bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Healthcare utilization among breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Shinan-Altman Shiri , Levkovich Inbar , Tavori Guy
Published: June 2020

Objective

Continuing to utilize healthcare as needed during an epidemic outbreak is significant, in general, and especially for cancer patients. Therefore, this study aimed to explore factors associated with health services utilization among breast cancer patients during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

Method

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 151 women with breast cancer. Participants completed measures of perceived health status, perceived susceptibility to COVID-19, anxiety, coping resources, health services utilization (contact with healthcare professionals and cancellation of an appointment to the oncology/hematology clinic), and socio-demographic questionnaires. A multiple hierarchical regression was calculated; contact with healthcare professionals was the dependent variable. In addition, a logistic regression was calculated; cancellation of an appointment to the oncology/hematology clinic because of the COVID-19 was the dependent variable.

Results

Breast cancer patients’ contact with healthcare professionals was lower than their contact prior to the pandemic. A higher extent of contact with healthcare professionals was related to patients’ perception of health as bad/reasonable, lower perceived susceptibility, a lower sense of mastery, and higher social support. In addition, the odds of cancelling an appointment to the oncology/hematology clinic were higher in the presence of additional chronic illnesses and a higher sense of mastery.

Significance of results

The results could provide public health agencies with a more complete picture of the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic among breast cancer patients. This is significant because, in the event that COVID-19 re-emerges, the findings of the current study could help guide public health officials and possibly prevent the future avoidance of health services’ use among this high-risk population.
Analysis of load mismatch effect compensation in Doherty power amplifier
Authors: Courty Alexis , Medrel Pierre , Reveyrand Tibault , Bouysse Philippe , Nébus Jean-Michel , Soubercaze-Pun Geoffroy
Published: June 2020

This paper presents a theoretical and experimental analysis of the capabilities of the dual-input Doherty power amplifier (DPA) architecture to mitigate efficiency and output power degradations when used in a mismatched load environment. Following a simplified linear piecewise approach, an analytical demonstration is proposed to derive optimal radio frequency drives applied to the Auxiliary path of the DPA to restore power performances while avoiding large signal voltage clipping of active cells. The proposed analytical study is corroborated with harmonic balance simulated results of a C-band, 20-W GaN DPA prototype. The fabricated dual-input DPA prototype has been measured under 1.5-VSWR mismatch configurations to validate the proposed analysis.
Herbicide-resistant weeds in turfgrass: current status and emerging threats
Authors: Brosnan James T. , Elmore Matthew T. , Bagavathiannan Muthukumar V.
Published: June 2020

Herbicide-resistant weeds pose a severe threat to sustainable vegetation management in various production systems worldwide. The majority of the herbicide resistance cases reported thus far originate from agronomic production systems where herbicide use is intensive, especially in industrialized countries. Another notable sector with heavy reliance on herbicides for weed control is managed turfgrass systems, particularly golf courses and athletic fields. Intensive use of herbicides, coupled with a lack of tillage and other mechanical tools that are options in agronomic systems, increases the risk of herbicide-resistant weeds evolving in managed turfgrass systems. Among the notable weed species at high risk for evolving resistance under managed turf systems in the United States are annual bluegrass, goosegrass, and crabgrasses. The evolution and spread of multiple herbicide resistance, an emerging threat facing the turfgrass industry, should be addressed with the use of diversified management tools. Target-site resistance has been reported commonly as a mechanism of resistance for many herbicide groups, though non–target site resistance is an emerging concern. Despite the anecdotal evidence of the mounting weed resistance issues in managed turf systems, the lack of systematic and periodic surveys at regional and national scales means that confirmed reports are very limited and sparse. Furthermore, currently available information is widely scattered in the literature. This review provides a concise summary of the current status of herbicide-resistant weeds in managed turfgrass systems in the United States and highlights key emerging threats.
Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) seed shattering in wheat, corn, and soybean
Authors: Simard Marie-Josée , Nurse Robert E. , Page Eric R. , Bourgeois Gaétan
Published: June 2020

Before any late-season weed control operations are planned to manage herbicide-resistant weeds, it is essential to evaluate the plants’ maturity and shattering potential. Our goal was to assess the seed-shattering phenology of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) using pollination bags as seed traps. A secondary goal was to evaluate the efficiency of these traps. Trials were conducted from 2014 to 2017 at two locations in eastern Canada (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, and Harrow, ON). At each location, three adjacent fields were seeded with spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], or corn (Zea mays L.). Each field was divided into four replicate blocks that included two treatment plots with 5 weeds m−2 planted on the same date as the crop or when crop plants had two leaves (early or late emergence). To evaluate shattering in time, the experiment included up to 12 weekly collection dates (subplots). In each subplot, weeds were individually bagged at flowering (using mesh bags) until collection, when the number and viability of shattered and retained seeds per plant was recorded. Weather data as well as crop and weed stages were recorded. The effect of the pollen bags on seed retrieval and viability was evaluated by installing open and closed bags in corn and uncropped (bare) plots at a single location. Ambrosia artemisiifolia seed biomass was equivalent or higher in closed bags, and seed viability was equivalent or slightly reduced. No seeds were produced before harvest in spring wheat, as dispersal started in September. The percentage of seeds retained on the plant decreased linearly (1 site-year) or followed a logistic equation (4 site-years) with day of year or growing degree days. Dispersal in time was similar between early- and late-emerging weeds and similar in both corn and soybean. On average, more than 50% of A. artemisiifolia seeds were dispersed before harvest in corn and soybean.
Estimation of Temporal Variability of Differential Instrumental Biases of NavIC Satellites and Receiver Using Kalman Filter
Authors: Bhardwaj Sharat Chandra , Vidyarthi Anurag , Jassal B. S. , Shukla A. K.
Published: June 2020

For various precise navigational applications using Indian NavIC system, it is imperative to have an accurate estimation of the ionospheric line‐of‐sight total electron content (TEC). In dual frequency TEC estimation from code and carrier phase measurements, the error is mainly caused by the satellite and receiver differential instrumental biases, which can be several TEC units. The reason for the existence of these biases is that the signals experience different delays within the satellite and receiver hardware at the two frequencies S1 and L5 of NavIC system. These biases are not stable over the time, maybe due to aging or change in the environment of the satellites and receiver. In this paper, the dynamics of the estimated biases of different satellites of NavIC system and receiver are presented, based on the data collected over 19 months time at Dehradun (Lat.31.26°N, Long.77.99°E), India. Five state Kalman filter algorithm was used for the estimation of differential biases. The initial receiver bias required to run Kalman filter algorithm was determined by applying fitted receiver bias (FRB) technique. The initial satellite biases needed for the purpose were supplied by Space Applications Centre (SAC), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Ahmedabad, India.
Association between the sinus microbiota with eosinophilic inflammation and prognosis in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
Authors: Kim Ji Heui , Kim Sung Hee , Lim Ji Youn , Kim Doyeon , Jeong In Seong , Lee Dong Kyu , Jang Yong Ju
Published: June 2020

Dysbiosis of the sinus microbiome affects the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNPs). We investigated whether the sinus microbiota in CRSwNPs is associated with eosinophilic inflammation, especially in relation to innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), prognosis, and serum extracellular vesicles (EVs). Middle meatal swabs and serum from 31 CRSwNPs patients and six healthy controls were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. ILC2s and cytokines from sinonasal tissues were measured by flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. The relative abundances (RAs) of bacteria were compared based on eosinophilic inflammation and surgical outcome. The correlations between sinus bacteria and ILC2s, cytokines, and serum EVs were analyzed. The compositions of sinus bacteria were different between groups at the genus level. In eosinophilic CRSwNPs patients, the RA ofAnaerococcuswas significantly decreased (P = 0.010), whereas that ofLachnoclostridiumwas significantly increased (P = 0.038) compared with that in controls. The RA ofLachnoclostridiumshowed a significant positive correlation with interleukin (IL)-5-producing ILC2 populations (R = 0.340,P = 0.049), whereas the RA ofAnaerococcusshowed a negative correlation with IL-5-producing ILC2 populations (R = −0.332,P = 0.055). The RAs ofCorynebacterium,Anaerococcus, andTepidimonaswere significantly decreased in patients with suboptimal outcomes compared with those in patients with optimal outcomes and control subjects. Some sinus bacteria and serum EVs showed positive correlations. CRSwNPs patients showed distinct microbiota compositions based on eosinophilic inflammation in relation to ILC2s and surgical outcome. These findings support a relationship between the microbiota and the host immune response in CRSwNPs.
A phase 1b study of dual PD-1 and CTLA-4 or KIR blockade in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoid malignancies
Authors: Armand Philippe , Lesokhin Alexander , Borrello Ivan , Timmerman John , Gutierrez Martin , Zhu Lili , Popa McKiver Mihaela , Ansell Stephen M.
Published: June 2020

Simultaneously targeting other pathways could increase the activity of PD-1 blockade in lymphoid malignancies not sensitive to single-agent blockade. We explored the safety and efficacy of combined PD-1 and CTLA-4 or KIR blockade in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) lymphoid malignancies. This phase 1b trial enrolled adult patients with R/R classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), or multiple myeloma (MM). Patients received nivolumab plus ipilimumab (nivo/ipi) or lirilumab (nivo/liri) until complete response (CR), progression, or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was safety and tolerability, while secondary endpoints included overall (ORR) and CR rates (CRR), progression-free and overall survival. Sixty-five patients were treated with nivo/ipi, and 72 with nivo/liri. Twenty-nine percent of patients experienced grade 3–4 treatment-related adverse events with nivo/ipi, and 15% with nivo/liri. In cHL, ORR was 74% for nivo/ipi and 76% for nivo/liri, CRRs were 23% and 24%, respectively. In B-NHL and T-NHL, ORR range was 9–22% and CRR was 0–6%. No patient with MM had an objective response. While both combinations were active in cHL, the toxicity of nivo/ipi was higher than expected from nivolumab alone. These data suggest no meaningful improvement in the efficacy of the combinations over single-agent nivolumab in the diseases studied.
Analysis on gene modular network reveals morphogen-directed development robustness in Drosophila
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Zhao Juan , Lv Xiangdong , Fan Jialin , Lu Yi , Zeng Tao , Wu Hailong , Chen Luonan , Zhao Yun
Published: June 2020

Genetic robustness is an important characteristic to tolerate genetic or nongenetic perturbations and ensure phenotypic stability. Morphogens, a type of evolutionarily conserved diffusible molecules, govern tissue patterns in a direction-dependent or concentration-dependent manner by differentially regulating downstream gene expression. However, whether the morphogen-directed gene regulatory network possesses genetic robustness remains elusive. In the present study, we collected 4217 morphogen-responsive genes along A-P axis of Drosophila wing discs from the RNA-seq data, and clustered them into 12 modules. By applying mathematical model to the measured data, we constructed a gene modular network (GMN) to decipher the module regulatory interactions and robustness in morphogen-directed development. The computational analyses on asymptotical dynamics of this GMN demonstrated that this morphogen-directed GMN is robust to tolerate a majority of genetic perturbations, which has been further validated by biological experiments. Furthermore, besides the genetic alterations, we further demonstrated that this morphogen-directed GMN can well tolerate nongenetic perturbations (Hh production changes) via computational analyses and experimental validation. Therefore, these findings clearly indicate that the morphogen-directed GMN is robust in response to perturbations and is important for Drosophila to ensure the proper tissue patterning in wing disc.
MetaRibo-Seq measures translation in microbiomes
Authors: Fremin Brayon J. , Sberro Hila , Bhatt Ami S.
Published: June 2020

No method exists to measure large-scale translation of genes in uncultured organisms in microbiomes. To overcome this limitation, we develop MetaRibo-Seq, a method for simultaneous ribosome profiling of tens to hundreds of organisms in microbiome samples. MetaRibo-Seq was benchmarked against gold-standard Ribo-Seq in a mock microbial community and applied to five different human fecal samples. Unlike RNA-Seq, Ribo-Seq signal of a predicted gene suggests it encodes a translated protein. We demonstrate two applications of this technique: First, MetaRibo-Seq identifies small genes, whose identification until now has been challenging. For example, MetaRibo-Seq identifies 2,091 translated, previously unannotated small protein families from five fecal samples, more than doubling the number of small proteins predicted to exist in this niche. Second, the combined application of RNA-Seq and MetaRibo-Seq identifies differences in the translation of transcripts. In summary, MetaRibo-Seq enables comprehensive translational profiling in microbiomes and identifies previously unannotated small proteins.
Author Correction: Discovery of High-Affinity PDGF-VEGFR Interactions: Redefining RTK Dynamics
Authors: Mamer Spencer B. , Chen Si , Weddell Jared C. , Palasz Alexandra , Wittenkeller Ashley , Kumar Manu , Imoukhuede P. I.
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Increased airway iron parameters and risk for exacerbation in COPD: an analysis from SPIROMICS
Authors: Zhang William Z. , Oromendia Clara , Kikkers Sarah Ann , Butler James J. , O’Beirne Sarah , Kim Kihwan , O’Neal Wanda K. , Freeman Christine M. , Christenson Stephanie A. , Peters Stephen P. , Wells J. Michael , Doerschuk Claire , Putcha Nirupama , Barjaktarevic Igor , Woodruff Prescott G. , Cooper Christopher B. , Bowler Russell P. , Comellas Alejandro P. , Criner Gerard J. , Paine Robert , Hansel Nadia N. , Han Meilan K. , Crystal Ronald G. , Kaner Robert J. , Ballman Karla V. , Curtis Jeffrey L. , Martinez Fernando J. , Cloonan Suzanne M.
Published: June 2020

Levels of iron and iron-related proteins including ferritin are higher in the lung tissue and lavage fluid of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), when compared to healthy controls. Whether more iron in the extracellular milieu of the lung associates with distinct clinical phenotypes of COPD, including increased exacerbation susceptibility, is unknown. We measured iron and ferritin levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of participants enrolled in the SubPopulations and InteRmediate Outcome Measures In COPD (SPIROMICS) bronchoscopy sub-study (n = 195). BALF Iron parameters were compared to systemic markers of iron availability and tested for association with FEV1 % predicted and exacerbation frequency. Exacerbations were modelled using a zero-inflated negative binomial model using age, sex, smoking, and FEV1 % predicted as clinical covariates. BALF iron and ferritin were higher in participants with COPD and in smokers without COPD when compared to non-smoker control participants but did not correlate with systemic iron markers. BALF ferritin and iron were elevated in participants who had COPD exacerbations, with a 2-fold increase in BALF ferritin and iron conveying a 24% and 2-fold increase in exacerbation risk, respectively. Similar associations were not observed with plasma ferritin. Increased airway iron levels may be representative of a distinct pathobiological phenomenon that results in more frequent COPD exacerbation events, contributing to disease progression in these individuals.
AAV8 Ins1-Cre can produce efficient β-cell recombination but requires consideration of off-target effects
Authors: Ramzy Adam , Tudurí Eva , Glavas Maria M. , Baker Robert K. , Mojibian Majid , Fox Jessica K. , O’Dwyer Shannon M. , Dai Derek , Hu Xiaoke , Denroche Heather C. , Edeer Nazde , Gray Sarah L. , Verchere Cameron B. , Johnson James D. , Kieffer Timothy J.
Published: June 2020

In vivo genetic manipulation is used to study the impact of gene deletion or re-expression on β-cell function and organism physiology. Cre-LoxP is a system wherein LoxP sites flanking a gene are recognized by Cre recombinase. Cre transgenic mice are the most prevalent technology used to deliver Cre but many models have caveats of off-target recombination, impaired β-cell function, and high cost of animal production. Inducible estrogen receptor conjugated Cre models face leaky recombination and confounding effects of tamoxifen. As an alternative, we characterize an adeno associated virus (AAV) with a rat insulin 1 promoter driving Cre recombinase (AAV8 Ins1-Cre) that is economical and rapid to implement, and has limited caveats. Intraperitoneal AAV8 Ins1-Cre produced efficient β-cell recombination, alongside some hepatic, exocrine pancreas, α-cell, δ-cell, and hypothalamic recombination. Delivery of lower doses via the pancreatic duct retained good rates of β-cell recombination and limited rates of off-target recombination. Unlike inducible Cre in transgenic mice, AAV8 Ins1-Cre required no tamoxifen and premature recombination was avoided. We demonstrate the utility of this technology by inducing hyperglycemia in inducible insulin knockout mice (Ins1−/−;Ins2f/f). AAV-mediated expression of Cre in β-cells provides an effective alternative to transgenic approaches for inducible knockout studies.
First demonstration of machine-designed ultra-flat, low-cost directive antenna
Authors: Zucchi Marcello , Giordanengo Giorgio , Righero Marco , Vecchi Giuseppe
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we present a fully automated procedure for the direct design of a novel class of single-feed flat antennas with patterning of a conductive surface. We introduce a convenient surface discretization, based on hexagonal cells, and define an appropriate objective function, including both gain and input matching requirements. The reference geometry is constituted by a very thin, single feed-point square panel. It features a backing metal plate (“ground”) and a top conductive layer, which is automatically patterned to achieve the desired radiation and input matching properties. The process employs an evolutionary algorithm combined with a boundary element electromagnetic solver. By applying this method, we designed an antenna tailored to the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band, with a size of $$24\,\hbox {cm} \times 24\,\hbox {cm}$$24cm×24cm, i.e., $$2 \times 2$$2×2 wavelengths and an height of 4 mm, or 0.03 wavelengths. Measured data confirmed the expected high gain (13 dBi), with a remarkable aperture efficiency (higher than 50%, including losses), thus validating the proposed approach.
Development of fluorescent Escherichia coli for a whole-cell sensor of 2ʹ-fucosyllactose
Authors: Shin Jonghyeok , Park Myungseo , Kim Chakhee , Kim Hooyeon , Park Yunjeong , Ban Choongjin , Yoon Jong-Won , Shin Chul-Soo , Lee Jae Won , Jin Yong-Su , Park Yong-Cheol , Min Won-Ki , Kweon Dae-Hyuk
Published: June 2020

2′-Fucosyllactose (2′-FL), a major component of fucosylated human milk oligosaccharides, is beneficial to human health in various ways like prebiotic effect, protection from pathogens, anti-inflammatory activity and reduction of the risk of neurodegeneration. Here, a whole-cell fluorescence biosensor for 2′-FL was developed. Escherichia coli (E. coli) was engineered to catalyse the cleavage of 2′-FL into l-fucose and lactose by constitutively expressing α-l-fucosidase. Escherichia coli ∆L YA, in which lacZ is deleted and lacY is retained, was employed to disable lactose consumption. E. coli ∆L YA constitutively co-expressing α-l-fucosidase and a red fluorescence protein (RFP) exhibited increased fluorescence intensity in media containing 2′-FL. However, the presence of 50 g/L lactose reduced the RFP intensity due to lactose-induced cytotoxicity. Preadaptation of bacterial strains to fucose alleviated growth hindrance by lactose and partially recovered the fluorescence intensity. The fluorescence intensity of the cell was linearly proportional to 1–5 g/L 2′-FL. The whole-cell sensor will be versatile in developing a 2′-FL detection system.
The longest path in the Price model
Authors: Evans Tim S. , Calmon Lucille , Vasiliauskaite Vaiva
Published: June 2020

The Price model, the directed version of the Barabási–Albert model, produces a growing directed acyclic graph. We look at variants of the model in which directed edges are added to the new vertex in one of two ways: using cumulative advantage (preferential attachment) choosing vertices in proportion to their degree, or with random attachment in which vertices are chosen uniformly at random. In such networks, the longest path is well defined and in some cases is known to be a better approximation to geodesics than the shortest path. We define a reverse greedy path and show both analytically and numerically that this scales with the logarithm of the size of the network with a coefficient given by the number of edges added using random attachment. This is a lower bound on the length of the longest path to any given vertex and we show numerically that the longest path also scales with the logarithm of the size of the network but with a larger coefficient that has some weak dependence on the parameters of the model.
Elevated glucose is associated with hemorrhagic transformation after mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients with severe pretreatment hypoperfusion
Authors: Laredo Carlos , Renú Arturo , Llull Laura , Tudela Raúl , López-Rueda Antonio , Urra Xabier , Macías Napoleón G. , Rudilosso Salvatore , Obach Víctor , Amaro Sergio , Chamorro Ángel
Published: June 2020

Several pretreatment variables such as elevated glucose and hypoperfusion severity are related to brain hemorrhage after endovascular treatment of acute stroke. We evaluated whether elevated glucose and severe hypoperfusion have synergistic effects in the promotion of parenchymal hemorrhage (PH) after mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We included 258 patients MT-treated who had a pretreatment computed tomography perfusion (CTP) and a post-treatment follow-up MRI. Severe hypoperfusion was defined as regions with cerebral blood volume (CBV) values < 2.5% of normal brain [very-low CBV (VLCBV)-regions]. Median baseline glucose levels were 119 (IQR = 105–141) mg/dL. Thirty-nine (15%) patients had pretreatment VLCBV-regions, and 42 (16%) developed a PH after MT. In adjusted models, pretreatment glucose levels interacted significantly with VLCBV on the prediction of PH (p-interaction = 0.011). In patients with VLCBV-regions, higher glucose was significantly associated with PH (adjusted-OR = 3.15; 95% CI = 1.08–9.19,p = 0.036), whereas this association was not significant in patients without VLCBV-regions. CBV values measured at pretreatment CTP in coregistered regions that developed PH or infarct at follow-up were not correlated with pretreatment glucose levels, thus suggesting the existence of alternative deleterious mechanisms other than direct glucose-driven hemodynamic impairments. Overall, these results suggest that both severe hypoperfusion and glucose levels should be considered in the evaluation of adjunctive neuroprotective strategies.
Reproducibility of small Ge2C6H10O7-added MgB2 bulks fabricated by ex situ Spark Plasma Sintering used in compound bulk magnets with a trapped magnetic field above 5 T
Authors: Badica P. , Aldica G. , Grigoroscuta M. A. , Burdusel M. , Pasuk I. , Batalu D. , Berger K. , Koblischka-Veneva A. , Koblischka M. R.
Published: June 2020

Bulk discs (20 mm diameter and 4.3 mm thickness) of MgB2 added with Ge2C6H10O7 were obtained by Spark Plasma Sintering. Six samples with composition MgB2(Ge2C6H10O7)0.0014 and one undoped sample were fabricated under similar conditions and were magnetically characterized in order to determine the scattering of properties and reproducibility. The main source of the scattering of the properties is the decomposition of the additive due to elimination of the organic part in gas form, which occurs stepwise with intensive vacuum drops at around ~ 560 and ~ 740 °C. A third drop, which is sometimes not well resolved being part of the second peak at 740 °C, occurs at ~ 820 °C. The critical temperature at the midpoint of the transition, Tc, shows only a relatively small variation between 37.4 and 38 K, and the irreversibility field at a low temperature of 5 K takes values between 8 and 10 T. The pinning force and pinning force related parameters do not correlate with the carbon substituting for boron in MgB2 and suggest a synergetic influence of the microstructural details and carbon. Overall, despite the superconducting properties scattering, the samples are of high quality. Stacked into a column of six samples, they can trap at the center and on the surface of the column a magnetic field of 6.78 and 5.19 T at 12 K, 5.20 and 3.98 T at 20 K and 2.39, and 1.96 T at 30 K. These promising values, combined with facile fabrication of the samples with relatively high quality and reproducibility, show the feasibility of their use in building complex and large compound arrangements for bulk magnets and other applications.
Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein as a diagnostic biomarker in liver cirrhosis: an updated meta-analysis
Authors: Feng Shu , Wang Zhonghao , Zhao Yanhua , Tao Chuanmin
Published: June 2020

Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein (WFA+-M2BP) had been suggested as a possible glycobiomarker for assessing liver fibrosis. Here, we conducted this updated meta-analysis to systematically investigate the predictive accuracy of WFA+-M2BP for diagnosing liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by comparing with multiple non-invasive indicators. We searched relevant literatures from Pubmed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Cochrane Library and enrolled 36 eligible studies involving 7,362 patients. Summary results were calculated using bivariate random effects model. The pooled sensitivities, specificities and areas under the summary receiver operating characteristic curves (AUSROCs) of WFA+-M2BP for identifying mild fibrosis, significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC were 0.70/0.68/0.75, 0.71/0.75/0.79, 0.75/0.76/0.82, 0.77/0.86/0.88, and 0.77/0.80/0.85, respectively. The accuracy of WFA+-M2BP was strongly affected by etiology and it was not better than other non-invasive indicators for predicting early fibrosis. It showed similar diagnostic performance to hyaluronic acid and FibroScan for cirrhosis, but was equivalent to α-fetoprotein for HCC. In conclusion, WFA+-M2BP was suitable to diagnose late stage of liver fibrosis, especially cirrhosis. Individual cutoff value of WFA+-M2BP could be used to grade liver fibrosis in different etiology. Combined diagnostic model was suggested to improve its predictive accuracy for HCC.
Climate warming enhancement of catastrophic southern California debris flows
Authors: Ren Diandong , Leslie Lance M.
Published: June 2020

The sequence of wildfires followed by debris flows, frequently affects southern California, reflecting its drought-heavy precipitation climate bipolarity. Organic debris from incomplete burning is lighter than inorganic matter, and partially inviscid. Hence lower rainfall totals can trigger downslope motion than typically required by the underlying clasts of loose inorganic granular material. After advection downslope, the pebble-laden organic debris has a higher capacity for rilling; a positive feedback process. A mechanism is proposed whereby boulders are ‘rafted’ by organic debris. This coordinated movement of boulders greatly enhances the debris flow erosion capacity. This climate change sensitive debris flow enhancing mechanism, through organic–inorganic granular material interaction, is supported by observations and the numerical simulations. Using a model explicitly parameterizing erosion processes, including runoff entrainment, rilling incision, and bank collapse, the lifecycle of the Montecito debris flow of January 9, 2018 is simulated, providing quantitative estimates of mass conveyed and debris sorting at the terminus. Peak rafting speeds are ~ 12.9 m/s at ~ 300 m asl. Total boulder (effective diameter > 25 cm) volume involved for the Ysidro Creek area alone is ~ 5 × 104 m3, scattered between the region 50–260 m asl. Debris flows are highly repeatable and locations prone to debris flows are identified and their likelihood of realization estimated.
Associations of ficolins and mannose-binding lectin with acute myeloid leukaemia in adults
Authors: Sokołowska Anna , Świerzko Anna S. , Gajek Gabriela , Gołos Aleksandra , Michalski Mateusz , Nowicki Mateusz , Szala-Poździej Agnieszka , Wolska-Washer Anna , Brzezińska Olga , Wierzbowska Agnieszka , Jamroziak Krzysztof , Kowalski Marek L. , Thiel Steffen , Matsushita Misao , Jensenius Jens C. , Cedzyński Maciej
Published: June 2020

We investigated clinical associations of ficolins and mannose-binding lectin (MBL) in 157 patients suffering from acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Concentrations of ficolin-1, ficolin-2, ficolin-3 and MBL (before chemotherapy) in serum were determined as were selected polymorphisms of the corresponding genes (FCN1, FCN2, FCN3andMBL2). The control group (C) consisted of 267 healthy unrelated individuals. Median level of ficolin-1 in patients was lower (p < 0.000001) while median levels of ficolin-2, ficolin-3 and MBL were higher (p < 0.000001,p < 0.000001 andp = 0.0016, respectively) compared with controls. These findings were generally associated with AML itself, however the highest MBL levels predicted higher risk of severe hospital infections (accompanied with bacteremia and/or fungaemia) (p = 0.012) while the lowest ficolin-1 concentrations tended to be associated with prolonged (> 7 days) fever (p = 0.026). Genotyping indicated an association ofG/Ghomozygosity (corresponding toFCN1gene − 542G > Apolymorphism) with malignancy [p = 0.004, OR = 2.95, 95% CI (1.41–6.16)]. Based on ROC analysis, ficolin-1, -2 and -3 may be considered candidate supplementary biomarkers of AML. Their high potential to differentiate between patients from non-malignant controls but also from persons suffering from other haematological cancers (multiple myeloma and lymphoma) was demonstrated.
HLA genotypes and cold medicine-induced Stevens–Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis with severe ocular complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tangamornsuksan Wimonchat , Chanprasert Sirikan , Nadee Phenphechaya , Rungruang Saowalak , Meesilsat Natnaree , Ueta Mayumi , Lohitnavy Manupat
Published: June 2020

Serious cutaneous adverse drug reactions [i.e., SJS/TEN with severe ocular complications (SOC)] associated with cold medicine (CM) were reported in several studies. To assess the risks of CM-induced SJS/TEN with SOC, systematic review and meta-analysis were employed. Studies investigating associations between HLA genotypes and CM-induced SJS/TEN with SOC were systematically searched in PubMed, Scopus and the Cochrane Library. Overall odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effects model to determine these associations. An initial search of the databases identified 24,011 articles, of which 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. In total from all studies, associations between 81 different HLA genotypes and CM-induced SJS/TEN with SOC (i.e., 22 different HLA-A genotypes, 40 different HLA-B genotypes and 19 different HLA-C genotypes) were investigated. Risk factors to develop SJS/TEN with SOC in patients who used CM were identified from our meta-analysis. HLA-A*0206 (OR = 3.90; 95% CI = 1.96–7.77), HLA-A*3303 (OR = 2.28; 95% CI = 1.31–3.97), HLA-B*4403 (OR = 3.27; 95% CI = 1.52–7.03) and HLA-C*0501 (OR = 2.55; 95% CI = 1.19–5.44) were associated with CM-induced SJS/TEN with SOC. With our results demonstrating a significant association between using of CMs and the severe ADR, a genetic testing can be helpful. However, the CMs are commonly used as an over-the-counter drug in practically almost of people in populations worldwide, the genetic screening prior to use of the CMs might not be cost-effective. Nonetheless, for people with a family history of developing the ADRs with a possible involvement of CMs, a genetic screening may be beneficial.
Demographic census confirms a stable population of the critically-endangered caryophyllid coral Polycyathus chaishanensis (Scleractinia; Caryophyllidae) in the Datan Algal Reef, Taiwan
Authors: Kuo Chao-Yang , Keshavmurthy Shashank , Chung Aichi , Huang Ya-Yi , Yang Sung-Yin , Chen Yei-Chia , Chen Chaolun Allen
Published: June 2020

Polycyathus chaishanensisis a symbiotic caryophyllid coral described from a single population in a tidal pool off Chaishan, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Due to its rarity,P. chaishanensiswas declared a critically-endangered species under the Taiwan Wildlife Protection Act. In May 2017, aP. chaishanensiscolony was discovered in the intertidal area of the Datan Algal Reef, Taoyuan, Taiwan. To determine whether this is a stable population in the algal reef, a demographic census—including data on occurrence, distribution, and colony size—was carried out in the algal reef in southern Taoyuan. Intertidal censuses and sediment collections were conducted at five different sections—Baiyu, Datan G1, Datan G2, Yongxing, and Yongan algal reefs—during the monthly spring low tide from July 2018 to January 2019. In total, 84 colonies—23 in Datan G1 and 61 in Datan G2—were recorded from a tidal range of − 160 to − 250 cm, according to the Taiwan Vertical Datum 2001 compiled by the Central Weather Bureau. NoP. chaishanensiswas found in Baiyu, Yongxing, or Yongan. TheP. chaishanensiscolony sizes ranged from 2.55 to 81.5 cm in diameter, with the largerP. chaishanensispresent in the lower intertidal zone. Sediment was extremely high, with monthly site averages ranging from 3,818.26 to 29,166.88 mg cm−2day−1, and there was a significant difference between sites and months, both of which affected the distribution ofP. chaishanensisin the algal reef. Our study confirms the existence of a second population ofP. chaishanensisin Taiwan, highlighting the importance of the Datan Algal Reef for the survival and protection of this critically-endangered caryophyllid coral and why it is so urgent that the reef should be conserved.
A simple and reliable analytical method for simultaneous quantification of first line antitubercular drugs in human plasma by LCMS/MS
Authors: Panda Bijoy Kumar , Bargaje Medha , L. Sathiyanarayanan
Published: June 2020

The present study describes the optimization of a simple and reliable method for the determination of four first line antitubercular drugs in human plasma.
Multimodal X-ray microanalysis of a UFeO4: evidence for the environmental stability of ternary U(v) oxides from depleted uranium munitions testing
Authors: Crean Daniel E. , Stennett Martin C. , Livens Francis R. , Grolimund Daniel , Borca Camelia N. , Hyatt Neil C.
Published: June 2020

An environmentally aged (>25 years) radioactive particle of UFeO4 recovered from soil contaminated with munitions depleted uranium (DU) was characterised by microbeam multimodal synchrotron X-ray analysis.
Optical and electrochemical tuning of hydrothermally synthesized nitrogen-doped carbon dots
Authors: Stachurski Christopher D. , Click Sophia M. , Wolfe Kody D. , Dervishogullari Dilek , Rosenthal Sandra J. , Jennings G. Kane , Cliffel David E.
Published: June 2020

Using a novel hydrothermal synthesis, nitrogen-doped carbon dots were synthesized and shown to exhibit tunable optical and electrochemical properties.
Nanoscale laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy imaging reveals chemical distribution with subcellular resolution
Authors: Meng Yifan , Gao Chaohong , Lin Zheng , Hang Wei , Huang Benli
Published: June 2020

A nano laser probe based double-pulse LIBS technique achieves nanoscale elemental imaging with a 500 nm resolution.
Recent progress on hollow array architectures and their applications in electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Zhu Chenyu , Wang Huanwen , Guan Cao
Published: June 2020

The rational design of various hollow array architectures, including their advantages, synthetic strategies and applications in energy storage, is reviewed in this study.
A controllable oil-triggered actuator with aligned microchannel design for implementing precise deformation
Authors: Yu Zhao-Peng , Dong Li-Ming , Song Yun-Yun , Shi Yuan-Ji , Liu Yan
Published: June 2020

Precise deformation could be realized in an oil-triggered actuator by designing aligned microchannel structures.
Supramolecular assembly of DNA-constructed vesicles
Authors: Rothenbühler Simon , Iacovache Ioan , Langenegger Simon M. , Zuber Benoît , Häner Robert
Published: June 2020

The self-assembly of DNA hybrids with tetraphenylethylene sticky ends into vesicular architectures is demonstrated.
Transformation of remnant algal biomass to 5-HMF and levulinic acid: influence of a biphasic solvent system
Authors: Rihko-Struckmann Liisa K. , Oluyinka Olalekan , Sahni Aditya , McBride Kevin , Fachet Melanie , Ludwig Kristin , Sundmacher Kai
Published: June 2020

Defatted algal remnant is transformed to 5-HMF and LA.
Examining the effect of lab instructions on students' critical thinking during a chemical inquiry practical
Authors: van Brederode Marion E. , Zoon Sebastiaan A. , Meeter Martijn
Published: June 2020

Developing students’ critical thinking skills is often seen as an important educational goal for inquiry assignments. In this study, we investigated to what extent pre-laboratory activities of a chemical inquiry assignment influence students' independent critical thinking. We compared two forms of pre-laboratory activities that are frequently used in educational practice to prepare students for their inquiry assignments: on the one hand paved road pre-laboratory activities that lead students with sensemaking preparatory questions and on the other, critical-thinking pre-laboratory activities in which students start with the development of an experiment plan using provided information and criteria for a good experimental design. We conducted this study two years in succession in senior year Dutch high school chemistry classes during an inquiry assignment that involved the study of the relation between reaction kinetics and molecular reaction mechanisms of organic nucleophilic substitution reactions (SN1/SN2). We focused on aspects associated with critical thinking, such as the desire to understand what is observed and to be able to adjust an existing method or model on the basis of experimental data. The results show that the design of pre-laboratory activities strongly influence the critical thinking exhibited by students during their inquiry activities, whereby students who perform critical thinking pre-laboratory activities are more motivated to think more deeply about the meaning of their measurements than students that perform paved road pre-laboratory activities.
A tumor acidity activatable and Ca2+-assisted immuno-nanoagent enhances breast cancer therapy and suppresses cancer recurrence
Authors: Li Yanhua , Gong Shaohua , Pan Wei , Chen Yuanyuan , Liu Bo , Li Na , Tang Bo
Published: June 2020

A tumor acidity activatable and Ca2+-assisted immuno-nanoagent was developed to enhance cancer immunotherapy and protect mice from tumor recurrence after surgery.
Enthalpic incompatibility between two steric stabilizer blocks provides control over the vesicle size distribution during polymerization-induced self-assembly in aqueous media
Authors: Beattie Deborah L. , Mykhaylyk Oleksandr O. , Armes Steven P.
Published: June 2020

SAXS studies confirm that a judicious binary mixture of enthalpically incompatible steric stabilizer blocks enables the synthesis of relatively small, well-defined vesicles via polymerization-induced self-assembly in aqueous media.
A green approach: scalable dry media synthesis of a γ-TaON photocatalyst for solar H2 production and rhodamine B degradation
Authors: Khore Supriya K. , Kadam Sunil R. , Kale Bharat B. , Sonawane Ravindra S.
Published: June 2020

A TaON photocatalyst synthesized using a dry media method shows excellent photocatalytic performance for H2 generation and RhB degradation under natural solar light.
Flame-retardant and form-stable phase change composites based on black phosphorus nanosheets/cellulose nanofiber aerogels with extremely high energy storage density and superior solar-thermal conversion efficiency
Authors: Du Xiaosheng , Qiu Jinghong , Deng Sha , Du Zongliang , Cheng Xu , Wang Haibo
Published: June 2020

Flame-retardant PCMs with high energy storage density and superior solar-thermal conversion efficiency were fabricated by impregnating n-octacosane into CNF/BP aerogels.
Research progress on nanotechnology for delivery of active ingredients from traditional Chinese medicines
Authors: Qiao Li , Han Maosen , Gao Shijie , Shao Xinxin , Wang Xiaoming , Sun Linlin , Fu Xianjun , Wei Qingcong
Published: June 2020

There is growing acceptance of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) as potential sources of clinical agents based on the demonstrated efficacies of numerous bioactive compounds in TCM extracts, such as paclitaxel, camptothecin and artemisinin.
High-performance organic light-emitting diodes with natural white emission based on thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters
Authors: Luo Wei , Wang Tong-Tong , Chen Xing , Tong Kai-Ning , He Wei , Sun Shuang-Qiao , Zhang Yi-Jie , Liao Liang-Sheng , Fung Man-Keung
Published: June 2020

WOLEDs with stable natural white emission based on all-TADF emitters.
Design and Development of a Speech Intelligibility Test Based on Pseudowords in French: Why and How?
Authors: Lalain Muriel , Ghio Alain , Giusti Laurence , Robert Danièle , Fredouille Corinne , Woisard Virginie
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The current intelligibility tests performed on speakers with atypical speech production are limited by the ability of listeners to restore distorted sequences. This results in a measure that is overvalued when compared with the real articulatory performance. In this article, we present a new intelligibility test in order to neutralize the commonly encountered bias in traditional perception-based assessments. We present the construction of the acoustic–phonetic decoding task and its first test during a perceptual judgment test of intelligibility and during a result comparison with a global perceptual evaluation.

Method

We developed a very large pseudoword directory including about 90,000 forms that respect French phonotactic constraints. From this directory, we have created lists of pseudowords intended to be recorded for the constitution of the corpus. These lists are established due to an algorithm integrating predefined linguistic constraints and produced by 47 speakers (nine healthy and 38 patients). We then performed a perceptual judgment of intelligibility test with 20 listeners who transcribed these productions.

Results

At the end of the data processing stage, we obtained a Perceived Phonological Deviation (PPD) score for each speaker that reflects the average number of features altered per phoneme. We then compared the PPD score with a global intelligibility score derived from a global perceptual assessment of intelligibility and of the alteration severity.

Conclusions

The current findings confirm that a speech intelligibility test based on pseudowords in French achieves fine-grained PPD scores, which enables discrimination between patients and healthy speakers. Moreover, the PPD score is related to the global intelligibility score, especially in severity. Further studies are needed to better understand the discrimination power of this intelligibility test based on an acoustic–phonetic decoding task.
Quantifying the Uncertainty of Parameters Measured in Spontaneous Speech of Speakers With Dementia
Authors: Ossewaarde Roelant , Jonkers Roel , Jalvingh Fedor , Bastiaanse Roelien
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Corpus analyses of spontaneous language fragments of varying length provide useful insights in the language change caused by brain damage, such as caused by some forms of dementia. Sample size is an important experimental parameter to consider when designing spontaneous language analyses studies. Sample length influences the confidence levels of analyses. Machine learning approaches often favor to use as much language as available, whereas language evaluation in a clinical setting is often based on truncated samples to minimize annotation labor and to limit any discomfort for participants. This article investigates, using Bayesian estimation of machine learned models, what the ideal text length should be to minimize model uncertainty.

Method

We use the Stanford parser to extract linguistic variables and train a statistic model to distinguish samples by speakers with no brain damage from samples by speakers with probable Alzheimer's disease. We compare the results to previously published models that used CLAN for linguistic analysis.

Results

The uncertainty around six individual variables and its relation to sample length are reported. The same model with linguistic variables that is used in all three experiments can predict group membership better than a model without them. One variable (concept density) is more informative when measured using the Stanford tools than when measured using CLAN.

Conclusion

For our corpus of German speech, the optimal sample length is found to be around 700 words long. Longer samples do not provide more information.