bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dexmedetomidine alleviated neuropathic pain in dorsal root ganglion neurons by inhibition of anaerobic glycolysis activity and enhancement of ROS tolerance
Authors: Liu Peibin , Chen Tufeng , Tan Fang , Tian Jingling , Zheng Lei , Deng Yingqing , Chen Jiaxin , Chi Xinjin
Published: April 2020

Neuropathic pain is a kind of chronic pain that is triggered or caused primarily by damage to the nervous system and neurological dysfunction. It’s known that dexmedetomidine is a new type of highly selective alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist with sedation, anti-anxiety, analgesic and other effects. However, the function and mechanism of dexmedetomidine on neuropathic pain are not clear. Rat DRG neurons were isolated and identified using immunofluorescence assay. Following treatment with H2O2, dexmedetomidine or ROS inhibitor (NAC), the apoptosis and ROS levels were examined by flow cytometery; apoptosis- and anaerobic glycolysis-related proteins were determined by Western blot assay; glucose consumption, pyruvic acid, lactic acid and ATP/ADP ratios were also measured. The results revealed that dexmedetomidine inhibited H2O2-induced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in rat DRG neurons and in addition, dexmedetomidine down-regulated the expression levels of anaerobic glycolysis-related proteins, significantly reduced glucose, pyruvic acid and lactic acid levels. It also increased the ATP/ADP ratio in H2O2-treated rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Moreover, we also demonstrated that ROS inhibitor (NAC) also inhibited H2O2-induced apoptosis and anaerobic glycolysis in rat DRG neurons. In conclusion, dexmedetomidine suppressed H2O2-induced apoptosis and anaerobic glycolysis activity by inhibiting ROS, in rat DRG neurons. Therefore, dexmedetomidine might play a pivotal role in neuropathic pain by the inhibition of ROS.
Immunohistochemical staining reveals differential expression of ACSL3 and ACSL4 in hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic gastrointestinal metastases
Authors: Ndiaye Haarith , Liu Jorlin Y. , Hall Andrew , Minogue Shane , Morgan Marsha Y. , Waugh Mark G.
Published: April 2020

Long-chain fatty acyl CoA synthetases (ACSLs) activate fatty acids by CoA addition thus facilitating their intracellular metabolism. Dysregulated ACSL expression features in several cancers and can affect processes such as ferroptosis, fatty acid β-oxidation, prostaglandin biosynthesis, steroidogenesis and phospholipid acyl chain remodelling. Here we investigate long chain acyl-CoA synthetase 3 (ACSL3) and long chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4) expression in liver malignancies. The expression and subcellular localisations of the ACSL3 and ACSL4 isoforms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and hepatic metastases were assessed by immunohistochemical analyses of multiple tumour tissue arrays and by subcellular fractionation of cultured HepG2 cells. The expression of both enzymes was increased in HCC compared with normal liver. Expression of ACSL3 was similar in HCC and hepatic metastases but lower in healthy tissue. Increased ACSL3 expression distinguished HCC from CCA with a sensitivity of 87.2% and a specificity of 75%. ACSL4 expression was significantly greater in HCC than in all other tumours and distinguished HCC from normal liver tissue with a sensitivity of 93.8% and specificity of 93.6%. Combined ACSL3 and ACSL4 staining scores distinguished HCC from hepatic metastases with 80.1% sensitivity and 77.1% specificity. These enzymes had partially overlapping intracellular distributions, ACSL4 localised to the plasma membrane and both isoforms associated with lipid droplets and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In conclusion, analysis of ACSL3 and ACSL4 expression can distinguish different classes of hepatic tumours.
Estimating Real-World Performance of Percutaneously Coupled Bone-Conduction Device Users With Severe-to-Profound Unilateral Hearing Loss
Authors: Elkins Elizabeth , Harvey Anne , Hillyer Jake , Hazlewood Chantel , Watson Stacey , Parbery-Clark Alexandra
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The bone-conduction device attached to a percutaneous screw (BCD) is an important treatment option for individuals with severe-to-profound unilateral hearing loss (UHL). Clinicians may use subjective questionnaires and speech-in-noise measures to evaluate BCD use in this patient population; however, the translation of these metrics to real-world aided performance is unclear. The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to measure speech-in-noise performance in BCD users with severe-to-profound UHL in a simulated real-world environment, relative to individuals with normal hearing bilaterally; second, to determine if BCD users' subjective reports of aided performance relate to simulated real-world performance.

Method

A between-subjects design with two groups was conducted with 14 adults with severe-to-profound UHL (BCD group) and 10 age-matched participants with normal hearing bilaterally (control group). Speech-in-noise tests were administered in an eight-speaker R-Space simulating a real-world environment. To further explore speech-in-noise evaluation methods for this population, testing was also completed in a clinically common two-speaker array. The effects of various microphone settings on performance were explored for BCD users. Subjective performance was measured with the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB; Cox & Alexander, 1995) and the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (Gatehouse & Noble, 2004). Statistical analyses to explore relationships between variables included repeated-measures analysis of variance, regression analyses, independent-samples
t
tests, nonparametric Mann–Whitney tests, and correlations.

Results

In the simulated real-world environment, BCD group participants struggled with speech-in-noise understanding compared to control group participants. BCD benefit was observed for all microphone settings when speech stimuli were presented to the side with the BCD. When adaptive directional or fixed directional microphone settings were used, a relationship was noted between simulated real-world speech-in-noise performance for speech stimuli presented to the side with the BCD and subjective reports on the Background Noise subscale of the APHAB.

Conclusions

The Background Noise subscale of the APHAB may help estimate real-world speech-in-noise performance for BCD users with severe-to-profound UHL for signals of interest presented to the implanted side, specifically when adaptive or fixed directional microphone settings are used. This subscale may provide an efficient and accessible alternative to assessing real-world speech-in-noise performance in lieu of less clinically available measurement tools, such as an R-Space.
How Adolescents Interpret the Moral Messages of Fables: Examining the Development of Critical Thinking
Authors: Nippold Marilyn A. , LaFavre Scott , Shinham Kristin
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Critical thinking pervades formal educational benchmarks in the United States, including the Common Core State Standards. However, little information is available on how it develops. Hence, the primary purpose of this study was to examine the development of critical thinking in adolescents using a written language-sampling task. We also examined related aspects of development: verbal productivity, syntactic complexity, and metacognitive verb use.

Method

The participants included two groups of adolescents, aged 13 and 16 years (
n
= 40 per group). All testing took place in classrooms at a middle school or high school. Participants read four fables by the Greek storyteller Aesop (circa 620–560 B.C.) and explained in writing why they agreed or disagreed with the moral message of each story. To examine critical thinking, we evaluated their explanations using a unique 0- to 4-point scoring system. We also examined each participant's transcript for verbal productivity, syntactic complexity, and metacognitive verb use.

Results

On the critical thinking task, the 16-year-olds outperformed the 13-year-olds, providing explanations that were more elaborate and detailed. However, there were many individual differences within groups, and even the older group did not consistently perform at the highest level, indicating that critical thinking is a late-developing ability. Age-related gains also occurred on verbal productivity and metacognitive verb use but not on syntactic complexity.

Conclusion

Information gleaned from this study demonstrates how critical thinking develops during adolescence but remains incomplete. The study also has implications for assessing critical thinking in adolescents and knowing how to prompt complex language and thought.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12100989
A local discontinuous Galerkin method for nonlinear parabolic SPDEs
Authors: Li Yunzhang , Shu Chi-Wang , Tang Shanjian
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we propose a local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) method for nonlinear and possibly degenerate parabolic stochastic partial differential equations, which is a high-order numerical scheme. It extends the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method for purely hyperbolic equations to parabolic equations and shares with the DG method its advantage and flexibility. We prove theL2-stability of the numerical scheme for fully nonlinear equations. Optimal error estimates (O(h(k+1))) for smooth solutions of semi-linear stochastic equations is shown if polynomials of degreekare used. We use an explicit derivative-free order 1.5 time discretization scheme to solve the matrix-valued stochastic ordinary differential equations derived from the spatial discretization. Numerical examples are given to display the performance of the LDG method.
Newton and Bouligand derivatives of the scalar play and stop operator
Authors: Brokate Martin
Published: April 2020

We prove that the play and the stop operator possess Newton and Bouligand derivatives, and exhibit formulas for those derivatives. The remainder estimate is given in a strengthened form, and a corresponding chain rule is developed. The construction of the Newton derivative ensures that the mappings involved are measurable.
Effects of Body Weight vs. Lean Body Mass on Wingate Anaerobic Test
Performance in Endurance Athletes
Authors: Galán-Rioja Miguel Ángel , González-Mohíno Fernando , Sanders Dajo , Mellado Jesús , González-Ravé José María
Published: April 2020

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of body weight or lean
body mass-based load on Wingate Anaerobic Test performance in male and
female endurance trained individuals. Thirty-one participants (22 male
cyclists and triathletes and 9 female triathletes) completed two randomized
Wingate Anaerobic Test (body weight and lean body mass loads) in stationary
start. There were no significant differences in power outputs variables
between loads in any group. However, when comparing specific groups within
the sample (e. g. cyclists vs cyclists) medium to large effect sizes
were observed for Relative Mean Power Output (ES=0.53), Relative
Lowest Power (ES=0.99) and Relative Power Muscle Mass
(ES=0.54). Regarding gender differences, male cyclists and
triathletes displayed higher relative and absolute power outputs
(p<0.001) compared to female triathletes regardless of the protocol
used. FI was lower in female triathletes compared to male triathletes and
cyclists in body weight (p<0.001) and lean body mass
(p<0.01) protocols. Body composition and anthropometric
characteristics were similar in male cyclists and triathletes, but there
were differences between genders. These results suggest that using either
body weight-based or lean body mass-based load can be used interchangeably.
However, there may be some practically relevant differences when evaluating
this on an individual level.
Relevanz kognitiver Kompetenzen für das Anstrengungsempfinden im Sport
Authors: Schmitz Gerd , Sommer Lena
Published: April 2020

Ein gut ausgeprägtes Anstrengungsempfinden ist die Voraussetzung für eine eigenständige Belastungsregulation im Breiten- und Gesundheitssport. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde untersucht, ob das Anstrengungsempfinden im Zusammenhang zu kognitiven Fähigkeiten steht, die der Verhaltens- und kognitiven Kontrolle zuzuordnen sind. Dazu wurde das Anstrengungsempfinden von 35 Amateurfußballerinnen während einer Trainingseinheit erfasst und im Hinblick auf die aktuelle Herzfrequenz sowie die kumulierte Trainingsintensität analysiert. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die kognitive Leistungsgeschwindigkeit und die wahrgenommene Selbstregulationskompetenz den gemessenen Zusammenhang zwischen Anstrengungsempfinden und Herzfrequenzparametern moderiert. Zusätzlich konnte ein Einfluss des Alters und der sportspezifischen Erfahrung nachgewiesen werden. Die Ergebnisse weisen somit auf die Relevanz spezifischer kognitiver Kompetenzen für das Anstrengungsempfinden hin, was bei der autonomen Belastungsregulation berücksichtigt werden sollte.
A prospective, randomized trial of thrombin versus cyanoacrylate injection in the control of acute gastric variceal hemorrhage
Authors: Lo Gin-Ho , Lin Chih-Wen , Tai Chi-Ming , Perng Daw-Shyong , Chen I-Lin , Yeh Jen-Hao , Lin Hui-Chen
Published: April 2020

Background Acute gastric variceal hemorrhage (AGVH) is a serious complication of portal hypertension. Endoscopic cyanoacrylate glue injection is standard therapy for acute hemostasis; however, it may be associated with serious complications. The role of thrombin injection has not been confirmed. This study compared endoscopic thrombin and glue injections in the hemostasis of AGVH.

Methods 68 eligible patients with AGVH were randomized to receive thrombin injection (33 patients) or glue injection (35 patients). The primary end point was injection-induced gastric ulcers. Secondary end points were acute hemostasis, rebleeding, and mortality within 42 days.

Results Both groups had comparable baseline data. Hemostasis of active bleeding at endoscopy was 90.0 % (9/10) in the thrombin group and 90.9 % (10/11) in the glue group (P = 0.58), and 48-hour hemostasis was achieved in 93.9 % (31/33) and 97.1 % (34/35), respectively (P = 0.60). Treatment failure at 5 days occurred in two patients (6.1 %) in the thrombin group and two patients (5.7 %) in the glue group (P > 0.99). Gastric ulcers occurred in none of the thrombin group and 11/30 (36.7 %) of the glue group (P < 0.001, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 8 % – 27 %). Complications occurred in 4 (12.1 %) and 18 (51.4 %) patients in the thrombin and glue groups, respectively (P < 0.001, 95 %CI 22 % – 45 %). Two patients who received glue had post-treatment gastric ulcer bleeding. One patient in each group died.

Conclusions Endoscopic thrombin injection was similar to glue injection in achieving successful hemostasis of AGVH. However, a higher incidence of complications may be associated with glue injection.
Screening for Third-Generation Cephalosporin-Resistant Bacteria
Reduces the Incidence on Late-Onset Sepsis and Antibiotic use in
Neonates
Authors: Longardt Ann Carolin , Piening Brar , von Weizsäcker Katharina , Dame Christof , Bührer Christoph , Garten Lars
Published: April 2020

Background The extensive use of antibiotics is reflected by an increasing
prevalence of infections with multidrug-resistant bacteria, including
third-generation cephalosporin-resistant bacteria (3GCRB). For neonatal
intensive care units screening and enhanced barrier precautions are recommended
to control the spread of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, while
evidence for efficacy of barrier precautions remains scarce in a non-outbreak
setting.

Objective To determine the impact of a screening program for maternal
3GCRB colonization and the effects of contact precautions and cohort nursing,
concerning the risk of neonatal late-onset sepsis (LOS) and antibiotic use rates
(AURs).

Study Design In a retrospective matched-pair cohort study, data of
neonates exposed to maternal 3GCRB colonization were compared with findings in
non-exposed neonates.

Results Of 3,144 neonates admitted, 184 neonates born to 3GCRB-positive
mothers were eligible. Among them, 37 (20%) became 3GCRB positive during
hospital stay. 3GCRB-exposed infants had a lower rate of LOS (6.5 vs.
14.1%, p=0.03) and lower AURs in that time period compared to
controls (mean 0.009 vs. 0.025, p=0.006). When started within the first
72h after birth, days of therapy with meropenem were significantly lower in
non-exposed vs. 3GCRB-exposed infants (mean 0.13 vs. 0.42; p=0.002). No
invasive infections with 3GCRB occurred.

Conclusions Neonates of 3GCRB-positive mothers do not have an increased a
priori risk for invasive 3GCRB infection and may benefit from enhanced contact
precautions measures.
Heterosexuelle Praktiken in unterschiedlichen Generationen –
Ergebnisse einer Pilotstudie zu „GeSiD Gesundheit und Sexualität
in Deutschland“
Authors: Cerwenka Susanne , Matthiesen Silja , Briken Peer , Dekker Arne
Published: April 2020

Ziele der Studie Bislang fehlten für Deutschland breit
angelegte, bevölkerungsrepräsentative Daten zur Analyse von
Lebenszeit-Erfahrungen heterosexueller Erwachsener mit verschiedenen
sexuellen Praktiken. Generationenunterschiede wurden daraufhin untersucht,
ob sich bestimmte sexuelle Erfahrungen in der Generation der 18- bis
30-Jährigen (der Digital Natives) weiter verbreitet zeigten als in
den älteren Generationen, insbesondere mit Bezug auf die Generation
der 61- bis 75-Jährigen, deren sexuelle Sozialisation noch nicht in
die Präsenz der neuen Medien eingebettet war. Für das junge
Erwachsenenalter wurde überdies analysiert, inwieweit sich
Erweiterungen des sexuellen Repertoires abbilden lassen.

Methodik Im Rahmen einer Pilotstudie (1) zu GeSiD –
Gesundheit und Sexualität in Deutschland – wurde im Jahr
2017 eine repräsentative Befragung an 1155 Personen im Alter von 18
bis 75 Jahren durchgeführt. Die Angaben heterosexueller
Männer und Frauen zu Lebenszeit-Erfahrungen mit unterschiedlichen
sexuellen Praktiken und sexualitätsbezogenen Erlebnissen wurden
analysiert.

Ergebnisse In der Generation der 18- bis 30-Jährigen waren
Erfahrungen mit oralen Praktiken und dem Gebrauch von
Dildos/Vibratoren bei Frauen sowie mit
sado-masochistischen/BDSM-Praktiken bei Frauen und Männern
weiter verbreitet als in den älteren Generationen. Während
sich bei Frauen kaum Unterschiede zwischen 18- bis 25-Jährigen und
26- bis 30-Jährigen zeigten, hatte ein höherer Anteil junger
Männer eine Reihe von sexuellen Erfahrungen noch nicht gemacht.
Orale Praktiken, aktive anale Stimulation und sexuelle Rollenspiele wurden
von 26- bis 30-jährigen Männern etwas häufiger als
von Älteren angegeben. In der Generation der 61- bis
75-Jährigen zeigten sich Erfahrungen mit oralen und manuellen
Praktiken bei Frauen sowie anale Praktiken und die Benutzung eines
Dildos/Vibrators bei Frauen und Männern seltener als in
jüngeren Generationen.

Diskussion Die fortschreitende digitale Revolution Ende des 20.
Jahrhunderts leitete einen fundamentalen gesellschaftlichen Wandel ein, der
sich auch in unterschiedlichen Bandbreiten sexueller Erfahrungen der
Generationen widerspiegelt.

Schlussfolgerung Aus den Befunden lassen sich erste Einblicke
über heterosexuelle Praktiken unterschiedlicher Generationen in
Deutschland gewinnen, die wertvolle Hinweise zur Steuerung von Informations-
und Aufklärungskampagnen und eine psychoedukative Grundlage
für die paar- und sexualtherapeutische Arbeit liefern
können.
Using single-operator cholangioscopy for endoscopic evaluation of indeterminate biliary strictures: results from a large multinational registry
Authors: Almadi Majid A. , Itoi Takao , Moon Jong Ho , Goenka Mahesh K. , Seo Dong Wan , Rerknimitr Rungsun , Lau James Y. , Maydeo Amit P. , Lee Jong Kyun , Nguyen Nam Q. , Niaz Saad K. , Sud Randhir , Ang Tiing Leong , Aljebreen Abdulrahman , Devereaux Benedict M. , Kochhar Rakesh , Reichenberger Jörg , Yasuda Ichiro , Kaffes Arthur J. , Kitano Masayuki , Peetermans Joyce , Goswamy Pooja G. , Rousseau Matthew J. , Reddy D. Nageshwar , Lakhtakia Sundeep , Lee Yun Nah , Rai Vijay Kumar , Kamada Kentaro , Tanaka Reina , Tonozuka Ryosuke , Tsuchida Akihiko , Song Tae Jun , Ramchandani Mohan K. ,   and the SpyGlass AMEA Registry Group
Published: April 2020

Background Peroral cholangioscopy (POCS) of indeterminate biliary strictures aims to achieve a diagnosis through visual examination and/or by obtaining targeted biopsies under direct visualization. In this large, prospective, multinational, real-life experience of POCS-guided evaluation of indeterminate biliary strictures, we evaluated the performance of POCS in this difficult-to-manage patient population.

Methods This prospective registry enrolled patients, with indeterminate biliary strictures across 20 centers in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The primary end points were the ability to visualize the lesion, obtain histological sampling when intended, and an assessment of the diagnostic accuracy of POCS for malignant strictures. Patients were followed for 6 months after POCS or until a definitive malignant diagnosis was made, whichever occurred first.

Results 289 patients underwent 290 POCS procedures with intent to biopsy in 182 cases. The stricture/filling defect was successfully visualized in 286/290 (98.6 %), providing a visual diagnostic impression in 253/290 (87.2 %) and obtaining adequate biopsies in 169/182 (92.9 %). Procedure-related adverse events occurred in 5/289 patients (1.7 %). POCS influenced patient management principally by elucidating filling defects or the causes of bile duct stricture or dilation. The visual impression of malignancy showed 86.7 % sensitivity, 71.2 % specificity, 65.8 % positive and 89.4 % negative predictive value, and 77.2 % overall accuracy compared with final diagnosis. Histological POCS-guided samples showed 75.3 % sensitivity, 100 % specificity, 100 % positive and 77.1 % negative predictive value, and 86.5 % overall accuracy.

Conclusion In this large, real-life, prospective series, POCS was demonstrated to be an effective and safe intervention guiding the management of patients with indeterminate biliary strictures.
N-Phosphorylated Pyrrolidines: An Overview of Synthetic Approaches
Authors: Smolobochkin Andrey V. , Gazizov Almir S. , Turmanov Rakhymzhan A. , Abdullaeva Dinara S. , Burilov Alexander R. , Pudovik Michail A.
Published: April 2020

Organophosphorus pyrrolidine derivatives possessing P–N bonds are a promising yet underexplored class of compounds. In this short review we overview the general approaches to these compounds described so far, with a special emphasis on their asymmetric synthesis.

1 Introduction

2 Synthesis of Pyrrolidine-Based P(III) Derivatives

3 Synthesis of Pyrrolidine-Based P(V) Derivatives

3.1 Phosphorylation of Pyrrolidines with P(V) Acid Chlorides

3.2 Phosphorylation of Pyrrolidines with P(V) Acid Esters

3.3 Syntheses via the Atherton–Todd Reaction

3.4 Oxidation of Pyrrolidine-Based P(III) Derivatives

4 Syntheses of N-Phosphorylpyrrolidines from Acyclic Precursors

5 Conclusions
Derivation and Validation of a Prediction Model for Venous Thromboembolism in Primary Care
Authors: Dentali Francesco , Fontanella Andrea , Cohen Alexander T. , Simonetti Monica , Parretti Luca , Marconi Ettore , Parretti Damiano , Gussoni Gualberto , Campanini Mauro , Agnelli Giancarlo , Cricelli Claudio , Lapi Francesco
Published: April 2020

Background Most episodes of venous thromboembolism (VTE) occurred in primary care. To date, no score potentially able to identify those patients who may deserve an antithrombotic prophylaxis has been developed.

Aim The objective of this study is to develop and validate a prediction model for VTE in primary care.

Methods Using the Health Search Database, we identified a cohort of 1,359,880 adult patients between 2002 and 2013. The date of the first General Practitioner's (GP) visit was the cohort entry date. All VTE cases (index date) observed up to December 2014 were identified. The cohort was randomly divided in a development and a validation cohort. According to nested case-cohort analysis, up to five controls were matched to their respective cases on month and year of cohort entry and duration of follow-up.

The score was evaluated according to explained variance (pseudo R2) as a performance measure, ratio of predicted to observed cases as model calibration and area under the curve (AUC) as discrimination measure.

Results The score was able to explain 27.9% of the variation for VTE occurrence. The calibration measure revealed a margin of error lower than 10% in 70% of the population. In terms of discrimination, AUC was 0.82 (95% confidence interval: 0.82–0.83). Results of sensitivity analyses substantially confirmed these findings.

Conclusion The present score demonstrated a very good accuracy in predicting the risk of VTE in primary care. This score may be therefore implemented in clinical practice so aiding GPs in making decision on patients potentially at risk of VTE.
Effects of Obesity Surgery on Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis: A Literature Review
Authors: Bladbjerg Else Marie , Stolberg Charlotte Røn , Juhl Claus Bogh
Published: April 2020

Objective Obesity is characterized by a disturbed hemostatic balance with increased coagulation and impaired fibrinolysis. This increases the risk of thrombosis, and the risk is lowered after obesity surgery. Over the past 25 years, several studies have contributed to understand the mechanisms behind the antithrombotic effect of obesity surgery, and this literature review summarizes the results of these studies.

Methods A detailed literature search on the effects of obesity surgery on the hemostatic balance was conducted.

Results The 25 relevant studies reviewed demonstrated that obesity surgery has favorable effects on many biomarkers of coagulation and fibrinolysis. The evidence is substantial for fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 with average reductions from 1 to 24 months after obesity surgery of 17 and 48%, respectively. For most other biomarkers, the evidence is moderate or weak with average effect sizes varying from 2% for fiber mass length ratio to 70% for prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 and with a large variation between studies. Many studies are small and of short duration, and the surgical techniques differ. Also, studies are confounded by changes in medication, comorbidity, diet, and exercise. It is unknown whether the hemostatic changes are mediated by weight loss alone or by the accompanying metabolic improvements.

Conclusion Despite issues of confounding, this review suggests that obesity surgery shifts the hemostatic balance in the antithrombotic direction, thereby reducing the thrombotic potential of people with obesity, but more studies are needed for most of the biomarkers.
Psychotropic Drugs and Outcome in Patients Receiving Anticoagulant Therapy for Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Marchena Pablo Javier , Tzoran Inna , Brenner Benjamin , Martín Mar , Malý Radovan , Bura-Riviere Alessandra , Valle Reina , Hernández-Blasco Luis , López-Sáez Juan Bosco , Monreal Manuel ,   RIETE Investigators
Published: April 2020

Background The influence (if any) of the use of psychotropic drugs on outcome in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy for venous thromboembolism (VTE) has not been consistently evaluated.

Methods We used data from the RIETE (Registro Informatizado Enfermedad TromboEmbólica) database to compare the risk for VTE recurrences, major bleeding, or death during the course of anticoagulant therapy, according to the use of psychotropics at baseline.

Results Among 49,007 patients with VTE enrolled from February 2009 to September 2019, total 5,230 (11%) were using psychotropics at baseline: antidepressants 3,273 (6.7%), antipsychotics 1,588 (3.2%), and anticholinesterases 369 (0.7%). During the course of anticoagulation, 1,259 patients developed VTE recurrences, 1,231 bled, and 3,988 died (fatal pulmonary embolism 269 and fatal bleeding 187). On multivariable analysis, patients using psychotropics at baseline had a similar risk for VTE recurrences (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58–1.12), a nonsignificantly higher risk for major bleeding (adjusted HR: 1.15; 95% CI: 0.97–1.35), and a higher risk for intracranial bleeding (adjusted HR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.32–2.53) or death (adjusted HR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.32–1.57) compared with those not using psychotropics. When separately analyzed, the highest risk for intracranial bleeding was found in patients using antidepressants (adjusted HR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.08–2.37) or antipsychotics (adjusted HR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.17–3.49) but not in those on anticholinesterases (adjusted HR: 1.69; 95% CI: 0.62–4.60).

Conclusion During the course anticoagulation for VTE, patients using psychotropics at baseline were at increased risk for intracranial bleeding.
N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Hypofunction in Meg-01 Cells Reveals a Role for Intracellular Calcium Homeostasis in Balancing Megakaryocytic-Erythroid Differentiation
Authors: Hearn James I. , Green Taryn N. , Chopra Martin , Nursalim Yohanes N. S. , Ladvanszky Leandro , Knowlton Nicholas , Blenkiron Cherie , Poulsen Raewyn C. , Singleton Dean C. , Bohlander Stefan K. , Kalev-Zylinska Maggie L.
Published: April 2020

The release of calcium ions (Ca2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and related store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) regulate maturation of normal megakaryocytes. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) provides an additional mechanism for Ca2+ influx in megakaryocytic cells, but its role remains unclear. We created a model of NMDAR hypofunction in Meg-01 cells using CRISPR-Cas9 mediated knockout of the GRIN1 gene, which encodes an obligate, GluN1 subunit of the NMDAR. We found that compared with unmodified Meg-01 cells, Meg-01-GRIN1
−/− cells underwent atypical differentiation biased toward erythropoiesis, associated with increased basal ER stress and cell death. Resting cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels were higher in Meg-01-GRIN1
−/− cells, but ER Ca2+ release and SOCE were lower after activation. Lysosome-related organelles accumulated including immature dense granules that may have contributed an alternative source of intracellular Ca2+. Microarray analysis revealed that Meg-01-GRIN1
−/− cells had deregulated expression of transcripts involved in Ca2+ metabolism, together with a shift in the pattern of hematopoietic transcription factors toward erythropoiesis. In keeping with the observed pro-cell death phenotype induced by GRIN1 deletion, memantine (NMDAR inhibitor) increased cytotoxic effects of cytarabine in unmodified Meg-01 cells. In conclusion, NMDARs comprise an integral component of the Ca2+ regulatory network in Meg-01 cells that help balance ER stress and megakaryocytic-erythroid differentiation. We also provide the first evidence that megakaryocytic NMDARs regulate biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles, including dense granules. Our results argue that intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis may be more important for normal megakaryocytic and erythroid differentiation than currently recognized; thus, modulation may offer therapeutic opportunities.
Optimizing Postoperative Pain Control in Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review
Authors: Knackstedt Rebecca , Oliver Jeremie D. , Gatherwright James
Published: April 2020

Background Pain management approaches in autologous breast reconstruction have become a topic of great interest in the era of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols, as well as the opioid epidemic. The management of postoperative pain is of critical importance for women undergoing breast reconstruction; however, these protocols have yet to be synthesized and compared in the primary literature. Herein, we present a systematic review of approaches to provide optimal pain control while minimizing narcotic use and its associated potential negative sequelae in autologous breast reconstruction.

Methods A comprehensive systematic review of the published literature was conducted using Ovid Medline/PubMed database without timeframe limitations, in compliance with the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses. Inclusion criteria were selected for studies reporting objective outcomes of pain modulation in autologous breast reconstruction. Articles for inclusion were stratified based on intervention.

Results A total of 101 articles were identified on initial search query. After full-text review and final screening of all articles and review of included studies’ references, 28 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed.

Conclusion There continues to be a substantial need for evidence-based guidelines in the plastic surgery literature. Mitigating postoperative pain can improve health-related quality of life, reduce health care resource utilization and costs, and minimize perioperative opiate use. Given the increasing popularity of and access to autologous approaches to breast reconstruction, we hope this area of study continues to be a top priority for plastic surgeons to allow for optimized postoperative care.
Flaxseed and Its Components in Treatment of Hyperlipidemia and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Prasad Kailash , Khan Amal S. , Shoker Muhammad
Published: April 2020

This paper describes the effects of flaxseed and its components (flax oil, secoisolariciresinoldiglucoside[SDG], flax lignan complex [FLC], and flax fibers] on serum lipids (total cholesterol [TC], low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-C], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], and triglycerides [TG]) in animals and humans. Ordinary flaxseed reduces TG, TC, LDL-C, and TC/HDL-C levels in a dose-dependent manner in animals. In humans, it reduces serum lipids in hypercholesterolemicpatients but has no effects in normocholesterolemicpatients. Flax oil has variable effects on serum lipids in normo- and hypercholesterolemic animals. Flax oil treatment, with a dosage containing greater than 25 g/day of α-linolenic acid, reduces serum lipids in humans. Although FLC reduces serum lipids and raises serum HDL-C in animals, its effects on serum lipids in humans are small and variable. Flax fibers exert small effects on serum lipids in humans. Crop Development Centre (CDC)-flaxseed, which contains low concentrations of α-linolenic acid, has significant lipid lowering effects in animals. Pure SDG has potent hypolipidemic effects and raises HDL-C. In conclusion, flaxseed and pure SDG have significant lipid-lowering effects in animals and humans, while other components of flaxseed have small and variable effects.
Streaked optical pyrometer for proton-driven isochoric heating experiments of solid and foam targets
Authors: Roycroft R. , Bowers B. , Smith H. , McCary E. , Aymond F. , Dyer G. M. , Quevedo H. J. , Bradley P. A. , Vold E. L. , Yin L. , Hegelich B. M.
Published: April 2020

We have designed, built, and calibrated an ultrafast streaked optical pyrometer (SOP) with ∼5 ps resolution for measuring the time-resolved surface blackbody temperature of an isochorically heated plasma. The pyrometer is calibrated to measure temperatures from 0.5 eV to 25 eV, with the option of adding calibrated neutral density filters to observe hotter plasmas. We demonstrated the use of this pyrometer on isochoric heating experiments using laser-accelerated proton beams as an energy source at the f/40 beamline of the Texas Petawatt Laser. We used the large focal spot size (∼80 μm radius) of the f/40 pulses to accelerate high numbers of ∼MeV protons off 5 μm thick solid gold targets. During our experimental campaign, we heated 10 µm thick aluminum foil targets to 1–10 eV over a duration of 50 ps and also observed heating to ∼2 eV in 100 µm thick 60 mg/cm3 carbon foams using the SOP to measure both the temperature and heating timescale.
A single sensor based multispectral imaging camera using a narrow spectral band color mosaic integrated on the monochrome CMOS image sensor
Authors: He Xin , Liu Yajing , Ganesan Kumar , Ahnood Arman , Beckett Paul , Eftekhari Fatima , Smith Dan , Uddin Md Hemayet , Skafidas Efstratios , Nirmalathas Ampalavanapillai , Unnithan Ranjith Rajasekharan
Published: April 2020

A multispectral image camera captures image data within specific wavelength ranges in narrow wavelength bands across the electromagnetic spectrum. Images from a multispectral camera can extract a additional information that the human eye or a normal camera fails to capture and thus may have important applications in precision agriculture, forestry, medicine, and object identification. Conventional multispectral cameras are made up of multiple image sensors each fitted with a narrow passband wavelength filter and optics, which makes them heavy, bulky, power hungry, and very expensive. The multiple optics also create an image co-registration problem. Here, we demonstrate a single sensor based three band multispectral camera using a narrow spectral band red–green–blue color mosaic in a Bayer pattern integrated on a monochrome CMOS sensor. The narrow band color mosaic is made of a hybrid combination of plasmonic color filters and a heterostructured dielectric multilayer. The demonstrated camera technology has reduced cost, weight, size, and power by almost n times (where n is the number of bands) compared to a conventional multispectral camera.
Effects of the intrinsic curvature of elastic filaments on the propulsion of a flagellated microrobot
Authors: Liu Zhaorong , Qin Fenghua , Zhu Lailai , Yang Runhuai , Luo Xisheng
Published: April 2020

Understanding the propulsion mechanism of swimming microorganisms will facilitate the development of synthetic microswimmers for active cargo deliveries. Herein, we studied, theoretically and numerically, inertialess locomotion of a microswimmer—a spherical body propelled by two symmetrically actuated elastic filaments in the shape of a circular arc at rest, focusing on the effects of their uniform intrinsic curvature κ¯c. Combining the resistive force theory for viscous flow and Euler–Bernoulli beam theory for elastic filaments, the elasto-hydrodynamics was solved asymptotically. Our theory was verified by simulations using regularized Stokeslets posed on the filament centerlines, with and without considering hydrodynamic interactions (HIs) between the body and filaments. The asymptotic and numerical results showed qualitative agreement. Reasonable quantitative agreement between the asymptotic results and the numerical predictions neglecting body–filament HIs was observed, especially for small |κ¯c|. However, they deviated quantitatively from the numerical results with body–filament HIs, especially at a large κ¯c when the HIs became important owing to the short body–filament distance. The propulsive force generated by two arc-shaped filaments significantly depend on their uniform intrinsic curvature κ¯c. An appreciable increase in the thrust can be achieved by adjusting κ¯c, which qualitatively confirms and explains the experimentally reported propulsive enhancement facilitated by intrinsically curved appendages [Z. Ye, S. Régnier, and M. Sitti, “Rotating magnetic miniature swimming robots with multiple flexible flagella,” IEEE Trans. Rob. 30, 3–13 (2014)]. The increase in κ¯c can even change the sign of the thrust, leading to counter-intuitive, backward propulsion. The flow field reveals the hydrodynamic signature of the swimmer that shifts with time between a neutral swimmer, a pusher, and a puller.
Dissipative soliton stabilization by several nonlinear gradient terms
Authors: Descalzi Orazio , Brand Helmut R.
Published: April 2020

We study a single cubic complex Ginzburg–Landau equation with nonlinear gradient terms analytically and numerically. This single equation allows for the existence of stable dissipative solitons exclusively due to nonlinear gradient terms. We shed new light on the feedback loop, leading to dissipative solitons (DSs) by analyzing a mechanical analog as a function of the magnitude of the amplitude. In addition, we present analytic results incorporating four nonlinear gradient terms and derive necessary conditions for the existence of DSs. We also elucidate in detail for the case of the Raman contribution the scaling behavior for the limit of the vanishing Raman term.
Action spectroscopy of spin forbidden states in the gas phase: A powerful probe for large non-luminescent molecules
Authors: Grollau F. , Pothier C. , Gaveau M. A. , Briant M. , Shafizadeh N. , Soep B.
Published: April 2020

Triplet action spectra of two similar copper porphyrins, copper tetraphenylporphyrin (CuTPP) and copper octaethylporphyrin (CuOEP), have been studied in the gas phase at low temperatures in the absence of external perturbations by using a resonant pump and a 193 nm probe, ionizing the 3ππ* orbital localized on the porphyrin cycle. The molecules were prepared by laser desorption in a disk source, then cooled in a helium supersonic expansion, and finally excited in the Q band system (S1 ← S0). This type of experiment allows the spectroscopic characterization of large non-luminescent molecules in the absence of solvent perturbations. The two copper porphyrins exhibit a broad electronic origin Q00 absorption spectrum, partly caused by the short lifetime of the excited (S1) state. The two porphyrins differ strongly with a strong Q00 band for CuOEP and a weak one for CuTPP, in agreement with the Gouterman four-orbital model. The two molecules exhibit different solvent shifts: CuOEP is blue shifted in non-polar solvents owing to its alkyl substituents, while CuTPP is red shifted as for regular transitions to ππ* orbitals. The decay dynamics of the triplet state exhibit a collision-free lifetime of 70 ± 7 ns for CuTPP atop a microsecond decay. This non-exponential decay can be viewed as evidence of time evolution of two states combining the state with spin 1 borne by the porphyrin ring and that by the Cu atom 12. Therefore, this method allows solvent-free spectrodynamics of large molecules in a short microsecond time range.
Solid–solid phase equilibria in the NaCl–KCl system
Authors: Anwar Jamshed , Leitold Christian , Peters Baron
Published: April 2020

Solid solutions, structurally ordered but compositionally disordered mixtures, can form for salts, metals, and even organic compounds. The NaCl–KCl system forms a solid solution at all compositions between 657 °C and 505 °C. Below a critical temperature of 505 °C, the system exhibits a miscibility gap with coexisting Na-rich and K-rich rocksalt phases. We calculate the phase diagram in this region using the semi-grand canonical Widom method, which averages over virtual particle transmutations. We verify our results by comparison with free energies calculated from thermodynamic integration and extrapolate the location of the critical point. Our calculations reproduce the experimental phase diagram remarkably well and illustrate how solid–solid equilibria and chemical potentials, including those at metastable conditions, can be computed for materials that form solid solutions.
Low capacitance AlGaN/GaN based air-bridge structure planar Schottky diode with a half through-hole
Authors: Yang Longkun , Yao Wanqing , Liu Yuebo , Wang Linglong , Dai Yaqiong , Liu Honghui , Wang Fengge , Ren Yuan , Wu Zhisheng , Liu Yang , Zhang Baijun
Published: April 2020

The capacitance and the series resistance are two main factors which determine the cut-off frequency of Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) for their application in millimeter-wave and terahertz regions. The junction capacitance is closely related to the anode dimension of a SBD. Reducing the anode size can effectively decrease the junction capacitance, but it will increase the series resistance and the difficulty of the device manufacturing process is also increased. In this paper, an AlGaN/GaN based air-bridge structure planar SBD with a half through-hole is investigated. The half through-hole was formed on the center of a circular anode by inductively coupled plasma etching to the unintentional doping-GaN channel layer. The capacitance formed by the anode metal and the two-dimensional electron gas at the AlGaN/GaN interface is effectively reduced under the condition of holding the metal area of anode. The total capacitance of the 20 μm-radius anode SBD with a 19.95 μm-radius half through-hole dramatically decreases from 2.32 pF of the device without the half through-hole to 21.5 fF. In addition, since the current is mainly distributed at the edge of the circular anode, the series resistance is only slightly increased. The cut-off frequency of the air-bridge planar SBD with a 20 μm-radius anode and a 19.95 μm-radius half through-hole was 114.1 GHz. To reduce the size of the anode and optimize the ohmic contact, the cut-off frequency could be further improved.
Fully-automatic blood-typing chip exploiting bubbles for quick dilution and detection
Authors: Yamamoto Ken , Sakurai Ryosuke , Motosuke Masahiro
Published: April 2020

A compact, fully-automatic blood-typing test device is developed. The device conducts sequential processes of whole-blood dilution, homogenization, and reaction with reagents. The lab-on-a-chip device can detect the weakest reaction between red blood cells (RBCs) and reagents even without using optics such as a camera and detector. This high sensitivity is achieved by implementing 50-μm-thick reaction chambers in which a clear contrast between the RBC agglutinations and non-reacted RBCs can be obtained. The dilution and the homogenization are enhanced by injecting bubbles into the microchannel so that the test result can be obtained 5 min after the test start. With an assumption that the device will be used by medical staffs, the device is designed to require minimum operation for the users, namely, loading whole blood, starting pumps, and looking inside the reaction chambers by their eyes to observe the test result. As the device is applicable to the cross-matching test by mixing RBCs with serum instead of the reagents, it is expected that the device provides not only the quick blood-typing but also a safer and quicker blood transfusion in emergency rooms.
Modeling the fringe field of permanent magnet multipoles using numerical simulations
Authors: Thuillier T. , André T. , Méndez-Giono J. A.
Published: April 2020

Permanent magnet multipoles (PMMs) are widely used in accelerators to either focus particle beams or confine plasma in ion sources. The real magnetic field created by PMMs is calculated by magnetic field simulation software and then used in particle tracking codes by means of a three dimensional magnetic field map. A common alternative is to use the so-called “hard-edge” model, which gives an approximation of the magnetic field inside the PMM assuming a null fringe field. This work proposes an investigation of the PMM fringe field properties. An analytical model of the PMM magnetic field is developed using the Fourier multipole expansion. A general axial potential function with a unique parameter λ, able to reproduce the actual PMM magnetic field (including its two fringe fields) with an explicit dependence on the PMM length, is proposed. An analytical first order model including the axial fringe field is derived. This simple model complies with the Maxwell equations [curl(B) = 0 and div(B) = 0] and can replace advantageously the “hard-edge” model when fast analytical calculations are required. The higher order analytical multiple expansion model quality is assessed by means of χ2 estimators. The general dependence of the potential function parameter λ is given as a function of the PMM geometry for quadrupole, hexapole, and multipole, allowing one to use the developed model in simulation programs where the multipole geometry is an input parameter.