bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of morphological characteristics assessed by CT scan in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer treated with nivolumab
Authors: Minemura Hiroyuki , Moriya Hiroshi , Imai Hisao , Sugiyama Tomohide , Yamada Yutaka , Higuchi Mitsunori , Kaira Kyoichi , Ozaki Yuki , Kanazawa Kenya , Yokouchi Hiroshi , Kasai Takashi , Kaburagi Takayuki , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Minato Koichi , Shibata Yoko
Published: October 2020

Background

Nivolumab is known to demonstrate superior overall survival compared with docetaxel in pretreated non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression is reported to predict the outcome of treatment by nivolumab in lung cancer patients. However, the significance of the morphological characteristics of chest computed tomography (CT) as predictors of nivolumab efficacy for advanced NSCLC patients remains unknown.

Methods

We performed a multicenter retrospective trial from April 2013 to March 2017, to assess the significance of CT morphological characteristics as predictors of nivolumab efficacy for advanced NSCLC patients. A total of 78 NSCLC patients pretreated with nivolumab were enrolled. A chest radiologist used chest CT to assess the following morphological characteristics of each patient's main tumor and intrathoracic status prior to nivolumab treatment; interstitial septal thickening, peritumoral ground‐glass opacity, spiculated margin, air bronchogram, cavity or necrosis, adjacent organ invasion, bulky lymph node, and accumulation of small lymph nodes. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze outcomes.

Results

A total of 60 (77%) patients were male and 72 (92%) had a performance status (PS) of 0 or 1. The objective response rates of male patients and heavy smokers were significantly higher than those of female patients and light or never smokers, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified light or never smoking, poor PS, histological type of squamous cell carcinoma, and interstitial septal thickening as independent negative predictors of progression free survival (PFS).

Conclusions

Interstitial septal thickening was a significant and independent predictor of PFS in NSCLC patients treated with nivolumab.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

Interstitial septal thickening is an independent predictor of progression free survival in non‐small lung cancer patients treated with nivolumab.

What this study adds

The current study reveals the significance of morphological characteristics obtained via chest computed tomography as a predictor of nivolumab efficacy for advanced non‐small cell lung cancer patients.
Embrace the leadership challenge: The role of Gay men’s internalized sexual stigma on the evaluation of others’ leadership and one’s own
Authors: Salvati Marco , Pellegrini Valerio , Giacomantonio Mauro , De Cristofaro Valeria
Published: October 2020

Grounded in the framework of the gay glass ceiling, the current research investigated the effect of gay men’s internalized sexual stigma (ISS) on both the perceived effectiveness of other gay men’s leadership and on their self‐perceived leadership effectiveness and their intention to apply to a leadership position. In three studies (N = 402), we manipulated either the leader’s sexual orientation (SO) (study 1), or his adherence to traditional gender roles (TGR) (study 2), or participants’ fictitious masculinity score (study 3). Our hypotheses were as follows: the leader’s SO and TGR would moderate the association of gay participants’ ISS with their positive attitudes towards the leader and with his leadership effectiveness; and gay participants’ masculinity threat would moderate the association of their ISS with their intention to apply to a leadership position, and with their self‐perceived effectiveness as potential leaders. Moderated regression analyses showed that: participants reported a more positive attitude towards a gay man (vs. heterosexual) as leader only when they had low – and not high – ISS; participants with high (vs. low) ISS perceived the masculine gay leader as more effective than the feminine gay leader; under masculinity threat, participants with high (vs. low) ISS showed less intention to apply to a leadership position. These studies provide both confirmation and novel insights into the key role of internalized sexual stigma and traditional gender roles. Indeed, these factors can strengthen and perpetuate the gay glass ceiling effect.
Immunohistochemical assessment of the peri‐implant soft tissue around different abutment materials: A human study
Authors: Serichetaphongse Pravej , Chengprapakorn Wareeratn , Thongmeearkom Sirikarn , Pimkhaokham Atiphan
Published: October 2020

Background

Soft tissue reaction to dental implant abutments influences the sustainability of restoration. Several abutment materials, such as titanium and gold alloy, have been introduced for strength and esthetic solutions. Zirconia and titanium‐base abutments have also become popular in recent years due to high esthetic demands.

Purpose

To investigate the immune cell infiltration into the soft tissue in response to different abutment materials.

Materials and Methods

Twenty dental implants were placed in the posterior regions of 17 patients. Titanium, zirconia, gold alloy, and titanium‐base were randomly selected for each patient on the day of surgery. After 8 weeks of healing, the abutments were removed along with 1 mm of peri‐implant soft tissue. Immunohistochemical assessment was performed using labeled streptavidin‐biotin to identify T cells, B cells, macrophages, plasma cells, and microvascular infiltration.

Results

Gold alloy demonstrated an overall higher inflammatory cell infiltration and highest number of CD3+, CD20+, and CD 68+ cells (P value <.05). The number of plasma cell and new microvascular infiltrations among abutment materials was not significantly different.

Conclusion

Titanium, titanium‐base, and zirconia abutments showed comparable infiltration profiles; gold alloy abutments showed the highest B‐cell, T cell, and macrophage infiltration. None of the abutment materials caused clinical inflammation; hence, they can be effectively used.
“Longitudinal Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life in maxillary mini dental implant overdentures after 3 years in function”
Authors: Van Doorne Luc , Fonteyne Ester , Matthys Carine , Bronkhorst Ewald , Meijer Gert , De Bruyn Hugo
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Longitudinal evaluation of Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) during treatment of flaplessly placed, one‐piece mini‐dental‐implants (MDIs) for maxillary overdentures is rarely investigated, nor is the impact of MDI failures.

Material and methods

This multicenter prospective cohort study evaluated the 3‐year outcome of 5–6 MDIs in the edentulous maxilla in patients above 50 years with dentate mandible. Provisional dentures were provided before final prosthetic connection was established at 6 months. Postoperative discomfort was assessed using a visual analogue score (VAS). OHRQoL was investigated using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)‐14 at baseline (preoperatively), postoperatively, post‐prosthetic connection and after 3 years in function.

Results

164 (78.4%) of the 204 placed MDIs were still in situ after 3 years, in 29/31 patients. Two patients lost 5/6 MDIs resulting in two prosthetic failures (6.45%). With regard to pain, a score of 4.1/10 (SD 2.8) was recorded on day 1, and 1.1/10 (SD 1.7) on day 7. A decrease in total OHIP‐14 scores was observed postoperatively (15.6; SD 12.8) as compared to baseline (21.3; SD 13.1), with improvement of OHRQoL. Furthermore, this was statistically significant at connection of the final prosthesis (7.3; SD 6.7) (p = .006). The OHIP‐14 improved less (p = .011) when experiencing one or more implant losses (9.5; SD: 9.85), in comparison with no implant loss (20.7; SD: 13.97). A failure of one MDI did not affect OHIP‐14 score (p = .658); however, multiple failures did (p = .007).

Conclusion

Maxillary MDI overdenture treatment yields significant OHRQoL improvement when at least 5 MDIs survive, preserving functional comfort.
A machine learning approach for optimizing heuristic decision‐making in Web Ontology Language reasoners
Authors: Mehri Razieh , Haarslev Volker , Chinaei Hamidreza
Published: October 2020

Description logics (DLs) are formalisms for representing knowledge bases of application domains. The Web Ontology Language (OWL) is a syntactic variant of a very expressive DL. OWL reasoners can infer implied information from OWL ontologies. The performance of OWL reasoners can be severely affected by situations that require decision‐making over many alternatives. Such a nondeterministic behavior is often controlled by heuristics that are based on insufficient information. This article proposes a novel OWL reasoning approach that applies machine learning (ML) to implement pragmatic and optimal decision‐making strategies in such situations. Disjunctions occurring in ontologies are one source of nondeterministic actions in reasoners. We propose two ML‐based approaches to reduce the nondeterminism caused by dealing with disjunctions. The first approach is restricted to propositional DL while the second one can deal with standard DL. Both approaches speed up our ML‐based reasoner by up to two orders of magnitude in comparison to the non‐ML reasoner. Another source of nondeterministic actions is the order in which tableau rules should be applied. On average, our ML‐based approach achieves a speedup of two orders of magnitude when compared to the most expensive rule ordering of the non‐ML reasoner.
Bioglass could increase cell membrane fluidity with ion products to develop its bioactivity
Authors: Yan Longxin , Li Haiyan , Xia Weiliang
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Silicate bioactive glass (BG) has been widely demonstrated to stimulate both of the hard and soft tissue regeneration, in which ion products released from BG play important roles. However, the mechanism by which ion products act on cells on cells is unclear.

Materials and methods

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human bone marrow stromal cells were used in this study. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and generalized polarization was used to characterize changes in cell membrane fluidity. Migration, differentiation and apoptosis experiments were carried out. RNA and protein chip were detected. The signal cascade is simulated to evaluate the effect of increased cell membrane fluidity on signal transduction.

Results

We have demonstrated that ion products released from BG could effectively enhance cell membrane fluidity in a direct and physical way, and Si ions may play a major role. Bioactivities of BG ion products on cells, such as migration and differentiation, were regulated by membrane fluidity. Furthermore, we have proved that BG ion products could promote apoptosis of injured cells based on our conclusion that BG ion products increased membrane fluidity.

Conclusions

This study proved that BG ion products could develop its bioactivity on cells by directly enhancing cell membrane fluidity and subsequently affected cell behaviours, which may provide an explanation for the general bioactivities of silicate material.
Male aggressiveness in a polygynous ungulate varies with social and ecological context
Authors: Panebianco Antonella , Gregorio Pablo F. , Ovejero Ramiro , Marozzi Antonela , Ruiz Blanco Mariel , Leggieri Leonardo R. , Taraborelli Paula A. , Carmanchahi Pablo D.
Published: October 2020

Aggression is a social behaviour which can be affected by numerous factors. The quality and quantity of food resources may play an important role in the aggressiveness of territorial ungulates as the defence of these resources influences female choice and mating opportunities. However, the relationship between food resources and aggression remains poorly understood. We assessed the ecological and social factors that influence aggression in Lama guanicoe, a territorial ungulate exhibiting resource‐defence polygyny, during three periods (group‐formation, mating and post‐mating) in the reproductive seasons of 2014 and 2016. We recorded 460 focal observations of territorial (family groups, solitary) and non‐territorial (mixed and bachelor groups) males. We performed analyses at the population level (including all focal observations) and at the group level (each social unit separately), to test whether the factors that influence aggression differ at these different scales. We also identified proxies of vegetation quality as potential predictors of aggression. At the population level, we found that the presence of aggressive behaviour peaked during the mating season and that post‐mating aggression may have been driven by inter‐annual environmental variations. For family groups and solitary males, variables reflecting high vegetation quality/quantity were predictors of aggressive behaviour, reflecting the resource‐defence strategy of this species. Conversely, for mixed‐group males, aggression may be more associated with social instability and group size, although this hypothesis has yet to be tested. Our research reinforces the idea that aggression can occur in multiple contexts depending on male status (e.g. territorial or non‐territorial) and contributes to our understanding of how ecological (i.e. availability of food resources) and social factors influence aggression in a territorial ungulate.
Local disaster knowledge: Towards a plural understanding of volcanic disasters in Central Java's highlands, Indonesia
Authors: Griffin Christina , Barney Keith
Published: October 2020

Local, traditional, or indigenous knowledge play an important role in disaster risk reduction (DRR), and many policy recommendations now call for the integration of local and expert views. While these attempts at integration are indeed promising, they are often built on assumptions that local knowledge is inherently separate from, or even subordinate to, expert perspectives. This article presents an account of what we call “local disaster knowledge” (LDK) in the Dieng Plateau of Central Java; a region characterised by volcanic craters that periodically expel poisonous concentrations of carbon dioxide gas. LDK is interpreted as a plural, embedded, relational and embodied knowledge system, which incorporates complementary forms of knowledge gained through everyday livelihood practice, scientific information and cultural‐religious beliefs. Rather than focusing on the “separateness” of local knowledge, this article forwards an ethnographic approach to disaster research that recognises the beneficial knowledge interactions that already exist (many of which occur informally), and the contextual reasons that explain local understandings of risk. Our findings advocate for the more genuine and equal inclusion of local views in global DRR policy and frameworks, as well as in the design and implementation of local level programmes.
Volcanism in Aboriginal Australian oral traditions
Authors: Wilkie Benjamin
Published: October 2020

Aboriginal Australian oral traditions from the active Newer Volcanics Province, sometimes tens of thousands of years old, shed light on the environmental and societal impacts of past volcanic eruptions and provide opportunities for interdisciplinary work between historians and Earth scientists.
Killing of raptors on grouse moors: evidence and effects
Authors: Newton Ian
Published: October 2020

Owing to the intensity of game management in Britain, managers of grouse moors have illegally killed raptors to increase the numbers of Red GrouseLagopus l. scoticaavailable for shooting. This paper summarizes evidence for the recent scale of illegal raptor killing on grouse moors and its effects on populations. It provides insights into how raptors themselves respond demographically to different levels of killing. Over Britain as a whole, most raptors have increased and expanded considerably since the 1970s, in response to reduced killing and nest destruction, and the diminished impacts of organo‐chlorine pesticides; however, in recent decades the populations of some species have declined on and around grouse moors. This is widely evident in Hen HarrierCircus cyaneus, Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusand Golden EagleAquila chrysaetospopulations and in more restricted areas also in Northern GoshawkAccipiter gentilisand Red KiteMilvus milvuspopulations, in all of which illegal killing has been sufficient to affect numbers over wider areas. The evidence consists mainly of: (1) greater disappearance of nesting pairs, lower breeding densities or reduced occupancy of apparently suitable traditional territories on grouse moors compared with other areas; (2) reduced nest success compared with other areas; (3) reduced adult survival compared with other areas; (4) reduced age of first breeding, reflecting the removal of adults from nesting territories and their replacement by birds in immature plumage; (5) greater levels of disappearance of satellite‐tracked birds on grouse moors than elsewhere; and (6) the finding of poisoned baits and traps, and shot or poisoned carcasses of raptors. Not all these types of evidence are available for every species, and other types of evidence are available for some. The Common BuzzardButeo buteois currently the most numerous raptor in Britain and also seems to be killed in the greatest numbers. Other raptor species, including MerlinFalco columbarius, Common KestrelFalco tinnunculusand Eurasian SparrowhawkAccipiter nisuswhich nest on or near grouse moors, have little or no significant impact on grouse and are killed less often or not at all. In the absence of illegal killing, some raptor species breed as well or better on grouse moors than in other habitats. Merlins, in particular, seem to thrive on grouse moors, benefiting from the management involved (including predator control). Other aspects of illegal raptor killing are discussed, including suggestions for ways in which it might be reduced.
Adherence to a Mediterranean diet associated with lower blood pressure in a US sample: Findings from the Maine‐Syracuse Longitudinal Study
Authors: Ahmed Fayeza S. , Wade Alexandra T. , Guenther Benjamin A. , Murphy Karen J. , Elias Merrill F.
Published: October 2020

Hypertension is a key modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) may be associated with improvements in blood pressure. However, few studies have examined the association between MedDiet adherence and blood pressure in non‐Mediterranean populations, and findings are mixed. We analyzed cross‐sectional data (Wave 6) for 851 participants of the Maine‐Syracuse Longitudinal Study. MedDiet adherence was calculated using food frequency questionnaire data and a literature‐based MedDiet adherence score. Dependent variables included systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Separate linear robust regression analyses revealed significant associations between MedDiet adherence and for SBP (b = −0.69, 95% CI = [−1.25, −0.20]), DBP (b = −0.33, 95% CI = [−0.58, −0.04]), and MAP (b = −0.45, 95% CI = [−0.77, −0.11]), but not for PP. These findings indicate that the MedDiet is associated with some metrics of blood pressure in a large, community‐based, non‐Mediterranean sample.
Insights on home blood pressure monitoring in Asia: Expert perspectives from 10 countries/regions
Authors: Wang Ji‐Guang , Bunyi Ma Lourdes , Chia Yook Chin , Kario Kazuomi , Ohkubo Takayoshi , Park Sungha , Sukonthasarn Apichard , Tay Jam Chin , Turana Yuda , Verma Narsingh , Wang Tzung‐Dau , Imai Yutaka
Published: October 2020

Hypertension is one of the most powerful modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It is usually asymptomatic and therefore essential to measure blood pressure regularly for the detection of hypertension. Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is recognized as a valuable tool to monitor blood pressure and facilitate effective diagnosis of hypertension. It is useful to identify the masked or white‐coat hypertension. There is also increasing evidence that supports the role of HBPM in guiding antihypertensive treatment, and improving treatment compliance and hypertension control. In addition, HBPM has also shown prognostic value in predicting cardiovascular events. Despite these benefits, the use of HBPM in many parts of Asia has been reported to be low. An expert panel comprising 12 leading experts from 10 Asian countries/regions convened to share their perspectives on the realities of HBPM. This article provides an expert summary of the current status of HBPM and the key factors hindering its use. It also describes HBPM‐related initiatives in the respective countries/regions and presents strategies that could be implemented to better support the use of HBPM in the management of hypertension.
Calhex231 ameliorates myocardial fibrosis post myocardial infarction in rats through the autophagy‐NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in macrophages
Authors: Liu Wenxiu , Sun Jiaxing , Guo Yutong , Liu Na , Ding Xue , Zhang Xin , Chi Jinyu , Kang Ningning , Liu Yue , Yin Xinhua
Published: October 2020

The calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR) is involved in the pathophysiology of many cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction (MI) and hypertension. The role of Calhex231, a specific inhibitor of CaSR, in myocardial fibrosis following MI is still unclear. Using Wistar rats, we investigated whether Calhex231 ameliorates myocardial fibrosis through the autophagy‐NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in macrophages post myocardial infarction (MI). The rats were randomly divided into sham, MI and MI + Calhex231 groups. Compared with the sham rats, the MI rats consistently developed severe cardiac function, myocardial fibrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells including macrophages. Moreover, inflammatory pathway including activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, IL‐1β and autophagy was significantly up‐regulated in myocardial tissue, infiltrated cardiac macrophages and peritoneal macrophages of the MI rats. These impacts were reversed by Calhex231. In vitro, studies revealed that calindol and rapamycin exacerbated MI‐induced autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in peritoneal macrophages. Calhex231 and 3‐Methyladenine (a specific inhibitor of autophagy) attenuated both autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome activation; however, the caspase‐1 inhibitor Z‐YVAD‐FMK did not. Our study indicated that Calhex231 improved cardiac function and ameliorated myocardial fibrosis post MI, likely via the inhibition of autophagy‐mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation; this provides a new therapeutic target for ventricular remodelling‐related cardiovascular diseases.
COVID‐19 in Older Adults: A Series of 76 Patients Aged 85 Years and Older with COVID‐19
Authors: Vrillon Agathe , Hourregue Claire , Azuar Julien , Grosset Lina , Boutelier Ada , Tan Sophie , Roger Michael , Mourman Vianney , Mouly Stéphane , Sène Damien , François Véronique , Dumurgier Julien , Paquet Claire ,   for LRB COVID Group
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Clinical presentation and risk factors of death in COVID‐19 in oldest adults have not been well characterized.

OBJECTIVES

To describe clinical features and outcome of COVID‐19 in patients older than 85 years and study risk factors for mortality.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Patients aged 85 years and older, admitted in noncritical care units at the University Hospital Lariboisière Fernand‐Widal (Paris, France) for confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection were included and followed up for 21 days.

MEASUREMENTS

Clinical and laboratory findings were collected. Cox survival analysis was performed to explore factors associated with death.

RESULTS

From March 14 to April 11, 2020, 76 patients (median age = 90 (86–92) years; women = 55.3%) were admitted for confirmed COVID‐19. Of the patients, 64.5% presented with three or more comorbidities. Most common symptoms were asthenia (76.3%), fever (75.0%) and confusion and delirium (71.1%). An initial fall was reported in 25.0% of cases, and digestive symptoms were reported in 22.4% of cases. COVID‐19 was severe in 51.3% of cases, moderate in 32.9%, and mild in 15.8%. Complications included acute respiratory syndrome (28.9%), cardiac decompensation (14.5%), and hypotensive shock (9.0%). Fatality at 21 days was 28.9%, after a median course of disease of 13 (8–17) days. Males were overrepresented in nonsurvivors (68.2%). In survivors, median length of stay was 12 (9–19.5) days. Independent predictive factors of death were C‐reactive protein level at admission and lymphocyte count at nadir.

CONCLUSION

Specific clinical features, multiorgan injury, and high case fatality rate are observed in older adults with COVID‐19. However, rapid diagnosis, appropriate care, and monitoring seem to improve prognosis.
“Gente como nosotros”: Cuestionando la ancestralidad desde la cosmología quechua
Authors: Muñoz Morán Óscar
Published: October 2020

Este artículo parte de una reflexión crítica de los estudios americanistas y la relación que establecen entre historia y antropología, en que se cuestiona cómo la antropología andinista ha abordado el estudio del pasado indígena. El texto ofrece una nueva interpretación de la forma en que se entiende la ancestralidad de las chullpas (en cuanto restos antiguos) en los Andes. Según los miembros del ayllu quechua de Coipasi (Bolivia), las chullpas son los restos físicos de los primeros habitantes del lugar, destruidos por el diluvio. Utilizo la etnografía para analizar la manera en que los coipaseños expresan en narrativa, discurso, prácticas cotidianas, formas de memoria e indentificación con las chullpas, la relación con su pasado y presente. Esta relación con los restos, en comparación con la establecida con los muertos más recientes, nos muestra que son entendidos como un conjunto de experiencias que les ayuda a comprender su propia ontología, y no como ancestros.
Acute on chronic kidney disease in dogs: Etiology, clinical and clinicopathologic findings, prognostic markers, and survival
Authors: Dunaevich Asia , Chen Hilla , Musseri Danielle , Kuzi Sharon , Mazaki‐Tovi Michal , Aroch Itamar , Segev Gilad
Published: October 2020

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute exacerbation of CKD (ACKD) are common in dogs.

Objective

To characterize the etiology, clinical and laboratory findings, and short‐ and long‐term prognosis of dogs with ACKD.

Animals

One hundred dogs with ACKD.

Methods

Medical records of dogs diagnosed with ACKD admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

The most common clinical signs included anorexia (84%), lethargy (77%), vomiting (55%) and diarrhea (37%). Presumptive etiology included inflammatory causes (30%), pyelonephritis (15%), ischemic causes (7%), other (3%), or unknown (45%). Median hospitalization time was 5 days (range, 2‐29 days) and was significantly longer in survivors (6 days; range, 2‐29 days) compared with nonsurvivors (4 days; range, 2‐20 days;P< .001). Mortality rate was 35%. International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) acute kidney injury (AKI) grade at presentation was associated (P= .009) with short‐term survival, but presumptive etiology was not (P= .46). On multivariable analysis; respiratory rate (P= .01), creatine kinase (CK) activity (P= .005) and serum creatinine concentration (SCR;P= .04) at presentation were associated with short‐term outcome. Median survival time of dogs discharged was 105 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 25‐184), with 35 and 8 dogs surviving up to 6 and 12 months, respectively. Presumptive etiology (P= .16) and SCR (P= .59) at discharge were not predictors of long‐term survival.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Short‐term outcome of dogs with ACKD is comparable to those with AKI but long‐term prognosis is guarded. The IRIS AKI grade at presentation is a prognostic indicator of short‐term outcome.
Sustained off therapy response after peglyated interferon favours functional cure and no disease progression in chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Lee Soon Kyu , Kwon Jung Hyun , Lee Sung Won , Jang Jeong Won , Nam Heechul , Baik Kyoung Won , Yoo Sun Hong , Nam Soon Woo , Sung Pil Soo , Bae Si Hyun , Choi Jong Young , Yoon Seung Kew
Published: October 2020

Background & Aims

Nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients reduces liver‐related mortality. However, long‐term outcomes after pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) therapy remain to be elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the long‐term effectiveness and clinical outcomes of PEG‐IFN therapy.

Methods

A total of 190 patients treated with PEG‐IFN for CHB or compensated cirrhosis were consecutively enrolled between 2005 and 2014, and 122 patients who completed the treatment were analysed. The initial response was assessed at 6 months post‐treatment and defined as achieving both <2000 IU/mL HBV DNA and HBeAg loss or seroconversion in the HBeAg‐positive group, and <2000 IU/mL HBV DNA in the HBeAg‐negative group. The rates of HBsAg loss, disease progression to cirrhosis or HCC, and sustained off‐therapy response, defined as not requiring further NAs because of low viremia and liver enzymes, were analysed.

Results

The median follow‐up period was 7.2 years. Forty‐three (35.2%) patients achieved an initial response and 53 patients (43.4%) achieved a sustained response. Initial responders displayed higher rates of sustained response than noninitial responders (69.6% vs 32.5%, P < .001). A higher rate of HBsAg loss was observed in patients who achieved a sustained response than in non‐sustained responders (16.2% vs 2.5%, P = .01). Disease progression to cirrhosis or HCC was observed in eight patients (6.6%) who were nonsustained responders.

Conclusions

During long‐term follow‐up after PEG‐IFN treatment, nearly half of patients achieved sustained response without the need of further NA and these patients displayed favourable outcomes, including HBsAg loss and no disease progression.
The Assessment of Paravertebral Ossification Progression After Cervical Disc Arthroplasty Based on CT Images: A Long‐term Follow‐up
Authors: Zeng Cheng , Tian Wei , Liu Bo , Fan Mingxing
Published: October 2020

Objective

This study focused on the assessment of paravertebral ossification (PO) after cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) using computed tomography (CT) images.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 52 patients (from 2004 to 2010) who received CDA at a single center were included (32 males). Preoperative and follow‐up X‐ray and CT images of all patients who underwent single‐level CDA were collected. PO from the C2/3 to C7/T1 in each patient was graded based on a CT grading system. Each segment was divided into operative level, adjacent level, or non‐adjacent level. The McAfee' classification system was used to grade PO using X‐ray plain film. The range of motion (ROM) and scores of neurological symptoms (Japanese Orthopaedic Association [JOA] score and Neck Disability Index [NDI]) at both preoperative and final follow‐up time were acquired. Progression and classification of PO in each group was compared using the chi‐square test. ROM between groups were compared using independent t‐test. JOA score and NDI between groups were compared using Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

The average follow‐up time was 81.2 months. In comparison with the preoperative status, the progression of PO development in left and right areas (the Luschka joints areas) in the operative level groups was significantly more severe (area L,χ2 value = 36.612, P < 0.001; area R, χ2 value = 39.172, P < 0.001) than the non‐adjacent level groups. In contrast, although the prevalence of PO in all areas of the adjacent level groups was higher than that of the non‐adjacent level group in the same segments, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the progression of PO development. The follow‐up high‐grade (grades III and IV) PO incidence rate using X‐ray grading system (3.85%) was significantly lower than that using CT grading system in area L (42.31%) and R (38.46%), but close to that in area A (5.77%) and P (1.92%). The final follow‐up ROM was not significantly different with preoperative ROM in patients with low‐grade PO (9.47° ± 4.12° vs. 9.76° ± 3.69°, P = 0.794). However, in patients with high‐grade PO, the final follow‐up ROM was significantly lower than preoperative ROM (5.77° ± 3.32° vs. 9.28° ± 4.15°, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference for JOA score and NDI at follow‐up between patients with high‐grade and low‐grade PO (JOA, 16.2 ± 1.1 vs. 16.8 ± 0.9, P = 0.489; NDI, 8.9 ± 6.1 vs. 8.0 ± 7.3, P = 0.317).

Conclusion

High‐grade PO was observed in the areas of the Luschka joints at the operative level after CDA, which was difficult to observe using X‐ray plain film. The PO formation at adjacent segments was not significant.
Preserving the Pelvic Ring at the Sciatic Notch During Resection of Malignant Bone Tumors at the Posterior Ilium
Authors: Sakamoto Akio , Otsuki Bungo , Tanida Shimei , Fujibayashi Shunsuke , Matsuda Shuichi
Published: October 2020

Resection of malignant bone tumors in the posterior ilium may result in pelvic ring disruption. Preserving the pelvic ring and keeping an adequate surgical margin is ideal, but is challenging, especially when the tumor extends to the sacroiliac joint. The current report proposes a line from the lateral point of the second sacral dorsal foramen to the anterior surface of sacral ala (S2‐sacral ala line), and cutting from the line to the ilium over the sciatic notch and to the sacral wing using thread saws. This preserves the cortex at the sciatic notch and the distal sacroiliac joint. Two posterior iliac tumors extending to the sacroiliac joint, a metastatic melanoma in a 75‐year‐old male, and an osteosarcoma in a 56‐year‐old male were resected. The resections were performed along the S2‐sacral ala line, and consequently lumbo‐sacro‐pelvic fusions were performed. Both patients were able to walk with one crutch. Indications for the method using the S2‐sacral ala line for iliac tumors may be limited. However, the method can increase pelvic ring preservation in cases with posterior iliac malignant bone tumors.
Bayogenin 3‐O‐cellobioside confers non‐cultivar‐specific defence against the rice blast fungus Pyricularia oryzae
Authors: Norvienyeku Justice , Lin Lili , Waheed Abdul , Chen Xiaomin , Bao Jiandong , Aliyu Sami Rukaiya , Lin Lianyu , Shabbir Ammarah , Batool Wajjiha , Zhong Zhenhui , Zhou Jie , Lu Guodong , Wang Zonghua
Published: October 2020

Rice cultivars from japonica and indica lineage possess differential resistance against blast fungus as a result of genetic divergence. Whether different rice cultivars also show distinct metabolomic changes in response to P. oryzae, and their role in host resistance, are poorly understood. Here, we examine the responses of six different rice cultivars from japonica and indica lineage challenged with P. oryzae. Both susceptible and resistant rice cultivars expressed several metabolites exclusively during P. oryzae infection, including the saponin Bayogenin 3‐O‐cellobioside. Bayogenin 3‐O‐cellobioside level in infected rice directly correlated with their resistant attributes. These findings reveal, for the first time to our knowledge that besides oat, other grass plants including rice produces protective saponins. Our study provides insight into the role of pathogen‐mediated metabolomics reprogramming in host immunity. The correlation between Bayogenin 3‐O‐Cellobioside levels and blast resistance suggests that engineering saponin expression in cereal crops represents attractive and sustainable disease management.
Efficacy and safety of sclerotherapy with polidocanol in children with internal hemorrhoids
Authors: Watanabe Toshihiko , Ohno Michinobu , Tahara Kazunori , Tomonaga Kotaro , Ogawa Katsuhiro , Takezoe Toshiko , Fuchimoto Yasushi , Fujino Akihiro , Kanamori Yutaka
Published: October 2020

Background

Hemorrhoids are an extremely rare condition in children, and data on its incidence and treatment in the pediatric population remains scarce. We retrospectively reviewed children who underwent sclerotherapy for internal hemorrhoids, and analyzed patients' characteristics and outcomes.

Methods

A total of 14 pediatric patients who underwent sclerotherapy were included. Patients' ages and the required amount of polidocanol, depending on the grade of hemorrhoids, and the correlation between age and volume of sclerosant, were statistically analyzed.

Results

Patients had a male predominance with a ratio of 2.5:1 (grade 2:6 patients, grade 3:8 patients). Four children had underlying conditions including portal hypertension and Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome. Of the 14 patients, 43% had constipation requiring medication or enema. Only one minor complication, a perianal ulceration, was found to be associated with sclerotherapy. Patients with grade 3 hemorrhoids required a significantly larger amount of polidocanol than those with grade 2 hemorrhoids. Two patients with grade 3 hemorrhoids required a second session of treatment for recurrence. The success rate of sclerotherapy with polidocanol was 86%.

Conclusions

Sclerotherapy with polidocanol is a safe, effective, and less invasive treatment option for internal hemorrhoids in children. Further studies are needed to investigate this treatment approach.
Urban household consumption in China: Price, income, and demographic effects
Authors: Cao Jing , Ho Mun Sing , Hu Wenhao , Jorgenson Dale
Published: October 2020

Given the government’s goals to restructure the economy away from investment and exports to consumption and to reduce inequality, it is important to have a good understanding of China’s household consumption behavior and to obtain a good measure of consumption adjusted for price differences across regions. We estimate a consumption function that is flexible and distinguishes between different household types such as size and age of head. We develop detailed price data by region, including rental equivalents for owner‐occupied housing. This provides us the estimates of income and price elasticities of different consumption bundles that should be useful for analyzing public policies. We find distinct elasticities for residents of large and small cities. For all urban households the income elasticity for food is about 0.7–0.8, housing is 0.8–0.9, and services is 1.4–1.5. The price elasticity for food and services is about 0.5 and 0.8, respectively.
Two novel HLA‐DRB1 alleles, DRB1*11:261 and DRB1*13:286 identified by sequencing in Brazilian individuals
Authors: Marques Silvia B. D. , Guariento Edilaine G. , Visentainer Jeane E. L. , Nascimento Evaldo , Fabreti‐Oliveira Raquel A.
Published: October 2020

Two novel HLA alleles DRB1*11:261 and DRB1*13:286 have nonsynonymous mutations in exon 2.
High‐resolution genotyping indicates that children with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease share three HLA class II loci in DRB3, DRB4 and DRB5 genes
Authors: Alshiekh Shehab , Maziarz Marlena , Geraghty Daniel E. , Larsson Helena E. , Agardh Daniel
Published: October 2020

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and celiac disease (CD) share common genetic loci, mainly within the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II complex. Extended genotyping of HLA class II alleles and their potential risk for developing both diseases remains to be studied. The present study compared extended HLA‐class II gene polymorphisms in children with T1D, CD, and a subgroup diagnosed with both diseases (T1D w/CD).

Next‐generation targeted sequencing (NGTS) of HLA‐DRB3, DRB4, DRB5, DRB1, DQA1, DQB1, DPA1, and DPB1 alleles from DNA collected from 68 T1D, 219 CD, and seven T1D w/CD patients were compared with 636 HLA‐genotyped Swedish children from the general population selected as controls.

In comparison to controls, the DRB4*01:03:01 allele occurred more frequently in T1D w/CD (odds ratio (OR) = 7.84; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = (2.24, 34.5), P = 0.0002) and T1D (OR = 3.86; 95% CI, (2.69, 5.55), P = 1.07 × 10−14), respectively. The DRB3*01:01:02 allele occurred more frequently in CD as compared to controls (OR = 7.87; 95% CI, (6.17, 10.03), P = 4.24 × 10−71), but less frequently in T1D (OR = 2.59; 95% CI, (1.76, 3.81), P = 7.29 × 10−07) and T1D w/CD (OR = 0.87; 95% CI, (0.09, 3.96), P ≤ 0.999). The frequency of the DRB4*01:03:01‐DRB1*04:01:01‐DQA1*03:01:01‐DQB1*03:02:01 (DR4‐DQ8) haplotype was higher in T1D w/CD (OR = 12.88; 95% CI (4.35, 38.14) P = 3.75 × 10−9), and moderately higher in T1D (OR = 2.13; 95% CI (1.18, 3.83) P = 0.01) compared with controls, but comparable in CD (OR = 1.45; 95% CI (0.94, 2.21), P = 0.08) and controls.

Children with T1D and CD are associated with DRB4*01:03:01, DRB3*01:01:02, and DRB3*02:02:01 of which DRB4*01:03:01 confers the strongest risk allele for developing T1D w/CD.
Driving private schools to go "green": The case of Spanish and Italian religious schools
Authors: Robina‐Ramírez Rafael , Cotano‐Olivera Cecilio
Published: October 2020

Religious schools in Spain and Italy have been focused for centuries on spreading the Bible's message among students. In the beginning of the sacred scriptures, there is a mandate to protect nature as God's steward of creation; however, that reality has played a secondary role amongst believers and educational institutions. 180 Spanish and 135 Italian religious schools participated in the study. Through structural equation modeling (SEM‐PLS), hypotheses were defined based on the understanding of sustainability as a moral issue. Results underscored that religious schools should protect nature by combining religion and environmental science.
Time-Dependent System Reliability Analysis With Second-Order Reliability Method
Authors: Wu Hao , Hu Zhangli , Du Xiaoping
Published: October 2020

System reliability is quantified by the probability that a system performs its intended function in a period of time without failures. System reliability can be predicted if all the limit-state functions of the components of the system are available, and such a prediction is usually time consuming. This work develops a time-dependent system reliability method that is extended from the component time-dependent reliability method using the envelope method and second-order reliability method. The proposed method is efficient and is intended for series systems with limit-state functions whose input variables include random variables and time. The component reliability is estimated by the second-order component reliability method with an improve envelope approach, which produces a component reliability index. The covariance between component responses is estimated with the first-order approximations, which are available from the second-order approximations of the component reliability analysis. Then, the joint distribution of all the component responses is approximated by a multivariate normal distribution with its mean vector being component reliability indexes and covariance being those between component responses. The proposed method is demonstrated and evaluated by three examples.
Evaluation of Grad's Second Problem Using Different Higher Order Continuum Theories
Authors: Jadhav Ravi Sudam , Agrawal Amit
Published: October 2020

In our earlier work (Jadhav, and Agrawal, 2020, “Grad's second problem and its solution within the framework of Burnett hydrodynamics,” ASME J. Heat Transfer, 142(10), p. 102105), we proposed Grad's second problem (examination of steady-state solution for a gas at rest upon application of a one-dimensional heat flux) as a potential benchmark problem for testing the accuracy of different higher order continuum theories and solved the problem within the framework of Burnett hydrodynamics. In this work, we solve this problem within the moment framework and also examine two variants, Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook (BGK)–Burnett and regularized 13 moment equations, for this problem. It is observed that only the conventional form of Burnett equations which are derived retaining the full nonlinear collision integral are able to capture nonuniform pressure profile observed in case of hard-sphere molecules. On the other hand, BGK–Burnett equations derived using BGK-kinetic model predict uniform pressure profile in both the cases. It seems that the variants based on BGK-kinetic model do not distinguish between hard-sphere and Maxwell molecules at least for the problem considered. With respect to moment equations, Grad 13 and regularized 13 moment equations predict consistent results for Maxwell molecules. However, for hard-sphere molecules, since the exact closed form of moment equations is not known, it is difficult to comment upon the results of moment equations for hard-sphere molecules. The present results for this relatively simple problem provide valuable insights into the nature of the equations and important remarks are made in this context.
Assessment of a Food-Warming Cabinet for Heat and Humidity Decontamination of N95 Respirators
Authors: Williams Stuart J.
Published: October 2020

During the COVID19 pandemic, various investigations have been conducted to determine if personal protective equipment (PPE), and specifically N95 masks, can be decontaminated for reuse when unused equipment is not available. One method under investigation that may be particularly adaptable in lower resource communities is the use of heat and humidity for the de-activation of SARS-CoV-2. Food-warming cabinets (also known as holding cabinets) may reach applicable temperatures and thus the purpose of this study was to characterize the temperatures achieved in a typical food-warming cabinets that has been adapted for the de-activation of N95 masks. This paper provides a general description of how a food-warming cabinet operates and describes aspects that are important for heat de-activation including characterizing cyclical heating and temperature variations within the cabinet. The described experimental procedure could be used as a guide to characterize similar food-warming cabinets.
Assessing Engineering Design: A Comparison of the Effect of Exams and Design Practica on First-Year Students’ Design Self-Efficacy
Authors: Nolte Hannah , Berdanier Catherine , Menold Jessica , McComb Christopher
Published: October 2020

In response to calls for engineering programs to better prepare students for future careers, many institutions offer courses with a design component to first-year engineering students. This work proposes that traditional exam-based assessments of design concepts are inadequate, and alternative forms of assessment are needed to assess student learning in design courses. This paper investigates the self-efficacy differences between a traditional exam and a two-part practicum as a mid-semester assessment for introductory engineering students enrolled in a first-year design course. Increased self-efficacy has been linked to various positive student outcomes and increased retention of underrepresented students. The practicum consisted of an in-class team design task and an out-of-class individual reflection, while the exam was a traditional, individual written exam. All students completed a pre-assessment survey and a post-assessment survey, both of which included measures of design self-efficacy. Analysis showed that the practicum increased the design self-efficacy of students more effectively than the exam. Students who identified as women had greater gains in design self-efficacy during the practicum as compared with men. Identifying as a minority subgroup student was also trending toward being a significant predictor of change in design self-efficacy for the practicum. Findings suggest that a mid-semester practicum is a successful assessment of design competencies that contributes to increased first-year engineering student self-efficacy.