bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The end-expiratory occlusion test for detecting preload responsiveness: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gavelli Francesco , Shi Rui , Teboul Jean-Louis , Azzolina Danila , Monnet Xavier
Published: May 2020

Background

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies assessing the end-expiratory occlusion test (EEXPO test)-induced changes in cardiac output (CO) measured by any haemodynamic monitoring device, as indicators of preload responsiveness.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Database were screened for original articles. Bivariate random-effects meta-analysis determined the Area under the Summary Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUSROC) curve of EEXPO test-induced changes in CO to detect preload responsiveness, as well as pooled sensitivity and specificity and the best diagnostic threshold.

Results

Thirteen studies (530 patients) were included. Nine studies were performed in the intensive care unit and four in the operating room. The pooled sensitivity and the pooled specificity for the EEXPO test-induced changes in CO were 0.85 [0.77–0.91] and 0.88 [0.83–0.91], respectively. The AUSROC curve was 0.91 [0.86–0.94] with the best threshold of CO increase at 5.1 ± 0.2%. The accuracy of the test was not different when changes in CO were monitored through pulse contour analysis compared to other methods (AUSROC: 0.93 [0.91–0.95] vs. 0.87 [0.82–0.96], respectively, p = 0.62). Also, it was not different in studies in which the tidal volume was ≤ 7 mL/kg compared to the remaining ones (AUSROC: 0.96 [0.92–0.97] vs. 0.89 [0.82–0.95] respectively, p = 0.44). Subgroup analyses identified one possible source of heterogeneity.

Conclusions

EEXPO test-induced changes in CO reliably detect preload responsiveness. The diagnostic performance is not influenced by the method used to track the EEXPO test-induced changes in CO.

Trial registration The study protocol was prospectively registered on PROSPERO: CRD42019138265.
Low-cost data partitioning and encrypted backup scheme for defending against co-resident attacks
Authors: Tian Junfeng , Wang Zilong , Li Zhen
Published: May 2020

Aiming at preventing user data leakage and the damage that is caused by co-resident attacks in the cloud environment, a data partitioning and encryption backup (P&XE) scheme is proposed. After the data have been divided into blocks, the data are backed up using the XOR operation between the data. Then, the backup data are encrypted using a random string. Compared with the existing scheme, the proposed scheme resolves the conflict between data security and survivability via encrypted backup. At the same time, because the XOR-encrypted backup causes multiple data blocks to share the same backup data, the storage overhead of the user is reduced. In this paper, existing probabilistic models are used to compare the performances of an existing scheme and the P&XE scheme in terms of data security, data survivability and user storage overhead, and the overall performances of the two schemes in terms of these three aspects that are compared using control variables. Finally, the experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the P&XE scheme at improving user data security and survivability and reducing user storage overhead.
A signal reconstruction method of wireless sensor network based on compressed sensing
Authors: Zhu Shiyu , Chen Shanxiong , Peng Xihua , Xiong Hailing , Wu Sheng
Published: May 2020

Compressed sensing (CS) is a new theory for sampling and recovering signal-based sparse transformation. This theory could help us to acquire complete signal at low cost. Therefore, it also satisfies the requirement of low-cost sampling since bandwidth and capability of sampling is not sufficient. However, wireless sensor network is an open scene, and signal is easily affected by noise in the open environment. Specially, CS theory indicates a method of sub-Nyquist sampling which is effective to reduce cost in the process of data acquirement. However, the sampling is “imperfect”, and the corresponding data is more sensitive to noise. Consequently, it is urgently requisited for robust and antinoise reconstruction algorithms which can ensure the accuracy of signal reconstruction. In the article, we present a proximal gradient algorithm (PRG) to reconstruct sub-Nyquist sampling signal in the noise environment. This algorithm iteratively uses a straightforward shrinkage step to find the optimum solution of constrained formula, and then restores the original signal. Finally, in the experiment, PRG shows excellent performance comparing to OMP, BP, and SP while signal is corrupted by noise.
Gel’fand-N-width in probabilistic setting
Authors: Tan Xin , Wang Yanan , Sun Lu , Shao Xingfeng , Chen Guanggui
Published: May 2020

In this article, we first put forward a new definition of probabilistic Gel’fand-$(N,\delta )$(N,δ)-width which is the classical Gel’fand-N-width in a probabilistic setting. Then we estimate the sharp order of the probabilistic Gel’fand-$(N,\delta )$(N,δ)-width of finite-dimensional space. Furthermore, we obtain the exact order of probabilistic Gel’fand-$(N, \delta )$(N,δ)-width of univariate Sobolev space by the discretization method according to the result of finite-dimensional space.
Strong consistency rates for the estimators in a heteroscedastic EV model with missing responses
Authors: Zhang Jing-Jing , Xiao Yun-Peng
Published: May 2020

This article is concerned with the semi-parametric error-in-variables (EV) model with missing responses: $y_{i}= \xi _{i}\beta +g(t_{i})+\epsilon _{i}$yi=ξiβ+g(ti)+ϵi, $x_{i}= \xi _{i}+\mu _{i}$xi=ξi+μi, where $\epsilon _{i}=\sigma _{i}e_{i}$ϵi=σiei is heteroscedastic, $f(u_{i})=\sigma ^{2}_{i}$f(ui)=σi2, $y_{i}$yi are the response variables missing at random, the design points $(\xi _{i},t_{i},u_{i})$(ξi,ti,ui) are known and non-random, β is an unknown parameter, $g(\cdot )$g(⋅) and $f(\cdot )$f(⋅) are functions defined on closed interval $[0,1]$[0,1], and the $\xi _{i}$ξi are the potential variables observed with measurement errors $\mu _{i}$μi, $e_{i}$ei are random errors. Under appropriate conditions, we study the strong consistent rates for the estimators of β, $g(\cdot )$g(⋅) and $f(\cdot )$f(⋅). Finite sample behavior of the estimators is investigated via simulations.
The entropy weak solution to a generalized Fornberg–Whitham equation
Authors: Li Nan , Lai Shaoyong
Published: May 2020

We investigate a nonlinear generalized Fornberg–Whitham equation. The key element is that we derive an $L^{2}(\mathbb{R})$L2(R) conservation law for solutions of the equation. We establish several estimates by utilizing the $L^{2}(\mathbb{R})$L2(R) conservation law. These estimates lead to the proof of the existence and uniqueness of entropy weak solution of the equation in the space $L^{1}(\mathbb{R})\cap L^{\infty}(\mathbb{R})$L1(R)∩L∞(R).
Further extension of Voigt function and its properties
Authors: Khan Nabiullah , Ghayasuddin Mohd , Khan Waseem A. , Abdeljawad Thabet , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy
Published: May 2020

In this paper, by using the confluent hypergeometric function of the first kind, we propose a further extension of the Voigt function and obtain its useful properties as (for example) explicit representation and partly bilateral and partly unilateral representation. By means of the present representations, we derive several (presumably new) generating functions which are partly bilateral and partly unilateral. Some interesting recurrence relations of the Voigt function introduced here are also indicated.
Stabilization of the weakly coupled plate equations with a locally distributed damping
Authors: Zhu Xianzheng
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we study the indirect stabilization of a system of plate equations which are weakly coupled and locally damped. By virtue of the general results due to Burq in the study of asymptotic behavior of solutions, we prove that the semigroup associated to the system is logarithmically stable under some assumptions on the damping and the coupling terms. For this purpose, we adopt an approach based on the growth of the resolvent on the imaginary axis, which can be obtained by some Carleman estimates.
Existence of nonoscillatory solutions tending to zero of third-order neutral dynamic equations on time scales
Authors: Qiu Yang-Cong , Jadlovská Irena , Chiu Kuo-Shou , Li Tongxing
Published: May 2020

We study the existence of nonoscillatory solutions tending to zero of a class of third-order nonlinear neutral dynamic equations on time scales by employing Krasnoselskii’s fixed point theorem. Two examples are given to illustrate the significance of the conclusions.
Reliable methods to study some nonlinear conformable systems in shallow water
Authors: Al-Shawba Altaf A. , Abdullah Farah A. , Azmi Amirah , Akbar M. Ali
Published: May 2020

In this paper, consider the eminent coupled Boussinesq–Burger (BB) equations and the coupled Whitham–Broer–Kaup (WBK) equations with time fractional derivative arising in the investigation of shallow water waves. The derivative is described in the sense of conformable derivative. We introduce the fundamental ${(G'} / {G} )$
(

G
′

/
G
)
-expansion method and its extension, namely the two-variable ${(G'} / {G}, {1} / {G} )$
(

G
′

/
G
,
1
/
G
)
-expansion method, to establish general solutions, some typical wave solutions existing in the literature, and some new and compatible soliton solutions comprised with certain parameters. For the definite values of these parameters, we derive and show in figures the well-known kink, singular kink, bell-shape soliton, periodic soliton, cuspon, and so on. The obtained solutions affirm that the introduced methods are reliable and efficient techniques to examine a wide variety of nonlinear fractional systems in the sense conformable derivative.
High-order compact scheme for the two-dimensional fractional Rayleigh–Stokes problem for a heated generalized second-grade fluid
Authors: Khan Muhammad Asim , Ali Norhashidah Hj. Mohd
Published: May 2020

In this article, an unconditionally stable compact high-order iterative finite difference scheme is developed on solving the two-dimensional fractional Rayleigh–Stokes equation. A relationship between the Riemann–Liouville (R–L) and Grunwald–Letnikov (G–L) fractional derivatives is used for the time-fractional derivative, and a fourth-order compact Crank–Nicolson approximation is applied for the space derivative to produce a high-order compact scheme. The stability and convergence for the proposed method will be proven; the proposed method will be shown to have the order of convergence $O(\tau + h^{4})$O(τ+h4). Finally, numerical examples are provided to show the high accuracy solutions of the proposed scheme.
Alpha fractional frequency Laplace transform through multiseries
Authors: Murugesan Meganathan , Abdeljawad Thabet , Gnanaprakasam Britto Antony Xavier , Jarad Fahd
Published: May 2020

Our main goal in this work is to derive the frequency Laplace transforms of the products of two and three functions with tuning factors. We propose the Laplace transform for certain types of multiseries of circular functions as well. For use in numerical results, we derive a finite summation formula andm-series formulas. Moreover, we discuss various explanatory examples.
White noise theory and general improved Kudryashov method for stochastic nonlinear evolution equations with conformable derivatives
Authors: Hyder Abd-Allah
Published: May 2020

The aim of this work is to investigate the Wick-type stochastic nonlinear evolution equations with conformable derivatives. The general Kudryashov method is improved by a new auxiliary equation. So, a new technique, which we call “the general improved Kudryashov method (GIKM)”, is introduced to produce exact solutions for the nonlinear evolution equations with conformable derivatives. By means of GIKM, white noise theory, Hermite transform, and computerized symbolic computation, a novel technique is presented to solve the Wick-type stochastic nonlinear evolution equations with conformable derivatives. This technique is applied to construct exact traveling wave solutions for Wick-type stochastic combined KdV–mKdV equation with conformable derivatives. Moreover, numerical simulations with 3D profiles are shown for the obtained results.
One size doesn’t fit all: a thematic analysis of interviews with people who have stopped participating in Narcotics Anonymous in Norway
Authors: Vederhus John-Kåre , Høie Magnhild , Birkeland Bente
Published: May 2020

Background

For persons with substance use disorders (SUDs), 12-step groups (TSGs) are the most available and used peer-based recovery resource, worldwide. However, disengagement is common, and attrition may partly be due to practices and procedures within these groups that are unacceptable to a portion of the population with SUDs. Our overall aim was to identify problematic issues related to Narcotics Anonymous (NA) participation in Norway, to inform addiction professionals’ strategies when referring persons to addiction-related self-help groups (SHGs).

Methods

In this qualitative study, we interviewed ten individuals who had previously participated regularly in NA for at least 6 months, to examine their reasons for disengagement. We interpreted the interviews using thematic analysis.

Results

We identified three themes: (1) ‘The model did not fit’, either the strategies utilized in NA (e.g., meeting format and step working) or NA’s explanatory model of addiction, (2) ‘Negative experiences spurred frustration’, and (3) ‘The safe place can become a cage’. The respondents believed that a main aim of recovery was reintegration into society, such that SHG participation should not be an end goal, but rather a platform for normalization back into society. Despite their negative experiences and strong critique, respondents still regarded NA as a valuable recovery resource, but pointed out that one size does not fit all.

Conclusion

Addiction professionals should recognize possible problems related to TSG participation, to help prevent negative experiences and possible harms to individuals. Professionals should also inform individuals about alternative support groups, to help them find the recovery resource best suited to them.
Gene X environment: the cellular environment governs the transcriptional response to environmental chemicals
Authors: Burman Andreanna , Garcia-Milian Rolando , Whirledge Shannon
Published: May 2020

Background

An individual’s response to environmental exposures varies depending on their genotype, which has been termed the gene-environment interaction. The phenotype of cell exposed can also be a key determinant in the response to physiological cues, indicating that a cell-gene-environment interaction may exist. We investigated whether the cellular environment could alter the transcriptional response to environmental chemicals. Publicly available gene expression array data permitted a targeted comparison of the transcriptional response to a unique subclass of environmental chemicals that alter the activity of the estrogen receptor, xenoestrogens.

Results

Thirty xenoestrogens were included in the analysis, for which 426 human gene expression studies were identified. Comparisons were made for studies that met the predefined criteria for exposure length, concentration, and experimental replicates. The cellular response to the phytoestrogen genistein resulted in remarkably unique transcriptional profiles in breast, liver, and uterine cell-types. Analysis of gene regulatory networks and molecular pathways revealed that the cellular context mediated the activation or repression of functions important to cellular organization and survival, including opposing effects by genistein in breast vs. liver and uterine cell-types. When controlling for cell-type, xenoestrogens regulate unique gene networks and biological functions, despite belonging to the same class of environmental chemicals. Interestingly, the genetic sex of the cell-type also strongly influenced the transcriptional response to xenoestrogens in the liver, with only 22% of the genes significantly regulated by genistein common between male and female cells.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that the transcriptional response to environmental chemicals depends on a variety of factors, including the cellular context, the genetic sex of a cell, and the individual chemical. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating the impact of exposure across cell-types, as the effect is responsive to the cellular environment. These comparative genetic results support the concept of a cell-gene-environment interaction.
Disability progression among leprosy patients released from treatment: a survival analysis
Authors: dos Santos Aleksandra Rosendo , Silva Pãmela Rodrigues de Souza , Steinmann Peter , Ignotti Eliane
Published: May 2020

Background

Leprosy can be cured, but physical disability (PD) as a result of the infection can progress in the post-release from treatment phase. This study evaluated the likelihood of, and factors associated with, the progression of the PD grade post-release from treatment among leprosy patients treated in Cáceres-MT, Brazil in the period 2000 to 2017.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study and survival analysis were performed in the hyperendemic municipality of Cáceres in the state of Mato Grosso. The study population consisted of newly diagnosed leprosy patients released from treatment between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2017. The main outcome was the progression of the PD grade with regard to probability and time; and the evaluated covariates included clinical, operational and demographic variables. The Cox proportional risk model was used to estimate the risk ratio (Hazard Ratios) of the covariates. Both an univariate and a multivariate analysis were implemented, with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

The mean time for progression of the PD grade was 162 months for PB and 151 months for MB leprosy patients. The survival curve showed that 15 years after the release from treatment, the probability of PD grade progression was 35%, with no difference between PB and MB or age groups. Leprosy reactions and registered medical complaints of any kind during treatment were identified as risk factors with Hazard Ratios of 1.6 and 1.8 respectively.

Conclusions

People released from treatment as cured of leprosy are susceptible to worsening of the PD, especially those who have had complications during multi-drug therapy treatment. This indicates that leprosy patients should be periodically monitored, even after the successful completion of multidrug therapy.
Characteristics of pediatric adverse drug reaction reports in the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database
Authors: Noda Aoi , Sakai Takamasa , Obara Taku , Miyazaki Makoto , Tsuchiya Masami , Oyanagi Gen , Murai Yuriko , Mano Nariyasu
Published: May 2020

Background

There are no reports on investigations of the characteristics of adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports for pediatric patients in the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database (JADER) and the utility of database for drug safety surveillance in these patients.

Method

We aimed to evaluate ADR reports for pediatric patients in the JADER. We used spontaneous ADR reports included in the JADER since April 1, 2004, to December 31, 2017, which was downloaded in April 2018. In a total of 504,407 ADR reports, the number of spontaneous reports was 386,400 (76.6%), in which 37,534 (7.4%) were unknown age reports. After extraction of 27,800 ADR reports for children aged < 10 and 10–19 years, we excepted for ADR reports associated with a vaccine (n = 6355) and no-suspected drug reports (n = 86). A total of 21,359 (4.2%) reports were finally included in this analysis.

Results

More than half of the ADR reports were for children aged < 10 years. Approximately 30% of ADR reports had multiple suspected drugs, which did not differ by age. The percentages of fatal outcomes of ADRs among patients aged < 10 and 10–19 years were 4.7 and 3.9%, respectively. The most frequently reported drug, reaction, and drug-reaction pair were oseltamivir, abnormal behavior, and oseltamivir and abnormal behavior, respectively.

Conclusion

We clarified the characteristics of ADR reports for Japanese children by using the JADER. ADR report databases, especially those for pediatric patients, are valuable pharmacovigilance tools in Japan and other countries. Therefore, a proper understanding of the characteristics of the ADR reports in the JADER is important. Additionally, potential signals for ADRs in pediatric patients should be monitored continuously and carefully.
Multi-criteria collaborative filtering recommender by fusing deep neural network and matrix factorization
Authors: Nassar Nour , Jafar Assef , Rahhal Yasser
Published: May 2020

Recommender systems have been an efficient strategy to deal with information overload by producing personalized predictions. Recommendation systems based on deep learning have accomplished magnificent results, but most of these systems are traditional recommender systems that use a single rating. In this work, we introduce a multi-criteria collaborative filtering recommender by combining deep neural network and matrix factorization. Our model consists of two parts: the first part uses a fused model of deep neural network and matrix factorization to predict the criteria ratings and the second one employs a deep neural network to predict the overall rating. The experimental results on two datasets, including a real-world dataset, show that the proposed model outperformed several state-of-the-art methods across different datasets and performance evaluation metrics.
Lymphopenia in severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19): systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Ian , Pranata Raymond
Published: May 2020

Objective

Clinical and laboratory biomarkers to predict the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are essential in this pandemic situation of which resource allocation must be urgently prepared especially in the context of respiratory support readiness. Lymphocyte count has been a marker of interest since the first COVID-19 publication. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in order to investigate the association of lymphocyte count on admission and the severity of COVID-19. We would also like to analyze whether patient characteristics such as age and comorbidities affect the relationship between lymphocyte count and COVID-19.

Methods

Comprehensive and systematic literature search was performed from PubMed, SCOPUS, EuropePMC, ProQuest, Cochrane Central Databases, and Google Scholar. Research articles in adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 with information on lymphocyte count and several outcomes of interest, including mortality, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), intensive care unit (ICU) care, and severe COVID-19, were included in the analysis. Inverse variance method was used to obtain mean differences and its standard deviations. Maentel-Haenszel formula was used to calculate dichotomous variables to obtain odds ratios (ORs) along with its 95% confidence intervals. Random-effect models were used for meta-analysis regardless of heterogeneity. Restricted-maximum likelihood random-effects meta-regression was performed for age, gender, cardiac comorbidity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, COPD, and smoking.

Results

There were a total of 3099 patients from 24 studies. Meta-analysis showed that patients with poor outcome have a lower lymphocyte count (mean difference − 361.06 μL [− 439.18, − 282.95], p < 0.001; I2 84%) compared to those with good outcome. Subgroup analysis showed lower lymphocyte count in patients who died (mean difference − 395.35 μL [− 165.64, − 625.07], p < 0.001; I2 87%), experienced ARDS (mean difference − 377.56 μL [− 271.89, − 483.22], p < 0.001; I2 0%), received ICU care (mean difference − 376.53 μL [− 682.84, − 70.22], p = 0.02; I2 89%), and have severe COVID-19 (mean difference − 353.34 μL [− 250.94, − 455.73], p < 0.001; I2 85%). Lymphopenia was associated with severe COVID-19 (OR 3.70 [2.44, 5.63], p < 0.001; I2 40%). Meta-regression showed that the association between lymphocyte count and composite poor outcome was affected by age (p = 0.034).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis showed that lymphopenia on admission was associated with poor outcome in patients with COVID-19.
Neuromuscular blockade management in the critically Ill patient
Authors: Renew J. Ross , Ratzlaff Robert , Hernandez-Torres Vivian , Brull Sorin J. , Prielipp Richard C.
Published: May 2020

Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) can be an effective modality to address challenges that arise daily in the intensive care unit (ICU). These medications are often used to optimize mechanical ventilation, facilitate endotracheal intubation, stop overt shivering during therapeutic hypothermia following cardiac arrest, and may have a role in the management of life-threatening conditions such as elevated intracranial pressure and status asthmaticus (when deep sedation fails or is not tolerated). However, current NMBA use has decreased during the last decade due to concerns of potential adverse effects such as venous thrombosis, patient awareness during paralysis, development of critical illness myopathy, autonomic interactions, and even residual paralysis following cessation of NMBA use.

It is therefore essential for clinicians to be familiar with evidence-based practices regarding appropriate NMBA use in order to select appropriate indications for their use and avoid complications. We believe that selecting the right NMBA, administering concomitant sedation and analgesic therapy, and using appropriate monitoring techniques mitigate these risks for critically ill patients. Therefore, we review the indications of NMBA use in the critical care setting and discuss the most appropriate use of NMBAs in the intensive care setting based on their structure, mechanism of action, side effects, and recognized clinical indications. Lastly, we highlight the available pharmacologic antagonists, strategies for sedation, newer neuromuscular monitoring techniques, and potential complications related to the use of NMBAs in the ICU setting.
Method of respiratory rate measurement using a unique wearable platform and an adaptive optical-based approach
Authors: Singh Gurpreet , Tee Augustine , Trakoolwilaiwan Thanawin , Taha Aza , Olivo Malini
Published: May 2020

Background

An efficient and accurate method of respiratory rate measurement is still missing in hospital general wards and triage. The goal of this study is to propose a method of respiratory rate measurement that has a potential to be used in general wards, triage, and different hospital settings with comparable performance. We propose a method of respiratory rate measurement that combines a unique wearable platform with an adaptive and optical approach. The optical approach is based on a direct-contact optical diffuse reflectance phenomenon. An adaptive algorithm is developed that computes the first respiratory rate and uses it to select a band. The band then chooses a set of unique optimized parameters in the algorithm to calculate and improve the respiratory rate. We developed a study to compare the proposed method against reference manual counts from 82 patients diagnosed with respiratory diseases.

Results

We found good agreement between the proposed method of respiratory rate measurement and reference manual counts. The performance of the proposed method highlighted deviations with a 95% confidence interval (C.I.) of − 3.34 and 3.67 breaths per minute (bpm) and a mean bias and standard deviation (STD) of 0.05 bpm and 2.56 bpm, respectively.

Conclusions

The performance of the proposed method of respiratory rate measurement is comparable with current manual counting and other respiratory rate devices reported. The method has additional advantages that include ease-of-use, quick setup time, and being mobile for wider clinical use. The proposed method has the potential as a tool to measure respiratory rates in a number of use cases.
Automated collection of single species of microfossils using a deep learning–micromanipulator system
Authors: Itaki Takuya , Taira Yosuke , Kuwamori Naoki , Maebayashi Toshinori , Takeshima Satoshi , Toya Kenji
Published: May 2020

For geochemical analysis such as stable isotope ratio, radiocarbon dating and minor element analysis for a single species of microfossils, a large number of specimens, is required. Collecting specimens one by one under a microscope requires enormous time and effort. In this study, we developed a device that automates these efforts and can be used without expert knowledge. Microfossils can be accurately classified and identified to taxonomic species level using deep learning, which is one of the learning methods of artificial intelligence (AI), and picked up using a micromanipulator installed in the microscope with an automated motorized X-Y stage. A prototype of the classification model AI-PIC_20181024 showed the ability to classify microfossil species Cycladophora davisiana and Actinomma boreale (radiolarians) with accuracy exceeding 90% at a confidence level > 0.90. Using this method, it is possible to collect a large number of particles with speed and accuracy that cannot be achieved by a human technician. Although this technology can only be used for specific species of microfossils, it greatly reduces the hand work of picking and also enables chemical analysis, such as isotope ratio and minor element analysis, for small microfossil species for which it had been difficult to collect enough specimens. In addition to microfossils, this technology can be applied to other particles, with applications expected in various fields, such as medical, food, horticulture, and materials.
What did determine the warming trend in the Indonesian sea?
Authors: Iskandar Iskhaq , Mardiansyah Wijaya , Lestari Deni Okta , Masumoto Yukio
Published: May 2020

The Indonesian sea is the only low-latitude pathway connecting two tropical oceans, which plays an important role in the coupled ocean-atmosphere mode in the Indo-Pacific sector. A small change in the sea surface temperature (SST) in the Indonesian sea has a significant influence on the precipitation and air-sea heat flux. During the past 33 years, the SST in the Indonesian sea has indicated a warming trend on the average of 0.19 ± 0.04 decade−1, which is larger than global SST warming trend. Moreover, the warming trend indicates seasonal variations, in which maximum trend occurred during boreal summer season. Investigation on the potential driver for this warming trend, namely, the net surface heat flux, resulted in an opposite trend (cooling trend), while the Ekman pumping and the wind mixing only play a minor role on the SST warming. Here, we proposed the upper layer process associated with an increasing trend in precipitation and decreasing trend in mixed layer depth (MLD) for the SST warming within the Indonesian seas. Shoaling of MLD gives a favorable condition for the surface heat flux to warm the surface ocean. However, shoaling of MLD could not solely explain the total SST warming within the Indonesian seas. The seasonal dependence in the warming trend, highest during boreal summer, was significantly related to the Indo-Pacific climate modes, namely the negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and La Niña events. Higher warming trend observed in the south of Makassar Strait and in the eastern Indonesian seas, in the vicinity of the Maluku Sea and the northeastern part of the Banda Sea, was significantly associated with the La Niña event. Meanwhile, strong warming trend observed in the Karimata Strait and Java Sea, and in the Flores Sea south of Sulawesi Island seems to be enhanced by the negative IOD event. Our rough quantitative estimate of the possible mechanism leading to the SST warming suggests that other mechanism might be at work in warming the SST within the Indonesian seas. Horizontal heat advection associated with an increasing trend of the heat transport from the Pacific into the Indian Ocean by the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) might play a role in causing the warming trend within the Indonesian seas. However, to what extend this heat advection could modulate the SST warming is still unresolved in the present study. Further study based on realistic model output as well as long-term observational records is necessary to describe the dynamics underlying the warming trend within the Indonesian seas.
Genome-wide characterization of the abscisic acid-, stress- and ripening-induced (ASR) gene family in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Li Huawei , Guan Haiying , Zhuo Qicui , Wang Zongshuai , Li Shengdong , Si Jisheng , Zhang Bin , Feng Bo , Kong Ling-an , Wang Fahong , Wang Zheng , Zhang Lishun
Published: May 2020

Background

Abscisic acid-, stress-, and ripening-induced (ASR) genes are a class of plant specific transcription factors (TFs), which play important roles in plant development, growth and abiotic stress responses. The wheat ASRs have not been described in genome-wide yet.

Methods

We predicted the transmembrane regions and subcellular localization using the TMHMM server, and Plant-mPLoc server and CELLO v2.5, respectively. Then the phylogeny tree was built by MEGA7. The exon–intron structures, conserved motifs and TFs binding sites were analyzed by GSDS, MEME program and PlantRegMap, respectively.

Results

In wheat, 33ASR genes were identified through a genome-wide survey and classified into six groups. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the TaASR proteins in the same group tightly clustered together, compared with those from other species. Duplication analysis indicated that the TaASR gene family has expanded mainly through tandem and segmental duplication events. Similar gene structures and conserved protein motifs of TaASRs in wheat were identified in the same groups. ASR genes contained various TF binding cites associated with the stress responses in the promoter region. Gene expression was generally associated with the expected group-specific expression pattern in five tissues, including grain, leaf, root, spike and stem, indicating the broad conservation of ASR genes function during wheat evolution. The qRT-PCR analysis revealed that several ASRs were up-regulated in response to NaCl and PEG stress.

Conclusion

We identified ASR genes in wheat and found that gene duplication events are the main driving force for ASR gene evolution in wheat. The expression of wheat ASR genes was modulated in responses to multiple abiotic stresses, including drought/osmotic and salt stress. The results provided important information for further identifications of the functions of wheat ASR genes and candidate genes for high abiotic stress tolerant wheat breeding.
The development of a performance hand wear and tools product innovation framework
Authors: Sokolowski Susan L.
Published: May 2020

Humans wear products and use tools that interface with their hands to provide abrasion resistance, impact protection, grip, thermal comfort, and detailed maneuvers. The skills needed to design new and innovative products for the hand are multi-faceted. Academic programs in the US typically focus on soft goods (textile and apparel) or hard goods (industrial and product design/engineering) based design. Therefore, students often do not learn all of the available skills and technologies needed to design hand wear performance products because of the pedagogical split between the different academic disciplines. This case study outlines a three-phase innovation framework, for use by designers throughout the product creation process, specifically for creating performance products and tools for the hand. The phases include strategies for: (1) understanding the hand wear and tool project background, (2) defining the user’s 3D and 2D hand and (3) hand wear and tool product innovation. The paper will also demonstrate how the framework was implemented by students in a graduate level design studio, to create new gloves for athletes. The framework could also be used by students and professionals to design innovative products for other users and to improve safety and overall performance.
A case of retroperitoneal dedifferentiated liposarcoma successfully treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy and subsequent surgery
Authors: Yokoyama Yukihiro , Nishida Yoshihiro , Ikuta Kunihiro , Nagino Masato
Published: May 2020

Background

Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPLS) is the most commonly observed soft tissue sarcoma in the retroperitoneal space. Although the beneficial effect of chemotherapy for RPLS is controversial, there are some reports that have shown a considerable tumor-suppressive effect of chemotherapy in RPLS. We demonstrate a case of dedifferentiated RPLS, which was initially considered inoperable but was successfully treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy and subsequent curative resection.

Case presentation

A 59-year-old female was referred to our hospital with a chief complaint of right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a large retroperitoneal tumor with a maximum diameter of 11 cm. The tumor involved retroperitoneal major vasculatures, such as the right common iliac vein and artery, as well as the right psoas muscle and femoral nerve. The right ureter was also involved and obstructed by the tumor. A biopsy was performed through the retroperitoneal route, and the tumor was diagnosed as a dedifferentiated liposarcoma with the Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer grade 3. Because the tumor was highly invasive and complete resection was not feasible, we decided to administer neoadjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin and ifosfamide (AI). After completing 6 courses of AI, the tumor size was considerably reduced, and we decided to perform surgery with curative intent. Before laparotomy, femoro-femoral arterial bypass was performed to prepare for the right common iliac artery resection. Thereafter, the patient underwent laparotomy and tumor resection combined with right nephrectomy, resection of the right common iliac artery and vein, and resection of the right psoas muscle and femoral nerve. The postoperative course was uneventful, although the patient needed a walking brace to support her gait. The pathological findings indicated a 99% disappearance of tumor cells. The patient was healthy without any complaints after 1 year of surgery, and a follow-up CT scan revealed no tumor recurrence.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that showed a nearly complete pathological response to AI in dedifferentiated RPLS, which was subsequently completely resected.
Resected case of stage IV pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung with long-term survival
Authors: Choshi Haruki , Watanabe Mototsugu , Ujike Hiroyuki , Sato Yumiko , Morito Toshiaki , Sugimoto Ryujiro , Kataoka Kazuhiko
Published: May 2020

Background

No established treatments for pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma exist because of its rarity, and the prognosis is poorer than that of other non-small cell lung cancers.

Case report

We present a case of stage IV pleomorphic carcinoma; the patient was a 66-year-old male. He was referred to our hospital because of a right adrenal hemorrhage and a lung tumor. A systemic examination revealed that the lung tumor was a primary lung cancer and that the adrenal hemorrhage was due to a metastatic cancer. We performed an adrenalectomy and resection of the lung tumor and obtained a diagnosis of pleomorphic carcinoma with adrenal metastasis. The patient has remained recurrence-free for 6 years since the surgery.

Conclusions

We report a patient with stage IV pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung and an oligometastasis in whom a complete resection enabled a good outcome. Additional reports are needed to clarify definite prognostic factors and the optimal treatment for pleomorphic carcinoma.
A typical case of resected pancreatic hamartoma: a case report and literature review on imaging and pathology
Authors: Katayama Hokahiro , Azuma Kyohei , Koneri Kenji , Murakami Makoto , Hirono Yasuo , Hatta Satomi , Imamura Yoshiaki , Goi Takanori
Published: May 2020

Background

Pancreatic hamartomas are rare entities and difficult to diagnose before resection. We report a case of resected pancreatic hamartoma and literature review of typical characteristics of the lesion.

Case presentation

A 78-year-old man presented with a mass in his pancreas, which was incidentally identified when he experienced pneumonia. No remarkable symptoms were observed, and laboratory tests showed no abnormalities, except a slight carcinoembryonic antigen elevation. Enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-demarcated solid mass with heterogeneous contrast that was 2 cm in size. A gradual enhancement pattern was also observed. The biopsy revealed no specific findings; therefore, surgical resection was necessitated to confirm the diagnosis. Histopathologically, ducts, acinar cells, and adipose cells without atypia were observed among abundant fibrous stroma, but islets of Langerhans and peripheral nerves were absent. An immunohistochemical examination demonstrated CD34 and c-kit positive staining in the stromal cells, S-100 positivity in the adipose cells, and a lack of elastic fibers in the duct walls. The lesion was diagnosed as a pancreatic hamartoma.

Conclusion

Asymptomatic pancreatic hamartomas can avoid resection. A careful consideration of imaging and appropriate immunohistochemistry of biopsy specimen may facilitate accurate diagnosis before resection. Therefore, sufficient recognition of the characteristics of pancreatic hamartomas is desirable.
Fluoroscopic balloon dilation for early jejunojejunostomy obstruction after gastrectomy with roux-en-Y reconstruction: a case series of three patients
Authors: Kamada Teppei , Ohdaira Hironori , Hoshimoto Sojun , Narihiro Satoshi , Suzuki Norihiko , Marukuchi Rui , Takeuchi Hideyuki , Yoshida Masashi , Yamanouchi Eigoro , Suzuki Yutaka
Published: May 2020

Background

Small bowel obstruction after gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (R-Y reconstruction) is not a rare complication. However, patients who need re-operation for this complication have a high rate of postoperative complications.

We report a case series of three patients who underwent fluoroscopic balloon dilation (FBD) for early jejunojejunostomy obstruction (JJO) after gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (R-Y reconstruction).

Case presentation

Three patients were referred to our hospital for surgery for gastric cancer. Robot-assisted distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection and antecolic R-Y reconstruction were performed in two patients, and robot-assisted total gastrectomy with D1+ lymph node dissection and antecolic R-Y reconstruction was performed in one patient. The jejunojejunostomy was created as a side-to-side anastomosis using a linear 45-mm stapler. The entry hole was closed with a knotless barbed suture, and serosal-muscle layer suture reinforcement with an absorbable suture was performed at the jejunojejunostomy.

Subsequently, all the patients were diagnosed with JJO by computed tomography and upper gastrointestinal series. The average time to JJO from gastrectomy was 5 days (range 2–7); initial clinical symptoms were vomiting in all three cases, with simultaneous upper abdominal pain in one case. We successfully performed FBD in all three cases after unsuccessful conservative treatment using an ileus tube. The clinical symptoms improved soon after FBD, and all the patients were able to avoid re-operation. The average period to FBD from JJO was 10 days (range 4–14). The average procedure time was 46 min (range 29–68), and the average duration to oral intake from FBD was 4 days (range 2–5). The average duration of hospital stay after FBD was 12 days (range 9–15). There were no complications in any of the cases.

Conclusion

FBD might be a feasible procedure to avoid surgery for early small bowel obstruction after gastrectomy with R-Y reconstruction.
Spontaneous pneumothorax caused by an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor-like lesion in a 14-year-old girl: a case report
Authors: Miyagi Hisayuki , Ishii Daisuke , Hirasawa Masatoshi , Yasuda Shunsuke , Toriumi Naohisa , Sarashina Takeo , Tanino Mishie , Tanaka Mio , Tanaka Yukichi , Miyamoto Kazutoshi
Published: May 2020

Background

Spontaneous pneumothorax occurs more often in younger, slim, and shallow-chested men. Although less common, differential diagnoses for secondary pneumothorax in children are asthma, emphysematous blebs, catamenial pneumothorax, and others. We report a patient who presented with pneumothorax and was found to have an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT)-like lesion, and present a review of the related literature.

Case presentation

A 14-year-old girl visited her physician for chest pain that developed while exercising. Although chest drainage was performed, the symptoms associated with a collapsed lung did not improve, and she was referred to our hospital. Computed tomography revealed the presence of a 19 × 17-mm cyst with a thick wall in the apex of the right lung. She was tested for infectious diseases, namely tuberculosis, but the results were not definitive. Catamenial pneumothorax was also suspected because she was menstruating when she presented to our hospital. As a therapeutic diagnosis, we performed a thoracoscopic partial resection of the right upper lobe of the lung. Three small openings were identified inside the cyst, suggesting connection with the bronchiole. The lesion was pathologically diagnosed as an IMT-like lesion. Considering the progress so far, we considered that the final diagnosis to be an IMT. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 3, and we have followed her for the past 6 months with no local recurrence or metastasis.

Conclusions

IMT is not uncommon in children. Therefore, this lesion should be considered as a possible diagnosis if children and young adults develop spontaneous pneumothorax.
Argon plasma coagulation for successful treatment of bile leakage after subtotal cholecystectomy
Authors: Aritake Tsukasa , Takagi Kenji , Nagano Natsuki , Kobayashi Ryutaro , Maeda Takashi , Kawai Kiyotaka , Kawai Satoru , Kamiya Satoaki
Published: May 2020

Background

Subtotal cholecystectomy is an effective surgical method to decrease the risk of complications for gallbladders that are difficult to remove. However, there is a risk for postoperative refractory bile leakage through the gallbladder stump. Here, we report a new management technique involving the use of argon plasma coagulation (APC) to stop bile leakage after a subtotal cholecystectomy.

Case presentation

A 74-year-old man was referred to our hospital for abdominal pain and fever. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen showed fluid collection, such as an abscess, surrounding the gallbladder and hepatic flexure colon. The patient was diagnosed with colonic perforative peritonitis, and he underwent emergency surgery. On laparotomy, the abscess was observed outside of the hepatic flexure colon and gallbladder necrosis was detected. The neck of the gallbladder and the area close to the hepatoduodenal ligament was severely inflamed prohibiting dissection. The hepatic flexure colon was part of the abscess wall, and resection was needed. A subtotal cholecystectomy and right hemicolectomy confirmed peritonitis caused by cholecystic perforation. The mucous membrane of the gallbladder neck that remained was necrotic or detached. Therefore, the stump of the gallbladder was closed by primary sutures without cauterization of the mucosa. On postoperative day 6, bile leakage from the gallbladder stump was revealed. Percutaneous and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography drainage were performed. However, the liquid, which seemed to be secreted from the mucosa of the remnant gallbladder, was continuously obtained. We used APC to cauterize the gallbladder mucosa through the fistula of the abdominal drainage tube. Bile leakage and mucus discharge were improved after three rounds of APC cauterization.

Conclusions

APC effectively treated refractory bile leakage from a gallbladder stump after subtotal cholecystectomy for severe cholecystitis.