bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research and application of anticorrosive concrete for shafts in thick and deep surface soil
Authors: Cai Guisheng , Zhang Jie , Lu Tongwei , Guo Lei , Lv Jinhuan
Published: January 2021

Most frozen shafts of deep surface layer are located at a harsh environment, surrounding soil or groundwater with lots of corrosive ions such as SO4− and Cl−. This is deadly to the durability of concrete. Thus, concrete for shafts in deep surface soil requires excellent durability. This paper focuses on the development and preparation of anticorrosive concrete in deep surface layer shafts, and presents engineering application. The experimental results show that NC-H admixture is successfully made to prepare the concrete. The durability and impermeability of concrete are good. The Cl− diffusion coefficient of C60 is 38.1×10−14m2/s, while C90 is only 4.5×10−14m2/s. Besides, high freezing and thawing resistance is discovered. The loss of dynamic elastic modulus of C75 is less than 6.38% when the freeze-thaw cycle is 1000 times, It has high anti-sulfate ability and no corrosion to steel bar. This anticorrosive concrete has applied in many large coal mining projects. It is proved that this anticorrosive concrete has been applied to practical engineering application, and it can completely meet the requirements of cast-in-situ reinforced concrete shaft construction with deep surface layer and corrosion resistance.
Mechanical characteristics and comfort evaluation under pedestrian vertical excitation of a thin-walled cold-formed steel footbridge
Authors: Xu Jing , Chen Xijun , Li Jing , Li Zeyu
Published: January 2021

Thin-walled cold-formed steel (TWCFS) structures have a great application prospect and are widely adopted in low-rise residential constructions due to great mechanical and economical properties. Since TWCFS member has low flexural rigidity and is hard to weld, it is rarely used in bridge engineering. In Poyang Lake Wetland of Jiangxi Province, China, a TWCFS footbridge was built. In this paper, Serial tests including static loading test, natural frequency test and pedestrian comfort test were conducted. At the same time, finite element analysis (FEA) models were built with Midas/Civil software. The data shows that although natural frequency is far greater than the range of pedestrian walking frequency and will not lead to the resonance of bridge, the peak acceleration under crowd load reflects poor pedestrian comfort. The structure was modified for improving pedestrian comfort and the results after modification verify that the comfort can be ensured.
Research on the performance changes of the binder of the wear layer of open-graded asphalt mixture under different aging methods
Authors: Tian Jianjun , Shi Xiao , Chen Hongpo , Ji Shuzhen
Published: January 2021

In order to study the effect of asphalt aging of open-graded friction course (OGFC) on the performance of high-viscosity styrene-butadiene-styrene(SBS) modified asphalt during the mixing of the asphalt mixtures and the whole life cycle, Thin Film Oven Test (TFOT), Rolling Thin Film Oven Test (RTFOT), and Pressurized Aging Vessel Accelerated Asphalt Aging Test (PAV) were used to conduct aging tests on the high-viscosity SBS modified asphalt. And then the aging of SBS modified asphalt is studied at two levels: microscopic and macroscopic. In the microscopic aspect, first use the fluorescence microscope technology to image the asphalt samples before and after aging. The above images were processed by MATLAB and Image-pro plus software, and the micro-structures of high viscosity SBS modified asphalt before and after aging were obtained. At the same time, use the DSR test to observe the changes in the rheological properties of the SBS modified asphalt before and after aging. On the macro level, the softening point, viscous toughness and pull strength are used to analyse the changes in the mechanical properties of the high-viscosity SBS modified asphalt before and after aging, and the aging conditions of the SBS modified asphalt under the micro and macro indexes are compared. The research shows that after short-term aging (simulation of asphalt aging during the mixing ), RTFOT and TFOT the loss ratio of SBS in modified asphalt are at 78.5% and 68.3%, respectively, the degradation of SBS in modified asphalt is serious, and the SBS modified asphalt aging conditions under the macro and micro indicators are consistent. After long-term aging (simulating the aging of the asphalt during the whole life cycle), the loss ratio of SBS in modified asphalt is 83.4% (RTFOT + PAV) and 84.6% (TFOT + PAV). However, the macroscopic index of SBS modified asphalt shows obvious differences. The aging degree of SBS modified asphalt using RTFOT + PAV aging method is significantly higher than that of TFOT + PAV aging method, indicating that the performance of SBS modified was affected at the degradation of SBS during long-term aging, it is also significantly affected by the aging of the basic asphalt itself. Therefore, when mixing OGFC asphalt mixtures, the mixing time should be strictly controlled, and the mixing time should not be extended. OGFC asphalt mixtures should be maintained properly in time to keep their excellent road performance.
Influence of freezing-thawing cycles on strength of fiber recycled concrete column
Authors: Dong Shihai , He Yuanyuan , Huang Jingqiang , Dong Jiangfeng
Published: January 2021

In order to reduce the influence of freezing-thawing cycle on the recycled concrete and improve the use of recycled concrete in cold regions, this paper systematically explored the influence of different variables such as the mix ratio of recycled aggregate, the content of basalt fiber and freezing-thawing cycle on the mechanical properties of recycled concrete. The results show that adding basalt wire can improve the bearing capacity and ductility of the recycled concrete, but the mechanical properties of the recycled concrete are greatly reduced after the freeze-thaw cycle.
Effect of Ni on the oxygen reduction reaction for low alloy steels in thin electrolyte layer conditions
Authors: Jiang Shan , Cai Ning , Cao Jianping , Yang Jianwei
Published: January 2021

The corrosion behavior of carbon and a Ni-containing steel is investigated in the environment of a thin electrolyte layer. Potentiodynamiccathodic polarization curves were determined using a thin electrolyte layer apparatus at ordinary and negative pressure environments. Oxygen reduction is an important cathodic reaction for carbon steel in the present study. However, the suppression of oxygen reduction occurred for Ni-containing steels. The inhibition of oxygen reduction was closely correlated with the formation of the amorphization of the corrosion product, which contained amount of Ni, formed on the Ni-containing steel.
Perfusion bioreactor enabled fluid-derived shear stress conditions for novel bone metastatic prostate cancer testbed
Authors: Jasuja Haneesh , Kar Sumanta , Katti Dinesh R , Katti Kalpana S
Published: January 2021

Metastatic prostate cancer spreads preferentially to the bone, causing skeletal complications associated with significant morbidity and a poor prognosis, despite current therapeutic approaches. Hence, it is imperative to understand the complex metastatic cascade to develop therapeutic interventions for treating metastatic prostate cancer. Increasing evidence suggests the synergistic role of biochemical and biophysical cues in cancer progression at metastases. However, the mechanism underlying the crosstalk between interstitial flow-induced mechanical stimuli and prostate cancer progression at the bone microenvironment remains poorly understood. To this end, we have developed a three-dimensional (3D)in vitrodynamic model of prostate cancer bone metastasis using perfusion bioreactor and compared our results with static conditions to delineate the role of flow-induced shear stress on prostate cancer progression at metastases. We observed an increase in human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSCs) proliferation and differentiation rate under the dynamic culture. The hMSCs form cell agglutinates under static culture, whereas the hMSCs exhibited a directional alignment with broad and flattened morphology under dynamic culture. Further, the expression of mesenchymal to epithelial transition biomarkers is increased in bone metastasized prostate cancer models, and large changes are observed in the cellular and tumoroid morphologies under dynamic culture. Evaluation of cell adhesion proteins indicated that the altered cancer cell morphologies resulted from the constant force pulling due to increased E-cadherin and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase proteins under shear stress. Overall, we report a successful 3Din vitrodynamic model to recapitulate bone metastatic prostate cancer behavior under dynamic conditions.
Rejuvenation of extensively passaged human chondrocytes to engineer functional articular cartilage
Authors: Kwon Heenam , Brown Wendy E , O’Leary Siobhan A , Hu Jerry C , Athanasiou Kyriacos A
Published: January 2021

Human articular chondrocytes (hACs) are scarce and lose their chondrogenic potential during monolayer passaging, impeding their therapeutic use. This study investigated (a) the translatability of conservative chondrogenic passaging and aggregate rejuvenation on restoring chondrogenic properties of hACs passaged up to P9; and (b) the efficacy of a combined treatment of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) (T), chondroitinase-ABC (C), and lysyl oxidase-like 2 (L), collectively termed TCL, on engineering functional human neocartilage via the self-assembling process, as a function of passage number up to P11. Here, we show that aggregate rejuvenation enhanced glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content and type II collagen staining at all passages and yielded human neocartilage with chondrogenic phenotype present up to P7. Addition of TCL extended the chondrogenic phenotype to P11 and significantly enhanced GAG content and type II collagen staining at all passages. Human neocartilage derived from high passages, treated with TCL, displayed mechanical properties that were on par with or greater than those derived from low passages. Conservative chondrogenic passaging and aggregate rejuvenation may be a viable new strategy (a) to address the perennial problem of chondrocyte scarcity and (b) to successfully rejuvenate the chondrogenic phenotype of extensively passaged cells (up to P11). Furthermore, tissue engineering human neocartilage via self-assembly in conjunction with TCL treatment advances the clinical use of extensively passaged human chondrocytes for cartilage repair.
Realization of 3D epoxy resin/Ti3C2T
x
MXene aerogel composites for low-voltage electrothermal heating
Authors: Yang Pei , Xia Tian , Ghosh Subrata , Wang Jiacheng , Rawson Shelley D , Withers Philip J , Kinloch Ian A , Barg Suelen
Published: January 2021

Suitable electrothermal materials with high heating rates at low electric power are highly desirable for de-icing and thermal management applications. Herein, 3D epoxy resin/Ti3C2T
x
MXene composites are synthesised and shown to be promising candidates for electrothermal heaters where the MXene serves as a nanoheater and the epoxy resin spreads the heat. A unidirectional freeze-casting technique was used to prepare an anisotropic Ti3C2T
x
aerogel into which epoxy resin was then vacuum infiltrated and cured. The resulting composite showed an excellent Joule heating performance over repeated heating–cooling cycles. A steady-state temperature of 123 °C was obtained by applying a low voltage of 2 V with 5.1 A current, giving a total power output of 6.1 W cm−2. Such epoxy/MXene aerogel composites, prepared by a simple and cost-effective manner, offer a potential alternative to the traditional metal-based and nanocarbon-based electrothermal materials.
Easy hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of a hybrid graphene and hexagonal boron nitride monolayer on platinum
Authors: Píš Igor , Nappini Silvia , Panahi Mohammad , Kahraman Abdullah , Magnano Elena , Kaya Sarp , Bondino Federica
Published: January 2021

Understanding the fundamental steps of adsorption and controlled release of hydrogen in two-dimensional (2D) materials is of relevance for applications in nanoelectronics requiring tuning the physical properties or functionalization of the material, hydrogen storage and environmental sensors. Most applications demand that hydrogen adsorption and desorption can be controlled at room temperature. Here we report an element-specific study on the hydrogenation and dehydrogenation, in a low coverage regime, of a quasi-free standing 2D heterostructure (h-BNG) in the form of coexisting lateral domains of isostructural hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and graphene (Gr) on Pt(111). At very low hydrogen coverage a selective and partial hydrogenation of the Gr domains is observed in h-BNG. At the same time no changes are detected in the h-BN domains, indicating a preferential hydrogenation of Gr rather than h-BN domains. At higher coverage, hydrogenation of both Gr and h-BN domains is detected. A thermally facile hydrogen release from h-BN domains near room temperature is observed. Furthermore, the hybrid h-BNG 2D heterostructure enables also a much easier H2 thermal release from Gr domains when compared with a full Gr monolayer grown on the same Pt(111) substrate. These results suggest that the presence of coexisting hydrogenated h-BN domains could destabilize C–H bonds in Gr.
First-principles study on electronic and optical properties of Mg-N dual-acceptor codoped CuAlO2
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Wang Shuangpeng , Liu Chenglin , Chen Xiaobo , Chen Hongxia , Miao Zhongzheng
Published: January 2021

Incorporation of impurities in CuAlO2 provides an opportunities to modulate its electronic and optical properties, which can be exploited for the applications of optoelectronic devices. Among the various elements doped of CuAlO2, research on the codoping magnesium (Mg) with nitrogen (N) which may be a promising way for fabricating p-type CuAlO2 is still limited. Here, the first-principles calculation based on density functional theory was used to investigate the electronic and optical properties of Mg-doped, N-doped and Mg–N codoped CuAlO2. Compared with the undoped CuAlO2, the lattice parameters a and c of the Mg–N codoped CuAlO2 become larger and smaller, respectively. The acceptor level induced by 2p state of N in N-doped CuAlO2 is very deep. The undoped and Mg-doped CuAlO2 has indirect band gap. Whether the deep acceptor level or the indirect band gap, it is unfavorable to p-type doping or light emission. Due to the hybridization of 3p state of Mg and 2p state of N on the top of the valence band, the Mg–N codoped CuAlO2 not only has a direct band gap, but also has a shallower acceptor level (about 0.24 eV above the top of the valence band). The optical properties of CuAlO2 changes obviously after Mg–N codoping in the area of low energy. These results suggest that the possibility of enhancing the hole concentration in CuAlO2 by Mg–N dual-acceptor codoping which will be beneficial to the application of CuAlO2 in optoelectronic devices.
Investigating the effect of carbon support on palladium-based catalyst towards electro-oxidation of ethylene glycol
Authors: Raseruthe Katlego E , Matthews Thabo , Gwebu Sandile S , Pillay Kriveshni , Maxakato Nobanathi W
Published: January 2021

Palladium-based catalysts serve as promising electrocatalysts for the oxidation of ethylene glycol to produce electrical energy that can be used to address the continuous worldwide energy demand increments along with the depletion of fossil fuels which serve as the main energy source. For optimal catalysts performance, carbon nanotubes and carbon nanodots were investigated as palladium catalyst support materials to address difficulties in oxidizing and breaking the C–C bonds in ethylene glycol, cost of electrocatalyst, and complex reaction mechanism that is restraining rapid development and applications of direct ethylene glycol fuel cells (DEGFC). Utilization of palladium catalysts supported on carbon nanotubes (CNT) and carbon nanodots (CND) as support materials resulted in spontaneous ethylene glycol oxidation. The Pd/CNT catalyst showed greater stability compared to Pd/CND during the oxidation of ethylene glycol, and it is not easily poisoned by carbon monoxide intermediates formed during ethylene glycol oxidation as shown by a slow current decay on chronoamperometry.
Water droplet motion under the influence of Surface Acoustic Waves (SAW)
Authors: Insepov Zinetula , Ramazanova Zamart , Zhakiyev Nurkhat , Tynyshtykbayev Kurbangali
Published: January 2021

The water droplet motion processes actuated by applying surface acoustic waves at various RF powers and frequencies were investigated by numerically modelling and compared with experiment. A three-dimensional computational model of a free water droplet streaming on the surface of the substrate have been developed using Finite Element Method (FEM) with Laminar Two-Phase Flow Moving Mesh approach for Navier–Stokes equations which were coupled with Convection Wave equation (CWE) module of the COMSOL Multiphysics. Water droplet motion speeds were experimentally measured and confirmed for water droplets with the volumes of 2 and 5 μl, at SAW frequencies 34 and 58 MHz, and power range 0.1–1.23 W. The effect of frequency on microfluidic performance such as streaming flows and droplet motion has been studied both numerically and experimentally toward developing MEMS devices for future energy sources, e.g., for direct methanol fuel cells, hydrogen energy, as well as for use in a wide variety of chemical, water desalination and purification of other fluids from salts, germs, bacteria, and viruses based on perspective multiphysical effects.
Scientific intuition inspired by machine learning-generated hypotheses
Authors: Friederich Pascal , Krenn Mario , Tamblyn Isaac , Aspuru-Guzik Alán
Published: January 2021

Machine learning with application to questions in the physical sciences has become a widely used tool, successfully applied to classification, regression and optimization tasks in many areas. Research focus mostly lies in improving the accuracy of the machine learning models in numerical predictions, while scientific understanding is still almost exclusively generated by human researchers analysing numerical results and drawing conclusions. In this work, we shift the focus on the insights and the knowledge obtained by the machine learning models themselves. In particular, we study how it can be extracted and used to inspire human scientists to increase their intuitions and understanding of natural systems. We apply gradient boosting in decision trees to extract human-interpretable insights from big data sets from chemistry and physics. In chemistry, we not only rediscover widely know rules of thumb but also find new interesting motifs that tell us how to control solubility and energy levels of organic molecules. At the same time, in quantum physics, we gain new understanding on experiments for quantum entanglement. The ability to go beyond numerics and to enter the realm of scientific insight and hypothesis generation opens the door to use machine learning to accelerate the discovery of conceptual understanding in some of the most challenging domains of science.
New horizons: managing antithrombotic dilemmas in patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy
Authors: Kelly James
Published: January 2021

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) most commonly presents with lobar intracerebral haemorrhage, though also with transient focal neurological episodes, cognitive impairment, as an incidental finding and rarely acutely or subacutely in patients developing an immune response to amyloid. Convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage, cortical superficial siderosis and lobar cerebral microbleeds are the other signature imaging features. The main implications of a diagnosis are the risk of intracerebral haemorrhage and frequent co-existence of antithrombotic indications. The risk of intracerebral haemorrhage varies by phenotype, being highest in patients with transient focal neurological episodes and lowest in patients with isolated microbleeds.

There is only one relevant randomised controlled trial to CAA patients with antithrombotic indications: RESTART showed that in patients presenting with intracerebral haemorrhage while taking antiplatelets, restarting treatment appeared to reduce recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage and improve outcomes. Observational and indirect data are reviewed relevant to other scenarios where there are antithrombotic indications. In patients with a microbleed-only phenotype, the risk of ischaemic stroke exceeds the risk of intracerebral haemorrhage at all cerebral microbleed burdens. In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), left atrial appendage occlusion, where device closure excludes the left atrial appendage from the circulation, can be considered where the risk of anticoagulation seems prohibitive. Ongoing trials are testing the role of direct oral anticoagulant (DOACs) and left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage/AF but in the interim, treatment decisions will need to be individualised and remain difficult.
Dissection Technique for Abdominoplasty With Scarpa Fascia Preservation: Comparative Study on Avulsion Technique Versus Diathermocoagulation
Authors: Torres-Silva Catarina , Pisco Andreia , Valença-Filipe Rita , Rebelo Marco , Peres Helena , Vásconez Luis , Costa-Ferreira António
Published: January 2021

Background

Many strategies have been developed to lower the high complication rate associated with a full abdominoplasty. The dissection technique may have a role to achieve this goal.

Objectives

The present study compared 2 different dissection techniques to perform a full abdominoplasty with Scarpa fascia preservation: avulsion technique and electrodissection.

Methods

A retrospective observational cohort study was performed in 2 health institutions from January 2005 to January 2019. A total of 251 patients were involved: 122 patients submitted to abdominoplasty employing the avulsion technique (Group A) and 129 with diathermocoagulation (coagulation mode) (Group B). The latter was further divided into group B1 (57 patients with device settings according to surgeon’s preferences) and B2 (72 patients with a specific regulation aiming at minimal tissue damage). Several variables were analyzed: population characteristics, time of hospital stay, time to drain removal, total and daily drain output, emergency department visits, readmission, reoperation, and local and systemic complications.

Results

The general characteristics of both groups did not statistically significantly differ except for previous abdominal surgery. The diathermocoagulation group had a significantly lower length of hospital stay and time to drain removal. Moreover, these advantages were maximized when electrocautery was conducted with a specific low-voltage setting as significant differences were found. The other outcomes were identical.

Conclusions

Limiting the extension of electrodissection with the avulsion technique did not present any advantage. Utilizing diathermocoagulation (coagulation mode) during a full abdominoplasty with Scarpa fascia preservation, especially when it is aimed at minimal tissue damage, reduces patients’ time with drains.

Level of Evidence: 3
The Function-Preserving Frontalis Orbicularis Oculi Muscle Flap for the Correction of Severe Blepharoptosis With Poor Levator Function
Authors: Huang Shu-Hung , Lee Chia-Chen , Lai Hsin-Ti , Takahashi Hidenobu , Wang Yu-Chi , Lai Chung-Sheng
Published: January 2021

Background

Severe blepharoptosis with poor levator function (LF) has traditionally been managed with exogenous frontalis suspension but complications such as lagophthalmos, infection, and rejection are often reported.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to design a function-preserving frontalis orbicularis oculi muscle (FOOM) flap to correct severe blepharoptosis with poor LF. The long-term surgical outcome of the technique was assessed.

Methods

This retrospective study included only adult patients with severe blepharoptosis and poor LF, all of whom had their surgery performed by the senior surgeon over a 6-year period. Clinical assessment of LF, palpebral fissure height (PFH), marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1), duration of follow-up, and postoperative complications were recorded.

Results

A total of 34 patients and 59 eyelids were recorded during a mean follow-up period of 17.7 months. Postoperative evaluation yielded mean [standard deviation] improvements of PFH gain of 5.62 [1.61] mm (P < 0.001), and MRD1 and PFH increases of 4.03 [0.82] mm (P < 0.001) and 8.94 [0.81] mm (P < 0.001), respectively. All patients demonstrated normalization of orbicularis function: no lagophthalmos was observed at the 8-month postoperative follow-up. Recurrence of ptosis was recorded in 4 eyelids (6.78%). Revisions were performed in 2 eyelids (3.39%). No infection or granuloma was noted.

Conclusions

The function-preserving FOOM flap is a useful vector for frontalis suspension. Not only does it effectively address lagophthalmos as well as other complications, but it provides aesthetically pleasing outcomes in patients with severe blepharoptosis and poor LF.

Level of Evidence: 4
Labial Fat Grafting After Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty
Authors: Patel Viren , Morrison Shane D , Gujural Dev , Satterwhite Thomas
Published: January 2021

Background

Penile inversion vaginoplasty (PIV) has become the most commonly performed genital surgery for transfeminine patients. However, patients undergoing this procedure may still require revisions to achieve a satisfactory result.

Objectives

The authors report on the utilization of autologous fat grafting to the labia majora to improve results after PIV and complications that may predict the need for grafting.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted of a single surgeon’s patients who underwent PIV between July 2014 and December 2019. Demographic information, operative information, and postoperative outcomes were abstracted from the health records. Wilcoxon rank sum tests and chi-squared test were employed for continuous variables and categorical, respectively.

Results

A total of 182 transfeminine and gender-diverse patients underwent PIV, with 6 patients (3.3%) eventually undergoing labial fat grafting. The most common indication for labial fat grafting was flattened labia majora (83%). All fat grafting procedures were performed concurrently with other revisions of the vaginoplasty. There were no demographic or medical history differences detected between the fat grafting and non-fat grafting groups. Patients who underwent labial fat grafting were more likely to suffer from introital stenosis (33% vs 6%, P = 0.007) and prolonged granulation tissue greater than 6 weeks after initial vaginoplasty (83% vs 32%; P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Labial fat grafting is a safe and effective method to address defects in the labia majora after PIV. Prolonged granulation tissue and introital stenosis may predict the need for labial fat grafting, possibly due to increased scarring and contracture at the surgical site.

Level of Evidence: 4
Power-Assisted Liposculpture in Male Patients: A Spectrum of Definitions
Authors: Saad Ahmad , Altamirano-Arcos Carlos Alberto , Nahas Combina Luciano , Saad Mariam
Published: January 2021

Background

Liposculpture procedures have gained popularity over the last 2 decades with the evolution of surgeons’ skills and technological advancement. According to the 2018 The Aesthetic Society report, liposuction is the second-most popular aesthetic procedure in the United States.

Objectives

The authors aimed to demonstrate that a spectrum of liposculpture definitions can be achieved utilizing power-assisted liposuction (PAL). Also, the authors sought to describe the satisfaction and complication rates in mild-, moderate-, and high-definition groups utilizing the PAL technology.

Methods

The authors designed a single-center retrospective study, including male patients who underwent PAL liposculpture of the chest, abdomen, back, and arms. Inclusion criteria were male patients >18 years of age and body mass index <30 kg/m2. Measured outcomes included extent of definition, complication rates, and levels of satisfaction.

Results

Fifty male patients were included in this study between January 2018 and November 2019. The average age was 37.34 years (range = 25-56 years). The average body mass index was 26.4 kg/m2 (range = 24-30 years). A total of 54.3% of patients opted for high definition (HD), 36.4% for moderate definition, and 9.2% for mild definition. There were no major complications. The HD subgroup registered the highest incidence of minor complications (21%). Patient satisfaction levels were high in all 3 subgroups, with the highest scores in the HD subgroup (9.3/10).

Conclusions

A spectrum of definitions can be safely achieved utilizing the PAL technology, with high patient satisfaction in mild-, moderate-, and high-definition liposculpture subgroups and low complication rates.

Level of Evidence: 4
Semi–Let-Down and Semi–Push-Down Preservation Techniques: Maintaining the Intactness of the Distal Region
Authors: Öztürk Güncel
Published: January 2021

Background

The nose is an important part of the face and plays a significant role in interpersonal communication and self-esteem. Dorsal preservation techniques, such as the push-down and let-down techniques, are employed for dorsal hump reductions.

Objectives

In this study, several approaches were defined in which the let-down and push-down techniques were applied depending on the patients’ needs.

Methods

The records of 64 patients were assessed retrospectively. The patients who underwent either the push-down or let-down technique for hump reduction and who were eligible for these new approaches were included. In this research, the distal part of the septum remained intact after both the push-down and let-down techniques. Patients were assessed before and 1 year after surgery employing the Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE).

Results

The follow-up period ranged from 16 to 25 months (median of 19.2 months). The median ROE score before surgery was 61.6 (minimum: 58; maximum: 64) and increased to 92.2 (minimum: 82; maximum: 96) points 12 months after surgery. This increase in the ROE score was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The excellent satisfaction rate was 93.75% according to the ROE scale.

Conclusions

These approaches for the let-down and push-down techniques will lead to better results and present different choices to surgeons. The present study is also the first to the author’s knowledge to demonstrate leaving behind an intact area of the distal septum in the push-down and let-down techniques.

Level of Evidence: 4
Machine learning approaches for predicting biomolecule–disease associations
Authors: Ding Yulian , Lei Xiujuan , Liao Bo , Wu Fang-Xiang
Published: January 2021

Biomolecules, such as microRNAs, circRNAs, lncRNAs and genes, are functionally interdependent in human cells, and all play critical roles in diverse fundamental and vital biological processes. The dysregulations of such biomolecules can cause diseases. Identifying the associations between biomolecules and diseases can uncover the mechanisms of complex diseases, which is conducive to their diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention. Due to the time consumption and cost of biologically experimental methods, many computational association prediction methods have been proposed in the past few years. In this study, we provide a comprehensive review of machine learning-based approaches for predicting disease–biomolecule associations with multi-view data sources. Firstly, we introduce some databases and general strategies for integrating multi-view data sources in the prediction models. Then we discuss several feature representation methods for machine learning-based prediction models. Thirdly, we comprehensively review machine learning-based prediction approaches in three categories: basic machine learning methods, matrix completion-based methods and deep learning-based methods, while discussing their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we provide some perspectives for further improving biomolecule–disease prediction methods.
TIPP2: metagenomic taxonomic profiling using phylogenetic markers
Authors: Shah Nidhi , Molloy Erin K , Pop Mihai , Warnow Tandy
Published: January 2021

Motivation

Metagenomics has revolutionized microbiome research by enabling researchers to characterize the composition of complex microbial communities. Taxonomic profiling is one of the critical steps in metagenomic analyses. Marker genes, which are single-copy and universally found across Bacteria and Archaea, can provide accurate estimates of taxon abundances in the sample.

Results

We present TIPP2, a marker gene-based abundance profiling method, which combines phylogenetic placement with statistical techniques to control classification precision and recall. TIPP2 includes an updated set of reference packages and several algorithmic improvements over the original TIPP method. We find that TIPP2 provides comparable or better estimates of abundance than other profiling methods (including Bracken, mOTUsv2 and MetaPhlAn2), and strictly dominates other methods when there are under-represented (novel) genomes present in the dataset.

Availability and implementation

The code for our method is freely available in open-source form at https://github.com/smirarab/sepp/blob/tipp2/README.TIPP.md. The code and procedure to create new reference packages for TIPP2 are available at https://github.com/shahnidhi/TIPP_reference_package.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Quantifying the link between craniodental morphology and diet in the Soricidae using geometric morphometrics
Authors: Tse Yuen Ting , Calede Jonathan J M
Published: January 2021

Dietary adaptations have often been associated with heightened taxonomic diversity. Yet, one of the most species-rich mammalian families, the Soricidae, is often considered to be ecologically and morphologically relatively homogenous. Here, we use geometric morphometrics to capture skull and dentary morphology in a broad sample of shrew species and test the hypothesis that morphological variation among shrew species reflects adaptations to food hardness. Our analyses demonstrate that morphology is associated with dietary ecology. Species that consume hard food items are larger and have specific morphological adaptions including an anteroposteriorly expanded parietal, an anteroposteriorly short and dorsoventrally tall rostrum, a mediolaterally wide palate, buccolingually wide cheek teeth, a large coronoid process and a dorsoventrally short jaw joint. The masseter muscle does not appear to play an important role in the strong bite force of shrews and the dentary is a better indicator of ecology than the skull. Our phylogenetic flexible discriminant function analysis suggests that the evolutionary history of shrews has shaped their morphology, canalizing dietary adaptations and enabling functional equivalence whereby different morphologies achieve similar dietary performances. Our work makes possible future studies of niche partitioning among sympatric species as well as the investigation of the diet of extinct soricids.
Assessment of Comorbid Depression and Anxiety in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using Adaptive Testing Technology
Authors: Karpin Jordan E , Rodriguez Tina G , Traboulsi Cindy , Rai Victoria , Gibbons Robert D , Rubin David T
Published: January 2021

Background

Depression and anxiety are comorbidities of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and it is now recommended to screen IBD patients for these conditions. We screened patients using a novel computerized adaptive testing technology and compared the screening results to measures of disease activity.

Methods

Consecutive patients at our tertiary IBD clinic were asked to complete the validated CAT-MH survey (Adaptive Testing Technologies, Chicago, IL); we then reviewed disease and patient characteristics. Clinical remission status was determined based on clinical, laboratory, endoscopy, and imaging results. Statistical methods included Fisher exact test and Pearson chi-square tests to assess association. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed.

Results

We included 134 patients, of which 34 (25.3%) screened positive for depression and 18 (13.4%) screened positive for anxiety. We identified 19 (55.9%) and 10 (55.5%) patients who were previously undiagnosed for depression and anxiety, respectively. Patients in clinical remission were less likely to screen positive for depression (odds ratio 0.19; 95% confidence interval 0.07–0.50) and for anxiety (odds ratio 0.30; 95% confidence interval 0.10–0.91). Compared to patients with negative C-reactive protein values, patients with positive C-reactive protein were more likely to also screen positive for depression (P = 0.025) and anxiety (P = 0.15).

Conclusions

We demonstrate the utility of a novel testing technology for screening patients with IBD for depression and anxiety. We found a large number of patients with previously undiagnosed anxiety or depression and a significant positive association between clinically active IBD and these mental health conditions. This work supports and informs recommendations for mental health screening in the IBD population.
Endothelial cell metabolic memory causes cardiovascular dysfunction in diabetes
Authors: Yao Yufeng , Song Qixue , Hu Changqing , Da Xingwen , Yu Yubing , He Zuhan , Xu Chengqi , Chen Qiuyun , Wang Qing K
Published: January 2021

Aims 

The aim of this study was to identify the molecular mechanism for hyperglycaemia-induced metabolic memory in endothelial cells (ECs), and to show its critical importance to development of cardiovascular dysfunction in diabetes.

Methods and results 

Hyperglycaemia induces increased nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signalling, up-regulation of miR-27a-3p, down-regulation of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (NRF2) expression, increased transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signalling, down-regulation of miR-29, and induction of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), all of which are memorized by ECs and not erased when switched to a low glucose condition, thereby causing perivascular fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction. Similar metabolic memory effects are found for production of nitric oxide (NO), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate in two different types of ECs. The observed metabolic memory effects in ECs are blocked by NRF2 activator tert-butylhydroquinone and a miR-27a-3p inhibitor. In vivo, the NRF2 activator and miR-27a-3p inhibitor block cardiac perivascular fibrosis and restore cardiovascular function by decreasing NF-κB signalling, down-regulating miR-27a-3p, up-regulating NRF2 expression, reducing TGF-β signalling, and inhibiting EndMT during insulin treatment of diabetes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, whereas insulin alone does not improve cardiac function.

Conclusions 

Our data indicate that disruption of hyperglycaemia-induced EC metabolic memory is required for restoring cardiac function during treatment of diabetes, and identify a novel molecular signalling pathway of NF-κB/miR-27a-3p/NRF2/ROS/TGF-β/EndMT involved in metabolic memory.
Course of Disease in Patients with Microscopic Colitis: A European Prospective Incident Cohort Study
Authors: Verhaegh Bas P M , Münch Andreas , Guagnozzi Danila , Wildt Signe , Cebula Wojciech , Diac Andreea R , Fernández-Bañares Fernando , Al-Khalaf Magid A R , Pedersen Natalia , Kupcinskas Juozas , Bohr Johan , Macaigne Gilles , Lucendo Alfredo J , Lyutakov Ivan , Tontini Gian-Eugenio , Pigò Flavia , Russo Evangelos , Hjortswang Henrik , Miehlke Stephan , Munck Lars K
Published: January 2021

Background and Aims

The disease course of microscopic colitis [MC] is considered chronic but benign. However, this assumption is based on mainly retrospective studies, reporting on incomplete follow-up of selective cohorts. Systematic, prospective and unbiased data to inform patients and healthcare professionals on the expected course of the disease and real-life response to therapy are warranted.

Methods

A prospective, pan-European, multi-centre, web-based registry was established. Incident cases of MC were included. Data on patient characteristics, symptoms, treatment and quality of life were systematically registered at baseline and during real-time follow-up. Four disease course phenotypes were discriminated and described.

Results

Among 381 cases with complete 1-year follow-up, 49% had a chronic active or relapsing disease course, 40% achieved sustained remission after treatment and 11% had a quiescent course. In general, symptoms and quality of life improved after 3 months of follow-up. A relapsing or chronic active disease course was associated with significantly more symptoms and impaired quality of life after 1 year.

Conclusions

A minority of MC patients follow a quiescent disease course with spontaneous clinical improvement, whereas the majority suffer a chronic active or relapsing disease course during the first year after diagnosis, with persisting symptoms accompanied by a significantly impaired quality of life.
Efficacy of Oral, Topical, or Combined Oral and Topical 5-Aminosalicylates, in Ulcerative Colitis: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis
Authors: Barberio Brigida , Segal Jonathan P , Quraishi M Nabil , Black Christopher J , Savarino Edoardo V , Ford Alexander C
Published: January 2021

Background

5-Aminosalicylates [5-ASAs] are the mainstay of treatment for ulcerative colitis [UC]. The optimum preparation, dose, and route of administration for UC remain unclear. We conducted a network meta-analysis to examine this issue.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMBASE Classic, and the Cochrane central register of controlled trials from inception to December 2020. We included randomised controlled trials [RCTs] comparing oral, topical, or combined oral and topical 5-ASAs, with each other or placebo for induction of remission or prevention of relapse of UC. Results were reported as pooled relative risks [RRs] with 95% confidence intervals [CIs] to summarise effect of each comparison tested, with treatments ranked according to P-score.

Results

We identified 40 RCTs for induction of remission and 23 for prevention of relapse. Topical mesalazine [P-score 0.99], or oral and topical mesalazine combined [P-score 0.87] ranked first and second for clinical and endoscopic remission combined. Combined therapy ranked first in trials where ≥50% of patients had left-sided/extensive disease, and topical mesalazine first in trials where ≥50% of patients had proctitis/proctosigmoiditis. High-dose [≥3.3 g/day] oral mesalazine ranked third in most analyses, with the most trials and most patients. For relapse of disease activity, combined therapy and high-dose oral mesalazine ranked first and second, with topical mesalazine third. 5-ASAs were safe and well tolerated, regardless of regimen.

Conclusions

Our results support previous evidence; however, higher doses of oral mesalazine had more evidence for induction of remission than combined therapy and were significantly more efficacious than lower doses. Future RCTs should better establish the role of combined therapy for induction of remission, as well as optimal doses of oral 5-ASAs to prevent relapse.
Bloody tricuspid stenosis: case report of an uncommon cause of haemoptysis
Authors: Trombara Filippo , Bergonti Marco , Toscano Olga , Dalla Cia Alessia , Assanelli Emilio M , Polvani Gianluca , Bartorelli Antonio L
Published: January 2021

Background

Haemoptysis is usually caused by pulmonary and infectious diseases. In few cases, it has a cardiac cause, such as pulmonary embolism or mitral valve stenosis. Haemoptysis may be an uncommon symptom of prosthetic valve dysfunction, being related to elevated right heart pressures.

Case summary

A 22-year-old woman from sub-Saharan Africa known for a triple valve replacement was hospitalized for dyspnoea and haemoptysis. A careful clinical evaluation excluded the most common causes of haemoptysis. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed normal biventricular function, normally functioning mechanical prosthetic aortic and mitral valves, and the biological tricuspid prosthesis showed an increased transvalvular gradient. Contrast chest computed tomography scan excluded pulmonary embolism and mechanical valve obstruction, but revealed marked systemic venous hypertension. Right heart catheterization confirmed increased right heart pressures and severe bioprosthetic tricuspid valve stenosis. The patient underwent a successful percutaneous tricuspid valve-in-valve replacement, with complete resolution of symptoms.

Discussion

The increase in venous pressures due to bioprosthetic tricuspid stenosis caused veno-venous shunts: blood from the lower body was drained into the superior vena cava via the azygos vein. Increased pressure in the latter affected pressure in bronchial veins and arteries, leading to haemoptysis. Cardiac surgical reinterventions are associated with worse outcomes and higher mortality rates. Management of a degenerated prosthetic tricuspid valve is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary assessment. Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement is becoming a feasible option in patients with prosthetic dysfunction. Based on evidence to date, tricuspid valve-in-valve replacement appears to be a safe, feasible, and effective alternative in selected young patients.
Artificial intelligence-assisted auscultation in detecting congenital heart disease
Authors: Lv Jingjing , Dong Bin , Lei Hao , Shi Guocheng , Wang Hansong , Zhu Fang , Wen Chen , Zhang Qian , Fu Lijun , Gu Xiaorong , Yuan Jiajun , Guan Yongmei , Xia Yuxian , Zhao Liebin , Chen Huiwen
Published: January 2021

Aims

Computer-assisted auscultation has become available to assist clinicians with physical examinations to detect congenital heart disease (CHD). However, its accuracy and effectiveness remain to be evaluated. This study seeks to evaluate the accuracy of auscultations of abnormal heart sounds of an artificial intelligence-assisted auscultation (AI-AA) platform we create.

Methods and results

Initially, 1397 patients with CHD were enrolled in the study. The samples of their heart sounds were recorded and uploaded to the platform using a digital stethoscope. By the platform, both remote auscultation by a team of experienced cardiologists from Shanghai Children’s Medical Center and automatic auscultation of the heart sound samples were conducted. Samples of 35 patients were deemed unsuitable for the analysis; therefore, the remaining samples from 1362 patients (mean age—2.4 ± 3.1 years and 46% female) were analysed. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated for remote auscultation compared to experts’ face-to-face auscultation and for artificial intelligence automatic auscultation compared to experts’ face-to-face auscultation. Kappa coefficients were measured. Compared to face-to-face auscultation, remote auscultation detected abnormal heart sound with 98% sensitivity, 91% specificity, 97% accuracy, and kappa coefficient 0.87. AI-AA demonstrated 97% sensitivity, 89% specificity, 96% accuracy, and kappa coefficient 0.84.

Conclusions

The remote auscultations and automatic auscultations, using the AI-AA platform, reported high auscultation accuracy in detecting abnormal heart sound and showed excellent concordance to experts’ face-to-face auscultation. Hence, the platform may provide a feasible way to screen and detect CHD.