bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The joint effect of aging and HIV infection on microstructure of white matter bundles
Authors: Kuhn Taylor , Jin Yan , Huang Chao , Kim Yeun , Nir Talia M. , Gullett Joseph M. , Jones Jacob D. , Sayegh Phillip , Chung Caroline , Dang Bianca H. , Singer Elyse J. , Shattuck David W. , Jahanshad Neda , Bookheimer Susan Y. , Hinkin Charles H. , Zhu Hongtu , Thompson Paul M. , Thames April D.
Published: July 2019

Recent evidence suggests the aging process is accelerated by HIV. Degradation of white matter (WM) has been independently associated with HIV and healthy aging. Thus, WM may be vulnerable to joint effects of HIV and aging. Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) was conducted with HIV‐seropositive (n = 72) and HIV‐seronegative (n = 34) adults. DWI data underwent tractography, which was parcellated into 18 WM tracts of interest (TOIs). Functional Analysis of Diffusion Tensor Tract Statistics (FADTTS) regression was conducted assessing the joint effect of advanced age and HIV on fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) along TOI fibers. In addition to main effects of age and HIV on WM microstructure, the interactive effect of age and HIV was significantly related to lower FA and higher MD, AD, and RD across all TOIs. The location of findings was consistent with the clinical presentation of HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders. While older age is related to poorer WM microstructure, its detrimental effect on WM is stronger among HIV+ relative to HIV− individuals. Loss of WM integrity in the context of advancing age may place HIV+ individuals at increased risk for brain and cognitive compromise.
Influence of population aging on balance of medical insurance funds in China
Authors: Qiu Xiaoyu , Zhao Tao , Kong Yingchao , Chen Fang
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The increasing intensification of population aging can affect the balance of social medical insurance funds, an issue that has aroused much research attention. Against this background, this paper studies the impact of population aging on the balance of medical insurance funds in China.

Findings

With the introduction of six intermediate variables, ie, economic level, dependency ratio of the elderly population, physical condition, medical demand, medical expenses, and medical resources, a structural equation model is constructed. Then, the relations among these variables are analyzed to explore how population aging affects the medical insurance fund balance. The direct impact of aging is found not to be significant. Physical condition, medical resources, and medical demand are intermediate variables that can affect the relationship.

Conclusion

The results show that population aging does not have a significant impact on the balance of the medical insurance fund. However, China's aging trend suggests that the population aging level is very likely to continue to intensify in the future. Moreover, the proportion of revenue in the medical insurance fund is progressively declining, and population aging may threaten the balance between revenue and expenditure. Finally, based on the above analysis, several corresponding recommendations and future studies are proposed.
A highly sensitive breathable fuel cell gas sensor with nanocomposite solid electrolyte
Authors: Zhang Jing , Jiang Gaopeng , Cumberland Timothy , Xu Pan , Wu Yalin , Delaat Stephen , Yu Aiping , Chen Zhongwei
Published: July 2019

The present work deals with a poly(vinyl alcohol)‐based membrane mixed with poly(4‐styrenesulfonic acid) to be used as a proton‐conducting solid‐state electrolyte in an electrochemical gas sensor for the detection of alcohol. A cross‐linking bonding semi‐interpenetrating network is formed between the polymer backbones, providing the membrane with superior mechanical property and excellent water retention. Meanwhile, the graphene oxide nanosheets are incorporated into the polymer fibrous backbones, creating impermeable block layers to limit ethanol gas penetration. Importantly, the modification of graphene oxide facilitates the protons transportation in both in‐plane and through‐plane channels of the membrane, boosting excellent conductivities of 0.13 S cm−1 (in‐plane) and 22.6 mS cm−1 (through‐plane) at 75°C, respectively. An alcohol fuel cell sensor assembled with this semi‐interpenetrating network solid electrolyte membrane is fabricated based on direct ethanol fuel cell principle, exhibiting excellent sensitivity, linearity, as well as low ethanol detection limits of 25 ppm.
Familial combined hyperlipidemia: An overview of the underlying molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies
Authors: Taghizadeh Eskandar , Esfehani Reza Jafarzadeh , Sahebkar Amirhossein , Parizadeh Seyed Mostafa , Rostami Daryoush , Mirinezhad Mohammadreza , Poursheikhani Arash , Mobarhan Majid Ghayour , Pasdar Alireza
Published: July 2019

Among different types of dyslipidemia, familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) is the most common genetic disorder, which is characterized by at least two different forms of lipid abnormalities: hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. FCHL is an important cause of cardiovascular diseases. FCHL is a heterogeneous condition linked with some metabolic defects that are closely associated with FCHL. These metabolic features include dysfunctional adipose tissue, delayed clearance of triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins, overproduction of very low‐density lipoprotein and hepatic lipids, and defect in the clearance of low‐density lipoprotein particles. There are also some genes associated with FCHL such as those affecting the metabolism and clearance of plasma lipoprotein particles. Due to the high prevalence of FCHL especially in cardiovascular patients, targeted treatment is ideal but this necessitates identification of the genetic background of patients. This review describes the metabolic pathways and associated genes that are implicated in FCHL pathogenesis. We also review existing and novel treatment options for FCHL. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(9):1221–1229, 2019
Considering smoking status, coexpression network analysis of non–small cell lung cancer at different cancer stages, exhibits important genes and pathways
Authors: Mortezaei Zahra , Tavallaei Mahmood , Hosseini Sayed Mostafa
Published: July 2019

Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common subtype of lung cancer among smokers, nonsmokers, women, and young individuals. Tobacco smoking and different stages of the NSCLC have important roles in cancer evolution and require different treatments. Existence of poorly effective therapeutic options for the NSCLC brings special attention to targeted therapies by considering genetic alterations. In this study, we used RNA‐Seq data to compare expression levels of RefSeq genes and to find some genes with similar expression levels. We utilized the “Weighted Gene Co‐expression Network Analysis” method for three different datasets to create coexpressed genetic modules having relations with the smoking status and different stages of the NSCLC. Our results indicate seven important genetic modules having important associations with the smoking status and cancer stages. Based on investigated genetic modules and their biological explanation, we then identified 13 newly candidate genes and 7 novel transcription factors in association with the NSCLC, the smoking status, and cancer stages. We then examined those results using other datasets and explained our results biologically to illustrate some important genes in relation with the smoking status and metastatic stage of the NSCLC that can bring some crucial information about cancer evolution. Our genetic findings also can be used as some therapeutic targets for different clinical conditions of the NSCLC.
S100 protein family and embryo implantation
Authors: Sadigh Aydin Raei , Mihanfar Aynaz , Fattahi Amir , Latifi Zeinab , Akbarzadeh Maryam , Hajipour Hamed , Bahrami‐asl Zahra , Ghasemzadeh Aliyeh , Hamdi Kobra , Nejabati Hamid Reza , Nouri Mohammad
Published: July 2019

It is well known that embryo implantation is a critical process in which embryo should be able to reach and attach to endometrium. Until now, various types of factors are involved in the regulation of this process. S100 proteins are calcium‐binding proteins, which have vital roles in embryo implantation and have been considered as possible candidate markers for endometrial receptivity. However, studies regarding mode of actions of these proteins are scarce and more mechanistic insights are needed to clarify exact roles of each one of the S100 protein family. Understanding of function of these proteins in different compartments, stages, and phases of endometrium, could pave the way for conducting studies regarding the therapeutic significance of these proteins in some disorders such as recurrent implantation failure. In this review, we outlined roles and possible underlying mechanisms of S100 protein family in embryo implantation.
Integrated analysis identifying new lncRNA markers revealed in ceRNA network for tumor recurrence in papillary thyroid carcinoma and build of nomogram
Authors: Chen Fangyao , Li Zhe , Deng Changyu , Yan Hong
Published: July 2019

Object

The risk of tumor recurrence is currently the focus of clinical attention in the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). This study focuses on the identification of novel prognostic long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) signatures for tumor recurrence in PTC.

Method

RNA sequencing profiling of patients with PTC was obtained from the TCGA and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Differently expressed lncRNA, microRNA (miRNA), and messenger RNA (mRNA) signatures between patients with and without tumor recurrence were selected. The lncRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network for tumor recurrence in PTC was constructed to identify lncRNAs associated with tumor relapse in papillary carcinoma. Functional enrichment analysis was performed. Adjusted odds ratios were estimated to identify candidate prognostic lncRNAs considering clinical covariates. Validation analysis was conducted. Nomogram was built based on the verified prognostic lncRNAs and clinical features.

Results

The lncRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA ceRNA network for tumor recurrence in PTC was constructed. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that the identified lncRNAs were associated with PTC. Adjusted odds ratios indicated that 5 of the 16 selected lncRNAs were candidate biomarkers predicting tumor recurrence of thyroid carcinoma. Among which, TTTY10 was verified as novel prognostic markers in validation analysis. Nomogram was built based on the newly identified lncRNA biomarker and clinical covariates.

Conclusion

In this study, lncRNA TTTY10 was identified as potential novel prognostic markers predicting tumor recurrence in PTC. It may provide useful information for future molecular and cohort studies focusing on the prognosis of PTC.
Atiprimod induce apoptosis in pituitary adenoma: Endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy pathways
Authors: Coker‐Gurkan Ajda , Ayhan‐Sahin Burcu , Keceloglu Gizem , Obakan‐Yerlikaya Pınar , Arisan Elif‐Damla , Palavan‐Unsal Narcin
Published: July 2019

Pituitary adenoma is the most common tumor with a high recurrence rate due to a hormone‐dependent JAK/signal transducer and activator of transcriptions (STAT) signaling. Atiprimod, a novel compound belonging to the azaspirane class of cationic amphiphilic drugs, has antiproliferative, anticarcinogenic effects in multiple myeloma, breast, and hepatocellular carcinoma by blocking STAT3 activation. Therapeutic agents' efficiency depends on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress‐autophagy regulation during drug‐mediated apoptotic cell death decision. However, the molecular machinery of dose‐dependent atiprimod treatment regarding ER stress‐autophagy has not been investigated yet. Thus, our aim is to investigate the ER stress‐autophagy axis in atiprimod‐mediated apoptotic cell death in GH‐secreting rat cell line (GH3) pituitary adenoma cells. Dose‐dependent atiprimod treatment decreased GH3 cell viability, inhibited cell growth, and colony formation. Upregulation of Atg5, Atg12, Beclin‐1 expressions, cleavage of LC‐3II and formation of autophagy vacuoles were determined only after 1 µM atiprimod exposure. In addition, atiprimod‐triggered ER stress was evaluated by BiP, C/EBP‐homologous protein (CHOP), p‐PERK upregulation, and Ca+2 release after 1 µM atiprimod exposure. Concomitantly, increasing concentration of atiprimod induced caspase‐dependent apoptotic cell death via modulating Bcl2 family members. Moreover, by N‐acetyl cycteinc pretreatment, atiprimod triggered reactive oxygen species generation and prevented apoptotic induction. Concomitantly, dose‐dependent atiprimod treatment decreased both GH and STAT3 expression in GH3 cells. In addition, overexpression of STAT3 increased atiprimod‐mediated cell viability loss and apoptotic cell death through suppressing autophagy and ER stress key molecules expression profile. In conclusion, a low dose of atiprimod exposure triggers autophagy and mild‐ER stress as a survival mechanism, but increased atiprimod dose induced caspase‐dependent apoptotic cell death by targeting STAT3 in GH3 pituitary adenoma cells.
Macrocyclic pyridone pentamer‐modified polystyrene nanofiber for selective metal ion removal from aqueous solution
Authors: Ni Jiadong , Sun Chang , Zhang Dan , Xu Changhai
Published: July 2019

Macrocyclic pyridone pentamer‐functionalized nanofiber was fabricated through electrospinning for selective heavy metal cation removal from aqueous solution. Parameters influencing the adsorption process, including contact time, initial metal cation concentration, and solution pH, were evaluated, and the optimized adsorption condition was figured out accordingly. The adsorption study demonstrated that the process followed the pseudosecond‐order kinetic models and Langmuir isothermal model. The selectivity of the nanofiber toward metal cations was studied, and it was found that it showed a high adsorption affinity toward Pb2+ over other metal cations such as Cu2+, Ca2+, Co2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+. The nanofiber could be easily regenerated by deadsorption with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid solution. The above results indicate the potential application of the nanofiber in the metal cation separation field.
Childhood physical abuse and physical dating violence in young adulthood: The mediating role of adverse mental health
Authors: Lu Yu , Shorey Ryan C. , Greeley Christopher S. , Temple Jeff R.
Published: July 2019

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine whether adverse mental health (i.e., symptoms of anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression) mediated the relation between childhood physical abuse (CPA) and physical dating violence (DV) victimization/perpetration in young adulthood.

Method

We used four waves of data from an ongoing longitudinal study. The sample consisted of 864 adolescents including 282 Hispanic Americans, 248 European Americans, 240 African Americans, and 94 other, with a mean age of 17 years at Wave 3.

Results

Structural equation modeling suggested that posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms mediated the link between CPA and both physical DV victimization (β = .06, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.11) and perpetration (β = .07, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.13). Anxiety and depressive symptoms, however, did not show significant indirect effects.

Conclusions

Findings highlight the importance of interventions targeting posttraumatic stress symptoms for adolescents who experienced CPA in preventing physical DV in young adulthood.
Complete graphs with no rainbow tree
Authors: Schlage‐Puchta Jan‐Christoph , Wagner Peter
Published: July 2019

We study colorings of the edges of the complete graph . For some graph , we say that a coloring contains a rainbow , if there is an embedding of into , such that all edges of the embedded copy have pairwise distinct colors. The main emphasis of this paper is a classification of those forbidden rainbow graphs that force a low number of vertices of a high color degree, along with some specifications and more general information in certain cases. Those graphs turn out to be of two special types of trees of small diameter.
Predictive model for survival after liver resection for noncolorectal liver metastases in the modern era: a Japanese multicenter analysis
Authors: Wakabayashi Taiga , Hibi Taizo , Yoneda Godai , Iwao Yasuhito , Sawada Yu , Hoshino Hiroyuki , Uemura Shuichiro , Ban Daisuke , Kudo Atsushi , Takemura Yusuke , Mishima Kohei , Shinoda Masahiro , Itano Osamu , Otsubo Takehito , Endo Itaru , Kitagawa Yuko , Tanabe Minoru , Egawa Hiroto , Yamamoto Masakazu
Published: July 2019

Background

Survival benefit of liver resection for noncolorectal liver metastases (NCRLM) remains to be defined.

Methods

This multicenter, retrospective cohort analysis included consecutive patients with NCRLM whose primary tumor and all metastases were treated with curative intent between 2000 and 2013. The primary endpoint was 5‐year overall survival. Clinicopathological factors that affected prognoses were identified using multivariate Cox regression analyses and were included in a predictive model.

Results

Data for 205 patients were analyzed. The three most common primary tumor sites were stomach (39%), pancreas (13%), and urinary tract (10%), with adenocarcinomas the main pathology (52%). R0 resection was achieved in 85%, and the overall survival at 5 years was 41%. In the multivariate analysis, synchronous liver metastases, R1/2 resection, and adenocarcinomas and other carcinomas (with gastrointestinal stromal tumors, neuroendocrine tumors G1/G2, and sarcomas set as the reference group) were independent negative indicators of overall survival. A predictive model effectively stratified the NCRLM patients into low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk groups with overall 5‐year survival rates of 63%, 38%, and 21%, respectively (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients who underwent curative resection for metachronous disease and favorable tumor pathology are expected to have better survival in the NCRLM cohort.
Heat wave occurrences over Senegal during spring: Regionalization and synoptic patterns
Authors: Sambou Marie‐Jeanne G. , Janicot Serge , Pohl Benjamin , Badiane Daouda , Dieng Abdou Lahat , Gaye Amadou
Published: July 2019

Based on 12 Senegalese stations of the Global Summary of the Day (GSOD) database (1979–2014), heat waves (HW) are defined for each station in spring (March–April–May, the hottest season in Senegal) as the daily maximum temperature (Tx), minimum temperature (Tn), or average apparent temperature of the day (AT), exceeding the corresponding 95% mobile percentile for at least three consecutive days. A hierarchical cluster analysis used to regionalize HW in these 12 stations is applied to simultaneous occurrences of daily temperature peaks over their 95% mobile percentiles. Three homogeneous zones of four stations each are identified (Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 3), from west (Atlantic coastline) to east (inland Senegal). Atmospheric circulation associated with HW is assessed through composites of ERA‐Interim deseasonalized anomalies, with the start date of each HW in each zone used as a reference. The main pattern controlling the presence of HW in Senegal consists in positive pressure anomalies centred around the strait of Gibraltar, promoting easterly to northeasterly wind anomalies. This causes higher temperatures in the three zones of Senegal, and lower temperatures and drier air over the central Sahel. This pattern is opposite to that characteristic of HW in the central Sahel shown in previous studies. From Zone 1 to Zone 3, the temperature and moisture patterns are shifted to the east while pressure anomalies weaken drastically. Night‐time Tn‐HW are characterized by higher water vapour contents than daytime Tx‐HW, corroborating and complementing previous studies over the Sahel. These HW patterns are close to the canonical mode of intra‐seasonal atmospheric variability over Senegal.
The value of a second reviewer for study selection in systematic reviews
Authors: Stoll Carolyn R.T. , Izadi Sonya , Fowler Susan , Green Paige , Suls Jerry , Colditz Graham A.
Published: July 2019

Background

Although dual independent review of search results by two reviewers is generally recommended for systematic reviews, there are not consistent recommendations regarding the timing of the use of the second reviewer. This study compared the use of a complete dual review approach, with two reviewers in both the title/abstract screening stage and the full‐text screening stage, as compared with a limited dual review approach, with two reviewers only in the full‐text stage.

Methods

This study was performed within the context of a large systematic review. Two reviewers performed a complete dual review of 15 000 search results and a limited dual review of 15 000 search results. The number of relevant studies mistakenly excluded by highly experienced reviewers in the complete dual review was compared with the number mistakenly excluded during the full‐text stage of the limited dual review.

Results

In the complete dual review approach, an additional 6.6% to 9.1% of eligible studies were identified during the title/abstract stage by using two reviewers, and an additional 6.6% to 11.9% of eligible studies were identified during the full‐text stage by using two reviewers. In the limited dual review approach, an additional 4.4% to 5.3% of eligible studies were identified with the use of two reviewers.

Conclusions

Using a second reviewer throughout the entire study screening process can increase the number of relevant studies identified for use in a systematic review. Systematic review performers should consider using a complete dual review process to ensure all relevant studies are included in their review.
The increased use of diversity in cereal cropping requires more descriptive precision
Authors: Wolfe Martin S , Ceccarelli Salvatore
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Until 100 years ago, cereals were grown only as populations with varying amounts of genetic diversity both within and among different crops. However, since the nineteenth century, methods for isolating and reproducing monocultural varieties have become universal, particularly among larger producers, leading to widespread within‐field genetic monotony. A range of approaches is now being used to increase genetic diversity within and among crops including bringing back into cultivation a range of populations using a variety of different names, such as old varieties, landraces, ancient grains, heritage varieties, heirloom varieties, and mixtures. The objective of this paper, which is the result of the First International Conference on Landraces (Bologna, July 2018), is to contribute to the more precise definition of the names that are used more frequently.

RESULTS

One early approach to increasing diversity among such monocultures was the use of variety mixtures, initially using static mixtures, meaning mixtures that were re‐constituted from their original component varieties for each growing season. Some farmers, however, preferred to re‐grow static mixtures from the harvested, and therefore selected, seed, thus converting them to what can be termed dynamic mixtures. Consequent natural inter‐crossing within such dynamic mixtures means that, within a few seasons, following natural segregation, recombination and selection, they become populations. There is a wide body of literature on both static and dynamic mixtures, the discussion of which is beyond the scope of this paper. More recently, interest has been increasing in modern forms of evolutionary breeding of populations through direct hybridization of monocultural varieties followed by segregation and, commonly, natural selection, often in target production areas. As expected from evolutionary theory, such populations exhibit considerable resilience under variable environmental conditions, which is increasingly important in relation to the complexity of climate change.

CONCLUSION

To help identify different approaches, and communicate information, definitions can be based on the approximate known historical age of the plant material in question and its genetic structure. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Risk of appendiceal cancer in patients undergoing appendectomy for appendicitis in the era of increasing nonoperative management
Authors: Lu Pamela , McCarty Justin C. , Fields Adam C. , Lee Katherine C. , Lipsitz Stuart R. , Goldberg Joel E. , Irani Jennifer , Bleday Ronald , Melnitchouk Nelya
Published: July 2019

Background and Objectives

Management practices for acute appendicitis are changing. In cases of nonoperative treatment, the risk of missed or delayed diagnosis of malignancy should be considered. We aimed to identify predictors associated with appendiceal cancer diagnosis after appendectomy for acute appendicitis.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective cohort study was performed using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) appendectomy‐targeted data set from 2016 to 2017. A total of 21 069 patients with imaging‐confirmed or imaging indeterminate appendicitis who underwent appendectomy were included. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of cancer diagnosis.

Results

Increasing age had an increasing monotonic relationship with the odds of pathologic cancer diagnosis after appendectomy (age 50‐59 odds ratio [OR], 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28‐3.39, P = .003; age 60‐69 OR, 2.89, 95% CI, 1.72‐4.83, P < .001; age 70‐79 OR, 3.85, 95% CI, 2.08‐7.12, P < .001; age >80 OR, 5.32, 95% CI, 2.38‐11.9, P < .001). Other significant predictors included obesity, morbid obesity, normal preoperative white blood cell count, and imaging indeterminate for appendicitis.

Conclusions

When counseling patients regarding operative vs nonoperative treatment options for management of acute appendicitis, the rising risk of a delayed or missed cancer diagnosis with increasing age must be discussed.
Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography to Assess Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on the Iliocostalis Lumborum Muscle: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Gao Jing , Caldwell Judy , McLin Keeling , Zhang Man , Park David
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To investigate the feasibility of ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) in assessing iliocostalis lumborum muscle changes after osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).

Methods

Using a linear array ultrasound transducer (4–9 MHz), we prospectively measured the shear wave velocity (SWV) of bilateral iliocostalis lumborum muscles in 20 patients with low back somatic dysfunction and in 9 age‐matched healthy volunteers. The SWV was measured in muscle relaxation and contraction in all participants and immediately before and after OMT in patients. We developed a muscle SWV rate [SWVcontraction – SWVrelaxation)/SWVrelaxation] and an SWV improvement index [(SWVpre‐OMT – SWVpost‐OMT)/SWVpre‐OMT] for quantifying muscle contractibility and changes in muscle stiffness after OMT. Statistical analyses included an unpaired t test to analyze the difference in the muscle SWV between muscle relaxation and contraction and between somatic dysfunction and nonsomatic dysfunction in patients and healthy volunteers, a paired t test to examine the difference in the SWV and SWV rate before and after OMT, the intraclass correlation coefficient to test intraobserver and interobserver reliability, and Spearman rank correlation to analyze the correlation of changes in the SWV with manual osteopathic assessments.

Results

The mean ages of the patients with low back somatic dysfunction and the healthy volunteers were 28 and 26 years, respectively. The muscle SWV significantly differed between somatic dysfunction and nonsomatic dysfunction in patients and healthy volunteers, between muscle relaxation and contraction, and before and after OMT (P < .001). The SWV improvement index moderately correlated with manual osteopathic assessments (r = 0.68). The interobserver and intraobserver reliability for performing SWE was good (intraclass correlation coefficient, >0.8).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that SWE is feasible for quantifying the change in muscle stiffness and contractibility after OMT.
Treadmill training increases the motor activity and neuron survival of the cerebellum in a mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1
Authors: Chuang Chieh‐Sen , Chang Jui‐Chih , Soong Bing‐Wen , Chuang Sheng‐Fei , Lin Ta‐Tsung , Cheng Wen‐Ling , Orr Harry T. , Liu Chin‐San
Published: July 2019

Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) type 1 (SCA1) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder that is characterized by worsening of disordered coordination, ataxia of the trunk, and other neurological symptoms. Physical activity improves both mobility and the daily living activities of patients with SCA. Intervention with daily regular treadmill exercise may slow the deterioration of cerebellar neurons in SCA1. Therefore, the signal changes and performance of cerebellar neurons after exercise in SCA1 was investigated in this study. We employed a transgenic mouse model of SCA1, generated by amplifying the cytosine‐adenine‐guanine trinucleotide repeat expansions, and the mice underwent 1 month of moderate daily treadmill exercise for 1 hour. The rotarod test revealed that the motor function of the SCA1 mice that underwent training was superior to that of the control SCA1 mice, which did not undergo training. Moreover, the cerebellar pathology revealed preserved Purkinje neurons stained by carbindin with an increase of the neuronal Per Arnt Sim domain protein 4, a key regulation in the structural and functional plasticity of neurons, in the excised SCA1 mice relative to the controls. The mechanism was related to an increase of phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6, a downstream target of the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, but not to autophagy activation. This study determined that regular treadmill exercise may play a crucial role in the viable support of cerebellar neurons in SCA1.
Incidence of inadequate perforators and salvage options for the anterior lateral thigh free flap
Authors: Thomas William W. , Calcagno Haley E. , Azzi James , Petrisor Daniel , Cave Taylor , Barber Brittany , Miles Brett , Gomez Ernest D. , Cannady Steven , Bhadkamkar Mohin , Hanasono Matthew M. , Wax Mark K.
Published: July 2019

Objective

The anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap is a soft tissue flap used in head and neck reconstruction. Occasionally, its perforators to the skin paddle are absent or too small to support the flap. Salvage options in this scenario have not been well described for head and neck reconstruction.

Methods

Multicenter review of 1,079 cases of planned ALT flaps where 28 initial flaps (2.6%) were discarded for nonviable skin paddle or lack of cutaneous perforators. Iatrogenic perforator injury was calculated separately. The total flap loss rate was 3.2%.

Results

In 12 cases, no perforators were noted after performing the anterior incision (early). Sixteen ALT flaps were discarded immediately before pedicle ligation (late).

Reconstruction was salvaged by seven anteromedial thigh (AMT), six radial forearm, five contralateral ALT, four rectus abdominus myocutaneous, three vastus lateralis, three profunda artery perforator, two tensor fascia lata, one rectus femoris, two pectoralis major, one cervicofacial rotational, and one fibula flap. Of the 28 cases, 12 salvage cases did not involve an additional wound for the patient. Five of the seven AMT flaps were harvested after the ALT was identified as nonviable in the early time point. Two patients had no viable ALT flaps on bilateral lower extremities.

Conclusion

The ALT flap is a reliable soft tissue flap, and rarely cutaneous perforators are not adequate to support the skin paddle. Multiple options exist to salvage the reconstruction without significant additional morbidity to the patient if said inadequacy is identified early.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:343–346, 2020
One‐Year Recipient Morbidity of Liver Transplantation Using Pure Laparoscopic Versus Open Living Donor Right Hepatectomy: Propensity Score Analysis
Authors: Park Jungchan , Kwon Choon Hyuck David , Choi Gyu‐Seong , Lee Suk‐Koo , Kim Jong Man , Oh Jongwook , Chung Young Jae , Kim Kyeong Sik , Lee Ji Soo , Lee Kyo Won , Kim Gaab Soo , Gwak Mi Sook , Ko Justin Sangwook , Kwon Ji‐Hye , Kim Keoungah , Lee Seung Hwan , Joh Jae Won
Published: July 2019

Donor safety and graft results of pure laparoscopic living donor right hepatectomy (LLDRH) have previously been compared with those of open living donor right hepatectomy (OLDRH). However, the clinical outcomes of recipients at 1‐year follow‐up have never been accurately compared. We aimed to compare 1‐year outcomes of recipients of living donor right liver transplantation (LRLT) using pure LLDRH and OLDRH. From May 2013 to May 2017, 197 consecutive recipients underwent LRLT. Donor hepatectomies were performed either by OLDRH (n = 127) or pure LLDRH (n = 70). After propensity score matching, 53 recipients were included in each group for analysis. The clinical outcomes at 1‐year follow‐up were compared between the 2 groups. The primary outcome was recipient death or graft failure during the 1‐year follow‐up period. In the propensity‐matched analysis, the incidence of death or graft failure during the 1‐year follow‐up period was not different between the 2 groups (3.8% versus 5.7%; odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24‐8.95; P = 0.69). However, the composite of Clavien‐Dindo 3b‐5 complications was more frequent in the pure LLDRH group (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.15‐5.96; P = 0.02). In conclusion, although pure LLDRH affords a comparable incidence of fatal complications in recipients, operative complications may increase at the beginning of the program. The safety of the recipients should be confirmed to accept pure LLDRH as a feasible option.
The influence of temperature and pH on bacterial community composition of microbial mats in hot springs from Costa Rica
Authors: Uribe‐Lorío Lorena , Brenes-Guillén Laura , Hernández‐Ascencio Walter , Mora‐Amador Raúl , González Gino , Ramírez‐Umaña Carlos J. , Díez Beatriz , Pedrós‐Alió Carlos
Published: July 2019

We used the 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing approach to investigate the microbial diversity and community composition in several Costa Rican hot springs alongside the latitudinal axis of the country, with a range of temperatures (37–63°C), pH (6–7.5) and other geochemical conditions. A principal component analyses of the physicochemical parameters showed the samples were separated into three geochemically distinct habitats associated with the location (North, Central, and South). Cyanobacteria and Chloroflexi comprised 93% of the classified community, the former being the most abundant phylum in all samples except for Rocas Calientes 1, (63°C, pH 6), where Chloroflexi and Deinococcus‐Thermus represented 84% of the OTUs. Chloroflexi were more abundant as temperature increased. Proteobacteria, Bacteriodetes and Deinococcus‐Thermus comprised 5% of the OTUs represented. Other Phyla were present in very small percentages (<1%). A LINKTREE analysis showed that the community structure of the mats was shaped primarily by pH, separating samples with pH > 6.6 from samples with pH < 6.4. Thus, both pH and temperature were relevant for community composition even within the moderate ranges of variables studied. These results provide a basis for an understanding of the physicochemical influences in moderately thermophilic microbial mats.
Shared and unique microbes between Small hive beetles (Aethina tumida) and their honey bee hosts
Authors: Huang Qiang , Lopez Dawn , Evans Jay D.
Published: July 2019

The small hive beetle (SHB) is an opportunistic parasite that feeds on bee larvae, honey, and pollen. While SHBs can also feed on fruit and other plant products, like its plant‐feeding relatives, SHBs prefer to feed on hive resources and only reproduce inside bee colonies. As parasites, SHBs are inevitably exposed to bee‐associated microbes, either directly from the bees or from the hive environment. These microbes have unknown impacts on beetles, nor is it known how extensively beetles transfer microbes among their bee hosts. To identify sets of beetle microbes and the transmission of microbes from bees to beetles, a metagenomic analysis was performed. We identified sets of herbivore‐associated bacteria, as well as typical bee symbiotic bacteria for pollen digestion, in SHB larvae and adults. Deformed wing virus was highly abundant in beetles, which colonize SHBs as suggested by a controlled feeding trial. Our data suggest SHBs are vectors for pathogen transmission among bees and between colonies. The dispersal of host pathogens by social parasites via floral resources and the hive environment increases the threats of these parasites to honey bees.
Marketing firm performance: When does marketing lead to financial gains?
Authors: Porto Rafael Barreiros , Foxall Gordon Robert
Published: July 2019

The research investigated whether economic context and prior financial reinforcement/punishment moderate the effectiveness of marketing behavior in generating gains for the firm. An experiment with a longitudinal design was conducted using 1,759 companies from 2000 to 2017. The results demonstrate that marketing is effective in gaining market share when the country's economy is growing. In contrast, it increases return on assets and Tobin's Q when the country's economy is in recession, this increase being maximized when the company was financially reinforced. The study helps explain the circumstances in which marketing activities boost firms' financial gains.
The research of ion channel‐related gene polymorphisms with atrial fibrillation in the Chinese Han population
Authors: Liu Xiumin , Li Yujie , Zhang Huan , Ji Yuqiang , Zhao Zhao , Wang Changyu
Published: July 2019

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the common arrhythmia in clinics. Its incidence is high among the elderly. This study aimed to identify a possible connection between ion channel‐related gene polymorphisms and the risk of AF.

Methods

A total of 381 patients with coronary heart disease were recruited. Based on complete cardiac examination, the patients were divided into two subgroups: 185 patients with AF and 196 patients without AF. An association analysis was performed using 13 genotyped SNPs. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by conditional logistic regression.

Results

In our research, we found that KCNE2 rs8134775 was associated with a decreased AF risk in the allele model (OR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.50–0.97; p = 0.034). Genetic model analysis shown that the minor allele T of GJA5 rs35594137 was associated with a decreased AF risk under the recessive model (OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.19–0.86; p = 0.018) and the minor allele G of KCNJ2 rs8079702 was associated with an increased AF risk in the recessive model (OR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.20–4.42; p = 0.012).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that KCNE2, KCNJ2, and GJA5 influence the development of AF.
External electrical stimulation compared with intravaginal electrical stimulation for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women: A randomized controlled noninferiority trial
Authors: Dmochowski Roger , Lynch Catherine M. , Efros Mitchell , Cardozo Linda
Published: July 2019

Aims

To compare the efficacy and safety of a neuromuscular external electrical stimulation device (INNOVO; “NMES”) with an FDA‐approved intravaginal device (iTouch sure; “comparator device”) for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods

This prospective, single‐blind, multicenter, noninferiority study randomized women with SUI to treatment with the NMES or the comparator device for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion achieving >50% reduction in pad weight from baseline to 12 weeks in the provocative pad weight test.

Results

Most subjects in both groups achieved >50% reduction in pad weight in the provocative pad test at week 12 (NMES 56.3%; comparator 63.0%), although noninferiority was not established. Significant improvements in pad tests, number of incontinence episodes, and pads used per day, and incontinence quality of life score were seen with both devices at week 12, with no clinically relevant between‐group differences. Adverse events were predominantly mild/moderate and there were few discontinuations due to adverse events. The incidence of urinary tract/vaginal infections was higher with the comparator device than the NMES (7.7% versus 0%). The most common device‐related adverse effect with the NMES was device discomfort (9.0%), which was generally manageable by modifying the stimulation intensity.

Conclusions

The NMES significantly improved objective and subjective measures of SUI, although statistical noninferiority was not established. The NMES was well tolerated and associated with fewer urinary tract infections than the comparator. The NMES provides a safe, clinically effective, conservative treatment option for female SUI and a low‐risk alternative to intravaginal devices.
Distributionally robust optimization for engineering design under uncertainty
Authors: Kapteyn Michael G. , Willcox Karen E. , Philpott Andy B.
Published: July 2019

This paper addresses the challenge of design optimization under uncertainty when the designer only has limited data to characterize uncertain variables. We demonstrate that the error incurred when estimating a probability distribution from limited data affects the out‐of‐sample performance (ie, performance under the true distribution) of optimized designs. We demonstrate how this can be mitigated by reformulating the engineering design problem as a distributionally robust optimization (DRO) problem. We present computationally efficient algorithms for solving the resulting DRO problem. The performance of the DRO approach is explored in a practical setting by applying it to an acoustic horn design problem. The DRO approach is compared against traditional approaches to optimization under uncertainty, namely, sample‐average approximation and multiobjective optimization incorporating a risk reduction objective. In contrast with the multiobjective approach, the proposed DRO approach does not use an explicit risk reduction objective but rather specifies a so‐called ambiguity set of possible distributions and optimizes against the worst‐case distribution in this set. Our results show that the DRO designs, in some cases, significantly outperform those designs found using the sample‐average or the multiobjective approach.
Packaging optimization using the dynamic vector fields method
Authors: Carrick Christopher , Kim Il Yong
Published: July 2019

In this paper, a novel packaging optimization method for convex objects is presented. This method solves the packaging optimization problem through dynamic simulation of object positions and rotations over time. Object positions and orientations are determined by dynamic vector fields, which accelerate objects according to optimization objectives or physical effects between objects or their environment. Using these vector fields, any number of objectives or effects can be accounted for, and this scalability allows the method to potentially be employed to solve a wide variety of engineering packaging optimization problems. The current implementation, as presented in this paper, represents the foundation of the method that future improvements will build upon and is currently limited to the analysis of convex objects. Three basic vector fields are presented to solve packing density maximization problems: the first maximizes packing density, the second prevents collisions between objects, and the third optimally orients objects relative to each other. Collisions between objects are relaxed in this method, allowing objects to pass through each other, which provides the potential for reduced initial condition dependence and has shown promising results thus far. Several test problems are presented and solved, demonstrating the method and its ability to generate optimal solutions.
A static discrete element method with discontinuous deformation analysis
Authors: Meng Jingjing , Huang Jinsong , Lin Hang , Laue Jan , Li Kaihui
Published: July 2019

For discrete element methods (DEMs), integrating the equation of motion based on Newton's second law is an integral part of the computation. Accelerations and velocities are involved even for modeling static mechanics problems. As a consequence, the accuracy can be ruined and numerous calculation steps are required to converge. In this study, we propose a static DEM based on discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA). The force of inertia is removed to develop a set of static equilibrium equations for distinct blocks. It inherits the advantages of DDA in dealing with distinct block system such as jointed rock structures. Furthermore, the critical numerical artifact in DDA, ie, artificial springs between contact blocks, is avoided. Accurate numerical solution can be achieved in mere one calculation step. Last but not the least, since the method is formulated in the framework of mathematical programming, the implementation can be easily conducted with standard and readily available solvers. Its accuracy and efficiency are verified against a series of benchmarks found in the literature.
Comparison of novel methods in two‐way enriched clinical trial design
Authors: Liu Yuyin , Rybin Denis , Heeren Timothy C. , Doros Gheorghe
Published: June 2019

Two‐way enriched design (TED) is a novel approach addressing placebo response in clinical trials. It is a two‐stage, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial design with enrichment in placebo non‐responders and treatment responders at the second stage. All data from the first stage and data from placebo non‐responders and treatment responders in the second stage are used for the final analysis of the treatment effect. The existing methods for the analysis of TED data include score tests with one, two, and three degrees of freedom. All these methods are only applicable to binary outcomes. However, there is an interest in continuous outcomes in clinical trials in psychiatry. In this manuscript, we apply some novel methods, including a repeated measures model, a weighted repeated measures model with weights from propensity score, and weights from K‐means clustering, to analyze TED data for both binary outcomes and continuous outcomes. The simulation study indicates that the repeated measures model performs consistently well in preserving the type I error and achieving the minimum mean standard error as well as a higher power. The performance of the weighted repeated measures model with weights from K‐means clustering improves with increasing sample size. Investigators can choose from these analytic approaches under different scenarios.
Chromatin Regulation in the Response of Ethylene: Nuclear Events in Ethylene Signaling
Authors: Wang Likai , Zhang Fan , Qiao Hong
Published: July 2019

Plant hormones, produced in response to environmental stimuli, regulate almost all aspects of plant growth and development. Ethylene is a gaseous plant hormone that plays pleotropic roles in plant growth, plant development, fruit ripening, stress responses, and pathogen defenses. After decades of research, the key components of ethylene signaling have been identified and characterized. Although the molecular mechanisms of the sensing of ethylene signal and the transduction of ethylene signaling have been studied extensively, how chromatin influences ethylene signaling and ethylene response is a new area of research. This review describes the current understanding of how chromatin modifications, specifically histone acetylation, regulate ethylene signaling and the ethylene response.
Nomenclature and typification of Phoenix senegalensis (Arecaceae)
Authors: Rivera Diego , Obón Concepción , Alcaraz Francisco , Egea Teresa , Martínez‐Rico Manuel , Carreño Encarna , Laguna Emilio , Johnson Dennis , Saro Isabel , Sosa Pedro , Naranjo Agustín , Salomone Francesco , Pérez de Paz Pedro Luis
Published: July 2019

The nomenclature of the Canary Island endemic palm with red‐bluish fruits is reviewed. Phoenix senegalensis is neotypified; P. canariensis var. porphyrococca is lectotypified. “Fulchironia senegalensis” is a nomen nudum; P. menieri is a nomen superfluum.