bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intraoperative ipsilateral subclavian port catheter implantation in resectable breast cancer patients: A novel, safe, and convenient clinical practice
Authors: Ye Feng , Liu Yubo , Yu Ping , Li Na , Wang Yan , Xie Xiaoming , Tang Jun
Published: November 2020

Background

Port catheter (PC) is a classical route of administering chemotherapy for breast cancer patients. We established a standard operating procedure (SOP) of intraoperative ipsilateral subclavian PC implantation in selected resectable breast cancer patients.

Methods

We conducted a prospective clinical study to assess its safety and complications. A total of seventy six resectable breast cancer patients were included for intraoperative ipsilateral subclavian PC implantation. Thirty patients receiving conventional percutaneous contralateral PC implantation under local anesthesia at the same period were recruited as control group. The time consuming of implantation, and PC‐related complications were recorded. Visual analog scale questionnaires were used to assess patients’ satisfaction.

Results

Compared with conventional contralateral PC implantation under local anesthesia, SOP for intraoperative ipsilateral subclavian PC implantation significantly shortens the time consuming (11.6 vs. 28.6 min, p < 0.001). With a median retention time of 6.3 months, the overall incidence rate of PC‐related complications is 21%, of which the most common complications are infections and venous thromboembolism (7.9% for each). Most patients (86.8%) with intraoperative ipsilateral subclavian PC implantation have completed the whole chemotherapy successfully. Due to the general anesthesia and shorter time consuming, intraoperative implantation gains significantly more patients' satisfaction.

Conclusions

In the present study, we develop a SOP for intraoperative ipsilateral subclavian PC implantation in resectable breast cancer patients, which is noval, convenient, and safe. In selected breast cancer patients with indications for adjuvant chemotherapy, this practice could significantly shorten the time consuming of PC implantation and improve the degree of patients' satisfaction.
Autophagy participates in the protection role of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 in acute myocardial infarction via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Wei Yun‐Xia , Dong Shi‐Min , Wang Yuan‐Yuan , Zhang Pu , Sun Ming‐Yu , Wei Yun‐Xiao , Meng Xian‐Ce , Wang Yue
Published: November 2020

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI); thus we aimed to explore improvement effects of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VD3) on the AMI and its potential mechanism. AMI models were constructed using male C57/BL6J mice and randomly treated with normal saline or VD3, using sham rats as control. Heart functions, myocardial damage, apoptosis, and inflammation were evaluated. Cardiomyocytes isolated from 3‐day‐old suckling mice were used for in vitro verification. After VD3 treatment, AMI‐induced cardiac dysfunction was reversed with better cardiac function parameters. VD3 treatment reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and myocardial infarction area accompanied by the reduction of inflammatory factors and myocardial infarction markers compared with the AMI group. VD3 treatment obviously alleviated AMI‐induced myocardial apoptosis, along with Bcl‐2 upregulation and downregulation of caspase‐3, caspase‐9, and Bax. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that VD3 enhanced the expression of LC3II and Beclin‐1 and decreased soluble p62. Furthermore, VD3 enhanced the AMI‐caused inhibition of PI3K, p‐AKT, and p‐mTOR expression, which was conversely reversed by the addition of 3‐methyladenine in vitro. The study highlights the improvement effects of VD3 on cardiac functions. We proposed a potential mechanism that VD3 protects against myocardial damage, inflammation, and apoptosis by promoting autophagy through PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
En bloc resection of a T4B stage cancer of the hepatic flexure of the colon invading the liver, gall bladder, and pancreas/duodenum: A case report
Authors: Meng Linghou , Huang Zigao , Liu Jungang , Lai Hao , Zuo Hongqun , Liao Jiankun , Lin Yuan , Tang Weizhong , Mo Xianwei
Published: November 2020

A T4B hepatic flexure of colon cancer that had invaded the liver, gall bladder, and pancreas/duodenum was removed through a D3 expanded right hemicolectomy + pancreaticoduodenectomy +sectional VI and VII hepatic segmentectomy.
Cd‐Based Metal–Organic Framework for Selective Turn‐On Fluorescent DMSO Residual Sensing
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Lu , Tian Jia‐Yue , Guo Xuan‐Chen , Zhang Fu‐Qiang , Liang Linfeng , Zhang Xian‐Ming
Published: November 2020

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a universally used solvent in various synthetic reactions, and trace amounts of DMSO residual are often seen on the surface of chemical product. It is difficult to quickly determine whether the residual DMSO is washed completely. This work reports a CdII metal–organic framework (MOF) SXU‐4 which can detect trace amounts of DMSO in various solvents. Fluorescence experiments reveal its turn‐on fluorescence effect toward DMSO with high selectivity and sensitivity, indicating that it can be used as an effective luminescent probe for rapid chemical product purity detection by testing the washing solution. Crystallographically characterized DMSO loaded SXU‐4 (DMSO@SXU‐4), in combination with computational results uncover that the enhanced DMSO–MOF conjugation through multiple DMSO–MOF supramolecule interactions and charge rearrangement are the main causes of fluorescence intensification.
Hydrodynamics of bubble coalescence in microchannels
Authors: Khadiya Siddharth , Kumari Sadhana , Gupta Raghvendra
Published: November 2020

Gas‐liquid flow in microchannels is relevant to a number of microfluidic devices without moving parts for application in chemical micro‐processing, inkjet printing, and electronics cooling. Over a large range of gas and liquid flow rates, gas bubbles have the same size as that of the channel. Such bubbles are nearly spherical in shape until their radius is less than that of the channel. The bubbles with a larger volume expand along the axis taking a capsular or bullet shape and are commonly known as Taylor bubbles. For air‐water flow, the spherical bubble is observed to move with a velocity higher than that of the Taylor bubble. In this work, the flow of a Taylor bubble followed by a spherical one, initially separated by several channel diameters, has been studied numerically using the volume of fluid (VOF) method. The hydrodynamics during the bubble approach as well as the evolution of the doublet, that is, the merged bubble, has been investigated. To track the velocity of each bubble with time during the bubble approach stage, a novel methodology has been developed using k‐means clustering algorithm. The evolution of the interface of the doublet has been monitored. The neck radius of the doublet grows as τ0.5, τ being the time since the contact between the bubble interfaces, when the interface is away from the wall. In the near wall region, the radius grows more slowly and is proportional to τ0.1.
Automated Quantification of Mitochondrial Fragmentation in an In Vitro Parkinson's Disease Model
Authors: Rees Daniel J. , Roberts Luke , Carla Carisi M. , Morgan Alwena H. , Brown M. Rowan , Davies Jeffrey S.
Published: November 2020

Neuronal mitochondrial fragmentation is a phenotype exhibited in models of neurodegeneration such as Parkinson's disease. Delineating the dysfunction in mitochondrial dynamics found in diseased states can aid our understanding of underlying mechanisms of disease progression and possibly identify novel therapeutic approaches. Advances in microscopy and the availability of intuitive open‐access software have accelerated the rate of image acquisition and analysis, respectively. These developments allow routine biology researchers to rapidly turn hypotheses into results. In this protocol, we describe the utilization of cell culture techniques, high‐content imaging (HCI), and the subsequent open‐source image analysis pipeline for the quantification of mitochondrial fragmentation in the context of a rotenone‐based in vitro Parkinson's disease model. © 2020 The Authors.

Basic Protocol 1: SN4741 neuron culture and treatment in a rotenone‐based model of Parkinson's disease

Basic Protocol 2: Identification of cell nuclei, measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential, and measurement of mitochondrial fragmentation in mouse‐derived midbrain dopaminergic neurons
Development of intense terahertz light source for forming periodic structures on material surface
Authors: Hosokawa Chikai , Hashida Masaki , Nagashima Takeshi , Inoue Shunsuke , Sakabe Shuji
Published: November 2020

We have developed an intense terahertz wave source aiming at in situ measurement of periodic surface structures induced by terahertz waves on solid materials with high‐spatiotemporal resolution. An intense terahertz wave of 119 µJ was generated from a Lithium Niobate crystal induced with an intense laser with fluence of 25 mJ/cm2 by tilted pulse front method. By applying a negative chirp to the laser pulse, the pulse width spread inside the crystal was compensated, and the output of the terahertz wave was maximized.
Assessment of somatosensory sensitivity and activity of the electroencephalogram using body surface electrical stimulation in virtual reality environments
Authors: Kasai Ryosuke , Itoh Nana , Kamijo Fuminori , Kano Takashi , Shimamine Tetsuya , Ogino Minoru , Hinata Nae , Tanaka Kohei , Shinohara Kazuhiko , Mizuno‐Matsumoto Yuko
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to assess Virtual Reality (VR) based visual auditory stimulation can relieve pain. To achieve this, the impact that body surface electrical stimulation has on the body surface potentials and activity in the central nervous system in VR environments were extracted. Twenty‐two adults participated in this study. The body surface potentials and Electroencephalogram frequencies were measured under various conditions: non‐viewing, viewing neutral clips, viewing unpleasant clips, and viewing pleasant clips. The pain index was calculated from the body surface potentials. Participants were asked to complete subjective pain measurement scales. Results showed that the pain index and the relative subjective pain score decreased when presented with unpleasant and pleasant video clips. The incidence of alpha waves declined when presented with unpleasant clips, while the incidence of beta waves increased when presented with unpleasant and pleasant video clips. Inattentiveness to pain due to VR immersion and descending pain inhibition due to awareness of emotional stress after viewing VR clips were considered to have contributed to the decline in the pain index and in relative subjective pain score. This study suggests that it is possible to relieve pain by VR viewing related to unpleasant or pleasant.
Bioremediation analysis of sediment‐microbial fuel cells for energy recovery from microbial activity in soil
Authors: Bose Debajyoti , Santra Mahula , Sanka Rama Venkata Siva Prasanna , Krishnakumar Balaji
Published: November 2020

In natural environments, voltage gradients can be created in soil or sediments from inherent microbial activity. Present work has utilized sediment microbial fuel cell or s‐MFC for dark flocculent surface sediments to see bioelectricity generation potential at Jaipur, Rajasthan in India. Using a glucose rich substrate media and low external resistance, system generated external voltage of around 500 ± 10 mV, with power density peaking after a week of operation with 2122 ± 80 mW/m2 and current density of 4.31 mA/m2; s‐MFC reactor components included six graphite based anodes, placed strategically in the sediments, connected in series to a cathode for enhanced system performance. FTIR analysis of the surface sediment showed the presence of complex organic and inorganic compounds that allow stable biofilm formation, which influences power density directly. Such systems provide a novel route to bioremediation using microbial metabolism and can provide remote power generation for oceanographic instruments, biosensors and similar low power devices.
Effective remote staff training of objective session notes
Authors: Piazza Jessica L. , Leaf Justin B. , Lanier Lauren L.
Published: November 2020

Session notes are a required component of documenting behavior analytic sessions. The direct training of writing objective session notes is important to the success of direct line staff completing adequate documentation and meeting requirements set forth by agencies, certification boards, and insurance funders. However, in‐person training is not always immediately available due to contextual restrictions. This study evaluated the effectiveness of implementing the teaching interaction procedure when training staff remotely to objectively document client progress within session notes. Three Registered Behavior Technicians™ (RBT®s) were trained via telehealth to complete session notes objectively. Results showed that all 3 participants met the mastery criterion during probes measuring the objective documentation of home‐based behavior analytic sessions. These findings suggest that a training package, such as the teaching interaction procedure, can be effectively implemented remotely when conducting staff training.
Using telehealth to provide outpatient follow‐up to children with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
Authors: Peterson Kathryn M. , Ibañez Vivian F. , Volkert Valerie M. , Zeleny Jason R. , Engler Christopher W. , Piazza Cathleen C.
Published: November 2020

The COVID‐19 global health crisis compelled behavior analysts to consider alternatives to face‐to‐face services to treat children with feeding disorders. Research suggests telehealth is one method behavior analysts could use to initiate or continue assessment of and treatment for feeding disorders. In the current paper, we conducted pilot studies in which we analyzed chart records of patients with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder; who graduated from an intensive, day‐treatment program; and transitioned to an outpatient follow‐up program. In Experiment 1, we analyzed the data of participants who received follow‐up both in‐clinic and via telehealth. In Experiment 2, we analyzed goal attainment for participants who received outpatient follow‐up either in‐clinic exclusively or via telehealth exclusively. Results of both studies showed that outcomes were equivalent along most dimensions for in‐clinic and telehealth services. We provide recommendations for telehealth feeding services and discuss other considerations relevant to telehealth service delivery.
Front Cover
Authors: Bertoncini Andrea , Laptenok Sergey P. , Genchi Luca , Rajamanickam Vijayakumar P. , Liberale Carlo
Published: November 2020

We present a 3D printed high‐NA catadioptric lens for forward signal collection in laser‐scanning microscopy. The lens can replace expensive and bulky high‐NA microscope objectives or condensers and is so thin to fit inside top‐stage microscope incubators. The lens is particularly beneficial in Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS), where a high‐NA beam collection is needed to avoid artefacts due to Cross Phase Modulation.

Further details can be found in the article by Andrea Bertoncini, Sergey P. Laptenok, Luca Genchi, Vijayakumar P. Rajamanickam, and Carlo Liberale (e202000219).

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Inside Cover
Authors: Won Jungeun , Porter Ryan G. , Novak Michael A. , Youakim Jon , Sum Ada , Barkalifa Ronit , Aksamitiene Edita , Zhang Anqi , Nolan Ryan , Shelton Ryan , Boppart Stephen A.
Published: November 2020

Air pressure‐driven movements of the eardrum were captured with a handheld probe‐based OCT system. The pneumaticdriven stiffness and time lag were compared between the normal ear and the ear with a middle ear infection.

Further details can be found in the article by Jungeun Won, Ryan G. Porter, Michael A. Novak, Jon Youakim, Ada Sum, Ronit Barkalifa, Edita Aksamitiene, Anqi Zhang, Ryan M. Nolan, Ryan L. Shelton, and Stephen A. Boppart (e202000215).

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Impact of the March Arctic Oscillation on the South China Sea summer monsoon onset
Authors: Hu Peng , Chen Wen , Chen Shangfeng , Liu Yuyun , Wang Lin , Huang Ruping
Published: November 2020

This study reveals that the South China Sea summer monsoon (SCSSM) onset is closely linked to the preceding March Arctic oscillation (AO), the dominant mode of atmospheric circulation over extratropical Northern Hemisphere. The physical processes for the impact of the March AO on the SCSSM onset are further examined. March AO leads to an anomalous low‐level cyclone over subtropical western North Pacific (WNP) via eddy–mean flow interaction. The southwesterly wind anomalies to the southeastern side of the anomalous cyclone weaken the climatological trade winds, which contribute to warm sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies over tropical western‐central North Pacific via reduction of surface evaporation and latent heat flux. These warm SST anomalies excite an atmospheric Rossby wave response and reinforce the anomalous cyclone over the subtropical WNP. Via the above positive atmosphere–ocean interaction, the anomalous cyclone induced by the March AO could persist through the whole spring and shift equatorward. This anomalous cyclone creates favourable environment for the SCSSM onset via weakening the WNP subtropical high and is conducive to the transition of the low‐level zonal wind. Further analysis indicates that the March AO‐SCSSM onset relationship is independent of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO). This result suggests that, besides the dominant tropical system (i.e., ENSO), interannual variation of the SCSSM onset also has a close relation with the dominant extratropical atmospheric system (i.e., AO), which may provide additional source for the seasonal prediction of the monsoon onset.
Vinegar from Anacardium othonianum Rizzini using submerged fermentation
Authors: da Rocha Neves Glenda A , Machado Adriana R , Santana Jeisa F , da Costa Dayane C , Antoniosi Filho Nelson R , Viana Leticia F , Silva Fabiano G , Spinosa Wilma A , Soares Junior Manoel S , Caliari Márcio
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Anacardium othonianum Rizzini is a native Cerrado fruit, recently described in the literature. Its use is restricted to its native region and there is a lack of studies regarding production of vinegar from the pulp. This work aims to investigate the production of A. othonianum Rizzini vinegar using submerged fermentation.

RESULTS

The density, alcohol content, proximal composition, pH, color coordinates, and chromatographic profile of the volatile compounds were analyzed in the slurry, fermented juice, and vinegar produced from the corpulent parts of A. othonianum Rizz. Sensory acceptance and willingness to pay were also assessed with vinegar at 4% and 6% of total acidity. The results indicated compliance with European legislation and the presence of volatile compounds such as carbon dioxide, acetic acid, ethanol, and acetaldehyde in the analyzed vinegars. Our results indicate the potential of vinegar production from A. othonianum, with 74% and 86% willingness to pay.

CONCLUSIONS

The process of transformation of the fruit pulp into new products can contribute to fruit valorization and consequent preservation of the plant in the Cerrado biome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of volatile compounds and minerals in A. othonianum Rizz. slurry. Our observations can be used as a basis for future studies regarding the preparation of vinegars from this species and for investigating their application in cooking and guiding consumer perception. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Ibuprofen‐Loaded Poly(Lactic Acid) Electrospun Mats: The Morphology, Physicochemical Performance, and In Vitro Drug Release Behavior
Authors: Sun Chenkai , Zou Liming , Xu Yongjing , Wang Yanli
Published: November 2020

To solve the problems of limited drug solubility and poor biodistribution with polymers in drug delivery system, ibuprofen (IBU) is chosen to prepare IBU‐loaded poly(lactic acid) (PLA) micro‐fibrous mats via electrospinning. Distinguished from the previous studies, a lower toxic binary solvent dichloromethane/ethanol (DCM/EtOH, v/v = 8/2) is used to successfully fabricate PLA/IBU electrospun mats with outstanding properties. In order to further evaluate the effects of IBU content on PLA, there are characterization methods employed as follows: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and UV–vis spectrophotometer. The results show that IBU can be physically and uniformly distributed both on the surface and inside of PLA fibers. Compared with pure PLA mats, the crystallinity and mechanical properties of PLA/IBU electrospun mats has significantly improved. Meanwhile, in vitro drug release behavior demonstrates that with the increasing content of IBU, the rate of IBU release has increasingly improved. Particularly, the release behavior of PLA/IBU mats exhibited best with 20% IBU content, and the release amount reached 74.3% at the end of 240 h. Considering all these features, PLA/IBU electrospun mats have the potential to be used in the fields of wound dressing and drug delivery.
Effect of electric stimulus on human adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells cultured in 3D‐printed scaffolds
Authors: Bedir Tuba , Ulag Songul , Aydogan Kivanc , Sahin Ali , Karademir Yilmaz Betul , Guvenc Yahya , Bozlar Michael , Ustundag Cem Bulent , Gunduz Oguzhan
Published: November 2020

Electrical stimulation has shown great potential for nerve regeneration processes. This makes it attractive to use electrically active materials in the neural scaffold. In this paper, bismuth ferrite (BFO) nanoparticles were synthesized via co‐precipitation method and incorporated to 10 wt% polylactic acid (PLA) in chloroform to obtain 3D‐printed PLA/BFO biocomposites. The crystallinity of BFO nanoparticles was confirmed by XRD, and we studied its chemical structure with FTIR, as well as the mechanical properties of the 3D‐printed composites. in vitro studies show that 3D‐printed scaffolds have no cytotoxicity and support the proliferation of human adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs). Furthermore, 3D scaffolds embedded with BFO shows the highest cell viability relative to pristine PLA and BFO‐lined PLA scaffolds. A 48 hours electrical stimulation on the hADMSC cultured inside the 3D‐printed BFO‐lined PLA scaffolds indicates that stimulated cells are aligned toward the BFO line. These results could indicate the potential of BFO for directing cells toward damaged tissues.
Prenatal features, associated co‐morbidities and clinical course of agenesis of the ductus venosus in the current era
Authors: McBrien Angela , Caluseriu Oana , Niederhoffer Karen Y , Hornberger Lisa K
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Agenesis of the ductus venosus (ADV) has been associated with additional anomalies in up to 83% of cases. We sought to investigate characteristics, co‐morbidities and outcomes of ADV in the current era. We hypothesized that rates of cardiac and non‐cardiac diagnoses and survival would be higher, due to advances in genetic testing, prenatal diagnosis and surveillance.

Methods

A retrospective series of cases diagnosed at our institution from 2007 to 2018 were identified by searching our database. Cardiac and obstetric charts were reviewed for cardiac and extra‐cardiac anomalies, genetic results and outcomes.

Results

Fourteen cases were diagnosed at a mean gestational age of 23.9 weeks (range 13‐33). All had associated genetic, cardiac or extra‐cardiac anomalies. Eight (57%) had cardiac anomalies and one other developed cardiomyopathy by 6 months. Extra‐cardiac anomalies were present in 93% (13/14) and genetic diagnoses made in 75% (6/8) of those tested. Cardiac output Z‐scores were >2 in 60% (6/10) prior to delivery. Two had hydrops, there was one intra‐uterine death, 13 live‐births and two neonatal deaths.

Conclusion

Our cohort had more associated diagnoses and a lower mortality than previously reported. In our experience, high output occurs frequently, however with a relatively low risk of hydrops and intrauterine death.
Augmented Hückel molecular orbital model ofπ‐electron systems: fromtopologytometric. II. Hydrocarbon and carbon molecules
Authors: Stolarczyk Leszek Z. , Krygowski T. Marek
Published: November 2020

In the previous paper (paper I, this issue), we described in detail the augmented Hückel molecular orbital (AugHMO) model of theπ‐electron systems and its computational realizations: the Hückel‐Su‐Schrieffer‐Heeger (HSSH) method and the Hückel‐Longuet‐Higgins‐Salem (HLHS) method. This methodology transforms the topological data (corresponding to the topological matrix of the HMO model) into the “metric output”—the equilibrium bond lengths of a given molecule.

In the present paper, we focus on theπ‐electron hydrocarbon and carbon molecules, for which the HMO model is a purely topological model. The necessary empirical parameters of the HSSH and HLHS methods are derived from the experimental C–C bond lengths of ethylene, benzene, and butadiene. As a byproduct, some new insights will be provided into the problem ofπ‐electron delocalization versus bond‐length alternation in butadiene.

We then perform the HSSH and HLHS calculations of the C–C bond lengths in severalπ‐electron hydrocarbon and carbon molecules (including polyacetylene, fullerene C60, and graphene). The comparison of the calculated bond lengths with the experimental data and also with the ab initio results by the Hartree‐Fock and the Kohn‐Sham methods (the latter in the B3LYP version) is made. In general, it is demonstrated that the HSSH and HLHS results (which almost coincide) are quite close to the experimental values, and, in general, are no worse than the B3LYP results.
Central breathing abnormalities in children with trisomy 21: Effect of age, sex, and concomitant OSA
Authors: Naime Samira , Weiss Miriam , Lew Jenny , Aziz Julia , Pan Qi , Allen Michelle , Xuchen Xilei , Weinstock Jered , Nino Gustavo
Published: November 2020

Background

Trisomy 21 (TS21) is a condition with a high risk for sleep apnea. In the pediatric population, the risk also includes central breathing disorders. The aim of this study was to define the clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of central apnea in infants, children, and adolescents with TS21.

Methods

Retrospective review of baseline polysomnograms (PSGs) in children with TS21 in the sleep center at Children's National Medical Center in Washington DC.

Results

We included a total of 158 infants, children, and adolescents (0–18 years) with TS21 in this study. The median age was 4.82 years and 62% were male. The primary findings of the study are that (1) 12% of all pediatric subjects with TS21 included had a central apnea index (CAI) > 2/h; (2) the proportion of TS21 individuals with central breathing abnormalities progressively decreased with age being common in young individuals (≤2 years of age) but rare after 10 years of age; (3) additional sleep breathing disturbances (e.g., OSA and/or hypoxemia) are often present in children with TS21 and central apnea; and (4) the prevalence of central breathing abnormalities in TS21 is influenced by sex, being more likely to persist beyond early childhood (>2 years of age) in females than in males.

Conclusion

Central breathing abnormalities are common in TS21 among young children (≤2 years of age) and in females older than 2 years of age. Central apnea is often associated with concomitant obstructive sleep apnea and/or hypoxemia in children with TS21.
The Human Protein Atlas—Spatial localization of the human proteome in health and disease
Authors: Digre Andreas , Lindskog Cecilia
Published: November 2020

For a complete understanding of a system's processes and each protein's role in health and disease, it is essential to study protein expression with a spatial resolution, as the exact location of proteins at tissue, cellular, or subcellular levels is tightly linked to protein function. The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) project is a large‐scale initiative aiming at mapping the entire human proteome using antibody‐based proteomics and integration of various other omics technologies. The publicly available knowledge resource www.proteinatlas.org is one of the world's most visited biological databases and has been extensively updated during the last few years. The current version is divided into six main sections, each focusing on particular aspects of the human proteome: (a) the Tissue Atlas showing the distribution of proteins across all major tissues and organs in the human body; (b) the Cell Atlas showing the subcellular localization of proteins in single cells; (c) the Pathology Atlas showing the impact of protein levels on survival of patients with cancer; (d) the Blood Atlas showing the expression profiles of blood cells and actively secreted proteins; (e) the Brain Atlas showing the distribution of proteins in human, mouse, and pig brain; and (f) the Metabolic Atlas showing the involvement of proteins in human metabolism. The HPA constitutes an important resource for further understanding of human biology, and the publicly available datasets hold much promise for integration with other emerging efforts focusing on single cell analyses, both at transcriptomic and proteomic level.
Study of the TEAD‐binding domain of the YAP protein from animal species
Authors: Mesrouze Yannick , Bokhovchuk Fedir , Meyerhofer Marco , Zimmermann Catherine , Fontana Patrizia , Erdmann Dirk , Chène Patrick
Published: November 2020

The Hippo signaling pathway, which plays a central role in the control of organ size in animals, is well conserved in metazoans. The most downstream elements of this pathway are the TEAD transcription factors that are regulated by their association with the transcriptional coactivator YAP. Therefore, the creation of the binding interface that ensures the formation of the YAP:TEAD complex is a critical molecular recognition event essential for the development/survival of many living organisms. In this report, using the available structural information on the YAP:TEAD complex, we study the TEAD‐binding domain of YAP from different animal species. This analysis of more than 400 amino acid sequences reveals that the residues from YAP involved in the formation of the two main contact regions with TEAD are very well conserved. Therefore, the binding interface between YAP and TEAD, as found in humans, probably appeared at an early evolutionary stage in metazoans. We find that, in contrast to most other animal species, several Actinopterygii species possess YAP variants with a different TEAD‐binding domain. However, these variants bind to TEAD with a similar affinity. Our studies show that the protein identified as a YAP homolog in Caenorhabditis elegans does not contain the TEAD‐binding domain found in YAP of other metazoans. Finally, we do not identify in non‐metazoan species, amino acid sequences containing both a TEAD‐binding domain, as in metazoan YAP, and WW domain(s).
Assessment of the information theory approach to evaluatingtime‐to‐eventsurrogate and true endpoints in a meta‐analytic setting
Authors: Dimier Natalie , Todd Susan
Published: November 2020

In many disease areas, commonly used long‐term clinical endpoints are becoming increasingly difficult to implement due to long follow‐up times and/or increased costs. Shorter‐term surrogate endpoints are urgently needed to expedite drug development, the evaluation of which requires robust and reliable statistical methodology to drive meaningful clinical conclusions about the strength of relationship with the true long‐term endpoint. This paper uses a simulation study to explore one such previously proposed method, based on information theory, for evaluation of time to event surrogate and long‐term endpoints, including the first examination within a meta‐analytic setting of multiple clinical trials with such endpoints. The performance of the information theory method is examined for various scenarios including different dependence structures, surrogate endpoints, censoring mechanisms, treatment effects, trial and sample sizes, and for surrogate and true endpoints with a natural time‐ordering. Results allow us to conclude that, contrary to some findings in the literature, the approach provides estimates of surrogacy that may be substantially lower than the true relationship between surrogate and true endpoints, and rarely reach a level that would enable confidence in the strength of a given surrogate endpoint. As a result, care is needed in the assessment of time to event surrogate and true endpoints based only on this methodology.
What matters more for entrepreneurship success? A meta‐analysis comparing general mental ability and emotional intelligence in entrepreneurial settings
Authors: Allen Jared S. , Stevenson Regan M. , O'Boyle Ernest H. , Seibert Scott
Published: November 2020

Research Summary

Using meta‐analysis, we investigate the extent to which General Mental Ability (GMA) and Emotional Intelligence (EI) predict entrepreneurial success. Based on 65,826 observations, we find that both GMA and EI matter for success, but that the size of the relationship is more than twice as large for EI. Our study contradicts and adds important contextual nuance to previous meta‐analyses on performance in traditional workplace settings, where GMA is considered to be more critical than EI. We also contribute to the literature on cognitive and emotional intelligence in entrepreneurship.

Managerial Summary

While previous studies have shown General Mental Ability (GMA, cognitive intelligence) to be more important for success compared to Emotional Intelligence (EI) in traditional workplace settings, we theorize that EI will be more important in entrepreneurial contexts. Entrepreneurship is an extreme setting with distinct emotional and social demands relative to many other organizational settings. Moreover, managing an entrepreneurial business has been described as an “emotional rollercoaster.” Thus, on a relative basis we expected EI to matter more in entrepreneurial contexts and explore this assumption using a meta‐analysis of 65,826 observations. We find that both GMA and EI matter for entrepreneurial success, but that the size of the relationship is more than twice as large for EI.
A 10‐kV SiC‐MOSFET (Gen‐3) Half‐Bridge Module‐Based Isolated Bidirectional DC–DC Converter Block for Medium‐Voltage High‐Power Applications
Authors: Acharya Sayan , Anurag Anup , Chattopadhyay Ritwik , Rengarajan Satish , Prabowo Yos , Bhattacharya Subhashish
Published: November 2020

The packaging technology for the medium‐voltage silicon carbide (SiC)‐metal oxide semiconductor field‐effect transistor (MOSFETs) has come a long way since its inception. Now, it is feasible to design half‐bridge power modules based on 10‐kV SiC‐MOSFETs for higher current applications. This paves the way for many application areas for these devices, particularly for medium‐voltage and high‐power applications. This paper presents a design of a modular medium‐voltage, high‐power isolated DC–DC converter enabled by these 10‐kV SiC‐MOSFETs‐based power modules. The design objectives are targeted at increasing the efficiency, power density, and interoperability. The proposed DC–DC converter is aimed for applications like DC distribution for the data centers, subsea power transmission, offshore wind farms, and photovoltaic energy transmission–distribution–coordination; electric ship DC power transmission; solid‐state distribution transformer, etc. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Human pluripotent stem cell‐derived lung organoids: Potential applications in development and disease modeling
Authors: Tian Lu , Gao Jinghui , Garcia Irving M. , Chen Huanhuan Joyce , Castaldi Alessandra , Chen Ya‐Wen
Published: November 2020

The pulmonary system is comprised of two main compartments, airways and alveolar space. Their tissue and cellular complexity ensure lung function and protection from external agents, for example, virus. Two‐dimensional (2D) in vitro systems and animal models have been largely employed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying human lung development, physiology, and pathogenesis. However, neither of these models accurately recapitulate the human lung environment and cellular crosstalk. More recently, human‐derived three‐dimensional (3D) models have been generated allowing for a deeper understanding of cell‐to‐cell communication. However, the availability and accessibility of primary human cell sources from which generate the 2D and 3D models may be limited. In the past few years, protocols have been developed to successfully employ human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and differentiate them toward pulmonary fate in vitro. In the present review, we discuss the advantages and pitfalls of hPSC‐derived lung 2D and 3D models, including the main characteristics and potentials for these models and their current and future applications for modeling development and diseases. Lung organoids currently represent the closest model to the human pulmonary system. We further focus on the applications of lung organoids for the study of human diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, infectious diseases, and lung cancer. Finally, we discuss the present limitations and potential future applications of 3D lung organoids.

This article is categorized under:

Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Stem Cells and Disease

Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Stem Cell Differentiation and Reversion
Education Reform in Ontario: Building Capacity Through Collaboration
Authors: Boyd Taylor
Published: November 2020

The education system of the province of Ontario, Canada ranks among the best in the world and has been touted as a model of excellence for other countries seeking to improve their education system. In a system-wide reform, leaders used a political and professional perspective to improve student performance on basic academic skills. The school system rose to renown after this reform which moved Ontario from a “good” system in 2000 to a “great” one between 2003 and 2010 (Mourshed M, Chijioke C, Barber M. How the world’s most improved school systems keep getting better, a report McKinsey & Company. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/social-sector/our-insights/how-the-worlds-most-improved-school-systems-keep-getting-better, (2010)). Premier Dalton McGuinty arrived in office in 2003 with education as his priority and was dubbed the “Education Premier” because of this mandate. His plan for reform had two primary goals: to improve student literacy and numeracy, and to increase secondary school graduation rates. McGuinty also wanted to rebuild public trust that had been damaged under the previous administration. The essential element of Ontario’s approach to education reform was allowing educators to develop their own plans for improvement. Giving responsibility and freedom to educators was critical in improving professional norms and accountability among teachers (Mourshed M, Chijioke C, Barber M. How the world’s most improved school systems keep getting better, a report McKinsey & Company. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/social-sector/our-insights/how-the-worlds-most-improved-school-systems-keep-getting-better, (2010)) and the sustained political leadership throughout the entire reform concluding in 2013 provided an extended trajectory for implementing and adjusting learning initiatives. The Ministry of Education’s Student Achievement Division, which was responsible for designing and implementing strategies for student success, took a flexible “learning as we go” attitude in which the reform strategy adapted and improved over time (Directions Evidence and Policy Research Group. The Ontario student achievement division student success strategy evidence of improvement study. Retrieved from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/research/EvidenceOfImprovementStudy.pdf, (2014)).

This chapter will discuss influences on the reform design and key components of strategies to support student and teacher development and build a relationship of accountability and trust among teachers, the government and the public. The successes and shortcomings of this reform will be discussed in the context of their role in creating a foundation for the province’s next steps towards fostering twenty-first century competencies in classrooms.
2013 Mexico’s Education Reform: A Multi-dimensional Analysis
Authors: Islas Paul Moch , Calef Anne K. , Aparicio Cristina
Published: November 2020

The 2013 education reform to Mexico’s education system had two main goals, one explicit, to improve the quality of education and one implicit, to reassert federal authority over the education sector. Beginning with institutional and political mechanisms that introduced evaluations to the teaching profession, the reform sought a shift in Mexican educational culture.

This chapter will begin by analyzing Mexico in international and domestic contexts to understand the urgency of the reform. It will then use Reimers (2020b and 2020c) five perspectives on education change to analyze the reform and evaluate the sequence in which it was implemented. The chapter concludes by outlining the results of the reform to date and summarizing the relationship between the five perspectives. Ultimately, we argue that the initial deprioritization of technical aspects, including pedagogical and curricular ones, stymied the cultural shift towards an educational model grounded in twenty-first century competencies that the reform sought. When coupled with a limited political cycle and uneven implementation at a state level, the reform’s sequence left little time for full implementation of its more pedagogical aspects, such as the new education model, and ultimately faced dramatic reprisal from the new presidential administration.
Duality and supersymmetry constraints on the weak gravity conjecture
Authors: Loges Gregory J. , Noumi Toshifumi , Shiu Gary
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Positivity bounds coming from consistency of UV scattering amplitudes are not always sufficient to prove the weak gravity conjecture for theories beyond Einstein-Maxwell. Additional ingredients about the UV may be necessary to exclude those regions of parameter space which are naïvely in conflict with the predictions of the weak gravity conjecture. In this paper we explore the consequences of imposing additional symmetries inherited from the UV theory on higher-derivative operators for Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton-axion theory. Using black hole thermodynamics, for a preserved SL(2, ℝ) symmetry we find that the weak gravity conjecture then does follow from positivity bounds. For a preserved O(d, d; ℝ) symmetry we find a simple condition on the two Wilson coefficients which ensures the positivity of corrections to the charge-to-mass ratio and that follows from the null energy condition alone. We find that imposing supersymmetry on top of either of these symmetries gives corrections which vanish identically, as expected for BPS states.
Prognostic value of tumoral and peritumoral magnetic resonance parameters in osteosarcoma patients for monitoring chemotherapy response
Authors: Hao Yuewen , An Rui , Xue Yingsen , Li Fan , Wang Hong , Zheng Jianmin , Fan Linni , Liu Jixin , Fan Hongbin , Yin Hong
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To evaluate parameters of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) as early imaging indicators of tumor histologic response to pre-operative neoadjuvant chemotherapy and as probable prognostic factors for event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival in osteosarcoma (OS) in both tumoral and peritumoral areas.

Methods

Thirty-four OS patients who received three courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery during 2014–2018 were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent baseline and post-chemotherapy DWI and DCE-MRI. Lesion region was defined as the tumoral area and peritumoral area. Parameters of apparent diffusion coefficient, capacity transfer constant (Ktrans), elimination rate constant, extravascular extracellular space volume ratio (Ve), and initial area under the curve as well as corresponding differences between pre- and post-chemotherapy in lesion regions were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of these parameters. The associations of all parameters with tumor histologic response, EFS, and overall survival were also calculated.

Results

In the tumor area, moderate evidence was found that post-Ktrans was lower in responders as compared with that in poor responders (p = 0.04, false discovery rate [FDR] corrected), and ΔKtrans exhibited significant between-groups differences (p = 0.04, Bonferroni corrected; or p = 0.006, FDR corrected). Weak evidence for the between-groups difference was found in the Ve in the peritumoral area (p = 0.025 before treatment and p = 0.021 after treatment, uncorrected). Furthermore, lower post-Ktrans in the tumoral area and lower pre-Ve in the peritumoral area were significant prognostic indicators for longer EFS (p = 0.002, p = 0.026) and overall survival (p = 0.003, p = 0.023).

Conclusions

In OS, DWI and DCE-MRI parameters in both tumoral and peritumoral areas can reflect the chemotherapy response and prognosticate EFS and overall survival.

Key Points

• Peritumoral MRI parameters can reflect the chemotherapy response in OS patients.

• Peritumoral MRI parameters can predict EFS and overall survival in OS patients.

• MRI parameters may be predictive factors for evaluating chemotherapy efficacy and EFS.
Organisationsethik
Authors: Schuchter Patrick , Krobath Thomas , Heller Andreas , Schmidt Thomas
Published: November 2020

Organisationen spielen in modernen Gesellschaften eine zentrale Rolle. Der Beitrag geht davon aus, dass in den mittlerweile etablierten Formen von Ethik und Ethikberatung in Einrichtungen des Gesundheitssystems eine angemessene Reflexion des Organisationsbezugs oft ausbleibt bzw. eine besondere Herausforderung darstellt. Wir konzipieren deshalb eine „prozedurale Organisationsethik“, die sich kritisch mit der organisationalen Passung der Prozesse ethischer Reflexion auseinandersetzt. Daraus lassen sich als Anregung für Theorie und Praxis von ethischen Prozessen praktische Schlussfolgerungen ableiten. Sie betreffen (a) die Orte der Differenzsetzung für die Frage nach dem Guten; (b) die ethischen Hintergrundtheorien und (c) die Frage nach der organisatorischen Verknüpfung der Reflexionssettings.
The COVID-19 Psychological Wellbeing Study: Understanding the Longitudinal Psychosocial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK; a Methodological Overview Paper
Authors: Armour Cherie , McGlinchey Emily , Butter Sarah , McAloney-Kocaman Kareena , McPherson Kerri E.
Published: November 2020

The COVID-19 Psychological Wellbeing Study was designed and implemented as a rapid survey of the psychosocial impacts of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), known as COVID-19 in residents across the United Kingdom. This study utilised a longitudinal design to collect online survey based data. The aim of this paper was to describe (1) the rationale behind the study and the corresponding selection of constructs to be assessed; (2) the study design and methodology; (3) the resultant sociodemographic characteristics of the full sample; (4) how the baseline survey data compares to the UK adult population (using data from the Census) on a variety of sociodemographic variables; (5) the ongoing efforts for weekly and monthly longitudinal assessments of the baseline cohort; and (6) outline future research directions. We believe the study is in a unique position to make a significant contribution to the growing body of literature to help understand the psychological impact of this pandemic and inform future clinical and research directions that the UK will implement in response to COVID-19.