bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel carbon quantum dots (CQDs) modified Cs4PW11O39Fe(III)(H2O) material to achieve high photocatalytic property
Authors: Iliyas Zhanmukamet , Ma Jian , Li Lina , Liang Congjie , Li Huaming , Hua Yingjie , Wang Chongtai
Published: March 2020

Keggin-type polyoxometalates is a kind of promising photocatalyst with adjustable light absorption range. However, the high recombination rate of photogenerated charge carriers hampered its photocatalytic efficiency. To solve this weakness, novel carbon quantum dots (CQDs) modified Cs4PW11O39Fe(III)(H2O) photocatalysts (CQDs/Cs4PW11Fe) have been synthesized via a hydrothermal process. Phase structure, morphology, optical and electronic properties of the as prepared photocatalysts were systematically characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, DRS and surface photovoltage tests. It could be found that CQDs was well deposited on the surface of Cs4PW11Fe, which has broadened the light absorption of Cs4PW11Fe. The photodegradation efficiencies of the CQDs/Cs4PW11Fe composite photocatalysts for RhB under visible light irradiation were clearly enhanced. Trapping experiments were carried out to detect the photocatalytic mechanisms. The charge transfer and separation efficiencies of the samples were confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests.
Thermoelectric converter based on metal-dielectric-semiconductor-metal structures for cooling processors
Authors: Karapetyan G. Ya. , Parinov I. A. , Parchi G.
Published: March 2020

A thermoelectric transducer based on MDSM structures of the field-effect transistor (FET) type is proposed, in which the thermal energy of the environment is converted into electrical energy. We use a new principle of converting thermal energy into electrical energy. We show that with the help of such a converter, it is possible to dramatically increase the efficiency of processors due to the heat generated by the processor is converted by this converter again into electricity that transfers to the processor.
Shear-hosted gold mineralization in the Oumé-Fettèkro greenstone belt, Côte d'Ivoire: the Bonikro deposit
Authors: Ouattara Zié , Coulibaly Yacouba , Boiron Marie-Christine
Published: March 2020

The Bonikro deposit is the first deposit in Côte d'Ivoire where gold has been found within a sheared granodiorite in the zones of boudins and faults. Gold is associated with scheelite and molybdenite in veins. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the characteristics of the shearing and the mineralized veins, and to reveal the timing of their gold deposition in the Bonikro deposit. The investigation in this deposit and the observations of the drill cores have demonstrated the main role played by the shear zone and its three principal mineralized veins: sheeted veins, planar veins and transversal veins.

The deposit is dominated by a major structure, the Bonikro Shear Zone (BSZ), which strikes north–south. The BSZ has affected the granitoid and, as a consequence, it has produced two local shears that strike NW and NE. The sheeted veins are the oldest at Bonikro, with a thickness of 1 cm, and sub-parallel sets of quartzo-feldspathic veins composed of milky quartz (70–80%), albite (5–10%) scheelite (up to 15%) and pyrite (up to 5%). They are the main host of the scheelite and also display the more visible gold in the deposit. The planar veins support the powellite and pyrite minerals. The transversal veins occurred later, and are composed of milky quartz (40%), calcite (30%), albite (10%), biotite (15%) and sulfide (molybdenite up to 5%). The molybdenite is the main sulfide. Each vein shows typical minerals and resumes a single generation of setting. These veins are bordered in the granodiorite by a corridor of strong hydrothermal activity, as indicated by sericitization, silicification, chloritization and albitization.

Gold is observed in both the granodiorite and the basalt in areas where these lithologies are sheared. It appears that the introduction of the auriferous mineralization at Bonikro post-dates the magmatism, and seems to be syn- to post-tectonic. This direct link between the structural features and the gold deposition has shown that the Bonikro deposit represents a case of shear-controlled gold mineralization.
Some New Results for the Sobolev-Type Fractional Order Delay Systems with Noncompact Semigroup
Authors: Xiang Qiaomin , Zhu Pengxian
Published: March 2020

The topological structure of solution sets for the Sobolev-type fractional order delay systems with noncompact semigroup is studied. Based on a fixed point principle for multivalued maps, the existence result is obtained under certain mild conditions. With the help of multivalued analysis tools, the compactness of the solution set is also obtained. Finally, we apply the obtained abstract results to the partial differential inclusions.
Availability of ENT Surgical Procedures and Medication in Low‐Income Nation Hospitals: Cause for Concern in Zambia
Authors: Lukama Lufunda , Kalinda Chester , Kuhn Warren , Aldous Colleen
Published: March 2020

Background. Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) diseases are an oft overlooked global health concern. Despite their high prevalence and associated morbidity and mortality, ENT diseases have remained neglected in health care delivery. In Zambia and many other low‐income countries, ENT services are characterized by poor funding, unavailable surgical procedures, and erratic supply of essential drugs. Objective. To investigate ENT service provision in Zambia with regard to availability of surgical procedures and supply of essential drugs. Methods. A descriptive cross‐sectional survey was conducted using a piloted structured questionnaire between 17 January 2017 and 2 January 2018. Included in the study were the 109 hospitals registered with the Ministry of Health (MoH) across the 10 provinces of Zambia. Results. Of the participating hospitals, only 5.9% (n = 1) and 40% (n = 2) of Second‐Level Hospitals (SLH) and Third‐Level Hospitals (TLH), respectively, carried out tympanoplasty, myringotomy, and grommet insertion (M+G). Frontal trephination and external ethmoidectomy were offered in 11.7% (n = 2) and 40% (n = 2) of SLH and TLH, respectively. While tracheostomy (39.3%, n = 24), tonsillectomy (27.9%, n = 17), and adenoidectomy (27.9%, n = 17) were the most widely performed head and neck procedures, laryngectomy was carried out by 1 hospital. Between 14.8% (n = 9) and 36.1% (n = 22) of hospitals lacked antibiotic and/or antiseptic ear drops. Despite 96.7% (n = 59) of the respondents acknowledging ENT as an important branch of clinical practice, only 15.3% (n = 4) of the hospitals had a budget for ENT. Also, 6.6% (n = 4) of the respondents thought the discipline of ENT had received enough attention. Conclusion. ENT service delivery in Zambia is limited with regard to performed surgical procedures and availability of essential drugs, necessitating urgent intervention. The findings from this study may be used to direct national policy on the improvement of provision of ENT services in Zambia.
hCTLA4-Gene-Modified Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hBMMSCs) Maintain POSTN Secretion to Enhance the Migration Capability of Allogeneic hBMMSCs through the Integrin αvβ3/FAK/ERK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Song Lei , Zhang Fei , Zhou Rui , Xiao Jun , He Lei , Dai Fei
Published: March 2020

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4- (CTLA4-) modified human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs) might be promising seed cells for bone tissue engineering. However, the underlying mechanism is not clear. In the present study, we investigated whether CTLA4-modified hBMMSCs are involved in the migration of allogeneic hBMMSCs (allo-hBMMSCs) by maintaining POSTN secretion. hBMMSCs were isolated from different groups, named hBMMSCs and allo-hBMMSCs. hBMMSCs that were infected with the negative control (NC), empty adenovirus- or recombinant adenovirus-expressing CTLA4, POSTN, or CTLA4 plus the shRNA of POSTN were named NC hBMMSCs, CTLA4-modified hBMMSCs, POSTN-modified hBMMSCs, or CTLA4+shPOSTN-modified hBMMSCs, respectively. They were then cocultured with PBMCs in a 1 : 5 ratio with 2.5 μg/mL phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The coculture supernatant was collected to treat allo-hBMMSCs with anti-integrin αvβ3 IgG, or negative control IgG, as a control. Following this, ELISA, Transwell assays, wound healing assays, and western blotting were performed. We found that the POSTN level was higher in the culture supernatant of CTLA4- and POSTN-modified hBMMSCs than in NC hBMMSCs cocultured with PBMCs treated with PHA. The migration capability of allo-hBMMSCs was enhanced, and the integrin αvβ3/FAK/ERK signaling pathway in allo-hBMMSCs was activated by the culture supernatant of CTLA4- and POSTN-modified hBMMSCs cocultured with PBMCs treated with PHA. Additionally, these induced effects can be weakened by POSTN knockdown, and the migration capability of allo-hBMMSCs was blocked by anti-integrin αvβ3 IgG. In conclusion, hCTLA4-gene-modified hBMMSCs maintain POSTN secretion to enhance the migration capability of allogeneic hBMMSCs through the integrin αvβ3/FAK/ERK signaling pathway in the T cell immune activation environment.
On the Extended Hypergeometric Matrix Functions and Their Applications for the Derivatives of the Extended Jacobi Matrix Polynomial
Authors: He Fuli , Bakhet Ahmed , Abdalla M. , Hidan M.
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we obtain some generating matrix functions and integral representations for the extended Gauss hypergeometric matrix function EGHMF and their special cases are also given. Furthermore, a specific application for the extended Gauss hypergeometric matrix function which includes Jacobi matrix polynomials is constructed.
Observer-Based Event-Triggered Circle Formation Control for First- and Second-Order Multiagent Systems
Authors: Xu Peng , Xie Guangming , Tao Jin , Xu Minyi , Zhou Quan
Published: March 2020

This paper proposes an observer-based event-triggered algorithm to solve circle formation control problems for both first- and second-order multiagent systems, where the communication topology is modeled by a spanning tree-based directed graph with limited resources. In particular, the observation-based event-triggering mechanism is used to reduce the update frequency of the controller, and the triggering time depends on the norm of the state function and the trigger threshold of measurement errors. The analysis shows that sufficient conditions are established for achieving the desired circle formation, while there exists at least one agent for which the next interevent interval is strictly positive. Numerical simulations of both first- and second-order multiagent systems are also given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control laws.
Characterization and Evaluation of Rotation Accuracy of Hydrostatic Spindle under the Influence of Unbalance
Authors: Chen Dongju , Zhao You , Liu Jingfang
Published: March 2020

The paper studies the characterization and evaluation technology of rotation accuracy of hydrostatic spindle under the influence of unbalance. The dynamic model of the motion error of the hydrostatic spindle is established based on the dynamic parameters. The variation law of motion error of spindle rotor is analyzed under the unbalanced mass. The paper finds that with the increase of the spindle speed, the amplitude of the spindle error motion will increase, and the inclination angleθerror is more sensitive to the change in the rotational speed. In the total synthesis accuracy, the proportion of synchronization error decreases with the increase of the rotational speed. Finally, the least squares evaluation algorithm is used to evaluate the rotation error of the hydrostatic spindle, and a method for evaluating the rotation accuracy of the hydrostatic spindle with high calculation accuracy and calculation efficiency is proposed.
Oxidant/Antioxidant Profile in the Thoracic Aneurysm of Patients with the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome
Authors: Soto Maria Elena , Manzano-Pech Lináloe G. , Guarner-Lans Verónica , Díaz-Galindo Jorge A. , Vásquez Xicoténcatl , Castrejón-Tellez Vicente , Gamboa Ricardo , Huesca Claudia , Fuentevilla-Alvárez Giovanny , Pérez-Torres Israel
Published: March 2020

Patients with the Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) have mutations in the TGF-βR1, TGF-βR2, and SMAD3 genes. However, little is known about the redox homeostasis in the thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) they develop. Here, we evaluate the oxidant/antioxidant profile in the TAA tissue from LDS patients and compare it with that in nondamaged aortic tissue from control (C) subjects. We evaluate the enzymatic activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoforms, and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR). We also analyze some antioxidants from a nonenzymatic system such as selenium (Se), glutathione (GSH), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Oxidative stress markers such as lipid peroxidation and carbonylation, as well as xanthine oxidase (ORX) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expressions, were also evaluated. TAA from LDS patients showed a decrease in GSH, Se, TAC, GPx, GST, CAT, and TrxR. The SOD activity and ORX expressions were increased, but the Nrf2 expression was decreased. The results suggest that the redox homeostasis is altered in the TAA from LDS patients, favoring ROS overproduction that contributes to the decrease in GSH and TAC and leads to LPO and carbonylation. The decrease in Se and Nrf2 alters the activity and/or expression of some antioxidant enzymes, thus favoring a positive feedback oxidative background that contributes to the TAA formation.
Doubly Semiequivelar Maps on Torus and Klein Bottle
Authors: Tiwari Anand K. , Tripathi Amit , Singh Yogendra , Gupta Punam
Published: March 2020

A tiling of the Euclidean plane, by regular polygons, is called 2-uniform tiling if it has two orbits of vertices under the action of its symmetry group. There are 20 distinct 2-uniform tilings of the plane. Plane being the universal cover of torus and Klein bottle, it is natural to ask about the exploration of maps on these two surfaces corresponding to the 2-uniform tilings. We call such maps as doubly semiequivelar maps. In the present study, we compute and classify (up to isomorphism) doubly semiequivelar maps on torus and Klein bottle. This classification of semiequivelar maps is useful in classifying a category of symmetrical maps which have two orbits of vertices, named as 2-uniform maps.
Leptomeningeal Disease as a Rare Complication of Primary Penile Urethral Cancer
Authors: Chen Nan , Wheeler Thomas , Coburn Michael , Yen Aihua Edward
Published: March 2020

Primary penile urethral cancer is a rare genitourinary malignancy arising from the epithelial lining of the urethra. Our patient is a 63-year-old male with newly diagnosed penile urethral carcinoma who presented with headache and was found to have leptomeningeal disease on imaging and cerebral spinal fluid analysis. He was treated with systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy with some response and improvement in symptoms. This is the first reported case of leptomeningeal disease as a complication of penile urethral carcinoma. Recognition and prompt treatment are important; however, overall prognosis of this entity remains poor.
Determinants of Households’ Access to Improved Drinking Water Sources: A Secondary Analysis of Eswatini 2010 and 2014 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys
Authors: Simelane Maswati S. , Shongwe Mduduzi Colani , Vermaak Kerry , Zwane Eugene
Published: March 2020

Worldwide, millions of people still die from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene, despite the fact that the United Nations recognized access to clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right nearly a decade ago. The objective of this study was to describe the determinants of access to improved drinking water sources in Eswatini in 2010 and 2014. Using the Eswatini Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (EMICSs), data for 4,819 households in 2010 and 4,843 in 2014 were analyzed. Bivariate and multivariate complementary log-log regression analyses were conducted to identify the determinants of households’ access to improved drinking water sources. The study found that households’ access to improved drinking water sources significantly improved from 73.1% in 2010 to 77.7% in 2014 (p<0.0001). In 2010, households whose heads were aged 35–54 and 55 years had lower odds of having access to improved drinking water sources than those with younger ones. In 2014, female-headed households had lower odds, while, in 2010, sex of the household head was not associated with access to improved drinking water sources. In both years, an increase in the number of household members was negatively associated with access to improved drinking water sources compared to those with fewer members. In both years, the odds of access to improved drinking water sources increased with an increase in the wealth index of the household, and households located in urban areas had higher odds of access to improved drinking water sources compared to those in rural settings. In both years, households from the Shiselweni and Lubombo regions had lower odds of access to improved drinking water sources. The government and its partners should continue to upscale efforts aimed at increasing access to improved drinking water, especially in rural areas, to reduce the disparity that exists between urban and rural households.
Evolution of the Electrical Displacement and Energy Dissipation of Lead Zirconate‐Titanate Ceramics under Cyclical Load
Authors: Cang Sheng , Chen Jiankang , Lu Chunsheng
Published: March 2020

In this paper, the electromechanical behavior of lead zirconate‐titanate ceramics (P51) has been characterized and modeled. The variation of the energy dissipation and peak electrical displacement of the P51 ceramic has been investigated in details. The total strain of P51 under cyclical loading consists of elastic deformation (), immediate ferroelectric domain switching deformation (), and time‐dependent deformation (). Thus, an expression for the energy dissipation of P51 can be theoretically derived. In addition, a practical method for calculating the dissipated energy has been proposed by integrating the curve of a hysteresis loop. The experimental results show that the peak electrical displacement and dissipated energy both decrease monotonously with the increase of the number of cycles. Furthermore, ferroelectric 90° domain switching was observed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and the percentage of domain switching has been calculated by the variation of the peak intensity ratio of (002) to (200) at about 45 degrees. Then, grain debonding, crack, and crush were found around voids inside the specimen by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). It is indicated that switching of more capable‐switch domains stimulates larger dissipated energy and a bigger peak electrical displacement at the initial cyclic loading. Finally, an exponential functional model has been proposed to simulate the peak evolution of electrical displacement based on the energy dissipation of P51 ceramics under cyclical load.
5-2-1 Criteria: A Simple Screening Tool for Identifying Advanced PD Patients Who Need an Optimization of Parkinson’s Treatment
Authors: Santos-García D. , de Deus Fonticoba T. , Suárez Castro E. , Aneiros Díaz A. , McAfee D.
Published: March 2020

Objective. 5- (5 times oral levodopa tablet taken/day) 2- (2 hours of OFF time/day) 1- (1 hour/day of troublesome dyskinesia) criteria have been proposed by a Delphi expert consensus panel for diagnosing advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). The aim of the present study is to compare quality of life (QoL) in PD patients with “5-2-1 positive criteria” vs QoL in PD patients without “5-2-1 positive criteria” (defined as meeting ≥1 of the criteria). Methods. This is a cross-sectional, observational, monocenter study. Three different instruments were used to assess QoL: the 39-Item Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire Summary Index Score (PDQ-39SI); a subjective rating of perceived QoL (PQ-10); and the EUROHIS-QOL 8-Item Index (EUROHIS-QOL8). Results. From a cohort of 102 PD patients (65.4 ± 8.2 years old, 53.9% males; disease duration 4.7 ± 4.5 years), 20 (19.6%) presented positive 5-2-1 criteria: 6.9% for 5, 17.6% for 2, and 4.9% for 1. 37.5% (12/32) and 25% (5/20) of patients with motor complications and dyskinesia, respectively, presented 5-2-1 negative criteria. Both health-related (PDQ-39SI, 25.6 ± 14 vs 12.1 ± 9.2; p<0.0001) and global QoL (PQ-10, 6.1 ± 2 vs 7.1 ± 1.3; p=0.007; EUROHIS-QOL8, 3.5 ± 0.5 vs 3.7 ± 0.4; p=0.034) were worse in patients with 5-2-1 positive criteria. Moreover, nonmotor symptoms burden (Non-Motor Symptoms Scale total score, 64.8 ± 44.8 vs 39.4 ± 35.1; p<0.0001) and autonomy for activities of daily living (ADLS scale, 73.5 ± 13.1 vs 89.2 ± 9.3; p<0.0001) were worse in patients with 5-2-1 positive criteria. Patient’s principal caregiver’s strain (Caregiver Stain Index, 4.3 ± 3 vs 1.5 ± 1.6; p<0.0001), burden (Zarit Caregiver Burden Inventory, 28.4 ± 12.5 vs 10.9 ± 9.8; p<0.0001), and mood (Beck Depression Inventory II, 12.2 ± 7.2 vs 6.2 ± 6.1; p<0.0001) were worse in patients with 5-2-1 positive criteria as well. Conclusions. QoL is worse in patients meeting ≥1 of the 5-2-1 criteria. This group of patients and their caregivers are more affected as a whole. These criteria could be useful for identifying patients in which it is necessary to optimize Parkinson’s treatment.
Simultaneous Determination of Three Coumarins in Angelica dahurica by 1H-qNMR Method: A Fast and Validated Method for Crude Drug Quality Control
Authors: Yang Lan , Li Qian , Feng Yanmei , Qiu Daiyu
Published: March 2020

In this study, a quantitative 1H NMR method (1H-qNMR) for determining the contents of imperatorin, byakangelicin, and oxypeucedanin in A. dahurica in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been established. Dried plant material was extracted exhaustively with methanol by an ultrasonication-assisted extraction method. The 1H-qNMR measurements were performed on a 600 -MHz spectrometer with hydroquinone as the internal standard reference in deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO-d6) solvent. Quantification was carried out using the 1H resonance signals at 6.55 ppm for hydroquinone and 7.68, 7.38-7.39, and 6.38-6.39 ppm for imperatorin, byakangelicin, and oxypeucedanin, respectively. The linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation (LOQ), precision, reproducibility, stability, and recovery of the methodology were evaluated, and results were good. The newly developed method has been applied to determine the three coumarins in A. dahurica.
Ibrutinib Treatment for First-Line and Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Final Analysis of the Pivotal Phase Ib/II PCYC-1102 Study
Authors: Byrd John C. , Furman Richard R. , Coutre Steven E. , Flinn Ian W. , Burger Jan A. , Blum Kristie , Sharman Jeff P. , Wierda William , Zhao Weiqiang , Heerema Nyla A. , Luan Ying , Liu Emily A. , Dean James P. , O'Brien Susan
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

The safety and efficacy of ibrutinib, a once-daily Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) was demonstrated in this phase Ib/II study. Extended follow-up up to 8 years is described, representing the longest follow-up for single-agent ibrutinib, or any BTK inhibitor, to date.

Patients and Methods:

Phase Ib/II PCYC-1102 (NCT01105247) and extension study PCYC-1103 (NCT01109069) included patients receiving single-agent ibrutinib in first-line or relapsed/refractory CLL/SLL.

Results:

Overall response rate was 89%, with similar rates in first-line (87%; complete response, 35%) and relapsed/refractory settings (89%; 10%). Estimated 7-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 83% in first-line and 34% in relapsed/refractory settings. Forty-one patients had CLL progression (n = 11 with Richter's transformation). Median PFS was not reached with first-line ibrutinib. In relapsed/refractory CLL/SLL, median PFS was 52 months overall, 26 months in patients with chromosome 17p deletion, 51 months with 11q deletion, not reached with trisomy 12 or 13q deletion, and 88 months in patients without these cytogenetic abnormalities. Estimated 7-year overall survival rates were 84% in first-line and 55% in relapsed/refractory settings. Grade ≥3 adverse events (AE) in >15% of patients were hypertension (28%), pneumonia (24%), and neutropenia (18%). These grade ≥3 AEs generally declined over time, except hypertension. AEs leading to discontinuation in ≥2 patients were observed only in the relapsed/refractory setting (sepsis, diarrhea, subdural hematoma, and Richter's transformation).

Conclusions:

With up to 8 years of follow-up, sustained responses and long-term tolerability of single-agent ibrutinib were observed with treatment of first-line or relapsed/refractory CLL/SLL, including high-risk CLL/SLL.
Inhibition of MICA and MICB Shedding Elicits NK-Cell–Mediated Immunity against Tumors Resistant to Cytotoxic T Cells
Authors: Ferrari de Andrade Lucas , Kumar Sushil , Luoma Adrienne M. , Ito Yoshinaga , Alves da Silva Pedro Henrique , Pan Deng , Pyrdol Jason W. , Yoon Charles H. , Wucherpfennig Kai W.
Published: March 2020

Resistance to cytotoxic T cells is frequently mediated by loss of MHC class I expression or IFNγ signaling in tumor cells, such as mutations of B2M or JAK1 genes. Natural killer (NK) cells could potentially target such resistant tumors, but suitable NK-cell–based strategies remain to be developed. We hypothesized that such tumors could be targeted by NK cells if sufficient activating signals were provided. Human tumors frequently express the MICA and MICB ligands of the activating NKG2D receptor, but proteolytic shedding of MICA/B represents an important immune evasion mechanism in many human cancers. We showed that B2M- and JAK1-deficient metastases were targeted by NK cells following treatment with a mAb that blocks MICA/B shedding. We also demonstrated that the FDA-approved HDAC inhibitor panobinostat and a MICA/B antibody acted synergistically to enhance MICA/B surface expression on tumor cells. The HDAC inhibitor enhanced MICA/B gene expression, whereas the MICA/B antibody stabilized the synthesized protein on the cell surface. The combination of panobinostat and the MICA/B antibody reduced the number of pulmonary metastases formed by a human melanoma cell line in NOD/SCID gamma mice reconstituted with human NK cells. NK-cell–mediated immunity induced by a mAb specific for MICA/B, therefore, provides an opportunity to target tumors with mutations that render them resistant to cytotoxic T cells.
Donor Lymphocyte–Derived Natural Killer Cells Control MHC Class I–Negative Melanoma
Authors: Dang Nana , Lin Yuan , Waer Mark , Sprangers Ben
Published: March 2020

Natural killer (NK) cells provide a natural defense against MHC-I–negative tumors, such as melanoma. Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) containing NK cells, a form of adoptive immunotherapy used after allogenic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT), promotes antitumor immune responses but is often associated with life-threatening complications such as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Here, we showed that without prior allo-BMT, DLI provoked melanoma control associated with the infiltration and persistence of the transferred NK cells. This allograft acceptance did not correlate with an increase of GvHD; instead it correlated with the expansion and activation of tumor-infiltrating NK cells that expressed the cytotoxic molecules (e.g., IFNγ and granzyme B) and maturation signatures (e.g., CD11bhiCD27lo and KLRGhi/CD43hi). The development of beneficial tumor-infiltrating NK cells of DLI origin required host CD4+ T-cell help in part by producing IL2, as well as by limiting regulatory CD4+ T cells (Treg). IL2 blockade impaired the NK-dependent melanoma control, which could not be rescued by IL2 administration beyond CD4+ T-cell help. Our findings linked NK allograft acceptance–CD4+ T-cell help crosstalk to melanoma development without the need of allo-BMT. We thereby helped define that tumor-infiltrating NK cells of DLI origin may serve as effective therapeutic targets for controlling melanoma.
Is Bigger Really Better? Comparison of Ultraportable Handheld Ultrasound with Standard Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Evaluating Safe Site Identification and Image Quality prior to Pleurocentesis
Authors: Newhouse Sarah M. , Effing Tanja W. , Dougherty Brendan D. , D'Costa Jason A. , Rose Anand R.
Published: March 2020

Background: Pleural effusions remain a common medical problem which often requires diagnostic pleurocentesis to determine the underlying cause. Pleurocentesis is a frequently performed procedure worldwide with improved safety using ultrasound (US) technology. Objectives: This prospective, single-center study evaluated the use of an ultraportable handheld (UPHH) US compared with standard point-of-care (SPOC) US in determining a safe site for pleurocentesis. In addition, US image quality and factors impacting on image quality were assessed using both UPHH and SPOC US. Methods: Paired US assessments were performed by thoracic physicians using UPHH and SPOC US on patients with unilateral pleural effusions to determine a safe site for pleurocentesis (defined as >2 cm of pleural fluid, >2 cm from a solid organ/diaphragm, and <7 cm chest wall depth). Distance measurements for key structures and image quality scores (using a 5-point Likert rating scale) were obtained at the time of US assessment. Factors affecting image quality were analyzed using univariate analysis. Results: In 52 of the 54 included patients (96.3%), UPHH US was able to identify a safe site for pleurocentesis. Distance measurements between UPHH and SPOC US were not statistically different (all <0.5 cm with values of p > 0.05), but image quality was reduced in UPHH compared with SPOC US by 1 point on a 5-point Likert rating scale (p < 0.002). Increasing body mass index was associated with a reduction in image quality in both UPHH and SPOC US (all p < 0.01). Conclusions: Although image quality was lower in UPHH than SPOC US, a safe site was found in 96.3% of patients, which suggests that UPHH US may be a useful tool for diagnostic pleuro­centesis when SPOC US is not available (http://www.anzctr.org.au/, Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, No. ACTRN12618001592235).
Seroprevalence of Human Cytomegalovirus in Pregnant Women in the Asir Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Almaghrabi Mohammed K. , Alwadei Ali Dafer , Alyahya Nawaf M. , Alotaibi Fadaa M. , Alqahtani Ahmad Hussain , Alahmari Khalid A. , Alqahtani Mohammad Salem , Alayed Ahmad Saeed , Moosa Riyad , Ali Abdelwahid S.
Published: March 2020

Background: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection spreads easily by interpersonal contact. Objective: This study determined the prevalence of seropositivity of cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the Asir Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study evaluated the seropositivity for cytomegalovirus-specific IgG in 460 females. Collected samples were processed and tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and specific HCMV IgG. Results: The study showed that all the respondents aged 15–20 years were seropositive for the HCMV. HCMV seropositive status was recorded in 99.2% of the older patients (>40 years of age). In the remaining age groups, the rate of seropositivity ranged from 95.7 (age range 20–25 years) to 98.9% (age range 30 years). Conclusions: In all age groups of females tested, the prevalence of seropositive for HCMV was high, i.e., in the range of 95.7–100%.
Pazopanib after Nivolumab-Induced Tumor Lysis Syndrome in a Patient with Metastatic Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Narukawa Tsukasa , Hongo Fumiya , Fujihara Atsuko , Ueno Akihisa , Matsugasumi Toru , Ukimura Osamu
Published: March 2020

Nivolumab, a programmed death-1 checkpoint inhibitor, is worldwide available for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Limited data exist on the response to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy after administration of nivolu­mab. In this case study, we report on a patient with tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), which was induced by pazopanib after the administration of nivolumab. A 69-year-old woman with a primary diagnosis of mRCC received pazopanib as a fourth-line therapy, after sunitinib, axitinib, and nivolumab as first-, second-, and third-line therapies, respectively. Two weeks after the administration of pazopanib, she presented to the emergency room of our institution, complaining of fatigue associated with nausea and diarrhea. Her laboratory results showed hyperphosphatemia, hyperuricemia, hypocalcemia, and possible acute kidney injury; the results were consistent with TLS. Our case report highlights TLS as a potential reaction to pazopanib following nivolumab; and we consider careful observation is necessary when administering TKI after immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Use of Fluorescent Dyes in Endoscopy and Diagnostic Investigation
Authors: Hoffman Arthur , Atreya Raja , Rath Timo , Neurath Markus F.
Published: March 2020

Background: The advancement of innovative endoscopic technology in terms of improving the visualization of the mucosa has been of significant benefit. Summary: Advancements in image resolution, software processing, and optical filter technology have resulted in several techniques complemental to traditional white light endoscopy. These new techniques provide a real-time optical diagnosis as well as virtual histology of detected lesions. Optical molecular imaging permits a functional assessment within cells. Key Message: Optical molecular imaging provides an understanding of cellular processes and permits validation of the specificity of fluorescent tracers and the possibility of quantifying the signal.
Graves’ Disease-Related Pancytopenia Improved after Radioactive Iodine Ablation
Authors: Hamid Omnia A. , Fadul Afraa M. , Batia Tala B. , Yassin Mohamed A.
Published: March 2020

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid glands which often results in enlarged thyroid glands, and it is the most common cause of clinical hyperthyroidism especially in young patients. Radioiodine ablation is a radiation therapy in which radioactive iodine is administered to destroy or ablate thyroid cells. It is commonly used for the treatment of Graves’ disease. We report on a 39-year-old male, who presented with Graves’ disease, found to have pancytopenia and hypocellular bone marrow. Pancytopenia is a rare complication of thyrotoxicosis that is usually not severe and does not require supportive blood product transfusions. Our patient was treated with antithyroid medications followed by radioactive iodine ablation followed by a spontaneous recovery of pancytopenia.
Smart Telerobotic Surveillance System via Internet with Reduced Time Delay
Authors: Vasalya Ashesh , Agrawal Rohit
Published: March 2020

This work provides an imperial solution to the problems faced by man while enduring hazardous tasks like handling and disposal of nuclear wastes, monitoring nuclear power plants, mining operations etc .which have to be aborted if expertise group running it is unavailable or on a run. This paper presents a distributed platform that allows the special group of user to control a gadget (possibly a robot) through internet as a medium. An advanced version of this technology is capable of transmitting graphic images and other surrounding information as required, via internet back to the user to facilitate the effective monitoring of the existent situation using appropriate software tools. The project uses the SRV-1 Mobile Surveillance Robot which is a fully integrated system standard designed and other related technology for surveillance purposes. It is driven via web browser using JAVA based control applications with live video feeds. Specialised user group will be given separate account from where they can control and monitor the system even when they are not present at the site. End user will be connected to the gadget (robot) through a central server which acts as a single channel for both sending and receiving information. But the subject of remote control over the internet has some possible anomalies namely network freezing, delay between host and recipient, congested network and many others. This system enables asynchronous object passing so that network bandwidth is used effectively and such parameters as the network condition and server states have less effect on the system. To resolve this issue, a fuzzy logic controller is used to control the robot’s motion along a predefined path with the necessary manipulation of the normal course. The robot was first modelled in Matlab Simulink and the fuzzy logic rules were optimized for the best results possible. In accordance with the fuzzy rules developed the fuzzy interference system generates the output map for operating IR ranger sensor data. This system was developed to actuate as an auxiliary intelligence in the teleoperation system developed for the mobile robot, and the Grid Scanning algorithm was induced to enhance accuracy to cope up with the unexpected delays from the internet data communication. The logic in the internet based controlling of robotics can be expanded to a very large field, like speed control, trajectory control, obstacle avoidance and so on.
A new species of Ophryotrocha (Annelida: Dorvilleidae) associated with the coral Lophelia pertusa (Anthozoa: Caryophylliidae)
Authors: Miranda Vinicius Rocha , Rodrigues Andrielle Raposo , Brasil Ana Dos Santos
Published: March 2020

Ophryotrocha is the most speciose genus within Dorvilleidae, with species occurring in a great variety of environments around the globe. In Brazil, records of Ophryotrocha are scarce and no specific identification is provided for any of the records. Herein we describe a new species of Dorvilleidae, Ophryotrocha zitae sp. nov. Adult and larval specimens were found in the axis of a fragment of the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa, sampled off São Paulo’s coast, at a depth of 245 m. Both forms are described and illustrated. This new species resembles O. puerilis, O. adherens and O. eutrophila, but can be distinguished based on differences in its mandible and on chaetae shape and arrangement.
Structure and practices in hospitals of the Apice ON Project: a baseline study
Authors: Mendes Yluska Myrna Meneses Brandão e , Rattner Daphne
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVE: To describe some characteristics of the 97 teaching hospitals participating in the Projeto de Aprimoramento e Inovação no Cuidado e Ensino em Obstetrícia e Neonatologia (Apice ON— Project for Improvement and Innovation in Care and Teaching in Obstetrics and Neonatology). METHODS: The semester prior to the beginning of the program was adopted as the baseline to evaluate the subsequent structural and processes changes of this project. Secondary data from the first half of 2017 were extracted from the National Registry of Health Establishments (NRHE), the Hospital Information System and the Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC—Live Birth Information System). RESULTS: Before the implementation of the project, only 66% of the hospitals had a Babyfriendly Hospital Initiative, only 3% offered special accommodations for high-risk pregnant women, mothers and their newborns, and 45.4% hospitals adopted the skin-to-skin contact; 97% hospitals had separate rooms for pre-labor and vaginal delivery (93%), not following the recommendations of the Ministry of Health; nine hospitals (9%) had no rooming-in; there were few obstetrics nurses (less than 1% of professionals enrolled in the NRHE), and in only six hospitals the proportion of births assisted by this professional was above 50% of vaginal deliveries, while in eight this percentage ranged between 15% and 50%; the average cesarean section rate was 42%, ranging between 37.6% (Southeast) and 49.1% (Northeast); ten hospitals did not charge for companions according to inpatient hospital authorization. CONCLUSION: The study strengthens the relevance of the Apice ON project as an inducer of change of the care model in teaching hospitals and, therefore, as a strategy for the implementation of the national public policy represented by the Stork Network.
Practices and challenges on coordinating the Brazilian Unified Health System
Authors: Basto Luzia Beatriz Rodrigues , Barbosa Maria Alves , Rosso Claci Fátima Weirich , Oliveira Lizete Malagoni de Almeida Cavalcante , Ferreira Ilma Pastana , Bastos Diniz Antonio de Sena , Paiva Ana Cláudia Jaime de , Santos Alex De Assis Santos dos
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the obstacles and challenges faced by managers and coordination professionals in their practices in municipal coordinating centers. METHODS: An exploratory descriptive study with a qualitative focus, applied in 40 managers and coordination professionals, from September 2017 to November 2018, with semi-structured interviews, resulting in two categories of analysis: limiting factors and factors that facilitate the management and operationalization of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) coordinating sector. RESULTS: Analyzing the statements, we found evidence of the following limiting factors: failure in the criteria of referral, unavailability of beds, high demand, systemic difficulties in relation to the coordinating system, procedures of difficult scheduling and execution, increased repressed demand for elective procedures and difficulties in the flow of information between primary care and coordination. In the category of facilitating factors, the most significant possibilities were: expansion of the capability to know the user’s reality, improvement in primary care and increase in health financial resources, health training and education and restructuring, in addition to reorganizing internal coordinating procedures. CONCLUSION: The limiting factors of coordination show the need to promote actions that offer all SUS users full access to health services.
The case of eculizumab: litigation and purchases by the Brazilian Ministry of Health
Authors: Caetano Rosângela , Rodrigues Paulo Henrique Almeida , Corrêa Marilena C Villela , Villardi Pedro , Osorio-de-Castro Claudia Garcia Serpa
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the purchases of eculizumab, a high-cost monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of rare diseases by Brazilian federal agencies, in terms of purchased quantities, expenditures, and prices. METHODS: Eculizumab purchases made between March 2007 and December 2018 were analyzed, using secondary data extracted from the Federal Government Purchasing System (SIASG in Portuguese). The following aspects were assessed: number of purchases, purchased quantities, number of daily doses defined per 1,000 inhabitants per year, annual expenditures, and prices. The prices were adjusted by the National Broad Consumer Price Index for December 2018. Linear regression was used for trend analysis. RESULTS: All acquisitions by federal agencies were made by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The purchases began in 2009 with tender waiver to comply with legal demand. There was an increasing trend in the number of purchases and quantities acquired over time. Two hundred and eighty-three purchases were made, totaling 116,792 units purchased, 28.2% of them in 2018. The adjusted total expenses summed more than R$ 2.44 billion. After market approval by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency, the weighted average price fell approximately 35%, to values under the Medicines Market Chamber of Regulation established prices. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab represented extremely significant expenditures for the Brazilian Ministry of Health during the period. All purchases were made to meet demands from lawsuits, outside the competitive environment. The market approval of eculizumab promoted an important price reduction. This study indicates the relevance of licensing and the need for permanent monitoring and auditing of drug purchases to meet legal demands.
İLERİ TEKNOLOJİ İHRACATI VE BÜYÜME İLİŞKİSİ: OECD ÜLKELERİNE YÖNELİK EKONOMETRİK BİR ANALİZ
Authors: YAMAN Habibe , SUNGUR Onur
Published: March 2020

Bu çalışmanın amacı; OECD ülkelerinde ileri teknoloji ihracatı ve büyüme ilişkisinin analiz edilmesidir. Çalışmada, 36 OECD ülkesinde 1999-2017 dönemi için ileri teknoloji ihracatı ve büyüme arasındaki nedensellik test edilmektedir. Her bir ülke için, ileri teknoloji ihracatının toplam OECD ülkeleri içindeki payı (%) ve yıllık ekonomik büyüme oranı (%) değişkenleri kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada, panel nedensellik analizi kullanılmıştır. Yatay kesit bağımlılığı için Pesaran CD testi ve Friedman testi, homojenlik için Swamy S testi, eşbütünleşme ilişkisi için Westerlund (2007) panel eşbütünleşme testi yapılmıştır. Ayrıca, nedenselliğin tespiti için Dumitrescu & Hurlin (2012) panel nedensellik testi uygulanmıştır. Yapılan analiz sonucunda; ekonomik büyümeden ileri teknoloji ihracatına doğru tek yönlü nedensellik olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
BİR KAMU POLİTİKASI TRANSFERİ ÖRNEĞİ OLARAK TÜRK KAMU YÖNETİMİNDE STRATEJİK PLANLAMA
Authors: COŞKUN Selim , GÜNDÜZ Onur
Published: March 2020

Ülkeler kamu yönetimi sorunlarını çözmek ve sistemlerini iyileştirmek için politika transferi yöntemine başvurabilmektedir. Ülkemizin de zaman zaman kamu yönetiminde reform bağlamında politika transferini kullandığı söylenebilir. Bu çalışmada 5018 sayılı yasa ile ülkemizde kamu kurumlarında hayata geçirilen stratejik planlama uygulamaları politika transferi çerçevesinde ele alınmıştır. Türkiye’nin gerçekleştirdiği bu alandaki politika transferinin, ABD ve İrlanda uygulamaları ile benzeştiği ve ilk etapta dolaylı zorunlu transfer yapıldığı, daha sonra ise gönüllü bir şekilde tekrar söz konusu politika transferine başvurulduğu sonucuna varılmıştır.
Russia's Nuclear Weapons in a Multipolar World: Guarantors of Sovereignty, Great Power Status & More
Authors: Fink Anya Loukianova , Oliker Olga
Published: March 2020

At a time of technological and political change in the international security environment, Russia continues to view nuclear weapons as guarantors of peace and security among great powers. Nuclear weapons also assure Russia's own great-power status and mitigate uncertainty in an emerging multipolar order. In a world where the United States pursues improved missile defense capabilities and appears to reject mutual vulnerability as a stabilizing factor, Moscow views its modernized nuclear arsenal as essential to deter Washington from a possible attack on Russia or coercive threats against it. Some elites in Russia would like to preserve existing arms control arrangements or negotiate new ones to mitigate a weakening infrastructure of strategic stability. At the same time, however, they seem skeptical that the United States is willing to compromise or deal with Russia as an equal. Meanwhile, multilateral arms control appears to be too complex a proposition for the time being.
New Technologies & Strategic Stability
Authors: Chyba Christopher F.
Published: March 2020

A variety of new technologies, ranging from broad enabling technologies to specific weapon systems, may threaten or enhance strategic stability. In this essay, I analyze a technology's potential to significantly affect stability along three axes: the pace of advances in, and diffusion of, this technology; the technology's implications for deterrence and defense; and the technology's potential for direct impact on crisis decision-making. I apply this framework to examples including hypersonic weapons, antisatellite weapons, artificial intelligence, and persistent overhead monitoring. Formal arms control to contain dangers posed by some of these seems technically possible, though currently politically difficult to achieve. Others, particularly enabling technologies, resist arms control based on effective verification. The major powers will therefore instead have to find other ways to cope with these technologies and their implications. These options should include exchanges with potential adversaries so that pathways to nuclear escalation, and possible mitigating steps, can be identified and discussed.