used to identify men diagnosed with mPCa from 2004 to 2014. Men were classified by 4 age groups: ≤54, 55 to 64, 65 to 74, and ≥75 years. The median overall survival, PCSS, and restricted mean survival times for any‐cause mortality and prostate cancer–specific mortality (PCSM) were calculated. Multivariable and subdistribution hazard ratios for PCSM according to age group and with controlling for race, marital status, and income were estimated.

Results

Compared with men aged ≤54 years, men aged ≥75 years experienced a mean PCSS at 5 years that was 6.7 months shorter (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.5‐7.8 months). In multivariable analyses, men aged ≥75 years had a 49% increase in the rate of PCSM in comparison with those aged ≤54 years (95% CI, 1.39‐1.60). The subdistribution hazard ratio for PCSM between these groups was 1.41 (95% CI, 1.32‐1.50).

Conclusions

Age was found to be an independent predictor of shorter PCSS in men diagnosed with de novo mPCa even in an era with more effective therapies. Further work is needed to determine the reason for poor outcomes in older men with mPCa.
Enzyme‐Like Catalytic Activity of Porphyrin‐Functionalized Ceria Nanotubes for Water Oxidation
Authors: Meng Jiao , Li Haining , Chen Ruiping , Sun Xun , Sun Xuan
Published: November 2019

Artificial enzymes have broad applications in catalysis and can be used to help understand catalytic mechanisms. Nanoceria has various enzyme‐mimetic properties that depend on the relative content of Ce3+ and Ce4+. In this context, CeO2 nanotubes was investigated as catalase mimics for water oxidation. The photosensitizer 5,10,15,20‐meso‐tetra(4‐carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) was facilely embedded in CeO2 nanotubes (TCPP@CeO2 NTs), and photoinduced charge transfer was shown to occur between the strongly coupled TCPP and CeO2, which leads to effective charge separation and charge redistribution within the hybrids. As a consequence, formation of H2O2, a competing process in water oxidation and a key factor that affects the oxidative stability of photoelectrodes, was effectively inhibited on TCPP@CeO2 NTs. These findings show that enzyme mimics can be used for the selective generation of reactive oxygen species, and therefore to control the kinetics of water oxidation.
Self‐tunable chaotic true random bit generator in current‐mode CMOS circuit with nonlinear distortion analysis
Authors: Addabbo Tommaso , Fort Ada , Mugnaini Marco , Petra Nicola , Takaloo Hadis , Vignoli Valerio
Published: November 2019

We discuss the low‐complexity integrated circuit design of a true random bit generator with parametric self‐tuning capabilities. The design targets a mixed‐signal complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) current‐mode circuit implementing the Sawtooth chaotic map. Starting from the analysis of the proposed circuit topologies, we investigate how the dynamical system behavior is affected by nonlinear distortions, discussing theoretical simplified models and resorting to qualified numerical simulations. The circuit solutions proposed in this paper and validated with experiments represent an improvement of the designs published in literature, proposing technical solutions to solve stability issues and introducing parametric adjustment capabilities while maintaining a strong link with the studied theoretical models.
Real‐Time Monitoring of Bacteria Clearance From Blood in a Murine Model
Authors: Harrington Walter N. , Nolan Jacqueline , Nedosekin Dmitry A. , Smeltzer Mark S. , Zharov Vladimir P.
Published: November 2019

Bloodstream infections, especially those that are antibiotic resistant, pose a significant challenge to health care leading to increased hospitalization time and patient mortality. There are different facets to this problem that make these diseases difficult to treat, such as the difficulty to detect bacteria in the blood and the poorly understood mechanism of bacterial invasion into and out of the circulatory system. However, little progress has been made in developing techniques to study bacteria dynamics in the bloodstream. Here, we present a new approach using an in vivo flow cytometry platform for real‐time, noninvasive, label‐free, and quantitative monitoring of the lifespan of green fluorescent protein‐expressing Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a murine model. We report a relatively fast average rate of clearance for S. aureus (k = 0.37 ± 0.09 min−1, half‐life ~1.9 min) and a slower rate for P. aeruginosa (k = 0.07 ± 0.02 min−1, half‐life ~9.6 min). We also observed what appears to be two stages of clearance for S. aureus, while P. aeruginosa appeared only to have a single stage of clearance. Our results demonstrate that an advanced research tool can be used for studying the dynamics of bacteria cells directly in the bloodstream, providing insight into the progression of infectious diseases in circulation. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Percent ash‐free dry weight as a robust method to estimate energy density across taxa
Authors: Weil Jacob , Trudel Marc , Tucker Strahan , Brodeur Richard D. , Juanes Francis
Published: November 2019

Determining how energy flows through ecosystems reveals underlying ecological patterns that drive processes such as growth and food web dynamics. Models that assess the transfer of energy from producers to consumers require information on the energy content or energy density (ED) of prey species. ED is most accurately measured through bomb calorimetry, but this method suffers from limitations of cost, time, and sample requirements that often make it unrealistic for many studies. Percent dry weight (DW) is typically used as a proxy for ED, but this measure includes an indigestible portion (e.g., bones, shell, salt) that can vary widely among organisms. Further, several distinct models exist for various taxonomic groups, yet none can accurately estimate invertebrate, vertebrate and plant ED with a single equation. Here, we present a novel method to estimate the ED of organisms using percent ash‐free dry weight (AFDW). Using data obtained from 11 studies diverse in geographic, temporal and taxonomic scope, AFDW, DW as well as percent protein and percent lipid were compared as predictors of ED. Linear models were produced on a logarithmic scale, including dummy variables for broad taxonomic groups. AFDW was the superior predictor of ED compared to DW, percent protein content and percent lipid content. Model selection revealed that using correction factors (dummy variables) for aquatic animals (AA) and terrestrial invertebrates (TI) produced the best‐supported model—log10(ED) = 1.07*log10(AFDW) − 0.80 (R2 = 0.978, p < .00001)—with an intercept adjustment of 0.09 and 0.04 for AA and TI, respectively. All models including AFDW as a predictor had high predictive power (R2 > 0.97), suggesting that AFDW can be used with high degrees of certainty to predict the ED of taxonomically diverse organisms. Our AFDW model will allow ED to be determined with minimal cost and time requirements and excludes ash‐weight from estimates of digestible mass. Its ease of use will allow for ED to be more readily and accurately determined for diverse taxa across different ecosystems.
B‐type natriuretic peptide trend predicts clinical significance of worsening renal function in acute heart failure
Authors: Wettersten Nicholas , Horiuchi Yu , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Mueller Christian , Filippatos Gerasimos , Nowak Richard , Hogan Christopher , Kontos Michael C. , Cannon Chad M. , Müeller Gerhard A. , Birkhahn Robert , Taub Pam , Vilke Gary M. , Barnett Olga , McDonald Kenneth , Mahon Niall , Nuñez Julio , Briguori Carlo , Passino Claudio , Murray Patrick T. , Maisel Alan
Published: November 2019

Aims

In acute heart failure (AHF), relationships between changes in B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and worsening renal function (WRF) and its prognostic implications have not been fully determined. We investigated the relationship between WRF and a decrease in BNP with in‐hospital and 1‐year mortality in AHF.

Methods and results

The Acute Kidney Injury NGAL Evaluation of Symptomatic heart faIlure Study (AKINESIS) was a prospective, international, multicentre study of AHF patients. Severe WRF (sWRF) was a sustained increase of ≥44.2 μmol/L (0.5 mg/dL) or ≥50% in creatinine, non‐severe WRF (nsWRF) was a non‐sustained increase of ≥26.5 μmol/L (0.3 mg/dL) or ≥50% in creatinine, and WRF with clinical deterioration was nsWRF with renal replacement therapy, inotrope use, or mechanical ventilation. Decreased BNP was defined as a ≥30% reduction in the last measured BNP compared to admission BNP. Among 814 patients, the incidence of WRF was not different between patients with or without decreased BNP (nsWRF: 33% vs. 31%, P = 0.549; sWRF: 11% vs. 9%, P = 0.551; WRF with clinical deterioration: 8% vs. 10%, P = 0.425). Decreased BNP was associated with better in‐hospital and 1‐year mortality regardless of WRF, while WRF was associated with worse outcomes only in patients without decreased BNP. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, decreased BNP, sWRF, and WRF with clinical deterioration were significantly associated with 1‐year mortality.

Conclusions

Decreased BNP was associated with better in‐hospital and long‐term outcomes. WRF was only associated with adverse outcomes in patients without decreased BNP.
Antibacterial Activities of Sophorolipids and Nisin and Their Combination against Foodborne Pathogen Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Chen Jing , Lü Zhifei , An Zaiyong , Ji Pingsheng , Liu Xinli
Published: November 2019

In food processing, both preservatives and surfactants are usually added to ensure the quality of food. Sophorolipids (SLs) are extracellular biosurfactants produced by yeasts that have antibacterial activities. Nisin is a polycyclic antibacterial peptide produced by Lactococcus lactis. In this study, the possibility of using SLs alone as a preservative and in combination with nisin as a compound additive is investigated. SLs and nisin exhibit effective antibacterial activities against foodborne pathogen Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 32 and 0.5 µg mL−1, respectively. Both SLs and nisin increase cell wall and cell membrane permeability of S. aureus, enhance intracellular content release and activities of extracellular ALP and β‐galactosidase, and reduce respiratory‐chain dehydrogenase activity of the pathogen. Fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index for SLs and nisin combination is 1.5, indicating the effect of SLs with nisin is additive. Results of the study indicate that SLs could be used alone as a preservative or in combination with nisin as a promising compound additive with functions of both emulsifier and preservative.

Practical Applications: SLs could be used alone as a preservative in food industry or in combination with nisin as a promising compound additive with functions of both emulsifier and preservative.
Nickel Catalyzed Intermolecular Carbonyl Addition of Aryl Halide
Authors: Ishida Seima , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Uchida Seiichiro , Yamaguchi Eiji , Itoh Akichika
Published: November 2019

In this study, we develop a nickel‐catalyzed carbonyl arylation reaction employing aldehydes with aryl and allyl halides. Various aryl, α,β‐unsaturated aldehyde and aliphatic aldehydes can be converted into their corresponding secondary alcohols in moderate‐to‐high yields. In addition, we extended this approach to develop an asymmetric reductive coupling reaction that combines nickel salts with chiral bisoxazoline ligands to give secondary alcohols with moderate enantioselectivity.
Tuning Flavin‐Based Photocatalytic Systems for Application in the Mild Chemoselective Aerobic Oxidation of Benzylic Substrates
Authors: Tolba Amal Hassan , Vávra František , Chudoba Josef , Cibulka Radek
Published: November 2019

New flavin‐based photocatalytic systems used for chemoselective aerobic visible‐light oxidations have been developed by tuning the flavin structure and reaction conditions. 1,3‐Dimethyl‐7‐trifluoromethylalloxazine (2) and 10‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐7‐trifluoromethylisoalloxazine (3) were shown to mediate the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohols to form aldehydes in the presence of Cs2CO3. Flavin 3 was superior in the oxidation of toluene derivatives to form aldehydes in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid. On the other hand, photooxidations provided by ethylene‐bridged quaternary flavinium salt 1 gave the corresponding carboxylic acids. The usefulness of the developed catalytic systems using 1–3 was also demonstrated in the oxidation of secondary benzylic and aliphatic alcohols, and benzylic methylene groups to form the corresponding ketones. The systems have the advantage of a broad substrate scope and metal‐free conditions, which distinguish them from the previously reported flavin photooxidation reactions.
A Computational Approach toward the Enhanced Performance of Graphene–Perovskite Schottky Solar Cells
Authors: Lin Lingyan , Jiang Linqin , Li Ping , Li Xiaoyan , Qiu Yu
Published: November 2019

Herein, a device modeling of graphene–perovskite Schottky junction solar cells is conducted by AFORS‐HET package. It is found that the back and front contact work function (WF) and the absorber doping concentration have important effects on cell performance. The front contact with a high WF of 5.4 eV is suggested to form the desired Schottky junction, which contributes to better efficiency. Back contact WF lower than 4.2 eV is desired to form ohmic contact. Appropriate doping concentration (1016 cm−3) of perovskite favors the efficiency improvement. Under the optimal conditions, the graphene–perovskite Schottky solar cells can obtain a conversion efficiency up to 21.13%, but at a lower cost and much simpler structure comparable with the planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells. These results can provide guidance for further performance improvement of perovskite‐based Schottky solar cells.
Cooperative jamming AF networks via Nakagami‐m fading channels
Authors: Hadj Alouane Wided , Boujemaa Hatem
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we highlight a secure reactive amplify‐and‐forward relaying system over Nakagami‐m fading channels in the presence of multiple eavesdroppers. We study a destination‐assisted jamming scheme to strengthen the wireless security against any malicious attack. We define a reactive selection where the cooperating node is chosen according to the maximum instantaneous signal‐to‐noise ratio of the second hop. We provide, as well, an optimal power allocation and an approximate analysis for the ergodic secrecy capacity. A selection of simulation results is illustrated to confirm the accuracy of the proposed theoretical analysis.
Impact of active smoking on outcomes in HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Xiao Roy , Pham Yvonne , Ward Matthew C. , Houston Narcissa , Reddy Chandana A. , Joshi Nikhil P. , Greskovich John F. , Woody Neil M. , Chute Deborah J. , Lamarre Eric D. , Prendes Brandon L. , Lorenz Robert R. , Scharpf Joseph , Burkey Brian B. , Geiger Jessica L. , Adelstein David J. , Koyfman Shlomo A.
Published: November 2019

Background

The role of smoking among patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is unclear.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of patients with HPV(+) OPSCC from 2001 to 2015 at a tertiary‐care institution was conducted. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS).

Results

Among 484 included patients, 94 (19.4%) were active smokers, 226 (46.7%) were former smokers, and 164 (33.9%) never smoked. Among active smokers, 82 patients (87.2%) had a ≥10 pack‐year and 69 (73.4%) had a ≥20 pack‐year smoking history. After adjusting for covariates, active smoking was a significant predictor of inferior OS (HR 2.28, P < .001) and PFS (HR 2.26, P < .001). When including pack‐years as the covariate, ≥20 pack‐years predicted a decreased effect‐size for inferior OS and PFS.

Conclusions

For patients with HPV(+) OPSCC, active smoking at diagnosis is the most powerful covariate capturing smoking history to predict OS and PFS.
Simulated response of an intermittent stream to rainfall frequency patterns
Authors: Azarnivand Ali , Camporese Matteo , Alaghmand Sina , Daly Edoardo
Published: November 2019

The response of intermittent catchments to rainfall is complex and difficult to model. This study uses the spatially distributed CATchment HYdrology (CATHY) model to explore how the frequency of daily rainfall (λ) can affect the hydrologic regime of intermittent catchments. After a multi‐objective calibration and validation of CATHY against experimental measurements of streamflow and groundwater levels in a catchment used as a pasture, the role of λ in affecting streamflow characteristics was explored using different scenarios. With different values of λ for the dry and wet periods of the year, CATHY showed that a series of frequent rainfall events was often associated with incipient streamflow, independent of the season. Activation of streamflow during the wet season was related to multiple factors and was not often associated with the shallow groundwater levels near the outlet of the catchment. The interplay between rainfall depth and intensity acted as the most important factor for the generation of streamflow. Using the difference between accumulated rainfall and evapotranspiration as a measure of wetness, saturated subsurface flow mechanism generated streamflow in simulations with wetness at least three times larger than mean wetness of other simulations. Although groundwater uprise near the outlet did not effectively contribute to streamflow in the initial days of flow, it strongly correlated with the magnitude of the runoff coefficient. Values of λ close or equal to the maximum value in the wet season can sustain the connectivity between groundwater and streamflow in the riparian zone. This connectivity increases the catchment wetness, which consequently results in an increase of the generated streamflow. Our study showed that rainfall regimes characterized by different λ were able to identify distinct flow regimes typical of either intermittent, ephemeral, or nonflowing catchments. Decrease of λ in the wet season is likely associated with a reduction of streamflow, with a shift of flow regime from intermittent to ephemeral or no‐flow.
The effects of placental long noncoding RNA H19 polymorphisms and promoter methylation on H19 expression in association with preeclampsia susceptibility
Authors: Harati‐Sadegh Mahdiyeh , Kohan Leila , Teimoori Batool , Mehrabani Mehrnaz , Salimi Saeedeh
Published: November 2019

The effect of DNA methylation on gene expression triggered it as a susceptibility factor in various diseases including preeclampsia (PE). The pathogenesis of PE is closely associated with the methylation status and genetic variants of relevant genes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the possible impacts of the placental DNA methylation and rs3741219, rs217727, and rs2107425 polymorphisms of the H19 gene on the PE susceptibility as well as the its mRNA expression. Moreover, eight haplotypes of three loci in the H19 gene were analyzed. In this case‐control study, the placentas of 107 preeclamptic and 113 non‐preeclamptic women were collected after delivery. The methylation status was assessed by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The H19 polymorphisms were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism or amplification refractory mutation system‐polymerase chain reaction methods. The quantitative real time PCR was used for mRNA expression assay. The placental H19 rs3741219 and rs2107425 polymorphisms were not associated with PE. However, H19 rs217727CT and TT genotypes might be associated with a 9.2‐ and 17.7‐fold increased risk of PE, respectively. The Trs3741219 Crs217727 Crs2107425 and Trs3741219 Crs217727 Trs2107425 haplotypes were significantly lower, whereas the Trs3741219 Trs217727 Crs2107425 and Crs3741219 Trs217727 Crs2107425 haplotypes were significantly higher in PE women. Promoter but not upstream region hypermethylation of H19 gene could be led to decreased risk of PE (MM vs. UM + UU). No significant difference was observed in the placental mRNA expression between two groups. The H19 expression was significantly higher in women with unmethylated (UU), compared to methylated promoter (MM). The H19 expression was 17‐ and 15‐fold higher in H19‐rs2107425 CC and CT genotypes in PE women. In conclusion, the H19 rs2107425 polymorphism was associated with a higher risk of PE and increased H19 mRNA expression. The promoter hypermethylation of H19 gene was associated with a lower risk of PE and decreased H19 mRNA expression.