bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Health Resort Reaction
Authors: Kuciel-Lewandowska Jadwiga , Kasperczak Michal , Szybinska Malgorzata , Gnus Jan , Paprocka-Borowicz Malgorzata
Published: January 2020

Incident tissue-damaging factors trigger a systemic response manifested by inflammatory reaction. Acute-phase proteins are a diagnostic and prognostic marker in various systemic homeostasis disorders. In the course of health resort therapy, a so-called health resort reaction is observed presenting with, e.g., exacerbation of organ-related disorders, elevated body temperature, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and leukocyte counts. The objective of the study was to demonstrate a change in the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a result of health resort radon therapy as well as to determine the relationship between this change and the phenomenon known as health resort reaction. The study was conducted in Swieradow-Zdroj resort. The study population consisted of patients undergoing radon-active water bath treatment. Standard tests were used to determine CRP levels before the treatment as well as 5 and 18 days into the treatment. The study group consisted of n = 34 patients with osteoarthritis and spondyloarthritis. The control group consisted of 17 employees of the health resort who were also burdened with osteoarthritis or spondyloarthritis yet did not undergo radon therapy and had absolutely no contact with radon materials. The study revealed no statistically significant increase in the concentration of CRP. This trial is registered with NCT03274128. The study was carried out as part of the statutory task SUB.E060.19.001.
Clinical and Biochemical Features in a Case of Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcemia Type 3 with AP2S1 Gene Mutation in Codon Arg15His
Authors: Aashiq Mohamed , Malallah Asma Jassim , Khan Farheen , Alsada Maryam
Published: January 2020

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) is usually a benign condition divided into three types. FHH-3 occurs in about 20% of the cases and is caused due to missense mutations in AP2S1 (adaptor-related protein complex 2 subunit sigma 1) involving the codon Arg15 (p.R15). We report a case of FHH-3 with a heterozygous mutation in the AP2S1 gene on chr19_47349359 C>T, c.44G>A, p.Arg15His. There are a handful of reports describing the clinical features in patients diagnosed with FHH-3. Herein, we describe the laboratory and clinical features associated with a case of FHH-3 with mutation in the Arg15His codon of the AP2S1 gene.
Autologous Micrografts from Scalp Tissue: Trichoscopic and Long‐Term Clinical Evaluation in Male and Female Androgenetic Alopecia
Authors: Gentile Pietro , Scioli Maria Giovanna , Cervelli Valerio , Orlandi Augusto , Garcovich Simone
Published: January 2020

Tissue engineering in hair regrowth aims to develop innovative and not‐invasive procedures to advance the hair regrowth. A placebo‐controlled, randomized, evaluator‐blinded, half‐head group study to compare hair regrowth with micrografts containing human hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells (HF‐MSCs) vs. placebo was reported. After 58 weeks, 27 patients displayed in the targeted area an increase of hair count and hair density, respectively, of 18.0 hairs per 0.65 cm2 and 23.3 hairs per cm2 compared with baseline, while the control area displayed a mean decrease of 1.1 hairs per 0.65 cm2 and 0.7 hairs per cm2 (control vs. treatment: P < 0.0001). After 26 months, 6 patients revealed dynamic hair loss and were retreated. More broad controlled examinations are required. HF‐MSCs contained in micrografts may represent a safe and viable treatment alternative against hair loss.
Pembrolizumab-Induced Mobitz Type 2 Second-Degree Atrioventricular Block
Authors: Khan Alisha , Riaz Sana , Carhart Robert
Published: January 2020

Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody directed towards programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and is an antineoplastic drug which has a growing variety of oncologic uses. Pembrolizumab is commonly associated with immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) but is infrequently noted to cause cardiotoxicities such as myocarditis, arrhythmias, and heart failure. The following case report illustrates the clinical course of a 67-year-old female patient with stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer who developed Mobitz type 2 second-degree atrioventricular block three weeks after receiving her first infusion of pembrolizumab. Within a few hours of presentation, she progressed to symptomatic complete heart block requiring emergent placement of a temporary transvenous pacemaker. The article further discusses proposed mechanisms to explain IRAEs and management of IRAEs. We conclude by recommending a higher degree of caution and awareness among all physicians when treating patients on immunotherapy and a multidisciplinary approach when considering resumption of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
Mixed Weak Galerkin Method for Heat Equation with Random Initial Condition
Authors: Zhou Chenguang , Zou Yongkui , Chai Shimin , Zhang Fengshan
Published: January 2020

This paper is devoted to the numerical analysis of weak Galerkin mixed finite element method (WGMFEM) for solving a heat equation with random initial condition. To set up the finite element spaces, we choose piecewise continuous polynomial functions of degree j+1 with j≥0 for the primary variables and piecewise discontinuous vector-valued polynomial functions of degree j for the flux ones. We further establish the stability analysis of both semidiscrete and fully discrete WGMFE schemes. In addition, we prove the optimal order convergence estimates in L2 norm for scalar solutions and triple-bar norm for vector solutions and statistical variance-type convergence estimates. Ultimately, we provide a few numerical experiments to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed schemes and theoretical analysis.
Layered Rare-Earth Hydroxide Unilameller Nanosheets: Synthesis, Characterization, and Adsorption
Authors: Omwoma Solomon , Stephen Odongo Adongo , Otieno Zablon , Lagat Silas , Lalah Joseph Owuor
Published: January 2020

Unilameller nanosheets with a lateral dimension of one nanometer have been isolated from a colloidal solution of europium-containing layered rare-earth hydroxide (LRH) material by the flocculation method. The nanosheets were achieved by changing pH of the colloidal solution from 6.7 to 11.5. The resultant flocculated nanosheets show high efficiency in sorption of fluoride anions from aqueous media (40 mmol/g), providing a potentially useful sorbent material for water purification technology. The sorbent material is demonstrated to be reusable for at least ten times without a significant loss of adsorption efficiency. And the results fit the Langmuir adsorption curve, indicating the chemisorption nature of the nanosheets. Most importantly, the isolated nanosheets are expected to widen the applicability and flexibility in material synthesis using two-dimensional nanomaterials.
Fixed Point Problems for Nonexpansive Mappings in Bounded Sets of Banach Spaces
Authors: Wu Xianbing
Published: January 2020

It is well known that nonexpansive mappings do not always have fixed points for bounded sets in Banach space. The purpose of this paper is to establish fixed point theorems of nonexpansive mappings for bounded sets in Banach spaces. We study the existence of fixed points for nonexpansive mappings in bounded sets, and we present the iterative process to approximate fixed points. Some examples are given to support our results.
Predicted Prognosis of Patients with Pancreatic Cancer by Machine Learning
Authors: Yokoyama Seiya , Hamada Taiji , Higashi Michiyo , Matsuo Kei , Maemura Kosei , Kurahara Hiroshi , Horinouchi Michiko , Hiraki Tsubasa , Sugimoto Tomoyuki , Akahane Toshiaki , Yonezawa Suguru , Kornmann Marko , Batra Surinder K. , Hollingsworth Michael A. , Tanimoto Akihide
Published: January 2020

Purpose:

Pancreatic cancer remains a disease of high mortality despite advanced diagnostic techniques. Mucins (MUC) play crucial roles in carcinogenesis and tumor invasion in pancreatic cancers. MUC1 and MUC4 expression are related to the aggressive behavior of human neoplasms and a poor patient outcome. In contrast, MUC2 is a tumor suppressor, and we have previously reported that MUC2 is a favorable prognostic factor in pancreatic neoplasia. This study investigates whether the methylation status of three mucin genes from postoperative tissue specimens from patients with pancreatic neoplasms could serve as a predictive biomarker for outcome after surgery.

Experimental Design:

We evaluated the methylation status of MUC1, MUC2, and MUC4 promoter regions in pancreatic tissue samples from 191 patients with various pancreatic lesions using methylation-specific electrophoresis. Then, integrating these results and clinicopathologic features, we used support vector machine-, neural network-, and multinomial-based methods to develop a prognostic classifier.

Results:

Significant differences were identified between the positive- and negative-prediction classifiers of patients in 5-year overall survival (OS) in the cross-validation test. Multivariate analysis revealed that these prognostic classifiers were independent prognostic factors analyzed by not only neoplastic tissues but also nonneoplastic tissues. These classifiers had higher predictive accuracy for OS than tumor size, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and age and can complement the prognostic value of the TNM staging system.

Conclusions:

Analysis of epigenetic changes in mucin genes may be of diagnostic utility and one of the prognostic predictors for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Comparing Patient Survival of Home Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Choi Soo Jeong , Obi Yoshitsugu , Ko Gang Jee , You Amy S. , Eriguchi Rieko , Wang Mengjing , Rhee Connie M. , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar
Published: January 2020

Background: It is not clear whether peritoneal dialysis (PD) and home hemodialysis (HHD) have similar outcomes, and little is known about how mortality associated with HHD versus PD differs according to the duration of dialysis. Methods: We examined a national cohort of incident end-stage renal disease patients that was comprised of 1,993 and 16,514 patients transitioning to HHD and PD, respectively, from 2007 to 2011. The HHD patients were matched with PD patients using propensity score (PS). Demographics, comorbidities, duration of dialysis, and body mass index were adjusted for in logistic regression models using PS matching. We matched 1,915 HHD patients with 1,915 PD patients based on the PS. The patients were categorized by their vintage (duration of dialysis) at the time of the transition to HHD or PD (<3, 3 to <12, and ≥12 months). Results: In the matched cohort, 237 and 359 deaths occurred in the HHD and PD patients, respectively (cumulative incidence 9.6 vs. 12.9/100 patient-years, p < 0.001). PD patients who transitioned within 12 months of starting dialysis had similar mortality risks, while PD patients who transitioned >12 months after starting dialysis had an 83% higher risk for mortality (hazard ratio 1.83; 95% CI 1.33–2.52). Conclusions: Whereas there was no meaningful survival difference in the first 12 months between HHD and PD, patients who transitioned to PD after 12 months of dialysis had worse survival than their HHD counterparts. Additional studies are warranted to investigate clinical implications of these differences.
The Emerging Role of Radiomics in COPD and Lung Cancer
Authors: Refaee Turkey , Wu Guangyao , Ibrahim Abdallah , Halilaj Iva , Leijenaar Ralph T.H. , Rogers William , Gietema Hester A. , Hendriks Lizza E.L. , Lambin Philippe , Woodruff Henry C.
Published: January 2020

Medical imaging plays a key role in evaluating and monitoring lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. The application of artificial intelligence in medical imaging has transformed medical images into mineable data, by extracting and correlating quantitative imaging features with patients’ outcomes and tumor phenotype – a process termed radiomics. While this process has already been widely researched in lung oncology, the evaluation of COPD in this fashion remains in its infancy. Here we outline the main applications of radiomics in lung cancer and briefly review the workflow from image acquisition to the evaluation of model performance. Finally, we discuss the current assessments of COPD and the potential application of radiomics in COPD.
Germ Cell Tumor Presenting with Precocious Puberty in a Girl in United Arab Emirates
Authors: Rana Asim Noor , Humad Hani , Muhammad Asif Aeman , Ghannam Dana , Nadeem Nadia
Published: January 2020

We herein report a rare case of malignant mixed germ cell tumor comprising both an embryonal carcinoma (60%) and a yolk sac tumor (40%). A 7-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with persistent vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, and vomiting. A CT scan of the pelvis and abdomen revealed a huge pelvic mass, 16 × 16 × 8 cm, arising from the left ovary and extending into the upper abdomen and displacing bowel loops to the sides. The mass was lobulated and heterogeneously enhancing. Initial investi­gations revealed raised values of beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (B-hCG) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). She underwent a laparotomy and a left salphingo-oophorectomy. Histopathology of the excised mass revealed a malignant mixed germ cell tumor comprising both an embryonal carcinoma (60%) and a yolk sac tumor (40%). Following surgery, she was started on adjuvant chemotherapy based on the MAKEI 96 protocol and was given 4 cycles of PEI chemotherapy (cisplatin, etoposide, and ifosfamide). Multidisciplinary team management consisting of careful initial surgery with adequate staging biopsies followed by combination chemotherapy and endocrinological evaluation and treatment can greatly improve the prognosis of these patients.
Três razões para obedecer, segundo Thomas Hobbes
Authors: Moraes Felipe Moralles e
Published: January 2020

Este artigo apresenta três interpretações conflitantes sobre o modo de justificação do dever de obediência no Leviatã de Thomas Hobbes. Estas interpretações resultam em diferentes compreensões acerca dos conceitos hobbesianos de conhecimento, estado de natureza e lei de natureza. A intenção do artigo é mostrar as deficiências das assim chamadas interpretações científica e moral, a fim de defender a interpretação de uma justificação crítica e recursiva do dever de obediência.
Increased Access to and Use of Endovascular Therapy Following Implementation of a 2-Tiered Regional Stroke System
Authors: Bosson Nichole , Gausche-Hill Marianne , Saver Jeffrey L , Sanossian Nerses , Tadeo Richard , Clare Christine , Perez Lorrie , Williams Michelle , Rasnake Sara , Nguyen Phuong-Lan , Taqui Asif , Evans-Cobb Cheryl , Gaffney Denise , Duckwiler Gary , Ganguly Gautam , Sung Gene , Kaufman Helaine , Rokos Ivan , Tarpley Jason , Anotado Jennifer , Nour May , Jocson Michelle , Ramezan Nima , Patel Nirav , Lyden Patrick , Jahan Reza , Burrus Tamika , Mack William , Ajani Zahra
Published: January 2020

Background and Purpose—

We quantified population access to endovascular-capable centers, timing, and rates of thrombectomy in Los Angeles County before and after implementing 2-tiered routing in a regional stroke system of care.

Methods—

In 2018, the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency implemented transport of patients with suspected large vessel occlusions identified by Los Angeles Motor Scale ≥4 directly to designated endovascular-capable centers. We calculated population access to a designated endovascular-capable center within 30 minutes comparing 2016, before 2-tiered system planning began, to 2018 after implementation. We analyzed data from stroke centers in the region from 1 year before and after implementation to delineate changes in rates and speed of administration of tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) and thrombectomy and frequency of interfacility transfer.

Results—

With implementation of the 2-tier system, certified endovascular-capable hospitals increased from 4 to 19 centers, and within 30-minute access to endovascular care for the public in Los Angeles County, from 40% in 2016 to 93% in 2018. Comparing Emergency Medical Services–transported stroke patients in the first post-implementation year (N=3303) with those transported in the last pre-implementation year (N=3008), age, sex, and presenting deficit severity were similar. The frequency of thrombolytic therapy increased from 23.8% to 26.9% (odds ratio, 1.2 [95% CI, 1.05–1.3];
P
=0.006), and median first medical contact by paramedic-to-needle time decreased by 3 minutes ([95% CI, 0–5]
P
=0.03). The frequency of thrombectomy increased from 6.8% to 15.1% (odds ratio, 2.4 [95% CI, 2.0–2.9];
P
<0.0001), although first medical contact-to-puncture time did not change significantly, median decrease of 8 minutes ([95% CI, −4 to 20]
P
=0.2). The frequency of interfacility transfers declined from 3.2% to 1.0% (odds ratio, 0.3 [95% CI, 0.2–0.5];
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions—

After implementation of 2-tiered stroke routing in the most populous US county, thrombectomy access increased to 93% of the population, and the frequency of thrombectomy more than doubled, whereas interfacility transfers declined.
Typification of fifty one names in Pedicularis (Orobanchaceae)

Authors: GARG ARTI , SINGH RAJEEV KUMAR
Published: January 2020

Forty five lectotypes, four second-step lectotypes and two neotypes are designated for fifty one names in Pedicularis to fix the identity and to avoid the misapplication of names. The images of the specimens of the selected lectotype and neotype at CAL are provided here being not available online.
Validation of Owenia vieitezi Díaz-Díaz, Parapar & Moreira, a polychaete from the coast of Venezuela (Annelida: Oweniidae)
Authors: DÍAZ-DÍAZ OSCAR FELIPE , PARAPAR JULIO , MOREIRA JUAN
Published: January 2020

Díaz-Díaz et al. (2018) described a new species of oweniid polychaete, Owenia vieitezi, from the north-western coast of the Gulf of Venezuela, Caribbean Sea. Although the description and figures presented by Díaz-Díaz et al. (2018) fully characterize the new species, the journal issue in which the description appeared was published online only and the article in which the new name appeared did not include a ZooBank registration number (LSID), required for validation of new species names in electronic-only publications (ICZN 2012). As a result, the name Owenia vieitezi Díaz-Díaz, Parapar & Moreira, 2018, as published in Cahiers de Biologie Marine 59: 589–597, is not available according the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999, 2012). Therefore, the present note serves to validate the name Owenia vieitezi by fulfilling the ICZN conditions for nomenclatural availability.
New cave-dwelling Plakina (Plakinidae, Homoscleromorpha, Porifera) from Martinique Island (French Antilles)
Authors: GRENIER MARIE , RUIZ CESAR , LAGE ANAIRA , PEREZ THIERRY
Published: January 2020

Knowledge of homoscleromorph sponge biodiversity has greatly improved during the last decade thanks to the increasing use of integrative taxonomy and extensive exploration of remote ecosystems. Indeed, recently described species have mostly been small sponges living in dark and near-impenetrable habitats. This work integrates morphological, cytological, ecological and molecular data to describe a new species belonging to the Plakina genus. Plakina doudou sp. nov. was found first during close inspection of photographs taken previously in a submarine cave on Martinique Island, where several new species had already been revealed. The new species lives in syntopy with P. arletensis. It is thinly encrusting, whitish in vivo, and its skeleton harbors a unique composition of diods, triods, monolophose triods and monolophose, dilophose and trilophose calthrops. Sequencing of a portion of the mitochondrial gene cox-1 indicates that the new species belongs to a well-supported clade containing the Mediterranean P. crypta and P. trilopha. However, at the time of publication of this work, we have not yet managed to identify synapomorphies that would support the different clades of Plakina. This genus includes a total of 39 species to date, of which 10 have been recorded in the Western Tropical Atlantic, and 4 in Caribbean submarine caves.
Two new species of Nealiolus Mason (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Brachistinae) reared from pest weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)
Authors: SHIMBORI EDUARDO M. , WENGRAT ANA P. G. S. , SAVARIS MARCOANDRE , GALVÃO WILLIAM B. , NANINI FREDERICO , GARCIA SARAH S. P. , CORRÊA ALBERTO S.
Published: January 2020

Here, we present the first two South American species of Nealiolus Mason (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), both reared from weevils damaging plants of economic value: Nealiolus chayohtli Wengrat & Shimbori sp. n. on Phymatophosus squameus feeding in stems of Sechium edule (chayote), and Nealiolus jaboticaba Shimbori & Wengrat sp. n. on Conotrachelus sp. in fruits of Plinia cauliflora (jaboticaba). This parasitoid genus is poorly studied, despite its potential importance as a biological control agent of several pest weevils (Curculionidae), including the cotton boll weevil. With the addition of the two new species, nine species of Nealiolus are known, three of them occurring in the Neotropical region. We also present an identification key to species of Nealiolus and DNA barcoding information for the new species.
New genus and species of Baetidae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) from Brazil
Authors: CRUZ PAULO VILELA , SALLES FREDERICO FALCÃO , HAMADA NEUSA , FALCÃO JESINE NETTO
Published: January 2020

One new taxon was brought to light during an Ephemeroptera survey in Roraima state, but it was not described. This new taxon was included in a cladistics analysis (as Gen A) in order to delimitate some Baetidae genera, and it was recovered as a new genus. Taking in account that the new genus and species status were already defined in a previously published paper, the objective of this study was to describe it based on imagoes and nymphs, and formally name it as Macuxi tunamore gen. nov. sp. nov. The new genus is sister group of Rhopyscelis Cruz, Salles & Hamada + Varipes Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty clade, and can be differentiated from both mainly by the absence of long and stout setae on femora of all legs. Several characteristics were obtained in the morphological analyses to distinguish the new genus from other genera, but the paraglossa and glossa with pectinate setae, and claw with two rows of denticles, one reduced and other with apical ones larger than the others, are highlighted.
Utilizing Objective Drought Severity Thresholds to Improve Drought Monitoring
Authors: Leasor Zachary T. , Quiring Steven M. , Svoboda Mark D.
Published: January 2020

Drought is a prominent climatic hazard in the south-central United States. Drought severity is frequently classified using the categories established by the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM). This study evaluates whether the thresholds for the standardized precipitation index (SPI) used by the USDM accurately classify drought severity. This study uses the SPI based on PRISM precipitation data from 1900 to 2015 to evaluate drought severity in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The results show that the fixed SPI thresholds for the USDM drought categories may lead to a systematic underestimation of drought severity in arid regions. To address this issue, objective drought thresholds were developed at each location by fitting a cumulative distribution function at each location to ensure that the observed frequency of drought in each severity category (D0–D4) matched the theoretical expectations of the USDM. This approach reduces the systematic biases in drought severity across the western portion of the study region. Therefore, we recommend developing objective drought thresholds for each location and SPI time scale (e.g., 1, 3, and 6 months). This method can be used to develop objective drought thresholds for any drought index and climate region of interest.
A Multiscale, Hydrometeorological Forecast Evaluation of National Water Model Forecasts of the May 2018 Ellicott City, Maryland, Flood
Authors: Viterbo Francesca , Mahoney Kelly , Read Laura , Salas Fernando , Bates Bradford , Elliott Jason , Cosgrove Brian , Dugger Aubrey , Gochis David , Cifelli Robert
Published: January 2020

The NOAA National Water Model (NWM) became operational in August 2016, producing the first ever real-time, distributed, continuous set of hydrologic forecasts over the continental United States (CONUS). This project uses integrated hydrometeorological assessment methods to investigate the utility of the NWM to predict catastrophic flooding associated with an extreme rainfall event that occurred in Ellicott City, Maryland, on 27–28 May 2018. Short-range forecasts (0–18-h lead time) from the NWM version 1.2 are explored, focusing on the quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) forcing from the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model and the corresponding NWM streamflow forecast. A comprehensive assessment of multiscale hydrometeorological processes are considered using a combination of object-based, grid-based, and hydrologic point-based verification. Results highlight the benefits and risks of using a distributed hydrologic modeling tool such as the NWM to connect operational CONUS-scale atmospheric forcings to local impact predictions. For the Ellicott City event, reasonably skillful QPF in several HRRR model forecast cycles produced NWM streamflow forecasts in the small Ellicott City basin that were suggestive of flash flood potential. In larger surrounding basins, the NWM streamflow response was more complex, and errors were found to be governed by both hydrologic process representation, as well as forcing errors. The integrated, hydrometeorological multiscale analysis method demonstrated here guides both research and ongoing model development efforts, along with providing user education and engagement to ultimately engender improved flash flood prediction.
The Sensitivity of Southeast Pacific Heat Distribution to Local and Remote Changes in Ocean Properties
Authors: Jones Daniel C. , Boland Emma , Meijers Andrew J. S. , Forget Gael , Josey Simon , Sallée Jean-Baptiste , Shuckburgh Emily
Published: January 2020

The Southern Ocean features ventilation pathways that transport surface waters into the subsurface thermocline on time scales from decades to centuries, sequestering anomalies of heat and carbon away from the atmosphere and thereby regulating the rate of surface warming. Despite its importance for climate sensitivity, the factors that control the distribution of heat along these pathways are not well understood. In this study, we use an observationally constrained, physically consistent global ocean model to examine the sensitivity of heat distribution in the recently ventilated subsurface Pacific (RVP) sector of the Southern Ocean to changes in ocean temperature and salinity. First, we define the RVP using numerical passive tracer release experiments that highlight the ventilation pathways. Next, we use an ensemble of adjoint sensitivity experiments to quantify the sensitivity of the RVP heat content to changes in ocean temperature and salinity. In terms of sensitivities to surface ocean properties, we find that RVP heat content is most sensitive to anomalies along the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), upstream of the subduction hotspots. In terms of sensitivities to subsurface ocean properties, we find that RVP heat content is most sensitive to basin-scale changes in the subtropical Pacific Ocean, around the same latitudes as the RVP. Despite the localized nature of mode water subduction hotspots, changes in basin-scale density gradients are an important controlling factor on heat distribution in the southeast Pacific.
Time Scales of Submesoscale Flow Inferred from a Mooring Array
Authors: Callies Jörn , Barkan Roy , Garabato Alberto Naveira
Published: January 2020

While the distribution of kinetic energy across spatial scales in the submesoscale range (1–100 km) has been estimated from observations, the associated time scales are largely unconstrained. These time scales can provide important insight into the dynamics of submesoscale turbulence because they help quantify to what degree the flow is subinertial and thus constrained by Earth’s rotation. Here a mooring array is used to estimate these time scales in the northeast Atlantic. Frequency-resolved structure functions indicate that energetic wintertime submesoscale turbulence at spatial scales around 10 km evolves on time scales of about 1 day. While these time scales are comparable to the inertial period, the observed flow also displays characteristics of subinertial flow that is geostrophically balanced to leading order. An approximate Helmholtz decomposition shows the order 10-km flow to be dominated by its rotational component, and the root-mean-square Rossby number at these scales is estimated to be 0.3. This rotational dominance and Rossby numbers below one persist down to 2.6 km, the smallest spatial scale accessible by the mooring array, despite substantially superinertial Eulerian evolution. This indicates that the Lagrangian evolution of submesoscale turbulence is slower than the Eulerian time scale estimated from the moorings. The observations therefore suggest that, on average, submesoscale turbulence largely follows subinertial dynamics in the 1–100-km range, even if Doppler shifting produces superinertial Eulerian evolution. Ageostrophic motions become increasingly important for the evolution of submesoscale turbulence as the scale is reduced—the root-mean-square Rossby number reaches 0.5 at a spatial scale of 2.6 km.
Subglottic Cryotherapy: A Pilot Study in New Zealand White Rabbits
Authors: Cheng Jeffrey , Everitt Jeffrey
Published: January 2020

To describe proof of concept and pilot data for a cryotherapy application in the subglottis in a rabbit airway model. Four New Zealand white rabbits (3 experimental, 1 control) underwent general anesthesia and laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. Experimental animals had cryotherapy applied with a direct contact 1.9‐mm cryoprobe. Animals were euthanized at days 0, 2, and 6 posttreatment. Histologic changes were assessed in the treated subglottic tissues. This preliminary work has demonstrated that, with early cryogenic injury in the subglottis, there is mild mucosal epithelial injury associated with submucosal edema, acute inflammatory infiltrate, and degeneration of venule endothelial cells. Mucosal epithelial repair and resolution of the inflammatory response appear to be relatively rapid. We hope that this may provide a foundation to further explore cryotherapy as a primary or adjuvant treatment option for pediatric subglottis stenosis.
Trends in mortality, co-morbidity and treatment after acute myocardial infarction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis 1998–2013
Authors: Skielta Mattias , Söderström Lars , Rantapää-Dahlqvist Solbritt , Jonsson Solveig W , Mooe Thomas
Published: January 2020

Aims:

Rheumatoid arthritis may influence the outcome after an acute myocardial infarction. We aimed to compare trends in one-year mortality, co-morbidities and treatments after a first acute myocardial infarction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis versus non-rheumatoid arthritis patients during 1998–2013. Furthermore, we wanted to identify characteristics associated with mortality.

Methods and results:

Data for 245,377 patients with a first acute myocardial infarction were drawn from the Swedish Register of Information and Knowledge about Swedish Heart Intensive Care Admissions for 1998–2013. In total, 4268 patients were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to study mortality trends over time and multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with mortality. The one-year mortality in rheumatoid arthritis patients was initially lower compared to non-rheumatoid arthritis patients (14.7% versus 19.7%) but thereafter increased above that in non-rheumatoid arthritis patients (17.1% versus 13.5%). In rheumatoid arthritis patients the mean age at admission and the prevalence of atrial fibrillation increased over time. Congestive heart failure decreased more in non-rheumatoid arthritis than in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, kidney failure, rheumatoid arthritis, prior diabetes mellitus and hypertension were associated with significantly higher one-year mortality during the study period 1998–2013.

Conclusions:

The decrease in one-year mortality after acute myocardial infarction in non-rheumatoid arthritis patients was not applicable to rheumatoid arthritis patients. This could partly be explained by an increased age at acute myocardial infarction onset and unfavourable trends with increased atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis per se was associated with a significantly worse prognosis.
Effect of Green Consumption Value on Consumption Intention in a Pro-Environmental Setting: The Mediating Role of Approach and Avoidance Motivation
Authors: Wang Jianguo , Wang Jianming , Gao Jian
Published: January 2020

Based on the theory of consumer values, this study aimed to examine the relationship between green consumption values and pro-environmental consumption intention by establishing a “value-motivation-intention” model and to check the moderation effect of green involvement. In total, 741 shoppers were recruited. Data analyses showed that (a) green consumption values positively influenced pro-environmental consumption intention; (b) the behavioral approach system positively influenced pro-environmental consumption intention, but the behavioral inhibition system did not; (c) the behavioral approach system positively mediated the relationship between green consumption values and pro-environmental consumption intention; and (d) green involvement positively moderated the relationship between green consumption values and pro-environmental consumption intention.
Nickel Catalysts Supported on Acetylene Black for High-Efficient Electrochemical Oxidation and Sensitive Detection of Glucose
Authors: Gao Xiaohui , Feng Wenshuai , Xu Yan , Jiang Yifan , Huang Cong , Yi Yougen , Guo Aimin , Qiu Xiaoqing , Chen Wei
Published: January 2020

Electrocatalytic glucose oxidation is a very important reaction in glucose fuel cell and medical diagnosis, which is limited by sluggish reaction kinetics and low diffusion coefficient. Herein, a composite (donated as Ni6/AB) consisting of atomically precise nickel catalyst with defined crystal structure [Ni6(SC12H25)12] and acetylene black(AB) has been initiated as a novel and high-efficient non-noble metal catalyst for the electrochemical oxidation of glucose benefiting from its high exposure of active sites and increased electron/mass transport. The present Ni6/AB composites display the onset potential of +1.24 V and the maximum current density of 5 mA cm−2 at the potential of +1.47 V in the electrolyte of 0.1 M KOH with 5 mM glucose. This electrochemical performance is much superior to the alone nickel catalysts, acetylene black, and previous reported nanomaterials. Furthermore, the obtained Ni6/AB composites are also expected to find important application in the electrochemical detection of glucose due to its high electrochemical performance. The sensitivity and the detection of limit are determined to be 0.7709 mA cm−2 mM−1 and 1.9 μM, respectively. Our study demonstrates that atomically precise nickel catalysts on acetylene black could be potential promising materials for next-generation energy devices and electrochemical sensors.

Graphical abstract
Nanochannel-Controlled Synthesis of Ultrahigh Nitrogen-Doping Efficiency on Mesoporous Fe/N/C Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Guo Chaozhong , Li Yanrong , Li Zhaoxu , Liu Yao , Si Yujun , Luo Zhongli
Published: January 2020

Designing appropriate methods to effectively enhance nitrogen-doping efficiency and active-site density is essential to boost the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of non-platinum Fe/N/C-type electrocatalysts. Here, we propose a facile and effective strategy to design a mesopore-structured Fe/N/C catalyst for the ORR with ultrahigh BET surface area and outstanding conductivity via nanochannels of molecular sieve-confined pyrolysis of Fe2+ions coordinated with 2,4,6-tri(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine complexes as a novel precursor with the stable coordination effect. Combining the nanochannel-confined effect with the stable coordination effect can synergistically improve the thermal stability and stabilize the nitrogen-enriched active sites, and help to control the loss of active N atoms during pyrolysis process and to further obtain a high active-site density for enhancing the ORR activity. The as-prepared Fe/N/C electrocatalyst has exhibited excellent catalytic activity with an onset potential of ~ 0.841 V (versus RHE) closely approaching the Pt/C catalyst and high long-term stability in alkaline electrolyte. Besides, low-hydrogen peroxide yield (< 6.5%) and high electron transfer number (3.88–3.94) can be found on this catalyst, indicating that it is a valuable substitute for traditional Pt/C catalysts. This work paves a new way to design high-performance Fe/N/C electrocatalysts and deepens the understanding of active site and ORR catalysis mechanism.
Free-Standing Sodium Titanate Ultralong Nanotube Membrane with Oil-Water Separation, Self-Cleaning, and Photocatalysis Properties
Authors: Shen Shuling , Wang Cheng , Sun Minquan , Jia Mengmeng , Tang Zhihong , Yang Junhe
Published: January 2020

In this work, a free-standing sodium titanate ultralong nanotube membrane for multifunctional water purification has been prepared. For obtaining this free-standing membrane with good tenacity, one-dimensional (1D) sodium titanate ultralong nanotubes with a diameter of about 48 nm and length of hundreds of micrometers were prepared from TiO2 nanoparticles by a stirring hydrothermal method, which can be easily assembled into 2D membranes by facile vacuum filtration. After modified with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS), the free-standing membrane with hydrophobic surface possesses oil-water separation, self-cleaning and photocatalytic functions at the same time, which is favorable for the recovery of membrane and decontamination of various pollutants including oils, dust, and organic dyes from water. Furthermore, this membrane also exhibits excellent alkaline, acid, and corrosive salt resistance. This free-standing sodium titanate membrane with multifunction has potential applications in efficient wastewater purification and environmental remediation.
Pericardial effusion with tamponade: bedside ultrasonography saves another life
Authors: Rosario Javier , Mangal Rohan , Houck Jessica , Slome Mary Cate , Ganti Latha
Published: January 2020

In these video clinical images, the authors present the cause for an elderly gentleman’s shortness of breath. It was presumed to be an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a condition for which he was in the process of being evaluated. However, bedside ultrasonography revealed a large pericardial effusion with tamponade. This timely diagnosis resulted in the patient being taken expeditiously to the operating room and saving his life.
Comparison of the effects of adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy for resected biliary tract cancer
Authors: Kim Hyera , Heo Mi Hwa , Kim Jin Young
Published: January 2020

Background

Biliary tract cancers (BTC) have a poor prognosis even after curative resection because of frequent local and distant recurrences. Therefore, the importance of adjuvant therapy in BTC has been advocated to improve outcomes. However, the choice of adjuvant therapy is still controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and chemotherapy on resected BTC.

Methods

We analyzed 92 patients who had curatively resected BTC and had received adjuvant CCRT or chemotherapy from January 2000 to December 2017 at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center.

Results

Of the patients, 46 received adjuvant CCRT and 46 received adjuvant chemotherapy. The median recurrence-free survival (RFS) for the adjuvant CCRT and chemotherapy groups were 13.8 and 11.2 months (p = 0.014), respectively. The median overall survival (OS) for the adjuvant CCRT and chemotherapy groups were 30.1 and 26.0 months (p = 0.222), respectively. Adjuvant CCRT had significantly better RFS and numerically higher OS than did chemotherapy. For subgroups with no lymph node (LN) involvement (RFS p = 0.006, OS p = 0.420) or negative resection margins (RFS p = 0.042, OS p = 0.098), adjuvant CCRT led to significantly longer RFS and numerically higher OS than did chemotherapy. For multivariate analysis, the pattern of adjuvant treatment (chemotherapy vs. CCRT, p = 0.004, HR 2.351), histologic grade (poor vs. well, p = 0.023, HR 4.793), and LN involvement (p = 0.028, HR 1.912) were the significant prognostic factors for RFS.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated the superiority of adjuvant CCRT over chemotherapy for improving RFS in curatively resected BTC.
Prognostic value and clinicopathological characteristics of PD-L1 overexpression in non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zeng Qiang , Liu Zhigang , Liu Ting
Published: January 2020

Background

Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) has already been detected in various carcinomas. In non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), however, the prognostic value of PD-L1 overexpression remains unclear.

Methods

A meta-analysis of 2321 NHL patients from 12 studies was performed. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the correlation between PD-L1 overexpression and prognosis of NHL, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were used to assess the association of PD-L1 overexpression with clinicopathological factors.

Results

The results showed that no significant difference between PD-L1 positive and negative groups was detected in NHL (HR: 1.40, 95% CI: 0.90–2.19; P = 0.137). Nevertheless, the results indicated that PD-L1 overexpression was associated with poor prognosis in the subtype of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (HR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.05–2.74; P = 0.031). We also performed subgroup analyses and meta-regression. The pooled OR showed that PD-L1 overexpression was associated with B symptoms, higher international prognostic index (IPI) score (3, 4, and 5 points) and Ann Arbor Stages III and IV.

Conclusions

The meta-analysis demonstrated that PD-L1 expression was not associated with prognosis of NHL but was associated with prognosis of DLBCL.
Survival and ocular preservation in a long-term cohort of Japanese patients with retinoblastoma
Authors: Ueda Tamaki , Koga Yuhki , Yoshikawa Hiroshi , Tanabe Mika , Yamana Kanako , Oba Utako , Nakashima Kentaro , Ono Hiroaki , Ichimura Takuya , Hasegawa Shunji , Kato Wakako , Kobayashi Tetsuko , Nakayama Hideki , Sakai Yasunari , Yoshitake Tadamasa , Ohga Saiji , Oda Yoshinao , Suzuki Shigenobu , Sonoda Koh-Hei , Ohga Shouichi
Published: January 2020

Background

Retinoblastoma is an ocular tumor in infants with cancer predisposition. Treatment of the rare tumor needs to be optimized for ocular preserved survival without second primary malignancy (SPM).

Methods

We studied the outcomes of all patients with retinoblastoma at a tertiary center in 1984–2016, when preservation method changed from radiotherapy (1984–2001) to systemic chemotherapy (2002–2016).

Results

One-hundred sixteen infants developed unilateral- (n = 77), bilateral- (n = 38), or trilateral-onset (n = 1) tumor. Ten (8.6%) had a positive family history, despite a few studies on RB1 gene. Contralateral disease occurred in one unilateral-onset case. One-hundred eight of 155 eyes (70%) were enucleated. Nine binocular survivors were from 5 bilateral- and 4 unilateral-onset cases. Two survivors received bilateral enucleation. Six deaths occurred; brain involvement (including 3 trilateral diseases) in 4 bilateral-onset, systemic invasion in a unilateral-onset, and SPM (osteosarcoma) in a bilateral-onset case(s). Two others survived SPM of osteosarcoma or lymphoma. The 10-year overall survival (OS: 98.5% vs. 91.3%, p = 0.068) and binocular survivors (13.2% vs. 5.2%, p = 0.154) between bilateral- and unilateral-onsets did not differ statistically. The 10-year OS and cancer (retinoblastoma/SPM)-free survival (CFS) rates of all patients were 94.9 and 88.5%, respectively. The proportion of preserved eyes did not differ between radiotherapy and chemotherapy eras. The CFS rate of bilateral-onset cases in systemic chemotherapy era was higher than that in radiotherapy era (p = 0.042). The CFS rates of bilateral-onset patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (upfront systemic therapy for preservation) was higher than those without it (p = 0.030).

Conclusions

Systemic chemotherapy and local therapy raised OS and binocular survival rates of bilateral-onset patients similarly to those of unilateral-onset patients. All but one death was associated with a probable germline defect of the RB1 gene. Neoadjuvant stratified chemotherapy may support the long-term binocular life with minimized risk of SPM.
Association between constipation and childhood nocturnal enuresis in Taiwan: a population-based matched case-control study
Authors: Hsiao Yu-Chao , Wang Jen-Hung , Chang Chia-Ling , Hsieh Chia-Jung , Chen Ming-Chun
Published: January 2020

Background

The relationship between constipation and childhood nocturnal enuresis (NE) has been previously reported; however, this relationship remains controversial. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between constipation and childhood NE.

Methods

Data from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 (LHID 2000) of Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 2000 to 2013 were collected. A total of 2286 children were enrolled in this study: a case group of 1143 children aged 5–18 years who were diagnosed with NE (NE group) and an age- and sex-matched control group of 1143 children without NE. Conditional logistic regression and odds ratio (OR) for NE were used to examine the association between constipation and childhood NE.

Results

The prevalence of NE in the case group (NE group, aged 5–18 years) was 1.03% from 2000 to 2013. The NE group had a higher percentage of constipation in 1 year before the diagnosis of NE. After stratification for sex, both boys and girls with constipation had higher OR for NE. With stratification for age, children aged 5–12 and 7–12 years had a higher OR for NE.

Conclusions

Constipation is associated with childhood NE in Taiwan, particularly in children aged 5–7 and 7–12 years.