bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delving into Early-onset Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: How Does Age Fit In?
Authors: Tsang Erica S. , Topham James T. , Karasinska Joanna M. , Lee Michael K.C. , Williamson Laura M. , Mendis Shehara , Denroche Robert E. , Jang Gun Ho , Kalloger Steve E. , Moore Richard A. , Mungall Andrew J. , Bathe Oliver F. , Tang Patricia A. , Notta Faiyaz , Wilson Julie M. , Laskin Janessa , O'Kane Grainne M. , Knox Jennifer J. , Goodwin Rachel A. , Loree Jonathan M. , Jones Steven J.M. , Marra Marco A. , Gallinger Steven , Schaeffer David F. , Renouf Daniel J.
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

With the rising incidence of early-onset pancreatic cancer (EOPC), molecular characteristics that distinguish early-onset pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumors from those arising at a later age are not well understood.

Experimental Design:

We performed bioinformatic analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data generated from 269 advanced (metastatic or locally advanced) and 277 resectable PDAC tumor samples. Patient samples were stratified into EOPC (age of onset ≤55 years; n = 117), intermediate (age of onset 55–70 years; n = 264), and average (age of onset ≥70 years; n = 165) groups. Frequency of somatic mutations affecting genes commonly implicated in PDAC, as well as gene expression patterns, were compared between EOPC and all other groups.

Results:

EOPC tumors showed significantly lower frequency of somatic single-nucleotide variant (SNV)/insertions/deletions (indel) in CDKN2A (P = 0.0017), and were more likely to achieve biallelic mutation of CDKN2A through homozygous copy loss as opposed to heterozygous copy loss coupled with a loss-of-function SNV/indel mutation, the latter of which was more common for tumors with later ages of onset (P = 1.5e-4). Transcription factor forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2) was significantly upregulated in EOPC tumors (P = 0.032). Genes significantly correlated with FOXC2 in PDAC samples were enriched for gene sets related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and included VIM (P = 1.8e-8), CDH11 (P = 6.5e-5), and CDH2 (P = 2.4e-2).

Conclusions:

Our comprehensive analysis of sequencing data generated from a large cohort of PDAC patient samples highlights a distinctive pattern of biallelic CDKN2A mutation in EOPC tumors. Increased expression of FOXC2 in EOPC, with the correlation between FOXC2 and EMT pathways, represents novel molecular characteristics of EOPC.

See related commentary by Lou, p. 8
Genomic Analysis of Germline Variation Associated with Survival of Patients with Colorectal Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy Plus Biologics in CALGB/SWOG 80405 (Alliance)
Authors: Innocenti Federico , Sibley Alexander B. , Patil Sushant A. , Etheridge Amy S. , Jiang Chen , Ou Fang-Shu , Howell Stefanie D. , Plummer Sarah J. , Casey Graham , Bertagnolli Monica M. , McLeod Howard L. , Auman James T. , Blanke Charles D. , Furukawa Yoichi , Venook Alan P. , Kubo Michiaki , Lenz Heinz-Josef , Parker Joel S. , Ratain Mark J. , Owzar Kouros
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

Irinotecan/5-fluorouracil (5-FU; FOLFIRI) or oxaliplatin/5-FU (FOLFOX), combined with bevacizumab or cetuximab, are approved, first-line treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We aimed at identifying germline variants associated with survival in patients with mCRC treated with these regimens in Cancer and Leukemia Group B/SWOG 80405.

Experimental Design:

Patients with mCRC receiving either FOLFOX or FOLFIRI were randomized to either cetuximab or bevacizumab. DNA from peripheral blood was genotyped for approximately 700,000 SNPs. The association between SNPs and overall survival (OS) was tested in 613 patients of genetically estimated European ancestry using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results:

The four most significant SNPs associated with OS were three haplotypic SNPs between microsomal glutathione S-transferase 1 (MGST1) and LIM domain only 3 (LMO3, representative HR, 1.56; P = 1.30 × 10−6), and rs11644916 in AXIN1 (HR, 1.39, P = 4.26 × 10−6). AXIN1 is a well-established tumor suppressor gene in colorectal cancer, and rs11644916 (G>A) conferred shorter OS. Median OS for patients with the AA, AG, or GG genotypes was 18.4, 25.6, or 36.4 months, respectively. In 90 patients with stage IV colorectal cancer from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), rs11649255 in AXIN1 [in almost complete linkage disequilibrium (LD) with rs11644916], was associated with shorter OS (HR, 2.24, P = 0.0096). Using rs11648673 in AXIN1 (in very high LD with rs11644916 and with functional evidence), luciferase activity in three colorectal cancer cell lines was reduced.

Conclusions:

This is the first large genome-wide association study ever conducted in patients with mCRC treated with first-line standard treatment in a randomized phase III trial. A common SNP in AXIN1 conferred worse OS and the effect was replicated in TCGA. Further studies in colorectal cancer experimental models are required.
Protein Glycosylation: “New-yet-Old” Target for Immunotherapy
Authors: Bhat Jaydeep , Kabelitz Dieter
Published: September 2020

The use of checkpoint monotherapy in treating cancer has limited success. Post-translational modifications (PTM) of proteins such as glycosylation might have clinical implications due to distinct modifications found in diseases and its regulatory role in the immunometabolic gene expression. Such novel mechanistic targets hold great promise for combined immunotherapy.

See related article by Shi et al., p. 5990
Reducing Fatty Acid Oxidation Improves Cancer-free Survival in a Mouse Model of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome
Authors: Wang Ping-Yuan , Ma Jin , Li Jie , Starost Matthew F. , Wolfgang Michael J. , Singh Komudi , Pirooznia Mehdi , Kang Ju-Gyeong , Hwang Paul M.
Published: September 2020

Germline mutations of TP53, which cause the cancer predisposition disorder Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), can increase mitochondrial activity as well as fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) in mice. Increased fatty acid metabolism can promote cancer malignancy, but its specific contribution to tumorigenesis in LFS remains unclear. To investigate this, we crossed LFS mice carrying the p53 R172H knock-in mutation (p53172H/H, homolog of the human TP53 R175H LFS mutation) with myoglobin-knockout (MB−/−) mice known to have decreased FAO. MB−/− p53172H/H double-mutant mice also showed mildly reduced FAO in thymus, a common site of T lymphoma development in LFS mice, in association with an approximately 40% improvement in cancer-free survival time. RNA sequencing profiling revealed that the p53 R172H mutation promotes mitochondrial metabolism and ribosome biogenesis, both of which are suppressed by the disruption of MB. The activation of ribosomal protein S6, involved in protein translation and implicated in cancer promotion, was also inhibited in the absence of MB. To further confirm the role of FAO in lymphomagenesis, mitochondrial FAO enzyme, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT2), was specifically disrupted in T cells of p53172H/H mice using a Cre-loxP–mediated strategy. The heterozygous knockout of CPT2 resulted in thymus FAO haploinsufficiency and an approximately 30% improvement in survival time, paralleling the antiproliferative signaling observed with MB disruption. Thus, this study demonstrates that moderating FAO in LFS can suppress tumorigenesis and improve cancer-free survival with potential implications for cancer prevention.

Prevention Relevance:

Mildly inhibiting the increased fatty acid oxidation observed in a mouse model of Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a cancer predisposition disorder caused by inherited mutations of TP53, dampens aberrant pro-tumorigenic cell signaling and improves the survival time of these mice, thereby revealing a potential strategy for cancer prevention in patients.
Risk of Skin Cancer Associated with Metformin Use: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Observational Studies
Authors: Chang Michael S. , Hartman Rebecca I. , Xue Junchao , Giovannucci Edward L. , Nan Hongmei , Yang Keming
Published: September 2020

Previous studies demonstrate mixed evidence regarding the association between metformin and skin cancer risk. To synthesize prior evidence and evaluate the association between metformin and skin cancer risk in patients with diabetes/prediabetes, we conducted a meta-analysis. A systematic literature search was performed up to March 23, 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT) and observational studies of metformin that reported any event of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and melanoma. In a meta-analysis of 6 trials involving 8,541 patients (Peto method), compared with controls, metformin was not significantly associated with decreased risk of melanoma [OR, 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.27–2.43], BCC (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.36–1.57), SCC (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.06–15.60), total nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC; OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.38–1.24), or total skin cancer (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.42–1.20). This nonsignificant association pattern was consistent with the random-effects meta-analysis of 4 cohort studies with 354,746 patients (melanoma: RR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.62–1.33; NMSC: RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.35–1.18; total skin cancer: RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.59–1.16). In conclusion, meta-analyses of both RCT and cohort studies showed no statistically significant association between metformin and skin cancer risks, although suggestive evidence of modestly reduced risks of skin cancer among metformin users was observed. Further studies are needed.

Prevention Relevance:

Meta-analyses of RCT and cohort studies showed no significant association between metformin and skin cancer, although suggestive evidence of modestly reduced skin cancer risks among metformin users was observed. These findings suggest metformin use should not influence current medical decision making for diabetes patients at risk of developing skin cancer.
COVID-19, Cancer Care and Prevention
Authors: DuBois Raymond N.
Published: September 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on our society and healthcare delivery in the United States. Importantly, elective procedures and screening exams for cancer have been delayed or canceled over the past 4–5 months raising concerns over the future incidence and outcomes for those at risk or diagnosed with cancer. It is clear to everyone in the cancer field that the earlier we detect premalignant disease or cancer, the better the clinical outcome is for the patient. Most healthcare institutions have now put safety procedures and guidelines in place, which have dramatically reduced the risk of viral spread during encounters in their healthcare facilities. We must now encourage the public and those individuals at high risk for cancer to resume normal cancer screening.
Cost-Effectiveness of an Obesity Management Program for 6- to 15-Year-Old Children in Poland: Data from Over Three Thousand Participants
Authors: Bandurska Ewa , Brzeziński Michał , Metelska Paulina , Zarzeczna-Baran Marzena
Published: September 2020

Background: Obesity and overweight, including childhood obesity and overweight, pose a public health challenge worldwide. According to the available research findings, long-term interventions focusing on dietary behavior, physical activity, and psychological support are the most effective in reducing obesity in children aged 6–18 years. There are limited studies showing the financial effectiveness of such interventions. Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate cost-effectiveness of the 6-10-14 for Health weight management program using pharmacoeconomic indicators, i.e., cost-effectiveness analysis using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Methods: We used anthropometric data of 3,081 children included in a 1-year-long intervention with a full financial cost assessment. Results: The cost of removing a child from the overweight group (BMI >85th percentile) was PLN 27,758 (EUR 6,463), and the cost of removing a child from the obese group (BMI >95th percentile) was slightly lower, i.e., PLN 23,601 (EUR 5,495). Given the obesity-related medical costs calculated in the life-long perspective, these results can be considered encouraging. At the same time, when comparing the total costs per participant with the costs of other interventions, it can be noted that they are similar to the costs of school programs containing more than 1 type of intervention. Conclusions: The 6-10-14 for Health program can be considered cost-effective. As a result of committing financial resources in the approximate amount of EUR 1,790 per child, around half of the children participating in the program have improved their weight indicators.
Altered Expressions of AQP3 and ADP Are Closely Related with the Risk of Preeclampsia Occurrence
Authors: Zhou Jianli , Zhang Dongfang , Bai Jie , Li Zhiguo , Chen Yan
Published: September 2020

To investigate the expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) in placenta and fetal membranes and the level of adiponectin (ADP) in the umbilical cord blood of severe preeclampsia and to analyze the relationship between the 2 proteins and severe preeclampsia, 60 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia were recruited as the case group and another group of 60 normal pregnant women in the same gestation period were selected as the control. After parturition, the transcriptional levels of AQP3 mRNA in placenta and fetal membranes were evaluated with RT-PCR. The expressions of AQP3 protein in the placenta and fetal membranes were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Meanwhile, the expression of ADP in umbilical artery blood was detected by ELISA. The content of triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and LDL-C/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the case group was significantly higher than that in the control group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the level of TG was related to the onset of severe preeclampsia (OR 2.589). The relative expression of AQP3 mRNA and expression of AQP3 protein in placenta tissue of the case group were significantly lower than those of the control group, whereas in fetal membranes, they were significantly higher. The results of ELISA showed that the level of ADP in umbilical cord blood of neonates in the case group increased remarkably compared with that of the control group.
Late Presentation at Primary Diagnosis of Breast Cancer: Patients’ Personality Characteristics and Attitudes
Authors: Kolben Thomas , Beyer Susanne , Ghasemi Sanaz , Hermelink Kerstin , Meister Sarah , Degenhardt Tom , Himsl Isabelle , Edler von Koch Franz , Kolben Theresa M. , Wuerstlein Rachel , Mahner Sven , Harbeck Nadia , Hester Anna
Published: September 2020

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Despite screening and information efforts, about 10% of patients present with tumor size T3 or T4 at primary diagnosis. Late presentation is associated with more advanced tumor stage and consecutively with worse survival rates. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether patients with a late presentation at primary BC diagnosis differ in their personality from those with early diagnosis. Methods: In this bicentric, observational study, personality traits, positive and negative affectivity, anxiety, spirituality, illness beliefs, and sociodemographic characteristics were assessed in BC patients who presented with T-stages 3 or 4 (late presenters) and T-stages 1 or 2 (controls) at initial diagnosis. Results: Forty patients (20 controls, 20 late presenters) were interviewed. “Late presenters” perceived their disease as long lasting and had significantly more “positive affectivity” in the current trait. Although no significant associations were found, there was a trend for late presenters to have higher education levels, less spiritual longing, less accurate explanation of their illness, less anxiety in the trait scale, and more conscientiousness than the controls. Conclusion: As patients with late presentation for BC differ in specific psychological and sociodemographic characteristics from patients with early BC, the findings of this pilot project warrant additional investigations to identify further specific characteristics and motivations. Identifying patients at risk for late presentation and encouraging them to accept an earlier diagnosis could help to improve their therapy and, finally, their outcome.
Molecular Origin, Expression Regulation, and Biological Function of Androgen Receptor Splicing Variant 7 in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Chen Ye , Lan Tian
Published: September 2020

The problem of resistance to therapy in prostate cancer (PCa) is multifaceted. Key determinants of drug resistance include tumor burden and growth kinetics, tumor heterogeneity, physical barriers, immune system and microenvironment, undruggable cancer drivers, and consequences of therapeutic pressures. With regard to the fundamental importance of the androgen receptor (AR) in all stages of PCa from tumorigenesis to progression, AR is postulated to have a continued critical role in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Suppression of AR signaling mediated by the full-length AR (AR-FL) is the therapeutic goal of all AR-directed therapies. However, AR-targeting agents ultimately lead to AR aberrations that promote PCa progression and drug resistance. Among these AR aberrations, androgen receptor variant 7 (AR-V7) is gaining attention as a potential predictive marker for as well as one of the resistance mechanisms to the most current anti-AR therapies in CRPC. Meanwhile, development of next-generation drugs that directly or indirectly target AR-V7 signaling is urgently needed. In the present review of the current literature, we have summarized the origin, alternative splicing, expression induction, protein conformation, interaction with coregulators, relationship with AR-FL, transcriptional activity, and biological function of AR-V7 in PCa development and therapeutic resistance. We hope this review will help further understand the molecular origin, expression regulation, and role of AR-V7 in the progression of PCa and provide insight into the design of novel selective inhibitors of AR-V7 in PCa treatment.
Metastatic PRAME-Expressing Juvenile Spitzoid Melanoma on the Buttock
Authors: Muto Yusuke , Fujimura Taku , Kambayashi Yumi , Ohuchi Kentaro , Amagai Ryo , Hashimoto Akira , Aiba Setsuya
Published: September 2020

Since the cost of molecular biological methods for Spitzoid neoplasms is expensive, the number of institutes that employ these methods might be limited. Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is a tumor-associated antigen that is useful to distinguish melanoma from other melanocytic disorders, including pediatric Spitzoid tumors that are difficult to diagnose by conventional methods alone. In this report, we report a case of PRAME-expressing juvenile Spitzoid melanoma with lymph node metastasis. Unexpectedly, there were few PRAME-expressing cells in the primary tumor, whereas most metastatic tumors expressed PRAME in the metastatic lymph node. These observations might suggest that, in Spitzoid melanomas, a limited number of melanoma cells possess metastatic potential and that metastatic lesions possess clonality.
Disparities in the Management of Newly Diagnosed Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia for Women Versus Men in the United States
Authors: Sacks Naomi C. , Everson Katie , Emden Maia R. , Cyr Phillip L. , Wood David R. , Raza Sajjad , Wood Kathryn A. , Pokorney Sean D.
Published: September 2020

Background

Information on differences in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) diagnosis, healthcare resource use, expenditures, and treatment among women versus men is limited.

Methods and Results

Study participants identified in the IBM MarketScan Commercial Research Databases were aged 18 to 40 years with newly diagnosed PSVT (
International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision
[
ICD‐9
]: 427.0;
International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision
[
ICD‐10
]: I47.1) from October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2016, observable 1 year preindex and postindex diagnosis. Study outcomes were mean annual per‐patient healthcare resource use and expenditures before and after diagnosis. Among 5466 patients newly diagnosed with PSVT, most (66.9%) were women. Compared with men, women with PSVT tended to have higher rates of anxiety (13.9% versus 10.9%;
P
<0.01) and chronic pulmonary disease (10.9% versus 8.3%;
P
<0.01). Following diagnosis, mean annual per‐patient expenditures increased for all patients, but were significantly lower for women ($26 922 versus $33 112;
P
<0.05), reflecting lower spending for services billed as a result of a PSVT diagnosis ($8471 versus $11 405;
P
<0.05). After diagnosis, nearly half of all patients had at least 1 emergency department visit (women versus men, 49.6% versus 44.5%;
P
<0.01) and more had hospital admissions (women versus men, 24.7% versus 20.0%;
P
<0.01). Fewer women were treated with cardiac ablation (12.6% versus 15.3%;
P
<0.01), and more were treated with medical therapy, including β blockers or calcium channel blockers (odds ratio, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.02–1.31).

Conclusions

Among patients aged 18 to 40 years, ≈2 of 3 patients diagnosed with PSVT were women. After diagnosis, spending was significantly lower for women, reflecting lower ablation rates and less spending on services with a PSVT diagnosis.
Blowing up Neural Repair for Stroke Recovery
Authors: Ward Nick S. , Carmichael S. Thomas
Published: September 2020

The repair and recovery of the brain after stroke is a field that is emerging in its preclinical science and clinical trials. However, recent large, multicenter clinical trials have been negative, and conflicting results emerge on biological targets in preclinical studies. The coalescence of negative clinical translation and confusion in preclinical studies raises the suggestion that perhaps the field of stroke recovery faces a fate similar to stroke neuroprotection, with interesting science ultimately proving difficult to translate to the clinic. This review highlights improvements in 4 areas of the stroke neural repair field that should reorient the field toward successful clinical translation: improvements in rodent genetic models of stroke recovery, consideration of the biological target in stroke recovery, stratification in clinical trials, and the use of appropriate clinical trial end points.
A Framework for Regional Banking Regulation in ASEAN
Authors: Morgan Peter J.
Published: September 2020

This paper argues that there is a role for regional-level institutions of banking regulation in the ASEAN region. This is particularly important in an environment of increasing financial integration and harmonization, including exposures to shocks from volatile capital flows and cross-border banking institutions. The paper examines four aspects of financial regulation: microprudential regulation, macroprudential regulation, resolution capacity and deposit insurance, and a financial safety net. The paper argues that EU regional banking regulation provides a useful reference point, but the lower degree of credit market openness in ASEAN implies that a more nuanced approach can be adopted, and makes specific recommendations.
A Pariah Among Parvenus: Anne Fischer and the Politics of South Africa's New Realism(s)
Authors: Williams Jessica R.
Published: September 2020

While scholars have begun to explore the complex afterlives of “new realism” in Europe and the Americas following the collapse of Weimar democracy, its reception on the African continent has received far less attention. Looking to the unheralded documentary work that Anne Fischer, a German- Jewish refugee to Cape Town, produced in the early years of the Second World War, this essay examines how she and South African contemporary Constance Stuart Larrabee variously employed German modernist photographic aesthetics to both critique and uphold public fictions of race in the decade leading up to the advent of apartheid. In considering these women's work, the text sheds light on how issues of race, class, and gender inflected Fischer's experience of exile and, in turn, how she mobilized her lens in her new colonial context as a young pariah among parvenus
Myrcia sect. Calyptranthes (Myrtaceae) from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil

Authors: LOURENÇO ANA RAQUEL , BURTON GEORGE P. , ALVES MARCCUS , LUCAS EVE
Published: September 2020

Myrcia sect. Calyptranthes is a section of the Neotropical genus Myrcia ranging from Mexico and the Caribbean to northern Argentina with ca. 260 known species. In Brazil ca. 78 species are known, of which ca. 53 are endemic, occurring mainly in the Atlantic and Amazon domains, with few species in the Caatinga and Cerrado. This paper is a taxonomic revision of 38 species from the Atlantic Forest including one newly described species Myrcia botryophylla. The treatment provides an identification key, taxonomic descriptions, phenology and geographic distribution information, nomenclatural updates, synonymy, and illustrations of the main morphological characters. The main character used for differentiating species is inflorescence pattern, but observation of several further characters including leaf size and shape, flower buds and indument assists in species determination. Of the 38 species recognized 29 are endemic to the Atlantic Forest domain and 9 occur in the Amazon, Cerrado and/or other habitats in South and Central America. Twenty-two new synonyms are proposed, two new combinations are made and 29 lectotypes are designated. One new species is described.
First record and new species of the genus Calambus Thomson (Coleoptera, Elateridae, Dendrometrinae) from Taiwan
Authors: ARIMOTO KÔICHI
Published: September 2020

Calambus taiwanensis sp. n. is described from Taiwan, as the first record of the genus Calambus. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the male antennae extending beyond the apex of the pronotal hind angles by two apical antennomeres, antennomere III obconical and slightly longer than II, male aedeagus not expanded apically and without lateral subapical barbs, female genitalia with robust baculum and bursa copulatrix without sclerotized piece. The species is not included in any group suggested in past studies. A key to the five genera of the tribe Prosternini from Taiwan is provided.
Distributed Temperature Sensing for Oceanographic Applications
Authors: Sinnett Gregory , Davis Kristen A. , Lucas Andrew J. , Giddings Sarah N. , Reid Emma , Harvey Madeleine E. , Stokes Ian
Published: September 2020

Distributed temperature sensing (DTS) uses Raman scatter from laser light pulsed through an optical fiber to observe temperature along a cable. Temperature resolution across broad scales (seconds to many months, and centimeters to kilometers) make DTS an attractive oceanographic tool. Although DTS is an established technology, oceanographic DTS observations are rare since significant deployment, calibration, and operational challenges exist in dynamic oceanographic environments. Here, results from an experiment designed to address likely oceanographic DTS configuration, calibration, and data processing challenges provide guidance for oceanographic DTS applications. Temperature error due to suboptimal calibration under difficult deployment conditions is quantified for several common scenarios. Alternative calibration, analysis, and deployment techniques that help mitigate this error and facilitate successful DTS application in dynamic ocean conditions are discussed.
Examining Views of Police Chiefs and College Students Regarding Drug Disqualifiers for the Hiring of Police Officers in Arizona
Authors: Bottema A. Johannes , Telep Cody W.
Published: September 2020

Police applicant disqualification due to prior illegal drug use is a contributing factor to major recruitment and hiring challenges currently facing many American policing agencies. This article explores how chief executives of law enforcement agencies and college students enrolled in criminology courses in Arizona view current statewide police hiring standards related to prior drug use. We use surveys conducted in cooperation with the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board to examine respondent opinions regarding the preemployment use of marijuana and illicit use of prescription drugs. Generally, we find significant differences between the chief executive and student views. Students, who represent potential policing applicants, typically are in favor of harsher treatment of prior drug use than chief executives, although students are also more open to forgiving marijuana use under certain circumstances. We discuss the implications of these findings for police hiring and suggest potential areas of policy change.
Technology and Reading: The Effects of CALL Glossing
Authors: Taylor Alan M.
Published: September 2020

Studies of the effects of L1 glossing on L2 reading comprehension have shown varying results. The present meta-analytic study provides an update of the research of CALL glossing studies and examines key variables related to how CALL glossing can be effective. Findings revealed an overall effect size of .84, which suggests that most readers with CALL glosses should comprehend L2 text more effectively than students without CALL glosses. The present study also found that both productive and receptive tests can be effective in measuring L2 reading comprehension, large amounts of CALL glossing do not necessarily effectively facilitate L2 reading comprehension, and textual glossing with pictures may be the most effective means of CALL glossing.
Is Unenhanced 18F-FDG–PET/CT Better than Enhanced CT in the Detection of Retropharyngeal Lymph node Metastasis in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma?
Authors: Wu Iuan-Sheng , Hung Guang-Uei , Chang Bo-Ling , Liu Chi-Kuang , Chang Tung-Hao , Lee Hong-Shen , Chen Mu-Kuan
Published: September 2020

Positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has been proposed as a means to enhance the pretreatment evaluation of cervical lymph node status in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We conducted a prospective study to compare PET/CT and enhanced CT for the detection of retropharyngeal lymph node (RLN) metastasis in NPC, and to ascertain the factors that affect its diagnostic performance. Our study population was made up of 33 patients—24 men and 9 women, aged 30 to 81 years (mean: 52)—with newly diagnosed NPC who had been treated over a 2-year period. All patients underwent enhanced CT first, followed by unenhanced 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT. The detection rate of RLN metastasis on PET/CT was significantly lower than that on enhanced CT (36.4 vs. 75.8%; p < 0.001). A total of 25 of 26 nodes with a discordant finding were negative on PET/CT; they included 13 metastatic lymph nodes with low FDG uptake, 9 that were located close to the primary tumor, 2 that were confluent RLNs, and 1 that was adjacent to the physiologic FDG-avid prevertebral muscle. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of RLNs was positively correlated with the minimum axial diameter (r = 0.803, p < 0.001). The PET/CT detection rate was 0% for lymph nodes smaller than 5 mm, 9% for those 5 to 10 mm, and 73% for those 1 cm or larger. The detection rate of PET/ CT at level C1 was significantly lower than that at C2 (22 vs. 67%; p = 0.035). We conclude that unenhanced PET/CT is markedly inferior to enhanced CT for detecting RLN metastasis in NPC, especially in lymph nodes with a minimum axial diameter of less than 1 cm and those in proximity to the primary tumor. Using enhanced CT in PET/CT is justified to improve the recognition of RLN metastasis in patients with NPC.
Intervention in relative clauses: Effects of relativized minimality on L2 representation and processing
Authors: Xia Vera Yunxiao , White Lydia , Guzzo Natália Brambatti
Published: September 2020

This article reports on an experiment investigating the effects of featural Relativized Minimality (Friedmann et al., 2009) on the representation and processing of relative clauses in the second language (L2) English of Mandarin speakers. Object relatives (ORCs) are known to cause greater problems in first language (L1) acquisition and in adult processing than subject relatives (SRCs). Featural Relativized Minimality explains this in terms of intervention effects, caused by a DP (the subject of the ORC) located between the relative head and its source. Intervention effects are claimed to be reduced if the relative head and the intervenor differ in features, such as number (e.g. I know the king who the boys pushed). We hypothesize that L2 learners will show intervention effects when processing ORCs and that such effects will be reduced if the intervenor differs in number from the relative head. There were two tasks: picture identification and self-paced reading. Both manipulated relative clause type (SRC/ORC) and intervenor type (±plural). Accuracy was high in interpreting relative clauses, suggesting no representational problem. Regarding reading times, ORCs were processed slower than SRCs, supporting an intervention effect. However, faster reading times were found in ORCs when intervenor and head noun matched in number, contrary to hypothesis. We suggest that our more stringent stimuli may have resulted in the lack of an effect for mismatched ORCs, in contrast to some earlier findings for L1 acquirers.
Mountain or river? — A response to Emma Reicher’s article ‘Approaching the mountain: A journey into the wilderness of large group thinking’
Authors: Tubert-Oklander Juan
Published: September 2020

Emma Reicher’s article is stimulating and highly complex and fills a gap in the literature on large groups. It is unusual in studying the large group experience from the perspective of a participant, and it also reviews the literature and poses a number of fundamental questions on this practice. The present reviewer has chosen to comment on and discuss three of them: i) who does the large group experience belong to?; ii) the influence of psychoanalysis on the large group practice and theory; and iii) essentialism and contextualism in the conception of the human being. In her conclusion, the author compares two metaphors for the large group, a mountain and a river, and opts for the latter. The image of the river clearly depicts the fluid nature of the large group as a process, which must be experienced in order to be known.
Oxidative stress and mitochondrial membrane potential are involved in the cytotoxicity of perfluorododecanoic acid to neurons
Authors: Fang Xuemei , Zhang Xingtao , Li Hongxia
Published: September 2020

Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), used in numerous commercial products, was recently demonstrated to accumulate in the brain more easily than other perfluorinated compounds and to cause cognitive deficits. In this study, pheochromocytoma 12 (PC12) cells were exposed to doses of PFDoA to explore the cytotoxicity of this compound to neurons. The results showed that treatment with PFDoA decreased PC12 cell viability dose-dependently. Treatment with 50 and 100 µM PFDoA significantly increased reactive oxygen species ( p < 0.01) and malondialdehyde ( p < 0.01) and decreased total antioxidant capacity ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) in PC12 cells. The administration of 50 and 100 µM PFDoA led to a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) in PC12 cells. The activity of caspase 3 was obviously increased ( p < 0.05) in 100 µM PFDoA-treated PC12 cells. In general, the results demonstrated that PFDoA exposure could result in the disruption of MMP, which may contribute to the increase of oxidative stress and activation of the apoptotic signaling cascade in PC12 cells.
Experimental study on cutting force in ultrasonic vibration-assisted turning of 304 austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Xu Yingshuai , Wan Zhihui , Zou Ping , Huang Weili , Zhang Guoqing
Published: September 2020

The generation mechanism of cutting force in ultrasonic vibration assisted turning (UAT), with the composition and decomposition of cutting force is discussed in this paper, and the model of cutting force in UAT is established based on the mechanism of UAT. The force measuring test system is designed on the basis of the established machining system of UAT. The contrast experiments for turning the workpiece of 304 austenitic stainless steel are conducted with and without ultrasonic vibration under different technological parameters. Furthermore, the relational model and correlation between technological parameters and cutting force is obtained by regression analysis and variance analysis. Thereby, the mutual relation among these technological parameters is effectively controlled, which contributes to achieving the high quality and high efficient processing. Simultaneously, the influences of single technological parameter with the interaction between technological parameters on cutting force are researched and analyzed. The results prove that the cutting force is reduced significantly with the aid of ultrasonic vibration in turning and the choice of the proper ultrasonic amplitude, there is an optimal range of ultrasonic amplitudes as well. Meanwhile, the cutting parameters have great influence on cutting force, among which depth of cut has the superior influence, then the cutting speed, and feed rate has the minimal influence. Moreover, cutting parameters should not be too large, UAT is mainly used for semi-finishing or finishing at medium-low speed. UAT will get more ideal machining effect if cutting parameters are chosen properly.
An approximate analytical model for modification of size effect law for open-hole composite structure under biaxial load
Authors: Abdellah Mohammed Y
Published: September 2020

Nominal strength prediction remains the main challenge in the field of design and manufacturing of composite laminates. An approximate model to study the stress distribution around a circular hole in composite laminates is derived in this study. This model is constructed using well-known cohesive zone models and mainly depends on the un-notch strength and in-plane fracture toughness. The model attempts to modify and extend the specimen size effect curves, extracted using two-parameter cohesive laws (linear, exponential, and constant), into a biaxial stress state. It successfully predicts the damage initiation, propagation, and fracture of multidirectional composite laminates. Moreover, the stress concentration factor for a composite plate under varying biaxiality is calculated.
The utility of kidney injury molecule-1 as an early biomarker of kidney injury in people living with HIV
Authors: Danjuma Mohammed I , Al Shokri Shaikha , Bakhsh Nadia , Alamin Mohammed A , Mohamedali Mohamed GH , Tamuno Igbiks
Published: September 2020

There are increasing reports of antiretroviral therapy (ART) drug-related kidney dysfunction. Traditional markers of kidney dysfunction such as urine protein/creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) have thus far proven ineffective at detecting some sub-clinical forms of ART-related kidney injury. This is a cross-sectional examination of 114 people living with HIV (PLWH), either naïve ( N =104) or treatment experienced ( N =10). Urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1 ng/mg) thresholds were estimated using electrochemiluminescent assays from stored urine samples and normalised for urinary creatinine excretion (KIM-1/Cr). Correlation coefficients and predictors of kidney tubular injury were compared and derived for both adjusted and unadjusted urinary KIM-1/CR (ng/mg). In PLWH (both ART-naïve and treatment experienced) had a higher baseline unadjusted and adjusted median (≥3.7 ng/mg) and upper tertile (≥6.25 ng/mg) urinary KIM-1/Cr levels compared to either non-normal volunteers (0.39 ng/mg) or those with acute kidney injury in the general population (0.57 ng/mg). When upper tertile KIM-1/Cr (≥6.25 ng/mg) was utilised as a marker of kidney injury, eGFR (ml/min/1.73 m2), white Caucasian ethnicity, and protease inhibitor exposure were significantly associated with increased risk of kidney injury in multivariate analyses (odds ratio 0.91, confidence interval [CI] 0.68–0.98, P = 0.02; odds ratio 8.9, CI 1.6–48.6, p = 0.01; and odds ratio 0.05, CI 0.03–0.9, p =0.04, respectively). We found a significant degree of sub-clinical kidney injury (high unadjusted and adjusted KIM-1/Cr) in PLWH with normal kidney function (eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2). We also found a higher baseline KIM-1/Cr (ng/mg) in our study cohort than reported both in normal volunteers and patients with kidney injury in the general population.
Experimental investigations on atomization characteristics of dual-orifice atomizers part II: Optimization method application
Authors: Fan Xiongjie , Liu Cunxi , Liu Fuqiang , Zhao Qianpeng , Yang Jinhu , Xu Gang
Published: September 2020

In this paper, the optimization method we obtained from dual-orifice atomizers previously is used to design and optimize new dual-orifice atomizers, whereas there are some differences between the new dual-orifice atomizer and dual-orifice atomizer used in Part I. For example, the mass flow is much smaller, there is an expansion angle at pilot nozzle to regulate pilot stage spray cone angle, and there is no recess length between main nozzle and pilot nozzle. Influences of structure parameters on mass flow, spray cone angle and liquid film fusion and separation are investigated, which are consistent with the expectation. Structure parameters that meet performance requirements of dual-orifice atomizer are analyzed. In addition, a new phenomenon has been found is that liquid film oscillation appears with the increase of Δ P, which should be avoided during the design and optimization of new atomizers. Pilot liquid film oscillation will influence the development of dual-orifice liquid film. Pilot swirling groove depth and expansion angle of pilot nozzle are key parameters that influence liquid film oscillation. Conclusions in this paper can be used to guide the design and optimization of new dual-orifice atomizers.
Nonlinear innovation identification of ship response model via the hyperbolic tangent function
Authors: Song Chunyu , Zhang Xianku , Zhang Guoqing
Published: September 2020

This research is concerned with the problem of parameter identification for ship response model. A novel nonlinear innovation–based algorithm is proposed by use of the hyperbolic tangent function and the stochastic gradient algorithm. In order to demonstrate the validity of the algorithm, two identification experiments are adopted by the “Galaxy” ship and the “Yupeng” ship. Furthermore, the comparison experiment is illustrated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, including the least square algorithm, the traditional stochastic gradient algorithm and the improved nonlinear innovation–based stochastic gradient algorithm. The identification results indicate that the improved stochastic gradient algorithm is with higher accuracy by 95.2% than the original algorithm and 11.75% than the least square algorithm. In addition, the proposed algorithm is with advantages of fast speed and high accuracy of identification. That can be extended to other parameter identification systems with the limited test data.
Extending the I-squared statistic to describe treatment effect heterogeneity in cluster, multi-centre randomized trials and individual patient data meta-analysis
Authors: Hemming Karla , Hughes James P , McKenzie Joanne E , Forbes Andrew B
Published: September 2020

Treatment effect heterogeneity is commonly investigated in meta-analyses to identify if treatment effects vary across studies. When conducting an aggregate level data meta-analysis it is common to describe the magnitude of any treatment effect heterogeneity using the I-squared statistic, which is an intuitive and easily understood concept. The effect of a treatment might also vary across clusters in a cluster randomized trial, or across centres in multi-centre randomized trial, and it can be of interest to explore this at the analysis stage. In cross-over trials and other randomized designs, in which clusters or centres are exposed to both treatment and control conditions, this treatment effect heterogeneity can be identified. Here we derive and evaluate a comparable I-squared measure to describe the magnitude of heterogeneity in treatment effects across clusters or centres in randomized trials. We further show how this methodology can be used to estimate treatment effect heterogeneity in an individual patient data meta-analysis.
Establishment and Validation of a Nomogram for Tonsil Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study Based on the SEER Database
Authors: Li Chengzhuo , Yang Jin , Zheng Shuai , Xu Fengshuo , Han Didi , Bai Ling , Wei Yuan-long , Wang Shengpeng , Lyu Jun
Published: September 2020

This study aimed to establish and validate a comprehensive nomogram for predicting the cause-specific survival (CSS) probability in tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). We screened and extracted data from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database for the period 2004 to 2016. We randomly divided the 7243 identified patients into a training cohort (70%) for constructing the model and a validation cohort (30%) for evaluating the model using R software. Multivariate Cox stepwise regression was used to select predictive variables. The concordance index (C-index), the area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC), the net reclassification improvement (NRI), the integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), calibration plotting, and decision-curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the model. The multivariate Cox stepwise regression analysis successfully established a nomogram for the 1-, 3-, and 5-year CSS probabilities for TSCC patients. The C-index, AUC, NRI, and IDI were all showed that the model has good discrimination. The calibration plots were very close to the standard lines, indicating that the model has a good degree of calibration, and the DCA curve further illustrated that the model has good clinical validity. We have established the first nomogram for predicting the 1-, 3-, and 5-year CSS probabilities for TSCC based on a large retrospective sample. Our rigorous validation and evaluation indicated that the model can provide useful guidance to clinical workers making clinical decisions about individual patients.
Benefits and Limitations of the Minimally Invasive Postmortem: A Review of an Innovative Service Development
Authors: Hyde Georgia , Rummery Rachel , Whitby Elspeth H , Bloor Jessica , Raghavan Ashok , Cohen Marta C
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Pediatric postmortem (PM) rates have significantly declined, creating a need for effective minimally invasive alternatives to correlate with parental wishes. We review the use of a minimally invasive fetal and neonatal PM service further to preliminary findings published in 2015.

Materials and Methods

Cases taken from the mortuary electronic database from 2012 to 2017 are analyzed. The minimally invasive service consisted primarily of external examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and placental examination. Any significant conditions found noted. All pathology reports include a Relevant Condition at Death (ReCoDe) obstetric classification. Reports analyzed to determine which aspects of the service provided positive information.

Results

Of 1498 perinatal postmortems, 105 (7%) were PM MRI, of which 75.24% were intrauterine fetal deaths. Relevant conditions were identified in 94 cases (89.52%), and ReCoDe categories in 80 cases (76.19%). Moreover, 90% of cases had a ReCoDe condition, with 10% unclassified. Seven cases had more than 1 ReCoDe. Main conditions related to placenta (32.5%) and umbilical cord (27.5%). The most informative elements were placental examination and MRI.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive PMs are a viable alternative to traditional autopsy when this option is refused. However, further case analysis is needed to determine potential bias toward certain classification codes.