bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ensemble Just-In-Time Learning-Based Soft Sensor for Mooney Viscosity Prediction in an Industrial Rubber Mixing Process
Authors: Jin Huaiping , Li Jiangang , Wang Meng , Qian Bin , Yang Biao , Li Zheng , Shi Lixian
Published: March 2020

The lack of online sensors for Mooney viscosity measurement has posed significant challenges for enabling efficient monitoring, control, and optimization of industrial rubber mixing process. To obtain real-time and accurate estimations of Mooney viscosity, a novel soft sensor method, referred to as multimodal perturbation- (MP-) based ensemble just-in-time learning Gaussian process regression (MP-EJITGPR), is proposed by exploiting ensemble JIT learning. This method employs perturbations on similarity measure and input variables for generating the diversity of JIT learners. Furthermore, a set of accurate and diverse JIT learners are built through an evolutionary multiobjective optimization by balancing the accuracy and diversity objectives explicitly. Moreover, all base JIT learners are combined adaptively using a finite mixture mechanism. The proposed method is applied to an industrial rubber mixing process for Mooney viscosity prediction, and the experimental results demonstrate its effectiveness and superiority over traditional soft sensor methods.
Successful Anesthetic Management Using Dexmedetomidine Sequentially with Propofol in the Asleep-Awake-Asleep Technique for Elderly Patients Undergoing Awake Craniotomy
Authors: Tachibana Shunsuke , Tanaka Soichi , Yamakage Michiaki
Published: March 2020

Anesthesiologists should supply proper sedation and high-quality awakening in awake craniotomy anesthesia. At our institution, we perform an asleep-awake-asleep technique for awake craniotomy anesthesia by using short-acting anesthetic drugs, such as propofol and remifentanil. However, elderly patients do not wake adequately in our normal protocol and hence are unable to complete the required neurological tasks. In this case series, we present the anesthetic management of three elderly patients with sequent use of propofol and dexmedetomidine as sedative agents for awake craniotomy. We hypothesized that this anesthetic protocol is advantageous in awake craniotomy management. For the awake phase, all patients were adequately awake and performed neurological tasks without adverse events and agitation. The use of dexmedetomidine sequentially with propofol in an asleep-awake-asleep technique for awake craniotomy in elderly patients might shorten the time to awakening and provide clear awakening.
Assessing the Changes of Mumps Characteristics with Different Vaccination Strategies Using Surveillance Data: Importance to Introduce the 2-Dose Schedule in Quzhou of China
Authors: Zhou Chunting , Song Wei , Yin Zhiying , Li Sheng , Gong Xiaoying , Fang Quanjun , Wang Shuangqing
Published: March 2020

Background. From 2005 to 2016, the prevention and control of mumps in China have undergone three stages of transition. These include the use of MuCV as a self-supported vaccine, the introduction of one-dose MMR to the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), and the administration of two-dose MuCV following supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) using MM. Here, using surveillance data, we assessed the epidemiology of mumps during the three stages. Methods. Children in Quzhou of China born from 2005 to 2016 and registered in the Zhejiang Provincial Immunization Information System (ZJIIS) were included. We analyzed the epidemic data and calculated incidence and MuCV coverage via birth cohorts. Results. The average incidence of mumps in 2005-2006, 2007-2010, and 2011-2016 was 51.57, 41.02, and 12.53 per 100,000 individuals, respectively. The highest incidence was in children aged 6-14 years from 2005-2016, of which the majority were school students (67.84%). Approximately 90% of the reported outbreaks occurred in school children (primary school/middle school). The seasonal characteristics of mumps were less obvious from 2011 to 2016. The coverage of one-dose MMR in the 2005 birth cohort was 71.38%. For the 2006-2010 birth cohort, the coverage of one-dose MuCV was 96.82% and the coverage of two-dose MuCV was 17.68%. The children born from 2011 to 2016 were only free vaccinated with MMR; the coverage of one-dose MuCV was 99.10%. The mumps incidence in the three birth cohorts significantly declined (X2=805.90, P<0.001 for trend). Except the children less than two years old, the mumps incidence for the children born from 2006 to 2010 was higher than that for the children born from 2011 to 2016. Conclusion. The mumps incidence significantly declined following the introduction of one-dose MMR. The SIA using MM led to a rapid reduction of mumps cases. Therefore, we recommend a two-dose MuCV routine immunization schedule and improved vaccination coverage.
Antimicrobial Evaluation of Latex and TLC Fractions from the Leaves of Aloe adigratana Reynolds
Authors: Asmerom Demoze , Hailu Gebremedhin Solomon , Yimer Ebrahim M. , Bitew Helen , Kahsay Getu
Published: March 2020

Background. The highest prevalence and emergence of microbial infections coupled with the threat of antimicrobial resistance constitute a global concern, which entails searching for novel antimicrobial agents. Medicinal plants are among the major sources of medicines for novel drug discovery. Aloe adigratana is one of the endemic Aloe species in Ethiopia where the leaf latex of the plant is traditionally used for the treatment of various pathogenic conditions such as wound, dandruff, malaria, and diabetes. In spite of such claims, there was no scientific study done so far. The aim of the current study was, therefore, to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of leaf latex of A. adigratana and its thin layer chromatography (TLC) fractions. Methods. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) separation was employed for isolation of bioactive compounds. Agar well diffusion and microdilution assay method were used to evaluate the antimicrobial actions of the leaf latex and TLC fractions against six bacterial strains and four Candida species of reference and clinical isolate microbial strains. Results. Three major fractions, AA01, AA02, and AA03, were identified by TLC. Among the tested microbial strains, the reference strain of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 (MIC = 0.06 mg/mL) and clinical Candida krusei 242/18 (MIC = 0.14 mg/mL) exhibited higher susceptibility towards AA02, while reference strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603 (MIC = 0.19 mg/mL) revealed the highest susceptibility towards AA01. The leaf latex displayed the highest activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and clinical Candida krusei 242/18 with a MIC value of 0.19 mg/mL. Conclusion. The leaf latex and TLC fractions were found to be active against the tested bacterial and Candida species. Therefore, this finding supports the traditional claim of Aloe adigratana and the need for characterization of the TLC fractions to provide as lead compounds for further comprehensive antibacterial and antifungal activities.
Identification of Methylated Gene Biomarkers in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Ren Jianting , Zhang Bo , Wei Dongfeng , Zhang Zhanjun
Published: March 2020

Background. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and characterized by the cognitive impairments. It is essential to identify potential gene biomarkers for AD pathology. Methods. DNA methylation expression data of patients with AD were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially methylated sites were identified. The functional annotation analysis of corresponding genes in the differentially methylated sites was performed. The optimal diagnostic gene biomarkers for AD were identified by using random forest feature selection procedure. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) diagnostic analysis of differentially methylated genes was performed. Results. A total of 10 differentially methylated sites including 5 hypermethylated sites and 5 hypomethylated sites were identified in AD. There were a total of 8 genes including thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP), noggin (NOG), regulator of microtubule dynamics 2 (FAM82A1), myoneurin (MYNN), ankyrin repeat domain 34B (ANKRD34B), STAM‐binding protein like 1, ALMalpha (STAMBPL1), cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 1C (CDKN1C), and coronin 2B (CORO2B) that correspond to 10 differentially methylated sites. The cell cycle (FDR = 0.0284087) and TGF‐beta signaling pathway (FDR = 0.0380372) were the only two significantly enriched pathways of these genes. MYNN was selected as optimal diagnostic biomarker with great diagnostic value. The random forests model could effectively predict AD. Conclusion. Our study suggested that MYNN could be served as optimal diagnostic biomarker of AD. Cell cycle and TGF‐beta signaling pathway may be associated with AD.
Mitochondrial ROS-Modulated mtDNA: A Potential Target for Cardiac Aging
Authors: Quan Yue , Xin Yanguo , Tian Geer , Zhou Junteng , Liu Xiaojing
Published: March 2020

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage is associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac aging plays a central role in cardiovascular diseases. There is accumulating evidence linking cardiac aging to mtDNA damage, including mtDNA mutation and decreased mtDNA copy number. Current wisdom indicates that mtDNA is susceptible to damage by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS). This review presents the cellular and molecular mechanisms of cardiac aging, including autophagy, chronic inflammation, mtROS, and mtDNA damage, and the effects of mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative stress on mtDNA. The importance of nucleoid-associated proteins (Pol γ), nuclear respiratory factors (NRF1 and NRF2), the cGAS-STING pathway, and the mitochondrial biogenesis pathway concerning the development of mtDNA damage during cardiac aging is discussed. Thus, the repair of damaged mtDNA provides a potential clinical target for preventing cardiac aging.
Genetic Alterations in the PI3K/AKT Pathway and Baseline AKT Activity Define AKT Inhibitor Sensitivity in Breast Cancer Patient-derived Xenografts
Authors: Gris-Oliver Albert , Palafox Marta , Monserrat Laia , Brasó-Maristany Fara , Òdena Andreu , Sánchez-Guixé Mònica , Ibrahim Yasir H. , Villacampa Guillermo , Grueso Judit , Parés Mireia , Guzmán Marta , Rodríguez Olga , Bruna Alejandra , Hirst Caroline S. , Barnicle Alan , de Bruin Elza C. , Reddy Avinash , Schiavon Gaia , Arribas Joaquín , Mills Gordon B. , Caldas Carlos , Dienstmann Rodrigo , Prat Aleix , Nuciforo Paolo , Razavi Pedram , Scaltriti Maurizio , Turner Nicholas C. , Saura Cristina , Davies Barry R. , Oliveira Mafalda , Serra Violeta
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

AZD5363/capivasertib is a pan-AKT catalytic inhibitor with promising activity in combination with paclitaxel in triple-negative metastatic breast cancer harboring PI3K/AKT-pathway alterations and in estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer in combination with fulvestrant. Here, we aimed to identify response biomarkers and uncover mechanisms of resistance to AZD5363 and its combination with paclitaxel.

Experimental Design:

Genetic and proteomic markers were analyzed in 28 HER2-negative patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) and in patient samples, and correlated to AZD5363 sensitivity as single agent and in combination with paclitaxel.

Results:

Four PDX were derived from patients receiving AZD5363 in the clinic which exhibited concordant treatment response. Mutations in PIK3CA/AKT1 and absence of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1)-activating alterations, for example, in MTOR or TSC1, were associated with sensitivity to AZD5363 monotherapy. Interestingly, excluding PTEN from the composite biomarker increased its accuracy from 64% to 89%. Moreover, resistant PDXs exhibited low baseline pAKT S473 and residual pS6 S235 upon treatment, suggesting that parallel pathways bypass AKT/S6K1 signaling in these models. We identified two mechanisms of acquired resistance to AZD5363: cyclin D1 overexpression and loss of AKT1 p.E17K.

Conclusions:

This study provides insight into putative predictive biomarkers of response and acquired resistance to AZD5363 in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.
Adenocarcinoma of the Uterine Cervix Shows Impaired Recruitment of cDC1 and CD8+ T Cells and Elevated β-Catenin Activation Compared with Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Rotman Jossie , Heeren A. Marijne , Gassama Awa A. , Lougheed Sinead M. , Pocorni Noëlle , Stam Anita G.M. , Bleeker Maaike C.G. , Zijlmans Henry J.M.A.A , Mom Constantijne H. , Kenter Gemma G. , Jordanova Ekaterina S. , de Gruijl Tanja D.
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

Adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix is the second most common type of cervical cancer after squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Although both subtypes are treated similarly, patients with adenocarcinoma have a worse prognosis. In this study, immunologic features of the tumor microenvironment in these two subsets were pursued with potential therapeutic implications.

Experimental Design:

The immune microenvironment of primary tumors and nonmetastatic tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLN) was compared between patients with cervical adenocarcinoma (n = 16) and SCC (n = 20) by polychromatic flow cytometry and by transcriptional profiling of the primary tumors (n = 299) using publicly available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Results:

Flow cytometric analyses revealed intact T-cell differentiation in TDLNs, but hampered effector T-cell trafficking to the primary tumors in adenocarcinoma, as compared with SCC. TCGA analysis demonstrated higher expression of chemokines involved in effector T-cell homing (CXCL9/10/11) in SCC primary tumors as compared with adenocarcinoma primary tumors, which was highly correlated to a transcriptional signature for type I conventional dendritic cells (cDC1). This was consistent with elevated frequencies of CD141/BDCA3+cDC1 in primary tumor SCC samples relative to adenocarcinoma and correspondingly elevated levels of CXCL9 and CXCL10 in 24-hour ex vivo cultures. Hampered cDC1 recruitment in adenocarcinoma was in turn related to lower transcript levels of cDC1-recruiting chemokines and an elevated β-catenin activation score and was associated with poor overall survival.

Conclusions:

Our data have identified an opportunity for the investigation of potentially novel therapeutic interventions in adenocarcinoma of the cervix, that is, β-catenin inhibition and cDC1 mobilization.
Long Noncoding RNA MALAT1 Contributes to Sorafenib Resistance by Targeting miR-140-5p/Aurora-A Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Fan Lei , Huang Xiang , Chen Jing , Zhang Kai , Gu Yan-hong , Sun Jing , Cui Shi-yun
Published: March 2020

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) have been found to play critical roles in tumorigenesis and the development of various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Metastasis associated with lung adenocarcinoma transcript-1 (MALAT1) has been identified as an oncogene and prognostic biomarker in HCC. Here, we demonstrated that MALAT1 expression was obviously high in sorafenib-resistant HCC cells. Furthermore, knockdown of MALAT1 increased sorafenib sensitivity in nonresponsive HCC cells, whereas forced expression of MALAT1 conferred sorafenib resistance to responsive HCC cells in vitro. In addition, loss/gain-of-function assays revealed that MALAT1 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition in HCC cells. Mechanistically, MALAT1 regulated Aurora-A expression by sponging miR-140-5p, thus promoting sorafenib resistance in HCC cells. Moreover, MALAT1 inhibition enhanced the antitumor efficacy of sorafenib in vivo. Clinically, we found that MALAT1 expression was negatively correlated with miR-140-5p expression but positively correlated with Aurora-A expression in patients with HCC and that upregulated MALAT1 was closely correlated with poor survival outcomes in patients with HCC. These findings indicated that MALAT1 may be a novel target for prognosis prediction and therapeutic strategies in patients with HCC treated with sorafenib.
Novel Dual BET and PLK1 Inhibitor WNY0824 Exerts Potent Antitumor Effects in CRPC by Inhibiting Transcription Factor Function and Inducing Mitotic Abnormality
Authors: Xu Ying , Wang Qianqian , Xiao Kunjie , Liu Zhihao , Zhao Lifeng , Song Xuejiao , Hu Xi , Feng Zhanzhan , Gao Tiantao , Zuo Weiqiong , Zeng Jun , Wang Ningyu , Yu Luoting
Published: March 2020

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is a lethal disease with few treatment alternatives once patients become resistant to second-generation antiandrogens. In CRPC, BET proteins are key regulators of AR- and MYC-mediated transcription, while the PLK1 inhibitor potentially downregulates AR and MYC besides influencing the cell cycle. Therefore, synchronous inhibition of BET and PLK1 would be a promising approach for CRPC therapy. This study developed a dual BET and PLK1 inhibitor WNY0824 with nanomolar and equipotent inhibition of BRD4 and PLK1. In vitro, WNY0824 exhibited excellent antiproliferation activity on AR-positive CRPC cells and induced apoptosis. These activities are attributable to its disruption of the AR-transcriptional program and the inhibition of the ETS pathway. Furthermore, WNY0824 downregulated MYC and induced mitotic abnormality. In vivo, oral WNY0824 administration suppressed tumor growth in the CRPC xenograft model of enzalutamide resistance. These findings suggest that WNY0824 is a selective dual BET and PLK1 inhibitor with potent anti-CRPC oncogenic activity and provides insights into the development of other novel dual BET- and PLK1-inhibiting drugs.
Vitamin D Receptor Activation and Photodynamic Priming Enables Durable Low-dose Chemotherapy
Authors: Anbil Sriram , Pigula Michael , Huang Huang-Chiao , Mallidi Srivalleesha , Broekgaarden Mans , Baglo Yan , De Silva Pushpamali , Simeone Diane M. , Mino-Kenudson Mari , Maytin Edward V. , Rizvi Imran , Hasan Tayyaba
Published: March 2020

Patients with cancer often confront the decision of whether to continue high-dose chemotherapy at the expense of cumulative toxicities. Reducing the dose of chemotherapy regimens while preserving efficacy is sorely needed to preserve the performance status of these vulnerable patients, yet has not been prioritized. Here, we introduce a dual pronged approach to modulate the microenvironment of desmoplastic pancreatic tumors and enable significant dose deescalation of the FDA-approved chemotherapeutic nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) without compromising tumor control. We demonstrate that light-based photodynamic priming (PDP) coupled with vitamin D3 receptor (VDR) activation within fibroblasts increases intratumoral nal-IRI accumulation and suppresses protumorigenic CXCL12/CXCR7 crosstalk. Combined photodynamic and biochemical modulation of the tumor microenvironment enables a 75% dose reduction of nal-IRI while maintaining treatment efficacy, resulting in improved tolerability. Modifying the disease landscape to increase the susceptibility of cancer, via preferentially modulating fibroblasts, represents a promising and relatively underexplored strategy to enable dose deescalation. The approach presented here, using a combination of three clinically available therapies with nonoverlapping toxicities, can be rapidly translated with minimal modification to treatment workflow, and challenges the notion that significant improvements in chemotherapy efficacy can only be achieved at the expense of increased toxicity.
Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Applied to Linear (en Coup de Sabre) Morphea
Authors: Mazzilli Sara , Vollono Laura , Cosio Terenzio , Donati Michele , Piccolo Arianna , Di Raimondo Cosimo , Campione Elena , Bianchi Luca
Published: March 2020

En coup de sabre morphea is a clinical variant of morphea, presenting as a linear depressed, atrophic area in the paramedian forehead or the frontoparietal scalp, resembling a stroke from a sword. It affects the skin and subcutaneous connective tissues, with possible extension to the underlying musculature, cartilage, and bone and variable association with neurologic symptoms. A 50-year-old woman presented to our clinic for evaluation of an atrophic lesion on her forehead and scalp appearing 1 year before, progressively extending over time. An alopecic atrophic area involving the skin and subcutaneous tissues of her right forehead and scalp arranged in a linear fashion with an “en coup de sabre” appearance was observed in relation with hair loss in the affected area. Reflectance confocal microscopy showed marked hyperreflective areas with severe eccrine gland atrophy. All sebaceous glands had disappeared, with sporadic follicular persistence reduction. Histopathological examination of a punch biopsy specimen taken from a central parietal alopecic area was consistent with a diagnosis of morphea. To our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the use of reflectance confocal microscopy as an ancillary diagnostic technique in linear localized morphea of the scalp and face. This noninvasive technique may represent a useful tool in distinguishing between early stages of the disease, with prevalence of inflammatory lymphocytic infiltrate, and late stages characterized by more prominent sclerosis with mild or absent signs of inflammation.
Bleeding Risk, Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Cessation, and Adverse Events After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Sorrentino Sabato , Sartori Samantha , Baber Usman , Claessen Bimmer E. , Giustino Gennaro , Chandrasekhar Jaya , Chandiramani Rishi , Cohen David J. , Henry Timothy D. , Guedeney Paul , Ariti Cono , Dangas George , Gibson C. Michael , Krucoff Mitchell W. , Moliterno David J. , Colombo Antonio , Vogel Birgit , Chieffo Alaide , Kini Annapoorna S. , Witzenbichler Bernhard , Weisz Giora , Steg Philippe Gabriel , Pocock Stuart , Urban Philip , Mehran Roxana
Published: March 2020

Background:

Whether the underlying risk of bleeding influences the associations between patterns of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) cessation and adverse events after percutaneous coronary intervention is unknown.

Methods:

Patients enrolled in the prospective, international, multicenter PARIS registry (Patterns of Non-Adherence to Anti-Platelet Regimens in Stented Patients) were categorized according to their risk of bleeding using the PARIS bleeding risk score. We evaluated the incidence, patterns, and association between modes of DAPT cessation and outcomes across bleeding risk groups. Modes of DAPT cessations were defined as physician-guided DAPT discontinuation, brief interruption (<14 days) or disruption for bleeding, or noncompliance. The primary end point of interest was major adverse cardiac events, defined as the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or definite-probable stent thrombosis.

Results:

From a total of 5018 patients, 513 (10.2%) were classified as high, 2058 (41.0%) as intermediate, and 2447 (48.8%) as low risk for bleeding. High bleeding risk (HBR) patients were older and had greater prevalence of comorbidities. Compared with non-HBR, HBR patients had higher rates of both ischemic and bleeding events. The cumulative incidence of DAPT cessation was higher in HBR patients, mostly driven by physician-guided discontinuation and disruption. Of note, DAPT disruption occurred in 17.7%, 10.4%, and 7.8% at 1 year and 22.0%, 15.1%, and 12.0% at 2 years (
P
<0.0001) in high, intermediate, and low bleeding risk groups, respectively. Physician-guided DAPT discontinuation was not associated with increased risk of major adverse cardiac events in both HBR and non-HBR patients, while DAPT disruption was associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiac events across all bleeding risk groups. There was no interaction between bleeding risk status and clinical outcomes for any cessation mode.

Conclusions:

Patients at HBR remain at higher risk of adverse events. Disruption of DAPT is associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiac events irrespective of the underlying bleeding risk. Physician-guided discontinuation of DAPT appears to be safe, irrespective of HBR.
Independent Prognostic Value of MRproANP (Midregional Proatrial Natriuretic Peptide) Levels in Patients With Stroke Is Unaltered Over Time
Authors: Arnold Markus , Nakas Christos , Luft Andreas , Christ-Crain Mirjam , Leichtle Alexander , Katan Mira
Published: March 2020

Background and Purpose—

MRproANP (midregional proatrial natriuretic peptide) is known to be independently associated with cardioembolic stroke cause and to improve risk stratification for 90-day mortality when measured within 24 to 72 hours after symptom onset in patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, the optimal time point for assessment remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate prognostic utility of MRproANP at different time points during the first 5 days of hospitalization in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods—

Samples of MRproANP were collected on admission (<72 hours after onset) and at multiple time points during the first 5 days of hospitalization in 348 consecutively enrolled patients with acute ischemic stroke. The prognostic value for 90-day mortality, 90-day functional outcome, and the association with cardioembolic stroke cause was assessed regarding the time of measurement, and change over time was modeled using generalized estimating equations.

Results—

MRproANP levels modestly decease over the initial 5 days but remain highly predictive for cardioembolic stroke cause (odds ratio, 9.75 [95% CI, 3.2–29]; 10.62 [95% CI, 3.4–33.3]; 10.8 [95% CI, 3.1–37.1]; 19.4 [95% CI, 5.49–68.7] on admission, day 1, 3 and 5) and 90-day mortality (odds ratio, 59.4 [95% CI, 7.4–480.7]; 78.3 [95% CI, 7.9–772.6]; 14.5 [95% CI, 1.4–145]; 19.81 [95% CI, 2.7–143.4] on admission, day 1, 3, and 5). Change over time does not significantly modify the prognostic value of MRproANP (
P
=0.65 and
P
=0.56 for the interaction term in the multivariate model).

Conclusions—

Independent prognostic value of MRproANP remains unaltered in the acute phase of stroke at least up to 5 days; repeated measurements do not improve the prognostic value.
Christ’s Body Is One
Authors: Wood James R.
Published: March 2020

This essay argues that the ecclesiology of John W. Nevin furnishes American Presbyterians, both evangelical and mainline, with significant resources for the pursuit of Reformed catholicity. Nevin believed that the church must exhibit contemporary unity and historical continuity as a result of its mystical union with the incarnate Christ. He opposed the forces prevalent in American Protestantism that undermined visible, catholic unity. In Nevin’s assessment, the foundational factor in these ecclesiological errors was a defective, truncated Christology. Nevin sought to renew Reformed theology through retrieving an orthodox ecclesiology rooted in a robust understanding of the incarnation. The concluding section will argue that both streams of American Presbyterianism fall short in terms of catholicity and would benefit by attending to Nevin’s ecclesial vision.
The Deep Battle, the CIA, and the Sorrows of General Rogers
Authors: Cappelli Riccardo
Published: March 2020

The Cold War versions – ‘AirLand Battle’, ‘AirLand Battle 2000’, and ‘Follow-On Forces Attack’ – of the ‘Deep Battle’ concepts developed by Germany and the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s, caused the flare-up of rare criticism within the community of defence experts and, in particular, friction between the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army and, on a broader spectrum, between the USA and its European allies. Thanks to recently declassified documents, we can now also add the CIA to the chorus of critical voices; the CIA’s scepticism provoked serious disagreements with General Rogers, the then Supreme Allied Commander for Europe. The likely inadequacies of the various forms of Deep Battle for fighting the Soviet threat, along with the total or partial absence of external factors that normally drive the changing of military doctrines, suggest the existence of more prosaic, parochial reasons for their ideation and adoption.
Religious Education and the Anglo-World
Authors: Jackson Stephen
Published: March 2020

Focusing on Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, “Religious Education and the Anglo-World” historiographically examines the relationship between empire and religious education. In each case the analysis centres on the foundational moments of publicly funded education in the mid- to late-nineteenth centuries when policy makers created largely Protestant systems of religious education, and frequently denied Roman Catholics funding for private education. Secondly, the period from 1880 to 1960 during which campaigns to strengthen religious education emerged in each context. Finally, the era of decolonisation from the 1960s through the 1980s when publicly funded religious education was challenged by the loss of Britishness as a central ideal, and Roman Catholics found unprecedented success in achieving state aid in many cases. By bringing these disparate national literatures into conversation with one another, the essay calls for a greater transnational approach to the study of religious education in the Anglo-World.
Genetic and morphologic identities of hydrozoans (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) from reef patches of Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean
Authors: TORRES-RODRÍGUEZ JAVIER , ORTIZ-OYOLA DANIEL , PUENTES-SAYO ALEJANDRA , LECOMPTE ORLANDO P. , JAUREGUI AMINTA
Published: March 2020

The morphological and genetic identification of hydrozoans collected in the reef patches of Santa Marta, Colombia was carried out. This study allows to present two new records of hydroids species for the Colombian Caribbean: Halopteris alternata and Dentitheca dendritica. A total of 11 species and 1 genus were found using morphological and genetic identification with partial sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. The order Leptothecata was the most abundant represented by 9 families: Aglaopheniidae, Clytiidae, Haleciidae, Halopterididae, Kirchenpaueriidae, Plumulariidae, Sertularellidae, Sertulariidae and Thyroscyphidae, while the order Anthoathecata was represented by 2 families: Eudendriidae and Pennariidae. Despite the lack of studies on this group of organisms in the country, the use of the 16S rRNA gene proved to be very useful to provide complementary evidence in our understanding of the biological diversity of hydrozoans in Colombia.
Two new species of bamboo-feeding leafhopper genus Flatfronta (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Deltocephalinae) from India
Authors: MESHRAM NARESH M. , NIKOSHE AKASH P. , STUTI STUTI
Published: March 2020

Two new species of the bamboo-feeding leafhopper genus Flatfronta, F. dibangi sp. nov. (Arunachal Pradesh: Basar) and F. uttara sp. nov. (Uttarakhand: Pantnagar) are described and illustrated from India. A checklist and a key to known species of the genus are also provided. Types are deposited in the National Pusa Collection (NPC), Division of Entomology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, India.
Metal Organic Framework-Encapsulated Phosphotungstic Acid: An Effective Catalyst for Highly Efficient Acetalization of Vanillin Propylene Glycol
Authors: Liu Jing , Li Xiaomin , Chen Pan , Mi Yutian , Lei Jiandu
Published: March 2020

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have exhibited potential for application as heterogeneous catalytic materials because they consist of empty space, which can be used for encapsulation. Encapsulation of H3PW12O40 (HPW) in MOFs, such as the fabrication
of MIL-101, by direct synthesis method or impregnation has drawn significant interest. However, few researches have used MOFs as catalysts for acetalization. This study evaluates the use of HPW encapsulated in MIL-101(Cr) to make it a catalyst in the acetalization of vanillin propylene glycol.
Samples fabricated using various techniques (encapsulation and impregnation) were characterized by SEM, TEM, N2 adsorption–desorption, XRD, and FT-IR. The synthesis conditions of HPW@MIL-101 and their effects on vanillin conversion were examined. The reaction kinetics was
also investigated under optimal conditions. Vanillin conversion showed that introducing HPW directly into MIL-101(Cr) during synthesis induced a 14% increase, compared with impregnation. The results indicated that HPW@MIL-101(Cr) is an effective method for vanillin propylene glycol acetal
production and is reusable.
Summertime Post-Cold-Frontal Marine Stratocumulus Transition Processes over the Eastern North Atlantic
Authors: kazemirad Melissa , Miller Mark A.
Published: March 2020

Marine boundary layer (MBL) cloud morphology associated with two summertime cold fronts over the eastern North Atlantic (ENA) is investigated using high-resolution simulations from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model and observations from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) ENA Climate Research Facility. Lagrangian trajectories are used to study the evolution of post-cold-frontal MBL clouds from solid stratocumulus to broken cumulus. Clouds within specified domains in the vicinity of transitions are classified according to their degree of decoupling, and cloud-base and cloud-top breakup processes are evaluated. The Lagrangian derivative of the surface latent heat flux is found to be strongly correlated with that of the cloud fraction at cloud base in the simulations. Cloud-top entrainment instability (CTEI) is shown to operate only in the decoupled MBL. A new indicator of inversion strength at cloud top that employs the vertical gradients of equivalent potential temperature and saturation equivalent potential temperature, which can be computed directly from soundings, is proposed as an alternative to CTEI. Overall, results suggest that the deepening–warming hypothesis suggested by Bretherton and Wyant explains many of the characteristics of the summertime postfrontal MBL evolution of cloud structure over the ENA, thereby widening the phase space over which the hypothesis may be applied. A subset of the deepening–warming hypothesis involving warming initially dominating over moistening is proposed. It is postulated that changes in climate change–induced modifications in cold-frontal structure over the ENA may be accompanied by coincident changes in the location and timing of MBL cloud transitions in the post-cold-frontal environment.
Polyol from spent coffee grounds: Performance in a model pour-in-place rigid polyurethane foam system
Authors: Sendijarevic Ibrahim , Pietrzyk Karol W , Schiffman Christi M. , Sendijarevic Vahid , Kiziltas Alper , Mielewski Debbie
Published: March 2020

The objective of this study was to produce a polyol from spent coffee grounds via acid liquification process that meets performance requirements for use in polyurethane applications. The spent coffee grounds based polyol was characterized and evaluated on a fully catalyzed model rigid polyurethane foam system. The pH of the polyol was 6.8, acid value 4.12 mg KOH/g, and hydroxyl value 302.6 mg KOH/g, which are in the range of polyols used in rigid polyurethane foams. The reactivity study confirmed enhanced reactivity of the spent coffee grounds polyol compared to standard sucrose-glycerol initiated polyether polyols, which can be attributed to higher content of primary reactive hydroxyls. Scanning electron microscopy microphotographs of the foams prepared with 10%, 20%, and 30% spent coffee grounds polyol based on total polyols in the formulation revealed a drained dodecahedron type cell structure with intact cell windows as a clear indication of the closed cell structure typical for the rigid polyurethane foams used in thermal insulation applications. Results of this study confirmed the feasibility to produce polyols from spent coffee grounds with performance characteristics suitable for polyurethane application. The fact that spent coffee grounds are readily available industrial waste generated in instant coffee manufacturing, makes this biomass residue a sustainable source of raw materials for scalable production of polyols for polyurethanes.
High flow compression molding for recycling discontinuous long fiber thermoplastic composites
Authors: Léger Éric , Landry Benoit , LaPlante Gabriel
Published: March 2020

An investigation into high flow compression molding for recycling thermoplastic discontinuous long fiber composites is presented. High flow recycled panels and conventional low flow baseline panels were produced with a large rectangular (2:1 aspect ratio) mold. Flow was induced in the recycled panels by stacking cut sections of conventionally produced baseline panels in the center of the mold cavity, representing 25% initial coverage. High flow compression molded panels were found to exhibit significantly higher than baseline tensile strength (+50%) and modulus (+31%) when tested in the direction parallel to flow. When tested in the direction perpendicular to flow, the opposite effect was found, with reductions in tensile strength (−42%) and modulus (−37%). However, when the average results of both directions are compared to baseline, no significant difference was found between the recycled and baseline panels. This severe anisotropic redistribution of mechanical properties suggests chip orientation is affected by flow. Additionally, micrographic analysis revealed that high flow molding induces intra-ply chip shearing and a reduction in resin rich regions within panels. Baseline panels also exhibited in-plane anisotropy, despite initial random distribution of chips and no or near no flow induced during molding. In this case, mechanical properties favored the direction perpendicular to that of the recycled panels.
Major court and tribunal decisions in Australia in 2019
Authors: Allen Dominique , Landau Ingrid
Published: March 2020

This annual survey of significant court and tribunal decisions in Australia in 2019 covers employer efforts to restrain employee communication outside the workplace through codes of conduct and the use of biometric technology in the workplace. It also considers the rise of class actions in employment law and the strategic use by large employers of consumer and intellectual property laws against trade unions in the context of industrial disputes.
Influence of Handgrip Stabilization During Isokinetic Knee Strength Assessment in Older Women
Authors: Nunes João P. , Cunha Paolo M. , Mayhew Jerry L. , Ribeiro Alex S. , Junior Paulo S. , Fernandes Rodrigo R. , Cyrino Edilson S.
Published: March 2020

The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of holding the chair handles during the assessment of older women’s knee flexion and extension isokinetic and isometric strength. Of 57 older women (≥60 years) selected from a convenience sample for this research, 23 were randomly chosen to perform the tests twice for reliability analyses. Each participant performed maximal isokinetic knee extension and flexion at 60°/s and 180°/s angular velocities and isometric tests under two conditions: (a) holding the lateral handle of the chair (HOLD) and (b) supporting the hands on the shoulders with the arms crossed (i.e., not holding the handle [NHOLD]). Participants performed significantly better in the HOLD compared with the NHOLD condition. Slightly lower intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC = 0.870–0.956) were noted for the HOLD than for the NHOLD condition (ICC = 0.900–0.981) so that the HOLD performance on Days 1 and 2 was different on some measures. Owing to the higher reliability coefficients in the NHOLD condition, results suggest that, when assessing knee strength in older women, the evaluee should place their hands over their shoulders with arms crossed in front of the chest (NHOLD) to maximize assessment reliability (reproducibility of performance).
Clinical outcome of severe sepsis and septic shock in critically ill children
Authors: Shah Sachin , Kaul Amita , Jadhav Yogesh , Shiwarkar Ganesh
Published: March 2020

Information concerning the clinical outcome of severe sepsis and septic shock among the burden of tropical infections in children is limited, particularly in low-income settings.

 We conducted a prospective consecutive cohort study in all children aged 1 month to 16 years needing paediatric intensive care between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2018.

 Demographic details, presenting symptoms and duration, associated co-morbidity and organ dysfunction were recorded. Clinical and laboratory parameters discriminating between survivors and non-survivors were evaluated.

 Most presented with respiratory or central nervous system derangement along with cardiovascular dysfunction. Haematological involvement was almost invariably found on diagnostic evaluation. Those children with ≥3 systems involved had higher odds of mortality. Dengue was seen in half the patients, being the commonest tropical infection. Not surprisingly, non-survivors were younger, had rapid progression of illness and needed ventilation more often within the first hour of admission. However, in multivariable regression analysis, only procalcitonin levels were associated with increased risk of mortality. We conclude that that tropical infections causing severe sepsis and septic shock are an important cause of mortality. There are, however, no clinical parameters which differentiate reliably between survivors and non-survivors.
Buprenorphine use for pain and suicidal ideation in severely suicidal patients
Authors: Gibbs Hunter M , Price Daniel , Delgado Pedro L , Clothier Jeffrey L , Cáceda Ricardo
Published: March 2020

Objective

Chronic pain is frequently comorbid with opioid abuse and severe depression, a combination that greatly compounds suicide risk. In addition to the therapeutic value of buprenorphine in addiction and analgesia, growing evidence suggests potential use as an antidepressant. Data supporting buprenorphine antisuicidal properties are scarce. We aim to contribute to the discussion of buprenorphine antisuicidal potential in patients with significant psychiatric and medical comorbidity.

Methods

We performed a chart review of suicidal adult depressed patients with comorbid chronic pain and opioid use disorder who received off-label buprenorphine in outpatient and inpatient settings in a university hospital between 2013 and 2016.

Results

Four of the patients had an early positive response. However, only three continue to adhere to treatment for six months or longer.

Conclusions

More severe opioid use disorder seems to more negatively influence clinical outcome, independently of cluster b personality traits. Identification of patients who could benefit from buprenorphine will require further studies.
Development of a Prototype-Based Scale for Assessing Saudade
Authors: Neto Félix , Mullet Etienne
Published: March 2020

Saudade is a psychological experience resulting from the absence of significant others or familiar places. Four studies were conducted in view of creating a measure of saudade derived from previous prototype analyses. Data from four samples were collected: two samples of Portuguese undergraduate students, one sample of Portuguese adults, and one sample of Portuguese adolescents. Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, a three-factor latent structure of saudade was identified: Missing Close Others, Lack of Intimacy, and Longing for the Past. This three-factor structure was meaningfully associated with theoretically related constructs such as life satisfaction, negative affect, loneliness, love satisfaction, self-esteem, or neuroticism and was not associated with theoretically unrelated constructs such as tolerance or openness.
The association between breast cancer risk factors and background parenchymal enhancement at dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MRI
Authors: Hellgren Roxanna , Saracco Ariel , Strand Fredrik , Eriksson Mikael , Sundbom Ann , Hall Per , Dickman Paul W
Published: March 2020

Background

Background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) of normal tissue at breast magnetic resonance imaging is suggested to be an independent risk factor for breast cancer. Its association with established risk factors for breast cancer is not fully investigated.

Purpose

To study the association between BPE and risk factors for breast cancer in a healthy, non-high-risk screening population.

Material and Methods

We measured BPE and mammographic density and used data from self-reported questionnaires in 214 healthy women aged 43–74 years. We estimated odds ratios for the univariable association between BPE and risk factors. We then fitted an adjusted model using logistic regression to evaluate associations between BPE (high vs. low) and risk factors, including mammographic breast density.

Results

The majority of women had low BPE (84%). In a multivariable model, we found statistically significant associations between BPE and age ( P = 0.002) and BMI ( P = 0.03). We did find a significant association between systemic progesterone medication and BPE, but due to small numbers, the results should be interpreted with caution. The adjusted odds ratio for high BPE was 3.1 among women with density D (compared to B) and 2.1 for density C (compared to B). However, the association between high BPE and density was not statistically significant. We did not find statistically significant associations with any other risk factors.

Conclusion

Our study confirmed the known association of BPE with age and BMI. Although our results show a higher likelihood for high BPE with increasing levels of mammographic density, the association was not statistically significant.
Heterozygous mutation of SLC34A1 in patients with hypophosphatemic kidney stones and osteoporosis: a case report
Authors: Ma Yuping , Lv Haihong , Wang Jue , Tan Jiaojiao
Published: March 2020

Hypophosphatemic kidney stones with osteoporosis is a rare disease clinically. Mutations in the solute carrier family 34 member 1 gene ( SLC34A1), encoding NaPi-IIa, are considered to be associated with this disease. In this report, a 38-year-old Chinese woman was diagnosed with hypophosphatemic kidney stones with osteoporosis. Her clinical features were recorded, and biochemical tests and DNA sequencing were performed of the proband and her parents. Sequencing revealed that she inherited the c.1753T>C SLC34A1 mutation from her mother. This mutation in exon 13 of SLC34A1 causes a substitution of serine with proline (p. S585P) at position 585 of NaPi-IIa. This is a novel mutation that has not previously been reported, and which shows autosomal dominant inheritance. It is expected to lead to changes in protein function, and we believe that it is the cause of pathology in our patient.
Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Gao Tianxi , Zhang Qing , Hou Jin , Zhu Kang , Sun Bin , Chen Jingguo , Xia Cui , Ren Xiaoyong , Cheng Ying , Wang Zhenghui
Published: March 2020

Objective

Previous studies have shown that patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) may have various vestibular abnormalities, and these mainly present as subclinical lesions. In this study, we attempted to combine ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) and cervical (VEMPs) to investigate vestibular dysfunction in patients with OSAS.

Methods

Thirty-eight patients with severe OSAS and 42 healthy controls were enrolled and divided into two groups according to results of polysomnography. All parameters of VEMP graphs were analyzed.

Results

The response rate of ocular VEMPs was significantly lower in patients with severe OSAS (85.5%) than in controls (96.4%). The mean n1 latency of patients with severe OSAS (10.6 ± 1.0 months) was significantly longer than that of controls (10.2 ± 1.1 months). With regard to cervical VEMP, p1-n1 amplitudes were significantly different between the groups. Other VEMP parameters were not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusions

VEMPs can potentially be used to evaluate vestibular system lesions at the early stage of OSAS, including not only the vestibular nerve, but also the otolith organs involved.