bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Metastasis in Melanoma by Enumerating Circulating Tumor Cells Using Photoacoustic Flow Cytometry
Authors: Edgar Robert H. , Tarhini Ahmad , Sander Cindy , Sanders Martin E. , Cook Justin L. , Viator John A.
Published: June 2020

Background and Objectives

Enumerating circulating tumor cells has been used as a method of monitoring progression of various cancers. Various methods for detecting circulating melanoma cells (CMCs) have been reported, but none has had sufficient sensitivity to determine if the presence of rare CMCs in the blood of Stage I–III melanoma patients predicts if those patients eventually develop metastatic disease.

Study Design

We quantified CMCs in serial blood samples from 38 early stage melanoma patients to determine if CMC numbers predict development of metastatic melanoma. CMCs were enumerated using a photoacoustic flow cytometric detection system that uses a laser to induce high frequency acoustic signals in pigmented CMCs.

Results

We observed that detection of greater than 2 CMCs/ml of blood from patients with Stage I–III melanoma predicts metastatic disease. Of the 11 patients we studied who had two or fewer CMCs detected at all time points tested, none progressed to metastatic disease over a mean follow‐up of 1288 days. In contrast, 18 of the 27 patients (67%) having more than 2 CMCs/ml at one or more time points progressed to metastatic disease over a mean follow‐up of 850 days.

Conclusions

Photoacoustic flow cytometry can detect rare CMCs in the blood of Stage I–III melanoma patients and detectionof these cells is predictive of subsequent development of metastatic disease. Lasers Surg. Med.
Affibody‐Conjugated RALA Polymers Delivering Oligomeric 5‐Fluorodeoxyuridine for Targeted Therapy of HER2 Overexpressing Gastric Cancer
Authors: Zhang Fanghua , Yin Jiwei , Zhang Chao , Han Mengnan , Wang Xuming , Fu Shuangqing , Du Jie , Zhang Honglei , Li Wei
Published: June 2020

Affibody‐conjugated RALA (affi‐RA) are designed for delivering oligomeric 5‐fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR, metabolite of 5‐FU) strand to raise the selectivity of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), decrease its toxicity and improve its suboptimal therapeutic efficacy. The nanodrugs, FUdR@affi‐RA, are spontaneously assembled by electrostatic interaction between positively charged affi‐RA and negatively charged FUdR15‐strands (15 consecutive FUdR). FUdR@affi‐RA exhibits excellent stability under simulated physiological conditions. Compared with free FUdR, FUdR@affi‐RA shows excellent targeting and higher cytotoxicity in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpressing gastric cancer N87 cells. Moreover, the anticancer mechanism studies reveal that FUdR@affi‐RA enhances the expression and activity of apoptosis‐associated proteins in the Bcl‐2/Bax‐caspase 8,9‐caspase 3 apoptotic pathway induced by FUdR. This study indicates that the fusion vector, affi‐RA, presents a promising delivery system platform for nucleoside analogue drugs and provides a new strategy for the development of therapeutics of cancer treatment.
D‐Peptide Builder: A Web Service to Enumerate, Analyze, and Visualize the Chemical Space of Combinatorial Peptide Libraries
Authors: Díaz‐Eufracio Bárbara I. , Palomino‐Hernández Oscar , Arredondo‐Sánchez Aarón , Medina‐Franco José L.
Published: June 2020

Peptide‐based drug discovery is re‐gaining attention in drug discovery. Similarly, combinatorial chemistry continues to be a useful technique for the rapid exploration of chemical space. A current challenge, however, is the enumeration of combinatorial peptide libraries using freely accessible tools. To facilitate the swift enumeration of combinatorial peptide libraries, we introduce herein D‐Peptide Builder. In the current version, the user can build up to pentapeptides, linear or cyclic, using the natural pool of 20 amino acids. The user can use non‐ and/or N‐methylated amino acids. The server also enables the rapid visualization of the chemical space of the newly enumerated peptides in comparison with other libraries relevant to drug discovery and preloaded in the server. D‐Peptide Builder is freely accessible at http://dpeptidebuilder. quimica.unam.mx:4000/. It is also accessible through the open D‐Tools platform (DIFACQUIM Tools for Chemoinformatics https://www.difacquim.com/d‐tools/).
Continuous dependence on boundary and Soret coefficients in double diffusive bidispersive convection
Authors: Franchi Franca , Nibbi Roberta , Straughan Brian
Published: June 2020

We develop a theory for double diffusive convection in a double porosity material along the Brinkman scheme. The Soret effect is included whereby a temperature gradient may directly influence salt concentration. The boundary conditions on the temperature and salt fields are of general Robin type. A number of a priori estimates are established whereby, through energy arguments, we prove continuous dependence of the solution on the Soret coefficient and on the coefficients in the boundary conditions in the L2‐ norm.
Microbiome Transfer Partly Overrides Lack of IL‐1RI Signaling to Alter Hepatic but not Adipose Tissue Phenotype and Lipid Handling following a High‐Fat Diet Challenge
Authors: Ralston Jessica C. , Mitchelson Kathleen A. J. , Lynch Gina M. , Tran Tam T. T. , Wang Hao , Strain Conall R. , Lenighan Yvonne M. , Kennedy Elaine B. , Stanton Catherine , McGillicuddy Fiona C. , Su Qiaozhu , O'Toole Paul W. , Roche Helen M.
Published: June 2020

Scope

IL‐1RI‐mediated inflammatory signaling alters metabolic tissue responses to dietary challenges (e.g., high‐fat diet [HFD]). Recent work suggests that metabolic phenotype is transferrable between mice in a shared living environment (i.e., co‐housing) due to gut microbiome exchange. The authors examine whether the metabolic phenotype of IL‐1RI−/− mice fed HFD or low‐fat diet (LFD) could be transferred to wild‐type (WT) mice through gut microbiome exchange facilitated by co‐housing.

Methods and results

Male WT (C57BL/J6) and IL‐1RI−/− mice are fed HFD (45% kcal) or LFD (10% kcal) for 24 weeks and housed i) by genotype (single‐housed) or ii) with members of the other genotype in a shared microbial environment (co‐housed). The IL‐1RI−/− gut microbiome is dominant to WT, meaning that co‐housed WT mice adopted the IL‐1RI−/− microbiota profile. This is concomitant with greater body weight, hepatic lipid accumulation, adipocyte hypertrophy, and hyperinsulinemia in co‐housed WT mice, compared to single‐housed counterparts. These effects are most evident following HFD. Primary features of microbiome differences are Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae (known producers of SCFA).

Conclusion

Transfer of SCFA‐producing microbiota from IL‐1RI−/− mice highlights a new connection between diet, inflammatory signaling, and the gut microbiome, an association that is dependent on the nature of the dietary fat challenge.
Analysis of via‐fed cylindrical dielectric resonator antennas
Authors: Vieira Juner M. , Heckler Marcos V. T.
Published: June 2020

In this letter, a study of a feeding technique applicable to cylindrical dielectric resonator antennas is presented. The feeding technique analyzed is based on vias glued at the lateral wall of the cylindrical resonator. A series of parametric studies, in terms of the orientation, position and dimensions of the vias, has been carried out to assess the sensitivity to imperfections of the fabrication process on the antenna parameters. In order to validate the computational results, a prototype has been manufactured and measured with a spherical near‐field test facility. The results in terms of S‐parameters and radiation pattern are presented and good agreement between simulations and measurements has been obtained.
Chemical simulation of hypoxia in donor cells improves development of somatic cell nuclear transfer‐derived embryos and increases abundance of transcripts related to glycolysis
Authors: Cecil Raissa F. , Chen Paula R. , Benne Joshua A. , Hord Taylor K. , Spate Lee D. , Samuel Melissa S. , Prather Randall S.
Published: June 2020

To improve efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), it is necessary to modify differentiated donor cells to become more amendable for reprogramming by the oocyte cytoplasm. A key feature that distinguishes somatic/differentiated cells from embryonic/undifferentiated cells is cellular metabolism, with somatic cells using oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) while embryonic cells utilize glycolysis. Inducing metabolic reprogramming in donor cells could improve SCNT efficiency by priming cells to become more embryonic in nature before SCNT hypoxia inducible factor 1‐α (HIF1‐α), a transcription factor that allows for cell survival in low oxygen, promotes a metabolic switch from OXPHOS to glycolysis. We hypothesized that chemically stabilizing HIF1‐α in donor cells by use of the hypoxia mimetic, cobalt chloride (CoCl2), would promote this metabolic switch in donor cells and subsequently improve the development of SCNT embryos. Donor cell treatment with 100 µM CoCl2 for 24 hr preceding SCNT upregulated messenfer RNA abundance of glycolytic enzymes, improved SCNT development to the blastocyst stage and quality, and affected gene expression in the blastocysts. After transferring blastocysts created from CoCl2‐treated donor cells to surrogates, healthy cloned piglets were produced. Therefore, shifting metabolism toward glycolysis in donor cells by CoCl2 treatment is a simple, economical way of improving the in vitro efficiency of SCNT and is capable of producing live animals.
Perspectives of parents on the meaning of happiness in children with long‐term illness: A hybrid concept analysis
Authors: Nukpezah Ruth Nimota , Cheraghi Mohammad Ali , Pashaeypoor Shahzad , Sadat Hoseini Akram Sadat
Published: June 2020

Aim

To define the concept of happiness among children with chronic disease.

Background

Happiness is an old human quest, the existing literature on the definition of happiness among children with chronic diseases is sparse.

Methods

The three‐phase hybrid model was used. In the first (theoretical) phase, a literature review was conducted. In the second (fieldwork) phase, the semi‐structured interview data were analysed through content analysis. Ten participants were purposively sampled. In the third (final analytic) phase, the practical definition of the concept was identified.

Results

The practical definition of happiness in a Ghanaian chronically ill child is the “subjective and positive lifelong process of adapting to biological, physiological, psychosocial, economic and environmental changes caused by the disease trajectory, which affects the well‐being of the child and the family.”

Conclusions

This study offers a background for selecting appropriate health indicators and outcome measures in promoting happiness in children with chronic diseases.
Pediatric cancer research: Surviving COVID‐19
Authors: Auletta Jeffery J. , Adamson Peter C. , Agin Jonathan E. , Kearns Pamela , Kennedy Scott , Kieran Mark W. , Ludwinski Donna M. , Knox Leona J. , McKay Kristi , Rhiner Pia , Thiele Carol J. , Cripe Timothy P.
Published: June 2020

A diverse panel of pediatric cancer advocates and experts, whose collective experience spans the continuum of international academic medicine, industry, government research, and cancer advocacy, recently discussed challenges for pediatric cancer research in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Specifically, this special report addresses the following focus areas: (a) the critical role that translational research has played in transforming pediatric cancer outcomes; (b) the current and potential future impact of COVID‐19 on pediatric cancer research; (c) target areas of COVID‐19 research that may have application in immunity, oncogenesis, and therapeutic discovery; and (d) future considerations and directions in maintaining pediatric cancer research during and after COVID‐19.
Variation in the bombesin staining of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells in pediatric pulmonary disorders—A useful marker for airway maturity
Authors: Emiralioğlu Nagehan , Orhan Diclehan , Cinel Güzin , Tuğcu Gökçen Dilşa , Yalçın Ebru , Doğru Deniz , Özçelik Uğur , Griese Matthias , Kiper Nural
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (NEC) increase with age due to pulmonary maturity. The aim of this study was to determine whether open lung biopsies from patients with interstitial lung diseases have increased pulmonary NEC compared with neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy (NEHI). Our second aim was to assess pulmonary NECs in the lung autopsy of children without lung disease who died from different causes.

Methods

Lung tissue of 5 infants with NEHI; 21 patients with pediatric interstitial lung disease (chILD); 17 lung autopsies of infants at varying age without lung disease were included. The percentage of the airways containing neuroendocrine cells, the average percentage of neuroendocrine cells (NECs) per airway, and the number of neuroendocrine bodies (NEBs) in each case were analyzed.

Results

The mean percentage of the airways containing neuroendocrine cells were 95% in the NEHI group, 30% in the chILD group, 89% under Intrauterine 37 weeks, 70% between intrauterine 37 to 40 weeks, 52% at postnatal 4 days to 6 months of autopsy ages. In the NEHI group, diffuse NE cell distribution and large NEBs were noticed in the lung biopsy. In the chILD group, neuroendocrine cells were dispersed, did not form clusters and NE cells showed solitary distribution. In the lung autopsy group, linear NE cells were detected at younger aged fetuses and solitary distribution of NE cells was detected with the older increasing age.

Conclusions

Our findings confirm that NECs are seen in many other childhood interstitial lung diseases; NE cell hyperplasia may be a marker of decreased pulmonary development and NE cells decrease with the increasing age of the fetus during Intrauterine life.
PyXlinkViewer: A flexible tool for visualization of protein chemical crosslinking data within the PyMOL molecular graphics system
Authors: Schiffrin Bob , Radford Sheena E. , Brockwell David J. , Calabrese Antonio N.
Published: June 2020

Chemical crosslinking‐mass spectrometry (XL‐MS) is a valuable technique for gaining insights into protein structure and the organization of macromolecular complexes. XL‐MS data yield inter‐residue restraints that can be compared with high‐resolution structural data. Distances greater than the crosslinker spacer‐arm can reveal lowly populated “excited” states of proteins/protein assemblies, or crosslinks can be used as restraints to generate structural models in the absence of structural data. Despite increasing uptake of XL‐MS, there are few tools to enable rapid and facile mapping of XL‐MS data onto high‐resolution structures or structural models. PyXlinkViewer is a user‐friendly plugin for PyMOL v2 that maps intra‐protein, inter‐protein, and dead‐end crosslinks onto protein structures/models and automates the calculation of inter‐residue distances for the detected crosslinks. This enables rapid visualization of XL‐MS data, assessment of whether a set of detected crosslinks is congruent with structural data, and easy production of high‐quality images for publication.
Timing of Antiviral Treatment Initiation is Critical to Reduce SARS‐CoV‐2 Viral Load
Authors: Gonçalves Antonio , Bertrand Julie , Ke Ruian , Comets Emmanuelle , de Lamballerie Xavier , Malvy Denis , Pizzorno Andrés , Terrier Olivier , Rosa Calatrava Manuel , Mentré France , Smith Patrick , Perelson Alan S. , Guedj Jérémie
Published: June 2020

We modeled the viral dynamics of 13 untreated patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 to infer viral growth parameters and predict the effects of antiviral treatments. In order to reduce peak viral load by more than two logs, drug efficacy needs to be > 90% if treatment is administered after symptom onset; an efficacy of 60% could be sufficient if treatment is initiated before symptom onset. Given their pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties, current investigated drugs may be in a range of 6–87% efficacy. They may help control virus if administered very early, but may not have a major effect in severely ill patients.
Comparative Study of Light Guiding by Freestanding Linear Chains of Spherical Au and Si Nanoparticles
Authors: Barabanenkov Mikhail Yu. , Italyantsev Aleksandr G. , Sapegin Aleksandr A.
Published: June 2020

Electromagnetic energy guiding by free‐standing straight finite chains of Au and Si spherical nanoparticles is comparatively studied on the basis of a system of integral equations for self‐consistent currents excited inside particles. Self‐consistent currents are given in terms of an electric field T‐scattering tensor (dyadic) operator of a single particle of any shape. Simplifying the T‐scattering operator, the equations system is resolved analytically in the nearest‐neighbor coupling approximation. Interactions beyond the nearest neighbors are accounted for by the perturbative theory. It is shown that electromagnetic excitation propagates along a chain of coupled particles without radiation losses in the form of a dark mode. The resonant conditions for the coupling parameter yield the frequency of the dark mode and the corresponding radius of the particles. As a result, unlike Au chains, no long‐range electromagnetic energy transfer was revealed along the Si chains. Physically, in both cases of Au and Si spheres, the resonant frequencies fall within the bands of the corresponding electric dipole Mie resonances. However, the positive value of the real part of the Si refraction index at the resonant frequency causes exponential excitation currents decreasing with the particle number.
Challenges for hydropeaking mitigation in an ice‐covered river: A case study of the Eg hydropower plant, Mongolia
Authors: Sukhbaatar Chinzorig , Sodnom Tumurchudur , Hauer Christoph
Published: June 2020

In addition to the well‐known biotic response to hydropeaking, the occurrence of ice, its interrelation with hydropeaking and possible mitigation are still poorly investigated. The goal of this study was to determine the impacts of hydropeaking on ice formation and the design of possible mitigation measures in the cold Mongolian climate. The study was conducted for the Eg hydropower plant, which is intended to be built on the lower course of the Eg River in northern Mongolia. To achieve this aim, representative hydrographs of three scenarios, that is, (a) unregulated flow, (b) regulated flow without mitigation measures and (c) flow regulated by a downstream buffer dam, were defined using the reservoir simulation model HEC‐ResSim. These three hydrological scenarios were compared according to the hydraulic parameters and the predicted ice formation and simulated by the HEC‐RAS hydraulic model, especially for the cold season from November to February. The results show that the river morphology interacts with hydropeaking, with ice walls building up along both banks of the river in the dewatering areas. The build‐up of ice walls increases the risk of flood damage downstream due to melting ice jams, as the braided active channels are covered by ice up to a width of 2.6 km and a maximum depth of 3.0 m due to hydropeaking. In conclusion, it was found that high priority has to be given to achieving hydrological mitigation with the proposed buffer dam.
Similarities of Coordination Polymer and Dimeric Complex of Europium(III) with Joint and Separate Terpyridine and Benzoate
Authors: Sedykh Alexander E. , Sotnik Svetlana A. , Kurth Dirk G. , Volochnyuk Dmitriy M. , Kolotilov Sergey V. , Müller‐Buschbaum Klaus
Published: June 2020

A dimeric complex of trivalent europium [Eu2Cl4(bc)2(ptpy)2] (1), containing the separate ligands 4'‐phenyl‐2,2':6',2''‐terpyridine (ptpy) and benzoate (bc–) and a one‐dimensional double strand coordination polymer of the composition 1∞[EuCl2(cptpy)] (2) with 4‐[2,2':6',2''‐terpyridin]‐4'‐yl‐benzoate (cptpy–) were obtained. The products exhibit structural similarities despite the character of joint and separate functionality of the ligands. The dimer 1 shows photoluminescence with high quantum yield [61(2) %]. Eu3+ emission lifetime is 1.493(1) ms at room temperature and rises to 1.649(1) ms upon cooling to 77 K.
Microwave‐Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Thermal Decomposition of Strontium Citrate Monohydrate Sr3(C6H5O7)2·H2O
Authors: Hämmer Matthias , Wessels Vivien , Ettlinger Romy , Höppe Henning. A.
Published: June 2020

Microcrystalline strontium citrate monohydrate Sr3(C6H5O7)2·H2O was prepared by a microwave‐assisted hydrothermal synthesis. Single‐crystal X‐ray structure determination (P1, a = 10.0572(4), b = 10.1506(5), c = 10.8531(5) Å, α = 89.642(2)°, β = 67.156(2)°, γ = 62.367(2)°, 3040 independent reflections, 353 refined parameters, wR2 = 0.066) revealed three different Sr sites coordinated eight‐, nine and ten‐fold by two crystallographically different citrate molecules with one comprising oriental disorder, but not by the crystal water molecule. These findings are supported by energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, powder XRD, infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Further, the latter three methods are applied to the hitherto only strontium citrate hydrate with known crystal structure Sr3(C6H5O7)2·5H2O and both compounds are compared, especially with respect to their possible application as precursors.
Evidence-Based PET for Thoracic Tumours
Authors: Lococo Filippo , Cesario Alfredo , Margaritora Stefano , Treglia Giorgio
Published: June 2020

Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) is a robust imaging tool that is currently used in daily clinical practice for the evaluation of thoracic malignancies. This chapter provides an overview of the current evidence-based data on the usefulness of PET/CT for the evaluation of patients with thoracic tumours including lung cancer, pleural and thymic tumours, and esophageal cancer.
Does playing a wind instrument influence tooth position and facial morphology?
Authors: van der Weijden F. N. , Kuitert R. B. , Lobbezoo F. , Valkenburg C. , van der Weijden G. A. , Slot D. E.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To systematically search the scientific literature concerning the influence of playing a wind instrument on tooth position and/or facial morphology.

Methods

The PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched up to September 2019. Orthodontic journals were hand searched and grey literature was sought via Google Scholar. Observational studies and (randomized) controlled clinical trials that assessed tooth position and/or facial morphology by profile cephalograms, dental casts or clinical examination were included. The potential risk of bias was assessed. Data from wind instrument players and controls were extracted. Descriptive analysis and meta-analysis were performed.

Results

In total, 10 eligible studies with a cross-sectional (n = 7) or longitudinal design (n = 3) and an estimated low to serious risk of bias were included. Sample sizes ranged from 36 to 170 participants, varying from children to professional musicians. Descriptive analysis indicated that adults playing a single-reed instrument may have a larger overjet than controls. Playing a brass instrument might be associated with an increase in maxillary and mandibular intermolar width among children. Longitudinal data showed less increase in anterior facial height among brass and single-reed players between the age of 6 and 15. Children playing a wind instrument showed thicker lips than controls. Meta-analysis revealed that after a follow-up of 6 months to 3 years, children playing brass instruments had a significant reduction in overjet as compared to controls. The magnitude of the effect was of questionable clinical relevance and the generalizability was limited.

Conclusions

Playing a wind instrument can influence tooth position and facial morphology in both children and adults. Aspects that stand out are overjet, arch width, facial divergence/convergence and lip thickness. However, evidence was sparse and the strength of the premise emerging from this review was graded to be “very low”.
Transcriptomes from German shepherd dogs reveal differences in immune activity between atopic dermatitis affected and control skin
Authors: Tengvall K. , Bergvall K. , Olsson M. , Ardesjö-Lundgren B. , Farias F. H. G. , Kierczak M. , Hedhammar Å. , Lindblad-Toh K. , Andersson G.
Published: June 2020

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is an inflammatory and pruritic allergic skin disease with both genetic and environmental risk factors described. We performed mRNA sequencing of non-lesional axillary skin biopsies from nine German shepherd dogs. Obtained RNA sequences were mapped to the dog genome (CanFam3.1) and a high-quality skin transcriptome was generated with 23,510 expressed gene transcripts. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were defined by comparing three controls to five treated CAD cases. Using a leave-one-out analysis, we identified seven DEGs: five known to encode proteins with functions related to an activated immune system (CD209,CLEC4G,LOC102156842(lipopolysaccharide-binding protein-like),LOC480601(regakine-1-like),LOC479668(haptoglobin-like)), one (OBP) encoding an odorant-binding protein potentially connected to rhinitis, and the last (LOC607095) encoding a novel long non-coding RNA. Furthermore, high mRNA expression of inflammatory genes was found in axillary skin from an untreated mild CAD case compared with healthy skin. In conclusion, we define genes with different expression patterns in CAD case skin helping us understand post-treatment atopic skin. Further studies in larger sample sets are warranted to confirm and to transfer these results into clinical practice.
Curing kinetics and ionic interactions in layered double hydroxides–nitrile rubber Mg–Al-LDHs–XNBR composites
Authors: Lipińska Magdalena , Gaca Magdalena , Zaborski Marian
Published: June 2020

The carboxylated butadiene–acrylonitrile XNBR composites containing layered double hydroxides (Mg–Al-LDHs) were prepared with the aim to investigate the effect of various Mg:Al ratio in the filler composition on the rheological behavior, kinetic of curing and viscoelastic properties of final material. Due to the presence of metal cations, LDHs can form ionic cross-links with carboxylic functional groups of XNBR nitrile rubber. The DSC analysis indicated lower ranges of curing temperatures as the Mg:Al ratio raised (90–184 °C for Pural MG63, 88–187 °C for Pural MG70). The apparent energy of activation Ea decreased with increasing Mg:Al ratio reaching the value of 111.46 kJˑmole−1 for XNBR composite containing Pural MG70. The rheological analysis revealed the presence of specific polymer–nanofillers and fillers–fillers interactions. The XNBR–LDHs rubbers exhibited two transitions corresponding to the glass temperature of elastomer Tg (in range of −13.08 to −13.60 °C) and the ionic transition temperature Tα′ (in range of 32.95–37.90 °C). The ionic transition temperature Tα′ was not observed for the nitrile rubber composite containing Pural MG5 with the lowest Mg:Al ratio. The formed ordered ionic phase significantly affected the viscoelastic behavior of XNBR composites at room and sub-zero temperatures leading to the increase in the storage modulus G′. Therefore, among the various possible applications of LDHs, their use in rubber technology offers the potential for production of environmentally friendly rubber products cured without any additional curatives.
Transition from laparoscopic to robotic rectal resection: outcomes and learning curve of the initial 100 cases
Authors: Olthof Pim B. , Giesen Louis J. X. , Vijfvinkel Teddy S. , Roos Daphne , Dekker Jan Willem T.
Published: June 2020

Background

Following several landmark trials, laparoscopic rectal resection has reached standard clinical practice. Current literature is undecided on the advantages of robotic rectal resection and little is known on its learning curve. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of the first 100 robotic rectal resections to the laparoscopic approach in a teaching hospital experienced in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted of a prospective cohort of all consecutive rectal resections between January 2012 and September 2019 at a single center. All laparoscopic cases were compared to the robotic approach. Outcomes included operative time, morbidity, anastomotic leakage, and hospital stay.

Results

Out of the 326 consecutive resections, 100 were performed robotically and 220 laparoscopically, the remaining 6 open cases were excluded. Median operative time was lower for robotic cases (147 (121–167) versus 162 (120–218) minutes P = 0.024). Overall morbidity was lower in robotic cases (25% versus 50%, P < 0.001), while major morbidity was similar. Anastomotic leakage was observed in 11% (8/70) of robotic and 15% (18/120) of laparoscopic anastomoses, despite more anastomoses in the robotic group (70%, 70/100 versus 55%, 120/220, P = 0.001). Median length of stay was 4 (4–7) days after a robotic and 6 (5–9) days after a laparoscopic procedure.

Discussion

Implementation of a robotic rectal resection program in an experienced laparoscopic surgery center was associated with reduced operative time, length of stay, and fewer complications despite a learning curve.
Progress in the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics Method to Simulate and Post-process Numerical Simulations of Annular Airblast Atomizers
Authors: Chaussonnet G. , Dauch T. , Keller M. , Okraschevski M. , Ates C. , Schwitzke C. , Koch R. , Bauer H.-J.
Published: June 2020

This paper illustrates recent progresses in the development of the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method to simulate and post-process liquid spray generation. The simulation of a generic annular airblast atomizer is presented, in which a liquid sheet is fragmented by two concentric counter swirling air streams. The accent is put on how the SPH method can bridge the gap between the CAD geometry of a nozzle and its characterization, in terms of spray characteristics and dynamics. In addition, the Lagrangian nature of the SPH method allows to extract additional data to give further insight in the spraying process. First, the sequential breakup events can be tracked from one large liquid blob to very fine stable droplets. This is herein called the tree of fragmentation. From this tree of fragmentation, abstract quantities can be drawn such as the breakup activity and the fragmentation spectrum. Second, the Lagrangian coherent structures in the turbulent flow can be determined easily with the finite-time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE). The extraction of the FTLE is particularly feasible in the SPH framework. Finally, it is pointed out that there is no universal and ultimate non-dimensional number that can characterize airblast primary breakup. Depending on the field of interest, a non-dimensional number (e.g. Weber number) might be more appropriate than another one (e.g. momentum flux ratio) to characterize the regime, and vice versa.
Sex Bias and Social Influences on Savanna Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) Nest Building Behavior
Authors: Stewart Fiona A. , Pruetz Jill D.
Published: June 2020

Many primates show sex differences in behavior, particularly social behavior, but also tool use for extractive foraging. All great apes learn to build a supportive structure for sleep. Whether sex differences exist in building, as in extractive foraging, is unknown, and little is known about how building skills develop and vary between individuals in the wild. We therefore aimed to describe the nesting behavior of savanna chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Fongoli, Senegal to provide comparative data and to investigate possible sex or age differences in nest building behaviors and nest characteristics. We followed chimpanzee groups to their night nesting sites to record group (55 nights) and individual level data (17 individuals) on nest building initiation and duration (57 nests) during the dry season between October 2007 and March 2008. We returned the following morning to record nest and tree characteristics (71 nests built by 25 individuals). Fongoli chimpanzees nested later than reported for other great apes, but no sex differences in initiating building emerged. Observations were limited but suggest adult females and immature males to nest higher, in larger trees than adult males, and adult females to take longer to build than either adult or immature males. Smaller females and immature males may avoid predation or access thinner, malleable branches, by nesting higher than adult males. These differences suggest that sex differences described for chimpanzee tool use may extend to nest building, with females investing more time and effort in constructing a safe, warm structure for sleep than males do.
The effect of feeding culture media with biogenetic precursors on high production of depsides in agitated shoot cultures of black and red aronias
Authors: Szopa Agnieszka , Kubica Paweł , Komsta Łukasz , Walkowicz-Bożek Aleksandra , Ekiert Halina
Published: June 2020

Agitated shoot cultures of two aronias, Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott and Aronia arbutifolia (L.) Pers., were maintained on Murashige & Skoog medium (1 mg/l BA and 1 mg/l NAA), both with and without the addition of various biosynthetic precursors of phenolic acids and depsides (phenylalanine, cinnamic acid, benzoic acid and caffeic acid). Each substance was added in 5 concentrations (0.1–10 mmol/l), each concentration at two time points (at the beginning and on the 10th day of cultures). Twenty-four phenolic acids were determined in methanolic extracts of the biomasses collected after 20 days of growth cycles by means of HPLC method with DAD detection. The presence of seven compounds was confirmed in all the extracts—five depsides (neochlorogenic, chlorogenic, cryptochlorogenic, isochlorogenic and rosmarinic acids), and syringic and caffeic acids. The main metabolites in A. melanocarpa shoot extracts were isochlorogenic, chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids (max. 249.88, 450.35, 192.16 mg/100 g DW). The main metabolites in A. arbutifolia shoot extracts were: chlorogenic, isochlorogenic and cryptochlorogenic acids (max. 361.60, 224.5, 526.2 mg/100 g DW). The largest total amounts of the compounds were confirmed in the cultures of both aronias after the addition of cinnamic acid (989.79 and 661.77 mg/100 g DW, respectively) and caffeic acid (854.99 and 1098.46 mg/100 g DW, respectively) at concentrations of 5 mmol/l on 10th day of growth cycles. These maximum amounts were 3.41, 3.42, 2.95 and 5.67 times higher, respectively, than in the control cultures. This is the first report documenting the high production of depsides in shoot cultures of black and red aronias after feeding with their biosynthetic precursors.
SpeckleGAN: a generative adversarial network with an adaptive speckle layer to augment limited training data for ultrasound image processing
Authors: Bargsten Lennart , Schlaefer Alexander
Published: June 2020

Purpose

In the field of medical image analysis, deep learning methods gained huge attention over the last years. This can be explained by their often improved performance compared to classic explicit algorithms. In order to work well, they need large amounts of annotated data for supervised learning, but these are often not available in the case of medical image data. One way to overcome this limitation is to generate synthetic training data, e.g., by performing simulations to artificially augment the dataset. However, simulations require domain knowledge and are limited by the complexity of the underlying physical model. Another method to perform data augmentation is the generation of images by means of neural networks.

Methods

We developed a new algorithm for generation of synthetic medical images exhibiting speckle noise via generative adversarial networks (GANs). Key ingredient is a speckle layer, which can be incorporated into a neural network in order to add realistic and domain-dependent speckle. We call the resulting GAN architecture SpeckleGAN.

Results

We compared our new approach to an equivalent GAN without speckle layer. SpeckleGAN was able to generate ultrasound images with very crisp speckle patterns in contrast to the baseline GAN, even for small datasets of 50 images. SpeckleGAN outperformed the baseline GAN by up to 165 % with respect to the Fréchet Inception distance. For artery layer and lumen segmentation, a performance improvement of up to 4 % was obtained for small datasets, when these were augmented with images by SpeckleGAN.

Conclusion

SpeckleGAN facilitates the generation of realistic synthetic ultrasound images to augment small training sets for deep learning based image processing. Its application is not restricted to ultrasound images but could be used for every imaging methodology that produces images with speckle such as optical coherence tomography or radar.
Investigation of C–N Formation Between Catechols and Chitosan for the Formation of a Strong, Novel Adhesive Mimicking Mussel Adhesion
Authors: Capitain Charlotte , Wagner Sebastian , Hummel Joana , Tippkötter Nils
Published: June 2020

Mussel-inspired catechol-containing polymers provide a promising basis for developing strong biogenic adhesives. In order to develop such an adhesive, chitosan was functionalized with protocatechuic acid (PCA) via a Michael-type addition. Kinetic models for the C–N bond formation between primary amines and catechols via Michael-type addition suggest that the reaction is promoted by a low pKa value of the primary amine used and a neutral or mildly acidic reaction pH. Since the pKa of chitosan is below 7, spontaneous reactions with catechols were expected, as was confirmed using FT-IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy where spontaneous reactions occurred at pH 5 and 6.5. FT-IR spectroscopy further validated the kinetic model by showing that the spontaneous reaction between chitosan and PCA did not occur at a pH of 1. While laccases accelerated the C–N bond formation between chitosan and catechols, the formation of either PCA-chitosan agglomerates or DHC-chitosan hydrogels was promoted. For a PCA-functionalized chitosan an adhesion strength of 4.56 ± 0.54 MPa (on sand blasted aluminum surfaces) was achieved. Since the functionalization and curing process uses naturally occurring substances exclusively and is free of toxic chemicals, a novel and sustainable bio-adhesive was developed.

Graphic Abstract
The properties of reservoir water in post-mining excavations of Cambrian and Devonian quartzite sandstones (Holy Cross Mountains)
Authors: Molenda Tadeusz , Ciupa Tadeusz , Suligowski Roman
Published: June 2020

In the Holy Cross Mountains (southern Poland), there are numerous disused quarries. Some of these are filled with water, and some, despite their nearby location, have extremely diverse physicochemical and chemical properties of their waters. One such object is the Wiśniówka Mała reservoir. Its waters contain large amounts of sulfates (> 700 mg/L) and iron (24 mg/L), which are weathering products of rocks containing metal sulfides (mainly pyrite) in the direct drainage zone. As a consequence, there is an increase in the electrolytic conductivity of the water supplying the reservoir, resulting in very low pH values (< 4). This article presents the detailed limnological characteristics of this reservoir and explains the process that led to its water acidification. A control reservoir, Barcza, was also selected for the tests. Although it is also a post-mining excavation, it has a neutral pH and a low concentration of sulfates and iron. The examined reservoirs differ in the hydrochemical type of waters. The Wiśniówka Mała reservoir represents a sulfate–calcium double-ion type (SO42−–Ca2+) and the Barcza reservoir, a bicarbonate–calcium type (HCO3−–Ca2+). The concentrations of the main ions occurring here are shaped by the lithological features of the surrounding rocks (respectively: Upper Cambrian quartzite sandstones with pyrite mineralization zones, Lower Devonian sandstones cut by mudstones and claystones with tuffite inserts).
Does Information Change Attitudes Toward Immigrants?
Authors: Grigorieff Alexis , Roth Christopher , Ubfal Diego
Published: June 2020

Strategies aimed at reducing negative attitudes toward immigrants are at the core of integration policies. A large literature shows that misperceptions about the size and characteristics of immigrants are common. A few studies implemented interventions to correct innumeracy regarding the size of the immigrant population, but they did not detect any effects on attitudes. We study whether providing information not only about the size but also about the characteristics of the immigrant population can have stronger effects. We conduct two online experiments with samples from the United States, providing one-half of the participants with five statistics about immigration. This information bundle improves people’s attitudes toward current legal immigrants. Most effects are driven by Republicans and other groups with more negative initial attitudes toward immigrants. In our second experiment, we show that treatment effects persist one month later. Finally, we analyze a large cross-country survey experiment to provide external validity to the finding that information about the size of the foreign-born population is not enough to change policy views. We conclude that people with negative views on immigration before the intervention can become more supportive of immigration if their misperceptions about the characteristics of the foreign-born population are corrected.
Secondary tension pneumothorax in a COVID-19 pneumonia patient: a case report
Authors: Spiro Judith E. , Sisovic Snezana , Ockert Ben , Böcker Wolfgang , Siebenbürger Georg
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Especially in elderly and multimorbid patients, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may result in severe pneumonia and secondary complications. Recent studies showed pneumothorax in rare cases, but tension pneumothorax has only been reported once.

Case presentation

A 47-year-old male was admitted to the emergency department with fever, dry cough and sore throat for the last 14 days as well as acute stenocardia and shortage of breath. Sputum testing (polymerase chain reaction, PCR) confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Initial computed tomography (CT) showed bipulmonary groundglass opacities and consolidations with peripheral distribution. Hospitalization with supportive therapy (azithromycin) as well as non-invasive oxygenation led to a stabilization of the patient. After 5 days, sputum testing was negative and IgA/IgG antibody titres were positive for SARS-CoV-2. The patient was discharged after 7 days.

On the 11th day, the patient realized pronounced dyspnoea after coughing and presented to the emergency department again. CT showed a right-sided tension pneumothorax, which was relieved by a chest drain (Buelau) via mini open thoracotomy. Negative pressure therapy resulted in regression of the pneumothorax and the patient was discharged after 9 days of treatment.

Conclusion

Treating physicians should be aware that COVID-19 patients might develop severe secondary pulmonary complications such as acute tension pneumothorax.

Level of evidence

V
Photosynthetic properties and biochemical metabolism of Cucurbita moschata genotypes following infection with powdery mildew
Authors: Chen Bi-Hua , Guo Wei-Li , Yang He-Lian , Li Qing-Fei , Zhou Jun-Guo , Li Xin-Zheng
Published: June 2020

Powdery mildew (PM) is one of the most important fungal diseases in Cucurbita moschata (pumpkin) cultivation. This experiment was conducted to shed light on the physiological mechanisms of PM resistance in pumpkin cultivars. PM pathogen was inoculated on pumpkin seedlings, PM-susceptible genotype (JJJD) and PM-resistant genotype (inbred line 112–2) to study the PM-fungal growth, plant photosynthetic and biochemical parameters with different intervals of time. The disease index and pathogen growth observed for the PM-infected 112–2 seedlings were milder than those observed for the JJJD seedlings. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) were reduced for both the PM-infected genotypes, while the internal CO2 concentration (Ci) increased in comparison with the non-infected controls. PM pathogen inoculation impaired the photosynthetic performance in seedlings of both genotypes and this was largely associated with stomatal closure. In comparison with the non-infected controls, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and β-1,3-glucanase activities were reduced for both the PM-infected genotypes, while the peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activities were increased. The catalase (CAT) activity was reduced in the 112–2 genotype and increased in the JJJD genotype after PM pathogen inoculation. Together, our data show that PM resistance in pumpkin seedlings is associated with the maintenance of photosynthetic performance and the regulation of defense-related enzyme activities .
Incidence and factors associated with postoperative sore throat for patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation at Debre Tabor General Hospital, North central Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Fenta Efrem , Teshome Diriba , Melaku Dessie , Tesfaw Aragaw
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACT

Background:

Identifying the factors associated with post-operative sore throat is important for better patient outcome. Supportive evidence towards it is not well-established in developing countries like Ethiopia.

Objective:

To assess the incidence and factors associated with postoperative sore throat among patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation.

Methods:

Hospital based cross-sectional study design was employed. Binary and multivariable logistic regression were used to measure association between the factors and the outcome at 95%CI using Adjusted Odds ratio (AOR). P-value <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.

Results:

A total of 123 patients were included in this study and the incidence of postoperative sore throat within 24 h after operation was 48.8%. In multivariate logistic regression, being female (AOR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.13, 5.85) and multiple number of attempts (AOR = 3.81, 95% CI: 1.51, 9.62) had significant association with post-operative sorethroat. The ETT sizes of 6.5, 7.0 and 7.5 in millimeter were the factors statistically significantly associated with post-operative sore throat with p values of 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03 respectively.

Conclusions:

Larger ETT size and multiple number of attempts of laryngoscopy might increase the risk of developing postoperative sore throat.

Highlights:
Discursive Struggles for Multicultural Curriculum in South Korea
Authors: Kang Jiyoung
Published: June 2020

This paper examines how discourses on multicultural education are constructed in the recent curriculum reforms of South Korea. In response to the rapid demographic change in the last two decades, the South Korean government has revised its national curriculum to promote multicultural education. However, contrary to the benign intention, multicultural education often serves to perpetuate the dominant group's perspectives. By employing critical discourse analysis, this study investigates implicit messages of multicultural education embedded in the recently revised national curricula of social studies. The findings of this study reveal that the revised curricula contain five competing discourses including pluralist, conservative, essentialist, neoliberal, and critical multiculturalism, each of which has conflicting values and approaches to multicultural education. This discursive conflict in the new curricula shows ambivalence and conceptual instability of multicultural education promoted by the Korean government. By demonstrating how multiple and conflicting discourses coexist in the national curriculum at the same time, this study complicates previous research focusing on unpacking a single predominant discourse in multicultural education.