bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sacral nerve stimulation for bowel dysfunction following low anterior resection: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Huang Y. , Koh C. E.
Published: May 2019

Aim

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) can affect up to 70% of all patients with rectal cancer. In the last two decades, sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) has emerged as an effective treatment for faecal incontinence. There is some encouraging literature on the use of SNS in patients with LARS. The purpose of this review is to provide an up to date review on the utility of SNS on LARS.

Method

A literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE, Embase and PubMed databases (January 1981–March 2019). Studies identified were appraised with standard selection criteria. Data points were extracted, and meta‐analysis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses.

Results

Ten studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study. All studies used the Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score (CCIS), whereas the low anterior resection syndrome score (LARS score) was used in three studies. Overall median improvement in the scoring system was 67.0% (range 35.5%–88.2%) after SNS implantation. There was a significant reduction in CCIS after SNS implantation (mean difference 11.23, 95% confidence interval 9.38–13.07, Z = 11.90, P < 0.00001). The LARS score was also significantly reduced after using SNS in patients with LARS (mean difference 17.87, 95% confidence interval 10.15–25.59, Z = 4.54, P < 0.00001).

Conclusion

Use of SNS may provide symptomatic benefits for patients with LARS refractory to medical therapy. However, the current level of evidence remains limited. A large multicentre study of SNS for LARS using the validated LARS score is warranted. In addition, the cost‐effectiveness of SNS for patients with LARS needs further exploration.
Loss of 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine immunohistochemical expression is a useful diagnostic aid for distinguishing hepatocellular carcinoma in cytology fine needle aspiration specimens
Authors: Zhu Xiaoqin , Dresser Karen , Chen Benjamin J.
Published: May 2019

Objective

Disruption of the DNA methylation pathway involving 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) has been implicated in hepatic tumour development. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of 5hmC in malignant and benign hepatic mass lesions and evaluate the diagnostic utility of deficient 5hmC expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Our study consisted of 48 fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytological cases (30 cases positive for HCC, 18 cases negative for malignancy) and 39 liver resection specimens (30 HCCs and nine hepatic adenomas [HAs]). A 5hmC immunohistochemistry score (range 0‐9) was calculated by multiplying the percentage (0 = no staining; 1 = 1%‐10%; 2 = 11%‐50%; 3 = 51%‐100%) and intensity scores (0‐3+). A score of ≤2 was considered deficient for 5hmC.

Results

In resection specimens, 5hmC expression was deficient in 90% of HCC cases. Surrounding cirrhotic nodules and 78% of HA cases exhibited intact 5hmC expression. In FNA cytological specimens, expression of 5hmC was deficient in nearly all cases of HCC (96.7%, 29/30 cases). Admixed benign hepatocytes exhibited predominantly intact expression of 5hmC with moderate to strong nuclear staining in the majority of the benign hepatocytes. 5hmC was strongly expressed by endothelial cells, lymphocytes and neutrophils in the background. Many 5hmC‐negative HCC clusters were highlighted by characteristic endothelial wrapping with strong 5hmC expression in the endothelial cells.

Conclusions

5hmC can serve as an important diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of HCC by aiding in the distinction of HCC from HA or cirrhotic nodules in both liver resection and FNA specimens.
Effects of sodium glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors on heart failure
Authors: Nassif Michael E. , Kosiborod Mikhail
Published: May 2019

Heart failure (HF) is emerging as one of the most common cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), and the one associated with the worst prognosis. T2D and insulin resistance are strong predictors of incident HF, especially HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Recent data suggest that even when all traditional risk factors for ASCVD are well controlled, patients with T2D continue to have a substantially greater risk of developing HF—indicating that traditional risk factor control is insufficient from a HF prevention standpoint, and highlighting the need for novel, more effective strategies for both prevention and treatment of heart failure in patients with T2D. Until recently, medications developed for glucose‐lowering had, at best, neutral effect on heart failure outcomes in patients with T2D, while several classes of T2D medications had little data in regards to HF risk, and others actually increased the risk of HF hospitalization. Sodium glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT‐2i) have a novel and unique mechanism of action. By inhibiting sodium and glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubule, SGLT‐2i result in a number of downstream effects, including glucosuria, weight loss, osmotic diuresis and natriuresis, which should theoretically be beneficial in HF. Three CVOTs of various SGLT‐2i (EMPA‐REG OUTCOME, CANVAS and DECLARE‐TIMI 58) enrolled markedly different patient populations in terms of ASCVD risk, but have demonstrated robust and consistent benefits in reduction of hospitalization for HF. In a meta‐analysis of the three outcomes trials, SGLT‐2i significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for HF by 23% and hospitalization for HF by 31%. Although the declines in HF hospitalization with SGLT‐2is are impressive, only a small proportion of patients with established HF were enrolled in these trials, and these benefits, therefore, represent primarily a HF prevention signal. Whether this prevention of HF benefit will translate to better outcomes for those patients with established HF (with or without diabetes), and whether it will extend across the spectrum of HF phenotypes (HFrEF and HFpEF) is yet to be determined, and is being actively investigated in several large ongoing trials.
Effects of sodium‐glucose cotransporter inhibitors on cardiorenal and metabolic systems: Latest perspectives from the outcome trials
Authors: Lim Soo
Published: May 2019

Diabetes mellitus is strongly linked to high risk of cardiovascular and renal disorders. Diabetes management requires coordinated efforts to manage multiple cardiometabolic risk factors. Diabetes mellitus is also associated with poor outcome in patients after cardiovascular events and renal complications. However, whether specific antidiabetic agents are safer and more efficacious than other drugs for preventing and treating these cardiometabolic and renal diseases is debated.

To date, results are available from 12 cardiovascular outcome trials focusing mainly on major adverse cardiovascular events and renal outcomes with new antidiabetic agents (4 with dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors, 3 with sodium–glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, and 5 with glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogues). Among them, the studies of SGLT2 inhibitors showed favourable results both for cardiovascular and renal outcomes. It would be crucial to dissect the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardiorenal and metabolic systems, to determine whether it is better to prescribe SGLT2 inhibitors compared with other antidiabetic medications.
Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter inhibitors as adjunctive treatment to insulin in type 1 diabetes: A review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Boeder Schafer , Edelman Steven V.
Published: May 2019

Many patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) struggle to achieve glycaemic control and experience significant fluctuations in glucose concentrations, despite insulin treatment. Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter (SGLT)‐2 inhibitors and dual SGLT‐1/2 inhibitors increase glucose elimination via the kidneys and reduce hyperglycaemia via insulin‐independent mechanisms. This review examines available efficacy and safety data for these agents under investigation as adjunctive therapy for T1D. Across randomized trials of up to 52 weeks, SGLT‐2 inhibitors or SGLT‐1/2 inhibitors as an adjunct to insulin demonstrated significant reductions in glycated haemoglobin, glucose exposure, and measures of glycaemic variability, as well as increased time in the target glycaemic range, compared with placebo. Non‐glycaemic benefits included reductions in body weight and insulin doses, as well as improvements in some cardiovascular risk factors and treatment satisfaction. SGLT‐2 inhibitors and SGLT‐1/2 inhibitors were associated with similar rates of hypoglycaemia but a higher incidence of genitourinary infections, compared with placebo. Diabetic ketoacidosis occurred more often with SGLT‐2 inhibitors and SGLT‐1/2 inhibitors vs placebo, although the incidence was generally low. Risk mitigation strategies in light of clinical trial data are also discussed. Positive data from randomized controlled trials of the SGLT‐2 inhibitor dapagliflozin have led to the approval of dapagliflozin as an adjunct to insulin in adults with T1D having body mass index ≥27 kg/m2 in whom insulin does not provide adequate glycaemic control in Europe and to approval as an adjunct to insulin for adults with T1D in Japan.
Having it all overseas: Aid workers and the international division of reproductive labour
Authors: Hannaford Dinah
Published: May 2019

This article examines the dynamics of power and privilege at work in international development through the prism of domestic service for expat aid workers in developing countries. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork amid aid workers and their domestic staff in Dakar, Senegal, I argue that access to affordable care work greatly enhances the lives of women who work overseas in development. The postcolonial underdevelopment and poverty that aid work addresses is paradoxically critical to the aid workers' own access to affordable care, family balance and the means to do their jobs. I put this insight into the larger scholarly conversation about domestic work and global inequality, including on the Global Care Chain.
Programmed cell death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) expression in extrahepatic biliary tract cancers: a comparative study using 22C3, SP263 and E1L3N anti‐PD‐L1 antibodies
Authors: Ahn Soomin , Lee Yangkyu , Kim Ji‐Won , Lee Jong‐Chan , Hwang Jin‐Hyeok , Yoon Yoo‐Seok , Cho Jai Young , Han Ho‐Seong , Choi YoungRok , Kim Haeryoung
Published: May 2019

Aims

Pembrolizumab has shown promising results for patients with programmed cell death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1)‐positive advanced biliary tract cancer in an ongoing clinical trial. However, data on PD‐L1 expression in bile duct cancers is limited, and the frequency of PD‐L1 positivity varies, which may be partly due to the assay used. The aim of this study was to evaluate PD‐L1 expression status in bile duct cancers by using 22C3, SP263 and E1L3N antibodies.

Methods and results

We evaluated PD‐L1 expression in tissue microarrays of 183 extrahepatic bile duct cancers, including 89 perihilar and 94 distal bile duct cancers, by using 22C3, SP263 and E1L3N. When the 22C3 assay was used, tumoral PD‐L1 was shown to be expressed in 16.9% of cases at a 1% threshold. When the SP263 and E1L3N assays were used, tumoral PD‐L1 was shown to be expressed in 26% and 7.1% of cases, respectively. When whole tissue sections were examined, 59.6% of PD‐L1‐positive cases showed a low percentage (<10%) of positive tumour cells. Tumoral PD‐L1 positivity was associated with poor histological differentiation (P = 0.017) and the biliary epithelial phenotype (P = 0.041). High tumoral PD‐L1 expression (≥10%) was associated with worse overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) (OS, P = 0.012; DFS, P = 0.042).

Conclusions

PD‐L1 was expressed in a small subset of patients with bile duct cancer, and the percentage of positive tumour cells was low in PD‐L1‐positive cases. The SP263 assay showed the highest PD‐L1 positivity in both tumour cells and immune cells, followed by the 22C3 and E1L3N assays. High PD‐L1 expression was associated with a poor prognosis in extrahepatic bile duct cancer patients.
Real‐world Australian data reflect very high sustained virologic response at 12 weeks with direct acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C and suggests highly achievable even in those without an end‐of‐treatment response
Authors: Williams James , Lucarelli Nicolas , Nicoll Amanda , Lubel John
Published: May 2019

There are limited real‐world data on the efficacy of direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for hepatitis C (HCV) in Australia. In this study, the efficacy of DAA therapy for HCV was compared between cirrhotic and non‐cirrhotic cohorts. Patients without end‐of‐treatment response (EoTR) were observed to ascertain likelihood of achieving sustained virological response at 12 weeks post‐treatment (SVR12). A total of 334 patients with HCV was included. Overall SVR12 was 96.7% with minimal differences in SVR12 between the cirrhosis and non‐cirrhosis groups (95.7 and 97.3%). There were 20 patients (5.99%) that failed to achieve an EoTR of which 80.0% (n = 16) went on to achieve SVR12. These results suggest DAA therapy is effective with high rates of SVR12 even in patients that do not achieve an EoTR.
Tillering and small grain 1 dominates the tryptophan aminotransferase family required for local auxin biosynthesis in rice
Authors: Guo Tao , Chen Ke , Dong Nai‐Qian , Ye Wang‐Wei , Shan Jun‐Xiang , Lin Hong‐Xuan
Published: May 2019

Auxin is a crucial phytohormone, controlling multiple aspects of plant growth and responses to the changing environment. However, the role of local auxin biosynthesis in specific developmental programs remains unknown in crops. This study characterized the rice tillering and small grain 1 (tsg1) mutant, which has more tillers but a smaller panicle and grain size resulting from a reduction in endogenous auxin. TSG1 encodes a tryptophan aminotransferase that is allelic to the FISH BONE (FIB) gene. The tsg1 mutant showed hypersensitivity to indole‐3‐acetic acid and the competitive inhibitor of aminotransferase, L‐kynurenine. TSG1 knockout resulted in an increased tiller number but reduction in grain number and size, and decrease in height. Meanwhile, deletion of the TSG1 homologs OsTAR1, OsTARL1, and OsTARL2 caused no obvious changes, although the phenotype of the TSG1/OsTAR1 double mutant was intensified and infertile, suggesting gene redundancy in the rice tryptophan aminotransferase family. Interestingly, TSG1 and OsTAR1, but not OsTARL1 and OsTARL2, displayed marked aminotransferase activity. Meanwhile, subcellular localization was identified as the endoplasmic reticulum, while phylogenetic analysis revealed functional divergence of TSG1 and OsTAR1 from OsTARL1 and OsTARL2. These findings suggest that TSG1 dominates the tryptophan aminotransferase family, playing a prominent role in local auxin biosynthesis in rice.
Arabidopsis ADC1 functions as an Nδ‐acetylornithine decarboxylase
Authors: Lou Yann‐Ru , Ahmed Sheaza , Yan Jian , Adio Adewale M. , Powell Hannah M. , Morris Paul F. , Jander Georg
Published: May 2019

Polyamines are small aliphatic amines found in almost all organisms, ranging from bacteria to plants and animals. In most plants, putrescine, the metabolic precursor for longer polyamines, such as spermidine and spermine, is produced from arginine, with either agmatine or ornithine as intermediates. Here we show that Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) arginine decarboxylase 1 (ADC1), one of the two known arginine decarboxylases in Arabidopsis, not only synthesizes agmatine from arginine, but also converts Nδ‐acetylornithine to N‐acetylputrescine. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that duplication and neofunctionalization of ADC1 and NATA1, the enzymes that synthesize Nδ‐acetylornithine in Arabidopsis, co‐occur in a small number of related species in the Brassicaceae. Unlike ADC2, which is localized in the chloroplasts, ADC1 is in the endoplasmic reticulum together with NATA1, an indication that these two enzymes have access to the same substrate pool. Together, these results are consistent with a model whereby NATA1 and ADC1 together provide a pathway for the synthesis of N‐acetylputrescine in Arabidopsis.
Photoexcited phytochrome B interacts with brassinazole resistant 1 to repress brassinosteroid signaling in Arabidopsis
Authors: Dong Huixue , Liu Jie , He Guanhua , Liu Pan , Sun Jiaqiang
Published: May 2019

Photoreceptor phytochrome B (phyB) mediates a variety of light responses in plants. To further elucidate the molecular mechanisms of phyB‐regulated hypocotyl elongation, we performed firefly luciferase complementation imaging (LCI) screening for phyB‐interacting transcription factors (TFs). LCI assays showed that phyB possibly interacts with brassinazoleresistant 1 (BZR1), BZR2, AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 6 (ARF6), and several WRKY DNA‐binding TFs in a red light‐dependent manner. Furthermore, biochemical assays demonstrated that photoexcited phyB specifically interacts with non‐phosphorylated BZR1, the physiologically active form of a master TF in brassinosteroid (BR) signaling, and this interaction can be competitively interfered by phytochrome‐interacting factor 4. Furthermore, we showed that phyB can directly interact with the DNA‐binding domain of BZR1 and affect the enrichment of BZR1 on the chromatin of target genes. Moreover, our genetic evidence and RNA‐seq analysis demonstrated that phyB negatively regulates BR signaling. Together, we revealed that photoexcited phyB directly interacts with the TF BZR1 to repress BR signaling in Arabidopsis.
Trends in hospitalizations for chronic liver disease‐related liver failure in the United States, 2005‐2014
Authors: Kim Donghee , Cholankeril George , Li Andrew A. , Kim Won , Tighe Sean P. , Hameed Bilal , Kwo Paul Y. , Harrison Stephen A. , Younossi Zobair M. , Ahmed Aijaz
Published: May 2019

Background & Aims

Current estimates of the population‐based disease burden of liver failure or end‐stage liver disease (ESLD) are lacking. We investigated recent trends in hospitalizations and in‐hospital mortality among patients with ESLD in the United States (US).

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed utilizing the National Inpatient Sample from 2005 to 2014. We defined ESLD as either decompensated cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), criteria obtained from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision. Nationwide rates of hospitalization and in‐hospital mortality were analysed from 2005 to 2014.

Results

Hospitalization rates for decompensated cirrhosis during this period increased from 105.3/100 000 persons to 159.9/100 000 persons. In terms of HCC, hospitalization rates increased from 13.6/100 000 to 22.1/100 000. In patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)‐related decompensated cirrhosis, the hospitalization rate increased from 13.4/100 000 to 32.1/100 000 with an annual incremental increase of 10.6%, a magnitude twofold higher than other aetiologies. The proportion of NAFLD among hospitalizations with ESLD steadily increased from 12.7% to 20.1% for decompensated cirrhosis while the proportion of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) and alcoholic liver disease (ALD) declined (from 29.3% to 27.6% for HCV; from 39.0% to 37.4% for ALD). Although the overall in‐hospital mortality rates for ESLD declined during the study, mortality rates for NAFLD‐related decompensated cirrhosis showed no significant change.

Conclusions

Among aetiologies of chronic liver disease, NAFLD demonstrated the fastest growing rate of hospitalizations in non‐HCC patients with ESLD in the US. Our study highlights the need for a focus on NAFLD‐related hospitalizations and its impact on resource utilization.
Publication trends in pediatric renal transplantation: Bibliometric analysis of literature from 1950 to 2017
Authors: Rickard Mandy , Hannick Jessica H. , Fernandez Nicolas , Koyle Martin A. , MacMurdo Krista , Lorenzo Armando J.
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Pediatric renal transplantation has been heavily published since the 1950s. Herein, we describe the bibliometrics and impact of the 200 most‐cited pediatric renal transplantation manuscripts.

Methods

We identified pediatric renal transplantation publications from 1900 onwards. Year, citations, h‐index, geographic origin, impact factor, topic, and design of the 200 top‐cited papers were extracted. Impact index was calculated, adjusting for citation volume and time since publication.

Results

Of the top 200 papers, mean citation count was 80 ± 40, impact factor 3.9 ± 3.7, h‐index 35 ± 20, and impact index 25 ± 13. Studies were mostly retrospective (31%) or observational (32%). Most papers originated from the United States (58%), Germany (9%), and Italy (6%), which did not correlate with citation counts. Transplantation (18%), Pediatric Nephrology (16%), and American Journal of Transplantation (11%) had the highest publication volume, which did not correlate with citation count. The main topics were medical renal disease, drug monitoring, compliance, and viruses. Most of the top‐cited papers (179; 90%) were published after 1991. The difference in the number of times cited between papers published before and after 1991 was insignificant (75 ± 24 vs 80 ± 42; P = 0.59). There was a difference in impact index for the same period (48 ± 15 vs 22 ± 10; P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The most‐cited papers were concentrated in three journals, but the top three cited papers were published elsewhere. Recent publications were more cited with a higher impact than older papers. Despite the importance of surgery in transplantation, there is a paucity of high‐impact papers on this topic.
Human papillomavirus type 7‐associated anal condyloma after renal transplantation in a child
Authors: Garaix Florentine , Hery Geraldine , Tsimaratos Michel , Colson Philippe , Tamalet Catherine
Published: May 2019

The prevalence, clinical significance, and spectrum of many HPV genotypes are currently largely untapped. We report a case of anal condyloma associated with a rare HPV genotype in a 11‐year‐old kidney transplant recipient. Eleven months post‐graft, rectal bleeding revealed a 5‐cm‐large anal condyloma for which immuno‐histopathology revealed typical papillomatosis. HPV genotyping performed on anal biopsy identified a HPV type 7, for which a single sequence was found in the GenBank sequence database. HPV7 is classically found in hand cutaneous warts, but HPV7‐associated condyloma was only described in two patients. Total resection of the anal lesion was performed by electrocoagulation with no recurrence after 6 years. Post‐transplant immunosuppression may promote anal condyloma with uncommon HPV types. HPV genotyping in such lesions is useful to get a better understanding of the epidemiology and clinical significance of such unusual HPV types as HPV7.
How Much Do Liberal and Conservative Identifiers Differ in the United States?*
Authors: Brooks Clem , Nicholson Adam
Published: May 2019

Recent scholarship has reported that identification as a liberal or conservative shapes lifestyle orientations and behaviors. Liberal/conservative differences with respect to such arenas as family and religion go beyond ideological identification research's traditional focus on policy attitudes and political processes. But are differences on non‐political issues as large as those relating to political ones? This question has yet to be addressed, and it is critical to putting in firmer perspective the degree to which liberal and conservative identifiers differ in the United States. We take up investigation through analysis of 106 items from the General Social Survey 2006 panel. We compare ideological identification's influence with respect to political versus non‐political orientations and behaviors. Application of Morgan and Winship's model of causal inference builds from past studies’ cross‐sectional analysis. Results extend ideological identification scholarship, while cautioning against wide‐ranging claims advanced by several public commentators.
Impact of physical activity and sport on social outcomes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Macniven Rona , Canuto Karla , Wilson Rachel , Bauman Adrian , Evans John
Published: May 2019

Objective:

The objective of this scoping review is to identify and describe existing research on the impact of sport and physical activity programs on social outcomes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.

Introduction:

Physical activity can be particularly beneficial for groups such as Indigenous populations, who have increased rates of chronic disease. Systematic reviews have demonstrated the positive impact of physical activity on a range of health indicators, and there is also support for the positive impact of physical activity on wider social outcomes. However, there is a lack of evidence for the benefits of physical activity for broader social outcomes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Inclusion criteria:

This scoping review will consider studies that include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of any age from any setting or region of Australia. Studies will be considered if they report on programs or activities that use physical activity and sport participation as a component or tool to improve one or more of six social and community outcomes: education, employment, culture, social wellbeing, life skills and crime prevention.

Methods:

Nine databases will be searched, as well as a selection of websites containing resources related to physical activity, sport and social outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Studies published in English will be included. No date limits will be set. After screening the titles and abstracts of identified citations, potentially relevant studies will be retrieved in full. Data extraction will be presented in a table with accompanying narrative.
Are polymorphic species of Uropodina (Acari: Mesostigmata) more successful evolutionarily?—A case study of closely related species from the genus Oodinychus Berlese, 1917 based on DNA sequences
Authors: Błoszyk Jerzy , Buczkowska Katarzyna , Bobowicz Anna Maria , Bączkiewicz Alina , Adamski Zbigniew , Napiearała Agnieszka
Published: May 2019

The study presented in this research paper is the first taxonomic investigation focusing on Uropodina (Acari: Mesostigmata) mites with a brief discussion of the genetic differences of two very closely related species from the genus Oodinychus Berlese, 1917, i.e. O. ovalis (C.L. Koch, 1839) and O. karawaiewi (Berlese, 1903). These two morphologically similar species are quite common and they have a wide range of occurrence in Europe. They also live in almost the same types of habitat. However, O. ovalis usually exhibits higher abundance and frequency of occurrence. The major aim of the study was to carry out a comparative analysis of the systematic position, morphological and biological differences, as well as habitat preferences and distribution of O. ovalis and O. karawaiewi. The next aim was to ascertain whether the differences in number and frequency of these species may stem from the genetic differences at the molecular level (16S rDNA and COI). The study shows that O. ovalis, which is a more abundant species than O. karawaiewi, turned out to be genetically more polymorphic.
Tip-based nano-manufacturing and -metrology
Authors: Gotszalk Teodor , Jóźwiak Grzegorz , Radojewski Jacek , Fröhlich Thomas , Füssl Roland , Manske Eberhard , Holz Mathias , Ivanov Tzvetan , Ahmad Ahmad , Rangelow Ivo W.
Published: May 2019

Sub-5 nm lithography and metrology are the key technologies for more CMOS and beyond CMOS nanoelectronics. To keep up with scaling down of nanoelectronic components, novel instrumentation for nanometer precise placement, overlay alignment, and measurement are essential to enable fabrication of next generation nanoelectronic systems. In particular, scanning probe microscopy (SPM) based methods for surface modification and measurement are the emerging techniques for producing and testing of sub-5 nm features. In this article, the authors demonstrate nanoscale lithography and coordinate metrology technologies, both being based on SPM methodology. Scanning probes with a piezoresistive deflection read-out and an integrated deflection actuator, later on referred to as the active piezoresistive cantilevers, were used for lithography employing field emission patterning. They were also integrated with the so-called nanomeasuring machine (NPM) and used for surface imaging, which made it possible to measure the structure dimensions in the 25 × 25 × 5 mm3 space with 0.1 nm resolution and great accuracy. The basic NPM concept relies on a unique arrangement, enabling the so-called Abbe error-free measurements in all axes over the total scan range. The combination of the active piezoresistive cantilevers and NPM technologies makes it possible to store the exact location on the investigated surface, which can be found again with an accuracy of less than 2.5 nm. This system is also predestinated for the critical dimension, quality, and overlay control.
Transmission of a New Polerovirus Infecting Pepper by the Whitefly
Bemisia tabaci
Authors: Ghosh Saptarshi , Kanakala Surapathrudu , Lebedev Galina , Kontsedalov Svetlana , Silverman David , Alon Tamar , Mor Neta , Sela Noa , Luria Neta , Dombrovsky Aviv , Mawassi Munir , Haviv Sabrina , Czosnek Henryk , Ghanim Murad
Published: May 2019

The high specificity of virus-vector interactions limits the possibility of a given virus changing vectors. Our report describes a new virus from a family of viruses strictly transmitted by aphids which is now transmitted by whiteflies (
Bemisia tabaci
) and not by aphids. This report presents the first description of polerovirus transmission by whiteflies. Whiteflies are highly resistant to insecticides and disperse over long distances, carrying virus inoculum. Thus, the report of such unusual polerovirus transmission by a supervector has extensive implications for the epidemiology of the virus disease, with ramifications concerning the international trade of agricultural commodities.
A Metagenomic Meta-analysis Reveals Functional Signatures of Health and Disease in the Human Gut Microbiome
Authors: Armour Courtney R. , Nayfach Stephen , Pollard Katherine S. , Sharpton Thomas J.
Published: May 2019

The composition of the gut microbiome associates with a wide range of human diseases, but the mechanisms underpinning these associations are not well understood. To shift toward a mechanistic understanding, we integrated distinct metagenomic data sets to identify functions encoded in the gut microbiome that associate with multiple diseases, which may be important to human health. Additionally, we identified functions that associate with specific diseases, which may elucidate disease-specific etiologies. We demonstrated that the functions encoded in the microbiome can be used to classify disease status, but the inclusion of additional patient covariates may be necessary to obtain sufficient accuracy. Ultimately, this analysis advances our understanding of the gut microbiome functions that constitute a healthy microbiome and identifies potential targets for microbiome-based diagnostics and therapeutics.
Cycling performed on an innovative ergometer at different intensities–durations in men: neuromuscular fatigue and recovery kinetics
Authors: Krüger Renata L. , Aboodarda Saied Jalal , Jaimes Libia Marcela , Samozino Pierre , Millet Guillaume Y.
Published: May 2019

The majority of studies have routinely measured neuromuscular (NM) fatigue with a delay (∼1–3 min) after cycling exercises. This is problematic since NM fatigue can massively recover within the first 1–2 min after exercise. This study investigated the etiology of knee extensors (KE) NM fatigue and recovery kinetics in response to cycling exercises by assessing NM function as early as 10 s following cycling and up to 8 min of recovery. Ten young males performed different cycling exercises on different days: a Wingate (WING), a 10-min task at severe-intensity (SEV), and a 90-min task at moderate-intensity (MOD). Electrically evoked and isometric maximal voluntary contractions (IMVC) of KE were assessed before, after, and during recovery. SEV induced the highest decrease in IMVC. Peak twitch (Pt) was more reduced in WING and SEV than in MOD (p < 0.001), whereas voluntary activation decreased more after MOD than WING (p = 0.043). Regarding Pt and the ratio between low- and high-frequency doublet (i.e., low-frequency fatigue), recovery was faster for WING, whereas IMVC and high-frequency doublet recovered slower during MOD (p < 0.05). Our results confirm that peripheral fatigue is greater after WING and SEV, while central fatigue is greater following MOD. Peripheral fatigue can substantially recover within minutes after a supramaximal exercise while NM function recovered slower after prolonged, moderate-intensity exercise. This study provides an accurate estimation of NM fatigue and recovery kinetics because of dynamic exercise with large muscle mass by significantly shortening the delay for postexercise measurements.
Multi-party quantum summation with a single d-level quantum system
Authors: Zhang C. , Situ H. , Huang Q. , Sun Z. , Huang Z.
Published: May 2019

A multi-party quantum summation with a single [Formula: see text]-level quantum system is proposed, in which a semi-honest third party (TP) is employed. Only sequential communication of a single quantum [Formula: see text]-level system (for any prime [Formula: see text]) is required in the presented protocol, resulting in advantages in scalability. In addition, it can be realized with state-of-the-art technology. Due to the semi-honest TP, the protocol is not only secure against outside attacks, but also secure against participant attacks.
Experimental Study on Shear Resistance of Precast RC Shear Walls with Novel Bundled Connections
Authors: Chen Yao , Zhang Qian , Feng Jian , Zhang Zhe
Published: May 2019

This study presents shear resistance of precast reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls. A novel assembling method for upper and lower wall panels is proposed, whereas vertical steel bars are grouped into bundles and effectively connected in preformed holes. To evaluate the feasibility and shear resistance of such a connection method, three specimens of precast shear walls with different horizontal steel bars have been constructed and tested under monotonic loading while subjected to a constant vertical compression. The results show that cracks mainly appear under the line that connects the midpoint of tension side and the corner of the compression side. The weak section of these shear walls is at the top of the preformed holes, and through cracks do not appear at the bottom of walls. These innovative precast shear walls are reliable, and no rebar is pulled out or seriously slipped. The yield load of the shear wall is great, and the stage between yield and failure is satisfactory. The bearing capacity declines slowly after the peak value.
The joint distribution of the marginals of multipartite random quantum states
Authors: Dartois Stephane , Lionni Luca , Nechita Ion
Published: May 2019

We study the joint distribution of the set of all marginals of a random Wishart matrix acting on a tensor product Hilbert space. We compute the limiting free mixed cumulants of the marginals, and we show that in the balanced asymptotical regime, the marginals are asymptotically free. We connect the matrix integrals relevant to the study of operators on tensor product spaces with the corresponding classes of combinatorial maps, for which we develop the combinatorial machinery necessary for the asymptotic study. Finally, we present some applications to the theory of random quantum states in quantum information theory.
Forty Years of Win-Win Cooperation: China-U.S. Relations in Retrospect and Prospect
Authors: Wenzhao Tao
Published: May 2019

Since the normalization of China-U.S. relations in 1979, there have been various disputes and friction between both countries. But their common interests far outweigh their differences and win-win cooperation has been the defining feature of the bilateral relationship. Over the past four decades, both countries have benefited enormously from their stable and healthy interactions, which contribute to peace, stability and prosperity of the world. However, the Trump administration has deliberated major shifts to the U.S.’ China policy, labeling China as a “revisionist power” and “strategic rival” while setting many barriers to trade, economic, technological, educational and cultural exchange and cooperation. Despite the ongoing transformation of the strategic relationship between both countries, China and the United States are unlikely to enter into a “de-coupling” or a new Cold War. Faced by growing strategic uncertainties, it is still possible for both countries to maintain a generally stable relationship based on their vast common interests. For China, it is important to exercise utmost strategic patience and stamina to ease friction and manage competition with the United States while also promoting the positive aspects of their bilateral relations.
Life Cycle ofCryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Zhao Youbao , Lin Jianfeng , Fan Yumeng , Lin Xiaorong
Published: May 2019

Cryptococcus neoformans is a ubiquitous environmental fungus and an opportunistic pathogen that causes fatal cryptococcal meningitis. Advances in genomics, genetics, and cellular and molecular biology of C. neoformans have dramatically improved our understanding of this important pathogen, rendering it a model organism to study eukaryotic biology and microbial pathogenesis. In light of recent progress, we describe in this review the life cycle of C. neoformans with a special emphasis on the regulation of the yeast-to-hypha transition and different modes of sexual reproduction, in addition to the impacts of the life cycle on cryptococcal populations and pathogenesis.
The Role of Space in the Formation of Social Ties
Authors: Small Mario L. , Adler Laura
Published: May 2019

Recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in the relation between networks and spatial context. This review examines critically a selection of the literature on how physical space affects the formation of social ties. Different aspects of this question have been a feature in network analysis, neighborhood research, geography, organizational science, architecture and design, and urban planning. Focusing primarily on work at the meso- and microlevels of analysis, we pay special attention to studies examining spatial processes in neighborhood and organizational contexts. We argue that spatial context plays a role in the formation of social ties through at least three mechanisms, spatial propinquity, spatial composition, and spatial configuration; that fully capturing the role of spatial context will require multiple disciplinary perspectives and both qualitative and quantitative research; and that both methodological and conceptual questions central to the role of space in networks remain to be answered. We conclude by identifying major challenges in this work and proposing areas for future research.
A New Hollow-Fiber Adsorbent Material for Removing Arsenic from Groundwater
Authors: Lee Sang Hyun , Kim Sung Su
Published: May 2019

To optimize the arsenic-adsorption efficiency and the mechanical strength of a hollow-fiber-type adsorbent, the optimal condition of polymeric solution was determined as 32 wt.% TiO2 and 17 wt.% polymer. A micropore-sponge form was developed at the slurry-extrusion speed of 2.500 ml/min and the internal coagulant-solution-extrusion speed of 1.250 ml/min, and the arsenic-adsorption efficiency improved. Given the result under conditions in natural groundwater containing various ions, the hollow-fiber-type adsorbent can be applied to real groundwater purification processes.
Duloxetine-Induced Hyponatremia in an Elderly Male Patient with Treatment-Refractory Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Sun Ching-Fang , Chen Yeo-Lin , Li Ying-Hsuan , Kumaraswamy Monika , Lo Ying-Chih , Chen Yi-Ting
Published: May 2019

Several classes of antidepressants can induce syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone hypersecretion (SIADH), thereby causing hyponatremia. Initial symptoms of hyponatremia include neuropsychiatric and gastrointestinal manifestations can mimic depression, especially in elderly people with multiple somatic complaints. Here we present a case of a 68-year-old man with treatment-refractory depression and general anxiety disorder who developed duloxetine-induced hyponatremia. His symptoms of hyponatremia including unsteady gait, dizziness, nausea, general malaise, and poor appetite subsided after discontinuing the offending medication. Our case illustrates that drug-induced SIADH and potential drug-drug interactions should be considered in elderly patients who develop hyponatremia following the initiation of antidepressants.
Modeling and Experimental Study on Dynamic Characteristics of Dual‐Mass Flywheel Torsional Damper
Authors: Chen Long , Shi Wen-ku , Chen Zhi-yong
Published: May 2019

Theoretical modeling and experimental research are carried out on the dynamic torsional characteristics of a dual‐mass flywheel (DMF) in this paper. Firstly, the structure and working principle of the DMF are analyzed. Secondly, the arc spring is analyzed by the discrete element method. For the different frictional torques in the working process, the linear fitting and equivalent energy methods are used to model the frictional torque under the dynamic condition of the arc spring. The fractional derivative model is used to model the viscous damping of DMF. Then, the parameter identification and model verification are carried out on the model, and the model error is analyzed. Finally, an experimental study on the dynamic torsional characteristics of DMF is carried out. The results demonstrate that the torsional stiffness of the DMF varies with the excitation amplitude and frequency. This modeling and test method can be used for structural design and performance prediction analysis of DMF.
Mangiferin Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via MAPK/Nrf-2/HO-1/NF-κB In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Liu Kun , Wang Fei , Wang Shuo , Li Wei-Nan , Ye Qing
Published: May 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effect of mangiferin (MAF) in vitro and in vivo. Oxidative stress and inflammatory injury were detected in coronary artery ligation in rats and also in hypoxia-reoxygenation- (H/R-) induced H9c2 cells. MAF inhibited myocardial oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines in rats with coronary artery occlusion. The ST segment of MAF treatment groups also resumed. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and pathological analysis showed that MAF could significantly reduce myocardial injury. In vitro data showed that MAF could improve hypoxia/reoxygenation- (H/R-) induced H9c2 cell activity. In addition, MAF could significantly reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory pathway protein expression in H/R-induced H9c2 cells. This study has clarified the protective effects of MAF on myocardial injury and also confirmed that oxidative stress and inflammation were involved in the myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R) model.
Steady-State Car-Following Time Gaps: An Empirical Study Using Naturalistic Driving Data
Authors: Loulizi Amara , Bichiou Youssef , Rakha Hesham
Published: May 2019

The time gap is defined as the time difference between the rear of a vehicle and the front of its follower, which affects both safety and the saturation flow rate of a roadway segment. In this study, naturalistic driving data were examined to measure time gaps from seven different drivers in a car-following scenario within steady-state conditions. The measurements were taken from a 13-km section of a Dulles Airport access road in Washington, DC. In total, 168,053 time gap samples were obtained covering seven speed intervals. Analysis of the data revealed a large variation in time gaps within individual drivers’ driving data, with coefficients of variation as high as 63.8% observed for some drivers. Results also showed that the variability within drivers was more significant at speeds higher than 54 km/h. In addition, there was a large variability between drivers. At speeds above 108 km/h, minimum time gaps left by some drivers could be 1.6 times longer than those left by others. Several statistical distributions were used to fit the data of the seven drivers as well as the data for all drivers combined for each speed interval. The selected distributions passed the goodness-of-fit (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Chi-square, and Anderson-Darling) criteria only when the number of samples was reduced. Data reduction was not performed randomly, but rather in a manner intended to maintain the same observed distribution when all the samples were used. It is therefore recommended that empirical measures of distributions be used in traffic microsimulation software rather than theoretically fit distributions obtained based on statistical tests. This will lead to better naturalistic traffic behavior simulations, resulting in more precise predicted measures of performance (travel time, fuel consumption, and gas emissions).
Attention-Based Multi-NMF Deep Neural Network with Multimodality Data for Breast Cancer Prognosis Model
Authors: Chen Hongling , Gao Mingyan , Zhang Ying , Liang Wenbin , Zou Xianchun
Published: May 2019

Today, it has become a hot issue in cancer research to make precise prognostic prediction for breast cancer patients, which can not only effectively avoid overtreatment and medical resources waste, but also provide scientific basis to help medical staff and patients family members to make right medical decisions. As well known, cancer is a partly inherited disease with various important biological markers, especially the gene expression profile data and clinical data. Therefore, the accuracy of prediction model can be improved by integrating gene expression profile data and clinical data. In this paper, we proposed an end-to-end model, Attention-based Multi-NMF DNN (AMND), which combines clinical data and gene expression data extracted by Multiple Nonnegative Matrix Factorization algorithms (Multi-NMF) for the prognostic prediction of breast cancer. The innovation of this method is highlighted through using clinical data and combining multiple feature selection methods with the help of Attention mechanism. The results of comprehensive performance evaluation show that the proposed model reports better predictive performances than either models only using data of single modality, e.g., gene or clinical, or models based on any single NMF improved methods which only use one of the NMF algorithms to extract features. The performance of our model is competitive or even better than other previously reported models. Meanwhile, AMND can be extended to the survival prediction of other cancer diseases, providing a new strategy for breast cancer prognostic prediction.