bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BotDetector: An extreme learning machine‐based Internet of Things botnet detection model
Authors: Dong Xudong , Dong Chen , Chen Zhenyi , Cheng Ye , Chen Bo
Published: June 2020

The development of artificial intelligence has brought new methods for botnet detection. For better performance, deep learning (DL) is more and more widely employed to botnet detecting. The existing DL‐based botnet detection methods require lots of computing resources and running time. While in the real Internet of Things (IoT) environment, real‐time and low computing consumption are much needed. Therefore, the DL‐based methods seem to be powerless in real‐time IoT scenarios. For these reasons, this article proposes a botnet detection model based on extreme learning machine, named BotDetector, which can directly obtain network stream files and quickly learn without data processing to extract botnet traffic characteristics. Experiments show that BotDetector has a good performance, which can identify botnets accurately with great reduction the time consumption and resource consumption. Furthermore, BotDetector has strong applicability in real IoT scenes.
Origin and tectonic implications of granitoids from the eastern segment of the South Altyn Block, North‐western China: Constraints from petrogeochemistry, zircon U–Pb dating, and Lu–Hf isotope geochemistry
Authors: Niu Huapeng , Jiao Xiaoqin , Xie Qingbin , Zhang Yongshu , Li Xin , Wu Zhixiong , Wang Bo , Yang Xin , Li Yanan , Gao Zijie
Published: June 2020

The South Altyn Block (SAB), located along the southern margin of the Altyn Tagh in Qaidam Basin, has a significant relationship with the tectonics of the Qaidam Basin basement. This study presents the petrological features, geochemical compositions, and zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope data of four granitic plutons from the eastern segment of the SAB to constrain the petrogenesis and tectonic setting of this region during the Palaeozoic. Basing on previous U–Pb dating results, the zircon U–Pb analysis in this study suggests that Palaeozoic magmatic events can be subdivided into four episodes: Late Cambrian (approximately 502 Ma), Late Ordovician (approximately 444 Ma), Early Devonian, and Middle Permian (approximately 271 Ma). The Palaeozoic granitoids were derived mainly from Neoproterozoic juvenile crustal components, with minor palaeoproterozoic ancient materials. The S‐ and I‐type granitoids in Late Cambrian indicate a compressional tectonic environment with respect to subduction, and A‐type granitoids suggest post‐collision regime. The Late Ordovician granodiorites of A‐type imply typical magmatism within a post‐collision extensional setting. Ascribing to the subduction of Palaeo‐Tethys Ocean during the Devonian, S‐type granites were emplaced in the Early Devonian accompanied with the crust thickening. The Middle Permian magmatic events include a series of S‐type granitoids, demonstrating the setting of oceanic subduction along with the closure of the Palaeo‐Tethys Ocean.
Subduction and exhumation of Luliangshan eclogite in the North Qaidam, northern Tibet: Constraints from petrology, geochemistry and phase equilibrium modelling
Authors: Li Zhuofan , Peng Yinbiao , Yu Shengyao , Li Yang , Yao Yong , Zhao Xudong , Gao Xiangyu
Published: June 2020

Eclogites in the high‐pressure (HP) and ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) belt record important information about the subduction process and evolution history of the orogenic belt. The Luliangshan eclogites surrounded by granitic gneiss or paragneiss as lenses are exposed in the western segment of the North Qaidam UHP metamorphic belt, northwestern China. Petrology, mineral chemistry, and P–T pseudosection modelling show that the eclogites have experienced a multi‐stage metamorphic process. The peak eclogite‐facies metamorphic stage, is characterized by omphacite in matrix and as inclusion in garnet, with the peak mineral assemblages of garnet + omphacite + rutile + quartz at T > 790°C and P > 25.5 kbar. The initial HP granulite‐facies retrogression is characterized by the symplectite of diopside + plagioclase around omphacite, with P–T conditions of 911°C and 16.9 kbar. The subsequent amphibolite‐facies stage is characterized by amphibole + plagioclase symplectite around the clinopyroxene, with the metamorphic conditions of 674–686°C and 6.4–6.9 kbar. Zircon U–Pb analyses yielded two metamorphic age clusters: (a) HP granulite‐facies metamorphic age of 422–425 Ma, and (b) amphibolites‐facies retrograde age of 397–420 Ma. The protolith of eclogite have geochemical characteristics similar to those of normal mid‐ocean ridge basalt (N‐MORB); and the varying εNd(t) values (−6.3 to 2.1) indicate that the Luliangshan eclogites were derived from a mantle source with rare crustal contamination. Combining these data with previous studies, a multi‐stage tectonic model can be proposed: In the Early Neoproterozoic, the protolith of the Luliangshan eclogites were emplaced into ancient continental crust; during 460–430 Ma, following the oceanic subduction, the subduction of continental crust was dragged by the oceanic slab and continue to subduct towards the Qilian Block, and metamorphosed at the depth of at least 75 km. After a long and slow exhumation process, it returned to the shallow crust.
Nonpeghylated liposomal doxorubicin combination regimen (R‐COMP) for the treatment of lymphoma patients with advanced age or cardiac comorbidity
Authors: Rigacci Luigi , Annibali Ombretta , Kovalchuk Sofya , Bonifacio Elisabetta , Pregnolato Francesca , Angrilli Francesco , Vitolo Umberto , Pozzi Samantha , Broggi Serena , Luminari Stefano , Merli Francesco , Spina Michele , Bolis Silvia , Margiotta‐Casaluci Gloria , Scalzulli Rosario , Cox Christina , Mamusa Angela Maria , Santoro Armando , Zinzani Pier Luigi , Ferrari Samantha , Gini Guido , Vigliotti Maria Luigia , Mulè Antonino , Flenghi Leonardo ,   Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL)
Published: June 2020

Doxorubicin is the most effective single agent in the treatment of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Its use is limited because of the cardiac toxicity primarily in elderly patients (pts) and in pts with history of cardiac disease. Liposomal doxorubicin has been proven to reduce cardiotoxicity. The aim of this retrospective study was the use of nonpeghylated liposomal doxorubicin (NPLD) in term of efficacy, response rate and incidence of cardiac events. We retrospectively collected the experience of 33 Hematological Italian Centers in using NPLD. Nine hundred and forty‐six consecutive pts treated with R‐COMP (doxorubicin was substituted with NPLD, Myocet) were collected. Median age was 74 years, the reasons for use of NPLD were: age (466 pts), cardiac disease (298 pts), uncontrolled hypertension (126 pts), other reasons (56 pts). According to clinicians' evaluation, 49.9% of pts would not have used standard doxorubicin for different situations (age, cardiomyopathy, previous use of doxorubicin, and uncontrolled hypertension). Overall 687 pts (72.6%) obtained a complete remission (CR). About 5% (n = 51) of subjects developed major cardiotoxic events including heart failure (N = 31), ischemic heart disease (N = 16), acute heart attack (N = 3), and acute pulmonary oedema (N = 1). After a median follow‐up of 32 months, 651 pts were alive and the overall survival (OS) was 72%. After a median observation period of 23 months disease free survival (DFS) was 58%. Either in univariate or in multivariate analysis OS and DFS were not significantly affected by age or cardiac disease. Our findings strongly support that including R‐COMP is effective and safe when the population is at high risk of cardiac events and negatively selected. Moreover, the use of this NPLD permitted that about half of our population had the opportunity to receive the best available treatment.
Making the right friends: A social network perspective on newcomer socialization in teams
Authors: Yuan Zhenyu , Li Ning , Mai Yiyuan , Ye Zhuxin , Yu Jia (Joya)
Published: June 2020

Despite the prevalence of work teams in organizations, how newcomers become integrated into teams remains an understudied area. Drawing on research related to indirect social resources, in this paper we employ a social network perspective to examine how close teammates' friendship centrality can facilitate newcomers' adjustment by fostering the newcomers' own social capital in teams and promoting their subsequent task performance. Furthermore, our model incorporates institutionalized socialization tactics and political skill as two contingencies that can further strengthen the positive effects of indirect social resources on newcomers' adjustment. In a time‐lagged study using multiple sources of data, we found good support for our hypotheses. Specifically, close teammates' friendship centrality was positively related to newcomers' task performance through the mediating effect of newcomers' own friendship centrality in teams. The two moderators further strengthened this indirect effect. Overall, this study highlights the importance of “making the right friends” to facilitate newcomer adjustment into teams.
Prevalence of high‐risk human papillomavirus after HPV‐vaccination in Denmark
Authors: Lynge Elsebeth , Thamsborg Lise , Larsen Lise Grupe , Christensen Jette , Johansen Tonje , Hariri Jalil , Christiansen Sanne , Rygaard Carsten , Andersen Berit
Published: June 2020

Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) has been introduced as a public health initiative in many countries, including Denmark since October 2008. It is important to monitor postimplementation effectiveness of HPV‐vaccination at the population‐level. We studied HPV‐prevalence after first invitation to screening at age 23 years in women offered the quadrivalent HPV‐vaccine at the age of 14 years. Randomly selected screening samples from women born in 1994 in four out of five Danish regions were subjected to analysis for HPV in addition to routine cytology. Cobas4800 was used in all participating pathology departments. Data from a Danish prevaccination cross‐sectional study using Hybrid Capture 2, and a Danish split‐sample study using Cobas4800 were used for comparison. In the period from February 2017 to April 2019, 6233 screening samples from women born in 1994 were selected for HPV‐analysis; 27 samples had no HPV‐test and 3 samples had no HPV‐diagnosis, leaving 6203 samples with an HPV‐diagnosis. Prevalence of any high‐risk (HR) HPV was 35%; only 0.9% were positive for vaccine HPV types 16/18 while the remaining 34% were positive for other HR HPV. When comparing with prevaccination prevalence data, HPV‐16/18 decreased by 95%; RR = 0.05 (95% CI 0.04‐0.06), while other HR HPV remained fairly constant; RR = 0.88 (95% CI 0.82‐0.94) and RR = 0.95 (95% CI 0.88‐1.03), respectively. One‐third of women vaccinated as girls with the quadrivalent HPV‐vaccine were HR HPV‐positive at time of first invitation to screening. Vaccine HPV‐types 16 and 18 were almost eliminated, while the prevalence of nonvaccine HR HPV‐types remained constant.
VacA genotypes and cagA‐EPIYA‐C motifs of Helicobacter pylori and gastric histopathological lesions
Authors: El Khadir Mounia , Boukhris Alaoui Samia , Benajah Dafr‐Allah , Ibrahimi Sidi Adil , Chbani Laila , El Abkari Mohamed , Bennani Bahia
Published: June 2020

Helicobacter pylori infection induces inflammation of the gastric mucosa, which may progress to precancerous lesions and gastric cancer. The gastric histo‐pathological damages may be associated with some virulence genes of the bacterium, notably vacA and cagA genes. To establish correlations between these genes and the lesions, biopsies from 1303 adults consenting patients that were previously analyzed by PCR to characterize vacA‐s vacA‐m, vacA‐i regions and cagA 3′ region polymorphism, were used. The highest average age was obtained in patients with intestinal metaplasia (53.65 ± 15.26 years) and gastric cancer (53.60 ± 14.32 years). Thus, these lesions are more frequent in elderly and male subjects. Tobacco smoking was significantly associated with neutrophilic activity (P = .02). No significant association was obtained between patients with chronic inflammation and vacA and cagA H. pylori genotypes. However, a significant association has been obtained between this lesion and cagA+ in aged patients (P = .02), while intestinal metaplasia was significantly associated with vacAi1 and vacAm1 separately (P < .01 and .01). Also, a significant association was obtained between intestinal metaplasia and strains with one EPIYA‐C motif in young patients (P = .001). Interestingly, a significant association was obtained between gastric cancer and cagA+, vacAi1, vacAm1 H. pylori genotypes and also with two EPIYA‐C motifs independently of age groups (all P < .05). The results of our study show that H. pylori vacAi1 could be more potent than the other H. pylori virulent factors for predicting the precancerous gastric lesions, confirming that this gene may be helpful to identify patients at high risk for gastric cancer.
Successful pembrolizumab treatment in a patient with metastatic urothelial carcinoma and underlying overlap syndrome involving systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Kurokawa Masayuki , Naito Sei , Ito Suguru , Takai Satoshi , Kawamura Yuko , Kaneko Hisashi , Kakizaki Hiroshi , Tsuchiya Norihiko
Published: June 2020

Introduction

The safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab administration in patients with urothelial carcinoma and underlying autoimmune disease (including overlap syndrome) is unknown.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 67‐year‐old woman with cT3N2M0 metastatic renal pelvic cancer who had been treated with prednisolone for overlap syndrome involving systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus for 20 years. She had a remarkable response to pembrolizumab as a third‐line systemic therapy, wherein the tumor reduced in size and all regional lymph node and pulmonary metastases disappeared. She did not develop any immune‐related adverse events or autoimmune disease flare‐ups during the treatment.

Conclusion

This case report suggests that pembrolizumab could be beneficial to patients with urothelial carcinoma and underlying well‐controlled overlap syndrome.
Using telehealth to teach valued skills to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Authors: Pellegrino Azure J. , DiGennaro Reed Florence D.
Published: June 2020

Telehealth uses electronic information and telecommunication technologies to deliver long‐distance clinical services. It has successfully been used by clinical professionals to teach family and staff members to provide evidence‐based assessment and treatment procedures. There is no research to date, however, evaluating the use of telehealth to directly teach individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Thus, we evaluated the efficacy of a telehealth intervention using total task chaining with least‐to‐most prompting delivered via videoconference to 2 adults with IDD. Both participants demonstrated low independent responding during baseline with enhanced written instructions present. During intervention, which included vocal and model prompting, both participants met the mastery criterion for each skill in fewer than 15 sessions, which maintained after 2 weeks. Finally, both participants expressed satisfaction with the goals, procedures, and effects of the intervention. We discuss the broader scope of the intervention for individuals with disabilities when face‐to‐face services may not be feasible.
Medication‐related 30‐day rehospitalizations in palliative care patients
Authors: Pruskowski Jennifer A. , Ruby Christine M. , Berenbrok Lucas A. , Seybert Amy L. , Handler Steven M.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Prior studies suggest that inpatient palliative care services can reduce rehospitalizations. However, medications commonly prescribed by palliative care providers (eg, opioids, benzodiazepines, and antipsychotics) have been independently associated with rehospitalizations. Little is known regarding the role of adverse drug reaction (ADR)‐related rehospitalizations within the palliative care population.

Objective

To determine the prevalence and explore predictors of ADR‐related 30‐day rehospitalizations in an inpatient palliative care population.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study that included 284 palliative care patients who were readmitted within 30‐days of discharge from two academic hospitals in Western Pennsylvania. All unplanned rehospitalizations were assessed for medication causality via the Naranjo algorithm by at least two independent reviewers.

Results

The mean (SD) age of the cohort was 61 (16) years and included 45% (n = 127) female and 81% Caucasians (n = 229). Of the 254 unplanned rehospitalizations, 11 (4%) were classified as doubtful ADRs, 224 (88%) were classified as possible ADRs, and 19 (7%) were defined as probable or definite ADR‐related. Tacrolimus was associated with three probable and one definite ADR‐related rehospitalization. Oncologic agents (eg, venetoclax, nivolumab, vincristine, and decitabine, carfilzomib; n = 5), anticoagulants (eg, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and warfarin; n = 4), antimicrobials (eg, cephalexin and vancomycin; n = 2), potassium chloride (n = 2), lorazepam (n = 1), and nicotine replacement (n = 1) were all associated with probable ADRs. Only the number of medication changes during the index admissions was observed as a statistically significant predictor of rehospitalizations in this population (P = .043).

Conclusions

Palliative care patients often suffer from potential ADR‐related rehospitalizations and the number of medication changes during the index hospital admissions is associated with future potential ADRs. Clinical pharmacists should consider these findings when developing initiatives to reduce rehospitalizations in the inpatient palliative care patient population.
Partnerships between universities and nonprofit transition coaching organizations to increase student success
Authors: Farruggia Susan P. , Solomon Bonnie , Back Lindsey , Coupet Jason
Published: June 2020

Aims

This study aims to understand the motivations and benefits for universities and nonprofit college access and success organizations to develop formal partnerships.

Methods

Participants in this study were staff from a major urban research university (n = 22) and four nonprofit organizations (n = 17) that promote college access and success among underrepresented, low‐income, and first‐generation college students. Participants engaged in an audio‐recorded interview that was transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Data suggested that staff from the universities and nonprofit organizations were both holistic in their understanding of college student success. In addition, they were both motivated to form partnerships in an effort to reduce barriers to success, although they, at times, identified different barriers that they wanted the partnership to address. Both university and nonprofit staff saw increased effectiveness of their practice as a result of partnering and university staff gained a better understanding of the greater nonprofit college access and success community.

Conclusion

Given the intense support that nonprofit organizations are able to provide with their level of funding, partnerships with universities can increase the success of underrepresented, low‐income, and first‐generation college students.
Retracted: Paeoniflorin promotes angiogenesis and tissue regeneration in a full‐thickness cutaneous wound model through the PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Dong Xiaoyu , He Zili , Xiang Guangheng , Cai Leyi , Xu Zhenjiang , Mao Cong , Feng Yongzeng
Published: June 2020

The treatment of wounds remains a clinical challenge because of poor angiogenesis under the wound bed, and increasingly, the patients' need for functional and aesthetically pleasing scars. For the wound healing process, new blood vessels which can deliver nutrients and oxygen to the wound area are necessary. In this study, we investigated the pro‐angiogenesis ability and mechanism in wound healing of paeoniflorin (PF), which is a traditional Chinese medicine. In our in vitro results, the ability for proliferation, migration and in vitro angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells was promoted by coculturing with PF (1.25–5 μM). Meanwhile, molecular docking studies revealed that PF has excellent binding abilities to phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT), and consistent with our western blot results, that PF suppressed PI3K and AKT phosphorylation. Furthermore, to investigate the healing effect of PF in vivo, we constructed a full‐thickness cutaneous wound model in rats. PF stimulated the cellular proliferation status, collagen matrix deposition and remodeling processes in vitro and new blood vessel formation at the wound bed resulting in efficient wound healing after intragastric administration of 10 mg·kg−1·day−1 in vivo. Overall, PF performed the pro‐angiogenetic effect in vitro and accelerating wound healing in vivo. In summary, the capacity for angiogenesis in endothelial cells could be enhanced by PF treatment via the PI3K/AKT pathway in vitro and could accelerate the wound healing process in vivo through collagen deposition and angiogenesis in regenerated tissue. This study provides evidence that application of PF represents a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of cutaneous wounds.
The alterations of circular RNA expression in plasma exosomes from patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Tan Guifeng , Wang Limin , Liu Yunyun , Zhang Han , Feng Wenhui , Liu Zhonglin
Published: June 2020

Schizophrenia (SZ) is characterized by a high morbidity and disability rate and has gradually increased in rate and caused much burden. However, the pathogenesis of SZ is elusive and may include changes in the biological molecules in exosomes. In this study, we first compared the alterations of plasma exosomal circular RNAs (exo‐circRNAs) from SZ patients and matched health controls by high‐throughput sequencing. We further explored whether plasma exo‐circRNAs can be estimable targets for researching the pathogenesis, potential diagnostic biomarkers, and therapeutic strategy of SZ. A total of 44 plasma exo‐circRNAs were differentially expressed between SZ patients and matched Health Controls, including 38 upregulated circRNAs and six downregulated circRNAs (fold change ≥2; p < .05). Eight differentially expressed circRNAs were verified by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and four out of eight circRNAs were positively confirmed and contained binding sites to many microRNAs. Bioinformatics analysis, including Gene Ontology analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, showed that these differentially expressed circRNAs played potential roles in pathogenesis, especially regarding the metabolic process, stress response, and histone ubiquitination. In conclusion, this study supplies a new window for understanding the pathogenesis of SZ at molecular levels, and serves as a tool for better exploring potential diagnostic biomarkers and the therapeutic strategy for SZ.
Nur77 deficiency exacerbates cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction by promoting endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition
Authors: Chen Jiahui , Jia Jianguo , Ma Leilei , Li Bingyu , Qin Qing , Qian Juying , Ge Junbo
Published: June 2020

Cardiac fibrosis is a reparative process after myocardial infarction (MI), which leads to cardiac remodeling and finally heart failure. Endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is induced after MI and contributes to cardiac fibrosis after MI. Orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 is a key regulator of inflammation, angiogenesis, proliferation, and apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells. Here, we investigated the role of orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 in EndMT and cardiac fibrosis after MI. Cardiac fibrosis was induced through MI by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. We demonstrated that Nur77 knockout aggravated cardiac dysfunction and cardiac fibrosis 30 days after MI. Moreover, Nur77 deficiency resulted in enhanced EndMT as shown by increased expression of FSP‐1, SM22α, Snail, and decreased expression of PECAM‐1 and eNOS compared with wild‐type mice after MI. Then, we found overexpression Nur77 in human coronary artery endothelial cells significantly inhibited interleukin 1β and transforming growth factor β2‐induced EndMT, as shown by a reduced transition to a fibroblast‐like phenotype and preserved angiogenesis potential. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that Nur77 downregulated EndMT by inhibiting the nuclear factor‐κB‐dependent pathway. In conclusion, Nur77 is involved in cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting EndMT and may be a promising target for therapy of cardiac fibrosis after MI.
Effects of ultraviolet photooxidation of cypermethrin on the activities of phosphatases and digestive enzymes, and intestinal histopathology in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)
Authors: Adeyemi Joseph A. , Olise Christian C. , Bamidele Olufemi Samuel , Akinola Busuyi K.
Published: June 2020

The possibility of ultraviolet (UV) photooxidation of cypermethrin generating more toxic intermediates or isomers demands that studies that look at the effects of cypermethrin and UV irradiation under a coexposure scenario be carried out. In this study, juvenile African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were exposed to 50 µg/L cypermethrin, 100 µg/L cypermethrin, UV, 50 µg/L cypermethrin + UV or 100 µg/L cypermethrin + UV, in a static renewal for 3 weeks. The control fish were maintained in uncontaminated water, and not exposed to UV radiation. After the exposure duration, the fish were killed, and the activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, protease, and lipase were determined in the liver or intestinal homogenates. Also, the histopathology of some sections of the intestine was performed. The results showed that the activities of the enzymes decreased significantly following exposure to cypermethrin while there was no change in the activities of the enzymes due to UV irradiation alone. The histopathological analyses indicated that exposure to cypermethrin caused alterations in the histoarchitecture of the fish such as severe erosion of the mucosa layer, faded lamina propria, and disintegration of the muscle layer. The exposure of fish to both cypermethrin and UV irradiation caused significant decrease in the activities of the enzymes. This could be an indication that UV irradiation has the tendency to potentiate cypermethrin‐induced toxicity in fish.
Preferences for long‐acting Pre‐Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among South African youth: results of a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Minnis Alexandra M , Atujuna Millicent , Browne Erica N , Ndwayana Sheily , Hartmann Miriam , Sindelo Siyaxolisa , Ngcwayi Nangamso , Boeri Marco , Mansfield Carol , Bekker Linda‐Gail , Montgomery Elizabeth T
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Existing biomedical HIV prevention options, though highly effective, present substantial adherence challenges. End‐user input on early‐stage design of new HIV prevention approaches is critical to yielding products that achieve high uptake and adherence. The iPrevent Study examined youths’ preferences for key attributes of long‐acting Pre‐Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), with a focus on characteristics pertinent to product delivery alongside key modifiable product attributes.

Methods

A discrete choice experiment was conducted with female and male youth aged 18 to 24 in two high‐density communities in Cape Town, South Africa during the period July 2017 to January 2019. Sexually active, PrEP‐naïve youth were recruited using population‐based sampling; targeted sampling was used to enrol men who have sex with men (MSM). In a series of nine questions, participants were asked to choose between two hypothetical products composed of five attributes (form, dosing frequency, access, pain, insertion site). We used a random‐parameters logit model to estimate preference weights and trade‐offs among product alternatives. We examined differences across three subgroups: females, men who have sex with only women (MSW) and MSM.

Results

A total of 807 participants (401 female) were enrolled with a median age of 21 years. Males included 190 MSM. Most youth had tested for HIV (95%) and reported being HIV‐negative (91%). Across all groups, duration of effectiveness was the most important attribute, with strong preference for less frequent dosing. Injections were favoured over implants, though these preferences were strongest for females and MSM. Females preferred a product offered at a health clinic and disliked pharmacy access; all groups preferred the arm as the insertion site. Youth were willing to trade their preferred product form for longer duration.

Conclusions

Youth indicated strong preferences for longer duration products. Each attribute nonetheless influenced preferences, offering insight into trade‐offs that inform long‐acting PrEP development.
Dysregulation of the immune response affects the outcome of critical COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Wei Lin‐lin , Wang Wen‐jing , Chen De‐xi , Xu Bin
Published: June 2020

Critical cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) are associated with a high risk of mortality. It remains unclear why patients with the same critical condition have different outcomes. We aimed to explore relevant factors that may affect the prognosis of critical COVID‐19 patients. Six critical COVID‐19 inpatients were included in our study. The six patients were divided into two groups based on whether they had a good or poor prognosis. We collected peripheral blood samples at admission and the time point of exacerbation to compare differences in the phenotypes and functions of major populations of immune cells between the groups. On admission, compared to patients with poor prognoses, those with good prognoses had significantly higher counts of monocytes (P < .05), macrophages (P < .05), higher frequency of CD3+CD4+CD45RO+CXCR3+ subsets (P < .05), higher frequency of CD14+CD11C+HLA‐DR+ subset of dendritic cells (P < .05), and a lower count of neutrophils (P < .05). At the time point of exacerbation, the proportions of naïve CD4+ T cells (P < .05), Tregs, and Th2 cells in the poor prognosis group were relatively higher than those in the good prognosis group, and CD4+ memory T cells were relatively lower (P < .05). According to our results, the poor prognosis group showed a worse immune response than the good prognosis group at the time of admission and at exacerbation. Dysregulation of the immune response affects the outcome of critical COVID‐19 patients.
Impact of comorbidities on patients with COVID‐19: A large retrospective study in Zhejiang, China
Authors: Ye Chanyuan , Zhang Shanyan , Zhang Xiaoli , Cai Huan , Gu Jueqing , Lian Jiangshan , Lu Yingfeng , Jia Hongyu , Hu Jianhua , Jin Ciliang , Yu Guodong , Zhang Yimin , Sheng Jifang , Yang Yida
Published: June 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has become a serious public health problem worldwide. Here, we stratified COVID‐19 patients based on their comorbidities to assess their risk of serious adverse outcomes. We collected 856 hospitalized cases diagnosed with COVID‐19 from 17 January to 7 February 2020, in Zhejiang Province, and analyzed their comorbidities and composite endpoint (including admission to intensive care unit owing to disease progression, shock, invasive ventilation, and death) to determine the relationship between comorbidities and adverse outcomes. The median age of patients was 46 (36‐56) years; 439 (51.3%) were men, 242 (28.3%) had comorbidities, and 152 (17.8%) had two or more comorbidities. The most common comorbidity was hypertension (142 [16.6%]), followed by diabetes (64 [7.5%]). Of the 856 patients, there are 154 (18.0%) severe cases. Thirty‐two (3.7%) reached composite endpoints, of which 22 (9.1%) were from the comorbidity group and 10 (1.6%) from the non‐comorbidity group (P <  .001). After adjusting for age and gender status, the risk of reaching the composite endpoint was higher in the group with comorbidity than in that without comorbidity (hazard ratio [HR] 3.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40‐6.60). HR values for patients with one, two, and three or more comorbidities were 1.61 (95% CI: 0.44‐5.91), 3.44 (95% CI: 1.31‐9.08), and 6.90 (95% CI: 2.69‐17.69), respectively. COVID‐19 patients with comorbidities had worse clinical outcomes as compared with those without any comorbidity. The higher the number of comorbidities, the greater was the risk of serious adverse outcomes.
Comparison and application of different immunoassay methods for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: He Jingyun , Hu Peng , Gao Yu , Zheng Shengwei , Xu Chao , Liu Rongzhi , Fang Li , Li Ran , Han Congyin , An Juanjuan , Dong Jinchun , Deng Gang , Sun Lei , Lv Yunfeng
Published: June 2020

The detection data of IgM and IgG antibodies in 169 patients with coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) were analyzed to evaluate differences in clinical performance between the colloidal gold method and chemiluminescence method. In this study, chemiluminescence detection of IgM antibody showed a positive conversion earlier (about 1‐2 days earlier), positive conversion rates higher in different stages of disease, and a trend of declining positive rate later than colloidal gold method. For IgG antibody, the chemiluminescence method showed a positive conversion earlier and the positive rate climbing more quickly than the colloidal gold method. No obvious negative‐converting tendency of IgG detection was observed within 35 days after the onset of disease. Although colloidal gold method is generally less sensitive than chemiluminescence method, it shows advantages of shorter turn‐around time, more simple procedure, and no special equipment required. The two methodologies can be chosen according to different laboratory conditions.

A reasonable understanding of the performance of reagents with different methodologies can help in clinical disease diagnosis effectively and assist in the diagnosis of the progression of COVID‐19, for which the dynamic changes of antibody will provide reliable evidence.
Highly tunable multi‐band THz absorber with circuit model representation using multi‐bias scheme
Authors: Aghaee Toktam , Orouji Ali A.
Published: June 2020

Utilizing a double bias scheme for graphene patterns as a single layer, a THz meta‐surface structure is proposed. The structure includes two dual bias layers and a graphene continuous sheet on top. So five possible biases are available which lead to a highly tunable absorption response. All consisting parts are modeled via passive circuit elements to obtain whole device input impedance. Then impedance matching theory is used to investigate potential frequencies for perfect absorption. Also, ample simulations are performed to show the validity and accuracy of theoretical descriptions. According to the simulation results in the conventional finite element method as a reference approach is in acceptable agreement with the developed circuit model approach. The proposed structure shows nearly perfect absorption in 5, 6, 7, and 8 THz with absorption rate over 90%. Such a tunable reaction is in incredible requests in optical systems and has various applications in structuring sensors, modulators, and photonic functions.
Syncope, Brugada syndrome, and COVID‐19 lung disease
Authors: Pasquetto Giampaolo , Conti Giovanni Battista , Susana Angela , Leone Lucia Anna , Bertaglia Emanuele
Published: June 2020

A 52‐year‐old male with no history of familiar sudden death arrived at our Emergency Department after syncope with loss of consciousness occurred during high fever. The thoracic high‐resolution computed tomography demonstrated bilateral multiple ground‐glass opacities. The nose‐pharyngeal swab resulted positive for SARS‐CoV‐2. The 12‐lead ECG presented a “coved‐type” aspect in leads V1 and V2 at the fourth intercostal space and a first degree atrio‐ventricular block. As soon as the temperature went down, the 12‐lead ECG resumed a normal aspect, maintaining a long PR interval.
The pyrolysis of propane
Authors: Cassady Séan J. , Choudhary Rishav , Boddapati Vivek , Pinkowski Nicolas H. , Davidson David F. , Hanson Ronald K.
Published: June 2020

The pyrolysis of propane plays an important role in determining the combustion properties of natural gas mixtures and offers insight into the cracking patterns of larger fuels. This work investigates propane pyrolysis behind reflected shock waves with a multiwavelength laser‐absorption speciation technique. Nine laser wavelengths, sensitive to key pyrolysis species, were used to measure absorbance time histories during the decomposition of 2% propane in argon between 1022 and 1467 K, 3.7‐4.3 atm. Absorbance models were developed at each diagnostic wavelength to interrogate common initial conditions, and time histories of all major species are reported at 1250, 1290, 1330, 1370, and 1410 K. Nearly complete carbon recovery observed at lower temperatures enabled the inference of hydrogen formation from atomic conservation, while decaying carbon recovery at high temperatures suggests the formation of allene and 1‐butene. The results show systematically faster pyrolysis than predicted by kinetic modeling and motivate further study into the kinetics of propane pyrolysis.
Identification of a novel gross deletion of TCOF1 in a Chinese prenatal case with Treacher Collins syndrome
Authors: Liu Jing , Lin Pengsiyuan , Pang Jialun , Jia Zhengjun , Peng Ying , Xi Hui , Wu Lingqian , Li Zhuo , Wang Hua
Published: June 2020

Background

Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is the most common mandibulofacial dysostosis with an autosomal dominant or rarely recessive manner of inheritance. It is still challenging to make a definite diagnosis for affected fetuses with TCS only depending on the ultrasound screening. Genetic tests can contribute to the accurate diagnosis for those prenatal cases.

Methods

Targeted exome sequencing was performed in a fetus of a Chinese family, who presenting an abnormal facial appearance by prenatal 2D and 3D ultrasound screening, including micrognathia, nasal bridge pit, and abnormal auricle. The result was validated with multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR).

Results

A novel 2–6 exons deletion of TCOF1 gene was identified and confirmed by the MLPA and qPCR in the fetus, which was inherited from the affected father with similar facial anomalies.

Conclusion

The heterozygous deletion of 2–6 exons in TCOF1 results in the TCS of this Chinese family. Our findings not only enlarge the spectrum of mutations in TCOF1 gene, but also highlight the values of combination of ultrasound and genetics tests in diagnosis of craniofacial malformation‐related diseases during perinatal period.
Deep learning applications in automatic needle segmentation in ultrasound‐guided prostate brachytherapy
Authors: Wang Fuyue , Xing Lei , Bagshaw Hilary , Buyyounouski Mark , Han Bin
Published: June 2020

Purpose

High‐Dose‐Rate (HDR) brachytherapy is one of the most effective ways to treat the prostate cancer, which is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. This treatment delivers highly conformal dose through the transperineal needle implants and is guided by a real time ultrasound (US) imaging system. Currently, the brachytherapy needles in the US images are manually segmented by physicists during the treatment, which is time consuming and error prone. In this study, we propose a set of deep learning–based algorithms to accurately segment the brachytherapy needles and locate the needle tips from the US images.

Methods

Two deep neural networks are developed to address this problem. First, a modified deep U‐Net is used to segment the pixels belonging to the brachytherapy needles from the US images. Second, an additional VGG‐16–based deep convolutional network is combined with the segmentation network to predict the locations of the needle tips. The networks are trained and evaluated on a clinical US images dataset with labeled needle trajectories collected in our hospital (Institutional Review Board approval (IRB 41755)).

Results

The evaluation results show that our method can accurately extract the trajectories of the needles with a resolution of 0.668 mm and 0.319 mm in x and y direction, respectively. 95.4% of the x direction and 99.2% of the y direction have error ≤ 2 mm. Moreover, the position resolutions of the tips are 0.721, 0.369, and 1.877 mm in x, y, and z directions, respectively, while 94.2%, 98.3%, and 67.5% of the data have error ≤ 2 mm.

Conclusions

This paper proposed a neural network‐based algorithm to segment the brachytherapy needles from the US images and locate the needle tip. It can be used in the HDR brachytherapy to help improve the efficiency and quality of the treatments.
Polish versions of the Qualiveen and the SF‐Qualiveen: Translation and validation of urinary disorder‐specific instruments in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Przydacz Mikolaj , Kornelak Pawel , Golabek Tomasz , Dudek Przemyslaw , Chlosta Piotr
Published: June 2020

Aims

No specific questionnaire to date has been available in Polish for evaluating health‐related quality of life for urinary dysfunctions associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt, and validate Polish versions of the Qualiveen and SF‐Qualiveen for use in patients with MS.

Methods

Cross‐cultural adaptation of the original English Qualiveen and SF‐Qualiveen into Polish was performed according to international recommended and standard procedures. Adult patients with MS of the Department of Urology at the Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland, completed the Qualiveen, SF‐Qualiveen, and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Short Form (ICIQ‐SF) twice: at baseline and 2 weeks later.

Results

One hundred eighty‐nine Polish‐speaking patients with MS completed the questionnaires. An intercorrelation study revealed that internal consistency was good for the total Qualiveen and SF‐Qualiveen (Cronbach's α >0.8). Test‐retest reliability (reproducibility) demonstrated strong stability (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.8). Content validities were optimal. Significant relationships between the Qualiveen and the ICIQ‐SF, as well as the SF‐Qualiveen and the ICIQ‐SF, confirmed good construct/criterion validity.

Conclusion

The Polish Qualiveen and SF‐Qualiveen are reliable, valid, and consistent measures of urinary disorder‐specific quality of life in patients with MS. After years of no appropriate Polish instrument being available for healthcare professionals to evaluate patients with MS, we provide these versions and recommend their use in research and clinical practice in Poland.
Superficial peroneal neuromodulation of nonobstructive urinary retention in cats
Authors: Zhao Jun , Chen Jialiang , Guo Wenbin , Shapiro Katherine , Mohapatra Anand , Zhong Yihua , Armann Kody , Shen Bing , Wang Jicheng , Beckel Jonathan , de Groat William C. , Tai Changfeng
Published: June 2020

Aims

To determine if superficial peroneal nerve stimulation (SPNS) can improve nonobstructive urinary retention (NOUR).

Methods

In α‐chloralose anesthetized cats, NOUR was induced by repetitive application (4‐16 times) of 30‐minute tibial nerve stimulation (TNS: 5 Hz frequency, 0.2 ms pulse width) at 4 to 6 times threshold intensity (T) for inducing toe twitches. SPNS (1 Hz, 0.2 ms) at 2 to 4 times threshold intensity (T) for inducing posterior thigh muscle contractions was applied either continuously (SPNSc) during a cystometrogram (CMG) or during voiding (SPNSv) by a surgically implanted cuff electrode or by skin surface electrodes to determine if the stimulation reduced NOUR induced by prolonged TNS.

Results

During control CMGs, efficient (86.4% ± 5.5%) voiding occurred with a postvoid residual (PVR) volume equal to 14.9% ± 6.2% of control bladder capacity. NOUR elicited by prolonged TNS significantly (P < .05) increased bladder capacity to 168.6% ± 15.5% of control, reduced voiding efficiency to 30.4% ± 4.8%, and increased PVR to 109% ± 9.2% of control. Using the implanted cuff electrode, SPNSc and SPNSv significantly (P < .05) increased voiding efficiency to 66.7% ± 7.4% and 65.0% ± 5.9%, respectively, and reduced PVR to 52.2% ± 11.4% and 64.3% ± 11.6%, respectively. SPNSc but not SPNSv significantly (P < .05) reduced bladder capacity to 133.4% ± 15% of control. Transcutaneous SPNSv but not SPNSc also significantly (P < .05) reversed the TNS‐induced NOUR responses.

Conclusions

This study shows that SPNS is effective in reversing NOUR induced by prolonged TNS. Transcutaneous SPNS provides the opportunity to develop a noninvasive neuromodulation therapy for NOUR to treat more patients than current sacral neuromodulation therapy.
Learn to create ‘culture of care’ within your department
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: June 2020

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The level of caring and inclusiveness in your department is an important consideration.
Kwakhurin‐magnetic particles conjugates enable fast enzyme immunoassay for the detection of kwakhurin in Pueraria candollei
Authors: Sakamoto Seiichi , Eto Ryota , Nuntawong Poomraphie , Yusakul Gorawit , Juengwatanatrakul Thaweesak , Putalun Waraporn , Fujii Shunsuke , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Morimoto Satoshi
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Kwakhurin (Kwa) is one of the unique isoflavonoids produced in Pueraria candollei var. mirifica (P. candollei), which has long been used as folk medicine for rejuvenation in Thailand. Recently, the use of P. candollei‐derived products has widely spread among Japanese women for cosmetic purposes. Correspondingly, there has been an increase in the number of reports regarding possible health hazards caused by estrogenic activity inherent to the plant; thus, the need for a detailed evaluation of the phytoestrogen content of P. candollei‐derived products has gained a sense of urgency in recent years.

Objective

This study aims to develop a rapid enzyme immunoassay that can be applied to the quantitative analysis of Kwa in P. candollei and its derived products.

Material and Method

A rapid and sensitive immunoassay was developed with a combination of Kwa‐specific monoclonal antibody (MAb 11F) and Kwa–magnetic particles (MPs) conjugates, which increased the surface area of the solid phase, resulting in a decrease in the immunoreaction time.

Result

This novel MPs‐based enzyme immunoassay (MPs‐EIA) was used to determine Kwa concentration in the range from 2.44 to 78.1 ng/mL with a limit of detection of 1.90 ng/mL. Validation analyses revealed that the proposed MPs‐EIA protocol was sufficiently precise and accurate for effective quantitative analysis of Kwa in P. candollei and its derived products.
A geometric approach to target convergence and obstacle avoidance of a nonstandard tractor‐trailer robot
Authors: Prasad Avinesh , Sharma Bibhya , Vanualailai Jito , Kumar Sandeep A.
Published: June 2020

In this article, a solution to target convergence and obstacle avoidance problem of an underactuated nonstandardn‐trailer robot is proposed. With a new geometric approach, we propose autonomous velocity and steering angle controllers for the car‐like tractor robot such that the tractor‐trailer system moves from an initial position to a designated target. The proposed method simultaneously takes into account the dynamics constraints of the system and also ensures that the robot avoids any fixed obstacles on its way to the target. We also generalize the results to control the motion of the nonstandardn‐trailer system with an arbitrary number of passive trailers, a mathematically challenging nonlinear underactuated system, given that the angular velocity of a trailer is dependent on the angular velocity of the preceding trailer. The effectiveness of the new geometric approach and the stabilizing control inputs is verified using computer simulations.