bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exact Traveling Wave Solutions of One-Dimensional Parabolic-Parabolic Models of Chemotaxis
Authors: Vladimirovna Shubina Maria
Published: April 2020

In this chapter we consider several different parabolic-parabolic systems of chemotaxis which depend on time and one space coordinate. For these systems we obtain the exact analytical solutions in terms of traveling wave variables. Not all of these solutions are acceptable for biological interpretation, but there are solutions that require detailed analysis. We find this interesting, since chemotaxis is present in the continuous mathematical models of cancer growth and invasion (Anderson, Chaplain, Lolas, et al.) which are described by the systems of reaction–diffusion-taxis partial differential equations, and the obtaining of exact solutions to these systems seems to be a very interesting task, and a more detailed analysis is possible in a future study.
(When) Do Victims Have Duties to Resist Oppression?
Authors: Terlazzo Rosa ,   Department of Philosophy, Florida State University
Published: April 2020

In this article, I first propose four guidelines that follow from understanding the project of assigning victims duties to resist oppression as an ameliorative project. That is, if we understand the project to be motivated by the urgent aim of ending or mitigating the harm that oppression imposes on the oppressed, I argue that we should focus on developing and assigning duties that satisfy what I call the ability, weighting, fairness, and overdemandingness guidelines. Second, I develop the duty to be a non-normative individual, which satisfies all four guidelines.
Internet Reviews
Authors: Roberts Joni R. , Drost Carol A.
Published: April 2020

Jewish Women’s ArchiveLong Our World in DataPeace Research Institute of Oslo (PRIO)
A 7-lncRNA signature associated with the prognosis of colon adenocarcinoma
Authors: Fu Xiaorui , Duanmu Jinzhong , Li Taiyuan , Jiang Qunguang
Published: April 2020

Background

Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is the most common colon cancer exhibiting high mortality. Due to their association with cancer progression, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are now being used as prognostic biomarkers. In the present study, we used relevant clinical information and expression profiles of lncRNAs originating from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, aiming to construct a prognostic lncRNA signature to estimate the prognosis of patients.

Methods

The samples were randomly spilt into training and validation cohorts. In the training cohort, prognosis-related lncRNAs were selected from differentially expressed lncRNAs using the univariate Cox analysis. Furthermore, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariate Cox analysis were employed for identifying prognostic lncRNAs. The prognostic signature was constructed by these lncRNAs.

Results

The prognostic model was able to calculate each COAD patient’s risk score and split the patients into groups of low and high risks. Compared to the low-risk group, the high-risk group had significant poor prognosis. Next, the prognostic signature was validated in the validation, as well as all cohorts. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and c-index were determined in all cohorts. Moreover, these prognostic lncRNA signatures were combined with clinicopathological risk factors to construct a nomogram for predicting the prognosis of COAD in the clinic. Finally, seven lncRNAs (CTC-273B12.10, AC009404.2, AC073283.7, RP11-167H9.4, AC007879.7, RP4-816N1.7, and RP11-400N13.2) were identified and validated by different cohorts. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis of the mRNAs co-expressed with the seven prognostic lncRNAs suggested four significantly upregulated pathways, which were AGE-RAGE, focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

Conclusion

Thus, our study verified that the seven lncRNAs mentioned can be used as biomarkers to predict the prognosis of COAD patients and design personalized treatments.
Effects of preservation duration at 4 °C on the quality of RNA in rabbit blood specimens
Authors: Song Jiaojiao , Zhou Junmei
Published: April 2020

A prolonged preservation duration of blood specimens at 4 °C may occur due to the distance from collection points to storage facilities in many biobanks, especially for multicenter studies. This could lead to RNA degradation, affecting downstream analyses. However, effects of preservation durations at 4 °C on RNA quality in blood specimens need to be studied. We collected rabbit blood using EDTA tubes and stored them at 4 °C for different preservation durations. Then, we examined the quality of RNA from whole blood and leukocytes isolated from rabbit blood. Our results show that the purity of whole blood RNA and leukocyte RNA does not indicate significant change after rabbit blood is stored at 4 °C for different preservation durations (from 1 h to 7 days). The integrity of leukocyte RNA indicates the same result as above, but the integrity of whole blood RNA is significantly decreased after rabbit blood is stored at 4 °C for over 3 days. Moreover, expression of SMAD7, MKI67, FOS, TGFβ1 and HIF1α of whole blood RNA and leukocyte RNA remains basically stable, but PCNA expression of whole blood RNA or leukocyte RNA is significantly decreased after rabbit blood is stored at 4 °C for over 24 h or 7 days. Therefore, these results suggest that high-quality RNA is obtained from the fresher blood specimens and if blood specimens are stored for over 3 days at 4 °C, the quality of leukocyte RNA is more stable and of better quality than that of whole blood RNA.
Toe Gangrene Revealing Septicaemical Rat-bite Fever: About a 41 Day Old Infant
Authors: Bakkali Ouajid , Benchekroun S. , Asermouh A. , Benbrahim F. , Elhafidi N. , Mahraoui C.
Published: April 2020

Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a systemic infectious disease. It is due to Streptobacillus moniliformis, a commensal bacterium of the nasopharyngeal mucosa of small rodents, in particular rats. This anthropozoonosis is rare in urban areas. The first clinical sign of infection is a fever, followed by polyarthritis and a rash. It can only start with skin signs, as in our observation. We report the case of a 41-day-old female infant who was the victim of a rat bite at one month of life in the upper nasal and labial areas. A rabies vaccine with local care has been made. The clinical course at 3 days after the bite was marked by a non-pruritic papulopustular rash, the vesiculo-bullous lesions in the bilateral and symmetrical legs evolved into inflammatory ulcerative necrotizing lesions in a geographic map of the lower 1/3 of the lower limbs with gangrenous lesions in the toes, an erythematous base on the face, hands and feet and discreet oral erosions, associated with generalized purpuric spots and fevers at 40°C. The biological assessment was carried out objectifying an inflammatory syndrome made of a leukocytosis at 26770/mm3, with neutrophils at 10842/mm3, CRP = 215 mg/L. The diagnosis of RBF was made by the isolation of a Gram-negative bacillus in a blood culture. The final identification of the germ was carried out by molecular biology (PCR of 16S rRNA). The lumbar puncture was negative and the cardiac ultrasound was without abnormality. Arterial and venous Doppler ultrasound of the lower limbs was normal. The diagnosis of rat bite fever having been retained. The infant was put on cefpodoxime IV for 3 weeks and metronidazole IV for 10 days. The clinical course at 3 months later, spontaneous amputation of gangrenous toes with residual skin scars was noted.
Relation of Iron, TIBC and Oxidative Stress with Glycosylated Haemoglobin in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Qureshi Nida Afreen , More Kavita , Rai Sandeep
Published: April 2020

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Scientific evidences suggest that high iron storage may play a role in pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Excess iron accumulation induces organ damage due to the overproduction of ROS through Fenton reaction. Thus, the aim of this study was to find out the relation between serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and oxidative stress (OS) with glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

The study consisted of 90 subjects, which were divided into 3 different groups; Group 1 compromised of 30 healthy individuals, Group 2 included 30 T2DM patients with normal glycemic control and Group 3 included 30 T2DM patients with poor glycemic control. Blood samples were collected from the three groups and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), post-prandial plasma glucose (PPPG), HbA1c, Iron, TIBC, Hemoglobin (HB), Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels were analysed.

We found, that mean levels of FPG, PPPG, HbA1c, Iron and MDA were significantly higher (p < 0.05) and mean levels of TIBC, SOD and CAT were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in group 3 as compared to group 2 and group 1. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) observed in iron, TIBC and Hb levels between group 1 and group 2. We found a significant positive correlation of Iron and MDA with HbA1c and significant negative correlation of TIBC, SOD and CAT with HbA1c in group 3.

In our study we found significant positive correlation of HbA1c with MDA and iron that indicates poor glycemic control leads to increased glycation of haemoglobin and other heme containing proteins. It causes more release of iron that leading to production of oxidative stress and thereby it might plays significant role in early appearance of diabetic complications.
Assessment of Workplace Violence among Primary Healthcare Workers in Enugu Metropolis
Authors: Stanley H. O. , Nwosu O. P.
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Work place violence in health-care facilities are on the rise and are routinely underreported.

Objective: This study investigated the prevalence of workplace violence among primary health-care workers in Enugu metropolis.

Materials and Methods: The participants were selected via multi–stage sampling method. A total of 117 out of 135 questionnaires from primary health-care workers in Enugu metropolis were collated and analyzed with the aid of frequency tables and charts.

Results: The results showed that the primary health-care workers are exposed to verbal and non-verbal harassment when working alone in shifts as a contributing factor to workplace violence, subjected to their type of work. This violence most times not reported owing to fear, stigmatization and mistrust of the workers that management will not take their cases serious, this, ultimately impinge on the overall job performance, revenue generation as well as job integrity. Based on the influence of workplace violence on work and life of primary health-care workers about 61.5% of primary health-care workers agrees that workplace violence experience leads to fear and impaired performance and majority agrees that workplace violence does not depends on tribe and religion. Based on predictors of workplace violence, about 69.4%, 69% and 69.1% of primary health-care workers agrees that level of education, work cadre and years of experience influences workplace violence respectively.

Conclusion: The study shows that primary health-care workers are exposed to different workplace violence: physical, threat, verbal and sexual harassment. Also, primary health-care workers agree that patient relatives (31.9%) and colleague (17.4%) are the main sources of workplace violence mostly due to misunderstanding. Out of 75 victims of workplace violence 66.7% reported their cases while about 53.6% did not report. Victims of workplace violence should be encouraged to speak up.
Automated planning through robust templates and multicriterial optimization for lung VMAT SBRT of lung lesions
Authors: Marrazzo Livia , Arilli Chiara , Pellegrini Roberto , Bonomo Pierluigi , Calusi Silvia , Talamonti Cinzia , Casati Marta , Compagnucci Antonella , Livi Lorenzo , Pallotta Stefania
Published: April 2020

Purpose

To develop and validate a robust template for VMAT SBRT of lung lesions, using the multicriterial optimization (MCO) of a commercial treatment planning system.

Methods

The template was established and refined on 10 lung SBRT patients planned for 55 Gy/5 fr. To improve gradient and conformity a ring structure around the planning target volume (PTV) was set in the list of objectives. Ideal fluence optimization was conducted giving priority to organs at risk (OARs) and using the MCO, which further pushes OARs doses. Segmentation was conducted giving priority to PTV coverage. Two different templates were produced with different degrees of modulation, by setting the Fluence Smoothing parameter to Medium (MFS) and High (HFS).

Each template was applied on 20 further patients. Automatic and manual plans were compared in terms of dosimetric parameters, delivery time, and complexity. Statistical significance of differences was evaluated using paired two‐sided Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.

Results

No statistically significant differences in PTV coverage and maximum dose were observed, while an improvement was observed in gradient and conformity. A general improvement in dose to OARs was seen, which resulted to be significant for chest wall V30 Gy, total lung V20 Gy, and spinal cord D0.1 cc. MFS plans are characterized by a higher modulation and longer delivery time than manual plans. HFS plans have a modulation and a delivery time comparable to manual plans, but still present an advantage in terms of gradient.

Conclusion

The automation of the planning process for lung SBRT using robust templates and MCO was demonstrated to be feasible and more efficient.
Two novel halogen‐free, phosphorus‐free, and intrinsically flame‐retardant benzoxazine thermosets containing electron‐withdrawing bridge groups
Authors: Zeng Ming , Zhu Wanlin , Feng Zijian , Chen Jiangbing , Huang Yiwan , Xu Qingyu , Wang Junxia
Published: April 2020

Two novel furfurylamine type benzoxazine prepolymers are firstly synthesized from 4,4′‐bishydroxydeoxybenzoin (BHDB) and 4,4′‐dihydroxybenzophenone (DHBP). Both BHDB‐ and DHBP‐based polybenzoxazines present accelerated curing behaviors, high glass transition temperatures, and very low heat release capacity values, resulting from the introduction of electron‐withdrawing groups and furan rings. It is especially noteworthy that the flame retardancy of DHBP‐based polybenzoxazine is classified as UL‐94 V‐1 grade, whereas that of BHDB‐based polybenzoxazine is evaluated to be UL‐94 V‐2 grade. Hence, DHBP is considered as an alternative to BHDB for benzoxazine preparation because of its similar chemical structure, competitive price, high efficiency preparation, and outstanding flame resistance. Therefore, this work not only provides an economical and effective strategy for the preparation of halogen‐free, phosphorus‐free, and intrinsically flame‐retardant benzoxazine resins but also provides important insight into the effects of electron‐withdrawing bridge groups on the curing behavior and thermal and flame‐retardant properties of benzoxazine resins.
Three‐dimensional finite element analysis of the dural folds and the human skull under head acceleration
Authors: Lipphaus Andreas , Witzel Ulrich
Published: April 2020

Bone and collagen fiber architecture adapt to external mechanical loads. In humans, due to the low insertion of the temporal muscle, mastication does not lead to a physiological loading of the calvaria. Forces applied to the skull by the dural folds can lead to compressive stresses in the calvaria. To investigate the relationship between mechanical loads and form in the skull and its membranes, in a finite element three‐dimensional model of the human skull, loads due to head acceleration in daily activities are applied to the falx cerebri and the tentorium cerebelli. The dural folds are modeled as membranes. The stress paths in the dural folds correlate with anatomical fiber direction. Head accelerations of 9 g lead to compressive stress in the calvaria. Finite element analysis of the falx cerebri and the tentorium cerebelli can be used to study the influence of mechanical stresses on the ossification of the dural folds and their impact on calvarial growth. This study presents an example of functional loading of bone by fibrous membranes and describes a possible mechanism by which Wolff's law works on the bone of the calvaria creating evolutionarily beneficial lightweight constructions.
Engineering a NO‐Regulated Nanofluidic Sensor through the Cyclization Reaction Strategy
Authors: Han Yunfeng , Sun Zhongyue , Sun Ziyan , Chen Xiaoya , Zhang Yongxue , Sun Yao , Li Haibing
Published: April 2020

Nitric oxide (NO) is known to be a secondary in vivo signaling agent, demonstrating various biological functions through regulating ion flux in channels. Considering the crucial role of NO in vivo, herein, a biomimetic NO‐regulated nanofluidic sensor has been fabricated through a cyclization reaction strategy. This nanofluidic sensor exhibited a promising NO selectivity, sensitivity, and non‐interference performance in complex matrices. Thus, such a NO‐driven nanosensor will be meaningful for scientific researchers to grasp the in vivo functions of NO.
Does In Vitro Potency Predict Clinically Efficacious Concentrations?
Authors: Jansson‐Löfmark Rasmus , Hjorth Stephan , Gabrielsson Johan
Published: April 2020

The in vitro affinity of a compound for its target is an important feature in drug discovery, but what remains is how predictive in vitro properties are of in vivo therapeutic drug exposure. We assessed the relationship between in vitro potency and clinically efficacious concentrations for marketed small molecule drugs (n = 164) and how they may differ depending on therapeutic indication, mode of action, receptor type, target localization, and function. Approximately 70% of compounds had a therapeutic unbound plasma exposure lower than in vitro potency; the median ratio of exposure in relation to in vitro potency was 0.32, and 80% had ratios within the range of 0.007 to 8.7. We identified differences in the in vivo–to–in vitro potency ratio between indications, mode of action, target type, and matrix localization, and whether or not the drugs had active metabolites. The in vitro–assay variability contributions appeared to be the smallest; within the same drug target and mode of action the within‐variability was slightly broader; but both were substantially less compared with the overall distribution of ratios. These data suggest that in vitro potency conditions, estimated in vivo potency, required level of receptor occupancy, and target turnover are key components for further understanding the link between clinical drug exposure and in vitro potency.
Potential for genetic improvement of neppiness traits in upland cotton
Authors: Zeng Linghe , Bechere Efrem , Delhom Christopher D.
Published: April 2020

Previous analyses of relationships of neppiness traits with lint yield and other fiber properties in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were mainly based on phenotypes. The potential of genetic improvement in neppiness traits as well as their genetic relationships with lint yield and other fiber properties in breeding selections is unknown. In this study, realized heritability of neppiness traits, correlated selection responses (CRs), realized genetic correlations (GRs) between neppiness traits and lint yield, and other fiber properties were analyzed in two breeding populations—FiberMax832 × SP205 and MD15 × JJ1145ne—in F3, F4, and F5 generations. The realized heritability was identified as low to moderate for fiber nep size, fiber nep count, seed coat nep (SCN) size, and SCN count ranging from 0.00 to 0.52 and from 0.12 to 0.58 at selection intensities of 10 and 20%, respectively. The realized heritability of fiber nep count was higher, ranging from 0.44 to 0.52 and from 0.20 to 0.58 at selection intensities of 10 and 20%, respectively. At the 20% selection intensity, there were no unfavorable CRs between lint yield and neppiness traits. Selections for fewer fiber nep count consistently increased fineness values (unfavorable) and decreased immature fiber content (IFC) values (favorable) in the two populations. Realized GR between fiber nep count and fineness was high, 0.80–0.84 in the two populations. The GR between fiber nep count and IFC was moderate, 0.50–0.64 in the two populations. The results in this study suggest the possibility of simultaneous genetic improvement of fiber nep count with lint yield and IFC as well as the difficulty of simultaneous genetic improvement for fiber nep count and fineness.
Directly Microwave‐Accelerated Cleavage of C−C and C−O Bonds of Lignin by Copper Oxide and H2O2
Authors: Qu Chen , Ito Keigo , Katsuyama Isamu , Mitani Tomohiko , Kashimura Keiichiro , Watanabe Takashi
Published: April 2020

Model erythro, phenolic, and nonphenolic lignin β‐O‐4 dimer compounds are treated with copper oxide and H2O2 at the electronic field maximum position of a single‐mode 2.45 GHz microwave system equipped with a cavity resonator. The products obtained through microwave heating and oil‐bath heating with the same reaction vessel and temperature profile are quantitatively compared. Dimer degradation is found to proceed through consecutive elementary reactions. The phenolic dimer is dehydroxylated and this is followed by the spontaneous cleavage of Cα−Cβ and C−O−C bonds to produce guaiacol, vanillin, and vanillic acid. The reaction of the nonphenolic dimer produces veratric acid, veratraldehyde, and guaiacol. Microwave irradiation accelerates cleavage of the side chain and the oxidation of vanillin to vanillic acid. However, no acceleration of veratraldehyde oxidation to veratric acid or aromatic ring cleavage to produce dicarboxylic acids is observed. The selective acceleration of elementary reactions during the degradation of model lignin compounds indicates that microwaves interact with reaction intermediates that are sensitive to electromagnetic waves.
Diagnosis and categorization of malignant effusions: A 6‐year review from a single academic institution
Authors: Lew Madelyn , Cantley Richard , Heider Amer , Jing Xin
Published: April 2020

Background

Cytologic detection of malignant cells in pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial effusion most likely indicates advanced stage of malignant disease. There are a few studies updating the categorization of malignant effusions.

Methods

The electronic pathology database was searched to identify consecutive cases of malignant effusion during a 6‐year period. Patient age and gender, origins of known malignancy, and cytologic diagnoses were recorded and summarized.

Results

A total of 1059 specimens included 561 (53%) pleural, 441 (41.6%) peritoneal, and 57 (5.4%) pericardial fluids. Most of the pleural (516, 92.0%), peritoneal (418, 94.8%), and pericardial (53, 93.0%) specimens were derived from patients with a single known malignancy. More common origins involving pleural fluid were lung (152, 27.1%) followed by breast (103, 18.4%) and gastrointestinal tract (76, 13.5%). The most common etiology for women and men was breast (102, 30.8%) and lung (67, 36.2%), respectively. More common origins involving peritoneal fluid were gastrointestinal (158, 35.8%) and gynecologic (156, 35.4%) tracts, and breast (46, 10.4%). The most common etiology for women and men was Mullerian (156, 55.5%) and gastrointestinal tract (94, 68.6%), respectively. Most common origins involving the pericardial fluid were breast (20, 37.7%) and lung (17, 29.8%). Breast and lung were the most common etiology for women (20, 57.1%) and men (8, 44.4%), respectively.

Conclusions

Breast and lung remain to be the most common origin of both malignant pleural and pericardial effusion for women and men, respectively. The most common origin involving peritoneal effusion is Mullerian for women and gastrointestinal tract for men.
Daily home monitoring of potassium, creatinine, and estimated plasma volume in heart failure post‐discharge
Authors: Rossignol Patrick , Fay Renaud , Girerd Nicolas , Zannad Faiez
Published: April 2020

Aims

Congestive status, serum potassium, and renal function are major determinants of outcomes as well as critical elements for adjusting drug therapy in heart failure (HF) patients. This study aimed at describing the daily variations in estimated plasma volume (ePV, a surrogate of congestion computed from haemoglobin and haematocrit), blood potassium, and estimated glomerular filtration rate during 2 months post‐hospitalization for decompensated HF with reduced ejection fraction.

Methods and results

The study was conducted in a single tertiary referral centre. Capillary blood samples were drawn by study nurses at home (7–12 am), and haematocrit, blood haemoglobin, creatinine, and potassium were measured using an approved home‐based device (ABOTT i‐STAT) (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01655134). Among the 15 home‐monitored patients, two patients died (one suddenly), and one was readmitted for ischaemic acute pulmonary oedema, with a subsequent acute coronary syndrome, and did not have a complete 2‐month follow‐up. The 5‐day‐a‐week biological home monitoring revealed an ePV >5.5 mL/g Hb, suggestive of undiagnosed residual congestion at discharge in 3 out the 15 patients. It was possible to document a number of episodes of hyperkalaemia (>5: mean ± standard deviation: 2.2 ± 2.2 or 5.5: 1.7 ± 1.6 mmol/L), hypokalaemia (<4: 1.9 ± 2.4 or 3.5: 0.5 ± 1.2 mmol/L), worsening renal function (drop in estimated glomerular filtration rate > 20%: 1.3 ± 1.8 or 30%: 0.7 ± 1.2) and recongestion (ePV rise above 10%: 1.4 ± 1.5, 15%: 2.3 ± 2.4, 5.5 mL/g Hb: 1.8 ± 2.6) episodes indicative of clinically relevant and potentially actionable cardiorenal and electrolytic patterns.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that a 5‐day‐a‐week home monitoring combining haemoglobin/haematocrit, potassium, and creatinine measurements was able to capture a substantial number of clinically relevant cardiorenal and electrolyte events which are frequently overlooked and potentially actionable. Whether acting on these events may help optimizing renin angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitors and diuretic therapy warrants further dedicated testing. The ongoing HERMES HF study (NCT04050904) is assessing the short‐term feasibility and safety of such a monitoring strategy, complemented by a decision support system, and generating recommendations based on ESC clinical guidelines in patients discharged after an episode of worsening heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
Sublethal and Lethal Methods to Detect Recent Imidacloprid Exposure in Birds with Application to Field Studies
Authors: Roy Charlotte L. , Jankowski Mark D. , Ponder Julia , Chen Da
Published: April 2020

We used domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) as a model for granivorous birds to identify methods to detect recent imidacloprid exposure in wild birds. We conducted dosing experiments of 1, 5, 10, and 20% of a reported median lethal dose for domestic chickens using repeated daily exposures over 7 d, at dosages equating to 1.04, 5.2, 10.4, and 20.8 mg/kg/d. We examined the parent compound and metabolites in serial collections of feces and blood during exposures and for 15 d after exposures. We also collected liver, kidney, brain, muscle, and spleen at the experiment end. Mean concentrations of parent compound at 15 d postexposure were highest in the feces and brain, followed by the liver, muscle, spleen, and kidney; but mean concentrations of metabolites 5-OH-imidacloprid and imidacloprid-olefin were highest in feces; then liver, spleen, muscle, and kidney; and then brain. Imidacloprid was rapidly cleared from blood, with only one individual in any dose group having detectable concentrations after 48 h. In contrast, fecal pellets had the highest frequency of imidacloprid detection after 15 d. Concentrations of metabolites were higher than those of the parent compound at all sampling times examined but provided no information about time since exposure. Feces may provide a reliable nonlethal method for detection of recent imidacloprid exposure in wild birds. Additional work is needed to disentangle exposure dose concentration and time since exposure in field-collected samples. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1355–1366. © 2020 SETAC

Abstract

Measurement of imidacloprid and metabolites in laboratory-exposed chickens indicates that the collection of fecal samples from imidacloprid-exposed birds is viable.
Mechanisms of resistance to T cell‐based immunotherapy in head and neck cancer
Authors: Lee Maxwell Y. , Allen Clint T.
Published: April 2020

Background

Most current approved or investigational immunotherapeutic approaches for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma are aimed at activating T cells. The majority of patients receiving such immunotherapy do not demonstrate durable tumor remission.

Methods

Original articles covering tumor heterogeneity, immunoediting, immune escape, and local tumor immunosuppression were reviewed.

Results

In the face of immune pressure, subclones susceptible to T cell killing are eliminated, leaving behind resistant tumor clones in a process known as immunoediting. Such subclones of tumor cells that are resistant to T cell killing may remain sensitive to natural killer (NK) cell detection and elimination, suggesting that patients harboring such tumors may benefit from combination of T and NK cell‐based immunotherapy. Even in the setting of optimal immunotherapy, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment may arrogate effector immune responses through a number of distinct mechanisms.

Conclusions

Highly effective immunotherapy will likely require multimodality approaches targeting independent mechanisms of immune activation.
Application of a water infiltration model for simulating water repellency of humus soil
Authors: Zhao Yong , Ren Changjiang , Gong Jiaguo , Wang Jianhua , Li Haihong
Published: April 2020

One‐dimensional infiltration experiments were conducted using hydrophilic and water‐repellent soils from the Guishui River Basin to study the effects of soil water repellency on cumulative infiltration (CI) and the infiltration rate (IR). The test results show that, for the hydrophilic soil (HS) sample, CI increases monotonously with time and IR decreases monotonously. For the water‐repellent soil (W‐RS), however, the following characteristics were observed: (a) There is an inflection point in CI and a sudden increase in IR. Larger values of the initial soil water content produce an earlier and more significant inflection point in CI, and a larger peak value of IR. (b) The post‐peak stable IR is greater than the pre‐peak value, ignoring the beginning of rapid infiltration, and the overall IR presents a single peak. The applicability of various water infiltration models was analysed for the two soil types. Numerical analysis suggests the following conclusions: (a) For both HS and W‐RS, the Kostiakov function, Gamma function, and Beta function (BF) models exhibit good applicability. (b) For W‐RS, the Gauss function model not only reflects the monotonous decrease in IR, but also produces a steady IR in the initial stage, a gradual increase before the peak value, and a gradual decrease after the peak value. Similarly, the BF model reflects the monotonous decrease in IR. A piecewise BF reproduces the U‐shaped change in rapid infiltration before the inflection point, as well as the gradual increase and right‐skewed distribution curve of W‐RS infiltration before and after the inflection point. The BF model achieves the best simulation accuracy and has the widest applicability.
The evolutionary and transmission characteristic of HIV‐1 CRF07_BC in Nanjing, Jiangsu
Authors: Li Wei , Li Xiaoshan , He Yan , Ge You , Ong Jason J. , Li Xin , Dong Xiaoxiao , Chu Jinjin , Musa Taha Hussein , Cao Shang , Qian Ni , Zhang Lei , Wei Pingmin
Published: April 2020

To understand the epidemiology, evolutionary and transmission characteristics of HIV‐1 CRF07_BC in Nanjing, China. One hundred and fifty‐nine patients with HIV‐1 CRF07_BC were recruited. DNA sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and molecular transmission cluster analysis were conducted to determine the molecular epidemiology and evolutionary characteristics. Of these HIV‐1‐infected patients, 95.6% were male, and men who sex with men (76.7%) were the main transmission route. Only 34.0% of these cases were born in Nanjing, and most of them (64.8%) reported having multiple sex partners in the last 6 months. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of HIV‐1 CRF07_BC revealed two lineages. Overall, 67.3% of Nanjing sequences were connected to at least one other individual distributed in 11 clusters, and the average degree was 21.2 with range (1‐178). The clustered patients were more likely to be male. The time to a most recent common ancestor for the early HIV‐1 CRF07_BC circulating in Nanjing was estimated to be 1998.71[1997.36‐2001.07]. The mean estimated evolutionary rate for the epidemic cluster was slightly lower at 2.38[2.12‐2.65]  ×  10−3 per site per year with the relaxed exponential clock model. HIV‐1 CRF07_BC was transmitted into Nanjing more than 20 years ago from Yunnan and has become one of the most predominant subtypes with a higher evolutionary rate than before.
Weathering the pandemic: How the Caribbean Basin can use viral and environmental patterns to predict, prepare, and respond to COVID‐19
Authors: de Ángel Solá David E. , Wang Leyao , Vázquez Marietta , Méndez‐Lázaro Pablo A.
Published: April 2020

The 2020 coronavirus pandemic is developing at different paces throughout the world. Some areas, like the Caribbean Basin, have yet to see the virus strike at full force. When it does, there is reasonable evidence to suggest the consequent COVID‐19 outbreaks will overwhelm healthcare systems and economies. This is particularly concerning in the Caribbean as pandemics can have disproportionately higher mortality impacts on lower and middle‐income countries. Preliminary observations from our team and others suggest that temperature and climatological factors could influence the spread of this novel coronavirus, making spatiotemporal predictions of its infectiousness possible. This review studies geographic and time‐based distribution of known respiratory viruses in the Caribbean Basin in an attempt to foresee how the pandemic will develop in this region. This review is meant to aid in planning short‐ and long‐term interventions to manage outbreaks at the international, national, and subnational levels in the region.
Role of May surface temperature over eastern China in East Asian summer monsoon circulation and precipitation
Authors: Zhou Juan , Zuo Zhiyan , Rong Xinyao , Wen Jun
Published: April 2020

Spring soil moisture over the vast region from the lower and middle reaches of the Yangtze River valley to North China (YRNC) can significantly influence East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) via May surface temperature. This study further validates the role of May surface temperature in linking spring soil moisture with summer monsoon circulation and rainfall over eastern China. The role of May surface temperature over YRNC in the ensuing EASM and precipitation over eastern China are investigated by observational analyses and numerical simulations. Given the long “memory” of soil temperature (ST) and its highly consistent with surface temperature, experiments are performed by altering ST as a substitution. The results show that YRNC spring surface temperature anomalies have a significant influence on EASM and precipitation over eastern China. The negative May ST anomalies correspond to an abnormal cooling in the surface and tropospheric atmosphere around the YRNC, which narrows the land‐ocean thermal contrast, resulting in a weakened EASM. An anomalous anticyclone extends from southeastern China to the Philippine Islands, and an anomalous cyclone occupies northeastern China. Consequently, rainfall anomalously decreases over southeastern China and increases over northeastern China. The convergence of warm and humid southerly airflows and cold northerly winds conduces to an enhanced rainfall around the Yangtze River valley. The opposite occurs for the positive ST anomalies. Further simulations show that abnormal wet (dry) spring soil can lead to negative (positive) ST and surface temperature anomalies in May over the YRNC. Hence, the surface air temperature in May is the bridge for the effect of the YRNC spring soil moisture on the EASM and precipitation over eastern China.
Expanding the applicability of magnetic ionic liquids for multiclass determination in biological matrices based on dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and HPLC with diode array detector analysis
Authors: Will Camila , Omena Eduarda , Corazza Gabriela , Bernardi Gabrieli , Merib Josias , Carasek Eduardo
Published: April 2020

Monitoring biological samples at trace levels of chemicals from anthropogenic actions such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and hormones has become a very important subject. This work describes a method for the determination of eight compounds of different chemical classes in human urine samples. Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on magnetic ionic liquids was used as the sample preparation procedure. The main parameters of the method, such as sample dilution, type, and volume of disperser solvent, amount of magnetic ionic liquids, extraction time, and pH were optimized by univariate and multivariate procedures. Validation was performed using a urine sample of a male volunteer in order to obtain a calibration curve and the main analytical parameters of merit such as limits of detection and quantification. Values varied from 3.0 to 7.5 µg/L and from 10 to 25 µg/L, respectively. Satisfactory precisions of 21% for intraday (n = 3) and 16% for interday (n = 9) were achieved. Accuracy was evaluated by relative recovery assays using different urine samples and ranged from 75 to 130%. Robustness was assured by the Lenth method. The validated procedure was applied to five urine samples from different volunteers and the hormone estrone was found in one sample.
Silver nanoparticles‐tragacanth gel as a green membrane for effective extraction and determination of capecitabine
Authors: Hajizadeh Salahaddin , Farhadi Khalil , Molaei Rahim , Forough Mehrdad
Published: April 2020

A novel eco‐friendly and effective electromembrane extraction method combining high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection was developed for the enrichment and determination of capecitabine. Tragacanth‐silver nanoparticles conjugated gel was prepared by dissolving the tragacanth powder in synthesized silver nanoparticles solution and was used as a green membrane in electromembrane extraction. The porosity and presence of silver nanoparticles in the gel were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy. This new electromembrane extraction approach uses neither organic solvent nor carrier agents to extract the target analyte. The best electromembrane extraction efficiency was obtained by using 4.0 mm membrane gel thickness containing 2.5% w/v of tragacanth gum, donor phase pH = 5.0, acceptor phase pH = 3.0, applied voltage 50 V, extraction time 20 min, and agitation rate 500 rpm. During method validation under the optimized conditions, good linearity dynamic range between 1 and 500 ng/mL with the coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.998 was obtained. Limit of detection and Limit of quantitation were estimated to be 0.84 and 1.0 ng/mL, respectively. Finally, the applicability of this method in real samples was confirmed by an acceptable performance in extraction and determination of capecitabine in human plasma samples.
The effects of eight years of conservation tillage on the soil physicochemical properties and bacterial communities in a rain‐fed agroecosystem of the loess plateau, China
Authors: Sun Lei , Li Jun , Wang Qian , Zhang Yuanhong , Xu Zonggui , Wang Rui , Wang Xiaoli , Jia Guangcan , Zhang Xiaoqin
Published: April 2020

Conservation tillage is an alternative to conventional tillage (CT) for addressing the issue of soil degradation, while how it affects soil quality remains unclear. To characterise the temporary and stable effects of 8 years of conservation tillage on soil quality, topsoil (0–20 cm) properties, 16S rDNA‐based bacterial community properties and their relationships were analysed. Three tillage practices (CT [as the control], subsoiling tillage [ST] and no tillage [NT]) were compared at the sowing and harvest stages of a continuous winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system. The mean weight diameter of the water‐stable aggregate, organic matter, total N/P/K and available K consistently improved with NT at both crop stages, with averages of 26.8, 35.3, 38.5, 29.2, 13.1 and 59.1%, respectively. Similar but lower levels of improvements were observed under ST. Tillage did not significantly affect soil bulk density, penetration resistance and temperature, whereas NT significantly decreased capillary porosity by 7.9% at sowing. At the sowing stage, CT showed higher bacterial α/β‐diversity but lower soil water content and abundances of N‐cycling bacteria. The physicochemical properties showed significant correlation with the abundances of some genera belonging to Proteobacteria, Nitrospirae and Actinobacteria. After 8 years of experimentation, we found that conservation tillage, especially NT, resulted in stable effects on soil aggregation and nutrient storage. Although soil compaction temporarily decreased after CT, the bacterial community, soil water storage and the aforementioned stable effects were more favourable for soil sustainability under conservation tillage.
AirNet: Fused analytical and iterative reconstruction with deep neural network regularization for sparse‐data CT
Authors: Chen Gaoyu , Hong Xiang , Ding Qiaoqiao , Zhang Yi , Chen Hu , Fu Shujun , Zhao Yunsong , Zhang Xiaoqun , Ji Hui , Wang Ge , Huang Qiu , Gao Hao
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Sparse‐data computed tomography (CT) frequently occurs, such as breast tomosynthesis, C‐arm CT, on‐board four‐dimensional cone‐beam CT (4D CBCT), and industrial CT. However, sparse‐data image reconstruction remains challenging due to highly undersampled data. This work develops a data‐driven image reconstruction method for sparse‐data CT using deep neural networks (DNN).

Methods

The new method so‐called AirNet is designed to incorporate the benefits from analytical reconstruction method (AR), iterative reconstruction method (IR), and DNN. It is built upon fused analytical and iterative reconstruction (AIR) that synergizes AR and IR via the optimization framework of modified proximal forward‐backward splitting (PFBS). By unrolling PFBS into IR updates of CT data fidelity and DNN regularization with residual learning, AirNet utilizes AR such as FBP during the data fidelity, introduces dense connectivity into DNN regularization, and learns PFBS coefficients and DNN parameters that minimize the loss function during the training stage; and then AirNet with trained parameters can be used for end‐to‐end image reconstruction.

Results

A CT atlas of 100 prostate scans was used to validate the AirNet in comparison with state‐of‐art DNN‐based postprocessing and image reconstruction methods. The validation loss in AirNet had the fastest decreasing rate, owing to inherited fast convergence from AIR. AirNet was robust to noise in projection data and content differences between the training set and the images to be reconstructed. The impact of image quality on radiotherapy treatment planning was evaluated for both photon and proton therapy, and AirNet achieved the best treatment plan quality, especially for proton therapy. For example, with limited‐angle data, the maximal target dose for AirNet was 109.5% in comparison with the ground truth 109.1%, while it was significantly elevated to 115.1% and 128.1% for FBPConvNet and LEARN, respectively.

Conclusions

A new image reconstruction AirNet is developed for sparse‐data CT image reconstruction. AirNet achieved the best image reconstruction quality both visually and quantitatively among all methods under comparison for all sparse‐data scenarios (sparse‐view and limited‐angle), and provided the best photon and proton treatment plan quality based on sparse‐data CT.
Diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the palatal tumors: Usefulness of apparent diffusion coefficient value for characterization of benign and malignant tumors
Authors: Oohashi Makoto , Mizuhashi Fumi , Sugawara Yoshihiro , Saegusa Hisato , Ogura Ichiro
Published: April 2020

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in the palatal tumors, especially usefulness of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value for characterization of benign and malignant tumors.

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐four patients with palatal tumors (16 malignant tumors and 8 benign tumors) who underwent DWI for diagnosis of palatal lesions were included in this prospective study. DWI was performed on a 1.5 T unit, with b factor of 0 and 800 s/mm2; moreover, ADC maps were generated. ADC values were measured for the palatal tumors. The histopathological diagnoses were obtained by surgery in all cases. The ADC values of the palatal tumors were evaluated by one‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance with Tukey's HSD test. A P value lower than .05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results

The mean ADC value of squamous cell carcinoma (1.10 ± 0.11 × 10−3 mm2 s−1) was significantly lower than that of pleomorphic adenoma (1.49 ± 0.41 × 10−3 mm2 s−1, P = .046) and another benign tumor (1.85 ± 0.40 × 10−3 mm2 s−1, P = .000).

Conclusions

ADC value derived from DWI could be useful for the characterization of benign and malignant palatal tumors.
Variation in hospital admission from the emergency department for children with cancer: A Pediatric Health Information System study
Authors: Mueller Emily L. , Jacob Seethal A. , Cochrane Anneli R. , Carroll Aaron E. , Bennett William E.
Published: April 2020

Background

Children with cancer experience a wide range of conditions that require urgent evaluation in the emergency department (ED), yet variation in admission rates is poorly documented.

Procedure

We performed a retrospective cohort study using the Pediatric Health Information System of ED encounters by children with cancer between July 2012 and June 2015. We compared demographics for admitted versus discharged using univariate statistics, and calculated admission rates by hospital, diagnosis, day of the week, and weekend versus weekday. We assessed the degree of interhospital admission rates using the index of dispersion (ID).

Results

Children with cancer had 60 054 ED encounters at 37 hospitals. Overall, 62.5% were admitted (range 43.2%‐92.1%, ID 2.6) indicating overdispersed admission rates with high variability. Children with cancer that visited the ED for a primary diagnosis of fever experienced the largest amount of variability in admission with rates ranging from 10.4% to 74.1% (ID 8.1). Less variability existed among hospital admission rates for both neutropenia (range 60%–100%, ID 1.0) and febrile neutropenia (FN) (range 66.7%‐100%, ID 0.83). Admission rates by day of the week did not demonstrate significant variability for any of the scenarios examined (overall P = 0.91). There were no differences by weekend versus weekday either (overall P = 0.52).

Conclusion

The percentage of children with cancer admitted through the ED varies widely by institution and diagnosis. Standardization of best practices for children with cancer admitted through the ED should be an area of continued improvement.