bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Serum Uric Acid with Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis
Authors: Wang Lu , Zhang Tao , Liu Yafei , Tang Fang , Xue Fuzhong
Published: February 2020

Background. The role of uric acid on metabolic syndrome (MetS) has always been controversial. This study aims to explore associations between uric acid with MetS and its components in Chinese female health check‐up population. Methods. 1381 subjects constituted the longitudinal health check‐up cohort. Health examination and genotyping were performed. Unadjusted and adjusted observational analyses were implemented to evaluate observational associations between uric acid with MetS and its components. Mendelian randomization analysis was performed to estimate the causal effect using variation at rs11722228 (SLC2A9) as an instrument for uric acid. Results. An increase of 65% in risk of MetS per standard deviation increase in uric acid was found using unadjusted observational analyses. This association attenuated on adjustment for potential confounders. Similar patterns were found in the association analyses of uric acid with hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Neither by performing unadjusted nor adjusted analysis did we see evidence for association of uric acid on overweight and obesity. Mendelian randomization analyses showed no evidence of causal association between uric acid and MetS and MetS components. Conclusions. We found no causal evidence to support that increased serum uric acid is a causal risk factor for MetS or its components. Hence, there remains no strong evidence for the effeteness of undergoing urate‐lowering therapy to prevent the onset of MetS or cardiovascular disease in health management.
Acute Coronary Syndrome Mimicking Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Mimicking Acute Coronary Syndrome?
Authors: Chaumont Martin , Blaimont Marc , Briki Rachid , Unger Philippe , Debbas Nadia
Published: February 2020

A healthy 66-year-old female presented to the emergency department with acute chest pain, T-wave inversion in the anterior leads, and elevated troponin-I. Coronary angiography showed a stenosis in the midportion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), which did not wrap the left ventricle (LV) apex. LV angiography demonstrated a large LV apical akinetic systolic ballooning with a 45% ejection fraction. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) of LAD lesion was 0.71. Percutaneous intervention was performed. At six months, transthoracic echocardiography was normal. Fifteen months later, the patient presented with chest pain and a small rise in troponin-I. Coronary angiogram was unchanged. Repeat FFR in distal LAD was 0.86 and left ventriculography was normal. Diagnostic criteria for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) require the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. In the present case, TTC was highly suspected on the basis of typical LV apex ballooning. However, significant ischemia in the same territory was demonstrated by positive FFR, which could not be falsely positive in this context. Current TTC diagnostic criteria increase specificity for diagnosing TTC. This case reminds us that it is at the price of reduced sensitivity, since there is no reason to believe that coronary lesions may protect from TTC.
Measurement and Numerical Simulation of Ground and Subgrade Vibrations of Beijing Urban Rail Line 13
Authors: Wang Futong , Yan Leilei , Jiang Qi , Tao Xiaxin
Published: February 2020

Urban rail transit is an effective way to deal with the problem of traffic congestion in major cities. Trains travel through dense residential and commercial areas, providing convenient transportation while also result in vibration problems in the surrounding environment. Long‐lasting vibrations result in disturbance to people’s sleep, malfunction of sensitive equipment, and even damage to heritage buildings. Compared with elevated and tunnel sections, ground surface urban railway generates vibrations and propagates to the surroundings via a more direct path in the form of surface waves, which makes the environmental problem more prominent. Due to the complexity of the train‐track‐ground system, the characteristics of the vibration propagation and attenuation are yet to be revealed. In this paper, we investigate the vibration of the ground and the subgrade next to the Beijing Urban Rail Line 13 by a field measurement combined with a mathematical model. The duration of ground vibration is divided into two parts: the train passing time and the Doppler effect‐related tailing part. Through a regression analysis of the duration, the train passing time is identified and the train traveling speed is estimated. The attenuation relationship of ground vibration intensity is expressed by a piecewise function. In the subgrade, the vibration intensity of particle decays with increasing depth and the stress decay rate is faster than that of the acceleration. The dynamic wheel/rail interaction behaves stationary and periodic, and the magnitude fluctuates up and down with the quasi‐static axle weight. The intensity attenuation relationship fitted in this paper provides a basis for designing new lines and renewing old lines and can be used as a reference for the development of vibration‐reduction technology. The simulated time history of the wheel‐rail force provides an excitation sample for further model experiments and numerical simulation. The proposed train speed identification method may be useful for parameter identification of moving sources such as ships, automobiles, and airplanes.
Electrical Trimming Characteristics of Polysilicon Nanofilms with Different Doping Concentrations and Deposition Temperatures
Authors: Lu Xuebin , Weng Rui , Han Xiaowei , Yu Bin , Yang Bing
Published: February 2020

Polysilicon nanofilm (PSNF) can provide a large gauge factor and good temperature stability, which promotes their application in piezoresistive sensing devices. Electrical trimming is necessary to further improve the stability and matching of piezoresistive resistors after sensor fabrication. The advantages of PSNF are realized by first preparing PSNF samples with different doping concentrations and deposition temperatures. By applying an incremental DC current that is higher than the threshold current of the PSNF resistors, the PSNF resistors are trimmed and the resistance changes are measured. The results of electrical trimming show that the threshold current, trimming rate, and trimming error are related to the doping concentration and deposition temperature. According to tunneling piezoresistive theory and the interstitial-vacancy pair model, the experimental results are expounded. These results are useful for the design and fabrication of PSNF piezoresistive sensors.
Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training on Pulmonary Function in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury: An Updated Meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Xiaojun , Zhang Na , Xu Yubin
Published: February 2020

Objective. To investigate the pulmonary function responses to respiratory muscle training (RMT) in individuals with tetraplegia and provide a systematic review of the included studies. Methods. Computerized retrieval of randomized controlled trials (RCT) in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library on the improvement of respiratory function in patients with spinal cord injury by RMT was conducted until May 2019. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data, and evaluated the risk of bias in the included studies. Articles were scored for their methodological quality using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias assessment tool. Results. Sixteen studies were identified. A significant benefit of RMT was revealed for five outcomes: force vital capacity (FVC, WMD: ‐0.43, 95% CI ‐0.84 to ‐0.03, P = 0.037), vital capacity (VC, WMD: ‐0.40, 95% CI ‐0.69 to ‐0.12, P = 0.006), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV, WMD: ‐5.89, 95% CI ‐10.63 to ‐1.14, P = 0.015), maximum static inspiratory pressure (MIP, WMD: ‐13.14, 95% CI ‐18.01 to ‐8.27, P < 0.001), and maximum static expiratory pressure (MEP, WMD: ‐13.08, 95% CI ‐23.78 to ‐2.37, P = 0.017). No effect was found for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). Conclusion. Our findings demonstrate that RMT can effectively improve spinal cord injury pulmonary function of the patient, which is marked by increasing respiratory strength, function, and endurance. Limited by the quantity and quality of the included studies, the above conclusion needs to be verified by more high‐quality studies.
Secure Information Transmissions in Wireless-Powered Cognitive Radio Networks for Internet of Medical Things
Authors: Tang Kun , Tang Wenjuan , Luo Entao , Tan Zhiyuan , Meng Weizhi , Qi Lianyong
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we consider the issue of the secure transmissions for the cognitive radio-based Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) with wireless energy harvesting. In these systems, a primary transmitter (PT) will transmit its sensitive medical information to a primary receiver (PR) by a multi-antenna-based secondary transmitter (ST), where we consider that a potential eavesdropper may listen to the PT’s sensitive information. Meanwhile, the ST also transmits its own information concurrently by utilizing spectrum sharing. We aim to propose a novel scheme for jointly designing the optimal parameters, i.e., energy harvesting (EH) time ratio and secure beamforming vectors, for maximizing the primary secrecy transmission rate while guaranteeing secondary transmission requirement. For solving the nonconvex optimization problem, we transfer the problem into convex optimization form by adopting the semidefinite relaxation (SDR) method and Charnes–Cooper transformation technique. Then, the optimal secure beamforming vectors and energy harvesting duration can be obtained easily by utilizing the CVX tools. According to the simulation results of secrecy transmission rate, i.e., secrecy capacity, we can observe that the proposed protocol for the considered system model can effectively promote the primary secrecy transmission rate when compared with traditional zero-forcing (ZF) scheme, while ensuring the transmission rate of the secondary system.
A Fluorimetric Method Based on an Imidazole Compound for Cu2+ Determination in Tap Water
Authors: Ocak Zafer
Published: February 2020

Ion sensor properties of 4-(1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-2-methoxyphenol (L) in acetonitrile-water (1 : 1) were evaluated by fluorescence spectrometry. Pronounced quenching in the fluorescence spectra of the ligand was only observed for the Cu2+ ion among many metal ions. Linear fluorescence responses of the ligand at 360 nm as the function of the Cu2+ concentration were used for the determination of the Cu2+ ion in spiked tap water samples. Recovery values (R%) were satisfactory, and relative standard deviation (RSD%) was below 5.00 in intraday and interday measurements. Detection and quantification limits were 0.28 and 0.84 μg/L, respectively. The assay based on external calibration only took a few minutes.
Seismic Response of Prestressed Anchors with Frame Structure
Authors: Ye Shuaihua , Zhao Zhuangfu
Published: February 2020

Based on the equivalent mass-spring model and considering the coupling effect between creep soil and prestressed anchors, the dynamic calculation model of prestressed anchors with frame structure is established. The soil mass is expressed in the form of concentrated mass. The action of the frame structure on the soil is treated as a parallel coupling of a linear spring and a linear damper, and the free section of the anchor is treated as a linear spring. Considering the creep characteristics, the soil is regarded as a Generalized Kelvin body and the anchoring section of the anchor is regarded as an equivalent spring body, which are coupled in parallel. Considering the effect of slope height, the dynamic calculation model is solved and the seismic response is analyzed. Finally, an engineering example is used to verify the calculation method in this paper, and the results are compared with the shaking table test and numerical simulation. It shows that the calculation model proposed in this paper is safe and reasonable for the seismic design and analysis of the slope supported by prestressed anchors with frame structure.
Effects of Pore Structure on Sandstone Mechanical Properties Based on Micro‐CT Reconstruction Model
Authors: Song Rui , Zheng Lifu , Wang Yao , Liu Jianjun
Published: February 2020

As porous, heterogeneous, and anisotropic material, the microscopic structure of the rock has a significant influence on its mechanical properties. Rare studies were devoted to this area using pore scale modeling and simulations. In this paper, different types of sandstones are imaged using micro‐CT technology. The rock porosity is obtained by filtering, binarization, and threshold segmentation. The texture coefficient (TC) and the tortuosity of the rock skeleton are calculated by open source program, where the tortuosity of the rock skeleton is firstly used to characterize the microscopic structure of the rock. Combining with the rock mechanics parameters obtained in the laboratory, the simulation of uniaxial compression is performed on the reconstructed pore scale rock finite element mesh model by ANSYS software. Young’s modulus, compressive strength, yield strength, shear modulus, and other related parameters obtained by numerical simulation are adopted to determine the optimal representative volume element (RVE) size. Moreover, the effects of microscopic structure characteristics on the mechanical properties of the rock are studied quantitatively. The results indicate that the averaged von Mises stress distribution, displacement field, and plastic strain field of rocks show anisotropy and heterogeneity. The stress concentration and the X‐shaped conjugate plastic shear zone are investigated. The samples of S1∼S4 reach the elastic limit and enters the plastic yield state, when the strain is about 0.5%. And the critical yield strain of samples S5300-1∼S5400-2 is about 1%. Then, the quantitative relationships between porosity, TC, tortuosity of rock skeleton and rock mechanics parameters of digital rock samples are established and analyzed. The tortuosity of the rock skeleton is highly correlated with the mechanical parameters of the rock, i.e., Young’s modulus (R2 = 0.95), compressive strength (R2 = 0.94), yield strength (R2 = 0.92), and shear modulus (R2 = 0.94), which is believed to be more feasible to reveal the impacts of the microstructure of the rock on its mechanical properties.
Isoliquiritigenin Suppressed Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma Growth by Blocking EGFR Activation and Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest
Authors: Ye Liping , Zhang Junjie , Zhang Yu , Gu Binbin , Zhu Hongyuan , Mao Xinli
Published: February 2020

Isoliquiritigenin (ILQ) is a natural product isolated from licorice root which has served as traditional Chinese medicine for a long time. Recently, the antitumor effects of ILQ have been widely studied in various cancers, but the role and related mechanisms of ILQ in esophageal squamous carcinoma cells (ESCC) are still poorly understood. In our studies, ILQ showed profound antitumor activities in ESCC cells. In vitro, ILQ substantially inhibited cell proliferation and anchorage‐independent growth in a panel of human ESCC cells. Mechanism studies showed that EGFR signaling pathway played an important role for ILQ to exert its antitumor activity in ESCC. Exposure to isoliquiritigenin substantially decreased EGF‐induced EGFR activation and its downstream Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathway. EGFR knockdown with shRNA in ESCC cell significantly reduced the sensitivity of cancer cells to ILQ. Moreover, it was found that ILQ had a significantly inhibitory effect on AP‐1 family, the protein of Jun and Fos subfamilies was substantially downregulated, and the transcriptional activity of AP‐1 family was dramatically suppressed by ILQ. By reducing the expression of cyclin D1, ESCC cells were induced G0/G1 arrest, and cell division was substantially blocked. Finally, the antitumor potency of ILQ was validated in xenograft models and the tumor growth was prominently restrained by ILQ. Briefly, our study showed that ILQ, or its analogue, appeared to be a promising new therapeutic agent for ESCC management.
Chemical Compounds Identification and Antioxidant and Calcium Oxalate Anticrystallization Activities of Punica granatum L.
Authors: Kachkoul Rabie , Houssaini Tarik Squalli , Mohim Mohamed , El Habbani Radouane , Lahrichi Anissa
Published: February 2020

The plant Punica granatum L. has several biological activities and a great curative and preventive power against chronic diseases. For this purpose, the objective of this work is to valorize the fruit peel of this plant in the field of phytomedicine, by quantifying and identifying its bioactive compounds and by evaluating their antioxidant and anticrystallization activities against calcium oxalate. This comparative study has been carried out by hydroalcoholic extract (E.PG) and infusion (I.PG) of the plant. The quantification of the phenolic compounds has been performed by spectrophotometric methods, and the chemical species identification has been performed by UPLC‐PDA‐ESI‐MS. Moreover, the examination of the antioxidant activity has been executed by both methods of DPPH and FRAP. The crystallization inhibition has been studied in vitro by the turbidimetric model. The characterization of the synthesized crystals has been accomplished by microscopic observation and by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The results found show the comparable importance of the two plant extracts in the elimination of free radicals; the values of the half maximal inhibitory concentration “IC50” obtained are in the order of 60.87 ± 0.27 and 59.91 ± 0.83 μg/mL by the DPPH method and in the order of 42.17 ± 7.46 and 79.77 ± 6.91 μg/mL by the FRAP method, for both E.PG and I.PG, respectively. Furthermore, the inhibition percentages of calcium oxalate crystallization are in the range of 98.11 ± 0.17 and 98.22 ± 0.71% against the nucleation and in the order of 88.98 ± 0.98 and 88.78 ± 2.48% against the aggregation, for E.PG and I.PG, respectively. These results prove the richness of the plant in bioactive compounds, offering an antioxidant and anticrystallization capacity; therefore, it can be used in the treatment and/or the prevention of stone formation.
Evaluation of the Rutting Performance of the Field Specimen Using the Hamburg Wheel‐Tracking Test and Dynamic Modulus Test
Authors: Dai Xiongwei , Jia Yanshun , Wang Shaoquan , Gao Ying
Published: February 2020

Rutting is a major distress occurring in the service life of the asphalt pavement, especially in hot weather areas. A laboratory‐produced specimen is widely used for rutting performance evaluation which may not be completely represented by the field situation. The objective of this study is to evaluate the rutting performance of field specimens from the Chongqing highway by utilizing the Hamburg wheel‐tracking test (HWTT) and dynamic modulus test. Different test conditions were conducted on the HWTT by investigation of the actual local weather condition. The results showed that rutting depth was different under different test conditions, and 10000 loading cycles were recommended as the maximum loading cycles. Particularly, several factors that influence the rutting depth were investigated, and the specimen height of 6 cm is more appropriate for the HWTT. Additionally, different test conditions were proposed as the HWTT test condition for different asphalt concrete (AC) layers in the Chongqing area. Rutting contribution of each AC layer to the pavement structure was analyzed. Moreover, the dynamic modulus at 54.4°C, 5 Hz and 54.4°C, 1 Hz could effectively represent the rutting performance of the asphalt mixture, and the dynamic modulus test is recommended for the rutting performance evaluation of the full‐thickness AC layer.
A Sox2:miR-486-5p Axis Regulates Survival of GBM Cells by Inhibiting Tumor Suppressor Networks
Authors: Lopez-Bertoni Hernando , Kotchetkov Ivan S. , Mihelson Nicole , Lal Bachchu , Rui Yuan , Ames Heather , Lugo-Fagundo Maria , Guerrero-Cazares Hugo , Quiñones-Hinojosa Alfredo , Green Jordan J. , Laterra John
Published: February 2020

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and other solid malignancies are heterogeneous and contain subpopulations of tumor cells that exhibit stem-like features. Our recent findings point to a dedifferentiation mechanism by which reprogramming transcription factors Oct4 and Sox2 drive the stem-like phenotype in glioblastoma, in part, by differentially regulating subsets of miRNAs. Currently, the molecular mechanisms by which reprogramming transcription factors and miRNAs coordinate cancer stem cell tumor-propagating capacity are unclear. In this study, we identified miR-486-5p as a Sox2-induced miRNA that targets the tumor suppressor genes PTEN and FoxO1 and regulates the GBM stem-like cells. miR-486-5p associated with the GBM stem cell phenotype and Sox2 expression and was directly induced by Sox2 in glioma cell lines and patient-derived neurospheres. Forced expression of miR-486-5p enhanced the self-renewal capacity of GBM neurospheres, and inhibition of endogenous miR-486-5p activated PTEN and FoxO1 and induced cell death by upregulating proapoptotic protein BIM via a PTEN-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, delivery of miR-486-5p antagomirs to preestablished orthotopic GBM neurosphere-derived xenografts using advanced nanoparticle formulations reduced tumor sizes in vivo and enhanced the cytotoxic response to ionizing radiation. These results define a previously unrecognized and therapeutically targetable Sox2:miR-486-5p axis that enhances the survival of GBM stem cells by repressing tumor suppressor pathways.

Significance:

This study identifies a novel axis that links core transcriptional drivers of cancer cell stemness to miR-486-5p–dependent modulation of tumor suppressor genes that feeds back to regulate glioma stem cell survival.
FGF Trapping Inhibits Multiple Myeloma Growth through c-Myc Degradation–Induced Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress
Authors: Ronca Roberto , Ghedini Gaia C. , Maccarinelli Federica , Sacco Antonio , Locatelli Silvia L. , Foglio Eleonora , Taranto Sara , Grillo Elisabetta , Matarazzo Sara , Castelli Riccardo , Paganini Giuseppe , Desantis Vanessa , Cattane Nadia , Cattaneo Annamaria , Mor Marco , Carlo-Stella Carmelo , Belotti Angelo , Roccaro Aldo M. , Presta Marco , Giacomini Arianna
Published: February 2020

Multiple myeloma, the second most common hematologic malignancy, frequently relapses because of chemotherapeutic resistance. Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) act as proangiogenic and mitogenic cytokines in multiple myeloma. Here, we demonstrate that the autocrine FGF/FGFR axis is essential for multiple myeloma cell survival and progression by protecting multiple myeloma cells from oxidative stress–induced apoptosis. In keeping with the hypothesis that the intracellular redox status can be a target for cancer therapy, FGF/FGFR blockade by FGF trapping or tyrosine kinase inhibitor impaired the growth and dissemination of multiple myeloma cells by inducing mitochondrial oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptotic cell death that were prevented by the antioxidant vitamin E or mitochondrial catalase overexpression. In addition, mitochondrial oxidative stress occurred as a consequence of proteasomal degradation of the c-Myc oncoprotein that led to glutathione depletion. Accordingly, expression of a proteasome-nondegradable c-Myc protein mutant was sufficient to avoid glutathione depletion and rescue the proapoptotic effects due to FGF blockade. These findings were confirmed on bortezomib-resistant multiple myeloma cells as well as on bone marrow–derived primary multiple myeloma cells from newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory patients, including plasma cells bearing the t(4;14) translocation obtained from patients with high-risk multiple myeloma. Altogether, these findings dissect the mechanism by which the FGF/FGFR system plays a nonredundant role in multiple myeloma cell survival and disease progression, and indicate that FGF targeting may represent a therapeutic approach for patients with multiple myeloma with poor prognosis and advanced disease stage.

Significance:

This study provides new insights into the mechanisms by which FGF antagonists promote multiple myeloma cell death.
Shaping Chromatin States in Prostate Cancer by Pioneer Transcription Factors
Authors: Hankey William , Chen Zhong , Wang Qianben
Published: February 2020

The androgen receptor (AR) is a critical therapeutic target in prostate cancer that responds to antagonists in primary disease, but inevitably becomes reactivated, signaling onset of the lethal castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) stage. Epigenomic investigation of the chromatin environment and interacting partners required for AR transcriptional activity has uncovered three pioneer factors that open up chromatin and facilitate AR-driven transcriptional programs. FOXA1, HOXB13, and GATA2 are required for normal AR transcription in prostate epithelial development and for oncogenic AR transcription during prostate carcinogenesis. AR signaling is dependent upon these three pioneer factors both before and after the clinical transition from treatable androgen-dependent disease to untreatable CRPC. Agents targeting their respective DNA binding or downstream chromatin-remodeling events have shown promise in preclinical studies of CRPC. AR-independent functions of FOXA1, HOXB13, and GATA2 are emerging as well. While all three pioneer factors exert effects that promote carcinogenesis, some of their functions may inhibit certain stages of prostate cancer progression. In all, these pioneer factors represent some of the most promising potential therapeutic targets to emerge thus far from the study of the prostate cancer epigenome.
Advances in Targeting RET-Dependent Cancers
Authors: Subbiah Vivek , Cote Gilbert J.
Published: February 2020

RET alterations have been characterized as oncogenic drivers in multiple cancers. The clinical validation of highly selective RET inhibitors demonstrates the utility of specific targeting of aberrantly activated RET in patients with cancers such as medullary thyroid cancer or non–small cell lung cancer. The remarkable responses observed have opened the field of RET-targeted inhibitors. In this review, we seek to focus on the impact of therapeutic RET targeting in cancers.

Significance:

Successful clinical translation of selective RET inhibitors is poised to alter the therapeutic landscape of altered cancers. Questions that clearly need to be addressed relate to the ability to maintain long-term inhibition of tumor cell growth, how to prepare for the potential mechanisms of acquired resistance, and the development of next-generation selective RET inhibitors.
Disseminated Carcinomatosis of the Bone Marrow from Occult Breast Cancer Responding to a Sequence of Endocrine Therapy
Authors: Yamaguchi Takeshi , Masumoto Mariko , Sakurai Urara , Nakane Minoru
Published: February 2020

Patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP) are generally treated with chemotherapy. Bone marrow involvement suggests an advanced stage, and CUP with disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow (DCBM) appears to have a dismal prognosis. However, our case of CUP with DCBM was successfully treated with a sequence of endocrine therapy over a long period. A woman presenting with low back pain was found to have multiple bone metastasis without an identifiable primary tumor on imaging studies. Blood tests revealed anemia and thrombocytopenia. A bone marrow biopsy was performed and showed relatively uniform small cells, strongly positive for estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor expression. We considered chemotherapy to be risky due to bicytopenia and an aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, was initiated. The patient’s symptoms and laboratory findings gradually improved and bone lesions almost disappeared on FDG-PET/CT after 1 year of treatment. After 2 years on letrozole, hemoglobin levels and platelet counts had been gradually decreasing. Although she had no symptoms and no significant changes were observed on a CT scan, disease progression was highly likely. Thus, second-line treatment with fulvestrant and palbociclib was commenced, and hemoglobin levels and platelet counts were restored to within the normal ranges. She currently continues to receive fulvestrant and palbociclib over a year later. CUP complicated with DCBM might be metastatic occult breast cancer, and endocrine therapy can be a valuable treatment option if tumors express hormone receptors.
Universalismo e fragmentação contemporânea dos movimentos sociais
Authors: Almeida Leonardo Monteiro Crespo de
Published: February 2020

O presente artigo busca construir um paralelo entre a teoria política de Ernesto Laclau e Chantal Mouffe, e a filosofia de Gilles Deleuze, tendo como preocupação a fragmentação política e estratégica dos movimentos sociais progressistas. Considerando a dificuldade, para não dizer impossibilidade, de contemporaneamente situar-se um sujeito histórico universal, levando a defesas circunscritas em demandas particulares de certas identidades políticas. A proposta deste trabalho consiste em realizar uma leitura seletiva da filosofia de Deleuze e da teoria política de Laclau/Mouffe com o objetivo de situar elementos que possam servir para uma compreensão política desses movimentos que tanto evitem uma recaída nas antigas formas de universalismos, nem se perca na proliferação constante de demandas particulares que abandona estratégias políticas emancipatórias mais abrangentes.
A "sagesse" de Montaigne de duas perspectivas
Authors: Araujo Sergio Xavier Gomes De
Published: February 2020

O artigo examina a maneira particular como Montaigne se posiciona em defesa do otium no âmbito do debate clássico vivificado pelos humanistas da Renascença sobre otium e negotium, ou entre vida contemplativa e vida ativa, através da leitura de dois capítulos, que, embora distanciados no tempo, mantêm relações vivas e instigantes entre si: De la Solitude, do primeiro livro dos Essais e De ménager sa volonté, do terceiro. Na articulação entre os dois textos pretende-se mostrar como o ethos próprio à vida retirada que Montaigne constitui para si via apropriação das lições de Sêneca termina por superar a dicotomia tradicional servindo à afirmação de uma outra noção de prudentia e de “bem agir” na vida pública que tem seu nexo fundamental não na ambição de glória mas na posse de si ou na adequação interior à própria natureza.
Qualidade de vida e uso abusivo de álcool
Authors: Favacho Veronica Batista Cambraia , Cárdenas Anneli Mercedes Celis de , Pena Francineide Pereira da Silva , Pena José Luís da Cunha , Sena Claudia Ferreira , Oliveira Marcia Aparecida Ferreira de
Published: February 2020

OBJETIVO: avaliar a qualidade de vida e o consumo abusivos de álcool em moradores da comunidade quilombola Lagoa dos Índios em Macapá- Amapá. MÉTODO: instrumentos utilizados World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument abreviado (WHOQOL-BREF). RESULTADOS: prevalência do sexo masculino, escolaridade baixa e consumo de álcool na adolescência. Para a QV, os domínios evidenciados foram relações sociais (75,64%) e psicológico (65,11%); o domínio menos evidenciado foi meio ambiente (49,77%). CONCLUSÃO: a qualidade de vida propõe repensar essa condição, considerando o meio ambiente mais favorável e a importância de intervenções efetivas para as variáveis sociodemográficas multidimensionais.
Prevalência e fatores associados ao transtorno mental comum em assentados rurais
Authors: Silva Andrécia Cósmem da , Vargas Lorena Silva , Moraes Rayrane Clarah Chaveiro , Lucchese Roselma , Guimarães Rafael Alves , Vera Ivania
Published: February 2020

OBJETIVO: estimar prevalência e fatores associados ao transtorno mental comum em moradores de um assentamento rural. MÉTODOS: estudo transversal realizado em 162 residentes de assentamento localizado na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Foi aplicado questionário semiestruturado, a probabilidade de transtorno mental comum obtida através do Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) e a funcionalidade familiar foi avaliada pelo instrumento APGAR de Família. Os dados foram analisados no programa STATA. RESULTADOS: a prevalência de probabilidade de transtorno mental comum foi estimada com intervalo de confiança de 95%. Foi utilizada a análise de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta para avaliar a associação entre transtorno mental comum e potenciais preditores. A prevalência de possibilidade de transtorno mental foi de 24,1%. As variáveis "sexo feminino", "exposição à violência" e "uso de hipnóticos/sedativos" foram associadas. CONCLUSÃO: verificou-se que tais preditores devem ser considerados na atenção à saúde dessa população, no que tange às práticas de prevenção e promoção da saúde, além de refletir a necessidade de articulação de políticas públicas que aproximem a população rural e o setor saúde, independentemente de barreiras territoriais.
O papel da desobediência civil em sociedades de massas não-totalitárias em Arendt
Authors: Costa Nathalia Rodrigues da
Published: February 2020

Margareth Canovan e Jean Cohen e Andrew Arato apresentam críticas à análise de Hannah Arendt da sociedade de massas. Tais críticas convergem para um diagnóstico: a análise de Arendt é influenciada pela sua abordagem do totalitarismo e isso teria prejudicado sua atenção para os potenciais democráticos das sociedades democráticas contemporâneas. Na contramão dessas críticas, defende-se neste artigo que, se interpretarmos o tema da sociedade de massas a partir da distinção entre sociedade de massas não-totalitária e sociedade de massas totalitária, enxergamos a atenção de Arendt para os potenciais democráticos das sociedades não-totalitárias ainda massificadas, sobretudo, na sua análise dos movimentos de Desobediência Civil.
Textos selecionados de Preleções sobre a filosofia da religião
Authors: Hegel G. W. F. , Del Mastro Fabiana
Published: February 2020

Tradução de Textos selecionados de Preleções sobre a filosofia da religião
A resposta hegeliana ao problema do critério
Authors: Gaboardi Ediovani Antônio
Published: February 2020

Este artigo aborda o problema do critério, definido como a circularidade entre demonstração e critério, na Fenomenologia do espírito. Hegel vale-se desse problema para criticar a epistemologia kantiana, acusando-a de sucumbir ao Trilema cético e de negar à justificação seu papel precípuo de atestar a verdade. Hegel lida com o problema do critério através da exposição fenomenológica, uma forma de demonstração que parte de critérios provisórios, assumidos pelas pretensões de conhecimento em disputa. Além disso, Hegel nega a legitimidade da exigência de um critério de justificação que não esteja contido no conteúdo a ser avaliado.
Systemic Consequences of Pulmonary Hypertension and Right-Sided Heart Failure
Authors: Rosenkranz Stephan , Howard Luke S. , Gomberg-Maitland Mardi , Hoeper Marius M.
Published: February 2020

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a feature of a variety of diseases and continues to harbor high morbidity and mortality. The main consequence of PH is right-sided heart failure which causes a complex clinical syndrome affecting multiple organ systems including left heart, brain, kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, skeletal muscle, as well as the endocrine, immune, and autonomic systems. Interorgan crosstalk and interdependent mechanisms include hemodynamic consequences such as reduced organ perfusion and congestion as well as maladaptive neurohormonal activation, oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, and abnormal immune cell signaling. These mechanisms, which may occur in acute, chronic, or acute-on-chronic settings, are common and precipitate adverse functional and structural changes in multiple organs which contribute to increased morbidity and mortality. While the systemic character of PH and right-sided heart failure is often neglected or underestimated, such consequences place additional burden on patients and may represent treatable traits in addition to targeted therapy of PH and underlying causes. Here, we highlight the current state-of-the-art understanding of the systemic consequences of PH and right-sided heart failure on multiple organ systems, focusing on self-perpetuating pathophysiological mechanisms, aspects of increased susceptibility of organ damage, and their reciprocal impact on the course of the disease.
Microbial Colonization of Germ‐Free Mice Restores Neointimal Hyperplasia Development After Arterial Injury
Authors: Chen Edmund B. , Shapiro Katherine E. , Wun Kelly , Kuntz Thomas , Theriault Betty R. , Nooromid Michael J. , Leone Vanessa A. , Harris Katharine G. , Jiang Qun , Spedale Melanie , Xiong Liqun , Gilbert Jack A. , Chang Eugene B. , Ho Karen J.
Published: February 2020

Background

The potential role of the gut microbiome in cardiovascular diseases is increasingly evident. Arterial restenosis attributable to neointimal hyperplasia after cardiovascular procedures such as balloon angioplasty, stenting, and bypass surgery is a common cause of treatment failure, yet whether gut microbiota participate in the development of neointimal hyperplasia remains largely unknown.

Methods and Results

We performed fecal microbial transplantation from conventionally raised male C57BL/6 mice to age‐, sex‐, and strain‐matched germ‐free mice. Five weeks after inoculation, all mice underwent unilateral carotid ligation. Neointimal hyperplasia development was quantified after 4 weeks. Conventionally raised and germ‐free cohorts served as comparison groups.

Conclusions

Germ‐free mice have significantly attenuated neointimal hyperplasia development compared with conventionally raised mice. The arterial remodeling response is restored by fecal transplantation. Our results describe a causative role of gut microbiota in contributing to the pathogenesis of neointimal hyperplasia.
Ten new species in the southern African genus Heliophila (Brassicaceae; Cruciferae)

Authors: AL-SHEHBAZ IHSAN A.
Published: February 2020

Ten new South African species of Heliophila (H. astyla, H. biseriata, H. clarkii, H. crassistyla, H. goldblattii, H. magaliesbergensis, H. pseudoeximia, H. roggeveldensis, H. volkii, and H. xylopoda) are described, illustrated, and their relationships and distinguishing characters from nearest relatives are discussed. The chromosome number 2n = 22 for H. goldblattii is reported. Four species (H. astyla, H. crassistyla, H. volkii, H. xylopoda) are endemic to the Western Cape, three (H. clarkii, H. goldblattii, H. pseudoeximia) to the Northern Cape, two (H. biseriata, H. roggeveldensis) in both provinces, and one (H. magaliesbergensis) in Gauteng Province. All species of the genus are native to South Africa, with the ranges of some extending in neighboring Namibia, Lesotho, and Swaziland.
Tuberocephalus tsengi (Tao, 1963) STAT. REV. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), an East Asian Artemisia-feeding aphid species introduced to Britain
Authors: BLACKMAN ROGER L. , BRIGHTWELL ROBERT , DRANSFIELD ROBERT D. , BROWN PAUL A.
Published: February 2020

Tuberocephalus tsengi (Tao, 1963) STAT. REV., an aphid species described from China, is reported feeding on Artemisia vulgaris in southern England. This species is here redescribed and distinguished from T. sasakii (Matsumura, 1917), with which it has previously been synonymised.
Two new species of Pezothrips (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) in Japan and Europe, with designation of lectotype of type species
Authors: MASUMOTO MASAMI , OKAJIMA SHÛJI
Published: February 2020

Pezothrips nadeshiko n. sp. is described from Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus at Honshu, Japan and P. pelikani n. sp. is described from Czech Republic. A lectotype is designated for P. frontalis (Uzel), the type species of this genus, and this species is re-described. An illustrated identification key to the world species of Pezothrips is also provided.
Decentralized Context Aware Access Control Model for Internet of Things
Authors: Mehta Shivanshu , Jinwala Devesh C. , Dalal Upenda D. , Patel Dhiren R.
Published: February 2020

Access control mechanisms are a primary security requirement in Internet of Things applications. Traditional access control mechanisms are inefficient while applying directly to IoT applications. Various proposals have been made to adapt traditional access control models for IoT applications.
These proposals are either centralized or distributed approaches. In centralized approach, for each access request, it is required that device access central control server to verify access rights via multiple message exchanges. This results in communication overhead at a device side. A single
point of failure is also possible if the central server fails. In distributed approach, for each access control request, reliance is still there on a central unit, which again results into communication overhead and possibility of a single point of failure. In IoT applications, access rights
are also dependent on various characteristics of the entities involved at the specific instance of access request. These characteristics are interpreted by providing context awareness to the access control models. Context aware access control models are used to provide fine-grained access
rights in IoT applications. We propose a decentralized context aware access control model in this paper. Our design results in lesser communication overhead with the central unit and removes single point of failure. Our model uses contextual information to provide fine-grained access control
mechanism. Our model provides greater flexibility to users to easily add/modify access control policies for different entities.
An Efficient Rule Based Algorithm for Fire Detection on Real Time Videos
Authors: Sridhar P. , Parameswaran Latha , Thangavel Senthil Kumar
Published: February 2020

The projected work shows generic rule in YCbCr color space based fire pixel detection is proposed for smart building which will complement the conventional electronic sensor based fire detection system. The proposed method handles YCbCr color model is used for decoupling the
luminance and chrominance which added discriminate the color than RGB color model. This algorithm has been tested on fire and fire like images which results in 97.95% detection accuracy. Obtained experimental results have been compared with other existing algorithms and it is observed
that gives a very high the proposed algorithm detection accuracy and feasible true positive rate in fire images.
Right for the Wrong Reason?: A New Look at the 6 June 1944 D-Day Forecast by a Neutral Swede
Authors: Persson Anders
Published: February 2020

There are at least three popular perceptions surrounding the weather forecast for the D-day landing in Normandy, 6 June 1994: 1) that the Allied weather forecasters predicted a crucial break or “window of opportunity” in the unsettled weather prevailing at the time; 2) that the German meteorologists, lacking observations from the North Atlantic, failed to see this break coming and thus the invasion took the Wehrmacht by surprise; and 3) that the American forecasters, guided by a skillful analog system, predicted the favorable conditions several days ahead but got no support from their pessimistic British colleagues. This article will present evidence taken mostly from hitherto rather neglected sources of information, transcripts of the telephone discussions between the Allied forecasters and archived German weather analyses. They show that 1) the synoptic development for the invasion was not particularly well predicted and, if there was a break in the weather, it occurred for reasons other than those predicted; 2) the German forecasters were fairly well informed about the large-scale synoptic situation over most of the North Atlantic, probably thanks to decoded American analyses; and 3) from the viewpoint of a “neutral Swede,” the impression is that the American analog method might not have performed as splendidly as its adherents have claimed, but also not as badly as its critics have alleged. Finally, the D-day forecast, the discussions among the forecasters, and their briefings with the Allied command are interesting not only from a historical perspective, but also as an early and well-documented example of decision-making under meteorological uncertainty.
Cell Function and Viability in Glucose Polymer Peritoneal Dialysis Fluids
Authors: Liberek Tomasz , Topley Nicholas , Mistry Chandra D. , Coles Gerald A. , Morgan Tracy , Quirk Rosalie A. , Williams John D.
Published: February 2020

Objective

To investigate the biocompatibility profile of a new peritoneal dialysis fluid containing glucose polymer (GPF).

Design

Viability and function of peripheral neutrophils (PMN) from healthy donors and cultured human peritoneal mesothelial cells were assessed in vitro after exposure to dialysis fluids. Phagocytosis, leukotriene B4 synthesis, and respiratory burst activation were measured following stimulation with serum-treated zymosan (STZ) or opsonized Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis). Bacterial growth in the fluids was also investigated. In vivo pH equilibration of GPF and subsequent respiratory burst activation following incubation in spent dialysate were studied.

Results

For all the host defense parameters measured, commercial dialysis fluids (Dianeal; 1.36% and 3.86% glucose) and GPF (pH 5.2) were significantly more inhibitory than the control buffer (pH 7.3). Mesothelial cell viability was reduced by all the fluids tested irrespective of pH. Glucose polymer fluid was significantly more inhibitory than DianeaI 1.36% for STZ phagocytosis and respiratory burst activation. In contrast, it was less suppressive than DianeaI3.86% for L TB4 synthesis. For all parameters tested, except LTB4 generation, there was a marked effect of pH, with GPF being significantly more inhibitory at pH 5.2 than at pH 7.3. None of the fluids tested supported the growth of S. epidermidis, although the viable counts in GPF were significantly higher than in Dianeal. Fluid inhibition of PMN respiratory burst activation and cytotoxicity were reduced in a time-dependent manner following increasing dwell time in vivo.

Conclusions

GPF does not appear to be significantly different from Dianeal as far as host defense parameters are concerned. However, the cell viability and bacterial survival data suggest some possibly negative aspects of this fluid formation.
A phase 2 PK/PD study of andexanet alfa for reversal of rivaroxaban and edoxaban anticoagulation in healthy volunteers
Authors: Lu Genmin , Conley Pamela B. , Leeds Janet M. , Karbarz Mark J. , Levy Gallia G. , Mathur Vandana S. , Castillo Janice , Crowther Mark , Curnutte John T.
Published: February 2020

As with any anticoagulant, factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors are associated with a risk of major bleeding. Andexanet alfa is a recombinant modified human FXa lacking enzymatic activity, developed for reversal of FXa inhibitor–induced anticoagulation. In two phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center studies, different regimens of andexanet alfa were administered to healthy volunteers after therapeutic anticoagulation with rivaroxaban or edoxaban, and multiple anticoagulation reversal and safety end points were evaluated. Andexanet alfa rapidly and effectively reversed anticoagulation with both rivaroxaban and edoxaban. Within 2 minutes after bolus, anti-FXa activity decreased significantly, with maximum decreases of ≈93% (P < .05) and ≈82% (P < .05), respectively, compared with placebo. The stoichiometric ratios of andexanet alfa:total anticoagulant at maximum reversal of anti-FXa activity ranged from 1:1 to 1.3:1 for rivaroxaban and 1.41:1 to 2.58:1 for edoxaban. Sustained normalization of thrombin generation for ≈2 hours and sustained decrease in unbound anticoagulant (maximum ≈80%) for up to ≈4 hours following completion of andexanet alfa administration, compared with placebo, were observed when andexanet was administered as a bolus or as a bolus followed by continuous infusion. Andexanet alfa was well tolerated, and there were no serious adverse events or thrombotic events. Andexanet alfa has been approved in the United States and Europe for reversal of anticoagulation in patients treated with rivaroxaban or apixaban who experience life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding. These studies were registered with clinicaltrials.gov (#NCT03578146 and #NCT03551743).