bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lignin lags, leads, or limits the decomposition of litter and soil organic carbon
Authors: Hall Steven J. , Huang Wenjuan , Timokhin Vitaliy I. , Hammel, Kenneth E.
Published: June 2020

Lignin’s role in litter and soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition remains contentious. Lignin decomposition was traditionally thought to increase during midstage litter decomposition, when cellulose occlusion by lignin began to limit mass loss. Alternatively, lignin decomposition could be greatest in fresh litter as a consequence of co‐metabolism, and lignin might decompose faster than bulk SOC. To test these competing hypotheses, we incubated 10 forest soils with C4 grass litter (amended with 13C‐labeled or unlabeled lignin) over 2 yr and measured soil respiration and its isotope composition. Early lignin decomposition was greatest in 5 of 10 soils, consistent with the co‐metabolism hypothesis. However, lignin decomposition peaked 6–24 months later in the other five soils, consistent with the substrate‐limitation hypothesis; these soils were highly acidic. Rates of lignin, litter, and SOC decomposition tended to converge over time. Cumulative lignin decomposition was never greater than SOC decomposition; lignin decomposition was significantly lower than SOC decomposition in six soils. Net nitrogen mineralization predicted lignin decomposition ratios relative to litter and SOC. Although the onset of lignin decomposition can indeed be rapid, lignin still presents a likely bottleneck in litter and SOC decomposition, meriting a reconsideration of lignin’s role in modern decomposition paradigms.
IL‐10 promotes malignant pleural effusion by regulating TH1 response via an miR‐7116‐5p/GPR55/ERK pathway in mice
Authors: Zhai Kan , Shi Xin‐Yu , Yi Feng‐Shuang , Huang Zhong‐Yin , Wu Xiu‐Zhi , Dong Shu‐Feng , Wang Wen , Wu Min‐Ting , Shi Huan‐Zhong
Published: June 2020

IL‐10, produced by a wide variety of cells, is a highly pleiotropic cytokine that plays a critical role in the control of immune responses. However, its regulatory activity in tumor immunity remains poorly understood. In this study, we report that IL‐10 deficiency robustly suppressed the formation of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) and significantly enhanced miR‐7116‐5p expression in pleural CD4+ T cells. We demonstrated that miR‐7116‐5p suppressed IL‐10‐mediated MPE formation by inhibiting pleural vascular permeability as well as tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth. IL‐10 promoted MPE formation by suppressing miR‐7116‐5p that enhances TH1 response. We identified G protein‐coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) as a potential target of miR‐7116‐5p, and miR‐7116‐5p promoted TH1 cell function by downregulating GPR55. Moreover, GPR55 promoted MPE formation by inhibiting TH1 cell expansion through the ERK phosphorylation pathway. These results uncover an IL‐10‐mediated pathway controlling TH1 cells and demonstrate a central role for miR‐7116‐5p/GPR55/ERK signaling in the physiological regulation of IL‐10‐driven pro‐malignant responses.
Intramolecular Nickel‐Catalyzed Ring‐Opening Reactions of Oxabenzonorbornadienes with C1‐Tethered Aryl Halides: An Improvement of Method
Authors: Koh Samuel , Pounder Austin , Brown Elizabeth , Tam William
Published: June 2020

An improved method of the recently reported novel transition metal‐catalyzed intramolecular ring‐opening reaction of oxabenzonorbornadienes with C1‐tethered aryl halides is described. Using a nickel catalyst, fused tetracycles containing a 1,2‐dihydronaphthalen‐1‐ol framework were generated with good to excellent yields and selectivities in most cases: a result seldom obtained using the previous palladium‐catalyzed conditions. Electron‐withdrawing, electron‐donating, and bulky substituents were generally found to be well tolerated in the reaction while extension of the tether led to decreased yields.
Detection of caffeine and its main metabolites for early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography
Authors: Han Yanzhen , Xun Liying , Wang Xiangji , Yang Shuopeng , Sun Zhanyong , Shi Hongmei , Xu Xiangdong , Hu Shen
Published: June 2020

Caffeine (CA) is a common xanthine alkaloid found in tea leaves, coffee beans, and other natural plants, and is the most widely used psychotropic substance in the world. Accumulating evidence suggests that low plasma levels of CA and its metabolites may serve as reliable diagnostic markers for early Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. In this study, we demonstrated a new MEKC method for determining CA and its three main downstream metabolites, paraxanthine (PX), theobromine (TB), and theophylline (TP), in human plasma. Plasma samples were collected, and analyzed using MEKC, after SPE. The running buffer was composed of 35 mM phosphate, pH of 10.5, and 25 mM SDS. The separation voltage was 15 kV and the detection wavelength was at 210 nm. Under the optimum conditions, four distinct analytes were completely separated and detected in less than 12 min. Method limits of detection were as low as 7.5 ng/mL for CA, 5.0 ng/mL for TB, and 4.0 ng/mL for both PX and TP. The recoveries were between 88.0% and 105.9%. This method was successfully applied to 27 human plasma samples. The results indicate that the plasma concentrations of the four analytes are significantly lower in patients with early PD than in control subjects (p < 0.05). The area under curve was improved to 0.839 when CA and its three main metabolites were included, suggesting that MEKC testing of CA, TP, TB, and PX may serve as a potential method for early diagnosis of PD.
Improving the effectiveness of ANT DBS therapy for epilepsy with optimal current targeting
Authors: Järvenpää Soila , Lehtimäki Kai , Rainesalo Sirpa , Möttönen Timo , Peltola Jukka
Published: June 2020

Objective

Deep brain stimulation of the ANT is a novel treatment option in refractory epilepsy with an established efficacy at the group level. However, data on the effect of individualized programming are currently lacking. We report the effect of programming changes on outcome in deep brain stimulation of anterior nucleus of thalamus (ANT DBS). Secondly, we investigated whether the effect differs between seizure types. Thirdly, we compared the response status between patients with stimulation contacts verified inside the ANT with patients with contacts located outside of ANT.

Methods

The participants were 27 consecutive patients with ANT DBS implantation with at least two‐year follow‐up. Seizures were subdivided into focal aware (FAS), focal impaired awareness (FIAS), and focal to bilateral tonic‐clonic seizures (FBTCS). The patients’ seizure diaries were analyzed retrospectively to assess changes in different seizure types. Active contact locations for each patient were verified from preoperative MRI and postoperative CT fusion images using SureTune III (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, MN) software.

Results

A significant reduction in monthly mean seizure frequency occurred in FIAS: 56% at two‐year and 65% at five‐year follow‐up. The effects on FAS and FBTCS were less pronounced. Patients with contacts inside the ANT or on the anterolateral border of ANT experienced a greater reduction in seizure frequency than patients with outside‐ANT contacts. Ultimately, seven patients became responders due to changes in DBS programming or repositioning of contacts, increasing our responder rate from 44% to 70% as measured by a seizure reduction of at least 50%.

Significance

ANT DBS appears to be especially effective in reducing FIAS, when the appropriately chosen contacts are activated.
Dynamic loading tests and seismic response analysis of a stud‐type damper composed of multiple friction units with disc springs
Authors: Sano Takeshi , Shirai Kazutaka , Suzui Yasumasa , Utsumi Yoshikazu
Published: June 2020

This paper presents an experimental study on the performance of a shear‐sliding stud‐type damper composed of multiple friction units with high‐tension bolts and disc springs. A numerical evaluation of the response reduction effects achieved by the stud‐type damper is also presented. In dynamic loading tests, the behavior of stud‐type multiunit friction damper specimens was investigated. Three different full‐scale damper specimens, which were composed of five, six, or seven friction units with two or four sliding surfaces, were incorporated into loading devices for testing. The stud‐type friction dampers demonstrated stable rigid‐plastic hysteresis loops without any remarkable decrease in the sliding force even when subjected to repetitive loading, in addition to showing no unstable behavior such as lateral buckling. The damper produced a total sliding force approximately proportional to the number of sliding surfaces and friction units. The total sliding force of the stud‐type damper can thus be estimated by summing the contributions of each friction unit. In an earthquake response simulation, the control effects achieved by stud‐type dampers incorporated into an analytical high‐rise building model under various input waves, including long‐period, long‐duration and pulse‐like ground motions, were evaluated. A satisfactory response reduction was obtained by installing the developed stud‐type dampers into the main frame without negatively impacting usability and convenience in terms of building planning.
A reflection on the mass production of scenarios in response to COVID‐19
Authors: Cairns George , Wright George
Published: June 2020

In this short paper, we reflect on the recent accumulation of scenarios that have been developed in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Will they be of use to worried individuals and organizations? Or, are they artifacts of the very recent past? We conclude that these quickly‐produced scenarios are not embedded in the realities of affected communities and that the scenario development process should be enhanced to either involve power‐holding stakeholders or, more straightforwardly, to activate local consideration of how the affected community might/might not wish to react to localized dilemmas. Both enhancements will provide action‐orientated insights, beyond that of simply appreciating possible global/regional futures.
A Contemporary Perspective on Undergraduate Research Mentoring in University Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Programs
Authors: Thornton Blake P , Laughlin Andy M , Swartz Douglas J , Durham Bart W
Published: June 2020

The high-impact practice of undergraduate research has expanded exponentially over the past 2 decades and has become a much more integrated pursuit across all levels of the educational landscape. Such a rapid expansion and diversity of approaches to these programs have resulted in the need to better understand and evaluate their efficacy in all disciplines. The fisheries profession has long been a leader in providing outstanding career preparation, which includes providing opportunities for students to engage in undergraduate research. To maintain this distinction, it is imperative that we as a field continuously evaluate how our current mentoring practices align with academic pedagogy recommended in the broader literature. Here, we review the extensive literature on undergraduate mentoring and construct a set of success criteria that represents a temporal sequence of best practices in undergraduate mentoring. We also present the results of a survey of fisheries faculty that was undertaken in order to understand what undergraduate mentoring practices are currently being used in our field. Collectively, this information can be used by individuals, departments, or institutions as a practical framework with which to evaluate and improve current mentoring programs or as a foundational starting point from which to design and implement new mentoring programs.
Methodology and application of PCR‐RFLP for species identification in tuna sashimi
Authors: Yao Lin , Lu Jianping , Qu Meng , Jiang Yanhua , Li Fengling , Guo Yingying , Wang Lianzhu , Zhai Yuxiu
Published: June 2020

The Thunnini, or tuna, comprise many species with very different commercial values. The principal raw tuna product on the market is sashimi, for which the species used is difficult to identify through conventional morphological analysis. The present study amplified the cytochrome b gene (Cytb) of 4 major tuna species used for preparing sashimi—yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii), bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), and Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)—and 4 species commonly mislabeled as components of tuna sashimi—albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga), skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax), and swordfish (Xiphias gladius). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons were digested with 5 restriction enzymes—Eco147 I, Hinf I, Mbo I, Xag I, and Hind II—to obtain characteristic restriction maps of the above‐mentioned raw tuna species and the commonly mislabeled species. An identification method using PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) was established and validated using 39 commercial tuna sashimi samples, which verified that this method provides results consistent with those obtained by classical sequencing. PCR‐RFLP has several advantages over classical sequencing, such as simplicity, speed and accuracy. This technique could support species identification for raw tuna and sashimi.
A novel biodegradable film based on κ‐carrageenan activated with olive leaves extract
Authors: Martiny Thamiris R. , Pacheco Bruna S. , Pereira Claudio M. P. , Mansilla Andrés , Astorga–España Maria S. , Dotto Guilherme L. , Moraes Caroline C. , Rosa Gabriela S.
Published: June 2020

This research focused on the development of carrageenan based biodegradable films incorporated with olive leaves extract (OLE). OLE microbial inhibition and its total phenolics (TP) were evaluated. Carrageenan films were produced by casting technique and were characterized by thickness, water vapor permeability (WVP), color, mechanical properties, and infrared spectroscopy. In order to apply as lamb meat packaging, the antimicrobial effect of the films was investigated. Results showed that OLE inhibited E. coli growth and presented excellent TP (41.40 mgGAE/g). Thicknesses of the film with OLE (CAR‐OLE) were approximately 28% higher than film without OLE. Addition of OLE reduced the WVP by approximately 54%. CAR‐OLE was less resistant to breakage and more flexible showing darker color. FTIR showed interaction of carrageenan with OLE. Results revealed that CAR‐OLE promoted 167‐fold reduction in initial count of aerobic mesophiles indicating shelf‐life extension of lamb meat and promising use as antimicrobial food packaging.
An initiative for a morphologic‐genetic catalog of relict charcoal hearths from Central Europe
Authors: Hirsch Florian , Schneider Anna , Bonhage Alexander , Raab Alexandra , Drohan Patrick J. , Raab Thomas
Published: June 2020

The increasing availability of high‐resolution topographic data, coupled with image analysis and machine learning techniques, is rapidly changing the way archaeological sites are digitally identified and mapped. We present a catalog of common forms of relict charcoal hearths (RCHs) in Central Europe to improve the evaluation of morphologic and genetic features in future mapping approaches. RCHs are important historical landscape features created from the production of charcoal. RCHs are noted in Central Europe from the Medieval Period, but also are widespread near (pre‐)industrial mining centers. Different forms of charcoal hearths were created by workers known as colliers, and their hearth building techniques may have differed on a regional scale. Our catalog is based on a morphologic–genetic grouping of RCHs. Due to topographic effects, reuse of production sites, or local techniques, this catalog is nonexhaustive, but most RCHs in Central Europe can be grouped into one of seven types.
Practical implementation of frailty models in Mendelian risk prediction
Authors: Huang Theodore , Gorfine Malka , Hsu Li , Parmigiani Giovanni , Braun Danielle
Published: June 2020

There are numerous statistical models used to identify individuals at high risk of cancer due to inherited mutations. Mendelian models predict future risk of cancer by using family history with estimated cancer penetrances (age‐ and sex‐specific risk of cancer given the genotype of the mutations) and mutation prevalences. However, there is often residual risk heterogeneity across families even after accounting for the mutations in the model, due to environmental or unobserved genetic risk factors. We aim to improve Mendelian risk prediction by incorporating a frailty model that contains a family‐specific frailty vector, impacting the cancer hazard function, to account for this heterogeneity. We use a discrete uniform population frailty distribution and implement a marginalized approach that averages each family's risk predictions over the family's frailty distribution. We apply the proposed approach to improve breast cancer prediction in BRCAPRO, a Mendelian model that accounts for inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to predict breast and ovarian cancer. We evaluate the proposed model's performance in simulations and real data from the Cancer Genetics Network and show improvements in model calibration and discrimination. We also discuss alternative approaches for incorporating frailties and their strengths and limitations.
Clearance of activity‐evoked K+ transients and associated glia cell swelling occur independently of AQP4: A study with an isoform‐selective AQP4 inhibitor
Authors: Toft‐Bertelsen Trine Lisberg , Larsen Brian Roland , Christensen Sofie Kjellerup , Khandelia Himanshu , Waagepetersen Helle S. , MacAulay Nanna
Published: June 2020

The mammalian brain consists of 80% water, which is continuously shifted between different compartments and cellular structures by mechanisms that are, to a large extent, unresolved. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is abundantly expressed in glia and ependymal cells of the mammalian brain and has been proposed to act as a gatekeeper for brain water dynamics, predominantly based on studies utilizing AQP4‐deficient mice. However, these mice have a range of secondary effects due to the gene deletion. An efficient and selective AQP4 inhibitor has thus been sorely needed to validate the results obtained in the AQP4−/− mice to quantify the contribution of AQP4 to brain fluid dynamics. In AQP4‐expressing Xenopus laevis oocytes monitored by a high‐resolution volume recording system, we here demonstrate that the compound TGN‐020 is such a selective AQP4 inhibitor. TGN‐020 targets the tested species of AQP4 with an IC50 of ~3.5 μM, but displays no inhibitory effect on the other AQPs (AQP1‐AQP9). With this tool, we employed rat hippocampal slices and ion‐sensitive microelectrodes to determine the role of AQP4 in glia cell swelling following neuronal activity. TGN‐020‐mediated inhibition of AQP4 did not prevent stimulus‐induced extracellular space shrinkage, nor did it slow clearance of the activity‐evoked K+ transient. These data, obtained with a verified isoform‐selective AQP4 inhibitor, indicate that AQP4 is not required for the astrocytic contribution to the K+ clearance or the associated extracellular space shrinkage.
Changing trend in mortality rate of multiple myeloma after introduction of novel agents: A population‐based study
Authors: Usui Yoshiaki , Ito Hidemi , Koyanagi Yuriko , Shibata Akiko , Matsuda Tomohiro , Katanoda Kota , Maeda Yoshinobu , Matsuo Keitaro
Published: June 2020

Previously, the main treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) was cytotoxic chemotherapies, including autologous stem‐cell transplantation (ASCT), but survival benefit in the elderly was limited. More recently, clinical trials and practical experience with novel agents with superior efficacy have shown improved survival, including in the elderly. However, this improvement cannot be simply interpreted as a decline in mortality rate that is an important public health measure of progress against cancer. Here, we assessed the trends in mortality rates of MM in parallel with incidence rates in Japan and the U.S. We used national mortality data and population‐based cancer registry data in both countries from 1995 to 2015, during which 74 972 patients in Japan and 229 290 patients in the U.S. died of MM. Trends in mortality and incidence rates were characterized using joinpoint regression analysis. Despite upward trends in incidence, mortality rates showed a significant decrement after 2005 in Japan, with an annual percent change [APC (95% confidence interval)] of −2.5% (−2.9% to −2.1%), and after 2002 in the U.S., with an APC of −2.0% (−2.6% to −1.5%). In both countries, the change in mortality trend coincided with the introduction of the novel agents. Moreover, improvements in mortality were particularly large in patients aged 70 to 79 years, who cannot receive ASCT. Our results indicate that the benefits of novel agents for MM are appreciable at the population level and may encourage further development of novel agents for malignancies that can be widely applied to the patients.
Erythrocyte levels of cadmium and lead and risk of B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma
Authors: Deubler Emily L. , Gapstur Susan M. , Diver W. Ryan , Gaudet Mia M. , Hodge James M. , Stevens Victoria L. , McCullough Marjorie L. , Haines Laura G. , Levine Keith E. , Teras Lauren R.
Published: June 2020

Cadmium and lead are persistent environmental toxins that are known or probable carcinogens, based on evidence for causality for nonhematologic cancers. Associations of these metals with risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and multiple myeloma (MM) are unknown but biologically plausible. To examine the associations of circulating levels of lead and cadmium exposure with risk of B‐cell NHL (B‐NHL) and multiple myeloma, we conducted a nested case‐control study among 299 incident B‐cell NHLs and 76 MM cases within the Cancer Prevention Study‐II Nutrition Cohort (CPS‐II NC). Each case was incidence‐density matched to two eligible controls on age, race, sex and blood draw date. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for lymphoid malignancies overall and stratified by subtype. We observed a significant positive association between high erythrocyte lead concentration and risk of lymphoid malignancies overall (RR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02‐1.33 per 17.6 μg/L (1 standard deviation [SD])) and follicular lymphoma in particular (RR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.15‐2.80 per SD). In contrast, there was no association between erythrocyte cadmium and risk of B‐NHL (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.75‐1.06 per 0.37 μg/L [1 SD]), or any B‐NHL subtypes; but a strong inverse association with MM risk (RR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.38‐0.89, per SD). Results from our study suggest a positive association between erythrocyte lead level and risk of lymphoid malignancies and a possible inverse association between cadmium and myeloma. Additional research is needed to confirm and further explore these findings.
Cell surface vimentin‐positive circulating tumor cell‐based relapse prediction in a long‐term longitudinal study of postremission neuroblastoma patients
Authors: Batth Izhar S. , Dao Long , Satelli Arun , Mitra Abhisek , Yi Sofia , Noh Hyangsoon , Li Heming , Brownlee Zachary , Zhou Shouhao , Bond Jeffrey , Wang Jing , Gill Jonathan , Sholler Giselle S. , Li Shulin
Published: June 2020

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a deadly childhood disease that carries a 50% chance of relapse for anyone in remission and similar level of 5‐year survival. We investigated the value of our proprietary approach—cell surface vimentin (CSV) positive circulating tumor cells (CTC) to monitor treatment response and predict relapse in NB patients under remission in a Phase II long‐term preventative clinical trial. We longitudinally analyzed peripheral blood samples from 93 patients for 27 cycles (~25 months) and discovered that the presence of CSV+ CTCs in the first two sequential samples (baseline, cycle 4 [month 3‐4]) was a significant indicator of earlier relapse. We observed strong correlation between relapse‐free survival (RFS) and lack of CSV+ CTCs in first 4 cycles of therapy (95%). There was sensitivity reaching 100% in predicting RFS in patients who had neither CSV+ CTCs nor MycN amplification. Of note, the low number of CSV+ CTCs seems equivalent to low tumor load because the prevention therapy difluoromethylornithine yields faster reduction of relapse risk when none or only 1‐2 CSV+ CTCs (every 6 mL) are present in the blood samples compared to >3 CSV+ CTCs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that directly observes CTCs in under remission NB patients for relapse prediction and the first to gather sequential CSV+ CTC data in any study in a long‐term longitudinal manner.
Risk‐stratifying clinicopathologic criteria for ovarian preservation in premenopausal women with early stage low‐risk endometrial cancer
Authors: Khadraoui Wafa , Tierney Christina , Chung Sophie , Mutlu Levent , Lu Lingeng , Azodi Masoud , Ratner Elena , Menderes Gulden
Published: June 2020

Objective

To establish the rate of occult ovarian micro‐metastases in early stage disease and to provide an eligibility framework for providers to consider ovarian preservation in a patient population with presumed early stage disease.

Methods

A retrospective review from January 2005 to December 2010 identified women with presumed early stage endometrial cancer from a single institutional database. Inclusion criteria included: (1) FIGO grade 1 endometrioid endometrial cancer on endometrial biopsy; or (2) the same pathology as (1) on frozen section specimen with less than 50% myometrial biopsy; and (3) no evidence of metastatic disease on preoperative imaging or visible metastatic disease in the peritoneal cavity.

Results

Of the 52 patients, 86.5% were diagnosed with stage IA and 11.5% were diagnosed with stage II disease. One patient (1.9%) had microscopic adnexal involvement in a fallopian tube, which upstaged her to stage IIA disease. None of the patients had ovarian involvement.

Conclusion

Preservation of the ovaries appears to be a safe and viable option for premenopausal women who are diagnosed with presumed early stage endometrioid endometrial cancer. It is believed that ovarian preservation in this select population will provide them with significant health benefits and improve their quality of life.
Antecedents of fathers’ perception of child behavior at child age 12 months
Authors: Skjothaug Thomas , Smith Lars , Wentzel‐Larsen Tore , Stänicke Erik , Moe Vibeke
Published: June 2020

This study investigates whether fathers’ adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and attachment style reported during pregnancy predict fathers’ perception of child behavior assessed 12 months postpartum, expressed by the Parenting Stress Index (PSI), Child Domain. Prospective fathers (N = 835) were recruited to “The Little in Norway (LiN) study” (Moe & Smith) at nine well‐baby clinics in Norway, with data collection composed of five time points during pregnancy and two time points postpartum (6 and 12 months). The main analyses included linear regression, path‐analysis modeling, and intraclass correlation based on mixed effects modeling. First, linear regression analyses showed that neither fathers’ ACE nor attachment style significantly predicted perceived child behavior postpartum directly. Furthermore, path analyses showed that ACE and less secure attachment style (especially avoidant attachment) measured early in pregnancy strongly predicted negatively perceived child behavior, mediated by fathers’ mental health symptoms during pregnancy and partner disharmony postpartum. Second, intraclass correlation analyses showed that fathers’ perceived child behavior showed substantial stability between 6 and 12 months postpartum. Family interventions beginning in pregnancy may be most beneficial given that fathers’ early experiences and perceptions of attachment in pregnancy were associated with later partner disharmony and stress.
Machine learning of diffraction image patterns for accurate classification of cells modeled with different nuclear sizes
Authors: Liu Jing , Xu Yaohui , Wang Wenjin , Wen Yuhua , Hong Heng , Lu Jun Q. , Tian Peng , Hu Xin‐Hua
Published: June 2020

Measurement of nuclear‐to‐cytoplasm (N:C) ratios plays an important role in detection of atypical and tumor cells. Yet, current clinical methods rely heavily on immunofluroescent staining and manual reading. To achieve the goal of rapid and label‐free cell classification, realistic optical cell models (OCMs) have been developed for simulation of diffraction imaging by single cells. A total of 1892 OCMs were obtained with varied nuclear volumes and orientations to calculate cross‐polarized diffraction image (p‐DI) pairs divided into three nuclear size groups of OCMS, OCMO and OCML based on three prostate cell structures. Binary classifications were conducted among the three groups with image parameters extracted by the algorithm of gray‐level co‐occurrence matrix. The averaged accuracy of support vector machine (SVM) classifier on test dataset of p‐DI was found to be 98.8% and 97.5% respectively for binary classifications of OCMS vs OCMO and OCMO vs OCML for the prostate cancer cell structure. The values remain about the same at 98.9% and 97.8% for the smaller prostate normal cell structures. The robust performance of SVM over clustering classifiers suggests that the high‐order correlations of diffraction patterns are potentially useful for label‐free detection of single cells with large N:C ratios.
Contraction of fibrin‐derived matrices and its implications for in vitro human skin bioengineering
Authors: Montero Andrés , Acosta Sonia , Hernández Rebeca , Elvira Carlos , Jorcano José Luis , Velasco Diego
Published: June 2020

It is well‐known that fibroblasts play a fundamental role in the contraction of collagen and fibrin hydrogels when used in the production of in vitro bilayered skin substitutes. However, little is known about the contribution of other factors, such as the hydrogel matrix itself, on this contraction. In this work, we studied the contraction of plasma‐derived fibrin hydrogels at different temperatures (4, 23, and 37°C) in an isotonic buffer (phosphate‐buffered saline). These types of hydrogels presented a contraction of approximately 30% during the first 24 hr, following a similar kinetics irrespectively of the temperature. This kinetics continued in a slowed down manner to reach a plateau value of 40% contraction after 10–15 days. Contraction of commercial fibrinogen hydrogels was studied under similar conditions and the kinetics was completed after 8 hr, reaching values between 20 and 70% depending on the temperature. We attribute these substantial differences to a modulatory effect on the contraction due to plasma proteins which are initially embedded in, and progressively released from, the plasma‐based hydrogels. The elastic modulus of hydrogels measured at a constant frequency decreased with increasing temperature in 7‐day gels. Rheological measurements showed the absence of a strain‐hardening behavior in the plasma‐derived fibrin hydrogels. Finally, plasma‐derived fibrin hydrogels with and without human primary fibroblast and keratinocytes were prepared in transwell inserts and their height measured over time. Both cellular and acellular gels showed a height reduction of 30% during the first 24 hr likely due to the above‐mentioned intrinsic fibrin matrix contraction.
Anionic behavior and single‐molecule crystal in fullerene confinements: A contribution from DFT energy decomposition and cooperativity analyses
Authors: Alipour Mojtaba , Kargar Kimia
Published: June 2020

The recently proposed systems of various anions (A) confined inside C60, A− @ C60, which in turn behave as large and stable anions, (A @ C60)−, can find potential applications in various fields. On the other hand, it has earlier been shown that from the dihalogens (X2) encapsulated C60, X2 @ C60, only F2 @ C60 can be introduced as a system in which the cage acts as a cation C60+ and interacts with an endohedral anion, F2−, forming the F2− @ C60+ as a single‐molecule crystal compound. In this work, two density functional theory energy decomposition analysis (EDA) schemes, where in one of them the noninteracting kinetic, electrostatic, and exchange‐correlation energies come into play while another scheme, called as EDA‐SBL, includes the steric, electrostatic, and quantum effects as essential ingredients (S. Liu, J. Chem. Phys. 2007, 126, 244103), are utilized to find out what energetic components govern the unique characteristics of the (A @ C60)− and X2 @ C60 confinements. It is shown that the noninteracting kinetic energy and steric energies have important contributions to the total interaction energies for the considered systems. However, there are other confinements for which the electrostatic and exchange‐correlation contributions play also imperative roles. Furthermore, we find reasonable correlations between interaction energies and their components as well as the energetic components themselves, leading to an alternative EDA scheme including the noninteracting kinetic, steric, and electrostatic energies for investigations on other endohedral fullerenes. Extending our analyses to large size confinements, Cl− @ Cn with n up to 90 as illustrative examples, the quantitative cooperativity concept is also explored, where the positive and negative cooperativity profiles unveil a specific size of the anionic confinements to form the most stable large anion.
Symmetric designs and projective special linear groups of dimension at most four
Authors: Alavi Seyed Hassan , Bayat Mohsen , Daneshkhah Asharf
Published: June 2020

In this article, we study symmetric designs admitting a flag‐transitive and point‐primitive automorphism group whose socle is isomorphic to a projective special linear group of dimension at most four. We, in particular, determine all such possible parameters and show that such a design belongs to one of two infinite families of point‐hyperplane designs or it is isomorphic to a design with parameters (7, 3, 1), (7, 4, 2), (11, 5, 2), (11, 6, 3), (15, 8, 4), (35, 18, 9), or (56, 45, 18).
Clinical features of COVID‐19 convalescent patients with re‐positive nucleic acid detection
Authors: Zhu Hui , Fu Liyun , Jin Yinhua , Shao Jiale , Zhang Shun , Zheng Nanhong , Fan Lingyan , Yu Zhe , Ying Jun , Hu Yaoren , Chen Tongen , Chen Yanglingzi , Chen Min , Chen Mingjue , Xiong Zi , Kang Junfei , Jin Jiachang , Cai Ting , Ye Honghua
Published: June 2020

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a pandemic that has rapidly spread worldwide. Increasingly, confirmed patients being discharged according to the current diagnosis and treatment protocols, follow‐up of convalescent patients is important to knowing about the outcome.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed among 98 convalescent patients with COVID‐19 in a single medical center. The clinical features of patients during their hospitalization and 2‐week postdischarge quarantine were collected.

Results

Among the 98 COVID‐19 convalescent patients, 17 (17.3%) were detected positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) nucleic acid during 2‐week postdischarge quarantine. The median time from discharge to SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleic acid re‐positive was 4 days (IQR, 3‐8.5).The median time from symptoms onset to final respiratory SARS‐CoV‐2 detection of negative result was significantly longer in re‐positive group (34 days [IQR, 29.5‐42.5]) than in non‐re‐positive group (19 days [IQR, 16‐26]). On the other hand, the levels of CD3‐CD56 + NK cells during hospitalization and 2‐week postdischarge were higher in re‐positive group than in non‐re‐positive group (repeated measures ANOVA, P = .018). However, only one case in re‐positive group showed exudative lesion recurrence in pulmonary computed tomography (CT) with recurred symptoms.

Conclusion

It is still possible for convalescent patients to show positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleic acid detection, but most of the re‐positive patients showed no deterioration in pulmonary CT findings. Continuous quarantine and close follow‐up for convalescent patients are necessary to prevent possible relapse and spread of the disease to some extent.
Feasibility of CANON process for treating nitrogenous wastewater containing heavy metals
Authors: Chen Zhao , Zhang Xiaojing , Ma Yongpeng , Li Shilei , Pang Qi , Wang Haoxu , Sun Gaochao
Published: June 2020

The appearance of heavy metals in wastewater brings a major burden to wastewater treatment plants, due to the high toxicity to microorganisms. Several commonly used heavy metals, including Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II) were adopted to clear the individual and joint toxicity to the completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) process in six sequencing batch reactors. The obtained results suggested that the nitrogen removal performances were transiently inhibited, but rapidly recovered. The restoration period under the stress of Hg(II) and Pb(II) was shorter than that under Zn(II), Cd(II), and the joint heavy metals. During the long‐term exposure, Cd(II) in 1mg L−1 slightly inhibited the nitrogen removal, while Zn(II), Hg(II), Pb(II), and mixture showed a negligible impact on CANON process. The defense of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), the good adaptability of functional bacteria, and the inducement of resistant genera by heavy metals all contributed to the robustness and stability of CANON process. Therefore, it is feasible to treat nitrogenous wastewater containing low heavy metals using CANON process. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Prenatal sonographic features of fetal mediastinal teratoma
Authors: Srisupundit Kasemsri , Sukpan Kornkanok , Tongsong Theera , Traisrisilp Kuntharee
Published: June 2020

Mediastinal teratoma can cause severe hydrops fetalis, which worsens the effects of the mass compression on the vital mediastinal organs. A careful sonographic examination is mandatory to demonstrate the characteristic features suggestive of this congenital tumor. We describe these features at 20 weeks gestation. The most prominent finding was the heterogeneous echogenicity of a large cystic‐solid mass with hyperechoic dots, seen as a part of the anterior mediastinum immediately posterior to the sternum. Additional diagnostic features included posterior displacement of the heart, low cardiac output, and hypoplasia of the normally structured heart and lungs due to the direct mass compression. These sonographic findings were confirmed at autopsy which confirmed a nonmetastatic immature teratoma. Sonography may enable accurate diagnosis of mediastinal teratoma considering the anterior location and heterogeneous appearance of the mass, posterior displacement of the heart, normal lung morphology, and compression effects on these organs.
Sternal osteomyelitis and infective endocarditis after old trivial chest trauma in untreated diabetes mellitus: A case report
Authors: Kurihara Ibuki , Kashiura Masahiro , Moriya Takashi , Sugawara Hitoshi
Published: June 2020

An 82‐year‐old man with untreated diabetes mellitus (DM) had anterior chest wall swelling and ulcers 2 years following blunt chest trauma. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography revealed sternal fracture with osteolytic change and subcutaneous abscess. Blood and sternal cultures were positive for methicillin‐susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Transesophageal echocardiogram showed vegetation on the right coronary cusp and moderate aortic regurgitation. The patient received a diagnosis of infective endocarditis associated with chronic sternal osteomyelitis complicated by subcutaneous abscess because of MSSA. This case report showed that trivial trauma in patients with uncontrolled DM can cause chronic sternal osteomyelitis resulting in infective endocarditis.
Risk factors for dysfunction of preoperative endoscopic biliary drainage for malignant hilar biliary obstruction
Authors: Sugiura Ryo , Kuwatani Masaki , Kato Shin , Kawakubo Kazumichi , Kamachi Hirofumi , Taketomi Akinobu , Noji Takehiro , Okamura Keisuke , Hirano Satoshi , Sakamoto Naoya
Published: June 2020

Background

Few studies have focused on the risk factors for dysfunction of endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) in preoperative patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO).

Methods

We searched the database between February 2011 and December 2018 and identified patients with MHBO who underwent radical operation. The rate of dysfunction of the initial EBD, risk factors for dysfunction of the initial EBD and survival after surgery were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

We analyzed a total of 131 patients [95 males (72.5%); mean age, 69.5 (±7.3) years; Bismuth‐Corlette classification (BC) I/II/IIIa/IIIb/IV, 50/26/22/17/16; hilar cholangiocarcinoma/gall bladder cancer, 115/16]. Dysfunction of the initial EBD occurred in 28 patients (21.4%). The cumulative incidences of dysfunction of the initial EBD in all patients were 18.4%, 38.2% and 47.0% at 30, 60 and 90 days, respectively (Kaplan–Meier method). The rate of dysfunction of the initial EBD increased in patients with BC‐IV (P = .03). Multivariate analysis showed that BC‐IV and pre‐EBD cholangitis were significantly associated with the occurrence of dysfunction of the initial EBD. Survival rates were not significantly different according to the initial biliary drainage methods and presence/absence of the initial EBD dysfunction.

Conclusions

Dysfunction of the initial EBD frequently occurs in patients with the BC‐IV and those with pre‐EBD cholangitis.
Modification of a new subclassification of Grade B postoperative pancreatic fistula: A bicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Xu Jingyong , Zhang Aoran , Tang Bingjun , Tian Xiaodong , Ma Yongsu , Song Jinghai , Qiao Jiangchun , Wei Junmin , Chen Jian , Yang Yinmo
Published: June 2020

Aim

To propose a modified subclassification of grade B postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) based on management approaches in Chinese patients.

Methods

Data of consecutive pancreatoduodenectomy at two hospitals in China from 2013 to 2018 were collected, and outcomes were compared across different groups of POPF. Subclassification of B‐POPF was made based on intervention to B1: non‐interventional subclass and B2: interventional subclass.

Results

A total of 142 of 522 patients had biochemical leaks (BLs) (27.2%), and POPFs developed in 106 of 522 patients (20.3%), with 81 B‐POPFs (15.5%) and 25 C‐POPFs (4.8%). BL did not differ from the non‐fistula condition in almost all outcomes. The differences of outcomes among the non‐fistula/BL, B‐POPF and C‐POPF groups were significant. The prevalence of subclass B1 and B2 was 56.8% (46/81) and 43.2% (35/81), respectively. Compared to the B1 group, patients in the B2 group had worse outcomes, such as post‐pancreatectomy hemorrhage (15.2% vs 34.3%, P = .045), biliary fistula (13.0% vs 34.3%, P = .023), postoperative hospital stay (32 vs 39 days, P = .011), and cost ($US28 601.0 vs $US39 314.5, P < .001).

Conclusion

The recently reported B‐POPF subclassification method was modified in Chinese patients according to the intervention, and is more practical, simpler and fits Chinese patients.
New insight into the association between bile infection and clinically relevant pancreatic fistula in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy
Authors: Nakamura Kota , Sho Masayuki , Kinoshita Shoichi , Akahori Takahiro , Nagai Minako , Nakagawa Kenji , Takagi Tadataka , Ikeda Naoya
Published: June 2020

Background

The association between bacterial infection and clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR‐POPF) after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) has not been fully elucidated.

Methods

Microbiological data for intraoperative bile culture (BC) and drain culture on postoperative day 4 (DC) were collected. The study population was classified into the following three groups: P1 (positive BC and DC), P2 (positive BC and negative DC), and N (negative BC). A total of 209 patients (P1: 38, P2: 72, and N: 99) who underwent PD between May 2013 and May 2018 met the inclusion criteria of the study.

Results

The rate of CR‐POPF was significantly higher in the P1 group (34.2%) than in the P2 (12.5%; P = .007) and N groups (14.1%; P = .008). Between P1 and P2 groups, a significant difference was observed in the proportion of Enterococcus faecalis grown in BC (42.1% vs 4.2%; P < .001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of E faecalis in bile was independently associated with CR‐POPF.

Conclusions

The detection of both bile and postoperative abdominal fluid infections can be more accurate in predicting CR‐POPF. Furthermore, the presence of E faecalis in bile may serve as a novel surrogate marker for CR‐POPF.
Risk factors for walled‐off necrosis associated with severe acute pancreatitis: A multicenter retrospective observational study
Authors: Ikarashi Satoshi , Kawai Hirokazu , Hayashi Kazunao , Kohisa Junji , Sato Toshifumi , Nozawa Yujiro , Morita Shinichi , Oka Hiromitsu , Sato Munehiro , Aruga Yukio , Yoshikawa Seiichi , Terai Shuji
Published: June 2020

Background

This study aimed to identify the risk factors for walled‐off necrosis (WON) associated with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted in eight institutions in Japan between 2014 and 2017. We analyzed WON incidence, patient characteristics, and risk factors for WON in patients with SAP who were observed for >28 days.

Results

Of 134 patients with SAP, WON occurred in 40 (29.9%). Male sex (P = .045), body mass index (BMI) ≥25 (P < .001), post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (P = .020), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (P = .001) were more frequent in the WON group than in the non‐WON group. On admission, the frequency of white blood cell counts ≥ 12 000/µL (P = .037) and hypoenhanced pancreatic lesion on computed tomography (P = .047) were significantly higher in the WON group. In multivariate analysis, BMI ≥ 25 (odds ratio [OR] 5.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.95‐16.8; P = .002), post‐ERCP (OR 8.08, 95% CI 1.57‐41.7; P = .013), and DIC (OR 3.52, 95% CI 1.20‐10.4; P = .022) were independent risk factors for WON.

Conclusions

High BMI, post‐ERCP pancreatitis, and DIC are risk factors for the development of WON associated with SAP.
Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in occupational cholangiocarcinoma: Supportive evidence for the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy
Authors: Sato Yasunori , Tanaka Shogo , Kinoshita Masahiko , Takemura Shigekazu , Shinkawa Hiroji , Kokudo Takashi , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Tanaka Hiromu , Yoshimoto Hidero , Mori Akira , Yamamura Minako , Sasaki Motoko , Harada Kenichi , Kubo Shoji
Published: June 2020

Background

Occupational cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) was first described in patients who were working at a printing company in Osaka, Japan. Recently, the therapeutic efficacy and safety of a PD1 inhibitor nivolumab are being evaluated in patients with occupational CCA in an investigator‐initiated clinical trial. The therapeutic effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors are closely associated with immune cells.

Methods

Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to characterize immune cells in the tumor microenvironment of occupational CCA. The status of mismatch repair (MMR)/microsatellite instability (MSI) was also examined.

Results

The tumor stroma of occupational CCA was characterized by abundant infiltration of immune cells expressing CD3, CD4, CD8, CD163, FOXP3, and granzyme B. Additionally, lymphocytes expressing immune checkpoint receptors, such as PD1, CTLA4, LAG3, TIM3, and TIGIT, were frequently infiltrated. The loss of immunohistochemical expression of the MMR proteins (MLH1, MSH2, PMS2, and MSH6) was not observed in cases of occupational CCA, and MSI was not detected.

Conclusions

The tumor microenvironment of occupational CCA had features of immunosuppression, and the occurrence of T‐cell dysfunction or exhaustion was suggested. The results provide supportive evidence for the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for this disease.