bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drug‐Induced Ototoxicity: A Comprehensive Review and Reference Guide
Authors: Rizk, Habib G. , Lee, Joshua A. , Liu, Yuan F. , Endriukaitis, Lauren , Isaac, Julianne L. , Bullington Wendy M.
Published: October 2020

Objective

In an era of increasing polypharmacy, adverse drug effects such as ototoxicity have significant public health implications. Despite the availability of evidence, many health care professionals may not know the risk of ototoxicity in common medications. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive, easy to use, ototoxic profile of medications with an assessment of supporting evidence.

Methods

Medications of interest were identified through adverse drug reaction reports derived from Micromedex (IBM), Lexicomp (Wolters Kluwer), and the textbook,Drug Induced Diseases: Prevention, Detection, and Management. Additional evidence was identified though a query of PubMed and the Cochrane database. Evidence of causality was graded according to the following: A (randomized, controlled clinical trials), B (nonrandomized clinical trials, prospective observational studies, cohort studies, retrospective studies, case‐controlled studies, and/or postmarketing surveillance studies), and C (case reports/case series).

Results

A total of 194 systemically administered medications associated with ototoxicity were identified, most commonly antimicrobials (53), psychotropics (21), antihypertensive/antiarrhythmics (19), nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (18), and antineoplastics (16). There was evidence of cochleotoxicity in 165 medications (evidence grading A [22], B [77], C [69]), vestibulotoxicity in 100 medications (evidence grading A [23], B [47], and C [30]), and dizziness in 142 medications (evidence grading A [50], B [76], and C [16]). In addition, a review of the evidence of ototoxicity in ototopical medications is also reviewed.

Conclusion

The effect and severity of ototoxicity can vary immensely depending on pharmacological and individual patient risk factors. The intent of this comprehensive review was to help health care providers of all sectors obtain a deeper knowledge of drug‐induced ototoxicity to make more informed management decisions for their patients.
Antimicrobial films containing hybrid systems aiming at packaging applications
Authors: Camani Paulo H , da Silva Torin Rondes F , de Souza Clóvis WO , Zanata Leonardo , dos Santos Rosa Derval
Published: October 2020

A critical issue in active packaging development using essential oils (EOs) is the high concentrations of these to obtain antimicrobial activity in the films. Therefore, this work was carried out to develop nanocomposite films, pursuing a potential minimal EO concentration with antimicrobial effectiveness, which could be applied in packaging. The films were prepared using low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) containing a hybrid of montmorillonite and essential oil (MMT‐EO), using two different EOs, carvacrol and eugenol, with 2 and 6 wt% oil concentration. The films were obtained in three steps. In the first (hybrid production), mixtures of montmorillonite clay with eugenol or carvacrol EOs were prepared. In the second (hybrid incorporation), these hybrids were incorporated into LDPE, obtaining LDPE/MMT‐EO nanocomposites. Finally, a thermoforming process prepared the polymeric films. The samples were characterized by XRD and mechanical, contact angle and antimicrobial properties. The XRD results showed higher crystallinity for LDPE/MMT‐EO compared to LDPE. The MMT was exfoliated into lamella forms, which could work as a physical barrier, reducing the oil diffusion. Besides, the contact angle results showed an increase in the hydrophilicity with the addition of the hybrids, which improved the antimicrobial action of the film. LDPE/MMT‐E3 (1 wt% MMT and 2 wt% eugenol) showed the highest crystallinity, oil diffusivity, and mechanical and antimicrobial properties. These samples presented a reduction of a 2 log count of Staphylococcus aureus. The sum of the structural and antimicrobial properties of the LDPE/MMT‐E3 film indicates its potential for food packaging. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry
InsecticidalRNAinterference, thinking beyond longdsRNA
Authors: Flynt Alex S
Published: October 2020

Over 20 years ago double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) was described as the trigger of RNAi interference (RNAi)‐based gene silencing. This paradigm has held since, especially for insect biopesticide technologies where dsRNAs, similar to those described in 1998, are used to inhibit gene expression. In the intervening years, investigation of RNAi pathways has revealed the small RNA effectors of RNAi are diverse and rapidly evolving. The rich biology of insect small RNAs suggests potential to use multiple RNAi modes for manipulating gene expression. By exploiting different RNAi pathways, the menu of options for pest control can be expanded and could lead to better tailored solutions. Fortunately, basic delivery strategies used for dsRNA such as direct application or transgenic expression will translate well between RNAs transiting different RNAi pathways. Importantly, further engineering of RNAi‐based biopesticides may provide an opportunity to address dsRNA insensitivity seen in some pests. Characterization of RNAi pathways unique to target species will be indispensable to this end and may require thinking beyond long dsRNA. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Sputtering Power and Annealing Effects on the Properties of Zn2SnO4–SnO2 Composite Thin Film for Pungent Smelling Gas (NH3) Detection
Authors: Cynthia Sreekrishnan Rajammal , Sivakumar R. , Sanjeeviraja C. , Gopalakrishnan Chandrasekaran , Jeyadheepan Karuppasamy
Published: October 2020

A sputtering target of Zn2SnO4–SnO2 composite is prepared by mixing ZnO and SnO2 powder in the ratio of 1:1. Thin films of Zn2SnO4–SnO2 composite are prepared by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering on quartz substrate with the sputtering power of 50, 100, and 150 W. The prepared films are further annealed at 500 and 1000 °C. The crystalline nature of the films is obtained after annealing at 1000 °C. Energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) study witness the compositional purity of the films. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) study shows that the as‐deposited films are smooth and crack free in nature. The transmittance of the film is enhanced due to annealing; the energy bandgap value is also increased with the increase in annealing temperature. The photoluminescence emission peaks are aroused due to the defect energy levels within the bandgap and oxygen vacancies. The activation energy of the film is decreased with the increase in annealing temperature. The gas sensing study of the Zn2SnO4–SnO2 composite film prepared with RF sputtering power of 150 W after annealing at 1000 °C shows an excellent sensing toward NH3 gas at room temperature with highest sensing response of 1897.
Why people like or dislike large wood in rivers—a representative survey of the general public in Germany
Authors: Gapinski Cedric Mats , Hermes Johannes , von Haaren Christina
Published: October 2020

For the restoration of medium and small rivers, the reintroduction of large wood (LW) is crucial. Despite the wide communication of the ecological key functions of LW, residents rejected its reintroduction in a restoration project at the river Mulde (Dessau‐Roßlau, Germany). To determine whether this is a local or widespread phenomenon in Germany, we investigated (a) the German population's attitude toward LW, (b) preferred quantities of LW introduction, and (c) the effects of flood experiences and other sociodemographic characteristics on these preferences. We conducted a nationwide and representative online survey (n = 2,100), including rating‐scale statements and a choice experiment (CE). Regarding the rating statements, we found that a majority of respondents (57–67%) is convinced of the advantages of LW reintroduction. However, 47–60% considered LW to be dangerous for canoeists or during floods. For the CE (n = 743), we defined an LW attribute and added information on possible effects. Conditional logit models showed a strong preference for the highest amount of LW, with an odds ratio 5.47 times higher than for the status quo without LW. We also found that personal flood experiences reduce the preferred LW quantities. In contrast, females, higher educational levels, the youngest and oldest age groups, and especially frequent river visitors preferred higher LW amounts. Since the commitment of young people to environmental issues is currently increasing, we believe that specific environmental education opportunities for this group located along the river can contribute significantly to increase acceptance.
Design and Synthesis of Some Novel Aromatic Amide Derivatives of Nilutamide as In Vitro Anticancer Agents
Authors: Thirukovela Narasimha Swamy , Nukala Satheesh Kumar , Sirassu Narsimha , Manchal Ravinder , Gundepaka Prasad , Paidakula Suresh
Published: October 2020

The synthesis of some new aromatic amide derivatives of Nilutamide (4 a–n) and their structure determination using 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral analysis was described. The in vitro anti‐cancer activity of the compounds (4 a–n) against several human cancer cell lines like PC3 (prostate), A549 (lung), MCF‐7 (breast) and DU‐145 (prostate) revealed that the compounds 4 c, 4 h, 4 l, 4 m and 4 n have shown greater activity against all the cell lines than the standard Etoposide. Predominantly, the compound 4 n was displayed excellent activity over PC3, A549, MCF‐7 and DU‐145 with IC50 values of 0.14, 0.10, 0.19 and 0.63 μM respectively. Moreover, molecular docking studies of derivatives (4 a–n) on EGFR receptor suggested that the most potent compound 4 n strongly binds to protein EGFR (pdb id : 4HJO). The energy calculations of in silico studies were also in good agreement with the obtained IC50 values.
ROS Responsive Nanoplatform with Two‐Photon AIE Imaging for Atherosclerosis Diagnosis and “Two‐Pronged” Therapy
Authors: Ma Boxuan , Xu Hong , Zhuang Weihua , Wang Yanan , Li Gaocan , Wang Yunbing
Published: October 2020

Atherosclerosis, characterized by endothelial injury, progressive inflammation, and lipid deposition, can cause cardiovascular diseases. Although conventional anti‐inflammatory drugs reveal a certain amount of therapeutic effect, more reasonable design on plaque targeting, local anti‐inflammation, and lipid removal are still required for comprehensive atherosclerosis therapy. In this work, a theranostic nanoplatform is developed for atherosclerosis recognition and inhibition. A two‐photon aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) active fluorophore (TP) developed is linked to β‐cyclodextrin (CD) with a ROS responsive bond, which can carry prednisolone (Pred) in its entocoele via supramolecular interaction to build a diagnosis‐therapy compound two‐photon fluorophore‐cyclodextrin/prednisolone complexes (TPCDP). With TPCDP packaged by nanosized micelles based on a ROS sensitive copolymer poly (2‐methylthio ethanol methacrylate)‐poly (2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine), the TPCDP@PMM can accumulate in atherosclerotic tissue through the damaged vascular endothelium. Activated by the local overexpressed ROS and rich lipid, the micelles are interrupted and TPCDP is further disintegrated with Pred release due to the relatively stronger interaction of lipid with CD, resulting in anti‐inflammatory activity and lipid removal for atherosclerosis inhibition. Besides, labeled with the TP, TPCDP@PMM indicates a distinct two‐photon AIE imaging on atherosclerosis recognition. The “two‐pronged” therapeutic effect and plaque location ability has been confirmed in vivo on ApoE−/− mice, holding TPCDP@PMM a great promise for atherosclerosis theranostics.
Large‐Scale Assembly of Peptide‐Based Hierarchical Nanostructures and Their Antiferroelectric Properties
Authors: Lee Yonghun , Kim Kyung Won , Duong Nguyen Xuan , Park Hyeok , Park Jinhong , Ahn Chang Won , Park In Woo , Jang Seok Cheon , Kim Dong Hoe , Lee Minbaek , Chung Woo‐Jae , Kim Tae Heon , Lee Hyungwoo , Heo Kwang
Published: October 2020

An effective strategy is developed to create peptide‐based hierarchical nanostructures through the meniscus‐driven self‐assembly in a large area and fabricate antiferroelectric devices based on these nanostructures for the first time. The diphenylalanine hierarchical nanostructures (FF‐HNs) are self‐assembled by vertically pulling a substrate from a diphenylalanine (FF) solution dissolved in a miscible solvent under precisely controlled conditions. Owing to the unique structural properties of FF nanostructures, including high crystallinity and α‐helix structures, FF‐HNs possess a net electrical dipole moment, which can be switched in an external electric field. The mass production of antiferroelectric devices based on FF‐HNs can be successfully achieved by means of this biomimetic assembly technique. The devices show an evident antiferroelectric to ferroelectric transition under dark conditions, while the ferroelectricity is found to be tunable by light. Notably, it is discovered that the modulation of antiferroelectric behaviors of FF‐HNs under glutaraldehyde exposure is due to the FF molecules that are transformed into cyclophenylalanine by glutaraldehyde. This work provides a stepping stone toward the mass production of self‐assembled hierarchical nanostructures based on biomolecules as well as the mass fabrication of electronic devices based on biomolecular nanostructures for practical applications.
A secure and collaborative data aggregation scheme for fine‐grained data distribution and management in Internet of Things
Authors: Olakanmi Oladayo Olufemi , Odeyemi Kehinde Oluwasesan
Published: October 2020

One of the greatest threats to the Internet of Things (IoT) is the increase in the number of IoT devices, leading to an exponential increase in the traffics on the communication networks. Asides this, the recent rise in ransomware, which is becoming better at evading detection, is posing security and privacy threats on IoT. With these, there is a need for effective security and aggregation solutions capable of securing data, protecting privacy, and minimizing traffic on the networks. Most of the existing security approaches are network and application‐centric and not effective for IoT due to the heterogeneity and resource constraints of its devices. To address these, we propose a security and aggregation solution, which not only reduces the traffic on the communication network but also enforces integrity and confidentiality on IoT. Our scheme is capable of securing, aggregating, and separating heterogeneous IoT devices' data. Besides, the scheme can detect and filter injected false data during in and out‐of‐network data access through the location‐based parametric‐attribute. Security and performance analysis show that our proposed scheme is secure and efficient.
Taxonomic treatment and phylogenetic analysis of the family Potamogetonaceae in Turkey
Authors: Aykurt Candan , Fehrer Judith , Sarı Yol Duygu , Kaplan Zdenek , Bambasová Veronika , Deniz İ. Gökhan , Aydemir Esra , İmir Nilüfer
Published: October 2020

The family Potamogetonaceae has been taxonomically re‐evaluated in Turkey, employing traditional morphological as well as molecular approaches (rbcL, ITS). Our fieldwork, herbarium studies and molecular analyses proved the existence of 22 taxa, of which 18 belong to Potamogeton (including 4 interspecific hybrids), 3 to Stuckenia and 1 to monotypic Groenlandia. Morphological re‐descriptions of the recognized taxa were prepared, and the information concerning their distribution in Turkey was refined, based on plant material from extensive fieldwork and on specimens stored in herbaria that were previously not examined. Additionally, new identification keys to genera and species, and distribution maps of the species were prepared. Phylogenetic relationships and intraspecific variations were assessed by including samples from other regions. The status of the Zannichelliaceae was investigated using nuclear and chloroplast DNA markers. Our results from ITS sequence divergence corroborate the separation of the two families noted by some authors, and are in accordance with the substantial morphological differences between them. Relatively large genetic distance and non‐monophyly indicate that two genotypes of P. gramineus constitute cryptic species, for which the Turkish localities expand upon the previously known distribution areas. We identified P. schweinfurthii as a new species for Turkey and report P. ×angustifolius for the first time for this country. Weak morphological differentiation and high sequence similarity did not permit reliable differentiation between the closely related Stuckenia amblyphylla and S. filiformis.
Preparing preservice teachers to teach science to english learners: A review
Authors: Rutt Alexis , Mumba Frackson , Kibler Amanda
Published: October 2020

Despite growing numbers of English Learners (ELs) in United States science classrooms and recent science education reforms calling for language and literacy integrated science instruction, research is just beginning to address how to prepare preservice teachers (PSTs) to teach science to ELs. Using a framework highlighting key structural and task‐related components for preparing PSTs to teach science to ELs, we systematically examined interventions designed to prepare PSTs to teach in linguistically diverse science classrooms for variations in their structures and tasks for learning, and for outcomes. Results indicate that interventions for preparing PSTs to teach science to ELs ranged from parts of science methods courses to integrated programs spanning both science methods courses and field experiences. Most interventions addressed language and literacy integrated instruction, field experiences, skills for language‐integrated science instruction, and identification and use of students' funds of knowledge in the classroom. Integration of language and literacy into science methods instruction, cohesion across program components, instructor modeling of targeted instructional strategies, and opportunities to practice targeted instructional strategies in K‐12 classrooms were found to be common contributing factors to intervention success. However, the studies highlighted difficulties in PSTs' ability to transfer understanding to instruction and integrate students' funds of knowledge into instruction. Further, other parts of the framework, including asking PSTs to examine their beliefs about learners and science learning in linguistically diverse classrooms and development of PSTs' science content knowledge, were under‐studied. Implications for science teacher preparation, science teaching and learning, and future research are discussed.
A novel two‐stage interval prediction method based on minimal gated memory network for clustered wind power forecasting
Authors: Lang Jianxun , Peng Xiaosheng , Li Wenze , Cai Tao , Gan Zhenhao , Duan Shanxun , Li Chaoshun
Published: October 2020

As the global demand for clean renewable energy has grown, the contribution of wind power in grid systems has significantly improved. Wind power predictions play an important role in the stable and safe operation of grid systems. Considering the shortcomings of traditional wind power point predictions, a novel two‐stage short‐term wind power interval prediction method is proposed in this study. In the proposed method, the minimal gated memory (MGM) network and improved interval width adaptive adjustment strategy, which is an approach that is designed to adjust the prediction interval (PI) labels, are combined for short‐term interval predictions of wind power. First, the point model for subsequence data based on the MGM network is proposed. Subsequently, the interval model is proposed to obtain the final PIs of wind power using the improved interval width adaptive adjustment strategy. Finally, with the purpose of verifying the prediction performance of the proposed model, two datasets and four representative benchmark models are implemented for comparative experiments. The superiority of the proposed model is demonstrated via experimental results, which show that the proposed model can obtain suitable wind power intervals with high confidence and quality.
Vignetted photon fields, recharacterisation of V Kα, and reducing X‐ray uncertainties by a factor of two
Authors: Dean Jonathan W. , Chantler Christopher T.
Published: October 2020

A vignetting profile form is incorporated with characteristic X‐ray emission data from a Johann‐mounted crystal diffractometer. We prove the validity of the specific form of the vignetting profile. A new characterisation of the Kα profile for vanadium is presented, which supports and is superior to the current benchmark. Using the profile form as a correction for systematic vignetting reduces energy uncertainties by up to a factor of two or more. The greater precision in measurement robustness allows current atomic theories and profiles to be tested with higher levels of accuracy.
On a gravity dual to flavored topological quantum mechanics
Authors: Feldman Andrey
Published: October 2020

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a generalization of the AdS2/CFT1 correspondence constructed by Mezei, Pufu and Wang in [1], which is the duality between 2d Yang-Mills theory with higher derivatives in the AdS2 background, and 1d topological quantum mechanics of two adjoint and two fundamental U(N ) fields, governing certain protected sector of operators in 3d ABJM theory at the Chern-Simons level k = 1. We construct a holographic dual to a flavored generalization of the 1d quantum mechanics considered in [1], which arises as the effective field theory living on the intersection of stacks of N D2-branes and k D6-branes in the Ω-background in Type IIA string theory, and describes the dynamics of the protected sector of operators in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 theory with k fundamental hypermultiplets, having a holographic description as M-theory in the AdS4× S7/ℤk background. We compute the structure constants of the bulk theory gauge group, and construct a map between the observables of the boundary theory and the fields of the bulk theory.
Quasinormal modes in charged fluids at complex momentum
Authors: Jansen Aron , Pantelidou Christiana
Published: October 2020

Abstract

We investigate the convergence of relativistic hydrodynamics in charged fluids, within the framework of holography. On the one hand, we consider the analyticity properties of the dispersion relations of the hydrodynamic modes on the complex frequency and momentum plane and on the other hand, we perform a perturbative expansion of the dispersion relations in small momenta to a very high order. We see that the locations of the branch points extracted using the first approach are in good quantitative agreement with the radius of convergence extracted perturbatively. We see that for different values of the charge, different types of pole collisions set the radius of convergence. The latter turns out to be finite in the neutral case for all hydrodynamic modes, while it goes to zero at extremality for the shear and sound modes. Furthermore, we also establish the phenomenon of pole-skipping for the Reissner-Nordström black hole, and we find that the value of the momentum for which this phenomenon occurs need not be within the radius of convergence of hydrodynamics.
On the balancing property of Matkowski means
Authors: Kiss Tibor
Published: October 2020

Let$$I\subseteq \mathbb {R}$$I⊆Rbe a nonempty open subinterval. We say that a two-variable mean$$M:I\times I\rightarrow \mathbb {R}$$M:I×I→Renjoys thebalancing propertyif, for all$$x,y\in I$$x,y∈I, the equality$$\begin{aligned} {M\big (M(x,M(x,y)),M(M(x,y),y)\big )=M(x,y)} \end{aligned}$$M(M(x,M(x,y)),M(M(x,y),y))=M(x,y)holds. The above equation has been investigated by several authors. The first remarkable step was made by Georg Aumann in 1935. Assuming, among other things, thatMisanalytic, he solved (1) and obtained quasi-arithmetic means as solutions. Then, two years later, he proved that (1) characterizesregularquasi-arithmetic means among Cauchy means, where, the differentiability assumption appears naturally. In 2015, Lucio R. Berrone, investigating a more general equation, having symmetry and strict monotonicity, proved that the general solutions are quasi-arithmetic means, provided that the means in question arecontinuously differentiable. The aim of this paper is to solve (1), without differentiability assumptions in a class of two-variable means, which contains the class ofMatkowski means.
Homotopy ribbon concordance and Alexander polynomials
Authors: Friedl Stefan , Powell Mark
Published: October 2020

We show that if a link J in the 3-sphere is homotopy ribbon concordant to a link L, then the Alexander polynomial of L divides the Alexander polynomial of J.
Lazy groupoids
Authors: Kaprinai Balázs , Machida Hajime , Waldhauser Tamás
Published: October 2020

A binary operation f(x, y) is said to be lazy if every operation that can be obtained from f by composition is equivalent to f(x, y), f(x, x) or x. We describe lazy operations by identities (i.e., we determine all varieties of lazy groupoids), and we also characterize lazy groupoids up to isomorphism.
Some Inequalities Involving Perimeter and Torsional Rigidity
Authors: Briani Luca , Buttazzo Giuseppe , Prinari Francesca
Published: October 2020

We consider shape functionals of the form $$F_q(\Omega )=P(\Omega )T^q(\Omega )$$

F
q

(
Ω
)

=
P

(
Ω
)

T
q

(
Ω
)

on the class of open sets of prescribed Lebesgue measure. Here $$q>0$$

q
>
0

is fixed, $$P(\Omega )$$

P
(
Ω
)

denotes the perimeter of $$\Omega $$
Ω
and $$T(\Omega )$$

T
(
Ω
)

is the torsional rigidity of $$\Omega $$
Ω
. The minimization and maximization of $$F_q(\Omega )$$

F
q

(
Ω
)

is considered on various classes of admissible domains $$\Omega $$
Ω
: in the class $$\mathcal {A}_{all}$$

A

all

of all domains, in the class $$\mathcal {A}_{convex}$$

A

convex

of convex domains, and in the class $$\mathcal {A}_{thin}$$

A

thin

of thin domains.
Prognostic Impact of Paraaortic Lymph Node Metastasis in Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Nitta Nobuhito , Ohgi Katsuhisa , Sugiura Teiichi , Okamura Yukiyasu , Ito Takaaki , Yamamoto Yusuke , Ashida Ryo , Otsuka Shimpei , Sasaki Keiko , Uesaka Katsuhiko
Published: October 2020

Background

Surgical resection in patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC) with paraaortic lymph node metastasis (PALNM) remains controversial. The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of PALNM in resected EHCC.

Methods

The present retrospective study included 410 patients, including 16 patients with PALNM, who underwent surgical resection of EHCC between September 2002 and December 2018. These were compared to 9 patients in whom EHCC was not resected due to PALNM. The clinicopathological features and survival outcomes were investigated to identify the prognostic factors in resected EHCC.

Results

The overall survival in the resected patients with PALNM was significantly better than that in unresected patients (median survival time [MST] 33.7 vs. 16.7 months, p=0.009) and was not significantly worse than that of patients with regional lymph node metastasis (LNM) (MST 33.7 vs 36.0 months, p=0.278). The multivariate analysis identified age > 70 years, male sex, tumor location (perihilar), residual tumor status, histological grade, microscopic venous invasion, and regional LNM as independent prognostic factors.

Conclusions

There was no significant difference in survival between the resected patients with PALNM and patients with regional LNM, and PALNM was not a significant prognostic factor in the multivariate analysis. Surgical resection may be considered an acceptable approach for EHCC with PALNM in selected patients.
Paclitaxel-Coated Balloon Angioplasty for the Treatment of Infrainguinal Arteries: 24-Month Outcomes in the Full Cohort of BIOLUX P-III Global Registry
Authors: Tepe Gunnar , Zeller Thomas , Moscovic Matej , Corpataux Jean-Marc , Christensen Johnny Kent , Keirse Koen , Nano Giovanni , Schroeder Henrik , Binkert Christoph A. , Brodmann Marianne
Published: October 2020

Purpose

After promising small randomized trials, the aim of BIOLUX P-III was to further investigate the safety and performance of the Passeo-18 lx drug-coated balloon in infrainguinal arteries under real-world conditions.

Methods

BIOLUX P-III is a global prospective single-arm study with follow-up at 6, 12 and 24 months. The primary safety endpoint was freedom from major adverse events (MAE) within 6 months. The primary performance endpoint was freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) within 12 months.

Results

877 patients/1084 lesions were enrolled. Diabetes mellitus was present in 47.7%, and 42.1% had critical limb ischemia (CLI). The mean lesion length was 89.0 mm with 76.1% of calcified lesions, and 24.9% occluded. At 24 months, freedom from MAE was 83.1% in the full cohort; 84.9% in the femoropopliteal population (592 patients, 691 lesions); 77.7% for long lesions (187 subjects/192 lesions); and 72.5% in the in-stent restenosis (ISR) subgroup (103 subjects/116 lesions). Twenty-four-month freedom from clinically driven TLR was 88.1% in the full cohort; 88.9% in the femoropopliteal population; 80.3% for the long lesions; and 78.4% for ISR. Twenty-four-month all-cause mortality was 12.0% in the full cohort, 10.2% in the femoropopliteal population, 14.8% for the long lesions and 12.0% for ISR. There was no device- or procedure-related death up to 24-month follow-up.

Conclusion

The BIOLUX P-III 24-month outcomes confirm the safety and performance of Passeo-18 lx in infrainguinal arteries in a large population treated under real-world conditions with low complication rates and good clinical outcomes (NCT02276313).
Detection of prostate cancer with 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT compared to final histopathology of radical prostatectomy specimens: is PSMA-targeted biopsy feasible? The DeTeCT trial
Authors: Bodar Y. J. L. , Jansen B. H. E. , van der Voorn J. P. , Zwezerijnen G. J. C. , Meijer D. , Nieuwenhuijzen J. A. , Boellaard R. , Hendrikse N. H. , Hoekstra O. S. , van Moorselaar R. J. A. , Oprea-Lager D. E. , Vis A. N.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

In primary prostate cancer (PCa) patients, accurate staging and histologic grading are crucial to guide treatment decisions. 18F-DCFPyL (PSMA)-PET/CT has been successfully introduced for (re)staging PCa, showing high accuracy to localise PCa in lymph nodes and/or osseous structures. The diagnostic performance of 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT in localizing primary PCa within the prostate gland was assessed, allowing for PSMA-guided targeted-prostate biopsy.

Methods

Thirty patients with intermediate-/high-risk primary PCa were prospectively enrolled between May 2018 and May 2019 and underwent 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT prior to robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Two experienced and blinded nuclear medicine physicians assessed tumour localisation within the prostate gland on PET/CT, using a 12-segment mapping model of the prostate. The same model was used by a uro-pathologist for the RARP specimens. Based on PET/CT imaging, a potential biopsy recommendation was given per patient, based on the size and PET-intensity of the suspected PCa localisations. The biopsy recommendation was correlated to final histopathology in the RARP specimen. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for clinically significant PCa (csPCa, Gleason score ≥ 3 + 4 = 7) were assessed.

Results

The segments recommended for potential targeted biopsy harboured csPCA in 28/30 patients (93%), and covered the highest Gleason score PCa segment in 26/30 patient (87%). Overall, 122 of 420 segments (29.0%) contained csPCa at final histopathological examination. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for csPCa per segment using 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT were 61.4%, 88.3%, 68.1% and 84.8%, respectively.

Conclusions

When comparing the PCa-localisation on 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT with the RARP specimens, an accurate per-patient detection (93%) and localisation of csPCa was found. Thus, 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT potentially allows for accurate PSMA-targeted biopsy.
Accumulation of amyloid precursor protein C-terminal fragments triggers mitochondrial structure, function, and mitophagy defects in Alzheimer’s disease models and human brains
Authors: Vaillant-Beuchot Loan , Mary Arnaud , Pardossi-Piquard Raphaëlle , Bourgeois Alexandre , Lauritzen Inger , Eysert Fanny , Kinoshita Paula Fernanda , Cazareth Julie , Badot Céline , Fragaki Konstantina , Bussiere Renaud , Martin Cécile , Mary Rosanna , Bauer Charlotte , Pagnotta Sophie , Paquis-Flucklinger Véronique , Buée-Scherrer Valérie , Buée Luc , Lacas-Gervais Sandra , Checler Frédéric , Chami Mounia
Published: October 2020

Several lines of recent evidence indicate that the amyloid precursor protein-derived C-terminal fragments (APP-CTFs) could correspond to an etiological trigger of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. Altered mitochondrial homeostasis is considered an early event in AD development. However, the specific contribution of APP-CTFs to mitochondrial structure, function, and mitophagy defects remains to be established. Here, we demonstrate in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells expressing either APP Swedish mutations, or the β-secretase-derived APP-CTF fragment (C99) combined with β- and γ-secretase inhibition, that APP-CTFs accumulation independently of Aβ triggers excessive mitochondrial morphology alteration (i.e., size alteration and cristae disorganization) associated with enhanced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production. APP-CTFs accumulation also elicit basal mitophagy failure illustrated by enhanced conversion of LC3, accumulation of LC3-I and/or LC3-II, non-degradation of SQSTM1/p62, inconsistent Parkin and PINK1 recruitment to mitochondria, enhanced levels of membrane and matrix mitochondrial proteins, and deficient fusion of mitochondria with lysosomes. We confirm the contribution of APP-CTFs accumulation to morphological mitochondria alteration and impaired basal mitophagy in vivo in young 3xTgAD transgenic mice treated with γ-secretase inhibitor as well as in adeno-associated-virus-C99 injected mice. Comparison of aged 2xTgAD and 3xTgAD mice indicates that, besides APP-CTFs, an additional contribution of Aβ to late-stage mitophagy activation occurs. Importantly, we report on mitochondrial accumulation of APP-CTFs in human post-mortem sporadic AD brains correlating with mitophagy failure molecular signature. Since defective mitochondria homeostasis plays a pivotal role in AD pathogenesis, targeting mitochondrial dysfunctions and/or mitophagy by counteracting early APP-CTFs accumulation may represent relevant therapeutic interventions in AD.
Short- and long-term outcomes for primary anastomosis versus Hartmann’s procedure in Hinchey III and IV diverticulitis: a multivariate logistic regression analysis of risk factors
Authors: Facile Ivan , Galli Raffaele , Dinter Pavlo , Rosenberg Robert , Von Flüe Markus , Steinemann Daniel Christian , Posabella Alberto , Droeser Raoul André
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The management of perforated diverticulitis with generalized peritonitis is still controversial and no preferred standardized therapeutic approach has been determined. We compared surgical outcomes between Hartmann’s procedure (HP) and primary anastomosis (PA) in patients with Hinchey III and IV perforated diverticulitis.

Methods

Multicenter retrospective analysis of 131 consecutive patients with Hinchey III and IV diverticulitis operated either with HP or PA from 2015 to 2018. Postoperative morbidity was compared after adjustment for known risk factors in a multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Sixty-six patients underwent HP, while PA was carried out in 65 patients, 35.8% of those were defunctioned. HP was more performed in older patients (74.6 vs. 61.2 years,p < .001), with Hinchey IV diverticulitis (37% vs. 7%,p < .001) and in patients with worse prognostic scores (P-POSSUM Physiology Score,p < .001, Charlson Comorbidity Indexp < .001). Major morbidity and mortality were higher in HP compared to PA (30.3% vs. 9.2%,p = .002 and 10.6% vs. 0%,p = .007, respectively) with lower stoma reversal rate (43.9% vs. 86.9%,p < .001). In a multivariate logistic regression, PA was independently associated with lower postoperative morbidity and mortality (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.06–0.96,p = .044).

Conclusions

In comparison to PA, HP is associated with a higher morbidity, higher mortality, and a lower stoma reversal rate. Although a higher prevalence of risk factors in HP patients may explain these outcomes, a significant increase in morbidity and mortality persisted in a multivariate logistic regression analysis that was stratified for the identified risk factors.
Exotic garden plants partly substitute for native plants as resources for pollinators when native plants become seasonally scarce
Authors: Staab Michael , Pereira-Peixoto Maria Helena , Klein Alexandra-Maria
Published: October 2020

Urban green spaces such as gardens often consist of native and exotic plant species, which provide pollen and nectar for flower-visiting insects. Although some exotic plants are readily visited by pollinators, it is unknown if and at which time of the season exotic garden plants may supplement or substitute for flower resources provided by native plants. To investigate if seasonal changes in flower availability from native vs. exotic plants affect flower visits, diversity and particularly plant–pollinator interaction networks, we studied flower-visiting insects over a whole growing season in 20 urban residential gardens in Germany. Over the course of the season, visits to native plants decreased, the proportion of flower visits to exotics increased, and flower-visitor species richness decreased. Yet, the decline in flower-visitor richness over the season was slowed in gardens with a relatively higher proportion of flowering exotic plants. This compensation was more positively linked to the proportion of exotic plant species than to the proportion of exotic flower cover. Plant–pollinator interaction networks were moderately specialized. Interactions were more complex in high summer, but interaction diversity, linkage density, and specialisation were not influenced by the proportion of exotic species. Thus, later in the season when few native plants flowered, exotic garden plants partly substituted for native flower resources without apparent influence on plant–pollinator network structure. Late-flowering garden plants support pollinator diversity in cities. If appropriately managed, and risk of naturalisation is minimized, late-flowering exotic plants may provide floral resources to support native pollinators when native plants are scarce.
Evaluation of new motorized articulating laparoscopic instruments by laparoscopic novices using a standardized laparoscopic skills curriculum
Authors: Uysal Daniel , Gasch Claudia , Behnisch Rouven , Nickel Felix , Müller-Stich Beat Peter , Hohenfellner Markus , Teber Dogu
Published: October 2020

Background

Motorized articulating laparoscopic instruments (ALI) offer more degrees of freedom than conventional laparoscopic instruments (CLI). However, a difficult learning curve and complex instrument handling are still a problem of ALI. We compared the performance of new prototypes of motorized ALI with CLI in a series of standardized laparoscopic tasks performed by laparoscopic novices. Further, usability of the new ALI was assessed.

Methods

A randomized cross-over study with 50 laparoscopic novices who either started with CLI and then changed to ALI (CA) or vice versa (AC) was conducted. All participants performed the European training in basic laparoscopic urological skills (E-BLUS) with each instrument in given order. Time and errors were measured for each exercise. Instrument usability was assessed.

Results

Overall, using CLI was significantly faster (CLI 4:27 min vs. ALI 4:50 min; p-value 0.005) and associated with fewer exercise failures in needle guidance (CLI 0 vs. ALI 12; p-value 0.0005) than ALI. Median amount of errors was similar for both instruments. Instrument sequence did not matter, as CA and AC showed comparable completion times. Regarding the learning effect, participants were significantly faster in the second attempt of exercises than in the first. In the needle guidance task, participants using CLI last demonstrated a significant speed improvement, whereas ALI were significantly slower in the second run. Regarding usability, CLI were preferred over ALI due to lighter weight and easier handling. Nevertheless, participants valued ALI’s additional degrees of freedom.

Conclusion

Using new motorized ALI in the E-BLUS examination by laparoscopic novices led to a worse performance compared to CLI. An explanation could be that participants felt overwhelmed by ALI and that ALI have an own distinct learning curve. As participants valued ALI’s additional degrees of freedom, however, a future application of ALI could be for training purposes, ideally in combination with CLI.
A teleconnection between sea surface temperature in the central and eastern Pacific and wintertime haze variations in southern China
Authors: Cheng Xugeng , Liu Jane , Zhao Tianliang , Gong Sunling , Xu Xiangde , Xie Xiaoning , Wang Rong
Published: October 2020

Haze pollution in recent decades varies largely with both pollutant emissions and meteorological conditions. Using the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) method, we separate these two influences on haze variations in southern China in the time series of haze observations from 1981 to 2011. This helps us to identify the meteorological influence on interannual variation in haze occurrences in southern China and thus observe a teleconnection between the thermal forcing of sea surface temperature (SST) in the central and eastern Pacific and wintertime haze occurrences in southern China (R = − 0.51, p < 0.05). The total haze days in winter is highest among all seasons over southern China and the climotological mean of number of winter haze days is 7.5 days for the region. Compared with the normal winters, the regional mean of the number of haze days in southern China is reduced by ~ 5 days in the winters with above-normal Niño3.4 SST (during El Niño phases), but increased by ~ 4 days in the winters with below-normal Niño3.4 SST (during La Niña phases). In the warm SST winters, the cumulative consequences of strong winds, more precipitation, and a more unstable atmosphere with an “upper colder and lower warmer” vertical pattern leading to more ascendance can all hinder haze formation, whereas in the cold SST winters, opposite meteorological conditions are favorable to haze formation. These meteorological conditions induced by anomalous SST make wintertime haze pollution in southern China vary from year to year to a large extent. This study suggests a strong sensitivity of winter haze occurrences in southern China to the viability of the SST in the central and eastern Pacific.
Scoping the ethical principles of cybersecurity fear appeals
Authors: Dupuis Marc , Renaud Karen
Published: October 2020

Fear appeals are used in many domains. Cybersecurity researchers are also starting to experiment with fear appeals, many reporting positive outcomes. Yet there are ethical concerns related to the use of fear to motivate action. In this paper, we explore this aspect from the perspectives of cybersecurity fear appealdeployersandrecipients. We commenced our investigation by considering fear appeals from three foundational ethical perspectives. We then consulted the two stakeholder groups to gain insights into the ethical concerns they consider to be pertinent. We first consulteddeployers: (a) fear appeal researchers and (b) Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), and then potential cybersecurity fear appealrecipients:members of a crowdsourcing platform. We used their responses to develop aneffects-reasoning matrix, identifying the potential benefits and detriments of cybersecurity fear appeals for all stakeholders. Using these insights, we derived six ethical principles to guide cybersecurity fear appeal deployment. We then evaluated a snapshot of cybersecurity studies using the ethical principle lens. Our contribution is,first, a list of potential detriments that could result from the deployment of cybersecurity fear appeals andsecond, the set of six ethical principles to inform the deployment of such appeals. Both of these are intended to inform cybersecurity fear appeal design and deployment.
Multiphysics Modelling of Stone Wool Fire Resistance
Authors: Paudel Deepak , Rinta-Paavola Aleksi , Mattila Hannu-Petteri , Hostikka Simo
Published: October 2020

In fire resistance tests, stone wool’s organic matter undergoes exothermic oxidative reactions sustained by external heat, causing mass transfer in the structure. The previous modelling attempts, lacking the mass transfer physics, fall short in predicting the temperature of high density and high organic content samples. To fill this gap in the fire engineering modelling capability, we include mass transfer in our calculation, and validate the model using experimental fire resistance data. As an alternative, we use a heat conduction -based model lacking the gas transfer but with reaction kinetics coupled to the stone wool’s organic mass %. The results show that the thermal effects of the oxidative degradation can be predicted by introducing the simplified diffusion processes. The oxygen transfer and exothermic reactions depend upon the amount of organic content, and the uncertainty of temperature predictions is $$\pm \,20\%$$

±

20
%

. In average, temperatures and critical times are more accurately predicted by the heat conduction model, while, the peak temperature prediction uncertainty is low ($$\pm \,10\%$$

±

10
%

) with the multiphysics model. The uncertainty compensation method reduces the difference between the two model predictions. Nevertheless, further validation study is needed to generalize the uncertainty compensation metrics. Finally, we demonstrate how a gas flow barrier on the cold side (sandwich) can effectively reduce the peak temperature of the high organic content-stone wools.
High thermal conductive copper/diamond composites: state of the art
Authors: Jia S. Q. , Yang F.
Published: October 2020

Copper/diamond composites have drawn lots of attention in the last few decades, due to its potential high thermal conductivity and promising applications in high-power electronic devices. However, the bottlenecks for their practical application are high manufacturing/machining cost and uncontrollable thermal performance affected by the interface characteristics, and the interface thermal conductance mechanisms are still unclear. In this paper, we reviewed the recent research works carried out on this topic, and this primarily includes (1) evaluating the commonly acknowledged principles for acquiring high thermal conductivity of copper/diamond composites that are produced by different processing methods; (2) addressing the factors that influence the thermal conductivity of copper/diamond composites; and (3) elaborating the interface thermal conductance problem to increase the understanding of thermal transferring mechanisms in the boundary area and provide necessary guidance for future designing the composite interface structure. The links between the composite’s interface thermal conductance and thermal conductivity, which are built quantitatively via the developed models, were also reviewed in the last part.