bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Place branding as the development of thematic city digital era
Authors: Sutriadi R , Rashad I , Ramadhan A
Published: November 2020

Thematic emphasize developing the identity of a city. It is inseparable from the city’s resources, including the historical and cultural side, and the development of science describes civilization in a city. Based on the perspective of planners, consideration of sustainable development should be an essential part of the development of a thematic city, as well as the transformation of the community by solving various urban problems with innovative approaches. The intended changes are not to encourage people to have an urban style, rather than a sustainable development style with a variety of innovations in collaboration with the development of science, technological advancements, and stakeholders in the city. A city branding developed to increase the attractiveness of a city, then. Then the considerations of thematic city development basic that lead to the sustainability of a regional development theme and anticipate negative impacts should be an integral part of developing a network of cities and the discussion of city-level branding. These works discuss a more extensive literature review using the term place branding through which this term can be used in the context of island towns or coastal cities or small islands.
A novel material measure for characterising two-dimensional instrument transfer functions of areal surface topography measuring instruments
Authors: Dai Gaoliang , Jiao Ziyang , Xiang Lanting , Seeger Benedikt , Weimann Thomas , Xie Weichang , Tutsch Rainer
Published: November 2020

A new material measure for characterising two-dimensional (2D) instrument transfer functions (ITF) of areal surface topography measuring instruments has been designed, manufactured, calibrated and applied. Several innovative ideas are implemented in its design. Firstly, the material measure is designed with circular structure patterns. Such rotational symmetric patterns are advantageous for characterising the ITF in different angular directions, thus for characterising angular-dependent asymmetries of instruments. Secondly, different types of patterns are designed: circular chirp (CC) pattern and circular discreate grating (CDG) pattern. They represent different kinds of spatial signals applicable for characterising ITFs. A material measure consists of 25 different circular patterns with radii from 30 μm to 300 μm, and wavelengths from 0.1 μm to 150 μm. These patterns can be applied complementary and combinedly, offering high application flexibility for calibrating a variety of instruments, e.g. with different optical objectives from 5× to 100× and with different sizes of field of view (FOV). Material measures with heights of 8 nm, 16 nm and 32 nm, respectively, have been manufactured using state-of-the-art e-beam lithography technique. The feature heights are far less than λ/4, thus they are suitable for characterising the ITF of optical tools which can be approximated as linear systems. A metrological large range atomic force microscope (AFM) has been applied in the calibration of the developed material measure, showing good feature quality. The calibrated material measure has been successfully applied in research and industry.
Enhanced field emission properties From plasma treated Ti3C2Tx (MXene) emitters
Authors: Hong X D , Zheng H R , Liang D
Published: November 2020

MXenes are an emerging family of 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides and have already shown potential in various applications. However, up to now, studies on the field emission application of MXenes are scarce. In this study, the field emitters based on the Ti3C2Tx (MXene) flakes were prepared by facile solution process and the effect of different plasmas (H2, Ar, O2) on the field emission properties of Ti3C2Tx films was investigated. The plasma treated Ti3C2Tx films showed significantly better field emission properties than that of as-deposited Ti3C2Tx films. Compared to the Ar and O2 plasma treated Ti3C2Tx films, the H2 plasma treated Ti3C2Tx films displayed lower turn-on field (8.5 V/μm) and larger maximum current density (1222 μA cm−2). The H2 plasma treated Ti3C2Tx films also showed good emission stability. These results suggested the potential of the H2 plasma treated Ti3C2Tx films as electron source of vacuum electronic devices.
The necessity of using deep inspiration breath-hold in the radiotherapy of left breast cancer patients who undergo the UK FAST trial
Authors: Hafez Abdelrahman , Abdelaziz Dina M , Khalil Magdy M , El-Nagdy Mohamed S
Published: November 2020

Aim
: The purpose of the current study was to compare between deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) and free-breathing (FB) method in the setup reproducibility and to perform a dosimetric comparison between both methods in left-sided breast cancer patients who undergo the UK FAST trial.
Materials and methods
: The online matching correction data were retrospectively collected for 50 patients treated with the FAST trial. They were equally divided into DIBH and FB groups to compare between both methods in the setup reproducibility and create the appropriate planning target volume (PTV) margin. Ten patients out of the fifty were scanned in DIBH and FB to perform a dosimetric comparison with the strict acceptance criteria of the FAST trial.
Results
: All heart dosimetric parameters of the DIBH was significantly lower than that of FB (p < 0.001), and the lung V30% of DIBH plans was significantly lower than FB plans (p = 0.03). There was no statistically significant difference between the two methods in the other organs at risk doses. To fulfill the heart and lung constraints in FB plans, the PTV V90% was reduced by 3.4%, and three plans would not attain the PTV acceptance criteria. There was no significant difference between the systematic or random setup errors between both methods except the left-right random shift was significantly lower in DIBH cases (p = 0.004). The calculated PTV margins were (4 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm) for DIBH group, and (5 mm, 6 mm, and 8 mm) for FB group in the anterior-posterior, superior-inferior, and left-right shifts, respectively.
Conclusion
: It is highly warranted to treat left-sided breast cancer patients with the DIBH technique when the UK FAST trial is employed for treatment.
Local enhanced site in surface enhanced infrared absorption with gold nano particle array by Rigorous coupled-wave analysis
Authors: Mitobe Daichi , Suzuki Yushi , Shimada Toru
Published: November 2020

Surface enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) is a phenomenon by which infrared absorption of molecules adsorbed onto metal evaporated films is greatly enhanced. To clarify the enhancement mechanism in the evaporated films, we simulated the distribution of the enhancement field between Au nano-square columns by rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA). No maximum enhancement was observed on the particle surface. This result demonstrates that the first layer effect is not dominant for the increase in this system of columns. Furthermore, the enhanced field oscillates periodically between the particles. This periodic oscillation is not plasmon behavior seen in the visible region. Results indicate the existence of enhancement mechanisms other than plasmons and indicate the possibility that the interference effect enhances infrared absorption.
Recent progress in nanophotosensitizers for advanced photodynamic therapy of cancer
Authors: Yang Yamin , Wang Hongjun
Published: November 2020

Owing to their unique photophysical and physicochemical properties, nanoscale photosensitizers (nano-PSs) comprising nanocarriers and molecular photosensitizers (PSs) have emerged as the practical solutions to circumvent current limitations in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer. Nanosized materials have demonstrated their superiority either as the delivery vehicles for PSs to enhance the therapeutic efficacy in selective PDT or as the active participants to improve the energy conversion under a near-infrared light for deep tumour treatment. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of recent progress on nano-PSs for advanced PDT by elaborating three key elements in the photodynamic reaction, i.e. PS, oxygen, and light. Specifically, we discuss the state-of-the-art design of nano-PSs via the following strategies: (a) intracellular PS delivery based on hierarchical modifications, (b) stimuli-responsive nano-PSs targeting the tumour microenvironment, and (c) improved photophysical characteristics of nano-PSs as the energy transducers under deep tissue-penetrating light irradiation. In addition, the utilities of nano-PSs for combinatory therapy or for theragnostic purposes were also discussed. In the end, the current challenges and future perspectives of nano-PSs towards clinical translation were also highlighted along with the concluding remarks.
Design of a connector for fault detection in eye bolts used as insulator anchorages
Authors: Filho H V H Silva , S Coutinho Marcelo , T de Melo M , M F de Oliveira E , Tarragô Vinícius L , R G S Lourenco Novo Lauro , M da Silva L , N Fraga Fabio
Published: November 2020

Eye bolts are part of a system used to anchor electrical insulators in substations and on transmission lines, connected by concrete structures. Structural failures in these devices may lead to service interruption, financial losses and risks for the general population. In this article, we propose a signal adapter capable of applying and receiving high frequency signals to a portable vector network analyzer for the eye bolt. The technique consists of injecting high frequency signals into the samples in order to detect their integrity and analyzing their return loss (S11), using the principle of reflection and transmission lines. Should the eye bolt present a failure, the ∣S11∣ response is changed, thereby enabling its detection. The development of the adapter, for both intact and defective bolt models, was based on electromagnetic simulation models using the Ansys HFSS program. The measurements were made with models of real bolts presenting approximate wear, in order to validate the simulations.
Machine learning based quantification of synchrotron radiation-induced x-ray fluorescence measurements—a case study
Authors: Rakotondrajoa A , Radtke M
Published: November 2020

In this work, we describe the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs) for the quantification of x-ray fluorescence measurements. The training data were generated using Monte Carlo simulation, which avoided the use of adapted reference materials. The extension of the available dataset by means of an ANN to generate additional data was demonstrated. Particular emphasis was put on the comparability of simulated and experimental data and how the influence of deviations can be reduced. The search for the optimal hyperparameter, manual and automatic, is also described. For the presented case, we were able to train a network with a mean absolute error of 0.1 weight percent for the synthetic data and 0.7 weight percent for a set of experimental data obtained with certified reference materials.
Quantitative cardiovascular magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion mapping to assess hyperaemic response to adenosine stress
Authors: Kotecha Tushar , Monteagudo Juan Manuel , Martinez-Naharro Ana , Chacko Liza , Brown James , Knight Daniel , Knott Kristopher D , Hawkins Philip , Moon James C , Plein Sven , Xue Hui , Kellman Peter , Lockie Tim , Patel Niket , Rakhit Roby , Fontana Marianna
Published: November 2020

Aims

Assessment of hyperaemia during adenosine stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) remains a clinical challenge with lack of a gold-standard non-invasive clinical marker to confirm hyperaemic response. This study aimed to validate maximum stress myocardial blood flow (SMBF) measured using quantitative perfusion mapping for assessment of hyperaemic response and compare this to current clinical markers of adenosine stress.

Methods and results

Two hundred and eighteen subjects underwent adenosine stress CMR. A derivation cohort (22 volunteers) was used to identify a SMBF threshold value for hyperaemia. This was tested in a validation cohort (37 patients with suspected coronary artery disease) who underwent invasive coronary physiology assessment on the same day as CMR. A clinical cohort (159 patients) was used to compare SMBF to other physiological markers of hyperaemia [splenic switch-off (SSO), heart rate response (HRR), and blood pressure (BP) fall]. A minimum SMBF threshold of 1.43 mL/g/min was derived from volunteer scans. All patients in the coronary physiology cohort demonstrated regional maximum SMBF (SMBFmax) >1.43 mL/g/min and invasive evidence of hyperaemia. Of the clinical cohort, 93% had hyperaemia defined by perfusion mapping compared to 71% using SSO and 81% using HRR. There was no difference in SMBFmax in those with or without SSO (2.58 ± 0.89 vs. 2.54 ± 1.04 mL/g/min, P = 0.84) but those with HRR had significantly higher SMBFmax (2.66 1.86 mL/g/min, P < 0.001). HRR >15 bpm was superior to SSO in predicting adequate increase in SMBF (AUC 0.87 vs. 0.62, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Adenosine-induced increase in myocardial blood flow is accurate for confirmation of hyperaemia during stress CMR studies and is superior to traditional, clinically used markers of adequate stress such as SSO and BP response.
Upgrade of cardiac resynchronization therapy by utilizing additional His-bundle pacing in patients with inotrope-dependent end-stage heart failure: a case series
Authors: Baba Masako , Yoshida Kentaro , Hanaki Yuichi , Yamamoto Masayoshi , Shinoda Yasutoshi , Takeyasu Noriyuki , Nogami Akihiko
Published: November 2020

Background

His-bundle pacing (HBP) alone may become an alternative to conventional cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) utilizing right ventricular apical (RVA) and left ventricular (LV) pacing (BiVRVA+LV) in selected patients, but the effects of CRT utilizing HBP and LV pacing (BiVHB+LV) on cardiac resynchronization and heart failure (HF) are unclear.

Case summary

We presented two patients with inotrope-dependent end-stage HF in whom the upgrade from conventional BiVRVA+LV to BiVHB+LV pacing by the addition of a lead for HBP improved their HF status. Patient 1 was a 32-year-old man with lamin A/C cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, and complete atrioventricular (AV) block. Patient 2 was a 70-year-old man with ischaemic cardiomyopathy complicated by AV block and worsening of HF resulting from ablation for ventricular tachycardia storm. The HF status of both patients improved dramatically following the upgrade from BiVRVA+LV to BiVHB+LV pacing.

Discussion

End-stage HF patients suffer from diffuse intraventricular conduction defect not only in the LV but also in the right ventricle (RV). The resulting dyssynchrony may not be sufficiently corrected by conventional BiVRVA+LV pacing or HBP alone. Right ventricular apical pacing itself may also impair RV synchrony. An upgrade to BiVHB+LV pacing could be beneficial in patients who become non-responsive to conventional BiV pacing as the His–Purkinje conduction defect progresses.
Nicotine e-vaping and cardiovascular consequences: a case series and literature review
Authors: Jessri Maryam , Sultan Ahmed S , Magdy Emad , Hynes Niamh , Sultan Sherif
Published: November 2020

Background

Cardiovascular toxicity as a consequence of nicotine from conventional tobacco cigarette smoking is well documented. However, little is known about the cardiovascular consequences of nicotine e-vaping. We review the literature and report a case series of three cases of major adverse cardiovascular clinical effects post nicotine e-vaping.

Case summary

Three patients with known peripheral arterial disease who switched from heavy cigarette smoking consumption to a high-intensity dose of nicotine e-vaping all developed further arterial complications within 6–30 months.

Discussion

With the recent epidemic of e-vaping in young individuals and the national outbreak of e-vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI), the dangers of e-vaping are now coming to light. The pulmonary effects are now well described, and this paper highlights three new cases of cardiovascular toxicity associated with e-vaping. The potential role of nicotine e-vaping and the risk of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) will also be discussed.
The clicking chest: what exactly did Hamman hear? A case report of a left-sided pneumothorax
Authors: Jimidar Nadeem , Lauwers Patrick , Govaerts Emmanuela , Claeys Marc
Published: November 2020

Background

Hamman’s sign is a rare phenomenon. Louis Hamman described this pathognomonic clicking chest noise in association with pneumomediastinum in 1937. This typical noise can also be present in left-sided pneumothorax. Clinical cases already mention this pericardial knock in 1918 in gunshot wounds of the left chest and in 1928 in cases of spontaneous left-sided pneumothorax. However, the sound itself has only rarely been recorded.

Case summary

We describe a case of a young man with no significant medical history who was referred to the hospital with chest pain and audible clicks, documented with his smartphone. Imaging studies including chest radiograph and computed tomography scan revealed a left-sided pneumothorax. The patient underwent semi-urgent insertion of a thorax drain. His clinical outcome was excellent.

Discussion

In recent years only a few case reports describe Hamman’s sign, as it is rare and happens only transiently. This case report includes the audible clicks recorded by the patient with his smartphone. We stress the importance of thoracic clicking sounds as key symptom in the differential diagnosis of left-sided pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and valvular pathology such as mitral valve prolapse.
Aortic dissection during transoesophageal echocardiography: a case report
Authors: Hoshina Rin , Kishima Hideyuki , Mine Takanao , Ishihara Masaharu
Published: November 2020

Background

Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is a safe and useful tool. In our case, we are presenting a rare case of a patient with aortic dissection during TOE procedure.

Case summary

A 79-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) with palpitation. Pre-procedural cardiac computed tomography (CT) showed slight dilated ascending aorta (maximum diameter: 40 mm). We decided to perform catheter ablation (CA) for AF, and recommended TOE before the CA because she had a CHADS2 score of 4. On the day before the CA, TOE was performed. Her physical examinations at the time of TOE procedure were unremarkable. At 3 min after probe insertion, there was no abnormal finding of the ascending aorta. At 5 min after the insertion, TOE showed ascending aortic dissection without pericardial effusion. After waking, she had severe back pain and underwent a contrast-enhanced CT. Computed tomography demonstrated Stanford type A aortic dissection extending from the aortic root to the bifurcation of common iliac arteries, and tight stenosis in the right coronary artery (maximum diameter; 49 mm). The patient underwent a replacement of the ascending aorta, and a coronary artery bypass graft surgery for the right coronary artery.

Discussion

Transoesophageal echocardiography would have to be performed under sufficient sedation with continuous blood pressure monitoring in patients who have risk factors of aortic dissection. The risk–benefit of TOE must be considered before a decision is made. Depending on the situation, another modality instead of TOE might be required.
Chryseobacterium bacteraemia in a patient with heart failure: case report and literature review
Authors: Wood Taylor , Abbate Antonio , Tchoukina Inna , Stevens Michael P
Published: November 2020

Background

A 29-year-old male with recently diagnosed biventricular failure from myopericarditis and subsequent constrictive pericarditis on home milrinone presented to the Emergency Department with fevers/chills.

Case summary

On arrival to the Emergency Department, he was found to have septic shock and required vasopressor therapy. Chryseobacterium indologenes grew on his admission blood cultures, and he was treated with ciprofloxacin and piperacillin/tazobactam. He quickly improved, allowing for a successful pericardiectomy, was weaned off inotropes and discharged from the hospital.

Discussion

Chryseobacterium indologenes is an environmental Gram-negative rod found in groundwater. It is rarely associated with human infection, but is associated with indwelling lines and has been documented in immunocompromised patients. Treatment typically involves line removal and a fluoroquinolone or piperacillin/tazobactam; the most optimal antimicrobial regimen and duration of treatment are unknown.
Left atrial function assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography in anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity: a case report
Authors: Sueta Daisuke , Usuku Hiroki , Kinoshita Yui , Tsujita Kenichi
Published: November 2020

Background

The onset prevention and early diagnosis in cardiotoxicity due to cancer chemotherapy are important, and it is important to detect cardiac dysfunction at an early stage and start treatment to enhance the therapeutic effect.

Case summary

A 31-year-old female with breast cancer received chemotherapy with epirubicin (400 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel. Two months after the initiation of her chemotherapy, the left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) determined by echocardiography fell to 41.2%, and she was diagnosed with cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). Three months after the initiation of cancer treatment, the peak velocity of late diastolic transmitral Doppler flow (A wave) became undetectable. Peak longitudinal strain (LS) and peak LS rate, which reflect left atrium (LA) reservoir function, gradually declined like the LVEF and LV-global LS (GLS). Seven months after the initiation of cancer treatment, she was diagnosed with acute decompensated heart failure. The changes in peak LS and peak LS at the onset were greater than those in LVEF and LV-GLS.

Discussion

This is a case report suggesting that LA reservoir function might be a more sensitive indicator than LVEF or LV-GLS in detecting CTRCD and that LA booster function might be the earliest. Left atrium reservoir function might be a more sensitive than conventional LV pump function and optimal indicator in CTRCD.
Successful transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a patient after an apico-aortic conduit for severe aortic stenosis complicated by haemolytic anaemia: a case report
Authors: Kim Kitae , Ehara Natsuhiko , Koyama Tadaaki , Furukawa Yutaka
Published: November 2020

Background

Apico-aortic conduit (AAC) which connects the left ventricular (LV) apex directly to the descending aorta through a valved conduit, is an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) for patients with aortic stenosis (AS) who are inoperable or high risk for surgical AVR and are not suitable candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Case summary

An 84-year-old man with severe AS underwent an AAC combined with coronary artery bypass grafting 8 years earlier. A saphenous vein graft was anastomosed from the conduit to the left anterior descending artery. He had developed haemolytic anaemia requiring frequent blood transfusions. The stenosis at the anastomosis of the left ventricle and the conduit might be the cause of a turbulent flow and a shear stress which led to mechanical haemolysis. We expected that dilatation of native aortic valve would reduce the blood flow at the anastomosis site and thereby improve haemolytic anaemia. Since balloon aortic valvuloplasty improved haemolytic anaemia without exacerbation of myocardial ischaemia, transsubclavian TAVI was performed. After the TAVI, significant reductions in the pressure gradient between the left ventricle and the ascending aorta and that between the left ventricle and the conduit were achieved, and the patient remained clinically stable without the recurrence of haemolytic anaemia.

Discussion

This is the first report regarding mechanical haemolytic anaemia after AAC which might result from a turbulence and a shear stress by the stenosis of the anastomosis of the LV apex and the conduit. A careful monitoring for conduit dysfunction should be made after AAC.
Relationship Between Serum IGF-1 and BMI Differs by Age
Authors: Sherlala Rehab A , Kammerer Candace M , Kuipers Allison L , Wojczynski Mary K , Ukraintseva Svetlana V , Feitosa Mary F , Mengel-From Jonas , Zmuda Joseph M , Minster Ryan L
Published: November 2020

Background

Serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and body mass index (BMI) are both associated with susceptibility to age-related diseases. Reports on the correlation between them have been conflicting, with both positive to negative correlations reported. However, the age ranges of the participants varied widely among these studies.

Methods

Using data on 4241 participants (aged 24–110) from the Long Life Family Study, we investigated the relationship between IGF-1 and BMI by age groups using regression analysis.

Results

When stratified by age quartile, the relationship between IGF-1 and BMI varied: in the first quartile (Q1, 20–58 years) the relationship was negative (β = −0.2, p = .002); in Q2 (58–66 years) and Q3 (67–86 years) the relationship was negative (β = −0.07, β = −0.01, respectively) but nonsignificant; and in Q4 (87–110 years) the relationship was positive (β = 0.31, p = .0002). This pattern did not differ by sex. We observed a similar age-related pattern between IGF-1 and BMI among participants in the third National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey.

Conclusions

Our results that the relationship between IGF-1 and BMI differs by age may explain some of the inconsistency in reports about their relationship and encourage additional studies to understand the mechanisms underlying it.
A Practical Guide to MeasuringEx vivoJoint Mobility Using XROMM
Authors: Manafzadeh Armita R
Published: November 2020

Synopsis

X-Ray Reconstruction of Moving Morphology (XROMM), though traditionally used for studies of in vivo skeletal kinematics, can also be used to precisely and accurately measure ex vivo range of motion from cadaveric manipulations. The workflow for these studies is holistically similar to the in vivo XROMM workflow but presents several unique challenges. This paper aims to serve as a practical guide by walking through each step of the ex vivo XROMM process: how to acquire and prepare cadaveric specimens, how to manipulate specimens to collect X-ray data, and how to use these data to compute joint rotational mobility. Along the way, it offers recommendations for best practices and for avoiding common pitfalls to ensure a successful study.
Facilitating reproducible research through direct connection of data analysis with manuscript preparation: StatTag for connecting statistical software to Microsoft Word
Authors: Welty Leah J , Rasmussen Luke V , Baldridge Abigail S , Whitley Eric W
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To enhance reproducible research by creating a broadly accessible, free, open-source software tool for connecting Microsoft Word to statistical programs (R/R Markdown, Python, SAS, Stata) so that results may be automatically updated in a manuscript.

Materials and Methods

We developed StatTag for Windows as a Microsoft Word plug-in using C# and for macOS as a native application using Objective-C. Source code is available under the MIT license at https://github.com/stattag.

Results

StatTag links analysis file(s) (R/R Markdown, SAS, Stata, or Python) and a Word document, invokes the statistical program(s) to obtain results, and embeds selected output in the document. StatTag can accommodate multiple statistical programs with a single document and features an interface to view, edit, and rerun statistical code directly from Word.

Discussion and Conclusion

StatTag may facilitate reproducibility within increasingly multidisciplinary research teams, improve research transparency through review and publication, and complement data-sharing initiatives.
An integrated disease-specific graded prognostic assessment scale for melanoma: contributions of KPS, CITV, number of metastases, and BRAF mutation status
Authors: Ahluwalia Manmeet , Ali Mir A , Joshi Rushikesh S , Park Eun Suk , Taha Birra , McCutcheon Ian , Chiang Veronica , Hong Angela , Sinclair Georges , Bartek Jiri , Chen Clark C
Published: November 2020

Background

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) remains a mainstay therapy in the treatment of melanoma brain metastases (BM). While prognostic scales have been developed for melanoma patients who underwent SRS treatment for BM, the pertinence of these scales in the context of molecularly targeted therapies remains unclear.

Methods

Through a multi-institutional collaboration, we collated the survival patterns of 331 melanoma BM patients with known BRAF mutation status treated with SRS. We established a prognostic scale that was validated in an independent cohort of 174 patients. All patients with BRAF mutations in this series were treated with BRAF inhibitors. Prognostic utility was assessed using Net Reclassification Index (NRI > 0) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) metrics.

Results

In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, BRAF mutation status, KPS, number of metastases, and cumulative intracranial tumor volume (CITV) independently contributed to survival prognostication for melanoma patients with SRS-treated BM (P < .05 for all variables). These variables were incorporated into a prognostic scale using the disease-specific graded prognostic assessment (ds-GPA) framework. This integrated melanoma ds-GPA scale was validated in 2 independent cohorts collated through a multi-institutional collaboration. In terms of order of prognostic importance, BRAF mutation status exerted the greatest influence on survival, while KPS, the number of metastases, and CITV exhibited comparable, lesser impacts.

Conclusions

Optimal survival prognostication for SRS-treated patients with melanoma BM requires an integrated assessment of patient characteristics (KPS), tumor characteristics (CITV and number of metastases), and the mutational profile of the melanoma (BRAF mutation status).
Mebendazole and temozolomide in patients with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas: results of a phase 1 clinical trial
Authors: Gallia Gary L , Holdhoff Matthias , Brem Henry , Joshi Avadhut D , Hann Christine L , Bai Ren-Yuan , Staedtke Verena , Blakeley Jaishri O , Sengupta Soma , Jarrell T Che , Wollett Jessica , Szajna Kelly , Helie Nicole , Mattox Austin K , Ye Xiaobu , Rudek Michelle A , Riggins Gregory J
Published: November 2020

Background

Mebendazole is an anthelmintic drug introduced for human use in 1971 that extends survival in preclinical models of glioblastoma and other brain cancers.

Methods

A single-center dose-escalation and safety study of mebendazole in 24 patients with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas in combination with temozolomide was conducted. Patients received mebendazole in combination with adjuvant temozolomide after completing concurrent radiation plus temozolomide. Dose-escalation levels were 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day of oral mebendazole. A total of 15 patients were enrolled at the highest dose studied of 200 mg/kg/day. Trough plasma levels of mebendazole were measured at 4, 8, and 16 weeks.

Results

Twenty-four patients (18 glioblastoma and 6 anaplastic glioma) were enrolled with a median age of 49.8 years. Four patients (at 200 mg/kg) developed elevated grade 3 alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and/or aspartate transaminase (AST) after 1 month, which reversed with lower dosing or discontinuation. Plasma levels of mebendazole were variable but generally increased with dose. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a 21-month median overall survival with 41.7% of patients alive at 2 years and 25% at 3 and 4 years. Median progression-free survival (PFS) from the date of diagnosis for 17 patients taking more than 1 month of mebendazole was 13.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.8–14.6 months) but for 7 patients who received less than 1 month of mebendazole PFS was 9.2 months (95% CI: 5.8–13.0 months).

Conclusion

Mebendazole at doses up to 200 mg/kg demonstrated long-term safety and acceptable toxicity. Further studies are needed to determine mebendazole’s efficacy in patients with malignant glioma.
Near haploidization is a genomic hallmark which defines a molecular subgroup of giant cell glioblastoma
Authors: Baker Tiffany G , Alden Jay , Dubuc Adrian M , Welsh Cynthia T , Znoyko Iya , Cooley Linda D , Farooqi Midhat S , Schwartz Stuart , Li Yvonne Y , Cherniack Andrew D , Lindhorst Scott M , Gener Melissa , Wolff Daynna J , Meredith David M
Published: November 2020

Background

Giant cell glioblastoma (gcGBM) is a rare histologic subtype of glioblastoma characterized by numerous bizarre multinucleate giant cells and increased reticulin deposition. Compared with conventional isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype glioblastomas, gcGBMs typically occur in younger patients and are generally associated with an improved prognosis. Although prior studies of gcGBMs have shown enrichment of genetic events, such as TP53 alterations, no defining aberrations have been identified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genomic profile of gcGBMs to facilitate more accurate diagnosis and prognostication for this entity.

Methods

Through a multi-institutional collaborative effort, we characterized 10 gcGBMs by chromosome studies, single nucleotide polymorphism microarray analysis, and targeted next-generation sequencing. These tumors were subsequently compared to the genomic and epigenomic profile of glioblastomas described in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset.

Results

Our analysis identified a specific pattern of genome-wide massive loss of heterozygosity (LOH) driven by near haploidization in a subset of glioblastomas with giant cell histology. We compared the genomic signature of these tumors against that of all glioblastomas in the TCGA dataset (n = 367) and confirmed that our cohort of gcGBMs demonstrated a significantly different genomic profile. Integrated genomic and histologic review of the TCGA cohort identified 3 additional gcGBMs with a near haploid genomic profile.

Conclusions

Massive LOH driven by haploidization represents a defining molecular hallmark of a subtype of gcGBM. This unusual mechanism of tumorigenesis provides a diagnostic genomic hallmark to evaluate in future cases, may explain reported differences in survival, and suggests new therapeutic vulnerabilities.
Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in Patients Infected With COVID-19: A Case Series
Authors: Cusumano Jaclyn A , Dupper Amy C , Malik Yesha , Gavioli Elizabeth M , Banga Jaspreet , Berbel Caban Ana , Nadkarni Devika , Obla Ajay , Vasa Chirag V , Mazo Dana , Altman Deena R
Published: November 2020

Background

Previous viral pandemics have shown that secondary bacterial infections result in higher morbidity and mortality, with Staphylococcus aureus being the primary causative pathogen. The impact of secondary S. aureus bacteremia on mortality in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains unknown.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational case series of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who developed secondary S. aureus bacteremia across 2 New York City hospitals. The primary end point was to describe 14-day and 30-day hospital mortality rates of patients with COVID-19 and S. aureus bacteremia. Secondary end points included predictors of 14-day and 30-day hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19 and S. aureus bacteremia.

Results

A total of 42 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 with secondary S. aureus bacteremia were identified. Of these patients, 23 (54.8%) and 28 (66.7%) died at 14 days and 30 days, respectively, from their first positive blood culture. Multivariate analysis identified hospital-onset bacteremia (≥4 days from date of admission) and age as significant predictors of 14-day hospital mortality and Pitt bacteremia score as a significant predictor of 30-day hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR], 11.9; 95% CI, 2.03–114.7; P = .01; OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03–1.20; P = .02; and OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.19–2.18; P = .003, respectively).

Conclusions

Bacteremia with S. aureus is associated with high mortality rates in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Further investigation is warranted to understand the impact of COVID-19 and secondary S. aureus bacteremia.
Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Ceftolozane and Tazobactam During Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Meningitis
Authors: McCreary Erin K , Byers Karin E , Fernandes Carolyn , Kline Ellen G , Nicolau David P , Shields Ryan K
Published: November 2020

We report a case of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa meningitis treated with ceftolozane-tazobactam with concomitant therapeutic drug monitoring of plasma and cerebral spinal fluid. The data suggest that ceftolozane-tazobactam may be an option for select central nervous system infections; however, treatment decisions should be interpreted on a case-by-case basis.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Seroprevalence Among Adults in a Tropical City of the Caribbean Area, Colombia: Are We Much Closer to Herd Immunity Than Developed Countries?
Authors: Mattar Salim , Alvis-Guzman Nelson , Garay Evelin , Rivero Ricardo , García Alejandra , Botero Yesica , Miranda Jorge , Galeano Ketty , de La Hoz Fernando , Martínez Caty , Arrieta Germán , Faccini-Martínez Álvaro A , Guzmán Camilo , Kerguelen Hugo , Moscote Maria , Contreras Hector , Contreras Veronica
Published: November 2020

A serological survey was carried out in Monteria (500 000 population), a mid-size city in Colombia. An overall prevalence of 55.3% (95% confidence interval, 52.5%–57.8%) was found among a sample of 1.368 people randomly selected from the population. Test positivity was related to economic characteristics with the highest prevalence found in the most impoverished areas, representing 83.8% of the city’s population. We found a prevalence that might be associated with some important level of population immunity.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Lethality Did not Change Over Time in Two Italian Provinces
Authors: Flacco Maria Elena , Acuti Martellucci Cecilia , Bravi Francesca , Parruti Giustino , Mascitelli Alfonso , Mantovani Lorenzo , Boccia Stefania , Manzoli Lamberto
Published: November 2020

This retrospective cohort study included all the subjects diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (n = 2493) in 2 Italian provinces. Two hundred fifty-eight persons died, after a median of 14.0 ± 11.0 days. Adjusting for age, gender, and main comorbidities, the ≥28-day case-fatality rate did not decrease from March to April 2020 (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.93; P = .6).
Simulating within host human immunodeficiency virus 1 genome evolution in the persistent reservoir
Authors: Jones Bradley R , Joy Jeffrey B
Published: November 2020

The complexities of viral evolution can be difficult to elucidate. Software simulating viral evolution provides powerful tools for exploring hypotheses of viral systems, especially in situations where thorough empirical data are difficult to obtain or parameters of interest are difficult to measure. Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection has no durable cure; this is primarily due to the virus’ ability to integrate into the genome of host cells, where it can remain in a transcriptionally latent state. An effective cure strategy must eliminate every copy of HIV-1 in this ‘persistent reservoir’ because proviruses can reactivate, even decades later, to resume an active infection. However, many features of the persistent reservoir remain unclear, including the temporal dynamics of HIV-1 integration frequency and the longevity of the resulting reservoir. Thus, sophisticated analyses are required to measure these features and determine their temporal dynamics. Here, we present software that is an extension of SANTA-SIM to include multiple compartments of viral populations. We used the resulting software to create a model of HIV-1 within host evolution that incorporates the persistent HIV-1 reservoir. This model is composed of two compartments, an active compartment and a latent compartment. With this model, we compared five different date estimation methods (Closest Sequence, Clade, Linear Regression, Least Squares, and Maximum Likelihood) to recover the integration dates of genomes in our model’s HIV-1 reservoir. We found that the Least Squares method performed the best with the highest concordance (0.80) between real and estimated dates and the lowest absolute error (all pairwise t tests: P < 0.01). Our software is a useful tool for validating bioinformatics software and understanding the dynamics of the persistent HIV-1 reservoir.
Bell-Tests and the End of Local Realism
Authors: Raymer Michael G.
Published: November 2020

Can experiments probe the nature of reality?

The year 2015 was a very good year for quantum theory, yet it was not such a good year for ‘classical reality.’ Since the inception of quantum theory in the 1920s, its implications regarding what can be...
Introduction
Authors: Ai Camp Roderic
Published: November 2020

Many scholarly friends of my generation who focused on Latin American studies or some other regional specialization have expressed an itch to accomplish two complementary professional, scholarly goals: to write a novel set in their country of expertise and, perhaps even more challenging, to author...
Mexico’s Democratic Transition
Authors: Ai Camp Roderic
Published: November 2020

How did Carlos Salinas alter the Mexican political model?

Carlos Salinas de Gortari became president of Mexico in 1988, after a highly contentious and fraudulent election. His predecessor, Miguel de la Madrid, selected his former secretary of programming and budgeting as his successor in order...
State and Politics
Authors: Rubin Barnett R.
Published: November 2020

What is the origin of Afghanistan?

The place name “Afghanistan” occurs in the tenth-century Persian geography Hudud al-’Alam (Frontiers of the world), referring to the region that we would now call the AfghanistanPakistan border area. Much of today’s Afghanistan, including Kabul, Balkh,...
Reconstruction and Development
Authors: Bizhan Nematullah , Rubin Barnett R.
Published: November 2020

What was the economic and social condition of Afghanistan at the start of the interim government?

When Hamid Karzai became the chairman of the interim government, Afghanistan was so poor and ungoverned that it could not produce data about its economic and social conditions....
Narcotics and Counter-Narcotics
Authors: Mansfield David , Rubin Barnett R.
Published: November 2020

How did narcotics become the largest industry in Afghanistan?

When the war started in late 1970s, most of the opium and heroin production in the world was in the Golden Triangle—Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos—with smaller levels of production in the Golden Crescent—Pakistan, Iran, and...
More War, Insurgency, and Counterinsurgency
Authors: Giustozzi Antonio , Rubin Barnett R.
Published: November 2020

How did the insurgency against the Afghan government and international presence in Afghanistan start?

The Taliban were utterly defeated in 2001 and dispersed among remote villages in Afghanistan and Pakistan; some even sought refuge in Iran. Attempts to negotiate deals with some of the...
From Advertising to Marketing
Authors: Einstein Mara
Published: November 2020

What is advertising?

Advertising is a paid communication used to persuade someone to buy a product or service of an identified sponsor. The advertisement is disseminated through media and can be in the form of a print ad (magazine, newspaper, or outdoor), a radio...
Advertising and Society
Authors: Einstein Mara
Published: November 2020

What is the leading criticism against advertising?

Too much advertising tops most critics’ lists. Advertising is everywhere. Commercials interrupt television programming. Circulars weigh down our Sunday newspaper (if you still read one). Banner ads gunk up the online environment while pre-roll ads keep you...
Media: Advertising’s Everywhere
Authors: Einstein Mara
Published: November 2020

How do marketers decide where to advertise?

Media selection is about taking the right message produced by the creatives and putting it in the right place at the right time in front of the right people. The “right place” is any medium...
Scholarly Communication
Authors: Anderson Rick
Published: November 2020

The internet has transformed the ways in which scholars and scientists share their findings with each other and the world, creating a scholarly communication environment that is both radically more complex and tremendously more effective than was the case just a few years ago. “Scholarly communication” itself has become an umbrella term for the increasingly complex ecosystem of publications, platforms, and tools that scholars, scientists, and researchers use to share their work with each other and with other interested readers. Scholarly Communication: What Everyone Needs to Know® offers an accessible overview of the current landscape, examining the state of affairs in the worlds of journal and book publishing, copyright law, emerging access models, digital archiving, university presses, metadata, and much more. Anderson discusses many of the problems that arise due to conflicts between the various values and interests at play within these systems: values that include the public good, academic freedom, the advancement of science, and the efficient use of limited resources. The implications of these issues extend far beyond academia. Organized in an easy-to-use question-and-answer format, this book provides a lively and helpful summary of some of the most important issues and developments in the world of scholarly communication--a world that affects our everyday lives far more than we may realize.
Introduction Puerto Rico—A Stateless Nation
Authors: Duany Jorge
Published: November 2020

Puerto Rico has a peculiar status among Latin American and Caribbean countries. On July 25, 1898, the United States invaded the Island during the Spanish-Cuban-American War, and has since dominated the Island militarily, politically, and economically. In 1901, the US Supreme Court defined Puerto Rico...
Puerto Rico Before 1898
Authors: Duany Jorge
Published: November 2020

What groups inhabited Puerto Rico before the Spanish Conquest?

The Taínos were the first indigenous inhabitants of the Americas to come into contact with Europeans. They occupied much of the Larger Antilles, including what is now Puerto Rico, which they called Borinquen or Borikén, when...
Use in Humans
Authors: Wilson Mary Elizabeth
Published: November 2020

How are Antibiotics Administered? What are the Routes of Administration Besides by Mouth and by Injection? What Determines how they Should be Given?

How an antibiotic is administered depends on the type and location of the infection and the characteristics of the antibiotic. Some antibiotics...
Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Wilson Mary Elizabeth
Published: November 2020

What is antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotic resistance describes the survival of bacteria when exposed to a concentration of an antibiotic that would normally kill them or stop their growth. Although we call it antibiotic resistance, resistance is an attribute or characteristic of the bacteria. It is...
Preserving Antibiotics and Developing new Antibacterial Treatments
Authors: Wilson Mary Elizabeth
Published: November 2020

How Common is Inappropriate Prescribing of Antibiotics?

Many studies have tried to estimate what percentage of antibiotic use in people is unnecessary or inappropriate. Most estimates come up with about a quarter to a third of all use. For some specific types of infections like...
How Much and What Does the US Trade?
Authors: Krueger Anne O.
Published: November 2020

The US has led the world in the quest for a liberal global trading order. It emerged as the preeminent economy by far after the Second World War and spearheaded the founding of the GATT (see Chapter 11), under which successive rounds...