bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Cellular Response to Lanthanum Is Substrate Specific and Reveals a Novel Route for Glycerol Metabolism in Pseudomonas putida KT2440
Authors: Wehrmann Matthias , Toussaint Maxime , Pfannstiel Jens , Billard Patrick , Klebensberger Janosch
Published: April 2020

The biological role of REEs has long been underestimated, and research has mainly focused on methanotrophic and methylotrophic bacteria. We have recently demonstrated that
P. putida
, a plant growth-promoting bacterium that thrives in the rhizosphere of various food crops, possesses a REE-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (PedH), but knowledge about REE-specific effects on physiological traits in nonmethylotrophic bacteria is still scarce. This study demonstrates that the cellular response of
P. putida
to lanthanum (La
3+
) is mostly substrate specific and that La
3+
availability highly affects the growth of cells on glycerol. Further, a novel route for glycerol metabolism is identified, which is initiated by PedE and/or PedH activity and provides a growth advantage to this biotechnologically relevant organism by allowing a faster onset of growth. Overall, these findings demonstrate that lanthanides can affect physiological traits in nonmethylotrophic bacteria and might influence their competitiveness in various environmental niches.
Tracing the Evolutionary History and Global Expansion of Candida auris Using Population Genomic Analyses
Authors: Chow Nancy A. , Muñoz José F. , Gade Lalitha , Berkow Elizabeth L. , Li Xiao , Welsh Rory M. , Forsberg Kaitlin , Lockhart Shawn R. , Adam Rodney , Alanio Alexandre , Alastruey-Izquierdo Ana , Althawadi Sahar , Araúz Ana Belén , Ben-Ami Ronen , Bharat Amrita , Calvo Belinda , Desnos-Ollivier Marie , Escandón Patricia , Gardam Dianne , Gunturu Revathi , Heath Christopher H. , Kurzai Oliver , Martin Ronny , Litvintseva Anastasia P. , Cuomo Christina A.
Published: April 2020

In less than a decade,
C. auris
has emerged in health care settings worldwide; this species is capable of colonizing skin and causing outbreaks of invasive candidiasis. In contrast to other
Candida
species,
C. auris
is unique in its ability to spread via nosocomial transmission and its high rates of drug resistance. As part of the public health response, whole-genome sequencing has played a major role in characterizing transmission dynamics and detecting new
C. auris
introductions. Through a global collaboration, we assessed genome evolution of isolates of
C. auris
from 19 countries. Here, we described estimated timing of the expansion of each
C. auris
clade and of fluconazole resistance, characterized discrete phylogeographic population structure of each clade, and compared genome data to sensitivity measurements to describe how antifungal resistance mechanisms vary across the population. These efforts are critical for a sustained, robust public health response that effectively utilizes molecular epidemiology.
Transcriptomic Study of Substrate-Specific Transport Mechanisms for Iron and Carbon in the Marine Copiotroph Alteromonas macleodii
Authors: Manck Lauren E. , Espinoza Josh L. , Dupont Christopher L. , Barbeau Katherine A.
Published: April 2020

As the major facilitators of the turnover of organic matter in the marine environment, the ability of heterotrophic bacteria to acquire specific compounds within the diverse range of dissolved organic matter will affect the regeneration of essential nutrients such as iron and carbon. TonB-dependent transporters are a prevalent cellular tool in Gram-negative bacteria that allow a relatively high-molecular-weight fraction of organic matter to be directly accessed. However, these transporters are not well characterized in marine bacteria, limiting our understanding of the flow of specific substrates through the marine microbial loop. Here, we characterize the TonB-dependent transporters responsible for iron and carbon acquisition in a representative marine copiotroph and examine their distribution across the genus
Alteromonas
. We provide evidence that substrate-specific bioavailability is niche specific, particularly for iron complexes, indicating that transport capacity may serve as a significant control on microbial community dynamics and the resultant cycling of organic matter.
Jurassic tectonics of the eastern North China Craton: Response to initial subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate
Authors: Hao Wenxing , Zhu Rixiang , Zhu Guang
Published: April 2020

The Yanshan fold-and-thrust belt (YFTB) on the northern margin of the eastern North China Craton (NCC) contains a succession of Jurassic volcano-sedimentary rocks that record the response of the NCC to the initial stages of subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate. We present stratigraphic profiles and new zircon U-Pb data from four basins in the YFTB to constrain the ages of the Jurassic lithological units and tectonic events related to the initial subduction. Following uplift at 200–190 Ma, protracted eruption of basalt at 188–167 Ma reflects the earliest tectonic activity in the YFTB. The eruption occurred in a backarc extensional setting, and migrated toward the west, consistent with WNW-directed subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate. The measured profiles and geochronological data demonstrate that the earliest phase of shortening in the YFTB during the Jurassic (event A of the Yanshan Movement in the Chinese literature) took place at 167 Ma. This compression terminated the magmatism and extension of the Early–Middle Jurassic, and resulted in the development of local thrusts, regional uplift, and a disconformity, without involvement of intense folding or the development of an angular unconformity. These observations are consistent with a weak to moderate intensity of deformation. The Jurassic rocks in the YFTB record the response of a backarc to the initial stages of subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate. Jurassic tectonics in the YFTB and the entire eastern China continent suggests that initial subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate began at ca. 190 Ma, and is consistent with the passive margin collapse model.
Sustainable densification of the deep crust
Authors: Malvoisin Benjamin , Austrheim Håkon , Hetényi György , Reynes Julien , Hermann Jörg , Baumgartner Lukas P. , Podladchikov Yury Y.
Published: April 2020

The densification of the lower crust in collision and subduction zones plays a key role in shaping the Earth by modifying the buoyancy forces acting at convergent boundaries. It takes place through mineralogical reactions, which are kinetically favored by the presence of fluids. Earthquakes may generate faults serving as fluid pathways, but the influence of reactions on the generation of seismicity at depth is still poorly constrained. Here we present new petrological data and numerical models to show that in the presence of fluids, densification reactions can occur very fast, on the order of weeks, and consume fluids injected during an earthquake, which leads to porosity formation and fluid pressure drop by several hundreds of megapascals. This generates a mechanically highly unstable system subject to collapse and further seismic-wave emission during aftershocks. This mechanism creates new pathways for subsequently arriving fluids, and thus provides a route for self-sustained densification of the lower crust.
Rare association of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome with Hirschsprung’s disease in an infant with hypoglycemia
Authors: Shah Nikhil , Khadilkar Anuradha , Khadilkar Vaman , Lad Sagar
Published: April 2020

Hypoglycaemic due to congenital hyperinsulinism in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is commonly seen. It is usually transient and is managed by enteral feeds, high glucose-containing intravenous fluids and medications like diazoxide. We describe a case of an infant with genetically proven Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome with prolonged hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia. Despite treatment with high glucose-containing intravenous fluids, diazoxide and octreotide, her hypoglycaemia persisted. In addition to this, she also developed features of intestinal obstruction, which further complicated the management of hypoglycaemia. She underwent a rectal biopsy for this, which was highly suggestive of Hirschprung’s disease. Following surgery, her abdominal distension and feed intolerance were settled and sugar control was improved. We present a rare association of Hirschsprung’s disease with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, this association has not been previously reported and this added to the difficulty in managing hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia in our patient.
Delivering infectious disease interventions to women and children in conflict settings: a systematic review
Authors: Meteke Sarah , Stefopulos Marianne , Als Daina , Gaffey Michelle F , Kamali Mahdis , Siddiqui Fahad J , Munyuzangabo Mariella , Jain Reena P , Shah Shailja , Radhakrishnan Amruta , Ataullahjan Anushka , Bhutta Zulfiqar A
Published: April 2020

Background

Conflict has played a role in the large-scale deterioration of health systems in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) and increased risk of infections and outbreaks. This systematic review aimed to synthesise the literature on mechanisms of delivery for a range of infectious disease-related interventions provided to conflict-affected women, children and adolescents.

Methods

We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL and PsychINFO databases for literature published in English from January 1990 to March 2018. Eligible publications reported on conflict-affected neonates, children, adolescents or women in LMICs who received an infectious disease intervention. We extracted and synthesised information on delivery characteristics, including delivery site and personnel involved, as well as barriers and facilitators, and we tabulated reported intervention coverage and effectiveness data.

Results

A majority of the 194 eligible publications reported on intervention delivery in sub-Saharan Africa. Vaccines for measles and polio were the most commonly reported interventions, followed by malaria treatment. Over two-thirds of reported interventions were delivered in camp settings for displaced families. The use of clinics as a delivery site was reported across all intervention types, but outreach and community-based delivery were also reported for many interventions. Key barriers to service delivery included restricted access to target populations; conversely, adopting social mobilisation strategies and collaborating with community figures were reported as facilitating intervention delivery. Few publications reported on intervention coverage, mostly reporting variable coverage for vaccines, and fewer reported on intervention effectiveness, mostly for malaria treatment regimens.

Conclusions

Despite an increased focus on health outcomes in humanitarian crises, our review highlights important gaps in the literature on intervention delivery among specific subpopulations and geographies. This indicates a need for more rigorous research and reporting on effective strategies for delivering infectious disease interventions in different conflict contexts.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019125221.
Evolution of hot zone care: MARA
Authors: Miles John , Crook C
Published: April 2020

Modern conflict and terrorist events have moved from linear two-dimensional battlespaces into complex, continuously evolving three-dimensional environments. Contested spaces make traditional definitions of zones of response confusing and lead to delays in care. The presence of actual or perceived ongoing threats creates an environment in which the initiation of tactical field care (TFC) may be inappropriate, despite the absence of an immediate risk to life. This risks a ‘time and space gap’ between care under fire and TFC. Major haemorrhage, airway, respiration, analgesia is proposed as a rethought approach to care in such environments.
Paediatricians’ attitudes and beliefs towards transgender people: a cross-sectional survey in Israel
Authors: Landau Nitsan , Hamiel Uri , Tokatly Latzer Itay , Mauda Elinor , Levek Noah , Tripto-Shkolnik Liana , Pinhas-Hamiel Orit
Published: April 2020

Objective

The number of transgender and gender non-conforming children is on the rise. For these children, the timing of medical intervention is crucial, yet transgender children report poorer overall physical and mental health outcomes compared with their cisgender peers. We aim to describe how paediatricians perceive transgender people.

Setting

The ‘Transgender Attitudes and Beliefs Scale’, which consists of 29 items in three domains—human value, interpersonal comfort and sex/gender beliefs—was administered to 391 senior and resident paediatricians in Israel. The responses on a 7-point Likert scale were collapsed into two categories: a mean score of ≥6 for each domain was a ‘Favourable’ perception and <6 ‘Unfavourable’.

Results

Of 355 respondents (91% response rate), 221 (62%) were females, 132 (37%) were males and 2 identified as ‘other’; 290 (82%) were born in ‘trans-respect countries’, 274 (77%) identified as secular, 223 (63%) were senior physicians and 132 (27%) were residents. Overall, 90% of the cohort scored favourably on the ‘Human value’ domain, 68% on ‘Interpersonal comfort’ and 40% on ‘Sex/gender beliefs’. In the ‘Interpersonal comfort’ domain, being a man, birthplace in a transphobic country, identification as religious and being a senior physician were all associated with increased ORs for an unfavourable score: 2.1 (95% CI 1.3 to 3.4), 3.4 (95% CI 1.9 to 6.3), 2.4 (95% CI 1.4 to 4.2) and 1.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.0), respectively. In the ‘Sex/gender beliefs’ domain, being a man and identifying as religious had significantly increased ORs for unfavourable scores: 2.2 (95% CI 1.3 to 3.5) and 10.6 (95% CI 4.7 to 24.1), respectively.

Conclusions

Negative attitudes towards transgender people are still widespread among paediatricians. Interventions are warranted to positively impact these attitudes.
Coronary artery disease prediction in women and men using chest pain characteristics and risk factors: an observational study in outpatient clinics
Authors: Groepenhoff Floor , Eikendal Anouk L M , Onland-Moret N Charlotte , Bots Sophie Heleen , Menken Roxana , Tulevski Igor I , Somsen Aernout G , Hofstra Leonard , den Ruijter Hester M
Published: April 2020

Objectives

To assess the diagnostic value of non-acute chest pain characteristics for coronary artery disease in women and men referred to outpatient cardiology clinics.

Design and setting

This is an observational study performed at outpatient cardiology centres of the Netherlands.

Participants

The study population consisted of 1028 patients with non-acute chest pain (505 women).

Analysis and results

Twenty-four women (5%) and 75 men (15%) were diagnosed with coronary artery disease by invasive coronary angiography or CT angiography during regular care follow-up. Elastic net regression was performed to assess which chest pain characteristics and risk factors were of diagnostic value. The overall model selected age, provocation by temperature or stress, relief at rest and functional class as determinants and was accurate in both sexes (area under the curve (AUC) of 0.76 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.85) in women and 0.83 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.88) in men). Both sex-specific models selected age, pressuring nature, radiation, duration, frequency, progress, provocation and relief at rest as determinants. The female model additionally selected dyspnoea, body mass index, hypertension and smoking while the male model additionally selected functional class and diabetes. The sex-specific models performed better than the overall model, but more so in women (AUC: 0.89, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.96) than in men (AUC: 0.84, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.90).

Conclusions

In both sexes, the diagnostic value of non-acute chest pain characteristics and risk factors for coronary artery disease was high. Provocation, relief at rest and functional class of chest pain were the most powerful diagnostic predictors in both women and men. When stratified by sex the performance of the model improved, mostly in women.
Protocol for a systematic review of health promotion interventions for African Americans delivered in US barbershops and hair salons
Authors: Palmer Kelly , Rivers Patrick , Melton Forest , McClelland Jean , Hatcher Jennifer , Marrero David G , Thomson Cynthia , Garcia David O
Published: April 2020

Introduction

African American adults are disproportionately burdened by chronic diseases, particularly at younger ages. Developing culturally appropriate interventions is paramount to closing the gap in these health inequities. The purpose of this systematic review is to critically evaluate health promotion interventions for African Americans delivered in two environments that are frequented by this population: barbershops and hair salons. Characteristics of effective interventions will be identified and evidence for the effectiveness of these interventions will be provided. Results of this review will inform future health promotion efforts for African Americans particularly focused on the leading health inequities in obesity-related chronic diseases: cardiovascular disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.

Methods and analysis

Subject headings and keywords will be used to search for synonyms of ‘barbershops,’ ‘hair salons’ and ‘African Americans’ to identify all relevant articles (from inception onwards) in the following databases: Academic Search Ultimate, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science (Science Citation Index and Social Sciences Citation Index) and ProQuest Dissertations. Experimental and quasi-experimental studies for adult (>18 years) African Americans delivered in barbershops and hair salons will be included. Eligible interventions will include risk reduction/management of obesity-related chronic disease: cardiovascular disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes. Two reviewers will independently screen, select and extract data and a third will mediate disagreements. The methodological quality (or risk of bias) of individual studies will be appraised using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool. Quality and content of the evidence will be narratively synthesised.

Ethics and dissemination

Since this is a protocol for a systematic review, ethical approval is not required. Findings from the review will be widely disseminated through conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications and traditional and social media outlets.
Behavioural activation for overweight and obese adolescents with low mood delivered in a community setting: feasibility study
Authors: Arnott Bronia , Kitchen Charlotte Emma Wray , Ekers David , Gega Lina , Tiffin Paul Alexander
Published: April 2020

Background

Mood and weight problems are common in young people, yet few treatments address both conditions concurrently. Behavioural activation (BA) has shown promise as a treatment for adults with comorbid obesity and depression. This study aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a manualised BA treatment targeting weight and mood problems in young people.

Methods

Young people with low mood and weight difficulties were identified via a school-based screening process. Following a diagnostic interview, young people with clinically significant mood problems and concurrent overweight/obesity were invited to participate. A total of 8–12 sessions of BA were delivered by a graduate therapist to eight adolescents (four male) aged 12–15 years. Weight, mood and functioning were assessed before, during and after treatment, and a semistructured qualitative interview was conducted, along with selected outcome measures at 4 months’ follow-up.

Results

Low attrition and positive qualitative feedback suggested the intervention was acceptable. Trends towards a reduction in reported depression symptoms and improved functioning scores were observed at follow-up, with more mixed results for change in body mass index. Of those attending the 4-month follow-up, 57% (4/7) no longer met the screening threshold for major depressive disorder. However, low screening and baseline recruitment rates would pose challenges to executing a larger trial.

Conclusions

BA delivered by a graduate therapist in a British community setting is an acceptable, feasible treatment for comorbid mood and weight problems in adolescence, and its effectiveness should be evaluated in an adequately powered randomised controlled trial.
Towards a translational medical humanities: introducing the cultural crossings of care
Authors: Engebretsen Eivind , Fraas Henrichsen Gina , Ødemark John
Published: April 2020

In this introductory essay, we will present a translational medical humanities approach where the humanities are not only an auxiliary to medical science and practice, but also an interdisciplinary space where both medicine and the humanities mutually challenge and inform each other. First, we explore how medicine’s attempt to tackle the nature–culture divide is emblematically expressed in the concept and practice of knowledge translation (hereinafter KT). Second, we compare and contrast KT as an epistemic ideology and a socio-medical practice, with concepts and practices of translation developed in the human sciences. In particular, we emphasise Derrida’s understanding of translation as inherent in all meaning making, as a fundamentally textual process and as a process necessarily creating difference rather than semantic equivalence. Finally, we analyse a case from clinical medicine showing how a more refined notion of translation can enlighten the interaction between biomedical and cultural factors. Such a translational medical humanities approach also requires a rethinking of the concept of evidence in medicine.
Utility of balloon aortic valvuloplasty in the transcatheter aortic valve implantation era
Authors: Dawson Luke , Huang Alex , Selkrig Laura , Shaw James A , Stub Dion , Walton Antony , Duffy Stephen J
Published: April 2020

Background

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) has seen renewed interest since the advent of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The study aimed to characterise a contemporary BAV cohort and determinants of clinical outcomes.

Methods

Patients undergoing BAV at a single tertiary centre were retrospectively reviewed over a 10-year period, and functional and mortality outcomes were reported with up to a 2-year follow-up.

Results

224 patients (aged 82.5±8.3 years; 48% female) underwent BAV over the study period. Indications were either destination treatment (39%) or bridge-to-valve replacement (61%)—including bridge-to-decision (29%), symptom relief while on the waitlist (27%), and temporary contraindications to TAVI/aortic valve replacement (AVR) (5%). The mean reduction of aortic mean pressure gradient was 38%. Procedural mortality occurred in 0.5%, stroke in 1.3%, and major bleeding in 0.9%. Twelve-month mortality was 36% overall, and 26% and 50% in the bridging and destination groups, respectively. New York HeartAssociation (NYHA) class improved by ≥1 at 30 days in 50%. Among the bridge-to-TAVI/AVR group, 40% proceeded to TAVI/AVR within 12 months following BAV. In multivariate analysis, active malignancy at baseline (OR: 4.4, 95% CI: 1.3 to 15.1, p=0.02), smoking history (OR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.3 to 7.9, p<0.01), LVEF ≤30% at baseline (OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.3 to 7.6, p<0.01), destination treatment (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.0 to 4.9, p=0.04) were all associated with 12-month mortality.

Conclusions

BAV remains a useful procedure with relatively low rates of complications, however, 1-year mortality rates are high. Contemporary indications for BAV include a bridge to definitive valve replacement or destination treatment.
Successful correction of a prefemoral hernia with free coelomic yolk in a Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri)
Authors: Reinoso Rodrigo , Arguedas Randall
Published: April 2020

An approximately 10‐year‐old female Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri) with a large right prefemoral fossa mass was presented after brumation. Based on CT and fine needle aspiration, the animal was diagnosed with a hernia. Following surgery to correct the defect, free yolk was detected in the coelomic cavity and several saline lavages were employed. A polypropylene mesh was used to ensure correction of the hernia. We suggest that the excessive follicular development caused tension to the muscular wall and that the coelomic yolk caused severe irritation, and the inflammatory reaction weakened and finally caused a disruption of the coelomic membrane, resulting in rupture of the muscular wall. The patient fed voluntarily 6 days after surgery and remained normal over 1 year postsurgery.
Exploring the CPT violation and birefringence of gravitational waves with ground- and space-based gravitational-wave interferometers
Authors: Wang Sai
Published: April 2020

In the gravitational sector, we study the CPT violation and birefringence in gravitational waves. In presence of the CPT violation, a relative dephasing is generated between two circular polarization states of gravitational waves. This effect induces the birefringence of gravitational waves. Given the gravitational waveform modified by the CPT violation, we estimate the expected constraints on the CPT violation from Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, Einstein Telescope and Laser Interferometer Space Antenna.
Non-Hermitian coupled cluster method for non-stationary systems and its interaction-picture reinterpretation
Authors: Bishop R. F. , Znojil M.
Published: April 2020

The interaction picture in a non-Hermitian realization is discussed in detail and considered for its practical use in many-body quantum physics. The resulting non-Hermitian interaction-picture (NHIP) description of dynamics, in which both the wave functions and operators belonging to physical observables cease to remain constant in time, is a non-Hermitian generalization of the traditional Dirac picture of standard quantum mechanics, which itself is widely used in quantum field theory calculations. Particular attention is paid here to the variational (or, better, bivariational) and dynamical (i.e., non-stationary) aspects that are characteristic of the coupled cluster method (CCM) techniques that nowadays form one of the most versatile and most accurate of all available formulations of quantum many-body theory. In so doing we expose and exploit multiple parallels between the NHIP and the CCM in its time-dependent versions.
Electrodynamics effects on colliding gravitational waves background
Authors: Wei Dong-Dong , Meng Xin-He , Wang Bin
Published: April 2020

The degenerate Ferrari-Ibanez solution describes the collision of plane gravitational waves with aligned linear polarization, within the interaction region, the solution is Schwarzschild-like metric, which impels us to be more interesting to analyze the collision process. In this paper, we have considered the electrodynamics effects on the colliding gravitational waves background. Moreover, we have calculated explicitly out the solutions of the electromagnetic waves produced by the plane gravitational wave and the colliding region of plane gravitational waves perturbing a weak magnetic field background. We also work out the solutions of these electromagnetic waves after crossing out a weak magnetic field background.
Thermodynamical aspects of nonsingular Brans–Dicke cosmologies
Authors: Singh Ashutosh , Shukla A. K.
Published: April 2020

The time evolution of total entropy including the entropy associated with horizon and entropy of matter inside the horizon in homogeneous and isotropic Jordan frame (dilatonic) Brans–Dicke cosmologies is examined. We show that the bouncing Brans–Dicke cosmologies do not satisfy the generalized second law of thermodynamics during the contracting phase of evolution.
Numerical Linear Programming under Non-Probabilistic Uncertainty Models — Interval and Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Shariatmadar Keivan , Versteyhe Mark
Published: April 2020

This paper considers a linear optimisation problem under uncertainty with at least one element modelled as a non-probabilistic uncertainty. The uncertainty is expressed in the coefficient matrices of constraints and/or coefficients of goal function. Previous work converts such problems to classical (linear) optimisation problems and eliminates uncertainty by converting the linear programming under uncertainty problem to a decision problem using imprecise probability and imprecise decision theory. Our aim here is to generalise this approach numerically and present three methods to calculate the solution. We investigate what numerical results can be obtained for interval and fuzzy types of uncertainty models and compare them to classical probabilistic cases — for two different optimality criteria: maximinity and maximality. We also provide an efficient method to calculate the maximal solutions in the fuzzy set model. A numerical example is considered for illustration of the results.
Biomedical Data Science and Informatics Challenges to Implementing Pharmacogenomics with Electronic Health Records
Authors: Hoffman James M. , Flynn Allen J. , Juskewitch Justin E. , Freimuth Robert R.
Published: April 2020

Pharmacogenomic information must be incorporated into electronic health records (EHRs) with clinical decision support in order to fully realize its potential to improve drug therapy. Supported by various clinical knowledge resources, pharmacogenomic workflows have been implemented in several healthcare systems. Little standardization exists across these efforts, however, which limits scalability both within and across clinical sites. Limitations in information standards, knowledge management, and the capabilities of modern EHRs remain challenges for the widespread use of pharmacogenomics in the clinic, but ongoing efforts are addressing these challenges. Although much work remains to use pharmacogenomic information more effectively within clinical systems, the experiences of pioneering sites and lessons learned from those programs may be instructive for other clinical areas beyond genomics. We present a vision of what can be achieved as informatics and data science converge to enable further adoption of pharmacogenomics in the clinic.
Antioxidant Action andIn VivoAnti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities ofMyrciaria floribundaFruit Peels: Possible Involvement of Opioidergic System
Authors: Santos Izabelly Bianca da Silva , Santos dos Santos Bruno , Oliveira João Ricardhis Saturnino de , Costa Wêndeo Kennedy , Zagmignan Adrielle , da Silva Luís Cláudio Nascimento , Ferreira Magda Rhayanny Assunção , Lermen Vilmar Luiz , Lermen Maria Silvanete Benedito de Sousa , da Silva Alexandre Gomes , Ximenes Rafael Matos , Soares Luiz Alberto Lira , Paiva Patrícia Maria Guedes , Lima Vera Lúcia de Menezes , Correia Maria Tereza dos Santos , da Silva Márcia Vanusa
Published: April 2020

This work evaluated the antioxidant properties andin vivoantinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of extracts obtained from fruit peels ofMyrciaria floribunda(H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg (Myrtaceae). This plant is popularly known in Brazil asCambuíorcamboim. Different extracts were submitted to comparative analysis to determine the content of selected phytochemical classes (levels of total phenols, flavonoids, and monomeric anthocyanins) and thein vitroantioxidant potentials. The extract with higher potential was selected forin vivoevaluation of its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory action. Finally, the chemical characterization of this extract was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). MfAE (extract obtained using acetone as solvent) showed the higher levels of phenols (296 mg GAE/g) and anthocyanins contents (35.65 mg Cy-3-glcE/g) that were associated with higher antioxidant activity. MfAE also exhibitedin vivoanti-inflammatory and analgesic propertiers. This fraction inhibited the inflammatory and neurogenic phases of pain, and this effect was reversed by naloxone (suggesting the involvement of opioidergic system). MfAE reduced the abdominal contortions induced by acetic acid. The HPLC analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid (and its derivatives) and ellagic acid. Taken together, these data support the use ofM. floribundafruit peels for development of functional foods and nutraceutics.
Sensitivity of Summer Precipitation over Korea to Convective Parameterizations in the RegCM4: An Updated Assessment
Authors: Nguyen-Xuan Thanh , Qiu Liying , Im Eun-Soon , Hur Jina , Shim Kyo-Moon
Published: April 2020

This study investigates the performance of the latest version of RegCM4 in simulating summer precipitation over South Korea, comparing nine sensitivity experiments with different combinations of convective parameterization schemes (CPSs) between land and ocean. In addition to the gross pattern of seasonal and monthly mean precipitation, the northward propagation of the intense precipitation band and statistics from extreme daily precipitation are thoroughly evaluated against gridded and in situ station observations. The comparative analysis of 10-year simulations demonstrates that no CPS shows superiority in both quantitative and qualitative aspects. Furthermore, a nontrivial discrepancy among the different observation datasets makes a robust assessment of model performance difficult. Regardless of the CPS over the ocean, the simulations with the Kain–Fritsch scheme over land show a severe dry bias, whereas the simulations with the Tiedtke scheme over land suffer from a limited accuracy in reproducing spatial distributions due to the excessive orographic precipitation. In general, the simulations with the Emanuel scheme over land are better at capturing the major characteristics of summer precipitation over South Korea, despite not all statistical metrics showing the best performance. When applying the Emanuel scheme to both land and the ocean, precipitation tends to be slightly overestimated. This deficiency can be alleviated by using either the Tiedtke or Kain–Fritsch schemes over the ocean instead. As few studies have applied and evaluated the Tiedtke and Kain–Fritsch schemes to the Korean region within the RegCM framework, and this study introduces the potential of these new CPSs compared with the more frequently selected Emanuel scheme, which is particularly beneficial to RegCM users.
Efficacy and Safety of Lamivudine or Telbivudine in Preventing Mother‐to‐Child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus: A Real‐World Study
Authors: Li Zhenhua , Duan Xuefei , Hu Yuhong , Zhou Mingfang , Liu Min , Kang Kai , Cai Haodong , Yi Wei , Fu Dong , Gao Xuesong
Published: April 2020

Background. There are few large sample studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of lamivudine (LAM) or telbivudine (LdT) in preventing hepatitis B mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT) in highly viremic mothers in the third trimester of pregnancy in real‐world settings. The purpose of this study was to analyze a large sample size of HBV‐infected mothers to better understand the safety and efficacy of LAM and LdT under the aforementioned criteria. Methods. During the period of November 2008 to November 2017, we retrospectively enrolled mothers with HBV DNA > 1 × 106 IU/mL who received LAM or LdT during the third trimester of pregnancy and compared them to untreated mothers. All mothers were divided into the three following groups: the LAM group, the LdT group, and the control group. Results. A total of 2624 HBV‐infected mothers were enrolled in the study, with 363 in the LAM group, 1283 in the LdT group, and 978 in the control group. The MTCT rates were significantly lower in the LAM or LdT group than that in the control group (0.4% or 0.3% versus 9.0%, P < 0.001). Infants born to untreated mothers had a significantly higher risk of HBV infection (OR = 28.6, 95% CI: 10.4–78.7, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in perinatal complications between the three groups (P > 0.05). There were also no differences for gestational age or infants’ height, weight, Apgar scores, or birth defect rates. Postpartum discontinuation of antiviral therapy did not seem to increase the risk of postpartum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flare. Conclusion. LAM or LdT treatment initiated in the third trimester for mothers with HBV DNA > 1 × 106 IU/mL was equally safe and effective in preventing MTCT.
CTLA4‐Ig Abatacept Ameliorates Proteinuria by Regulating Circulating Treg/IL‐17 in Adriamycin‐Induced Nephropathy Rats
Authors: Shuai Lanjun , Cheng Qia , Shen Tian , Yi Zhuwen , Wu Xiaochuan
Published: April 2020

Objective. This study is aimed at investigating the efficacy of CTLA4‐Ig abatacept in normalizing proteinuria and its possible mechanism in adriamycin‐induced nephropathy (AIN) rats. Methods. A total of 32 healthy male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, an AIN group, an abatacept group, and a prednisone group. Adriamycin (6.5 mg/kg) was injected once via the tail vein of rats to induce nephrotic syndrome. After adriamycin treatment, the abatacept group rats were given abatacept (0.5 mg/kg) once by intraperitoneal injection on day 14. In addition, the prednisone group rats were given prednisone (12.5 mg/kg) daily consecutively by gavage from day 14 to day 21. Blood, urine, and kidney tissue specimens were collected when sacrificed on day 21. The 24‐hour urinary protein, serum albumin, cholesterol, creatinine, and urea nitrogen were then detected. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the level of urine CD80 and serum IL‐17. Flow cytometry was used to investigate the prevalence of circulating Treg. Hematoxylin‐eosin staining and electron microscopy were used for a renal histological study. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to confirm the CD80 expression of renal tissue. Results. The 24‐hour urinary protein of the abatacept group was significantly lower than that of the prednisone group and the AIN group. The level of urine CD80 of the abatacept group was significantly lower than that of the AIN group. Compared with the AIN group and the prednisone group, the circulating Treg prevalence of the abatacept group was significantly higher, while the level of serum IL‐17 was lower. A negative kidney staining of CD80 expression was demonstrated in each group in this study. The 24‐hour urinary protein had a negative correlation with the circulating Treg prevalence and Treg/IL‐17 and a positive correlation with the urine CD80 and serum IL‐17. Urinary CD80 had a positive correlation with serum IL‐17 and no correlation with the circulating Treg prevalence. Conclusions. CTLA4‐Ig abatacept can reduce proteinuria of adriamycin‐induced nephropathy rats, possibly at least partially as a result of regulating circulating Treg/IL‐17. CTLA4‐Ig abatacept could be a promising regimen for idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.
Graph Theory-Based Mathematical Calculation Modeling for Temperature Distribution of LED Lights’ Convective Cooled Heat Sinks under Moisture Environment
Authors: Lyu Bei-xuan , Chen Yu-ren , Li Yong
Published: April 2020

In this paper, a mathematical model based on graph theory is proposed to calculate the heat distribution of LED lights’ convective cooled heat sink. First, the heat and mass transfer process of a single fin under moisture environment is analyzed. Then, the heat transfer process is characterized by a digraph, defining fins and joints of a heat sink as edges and vertices in graph theory. Finally, the whole heat transfer process is described by two criteria achieved based on graph theory. Therefore, the temperature-heat calculation equations of the whole heat sink are deduced. The accuracy of this model is verified by testing the junction temperature of different LED chips mounted on the same heat sink under moisture environment, and the relative errors between the calculated value and the experimental data are all within 5%, and it is also concluded from the model that heat sinks with an identical heat digraph but different types have close cooling performance and are verified by two typical heat sinks, cylindrical heat sink and rectangular plate-fin heat sink, under the same conditions. The mathematical model based on group theory developed in this paper combined with computer technology is convenient for the performance analysis among a large number of heat sink fin arrangement schemes.
Explicit Exact Solutions of the (2+1)-Dimensional Integro-Differential Jaulent–Miodek Evolution Equation Using the Reliable Methods
Authors: Kaewta Supaporn , Sirisubtawee Sekson , Khansai Nattawut
Published: April 2020

In this article, we utilize the G′/G2-expansion method and the Jacobi elliptic equation method to analytically solve the (2 + 1)-dimensional integro-differential Jaulent–Miodek equation for exact solutions. The equation is shortly called the Jaulent–Miodek equation, which was first derived by Jaulent and Miodek and associated with energy-dependent Schrödinger potentials (Jaulent and Miodek, 1976; Jaulent, 1976). The equation is converted into a fourth order partial differential equation using a transformation. After applying a traveling wave transformation to the resulting partial differential equation, we obtain an ordinary differential equation which is the main equation to which the both schemes are applied. As a first step, the two methods give us distinguish systems of algebraic equations. The first method provides exact traveling wave solutions including the logarithmic function solutions of trigonometric functions, hyperbolic functions, and polynomial functions. The second approach provides the Jacobi elliptic function solutions depending upon their modulus values. Some of the obtained solutions are graphically characterized by the distinct physical structures such as singular periodic traveling wave solutions and peakons. A comparison between our results and the ones obtained from the previous literature is given. Obtaining the exact solutions of the equation shows the simplicity, efficiency, and reliability of the used methods, which can be applied to other nonlinear partial differential equations taking place in mathematical physics.
Silica Fume and Nanosilica Effects on Mechanical and Shrinkage Properties of Foam Concrete for Structural Application
Authors: Gong Jianqing , Zhu Lilin , Li Jiusu , Shi Da
Published: April 2020

Adding the appropriate amount of silica fume (SF) or nanosilica (NS) can improve the strength and reduce the shrinkage of foam concrete (FC), thereby widening its application. This paper reports on a study of FC mechanical and shrinkage properties when varying SF and NS proportions were used to replace cement. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nonmetallic ultrasonic detection were employed to investigate the mechanism of strength changes. The result showed that when the SF and NS content was 15% and 4%, in the 28 days, the compressive strength of FC peaked at 32.8 MPa and 35.8 MPa, and the flexural strength maximized at 7.9 MPa and 9.1 MPa, respectively. The autogenous shrinkage reached the minimum value, separately, i.e., 741.2 × 10−6 and 797.1 × 10−6. The dry shrinkage value was the highest (862.5 × 10−6 and 1387.5 × 10−6). The results indicated that the compressive and flexural strength of FC first increased and then decreased as SF and NS content increased. Autogenous shrinkage first decreased and then increased with the increase of SF or NS content. An opposite trend of dry shrinkage could be observed. FC made with NS had higher shrinkage than it did with SF. The results also indicated that there was a correlation between microstructure and sound velocity in the presence of SF or NS.
Finite-Time Synchronization of Complex Dynamical Networks with Nondelayed and Delayed Coupling by Continuous Function Controller
Authors: Chengrong Xie , Yu Xing , Qing Xia , Tong Dongbing , Xu Yuhua
Published: April 2020

This paper investigates the finite-time synchronization of complex dynamical networks with nondelayed and delayed coupling. By designing a simple continuous function controller, sufficient criteria for finite-time synchronization of dynamical networks with nondelayed and delayed coupling are obtained. As a special case, the continuous function controller designed in this paper may be the simplest and easy to implement for the finite-time synchronization of dynamical networks without delay. Finally, numerical simulations are given to verify the effectiveness of the conclusions presented in this paper.
Rock Mass Quality Evaluation Based on Unascertained Measure and Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Wu Shuliang , Du Xidong , Yang Shan
Published: April 2020

Evaluation of rock mass quality is of great significance to the design and construction of geotechnical engineering. In order to evaluate the quality of engineering rock mass scientifically and deal with the fuzzy information in the rock mass quality evaluation reasonably, a model for evaluation of rock mass quality based on unascertained measure and intuitionistic fuzzy sets (UM-IFS) was proposed. First, the membership of rock mass quality evaluation index was determined by the single index measure function of unascertained measure (UM) theory. Based on the intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFS) theory, the single index measure evaluation matrix based on IFS (IFS-single index measure evaluation matrix) was obtained. By synthesizing various subjective and objective weighting methods, the range of index weight was determined, and the index weight vector based on IFS (IFS-index weight vector) was constructed. Then, the IFS-single index measure evaluation matrix and the IFS-index weight vector were used to calculate the scores of rock mass samples and evaluate rock mass quality. Finally, fuzzy analysis was performed on the weight of rock mass quality evaluation index. The established model for evaluation of rock mass quality was applied to the underground engineering rock mass in Guangzhou pumped storage power plant, and the evaluation results were compared with the other 4 effective models for rock mass quality evaluation. The results show that rock mass quality evaluation based on UM-IFS is consistent with the actual situation, and the fuzziness of evaluation index weight has no obvious correlation with its value.
Computational Comparison of Exact Solution Methods for 0-1 Quadratic Programs: Recommendations for Practitioners
Authors: Forrester Richard J. , Hunt-Isaak Noah
Published: April 2020

This paper is concerned with binary quadratic programs (BQPs), which are among the most well-studied classes of nonlinear integer optimization problems because of their wide variety of applications. While a number of different solution approaches have been proposed for tackling BQPs, practitioners need techniques that are both efficient and easy to implement. We revisit two of the most widely used linearization strategies for BQPs and examine the effectiveness of enhancements to these formulations that have been suggested in the literature. We perform a detailed large-scale computational study over five different classes of BQPs to compare these two linearizations with a more recent linear reformulation and direct submission of the nonlinear integer program to an optimization solver. The goal is to provide practitioners with guidance on how to best approach solving BQPs in an effective and easily implemented manner.