bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on cytology practice: An international survey in the Asia‐Pacific region
Authors: Wang Yeh‐Han , Bychkov Andrey , Chakrabarti Indranil , Jain Deepali , Liu Zhiyan , He Shurong , Hanum Sitti Fatimah , Bakrin Ikmal , Templo Felipe , Nguyen Truong , Kumarasinghe Priyanthi , Jung Chan Kwon , Kakudo Kennichi , Chen Chien‐Chin
Published: September 2020

Background

The purpose of the current study was to examine the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) on various aspects of cytology practice in the Asia‐Pacific region.

Methods

An online questionnaire was distributed to cytopathology laboratories in 24 Asia‐Pacific countries to explore the impact of restrictive measures on access to health care, use of general and personal protective equipment (PPE), and changes in cytology workflow and workload from February to April 2020.

Results

A total of 167 cytopathology laboratories from 24 countries responded to the survey; the majority reported that restrictive measures that limited the accessibility of health care services had been implemented in their cities and/or countries (80.8%) and their hospitals (83.8%). The respondents noted that COVID‐19 had an impact on the cytologic workflow as well as the workload. Approximately one‐half of the participants reported the implementation of new biosafety protocols (54.5%) as well as improvements in laboratory facilities (47.3%). Rearrangement or redeployment of the workforce was reported in 53.3% and 34.1% of laboratories, respectively. The majority of the respondents reported a significant reduction (>10%) in caseload associated with both gynecological (82.0%) and nongynecological specimens (78.4%). Most laboratories reported no significant change in the malignancy rates of both gynecological (67.7%) and nongynecological specimens (58.7%) compared with the same period in 2019.

Conclusions

The results of the survey demonstrated that the COVID‐19 pandemic resulted in a significant reduction in the number of cytology specimens examined along with the need to implement new biosafety protocols. These findings underscore the need for the worldwide standardization of biosafety protocols and cytology practice.
Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Single‐ and Multiple‐Dose Once‐Daily Baricitinib in Healthy Chinese Subjects: A Randomized Placebo‐Controlled Study
Authors: Zhao Xia , Sheng Xiao Yan , Payne Christopher D. , Zhang Xin , Wang Feng , Cui Yi Min
Published: September 2020

The objective of this phase 1 study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of baricitinib after single and multiple doses in healthy Chinese adults. Eligible subjects received a once‐daily dose of baricitinib 2, 4, or 10 mg or placebo on day 1 (single dose) and days 4 through 10 for 7 consecutive days (multiple doses). Plasma pharmacokinetic samples were collected up to 48 hours after dosing on days 1 and 10, with predose samples collected before dosing on day 1 and days 4 through 10. Safety and tolerability were also assessed. Baricitinib was rapidly absorbed, reaching peak plasma concentrations within 0.5 to 1 hour (median). Plasma concentrations declined rapidly following the attainment of peak concentrations, with a mean terminal half‐life of 5.7 to 7.3 hours. Steady‐state plasma concentrations of baricitinib were achieved after the second day of once‐daily dosing, with minimal accumulation of baricitinib in plasma (up to 10% increase in area under the plasma concentration–time curve). Single‐ and multiple‐dose mean values for area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to infinity and maximum plasma concentration appeared to increase in an approximately dose‐proportional manner across the dose range. Single and multiple oral doses of once‐daily baricitinib up to 10 mg were well tolerated by healthy Chinese subjects.
Vitamin B12‐Immobilized Graphene Oxide for Efficient Electrocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction Reaction
Authors: Saravanan Natarajan , Balamurugan Mani , Shalini Devi K. S. , Nam Ki Tae , Senthil Kumar Annamalai
Published: September 2020

A naturally occurring water‐soluble cobalt‐complex cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) has been identified as a new and efficient electrocatalyst for the CO2‐to‐CO reduction reaction in aqueous solution. Heterogeneous B12‐electrocatalysts prepared by a simple electrochemical immobilization technique on graphene‐oxide (GO)‐modified glassy carbon and carbon paper (CP) electrodes, without any non‐degradable polymer‐binders, showed a highly stable and well‐defined surface‐confined redox peak at E’=−0.138 V vs. RHE with a surface‐excess value, ΓB12=4.28 nmol cm−2. This new electrocatalyst exhibits 93 % Faradaic efficiency for CO2‐to‐CO conversion at an electrolysis potential, −0.882 V vs. RHE (an optimal condition) with a high current density, 29.4 mA cm−2 and turn‐over‐frequency value, 5.2 s−1, without any surface‐fouling problem, in 0.5 m KHCO3. In further, it follows an eco‐friendly, sustainable and water‐based approach with the involvement of biodegradable and non‐toxic chemicals/materials like B12, GO and CP.
Axillary lymph node metastasis: Fine‐needle aspiration biopsy sensitivity as a function of node size, percent replacement of lymph node by tumor and tumor deposit size
Authors: Layfield Lester J , Zhang Tao , Esebua Magda , Schmidt Robert
Published: September 2020

Background

Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) is commonly used to investigate lymphadenopathy of suspected metastatic origin. While diagnostic accuracy of FNA for lymph node disease is well described, the relationship between node size, percent tumor replacement, and size of metastatic deposit with diagnostic accuracy is less well documented.

Methods

All axillary lymph nodes undergoing ultrasound‐guided FNA for suspected breast metastases were correlated with subsequent surgical excision specimens. FNAs were judged as positive or negative for malignancy and the percent of false negative FNAs was correlated with node size, percent tumor replacement and size of metastatic deposit

Results

Sensitivities were calculated for nodes greater than 15 mm (92%), nodes 11 to 14.9 mm (83%), nodes 7 to 10.9 mm (61%), and for nodes less than 7 mm (60%). Sensitivity increases with increasing node size (P = .001). Percent tumor replacement correlated with sensitivity: 90% or greater replacement (85%) 60% to 89.9% replacement (75%), 40% to 59.9% replacement (75%) and less than 39.9% replacement (64%)(P < .001). Metastases size correlated with sensitivity: metastases greater than 10 mm (94%), 6 to 9.9 mm (70%), 4 to 5.9 mm (54%), and less than 4 mm (72%).

Conclusions

Percentage of false negative FNAs associate with investigation of metastatic disease correlates with node size, size of metastatic deposit and percentage of nodes replaced by tumor. Lymph nodes smaller than 7 mm, deposit diameter less than 6 mm and percentage replacement of less than 40% have the highest percentage of false negative results.
Resource pulses increase the diversity of successful competitors in a multi‐species stream fish assemblage
Authors: Bailey Colin J. , Moore Jonathan W.
Published: September 2020

Food resources are often patchily distributed through space and time and are classified as resource pulses when hyperabundant. Resource pulses can benefit growth, reproduction, and abundance of various consumers. Yet, it is relatively unknown how such resources are partitioned among competing consumers and how this is influenced by the magnitude of the pulse. Here, we examined how the magnitude of a pulsed resource influences resource partitioning among diverse sizes and species of consumers in a natural setting over small spatial and temporal scales. We focused on salmon egg subsidies to stream fish consumers. We experimentally added different quantities of pink salmon eggs to five meter long experimental stream sections. Egg additions spanned three orders of magnitude from 6 to 3575 eggs. Stream fish (egg consumers) were captured and gastric lavaged at each experimental section to determine how many eggs each individual fish consumed. We modeled taxon‐specific individual egg consumption as a function of egg availability, individual mass, community composition, number of competitors, and stream velocity using hurdle models in a Bayesian framework. We found that there were diminishing returns for increasing egg abundance increasing egg consumption (i.e., type II functional response) for individual size classes of fish, but that higher egg numbers were needed to benefit diverse consumers. Top models indicated that egg availability and individual fish characteristics (size and taxon) drove egg consumption, while community characteristics (species composition and number of competitors) were not supported. Our results suggest that resource pulses can provide rare opportunities for less dominant sizes and species of fish to consume abundant resources. The current paradigm in the stream fish literature suggests that stream fish communities are structured by dominance hierarchies; however, dominance hierarchies may be less influential where pulsed resources comprise a large portion of the resource base.
De novo polyamine synthesis supports metabolic and functional responses in activated murine NK cells
Authors: O'Brien Katie L. , Assmann Nadine , O'Connor Eimear , Keane Cathal , Walls Jessica , Choi Chloe , Oefner Peter J. , Gardiner Clair M. , Dettmer Katja , Finlay David K.
Published: September 2020

Cellular metabolism is dynamically regulated in NK cells and strongly influences their responses. Metabolic dysfunction is linked to defective NK cell responses in diseases such as obesity and cancer. The transcription factors, sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) and cMyc, are crucial for controlling NK cell metabolic and functional responses, though the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. This study reveals a new role for SREBP in NK cells in supporting de novo polyamine synthesis through facilitating elevated cMyc expression. Polyamines have diverse roles and their de novo synthesis is required for NK cell glycolytic and oxidative metabolism and to support optimal NK cell effector functions. When NK cells with impaired SREBP activity were supplemented with exogenous polyamines, NK cell metabolic defects were not rescued but these NK cells displayed significant improvement in some effector functions. One role for polyamines is in the control of protein translation where spermidine supports the posttranslational hypusination of translation factor eIF5a. Pharmacological inhibition of hypusination also impacts upon NK cell metabolism and effector function. Considering recent evidence that cholesterol‐rich tumor microenvironments inhibit SREBP activation and drive lymphocyte dysfunction, this study provides key mechanistic insight into this tumor‐evasion strategy.
Simulated pool fire testing and modeling of a composite metal foam
Authors: Rabiei Afsaneh , Karimpour Kamellia , Janssens Marc , Basu Debashis
Published: September 2020

A series of simulated pool fire testing and modeling were conducted on steel‐steel composite metal foam (S‐S CMF) panels according to the procedure described in appendix B of 49 CFR Part 179, Specification for Tank Cars. This paper describes a series of 3‐D heat transfer calculations using the finite‐element software COMSOL Multiphysics. The purpose of the COMSOL calculations is to determine up to what extent the FDS neglects lateral heat conduction due to heat losses at the perimeter of the exposed area. To gauge the effect of the latter, the COMSOL model assumes that the heat flux at the exposed surface of the specimen is uniform. The 3‐D heat transfer calculations show that lateral heat conduction indeed needs to be included in the model to improve the accuracy of the predicted temperature distribution but that the non‐uniformity of the heat flux in the test also should be accounted for. Based on the experimental and both 1D and 3D simulation modeling results, the steel‐steel composite metal foams tested as novel insulation system met the acceptance criteria for the simulated pool fire test in 49 CFR 179 appendix B by a large margin.
Integration of multiomic annotation data to prioritize and characterize inflammation and immune‐related risk variants in squamous cell lung cancer
Authors: Sun Ryan , Xu Miao , Li Xihao , Gaynor Sheila , Zhou Hufeng , Li Zilin , Bossé Yohan , Lam Stephen , Tsao Ming‐Sound , Tardon Adonina , Chen Chu , Doherty Jennifer , Goodman Gary , Bojesen Stig E. , Landi Maria T. , Johansson Mattias , Field John K. , Bickeböller Heike , Wichmann H‐Erich , Risch Angela , Rennert Gadi , Arnold Suzanne , Wu Xifeng , Melander Olle , Brunnström Hans , Le Marchand Loic , Liu Geoffrey , Andrew Angeline , Duell Eric , Kiemeney Lambertus A. , Shen Hongbing , Haugen Aage , Johansson Mikael , Grankvist Kjell , Caporaso Neil , Woll Penella , Dawn Teare M. , Scelo Ghislaine , Hong Yun‐Chul , Yuan Jian‐Min , Lazarus Philip , Schabath Matthew B. , Aldrich Melinda C. , Albanes Demetrios , Mak Raymond , Barbie David , Brennan Paul , Hung Rayjean J. , Amos Christopher I. , Christiani David C. , Lin Xihong
Published: September 2020

Clinical trial results have recently demonstrated that inhibiting inflammation by targeting the interleukin‐1β pathway can offer a significant reduction in lung cancer incidence and mortality, highlighting a pressing and unmet need to understand the benefits of inflammation‐focused lung cancer therapies at the genetic level. While numerous genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have explored the genetic etiology of lung cancer, there remains a large gap between the type of information that may be gleaned from an association study and the depth of understanding necessary to explain and drive translational findings. Thus, in this study we jointly model and integrate extensive multiomics data sources, utilizing a total of 40 genome‐wide functional annotations that augment previously published results from the International Lung Cancer Consortium (ILCCO) GWAS, to prioritize and characterize single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that increase risk of squamous cell lung cancer through the inflammatory and immune responses. Our work bridges the gap between correlative analysis and translational follow‐up research, refining GWAS association measures in an interpretable and systematic manner. In particular, reanalysis of the ILCCO data highlights the impact of highly associated SNPs from nuclear factor‐κB signaling pathway genes as well as major histocompatibility complex mediated variation in immune responses. One consequence of prioritizing likely functional SNPs is the pruning of variants that might be selected for follow‐up work by over an order of magnitude, from potentially tens of thousands to hundreds. The strategies we introduce provide informative and interpretable approaches for incorporating extensive genome‐wide annotation data in analysis of genetic association studies.
Changes in treatment trends in the early glottic cancer population after the Affordable Care Act
Authors: Panuganti Bharat Akhanda , Stuart Emelia , Weissbrod Philip
Published: September 2020

Background

The clinical impact of Medicaid expansion in otolaryngology is uncertain. Herein, we evaluate the impact of Medicaid expansion on treatment patterns (primary radiotherapy vs surgery) in the early glottic cancer population.

Methods

Data regarding adults with Tis‐T2N0M0 glottic cancer that were treated with either surgery or radiotherapy between January 2010 and December 2016 were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer database. Changes in treatment trends and survival in the Medicaid expansion setting were discerned.

Results

The proportion of patients undergoing radiotherapy decreased from 64.8% to 59% after the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was implemented. State Medicaid expansion status was associated with reduced odds of radiation therapy (odds ratio [OR] = 0.66). Patients were diagnosed more often with earlier stage disease (20.6% vs 17.0% T2 diagnoses) in the Medicaid expansion cohort.

Conclusion

The implementation of the PPACA was associated with a significant increase in surgical therapy for and earlier diagnosis of glottic cancer.
Why do sukuks (Islamic bonds) need a different pricing model?
Authors: Uddin Md Hamid , Kabir Sarkar H. , Kabir Hassan Mohammad , Hossain Mohammed S. , Liu Jia
Published: September 2020

The global interest in sukuk, an Islamic alternative to bond financing, has grown rapidly, particularly after the 2008 global financial crisis, due to its distinctive features and investment quality. Sukuk were first launched in Malaysia and are presently available in 29 countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Luxembourg. Despite the global market prevalence of sukuk, asset pricing literature has not yet addressed the pricing mechanism of sukuk, which is inherently different from bonds and equity due to the contractual differences. However, analysts use LIBOR, or the Islamic interbank benchmark rate, as the ad‐hoc benchmark to evaluate sukuk performance. In this study, we develop a basic pricing model that captures the common risks in sukuk returns. We identify two risk factors for sukuk that require risk premiums: (a) sukuk market risk and (b) information asymmetry risk. Using these two common sukuk risks factors, investment analysts can estimate the fair value of sukuk more precisely than other ad hoc measures available.
Efficient and Economical Allocation of Irrigation Water under a Changing Environment: a Stochastic Multi‐Objective Nonlinear Programming Model*
Authors: Yan Zehao , Li Mo , Li Zhong
Published: September 2020

Water scarcity causes conflicts between natural resources and socio‐economic development which reinforces the need for optimal allocation of irrigation water resources. Irrigation water resource allocation is a complex problem due to various uncertainties in natural conditions. In this study, a stochastic multi‐objective nonlinear programming model is developed for irrigation water allocation under uncertainty. The model is capable of balancing the conflicting objectives of maximizing both net economic benefit (NEB) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). Moreover, it can reflect the random nature of water availability, and provide alternative water allocation schemes in response to climate change. The applicability of the developed model is demonstrated by a case study in north‐west China. Trade‐offs between NEB and IWUE are presented. Irrigation water allocation schemes to cope with changing environments, including climate change and varying water availability, are also proposed. The results demonstrate that the developed model can generate solutions that save irrigation water while ensuring NEB. This model is a useful tool to support the formulation of optimized water resources management policies in a changing environment.
Electrochemical aptamer sensor for highly sensitive detection of mercury ion with Au/Pt@carbon nanofiber‐modified electrode
Authors: Xie Hui , Niu Yanyan , Deng Ying , Cheng Hui , Ruan Chengxiang , Li Guangjiu , Sun Wei
Published: September 2020

In this paper, an electrochemical aptamer sensor was proposed for the highly sensitive detection of mercury ion (Hg2+). Carbon nanofiber (CNF) was prepared by electrospinning and high‐temperature carbonization, which was used for the loading of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) by the hydrothermal method. The Pt@CNF nanocomposite was modified on the surface of carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) to obtain Pt@CNF/CILE, which was further decorated by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) through electrodeposition to get Au/Pt@CNF/CILE. Self‐assembling of the thiol‐based aptamer was further realized by the formation of Au‐S bond to get an electrochemical aptamer sensor (Aptamer/Au/Pt@CNF/CILE). Due to the specific binding of aptamer probe to Hg2+ with the formation of T‐Hg2+‐T structure, a highly sensitive quantitative detection of Hg2+ could be achieved by recording the changes of current signal after reacting with Hg2+ within the concentration range from 1.0 × 10−15 mol/L to 1.0 × 10−6 mol/L and the detection limit of 3.33 × 10−16 mol/L (3σ). Real water samples were successfully analyzed by this method.
The effects of malvidin on oxidative stress parameters and inflammatory cytokines in LPS‐induced human THP‐1 cells
Authors: Bastin Alireza , Sadeghi Asie , Nematollahi Mohammad Hadi , Abolhassani Moslem , Mohammadi Abbas , Akbari Hamed
Published: September 2020

Malvidin is an anthocyanin which is involved in inhibiting inflammatory‐related mediators in inflammatory diseases; however, its mechanism of action in THP‐1 cells is not yet known. THP‐1 is a human monocytic cell line that is derived from patients with acute monocytic leukemia. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of malvidin on inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced THP‐1 cells. THP‐1 cells were stimulated with LPS (50 ng/ml) to induce inflammation in the presence or absence of malvidin. The anti/proinflammatory cytokines were evaluated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Total protein levels/phosphorylation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), P65‐NF‐κB, and IKKα/IKKβ were evaluated by western blot analysis. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) metabolite levels, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total thiol (T‐SH) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were measured to evaluate the antioxidant activity of malvidin in THP‐1 cells. Treatment of LPS‐stimulated THP‐1 cells with malvidin (100 and 200 μM) led to the significant inhibition of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor‐α, and IL‐1β messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and protein levels as well as a significant increase in the IL‐10 mRNA expression and protein secretion. Moreover, 200 μM malvidin treatment reduced the phosphorylation of JNK, IKKα/IKKβ, and P65‐NF‐κB. These findings showed that malvidin not only decreased the MDA and NO metabolite levels but also increased the FRAP and T‐SH content as well as SOD and GPx activities. The findings of the present study demonstrated the potential role of malvidin in blocking inflammation and oxidative stress induced by LPS in THP‐1 cell line, suggesting that malvidin is likely to be a therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases.
Antimicrobial peptides in the gut–brain axis: A straightforward review to unravel some missing links
Authors: Pinheiro da Silva Fabiano , Vinicius Macarini Bruzaferro Ewerton , Olsen Saraiva Câmara Niels
Published: September 2020

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are intriguing molecules, able to directly kill several microorganisms and to regulate multiple aspects of the immune response. Despite the extensive studies on the role of AMPs in the epithelial barrier, placing them as a pivotal line of defense against pathogen invasion, little attention has been directed to their role in the maintenance and modulation of the gut microbiota and, by consequence, of the homeostasis of extra intestinal tissues. Here, we review the recent literature about the microbiome–gut–brain axis, focusing on the role of AMPs in this scenario. We provide a straightforward revision of current data in order to provide an overview of the subject, discussing more in depth some points that, in our opinion, are crucial and have received little attention.
Patient experience of autogenous soft tissue grafting has an implication for future treatment: A 10‐ to 15‐year cross‐sectional study
Authors: Tavelli Lorenzo , Barootchi Shayan , Di Gianfilippo Riccardo , Kneifati Anas , Majzoub Jad , Stefanini Martina , Zucchelli Giovanni , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: September 2020

Background

Patient‐reported outcomes have received a great deal of interest in periodontal plastic procedures. However, their evaluation has mainly been short‐term. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of soft tissue grafting procedures conducted over a decade ago on the willingness of a patients to undergo the surgery again.

Methods

Subjects that received an autogenous soft tissue graft over 10 years ago were screened and invited for a survey. Their response was only analyzed if they were able to correctly identify the sites of the surgical procedures. Dichotomous questions and visual analogue scales (VASs) were used to assess self‐reported pain, willingness to retreat and satisfaction.

Results

Fifty‐two patients were included in the analyses. Higher pain was reported for mandibular sites, and treated areas including ≥ 3 teeth (P < 0.01). Willingness to retreatment was 84.6% and it was negatively associated with self‐reported pain measures, the arch location (mandible), and number of treated sites (≥3 teeth) (P < 0.01). Mean satisfaction rate was 86.9 ± 13.65 (VAS) and showed a positive correlation with willingness to retreat (P < 0.01). Having a complete root coverage at the recall visit was also significantly associated with higher patient satisfaction scores (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Patient experience of previous autogenous soft tissue grafting has an influence on their decision to undergo future treatment. Willingness to retreat was negatively affected by mandibular sites, larger treated areas and the perceived pain, while presenting with complete root coverage was significantly associated with patient satisfaction.
Pain After Ear Surgery: A Prospective Evaluation of Endoscopic and Microscopic Approaches
Authors: Baazil Adrianus H. A. , van Spronsen Erik , Ebbens Fenna A. , Dikkers Frederik G. , De Wolf Maarten J. F.
Published: September 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

Assumed advantages of a minimally invasive endoscopic transmeatal approach in ear surgery are less postoperative pain, faster healing, and preservation of functional anatomy. We evaluated pain after ear surgery and compared endoscopic transmeatal, microscopic endaural, and retroauricular approaches.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

A prospective evaluation of pain during 3 weeks after ear surgery was performed. Three groups were defined: endoscopic transmeatal, microscopic endaural, and retroauricular. Data from 20 fully completed questionnaires (Brief Pain Inventory–Short Form) per group were analyzed with Bayesian and frequentist statistics.

Results

For all approaches, low pain scores were found, not exceeding 4 on a scale of 0 to 10. Analysis of the worst, least, and average pain scores documented per 24 hours showed no statistically significant difference nor equality between groups. With Bayesian statistics, a Bayes factor of 1.07, 0.25, and 0.51 was found, respectively. With frequentist statistics a p value of .092, .783, and 0.291 was found, respectively. Small, but statistically significant, differences were found for sleep, natural sleeping position, normal work, and pain medication taken. The location of pain correlates with the incision site.

Conclusions

The results of this study show that the surgical approach has no clinically relevant influence on postoperative pain after ear surgery. The statistically significant differences on natural sleeping position, sleep, normal work, and amount of pain medication taken are small and should be interpreted with caution. Therefore, these should not be decisive factors in the choice of surgical approach in ear surgery.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 131:1127–1131, 2021
Research on structural compatibility of eco‐porous concrete and vegetation
Authors: Zhang G. , Yin J. , Li S.
Published: September 2020

To investigate the structural compatibility of eco‐porous concrete (EPC) and vegetation, a simulation method (sand penetration coefficient) of structure compatibility between the eco‐porous concrete (EPC) and vegetation was put forward. Furthermore, the relation between sand penetration coefficient and pore characteristics were analyzed, and the technology of acquiring equivalent pore size was optimized. The results present that the new simulation method, characterized by sand penetration coefficient, can effectively assess the ability of eco‐porous concrete (EPC) to allow the root system to pass through. In addition, the real pore structure shape by “rubbing technology” can be easily and quickly obtained.
Ganglion Cell Complex Thinning in Young Gaucher Patients: Relation to Prodromal Parkinsonian Markers
Authors: Tantawy Azza Abdel Gawad , Adly Amira Abdel Moneam , Hashem Noureldin Hussein , Ebeid Weam Mohamed , Abdeen Mai Seifeldin , Salah Nouran Yousef
Published: September 2020

Background

Patients with Gaucher disease (GD) have an increased risk for parkinsonism. Retinal thinning has been described in parkinsonism as an early nonmotor feature. Scarce reports have addressed retinal thickness changes in GD.

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to compare ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with GD with healthy control subjects, and to correlate it with the presence of parkinsonian features (PFs), clinical prodromal markers of parkinsonism, severity score index (SSI), and glucosylsphingosine (Lyso‐GL‐1).

Methods

This study included 48 AYAs with GD (11–29 years), 11 with manifest PFs (Group 1) and 37 with no PFs (Group 2), and 48 matched healthy control subjects (Group 3). Age of GD onset, disease duration, medication history, history of constipation, SSI, and hematological assessment were done. Neurocognitive evaluation included Parts I, II, and III of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Wechsler Adult and Intelligence Scale and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) scale, Munich Parasomnia Screening scale, and the olfactory dysfunction scale. Molecular analyses of the acid GBA gene and Lyso‐GL‐1 were done. Participants underwent full ophthalmological examination and optical coherence tomography with GCC thickness measurement.

Results

GCC was significantly thinner in Group 1 than in Groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.001), whereas no significant difference was found between Groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.977). In addition, a significant interocular GCC thickness difference was found among the studied AYAs with GD (P = 0.007). GCC correlated positively with total intelligence quotient (P < 0.001) and negatively with Lyso‐GL‐1 (P = 0.019), UPDRS (P = 0.004), and BDI (P = 0.029), but not with SSI (P = 0.874), GD type (P = 0.85), or genotype (P = 0.842). A significant negative relationship was found between GCC thickness and PFs (P = 0.001), parasomnia (P = 0.003), constipation (P = 0.031), RBD (P = 0.044), and hyposmia (P = 0.033).

Conclusions

GCC thinning may be a promising biomarker for central nervous system neurodegeneration that has the potential to monitor early PFs among people with GD. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Autism classified by magnetic resonance imaging: A pilot study of a potential diagnostic tool
Authors: Sarovic Darko , Hadjikhani Nouchine , Schneiderman Justin , Lundström Sebastian , Gillberg Christopher
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Individual anatomical biomarkers have limited power for the classification of autism. The present study introduces a multivariate classification approach using structural magnetic resonance imaging data from individuals with and without autism.

Methods

The classifier utilizes z‐normalization, parameter weighting, and interindividual comparison on brain segmentation data, for estimation of an individual summed total index (TI). The TI indicates whether the gross morphological pattern of each individual's brain is in the direction of cases or controls.

Results

Morphometric analysis found significant differences within subcortical gray matter structures and limbic areas. There was no significant difference in total brain volume. A case‐control pilot‐study of TIs in normally intelligent individuals with autism (24) and without (21) yielded a maximal accuracy of 78.9% following cross‐validation. It showed a high accuracy compared with machine learning methods when tested on the same dataset. The TI correlated well with the autism quotient (R = 0.51) across groups.

Conclusion

These results are on par with studies on autism using machine learning. The main contributions are its transparency and simplicity. The possibility of including additional neuroimaging data further increases the potential of the classifier as a diagnostic aid for neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as a research tool for neuroscientific investigations.
Acute chest syndrome in the setting of SARS‐COV‐2 infections—A case series at an urban medical center in the Bronx
Authors: Morrone Kerry A. , Strumph Kaitlin , Liszewski Mark C. , Jackson Jenai , Rinke Michael L. , Silver Ellen J. , Minniti Caterina , Davila Jennifer , Mitchell William B. , Manwani Deepa
Published: September 2020

New York City has emerged as one of the epicenters of the SARS‐COV‐2 pandemic, with the Bronx being disproportionately affected. This novel coronavirus has caused significant respiratory manifestations raising the concern for development of acute chest syndrome (ACS) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). We report a series of pediatric SCD SARS‐COV‐2‐positive patients admitted with ACS. SARS‐COV‐2‐positive SCD patients, who did not develop ACS, were the comparison group. Hydroxyurea use (P‐value = .02) and lower absolute monocyte counts (P‐value = .04) were noted in patients who did not develop ACS. These preliminary findings need to be further evaluated in larger cohorts.
Peptides as key components in the design ofnon‐viralvectors for gene delivery
Authors: Thomas Joseph , Punia Kamia , Montclare Jin Kim
Published: September 2020

Successful clinical implementation of gene delivery relies on the use of viral or non‐viral based vectors to package and protect the therapeutic nucleic acid. These vehicles must also be able to direct the fate of the cargo once it has entered the cell to ensure that the nucleic acid is functional, and the desired outcome is achieved. Compared to viral vectors, non‐viral vectors have the advantage of incorporating different material types such as lipids, polymers, and peptides to tune overall safety and efficacy. Peptides are especially powerful when used in gene delivery vectors as they are able to increase gene delivery efficacy by introducing new biochemical functionality. This review will discuss the use of peptides as central design components in non‐viral gene delivery vectors. The contribution of the peptide component to the overall functionality of the delivery vehicle will be highlighted, with a focus on peptides as the only vehicle component or peptides in complex assemblies with lipids or polymers.
Design for immuno‐oncology clinical trials enrolling both responders and nonresponders
Authors: Xu Zhenzhen , Zhu Bin , Park Yongsoek
Published: September 2020

A typical challenge facing the design and analysis of immuno‐oncology (IO) trials is the prevalence of nonproportional hazards (NPH) patterns manifested in Kaplan‐Meier curves under time‐to‐event endpoints. The NPH patterns would violate the proportional hazards assumption, and yet conventional design and analysis strategies often ignore such a violation, resulting in underpowered or even falsely negative IO studies. In this article, we show, both empirically and analytically, that treating nonresponders in IO studies of inadequate size would give rise to a variety of NPH patterns; we then present a novel design and analysis strategy,P%‐responderinformation embedded (PRIME), to properly incorporate the dichotomized response incurred from treating nonresponders. Empirical studies demonstrate that the proposed strategy can achieve desirable power, whereas the conventional alternative leads to a severe power loss. The PRIME strategy allows us to quantify the impact of treating nonresponders on study efficiency, thereby enabling a proper design of IO trials with an adequate power. More importantly, it pinpoints a solution to enhance the study efficiency and alleviates the NPH patterns by enrolling more prospective responders. An R package (Immunotherapy.Design) is developed for implementation.
Ambient Fabrication of Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Kirs Ashleigh , Ambroz Filip , Lin Chieh‐Ting , Bati Abdulaziz S. R. , Parkin Ivan P. , Shapter Joseph G. , Batmunkh Munkhbayar , Macdonald Thomas J.
Published: September 2020

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted significant attention in recent years due to their high‐power conversion efficiency, simple fabrication, and low material cost. However, due to their high sensitivity to moisture and oxygen, high efficiency PSCs are mainly constructed in an inert environment. This has led to significant concerns associated with the long‐term stability and manufacturing costs, which are some of the major limitations for the commercialization of this cutting‐edge technology. Over the past few years, excellent progress in fabricating PSCs in ambient conditions has been made. These advancements have drawn considerable research interest in the photovoltaic community and shown great promise for the successful commercialization of efficient and stable PSCs. In this review, after providing an overview to the influence of an ambient fabrication environment on perovskite films, recent advances in fabricating efficient and stable PSCs in ambient conditions are discussed. Along with discussing the underlying challenges and limitations, the most appropriate strategies to fabricate efficient PSCs under ambient conditions are summarized along with multiple roadmaps to assist in the future development of this technology.
Volume‐related quantification of organic carbon content and cation exchange capacity of macropore surfaces in Bt horizons
Authors: Leue Martin , Uteau Daniel , Peth Stephan , Beck‐Broichsitter Steffen , Gerke Horst H.
Published: September 2020

In structured soils, earthworm burrows, root channels, shrinkage cracks, and interaggregate spaces form complex macropore networks relevant for preferential transport, turnover processes, and root growth. Macropore walls are often coated with organomineral material, which determine physicochemical properties such as wettability, sorption, and the cation exchange capacity (CEC). The objective here was to identify volume‐averaged mean macropore coating properties of larger intact soil cores (∼7,500 cm3) from Bt horizons of Luvisols developed from loess and glacial till. The quantification of organic C (OC) content and CEC of macropore surfaces was based on three‐dimensional images of X‐ray computed tomography (XRCT) of 231‐μm voxel resolution and a vesselness procedure to distinguish between biopores and cracks. Macropore surface areas were combined with millimeter‐scaled data of OC contents and CEC of macropore coating material. The surface of macropores that accounted for 5.6 % (loess‐Bt) and 4.6 % (till‐Bt) of the samples’ volumes represented approximately one‐third of the OC content and CEC of the bulk soil. Among the macropores, surfaces of larger biopores contributed most to OC content of the soil cores. The contribution of coated cracks and pinhole fillings to OC content was larger for the till‐Bt than for the loess‐Bt. Locally higher OC contents and CEC values emphasize the role of macropore surfaces in Bt horizons of Luvisols as geochemical hotspots and for mass exchange, especially during preferential flow and transport. Volume‐based coating properties may help improving macroscopic‐scale two‐domain flow and transport models.
One locus with two roles: microRNA‐independent functions of microRNA‐host‐gene locus‐encoded long noncoding RNAs
Authors: Sun Qinyu , Song You Jin , Prasanth Kannanganattu V.
Published: September 2020

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides that do not code for proteins. LncRNAs play crucial regulatory roles in several biological processes via diverse mechanisms and their aberrant expression is associated with various diseases. LncRNA genes are further subcategorized based on their relative organization in the genome. MicroRNA (miRNA)‐host‐gene‐derived lncRNAs (lnc‐MIRHGs) refer to lncRNAs whose genes also harbor miRNAs. There exists crosstalk between the processing of lnc‐MIRHGs and the biogenesis of the encoded miRNAs. Although the functions of the encoded miRNAs are usually well understood, whether those lnc‐MIRHGs play independent functions are not fully elucidated. Here, we review our current understanding of lnc‐MIRHGs, including their biogenesis, function, and mechanism of action, with a focus on discussing the miRNA‐independent functions of lnc‐MIRHGs, including their involvement in cancer. Our current understanding of lnc‐MIRHGs strongly indicates that this class of lncRNAs could play important roles in basic cellular events as well as in diseases.

This article is categorized under:

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Biogenesis of Effector Small RNAs
Na2Ge3P3 and Na5Ge7P5 Comprising Heteroatomic Polyanions Mimicking the Structure of Fibrous Red Phosphorus
Authors: Eickhoff Henrik , Hlukhyy Viktor , Fässler Thomas F.
Published: September 2020

Recently lithium phosphidogermanates were discovered as fast lithium ion conductors for potential usage as solid electrolytes in all solid‐state batteries. In this context we also studied sodium phosphidogermanates since sodium ion conductors are of equal interest. Na2Ge3P3 and Na5Ge7P5 both crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/m with unit cell parameters of a = 17.639(4) Å, b = 3.6176(7) Å, c = 11.354(2) Å, β = 92.74(3)° and a = 16.168(5) Å, b = 3.6776(7) Å, c = 12.924(4) Å, β = 91.30(3)°, respectively. Both show linearly condensed 9‐atom cages of four Ge / five P and five Ge / four P atoms, respectively. These cages contain Ge–Ge bonds and form one‐dimensional tubes by sharing three atoms. The parallel tubes are paired through further Ge–Ge bonds. Both structures are closely related to the one of the fibrous type of crystalline red phosphorus. A comparison with other compounds such as NaGe3P3 and GeP reveals recurring structural motifs with a broad variety of connection patterns. According to the general formula Na4+xGe6+xP6–x with x = 0 and 1, the two novel structures hint for the possibility of a variable Na content which might allow Na ion mobility.
Monopole and instanton effects in QCD
Authors: Hasegawa Masayasu
Published: September 2020

Abstract

We aim to show the effects of the magnetic monopoles and instantons in quantum chromodynamics (QCD) on observables; therefore, we introduce a monopole and anti-monopole pair in the QCD vacuum of a quenched SU(3) by applying the monopole creation operator to the vacuum. We calculate the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the overlap Dirac operator that preserves the exact chiral symmetry in lattice gauge theory using these QCD vacua. We then investigate the effects of magnetic monopoles and instantons. First, we confirm the monopole effects as follows: (i) the monopole creation operator makes the monopoles and anti-monopoles in the QCD vacuum. (ii) A monopole and anti-monopole pair creates an instanton or anti-instanton without changing the structure of the QCD vacuum. (iii) The monopole and anti-monopole pairs change only the scale of the spectrum distribution without affecting the spectra of the Dirac operator by comparing the spectra with random matrix theory. Next, we find the instanton effects by increasing the number density of the instantons and anti-instantons as follows: (iv) the decay constants of the pseudoscalar increase. (v) The values of the chiral condensate, which are defined as negative numbers, decrease. (vi) The light quarks and the pseudoscalar mesons become heavy. The catalytic effect on the charged pion is estimated using the numerical results of the pion decay constant and the pion mass. (vii) The decay width of the charged pion becomes wider than the experimental result, and the lifetime of the charged pion becomes shorter than the experimental result. These are the effects of the monopoles and instantons in QCD.
Geschlechterspezifische Unterschiede bei der endovaskulären Behandlung der peripheren arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit – Eine systematische Literaturübersicht
Authors: Behrendt C.-A. , Rother U. , Rümenapf G. , Uhl C. , Böckler D. , Görtz H. , Heidemann F. ,   Kommission PAVK und Diabetisches Fußsyndrom der DGG e. V.
Published: September 2020

Hintergrund

Es gibt Hinweise auf geschlechterspezifische Unterschiede bei der Entwicklung, Diagnostik und Behandlung der symptomatischen peripheren arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit (PAVK). Obwohl Frauen in der Literatur etwa 50 % der behandelten Kohorten ausmachen, ist deren Anteil in kontrollierten randomisierten Studien zur PAVK gering. Leitlinien enthalten bisher kaum geschlechtersensitive Empfehlungen, und die Ergebnisse retrospektiver Beobachtungsstudien widersprechen sich. Diese systematische Literaturrecherche soll verfügbare Beobachtungsstudien zu Geschlechterunterschieden bei der endovaskulären Behandlung der symptomatischen PAVK identifizieren.

Material und Methoden

Es wurde eine systematische Literaturanalyse auf der Basis einer PubMed-Recherche mit dem Schwerpunkt auf retrospektive Beobachtungsstudien zum Vergleich der Behandlungsergebnisse zwischen Männern und Frauen durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt konnten 37 Publikationen identifiziert werden, die eine Kohorte von 5.489.558 Patientinnen und Patienten (40,3 % Frauen) beschreiben. Fünf Studien nutzten Propensity Score Matching zur Kontrolle von Störfaktoren. In 23 Studien wurden Behandlungsergebnisse nach der Dauer des Krankenhausaufenthalts bzw. nach 30 Tagen berichtet. Während 10 Studien einen Behandlungsnachteil bei Frauen identifizieren konnten, berichteten 6 Studien über einen Behandlungsnachteil bei Männern. Die weiteren 21 Studien konnten keine eindeutigen Unterschiede zeigen.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die verfügbare Real-World-Evidenz lässt aufgrund der methodischen Limitationen der eingeschlossenen Studien und deren unzureichender Vergleichbarkeit keine eindeutige Aussage zu geschlechterspezifischen Unterschieden bei der endovaskulären Behandlung der PAVK zu.
A Lagrange multiplier method for semilinear elliptic state constrained optimal control problems
Authors: Karl Veronika , Neitzel Ira , Wachsmuth Daniel
Published: September 2020

In this paper we apply an augmented Lagrange method to a class of semilinear elliptic optimal control problems with pointwise state constraints. We show strong convergence of subsequences of the primal variables to a local solution of the original problem as well as weak convergence of the adjoint states and weak-* convergence of the multipliers associated to the state constraint. Moreover, we show existence of stationary points in arbitrary small neighborhoods of local solutions of the original problem. Additionally, various numerical results are presented.
Fermi’s Golden Rule and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
Authors: Braak D. , Mannhart J.
Published: September 2020

We present a Gedankenexperiment that leads to a violation of detailed balance if quantum mechanical transition probabilities are treated in the usual way by applying Fermi’s “golden rule”. This Gedankenexperiment introduces a collection of two-level systems that absorb and emit radiation randomly through non-reciprocal coupling to a waveguide, as realized in specific chiral quantum optical systems. The non-reciprocal coupling is modeled by a hermitean Hamiltonian and is compatible with the time-reversal invariance of unitary quantum dynamics. Surprisingly, the combination of non-reciprocity with probabilistic radiation processes entails negative entropy production. Although the considered system appears to fulfill all conditions for Markovian stochastic dynamics, such a dynamics violates the Clausius inequality, a formulation of the second law of thermodynamics. Several implications concerning the interpretation of the quantum mechanical formalism are discussed.