bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the stability of medical concept embeddings
Authors: Lee Grace E. , Sun Aixin
Published: October 2020

Frequency is one of the major factors for training quality word embeddings. Several studies have recently discussed the stability of word embeddings in general domain and suggested factors influencing the stability. In this work, we conduct a detailed analysis on the stability of concept embeddings in medical domain, particularly in relations with concept frequency. The analysis reveals the surprising high stability of low‐frequency concepts: low‐frequency (<100) concepts have the same high stability as high‐frequency (>1,000) concepts. To develop a deeper understanding of this finding, we propose a new factor, the noisiness of context words, which influences the stability of medical concept embeddings regardless of high or low frequency. We evaluate the proposed factor by showing the linear correlation with the stability of medical concept embeddings. The correlations are clear and consistent with various groups of medical concepts. Based on the linear relations, we make suggestions on ways to adjust the noisiness of context words for the improvement of stability. Finally, we demonstrate that the linear relation of the proposed factor extends to the word embedding stability in general domain.
Ethanol to Aromatics on Modified H‐ZSM‐5 Part II: An Unexpected Low Coking
Authors: Seifert Markus , Marschall Mathias S. , Gille Torsten , Jonscher Clemens , Royla Philipp , Busse Oliver , Reschetilowski Wladimir , Weigand Jan J.
Published: October 2020

In this study a commercial H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite (Si/Al=11) was post‐synthetically modified by a combined dealumination procedure to adjust its catalytic properties for the selective formation of aromatics from ethanol. The solid‐state properties of original and modified zeolites are determined by structural, textural and acidity analysis. The formation of aromatics and durability of the zeolites were investigated depending on space velocity or contact time in the catalyst bed. In particular, the formation rate and desorption of aromatics from solid‐state surface as well as their tendency to form coke precursors by consecutive build‐up reactions determine the formation of coke. Therefore, the rate of build‐up and finished aromatization by hydride transfer (pre‐determined by the kind, location and geometric arrangement of surface acid sites) and the statistical number of reaction events until final desorption at the specific contact time have to be harmonized to increase aromatics yield and to decrease catalyst decay by coke simultaneously.
Bonding Relationship between Silicon and Germanium with Group 13 and Heavier Elements of Groups 14–16
Authors: Agarwal Abhishek , Bose Shubhankar Kumar
Published: October 2020

The topic of heavier main group compounds possessing multiple bonds is the subject of momentous interest in modern organometallic chemistry. Importantly, there is an excitement involving the discovery of unprecedented compounds with unique bonding modes. The research in this area is still expanding, particularly the reactivity aspects of these compounds. This article aims to describe the overall developments reported on the stable derivatives of silicon and germanium involved in multiple bond formation with other group 13, and heavier groups 14, 15, and 16 elements. The synthetic strategies, structural features, and their reactivity towards different nucleophiles, unsaturated organic substrates, and in small molecule activation are discussed. Further, their physical and chemical properties are described based on their spectroscopic and theoretical studies.
Frameworks for double hyperbolic function‐based robust sliding mode differentiator and observer for nonlinear dynamics
Authors: Deepika Deepika
Published: October 2020

This paper puts forward contemporary designs of sliding mode differentiator and state observer for evaluation of unknown nonlinear signal derivatives and unknown internal system states, respectively, by the virtue of tangential and inverse sinusoidal hyperbolic functions. The utility of the proposed frameworks is that it bestows smooth and robust estimation without inciting unacceptable oscillations (chattering), unlike high gain discontinuous function‐based preliminary observers/differentiators. Moreover, the employed double hyperbolic functions would drive the various deviations in estimations of signals or states to a very close neighborhood of origin in finite time which is substantiated via Lyapunov's energy function. To demonstrate the efficiency of the introduced techniques, two examples for estimating the derivatives of a nonlinear signal and internal states of motor are also illustrated with time varying uncertainties. At last, the attained simulation outcomes of the proposed differentiator are further compared with formerly formulated designs such as higher‐order sliding mode differentiator (HOSMD) and uniformly convergent differentiator (UCD).
Exosomal lncRNA FAM225A accelerates esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression and angiogenesis via sponging miR‐206 to upregulate NETO2 and FOXP1 expression
Authors: Zhang Chunyu , Luo Yan , Cao Jingjing , Wang Xiaoyu , Miao Zhiwei , Shao Guoqing
Published: October 2020

Esophageal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer‐related deaths worldwide. FAM225A is a novel lncRNA, only has been explored in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tumorigenesis. This study aims to investigate the regulatory mechanism of FAM225A in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We discovered that FAM225A exhibited higher expression in ESCC. The silence of FAM225A attenuated cell viability, migration, and invasion, but facilitated cell apoptosis in ESCC. Exosome‐mediated transfer of lncRNA FAM225A could participate in ESCC progression. In addition, we found that miR‐206 bound to FAM225A. Moreover, we further demonstrated that FAM225A absorbed miR‐206 to upregulate NETO2 and FOXP1 expression, and FOXP1 acted as a transcription factor to enhance FAM225A expression. Eventually, it was revealed that the overexpression of NETO2 or FOXP1 rescued the effects of FAM225A repression on ESCC progression. Our results suggested that FAM225A upregulated NETO2 and FOXP1 expression by sponging miR‐206 to accelerate ESCC progression and angiogenesis. These results determined the biological role of lncRNA FAM225A in ESCC tumorigenesis, and FAM225A may be a promising biomarker for ESCC treatment.
Zn2+‐Dependent DNAzymes: From Solution Chemistry to Analytical, Materials and Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Moon Woohyun J. , Yang Yongjie , Liu Juewen
Published: October 2020

Since 1994, deoxyribozymes or DNAzymes have been in vitro selected to catalyze various types of reactions. Metal ions play a critical role in DNAzyme catalysis, and Zn2+ is a very important one among them. Zn2+ has good biocompatibility and can be used for intracellular applications. Chemically, Zn2+ is a Lewis acid and it can bind to both the phosphate backbone and the nucleobases of DNA. Zn2+ undergoes hydrolysis even at neutral pH, and the partially hydrolyzed polynuclear complexes can affect the interactions with DNA. These features have made Zn2+ a unique cofactor for DNAzyme reactions. This review summarizes Zn2+‐dependent DNAzymes with an emphasis on RNA‐/DNA‐cleaving reactions. A key feature is the sharp Zn2+ concentration and pH‐dependent activity for many of the DNAzymes. The applications of these DNAzymes as biosensors for Zn2+, as therapeutic agents to cleave intracellular RNA, and as chemical biology tools to manipulate DNA are discussed. Future studies can focus on the selection of new DNAzymes with improved performance and detailed biochemical characterizations to understand the role of Zn2+, which can facilitate practical applications of Zn2+‐dependent DNAzymes.
Palladium−Ruthenium Catalyst Complementarity Strengthens Ortho‐Directed C−H Bond Arylation of 2‐Arylpyrazines
Authors: Benzai Amal , Derridj Fazia , Doucet Henri , Soulé Jean‐François
Published: October 2020

We report the Pd‐ or Ru‐catalyzed C−H bond arylation at the ortho‐position of the aryl unit of 2‐arylpyrazines. The reaction proceeds with complete regioselectivity using phosphine‐free Pd(OAc)2 or [RuCl2(p‐cymene]2 as the catalysts and potassium acetate as an inexpensive base. In all cases, the mono‐arylation of 2‐arylpyrazines was obtained even with 2,3‐diphenylpyrazine. Moreover, the reaction is not sensitive to the pyrazine substitution. By selecting the proper catalytic system, a wide variety of electron‐rich and ‐poor (hetero)aryl bromides, including bromopyridine derivatives, has been successfully employed.
Iron Coordination Properties of Gramibactin as Model for the New Class of Diazeniumdiolate Based Siderophores
Authors: Gama Sofia , Hermenau Ron , Frontauria Mariachiara , Milea Demetrio , Sammartano Silvio , Hertweck Christian , Plass Winfried
Published: October 2020

Gramibactin (GBT) is an archetype for the new class of diazeniumdiolate siderophores, produced by Paraburkholderia graminis, a cereal‐associated rhizosphere bacterium, for which a detailed solution thermodynamic study exploring the iron coordination properties is reported. The acid‐base behavior of gramibactin as well as its complexing ability toward Fe3+ was studied over a wide range of pH values (2≤pH≤11). For the latter the ligand‐competition method employing EDTA was used. Only two species are formed: [Fe(GBT)]− (pH 2 to 9) and [Fe(GBT)(OH)2]3− (pH≥9). The formation of [Fe(GBT)]− and its occurrence in real systems was confirmed by LC‐HRESIMS analysis of the bacteria culture broth extract. The sequestering ability of gramibactin was also evaluated in terms of the parameters pFe and pL0.5. Gramibactin exhibits a higher sequestering ability toward Fe3+ than EDTA and of the same order of magnitude as hydroxamate‐type microbial siderophores, but smaller than most of the catecholate‐type siderophores and much higher than the most known phytosiderophores.
Flexibility of Power‐to‐Gas Plants: A Case Study
Authors: Herrmann Felix , Grünewald Marcus , Riese Julia
Published: October 2020

Due to the increasing share of renewable energies in the power sector, the need for energy storage and flexible performance is rising. This study provides an in‐depth investigation of the flexibility of a Power‐to‐Gas plant for the production of synthetic natural gas. Model‐based analysis is conducted for the individual technologies PEM electrolysis, MEA absorption and fixed‐bed methanation as well as for the continuously operated process. This study reveals that the Power‐to‐Gas plant offers a capacity flexibility of 87–125 %, corresponding to 4.79–6.88 MW electrical input power.
About the granularity portability of block‐based Krylov methods in heterogeneous computing environments
Authors: Carracciuolo Luisa , Mele Valeria , Szustak Lukasz
Published: October 2020

Large‐scale problems in engineering and science often require the solution of sparse linear algebra problems and the Krylov subspace iteration methods (KM) have led to a major change in how users deal with them. But, for these solvers to use extreme‐scale hardware efficiently a lot of work was spent to redesign both the KM algorithms and their implementations to address challenges like extreme concurrency, complex memory hierarchies, costly data movement, and heterogeneous node architectures. All the redesign approaches bases the KM algorithm on block‐based strategies which lead to the Block‐KM (BKM) algorithm which has high granularity (i.e., the ratio of computation time to communication time). The work proposes novel parallel revisitation of the modules used in BKM which are based on the overlapping of communication and computation. Such revisitation is evaluated by a model of their granularity and verified on the basis of a case study related to a classical problem from numerical linear algebra.
Revised beaconing glowworm swarm optimization ant colony optimization algorithm to localize nodes and optimize the energy consumed by nodes in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Reddy Vandana , P Gayathri
Published: October 2020

In the wireless sensor networks energy consumption is broadest and widely explored area of research. The solution for energy optimization encompasses various techniques such as efficient routing protocols, data scheduling, clustering, hardware redesigning, supervised and unsupervised network learning algorithm, and so forth. Compared with all the methods that has been so far discussed, swarm intelligence (SI) is considered to be the optimal way to find solution for reducing energy consumption as it is simple and the network formation is understood by the natural mechanism present in nature. SI approaches include ant colony optimization (ACO), particle swarm optimization, glowworm swarm optimization (GSO), and so forth. In this article, the authors provide the solution for the energy conservation problem through efficient GSO methods combined ACO. The revised beaconing glowworm swarm optimization ant colony optimization algorithm will be applied on the sensor network divided into swarms based on glowworms, the ants are introduced in the network that would parse the network by visiting the swarm heads with the principle of ACO behind it. The algorithm is tested on MATLAB 2015a for performance comparison with the HM‐ACOPSO method with depicts energy conservation and efficiency in data collection.
Process: Failure mode and effect analysis of power module on network base station
Authors: Shuai Chun‐Jiang
Published: October 2020

The power module of failure modes and effects were analyzed from process, combined with the condition of field station power available, maintenance, and repair on TMB power and personal handy‐phone system, in the context of network base station power module parts machining requirements. The key factors affecting the quality of power were identified. And the improvement measures and principles to improve the power of the batch quality and reduce the damage rate were proposed. Finally, the ability of the reliability of power was improved.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation reverses reduced excitability of rat visual cortex induced by dark rearing during early critical period
Authors: Charles James Jeyanthan , Funke Klaus
Published: October 2020

Early critical period of visual cortex is characterized by enhanced activity‐driven neuronal plasticity establishing the specificity of neuronal connections required for optimal processing of sensory signals. Deprivation from visual input by dark rearing (DR) during this period leads to a lasting impairment of visual performance. Previously, we demonstrated that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied with intermittent theta‐burst (iTBS) pattern during the critical period improved the visual performance of the DR rats. In this study, we describe that the excitability of the binocular part of the visual cortex (V1b), as measured in acute brain slices by input‐output ratios of field excitatory synaptic potentials (fEPSPs), is lowered in DR rats compared to normal controls. Verum rTMS applied with the iTBS pattern during DR reversed this DR effect, while no rTMS effect was evident in the non‐DR (nDR) rats. In addition, verum rTMS reduced the number of neurons expressing the 67 kD isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67), the calcium‐binding protein calbindin (CB) and the zinc‐finger transcription factor zif268/EGR1, as determined via immunohistochemistry, only in DR rats but not in nDR rats. Moreover, rTMS reduced the number of neurons expressing the calcium‐binding protein parvalbumin (PV) only in nDR rats which showed more PV+ neurons compared to DR rats. This study confirms that iTBS‐rTMS may be able to prevent or reverse the effects of DR on visual cortex physiology, likely through a modulation of the activity of inhibitory interneurons.
Prognostic value of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in cardiac amyloidosis
Authors: Nicol Martin , Deney Antoine , Lairez Olivier , Vergaro Giuseppe , Emdin Michele , Carecci Alessandro , Inamo Jocelyn , Montfort Astrid , Neviere Remi , Damy Thibaud , Harel Stephanie , Royer Bruno , Baudet Mathilde , Cohen‐Solal Alain , Arnulf Bertrand , Logeart Damien
Published: October 2020

Aims

In amyloid patients, cardiac involvement dramatically worsens functional capacity and prognosis. We sought to study how the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) could help in functional assessment and risk stratification of patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA).

Methods and results

We carried out a multicentre study including patients with light chain (AL) or transthyretin (TTR) CA. All patients underwent exhaustive examination including CPET and follow‐up. The primary prognostic endpoint was the occurrence of death or heart failure hospitalization. Overall, 150 patients were included (91 AL and 59 TTR CA). Median age, systolic blood pressure, N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and cardiac troponin T were 70 (64–78) years, 121 [interquartile range (IQR) 109–139] mmHg, 2806 (IQR 1218–4638) ng/L and 64 (IQR 33–120) ng/L, respectively. New York Heart Association classes were I–II in 64%. Median peak oxygen consumption (VO2) and circulatory power were low at 13.0 (10.0–16.9) mL/kg/min and 1730 (1318–2614) mmHg/mL/min, respectively. The minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production slope was increased to 37 (IQR 33–45). A total of 77 patients (51%) had chronotropic insufficiency. After a median follow‐up of 20 months, there were 37 deaths and 44 heart failure hospitalizations. At multivariate Cox analysis, peak VO2 ≤13 mL/kg/min [hazard ratio (HR) 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6–4.8], circulatory power ≤1730 mmHg/mL/min (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–4.6) and NT‐proBNP ≥1800 ng/L (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1–4.3) were found to be associated with the primary outcome. No events occurred in patients with both peak VO2 >13 mL/kg/min and NT‐proBNP <1800 ng/L, while the association of VO2 ≤13 mL/kg/min with NT‐proBNP ≥1800 ng/L identified a very high‐risk subgroup.

Conclusion

In CA, CPET is helpful in assessing functional capacity, circulatory and chronotropic responses as well as the prognosis of patients along with cardiac biomarkers.
Role of serum biomarkers in cancer patients receiving cardiotoxic cancer therapies: a position statement from the Cardio‐Oncology Study Group of the Heart Failure Association and the Cardio‐Oncology Council of the European Society of Cardiology
Authors: Pudil Radek , Mueller Christian , Čelutkienė Jelena , Henriksen Peter A. , Lenihan Dan , Dent Susan , Barac Ana , Stanway Susanna , Moslehi Javid , Suter Thomas M. , Ky Bonnie , Štěrba Martin , Cardinale Daniela , Cohen‐Solal Alain , Tocchetti Carlo Gabriele , Farmakis Dimitrios , Bergler‐Klein Jutta , Anker Markus S. , Von Haehling Stephan , Belenkov Yury , Iakobishvili Zaza , Maack Christoph , Ciardiello Fortunato , Ruschitzka Frank , Coats Andrew J.S. , Seferovic Petar , Lainscak Mitja , Piepoli Massimo F. , Chioncel Ovidiu , Bax Jereon , Hulot Jean‐Sebastien , Skouri Hadi , Hägler‐Laube Eva Simona , Asteggiano Riccardo , Fernandez Teresa Lopez , de Boer Rudolf A. , Lyon Alexander R.
Published: October 2020

Serum biomarkers are an important tool in the baseline risk assessment and diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in cancer patients receiving cardiotoxic cancer treatments. Increases in cardiac biomarkers including cardiac troponin and natriuretic peptides can be used to guide initiation of cardioprotective treatments for cancer patients during treatment and to monitor the response to cardioprotective treatments, and they also offer prognostic value. This position statement examines the role of cardiac biomarkers in the management of cancer patients. The Cardio‐Oncology Study Group of the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in collaboration with the Cardio‐Oncology Council of the ESC have evaluated the current evidence for the role of cardiovascular biomarkers in cancer patients before, during and after cardiotoxic cancer therapies. The characteristics of the main two biomarkers troponin and natriuretic peptides are discussed, the link to the mechanisms of cardiovascular toxicity, and the evidence for their clinical use in surveillance during and after anthracycline chemotherapy, trastuzumab and HER2‐targeted therapies, vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, proteasome inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, cyclophosphamide and radiotherapy. Novel surveillance clinical pathways integrating cardiac biomarkers for cancer patients receiving anthracycline chemotherapy or trastuzumab biomarkers are presented and future direction in cardio‐oncology biomarker research is discussed.
Comprehensive in silico analysis for identification of novel candidate target genes, including DHX36, OPA1, and SENP2, located on chromosome 3q in head and neck cancers
Authors: Karatas Omer Faruk , Capik Ozel , Barlak Neslisah , Aydin Karatas Elanur
Published: October 2020

Background

Major milestones of head and neck carcinogenesis have been associated with various genetic abnormalities; however, a clear picture of the molecular networks deregulated during the carcinogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) has not yet completely revealed.

Methods

In this study, we used in silico tools and online data sets to evaluate the underlying reasons for the expressional changes of genes residing within the chromosome 3q and to help understanding their contributions to HNSC carcinogenesis.

Results

We found that 13 of 20 most upregulated genes in HNSC are localized to 3q. Further analysis revealed a gene signature consisting of DHX36, OPA1, and SENP2, which showed significant correlation in HNSC samples and potentially be deregulated through similar mechanisms including DNA amplification, transcriptional, and posttranscriptional regulation.

Conclusions

Considering our findings, we suggest DHX36, OPA1, and SENP2 genes as overexpressed in HNSC tumors and that might be concurrently involved in HNSC carcinogenesis, tumor progression, and induction of angiogenic pathways.
Analysis of Survival Benefits of Living Versus Deceased Donor Liver Transplant in High Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease and Hepatorenal Syndrome
Authors: Wong Tiffany Cho‐Lam , Fung James Yan‐Yue , Pang Herbert H. , Leung Calvin Ka‐Lam , Li Hoi‐Fan , Sin Sui‐Ling , Ma Ka‐Wing , She Brian Wong‐Hoi , Dai Jeff Wing‐Chiu , Chan Albert Chi‐Yan , Cheung Tan‐To , Lo Chung‐Mau
Published: October 2020

Background and Aims

Previous recommendations suggested living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) should not be considered for patients with Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) > 25 and hepatorenal syndrome (HRS).

Approach and Results

Patients who were listed with MELD > 25 from 2008 to 2017 were analyzed with intention‐to‐treat (ITT) basis retrospectively. Patients who had a potential live donor were analyzed as ITT‐LDLT, whereas those who had none belonged to ITT‐deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) group. ITT‐overall survival (OS) was analyzed from the time of listing. Three hundred twenty‐five patients were listed (ITT‐LDLT n = 212, ITT‐DDLT n = 113). The risk of delist/death was lower in the ITT‐LDLT group (43.4% vs. 19.8%, P < 0.001), whereas the transplant rate was higher in the ITT‐LDLT group (78.3% vs. 52.2%, P < 0.001). The 5‐year ITT‐OS was superior in the ITT‐LDLT group (72.6% vs. 49.5%, P < 0.001) for patients with MELD > 25 and patients with both MELD > 25 and HRS (56% vs. 33.8%, P < 0.001). Waitlist mortality was the highest early after listing, and the distinct alteration of slope at survival curve showed that the benefits of ITT‐LDLT occurred within the first month after listing. Perioperative outcomes and 5‐year patient survival were comparable for patients with MELD > 25 (88% vs. 85.4%, P = 0.279) and patients with both MELD > 25 and HRS (77% vs. 76.4%, P = 0.701) after LDLT and DDLT, respectively. The LDLT group has a higher rate of renal recovery by 1 month (77.4% vs. 59.1%, P = 0.003) and 3 months (86.1% vs, 74.5%, P = 0.029), whereas the long‐term estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was similar between the 2 groups. ITT‐LDLT reduced the hazard of mortality (hazard ratio = 0.387‐0.552) across all MELD strata.

Conclusions

The ITT‐LDLT reduced waitlist mortality and allowed an earlier access to transplant. LDLT in patients with high MELD/HRS was feasible, and they had similar perioperative outcomes and better renal recovery, whereas the long‐term survival and eGFR were comparable with DDLT. LDLT should be considered for patients with high MELD/HRS, and the application of LDLT should not be restricted with a MELD cutoff.
Age disparities in stage‐specific colon cancer survival across seven countries: An International Cancer Benchmarking PartnershipSURVMARK‐2 population‐based study
Authors: Pilleron Sophie , Charvat Hadrien , Araghi Marzieh , Arnold Melina , Fidler‐Benaoudia Miranda M. , Bardot Aude , Guren Marianne Grønlie , Tervonen Hanna , Little Alana , O'Connell Dianne L. , Gavin Anna , De Prithwish , Aagard Thomsen Linda , Møller Bjørn , Jackson Christopher , Bucher Oliver , Walsh Paul M. , Vernon Sally , Bray Freddie , Soerjomataram Isabelle
Published: October 2020

We sought to understand the role of stage at diagnosis in observed age disparities in colon cancer survival among people aged 50 to 99 years using population‐based cancer registry data from seven high‐income countries: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom. We used colon cancer incidence data for the period 2010 to 2014. We estimated the 3‐year net survival, as well as the 3‐year net survival conditional on surviving at least 6 months and 1 year after diagnosis, by country and stage at diagnosis (categorised as localised, regional or distant) using flexible parametric excess hazard regression models. In all countries, increasing age was associated with lower net survival. For example, 3‐year net survival (95% confidence interval) was 81% (80‐82) for 50 to 64 year olds and 58% (56‐60) for 85 to 99 year olds in Australia, and 74% (73‐74) and 39% (39‐40) in the United Kingdom, respectively. Those with distant stage colon cancer had the largest difference in colon cancer survival between the youngest and the oldest patients. Excess mortality for the oldest patients with localised or regional cancers was observed during the first 6 months after diagnosis. Older patients diagnosed with localised (and in some countries regional) stage colon cancer who survived 6 months after diagnosis experienced the same survival as their younger counterparts. Further studies examining other prognostic clinical factors such as comorbidities and treatment, and socioeconomic factors are warranted to gain further understanding of the age disparities in colon cancer survival.
Brain metabolites in cholinergic and glutamatergic pathways are altered by pancreatic cancer cachexia
Authors: Winnard Paul T. , Bharti Santosh Kumar , Sharma Raj Kumar , Krishnamachary Balaji , Mironchik Yelena , Penet Marie‐France , Goggins Michael G. , Maitra Anirban , Kamel Ihab , Horton Karen M. , Jacobs Michael A. , Bhujwalla Zaver M.
Published: October 2020

Background

Cachexia is a major cause of morbidity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. Our purpose was to understand the impact of PDAC‐induced cachexia on brain metabolism in PDAC xenograft studies, to gain new insights into the causes of cachexia‐induced morbidity. Changes in mouse and human plasma metabolites were characterized to identify underlying causes of brain metabolic changes.

Methods

We quantified metabolites, detected with high‐resolution 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy, in the brain and plasma of normal mice (n = 10) and mice bearing cachexia (n = 10) or non‐cachexia (n = 9) inducing PDAC xenografts as well as in human plasma obtained from normal individuals (n = 24) and from individuals with benign pancreatic disease (n = 20) and PDAC (n = 20). Statistical significance was defined as a P value ≤0.05.

Results

The brain metabolic signature of cachexia‐inducing PDAC was characterized by a significant depletion of choline of −27% and −21% as well as increases of glutamine of 13% and 9% and formate of 21% and 14%, relative to normal controls and non‐cachectic tumour‐bearing mice, respectively. Good to moderate correlations with percent weight change were found for choline (r = 0.70), glutamine (r = −0.58), and formate (r = −0.43). Significant choline depletion of −38% and −30%, relative to normal controls and non‐cachectic tumour‐bearing mice, respectively, detected in the plasma of cachectic mice likely contributed to decreased brain choline in cachectic mice. Similarly, relative to normal controls and patients with benign disease, choline levels in human plasma samples of PDAC patients were significantly lower by −12% and −20% respectively. A comparison of plasma metabolites from PDAC patients with and without weight loss identified significant changes in glutamine metabolism.

Conclusions

Disturbances in metabolites of the choline/cholinergic and glutamine/glutamate/glutamatergic neurotransmitter pathways may contribute to morbidity. Metabolic normalization may provide strategies to reduce morbidity. The human plasma metabolite changes observed may lead to the development of companion diagnostic markers to detect PDAC and PDAC‐induced cachexia.
Cooperative responding in rats: II. Performance on fixed‐ratio schedules of mutual reinforcement
Authors: de Carvalho Lucas Couto , dos Santos Letícia , Regaço Alceu , Couto Kalliu Carvalho , de Souza Deisy das Graças , Todorov João Claudio
Published: October 2020

Coordinated responses of 5 dyads of rats were investigated under fixed‐ratio (FR) schedules of mutual water reinforcement. Coordinated responding was defined as 2 consecutive lever‐presses, 1 from each of 2 rats, occurring <.5 s apart. In the FR schedules, each coordinated episode was defined as 1 response in the FR sequence. The size of FR schedules was parametrically manipulated assuming the values of FR 1, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 50, and 9, in this order. Each FR remained in effect until responding reached stability. Under all conditions, pairs of rats received access to water simultaneously (mutual reinforcement). Rates and proportions of coordinated responding showed a bitonic inverted U‐shaped function of ratio size. Postreinforcement pauses increased systematically as the interreinforcement interval increased. Local rates and proportions increased as a function of response location within ratios. Results of a control condition with relaxed temporal constraints for mutual reinforcement showed decreases in rates and proportion of coordinated responses, suggesting that the coordinated responses were controlled by the mutual reinforcement contingencies. The present experiment showed that coordinated responding is quantitatively affected by 3 properties of FR schedules: response requirement, reinforcement rates, and proximity to reinforcement.
Vibrational, spectroscopic, chemical reactivity, molecular docking and in vitro anticancer activity studies against A549 lung cancer cell lines of 5‐Bromo‐indole‐3‐carboxaldehyde
Authors: S. Christopher Jeyaseelan , A. Milton Franklin Benial , K. Kaviyarasu
Published: October 2020

Spectroscopic investigations are performed for 5‐Bromo‐1H‐indole‐carboxaldehyde by using experimental (FT‐IR, FT‐Raman) and theoretical (DFT) calculations. Vibrational assignments of the fundamental modes were assigned on the basis of Potential energy distribution (PED) calculations. Electron Localization Function (ELF) and Local Orbital Localizer (LOL) studies were performed to visualize the electron delocalization in the molecule. Frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and related molecular properties were computed. The electron‐hole distribution of the molecule was also computed using Multiwfn 3.3.9 software to predict the charge transfer within the molecule. The total and partial density of states (TDOS and PDOS) and also the overlap population density of states (OPDOS) spectra were simulated. UV‐Vis spectrum of the compound was also recorded. The reactive sites of the compound were studied from the MEP and Fukui function analysis. The charge delocalization and stability of the title molecule were investigated using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The lung cancer activity of the title compound against p53 tumor suppressor proteins was studied using molecular docking analysis. The in‐vitro cytotoxic activity of the molecule against human pulmonary lung cancer cell lines (A549) was determined by MTT assay.
Ultrasonic and osmotic pretreatments followed by convective and vacuum drying of papaya slices
Authors: Chandra Abhishek , Kumar Sourabh , Tarafdar Ayon , Nema Prabhat K
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Papaya fruit is highly nutritive, but very fragile, and thus has a limited shelf life. Drying is essential to preserve it for longer durations. In this work, osmotic dehydration (OD) with and without ultrasound (US) was applied to papaya slices as a pretreatment in conjugation with vacuum (VD) and convective air drying (AD). Drying was carried out in a novel dryer. Moisture content, drying time, water activity, total color change, total phenolic content, radical scavenging activity, texture, and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectrums were evaluated for fresh and dried papaya slices.

RESULTS

It was observed that US‐assisted osmotic dehydration (USOD) followed by VD had the lowest drying time with highest retention of phenols and antioxidants as compared to other drying techniques. Higher phenols and antioxidants in US‐pretreated samples were attributed to the release of trapped intra‐cellular polyphenols by cavitation. However, the color characteristics and texture of OD pretreatment followed by convective AD slices were found to be better. Color retention could be due to carotenoid preservation, which would be degraded in other treatments, whereas lower brittleness was associated with lower pectin. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the retention of phytochemicals and antioxidants in dried papaya slices that were subjected to pretreatment.

Conclusion

Pretreatment before drying enhances the end product quality of dried papaya slices. The results of this study highlight that USOD‐VD is effective for nutrition preservation while OD‐AD is suitable for preserving physical characteristics. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Nitrogen state of Haplic Chernozem of the European part of Southern Russia in the implementation of resource‐saving technologies
Authors: Medvedeva Anna M , Biryukova Olga A , Ilchenko Yaroslav I , Minkina Tatyana M , Kucherenko Alexey V , Bauer Tatiana V , Mandzhieva Saglara S , Mazarji Mahmoud
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

The prolonged use of traditional moldboard ploughing often results in soil degradation and, ultimately, has an impact on national food security. Therefore, the implementation of resource‐saving technologies (minimal and No‐till) is a promising approach in the development of agriculture, especially in drought regions. The present study reports the results of long‐term research on the effect of various tillage methods (moldboard ploughing, minimal tillage and No‐till technique) on the nitrogen content of Haplic Chernozem of the European part of Southern Russia. The revealed regularities can be used as a theoretical basis for the effective use of resource‐saving technologies, including No‐till, in the zone of insufficient moisture.

RESULTS

Long‐term (59 years) cultivation of winter wheat using traditional moldboard ploughing has decreased the soil organic material (SOM) by 35% and total nitrogen by 32% in the soil. Minimization of tillage, in contrast, recovers the nitrogen potential of the soil in winter wheat agrocenoses. There is a statistically confirmed dependence of the content of SOM and total nitrogen on the tillage method of the upper soil horizon, with no significant effect of the tillage methods on intensity ammonification and nitrification. However, the content of nitrate‐nitrogen during resource‐saving tillage methods (22.8–24.4 mg kg−1) was higher than that after ploughing (20.3 mg kg−1) during all the years of the study, indicating the higher content of easily mineralizable nitrogen‐containing compounds in the soil after minimal tillage.

CONCLUSION

The use of resource‐saving tillage technologies under conditions of insufficient moisture stabilizes the nitrogen content in soil and can improve nitrogen nutrition of plants. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Does a coffee plantation host potential pollinators when it is not flowering? Bee distribution in an agricultural landscape with high biological diversity in the BrazilianCampo Rupestre
Authors: Machado Ana Carolina Pereira , Barônio Gudryan Jackson , de Oliveira Favízia Freitas , Garcia Caroline Tito , Rech André Rodrigo
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Natural environments within agricultural landscapes have been recognized as reservoirs of biodiversity and, therefore, providers of fundamental ecosystem services to human beings. Bees are the main providers of pollination and thus contribute to the production of food consumed worldwide. In this work, we evaluated the distribution of bees in an agricultural landscape of coffee plantation before and after coffee flowering. We aimed at understanding how richness, abundance and composition of bee communities vary among the different vegetation types within and around the coffee crops.

RESULTS

A total of 638 bees were collected – 312 in the dry season and 326 in the rainy season – totaling 85 species. The sampling methods collected different species, which provided complementary sampling. OnlyEuglossa leucotrichaandEulaema nigritawere recurrent in both seasons and vegetation types. There was no temporal difference in richness or abundance; however, both varied in relation to the vegetation type and were higher in the coffee‐native transition area. Diverging from richness or abundance, the composition of the communities differed regarding season and vegetation types.

CONCLUSION

We reinforce the importance of maintaining native vegetation in areas surrounding coffee plantations since the crop poorly hosts pollinators when it is not flowering. Natural and semi‐natural areas may act as reservoirs of floral visitors, thus maintaining potential cross‐pollination services available to coffee production. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Determination of bisphenol A: Old problem, recent creative solutions based on novel materials
Authors: Huelsmann Ricardo Dagnoni , Will Camila , Carasek Eduardo
Published: October 2020

Bisphenol A is a synthetic compound widely used in industry, in the production of polycarbonate, epoxy resins, and thermal paper, among others. Its annual production is estimated at millions of tons per year, demonstrating its importance. Despite its wide application in various everyday products, once in the environment (due to its disposal or leaching), it has high toxicity to humans and animal life, and this problem has been well known for years. Given this problem, many researchers seek alternatives for its monitoring in matrices such as natural water, waste, food, and biological matrices. For this, new advanced materials have been developed, characterized, and applied in creative ways for the preparation of samples for the determination of bisphenol A. This article aims to present some of these important and recent applications, describing the use of molecularly imprinted polymers, metal and covalent organic frameworks, ionic liquids and magnetic ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents as creative solutions in sample preparation for the long‐standing problem of bisphenol A determination.
Robust Polariton Bose–Einstein Condensation Laser via a Strong Coupling Microcavity
Authors: Chen Zhiyang , Zheng Huying , Zhu Hai , Tang Ziying , Wang Yaqi , Wei Haiyuan , Su Shichen , Shen Yan , Shan Chongxin
Published: October 2020

Robust polariton in the strong‐coupling regime plays a central role in understanding Bose–Einstein condensation (BEC), which is also an ideal platform for the simulation of bosonization processes and novel engineering polariton devices that are related to quantum phase transitions. A two‐dimensional ZnO nanoplate is firstly utilized to construct microcavity polaritons, and a robust polariton BEC laser is successfully realized at room temperature (RT). High stability of the exciton state and the enhanced coupling strength in the nanoplate cavity are effective for polaritons. The giant Rabi splitting of 120 meV is extracted from the RT dispersion pattern. The evolution of polariton BEC exhibits a typical blue‐shift, and its saturation behavior shows that the interaction strength of the polaritons is deduced from the energy renormalization. Remarkably, the value of the interaction strength is two orders of magnitude higher than reported values, which implies that many‐body correlation may be dominant in the polariton strongly interacting polariton systems. The results open up the prospect of realizing robust polariton BEC lasers at high temperature.
Time‐resolved magnetic resonance fingerprinting for radiotherapy motion management
Authors: Li Tian , Cui Di , Hui Edward S. , Cai Jing
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to develop a novel time‐resolved magnetic resonance fingerprinting (TR‐MRF) technique for respiratory motion imaging applications.

Materials and methods

The TR‐MRF technique consists of repeated MRF acquisitions using an unbalanced steady‐state free precession sequence with spiral‐in–spiral‐out trajectory. Time‐resolved magnetic resonance fingerprinting was first tested via computer simulation using a four‐dimensional (4D) extended cardiac‐torso (XCAT) phantom for both regular and irregular breathing profiles, and was tested in three healthy volunteers. Parametric TR‐MRF maps at different respiratory phases were subsequently estimated using our TR‐MRF sorting and reconstruction techniques. The resulting TR‐MRF maps were evaluated using a set of metrices related to radiotherapy applications, including absolute difference in motion amplitude, error in the amplitude of diaphragm motion (ADM), tumor volume error (TVE), signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), and tumor contrast.

Results

TR‐MRF maps with regular and irregular breathing were successfully generated in XCAT phantom. Numerical simulations showed that the TVE were 1.6 ± 2.7% and 1.3 ± 2.2%, the average absolute differences in tumor motion amplitude were 0.3 ± 0.7 mm and 0.3 ± 0.6 mm, and the ADM were 4.1 ± 0.9% and 3.5 ± 0.9% for irregular and regular breathing, respectively. The SNR of the T1 and T2 maps of the liver and the tumor were generally higher for regular breathing compared to irregular breathing, whereas tumor‐to‐liver contrast is similar between the two breathing patterns. The proposed technique was successfully implemented on the healthy volunteers.

Conclusion

We have successfully demonstrated in both digital phantom and healthy subjects a novel TR‐MRF technique capable of imaging respiratory motions with simultaneous quantification of MR multiparametric maps.
Pulse oral corticosteroids in pediatric chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: Rogers Amanda B. , Zaidman Craig M. , Connolly Anne M.
Published: October 2020

Childhood onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) often requires long‐term immunomodulatory therapy. We report a comprehensive review of our treatment of pediatric CIDP with a focus on high‐dose weekly corticosteroids (“pulse oral corticosteroids”), a treatment method that is not commonly reported. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of pediatric patients with CIDP treated at our center between 2000 and 2018 for whom we had at least 12 mo follow‐up. Here, we describe the demographics, disease course, treatment regimens, and long‐term outcomes of these patients. Twenty‐five patients were identified for analysis. Pulse oral corticosteroid monotherapy was the predominant maintenance treatment in 56% of patients. Patients were followed for a median of 4 y. Side effects were seen in a minority of patients. The probability of a normal exam or being off treatment at last follow‐up was similar regardless of predominant maintenance therapy. Pulse oral corticosteroid therapy is a safe and effective long‐term treatment option in children with CIDP.
Secure grid‐based density peaks clustering on hybrid cloud for industrial IoT
Authors: Sun Liping , Ci Shang , Liu Xiaoqing , Guo Liangmin , Zheng Xiaoyao , Luo Yonglong
Published: October 2020

Cloud computing gives clients the convenience of outsourcing data calculations. However, it also brings the risk of privacy leakage, and datasets that process industrial IoT information have a high computational cost for clients. To address these problems, this paper proposes a secure grid‐based density peaks clustering algorithm for a hybrid cloud environment. First, the client utilizes the homomorphic encryption algorithm to construct encrypted objects with client dataset. Second, the client uploads the encrypted data to the cloud servers to implement our security protocol. Finally, the cloud servers return the clustering results with the disturbance to the client. The experimental results on the UCI datasets and the smart power grid dataset reveal that the secure algorithm presented in this paper can improve upon the precision and efficiency of other clustering algorithms while also preserving user privacy. Moreover, it only performs encryption and removes the disturbance operation on the client, so that the client has lower computational complexity. Therefore, the secure clustering scheme proposed in this paper is applicable to industrial IoT big data and has high security and scalability.
Trajectory of psychosocial symptoms among home care patients with cancer at end‐of‐life
Authors: Seow Hsien , Stevens Tara , Barbera Lisa C. , Burge Fred , McGrail Kimberlyn , Chan Kelvin K. W. , Peacock Stuart J. , Sutradhar Rinku , Guthrie Dawn M.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Understanding the end‐of‐life psychosocial needs of cancer patients at home is a knowledge gap. This study describes the trajectory of psychosocial symptoms in the last 6 months of life among cancer decedents who were receiving home care.

Methods

Observational population‐based cohort study of cancer decedents who were receiving home care services between 2007 and 2014. Decedents had to have at least one home care assessment in the last 6 months of life for inclusion. Outcomes were the presence of psychosocial symptoms (i.e., anxiety, loneliness, depression, social decline, caregiver distress, and cognitive decline) at each week before death.

Results

Our cohort included 27,295 unique cancer decedents (30,368 assessments), of which 58% died in hospital. Fifty‐six percent were older than 74, and 47% were female. The prevalence of all symptoms increased approaching death, except loneliness. Social decline (48%–78%) was the most prevalent psychosocial symptom, though loneliness was reported in less than 10% of the cohort. Caregiver distress rose over time from 15%–27%. A third of the cohort reported issues with cognitive impairment. Multivariate regression showed that physical symptoms such as uncontrolled pain, impairment in independent activities of daily living, and a high level of health instability all significantly worsened the odds of having a psychosocial symptom in the last 3 months of life.

Conclusion

In this large home care cancer cohort, trajectories of psychosocial symptoms worsened close to death. Physical symptoms, such as uncontrolled pain, were associated with having worse psychosocial symptoms at end of life.