bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Posture and Back Shape Measurement Tools: A Narrative Literature Review
Authors: Kandasamy Gok , Bettany-Saltikov Josette , van Schaik Paul
Published: April 2020

The clinical assessment of spinal deformities often involves the assessment of posture and back shape together with the associated mobility of the spine, pelvis and rib cage. Currently, there is a wide range of posture and back shape assessment tools available for clinical use. The choice varies from conventional approach to advanced structured light methods. The advanced methods like ultrasound, 3D radiography and inertial sensors are not easily accessible to most clinicians, as they are either expensive, require specialist training or are complex and/or difficult to use. Thus, simple conventional methods like eyeballing, photography and the plumb line are still used within clinical practice today. The primary aim of this article is to give an overview of different tactile and non-tactile measurement systems that have been developed for the measurement of posture and whole-body analysis.
Biological Modulation of the Treg:Teff Ratio: From Immunosuppression to Immunoactivation
Authors: Yang Xining , D. Scott Mark
Published: April 2020

T cell-mediated immunomodulation can be, in simple terms, defined as altering the normal Treg:Teff ratio. Immunosuppression skews the net Treg:Teff ratio toward the ‘tolerogenic’ Treg component, while immunoactivation skews the response toward the ‘proinflammatory’ Teff component. In the treatment of autoimmune diseases, achieving an immunosuppressive state is a desirable goal in order to prevent ongoing injury by activated Teff cells. In contrast, an innate, or induced, immunosuppressive state can be deleterious and prevent pathogen-induced disease while allow for the progression of cancer. Indeed, a current goal of cancer therapy is attenuating an existing endogenous immunosuppressive state that prevents effective T cell-mediated immunorecognition of cancer cells. Thus, the biological modulation of the Treg:Teff ratio provides a unique approach for treating both autoimmune diseases and cancers. Using a biomanufacturing system, miRNA-enriched immunotherapeutic has been generated that either induce (TA1) or overcome (IA1) an immunosuppressive state. As will be shown, these therapeutics show efficacy both in vitro and in vivo in the prevention of autoimmune Type 1 diabetes and in enhancing the ability of resting immune cells to recognize and inhibit cancer cell growth. The successful development of these cost-effective, and easily biomanufactured, secretome-based therapeutics may prove useful in treating both autoimmune diseases and cancer.
The Clinical Importance of Herb-Drug Interactions and Toxicological Risks of Plants and Herbal Products
Authors: Kahraman Cigdem , Ceren Arituluk Zekiye , Irem Tatli Cankaya Iffet
Published: April 2020

Approximately 70% of the world’s population has been using medicinal herbs as a complementary or alternative medicine that has grown tremendously in both developed and developing countries over the past 20 years (World Health Organization Drugs Strategy 2002–2005). This increase in consumer demand for medicinal plants continues, although scientific data are rare to create safety and efficacy profiles. Its popularity is also related to easy availability, cost-effectiveness leading to better purchasing power, and various factors that perceive that they are generally safe. Herbs are often administered simultaneously with therapeutic drugs for the treatment of major ailments, and herb-drug interactions (HDIs) increase their potential. The main routes proposed for HDIs include cytochrome P450 (CYP450)-mediated inhibition or induction and transport and flow proteins. In our review, we highlighted herbal medicines used for the treatment of various diseases with pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic analysis and case reports together with their adverse effects and herb-drug interactions. Therefore, this review can be used as a quick reference database for physicians and healthcare professionals involved in therapy, aiming to maximize clinical outcomes by reducing the negative and toxic effects of plants along with avoiding herb-drug interactions.
Matching Interaction Design Principles and Integrated Navigation Systems in an Electronic Classroom
Authors: Bauk Sanja , Fajardo-Flores Silvia
Published: April 2020

This article deals with cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary virtual engagement aimed to match human-computer interaction design principles and contemporary integrated navigation information systems. As interaction design principles ten general principles - heuristics are used, and as examples of contemporary navigation information systems, chart Radio Detection (or Direction) and Ranging (RADAR) device and Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) are used. This cross-disciplinary research has been achieved through a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project by Durban University of Technology (DUT) in South Africa and University of Colima (UoC) in Mexico. Namely, the students from both sides guided by their lecturers have been engaged in analyzing today’s most frequently used marine navigational aids from the perspective of their reliability and user centeredness. The complexity of the systems and the lack of standards are observed as main problems when it comes to marine information systems effectiveness and their user centeredness.
Comparison of early-stage changes of osteoarthritis in cartilage and subchondral bone between two different rat models
Authors: Yang Yutao , Li Peiran , Zhu Songsong , Bi Ruiye
Published: April 2020

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease and the major cause of joint pain and disability in the elderly. It is mainly characterized by articular cartilage degradation and subchondral bone remodeling. There are two main types of OA: natural occurring OA and secondary OA, mainly associated with aging and trauma, respectively. In this study, we established two OA models in rat knee joints to simulate the two types of OA, using the type II collagenase injection (CI) and anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT), respectively. After intervention for 2–6 weeks, cartilage and subchondral bone changes were detected in histological staining, immunochemistry, and micro-CT. Results showed that both models with typical pathology changes of OA were successfully induced, while the development and severity of OA process in the models were different. In ACLT rats, the cartilage damage was milder, lasted for a shorter time, and subchondral bone reconstruction occurred earlier, compared with the changes in CI rats. The cartilage damage was secondary to subchondral bone change in ACLT rats, while subchondral bone change was secondary to cartilage degeneration in CI rats. In conclusion, the interaction between cartilage and subchondral bone is different between the natural-occurring and secondary OA models. These two models not only suggest potential different mechanisms of the two types of OA, but also provide new directions for OA treatment and prevention.
CFSP: a collaborative frequent sequence pattern discovery algorithm for nucleic acid sequence classification
Authors: Peng He
Published: April 2020

Background

Conserved nucleic acid sequences play an essential role in transcriptional regulation. The motifs/templates derived from nucleic acid sequence datasets are usually used as biomarkers to predict biochemical properties such as protein binding sites or to identify specific non-coding RNAs. In many cases, template-based nucleic acid sequence classification performs better than some feature extraction methods, such as N-gram and k-spaced pairs classification. The availability of large-scale experimental data provides an unprecedented opportunity to improve motif extraction methods. The process for pattern extraction from large-scale data is crucial for the creation of predictive models.

Methods

In this article, a Teiresias-like feature extraction algorithm to discover frequent sub-sequences (CFSP) is proposed. Although gaps are allowed in some motif discovery algorithms, the distance and number of gaps are limited. The proposed algorithm can find frequent sequence pairs with a larger gap. The combinations of frequent sub-sequences in given protracted sequences capture the long-distance correlation, which implies a specific molecular biological property. Hence, the proposed algorithm intends to discover the combinations. A set of frequent sub-sequences derived from nucleic acid sequences with order is used as a base frequent sub-sequence array. The mutation information is attached to each sub-sequence array to implement fuzzy matching. Thus, a mutate records a single nucleotide variant or nucleotides insertion/deletion (indel) to encode a slight difference between frequent sequences and a matched subsequence of a sequence under investigation.

Conclusions

The proposed algorithm has been validated with several nucleic acid sequence prediction case studies. These data demonstrate better results than the recently available feature descriptors based methods based on experimental data sets such as miRNA, piRNA, and Sigma 54 promoters. CFSP is implemented in C++ and shell script; the source code and related data are available at https://github.com/HePeng2016/CFSP.
Mastery of Miscellanea
Authors: Du Heng
Published: April 2020

The “Chu shuo” 儲說 (Treasuries of illustrations) chapters of the Hanfeizi 韓非 子, attributed to Han Fei 韓非 (d. 233 bce), encompass an extensive collection of anecdotes. The jing 經 (classic, guideline) sections of these chapters are traditionally understood to be a set of “canonical” teachings, to be explicated by the anecdotes in the shuo 說 (discourse, explanation) sections. Eschewing this assumption, my analysis substantiates an alternative hypothesis that sees many of the jing texts as later superimpositions intended to serve as paratexts to existing anecdotal collections. By interpreting the jing and shuo sections as paratexts and main texts, respectively, this study reveals how early compilers sought to organize and inventory information, as well as to guide future users’ understanding and memorization of the anecdotal materials. This approach not only facilitates the reconstruction of early frameworks of information management and knowledge acquisition, but also places the “Chu shuo” chapters in a comparative context. It also proffers new answers to several long-standing philological debates, such as the meaning and function of the label yi yue 一曰 (it is also said). In its conclusion, this study draws attention to potential continuities between the pre-imperial (before 221 BCE) and imperial periods’ textual and bibliographical practices.
On Generalized 2-primes Numbers
Authors: Soykan Yuksel
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we introduce the generalized 2-primes sequences and we deal with, in detail, three special cases which we call them 2-primes, Lucas 2-primes and modified 2-primes sequences. We present Binet’s formulas, generating functions, Simson formulas, and the summation formulas for these sequences. Moreover, we give some identities and matrices related with these sequences.
Preparation of Synthetic Seeds of Citrus jambhiri Using in vitro Regenerated Multiple Plantlets
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Roy Bidhan
Published: April 2020

Biotechnological tools are useful for true-to-type propagation. Shoot tips encapsulation is potential for plant development from pre-existing meristematic tissue. MS medium fortified with 1 and 2 mg/L of BAP (6-bezylaminopurine) was found to be suitable for in vitro mass-multiplication of plantlets (10.18 and 13.05 plantlets/explant, respectively) of Citrus jambhiri from nodal segments. Nodal segments were more appropriate than the shoot tips for in vitro multiplication of plantlets. Synthetic seeds were prepared using 2.5% sodium alginate dropping into 3.0% CaCl2 solution. Maximum germination was recorded when beaded shoot tips were cultured on MS medium fortified with 1 and 2 mg/L of BAP (96.67 and 100.00%, respectively). However, the germination of synthetic seeds was found to be comparatively high than the earlier findings. The results support the use of encapsulated unipolar explants for synthetic seed preparation. These type of capsules could be useful in exchange of sterile material between laboratories, germplasm conservation and direct plant propagation.
Utilization of Ripe Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) for the Development of Fruit Bar
Authors: Dhiman Anju K. , Thakur Priyanka , Attri Surekha , Kathuria Deepika , Ramachandran Preethi
Published: April 2020

The study aim at utilization of bulk availability of low cost ripe pumpkin into processed products possessing health benefits. A fruit bar was developed using pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) at 40°Brix, 1.5% citric acid and 2% pectin by varying cooking method (with and without cooking of ingredients; with and without cooking of ingredients using concentrated pumpkin pulp (PP)). Pumpkin bar prepared using concentrated pulp and with cooking of ingredients had obtained maximum sensory score, as well as maximum content of β-carotene (9.89 mg/100 g) and ascorbic acid (8.75 mg/100 g). Pumpkin bar was evaluated for quality and stability during storage. The values for chemical and sensory parameters decreased significantly during storage but the bar was of good quality up to six months under ambient conditions. Aluminium Laminated Pouches (ALP) was observed to be better packaging material as compared to Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and Polypropylene (PP) boxes. Hence, it was concluded that ripe pumpkin can be utilized for the production of good quality and nutritionally enriched bar at remunerative cost.
Carbon Nanotubes for Removal of Fast Green Dye
Authors: Mohammad-Salim Haydar A. , Salih Sabir Ayob Mohammed , Molla-Babaker Mohammed Mahmoud
Published: April 2020

The adsorption of Fast Green (FG) dye on pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was investigated in this study. The adsorption was carried out under different operating conditions. The operating conditions were contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, the pH of the solution and temperature. The analysis of results found that the removal percentage of FG dye on CNTs decreases with increase in initial FG concentration. It was found that the increasing of CNTs dosage enhanced the efficiency of dye removal. It was also found that the increasing of temperature significantly enhanced the removal percent of FG dye and it is indicated that the adsorption of FG dye on CNTs was in endothermic nature. The study reports that the best pH of solution for the adsorption of FG on CNTs were 4. The adsorption data have been analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich. Fitting the equilibrium adsorption data by Langmuir and Freundlich models shows that experimental data well explained by the Langmuir equation.
Computer Technologies in Spectral Analysis of Uzbek Speech on the Steps of Development of Speech Audiometry for Children
Authors: Khamrayeva V. S. H. , Khasanov S. A. , Videke B.
Published: April 2020

The presented article is devoted to the stages of development of speech audiometry in the Uzbek language. The capabilities of Praat computer technology made it possible to conduct a frequency-spectral analysis of Uzbek speech, which formed the basis of speech tables and used in assessing the quality of hearing of school-age children with various hearing impairments. Accordance with the spectral analysis there was revealed: The male voice for the given parameters of sound strength was characterized by the main tone within 80-100 Hz, while the female voice when pronouncing the same words and phrases amounted to 160-175 Hz. Consequently, this fact confirmed that the main tone of the Uzbek language is characterized by a lower basic tone than the Romance and Slavic languages. A qualitative assessment of hearing at the children according to developed speech audiometry in the Uzbek language showed that in cases of sensorineural and conductive, as well as with mixed hearing loss, the influence of the speaker’s gender on speech intelligibility is noted. So, when tested with a male voice, it reaches 100% of the result, but when tested with a female voice in children with III degrees of hearing impairment of 100%, the intelligibility threshold is not observed.
Preliminary Screening of Bacteria Isolated from Insects Living in Poultry for Antibiotic Production
Authors: Okudo Ifeoma Geraldine , Umedum Chinelo Ursula , Ezekwueche Stephen Nnaemeka , Uba Chibuzo Christian
Published: April 2020

Aim: This present study was conducted to isolate antibiotic producing bacteria from insects living in poultry.

Place and Duration of Study: Insects living in poultry were collected from poultry farms within Onitsha metropolis in Anambra State between April 2018 and September 2018.

Methodology: The gut of one hundred insects; (Musca domestica and Alphitobius diaperinus) were analyzed. The insects were dissected and emulsified in 10ml of peptone water. The dilutions were cultured on Nutrient agar and Blood agar  for 24 h. The bacterial isolates were characterized using  molecular identification. The DNA was extracted from the identified isolates and analyzed by 16S rRNA. In preliminary screening, the isolates were inoculated into Muller Hinton agar using agar plug. The promising isolate showing antagonism was subjected to submerged fermentation method and the secondary metabolites were extracted. Screening of the secondary metabolites extract was done using agar well diffusion. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the secondary metabolite was determined using broth dilution method at different concentrations. The inhibitory activity of the organism was checked against four bacteria namely; Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella serovar typhi, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Results: The sequence analysis revealed the strains to be Lysinibacillus macroides, Paealcaligenes hermetiae, Bordetella flabilis, Bacillus aerophilus, Klebsiella variicola. Lysinibacillus macroides showed antagonism against the test bacteria during the preliminary test. After fermentation, the secondary metabolite extracts from Lysinibacillus macroides exhibited antibacterial activities against Salmonella Serovar Typhi, Staphyloccus aureus and Bacillus subtilis at different concentrations.

Conclusion: The extracts from bacterial isolate; Lysinibacillus macroides exhibited antibacterial activities against Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella serovar typhi and Staphylococcus aureus. The extracts may serve as a new drug molecule produced from natural source when purified.
A new congenital multicore titinopathy associated with fast myosin heavy chain deficiency
Authors: Perrin Aurélien , Metay Corinne , Villanova Marcello , Carlier Robert‐Yves , Pegoraro Elena , Juntas Morales Raul , Stojkovic Tanya , Richard Isabelle , Richard Pascale , Romero Norma B. , Granzier Henk , Koenig Michel , Malfatti Edoardo , Cossée Mireille
Published: April 2020

Congenital titinopathies are myopathies with variable phenotypes and inheritance modes. Here, we fully characterized, using an integrated approach (deep phenotyping, muscle morphology, mRNA and protein evaluation in muscle biopsies), two siblings with congenital multicore myopathy harboring three TTN variants predicted to affect titin stability and titin‐myosin interactions. Muscle biopsies showed multicores, type 1 fiber uniformity and sarcomeric structure disruption with some thick filament loss. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting revealed a marked reduction of fast myosin heavy chain isoforms. This is the first observation of a titinopathy suggesting that titin defect leads to secondary loss of fast myosin heavy chain isoforms.
Experiences of Patients With Rheumatic Diseases in the United States During Early Days of the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Michaud Kaleb , Wipfler Kristin , Shaw Yomei , Simon Teresa A. , Cornish Adam , England Bryant R. , Ogdie Alexis , Katz Patricia
Published: April 2020

Objective

Patients with rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus have increased risk of infection and are treated with medications that may increase this risk yet are also hypothesized to help treat COVID‐19. We set out to understand how the COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted the lives of these patients in the United States.

Methods

Participants in a US‐wide longitudinal observational registry responded to a supplemental COVID‐19 questionnaire by e‐mail on March 25, 2020, about their symptoms, COVID‐19 testing, health care changes, and related experiences during the prior 2 weeks. Analysis compared responses by diagnosis, disease activity, and new onset of symptoms. Qualitative analysis was conducted on optional free‐text comment fields.

Results

Of the 7061 participants invited to participate, 530 responded, with RA as the most frequent diagnosis (61%). Eleven participants met COVID‐19 screening criteria, of whom two sought testing unsuccessfully. Six others sought testing, three of whom were successful, and all test results were negative. Not quite half of participants (42%) reported a change to their care in the prior 2 weeks. Qualitative analysis revealed four key themes: emotions in response to the pandemic, perceptions of risks from immunosuppressive medications, protective measures to reduce risk of COVID‐19 infection, and disruptions in accessing rheumatic disease medications, including hydroxychloroquine.

Conclusion

After 2 weeks, many participants with rheumatic diseases already had important changes to their health care, with many altering medications without professional consultation or because of hydroxychloroquine shortage. As evidence accumulates on the effectiveness of potential COVID‐19 treatments, effort is needed to safeguard access to established treatments for rheumatic diseases.
Mussel‐Inspired Hydrogels for Self‐Adhesive Bioelectronics
Authors: Xie Chaoming , Wang Xiao , He Huan , Ding Yonghui , Lu Xiong
Published: April 2020

Wearable and implantable bioelectronics are receiving a great deal of attention because they offer huge promise in personalized healthcare. Currently available bioelectronics generally rely on external aids to form an attachment to the human body, which leads to unstable performance in practical applications. Self‐adhesive bioelectronics are highly desirable for ameliorating these concerns by offering reliable and conformal contact with tissue, and stability and fidelity in the signal detection. However, achieving adequate and long‐term self‐adhesion to soft and wet biological tissues has been a daunting challenge. Recently, mussel‐inspired hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates for the design of self‐adhesive bioelectronics. In addition to self‐adhesiveness, the mussel‐inspired chemistry offers a unique pathway for integrating multiple functional properties to all‐in‐one bioelectronic devices, which have great implications for healthcare applications. In this report, the recent progress in the area of mussel‐inspired self‐adhesive bioelectronics is highlighted by specifically discussing: 1) adhesion mechanism of mussels, 2) mussel‐inspired hydrogels with long‐term and repeatable adhesion, 3) the recent advance in development of hydrogel bioelectronics by reconciling self‐adhesiveness and additional properties including conductivity, toughness, transparency, self‐healing, antibacterial properties, and tolerance to extreme environment, and 4) the challenges and prospects for the future design of the mussel‐inspired self‐adhesive bioelectronics.
Multifunctional Mechanical Metamaterials with Embedded Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Tao Hongcheng , Gibert James
Published: April 2020

The flexibility of planar triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) enables them to be embedded into structures with complex geometries and to conform with any deformation of these structures. In return, the embedded TENGs function as either strain‐sensitive active sensors or energy harvesters while negligibly affecting the structure's original mechanical properties. This advantage inspires a new class of multifunctional materials where compliant TENGs are distributed into local operational units of mechanical metamaterial, dubbed TENG‐embedded mechanical metamaterials. This new class of metamaterial inherits the advantages of a traditional mechanical metamaterial, in that the deformation of the internal topology of material enables unusual mechanical properties. The concept is illustrated with experimental investigations and finite element simulations of prototypes based on two exemplar metamaterial geometries where functions of self‐powered sensing, energy harvesting, as well as the designated mechanical behavior are investigated. This work provides a new framework in producing multifunctional triboelectric devices.
A Ternary Hybrid‐Cation Room‐Temperature Liquid Metal Battery and Interfacial Selection Mechanism Study
Authors: Guo Xuelin , Ding Yu , Gao Hongcai , Goodenough John B. , Yu Guihua
Published: April 2020

The dendrite‐free sodium–potassium (Na–K) liquid alloy composed of two alkali metals is one of the ideal alternatives for Li metal as an anode material while maintaining large capacity, low potential, and high abundance. However, Na‐ or K‐ion batteries have limited cathode materials that can deliver stably large capacity. Combining advantages of both, a hybrid‐cation liquid metal battery is designed for a Li‐ion‐insertion‐based cathode to deliver stable high capacity using a Na–K liquid anode to avoid dendrites. The mechanical property of the Na–K alloy is confirmed by simulation and experimental characterization, which leads to stable cycling performance. The charge carrier selection principle in this ternary hybrid‐cation system is investigated, showing consistency with the proposed interfacial layer formation and ion distribution mechanism for the electrochemical process as well as the good stability. With Li ions contributing stable cycling as the cathode charge carrier, the K ion working as charge carrier on the anode, and Na as the medium to liquefy K metal, such a ternary hybrid battery system not only inherits the rich battery chemistry of Li‐insertion cathodes but also broadens the understanding of alkali metal alloys and hybrid‐ion battery chemistry.
A Behavior‐Learned Cross‐Reactive Sensor Matrix for Intelligent Skin Perception
Authors: Lee Jun Ho , Heo Jae Sang , Kim Yoon‐Jeong , Eom Jimi , Jung Hong Jun , Kim Jong‐Woong , Kim Insoo , Park Ho‐Hyun , Mo Hyun Sun , Kim Yong‐Hoon , Park Sung Kyu
Published: April 2020

Mimicking human skin sensation such as spontaneous multimodal perception and identification/discrimination of intermixed stimuli is severely hindered by the difficulty of efficient integration of complex cutaneous receptor‐emulating circuitry and the lack of an appropriate protocol to discern the intermixed signals. Here, a highly stretchable cross‐reactive sensor matrix is demonstrated, which can detect, classify, and discriminate various intermixed tactile and thermal stimuli using a machine‐learning approach. Particularly, the multimodal perception ability is achieved by utilizing a learning algorithm based on the bag‐of‐words (BoW) model, where, by learning and recognizing the stimulus‐dependent 2D output image patterns, the discrimination of each stimulus in various multimodal stimuli environments is possible. In addition, the single sensor device integrated in the cross‐reactive sensor matrix exhibits multimodal detection of strain, flexion, pressure, and temperature. It is hoped that his proof‐of‐concept device with machine‐learning‐based approach will provide a versatile route to simplify the electronic skin systems with reduced architecture complexity and adaptability to various environments beyond the limitation of conventional “lock and key” approaches.
Atomic Carbon Spraying: Direct Growth of Graphene on Customized 3D Surfaces of Ultrafast Optical Devices
Authors: Uddin Siam , Song Yong‐Won
Published: April 2020

Despite the long‐standing efforts to develop 3D graphene, which is critical for practical electronic, optoelectronic, and optical devices, the lack of synthetic methods and the use of conventional transfer approaches have limited its realization. Herein, a metal‐free, etching‐free, transfer‐free, direct synthesis of functional graphene is introduced that contours 3D‐structured surfaces of nonlinear optical devices, thereby maximizing the nonlinear interaction of graphene with guided light. Central to this method is the use of γ‐Al2O3, a ceramic catalyst, which generates carbon atoms from the precursor molecules and supplies them for the graphene synthesis on the 3D structures located near the catalyst through spatial diffusion, described as atomic carbon spraying (ACS). The optical nonlinearity facilitated by ACS‐processed 3D graphene is experimentally verified by realizing both passively mode‐locked laser with a pulse width of 770 fs and ultrafast optical switching with 67% enhancement in nonlinear effect over 6 mm interaction length.
Incorporation of Resistive Random Access Memory into Low‐Temperature Polysilicon Transistor with Fin‐Like Structure as 1T1R Device
Authors: Huang Wei‐Chen , Zheng Hao‐Xuan , Chen Po‐Hsun , Chang Ting‐Chang , Tan Yung‐Fang , Lin Shih‐Kai , Zhang Yong‐Ci , Jin Fu‐Yuan , Wu Chung‐Wei , Yeh Yu‐Hsuan , Chou Sheng‐Yao , Huang Hui‐Chun , Chen Yan‐Wen , Sze Simon M.
Published: April 2020

In this study, a one transistor one resistor (1T1R) structure combining a fin‐like low‐temperature polycrystalline‐silicon (LTPS) transistor and a resistive random access memory (RRAM) is successfully fabricated. For the fin‐like LTPS transistor, both n‐type and p‐types show excellent electrical output characteristics. Fin‐like structure produces more stable output characteristics. Also, the forming and current–voltage (I–V) characteristics are measured in this study, and the RRAM exhibits a forming voltage of about −1.9 V. As for the I–V switching property, the devices are stable and show excellent performance, with the set and reset voltages showing only minimal change over 100 cycles. Moreover, combining the fin‐like LTPS transistor and RRAM into a 1T1R structure results in favorable operation over 100 cycles, with excellent retention and endurance. According to these results, RRAM can be successfully combined with a fin‐like LTPS transistor for application in current integrated circuit processes without difficulty.
Nonuniform Ionic and Electronic Transport of Ceramic and Polymer/Ceramic Hybrid Electrolyte by Nanometer‐Scale Operando Imaging for Solid‐State Battery
Authors: Jiang Chun‐Sheng , Dunlap Nathan , Li Yejing , Guthrey Harvey , Liu Ping , Lee Se‐Hee , Al‐Jassim Mowafak M.
Published: April 2020

Replacing the liquid electrolyte in lithium batteries with solid‐state ion conductor is promising for next‐generation energy storage that is safe and has high energy density. Here, nanometer‐resolution ionic and electronic transport imaging of Li3PS4 (LPS), a solid‐state electrolyte (SSE), is reported. This nm resolution is achieved by using a logarithm‐scale current amplifier that enhances the current sensitivity to the fA range. Large fluctuations of ion current—one to two orders of magnitude on the LPS and on the LPS region of a polymer/LPS bulk hybrid SSE—that must be mitigated to eliminate Li dendrite formation and growth, are found. This ion current fluctuation is understood in terms of highly anisotropic transport kinetic barriers along the different crystalline axes due to different grain orientations in the polycrystalline and glass ceramic materials. The results on the bulk hybrid SSE show a sharp transition of ionic and electronic transport at the LPS/polymer boundary and decreases in average ionic current with decreasing polyimine particle size and with extensive cycling. The results elucidate the mechanism of polyimine extension into interparticles to prevent Li dendrite growth. This work opens up novel characterization of charge transport, which relates to Li plating and stripping for solid‐state‐batteries.
Aggressive lymphoma subtype is a risk factor for venous thrombosis. Development of lymphoma ‐ specific venous thrombosis prediction models
Authors: Dharmavaram Gouri , Cao Shufen , Sundaram Suchitra , Ayyappan Sabarish , Boughan Kirsten , Gallogly Molly , Malek Ehsan , Metheny Leland , Tomlinson Benjamin , Otegbeye Folashade , Lazarus Hillard M. , Cooper Brenda , Fu Pingfu , de Lima Marcos , Caimi Paolo F.
Published: April 2020

Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) are a frequent complication of lymphoma. We conducted a retrospective analysis to compare VTE risk in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL). Subjects were randomly assigned to training and validation sets to identify risk factors of VTE and evaluate risk model performance, including the Khorana score. A group of 790 patients were diagnosed from 2002 to 2014 (DLBCL = 542, FL = 248). Median follow‐ up was 49 months. We observed 106 VTE, with higher incidence in DLBCL (5‐year cumulative incidence = 16.3% vs 3.8% in FL patients). Five‐year OS for patients with VTE was 51.4% vs 73.1% in patients without VTE (P < .001). Baseline VTE risk factors identified in the training cohort included lymphoma subtype, previous VTE, ECOG performance status ≥2, decreased albumin, increased calcium, elevated WBC, absolute lymphocyte count or monocyte count, and presence of bulky disease. Addition of new variables to the Khorana score improved its performance measured by Akaike information criterion and Concordance index. A new risk model including lymphoma subtype, albumin, WBC count, and bulky disease was validated in time‐based ROC analyses. These findings were confirmed in the validation cohort. Lymphoma subtypes have different VTE risk. The effect of lymphoma subtype was independent from disease burden and the use of systemic therapy. The Khorana risk‐score was validated in time to event analyses, and a more robust lymphoma‐specific VTE risk score is proposed. These findings suggest lymphoma patients with highest VTE risk can be identified with baseline parameters.
Effects of energy and essential fatty acids content in breast milk on infant's head dimensions
Authors: Babiszewska Magdalena
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Essential fatty acids (EFA), including linoleic acid (LA) and alpha‐linolenic acid (ALA), are indispensable for proper brain growth especially in the first months after birth when it develops most rapidly. Since fats, especially EFA, in breast milk are highly variable between mothers, we indirectly examined whether milk energy, LA and ALA content in breast milk affect volume and shape of the infant's head.

Methods

The study encompassed 60 mothers and their healthy term‐born infants between the third and sixth month of lactation. The percentage of macronutrients and dry matter in human milk samples was assessed using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and LA and ALA concentrations in breast milk were determined using gas chromatography (GC). Infant head measurements were taken using standard anthropometric equipment and methods.

Results

LA content in breast milk was found to be positively associated with head volume in boys. Furthermore, ALA content was positively associated with the head height‐to‐length ratio thus with more arched head in infants irrespective of sex. No relationship was found between milk energy content in mothers' milk and infant head dimensions.

Conclusions

This is the first study to demonstrate a relationship between EFA concentration in human milk and infant head dimensions. Given that LA and ALA in human milk are variable in women and due to the extremely rapid growth of nerve tissue in the first months of life, adequate supply of EFA in breast milk should attract the attention of public health sciences.
Microbiome Structure and Function: A New Framework for Interpreting Data
Authors: Greslehner Gregor P.
Published: April 2020

A distinction between different notions of “structure” and “function” is suggested for interpreting the overwhelming amount of data on microbiome structure and function. Sequence data, biochemical agents, interaction networks, taxonomic communities, and their dynamics can be linked to potential or actual biochemical activities, causal roles, and selected effects, respectively. This conceptual clarification has important methodological consequences for how to interpret existing data and approach open questions in contemporary microbiome research practice. In particular, the field will have to start thinking about notions of function more directly. Also see the video abstract here https://youtu.be/j5pq5uGld1k.
Understanding Human Lung Development through In Vitro Model Systems
Authors: Conway Renee F. , Frum Tristan , Conchola Ansley S. , Spence Jason R.
Published: April 2020

An abundance of information about lung development in animal models exists; however, comparatively little is known about lung development in humans. Recent advances using primary human lung tissue combined with the use of human in vitro model systems, such as human pluripotent stem cell‐derived tissue, have led to a growing understanding of the mechanisms governing human lung development. They have illuminated key differences between animal models and humans, underscoring the need for continued advancements in modeling human lung development and utilizing human tissue. This review discusses the use of human tissue and the use of human in vitro model systems that have been leveraged to better understand key regulators of human lung development and that have identified uniquely human features of development. This review also examines the implementation and challenges of human model systems and discusses how they can be applied to address knowledge gaps.
Residue analysis and kinetics modeling of thiophanate‐methyl, carbendazim, tebuconazole and pyraclostrobin in apple tree bark using QuEChERS/HPLC–VWD
Authors: Li Pingliang , Sun Pingyang , Dong Xiangli , Li Baohua
Published: April 2020

Winter is the key period for the control of apple diseases, and fungicides are needed to protect the trunk or main branches. Fungicide residue in apple tree bark is an important basis for the action of the pesticide, but there are no reports on analytical methods or dissipation patterns. In this work, thiophanate‐methyl, carbendazim, tebuconazole and pyraclostrobin were selected as typical fungicides and a new QuEChERS–HPLC–VWD(QuEChERS extraction followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography detection with a variable wavelength detector) analytical method was developed to estimate their residue kinetics in apple tree bark during the winter months. In the pretreatment step, the sorbent for the clean‐up of extracts was optimized as 60 mg/ml primary secondary amine and a gradient‐elution model followed by a variable wavelength detection was developed for instrumental analysis. Then this method was validated and applied to the analysis of apple tree bark samples with the linearity range of 0.010–50.00 mg/L, quantification limit range of 0.028–0.080 mg/kg and recovery range of 86.1–101.4%. The dissipation kinetics of thiophanate‐methyl and pyraclostrobin could be described by the first‐order and two‐phase kinetics models, respectively. For carbendazim and tebuconazole, two new models were developed to describe their residue kinetics.
A rapid and sensitive bioanalytical LC–MS/MS method for the quantitation of a novel CDK5 inhibitor 20–223 (CP668863) in plasma: Application to in vitro metabolism and plasma protein‐binding studies
Authors: Bala Veenu , Chhonker Yashpal S. , Sleightholm Richard L. , Crawford Ayrianne J. , Hollingsworth Michael A. , Murry Daryl J.
Published: April 2020

A rapid, selective, and sensitive liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantitation of the novel CDK5 inhibitor ‘20–223' in mouse plasma. Separation of analytes was achieved by a reverse‐phase ACE Excel C18 column (1.7 μm, 100 × 2.1 mm) with gradient elution using 0.1% formic acid (FA) in methanol and 0.1% FA as the mobile phase. Analytes were monitored by MS/MS with an electrospray ionization source in the positive multiple reaction monitoring mode. The MS/MS response was linear over the concentration range 0.2–500 ng/mL for 20–223. The within‐ and between‐batch precision were within the acceptable limits as per Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The validated method was successfully applied to plasma protein binding and in vitro metabolism studies. Compound 20–223 was highly bound to mouse plasma proteins (>98% bound). Utilizing mouse S9 fractions, in vitro intrinsic clearance (CLint) was 24.68 ± 0.99 μL/min/mg protein. A total of 12 phase I and II metabolites were identified with hydroxylation found to be the major metabolic pathway. The validate method required a low sample volume, was linear from 0.2 to 500 ng/mL, and had acceptable accuracy and precision.
In vivo metabolic investigation of cetilistat in normal versus pseudo‐germ‐free rats using UPLC‐QTOFMS/MS and in silico toxicological evaluation of its metabolites
Authors: Tiwari Shristy S. , Mukesh Sumit , Sangamwar Abhay T. , Talluri M.V.N. Kumar
Published: April 2020

Cetilistat (CET) is a pancreatic lipase inhibitor approved for management of obesity after the serious adverse effects exhibited by its analogue orlistat. Exhaustive literature review reveals lack of comprehensive reports on its biotransformation. With a view to study the same, the present study reports the identification and characterization of metabolites of CET in rats using UPLC–MS/MS. As the small intestine is the site of action for CET, it is important that the role of microbial flora in the metabolism of CET be explored. To achieve this, the metabolic profile of CET was compared between normal and pseudo‐germ‐free rats. The study involved the administration of a drug suspension to male Sprague–Dawley pseudo‐germ‐free and normal untreated rats followed by collection of urine, feces, and blood at specific intervals. Sample preparation was performed using liquid–liquid extraction and concentration of samples followed by analysis using LC–MS/MS. Finally, an in silico study was performed on the drug and metabolites to predict their toxicological properties using ADMET PredictorTM software. Four metabolites of CET were observed in in vivo matrices. As expected, significant changes were observed both qualitatively and quantitatively, implying that formation of metabolites was both CYP enzymes and gut microflora mediated.
Effect of coagulation function on cerebral microbleeds in intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Zhang Hui , Deng Jian , Sun Nianlong , Zou Liangyu , Han Jing , Wei Chen , He Yitao
Published: April 2020

Objective

Our study aimed to confirm whether coagulation function of patients presenting with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was associated with onset of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs).

Methods

A total of 174 patients with basal ganglia ICH were divided into CMBs and non‐CMBs groups. Indicators of coagulation function and other clinical data that included fibrinogen (FBI), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and the international normalized ratio (INR) were compared by univariate and multivariate analysis between the two groups. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to determine the predictive value of coagulation function indicators for CMBs.

Results

Univariate analysis showed that APTT levels was significantly higher in the CMBs group than the non‐CMBs group (30.20 ± 5.18 vs. 27.95 ± 4.19; p = .004), while there was no significant difference between PT, INR, and FBI. The proportion of male patients in the CMBs group was significantly higher than the non‐CMBs group (76.58% vs. 52.38%, p = .001). Multifactor logistic regression analysis demonstrated that APTT and male gender were independent risk factors for CMBs in patients with ICH (OR 1.100, 95% CI: 1.026–1.180, p = .008; OR 2.957, 95% CI: 1.500–5.826, p = .002; respectively). ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve of APTT and male gender for CMBs in patients with ICH was 0.641 and 0.621, respectively (p = .002 and .008; respectively).

Conclusion

APTT was an independent risk factor for CMBs in patients with ICH.
Identification of cancer stem cell characteristics in liver hepatocellular carcinoma by WGCNA analysis of transcriptome stemness index
Authors: Bai Kun‐Hao , He Si‐Yuan , Shu Ling‐Ling , Wang Wei‐Da , Lin Shi‐Yong , Zhang Qian‐Yi , Li Liang , Cheng Lei , Dai Yu‐Jun
Published: April 2020

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are characterized by self‐renewal and ‐differential potential as compared to common cancer cells and play an important role in the development and therapeutic resistance of liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC). However, the specific pathogenesis of LIHC stem cells is still unclear, and the genes involved in the stemness of LIHC stem cells are currently unknown. In this study, we investigated novel biomarkers associated with LIHC and explored the expression characteristics of stem cell‐related genes in LIHC. We found that mRNA expression‐based stemness index (mRNAsi) was significantly overexpressed in liver cancer tissues. Further, mRNAsi expression in LIHC increased with the tumor pathological grade, with grade 4 tumors harboring the greatest stem cell features. Upon establishing mRNAsi scores based on mRNA expression of every gene, we found an association with poor overall survival in LIHC. Moreover, modules of interest were determined based on weighted gene co‐expression network analysis (WGCNA) inclusion criteria, and three significant modules (red, green, and brown) and 21 key genes (DCN, ECM1, HAND2, PTGIS, SFRP1, SRPX, COLEC10, GRP182, ADAMTS7, CD200, CDH11, COL8A1, FAP, LZTS1, MAP1B, NAV1, NOTCH3, OLFML2A, PRR16, TMEM119, and VCAN) were identified. Functional analysis of these 21 genes demonstrated their enrichment in pathways involved in angiogenesis, negative regulation of DNA‐binding transcription factor activity, apoptosis, and autophagy. Causal relationship with proteins indicated that the Wnt, Notch, and Hypoxia pathways are closely related to LIHC tumorigenesis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a novel CSC biomarker, mRNAsi, to predict the prognosis of LIHC. Further, we identified 21 key genes through mRNA expression network analysis, which could be potential therapeutic targets to inhibit the stemness of cancer cells in LIHC.
Association between serum erythropoietin levels and renal reversibility in patients with renal impairment from multiple myeloma
Authors: Kobayashi Hiroki , Terao Toshiki , Tsushima Takafumi , Abe Yoshiaki , Miura Daisuke , Narita Kentaro , Kitadate Akihiro , Takeuchi Masami , Matsue Kosei
Published: April 2020

Renal impairment (RI) is a common clinical presentation in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Despite treatment with novel agents or management strategies that focus on the disease response, some patients develop irreversible RI. This study aimed to determine the influencing, clinical variables of renal reversibility in patients with RI treated with novel drugs. We analyzed 244 patients newly diagnosed with MM retrospectively. Maximum renal response was assessed according to the criteria for the definition of renal response proposed by the International Myeloma Working Group. Major renal response was defined as the occurrence of complete renal response or partial renal response. RI (a glomerular filtration rate < 50 mL/min/1.73 m2) was observed in 110 patients (45%). In total, 56 patients (51%) achieved a major renal response. Serum erythropoietin (EPO) levels >25 mIU/mL (P < .001) and a percentage of urinary albumin excretion ≤25% (P < .001) were both significant factors that influenced the occurrence of major renal responses. Both remained significant factors associated with renal reversibility in the multivariate analysis. Patients were assigned a score of 1 each for EPO >25 mIU/mL and urinary albumin ≤25%. The estimated 6‐month rates of major renal responses of patients with scores of 2, 1, and 0 were 78.6%, 30.6%, and 0%, respectively (P < .001). In conclusion, a serum EPO level >25 mIU/mL is an independent predictive factor for major renal response and may predict renal reversibility more accurately when urinary albumin level is congruently ≤25%.