bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A randomized controlled trial of a physiology‐guided percutaneous coronary intervention optimization strategy: Rationale and design of the TARGET FFR study
Authors: Collison Damien , McClure John D. , Berry Colin , Oldroyd Keith G.
Published: February 2020

Post‐percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) fractional flow reserve (FFR) ≥0.90 confers an improved cardiac prognosis. There are currently limited data available to determine how often it is possible to improve an angiographically acceptable but physiologically suboptimal result. A physiology‐guided optimization strategy can achieve a clinically meaningful increase in the proportion of patients achieving a final post‐PCI FFR ≥0.90 compared to standard care. Following angiographically successful PCI procedures, 260 patients will be randomized (1:1) to receive either a physiology‐guided incremental optimization strategy (intervention group) or blinded post‐PCI coronary physiology measurements (control group). Patients undergoing successful, standard‐of‐care PCI for either stable angina or non‐ST‐segment‐elevation myocardial infarction who meet the study's inclusion and exclusion criteria will be eligible for randomization. The primary endpoint is defined as the proportion of patients with a final post‐PCI FFR result ≥0.90. Secondary endpoints include change from baseline in Seattle Angina Questionnaire and EQ‐5D‐5L scores at 3 months and the rate of target vessel failure and its components (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, unplanned rehospitalization with target vessel revascularization) at 3 months and 1 year. 260 individual patients were successfully randomized between March 2018 and November 2019. Key baseline demographics of the study population are reported within. TARGET FFR is an investigator‐initiated, prospective, single‐center, randomized controlled trial of an FFR‐guided PCI optimization strategy. The study has completed recruitment and is now in clinical follow‐up. It is anticipated that primary results will be presented in Autumn 2020. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03259815. [Correction added on Apr 3 2020, after first online publication: Clinical Trials identifier added.]
Coumarin‐Rasagiline Hybrids as Potent and Selective hMAO‐B Inhibitors, Antioxidants, and Neuroprotective Agents
Authors: Matos Maria J. , Herrera Ibatá Diana M. , Uriarte Eugenio , Viña Dolores
Published: February 2020

The frequency, complexity and morbidity of neurodegenerative diseases make them a great challenge for nowadays medicine. Most of the treatments currently used for Parkinson's disease – the second most prevalent – are only symptomatic. Therefore, it is urgent to develop drugs that are able to act simultaneously on different targets, being able to stop neuronal death and promote the recovery of neuronal populations already affected. In this work, we studied the activity of a series of hybrid molecules, which combine the structure of both coumarin and an alkynylamine group inspired on rasagiline, as MAO inhibitors, antioxidants and neuroprotective agents. Half of the studied hybrids turned out to be selective monoamine oxidase B (hMAO‐B) inhibitors in the low micro/nanomolar range, demonstrating that positions 3 (compounds 1–3) and 7 (compounds 8 and 10) of the coumarin scaffold are the most suitable for the incorporation of the alkynylamine chain. All the studied compounds proved to be capable of neutralizing free radicals (DPPH). Finally, the 4‐(but‐2‐yn‐1‐ylamino)coumarin (5) showed neuroprotective effects on glial cells and the 4‐methyl‐7‐(pent‐2‐yn‐1‐ylamino)coumarin (8) inhibited intraneuronal ROS production as well.
Purification of T Cell Populations
Authors: Fuss Ivan J.
Published: February 2020

This article describes a procedure for isolating T cell subpopulations using various methods including indirect panning and immunopanning by microarray. In these methods, cells are selected by their capacity to bind to antibody‐coated plates (or slides) on the basis of particular cell‐surface markers. Such methods can be superior to the antibody/complement lysis method (Alternate Protocol), as they can select additional cell population for analysis. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Basic Protocol 1: Isolation of T cell populations by indirect panning

Basic Protocol 2: Immunopanning with microarray

Alternate Protocol: Isolation of T cell populations by antibody/complement–mediated cytotoxicity
Interplay between Mesocrystals of CaTiO3 and Edge Sulfur Atom Enriched MoS2 on Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheets: Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance under Sunlight Irradiation
Authors: Kumar Ashish , Navakoteswara Rao Vempuluru , Kumar Ajay , Venkatakrishnan Shankar Muthukonda , Krishnan Venkata
Published: February 2020

In this work, an attempt has been made to strategically and systematically design novel and multifunctional nanocomposite photocatalysts by coupling mesocrystals of CaTiO3 with edge‐sulfur‐atoms‐enriched MoS2 and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets. A remarkable enhancement in photocatalytic activity could be evidenced with an optimized content (20 %) of MoS2−RGO nanosheets coupled with CaTiO3 mesocrystals. This nanocomposite showed a 33‐fold enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution in comparison to bare CaTiO3, with apparent quantum efficiencies of 5.4 %, 3.0 % and 17.7 % at 365, 420 and 600 nm monochromatic wavelengths. In addition, the excellent adsorptive degradation of different organic pollutants was also achieved with these photocatalysts, which revealed their multifunctional behavior. The enhanced photocatalytic performance can be accredited mainly to following factors: (i) Intimate contact between constituent materials and efficient charge transfer across the ternary heterojunction, which suppresses photogenerated charge recombination; (ii) The high surface area provides abundant sites for reactant adsorption and further reaction; (iii) Defect‐rich MoS2 with sulfur atoms on the exposed edges provide sticky sites for H+ ions and hence enhance the hydrogen generation. The design strategy employed in this work can be adopted to improve the properties and performance of other mesocrystals, which can lead to the fabrication of low‐cost and multifunctional catalysts for diverse applications.
A new discrete wavelet transform appropriate for hardware implementation
Authors: Meshkat Amin , Dehghani Rasoul
Published: February 2020

A new method for computation of discrete wavelet transform is introduced. The impulse response of the finite impulse response (FIR) filter, as the main block in filter bank method, is realized such that orthonormal wavelet transform is achieved without using any multiplier as the most challenging part of the FIR filters. It is proved that the calculated Sobolev regularity of the proposed wavelet is higher than that of Daubechies for the same support width. Compared with most popular known wavelets, simulation results of the newly introduced wavelet for signal denoising prove remarkable advantage of our wavelet especially in terms of complexity and power consumption. The proposed wavelet and well‐known Daubechies wavelet are separately implemented on the Spartan‐6 FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) to compare the performance of them. The occupied slices and LUTs (Lookup Table) in realization of the proposed wavelet in comparison with those of Daubechies wavelet are decreased by 50% and 56%, respectively. Its power consumption at 100 MHz is also reduced by 86% in comparison with the Daubechies wavelet, and maximum frequency is increased by 186%. Implementation with standard cells of a 0.18‐μm CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) technology shows 75% and 85% reduction in the power and chip area, respectively.
Influence of flow on the structure and dynamics of clusters in complex plasma systems
Authors: Liu Y. , Zhu X. , Wang Y. , Chen Z. , Huang F.
Published: February 2020

The influence of flow with different strengths, positions, and widths on the structure and dynamics of clusters is studied by two‐dimensional (2D) Langevin molecular dynamics simulations. The particles are confined by a quadratic confining potential. The horizontal position of the system centre, average inter‐particle distance, and coupling parameter are calculated to characterize the effect of changing the strength, position, and width of the flow on the cluster structure. The trajectories, the velocity autocorrelation function, and the mean square displacement are obtained to further uncover the dynamic properties of the 2D dusty plasma system.
Effectiveness of enhanced cognitive behavior therapy for eating disorders: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: de Jong Martie , Spinhoven Philip , Korrelboom Kees , Deen Mathijs , van der Meer Iris , Danner Unna N. , van der Schuur Selma , Schoorl Maartje , Hoek Hans W.
Published: February 2020

Objective

Enhanced cognitive behavior therapy (CBT‐E) is a transdiagnostic treatment suitable for the full range of eating disorders (EDs). Although the effectiveness of CBT(‐E) is clear, it is not being used as widely in clinical practice as guidelines recommend. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of CBT‐E with treatment as usual (TAU), which was largely based on CBT principles.

Method

We conducted a randomized controlled trial on a total of 143 adult patients with an ED who received either CBT‐E or TAU. The primary outcome was recovery from the ED. Secondary outcome measures were levels of ED psychopathology, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Self‐esteem, perfectionism, and interpersonal problems were repeatedly measured to examine possible moderating effects. We explored differences in duration and intensity between conditions.

Results

After 80 weeks, there were no differences between conditions in decrease in ED psychopathology, or symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, in the first six weeks of treatment there was a larger decrease in ED psychopathology in the CBT‐E condition. Moreover, when the internationally most widely used definition of recovery was applied, the recovery rate at 20 weeks of CBT‐E was significantly higher (57.7%) than of TAU (36.0%). At 80 weeks, this difference was no longer significant (CBT‐E 60.9%; TAU 43.6%). Furthermore, CBT‐E was more effective in improving self‐esteem and was also the less intensive and shorter treatment.

Discussion

With broader use of CBT‐E, the efficiency, accessibility and effectivity (on self‐esteem) of treatment for EDs could be improved.
Validation of non‐invasive ramp testing for HeartMate 3
Authors: Najjar Emil , Thorvaldsen Tonje , Dalén Magnus , Svenarud Peter , Hallberg Kristensen Ann , Eriksson Maria J. , Maret Eva , Lund Lars H.
Published: February 2020

Aims

Ramp testing in the postoperative period can be used to optimize left ventricular assist device (LVAD) speed for optimal left ventricular (LV) unloading. We tested the hypothesis that a non‐invasive echocardiographic ramp test post‐HeartMate 3 implantation improves LV unloading immediately after and 1–3 months after as compared with before the test. We also tested a secondary hypothesis that speed adjustments during echocardiography‐guided ramp testing do not worsen right ventricular (RV) function immediately after and 1–3 months after.

Methods and results

We retrospectively reviewed data from patients who underwent an echocardiographic ramp test. A total of 14 out of 19 patients were clinically stable and were enrolled. Adequate LV unloading was defined as no more than mild mitral regurgitation, and intermittent aortic valve (AV) opening or closed AV, and reduction of left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (LVEDD); and for the follow‐up measurement, decreased NT‐proBNP. Median (interquartile range) time from implantation to ramp test was 27 (16; 56) days, and median time from ramp test to follow‐up echocardiography was 55 (47; 102) days. Median LVAD speed achieved during ramp testing was 5550 (5375; 6025) revolutions per minute (rpm), and median final LVAD speed was 5200 (5000; 5425) rpm. Ramp testing resulted in final LVAD speed increase in 11 (79%) patients and a median net change of 200 (200; 300) rpm. Speed adjustments after ramp testing resulted in improved LVAD unloading that was achieved in additional 3 (21%) patients who were not originally optimized. RV function did not worsen significantly during ramp testing or at final LVAD speed.

Conclusions

The echocardiographic ramp test allowed LVAD speed adjustment and optimization and improved LV unloading during ramp testing and at final speed with no evidence of worsening of RV function.
Development of a mesoporous silica based solid‐phase extraction and ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–MS/MS method for quantifying lignans in Justicia procumbens
Authors: Shen Qing , Wang Honghai , Li Shiyan , Feng Junli , Song Gongshuai , Zhang Yiqi , Ma Jianfeng , Wang Haixing
Published: February 2020

Justicia procumbens is a food and medicine homologous variety, popularly used for making vegetable soups. In this study, a novel mesoporous silica was synthesized and used as the sorbent of SPE for the purification of lignans from J. procumbens. A laboratory‐made SPE cartridge was packed with 100 mg of mesoporous silica, which was washed with 10% methanol and eluted using 0.8 mL acetonitrile after sample loading. Afterward, the extract was analyzed by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and MS/MS. All the lignans were efficiently separated in 6 min with the noise level in the range of 50–150 cps. 6′‐Hydroxy justicidin B, 6′‐hydroxy justicidin A, justicidin B, chinensinaphthol methyl ether, justicidin C, and neojusticdin A were identified to be the dominant molecular species in J. procumbens with contents of 0.065−0.37 mg/g in three tested sample batches from different geographic origins. In conclusion, the proposed mesoporous silica based SPE UPLC–MS/MS method is efficient in linearity (R2 = 0.9989−0.9996), sensitivity (LOD ≤0.13 μg/kg and LOQ ≤0.42 μg/kg), precision (RSDintra‐day ≤3.12 and RSDinter‐day ≤4.56), and recovery (83.42−96.11%, RSD ≤2.88%).
Leaf phenology amplitude derived from MODIS NDVI and EVI: Maps of leaf phenology synchrony for Meso‐ and South America
Authors: Gerard France F. , George Charles T. , Hayman Garry , Chavana‐Bryant Cecilia , Weedon Graham P.
Published: February 2020

The leaf phenology (i.e. the seasonality of leaf amount and leaf demography) of ecosystems can be characterized through the use of Earth observation data using a variety of different approaches. The most common approach is to derive time series of vegetation indices (VIs) which are related to the temporal evolution of FPAR, LAI and GPP or alternatively used to derive phenology metrics that quantify the growing season. The product presented here shows a map of average ‘amplitude’ (i.e. maximum minus minimum) of annual cycles observed in MODIS‐derived NDVI and EVI from 2000 to 2013 for Meso‐ and South America. It is a robust determination of the amplitude of annual cycles of vegetation greenness derived from a Lomb–Scargle spectral analysis of unevenly spaced data. VI time series pre‐processing was used to eliminate measurement outliers, and the outputs of the spectral analysis were screened for statistically significant annual signals. Amplitude maps provide an indication of net ecosystem phenology since the satellite observations integrate the greenness variations across the plant individuals within each pixel. The average amplitude values can be interpreted as indicating the degree to which the leaf life cycles of individual plants and species are synchronized. Areas without statistically significant annual variations in greenness may still consist of individuals that show a well‐defined annual leaf phenology. In such cases, the timing of the phenology events will vary strongly within the year between individuals. Alternatively, such areas may consist mainly of plants with leaf turnover strategies that maintain a constant canopy of leaves of different ages. Comparison with in situ observations confirms our interpretation of the average amplitude measure. VI amplitude interpreted as leaf life cycle synchrony can support model evaluation by informing on the likely leaf turn over rates and seasonal variation in ecosystem leaf age distribution.
The Light and Dark Side of Sociality
Authors: Kappeler Peter
Published: February 2020

Lemurs, macaques and chimpanzees all live in complex societies that influence the health of group members. Close bonds can reduce social stress but they also increase the risk of parasitism and sexually transmitted diseases.
Modeling and evaluation of attention allocation in an intelligent tractor head‐up display interface
Authors: Pei Yeqing , Song Zhenghe , Jin Xiaoping , Yang Zihan , Wen Changkai , Shao Xuedong
Published: February 2020

Tractors are becoming increasingly intelligent due to developments in electronics and information technology. Amid the large quantities of information in the driving cab, drivers may lack the attention resources demanded when operating, thus leading to neglect of important information. Therefore, the interface design stage must consider the human factors of the design. Designers must study and optimize the factors influencing attention allocation related to the interface design. In this study, the criticality of information is first proposed for quantifying the importance of various information in the display interface. Subsequently, the factors affecting attention allocation are investigated through experimental methods. Finally, a matching index is proposed to evaluate the interface design with respect to attention allocation. This enables the optimization of the interface design by matching attention allocation and criticality of the information. The matching index can thus serve as a design specification for tractor head‐up display interfaces.
Cancer transcriptomic profiling from rapidly enriched circulating tumor cells
Authors: Morrison Gareth J. , Cunha Alexander T. , Jojo Nita , Xu Yucheng , Xu Yili , Kwok Eric , Robinson Peggy , Dorff Tanya , Quinn David , Carpten John , Manojlovic Zarko , Goldkorn Amir
Published: February 2020

Transcriptomic profiling of metastatic cancer can illuminate mechanisms of progression and lead to new therapies, but standard biopsy is invasive and reflects only a single metastatic site. In contrast, circulating tumor cell (CTC) profiling is noninvasive and repeatable, reflecting the dynamic and systemic nature of advanced disease. To date, transcriptomic profiling of CTCs has not delivered on its full potential, because white blood cells (WBCs) vastly outnumber CTCs. Current profiling strategies either lack cancer sensitivity and specificity or require specialized CTC capture protocols that are not readily scalable to large patient cohorts. Here, we describe a new strategy for rapid CTC enrichment and transcriptomic profiling using commercially available WBC depletion, microfluidic enrichment and RNA sequencing. When applied to blood samples from patients with advanced prostate cancer (PC), transcriptomes from enriched samples cluster with cancer positive controls and previously undetectable prostate‐specific transcripts become readily measurable. Gene set enrichment analysis reveals multiple significantly enriched signaling pathways associated with PC, as well as novel pathways that merit further study. This accessible and scalable approach yields cancer‐specific transcriptomic data and can be applied repeatedly and noninvasively in large cancer patient cohorts to discover new therapeutic targets in advanced disease.
Contralateral breast cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers in a large cohort of unselected Chinese breast cancer patients
Authors: Su Liming , Xu Ye , Ouyang Tao , Li Jinfeng , Wang Tianfeng , Fan Zhaoqing , Fan Tie , Lin Benyao , Xie Yuntao
Published: February 2020

To estimate the cumulative risk of contralateral breast cancer (CBC) in BRCA1/2 carriers in a large cohort of unselected Chinese breast cancer patients. Our study comprised 9,401 unselected Chinese breast cancer patients and BRCA1/2 germline mutations were determined in all patients. After a median follow‐up of 5.7 years, 181 patients developed CBC in this cohort. Compared to noncarriers, BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers had a 4.52‐fold (95% CI, 2.63–7.76) and 5.54‐fold (95% CI, 3.51–8.74) increased risk of CBC, respectively. The 10‐year cumulative risk of CBC was 15.5% (95% CI, 9.9–24.2) for BRCA1 carriers, 17.5% (95% CI, 10.9–28.0) for BRCA2 carriers and 3.2% (95% CI, 2.5–4.1) for noncarriers. Younger age at first breast cancer diagnosis was significantly associated with an increased 10‐year risk of CBC for BRCA1 carriers (≤40 years vs. >40 years: 21.5% vs. 11.9%, unadjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 2.51, 95% CI, 1.03–6.15, p = 0.044), but not for BRCA2 carriers and noncarriers. The 10‐year cumulative CBC risk was significantly higher in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers who had a family history of breast cancer than in those who did not (BRCA1: 27.5% vs. 9.4%, adjusted HR = 2.64, 95% CI, 1.01–6.97, p = 0.049; BRCA2: 27.1% vs. 12.8%, adjusted HR = 2.29, 95% CI, 1.04–5.06, p = 0.040). In conclusion, the risk of CBC was a substantial high in BRCA1/2 carriers in unselected Chinese breast cancer patients, and CBC risk is much more remarkable in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers who had a family history of breast cancer. Younger age at first breast cancer diagnosis also enhanced CBC risk in BRCA1 carriers.
Identification of HPV genotypes causing cervical precancer using tissue‐based genotyping
Authors: Venetianer Rebecca , Clarke Megan A. , van der Marel Jacolien , Tota Joseph , Schiffman Mark , Dunn Samuel Terence , Walker Joan , Zuna Rosemary , Quint Wim , Wentzensen Nicolas
Published: February 2020

Identification of high‐risk human papillomavirus genotypes causing cervical precancer is crucial for informing HPV vaccine development and efficacy studies, and for determining which types to include in next‐generation genotyping assays. Co‐occurrence of hrHPV infections is common and complicates carcinogenicity assessment; accurate attribution requires tissue‐based genotyping of precancers. We included all women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia Grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) from the Biopsy Study, an observational study of 690 women enrolled between 2009 and 2012 at the University of Oklahoma. Tissue‐based genotyping, including whole tissue sections (WTS) and laser‐capture microdissection (LCM), was performed on all precancers with multiple hrHPV infections detected in cytology, totaling over 1,800 HPV genotyping assays. Genotype attribution was compared to hierarchical and proportional hrHPV‐type attribution models. Of 276 women with CIN2+, 122 (44.2%) had multiple hrHPV genotypes in cytology. Of 114 women with genotyping data, 94 had one or more hrHPV detected in tissue. Seventy‐one women (75.5%) had a single causal hrHPV genotype, while 23 women had multiple hrHPV genotypes causing CIN2+. Ten women had multiple causal infections in a single biopsy, contrary to the previous notion that each lesion is caused by a single type only. While HPV16 was the predominant causal hrHPV genotype using all approaches, the hierarchical model overattributed HPV16, whereas other causal hrHPV genotypes, particularly HPV18 and HPV35, were underattributed. Understanding true causal genotypes is important for the evaluation of vaccine efficacy, to estimate the extent of unmasking, and for type‐specific risk assessment in screening and management.
Optimized contrast enhancement for tumor detection
Authors: Agarwal Monika , Rani Geeta , Dhaka Vijaypal Singh
Published: February 2020

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a real assistant for doctors. It provides rich information about anatomy of human body for precise diagnosis of a diseases or disorder. But it is quite challenging to extract relevant information from low contrast and poor quality MRI images. Poor visual interpretation is a hindrance in correct diagnosis of a disease. This creates a strong need for contrast enhancement of MRI images. Study of existing literature shows that conventional techniques focus on intensity histogram equalization. These techniques face the problems of over enhancement, noise and unwanted artifacts. Moreover, these are incapable to yield the maximum entropy and brightness preservation. Thus ineffective in diagnosis of a defect/disease such as tumor. This motivates the authors to propose the contrast enhancement model namely optimized double threshold weighted constrained histogram equalization. The model is a pipelined approach that incorporates Otsu's double threshold method, particle swarm optimized weighted constrained model, histogram equalization, adaptive gamma correction, and Wiener filtering. This algorithm preserves all essential information recorded in an image by automatically selecting an appropriate value of threshold for image segmentation. The proposed model is effective in detecting tumor from enhanced MRI images.
Role of clinical pharmacists and pharmacy support personnel in transitions of care
Authors: Stranges Paul M. , Jackevicius Cynthia A. , Anderson Sarah L. , Bondi Deborah S. , Danelich Ilya , Emmons Roshni P. , Englin Elizabeth F. , Hansen Margaret L. , Nys Cara , Phan Hanna , Philbrick Ann M. , Rager Michelle , Schumacher Christie , Smithgall Sean
Published: February 2020

Patients moving between health care settings or providers are at increased risk of complications, including unplanned hospital readmissions and medication errors. Several actions must occur in concert with members of the health care team and across settings to ensure coordinated and continuous care for patients undergoing these transitions of care (TOC). Clinical pharmacists support patients during care transitions by providing interventions and services designed to improve medication outcomes. Clinical pharmacists and team members who support clinical pharmacist activities (eg, pharmacy students, technicians, and residents) are located throughout the care continuum, from acute care to care in the community, with each contributing to improved TOC outcomes. This article provides information on evidence of high‐impact clinical pharmacist TOC practices to serve as a practical guide for practitioners interested in starting or improving TOC activities. This article also addresses current and emerging best practices and offers suggestions for improving clinical pharmacist involvement in care transition activities.
Modeling mesothelioma risk factors from amphibole fiber dimensionality: mineralogical and epidemiological perspective
Authors: Wylie Ann G. , Korchevskiy Andrey , Segrave Alan M. , Duane Andrew
Published: February 2020

Amphiboles are common rock‐forming minerals but when they form asbestos, they are known carcinogens. Mesothelioma mortality among miners and millers per the unit of asbestiform amphibole exposure varies significantly across cohorts when asbestos exposure measurements are based on the membrane filter method. Because the cohorts were exposed to different occurrences of asbestiform amphibole, variance in mesothelioma potency (RM) among cohorts is likely due to differences in exposure characteristics not reflected by the membrane filter method. In this paper using both linear and nonlinear models we correlate RM from four mining and milling cohorts with two‐dimensional parameters of the exposure. The parameters are based on the proportion of elongated minerals that are >5 μm in length from each occurrence that also have either (a) width ≤ 0.15 μm, or (b) width ≤ 0.25 μm. Based on the models we derived, it was possible to quantify RM for the occurrences of asbestiform amphibole associated with mesothelioma excess but for which epidemiologically based RM has not been published. It was demonstrated that modeled RM for amphibole occurrences in nonasbestiform habits are lower (fibrous glaucophane) or not significant (cleavage fragments). The results of the study can be used in a risk assessment of elongated mineral particles and have implications for public policy and regulations.
Lower intimate relationship satisfaction among partnered female service members/veterans is associated with the presence of suicidal ideation
Authors: Blais Rebecca K.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Risk for suicide among female service members/veterans (SM/Vs) is increasing, suggesting a need for additional studies of risk factors in this population. This study examined relationship satisfaction as a correlate of suicidal ideation (SI) after accounting for established risk factors for SI.

Method

Partnered female SM/Vs (N = 818) completed a demographic inventory and measures of SI, relationship satisfaction, sexual function, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression.

Results

After accounting for covariates, lower relationship satisfaction, higher depression and PTSD severity, and minority race were associated with the presence of SI. PTSD and depression severity did not moderate this association, suggesting that regardless of mental health symptoms, relationship satisfaction is associated with increased SI risk.

Conclusions

Screening for relationship satisfaction may identify SI risk in partnered female SM/Vs. Future studies should explore relationship satisfaction as a risk factor for suicidal attempts as not all SM/Vs who experience SI will attempt suicide.
CCAT2 contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma progression via inhibiting miR‐145 maturation to induce MDM2 expression
Authors: Niu Chao , Wang Linlin , Ye Weijian , Guo Shikun , Bao Xiaozhou , Wang Yongbiao , Xia Zhaobo , Chen Randong , Liu Chong , Lin Xiaokun , Huang Xiaozhong
Published: February 2020

Long noncoding RNA colon cancer‐associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) has been recently found to function as an oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanisms of CCAT2 in HCC development remain to be further explored. In the present study, we found that CCAT2 was abnormally upregulated in HCC cells and tissue specimens, exhibiting an inverse correlation with microRNA (miR)‐145 expression. Mechanistic investigation showed that CCAT2 selectively blocked miR‐145 processing, leading to decreased mature miR‐145 presence. Both the in vitro and in vivo effects of CCAT2 knockdown on the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells were reversed by miR‐145 inhibitor, indicating that miR‐145 modulation accounts for CCAT2‐meditated HCC progression. Furthermore, miR‐145 mimic dramatically suppressed HCC cells' proliferation and metastasis, revealing a tumor suppressor role of miR‐145 in HCC. Mechanistically, MDM2 was predicted to be a potential target of miR‐145. The luciferase and western blot assay demonstrated that miR‐145 mimic largely inhibited MDM2 3′‐untranslated region luciferase activity and MDM2 expression, followed by the upregulation of p53/p21 expression. Finally, the coexpression of MDM2 in miR‐145 mimic‐transfected HCC cells was able to largely compromise the inhibitory effects of miR‐145 mimic on HCC cells' proliferation and metastasis in vitro and tumor formation in a xenograft model, confirming MDM2 is the critical mediator of miR‐145 in HCC. In summary, our findings indicated that CCAT2 selectively blocks the miR‐145 maturation process and plays an oncogene in HCC. Furthermore, a novel CCAT2/miR‐145/MDM2 axis was revealed in HCC development and might provide a new target in the molecular treatment of HCC.
Inflammatory mechanisms linking maternal and childhood asthma
Authors: Lebold Katie M , Jacoby David B , Drake Matthew G
Published: February 2020

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, and remodeling. Asthma often develops during childhood and causes lifelong decrements in lung function and quality of life. Risk factors for childhood asthma are numerous and include genetic, epigenetic, developmental, and environmental factors. Uncontrolled maternal asthma during pregnancy exposes the developing fetus to inflammatory insults, which further increase the risk of childhood asthma independent of genetic predisposition. This review focuses on the role of maternal asthma in the development of asthma in offspring. We will present maternal asthma as a targetable and modifiable risk factor for childhood asthma and discuss the mechanisms by which maternal inflammation increases childhood asthma risk. Topics include how exposure to maternal asthma in utero shapes structural lung development with a special emphasis on airway nerves, how maternal type-2 cytokines such as IL-5 activate the fetal immune system, and how changes in lung and immune cell development inform responses to aero-allergens later in life. Finally, we highlight emerging evidence that maternal asthma establishes a unique “asthma signature” in the airways of children, leading to novel mechanisms of airway hyperreactivity and inflammatory cell responses.
Ultrasound Features and Rate of Upgrade to Malignancy in Atypical Apocrine Lesions of the Breast
Authors: Jung Hyun Kyung , Kim Suk Jung , Kim Woogyeong , Lim Yun‐Jung , Lee Yedaun , Hahn Seok , Lee Ho‐Joon
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the ultrasound (US) features and rate of upgrade to malignancy in atypical apocrine lesions (AALs) of the breast, diagnosed on percutaneous needle biopsy.

Methods

This retrospective study included 17 AALs diagnosed by needle biopsy in 15 patients. For 16 of the 17 AALs, subsequent surgical excision (n = 14) or 8‐gauge vacuum‐assisted biopsy (n = 2) was performed. Ultrasound features were retrospectively analyzed according to the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System lexicon.

Results

Of 17 AALs, 13 (76.5%) were atypical apocrine hyperplasia; 3 (17.6%) were atypical apocrine adenosis; and 1 (5.9%) was combined atypical apocrine hyperplasia and atypical apocrine adenosis on needle biopsy. Subsequently, 4 of 16 AALs (25%) were upgraded to malignancy at surgical excision. On US imaging, all 17 lesions presented as masses, which were mainly irregular and noncircumscribed (n = 8) or oval/round and noncircumscribed (n = 7) with isoechogenicity or hypoechogenicity. Rarely, an AAL would show complex cystic and solid echogenicity (n = 1) or appear as a hypoechoic mass with oval shape and a circumscribed margin (n = 1).

Conclusions

Atypical apocrine lesions of the breast often showed suspicious malignant features on US imaging. Given the high upgrade rate (25%), the diagnosis of an AAL by needle biopsy warrants subsequent surgical excision.
Relationship of benggang number, area, and hypsometric integral values at different landform developmental stages
Authors: Liao Yishan , Zheng Mingguo , Li Dingqiang , Wu Xinliang , Liang Chen , Nie Xiaodong , Huang Bin , Xie Zhenyue , Yuan Zaijian , Tang Changyuan
Published: February 2020

In south China, benggang erosion causes intensive soil loss and land degradation. However, the mechanisms underlying its development remain unclear. In this study, the relationship between soil erosion, landform development, and benggang development in Jiangxi and Fujian provinces of China was investigated by using a soil erosion model and hypsometric integral (HI) values. Benggang number and area density are shown to increase first and then decrease with HI, with the highest benggang number density (0.27 benggang km−2) at a HI value between 0.18 and 0.20, the largest benggang area density (0.0016 km2 km−2) at a HI value between 0.14 and 0.16, and 78.66% of benggang in the stage of HI > 0.16. The current regional benggang erosion shows an aggravating trend, with a denudation rate of 0.04–5.7 mm yr−1，reducing HI by 1 × 10−7–1.03 × 10−4 per year in each watershed. The active period of regional benggang varies from 2,029 to 53,999 years with an average of 26,371 years. The landform development shows a close relationship with benggang evolution and can be divided into four zones: no benggang, historical benggang, current benggang, and potential benggang. Current benggang dominated (70.52%) in Jiangxi Province, while potential benggang (68.60%) in Fujian Province, suggesting a fall‐rise pattern for this erosion in the future. This study contributes to the understanding of the regional benggang development and the adoption of corresponding measures to control it.
Simulating Correlations of Structured Spontaneously Down‐Converted Photon Pairs
Authors: Trajtenberg‐Mills Sivan , Karnieli Aviv , Voloch‐Bloch Noa , Megidish Eli , Eisenberg Hagai S. , Arie Ady
Published: February 2020

Introducing structure into photon pair generation via spontaneous parametric down‐conversion (SPDC) is shown to be useful for controlling the output state and exploiting new degrees of freedom for quantum technologies. This paper presents a new method for simulating first‐ and second‐order correlations of the down‐converted photons in the presence of structured pump beams and shaped nonlinear photonic crystals. This method is nonperturbative, and thus accounts for high‐order effects, and can be made very efficient using parallel computing. Experimental results of photodetection and coincidence rates in complex spatial configurations are recovered quantitatively by this method. These include SPDC in 2D nonlinear photonic crystals, as well as with structured light beams such as Laguerre Gaussian and Hermite Gaussian beams. This simulation method reveals conservation rules for the down‐converted signal and idler beams that depend on the nonlinear crystal modulation pattern and the pump shape. This scheme can facilitate the design of nonlinear crystals and pumping conditions for generating non‐classical light with pre‐defined properties.
Block Copolymers Featuring Highly Photostable Photoacids Based on Vinylnaphthol: Synthesis and Self‐Assembly
Authors: Wendler Felix , Tom Jessica C. , Sittig Maria , Biehl Philip , Dietzek Benjamin , Schacher Felix H.
Published: February 2020

The synthesis of a photoresponsive amphiphilic diblock quarterpolymer containing 5‐vinyl‐1‐naphthol (VN) as a photostable photoacidic comonomer is presented. The preparation is realized via a sequential reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization starting from a nona(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (MEO9MA/“O”) hydrophilic block, which is then used as a macro‐RAFT agent in the terpolymerization of styrene (S), 2‐vinylpyridine (2VP), and TBS‐protected VN (tVN). The terpolymerization proceeds in a controlled fashion and two diblock quarterpolymers, P(Om)‐b‐P(Sx‐co‐2VPy‐co‐VNz), with varying functional comonomer compositions are prepared. These diblock quarterpolymers form spherical core‐corona micelles in aqueous media according to dynamic light scattering (DLS) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo‐TEM). Upon irradiation, the photoacids within the micellar core experience a drastic increase in acidity causing a proton transfer from the photoacid to neighboring 2VP units. As a result, the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of the entire assembly is shifted, and the encapsulated cargo is released.
Debugging Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Little Simon , Brown Peter
Published: February 2020

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a successful treatment for patients with Parkinson's disease. In adaptive DBS, stimulation is titrated according to feedback about clinical state and underlying pathophysiology. This contrasts with conventional stimulation, which is fixed and continuous. In acute trials, adaptive stimulation matches the efficacy of conventional stimulation while delivering about half the electrical energy. The latter means potentially fewer side‐effects. The next step is to determine the long‐term efficacy, efficiency, and side‐effect profile of adaptive stimulation, and chronic trials are currently being considered by the medical devices industry. However, there are several different approaches to adaptive DBS, and several possible limitations have been highlighted. Here we review the findings to date to ascertain how and who to stimulate in chronic trials designed to establish the long‐term utility of adaptive DBS. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Pennsylvania officials buck growing trend on work opportunities under Medicaid
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: February 2020

As of last week in Pennsylvania, new Medicaid health plan enrollees or those changing health plans are being asked a basic question with a potentially significant impact for their future: Are you interested in pursuing work opportunities?
Research examines obesity, dementia and cognitive decline
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: February 2020

Older adults with abdominal obesity have a high likelihood of experiencing cognitive decline, according to researchers who set out to investigate potential mechanisms underlying what they say is the well‐established relationship of diabetes and obesity with cognitive decline.
An optimization algorithm for dose reduction with fluence‐modulated proton CT
Authors: Dickmann J. , Rit S. , Pankuch M. , Johnson R. P. , Schulte R. W. , Parodi K. , Dedes G. , Landry G.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Fluence‐modulated proton computed tomography (FMpCT) using pencil beam scanning aims at achieving task‐specific image noise distributions by modulating the imaging proton fluence spot‐by‐spot based on an object‐specific noise model. In this work, we present a method for fluence field optimization and investigate its performance in dose reduction for various phantoms and image variance targets.

Methods

The proposed method uses Monte Carlo simulations of a proton CT (pCT) prototype scanner to estimate expected variance levels at uniform fluence. Using an iterative approach, we calculate a stack of target variance projections that are required to achieve the prescribed image variance, assuming a reconstruction using filtered backprojection. By fitting a pencil beam model to the ratio of uniform fluence variance and target variance, relative weights for each pencil beam can be calculated. The quality of the resulting fluence modulations is evaluated by scoring imaging doses and comparing them to those at uniform fluence, as well as evaluating conformity of the achieved variance with the prescription. For three different phantoms, we prescribed constant image variance as well as two regions‐of‐interest (ROI) imaging tasks with inhomogeneous image variance. The shape of the ROIs followed typical beam profiles for proton therapy.

Results

Prescription of constant image variance resulted in a dose reduction of 8.9% for a homogeneous water phantom compared to a uniform fluence scan at equal peak variance level. For a more heterogeneous head phantom, dose reduction increased to 16.0% for the same task. Prescribing two different ROIs resulted in dose reductions between 25.7% and 40.5% outside of the ROI at equal peak variance levels inside the ROI. Imaging doses inside the ROI were increased by 9.2% to 19.2% compared to the uniform fluence scan, but can be neglected assuming that the ROI agrees with the therapeutic dose region. Agreement of resulting variance maps with the prescriptions was satisfactory.

Conclusions

We developed a method for fluence field optimization based on a noise model for a real scanner used in pCT. We demonstrated that it can achieve prescribed image variance targets. A uniform fluence field was shown not to be dose optimal and dose reductions achievable with the proposed method for FMpCT were considerable, opening an interesting perspective for image guidance and adaptive therapy.
Refinement of the Hounsfield look‐up table by retrospective application of patient‐specific direct proton stopping‐power prediction from dual‐energy CT
Authors: Wohlfahrt Patrick , Möhler Christian , Enghardt Wolfgang , Krause Mechthild , Kunath Daniela , Menkel Stefan , Troost Esther G. C. , Greilich Steffen , Richter Christian
Published: February 2020

Background and Purpose

Proton treatment planning relies on an accurate determination of stopping‐power ratio (SPR) from x‐ray computed tomography (CT). A refinement of the heuristic CT‐based SPR prediction using a state‐of‐the‐art Hounsfield look‐up table (HLUT) is proposed, which incorporates patient SPR information obtained from dual‐energy CT (DECT) in a retrospective patient‐cohort analysis.

Material and Methods

SPR datasets of 25 brain‐tumor patients, 25 prostate‐cancer patients, and three nonsmall cell lung‐cancer (NSCLC) patients were calculated from clinical DECT scans with the comprehensively validated DirectSPR approach. Based on the median frequency distribution of voxelwise correlations between CT number and SPR within the irradiated volume, a piecewise linear function was specified (DirectSPR‐based adapted HLUT). Differences in dose distribution and proton range were assessed for the nonadapted and adapted HLUT in comparison to the DirectSPR method, which has been shown to be an accurate and reliable SPR estimation method.

Results

The application of the DirectSPR‐based adapted HLUT instead of the nonadapted HLUT reduced the systematic proton range differences from 1.2% (1.1 mm) to −0.1% (0.0 mm) for brain‐tumor patients, 1.7% (4.1 mm) to 0.2% (0.5 mm) for prostate‐cancer patients, and 2.0% (2.9 mm) to −0.1% (0.0 mm) for NSCLC patients. Due to the large intra‐ and inter‐patient tissue variability, range differences to DirectSPR larger than 1% remained for the adapted HLUT.

Conclusions

The incorporation of patient‐specific correlations between CT number and SPR, derived from a retrospective application of DirectSPR to a broad patient cohort, improves the SPR accuracy of the current state‐of‐the‐art HLUT approach. The DirectSPR‐based adapted HLUT has been clinically implemented at the University Proton Therapy Dresden (Dresden, Germany) in 2017. This already facilitates the benefits of an improved DECT‐based tissue differentiation within clinical routine without changing the general approach for range prediction (HLUT), and represents a further step toward full integration of the DECT‐based DirectSPR method for treatment planning in proton therapy.
A systematic review and meta‐synthesis of qualitative studies on pelvic organ prolapse for the development of core outcome sets
Authors: Rada Maria Patricia , Jones Stephanie , Falconi Gabriele , Milhem Haddad Jorge , Betschart Cornelia , Pergialiotis Vasilios , Doumouchtsis Stergios K. ,   CHORUS: An International Collaboration for Harmonising Outcomes, Research and Standards in Urogynaecology and Women's Health
Published: February 2020

Aims

In the current climate of evidence‐based health care, the aim of this meta‐synthesis was to collect and systematically analyse data from primary qualitative studies on pelvic organ prolapse (POP), to identify patient‐centered perspectives on the natural course of POP. Information acquired in this study may be useful for ongoing research towards the development of core outcome sets (COS) in pelvic floor disorders.

Methods

A CHORUS Working Group performed a standardized search of three different databases (Medline, Embase, Scopus), from inception to October 2019. We selected qualitative studies on women's perspectives on POP that were published in the English language. Three reviewers independently evaluated the quality of eligible papers and highlighted recurrent themes based on patient perspectives.

Results

Eighteen qualitative studies including a total of 497 patients were assessed in this analysis. Our study revealed five superordinate themes, recurrently encountered in qualitative studies on POP: awareness of POP (6 studies), communication (9 studies), treatments (10 studies), effects on quality of life (6 studies), and self‐image (3 studies). Five out of 10 quality criteria were met by all the studies included, based on an assessment performed using the critical appraisal skills program.

Conclusions

This is the first synthesis of qualitative studies that address POP‐related experiences of women, highlighting five superordinate themes, of which treatment was the most commonly reported one. This synthesis' findings may guide quantitative research priorities and will hopefully contribute to the development of a COS for POP.