bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro propagation of bulblets and LC–MS/MS analysis of isosteroidal alkaloids in tissue culture derived materials of Chinese medicinal herb Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don
Authors: Chang Hung-Chi , Xie Hui-Min , Lee Maw-Rong , Lin Chiu-Ying , Yip Mei-Kuen , Agrawal Dinesh Chandra , Tsay Hsin-Sheng 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Fritillaria cirrhosa, an important Chinese medicinal herb, is a Class-III protected and highly exploited species by pharmaceutical industry. Dwindling wild populations of species are unable to meet market demand. Therefore, this study was carried out to develop an in vitro propagation method for bulblet production. Also, the study aimed to carry out LC–MS/MS analysis of tissue culture-derived bulblets and callus for the presence of isosteroidal alkaloids (peimissine, verticine, and verticinone), and compare its quantities with commercially available crude drug samples.

Results
In vitro seed germination (91%) of F. cirrhosa was achieved on Murashige and Skoog’s basal medium (MSBM) supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (1 mg L−1) and α-naphthalene-acetic-acid (0.4 mg L−1). On transfer of germinated seeds from Petri-dishes to glass bottles containing hormone-free MSBM, 37.5% of seedlings developed bulblets after 3 months of incubation. Regeneration and multiplication of bulblets were achieved by culture of transverse sections of bulblets on 1/2 X MSBM. By repeated subcultures at an interval of 2 months, 3072 bulblets weighing 1270 g could be produced at the end of 5th subculture. LC–MS/MS analysis showed a significant presence of peimissine in in vitro bulblets while callus incubated in the dark showed presence of peimissine and verticine.

Conclusion
The study reports an efficient in vitro propagation method of bulblets production of F. cirrhosa and presence of some isosteroidal alkaloids in tissue culture-derived bulblets and callus. The study could be of immense help in production of F. cirrhosa bulblets and callus under laboratory conditions round the year. Also, these results can be used further to investigate production of isosteroidal alkaloids in bioreactors at commercial scale using liquid and cell suspension cultures. Thus, we not only can reduce our dependence on collections from natural habitats, but also can help in in situ conservation of this important species.
Comparative molecular cell-of-origin classification of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma based on liquid and tissue biopsies
Authors: Hunter Ewan , McCord Ronald , Ramadass Aroul S. , Green Jayne , Westra Jurjen W. , Mundt Kirsten , Akoulitchev Alexandre 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogenous blood cancer, but can be broadly classified into two main subtypes, germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) and activated B-cell-like (ABC). GCB and ABC subtypes have very different clinical courses, with ABC having a much worse survival prognosis. It has been observed that patients with different subtypes also respond differently to therapeutic intervention, in fact, some have argued that ABC and GCB can be thought of as separate diseases altogether. Due to this variability in response to therapy, having an assay to determine DLBCL subtypes has important implications in guiding the clinical approach to the use of existing therapies, as well as in the development of new drugs. The current gold standard assay for subtyping DLBCL uses gene expression profiling on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue to determine the “cell of origin” and thus disease subtype. However, this approach has some significant clinical limitations in that it 1) requires a biopsy 2) requires a complex, expensive and time-consuming analytical approach and 3) does not classify all DLBCL patients.

Methods
Here, we took an epigenomic approach and developed a blood-based chromosome conformation signature (CCS) for identifying DLBCL subtypes. An iterative approach using clinical samples from 118 DLBCL patients was taken to define a panel of six markers (DLBCL-CCS) to subtype the disease. The performance of the DLBCL-CCS was then compared to conventional gene expression profiling (GEX) from FFPE tissue.

Results
The DLBCL-CCS was accurate in classifying ABC and GCB in samples of known status, providing an identical call in 100% (60/60) samples in the discovery cohort used to develop the classifier. Also, in the assessment cohort the DLBCL-CCS was able to make a DLBCL subtype call in 100% (58/58) of samples with intermediate subtypes (Type III) as defined by GEX analysis. Most importantly, when these patients were followed longitudinally throughout the course of their disease, the EpiSwitch™ associated calls tracked better with the known patterns of survival rates for ABC and GCB subtypes.

Conclusion
This proof-of-concept study provides an initial indication that a simple, accurate, cost-effective and clinically adoptable blood-based diagnostic for identifying DLBCL subtypes is possible.
Comparison of Annotation Services for Next-Generation Sequencing in a Large-Scale Precision Oncology Program
Authors: Katsoulakis Evangelia , Duffy Jill E. , Hintze Bradley , Spector Neil L. , Kelley Michael J. 
Published: March 2020

PURPOSE Next-generation sequencing (NGS) multigene panel testing has become widespread, including the Veterans Affairs (VA), through the VA National Precision Oncology Program (NPOP). The interpretation of genomic alterations remains a bottleneck for realizing precision medicine. We sought to examine the concordance for pathogenicity determination and clinical actionability of annotation services in NPOP. METHODS Unique gene variants were generated from NGS gene panel results using two sequencing services. For each unique gene variant, annotations were provided through N-of-One (NoO), IBM Watson for Genomics (WfG), and OncoKB. Annotations for pathogenicity (all three sources) and actionability (WfG and OncoKB) were examined for concordance. Cohen’s kappa statistic was calculated to measure agreement between annotation services. RESULTS Among 1,227 NGS results obtained between 2015 and 2017, 1,388 unique variants were identified in 117 genes. The genes with the largest number of variants included TP53 (270), STK11 (92), and CDKN2A (81). The most common cancer type was lung adenocarcinoma (440), followed by colon adenocarcinoma (113). For pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants, there was 30% agreement between WfG and NoO (kappa, −0.26), 76% agreement between WfG and OncoKB (kappa, 0.22), and 42% agreement between NoO and OncoKB (kappa, −0.07). For level 1 drug actionability of gene variant–diagnosis combinations, there was moderate agreement between WfG and OncoKB (96.9%; kappa, 0.44), with 27 combinations identified as level 1 by both services, 58 by WfG alone, and 6 variants by OncoKB alone. CONCLUSION There is substantial variability in pathogenicity assessment of NGS variants in solid tumors by annotation services. In addition, there was only moderate agreement in level 1 therapeutic actionability recommendations between WfG and OncoKB. Improvement in the precision of NGS multigene panel annotation is needed.
Maternal B12, Folate and Homocysteine Concentrations and Offspring Cortisol and Cardiovascular Responses to Stress
Authors: Krishnaveni Ghattu V , Veena Sargoor R , Johnson Matt , Kumaran Kalyanaraman , Jones Alexander , Bhat Dattatray S , Yajnik Chittaranjan S , Fall Caroline H D 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Context
Imbalances in maternal 1-carbon nutrients (vitamin B12, folate) have been shown to be associated with higher offspring cardiometabolic risk markers in India.

Objective
We examined the hypothesis that low plasma vitamin B12 (B12) and high folate and homocysteine concentrations in the mother are associated with higher hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (cortisol) and cardiovascular responses during the Trier Social Stress Test for Children (TSST-C) in an Indian birth cohort.

Methods
Adolescents (n = 264; mean age: 13.6 years), whose mothers’ plasma B12, folate and total homocysteine concentrations had been measured during pregnancy, completed 5-minutes each of public speaking and mental arithmetic tasks in front of 2 unfamiliar “judges” (TSST-C). Baseline and poststress salivary cortisol concentrations were measured. Heart rate, blood pressure, stroke volume, cardiac output, and total peripheral resistance were measured continuously at baseline, during the TSST-C, and for 10 minutes after the TSST-C using a finger cuff; beat-to-beat values were averaged for these periods, respectively.

Results
Maternal low B12 status (plasma B12 &lt; 150 pmol/L) was associated with greater cortisol responses to stress in the offspring (P &lt; .001). Higher homocysteine concentrations were associated with greater offspring heart rate response (P &lt; .001). After adjustment for multiple comparisons, there were nonsignificant associations between higher maternal folate concentrations and offspring total peripheral resistance response (P = .01).

Conclusion
Our findings suggest that maternal 1-carbon nutritional status may have long-term programming implications for offspring neuroendocrine stress responses.
Modeling and experimental characterization of a dual-wavelength Bi-doped fiber laser with cascaded cavities
Authors: Nemova Galina , Jin Xian , Chen Lawrence R. , Firstov Sergei V. , Sezerman Omur 
Published: March 2020

We present a comprehensive theoretical and experimental investigation of a dual-wavelength, bismuth-doped fiber (BDF) laser operating near 1700 nm based on cascaded cavities. The BDF provides optical gain from 1650 nm to 1800 nm when pumped at 1550 nm. The linear laser cavity is defined by a 90% fiber mirror on one end and two fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) with two lengths of BDF in cascade on the other. The laser can operate at either wavelength alone, or both wavelengths simultaneously by simple adjustment of the pump power. We develop a model based on rate equations and radiation transport equations for two level BDF lasers which we then extend to the case for cascaded cavities. Experimental results agree with simulations.
Sub-nanosecond-speed frequency-reconfigurable photonic radio frequency switch using a silicon modulator
Authors: Xie Yiwei , Zhuang Leimeng , Jiao Pengcheng , Dai Daoxin 
Published: March 2020

Radio frequency (RF) switches are essential for implementing routing of RF signals. However, the increasing demand for RF signal frequency and bandwidth is posing a challenge of switching speed to the conventional solutions, i.e., the capability of operating at a sub-nanosecond speed or faster. In addition, signal frequency reconfigurability is also a desirable feature to facilitate new innovations of flexible system functions. Utilizing microwave photonics as an alternative path, we present here a photonic implementation of an RF switch providing not only the capability of switching at a sub-nanosecond speed but also options of frequency doubling of the input RF signals, allowing for flexible output waveforms. The core device is a traveling-wave silicon modulator with a device size of

0.2

mm
×
1.8

mm

and a modulation bandwidth of 10 GHz. Using microwave frequencies, i.e., 15 GHz and 20 GHz, as two simultaneous RF input signals, we experimentally demonstrated their amplitude and frequency switching as well as that of the doubled frequencies, i.e., 30 GHz and 40 GHz, at a switching frequency of 5 GHz. The results of this work point to a solution for creating high-speed RF switches with high compactness and flexibility.
Trends in Sociodemographic Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Staging and Survival: A SEER–Medicare Analysis
Authors: Liang Peter S. , Mayer Jonathan D. , Wakefield Jon , Trinh-Shevrin Chau , Kwon Simona C. , Sherman Scott E. , Ko Cynthia W. 
Published: March 2020

INTRODUCTION:
Race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status are known to influence staging and survival in colorectal cancer (CRC). It is unclear how these relationships are affected by geographic factors and changes in insurance coverage for CRC screening. We examined the temporal trends in the association between sociodemographic and geographic factors and staging and survival among Medicare beneficiaries.

METHODS:
We identified patients 65 years or older with CRC using the 1991–2010 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare database and extracted area-level sociogeographic data. We constructed multinomial logistic regression models and the Cox proportional hazards models to assess factors associated with CRC stage and survival in 4 periods with evolving reimbursement and screening practices: (i) 1991–1997, (ii) 1998–June 2001, (iii) July 2001–2005, and (iv) 2006–2010.

RESULTS:
We observed 327,504 cases and 102,421 CRC deaths. Blacks were 24%–39% more likely to present with distant disease than whites. High-income areas had 7%–12% reduction in distant disease. Compared with whites, blacks had 16%–21% increased mortality, Asians had 32% lower mortality from 1991 to 1997 but only 13% lower mortality from 2006 to 2010, and Hispanics had 20% reduced mortality only from 1991 to 1997. High-education areas had 9%–12% lower mortality, and high-income areas had 5%–6% lower mortality after Medicare began coverage for screening colonoscopy. No consistent temporal trends were observed for the associations between geographic factors and CRC survival.

DISCUSSION:
Disparities in CRC staging and survival persisted over time for blacks and residents from areas of low socioeconomic status. Over time, staging and survival benefits have decreased for Asians and disappeared for Hispanics.
Timing of Performing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography and Inpatient Mortality in Acute Cholangitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Du Lijun , Cen Mengsha , Zheng Xia , Luo Liang , Siddiqui Ali , Kim John J. 
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVES:
Although early biliary drainage improves outcomes in patients with acute cholangitis, the optimal time to perform endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is controversial. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of timing of ERCP on mortality in hospitalized patients with acute cholangitis.

METHODS:
We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library (until February 2019) for studies evaluating the impact of timing of ERCP (<24, <48, and <72 hours from hospitalization) on outcomes in patients with acute cholangitis. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS:
Fourteen observational studies, including 84,063 patients (mean age = 66 ± 18), met the study criteria. The overall pooled in-hospital mortality with acute cholangitis was 1.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8%–7.6%), which increased to 4.3% (95% CI 1.8%–8.7%) when administrative database studies were excluded. In 9 studies, ERCP performed <24 compared with ≥24 hours decreased in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 0.81, 95% CI 0.73–0.90; I
2 = 0%). In 8 studies, ERCP performed <48 compared with ≥48 hours decreased in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.51–0.63; I
2 = 0%). In 4 studies, ERCP performed <72 compared with ≥72 hours decreased in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.32, 95% CI 0.15–0.68; I
2 = 0%). Furthermore, hospital stay was reduced in patients receiving ERCP <24 compared with ≥24 hours (mean difference [MD] = 3.2 days, 95% CI 2.3–4.1; I
2 = 78%), <48 compared with ≥48 hours (MD = 3.6 days, 95% CI 2.1–5.1; I
2 = 98%), and <72 compared with ≥72 hours (MD = 4.1 days, 95% CI 0.9–7.3; I
2 = 63%).

DISCUSSION:
In observational studies, earlier ERCP performed in patients with acute cholangitis, even urgently performed <24 hours from presentation, was associated with reduced mortality. A randomized trial evaluating the impact of urgent ERCP on outcomes is needed.
A Survey on Multi-Scale Medical images Fusion Techniques: Brain Diseases
Authors: YOUSIF AHMED , Omar Zaid Bin , Sheikh Usman Ullah 
Published: March 2020

Brain diseases such as degenerative (alzheimer's disease), neoplastic disease (brain tumor like sarcoma, glioma) are considered an interesting topic areas in the medical image fusion diagnosis. Pixel-level image fusion techniques are designed to combine multiple/multi-scale input images into a fused image, which is expected to be more informative for human or machine perception as compared to any of the input images. Since they are difficult to be summarized ; survey paper are characterized by (1) medical image definition , brain diseases challenges , analysis a various techniques for multi-scale image fusion with its own modalities, fusion rule, fusion strategy and dis-advantage ,Whilst used a database of medical images for medical Harvard School (brain diseases) which contains various groups of co-registered multi-modal images including MRI/CT, MRI/PET and PET/SPECT and MRI (T1/T2) images.
Effects of Balance Training on Physical Fitness in Youth and Young Athletes: A Narrative Review
Authors: Gebel Arnd , Prieske Olaf , Behm David G. , Granacher Urs 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACT
Balance training (BT) is a well-established training type in many sports and is used to improve postural control. There is evidence that performance enhancements after BT can even translate to other physical fitness measures such as muscle strength and jump performance. Accordingly, this narrative review summarizes the effects of BT on balance performance in youth/young athletes and describes how acute and chronic BT-specific adaptations translate to other physical fitness outcomes. In addition, recent findings on sequencing effects of balance and strength training will be reported. Finally, established dose-response relationships with BT in youth will be presented together with a progression sequence.
Closure to “Discussion of ‘The Flow Index of Clays and Its Relationship with Some Basic Geotechnical Properties’ by G. Spagnoli, M. Feinendegen, L. Di Matteo, and D. A. Rubinos”
Authors: Spagnoli G. , Feinendegen M. , Di Matteo L. , Rubinos D. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Considering the recent article on Flow Index and the basic correlation with some geotechnical parameters such as liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index, Cation Exchange Capacity, Specific Surface Area, Activity, and water uptake by Spagnoli et al. (2019), the authors reply to the discussers regarding their interesting comments.
Ballistic performance of the steel-aluminium metal laminate panel for armoured vehicle
Authors: Abdullah Shahrum , Abdullah M. F. , M Jamil W. N. 
Published: March 2020

This paper presents the ballistic performance of the joining lightweight metal laminated panel consists of high strength steel and aluminium alloy for armoured vehicle application. Composite laminates trend in military industry present excellent performance in terms of lightweight material due to the improvement vehicle manoeuvrability, without sacrificing the performance and safety. The combination of aluminium plate and high strength steel offer the good potential for reducing the vehicle weight and improving the ballistic resistance. Ar500 and Al7075-T6 were chosen in designing laminated panel to achieve intended 20-30% weight reduction. Joining between these two materials have been investigated using both brazing method and adhesive bonding method. The adhesive bonding involved two types of material which is epoxy and polyurethane. Mechanical tests such as bending tests, drop weight tests and ballistic tests were performed to assess the strength of the laminated panel. Results showed that polyurethane bonded laminate panel through adhesion process exhibited 75% higher strength that that through the brazing process after performing impact test. Meanwhile, the penetration patterns found numerically are nearly similar to that from the ballistic tests and thus has validated the finite element models developed. The study on application of this laminated plate shall be extended using higher level of threat for hard armour vehicle panel.
Analisis Faktor Penentu Keputusan Tinggal Masyarakat Kelurahan Karangroto di Rusunawa
Authors: Asfani Akhmad Anggi , Karsinah Karsinah 
Published: March 2020

Rusunawa adalah program dari pemerintah untuk mengurangi jumlah angka kekurangan rumah (backlog). Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menganalisis besar peluang faktor harga sewa, pendapatan keluarga, jumlah anggota keluarga, kualitas bangunan, lingkungan rusunawa, dan jarak tempat kerja terhadap keputusan tinggal masyarakat Kelurahan Karangroto di Rusunawa. Penelitian ini berlokasi di Kelurahan Karangroto, Kecamatan Genuk, Kota Semarang. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode teknik acak proporsional yang mengambil dari 1360 populasi diambil sejumlah 99 responden untuk diteliti. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah analisis deskriptif kualitatif dan deskriptif kuantitatif menggunakan alat analisis regresi binary logistik. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini adalah faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi keputusan tinggal masyarakat Karangroto yaitu pendapatan keluarga, kualitas bangunan, lingkungan rusunawa dan jarak tempat kerja. Besarnya probabilitas dari masing-masing faktor yang berpengaruh adalah faktor pendapatan keluarga dengan nilai odds rasio sebesar 0,765. Faktor kualitas bangunan dengan nilai probabilitas odds rasio sebesar 79,810. Faktor lingkungan rusunawa dengan nilai probabilitas odds rasio sebesar 23,035. Faktor jarak tempat kerja dengan nilai probabilitas odds rasio sebesar 1,242.
Low-income housing is a government program for decreasing the number of housing shortages (backlog). The goal of this research is for analyzing how many the factors of rental costs, family income, and family member, building quality, the environment and the distance of workplace influence the decision of people in Karangroto to stay in low-income housing. This research was done in Karangroto village, Genuk district, and Semarang city. The method of proportional random technique was used in this research which took 99 respondents of 1360 population. Analyzing method which was used is qualitative descriptive analysis and quantitative descriptive by using logistic binary regression tools. The conclusion of this research is that the factors which influence people of Karangroto to stay in low-income housing are family income, building quality, its environment, and the distance of workplace. The probability magnitude of each factor which mostly influenced is family income by the ratio odds 0,765. Factors of building quality have probability of odds ratio 79.810. Environment factors of low-income housing have the probability of odds ratio 23.035. Then, factors of the distance of workplace have its probability odds ratio 1.242.
Analysis of Indonesia’s Inflation Using ARIMA and Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Estiko Fauzi Insan , Wahyuddin Wahyuddin 
Published: March 2020

This study aims to compare forecast performance of Neural Network (NN) to ARIMA in the case of Indonesia’s inflation and to find if there is any interesting trend in Indonesia’s inflation. We use year-on-year monthly Indonesia’s inflation data from 2006:12 to 2018:12 released by Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). We divide the series into 3 data series to capture the trend in the inflation (i.e DS1, DS2 and DS3). The data set 1 (DS1) covers data from 2006:12 to 2014:08, DS2 from 2006:12 to 2018:12, dan DS3 from 2010:12 to 2018:12. The series is then processed using the standard ARIMA method and NN model. We found that the NN model outperforms the ARIMA model in forecasting inflation for each respective series by analysing its Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE). We also found that short term lagged-inflation (backward-looking) variable has lesser effect on inflation compared to the more recent series.