bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Mechanical Properties of Direct Metal Laser Sintered 15-5PH Steel Parts Using Bayesian Inference: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Qattawi Ala , Ulutan Durul , Alafaghani Ala’aldin
Published: November 2019

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) is an additive manufacturing process where metal parts are created layer by layer. Mechanical properties of the final product can vary significantly based on processing parameters. In traditional processes, such effects of processing parameters on mechanical properties are well-established. However, additive manufacturing methods are relatively new, which means there is less consensus, if at all, on how processing parameters affect mechanical properties of the final product. This study is a preliminary effort toward understanding the effects of processing parameters on mechanical properties of the metal. Processing parameters studied were the fabrication direction and temperature. Mechanical properties that were studied were the yield and tensile strength of the built material. 15-5PH stainless steel parts were DMLS fabricated with varying temperatures and directions for this purpose and their mechanical properties were measured. Then, a statistical approach was followed in order to generate a probabilistic prediction model. In this approach, Gibbs sampling was used to randomly sample from population of coefficients, Metropolis algorithm was used for decision-making purposes based on performance of different coefficient sets, and an empirical model was hypothesized. Then, the model was trained using a training dataset, and the cloud of coefficient sets for the hypothesized equation were obtained. Using these coefficient sets, the probable normal distribution of other test conditions was predicted and verified using testing data. It was shown that all measurements were well within the confidence interval of predictions, with a maximum difference of 4% between mean predictions and measurements. It was also observed that with a coefficient of variation smaller than 18%, spread of predictions was low enough to suggest that predictions were precise as well as their accuracy.
Psychophysical changes in temporal processing in chinchillas with noise-induced hearing loss: A literature review
Authors: Radziwon Kelly E. , Sheppard Adam , Salvi Richard J.
Published: November 2019

It is well-established that excessive noise exposure can systematically shift audiometric thresholds (i.e., noise-induced hearing loss, NIHL) making sounds at the lower end of the dynamic range difficult to detect. An often overlooked symptom of NIHL is the degraded ability to resolve temporal fluctuations in supra-threshold signals. Given that the temporal properties of speech are highly dynamic, it is not surprising that NIHL greatly reduces one's ability to clearly decipher spoken language. However, systematic characterization of noise-induced impairments on supra-threshold signals in humans is difficult given the variability in noise exposure among individuals. Fortunately, the chinchilla is audiometrically similar to humans, making it an ideal animal model to investigate noise-induced supra-threshold deficits. Through a series of studies using the chinchilla, the authors have elucidated several noise-induced deficits in temporal processing that occur at supra-threshold levels. These experiments highlight the importance of the chinchilla model in developing an understanding of noise-induced deficits in temporal processing.
The rat animal model for noise-induced hearing loss
Authors: Escabi Celia D. , Frye Mitchell D. , Trevino Monica , Lobarinas Edward
Published: November 2019

Rats make excellent models for the study of medical, biological, genetic, and behavioral phenomena given their adaptability, robustness, survivability, and intelligence. The rat's general anatomy and physiology of the auditory system is similar to that observed in humans, and this has led to their use for investigating the effect of noise overexposure on the mammalian auditory system. The current paper provides a review of the rat model for studying noise-induced hearing loss and highlights advancements that have been made using the rat, particularly as these pertain to noise dose and the hazardous effects of different experimental noise types. In addition to the traditional loss of auditory function following acoustic trauma, recent findings have indicated the rat as a useful model in observing alterations in neuronal processing within the central nervous system following noise injury. Furthermore, the rat provides a second animal model when investigating noise-induced cochlear synaptopathy, as studies examining this in the rat model resemble the general patterns observed in mice. Together, these findings demonstrate the relevance of this animal model for furthering the authors' understanding of the effects of noise on structural, anatomical, physiological, and perceptual aspects of hearing.
Use of the guinea pig in studies on the development and prevention of acquired sensorineural hearing loss, with an emphasis on noise
Authors: Naert Gaëlle , Pasdelou Marie-Pierre , Le Prell Colleen G.
Published: November 2019

Guinea pigs have been used in diverse studies to better understand acquired hearing loss induced by noise and ototoxic drugs. The guinea pig has its best hearing at slightly higher frequencies relative to humans, but its hearing is more similar to humans than the rat or mouse. Like other rodents, it is more vulnerable to noise injury than the human or nonhuman primate models. There is a wealth of information on auditory function and vulnerability of the inner ear to diverse insults in the guinea pig. With respect to the assessment of potential otoprotective agents, guinea pigs are also docile animals that are relatively easy to dose via systemic injections or gavage. Of interest, the cochlea and the round window are easily accessible, notably for direct cochlear therapy, as in the chinchilla, making the guinea pig a most relevant and suitable model for hearing. This article reviews the use of the guinea pig in basic auditory research, provides detailed discussion of its use in studies on noise injury and other injuries leading to acquired sensorineural hearing loss, and lists some therapeutics assessed in these laboratory animal models to prevent acquired sensorineural hearing loss.
My, How You Have Changed, PETE: An Updated Demographic Profile of U.S. Teacher Education Faculty
Authors: Graber Kim C. , Woods Amelia Mays , Killian Chad M. , Richards K. Andrew R. , Rhoades Jesse L.
Published: November 2019

Purpose: The landscape of physical education has shifted in the 30 years since Metzler and Freedman’s seminal study examining the demographics of physical education teacher education faculty. Changes in the structure of physical education and academia justify an updated investigation, with particular emphasis on the gender and institutional affiliation of faculty. Methods: An expanded and validated version of Metzler and Freedman’s survey was e-mailed to 908 physical education teacher education faculty from 505 U.S. institutions. A response rate of 46.21% was achieved. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to examine differences based on gender and institutional affiliation. Results: Gender salary disparities have decreased, whereas teaching experience and qualifications of faculty have increased. Corresponding increases in research productivity were notably evident. Discussion/Conclusion: Faculty members remain predominately European American, publication output has increased, more institutions are hiring nontenure-track faculty, and perceptions of support for physical education are lower than in 1985.
Test–Retest Reliability of Student-Administered Health-Related Fitness Tests in School Settings
Authors: O’Keeffe Brendan T. , Donnelly Alan E. , MacDonncha Ciaran
Published: November 2019

Purpose: To examine the test–retest reliability of student-administered (SA) health-related fitness tests in school settings and to compare indices of reliability with those taken by trained research-assistants. Methods: Participants (n = 86; age: 13.43 [0.33] y) were divided into 2 groups, SA (n = 45, girls = 26) or research-assistant administered (RA; n = 41, girls = 21). The SA group had their measures taken by 8 students (age: 15.59 [0.56] y, girls = 4), and the RA group had their measures taken by 8 research-assistants (age: 21.21 [1.38], girls = 5). Tests were administered twice by both groups, 1 week apart. Tests included body mass index, handgrip strength, standing broad jump, isometric plank hold, 90° push-up, 4 × 10-m shuttle run, back-saver sit and reach, and blood pressure. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients for SA (≥.797) and RA (≥.866) groups were high, and the observed systematic error (Bland–Altman plot) between test 1 and test 2 was close to 0 for all tests. The coefficient of variation was less than 10% for all tests in the SA group, aside from the 90° push-up (24.3%). The SA group had a marginally lower combined mean coefficient of variation across all tests (6.5%) in comparison with the RA group (6.8%). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that, following familiarization training, SA health-related fitness tests in school-based physical education programs can be considered reliable.
Trauma promotes resilience
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: November 2019

Wounding induces cytoprotective mechanisms that make cells more resistant to oxidative damage.
Internal herniation following laparoscopic gastric bypass: addressing the mesoclosure technique
Authors: Pereira Ryan , Vo Tovi , Perera Marlon , De Clercq Stefaan
Published: November 2019

A 49-year-old man presented with a 2-week history of gradual onset progressively worsening left upper quadrant pain. Ten months prior, he had a laparoscopic roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) for severe gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and obesity. On examination, his abdomen was not distended and was soft to palpation. The haemoglobin, white cell count, liver function test, lipase and lactate were normal. An abdominal CT scan demonstrated swirl sign. Given the suspicion of internal herniation, laparoscopy was performed demonstrating only partial closure of the jejuno-jejunal mesodefect resulting in herniation of the small bowel alimentary limb. Internal herniation should be considered as a differential diagnosis in all patients with previous LRYGBP and unexplained abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. If closure of a mesodefect is to be attempted, a running, braided, non-absorbable suture should be used as a purse-string to avoid small defects with subsequent weight and mesenteric fat loss following bariatric surgery.
The Whittington Frailty Pathway: improving access to comprehensive geriatric assessment: an interdisciplinary quality improvement project
Authors: McGrath John , Almeida Paula , Law Ruth
Published: November 2019

National guidelines mandate identification and tailored management of patients living with frailty who attend the acute hospital setting. We describe using quality improvement (QI) techniques to embed a system that allowed identification of frailty in older patients attending the emergency department (ED), creation of a clinical pathway to facilitate comprehensive geriatric assessment and appropriate same-day discharge of suitable patients. Integration of Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) scoring within an electronic record system, a continuing programme of education and awareness, and dedicated project staff allows patients to be identified for an ambulatory frailty pathway. Our results show a sustained improvement over 9 months of the project, with 73% of patients over the age of 75 years presenting to ED by ambulance now receiving a CFS score. Over 300 patients have been identified, transferred to ambulatory care and treated via a new frailty pathway, with an admission rate for this cohort of 14%, compared with an overall admission rate of 50% for patients over 75 years. We report a decrease in overall ED admission of 1%. Analysis of patients discharged through this same-day pathway showed a 7-day ED reattendance rate of 15.1% and a 30-day readmission rate of 18.9%, which are comparable with current pathways. Consultant review estimated 87% of patients to have avoided a longer admission. Patient and staff satisfaction indicates this pathway to be feasible and acceptable to users. Our data suggest an ambulatory frailty pathway can deliver significant admission avoidance while maintaining low readmission rates. Similar schemes in other hospitals should consider using QI approaches to implementation of frailty pathways.
Determinants of tobacco cultivation in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md Sazedur , Ahmed N.A.M. Faisal , Ali Mohammad , Abedin Md. Menhazul , Islam Md Saimul
Published: November 2019

Background

Tobacco production continues to increase in low-income and middle-income countries including in Bangladesh. It has spreads to different parts of Bangladesh and is now threatening food cultivation, the environment and health. The aim of this study is to determine the factors those are influenced farmers’ decisions to grow tobacco.

Methods

We surveyed 371 tobacco farmers using a simple random sampling in the Meherpur district of Bangladesh. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the variables affecting farmers’ decision to cultivate tobacco.

Results

Approximately 87.0% of the respondents were contract farmers with different tobacco companies. Almost 83.3% of the farmers had intentions to continue tobacco farming. Binary logistic regression results suggest that company’s incentives to farmers, farmers’ profitability, a guaranteed market for the tobacco crop and economic viability were the variables most affecting the decision to cultivate tobacco.

Conclusions

Governments seeking to shift farmers away from tobacco will need to consider how to address the dynamics revealed in this research.
Trends in Salmonella serovars and antimicrobial resistance in pigs and poultry in Northern Ireland between 1997 and 2016
Authors: Porter Siobhán , Strain Sam A. J. , Bagdonaite Gintare , McDowell Stanley W , Bronckaers Tamara , Sherrey Michael , Devine Paul , Pascual‐Linaza Ana V. , Spence Nessie , Porter Richard , Guelbenzu‐Gonzalo Maria , Davies Robert H. , Lahuerta‐Marin Angela
Published: November 2019

Background

In the EU, salmonellosis is the second most commonly reported zoonosis. This pattern is reflected in Northern Ireland. Historically, foodborne salmonellosis has largely been attributed to the consumption of poultry products, and as such a number of legislative measures have been introduced by the EC. These policies focus mainly on five target Salmonella serovars.

Methods

Here the authors present a descriptive analysis of 20 years of data from the Northern Ireland National Reference Laboratory for Salmonella.

Results

The study's results show, for poultry submissions, a large decrease in the detection of four of the five targeted Salmonella serovars over the study period, with the fifth serovar undetected throughout the study. Additionally, there was an increase in the detection of a number of other non‐regulated serovars. In pigs, S Typhimurium, which is among the most common causes of human salmonellosis, was the most commonly isolated serovar. When comparing levels of antimicrobial resistance in S Typhimurium between livestock groups, the authors found a decrease over time in poultry, but an increase in pigs, highlighting the potential significance of pigs in addressing public health concerns.

Conclusion

The authors conclude that continued surveillance is important in the assessment of control measures at a national and transnational scale.
Are we accurately estimating the potential role of pollution in the decline of species at risk in Canada?
Authors: McCune Jenny L. , Colla Sheila R. , Coristine Laura E. , Davy Christina M. , Flockhart D.T. Tyler , Schuster Richard , Orihel Diane M.
Published: November 2019

Pollution is a pervasive, albeit often invisible, threat to biodiversity in Canada. Currently, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) relies on expert opinion to assess the scope (i.e., the proportion of a species’ population that may be affected) of pollution to species at risk. Here, we describe a spatially explicit, quantitative method for assessing the scope of pollution as a threat to species at risk in Canada. Using this method, we quantified the geographic co-occurrence of 488 terrestrial and freshwater species and pollution sources and determined that, on average, 57% of the mapped occurrences of each species at risk co-occurred with at least one pollution source. Furthermore, we found a weak correlation between the scope of the threat of pollution as assessed by COSEWIC expert panels and the geographic overlap of species occurrences and pollution sources that we determined with our quantitative method. Experts frequently identified scope of pollution as absent or negligible even for species with extensive co-occurrence with pollution sources, especially vascular plants. Clearly, a quantitative approach is needed to make accurate estimates of the scope of pollution as a threat to species at risk in Canada.
Hidden conformal symmetry of smooth braneworld scenarios
Authors: Alencar G. , Gogberashvili M.
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we generalize our previous model ( arXiv:1705.09331 ), on a hidden conformal symmetry of smooth braneworld scenarios, to the case with two real scalar fields non-minimally coupled to gravity. The gauge condition reduces the action of the system to the action where gravity minimally couples to one of the scalar fields, plus a cosmological constant. We show that, depending on the internal symmetry of the scalar fields, the two possibilities, SO(2) or SO(1, 1), emerge. In the SO(2) case, we get a ghost-like scalar field action, which can describe two models — Standing Wave and Sine-Gordon smooth braneworlds. For the SO(1, 1) case we get the standard sign for the kinetic part of the scalar field. By breaking the SO(1, 1) symmetry (but keeping the conformal one) we are able to get two Randall–Sundrum models, with a non-minimal coupling and with a scalar field having hyperbolic potential. We conclude that this method can be seen as a solution-generating technique and a natural way to introduce nontrivial scalar fields that can provide smooth braneworld models.
Enhanced thermal conductivity of nanofluids made of metal oxide nanostructures synthesized by arc discharge method
Authors: Fang F. , Futter J. , Hutchinson E. , Leveneur J. , Kennedy J.
Published: November 2019

We have modified the mineral oil used in transformers by dispersing 1-wt.% metal oxide nanostructures (commercially available [Formula: see text], ZnO and [Formula: see text] spherical structures and ZnO rod-shaped structures synthesized by arc discharge) into the oil through ball milling without surfactant. A good dispersion that lasted for at least 24 h was obtained for all nanofluids, however sedimentation was discovered by 72 h after ball milling. All nanofluids with different nanostructures exhibited enhanced thermal conductivity compared with the raw transformer oil. The nanofluid with ZnO nanoparticles showed better thermal conductivity than the nanofluids with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] nanoparticles. The nanofluid with elongated ZnO nanoparticles (nanorods) synthesized by arc discharge showed the best thermal conduction among all the nanofluids studied in this work over the whole measurement period. The enhanced thermal conductivity of the nanofluid with elongated nanostructure is considered to be due to the rod-shaped nanostructure creating heat flow paths with lower thermal resistance. The arc discharge provides a cost-effective and scalable method to fabricate metal oxide nanostructures for potential nanofluid applications.
An Interview with Dr. Balaji Krishnapuram, Winner of SIGKDD Service Award
Authors: Krishnapuram Dr. Balaji
Published: November 2019

Dr. Balaji Krishnapuram, director and distinguished engineer at IBM Watson Health, is honored for his contributions to society through the development of machine learning products to improve healthcare. The ACM SIGKDD Service Award is the highest service award in the field of knowledge discovery and data mining. It is conferred on one individual or one group for their outstanding professional services and contributions to the field of knowledge discovery and data mining. Dr. Krishnapuram sat down with SIGKDD Explorations to discuss how he first got involved in the KDD Conference, his work at IBM Watson Health and what exites him about the future of machine learning, data science and artificial intelligence.
A Survey of Multi-Label Topic Models
Authors: Burkhardt Sophie , Kramer Stefan
Published: November 2019

Every day, an enormous amount of text data is produced. Sources of text data include news, social media, emails, text messages, medical reports, scientific publications and fiction. To keep track of this data, there are categories, key words, tags or labels that are assigned to each text. Automatically predicting such labels is the task of multi-label text classification. Often however, we are interested in more than just the pure classification: rather, we would like to understand which parts of a text belong to the label, which words are important for the label or which labels occur together. Because of this, topic models may be used for multi-label classification as an interpretable model that is flexible and easily extensible. This survey demonstrates the manifold possibilities and flexibility of the topic model framework for the complex setting of multi-label text classification by categorizing different variants of models.
The pleiotropic molecule NGF regulates the in vitro properties of fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and endothelial cells: implications for wound healing
Authors: Gostynska N. , Pannella M. , Rocco M. L. , Giardino L. , Aloe L. , Calzà L.
Published: November 2019

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is recognized as a pleiotropic molecule, exerting a variety of biological effects on different cell types and pathophysiological conditions, and its role in tissue wound healing has been recently highlighted. However, the preferential cellular target of NGF is still elusive in the complex cellular and molecular cross talk that accompanies wound healing. Thus, to explore possible NGF cellular targets in skin wound healing, we investigated the in vitro NGF responsiveness of keratinocytes (cell line HEKa), fibroblasts (cell line BJ), and endothelial cells (cell line HUVEC), also in the presence of adverse microenvironmental conditions, e.g., hyperglycemia. The main results are summarized as follows: 1) NGF stimulates keratinocyte proliferation and HUVEC proliferation and angiogenesis in a dose-dependent manner although it has no effect on fibroblast proliferation; 2) NGF stimulates keratinocyte but not fibroblast migration in the wound healing assay; and 3) NGF completely reverts the proliferation impairment of keratinocytes and the angiogenesis impairment of HUVECs induced by high d-glucose concentration in the culture medium. These results contribute to better understanding possible targets for the therapeutic use of NGF in skin repair.
Spinal cord injury alters purinergic neurotransmission to mesenteric arteries in rats
Authors: Sangsiri Sutheera , Xu Hui , Fernandes Roxanne , Fink Greg D. , Lujan Heidi L. , DiCarlo Stephen E. , Galligan James J.
Published: November 2019

Complications associated with spinal cord injury (SCI) result from unregulated reflexes below the lesion level. Understanding neurotransmission distal to the SCI could improve quality of life by mitigating complications. The long-term impact of SCI on neurovascular transmission is poorly understood, but reduced sympathetic activity below the site of SCI enhances arterial neurotransmission (1). We studied sympathetic neurovascular transmission using a rat model of long-term paraplegia (T2–3) and tetraplegia (C6–7). Sixteen weeks after SCI, T2–3 and C6–7 rats had lower blood pressure (BP) than sham rats (103  ±  2 and 97  ±  4 vs. 117  ±  6 mmHg, P < 0.05). T2–3 rats had tachycardia (410  ±  6 beats/min), and C6–7 rats had bradycardia (299  ±  10 beats/min) compared with intact rats (321  ±  4 beats/min, P < 0.05). Purinergic excitatory junction potentials (EJPs) were measured in mesenteric arteries (MA) using microlectrodes, and norepinephrine (NE) release was measured using amperometry. NE release was similar in all groups, while EJP frequency-response curves from T2–3 and C6–7 rats were left-shifted vs. sham rats. EJPs in T2–3 and C6–7 rats showed facilitation followed by run-down during stimulation trains (10 Hz, 50 stimuli). MA reactivity to exogenous NE and ATP was similar in all rats. In T2–3 and C6–7 rats, NE content was increased in left cardiac ventricles compared with intact rats, but was not changed in MA, kidney, or spleen. Our data indicate that peripheral purinergic, but not adrenergic, neurotransmission increases following SCI via enhanced ATP release from periarterial nerves. Sympathetic BP support is reduced after SCI, but improving neurotransmitter release might maintain cardiovascular stability in individuals living with SCI.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study revealed increased purinergic, but not noradrenergic, neurotransmission to mesenteric arteries in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). An increased releasable pool of ATP in periarterial sympathetic nerves may contribute to autonomic dysreflexia following SCI, suggesting that purinergic neurotransmission may be a therapeutic target for maintaining stable blood pressure in individuals living with SCI. The selective increase in ATP release suggests that ATP and norepinephrine may be stored in separate synaptic vesicles in periarterial sympathetic varicosities.
Tissue traction microscopy to quantify muscle contraction within precision-cut lung slices
Authors: Ram-Mohan Sumati , Bai Yan , Schaible Niccole , Ehrlicher Allen J. , Cook Daniel P. , Suki Bela , Stoltz David A. , Solway Julian , Ai Xingbin , Krishnan Ramaswamy
Published: November 2019

In asthma, acute bronchospasm is driven by contractile forces of airway smooth muscle (ASM). These forces can be imaged in the cultured ASM cell or assessed in the muscle strip and the tracheal/bronchial ring, but in each case, the ASM is studied in isolation from the native airway milieu. Here, we introduce a novel platform called tissue traction microscopy (TTM) to measure ASM contractile force within porcine and human precision-cut lung slices (PCLS). Compared with the conventional measurements of lumen area changes in PCLS, TTM measurements of ASM force changes are 1) more sensitive to bronchoconstrictor stimuli, 2) less variable across airways, and 3) provide spatial information. Notably, within every human airway, TTM measurements revealed local regions of high ASM contraction that we call “stress hotspots”. As an acute response to cyclic stretch, these hotspots promptly decreased but eventually recovered in magnitude, spatial location, and orientation, consistent with local ASM fluidization and resolidification. By enabling direct and precise measurements of ASM force, TTM should accelerate preclinical studies of airway reactivity.
Aging reduces succinate dehydrogenase activity in rat type IIx/IIb diaphragm muscle fibers
Authors: Fogarty Matthew J. , Marin Mathieu Natalia , Mantilla Carlos B. , Sieck Gary C.
Published: November 2019

In aged rats, diaphragm muscle (DIAm) reduced specific force and fiber cross-sectional area, sarcopenia, is selective for vulnerable type IIx and/or IIb DIAm fibers, with type I and IIa fibers being resilient. In humans, the oxidative capacity [as measured by maximum succinate dehydrogenase (SDHmax) activity] of fast-type muscle is reduced with aging, with slow-type muscle being unaffected. We hypothesized that in aged Fischer rat DIAm exhibiting sarcopenia, reduced SDHmax activity would occur in type IIx and/or IIb fibers. Rats obtained from the NIA colony (6, 18, and 24 mo old) were euthanized, and ~2-mm-wide DIAm strips were obtained. For SDHmax and fiber type assessments, DIAm strips were stretched (approximately optimal length), fresh frozen in isopentane, and sectioned on a cryostat at 6 μm. SDHmax, quantified by intensity of nitroblue tetrazolium diformazan precipitation, was assessed in a fiber type-specific manner by comparing serial sections labeled with myosin heavy chain (MyHC) antibodies differentiating type I (MyHCSlow), IIa (MyHC2A), and IIx and/or IIb fibers. Isometric DIAm force and fatigue were assessed in DIAm strips by muscle stimulation with supramaximal pulses at a variety of frequencies (5–100 Hz) delivered in 1-s trains. By 24 mo, DIAm sarcopenia was apparent and SDHmax in type IIx and/or IIb fibers activity was reduced ~35% compared with 6-mo-old control DIAm. These results underscore the remarkable fiber type selectivity of type IIx and/or IIb fibers to age-associated perturbations and suggest that reduced mitochondrial oxidative capacity is associated with DIAm sarcopenia.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We examined the oxidative capacity as measured by maximum succinate dehydrogenase activity in older (18 or 24 mo old) Fischer 344 rat diaphragm muscle (DIAm) compared with young rats (6 mo old). In 24-mo-old rats, SDH activity was reduced in type IIx/b DIAm fibers. These SDH changes were concomitant with sarcopenia (reduced specific force and atrophy of type IIx/b DIAm fibers) at 24 mo old. At 18 mo old, there was no change in SDH activity and no evidence of sarcopenia.
Chinese Medicine Jiedu Huayu Granules Reduce Liver Injury in Rats by Regulating T-Cell Immunity
Authors: Wang Minggang , Mao Dewen , Li Hanmin
Published: November 2019

Liver injury, one of the causes of liver failure, is mainly due to T-cell-mediated immunity. Traditional Chinese medicine Jiedu Huayu granules are often used to suppress liver damage and improve liver function. The specific regulatory mechanism of Jiedu Huayu granules has not been fully studied, and its function in the immune system remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, the mechanism of Jiedu Huayu granules in the prevention of hepatic injury was studied in a rat model of hepatic injury induced by D-galactoside and lipopolysaccharide. The cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in the peripheral blood were examined. Perforin, granule B, and PD1 expression in CTL increased after the induction of hepatic injury and could be reduced by Jiedu Huayu granules. Hepatic apoptotic factors OX62, FAS, and TNFR1 associated with CTL function were also reduced by Jiedu Huayu granules. These results suggested that Jiedu Huayu granules could inhibit the inflammatory response to relieve liver damage by mediating the T-cell immunity. Therefore, the discovery of the mechanism of action of Jiedu Huayu granules in the immune system could allow their use more effectively in clinical practice.
Uterine Tumor Resembling Ovarian Sex Cord Tumors Type II with Vaginal Vault Recurrence
Authors: Marrucci Oriana , Nicoletti Paola , Mauriello Alessandro , Facchetti Simone , Patrizi Lodovico , Ticconi Carlo , Sesti Francesco , Piccione Emilio
Published: November 2019

UTROSCTs (Uterine Tumors Resembling Ovarian Sex Cord Tumors) are rare neoplasms of unknown etiology usually occurring in middle-aged women. Less than 100 cases of UTROSCT have been reported so far. Although the typical behavior of UTROSCT is benign, metastatic and recurrent cases can occur. Here we describe an extremely rare case of vaginal vault recurrence of UTROSCT occurring 5 years after total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Though rare, UTROSCT should always be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of uterine masses initially considered leiomyomas.
Proton versus Photon Radiotherapy for Pediatric Central Nervous System Malignancies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Dosimetric Comparison Studies
Authors: Carbonara Roberta , Di Rito Alessia , Monti Angela , Rubini Giuseppe , Sardaro Angela
Published: November 2019

Background. Radiotherapy (RT) plays a fundamental role in the treatment of pediatric central nervous system (CNS) malignancies, but its late sequelae are still a challenging question. Despite developments in modern high-conformal photon techniques and proton beam therapy (PBT) are improving the normal tissues dose-sparing while maintaining satisfactory target coverage, clinical advantages supporting the optimal treatment strategy have to be better evaluated in long-term clinical studies and assessed in further radiobiological analyses. Our analysis aimed to systematically review current knowledge on the dosimetric advantages of PBT in the considered setting, which should be the basis for future specific studies. Materials and Methods. A PubMed and Google Scholar search was conducted in June 2019 to select dosimetric studies comparing photon versus proton RT for pediatric patients affected by CNS tumors. Then, a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the PRISMA statement was performed. Average and standard deviation values of Conformity Index, Homogeneity Index, and mean and maximum doses to intracranial and extracranial organs at risk (OARs) were specifically evaluated for secondary dosimetric comparisons. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) for target parameters and the mean differences (MDs) for OARs were summarized in forest plots (P<0.05 was considered statistically significant). Publication bias was also assessed by the funnel plot and Egger’s regression test. Results. Among the 88 identified papers, a total of twelve studies were included in the meta-analysis. PBT showed dosimetric advantages in target homogeneity (significant especially in the subgroup comparing PBT and 3D conformal RT), as well as in the dose sparing of almost all analyzed OARs (significantly superior results for brainstem, normal brain, and hippocampal dose constraints and for extracranial OARs parameters, excluding the kidneys). Publication bias was observed for Conformity Index. Conclusion. Our analysis supports the evidence of dosimetric advantages of PBT over photon RT, especially in the dose sparing of normal growing tissues. Confirmations from wider well-designed studies are required.
Touchless Mechanism to Detect Rhodamine B Concentration in Distilled Water Using Fiber Bundle
Authors: Samian  , Zaidan A. H. , Patricia  , Afifah R. N. , Yasin M.
Published: November 2019

Detection of rhodamine B concentration in distilled water can be conducted without direct contact between the sensor probe and the sample using fiber bundle as a sensor probe and concave mirror as a sample container. The fiber bundle used is a concentric and a pair bundle probe. The working mechanism of the sensor is based on the displacement sensor and absorption of rhodamine B on laser light at a wavelength of 543 nm. The concentration of rhodamine B was detected through the valley and the peak voltage resulting from the displacement of the sensor probe to the sample surface. The best performance is shown by a sensor that uses a concentric bundle as a probe with a detection range of 0–20 ppm with a resolution of 0.6 ppm.
Preliminary Numerical Modeling of CO2 Geological Storage in the Huangcaoxia Gas Reservoir in the Eastern Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Lei Hongwu , Zhang Qian , Li Xiaochun
Published: November 2019

Depleted gas reservoirs are important potential sites for CO2 geological sequestration due to their proven integrity and safety, well-known geological characteristics, and existing infrastructures and wells built for natural gas production. The Sichuan Basin has a large number of gas fields in which approximately 5.89×109 tons of CO2 can be stored. The Huangcaoxia gas field has the best opportunity in the eastern Sichuan Basin for a pilot project of CO2 sequestration due to its relatively large storage capacity and the nearly depleted state. A coupled thermal-hydrodynamic model including faults is built based on the geological and hydrogeological conditions in the Huangcaoxia gas field. The results of the numerical simulations show that the downhole temperature is above 80°C at a downhole pressure of 14 MPa under the constraint of temperature drop in the reservoir due to the strong Joule-Thomson effect. The corresponding injection pressure and temperature at the wellhead are 10.5 MPa and 60°C, respectively. The sizes of the pressure and CO2 plumes after an injection of 10 years are 18 km and 5 km, respectively. The zone affected by temperature change is very small, being about 1-2 km away from the injection well. The injection rate in the injection well Cao 31 averages 6.89 kg/s (21.73×104 tons/a). For a commercial-scale injection, another four wells (Cao 9, Cao 30, Cao 6, and Cao 22) can be combined with the Cao 31 well for injection, approaching an injection rate of 35 kg/s (1.10×106 tons/a). Both the pressure and temperature of CO2 injection decrease with the increasing depleted pressure in the gas reservoir when the latter is below 6 MPa. With the technique of CO2-enhanced gas recovery (CO2-EGR), the CO2 injection rate is improved and approximately 1.58×107 kg of gas can be produced during a studied time period of 10 years.
Vertical Pathway Inhibition Overcomes Adaptive Feedback Resistance to KRASG12C Inhibition
Authors: Ryan Meagan B. , Fece de la Cruz Ferran , Phat Sarah , Myers David T. , Wong Edmond , Shahzade Heather A. , Hong Catriona B. , Corcoran Ryan B.
Published: November 2019

Purpose:

Although KRAS represents the most commonly mutated oncogene, it has long been considered an “undruggable” target. Novel covalent inhibitors selective for the KRASG12C mutation offer the unprecedented opportunity to target KRAS directly. However, prior efforts to target the RAS–MAPK pathway have been hampered by adaptive feedback, which drives pathway reactivation and resistance.

Experimental Design:

A panel of KRASG12C cell lines were treated with the KRASG12C inhibitors ARS-1620 and AMG 510 to assess effects on signaling and viability. Isoform-specific pulldown of activated GTP-bound RAS was performed to evaluate effects on the activity of specific RAS isoforms over time following treatment. RTK inhibitors, SHP2 inhibitors, and MEK/ERK inhibitors were assessed in combination with KRASG12C inhibitors in vitro and in vivo as potential strategies to overcome resistance and enhance efficacy.

Results:

We observed rapid adaptive RAS pathway feedback reactivation following KRASG12C inhibition in the majority of KRASG12C models, driven by RTK-mediated activation of wild-type RAS, which cannot be inhibited by G12C-specific inhibitors. Importantly, multiple RTKs can mediate feedback, with no single RTK appearing critical across all KRASG12C models. However, coinhibition of SHP2, which mediates signaling from multiple RTKs to RAS, abrogated feedback reactivation more universally, and combined KRASG12C/SHP2 inhibition drove sustained RAS pathway suppression and improved efficacy in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions:

These data identify feedback reactivation of wild-type RAS as a key mechanism of adaptive resistance to KRASG12C inhibitors and highlight the potential importance of vertical inhibition strategies to enhance the clinical efficacy of KRASG12C inhibitors.

See related commentary by Yaeger and Solit, p. 1538
Protective Effect of Sciadopitysin against Isoproternol-Induced Myocardial Infarction in Rats
Authors: Cai Yuhua , Li Yunpeng
Published: November 2019

The current study enumerates the beneficial role of sciadopitysin (SDN) against isoproternol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. The MI was experimentally induced via subcutaneous injection of ISO in experimental rats. SDN showed to prevent myocardial necrosis via reducing the levels of creatine kinase-MB and lactate dehydrogenase activities. It also showed to improve myocardial ability and decrease infarct volume. The level of cardiac-specific troponin-T (Tn-T), tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 were showed to be declined in SDN-treated group as determined by ELISA analysis. At the tested dose, SDN causes reduction in oxidative stress via enhancing the levels of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, while reducing the level of myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde. Cardiac histological changes were observed via hematoxylin and eosin staining along with cardiac function after pre- and post administration of SDN. In western blot analysis, SDN showed significant downregulation of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, whereas Bcl-2 expression was found to be significantly elevated in dose-dependent manner.
Psoriasiform Dermatitis Developing during Treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis with Tocilizumab
Authors: Matsushima Yoshiaki , Hayashi Akinobu , Mizutani Kento , Kondo Makoto , Nakai Yasuo , Habe Koji , Yamaguchi Yukie , Kozuka Yuji , Wakabayashi Hiroki , Yamanaka Keiichi
Published: November 2019

We present a case of psoriasiform dermatitis developing during the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis with tocilizumab (TCZ). The keratotic erythema with central healing showed a periodicity of growing worse 1 week after TCZ infusion, and then disappeared within 3 weeks. Skin biopsy showed parakeratosis, microabscess, rete ridge elongation, and abundant lymphocytes as well as a few neutrophil infiltrate in the upper dermis. TCZ is a humanized monoclonal antibody against interleukin 6 (IL-6) receptor. IL-6 plays a critical role in the differentiation from naïve T cells into Th17 cells in cooperation with transforming growth factor-β. IL-6 may be important in psoriasis pathogenesis, and therefore this phenomenon may be the adverse effect. The mechanism of TCZ-associated psoriasiform dermatitis is unclear. The serum IL-6 level seems to be elevated transitorily after TCZ administration, probably due to the competitive inhibition of IL-6 receptor alpha to IL-6. Excess free IL-6 may effect on other IL-6 family receptors. Since TCZ does not alter serum IL-17F level, another cytokine may be involved in the psoriasis formation in our case. Psoriasiform dermatitis during the use of TCZ may be due to relative cytokine balance disturbance.
Data Mining Approach for the Characterization of Functional Bowel Disorders According to Symptom Intensity Provides a Small Number of Homogenous Groups
Authors: Bouchoucha Michel , Devroede Ghislain , Fysekidis Marinos , Rompteaux Pierre , Sabate Jean-Marc , Benamouzig Robert
Published: November 2019

Background/Aims: The aim of the present study is to evaluate if the intensity of the cardinal symptoms of functional bowel disorders could be used to identify homogenous groups of patients defined by the Rome criteria. Method: In this observational study, 1,729 consecutive outpatients (73% females) filled out the Rome III questionnaire and 10-point Likert scales for constipation, diarrhea, bloating (BL)/distension, abdominal pain (AP) during the week before the medical consultation. A Gaussian mixture model was used for clustering the patients according to the intensity of symptoms without a priori information, and a classification tree was constructed from this clustering. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and logistic regression analysis. Results: According to the intensity of symptoms, the patients are divided into 8 groups named according to their main symptomatology: “painful constipation” (PFC), “mild pain constipation” (MPC), “painful diarrhea” (PFD), “mild pain diarrhea” (MPD), “mixed transit” (MT), “BL,” “AP,” and “nonspecific” (NS). The study of the relationship between the Rome III classification and this new grouping shows that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-constipation is associated with PFC, IBS-diarrhea with PFD and MPD, SII-mixed with MT, SII-unspecified with BL, functional constipation with PFC and MPC, functional diarrhea with MPD and NS, BL with “BL” and NS, nonspecific functional bowel disorders (FBD) with NS, and functional AP with “BL” and AP (p < 0.01 for all associations). Conclusion: A symptom intensity-based classification of FBD patients could simplify clinical phenotype, give homogeneous groups of patients, and could eventually be used by nongastroenterologists and in clinical research.
Deportation Worry, Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Trajectories, and Incident Hypertension: A Community‐Based Cohort Study
Authors: Torres Jacqueline M. , Deardorff Julianna , Holland Nina , Harley Kim G. , Kogut Katherine , Long Kyna , Eskenazi Brenda
Published: November 2019

Background

Worry about deportation has been associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors in cross‐sectional research. No research has evaluated this association longitudinally or examined the association between deportation worry and incident
cardiovascular disease
outcomes.

Methods and Results

We used data from an ongoing community‐based cohort of 572 women primarily of Mexican origin. We estimated associations between self‐reported deportation worry and: (1) trajectories of blood pressure, body mass index, and waist circumference with linear mixed models, and (2) incident hypertension with Cox proportional hazards models. Nearly half (48%) of women reported “a lot,” 24% reported “moderate,” and 28% reported “not too much” deportation worry. Higher worry at baseline was associated with nonlinear systolic
blood pressure
and mean arterial pressure trajectories. For example, compared with not too much worry, a lot of worry was associated with a faster initial increase (β, interaction with linear year term: 4.10; 95%
CI
, 1.17–7.03) followed by a faster decrease in systolic
blood pressure
(β, interaction with quadratic year term: −0.80; 95%
CI
, −1.55 to −0.06). There was weak evidence of an association between deportation worry and diastolic
blood pressure
and no association with
body mass index
,
waist circumference
, or pulse pressure trajectories. Among 408 women without baseline hypertension, reporting a lot (hazard ratio, 2.17; 95%
CI
, 1.15–4.10) and moderate deportation worry (
hazard ratio,
2.48; 95%
CI,
1.17–4.30) were each associated with greater risk of incident hypertension compared with reporting not too much worry.

Conclusions

Deportation worry may contribute to widening disparities in some
cardiovascular disease
risk factors and outcomes over time.
Change in Trajectories of Adherence to Lipid‐Lowering Drugs Following Non‐Fatal Acute Coronary Syndrome or Stroke
Authors: Zongo Arsène , Simpson Scot , Johnson Jeffrey A. , Eurich Dean T.
Published: November 2019

Background

Poor adherence to cardioprotective drugs remains a concern among patients for secondary prevention. A better understanding of adherence fluctuations before and after critical health events may inform approaches for addressing or preventing poor adherence. Therefore, we assessed trajectories of adherence to lipid‐lowering drugs before and after acute coronary syndrome (
ACS
) or stroke and identified post‐
ACS
/stroke trajectories’ predictors.

Methods and Results

We conducted a cohort study of patients hospitalized for
ACS
or stroke in Alberta, Canada, using administrative health data between 2009 and 2015. Patients using lipid‐lowering drugs in the 2 years pre‐hospitalization and had post‐discharge follow‐up ≥365 days were included. We used group‐based trajectory modeling to assess adherence trajectories and multinomial logistic regression to assess trajectories’ predictors. In total, 10 623 patients were included. The average age was 69 years, and 65% were men. Five trajectories were identified in both periods: nearly perfect, gradual increase, gradual decline, rapid decline, and poor adherence throughout. Of patients who were poor adherers, rapidly or gradually declining pre‐hospitalization, 2395/3588 (66.8%) switched to gradual increase or perfect adherence post discharge. Conversely, of patients gradually increasing or nearly perfect before, only 4822/7035 (68.5%) were nearly perfect adherers after. Main predictors of poor post‐
ACS
/stroke trajectories included older age, female sex, lack of immediate post discharge follow‐up, and prior trajectories.

Conclusions

This study suggests that adherence post‐
ACS
/stroke is highly variable and emphasizes the importance for clinicians to recognize that post‐discharge adherence will likely change negatively for prior good adherers. Adherence‐enhancing interventions should occur both early and late following discharge.