bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The structural phase-transition pathway under compression and dynamic properties in liquid GeO2
Authors: Kien P. H.
Published: March 2020

We perform a simulation of the structural phase-transition pathway under compression and dynamic properties in liquid germania (GeO2). The structure of liquid GeO2 is clarified through the pair radial distribution function (PRDF), distribution of GeO[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] units, bond angle and length distribution, and three-dimensional (3D) visualization. The result shows that the structure of liquid GeO2 is built by GeO4, GeO5 and GeO[Formula: see text]units, which are linked to each other via common oxygen atoms. The GeO[Formula: see text] units lead to form into the separate GeO4-, GeO5- and GeO6-phases. The existence of separate phases is evidence of dynamical heterogeneity (DH) in liquid GeO2. The atoms in GeO5-phase are more mobile compared to other ones. The variation of the self-diffusions of Ge and O atoms under pressure is examined via the characteristics of separate GeO4-, GeO5- and GeO6-phases. We found that under compression, there is diffusion anomaly in liquid GeO2. This is suggested to be related to the very high mobility of Ge and O atoms in the GeO5-phase compared to GeO4- and GeO6-phase.
Molecular Mechanisms of Natural Rubber Biosynthesis
Authors: Yamashita Satoshi , Takahashi Seiji
Published: March 2020

Natural rubber (NR), principally comprising cis-1,4-polyisoprene, is an industrially important natural hydrocarbon polymer because of its unique physical properties, which render it suitable for manufacturing items such as tires. Presently, industrial NR production depends solely on latex obtained from the Pará rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis. In latex, NR is enclosed in rubber particles, which are specialized organelles comprising a hydrophobic NR core surrounded by a lipid monolayer and membrane-bound proteins. The similarity of the basic carbon skeleton structure between NR and dolichols and polyprenols, which are found in most organisms, suggests that the NR biosynthetic pathway is related to the polyisoprenoid biosynthetic pathway and that rubber transferase, which is the key enzyme in NR biosynthesis, belongs to the cis-prenyltransferase family. Here, we review recent progress in the elucidation of molecular mechanisms underlying NR biosynthesis through the identification of the enzymes that are responsible for the formation of the NR backbone structure.
Loss of leptin receptor-expressing cells in the hindbrain decreases forebrain leptin sensitivity
Authors: Harris Ruth B. S.
Published: March 2020

Previous studies indicate that inhibition of food intake by leptin is mediated by an integrated response to activation of hypothalamic and hindbrain receptors. This study tested whether loss of hindbrain leptin receptor signaling changed sensitivity to forebrain leptin. Injections of leptin-conjugated saporin (Lep-Sap) into the medial nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) were used to destroy hindbrain leptin receptor-expressing neurons of male Sprague–Dawley rats. Controls were injected with saporin conjugated with a nonsense peptide (Blk-Sap). Lep-Sap had no effect on daily food intake or body weight, but expression of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) in the NTS following a peripheral injection of leptin was abolished 26 days after Lep-Sap injections. To test forebrain leptin sensitivity, Lep-Sap and Blk-Sap rats received third-ventricle injections of 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, or 0.5 μg leptin. Food intake was inhibited by 0.25 and 0.5 μg leptin in Blk-Sap rats, but there was no significant effect of leptin on food intake of Lep-Sap rats. There was no difference in hypothalamic pSTAT3 in unstimulated conditions, but pSTAT3 was lower in the dorsomedial region of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) of Lep-Sap rats compared with Blk-Sap rats following a third-ventricle injection of 0.25 μg leptin. These results are consistent with previous data showing that loss of VMH leptin receptor-expressing cells prevents weight loss caused by fourth-ventricle leptin infusion and show that the integrated response between the hindbrain and forebrain is heavily dependent on leptin activity in the VMH.
The neuronal (pro)renin receptor and astrocyte inflammation in the central regulation of blood pressure and blood glucose in mice fed a high-fat diet
Authors: Worker Caleb J. , Li Wencheng , Feng Cheng-yuan , Souza Lucas A. C. , Gayban Ariana Julia B. , Cooper Silvana G. , Afrin Sanzida , Romanick Samantha , Ferguson Bradley S. , Feng Earley Yumei
Published: March 2020

We report here that the neuronal (pro)renin receptor (PRR), a key component of the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS), plays a critical role in the central regulation of high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced metabolic pathophysiology. The neuronal PRR is known to mediate formation of the majority of angiotensin (ANG) II, a key bioactive peptide of the RAS, in the central nervous system and to regulate blood pressure and cardiovascular function. However, little is known about neuronal PRR function in overnutrition-related metabolic physiology. Here, we show that PRR deletion in neurons reduces blood pressure, neurogenic pressor activity, and fasting blood glucose and improves glucose tolerance without affecting food intake or body weight following a 16-wk HFD. Mechanistically, we found that a HFD increases levels of the PRR ligand (pro)renin in the circulation and hypothalamus and of ANG II in the hypothalamus, indicating activation of the brain RAS. Importantly, PRR deletion in neurons reduced astrogliosis and activation of the astrocytic NF-κB p65 (RelA) in the arcuate nucleus and the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. Collectively, our findings indicate that the neuronal PRR plays essential roles in overnutrition-related metabolic pathophysiology.
Blueberry proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins improve metabolic health through a gut microbiota-dependent mechanism in diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Morissette Arianne , Kropp Camille , Songpadith Jean-Philippe , Junges Moreira Rafael , Costa Janice , Mariné-Casadó Roger , Pilon Geneviève , Varin Thibault V. , Dudonné Stéphanie , Boutekrabt Lemia , St-Pierre Philippe , Levy Emile , Roy Denis , Desjardins Yves , Raymond Frédéric , Houde Vanessa P. , Marette André
Published: March 2020

Blueberry consumption can prevent obesity-linked metabolic diseases, and it has been proposed that the polyphenol content of blueberries may contribute to these effects. Polyphenols have been shown to favorably impact metabolic health, but the role of specific polyphenol classes and whether the gut microbiota is linked to these effects remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the impact of whole blueberry powder and blueberry polyphenols on the development of obesity and insulin resistance and to determine the potential role of gut microbes in these effects by using fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Sixty-eight C57BL/6 male mice were assigned to one of the following diets for 12 wk: balanced diet (Chow); high-fat, high-sucrose diet (HFHS); or HFHS supplemented with whole blueberry powder (BB), anthocyanidin (ANT)-rich extract, or proanthocyanidin (PAC)-rich extract. After 8 wk, mice were housed in metabolic cages, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. Sixty germ-free mice fed HFHS diet received FMT from one of the above groups biweekly for 8 wk, followed by an OGTT. PAC-treated mice were leaner than HFHS controls although they had the same energy intake and were more physically active. This observation was reproduced in germ-free mice receiving FMT from PAC-treated mice. PAC- and ANT-treated mice showed improved insulin responses during OGTT, and this finding was also reproduced in germ-free mice following FMT. These results show that blueberry PAC and ANT polyphenols can reduce diet-induced body weight and improve insulin sensitivity and that at least part of these beneficial effects are explained by modulation of the gut microbiota.
Medium Optimization by Response Surface Methodology for Improved Cholesterol Oxidase Production by a Newly Isolated Streptomyces rochei NAM‐19 Strain
Authors: Elsayed Elsayed Ahmed , Ahmed Abdelwahed Nayera
Published: March 2020

Cholesterol oxidase is an alcohol oxidoreductase flavoprotein with wide biotechnological applications. The current work describes the isolation of a potential cholesterol oxidase producing streptomycete from Egyptian soil. The isolated strain produced cholesterol oxidase in submerged culture using a medium containing glucose, yeast extract, malt extract, and CaCO3 with the addition of cholesterol as an inducer. The isolated strain was identified as Streptomyces rochei NAM‐19 based on 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogeny. Optimization of cholesterol oxidase production has been carried out using response surface methodology. The Plackett‐Burman design method was used to evaluate the significant components of the production medium followed by Box‐Behnken experimental design to locate the true optimal concentrations, which are significantly affecting enzyme production. Results showed that the predicted enzyme response could be closely correlated with the experimentally obtained production. Furthermore, the applied optimization strategy increased volumetric enzyme production by 2.55 times (65.1 U/mL) the initial production obtained before medium optimization (25.5 U/mL).
Analytical and Numerical Study of Soret and Dufour Effects on Thermosolutal Convection in a Horizontal Brinkman Porous Layer with a Stress-Free Upper Boundary
Authors: Filahi Ismail , Bourich Mohamed , Hasnaoui Mohammed , Amahmid Abdelkhalek
Published: March 2020

In this paper, thermo-diffusion (Soret effect) and diffusion-thermo (Dufour effect) effects on double-diffusive natural convection induced in a horizontal Brinkman porous layer with a stress-free upper boundary are investigated. The cavity is filled with a binary fluid and subjected to uniform fluxes of heat and mass on its long sides. An analytical solution based on the parallel flow approximation is developed for the problem considered in order to allow prompt determination of the thresholds of stationary and finite amplitude solutions and also heat and mass transfer characteristics. The analytical solution is validated numerically by using a finite difference method. The combined effects of the Soret and Dufour parameters, the thermal Rayleigh number, the buoyancy ratio, and the Darcy number on the flow intensity and heat and mass transfer are illustrated graphically, and some particular behaviors observed are discussed. The analytical solution proves the existence of different regions in the buoyancy ratio-Dufour parameter plane, corresponding to different parallel flow behaviors. The number, the location, and the extent of these regions, which are impossible to predict numerically, depend strongly on Soret and Dufour parameters. The effect of thermo-diffusion and diffusion-thermo on flow intensity and heat and mass transfer is found to be important.
Upregulation of CEP55 Predicts Dismal Prognosis in Patients with Liver Cancer
Authors: Yang Lingpeng , He Yang , Zhang Zifei , Wang Wentao
Published: March 2020

Purpose. This study was performed to investigate the association of CEP55 expression with liver cancer and explore potential underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods. Data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used to investigate CEP55 expression, its prognostic value, the potential mechanisms of its upregulation, CEP55‐related pathways, and its biological functions in liver cancer. Data from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) was used to validate survival analysis. The correlation between CEP55 and tumor‐infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) in liver cancer was determined by using Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER). Results. CEP55 was significantly overexpressed in the liver tumor sample compared to the adjacent normal liver sample. High CEP55 expression was significantly associated with histological grade, advanced stages, histological type, high T classification, and survival status. High CEP55 expression was significantly related to dismal prognosis compared with low CEP55 expression, which was validated by the GSE54236 dataset and ICGC database. Meanwhile, CEP55 was identified as the risk factor to independently predict overall survival (OS) for patients with liver cancer upon multivariate analysis. Enrichment analysis indicated that cell cycle, DNA replication, pathways in cancer, mTOR signaling pathway, and VEGF signaling pathway were significantly enriched in the high CEP55 expression group. In addition, the CEP55 expression was significantly related to the infiltration level of B cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CEP55 methylation level was negatively correlated to its mRNA expression. And patients with CEP55 hypermethylation and low expression can achieve a better prognosis than those with CEP55 hypomethylation and high expression. Conclusion. CEP55 may serve as a candidate treatment target for it is a determinant of prognosis and immune infiltration in liver cancer patients. DNA hypomethylation might contribute to the overexpression of CEP55 in liver cancer.
Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Acute Myocardial Ischemia: A Potential Role of the Locus Coeruleus
Authors: Wu Xin , Wang Kun , Cui Shuai , Wu Shengbing , Zhu Guoqi , Zhou Meiqi
Published: March 2020

The locus coeruleus (LC) is closely linked with cardiovascular disease. However, whether it mediates the alleviating effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) remains unclear. A rat model of myocardial ischemia was established through occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Multichannel in vivo recording and other techniques were used to assess neurons in the LC, norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) levels in central and myocardial tissue, serum levels of inflammatory factors, and cardiac function. After induction of AMI, LC neuron activity increased and the central NE concentrations increased, while those of DA decreased. Moreover, the serum levels of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) increased, whereas those of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) decreased. However, these effects were reversed by EA. Additionally, LC lesioning affected NE and DA levels in myocardial tissue and weakened the antimyocardial ischemic effect of EA. Collectively, our results indicated that LC is closely related to AMI and plays an important role in the antimyocardial ischemic effect of EA. This mechanism may be related to inhibition of LC neuron activity by EA, which inhibits the release of large amounts of hs‐CRP and promotes that of IL‐10 in the serum. Besides, after LC lesioning, EA may improve cardiac function by inhibiting the release of large amounts of NE and promoting the release of DA in myocardial tissue.
Meta‐Analysis of the Potential Role of miRNA‐21 in Cardiovascular System Function Monitoring
Authors: Krzywińska Olga , Bracha Marietta , Jeanniere Caroline , Recchia Emeline , Kędziora Kornatowska Kornelia , Kozakiewicz Mariusz
Published: March 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short and noncoding RNA fragments that bind to the messenger RNA. They have different roles in many physiological or pathological processes. MicroRNA‐21, one of the first miRNAs discovered, is encoded by the MIR21 gene and is located on the chromosomal positive strand 17q23.2. MicroRNA‐21 is transcribed by polymerase II and has its own promoter sequence, although it is in an intron. It is intra‐ and extracellular and can be found in many body fluids, alone or combined with another molecule. It regulates many signalling pathways and therefore plays an important role in the cardiovascular system. Indeed, it is involved in the differentiation and migration of endothelial cells and angiogenesis. It contributes to the reconstruction of a myocardial infarction, and it can also act as a cellular connector or as an antagonist to cardiac cell apoptosis. By playing all these roles, it can be interesting to use it as a biomarker, especially for cardiovascular diseases.
Comparative Analyses of Diversity and Similarity Indices of West Bank Forest and Block A Forest of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: Oluyinka Christopher Ariyo
Published: March 2020

Comparative analyses of diversity and similarity indices of west bank and block A forest of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) were carried out by the vegetation survey using transects and plot sampling techniques. Six transects {A (270°W), B (90°E), C (180°S), D, E (0°N), and F (180°W)} were constructed with the aid of prismatic compass in west bank forest and block A forest. 10 sampling plots of 10 m × 10 m were demarcated along each transect making 30 plots in each forest, and a total number of 60 plots were used for the study. Complete enumeration and identification of plants were carried out in each plot. The results showed that block A forest had 167 plant species from 58 families while west bank forest had 146 plant species from 56 families. A total number of 219 plant species from 70 families and 5804 individual plants were recorded in the two forests. West bank forest had higher values of all the diversity indices and Gamma diversity except Margalef’s community diversity index and alpha diversity index which were high in block A forest. Sorensen’s and Jaccard similarity indices of plants between west bank forest and block A forest were 59.42% and 42.66%, while the dissimilarity index of 40.58% was recorded. Thus, the two forests are richer and diverse in plant species; adequate protection of the two forests should be a priority to prevent loss of diversity of plants. Cutting of poles from the forests should be stopped.
Challenges Encountered during the Treatment of Acute Mesenteric Ischemia
Authors: Jagielski Mateusz , Piątkowski Jacek , Jackowski Marek
Published: March 2020

Introduction. Acute mesenteric ischemia, although rare, is associated with numerous complications and death. This work presents acute mesenteric ischemia treatment based on an analysis of various management strategies and identifies prognostic factors that influence therapy effectiveness. Material and Methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients who were diagnosed with acute mesenteric ischemia due to occlusion and hospitalized between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2018. Results. Acute ischemia of the bowel mesentery was diagnosed in 41 patients (27 women and 14 men; mean age, 65.4 years). All patients underwent laparotomy. For 13 (31.71%) patients, surgery was performed within the first 24 hours of the clinical symptom onset. Mesenteric artery embolectomy without intestine resection was performed for 7 (17.07%) patients. Partial intestine resection due to necrosis was performed for 21 (51.22%) patients. Exploratory laparotomy without a therapeutic procedure was performed for 13 (31.71%) patients. Fifteen (36.59%) patients were discharged home in good general condition. Twenty-six (63.41%) patients died. The time from the clinical symptom onset until intervention exceeded 24 hours for all patients who died. Surgery within the first 24 hours reduced mortality associated with acute mesenteric ischemia (P=0.001). Female sex, age older than 65 years, obesity (body mass index>30), diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and smoking were adverse prognostic factors for increased mortality for patients with acute bowel ischemia. Conclusion. The time from clinical symptoms to acute mesenteric ischemia treatment was the main prognostic factor and helped determine appropriate management. Early diagnosis and rapid intervention improved treatment outcomes and survival.
Verum‐ versus Sham‐Acupuncture on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in Animal Models: A Preclinical Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zhao Fei-Yi , Fu Qiang-Qiang , Zheng Zhen , Lao Li-Xing , Song Hua-Ling , Shi Zumin
Published: March 2020

Background. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common health condition affecting senile people and leads to severe cognitive dysfunctions. Acupuncture has been shown to be a possible alternative natural remedy for AD in some animal studies. Objective. To perform a systematic review to identify the effect of verum‐acupuncture compared with sham‐acupuncture on learning and memory performance among animal models of AD. Methods. Experimental animal studies of treating AD via verum‐ and sham‐ acupuncture were searched in nine electronic databases, including Sciverse ScienceDirect, PubMed, Springer, Ebsco Medline, AMED, EMBASE (Elsevier), Scopus (Elsevier), PsycINFO (ProQuest), and OVID from the dates of the databases’ inception to June 2019. The Morris water maze test was considered as an outcome measure. The software Revman 5.3 and Stata 16.0 were used to conduct the meta‐analysis. Heterogeneity was examined by using I2 statistics. The publication bias was assessed via Begg’s test by Stata 16.0. Results. Twelve studies involving 229 animals met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies had a moderate quality according to SYRCLE′s risk of bias tool for animal studies. The results of the meta‐analysis indicated that verum‐acupuncture could reduce the escape latency (MD = −12.90, 95% CI (−17.08, −8.71), p < 0.001) and increase the time spent in the original platform quadrant (MD = 7.28, 95% CI (4.23, 10.33), p < 0.001) and frequency of the crossing former platform (MD = 2.01, 95% CI (1.53, 2.50), p < 0.001) compared with the sham‐acupuncture. Conclusions. Acupuncture is effective in improving cognitive functions in AD animal models, and this benefit is more than just a placebo effect. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm the findings.
Scheduling-Based Optimization for Motion Coordination of Autonomous Vehicles at Multilane Intersections
Authors: Guney Mehmet Ali , Raptis Ioannis A.
Published: March 2020

This paper considers the motion coordination problem of autonomous vehicles in an intersection of a traffic network. The featured challenge is the design of an intersection traffic manager, in the form of a supervisory control algorithm, that regulates the motion of the autonomous vehicles in the intersection. We cast the multivehicle coordination task as an optimization problem, with a one-dimensional search-space. A model- and optimization-based heuristic method is employed to compute the control policy that results in the collision-free motion of the vehicles at the intersection and, at the same time, minimizes their delay. Our approach depends on a computation framework that makes the need for complex analytical derivations obsolete. A complete account of the computational complexity of the algorithm, parameterized by the configuration parameters of the problem, is provided. Extensive numerical simulations validate the applicability and performance of the proposed autonomous intersection traffic manager.
Spontaneously Ruptured Dermoid Cysts and Their Potential Complications: A Review of the Literature with a Case Report
Authors: Li Rebecca Yuan , Nikam Yogesh , Kapurubandara Supuni
Published: March 2020

Spontaneous ruptures of dermoid cysts are a rare occurrence due to their thick capsules. This is the first systematic review on spontaneously ruptured dermoid cysts. A comprehensive literature search was performed from PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE. The cases were analysed for patient demographics, presenting signs and symptoms, imaging modalities used, management methods, and outcomes. The majority of cases report an idiopathic cause with symptoms of abdominal pain, distension, and fever. Computed tomography is the most accurate in detecting ruptured dermoid cysts. We also report a case of a 66-year-old who presented with sudden abdominal pain and a low-grade temperature. Imaging showed a 10 cm well-circumscribed hyperechoic mass consistent with a dermoid cyst with no suggestive signs of rupture. She was planned for a laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. However, intraoperatively, a ruptured dermoid cyst was found with bowel adhesions and chemical peritonitis as cyst contents covered the entirety of the intra-abdominal cavity. Her operative course was complicated by inadvertent iatrogenic small bowel injury, unsuccessful laparoscopy, needing conversion to laparotomy. Despite their benign nature, complications from ruptured dermoid cysts include peritonitis, bowel obstruction, and abscesses. Surgical management by both laparoscopy and laparotomy is successful, with laparotomies more likely to be performed. Complications have mostly no long-term sequelae.
Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Foot and Mouth Disease in Cattle in West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Ahmed Beyan , Megersa Lencho , Mulatu Getachew , Siraj Mohammed , Boneya Gelma
Published: March 2020

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals and one of the endemic diseases in Ethiopia. The study was aimed to estimate the seroprevalence and to assess associated risk factors of foot and mouth disease seroprevalence in West Shewa Zone. A total of 384 sera samples were collected from randomly selected cattle and tested using ELISA for antibodies against nonstructural proteins of foot and mouth disease viruses based on IDEXX FMD Multispecies Ab Test (IDEXX Laboratories Inc, USA). The seroprevalence of foot and mouth disease in West Shewa Zone was found to be 40.4% (95% CI: 35.46–45.27) at an animal and 74.7% (95% CI: 65.58–83.85) at the herd level. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that districts, breed, and animal composition were the potential risk factors of FMD seropositivity. Accordingly, cattle found in Abuna Ginde Beret (odds ratio (OR): 9.1, 95% CI: 2.4–34.1, p=0.001), Cheliya (OR: 8.8, 95% CI: 2.5–31.3, p=0.001), Bako Tibe (OR: 7.6, 95% CI: 2.1–28.3, p=0.002), Tokekutaye (OR: 5.8, 95% CI: 1.7–19.5, p=0.004), and Jeldu (OR: 5.3, 95% CI: 1.3–21.5, p=0.020) districts were more at risk to be infected with FMD than cattle from Ambo. The odds of FMD seropositivity was significantly higher in cattle kept with small ruminants (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3–3.3, p=0.003) than cattle alone. The analysis also revealed that the odds of seropositivity were 6 times higher in crossbred compared with local cattle (p=0.003). The current study found high seroprevalence of FMD in West Shewa Zone. Therefore, cattle should be vaccinated regularly after the identification of specific FMD serotypes circulating in the study area.
Scattering of Plane P1 Wave by an Inclusion in a Three-Dimension Poroelastic Half-Space
Authors: Zhao Yanxi , Zhang Hai , Xu Nan , Wei Youxin , Liu Zhongxian
Published: March 2020

Local inclusion topography has significant influence on seismic wave propagation, and the propagation characteristics of seismic waves in poroelastic soils are obviously different from those in single-phase media. Based on Biot’s theory, the scattering of plane P1 wave by inclusion in a three-dimensional poroelastic half-space is studied by using the indirect boundary element method (IBEM). The scattering field is constructed by introducing a virtual wave near the interface between inclusion and half-space and the surface of half-space, and the virtual wave density is obtained by establishing boundary integral equation based on the boundary conditions. The effects of the depth, geometric characteristics, boundary permeability, porosity, incident frequency, and incident angle of the inclusion on elastic wave scattering are systematically analyzed. The results show that due to the soil skeleton-pore water coupling effect, when the porosity is n = 0.3, the surface displacement amplitude of dry soil is larger than that of poroelastic soil. When the porosity is n = 0.36, the surface displacement amplitude of poroelastic soil is larger than that of dry soil. The surface displacement amplitude of poroelastic-drained condition is slightly larger than that of undrained condition. With the increase of inclusion depth, the scattering of elastic wave by inclusion decreases gradually. When P1 wave is incident, the surface displacement amplitude at the depth of H = 0.5 can be increased up to three times as much as that at the depth of H = 1.5. As the inclusion becomes narrower and flatter, the scattering of elastic waves by inclusion decreases gradually. When the ratio between height and length is S = 2/5, the surface displacement magnitude can reach up to 9.5.
Long-Term Effectiveness of Secukinumab in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis
Authors: Gentileschi Stefano , Rigante Donato , Sota Jurgen , Lopalco Giuseppe , Giannotta Maria Grazia , Emmi Giacomo , Di Scala Gerardo , Iannone Florenzo , Fabiani Claudia , Frediani Bruno , Cantarini Luca
Published: March 2020

Objectives. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate long-term efficacy of secukinumab (SCK) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA); secondary aims were to evaluate drug retention rate and to identify differences in the clinical and laboratory assessment according to axSpA clinical features, dosage administered, and biologic treatment lines.Patients and Methods. We collected clinical, demographical, and treatment data from 39 patients affected by axSpA consecutively treated with SCK. Laboratory assessment was based on inflammation parameters; clinical assessment was performed with the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score- (ASDAS-) CRP and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Data were recorded at baseline and every 3 months for the first year and then every 6 months in the second year.Results. Twelve males and 27 females were enrolled; both BASDAI and ASDAS-CRP showed a statistically significant reduction during the observation period (p<0.0001andp<0.0001, respectively). C-reactive protein significantly decreased (p=0.006), with significant reduction at the post hoc analysis between baseline and both 6-month evaluation (p=0.02) and 24-month visit (p=0.036). No statistical significance was observed in BASDAI and ASDAS-CRP improvement (p=0.482andp=0.164, respectively) between different dosages administered. No significant differences emerged in the BASDAI and ASDAS-CRP variations between biologic-naïve patients and subjects previously failing to tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (p=0.53andp=0.148, respectively). At the end of our observation, 7 out of 39 patients discontinued SCK. The global retention rate at the end of the study period was 78.2%, without any significant differences between biologic-naïve and anti-TNF-failure patients (p=0.619) or between subjects administered with different SCK dosages (p=0.614). No adverse events were reported.Conclusions. In our cohort, SCK has proved a remarkable effectiveness regardless biologic treatment line and dosages employed. As suggested by the notable drug retention rate, SCK has been able to maintain its effectiveness over a considerable long period of treatment.
Effect of Land Use on Organic Carbon Storage Potential of Soils with Contrasting Native Organic Matter Content
Authors: Yeasmin Sabina , Jahan Eshara , Molla Md. Ashik , Islam A. K. M. Mominul , Anwar Md. Parvez , Or Rashid Md. Harun , Chungopast Sirinapa
Published: March 2020

This study aimed to determine the impact of land use on organic carbon (OC) pools of soils with contrasting native organic matter (OM) content. Surface (0–15 cm) soils of four land uses (cropland, orchard, grassland, and fallow) were collected from four agroecological zones (AEZs) of Bangladesh with different OM content (AEZ-7: very low, −3: low, −9: medium, and −5: high). Bulk soils were physically fractionated into particulate and mineral associated OM (POM and MOM: >53 and <53 µm, respectively). Both bulk and fractionated soils were analyzed for OC and nitrogen (N). Among the land uses, undisturbed soils (grassland and fallow land) had significantly higher total OC (0.44–1.79%) than disturbed soils (orchard and cropland) (0.39–1.67%) in all AEZs. The distribution of OC and N in POM and MOM fractions was significantly different among land uses and also varied with native OM content. In all AEZs, cropland soils showed the lowest POM-C content (0.40–1.41%), whereas the orchard soils showed the highest values (0.71–1.91%). The MOM-C was highest (0.81–1.91%) in fallow land and lowest (0.53–1.51%) in orchard, and cropland had a moderate amount (0.70–1.61%). In croplands, distribution of a considerable amount of OC in the MOM pool was noticeable. These findings reveal that total OC in soils can be decreased with cultivation but does not inevitably indicate the loss of OC storage in the stable pool. Carbon storage potential of soils with both high- and low-native OM contents can be increased via proper land use and managements.
Combined Technology for the Parts Recovery Operating in Stress Factor Conditions
Authors: Berezshnaya Olena V. , Kassov Valeriy D. , Gribkov Eduard P.
Published: March 2020

The structural factor of samples microplasticity deposited with carbon steel construction tapes in connection with the different sensitivities of the deposited metal to stress concentration was investigated. The most favorable structure of the deposited layer, which is characterized by low sensitivity to stress concentration, is found. The combined technology of parts recovery modes operating in stress factor conditions is given. The covering agent composition, which allows to reduce the energy consumption during heat treatment of the deposited samples after treatment with high‐frequency currents, to increase the thermal insulation effect approaching to the furnace treatment conditions, was developed. It was established that retarded cooling in the covering agent of deposited samples after local heating with high‐frequency currents provides the increase in the average pressure ferrite during increase in the grain size. It was established that for parts operating under cyclic loading, the structure obtained as a result of combined treatment is the least sensitive to stress concentration.
Study of Nutritional and Organoleptic Quality of Formulated Juices from Jujube (Ziziphus lotusL.) and Dates (Phoenix dactyliferaL.) Fruits
Authors: Benidir Meryem , El Massoudi Soukaina , El Ghadraoui Lahsen , Lazraq Abderrahim , Benjelloun Meryem , Errachidi Faouzi
Published: March 2020

The present work aims to elaborate many juice formulas (F1 to F8) from two dried fruits (jujubes:Ziziphus lotusL. and dates:Phoenix dactyliferaL.). Physicochemical and biochemical characterization of the formula juices shows that juices rich in dates fruits (F1, F3, F5, and F7) are loaded, on average, in total sugars (129.5 g/l), proteins (3.02 g/l), lipids (1.08 g/l), and carotenoid (0.02 mg/l), while juices rich in jujube fruits (F2, F4, F6, and F8) are overloaded, on average, in phenolic compounds (697 mg/l), flavonoids (6.32 mg/l), condensed tannins (2.1 mg/l), hydrolysable tannins (359.5 mg/l), and viscosity (1.062 mm 10–3 s). All formulations developed have a pH that rotates between 5.12 and 5.20. Total antioxidant capacity (CAT) reveals that formulations F1, F3, F5, and F7 show a strong activity compared to the other formulas. The DPPH test shows that all formulated juices have the same antioxidant profile with IC50values lower than the template (BHT and Vit C). The FRAP test reveals that F2, F4, F6, and F8 formulas have a strong reducing power. Organoleptic evaluation by a jury shows that F4 formula is the best in terms of odor, aroma, and aftertaste agreeability.
Evaluación de Modelo Docente Utilizando Fantomas de Bajo Costo para Entrenamiento en Reparación de Episiotomía.
Authors: Poblete José Andrés , Catalan Cynthia , Vargas Paula , Pineda Rodrigo , Barriga Maria Isabel , Farias Marcelo , Zamboni Milena
Published: March 2020

Introducción: El creciente aumento de los alumnos de pregrado, asociado a la disminución en el número de partos, han reducido la exposición de los alumnos a procedimientos como la episiotomía. 

En este proyecto se implementó un modelo docente utilizando fantomas de bajo costo para el entrenamiento en la reparación de episiotomía. Materiales y Métodos: La instrucción fue realizada a 106 internos de sexto año en grupos de 5 a 10 alumnos y 12 residentes de primer año de la especialidad. Se revisaron los aspectos teóricos relacionados a esta técnica quirúrgica. Cada alumno tenía a su disposión dos fantomas de alta densidad. Los materiales de sutura y el instrumental eran similares a los usados en la práctica clínica. Se realizaron 2 evaluaciones a los alumnos: un minitest teórico y una evaluación de la actividad práctica. Resultados:  El resultado promedio de la evaluación teórica fue de 6,3 para los internos de 6º año y de 6,7 para los residentes de primer año de Especialidad. En los aspectos formativos de la actividad práctica, siendo la evaluación máxima 4, los alumnos calificaron la actividad con un 3,66 . En términos de satisfacción de los alumnos con la actividad, sobre una evaluación máxima de 5, los alumnos entregaron una calificación de 4,7. Finalmente, el promedio de los alumnos calificó la actividad muy cerca de lo excelente. Discusión:  La implementación de fantomas de espuma de alta densidad, facilita el acceso a modelos de reparación quirúrgica más económicos y permite repetir el ejercicio hasta alcanzar los objetivos establecidos.
Coronavirus: un desafío global
Authors: Valenzuela B. María Teresa
Published: March 2020

Nos encontramos viviendo la mayor crisis global en salud pública en décadas, con impactos políticos, sociales y económicos, debido a la dispersión por el mundo de un nuevo agente viral. Ningún país de este planeta está inmune a un virus que tiene potencial epidémico, dada la alta tasa de transmisibilidad de humano a humano. Toda la población es susceptible porque se trata de una nueva cepa, por la facilidad de contagiar por el mero hecho de la cercanía entre los individuos susceptibles, incluso sin contacto físico y por la gran movilidad de los individuos contagiados.
TP53 Mutations Predict Sensitivity to Adjuvant Gemcitabine in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Next-Generation Sequencing Results from the CONKO-001 Trial
Authors: Sinn Marianne , Sinn Bruno V. , Treue Denise , Keilholz Ulrich , Damm Frederik , Schmuck Rosa , Lohneis Philipp , Klauschen Frederick , Striefler Jana K. , Bahra Marcus , Bläker Hendrik , Bischoff Sven , Pelzer Uwe , Oettle Helmut , Riess Hanno , Budczies Jan , Denkert Carsten
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

We performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) in the CONKO-001 phase III trial to identify clinically relevant prognostic and predictive mutations and conducted a functional validation in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) sequencing data.

Experimental Design:

Patients of the CONKO-001 trial received curatively intended surgery for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine (Gem) or observation only (Obs). Tissue samples of 101 patients were evaluated by NGS of 37 genes. Cox proportional hazard models were applied for survival analysis. In addition, functional genomic analyses were performed in an NGS and RNA-sequencing dataset of 146 pancreatic tumors from TCGA.

Results:

The most common mutations in the CONKO cohort were KRAS (75%), TP53 (60%), SMAD4 (10%), CDKNA2 (9%), as well as SWI/SNF (12%) complex alterations. In untreated patients, TP53 mutations were a negative prognostic factor for disease-free survival (DFS; HR mut vs. WT 2.434, P = 0.005). With respect to gemcitabine treatment, TP53 mutations were a positive predictive factor for gemcitabine efficacy [TP53mut: HR for DFS Gem vs. Obs, 0.235 (0.130 – 0.423; P < 0.001); TP53wt: HR for DFS Gem vs. Obs, 0.794 (0.417 – 1.513; P = 0.483)] with a significant test for interaction (P = 0.003). In the TCGA dataset, TP53 mutations were associated with shortened DFS.

Conclusions:

In CONKO-001, the benefit from adjuvant gemcitabine was confined to the TP53mut patient group. This potentially clinical relevant observation needs to be confirmed in independent prospective studies. The sensitivity of TP53mut PDAC to gemcitabine in CONKO-001 provides a lead for further mechanistic investigations.
Convergent Evolution, Evolving Evolvability, and the Origins of Lethal Cancer
Authors: Pienta Kenneth J. , Hammarlund Emma U. , Axelrod Robert , Amend Sarah R. , Brown Joel S.
Published: March 2020

Advances in curative treatment to remove the primary tumor have increased survival of localized cancers for most solid tumor types, yet cancers that have spread are typically incurable and account for >90% of cancer-related deaths. Metastatic disease remains incurable because, somehow, tumors evolve resistance to all known compounds, including therapies. In all of these incurable patients, de novo lethal cancer evolves capacities for both metastasis and resistance. Therefore, cancers in different patients appear to follow the same eco-evolutionary path that independently manifests in affected patients. This convergent outcome, that always includes the ability to metastasize and exhibit resistance, demands an explanation beyond the slow and steady accrual of stochastic mutations. The common denominator may be that cancer starts as a speciation event when a unicellular protist breaks away from its multicellular host and initiates a cancer clade within the patient. As the cancer cells speciate and diversify further, some evolve the capacity to evolve: evolvability. Evolvability becomes a heritable trait that influences the available variation of other phenotypes that can then be acted upon by natural selection. Evolving evolvability may be an adaptation for cancer cells. By generating and maintaining considerable heritable variation, the cancer clade can, with high certainty, serendipitously produce cells resistant to therapy and cells capable of metastasizing. Understanding that cancer cells can swiftly evolve responses to novel and varied stressors create opportunities for adaptive therapy, double-bind therapies, and extinction therapies; all involving strategic decision making that steers and anticipates the convergent coevolutionary responses of the cancers.
Deep Learning Radiomics Based on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Might Optimize Curative Treatments for Very-Early or Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Liu Fei , Liu Dan , Wang Kun , Xie Xiaohua , Su Liya , Kuang Ming , Huang Guangliang , Peng Baogang , Wang Yuqi , Lin Manxia , Tian Jie , Xie Xiaoyan
Published: March 2020

Background: We aimed to evaluate the performance of a deep learning (DL)-based Radiomics strategy designed for analyzing contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to not only predict the progression-free survival (PFS) of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgical resection (SR) but also optimize the treatment selection between them for patients with very-early or early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 419 patients examined by CEUS within 1 week before receiving RFA or SR (RFA: 214, SR: 205) from January 2008 to 2016. Two Radiomics signatures were constructed by the Radiomics model R-RFA and R-SR to stratify PFS of different treatment groups. Then, RFA and SR nomograms were built by incorporating Radiomics signatures and significant clinical variables to achieve individualized 2-year PFS prediction. Finally, we applied both Radiomics models and both nomograms to each enrolled patient to investigate whether there were space for treatment optimization and how much prognostic improvement could be expected. Results: R-RFA and R-SR showed remarkable discrimination (C-index: 0.726 for RFA, 0.741 for SR). RFA and SR nomograms provided good 2-year PFS prediction accuracy and good calibrations. We identified 17.3% RFA patients and 27.3% SR patients should swap their treatment, so their average probability of 2-year PFS would increase 12 and 15%, respectively. Conclusions: The proposed Radiomics models and nomograms achieved accurate preoperative prediction of PFS for RFA and SR, and they could facilitate the optimized treatment selection between them for patients with very-early or early-stage HCC.
Diabetic Kidney Disease: Challenges, Advances, and Opportunities
Authors: Chen Ya , Lee Kyung , Ni Zhaohui , He John Cijiang
Published: March 2020

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common cause of the end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Regardless of intensive treatments with hyperglycemic control, blood pressure control, and the use of renin-angiotensin system blockades, the prevalence of DKD remains high. Recent studies suggest that the spectrum of DKD has been changed and many progresses have been made to develop new treatments for DKD. Therefore, it is time to perform a systemic review on the new developments in the field of DKD. Summary: Although the classic clinical presentation of DKD is characterized by a slow progression from microalbuminuria to macroalbuminuria and by a hyperfiltration at the early stage and progressive decline of renal function at the late stage, recent epidemiological studies suggest that DKD patients have a variety of clinical presentations and progression rates to ESRD. Some DKD patients have a decline in renal function without albuminuria but display prominent vascular and interstitial fibrosis on renal histology. DKD patients are more susceptible to acute kidney injury, which might contribute to the interstitial fibrosis. A large portion of type 2 diabetic patients with albuminuria could have overlapping nondiabetic glomerular disease, and therefore, kidney biopsy is required for differential diagnosis for these patients. Only a small portion of DKD patients eventually progress to end-stage renal failure. However, we do not have sensitive and specific biomarkers to identify these high-risk patients. Genetic factors that have a strong association with DKD progression have not been identified yet. A combination of circulating tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)1, TNFR2, and kidney injury molecular 1 provides predictive value for DKD progression. Artificial intelligence could enhance the predictive values for DKD progression by combining the clinical parameters and biological markers. Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors should be added to the new standard care of DKD patients. Several promising new drugs are in clinical trials. Key Messages: Over last years, our understanding of DKD has been much improved and new treatments to halt the progression of DKD are coming. However, better diagnostic tools, predictive markers, and treatment options are still urgently needed to help us to better manage these patients with this detrimental disease.