bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Instance Transfer Subject-Dependent Strategy for Motor Imagery Signal Classification Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Zhang Kai , Xu Guanghua , Chen Longtin , Tian Peiyuan , Han ChengCheng , Zhang Sicong , Duan Nan
Published: August 2020

In the process of brain-computer interface (BCI), variations across sessions/subjects result in differences in the properties of potential of the brain. This issue may lead to variations in feature distribution of electroencephalogram (EEG) across subjects, which greatly reduces the generalization ability of a classifier. Although subject-dependent (SD) strategy provides a promising way to solve the problem of personalized classification, it cannot achieve expected performance due to the limitation of the amount of data especially for a deep neural network (DNN) classification model. Herein, we propose an instance transfer subject-independent (ITSD) framework combined with a convolutional neural network (CNN) to improve the classification accuracy of the model during motor imagery (MI) task. The proposed framework consists of the following steps. Firstly, an instance transfer learning based on the perceptive Hash algorithm is proposed to measure similarity of spectrogram EEG signals between different subjects. Then, we develop a CNN to decode these signals after instance transfer learning. Next, the performance of classifications by different training strategies (subject-independent- (SI-) CNN, SD-CNN, and ITSD-CNN) are compared. To verify the effectiveness of the algorithm, we evaluate it on the dataset of BCI competition IV-2b. Experiments show that the instance transfer learning can achieve positive instance transfer using a CNN classification model. Among the three different training strategies, the average classification accuracy of ITSD-CNN can achieve 94.7±2.6 and obtain obvious improvement compared with a contrast model p<0.01. Compared with other methods proposed in previous research, the framework of ITSD-CNN outperforms the state-of-the-art classification methods with a mean kappa value of 0.664.
Extraction and Characterization of Novel Natural Hydroxyapatite Bioceramic by Thermal Decomposition of Waste Ostrich Bone
Authors: Malla Komal Prasad , Regmi Sagar , Nepal Achyut , Bhattarai Sitaram , Yadav Ram Jeewan , Sakurai Shinichi , Adhikari Rameshwar
Published: August 2020

A novel natural hydroxyapatite (HAp) bioceramic was extracted from the ostrich cortical bone by the thermal decomposition method. HAp was characterized by different analytical tools such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Removal of organic impurities from the bone powder was confirmed by TGA analysis. FTIR spectra of HAp confirmed the presence of the major functional groups such as phosphate (PO43−), hydroxyl (OH−), and carbonate (CO32−) in the bioceramic. The XRD data revealed that the HAp was the crystalline phase obtained by calcination of the bone powder at 950°C, and the SEM analyses confirmed the typical plate-like texture of the nanosized HAp crystals.
Development of an Immune Infiltration‐Related Eight‐Gene Prognostic Signature in Colorectal Cancer Microenvironment
Authors: Wu Beilei , Tao Lijun , Yang Daqing , Li Wei , Xu Hongbo , He Qianggui
Published: August 2020

Objective. Stromal cells and immune cells have important clinical significance in the microenvironment of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study is aimed at developing a CRC gene signature on the basis of stromal and immune scores. Methods. A cohort of CRC patients (n = 433) were adopted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Stromal/immune scores were calculated by the ESTIMATE algorithm. Correlation between prognosis/clinical characteristics and stromal/immune scores was assessed. Differentially expressed stromal and immune genes were identified. Their potential functions were annotated by functional enrichment analysis. Cox regression analysis was used to develop an eight‐gene risk score model. Its predictive efficacies for 3 years, 5 years, overall survival (OS), and progression‐free survival interval (PFI) were evaluated using time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The correlation between the risk score and the infiltering levels of six immune cells was analyzed using TIMER. The risk score was validated using an independent dataset. Results. Immune score was in a significant association with prognosis and clinical characteristics of CRC. 736 upregulated and two downregulated stromal and immune genes were identified, which were mainly enriched into immune‐related biological processes and pathways. An‐eight gene prognostic risk score model was conducted, consisting of CCL22, CD36, CPA3, CPT1C, KCNE4, NFATC1, RASGRP2, and SLC2A3. High risk score indicated a poor prognosis of patients. The area under the ROC curves (AUC) s of the model for 3 years, 5 years, OS, and PFI were 0.71, 0.70, 0.73, and 0.66, respectively. Thus, the model possessed well performance for prediction of patients’ prognosis, which was confirmed by an external dataset. Moreover, the risk score was significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration. Conclusion. Our study conducted an immune‐related prognostic risk score model, which could provide novel targets for immunotherapy of CRC.
Delayed Diagnosis of Colonic Adenocarcinoma in a 30-Year-Old Postpartum Woman Misdiagnosed with HELLP Syndrome
Authors: Maqueira Alexander J. , Rifai Ahmad O. , Albury Courtney , Kantrales William A. , Rydell David , Breland Henry
Published: August 2020

Colon cancer is a rare diagnosis in 30-year-old women, which may be further complicated by their concurrent gravid status. Several physiological changes that occur during an intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) can mask symptoms of early colon cancer. Our patient was a 30-year-old, Gravida 2, Para 0 woman with an uncomplicated pregnancy until the 35th week of gestation when she developed preeclampsia and symptoms suggestive of early hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome. Following induction of labor and the subsequent, uncomplicated vaginal delivery, the patient developed symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and constipation with abdominal pain and bloating. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a large mass in the right colon along with the involvement of periaortic lymph nodes and the presence of liver metastases. Hepatic metastases were possibly responsible for the patient’s elevated liver enzyme levels, which were initially considered to have been caused by HELLP syndrome because the patient also had preeclampsia. The rarity of colon cancer in young, pregnant patients with no family history, such as in this case, results in poor prognosis owing to nonspecific symptoms of the developing malignancy being attributed to pregnancy, which further delays diagnosis and subsequent therapy. Of 29 cases of colon cancer in pregnant patients recorded till date, this is the first report of a stage 4 adenocarcinoma of the colon with hepatic metastasis, elevated liver enzyme levels, and increased blood pressure with associated preeclampsia, which was diagnosed in the postpartum period. It may be important to consider broader differential diagnoses in expectant patients presenting with unusual and persistent symptoms.
Molecular Detection of Panton Valentine Leukocidin Toxin in Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from Kiambu County, Kenya
Authors: Iliya Sani , Mwangi Jonathan , Maathai Ronald , Muriuki Mary , Wainaina Christopher
Published: August 2020

Panton–Valentine leukocidin gene is produced by Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates as a pore-forming toxin is largely responsible for skin and soft tissue illnesses. MRSA produces PVL toxins through lukS and lukF proteins causing tissue necrosis by damaging membrane of the defense cells. Presence of PVL toxin was tested from the 54 S. aureus clinical isolates obtained from Thika and Kiambu Level 5 Hospitals, in Kiambu County, Kenya, by Geno Type® MRSA assay (Hain Life Science, Nehren, Germany). DNA was isolated from freshly harvested bacterial cultures by spin column using Geno Type DNA isolation kit. The detection of PVL toxins was performed by amplification of genomic DNA and by reverse hybridization that identifies PVL genes using Geno Type MRSA kit. Out of 138 samples that were collected from patients in Kiambu County, 54 S. aureus isolates were obtained, of which 14 (25.9%; 95% CI = 11.9–38.9) samples had PVL toxins. The isolates that were obtained from the female patients had a higher PVL toxin prevalence of 35.7%, while the isolates collected from the male patients had a lower prevalence of 15.4% (P=0.09). The pediatrics department had the highest PVL gene prevalence compared to outpatient department and surgical units (P=0.08). However, the age groups of patients and the hospital attended by patients showed no significant difference in terms of PVL gene prevalence (P=0.26). Therefore, the patients' gender and hospital units were not significantly associated with PVL gene prevalence (P=0.08). This study shows that PVL positive isolates occur in the sampled hospitals in the county and female as well as children must be taken into consideration among patients with wound infections when isolating S. aureus.
Evaluating Urban Community Sustainability by Integrating Housing, Ecosystem Services, and Landscape Configuration
Authors: Zhou Liang , Mu Haowei , Wang Bao , Yuan Bo , Dang Xuewei
Published: August 2020

Community is the core spatial unit for evaluating sustainable development. However, single data and method seem inadequate for conducting a scientific, effective, and innovative sustainable evaluation of complex community units. In this study, we perform a sustainable-oriented land use scheme using multisource remote sensing, machine learning, and object-based postclassification refinement. Furthermore, we assess the sustainability of the traffic community by data-driven and combined housing, ecosystem services, and landscape configuration. The results indicated that (1) the relationship between housing, ecosystem services, and landscape pattern has obvious synergistic effects, although with dissimilar importance in different sustainability levels. High sustainability level is intensely coordinated with landscape configuration, medium sustainability level is more affected by ecosystem services, and low sustainability level is more related to housing. (2) Community sustainability presents a significant spatial distribution. The communities of high sustainability level are mainly located in both sides of the Pearl River and emerging urban areas, while those of medium sustainability level are distributed sporadically in the study area and those of low sustainability level are concentrated in old towns. (3) Community transformation cannot be accomplished at one step. Along with the continuous optimization of landscape configuration, the priority should be given to housing reconstruction and improvement of ecosystem services further. We provide scientific and effective data-based evidence for urban decision-makers by integrating the advantages of the Earth Observation System and multifactor analysis.
Amylase‐Producing Maltooligosaccharide Provides Potential Relief in Rats with Loperamide‐Induced Constipation
Authors: Jang Eun Yeong , Ahn Yejin , Suh Hyung Joo , Hong Ki-Bae , Jo Kyungae
Published: August 2020

Constipation is a chronic disease caused by infrequent, inadequate, and difficult bowel movements. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential laxative effect of maltooligosaccharide (MOS) on loperamide‐induced constipation in a rat model. In vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of MOS on the growth of lactic acid bacteria. Moreover, to examine the effect of MOS administration on Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats with loperamide‐induced constipation, the drinking water for the rats was supplemented with 10% or 15% of MOS for 14 days, and, thereafter, the improvement in constipation was assessed. For this, the rats were divided into five groups: normal (Nor), loperamide‐induced constipated (Con), positive control (15% of dual‐oligosaccharide (DuO‐15)), 10% MOS treated (MOS‐10), and 15% MOS‐treated (MOS‐15). In an in vitro test, MOS treatment promoted the growth of lactic acid bacteria except Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Treatment with higher MOS dose relieved constipation in rats by improving the fecal pellet and water content. Furthermore, in the high MOS dose group, the cecal short‐chain fatty acid levels significantly increased compared to those in the control group (P < 0.001). MOS treatment also improved the mucosal thickness as well as mucin secretion and increased the area of intestinal Cajal cells compared to that in the control group (P < 0.001). These findings suggest that MOS relieves constipation and has beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, and, therefore, it can be used as an ingredient in functional foods for treating constipation or improving intestinal health.
Factors Associated with Treatment Outcome of Preterm Babies at Discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Ghana
Authors: Abdul-Mumin Alhassan , Owusu Sheila Agyeiwaa , Abubakari Abdulai
Published: August 2020

Background. Preterm birth and complications are now the leading cause of death in children under 5 years globally. In Ghana, studies assessing the survival rate of preterm babies and associated factors in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) are limited. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the survival rate and associated factors in this group of babies in a teaching hospital in the Northern Region of Ghana.Methods. This was a 7-month retrospective descriptive study conducted in the NICU of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Ghana. It involved review of charts of all preterm babies admitted between 1 March 2017 and 30 September 2017. Data retrieved from all eligible patients was analyzed using Stata version 12.1 software to generate descriptive statistics. Relationship between dependent and independent variables was tested using Pearson chi square. A logistic regression model was estimated to assess determinants of the treatment outcome.Results. The overall survival rate at discharge in this cohort was 60.73%. The survival rate was lowest in the extremely low birth weight group (3/21; 14.3%) and extremely preterm babies (4/20; 20%). Significant association was observed between birth weight (P=0.0001), gestational age (P=0.0001), and survival. Preterm babies who were hypothermic at presentation, had respiratory distress syndrome, and had jaundice were 7.2 times (AOR=7.2;95%CI=1.9‐28.1;P=0.004), 10.2 times (AOR=10.2;95%CI=3.7‐27.9;P≤0.0001), and 2.9 times (AOR=2.9;95%CI=1.0‐8.5;P=0.045), respectively, more likely to die on admission compared to neonates who did not have these comorbidities.Conclusion. We found a high mortality rate in the preterm babies admitted to our unit, and that mortality rate decreased with increasing gestational age and birth weight. A number of neonatal factors, either in isolation or in combination, were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality.
Identification of Biomarkers to Construct a Competing Endogenous RNA Network and Establishment of a Genomic‐Clinicopathologic Nomogram to Predict Survival for Children with Rhabdoid Tumors of the Kidney
Authors: Wang Xiaoqing , Wu Xiangyu , Li Tianyou , Cui Mingyu , Zhu Lichao , Wang Gang , Guo Feng
Published: August 2020

Rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (RTK) is a rare and severely malignant tumor occurring in infancy and early childhood, with the overall outcomes remain poor. Neither gene regulatory networks nor biomarkers to predict the prognostic outcomes have been elucidated in RTK. In this study, RNA sequencing data were obtained to identify differentially expressed messenger RNAs (mRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) between RTK samples and normal samples. A total of 4217 mRNAs, 284 lncRNAs, and 286 miRNAs were screened out. Of those, 103 mRNAs, 80 lncRNAs, and 45 miRNAs were identified for a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network, in which three significant modules were identified. A protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and the hub‐gene cluster consisted of four core genes (EXOSC2, PAK1IP1, WDR43, and POLR1D) was selected. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were also performed to analyze the functional characteristics of differentially expressed mRNAs. Subsequently, among 211 mRNAs, 8 lncRNAs, and 12 miRNAs associated with overall survival (OS) obtained by univariate Cox analysis, 5 mRNAs, 7 lncRNAs, and 7 miRNAs were identified and the risk score formulas were constructed correspondingly using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression model analysis. The log‐rank tests and Kaplan‐Meier analyses were performed to confirm the predictive value of the risk scores for OS in RTK patients. A genomic‐clinicopathologic nomogram integrating the stage and risk scores based on RNAs was established and demonstrated high predictive accuracy and clinical value, which was validated through calibration curves, time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses, and decision curve analysis (DCA). In conclusion, this study not only provided potential insights into the mechanisms underlying RTK, but also presented a practicable tool for predicting the prognosis in children with RTK.
Porcine Cysticercosis Control in Western Kenya: The Interlink of Management Practices in Pig Farms and Meat Inspection Practice at Slaughter Slabs
Authors: Mwabonimana Marie-Françoise , Inyagwa Charles Muleke , Bebe Bockline Omedo , Shakala Eduard Kokan , King’ori Anthony Macharia
Published: August 2020

This study assessed the management practices for controlling porcine cysticercosis (PC) on pig farms and in pork at the slaughter slabs in two counties (Busia and Kakamega) of Western Kenya. A total of 162 pig-rearing households at the farm level, 26 butcher owners, and 26 slaughter slab workers at the slaughter slab level were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the “Statistical Analysis System” (SAS) programme. Results indicated that the frequent management practices used at the farm level (p<0.05) were rearing pigs under free range (69.1%), latrine ownership by households (87.7%), and use of pit latrines (72.8%) in households. At the slaughter level (p<0.05), results of the butcher owners (76.9%) and slaughter slab workers (62.5%) revealed that meat inspection was not practiced adequately in the two areas of study. The results imply that slaughtered pigs for human consumption were not adequately inspected, and thus, the study recommends for implementation of effective pig management practices at the farm level and pork meat inspection at slaughter slabs to prevent PC infections and assure food safety along the pork value chain.
Molecular Identification and Antimicrobial Potential of Streptomyces Species from Nepalese Soil
Authors: Khadayat Karan , Sherpa Dawa Dindu , Malla Krishna Prakash , Shrestha Sunil , Rana Nabin , Marasini Bishnu P. , Khanal Santosh , Rayamajhee Binod , Bhattarai Bibek Raj , Parajuli Niranjan
Published: August 2020

Streptomyces are widely used for the production of secondary metabolites with diverse biological activities, including antibiotics. The necessity of alternative antimicrobial agents against multidrug-resistant pathogens is indispensable. However, the production of new therapeutics is delayed in recent days. Thus, the isolation of new Streptomyces species has drawn attention. Nepal—a country rich in biodiversity—has got high possibilities for the discovery of members of actinomycetes, especially in the higher altitudes. However, in vain, only a few screening research works have been reported from Nepal to date. Streptomyces species were isolated on ISP4 media, and characterization was performed according to morphological similarity and 16S rRNA sequence similarity using bioinformatic tools. Ethyl acetate extracts of Streptomyces species were prepared, and the antimicrobial activity was carried out using agar well diffusion technique. In this report, 18 Streptomyces species isolated from the soil were reported based on sequence analysis of 16S rRNA. Among them, 12 isolates have shown antibacterial activity against extended-spectrum beta-lactamase- (ESBL-) producing Escherichia coli. Here, we have also analyzed 16S rRNA in 27 Streptomyces species whose whole-genome sequence is available, which has revealed that some species have multiple copies of the 16S gene (∼1.5 kb) with significant variation in nucleotides. In contrast, some Streptomyces species shared identical DNA sequences in multiple copies of 16S rRNA. The sequencing of numerous copies of 16S rRNA is not necessary, and the molecular sequencing of this region is not sufficient for the identification of bacterial species. The Streptomyces species-derived ethyl acetate extracts from Nepalese soil demonstrate potential activity against ESBL-producing E. coli. Thus, they are potential candidates for antibiotics manufacturing in the future.
The Role of Therapeutic Anticoagulation in COVID-19
Authors: McGovern Ruth , Conway Patrick , Pekrul Isabell , Tujjar Omar
Published: August 2020

Coagulopathy has proven to be a common complication of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, with evidence of elevated D-dimers and fibrin degradation products associated with an increased incidence of thromboembolism. Despite emerging evidence describing the coagulopathy and its clinical relevance in COVID-19, fewer studies have addressed the potential role of empiric therapeutic anticoagulation in this setting. We report the case of a patient admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU) with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to COVID-19 whose clinical trajectory improved dramatically after initiation of a therapeutic dose of LMWH. The patient showed progressive elevation of fibrinogen and D-dimers despite a prophylactic dose of LMWH during her ICU stay. This was met with a moderate increase of troponin T-hs, an escalating need for vasopressors, and a progressive decrease in her P/F ratio despite preserved lung static compliance. Her platelet count was normal and had an elevated fibrinogen during the first week of ICU stay. The ECG was normal, and a bedside transthoracic echocardiogram showed no evidence of pulmonary embolism and a preserved EF with no regional wall motion abnormalities (RMWA). The chest X-ray was not dissimilar to previous exams, and the ABG showed hypoxia with normal pCO2 values. The decision was made to commence empiric therapeutic enoxaparin. The patient did not experience bleeding complications, and her clinical trajectory appeared to change dramatically. She was successfully extubated three days later and proceeded to clinical recovery and eventual discharge from the ICU. The available evidence shows that there is undoubtedly coagulopathy associated with COVID-19 with various subsequent forms of clinical manifestation described in the literature. Evidence also shows the benefits of heparin as an anticoagulant. From the discussion of this case report, however, it can be concluded that despite the plausible theoretical rationale, studies pertaining to the role of empiric therapeutic anticoagulation in this setting fall short of providing compelling evidence. Subsequently the role of empiric therapeutic anticoagulation in COVID-19 remains unclear with a pressing call for further research.
An Analysis of Factors Affecting Flowslide Deposit Morphology Using Taguchi Method
Authors: Duan Zhao , Wu Yan-Bin , Tang Hao , Ma Jian-Quan , Zhu Xing-Hua
Published: August 2020

Flowslides, as one type of landslides, are becoming a research hotspot due to their high speed and long runout distance, which can cause tremendous damage and economic loss. The scale of damage and deposit morphology of flowslide is closely related to factors like deposit volume, slope height, and slope angle. In order to assess the influence of these factors, a sandbox apparatus is developed, and the Taguchi method is used to design an experimental scheme to analyze the results of factors affecting the deposit morphology of flowslide. The results show that the factor that has the greatest impact on flowslide deposit morphology is slope angle, followed by the influence of volume and slope height. As slope angle increases, the maximum width, maximum length, area, and length‐width ratio of the deposit first increase and then decrease. In addition, there should be a critical angle in the changes of deposit morphology that is between 60° and 70° under the experimental conditions. When the volume is 5.4 × 10−3 m3, the slope angle is 70°, the slope height is 0.90 m, and the changes of deposit morphology of the flowslide are the largest. In this study, considering the slope angle as a single variable, there is a single upheaval for a slope angle of 40° and 50° and a double upheaval at 60° and 70°. The formation mechanism of the upheaval is analyzed based on the Mohr‐Coulomb criterion and considered properties of the material. The apparent friction coefficient of a flowslide is spatially and lithologically different and increases nonlinearly as the slope angle increases. The initial benchmark of the slope angle and apparent friction coefficient curve are affected by the friction coefficient of the material; the position of the inflection point at which the curve increases rapidly is affected by the coefficient of velocity restitution.
Surgical Management of Thoracic Osteomyelitis due to Escherichia Coli Sepsis
Authors: Lyons Mark K. , Kalani Maziyar , Neal Matthew T. , Patel Naresh P.
Published: August 2020

Case Report. Escherichia coli is a rare cause of vertebral osteomyelitis. It is more common in adults and males. We present a case of an immunocompetent adult male presenting with a several month history of progressive systemic symptoms and subsequent neurologic compromise. We discuss the neurosurgical evaluation of a patient with a progressive vertebral osteomyelitis and treatment options. Surgical debridement and spinal stabilization were performed and confirmed the diagnosis. The patient successfully completed a prolonged antimicrobial therapy course. The patient made a complete neurologic recovery. We discuss the presentation of a patient with Escherichia coli vertebral osteomyelitis and the successful surgical management.
Adaptive Chebyshev Neural Network Control for Ventilator Model under the Complex Mine Environment
Authors: Liu Ranhui , Hu Xinyan , Zhang Chengyuan , Liu Chuanxi
Published: August 2020

Ventilator is important equipment for mines as it safeguards the lives under the shaft and ensures other equipment’s proper functioning by providing fresh air. Therefore, how to effectively control the ventilator system becomes more significant. In order to acquire the commonly used model and control strategy for ventilator systems, a new universal ventilator model is established based on the blast capacity differential pressure in the ventilating duct and the ventilator motor model. Then, an adaptive Chebyshev neural network (ACNN) controller is proposed to effectively control the ventilator system where the unknown load torque and the unknown disturbance caused by the complex environment under the shaft are approximated by the Chebyshev neural network (CNN). Afterwards, an appropriate Lyapunov function candidate is designed to guarantee the stability of the proposed controller and the closed-loop ventilator system. Finally, the ACNN controller has been demonstrated to be effective in terms of validity and precision for the new proposed ventilator model through the simulations.
Inhibition of the MYC-Regulated Glutaminase Metabolic Axis Is an Effective Synthetic Lethal Approach for Treating Chemoresistant Ovarian Cancers
Authors: Shen Yao-An , Hong Jiaxin , Asaka Ryoichi , Asaka Shiho , Hsu Fang-Chi , Suryo Rahmanto Yohan , Jung Jin-Gyoung , Chen Yu-Wei , Yen Ting-Tai , Tomaszewski Alicja , Zhang Cissy , Attarwala Nabeel , DeMarzo Angelo M. , Davidson Ben , Chuang Chi-Mu , Chen Xi , Gaillard Stephanie , Le Anne , Shih Ie-Ming , Wang Tian-Li
Published: August 2020

Amplification and overexpression of the MYC oncogene in tumor cells, including ovarian cancer cells, correlates with poor responses to chemotherapy. As MYC is not directly targetable, we have analyzed molecular pathways downstream of MYC to identify potential therapeutic targets. Here we report that ovarian cancer cells overexpressing glutaminase (GLS), a target of MYC and a key enzyme in glutaminolysis, are intrinsically resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy and are enriched with intracellular antioxidant glutathione. Deprivation of glutamine by glutamine-withdrawal, GLS knockdown, or exposure to the GLS inhibitor CB-839 resulted in robust induction of reactive oxygen species in high GLS-expressing but not in low GLS-expressing ovarian cancer cells. Treatment with CB-839 rendered GLShigh cells vulnerable to the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, olaparib, and prolonged survival in tumor-bearing mice. These findings suggest consideration of applying a combined therapy of GLS inhibitor and PARP inhibitor to treat chemoresistant ovarian cancers, especially those with high GLS expression.

Significance:

Targeting glutaminase disturbs redox homeostasis and nucleotide synthesis and causes replication stress in cancer cells, representing an exploitable vulnerability for the development of effective therapeutics.
Secreted Factors from Adipose Tissue Reprogram Tumor Lipid Metabolism and Induce Motility by Modulating PPARα/ANGPTL4 and FAK
Authors: Blücher Christina , Iberl Sabine , Schwagarus Nancy , Müller Silvana , Liebisch Gerhard , Höring Marcus , Hidrobo Maria Soledad , Ecker Josef , Spindler Nick , Dietrich Arne , Burkhardt Ralph , Stadler Sonja C.
Published: August 2020

Recent studies indicate that adipose tissue in obesity promotes breast cancer progression by secreting protumorigenic chemokines, growth factors, and fatty acids. However, the detailed mechanisms by which hypertrophic adipose tissue influences breast cancer cells are still not well understood. Here we show that co-culture with adipose tissue from high-fat diet induced obese C57BL/6 mice alters transcriptome profiles in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, leading to upregulation of genes involved in inflammation and lipid metabolism, such as IL1B, PLIN2, and ANGPTL4. Similar results were obtained by treating TNBC cells with adipose tissue conditioned media (ACM) generated from fat tissue of obese female patients. Many of the upregulated genes were activated by PPAR nuclear receptors, as shown by pathway analyses and gene expression experiments using PPAR agonists and antagonists. Metabolic analysis revealed that TNBC cells cultivated with ACM had significantly higher levels of β-oxidation. Furthermore, ACM-treated TNBC cells displayed a pronounced aggressive cell phenotype, with enhanced wound healing, proliferation, and invasion capabilities. ACM-induced invasion was dependent on the PPAR-target ANGPTL4 and activated FAK signaling, as shown by ANGPTL4 depletion and FAK inhibition. Together, our data suggest that factors released by adipose tissue change PPAR-regulated gene expression and lipid metabolism and induce a more aggressive TNBC cell phenotype. These effects are, at least in parts, mediated by fatty acids provided by the adipose tissue.

Implications:

Adipose tissue provides factors for increased progression of TNBC cells, identifying PPAR- and FAK-signaling as potential novel targets for treatment of TNBC, especially in obese women.
Systolic Blood Pressure and Longitudinal Progression of Arterial Stiffness: A Quantitative Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Wilson Jack , Webb Alastair John Stewart
Published: August 2020

Background

Arterial stiffness predicts the risk of cardiovascular events and all‐cause mortality and is associated with age and hypertension. However, the magnitude of the relationship between blood pressure (BP) and progression of arterial stiffness is unclear, limiting our understanding of how arterial stiffness mediates clinical effects of hypertension and planning of clinical trials.

Methods and Results

Medline and EMBASE were searched for prospective studies reporting linear models between baseline BP and progression of arterial stiffness, with and without adjustment for demographic characteristics and baseline stiffness. Standardized and unstandardized β coefficients for pulse wave velocity were combined by fixed and random effects meta‐analysis, weighted by the inverse variance. Of 566 fully reviewed articles from 30, 524 titles, 22 populations from 21 reports were included. In 9 cohorts, there were consistent, adjusted associations between baseline systolic BP and progression of arterial stiffness (11 781 patients; standardized β=0.041; 95% CI, 0.026–0.055;
P
<0.001;
P
value for heterogeneity=0.70), equivalent to a 1.14‐m/s increase in standard carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity per decade per 20–mm Hg systolic BP, independent of age. Unstandardized, adjusted associations were similar (1762 patients; β=0.0047; 95% CI, 0.004–0.006;
P
<0.001;
P
value for heterogeneity=0.64), equivalent to a 0.94‐m/s increase per decade per 20–mm Hg systolic BP. In limited studies, standardized associations between mean BP and arterial stiffness progression were not significant and heterogeneous (913 patients; β=0.039; 95% CI, −0.008 to 0.086;
P
=0.11;
P
value for heterogeneity=0.03).

Conclusions

Baseline systolic BP was associated with a clinically important progression of arterial stiffness, independent of age, providing a reference for the potential effect of arterial stiffness in mediating changes in clinical outcomes associated with hypertension and providing a reference value to aid clinical trial design.
Two new species of Coeliccia Kirby from Yunnan, China (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae)
Authors: DOW RORY A. , ZHANG HAO-MIAO
Published: August 2020

Two new species of Coeliccia Kirby are described from Yunnan, China: Coeliccia tongbiguan sp. nov. and Coeliccia yunnanensis sp. nov. (holotype ♂ for both from Tongbiguan National Nature Reserve, Yingjiang County, Yunnan). Coeliccia tongbiguan is allied to Coeliccia hoanglienensis Do, known only from Vietnam. Coeliccia yunnanensis appears to be closely allied to the Coeliccia hayashii–group, also from Vietnam. The fifteen named species of Coeliccia now known to occur in China are listed, twelve of them occur in Yunnan, the presence of Coeliccia didyma (Selys) in the country is confirmed.
A new discovery of a long-winged form of Mexican endemic grasshopper Melanotettix dibelonius Bruner, 1904 (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Gomphocerinae) and notes on wing polymorphism and geographic distribution
Authors: MARIÑO-PÉREZ RICARDO , SANABRIA-URBÁN SALOMÓN , FOQUET BERT , POCCO MARTINA E. , SONG HOJUN
Published: August 2020

The species Melanotettix dibelonius Bruner, 1904 was previously recorded from Michoacán and Guerrero states in Mexico. This species is characterized by its tegmina, which are always shorter than head and pronotum together and sometimes shorter than the pronotum. After recent field expeditions (2015-2019) and an extensive review of museum specimens from the most important Orthoptera collections in Mexico and USA (291 specimens), we discovered a long-winged form of this species south of its previous known range, which effectively expanded its distribution range into Oaxaca state. We discuss some aspects regarding the patterns of geographic distribution and morphological variation among the long-winged and short-winged morphs. We conduct statistical analyses and observed that on average, the tegmina of long-winged individuals (both females and males) are slightly longer than twice the length of pronotum; whereas in short-winged individuals the tegmina are nearly as long or slightly longer than the length of the pronotum. Moreover, on average, females appear to have longer tegmina than males in both morphotypes. We provide photographic records of both forms live and mounted, the most comprehensive distribution map to date and a discussion of evolutionarily interesting patterns found in this species.
The westernmost known population of Paracobitis (Teleostei, Nemacheilidae), with the description of a new species from the Euphrates River in southern Anatolia
Authors: KAYA CÜNEYT , TURAN DAVUT , KALAYCI GÖKHAN , BAYÇELEBİ ESRA , FREYHOF JÖRG
Published: August 2020

Paracobitis salihae, new species, from the Göksu River in the western upper Euphrates drainage, is distinguished from other Paracobitis species by possessing a truncate caudal-fin, and a dark-brown vermiculate or marbled colour pattern. It is also characterised by 19 variable nucleotide substitutions, three diagnostic nucleotides and 3.6% minimum K2P distance compared to geographically adjacent and related P. zabgawraensis. Paracobitis salihae might be Critically Endangered and is threatened by dam constructions.
The Bush Vipers, genus Atheris Cope, 1862 (Squamata: Viperidae) of Bioko Island, Gulf of Guinea, with the description of a new species
Authors: CERÍACO LUIS M. P. , MARQUES MARIANA P. , BAUER AARON M.
Published: August 2020

Two species of Bush Vipers, genus Atheris Cope, 1862, have been reported for the continental island of Bioko, Gulf of Guinea – Atheris squamigera and a putatively undescribed species, morphologically similar to Atheris chlorechis. The latter was only known from one specimen collected in the early 1900s and its taxonomic identity has never been fully resolved. Based on recently collected specimens of Atheris from Bioko Island, we reviewed all the available data and specimens through detailed morphological comparisons against all known species of the genus. Our results confirm that Atheris squamigera is present in Bioko Island, and that the second taxon is a new species, which we describe here as Atheris hetfieldi sp. nov. The newly described species presents a series of morphological characters that clearly differentiate it from all of its congeners. The description of this new species is the first of a new snake species from Bioko in more than 100 years and this species is the only snake currently recognized as endemic to the island.
Lay Theories of the Wandering Mind: Control-Related Beliefs Predict Mind Wandering Rates in- and outside the Lab
Authors: Zedelius Claire M. , Protzko John , Schooler Jonathan W.
Published: August 2020

People often fail to keep their mind from wandering. Here, we examine how the tendency to mind wander is affected by people’s beliefs, or lay theories. Building on research on lay theories and self-regulation, we test whether differences in people’s beliefs about the extent to which mind wandering is controllable affect thought control strategies and mind-wandering rates in daily life and the laboratory. We develop a new scale to assess control-related beliefs about mind wandering. Scores on the scale predict mind wandering (Study 1) and intrusive thoughts (Study 2) in everyday life, thought control strategies and dysfunctional responses to unwanted thoughts (Study 2), and mind wandering during reading in the laboratory (Studies 3–6). Moreover, experimentally induced lay theories affect mind-wandering rates during reading (Studies 4 and 5). Finally, the effectiveness of strategies people can use to reduce their mind wandering depends on their lay theories (Studies 2 and 6).
A Comparative Analysis of the Attitudes toward the U.S.-Mexico Border Policy: Evaluating Perspectives on Border Security and Building a Wall in the Rio Grande Valley, National Hispanic and General U.S. Populations
Authors: Kim Dongkyu , Kim Mi-son , Altema McNeely Natasha
Published: August 2020

Recently, there has been a surge of national attention toward the U.S.-Mexican border in South Texas, known as the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). Despite the attention and potential impact, which the wall would directly have on the RGV community, there has been no systemic attention paid to the opinions of the RGV residents regarding the proposed wall and other related immigration policies. This article, therefore, aims to fill this gap by comparing immigration policy attitudes in the borderland communities to both the national Hispanic and the general national populations. By utilizing original data from an RGV public opinion survey we conducted in 2018, our analysis shows that RGV residents hold more lenient immigration attitudes than do both the national Hispanic and the general populations. We utilize logistic regression analysis to further our understanding of the correlates of these attitudes across different samples. Our findings provide important policy and political implications.
Cytocompatibility, stability and osteogenic activity of powder metallurgy Ta-xZr alloys as dental implant materials
Authors: Ou Pinghua , Liu Jue , Hao Cong , He Rengui , Chang Lin , Ruan Jianming
Published: August 2020

Tantalum (Ta) and zirconium (Zr) alloys were found to had low elastic modulus and similar biomechanical characteristics as the human bone. However, the biocompatibility and osteogenic potential of Ta-xZr alloyswith different proportions (20, 30, 40 and 50% Zr by atom) remains to be investigated. In this study, the biocompatibility of Ta-xZr alloys and commercially pure titanium (cpTi) was evaluated in vitro by cell counting kit-8 assay. The adhesion of MG63 osteoblasts to the surface of the alloys was observed by fluorescence microscopy, and their morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The expressions of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Ki67, osteocalcin (OC), collagen-I (Col-I) and Integrin β1 mRNA in the cultured cells were determined by RT-PCR. As a result, Ta-xZr (x = 20, 30, 40 and 50 at%) alloys were non-toxic and supported proliferation of the MG63 cells. The osteoblasts adhered to the Ta-xZr alloys, and subsequently spread and proliferated rapidly. Furthermore, the cells grown on Ta-20Zr and Ta-30Zr expressed high levels of ALP, Col I and OC, indicating that the Ta-xZr alloys can induce osteogenesis. In conclusion, Ta-xZr alloys promoted the adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MG63 cells. The Ta-xZr composites with a higher proportion of Ta exhibited superior osteogenic activity, and Ta-30Zr is therefore a promising alternative for Ti implants.
Intelligent Manufacturing Systems in COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: Framework and Impact Assessment
Authors: Li Xingyu , Wang Baicun , Liu Chao , Freiheit Theodor , Epureanu Bogdan I.
Published: August 2020

Pandemics like COVID-19 have created a spreading and ever-higher healthy threat to the humans in the manufacturing system which incurs severe disruptions and complex issues to industrial networks. The intelligent manufacturing (IM) systems are promising to create a safe working environment by using the automated manufacturing assets which are monitored by the networked sensors and controlled by the intelligent decision-making algorithms. The relief of the production disruption by IM technologies facilitates the reconnection of the good and service flows in the network, which mitigates the severity of industrial chain disruption. In this study, we create a novel intelligent manufacturing framework for the production recovery under the pandemic and build an assessment model to evaluate the impacts of the IM technologies on industrial networks. Considering the constraints of the IM resources, we formulate an optimization model to schedule the allocation of IM resources according to the mutual market demands and the severity of the pandemic.
Statement to Kösler et al. 2019 and 2020 regarding the evaluation of the ecotoxicity of nitrification inhibitors using terrestrial and aquatic test organisms
Authors: Pasda Gregor , Schmid Markus
Published: August 2020

In this paper, the correct composition of Vizura is given and a note that the founded results concerning ecotoxicity of Vizura are of no relevance for the recommended application rates for Vizura.
Effects of face-to-face counselling on unemployment rate and duration: evidence from a Public Employment Service reform
Authors: Vehkasalo Ville
Published: August 2020

In a Public Employment Service reform implemented in 2013, sixty Finnish municipalities experienced an involuntary employment office closure. The Government’s objective was to replace traditional face-to-face employment counselling with modern online counselling and simultaneously generate savings in outlays. The reform created natural experiment circumstances that allowed us to estimate the aggregate causal effects of face-to-face counselling and advice. We estimated the effects of the reform on the unemployment rate and the average unemployment duration using municipality-level panel data and various panel data estimators. We found that while the reform had a barely discernible effect on municipal unemployment rates, it increased average unemployment durations by 2–3 weeks. Hence, face-to-face counselling and online counselling are not perfect substitutes in decreasing the length of unemployment spells. Consequently, the fiscal costs of the reform outweigh the fiscal benefits by a large margin.
MCMSeq: Bayesian hierarchical modeling of clustered and repeated measures RNA sequencing experiments
Authors: Vestal Brian E. , Moore Camille M. , Wynn Elizabeth , Saba Laura , Fingerlin Tasha , Kechris Katerina
Published: August 2020

Background

As the barriers to incorporating RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) into biomedical studies continue to decrease, the complexity and size of RNA-Seq experiments are rapidly growing. Paired, longitudinal, and other correlated designs are becoming commonplace, and these studies offer immense potential for understanding how transcriptional changes within an individual over time differ depending on treatment or environmental conditions. While several methods have been proposed for dealing with repeated measures within RNA-Seq analyses, they are either restricted to handling only paired measurements, can only test for differences between two groups, and/or have issues with maintaining nominal false positive and false discovery rates. In this work, we propose a Bayesian hierarchical negative binomial generalized linear mixed model framework that can flexibly model RNA-Seq counts from studies with arbitrarily many repeated observations, can include covariates, and also maintains nominal false positive and false discovery rates in its posterior inference.

Results

In simulation studies, we showed that our proposed method (MCMSeq) best combines high statistical power (i.e. sensitivity or recall) with maintenance of nominal false positive and false discovery rates compared the other available strategies, especially at the smaller sample sizes investigated. This behavior was then replicated in an application to real RNA-Seq data where MCMSeq was able to find previously reported genes associated with tuberculosis infection in a cohort with longitudinal measurements.

Conclusions

Failing to account for repeated measurements when analyzing RNA-Seq experiments can result in significantly inflated false positive and false discovery rates. Of the methods we investigated, whether they model RNA-Seq counts directly or worked on transformed values, the Bayesian hierarchical model implemented in the mcmseq R package (available athttps://github.com/stop-pre16/mcmseq) best combined sensitivity and nominal error rate control.