bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polycythemia Vera and Essential Thrombocythemia Patients Exhibit Unique Serum Metabolic Profiles Compared to Healthy Individuals and Secondary Thrombocytosis Patients
Authors: Gómez-Cebrián Nuria , Rojas-Benedicto Ayelén , Albors-Vaquer Arturo , Bellosillo Beatriz , Besses Carlos , Martínez-López Joaquín , Pineda-Lucena Antonio , Puchades-Carrasco Leonor
Published: January 2021

Most common myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) include polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). Accurate diagnosis of these disorders remains a clinical challenge due to the lack of specific clinical or molecular features in some patients enabling their discrimination. Metabolomics has been shown to be a powerful tool for the discrimination between different hematological diseases through the analysis of patients’ serum metabolic profiles. In this pilot study, the potential of NMR-based metabolomics to characterize the serum metabolic profile of MPNs patients (PV, ET), as well as its comparison with the metabolic profile of healthy controls (HC) and secondary thrombocytosis (ST) patients, was assessed. The metabolic profile of PV and ET patients, compared with HC, exhibited higher levels of lysine and decreased levels of acetoacetic acid, glutamate, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), scyllo-inositol and 3-hydroxyisobutyrate. Furthermore, ET patients, compared with HC and ST patients, were characterized by decreased levels of formate, N-acetyl signals from glycoproteins (NAC) and phenylalanine, while the serum profile of PV patients, compared with HC, showed increased concentrations of lactate, isoleucine, creatine and glucose, as well as lower levels of choline-containing metabolites. The overall analysis revealed significant metabolic alterations mainly associated with energy metabolism, the TCA cycle, along with amino acid and lipid metabolism. These results underscore the potential of metabolomics for identifying metabolic alterations in the serum of MPNs patients that could contribute to improving the clinical management of these diseases.
Survival Analysis of 3 Different Age Groups and Prognostic Factors among 402 Patients with Skeletal High-Grade Osteosarcoma. Real World Data from a Single Tertiary Sarcoma Center
Authors: Evenhuis Richard E. , Acem Ibtissam , Rueten-Budde Anja J. , Karis Diederik S. A. , Fiocco Marta , Dorleijn Desiree M. J. , Speetjens Frank M. , Anninga Jakob , Gelderblom Hans , van de Sande Michiel A. J.
Published: January 2021

Age is a known prognostic factor for many sarcoma subtypes, however in the literature there are limited data on the different risk profiles of different age groups for osteosarcoma survival. This study aims to provide an overview of survival in patients with high-grade osteosarcoma in different age groups and prognostic variables for survival and local control among the entire cohort. In this single center retrospective cohort study, 402 patients with skeletal high-grade osteosarcoma were diagnosed and treated with curative intent between 1978 and 2017 at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). Prognostic factors for survival were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazard model. In this study poor overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were associated with increasing age. Age groups, tumor size, poor histopathological response, distant metastasis (DM) at presentation and local recurrence (LR) were important independent prognostic factors influencing OS and EFS. Differences in outcome among different age groups can be partially explained by patient and treatment characteristics.
DPP4 Inhibitor Sitagliptin Enhances Lymphocyte Recruitment and Prolongs Survival in a Syngeneic Ovarian Cancer Mouse Model
Authors: Wilson Amy L. , Moffitt Laura R. , Wilson Kirsty L. , Bilandzic Maree , Wright Mark D. , Gorrell Mark D. , Oehler Martin K. , Plebanski Magdalena , Stephens Andrew N.
Published: January 2021

Immunity plays a key role in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) progression with a well-documented correlation between patient survival and high intratumoral CD8+ to T regulatory cell (Treg) ratios. We previously identified dysregulated DPP4 activity in EOCs as a potentially immune-disruptive influence contributing to a reduction in CXCR3-mediated T-cell infiltration in solid tumours. We therefore hypothesized that inhibition of DPP4 activity by sitagliptin, an FDA-approved inhibitor, would improve T-cell infiltration and function in a syngeneic ID8 mouse model of EOC. Daily oral sitagliptin at 50 mg/kg was provided to mice with established primary EOCs. Sitagliptin treatment decreased metastatic tumour burden and significantly increased overall survival and was associated with significant changes to the immune landscape. Sitagliptin increased overall CXCR3-mediated CD8+ T-cell trafficking to the tumour and enhanced the activation and proliferation of CD8+ T-cells in tumour tissue and the peritoneal cavity. Substantial reductions in suppressive cytokines, including CCL2, CCL17, CCL22 and IL-10, were also noted and were associated with reduced CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg recruitment in the tumour. Combination therapy with paclitaxel, however, typical of standard-of-care for patients in palliative care, abolished CXCR3-specific T-cell recruitment stimulated by sitagliptin. Our data suggest that sitagliptin may be suitable as an adjunct therapy for patients between chemotherapy cycles as a novel approach to enhance immunity, optimise T-cell-mediated function and improve overall survival.
Effects of 1-Year Hospital Volume on Surgical Margin and Biochemical-Failure-Free Survival in Patients Undergoing Robotic versus Nonrobotic Radical Prostatectomy: A Nationwide Cohort Study from the National Taiwan Cancer Database
Authors: Chang Shyh-Chyi , Hsu Chia-Hao , Lin Yi-Chu , Wu Szu-Yuan
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To examine the effect of hospital volume on positive surgical margin (PSM) and biochemical-failure-free survival (BFS) rates in patients with prostate cancer (PC) undergoing robotic-assisted or nonrobotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RP). Patients and Methods: The patients were men collected in the National Taiwan Cancer Registry diagnosed as having PC without distant metastasis who received RP from 44 multi-institutes in Taiwan. The logistic regression method was used to analyze the risk from RP to PSM in included patients with hospital volume (i.e., number of patients with PC receiving robotic RP per year), and the Cox proportional hazards method was used to analyze the time from the index date to biochemical recurrence. Results: After propensity score adjustment, compared with hospitals with >100 patients/year, the adjusted odds ratios (aORs; 95% confidence intervals) of PSM in the robotic RP group in hospitals with 1–25, 26–50, and 51–100 patients/year were 2.25 (2.10–3.11), 1.42 (1.25–2.23), and 1.33 (1.13–2.04), respectively (type III p < 0.0001). Sensitivity analysis indicated that the aORs of PSM were 1.29 (1.07–1.81), 1.07 (0.70–1.19), and 0.61 (0.56–0.83), respectively, for patients receiving robotic RP compared with nonrobotic RP within hospitals with 1–25, 26–50, and 51–100 patients/year, respectively. Compared with hospitals with >100 patients/year, the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of biochemical failure in the robotic RP group were 1.40 (1.04–1.67), 1.34 (1.06–1.96), and 1.31 (1.05–2.15) in hospitals with 1–25, 26–50, and 51–100 patients/year, respectively. Conclusions: Hospital volume significantly affected PSM and BFS in robotic RP, but not in nonrobotic RP. When patients with PC want to receive robotic RP, it should be performed in a relatively high-volume hospital (>100 patients/year).
Targeting Lysyl Oxidase Family Meditated Matrix Cross-Linking as an Anti-Stromal Therapy in Solid Tumours
Authors: Setargew Yordanos F.I. , Wyllie Kaitlin , Grant Rhiannon D. , Chitty Jessica L. , Cox Thomas R.
Published: January 2021

The lysyl oxidase (LOX) family of enzymes are a major driver in the biogenesis of desmoplastic matrix at the primary tumour and secondary metastatic sites. With the increasing interest in and development of anti-stromal therapies aimed at improving clinical outcomes of cancer patients, the Lox family has emerged as a potentially powerful clinical target. This review examines how lysyl oxidase family dysregulation in solid cancers contributes to disease progression and poor patient outcomes, as well as an evaluation of the preclinical landscape of LOX family targeting therapeutics. We also discuss the suitability of the LOX family as a diagnostic and/or prognostic marker in solid tumours.
Revisiting the Phenomenon of Cellulase Action: Not All Endo- and Exo-Cellulase Interactions Are Synergistic
Authors: Thoresen Mariska , Malgas Samkelo , Mafa Mpho , Pletschke Brett
Published: January 2021

The conventional endo–exo synergism model has extensively been supported in literature, which is based on the perception that endoglucanases (EGs) expose or create accessible sites on the cellulose chain to facilitate the action of processive cellobiohydrolases (CBHs). However, there is a lack of information on why some bacterial and fungal CBHs and EGs do not exhibit synergism. Therefore, the present study evaluated and compared the synergistic relationships between cellulases from different microbial sources and provided insights into how different GH families govern synergism. The results showed that CmixA2 (a mixture of TlCel7A and CtCel5A) displayed the highest effect with BaCel5A (degree of synergy for reducing sugars and glucose of 1.47 and 1.41, respectively) in a protein mass ratio of 75–25%. No synergism was detected between CmixB1/B2 (as well as CmixC1/C2) and any of the EGs, and the combinations did not improve the overall cellulose hydrolysis. These findings further support the hypothesis that “not all endo-to exo-cellulase interactions are synergistic”, and that the extent of synergism is dependent on the composition of cellulase systems from various sources and their compatibility in the cellulase cocktail. This method of screening for maximal compatibility between exo- and endo-cellulases constitutes a critical step towards the design of improved synergistic cellulose-degrading cocktails for industrial-scale biomass degradation.
Nanobiocatalysts for Biodiesel Synthesis through Transesterification—A Review
Authors: Najeeb Jawayria , Akram Sadia , Mumtaz Muhammad Waseem , Danish Muhammad , Irfan Ahmad , Touqeer Tooba , Rashid Umer , Ghani Wan Azlina Wan Ab Karim , Choong Thomas Shean Yaw
Published: January 2021

Converting useless feedstock into biodiesel by utilizing the process of transesterification has been regarded as an alternative approach recently used to address the fuel and energy resources shortage issues. Nanobiocatalysts (NBCs), containing the biological component of lipase enzyme immobilized on nanomaterials (NMs), have also been presented as an advanced catalyst to effectively carry out the process of transesterification with appreciable yields. This study highlights the fundamentals associated with NBCs and the transesterification reaction catalyzed by NBCs for summarizing present academic literature reported in this research domain in recent years. Classification of the NBCs with respect to the nature of NMs and immobilization methods of lipase enzyme is also provided for organizing the recently documented case studies. This review is designed to act as a guideline for the researchers aiming to explore this domain of biodiesel production via NBCs as well as for the scholars looking to expand on this field.
Synthesis of Au or Pt@Perovskite Nanocrystals via Interfacial Photoreduction
Authors: Zhang Jing , Wang Li , Liu Wenwen , Cao Mengsha , Zhang Jing , Yuan Ningyi , Zhang Shuai , Gu Zhongze
Published: January 2021

The surface modification of perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) (i.e., their decoration with noble metals) holds great promise with respect to the tailoring of their properties but has remained a challenge because perovskite NCs are extremely sensitive to water and alcohols. In this study, Au or Pt@CsPbBr3 NCs were successfully synthesized by photoreduction at the water/hexane interface. First, Cs4PbBr6 NCs were synthesized through the hot-injection method. Then, Cs4PbBr6 was transformed into CsPbBr3 and subjected to noble metal modification, both at the interface. The synthesized CsPbBr3 NCs exhibited a cubic perovskite phase and had an average size of approximately 13.5 nm. The deposited Au and Pt nanoparticles were crystalline, with a face-centered cubic lattice and average diameters of approximately 3.9 and 4.4 nm, respectively. The noble metal modification process had almost no effect on the steady-state photoluminescence (PL) emission wavelength but affected the charge-recombination kinetics of the CsPbBr3 NCs. Time-resolved PL decay spectral analysis indicated that the fluorescence lifetimes of the Au and Pt@CsPbBr3 NCs were shorter than those of the pure CsPbBr3 NCs, probably owing to the quenching of the free charges because of electron transfer from the perovskite to the noble metal nanoparticles.
RIPK3 Contributes to Lyso-Gb3-Induced Podocyte Death
Authors: Kim So-Young , Park Samel , Lee Seong-Woo , Lee Ji-Hye , Lee Eun Soo , Kim Miri , Kim Youngjo , Kang Jeong Suk , Chung Choon Hee , Moon Jong-Seok , Lee Eun Young
Published: January 2021

Fabry disease is a lysosomal storage disease with an X-linked heritage caused by absent or decreased activity of lysosomal enzymes named alpha-galactosidase A (α-gal A). Among the various manifestations of Fabry disease, Fabry nephropathy significantly affects patients’ morbidity and mortality. The cellular mechanisms of kidney damage have not been elusively described. Necroptosis is one of the programmed necrotic cell death pathways and is known to play many important roles in kidney injury. We investigated whether RIPK3, a protein phosphokinase with an important role in necroptosis, played a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Fabry nephropathy both in vitro and in vivo. The cell viability of podocytes decreased after lyso-Gb3 treatment in a dose-dependent manner, with increasing RIPK3 expression. Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation after lyso-Gb3 treatment, which was alleviated by GSK’872 (a RIPK3 inhibitor), suggested a role of oxidative stress via a RIPK3-dependent pathway. Cytoskeleton rearrangement induced by lyso-Gb3 was normalized by the RIPK3 inhibitor. When mice were injected with lyso-Gb3, increased urine albuminuria, decreased podocyte counts in the glomeruli, and effaced foot processes were observed. Our results showed that lyso-Gb3 initiated albuminuria, a clinical manifestation of Fabry nephropathy, by podocyte loss and subsequent foot process effacement. These findings suggest a novel pathway in Fabry nephropathy.
Special Issue: Micro- and Macro-Environmental Factors in Solid Cancers
Authors: Tagliabue Elda
Published: January 2021

Paracrine and endocrine signaling between the tumor and host have been convincingly shown to support tumor progression [...]
CERI, CEFX, and CPI: Largely Improved Positive Controls for Testing Antigen-Specific T Cell Function in PBMC Compared to CEF
Authors: Lehmann Alexander A. , Reche Pedro A. , Zhang Ting , Suwansaard Maneewan , Lehmann Paul V.
Published: January 2021

Monitoring antigen-specific T cell immunity relies on functional tests that require T cells and antigen presenting cells to be uncompromised. Drawing of blood, its storage and shipment from the clinical site to the test laboratory, and the subsequent isolation, cryopreservation and thawing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) before the actual test is performed can introduce numerous variables that may jeopardize the results. Therefore, no T cell test is valid without assessing the functional fitness of the PBMC being utilized. This can only be accomplished through the inclusion of positive controls that actually evaluate the performance of the antigen-specific T cell and antigen presenting cell (APC) compartments. For Caucasians, CEF peptides have been commonly used to this extent. Moreover, CEF peptides only measure CD8 cell functionality. We introduce here universal CD8+ T cell positive controls without any racial bias, as well as positive controls for the CD4+ T cell and APC compartments. In summary, we offer new tools and strategies for the assessment of PBMC functional fitness required for reliable T cell immune monitoring.
Differences between Two Methods to Stabilize Supramalleolar Osteotomies in Children—A Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Schlemmer Thomas , Brunner Reinald , Speth Bernhard , Mayr Johannes , Rutz Erich
Published: January 2021

Supramalleolar osteotomy (SMO) in pediatric patients can be fixed in various ways. We analyzed the records of 77 pediatric patients (124 SMOs) aged ≤16 years. In 56 patients (96 SMOs), K-wires were used to stabilize SMOs (WF group), while 21 patients (28 SMOs) were treated with locking compression plates (LCPs; PF group). We recorded time to radiographic consolidation, rate of complications, length of hospital stay (LOS), and time to implant removal. Mean time to radiographic consolidation of SMOs was 7.2 weeks in the WF group and 11.1 weeks in the PF group. Complication rate in the WF group was 10.7%. LOS was similar in the two groups (7.0 days in the WF group vs. 7.3 days in the PF group). K-wire stabilization resulted in a shortened interval until consolidation of osteotomies, but children were required to use a cast. Stabilization of SMOs with LCPs facilitated early mobilization and functional rehabilitation with no need to apply a cast. In conclusion, both methods provided safe fixation of SMOs with a low rate of complications. K-wire stabilization combined with a cast achieves fast consolidation of SMOs. We recommend SMO stabilization with angular stable LCPs in patients with muscular weakness or spasticity in whom early mobilization and physiotherapy are necessary to prevent loss of muscle power, muscle function, and bone mass.
Biodegradable Polylactide/Rare Earth Complexes in Light Conversion Agricultural Films
Authors: Jiang Yuanping , Yan Chunpei , Zhang Han , Wu Miaomiao , Zheng Shaodi , Zhang Yunxiu , Xu Liyang
Published: January 2021

Rare earth luminescent material CaAlSiN3:Eu2+ (CEu) was applied and modified with (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (KH550) to obtain two types of rare earth conversion agents, CEu and KH550-modified CEu (KCEu). Two kinds of polylactide (PLA) conversion films were successfully prepared through solution blending. The results showed that the addition of rare earth complex increases the crystallinity of PLA. More importantly, both PLA/CEu and PLA/KCEu films showed good red-light conversion ability, which can accelerate plant growth.
Performance of SCAN Meta-GGA Functionals on Nonlinear Mechanics of Graphene-Like g-SiC
Authors: Peng Qing
Published: January 2021

Although meta-generalized-gradient approximations (meta-GGAs) are believed potentially the most accurate among the efficient first-principles calculations, the performance has not been accessed on the nonlinear mechanical properties of two-dimensional nanomaterials. Graphene, like two-dimensional silicon carbide g-SiC, has a wide direct band-gap with applications in high-power electronics and solar energy. Taken g-SiC as a paradigm, we have investigated the performance of meta-GGA functionals on the nonlinear mechanical properties under large strains, both compressive and tensile, along three deformation modes using Strongly Constrained and Appropriately Normed Semilocal Density Functional (SCAN) as an example. A close comparison suggests that the nonlinear mechanics predicted from SCAN are very similar to that of Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) formulated functional, a standard Density Functional Theory (DFT) functional. The improvement from SCAN calculation over PBE calculation is minor, despite the considerable increase of computing demand. This study could be helpful in selection of density functionals in simulations and modeling of mechanics of materials.
Application of Hollow-Core Photonic Crystal Fibers in Gas Raman Lasers Operating at 1.7 μm
Authors: Li Jun , Li Hao , Wang Zefeng
Published: January 2021

A 1.7 μm pulsed laser plays an important role in bioimaging, gas detection, and so on. Fiber gas Raman lasers (FGRLs) based on hollow-core photonic crystal fibers (HC-PCFs) provide a novel and effective method for fiber lasers operating at 1.7 μm. Compared with traditional methods, FGRLs have more advantages in generating high-power 1.7 μm pulsed lasers. This paper reviews the studies of 1.7 μm FGRLs, briefly describes the principle and characteristics of HC-PCFs and gas-stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), and systematical characterizes 1.7 μm FGRLs in aspects of output spectral coverage, power-limiting factors, and a theoretical model. When the fiber length and pump power are constant, a relatively high gas pressure and appropriate pump peak power are the key to achieving high-power 1.7 μm Raman output. Furthermore, the development direction of 1.7 μm FGRLs is also explored.
Studying the C–H Crystals and Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Concrete Containing Recycled Coarse Aggregate with Used Nano-Silica
Authors: Shahbazpanahi Shahriar , Tajara Moslem Khalili , Faraj Rabar H. , Mosavi Amir
Published: January 2021

The present study aims to replace 30%, 40%, and 50% of the natural coarse aggregate (NCA) of concrete with recycled coarse aggregate containing used nano-silica (RCA-UNS) to produce a new sustainable concrete. Three groups of concrete are made and their mechanical properties and microstructure are studied. In the first group, which was the control group, normal concrete was used. In the second group, 30%, 40%, and 50% of the NCA were replaced with coarse aggregate obtained from crushed concrete of the control samples and with 0.5% nano-silica as filler. In the third group, 30%, 40%, and 50% of the concrete samples’ NCA were replaced with aggregates obtained from 90-day crushed samples of the second group. Water absorption, fresh concrete slump, and compressive strength of the three groups were investigated and compared through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) tests. The results show that the third group’s compressive strengths increased by 12.8%, 10.9%, and 10% with replacing 30%, 40%, and 50% of NAC with RCA-NS at 28 days compared to the control samples, respectively. This could be due to the secondary production of calcium silicate hydrate due to the presence of new cement paste. The third group’s microstructure was also improved due to the change in the C–H and the production of extra C–S–H. Therefore, the hydration of cement with water produces C–H crystals while reactions are induced by recycled aggregate containing used nano-silica.
Phytosynthetic Fabrication of Lanthanum Ion-Doped Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles Using Sesbania grandiflora Leaf Extract and Their Anti-Microbial Properties
Authors: Saiganesh Srihasam , Krishnan Thyagarajan , Narasimha Golla , Almoallim Hesham , Alhari Sulaiman , Reddy Lebaka , Mallikarjuna Koduru , Mohammed Arifullah , Prabhakar Vattikuti
Published: January 2021

Over the past few years, the photogenic fabrication of metal oxide nanoparticles has attracted considerable attention, owing to the simple, eco-friendly, and non-toxic procedure. Herein, we fabricated NiO nanoparticles and altered their optical properties by doping with a rare earth element (lanthanum) using Sesbania grandiflora broth for antibacterial applications. The doping of lanthanum with NiO was systematically studied. The optical properties of the prepared nanomaterials were investigated through UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-DRS) analysis, and their structures were studied using X-ray diffraction analysis. The morphological features of the prepared nanomaterials were examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, their elemental structure was analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectral analysis, and their oxidation states were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Furthermore, the antibacterial action of NiO and La-doped NiO nanoparticles was studied by the zone of inhibition method for Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus sublitis. It was evident from the obtained results that the optimized compound NiOLa-04 performed better than the other prepared compounds. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the phytosynthetic fabrication of rare-earth ion Lanthanum (La3+)-doped Nickel Oxide (NiO) nanoparticles and their anti-microbial studies.
Stream Restoration Is Influenced by Details of Engineered Habitats at a Headwater Mine Site
Authors: Arkle Robert S. , Pilliod David S.
Published: January 2021

A lack of information regarding which ecological factors influence restoration success or failure has hindered scientifically based restoration decision-making. We focus on one headwater site to examine factors influencing divergent ecological outcomes of two post-mining stream restoration projects designed to improve instream conditions following 70 years of mining impacts. One project was designed to simulate natural stream conditions by creating a morphologically complex channel with high habitat heterogeneity (HH-reach). A second project was designed to reduce contaminants and sediment using a sand filter along a straight, armored channel, which resulted in different habitat characteristics and comparatively low habitat heterogeneity (LH-reach). Within 2 years of completion, stream habitat parameters and community composition within the HH-reach were similar to those of reference reaches. In contrast, habitat and community composition within the LH-reach differed substantially from reference reaches, even 7–8 years after project completion. We found that an interaction between low gradient and high light availability, created by the LH-reach design, facilitated a Chironomid-Nostoc mutualism. These symbionts dominated the epilithic surface of rocks and there was little habitat for tailed frog larvae, bioavailable macroinvertebrates, and fish. After controlling for habitat quantity, potential colonizing species’ traits, and biogeographic factors, we found that habitat characteristics combined to facilitate different ecological outcomes, whereas time since treatment implementation was less influential. We demonstrate that stream communities can respond quickly to restoration of physical characteristics and increased heterogeneity, but “details matter” because interactions between the habitats we create and between the species that occupy them can be complex, unpredictable, and can influence restoration effectiveness.
Bolus Intravenous Procainamide in Patients with Frequent Ventricular Ectopics during Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Scanning: A Way to Ensure High Quality Imaging
Authors: Nikolaidou Chrysovalantou , Kouskouras Konstantinos , Fragakis Nikolaos , Vassilikos Vassilios P. , Karvounis Haralambos , Karamitsos Theodoros D.
Published: January 2021

Acquiring high-quality cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images in patients with frequent ventricular arrhythmias remains a challenge. We examined the safety and efficacy of procainamide when administered on the scanner table prior to CMR scanning to suppress ventricular ectopy and acquire high-quality images. Fifty consecutive patients (age 53.0 [42.0–58.0]; 52% female, left ventricular ejection fraction 55 ± 9%) were scanned in a 1.5 T scanner using a standard cardiac protocol. Procainamide was administered at intermittent intravenous bolus doses of 50 mg every minute until suppression of the ectopics or a maximum dose of 10 mg/kg. The average dose of procainamide was 567 ± 197 mg. Procainamide successfully suppressed premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in 82% of patients, resulting in high-quality images. The baseline blood pressure (BP) was mildly reduced (mean change systolic BP −12 ± 9 mmHg; diastolic BP −4 ± 9 mmHg), while the baseline heart rate (HR) remained relatively unchanged (mean HR change −1 ± 6 bpm). None of the patients developed proarrhythmic changes. Bolus intravenous administration of procainamide prior to CMR scanning is a safe and effective alternative approach for suppressing PVCs and acquiring high-quality images in patients with frequent PVCs and normal or only mildly reduced systolic function.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Diseases in 2020
Authors:   Diseases Editorial Office
Published: January 2021

Peer review is the driving force of journal development, and reviewers are gatekeepers who ensure that Diseases maintains its standards for the high quality of its published papers [...]
Linear Response of General Observables in Spiking Neuronal Network Models
Authors: Cessac Bruno , Ampuero Ignacio , Cofré Rodrigo
Published: January 2021

We establish a general linear response relation for spiking neuronal networks, based on chains with unbounded memory. This relation allow us to predict the influence of a weak amplitude time dependent external stimuli on spatio-temporal spike correlations, from the spontaneous statistics (without stimulus) in a general context where the memory in spike dynamics can extend arbitrarily far in the past. Using this approach, we show how the linear response is explicitly related to the collective effect of the stimuli, intrinsic neuronal dynamics, and network connectivity on spike train statistics. We illustrate our results with numerical simulations performed over a discrete time integrate and fire model.
Edge Computing for Data Anomaly Detection of Multi-Sensors in Underground Mining
Authors: Liu Chunde , Su Xianli , Li Chuanwen
Published: January 2021

There is a growing interest in safety warning of underground mining due to the huge threat being faced by those working in underground mining. Data acquisition of sensors based on Internet of Things (IoT) is currently the main method, but the data anomaly detection and analysis of multi-sensors is a challenging task: firstly, the data that are collected by different sensors of underground mining are heterogeneous; secondly, real-time is required for the data anomaly detection of safety warning. Currently, there are many anomaly detection methods, such as traditional clustering methods K-means and C-means. Meanwhile, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is widely used in data analysis and prediction. However, K-means and C-means cannot directly process heterogeneous data, and AI algorithms require equipment with high computing and storage capabilities. IoT equipment of underground mining cannot perform complex calculation due to the limitation of energy consumption. Therefore, many existing methods cannot be directly used for IoT applications in underground mining. In this paper, a multi-sensors data anomaly detection method based on edge computing is proposed. Firstly, an edge computing model is designed, and according to the computing capabilities of different types of devices, anomaly detection tasks are migrated to different edge devices, which solve the problem of insufficient computing capabilities of the devices. Secondly, according to the requirements of different anomaly detection tasks, edge anomaly detection algorithms for sensor nodes and sink nodes are designed respectively. Lastly, an experimental platform is built for performance comparison analysis, and the experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has better performance in anomaly detection accuracy, delay, and energy consumption.
A Simple Propagation Model to Characterize the Effects of Multiple Human Bodies Blocking Indoor Short-Range Links at 28 GHz
Authors: Dalveren Yaser , Karatas Gokhan , Derawi Mohammad , Kara Ali
Published: January 2021

This study aims to provide a simple approach to characterize the effects of scattering by human bodies in the vicinity of a short-range indoor link at 28 GHz while the link is fully blocked by another body. In the study, a street canyon propagation characterized by a four-ray model is incorporated to consider the human bodies. For this model, the received signal is assumed to be composed of a direct component that is exposed to shadowing due to a human body blocking the link and a multipath component due to reflections from human bodies around the link. In order to predict the attenuation due to shadowing, the double knife-edge diffraction (DKED) model is employed. Moreover, to predict the attenuation due to multipath, the reflected fields from the human bodies around the link are used. The measurements are compared with the simulations in order to evaluate the prediction accuracy of the model. The acceptable results achieved in this study suggest that this simple model might work correctly for short-range indoor links at millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies.
Biometric User Identification Based on Human Activity Recognition Using Wearable Sensors: An Experiment Using Deep Learning Models
Authors: Mekruksavanich Sakorn , Jitpattanakul Anuchit
Published: January 2021

Currently, a significant amount of interest is focused on research in the field of Human Activity Recognition (HAR) as a result of the wide variety of its practical uses in real-world applications, such as biometric user identification, health monitoring of the elderly, and surveillance by authorities. The widespread use of wearable sensor devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) has led the topic of HAR to become a significant subject in areas of mobile and ubiquitous computing. In recent years, the most widely-used inference and problem-solving approach in the HAR system has been deep learning. Nevertheless, major challenges exist with regard to the application of HAR for problems in biometric user identification in which various human behaviors can be regarded as types of biometric qualities and used for identifying people. In this research study, a novel framework for multi-class wearable user identification, with a basis in the recognition of human behavior through the use of deep learning models, is presented. In order to obtain advanced information regarding users during the performance of various activities, sensory data from tri-axial gyroscopes and tri-axial accelerometers of the wearable devices are applied. Additionally, a set of experiments were shown to validate this work, and the proposed framework’s effectiveness was demonstrated. The results for the two basic models, namely, the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) deep learning, showed that the highest accuracy for all users was 91.77% and 92.43%, respectively. With regard to the biometric user identification, these are both acceptable levels.
Application of a Magnetic Field in Saturated Film Boiling of a Magnetic Nanofluid (MNF) under Reduced Gravity
Authors: Guo Kaikai , Chang Fucheng , Li Huixiong
Published: January 2021

To overcome the problem of abnormally large bubbles and the large reduction of heat flux under low gravity, the computational model of magnetic nanofluid (MNF) boiling flow was used to systematically study the thermodynamic characteristics of an MNF-saturated film boiling with and without the magnetic field. This study found that in the absence of a magnetic field, the decrease of the gravity level makes the bubble size increase and the bubble departure time increase, and the lower the gravity level, the worse the boiling heat transfer. However, after applying the magnetic field, bubble size decreases significantly and the bubble departure time is shortened. As the magnetic field intensity increases, the difference in bubble size and heat transfer characteristics between different gravity levels becomes smaller and smaller, which shows that for the boiling flow of MNF under low gravity levels, applying a magnetic field can effectively avoid the appearance of abnormally large bubbles, enhance heat transfer, and improve the safety of related heat transfer equipment.
Candida tropicalis as a Promising Oleaginous Yeast for Olive Mill Wastewater Bioconversion
Authors: Dias Bruna , Lopes Marlene , Ramôa Renata , Pereira Ana S. , Belo Isabel
Published: January 2021

Olive mill wastewater (OMW), which is generated during olive oil production, has detrimental effects on the environment due to its high organic load and phenolic compounds content. OMW is difficult to biodegrade, but represents a valuable resource of nutrients for microbial growth. In this study, yeast strains were screened for their growth on phenolic compounds usually found in OMW and responsible for antimicrobial effects. Candida tropicalis ATCC 750 demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to grow in phenolics and was chosen for further experiments with OMW-based medium. The effects of nitrogen supplementation, the pH, and the stirring rate on cellular growth, OMW-components consumption, and added-value compounds production were studied in batch cultures in Erlenmeyer flasks and in a bioreactor. Candida tropicalis was able to reduce 68% of the organic load (chemical oxygen demand) and 39% of the total phenols of OMW in optimized conditions in bioreactor experiments, producing lipase (203 U·L−1) and protease (1105 U·L−1). Moreover, intracellular lipids were accumulated, most significantly under nitrogen-limited conditions, which is common in this type of wastewater. The high potential of C. tropicalis to detoxify OMW and produce added-value compounds from it makes this process an alternative approach to other conventional processes of OMW treatment.
Changes in Soil C, N, and P Concentrations and Stoichiometry in Karst Trough Valley Area under Ecological Restoration: The Role of Slope Aspect, Land Use, and Soil Depth
Authors: Li Tianyang , Zeng Jiangmin , He Binghui , Chen Zhanpeng
Published: January 2021

This study aims to investigate the roles of slope aspect, land use and soil depth in altering the soil organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), and total phosphorus (P) traits in the karst trough valley area experiencing extensive ecological restoration. A total of 54 soil samples were collected at 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm soil depths from secondary forest, plantation forest, and grassland on the relatively more shaded east-facing slope and the contrasting west-facing slope, respectively. The independent and interactive effects of slope aspect, land use, and soil depth on soil C, N, and P concentrations and stoichiometry were determined. The results show that soil C and N concentrations were markedly higher on the east-facing slope than on the west-facing slope, and soil P concentrations showed an opposite trend, leading to significant differences in soil C:P and N:P but not in C:N ratios between the two aspects. Soil C and N concentrations were not affected by land use, and soil P concentration was significantly higher in plantation forest than in secondary forest and grassland. Soil C and N concentrations significantly decreased with increasing soil depth, but soil P concentration presented no significant changes with soil depth. Both the land use and soil depth did not differ in terms of their elemental stoichiometry. There were no significant interactive effects of slope aspect, land use and soil depth on soil C, N, and P traits. Our results indicate that soil C, N, and P changes are more sensitive to slope aspect rather than land use and soil depth in the karst trough valley area under ecological restoration.
Compatible Taper and Volume Systems Based on Volume Ratio Models for Four Pine Species in Oaxaca Mexico
Authors: Castillo-López Albert , Quiñonez-Barraza Gerónimo , Diéguez-Aranda Ulises , Corral-Rivas José Javier
Published: January 2021

Estimating tree volume components is an essential element in sustainable forest management. Compatible taper and merchantable outside-bark volume systems based on volume ratio models were globally fitted to four pine species (reduced models) with the aim to select the best reduced model and to fit it with dummy variables and additive effects using Pinus pseudostrobus Lindl as a base species. The study was carried out in the northern mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. To fit the taper, merchantable volume, stem volume, branch volume, and total tree volume (stem volume and branch volume) equations, a taper dataset of 222, 230, 245, and 333 trees of Pinus douglasiana Martínez (Pd), Pinus oaxacana Mirov (Po), Pinus patula Schltd (Pp), and Pinus pseudostrobus Lindl (Pps), respectively, was used. In general, the compatible systems explained more than 97% in the observed variability for the four studied components: outside-bark diameter (d), merchantable outside-bark volume (Vm), stem outside-bark volume (Vs), and total tree volume (Vt). Alternatively, more than 52% of the observed variability for branch volume (Vb) was also explained. The developed compatible systems based on volume ratio models are a simple and consistent alternative for estimating the outside-bark diameter and variable outside-bark volume, as well as the components of commercial species for uneven-age and mixed-species forests in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Ecological Gradient Analysis and Environmental Interpretation of Cyclocarya paliurus Communities
Authors: Sun Caowen , Zhou Yongsheng , Fang Shengzuo , Shang Xulan
Published: January 2021

Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinsk. is mainly distributed in the subtropical areas of China. The leaves of this species are rich in beneficial secondary metabolites exhibiting bioactivity against human diseases, including hyperlipemia, diabetes, and hypertension. To explore the adaptability and distribution characteristics along the environmental gradient of this species, investigation of the characteristics of C. paliurus communities is necessary. In this study, we established 31 sample plots, each 20 m × 20 m, and comparatively analyzed the species composition, species importance value, and tree species diversity of different C. paliurus communities in 2 years. Canonical correspondence analyses were carried out: the first between tree-species importance value and 12 environmental factors, and the second between C. paliurus population-related indices and the 12 environmental factors. On the basis of these analyses, we identified tree species varying markedly in abundance in the studied C. paliurus communities. Several tree species showed adaptive characteristics similar to those of C. paliurus. We also observed that the C. paliurus importance value varied along elevational, longitudinal, and temperature gradients. Our findings should be valuable for prediction of C. paliurus adaptive areas and mixed forest afforestation in different distribution areas.
Cooperation in Social Dilemmas: A Group Game Model with Double-Layer Networks
Authors: Guo Dongwei , Fu Mengmeng , Li Hai
Published: January 2021

The combination of complex networks and game theory is one of the most suitable ways to describe the evolutionary laws of various complex systems. In order to explore the evolution of group cooperation in multiple social dilemmas, a model of a group game with a double-layer network is proposed here. Firstly, to simulate a multiplayer game under multiple identities, we combine a double-layer network and public goods game. Secondly, in order to make an individual’s strategy selection process more in line with a practical context, a new strategy learning method that incorporates individual attributes is designed here, referred to as a “public goods game with selection preferences” (PGG-SP), which makes strategic choices that are more humane and diversified. Finally, a co-evolution mechanism for strategies and topologies is introduced based on the double-layer network, which effectively explains the dynamic game process in real life. To verify the role of multiple double-layer networks with a PGG-SP, four types of double-layer networks are applied in this paper. In addition, the corresponding game results are compared between single-layer, double-layer, static, and dynamic networks. Accordingly, the results show that double-layer networks can facilitate cooperation in group games.
Paternal Uniparental Disomy of the Entire Chromosome 20 in a Child with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome
Authors: Choufani Sanaa , Ko Jung Min , Lou Youliang , Shuman Cheryl , Fishman Leona , Weksberg Rosanna
Published: January 2021

Epigenetic alterations at imprinted genes on different chromosomes have been linked to several imprinting disorders (IDs) such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) and pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1b (PHP1b). Here, we present a male patient with these two distinct IDs caused by two independent mechanisms-loss of methylation (LOM) at chromosome 11p15.5 associated with multi-locus imprinting disturbances (MLID and paternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 20 (patUPD20). A clinical diagnosis of BWS was made based on the clinical features of macrosomia, macroglossia, and umbilical hernia. The diagnosis of PHP1b was supported by the presence of reduced growth velocity and mild learning disability as well as hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia at 14 years of age. Molecular analyses, including genome-wide DNA methylation (Illumina 450k array), bisulfite pyrosequencing, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array and microsatellite analysis, demonstrated loss of methylation (LOM) at IC2 on chromosome 11p15.5, and paternal isodisomy of the entire chromosome 20. In addition, imprinting disturbances were noted at the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with DIRAS3 on chromosome 1 and PLAGL1 on chromosome 6. This is the first case report of PHP1b due to patUPD20 diagnosed in a BWS patient with LOM at IC2 demonstrating etiologic heterogeneity for multiple imprinting disorders in a single individual.
Evolutionary Dynamics of the Pericentromeric Heterochromatin in Drosophila virilis and Related Species
Authors: Rezvykh Alexander P. , Funikov Sergei Yu. , Protsenko Lyudmila A. , Kulikova Dina A. , Zelentsova Elena S. , Chuvakova Lyubov N. , Blumenstiel Justin P. , Evgen’ev Michael B.
Published: January 2021

Pericentromeric heterochromatin in Drosophila generally consists of repetitive DNA, forming the environment associated with gene silencing. Despite the expanding knowledge of the impact of transposable elements (TEs) on the host genome, little is known about the evolution of pericentromeric heterochromatin, its structural composition, and age. During the evolution of the Drosophilidae, hundreds of genes have become embedded within pericentromeric regions yet retained activity. We investigated a pericentromeric heterochromatin fragment found in D. virilis and related species, describing the evolution of genes in this region and the age of TE invasion. Regardless of the heterochromatic environment, the amino acid composition of the genes is under purifying selection. However, the selective pressure affects parts of genes in varying degrees, resulting in expansion of gene introns due to TEs invasion. According to the divergence of TEs, the pericentromeric heterochromatin of the species of virilis group began to form more than 20 million years ago by invasions of retroelements, miniature inverted repeat transposable elements (MITEs), and Helitrons. Importantly, invasions into the heterochromatin continue to occur by TEs that fall under the scope of piRNA silencing. Thus, the pericentromeric heterochromatin, in spite of its ability to induce silencing, has the means for being dynamic, incorporating the regions of active transcription.