bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Context-aware heatstroke relief station placement and route optimization for large outdoor events
Authors: Wu Yan , Xia Tianqi , Jatowt Adam , Zhang Haoran , Feng Xiao , Shibasaki Ryosuke , Kim Kyoung-Sook
Published: May 2021

Background

Heatstroke is becoming an increasingly serious threat to outdoor activities, especially, at the time of large events organized during summer, including the Olympic Games or various types of happenings in amusement parks like Disneyland or other popular venues. The risk of heatstroke is naturally affected by a high temperature, but it is also dependent on various other contextual factors such as the presence of shaded areas along traveling routes or the distribution of relief stations. The purpose of the study is to develop a method to reduce the heatstroke risk of pedestrians for large outdoor events by optimizing relief station placement, volume scheduling and route.

Results

Our experiments conducted on the planned site of the Tokyo Olympics and simulated during the two weeks of the Olympics schedule indicate that planning routes and setting relief stations with our proposed optimization model could effectively reduce heatstroke risk. Besides, the results show that supply volume scheduling optimization can further reduce the risk of heatstroke. The route with the shortest length may not be the route with the least risk, relief station and physical environment need to be considered and the proposed method can balance these factors.

Conclusions

This study proposed a novel emergency service problem that can be applied in large outdoor event scenarios with multiple walking flows. To solve the problem, an effective method is developed and evaluates the heatstroke risk in outdoor space by utilizing context-aware indicators which are determined by large and heterogeneous data including facilities, road networks and street view images. We propose a Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming model for optimizing routes of pedestrians, determining the location of relief stations and the supply volume in each relief station. The proposed method can help organizers better prepare for the event and pedestrians participate in the event more safely.
A correlation study of the relationships between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and serum triglyceride concentration after an oral fat tolerance test
Authors: Hou Xiaoyu , Guan Yunpeng , Tang Yong , Song An , Zhao Jiajun , Ren Luping , Chen Shuchun , Wei Limin , Ma Huijuan , Song Guangyao
Published: May 2021

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. Triglyceride (TG) accumulation is central to NAFLD development. People now spend most of their day in the postprandial state, and the measurement of postprandial blood lipid concentration can make up for the lack of simple detection of fasting blood lipids. Postprandial triglyceride (PTG) is commonly used as a surrogate for postprandial blood lipid concentrations, and many studies have shown that PTG is a risk factor for NAFLD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between PTG concentration during oral fat tolerance testing (OFTT) and NAFLD.

Methods

A total of 472 Chinese adults, aged 25 to 65 years, were enrolled in the study. All the participants underwent OFTT. The serum concentrations of TG and other lipids were measured, and their relationships with NAFLD were analyzed.

Results

Of the 472 participants, 155 were diagnosed with NAFLD. The fasting and postprandial TG concentrations of the participants with NAFLD were higher than those of healthy participants (P < 0.05). The TG concentrations of the healthy participants peaked 4 h postprandially, whereas those of the participants with NAFLD peaked 6 h postprandially and reached higher peak values. Postprandial TG concentration was significantly associated with a higher risk of NAFLD.

Conclusions

High PTG is positively related to a higher risk of NAFLD, and the PTG concentrations of patients with NAFLD are higher than in healthy individuals, with a delayed peak. Therefore, 4-h PTG may represent a potential marker of NAFLD.

Trial registration

ChiCTR1800019514.
Cerium oxide nanoparticles improve cotton salt tolerance by enabling better ability to maintain cytosolic K+/Na+ ratio
Authors: Liu Jiahao , Li Guangjing , Chen Linlin , Gu Jiangjiang , Wu Honghong , Li Zhaohu
Published: May 2021

Background

Salinity is a worldwide factor limiting the agricultural production. Cotton is an important cash crop; however, its yield and product quality are negatively affected by soil salinity. Use of nanomaterials such as cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) to improve plant tolerance to stress conditions, e.g. salinity, is an emerged approach in agricultural production. Nevertheless, to date, our knowledge about the role of nanoceria in cotton salt response and the behind mechanisms is still rare.

Results

We found that PNC (poly acrylic acid coated nanoceria) helped to improve cotton tolerance to salinity, showing better phenotypic performance, higher chlorophyll content (up to 68% increase) and biomass (up to 38% increase), and better photosynthetic performance such as carbon assimilation rate (up to 144% increase) in PNC treated cotton plants than the NNP (non-nanoparticle control) group. Under salinity stress, in consistent to the results of the enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes, PNC treated cotton plants showed significant lower MDA (malondialdehyde, up to 44% decrease) content and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, up to 79% decrease) than the NNP control group, both in the first and second true leaves. Further experiments showed that under salinity stress, PNC treated cotton plants had significant higher cytosolic K+ (up to 84% increase) and lower cytosolic Na+ (up to 77% decrease) fluorescent intensity in both the first and second true leaves than the NNP control group. This is further confirmed by the leaf ion content analysis, showed that PNC treated cotton plants maintained significant higher leaf K+ (up to 84% increase) and lower leaf Na+ content (up to 63% decrease), and thus the higher K+/Na+ ratio than the NNP control plants under salinity stress. Whereas no significant increase of mesophyll cell vacuolar Na+ intensity was observed in PNC treated plants than the NNP control under salinity stress, suggesting that the enhanced leaf K+ retention and leaf Na+ exclusion, but not leaf vacuolar Na+ sequestration are the main mechanisms behind PNC improved cotton salt tolerance. qPCR results showed that under salinity stress, the modulation of HKT1 but not SOS1 refers more to the PNC improved cotton leaf Na+ exclusion than the NNP control.

Conclusions

PNC enhanced leaf K+ retention and Na+ exclusion, but not vacuolar Na+ sequestration to enable better maintained cytosolic K+/Na+ homeostasis and thus to improve cotton salt tolerance. Our results add more knowledge for better understanding the complexity of plant-nanoceria interaction in terms of nano-enabled plant stress tolerance.

Graphic abstract
Porphyrin-lipid stabilized paclitaxel nanoemulsion for combined photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy
Authors: Chang Enling , Bu Jiachuan , Ding Lili , Lou Jenny W. H. , Valic Michael S. , Cheng Miffy. H. Y. , Rosilio Véronique , Chen Juan , Zheng Gang
Published: May 2021

Background

Porphyrin-lipids are versatile building blocks that enable cancer theranostics and have been applied to create several multimodal nanoparticle platforms, including liposome-like porphysome (aqueous-core), porphyrin nanodroplet (liquefied gas-core), and ultrasmall porphyrin lipoproteins. Here, we used porphyrin-lipid to stabilize the water/oil interface to create porphyrin-lipid nanoemulsions with paclitaxel loaded in the oil core (PLNE-PTX), facilitating combination photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemotherapy in one platform.

Results

PTX (3.1 wt%) and porphyrin (18.3 wt%) were loaded efficiently into PLNE-PTX, forming spherical core–shell nanoemulsions with a diameter of 120 nm. PLNE-PTX demonstrated stability in systemic delivery, resulting in high tumor accumulation (~ 5.4 ID %/g) in KB-tumor bearing mice. PLNE-PTX combination therapy inhibited tumor growth (78%) in an additive manner, compared with monotherapy PDT (44%) or chemotherapy (46%) 16 days post-treatment. Furthermore, a fourfold reduced PTX dose (1.8 mg PTX/kg) in PLNE-PTX combination therapy platform demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy to Taxol at a dose of 7.2 mg PTX/kg, which can reduce side effects. Moreover, the intrinsic fluorescence of PLNE-PTX enabled real-time tracking of nanoparticles to the tumor, which can help inform treatment planning.

Conclusion

PLNE-PTX combining PDT and chemotherapy in a single platform enables superior anti-tumor effects and holds potential to reduce side effects associated with monotherapy chemotherapy. The inherent imaging modality of PLNE-PTX enables real-time tracking and permits spatial and temporal regulation to improve cancer treatment.

Graphic Abstract
Hyoscyamus albus nortropane alkaloids reduce hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia induced in HepG2 cells through the regulation of SIRT1/NF-kB/JNK pathway
Authors: Kowalczuk Anna , Bourebaba Nabila , Kornicka-Garbowska Katarzyna , Turlej Eliza , Marycz Krzysztof , Bourebaba Lynda
Published: May 2021

Background

Chronic superphysiological glucose and insulin concentrations are known to trigger several tissue and organ failures, including insulin resistance, oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation. Hence, the screening for molecules that may counteract such conditions is essential in current existing therapeutic strategies, thereby the use of medicinal plant derivatives represents a promising axis in this regard.

Methods

In this study, the effect of a selected traditional medicinal plant, Hyoscyamus albus from which, calystegines have been isolated, was investigated in an experimental model of hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia induced on HepG2 cells. The mRNA and protein expression levels of different insulin signaling, gluconeogenic and inflammatory pathway- related molecules were examined. Additionally, cell viability and apoptosis, oxidative stress extent and mitochondrial dysfunctions were assayed using flow cytometric and qRT-PCR techniques.

Results

Treatment of IR HepG2 cells with calystegines strongly protected the injured cells from apoptosis, oxidative stress and mitochondrial integrity loss. Interestingly, nortropane alkaloids efficiently regulated the impaired glucose metabolism in IR HepG2 cells, through the stimulation of glucose uptake and the modulation of SIRT1/Foxo1/G6PC/mTOR pathway, which is governing the hepatic gluconeogenesis. Furthermore, the alkaloidal extract restored the defective insulin signaling pathway, mainly by promoting the expression of Insr at the mRNA and protein levels. What is more, treated cells exhibited significant mitigated inflammatory response, as evidenced by the modulation and the regulation of the NF- κB/JNK/TLR4 axis and the downstream proinflammatory cytokines recruitment.

Conclusion

Overall, the present investigation demonstrates that calystegines from Hyoscyamus albus provide cytoprotection to the HepG2 cells against insulin/glucose induced insulin resistance and apoptosis due to the regulation of SIRT1/Foxo1/G6PC/mTOR and NF-κB/JNK/TLR4 signaling pathways.
Identification of the initial water-site and movement in Gleditsia sinensis seeds and its relation to seed coat structure
Authors: Zhu Mingwei , Dai Song , Ma Qiuyue , Li Shuxian
Published: May 2021

Background

Water uptake is essential for seed germination. However, Gleditsia sinensis seeds have a water-impermeable seed coat, which is beneficial for its adaption to the environment, but prohibits its germination without treatment. This feature may be associated with the structure of the seed coat. Thus, the aim of this research was to identify and describe the initial water uptake site and water movement and to determine the relationship between seed coat structure and water absorption.

Results

A water temperature of 80 °C was optimal to break the hardseededness of G. sinensis seeds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the seed coat consisted of a palisade layer and light line that can hinder water entry into the seed. Also, a structure of vascular bundles existed in the hilar region. Hot water treatment caused the tightly closed micropyle to open and the cavity beneath it expanded; the layer of palisade cells in the lens was raised. The embryo dye-tracking tests showed that the radicle tip was the initial region to be stained red. After staining for 24 h, the red-stained area on the vascular bundle side of cotyledon was more extensive than that on the other side. Further studies by MRI maps indicated that the micropyle was the initial site for water imbibition. Some water then migrated along the space between the seed coat and the endosperm to the chalazal; simultaneously, the rest of the water reached the embryonic axis and spread into cotyledons. The maps of 20–24 h showed that water was unevenly distributed within the cotyledons in a way that the edge parts were more hydrated than the center. Blocking tests showed that the hilar region was the initial and an important region during seed imbibition. The medial region and chalazal portion were capable of imbibing water when the hilar region was blocked, but water absorption was later and slower than that through the hilar region.

Conclusion

MRI technology provides a promising and non-invasive technique to identify the water gap and the path of water movement in the seed. Combined with the results of SEM, the relation between seed coat and its imbibition can be inferred.
Association of acute inflammatory cytokines, fracture malreduction, and functional outcome 12 months after intra-articular ankle fracture—a prospective cohort study of 46 patients with ankle fractures
Authors: Pham That Minh , Kristiansen Emil Bjoertomt , Frich Lars Henrik , Lambertsen Kate Lykke , Overgaard Søren , Schmal Hagen
Published: May 2021

Background

Several malreduction criteria have been proposed for ankle surgery, but the criteria of most importance for functional outcome remain undetermined. Furthermore, the acute inflammatory response in the ankle joint after fracture is hypothesized to result in osteoarthritis development, but no study has investigated the correlation between the levels of these inflammatory cytokines and post-surgical functional outcomes. We aimed to identify malreduction criteria and inflammatory cytokines associated with functional outcome after ankle surgery.

Methods

During surgery, synovial fluid from the fractured and healthy contralateral ankles of 46 patients was collected for chemiluminescence analysis of 22 inflammatory cytokines and metabolic proteins. The quality of fracture reduction was based on 9 criteria on plain X-rays and 5 criteria on weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT) scans. After 3 and 12 months, we recorded scores on American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale, the Danish version of Foot Function Index (FFI-DK), EQ-5D-5L index score, the Kellgren-Lawrence score, and joint space narrowing.

Results

Tibiofibular (TF) overlap (p = 0.02) and dime sign (p = 0.008) correlated with FFI-DK. Tibiotalar tilt correlated positively with joint space narrowing at 3 months (p = 0.01) and 12 months (p = 0.03). TF widening correlated with FFI-DK (p = 0.04), AOFAS (p = 0.02), and EQ-5D-5L (p = 0.02). No consistent correlations between synovial cytokine levels and functional outcomes were found at 12 months.

Conclusions

Malreduction of TF overlap, TF widening, and tibiotalar tilt were the most important criteria for functional outcome after ankle surgery. Increased inflammatory cytokine levels after fracture did not affect functional outcome at 12 months.

Trial registration

This cohort study is registered the 10th of December 2018 at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03769909), was approved by the local committee on health ethics (The Regional Committees on Health Research Ethics for Southern Denmark: J.No. S-20170139), and was reported to the National Danish Data Protection Agency (17/28505).
Lessons learned from hemolytic uremic syndrome registries: recommendations for implementation
Authors: Lazem Mina , Sheikhtaheri Abbas , Hooman Nakysa
Published: May 2021

Background

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a rare condition which diagnosed with the triad of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and acute renal injury. There is a high requirement for research to discover treatments. HUS registries can be used as an important information infrastructure. In this study, we identified and compared the different features of HUS registries to present a guide for the development and implementation of HUS registries.

Results

The purposes of registries were classified as clinical (9 registries), research (7 registries), and epidemiological (5 registries), and only 3 registries pursued all three types of purposes. The data set included demographic data, medical and family history, para-clinical and diagnostic measures, treatment and pharmacological data, complications, and outcomes. The assessment strategies of data quality included monthly evaluation and data audit, the participation of physicians to collect data, editing and correcting data errors, increasing the rate of data completion, following guidelines and data quality training, using specific data quality indicators, and real-time evaluation of data at the time of data entry. 8 registries include atypical HUS patients, and 7 registries include all patients regardless of age. Only two registries focused on children. 4 registries apply prospective and 4 applied both prospective, and retrospective data collection. Finally, specialized hospitals were the main data source for these registries.

Conclusion

Based on the findings, we suggested a learning framework for developing and implementing an HUS registry. This framework includes lessons learned and suggestions for HUS registry purposes, minimum data set, data quality assurance, data collection methods, inclusion and exclusion criteria as well as data sources. This framework can help researchers develop HUS registries.
Inactivation of Presenilin in inhibitory neurons results in decreased GABAergic responses and enhanced synaptic plasticity
Authors: Lee Sang Hun , Bolshakov Vadim Y. , Shen Jie
Published: May 2021

Mutations in the Presenilin genes are the major genetic cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Presenilin (PS) is highly expressed in the hippocampus, which is particularly vulnerable in AD. Previous studies of PS function in the hippocampus, however, focused exclusively on excitatory neurons. Whether PS regulates inhibitory neuronal function remained unknown. In the current study, we investigate PS function in GABAergic neurons by performing whole-cell and field-potential electrophysiological recordings using acute hippocampal slices from inhibitory neuron-specific PS conditional double knockout (IN-PS cDKO) mice at 2 months of age, before the onset of age-dependent loss of interneurons. We found that the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) is reduced in hippocampal CA1 neurons of IN-PS cDKO mice, whereas the amplitude of sIPSCs is normal. Moreover, the efficacy of inhibitory neurotransmission as assessed with synaptic input/output relations for evoked mono- and di-synaptic IPSCs is markedly lowered in hippocampal CA1 neurons of IN-PS cDKO mice. Consistent with these findings, IN-PS cDKO mice display enhanced paired-pulse facilitation, frequency facilitation and long-term potentiation in the Schaffer collateral-CA1 pathway. Interestingly, depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores by inhibition of sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase results in a reduction of IPSC amplitude in control hippocampal neurons but not in IN-PS cDKO neurons, suggesting that impaired intracellular calcium homeostasis in the absence of PS may contribute to the deficiencies in inhibitory neurotransmission. Furthermore, the amplitude of IPSCs induced by short trains of presynaptic stimulation and paired-pulse ratio are decreased in IN-PS cDKO mice. These findings show that inactivation of PS in interneurons results in decreased GABAergic responses and enhanced synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, providing additional evidence for the importance of PS in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and calcium homeostasis.
Samplot: a platform for structural variant visual validation and automated filtering
Authors: Belyeu Jonathan R. , Chowdhury Murad , Brown Joseph , Pedersen Brent S. , Cormier Michael J. , Quinlan Aaron R. , Layer Ryan M.
Published: May 2021

Visual validation is an important step to minimize false-positive predictions from structural variant (SV) detection. We present Samplot, a tool for creating images that display the read depth and sequence alignments necessary to adjudicate purported SVs across samples and sequencing technologies. These images can be rapidly reviewed to curate large SV call sets. Samplot is applicable to many biological problems such as SV prioritization in disease studies, analysis of inherited variation, or de novo SV review. Samplot includes a machine learning package that dramatically decreases the number of false positives without human review. Samplot is available athttps://github.com/ryanlayer/samplot.
The high risk of malarial recurrence in patients with Plasmodium-mixed infection after treatment with antimalarial drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mahittikorn Aongart , Masangkay Frederick Ramirez , Kotepui Kwuntida Uthaisar , Milanez Giovanni De Jesus , Kotepui Manas
Published: May 2021

Background

Malaria mixed infections are often unrecognized by microscopists in the hospitals, and a delay or failure to treatPlasmodium-mixed infection may lead to aggravated morbidity and increased mortality. The present study aimed to quantify the pooled proportion and risk of malarial recurrences after the treatment ofPlasmodium-mixed infection. The results of the study may provide benefits in the management ofPlasmodium-mixed infection in co-endemic regions.

Methods

This systematic review and meta-analysis searched the international Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; ID = CRD42020199709), MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus for potentially relevant studies in any language published between January 1, 1936, and July 20, 2020, assessing drug efficacy in patients withPlasmodium-mixed infection. The primary outcome was the pooled prevalence ofPlasmodiumparasitemia after initiating antimalarial treatment forPlasmodium-mixed infection. The secondary outcome was the pooled risk ratio (RR) of malarial recurrence inPlasmodium-mixed infection compared with those inPlasmodium falciparumandPlasmodium vivaxmono-infection. The pooled analyses were calculated by random-effects meta-analysis. After the initial treatment in different days of recurrences (≤ 28 days or > 28 days), the risk ofPlasmodiumparasitemia was compared in subgroup analysis.

Results

Out of 5217 screened studies, 11 were included in the meta-analysis, including 4390 patients from six countries. The pooled prevalence of all recurrences ofPlasmodium-mixed parasitemia was 30% (95% confidence interval (CI) 16–43;I2: 99.2%; 11 studies). The RR of malarial recurrence within 28 days after the initial treatment (clinical treatment failure) ofPlasmodium-mixed parasitemia compared with the treatment ofP. falciparumwas 1.22 (p: 0.029; 95% CI 1.02–1.47; Cochran Q: 0.93;I2: 0%; six studies), while there was no significant difference in the risk of recurrence 28 days after initial treatment compared with the treatment ofP. falciparum(p: 0.696, RR: 1.14; 95% CI 0.59–2.18; Cochran Q < 0.05;I2: 98.2%; four studies). The subgroup analysis of antimalarial drugs showed that significant malarial recurrence within 28 days was observed in patients treated with artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) with no significant heterogeneity (p: 0.028, RR: 1.31; 95% CI 1.03–1.66; Cochran Q: 0.834;I2: 0%).

Conclusions

The present findings showed a high prevalence of malarial recurrence after the initial treatment ofPlasmodium-mixed infection. Moreover, significant malaria recurrence of mixed infection occurred within 28 days after treatment with ACTs.

Graphical Abstract
Extract from phyllosphere bacteria with antibiofilm and quorum quenching activity to control several fish pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Nathalia Olivia , Waturangi Diana Elizabeth
Published: May 2021

Objective

The objective of this research were to screen quorum quenching activity compound from phyllosphere bacteria as well as antibiofilm activity against several fish pathogen bacteria such as Aeromonas hydrophila, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Vibrio harveyi.

Results

We found eight phyllosphere bacteria isolates with potential quorum quenching activity to inhibit Chromobacterium violaceum as indicator bacteria. Crude extracts (20 mg/mL) showed various antibiofilm activity against fish pathogenic bacteria used in this study. Isolate JB 17B showed the highest activity to inhibit biofilm formation of A. hydrophila and V. harveyi, meanwhile isolate JB 3B showed the highest activity to inhibit biofilm of S. agalactiae. From destruction assay, isolate JB 8F showed the highest activity to disrupt biofilm of A. hydrophila isolate JB 20B showed the highest activity to disrupt biofilm of V. harveyi, isolate JB 17B also showed the highest activity to disrupt biofilm of S. agalactiae.
Steroid 21-hydroxylase gene variants and late-life depression
Authors: Ancelin Marie-Laure , Norton Joanna , Ritchie Karen , Chaudieu Isabelle , Ryan Joanne
Published: May 2021

Objectives

A feature of late-life depression is alterations of the stress hormone system. The CYP21A2 gene encodes for the steroid 21-hydroxylase enzyme which is required for the biosynthesis of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, two main components of the stress response in humans. Variants in the CYP21A2 gene could influence risk of late-life depression, but this has not been examined. This study investigated possible associations between five variants in the CYP21A2 gene and late-life depression in 1007 older community-dwelling men and women.

Results

In multivariate logistic regression model, significant associations were found between three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs389883, rs437179, and rs630379) and depression in women specifically (OR ranging from 1.51 to 1.68, p-values 0.025 to 0.0045), and the two latter remained significant after correction for multiple testing. Variants of the CYP21A2 gene appear as susceptibility factors for late-life depression in a sex-specific manner, independently of somatic and neuropsychiatric comorbidity.
Longitudinal study of primary progressive aphasia in a patient with pathologically diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease: a case report
Authors: Takaya Masahiko , Ishii Kazunari , Saigoh Kazumasa , Shirakawa Osamu
Published: May 2021

Background

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease involving the deposition of pathologic amyloid-β and tau protein in the cerebral cortex. Alzheimer’s disease is commonly characterized by progressive impairment of recent memory. Primary progressive aphasia is also often observed in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, language-associated symptoms, such as primary progressive aphasia, are diverse and varied in Alzheimer’s disease. However, nonfluent/agrammatic variant primary progressive aphasia is not generally considered a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. To date, there has been no longitudinal study of primary progressive aphasia in Japanese-speaking patients or in patients speaking other languages with pathologically diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease. Here we present a longitudinal study of primary progressive aphasia in a Japanese patient pathologically diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Case presentation

A 75-year-old Japanese man, whose wife reported that his memory was impaired, also suffered from suspected aphasia. He was pathologically diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease using 11C-Pittsburgh compound-B positron emission tomography and 18F-THK5351 positron emission tomography. Based on clinical observation and the results of the Japanese standard language test of aphasia, he was also diagnosed with nonfluent/agrammatic variant primary progressive aphasia. During the subsequent 2 years, his cognitive impairment, aphasia, and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia progressed. Furthermore, progression of pathologic amyloid-β and tau protein deposition was revealed through 11C-Pittsburgh compound-B positron emission tomography and 18F-THK5351 positron emission tomography. Although the results of [123I] iodoamphetamine single-photon emission computed tomography suggested corticobasal degeneration, this was not observed on the [123I] FP-CIT single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) (DaTscan). A previous study had reported that Alzheimer’s disease with a nonfluent/agrammatic variant primary progressive aphasia was accompanied by corticobasal degeneration; however, this was not true in our case.

Conclusions

This is possibly the first longitudinal study of nonfluent/agrammatic variant primary progressive aphasia in a Japanese-speaking patient with pathologically diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease, but without corticobasal degeneration.
Avascular femoral necrosis as part of Cushing syndrome presentation: a case report
Authors: Salazar Daniela , Esteves César , Ferreira Maria João , Pedro Jorge , Pimenta Tiago , Portugal Raquel , Carvalho Davide
Published: May 2021

Background

The clinical characteristics and complications of Cushing syndrome (CS) are well known and described in the literature. Nevertheless, rare, atypical presentations may go unnoticed. Osteonecrosis is a well-documented complication of glucocorticoid therapy. However, endogenous hypercortisolism is a rare, but relevant, cause of bone avascular necrosis. We describe the case of a woman with CS undiagnosed for 2 years after presenting with femoral avascular necrosis.

Case presentation

A 38-year-old Caucasian woman was referred for evaluation of secondary amenorrhea, associated with oral contraception withdrawal in the context of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). She had a previous right hip arthroplasty for treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head, diagnosed after 3 years of progressive right hip pain and limited mobility. She also had high blood pressure (HBP) of 5 years’ duration, and reported weight gain (4 kg in 2 years). There was no history of infertility (gravida 2, para 2). Physical examination revealed buffalo hump, truncal obesity, facial plethora, muscular atrophy and proximal myopathy, and easy bruising (under anticoagulant treatment for DVT). Workup showed abnormal overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST) (serum cortisol 21.5 µg/dL; normal < 1.8 µg/dL), elevated 24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) (728.9 µg/day; reference range 36.0–137.0 µg/day), and suppressed plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (< 1.0 pg/mL), findings consistent with ACTH-independent CS. Urinary metanephrines and catecholamines were normal, and the remaining analytical study showed no major changes, apart from glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 6.8%. Adrenal computed tomography (CT) scan showed a 25 mm lesion in the left adrenal gland, with density non-suggestive of adenoma. The patient underwent unilateral adrenalectomy and started steroid replacement. Histology revealed an adrenal cortex adenoma. Three months after surgery the patient presented with resolution of HBP and hypercortisolism (UFC 37.4 µg/day; reference range 36.0–137.0 µg/day).

Conclusion

In some cases, CS signs may go unnoticed and the diagnosis postponed. Avascular necrosis is a rare presenting feature of endogenous hypercortisolism, and, if left untreated, complete collapse of the femoral head may ensue, rendering the need for hip replacement in up to 70% of patients. Suspicion and recognition of atypical features is therefore important in avoiding complications and delay in treatment of CS.
Challenges in Evaluating Seismic Collapse Risk for RC Buildings
Authors: Zhou Jin , Zhang Zhelun , Williams Tessa , Kunnath Sashi K.
Published: May 2021

The development of fragility functions that express the probability of collapse of a building as a function of some ground motion intensity measure is an effective tool to assess seismic vulnerability of structures. However, a number of factors ranging from ground motion selection to modeling decisions can influence the quantification of collapse probability. A methodical investigation was carried out to examine the effects of component modeling and ground motion selection in establishing demand and collapse risk of a typical reinforced concrete frame building. The primary system considered in this study is a modern 6-story RC moment frame building that was designed to current code provisions in a seismically active region. Both concentrated and distributed plasticity beam–column elements were used to model the building frame and several options were considered in constitutive modeling for both options. Incremental dynamic analyses (IDA) were carried out using two suites of ground motions—the first set comprised site-dependent ground motions, while the second set was a compilation of hazard-consistent motions using the conditional scenario spectra approach. Findings from the study highlight the influence of modeling decisions and ground motion selection in the development of seismic collapse fragility functions and the characterization of risk for various demand levels.
Association of interleukin-4 polymorphism with diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy in a Sudanese population
Authors: Tayrab Eltayeb Mohamed Ahmed , Mahmoud Gaafar Mahmoud Gaafar , Abdelrahim Hisham Mohamed , Ahmed Samia Mahdi , Elmakki Abdelmonium
Published: May 2021

Background

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a multifunctional cytokine; involved in the regulation of immune responses, as well as in the pathogenicity of many diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. Some researchers suggested that IL-4 protects the human pancreatic islet from cytotoxic damages, whereas others suggested some inhibitory actions of IL-4 on pancreatic islets. This study aimed to assess the role of IL-4 genotypes of intron 3 variable number of tandem repeats of the IL-4 gene in diabetic retinopathy and diabetic neuropathy in Sudanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This case–control study was performed in a number of Khartoum state hospitals in Sudan. The study enrolled 181 Sudanese patients, 115 (57 females and 58 males) diagnosed with T2DM and 66 (29 females and 37 males) healthy persons who served as control subjects. Polymerase chain reaction was used for the analysis of IL-4, which was amplified using the following amplification sequence (forward primer: CACGACGTTGTAAAACGACTAGGCTGAAAGGGGGAAAGC; reverse primer: CTGTTCACCTCAACTGCTCC). Biochemical analyses for highly sensitive C- reactive protein (hs-CRP), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein were performed using a chemical analyzer.

Results

The study showed that in the diabetic group, 49(42.6%) had diabetic retinopathy, whereas 7(6.1%) had diabetic neuropathy. The B1B1 genotype was found to be a higher risk factor for developing diabetic retinopathy than B2B2 [P = 0.028; Odds ratio (OR) = 1.381; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.344–9.062], whereas the B1B2 genotype was found to be insignificantly associated with retinopathy (P = 0.357; OR = 1.570; 95% CI 0.654–3.887). Furthermore, hs-CRP and HbA1c were significantly increased in diabetic neuropathy with IL-4 B1B1 genotype.

Conclusions

IL-4 gene polymorphisms can be good markers for the early identification of risk for diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy in Sudanese people. The hs-CRP and HbA1c in diabetic patients with IL-4 B1B1 genotype may be predisposition predictors of diabetic neuropathy.
Fomitiporia punicata and Phaeoacremonium minimum associated with Esca complex of grapevine in China
Authors: Ye Qingtong , Jia Jingyi , Manawasinghe Ishara S. , Li Xinghong , Zhang Wei , Mugnai Laura , Wu Xuehong , Hyde Kevin D. , Yan Jiye
Published: May 2021

The Esca disease complex includes some of the most important trunk diseases of grapevines (Vitis spp.) and causes serious yield losses in grape production worldwide. However, there has been no detailed study on its presence and associated pathogens in China. During 2017–2019, a preliminary field survey was conducted in eight vineyards in Hebei and Ningxia provinces, China when unusual foliar symptoms were observed. Symptoms were distinct tiger striped leaves, which are typical of grapevine leaf stripe disease (GLSD), one of the most common diseases in the Esca complex. Tiger-stripe leaf symptoms were found in four vineyards, and incidence was cultivar dependent varying with vineyard and year. A total of 266 fungal isolates were obtained from wood tissues of grapevines with typical foliar symptoms of GLSD. Based on morphological characters and multigene-combined phylogenetic analyses, the Ascomycete Phaeoacremonium minimum, one of the pathogens associated with Esca complex was identified. The basidiomycete Fomitiporia punicata, which has never been reported infecting grapevine, was also identified and found to be associated with wood rot in grapevine. The remaining isolates included some known wood pathogens, such as Neofusicoccum species and Diaporthe species. Koch’s postulates were performed in the greenhouse, confirming that both F. punicata and P. minimum caused leaf interveinal chlorosis and necrosis that resembled the GLSD symptoms of the Esca complex observed in the field. The present study provides the first detailed report of the Esca complex in China. In addition, this is the first record of F. punicata associated with Esca complex of grapevine worldwide. The results of this study provide new insights into the knowledge of the Esca complex.
Comparison between invasive and non-invasive assessment of blood pressure in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Authors: Hassan Ayman Khairy M. , Shaamash Ayman H. , Mohamed Asmaa G. , Demitry Salwa R. , Razik Nady A.
Published: May 2021

Background

The management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) during hospitalization requires an accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement, mainly by invasive intra-arterial reading. Nevertheless, little is known about the precision of non-invasive (NI) central BP measurements in HDP. We aimed to assess the accuracy of NI central BP assessment in comparison to invasive BP measurement in HDP.

This cross-sectional study included all patients with HDP that were admitted to university hospitals for high BP control, from December 2018 till December 2019, and 10 healthy matched non-hypertensive controls. Patients were compared for demographic, anthropometric, and echocardiographic data. In all subjects, invasive BP assessment was done by radial arterial cannulation and NI assessment of BP was performed by an oscillometric automated device (Mobil-O-Graph); the comparison was done after initial control of BP.

Results

One hundred patients were included and divided into 3 groups (pre-existing hypertension (HTN), gestational HTN, and pre-eclampsia). There was no statistically significant difference between NI central and invasive methods in measuring both systolic BP (SBP) (126.39 ± 14.5 vs 127.43 ± 15.3, p = 0.5) and diastolic BP (82.41 ± 9.0 vs 83.78 ± 8.9, p = 0.14) among the total studied population. A strong positive correlation was found between NI central and invasive SBP (r = 0.96, p < 0.001). HDP was associated with an increase in arterial stiffness, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and complications.

Conclusion

Non-invasive measurement of BP using oscillometric automated devices is as accurate as the invasive method, and it is a practical safe method in pregnant women with hypertensive disorders (CTR no. = NCT04303871).
Landscape Analysis of Oncology Mobile Health Applications
Authors: Upadhyay Vivek A. , Landman Adam B. , Hassett Michael J.
Published: May 2021

PURPOSE

More than 325,000 mobile health (mhealth) applications (apps) have been developed. We sought to describe the state of oncology-specific apps and to highlight areas of strength and opportunities for future development.

METHODS

We searched for oncology apps in the Apple iOS and Google Play app stores in January 2020. Apps were classified by English language support, date of last update, downloads, intended audience, intended purpose, and developer type.

RESULTS

We identified 794 oncology-specific, English language applications; only 257 (32%) met basic recency standards and were considered evaluable. Of evaluable apps, almost half (47%) were found in the Medical Store Category and the majority were free (88%). The most common intended audience was health care professionals (45%), with 28% being geared toward the general public and 27% being intended for patients. The intended function was education for 36%, clinical decision support for 19.5%, and patient support for 18%. Only 23% of education apps and 40% of clinical decision support apps reported any formal app content review process. Web developers created 61.5% of apps, scientific societies created 10%, and hospitals or health care organizations created just 6%. Of 54 studies that used mobile apps in oncology identified by a recent meta-analysis, only two could be matched to commercially available apps from our study, suggesting a substantial divide between investigation and product dissemination.

CONCLUSION

Relatively few oncology-related apps exist in the commercial marketplace, up-to-date apps are uncommon, and there is a notable absence of key oncology stakeholders in app development. Meaningful development opportunities exist.
Authorship Patterns in Cancer Genomics Publications Across Africa
Authors: Rotimi Solomon O. , Rotimi Oluwakemi A. , Salhia Bodour
Published: May 2021

PURPOSE

Authorship is a proxy indicator of research capacity. Understanding the research capacity is imperative for developing population-specific cancer control strategies. This is particularly apropos for African nations, where mortality from cancer is projected to surpass that from infectious disease and the populations are critically under-represented in cancer and genomics studies. Here, we present an analysis and discussion of the patterns of authorship in Africa as they pertain to cancer genomics research across African countries.

METHODS

PubMed metadata of relevant cancer genomics peer-reviewed publications on African populations, published between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2019, were retrieved and analyzed for patterns of authorship affiliation using R packages, RISmed, and Pubmed.mineR.

RESULTS

The data showed that only 0.016% (n = 375) of cancer publications globally were on cancer genomics of African people. More than 50% of the first and last authors of these publications originated from the North African countries of Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria. South Africa (13.6% and 12.7%) and Nigeria (2.2% and 1.9%) were the Sub-Saharan African countries most represented by first and last authorship positions, respectively. The United States contributed 12.6% of first and last authored papers, and nearly 50% of all African countries had no contributing author for the publications we reviewed.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights and brings awareness to the paucity of cancer genomics research on African populations and by African authors and identifies a need for concerted efforts to encourage and enable more research in Africa, needed for achieving global equity in cancer outcomes.
Towards room-temperature superconductivity
Authors: Szeftel Jacob , Sandeau Nicolas , Abou Ghantous Michel , El-Saba Muhammad
Published: May 2021

By taking advantage of a stability criterion established recently, the critical temperature T

c
is reckoned with help of the microscopic parameters, characterising the normal and superconducting electrons, namely the independent-electron band structure and a repulsive two-electron force. The emphasis is laid on the sharp T

c
dependence upon electron concentration and inter-electron coupling, which might offer a practical route toward higher T

c
values and help to understand why high-T

c
compounds exhibit such remarkable properties.
The superfamilies Pupilloidea and Enoidea (Gastropoda, Eupulmonata) in Bhutan
Authors: Gittenberger Edmund , Gyeltshen Choki , Leda Pema , Sherub Sherub
Published: May 2021

The species of two gastropod superfamilies, i.e. Pupilloidea and Enoidea, that have been recorded in Bhutan, are described and illustrated. Five families with ten species in total are dealt with. Three species are described as new to science, viz. Pupisoma (P.) paroense Gittenberger et Leda, n. sp., Pseudonapaeus occibhutanus Gittenberger, Gyeltshen et Sherub, n. sp., and Laevozebrinus parvus Gittenberger, Gyeltshen et Leda, n. sp. Distribution maps are presented for all the species. Some biogeographical considerations are added.
Ausgrabungen und Funde im Jahr 2004
Authors: Hagendorn Andrea , Matt Christoph Philipp , Helmig Guido , Glaser Catrin , Leuzinger Urs , Hecht Yolanda , Schön Udo , Doppler Thomas , Rentzel Philippe
Published: May 2021

Berichte zu den archäologischen Untersuchungen der Archäologischen Bodenforschung Basel-Stadt im Jahr 2004.
Investigation of MAC Algorithms for Cross-Boundary Exchange between Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors:   Department of Electrical Engineering, Nawaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Thai Air Force Academy, Bangkok, 10220, Thailand, Singhanat Krongboon , Pancharoen Kantida
Published: May 2021

Increasing deployments of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), following the trend of the Internet of Thing (IoT), heightens the probability of the spatial overlap between WSNs in the same local area. The direct communication between distinctive networks can be supported by the direct interconnection between sensor nodes in any possible intersecting area. The packet transfer between the neighbouring networks offers multiple benefits by sharing data or network resources. However, the communication protocol adopted by each WSN can be different due to its conditions design and preferences preventing transmission and reception of packets from other network domains. One of the possible solutions for the compatibility problem is using a lightweight communication protocol for communication across the boundary while allowing networks to use its preferred communication stack inside its domain. This work investigates the MAC algorithm used for communication across the network boundary. The synchronous/asynchronous duty cycle MAC algorithm is practically evaluated by using a testbed. The experiment results suggest using the synchronous duty cycle protocol for communication across the network boundary consumes less energy offers improved latency and reliability than the previously proposed asynchronous duty cycle protocol.