bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acoustic tracking of surface waves
Authors: Richards Edward L.
Published: June 2021

Doppler sensitive probe signals, transmitted in a bi-static geometry, can be used to localize and track moving surface waves that are acting as reflectors.
Vector acoustic observations of underwater ship noise from the 2017 seabed characterization experiment
Authors: Dahl Peter H. , Dall'Osto David R.
Published: June 2021

The Intensity Vector Autonomous Recorder (IVAR) measures acoustic particle velocity and pressure simultaneously. IVAR was deployed on the seabed at depth of 75 m during the 2017 Seabed Characterization Experiment (SBCEX) with objective to study sound propagation within underwater waveguides for which the seabed consists of fine-grained, muddy sediments. In this presentation, vector acoustic observations of ship generated noise recorded by IVAR from a cargo ship traversing the central region of the SBCEX are discussed. Pressure and particle velocity data as a function of frequency are converted into a bounded, non-dimensional form known as circularity, a quantity that is independent of the ship noise source spectrum and which can be interpreted as the normalized curl of active intensity. The frequency dependent pattern in circularity is sensitive to the sediment layering structure, and bathymetry. This pattern, as the vessel closes and opens in range, is inverted for sediment properties using a Bayesian framework, with inversion model space consisting of a low-compressional speed elastic layer, above an elastic half-space. Change in water depth between the location of the ship source and IVAR over the 20-min observation period is addressed using adiabatic mode theory. [Study supported by Office of Naval Research.]
Nonlinear bulk wave in a functionally graded symmetric hysteretic material model—A numerical study
Authors: Ramchandra Ghodake Pravinkumar
Published: June 2021

A simple spring-mass chain implemented to model nonlinear wave propagation through a functionally graded hysteretic material. Harmonics generation due to single-frequency forward and reflected waves along with the corresponding hysteretic curves discussed.
Intrinsic coordinates algorithm for efficient simulation of weak-shock propagation in relaxing media
Authors: Willis III William A. , Hamilton Mark F. , Cormack John M.
Published: June 2021

An algorithm based on intrinsic coordinates is presented for calculating the propagation of a weak shock starting with an arbitrary initial waveform in a fluid with multiple relaxation mechanisms. Use of intrinsic coordinates avoids discretization of thin shocks, allowing for more efficient simulation.
Virus-like particles and lytic plaque formation in lawns of Candida albicans
Authors: Mehta R J , Nash C H , Bozzola J J
Published: June 2021

The antifungal agent Aculeacin A at subinhibitory levels induced lytic plaques in lawns of Candida albicans. Electron microscopic examination of plaque lysates suspended in phosphotungstic acid revealed the presence of spherical particles 12, 18, and 28 to 30 nm in size. Particles were also found in ultrathin sections of treated C. albicans cells. The plaque lysate lost infectivity after treatment with UV light, heat treatment at 80 degrees C for 10 min, or being held at pH 2 for 30 min.
Sequence analysis of the heat-labile enterotoxin subunit B gene originating in human enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Yamamoto T , Tamura T , Ryoji M , Kaji A , Yokota T , Takano T
Published: June 2021

In this study, we determined the amino-terminal coding sequence, covering the signal peptide and the amino-terminus of the mature peptide, of the heat-labile enterotoxin subunit B (LT-B) gene originating in human enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Neither the signal sequence nor the amino-terminal sequence of the mature LT-B was identical to those sequences from porcine enterotoxigenic E. coli, but there was an extensive homology.
Properties of the nucleases of mollicutes
Authors: Pollack J D , Hoffmann P J
Published: June 2021

Extracts of the Mollicutes Acholeplasma equifetale, Acholeplasma laidlawii B, Mycoplasma arthritidis. Mycoplasma pulmonis, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae had DNase and endonuclease activity. A. laidlawii B had at least two peaks of DNase activity in sucrose gradients with sedimentation coefficients of 3.1S and 4.3S. These fractions also had endonuclease activity with different substrate specificities. A. laidlawii B may have more than two peaks of endonuclease activity in sucrose gradients.
Plasmid transfer to Bordetella pertussis: conjugation and transformation
Authors: Weiss A A , Falkow S
Published: June 2021

Plasmids of the P and W incompatibility groups were introduced into Bordetella pertussis by conjugation. Plasmid DNA isolated from B. pertussis could be reintroduced by transformation. DNA isolated from Escherichia coli could not be introduced into B. pertussis by transformation if this DNA contained HindIII restriction sites. We have demonstrated that HindIII sites are modified by B. pertussis. Plasmids of the FI and FII incompatibility groups could not be introduced into B. pertussis by conjugation, and nonconjugative plasmids of the ColE1 and Q incompatibility groups could not be introduced by transformation. Our ability to introduce plasmids in the laboratory suggests that the apparent lack of plasmids in natural isolates of B. pertussis is not due to an inability to act as a plasmid recipient.
Chromosomal location of a Bacillus subtilis DNA fragment uniquely transcribed by sigma-28-containing RNA polymerase
Authors: Ferrari F A , Ferrari E , Hoch J A
Published: June 2021

A fragment of the Bacillus subtilis chromosome containing a gene whose transcription is dependent on sigma-28-containing RNA polymerase has been genetically mapped by means of an integrable plasmid. This gene resides on the chromosome adjacent to the stage 0 sporulation locus spo0E between metC and citL. The gene was insertionally inactivated by cloning an internal EcoRI-HindIII fragment in the integrable plasmid pJH101 and by inserting the plasmid into the chromosome by transformation. Transformants bearing an inactivated gene were indifferent to this inactivation for both growth and sporulation.
Identification of chromosomally integrated TOL DNA in cured derivatives of Pseudomonas putida PAW1
Authors: Meulien P , Broda P
Published: June 2021

Some plasmid-free Tol- strains derived from Pseudomonas putida PAW1 (which carries the TOL plasmid pWW0) have a segment of TOL DNA located chromosomally. Of three independently isolated strains, PAW86 had an integrated TOL segment of 16 kilobases and PAW85 had two copies of this segment in different chromosomal locations, whereas the chromosomal DNA of PAW82 showed no homology with the TOL plasmid. In cultures of the parental strain, it appears that a 56-kilobase TOL DNA segment is located chromosomally in some cells.
Adenosine kinase-deficient mutant of Neurospora crassa
Authors: Magill J M , Dalke P , Lyda T S , Magill C W
Published: June 2021

Tubercidin-resistant mutant strains of Neurospora crassa were isolated, and at least one appeared to be deficient in adenosine kinase. No significant differences in [8-14C]adenosine labeling of purine nucleotides or nucleosides were found between the wild type and the adenosine kinase-deficient strains.
Group IVe-like gram-negative bacillemia in a patient with obstructive uropathy
Authors: Rockhill R C , Lutwick L I
Published: June 2021

A nonfermentative, gram-negative bacillus, resembling Center for Disease Control group IVe, was isolated from the blood of a patient with obstructive uropathy. Prior studies implicating this organism in septicemia could not be found in the literature. It is suggested that this is the first time that this bacillus has been reported to cause bacillemia in humans.
Biotype determinations for monitoring of EK1 host strains used in recombinant DNA research
Authors: Liberman D F , Kovacic S A
Published: June 2021

The biotypes of eight Escherichia coli K-12 strains were determined. Eight different biotypes were observed. Based upon the API biotype computer file, the appearance frequency for these K-12 biotypes ranged from 1/127 (infrequent) to 1/18,046 (rare).
Coagglutination test for identification of Pasteurella multocida associated with hemorrhagic septicemia
Authors: Rimler R B
Published: June 2021

Two serogroups (B and E) of Pasteurella multocida associated with hemorrhagic septicemia in cattle were differentiated by a coagglutination test with antibody-coated staphylococci. The group antigen was soluble and heat stable. It was not detectable in unencapsulated cells or their heated extracts. Adsorbed onto human type O erythrocytes, it could be demonstrated by an indirect hemagglutination test with specific antiserum or by coagglutination with specific antibody-coated staphylococci. Antibody-coated staphylococci could detect the soluble group antigen in the plasma and liver extract of mice experimentally infected with P. multocida. The group antigen did not affix to mouse erythrocytes in vivo.
Synergistic lysis of erythrocytes by Propionibacterium acnes
Authors: Choudhury T K
Published: June 2021

Sheep and human erythrocytes, partially processed by Staphylococcus aureus or Clostridium perfringens, were susceptible to lysis in the presence of Propionibacterium acnes. P. acnes liberated a lipase that was detected on Tween 80 agar and also on phospholipase C-precipitated egg yolk agar. Such a lipase might have contributed in the process of an intensified cellular lysis. Similar reactions were attempted with Lactobacillus acidophilus, known to possess a nondiffusible lipase, and failed to produce any such reactions. The synergistic reactions, between P. acnes and C. perfringens, were compared with The classical CAMP reaction in an attempt to find a correlation with the established membrane composition of the erythrocytes involved. Synergistic reactions observed do seem to reflect the membrane composition. Such findings, besides being contributory to an understanding of the role of these organisms in the process of pathogenesis, are of importance in the elucidation of molecular organization of biomembranes. Detailed studies, involving a large number of representative anaerobic bacteria, may also help provide an avenue in anaerobic species identification.
Immunoelectrophoresis for detection of polysaccharides in immune complexes
Authors: Coonrod J D , Leach R P
Published: June 2021

A procedure for detecting pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides in immune complexes is described. Separation of antigen from immune complexes is achieved by electrophoresis at 56 degrees C.
Argon detector: alternative detection system for gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of short-chain organic acids
Authors: Sullivan N M , Mayhew J , DiTullio D , Tally F P
Published: June 2021

Two detection systems for gas-liquid chromatography were compared for the identification of metabolic end products (short-chain organic acids) from anaerobic bacteria. Argon and flame ionization detectors were connected in series with inert argon as the carrier gas for analysis of 35 stock strains and 148 clinical isolates. There was an excellent correlation between the argon and flame ionization chromatograms, and both were readily comparable to the thermal conductivity detector tracings published in the Virginia Polytechnic Institute manual. The linear response of the argon detector was examined by analyzing twofold serial dilutions of the short-chain organic acids and comparing the results to the very linear flame ionization detector. The argon detector was found to react with sufficient linearity within the organic acid concentration range normally obtained from anaerobic bacterial broth cultures. The argon detector, therefore, appears to be a viable alternative to the flame ionization and thermal conductivity detector systems in the identification of anaerobic organisms.
Significance of appropriate techniques and media for isolation and identification of Ureaplasma urealyticum from clinical specimens
Authors: Kundsin R B , Parreno A , Poulin S
Published: June 2021

Controversy over the association of Ureaplasma urealyticum with reproductive failure may be due to methods used to isolate the microorganism. U. urealyticum isolations from clinical material should be done simultaneously in broth and on Shepard's differential agar medium (A7) containing manganese sulfate. Urine sediments result in a 9% (P = 0.0002) higher rate of isolation than than cervical and urethral swabs. Primary isolations may not display standard textbook morphology. Isolated colonies may be present, but brown streaks in cervical mucus or a coalescent haze around epithelial cells in urine sediment may also be seen in areas of concentrated growth. The broth and agar media used, method of incubation, type of specimen, and method of storing specimens before culture are all factors which influence the recovery of U. urealyticum.
Location of type-specific antigens in calf rotaviruses
Authors: Bridger J C
Published: June 2021

Rotavirus antisera with and without neutralizing activity to calf rotavirus were compared for their ability to agglutinate calf rotavirus particles with and without an outer capsid layer. Particles without the outer capsid layer were agglutinated by antisera with immunofluorescent antibody activity and by antisera with immunofluorescent antibody and neutralizing activity. Particles with the outer capsid layer were agglutinated only by antisera with neutralizing activity. The neutralization test appears to be type specific, and it was concluded that type-specific antigens are associated with the outer capsid layer of rotaviruses. Since particles with the outer capsid layer were not agglutinated by antisera lacking neutralizing activity but possessing immunofluorescent antibody activity, it was concluded that in intact particles the group-specific antigen is masked by the outer capsid layer.
Multi-Laboratory Evaluation of an Automated Microbial Detection/Identification System
Authors: Smith P. B. , Gavan T. L. , Isenberg H. D. , Sonnenwirth A. , Taylor W. I. , Washington J. A. , Balows A.
Published: June 2021

An automated and computerized system (Automicrobic System [AMS]) for the detection of frequently encountered bacteria in clinical urine specimens was tested in a collaborative study among six laboratories. The sensitivity, specificity, reliability, and reproducibility of the AMS were determined, and the system was compared with conventional detection and identification systems. In this study, pure cultures and mixtures of pure cultures were used to simulate clinical urine specimens. With pure cultures, the sensitivity of the AMS in identifying the nine groups of organisms most commonly found in urine averaged 92.8%. The specificity averaged 99.4%, and the reliability of a positive result averaged 92.1%. The latter value was strongly influenced by a relatively high occurrence of false positive
Escherichia coli
results. The AMS was capable of detecting growth of most organisms, including those which it was not designed to identify. However, it identified some of these incorrectly as common urinary tract flora. Reproducibility of results, both within laboratories and among different laboratories, was high. Fast-growing organisms, such as
E. coli
and
Klebsiella/Enterobacter
species, were detected often at cell populations well below the AMS enumeration threshold of 70,000/ml. In mixed culture studies, high levels of sensitivity and specificity were maintained but when
Serratia
species were present in mixtures with other organisms, there was often a false positive report of
E. coli.
The overall performance of the AMS was considered satisfactory under the test conditions used.
Evaluation of the Repliscan system for identification of Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Brown S D , Washington J A
Published: June 2021

The Repliscan system, a semiautomated method for identifying gram-negative bacilli, was evaluated for its potential usefulness in clinical microbiology laboratories. A total of 1,877 isolates, including 1,712 fermentative and 165 nonfermentative organisms, were tested in parallel with the Repliscan and Enterotube methods of enteric identification. Discrepancies were retested in each system as well as with conventional methods. The Repliscan method correctly identified 91%, misidentified 2%, and failed to identify 7% of the fermentative orgamisms tested. Of the genera under study, Enterobacter posed the greatest problem to the system in terms of overall identification rates. The Repliscan appears to be an efficient, economic, and effective laboratory tool for identification of Enterobacteriaceae.
Esterase activity in Candida species
Authors: Rudek W
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this investigation was to ascertain the lipolytic activities (specifically, esterase) of those species of Candida that are most commonly isolated from human infections. Eight species of Candida were surveyed for their ability to hydrolyze various polyoxyethylene sorbitan compounds (Tweens). Of the 64 isolates tested, each had activity for at least one of the substrates. Most of the isolates hydrolyzed Tweens 40, 60, and 85. In contrast, none hydrolyzed Tween 80. Only one species hydrolyzed Tween 20. The patterns of precipitation resulting from reactions of fatty acids hydrolyzed from Tweens 40, 60, and 85 with calcium ions in the media were also useful in distinguishing some of the species. In the past, such reactions have been reported as being dependent on esterase activity.
Accuracy of malaria diagnostic tests performed on non-invasively collected samples: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Danwang Celestin , Noubiap Jean Jacques , Souopgui Jacob , Gaudart Jean , Yombi Jean Cyr , Robert Annie
Published: June 2021

Background

During the last decade, many studies have assessed the performance of malaria tests on non-invasively collected specimens, but no systematic review has hitherto estimated the overall performance of these tests. We report here the first meta-analysis estimating the diagnostic performance of malaria diagnostic tests performed on saliva, urine, faeces, skin odour (‘sniff and tell’) and hair, using either microscopy or PCR on blood sample as reference test.

Methods

We searched on PubMed, EMBASE, African Journals Online and Cochrane Infectious Diseases from inception until 19 January 2021 for relevant primary studies. A random effects model was used to estimate the overall performance of various diagnostic methods on different types of specimen.

Results

Eighteen studies providing 30 data sets were included in the meta-analysis. The overall sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic OR (DOR) of PCR were 84.5% (95% CI 79.3% to 88.6%), 97.3% (95% CI 95.3% to 98.5%) and 184.9 (95% CI 95.8 to 356.9) in saliva, respectively; 57.4% (95% CI 41.4% to 72.1%), 98.6% (95% CI 97.3% to 99.3%) and 47.2 (95% CI 22.1 to 101.1) in urine, respectively. The overall sensitivity, specificity and DOR of rapid diagnostic test for malaria in urine was 59.8% (95% CI 40.0% to 76.9%), 96.9% (95% CI 91.0% to 99.0%) and 30.8 (95% CI:23.5 to 40.4).

Conclusion

In settings where PCR is available, saliva and urine samples should be considered for PCR-based malaria diagnosis only if blood samples cannot be collected. The performance of rapid diagnostic testing in the urine is limited, especially its sensitivity. Malaria testing on non-invasively collected specimen still needs substantial improvement.
The utility of platelet inhibition testing in patients undergoing Pipeline embolization of intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Miller Timothy R , Wessell Aaron , Jindal Gaurav , Malhotra Ajay , Simard J Marc , Gandhi Dheeraj
Published: June 2021

Background

The utility of using the VerifyNow P2Y12 platelet inhibition assay in patients undergoing Pipeline embolization of intracranial aneurysms remains controversial. As we have routinely employed the assay for patients undergoing flow diversion, we elected to explore the relationship between P2Y12 hyporesponse as indicated by a P2Y12 Reaction Units (PRU) value >200 and treatment outcomes, including intraprocedural platelet aggregation and ischemic complications.

Methods

All successful intracranial aneurysm Pipeline treatments performed at our institution from November 2011 to May 2019 were included. The rate of P2Y12 hyporesponse and treatment outcomes were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to determine independent predictors of treatment outcomes.

Results

333 qualifying treatments were performed in 297 patients. Clopidogrel hyporesponse was initially noted in 24%, falling to 17% by day-of-procedure by dose titration. A glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor was administered prophylactically in 3% of cases for persistent, profound hyporesponse. 27 (8.1%) patients developed acute platelet aggregation; only 6 demonstrated day-of-procedure P2Y12 hyporesponse. Day-of-procedure hyporesponse was not associated with intraprocedural platelet aggregation or ischemic complications. Greater Pipeline embolization device (PED) diameter was associated with a reduced odds of platelet aggregation (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.85; p=0.019). Antiplatelet non-compliance (OR 25.20, 95% CI 3.86 to 164.61; p=0.001) and treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms (OR 5.23, 95% CI 1.22 to 22.33; p=0.026) were the only independent predictors of ischemic complications.

Conclusions

P2Y12 hyporesponse was not associated with acute platelet aggregation or ischemic complications in our patients undergoing Pipeline embolization of intracranial aneurysms, possibly due to aggressive management of the hyporesponse using clopidogrel dose titration and/or GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor administration.
Establishment and Validation of the Detection of TERT Promoter Mutations by Human Gliomas U251 Cell Lines
Authors: Bai Huili , Bai Shunjie , Li Xiaosong , Zhang Yangli , Li Ying , He Fang , Cheng Wei
Published: June 2021

Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumor, yet the prognosis for glioma patients remains poor. Mutations in the promoter region of the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (TERTp) are associated with diagnosis and poor prognosis in gliomas. Here, we developed a precise and rapid Sanger sequencing assay to screen or TERTp mutations. We established the Sanger sequencing approach for the detection of TERTp mutations based on human glioma cell lines U251 and assessed the analytical validation by determining the accuracy, sensitivity, precision, and specificity. In our study, we verified the accuracy of Sanger sequencing by the real‐time polymerase chain reaction method. Our data showed that TERTp mutations were detected at an analytical sensitivity of 10% per mutant. The precision and specificity validation also showed the desired results. In total, 147 glioma patients were investigated for TERTp mutations, and of each patient, clinical data and molecular characteristics were analyzed. We found that anaplastic oligodendroglioma had the highest frequency of TERTp mutations (66.7%). No differences in TERTp mutation frequency were observed between frozen tissue specimens and formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded tissue. TERTp mutations were associated with older patients (≥45 years), whereas isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations were inclined to a younger age (<45 years), frontal location, and pathologic stage II‐III patients. IDH mutations were significantly associated with O6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation (P = 0.003) and lower Ki‐67 protein expression (P = 0.011). Moreover, MGMT methylation was enriched in IDH‐mutant/TERTp‐mutant gliomas, and Ki‐67 protein expression was the highest in the IDH‐wild type/TERTp‐mutant group. Taken together, the findings of this study indicate the establishment of a rapid, precise, and practical Sanger sequencing technique for TERTp mutations in gliomas that may show promising results in clinical applications.
Spatiotemporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of China’s Agricultural Environmental Efficiency
Authors: Jia Qian
Published: June 2021

Taking the 30 Chinese provinces in 2000–2018 as the objects, this paper measures their agricultural environmental efficiencies (AEEs) with slack-based measure (SBM) containing an undesired output. Then, the features of the spatiotemporal evolution of AEE in China were explored on ArcGIS, and the factors affecting the AEE were analyzed with a geodetector. The results show that there is a huge provincial gap in AEE across China; most provinces with a high AEE belong to eastern coastal region, while most inland provinces had a relatively low AEE. Except for a few years, the AEEs in eastern, central, and western regions changed very slightly, and the eastern region had a higher AEE level than central and western regions. The results of spatiotemporal evolution show that, with the elapse of time, the high-AEE provinces gradually shifted to the inland; the AEE trend varied from province to province; the provinces were highly polarized in terms of AEE. The AEE is mainly affected by the following factors: fiscal expenditure, fertilizer intensity, pesticide intensity, and economic growth.
Multipath Routing Based on Genetic Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Wang Shuang
Published: June 2021

The two most important factors that must be considered in the wireless sensor networks are energy efficiency and fault tolerance. Multipath routing is an effective method to improve the fault tolerance in wireless sensor networks. By taking the energy consumption into consideration, in this paper, a multipath routing algorithm for the wireless sensor networks based on the genetic algorithm is proposed. The proposed algorithm computes the fitness function by using the distance between nodes in the network and then generates the routing scheme at the base station. The routing scheme is shared with all the nodes of the entire network, to realize the multipath routing for each node. Finally, the simulation experiment is used to verify the validity of our method, and the results show that the routing method in this paper has a better effect.
Modelling the Transmission Dynamics of COVID‐19 in Six High‐Burden Countries
Authors: Rahman Azizur , Kuddus Md Abdul
Published: June 2021

The new Coronavirus Disease 19, officially known as COVID‐19, originated in China in 2019 and has since spread worldwide. We presented an age‐structured Susceptible‐Latent‐Mild‐Critical‐Removed (SLMCR) compartmental model of COVID‐19 disease transmission with nonlinear incidence during the pandemic period. We provided the model calibration to estimate parameters with day‐wise COVID‐19 data, i.e., reported cases by worldometer from 15th February to 30th March 2020 in six high‐burden countries, including Australia, Italy, Spain, the USA, the UK, and Canada. We estimate transmission rates for each country and found that the country with the highest transmission rate is Spain, which may increase the new cases and deaths than the other countries. We found that saturation infection negatively impacted the dynamics of COVID‐19 cases in all the six high‐burden countries. The study used a sensitivity analysis to identify the most critical parameters through the partial rank correlation coefficient method. We found that the transmission rate of COVID‐19 had the most significant influence on prevalence. The prediction of new cases in COVID‐19 until 30th April 2020 using the developed model was also provided with recommendations to control strategies of COVID‐19. We also found that adults are more susceptible to infection than both children and older people in all six countries. However, in Italy, Spain, the UK, and Canada, older people show more susceptibility to infection than children, opposite to the case in Australia and the USA. The information generated from this study would be helpful to the decision‐makers of various organisations across the world, including the Ministry of Health in Australia, Italy, Spain, the USA, the UK, and Canada, to control COVID‐19.
Sézary Syndrome with CD4/CD8 Double-Negative Neoplastic T Cells in Peripheral Blood
Authors: Kageyama Yuki , Tsuda Kenshiro , Nato Yuma , Nagaharu Keiki , Suzuki Kazutaka , Sawaki Akihiko , Miyashita Hiroyuki
Published: June 2021

Sézary syndrome is a rare leukemic type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma characterized by the presence of neoplastic T cells with cerebriform nuclei (Sézary cells) in the skin, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood. Typical Sézary cells have a CD3+CD4+CD8– phenotype; however, in cases of the aberrant loss of antigens on Sézary cells, especially the loss of critically important T-cell antigens such as CD4, there is a possibility of misdiagnosing the disease or underestimating the tumor burden of the disease. Here, we report a rare case of Sézary syndrome with CD4/CD8 double-negative Sézary cells in the peripheral blood. Most of the Sézary cells in the peripheral blood had lost CD4 expression, and we diagnosed the disease and evaluated the tumor burden by multicolor flow cytometry. Intriguingly, the Sézary cells showed a typical CD4+CD8–CD7– phenotype in the skin even though the cells in the peripheral blood lacked CD4. The patient responded well to treatment with bexarotene and narrow-band ultraviolet B therapy. Analysis by multicolor flow cytometry is essential to diagnose this rare type of Sézary syndrome and evaluate the tumor burden.
Pain Management through Neurocognitive Therapeutic Exercises in Hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Celletti Claudia , Paolucci Teresa , Maggi Loredana , Volpi Giordana , Billi Mariangela , Mollica Roberta , Camerota Filippo
Published: June 2021

Background. The hypermobile type of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (hEDS) is likely the most common hereditary disorder of connective tissue mainly characterized by joint hypermobility. Patients with hEDS suffer joint pain, in particular low back pain, commonly resistant to drug therapy. The aim of this research was to evaluate a neurocognitive rehabilitation approach based not only on the motion and function recovery but also on the pain management. Methods. In this nonrandomized clinical trial, eighteen hEDS patients (4 males and 14 females) with mean age 21 years (range 13‐55) were recruited and evaluated before and after three months of rehabilitation treatment. Results. The outcome scores showed significant statistical results after treatment in reducing pain symptoms (numerical rating scale, P = 0.003; McGill (total score), P = 0.03), fatigue (fatigue severity scale, P = 0.03), fear of movement (Tampa scale, P = 0.003), and pain‐associated disability (Oswestry disability index, P = 0.03). Conclusion. The clinical results observed in our study seem to confirm the role of a specific neurocognitive rehabilitation program in the chronic pain management in the Ehlers–Danlos syndrome; the rehabilitation treatment should be tailored on patient problems and focused not only in the recovery of movement but also on pain perception.
Driving Style Recognition under Connected Circumstance Using a Supervised Hierarchical Bayesian Model
Authors: Chen Depeng , Chen Zhijun , Zhang Yishi , Qu Xu , Zhang Mingyang , Wu Chaozhong
Published: June 2021

In recent years, the automated driving system has been known to be one of the most popular research topics of artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent transportation system (ITS). The journey experience on automated vehicles and the intelligent automated driving system could be improved by individualization driving understanding. Although previous studies have proposed methods for driving styles understanding, the individualization driving classification has not been addressed thoroughly. Therefore, in this study, a supervised method is proposed to understand driving behavioral structure and the latent driving styles by incorporating the prior knowledge. Firstly, a novel method is established for driving behavioral encoding and raw driving data mining. Then, the Labeled Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LLDA) is proposed to understand the latent driving styles from individual driving with driving behaviors. Finally, the Safety Pilot Model Deployment (SPMD) data are used to validate the performance of the proposed model. Experimental results show that the proposed model uncovers latent driving styles effectively and shows good agreement to real situations, which provides theoretical guidance on driving behavior recognition for better individual experience on automated driving vehicles.
A Novel Memristor Chaotic System with a Hidden Attractor and Multistability and Its Implementation in a Circuit
Authors: Huang Lili , Wang Yanling , Jiang Yicheng , Lei Tengfei
Published: June 2021

By introducing an ideal and active flux-controlled memristor and tangent function into an existing chaotic system, an interesting memristor-based self-replication chaotic system is proposed. The most striking feature is that this system has infinite line equilibria and exhibits the extreme multistability phenomenon of coexisting infinitely many attractors. In this paper, bifurcation diagrams and Lyapunov exponential spectrum are used to analyze in detail the influence of various parameter changes on the dynamic behavior of the system; it shows that the newly proposed chaotic system has the phenomenon of alternating chaos and limit cycle. Especially, transition behavior of the transient period with steady chaos can be also found for some initial conditions. Moreover, a hardware circuit is designed by PSpice and fabricated, and its experimental results effectively verify the truth of extreme multistability.
Effects of Palatal Expansion with Torque Activation using a Transpalatal Arch: A Preliminary Single-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Ghorbanyjavadpour Fataneh , Rakhshan Vahid
Published: June 2021

Purpose. The literature regarding the treatment of posterior crossbites using a transpalatal arch (TPA) is scarce. Moreover, there is only one clinical study on the correction of unilateral crossbites using torque activation. This is an important clinical issue; therefore, this study was conducted to show the effects of an active Goshgarian TPA in correcting nonfunctional single-tooth unilateral crossbite. Methods. The present single-blind, randomized clinical trial examined 60 observations on 30 individuals with nonfunctional single-tooth unilateral crossbites in the first permanent molar area. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of “symmetric expansion” [control] and “expansion + torque activation” using Goshgarian TPAs [experimental]. The palatal arch was expanded at a rate of 2 mm/month, for 2–8 months. The average treatment durations were 157.9 and 117.1 days, respectively, for the control and experimental groups. Dentoskeletal alterations were assessed on dental records, posteroanterior frontal cephalographs, and occlusal radiographs taken before and after treatment. Changes induced by treatments in each group and differences between changes in both groups were analyzed statistically (α = 0.05). Results. The treatment duration was significantly shorter in the experimental group (P<0.05). The extent of dental displacement on the crossbite side was significant no matter what treatment was applied (P<0.001); no between-group difference was detected (P>0.05). Both treatments tilted the teeth in crossbite (P<0.001) without any between-group difference (P>0.05). The noncrossbite molar was displaced in the control group, whereas this did not occur in the experimental group (between-groupP<0.001). Conclusions. The Goshgarian TPA can be used with torque activation in order to deliver a more effective and faster correction of nonfunctional single-tooth unilateral crossbites with more favorable clinical results.
The Magnetic Nanomaterial Biofunctions in Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy
Authors: Bian Xuefeng , Guo Ting , Zhang Ji , Xia Jianguo , Feng Xiaoqian , Wang Fujin , Lin Mei , Tian Weizhong
Published: June 2021

Magnetic nanomaterials have recently emerged, playing an increasingly essential role in life science and biomedicine fields, and they exhibited promising potentials in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Also, their use as contrast agents improved various cancer diagnostic imaging sensitivities and accuracy. Magnetic nanomaterials are also exploited as targeted drug carriers to increase the sensitivity and reduce the side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Herein, we reviewed the preparation, characterization, and surface modification of various magnetic nanomaterials and their cancer diagnosis and therapy applications.
Function-related Indicators and Outcomes of Screening Mammography in Older Women: Evidence from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium Cohort
Authors: Zhang Dongyu , Abraham Linn , Demb Joshua , Miglioretti Diana L. , Advani Shailesh , Sprague Brian L. , Henderson Louise M. , Onega Tracy , Wernli Karen J. , Walter Louise C. , Kerlikowske Karla , Schousboe John T. , O'Meara Ellen S. , Braithwaite Dejana
Published: June 2021

Background:

Previous reports suggested risk of death and breast cancer varied by comorbidity and age in older women undergoing mammography. However, impacts of functional limitations remain unclear.

Methods:

We used data from 238,849 women in the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium-Medicare linked database (1999–2015) who had screening mammogram at ages 66–94 years. We estimated risk of breast cancer, breast cancer death, and non-breast cancer death by function-related indicator (FRI) which incorporated 16 claims-based items and was categorized as an ordinal variable (0, 1, and 2+). Fine and Gray proportional sub-distribution hazards models were applied with breast cancer and death treated as competing events. Risk estimates by FRI scores were adjusted by age and NCI comorbidity index separately and stratified by these factors.

Results:

Overall, 9,252 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, 406 died of breast cancer, and 41,640 died from non-breast cancer causes. The 10-year age-adjusted invasive breast cancer risk slightly decreased with FRI score [FRI = 0: 4.0%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.8–4.1; FRI = 1: 3.9%, 95% CI = 3.7–4.2; FRI ≥ 2: 3.5%, 95% CI = 3.1–3.9). Risk of non-breast cancer death increased with FRI score (FRI = 0: 18.8%, 95% CI = 18.5–19.1; FRI = 1: 24.4%, 95% CI = 23.9–25.0; FRI ≥ 2: 39.8%, 95% CI = 38.8–40.9]. Risk of breast cancer death was low with minimal differences across FRI scores. NCI comorbidity index–adjusted models and stratified analyses yielded similar patterns.

Conclusions:

Risk of non-breast cancer death substantially increases with FRI score, whereas risk of breast cancer death is low regardless of functional status.

Impact:

Older women with functional limitations should be informed that they may not benefit from screening mammography.
Vorasidenib, a Dual Inhibitor of Mutant IDH1/2, in Recurrent or Progressive Glioma; Results of a First-in-Human Phase I Trial
Authors: Mellinghoff Ingo K. , Penas-Prado Marta , Peters Katherine B. , Burris Howard A. , Maher Elizabeth A. , Janku Filip , Cote Gregory M. , de la Fuente Macarena I. , Clarke Jennifer L. , Ellingson Benjamin M. , Chun Saewon , Young Robert J. , Liu Hua , Choe Sung , Lu Min , Le Kha , Hassan Islam , Steelman Lori , Pandya Shuchi S. , Cloughesy Timothy F. , Wen Patrick Y.
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

Lower grade gliomas (LGGs) are malignant brain tumors. Current therapy is associated with short- and long-term toxicity. Progression to higher tumor grade is associated with contrast enhancement on MRI. The majority of LGGs harbor mutations in the genes encoding isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 or 2 (IDH1/IDH2). Vorasidenib (AG-881) is a first-in-class, brain-penetrant, dual inhibitor of the mutant IDH1 and mutant IDH2 enzymes.

Patients and Methods:

We conducted a multicenter, open-label, phase I, dose-escalation study of vorasidenib in 93 patients with mutant IDH1/2 (mIDH1/2) solid tumors, including 52 patients with glioma that had recurred or progressed following standard therapy. Vorasidenib was administered orally, once daily, in 28-day cycles until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Enrollment is complete; this trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02481154.

Results:

Vorasidenib showed a favorable safety profile in the glioma cohort. Dose-limiting toxicities of elevated transaminases occurred at doses ≥100 mg and were reversible. The protocol-defined objective response rate per Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria for LGG in patients with nonenhancing glioma was 18% (one partial response, three minor responses). The median progression-free survival was 36.8 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 11.2–40.8] for patients with nonenhancing glioma and 3.6 months (95% CI, 1.8–6.5) for patients with enhancing glioma. Exploratory evaluation of tumor volumes in patients with nonenhancing glioma showed sustained tumor shrinkage in multiple patients.

Conclusions:

Vorasidenib was well tolerated and showed preliminary antitumor activity in patients with recurrent or progressive nonenhancing mIDH LGG.
Safety of Kidney Biopsy when Performed as an Outpatient Procedure
Authors: Bonani Marco , Seeger Harald , Weber Nina , Lorenzen Johan M. , Wüthrich Rudolf P. , Kistler Andreas D.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Kidney biopsy remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of most renal diseases. A major obstacle to performing a biopsy is safety concerns. However, many safety measures are not evidence based and therefore vary widely between centers. We sought to determine the rate and timing of kidney biopsy complications in our center, to compare the complication rate between native and transplant kidney biopsies, to evaluate the feasibility of performing kidney biopsies as an outpatient procedure and the value of a postbiopsy ultrasound before discharge, and to identify risk factors for complications. Methods: We performed a single-center, retrospective, observational study at the Division of Nephrology of the University Hospital Zurich including all patients who underwent renal biopsy between January 2005 and December 2017. Major bleeding (primary outcome) and any other bleeding or nonbleeding complications (secondary outcomes) were compared between native and transplant kidney biopsies and between inpatient and outpatient procedures and correlated with clinical factors possibly affecting bleeding risk. Results: Overall, 2,239 biopsies were performed in 1,468 patients, 732 as inpatient and 1,507 as outpatient procedures. Major bleeding was observed in 28 (3.8%) inpatient and in 15 (1.0%) outpatient procedures, totaling to 43 (1.9%) of all biopsies. Major bleeding requiring intervention amounted to 1.0% (0.5% of outpatient procedures). Rate of major bleeding was similar between native and transplant kidneys. 13/15 (87%) bleeding episodes in planned outpatient procedures were detected during the 4-h surveillance period. Risk factors for bleeding were aspirin use, low eGFR, anemia, cirrhosis, and amyloidosis. Routine postbiopsy ultrasound did not change management. Conclusions: Kidney biopsy is an overall safe procedure and can be performed as an outpatient procedure in most patients with an observation period as short as 4 h. The value of routine postbiopsy ultrasound is questionable.
Sufentanil Disposition and Pharmacokinetic Model-Based Dosage Regimen for Sufentanil in Ventilated Full-Term Neonates
Authors: Pokorná Pavla , Šíma Martin , Koch Birgit , Tibboel Dick , Slanař Ondřej
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Sufentanil is a potent synthetic opioid used for analgesia in neonates; however, data concerning drug disposition of sufentanil and dosage regimen are sparse in this population. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore sufentanil disposition and to propose optimal loading and maintenance doses of sufentanil in ventilated full-term neonates. Methods: Individual sufentanil pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated based on therapeutic drug monitoring data using a 2-compartmental model. Linear regression models were used to explore the covariates. Results: The median (IQR) central volume of distribution (Vdc) and clearance (CL) for sufentanil were 4.7 (4.1–5.4) L/kg and 0.651 (0.433–0.751) L/h/kg, respectively. Linear regression models showed relationship between Vdc (L) and GA (r2 = 0.3436; p = 0.0452) as well as BW (r2 = 0.4019; p = 0.0268). Median optimal sufentanil LD and MD were 2.13 (95% CI: 1.78–2.48) μg/kg and 0.29 (95% CI: 0.22–0.37) μg/kg/h, respectively. Median daily COMFORT-B (IQR) scores ranged from 6 to 23 while no significant relationship between pharmacokinetic parameters and COMFORT-B scores was found. Discussion/Conclusion: Body weight and gestational age were found as weak covariates for sufentanil distribution, and the dosage regimen was developed for a prospective trial.
3D-SeboSkin Model for Human ex vivo Studies of Hidradenitis Suppurativa/Acne Inversa
Authors: Hou Xiaoxiao , Hossini Amir M. , Nikolakis Georgios , Balthasar Ottfried , Kurtz Andreas , Zouboulis Christos C.
Published: June 2021

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin disease. Its pivotal pathogenetic event is believed to be the occlusion of the hair follicle generating a perifollicular lympho-histiocytic inflammation. However, knowledge of the exact HS pathogenesis requires further research. Objective: To develop a human HS model applicable in preclinical research which could help to understand the pathophysiology of HS and to determine the action of therapeutic candidates. Methods: The 3D-SeboSkin technology was applied to maintain explants of involved and uninvolved skin of HS patients ex vivo for 3 days. Detection of differential expression of previously detected HS biomarkers was performed by immunohistochemistry in a group of female patients (n = 9, mean age 37.2 ± 8.4 years). Results: The application of the 3D-SeboSkin model preserved the structural integrity of lesional and perilesional HS skin ex vivo, as previously described for healthy skin. Moreover, the HS 3D-SeboSkin setting maintained the differential expression and pattern of several HS biomarkers (S100A9, KRT16, SERPINB3) in epidermal and dermal tissue and the appendages. Conclusion: We have validated HS 3D-SeboSkin as a reproducible, human model, which is appropriate for preclinical lesional and perilesional HS skin studies ex vivo.
The Difference between Approval Processes for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices in Europe
Authors: Marshall John , Morrill Kristine , Gobbe Marine , Blanchard Lauren
Published: June 2021

The approval of new ophthalmic medical devices and medicinal products is governed by separate processes in Europe with different requirements, classifications, and timelines involved. For pharmaceuticals, companies can go through a centralized European-level process working with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or a decentralized procedure working with a member state competent authority to gain approval or via mutual recognition. For medical devices, companies must work with a European Union approved Notified Body as there is no equivalent to the EMA. With medicinal products, approval can be sought as a new medicinal product, generic, known substance, or as an advanced therapy. With medical devices, the classifications are based on the use and complexity of the device as well as the risk, beginning with class I (surgical instruments and some diagnostic devices), to class IIA, class IIB, and class III, which are the most invasive devices, such as pacemakers and breast implants. From May 2021, the European Union will fully implement the Medical Device Regulation, which enforces increased requirements before class IIa and above devices can be CE marked. This process for approving medical devices and pharmaceuticals in Europe is designed to ensure that new technology is thoroughly vetted before becoming commercially available.
It is high time that taxonomists follow the Code. 3. The Bungarus romulusi case (Serpentes, Elapidae)

Authors: DUBOIS ALAIN , FRÉTEY THIERRY , INEICH IVAN
Published: June 2021

Sunagar et al. (2021: 1) erected the new snake species Bungarus romulusi on the basis of the molecular study of mitochondrial markers, venom proteomics and venom gland transcriptomics. Unfortunately, this new specific nomen is nomenclaturally unavailable, and should therefore not be used as valid as long as it has not been properly published.