bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adverse Event Burden Score—A Versatile Summary Measure for Cancer Clinical Trials
Authors: Le-Rademacher Jennifer G. , Hillman Shauna , Storrick Elizabeth , Mahoney Michelle R. , Thall Peter F. , Jatoi Aminah , Mandrekar Sumithra J.
Published: November 2020

This article introduces the adverse event (AE) burden score. The AE burden by treatment cycle is a weighted sum of all grades and AEs that the patient experienced in a cycle. The overall AE burden score is the total AE burden the patient experienced across all treatment cycles. AE data from two completed Alliance multi-center randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials, with different AE profiles (NCCTG 97-24-51: 176 patients, and A091105: 83 patients), were utilized for illustration. Results of the AE burden score analyses corroborated the trials’ primary results. In 97-24-51, the overall AE burden for patients on the treatment arm was 2.2 points higher than those on the placebo arm, with a higher AE burden for patients who went off treatment early due to AE. Similarly, in A091105, the overall AE burden was 1.6 points higher on the treatment arm. On the placebo arms, the AE burden in 97-24-51 remained constant over time; and increased in later cycles in A091105, likely attributable to the increase in disease morbidity. The AE burden score enables statistical comparisons analogous to other quantitative endpoints in clinical trials, and can readily accommodate different trial settings, diseases, and treatments, with diverse AE profiles.
Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase in Women with Breast Cancer: A Role beyond the Regulation of Oxytocin and Vasopressin
Authors: Ramírez-Expósito María Jesús , Dueñas-Rodríguez Basilio , Carrera-González María Pilar , Navarro-Cecilia Joaquín , Martínez-Martos Jose Manuel
Published: November 2020

Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) is the only enzyme known to cleave oxytocin and vasopressin; however, it is also the high-affinity binding site for angiotensin IV (AngIV) receptor type 4 (AT4) ligands and it is related to insulin-dependent glucose transporters through the translocation of the glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4). Previous studies have demonstrated an association between IRAP activity and the number and size of mammary tumors in an animal model of breast cancer (BC). Also, a highly significant increase in IRAP activity has been found in BC tissue from women patients. Here, we found no changes in circulating IRAP in premenopausal (preMP) women, but it increased significantly in postmenopausal (postMP) women not treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACH). However, in women treated with NACH, IRAP activity increased in both preMP and postMP women. Two years of follow-up indicated lower levels of IRAP activity in untreated preMP women, but a return to control levels in untreated postMP women, while IRAP activity returned to control levels in women treated with NACH. Circulating oxytocin decreased in both preMP and postMP women during the follow-up period. Differences in Oxytocin appeared between preMP and postMP women treated with NACH, but not in women who were not treated with NACH. On the contrary, circulating vasopressin increased in untreated and treated preMP and postMP women, with most of the differences related to the hormonal status as well as the neoadjuvant treatment during the two year follow-up We propose that IRAP is involved in mechanisms related not only to oxytocin and/or vasopressin regulation, but also to the local mammary RAS through AngIV and its role in glucose transportation through the IRAP/GLUT4 system.
Erratum: Oh, E., et al. Cryopreserved Human Natural Killer Cells Exhibit Potent Antitumor Efficacy against Orthotopic Pancreatic Cancer through Efficient Tumor-Homing and Cytolytic Ability (Running Title: Cryopreserved NK Cells Exhibit Antitumor Effect). Cancers 2019, 11, 966
Authors: Oh Eonju , Min Bokyung , Lin Yan , Lian ChunYing , Hong JinWoo , Park Gyeong-min , Yang Bitna , Cho Sung Yoo , Hwang Yu Kyeong , Yun Chae-Ok
Published: November 2020

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Molecular Features and Targeted Therapies in Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Promises and Failures
Authors: Rizzo Alessandro , Tavolari Simona , Ricci Angela Dalia , Frega Giorgio , Palloni Andrea , Relli Valeria , Salati Massimiliano , Fenocchio Elisabetta , Massa Annamaria , Aglietta Massimo , Brandi Giovanni
Published: November 2020

Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) include a heterogenous group of aggressive malignancies with limited therapeutic options. According to their anatomical location, these hepatobiliary tumors are usually classified into intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA), and gallbladder cancer (GBC). Unfortunately, BTCs are often diagnosed when already metastatic, and although the advent of genomic sequencing has led to a deeper understanding of iCCA pathogenesis, very little data are currently available about the molecular landscape of eCCA. Moreover, despite novel systemic treatments emerging in BTC, the grim prognosis of eCCA patients has not changed in the past decade, and no targeted therapies have been approved so far. The aim of the current review is to provide an overview regarding molecular features and potential targeted therapies in eCCA, together with novel therapeutic approaches and future directions of translational and clinical research on this highly aggressive disease that poses many unanswered questions.
TSPAN1: A Novel Protein Involved in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Chemoresistance
Authors: Garcia-Mayea Yoelsis , Mir Cristina , Carballo Laia , Castellvi Josep , Temprana-Salvador Jordi , Lorente Juan , Benavente Sergi , García-Pedrero Juana M. , Allonca Eva , Rodrigo Juan P. , LLeonart Matilde E.
Published: November 2020

Sensitization of resistant cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs) represents a major challenge in cancer therapy. A proteomic study revealed tetraspanin-1 (TSPAN1) as a protein involved in acquisition of cisplatin (CDDP) resistance (Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD020159). TSPAN1 was found to increase in CDDP-resistant cells, CSCs and biopsies from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. TSPAN1 depletion in parental and CDDP-resistant HNSCC cells reduced cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, decreased autophagy, sensitized to chemotherapeutic agents and inhibited several signaling cascades, with phospho-SRC inhibition being a major common target. Moreover, TSPAN1 depletion in vivo decreased the size and proliferation of parental and CDDP-resistant tumors and reduced metastatic spreading. Notably, CDDP-resistant tumors showed epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) features that disappeared upon TSPAN1 inhibition, suggesting a link of TSPAN1 with EMT and metastasis. Immunohistochemical analysis of HNSCC specimens further revealed that TSPAN1 expression was correlated with phospho-SRC (pSRC), and inversely with E-cadherin, thus reinforcing TSPAN1 association with EMT. Overall, TSPAN1 emerges as a novel oncogenic protein and a promising target for HNSCC therapy.
Pharmacotranscriptomic Analysis Reveals Novel Drugs and Gene Networks Regulating Ferroptosis in Cancer
Authors: Yang Haitang , Zhao Liang , Gao Yanyun , Yao Feng , Marti Thomas M. , Schmid Ralph A. , Peng Ren-Wang
Published: November 2020

(1) Background: Ferroptosis is an apoptosis-independent cell death program implicated in many diseases including cancer. Emerging evidence suggests ferroptosis as a promising avenue for cancer therapy, but the paucity of mechanistic understanding of ferroptosis regulation and lack of biomarkers for sensitivity to ferroptosis inducers have significantly hampered the utility of ferroptosis-based therapy. (2) Methods: We performed integrated dataset analysis by correlating the sensitivity of small-molecule compounds (n = 481) against the transcriptomes of solid cancer cell lines (n = 659) to identify drug candidates with the potential to induce ferroptosis. Generalizable gene signatures of ferroptosis sensitivity and resistance are defined by interrogating drug effects of ferroptosis inducers (n = 7) with transcriptomic data of pan-solid cancer cells. (3) Results: We report, for the first time, the comprehensive identification of drug compounds that induce ferroptosis and the delineation of generalizable gene signatures of pro- and anti-ferroptosis in pan-cancer. We further reveal that small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1/2)-mutant brain tumors show enrichment of pro-ferroptosis gene signature, suggesting a unique vulnerability of SCLC and IDH-mutant tumors to ferroptosis inducers. Finally, we demonstrate that targeting class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) significantly enhances ferroptotic cell death caused by Erastin, an ferroptosis inducer, in lung cancer cells, revealing a previously underappreciated role for HDAC in ferroptosis regulation. (4) Conclusions: Our work reveals novel drug compounds and gene networks that regulate ferroptosis in cancer, which sheds light on the mechanisms of ferroptosis and may facilitate biomarker-guided stratification for ferroptosis-based therapy.
The Interplay between Cancer Biology and the Endocannabinoid System—Significance for Cancer Risk, Prognosis and Response to Treatment
Authors: Moreno Estefanía , Cavic Milena , Krivokuca Ana , Canela Enric I.
Published: November 2020

The various components of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), such as the cannabinoid receptors (CBRs), cannabinoid ligands, and the signalling network behind it, are implicated in several tumour-related states, both as favourable and unfavourable factors. This review analyses the ECS’s complex involvement in the susceptibility to cancer, prognosis, and response to treatment, focusing on its relationship with cancer biology in selected solid cancers (breast, gastrointestinal, gynaecological, prostate cancer, thoracic, thyroid, CNS tumours, and melanoma). Changes in the expression and activation of CBRs, as well as their ability to form distinct functional heteromers affect the cell’s tumourigenic potential and their signalling properties, leading to pharmacologically different outcomes. Thus, the same ECS component can exert both protective and pathogenic effects in different tumour subtypes, which are often pathologically driven by different biological factors. The use of endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids as anti-cancer agents, and the range of effects they might induce (cell death, regulation of angiogenesis, and invasion or anticancer immunity), depend in great deal on the tumour type and the specific ECS component that they target. Although an attractive target, the use of ECS components in anti-cancer treatment is still interlinked with many legal and ethical issues that need to be considered.
Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery: The Role of Multimodal Imaging—A Case Report
Authors: Singh Mita , Gomes Ana Teresa , El-Haddad Moad , Saidmeerasah Abdel Khalid , Iqbal Rashid
Published: November 2020

Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery (ALCAPA) is a rare coronary artery anomaly which accounts for 0.25–0.5% of all congenital cardiac diseases, where most die within the first year of life. We present a case report of a 50-year-old lady who presented to hospital with persistent palpitations. Her admission electrocardiogram found her to be in Atrial Fibrillation (AF). She was rate-controlled and subsequently discharged. Despite that, she represented with further episodes of AF and was referred for an outpatient transthoracic echocardiogram. This revealed a dilated right coronary artery, retrograde flow in the left coronary artery and collateral flow in the myocardium. To investigate, the patient had undergone further imaging which confirmed the diagnosis. As such, she was later shortlisted for surgical intervention. Conclusively, our case exemplifies the role of multimodal imaging to identify the features of ALCAPA and may be useful for the purposes of surgical intervention.
An Index Combining Lost and Remaining Nerve Fibers Correlates with Pain Hypersensitivity in Mice
Authors: Chi Han-Hsiung , Lee Jye-Chang , Chen Chih-Cheng , Chen Shih-Kuo , Yen Chen-Tung
Published: November 2020

Multiple peripheral nerves are known to degenerate after nerve compression injury but the correlation between the extent of nerve alteration and pain severity remains unclear. Here, we used intravital two-photon fluorescence microscopy to longitudinally observe changes in cutaneous fibers in the hind paw of Nav1.8-Cre-tdTomato mice after chronic constriction injury (CCI). Results showed that the CCI led to variable loss of the skin nerve plexus and intraepidermal nerve fibers. The timing of Nav1.8 nerve fiber loss correlated with the development of mechanical hypersensitivity. We compared a scoring approach that assessed whole-paw nerve degeneration with an index that quantified changes in the nerve plexus and terminals in multiple small regions of interest (ROI) from intravital images of the third and fifth toe tips. We found that the number of surviving nerve fibers was not linearly correlated with mechanical hypersensitivity. On the contrary, at 14 days after CCI, the moderately injured mice showed greater mechanical hypersensitivity than the mildly or severely injured mice. This indicates that both surviving and injured nerves are required for evoked neuropathic pain. In addition, these two methods may have the estimative effect as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for the assessment of neuropathic pain.
BAG3 Proteomic Signature under Proteostasis Stress
Authors: Hiebel Christof , Stürner Elisabeth , Hoffmeister Meike , Tascher Georg , Schwarz Mario , Nagel Heike , Behrends Christian , Münch Christian , Behl Christian
Published: November 2020

The multifunctional HSP70 co-chaperone BAG3 (BCL-2-associated athanogene 3) represents a key player in the quality control of the cellular proteostasis network. In response to stress, BAG3 specifically targets aggregation-prone proteins to the perinuclear aggresome and promotes their degradation via BAG3-mediated selective macroautophagy. To adapt cellular homeostasis to stress, BAG3 modulates and functions in various cellular processes and signaling pathways. Noteworthy, dysfunction and deregulation of BAG3 and its pathway are pathophysiologically linked to myopathies, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we report a BAG3 proteomic signature under proteostasis stress. To elucidate the dynamic and multifunctional action of BAG3 in response to stress, we established BAG3 interactomes under basal and proteostasis stress conditions by employing affinity purification combined with quantitative mass spectrometry. In addition to the identification of novel potential BAG3 interactors, we defined proteins whose interaction with BAG3 was altered upon stress. By functional annotation and protein-protein interaction enrichment analysis of the identified potential BAG3 interactors, we confirmed the multifunctionality of BAG3 and highlighted its crucial role in diverse cellular signaling pathways and processes, ensuring cellular proteostasis and cell viability. These include protein folding and degradation, gene expression, cytoskeleton dynamics (including cell cycle and transport), as well as granulostasis, in particular.
Pro-Inflammatory Role of AQP4 in Mice Subjected to Intrastriatal Injections of the Parkinsonogenic Toxin MPP+
Authors: Prydz Agnete , Stahl Katja , Zahl Soulmaz , Skauli Nadia , Skare Øivind , Ottersen Ole Petter , Amiry-Moghaddam Mahmood
Published: November 2020

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is critically involved in brain water and volume homeostasis and has been implicated in a wide range of pathological conditions. Notably, evidence has been accrued to suggest that AQP4 plays a proinflammatory role by promoting release of astrocytic cytokines that activate microglia and other astrocytes. Neuroinflammation is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and we have previously shown that astrocytes in substantia nigra (SN) are enriched in AQP4 relative to cortical astrocytes, and that their complement of AQP4 is further increased following treatment with the parkinsonogenic toxin MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine). Here, we investigated the effect of Aqp4 deletion on microglial activation in mice subjected to unilateral intrastriatal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+, the toxic metabolite of MPTP). Our results show that MPP+ injections lead to a pronounced increase in the expression level of microglial activating genes in the ventral mesencephalon of wild type (WT) mice, but not Aqp4−/− mice. We also show, in WT mice, that MPP+ injections cause an upregulation of nigral AQP4 and swelling of astrocytic endfeet. These findings are consistent with the idea that AQP4 plays a pro-inflammatory role in Parkinson’s disease, secondary to the dysregulation of astrocytic volume homeostasis.
The Landscape of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Membrane-Associated Proteins
Authors: Motta Sara , Vecchietti Davide , Martorana Alessandra M. , Brunetti Pietro , Bertoni Giovanni , Polissi Alessandra , Mauri Pierluigi , Di Silvestre Dario
Published: November 2020

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa cell envelope-associated proteins play a relevant role in infection mechanisms. They can contribute to the antibiotic resistance of the bacterial cells and be involved in the interaction with host cells. Thus, studies contributing to elucidating these key molecular elements are of great importance to find alternative therapeutics. Methods: Proteins and peptides were extracted by different methods and analyzed by Multidimensional Protein Identification Technology (MudPIT) approach. Proteomic data were processed by Discoverer2.1 software and multivariate statistics, i.e., Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), while the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) resources were used to predict antigenicity and immunogenicity of experimental identified peptides and proteins. Results: The combination of 29 MudPIT runs allowed the identification of 10,611 peptides and 2539 distinct proteins. Following application of extraction methods enriching specific protein domains, about 15% of total identified peptides were classified in trans inner-membrane, inner-membrane exposed, trans outer-membrane and outer-membrane exposed. In this scenario, nine outer membrane proteins (OprE, OprI, OprF, OprD, PagL, OprG, PA1053, PAL and PA0833) were predicted to be highly antigenic. Thus, they were further processed and epitopes target of T cells (MHC Class I and Class II) and B cells were predicted. Conclusion: The present study represents one of the widest characterizations of the P. aeruginosa membrane-associated proteome. The feasibility of our method may facilitates the investigation of other bacterial species whose envelope exposed protein domains are still unknown. Besides, the stepwise prioritization of proteome, by combining experimental proteomic data and reverse vaccinology, may be useful for reducing the number of proteins to be tested in vaccine development.
Controlling the Switch from Neurogenesis to Pluripotency during Marmoset Monkey Somatic Cell Reprogramming with Self-Replicating mRNAs and Small Molecules
Authors: Petkov Stoyan , Dressel Ralf , Rodriguez-Polo Ignacio , Behr Rüdiger
Published: November 2020

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold enormous potential for the development of cell-based therapies; however, the safety and efficacy of potential iPSC-based treatments need to be verified in relevant animal disease models before their application in the clinic. Here, we report the derivation of iPSCs from common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) using self-replicating mRNA vectors based on the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE-mRNAs). By transfection of marmoset fibroblasts with VEE-mRNAs carrying the human OCT4, KLF4, SOX2, and c-MYC and culture in the presence of small molecule inhibitors CHIR99021 and SB431542, we first established intermediate primary colonies with neural progenitor-like properties. In the second reprogramming step, we converted these colonies into transgene-free pluripotent stem cells by further culturing them with customized marmoset iPSC medium in feeder-free conditions. Our experiments revealed a novel paradigm for flexible reprogramming of somatic cells, where primary colonies obtained by a single VEE-mRNA transfection can be directed either toward the neural lineage or further reprogrammed to pluripotency. These results (1) will further enhance the role of the common marmoset as animal disease model for preclinical testing of iPSC-based therapies and (2) establish an in vitro system to experimentally address developmental signal transduction pathways in primates.
Transcriptional and Metabolic Dissection of ATRA-Induced Granulocytic Differentiation in NB4 Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Cells
Authors: Albanesi Jacopo , Noguera Nelida Ines , Banella Cristina , Colangelo Tommaso , De Marinis Elisabetta , Leone Stefano , Palumbo Orazio , Voso Maria Teresa , Ascenzi Paolo , Nervi Clara , Bianchi Fabrizio , di Masi Alessandra
Published: November 2020

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a hematological disease characterized by a balanced reciprocal translocation that leads to the synthesis of the oncogenic fusion protein PML-RARα. APL is mainly managed by a differentiation therapy based on the administration of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO). However, therapy resistance, differentiation syndrome, and relapses require the development of new low-toxicity therapies based on the induction of blasts differentiation. In keeping with this, we reasoned that a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms pivotal for ATRA-driven differentiation could definitely bolster the identification of new therapeutic strategies in APL patients. We thus performed an in-depth high-throughput transcriptional profile analysis and metabolic characterization of a well-established APL experimental model based on NB4 cells that represent an unevaluable tool to dissect the complex mechanism associated with ATRA-induced granulocytic differentiation. Pathway-reconstruction analysis using genome-wide transcriptional data has allowed us to identify the activation/inhibition of several cancer signaling pathways (e.g., inflammation, immune cell response, DNA repair, and cell proliferation) and master regulators (e.g., transcription factors, epigenetic regulators, and ligand-dependent nuclear receptors). Furthermore, we provide evidence of the regulation of a considerable set of metabolic genes involved in cancer metabolic reprogramming. Consistently, we found that ATRA treatment of NB4 cells drives the activation of aerobic glycolysis pathway and the reduction of OXPHOS-dependent ATP production. Overall, this study represents an important resource in understanding the molecular “portfolio” pivotal for APL differentiation, which can be explored for developing new therapeutic strategies.
Histone Variants: Guardians of Genome Integrity
Authors: Ferrand Juliette , Rondinelli Beatrice , Polo Sophie E.
Published: November 2020

Chromatin integrity is key for cell homeostasis and for preventing pathological development. Alterations in core chromatin components, histone proteins, recently came into the spotlight through the discovery of their driving role in cancer. Building on these findings, in this review, we discuss how histone variants and their associated chaperones safeguard genome stability and protect against tumorigenesis. Accumulating evidence supports the contribution of histone variants and their chaperones to the maintenance of chromosomal integrity and to various steps of the DNA damage response, including damaged chromatin dynamics, DNA damage repair, and damage-dependent transcription regulation. We present our current knowledge on these topics and review recent advances in deciphering how alterations in histone variant sequence, expression, and deposition into chromatin fuel oncogenic transformation by impacting cell proliferation and cell fate transitions. We also highlight open questions and upcoming challenges in this rapidly growing field.
A Rare Cause of Chronic Hypokalemia with Metabolic Alkalosis: Case Report and Differential Diagnosis
Authors: Bertulli Cristina , Hureaux Marguerite , De Mutiis Chiara , Pasini Andrea , Bockenhauer Detlef , Vargas-Poussou Rosa , La Scola Claudio
Published: November 2020

Hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis can be present in different rare diseases, and the differential diagnosis of these forms is challenging. Apparent mineralcorticoid (AME) excess syndrome is one of these conditions. Characterized by increased blood pressure due to excessive sodium retention and plasma volume, it is caused by a mutation in the HSD11B2 gene encoding the oxydoreductase enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroide dehydrogenase type 2. We report the case of a child presenting with failure to thrive associated with early detection of hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, nephrocalcinosis and hypertension in which AME syndrome was detected. A novel mutation in the HSD11B2 gene was identified in this patient. In clinical pictures characterized by metabolic alkalosis and hypokalemia, the evaluation of renin, aldosterone and blood pressure is crucial for accurate diagnosis. AME syndrome is a rare disorder that can be an insidious but lethal disease, if untreated. With clinical signs appearing during the first days of life. Early diagnosis is imperative in order to enable prompt and adequate treatment to improve the outcome of these patients.
Urochloa Grasses Swap Nitrogen Source When Grown in Association with Legumes in Tropical Pastures
Authors: Villegas Daniel M. , Velasquez Jaime , Arango Jacobo , Obregon Karen , Rao Idupulapati M. , Rosas Gelber , Oberson Astrid
Published: November 2020

The degradation of tropical pastures sown with introduced grasses (e.g., Urochloa spp.) has dramatic environmental and economic consequences in Latin America. Nitrogen (N) limitation to plant growth contributes to pasture degradation. The introduction of legumes in association with grasses has been proposed as a strategy to improve N supply via symbiotic N2 fixation, but the fixed N input and N benefits for associated grasses have hardly been determined in farmers’ pastures. We have carried out on-farm research in ten paired plots of grass-alone (GA) vs. grass-legume (GL) pastures. Measurements included soil properties, pasture productivity, and sources of plant N uptake using 15N isotope natural abundance methods. The integration of legumes increased pasture biomass production by about 74%, while N uptake was improved by two-fold. The legumes derived about 80% of their N via symbiotic N2 fixation. The isotopic signature of N of grasses in GA vs. GL pastures suggested that sources of grass N are affected by sward composition. Low values of δ15N found in some grasses in GA pastures indicate that they depend, to some extent, on N from non-symbiotic N2 fixation, while δ15N signatures of grasses in GL pastures pointed to N transfer to grass from the associated legume. The role of different soil–plant processes such as biological nitrification inhibition (BNI), non-symbiotic N2 fixation by GA pastures and legume–N transfer to grasses in GL pastures need to be further studied to provide a more comprehensive understanding of N sources supporting the growth of grasses in tropical pastures.
CSID: A Novel Multimodal Image Fusion Algorithm for Enhanced Clinical Diagnosis
Authors: Muzammil Shah Rukh , Maqsood Sarmad , Haider Shahab , Damaševičius Robertas
Published: November 2020

Technology-assisted clinical diagnosis has gained tremendous importance in modern day healthcare systems. To this end, multimodal medical image fusion has gained great attention from the research community. There are several fusion algorithms that merge Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) to extract detailed information, which is used to enhance clinical diagnosis. However, these algorithms exhibit several limitations, such as blurred edges during decomposition, excessive information loss that gives rise to false structural artifacts, and high spatial distortion due to inadequate contrast. To resolve these issues, this paper proposes a novel algorithm, namely Convolutional Sparse Image Decomposition (CSID), that fuses CT and MR images. CSID uses contrast stretching and the spatial gradient method to identify edges in source images and employs cartoon-texture decomposition, which creates an overcomplete dictionary. Moreover, this work proposes a modified convolutional sparse coding method and employs improved decision maps and the fusion rule to obtain the final fused image. Simulation results using six datasets of multimodal images demonstrate that CSID achieves superior performance, in terms of visual quality and enriched information extraction, in comparison with eminent image fusion algorithms.
Specialization and Performance: Evidence from NCAA 4 × 400 m Relay Times
Authors: Johnson Candon , Schultz Robert , Hall Joshua C.
Published: November 2020

This paper investigates the impact of having open 400 meter (400 m) runners on NCAA relay teams. Using data from 2012–2016 containing the top 100 4 × 400 m in each NCAA Division relay times for each year, it is found that more 400 m specialists lead to an increase in the overall performance of the team, measured by a decrease in relay times. The effect is examined across Division I–III NCAA track teams. The results are consistent across each division. We view this as a test of the role of specialization on performance. Using runners who specialize in 400 m races should increase overall team performance as long as specialization does not lead to an inefficient allocation of team human capital. An additional performance measure is used examining the difference between projected and actual relay times. Divisions I and II are found to perform better than projected with an increase in 400 m runners, but there is no effect found in Division III.
Investigation of Scale Conversion for Inductive Power Transfer in Series-Series Configuration
Authors: Truong Chanh-Tin , Choi Sung-Jin
Published: November 2020

Nowadays, inductive wireless power transfer is widely used in various applications over a large power range. However, for high power systems, testing the magnetic coupler implementation often requires too much time, space, and expense for normal laboratory conditions. For such a reason, a miniaturized system is a viable alternative to the actual system for a preliminary test of transfer characteristics and control strategy before constructing the full-scaled system. This paper studies the scale conversion rules required for miniaturized coupler design to ensure the scaled and original systems are as equivalent as possible to each other in terms of transfer characteristics. To verify the proposed theory, a 1:15 scaled magnetic coupler was constructed, and its transfer characteristics were compared with the original system. The proposed scaling rules were tested by experiment, and the results agree well with the theoretical analysis and simulation.
Microfluidic Approach for Lead Halide Perovskite Flexible Phototransistors
Authors: Khorramshahi Fatemeh , Takshi Arash
Published: November 2020

Lead halide perovskites possess outstanding optical characteristics that can be employed in the fabrication of phototransistors. However, due to low current modulation at room temperature, sensitivity to the ambient environment, lack of patterning techniques and low carrier mobility of polycrystalline form, investigation in perovskite phototransistors has been limited to rigid substrates such as silicon and glass to improve the film quality. Here, we report on room temperature current modulation in a methylammonium lead iodide perovskite (MAPbI3) flexible transistor made by an extremely cheap and facile fabrication process. The proposed phototransistor has the top-gate configuration with a lateral drain–channel–source structure. The device performed in the linear and saturation regions both in the dark and under white light in different current ranges according to the illumination conditions. The transistor showed p-type transport characteristics and the field effect mobility of the device was calculated to be ~1.7 cm2 V−1 s−1. This study is expected to contribute to the development of MAPbI3 flexible phototransistors.
Locality/Fairness-Aware Job Scheduling in Distributed Stream Processing Engines
Authors: Son Siwoon , Moon Yang-Sae
Published: November 2020

Distributed stream processing engines (DSPEs) deploy multiple tasks on distributed servers to process data streams in real time. Many DSPEs have provided locality-aware stream partitioning (LSP) methods to reduce network communication costs. However, an even job scheduler provided by DSPEs deploys tasks far away from each other on the distributed servers, which cannot use the LSP properly. In this paper, we propose a Locality/Fairness-aware job scheduler (L/F job scheduler) that considers locality together to solve problems of the even job scheduler that only considers fairness. First, the L/F job scheduler increases cohesion of contiguous tasks that require message transmissions for the locality. At the same time, it reduces coupling of parallel tasks that do not require message transmissions for the fairness. Next, we connect the contiguous tasks into a stream pipeline and evenly deploy stream pipelines to the distributed servers so that the L/F job scheduler achieves high cohesion and low coupling. Finally, we implement the proposed L/F job scheduler in Apache Storm, a representative DSPE, and evaluate it in both synthetic and real-world workloads. Experimental results show that the L/F job scheduler is similar in throughput compared to the even job scheduler, but latency is significantly improved by up to 139.2% for the LSP applications and by up to 140.7% even for the non-LSP applications. The L/F job scheduler also improves latency by 19.58% and 12.13%, respectively, in two real-world workloads. These results indicate that our L/F job scheduler provides superior processing performance for the DSPE applications.
Variations in Minority Carrier-Trapping Effects Caused by Hydrogen Passivation in Multicrystalline Silicon Wafer
Authors: Jung Yujin , Min Kwan Hong , Bae Soohyun , Kang Yoonmook , Kim Donghwan , Lee Hae-Seok
Published: November 2020

In a multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) wafer, trapping effects frequently occur in the carrier lifetime measurement based on the quasi-steady-state photoconductance (QSSPC) technique. This affects the accurate measurement of the carrier lifetime of an mc-Si solar cell by causing distortions at a low injection level close to the Pmax point. Therefore, it is necessary to understand this effect and effectively minimize the trapping-center density. In this study, the variations in the minority carrier-trapping effect of hydrogen at different annealing temperatures in an mc-Si were observed using QSSPC, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and atom probe tomography. A trapping effect was confirmed and occurred in the grain boundary area, and the effect was reduced by hydrogen. Thus, in an mc-Si wafer, effective hydrogen passivation on the grain area and grain boundary is crucial and was experimentally proven to minimize the distortion of the carrier lifetime.
Design Analysis of Micro Gas Turbines in Closed Cycles
Authors: Kosowski Krzysztof , Piwowarski Marian
Published: November 2020

The problems faced by designers of micro-turbines are connected with a very small volume flow rate of working media which leads to small blade heights and a high rotor speed. In the case of gas turbines this limitation can be overcome by the application of a closed cycle with very low pressure at the compressor inlet (lower than atmospheric pressure). In this way we may apply a micro gas turbine unit of accepted efficiency to work in a similar range of temperatures and the same pressure ratios, but in the range of smaller pressure values and smaller mass flow rate. Thus, we can obtain a gas turbine of a very small output but of the efficiency typical of gas turbines with a much higher power. In this paper, the results of the thermodynamic calculations of the turbine cycles are discussed and the designed gas turbine flow parts are presented. Suggestions of the design solutions of micro gas turbines for different values of power output are proposed. This new approach to gas turbine arrangement makes it possible to build a gas turbine unit of a very small output and a high efficiency. The calculations of cycle and gas turbine design were performed for different cycle parameters and different working media (air, nitrogen, hydrogen, helium, xenon and carbon dioxide).
Feasibility for Damage Identification in Offshore Wind Jacket Structures through Monitoring of Global Structural Dynamics
Authors: Richmond Mark , Smolka Ursula , Kolios Athanasios
Published: November 2020

The modal response of a four-legged jacket structure to damages are explored and resulting considerations for damage detection are discussed. A finite element model of the Wikinger (Iberdrola) jacket structure is used to investigate damage detection. Damages, such as cracks, scour, corrosion and more, are modelled in a simulation environment. The resulting modal parameters are calculated, these parameters are compared to those from an unaltered structure and metrics are calculated including frequency change, modal assurance criterion and modal flexibility. A highly detailed design-model is used to conduct a sensitivity study on modal parameters for a range of changes. By conducting this on the same structure, this acts as a useful reference for those interested in the dynamic response of offshore wind jacket structures. Additionally, this paper addresses the issue of changes in mode parameters resulting from turbine yaw. This paper also considers the challenge of mode-swapping in semi-symmetric structures and proposes several approaches for addressing this. Damage typically results in a reduction of frequency and change in mode shapes, but in ways which can be distinguished from other structural changes, given the extent of this model. These findings are important considerations for modal-based damage detection of offshore wind support structures.
Modeling of CO2 Capture with Water Bubble Column Reactor
Authors: Inkeri Eero , Tynjälä Tero
Published: November 2020

The demand for carbon capture is increasing over time due to rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Even though fossil emission could be decreased or even eliminated, there is a need to start removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The removed CO2 could be either stored permanently to a reservoir (CCS, Carbon Capture and Storage) or utilized as a raw material in a long-lasting product (CCU, Carbon Capture and Utilization). The capture of CO2 could be done by direct air capture, or capturing CO2 from biogenic sources. Amine absorption is the state-of-the-art method to capture CO2, but it has some drawbacks: toxicity, high heat demand, and sorbent sensitivity towards impurities such as sulfur compounds and degradation in cyclic operation. Another potential solvent for CO2 could be water, which is easily available and safe to use in many applications. The problem with water is the poorer solubility of CO2, compared with amines, which leads to larger required flow rates. This study analyzed the technical feasibility of water absorption in a counterflow bubble column reactor. A dynamic, one-dimensional multiphase model was developed. The gas phase was modeled with plug flow assumption, and the liquid phase was treated as axially dispersed plug flow. CO2 capture efficiency, produced CO2 mass flow rate, and the product gas CO2 content were estimated as a function of inlet gas and liquid flow rate. In addition, the energy consumption per produced CO2-tonne was calculated. The CO2 capture efficiency was improved by increasing the liquid flow rate, while the CO2 content in product gas was decreased. For some of the studied liquid flow rates, an optimum gas flow rate was found to minimize the specific energy consumption. Further research is required to study the integration and dynamical operation of the system in a realistic operation environment.
Statistical Methodology for the Definition of Standard Model for Energy Analysis of Residential Buildings in Korea
Authors: Nam Hye-Ryeong , Kim Seo-Hoon , Han Seol-Yee , Lee Sung-Jin , Hong Won-Hwa , Kim Jong-Hun
Published: November 2020

This study was conducted to propose an optimal methodology for deriving a standard model from existing residential buildings. To strategically improve existing residential buildings, it is necessary to identify standard models that can be used as quantitative standards. In this study, a total of six methods were established for different algorithms in the dimensionality reduction and clustering stage of the data preprocessing stage. In addition, a total of 22,342 households’ data were analyzed, and a total of 26 variables were used to perform cluster analysis. The process of method 6 (data pre-processing, principal components analysis, clustering [K-medoids], verification) was proposed as a way to derive the standard model from the existing Korean housing. The method proposed in this study is capable of deriving a number of standard models considering all variables (n) in a single analysis. The representative building derived in this study contains a lot of building data, so it can be effectively used for planning and research related to buildings on a regional and national scale. In addition, this process can be applied to various buildings to derive representative buildings.
Edible Coatings Containing Oregano Essential Oil Nanoemulsion for Improving Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life of Tomatoes
Authors: Pirozzi Annachiara , Del Grosso Vittoria , Ferrari Giovanna , Donsì Francesco
Published: November 2020

Edible coatings have attracted significant interest in maintaining quality and improving the shelf life of fresh fruit and vegetables. This study aimed to improve tomato storability by using edible coatings, based on alginate cross-linked with calcium chloride, and containing an oregano essential oil (OEO) nanoemulsion as a natural antimicrobial. The coating formulations were preliminary optimized in terms of alginate and calcium chloride concentrations, using response surface methodology, to obtain a thin (~5 µm) and uniform layer on the tomatoes surface. The optimized coating (prepared using sequential dipping in a 0.5% w/w sodium alginate solution and in a 2.0% w/w calcium chloride solution) was enriched by incorporating an OEO nanoemulsion, formulated with lecithin as a natural emulsifier, at an OEO concentration of 0.17% w/w in the alginate solution. The nanoemulsion did not significantly affect the coating thickness and uniformity but improved the wettability of the tomato skin. More specifically, the alginate-based edible coatings exhibited a strong interaction with the hydrophobic tomato skin surface (higher than water), promoting surface adhesion. The addition of OEO nanoemulsion in the coating, by providing more hydrophobic sites, further improved the wetting capability and adhesion of the coating solution on the tomato surface. The developed edible coatings successfully contributed to prolonging the tomato shelf life, by reducing the growth of the endogenous microbial flora (total microbial load, yeasts, and molds) over 14 days at room temperature in comparison with the control, with significantly better performances for the edible coating containing the OEO nanoemulsion.
The Erythropoetin rs1617640 Gene Polymorphism Associates with Hemoglobin Levels, Hematocrit and Red Blood Cell Count in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Renner Wilfried , Kaiser Melanie , Khuen Sebastian , Trummer Olivia , Mangge Harald , Langsenlehner Tanja
Published: November 2020

Background: Erythropoietin has a pivotal role in erythropoiesis and angiogenesis. A common polymorphism (rs1617640, A > C) in the promoter of the erythropoietin gene (EPO) has been associated with erythropoietin expression and microvascular complications of diabetes. We aimed to analyze the potential role of this polymorphism in the pathogenesis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Methods: EPO genotypes and laboratory markers for erythropoiesis were determined in 945 patients with PAD. Results: The minor EPO rs1617640 C-allele was associated in an allele-dose-dependent manner with hemoglobin levels (p = 0.006), hematocrit (p = 0.029), and red blood cell count (p = 0.003). In a multivariate linear regression analysis including conventional risk factors diabetes, sex, and smoking, EPO genotypes were furthermore associated with age at onset of PAD symptoms (p = 0.009). Conclusions: The EPO rs1617640 gene polymorphism affects erythropoiesis, leads to an earlier onset of PAD, and is a potential biomarker for the pathogenesis of this disease.
Genotypic and Phenotypic Characterization of Incompatibility Group FIB Positive Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Isolates from Food Animal Sources
Authors: Aljahdali Nesreen H. , Khajanchi Bijay K. , Weston Kennedi , Deck Joanna , Cox Justin , Singh Ruby , Gilbert Jeffrey , Sanad Yasser M. , Han Jing , Nayak Rajesh , Foley Steven L.
Published: November 2020

Salmonella enterica is one of the most common bacterial foodborne pathogens in the United States, causing illnesses that range from self-limiting gastroenteritis to more severe, life threatening invasive disease. Many Salmonella strains contain plasmids that carry virulence, antimicrobial resistance, and/or transfer genes which allow them to adapt to diverse environments, and these can include incompatibility group (Inc) FIB plasmids. This study was undertaken to evaluate the genomic and phenotypic characteristics of IncFIB-positive Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium isolates from food animal sources, to identify their plasmid content, assess antimicrobial resistance and virulence properties, and compare their genotypic isolates with more recently isolated S. Typhimurium isolates from food animal sources. Methods: We identified 71 S. Typhimurium isolates that carried IncFIB plasmids. These isolates were subjected to whole genome sequencing and evaluated for bacteriocin production, antimicrobial susceptibility, the ability to transfer resistance plasmids, and a subset was evaluated for their ability to invade and persist in intestinal human epithelial cells. Results: Approximately 30% of isolates (n = 21) displayed bacteriocin inhibition of Escherichia coli strain J53. Bioinformatic analyses using PlasmidFinder software confirmed that all isolates contained IncFIB plasmids along with multiple other plasmid replicon types. Comparative analyses showed that all strains carried multiple antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors including iron acquisition genes, such as iucABCD (75%), iutA (94%), sitABCD (76%) and sitAB (100%). In 17 cases (71%), IncFIB plasmids, along with other plasmid replicon types, were able to conjugally transfer antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes to the susceptible recipient strain. For ten strains, persistence cell counts (27%) were noted to be significantly higher than invasion bacterial cell counts. When the genome sequences of the study isolates collected from 1998–2003 were compared to those published from subsequent years (2005–2018), overlapping genotypes were found, indicating the perseverance of IncFIB positive strains in food animal populations. This study confirms that IncFIB plasmids can play a potential role in disseminating antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes amongst bacteria from several food animal species.