bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Midterm results of mitral valve repair for atrial functional mitral regurgitation: a retrospective study
Authors: Kaneyuki Daisuke , Nakajima Hiroyuki , Asakura Toshihisa , Yoshitake Akihiro , Tokunaga Chiho , Tochii Masato , Hayashi Jun , Takazawa Akitoshi , Izumida Hiroaki , Iguchi Atsushi
Published: October 2020

Background

Annular dilation by left atrial remodeling is considered the main cause of atrial function mitral regurgitation. Although acceptable outcomes have been obtained using mitral ring annuloplasty alone for atrial functional mitral regurgitation, data assessing outcomes of this procedure are limited. Therefore, we aimed to assess midterm outcomes of mitral valve repair in patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 40 patients (mean age: 69 ± 9 years) who had atrial fibrillation that persisted for > 1 year, preserved left ventricular ejection fraction of > 40%, and mitral valve repair for atrial functional mitral regurgitation. The mean clinical follow-up duration was 42 ± 24 months.

Results

Mitral ring annuloplasty was performed for all patients. Additional repair including anterior mitral leaflet neochordoplasty was performed for 22 patients. Concomitant procedures included maze procedure in 20 patients and tricuspid ring annuloplasty in 31 patients. Follow-up echocardiography showed significant decreases in left atrial dimensions and left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions. Recurrent mitral regurgitation due to ring detachment or leaflet tethering was observed in five patients and was seen more frequently among those with preoperative left ventricular dilatation. Three patients without tricuspid ring annuloplasty or sinus rhythm recovery by maze procedure developed significant tricuspid regurgitation. Five patients who underwent the maze procedure showed sinus rhythm recovery. Rates of freedom from re-admission for heart failure at 1 and 5 years after surgery were 95 and 86%, respectively.

Conclusions

Mitral valve repair is not sufficient to prevent recurrent atrial functional mitral regurgitation in patients with preoperative left ventricular dilatation. Tricuspid ring annuloplasty may be required for long-term prevention of significant tricuspid regurgitation.
Study of the effect of family communication and function, and satisfaction with body image, on psychological well-being of obese girls: the mediating role of self-esteem and depression
Authors: KavehFarsani Zabihollah , Kelishadi Roya , Beshlideh Kioumars
Published: October 2020

Background

Obesity has become a global problem in childhood and adolescence. The objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of family communication and function, and body image satisfaction, on psychological well-being by considering: the mediating role of self-esteem and depression.

Methods

In this cross sectional study, 173 obese and overweight female students were selected and evaluated based on body image satisfaction, self-esteem, depression, psychological well-being, functioning, and family Communication. The proposed model was evaluated through structural equation modeling, using AMOS and SPSS software.

Results

Results showed that family communication and function directly affected adolescents’ psychological well-being. In addition, family communication and function, as well body image satisfaction indirectly affected psychological well-being through self-esteem and depression.

Conclusion

The current finding suggests that the psychological well-being of obese adolescent girls is associated with many factors, including family functioning and communication, body image satisfaction, self-esteem, and depression. The factors identified in this study may be helpful for mental health policy-makers, in planning and implementing preventive and therapeutic intervention programs.
Novel insights into extrachromosomal DNA: redefining the onco-drivers of tumor progression
Authors: Gu Xiang , Yu Jie , Chai Peiwei , Ge Shengfang , Fan Xianqun
Published: October 2020

Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA), gene-encoding extrachromosomal particles of DNA, is often present in tumor cells. Recent studies have revealed that oncogene amplification via ecDNA is widespread across a diverse range of cancers. ecDNA is involved in increasing tumor heterogeneity, reverting tumor phenotypes, and enhancing gene expression and tumor resistance to chemotherapy, indicating that it plays a significant role in tumorigenesis. In this review, we summarize the characteristics and genesis of ecDNA, connect these characteristics with their concomitant influences on tumorigenesis, enumerate the oncogenes encoded by ecDNA in multiple cancers, elaborate the roles of ecDNA in tumor pathogenesis and progression, and propose the considerable research and therapeutic prospects of ecDNA in cancer.
Blood purification therapy with a hemodiafilter featuring enhanced adsorptive properties for cytokine removal in patients presenting COVID-19: a pilot study
Authors: Villa Gianluca , Romagnoli Stefano , De Rosa Silvia , Greco Massimiliano , Resta Marco , Pomarè Montin Diego , Prato Federico , Patera Francesco , Ferrari Fiorenza , Rotondo Giuseppe , Ronco Claudio
Published: October 2020

Background

Systemic inflammation in COVID-19 often leads to multiple organ failure, including acute kidney injury (AKI). Renal replacement therapy (RRT) in combination with sequential extracorporeal blood purification therapies (EBP) might support renal function, attenuate systemic inflammation, and prevent or mitigate multiple organ dysfunctions in COVID-19.

Aim

Describe overtime variations of clinical and biochemical features of critically ill patients with COVID-19 treated with EBP with a hemodiafilter characterized by enhanced cytokine adsorption properties.

Methods

An observational prospective study assessing the outcome of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU (February to April 2020) treated with EBP according to local practice. Main endpoints included overtime variation of IL-6 and multiorgan function-scores, mortality, and occurrence of technical complications or adverse events.

Results

The study evaluated 37 patients. Median baseline IL-6 was 1230 pg/ml (IQR 895) and decreased overtime (p < 0.001 Kruskal-Wallis test) during the first 72 h of the treatment, with the most significant decrease in the first 24 h (p = 0.001). The reduction in serum IL-6 concentrations correlated with the improvement in organ function, as measured in the decrease of SOFA score (rho = 0.48, p = 0.0003). Median baseline SOFA was 13 (IQR 6) and decreased significantly overtime (p < 0.001 at Kruskal-Wallis test) during the first 72 h of the treatment, with the most significant decrease in the first 48 h (median 8 IQR 5, p = 0.001).

Compared to the expected mortality rates, as calculated by APACHE IV, the mean observed rates were 8.3% lower after treatment. The best improvement in mortality rate was observed in patients receiving EBP early on during the ICU stay. Premature clotting (running < 24 h) occurred in patients (18.9% of total) which featured higher effluent dose (median 33.6 ml/kg/h, IQR 9) and higher filtration fraction (median 31%, IQR 7.4). No electrolyte disorders, catheter displacement, circuit disconnection, unexpected bleeding, air, or thromboembolisms due to venous cannulation of EBP were recorded during the treatment. In one case, infection of vascular access occurred during RRT, requiring replacement.

Conclusions

EBP with heparin-coated hemodiafilter featuring cytokine adsorption properties administered to patients with COVID-19 showed to be feasible and with no adverse events. During the treatment, patients experienced serum IL-6 level reduction, attenuation of systemic inflammation, multiorgan dysfunction improvement, and reduction in expected ICU mortality rate.
Meta-analysis of cyathostomin species-specific prevalence and relative abundance in domestic horses from 1975–2020: emphasis on geographical region and specimen collection method
Authors: Bellaw Jennifer L. , Nielsen Martin K.
Published: October 2020

Background

Cyathostomins infect virtually all horses, and concomitant infections with 10 or more species per horse is standard. Species-specific knowledge is limited, despite potential species bias in development of disease and anthelmintic resistance. This is the first meta-analysis to examine effects of geographical region and cyathostomin collection method on reported composition of cyathostomin communities.

Methods

Thirty-seven articles published in English in 1975 or later, in which adults of individual species were systematically enumerated, were included. Seven regions; North America, South America, eastern Europe, western Europe, northern Europe, southern Africa, and Oceania, and three cyathostomin collection methods; (i) standard necropsy recovery from the large intestine, (ii) critical test collection from post-treatment feces and necropsy, and (iii) diagnostic deworming recovery solely from post-treatment feces, were considered. Generalized mixed linear models analyzed the effects of region and collection method on species-specific prevalence and relative abundance. Species richness was analyzed by mixed linear models.

Results

Definitively, the most prevalent and relatively abundant species wereCylicocyclus nassatus(prevalence = 93%, relative abundance = 20%),Cylicostephanus(Cys.)longibursatus(93%, 20%), andCyathostomum catinatum(90%, 16%). A bias toward horses with high infection intensities and cyathostomin collection from feces resulted in North American critical tests and eastern European diagnostic deworming overestimating the species-specific prevalence and underestimating the relative abundance of rare/uncommon species compared to respective intra-regional standard necropsies. North American critical tests underestimated species richness due partially to identification key errors. Inter-regional standard necropsy comparisons yielded some species-specific regional differences, including a significantly higherCys. longibursatusprevalence and relative abundance in North America (92%, 33%) than in eastern Europe (51%, 7%) (P > 0.0001). Localization of critical tests to North America and diagnostic deworming to Eastern Europe precluded expansive ‘region by collection method’ interaction analyses.

Conclusion

We provide substantial data to inform study design, e.g. effect and study size, for cyathostomin research and highlight necessity for method standardization and raw data accessibility for optimalpost-factumcomparisons.
Enhanced BMP-2/BMP-4 ratio in patients with peripheral spondyloarthritis and in cytokine- and stretch-stimulated mouse chondrocytes
Authors: Briolay Anne , El Jamal Alaeddine , Arnolfo Paul , Le Goff Benoît , Blanchard Frédéric , Magne David , Bougault Carole
Published: October 2020

Background

Excessive bone formation in the entheses is one of the features of peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA). Complex pathological mechanisms connecting inflammation, mechanical stress, and ossification are probably involved. We focused on bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2, -4, and -7 as possible mediators of this process.

Methods

BMP-2, -4, and -7 concentration was measured by ELISA in synovial fluids (SFs) of SpA (n = 56) and osteoarthritic (n = 21) patients. Mouse organotypic ankle cultures were challenged by a pro-inflammatory cocktail. Mouse primary chondrocytes, osteoblasts, or tenocytes were treated with TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-17, or IL-22 and/or subjected to cyclic stretch, or with recombinant BMP-2 or -4.

Results

In SpA SFs, if BMP-7 was barely detectable, BMP-2 concentration was higher and BMP-4 was lower than in osteoarthritic samples, so that BMP-2/BMP-4 ratio augmented 6.5 folds (p < 0.001). In SpA patients, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-17 levels correlated this ratio (n = 21). Bmp-2/Bmp-4 ratio was similarly enhanced by cytokine treatment in explant and cell cultures, at mRNA level. In particular, simultaneous application of TNF-α and cyclical stretch induced a 30-fold increase of the Bmp-2/Bmp-4 ratio in chondrocytes (p = 0.027). Blockade of prostaglandin E2 and IL-6 production had almost no effect on the stretch-induced regulation of Bmp-2 or -4. Osteoinductive effects of BMP-4, and to a lesser extend BMP-2, were identified on cultured chondrocytes and tenocytes.

Conclusions

Our results first settle that BMP factors are locally deregulated in the SpA joint. An unexpected decrease in BMP-4 could be associated to an increase in BMP-2, possibly in response to mechanical and/or cytokine stimulations.
How to boost the immune defence prior to respiratory virus infections with the special focus on coronavirus infections
Authors: Jawhara Samir
Published: October 2020

The emergence of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes severe respiratory tract infections in humans (COVID-19), has become a global health concern. One of the most worrying features of COVID-19 is a phenomenon known as the “cytokine storm”, which is a rapid overreaction of the immune system. Additionally, coagulation abnormalities, thrombocytopenia and digestive symptoms, including anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea, are often observed in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Baker’s yeast β-glucan, a natural immunomodulatory component derived fromSaccharomyces cerevisiae, primes the immune system to respond better to any microbial infection. Our previous studies have shown that oral administration of yeast β-glucans decreased the diarrhoea, modulated cytokine expression, and reduced the intestinal inflammation. Additionally, we showed that β-glucan fractions decreased coagulation in plasma and reduced the activation of platelets. During the period of home confinement facing individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, our immune defence could be weakened by different factors, including stress, anxiety and poor nutrition, while a healthy diet rich in vitamins C and D can reinforce the immune defence and reduce the risk of microbial infections. Additionally, β-glucan can be used to strengthen the immune defence in healthy individuals prior to any possible viral infections. This short review focuses on the role of baker’s yeast β-glucan, with a healthy diet rich in natural vitamins C and D, in addition to a healthy gut microbiota can provide synergistic immune system support, helping the body to naturally defend prior to respiratory virus infections, until stronger options such as vaccines are available.
Analysis of the virus propagation profile of 14 dengue virus isolates in Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells
Authors: Hitakarun Atitaya , Ramphan Suwipa , Wikan Nitwara , Smith Duncan R.
Published: October 2020

Objective

The mosquito transmitted RNA virus dengue virus (DENV) shows significant variation as a consequence of the lack of proofreading activity of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase that synthesizes new virus genomes. How this variation affects DENV replication, and how this in turn impacts drug development remains largely unknown. Given the technical limitations in working with large numbers of isolates few studies have sought to investigate this area. This study used a panel of 14 DENV isolates of different serotypes and origins to determine how much virus replication in Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells was affected by DENV variability.

Results

The results showed that there was considerable variation, with peak titers ranging from 6Log10 to 8Log10, and maximum titer being reached from day 3 to day 9 post infection. While strains from DENV 1 and 4 serotypes showed considerable uniformity, DENV 2 and 3 strains showed much greater variation. Overall, these results show that serotype specific strain variation can have a significant impact on DENV replication, suggesting that studies either investigating DENV pathogenesis or developing drug therapeutics should consider the contribution of DENV variability.
Interplay of mesoscale physics and agent-like behaviors in the parallel evolution of aggregative multicellularity
Authors: Arias Del Angel Juan A. , Nanjundiah Vidyanand , Benítez Mariana , Newman Stuart A.
Published: October 2020

Myxobacteria and dictyostelids are prokaryotic and eukaryotic multicellular lineages, respectively, that after nutrient depletion aggregate and develop into structures called fruiting bodies. The developmental processes and resulting morphological outcomes resemble one another to a remarkable extent despite their independent origins, the evolutionary distance between them and the lack of traceable homology in molecular mechanisms. We hypothesize that the morphological parallelism between the two lineages arises as the consequence of the interplay within multicellular aggregates betweengeneric processes, physical and physicochemical processes operating similarly in living and non-living matter at the mesoscale (~10–3–10–1 m) andagent-like behaviors, unique to living systems and characteristic of the constituent cells, considered as autonomous entities acting according to internal rules in a shared environment. Here, we analyze the contributions of generic and agent-like determinants in myxobacteria and dictyostelid development and their roles in the generation of their common traits. Consequent to aggregation, collective cell–cell contacts mediate the emergence of liquid-like properties, making nascent multicellular masses subject to novel patterning and morphogenetic processes. In both lineages, this leads to behaviors such as streaming, rippling, and rounding-up, as seen in non-living fluids. Later the aggregates solidify, leading them to exhibit additional generic properties and motifs. Computational models suggest that the morphological phenotypes of the multicellular masses deviate from the predictions of generic physics due to the contribution of agent-like behaviors of cells such as directed migration, quiescence, and oscillatory signal transduction mediated by responses to external cues. These employ signaling mechanisms that reflect the evolutionary histories of the respective organisms. We propose that the similar developmental trajectories of myxobacteria and dictyostelids are more due to shared generic physical processes in coordination with analogous agent-type behaviors than to convergent evolution under parallel selection regimes. Insights from the biology of these aggregative forms may enable a unified understanding of developmental evolution, including that of animals and plants.
How to reprogram human fibroblasts to neurons
Authors: Xu Ziran , Su Shengnan , Zhou Siyan , Yang Wentao , Deng Xin , Sun Yingying , Li Lisha , Li Yulin
Published: October 2020

Destruction and death of neurons can lead to neurodegenerative diseases. One possible way to treat neurodegenerative diseases and damage of the nervous system is replacing damaged and dead neurons by cell transplantation. If new neurons can replace the lost neurons, patients may be able to regain the lost functions of memory, motor, and so on. Therefore, acquiring neurons conveniently and efficiently is vital to treat neurological diseases. In recent years, studies on reprogramming human fibroblasts into neurons have emerged one after another, and this paper summarizes all these studies. Scientists find small molecules and transcription factors playing a crucial role in reprogramming and inducing neuron production. At the same time, both the physiological microenvironment in vivo and the physical and chemical factors in vitro play an essential role in the induction of neurons. Therefore, this paper summarized and analyzed these relevant factors. In addition, due to the unique advantages of physical factors in the process of reprogramming human fibroblasts into neurons, such as safe and minimally invasive, it has a more promising application prospect. Therefore, this paper also summarizes some successful physical mechanisms of utilizing fibroblasts to acquire neurons, which will provide new ideas for somatic cell reprogramming.
A systematic literature review of researchers’ and healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards the secondary use and sharing of health administrative and clinical trial data
Authors: Hutchings Elizabeth , Loomes Max , Butow Phyllis , Boyle Frances M.
Published: October 2020

A systematic literature review of researchers and healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards the secondary use and sharing of health administrative and clinical trial data was conducted using electronic data searching. Eligible articles included those reporting qualitative or quantitative original research and published in English. No restrictions were placed on publication dates, study design, or disease setting. Two authors were involved in all stages of the review process; conflicts were resolved by consensus. Data was extracted independently using a pre-piloted data extraction template. Quality and bias were assessed using the QualSyst criteria for qualitative studies. Eighteen eligible articles were identified, and articles were categorised into four key themes: barriers, facilitators, access, and ownership; 14 subthemes were identified. While respondents were generally supportive of data sharing, concerns were expressed about access to data, data storage infrastructure, and consent. Perceptions of data ownership and acknowledgement, trust, and policy frameworks influenced sharing practice, as did age, discipline, professional focus, and world region. Young researchers were less willing to share data; they were willing to share in circumstances where they were acknowledged. While there is a general consensus that increased data sharing in health is beneficial to the wider scientific community, substantial barriers remain.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42018110559
An efficient meshless radial point collocation method for nonlinear p-Laplacian equation
Authors: Soradi-Zeid Samaneh , Mesrizadeh Mehdi , Abdeljawad Thabet
Published: October 2020

This paper considered the spectral meshless radial point interpolation (SMRPI) method to unravel for the nonlinearp-Laplacian equation with mixed Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions. Through this assessment, which includes meshless methods and collocation techniques based on radial point interpolation, we construct the shape functions, with the Kronecker delta function property, as basis functions in the framework of spectral collocation methods. Studies in this regard require one to evaluate the high-order derivatives without any kind of integration locally over the small quadrature domains. Finally, some examples are given to illustrate the low computing costs and high enough accuracy and efficiency of this method to solve ap-Laplacian equation and it would be of great help to fulfill the implementation related to the element-free Galerkin (EFG) method. Both the SMRPI and the EFG methods have been compared by similar numerical examples to show their application in strongly nonlinear problems.
Multidimensional fixed points in generalized distance spaces
Authors: Rashid Maliha , Bibi Rabia , Kalsoom Amna , Baleanu Dumitru , Ghaffar Abdul , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy
Published: October 2020

The main aim of this paper is to study distance spaces, to provide some useful remarks with examples regarding distance spaces, and to establish multiple fixed point results for a C-distance space in the presence of different contractive conditions. This concept allows us to reduce the multidimensional case to a one-dimensional case.
Aspects of cultivar variation in physiological traits related to Cd distribution in rice plants with a short-term stress
Authors: Chiao Wan-Ting , Chen Bo-Ching , Syu Chien-Hui , Juang Kai-Wei
Published: October 2020

Background

Genotypic variations are seen in cadmium (Cd) tolerance and accumulation in rice plants. Cultivars that show low Cd translocation from the root into shoot can be selected to reduce Cd contamination in rice grains. This study aims to clarify the physiological regulation related to Cd absorption by rice plants for screening out the cultivars, which have relatively low Cd accumulation in grains. Eight Taiwan mega cultivars of paddy rice: japonica (TY3, TK9, TNG71, and KH145 cultivars), indica (TCS10 and TCS17 cultivars), and glutinous (TKW1 and TKW3 cultivars), which are qualified with the criteria for rice grain quality by the Council of Agriculture, Taiwan, were used for illustration. An experiment in hydroponics was conducted for the rice seedlings with a treatment of 50 μM CdCl2 for 7 days.

Results and discussion

After the Cd treatment, the reductions in shoot growth were more significant than those in root growth; however, Cd absorbed in the rice plant was sequestered much more in the root. The malondialdehyde (MDA) was preferentially accumulated in rice root but the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was increased more significantly in the shoot; the antioxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), were pronounced more in rice shoot.

Conclusions

The rice cultivars preferentially accumulated Cd in the root rather than the shoot with the Cd treatment, which resulted in significant enhancements of MDA and growth reductions in the root. However, H2O2 accumulation was toward the shoot to retard shoot growth suddenly and then the root could keep a gradual growth. Also, the rice cultivars, which preferentially accumulate Cd in the root, would have the regulation tendency of SOD toward the shoot. Due to that SOD is responsible for H2O2 production, H2O2 accumulation would be thus toward the shoot. Moreover, the cultivars, which have a less regulation tendency of APX toward the shoot, would present higher translocation of Cd into the shoot.
Fluid management in ARDS: an evaluation of current practice and the association between early diuretic use and hospital mortality
Authors: Seitz Kevin P. , Caldwell Ellen S. , Hough Catherine L.
Published: October 2020

Background

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and volume overload are associated with increased hospital mortality. Evidence supports conservative fluid management in ARDS, but whether current practice reflects the implementation of that evidence has not been described. This study reports the variability in contemporary fluid management for ICU patients with ARDS. We compared routine care to trial protocols and analyzed whether more conservative management with diuretic medications in contemporary, usual care is associated with outcomes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study in nine ICUs at two academic hospitals during 2016 and 2017. We included 234 adult patients with ARDS in an ICU at least 3 days after meeting moderate-severe ARDS criteria (PaO2:FIO2 ≤ 150). The primary exposure was any diuretic use in 48 to 72 h after meeting ARDS criteria. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. Unadjusted statistical analyses and multivariable logistic regression were used.

Results

In 48–72 h after meeting ARDS criteria, 116 patients (50%) received a diuretic. In-hospital mortality was lower in the group that received diuretics than in the group that did not (14% vs 25%; p = 0.025). At ARDS onset, both groups had similar Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores and ICU fluid balances. During the first 48 h after ARDS, the diuretic group received less crystalloid fluid than the no diuretic group (median [inter-quartile range]: 1.2 L [0.2–2.8] vs 2.4 L [1.2-5.0]; p < 0.001), but both groups received more fluid from medications and nutrition than from crystalloid. At 48 h, the prevalence of volume overload (ICU fluid balance >10% of body weight) in each group was 16% and 25%(p = 0.09), respectively. During 48–72 h after ARDS, the overall prevalence of shock was 44% and similar across both groups. Central venous pressure was recorded in only 18% of patients. Adjusting for confounders, early diuretic use was independently associated with lower hospital mortality (AOR 0.46, 95%CI [0.22, 0.96]).

Conclusions

In this sample of ARDS patients, volume overload was common, and early diuretic use was independently associated with lower hospital mortality. These findings support the importance of fluid management in ARDS and suggest opportunities for further study and implementation of conservative fluid strategies into usual care.
Uncertainty analysis of tumour absorbed dose calculations in molecular radiotherapy
Authors: Finocchiaro Domenico , Gear Jonathan I. , Fioroni Federica , Flux Glenn D. , Murray Iain , Castellani Gastone , Versari Annibale , Iori Mauro , Grassi Elisa
Published: October 2020

Background

Internal dosimetry evaluation consists of a multi-step process ranging from imaging acquisition to absorbed dose calculations. Assessment of uncertainty is complicated and, for that reason, it is commonly ignored in clinical routine. However, it is essential for adequate interpretation of the results. Recently, the EANM published a practical guidance on uncertainty analysis for molecular radiotherapy based on the application of the law of propagation of uncertainty. In this study, we investigated the overall uncertainty on a sample of a patient following the EANM guidelines. The aim of this study was to provide an indication of the typical uncertainties that may be expected from performing dosimetry, to determine parameters that have the greatest effect on the accuracy of calculations and to consider the potential improvements that could be made if these effects were reduced.

Results

Absorbed doses and the relative uncertainties were calculated for a sample of 49 patients and a total of 154 tumours. A wide range of relative absorbed dose uncertainty values was observed (14–102%). Uncertainties associated with each quantity along the absorbed dose calculation chain (i.e. volume, recovery coefficient, calibration factor, activity, time-activity curve fitting, time-integrated activity and absorbed dose) were estimated. An equation was derived to describe the relationship between the uncertainty in the absorbed dose and the volume. The largest source of error was the VOI delineation. By postulating different values of FWHM, the impact of the imaging system spatial resolution on the uncertainties was investigated.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first analysis of uncertainty in molecular radiotherapy based on a cohort of clinical cases. Wide inter-lesion variability of absorbed dose uncertainty was observed. Hence, a proper assessment of the uncertainties associated with the calculations should be considered as a basic scientific standard. A model for a quick estimate of uncertainty without implementing the entire error propagation schema, which may be useful in clinical practice, was presented. Ameliorating spatial resolution may be in future the key factor for accurate absorbed dose assessment.
A novel complex current ratio-based technique for transmission line protection
Authors: Gangolu Suryanarayana , Sarangi Saumendra
Published: October 2020

With respect to sensitivity, selectivity and speed of operation, the current differential scheme is a better way to protect transmission lines than overcurrent and distance-based schemes. However, the protection scheme can be severely influenced by the Line Charging Capacitive Current (LCCC) with increased voltage level and Current Transformer (CT) saturation under external close-in faults. This paper presents a new UHV/EHV current-based protection scheme using the ratio of phasor summation of the two-end currents to the local end current, instead of summation of the two-end currents, to discriminate the internal faults. The accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed protection technique are tested on the 110 kV Western System Coordinating Council (WSCC) 9-bus system using PSCAD/MATLAB. The simulation results confirm the reliable operation of the proposed scheme during internal/external faults and its independence from fault location, fault resistance, type of fault, and variations in source impedance. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed scheme is also verified with faults during power swing and in series compensated lines.
Ecological impact of fast industrialization inferred from a sediment core in Seocheon, West Coast of Korean Peninsula
Authors: Choi Rack Yeon , Kim Heung-Tae , Yang Ji-Woong , Kim Jae Geun
Published: October 2020

Background

Rapid industrialization has caused various impacts on nature, including heavy metal pollution. However, the impacts of industrialization vary depending on the types of industrializing activity and surrounding environment. South Korea is a proper region because the rapid socio-economical changes have been occurred since the late nineteenth century. Therefore, in this study, we estimate the anthropogenic impacts on an ecosystem from a sediment core of Yonghwasil-mot, an irrigation reservoir on the western coast of Korea, in terms of heavy metal concentrations, nutrient influx, and pollen composition.

Results

The sediment accumulation rate (SAR) determined by 210Pb geochronology showed two abrupt peaks in the 1930s and 1950s, presumably because of smelting activity and the Korean War, respectively. The following gradual increase in SAR may reflect the urbanization of recent decades. The average concentrations of arsenic (As), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) during the twentieth century were > 48% compared to those before the nineteenth century, supporting the influence of smelting activity. However, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, the As, Cu, and Pb concentrations decreased by 19% compared to levels in the twentieth century, which is coincident with the closure of the smelter in 1989 and government policy banning leaded gasoline since 1993. The pollen assemblage and nutrient input records exhibit changes in vegetation cover and water level of the reservoir corresponding to anthropogenic deforestation and reforestation, as well as to land-use alteration.

Conclusions

Our results show that the rapid socio-economic development since the twentieth century clearly affected the vegetation cover, land use, and metal pollutions.
A study of the different parameters in acute and chronic Budd–Chiari syndrome
Authors: Niknam Ramin , Hajizadegan Nemattellah , Mohammadkarimi Vahid , Mahmoudi Laleh
Published: October 2020

Background

Budd–Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare and potentially life-threatening vascular disease of the liver. There are a few studies on the differences between acute and chronic BCS in clinical and laboratory characteristics, as well as the outcomes, so we designed this research to study the different parameters in acute and chronic BCS. Diagnosis of BCS was made using Doppler ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and venography. Patients with BCS were then divided into chronic and acute groups based on both imaging characteristics and disease duration. Finally, the outcomes, clinical features, and laboratory parameters of acute and chronic BCS were compared.

Results

In total, 60 patients were included in this study, of whom 28.3% and 71.7% had acute and chronic BCS, respectively. According to clinical features, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (PR 1.289; 95% CI 1.115–1.489; P = 0.001) and jaundice (PR 1.308; 95% CI 1.148–1.490; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with chronic than acute BCS. According to laboratory parameters, the levels of international normalized ratio (INR) (PR 0.953; 95% CI 0.918–0.989; P = 0.012), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (PR 0.996; 95% CI 0.993–1.000; P = 0.039), and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (PR 1.024; 95% CI 1.012–1.037; P < 0.001) in chronic group were significantly higher than in the acute BCS. The hospital length of stay (LOS) and mortality rate between the two groups did not differ significantly.

Conclusions

This study showed that the spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, jaundice, increased levels of MELD score, INR, and BUN were significantly associated with the chronic group compared with the acute group. The hospital LOS and mortality rate between the two groups did not differ significantly. Further research is recommended to clarify this issue.
Sex/Gender Modifies the Association Between the MC4R p.Ile269Asn Mutation and Type 2 Diabetes in the Mexican Population
Authors: Vázquez-Moreno Miguel , Locia-Morales Daniel , Valladares-Salgado Adan , Sharma Tanmay , Wacher-Rodarte Niels , Cruz Miguel , Meyre David
Published: October 2020

Context

Studies in mice and humans suggest that melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) deficiency affects body weight in a sex-/gender-dependent manner. However, similar evidence for type 2 diabetes (T2D) is scarce.

Objective and Design

We investigated whether sex/gender modifies the association between the loss-of-function MC4R p.Ile269Asn mutation and T2D in 6929 Mexican adults (3175 T2D cases and 3754 normal glucose tolerance [NGT] controls). The 2003 American Diabetes Association criteria were used to define NGT and T2D. The MC4R p.Ile269Asn mutation was genotyped in all participants using TaqMan technology.

Results

The MC4R p.Ile269Asn mutation was associated with T2D in 6929 Mexican adults (Ncontrols = 3754, Ncases = 3175, odds ratio [OR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35-2.97; P = 5.7 × 10-4). The MC4R p.Ile269Asn mutation had a frequency of 0.86 and 1.05% in women with NGT and T2D, and 0.78 and 1.32% in men with NGT and T2D, respectively. We identified a significant interaction between the MC4R p.Ile269Asn mutation and sex/gender on T2D risk (P = 0.049). Although a strong association between the mutation and T2D was observed in men (Ncontrols = 2418, Ncases = 1807, OR = 2.63, 95% CI, 1.62-4.28, P = 9.3 × 10-5), results were not significant in women (Ncontrols = 1336, Ncases = 1368, OR = 1.16, 95% CI, 0.60-2.26, P = 0.65). Further adjustment for body mass index in the logistic regression model did not alter the sex-/gender-specific pattern of association (men: OR = 2.22, 95% CI, 1.34-3.67, P = 0.0019; women: OR = 1.02, 95% CI, 0.51-2.02, P = 0.95).

Conclusion

This is the first report of a male-specific association between the MC4R p.Ile269Asn loss-of-function mutation and T2D in the Mexican population.
Cold War Cosmopolitanism: The Asia Foundation and 1950s Korean Cinema
Authors: Klein Christina
Published: October 2020

South Korean films first became visible on the world stage in the late 1950s when they began to be exhibited and win prizes at international film festivals. Yi Pyŏngil’s The Wedding Day (1956) and Han Hyŏngmo’s Because I Love You (1958) were among Korea’s earliest award-winning films. These two films exemplify a postcolonial and postwar discourse I am calling “Cold War cosmopolitanism.” The cultivation of this cosmopolitan ethos among cultural producers was a major objective for Americans waging the cultural Cold War in Asia, and the Asia Foundation was Washington’s primary instrument for doing so. This article traces the history of the Asia Foundation from its inception in the National Security Council in the late 1940s through its activities in Korea in the 1950s and early 1960s. It pays particular attention to the foundation’s support for Korean participation in the Asian Film Festival. It offers a close textual and historical reading of Yi’s and Han’s films as a means of exploring how Korean cultural producers, acting as Cold War entrepreneurs, took advantage of the Asia Foundation’s resources in ways that furthered their own aesthetic, economic, and political interests.
Film Auteurism as a Cold War Governmentality: Alternative Knowledge and the Formation of Liberal Subjectivity
Authors: Kim Han Sang
Published: October 2020

Ha Kilchong, a well-known film director and critic in the 1970s, wrote an essay in which he stated that he lived in negative times since film was still not “an art form of the individual” and had to function as “a collaborator or companion to policy issues.” This recognition of the artistic self in binary opposition has a certain similarity to the views of many of his seniors in the field. These seniors were hired by or were under the considerable influence of American-led propaganda machines during the Cold War. They, including Ha, acquired alternative knowledge to pursue an artist path through their meaningful exposure to the American film culture. This paper theorizes the specific type of subjectivity that was constructed through these Korean filmmakers’ intense, but ambivalent, relationship with the outside world in a Cold War setting. Focusing on their attitudes toward film as an art form, this paper suggests that their self-recognition as auteurs was related to the technology of a Cold War governmentality that led to the construction of a liberal, or entrepreneurial, subjectivity that was then optimized for the neoliberal paradigm with the demise of the Cold War in the late 1980s.
Friend or foe? Effects of host immune activation on the gut microbiome in the caterpillar Manduca sexta
Authors: McMillan Laura E. , Adamo Shelley A.
Published: October 2020

For many animals, the gut microbiome plays an essential role in immunity and digestion. However, certain animals, such as the caterpillar Manduca sexta, do not have a resident gut microbiome. Although these animals do have bacteria that pass through their gut from their natural environment, the absence of such bacteria does not reduce growth or survival. We hypothesized that M. sexta would sterilize their gut as a protective measure against secondary infection when faced with a gut infection or exposure to heat-killed bacteria in the blood (haemolymph). However, we found that gut sterilization did not occur during either type of immune challenge, i.e. bacterial numbers did not decrease. By examining the pattern of immune-related gene expression, gut pH, live bacterial counts and mass change (as a measure of sickness behaviour), we found evidence for physiological trade-offs between regulating the microbiome and defending against systemic infections. Caterpillars exposed to both gut pathogens and a systemic immune challenge had higher numbers of bacteria in their gut than caterpillars exposed to a single challenge. Following a multivariate analysis of variance, we found that the response patterns following an oral challenge, systemic challenge or dual challenge were unique. Our results suggest that the immune response for each challenge resulted in a different configuration of the immunophysiological network. We hypothesize that these different configurations represent different resolutions of physiological trade-offs based on the immune responses needed to best protect the animal against the present immune challenges.
Acidification and hypoxia interactively affect metabolism in embryos, but not larvae, of the coastal forage fish Menidia menidia
Authors: Schwemmer T. G. , Baumann H. , Murray C. S. , Molina A. I. , Nye J. A.
Published: October 2020

Ocean acidification is occurring in conjunction with warming and deoxygenation as a result of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Multistressor experiments are critically needed to better understand the sensitivity of marine organisms to these concurrent changes. Growth and survival responses to acidification have been documented for many marine species, but studies that explore underlying physiological mechanisms of carbon dioxide (CO2) sensitivity are less common. We investigated oxygen consumption rates as proxies for metabolic responses in embryos and newly hatched larvae of an estuarine forage fish (Atlantic silverside, Menidia menidia) to factorial combinations of CO2×temperature or CO2×oxygen. Metabolic rates of embryos and larvae significantly increased with temperature, but partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2) alone did not affect metabolic rates in any experiment. However, there was a significant interaction between PCO2 and partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) in embryos, because metabolic rates were unaffected by PO2 level at ambient PCO2, but decreased with declining PO2 under elevated PCO2. For larvae, however, PCO2 and PO2 had no significant effect on metabolic rates. Our findings suggest high individual variability in metabolic responses to high PCO2, perhaps due to parental effects and time of spawning. We conclude that early life metabolism is largely resilient to elevated PCO2 in this species, but that acidification likely influences energetic responses and thus vulnerability to hypoxia.
Manipulating plasma thyroid hormone levels at hatching alters development of endothermy and ventilation in Pekin duck (Anas platyrhynchos domestica)
Authors: Sirsat Tushar S. , Dzialowski Edward M.
Published: October 2020

At hatching in precocial birds, there are rapid physiological and metabolic phenotypic changes associated with attaining endothermy. During the transition to ex ovo life, thyroid hormone levels naturally increase, peaking at hatching, and then declining. To better understand the role of the natural increase in thyroid hormone at hatching in regulating the developmental trajectory of the Pekin duck's endothermic phenotype, we examined development of O2 consumption (V̇o2) and ventilation (frequency, tidal volume, and minute ventilation) while inhibiting the developmental increase in thyroid hormones that occurs at hatching via administration of the thyroid-peroxidase inhibitor methimazole (MMI) or accelerating the developmental increase via triiodothyronine (T3) supplementation. Animals were dosed only on day 24 of a 28-day incubation period and studied on incubation day 25, during external pipping (EP), and 1-day post hatching (dph). On day 25, there was an increase in V̇o2 in the hyperthyroid treatment compared with the other two treatments. During the EP stage, there was a significant effect of thyroid status on V̇o2 with hyperthyroid V̇o2 being highest and hypothyroid lowest. By 1dph, the supplemented T3 and control animals had similar V̇o2 responses to cooling with comparable thermal neutral zones followed by increased V̇o2. Hypothyroid 1dph hatchlings had a lower resting V̇o2 that did not increase to the same extent as the supplemented T3 and control animals during cooling. During EP, inhibiting the rise in T3 resulted in embryos with lower ventilation frequency and tidal volume than control and supplemented T3 embryos. At 1dph, ventilation frequency of all animals increased during cooling, but tidal volume only increased in supplemented T3 and control hatchlings. Our data supports the role of the late incubation increase in T3 in regulating the systemic development of endothermic metabolic capacity and associated control of ventilation occurring at hatching of the Pekin duck.
Effective Suppression of O2 Quenching of Photo-Excited Ruthenium Complex Using RNA Aptamer
Authors: Min Iljae , Tamaki Yusuke , Ishitani Osamu , Serizawa Takeshi , Ito Yoshihiro , Uzawa Takanori
Published: October 2020

Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes have been widely studied to convert light energy to chemical or electric energy for various applications. To practically use the complexes, it is necessary to suppress as much as possible the very effective deactivation of their triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer (3MLCT) excited states by O2 (O2 quenching). In a previous study, we reported that an RNA aptamer can almost completely suppress the O2 quenching of [Ru(bpy)3]2+. Thus motivated, we here further investigate and clarify the generality of such O2-insensitization of a ruthenium complex using aptamer. Specifically, we demonstrate the O2-insensitization using another aptamer for a ruthenium complex, (4,4′-methylphosphonic acid-2,2′-bipyridine) bis(4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine) ruthenium (RuCP). We selected an RNA aptamer that binds to RuCP using SELEX. The aptamer binding to RuCP elongated the lifetime of the 3MLCT excited state of RuCP approximately 1.5 fold under aerobic conditions. The elongated lifetime of aptamer-bound RuCP was even longer than that of RuCP under anaerobic condition. We also found that a charge transfer can occur from a sacrificial electron donor to the aptamer-bound RuCP. Thus, we propose that RNA aptamer is one promising strategy to avoid the very effective deactivation of the 3MLCT excited states of ruthenium complexes while retaining their effective photo-redox properties.