bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial Intelligence Improves the Accuracy of Residents in the Diagnosis of Hip Fractures –A Multicenter Study
Authors: SATO YOICHI , TAKEGAMI YASUHIKO , ASAMOTO TAKAMUNE , ONO YUTARO , TSUGENO HIDETOSHI , GOTO RYOSUKE , KITAMURA AKIRA , HONDA SEIWA
Published: September 2020

BackgroundLess experienced clinicians sometimes make misdiagnosis of hip fractures. We developed computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system for hip fractures on plain X-rays using a deep learning model trained on a large dataset. In this study, we examined whether the accuracy of the diagnosis of hip fracture of the residents could be improved by using this system.MethodsA deep convolutional neural network approach was used for machine learning. Pytorch 1.3 and Fast.ai 1.0 were applied as frameworks, and an EfficientNet-B4 model (a pre-trained ImageNet model) was used. We handled the 5295 X-rays from the patients with femoral neck fracture or femoral trochanteric fracture from 2009 to 2019. We excluded cases in which the bilateral hips were not included within an image range, and cases of femoral shaft fracture and periprosthetic fracture. Finally, we included 5242 AP pelvic X-rays from 4,851 cases. These images were divided into 5242 images that included the fracture site and 5242 images that did not. Thus, a total of 10484 images were used for machine learning. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, F-value, and area under the curve (AUC) were assessed. Gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) was used to conceptualize the basis for the diagnosis of the fracture by the deep learning algorithm. Secondly, we conducted a controlled experiment with clinicians. Thirty-one residents and four orthopedic surgery fellows were tested using 300 hip fracture images that were randomly extracted from the dataset. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy with and without the use of the CAD system for each of the 300 images.ResultsThe accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, F-value, and AUC were 96.1%, 95.2%, 96.9%, 0.961, and 0.99, respectively, with the correct diagnostic basis generated by Grad-CAM. In the controlled experiment, the diagnostic accuracy of the residents significantly improved when they used the CAD system.ConclusionsWe developed a newly CAD system with a deep learning algorithm from a relatively large dataset from multiple institutions. Our system achieved high diagnostic performance. Our system improved the diagnostic accuracy of residents for hip fractures.Level of EvidenceLevel Ⅲ, Foundational evidence, before-after study. Clinical relevance: high
Neuropilin 1 and Neuropilin 2 Gene Invalidation or Pharmacological Inhibition Reveals Their Relevance for the Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Dumond Aurore , Brachet Etienne , Durivault Jérôme , Vial Valérie , Puszko Anna K. , Lepelletier Yves , Montemagno Christopher , Pagnuzzi-Boncompagni Marina , Hermine Olivier , Garbay Christiane , Lagarde Nathalie , Montes Matthieu , Demange Luc , Grépin Renaud , Pagès Gilles
Published: September 2020

Background: Despite the improvement of relapse-free survival mediated by anti-angiogenic drugs like sunitinib (Sutent ®), or by combinations of anti-angiogenic drugs with immunotherapy, metastatic clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (mccRCC) remain incurable. Hence, new relevant treatments are urgently needed. The VEGFs coreceptors, Neuropilins 1, 2 (NRP1, 2) are expressed on several tumor cells including ccRCC. We analysed the role of the VEGFs/NRPs signaling in ccRCC aggressiveness and evaluated the relevance to target this pathway.Methods: We correlated the NRP1, 2 levels to patients’ survival using online available data base. Human and mouse ccRCC cells were knocked-out for the NRP1 and NRP2 genes by a CRISPR/Cas9 method. Their proliferation and migration were evaluated by XTT or impedance tests and by wound closure. Production of VEGFA and VEGFC was evaluated by ELISA. Experimental ccRCC were performed in immuno-competent/deficient mice. The effects of a competitive inhibitor of NRP1, 2, NRPa-308, was tested in vitro and in vivo with the above-mentioned tests and on experimental ccRCC. NRPa-308 docking on both NRPs was performed.Results: Invalidation of the NRP1 and NRP2 genes inhibited cell proliferation and migration and stimulated the expression of VEGFA or VEGFC, respectively. NRPa-308 presented a higher affinity for NRP2 than for NRP1. It decreased cell proliferation and migration more efficiently than sunitinib and the commercially available NRP inhibitor EG00229. NRPa-308 presented a robust inhibition of experimental ccRCC growth in immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice in a reverse dose dependent manner. Such inhibition was associated with a decreased expression of several pro-tumoral factors. Analysis of the TCGA database showed that NRP2, more than NRP1 correlates with tumor aggressiveness only in metastatic patients.Conclusion: Our study strongly suggests that inhibiting NRP is a good therapeutic strategy for mccRCC patients in therapeutic impasses and NRPa-308 represents a relevant hit.
Modulation of human mesenchymal stem cells by electrical stimulation using an enzymatic biofuel cell
Authors: Jeon Won-Yong , Mun Seyoung , Ng WeiBeng , Kang Keunsoo , Han Kyudong , Hwang Sohyun , Kim Hyug-Han , Lee Jae Ho
Published: September 2020

Background
Enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) have excellent potential as components in wearable sensors and bioelectronic devices, especially as active biointerfaces to regulate stem cell behavior for regenerative medicine applications. However, it remains unclear to what extent EBFC-generated electrical stimulation can regulate the functional behavior of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAD-MSCs) at the morphological and gene expression levels. Herein, we investigated the effect of EBFC-generated electrical stimulation on hAD-MSC cell morphology and gene expression using next-generation RNA sequencing.
Materials
We tested three different electrical currents,127 ± 9, 248 ± 15, and 598 ± 75 nA/cm2, in mesenchymal stem cells. We performed transcriptome profiling to analyze the impact of EBFC-derived electrical current on gene expression using next generation sequencing (NGS). Also we observed changes in cytoskeleton arrangement and analyzed gene expression depends on the electrical stimulation.
Results
The electrical stimulation of EBFC changes cell morphology through cytoskeleton re-arrangement. In particular, the results of whole transcriptome NGS showed that specific gene clusters were up- or down-regulated depending on the magnitude of applied electrical current of EBFC.
Conclusion
Taken together, the findings in this study demonstrate that EBFC-generated electrical stimulation can influence the morphological and gene expression properties of stem cells and such capabilities can be useful for regenerative medicine applications related to wearable sensors and devices.
An Intrinsic Hydroquinone-Functionalized AIE Core with Dual Sensitivity via Integrated Molecular Design
Authors: Wang Mengshi , Wang Yuanheng , Hu Renjian , Yuan Jinying , Tian Mei , Zhang Xiaoyong , Shuai Zhigang , Wei Yen
Published: September 2020

A new aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminescence core, 1-hydroquinol-1,2,2-triphenylethene (HQTPE), has been designed and synthesized for the first time. This AIE core is amazingly simple but is fundamentally important to chemistry because of its intrinsic redox and pH activities. The incorporation of hydroquinone (HQ) moiety into a common AIE core tetraphenylethene (TPE) yields HQTPE with unique fluorescent properties over most other AIEgens so far reported. There are tremendous differences of photochemcical properties between HQTPE, 1-benzoquinol-1,2,2-triphenylethene (QTPE, the oxidized counterpart) and its anions. Interestingly, as the solution concentration is increased, AIEgen HQTPE shows stronger fluorescence but QTPE exhibits rapid quenching of fluorescence in a nonlinear fashion, which are in agreement with theoretical studies. The fluorescence of HQTPE is also highly dependent of pH value of media. We have further explored HQTPE as an ultrasensitive redox probe and efficient deoxidizer, which could lead to many potential applications in health care, food security, environmental monitoring, optic and electronic devices.
Ephrin-A2 promotes prostate cancer metastasis by enhancing angiogenesis and promoting EMT
Authors: Zhao Yao , Cai Chenchen , Shi Lubing , Wang Jiwei , Zhang Miaomiao , Zhang Haoliang , Ma Ping , Li Shibao
Published: September 2020

Background
Ephrin-A2, a member of the Eph receptor subgroup, is used in diagnosing and determining the prognosis of prostate cancer. However, the role of ephrin-A2 in prostate cancer is still unclear.
Methods
We established stable clones overexpressing or silencing ephrin-A2 from prostate cancer cells. Then, CCK-8 was used in analyzing the proliferation ability of cells. CD31 staining was used in evaluating angiogenesis. Migration and invasion assay were conducted in vivo and in vitro. The expression of EMT-related markers was evaluated in prostate cancer cells through Western blotting.
Results
We revealed that the ectopic expression of ephrin-A2 in prostate cancer cells facilitated cell migration and invasion in vitro and promoted tumor metastasis and angiogenesis in vivo and that the silencing of ephrin-A2 completely reversed this effect. Although ephrin-A2 did not affect tumor cell proliferation in vitro, ephrin-A2 significantly promoted primary tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, to determine the biological function of ephrin-A2, we assayed the expression of EMT-related markers in stable established cell lines. Results showed that the overexpression of ephrin-A2 in prostate cancer cells down-regulated the expression of epithelial markers (ZO-1, E-cadherin, and claudin-1) and up-regulated the expression of mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin, β-catenin, vimentin, Slug, and Snail), but the knocking out of ephrin-A2 opposed the effects on the expression of EMT markers.
Conclusions
These findings indicate that ephrin-A2 promotes prostate cancer metastasis by enhancing angiogenesis and promoting EMT and may be a potentially therapeutic target in metastatic prostate cancer.
Re-Examining Public Debt and Current Account Dynamics in Ethiopia: SVAR Evidence
Authors: Melesse Wondemhunegn Ezezew
Published: September 2020

Public debt management is now an integral part of overall macroeconomic management in many developing and emerging market economies. Preventing unsustainable debt accumulation and maintaining healthy fiscal profile begins with understanding its key drivers both in the short- and in the long run. This study applies structural vector auto-regressive (SVAR) model on annual time series data to study general government debt and current account dynamics in Ethiopia for the period 1980–2018. Both the impulse response and forecast error variance decomposition results confirm that fiscal balance exerts the strongest influence on both government debt and current account balance in the short run. In addition, own shock as well as shocks stemming from gross fixed capital formation and growth have significant effects on general government debt. The findings were robust to alternative data transformation, differing Choleski ordering of the model variables, and inclusion of exogenous deterministic terms that capture changes in the political landscape.JEL classification: E60, E63, C32, H63
Predicting Response to Tocilizumab Monotherapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Real-World Data Analysis Using Machine Learning
Authors: Johansson Fredrik D , Collins Jamie E , Yau Vincent , Guan Hongshu , Kim Seoyoung C , Losina Elena , Sontag David , Stratton Jacklyn , Trinh Huong , Greenberg Jeffrey , Solomon Daniel H
Published: September 2020

Background Tocilizumab (TCZ) had similar efficacy when used as monotherapy or in combination with other treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in randomized controlled trials (RCT). Recently, we derived a remission prediction score for TCZ monotherapy (TCZm) using RCT data. Herein, we describe external validation and several extensions of the prediction score using “real world data” (RWD).MethodsWe identified patients in Corrona-RA who used TCZm (n=453), matching the design and patients from four RCTs used in previous work (n=853). Patients were followed to determine remission status at 24 weeks. We compared the performance of remission prediction models in RWD, first based on variables determined in our prior work in RCTs, and then using an extended variable set, comparing logistic regression and random forest models. We included patients on other biologic DMARD monotherapies (bDMARDm) to improve prediction.ResultsThe fraction of patients observed reaching remission on TCZm by their follow-up visit was 12% (n=53) in RWD vs 15% (n=127) in RCTs. Discrimination was good in RWD for the risk score developed in RCTS with AUROC of 0.70 (95% CI 0.64, 0.77). Fitting the same logistic regression model to all bDMARDm patients in the RWD improved the AUROC on TCZm patients to 0.73 (95% CI 0.64, 0.82). Extending the variable set and adding regularization further increased it to 0.77 (95% CI 0.68, 0.85).ConclusionThe remission prediction scores, derived in RCTs, discriminated patients in RWD about as well as in RCTs. Discrimination was further improved by retraining models on RWD, including a larger variable set and learning from patients on similar therapies.
Low levels of PCSK9 are Associated with Remission in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Anti- TNF-α: Potential Underlying Mechanisms
Authors: Frostegård Johan , Ahmed Sabbir , Hafström Ingiäld , Ajeganova Sofia , Rahman Mizanur
Published: September 2020

Background Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) targets the LDL-receptor (LDLR) which raises LDL-levels. In addition, PCSK9 has proinflammatory immunological effects. Here we investigate the role of PCSK9 as to the inflammatory activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods PCSK9-levels were determined at baseline by ELISA in 160 patients with RA not previously treated with biologics. The patients started anti- TNF-α (adalimumab, infliximab, or etanercept) treatment and were followed up for one year. Disease activity was determined by DAS28. Effects of PCSK9 on cytokine production from macrophages of healthy individuals and synoviocytes from RA patients and inhibition by anti-PCSK9 antibodies were studied in supernatants by ELISA. Results A significantly lower level of PCSK9 at baseline, p=0.035, was observed in patients who reached remission within one year, defined as DAS28<2.6, compared to those not in remission. At 12 months of TNF-α antagonist treatment, the mean DAS28 was reduced but was significantly greater in patients with highest quartile PCSK9 (Q4) compared to those at lowest PCSK9 (Q1) in both crude (p=0.01) and adjusted analysis (p=0.004). In vitro, PCSK9 induced TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in macrophages and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1) in synoviocytes. These effects were inhibited by anti-PCSK9 antibodies. Conclusions Low levels of PCSK9 at baseline is associated with being DAS28-responder to anti-TNF-α treatment in RA. An underlying cause could be that PCSK9 stimulates production of proinflammatory cytokines from macrophages and synoviocytes, effects inhibited by anti-PCSK9 antibodies. PCSK9 could thus play an immunological role in RA.
LncRNA PCED1B-AS1 is Overexpressed in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Regulates miR-10a/BCL6 axis to Promote Cell Proliferation
Authors: Ding Haitao , He Juan , Xiao Weili , Ren Zhihong , Gao Wanting
Published: September 2020

Background: PCED1B-AS1 has been characterized as an oncogene in glioma, while its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown. This study was performed to analyze the involvement of PCED1B-AS1.Methods: Expression of PCED1B-AS1 in paired HCC and non-tumor tissues from 62 HCC patients was determined by RT-qPCR. The correlation between PCED1B-AS1 and miR-10a or BCL6 was analyzed by linear regression. The 62 HCC patients were followed up for 5 years to analyze the prognostic value of PCED1B-AS1 for HCC. The interactions among PCED1B-AS1, miR-10a and BCL6 were analyzed by overexpression experiments. Cell proliferation was analyzed by CCK-8 assay.Results: PCED1B-AS1 was upregulated in HCC and predicted poor survival. Across HCC tissues, PCED1B-AS1 was inversely correlated with miR-10a, and positively correlated with BCL6 mRNA. In HCC cells, PCED1B-AS1 overexpression mediated the downregulation of miR-10a and upregulation of BCL6. Moreover, PCED1B-AS1 overexpression reduced the inhibitory effects of miR-10a overexpression on BCL6 expression and cell proliferation. Conclusions: PCED1B-AS1 is overexpressed in HCC and regulates miR-10a/BCL6 axis to promote cell proliferation.
Body mass index associated with severity and mortality of patients with coronavirus disease 2019: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fang Chao , Zhou Zheng , Zhou Mingming , Li Jianping
Published: September 2020

Background

As an important indicator to measure obesity or underweight, body mass index (BMI) can be used to assess the potential risk for various diseases. The present study systematically examined the relationship between BMI and severity and mortality of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for studies published as of September 3, 2020 and extracted the relevant data of research endpoints in each study.
Results

This study included 16 studies with 6087 patients. This study observed a significant increase in BMI on admission in patients with severe COVID-19 compared with those with non-severe COVID-19 (Mean difference [MD] = 1.95, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52 − 2.37, I2 = 33%, P < 0.00001). A significant increase in BMI on admission was observed in patients who died from COVID-19 compared with (MD = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.83 to 4.19, I2 = 0%, P < 0.00001). In the intensive care unit (ICU) or geriatric ward, the study observed a significant decrease in BMI in the non-survivor group compared with the survivor group (MD = -1.61, 95% CI: -3.07 to -0.16, I2 = 72%, P = 0.03).
Conclusions

Higher BMI on admission is associated with severity and mortality of patients with COVID-19, but lower BMI is associated with mortality of patients with COVID-19 in the ICU or geriatric ward. Thus, we strongly recommend that clinicians should closely monitor the BMI of patients with COVID-19, especially those from the ICU or geriatric ward.
Bacterial and Fungal Growth in Sputum Cultures from 165 COVID-19 Pneumonia Patients Requiring Intubation: Evidence for Antimicrobial Resistance Development and Analysis of Risk Factors
Authors: Liu Hans H , Yaron David , Piraino Amanda Stahl , Kapelusznik Luciano
Published: September 2020

Background: Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19 illness which can progress to severe pneumonia. Empiric antibacterials are often employed though frequency of bacterial superinfection is debated and concerns raised about selection of bacterial antimicrobial resistance. We evaluated sputum bacterial and fungal growth from 165 intubated COVID-19 pneumonia patients. Objectives were to determine frequency of culture positivity, risk factors for and outcomes of positive cultures, and timing of antimicrobial resistance development. Methods: Retrospective reviews were conducted of COVID-19 pneumonia patients requiring intubation admitted to a 1,058-bed four community hospital system on the east coast United States, March 1 to May 1, 2020. Length of stay (LOS) was expressed as mean (standard deviation); 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was computed for overall mortality rate using the exact binomial method, and overall mortality was compared across each level of a potential risk factor using a Chi-Square Test of Independence. All tests were two-sided, and significance level was set to 0.05.Results: Average patient age was 68.7 years. Eighty-three patients (50.3% of total) originated from home, 10 from group homes (6.1% of total), and 72 from nursing facilities (43.6% of total). Mortality was 62.4%, highest for nursing home residents (80.6%). Findings from 253 sputum cultures overall were evaluated and did not suggest acute bacterial or fungal infection in 89 (54%) of 165 individuals sampled within 24 hours of intubation. Cultures > one week following intubation did grow potential pathogens in 72 (64.9%) of 111 cases with 70.8% consistent with late pneumonia and 29.2% suggesting colonization. Twelve (10.8% of total) of these late post-intubation cultures revealed worsened antimicrobial resistance predominantly in Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, or Staphylococcus aureus.Conclusions: In severe COVID-19 pneumonia, a radiographic ground glass interstitial pattern and lack of purulent sputum suggest antibacterials are not needed. Discontinuation of empiric antibacterials should be considered after 48 hours in absence of sputum to culture or results reported "without growth" or "normal flora." Continuing longterm hospitalisation and antibiotics are associated with sputum cultures reflective of hospital-acquired microbes and increasing antimicrobial resistance.Trial registration: Not applicable as this was a retrospective chart review study without interventional arm.
First detection of a plasmid-encoded New-Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) producing Acinetobacter baumannii using whole genome sequencing, isolated in a clinical setting in Benin
Authors: YEHOUENOU Carine Laurence , BOGAERTS Bert , VANNESTE Kevin , ROOSENS Nancy , DE KEERSMAECKER Sigrid , MARCHAL Kathleen , AFFOLABI Dissou , SOLEIMANI Reza , RODRIGUEZ_VILLALOBOS Hector , VAN-BAMBEKE Françoise , DALLEUR Olivia , SIMON Anne
Published: September 2020

Background
Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is considered a top priority pathogen by the World Health Organization for combatting increasing antibiotic resistance and development of new drugs. Since it was originally reported in Klebsiella pneumoniae in 2009, the quick spread of the blaNDM−1 gene encoding a New-Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) is increasingly recognized as a serious threat. This gene is usually carried by large plasmids and has already been documented in diverse bacterial species, including A. baumannii. Here, we report the first detection of a NDM-1-producing A. baumannii strain isolated in Benin.
Case presentation:
A 31-year-old woman was admitted to a surgical unit with a diagnosis of post-cesarean hematoma. An extensively-drug resistant A. baumannii strain solely susceptible to amikacin, colistin and ciprofloxacin, and resistant to several other antibiotics including ceftazidime, imipenem, meropenem, gentamicin, tobramycin, ceftazidime/avibactam, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, was isolated from the wound. Production of NDM-1 was demonstrated by immunochromatographic testing. Whole genome sequencing of the isolate confirmed the presence of blaNDM−1, but also antibiotic resistance genes against multiple beta-lactamases and other classes of antibiotics, in addition to several virulence genes. Moreover, the blaNDM−1 gene was found to be present in a Tn125 transposon integrated on a plasmid.
Conclusions
The discovery of this extensively-drug resistant A. baumannii strain carrying blaNDM−1 in Benin is worrying, especially because of its high potential risk of horizontal gene transfer due to being integrated in a transposon located on a plasmid. Strict control and prevention measures should be taken, once NDM-1 positive A. baumannii has been identified to prevent transfer of this resistance gene to other Enterobacterales. Capacity building is required by governmental agencies to provision suitable antibiotic treatment options and strategies, in combination with strengthening laboratory services for detection and surveillance of this pathogen.
Role of diabetes in lung injury from acute exposure to electronic cigarette, heated tobacco product, and combustible cigarette aerosols
Authors: Daou Michella Abi Zeid , Shihadeh Alan , Hashem Yasmine , Bitar Hala , Kassir Alaa , Karaoghlanian Nareg , Eid Assaad A. , El-Sabban Marwan , Zaatari Ghazi , Husari Ahmad
Published: September 2020

Background

Patients with diabetes are more vulnerable to the detrimental respiratory effects of combustible cigarette smoke (CS) when compared to the general population. Electronic cigarettes (ECIG) and heated tobacco products (HTP) are marketed as less harmful alternatives to CS. In this study, we compared the effects of acute ECIG, HTP and CS exposure on the lungs of type II diabetes versus non-diabetic mice in an animal model
Methods

Type II Diabetic (Diab) and Non-Diabetic (Non-Diab) mice were divided into Control, ECIG, HTP and CS groups. Animals were exposed for 6 hrs./day to either air, ECIG, HTP or CS for seven days. Lung injury was determined by a) histopathology, b) wet to dry ratio, c) albumin concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, d) expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1 β, e) reactive oxygen species production (ROS), and f) assessment of cellular apoptosis.
Results

Lung histology revealed increased edema and inflammatory cells in diabetic mice exposed to ECIG, HTP and CS. The expression of Inflammatory mediators was, in general, more significant in the Diabetic groups as well. TNF-α expression, for example, was upregulated in Diab + HTP and Diab + ECIG but not in Non-Diab + HTP. ROS was significantly increased in Diab + CS, less in Non-Diab + CS and weakly noted in ECIG + Diab. Significant albumin leak was observed in HTP-exposed animals. CS exposure worsened lung injury in Diab when compared to Non-Diab mice.
Conclusion

Comorbid medical conditions like diabetes may amplify ill effects CS, ECIG or HTP exposure.
Magnesio-lucchesiite, CaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O, a new species of the tourmaline supergroup
Authors: Scribner Emily D. , Cempírek Jan , Groat Lee A. , Evans R. James , Biagioni Cristian , Bosi Ferdinando , Dini Andrea , Hålenius Ulf , Orlandi Paolo , Pasero Marco
Published: September 2020

Magnesio-lucchesiite, ideally CaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O, is a new mineral species of the tourmaline supergroup. The holotype material was discovered within a lamprophyre dike that cross-cuts tourmaline-rich metapelites within the exocontact of the O’Grady Batholith, Northwest Territories (Canada). Two additional samples were found at San Piero in Campo, Elba Island, Tuscany (Italy) in hydrothermal veins embedded in meta-serpentinites within the contact aureole of the Monte Capanne intrusion. The studied crystals of magnesio-lucchesiite are black in a hand sample with vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, an estimated hardness of 7–8, and a calculated density of 3.168 (Canada) and 3.175 g/cm3 (Italy). In plane-polarized light, magnesio-lucchesiite is pleochroic (O = dark brown, E = colorless) and uniaxial (–); its refractive index values are nω = 1.668(3) and nε = 1.644(3) (Canada), and nω = 1.665(5) and nε = 1.645(5) (Italy). Magnesio-lucchesiite is trigonal, space group R3m, Z = 3, with a = 15.9910(3) Å, c = 7.2224(2) Å, V = 1599.42(7) Å3 (Canada) and with a = 15.9270(10) Å, c = 7.1270(5) Å, V = 1565.7(2) Å3 (Italy, sample 1). The crystal structure of magnesio-lucchesiite was refined to R1 = 3.06% using 2953 reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo) (Canadian sample; 1.96% / 1225 for the Italian sample) The Canadian (holotype) sample has the ordered empirical formula X(Ca0.60Na0.39K0.01)Σ1.00Y(Mg2.02Fe0.622+Fe0.093+Ti0.25V0.01Cr0.01)Σ3.00Z(Al5.31Fe0.693+)Σ6.00[T(Si5.98Al0.02)Σ6.00O18](BO3)3V[(OH)2.59O0.41]Σ3.00W(O0.78F0.22)Σ1.00. The Italian (co-type) material shows a wider chemical variability, with two different samples from the same locality having ordered chemical formulas: X(Ca0.88Na0.12)Σ1.00Y(Mg1.45Fe0.402+Al0.79Fe0.363+)Σ3.00ZAl6[T(Si5.05Al0.95)Σ6.00O18](BO3)3V[(OH)2.90O0.10]Σ3.00W(O0.98F0.02)Σ1.00 (sample 1) and X(Ca0.71Na0.21☐0.08)Σ1.00Y(Mg2.49Fe0.412+Ti0.10)Σ3.00Z(Al5.44Fe0.463+Mg0.09V0.01)Σ6.00[T(Si5.87Al0.13)Σ6.00O18](BO3)3V(OH)3W[O0.61(OH)0.39]Σ1.00 (sample 2). Magnesio-lucchesiite is an oxy-species belonging to the calcic group of the tourmaline supergroup. It is related to lucchesiite by the homovalent substitution YFe ↔ YMg, and to feruvite by the homovalent and heterovalent substitutions YFe ↔ YMg and ZAl3+ + WO2– ↔ ZMg2+ + W(OH)1–. The new mineral was approved by the International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (IMA 2019-025). Occurrences of magnesio-lucchesiite show that its presence is not restricted to replacement of mafic minerals only; it may also form in metacarbonate rocks by fluctuations of F and Al during crystallization of common uvitic tourmaline. High miscibility with other tourmaline end-members indicates the large petrogenetic potential of magnesio-lucchesiite in Mg, Al-rich calc-silicate rocks, as well as contact-metamorphic and metasomatic rocks.
Discovery of terrestrial allabogdanite (Fe,Ni)2P, and the effect of Ni and Mo substitution on the barringerite-allabogdanite high-pressure transition
Authors: Britvin Sergey N. , Vereshchagin Oleg S. , Shilovskikh Vladimir V. , Krzhizhanovskaya Maria G. , Gorelova Liudmila A. , Vlasenko Natalia S. , Pakhomova Anna S. , Zaitsev Anatoly N. , Zolotarev Andrey A. , Bykov Maxim , Lozhkin Maksim S. , Nestola Fabrizio
Published: September 2020

Minerals formed at high pressures are sensitive indicators of extreme pressure-temperature conditions that occur in nature. The discovery of the high-pressure polymorph of (Fe,Ni)2P, allabogdanite in the surficial pyrometamorphic rocks of the Hatrurim Formation (the Mottled Zone) surrounding the Dead Sea basin in Israel is the first terrestrial occurrence of a mineral previously only found in iron meteorites. Stepwise annealing experiments demonstrate that allabogdanite is metastable at ambient pressure and that it irreversibly transforms into its low-pressure polymorph, barringerite, upon heating to 850 ± 50 °C. High-pressure, high-temperature diamond-anvil cell (DAC) experiments confirm the results of annealing experiments. The DAC data indicate that Hatrurim allabogdanite is metastable below 7.4 GPa, and the low-to high-pressure phase transition (barringerite → allabogdanite) occurs at 25 ± 3 GPa and 1400 ± 100 °C. The observed transition pressure of Hatrurim allabogdanite is significantly higher than that of pure synthetic Fe2P (8 GPa) due to partial substitution of Fe for Ni (4 wt%) and Mo (2.5 wt%). Because the influence of substituting impurities on the conditions of phase transitions can be unexpectedly strong, our findings confirm that caution should be exercised when extrapolating data from experiments on synthetic compounds to natural systems. Based on the discovery of terrestrial allabogdanite (Fe,Ni)2P coupled with experiments probing the phase transitions in this natural composition, we contend that terrestrial allabogdanite formed via transformation from barringerite and posit potential scenarios of its formation.
Chemical reactions in the Fe2SiO4-D2 system with a variable deuterium content at 7.5 GPa
Authors: Efimchenko Vadim S. , Barkovskii Nicolay V. , Fedotov Vladimir K. , Meletov Konstantin P. , Prokoshin Artem V.
Published: September 2020

Hydrogen-induced decomposition of fayalite (Fe2SiO4) at high pressure is of considerable interest for a better understanding of the chemical processes occurring in the cores and mantles of icy satellites. At pressures up to 10 GPa and temperatures 250–300 °C (typical of the cores and mantles of Jupiter’s and Saturn’s satellites), a variable amount of hydrogen can react with fayalite contained in their rocks. Volatile compounds that can form via these reactions are usually identified by mass spectroscopy. In our experiments, we used compressed deuterium gas instead of hydrogen to ensure that the volatiles analyzed by mass spectroscopy could only result from the decomposition of fayalite. To study the effect of the amount of deuterium present in the system, the fayalite (Fa) samples were deuterated at P = 7.5 GPa and T = 280 °C with the preset molar ratios D2/Fa = 1, 1.5, 2.2, and 5 in the reaction cell. The deuterated samples were further quenched to the liquid N2 temperature and, after releasing the pressure, removed from the reaction cell and studied by quadrupole mass-spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. Our results showed that the high-pressure deuteration invariably led to the chemical decomposition of fayalite. The solid products of the reaction varied from a mixture of ferrosilite (FeSiO3) and iron at D2/Fa = 1 to a mixture of silica and iron at D2/Fa = 2.2. The decomposition occurred via breaking the Fe-O bonds and was always accompanied by the formation of water. Applying the observed reactions to the natural conditions of, e.g., the center of Titan or Ganymede, one may infer that fayalite can be dissolved in the hydrogen fluid or replaced by iron, ferrosilite, or silica depending on the molar ratio H2/Fa.
The relationship between mindful parenting, cognitive parental awareness, and the subjective well-being of adolescents
Authors: Ljubetić Maja , Reić Ercegovac Ina
Published: September 2020

The aim of this research is to explore the relationship between mindful parenting, cognitive parental awareness, and adolescents’ subjective well-being. The study included 101 families consisting of a mother, a father, and an adolescent child (N=303) aged 10 to 17, with a total of 69 female adolescents and 32 male adolescents. A general data questionnaire, mindful parenting questionnaire, and cognitive parental awareness questionnaire were administered to parents while adolescents completed a general data questionnaire, loneliness scale, life and family satisfaction scales, and general self-esteem scale. The results showed that male adolescents were more satisfied with life and had higher self-esteem than female adolescents. Measures of parenting were significantly related between mothers and fathers. The results also suggest that mindful parenting and cognitive parental awareness are significant correlates to the subjective well-being of adolescents when it comes to fathers, but not to mothers.
Aspekti kolaborativne kreativnosti u nastavi glazbe u osnovnoj školi
Authors: Martinović-Bogojević Jelena
Published: September 2020

Socio-kulturološka dimenzija kreativnosti nezaobilazni je aspekt u teorijskim razmatranjima fenomena glazbene kreativnosti. Empirijska istraživanja i iskustva iz prakse dovela su do potrebe za rekonceptualizacijom i reinterpretacijom pojma glazbene kreativnosti u obrazovanju. Upravo se kroz socio-kulturološki kontekst razvio i pojam ‘kolaborativna kreativnost’ (eng. collaborative creativity). U školskoj praksi kolaborativna se kreativnost može ostvariti među učenicima, ali i među nastavnicima koji surađuju kroz realiziranje integrativne nastave, izvannastavnih aktivnosti i projektne nastave. U ovom radu predstavit će se neki oblici poticanja kolaborativne glazbene kreativnosti, s posebnim osvrtom na iskustvo učenika i utjecaj koji su zajednički stvaralački procesi imali na njihovu socijalizaciju, motivaciju, ali i na praktičnu primjenu usvojenih znanja. Za metodološki okvir iskorišteno je akcijsko istraživanje provedeno u jednom odjeljenju petog razreda osnovne škole tijekom školske godine 2017./2018. Cilj rada je otvoriti pitanja o mogućnostima poticanja kolaborativne kreativnosti u redovitoj nastavi glazbe, ali i ukazati na objektivne poteškoće za realizaciju ovog oblika kreativnog procesa u školskim uvjetima.
Testing of causality relationship between Indian and Australian mutual funds performance: standard vs customized benchmarks
Authors: R. Manjunath B. , K. Raju J. , Rehaman M.
Published: September 2020

Most Australian domestic investors rely on fund managers, and in India, this is not the same as they are primarily in direct investment rather than indirect. The study attempts to investigate the causal relationship between the returns of the standard indices, namely BSE500 and ASX300, and customized indices, MIMF and MAMF, for both India and Australia. The study uses econometric tools and techniques such as unit root test, vector error correction model, Wald test, Johansen co-integration, and model efficacy assumptions on the historical closing NAV of the selected mutual fund schemes for the period from April 2008 to March 2018. The econometric investigation using Johansen’s Co-Integration test confirmed the co-integration between BSE500, ASX300 and customized indices. Empirical evidence suggests that the Australian customized MAMF index is not Granger-caused by the Indian customized index MIMF, and therefore the MIMF index value cannot be used to predict the future rate of index MAMF returns, and vice versa.
Competencias TIC en docentes de un Programa de Ciencias de la Salud de Bogotá
Authors: Cepeda Mónica Patricia , Paredes García Myriam Lesly
Published: September 2020

Se presenta el diagnóstico en Competencias Docentes TIC de un programa de ciencias de la salud de una Institución de Educación Superior, argumentado bajo los cambios relevantes en procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje, la transversalidad de las TIC en el currículo y el desarrollo de la innovación educativa en Colombia. Se analizó la importancia del fortalecimiento de las Competencias Docentes en TIC, destacando las apropiadas a la Educación Superior, además del compromiso y relación con las ciencias de la salud. Se presentaron los resultados de un estudio de corte transversal teniendo en cuenta tres niveles: básico, intermedio y avanzado en un cuestionario aplicado a docentes de una IES de la ciudad de Bogotá, en una población estudio conformada por 11 docentes de núcleo del programa de Instrumentación Quirúrgica perteneciente a la Facultad de Medicina de la IES, cuya muestra fue equivalente a la población estudio, que demostró la necesidad de reforzar habilidades digitales docentes acordes a las necesidades de la población estudiantil y su seguridad en el mundo digital.
Desafíos para las universidades colombianas frente a políticas nacionales e internacionales de integración de TIC en la educación
Authors: Paz Saavedra Luis Eduardo , Gisbert Cervera Mercè
Published: September 2020

Ante el desarrollo continuo de la tecnología y su gran potencial en el campo educativo, diferentes organizaciones internacionales, al igual que los gobiernos de muchos países, han venido generado políticas públicas para su integración en todos los niveles de la educación. Colombia no es la excepción, y en el caso específico de la educación superior, dichas políticas han generado retos muy interesantes para sus universidades. Ante esta situación, el presente artículo hace un recorrido por este tema, destacando los mayores desafíos que se han generado para las universidades colombianas. Para ello se ha utilizado como método de trabajo la descripción, análisis e interpretación de los principales referentes en esta temática; adicionalmente, en las conclusiones se pone de manifiesto las enormes posibilidades para el mejoramiento de la calidad de la educación en estas instituciones, el cual puede ser resultado de este proceso de integración de TIC que deben adelantar.
Políticas digitales en educación en tiempos de Pandemia: desigualdades y oportunidades para América Latina
Authors: Lugo Maria Teresa , Ithurburu Virginia Soledad , Sonsino Ana , Loiacono Florencia
Published: September 2020

El propósito de este estudio ha sido documentar y analizar las políticas digitales en educación implementadas en el periodo 2010 a 2018 en América Latina. Los hallazgos que aquí se comparten constituyen la línea de base del escenario actual de la política educativa digital en el contexto de emergencia por el COVID-19. A continuación, se presenta un panorama heterogéneo, desigual y a la vez prolífico de políticas desarrolladas en las últimas décadas con diversos alcances y enfoques. Se identifican tres modelos –tradicional, uno a uno y pensamiento computacional- como así también tendencias y desafíos que condicionan tanto el escenario educativo emergente como el desafío pospandemia que comienza a configurarse en la Región. Desde ya que las implicancias educativas de cada política no son, en todos los casos, claras ni evidentes, pero no caben dudas de que la nueva coyuntura de la pandemia por el COVID-19 pone a prueba, una vez más, las propuestas de inclusión digital educativa en América Latina.
Népesedési folyamatok területi egyenlőtlenségei a Kárpát-medence országaiban
Authors: Obádovics Csilla
Published: September 2020

A népszámlálások számadatai a legtöbb kelet-közép európai országban 1990 óta csökkenést jeleznek. A népesség-veszteség több tényező eredményeként jön létre. Egyrészt a születések és a halálozások számának negatív egyenlege, másrészt a Kárpát-medencén kívülre történő elvándorlás mértéke meghaladja az onnan visszavándorlók számát. Tanulmányunkban megvizsgáljuk a Kárpát-medence országainak népességváltozását. Először röviden áttekintjük a Kárpát-medence országaiban a népességváltozás demográfiai tényezőit az elmúlt évekre vonatkozóan, majd az ENSZ országos népesség-előreszámításainak eredményei alapján megvizsgáljuk a népesség jövőben várható alakulását, kiemelt figyelmet fordítva a korcsoportos különbségekre.
Management of Severe Curvatures in Root Canal Treatment with the New Generation of Rotating Files Using a Safe and Predictable Protocol
Authors: Iandolo Alfredo , Amato Alessandra , Martina Stefano , Abdel latif Dina , Pantaleo Giuseppe
Published: September 2020

Objective:

The aim of this work was to show the management of severe curvatures done with the new generation of rotating files through a safe and predictable protocol.

Methods:

Three clinical cases were described. A safe protocol was explained using the latest generation of rotating files for the shaping of the anatomy of complex root canals. All the cases presented 90°, 45° curvatures and/or double curvatures.

Results:

The instrumentation of canals increased their surface area and volume. All the cases with 90° and 45° curvatures were optimally shaped.

Conclusion:

With the help of rotating files in the martensitic alloy, it is possible to work safely, while avoiding the risk of file separation, even in root canals with severe curvatures, thus achieving success even in complex clinical cases.
Pobreza, equidad y educación. Reto para Colombia como país miembro de la OCDE 2012-2017
Authors: Rincón Vargas Linda Cristiam , Cruz Suárez Camilo Andrés , Molina Sarria Anderson
Published: September 2020

Se analizan los desafíos de las políticas públicas de Juan Manuel Santos en el Plan Nacional de Desarrollo de Colombia, 2014-2017, para su ingreso a la Organización de Cooperación para el Desarrollo Económico. Se esboza la conceptualización y caracterización del desarrollo económico contemporáneo frente a la OCDE. ¿Por qué esta organización se mantiene vigente?, ¿cuáles son los objetivos frente a los países miembros y el resto del mundo? Estas preguntas que analizan bajo la perspectiva de la teoría de la interdependencia, se identifican los retos del Gobierno colombiano para ingresar a la organización y garantizar su sostenimiento, además, se analizan aspectos del desarrollo sostenible.
Vaping-Related Mobile Apps Available in the Google Play Store After the Apple Ban: Content Review
Authors: Meacham Meredith C , Vogel Erin A , Thrul Johannes
Published: September 2020

Background

In response to health concerns about vaping devices (eg, youth nicotine use, lung injury), Apple removed 181 previously approved vaping-related apps from the App Store in November 2019. This policy change may lessen youth exposure to content that glamorizes vaping; however, it may also block important sources of information and vaping device control for adults seeking to use vaping devices safely.

Objective

Understanding the types of nicotine and cannabis vaping–related apps still available in the competing Google Play Store can shed light on how digital apps may reflect information available to consumers.

Methods

In December 2019, we searched the Google Play Store for vaping-related apps using the keywords "vape" and "vaping" and reviewed the first 100 apps presented in the results. We reviewed app titles, descriptions, screenshots, and metadata to categorize the intended substance (nicotine or cannabis/tetrahydrocannabinol) and the app’s purpose. The most installed apps in each purpose category were downloaded and evaluated for quality and usability with the Mobile App Rating Scale.

Results

Of the first 100 apps, 79 were related to vaping. Of these 79 apps, 43 (54%) were specific to nicotine, 3 (4%) were specific to cannabis, 1 (1%) was intended for either, and for the remaining 31 (39%), the intended substance was unclear. The most common purposes of the apps were making do-it-yourself e-liquids (28/79, 35%) or coils (25/79, 32%), games/entertainment (19/79, 24%), social networking (16/79, 20%), and shopping for vaping products (15/79, 19%). Of the 79 apps, at least 4 apps (5%) paired with vaping devices to control temperature or dose settings, 8 apps (10%) claimed to help people quit smoking using vaping, and 2 apps (3%) had the goal of helping people quit vaping.

Conclusions

The majority of vaping-related apps in the Google Play Store had features either to help users continue vaping, such as information for modifying devices, or to maintain interest in vaping. Few apps were for controlling device settings or assisting with quitting smoking or vaping. Assuming that these Google Play Store apps were similar in content to the Apple App Store apps that were removed, it appears that Apple’s ban would have a minimal effect on people who vape with the intention of quitting smoking or who are seeking information about safer vaping via mobile apps.
Low dose whole lung radiotherapy for older patients with corona virus 19 disease (COVID-19) pneumonitis: practical protocol by the International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group (Preprint)
Authors: Nguyen Nam , Arenas Meritxell , Vuong Te , Zamagni Alice , Vinh-Hung Vincent , de Bari Berardino , Galalae Razvan , Farid Ahmed , Motta Micaela , Carlos Pedro , Bonet Marta , Karlsson Ulf , Thariat Juliette , Popescu Tiberiu , Appalanaido Gokula , Sun Myint Arthur , Trigo Lurdes , Baumert Brigitta
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) carry a high mortality rate among older patients and minorities such as ethnic Africans and Latinos. The chronic baseline systemic inflammation of older patients and minorities may make them more vulnerable to the cytokines storm generated by the viral infection in addition to preexisting co-morbidity.
Even though multiple organs failure result from the cytokine storm, pneumonia and respiratory failure often lead to death.

OBJECTIVE

Low dose whole lung radiotherapy (LDWLRT) may modulate the inflammatory response and may decrease the need for artificial ventilation, thus improving mortality rate.

METHODS

A phase I-II prospective trials enrolling 500 patients, 65 years old or older from 25 countries will be conducted to investigate the impact of LDWLRT on mortality rate of COVID-19 patients. The patients who will be selected would have developed pneumonias but did not require artificial ventilation. These patients will be followed for a year after receiving this treatment. Their physical activities will be monitored through the ordinal scale and will be correlated with their cytokines status and oxygen saturation rate to assess the impact of the residual inflammation on their daily life. Mortality rates between different ethnic group will be compared and correlated with their cytokines response to the virus and number of co-morbidities.

RESULTS

We postulate that LDWLRT may improve survival rates of all patients by preventing the need for artificial ventilation which is associated with a high mortality. The inflammatory response between different ethnic groups before and following radiotherapy will be valuable to serve as baseline for future prospective pandemic studies as it has not been reported before.

CONCLUSIONS

Once the study is complete, we may be able to demonstrate that LDWLRT may improve survival through its anti-inflammatory property

CLINICALTRIAL

NCT 04493294