bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular profiling of Chinese R‐CHOP treated DLBCL patients: Identifying a high‐risk subgroup
Authors: Jiang Shiyu , Qin Yan , Jiang Hongxin , Liu Biao , Shi Jianming , Meng Fanlu , Liu Peng , Yang Jianliang , Yang Sheng , He Xiaohui , Zhou Shengyu , Gui Lin , Liu Hao , Lin Jing , Han‐Zhang Han , Shi Yuankai 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDiffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a clinically aggressive and heterogenous disease. Although most patients can be cured by immunochemotherapy, 30% to 40% patient will ultimately develop relapsed or refractory disease. Here, we investigated the molecular landscapes of patients with diverse responses to R‐CHOP. We performed capture‐based targeted sequencing on baseline samples of 105 DLBCL patients using a panel consisting of 112 lymphoma‐related genes. Subsequently, 81 treatment‐naïve patients with measurable disease and followed for over 1 year were included for survival analysis. Collectively, the most commonly seen mutations included IGH fusion (69%), PIM1(33%), MYD88 (29%), BCL2 (29%), TP53 (29%), CD79B (25%) and KMT2D (24%). Patients with TP53 mutations were more likely to have primary refractory disease (87.0% vs 50.0%, P = .009). For those with TP53 disruptive mutations, 91.7% patients were in the primary refractory group. Interestingly, BCL‐2 somatic hypermutation was only seen in patients without primary refractory disease (P = .014). In multivariate analysis, BCL‐2 amplification (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.94, P = .022), B2M mutation (HR = 2.99, P = .017) and TP53 mutation (HR = 3.19, P < .001) were independently associated with shorter time to progression (TTP). Furthermore, TP53 mutations was correlated with worse overall survival (P = .049). Next, we investigated mutation landscape in patients with wild‐type (WT) TP53 (n = 58) and found that patients harboring MYD88 L265P had significantly inferior TTP than those with WT or non‐265P (P = .046). Our study reveals the mutation spectrum of treatment‐naive Chinese DLBCL patients. It also confirms the clinical significance of TP53 mutations and indicates the prognostic value of MYD88 L265P in TP53 WT patients.
Genetic variants and source of introduction of SARS‐CoV‐2 in South America
Authors: Poterico Julio A. , Mestanza Orson 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAfter more than 4 months of the COVID‐19 pandemics with genomic information of SARS‐CoV‐2 around the globe, there are more than 1000 complete genomes of this virus. We used 691 genomes from the GISAID database. Several studies have been reporting mutations and hotspots according to viral evolution. Our work intends to show and compare positions that have variants in 30 complete viral genomes from South American countries. We classified strains according to point alterations and portray the source where strains came into this region. Most viruses entered South America from Europe, followed by Oceania. Only Chilean isolates demonstrated a relationship with Asian isolates. Some changes in South American genomes are near to specific domains related to viral replication or the S protein. Our work contributes to the global understanding of which sort of strains are spreading throughout South America, and the differences among them according to the first isolates introduced to this region.
Evaluating the efficiency of specimen pooling for PCR‐based detection of COVID‐19
Authors: Wacharapluesadee Supaporn , Kaewpom Thongchai , Ampoot Weenassarin , Ghai Siriporn , Khamhang Worrawat , Worachotsueptrakun Kanthita , Wanthong Phanni , Nopvichai Chatchai , Supharatpariyakorn Thirawat , Putcharoen Opass , Paitoonpong Leilani , Suwanpimolkul Gompol , Jantarabenjakul Watsamon , Hemachudha Pasin , Krichphiphat Artit , Buathong Rome , Plipat Tanarak , Hemachudha Thiravat 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn the age of a pandemic, such as the ongoing one caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the world faces a limited supply of tests, personal protective equipment, and factories and supply chains are struggling to meet the growing demands. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of specimen pooling for testing of SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, to determine whether costs and resource savings could be achieved without impacting the sensitivity of the testing. Ten previously tested nasopharyngeal and throat swab specimens by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), were pooled for testing, containing either one or two known positive specimens of varying viral concentrations. Specimen pooling did not affect the sensitivity of detecting SARS‐CoV‐2 when the PCR cycle threshold (Ct) of original specimen was lower than 35. In specimens with low viral load (Ct > 35), 2 of 15 pools (13.3%) were false negative. Pooling specimens to test for Coronavirus Disease 2019 infection in low prevalence (≤1%) areas or in low risk populations can dramatically decrease the resource burden on laboratory operations by up to 80%. This paves the way for large‐scale population screening, allowing for assured policy decisions by governmental bodies to ease lockdown restrictions in areas with a low incidence of infection, or with lower‐risk populations.
Vegetation fire activity and the Potential Fire Index (PFIv2) performance in the last two decades (2001–2016)
Authors: da Silva Alex S. , Justino Flavio , Setzer Alberto W. , Avila‐Diaz Alvaro 
Published: May 2020

AbstractFire incidence has been linked to multiple factors such as climate conditions, population density, agriculture, and lightning. Recently, fire frequency and severity have induced health problems and contributed to increase atmospheric greenhouse gases. Based on atmospheric susceptibility to fire, this study evaluates the use of a Potential Fire Index (PFIv2) to identify regions prone to fire development, as demonstrated by the satellite detected‐fire in the 2001–2016 interval. It is demonstrated that PFIv2 delivers an efficiency by up to 80% in matching the observed fires from Terra/MODIS satellite. The PFIv2 is also able to reproduce more accurately areas with fire activity with respect to its previous version, the PFI. This better performance is linked to the implementation of parameterization of water pressure deficit and atmospheric stability in the lower troposphere, and a new term to represent the effect of surface temperatures, particularly in mid‐latitudes and extra‐Tropics. To evaluate the performance of the PFIv2 in more details, its comparison to MODIS burned areas demonstrated correlations values higher than 0.6 over the most susceptible regions such as Africa and South America, slightly lower correlation is found where fire does not primary follows the climate annual cycle, and is dominated by high frequency events. These findings indicate that the PFIv2 can be an important tool for decision makers in predicting the potential for vegetation fires development and fire danger.
Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging to Predict Graft Survival After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: A Pilot Study
Authors: Dousse Damien , Vibert Eric , Nicolas Quentin , Terasawa Muga , Cano Luis , Allard Marc‐Antoine , Salloum Chady , Ciacio Oriana , Pittau Gabriella , Sa Cunha Antonio , Cherqui Daniel , Adam René , Samuel Didier , Vignon‐Clementel Irene , Golse Nicolas 
Published: May 2020

The incidence of primary nonfunction (PNF) after liver transplantation (LT) remains a major concern with the increasing use of marginal grafts. Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence is an imaging technique used in hepatobiliary surgery and LT. Because few early predictors are available, we aimed to quantify in real time the fluorescence of grafts during LT to predict 3‐month survival. After graft revascularization, ICG was intravenously injected, and then the fluorescence of the graft was captured with a near infrared camera and postoperatively quantified. A multiparametric modeling of the parenchymal fluorescence intensity (FI) curve was proposed, and a predictive model of graft survival was tested. Between July 2017 and May 2019, 76 LTs were performed, among which 6 recipients underwent retransplantation. No adverse effects of ICG injection were observed. The parameter a
150 (temporal course of FI) was significantly higher in the re‐LT group (0.022 seconds−1 (0.0011‐0.059) versus 0.012 seconds−1 (0.0001‐0.054); P = 0.01). This parameter was the only independent predictive factor of graft survival at 3 months (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.05‐5.50; P = 0.04). The best cutoff for the parameter a
150 (0.0155 seconds−1) predicted the graft survival at 3 months with a sensitivity (Se) of 83.3% and a specificity (Spe) of 78.6% (area under the curve, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.67‐0.98; P = 0.01). Quantitative assessment of intraoperative ICG fluorescence on the graft was feasible to predict graft survival at 3 months with a good Se and Spe. Further prospective studies should be undertaken to validate these results over larger cohorts and evaluate the clinical impact of this tool.
Comb‐Like Amphiphilic Polycarbonates with Different Lengths of Cationic Branches for Enhanced siRNA Delivery
Authors: Dong Yanliang , Zhou Junhui , Wang Changrong , Wang Yaping , Deng Liandong , Zhang Jianhua , Dong Anjie 
Published: May 2020

AbstractOwing to the biodegradability and good biocompatibility polycarbonates show the versatile class of applications in biomedical fields. While their poor functional ability seriously limited the development of functional polycarbonates. Herein, a new Br‐containing cyclic carbonate (MTC‐Br) and a polycarbonate atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) macro‐initiator (PEG‐PMTC‐Br) is synthesized. Then, by initiating the side‐chain ATRP of 2‐(dimethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) on PEG‐PMTC‐Br, a series of comb‐like amphiphilic cationic polycarbonates, PEG‐b‐(PMTC‐g‐PDMAEMA) (GMDMs), with different lengths of cationic branches are successfully prepared. All these poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐(poly((5‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐1,3‐dioxane‐5‐yl) methyl 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropanoate/1,3‐dioxane‐2‐one)‐g‐poly(2‐dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate) (GMDMs) self‐assembled nanoparticles (NPs) (≈180 nm, +40 mV) can well bind siRNA to form GMDM/siRNA NPs. The gene silence efficiency of GMDM/siRNA high to 80%, which is even higher than the commercial transfection reagent lipo2000 (76%). But GMDM/siRNA shows lower cell uptake than lipo2000. So, the high gene silence ability of GMDM/siRNA NPs can be attributed to the strong intracellular siRNA trafficking capacity. Therefore, GMDM NPs are potential siRNA vectors and the successful preparation of comb‐like polycarbonates also provides a facile way for diverse side‐chain functional polycarbonates, expanding the application of polycarbonates.
Optimization of the Reaction Conditions for Direct Arylation Polymerizations in a Sustainable Solvent
Authors: Conelli Daniele , Grisorio Roberto , Suranna Gian Paolo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDirect arylation polymerization (DArP) relieves the synthesis of conjugated polymers from the use of hazardous and toxic reagents typical of the traditional protocols. However, the compatibility with environmentally benign, nonhazardous, and low‐cost solvents still represents the critical aspect for projecting DArP as an industrial‐scale method for the preparation of conjugated polymers. In this study, a “green” solvent (i.e., cyclopentyl methyl ether) is implemented for the obtainment of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) by DArP reaction, in order to explore sustainable reaction conditions also regarding the catalytic system and the base quantity, which equally undermine the sustainability of the DArP protocol. Considering the molecular weights as the indicator of precatalyst performance in determined conditions, it is established that the cheapest palladium source (i.e., PdCl2) combined with two equivalents of (o‐anisyl)3P is able to yield the best results in the green ethereal solvent. Furthermore, it is found how, with respect to the common DArP protocols, the quantity of the expensive base (i.e., Cs2CO3) can be reduced in these reaction conditions without compromising molecular weights and regioregularity of the resulting polymer. These optimized reaction conditions can be extended to the copolymerization of other monomer units with satisfactory results in terms of molecular weights.
Electrochromic Response Capability Enhancement with Pentiptycene‐Incorporated Intrinsic Porous Polyamide Films
Authors: Chiu Ya‐Wen , Tan Wei Shyang , Yang Jye‐Shane , Pai Min‐Hao , Liou Guey‐Sheng 
Published: May 2020

AbstractEnhancing switching response capability of electrochromic (EC) polymers has been a topical issue. Herein, the H‐shaped nonplanar pentiptycene scaffold is successfully introduced into the polyamide film derived from N,N′‐bis(4‐aminophenyl)‐N,N′‐di(methoxyphenyl)‐1,4‐phenylenediamine (TPPA), and the resulting copolymer shows enhanced EC behaviors, including lower oxidation potential and shorter switching response time, as compared to the corresponding TPPA‐derived homopolymer.
Aspects of ductile failure prediction of interstitial‐free steel based on a Gurson‐type damage model
Authors: Bressan C.Z. , Vaz M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractNumerical simulation of manufacturing processes has been gaining widespread attention owing to importance in the development of new products and components. In a parallel path, there has been a substantial development of steels with improved mechanical characteristics, such as the interstitial‐free (IF) steel. The present work is inserted within this context and introduces application of a micromechanical modelling approach to an interstitial‐free steel based on a Gurson‐type constitutive model with the objective of assessing the evolution of mechanical degradation and failure prediction in fracture‐free materials. The inelastic material parameters were obtained from tensile tests of cylindrical specimens. Evolution of the mechanical degradation, represented by a micromechanical damage measure, is discussed based on three‐point bend tests.
Clinical study of a chest‐based cuffless blood pressure monitoring system
Authors: Heydari Fatemeh , P. Ebrahim Malikeh , Redoute Jean‐Michel , Joe Keith , Walker Katie , Avolio Alberto , R. Yuce Mehmet 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis work presents a clinical study of a chest‐based blood pressure (BP) monitoring technique. This research was designed to examine pulse transit time (PTT) and to measure beat‐to‐beat and cuff‐based systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP). The PTT values were extracted as the time difference between the end of the pre‐ejection period (PEP) measured using an on‐body continuous‐wave radar (CWR) sensor and the pulse arrival time (PAT) in central arteries extracted from the shoulders' bio‐impedance (BImp) signal. The system was investigated under three experimental conditions: (a) resting at various postures; (b) rising exercise stress, followed by resting; and (c) spraying inconstant doses of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) medicine and recovery. Data were collected from 43 volunteers who participated in posture recordings, 26 undertook exercises and 17 experienced GTN spray. The BImp‐based PTT was compared with PPG‐based one (peripheral) in terms of BP estimation. Various mathematical methods of calculating BPs from PTTs were investigated to gain the most accurate outcomes. We demonstrate the accuracy of each model in this work. Our study found that cuffless BP determined from PTT derived from central arteries shows more than 3% accuracy compared to that determined from peripheral arteries.
Human closed and open apex premolar teeth express different toll‐like receptor
Authors: Jafari Reza , Karamzadeh Razieh , Pesaran Hajabbas Faezeh , Sayyadizadeh Fereshteh , Chekini Zahra , Aghajanpour Samaneh , Shakeri Leila , Nazarimoghaddam Kiumars , Aflatoonian Reza 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe innate immune activation which promotes inflammation responses in the dental pulp tissue leads to the progression of dentin caries. Accordingly, toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are key molecules of the innate immune system that identify pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) on microorganisms and may have a critical role in a dental injury. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the expression of TLR2, TLR3, and TLR4 in the human dental pulp of opened and closed apex teeth.MethodsHuman dental pulps were derived from the healthy opened and closed apex premolar, in which extraction was indicated for orthodontic reasons. The extraction of RNA was performed and the gene expression determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The result from real‐time PCR was confirmed using western blot analysis.ResultsReal‐time PCR data analysis showed that the expression TLR2 and TLR4 were significantly increased in closed apex premolar teeth compared to open apex teeth, whereas TLR3 expression was not significantly different in these two groups (p < .05).ConclusionThe results of the present study suggested increased expression of TLR2 and TLR4 by the maturation of the apex, which may be due to the presence of microorganisms in the normal or destructed dental pulp tissue. Thus, identifying the expression of TLRs molecules in dental pulp tissue helps to develop a deeper knowledge of the immune responses in the oral cavity.
Feasibility of real‐time motion tracking using cine MRI during MR‐guided radiation therapy for abdominal targets
Authors: Keiper Timothy D. , Tai An , Chen Xinfeng , Paulson Eric , Lathuilière Fabienne , Bériault Silvain , Hébert François , Cooper David T. , Lachaine Martin , Li X. Allen 
Published: May 2020

PurposeReal‐time high soft‐tissue contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from the MR‐Linac offers the best opportunity for accurate motion tracking during radiation therapy delivery via high‐frequency two‐dimensional (2D) cine imaging. This work investigates the efficacy of real‐time organ motion tracking based on the registration of MRI acquired on MR‐Linac.MethodsAlgorithms based on image intensity were developed to determine the three‐dimensional (3D) translation of abdominal targets. 2D and 3D abdominal MRIs were acquired for 10 healthy volunteers using a high‐field MR‐Linac. For each volunteer, 3D respiration‐gated T2 and 2D T2/T1‐weighted cine in sagittal, coronal, and axial planes with a planar temporal resolution of 0.6 for 60 s was captured. Datasets were also collected on MR‐compatible physical and virtual four‐dimensional (4D) motion phantoms. Target contours for the liver and pancreas from the 3D T2 were populated to the cine and assumed as the ground‐truth motion. We performed image registration using a research software to track the target 3D motion. Standard deviations of the error (SDE) between the ground‐truth and tracking were analyzed.ResultsAlgorithms using a research software were demonstrated to be capable of tracking arbitrary targets in the abdomen at 5 Hz with an overall accuracy of 0.6 mm in phantom studies and 2.1 mm in volunteers. However, this value is subject to patient‐specific considerations, namely motion amplitude. Calculation times of < 50 ms provide a pathway of real‐time motion tracking integration. A major challenge in using 2D cine MRI to track the target is handling the full 3D motion of the target.ConclusionsFeasibility to track organ motion using intensity‐based registration of MRIs was demonstrated for abdominal targets. Tracking accuracy of about 2 mm was achieved for the motion of the liver and pancreatic head for typical patient motion. Further development is ongoing to improve the tracking algorithm for large and complex motions.
Why don't smallholder farmers in Kenya use more biopesticides?
Authors: Constantine Kate L , Kansiime Monica K , Mugambi Idah , Nunda Winnie , Chacha Duncan , Rware Harrison , Makale Fernadis , Mulema Joseph , Lamontagne‐Godwin Julien , Williams Frances , Edgington Steve , Day Roger 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundAlthough Kenya has a relatively high number of registered biopesticide products, little is known about biopesticide use by smallholders. This paper documents farmers' current use and perception of chemical pesticides and biopesticides, their willingness to pay for biopesticides, and the key challenges to biopesticide uptake.ResultsA survey found that chemical pesticides are used widely by smallholders despite awareness of the risks to human health and the environment. Almost half of respondents showed awareness of biopesticides, but current use in the survey localities was low (10%). Key reasons for the low use of biopesticides by smallholders in this study are: perceptions of effectiveness, primarily speed of action and spectrum of activity, availability and affordability. Smallholders who used biopesticides cited effectiveness, recommendation by advisory services and perception of safety as key reasons for their choice. Although farmers viewed both pesticides and biopesticides as costly, they invested in the former due to their perceived effectiveness. Average willingness to pay, above current chemical pesticide expenditures per cropping season was 9.6% (US$5.7). Willingness to pay differed significantly between counties, and was higher among farmers with more education or greater awareness of the health risks associated with pesticide use.ConclusionThis study confirms the low use of biopesticide products in the survey areas, alongside high use of conventional chemical pesticides. In order to promote greater uptake of biopesticides, addressing farmers' awareness and their perceptions of effectiveness is important, as well as increasing the knowledge of those providing advice and ensuring registered products are available locally at competitive prices. © 2020 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Zeus: A system description of the two‐time winner of the collegiate SAE autodrive competition
Authors: Burnett Keenan , Qian Jingxing , Du Xintong , Liu Linqiao , Yoon David J. , Shen Tianchang , Sun Susan , Samavi Sepehr , Sorocky Michael J. , Bianchi Mollie , Zhang Kaicheng , Arkhangorodsky Arkady , Sykora Quinlan , Lu Shichen , Huang Yizhou , Schoellig Angela P. , Barfoot Timothy D. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe SAE AutoDrive Challenge is a 3‐year collegiate competition to develop a self‐driving car by 2020. The second year of the competition was held in June 2019 at MCity, a mock town built for self‐driving car testing at the University of Michigan. Teams were required to autonomously navigate a series of intersections while handling pedestrians, traffic lights, and traffic signs. Zeus is aUToronto's winning entry in the AutoDrive Challenge. This article describes the system design and development of Zeus as well as many of the lessons learned along the way. This includes details on the team's organizational structure, sensor suite, software components, and performance at the Year 2 competition. With a team of mostly undergraduates and minimal resources, aUToronto has made progress toward a functioning self‐driving vehicle, in just 2 years. This article may prove valuable to researchers looking to develop their own self‐driving platform.