bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Healthy lifestyle and life expectancy free of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes: prospective cohort study
Authors: Li Yanping , Schoufour Josje , Wang Dong D , Dhana Klodian , Pan An , Liu Xiaoran , Song Mingyang , Liu Gang , Shin Hyun Joon , Sun Qi , Al-Shaar Laila , Wang Molin , Rimm Eric B , Hertzmark Ellen , Stampfer Meir J , Willett Walter C , Franco Oscar H , Hu Frank B
Published: January 2020

Objective

To examine how a healthy lifestyle is related to life expectancy that is free from major chronic diseases.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting and participants

The Nurses’ Health Study (1980-2014; n=73 196) and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986-2014; n=38 366).

Main exposures

Five low risk lifestyle factors: never smoking, body mass index 18.5-24.9, moderate to vigorous physical activity (≥30 minutes/day), moderate alcohol intake (women: 5-15 g/day; men 5-30 g/day), and a higher diet quality score (upper 40%).

Main outcome

Life expectancy free of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.

Results

The life expectancy free of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer at age 50 was 23.7 years (95% confidence interval 22.6 to 24.7) for women who adopted no low risk lifestyle factors, in contrast to 34.4 years (33.1 to 35.5) for women who adopted four or five low risk factors. At age 50, the life expectancy free of any of these chronic diseases was 23.5 (22.3 to 24.7) years among men who adopted no low risk lifestyle factors and 31.1 (29.5 to 32.5) years in men who adopted four or five low risk lifestyle factors. For current male smokers who smoked heavily (≥15 cigarettes/day) or obese men and women (body mass index ≥30), their disease-free life expectancies accounted for the lowest proportion (≤75%) of total life expectancy at age 50.

Conclusion

Adherence to a healthy lifestyle at mid-life is associated with a longer life expectancy free of major chronic diseases.
Outcomes of HIV treatment from the private sector in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Mburu Gitau , Igbinedion Ewemade , Lim Sin How , Paing Aung Zayar , Yi Siyan , Elbe Stefan , Mwai Grace W
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Private sector provision of HIV treatment is increasing in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC). However, there is limited documentation of its outcomes. This protocol reports a proposed systematic review that will synthesise clinical outcomes of private sector HIV treatment in LMIC.

Methods and analysis

This review will be conducted in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses protocols. Primary outcomes will include: (1) proportion of eligible patients initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART); (2) proportion of those on ART with <1000 copies/mL; (3) rate of all-cause mortality among ART recipients. Secondary outcomes will include: (1) proportion receivingPneumocystis jirovecipneumonia prophylaxis; (2) proportion with >90% ART adherence (based on any measure reported); (3) proportion screened for non-communicable diseases (specifically cervical cancer, diabetes, hypertension and mental ill health); (iv) proportion screened for tuberculosis. A search of five electronic bibliographical databases (Embase, Medline, PsychINFO, Web of Science and CINAHL) and reference lists of included articles will be conducted to identify relevant articles reporting HIV clinical outcomes. Searches will be limited to LMIC. No age, publication date, study-design or language limits will be applied. Authors of relevant studies will be contacted for clarification. Two reviewers will independently screen citations and abstracts, identify full text articles for inclusion, extract data and appraise the quality and bias of included studies. Outcome data will be pooled to generate aggregative proportions of primary and secondary outcomes. Descriptive statistics and a narrative synthesis will be presented. Heterogeneity and sensitivity assessments will be conducted to aid interpretation of results.

Ethics and dissemination

The results of this review will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed scientific manuscript and at international scientific conferences. Results will inform quality improvement strategies, replication of identified good practices, potential policy changes, and future research.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42016040053.
Decreasing formalin concentration improves quality of DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens without compromising tissue morphology or immunohistochemical staining
Authors: Cummings Michele , King Henry , Hurst James , Tanner Georgette , Khazin Leah , Thompson Phillip , Gray Allan , Gahir Narinder , Cartlidge Caroline , Farooq Zara , Raveendran Keyura , Allen Katie , Rotimi Olorunda , Orsi Nicolas M
Published: January 2020

Genomic technologies are increasingly used clinically for both diagnosis and guiding cancer therapy. However, formalin fixation can compromise DNA quality. This study aimed to optimise tissue fixation using normal colon, liver and uterus (n=8 each) by varying neutral buffered formalin (NBF) concentration (1%–5% w/v) and fixation time (24–48 hours). Fixation using 4% NBF improved DNA quality (assessed by qPCR) compared with routine (4% unbuffered formal saline-fixed) specimens (p<0.01). Further improvements were achieved by reducing NBF concentration (p<0.00001), whereas fixation time had no effect (p=0.110). No adverse effects were detected by histopathological or QuPath morphometric analysis. Immunohistochemistry for multicytokeratin and α-smooth muscle actin revealed no changes in staining specificity or intensity in any tissue other than on liver multicytokeratin staining intensity, where the effect of fixation time was more significant (p=0.0004) than NBF concentration (p=0.048). Thus, reducing NBF concentration can maximise DNA quality without compromising tissue morphology or standard histopathological analyses.
Exposure to tobacco smoke and stillbirth: a national prospective cohort study in rural China
Authors: Qu Yimin , Chen Shi , Pan Hui , Zhu Huijuan , Yan Chengsheng , Zhang Shikun , Jiang Yu
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Parental exposure to tobacco smoke has been associated with an increased risk of stillbirth, while only a few studies took the overall parental tobacco exposure status into consideration. We aim to explore the relationship of parental smoking and passive smoking before and during pregnancy with stillbirth in a large Chinese rural cohort.

Design

248 501 couples were enrolled in a national prospective cohort study conducted in rural China. Parental exposure to tobacco smoke before and during pregnancy, along with other risk factors, was ascertained by questionnaires. Pregnancy outcomes were recorded by physicians.

Results

The ORs (Odds Ratios) of maternal active smoking, maternal passive smoking, paternal active smoking and paternal passive smoking were 2.07 (95% CI 1.25 to 3.41), 1.22 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.47), 1.36 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.63) and 1.10 (95% CI 0.87 to 1.39), respectively. The rates of stillbirth increased from 0.31% for the maternal non-smoking group to 0.43% for the smoking cessation during pregnancy group, to 0.64% for the decreased smoking group and 1.28% for the continuing smoking group. A similar pattern was found in the change in paternal smoking status and stillbirth. Stratified by maternal passive smoking, the OR of paternal smoking was 1.35 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.61) in the maternal non-smoking group and 1.67 (95% CI 1.09 to 2.56) in the maternal passive smoking group.

Conclusions

Parental exposure to tobacco smoke increased the risk of stillbirth, especially for those continuing smoking during pregnancy. Paternal smoking is an independent risk factor for stillbirth despite maternal passive smoking status.
Association between serum choline and betaine concentrations and longitudinal changes of body composition in community-dwelling middle-aged and older Chinese adults
Authors: Zhong Rong-huan , Long Jing-an , Wang Fan , Chen Si , Luo Yun , Lu Xiao-ting , Yishake Dinuerguli , Chen Yu-ming , Fang Ai-ping , Zhu Hui-lian
Published: January 2020

Previous studies suggest that betaine and choline may be beneficial for body composition. However, no longitudinal study has been conducted to illustrate if choline and betaine have long-term effects on changes in body composition. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the association between serum choline and betaine concentrations and 3-year changes in body composition in community-dwelling Chinese adults. This present analysis used data from 1384 women and 554 men aged 40–75 years. Serum concentrations of betaine and choline at baseline were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Body composition parameters, i.e., muscle mass (MM), fat mass (FM), and body fat percentage (FM%) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the first and the second follow-ups. After adjustment for potential cofounders, higher serum choline concentrations were associated with a lower decrease in MM in men (β = 0.022, P = 0.025) and a lower increase in FM and FM% in women with baseline choline concentrations below 21.5 μmol/L (all P for nonlinearity = 0.007); higher serum betaine concentrations were associated with a lower decline in MM and a lower increase in FM and FM% among men whose betaine concentrations were lower than 55 μmol/L (all P for nonlinearity < 0.05). These findings suggest that higher concentrations of serum choline and betaine may be associated with favorable changes in body composition profiles among men and women who have relatively low concentrations, especially in men.

Novelty Higher concentrations of serum choline and betaine were associated with favorable changes in body composition. Such favorable associations were more pronounced in men.
Importance of considering the growth response after partial harvesting and economic risk of discounted net revenues when optimizing uneven-aged forest management
Authors: Messerer Katharina , Kacprowski Tim , Kolo Horst , Baumbach Jan , Knoke Thomas
Published: January 2020

Because of the very high complexity of modern optimization models based on single trees, uncertainties are often disregarded. In this study, we present a modelling approach that allows partial harvesting but is still simple enough to consider risk. Our modelling approach investigates whether the inclusion of timber price uncertainty influences the harvesting schedule. The model considers positive growth response to the density reduction that follows harvesting. Testing the impact of uncertainty, we define the discounted net revenues of each harvest operation as random variables. We compare harvest scheduling both with and without the inclusion of uncertainty. We first model growth response based on a partial-harvest schedule, without integrating uncertainty from timber price fluctuations. The results show that harvesting tree cohorts at different times is financially optimal. We run the same model again, including the risk of timber price fluctuations. The inclusion of risk leads to slightly greater differences in recommended harvest timings. Because of the small difference observed, we conclude that it is unlikely that risk arising from fluctuating timber prices would strongly affect the results for more complex forest economic models concerning the optimal harvest schedules.
Changes in polyhydroxyalkanoate granule accumulation make optical density measurement an unreliable method for estimating bacterial growth inBurkholderia thailandensis
Authors: Martinez Sarah , Déziel Eric
Published: January 2020

Optical density (OD) measurement is the standard method used in microbiology for estimating bacterial concentrations in cultures. However, most studies do not compare these measurements with viable cell counts and assume that they reflect the real cell concentration. Burkholderia thailandensis was recently identified as a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) producer. PHA biosynthesis seems to be coded by an orthologue of the Cupriavidus necator phaC gene. When growing cultures of wild-type strain E264 and an isogenic phaC mutant, we noted a difference in their OD600values, although viable cell counts indicated similar growth. Investigating the cellular morphologies of both strains, we found that under our conditions the wild-type strain was full of PHA granules, deforming the cells, while the mutant contained no granules. These factors apparently affected the light scattering, making the OD600values no longer representative of cell density. We show a direct correlation between OD600values and the accumulation of PHA. We conclude that OD measurement is unreliable for growth evaluation of B. thailandensis because of PHA production. This study also suggests that B. thailandensis could represent an excellent candidate for PHA bioproduction. Correlation between OD measurements and viable cell counts should be verified in any study performed with B. thailandensis.
Finite Element Analysis Framework for Dynamic Vehicle-Bridge Interaction System Based on ABAQUS
Authors: Lu Xuzhao , Kim Chul-Woo , Chang Kai-Chun
Published: January 2020

This paper presents a unified framework for dynamic analysis of vehicle-bridge interaction (VBI) systems using a commercial finite element software suite (ABAQUS[Formula: see text]). This framework can provide bridge designers and engineering practitioners with a general platform to analyze the coupled system with high modeling efficiency and accuracy in modeling and outputting. Moreover, it has readily available nonlinear material/element models and nonlinear dynamic analysis functions for complex structures. This analysis framework was first validated with a classical VBI problem involving a sprung mass moving on a simply supported beam, whose closed-form solution is readily available. Validation for the application on complex structure was then presented with a typical 16-car Japanese high-speed train (Shinkansen) and a three-block bridge. The cars comprised car bodies, bogies and wheelsets, which were all modeled as rigid bodies and which were connected with springs and dashpots. The bridge was modeled with typical three-dimensional solid elements. Interaction between wheelsets and tracks was realized using the penalty method. Rail irregularity was also considered in the analysis. The consistency between calculated dynamic responses and field experiment data of certain pre-specified observation points validated the proposed method. Furthermore, ease in analyzing VBI problems involving nonlinear material properties and with high spatial resolutions was demonstrated with a classical cracked beam problem: a point mass moving on a simply supported cracked beam. Both linear and nonlinear crack models were employed. The former model assigned crack surfaces with a mechanical contact property and showed its accuracy in comparison to the reference model. The latter assigned a nonlinear material model in crack-prone zones and illustrated the potential applicability to dynamic crack propagation simulation in VBI problems. The present framework was further applied to seismic response analysis of a train-bridge interaction system involving material nonlinearity and separation between track and wheel under a strong earthquake.
Excited state electron transfer in A2 and A2B2 functionalized zinc porphyrins carrying rigid and flexible β-pyrrole π-extended substituents
Authors: Thomas Michael B. , Kumar Siddhartha , Esquivel Timothy , Wang Hong , D’Souza Francis
Published: January 2020

Optical absorption and emission, electrochemical, and photochemical properties of peripherally functionalized with flexible and rigid [Formula: see text]-extended substituents on A2 and A2B2 type zinc porphyrins is investigated. The significance of rigid [Formula: see text]-substituents over flexible ones in governing the spectral properties is unraveled. Flexible [Formula: see text]-substituents on the porphyrin ring caused appreciable spectral broadening compared to porphyrin carrying rigid [Formula: see text]-substituents. Further, supramolecular dyads are formed by coordinating phenyl imidazole functionalized fullerene, C[Formula: see text]Im. The calculated binding constants for the 1:1 complexes is in the order of 2–7 × 105 M[Formula: see text] suggesting stable complex formation. Free-energy calculations performed according to the Rehm–Weller approach suggested possibility of excited state electron transfer in these dyads. Femtosecond transient absorption studies of the dyads performed in [Formula: see text]-dichlorobenzene showed evidence of occurrence of electron transfer from the singlet-excited state that was in competition with the intersystem crossing process to populate the triplet-excited state of porphyrins.
The influence of heterosubstitution on carbon foams characteristics as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Suslova Evgeniya , Viktorova Alina , Osipov Nikolay , Maslakov Konstantin , Kuznetsova Nataliya
Published: January 2020

Undoped and nitrogen-doped carbon foams (CF) were synthesized by CVD via pyrolysis of hexane or acetonitrile over an Ni template. Undoped CF was also post-doped with nitrogen by hydrothermal treatment with ammonia solution. All samples were analyzed by scanning and transmission electronic microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and XPS. CVD-doped CF showed higher defectiveness than the undoped CF because of the deformation of carbon layers, while post-doped CF predominantly contained nitrogen species on its surface. These differences in the structure and composition of the foams strongly affect the electrochemical characteristics of lithium-ion battery anodes produced from these materials.
Temporal and Geospatial Gradients of Fear and Anger in Social Media Responses to Terrorism
Authors: Baucum Matthew , Cui Jinshu , John Richard S.
Published: January 2020

Research suggests that public fear and anger in wake of a terror attack can each uniquely contribute to policy attitudes and risk-avoidance behaviors. Given the importance of these negative-valanced emotions, there is value in studying how terror events can incite fear and anger at various times and locations relative to an attack. We analyze 36,496 Twitter posts, including re-Tweets, authored in response to the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting and examined how fear- and anger-related language varied with time and distance from the attack. Fear-related words sharply decreased over time, though the trend was strongest at locations near the attack, while anger-related words slightly decreased over time and increased with distance from Orlando. Comparing these results to users’ pre-attack emotional language suggested that distant users remained both angry and fearful after the shooting, while users close to the attack remained angry but quickly reduced expressions of fear to pre-attack levels.
The Power of the Weak
Authors: Carreiro Facundo , Facchini Alessandro , Venema Yde , Zanasi Fabio
Published: January 2020

A landmark result in the study of logics for formal verification is Janin and Walukiewicz’s theorem, stating that the modal μ-calculus (μML) is equivalent modulo bisimilarity to standard monadic second-order logic (here abbreviated as SMSO) over the class of labelled transition systems (LTSs for short). Our work proves two results of the same kind, one for the alternation-free or
noetherian
fragment μ

N

ML of μML on the modal side and one for WMSO, weak monadic second-order logic, on the second-order side. In the setting of binary trees, with explicit functions accessing the left and right successor of a node, it was known that WMSO is equivalent to the appropriate version of alternation-free μ-calculus. Our analysis shows that the picture changes radically once we consider, as Janin and Walukiewicz did, the standard modal μ-calculus, interpreted over arbitrary LTSs.

The first theorem that we prove is that, over LTSs, μ

N

ML is equivalent modulo bisimilarity to
noetherian
MSO (NMSO), a newly introduced variant of SMSO where second-order quantification ranges over “conversely well-founded” subsets only. Our second theorem starts from WMSO and proves it equivalent modulo bisimilarity to a fragment of μ

N

ML defined by a notion of continuity. Analogously to Janin and Walukiewicz’s result, our proofs are automata-theoretic in nature: As another contribution, we introduce classes of parity automata characterising the expressiveness of WMSO and NMSO (on tree models) and of μ

C

ML and μ

N

ML (for all transition systems).
Device-Based Modulation of Neurocircuits as a Therapeutic for Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Deng Zhi-De , Luber Bruce , Balderston Nicholas L. , Velez Afanador Melbaliz , Noh Michelle M. , Thomas Jeena , Altekruse William C. , Exley Shannon L. , Awasthi Shriya , Lisanby Sarah H.
Published: January 2020

Device-based neuromodulation of brain circuits is emerging as a promising new approach in the study and treatment of psychiatric disorders. This work presents recent advances in the development of tools for identifying neurocircuits as therapeutic targets and in tools for modulating neurocircuits. We review clinical evidence for the therapeutic efficacy of circuit modulation with a range of brain stimulation approaches, including subthreshold, subconvulsive, convulsive, and neurosurgical techniques. We further discuss strategies for enhancing the precision and efficacy of neuromodulatory techniques. Finally, we survey cutting-edge research in therapeutic circuit modulation using novel paradigms and next-generation devices.
Kappa Opioid Receptor Antagonists as Potential Therapeutics for Stress-Related Disorders
Authors: Jacobson Moriah L. , Browne Caroline A. , Lucki Irwin
Published: January 2020

Exposure to stressful stimuli activates kappa opioid receptor (KOR) signaling, a process known to produce aversion and dysphoria in humans and other species. This endogenous opioid system is dysregulated in stress-related disorders, specifically in major depressive disorder (MDD). These findings serve as the foundation for a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of KOR antagonists as novel antidepressants. In this review, data supporting the hypothesis of dysregulated KOR function in MDD are considered. The clinical data demonstrating the therapeutic efficacy and safety of selective and mixed opioid antagonists are then presented. Finally, the preclinical evidence illustrating the induction of behaviors relevant to the endophenotypes of MDD and KOR antagonist activity in stress-naïve and stress-exposed animals is evaluated. Overall, this review highlights the emergent literature supporting the pursuit of KOR antagonists as novel therapeutics for MDD and other stress-related disorders.
Introduction to the Theme “Ion Channels and Neuropharmacology: From the Past to the Future”
Authors: Dolphin Annette C. , Insel Paul A. , Blaschke Terrence F. , Meyer Urs A.
Published: January 2020

“Ion Channels and Neuropharmacology: From the Past to the Future” is the main theme of articles in Volume 60 of the Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Reviews in this volume discuss a wide spectrum of therapeutically relevant ion channels and GPCRs with a particular emphasis on structural studies that elucidate drug binding sites and mechanisms of action. The regulation of ion channels by second messengers, including Ca2+ and cyclic AMP, and lipid mediators is also highly relevant to several of the ion channels discussed, including KCNQ channels, HCN channels, L-type Ca2+ channels, and AMPA receptors, as well as the aquaporin channels. Molecular identification of exactly where drugs bind in the structure not only elucidates their mechanism of action but also aids future structure-based drug discovery efforts to focus on relevant pharmacophores. The ion channels discussed here are targets for multiple nervous system diseases, including epilepsy and neuropathic pain. This theme complements several previous themes, including “New Therapeutic Targets,” “New Approaches for Studying Drug and Toxicant Action: Applications to Drug Discovery and Development,” and “New Methods and Novel Therapeutic Approaches in Pharmacology and Toxicology.”
Analysis of the world record time for combined father and son marathon
Authors: Louis Julien B. , Bontemps Bastien , Lepers Romuald
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study was to examine the physiological profiles and the pacing strategies of the father (59 yr old) and son (34 yr old) who broke the World Record time (4:59:22; father: 2:27:52, son: 2:31:30) for combined father and son marathon in 2019. Oxygen uptake (V̇o2), heart rate (HR), ventilation (V̇e), blood lactate concentration (La), and running economy (RE) were measured during treadmill-running tests. The total distance of the marathon was divided into eight sections of 5 km and one last section of 2.195 km, and the relative average running velocity on each section was calculated individually. V̇o2max, HRmax, V̇emax, and Lamax were 65.4 mL·kg−1·min−1, 165 beats/min, 115 L/min, 5.7 mmol/L for the father and 66.9 mL·kg−1·min−1, 181 beats/min, 153 L/min, 11.5 mmol/L for the son, respectively. At 17 km/h, RE was 210 mL·kg−1·km−1 for the father and 200 mL·kg−1·km−1 for the son, and % V̇o2max sustained was 90.9% for the father and 84.5% for the son, respectively. The father maintained an even running velocity during the marathon (running velocity CV <1%), while the son ran the second half-marathon 7% slower than the first one, and his running velocity markedly dropped from the 35th kilometer. Father and son who broke the World record time for combined father and son marathon had a similar level of performance, but their physiological profiles and pacing strategies during the marathon were different. A more even speed for the son could help them to improve their own record in the near future.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We provide novel data demonstrating that different physiological profiles can lead to the same level of performance in a marathon, even at different ages. The novelty of our study is that we report on the physiological characteristics, training routine, and in-race pacing strategy that allowed a father (59 yr old) and son (34 yr old) to break the World Record time for combined father and son marathon. The father also established a new World record marathon time for the age of 59.
Melatonin Ameliorates MI-Induced Cardiac Remodeling and Apoptosis through a JNK/p53-Dependent Mechanism in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Lu Linhe , Ma Jipeng , Sun Mingming , Wang Xiaowu , Gao Erhe , Lu Lintao , Ren Jun , Yang Lifang , Yang Jian
Published: January 2020

Diabetes mellitus, a worldwide health threat, is considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The overall cardiovascular risk of diabetes is similar to the one having one myocardial infarction (MI) attack although the precise impact of diabetes on MI-induced myocardial anomalies remains elusive. Given that mortality following MI is much greater in diabetic patients compared to nondiabetic patients, this study was designed to examine the effect of melatonin on MI injury-induced myocardial dysfunction in diabetes. Adult mice were made diabetic using high-fat feeding and streptozotocin (100 mg/kg body weight) prior to MI and were treated with melatonin (50 mg/kg/d, p.o.) for 4 weeks prior to assessment of cardiac geometry and function. The MI procedure in diabetes displayed overt changes in cardiac geometry (chamber dilation and interstitial fibrosis) and functional anomalies (reduced fractional shortening and cardiomyocyte contractile capacity) in association with elevated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation and p53 level. Melatonin treatment markedly attenuated cardiac dysfunction and myocardial fibrosis in post-MI diabetic mice. Furthermore, melatonin decreased JNK phosphorylation, reduced p53 levels, and suppressed apoptosis in hearts from the post-MI diabetic group. In vitro findings revealed that melatonin effectively counteracted high-glucose/high fat-hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and contractile dysfunction through a JNK-mediated mechanism, the effects of which were impaired by the JNK activator anisomycin. In summary, our study suggests that melatonin protects against myocardial injury in post-MI mice with diabetes, which offers a new therapeutic strategy for the management of MI-induced cardiac injury in diabetes.
Utilization of Outpatient Eye Care Services in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population Study
Authors: Hsu Chia-An , Hsiao Sheng-Huang , Hsu Min-Huei , Yen Ju-Chuan
Published: January 2020

Introduction. A study based on the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) to reveal the ocular diseases landscape. Materials and Methods. This study comprised all ophthalmological outpatient patient visits (n = 6,341,266) in the Taiwanese longitudinal NHIRD 2000. Descriptive analytics based on 15 disease categories of ICD-9-CM and 10 tiers of age categories was performed with SAS for Windows 9.3 (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, U.S.A.). Results. The average frequency of visits was 0.7 visits per year. The mean age was 36.2 years old. Bimodal peak of visits in the first, second, and eighth decade of life was revealed. Conjunctiva is the most dominant disease category throughout life while different categories play major roles in each decade of life. The most frequent disease code of each category was listed. Discussion. The bimodal peak of visits revealed the age group of the most prominent ocular disease burden. Peak in school age population can be partially explained by the nationwide vision screening program, while aging accounts for the lens disorder and glaucoma of the senile peak. The disease category frequency variation among age categories reflects the development and aging of the eye. The most frequent disease codes of each category highlight disease of importance for primary practitioners and ophthalmologists. Conclusion. Taiwanese longitudinal NHIRD was used to reveal the ophthalmological disease landscape. The epidemiological insight, while limited in clinical presentation and economic impact, enables physicians and policy makers to improve the overall vision health of the population.
Analysis of Anesthesia Methods in Percutaneous Kyphoplasty for Treatment of Vertebral Compression Fractures
Authors: Liu Jie , Wang Lin , Chai Mei , Kang Junjie , Wang Jie , Zhang Yanjun
Published: January 2020

Aim. Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) is a routine operation for the treatment of vertebral compression fracture (VCF). Both local anesthesia and general anesthesia are widely used for PKP. However, which type of anesthesia is better for PKP still remains uncertain. This study aimed to find out whether local anesthesia or general anesthesia is more suitable for PKP. Methods. This is a retrospective clinical trial. A total of 85 single-level VCF patients who received PKP 12 months ago were recruited in this study. 45 patients who received local anesthesia were in group L, and 40 patients with general anesthesia were in group G. Clinical, radiological, and economic data between the two groups were collected. Results. No difference was found on preoperative data between the two groups. The duration of operation time in group L was longer than that in group G. Within 12 months after PKP, more complications happened in group G than those in group L. Results. This study found that there was no difference between group L and group G before the operation in terms of baseline. The operation time in group L was shorter than that in group G and the difference was significant. The VAS pain score in group L was significantly higher than that in group G. Clinical and radiological indicators were all improved after surgery, while no other difference was detected between the two groups. More severe complications happened in group G within 12 months after PKP, and the cost in group L was significantly less than that in group G. Conclusion. Both local anesthesia and general anesthesia were reliable for PKP. However, local anesthesia was more efficient and safer with less expense and more bearable pain when compared with general anesthesia.
Unification of Generalized and p-Convexity
Authors: Jung Chahn Yong , Saleem Muhammad Shoaib , Nazeer Waqas , Zahoor Muhammad Sajid , Latif Attia , Kang Shin Min
Published: January 2020

In the present note, we will introduce the definition of generalized p convex function. We will investigate some properties of generalized p convex function. Moreover, we will develop Jensen’s type, Schur type, and Hermite Hadamard type inequalities for generalized p convex function.
Hydrothermal Hot Pressing of CaCO3‐Chitosan Composites with High CaCO3 Content
Authors: Wakayama Hiroaki
Published: January 2020

In this study, a hydrothermal hot pressing (HHP) method was used for the preparation of molded composites with high CaCO3 content. Specifically, composites consisting of chemically synthesized CaCO3 and chitosan and scallop shells milled with a ball mill were molded by the HHP method; the structures, mechanical properties, and vibration absorption characteristics of the resulting disc‐shaped molded composites were investigated. All the composites had high CaCO3 contents (93%); flexural strengths (several megapascals) comparable to those of limestone and cement; and vibration absorption characteristics (logarithmic attenuation factors of 0.07–0.18) superior to those of aluminum alloys, stainless steel, and ceramics (which have logarithmic attenuation factors of <0.01). The composites prepared from the CaCO3‐chitosan composites can be expected to find application as light‐control materials, as materials for controlling the propagation of light, sound, and vibration waves including vibration‐isolating materials and as CO2‐fixation materials.
Research on Loading and Unloading Resource Scheduling and Optimization of Rail–Road Transportation in Container Terminal Based on “Internet +” —for Ghana Container Port Development Planning
Authors: Zhang Qi , Kwabla Adjei Courage , Zhuang Yanhui , Ling Mingjun , Wei Yuguang , Yang Hao
Published: January 2020

Based on the “Internet +” technology, this paper establishes a logistics information platform for the container terminal. Under the premise of the scheduled arrival time and quantity of the truck, this paper aims at minimizing the working time of the loading and unloading equipment and the stay time of the train and truck in the station, and develops a scheduling optimization of loading and unloading model combing equilibrium assignment and flexible scheduling to realize the seamless transfer between rail and road transportation in container terminal. In order to solve the model, a multi-layer coding genetic algorithm with chromosome feasibility is designed to obtain the optimal scheduled time for the truck, and the optimal operation sequence of the gantry crane. Referring to China’s container station, this paper takes Takoradi container terminal of Ghana as a case to verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the model and algorithm and provides the medium or long term planning for Ghana’s development.
Retinal Mosaicking with Vascular Bifurcations Detected on Vessel Mask by a Convolutional Network
Authors: Feng Xiuxia , Cai Guangwei , Gou Xiaofang , Yun Zhaoqiang , Wang Wenhui , Yang Wei
Published: January 2020

Mosaicking of retinal images is potentially useful for ophthalmologists and computer-aided diagnostic schemes. Vascular bifurcations can be used as features for matching and stitching of retinal images. A fully convolutional network model is employed to segment vascular structures in retinal images to detect vascular bifurcations. Then, bifurcations are extracted as feature points on the vascular mask by a robust and efficient approach. Transformation parameters for stitching can be estimated from the correspondence of vascular bifurcations. The proposed feature detection and mosaic method is evaluated on retinal images of 14 different eyes, 62 retinal images. The proposed method achieves a considerably higher average recall rate of matching for paired images compared with speeded-up robust features and scale-invariant feature transform. The running time of our method was also lower than other methods. Results produced by the proposed method superior to that of AutoStitch, photomerge function in Photoshop cs6 and ICE, demonstrate that accurate matching of detected vascular bifurcations could lead to high-quality mosaic of retinal images.
Fine-Tuned Spin-3/2 and the Hierarchy Problem
Authors: Sargın Ozan
Published: January 2020

In the past, Kundu et al. and Chakraborty et al. used extra scalar fields to cancel the quadratic divergences in the Higgs mass squared and they determined the mass of the required scalar field. In this work, a spin-3/2 particle has been used in the same manner to nullify the power-law divergences, and it is determined that the mass of the spin-3/2 particle resides in the ball park of the GUT scale.
Experimental Study on the Shear Strength of Dune Sand Concrete Beams
Authors: Li Zhiqiang , Ma Rui , Li Gang
Published: January 2020

An experimental study was performed to investigate the shear strength of concrete beams made with dune sand (DS) from the Gurbantunggut Desert in the Chinese province of Xinjiang. The test consisted of 3 series of beams which explored the shear properties of dune sand concrete (DSC) beams. The failure mode, crack pattern, load deflection, and stirrup strain were investigated. Meanwhile, the effect of shear span‐to‐depth ratio (a/d), stirrup ratio, and dune sand replacement ratio on the shear strength of DSC beams was discussed. The results showed that the dune sand replacement ratio had insignificant influence on the failure mode of beams, so it was feasible to use DS to fabricate beams in regions of Xinjiang in China. Furthermore, the measured shear strengths of the DSC beams were compared with the calculated values of current design codes, and the results indicated that the shear strength of DSC beams was not precisely predicted by current design codes. Therefore, a modified formula was proposed to calculate the shear strength of DSC beams.
Spatiotemporal Patterns Formed by a Discrete Nutrient-Phytoplankton Model with Time Delay
Authors: Zhang Feifan , Zhou Wenjiao , Yao Lei , Wu Xuanwen , Zhang Huayong
Published: January 2020

In this research, a continuous nutrient-phytoplankton model with time delay and Michaelis–Menten functional response is discretized to a spatiotemporal discrete model. Around the homogeneous steady state of the discrete model, Neimark–Sacker bifurcation and Turing bifurcation analysis are investigated. Based on the bifurcation analysis, numerical simulations are carried out on the formation of spatiotemporal patterns. Simulation results show that the diffusion of phytoplankton and nutrients can induce the formation of Turing-like patterns, while time delay can also induce the formation of cloud-like pattern by Neimark–Sacker bifurcation. Compared with the results generated by the continuous model, more types of patterns are obtained and are compared with real observed patterns.
The Number of Signaling Pathways Altered by Driver Mutations in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Impacts Disease Outcome
Authors: Brieghel Christian , da Cunha-Bang Caspar , Yde Christina Westmose , Schmidt Ane Yde , Kinalis Savvas , Nadeu Ferran , Andersen Michael Asger , Jacobsen Line Offenbach , Andersen Mette Klarskov , Pedersen Lone Bredo , Delgado Julio , Baumann Tycho , Mattsson Mattias , Mansouri Larry , Rosenquist Richard , Campo Elias , Nielsen Finn Cilius , Niemann Carsten Utoft
Published: January 2020

Purpose:

Investigation of signaling pathways altered by recurrent gene mutations and their clinical impact in a consecutive cohort of patients with newly diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The heterogeneous clinical course and genetic complexity of CLL warrant improved molecular prognostication. However, the prognostic value of recurrent mutations at the time of diagnosis remains unclear.

Experimental Design:

We sequenced samples from 314 consecutive, newly diagnosed patients with CLL to investigate the clinical impact of 56 recurrently mutated genes assessed by next-generation sequencing.

Results:

Mutations were identified in 70% of patients with enrichment among IGHV unmutated cases. With 6.5 years of follow-up, 15 mutated genes investigated at the time of diagnosis demonstrated significant impact on time to first treatment (TTFT). Carrying driver mutations was associated with shorter TTFT and poor overall survival. For outcome from CLL diagnosis, the number of signaling pathways altered by driver mutations stratified patients better than the number of driver mutations. Moreover, we demonstrated gradual impact on TTFT with increasing number of altered pathways independent of CLL-IPI risk. Thus, a 25-gene, pathway-based biomarker assessing recurrent mutations refines prognostication in CLL, in particular for CLL-IPI low- and intermediate-risk patients. External validation emphasized that a broad gene panel including low burden mutations was key for the biomarker based on altered pathways.

Conclusions:

We propose to include the number of pathways altered by driver mutations as a biomarker together with CLL-IPI in prospective studies of CLL from time of diagnosis for incorporation into clinical care and personalized follow-up and treatment.
A Phase II Trial of Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel and Gemcitabine in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Stage IV Squamous Cell Lung Cancers
Authors: Paik Paul K. , Kim Rachel K. , Ahn Linda , Plodkowski Andrew J. , Ni Ai , Donoghue Mark T.A. , Jonsson Philip , Villalona-Calero Miguel , Ng Kenneth , McFarland Daniel , Fiore John J. , Iqbal Afsheen , Eng Juliana , Kris Mark G. , Rudin Charles M.
Published: January 2020

Purpose:

Gemcitabine and albumin-bound paclitaxel (ABP) exhibit synergistic antitumor efficacy, with ABP serving to increase the intratumoral gemcitabine concentration. Both drugs are active in squamous cell lung cancers (SQCLC) and are conventional partners for carboplatin. We hypothesized that combining gemcitabine and ABP would enhance the antitumor activity in patients with advanced SQCLCs.

Patients and Methods:

This was a Simon two-stage, open-label, single-arm, multicenter phase II study that enrolled patients between August 1, 2015 and June 1, 2018. We enrolled 37 patients with chemotherapy-naïve, PD-L1 low/unknown advanced stage IV SQCLC. Patients were administered weekly intravenous gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2) plus ABP (100 mg/m2) in a 3-week on, 1-week off schedule during stage I and a 2-week on, 1-week off schedule in stage II. The primary endpoint was best objective response rate (ORR). Next-generation sequencing by MSK-IMPACT was used to calculate tumor mutation burden and genome doubling and assess somatic variants for correlations with efficacy.

Results:

Thirty-two patients were evaluable for response assessment. The study satisfied its primary endpoint, with confirmed partial responses in 18 of 32 patients and a complete response in 1 patient [ORR 59%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 42%–74%]. Median progression-free survival (PFS), a secondary endpoint, was 7.5 (95% CI, 6.7–10.5) months. There were no unexpected toxicities.

Conclusions:

Gemcitabine plus ABP was a safe, tolerable, and effective first-line therapy for patients with chemotherapy-naïve SQCLCs, with an ORR and median PFS substantially higher than carboplatin doublet regimens and efficacy comparable with carboplatin plus taxane plus pembrolizumab.
PersonalizingKRAS-Mutant Allele–Specific Therapies
Authors: Falcomatà Chiara , Schneider Günter , Saur Dieter
Published: January 2020

KRAS G12R mutations occur almost exclusively in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The results of a study that reveals specific differences in KRAS downstream signaling and metabolic rewiring of pancreatic cancer cells harboring KRASG12R mutations promise to improve our possibilities to better stratify patients for individualized therapies.

See related article by Hobbs et al., p. 104.
Screening for More than 1,000 Pesticides and Environmental Contaminants in Cannabis by GC/Q-TOF
Authors: Wylie Philip L. , Westland Jessica , Wang Mei , Radwan Mohamed M. , Majumdar Chandrani G. , ElSohly Mahmoud A.
Published: January 2020

A method has been developed to screen cannabis extracts for more than 1,000 pesticides and environmental pollutants using a gas chromatograph coupled to a high-resolution accurate mass quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GC/Q-TOF). An extraction procedure was developed using acetonitrile with solid phase extraction cleanup. Before analysis, extracts were diluted 125:1 with solvent. Two data mining approaches were used together with a retention-time-locked Personal Compound Database and Library (PCDL) containing high-resolution accurate mass spectra for pesticides and other environmental pollutants. (1) A Find-by-Fragments (FbF) software tool extracts several characteristic exact mass ions within a small retention time window where the compound elutes. For each compound in the PCDL, the software evaluates the peak shape and retention time of each ion as well as the monoisotopic exact mass, ion ratios, and other factors to decide if the compound is present or not. (2) A separate approach used Unknowns Analysis (UA) software with a peak-finding algorithm called SureMass to deconvolute peaks in the chromatogram. The accurate mass spectra were searched against the PCDL using spectral matching and retention time as filters. A subset PCDL was generated containing only pesticides that are most likely to be found on foods in the US. With about 250 compounds in the smaller PCDL, there were fewer hits for non-pesticides, and data review was much faster. Organically grown cannabis was used for method development. Twenty-one confiscated cannabis samples were analyzed and ten were found to have no detectable pesticides. The remaining 11 samples had at least one pesticide and one sample had seven detectable residues. Quantitative analysis was run on the confiscated samples for a subset of the pesticides found by screening. Two cannabis samples had residues of carbaryl and malathion that were estimated to be about 10 times greater than the highest US Environmental Protection Agency tolerance set for food and about 4,000 times greater than the Canadian maximum residue limits for dried cannabis flower.
Communicative Participation in People with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Sixt Börjesson Malin , Hartelius Lena , Laakso Katja
Published: January 2020

Background: Communication is affected in most people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); up to 80–95% will reach a point where they are no longer able to meet their communicative needs with natural speech. The deterioration of speech and communicative abilities presumably has an impact on communicative participation. However, little is known about how these factors relate to each other in this population of patients. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between communicative participation, functional deficits, and severity of dysarthria in individuals with ALS. Method: Thirty people with ALS were rated for (1) communicative participation, using the Communicative Participation Item Bank (CPIB, Swedish); and (2) disability related to the disease, using the Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (Swedish). An expert listening panel assessed intelligibility and severity of dysarthria based on recorded text readings and sentences from the Swedish Test of Intelligibility. Results: CPIB scores were significantly lower for participants with moderate/severe dysarthria than for those with no/mild dysarthria and correlated with bulbar function and intelligibility. Conclusion: The study found that the CPIB provides a means to rate and discuss communicative participation with persons with ALS, which could assist in the planning of further efforts/services.