bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early virological response in six patients with hepatitis D virus infection and compensated cirrhosis treated with Bulevirtide in real‐life
Authors: Asselah Tarik , Loureiro Dimitri , Le Gal Fréderic , Narguet Stéphanie , Brichler Ségolène , Bouton Valérie , Abazid Malek , Boyer Nathalie , Giuly Nathalie , Gerber Athenais , Tout Issam , Maylin Sarah , Bed Cheikh M. , Marcellin Patrick , Castelnau Corinne , Gordien Emmanuel , Mansouri Abdellah
Published: May 2021

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is the most severe form of viral hepatitis. Bulevirtide (BLV, Hepcludex®) is an HDV/HBV entry inhibitor approved in June 2020 in the European Union for adult patients with chronic hepatitis delta (CHD) and compensated liver disease and positive HDV RNA viral load. This real‐life preliminary report described early virological efficacy and safety of BLV in six patients with CHD and compensated liver disease: four patients were treated with the combination of BLV (2 mg/d in subcutaneous injection) and pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) and two patients with BLV monotherapy. Four patients treated with combined therapy had a decline of a minimum of 1 log10 and 3/3 of 2 log10 of HDV‐VL at 12 and 24 weeks, respectively. One patient among four had stopped the treatment at 12 weeks because of thrombocytopenia and an HDV‐VL relapse was notified 24 weeks after treatment cessation. Three patients among four (3/4) had undetectable HDV‐VL during the therapy (<100 IU/ml). One patient (1/2) treated with BLV monotherapy had a decline of HDV‐VL by 1 log10 at 8 weeks and 1/1 by 2 log10 at 28 week on‐treatment. Two patients among four (2/4) with combined therapy had normal ALT reached at 4 and 56 weeks. One patient (1/2) with BLV monotherapy achieves ALT normalization at​ 4 weeks on treatment. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels remain unchanged. Three among six (3/6) patients had an elevation of total biliary acids without pruritus. These early data generated confirm the interest in this new treatment. Final results will be important to demonstrate long‐term clinical benefit (fibrosis reversibility and reduction in hepato‐cellular carcinoma [HCC]).
Unraveling the roles of plant specialized metabolites: using synthetic biology to design molecular biosensors
Authors: Garagounis Constantine , Delkis Nikolaos , Papadopoulou Kalliope K.
Published: May 2021

Plants are a rich source of specialized metabolites with a broad range of bioactivities and many applications in human daily life. Over the past decades significant progress has been made in identifying many such metabolites in different plant species and in elucidating their biosynthetic pathways. However, the biological roles of plant specialized metabolites remain elusive and proposed functions lack an identified underlying molecular mechanism. Understanding the roles of specialized metabolites frequently is hampered by their dynamic production and their specific spatiotemporal accumulation within plant tissues and organs throughout a plant’s life cycle. In this review, we propose the employment of strategies from the field of Synthetic Biology to construct and optimize genetically encoded biosensors that can detect individual specialized metabolites in a standardized and high‐throughput manner. This will help determine the precise localization of specialized metabolites at the tissue and single‐cell levels. Such information will be useful in developing complete system‐level models of specialized plant metabolism, which ultimately will demonstrate how the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites is integrated with the core processes of plant growth and development.
What does it take to facilitate the integration of clinical practice guidelines for the management of low back pain into practice? Part 2: A strategic plan to activate dissemination
Authors: Longtin Christian , Décary Simon , Cook Chad E. , Tousignant‐Laflamme Yannick
Published: May 2021

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide among all musculoskeletal disorders despite an intense focus in research efforts. Researchers and decision makers have produced multiple clinical practice guidelines for the rehabilitation of LBP, which contain specific recommendations for clinicians. Adherence to these recommendations may have several benefits, such as improving the quality of care for patients living with LBP, by ensuring that the best evidence‐based care is being delivered. However, clinicians’ adherence to recommendations from these guidelines is low and numerous implementation barriers and challenges, such as complexity of information and sheer volume of guidelines have been documented. In a previous paper, we performed a systematic review of the literature to identify high‐quality clinical practice guidelines on the management of LBP, and developed a concise yet comprehensive infographic that summarizes the recommendations from these guidelines. Considering the wealth of scientific evidence, passive dissemination alone of this research knowledge is likely to have limitations to help clinicians implement these recommendations into routine practice. Thus, an active and engaging dissemination strategy, aimed at improving the implementation and integration of specific recommendations into practice is warranted. In this paper, we argue that a conceptual framework, such as the theoretical domains framework, could facilitate the implementation of these recommendations into clinical practice. Specifically, we present a systematic approach that could serve to guide the development of a theory‐informed knowledge translation intervention as a means to overcome implementation challenges in rehabilitation of LBP.
Management of tinea capitis in Israel: A comparative study
Authors: Shemer Avner , Gupta Aditya K. , Galili Eran , Daniel Ralph , Kassem Riad , Farhi Renata , Grunwald Hadas , Bamimore Mary A.
Published: May 2021

Background

Tinea capitis is a common fungal infection in Israel, most commonly caused by the dermatophyte Trichophyton tonsurans.

Objectives

To investigate the effectiveness of oral antifungal monotherapy in producing clinical or complete cure. We also evaluated the impact of topical therapy (bifonazole 1% shampoo and/or betamethasone valerate 0.1% solution), prior to oral treatment, on patients' likelihood of clinical or complete cure.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted. Patients with mycologically confirmed tinea capitis were treated with one of four regimens: (1) terbinafine (greater than 40 kg: 250 mg/day, 20 to 40 kg: 125 mg/day, less than 20 kg: 62.5 mg/day), (2) itraconazole 5 mg/kg daily, (3) fluconazole 6 mg/kg daily, or (4) griseofulvin 20 mg/kg daily. We used generalized linear models (GLM) to determine whether there was a significant association between the odds of cure and choice of treatment.

Results

The causative species was Trichophyton tonsurans in all but 6 cases that grew T violaceum. For pediatric patients, the odds of having complete or clinical cure within 6 weeks was greater if they used terbinafine compared to itraconazole, fluconazole, or griseofulvin (odds ratio [OR] = 9.06, P = .047). The likelihood of complete or clinical cure within 8 weeks of oral therapy was lower if topical steroids were previously used compared to if topical antifungals were used prior to systemic treatment (OR = 0.29, P = .046).

Conclusions

Our findings substantiate prior literature demonstrating that terbinafine is non‐inferior to griseofulvin, itraconazole, and fluconazole in the therapy of pediatric tinea capitis caused by T tonsurans.
Associations between size at birth and size at 6 years among preterm infants: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Awata Kentaro , Shoji Hiromichi , Santosa Irena , Ikeda Naho , Murano Yayoi , Ohkawa Natsuki , Nishizaki Naoto , Hisata Ken , Kantake Masato , Obinata Kaoru , Shimizu Toshiaki
Published: May 2021

Background

Little is known about the relationship between fetal growth and size at school age in children born prematurely. We evaluated the relationships between gestational age and anthropometric z‐scores at birth and size at 6 years of age in very‐low‐birthweight infants born at <30 weeks’ gestation.

Methods

We collected data from the medical records of 187 preterm children at birth and 6 years of age. We evaluated correlations between gestational age and z‐scores for weight, body length, and head circumference at birth and z‐scores for weight, height, and body mass index at 6 years of age.

Results

Simple regression analysis showed that, in boys and the overall group, gestational age and z‐scores for weight, body length, and head circumference at birth had significant association with z‐scores for weight, height, and body mass index at 6 years of age. No significant associations were found in girls, except for weight z‐scores at 6 years with gestational age and head circumference z‐scores at birth. Multiple regression analysis showed that gestational age and length z‐score at birth were significantly and independently associated with weight and height z‐score at 6 years. Gestational age was also significantly and independently associated with body mass index z‐score at 6 years.

Conclusion

Gestational age and fetal growth in length (assessed with the birth‐length z‐score) were associated with anthropometric z‐scores at 6 years in very‐low‐birthweight children born at <30 weeks of gestation, especially in boys.
Improving rural disaster response preparedness
Authors: Betka Alisha A. , Bergren Martha Dewey , Rowen Judith L.
Published: May 2021

Background

Disasters happen in all communities and negatively impact the health and safety of populations if not well managed. Rural health organizations face greater challenges when implementing emergency preparedness policies and need unique resources to help ensure the health of their communities. The purpose of this article is to describe the development and evaluation of an agricultural simulation scenario designed for rural health organizations.

Methods

The agricultural disaster scenario was developed after determining the desired content domains. Forty students from nursing, medicine, public health, and social work participated in a functional simulation using the scenario. Outcomes were measured using a pre–post measurement with one cohort design. Data were analyzed using paired‐samples t‐tests.

Results

Students reported a 30% increase in self‐confidence, 38% increase in disaster competence, and 19% increase in interprofessional collaboration competence after the simulation. Statistically significant increases in student scores were noted on all surveys across professions.

Conclusion

The agricultural disaster simulation is a valid scenario to use for disaster preparation using emergency operations plans.
The Impact of Experiences and Perceptions of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on Water‐Related Biosecurity Behaviour in Rural Vietnam
Authors: Whelan Mairéad G. , Le Quynh B. , Hall David C.
Published: May 2021

Background

In Southeast Asia from 2004 to 2006, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) resulted in culling 45 million birds and jeopardizing sustainable agricultural production. HPAI is highly virulent; small‐scale farms present a high‐risk environment for disease transmission between animals and humans. We investigated how attitudes toward HPAI influence water‐related biosecurity mitigation behaviors on small‐scale farms in Vietnam using the conceptual framework Social Cognitive Theory.

Method

We analyzed a secondary cross‐sectional data set from northern (Thai Binh) and southern (An Giang) provinces in Vietnam, describing a stratified randomized selection of 600 small‐scale farmers who were interviewed using questionnaires and in‐person interviews. Logistic regression analysis and odds ratios were used to examine relationships between factors influencing HPAI attitudes, social norms, perceived importance, and behaviors (α = 0.10)

Results

Concern about the severity of HPAI was significantly associated with increased perceived importance for all water management biosecurity methods (p < 0.01). Media and/or peer influence had negative effects on perceived importance to practice water‐related biosecurity (p < 0.10). High importance of practice water‐related biosecurity resulted in high uptake (p < 0.05). Past experiences with HPAI were significant in predicting perceived importance; none were significant in describing behavior uptake.

Discussion

Biosecurity guidelines may not be consistent with management styles of Vietnamese small‐scale farms; perceived importance of a behavior may be an important mediating variable. Gaps exist in uptake of water management practices as biosecurity for HPAI, potentially negatively affected by peer and media influence. Our results should be of interest to public health and policy authorities addressing HPAI mitigation.
Aortic Elasticity and Arsenic Exposure: A Step Function rather than a Linear Function
Authors: Ahn Jaeil , Lamm Steven H. , Ferdosi Hamid , Boroje Isabella J.
Published: May 2021

While the dose–response relationship for the carcinogenic effects of arsenic exposure indicates nonlinearity with increases only above about 150 μg/L arsenic in drinking water, similar analyses of noncarcinogenic effects of arsenic exposure remain to be conducted. We present here an alternative analysis of data on a measure of aortic elasticity, a risk factor for hypertension, and its relationship to urinary arsenic levels. An occupational health study from Ankara, Turkey by Karakulak et al. compared urinary arsenic levels and a measure of aortic elasticity (specifically, aortic strain) in workers with a linear no‐threshold model.  We have examined these data with three alternative models—a fitted step‐function, a stratified, and a weighted linear regression model. Discontinuity within the data revealed two subsets of data, one for workers with urinary arsenic levels ≤ 160 μg/L whose mean aortic strain level was 11.3% and one for workers with arsenic levels > 160 μg/L whose mean aortic stain level was 5.33 % (p < 0.0001). Several alternative models were examined that indicated the best model to be the threshold model with a threshold at a urinary arsenic level of 160 μg/L. Observation of a discontinuity in the data revealed their better fit to a threshold model (at a urinary arsenic level of 160 μg/L) than to a linear‐no threshold model.  Examinations with alternative models are recommended for studies of arsenic and hypertension and possibly other noncarcinogenic effects.
The effectiveness of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) compared to alternative treatment conditions: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Swift Joshua K. , Trusty Wilson T. , Penix Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2021

Introduction

This meta‐analysis aimed to test the efficacy of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) intervention against other commonly used interventions for the treatment of suicide ideation and other suicide‐related variables.

Method

Database, expert, and root and branch searches identified nine empirical studies that directly compared CAMS to other active interventions. A random effects model was used to calculate the effect size differences between the interventions; additionally, moderators of the effect sizes were tested for suicidal ideation.

Results

In comparison to alternative interventions, CAMS resulted in significantly lower suicidal ideation (d = 0.25) and general distress (d = 0.29), significantly higher treatment acceptability (d = 0.42), and significantly higher hope/lower hopelessness (d = 0.88). No significant differences for suicide attempts, self‐harm, other suicide‐related correlates, or cost effectiveness were observed. The effect size differences for suicidal ideation were consistent across study types and quality, timing of outcome measurement, and the age and ethnicity of participants; however, the effect sizes favoring CAMS were significantly smaller with active duty military/veteran samples and with male participants.

Conclusions

The existing research supports CAMS as a Well Supported intervention for suicidal ideation per Center of Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Effect of scratching and friction on human skin in vivo
Authors: Fei Chengwen , Xu Yafei , Cao Ting , Jiang Wencai , Zou Ying , Maibach Howard
Published: May 2021

Objective

To investigate effect of scratching and friction on human skin function and functional differences between scratching and friction.

Method

Forty healthy volunteers were enrolled. Scratching and friction behavior was modeled by scalpel and sandpaper simulation to forearm for 80 times, respectively. Noninvasive bioengineering devices were used to measure basic skin physiological parameters and exfoliated stratum corneum collected and protein quantified. Parameters were recorded at baseline (BL) and after every 20 times interventions (20, 40, 60, and 80 times).

Results

Compared to BL, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) value increased significantly at both scratched and friction sites (P < .001) with a significant higher value for friction (P < .001). There was no significant difference in stratum corneum hydration (SCH) value postscratching (P > .05), while it decreased first and then increased significantly at friction site (P < .001). Roughness values (contract (CONT), variety (VAR), and scaliness (SEsc)) were raised significantly at both sites (P < .001). Net change in CONT and SEsc values of friction was higher than scratched sites (P > .05). There was no significant difference in blood flow after both scratching and friction (P > .05). Quantity of keratinocyte protein from friction sites was statistically higher than scratching after 80 times interventions (P < .05).

Conclusion

Both noninvasive detections and protein quantification indicated more damage from friction, which may have significance for behavior guidance of patients with pruritus and implication for further investigation.
On the use of stereo‐digital image correlation for the alignment of a fatigue testing machine in accordance with international standards: A feasibility study
Authors: García Juan Manuel , Auclair Marie‐Thérèse , Morgeneyer Thilo F.
Published: May 2021

Stereo‐digital image correlation (SDIC) is used for the analysis and quantification of parasite bending stresses in a fatigue specimen due to its mounting in a misaligned load frame. The aim of this work is to provide an easy way to estimate the induced parasite bending stresses due to the load frame misalignment, using the out‐of‐plane displacement measurements obtained by SDIC and beam theory. Analytical solutions of parasite stresses as a function of out‐of‐plane misalignments are provided for flat fatigue specimens having (a) tangentially blending fillets between the uniform test section and the ends and (b) continuous radius between the ends. Simple procedures for aligning a commercial load frame in accordance with international standards are also provided. The bending stresses profile along the specimen main axis obtained by numerical simulations have shown a very good agreement with the results obtained by the analytical models. The proposed methodology could complement standard alignment techniques based on samples instrumented with strain gauges or, in their absence, even replace established procedures.
GIS.LSP: A soft computing logic method and tool for geospatial suitability analysis
Authors: Shen Shuoge , Dragićević Suzana , Dujmović Jozo
Published: May 2021

This research study extends the Logic Scoring of Preference (LSP) as a general multicriteria evaluation (MCE) method by presenting and evaluating a new GIS.LSP method and software tool implemented within the geographic information systems (GIS) environment. For the evaluation and validation of the method and software tool, we describe a case study of urban densification suitability analysis using geospatial data for the Metro Vancouver Region, Canada. The criteria, LSP structures, and aggregators groups were developed from the perspective of urban developers who are key stakeholders in the densification process. We compare two group of aggregators and perform sensitivity and cost–suitability analysis of the LSP method by variation of input suitability scores, input attributes, and aggregators. The results indicate the GIS.LSP method is effective in providing a flexible and sensitive workflow to create realistic and justifiable outcomes from complex criteria that are bounded by stakeholders' goals and requirements.
Lower‐body dynamic exercise reduces wave reflection in healthy young adults
Authors: Stock Joseph M. , Chirinos Julio A. , Edwards David G.
Published: May 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

There is a paradoxical reduction in augmentation index during lower‐body dynamic (LBD) exercise in the face of an increase in central pressure. To determine causality, the amplitudes of forward and backward pressure waves were assessed separately using wave separation analysis.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Reflection magnitude decreased during LBD exercise in healthy young adults and was attributable to an increased forward pressure wave amplitude and decreased backward pressure wave amplitude. This vasoactive response might limit the adverse effects of wave reflection during LBD exercise, optimizing ventricular–arterial interactions.

Acute lower‐body dynamic (LBD) exercise decreases surrogate measures of wave reflection, such as the augmentation index. However, the augmentation index is influenced by the combined effects of wave reflection timing, magnitude and other confounding factors external to wave reflection, which make it difficult to discern the origin of changes in surrogate measures. The relative contributions of forward (Pf) and backward (Pb) pressure wave amplitudes to central pressure can be determined by wave separation analysis. Reflection magnitude (RM = Pb/Pf) and the timing of apparent wave reflection return can also be determined. We tested the hypothesis that acute LBD exercise decreases RM and reflected wave transit time (RWTT). Applanation tonometry was used to record radial artery pressure waveforms in 25 adults (24 ± 4 years of age) at baseline and during light‐, moderate‐ and vigorous‐intensity exercise. Wave separation analysis was conducted offline using a personalized physiological flow wave to determine Pf, Pb, RM and RWTT. The RM decreased during all intensities of exercise compared with baseline (all P < 0.001; baseline, 43 ± 5%; light, 33 ± 6%; moderate, 23 ± 7%; vigorous, 17 ± 5%). The reduction in RM was attributable to the combined effect of increased Pf and decreased Pb during exercise. The RWTT decreased during all intensities of exercise compared with baseline (all P < 0.04; baseline, 156 ± 17 ms; light, 144 ± 15 ms; moderate, 129 ± 16 ms; vigorous, 121 ± 17 ms). Lastly, in a stepwise multilinear regression, Pf, but not Pb and RWTT, contributed to increased central pulse pressure during LBD exercise. These data show that wave reflection decreased and that central pulse pressure is most influenced by Pf during LBD exercise.
Microstructure based modeling of friction stir welded joint of dissimilar metals using crystal plasticity
Authors: Kulkarni Shank , Truster Timothy , Das Hrishikesh , Gupta Varun , Soulami Ayoub , Upadhyay Piyush , Herling Darrell
Published: May 2021

The friction stir welding (FSW) process shows promising results in joining dissimilar metals which are otherwise almost impossible to join using traditional welding techniques. Being a new technique, the deformation and the failure mechanism of the joints made by the FSW process needs to be investigated. In this work, a joint between AZ31 Mg alloy and DP590 steel is modeled using phenomenological crystal plasticity formulation on the mesoscale in the form of a representative volume element (RVE). The interface of the two materials is modeled using a cohesive zone model. A parametric study has been performed to understand the effect of grain size and interface fracture toughness as well as strength on the mechanical performance of the joint. It was found that the grain size of AZ31 Mg alloy, as well as DP590 steel, has little effect on the overall joint performance. On the other hand, interface fracture toughness and strength have a significant impact on the mechanical properties of the joint.
Nodosome Inhibition as a Novel Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Strategy against Arboviruses, Enteroviruses, and SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Limonta Daniel , Dyna-Dagman Lovely , Branton William , Mancinelli Valeria , Makio Tadashi , Wozniak Richard W. , Power Christopher , Hobman Tom C.
Published: May 2021

In the present report, we describe two small molecules with broad-spectrum antiviral activity. These drugs block the formation of the nodosome.
A New Pathway for Forming Acetate and Synthesizing ATP during Fermentation in Bacteria
Authors: Zhang Bo , Lingga Christopher , Bowman Courtney , Hackmann Timothy J.
Published: May 2021

Pathways for forming acetate during fermentation have been studied for over 80 years. In that time, several pathways in a range of organisms, from bacteria to animals, have been described.
A Heat-Induced Mutation on VP1 of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Serotype O Enhanced Capsid Stability and Immunogenicity
Authors: Dong Hu , Lu Yuanlu , Zhang Yun , Mu Suyu , Wang Nan , Du Ping , Zhi Xiaoying , Wen Xiaobo , Wang Xiangxi , Sun Shiqi , Zhang Yanming , Guo Huichen
Published: May 2021

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) serotype O is one of the global epidemic serotypes and causes significant economic loss. Vaccination plays a key role in the prevention and control of FMD.
Cyclophilin A Inhibits Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Replication by Binding to RSV-N through Its PPIase Activity
Authors: Liang Wenzhang , Zhang Yue , Li Miao , Al-Shaebi Fadhl , Li Jian , Zhang Jing , Wei Lin
Published: May 2021

RSV-N, packed in the viral genome to form the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex, which is recognized by the RSV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) complex to initiate viral replication and transcription, plays an indispensable role in the viral biosynthesis process. cypA, binding to RSV-N, may impair this function by weakening the interaction between RSV-N and RSV-P, thus leading to decreased viral production. Our research provides novel insight into cypA antiviral function, including binding to viral capsid protein to inhibit viral replication, which may be helpful for new antiviral drug exploration.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Vpr Mediates Degradation of APC1, a Scaffolding Component of the Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome
Authors: Barbosa Jérémy A. Ferreira , Sparapani Samantha , Boulais Jonathan , Lodge Robert , Cohen Éric A.
Published: May 2021

The function of the Vpr accessory protein during HIV-1 infection remains poorly defined. Several cellular targets of Vpr were previously identified, but their individual degradation does not fully explain the ability of Vpr to impair the cell cycle or promote HIV-1 replication in macrophages.
Mycobacteriophages as Genomic Engineers and Anti-infective Weapons
Authors: Sullivan Mark R. , Rubin Eric J. , Dulberger Charles L.
Published: May 2021

Mycobacterium abscessus
(Mab) is an emerging pathogen that is highly tolerant to current antibiotic therapies, and the current standard of care has a high failure rate. Mycobacteriophages represent a promising alternative treatment that have the potential to kill Mab with few side effects.
Intervening in Symbiotic Cross-Kingdom Biofilm Interactions: a Binding Mechanism-Based Nonmicrobicidal Approach
Authors: Kim H. E. , Dhall A. , Liu Y. , Bawazir M. , Koo H. , Hwang G.
Published: May 2021

Early childhood caries is a severe oral disease that results in aggressive tooth decay. Particularly, a synergistic association between a fungus,
Candida albicans
, and a cariogenic bacterium,
Streptococcus mutans
, promotes the development of hard-to-remove and highly acidic biofilms, exacerbating the virulent damage.
Genetic Network Architecture and Environmental Cues Drive Spatial Organization of Phenotypic Division of Labor in Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Zacharia Vineetha M. , Ra Yein , Sue Catherine , Alcala Elizabeth , Reaso Jewel N. , Ruzin Steven E. , Traxler Matthew F.
Published: May 2021

Streptomyces coelicolor
is a multicellular bacterium that differentiates into specialized cell types and produces a diverse array of natural products. While much is known about the genetic networks that regulate development and antibiotic biosynthesis in
S. coelicolor
, what drives the spatial organization of these activities within a colony remains to be explored.
ESX-1-Independent Horizontal Gene Transfer by Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Strains
Authors: Madacki Jan , Orgeur Mickael , Mas Fiol Guillem , Frigui Wafa , Ma Laurence , Brosch Roland
Published: May 2021

Data on the bacterial sex-mediated impact on mycobacterial evolution are limited. Hence, our results presented here are of importance as they clearly demonstrate the capacity of a wide range of human- and animal-adapted
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTBC) strains to transfer chromosomal DNA to selected strains of
Mycobacterium
canettii
.
Nonpneumococcal Strains Recently Recovered from Carriage Specimens and Expressing Capsular Serotypes Highly Related or Identical to Pneumococcal Serotypes 2, 4, 9A, 13, and 23A
Authors: Gertz Robert E. , Pimenta Fabiana C. , Chochua Sopio , Larson Shanda , Venero Anne-Kathryn , Bigogo Godfrey , Milucky Jennifer , Carvalho Maria da Gloria , Beall Bernard
Published: May 2021

The distributions and frequencies of individual pneumococcal capsular serotypes among nonpneumococcal strains in the upper respiratory tract are unknown and potentially affect pneumococcal serotype distributions among the population and immunity to circulating pneumococcal strains. Repeated demonstration that these nonpneumococcal strains expressing so-called pneumococcal serotypes are readily recovered from current carriage specimens is likely to be relevant to pneumococcal epidemiology, niche biology, and even to potential strategies of employing commensal live vaccines.
Emergence and Expansion of a Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clone Are Associated with Plasmid-Borne
bla
KPC-2
and Virulence-Related Genes
Authors: Hu Yanyan , Liu Congcong , Wang Qi , Zeng Yu , Sun Qiaoling , Shu Linbin , Lu Jiayue , Cai Jiacang , Wang Shaolin , Zhang Rong , Wu Zuowei
Published: May 2021

Health care-associated infections, also known as nosocomial infections, are the most frequent adverse events in health care delivery worldwide, causing high rates of morbidity and mortality and high health care costs.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is one of the leading bacterial species causing health care-associated infections. Carbapenems are the most effective antimicrobial agents for the treatment of its severe infections.
Identification of c-di-GMP/FleQ-Regulated New Target Genes, Including
cyaA
, Encoding Adenylate Cyclase, in Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Xiao Yujie , Chen Haozhe , Nie Liang , He Meina , Peng Qi , Zhu Wenjing , Nie Hailing , Chen Wenli , Huang Qiaoyun
Published: May 2021

c-di-GMP/FleQ promotes the plankton-to-biofilm lifestyle transition at the transcriptional level via FleQ in
Pseudomonas
species. Identification of new target genes directly regulated by c-di-GMP/FleQ helps to broaden the knowledge of c-di-GMP/FleQ-mediated transcriptional regulation.
Intensified lipid-lowering treatment with alirocumab in patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Steffens Daniel , Bramlage Peter , Müller Julia , Dorn Cornelia , Paar W Dieter , Scheeff Celine , Kasner Mario , Rauch-Kröhnert U
Published: May 2021

Background

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the Western world.

Objective

To characterise adults with confirmed coronary heart disease (CHD) and primary heterozygous familial or non-familial hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia who received alirocumab in a real-world setting.

Methods

This open, prospective, multicentre, non-interventional study, conducted in Germany, enroled patients with confirmed CHD who were treated with alirocumab according to its summary of product characteristics. Prescription was at the physician’s discretion and independent of study participation. Patients were followed for 12 weeks after alirocumab initiation.

Results

In total, 245 patients (mean age 62.2 years; 34.0% female) were documented at 90 sites. Overall, 47.7% had familial hypercholesterolaemia, 48.9% non-familial hypercholesterolaemia and 43.8% mixed dyslipidaemia; 74.6% had hypertension and 29.2% diabetes mellitus. The most common lipid-lowering therapy in the 12 months preceding alirocumab was a statin, often in combination with ezetimibe (73.5%). Statin contraindications were documented for 46.2% patients and statin intolerance for 63.8%. The mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-level prior to alirocumab was 150.5±51.6 mg/dL. Alirocumab prescription was in compliance with German national recommendations and/or European guidelines. The most common starting dose was 75 mg every other week. Overall, 57% patients reached target LDL-C levels (<70 mg/dL) after 12 weeks of treatment. Alirocumab was generally well tolerated.

Conclusion

In a real-world setting in Germany, alirocumab was prescribed for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who had high baseline LDL-C levels with or without statin intolerance. Efficacy and safety were consistent with findings observed in the ODYSSEY Phase III programme.
Quantum Kerr nonlinear coupler: analytical versus phase-space method
Authors: Hanapi Mohd Syafiq M. , Ibrahim Abdel-Baset M.A. , Julius Rafael , Eleuch Hichem
Published: May 2021

The generation of squeezed states of light in a two-mode Kerr nonlinear directional coupler (NLDC) was investigated using two different methods in quantum mechanics. First, the analytical method, a Heisenberg-picture-based method where the operators are evolving in time but the state vectors are time-independent. In this method, an analytical solution to the coupled Heisenberg equations of motion for the propagating modes was proposed based on the Baker–Hausdorff (BH) formula. Second, the phase space method, a Schrödinger-picture-based method in which the operators are constant and the density matrix evolves in time. In this method, the quantum mechanical master equation of the density matrix was converted to a corresponding classical Fokker–Planck (FP) equation in positive-P representation. Then, the FP equation was converted to a set of stochastic differential equations using Ito rules. The strengths and weaknesses of each method are discussed. Good agreement between both methods was achieved, especially at early evolution stages and lower values of linear coupling coefficient. On one hand, the analytical method seems insensitive to higher values of nonlinear coupling coefficients. Nevertheless, it demonstrated better numerical stability. On the other hand, the solution of the stochastic equations resulting from the phase space method is numerically expensive as it requires averaging over thousands of trajectories. Besides, numerically unstable trajectories appear with positive-P representation at higher values of nonlinearity.
TAGUCHI GREY RELATIONAL MULTI-RESPONSE EXPERIMENTAL OPTIMIZATION ON MODIFICATION OF Al-6061 SURFACE USING Si–Cu GREEN COMPACT TOOL IN EDM
Authors: MAZARBHUIYA RASHED MUSTAFA , BARUA BHARGAB MADHAB , RAHANG MANESWAR
Published: May 2021

This paper presents the surface modification of aluminium-6061 by electric discharge machining (EDM). Si–Cu powder metallurgical green compact tool is used to deposit its material on to the work surface under reverse polarity of EDM. Compact load, current and pulse on-time are selected control parameters. Material deposition rate (MDR), tool wear rate (TWR) and surface roughness ([Formula: see text] are considered as process outputs. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis show the presence of tool materials in the deposit of work surface. Olympus optical micrograph shows an average thickness of the deposited layer to be 18.73[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m. The hardness of the deposited layer is found to be 268[Formula: see text]HV. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows the compact load to be the most effective parameter on surface modification followed by pulse on-time and current, respectively.
An Electrochemical-Thermal Model for Lithium-Ion Battery Packs during Driving of Battery Electric Vehicles
Authors: Yamanaka Takumi , Takagishi Yoichi , Yamaue Tatsuya
Published: May 2021

In this study, an electrochemical–thermal coupled model is proposed to predict phenomena in battery packs that consist of lithium-ion battery cells during the driving of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The model considers the cycle degradation and internal short circuits per cell and can quantitatively evaluate the temperature, loss capacity, and internal resistance per cell. Using this model, simulations are performed focusing on the three impacts of (i) the short-circuit object electric resistance, (ii) number of runs, and (iii) environmental temperature. When the short-circuit object resistance is 5 Ω, the temperature rise in the first run is 6.0 times higher and the loss capacity is 1.7 times higher than that in the non-shorted condition, and it is also confirmed that the risk of thermal runaway is high because the short-circuit object reaches a maximum of 114.2 °C. If there are no short-circuited cells, in repeated runs at an environmental temperature of 40 °C, the driving range at the 300th run is 17 % lower than that of the first run. The loss of the driving range is 3.5 times larger than that at 20 °C, which indicates that the cycle degradation progresses approximately 3.5 times faster.
Electroanalytical Measurements of UCl3 and CeCl3 in Molten NaCl-CaCl2
Authors: Zhang Huan , Choi Suhee , Hamilton D. Ethan , Simpson Michael F.
Published: May 2021

Molten salt NaCl-CaCl2 is a viable candidate for the base fuel salt of a molten salt reactor (MSR). Molten salt mixtures NaCl-CaCl2-UCl3 (16 wt%) and NaCl-CaCl2-UCl3 (14.5 wt%)-CeCl3 (1.0 wt%) were analyzed using electrochemical methods to assess the feasibility of using these methods to measure the concentration of PuCl3 in MSR fuel in real time. CeCl3 was used as a surrogate for PuCl3 in this study. Different electrochemical test methods including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and square wave voltammetry (SWV) were used at 923 K. Visible WE deposition is observed after running electrochemical tests, and a net 1 V underpotential deposition of Na from NaCl was observed. This indicates that there are serious challenges for application of electrochemical methods to quantitative analysis of actinides in MSR fuel containing NaCl.
Adipose tissue macrophage populations and inflammation are associated with systemic inflammation and insulin resistance in obesity
Authors: Kunz Hawley E. , Hart Corey R. , Gries Kevin J. , Parvizi Mojtaba , Laurenti Marcello , Dalla Man Chiara , Moore Natalie , Zhang Xiaoyan , Ryan Zachary , Polley Eric C. , Jensen Michael D. , Vella Adrian , Lanza Ian R.
Published: May 2021

Adipose inflammation is proposed to be at the nexus of the systemic inflammation and metabolic derangements associated with obesity. The present study provides evidence to support adipose inflammation as a central feature of the pathophysiology of obesity. Adipose inflammation is associated with systemic and peripheral metabolic derangements, including increased systemic inflammation, reduced insulin sensitivity and reduced skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration.
Automatic Segmentation of Left Ventricle in Echocardiography Based on YOLOv3 Model to Achieve Constraint and Positioning
Authors: Zhuang Zhemin , Jin Pengcheng , Joseph Raj Alex Noel , Yuan Ye , Zhuang Shuxin
Published: May 2021

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common type of disease and has a high fatality rate in humans. Early diagnosis is critical for the prognosis of CVD. Before using myocardial tissue strain, strain rate, and other indicators to evaluate and analyze cardiac function, accurate segmentation of the left ventricle (LV) endocardium is vital for ensuring the accuracy of subsequent diagnosis. For accurate segmentation of the LV endocardium, this paper proposes the extraction of the LV region features based on the YOLOv3 model to locate the positions of the apex and bottom of the LV, as well as that of the LV region; thereafter, the subimages of the LV can be obtained, and based on the Markov random field (MRF) model, preliminary identification and binarization of the myocardium of the LV subimages can be realized. Finally, under the constraints of the three aforementioned positions of the LV, precise segmentation and extraction of the LV endocardium can be achieved using nonlinear least-squares curve fitting and edge approximation. The experiments show that the proposed segmentation evaluation indices of the method, including computation speed (fps), Dice, mean absolute distance (MAD), and Hausdorff distance (HD), can reach 2.1–2.25 fps,

93.57
±
1.97
%

,

2.57
±
0.89

 mm, and

6.68
±
1.78

 mm, respectively. This indicates that the suggested method has better segmentation accuracy and robustness than existing techniques.
Prognostic Factors and a Nomogram Predicting Overall Survival in Patients with Limb Chondrosarcomas: A Population‐Based Study
Authors: Wu Xinjie , Wang Yanlei , Sun Wei , Tan Mingsheng
Published: May 2021

Introduction. We aimed to develop and validate a nomogram for predicting the overall survival of patients with limb chondrosarcomas. Methods. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program database was used to identify patients diagnosed with chondrosarcomas, from which data was extracted from 18 registries in the United States between 1973 and 2016. A total of 813 patients were selected from the database. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards regression models on the training group to identify independent prognostic factors and construct a nomogram to predict the 3‐ and 5‐year survival probability of patients with limb chondrosarcomas. The predictive values were compared using concordance indexes (C‐indexes) and calibration plots. Results. All 813 patients were randomly divided into a training group (n = 572) and a validation group (n = 241). After univariate and multivariate Cox regression, a nomogram was constructed based on a new model containing the predictive variables of age, site, grade, tumor size, histology, stage, and use of surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. The prediction model provided excellent C‐indexes (0.86 and 0.77 in the training and validation groups, respectively). The good discrimination and calibration of the nomograms were demonstrated for both the training and validation groups. Conclusions. The nomograms precisely and individually predict the overall survival of patients with limb chondrosarcomas and could assist personalized prognostic evaluation and individualized clinical decision‐making.
The Impact of Peri-Implantitis on Systemic Diseases and Conditions: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Radaelli Katherine , Alberti Alice , Corbella Stefano , Francetti Luca
Published: May 2021

While periodontitis has been proven to have an impact on systemic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, pregnancy complications, or poor glycemic control in diabetic patients, the influence of peri-implantitis on systemic health has not been adequately explored in the literature as yet. The existing evidence suggests that peri-implant lesions lead to more intense inflammatory response than periodontitis. Given the analogies between periodontal diseases and peri-implantitis, the aim of the present paper was to review the scientific evidence about the potential correlation between peri-implantitis and systemic diseases and conditions. Two clinical trials on animals reported that experimental peri-implantitis determined an alteration in hematological and biological parameters. One human study explored the risk indicators for cardiovascular diseases and found that patients with peri-implantitis had significantly higher levels of triglyceride, uric acid, and white blood cells and lower levels of vitamin D. It was described in the literature that periodontitis affects cardiovascular health through a number of mechanisms, including the increase in systemic mediators of inflammation, which also has a role in the worsening of glycemic control in diabetic patients. Similarly, peri-implantitis may influence the systemic status through inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, and IL-10 and matrix metalloproteinases. One microbiological mechanism, based on the systemic dissemination of periodontal bacteria, has been hypothesized for cardiovascular diseases and pregnancy complications. Again, it is plausible that the same could occur in peri-implantitis. In conclusion, only few studies explored the systemic impact of peri-implantitis. Although changes in hematological parameters, biochemical parameters, and inflammatory markers have been reported in peri-implantitis, further studies are needed to investigate this correlation.
A 1.5D Spectral Kurtosis‐Guided TQWT Method and Its Application in Bearing Fault Detection
Authors: Zhang Xiong , Zhang Ming , Wan Shuting , Hao Rujiang , He Yuling , Wang Xiaolong
Published: May 2021

Bearings are the key parts of rotating machinery, and their operation status is related to the operation safety of the whole equipment. Vibration signals often contain periodic impulse components which can reflect the fault state of bearings. However, due to the interference of signal transmission path and the influence of operating environment noise, the periodic impulse components in the signal are often submerged by the nonperiodic transient impulse components, modulation harmonic components, and noise components. Therefore, the core problem of bearing fault diagnosis theory is used to accurately extract the frequency band of bearing fault state information and suppress the frequency band of interference information. In this paper, the signal is processed by the tunable Q‐factor wavelet transform (TQWT), the midfrequency band of the signal is tightly divided by selecting different Q‐values, and the 1.5D spectral kurtosis defined in frequency domain is used to select the optimal subband. Simulated analysis shows that this method can avoid low‐frequency harmonic interference, nonperiodic transient impulse components, and strong noise components in the time domain. Therefore, it can effectively realize the selection of the subbands of periodic impulse components and effectively extract fault feature information. Through experimental signal analysis, TQWT has good sparsity decomposition characteristics and can reasonably divide the signal frequency band, so as to separate the useful fault characteristic frequency band and interference frequency band. At the same time, compared with the kurtosis index, 1.5D spectral kurtosis has better robustness and resolution for low signal‐to‐noise ratio signals, which can achieve the purpose of fault characteristic band extraction.
Searchable Encryption with Access Control in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
Authors: Bader Jawhara , Michala Anna Lito
Published: May 2021

The technological advancements in the Internet of Things (IoT) and related technologies lead to revolutionary advancements in many sectors. One of these sectors, is the industrial sector red that leverages IoT technologies forming the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). IIoT has the potential to enhance the manufacturing process by improving the quality, trace‐ability, and integrity of the industrial processes. The enhancement of the manufacturing process is achieved by deploying IoT devices (sensors) across the manufacturing facilities; therefore, monitoring systems are required to collect (from multiple locations) and analyse the data, most likely in the cloud. As a result, IIoT monitoring systems should be secure, preserve the privacy, and provide real‐time responses for critical decision‐making. In this review, we identified a gap in the state‐of‐the‐art of secure IIoT and propose a set of criteria for secure and privacy preserving IIoT systems to enhance efficiency and deliver better IIoT applications.