bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brentuximab vedotin plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine in patients with advanced‐stage, classical Hodgkin lymphoma: A prespecified subgroup analysis of high‐risk patients from the ECHELON‐1 study
Authors: Hutchings Martin , Radford John , Ansell Stephen M. , Illés Árpád , Sureda Anna , Connors Joseph M. , Sýkorová Alice , Shibayama Hirohiko , Abramson Jeremy S. , Chua Neil S. , Friedberg Jonathan W. , Kořen Jan , LaCasce Ann Steward , Molina Lysiane , Engley Gerald , Fenton Keenan , Jolin Hina , Liu Rachael , Gautam Ashish , Gallamini Andrea
Published: January 2021

Approximately one‐third of patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma presenting with Stage IV disease do not survive past 5 years. We present updated efficacy and safety analyses in high‐risk patient subgroups, defined by Stage IV disease or International Prognostic Score (IPS) of 4–7, enrolled in the ECHELON‐1 study that compared brentuximab vedotin plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A + AVD) versus doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) as first‐line therapy after a median follow‐up of 37.1 months. Among patients treated with A + AVD (n = 664) or ABVD (n = 670), 64% had Stage IV disease and 26% had an IPS of 4–7. Patients with Stage IV disease treated with A + AVD showed consistent improvements in PFS at 3 years as assessed by investigator (hazard ratio [HR], 0.723; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.537–0.973; p = 0.032). Similar improvements were seen in the subgroup of patients with IPS of 4–7 (HR, 0.588; 95% CI, 0.386–0.894; p = 0.012). The most common adverse events (AEs) in A + AVD‐treated versus ABVD‐treated patients with Stage IV disease were peripheral neuropathy (67% vs. 40%) and neutropenia (71% vs. 55%); in patients with IPS of 4–7, the most common AEs were peripheral neuropathy (69% vs. 45%), neutropenia (66% vs. 55%), and febrile neutropenia (23% vs. 9%), respectively. Patients in high‐risk subgroups did not experience greater AE incidence or severity than patients in the total population. This updated analysis of ECHELON‐1 shows a favorable benefit‐risk balance in high‐risk patients.
Study of Brinkman–Bènard nanofluid convection with idealistic and realistic boundary conditions and by considering the effects of shape of nanoparticles
Authors: Siddheshwar Pradeep G. , B. N. Veena
Published: January 2021

This study deals with linear and weakly non‐linear stability analyses of Brinkman–Bènard convection in nanoliquid‐saturated porous enclosures. Water with a dilute concentration of molybdenum disulfide nanoparticles with 0.06 volume fraction and 30% glass fiber‐reinforced polycarbonate as a porous medium with porosity 0.88 are considered to be a working medium. The analytical solution is obtained in the present study for idealistic and realistic boundary conditions, and their results are compared. An analytically intractable Lorenz model with quadratic nonlinearities is reduced to a tractable Ginzburg–Landau amplitude equation with cubic nonlinearity using the multiscale method. Nanoparticles with different shapes are considered in the study, and their effects on the onset and heat transfer are discussed in great detail graphically in the presence of other parameters arising in the problem.
A comparison of sarcopenia prevalence between former Tokyo 1964 Olympic athletes and general community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Tanaka Tomoki , Kawahara Takashi , Aono Hiroshi , Yamada Sachiko , Ishizuka Soya , Takahashi Kyo , Iijima Katsuya
Published: January 2021

Background

This study aimed to determine how increased muscle mass and athletic performance in adolescence contribute to the prevention of sarcopenia in old age, accounting for the type of sport and the continuation of exercise habits. We compared the prevalence of sarcopenia, its components (low appendicular skeletal muscle mass, low muscle strength, and low physical function), and musculoskeletal pain using data from two cohorts: former athletes who competed in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and general community‐dwelling older adults living in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture.

Methods

We analysed the data from 101 former Olympic athletes (mean age ± SD: 75.0 ± 4.4 years; 26% female) and 1529 general community‐dwelling older adults (74.1 ± 5.5 years; 49% women). We assessed sarcopenia (defined by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia revised in 2019) and musculoskeletal pain and considered potential confounding factors such as demographic characteristics, for example, sex and exercise habits.

Results

The prevalence of sarcopenia was significantly lower in former Olympic athletes than general older adults (odds ratios [OR], 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20–0.94), especially with regard to superior appendicular skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength. This effect was more pronounced in individuals who continued their exercise and in athletes whose sporting discipline was classified as having a high exercise intensity. Conversely, low physical function (OR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.16–6.07) and musculoskeletal pain (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.24–3.97) were more prevalent in former Olympic athletes and in athletes who competed in sports with physical contact.

Conclusions

We observed a lower prevalence of sarcopenia and superior appendicular skeletal muscle mass and strength in the former Olympic athletes, especially among those that continued their exercise habits and those in sports with high exercise intensity. Conversely, low physical function and higher musculoskeletal pain scores were more prevalent in former Olympic athletes, especially among athletes who competed in sports with physical contact. Our results warrant further promotion of exercise in adolescence and beyond as well as providing safety education, which is required to prevent the development of sarcopenia and musculoskeletal pain in old age.
A critical evaluation of the use of accumulated energy as a parameter for the scale‐up of solar photoreactors during the treatment of simulated industrial wastewater by solar photo‐Fenton
Authors: Cabrera‐Reina Alejandro , Miralles‐Cuevas Sara , Soriano‐Molina Paula , Sánchez‐Pérez Jose A
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

This work presents a critical evaluation of the use of accumulated energy (QUV) as a parameter for the scale‐up of solar photoreactors. The combined effect of initial pollutant load, iron concentration and UV radiation on industrial wastewater treatment by solar photo‐Fenton was investigated to identify photolimitation and photosaturation conditions.

RESULTS

The assays were carried out using a flat‐plate collector (photoreactor with 12 and 20 mg L−1 of iron under average solar UVA irradiances in the range from 16 to 27 W m−2. In effluents with low initial organic load (45–90 mg L−1), the effect of the initial Fenton reaction was predominant against the contribution of solar radiation. Conversely, the contribution of solar radiation to the process performance was greater in effluents with the highest initial organic load (180–270 mg L−1). Within the range of solar radiation investigated, the process was photolimited when carried out with 20 mg L−1 of iron; however, with 12 mg L−1 of iron the process became photosaturated at irradiances above 15 W m−2.

CONCLUSIONS

Under photosaturation, the extra energy available that cannot be absorbed by the catalyst resulted in ca 60% overestimation of QUV, which can finally lead to 20–30% cost overrun due to photoreactor oversize. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Association of uterine and urinary bladder lipomas
Authors: Abed Mohammed , Sultan Omar Muayad , Al‐Tameemi Haider
Published: January 2021

Lipomas of the uterus and of the urinary bladder are rare. Their coexistence is even rarer Ultrasound can play a key role in their diagnosis. We report a case of coexisting of the uterus and the urinary bladder in a 61‐year‐old woman.
Measuring the amorphous: Substantive and methodological outcomes from concept maps
Authors: Foley Rider W. , Ferguson Sean M. , Pollack Catherine C.
Published: January 2021

Background

Accreditation organizations broadened program assessment criteria in ways that present challenges for the evaluation of learning outcomes. This is especially the case in courses where there are not narrowly defined questions or definitive solutions, such as engineering ethics. While protocols for learning assessment exist, there is limited research exploring sociotechnical learning outcomes in a manner that combines theoretical, empirical, and procedural aspects of assessment.

Purpose/Hypothesis

This paper shares 3 years of research into the effectiveness of concept maps as an assessment tool for engineering students in courses that prioritize professional skills development and sociotechnical thinking. We show that concept maps can offer evidence of knowledge formation and learning outcomes associated with courses that introduce complex problems with multiple possible interpretations or viable solutions.

Design/Method

A concept mapping activity was completed by 614 undergraduate engineering students at the start and end of three different courses to evaluate sociotechnical thinking. Student‐level longitudinal changes were evaluated using paired t tests and simple linear regression. The concept mapping activity was improved iteratively in response to pilot tests and focus groups.

Results

Undergraduate engineers demonstrated greater complexity in the representation of sociotechnical relationships as observed in the structure and content of the concept maps. The methodological results offer lessons about the administration and analysis of concept maps often excluded from conversations on course and curriculum level assessment.

Conclusions

Concept maps offer insights into student learning outcomes, and they can be deployed and analyzed with minimal resources. However, assessments must be carefully designed to account for administrative and analytical challenges.
Expression and function analysis of crustacyanin gene family involved in resistance to heavy metal stress and body color formation in Exopalaemon carinicauda
Authors: Gao Huan , Ma Hangke , Sun Jinqiu , Xu Wanyuan , Gao Wei , Lai Xiaofang , Yan Binlun
Published: January 2021

Crustacyanin has the function of binding astaxanthin which is the best antioxidant, and plays an important role in the body color variation of crustaceans. To investigate the causes of body color variation of the ridgetail white prawn, Exopalaemon carinicauda, the present study obtained four subtypes of crustacyanin gene: C1, C2, A1, and A2. Based on fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, lipocalin‐C1 is mainly expressed in the eyestalk, lipocalin‐C2 is in the ventral nerve cord, and lipocalin‐A1 and lipocalin‐A2 are in subcutaneous adipose tissues. Under the inhibiting effect of Cd2+ stress, the expression of four subtypes first increases and then decreases within 24 h, and reaches the maximum at 6 or 12 h. RNA interference experiments showed a decrease in the expression of lipocalin genes in subcutaneous adipose tissue for each subtype, with the body color changing from transparent to red, and the dark red spots on the epidermis changing to bright red. Moreover, the blue protein in the subcutaneous adipose tissue largely disappeared, based on the light micrographs. In view of these findings, the crustacyanin gene appears to fulfill some function in the resistance to heavy metal stress and body color formation of E. carinicauda.
On graphs with no induced five‐vertex path or paraglider
Authors: Huang Shenwei , Karthick T.
Published: January 2021

Given two graphs and , a graph is ‐free if it contains no induced subgraph isomorphic to or . For a positive integer , is the chordless path on vertices. A paraglider is the graph that consists of a chorless cycle plus a vertex adjacent to three vertices of the . In this paper, we study the structure of (, paraglider)‐free graphs, and show that every such graph satisfies , where and are the chromatic number and clique number of , respectively. Our bound is attained by the complement of the Clebsch graph on 16 vertices. More strongly, we completely characterize all the (, paraglider)‐free graphs that satisfies . We also construct an infinite family of (, paraglider)‐free graphs such that every graph in the family has . This shows that our upper bound is optimal up to an additive constant and that there is no ‐approximation algorithm for the chromatic number of (, paraglider)‐free graphs for any .
LncRNA SNHG12 alleviates hypertensive vascular endothelial injury through miR-25-3p/SIRT6 pathway
Authors: Qian Wei , Zheng Ze-qi , Nie Jun-gang , Liu Li-juan , Meng Xiang-zhu , Sun Hong , Xiao Feng-ming , Kang Ting
Published: January 2021

The objective of this study was to find the role of LncRNA SNHG12 in the regulation of hypertensive vascular endothelial injury. LncRNA SNHG12 and miR-25-3p expression were detected by quantitative RT-PCR. Protein levels of Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), endothelial cell (EC) senescence markers p16 and p21, and EC marker CD31 were measured by Western blot. The apoptosis of HUVECs was detected by flow cytometry. The binding between LncRNA SNHG12 and miR-25-3p was verified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA pull-down assay. As a result, LncRNA SNHG12 was down-regulated in aortic primary ECs isolated from Ang II-induced hypertensive mice and 1 kidney/deoxycorticosterone acetate/salt-induced hypertensive mice. In Ang II-treated HUVECs, the expression level of SNHG12 was reduced and the overexpression of SNHG12 inhibited EC senescence markers p16 and p21 expressions, the apoptosis of HUVECs, and caspase-3 activity. Further investigation confirmed that LncRNA SNHG12 bound to miR-25-3p, and negatively regulated miR-25-3p expression. MiR-25-3p directly targeted SIRT6 and negatively regulated SIRT6 expression. In addition, SNHG12 overexpression inhibited Ang II-induced HUVECs injury through regulating miR-25-3p. Finally, in vivo experiments showed LncRNA SNHG12 overexpression alleviated vascular endothelial injury in Ang II-induced hypertensive mice. In conclusion, LncRNA SNHG12 alleviates vascular endothelial injury induced by hypertension through miR-25-3p/SIRT6 pathway.
Role of vitamin D in regulating COVID-19 severity—An immunological perspective
Authors: Kalia Vandana , Studzinski George P , Sarkar Surojit
Published: January 2021

Vitamin D, a key nutrient/prohormone classically associated with skeletal health, is also an important immunomodulator, with pleotropic effects on innate and adaptive immune cells. Outcomes of several chronic, autoimmune, and infectious diseases are linked to vitamin D. Emergent correlations of vitamin D insufficiency with coronavirus-induced disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity, alongside empirical and clinical evidence of immunoregulation by vitamin D in other pulmonary diseases, have prompted proposals of vitamin D supplementation to curb the COVID-19 public health toll. In this review paper, we engage an immunological lens to discuss potential mechanisms by which vitamin D signals might regulate respiratory disease severity in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infections, vis a vis other pulmonary infections. It is proposed that vitamin D signals temper lung inflammatory cascades during SARS-CoV2 infection, and insufficiency of vitamin D causes increased inflammatory cytokine storm, thus leading to exacerbated respiratory disease. Additionally, analogous to studies of reduced cancer incidence, the dosage of vitamin D compounds administered to patients near the upper limit of safety may serve to maximize immune health benefits and mitigate inflammation and disease severity in SARS-CoV2 infections. We further deliberate on the importance of statistically powered clinical correlative and interventional studies, and the need for in-depth basic research into vitamin D-dependent host determinants of respiratory disease severity.
HPLC–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry optimization by high‐performance design of experiments for astrocyte glutamine measurement
Authors: Bheemanapally Khaggeswar , Ibrahim Mostafa M.H. , Briski Karen P.
Published: January 2021

The amino acid glutamine (Gln) is a likely source of energy in the brain during neuroglucopenia. Effects of glucose deficiency on astrocyte Gln homeostasis remain unclear, as analytical tools of requisite sensitivity for quantification of intracellular levels of this molecule are not currently available. Here, a primary hypothalamic astrocyte culture model was used in conjunction with design of experiments (DOE)‐refined high‐performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS) methodology to investigate the hypothesis that glucoprivation alters astrocyte Gln content in a sex‐specific manner. Critical mass spectrometric parameters for Gln derivative chromatographic response were identified by comparing the performance of central composite design, Box–Behnken design, and Optimal Design (OD)‐A, ‐D, ‐I, ‐Distance, and ‐Modified Distance DOE models. The outcomes showed that the OD‐A‐generated response was superior relative to other design outcomes. Forecasted surface plot critical mass spectrometric parameters were maximized by OD‐A, OD‐Distance, and OD‐Modified Distance designs. OD‐A produced a high‐performance method that yielded experimental run and forecasted surface plot maximal responses. Optimized mass spectrometric analysis of male versus female astrocyte Gln content provides novel evidence that glucoprivation significantly depletes this amino acid in female, but not in male, and that this sex‐specific response may involve differential sensitivity to estrogen receptor signaling. This technological advance will facilitate efforts to ascertain how distinctive physiological and pathophysiological stimuli impact astrocyte Gln metabolism in each sex.
The effectiveness of active surveillance measures for COVID‐19 cases in Pudong New Area Shanghai, China, 2020
Authors: Liu Hanzhao , Ye Chuchu , Wang Yuanping , Zhu Weiping , Shen Yifeng , Xue Caoyi , Zhang Hong , Zhang Yanyan , Li Shihong , Zhao Bing , Xu Hongmei , Hao Lipeng , Zhou Yixin
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study was to thoroughly document the effects of multiple intervention and control methods to mitigate the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. After identification of the first confirmed case of COVID‐19 in Pudong on January 21, 2020, the local Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched a case investigation involving isolation, close‐contact (CC) tracing and quarantine of persons with a potential exposure risk to prevent and control transmission. Epidemiological features of cases detected by three different strategies were compared to assess the impact of these active surveillance measures. As of February 16, 2020, a total of 108 confirmed COVID‐19 cases had been identified in Pudong, Shanghai. Forty‐five (41.67%) cases were identified through active surveillance measures, with 22 (20.37%) identified by CC tracing and 23 (21.30%) by quarantine of potential exposure populations (PEPs). The average interval from illness onset to the first medical visit was 1 day. Cases identified by CC tracing and PEPs were quarantined for 0.5 and 1 day before illness onset, respectively. The time intervals from illness onset to the first medical visit and isolation among actively screened cases were 2 days (p = .02) and 3 days (p = .00) shorter, respectively, than those among self‐admission cases. Our study highlights the importance of active surveillance for potential COVID‐19 cases, as demonstrated by shortened time intervals from illness onset to both the first medical visit and isolation. These measures contributed to the effective control of the COVID‐19 outbreak in Pudong, Shanghai.
Clinical validation of a second generation anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG and IgM automated chemiluminescent immunoassay
Authors: Pieri Massimo , Nuccetelli Marzia , Nicolai Eleonora , Sarubbi Serena , Grelli Sandro , Bernardini Sergio
Published: January 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection has proven to be extremely contagious and has spread rapidly all over the world. A key aspect in limiting the virus diffusion is to ensure early and accurate diagnosis. Serological assays could be an alternative in increasing testing capabilities, particularly when used as part of an algorithmic approach combined with molecular analysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a second generation chemiluminescent automated immunoassay able to detect anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Data are carried out on healthy subjects and other infectious diseases pre‐pandemic sera, as controls, and on two different coronavirus disease 2019 hospitalized patient groups (early and late infection time). Data obtained have been analyzed in terms of precision, linearity, sensitivity and specificity. Specificities are: 100% for anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG and 98% for anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM, in all patient groups. Sensitivities are: 97%, 100%, and 98% for anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG and 87%, 83%, and 86% for anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM in the early infection, in the late infection and in the total patient group, respectively. The Mindray anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG and IgM assays demonstrated higher sensitivity and specificity, indicating that IgG and IgM simultaneous detection is useful even in the early phases of infection.
Human capital development practices and career success: The moderating role of country development and income inequality
Authors: Bagdadli Silvia , Gianecchini Martina , Andresen Maike , Cotton Rick , Kaše Robert , Lazarova Mila , Smale Adam , Bosak Janine , Briscoe Jon P. , Chudzikowski Katharina , Dello Russo Silvia , Reichel Astrid
Published: January 2021

Employees can enhance their human capital through participation in organizationally sponsored development activities. However, there is little research on the extent to which the effects of such practices vary depending on national context. Adopting a human capital theory perspective, we hypothesized a positive relationship between human capital development practices experienced in one's career and objective and subjective career success (salary level and perceived financial success, respectively) and tested two country‐level institutional factors (country development and income inequality) as moderators. Results from our multi‐level analyses of a large‐scale sample of over 8800 managers and professionals from 28 countries showed that, as expected, experiencing a larger number of different human capital development practices was associated with higher salary level and greater perceived financial success. The relationship between development practices and salary level was stronger in the case of developed countries and weakly negatively affected for countries with higher income inequality. The relationship between development practices and perceived financial success was weaker for developed countries and unaffected by income inequality. Our research thus identifies boundary conditions to the application of human capital theory in different contexts and contributes to the comparative careers literature by showing that institutional factors affect the outcome of organizationally sponsored development activities.
Lake sedimentary processes and vegetation changes over the last 45k cal abpin the uplands of south‐eastern Amazonia
Authors: Guimarães José Tasso Felix , Sahoo Prafulla Kumar , De Figueiredo Mariana Maha Jana Costa , da Silva Lopes Karen , Gastauer Markus , Ramos Silvio Junio , Caldeira Cecilio Frois , Souza‐Filho Pedro Walfir M. , Reis Luiza Santos , Da Silva Marcio Sousa , Pontes Paulo Rogenes , Da Silva Renato Oliveira , Rodrigues Tarcísio Magevski
Published: January 2021

This study addresses paleoclimate influences in a southern Amazonia ecotone based on multiproxy records from lakes of the Carajás region during the last 45k cal abp.Wet and cool environmental conditions marked the initial deposition in shallow depressions with detrital sediments and high weathering rates until 40k cal abp.Concomitantly, forest and C3 canga plants, along with cool‐adapted taxa, developed; however, short drier episodes enabled expansion of C4 plants and diagenetic formation of siderite. A massive event of siderite formation occurred approximately 30k cal abpunder strong drier conditions. Afterwards, wet and cool environmental conditions returned and persisted until the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The LGM was marked by lake‐level lowstands and subaerial exposure. The transition from the LGM to the Holocene is marked by the onset of oscillations in temperature and humidity, with an expansion of forest and canga plants. Cool taxa were present for the last time in the Carajás region ~ 9.5–9k cal abp.After 10k cal abp, shallow lakes became upland swamps due to natural infilling processes, but the current vegetation types and structures of the plateaus were acquired only after 3k cal abpunder wetter climatic conditions.
The Risks of Complications During Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Cystic Fibrosis Patients: An Anatomical and Endoscopic Study
Authors: Maggiore Giandomenico , Pietragalla Michele , De Amicis Christian , Nardi Cosimo , Bruno Chiara , Gallo Oreste , Bonasera Luigi , Perrone Anna , Cavallo Annalisa , Colagrande Stefano , Taccetti Giovanni , Locatello Luca Giovanni
Published: January 2021

Objective/Hypothesis

An increasing proportion of adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is being referred to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in order to relieve the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Given that CFTR mutations profoundly alter sinonasal development, we want to explore the relationship between their peculiar surgical anatomy and the risk of postoperative complications.

Study Design

Retrospective case‐control study.

Methods

Paranasal sinuses CT scans of 103 CF adult patients with CRS were compared to those belonging to a cohort of 100 non‐CF adult patients to explore their anatomical differences. Secondly, CF and non‐CF patients who received primary/revision ESS were analyzed in order to assess their preoperative CT scan in terms of surgically relevant variants, and according to the CLOSE checklist. Surgical outcomes were statistically compared in order to explore the differences between groups.

Results

CF group presented more frequently with smaller and less pneumatized paranasal sinuses and a higher Lund‐Mckay score compared with controls. No anatomical differences emerged in terms of genotype stratification. Non‐CF CRS patients undergoing ESS showed a significantly deeper olfactory fossa and a more frequent supraorbital pneumatization compared to CF patients (P < .001 and P = .031, respectively). Whereas this latter group underwent more often aggressive surgical procedures (P = .001), no difference in terms of postoperative adverse events was found (P = .620).

Conclusions

Despite receiving more often aggressive ESS procedures, adult CF patients do not show an increased risk of postoperative complication and this may be linked to a different proportion of anatomical and surgically‐relevant variants.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E2481–E2489, 2021
Trials & Tribulations of Liver Transplantation‐ are trials now prohibitive without surrogate endpoints?
Authors: Richards James , Gimson Alex , Joh Yexin , Watson Christopher J.E. , Neuberger James
Published: January 2021

During the past 5 decades, liver transplantation has moved from its pioneering days where success was measured in days to a point where it is viewed as a routine part of medical care. Despite this progress, there are still significant unmet needs and outstanding questions that need addressing in clinical trials to improve outcomes for patients. The traditional endpoint for trials in liver transplantation has been 1‐year patient survival, but with rates now approaching 95%, this endpoint now poses a number of significant financial and logistical barriers to conducting trials because of the large numbers of participants required to demonstrate only an incremental improvement. Here, we suggest the following solutions to this challenge: adoption of validated surrogate endpoints; bigger and better collaborative multiarm, multiphase studies; recognition by funders and institutions that work on larger collaborative research projects is potentially more important than smaller, self‐led bodies of work; ringfenced areas of research within trial frameworks where individuals can take a lead; and fair funding structures using both industry and public sector money across national and international borders.
Advancement of Biomaterial‐Based Postoperative Adhesion Barriers
Authors: Chandel Arvind K. Singh , Shimizu Atsushi , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Ito Taichi
Published: January 2021

Postoperative peritoneal adhesion (PPA) is a prevalent incidence that generally happens during the healing process of traumatized tissues. It causes multiple severe complications such as intestinal obstruction, chronic abdominal pain, and female infertility. To prevent PPA, several antiadhesion materials and drug delivery systems composed of biomaterials are used clinically, and clinical antiadhesive is one of the important applications nowadays. In addition to several commercially available materials, like film, spray, injectable hydrogel, powder, or solution type have been energetically studied based on natural and synthetic biomaterials such as alginate, hyaluronan, cellulose, starch, chondroitin sulfate, polyethylene glycol, polylactic acid, etc. Moreover, many kinds of animal adhesion models, such as cecum abrasion models and unitary horn models, are developed to evaluate new materials’ efficacy. A new animal adhesion model based on hepatectomy and conventional animal adhesion models is recently developed and a new adhesion barrier by this new model is also developed. In summary, many kinds of materials and animal models are studied; thus, it is quite important to overview this field's current progress. Here, PPA is reviewed in terms of the species of biomaterials and animal models and several problems to be solved to develop better antiadhesion materials in the future are discussed.
Laser beam melting of aluminum alloys with hull‐core build strategy by using an initial meso‐scale simulation
Authors: Grüne J.G. , Knoop D. , Domagala T. , von Hehl A.
Published: January 2021

Laser beam melting (LBM) of aluminum alloys is gaining a wide popularity in different industrial applications as an alternative technology for the production of individual and complex parts. A long build time and the high amount of experimental work for optimizing or finding new process parameters are two of the current challenges for reaching an industrial maturity. This paper proposes an efficient way to determine new process parameters for aluminum alloy aluminum‐silicon10‐magnesium with highest build‐up rates by using a 3D finite element model on the mesoscopic level. High laser power in combination with the hull‐core build strategy was used to increase the build‐up rate without impairing the part accuracy. The influences of high laser power, laser diameter and scan speed on the melt pool were studied by using a thermal simulation of single laser tracks. Based on the simulation results the process window could be derived and was tested on a laser beam melting (LBM) system. The achieved reduction of the build time of up to 31 % without loss in part accuracy proved the novel approach for the prediction of the required process window as an efficient method to reduce costly and time‐consuming experimental work.
Enhanced electrochemical properties of sodium‐doped lithium‐rich manganese‐based cathode materials
Authors: Fang T. , Zhu Y. , Hua J. , Chu H. , Qiu S. , Zou Y. , Xiang C. , Xu F. , Sun L.
Published: January 2021

In this work, sodium has been successfully doped into the layered lithium‐rich manganese‐based cathode material through melt impregnation. The as‐prepared samples are characterized by multiple techniques of x‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and the electrochemical measurements. The results show that sodium doping hardly changes the layered structure and surface morphology of pristine sample. The sample particles of sodium‐doped materials exhibit polygonal shape similar to prism. The sodium‐doped material possesses high rate performance and good cycling stability, and the initial charge and discharge capacity reaches 340.2 mA h g−1 and 249.0 mA h g−1 at a current density of 20 mA g−1, respectively. The initial coulombic efficiency of the first cycle is 73 %. After running 100 repeated cycles at 40 mA g−1 and 100 mA g−1, the discharge capacity could still be maintained at about 230.0 mA h g−1 and 220.0 mA h g−1, respectively. Moreover, the voltage attenuation is effectively suppressed during charging/discharging cycles.
Modal analysis of an aluminum beam coated with damaged and porous functionally graded material
Authors: Erdurcan E.F. , Cunedioglu Y.
Published: January 2021

In this paper modal analysis is performed on a symmetric aluminum beam which is coated with functionally graded material containing porosities. A polynomial function is used to vary the density and elasticity through the thickness of the coating, while the effective elastic modulus and density are found with classical lamination theory. To achieve a truthful modeling the gradually changing mechanical properties of the coating are modeled as 25 layers of material, while each individual layer is isotropic and homogeneous. MATLAB is used to write a finite element code and Timoshenko beam elements are used to include shear deformation effects. To show the influences of crack location, crack depth, porosity and the polynomial function index on the natural beam frequencies a parametric study is conducted. Multiple boundary conditions were also considered and it was found that the natural frequency values were significantly affected by the studied parameters.
Phytochemistry and cardiovascular protective effects of Huang‐Qi (Astragali Radix)
Authors: Su Hui‐fei , Shaker Sharpkate , Kuang Yi , Zhang Meng , Ye Min , Qiao Xue
Published: January 2021

Huang‐Qi (Astragali Radix) is an herbal tonic widely used in China and many other countries. It is derived from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mongholicus and shows potent cardiovascular protective effects. In this article, we comprehensively reviewed 189 small molecules isolated from the two Astragalus species and discussed the interspecies chemical differences. Moreover, we summarized the pharmacological activities and mechanisms of action of Huang‐Qi and its major bioactive compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This review covers 171 references published between February 1983 and March 2020.
Combination ofShehudecomposition and variational iteration transform methods for solving fractional third order dispersive partial differential equations
Authors: Chu Yu‐Ming , Bani Hani Ehab Hussein , El‐Zahar Essam R. , Ebaid Abdelhalim , Shah Nehad Ali
Published: January 2021

In this article, the fractional third‐order dispersive partial differential equations were investigated by using Shehu decomposition and variational iteration transform methods. The well known Riemann‐Liouville fraction integral, Caputo's fractional‐order derivative, Shehu transform for fractional‐order derivatives and Mittag‐Leffler function were used as the major basis of the methodology. The graphs and table show the solution behavior for various fractional order values. The comparison provided the signed agreement of the solutions to each other as well as with the exact result. The accurateness and efficiency of the suggested techniques are examined using two numerical experiments. The reliability and validity tests show that for various fractional‐order values, the newly proposed method is reliable, accurate, and efficient.
Quadratic optimal control and feedback stabilization of bilinear systems
Authors: Yahyaoui Soufiane , Ouzahra Mohamed
Published: January 2021

In this work, we investigate the quadratic bilinear optimal control. We first review the case of finite‐time interval, and then focus on the case of infinite‐time horizon. The main difficulty in solving a quadratic optimal control for bilinear systems is the non‐convexity of the cost function, which due to the fact that the dependence of the state with respect to the control is highly nonlinear. Then we provide a class of bilinear systems, including the commutative case, for which the optimal control can be expressed as a time‐varying feedback control. We further show that under a controllability inequality, the obtained optimal control guarantees the strong stability of the resulting system. The techniques rely on linear semigroup theory and conditions of optimality. Applications to transport and heat equations are also presented.
Consider the Hidden Costs of PFAS Treatment
Authors: Whitby Patricia , Yu Rosa , Mackey Erin
Published: January 2021

Water utilities dealing with PFAS need to understand local water quality conditions, available technologies, regulatory drivers, and public engagement while they pursue proactive planning and weigh treatment costs.
Late gestation predictors of a postnatal biventricular circulation after fetal aortic valvuloplasty
Authors: Beattie Meaghan J. , Friedman Kevin G. , Sleeper Lynn A. , Lu Minmin , Drogosz Monika , Callahan Ryan , Marshall Audrey C. , Prosnitz Aaron R. , Lafranchi Terra , Benson Carol B. , Wilkins‐Haug Louise E. , Tworetzky Wayne
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Fetal aortic valvuloplasty (FAV) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) has shown promise in averting progression to hypoplastic left heart syndrome. After FAV, predicting which fetuses will achieve a biventricular (BiV) circulation after birth remains challenging. Identifying predictors of postnatal circulation on late gestation echocardiography will improve parental counseling.

Methods

Liveborn patients who underwent FAV and had late gestation echocardiography available were included (2000–2017, n = 96). Multivariable logistic regression and classification and regression tree analysis were utilized to identify independent predictors of BiV circulation.

Results

Among 96 fetuses, 50 (52.1%) had BiV circulation at the time of neonatal discharge. In multivariable analysis, independent predictors of biventricular circulation included left ventricular (LV) long axis z‐score (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.8–5.7, p < 0.001), LV ejection fraction (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0–1.8, p = 0.023), anterograde aortic arch flow (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.2–20.4, p = 0.024), and bidirectional or right‐to‐left foramen ovale flow (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.4–15.8, p = 0.015).

Conclusion

Several anatomic and physiologic parameters in late gestation were found to be independent predictors of BiV circulation after FAV. Identifying these predictors adds to our understanding of LV growth and hemodynamics after FAV and may improve parental counseling.
Three‐dimensional multi‐ribbon interconnection for back‐contact solar cells
Authors: Van Dyck Rik , Borgers Tom , Govaerts Jonathan , Poortmans Jef , van Vuure Aart Willem
Published: January 2021

Back‐contact solar cells are an interesting technology with advantages over traditional two‐sided cells. A lack of standardized and low‐cost interconnection methods inhibits their market penetration. In an attempt to overcome this obstacle, this work introduces an interconnection technology, based on a fabric of encapsulant with incorporated metal ribbons. The encapsulant is tailored for this application by adding glass fibres to a thermoplastic polyolefin. For this tailored encapsulant, characterization experiments were conducted and results on viscosity and coefficient of thermal expansion are shown. Initial reliability testing on sample‐size modules with high‐efficiency interdigitated back‐contact (IBC) cells shows promising results, passing up to four times the IEC 61215 standard for thermal cycling.
Development of mPing‐based activation tags for crop insertional mutagenesis
Authors: Johnson Alexander , Mcassey Edward , Diaz Stephanie , Reagin Jacob , Redd Priscilla S. , Parrilla Daymond R. , Nguyen Hanh , Stec Adrian , McDaniel Lauren A. L. , Clemente Thomas E. , Stupar Robert M. , Parrott Wayne A. , Hancock C. Nathan
Published: January 2021

Modern plant breeding increasingly relies on genomic information to guide crop improvement. Although some genes are characterized, additional tools are needed to effectively identify and characterize genes associated with crop traits. To address this need, the mPing element from rice was modified to serve as an activation tag to induce expression of nearby genes. Embedding promoter sequences in mPing resulted in a decrease in overall transposition rate; however, this effect was negated by using a hyperactive version of mPing called mmPing20. Transgenic soybean events carrying mPing‐based activation tags and the appropriate transposase expression cassettes showed evidence of transposition. Expression analysis of a line that contained a heritable insertion of the mmPing20F activation tag indicated that the activation tag induced overexpression of the nearby soybean genes. This represents a significant advance in gene discovery technology as activation tags have the potential to induce more phenotypes than the original mPing element, improving the overall effectiveness of the mutagenesis system.
Glycerolipid profile differences between perennial and annual stem zones in the perennial model plant Arabis alpina
Authors: Sergeeva Anna , Mettler‐Altmann Tabea , Liu Hongjiu , Mai Hans‐Jörg , Bauer Petra
Published: January 2021

The perennial life style is a successful ecological strategy, and Arabis alpina is a recently developed model Brassicaceae species for studying it. One aspect, poorly investigated until today, concerns the differing patterns of allocation, storage, and metabolism of nutrients between perennials and annuals and the yet unknown signals that regulate this process. A. alpina has a complex lateral stem architecture with a proximal vegetative perennial (PZ) and a distal annual flowering zone (AZ) inside the same stems. Lipid bodies (LBs) with triacylglycerols (TAGs) accumulate in the PZ. To identify potential processes of lipid metabolism linked with the perennial lifestyle, we analyzed lipid species in the PZ versus AZ. Glycerolipid fractions, including neutral lipids with mainly TAGs, phospholipids, and glycolipids, were present at higher levels in the PZ as compared to AZ or roots. Concomitantly, contents of specific long‐chain and very long‐chain fatty acids increased during formation of the PZ. Corresponding gene expression data, gene ontology term enrichment, and correlation analysis with lipid species pinpoint glycerolipid‐related genes to be active during the development of the PZ. Possibilities that lipid metabolism genes may be targets of regulatory mechanisms specifying PZ differentiation in A. alpina are discussed.
Glycolytic inhibitor induces metabolic crisis in solid cancer cells to enhance cold plasma‐induced cell death
Authors: Kaushik Nagendra K. , Kaushik Neha , Bhartiya Pradeep , Nguyen Linh N. , Choi Eun H.
Published: January 2021

Targeting metabolic regulation in cancer cells through metabolic reprogramming is of interest among researchers with regard to preferential cancer cell killing. Evidence indicates that the combination of metabolic modifiers with anticancer therapies attains the expected therapeutic efficiency, suggesting a potential for selective cancer cell death. Here, we have shown that the use of 2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose, a metabolic modifier, enhances the efficiency of air gas plasma treatment at lower doses, resulting in cellular energy loss, which can be attributed to metabolic energy crisis in mitochondria. Interestingly, this novel approach is selective for solid cancer cells over normal cells, thus displaying great potential for increasing nonthermal plasma activity.
Permeation‐resistant and flexible plasma‐polymerised films on 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate hydrogels
Authors: Rout Bishakh , Girard‐Lauriault Pierre‐Luc
Published: January 2021

This study focuses on the deposition of plasma polymer films (PPFs) on hydrogels that could act as permeation barriers for aqueous species. The deposited PPFs on hydrogels were studied in terms of their ability to resist the permeation of an aqueous dye molecule after 24‐h exposure to an aqueous solution and mechanical stress. Permeation of the dye toluidine blue O through the hydrogels after plasma polymerisation was at least 75% less than that through an untreated hydrogel. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed introduction of O‐ and N‐rich chemical functionalities in the surface chemical composition of the hydrogel after plasma polymerisation. Scanning electron microscope imaging pointed out that milder plasma conditions result in uniform films that do not degrade upon exposure to water or mechanical stress.
Imaging expression of prostate‐specific membrane antigen and response to PSMA‐targeted β‐emitting radionuclide therapies in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Vlachostergios Panagiotis J. , Niaz Muhammad Junaid , Skafida Myrto , Mosallaie Seyed Ali , Thomas Charlene , Christos Paul J. , Osborne Joseph R. , Molina Ana M. , Nanus David M. , Bander Neil Harrison , Tagawa Scott T.
Published: January 2021

Background

Prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA)‐targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) has demonstrated efficacy and tolerability with a dose–response effect in phase I/II trials in men with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The need for positive PSMA imaging before PSMA‐TRT to select patients is largely practiced, but its utility is not proven. Given target heterogeneity, developing a biomarker to identify the optimal patient population remains an unmet need. The aim of this study was to assess PSMA uptake by imaging and response to PSMA‐TRT.

Methods

We performed an analysis of men with mCRPC enrolled in sequential prospective phase I/II trials of PSMA‐TRT. Each patient had baseline PSMA imaging by planar 111In and/or 177Lu SPECT (N = 171) or 68Ga‐PSMA‐11 PET/CT (N = 44), but the results were not used to include/exclude treatment. Semiquantitative imaging scores (IS) on a 0‐4 scale were assigned based on PSMA uptake in tumors compared to liver uptake. We compared the ≥50% PSA decline response proportions between low (0–1) and high (2–4) PSMA IS using the χ2‐test. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to understand the relationship between independent and dependent variables, including IS, radionuclide activity (dose) administered, CALGB (Halabi) prognostic risk score, prior taxane use.

Results

215 men with progressive mCRPC received PSMA‐TRT as follows: 177Lu‐J591 (n = 137), 177Lu‐PSMA‐617 (n = 44), 90Y‐J591 (n = 28), 177Lu‐J591 + 177Lu‐PSMA‐617 (n = 6). High PSMA expression (IS 2–4) was found in 160 (74.4%) patients and was significantly associated with more frequent ≥ 50% PSA reduction (26.2 vs. 7.3%, p = .006). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, higher IS was associated with a ≥50% decrease in PSA, even after accounting for CALGB (Halabi) prognostic score, the dose administered, and previous taxane use (OR, 4.72; 95% CI, 1.71−16.85; p = .006). Patients with low PSMA expression (N = 55, 24.7%) were less likely to respond. Thirteen of 26 (50%) with no PSMA uptake (IS = 0) had post‐PSMA‐TRT PSA decline with 2 (7.7%) having ≥ 50% PSA declines.

Conclusion

Collectively, the data provide evidence in favor of the hypothesis that patients with high PSMA uptake and high administered radionuclide dose correlate with a higher chance of response.