bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spirulina platensis Consumption Prevents Obesity and Improves the Deleterious Effects on Intestinal Reactivity in Rats Fed a Hypercaloric Diet
Authors: Diniz Anderson Fellyp Avelino , de Oliveira Claudino Brena Freire , Duvirgens Manoel Vieira , da Silva Souza Petruska Pessoa , Ferreira Paula Benvindo , Júnior Francisco Fernandes Lacerda , Alves Adriano Francisco , da Silva Bagnólia Araújo
Published: July 2021

The consumption of hypercaloric diets is related to the development of obesity, favoring the etiology of gastrointestinal disorders. In this context, Spirulina platensis (SP), some blue‐green algae with antioxidant action, appears as a potential therapeutic alternative to prevent obesity and associated intestinal disorders. Thus, the present study is aimed at evaluating the deleterious effects of the hypercaloric diet on the contractile and relaxing reactivity of the ileum of rats, as well as the possible preventive mechanisms of dietary supplementation with SP. Wistar rats were divided into three groups: fed a standard diet (SD), a hypercaloric diet (HCD), and/or supplemented with 25 mg/kg SP (HCD + SP25) for 8 weeks. The hypercaloric diet was effective in promoting obesity in rats, as well as decreasing potency and ileal relaxing and contractile efficacy. In contrast, dietary supplementation with SP was able to prevent some of the parameters of experimental obesity. In addition, SP prevented the reduction of intestinal reactivity, possibly due to a positive modulation of voltage‐gated calcium channels (CaV) and negative regulation of muscarinic receptors (M3). Thus, food supplementation with Spirulina platensis becomes a promising alternative in the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases induced and/or aggravated by obesity.
Detection of Online Fake News Using Blending Ensemble Learning
Authors: Hansrajh Arvin , Adeliyi Timothy T. , Wing Jeanette
Published: July 2021

The exponential growth in fake news and its inherent threat to democracy, public trust, and justice has escalated the necessity for fake news detection and mitigation. Detecting fake news is a complex challenge as it is intentionally written to mislead and hoodwink. Humans are not good at identifying fake news. The detection of fake news by humans is reported to be at a rate of 54% and an additional 4% is reported in the literature as being speculative. The significance of fighting fake news is exemplified during the present pandemic. Consequently, social networks are ramping up the usage of detection tools and educating the public in recognising fake news. In the literature, it was observed that several machine learning algorithms have been applied to the detection of fake news with limited and mixed success. However, several advanced machine learning models are not being applied, although recent studies are demonstrating the efﬁcacy of the ensemble machine learning approach; hence, the purpose of this study is to assist in the automated detection of fake news. An ensemble approach is adopted to help resolve the identified gap. This study proposed a blended machine learning ensemble model developed from logistic regression, support vector machine, linear discriminant analysis, stochastic gradient descent, and ridge regression, which is then used on a publicly available dataset to predict if a news report is true or not. The proposed model will be appraised with the popular classical machine learning models, while performance metrics such as AUC, ROC, recall, accuracy, precision, and f1-score will be used to measure the performance of the proposed model. Results presented showed that the proposed model outperformed other popular classical machine learning models.
An Enhanced Method for Tail Index Estimation under Missingness
Authors: Ayiah-Mensah F. , Minkah R. , Asiedu L. , Mettle F. O.
Published: July 2021

Extreme events in earthquakes, wind speed, among others are rare but may lead to catastrophic effects on humans and the environment. The primary parameter in the estimation of such rare events is the tail index which measures the tail heaviness of an underlying distribution. Since extreme events are rare, the presence of missing observations may further lead to flawed. In view of this, there is a growing effort by researchers to address this problem. However, the existing methods of estimating the tail index use only the available nonmissing data. Thus, if the missing observations are influential values, ignoring them could introduce more bias and higher mean square error (MSE) in the tail index estimation and subsequently other extreme event--estimators such as high quantiles and small exceedance probabilities. In this study, we propose imputation of the missing observations before applying some standard estimators (Hill and geometric-type) to estimate the tail index. Through a simulation study, we assess the performance of the standard estimators under the proposed data enhancement method and the existing modified estimators of the tail index. The results show that the enhanced estimators have relatively lower bias and MSE. The estimation method was illustrated with a practical dataset on wind speed with missing values. Therefore, we recommend imputation mechanism as viable for enhancing the performance of tail index estimators in the case where there is missingness.
Artificial Intelligence in Repairing Meniscus Injury in Football Sports with Perovskite Nanobiomaterials
Authors: Wang Wei
Published: July 2021

Knee meniscus injuries are more likely to occur in young adults in clinical practice, and their lower age of onset and greater impact on joint function after injury also put forward higher requirements for the treatment and rehabilitation of meniscus injuries. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology and arthroscopic minimally invasive technology, arthroscopic meniscus plasty and perovskite nanobiomaterial repair have gradually replaced the previous open meniscus surgery of the knee joint and has become the main method of meniscus injury treatment, and the perovskite nanobiomaterial repair technique that incorporates artificial intelligence technology is also gradually being applied. Therefore, this article studies the role of perovskite nanobiomaterials in the repair of meniscus injuries in football sports and analyzes the biological characteristics of the inner and outer meniscus to provide help to improve the healing rate of meniscus injuries. The study selected six male meniscus-injured patients (meniscus injuries caused by football sports) and obtained six injured menisci. The same cross section of the same part of the meniscus was analyzed inside and outside the meniscus. At the same time, a meniscal injury step was performed on the patient. The biological characteristics of perovskite nano-biomaterials in the repair of meniscus injuries in football sports were compared and analyzed, and the patient's gait before and after surgery was also compared. Experiments have shown that the percentage of the postoperative support phase of the affected limb is significantly higher than that before surgery (

P
<
0.05

), the percentage of the postoperative support phase and flatfoot phase decreased compared with that before surgery, and the gait cycle parameters of both lower extremities improved after surgery, obviously (

P
<
0.05

). It explains that the arthroscopic repair of perovskite nanobiomaterials combined with the artificial intelligence technology to repair the meniscus anterior angle injury is simple and does not require special equipment, has fewer complications, is safe and reliable, and has a high clinical healing rate and a high patient satisfaction rate after surgery. The curative effect is significant; artificial intelligence technology and the application of perovskite nanobiomaterials provide more possibilities for meniscus repair.
The Comparison of Performance between Contrast Source Inversion and Its Related Algorithms and Several Improved Methods
Authors: Wang Meng , Lu Guizhen
Published: July 2021

The contrast source inversion (CSI) is an effective method for solving microwave imaging problems which is widely utilized. The core of the CSI is to change the conventional inverse scattering problem into an optimization problem. The two items in the objective function describe the state error and data error, respectively. As it is all known, there is almost no complete performance comparison based on Fresnel data for the CSI and its related improved algorithms. In addition, the performance of the algorithm under different weights was not analyzed before and the convergence speed of original CSI is slow. Firstly, this paper compares the performance of traditional CSI and its improved algorithms from three aspects of qualitative imaging effect, convergence speed, and objective function value based on Fresnel data. Secondly, the influence of the state error and the data error under different weights on the convergence rate and the objective function value are studied. For the limitation of a slower convergence rate, the CSI with weights (W-CSI), the CSI with dynamic reduction factor (CSI-DRF), and its related algorithms, which can get better convergence rate compared with their relative original algorithms, are proposed. Eventually, the future research work is prospected.
An Open Trial of Metacognitive Remediation Therapy and Pharmacotherapy to Promote Smoking Cessation among Individuals with Psychotic-Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Breitborde Nicholas J. K. , Keller-Hamilton Brittney , Moe Aubrey M. , Pine Jacob G. , Nelson Nicholas , Weiss David , Hogan Tory , Quisenberry Amanda , Teferra Andreas , Ferketich Amy K. , Bittoun Renee
Published: July 2021

Introduction. Individuals with psychotic-spectrum disorders may smoke due to the ameliorating effect of nicotine on the cognitive deficits that accompany these illnesses. Metacognitive remediation therapy (MCR) has been shown to produce improvements in cognitive functioning among individuals with psychotic-spectrum disorders and provides a foundation for a novel smoking cessation intervention for this population. Aims. To complete an open investigation of pharmacotherapy and a modified version of MCR [MCR to Quit (MCR-Q)] in promoting smoking cessation among individuals with psychotic-spectrum disorders. Methods. Forty-nine individuals with a psychotic-spectrum disorder and who currently smoke cigarettes participated in MCR-Q while also receiving evidence-based smoking cessation pharmacotherapy. Tobacco use was assessed as follows: (i) prior to MCR-Q, (ii) immediately after completing MCR-Q, and (iii) six weeks after completion of MCR-Q. Results/Findings. During participation in MCR-Q, nearly 80% of participants made a 24-hour quit attempt. Following the completion of MCR-Q, participants experienced reductions in level of nicotine dependency and exhaled carbon monoxide, with reductions in nicotine dependency sustained six weeks after completion of MCR-Q. Over the course of their participation in MCR-Q, participants reported strong therapeutic alliance with their MCR-Q therapist and high levels of intrinsic motivation with regard to completing MCR-Q exercises. Conclusions. The results from the current study suggest cautious optimism with regard to the use of MCR-Q in combination with medication for individuals with psychotic-spectrum disorders who want to quit smoking.
Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in relation to Plasma Concentrations of Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4: A Nested Case-Control Study in China
Authors: Jin Chuyao , Lin Lizi , Han Na , Zhao Zhiling , Xu Xiangrong , Luo Shusheng , Liu Jue , Wang Haijun
Published: July 2021

Objective. The study is aimed at examining the effects of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) on insulin resistance and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods. Based on a prospective birth cohort in Beijing, China, we conducted a nested case-control study and analyzed 135 GDM case-control pairs matched by age and the gestational week when they took the oral glucose tolerance test. We performed linear regression to analyze the association of plasma FABP4 concentrations with insulin resistance. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of FABP4 for GDM, controlling for potential confounders, including dietary intake and physical activity. Results. Plasma FABP4 levels in the first and second trimesters were positively associated with fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in the second trimester (both

P
<
0.001

). Compared with those in the lowest FABP4 tertile, women in the highest tertile of FABP4 levels in the first and second trimesters had 1.053 times (

OR
=
2.053

, 95% CI 1.091 to 3.863) and 1.447 times (

OR
=
2.447

, 95% CI 1.305 to 4.588) higher risk of developing GDM. Conclusions. Elevated FABP4 levels in the first and second trimesters were associated with a higher level of insulin resistance and greater GDM risk, indicating FABP4 might predict women with high risk of developing GDM.
Permission Sensitivity-Based Malicious Application Detection for Android
Authors: Song Yubo , Geng Yijin , Wang Junbo , Gao Shang , Shi Wei
Published: July 2021

Since a growing number of malicious applications attempt to steal users’ private data by illegally invoking permissions, application stores have carried out many malware detection methods based on application permissions. However, most of them ignore specific permission combinations and application categories that affect the detection accuracy. The features they extracted are neither representative enough to distinguish benign and malicious applications. For these problems, an Android malware detection method based on permission sensitivity is proposed. First, for each kind of application categories, the permission features and permission combination features are extracted. The sensitive permission feature set corresponding to each category label is then obtained by the feature selection method based on permission sensitivity. In the following step, the permission call situation of the application to be detected is compared with the sensitive permission feature set, and the weight allocation method is used to quantify this information into numerical features. In the proposed method of malicious application detection, three machine-learning algorithms are selected to construct the classifier model and optimize the parameters. Compared with traditional methods, the proposed method consumed 60.94% less time while still achieving high accuracy of up to 92.17%.
Analysis of the Spatial-Frequency Characteristics of the Photo-Assisted Method of a Quartz Rough Surface Nano-Polishing
Authors: Kanevskii Vasyl , Kolienov Serhii , Grygoruk Valerii , Stelmakh Oleksandr , Zhang Hao
Published: July 2021

The relationship between the spatial-frequency parameters of a rough surface with a random profile, which has a Gaussian form of the correlation function, and the amplitude-frequency characteristics of the electric field created by this surface is determined. The numerical determination of the evanescent field optimal configuration formed near the quartz rough surface in the gaseous medium saturated with chlorine molecules when illuminated from the quartz side has been considered. The finite-element approach is used to solve the Helmholtz two-dimensional vector equation. It was found that at the initial stage of photochemical polishing different electrodynamic conditions are created for the etching process depending on the profile height standard deviation value. In particular, when the standard deviation is less than 1 nm, all surface protrusions, for which the spatial spectrum harmonics of the profile are located in the region of the maximum slope of the spectral function, are most actively etched. This leads to a decrease in the effective width of the spatial spectrum of a rough quartz surface and an increase in its correlation length. Therefore, simultaneously with decreasing the height of the protrusions, the surface becomes flatter. The paper shows the different character of quartz surface nano-polishing process conditions depending on the initial standard deviation of the profile height.
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 with Concomitant Existence of Malignant Insulinoma: A Rare Finding
Authors: Yadav Randhir Sagar , Pokharel Ashik , Gaire Deepshikha , Shrestha Shumneva , Pokharel Ashbita , Pradhan Sumita , Kansakar Prasan Bir Singh
Published: July 2021

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare syndrome of autosomal dominant inheritance defined by co-occurrence of two or more tumors originating from the parathyroid gland, pancreatic islet cells, and/or anterior pituitary. Insulinoma which has an incidence of 0.4% is a rare pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Malignant insulinoma is extremely rare, while primary hyperparathyroidism is a common occurrence in MEN1. We present a case of MEN1 syndrome with 2.6 cm insulinoma in the pancreatic head and parathyroid adenoma in a 56-year-old female who presented with symptoms suggestive of hypoglycemia like multiple episodes of loss of consciousness for four years. Classical pancreaticoduodenectomy was carried out, and the postoperative period was uneventful. Later, subtotal parathyroidectomy was performed, which showed parathyroid adenoma. Patients presenting with features of hypoglycemia should be vigilantly assessed for the presence of a sinister pathology.
The Role of Core Biopsy versus Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy In Primary Breast Angiosarcoma
Authors: Abate Anna , Querques Giulia , Giovanazzi Riccardo , Di Bella Camillo , Besostri Valeria , Gisabella Mara , Maino Cesare , Ippolito Davide , Corso Rocco
Published: July 2021

We report the case of a 45-year-old woman with a slow-growing palpable nodule on the left breast, confirmed as a well-defined opacity on mammography, corresponding to a 5 cm hyperechoic lesion on ultrasound, and considered, on the basis of clinical examination and radiological findings, to be consistent with a lipoma. One year later, the patient represented with an enlarged left breast mass and underwent further imaging investigation with subsequent diagnosis of primary breast angiosarcoma obtained via a Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy. The patient developed metastatic disease and succumbed to the disease one year after definitive diagnosis. Primary breast angiosarcoma is a rare malignant vascular neoplasia, characterized by aggressive patterns, poor prognosis, and absence of pathognomonic radiological features. Currently, there are no evidence-based guidelines regarding treatment, even though wide surgical resection followed by chemo- and radiotherapy appears to improve survival.
The High Expression of PTPRH Is Associated with Poor Prognosis of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Chen Aifeng , Ding Shibiao , Shen Xiaoqiang , Lin Xuai
Published: July 2021

Objective. The aim of the study is to explore the prognosis value of PTPRH in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods. Oncomine, UALCAN, and GEPIA databases were employed to examine the differential expression of PTPRH between LUAD and adjacent tissues. 100 pairs of LUAD and adjacent tissue samples were involved in this study. qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining were performed. Meanwhile, we analyzed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data to investigate the correlation between PTPRH gene expression and clinicopathological characteristics. Kaplan-Meier analysis and univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to estimate the relationship between PTPRH expression and LUAD prognosis. The evaluation performance was verified by drawing a ROC curve. In addition, through GSEA, the changes of PTPRH expression were analyzed by GSEA to screen out primarily affected signaling pathway. Results. Oncomine, UALCAN, and GEPIA databases showed that the mRNA expression of PTPRH in LUAD tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues. qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining indicated the mRNA and protein levels of PTPRH in LUAD tissues were markedly upregulated. TCGA data showed that the expression of PTPRH was significantly correlated with T stage and disease stage. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the patients with high PTPRH expression had a poor prognosis. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses exhibited that PTPRH expression could act as an independent prognostic factor for LUAD. The ROC curve showed that PTPRH combined with various clinicopathological features could effectively predict the prognosis of LUAD. Finally, GSEA indicated that changes in PTPRH expression level may affect p53, VEGF, Notch, and mTOR cancer-related signaling pathways. Conclusion. Our results demonstrated that PTPRH was highly expressed in LUAD and may be closely correlated with the poor prognosis of LUAD patients.
Comparing Age at Cancer Diagnosis between Hispanics and Non-Hispanic Whites in the United States
Authors: Parada Humberto , Vu Andrew H. , Pinheiro Paulo S. , Thompson Caroline A.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Population age structure may confound the comparison of age at cancer diagnosis across racial/ethnic groups. We compared age at cancer diagnosis for U.S. Hispanics, a population that is younger on average, and non-Hispanic whites (NHW), before and after adjustment for the age structure of the source population.

Methods:

We used Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data from 18 U.S. regions in 2015 for 34 cancer sites to calculate crude and adjusted (using age- and sex-specific weights) mean ages at diagnosis. Differences in age at diagnosis comparing Hispanics to NHWs (δ) were assessed using independent sample t tests.

Results:

Crude mean ages at diagnosis were lower among Hispanic males and females for all sites combined and for most cancer sites. After age-adjustment, Hispanic (vs. NHW) males remained younger on average at diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia [δ = −6.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), −8.1 to −4.1 years], testicular cancer (δ =−4.7; 95% CI, −5.4 to −4.0), Kaposi sarcoma (δ =−3.6; 95% CI,−6.3 to −0.8), mesothelioma (δ =−3.0; 95% CI,−4.3 to −1.7), and anal cancer (δ =−2.4; 95% CI, −3.9 to −0.8), and older at diagnosis of gallbladder cancer (δ = +3.8; 95% CI, 1.8 to 5.7) and Hodgkin's lymphoma (δ = +7.5; 95% CI, 5.7 to 9.4), and Hispanic (vs. NHW) females remained younger at diagnosis of mesothelioma (δ = −3.7; 95% CI, −6.7 to −0.7) and gallbladder cancer (δ = −3.0; 95% CI, −4.3 to −1.7) and older at diagnosis of skin cancer (δ = +3.8; 95% CI, 3.1 to 4.5), cervical cancer (δ = +4.1; 95% CI, 3.3 to 4.8), and Hodgkin's lymphoma (δ = +7.0; 95% CI, 5.0 to 9.1).

Conclusions:

On average, Hispanics are diagnosed with cancer at younger ages than NHWs; however, for many cancers these differences reflect the younger age structure in Hispanics.

Impact:

Population age structure should be considered when comparing age at cancer diagnosis across racial/ethnic groups.
A Randomized, Phase III Study of Lenvatinib in Chinese Patients with Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Zheng Xiangqian , Xu Zhengang , Ji Qinghai , Ge Minghua , Shi Feng , Qin Jianwu , Wang Feng , Chen Guang , Zhang Yuan , Huang Rui , Tan Jian , Huang Tao , Li Sijin , Lv Zhongwei , Lin Yansong , Guo Zhuming , Kubota Tomoki , Suzuki Takuya , Ikezawa Hiroki , Gao Ming
Published: July 2021

Purpose:

Lenvatinib has shown efficacy in treating radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC) in the multinational phase III SELECT study; however, it has not been tested in Chinese patients with RR-DTC.

Patients and Methods:

Chinese patients with confirmed RR-DTC (n = 151) were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive lenvatinib 24 mg/day or placebo in 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival, and key secondary endpoints included objective response rate and safety. Analyses for progression-free survival and objective response rate were conducted using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1 and confirmed by independent imaging review. All adverse events were assessed and monitored.

Results:

Progression-free survival was significantly longer with lenvatinib treatment [n = 103; median 23.9 months; 95% confidence interval (CI), 12.9–not estimable] versus placebo (n = 48; median 3.7 months; 95% CI, 1.9–5.6; hazard ratio = 0.16; 95% CI, 0.10–0.26; P < 0.0001). The objective response rate was 69.9% (95% CI, 61.0–78.8) in the lenvatinib arm and 0% (95% CI, 0–0) in the placebo arm. At data cutoff, 60.2% of patients receiving lenvatinib remained on treatment; treatment-emergent adverse events led to lenvatinib discontinuation in 8.7% of patients. Overall, treatment-emergent adverse events of grade ≥3 occurred in 87.4% of patients in the lenvatinib arm, the most common being hypertension (62.1%) and proteinuria (23.3%).

Conclusions:

Lenvatinib at a starting dose of 24 mg/day significantly improved progression-free survival and objective response rate in Chinese patients with RR-DTC versus placebo. There were no new or unexpected toxicities. Results are consistent with those from SELECT involving patients with RR-DTC.
Hijacking TYRO3 from Tumor Cells via Trogocytosis Enhances NK-cell Effector Functions and Proliferation
Authors: Lu Ting , Ma Rui , Li Zhenlong , Mansour Anthony G. , Teng Kun-Yu , Chen Li , Zhang Jianying , Barr Tasha , Caligiuri Michael A. , Yu Jianhua
Published: July 2021

Trogocytosis is a fast, cell–cell contact-dependent uptake of membrane patches and associated molecules by one cell from another. Here, we report our investigation of trogocytosis of TYRO3, a cell membrane protein, from tumor target cells to natural killer (NK) cells and the associated functional consequences for NK cells. We found that although NK cells did not express endogenous TYRO3 on the cell surface, activated NK cells rapidly acquired TYRO3 from tumor cells via trogocytosis in vitro and in vivo. NK cells that acquired TYRO3, which we termed TYRO3+ NK cells, had significantly enhanced cytotoxicity and IFNγ production as well as higher expression of some activated surface markers compared with TYRO3− NK cells. Furthermore, the activation status of NK cells and TYRO3 expression levels on donor cells, either endogenous or ectopic, positively correlated with trogocytosis levels. When the antigen-presenting cell (APC) K562 leukemia cell line, a feeder cell line to expand NK cells, overexpressed TYRO3, TYRO3 was transferred to NK cells via trogocytosis, which improved NK-cell proliferation ex vivo. This provides a strategy to manufacture NK cells or their engineered counterparts, such as chimeric antigen receptor NK cells, for the treatment of cancer or infectious diseases.
Admission Hemoglobin Is Prognostic for In-Hospital Mortality in Oldest-Old Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Li Mingquan , Liu Xiaoyun , Wang Liumin , Shu Lei , Luan Liqin , Yin Jingjing , Zhang Jiudan , Wang Qing , Zhang Yanli , Xie Tiantian , Liu Ling , Geng Tongchao
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Anemia is a common condition encountered in acute ischemic stroke, and only a few pieces of evidence has been produced suggesting its possible association with short-term mortality have been produced. The study sought to assess whether admission anemia status had any impact on short-term clinical outcome among oldest-old patients with acute ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of Electronic Medical Recording System was performed in 2 tertiary hospitals. Data, from the oldest-old patients aged > = 80 years consecutively admitted with a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019, were analyzed. Admission hemoglobin was used as indicator for anemia and severity. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to compare in-hospital mortality and length of in-hospital stay in different anemia statuses and normal hemoglobin patients. Results: A total of 705 acute ischemic stroke patients were admitted, and 572 were included in the final analysis. Of included patients, 240 of them were anemic and 332 nonanemic patients. A statistical difference between the 2 groups was found in in-hospital mortality (p < 0.001). After adjustment for baseline characteristics, the odds ratio value of anemia for mortality were 3.91 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.60–9.61, p = 0.003) and 7.15 (95% CI: 1.46–34.90, p = 0.015) in moderate and severely anemic patients, respectively. Similarly, length of in-hospital stay was longer in anemic patients (21.64 ± 6.17 days) than in nonanemic patients (19.08 ± 5.48 days, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Increased severity of anemia may be an independent risk factor for increased in-hospital mortality and longer length of stay in oldest-old patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Myocardial Glucose Metabolism Is Increased in Newly Diagnosed Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wu Jiaoyan , Wang Li , Wang Yuetao , Yang Min-Fu
Published: July 2021

Background: Cardiac metabolism alterations may be involved in abnormalities of cancer patients’ cardiovascular system. This study aimed to explore whether left ventricular myocardial glucose metabolism is altered and its related factors in newly diagnosed patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LAD) who underwent fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Methods: From our 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging database, 171 patients with newly diagnosed LAD and 43 nononcologic subjects with matched age and sex were retrospectively analyzed. The included patients underwent conventional 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging with a >12-h fasting before 18F-FDG administration. The standardized uptake values (SUVs) of the left ventricular (LV) myocardium, arterial wall, epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), spleen, and bone marrow were separately measured. Laboratory parameters and echocardiographic results were collected as well. LAD patients were divided into 2 groups based on the 95th percentile of LV maximal SUV (SUVmax) obtained from the 43 nononcologic subjects. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to identify significant factors. Results: Higher LV SUVmax was found (3.8 [2.4, 7.7] vs. 3.0 [2.0, 5.4], p = 0.052) in LAD than that in nononcologic patients, whereas no significant differences of 18F-FDG uptake were found in the arterial wall, EAT, spleen, or bone marrow between LAD patients and controls. The maximum diameter (Dmax) of the LAD lesion, SUVmax of spleen, and SUVmax of EAT were related to LV SUVmax in LAD. Conclusions: Myocardial glucose metabolism is increased in patients with newly diagnosed LAD. Dmax of LAD lesion, spleen activity, and EAT activity contribute to the increased LV activity in LAD.
Oncologists’ Perceptions of Tumor Genomic Profiling and the Communication of Test Results and Risks
Authors: Hall Michael J. , D’Avanzo Paul , Chertock Yana , Brajuha Jesse , Bass Sarah B.
Published: July 2021

Tumor genomic profiling (TGP) identifies genetic targets for precision cancer treatments. The complexity of TGP can expose gaps in oncologists’ skills, complicating test interpretation and patient communication. Research on oncologists’ use and perceptions of TGP could inform practice patterns and training needs. To study this, a sample of oncologists was surveyed to assess TGP use, perceptions, and perceived skills in TGP interpretation/communication, especially in communication of hereditary risks. Genomic self-efficacy and TGP knowledge were also assessed. The goal sample (n = 50) was accrued from 12/2019 to 1/2020. Respondents were primarily medical oncologists (78%) with >10 (mean 17.7) years of practice experience. TGP use was moderate/high (median 50 [range 2–398]) tests/year. Most oncologists reported informal/no training in interpretation (72%) or communication (86%) of TGP results and risks. Genomic self-efficacy was high and was associated with higher use of TGP (p = 0.047). Perceptions of the benefits and limitations of TGP were mixed: heterogeneity was seen by years of experience, TGP use, and knowledge. Most participants agreed that additional training in TGP communication was needed, especially in communication of hereditary risks, and that an online training tool would be useful (86%). We conclude that oncologists are frequently using TGP despite having mixed views about its utility and not feeling prepared to communicate risks to patients. Oncologists receive little education in interpreting TGP or communicating its results and risks, and would value training in this area.
Comparing the First and Second Wave of COVID-19 in Kidney Transplant Recipients: An East-European Perspective
Authors: Elec Florin Ioan , Bolboacă Sorana D. , Muntean Adriana , Elec Alina Daciana , Cismaru Cristina , Lupşe Mihaela , Oltean Mihai
Published: July 2021

Background: The present study examined whether patient characteristics, management, and outcome of kidney transplant recipients (KTx) with COVID-19 changed in the second versus the first pandemic wave. Methods: We reviewed all available data (demographics, medical history, comorbidities, therapeutic interventions, and outcome) on our KTx with COVID-19 during the first wave (March–September 2020, n = 33) and the second wave (October 2020–February 2021, n = 149) of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: One hundred eighty-two out of our 1,503 KTx in active follow-up got COVID-19 during 12-month period, corresponding to a prevalence of 12.1%. No difference was found in age, gender distribution, comorbidities, body mass index, or baseline immunosuppression between the 2 COVID-19 waves. Bilateral COVID pneumonia was more frequent during the first wave. More KTx were managed as outpatients during the second wave (15 vs. 39%, p < 0.01). Calcineurin inhibitors were more sparingly reduced during the second wave, whereas antimetabolites were similarly reduced (91 vs. 86, p = ns). Admission to intensive care units was comparable between the first (27%) and second waves (23%). During the first wave, 8 out of 9 patients (89%) requiring intensive care died, whereas the mortality of the ICU patients in the second wave was 68% (23 deaths) (p = 0.2). The overall mortality was 24% during the first wave and 16% during the second wave (p = 0.21), while in-hospital mortality was identical between the CO­VID-19 waves (27%). Increasing age and poor allograft function were significant predictors of mortality. Conclusions: Most patient characteristics and outcome were comparable between the first 2 COVID-19 waves. More KTx were managed as outpatients without an overall negative impact on outcome.
Anti-dsDNA Antibodies Increase the Cardiovascular Risk in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Promoting a Distinctive Immune and Vascular Activation
Authors: Patiño-Trives Alejandra María , Pérez-Sánchez Carlos , Pérez-Sánchez Laura , Luque-Tévar María , Ábalos-Aguilera M. Carmen , Alcaide-Ruggiero Lourdes , Arias-de la Rosa Iván , Román-Rodríguez Cristóbal , Seguí Pedro , Espinosa Mario , Font Pilar , Barbarroja Nuria , Escudero-Contreras Alejandro , Antonio González-Reyes José , Manuel Villalba José , Collantes-Estévez Eduardo , Aguirre-Zamorano M. Ángeles , López-Pedrera Chary
Published: July 2021

Objective:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated to boosted atherosclerosis development and a higher cardiovascular disease risk. This study aimed to delineate the role of anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies on the molecular profile and the activity of immune and vascular cells, as well as on their enhanced cardiovascular risk.

Approach and Results:

Eighty SLE patients were included. Extensive clinical/analytical evaluation was performed, including cardiovascular disease parameters (endothelial function, proatherogenic dyslipidemia, and carotid intima-media thickness). Gene and protein expression profiles were evaluated in monocytes from patients diagnosed positive or negative for anti-dsDNA antibodies by using NanoString and cytokine arrays, respectively. NETosis and circulating inflammatory profile was assessed in both neutrophils and plasma. Positivity and persistence of anti-dsDNA antibodies in SLE patients were associated to endothelial dysfunction, proatherogenic dyslipidemia, and accelerated atherosclerosis. In parallel, anti-dsDNA antibodies were linked to the aberrant activation of innate immune cells, so that anti-dsDNA(+) SLE monocytes showed distinctive gene and protein expression/activity profiles, and neutrophils were more prone to suffer NETosis in comparison with anti-dsDNA(−) patients. Anti-dsDNA(+) patients further displayed altered levels of numerous circulating mediators related to inflammation, NETosis, and cardiovascular risk. In vitro, Ig-dsDNA promoted NETosis on neutrophils, apoptosis on monocytes, modulated the expression of inflammation and thrombosis-related molecules, and induced endothelial activation, at least partially, by FcR (Fc receptor)-binding mechanisms.

Conclusions:

Anti-dsDNA antibodies increase the cardiovascular risk of SLE patients by altering key molecular processes that drive a distinctive and coordinated immune and vascular activation, representing a potential tool in the management of this comorbidity.
Complete Revascularization in Patients Undergoing a Pharmacoinvasive Strategy for ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Insights From the COMPLETE Trial
Authors: Dehghani Payam , Cantor Warren J. , Wang Jia , Wood David A. , Storey Robert F. , Mehran Roxana , Bainey Kevin R. , Welsh Robert C. , Rodés-Cabau Josep , Rao Sunil , Lavi Shahar , Velianou James L. , Natarajan Madhu K. , Ziakas Antonios , Guiducci Vincenzo , Fernández-Avilés Francisco , Cairns John A. , Mehta Shamir R.
Published: July 2021

Background:

The COMPLETE trial (Complete Versus Culprit-Only Revascularization to Treat Multi-Vessel Disease After Early PCI for STEMI) demonstrated that staged nonculprit lesion percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduced major cardiovascular events in patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary artery disease. It is unclear whether consistent benefit is observed in patients undergoing a pharmacoinvasive strategy compared with primary PCI.

Methods:

Following culprit lesion PCI, 4041 patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary artery disease were randomized to either routine nonculprit lesion PCI or culprit lesion only PCI. In a prespecified analysis, we determined the treatment effect in 303 patients undergoing a pharmacoinvasive strategy versus 3738 patients undergoing primary PCI on the first coprimary outcome of cardiovascular death or new myocardial infarction and the second coprimary outcome of cardiovascular death, new myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven revascularization.

Results:

The first coprimary was reduced with complete revascularization both in the patients undergoing a pharmacoinvasive strategy (2.1%/y versus 4.7%/y, hazard ratio, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.21–0.97]) and in patients undergoing primary PCI (2.7%/y versus 3.6%/y, hazard ratio, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.62–0.95]; interaction
P
=0.18). The second coprimary outcome was reduced with complete revascularization in patients undergoing a pharmacoinvasive strategy (2.3%/y versus 8.5%/y, hazard ratio, 0.28 [95% CI, 0.14–0.56]), and in patients undergoing primary PCI (3.2%/y versus 6.0%/y, hazard ratio, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.44–0.64], interaction
P
=0.07).

Conclusions:

Among patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel disease, complete revascularization with multivessel PCI consistently reduces major cardiovascular events in patients undergoing an initial pharmacoinvasive strategy as well as in those undergoing primary PCI.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT01740479.
The Experience of Sound: An Interview with Thomas DeLio
Authors: Licata Thomas
Published: July 2021

Thomas DeLio is a composer and theorist of international renown in both fields and especially noted for his work in computer music. In this conversation he discusses his musical thinking with over 40 years in the field. His compositions have been performed worldwide and are recorded on numerous labels. Neuma recordings has recently released five volumes of his recorded compositions in an ongoing series of his collected works. The interview itself, conducted over a series of phone conversations in the summer of 2020, begins with a look at his early student years at the New England Conservatory of Music in the late 1960s and early 1970s and navigates through to his current work and thinking today. Numerous aspects of his compositional approach and aesthetics are discussed, including his early influences, his illuminating thoughts on time and silence in his music, his applications of various technologies, and spatial projection, particularly at it relates to his work with sound installations.
Research at Rome's Centro Ricerche Musicali on Interactive and Adaptive Installations and on Augmented Instruments
Authors: Lupone Michelangelo , Bianchini Laura , Lanzalone Silvia , Gabriele Alessio
Published: July 2021

Established in 1988 by composers Laura Bianchini and Michelangelo Lupone, the Centro Ricerche Musicali (CRM) in Rome was officially recognized in 1990 as a Music Research Center by the Ministry for University Education and Scientific and Technological Research. The Center focuses on musical production in relation to new technologies, in order to create a continual interaction among musical language, scientific thought, and technological resources. The staff at CRM, comprising musicians, technicians, visual artists, architects, information technology specialists, engineers, and researchers, aim to promote study of the aesthetic, analytical, and scientific aspects of music.

In the beginning, research at CRM concerned the design and development of specific hardware devices for live electronics and composition, such as the Fly10 (1983–1985) and Fly30 (1990) systems. Subsequent studies on a physical model for the bow-and-string system in 1997 gave rise to the development of virtual musical instruments. From 1999 onwards, other areas of research have included interactivity and adaptivity applied to musical forms, the development of specific technologies for sound art installations and sculptural–musical works, and augmented instruments such as the Feed-Drum, SkinAct, WindBack, and ResoFlute.

This article presents a brief history of CRM and some artistic productions by composers working at the Center.
History of Painters in Le Mousquetaire (1855)
Authors: Passignat Émilie
Published: July 2021

In Florence, where he stayed between 1840 and 1843, Alexandre Dumas received a very prestigious editorial commission, La Galerie de Florence, to illustrate the collection of the Grand Duke’s Gallery. Dumas produced a history of the Medici family, a history of painting from the Egyptians to the present, and Histoire des peintres. Several decades later he reprised some of these texts in Trois maîtres (1861) and Italiens et Flamands (1862), which profiled different painters. To understand Dumas’s selection of artists, we must consider an intermediate work of his that has so far been forgotten: his Histoire des peintres published in feuilleton format in the pages of Le Mousquetaire, a journal he founded and edited between 1853 and 1857. This study briefly sets out the history of this work, focuses on some elements of its commentary, and identifies it as an interesting case of pseudo-scientific popularization spread via new channels of mass communication.
Designing-With/In World Politics
Authors: Austin Jonathan Luke , Leander Anna
Published: July 2021

Why is the praxis of the International Social Sciences (iss) so limited? Why are word counts and abstracts so much more integral to our quotidian workday than datasheets or color palettes? Why do we do little more than write texts and give lectures with – perhaps – the odd foray into photography or film-making? Why are we so reluctant to practically (and so not simply conceptually) engage with the full gamut of material, aesthetic, and technological making? This essay addresses these questions by advocating for the emergence of an International Political Design. It begins from the intuition that conceptual and empirical shifts across iss towards embracing the material-entanglements of world politics, the centrality of affect and emotion to human praxis, and relational ontologies of emergence, prefiguration, and complexity, all logically demand a radical re-thinking of our praxis. Specifically, we argue that limiting our activities to the alphabetical (or visual) mediation of knowledge about world politics constrains our politicality and impoverishes our conceptual and empirical vitality. Considered in conjunction with the contemporary prevalence of global violence, injustice, and oppression, we suggest that integrating a far broader range of material-aesthetic practices into iss is now an ethical imperative. Without taking up that responsibility, we abdicate the possibility of a more worldly and socially-embedded social science. Based on these core contentions, our discussion elaborates on how we might imagine an International Political Design: a conceptually rich, empirically-grounded, and ‘applied’ material-aesthetic approach to iss. We do so in the form of a manifesto or – rather – collage of manifestos that each militates, in one way or another, towards the necessity of designing-with/in world politics.
The hidden diversity of the genus Lyurella Derzhavin, 1939 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Crangonyctidae): four new species from the subterranean habitats of the northwestern Caucasus, Russia
Authors: MARIN IVAN N. , PALATOV DMITRY M.
Published: July 2021

Four new species of the Palaearctic crangonyctid amphipod genus Lyurella Derzhavin, 1939 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Crangonyctidae), L. mikhailovi sp. n., L. fanagorica sp. n., L. fontinalis sp. n. and L. asheensis sp. n., are described based on an integrative approach from the subterranean habitats of the southwestern foothills of the Greater Caucasian Ridge (the north-eastern Black Sea coast). Despite the relative proximity of the habitats, the interspecific genetic divergence (by COI mtDNA gene marker) between the newly outlined Caucasian species of the genus varied from 11 to 21%, demonstrating a long-term isolation and lack of gene flow for at least 3–7Mya, starting from the Pliocene. The lowest genetic divergence between L. shepsiensis Sidorov, 2015 and L. asheensis sp. n., estimated as 4%, is also considered species-specific due to the presence of distinct morphological differences. We discuss the phylogeny, morphology, and distribution and provide a key for all known species of Lyurella. DNA barcoding data for all species, including the type species of the genus, Lyurella hyrcana Derzhavin, 1939, are presented for the first time.