bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cetirizine Reduces Gabapentin Plasma Concentrations and Effect: Role of Renal Drug Transporters for Organic Cations
Authors: Costa Ana Carolina Conchon , Yamamoto Priscila Akemi , Lauretti Gabriela Rocha , de Lima Benzi Jhohann Richard , Zanelli Cleslei Fernando , Barz Vivien , Ciarimboli Giuliano , de Moraes Natália Valadares
Published: March 2020

Gabapentin (GBP) is an organic cation mainly eliminated unchanged in urine, and active drug secretion has been suggested to contribute to its renal excretion. Our objective was to evaluate the potential drug‐drug interaction between GBP and cetirizine (CTZ), an inhibitor of transporters for organic cations. An open‐label, 2‐period, crossover, nonrandomized clinical trial was conducted in patients with neuropathic pain to evaluate the effect of CTZ on GBP pharmacokinetics. Twelve participants were treated with a single dose of 300 mg GBP (treatment A) or with 20 mg/d of CTZ for 5 days and 300 mg GBP on the last day of CTZ treatment (treatment B). Blood sampling and pain intensity evaluation were performed up to 36 hours after GBP administration. The interaction of GBP and CTZ with transporters for organic cations was studied in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells expressing the organic cation transporters (OCTs), multidrug and toxin extrusion proteins (MATEs), and OCTN1. CTZ treatment resulted in reduced area under the concentration‐time curve and peak concentration compared with treatment A. In treatment B, the lower plasma concentrations of GBP resulted in reduced pain attenuation. GBP renal clearance was similar between treatments. GBP has low apparent affinity for OCT2 (concentration of an inhibitor where the response [or binding] is reduced by half [IC50] 237 µmol/L) and a high apparent affinity for hMATE1 (IC50 1.1 nmol/L), hMATE2‐K (IC50 39 nmol/L), and hOCTN1 (IC50 2.1 nmol/L) in HEK cells. At therapeutic concentrations, CTZ interacts with hMATE1 and OCTN1. In summary, CTZ reduced the systemic exposure to GBP and its effect on neuropathic pain attenuation. However, CTZ × GBP interaction is not mediated by the renal transporters.
Evaluating the principles of radiation protection in diagnostic radiologic examinations: collimation, exposure factors and use of protective equipment for the patients and their companions
Authors: Farzanegan Zahra , Tahmasbi Marziyeh , Cheki Mohsen , Yousefvand Fatameh , Rajabi Mohammad
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Producing appropriate diagnostic images along with patient radiation protection is the goal of radiography. Due to the advancements of radiography, concerns about observing the principles of radiation protection exist. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the observance of the principles of radiation protection in radiographic examinations with emphasis on field size collimation, suitability of exposure factors and the use of protective equipment for the patients and their companions.

Methods

Using a cross‐sectional study design, two radiography students on their final year of study observed 100 radiographic examinations from the imaging departments of five educational hospitals. The SPSS version 24 software was used to analyse the results.

Results

The radiation field collimation was obtained in 46% of the studied radiographs. Patients had companions present during the examination in 26% of the studies; however, protective equipment was only used for 4% of the patients’ companions, and no protective equipment was applied for patients. The observance rate of the various principles of radiation protection including field size restriction, the use of protective equipment for the patients and their companions, and suitability of the selected exposure factors was on average 44.6%.

Conclusion

The observance rate of the principles of radiation protection was insufficient in the studied educational hospitals, specifically in field size collimation and the use of protective equipment for the patients and their companions. Therefore, emphasis on the strict implementation of the radiation protection guidelines and continuous training of radiographers are required.
A novel artificial neural network‐based nonlinear output current model for GaAs pHEMT with accurate high‐order derivatives
Authors: Li Meng‐Jie , Li Zhao , Wang Lu‐Lu
Published: March 2020

In this paper, a novel artificial neural network (ANN)‐based nonlinear output current model with accurate high‐order derivatives is presented. The proposed model can guarantee high precision of the drain current and its high‐order derivatives simultaneously. The existing traditional equation‐based models are analyzed to demonstrate their limits and inaccurate modeling performance of high‐order derivatives. Aiming at maintaining high accuracy of the drain current and its derivatives at the same time, the ANN has been used iteratively. This method, which inherits the advantage of ANN model, obtains higher accuracy than existing ANN model as well as traditional equation‐based models. The effectiveness of the model has been verified by comparing the modeled and measured results for a GaAs pHEMT.
Beach ridges of Dali Lake in Inner Mongolia reveal precipitation variation during the Holocene
Authors: Jiang Mengyao , Han Zhiyong , Li Xusheng , Wang Yong , Stevens Thomas , Cheng Jun , Lv Cunjuan , Zhou Yuwen , Yang Qianqian , Xu Zhiwei , Yi Shuangwen , Lu Huayu
Published: March 2020

Variability in East Asian summer monsoon precipitation during the Holocene remains of debate. In this study, we use a closed lake with well‐dated lake beach ridges located on the margin of the East Asian summer monsoon, a region highly sensitive to monsoon precipitation changes, to obtain a temporal sequence of water volume in North China. The elevation of each beach ridge calibrated to the modern lake level was surveyed. Optically stimulated luminescence dating of undisturbed sediments of beach ridges was performed. The lake area and water volume corresponding to each beach ridge were calculated using a digital elevation model. This study reveals relatively reduced monsoon precipitation from ~12 to 7 ka interrupted by strengthening of the monsoon circulation to a maximum from ~7 to ~5 ka and followed by greatly reduced monsoon intensity until the present day. These results demonstrate that changes in the East Asian summer monsoon precipitation may not be directly driven by global temperature or atmospheric CO2content. Rather, we suggest that variation in the the monsoon margin precipitation is probably mainly driven by ice volume and subordinately by the summer solar insolation difference between mid‐latitude land and low‐latitude ocean.
Reduction in Healthcare Utilization With Transition to Peptide‐Based Diets in Intolerant Home Enteral Nutrition Patients
Authors: Mundi Manpreet S. , Velapati Saketh , Kuchkuntla Aravind R. , Hurt Ryan T.
Published: March 2020

Background

Since the introduction of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in the 1980s, the prevalence of home enteral nutrition (HEN) support has increased significantly. Despite these increases, many patients are unable to tolerate standard polymeric formulas (SPFs), resulting in significant healthcare resource utilization. Peptide‐based diets (PBDs) have emerged as a viable option in SPF‐intolerant patients; however, data in the HEN population are lacking.

Methods

Retrospective review of our prospectively maintained HEN database was conducted to assess tolerance, efficacy, and impact on healthcare utilization in patients on PBDs.

Results

From January 1, 2016, to May 1, 2018, 95 patients were placed on PBDs, with 53 patients being started directly and 42 patients being transitioned from SPFs. In patients transitioned to PBDs, symptoms of nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and distention improved significantly. Healthcare utilization also declined significantly, including mean number of phone calls (1.8 ± 1.6 to 1.1 ± 0.9, P = 0.006), mean number of emergency room visits (0.3 ± 0.6 to 0.09 ± 0.3, P = 0.015), and mean number of provider visits (1.3 ± 1.3 to 0.3 ± 0.5, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Overall, PBDs were well tolerated and resulted in significant improvements in symptoms of gastrointestinal distress and healthcare utilization in patients intolerant to SPFs.
Accurate bidiagonal decomposition of collocation matrices of weighted ϕ‐transformed systems
Authors: Mainar Esmeralda , Peña Juan Manuel , Rubio Beatriz
Published: March 2020

Given a system of functions, we introduce the concept of weighted φ‐transformed system, which will include a very large class of useful representations in Statistics and Computer Aided Geometric Design. An accurate bidiagonal decomposition of the collocation matrices of these systems is obtained. This decomposition is used to present computational methods with high relative accuracy for solving algebraic problems with collocation matrices of weighted φ‐transformed systems such as the computation of eigenvalues, singular values, and the solution of some linear systems. Numerical examples illustrate the accuracy of the performed computations.
Impact of Medicaid expansion on access and healthcare among individuals with sickle cell disease
Authors: Kayle Mariam , Valle Jhaqueline , Paulukonis Susan , Holl Jane L. , Tanabe Paula , French Dustin D. , Garg Ravi , Liem Robert I. , Badawy Sherif M. , Treadwell Marsha J.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with high acute healthcare utilization. The purpose of this study was to examine whether Medicaid expansion in California increased Medicaid enrollment, increased hydroxyurea prescriptions filled, and decreased acute healthcare utilization in SCD.

Methods

Individuals with SCD (≤65 years and enrolled in Medicaid for ≥6 total calendar months any year between 2011 and 2016) were identified in a multisource database maintained by the California Sickle Cell Data Collection Program. We describe trends and changes in Medicaid enrollment, hydroxyurea prescriptions filled, and emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions before (2011‐2013) and after (2014‐2016) Medicaid expansion in California.

Results

The cohort included 3635 individuals. Enrollment was highest in 2014 and lowest in 2016 with a 2.8% annual decease postexpansion. Although <20% of the cohort had a hydroxyurea prescription filled, the percentage increased by 5.2% annually after 2014. The ED visit rate was highest in 2014 and decreased slightly in 2016, decreasing by 1.1% annually postexpansion. Hospital admission rates were similar during the pre‐ and postexpansion periods. Young adults and adults had higher ED and hospital admission rates than children and adolescents.

Conclusions

Medicaid expansion does not appear to have improved enrollment or acute healthcare utilization among individuals with SCD in California. Future studies should explore whether individuals with SCD transitioned to other insurance plans or became uninsured postexpansion, the underlying reasons for low hydroxyurea utilization, and the lack of effect on hospital admissions despite a modest effect on ED visits.
Immunochemical approaches for detection of aflatoxin B1 in herbal medicines
Authors: Raysyan Anna , Eremin Sergei A. , Beloglazova Natalia V. , De Saeger Sarah , Gravel Irina V.
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a toxic low‐molecular‐weight secondary metabolite of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. AFB1 was classified as a Group I carcinogen by the World Health Organisation for Research on Cancer in 1993. AFB1 is an unavoidable natural contaminant of some herbal medicine, able to cause serious health issues for humans consuming the related medicine.

Objective

Therefore, this study aimed to develop an efficient fluorescence polarisation immunoassay (FPIA) and a rapid, low‐cost, and easy‐to‐use membrane‐based flow‐through immunoassay (MBA) for determination of AFB1 in herbal medicine Origanum vulgare L., Rubus idaeus L., Urtica dioica L. and Sorbus aucuparia L.

Results

A cut‐off level of the developed MBA was 0.8 ppb. Validation of the developed test was performed with blank and spiked samples. Using three naturally contaminated or three artificially spiked samples. The FPIA showed a linear working range of 8.6 to 64 ppb, and a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 24 ppb.

Conclusion

The results were in good correlation with the enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results (the IC50 0.1 ppb). Both the sample preparation and analysis are simple, cost‐effective and easy to perform on‐site in non‐laboratory environments. Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) was used as a confirmatory technique.
Comparison of Hydromorphone versus Fentanyl‐based Sedation in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Propensity‐Matched Analysis
Authors: Landolf Kaitlin M. , Rivosecchi Ryan M. , Goméz Hernando , Sciortino Christopher M. , Murray Holt N. , Padmanabhan Rajagopala R. , Sanchez Pablo G. , Harano Takashi , Sappington Penny L.
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Data comparing sedatives in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are sparse. However, it is known that the ECMO circuit alters the pharmacokinetic properties of medications via drug sequestration of lipophilic agents and increased volume of distribution.

Objectives

This study evaluated the difference in days alive without delirium or coma and the sedative requirements in patients receiving fentanyl versus hydromorphone in ECMO patients.

Methods

This single‐center retrospective observational study evaluated adults receiving ECMO for more than 48 hours and continuous infusion of either fentanyl or hydromorphone for at least 6 hours. Of 148 patients evaluated, 88 received fentanyl and 60 received hydromorphone continuous infusion sedation. Outcomes included delirium‐free and coma‐free (DFCF) days, narcotic use, and sedative use.

Main Results

There was an increase in the number of DFCF days in the hydromorphone group at day 7 (p=0.07) and day 14 (p=0.08) and a significant reduction in daily fentanyl equivalent exposure. Propensity score matching yielded 54 matched pairs. An 11.1% increase was observed in the proportion of ECMO days alive without delirium or coma in the hydromorphone group at 7 days (53.2% vs 42.1%, p=0.006). Patients in the hydromorphone group received significantly fewer narcotics with a median of 555 µg (interquartile range [IQR] 287–905 µg) of fentanyl equivalents per day compared with 2291 µg (IQR 1053–4023 µg) in the fentanyl group (p<0.005).

Conclusion

The use of hydromorphone‐based sedation in ECMO patients resulted in more days alive without delirium or coma while significantly reducing narcotic requirements.
Site‐specific recombinase genome engineering toolkit in maize
Authors: Cody Jon P. , Graham Nathaniel D. , Zhao Changzeng , Swyers Nathan C. , Birchler James A.
Published: March 2020

Site‐specific recombinase enzymes function in heterologous cellular environments to initiate strand‐switching reactions between unique DNA sequences termed recombinase binding sites. Depending on binding site position and orientation, reactions result in integrations, excisions, or inversions of targeted DNA sequences in a precise and predictable manner. Here, we established five different stable recombinase expression lines in maize through Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation of T‐DNA molecules that contain coding sequences for Cre, R, FLPe, phiC31 Integrase, and phiC31 excisionase. Through the bombardment of recombinase activated DsRed transient expression constructs, we have determined that all five recombinases are functional in maize plants. These recombinase expression lines could be utilized for a variety of genetic engineering applications, including selectable marker removal, targeted transgene integration into predetermined locations, and gene stacking.
Model‐Informed Drug Development for Everolimus Dosing Selection in Pediatric Infant Patients
Authors: Combes Francois Pierre , Einolf Heidi J. , Coello Neva , Heimbach Tycho , He Handan , Grosch Kai
Published: March 2020

Everolimus is currently approved in Europe as an adjunctive therapy for patients aged ≥ 2 years with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)–associated treatment‐refractory partial‐onset seizures, based on the EXIST‐3 study (NCT01713946) results. As TSC‐associated seizures can also affect children aged between 6 months and 2 years, a modeling and simulation (M&S) approach was undertaken to extrapolate exposure (trough plasma concentration (Cmin)) after a dose of 6 mg/m2 and reduction in seizure frequency (RSF). A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model using Simcyp was developed to predict Cmin in adult and pediatric patients, which was then used by a population pharmacodynamic model and a linear mixed effect model to predict short‐term and long‐term efficacy in adults (for validation) and in children, respectively. Based on the results of the M&S study, everolimus at the dose of 6 mg/m2 is anticipated to be an efficacious treatment in children 6 months to 2 years of age (up to 77.8% RSF) with concentrations within the recommended target range.
Biological Interfaces, Modulation, and Sensing with Inorganic Nano‐Bioelectronic Materials
Authors: Schaumann Erik N. , Tian Bozhi
Published: March 2020

The last several years have seen a large and increasing interest in scientific developments that combine methods and materials from nanotechnology with questions and applications in bioelectronics. This follows with a number of broader trends: the rapid increase in functionality for materials at the nanoscale; a growing recognition of the importance of electric fields in diverse physiological processes; and continuous improvements in technologies that are naturally complementary with bioelectronics, such as optogenetics. Here, a progress report is provided on several of the most exciting recent developments in this field. The three critical functions of biointerface formation, biological modulation, and biological sensing using newly developed nanoscale materials are considered.
Neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of corrected age in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency thickness and normal karyotype compared with matched controls
Authors: Buffin R. , Fichez A. , Decullier E. , Roux A. , Bin S. , Combourieu D. , Pastor‐Diez B. , Huissoud C. , Picaud J.‐C. ,   collaborating authors
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Increased nuchal translucency (NT) thickness is an antenatal marker of aneuploidy or malformation that can lead to termination of pregnancy. This study assessed the long‐term neurodevelopmental prognosis of infants who had isolated increased NT in utero.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of infants with a NT thickness > 95th percentile in the first trimester, but with a normal karyotype and no major anomalies, and controls with normal NT matched for birth weight, Apgar score, place of birth, parity and gestational age at birth. At 2 years of corrected age, all infants underwent the psychometric Brunet–Lézine test to evaluate their developmental quotient (DQ), overall (global) and specifically for the areas of posture, language, coordination and sociability.

Results

A total of 203 chromosomally normal infants were included in the increased‐NT group and 208 in the control group. The mean global DQ was significantly lower in the increased‐NT group than in the control group (108.6 ± 9.7 vs 112.8 ± 8.3; P < 0.0001), but it was within the normal range expected for that age in both groups. Similarly, the mean DQs for coordination, sociability and language, but not for posture, were significantly lower in infants with increased NT than in controls. Only one case with increased NT had a DQ < 70 (defined as severe neurodevelopmental impairment), compared with none in the control group. The difference between the two groups remained significant for a NT threshold ≥ 99th percentile and when the data were adjusted for NT thickness, the infant's sex and the mother's educational level. In the increased‐NT group, NT thickness was < 3.5 mm in over half (56%) of the infants, between 3.5 mm and 5 mm in 33% and > 5 mm in 11%, with a mean global DQ of 108.4, 110.1 and 109.7, respectively.

Conclusions

Infants who had isolated increased fetal NT in the first trimester had a significantly lower, but normal, DQ at a corrected age of 2 years, when compared with controls. The findings were independent of the infant's sex, fetal NT thickness and the mother's educational level. © 2020 Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Ghostbusters: unitarity and causality of non-equilibrium effective field theories
Authors: Gao Ping , Glorioso Paolo , Liu Hong
Published: March 2020

Abstract: For a non-equilibrium physical system defined along a closed time path (CTP), a key constraint is the so-called largest time equation, which is a consequence of unitarity and implies causality. In this paper, we present a simple proof that if the propagators of a non-equilibrium effective action have the proper pole structure, the largest time equation is obeyed to all loop orders. Ghost fields and BRST symmetry are not needed. In particular, the arguments for the proof can also be used to show that if ghost fields are introduced, their contributions vanish.
Flavor structure of magnetized T2/ℤ2 blow-up models
Authors: Kobayashi Tatsuo , Otsuka Hajime , Uchida Hikaru
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We discuss the flavor structure in resolution of magnetized T2/ℤ2 orbifold models. The flavor structure of Yukawa couplings among chiral zero-modes is sensitive to radii of the resolved fixed points of T2/ℤ2 orbifold. We show in concrete models that the realistic mass hierarchy and mixing angles of the quark sector can be realized at certain values of blow-up radii, where the number of parameters in the blow-up model can be smaller than toroidal orbifold one.
Significant association between tumor mutational burden and immune-related adverse events during immune checkpoint inhibition therapies
Authors: Kerepesi Csaba , Bakacs Tibor , Moss Ralph W. , Slavin Shimon , Anderson Colin C.
Published: March 2020

More than 2000 immuno-oncology agents are being tested or are in use as a result of the cancer immunotherapy revolution. Manipulation of co-inhibitory receptors has achieved tumor eradication in a minority of patients, but widespread immune-related adverse events (irAEs) compromised tolerance to healthy self-tissues in the majority. We have proposed that a major mechanism of irAEs is similar to a graft-versus-malignancy effect of graft-versus-host disease. To verify our hypothesis, we retrieved post-marketing data of adverse events from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System. A significant positive correlation was revealed in 7677 patients between the reporting odds ratio of irAEs during immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and the corresponding tumor mutational burden across 19 cancer types. These results can be interpreted to mean that the ICI drugs unleashed T cells against “altered-self,” self, and tumors resulting in better overall survival.
Adsorption process for phospholipids of different chain lengths at a fluorocarbon/water interface studied by Du Noüy ring and spinning drop
Authors: Ullmann Kirsten , Poggemann Lukas , Nirschl Hermann , Leneweit Gero
Published: March 2020

Fluorocarbons are novel systems in the fast-growing fields of diverse biomedical applications and fluorocarbon-water emulsions. However, characterization of these systems with modern measuring techniques such as drop profile analysis tensiometry is almost impossible because of practically identical refractive indexes and high-density differences. Due to the material properties of the fluorocarbon-water system, the invasive Du Noüy ring is the most appropriate method to measure interfacial tensions over long times. However, the influence of the ring on a fluorocarbon/water interface packed with phospholipids needs careful analysis. For the proof of methodology, the spinning drop tensiometry was used for comparison as a non-invasive technique to measure interfacial tension between water and perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene (PFPH) covered by 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) proving almost identical results. This demonstrates the validity of the invasive measurement technique for the studied system. The Du Noüy ring method was applied for further measurements of phospholipids with different chain lengths (1,2-dmyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phostphatidylcholine, DMPC; 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine, DSPC) which revealed a difference in interfacial adsorption kinetics and equilibrium tensions. The Du Noüy ring tensiometry is appropriate to examine the slow adsorption kinetics of phospholipids emulsifying fluorocarbons. The results enable functional optimization of fluorocarbon emulsions regarding physical emulsification parameters and the selection of lipids.
Seasonal effect on the incidence of post-operative wound complications after trauma-related surgery of the foot, ankle and lower leg
Authors: Sanders Fay Ruth Katharina , van’t Hul Mirjam , Kistemaker Rosanne Maria Güzelleke , Schepers Tim
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Post-operative wound complications remain among the most common complications of orthopedic (trauma) surgery. Recently, studies have suggested environmental factors such as season to be of influence on wound complications. Patients operated in summer are reported to have more wound complications, compared to other seasons. The aim of this study was to identify if “seasonality” was a significant predictor for wound complications in this cohort of trauma-related foot/ankle procedures.

Materials and methods

This retrospective cohort study included all patients undergoing trauma-related surgery (e.g. fracture fixation, arthrodesis, implant removal) of the foot, ankle or lower leg. Procedures were performed at a Level 1 Trauma Center between September 2015 until March 2019. Potential risk factors/confounders were identified using univariate analysis. Procedures were divided into two groups: (1) performed in summer (June, July or August), (2) other seasons (September–May). The number of surgical wound complications (FRIs, SSIs or wound dehiscence) was compared between the two groups, corrected for confounders, using multivariate regression.

Results

A total of 599 procedures were included, mostly performed in the hindfoot (47.6%). Patients were on average 46 years old, and mostly male (60.8%). The total number of wound complications was 43 (7.2%). Age, alcohol abuse, open fracture and no tourniquet use were independent predicting factors. No difference in wound complications was found between summer and other seasons, neither in univariate analysis [4 (3.2%) vs 39 (8.2%), p = 0.086] nor when corrected for predicting factors as confounders (p = 0.096).

Conclusions

No seasonality could be identified in the rate of wound complications after trauma surgery of the lower leg, ankle and foot in this cohort. This lack of effect might result from the temperate climate of this cohort. Larger temperature and precipitation differences may influence wound complications to a larger extent. However, previous studies suggesting seasonality in wound complications might also be based on coincidence.
The function of Piezo1 in colon cancer metastasis and its potential regulatory mechanism
Authors: Sun Yanhua , Li Ming , Liu Guangjie , Zhang Xue , Zhi Lianghui , Zhao Jing , Wang Guiying
Published: March 2020

Objective

Increasing evidence has revealed that mechanical stress and elevated mechanical signals promote malignant tumor transformation and metastasis. This study aimed to explore the function of the mechanically activated ion-channel Piezo1 in the colon cancer metastasis and its potential regulatory mechanism.

Methods

First, we examined the expression levels of Piezo1 and mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) both in colon cancer tissues and assessed the prognostic value of Piezo1 and MCU in a colon cancer cohort (n = 110). Second, functional assays were performed to investigate the effects of Piezo1 and MCU on colon cancer cell migration, invasion, and mitochondrial membrane potential. Third, we analyzed the expression of Piezo1, MCU, and HIF-1α by overexpressing/silencing each other’s expression.

Results

We found that Piezo1 was up-regulated and MCU was down-regulated in colon cancer tissues. Piezo1 and MCU were both correlated with poor prognosis of patients with colon cancer. Overexpressing Piezo1 and silencing MCU could promote colon cancer cell migration and metastasis, reduce mitochondrial membrane potential, and promote each other’s expression. We also found that HIF-1α was up-regulated in colon cancer tissues. Additionally, silencing Piezo1 inhibited the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF, which was contrary to MCU silencing. Intriguingly, Piezo1-overexpressing cells did not regain their migration behaviors when HIF-1α expression was inhibited, which was accompanied with the re-expression of MCU and VEGF.

Conclusion

In our study, Piezo1 is involved in colon cancer cell metastasis. Furthermore, our findings indicated a possible Piezo1-MCU-HIF-1α-VEGF axis, which still need further exploration.
Interventions to Improve Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among Adolescents and Youth in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review 2015–2019
Authors: Reif Lindsey K. , Abrams Elaine J. , Arpadi Stephen , Elul Batya , McNairy Margaret L. , Fitzgerald Daniel W. , Kuhn Louise
Published: March 2020

Adolescents and youth living with HIV have poorer antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence and viral suppression outcomes than all other age groups. Effective interventions promoting adherence are urgently needed. We reviewed and synthesized recent literature on interventions to improve ART adherence among this vulnerable population. We focus on studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) where the adolescent and youth HIV burden is greatest. Articles published between September 2015 and January 2019 were identified through PubMed. Inclusion criteria were: [1] included participants ages 10–24 years; [2] assessed the efficacy of an intervention to improve ART adherence; [3] reported an ART adherence measurement or viral load; [4] conducted in a LMIC. Articles were reviewed for study population characteristics, intervention type, study design, outcomes measured, and intervention effect. Strength of each study’s evidence was evaluated according to an adapted World Health Organization GRADE system. Articles meeting all inclusion criteria except being conducted in an LMIC were reviewed for results and potential transportability to a LMIC setting. Of 108 articles identified, 7 met criteria for inclusion. Three evaluated patient-level interventions and four evaluated health services interventions. Of the patient-level interventions, two were experimental designs and one was a retrospective cohort study. None of these interventions improved ART adherence or viral suppression. Of the four health services interventions, two targeted stable patients and reduced the amount of time spent in the clinic or grouped patients together for bi-monthly meetings, and two targeted patients newly diagnosed with HIV or not yet deemed clinically stable and augmented clinical care with home-based case-management. The two studies targeting stable patients used retrospective cohort designs and found that adolescents and youth were less likely to maintain viral suppression than children or adults. The two studies targeting patients not yet deemed clinically stable included one experimental and one retrospective cohort design and showed improved ART adherence and viral suppression outcomes. ART adherence and viral suppression outcomes remain a major challenge among adolescents and youth. Intensive home-based case management models of care hold promise for improving outcomes in this population and warrant further research.
Towards Collective Self-knowledge
Authors: Schwengerer Lukas
Published: March 2020

We seem to ascribe mental states and agency to groups. We say ‘Google knows such-and-such,’ or ‘Amazon intends to do such-and-such.’ This observation of ordinary parlance also found its way into philosophical accounts of social groups and collective intentionality. However, these discussions are usually quiet about how groups self-ascribe their own beliefs and intentions. Apple might explain to its shareholders that it intends to bring a new iPhone to the market next year. But how does Apple know what it intends? How do groups get to know their own mental states? This is the question of collective self-knowledge. I argue that collective self-knowledge is a distinct phenomenon that deserves our attention. In particular I suggest: (1) that we should be interested in collective self-knowledge, because our behaviour indicates that we already engage with collective self-knowledge in practice; (2) that groups can collectively avow, which indicates that they have privileged and peculiar access to their own intentional states; and (3) that collective self-knowledge is not reducible to intentional states of individuals and therefore is an independent explanandum.
Numerical analysis of impact ionization in HOT HgCdTe avalanche photodiodes
Authors: Kopytko M. , Gomółka E. , Jóźwikowski K.
Published: March 2020

Semiconductor avalanche photodiodes enable individual photons to be detected when the incident flux of light is very low. This is possible thanks to the use of the avalanche multiplication phenomenon. Consequently, the obtained gain of photocurrent is from a few to several million times. The avalanche multiplication effect in semiconductors is determined by the generation rate caused by impact ionization. This paper describes the results of research aimed at investigation of the impact ionization mechanism in HgCdTe photodiodes operating at 230 K and in the medium-wave infrared range. Numerical analyses were used for the study using a computer program in which the modeling and consideration of all the possible generation and recombination mechanisms were included.
Ein optimierter Versorgungsprozess bei Patienten mit schlafbezogenen Atmungsstörungen – Pilotstudie
Authors: Lederer Katharina , Glos Martin , Zimmermann Sandra , Alt Leonie , Maass Maria , Blau Alexander , Fietze Ingo , Penzel Thomas
Published: March 2020

Hintergrund

Die Einweisung der Patienten in die diagnostische Polygraphie wird bisher von einer medizinisch ausgebildeten Fachkraft durchgeführt. Dieser Prozess ist zeit- und ressourcenintensiv. In dieser Pilotstudie wurde ein innovativer Versorgungsweg bei schlafbezogenen Atmungsstörungen (SBAS) untersucht, um eine beschleunigte Diagnostik und effektivere Therapiezuweisung zu erreichen. Hierfür wurde den Studienteilnehmern ein Polygrafie (PG)-Gerät direkt von der versorgenden Firma nach Hause geliefert.

Methodik

Der Patient legte die PG selbstständig nach einer Bedienungsanleitung an und erhielt bei Bedarf telefonische Unterstützung. Nach der Untersuchungsnacht wurde das Gerät zurückgesendet. Die ärztliche Befundung erfolgte online über ein verschlüsseltes Portal. Zusätzlich erfolgte eine Befragung zur subjektiven Zufriedenheit mit dem Ablaufprozess sowie ein Vergleich der PG-Ergebnisse mit einer zeitnahen Polysomnografie (PSG).

Ergebnisse

Es wurden 50 Patienten (m = 30/w = 20) mit Verdacht auf SBAS im mittleren Alter von 50,5 ± 13,7 Jahren eingeschlossen. Die Probanden wiesen unter beiden Messverfahren einen ähnlichen mittleren Apnoe-Hypopnoe-Index (AHI) (PSG) von M = 20,8 (SD 23,2) und AHI (PG) von M = 20,2 (SD 18,9) auf. Bei AHI-Werten zwischen ≥15–<30/h ergab sich eine Sensitivität von 63 % und Spezifität von 88 % für die PG im Vergleich zur PSG. Bei AHI-Werten >30/h lag die Sensitivität bei 88 % und die Spezifität bei 91 %.

Diskussion

In der Beurteilung, ob eine klinisch relevante Schlafapnoe vorliegt, zeigte sich eine eher schwache, moderate Übereinstimmung zwischen den einzelnen Diagnosekategorien der Messverfahren, wobei sich die häufigsten Übereinstimmungen in den höchsten und niedrigsten Diagnosegruppen zeigten. Die Ergebnisse lassen jedoch aufgrund der selektiven Stichprobe keine Prognosen hinsichtlich der Durchführbarkeit in einer allgemeinen oder multimorbiden Patientengruppe zu.
Tumor Development and Angiogenesis in Adult Brain Tumor: Glioblastoma
Authors: Ahir Bhavesh K. , Engelhard Herbert H. , Lakka Sajani S.
Published: March 2020

Angiogenesis is the growth of new capillaries from the preexisting blood vessels. Glioblastoma (GBM) tumors are highly vascularized tumors, and glioma growth depends on the formation of new blood vessels. Angiogenesis is a complex process involving proliferation, migration, and differentiation of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) under the stimulation of specific signals. It is controlled by the balance between its promoting and inhibiting factors. Various angiogenic factors and genes have been identified that stimulate glioma angiogenesis. Therefore, attention has been directed to anti-angiogenesis therapy in which glioma proliferation is inhibited by inhibiting the formation of new tumor vessels using angiogenesis inhibitory factors and drugs. Here, in this review, we highlight and summarize the various molecular mediators that regulate GBM angiogenesis with focus on recent clinical research on the potential of exploiting angiogenic pathways as a strategy in the treatment of GBM patients.
Quantification of the Atmospheric Corrosion of 304 and 2205 Stainless Steels Using Electrochemical Probes Based on Thevenin Electrochemical Equivalent Circuit Model
Authors: Zhu Yu , Song Yang , Xu Likun , Qin Zhenbo , Song Shizhe , Hu Wenbin , Xia Da-Hai
Published: March 2020

Stainless steel (SS) is one of the most widely used engineering materials in marine engineering. However, its corrosion in the marine atmospheric environment due to the high concentration of Cl− is a problem. The SS corrosion is a threat to the development and security of marine industry; therefore, evaluating the corrosion resistance of SSs is necessary. In this work, atmospheric corrosion detection probes based on a symmetrical electrode system were used to study the corrosion behaviors of 304 SS and 2205 duplex stainless steel (DSS) in a simulated marine atmosphere. A theoretical model for electrochemical noise (EN) data analysis based on the Thevenin electrochemical equivalent circuit (EEC) model was established. The relationship between the EN characteristic parameters and the corrosion rate was obtained. The Thevenin EEC model analysis showed that the relationship between the noise resistance (Rn), the noise impedance [Rsn(f)], and the impedance modulus (|Z(f)|) was $$R_{{\text{n}}} \approx R_{{{\text{sn}}}} = {}^{\sqrt 3 }\left| {Z(f)} \right|$$Rn≈Rsn=3Z(f). Thus, Rn and Rsn can be used as indicators for quantitative corrosion evaluation. The results of EN detection for the 304 SS and 2205 DSS showed that in a simulated marine atmospheric environment, the passive films on the two SSs were relatively intact at the initial exposure stage, and their dissolution rates were slow. The corrosion resistance of the 2205 DSS was higher than that of the 304 SS. With the deposition of Cl− on the SS surface, pitting was initiated and the dissolution rate increased. The pitting initiation process on the SS surface was random, and part of the active pores could be repassivated.
How to teach an old dog new tricks: a new approach on dating unstratified archaeological features from outdated excavations
Authors: Rabitsch Julia , Irovec Ruth , Auer Martin
Published: March 2020

When analysing past excavations, the possible lack of information on stratigraphy of small finds can lead to difficulties in dating features of settlements such as building periods or destruction layers. While there can be many factors, the most common reasons are outdated excavation methods, lost written documentation or problems in storage. Studying the material from excavations at the so-called ›Gmeinerwiese‹ in Brigantium/Bregenz, Austria undertaken in 1974 suffered from a combination of these causes, which led to a lack of sound stratigraphical information. However, adapting techniques commonly used for numismatic analyses enabled the gathering of sufficient information to gain a better understanding of the sites’ building periods. Furthermore, an approximate date of the buildings’ destruction by fire could be obtained. Additionally, a second case study was undertaken using stratified and already analysed findings from Aguntum in Eastern Tyrol, Austria to verify the proposed methodology. The results are consistent with the stratigraphic evaluation, which indicates the functionality of this method.
3D mechanical earth model for Zubair oilfield in southern Iraq
Authors: Al-Zubaidi Nada S. , Al-Neeamy Aows K.
Published: March 2020

During drilling operations, wellbore instability is one of the reasons that increase nonproductive time (NPT). Maintaining a stable wellbore is the primary importance during drilling by applying a proper geomechanical model to analyze and understand the distribution of stresses around the wellbore in order to minimize drilling risk and NPT. The lack of any geomechanical studies in Zubair oilfield in southern Iraq is one of the reasons that lead to wellbore stability-related problems and thus an increase in NPT. Petrel Geomechanics 2018 was used to show the distribution of the stresses and the mechanical properties. Showing the distribution of stresses in 3D MEM has big advantages in several ways, and one of them is to select the best path for any future directional wells. To mitigate wellbore stability problems and depending on the 1D mechanical earth models (MEM) results, a detailed 3D MEM was built for Zubair oilfield as the method to precisely pinpoint and diagnose those problems. The results of this study show two points; first is an abnormally pressured zone in Tanuma shale formation, and second, a narrow mud weight window in front of the Tanuma formation. As a conclusion, the mechanical earth model was an efficient tool in diagnosing and predicting geomechanics-related problems, thus suggesting an alternative mud weight program for the problematic zone, which is more important to reduce the most essential factor in the NPT.
Review of anodic reactions in hydrocarbon fueled solid oxide fuel cells and strategies to improve anode performance and stability
Authors: Shi Nai , Xie Yun , Yang Yi , Xue Shuangshuang , Li Xinyu , Zhu Kang , Huan Daoming , Peng Ranran , Xia Changrong , Lu Yalin
Published: March 2020

Direct utilization of hydrocarbon fuels in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) has drawn special attention for high energy conversion efficiency, low cost, and simple devices. However, when fueled with hydrocarbons, SOFCs encountered great difficulty in both performance and stability, which should be attributed to the sluggish hydrocarbon oxidizing reactions, the severe carbon deposition reactions, and the possible sulfur poisoning reactions in the anode. This review summarizes potential anode reactions in hydrocarbon-fueled SOFCs and discusses the possible anode deactivation mechanisms. Further, various strategies to improve the anode performance and stability are reviewed, including substituting alloys or increasing oxide basicity for nickel-based anodes, adopting oxide anodes, and adding catalyst layers. The advantages and challenges of each strategy are discussed. Special attention is paid on properties and models of novel oxide anodes, of which nano-metal catalysts are in-situ exsolved. The publications concerning SOFC anodes, mainly in recent 5 years, are listed and compared in this article.
Enriched order polytopes and enriched Hibi rings
Authors: Ohsugi Hidefumi , Tsuchiya Akiyoshi
Published: March 2020

Stanley introduced two classes of lattice polytopes associated to posets, which are called the order polytope $${{\mathscr {O}}}_P$$

O
P

and the chain polytope $${{\mathscr {C}}}_P$$

C
P

of a poset P. It is known that, given a poset P, the Ehrhart polynomials of $${{\mathscr {O}}}_P$$

O
P

and $${{\mathscr {C}}}_P$$

C
P

are equal to the order polynomial of P that counts the P-partitions. In this paper, we introduce the enriched order polytope of a poset P and show that it is a reflexive polytope whose Ehrhart polynomial is equal to that of the enriched chain polytope of P and the left enriched order polynomial of P that counts the left enriched P-partitions, by using the theory of Gröbner bases. The toric rings of enriched order polytopes are called enriched Hibi rings. It turns out that enriched Hibi rings are normal, Gorenstein, and Koszul. The above result implies the existence of a bijection between the lattice points in the dilations of "Equation missing" and "Equation missing". Towards such a bijection, we give the facet representations of enriched order and chain polytopes.
On normed spaces with the Wigner Property
Authors: Wang Ruidong , Bugajewski Dariusz
Published: March 2020

The aim of this paper is to generalize the Wigner Theorem to real normed spaces. A normed space is said to have the Wigner Property if the Wigner Theorem holds for it. We prove that every two-dimensional real normed space has the Wigner Property. We also study the Wigner Property of real normed spaces of dimension at least three. It is also shown that strictly convex real normed spaces possess the Wigner Property.
On symmetry of strong Birkhoff orthogonality in $$B(\mathcal {H},\mathcal {K})$$ and $$K(\mathcal {H},\mathcal {K})$$
Authors: Tanaka Ryotaro , Sain Debmalya
Published: March 2020

In this paper, complete characterizations of left (or right) symmetric points for strong Birkhoff orthogonality in$$B(\mathcal {H},\mathcal {K})$$B(H,K)and$$K(\mathcal {H},\mathcal {K})$$K(H,K)are given, where$$\mathcal {H},\mathcal {K}$$H,Kare complex Hilbert spaces and$$B(\mathcal {H},\mathcal {K})$$B(H,K)($$K(\mathcal {H},\mathcal {K})$$K(H,K)) is the space of all bounded linear (compact) operators from$$\mathcal {H}$$Hinto$$\mathcal {K}$$K.
On some modifications of n-th von Neumann–Jordan constant for Banach spaces
Authors: Ciesielski Maciej , Płuciennik Ryszard
Published: March 2020

We study, among others, upper, lower, upper modified and lower modified n-th von Neumann–Jordan constant and relationships between them. There are characterized uniformly non-$$l_{n}^{1}$$

l

n

1

Banach spaces in terms of the upper modified n-th von Neumann–Jordan constant. Moreover, this constant is calculated explicitly for Lebesgue spaces $$L^{p}$$

L
p

and $$l^{p}$$

l
p

$$(1\le p\le \infty ).$$

(
1
≤
p
≤
∞
)
.

Finally, it is shown that the sequence of n-th upper and modified upper von Neumann–Jordan constants for the space $$L^p$$

L
p

as well as $$l^p$$

l
p

$$(2<p<\infty )$$

(
2
<
p
<
∞
)

converges to $$B_p^2$$

B
p
2

, where $$B_p$$

B
p

is the best type (2, p) constant in the Khinthine inequality for the case $$2\le p<\infty $$

2
≤
p
<
∞

.