bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
lnc‐HOTAIR predicts hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 following direct‐acting antivirals therapy
Authors: El‐Khazragy Nashwa , Elshimy Amal Ali , Hassan Safaa Shawky , Shaaban Mohamed Hafez , Bayoumi Ahmed Hamed , El Magdoub Hekmat M. , Ghozy Sherief , Gaballah Ahmed , Aboelhussein Marwa M. , Abou Gabal Hoda H. , Bannunah Azzah M. , Mansy Azza EL‐Sayed 
Published: October 2020

AbstractEmerging hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been sequentially reported in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) treated with direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs). Homeobox transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR), an oncogene, has been reported to be associated with cancer. We investigated the predictive value of lnc‐HOTAIR for HCC surveillance in chronic HCV patients following DAAs therapy. The expression levels of lnc‐HOTAIR and ATG‐7 genes were measured in 220 with chronic HCV, following a DAAs based therapy for 12 weeks, the patients were followed‐up for attentive surveillance of HCC for 12 months after starting DAAs. In terms of lnc‐HOTAIR, patients with HCC and high viral load had significantly higher median expression levels of HOTAIR of (68 vs. 24; p = .001) and (94 vs. 52; p = .001), respectively. Moreover, the median expression level of ATG‐7 was higher in those who developed HCC (114 vs. 51; p = .001). The expression of lnc‐HOTAIR and ATG‐7 are significant predictors of the development of HCC in HCV‐4 infected patients treated with DAAs, with a cut‐off value of 37 and 86, respectively. The increased expression levels of lnc‐HOTAIR more than 68 in HCC patients following DAAs were correlated with poorer disease outcomes compared to those with lower expression levels; however, ATG‐7 expression levels more than 114 were correlated with worse overall survival but not the progression‐free one. We suggest that high expression levels of lnc‐HOTAIR could serve as a risk assessment biomarker for HCC before and during DAAs course therapy in Chronic HCV‐4 patients, and should be rigorously taken into consideration before DAAs.
Simultaneous dose and dose rate optimization (SDDRO) for FLASH proton therapy
Authors: Gao Hao , Lin Bowen , Lin Yuting , Fu Shujun , Langen Katja , Liu Tian , Bradley Jeffery 
Published: October 2020

PurposeFLASH radiotherapy (RT) can potentially reduce normal tissue toxicity while preserving tumoricidal effectiveness to improve the therapeutic ratio. The key of FLASH for sparing normal tissues is to irradiate tissues with an ultra‐high dose rate (i.e., ≥40 Gy/s), for which proton RT can be used. However, currently available treatment plan optimization method only optimizes the dose distribution and does not directly optimize the dose rate. The contribution of this work to FLASH proton RT is the development of a novel treatment optimization method, that is, simultaneous dose and dose rate optimization (SDDRO), to optimize tissue‐receiving dose rate distribution as well as dose distribution.MethodsDistinguished from existing methods, SDDRO accounts for dose rate constraint and optimizes dose rate distribution. In terms of mathematical formulation, SDDRO is a constrained optimization problem with dose‐volume constraint on dose distribution, minimum dose rate constraint on dose‐averaged tissue‐receiving dose rates, minimum monitor unit constraint on spot weight, and maximum intensity constraint on beam intensity. In terms of optimization algorithm, SDDRO is solved by iterative convex relaxation and alternating direction method of multipliers. SDDRO algorithms are presented for both scenarios with either constant or variable beam intensity.ResultsSDDRO was compared with intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) (dose optimization alone, and no dose rate optimization) using three lung cases. SDDRO substantially improved the dose rate distribution compared to IMPT, for example, increasing of the region‐of‐interest (ROI) volume (ROI = CTV_10mm: the ring sandwiched by 10 mm outer and inner expansion of CTV boundary) receiving at least 40 Gy/s from ~30–50% to at least 98%, and the lung volume receiving at least 40 Gy/s from ~30–40% to ~70–90%. Moreover, both dose and dose rate distributions from SDDRO were further considerably improved via the combined use of hypofractionation and multiple beams.ConclusionsWe have developed a joint dose and dose rate optimization method for FLASH proton RT, namely SDDRO, which is first‐of‐its‐kind to the best of our knowledge. The results suggest that (a) SDDRO can substantially improve the FLASH‐dose rate coverage (e.g., in terms of dose rate volume histogram) compared to IMPT for the purpose of normal tissue sparing while preserving the dose distribution and (b) the combination of hypofractionation and multiple beams can further considerably improve the SDDRO plan quality in terms of both dose and dose rate distribution.
Reflective capacity in nurses in specialist education: Swedish translation and psychometric evaluation of the Reflective Capacity Scale of the Reflective Practice Questionnaire
Authors: Gustafsson Silje , Engström Åsa , Lindgren Britt‐Marie , Gabrielsson Sebastian 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimThis study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the Swedish version of the Reflective Capacity Scale of the Reflective Practice Questionnaire in a nursing context.DesignNon‐experimental and cross‐sectional.MethodsThe instrument was translated from English to Swedish using a translation and back‐translation procedure. Data for the validity and reliability analysis were collected from Registered Nurses in specialist education (n = 156) at two Swedish universities.ResultsThe Swedish version of the Reflective Capacity Scale of the Reflective Practice Questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument that assesses the reflective capacity of healthcare practitioners. Our findings suggest a unidimensional structure of the instrument, excellent internal consistency and good reliability.ConclusionThe Swedish version of the Reflective Capacity Scale of the Reflective Practice Questionnaire has a degree of reliability and validity that is satisfactory, indicating that the instrument can be used as an assessment of reflective capacity in nurses.
Enzymatic synthesis and characterization of muconic acid‐based unsaturated polymer systems
Authors: Maniar Dina , Fodor Csaba , Adi Indra Karno , Woortman Albert JJ , van Dijken Jur , Loos Katja 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe design of unsaturated aliphatic (co)polyester systems, based on different diester‐modified muconic acid isomers, was performed via an eco‐friendly pathway by utilizing enzymatic polymerization using Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) as catalyst. The obtained fully unsaturated oligoesters and polyesters reached lower molecular weights from 2210 to 2900 g mol−1 for the cis,cis‐(Z,Z)‐muconate isomer, and higher molecular weights of up to 21 200 g mol−1 for the polymers with cis,trans‐(Z,E) isomeric structures. The obtained (co)polyesters were thoroughly characterized and compared with their saturated polyester analogues. The applied biobased catalyst Novozym®435 (an immobilized form of CALB) showed higher selectivity towards the open cis,trans‐muconate compared to the more closed‐structure cis,cis‐muconate. Results of 1H NMR analysis showed that alkene functionality is present, and no stereo conformational changes were detected in the resulting polymers. The thermal properties of the muconate‐based polyesters showed a glass transition between −7 and 12 °C, and a one‐step degradation process with a maximum rate of weight loss between 415 and 431 °C, depending both on the conformation of the applied diester derivatives and on the segment lengths of the polyoxyalkylenes. Mass spectrometric analysis of the resulting saturated and unsaturated polyesters revealed five different microstructures with different terminal end groups, such as ester/hydroxyl, acid/ester, ester/ester and acid/hydroxyl, and cyclic polyesters without functional end groups. Overall, this study demonstrates that enzymatic polymerization is a robust approach for the synthesis of unsaturated polyesters. © 2020 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Influence of pelvic lymph node dissection and node‐positive disease on biochemical recurrence, secondary treatment, and survival after radical prostatectomy in men with prostate cancer
Authors: Washington Samuel L. , Cowan Janet E. , Herlemann Annika , Zuniga Kyle B. , Masic Selma , Nguyen Hao G. , Carroll Peter R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe benefit of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) at radical prostatectomy (RP) remains unclear given the low prevalence of known nodal disease (pN1) and concerns about its therapeutic utility.ObjectiveTo characterize the impact of PLND and secondary treatment on oncologic outcomes.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsCohort study of men who underwent primary RP with PLND for prostate cancer (PCa) at our institution since 2003. Men stratified by nodal status.Outcome Measures and Statistical AnalysisOutcomes include biochemical recurrence‐free survival (bRFS), overall survival, and PCa‐specific mortality (PCSM). Multivariable Cox regression models used for each outcome.Results and LimitationsOf 1,543 men who underwent primary RP, 174 (11%) had pN1 disease. Median follow‐up was 34 months (interquartile range, 15–62). Seven‐year outcomes were similar whether less than or ≥14 LNs dissected. Among node‐positive patients, 29% had undetectable (UDT) prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), 11% had UDT PSA + adjuvant therapy, and 60% had detectable PSA, and 7‐year bRFS differed (75% for UDT PSA, 90% for UDT + adjuvant therapy, 38% for detectable PSA, p < .01). Survival outcomes did not differ. In multivariable analysis, detectable PSA (vs. UDT, HR 5.2, 95% CI 2.0–13.3) associated with worse bRFS. After salvage treatment, 7‐year outcomes did not differ between groups. Study limited by retrospective review.
Mechanical behavior of high entropy carbide (HfTaZrTi)C and (HfTaZrNb)C under high pressure: Ab initio study
Authors: Jiang Shan , Shao Lin , Fan Touwen , Duan Jia‐Ming , Chen Xiao‐Tao , Tang Bi‐Yu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe evolution of structural, elastic, and electronic properties of high entropy carbide (HfTaZrTi)C and (HfTaZrNb)C under high pressure have been studied within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) in conjunction with special quasirandom structures. With increasing pressure, lattice constants of high entropy carbides (HfTaZrTi)C and (HfTaZrNb)C gradually decrease, so volumes shrink, and densities gradually increase. Under high pressure up to 200 GPa, elastic stiffness coefficients for both carbides are almost linearly hardened and meet the elastic stability criteria. With increasing pressure, elastic moduli and Debye temperature of both high entropy carbides (HfTaZrTi)C and (HfTaZrNb)C increase, while theoretical Vickers hardness decreases, although Vickers hardness of (HfTaZrNb)C is always higher than (HfTaZrTi)C in the whole pressure. The ductility of (HfTaZrTi)C and (HfTaZrNb)C is improved under pressure, and brittle‐ductile transition occurs at about 50 and 60 GPa, respectively. The electronic structure demonstrates that, with increasing pressure, covalent bonds between transition metal atoms and carbon atoms are strengthened, accompanying delocalization. This effect is responsible for high values of bulk modulus and shear modulus under pressure and enhanced ductility. The ionic bonds of both high entropy carbides weaken with increasing pressure, and (HfTaZrTi)C is affected more strongly by the pressure.
The influence of in‐plane restraint on the point load resistance of fiber reinforced shotcrete
Authors: Reid Stuart Grant , Bernard Erik Stefan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFiber Reinforced Shotcrete (FRS) is an essential element of ground control in many types of underground structure. It has been found to be an important aid to the improvement of safety in underground spaces and is a highly effective method of ground control across a wide range of ground conditions. However, the design of FRS linings remains problematic and uncertainty exists regarding the true load capacity of linings, especially with regard to out‐of‐plane load resistance. Most existing methods utilize either an elastic method of analysis or Yield Line theory to estimate load resistance, but these methods fail to account for the beneficial effect that in‐plane restraint has on load resistance. To address this short‐coming, the present research describes an experimental programme to examine the effect of Compressive Membrane Action (CMA) on the out‐of‐plane load capacity of shotcrete panels. The results demonstrate that the in‐plane restraint against dilation around a localized failure in a wall could contribute to at least a doubling of out‐of‐plane load resistance compared to estimates based on standard unrestrained beam and panel tests. Results of the experimental study have been used to develop an approximate mathematical model that describes the observed behavior with regard to the flexural strength enhancement associated with membrane compression and the contribution to load resistance associated with the development of inclined membrane struts and arching action.
Photo‐responsive nanozymes: Mechanism, activity regulation, and biomedical applications
Authors: Wang Chaohui , Wang Hongyu , Xu Bolong , Liu Huiyu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractNanozyme is defined as a nanomaterial‐based artificial enzyme. It has rapidly attracted interest and been regarded as a promising alternative to natural enzymes due to its low cost, high stability, and high activity. Many researchers have recently paid attention to the optical properties of nanozymes and have found a variety of nanozymes with excellent photoactivity, called photo‐responsive nanozymes. In this minireview, we briefly introduce the mechanisms of photo‐responsive nanozymes, especially for the relationship between the enzyme‐like activity and photoactivity. Some activity regulation strategies for improving the performance of photo‐responsive nanozymes are also summarized. Moreover, the synergy of enzyme‐like activity and photoactivity in biomedical applications will also be discussed, including cancer therapy, antibacteria, and biological detection. We believe this minireview will be of great significance for understanding the optical properties of nanozymes and applying them in biomedicine.
Mobile Health und digitale Biomarker: Daten als „neues Blut“ für die P4-Medizin bei Parkinson und Epilepsie
Authors: Meister Sven , Houta Salima , Bisgin Pinar 
Published: October 2020

Zusammenfassung
Mobile Health hat bereits eine über 10-jährige Forschungshistorie hinter sich. Kommend aus dem Bereich des Quantified-Self zur Dokumentation eigener Gesundheitsparameter, sollte insbesondere die Forschungsfrage der Compliance den Schulterschluss zur medizinischen Anwendung schaffen. Phänomene wie die „App-Attrition“, also die Abnutzung der App-Nutzung, erfragen jedoch nach Anreizmodellen für eine dauerhafte Nutzung, wie sie gerade bei Chronikern notwendig sind. Daten – das „neue Blut“ – scheinen das Potenzial zu haben Mehrwerte für den Patienten wie auch für die Leistungserbringer generieren zu können. Die Autoren zeigen, wie mHealth mit Aspekten der Datenverarbeitung zur Verbesserung der medizinischen Versorgung zusammenspielen kann. Das führende Konzept bilden die sog. Digitalen Biomarker – validierbare Algorithmen, welche die durch Sensoren und Apps erfassten Daten verarbeiten und quantifizierte Aussagen zum Gesundheitszustand treffen können. Zwei Fallbeispiele zeigen, wie ein solcher Systemansatz im Bereich der Epilepsie und der Parkinsontherapie unterstützen kann.
de Sitter in non-supersymmetric string theories: no-go theorems and brane-worlds
Authors: Basile Ivano , Lanza Stefano 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
We study de Sitter configurations in ten-dimensional string models where supersymmetry is either absent or broken at the string scale. To this end, we derive expressions for the cosmological constant in general warped flux compactifications with localized sources, which yield no-go theorems that extend previous works on supersymmetric cases. We frame our results within a dimensional reduction and connect them to a number of Swampland conjectures, corroborating them further in the absence of supersymmetry. Furthermore, we construct a top-down string embedding of de Sitter brane-world cosmologies within unstable anti-de Sitter landscapes, providing a concrete realization of a recently revisited proposal.
The connection between the dynamic remodeling of the mitochondrial network and the regulation of muscle mass
Authors: Romanello Vanina , Sandri Marco 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe dynamic coordination of processes controlling the quality of the mitochondrial network is crucial to maintain the function of mitochondria in skeletal muscle. Changes of mitochondrial proteolytic system, dynamics (fusion/fission), and mitophagy induce pathways that affect muscle mass and performance. When muscle mass is lost, the risk of disease onset and premature death is dramatically increased. For instance, poor quality of muscles correlates with the onset progression of several age-related disorders such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, and aging sarcopenia. To date, there are no drug therapies to reverse muscle loss, and exercise remains the best approach to improve mitochondrial health and to slow atrophy in several diseases. This review will describe the principal mechanisms that control mitochondrial quality and the pathways that link mitochondrial dysfunction to muscle mass regulation.
Feasibility and safety of antepartum tactile imaging
Authors: Rusavy Zdenek , Kalis Vladimir , Aglyamov Salavat , Egorov Vladimir 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Introduction and hypothesis
Quantitative characterization of the birth canal and critical structures before delivery may provide risk assessment for maternal birth injury. The objective of this study was to explore imaging capability of an antepartum tactile imaging (ATI) probe.

Methods
Twenty randomly selected women older than 21 years with completed 35th week of pregnancy and a premise of vaginal delivery were enrolled in the feasibility study. The biomechanical data were acquired using the ATI probe with a double-curved surface, shaped according to the fetal skull and equipped with 168 tactile sensors and an electromagnetic motion tracking sensor. Software package COMSOL Multiphysics was used for finite element modeling. Subjects were asked for assessment of pain and comfort levels experienced during the ATI examination.

Results
All 20 nulliparous women were successfully examined with the ATI. Mean age was 27.8 ± 4.1 years, BMI 30.7 ± 5.8, and week of pregnancy 38.8 ± 1.4. Biomechanical mapping with the ATI allowed real-time observation of the probe location, applied load to the vaginal walls, and a 3D tactile image composition. The nonlinear finite element model describing the stress–strain relationship of the pelvic tissue was developed and used for calculation of Young’s modulus (E). Average perineal elastic modulus was 11.1 ± 4.3 kPa, levator ani 4.8 ± 2.4 kPa, and symphysis–perineum distance was 30.1 ± 6.9 mm. The pain assessment level for the ATI examination was 2.1 ± 0.8 (scale 1–4); the comfort level was 2.05 ± 0.69 (scale 1–3).

Conclusions
The antepartum examination with the ATI probe allowed measurement of the tissue elasticity and anatomical distances. The pain level was low and the comfort level was comparable with manual palpation.
CpG preconditioning reduces accumulation of lysophosphatidylcholine in ischemic brain tissue after middle cerebral artery occlusion
Authors: Mavroudakis Leonidas , Stevens Susan L. , Duncan Kyle D. , Stenzel-Poore Mary P. , Laskin Julia , Lanekoff Ingela 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIschemic stroke is one of the major causes of death and permanent disability in the world. However, the molecular mechanisms surrounding tissue damage are complex and further studies are needed to gain insights necessary for development of treatment. Prophylactic treatment by administration of cytosine-guanine (CpG) oligodeoxynucleotides has been shown to provide neuroprotection against anticipated ischemic injury. CpG binds to Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) causing initialization of an inflammatory response that limits visible ischemic damages upon subsequent stroke. Here, we use nanospray desorption electrospray ionization (nano-DESI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) to characterize molecular effects of CpG preconditioning prior to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion. By doping the nano-DESI solvent with appropriate internal standards, we can study and compare distributions of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) in the ischemic hemisphere of the brain despite the large changes in alkali metal abundances. Our results show that CpG preconditioning not only reduces the infarct size but it also decreases the degradation of PC and accumulation of LPC species, which indicates reduced cell membrane breakdown and overall ischemic damage. Our findings show that molecular mechanisms of PC degradation are intact despite CpG preconditioning but that these are limited due to the initialized inflammatory response.
Tuberculosis following programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor in a patient with non-small cell lung cancer. Case report and literature review
Authors: Suliman Aasir M. , Bek Shaza A. , Elkhatim Mohamed S. , Husain Ahmed A. , Mismar Ahmad Y. , Eldean M. Z. Sharaf , Lengyel Zsolt , Elazzazy Shereen , Rasul Kakil I. , Omar Nabil E. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)—anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) and their ligands (PD-L1 and PD-L2) have become widely used in the treatment of several malignancies. Many immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have been linked to these agents. Nonetheless, tuberculosis (TB) reactivation during their use is increasingly recognized and reported. Herein, we present a 58-year-old lady with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ALK-negative, EGFR wild, and PD-L1 immune histochemistry (IHC) strongly positive in 95% of tumor cells, on ongoing treatment with Pembrolizumab as a first-line monotherapy. Our patient presented with 1-week history of productive cough and high-grade fever. Further workup yielded the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis after her Pembrolizumab sixth cycle with positive AFB smear and TB PCR from BAL (rifampin resistance not detected), with negative HIV status. Hence, immunotherapy was held, and patient was commenced on anti-TB regimen. History revealed contact with active TB patient over the past decade, without previous documentation of latent TB or previous TB infection. Her sputum AFB smear remained persistently positive 4 weeks through anti-TB regimen course. Later, the patient was discharged after her sputum was cleared from AFB (two negative sets). In light of pembrolizumab mechanism of action as an immune checkpoint inhibitor, we suspected its implication on reactivating latent TB which was observed in our patient demonstrating features of pulmonary tuberculosis. She was not re-challenged with Pembrolizumab following TB diagnosis.