bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human equilibrative nucleoside transporter‐1 and deoxycytidine kinase can predict gemcitabine effectiveness in Egyptian patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Attia Fadia , Fathy Sara , Anani Maha , Hassan Adel , Attia Fawzy , Ibrahim Gehan , Elazab Mona 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundSeveral biomarkers of gemcitabine effectiveness have been studied in cancers, but less so in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is identified as the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Investigation of human equilibrative nucleoside transporter‐1 (HENT‐1) and deoxycytidine kinase (DCK), genes involved in gemcitabine uptake and metabolism, can be beneficial in the selection of potential cancer patients who could be responding to the treatment.AimTo study HENT‐1 and DCK gene expression in HCC patients with different protocols of treatment.MethodsUsing real‐time PCR, we analyzed expression levels of HENT‐1 and DCK genes from peripheral blood samples of 109 patients (20 controls & 89 HCC patients) between March 2015 and March 2017. All the 89 HCC patients received the antioxidants selenium (Se) and vitamin E (Vit.E) either alone (45 patients) or in combination with gemcitabine (24 patients) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (20 patients).ResultsThere was a significant increase in HENT‐1 expression levels in HCC patients treated with Se and Vit.E alone as compared to controls (P ˂ .0001), while there was no significant difference between HCC patients treated with gemcitabine or RFA as compared to controls. In contrast, expression of DCK was significantly increased in all groups of HCC patients as compared to controls (P ˂ .0001).ConclusionsHENT‐1 and DCK mRNA expressions are important markers of HCC and for GEM effect and GEM sensitivity in patients with HCC. This could be beneficial in the selection of HCC patients sensitive to gemcitabine to avoid subjecting resistant patients to unnecessary chemotherapy.
Global Research Alliance N2O chamber methodology guidelines: Recommendations for deployment and accounting for sources of variability
Authors: Charteris Alice F. , Chadwick David R. , Thorman Rachel E. , Vallejo Antonio , de Klein Cecile A.M. , Rochette Philippe , Cárdenas Laura M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAdequately estimating soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions using static chambers is challenging due to the high spatial variability and episodic nature of these fluxes. We discuss how to design experiments using static chambers to better account for this variability and reduce the uncertainty of N2O emission estimates. This paper is part of a series, each discussing different facets of N2O chamber methodology. Aspects of experimental design and sampling affected by spatial variability include site selection and chamber layout, size, and areal coverage. Where used, treatment application adds a further level of spatial variability. Time of day, frequency, and duration of sampling (both individual chamber closure and overall experiment duration) affect the temporal variability captured. We also present best practice recommendations for chamber installation and sampling protocols to reduce further uncertainty. To obtain the best N2O emission estimates, resources should be allocated to minimize the overall uncertainty in line with experiment objectives. Sometimes this will mean prioritizing individual flux measurements and increasing their accuracy and precision by, for example, collecting four or more headspace samples during each chamber closure. However, where N2O fluxes are exceptionally spatially variable (e.g., in heterogeneous agricultural landscapes, such as uneven and woody grazed pastures), using available resources to deploy more chambers with fewer headspace samples per chamber may be beneficial. Similarly, for particularly episodic N2O fluxes, generated for example by irrigation or freeze–thaw cycles, increasing chamber sampling frequency will improve the accuracy and reduce the uncertainty of temporally interpolated N2O fluxes.
Trifluoroborane catalyzed chemoselective synthesis of highly functionalized 1,3‐thiazin‐2‐ylidenes
Authors: Luo Zhibin , Bhavanarushi Sangepu , Sreenivas Avula , Reddy Narra Srikanth , Valeru Anil , Khan Imran , Xu Yin , Liu Bin , Xie Jimin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAn efficient chemoselective synthesis of 1,3‐thiazine‐2‐ylidenes was achieved via annulations of β‐aroyl‐thioacetamide with propargyl alcohols using BF3 OEt2 as Lewis acid catalyst. A broad spectrum of substrates was well tolerated under the mild reaction conditions producing desired thiazine heterocyclics in good yields.
Characteristics of mesoscale convection over northwestern Mexico, the Gulf of California, and Baja California Peninsula
Authors: Farfán Luis M. , Barrett Bradford S. , Raga G. B. , Delgado Julián J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are frequent, but understudied, components of the warm season climatology in northwestern Mexico. This study provides an update of previous research on convective development and examines MCS life cycle, structure, and motion from July through September. It focuses on a region south of the North American monsoon core and, from 2009 to 2018 satellite observations, on patterns of cloud tops higher than 10 km above sea level. The diurnal cycle of convection shows cells initiating in the early afternoon over the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains and becoming better organized over the next few hours. These features typically move westward, grow upscale to reach maximum vertical extent near local sunset, and weaken during the night. However, there is a distinct region of deep convection over and off the coast of Nayarit (20–23°N), in the Pacific Ocean, that remains active through the night and into the early morning, producing heavy rainfall and frequent lightning. Occasionally, the inner structure of these MCSs can move across the Gulf of California and reach the southern Baja California Peninsula. One particular long‐lived, fast‐moving MCS from July 23 and 24, 2014 was selected for in‐depth analysis, because it was associated with weather conditions that included unusual precipitation and extreme winds. The MCS caused damage from sustained winds of tropical‐storm strength and an intense gust front in the Los Cabos area, in the southern tip of the peninsula. This extraordinary MCS developed in the most unstable and humid environment recorded during the 1976–2018 period, and was supported by a collocated upper‐level, inverted trough and a lower‐troposphere tropical wave. We also found that the 10 most unstable conditions have all occurred after 2011, possibly indicative of a trend toward more frequent and favourable environments to spawn MCSs over the Gulf of California entrance.
Nutritional quality and health risk of pepper fruit as affected by magnesium fertilization
Authors: Lu Ming , Liu Dunyi , Shi Zumin , Gao Xiaopeng , Liang Yi , Yao Zhi , Zhang Wei , Wang Xiaozhong , Chen Xinping 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDMagnesium (Mg) fertilization is a promising practice to improve vegetable yield. However, its impacts on vegetable quality and human health have not been examined. Thus, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of varying Mg fertilization rates on yield and quality of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruit. Furthermore, result of the field experiment was linked to pepper consumption data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) in the disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) framework to evaluate the potential health impact of Mg fertilization for the first time.RESULTSCompared to control, Mg fertilization increased the 2‐year average pepper yield by 25.6%, whereas there was no significant yield improvement when Mg rates exceeded 112.5 kg MgO ha−1. Magnesium application increased concentrations of Mg and capsaicinoids, decreased those of calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn) and vitamin C (Vc), and had no effect on potassium (K) and iron (Fe) in pepper fruit. As a result, Mg fertilization decreased the comprehensive nutrition level of pepper by 16.6%. Furthermore, the current health burden of the Chinese adult population associated with pepper consumption is estimated at 21.3 million DALYs per year, with the risk being increased by 5.40 DALYs for per megagram of Mg fertilizer application. Increasing health risk was mainly attributed to decreasing concentrations of Ca and Vc in pepper fruit, though the increased Mg intakes offset the impact of 1.74% to 14.4%.CONCLUSIONMagnesium fertilization significantly improved the yield but reduced nutritional quality of pepper fruit, and increased human health risks associated with consumption of pepper fruit. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Is Office Laryngoscopy an Aerosol‐Generating Procedure?
Authors: Rameau Anaïs , Lee Mark , Enver Necati , Sulica Lucian 
Published: July 2020

Objectives/HypothesisThe aims of this work were 1) to investigate whether office laryngoscopy is an aerosol‐generating procedure with an optical particle sizer (OPS) during clinical simulation on healthy volunteers, and 2) to critically discuss methods for assessment of aerosolizing potentials in invasive interventions.Study DesignProspective quantification of aerosol and droplet generation during clinical simulation of rigid and flexible laryngoscopy.MethodsTwo healthy volunteers were recruited to undergo both flexible and rigid laryngoscopy. An OPS was used to quantify aerosols and droplets generated for four positive controls relative to ambient particles (speech, breathing, /e/ phonation, and /æ/ phonation) and for five test interventions relative to breathing and phonation (flexible laryngoscopy, flexible laryngoscopy with humming, flexible laryngoscopy with /e/ phonation, rigid laryngoscopy, and rigid laryngoscopy with /æ/ phonation). Particle counts in mean diameter size range from 0.3 to >10 μm were measured with OPS placed at 12 cm from the subject's nose/mouth.ResultsNone of the laryngoscopy interventions (n = 10 each) generated aerosols above that produced by breathing or phonation. Breathing (n = 40, 1–3 μm, P = .016) and /æ/ phonation (n = 10, 1–3 μm, P = .022; 3–5 μm. P = .083; >5 μm, P = .012) were statistically significant producers of aerosols and droplets. Neither speech nor /e/ phonation (n = 10 each) were associated with statistically significant aerosols and droplet generation.ConclusionsUsing OPS to detect droplets and aerosols, we found that office laryngoscopy is likely not an aerosol‐generating procedure. Despite its prior use in otolaryngological literature, an OPS has intrinsic limitations. Our study should be complemented with more sophisticated methods of droplet distribution measurement.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 130:2637–2642, 2020
Mitochondria as a target in cancer treatment
Authors: Liu Yu'e , Shi Yufeng 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMitochondria are biosynthetic, bioenergetic, and signaling organelles existing in almost all eukaryotic cells, and their dysregulated function has been proved to be essential for tumorigenesis, tumor development, and tumor metastasis. In this short review, first, we briefly summarize the historic misunderstanding of mitochondria in tumors, and then come up with a current view that mitochondria play a pivotal role in tumor cells; second, we review how tumor cells rewind mitochondrial function for their oncogenic purpose via known or unknown mechanisms by key oncogenes or tumor suppressors; third, we go through reagents and strategies currently available targeting mitochondria when treating tumors. Recently, merging data suggest that slow cycling cancer cells/cancer stem cells have distinctive mitochondrial metabolism comparing to bulk tumor cells and mitochondria inhibitors seem to be promising to target them, which are resistant to traditional radio and chemotherapies. We thus discuss role of mitochondria in these cancer stem cells and summarize mitochondria as a target from different aspects.
An explicit one‐dimensional consolidation solution with semi‐permeable drainage boundary for unsaturated soil
Authors: Zhao Xudong , Ng Charles W. W. , Zhang Shuai , Ni Junjun , Zhou Chao 
Published: July 2020

SummaryExisting solutions for analyzing one‐dimensional (1‐D) consolidation of unsaturated soil are only derived to cater to two extreme drainage conditions (fully drained and undrained). This study presents a new explicit solution for 1‐D consolidation of unsaturated soil with semi‐permeable drainage boundary. Based on the assumptions of two independent stress variables and the governing equations proposed by Fredlund, the eigenfunction expansion method is adopted to develop an explicit analytical solution to calculate excess pore‐water and pore‐air pressures in an unsaturated soil when it is subjected to external loads. The developed general solutions are expressed in terms of depth, z, and time, t. For the semi‐permeable drainage boundary, eigenvalues and eigenfunctions in the space domain are developed. The technique of Laplace transform is used to solve the coupled ordinary differential equations in the time domain. The newly derived explicit solution is verified with the existing semi‐analytical method in the literature, and an excellent agreement is obtained. Compared with the semi‐analytical solution, the newly derived analytical solution is more straightforward and explicit so that this solution is relatively easier to be implemented into a computer program to carry out a preliminary assessment of 1‐D consolidation of unsaturated soil.
Recent trends in antipsychotic polypharmacy in the treatment of schizophrenia
Authors: Yasui‐Furukori Norio , Shimoda Kazutaka 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIchihashi et al reported that 43% of patients had antipsychotic polypharmacy. Number of antipsychotics used in patients with schizophrenia in Japan was the greatest among Asian countries. However, the antipsychotic polypharmacy rate in Japan decreased gradually. Recent systematic review, meta‐analysis and meta‐regression analysis demonstrated that antipsychotic augmentation was superior to monotherapy. However, several cohort studies have suggested a significant association between antipsychotic daily dose and mortality. In addition, most pharmacokinetic interactions with antipsychotics occur at the metabolic level and usually involve changes in the activity of the major drug‐metabolizing enzymes involved in their biotransformation. Thus, avoidance of unnecessary polypharmacy, knowledge of the interaction profiles of individual agents, and careful individualization of dosage based on close evaluation of clinical response and possibly plasma drug concentrations are essential to prevent and minimize potentially adverse drug interactions in patients receiving antipsychotics.
Continuous infusion chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and FDG‐PET are feasible during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Rotz Seth J. , Almeida Francisco A. , Koyfman Shlomo , Krishnan Sudhir , Thind Guramrinder Singh , Phillips William , Yun James , Zembillas Anthony , Zahniser Mark , Bribriesco Alejandro 
Published: July 2020

AbstractExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be used in extreme circumstances for patients with a mediastinal mass and respiratory failure. We report on a young man with primary mediastinal B‐cell lymphoma invading into the trachea, requiring a 40‐day ECMO run who underwent fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) imaging and treatment with concurrent mediastinal irradiation and continuous infusion chemotherapy while on this life‐saving technology. This case illustrates that oncology patients may be managed by multidisciplinary teams for extended periods in extraordinary circumstances using multimodality therapies. Additionally, to our knowledge this is the first case to demonstrate the feasibility of FDG‐PET imaging while on ECMO.
Mechanical properties, flame retardancy, and thermal stability of basalt fiber reinforced polypropylene composites
Authors: Wang Shaoluo , Zhong Jiabao , Gu Yongqiang , Li Guangyao , Cui Junjia 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this article, the mechanical properties, flame retardancy, and thermal stability of basalt fiber reinforced polypropylene composites (BFRPPs) and polypropylene (PP) were investigated and compared. The combustion performance and thermal stability of BFRPPs and PP were evaluated by limiting oxygen index (LOI) test, cone calorimeter test (CCT), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that basalt fibers could enhance mechanical properties, flame retardancy, and thermal stability of PP. With the increase of basalt fiber content, the strength and stiffness of BFRPPs increased significantly, and the elongation decreased obviously. Adding basalt fibers into PP could improve the LOI value. BFRPPs burned appreciably more slowly than PP under the same oxygen concentration. Simultaneously, BFRPPs indicated a better anti‐melt dripping effect than PP matrix. The heat release rate (HRR), total heat release (THR), rate of smoke release (RSR), and total smoke release (TSR) of BFRPPs decreased compared to PP matrix. Moreover, the addition of basalt fibers to PP could contribute to the formation of a more compact and continuous char layer, which effectively reduced the transfer of heat and oxygen, resulting in a better flame retardancy of BFRPPs.
Detection of the freezing state and frozen section thickness of fine sand by ultrasonic testing
Authors: Zhang Ji‐wei , Murton Julian , Liu Shu‐jie , Sui Li‐li , Zhang Song 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDetermining the freezing state and frozen section thickness is fundamental to assessing the development of artificial frozen walls but is commonly difficult or inaccurate because of a limited number and fixed position of thermometer holes under complex field conditions. We report a novel experimental design that measures soil temperature, water content, and ultrasonic properties to monitor movement of the cryofront (0°C isotherm), water migration, and acoustic parameters during progressive upward freezing of fine sand under laboratory conditions. Ultrasonic testing during different stages of freezing revealed changes in three acoustic parameters (wave velocity, wave amplitude, and frequency spectrum). As the cryofront ascended through the sand at different water contents, wave velocity continually increased, whereas wave amplitude initially decreased and then increased. Wave velocity measurements revealed the cryofront position during freezing, but measurements of wave amplitude did not. The frequency components indicated the frequency of different evolving freezing regions during upward freezing and the freezing state of fine sand during later stages of freezing. The freezing state can be evaluated on the basis of single vs multiple peaks and the kurtosis of frequency spectrum change. An equation developed to predict the thickness of the frozen section and tested against measured values in the laboratory and field showed accuracies of 86.84–99.33%. The equation is used successfully to estimate frozen wall thickness in artificially frozen fine sand in Guangzhou, China.
Porous Lanthanum‐Doped Manganese Oxide Nanoparticles for Enhanced Sonodynamic Cancer Therapy
Authors: Zhou Jinhao , Shi Liyin , Liu Qiyu , Zhang Haozhe , Liu Xiaoqing , Han Feng , Guo Zhixing , Lu Xihong , Wang Jianwei 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMetal oxides hold great promise as robust sonosensitizers for sonodynamic therapy (SDT). However, they usually suffer from limited production yield of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the fast recombination of ultrasound‐triggered electrons and holes. Herein, porous lanthanum (La)‐doped MnO2 (LMO) nanoparticles are firstly developed as promising sonosensitizers in SDT. The strategic introduction of La dopants greatly promotes the separation efficiency of ultrasound‐triggered electrons and holes of MnO2, endowing them with significantly improved ROS yield. Consequently, the LMO with polyethylene glycol decoration exhibits good SDT activity toward breast cancer cells. This work highlights the doping strategy for the development of enhanced ROS production of metal oxide sonosensitizers for SDT.
Electron trajectories in molecular orbitals
Authors: Sumner Isaiah , Anthony Hannah 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe time‐dependent Schrödinger equation can be rewritten so that its interpretation is no longer probabilistic. Two well‐known and related reformulations are Bohmian mechanics and quantum hydrodynamics. In these formulations, quantum particles follow real, deterministic trajectories influenced by a quantum force. Generally, trajectory methods are not applied to electronic structure calculations as they predict that the electrons in a ground‐state, real, molecular wavefunction are motionless. However, a spin‐dependent momentum can be recovered from the nonrelativistic limit of the Dirac equation. Therefore, we developed new, spin‐dependent equations of motion for the quantum hydrodynamics of electrons in molecular orbitals. The equations are based on a Lagrange multiplier, which constrains each electron to an isosurface of its molecular orbital, as required by the spin‐dependent momentum. Both the momentum and the Lagrange multiplier provide a unique perspective on the properties of electrons in molecules.
Advanced G‐CSF‐producing non‐small cell lung cancer‐not otherwise specified, with favourable response to pembrolizumab monotherapy
Authors: Matsui Yohei , Yamada Tadaaki , Masuzawa Naoko , Hamada Shinshichi , Takayama Koichi , Hiranuma Osamu 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAdvanced granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF)‐producing lung tumours are generally refractory to platinum‐based chemotherapy and are associated with poor prognosis. However, therapeutic strategies for these tumours remain unknown. A 74‐year‐old man was diagnosed with non‐small cell lung cancer‐not otherwise specified (NSCLC‐NOS); the clinical stage was T4N0M1c stage IVb. Blood testing showed leucocytosis and aberrant G‐CSF expression. We chose single‐agent pembrolizumab as the initial treatment because PD‐L1 was highly expressed in the tumours. A clinically favourable response was achieved from seven courses of pembrolizumab with a total disease‐free survival of 10 months. During this period, the blood leucocyte count was concordant with the disease condition. These observations showed that pembrolizumab monotherapy may be an effective treatment for patients with advanced G‐CSF‐producing NSCLC‐NOS and that the monitoring of leucocyte count may be a useful biomarker for predicting the efficacy of pembrolizumab monotherapy.
Evaluation of modulus of elasticity for normal and high strength concrete with granite and calc‐granulite aggregate
Authors: Arora Vir Vikram , Singh Brijesh , Patel Vikas , Trivedi Amit 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHigh strength concrete is being widely used in construction nowadays and therefore, it is important to develop the design parameters for effective use and considerations. The Indian Standard has the equation for prediction of modulus of elasticity (MOE) but it is valid for normal strength concrete only. The modulus of elasticity is considered as a function of compressive strength of concrete and therefore, all the parameters that have influence on the properties of concrete should necessarily have its effects on the value of the modulus of elasticity. MOE depends on the properties of the aggregates, cement paste and their interactions at the interfacial transition zone. There are numbers of equations to evaluate the modulus of elasticity by various International codes and literatures. This paper aims in developing an empirical equation to evaluate the modulus of elasticity for both normal and high strength concrete considering the indigenous aggregates and materials. The analysis considers test results of modulus of elasticity with a wide range of compressive strength of concrete with a total of about 100 test results. Based on the experimental results for granite and calc‐granulite aggregate an empirical equation is proposed for the prediction of MOE and is compared with the empirical equations available in the different International standards. Also the effect of basalt aggregate on modulus of elasticity as compared to granite aggregate is studied.