bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lung neoplasm mimicking as ectopic pregnancy due to paraneoplastic secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin: a case report and literature review
Authors: Peng Jin , lv Shangge , Liu Lin , Feng Shuai , Xing Naidong
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The present systematic review aimed to examine the relationship between lung neoplasm and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Especially, women with lung neoplasm mimicking as ectopic pregnancy were explored.

Methods

A rare case of lung neoplasm with high serum β-HCG, which was initially thought to be ectopic pregnancy, was reported. A literature search was performed of the US National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE), EMBASE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews using appropriate keywords and subject headings to February 2020.

Results

Studies assessed lung neoplasm patients with positive HCG were included. Twenty studies, including 24 patients, were included. These cases illustrate the importance of considering the possibility of paraneoplastic secretion of β-HCG in patients who have a positive pregnancy test. This may prevent a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of malignancy in young women. Of the 24 cases, only 7 (29.17%) were managed surgically; others were managed conservatively or with chemotherapy or radiation.

Conclusion

The present systematic review shows the need to re-awaken awareness and high index of suspicion to lung neoplasm diagnosis in patients with positive pregnancy test.
Immune mechanisms in arterial hypertension. Recent advances
Authors: Wenzel Ulrich O. , Ehmke Heimo , Bode Marlies
Published: January 2021

Increasing evidence indicates that hypertension and hypertensive end-organ damage are not only mediated by hemodynamic injury. Inflammation also plays an important role in the pathophysiology and contributes to the deleterious consequences of this disease. Cells of the innate immune system including monocyte/macrophages and dendritic cells can promote blood pressure elevation via effects mostly on kidney and vascular function. Moreover, convincing evidence shows that T and B cells from the adaptive immune system are involved in hypertension and hypertensive end-organ damage. Skin monocyte/macrophages, regulatory T cells, natural killer T cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells have been shown to exert blood pressure controlling effects. Sodium intake is undoubtedly indispensable for normal body function but can be detrimental when taken in excess of dietary requirements. Sodium levels also modulate the function of monocyte/macrophages, dendritic cells, and different T cell subsets. Some of these effects are mediated by changes in the microbiome and metabolome that can be found after high salt intake. Modulation of the immune response can reduce severity of blood pressure elevation and hypertensive end-organ damage in several animal models. The purpose of this review is to briefly summarize recent advances in immunity and hypertension as well as hypertensive end-organ damage.
Effects of laparoscopy, laparotomy, and respiratory phase on liver volume in a live porcine model for liver resection
Authors: Kenngott Hannes G. , Nickel Felix , Preukschas Anas A. , Wagner Martin , Bihani Shivalik , Özmen Emre , Wise Philipp A. , Bellemann Nadine , Sommer Christof M. , Norajitra Tobias , Graser Bastian , Stock Christian , Nolden Marco , Mehrabi Araineb , Müller-Stich Beat P.
Published: January 2021

Background

Hepatectomy, living donor liver transplantations and other major hepatic interventions rely on precise calculation of the total, remnant and graft liver volume. However, liver volume might differ between the pre- and intraoperative situation. To model liver volume changes and develop and validate such pre- and intraoperative assistance systems, exact information about the influence of lung ventilation and intraoperative surgical state on liver volume is essential.

Methods

This study assessed the effects of respiratory phase, pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopy, and laparotomy on liver volume in a live porcine model. Nine CT scans were conducted per pig (N = 10), each for all possible combinations of the three operative (native, pneumoperitoneum and laparotomy) and respiratory states (expiration, middle inspiration and deep inspiration). Manual segmentations of the liver were generated and converted to a mesh model, and the corresponding liver volumes were calculated.

Results

With pneumoperitoneum the liver volume decreased on average by 13.2% (112.7 ml ± 63.8 ml, p < 0.0001) and after laparotomy by 7.3% (62.0 ml ± 65.7 ml, p = 0.0001) compared to native state. From expiration to middle inspiration the liver volume increased on average by 4.1% (31.1 ml ± 55.8 ml, p = 0.166) and from expiration to deep inspiration by 7.2% (54.7 ml ± 51.8 ml, p = 0.007).

Conclusions

Considerable changes in liver volume change were caused by pneumoperitoneum, laparotomy and respiration. These findings provide knowledge for the refinement of available preoperative simulation and operation planning and help to adjust preoperative imaging parameters to best suit the intraoperative situation.
Exploiting heterogeneity in operational neural networks by synaptic plasticity
Authors: Kiranyaz Serkan , Malik Junaid , Abdallah Habib Ben , Ince Turker , Iosifidis Alexandros , Gabbouj Moncef
Published: January 2021

The recently proposed network model, Operational Neural Networks (ONNs), can generalize the conventional Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) that are homogenous only with a linear neuron model. As a heterogenous network model, ONNs are based on a generalized neuron model that can encapsulateanyset of non-linear operators to boost diversity and to learn highly complex and multi-modal functions or spaces with minimal network complexity and training data. However, the default search method to find optimal operators in ONNs, the so-called Greedy Iterative Search (GIS) method, usually takes several training sessions to find a single operator set per layer. This is not only computationally demanding, also the network heterogeneity is limited since the same set of operators will then be used for all neurons in each layer. To address this deficiency and exploit a superior level of heterogeneity, in this study the focus is drawn on searching the best-possible operator set(s) for the hidden neurons of the network based on the “Synaptic Plasticity” paradigm that poses the essential learning theory in biological neurons. During training, each operator set in the library can be evaluated by their synaptic plasticity level, ranked from the worst to the best, and an “elite” ONN can then be configured using the top-ranked operator sets found at each hidden layer. Experimental results over highly challenging problems demonstrate that the elite ONNs even with few neurons and layers can achieve a superior learning performance than GIS-based ONNs and as a result, the performance gap over the CNNs further widens.
Validation of the diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related kidney disease (IgG4-RKD) 2011, and proposal of a new 2020 version
Authors: Saeki Takako , Kawano Mitsuhiro , Nagasawa Tasuku , Ubara Yoshifumi , Taniguchi Yoshinori , Yanagita Motoko , Nishi Shinichi , Nagata Michio , Hisano Satoshi , Yamaguchi Yutaka , Nomura Hideki , Saito Takao , Nakashima Hitoshi
Published: January 2021

Background

In 2011, the IgG4-related kidney disease (IgG4-RKD) working group of the Japanese Society of Nephrology proposed diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RKD. The aim of the present study was to validate those criteria and develop a revised version.

Methods

Between April 2012 and May 2019, we retrospectively collected Japanese patients with kidney disease, for whom data on serum IgG4 values and/or immunohistological staining for IgG4 in renal biopsy samples were available. These patients were classified as IgG4-RKD or non-IgG4-RKD based on the diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RKD 2011, and the results were evaluated by expert opinion. Accordingly, we developed some revised versions of the criteria, and the version showing the best performance in the present cohort was proposed as the IgG4-RKD criteria for 2020.

Results

Of 105 included patients, the expert panel diagnosed 55 as having true IgG4-RKD and 50 as mimickers. The diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RKD 2011 had a sensitivity of 72.7% and a specificity of 90.0% in this cohort. Of the 15 patients with true IgG4-RKD who were classified as non-IgG4-RKD, all lacked biopsy-proven extra-renal lesions, although many had clinical findings highly suggestive of IgG4-RD. The revised version to which “bilateral lacrimal, submandibular or parotid swelling, imaging findings compatible with type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis or retroperitoneal fibrosis” was added as an item pertaining to extra-renal organ(s) improved the sensitivity to 90.9% while the specificity remained at 90.0%.

Conclusion

The revised version has considerably improved test performance after addition of the new extra-renal organ item (imaging and clinical findings).
Finite Element Simulations of the ID Venous System to Treat Venous Compression Disorders: From Model Validation to Realistic Implant Prediction
Authors: Zaccaria Alissa , Migliavacca Francesco , Contassot David , Heim Frederic , Chakfe Nabil , Pennati Giancarlo , Petrini Lorenza
Published: January 2021

The ID Venous System is an innovative device proposed by ID NEST MEDICAL to treat venous compression disorders that involve bifurcations, such as the May-Thurner syndrome. The system consists of two components, ID Cav and ID Branch, combined through a specific connection that prevents the migration acting locally on the pathological region, thereby preserving the surrounding healthy tissues. Preliminary trials are required to ensure the safety and efficacy of the device, including numerical simulations. In-silico models are intended to corroborate experimental data, providing additional local information not acquirable by other means. The present work outlines the finite element model implementation and illustrates a sequential validation process, involving seven tests of increasing complexity to assess the impact of each numerical uncertainty separately. Following the standard ASME V&V40, the computational results were compared with experimental data in terms of force-displacement curves and deformed configurations, testing the model reliability for the intended context of use (differences < 10%). The deployment in a realistic geometry confirmed the feasibility of the implant procedure, without risk of rupture or plasticity of the components, highlighting the potential of the present technology.
Cardiotoxicity during long-term trastuzumab use in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: who needs cardiac monitoring?
Authors: Bouwer N. I. , Steenbruggen T. G. , van Rosmalen J. , Rier H. N. , Kitzen J. J. E. M. , van Bekkum M. L. , Tije A. J. Ten , de Jong P. C. , Drooger J. C. , Holterhues C. , Smorenburg C. H. , Kofflard M. J. M. , Boersma E. , Sonke G. S. , Levin M.-D. , Jager A.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) usually receive many years of trastuzumab treatment. It is unknown whether these patients require continuous left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) monitoring. We studied a real-world cohort to identify risk factors for cardiotoxicity to select patients in whom LVEF monitoring could be omitted.

Methods

We included patients with HER2-positive MBC who received > 1 cycle of trastuzumab-based therapy in eight Dutch hospitals between 2000 and 2014. Cardiotoxicity was defined as LVEF < 50% that declined > 10%-points and was categorized into non-severe cardiotoxicity (LVEF 40–50%) and severe cardiotoxicity (LVEF < 40%). Multivariable Cox and mixed model analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with cardiotoxicity. Additionally, we explored the reversibility of cardiotoxicity in patients who continued trastuzumab.

Results

In total, 429 patients were included. Median follow-up for cardiotoxicity was 15 months (interquartile range 8–31 months). The yearly incidence of non-severe + severe cardiotoxicity in the first and second year was 11.7% and 9.1%, respectively, which decreased thereafter. The yearly incidence of severe cardiotoxicity was low (2.8%) and stable over time. In non-smoking patients with baseline LVEF > 60% and no cardiotoxicity during prior neoadjuvant/adjuvant treatment, the cumulative incidence of severe cardiotoxicity was 3.1% after 4 years of trastuzumab. Despite continuing trastuzumab, LVEF decline was reversible in 56% of patients with non-severe cardiotoxicity and in 33% with severe cardiotoxicity.

Conclusions

Serial cardiac monitoring can be safely omitted in non-smoking patients with baseline LVEF > 60% and without cardiotoxicity during prior neoadjuvant/adjuvant treatment.
Men’s experiences of radiotherapy treatment for localized prostate cancer and its long-term treatment side effects: a longitudinal qualitative study
Authors:   The ProtecT Study Group, Sutton E. , Lane J. A. , Davis M. , Walsh E. I. , Neal D. E. , Hamdy F. C. , Mason M. , Staffurth J. , Martin R. M. , Metcalfe C. , Peters T. J. , Donovan J. L. , Wade J.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To investigate men’s experiences of receiving external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with neoadjuvant Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) for localized prostate cancer (LPCa) in the ProtecT trial.

Methods

A longitudinal qualitative interview study was embedded in the ProtecT RCT. Sixteen men with clinically LPCa who underwent EBRT in ProtecT were purposively sampled to include a range of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. They participated in serial in-depth qualitative interviews for up to 8 years post-treatment, exploring experiences of treatment and its side effects over time.

Results

Men experienced bowel, sexual, and urinary side effects, mostly in the short term but some persisted and were bothersome. Most men downplayed the impacts, voicing expectations of age-related decline, and normalizing these changes. There was some reticence to seek help, with men prioritizing their relationships and overall health and well-being over returning to pretreatment levels of function. Some unmet needs with regard to information about treatment schedules and side effects were reported, particularly among men with continuing functional symptoms.

Conclusions

These findings reinforce the importance of providing universal clear, concise, and timely information and supportive resources in the short term, and more targeted and detailed information and care in the longer term to maintain and improve treatment experiences for men undergoing EBRT.
Solving High-Dimensional Dynamic Portfolio Choice Models with Hierarchical B-Splines on Sparse Grids
Authors: Schober Peter , Valentin Julian , Pflüger Dirk
Published: January 2021

Discrete time dynamic programming to solve dynamic portfolio choice models has three immanent issues: firstly, the curse of dimensionality prohibits more than a handful of continuous states. Secondly, in higher dimensions, even regular sparse grid discretizations need too many grid points for sufficiently accurate approximations of the value function. Thirdly, the models usually require continuous control variables, and hence gradient-based optimization with smooth approximations of the value function is necessary to obtain accurate solutions to the optimization problem. For the first time, we enable accurate and fast numerical solutions with gradient-based optimization while still allowing for spatial adaptivity using hierarchical B-splines on sparse grids. When compared to the standard linear bases on sparse grids or finite difference approximations of the gradient, our approach saves an order of magnitude in total computational complexity for a representative dynamic portfolio choice model with varying state space dimensionality, stochastic sample space, and choice variables.
Research on targeted land poverty alleviation patterns based on the precise identification of dominant factors of rural poverty: a case study of Siyang County, Jiangsu Province, China
Authors: Min Min , Lin Chen , Duan Xuejun , Jin Zhifeng , Zhang Luocheng
Published: January 2021

Poverty is a common problem faced by various social and economic forms. Eliminating poverty is a major issue of common concern and research all over the world. Land policies for poverty alleviation are an effective means of affecting land agriculture development, increasing the productivity of cultivated land, and promoting growth in farmers’ income and production. In recent years, it has played an important role in promoting poverty alleviation in poverty-stricken areas. However, the poverty alleviation needs of township units have not been precisely identified, and one-size-fits-all land policies are unable to effectively allocate poverty alleviation resources. Consequently, the actual efficiency of policies has been severely restricted, leading to regional differences in poverty alleviation. In response to this bottleneck, this study takes Siyang County in Jiangsu Province as a case study and adopts the geographical detector model to diagnose and identify the spatial differentiation characteristics and dominant factors of poverty and in various townships. The results can be summarised as ‘four dominant factors of poverty—four regional types of poverty townships—four targeted land poverty alleviation patterns’. Detailed results are as follows: the dominant factors affecting differentiation of rural poverty in Siyang County are labour, technology, land resources, and financial support. The various townships of the county were thus classified into four types according to the main factor affecting poverty: labour-constrained, land-constrained, capital-constrained, and technique-constrained, and proposed four targeted land poverty alleviation patterns for the different constraint types and then to improve the effectiveness of land development policies to successfully achieve precise poverty alleviation and reinforce strategies revitalising rural communities.
Transcending disciplines in architecture, structural and building services engineering: a new multidisciplinary educational approach
Authors: Oliveira Sonja , Olsen Luke , Malki-Epshtein Liora , Mumovic Dejan , D’Ayala Dina
Published: January 2021

This paper reflects upon the mechanisms that enable development of curricular approaches to multidisciplinary architecture/engineering higher education. Building upon recent calls for integrated multidisciplinary building design practice, academics at UCL, industry partners and respective professional bodies embarked upon developing a new course that challenged disciplinary boundaries and defined the needs of a new design professional. Whilst there have been attempts internationally to better integrate architecture as well as engineering education, efforts have largely been focused on bolt-on solutions based on pre-existing education programmes. In addition, there has been little discussion (empirical or theoretical) on practical measures associated with developing multidisciplinary education in the built environment. Drawing on mixed data including documentary evidence, semi structured interviews and observations, the study begins to shed light on the approaches underpinning the development of a multidisciplinary built environment MEng course at UCL that integrates architecture, building services and civil engineering. The paper’s contribution is threefold. First, the findings have implications for developing multidisciplinary built environment education curricula, through revealing key mechanisms including the need for shared attitudes and expectations. Second, the paper highlights the conditions that enable the negotiation of multidisciplinary curricula including institutional support, shared values and a collective need and willingness to explore new solutions. Third, the paper reflects upon the value of design studio learning as a critical integrative component to the delivery of multidisciplinary education in the built environment and STEM more widely.
A Combined Study on the Use of the Child Behavior Checklist 1½–5 for Identifying Autism Spectrum Disorders at 18 Months
Authors: Chericoni Natasha , Balboni Giulia , Costanzo Valeria , Mancini Alice , Prosperi Margherita , Lasala Roberta , Tancredi Raffaella , Scattoni Maria Luisa ,   on behalf of the NIDA Network, Molteni Massimo , Valeri Giovanni , Vicari Stefano , Zoccante Leonardo , Arduino Maurizio , Venuti Paola , Sogos Carla , Guzzetta Andrea , Muratori Filippo , Apicella Fabio
Published: January 2021

The capacity of the Child Behavior Checklist 1½–5 (CBCL 1½–5) to identify children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at 18 months was tested on 37 children clinically referred for ASD and 46 children at elevated likelihood of developing ASD due to having an affected brother/sister. At 30 months the clinically referred children all received a confirmatory diagnosis, and 10 out of 46 siblings received a diagnosis of ASD. CBCL 1½-5 profiles were compared with a group of matched children with typical development (effect of cognitive level controlled for). The capacity of the CBCL 1½-5 DSM Oriented-Pervasive Developmental Problems scale to differentiate correctly between children diagnosed with ASD and children with typical development appeared dependent on group ascertainment methodology.
Mobility and Social Change: Understanding the European Neolithic Period after the Archaeogenetic Revolution
Authors: Furholt Martin
Published: January 2021

This paper discusses and synthesizes the consequences of the archaeogenetic revolution to our understanding of mobility and social change during the Neolithic period in Europe (6500–2000 BC). In spite of major obstacles to a productive integration of archaeological and anthropological knowledge with ancient DNA data, larger changes in the European gene pool are detected and taken as indications for large-scale migrations during two major periods: the Early Neolithic expansion into Europe (6500–4000 BC) and the third millennium BC “steppe migration.” Rather than massive migration events, I argue that both major genetic turnovers are better understood in terms of small-scale mobility and human movement in systems of population circulation, social fission and fusion of communities, and translocal interaction, which together add up to a large-scale signal. At the same time, I argue that both upticks in mobility are initiated by the two most consequential social transformations that took place in Eurasia, namely the emergence of farming, animal husbandry, and sedentary village life during the Neolithic revolution and the emergence of systems of centralized political organization during the process of urbanization and early state formation in southwest Asia.
Well-Being Before and After Pregnancy Termination: The Consequences of Abortion and Miscarriage on Satisfaction With Various Domains of Life
Authors: Huss Björn
Published: January 2021

The consequences of pregnancy outcomes other than live birth on subjective well-being have rarely been analysed in research to date. This study examines pre-event determinants as well as the temporary and long-term effects of induced abortion and miscarriage (spontaneous abortion) on satisfaction with various domains of life. The data were derived from the German Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics (pairfam). The longitudinal sample consists of 5331 women of reproductive age, of whom 214 women had an induced abortion, 331 women had a miscarriage, and 1156 women had a live birth during the observation period. First, pre-event measures of women who had an induced abortion and women who had a miscarriage were compared with the pre-event measures of those women who gave birth. Second, fixed effects models were used to examine whether overall or domain-specific life satisfaction changed following a pregnancy termination. The results show that pregnancies resulting in abortion or miscarriage were less frequently preceded by pregnancy intentions compared to those resulting in live birth, and that induced abortion—but not miscarriage—was furthermore accompanied by lower pre-event satisfaction than live birth. Following both miscarriage and induced abortion, women experienced temporary declines in overall life satisfaction and showed persistently lower satisfaction in several domains of life. With regard to induced abortion, pre-event measures were a better predictor of overall well-being than the consequences of the event itself. Low life satisfaction might therefore be a risk factor for having an abortion rather than a result.
Morphological Analysis of Human Milk Membrane Enclosed Structures Reveals Diverse Cells and Cell-like Milk Fat Globules
Authors: Schultz-Pernice Isabel , Engelbrecht Lisa K. , Petricca Stefania , Scheel Christina H. , Twigger Alecia-Jane
Published: January 2021

Over the past decade, the cellular content of human milk has been a focus in lactation research due to the benefit a potential non-invasive stem cell compartment could provide either to the infant or for therapeutic applications. Despite an increase in the number of studies in this field, fundamental knowledge in regard to milk cell identification and characterisation is still lacking. In this project, we investigated the nature, morphology and content of membrane enclosed structures (MESs) and explored different methods to enrich human milk cells (HMCs) whilst reducing milk fat globule (MFG) content. Using both flow cytometry and immunofluorescence imaging, we confirmed previous reports and showed that nucleated HMCs make up a minority of milk-isolated MESs and are indistinguishable from MFGs without the use of a nuclear stain. HMC heterogeneity was demonstrated by differential uptake of nuclear stains Hoechst 33258 and DRAQ5™ using a novel technique of imaging milk MESs (by embedding them in agar), that enabled examination of both extracellular and intracellular markers. We found that MESs often contain multiple lipid droplets of various sizes and for the first time report that late post-partum human milk contains secretory luminal binucleated cells found across a number of participants. After investigation of different techniques, we found that viably freezing milk cells is an easy and effective method to substantially reduce MFG content of samples. Alternatively, milk MESs can be filtered using a MACS® filter and return a highly viable, though reduced population of milk cells. Using the techniques and findings we’ve developed in this study; future research may focus on further characterising HMCs and the functional secretory mammary epithelium during lactation.
Flood exposure and social vulnerability in the United States
Authors: Tate Eric , Rahman Md Asif , Emrich Christopher T. , Sampson Christopher C.
Published: January 2021

Human exposure to floods continues to increase, driven by changes in hydrology and land use. Adverse impacts amplify for socially vulnerable populations, who disproportionately inhabit flood-prone areas. This study explores the geography of flood exposure and social vulnerability in the conterminous United States based on spatial analysis of fluvial and pluvial flood extent, land cover, and social vulnerability. Using bivariate Local Indicators of Spatial Association, we map hotspots where high flood exposure and high social vulnerability converge and identify dominant indicators of social vulnerability within these places. The hotspots, home to approximately 19 million people, occur predominantly in rural areas and across the US South. Mobile homes and racial minorities are most overrepresented in hotspots compared to elsewhere. The results identify priority locations where interventions can mitigate both physical and social aspects of flood vulnerability. The variables that most distinguish the clusters are used to develop an indicator set of social vulnerability to flood exposure. Understanding who is most exposed to floods and where, can be used to tailor mitigation strategies to target those most in need.
Establishment and verification of an osteoporosis risk model in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a valuable new model
Authors: Yan Xiaobin , Xu Zhenhong , Li Shilin , Yan Lisheng , Lyu Guorong , Wang Zecheng
Published: January 2021

To establish a model for osteoporosis risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and validate the model. A newly generated predictive model has been suggested to have good differentiation, calibration, and clinical validity and may be a useful clinical model for predicting osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Purpose

To establish a prediction model for osteoporosis risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and validate the model internally and externally.

Methods

A total of 270 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent bone mineral density measurement at our hospital from June 2019 to June 2020 were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to their entry time: a training set containing the first 2/3 of the patients (n= 180) and a validation set containing the remaining 1/3 of the patients (n= 90). Binary logistic regression analysis was used to establish the regression models, and the concordance index (C-index), calibration plot, and decision curve analysis were used to evaluate the prediction model.

Results

Five variables, including age (X1), course of disease (X2), the disease activity score using 28 joint counts (DAS28) (X4), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (CCP) (X7), and 7-joint ultrasonic bone erosion (X14), were selected to enter the model. The prediction model is Logit Y = − 12.647 + 0.133X1 + 0.011X2 + 0.754X4 + 0.001X7 + 0.605X14. The model had good differentiation; the C-index in the internal verification was 0.947 (95% CI is 0.932–0.977) and the C-index in the external verification was 0.946 (95% CI is 0.940–0.994). The calibration plot of the model showed excellent consistency between the prediction probability and actual probability. When > 0.483 was taken as the cutoff value for the diagnosis of osteoporosis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and Jordan index of the model were 90.24%, 87.76%, 7.37, 0.11, and 78.00%, respectively.

Conclusion

A newly generated predictive model has been suggested to have good differentiation, calibration, and clinical validity and may be a useful clinical model for predicting osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Fertility Intentions Within a 3-Year Time Frame: a Comparison Between Migrant and Native Italian Women
Authors: Mussino Eleonora , Gabrielli Giuseppe , Ortensi Livia Elisa , Strozza Salvatore
Published: January 2021

The body of literature on the fertility of migrants in Europe has grown significantly in recent decades. The focus has mostly been on analysing their actual behaviours, and reflection on other crucial aspects extensively analysed in studies on natives has been lacking. In particular, differences between migrants’ reproductive decision-making process and that of natives are currently understudied in the European context. We will focus on the association between demographic and socio-economic characteristics and fertility intentions, comparing native Italian and migrant women in Italy. We apply logistic regression models to analyse factors associated with strong intentions to have a child (or positive fertility intention) and strong intentionsnotto have a child (or negative fertility intention) in the short term. We use data from the Social Condition and Integration of Foreign Citizens survey on households with at least one foreign member and from the Italian Gender and Generation Survey, both carried out at the national level by the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT). Net of controlled covariates, migrant women have both higher positive and lower negative fertility intentions within a 3-year time frame than native women do. However, the patterns of fertility intentions are different for natives and migrants as a function of age, educational level, marital status, parity, homeownership and, notably, labour market status. Focusing only on migrant women, we observe that fertility intentions vary by age at arrival and time since migration and that there are significant differences by country and geographical area of birth.
Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma in conjunction with multiple lymphomatous polyposis in the context of Helicobacter pylori and Helicobacter suis superinfection
Authors: Naito Toshikatsu , Yuge Ryo , Tanaka Shinji , Otani Rina , Kadota Hiroki , Takigawa Hidehiko , Tamura Tadamasa , Sentani Kazuhiro , Yasui Wataru , Kitadai Yasuhiko , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: January 2021

A 53-year-old woman visited a doctor and complained of chest discomfort after meals. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed multiple granular elevations in the gastric body. After biopsies from the elevations, she was diagnosed with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Polymerase chain reaction also detected Helicobacter pylori and H. suis. Treatment to eradicate H. pylori and H. suis was successful. Endoscopic examination after the bacterial eradication treatment showed that multiple granular elevations remained in the gastric body; however, no lymphoma cells were found during histopathological examination. Thus, we reported a case of H. pylori-positive gastric MALT lymphoma with a unique morphology associated with H. suis superinfection.
Speculative Dynamic Reconfiguration and Table Prefetching Using Query Look-Ahead in the ReProVide Near-Data-Processing System
Authors: Beena Gopalakrishnan Lekshmi , Becher Andreas , Wildermann Stefan , Meyer-Wegener Klaus , Teich Jürgen
Published: January 2021

FPGAs are promising target architectures for hardware acceleration of database query processing, as they combine the performance of hardware with the programmability of software. In particular, they are partially reconfigurable at runtime, which allows for the runtime adaptation to a variety of queries. However, reconfiguration costs some time, and a region of the FPGA is not available for computations during its reconfiguration. Techniques to avoid or at least hide the reconfiguration latencies can improve the overall performance. This paper presents optimizations based on query look-ahead, which follows the idea of exploiting knowledge about subsequent queries for scheduling the reconfigurations such that their overhead is minimized. We evaluate our optimizations with a calibrated model for various parameter settings. Improvements in execution time can be “calculated” even if only being able to look one query ahead.
Perioperative and long-term outcomes of robot-assisted versus laparoscopy-assisted hemicolectomy for left-sided colon cancers: a retrospective study
Authors: Xu Maolin , Zhao Zhiming , Jia Baoqing , Liu Rong , Liu Hongyi
Published: January 2021

The objective of this study is to evaluate the perioperative and long-term outcomes of robot-assisted hemicolectomy (RAH) versus laparoscopy-assisted hemicolectomy (LAH) for left-sided colon cancers. Patients who underwent RAH and LAH from January 2012 to December 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Patient characteristics and perioperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. Follow-up consultations were conducted to evaluate the long-term outcomes of these procedures. A total of 460 patients were included (RAH, n = 205; LAH, n = 255). There was no difference in patient characteristics between the two groups. Compared with the LAH group, the RAH group showed longer operative time (150.23 ± 43.77 min vs. 125.85 ± 38.67 min, p < 0.001) and higher surgery cost (6.33 ± 1.50 vs. 2.88 ± 0.72 thousand $, p < 0.001) and total hospital cost (14.97 ± 3.05 vs. 9.05 ± 2.31 thousand $, p < 0.001). No significant differences in tumor pathology, TNM staging, and perioperative outcomes were observed. There were no obvious differences in the 3-year and 5-year overall survival (OS) or 3-year and 5-year disease-free survival. Cox multivariate analyses showed that age, body mass index, and intravascular cancer embolus were independent risk factors for OS. Moreover, the robotic approach was not an independent risk factor for prognosis of left-sided colon cancers. RAH is an appropriate operation method for left-sided colon cancer, with perioperative and long-term outcomes comparable to those of laparoscopy. Meanwhile, RHA has longer operative time and higher cost.
Physiological and proteomics insights into salt tolerance of two Jerusalem artichoke cultivars
Authors: Yang Min , Sun Xing , Zhu Juhua , Liu Yenan , Chen Ni , Zhao Gengmao
Published: January 2021

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosusL.) is an insulin-containing crop, which has been paid an intensive attention in recent decades. Although, some progress has been made in the biochemistry of Jerusalem artichokes (JA), the inner adaptive mechanism of salt tolerance among JA varieties is still unclear. Elucidating salt-tolerant differences by integrated stress physiology and proteomics approach will provide comprehensive insights into their adaptive mechanism for various JA varieties, therefore serving for the large-scare cultivation in salt-affected marginal lands. JA seedlings were initially grown in half-strength Hoagland solution, and then exposed to 100 and 200 mM NaCl for 30 days. We found that salt stress decreased the plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight in both varieties, and the decreasing extents of N1 (Helianthus tuberosusvar. N1) was greater than M1 (Helianthus tuberosusvar. M1). Chloroplast ultrastructure in N1 was severely damaged, but appeared unaltered in M1. Also, N1 remained lower selective for K+over Na+, exhibiting more Na+accumulation in plant tissues compared to M1. Penetrating cutting-edge elementary proteomic results showed the regulation of protein expression in M1 was much more positive than in N1. Taken together, these results illustrated the considerable differences in adaption to saline environment between varieties.

Graphic abstract
From federated learning to federated neural architecture search: a survey
Authors: Zhu Hangyu , Zhang Haoyu , Jin Yaochu
Published: January 2021

Federated learning is a recently proposed distributed machine learning paradigm for privacy preservation, which has found a wide range of applications where data privacy is of primary concern. Meanwhile, neural architecture search has become very popular in deep learning for automatically tuning the architecture and hyperparameters of deep neural networks. While both federated learning and neural architecture search are faced with many open challenges, searching for optimized neural architectures in the federated learning framework is particularly demanding. This survey paper starts with a brief introduction to federated learning, including both horizontal, vertical, and hybrid federated learning. Then neural architecture search approaches based on reinforcement learning, evolutionary algorithms and gradient-based are presented. This is followed by a description of federated neural architecture search that has recently been proposed, which is categorized into online and offline implementations, and single- and multi-objective search approaches. Finally, remaining open research questions are outlined and promising research topics are suggested.
Electrolyte Concentration Regulation Boosting Zinc Storage Stability of High-Capacity K0.486V2O5 Cathode for Bendable Quasi-Solid-State Zinc Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Linpo , Liu Shuailei , Liu Wencong , Ba Deliang , Liu Wenyi , Gui Qiuyue , Chen Yao , Hu Zuoqi , Li Yuanyuan , Liu Jinping
Published: January 2021

Vanadium-based cathodes have attracted great interest in aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) due to their large capacities, good rate performance and facile synthesis in large scale. However, their practical application is greatly hampered by vanadium dissolution issue in conventional dilute electrolytes. Herein, taking a new potassium vanadate K0.486V2O5 (KVO) cathode with large interlayer spacing (~ 0.95 nm) and high capacity as an example, we propose that the cycle life of vanadates can be greatly upgraded in AZIBs by regulating the concentration of ZnCl2 electrolyte, but with no need to approach “water-in-salt” threshold. With the optimized moderate concentration of 15 m ZnCl2 electrolyte, the KVO exhibits the best cycling stability with ~ 95.02% capacity retention after 1400 cycles. We further design a novel sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-moderate concentration ZnCl2 gel electrolyte with high ionic conductivity of 10.08 mS cm−1 for the first time and assemble a quasi-solid-state AZIB. This device is bendable with remarkable energy density (268.2 Wh kg−1), excellent stability (97.35% after 2800 cycles), low self-discharge rate, and good environmental (temperature, pressure) suitability, and is capable of powering small electronics. The device also exhibits good electrochemical performance with high KVO mass loading (5 and 10 mg cm−2). Our work sheds light on the feasibility of using moderately concentrated electrolyte to address the stability issue of aqueous soluble electrode materials.
Nanoparticle-Mediated Lipid Metabolic Reprogramming of T Cells in Tumor Microenvironments for Immunometabolic Therapy
Authors: Kim Dongyoon , Wu Yina , Li Qiaoyun , Oh Yu-Kyoung
Published: January 2021

Highlights

aCD3/F/AN, anti-CD3e f(ab′)2 fragment-modified and fenofibrate-encapsulated amphiphilic nanoparticle, reprogrammed mitochondrial lipid metabolism of T cells.

aCD3/F/AN specifically activated T cells in glucose-deficient conditions mimicking tumor microenvironment, and exerted an effector killing effect against tumor cells.

In vivo treatment with aCD3/F/AN increased T cell infiltration, cytokine production, and prevented tumor growth.

We report the activation of anticancer effector functions of T cells through nanoparticle-induced lipid metabolic reprogramming. Fenofibrate was encapsulated in amphiphilic polygamma glutamic acid-based nanoparticles (F/ANs), and the surfaces of F/ANs were modified with an anti-CD3e f(ab′)2 fragment, yielding aCD3/F/ANs. An in vitro study reveals enhanced delivery of aCD3/F/ANs to T cells compared with plain F/ANs. aCD3/F/AN-treated T cells exhibited clear mitochondrial cristae, a higher membrane potential, and a greater mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate under glucose-deficient conditions compared with T cells treated with other nanoparticle preparations. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α and downstream fatty acid metabolism-related genes are expressed to a greater extent in aCD3/F/AN-treated T cells. Activation of fatty acid metabolism by aCD3/F/ANs supports the proliferation of T cells in a glucose-deficient environment mimicking the tumor microenvironment. Real-time video recordings show that aCD3/F/AN-treated T cells exerted an effector killing effect against B16F10 melanoma cells. In vivo administration of aCD3/F/ANs can increase infiltration of T cells into tumor tissues. The treatment of tumor-bearing mice with aCD3/F/ANs enhances production of various cytokines in tumor tissues and prevented tumor growth. Our findings suggest the potential of nanotechnology-enabled reprogramming of lipid metabolism in T cells as a new modality of immunometabolic therapy.
Photosensitizer Nanoparticles Boost Photodynamic Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Authors: Yang Huanyu , Liu Renfa , Xu Yunxue , Qian Linxue , Dai Zhifei
Published: January 2021

Patients with pancreatic cancer (PCa) have a poor prognosis apart from the few suitable for surgery. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive treatment modality whose efficacy and safety in treating unresectable localized PCa have been corroborated in clinic. Yet, it suffers from certain limitations during clinical exploitation, including insufficient photosensitizers (PSs) delivery, tumor-oxygenation dependency, and treatment escape of aggressive tumors. To overcome these obstacles, an increasing number of researchers are currently on a quest to develop photosensitizer nanoparticles (NPs) by the use of a variety of nanocarrier systems to improve cellular uptake and biodistribution of photosensitizers. Encapsulation of PSs with NPs endows them significantly higher accumulation within PCa tumors due to the increased solubility and stability in blood circulation. A number of approaches have been explored to produce NPs co-delivering multi-agents affording PDT-based synergistic therapies for improved response rates and durability of response after treatment. This review provides an overview of available data regarding the design, methodology, and oncological outcome of the innovative NPs-based PDT of PCa.
Dimensional Gradient Structure of CoSe2@CNTs–MXene Anode Assisted by Ether for High-Capacity, Stable Sodium Storage
Authors: Xu Enze , Li Pengcheng , Quan Junjie , Zhu Hanwen , Wang Li , Chang Yajing , Sun Zhenjie , Chen Lei , Yu Dabin , Jiang Yang
Published: January 2021

Recently, abundant resources, low-cost sodium-ion batteries are deemed to the new-generation battery in the field of large-scale energy storage. Nevertheless, poor active reaction dynamics, dissolution of intermediates and electrolyte matching problems are significant challenges that need to be solved. Herein, dimensional gradient structure of sheet–tube–dots is constructed with CoSe2@CNTs–MXene. Gradient structure is conducive to fast migration of electrons and ions with the association of ether electrolyte. For half-cell, CoSe2@CNTs–MXene exhibits high initial coulomb efficiency (81.7%) and excellent cycling performance (400 mAh g−1 cycling for 200 times in 2 A g−1). Phase transformation pathway from crystalline CoSe2–Na2Se with Co and then amorphous CoSe2 in the discharge/charge process is also explored by in situ X-ray diffraction. Density functional theory study discloses the CoSe2@CNTs–MXene in ether electrolyte system which contributes to stable sodium storage performance owing to the strong adsorption force from hierarchical structure and weak interaction between electrolyte and electrode interface. For full cell, CoSe2@CNTs–MXene//Na3V2 (PO4)3/C full battery can also afford a competitively reversible capacity of 280 mAh g−1 over 50 cycles. Concisely, profiting from dimensional gradient structure and matched electrolyte of CoSe2@CNTs–MXene hold great application potential for stable sodium storage.
Endocarditis of Native Valve due to Proteus mirabilis: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Tiri Beatrice , Priante Giulia , Mariottini Alessandro , Sensi Emanuela , Gioia Sara , Costantini Monya , Andreani Paolo , Martella Lucia Assunta , Vernelli Carlo , Cappanera Stefano
Published: January 2021

Endocarditis due to Proteus mirabilis is very uncommon and the optimal surgical and/or antibiotic treatment is not well defined. Guidelines from the AHA and ESC recommend prolonged courses of combined antibiotic therapy but information regarding the clinical presentation, the choice of treatment, the surgical management, and the duration of therapy can only be taken from clinical cases reported in literature. We describe a case of native valve endocarditis due to Proteus mirabilis, successfully treated with antibiotic therapy alone with a review of the relevant literature on this topic.
UN'ELEZIONE NON COME LE ALTRE
Authors: Pasquino Gianfranco
Published: January 2021

Introduzione

La storia delle elezioni italiane non ha mai offerto una situazione paragonabile a quella del 13 maggio 2001 (Corbetta, Parisi e Schadee 1988). In questo breve articolo, argomenterò che le elezioni del 13 maggio non sono state «elezioni come le altre» a causa della comparsa di tre importanti condizioni: 1) resistenza di una effettiva competizione bipolare fra un governo in carica e un'opposizione organizzata per sostituirlo; 2) la costruzione di coalizioni contrapposte che hanno ridotto lo spazio politico e hanno sconfitto le terze forze; 3) la possibilità concreta dell'alternanza che si è tradotta in un limpido esito elettorale, politico e governativo. Nessuna di queste condizioni, né separatamente né congiuntamente, aveva mai fatto la sua comparsa nel sistema politico italiano.