bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
16‐O‐Methylated diterpenes in green Coffea arabica: ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method optimization and validation
Authors: Guercia Elena , Colomban Silvia , Navarini Luciano
Published: July 2020

Coffee diterpenes are the main constituents of the coffee oil unsaponifiable fraction. The three most important diterpenes are cafestol, kahweol, and 16‐O‐methylcafestol (16‐OMC), and they are produced, except for cafestol, only by plants of the Coffea genus. Recently, in addition to these three major diterpenes, another 16‐O‐methylated diterpene (16‐O‐methylkahweol: 16‐OMK) has been identified and quantified, for the first time, in Robusta coffee. For many years, 16‐OMC has been considered present exclusively in Robusta, and so it has been reputed an excellent authenticity marker for the presence of Robusta in coffee products. For its quantification, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has proved very useful when compared with other methods. Quite recently, the detection of very low levels of the two 16‐O‐methylated diterpenes (16‐OMD) 16‐OMC and 16‐OMK in roasted Arabica was reported. This finding makes the use of NMR methods in 16‐OMD quantification in Arabica coffee particularly challenging in view of both the trace amounts of 16‐OMD and the impossibility to discriminate between 16‐OMC and 16‐OMK. The ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐MS) method, already used to detect 16‐OMC and 16‐OMK in Arabica roasted coffee, is then more suitable for quantitative analyses. Up to now however, no quantification of coffee 16‐OMD via ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐MS/MS) has been carried out; this largely stimulated the present study. For the first time, a simple procedure for the quantitative detection of 16‐OMD in Arabica coffee has been developed, and as far as 16‐OMC is concerned, fully validated in terms of specificity, linearity, concentration range, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), and repeatability following the criteria specified in the EU Commission Decision 2002/675/EC. This method proved to be very specific and sensitive. In order to avoid the chemical complexity generated by the roasting process, the method was optimized and validated on several green Arabica samples from different geographical origins.
First molecular epidemiological study of hepatitis B and D in individuals infected with human T‐lymphotropic virus 1/2 from Argentina
Authors: Pataccini Gabriela , Berini Carolina Andrea , Pedrozo Williams René , Biglione Mirna Marcela , Delfino Cecilia María
Published: July 2020

Human T‐lymphotropic virus 1/2 (HTLV‐1/2), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis D virus (HDV) share transmission routes. Argentina shows low prevalence of HTLV‐1/2, HBV, and HDV infections; however, this situation may vary according to the geographic region and group studied. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HBV and HDV infections and detect both viral genotypes in HTLV‐1/2 individuals from Argentina. A total of 202 HTLV‐1/2 confirmed samples (blood donors [BD] and individuals with risk factors for HTLV‐1/2 [RF]) were tested for HBsAg and total anti‐HBc by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. All reactive samples for some HBV markers were analyzed for HBV DNA characterization and HDV serological and molecular analysis. Total prevalence was 1.5% for HBsAg and 6.4% for anti‐HBc. Prevalence was 23.1% for anti‐HDV in all HBV‐reactive samples. No significant difference was observed for HBV and HDV prevalence within HTLV subtypes. The population study showed that prevalence of anti‐HBc was higher in the RF than in the BD population, with no significant differences between them. The HBsAg marker and anti‐HDV were only found in RF, showing significant differences when compared to BD. Regarding molecular detection, one sample amplified for HBV DNA and none for HDV RNA. HBV sequence was classified as subgenotype F1b. New and updated background on serological markers of HBV and HDV infection in patients with HTLV‐1/2 was provided.
Plasma endothelial microvesicles and their carrying miRNA‐155 serve as biomarkers for ischemic stroke
Authors: Zhang Huiting , Chen Guanghua , Qiu Wenji , Pan Qunwen , Chen Yanfang , Chen Yusen , Ma Xiaotang
Published: July 2020

Endothelial microvesicles (EMVs) could reflect the status of endothelial cells (ECs) which are involved in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke (IS). MiR‐155 could regulate EC functions. However, their roles in IS remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the levels of plasma EMVs and EMVs carrying miRNA‐155 (EMVs‐miR‐155) in IS patients to explore their potential roles as biomarkers. Ninety‐three IS patients and 70 controls were recruited in this study. The levels of circulating EMVs and EMVs‐miR‐155 were detected by fluorescence nanoparticle tracking analysis and quantitative real‐time PCR, respectively. The correlations between level of EMVs/EMVs‐miR‐155 and the onset time, severity, infarct volume, and subtypes of IS were analyzed. The severity and infarct volume were assessed by NIHSS and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors of IS. The ROC curve and area under ROC curve (AUC) of EMVs and EMVs‐miR‐155 were determined. The levels of plasma EMVs and EMVs‐miR‐155 were increased significantly in acute and subacute stages of IS and remained unchanged in chronic stage, and were positively related to the infarct volume and NIHSS scores and were associated with large artery atherosclerosis and cardioembolism subtypes defined by Trial of Org 10 172 in acute stroke treatment (TOAST) classification. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that plasma EMVs and EMVs‐miR‐155 were significant and independent risk factors of IS and their AUC were 0.778 and 0.851, respectively, and increased to 0.892 after combination. Our study suggests that plasma EMVs and EMVs‐miR‐155 are promising biomarkers for IS. The diagnostic value of EMVs‐miR‐155 is higher and their combination is the best.
Ultrasound Imaging of Nevus Sebaceous of Jadassohn
Authors: Wortsman Ximena , Ferreira‐Wortsman Camila , Corredoira Yamile
Published: July 2020

Nevus sebaceous of Jadassohn (NSJ) is a cutaneous hamartoma commonly found in the scalp and face and more frequent in children. Clinically, it presents as a yellowish and hairless plaque. In later stages, the NSJ can develop secondary tumors, including skin cancer. We reviewed the ultrasound characteristics of 9 patients (67% female; mean age, 3 years) with NSJ at 18 and 70 MHz. The ultrasound analysis covers the data on the location, thickness, echo structure, and vascularity. The provision of the ultrasound patterns of NSJ can support early diagnosis, avoid unnecessary biopsies, and support monitoring.
Injury Mechanism of Button Batteries in the Nasal Cavity and Possible Mitigation Strategies During Impaction
Authors: Sancaktar Mehmet Eser , Bayraktar Cem , Bakırtaş Mustafa
Published: July 2020

Objective/Hypothesis

Button batteries (BBs) impacted in the nasal cavity can cause several complications. Understanding the injury mechanism and developing possible mitigation strategies can reduce these complications.

Study design

Cadaveric sheep nasal septum model.

Methods

Lithium, alkaline, silver oxide, and zinc‐air BBs were placed on segments of the nasal septum of cadaveric sheep. The BB voltage, tissue temperatures, and pH were measured every 30 minutes for 6 hours. Subsequently, 5 drops of lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, tea, Coke (Coca‐Cola Co., Atlanta, GA), tap water, and normal saline were applied separately to the other segments with the lithium BBs every 10 minutes for 3 hours. The visible injuries and the necrosis depths were assessed through the tissue temperatures, pH, and the voltage changes.

Results

Both nonlithium and lithium BBs increased tissue pH without significant temperature changes. The 3V lithium BBs led to the greatest depth of necrosis, with a voltage loss of approximately 50% within the first 2 hours. Lemon juice and apple cider vinegar were the most effective liquids for reducing visible injury, pH, and necrosis without increasing the temperature during pre‐removal time period.

Conclusion

Nonlithium and lithium BBs caused alkaline tissue injury in a nasal septal model. Given the hazard severity, expedited BB removal is critical. For situations when removal cannot be immediately performed, further in vivo study is needed prior to considering human use of any pre‐removal mitigation strategies in the nasal cavity.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 130:2487–2493, 2020
Center Variation in Intention‐to‐Treat Survival Among Patients Listed for Liver Transplant
Authors: Kwong Allison J. , Flores Avegail , Saracino Giovanna , Boutté Jodi , McKenna Greg , Testa Giuliano , Bahirwani Ranjeeta , Wall Anji , Kim W. Ray , Klintmalm Göran , Trotter James F. , Asrani Sumeet K.
Published: July 2020

In the United States, centers performing liver transplant (LT) are primarily evaluated by patient survival within 1 year after LT, but tight clustering of outcomes allows only a narrow window for evaluation of center variation for quality improvement. Alternate measures more relevant to patients and the transplant community are needed. We examined adults listed for LT in the United States, using data submitted to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Intention‐to‐treat (ITT) survival was defined as survival within 1 year from listing, regardless of transplant. Mixed effects/frailty models were used to assess center variation in ITT survival. Between January 2010 and December 2016, there were 66,428 new listings at 113 centers. Overall, median 1‐year ITT survival was 79.8% (interquartile range [IQR], 76.1%‐83.4%), whereas 1‐year waiting‐list (WL) survival was 75.8% (IQR, 71.2%‐79.4%), and 1‐year post‐LT survival was 90.0% (IQR, 87.9%‐91.8%). Higher rates of ITT mortality were correlated with increased WL mortality (correlation, r = 0.76), increased post‐LT mortality (r = 0.31), lower volume centers (r = −0.34), and lower transplant rate ratio (r = −0.25). Similar patterns were observed in the subgroup of WL candidates listed with Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) ≥25: median 1‐year ITT survival was 65.2% (IQR, 60.2%‐72.6%), whereas 1‐year post‐LT survival was 87.5% (IQR, 84.0%‐90.9%), and 1‐year WL survival was 36.6% (IQR, 27.9%‐47.0%). In mixed effects modeling, the transplant center was an independent predictor of ITT survival even after adjustment for age, sex, MELD, and sociodemographic variables. Center variation for ITT survival was larger compared with post‐LT survival. The measurement of ITT outcome offers a complementary method to assess center performance. This is a first step toward understanding differences in program quality beyond patient and graft survival after LT.
Sharp oscillation criteria for second‐order neutral delay differential equations
Authors: Bohner Martin , Grace Said R. , Jadlovská Irena
Published: July 2020

This paper is a continuation of a recent work by the authors on the oscillatory properties of second‐order half‐linear neutral delay differential equations. Providing a new apriori bound for a nonoscillatory solution, we present a new oscillation criterion, which essentially improves the existing ones. In a particular nonneutral case, the obtained oscillation constant is unimprovable.
Error detection and classification in patient‐specific IMRT QA with dual neural networks
Authors: Potter Nicholas J. , Mund Karl , Andreozzi Jacqueline M. , Li Jonathan G. , Liu Chihray , Yan Guanghua
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Despite being the standard metric in patient‐specific quality assurance (QA) for intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), gamma analysis has two shortcomings: (a) it lacks sensitivity to small but clinically relevant errors (b) it does not provide efficient means to classify the error sources. The purpose of this work is to propose a dual neural network method to achieve simultaneous error detection and classification in patient‐specific IMRT QA.

Methods

For a pair of dose distributions, we extracted the dose difference histogram (DDH) for the low dose gradient region and two signed distance‐to‐agreement (sDTA) maps (one in x direction and one in y direction) for the high dose gradient region. An artificial neural network (ANN) and a convolutional neural network (CNN) were designed to analyze the DDH and the two sDTA maps, respectively. The ANN was trained to detect and classify six classes of dosimetric errors: incorrect multileaf collimator (MLC) transmission (±1%) and four types of monitor unit (MU) scaling errors (±1% and ±2%). The CNN was trained to detect and classify seven classes of spatial errors: incorrect effective source size, 1 mm MLC leaf bank overtravel or undertravel, 2 mm single MLC leaf overtravel or undertravel, and device misalignment errors (1 mm in x‐ or y direction). An in‐house planar dose calculation software was used to simulate measurements with errors and noise introduced. Both networks were trained and validated with 13 IMRT plans (totaling 88 fields). A fivefold cross‐validation technique was used to evaluate their accuracy.

Results

Distinct features were found in the DDH and the sDTA maps. The ANN perfectly identified all four types of MU scaling errors and the specific accuracies for the classes of no error, MLC transmission increase, MLC transmission decrease were 98.9%, 96.6%, and 94.3%, respectively. For the CNN, the largest confusion occurred between the 1‐mm‐MLC bank overtravel class and the 1‐mm‐device alignment error in x‐direction class, which brought the specific accuracies down to 90.9% and 92.0%, respectively. The specific accuracy for the 2‐mm‐single MLC leaf undertravel class was 93.2% as it misclassified 5.7% of the class as being error free (false negative). Otherwise, the specific accuracy was above 95%. The overall accuracies across the fivefold were 98.3 ± 0.7% and 95.6% ± 1.5% for the ANN and the CNN, respectively.

Conclusions

Both the DDH and the sDTA maps are suitable features for error classification in IMRT QA. The proposed dual neural network method achieved simultaneous error detection and classification with excellent accuracy. It could be used in complement with the gamma analysis to potentially shift the IMRT QA paradigm from passive pass/fail analysis to active error detection and root cause identification.
Synthetic generation of DSC‐MRI‐derived relative CBV maps from DCE MRI of brain tumors
Authors: Sanders Jeremiah W. , Chen Henry Szu‐Meng , Johnson Jason M. , Schomer Donald F. , Jimenez Jorge E. , Ma Jingfei , Liu Ho‐Ling
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Perfusion MRI with gadolinium‐based contrast agents is useful for diagnosis and treatment response evaluation of brain tumors. Dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI are two gadolinium‐based contrast agent perfusion imaging techniques that provide complementary information about the tumor vasculature. However, each requires a separate administration of a gadolinium‐based contrast agent. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the feasibility of synthesizing relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) maps, as computed from DSC MRI, from DCE MRI of brain tumors.

Methods

One hundred nine brain‐tumor patients underwent both DCE and DSC MRI. Relative CBV maps were computed from the DSC MRI, and blood plasma volume fraction maps were computed from the DCE MRIs. Conditional generative adversarial networks were developed to synthesize rCBV maps from the DCE MRIs. Tumor–to–white matter ratios were calculated from real rCBV, synthetic rCBV, and plasma volume fraction maps and compared using correlation analysis. Real and synthetic rCBV in white and gray matter regions were also compared.

Results

Pearson correlation analysis showed that both the tumor rCBV and tumor–to–white matter ratios in the synthetic and real rCBV maps were strongly correlated (ρ = 0.87, P < .05 and ρ = 0.86, P < .05, respectively). Tumor plasma volume fraction and real rCBV were not strongly correlated (ρ = 0.47). Bland‐Altman analysis showed a mean difference between the synthetic and real rCBV tumor–to–white matter ratios of 0.20 with a 95% confidence interval of ±0.47.

Conclusion

Realistic rCBV maps can be synthesized from DCE MRI and contain quantitative information, enabling robust brain‐tumor perfusion imaging of DSC and DCE parameters with a single gadolinium‐based contrast agent administration.
A crisis in US drug pricing: Consequences for patients with neuromuscular diseases, physicians, and society, part 2
Authors: Burns Ted M. , Crowell Jason L. , Smith A. Gordon
Published: July 2020

Escalating drug costs place patients at risk for financial toxicity and demand that physicians understand and act on the ethical and economic principles related to drug pricing. This manuscript reviews these principles and provides clinicians with a framework to think about the value of the drugs prescribed for patients with neuromuscular diseases. A key component of addressing the drug pricing crisis will be establishing a value based (benefit/cost) drug pricing framework. Determining the value of a drug is difficult and requires estimating the benefit and costs to patients and society while integrating indirect and contextual variables. Other considerations in drug pricing include “externality,” the value to society derived from innovation. The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) is a leading independent research organization providing clinicians with value‐based price “benchmarks.” All physicians must educate themselves in drug pricing principles and be prepared to have conversations regarding individual and societal value with the patients they serve.
Weak aging properties for coherent systems with statistically dependent component lifetimes
Authors: Li Chen , Li Xiaohu
Published: July 2020

As a relevant topic in reliability theory, the preservation of aging properties under the formation of various coherent structures contributes to improving system performance through better structure design and more effective system maintenance. The classical research in this line usually focuses upon coherent systems with independent component lifetimes. Recently, some authors discussed the preservation of IFR, NBU, and DMRL in the setting of dependent component lifetimes. This paper further investigates sufficient conditions for coherent systems with dependent component lifetimes to preserve aging properties including NBUC, NBU (2), DMRL, and their dual versions. Some examples are presented to illustrate coherent structures and typical copula functions fulfilling the present sufficient conditions as well.
Phospholipase D1 inhibition sensitizes glioblastoma to temozolomide and suppresses its tumorigenicity
Authors: Kang Dong Woo , Hwang Won Chan , Noh Yu Na , Park Kang Seo , Min Do Sik
Published: July 2020

Resistance of glioblastoma to the chemotherapeutic compound temozolomide is associated with the presence of glioblastoma stem cells in glioblastoma and is a key obstacle for the poor prognosis of glioblastoma. Here, we show that phospholipase D1 is elevated in CD44High glioblastoma stem cells and in glioblastoma, especially recurring glioblastoma. Phospholipase D1 elevation positively correlated with the level of CD44 and poor prognosis in glioblastoma patients. Temozolomide significantly upregulated the expression of phospholipase D1 in the low and moderate CD44 populations of glioblastoma stem cells, but not in the CD44High population in which phospholipase D1 is highly expressed. Phospholipase D1 conferred resistance to temozolomide in CD44High glioblastoma stem cells and increased their self‐renewal capacity and maintenance. Phospholipase D1 expression significantly correlated with levels of temozolomide resistance factors, which were suppressed by microRNA‐320a and ‐4496 induced by phospholipase D1 inhibition. Genetic and pharmacological targeting of phospholipase D1 attenuated glioblastoma stem cell‐derived intracranial tumors of glioblastoma using the microRNAs, and improved survival. Treatment solely with temozolomide produced no benefits on the glioblastoma, whereas in combination, phospholipase D1 inhibition sensitized glioblastoma stem cells to temozolomide and reduced glioblastoma tumorigenesis. Together, these findings indicate that phospholipase D1 inhibition might overcome resistance to temozolomide and represents a potential treatment strategy for glioblastoma. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
The influence of oil content within lignocellulosic filler on thermal degradation kinetics and flammability of polylactide composites modified with linseed cake
Authors: Mysiukiewicz Olga , Sałasińska Kamila , Barczewski Mateusz , Szulc Joanna
Published: July 2020

Linseed cake (LC), a by‐product of oil extraction from linseed, due to high content of natural oil can be applied as a filler and modifying agent for polymeric composites. However, the presence of the flammable oil may change thermal properties of the resulting materials. The aim of this study is evaluation of the influence of oil content on flammability and thermal degradation of polylactide composites. The samples filled with 10 wt% of LC containing from 0.9% to 39.8% of oil were subjected to cone calorimetry, horizontal burning test and thermogravimetric analysis. Activation energy values of the thermal decomposition of the composites were calculated using Ozawa and Kissinger methods. The different LC grades and the crude oil were tested as well. Even though all the composite grades presented higher flammability and lower thermal stability than the neat resin, their burning behavior and the process of thermal decomposition did not depend on the oil content. Therefore, the oil‐rich grades of LC can be applied as an effective filler for polylactide without an increase in fire risk.
Experimental and numerical research of temperature on tensile properties of multiaxial warp‐knitted composites
Authors: Gao Xiaoping , Yang Xiaori , Wang Cong , Li Yonggui
Published: July 2020

A study on tensile behavior of composites reinforced with triaxial and quadriaxial warp‐knitted glass fabrics were carried out in 0°, 45°, and 90° directions at temperature of −30°C, 0°C, 20°C, and 40°C. The stress‐strain character, normalized strength, normalized modulus, failure strain, and the relationships between strength and temperature were also obtained. The failure mechanism was also analyzed based on the fracture mode and scanning electron microscopy morphology of composites. In addition, to obtain influence related with reinforcement structure, the tensile behavior of the quadriaxial warp‐knitted composite was simulated on the basis of unit cell model and compared with the experimental one. Results show that the tensile properties were decreased with the increase of temperature. The ultimate normalized strength of triaxial and quadriaxial warp‐knitted composites were decreased by 14.18% and 18.13%. The fracture morphology was consistent with the simulation ones.
Generating Proteomic Big Data for Precision Medicine
Authors: Yue Liang , Zhang Fangfei , Sun Rui , Sun Yaoting , Yuan Chunhui , Zhu Yi , Guo Tiannan
Published: July 2020

Here, the authors reason that the complexity of medical problems and proteome science might be tackled effectively with deep learning (DL) technology. However, deployment of DL for proteomics data requires the acquisition of data sets from a large number of samples. Based on the success of DL in medical imaging classification, proteome data from thousands of samples are arguably the minimal input for DL. Contemporary proteomics is turning high‐throughput thanks to the rapid progresses of sample preparation and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry methods. In particular, data‐independent acquisition now enables the generation of hundreds to thousands of quantitative proteome maps from clinical specimens in clinical cohorts with only limited sample amounts in clinical cohorts. Upheavals in the design of large‐scale clinical proteomics studies might be required to generate proteomic big data and deploy DL to tackle complex medical problems.
An Aridamerican model for agriculture in a hotter, water scarce world
Authors: Nabhan Gary Paul , Riordan Erin C. , Monti Laura , Rea Amadeo M. , Wilder Benjamin T. , Ezcurra Exequiel , Mabry Jonathan B. , Aronson James , Barron‐Gafford Greg A. , García Jesús M. , Búrquez Alberto , Crews Timothy E. , Mirocha Paul , Hodgson Wendy C.
Published: July 2020

Societal Impact Statement

Climate change is dramatically restructuring agriculture and damaging crops, food security, and human health, especially in deserts. To radically redesign food systems to buffer against climatic disruptions, we focus on agroecological function, human health, and community well‐being. Using arid North America (“Aridamerica”) as a laboratory for the future, we employed 18 criteria to select 17 desert plant genera with high potential as food crops. When integrated into perennial polycultures modeled after arid ecosystems and traditional knowledge, desert plants can stabilize yields, produce disease‐preventing foods, and generate rural livelihoods. We envision food systems that can reduce disparities while enhancing resilience in a hotter, drier world.

Climate disruptions and water scarcity are threatening food security and human well‐being. We provide a framework for selecting a more diverse set of arid‐adapted food crops to reduce food system vulnerabilities to climate change, climate‐related illness, and economic disparities in arid lands. We constructed a list of candidate crops based on the diets of the Comcaac, O'odham, and Pima Bajo peoples of the Sonoran Desert. Representative genera were then screened for traits related to agroecological functionality, human health, community well‐being, and agronomic suitability. Of the 154 species (86 genera) used by these Sonoran Desert Indigenous cultures, 101 species (80 genera) were more broadly used in Aridamerica, suggesting wide acceptability and value of desert plants for arid‐adapted agriculture in North America. We highlight 17 genera with high potential to simultaneously improve agricultural resilience, human health, and community prosperity in the face of climate change, over a third of which are water‐use efficient crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) succulents. Assembling these candidate crops into perennial polycultures coupled with solar energy and rainwater harvesting systems can maximize yield reliability while minimizing fossil fuel, agrichemical, and surface and groundwater use. Now is the time to invest in desert‐adapted farming and food systems, with climate change already accelerating damages to agricultural landscapes. Biomimicry and traditional knowledge can aid in designing co‐located food, water, and energy provisioning systems adapted to arid climates and scarce resources that improve agroecological and human health. Adopting such designs will require transdisciplinary integration of plant, environmental, social, and health sciences.
Ibuprofen does not prevent postbronchoscopy fever in children undergoing broncho‐alveolar lavage
Authors: Joseph Leon , Goldberg Shmuel , Cohen Shlomo , Picard Elie
Published: July 2020

Background

Fiber‐optic bronchoscopy (FOB) of the lower airways is a routine examination performed for investigating varying respiratory complaints in children. A common side effect is a transient high fever on the day of the FOB. Such episodes are usually unrelated to an infectious process but may cause clinical uncertainty and parental anxiety. We have previously shown that a single dose of systemic dexamethasone significantly reduces the rate of fever postbronchoscopy (FPB).

Research Question

To prospectively analyze the effect of a prophylactic dose of ibuprofen upon the FPB.

Study Design and Methods

Children presenting for elective FOB and broncho‐alveolar lavage (BAL) were randomized, in a double‐blind fashion, to receive a single dose of ibuprofen syrup 10 mg/kg or placebo prior to the procedure. Parents were contacted the next day to record the presence or absence of fever.

Results

Sixty‐one children were included in the final analysis. Thirty‐one children were in the treatment group and 30 in the placebo group. FPB occurred in 40 children (65%). There was no difference in the rate of FPB between placebo (63%) and treatment (67%) groups (P = .717). Fifty (82%) children had a positive BAL culture. Among them, 38 had FPB (76%) compared with only 2 of 11 (18%) of those with negative culture (P = .00026, relative risk 4.18). About 80% of positive cultures grew Haemophilus influenza. There was no significant difference between the number of BALs with a positive culture between the treatment and placebo groups (87% vs 77%, P = .35).

Conclusion

FPB occurs in around twothirds of children when BAL is performed. Fever occurred significantly more frequently when BAL culture is positive. A single standard dose of the nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug ibuprofen administered before a FOB does not prevent FPB.
A Dopant‐Free Zwitterionic Conjugated Polyelectrolyte as a Hole‐Transporting and Interfacial Material for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Huan Yihong , Tan Chao , Wu Bo , Feng Xingcui , Xu Wenting , Gao Deqing
Published: July 2020

Achieving rapid extraction and equivalent transport of charge carriers is an effective way to improve the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a thiophene‐based zwitterionic conjugated polyelectrolyte (poly(5‐amino‐5‐carboxy‐3‐oxapentyl)‐2,5‐thiophene [POWT]) is introduced into PSCs as a hole‐transporting and interfacial material. The polyelectrolyte has a high hole mobility of 5.74 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1 (similar to that of poly(triarylamine) [PTAA]) and compatible covalence level relative to the perovskite. Terminated with a zwitterionic pair of a‐amino acid, POWT layer builds up a weak double‐layer capacitance at the interface, which is not strong enough to induce the migration of MA+ ions in the perovskite layer. Deep electrical study on the PSC with the structure of indium tin oxide (ITO)/POWT/FA0.2MA0.8PbI2.9Br0.1/C60/bathocuproine (BCP)/Ag discloses that the device has low carrier transfer resistance, low leakage current density, and minor interfacial charge accumulation. The open‐circuit voltage and the short‐circuit current density are much improved, and the power conversion efficiency (PCE) is up to 17.5%. With a‐amino acid zwitterions, POWT passivates the surface charge defects and grain boundaries of the perovskite film. The PSC presents negligible hysteresis and high stability. After 56 days, the unencapsulated PSC still remains at 85% of the original efficiency.
Predicting disease‐associated genes: Computational methods, databases, and evaluations
Authors: Luo Ping , Chen Bolin , Liao Bo , Wu Fang‐Xiang
Published: July 2020

Complex diseases are associated with a set of genes (called disease genes), the identification of which can help scientists uncover the mechanisms of diseases and develop new drugs and treatment strategies. Due to the huge cost and time of experimental identification techniques, many computational algorithms have been proposed to predict disease genes. Although several review publications in recent years have discussed many computational methods, some of them focus on cancer driver genes while others focus on biomolecular networks, which only cover a specific aspect of existing methods. In this review, we summarize existing methods and classify them into three categories based on their rationales. Then, the algorithms, biological data, and evaluation methods used in the computational prediction are discussed. Finally, we highlight the limitations of existing methods and point out some future directions for improving these algorithms. This review could help investigators understand the principles of existing methods, and thus develop new methods to advance the computational prediction of disease genes.

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Machine Learning

Technologies > Prediction

Algorithmic Development > Biological Data Mining
Genome‐wide effect of tetracycline, doxycycline and 4‐epidoxycycline on gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Sanchez Guadalupe , Linde Samuel C. , Coolon Joseph D.
Published: July 2020

Tetracycline (Tet) and derivative chemicals (e.g., doxycycline or Dox) have gained widespread recognition for their antibiotic properties since their introduction in the late 1970s, but recent work with these chemicals in the lab has shifted to include multiple techniques in all genetic model systems for the precise control of gene expression. The most widely used Tet‐modulated methodology is the Tet‐On/Tet‐Off gene expression system. Tet is generally considered to have effects specific to bacteria; therefore, it should have few off‐target effects when used in eukaryotic systems, and a previous study in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae found that Dox had no effect on genome‐wide gene expression as measured by microarray. In contrast, another study found that the use of Dox in common cell lines and several model organisms led to mitonuclear protein imbalance, suggesting an inhibitory role of Dox in eukaryotic mitochondria. Recently, a new Dox derivative, 4‐epidoxycycline (4‐ED) was developed that was shown to have less off‐target consequences on mitochondrial health. To determine the best tetracycline family chemical to use for gene expression control in S. cerevisiae, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) on yeast grown on standard medium compared with growth on media supplemented with Tet, Dox or 4‐ED. We found each caused dozens of genes to change expression, with Dox eliciting the greatest expression responses, suggesting that the specific tetracycline used in experiments should be tailored to the specific gene(s) of interest when using the Tet‐On/Tet‐Off system to reduce the consequences of confounding off‐target responses.
Pre‐activation and Defects Introduced via Citric Acid to Mitigate Capacity and Voltage Fading in Li‐rich Cathode
Authors: Li Siyuan , Ji Jiapeng , Li Zeheng , Yan Lijing , Jiang Wei , Ling Min , Lin Zhan , Liang Chengdu
Published: July 2020

The application of Li‐rich and Mn‐based layered cathode materials is impeded by the discharge voltage decay and capacity fading upon cycling, despite their high specific capacity. Here, we combine pre‐activation and nanoscale defects modification of lithium rich and manganese based layered materials to mitigate the above two serious problems through improved anionic redox activity and Li+ conductivity. The optimum constructed nanoscale defects rich cathode material delivers a reduced voltage fading rate of 1.27 mV per cycle compared to 3.7 mV per cycle for the pristine material after 200 cycles at 1 C rate. Moreover, the nanoscale defects rich material delivers a high specific discharge capacity of 173.1 mAh·g–1 with a high capacity retention of 99.5 % after 200 cycles at 1 C rate superior than the pristine material (89.3 mAh·g–1 and 53.4 %, respectively). This study highlights the reversibility of oxygen redox in electrochemical stability and effectiveness of nanoscale defects in stabilize voltage.
Linking Adaptation and Mitigation Toward a Resilient and Robust Infrastructure Sector in Kenya
Authors: Ruth Onkangi , Lagat David , Lilian Ondari
Published: July 2020

Sustainable city is an oxymoron to many especially in developing nations where the ever extending urban fabric has consequently degraded natural habitats, altered species composition, changed energy flows, and immensely affected biogeochemical cycles. This dims the vision of meeting the present needs with a nondecreasing level of well-being while not compromising that of the future generations to meet theirs. Nairobi as other cities in peer nations is associated with socioeconomic vulnerabilities as well as visible and “invisible” ecological problems such as pollution, climate change, spatial competition, dependency in natural capital use, and congestion. Nevertheless, this is uniquely both a problem and a solution.

Nairobi has grown from a small railway station at the turn of the twentieth century to one of Africa’s largest cities. With this growth, comes an oversized ecological footprint and complex challenges of stresses and shocks. Infrastructure development in developing nations is gaining momentum. It is one of the development indicators and a major contributor to the GDP. However, it is very vulnerable financially and functionally to extreme weather events such as intense and prolonged periods of rainfall, inundation, low retreating rates of flood waters, increased temperatures, and unpredictable wind patterns. This study sought to establish the level of integration of adaptation and mitigation measures to climate change in selected infrastructure projects. It further evaluates the performance of key action plans, projects, and efforts made to enhance resilience to climate change. The study supports the integration of broad investment flows instead of the project-by-project approach.
Impacts of Environmental Change on Fish Production in Egypt and Nigeria: Technical Characteristics and Practice
Authors: Adeleke M. L. , Al-Kenawy D. , Nasr-Allah A. M. , Dickson M. , Desalegn Ayal
Published: July 2020

A survey approach was applied to examine the technical characteristics of fish farming practice in Egypt and Nigeria. Critical issues such as floods and other vices were considered in bringing out the inference and level of aquaculture in both countries. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the study area and the number of respondents. Both primary and secondary data were used in the analysis. Eighty fish farmers were randomly selected from each of the country, making a total of 160 respondents. The socioeconomic characteristics revealed that aquaculture is an antique venture in Africa with Egypt taking the lead, i.e., 99% of the respondents practice in large-scales production of more than 11 Fadden/acre per, and 100% males depend mainly on agricultural drainage water for their earthen ponds. Ninety-eight percent cultured tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) which was believed to have originated from the Nile River. In terms of financial performance and partial economic analysis, tilapia production commands more sales in Egypt, while catfish (Clarias) production is seen as a promising venture in Nigeria. The fish farmers have various perceptions and reactions toward environmental changes factors such as cost of labor/manpower and inputs, poor water quality, and fish extension services, and climate change impedes aquaculture development in the countries. To achieve the scale of aquaculture expansion as observed in Asian and other developed part of the world, efforts should be geared toward continental and regional integration in order to encourage aquaculture practices in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. More so, government intervention and incentives should be paramount in Egypt to reduce the excessive exploitation of the private input suppliers.
Tied Ridges and Better Cotton Breeds for Climate Change Adaptation
Authors: Mandumbu R. , Nyawenze C. , Rugare J. T. , Nyamadzawo G. , Parwada C. , Tibugari H.
Published: July 2020

Climate change and variability is already reducing agricultural productivity and opportunities for employment, pushing up food prices and affecting food availability and production of formerly adapted crop types. Such is the case in cotton production in Zimbabwe, where it was the only viable commercial crop in marginal areas. As a form of adaptation, there is need for African farmers to have a range of agricultural techniques as coping strategies and tactics to enable sustainable production of crops and deal with extreme events. Such techniques include water conservation and introduction of new adapted crop genetics to cope with the new environment. The emerging trends in climate change will force farmers to adopt new crops and varieties and forms of agricultural production technologies. The objective of this study is to determine the contribution of combining in-field water harvesting and early maturing cotton varieties in curbing drought in cotton in semiarid Zimbabwe. The results show that both water harvesting in form of planting basins significantly (P <0.05) increased boll number and branch number of cotton across all varieties. The varieties M577 and M567 out-performed the conventional varieties in early growth, branch number, and boll number. Tied contour ridges gave a significantly (P <0.05) higher moisture content in 0–5 cm and the 6–10 cm depth compared to conventional tillage. The new varieties displayed early phenological development. Despite the existence of rainfall gaps, the in-field water harvesting techniques captured enough moisture and prevented moisture losses through runoff which resulted successful flowering and fruiting in the short varieties compared to conventional tillage on conventional varieties. In this regard, water harvesting and early maturing varieties offer considerable hope for increasing crop production in arid and semiarid areas of Zimbabwe.
Breaking BEC
Authors: Kovtun A. , Zantedeschi M.
Published: July 2020

Abstract

In this work quantum corrections to the classical evolution of a relativistic scalar condensate are studied. The problem is approached by means of two different perturbative approaches: the 2-particle-irreducible (2PI) effective action and the expansion in the self-coupling. In the weak coupling regime the decoherence of the classical state is observed. The corresponding timescale is identified with the quantum break-time.
Octagon at finite coupling
Authors: Belitsky A. V. , Korchemsky G. P.
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We study a special class of four-point correlation functions of infinitely heavy half-BPS operators in planar $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM which admit factorization into a product of two octagon form factors. We demonstrate that these functions satisfy a system of nonlinear integro-differential equations which are powerful enough to fully determine their dependence on the ’t Hooft coupling and two cross ratios. At weak coupling, solution to these equations yields a known series representation of the octagon in terms of ladder integrals. At strong coupling, we develop a systematic expansion of the octagon in the inverse powers of the coupling constant and calculate accompanying expansion coefficients analytically. We examine the strong coupling expansion of the correlation function in various kinematical regions and observe a perfect agreement both with the expected asymptotic behavior dictated by the OPE and with results of numerical evaluation. We find that, surprisingly enough, the strong coupling expansion is Borel summable. Applying the Borel-Padé summation method, we show that the strong coupling expansion correctly describes the correlation function over a wide region of the ’t Hooft coupling.
On a linearization of the recursion $$\varvec{U(x_0,x_1,x_2,\ldots )}\varvec{=\varphi (x_0, U(x_1,x_2,\ldots ))}$$ and its application in economics
Authors: Zdun Marek Cezary
Published: July 2020

Let I be an interval, X be a metric space and $$\succeq $$
⪰
be an order relation on the infinite product $$X^{\infty }$$

X
∞

. Let $$U:X^{\infty }\rightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$

U
:

X
∞

→
R

be a continuous mapping, representing $$\succeq $$
⪰
, that is such that $$(x_0,x_1,x_2,\ldots )\succeq (y_0,y_1,y_2,\ldots )\Leftrightarrow U(x_0,x_1,x_2,\ldots )\ge U(y_0,y_1,y_2,\ldots )$$

(

x
0

,

x
1

,

x
2

,
…
)

⪰

(

y
0

,

y
1

,

y
2

,
…
)

⇔
U

(

x
0

,

x
1

,

x
2

,
…
)

≥
U

(

y
0

,

y
1

,

y
2

,
…
)

. We interpret X as a space of consumption outcomes and the relation $$\succeq $$
⪰
represents how an individual would rank all consumption sequences. One assumes that U, called the utility function, satisfies the recursion $$U(x_0,x_1,x_2,\ldots )=\varphi (x_0, U(x_1,x_2,\ldots )),$$

U

(

x
0

,

x
1

,

x
2

,
…
)

=
φ

(

x
0

,
U

(

x
1

,

x
2

,
…
)

)

,

where $$\varphi :X\times I \rightarrow I$$

φ
:
X
×
I
→
I

is a continuous function strictly increasing in its second variable such that each function $$\varphi (x,\cdot )$$

φ
(
x
,
·
)

has a unique fixed point. We consider an open problem in economics, when the relation $$\succeq $$
⪰
can be represented by another continuous function V satisfying the affine recursion $$V(x_0,x_1,x_2,\ldots ) = \alpha (x_0)V(x_1,x_2,\ldots )+ \beta (x_0)$$

V

(

x
0

,

x
1

,

x
2

,
…
)

=
α

(

x
0

)

V

(

x
1

,

x
2

,
…
)

+
β

(

x
0

)

. We prove that this property holds if and only if there exists a homeomorphic solution of the system of simultaneous affine functional equations $$ F(\varphi (x,t))=\alpha (x) F(t)+ \beta (x), x \in X, t \in I$$

F
(
φ
(
x
,
t
)
)
=
α
(
x
)
F
(
t
)
+
β
(
x
)
,
x
∈
X
,
t
∈
I

for some functions $$\alpha , \beta :X\rightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$

α
,
β
:
X
→
R

. We give necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of homeomorhic solutions of this system.
Decisions on the allocation of intensive care resources in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Marckmann Georg , Neitzke Gerald , Schildmann Jan , Michalsen Andrej , Dutzmann Jochen , Hartog Christiane , Jöbges Susanne , Knochel Kathrin , Michels Guido , Pin Martin , Riessen Reimer , Rogge Annette , Taupitz Jochen , Janssens Uwe
Published: July 2020

In view of the globally evolving coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, German hospitals rapidly expanded their intensive care capacities. However, it is possible that even with an optimal use of the increased resources, these will not suffice for all patients in need. Therefore, recommendations for the allocation of intensive care resources in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic have been developed by a multidisciplinary group of authors with the support of eight scientific medical societies. The recommendations for procedures and criteria for prioritisations in case of resource scarcity are based on scientific evidence, ethicolegal considerations and practical experience. Medical decisions must always be based on the need and the treatment preferences of the individual patient. In addition to this patient-centred approach, prioritisations in case of resource scarcity require a supraindividual perspective. In such situations, prioritisations should be based on the criterion of clinical prospect of success in order to minimize the number of preventable deaths due to resource scarcity and to avoid discrimination based on age, disabilities or social factors. The assessment of the clinical prospect of success should take into account the severity of the current illness, severe comorbidities and the patient’s general health status prior to the current illness.