bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
T1 Mapping on Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐Enhanced MRI for the Prediction of Oxaliplatin‐Induced Liver Injury in a Mouse Model
Authors: Yang Li , Ding Ying , Rao Shengxiang , Chen Caizhong , Zeng Mengsu
Published: September 2020

Background

Oxaliplatin‐induced liver injury (OILI) not only impairs hepatic regeneration but also increases postoperative morbidity and mortality. Therefore, noninvasive, accurate, and early diagnosis of OILI is mandatory.

Purpose

To evaluate the potential of T1 mapping on gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA)‐enhanced MRI for assessing OILI in a mouse model.

Study Type

Case control, animal model.

Animal Model

Thirty oxaliplatin‐treated mice and 10 control mice were included.

Field Strength

Volumetric interpolated breath‐hold examination sequence: 3T scanner with a phased‐array animal 8‐channel coil. T1 mapping before and at hepatobiliary phase (HBP) after injection of Gd‐EOB‐DTPA were undertaken.

Assessment

T1 relaxation times of the liver parenchyma were measured and the reduction rate (ΔT1%) was calculated. Histological findings were used as a standard reference.

Statistical Tests

The Kruskal–Wallis test with pairwise comparisons using the Mann–Whitney U‐test were applied to compare the parameters across groups. Spearman's rank correlation test and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses were performed. Areas under the curves (AUCs) were compared using the DeLong method.

Results

Histologically, mice were classified as normal (n = 10), hepatocellular degeneration without fibrosis (n = 16), and hepatocellular degeneration with fibrosis (n = 14). HBP T1 relaxation time increased with the severity of OILI (rho = 0.60, P < 0.05), and ΔT1% decreased with the severity of OILI (rho = –0.78, P < 0.05). AUC was 0.92 for ΔT1% in differentiating hepatocellular degeneration without fibrosis from normal liver, but HBP T1 relaxation time could not distinguish them (P = 0.09). AUCs were 0.96 and 0.95 for HBP T1 relaxation time, and 0.90 and 0.84 for ΔT1% in discriminating OILI with fibrosis from normal liver and OILI without fibrosis.

Data Conclusion

HBP T1 relaxation time and ΔT1% of Gd‐EOB‐DTPA enhanced MRI was useful for assessing OILI. ΔT1% may be more sensitive than HBP T1 relaxation time in detecting early stage of liver injury.

Level of Evidence

2.

Technical Efficacy Stage

5.
Diagnostic value of serological and molecular biological tests for infectious mononucleosis by EBV in different age stages and course of the disease
Authors: Shi Ting , Huang Linlin , Luo Ling , Yu Qiuyao , Tian Jianmei
Published: September 2020

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)‐based serologic antibody and viral nucleic acid assays have been found to be feasible means to diagnose infectious mononucleosis (IM) caused by EBV in children. In this study, we will further explore their diagnostic value for IM by EBV in different age stages and over the course of the disease. A collection of 616 children from clinically suspected IM cases was studied. Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) for EBV‐specific antibody (Euroimmun) combined with plasma EB viral nucleic acid assay (real‐time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction) were used as reference methods. The diagnostic efficiency of the peripheral blood routine test, serologic antibody test, and plasma EB viral nucleic acid assay for the diagnosis of IM was evaluated, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, Youden' index and the area under curve (AUC) were 93.08%, 87.77%, 0.81 and 0.904 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.878–0.931) for the peripheral lymphocyte test (lymphocytosis > 5 × 109/L), 98.27%, 91.13%, 0.89 and 0.947 (95% CI: 0.927–0.967) for the plasma EBV‐DNA test, and 84.08%, 96.33%, 0.80 and 0.902 (95% CI: 0.874–0.930) for the EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA)‐IgG avidity test. The plasma EBV‐DNA test has a higher diagnostic value than the VCA‐IgG avidity test in children aged <6 years, especially aged <3 years; the peripheral lymphocyte test and plasma EBV‐DNA test are suitable for the early stage of the disease, while the VCA‐IgG avidity test for after 7 days of the disease. EBV antibody detection (IIF) should be combined with EBV nucleic acid detection in children age <6 years and the early stage of the disease.
The effect direction plot revisited: Application of the 2019 Cochrane Handbook guidance on alternative synthesis methods
Authors: Boon Michele Hilton , Thomson Hilary
Published: September 2020

Effect direction (evidence to indicate improvement, deterioration, or no change in an outcome) can be used as a standardized metric which enables the synthesis of diverse effect measures in systematic reviews. The effect direction (ED) plot was developed to support the synthesis and visualization of effect direction data. Methods for the ED plot require updating in light of new Cochrane guidance on alternative synthesis methods. To update the ED plot, statistical significance was removed from the algorithm for within‐study synthesis and use of a sign test was considered to examine whether patterns of ED across studies could be due to chance alone. The revised methods were applied to an existing Cochrane review of the health impacts of housing improvements. The revised ED plot provides a method of data visualization in synthesis without meta‐analysis that incorporates information about study characteristics and study quality, using ED as a common metric, without relying on statistical significance to combine outcomes of single studies. The results of sign tests, when appropriate, suggest caution in over‐interpreting apparent patterns in effect direction, especially when the number of included studies is small. The revised ED plot meets the need for alternative methods of synthesis and data visualization when meta‐analysis is not possible, enabling a transparent link between the data and conclusions of a systematic review. ED plots may be particularly useful in reviews that incorporate nonrandomized studies, complex systems approaches, and diverse sources of evidence, due to the variety of study designs and outcomes in such reviews.
Effect of pelvic suspension and post‐mortem ageing on the quality of three muscles from Holstein Friesian bulls and steers
Authors: Moran Lara , Barron Luis Javier R , Wilson Shannon S , O'Sullivan Maurice G , Kerry Joseph P , Prendiville Robert , Moloney Aidan P
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

The use of bulls rather than steers from the dairy herd offers a more profitable and environmentally friendly option; however, the beef eating quality from bulls is an issue of concern. This study assessed the effect of two tenderization techniques – pelvic suspension and ageing – on three different muscles of Holstein Friesian males from two different production systems.

RESULTS

The results indicate that a production system based on steers slaughtered at 24 months (S24) produced beef with better eating quality than from bulls slaughtered at 19 months (B19) when tenderization techniques were not applied. Instrumental texture of longissimus thoracis and gluteus medius muscles was improved with ageing and/or pelvic suspension, with both tenderization techniques exerting greater impact on B19 meat. No differences were found in semitendinosus muscle due to suspension method, whereas ageing for longer than 14 days decreased its instrumental tenderness. Sensory results indicate that, after 14 days of ageing, panellists still preferred meat from S24, and they could differentiate between pelvic and traditional suspension.

CONCLUSION

Tenderization methodologies should be optimized for each production system and muscle; however, both panel and instrumental texture results indicate that eating quality of beef from either production systems is acceptable after 14 days of ageing, or even earlier if the suspension method is applied. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Application of biocharcoal aerogel sorbent for solid‐phase microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples
Authors: Ji Xiangping , Feng Juanjuan , Li Chunying , Han Sen , Sun Min , Feng Jiaqing , Sun Haili , Fan Jing , Guo Wenjuan
Published: September 2020

A facile method was introduced for preparing a biocharcoal aerogel, which was derived from pomelo peel as the only raw material. The inner spongy layer of pomelo peel was freeze‐dried for maintaining three‐dimensional structure and then carbonized under high temperature and oxygen‐limited conditions. The morphological structure and graphitization degree of biocharcoal aerogel were characterized using a scanning electron microscope and Raman spectrum. After sifting and grinding, the biocharcoal aerogel as an adsorbent was coated onto the surface of stainless steel wires. Through placing the wires into a polyetheretherketone tube, the in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction device was obtained. Coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography, it exhibited good extraction performance for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, then an online analytical method was established with low limits of detection (0.005–0.050 ng/mL), wide linear ranges (0.017–15 ng/mL) with superior correlation coefficients higher than 0.9990, high enrichment factors (1128–3425), and acceptable intra‐ and inter‐day repeatabilities (relative standard deviations ≤ 6.7%, n = 3). The method was applied to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bottled water samples, environmental water samples, and soft drinks with satisfactory recoveries (83.3–120.9%). This research not only developed a new carbon aerogel but also evaluated its adsorption performance in sample preparation.
Evaluating Patient Benefit From Laryngochondroplasty
Authors: Tang Christopher G.
Published: September 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

To elucidate and review current literature on the surgical technique for laryngochondroplasty in male‐to‐female transgender patients. To determine the degree of benefit afforded to male‐to‐female transgender patients by laryngochondroplasty using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI).

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

After institutional review board approval was obtained, the GBI survey was given to patients who underwent laryngochondroplasty by the author. Demographic information was analyzed including age, race, wait time to surgery, distance traveled, median zip code income, and concomitant gender‐affirming surgeries such as vaginoplasty, breast augmentation, or facial feminization.

Results

From April 2016 to April 2020, 209 patients received laryngochondroplasty within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Medical System. Of those, 91 received laryngochondroplasty with the author and were given the GBI, with 73 patients (80%) responding. Patients were on average 31.4 years old, traveled 45.4 miles to the surgical site, lived in a zip code with a median income of $86,793.61, and waited 95.7 days for surgery. Patients had a statistically significant improvement in all three subscores (general, social, and physical) of the GBI as well as in their overall score.

Conclusions

Laryngochondroplasty is a safe and effective procedure to reduce thyroid cartilage prominence (Adam's apple) in male‐to‐female transgender patients. There was a statistically significant improvement in the overall score and all subscores of the GBI after laryngochondroplasty

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:S1–S14, 2020
Impact of alfalfa and NPK fertilization in agricultural reclamation on the transformation of Technosols in an area following lignite mining
Authors: Otremba Krzysztof , Kozłowski Michał , Tatuśko‐Krygier Natalia , Pająk Marek , Kołodziej Beata , Bryk Maja
Published: September 2020

Open‐cast mining of lignite leads to considerable degradation of the natural environment, which then must be reclaimed. The aim of this study was to assess the transformation of Technosols in an area after lignite mining which had been under 40‐year cultivation of alfalfa with grass at various NPK fertilization rates. We hypothesized that 40‐year cultivation of plants caused morphological transformation of the parent material and resulted in differentiation of physical and chemical properties in the profile of the Technosols; fertilization had an added advantageous effect on their properties. The surface layer was transformed into an Ap‐horizon. Under alfalfa, with grass and NPK fertilization, Ap‐horizons demonstrated lower bulk density (BD) (7–11%) and particle density (PD) (1–2%), and higher total porosity (TP) (18–35%), drainable porosity (DP) (2–94%), field water capacity (FC) (11–21%), unavailable water (UW) (4–17%), soil organic carbon (SOC) (80–142%), total nitrogen (TN) (261–330%), available P (39–435%), available K (32–89%), cation exchange capacity (CEC) (25–43%), and soil acidity (Hext) (42–81%) compared to Cd‐horizons. Fertilized Technosols (1NPK, 2NPK), compared with control (0NPK), showed in the Ap‐horizon an increase in SOC (18–35%), TP (8–15%), DP (81–90%), FC (9–10%), P (110–285%), K (14–71%), and TN (0–18%), and a decrease in BD (4–7%). In contrast, fertilization had no effect on the UW, PD, soil inorganic carbon (SIC), CaCO3, available Mg, and pHKCl. The alfalfa and orchard grass played a key role in the reclamation and soil‐forming processes, while fertilization played a supporting role.
Approaches to Research Determination of Late Acute Cellular Rejection in Pediatric Liver Transplant Recipients
Authors: Mazariegos George V. , Shneider Benjamin L. , Shemesh Eyal , Schady Deborah , Melin‐Aldana Hector , Cho Soo‐Jin , Anand Ravinder , Erinjeri Jinson , Annunziato Rachel , Reyes‐Mugica Miguel
Published: September 2020

A central pathology or site reading of biopsy slides is used in liver transplant clinical trials to determine rejection. We evaluated interrater reliability of readings of “rejection or not” using digitized slides from the Medication Adherence in Children who had a Liver Transplant (MALT) study. Four masked experienced pathologists read the digitized slides and then reread them after a study‐specific histologic endpoint development program. Agreement was expressed throughout as a Kappa or Fleiss Kappa statistic (ҡ). A ҡ > 0.6 was predefined as desirable. Readings were correlated with immunosuppressant adherence (the Medication Level Variability Index, [MLVI]), and maximal liver enzyme levels during the study period. Interrater agreement between site and central review in MALT, and between 4 pathologists later on, was low (ҡ = 0.44, Fleiss ҡ = 0.41, respectively). Following the endpoint development program, agreement improved and became acceptable (ҡ = 0.71). The final reading was better‐aligned with maximal gamma‐glutamyl transferase levels and MLVI as compared with the original central reading. We found substantial disagreement between experienced pathologists reading the same slides. A unique study‐specific procedure improved interrater reliability to the point it was acceptable. Such a procedure may be indicated to increase reliability of histopathologic determinations in future research, and perhaps also clinically.
Evaluation of two xenobiotic reductases from Pseudomonas putida for their suitability for magnetic nanoparticle‐directed enzyme prodrug therapy as a novel approach to cancer treatment
Authors: Ball Patrick , Halliwell Jennifer , Anderson Simon , Gwenin Vanessa , Gwenin Christopher
Published: September 2020

Directed enzyme prodrug therapy (DEPT) is a cancer chemotherapy strategy in which bacterial enzymes are delivered to a cancer site before prodrug administration, resulting in prodrug activation at the cancer site and more localized treatment. A major limitation to DEPT is the poor effectiveness of the most studied enzyme for the CB1954 prodrug, NfnB from Escherichia coli, at concentrations suitable for human use. Much research into finding alternative enzymes to NfnB has resulted in the identification of the Xenobiotic reductases, XenA and XenB, which have been shown in the literature to reduce environmentally polluting nitro‐compounds. In this study, they were assessed for their potential use in cancer prodrug therapy strategies. Both proteins were cloned into the pET28a+ expression vector to give the genetically modified proteins XenA‐his and XenB‐his, of which only XenB‐his was active when tested with CB1954. XenB‐his was further modified to include a cysteine‐tag to facilitate direct immobilization on to a gold surface for future magnetic nanoparticle DEPT (MNDEPT) treatments and was named XenB‐cys. When tested using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), XenB‐his and XenB‐cys both demonstrated a preference for reducing CB1954 at the 4‐nitro position. Furthermore, XenB‐his and XenB‐cys successfully induced cell death in SK‐OV‐3 cells when combined with CB1954. This led to XenB‐cys being identified as a promising candidate for use in future MNDEPT treatments.
Brain Structural Changes in Focal Dystonia—What About Task Specificity? A Multimodal MRI Study
Authors: Tomić Aleksandra , Agosta Federica , Sarasso Elisabetta , Svetel Marina , Kresojević Nikola , Fontana Andrea , Canu Elisa , Petrović Igor , Kostić Vladimir S. , Filippi Massimo
Published: September 2020

Background

The neural basis of task specificity in dystonia is still poorly understood. This study investigated gray and white matter (WM) brain alterations in patients with task‐specific dystonia (TSD) and non‐task‐specific dystonia (NTSD).

Methods

Thirty‐six patients with TSD (spasmodic dysphonia, writer's cramp), 61 patients with NTSD (blepharospasm, cervical dystonia), and 83 healthy controls underwent 3D T1‐weighted and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Whole brain cortical thickness and voxel‐based morphometry; volumes of basal ganglia, thalamus, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and hippocampus; and WM damage were assessed. Analysis of variance models were used to compare MRI measures between groups, adjusting for age and botulinum toxin (BoNT) treatment.

Results

The comparison between focal dystonia patients showed cortical thickness and gray matter (GM) volume differences (ie, decreased in NTSD, increased in TSD) in frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital cortical regions; basal ganglia; thalamus; hippocampus; and amygdala. Cerebellar atrophy was found in NTSD patients relative to controls. WM damage was more severe and widespread in task‐specific relative to NTSD patients. TSD patients receiving BoNT, relative to nontreated patients, had cortical thickening and increased GM volume in frontoparietal, temporal, and occipital regions. NTSD patients experiencing pain showed cortical thickening of areas involved in pain‐inhibitory mechanisms.

Conclusions

TSD and NTSD are characterized by opposite alterations of the main cortical and subcortical sensorimotor and cognitive‐controlling brain structures, suggesting the possible presence of different pathophysiological and/or compensatory mechanisms underlying the complexity of the two clinical phenotypes of focal dystonia. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Diamond in medical devices and sensors: An overview of diamond surfaces
Authors: Mani Nour , Rifai Aaqil , Houshyar Shadi , Booth Marsilea A. , Fox Kate
Published: September 2020

Significant challenges arise when the human body is damaged, diseased and unable to repair itself. Current biomaterials for biomedical devices have limitations to restore function, while materials for implants and sensors often invoke a large foreign body response. Therefore, there is a need to develop suitable biomaterials in the fields of medical devices and sensors. Diamond is emerging due to its many favourable properties including biocompatibility, antimicrobial capability, antifouling properties, electrical conductivity and chemical functionalization capability. Thin film coatings of diamond can be fabricated by chemical vapour deposition, or by particle coatings with nanodiamond materials. Hybrid/composite diamond materials include soft materials such as those processed by electrospinning and melt extrusion, as well as hard materials such as those processed by additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing is a developing area for diamond biomaterial fabrication and can include both hard and soft materials. The fabrication method used will depend on the properties required of the biomaterial, as well as the application. In this mini‐review, recent progress on using diamond in medical devices and sensors is outlined, with particular emphasis on fabrication methods. We highlight selected applications from recent literature and, in closing, make comments and suggestions to advance the field and direction of diamond application in medical devices and sensors.
Alerting of hectometric turbulence features atHongKongInternationalAirport using a short‐rangeLIDAR
Authors: Hon Kai‐Kwong , Chan Pak‐Wai
Published: September 2020

Small‐scale, fast‐evolving airflow disturbances, possibly due to upstream building clusters, are known to affect aircraft landing at corridor 25RA of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), China, under southerly or southwesterly winds. The paper presents a new algorithm, based on the concept of coherent integrated differential velocity (CIDV), for the automatic alerting of such hectometric (scale of hundreds of metres) turbulence features using short‐range LIDAR (SRL) scans at 30 m radial resolution and an observation frequency of around every 20 s by Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). The CIDV identifies the cumulative effect of coherent patches of radial velocity changes occurring along the landing flight path by comparing two consecutive sub‐minute SRL scans. Verification was conducted between June and September 2017 against a selection of relevant pilot reports, with a positive skill level observed over the whole range of the CIDV thresholds considered. When simulating a realistic setting where the SRL would issue alerts in conjunction with HKO's operational Windshear and Turbulence Warning System (WTWS), the CIDV algorithm would bring a gain in hit rate between 5% and 25%, with a corresponding increase in alert duration between 0.4% and 20%. The chosen CIDV threshold of 0.4 m·s−1nautical mile (nm) can be physically interpreted as an average radial velocity change of 4.0 m·s−1sustained over a distance of < 200 m (or between 2 and 3 s of flight), which agrees with reported values of crosswind changes considered significant for a landing aircraft and also pilots’ perception of the characteristics of such events.
Modeling Diet‐Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rodents
Authors: Leonardi Bianca F. , Gosmann Grace , Zimmer Aline R.
Published: September 2020

Standardized animal models represent one of the most valuable tools available to understand the mechanism underlying the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to seek for new therapeutic strategies. However, there is considerable variability in the studies conducted with this essential purpose. This review presents an updated discussion of the most recent studies using diverse experimental conditions to induce MetS in rodents with unbalanced diets, discusses the key findings in metabolic outcomes, and critically evaluates what we have been learned from them and how to advance in the field. The study includes scientific reports sourced from the Web of Science and PubMed databases, published between January 2013 and June 2020, which used hypercaloric diets to induce metabolic disorders, and address the impact of the diet on metabolic parameters. The collected data are used as support to discuss variables such as sex, species, and age of the animals, the most favorable type of diet, and the ideal diet length to generate metabolic changes. The experimental characteristics propose herein improve the performance of a preclinical model that resembles the human MetS and will guide researchers to investigate new therapeutic alternatives with confidence and higher translational validity.
Multi‐resonators, microwave microfluidic sensor for liquid characterization
Authors: Abduljabar Ali A. , Hamzah Hayder , Porch Adrian
Published: September 2020

In this paper, a new type of microwave microfluidic sensor is presented, using three separate half wave microstrip resonators with a common junction. The sensor comprises three parallel resonators with resonant frequencies of 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 GHz. This sensor exhibits all the usual advantages of microwave resonant methods for dielectric liquid characterization, such as high precision, accuracy, and sensitivity, but here also over a wideband of frequencies. The resonators have common input and output ports. The sensor was tested using several types of liquids, including water, methanol, ethanol, and chloroform, and experimental results are in excellent agreement with the simulation results.
Novel dielectric waveguide filter using isosceles right‐angled triangular resonators
Authors: Huang Zhengwei , Cheng Yong , Liu Yuanjian
Published: September 2020

A novel dielectric waveguide filter based on isosceles right‐angled triangular (RAT) resonators is presented in this letter. By connecting the vertices of four isosceles RAT waveguide cavities, a square fourth‐order cross‐coupled waveguide bandpass filter is formed. The presented filter uses the partition wall and shallow blind hole to realize positive coupling and the deep blind hole to realize negative coupling. Moreover, the filter facilitates debugging and testing by setting the debugging blind hole on one side of the waveguide and setting the feed blind hole on the opposite side. The design, analysis, and simulation of the physical model of the filter are discussed. The fabricated filter has a center frequency of 3.5 GHz, relative bandwidth of 5%, insertion loss of less than 1 dB, in‐band return loss of more than 15 dB, and two out‐of‐band transmission zeros at 3.27 and 3.65 GHz.
A framework for defining FLASH dose rate for pencil beam scanning
Authors: Folkerts Michael M. , Abel Eric , Busold Simon , Perez Jessica Rika , Krishnamurthi Vidhya , Ling C. Clifton
Published: September 2020

Purpose

To develop a method of (a) calculating the dose rate of voxels within a proton field delivered using pencil beam scanning (PBS), and (b) reporting a representative dose rate for the PBS treatment field that enables correspondence between multiple treatment modalities. This method takes into account the unique spatiotemporal delivery patterns of PBS FLASH radiotherapy.

Methods

The dose rate at each voxel of a PBS radiation field is approximately the quotient of the voxel’s dose and “effective” irradiation time. Each voxel’s “effective” irradiation time starts when the cumulative dose rises above a chosen threshold value, and stops when its cumulative dose reaches its total dose minus the same threshold value. The above calculation yields a distribution of dose rates for the voxels within a PBS treatment field. To report a representative dose rate for the PBS field, we propose a user‐selectable parameter of pth percentile of the dose rate distribution, such that (100 − p) % of the field is above the corresponding dose rate. To demonstrate the method described above, we design FLASH transmission fields using 250 MeV protons and calculate the PBS dose rate distributions in both two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) models. To further evaluate the formalism, we provide an example of a clinical PBS treatment field.

Results

With the 2D PBS transmission field, it is demonstrated that the time to accumulate the total dose at a voxel is limited to a fraction of the delivery time of the entire field. In addition, the spatial distributions of dose and dose rate are quite different within the field. For the 10 × 10 cm2 PBS field irradiating a 3D water phantom, the prescribed dose of 10 Gy at 10 cm depth is delivered in 1.0 s. The dose rate decreases in the irradiated volume with increasing depth (until the Bragg peak) due to increase of beam spot size by Coulomb scattering. For example, 95% of the irradiated volume between 0 and 10 cm depth receive >40 Gy/s, whereas between 0–20 cm and 0–30 cm depth, 95% of the irradiated volume received >36 Gy/s and >24 Gy/s, respectively. For the clinical PBS treatment field, the scanning pattern conforms to the PTV. PBS dose rate data are presented for the PTV and adjacent normal organs.

Conclusion

We have developed a method of calculating the dose rate distribution of a PBS proton field and have recommended nomenclature for reporting PBS treatment dose rate. We believe that standardizing the method for calculating and reporting PBS treatment dose rates, in a manner that corresponds with other treatment modalities, will advance the research and potential application of PBS FLASH radiotherapy.
Predicting 3D body shape and body composition from conventional 2D photography
Authors: Tian Isaac Y. , Ng Bennett K. , Wong Michael C. , Kennedy Samantha , Hwaung Phoenix , Kelly Nisa , Liu En , Garber Andrea K. , Curless Brian , Heymsfield Steven B. , Shepherd John A.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Total and regional body composition are important indicators of health and mortality risk, but their measurement is usually restricted to controlled environments in clinical settings with expensive and specialized equipment. A method that approaches the accuracy of the current gold standard method, dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), while only requiring input from widely available consumer grade equipment, would enable the measurement of these important biometrics in the wild, enabling data collection at a scale that would have previously been prohibitive in time and expense. We describe an algorithm for predicting three‐dimensional (3D) body shape and composition from a single frontal 2‐dimensional image acquired with a digital consumer camera.

Methods

Duplicate 3D optical scans, two‐dimensional (2D) optical images, and DXA whole‐body scans were available for 183 men and 233 women from the Shape Up! Adults Study. A principal component analysis vector basis was fit to 3D point clouds of a training subset of 152 men and 194 women. The relationship between this vector space and DXA‐derived body composition was modeled with linear regression. The principal component 3D shape was then fitted to match a silhouette extracted from a 2D photograph of a novel body. Body composition was predicted from the resulting 3D shape match using the linear mapping between the principal component parameters and the DXA metrics. Accuracy of body composition estimates from the silhouette method was evaluated against a simple model using height and weight as a baseline, and against DXA measurements as ground truth. Test‐retest precision of the silhouette method was evaluated using the duplicate 2D optical images and compared against precision of the duplicate DXA scans. Paired t‐tests were performed to detect significant differences between the sets.

Results

Results were reported on a held‐out set. Body composition prediction achieved R2s of 0.81 and 0.74 for percent fat prediction of males and females, respectively, on a held‐out test set consisting of 31 males and 39 females. Precision estimates for fat mass were 2.31% and 2.06% for males and females, respectively, compared to 1.26% and 0.68% for DXA scans. The t‐tests revealed no statistically significant differences between the silhouette method measurements and DXA measurements, or between retests.

Conclusion

Total and regional body composition measures can be estimated from a single frontal photograph of a human body. Body composition prediction using consumer level photography can enable early screening and monitoring of possible physiological indicators of metabolic disease in regions where medical imagery or clinical assessment is inaccessible.
Achievable dose reductions with gonadal shielding for children and adults during abdominal/pelvic radiographic examinations: A Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Somasundaram Elanchezhian , Brady Samuel L. , Strauss Keith J.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Recently, medical professionals have reconsidered the practice of routine gonadal shielding for radiographic examinations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the gonadal dose reduction achievable with gonadal shields in the primary beam during abdominal/pelvic radiographic examinations under ideal and non‐ideal shielding placement.

Methods

CT scans of CIRS anthropomorphic phantoms were used to perform voxelized Monte Carlo simulations of the photon transport during abdominal/pelvic radiographic examinations with standard filtration and 0.1 mm Cu + 1 mm Al added filtration to estimate gonadal doses for an adult, 5 yr old, and newborn phantom with and without gonadal shields. The reduction in dose when the shields were not placed at the ideal locations was also evaluated. The ratio of the number of scattered‐to‐primary photons (SPR) across the anteroposterior (AP) dimension of the phantoms was also reported.

Results

The simulated dose reduction with ideal shielding placement for the testes and ovaries ranged from 80% to 90% and 55% to 70% respectively. For children, a misalignment of the shield to the gonad of 4 cm reduced the measured dose reduction to the gonads to <10%. For adults, this effect did not occur until the misalignment increased to ~6 cm. Effects of dose reduction with and without the gonadal shields properly placed were similar for standard filtration and added filtration. SPR at the level of the testes was consistently <1 for all phantoms. SPR for ovaries was ~1.5 for the adult and 5‐yr old, and ~1 for the newborn phantom.

Conclusion

Dose reduction with ideal alignment of the simulated gonadal shield to the gonads in this study was greater for the testes than the ovaries; both reductions were substantial. However, the dose reductions were greatly reduced (to <10%) for both sexes with misalignment of the gonads to the shields by 4 cm for children and 6 cm for adults.
A spectral method with volume penalization for a nonlinear peridynamic model
Authors: Lopez Luciano , Pellegrino Sabrina F.
Published: September 2020

The peridynamic equation consists in an integro‐differential equation of the second order in time which has been proposed for modeling fractures and damages in the context of nonlocal continuum mechanics. In this article, we study numerical methods for the one‐dimension nonlinear peridynamic problems. In particular we consider spectral Fourier techniques for the spatial domain while we will use the Störmer–Verlet method for the time discretization. In order to overcome the limitation of working on periodic domains due to the spectral techniques we will employ a volume penalization method. The performance of our approach is validated with the study of the convergence with respect to the spatial discretization and the volume penalization. Several tests have been performed to investigate the properties of the solutions.
Welcome Mats and On‐Ramps for Older Adults: The Impact of the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid Expansions on Dual Enrollment in Medicare and Medicaid
Authors: McInerney Melissa , Mellor Jennifer M. , Sabik Lindsay M.
Published: September 2020

For many low‐income Medicare beneficiaries, Medicaid provides important supplemental insurance that covers out‐of‐pocket costs and additional benefits. We examine whether Medicaid participation by low‐income adults age 65 and up increased as a result of Medicaid expansions to working‐age adults under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Previous literature documents so‐called “welcome mat” effects in other populations but has not explicitly studied older persons dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. We extend this literature by estimating models of Medicaid participation among persons age 65 and up using American Community Survey data from 2010 to 2017 and state variation in ACA Medicaid expansions. We find that Medicaid expansions to working‐age adults increased Medicaid participation among low‐income older adults by 1.8 percentage points (4.4 percent). We also find evidence of an “on‐ramp” effect; that is, low‐income Medicare beneficiaries residing in expansion states who were young enough to gain coverage under the 2014 ACA Medicaid expansions before aging into Medicare were 4 percentage points (9.5 percent) more likely to have dual Medicaid coverage relative to similar individuals who either turned 65 before the 2014 expansions or resided in non‐expansion states. This on‐ramp effect is an important mechanism behind welcome mat effects among some older adults.
A comparative study on enhancement of mechanical and tribological properties of nitrile rubber composites reinforced by different functionalized graphene sheets: Molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Cui Jianzheng , Zhao Jing , Wang Shijie , Li Yunlong
Published: September 2020

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were adopted to compare the enhanced mechanical and tribological properties of nitrile rubber composites reinforced by different functionalized graphene sheets. Functional groups such as hydroxyl (OH), carboxyl (COOH), and ester (COOCH3) were adopted. The constant strain method was applied to measure the mechanical properties of graphene/nitrile rubber composites. Sandwiched molecular models were developed to investigate the tribological properties of graphene/nitrile rubber composites by applying a shear load. The MD simulation results showed that the incorporation of functionalized graphene enhanced the Young's modulus, bulk modulus, and shear modulus of the nitrile rubber matrix. In addition, the coefficient of friction and abrasion rate of the functionalized graphene/nitrile rubber composites decreased. The mechanisms for the interfacial interactions between the functionalized graphene and nitrile rubber matrix were determined by calculating the mean square displacement of rubber chains, binding energy, and the radial distribution function between functional groups and polar atoms in the rubber matrix, respectively. The results of the atomistic simulations indicated that stronger interfacial interactions and better stability and dispersion of graphene in rubber matrices can be obtained by introducing functionalized graphene. Owing to the combination of hydrogen bonding and strong van der Waals interactions, the COOH‐functionalized graphene behaves the best effect on the enhancement of mechanical and tribological properties of the nitrile rubber composites.
Chromosomal microarray analysis in fetuses with central nervous system anomalies: An 8‐year long observational study from a tertiary care university hospital
Authors: Santirocco Maddalena , Plaja Alberto , Rodó Carlota , Valenzuela Irene , Arévalo Silvia , Castells Neus , Abuli Anna , Tizzano Eduardo , Maiz Nerea , Carreras Elena
Published: September 2020

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prevalence of DNA copy number variants (CNVs) detected with array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) in fetuses with central nervous system (CNS) anomalies. Secondary objectives were to describe the prevalence of CNV in specific CNS abnormalities, in isolated defects or associated with other malformations or fetal growth restriction (FGR).

METHODS

Observational cohort study in 238 fetuses with CNS anomalies in which an array‐CGH had been performed between January 2009 and December 2017. Pathogenic CNV and variants of unknown significance (VUS) were reported.

RESULTS

Pathogenic CNVs were found in 16/238 cases (6.7%), VUS in 18/238 (7.6%), and normal result in 204/238 (85.7%) cases. Pathogenic CNVs were more frequent in posterior fossa anomalies (cerebellar hypoplasia 33%, megacisterna magna 20%), moderate ventriculomegaly (11%) and spina bifida (3.7%). Pathogenic CNVs and VUS were found in 7/182 (3.8%) and 14/182 (7.7%) cases of isolated anomalies, in 9/49 (18.4%) and 4/49 (8.2%) presenting another malformation, and in 0/7 and 0/7 cases with associated FGR (P = .001, P = .741, respectively).

CONCLUSION

These results provide strong evidence toward performing array in fetuses with CNS anomalies, particular in cases of posterior fossa anomalies. The prevalence of pathogenic CNVs is higher in association with other malformations.
Re‐entrant auxetic structures fabricated by fused deposition modeling: An experimental study of influence of process parameters under compressive loading
Authors: Vyavahare Swapnil , Kumar Shailendra
Published: September 2020

The present article is focused on investigating the influence of process parameters under compressive loading in case of reentrant auxetic structures fabricated by fused deposition modeling (FDM). Auxetic structures of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and poly‐lactic acid (PLA) materials are fabricated. Three process parameters of FDM namely layer thickness, raster angle, and number of contours are considered to investigate their influence on compressive strength, stiffness, and specific energy absorption (SEA). Experiments are performed on the basis of central composite design and analysis is performed using ANOVA. It is found that compressive strength of auxetic structure improves with increase in layer thickness. But with increase in raster angle, it increases first and then decreases. Compressive stiffness of structures initially decreases and then increases with increase in raster angle, while it increases with increase in number of contours. SEA of structures increases with decrease in layer thickness. Based on the analysis of experimental results, regression models are developed to predict these responses. Also, multi‐response optimization is performed to optimize strength, stiffness, and SEA. Auxetic structures failed under compressive loading are also examined using scanning electron microscope.
Pilot pragmatic randomized trial of mHealth mindfulness‐based intervention for advanced cancer patients and their informal caregivers
Authors: Kubo Ai , Kurtovich Elaine , McGinnis MegAnn , Aghaee Sara , Altschuler Andrea , Quesenberry Charles , Kolevska Tatjana , Liu Raymond , Greyz‐Yusupov Natalya , Avins Andrew
Published: September 2020

Objective

Assess the feasibility of conducting a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing technology‐delivered mindfulness‐based intervention (MBI) programs against a waitlist control arm targeting advanced cancer patients and their informal caregivers.

Methods

Two‐arm cluster RCT within Kaiser Permanente Northern California. We recruited patients with metastatic solid malignancies or hematological cancers and their informal caregivers. Intervention‐group participants chose to use either a commercially available mindfulness app (10–20 min/day) or a webinar‐based mindfulness course for 6 weeks. The waitlist control group received usual care. We assessed feasibility measures and obtained participant‐reported data on quality of life (QoL; primary outcome) and distress outcomes (secondary) pre‐ and postintervention.

Results

A hundred and three patients (median age 67 years; 70% female; 81% White) and 39 caregivers (median age 66 years; 79% female; 69% White) were enrolled. Nearly all participants chose the mindfulness app over the webinar‐based program. Among the participants in the intervention arm who chose the mobile‐app program and completed the postintervention (6‐week) survey, 21 (68%) patients and 7 (47%) caregivers practiced mindfulness at least 50% of the days during the 6‐week study period. Seventy‐four percent of intervention participants were “very” or “extremely” satisfied with the mindfulness program. We observed improvements in anxiety, QoL, and mindfulness among patients in the intervention arm compared to those in the control group.

Conclusions

We demonstrated the feasibility of conducting a cluster RCT of mHealth MBI for advanced cancer patients and their caregivers. Such remote interventions can be helpful particularly during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
HIV and Proteomics: What We Have Learned from High Throughput Studies
Authors: Grabowska Kinga , Harwood Emma , Ciborowski Pawel
Published: September 2020

The accelerated development of technology over the last three decades has driven biological sciences to high‐throughput profiling experiments, now broadly referred to as systems biology. The unprecedented improvement of analytical instrumentation has opened new avenues for more complex experimental designs and expands the knowledge in genomics, proteomics, and other omics fields. Despite the collective efforts of hundreds of researchers, gleaning all the expected information from omics experiments is still quite far. This paper summarizes what has been learned from high‐throughput proteomics studies thus far, and what is believed should be done to reveal even more valuable information from such studies. It is drawn from the background in using proteomics to study human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection of macrophages and/or T cells, but it is believed that some conclusions will be more broadly applicable.
Learning peptide recognition rules for a low‐specificity protein
Authors: Wheeler Lucas C. , Perkins Arden , Wong Caitlyn E. , Harms Michael J.
Published: September 2020

Many proteins interact with short linear regions of target proteins. For some proteins, however, it is difficult to identify a well‐defined sequence motif that defines its target peptides. To overcome this difficulty, we used supervised machine learning to train a model that treats each peptide as a collection of easily‐calculated biochemical features rather than as an amino acid sequence. As a test case, we dissected the peptide‐recognition rules for human S100A5 (hA5), a low‐specificity calcium binding protein. We trained a Random Forest model against a recently released, high‐throughput phage display dataset collected for hA5. The model identifies hydrophobicity and shape complementarity, rather than polar contacts, as the primary determinants of peptide binding specificity in hA5. We tested this hypothesis by solving a crystal structure of hA5 and through computational docking studies of diverse peptides onto hA5. These structural studies revealed that peptides exhibit multiple binding modes at the hA5 peptide interface—all of which have few polar contacts with hA5. Finally, we used our trained model to predict new, plausible binding targets in the human proteome. This revealed a fragment of the protein α‐1‐syntrophin that binds to hA5. Our work helps better understand the biochemistry and biology of hA5, as well as demonstrating how high‐throughput experiments coupled with machine learning of biochemical features can reveal the determinants of binding specificity in low‐specificity proteins.
Multiferroic Properties of Pure and Transition Metal Doped LaFeO3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Apostolova Iliana Naumova , Apostolov Angel Todorov , Trimper Steffen , Wesselinowa Julia M.
Published: September 2020

The size, doping concentration, and magnetic field dependences of the magnetization M and the real part of the dielectric function in doped nanoparticles (NPs) are studied using a microscopic model. Although M increases, decreases with decreasing NPs size in pure . Doping with different ions causes different strain which modifies the exchange interaction. As a consequence, M and grow with increasing Mn or Zn ion doping, whereas both quantities decrease by doping with Ti or Al ions. The magneto‐dielectric coefficient increases with an applied external magnetic field and Mn doping concentration in pure and Mn‐doped LaFeO3 indicating that pure and doped NPs exhibit a multiferroic behavior. A microscopic model is proposed to study multiferroic Bi2NiMnO6 thin films.