bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Otitis media with effusion in Africa‐prevalence and associated factors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Choffor‐Nchinda Emmanuel , Bola Siafa Antoine , Nansseu Jobert Richie
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To estimate the overall and subgroup prevalence of otitis media with effusion (OME) in Africa, and identify setting‐specific predictors in children and adults.

Methods

PubMed, African Journals Online, African Index Medicus, Afrolib, SciELO, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, GreyLit and OpenGray were searched to identify relevant articles on OME in Africa, from inception to December 31st 2019. A random‐effects model was used to pool outcome estimates.

Results

Overall, 38 studies were included, with 27 in meta‐analysis (40 331 participants). The overall prevalence of OME in Africa was 6% (95% CI: 5%‐7%; I2 = 97.5%, P < .001). The prevalence was 8% (95% CI: 7%‐9%) in children and 2% (95% CI: 0.1%‐3%) in adolescents/adults. North Africa had the highest prevalence (10%; 95% CI: 9%‐13%), followed by West and Southern Africa (9%; 95% CI: 7%‐10% and 9%; 95% CI: 6%‐12% respectively), Central Africa (7%; 95% CI: 5%‐10%) and East Africa (2%; 95% CI: 1%‐3%). There was no major variability in prevalence over the last four decades. Cleft palate was the strongest predictor (OR: 5.2; 95% CI: 1.4‐18.6, P = .02). Other significant associated factors were age, adenoid hypertrophy, allergic rhinitis in children, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, low CD4 count in adults.

Conclusion

OME prevalence was similar to that reported in other settings, notably high‐income temperate countries. Health care providers should consider age, presence of cleft palate, adenoid hypertrophy and allergic rhinitis when assessing OME in children and deciding on a management plan. More research is required to confirm risk factors and evaluate treatment options.

Level of Evidence

3a
Viability of Low Molecular Weight Lignin in Developing Thiol‐Ene Polymer Electrolytes with Balanced Thermomechanical and Conductive Properties
Authors: Baroncini Elyse A. , Rousseau Dominique M. , Strekis Christopher A. , Stanzione Joseph F.
Published: November 2020

Polymer electrolytes with high aromatic content are prepared through thiol‐ene polymerization with functionalized, low molecular weight fractions of softwood pine Kraft lignin, and wheat straw/Sarkanda grass soda lignin. Differing solubility, functionality, and aromatic content of the lignin fractions vary the glass transition temperatures of the resulting polymers and the suitability for electrolyte applications. The softwood pine Kraft lignin is used as a precursor for a gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) with room temperature conductivity of 72 × 10–7 S cm–1, while the wheat straw/Sarkanda grass soda lignin is utilized in solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) with room temperature conductivity values in the range of 5 × 10–5– 7 × 10–5 S cm–1. The lignin‐based GPE displays similar conductivity but improved thermal stability to a comparable, recently reported GPE containing an allylated, monophenolic, lignin‐derived, vanillin‐derived monomer. The lignin‐based SPEs exhibit excellent cationic transport with ion transference values up to 0.90. The promising conductivity and ion transference results reveal the potential for use of functionalized, low molecular weight wheat straw/Sarkanda grass soda lignin in SPE applications as a way to improve thermal stability, electrochemical performance, and incorporate an abundant, sustainable resource in a high performance application.
Mechanisms of melanocyte death in vitiligo
Authors: Chen Jianru , Li Shuli , Li Chunying
Published: November 2020

Vitiligo is an autoimmune depigment disease results from extensive melanocytes destruction. The destruction of melanocyte is thought to be of multifactorial causation. Genome‐wide associated studies have identified single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in a panel of susceptible loci as risk factors in melanocyte death. But vitiligo onset can't be solely attributed to a susceptive genetic background. Oxidative stress triggered by elevated levels of reactive oxygen species accounts for melanocytic molecular and organelle dysfunction, a minority of melanocyte demise, and melanocyte‐specific antigens exposure. Of note, the self‐responsive immune function directly contributes to the bulk of melanocyte deaths in vitiligo. The aberrantly heightened innate immunity, type‐1‐skewed T helper, and incompetent regulatory T cells tip the balance toward autoreaction and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes finally execute the killing of melanocytes, possibly alarmed by resident memory T cells. In addition to the well‐established apoptosis and necrosis, we discuss several death modalities like oxeiptosis, ferroptosis, and necroptosis that are probably employed in melanocyte destruction. This review focuses on the various mechanisms of melanocytic death in vitiligo pathogenesis to demonstrate a panorama of that. We hope to provide new insights into vitiligo pathogenesis and treatment strategies by the review.
Phase transition in quantum tunneling and exact statistical mechanics for a model of parameterized double‐well potential
Authors: Naha Nzoupe Fernand , Dikandé Alain Moíse , Tchawoua Clement
Published: November 2020

A model for one‐dimensional bistable systems characterized by a deformable double‐well energy landscape is introduced in order to investigate the effect of shape deformability on the order of phase transition in quantum tunneling and on the quasi‐exact integrability of the classical statistical mechanics of these systems. The deformable double‐well energy landscape is modeled by a parameterized double‐well potential possessing two fixed degenerate minima and a constant barrier height, but a tunable shape of its walls which affects the confinement of the two wells. It is found that unlike bistable models involving the standard ϕ4‐field model for which the transition in quantum tunneling is predicted to be strictly of second order, a parameterization of the double‐well potential also favors a first‐order transition occurring above a universal critical value of the shape deformability parameter. The partition function of the model is constructed within the framework of the transfer integral formalism, with emphasis on low‐lying eigenstates of the transfer integral operator. Criteria for quasi‐exact integrability of the partition function were formulated, in terms of the condition for possible existence of exact eigenstates of the transfer integral operator. The quasi‐exact solvability condition is obtained analytically, and from this, some exact eigenstates are derived at several temperatures. The exact probability densities obtained from the analytical expressions of the ground state wavefunctions at different temperatures are found to be in excellent agreement with the probability density obtained from numerical simulations of the Fokker–Planck equation.
Least‐squares partially bisymmetric solutions of coupled Sylvester matrix equations accompanied by a prescribed submatrix constraint
Authors: Hajarian Masoud , Chronopoulos Anthony Theodore
Published: November 2020

The coupled Sylvester matrix equations (CSMEs)

appear frequently in various fields of mathematics and engineering such as in control systems and signal processing. In this investigation, we establish and analyze the generalized conjugate directions (GCDs) method for solving the CSMEs over partially bisymmetric matrices X and Y with a prescribed submatrix constraint. We show that the GCD method with the arbitrary initial bisymmetric matrices can compute the least‐squares partially bisymmetric solutions with a prescribed submatrix constraint within a finite number of iterations in the absence of round‐off errors. Numerical examples illustrate the efficiency and simplicity of the GCD method and confirm the theoretical results.
All fiber temperature sensor based on light polarization measurement utilizing graphene coated tapered fiber
Authors: Tiu Zian Cheak , Haris Hazlihan , Ahmad Harith , Tan Sin Jin
Published: November 2020

In this work, all fiber temperature measurement based on change of light polarization is demonstrated using tapered fiber coated with graphene. The large evanescent field of tapered fiber allows graphene to absorb the surrounding heat and subsequently this changes the refractive index of graphene coated tapered fiber. The change of refractive index is due to thermo‐optic effect. When there is a change in surrounding temperature, refractive index of the coated tapered fiber changes and this subsequently modifies the injected light polarization. The proposed temperature sensor can measure temperature up to 250°C and its sensitivity is ascertained at 0.48°/°C. The proposed temperature sensor is beneficial for future Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Quantitative magnetization transfer imaging for non‐contrast enhanced detection of myocardial fibrosis
Authors: López Karina , Neji Radhouene , Bustin Aurelien , Rashid Imran , Hajhosseiny Reza , Malik Shaihan J. , Teixeira Rui Pedro A. G. , Razavi Reza , Prieto Claudia , Roujol Sébastien , Botnar René M.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To develop a novel gadolinium‐free model‐based quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) technique to assess macromolecular changes associated with myocardial fibrosis.

Methods

The proposed sequence consists of a two‐dimensional breath‐held dual shot interleaved acquisition of five MT‐weighted (MTw) spoiled gradient echo images, with variable MT flip angles (FAs) and off‐resonance frequencies. A two‐pool exchange model and dictionary matching were used to quantify the pool size ratio (PSR) and bound pool T2 relaxation (). The signal model was developed and validated using 25 MTw images on a bovine serum albumin (BSA) phantom and in vivo human thigh muscle. A protocol with five MTw images was optimized for single breath‐hold cardiac qMT imaging. The proposed sequence was tested in 10 healthy subjects and 5 patients with myocardial fibrosis and compared to late gadolinium enhancement (LGE).

Results

PSR values in the BSA phantom were within the confidence interval of previously reported values (concentration 10% BSA = 5.9 ± 0.1%, 15% BSA = 9.4 ± 0.2%). PSR and in thigh muscle were also in agreement with literature (PSR = 10.9 ± 0.3%, = 6.4 ± 0.4 us). In 10 healthy subjects, global left ventricular PSR was 4.30 ± 0.65%. In patients, PSR was reduced in areas associated with LGE (remote: 4.68 ± 0.70% vs. fibrotic: 3.12 ± 0.78 %, n = 5, P < .002).

Conclusion

In vivo model‐based qMT mapping of the heart was performed for the first time, with promising results for non‐contrast enhanced assessment of myocardial fibrosis.
Acquisition of monosomy 7 and a RUNX1 mutation in Pearson syndrome
Authors: Nishimura Akira , Hirabayashi Shinsuke , Hasegawa Daisuke , Yoshida Kenichi , Shiraishi Yuichi , Ashiarai Miho , Hosoya Yosuke , Fujiwara Tohru , Harigae Hideo , Miyano Satoru , Ogawa Seishi , Manabe Atsushi
Published: November 2020

Pearson syndrome (PS) is a very rare and often fatal multisystem disease caused by deletions in mitochondrial DNA that result in sideroblastic anemia, vacuolization of marrow precursors, and pancreatic dysfunction. Spontaneous recovery from anemia is often observed within several years of diagnosis. We present the case of a 4‐month‐old male diagnosed with PS who experienced prolonged severe pancytopenia preceding the emergence of monosomy 7. Whole‐exome sequencing identified two somatic mutations, including RUNX1 p.S100F that was previously reported as associated with myeloid malignancies. The molecular defects associated with PS may have the potential to progress to advanced myelodysplastic syndrome .
Combination of electrochemical unit and ESI‐MS in fragmentation of flavonoids
Authors: Sagandykova Gulyaim N. , Szultka‐Młyńska Małgorzata , Walczak‐Skierska Justyna , Pomastowski Paweł P. , Buszewski Bogusław
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Predictive approaches on the activity of natural compounds based on the fragmentation by instrumental techniques are important for consideration of such molecules as drug candidates and defining new structures with promising properties. Since flavonoids are well‐known antioxidants, their redox properties can be related to their pharmacological activity.

Objectives

In this work, the potential of electrochemical unit coupled to electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) was assessed for fragmentation activity relationships studies of selected flavonoids.

Methodology

Methodology of this research included electrochemical conversion of standards of flavonoids at different pH values and their further analysis with the use of ESI‐MS. In addition, signals obtained from the blank samples were also identified and used for interpretation due to electrochemical nature of the ESI source. Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of flavonoids for 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant activity assays were analysed for possible correlation with the structures of flavonoids and products of electrochemical conversion.

Results

Fragmentation activity relationships were suggested using the proposed approach and for some of the flavonoids it was not specific enough to determine the input of a particular structural feature to the activity, but for others they were in agreement with those found in the literature. Obtained results showed potential of the proposed approach for application in plant sciences as a fast pre‐screening tool for newly isolated bioactive compounds.
Understanding emotion awareness and emotion vocabulary in early primary school Vietnamese children: Quantitative and qualitative analyses
Authors: Le Hoang Huy The , Grégoire Jacques
Published: November 2020

Although being fundamental for both clinical and educational work with children, there is currently no in‐depth research on examining children's emotion awareness and vocabulary in Vietnam. The goal of this exploratory study is to determine the effect of children's gender, grade level, and socioeconomic background on their emotion awareness and vocabulary, and the semantic and grammatical diversity of Vietnamese children's emotional vocabulary. The sample included 264 Vietnamese children (M = 7.80, SD = .97, 43.18% boys) as well as their mothers. Quantitative findings suggested that children in Grade 3 more frequently quoted surprise‐ and anger‐related vocabulary than did those in lower grades. Children's socioeconomic background had a significant effect on both emotion awareness and vocabulary whereas gender did not. Qualitative analysis revealed diverse grammatical types to describe emotions, except idioms, as well as the presence of body‐related emotion vocabulary within children's records. Finally, a high prevalence of emotion words such as “happy” and “sad” was subject to further cross‐cultural review.
The effect of water activated by nonthermal air plasma on the growth of farm plants: Case of maize and barley
Authors: Ndiffo Yemeli Gervais B. , Švubová Renáta , Kostolani Dominik , Kyzek Stanislav , Machala Zdenko
Published: November 2020

The effects of plasma‐activated water (PAW) generated by nonthermal air plasmas of transient spark with water electrospray or atmospheric glow discharge were investigated on maize (Zea mays L. var Saccharata) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings. PAW is characterized by measuring concentrations of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (H2O2, , ). After 4 weeks of plants growth, the effects of PAW are analyzed by measuring plant growth and physiological parameters: plant length and fresh weight, photosynthetic pigments concentration and photosynthesis rate, total soluble proteins, antioxidant enzyme activity, and DNA damage. The results suggest that PAW, depending on chemical composition, has the potential to improve the plant growth and influence the physiological parameters, while causing no harmful DNA damage.
The effects of curcumin intake on wound healing and metabolic status in patients with diabetic foot ulcer: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Mokhtari Mehrdad , Razzaghi Reza , Momen‐Heravi Mansooreh
Published: November 2020

This study was conducted to determine the effects of curcumin intake on wound healing and metabolic status in patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). The current randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was conducted among 60 patients with grade 3 DFU. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups (30 participants each group), received either 80 mg nanocurcumin daily for 12 weeks or placebo. Primary endpoints in this study were serum insulin levels and insulin resistance. Curcumin intake significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose (p = .02), insulin (p = .01), insulin resistance (p = .02), and significantly increased insulin sensitivity (p = .008) compared with the placebo. Moreover, curcumin intake led to a significant reduction in total‐ (p < .001), LDL‐cholesterol (p < .001), and a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (p < .001) and total glutathione (GSH) (p = .01) compared with the placebo. However, there was no significant improvement in wound healing parameters. Overall, our study demonstrated that nanocurcumin intake in patients with DFU resulted in a significant improvement of glycemic control, total‐ and LDL‐cholesterol, TAC, and GSH but did not affect the indicators of ulcer size.
Investigation on a series of 3‐nitro‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐one based energetic derivatives: Molecular design and screening
Authors: Jin Xinghui , Xiao Menghui , Liu Luhao , Zhou Jianhua , Hu Bingcheng
Published: November 2020

Density functional theory calculations at B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) level were employed to investigate the relationships between the structures and properties of 3‐nitro‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐one based high energy density materials (HEDMs). The results show that all the designed compounds possess high positive heats of formation and the N3/NN substituents were found to be the effective structural units to improve the heats of formation. The calculated detonation velocities and detonation pressures indicate that substituting the XNO2/NN groups were very useful for enhancing the detonation properties of these designed compounds. In view of the bond dissociation energies of the weakest bonds, it reveals that most of the derivatives have acceptable thermal stabilities and the CN groups were beneficial to improve their thermal stabilities. Overall, the effects of the energetic groups on all the parameters combined with those of the different bridges. Compared to those of 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazinane and 1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocane, four compounds (A7, B7, D7 and E7) were screened as possible HEDMs and their electronic structures were fully investigated to give better understanding of physicochemical properties and theoretical support for further experimental synthesis.
USGS44, a new high‐purity calcium carbonate reference material for δ13C measurements
Authors: Qi Haiping , Moossen Heiko , Meijer Harro A.J. , Coplen Tyler B. , Aerts‐Bijma Anita T. , Reid Lauren , Geilmann Heike , Richter Jürgen , Rothe Michael , Brand Willi A. , Toman Blaza , Benefield Jacqueline , Hélie Jean‐François
Published: November 2020

Rationale

The stable carbon isotopic (δ13C) reference material (RM) LSVEC Li2CO3 has been found to be unsuitable for δ13C standardization work because its δ13C value increases with exposure to atmospheric CO2. A new CaCO3 RM, USGS44, has been prepared to alleviate this situation.

Methods

USGS44 was prepared from 8 kg of Merck high‐purity CaCO3. Two sets of δ13C values of USGS44 were determined. The first set of values was determined by online combustion, continuous‐flow (CF) isotope‐ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) of NBS 19 CaCO3 (δ13CVPDB = +1.95 milliurey (mUr) exactly, where mUr = 0.001 = 1‰), and LSVEC Li2CO3 (δ13CVPDB = −46.6 mUr exactly), and normalized to the two‐anchor δ13CVPDB‐LSVEC isotope‐delta scale. The second set of values was obtained by dual‐inlet (DI)‐IRMS of CO2 evolved by reaction of H3PO4 with carbonates, corrected for cross contamination, and normalized to the single‐anchor δ13CVPDB scale.

Results

USGS44 is stable and isotopically homogeneous to within 0.02 mUr in 100‐μg amounts. It has a δ13CVPDB‐LSVEC value of −42.21 ± 0.05 mUr. Single‐anchor δ13CVPDB values of −42.08 ± 0.01 and −41.99 ± 0.02 mUr were determined by DI‐IRMS with corrections for cross contamination.

Conclusions

The new high‐purity, well‐homogenized calcium carbonate isotopic reference material USGS44 is stable and has a δ13CVPDB‐LSVEC value of −42.21 ± 0.05 mUr for both EA/IRMS and DI‐IRMS measurements. As a carbonate relatively depleted in 13C, it is intended for daily use as a secondary isotopic reference material to normalize stable carbon isotope delta measurements to the δ13CVPDB‐LSVEC scale. It is useful in quantifying drift with time, determining mass‐dependent isotopic fractionation (linearity correction), and adjusting isotope‐ratio‐scale contraction. Due to its fine grain size (smaller than 63 μm), it is not suitable as a δ18O reference material. A δ13CVPDB‐LSVEC value of −29.99 ± 0.05 mUr was determined for NBS 22 oil.
Automation and robotics in the cultivation of pome fruit: Where do we stand today?
Authors: Verbiest Rafaël , Ruysen Kris , Vanwalleghem Tanja , Demeester Eric , Kellens Karel
Published: November 2020

The cultivation of apples and pears in orchards consists of several tasks that still demand much human labor. The cost of this skilled labor increases while the number of competent seasonal workers becomes insufficient. These facts are a threat to the fruit industry. To find a solution, this paper addresses current as well as future automation possibilities for the main orchard tasks as a profitable alternative to human labor. Besides an activity research in pome fruit orchards, this paper contains an overall review of the research and developments that have been performed to automate each major activity (e.g., pruning, thinning, spraying, harvesting and mobile navigating) in the cultivation of pome fruit. These tasks are individually evaluated on feasibility and profitability of the developed automations. Finally, this paper concludes that, despite the large amount of research, almost no fully automated and cost‐efficient solution has been developed. A possible option to increase the viability of the prototypes might be the simplification of the tree structures, and consequently the orchard architecture, to make it “robot‐ready.” Another option in this perspective is combining several techniques, for accomplishing individual tasks, in one multipurpose robot platform. As a result, the usability and efficiency of the robot increases.
The Neutral Complex (NH3)Ag(NCO)
Authors: Schmidt Carsten Ludwig , Jansen Martin
Published: November 2020

Dissolution of solid AgNCO (silver isocyanate) in aqueous ammonia (25 %) and subsequent crystal growth at T = –9 °C furnished the new ammoniate (NH3)Ag(NCO) as colorless crystals [P21/c (no. 14); a = 4.1817(3) Å, b = 14.445(1) Å, c = 6.1988(5) Å, β = 102.0(4)°, V = 365,6(2) Å3; Z = 4]. In the molecular monammine complex, which is only stable at temperatures below T = 0 °C, silver is in a twofold, however, asymmetrical coordination by the isocyanate anion and ammonia. At the reaction conditions applied, AgNCO does not form an ionic diammine species (e.g. [Ag(NH3)2]+) as known from related silver salts. In this sense, the solvation chemistry of AgNCO exhibits a rarely observed feature.
The fermionic universal one-loop effective action
Authors: Ellis Sebastian A. R. , Quevillon Jérémie , Vuong Pham Ngoc Hoa , You Tevong , Zhang Zhengkang
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Recent development of path integral matching techniques based on the covariant derivative expansion has made manifest a universal structure of one-loop effective Lagrangians. The universal terms can be computed once and for all to serve as a reference for one-loop matching calculations and to ease their automation. Here we present the fermionic universal one-loop effective action (UOLEA), resulting from integrating out heavy fermions (Dirac or Majorana) with scalar, pseudo-scalar, vector and axial-vector couplings. We also clarify the relation of the new terms computed here to terms previously computed in the literature and those that remain to complete the UOLEA. Our results can be readily used to efficiently obtain analytical expressions for effective operators arising from heavy fermion loops [13].
Gauge boson signals at the cosmological collider
Authors: Wang Lian-Tao , Xianyu Zhong-Zhi
Published: November 2020

Abstract

We study the production of massive gauge bosons during inflation from the axion-type coupling to the inflaton and the corresponding oscillatory features in the primordial non-Gaussianity. In a window in which both the gauge boson mass and the chemical potential are large, the signal is potentially reachable by near-future large scale structure probes. This scenario covers a new region in oscillation frequency which is not populated by previously known cosmological collider models. We also demonstrate how to properly include the exponential factor and discuss the subtleties in obtaining power dependence of the gauge boson mass in the signal estimate.
„Antibiotic-stewardship“(ABS)-Strategien in der urologischen Praxis und Klinik
Authors: Lichtinger U. , Greifenberg V. , Gessner A.
Published: November 2020

Antibiotika sind wirksame und sichere Arzneimittel und haben seit ihrer Einführung Millionen von Menschenleben gerettet. Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) hat die weltweit zunehmenden Antibiotikaresistenzen als eines der größten Gesundheitsprobleme der Gegenwart identifiziert. Zu den häufigsten Indikationen für eine Antibiotikatherapie gehören Harnwegsinfektionen, bei denen nach aktuellen Erfassungen in einem sehr hohen Prozentsatz allerdings nicht leitliniengerecht behandelt wird. Um die fortlaufende Selektion von resistenten Bakterien, und unerwünschte oder sogar gefährliche Nebenwirkungen wie z. B. durch Schädigungen des Mikrobioms der Patienten zu vermeiden, sind dringend Strategien zur Verbesserung der Antibiotikatherapie durch „antibiotic stewardship“ (ABS) erforderlich. Insbesondere für Urologen in der ambulanten Patientenversorgung bedarf es hierfür neuer, innovativer und nachhaltiger Schulungskonzepte, die Wissen kontinuierlich aktuell halten und sachgerechte Antibiotikaverschreibungen nachhaltig unterstützen.
Wechselwirkungen von radikaler Prostatovesikulektomie und Diagnostik des Prostatakarzinoms
Authors: Otto Wolfgang , Wieland Wolf F.
Published: November 2020

Die Frage, was zuerst war – in diesem Falle die Diagnostik des Prostatakarzinoms oder seine Therapie – erscheint auf den ersten Blick widersinnig und erinnert an die klassische metapherartige Problemstellung, die schon den griechischen Schriftsteller Plutarch (45–125) beschäftigte. Ist es heute selbstverständlich, dass vor der Behandlung einer Erkrankung die sichere Diagnosestellung steht, so muss dies medizinhistorisch jedoch als nicht konsistent erachtet werden. Die Anfänge der radikalen Prostatektomie zur Behandlung des Prostatakarzinoms lassen sich, ähnlich wie die ersten operativen Therapien von Nieren- und Harnblasentumoren, in der Pionierzeit der Organchirurgie im Deutschen Kaiserreich (1871–1918) verorten. Die Etablierung dieses Eingriffs in seiner heutigen Form mit größeren Fallzahlen ist wiederum dem Nestor der US-amerikanischen Urologie, Hugh Hampton Young (1870–1945), zu verdanken, der 1904 die erste aus heutiger Sicht als vollumfänglich zu bezeichnende perineale Prostatovesikulektomie durchführte. Wenngleich die Indikation seither weitgehend unverändert geblieben ist, war dieser Eingriff in den letzten Jahrzehnten doch umfangreichen Veränderungen unterworfen. Wie aber hat sich die Diagnostik des Prostatakarzinoms in dieser Zeitspanne entwickelt? Naturgemäß sehr viel dynamischer! Denn als der Leiteingriff Prostatovesikulektomie bereits etabliert war, begann im Laufe des 20. Jahrhunderts erst langsam, dann dynamischer deren Entwicklung. Wir stellen anhand medizin(histor)ischer Originalquellen daher nicht nur die Grundlagen und Weiterentwicklungen des etablierten und zugleich immer wieder Innovationen unterworfenen Leiteingriffs der Urologie vor, sondern gehen vielmehr auch auf wesentliche Umfeldentwicklungen benachbarter medizinischer Disziplinen ein. Erst diese Entwicklungen schafften übrigens auch die Grundlage für die korrekte Indikationsstellung und das Aufzeigen von Alternativen zur radikalen Prostatovesikulektomie.
QTL mapping of adult plant and seedling resistance to leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Eriks.) in a multiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) wheat population
Authors: Rollar Sandra , Serfling Albrecht , Geyer Manuel , Hartl Lorenz , Mohler Volker , Ordon Frank
Published: November 2020

Key message

The Bavarian MAGIC Wheat population, comprising 394 F6:8 recombinant inbred lines was phenotyped for Puccinia triticina resistance in multi-years’ field trials at three locations and in a controlled environment seedling test. Simple intervall mapping revealed 19 QTL, corresponding to 11 distinct chromosomal regions.

The biotrophic rust fungus Puccinia triticina is one of the most important wheat pathogens with the potential to cause yield losses up to 70%. Growing resistant cultivars is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to encounter this problem. The emergence of leaf rust races being virulent against common resistance genes increases the demand for wheat varieties with novel resistances. In the past decade, the use of complex experimental populations, like multiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) populations, has risen and offers great advantages for mapping resistances. The genetic diversity of multiple parents, which has been recombined over several generations, leads to a broad phenotypic diversity, suitable for high-resolution mapping of quantitative traits. In this study, interval mapping was performed to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for leaf rust resistance in the Bavarian MAGIC Wheat population, comprising 394 F6:8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Phenotypic evaluation of the RILs for adult plant resistance was carried out in field trials at three locations and two years, as well as in a controlled-environment seedling inoculation test. In total, interval mapping revealed 19 QTL, which corresponded to 11 distinct chromosomal regions controlling leaf rust resistance. Six of these regions may represent putative new QTL. Due to the elite parental material, RILs identified to be resistant to leaf rust can be easily introduced in breeding programs.
Effect of process parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AA2024 fabricated using selective laser melting
Authors: Pekok Mulla Ahmet , Setchi Rossitza , Ryan Michael , Han Quanquan , Gu Dongdong
Published: November 2020

Selective laser melting (SLM) offers significant benefits, including geometric freedom and rapid production, when compared with traditional manufacturing techniques. However, the materials available for SLM production remain limited, restricting the industrial adoption of the technology. The mechanical properties and microstructure of many aluminium alloys have not been fully explored, as their manufacturability using SLM is extremely challenging. This study investigates the effect of laser power, hatch spacing and scanning speed on the mechanical and microstructural properties of as-fabricated aluminium 2024 alloy (AA2024) manufactured using SLM. The results reveal that almost crack-free structures with high relative density (99.9%) and Archimedes density (99.7%) have been achieved. It is shown that when using low energy density (ED) levels, large cracks and porosities are a major problem, owing to incomplete fusion; however, small gas pores are prevalent at high-energy densities due to the dissolved gas particles in the melt pool. An inversely proportional relationship between ED and microhardness has also been observed. Lower ED decreases the melt pool size and temperature gradients but increases the cooling rate, creating a fine-grained microstructure, which restricts dislocation movement, therefore increasing the microhardness. The highest microhardness (116 HV0.2), which was obtained from one of the lowest EDs used (100 J/mm3), is 45% higher than as-cast AA2024-0, but 17% lower than wrought AA2024-T6 alloy.
Geriatrische Komplexbehandlung bei alterstraumatologischen Patienten
Authors: Palzer M. , Meyer U. , Abderhalden L. A. , Gazzotti A. , Hierholzer C. , Bischoff-Ferrari H. A. , Freystätter G.
Published: November 2020

Hintergrund

Die geriatrische frührehabilitative Komplexbehandlung (GFK) wird bei hochbetagten hospitalisierten Patienten eingesetzt, um die Selbstversorgungsfähigkeit wiederherzustellen und eine Pflegebedürftigkeit zu vermeiden.

Ziel der Arbeit

Ziel der Arbeit war es, die Veränderungen von Mobilität und Selbsthilfefähigkeit bei alterstraumatologischen Patienten* im Rahmen der GFK zu beschreiben.

Material und Methoden

Mobilität, Ganggeschwindigkeit und Selbsthilfefähigkeit von 164 hospitalisierten Alterstraumatologiepatienten wurde zu Beginn und bei Abschluss der GFK erfasst. Wir analysierten die Veränderungen der Mobilität während GFK (t-Test), und welche Mobilitätsmerkmale mit einer Entlassung nach Hause vs. einer Entlassung in die Langzeitpflege assoziiert sind (alters- und geschlechtsadjustiertes Regressionsmodell).

Ergebnisse

Die Patienten verbesserten ihre Mobilität gemessen mittels Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) um 1,8 ± 2,1 Punkte, die Ganggeschwindigkeit um 0,10 ± 0,14 m/s und den Barthel-Index um 13 ± 16 Punkte (alle p < 0,001). Die Zahl nichtgehfähiger Patienten verringerte sich von 43 auf 14 % (p = 0,003). Die Mehrzahl (73 %) der vor der Hospitalisation zu Hause lebenden Patienten wurde direkt oder nach einer überbrückenden spitalexternen Rehabilitation nach Hause entlassen.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Datenanalyse zeigt signifikante und klinisch relevante Verbesserungen in den Bereichen Mobilität und Selbstständigkeit bei Alterstraumatologiepatienten. Die Mehrzahl der Patienten konnte wieder nach Hause austreten.
Survey of current practices and opinions of German Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy members regarding the treatment of ovarian neoplasia by robotic surgery
Authors: Zimmermann J. S. M. , Radosa J. C. , Radosa M. P. , Sklavounos P. , Schweitzer P. A. , Solomayer E. F.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

As data on this topic are sparse and contradictory, we aimed to ascertain the opinions of the members of the German Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy (AGE) regarding the use of robotic surgery in the treatment of ovarian malignancies.

Methods

In 2015, an anonymous questionnaire was sent to AGE members to assess their views on the treatment of ovarian malignancies by robotic surgery according to T stage and the current treatment practices in their facilities.

Results

Of the 228 respondents, 132 (58%) were fellows or attending physicians and 156 (68%) worked at university hospitals or tertiary referral centers. Most [n = 218 (96%)] respondents reported treating < 10% of their patients using robotic surgery. Respondents felt that T1 and borderline ovarian tumors, but not T2 (51%) or T3/4 (76%) tumors, should and could be treated by robot surgery. 162 (71%) respondents considered the currently available data on this subject to be insufficient, and 42% indicated their willingness to participate in clinical studies on the applicability of robotic surgery to the treatment of T1/2 ovarian tumors.

Conclusion

The majority of AGE members surveyed considered robotic surgery to be an option for the treatment of T1 ovarian malignancies and borderline ovarian tumors. However, prospective randomized studies are needed to determine the relevance of robotic surgery in this context.
SOM-based aggregation for graph convolutional neural networks
Authors: Pasa Luca , Navarin Nicolò , Sperduti Alessandro
Published: November 2020

Graph property prediction is becoming more and more popular due to the increasing availability of scientific and social data naturally represented in a graph form. Because of that, many researchers are focusing on the development of improved graph neural network models. One of the main components of a graph neural network is the aggregation operator, needed to generate a graph-level representation from a set of node-level embeddings. The aggregation operator is critical since it should, in principle, provide a representation of the graph that is isomorphism invariant, i.e. the graph representation should be a function of graph nodes treated as a set. DeepSets (in: Advances in neural information processing systems, pp 3391–3401, 2017) provides a framework to construct a set-aggregation operator with universal approximation properties. In this paper, we propose a DeepSets aggregation operator, based on Self-Organizing Maps (SOM), to transform a set of node-level representations into a single graph-level one. The adoption of SOMs allows to compute node representations that embed the information about their mutual similarity. Experimental results on several real-world datasets show that our proposed approach achieves improved predictive performance compared to the commonly adopted sum aggregation and many state-of-the-art graph neural network architectures in the literature.
Fracture Initiation, Gas Ejection, and Strain Waves Measured on Specimen Surfaces in Model Rock Blasting
Authors: Zhang Zong-Xian , Chi Li Yuan , Qiao Yang , Hou De-Feng
Published: November 2020

Crack velocity, gas ejection, and stress waves play an important role in determining delay time, designing a blast and understanding the mechanism of rock fragmentation by blasting. In this paper, the emerging times of the earliest cracks and gas ejection on the lateral surfaces of cylindrical granite specimens with a diameter of 240 mm and a length of 300 mm were determined by high-speed photography, and the strain waves measured by an instrument of dynamic strain measurement during model blasting. The results showed that: (1) the measured velocity of gas penetration into the radial cracks was in a range of 196–279 m/s; (2) the measured velocity of a radial crack extending from the blasthole to the specimen surface varied from 489 to 652 m/s; (3) the length of strain waves measured was about 2800 µs, which is approximately 1000 times greater than the detonation time. At about 2850 µs after detonation was initiated, gases were still ejected from the surface cracks, and the specimens still stood at their initial places, although surface cracks had opened widely.
Responses of Temperate Forests to Nitrogen Deposition: Testing the Explanatory Power of Modeled Deposition Datasets for Vegetation Gradients
Authors: Roth Marina , Michiels Hans-Gerhard , Puhlmann Heike , Sucker Carina , Winter Maria-Barbara , Hauck Markus
Published: November 2020

Eutrophication due to increased nitrogen concentrations is known to alter species composition and threaten sensitive habitat types. The contribution of atmospheric nitrogen deposition to eutrophication is often difficult to determine. Various deposition models have been developed to estimate the amount of nitrogen deposited for both entire regions and different landscape surface types. The question arises whether the resulting deposition maps allow direct conclusions about the risk of eutrophication-related changes in the understory vegetation composition and diversity in nitrogen-sensitive forest ecosystems. We combined vegetation and soil data recorded across eutrophication gradients in ten oligo-mesotrophic forest types in southwest Germany with datasets from two different deposition models specifically fitted for forests in our study region. Altogether, 153 forest stands, with three sampling replicates each, were examined. Linear mixed-effect models and NMDS analyses revealed that other site factors, in particular the soil C/N ratio, soil pH and canopy cover, played a greater role in explaining vegetation gradients than nitrogen deposition. The latter only rarely had effects on species richness (positive), nitrophyte cover (positive or negative) and the cover of sensitive character species (negative). These effects varied depending on the deposition model used and the forest types examined. No effects of nitrogen deposition on average Ellenberg N values were found. The results reflect the complex situation in forests where nitrogen availability is not only influenced by deposition but also by nitrogen mineralization and retention which depend on soil type, pH and (micro)climate. This context dependency must be regarded when evaluating the effects of nitrogen deposition.
Feasibility and Acceptability of an Adolescent-Friendly Rap Video to Improve Health Literacy Among HIV-Positive Youth in Urban Peru
Authors: Rodriguez Carly A. , Winnett Alexander , Wong Milagros , Krishnam Neha , Martínez Nicole Ocasio , Perez Lady J. , Kolevic Lenka , Lecca Leonid , Franke Molly F.
Published: November 2020

Clinical outcomes among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) might be improved by interventions aimed at addressing limited health literacy. We developed a Spanish-language rap video on HIV concepts and examined its acceptability and feasibility as a learning tool among ALHIV in Lima, Peru. Twenty-eight ALHIV receiving care at an urban pediatric hospital and ten stakeholders engaged in the care of adolescents watched the video. Adolescents completed a pre- and post-video questionnaire. We conducted focus groups with ALHIV and in-depth interviews with stakeholders and analyzed transcripts to identify themes. ALHIV described concepts of CD4 cell count and viral load as they were portrayed. Participants reported the video was relatable, accessible, and provided hope that ALHIV could lead healthy lives and advocated for future videos to address topics such as transmission and sexual health. Questionnaires indicated some improvement in viral load knowledge. An HIV health literacy music video intervention was feasible to implement and accepted by ALHIV and their healthcare providers. Communicating HIV knowledge via music videos may be promising; further study is needed to optimize implementation.
Torsion Pairs and Quasi-abelian Categories
Authors: Tattar Aran
Published: November 2020

We define torsion pairs for quasi-abelian categories and give several characterisations. We show that many of the torsion theoretic concepts translate from abelian categories to quasi-abelian categories. As an application, we generalise the recently defined algebraic Harder-Narasimhan filtrations to quasi-abelian categories.
Assessing microbial residues in soil as a potential carbon sink and moderator of carbon use efficiency
Authors: Geyer Kevin , Schnecker Jörg , Grandy A. Stuart , Richter Andreas , Frey Serita
Published: November 2020

A longstanding assumption of glucose tracing experiments is that all glucose is microbially utilized during short incubations of ≤2 days to become microbial biomass or carbon dioxide. Carbon use efficiency (CUE) estimates have consequently ignored the formation of residues (non-living microbial products) although such materials could represent an important sink of glucose that is prone to stabilization as soil organic matter. We examined the dynamics of microbial residue formation from a short tracer experiment with frequent samplings over 72 h, and conducted a meta-analysis of previously published glucose tracing studies to assess the generality of these experimental results. Both our experiment and meta-analysis indicated 30–34% of amended glucose-C (13C or 14C) was in the form of residues within the first 6 h of substrate addition. We expand the conventional efficiency calculation to include residues in both the numerator and denominator of efficiency, thereby deriving a novel metric of the potential persistence of glucose-C in soil as living microbial biomass plus residues (‘carbon stabilization efficiency’). This new metric indicates nearly 40% of amended glucose-C persists in soil 180 days after amendment, the majority as non-biomass residues. Starting microbial biomass and clay content emerge as critical factors that positively promote such long term stabilization of labile C. Rapid residue production supports the conclusion that non-growth maintenance activity can illicit high demands for C in soil, perhaps equaling that directed towards growth, and that residues may have an underestimated role in the cycling and sequestration potential of C in soil.
Phase I study of liposomal irinotecan in patients with metastatic breast cancer: findings from the expansion phase
Authors: Sachdev Jasgit C. , Munster Pamela , Northfelt Donald W. , Han Hyo Sook , Ma Cynthia , Maxwell Fiona , Wang Tiffany , Belanger Bruce , Zhang Bin , Moore Yan , Thiagalingam Arunthathi , Anders Carey
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Metastatic breast cancer (mBC) remains incurable and is associated with low survival rates. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of liposomal irinotecan in heavily pretreated patients with mBC, with or without active brain metastases (BM).

Methods

Following the dose escalation phase and determination of recommended phase 2 dose, the expansion phase of this phase I, open-label, non-randomized study, assigned adult women to cohorts based on mBC subtype: cohort 1, hormone receptor +/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2−; cohort 2, triple-negative breast cancer; or cohort 3, any mBC subtype with active BM. Patients received liposomal irinotecan 50 or 70 mg/m2 free base every 2 weeks. Here, we report secondary outcomes including best overall response (BOR), objective response rate (ORR), and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).

Results

For non-central nervous system (non-CNS) disease across all cohorts (intent-to-treat population, N = 29), the ORR was 34.5% (95% confidence interval: 17.94–54.33), with a BOR of partial response in 10 patients (34.5%), stable disease in five (17.2%), progressive disease in 10 (34.5%); four patients were unevaluable (13.8%). The ORR for the CNS cohort was 30.0% (95% confidence interval: 6.67–65.25) using modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Common grade 3 or higher TEAEs were diarrhea (27.6%), nausea (17.2%), fatigue (13.8%), asthenia (10.3%), and hypokalemia (10.3%). Serious treatment-related TEAEs were reported in six patients (20.7%). No treatment-related TEAEs resulted in death.

Conclusions

Liposomal irinotecan monotherapy demonstrated antitumor activity in heavily pretreated patients with mBC, with or without BM. The observed safety profile was consistent with that in previous studies.

Clinical trial registration: Trial registration ID NCT01770353.