bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrafast gas chromatography coupled to electronic nose to identify volatile biomarkers in exhaled breath from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: A pilot study
Authors: Rodríguez‐Aguilar Maribel , Ramírez‐García Sofía , Ilizaliturri‐Hernández Cesar , Gómez‐Gómez Alejandro , Van‐Brussel Evelyn , Díaz‐Barriga Fernando , Medellín‐Garibay Susanna , Flores‐Ramírez Rogelio
Published: August 2019

An analytical method to identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the exhaled breath from patients with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using a ultrafast gas chromatography system equipped with an electronic nose detector (FGC eNose) has been developed. A prospective study was performed in 23 COPD patients and 33 healthy volunteers; exhalation breathing tests were performed with Tedlar bags. Each sample was analyzed by FCG eNose and the identification of VOCs was based on the Kovats index. Raw data were reduced by principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical discriminant analysis [canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP)]. The FCG eNose technology was able to identify 17 VOCs that distinguish COPD patients from healthy volunteers. At all stages of PCA and CAP the discrimination between groups was obvious. Chemical prints were correctly classified up to 82.2%, and were matched with 78.9% of the VOCs detected in the exhaled breath samples. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated the sensitivity and specificity to be 96% and 91%, respectively. This pilot study demonstrates that FGC eNose is a useful tool to identify VOCs as biomarkers in exhaled breath from COPD patients. Further studies should be performed to enhance the clinical relevance of this quick and ease methodology for COPD diagnosis.
Hexokinase 2 dimerization and interaction with voltage‐dependent anion channel promoted resistance to cell apoptosis induced by gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Fan Kun , Fan Zhiyao , Cheng He , Huang Qiuyi , Yang Chao , Jin Kaizhou , Luo Guopei , Yu Xianjun , Liu Chen
Published: August 2019

Gemcitabine (GEM) is the standard chemotherapy drug for pancreatic cancer. Because of widespread drug resistance, the effect is limited. Therefore, it is urgent to reveal the underlying mechanism. Glycolysis is the most remarkable character of tumor aberrant metabolism, which plays vital roles on tumor drug resistance. Hexokinase 2 (HK2), as the key enzyme regulating the first‐step reaction of glycolysis, is overexpressed in many kinds of tumors. The putative role of HK2 resisting GEM therapy was investigated in this study. We found that HK2 was overexpressed in pancreatic cancer and associated with poor prognosis. HK2 knockdown decreased pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, migration viability, and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro. HK2 high expression in pancreatic cancer showed GEM resistance. HK2 knockdown increased the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cell to GEM, the growth of xenograft tumor with HK2 knockdown was also further decreased with the GEM treatment compared with control in vivo. GEM‐resistant pancreatic cancer showed the increase of HK2 dimer rather than HK2 mRNA or protein. Our study revealed that the ROS derived from GEM promoted HK2 dimerization combining with voltage‐dependent anion channel, which resulted in the resistance to GEM. Meanwhile, our study established a new sight for GEM resistance in pancreatic cancer.
The first report of Streptococcus pluranimalium infection from Iran: A case report and literature review
Authors: Ghazvini Kiarash , Karbalaei Mohsen , Kianifar Hamidreza , Keikha Masoud
Published: August 2019

The Streptococcus pluranimalium was isolated from both of animals and human infection. There is limited information about pathogenicity of S pluranimalium. As fastidious bacteria, S pluranimalium is not isolated in the routinely culture media and easily misidentified with other streptococci species with conventional microbiology test. According to review of the literatures, the cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, vancomycin, and linezolid are the first choice agents for treatment of infection caused by S pluranimalium.
In Situ Monitoring of Nanoparticle Formation during Iridium‐Catalysed Oxygen Evolution by Real‐Time Small Angle X‐Ray Scattering
Authors: Singer Hobbs Maya , Sackville Emma V. , Smith Andrew J. , Edler Karen J. , Hintermair Ulrich
Published: August 2019

Real‐time Small Angle X‐Ray Scattering (SAXS) has been used to investigate the homogeneity of a series of molecular iridium complexes during water oxidation catalysis in aqueous NaIO4 solution through a continuous flow cell. The results obtained for the unstable [Cp*Ir(OH2)3]2+ precursor forming amorphous IrOx nanoparticles (NPs) in‐situ validate and complement previous Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) studies by providing enhanced sensitivity for small particle sizes and increased temporal resolution under realistic reaction conditions. Correlating particle formation profiles with O2 evolution traces allowed homogeneous catalysis to be clearly distinguished from heterogeneous catalysis. A series of seven pyridine−alkoxide Cp*Ir complexes are shown to be fully homogeneous by SAXS, validating previous studies and confirming their catalysis to be molecular in nature throughout the reaction.
Cooperative H2 Activation on Dicopper(I) Facilitated by Reversible Dearomatization of an “Expanded PNNP Pincer” Ligand
Authors: Kounalis Errikos , Lutz Martin , Broere Daniël L. J.
Published: August 2019

A naphthyridine‐derived expanded pincer ligand is described that can host two copper(I) centers. The proton‐responsive ligand can undergo reversible partial and full dearomatization of the naphthyridine core, which enables cooperative activation of H2 giving an unusual butterfly‐shaped Cu4H2 complex.
Selective Oxidative Cracking of n‐Butane to Light Olefins over Hexagonal Boron Nitride with Limited Formation of COx
Authors: McDermott William P. , Venegas Juan , Hermans Ive
Published: August 2019

In recent years, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) has emerged as an unexpected catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of alkanes. Here, the versatility of hBN was extended to alkane oxidative cracking chemistry by investigating the production of ethylene and propylene from n‐butane. Cracking selectivity was primarily controlled by the ratio of n‐butane to O2 within the reactant feed. Under O2‐lean conditions, increasing temperature led to increased selectivity to ethylene and propylene and decreased selectivity to COx. In addition to surface‐mediated chemistry, homogeneous gas‐phase reactions likely contributed to the observed product distribution, and a reaction mechanism was proposed based on these observations. The catalyst showed good stability under oxidative cracking conditions for 100 h time‐on‐stream while maintaining high selectivity to ethylene and propylene.
Single‐Cell Intravital Microscopy of Trastuzumab Quantifies Heterogeneous in vivo Kinetics
Authors: Li Ran , Attari Adel , Prytyskach Mark , Garlin Michelle A. , Weissleder Ralph , Miller Miles A.
Published: August 2019

Cell‐to‐cell heterogeneity can substantially impact drug response, especially for monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies that may exhibit variability in both delivery (pharmacokinetics) and action (pharmacodynamics) within solid tumors. However, it has traditionally been difficult to examine the kinetics of mAb delivery at a single‐cell level and in a manner that enables controlled dissection of target‐dependent and ‐independent behaviors. To address this issue, here we developed an in vivo confocal (intravital) microscopy approach to study single‐cell mAb pharmacology in a mosaic xenograft comprising a mixture of cancer cells with variable expression of the receptor HER2. As a proof‐of‐principle, we applied this model to trastuzumab therapy, a HER2‐targeted mAb widely used for treating breast and gastric cancer patients. Trastuzumab accumulated to a higher degree in HER2‐over expressing tumor cells compared to HER2‐low tumor cells (~5:1 ratio at 24 h after administration) but importantly, the majority actually accumulated in tumor‐associated phagocytes. For example, 24 h after IV administration over 50% of tumoral trastuzumab was found in phagocytes whereas at 48 h it was >80%. Altogether, these results reveal the dynamics of how phagocytes influence mAb behavior in vivo, and demonstrate an application of intravital microscopy for quantitative single‐cell measurement of mAb distribution and retention in tumors with heterogeneous target expression. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Relationship between population density and viral infection: A role for personality?
Authors: Vanden Broecke Bram , Mariën Joachim , Sabuni Christopher Andrew , Mnyone Ladslaus , Massawe Apia W. , Matthysen Erik , Leirs Herwig
Published: August 2019

Conspecific density and animal personality (consistent among‐individual differences in behavior) may both play an important role in disease ecology. Nevertheless, both factors have rarely been studied together but may provide insightful information in understanding pathogen transmission dynamics. In this study, we investigated how both personality and density affect viral infections both direct and indirectly, using the multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis) and Morogoro arenavirus (MORV) as a model system. Using a replicated semi‐natural experiment, we found a positive correlation between MORV antibody presence and density, suggesting that MORV infection is density‐dependent. Surprisingly, slower explorers were more likely to have antibodies against MORV compared to highly explorative individuals. However, exploration was positively correlated with density which may suggest a negative, indirect effect of density on MORV infection. We have shown here that in order to better understand disease ecology, both personality and density should be taken into account.
Little evidence of adaptation potential to ocean acidification in sea urchins living in “Future Ocean” conditions at a CO2 vent
Authors: Uthicke Sven , Deshpande Nandan P. , Liddy Michelle , Patel Frances , Lamare Miles , Wilkins Marc R.
Published: August 2019

Ocean acidification (OA) can be detrimental to calcifying marine organisms, with stunting of invertebrate larval development one of the most consistent responses. Effects are usually measured by short‐term, within‐generation exposure, an approach that does not consider the potential for adaptation. We examined the genetic response to OA of larvae of the tropical sea urchin Echinometra sp. C. raised on coral reefs that were either influenced by CO2 vents (pH ~ 7.9, future OA condition) or nonvent control reefs (pH 8.2). We assembled a high quality de novo transcriptome of Echinometra embryos (8 hr) and pluteus larvae (48 hr) and identified 68,056 SNPs. We tested for outlier SNPs and functional enrichment in embryos and larvae raised from adults from the control or vent sites. Generally, highest FST values in embryos were observed between sites (intrinsic adaptation, most representative of the gene pool in the spawned populations). This comparison also had the highest number of outlier loci (40). In the other comparisons, classical adaptation (comparing larvae with adults from the control transplanted to either the control or vent conditions) and reverse adaptation (larvae from the vent site returned to the vent or explanted at the control), we only observed modest numbers of outlier SNPs (6–19) and only enrichment in two functional pathways. Most of the outliers detected were silent substitutions without adaptive potential. We conclude that there is little evidence of realized adaptation potential during early development, while some potential (albeit relatively low) exists in the intrinsic gene pool after more than one generation of exposure.
The Co‐Assembly of Polyoxometalates and Quantum Dots for Hybrid Core‐Shell Nanoparticles
Authors: Hu Jie , Li Mu , Chen Kun , Yin Panchao
Published: August 2019

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Prof. Panchao Yin from the South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China. The cover image shows the facial synthesis of hybrid core‐shell nanoparticles of quantum dots and polyoxometalates by a phase transfer protocol.
Rolling and rocking of rigid uplifting structures
Authors: Bachmann Jonas A. , Vassiliou Michalis F. , Stojadinovic Božidar
Published: August 2019

Allowing structures to uplift modifies their seismic response; uplifting works as a mechanical fuse and limits the forces transmitted to the superstructure. However, engineers are generally reluctant to construct an unanchored structure because the system could overturn due to lacking redundancy. Using a safety factor for the design of a flat rocking foundation, ie, designing it wider, goes against the main idea of this seismic modification method as the force demand for the structure increases.

We propose to extend the flat base of a rocking block with curved extensions to better protect the block from overturning, yet not prevent its uplifting. After investigating the seismic response of such rocking blocks, we extend the study to investigate the seismic response of rolling and rocking frames comprising columns with curved base extensions. The equations of motion are derived, time history analyses are performed, and rocking spectra are constructed. We draw two important conclusions: (a) the response of a class of rocking oscillators with curved base extensions is equivalent to the response of a flat‐base rocking oscillators of the same slenderness, yet larger size; (b) the rotation demand on two negative stiffness rocking and rolling oscillators with the same uplifting acceleration and the same size is roughly the same as long as the rocking oscillators are not close to overturning. The above findings can serve as a basis for the rational seismic design of structures supported on rocking columns with curved bases, a system that has been used since the 1960s.
Application of concrete‐filled steel tubular columns in gob‐side entry retaining under thick and hard roof stratum: A case study
Authors: Huang Wanpeng , Wang Xuewen , Shen Yusan , Feng Fan , Wu Kai , Li Cunlu
Published: August 2019

The successful retaining of the gob‐side entry under a thick and hard roof stratum is difficult because of the high pressure present and complex construction technology commonly used. To solve this problem, a new type of gob‐side entry supporting system is proposed in this paper. This system is mainly composed of concrete‐filled steel tubular columns (CSTCs), flexible cushion, and gob isolation structures. This new supporting system combines the high‐strength support of CSTCs with the flexible support of cushion bodies and is simple to construct, enabling fast and efficient gob‐side entry retaining under a thick and hard roof stratum. The range of the roof strata controlled by gob‐side support structures is determined for a case study, and a calculation formula for the gob‐side support resistance is established. Through theoretical and experimental research, a reasonable calculation formula for the choice of CSTC is also established. The CSTC structure ultimately selects Φ194 × 8 mm hollow steel tubes and C40 grade concrete for use in a field application, which can provide 4814 kN of supporting force. A simple on‐site construction process is designed for the field application, and the time required for entry retaining per meter is only approximately 40‐45 minutes. This application shows that the new technology controls the deformation of the retained entry very well; the final deformation stabilizes at 412 mm, which meets the engineering requirements.
Food and energy security sustainable intensification special issue editorial
Authors: Carlton Robert
Published: August 2019

In November 2017 the Association of Applied Biologists and the Sustainable Intensification Research Platform (SIP) held a conference on Sustainable Intensification (SI) at Rothamsted Research. The SI conference reported findings of a four‐year multidisciplinary research programme funded by UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. Articles exploring a number of key themes from that conference form a Special Issue of Food and Energy Security on sustainable intensification. This editorial explores the continuing societal challenges that underlie the sustainable intensification project and calls for ongoing efforts in this area that focus equally on social, economic and environmental approaches to these challenges.
Investigating potential future changes in surface water flooding hazard and impact
Authors: Rudd Alison C. , Kay Alison L. , Wells Steven C. , Aldridge Timothy , Cole Steven J. , Kendon Elizabeth J. , Stewart Elizabeth J.
Published: August 2019

Surface water flooding (SWF) is a recurrent hazard that affects lives and livelihoods. Climate change is projected to change the frequency of extreme rainfall events that can lead to SWF. Increasingly, data from Regional Climate Models (RCMs) are being used to investigate the potential water‐related impacts of climate change; such assessments often focus on broad‐scale fluvial flooding and the use of coarse resolution (>12 km) RCMs. However, high‐resolution (<4 km) convection‐permitting RCMs are now becoming available that allow impact assessments of more localised SWF to be made.

At the same time, there has been an increasing demand for more robust and timely real‐time forecast and alert information on SWF. In the UK, a real‐time SWF Hazard Impact Model framework has been developed. The system uses 1‐km gridded surface runoff estimates from a hydrological model to simulate the SWF hazard. These are linked to detailed inundation model outputs through an Impact Library to assess impacts on property, people, transport, and infrastructure for four severity levels.

Here, a set of high‐resolution (1.5 km and 12 km) RCM data has been used as input to a grid‐based hydrological model over southern Britain to simulate Current (1996–2009) and Future (~2100s; RCP8.5) surface runoff. Counts of threshold‐exceedance for surface runoff and precipitation (at 1‐, 3‐ and 6‐hr durations) are analysed. Results show that the percentage increases in surface runoff extremes, are less than those of precipitation extremes. The higher‐resolution RCM simulates the largest percentage increases, which occur in winter, and the winter exceedance counts are greater than summer exceedance counts. For property impacts, the largest percentage increases are also in winter; however, it is the 12‐km RCM output that leads to the largest percentage increase in impacts. The added‐value of high‐resolution climate model data for hydrological modelling is from capturing the more intense convective storms in surface runoff estimates.
Comparison between intermittent and continuous leukapheresis protocols for autologous hematopoietic stem cell collections in children
Authors: Ali Salah , Chiang Kuang‐Yueh , Even‐Or Ehud , Di Mola Maria , Schechter Tal , Ali Muhammad , McDougall Elizabeth , Svajger Gordana , Licht Christoph , Krueger Joerg
Published: August 2019

Background

Peripheral hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) collections are needed for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Since 2015, our institution has utilized a secondary chamber mononuclear cell (MNC) protocol on the Spectra Optia apheresis system. Recently, a new continuous mononuclear collection protocol (CMNC) was developed for the same device. As there is limited data available regarding the use of the CMNC protocol in children, we compared collection efficiency (CE2), side effects, and clinical feasibility between the two protocols in patients <18 years old.

Study Design and Methods

We prospectively collected clinical, laboratory, and technical collection data from HSC collection procedures performed with the Spectra Optia apheresis system utilizing the CMNC protocol. Data were compared to retrospectively collected data utilizing the MNC protocol. Data collection included donor demographics, precollection peripheral CD34+ cell counts, total CD34+ cells collected, collection efficiency, side effects, and collection product characteristics.

Results

A total of 96 HSC collection procedures were performed on 79 pediatric patients utilizing either the MNC (61 patients) or CMNC (18 patients) protocol. The collection efficiencies were comparable between MNC and CMNC cohorts (52.9% vs 54.9%, P = 0.711). Platelet loss was significantly lower in the CMNC cohort (P = 0.002), especially in children weighing <15 kg. Product volumes were higher with CMNC. No significant collection‐related side effects were noted with either protocol.

Conclusions

MNC and CMNC protocols have comparable collection efficiencies and are both feasible and safe for the use in children. Centers may choose between the methods depending on clinical needs.
Immunochromatographic assay to detect α‐tubulin in urine for the diagnosis of kidney injury
Authors: Choi Eun‐Sook , Al Faruque Hasan , Kim Jung‐Hee , Cho Jang‐Hee , Park Kwon Moo , Kim Eunjoo
Published: August 2019

Backgrounds

Shortening of primary cilia in kidney epithelial cells is associated with kidney injury and involved with the induced level of α‐tubulin in urine. Therefore, rapid detection and quantification of α‐tubulin in the urine samples could be used to the preliminary diagnosis of kidney injury.

Methods

Cellulose‐based nanobeads modified with α‐tubulin were used for the detection probe of competitive immunochromatographic (IC) assay. The concentration of α‐tubulin in the urine samples was determined by IC assay and compared with the amount determined by Western blotting analysis.

Results

The relationship between α‐tubulin concentration and the colorimetric intensity resulted from IC assay was determined by logistic regression, and the correlation coefficient (R2) was 0.9948. When compared to the amount determined by Western blotting analysis, there was a linear relationship between the α‐tubulin concentrations measured by the two methods and the R2 value was 0.823.

Conclusions

This method is simple, rapid, and adequately sensitive to detect α‐tubulin in patient urine samples, which could be used for the clinical diagnosis of kidney injury.
Systemic immune‐inflammation index acts as a novel diagnostic biomarker for postmenopausal osteoporosis and could predict the risk of osteoporotic fracture
Authors: Fang Hong , Zhang Hanqing , Wang Zhi , Zhou Zhongming , Li Yunjun , Lu Lin
Published: August 2019

Background

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a bone metabolism disorder involving systematic inflammation activation. Blood routine examination is easily available in clinical practice and contains abundant information reflecting the systematic inflammation level. Thus, it is attractive to achieve early diagnosis of PMOP and predict osteoporotic fracture risk just based on the biomarkers in blood routine examination.

Methods

A multi‐centric prospective cohort study was designed and enrolled postmenopausal women from two independent institutions. All participants underwent the dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning for diagnosing PMOP. Blood routine examination was conducted, and the key inflammatory biomarkers such as neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic immune‐inflammation index (SII) were calculated. PMOP patients were followed up to observe osteoporotic fracture and identify the related risk predictors.

Results

A total of 92 participants out of 238 enrolled postmenopausal women were diagnosed with PMOP, with a prevalence of 38.66%. The main risk factors identified for PMOP included older age (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.14‐3.72), longer menopause duration (OR = 3.14, 95% CI = 2.06‐4.79), higher NLR (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.37‐3.25), and higher SII (OR = 3.02, 95% CI = 1.98‐4.61). Besides age and menopause duration, SII ≥834.89 was newly identified as a prominent risk factor for discriminating osteoporotic fracture risk in PMOP patients (HR = 3.66, 95% CI = 1.249‐10.71).

Conclusion

As an easy and economical biomarker calculated from blood routine examination, SII not only acts as a good risk predictor for PMOP diagnosis but also well discriminates the osteoporotic fracture risk, which deserves further investigation and application in clinical practice.
The number and size of Lugol‐voiding areas were reduced by pneumatic dilation in a patient with achalasia and esophageal cancer
Authors: Tanaka Shinwa , Abe Hirofumi , Ariyoshi Ryusuke , Sakaguchi Hiroya , Oshikiri Taro , Nakamura Tetsu , Nakano Yoshiko , Morita Yoshinori , Toyonaga Takashi , Umegaki Eiji , Yokozaki Hiroshi , Kakeji Yoshihiro , Kodama Yuzo
Published: August 2019

Achalasia is a rare benign esophageal motility disease caused by the impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, which results from nerve damage. Patients with achalasia are known to have a high risk of esophageal cancer. Here, we present the case of a patient with achalasia and esophageal cancer in whom the Lugol‐voiding areas (LVAs) could be improved by pneumatic dilation and the extending area of esophagus cancer could become clear. In achalasia patients, LVAs are modified by inflammation and appear wider than their actual size. Moreover, some parts of LVAs in achalasia patients might be reversible by treatments that improve delayed emptying. When the spread of esophagus cancer is unclear due to the detection of numerous LVAs by Lugol chromoendoscopy, the treatments that improve delayed emptying first may be effective in accurately diagnosing the extending area of esophagus cancer.
Moxifloxacin/Gatifloxacin‐1,2,3‐triazole‐isatin Hybrids with Hydrogen‐Bond Donor and Their In Vitro Anticancer Activity
Authors: Chen Rongxing , Zhang Hao , Ma Tianwei , Xue Huarui , Miao Zhong , Chen Liyan , Shi Xiangkui
Published: August 2019

A series of novel moxifloxacin/gatifloxacin‐1,2,3‐triazole‐isatin hybrids (8a–i) were designed, synthesized, and screened for their in vitro anticancer activity in this paper. All of the synthesized hybrids were active against A549 and HepG2 cancer cell lines, whereas the parent drugs moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin were devoid of activity. Among them, hybrid 8i (IC50: 41.1–98.3 μM) showed considerable activity against A549, HepG2, and MCF‐7 cancer cell lines, and it was no inferior to Vorinostat (IC50: 64.32 to >100 μM) against the three cancer cell lines. Thus, this kind of hybrids has potentiality for discovery of new anticancer candidates for clinical deployment in the control and eradication of cancers.
Institutional Support and Sustainability of Microcredit Programmes in Developing Countries: The Case of Venezuela
Authors: García‐Rodríguez Francisco J. , Suárez‐Mancha Maribel , Castilla‐Gutiérrez Carlos , García‐Rodríguez José León
Published: August 2019

This paper analyses a microcredit programme that was developed in a rural area of Venezuela, a standard‐bearer for left‐wing movements in Latin America, after significant initial support from the public sector disappeared. The findings indicate high levels of stability for the microfinance organisations: the number of shares, the volume of savings and the amount of the loans granted had all increased, with low levels of loan default. However, significant organisational deterioration and a reduction in the social and environmental impact in the community were also observed, aspects that point to a need to rethink institutional support in these areas. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dual‐frequency MR elastography to differentiate between inflammation and fibrosis of the liver: Comparison with histopathology
Authors: Sofue Keitaro , Onoda Minori , Tsurusaki Masakatsu , Morimoto Daisuke , Yada Norihisa , Kudo Masatoshi , Murakami Takamichi
Published: August 2019

Background

Differentiation between inflammation and fibrosis is an important clinical distinction in patients with chronic liver disease, which has been difficult so far with MR elastography.

Purpose

To investigate whether dual‐frequency MR elastography can estimate necroinflammation of the liver and improve diagnostic performance for the staging of liver fibrosis.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

In all, 30 patients (14 males, 16 females) with chronic liver disease.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5T/dual‐frequency MR elastography at 60‐Hz and 80‐Hz vibration frequencies. [Correction added on November 12, 2019, after first online publication: The field strength in the preceding sentence was corrected.]

Assessment

Necroinflammation activity and fibrosis were assessed using the METAVIR scoring system. Stiffness values at 60‐Hz (G60‐Hz) and 80‐Hz (G80‐Hz) were obtained with an MR elastogram. The difference value between G80‐Hz and G60‐Hz (ΔG) was calculated. Four values (G60‐Hz, G80‐Hz, G60‐Hz – ΔG, and G80‐Hz + ΔG) were generated to estimate necroinflammation and fibrosis.

Statistical Tests

The ΔG were correlated with necroinflammation activity grade and fibrosis stage using Spearman's rank correlation. Diagnostic performance of the four values for necroinflammation activity grade and fibrous stage was assessed by using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

The mean value of G80‐Hz (6.23 ± 3.67 kPa) was significantly higher than that of G60‐Hz (5.27 ± 3.14 kPa) (P < 0.0001). The ΔG demonstrated a strong correlation with necroinflammation grade (ρ = 0.625, P < 0.001) and no correlation with fibrosis stage (ρ = 0.306, P = 0.113). The AUC of the G80‐Hz and G80‐Hz + ΔG showed higher accuracy for necroinflammation, and optimal cutoff values yielded better discrimination of ≥A1, ≥A2, and = A3. The AUC demonstrated that all the generated values had high diagnostic performance (≥0.87 for all) for fibrosis.

Data Conclusion

Dual‐frequency MR elastography shows potential in estimating necroinflammation of the liver and may improve diagnostic performance for staging liver fibrosis.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1053–1064.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Cellular Pathways in Healing Flexor Tendons of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 (PAI‐1/Serpine1) Null Mice
Authors: Freeberg Margaret A.T. , Easa Anas , Lillis Jacquelyn A. , Benoit Danielle S.W. , van Wijnen Andre J. , Awad Hani A.
Published: August 2019

Injuries to flexor tendons can be complicated by fibrotic adhesions, which severely impair the function of the hand. Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI‐1/SERPINE1), a master suppressor of fibrinolysis and protease activity, is associated with adhesions. Here, we used next‐generation RNA sequencing (RNA‐Seq) to assess genome‐wide differences in messenger RNA expression due to PAI‐1 deficiency after zone II flexor tendon injury. We used the ingenuity pathway analysis to characterize molecular pathways and biological drivers associated with differentially expressed genes (DEG). Analysis of hundreds of overlapping and DEG in PAI‐1 knockout (KO) and wild‐type mice (C57Bl/6J) during tendon healing revealed common and distinct biological processes. Pathway analysis identified cell proliferation, survival, and senescence, as well as chronic inflammation as potential drivers of fibrotic healing and adhesions in injured tendons. Importantly, we identified the activation of PTEN signaling and the inhibition of FOXO1‐associated biological processes as unique transcriptional signatures of the healing tendon in the PAI‐1/Serpine1 KO mice. Further, transcriptomic differences due to the genetic deletion of PAI‐1 were mechanistically linked to PI3K/Akt/mTOR, PKC, and MAPK signaling cascades. These transcriptional observations provide novel insights into the biological roles of PAI‐1 in tendon healing and could identify therapeutic targets to achieve scar‐free regenerative healing of tendons. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:43–58, 2020
Sources of tourism growth in Mainland China: An extended data envelopment analysis‐based decomposition analysis
Authors: Zha Jianping , Zhu Ying , He Dongqin , Tan Ting , Yang Xiaojie
Published: August 2019

Understanding the driving factors of tourism growth provides insights into tourism growth patterns and can inform tourism policymaking. This paper develops a novel data envelopment analysis (DEA)‐based decomposition approach, a combined use of DEA, meta‐frontier theory, and polar decomposition method, for decomposing tourism growth into seven components, that is, technological efficiency, technology gap effect, technological progress, labour input effect, capital input effect, tourism resource endowment effect, and environmental overload effect. Subsequently, an empirical study has been undertaken for Mainland China during the period of 2005–2015. The results reveal that factor inputs contribute more to China's tourism growth than total factor productivity. The gap between the contributions of factor inputs and total productivity to tourism growth has gradually been narrowing over time. Further decomposition shows that the above seven sources of tourism growth show distinct spatial characteristics. Finally, according to the estimation results, this paper formulates targeted strategies to promote sustainable tourism growth in Mainland China.
The Hyperechoic Appearance of the Deltoid Muscle on Shoulder Ultrasound Imaging as a Predictor of Diabetes and Prediabetes
Authors: Soliman Steven B. , Rosen Kelli A. , Williams Paul C. , Spicer Paul J. , Williams L. Keoki , Rao Sudhaker D. , van Holsbeeck Marnix T.
Published: August 2019

Objectives

To evaluate whether the ultrasound appearance of the deltoid muscle in diabetic patients differs from that in obese nondiabetic patients.

Methods

Ultrasound images of the deltoid muscle from 137 type 2 diabetic patients (including 13 prediabetic patients) and 49 obese nondiabetic patients were blindly reviewed by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists, and by a third when arbitration was needed, to determine whether the appearance was “normal,” “suspected diabetes,” or “definite diabetes.” Age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI), insulin use, and hemoglobin A1c were analyzed. This retrospective study included patients presenting between October 2005 and November 2017. Statistical analyses included a 2‐sided sample t test or Wilcoxon rank sum test and a χ2 or Fisher exact test. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05.

Results

The type 2 diabetic patients included 98 women and 39 men aged 29 to 92 years, and the nondiabetic patients included 19 women and 30 men aged 18 to 75 years. A consensus diagnosis of definite diabetes by the musculoskeletal radiologists based on a hyperechoic deltoid was a powerful predictor of diabetes, with a positive predictive value of 89%. A hyperechoic deltoid was also a powerful predictor of prediabetes. Of the 13 prediabetic patients, all had the same hyperechoic appearance of the diabetic deltoid, regardless of BMI. Although obese diabetic patients more often had a diagnosis of definite diabetes, the BMI alone could not explain the increased echogenicity, as obese nondiabetic patients’ deltoid muscles did not appear as hyperechoic and were correctly categorized as not having definite diabetes with 82% specificity.

Conclusions

The characteristic hyperechoic deltoid appearance is a strong predictor of both diabetes and prediabetes and differs from that of obese nondiabetic patients.
Cadmium, obesity, and education, and the 10‐year incidence of hearing impairment: The beaver dam offspring study
Authors: Dalton Dayna S. , Schubert Carla R. , Pinto Alex , Fischer Mary E. , Huang Guan‐Hua , Klein Barbara E. K. , Klein Ronald , Pankow James S. , Paulsen Adam J. , Tsai Michael Y. , Tweed Ted S. , Cruickshanks Karen J.
Published: August 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

To determine the 10‐year incidence of hearing impairment (HI) and associated risk factors in the Beaver Dam Offspring Study (BOSS; 2004–present), a large middle‐aged cohort followed for 10 years.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

Hearing thresholds were measured at baseline (2005–2008) and 5‐ (2010–2013) and 10‐year (2015–2017) follow‐up examinations. HI was defined as a pure‐tone average >25 dB HL in either ear. BOSS participants free of HI at baseline with at least one follow‐up examination (N = 2,065) were included. Potential risk factors evaluated included cardiovascular measures, health history, lifestyle factors, inflammatory markers, vitamins D and B12, lead, and cadmium.

Results

Participants were 21 to 79 years (mean age = 47.9 years) at baseline. The 10‐year cumulative HI incidence was 17.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.7–19.2) and was twice as likely in men (24.4%, 95% CI: 21.5–27.7) than in women (12.2%, 95% CI: 10.3–14.3). In a multivariable adjusted model, age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.38–1.59, per 5 years), male sex (HR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.91–3.18), less than a college education (HR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.02–1.79), body mass index (HR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.05, per kg/m2), and higher cadmium levels (HR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.05–1.92, quintile 5 vs. quintiles 1–4) were associated with the 10‐year cumulative incidence of HI. There was no association between high lead levels, vitamins D or B12, and 10‐year incidence of HI.

Conclusions

In addition to age and sex, obesity, education, and blood cadmium levels were associated with increased incidence of HI. These prospective results add to evidence that age‐related HI is a multifactorial preventable disorder.

Level of Evidence

2b Laryngoscope, 130:1396–1401, 2020
A two‐stage fuzzy approach for Industry 4.0 project portfolio selection within criteria and project interdependencies context
Authors: Demircan Keskin Fatma
Published: August 2019

Industry 4.0, the new vision of our age has forced companies to transform their processes. In the process of transition to Industry 4.0, one of the most crucial success factors is to select the project portfolio that best fits their objectives. The uncertainty included in the projects, the interproject priority, and various interdependence relations, interactions between project evaluation criteria, decision makers with different perspectives, and preferences make Industry 4.0 project portfolio selection decision considerably complicated. In this study, a two‐stage fuzzy approach is proposed to address this complex problem. In the first stage of the approach, the main criteria and subcriteria to be used in evaluating the Industry 4.0 projects have been determined based on the literature review and expert opinions. Following this, a network structure representing outer and inner dependencies has been formed, and the priority weights of the criteria have been obtained by taking into consideration these dependencies. Then, each of the project alternatives has been evaluated under subcriteria, and desirability indexes of project alternatives have been calculated. Fuzzy analytic network process has been applied in this stage. In the second stage, fuzzy multi‐objective nonlinear programming has been used to select a project portfolio. In the application of the first stage of the proposed methodology, experts from three firms, which have made significant progress in the Industry 4.0 implementation process, are the decision makers. In the application of the second stage, hypothetically created project alternatives and their dataset have been used.
Is Good Fish Culture Management Harming Recovery Efforts in Aquaculture-Assisted Fisheries?
Authors: Tave Douglas , Hutson Alison M
Published: August 2019

To make conservation aquaculture successful, a paradigm shift is needed in what is considered good hatchery management as defined by production aquaculture as well as in the metrics that are used to evaluate hatchery success. In production aquaculture, managers strive to maintain exceptional environmental conditions to maximize yield, the number of fish produced, and survival. However, this type of aquaculture management could decrease the likelihood of success of imperiled species recovery programs due to domestication and epigenetics. Consequently, good management practices in conservation aquaculture should produce conditions that resemble the environment where the fish will be stocked in order to minimize domestication and epigenetic problems that will lower the fitness of wild stocks following augmentation. Changes in what are considered good culture conditions require a new set of hatchery evaluation metrics. The key metric that needs to be altered is the survival rate. Survival is the keystone metric because it determines other metrics such as the number produced, yield, and profits. High survival rates influence domestication, which adversely affects post-augmentation survival and the fitness of the wild stock. Consequently, lower hatchery survival rates produced by selective pressures in conservation aquaculture are needed to improve success in imperiled species recovery programs. We propose that survival be 10–25% to improve success. Our proposed evaluation metrics for conservation aquaculture are to produce “wild” fish and not lower the fitness of the wild population. We recognize that these recommendations are controversial, but a major goal of this paper is to start a discussion about the most appropriate way to evaluate this type of aquaculture so that recovery efforts for imperiled species can be improved.
Quantitative susceptibility mapping of the spine using in‐phase echoes to initialize inhomogeneous field and R2* for the nonconvex optimization problem of fat‐water separation
Authors: Guo Yihao , Liu Zhe , Wen Yan , Spincemaille Pascal , Zhang Honglei , Jafari Ramin , Zhang Shun , Eskreis‐Winkler Sarah , Gillen Kelly M. , Yi Peiwei , Feng Qianjin , Feng Yanqiu , Wang Yi
Published: August 2019

Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) of human spinal vertebrae from a multi‐echo gradient‐echo (GRE) sequence is challenging, because comparable amounts of fat and water in the vertebrae make it difficult to solve the nonconvex optimization problem of fat‐water separation (R2*‐IDEAL) for estimating the magnetic field induced by tissue susceptibility. We present an in‐phase (IP) echo initialization of R2*‐IDEAL for QSM in the spinal vertebrae. Ten healthy human subjects were recruited for spine MRI. A 3D multi‐echo GRE sequence was implemented to acquire out‐phase and IP echoes. For the IP method, the R2* and field maps estimated by separately fitting the magnitude and phase of IP echoes were used to initialize gradient search R2*‐IDEAL to obtain final R2*, field, water, and fat maps, and the final field map was used to generate QSM. The IP method was compared with the existing Zero method (initializing the field to zero), VARPRO‐GC (variable projection using graphcuts but still initializing the field to zero), and SPURS (simultaneous phase unwrapping and removal of chemical shift using graphcuts for initialization) on both simulation and in vivo data. The single peak fat model was also compared with the multi‐peak fat model. There was no substantial difference on QSM between the single peak and multi‐peak fat models, but there were marked differences among different initialization methods. The simulations demonstrated that IP provided the lowest error in the field map. Compared to Zero, VARPRO‐GC and SPURS, the proposed IP method provided substantially improved spine QSM in all 10 subjects.
Cardiovascular safety of macrolide and fluoroquinolone antibiotics: An analysis of the WHO database of adverse drug reactions
Authors: Bonaldo Giulia , Andriani Luisa Anna , D'Annibali Ottavio , Motola Domenico , Vaccheri Alberto
Published: August 2019

Introduction

The cardiovascular safety profile of macrolides and fluoroquinolones has been widely discussed. The aim of the present study is to provide the contribution of real‐world data onto the ongoing discussion about cardiovascular toxicity of both macrolides and fluoroquinolones.

Methods

Reports of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were retrieved from VigiBase. Macrolides and fluoroquinolones were compared with amoxicillin by using the reporting odds ratio (ROR) as a measure of disproportionality. Macrolides were then compared with fluoroquinolones.

Results

Overall, 6810 reports of ADRs were retrieved: 62% of them were serious and 35% concerned female. Macrolides were more frequently associated with “atrial fibrillation” (ROR = 1.26, CI 1.02‐1.57) and “ventricular fibrillation” ROR = 2.60, CI 1.92‐3.54) than fluoroquinolones. Antimicrobials more frequently reported for “cardiac disorder” were azithromycin (375 reports) and clarithromycin (302) for macrolides and levofloxacin (470) and moxifloxacin (391) for fluoroquinolones.

Conclusion

Our data highlighted that macrolides and fluoroquinolones may influence cardiac rhythm and suggest caution in the prescribing of these drugs to patients with hidden cardiovascular risk factors. Although these ADRs seem to be not common, they have a notable impact in clinical practice because of the huge number of the exposed subjects.
The role of polysomnography in tracheostomy decannulation of children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Quinlan Courtney , Piccione Joseph , Kim Ji‐Young , Beck Suzanne E. , Brooks Lee , Chandy‐Patel Rosemary , Escobar Emma , Afolabi‐Brown Olufunke
Published: August 2019

Background

Patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) may require tracheostomy for long‐term mechanical ventilation. Polysomnography (PSG) may predict successful decannulation in children, however it is unclear how this success compares with children without a PSG. To better evaluate this role, we compared decannulation outcomes between tracheostomy‐dependent children with BPD who underwent PSG before decannulation to those who did not.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study between 1 January 2007 and 1 June 2017 of tracheostomy‐dependent children with BPD who were clinically considered for decannulation. Patient demographics, PSG results, and medical comorbidities were abstracted from medical records and compared between groups. Decannulation outcomes were compared between children with BPD who underwent PSG before decannulation and those who did not.

Results

One hundred twenty‐five patients with BPD were considered for tracheostomy decannulation. Forty‐six (37%) had a pre‐decannulation PSG while 79 (63%) did not. Nineteen (41%) patients did not undergo decannulation within 6 months of the PSG. One (3%) patient with pre‐decannulation PSG failed decannulation. Four (5%) patients without pre‐decannulation PSG failed decannulation. Nineteen patients with PSG and no decannulation had significantly higher obstructive apnea‐hypopnea index (OAHI) (13.62 vs 2.68 events per hour, P = 0.004), higher end‐tidal CO
2 max (52.84 vs 48.03 mm Hg, P = 0.035), and were older at PSG (median age, 6.04 vs 4.04 years, P = 0.008).

Conclusions

While successful decannulation can be achieved without a PSG in some patients, PSG is a valuable tool to identify BPD patients undergoing clinical evaluation for decannulation who would benefit from treatment of OSA before decannulation.