bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tripartite motif protein 52 (TRIM52) promoted fibrosis in LX‐2 cells through PPM1A‐mediated Smad2/3 pathway
Authors: Zhou Ju , Lan Qing , Li Wu , Yang Lin , You Jing , Zhang Yan‐Mei , Ni Wei
Published: July 2019

To investigate the roles of tripartite motif containing 52 (TRIM52) in human hepatic fibrosis in vitro, human hepatic stellate cell line LX‐2 cells were transfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) replicon to establish HBV‐induced fibrosis in LX‐2 cells, and then treated with small interfering RNA‐mediated knockdown of TRIM52 (siTRIM52). LX‐2 cells without HBV replicon transfection were treated with lentiviruses‐mediated overexpression of TRIM52 and phosphatase magnesium dependent 1A (PPM1A). Fibrosis response of LX‐2 cells were assessed by the production of hydroxyproline (Hyp) and collagen I/III, as well as protein levels of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA). PPM1A and phosphorylated (p)‐Smad2/3 were measured to assess the mechanism. The correlation between TRIM52 and PPM1A was determined using co‐immunoprecipitation, and whether and how TRIM52 regulated the degradation of PPM1A were determined by ubiquitination assay. Our data confirmed HBV‐induced fibrogenesis of LX‐2 cells, as evidenced by significant increase in Hyp and collagen I/III and α‐SMA, which was associated with reduction of PPM1A and elevation of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), p‐Smad2/3, and p‐Smad3L. However, those changes induced by HBV were significantly attenuated with additional siTRIM52 treatment. Similar to HBV, overexpression of TRIM52 exerted promoted effect in the fibrosis of LX‐2 cells. Interestingly, TRIM52 induced the fibrogenesis of LX‐2 cells and the activation of TGF‐β/Smad pathway were significantly reversed by PPM1A overexpression. Furthermore, our data confirmed TRIM52 as a deubiquitinase that influenced the accumulation of PPM1A protein, and subsequently regulated the fibrogenesis of LX‐2 cells. TRIM52 was a fibrosis promoter in hepatic fibrosis in vitro, likely through PPM1A‐mediated TGF‐β/Smad pathway.
The Effect of Solvent Polarity on Autocatalytic Furfural Production Confirmed by Multivariate Statistical Analysis
Authors: Romo Joelle E. , Miller Kyle C. , Sundsted Tara L. , Job Adam L. , Hoo Karlene A. , Wettstein Stephanie G.
Published: July 2019

Autocatalytic dehydration of xylose to furfural was studied in pure aqueous and monophasic organic/water mixtures to determine the effect reaction media and conditions have on conversion and yield. This study identified that the severity (Ro) of the reaction and polarity, as determined by the Hansen Solubility Parameter, δP, strongly correlate with xylose conversion and furfural yield. Increasing the Ro and δP increased both conversion and yield in pure aqueous and organic/water mixtures of sulfolane, γ‐butyrolactone, γ‐valerolactone, γ‐hexalactone, and tetrahydrofuran. Additionally, it was found that at a specified Ro and δP, similar conversions and yields were achieved using different combinations of time, temperature, and solvent mixture. Using principal component analysis and projection to latent structures, a semi‐empirical model was developed that provided estimates of xylose conversion and furfural yield over a range of experimental Ro and δP values.
Simultaneous quantitative structure‐activity relationship analysis of catalyst activity and selectivity in the direct oxidation of C―H bonds
Authors: Xu Lu , Goodarzi Mohammad , Zhang Lei , Yang Yun‐Fang , Fu Hai‐Yan , She Yuan‐Bin
Published: July 2019

The development of green, efficient, and stable organometallic catalysts for the selective direct oxidation of C―H bonds under mild reaction conditions represents a long‐standing challenge for chemists. Can the catalytic activity and selectivity be improved simultaneously through modification of the catalyst structure? To address this question, three one‐pot C―H oxidation reactions catalyzed by a series of structurally diverse metalloporphyrins were studied using mechanistically relevant molecular parameters derived mainly from density functional theory calculations. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was performed to search for the best descriptor subsets to obtain simple quantitative structure‐activity relationship models with high correlations. The reaction outcomes (transformation rates and selectivity) of the three reactions were modeled with six multivariate linear regression equations using a pool of 17 parameters representing charges, steric effects, and other parameters. These studies cast new light on the reaction mechanisms and the relationships among the molecular properties that influence the catalytic activity and selectivity of these species and guide the further development of more efficient and selective catalysts through careful design of the molecular structure.
Near‐IR Luminescent YbIII Coordination Polymers Composed of Pyrene Derivatives for Thermostable Oxygen Sensors
Authors: Hasegawa Yasuchika , Matsui Takafumi , Kitagawa Yuichi , Nakanishi Takayuki , Seki Tomohiro , Ito Hajime , Nakasaka Yuta , Masuda Takao , Fushimi Koji
Published: July 2019

Oxygen‐sensitive and near‐infrared (NIR) luminescent YbIII coordination polymers incorporating ligands based on pyrene derivatives were synthesized: YbIII–TBAPy and YbIII–TIAPy (TBAPy: 1,3,6,8‐tetrakis(p‐benzoate)pyrene; TIAPy: 1,3,6,8‐tetrakis(3,5‐isophthalic acid)pyrene). The coordination structures of these materials have been characterized by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. Moreover, the porous structure of YbIII–TIAPy has been evaluated by measuring its N2 adsorption isotherm. The NIR luminescence properties of YbIII–TBAPy and YbIII–TIAPy have been examined by acquiring emission spectra and determining emission lifetimes under air or argon and in vacuo. YbIII–TIAPy exhibited high thermal stability (with a decomposition temperature of 400 °C), intense luminescence (with an emission quantum yield under argon of 6.6 %), and effective oxygen‐sensing characteristics. These results suggest that NIR luminescent YbIII coordination polymers prepared using pyrene derivatives could have applications in novel thermo‐stable oxygen sensors.
Enantioselective liquid‐liquid extraction of 3‐chloro‐phenylglycine enantiomers using (S,S)‐DIOP as extractant
Authors: Liu Xiong , Ma Yu , Xu Longqi , Liu Qi
Published: July 2019

(S,S)‐DIOP, a common catalyst used in asymmetric reaction, was adopted as chiral extractant to separate 3‐chloro‐phenylglycine enantiomers in liquid‐liquid extraction. The factors affecting extraction efficiency were studied, including metal precursors, organic solvents, extraction temperature, chiral extractant concentration, and pH of aqueous phase. (S,S)‐DIOP‐Pd exhibited good ability to recognize 3‐chloro‐phenylglycine enantiomers, and the operational enantioselectivity (α) is 1.836. The highest performance factor (pf) was obtained under the condition of extraction temperature of 9.1°C, (S,S)‐DIOP‐Pd concentration of 1.7 mmol/L, and pH of aqueous phase of 7.0. In addition, the possible recognition mechanism of (S,S)‐DIOP‐Pd towards 3‐chloro‐phenylglycine enantiomers was discussed.
Asymptotic theory for local estimators based on Bregman divergence
Authors: Kawamura Kenta , Naito Kanta
Published: July 2019

Abstract

This article is concerned with asymptotic theory for local estimators based on Bregman divergence. We consider a localized version of Bregman divergence induced by a kernel weight and minimize it to obtain the local estimator. We provide a rigorous proof for the asymptotic consistency of the local estimator in a situation where both the sample size and the bandwidth involved in the kernel weight increase. Asymptotic normality of the local estimator is also developed under the same asymptotic scenario. Monte Carlo simulations are also performed to confirm the theoretical results.The Canadian Journal of Statistics47: 628–652; 2019 © 2019 Statistical Society of Canada
The extraction method of tooth preparation margin line based on S‐Octree CNN
Authors: Zhang Bei , Dai Ning , Tian Sukun , Yuan Fulai , Yu Qing
Published: July 2019

The tooth preparation margin line has a significant impact on the marginal fitness for dental restoration. Among the previous methods, the extraction of margin line mainly relies on manual interaction, which is complicated and inefficient. Therefore, we propose a method to extract the margin line with the convolutional neural network based on sparse octree (S‐Octree) structure. First, the dental preparations are rotated to augment the dataset. Second, the preparation models are treated as the sparse point cloud with labels through the spatial partition method of the S‐Octree. Then, based on the feature line, the dental preparation point cloud is automatically divided into two regions by the convolutional neural network (CNN). Third, in order to obtain the margin line, we adopt some methods such as the dense condition random field (dense CRF), point cloud reconstruction, and back projection to the original dental preparation model. Finally, based on the measurement indicators of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, the average accuracy of the label predicted by the network model can reach 97.43%. The experimental results show that our method can automatically accomplish the extraction of the tooth preparation margin line.
Choosing Among Common Data Models for Real‐World Data Analyses Fit for Making Decisions About the Effectiveness of Medical Products
Authors: Schneeweiss Sebastian , Brown Jeff S. , Bate Andrew , Trifirò Gianluca , Bartels Dorothee B.
Published: July 2019

Many real‐world data analyses use common data models (CDMs) to standardize terminologies for medication use, medical events and procedures, data structures, and interpretations of data to facilitate analyses across data sources. For decision makers, key aspects that influence the choice of a CDM may include (i) adaptability to a specific question; (ii) transparency to reproduce findings, assess validity, and instill confidence in findings; and (iii) ease and speed of use. Organizing CDMs preserve the original information from a data source and have maximum adaptability. Full mapping data models, or preconfigured rules systems, are easy to use, since all raw codes are mapped to medical constructs. Adaptive rule systems grow libraries of reusable measures that can easily adjust to preserve adaptability, expedite analyses, and ensure study‐specific transparency.
The materiality assessment and stakeholder engagement: A content analysis of sustainability reports
Authors: Torelli Riccardo , Balluchi Federica , Furlotti Katia
Published: July 2019

Materiality is the driver through which companies can select issues to be included in nonfinancial reports favouring the expectations of all stakeholders. The aim of this research is to investigate, under the lens of Stakeholder Theory and Instrumental Stakeholder Theory, the possible relationship between the application of the materiality principle in nonfinancial reports and the stakeholders' engagement processes, with a preliminary focus on different industries that are characterized by different types of stakeholder and on the application of Global Reporting Initiative and/or International Integrated Reporting Council guidelines promoting their direct involvement. A manual content analysis has been performed on the Italian “public interest entities” that published, for the 2017 year, a nonfinancial statement (Legislative Decree No 254/2016). The statistical analysis highlights the importance of industry, Global Reporting Initiative Standards application and stakeholder engagement in the reporting process, in particular in the materiality analysis, to achieve a high level of materiality application and good report quality for stakeholders.
Corporate social responsibility and financial performance: The roles of government intervention and market competition
Authors: Long Wenbin , Li Sihai , Wu Huiying , Song Xianzhong
Published: July 2019

Incorporating instrumental and political views of corporate social responsibility (CSR), this study examines the relationship between CSR and corporate financial performance in China's unique institutional context, which is featured by the coexistence of a strong government and a transitional market economy. Our results show that (a) CSR positively affects financial performance, (b) state ownership weakens the relationship between CSR and financial performance, and (c) industry competition strengthens the relationship between CSR and financial performance for both state‐owned and non‐state‐owned firms. This study reveals that, although both an instrumental view and a political view of CSR are applicable in China, the motivation to create economic benefits for firms dominates, and market competition increases the strategic use of CSR.
Active load with cross‐coupled bulk for high‐gain high‐CMRR nanometer CMOS differential stages
Authors: Ballo Andrea , Grasso Alfio D. , Pennisi Salvatore
Published: July 2019

Nanometer CMOS technologies are characterized by low intrinsic gain and limited rejection to common‐mode disturbances, issues that analog designers must counteract through nonconventional circuit solutions able to operate under sub–1‐V supply voltages. In this letter, an approach originally proposed as a common‐mode control loop for body‐driven amplifiers is exploited by cross‐connecting the bulk terminals of the active‐load transistors of a source‐coupled pair to sensibly improve its small‐signal performance. A design example in 65‐nm process supplied from 750 mV shows that the presented solution offers both a nominal 20‐dB increase in differential gain and 29‐dB increase in CMRR, as compared with the standard counterpart.
PSMECS: A provably secure ID‐based communication in mobile edge computing
Authors: Dharminder Dharminder , Mishra Dheerendra
Published: July 2019

Human‐centered systems play an important role in the modern world, for example, driverless car, autonomous and smart vehicles, drones, and robotics. The internet of things environment demands a faster real‐time response depending on the applications processed in a particular duration. Mobile edge computing (MEC) allows a user to get a real‐time response as compared with cloud computing (CC), although ensuring a number of security attributes in MEC environment remains challenging. In this article, a protocol is designed to achieve mutual authentication, anonymous communication, and security against traceability, as these are very crucial factors to ensure the security of data and user's privacy. Moreover, the proposed scheme ensures mutual authentication between a mobile user and an edge server along with the user's anonymity and untraceability. The proof of security and evaluation of performance of the scheme validates that it ensures security attributes and improves efficiency in terms of communication and computation overheads.
Large feet are beneficial for eidersSomateria mollissima
Authors: Møller Anders Pape , Laursen Karsten
Published: July 2019

Many waterbirds have fully (totipalmate) or partially webbed (palmate) feet that are used for locomotion in aquatic environments.

If webbed feet and wings both contribute to efficient diving, we predicted a positive association between the area of webbed feet and the size of the frontal locomotor apparatus (wing area, heart mass, and breast muscle, after adjusting for any partial effects of body size). We predicted that individuals able to acquire more and better quality food due to larger webbed feet should have larger livers with higher concentrations of fat‐soluble antioxidants such as vitamin E, and invest more in immune function as reflected by the relative size of the uropygial gland than individuals with small webbed feet.

Here, we examine if the area of webbed feet is correlated with locomotion, diet, and body condition in a sea‐duck, the eider (Somateria mollissima). We analyzed an extensive database of 233 eiders shot in Danish waters and at Åland, Finland during winter and early spring.

Eiders with larger webbed feet had a larger locomotor apparatus, but did not have larger body size, they had larger uropygial glands that waterproof the plumage, they had larger beak volume and larger gizzards, and they had higher body condition.

These findings imply that eiders with large webbed feet benefitted in terms of locomotion, feeding, and reproduction.
Leaf wax n‐alkane patterns of six tropical montane tree species show species‐specific environmental response
Authors: Teunissen van Manen Milan Lana , Jansen Boris , Cuesta Francisco , León‐Yánez Susana , Gosling William Daniel
Published: July 2019

It remains poorly understood how the composition of leaf wax n‐alkanes reflects the local environment. This knowledge gap inhibits the interpretation of plant responses to the environment at the community level and, by extension, inhibits the applicability of n‐alkane patterns as a proxy for past environments. Here, we studied the n‐alkane patterns of five Miconia species and one Guarea species, in the Ecuadorian Andes (653–3,507 m a.s.l.). We tested for species‐specific responses in the average chain length (ACL), the C31/(C31 + C29) ratio (ratio), and individual odd n‐alkane chain lengths across an altitudinally driven environmental gradient (mean annual temperature, mean annual relative air humidity, and mean annual precipitation). We found significant correlations between the environmental gradients and species‐specific ACL and ratio, but with varying magnitude and direction. We found that the n‐alkane patterns are species‐specific at the individual chain length level, which could explain the high variance in metrics like ACL and ratio. Although we find species‐specific sensitivity and responses in leaf n‐alkanes, we also find a general decrease in “shorter” (C31) chain lengths with the environmental gradients, most strongly with temperature, suggesting n‐alkanes are useful for reconstructing past environments.
Cuticular hydrocarbons as potential mediators of cryptic species divergence in a mutualistic ant association
Authors: Hartke Juliane , Sprenger Philipp P. , Sahm Jacqueline , Winterberg Helena , Orivel Jérôme , Baur Hannes , Beuerle Till , Schmitt Thomas , Feldmeyer Barbara , Menzel Florian
Published: July 2019

Upon advances in sequencing techniques, more and more morphologically identical organisms are identified as cryptic species. Often, mutualistic interactions are proposed as drivers of diversification. Species of the neotropical parabiotic ant association between Crematogaster levior and Camponotus femoratus are known for highly diverse cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles, which in insects serve as desiccation barrier but also as communication cues. In the present study, we investigated the association of the ants’ CHC profiles with genotypes and morphological traits, and discovered cryptic species pairs in both genera. To assess putative niche differentiation between the cryptic species, we conducted an environmental association study that included various climate variables, canopy cover, and mutualistic plant species. Although mostly sympatric, the two Camponotus species seem to prefer different climate niches. However in the two Crematogaster species, we could not detect any differences in niche preference. The strong differentiation in the CHC profiles may thus suggest a possible role during speciation itself either by inducing assortative mating or by reinforcing sexual selection after the speciation event. We did not detect any further niche differences in the environmental parameters tested. Thus, it remains open how the cryptic species avoid competitive exclusion, with scope for further investigations.
Cross‐scale dynamics in community and disease ecology: relative timescales shape the community ecology of pathogens
Authors: Strauss Alexander T. , Shoemaker Lauren G. , Seabloom Eric W. , Borer Elizabeth T.
Published: July 2019

Communities of free‐living organisms are shaped by processes operating within and among patches of habitat, whereas pathogen communities are shaped by analogous processes operating within and among hosts. Resource competition (R*) theory can describe dynamics within patches or hosts, and metacommunity dynamics describe competition–colonization trade‐offs, extinction debts, and superinfection. However, models at this broader scale often assume instantaneous competitive exclusion in co‐inhabited patches or co‐infected hosts. Impacts of more gradual competitive exclusion on the abundance, distribution, and diversity of species are less clear. Here, we nest a general resource competition model within a metacommunity framework and manipulate the relative timescales for processes operating within and among patches/hosts. We focus on superinfection in pathogen communities. We compare cases where transmission depends on infection prevalence vs. the abundance of pathogens within hosts. Surprisingly, slowing the relative pace of competitive exclusion within hosts can decrease infection prevalence of the inferior competitor and increase prevalence of the superior competitor, depending on transmission and virulence. Slower within‐host dynamics reduce the abundance of both pathogens within hosts and promote diversity at multiple scales: co‐infections within individual hosts and co‐occurrence in the host population. These results highlight surprising feedbacks that can emerge across scales and reinforce the rich cross‐scale connections between community and disease ecology.
Study on the heat exhaust coefficient and smoke flow characteristics under lateral smoke exhaust in tunnel fires
Authors: Xu Zhisheng , Liu Qiulin , He Lu , Tao Haowen , Zhao Jiaming , Chen Hongguang , Li Linjie , Fan Chuangang
Published: July 2019

The heat exhaust coefficient and smoke flow characteristics under lateral smoke exhaust in tunnel fires were studied in this paper. Through the dimensional analysis, the dimensionless relationship between the heat exhaust coefficient, heat release rate, exhaust vent size, and exhaust velocity was obtained. In addition, this paper also studied the effect of the lateral exhaust vent on the smoke flow field. Results showed that the lateral smoke exhaust caused strong air entrainment on the downstream of the exhaust vent and boundary layer separation on the upstream of the exhaust vent. As the exhaust velocity increased, the degree of air entrainment gradually increased, and the smoke layer near the exhaust vent gradually became thinning and plug‐holing phenomenon occurred; meanwhile, the boundary layer separation would be suppressed or disappear, but the increase of the heat release rate would enhance the boundary layer separation. As the exhaust vent got narrower, the air entrainment downstream of the exhaust vent was reduced, and the boundary layer separation also got weaker.
A flexible and parallelizable approach to genome‐wide polygenic risk scores
Authors: Newcombe Paul J. , Nelson Christopher P. , Samani Nilesh J. , Dudbridge Frank
Published: July 2019

The heritability of most complex traits is driven by variants throughout the genome. Consequently, polygenic risk scores, which combine information on multiple variants genome‐wide, have demonstrated improved accuracy in genetic risk prediction. We present a new two‐step approach to constructing genome‐wide polygenic risk scores from meta‐GWAS summary statistics. Local linkage disequilibrium (LD) is adjusted for in Step 1, followed by, uniquely, long‐range LD in Step 2. Our algorithm is highly parallelizable since block‐wise analyses in Step 1 can be distributed across a high‐performance computing cluster, and flexible, since sparsity and heritability are estimated within each block. Inference is obtained through a formal Bayesian variable selection framework, meaning final risk predictions are averaged over competing models.

We compared our method to two alternative approaches: LDPred and lassosum using all seven traits in the Welcome Trust Case Control Consortium as well as meta‐GWAS summaries for type 1 diabetes (T1D), coronary artery disease, and schizophrenia. Performance was generally similar across methods, although our framework provided more accurate predictions for T1D, for which there are multiple heterogeneous signals in regions of both short‐ and long‐range LD. With sufficient compute resources, our method also allows the fastest runtimes.
A REGULATION ALGORITHM FOR AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF CANAL SYSTEMS UNDER EMERGENCY CONDITIONS
Authors: Kong Lingzhong , Lei Xiaohui , Wang Mingna , Shang Yizi , Quan Jin , Wang Hao
Published: July 2019

Normally, an automatic control algorithm will fail in the case of an urgent great flow change for the characteristic parameters of canal pools which may differ a lot when the flow rate changes greatly, and consequently cause a high water level and overflow. In this study, we propose a two‐stage control method based on the accurate hydraulic simulation of a multi‐pool canal system, which consists of the optimization of gate closing times and real‐time volume regulation. In the first stage, gate closing times are optimized based on the hydraulic simulation to reduce the increase of water level during the closing of gates. In the second stage, the gates are operated according to the difference between the real‐time and target volume so that the water level can remain stable at the pre‐set target point. The results show that this method can reduce the increase in water level and steady time compared with the PIF control method. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DETERMINATION OF OVERALL WATER DELIVERY PERFORMANCE BASED ON ADEQUACY, EFFICIENCY, EQUITY AND DEPENDABILITY IN THE DOROODZAN IRRIGATION NETWORK
Authors: Shahrokhnia Mohammad Ali , Olyan‐Ghiasi Abdolmotalleb
Published: July 2019

Evaluation of irrigation and drainage systems can help managers find problems and deliver water in the system more efficiently. Adequacy, efficiency, equity and dependability are important indicators for evaluation of management in irrigation and drainage systems. Evaluation of overall performance based on the above‐mentioned four indicators can be useful for more accurate judgement about system performance. In this paper, a new simple overall water delivery performance indicator (OPI) and a general form (OWDPI) are defined based on the combination of the four previously mentioned indicators, adequacy, efficiency, equity and dependability. Three performance classes were also defined to represent standard values. The overall performance indicator was used for evaluation of the Doroodzan Irrigation Network (DIN) in south‐western Iran. Results showed that although adequacy in 2001 and efficiency in 2015 were good for DIN, the overall delivery performance indicator was poor and equal to 0.70 and 0.72 in the 2 years of study. The developed overall performance indicator may be a suitable tool for better evaluation and comparison of DIN and other similar irrigation and drainage systems around the world. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of benzonase in preparation of decellularized lamellar porcine corneal stroma for lamellar keratoplasty
Authors: Liu Jing , Li Zhihan , Li Jie , Liu Zuguo
Published: July 2019

This study was to develop anovel and efficient method using endonuclease (benzonase) to preparedecellularized lamellar porcine corneal stroma (DLPCS). The DLPCS was preparedfrom native lamellar porcine corneal stroma (NLPCS) and was treated with 1000 U/ml benzonase for 5hours. We conducted the following measurements and animal transplantation tocompare DLPCS and NLPCS. The residual DNA was decreased significantly from 367.13 ± 19.96 ng/mg to 15.41 ± 0.65 ng/mg after treatment of benzonase by the detection of fluorescentnucleic acid stain. The residual benzonase was also less than detection limit.There was no significant difference in light transmittance of DLPCS comparedwith NLPCS. The extracts of DLPCS did not inhibit cell proliferation of human cornealepithelial cells, mouse fibroblast (L‐929) and African green monkey kidney cell(Vero cell). The DLPCS was transplanted into the corneas of rabbit by lamellarkeratoplasty. There was no corneal melting and graft rejection been observedwithin 12 months. The images demonstrated that the repairment of corneal nervesand keratocytes of DLPCS were in indentical shape and reflection compared withnormal cornea, and no obvious inflammatory cells were observed postoperation, byin vivo confocal microscopy. We provided novel evidence that the application ofbenzonase may improve the quality of DLPCS.
An investigation of efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors of drug‐eluting beads‐transarterial chemoembolization operation with CalliSpheres® Microspheres in treating Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Zhang Xin , Lin Xiao , Qiu Huafeng , Peng Zhiyi
Published: July 2019

Background

We aimed to investigate treatment response, survival profiles, safety profiles, and predictive factors of drug‐eluting beads‐transarterial chemoembolization (DEB‐TACE) with CalliSpheres® Microspheres (CSM) in treating Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods

A total of 66 HCC patients about to receive DEB‐TACE with CSM therapy were consecutively enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Treatment response was recorded. Besides, progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were also recorded. All adverse events including pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and liver function damage were recorded during hospitalization.

Results

37.9% of patients achieved complete response (CR) and 81.8% of patients achieved an objective response rate (ORR). For survival, mean PFS and OS were 13.7 (11.7‐15.8) months and 18.8 (95% CI: 16.3‐21.2) months, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a number of nodules ≥2 was an independent factor for worse CR; moreover, multivariate Cox's regression analysis disclosed that largest sample size ≥5 cm was an independent factor for shorter PFS, and Child‐Pugh B and BCLC stage B/C were independent predictive factors for unfavorable OS. As to AEs, numbers of patients suffered liver function damage, pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever were 29 (43.9%), 27 (40.9%), 22 (33.3%), 13 (19.7%), and 37 (56.1%), respectively.

Conclusion

Drug‐eluting beads‐transarterial chemoembolization with CSM is an effective and tolerated treatment for Chinese HCC patients, and number of nodules ≥2, largest nodule size ≥5 cm, Child‐Pugh stage B, and BCLC stage B/C correlates with unfavorable prognosis.
Clinical significances of hsa_circ_0067582 and hsa_circ_0005758 in gastric cancer tissues
Authors: Lu Rongdan , Shao Yongfu , Tao Xueping , Ye Guoliang , Xiao Bingxiu , Guo Junming
Published: July 2019

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a special class of endogenous noncoding RNAs that have numerous biological functions in normal situation and diseases including cancers. However, the clinical significance of circRNAs in gastric cancer (GC) remains largely unknown. Here, we chose two representative circRNAs, hsa_circ_0067582 and hsa_circ_0005758, to investigate their clinical significance in GC patients.

Methods

Using real‐time quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), we explored the expression levels of hsa_circ_0067582 and hsa_circ_0005758 in tissues with different stages of gastric tumorigenesis. Then, the relationships between their expression levels and GC patients' clinicopathological factors were further investigated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were established for evaluating diagnostic values of hsa_circ_0067582 and hsa_circ_0005758.

Results

Compared with healthy control tissues, both hsa_circ_0067582 and hsa_circ_0005758 were significantly decreased in GC tissues. Besides, hsa_circ_0067582 expression was associated with GC patients' tissue CEA level (P <.001) and stages (P = .037); and hsa_circ_0005758 expression was relevant to tissue CEA level (P < .001) and perineural invasion (P = .048). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of hsa_circ_0067582 was up to 0.671. The cutoff value was set at 10.61, with which the sensitivity and specificity were 55.2% and 75.0%, respectively. Similar to hsa_circ_0005758, the AUC of hsa_circ_0005758 was 0.721. The cutoff value was set at 10.20, with which the sensitivity and specificity were 75.0% and 67.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

These results showed that both hsa_circ_0067582 and hsa_circ_0005758 may play an important role in gastric carcinogenesis; and they may be potential indicators for GC diagnosis.
Effects of trace metal elements on ultrastructural features of hepatopancreas ofArmadillidium granulatumBrandt, 1833 (Crustacea, Isopoda)
Authors: Khemaissia Hajer , Jelassi Raja , Ghemari Chedliya , Raimond Maryline , Souty‐Grosset Catherine , Nasri‐Ammar Karima
Published: July 2019

This study was conducted to compare metals bioaccumulation in the terrestrial isopodArmadillidium granulatumcollected from Ghar El Melh lagoon. We focused on recognizing the effects of trace elements on hepatopancreas functional role. To this end, isopod specimens were exposed for 3 weeks to sediments contaminated with cadmium, copper, zinc, mercury, and nickel. Three concentrations were used in duplicate for each experimental condition. At the end of the experiment, metal body burdens were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Results of the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) showed that the speciesA. granulatumwas classified as a Cu macroconcentrator (BAF > 2) and a Zn deconcentrator (BAF < 2). Dose dependent morphological and histological changes were observed in the hepatopancreas cells using transmission electron microscopy. The predominant features were: microvillus border disruption, condensation of the cytoplasm with increasing endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, lysosomes and granules that accumulated metals in B and S cells. The number of lipid droplets decreased especially after Cd, Zn, Hg, and Ni treatments. This study demonstrated that the terrestrial isopodA. gramulatumcould be a good indicator of soil metal contamination.
Evaluation of the United Kingdom‐primary biliary cholangitis and global primary biliary cholangitis group prognostic models for primary biliary cholangitis patients treated with ursodeoxycholic acid in the U.S. population
Authors: Alomari Mohammad , Covut Fahrettin , Al Momani Laith , Chadalavada Pravallika , Hitawala Asif , Young Mark F , Romero‐Marrero Carlos
Published: July 2019

Background and Aim

The United Kingdom‐primary biliary cholangitis (UK‐PBC) and global primary biliary cholangitis group (GLOBE) prognostic models have been recently developed to predict long‐term outcomes in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). However, these predictive scores have not yet been well evaluated in the U.S. population.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed newly diagnosed PBC patients at the Cleveland Clinic between November 1998 and February 2017. Adverse events were defined as liver transplantation, liver‐related mortality, and all‐cause mortality. Transplant‐free survival (TFS) was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Predictive performances of all prognostic models were evaluated using the C‐statistic.

Results

We identified 352 patients who used ursodeoxycholic acid therapy. Of them, 311 (88.4%) only had PBC, while 41 (11.6%) were diagnosed with PBC‐autoimmune hepatitis overlap. A total of 22 (6%), 47 (13%), and 55 (16%) patients had adverse events within 5, 10, and 15 years after diagnosis, respectively. In patients with PBC only, the C‐statistic in predicting 15‐year adverse events was 0.75 per GLOBE compared to 0.74 per UK‐PBC (P = 0.94), 0.73 per Rotterdam (P = 0.44), 0.66 per Barcelona (P = 0.004), 0.65 per Paris 1 (P = 0.005), 0.62 per Paris 2 (P < 0.0001), 0.60 per Toronto (P < 0.0001), and 0.60 per Mayo (P < 0.0001) scores. Median follow‐up was 9.2 years. Ten‐year TFS for patients who had optimal versus suboptimal treatment response was 92 versus 74% per Paris 1 (P < 0.0001), 95 versus 79% per Paris 2 (P = 0.0002), 93 versus 65% per Barcelona (P < 0.0001), and 96 versus 68% per Rotterdam (P < 0.0001) risk scores, respectively.

Conclusion

In our cohort of PBC patients, the UK‐PBC and GLOBE scores were both accurate and reasonably valid prognostic models in the U.S. population.
A characterization of (4,2)‐choosable graphs
Authors: Cranston Daniel W.
Published: July 2019

A graph is ‐choosable if given any list assignment with for each there exists a function such that and for all , and whenever vertices and are adjacent . Meng, Puleo, and Zhu conjectured a characterization of (4,2)‐choosable graphs. We prove their conjecture.
Facilitating engagement with PrEP and other HIV prevention technologies through practice‐based combination prevention
Authors: Skovdal Morten
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Recent years have witnessed a rapid expansion of efficacious biomedical HIV prevention technologies. Promising as they may be, they are largely delivered through standard, clinic‐based models, often in isolation from structural and behavioural interventions. This contributes to varied, and often poor, uptake and adherence. There is a critical need to develop analytical tools that can advance our understandings and responses to the combination of interventions that affect engagement with HIV prevention technologies. This commentary makes a call for practice‐based combination HIV prevention analysis and action, and presents a tool to facilitate this challenging but crucial endeavour.

Discussion

Models and frameworks for combination HIV prevention already exist, but the process of identifying precisely what multi‐level factors that need to be considered as part of a combination of HIV interventions for particular populations and settings is unclear. Drawing on contemporary social practice theory, this paper develops a “table of questioning” to help interrogate the chain and combination of multi‐level factors that shape engagement with HIV prevention technologies. The tool also supports an examination of other shared social practices, which at different levels, and in different ways, affect engagement with HIV prevention technologies. It facilitates an analysis of the range of factors and social practices that need to be synchronized in order to establish engagement with HIV prevention technologies as a possible and desirable thing to do. Such analysis can help uncover local hitherto un‐identified issues and provide a platform for novel synergistic approaches for action that are not otherwise obvious. The tool is discussed in relation to PrEP among adolescent girls and young women in sub‐Saharan Africa.

Conclusions

By treating engagement with HIV prevention technologies as a social practice and site of analysis and public health action, HIV prevention service planners and evaluators can identify and respond to the combination of factors and social practices that interact to form the context that supports or prohibits engagement with HIV prevention technologies for particular populations.
Strengthening the scale‐up and uptake of effective interventions for sex workers for population impact in Zimbabwe
Authors: Cowan Frances M , Chabata Sungai T , Musemburi Sithembile , Fearon Elizabeth , Davey Calum , Ndori‐Mharadze Tendayi , Bansi‐Matharu Loveleen , Cambiano Valentina , Steen Richard , Busza Joanna , Yekeye Raymond , Mugurungi Owen , Hargreaves James R , Phillips Andrew N
Published: July 2019

Introduction

UNAIDS’ goal of ending AIDS by 2030 is unreachable without better targeting of testing, prevention and care. Female sex workers (FSW) in Zimbabwe are at high risk of HIV acquisition and transmission. Here, we report on collated programme and research data from Zimbabwe's national sex work programme. We also assess the potential for wider population impact of FSW programmes by modelling the impact on HIV incidence of eliminating transmission through FSW (i.e. calculate the population attributable fraction of incidence attributable to sex work).

Methods

Descriptive analyses of individual‐level programme data collected from FSW between 2009 and June 2018 are triangulated with data collected through 37 respondent driven sampling surveys from 19 sites in Zimbabwe 2011 to 2017. We describe programme coverage, uptake, retention and patterns of sex work behaviour and gaps in service provision. An individual‐level stochastic simulation model is used to reconstruct the epidemic and then the incidence compared with the counter‐factual trend in incidence from 2010 had transmission through sex work been eliminated from that date.

Results

Sisters has reached >67,000 FSW since 2009, increasing attendance as number of sites, programme staff and peer educators were increased. Over 57% of all FSW estimated to be working in Zimbabwe in 2017 (n = 40,000) attended the programme at least once. The proportion of young FSW reached has increased with introduction of the “Young Sisters programme.” There are no clear differences in pattern of sex work across settings. Almost all women report condom use with clients at last sex (95%); however, consistent condom use with clients in the last month varies from 52% to 95% by site. Knowledge of HIV‐positive status has increased from 48 to 78% between 2011 and 2016, as has prevalence of ART use among diagnosed women (29 to 67%). Although subject to uncertainty, modelling suggests that 70% (90% range: 32%, 93%) of all new infections in Zimbabwe from 2010 are directly or indirectly attributable to transmission via sex work.

Conclusions

It is feasible to increase coverage and impact of sex work programming through community‐led scale‐up of evidence‐based interventions. Eliminating transmission through commercial sex would likely have a substantial impact on new infections occurring more widely across Zimbabwe.
TLR9 agonist adsorbed to alum adjuvant prevents asthma-like responses induced by Blomia tropicalis mite extract
Authors: Nunes Fernanda P B , Alberca-Custódio Ricardo Wesley , Gomes Eliane , Fonseca Denise M , Yokoyama Nicole H , Labrada Alexis , Russo Momtchilo
Published: July 2019

Blomia tropicalis mite is highly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions and it is associated with allergic diseases such as rhinitis and asthma. By using an OVA-model of allergic lung disease, we have previously shown that sensitization in the presence of toll like receptors (TLRs) agonists attenuates subsequent OVA-induced allergic responses. Here, we evaluated the effect of CpG-ODN, a specific synthetic TLR-9 agonist, on the development of experimental asthma induced by Blomia tropicalis extract, a relevant source of aeroallergens. Among different protocols of Blomia tropicalis extract sensitization, the subcutaneous sensitization in the presence of alum adjuvant induced the highest Th2 responses, including high IgE levels. Adsorption of CpG to Blomia tropicalis extract/Alum attenuated the airway hyperreactivity, the infiltration of inflammatory cells including eosinophils, and the IL-5 content in BAL. In addition, lung peribronchial inflammatory infiltrate, mucus production and IL-5-producing CD3+CD4+ T cells were significantly reduced in the Blomia tropicalis extract/Alum+CpG group. Importantly, CpG inhibited total IgE production as well as active systemic or cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions. Inhibition of pulmonary Th2 responses was associated with increased IL-10 production but not with IFN-γ production. Notably, in IL-10-deficient mice, sensitization with OVA/Alum+CpG resulted in intense lung neutrophilia and IFN-γ production, indicating that IL-10 is necessary to inhibit subsequent Th1 immunity. Our work highlights the mechanisms of allergy attenuation by CpG and it indicates the potential use of Alum-based formulation with CpG to treat allergic processes.
Pediatric Sarcopenia: A Paradigm in the Overall Definition of Malnutrition in Children?
Authors: Ooi Poh Hwa , Thompson‐Hodgetts Sandra , Pritchard‐Wiart Lesley , Gilmour Susan M. , Mager Diana R.
Published: July 2019

Background

Malnutrition is a common complication in children with chronic diseases. Sarcopenia is one component of malnutrition, characterized by reduced skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and muscle function. The presence of sarcopenia is associated with adverse outcomes in children. Although there is growing research interest in sarcopenia, no review has been done on this novel concept in pediatrics. The purpose of this review was to explore current evidence in sarcopenia with and without obesity and to evaluate the knowledge gaps in the assessment of childhood sarcopenia.

Methods

A total of 12 articles retrieved from PubMed or Web of Science databases were included.

Results

Limited studies have elucidated sarcopenia in pediatrics. Challenges in sarcopenia assessment include heterogeneity in definition and absence of standardized body composition methods used to measure SMM and muscle function tests. There is a lack of age‐specific and gender‐specific normative data for SMM, particularly in young children and infants. None of the studies incorporated muscle function assessment, causing potential bias and misclassification of sarcopenia. The research in childhood sarcopenia is also hampered by low study quality, limited number of outcomes‐based research, and lack of longitudinal data.

Conclusion

Consensus needs to be reached in methodological approaches in sarcopenia diagnosis, body composition measurements, and age‐appropriate muscle function tests in pediatrics. Careful considerations on growth, neurocognitive status, and factors influencing development in various clinical populations are warranted. Early identification of sarcopenia is crucial to enable targeted treatment and prevention to be carried out across the pediatric clinical populations.
Comparative studies of vibrational properties and phase transitions in perovskite‐like frameworks of [(C3H7)4N][M(N(CN)2)3] with MMn, Co, Ni
Authors: Ciupa‐Litwa Aneta , Ptak Maciej , Hanuza Jerzy , Kucharska Edyta , Beć Krzysztof
Published: July 2019

We report for the first time phonon properties of [(C3H7)4N][M(N(CN)2)3] with MMn, Co, Ni (TPrAM), and theoretical Density Functional Theory (DFT) data for isolated TPrA+ cation obtained using harmonic and anharmonic approximation. Manganese compound undergoes one structural temperature‐induced phase transition, whereas others exhibit multiple structural phase transitions in a broad temperature ranges. Temperature‐dependent Raman studies let us obtain insight into mechanism of these transitions. The phase transition at about 330 K in TPrAMn involves mainly the ordering of the dca bridges coordinating Mn2+ ions and is accompanied by partial ordering of the TPrA+ cations and their shift in the cavities. However, the behavior of TPrANi is different. In particular, very large broadening of bands, attributed to vibrations of the dca and TPrA+ cations, revealed highly dynamic nature of these groups in all phases. This result indicates that observed phase transitions are associated with changing the dynamic disorder of both organic ions. Raman studies also show that all phase transformations are accompanied by slight modification in tilting of the NiN6 octahedra caused by shift of the TPrA+ ions in the cavities.