bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Third‐Generation Solar Cells: Toxicity and Risk of Exposure
Authors: Buitrago Elina , Novello Anna Maria , Meyer Thierry 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSolar energy is considered clean energy, and its use is predicted to increase in the near future. Most installed units today are crystalline solar cells, but the field is in constant development, and when the first dye sensitized solar cell was published by Grätzel and O'Reagan a new, third‐generation, solar power was born. Highly toxic metals are used to produce the photovoltaic units today, and with the predicted increase in solar cell installation, the human health hazards of these panels could become an issue. Additionally, many of these materials are used in their nanoform, which is associated with an additional risk. In this article, we discuss the technology behind the third‐generation solar cells with its valuable use of nanotechnology as well as the possible health hazard when such nanomaterials are used in solar power units. We will show that the main exposure will occur either during the development and production phases or at the end‐of‐life stage of the solar cells, where toxic material can leach into landfills, and subsequently into the environment and impact the ecosystem directly, or humans indirectly through edible plants or drinking water.
Why is Pakistan vulnerable to COVID‐19 associated morbidity and mortality? A scoping review
Authors: Atif Muhammad , Malik Iram 
Published: July 2020

SummaryThe scoping review was undertaken to outline the vulnerabilities of Pakistan's public health and healthcare system, which put the population at increased risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) associated morbidity and mortality. The major electronic databases were searched using both “text words” and “thesaurus terms,” focusing on viral infections, COVID‐19 and healthcare systems in Pakistan. The content of the selected articles was analyzed by using thematic approach. Out of the total 171 potentially relevant citations, 24 articles were included in the data synthesis. We found that the recent COVID‐19 outbreak is a major threat to Pakistan's public health and healthcare system, and the country is not in a position to control spread of disease and provide required standards of care deemed necessary by the World Health Organization. A number of intertwined reasons that expose the Pakistani population at increased risk of COVID‐19 associated morbidity and mortality, include public related demurrals, healthcare workforce related demurrals, organizational and regulatory voids, and travel patterns. To cope with the upsurge of COVID‐19 in Pakistan, the regulators need to re‐examine and recognize deficiencies in the healthcare system, and thereafter reinforce core capacities in workforce and monetary resources, surveillance, laboratory services, and hospital preparedness for isolation and ventilation of patients.
Inverse and efficiency of heat transfer convex fin with multiple nonlinearities
Authors: Roy Pranab Kanti , Mondal Hiranmoy , Mallick Ashis , Prasad Dilip K. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this article, we first propose the novel semi‐analytical technique—modified Adomian decomposition method (MADM)—for a closed‐form solution of the nonlinear heat transfer equation of convex profile with singularity where all thermal parameters are functions of temperature. The longitudinal convex fin is subjected to different boiling regimes, which are defined by particular values ofn(power index) of heat transfer coefficient. The energy balance equation of the convex fin with several temperature‐dependent properties are solved separately using the MADM and the spectral quasi‐linearization method. Using the values obtained from the direct heat transfer method, the unknown parameters of the profile, such as thermal conductivity, surface emissivity, heat generation number, conduction‐convection parameter, and radiation‐conduction parameter are inversely predicted by an inverse heat transfer analysis using the simplex search method. The effect of the measurement error and the number of measurement points has been presented. It is found that present measurement points and reconstruction of the exact temperature distribution of the convex fin are fairly in good agreement.
Systems analysis of protein signatures predicting cetuximab responses in KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA wild‐type patient‐derived xenograft models of metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Lindner Andreas U. , Carberry Steven , Monsefi Naser , Barat Ana , Salvucci Manuela , O'Byrne Robert , Zanella Eugenia R. , Cremona Mattia , Hennessy Bryan T. , Bertotti Andrea , Trusolino Livio , Prehn Jochen H. M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAntibodies targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are used for the treatment of RAS wild‐type metastatic colorectal cancer. A significant proportion of patients remains unresponsive to this therapy. Here, we performed a reverse‐phase protein array‐based (phospho)protein analysis of 63 KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA wild‐type metastatic CRC tumours. Responses of tumours to anti‐EGFR therapy with cetuximab were recorded in patient‐derived xenograft (PDX) models. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of pretreatment tumour tissue identified three clusters, of which Cluster C3 was exclusively composed of responders. Clusters C1 and C2 exhibited mixed responses. None of the three protein clusters exhibited a significant correlation with transcriptome‐based subtypes. Analysis of protein signatures across all PDXs identified 14 markers that discriminated cetuximab‐sensitive and cetuximab‐resistant tumours: PDK1 (S241), caspase‐8, Shc (Y317), Stat3 (Y705), p27, GSK‐3β (S9), HER3, PKC‐α (S657), EGFR (Y1068), Akt (S473), S6 ribosomal protein (S240/244), HER3 (Y1289), NF‐κB‐p65 (S536) and Gab‐1 (Y627). Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and binominal logistic regression analysis delivered refined protein signatures for predicting response to cetuximab. (Phospo‐)protein analysis of matched pretreated and posttreated models furthermore showed significant reduction of Gab‐1 (Y627) and GSK‐3β (S9) exclusively in responding models, suggesting novel targets for treatment.
Profile and outcome of receptor conversion in breast cancer metastases: a nation‐wide multicenter epidemiological study
Authors: Yi Zong‐Bi , Yu Pei , Zhang Su , Wang Wen‐Na , Han Yi‐Qun , Ouyang Qu‐Chang , Yan Min , Wang Xiao‐Jia , Hu Xi‐Chun , Jiang Ze‐Fei , Huang Tao , Tong Zhong‐Sheng , Wang Shu‐Sen , Yin Yong‐Mei , Li Hui , Yang Run‐Xiang , Yang Hua‐Wei , Teng Yue‐E , Sun Tao , Cai Li , Li Hong‐Yuan , Chen Xi , He Jian‐Jun , Liu Xin‐Lan , Yang Shun‐E , Wang Jia‐Yu , Fan Jin‐Hu , Qiao You‐Lin , Xu Bing‐He 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAlthough receptor status including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) of the primary breast tumors was related to the prognosis of breast cancer patients, little information is yet available on whether patient management and survival are impacted by receptor conversion in breast cancer metastases. Using data from the nation‐wide multicenter clinical epidemiology study of advanced breast cancer in China (NCT03047889), we report the situation of retesting ER, PR and HER2 status for breast cancer metastases and evaluate the patient management and prognostic value of receptor conversion. In total, 3295 patients were analyzed and 1583 (48.0%) patients retesting receptor status for metastasis. Discordance in one or more receptors between the primary and the metastatic biopsy was found in 37.7% of women. Patients who remained hormone receptor (HR) positive in their metastases had similar progression‐free survival of first‐line and second‐line treatment compared to patients with HR conversion (P > .05). In multivariate analysis, patients who showed ER conversion from negative to positive had longer disease‐free survival (DFS) than patients who remained negative in their metastases (hazard ratio, 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45‐2.90; P < .001). Patients with PR remained positive and had longer DFS than patients with PR conversion from negative to positive (hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.38‐0.83; P = .004). Patients with PR conversion have shorter overall survival than patients with PR remained positive or negative (P = .016 and P = .041, respectively). Our findings showed that the receptors' conversions were common in metastatic breast cancer, and the conversion impacted the survival.
hsa_circ_0000520 influences herceptin resistance in gastric cancer cells through PI3K‐Akt signaling pathway
Authors: Lv Xukun , Li Peizhe , Wang Jinkai , Gao Hengling , Hei Yingrui , Zhang Jianxian , Li Shuliang 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo investigate whether hsa_circ_0000520 affects Herceptin resistance in gastric cancer by regulating the PI3K‐AKT signaling.MethodsThe expression of hsa_circ_0000520 was detected by qRT‐PCR in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. A Herceptin‐resistant gastric cancer cell was established. PcDNA and pcDNA‐hsa_circ_0000520 were transfected into NCI‐N87R cells and treated with Herceptin at a concentration of 10 μg/mL for 24 hours. MTT tested cell proliferation, and apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. IGF‐1 treatment was used to activate PI3K‐Akt signaling. The expression levels of related proteins were detected.ResultsThe expression of hsa_circ_0000520 was reduced in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines, and hsa_circ_0000520 in NCI‐N87R cells was significantly lower than that of NCI‐N87 cells. Compared with the CON group, the cell viability of the Herceptin group was significantly reduced, the apoptosis rate was significantly increased, the level of Bax protein was significantly increased, and the levels of Bcl‐2, p‐PI3K, and p‐Akt protein were significantly reduced. Compared with the Herceptin + pcDNA group, the cell viability of the Herceptin + hsa_circ_0000520 group was significantly reduced, the apoptosis rate was significantly increased, the level of Bax protein was significantly increased, and the levels of p‐PI3K and p‐Akt proteins were significantly reduced. After IGF‐1 treatment, the cell viability was significantly increased, the apoptosis rate was significantly reduced, the level of Bax protein was significantly reduced, and the level of Bcl‐2 protein was significantly increased.ConclusionHsa_circ_0000520 overexpression may reverse the Herceptin resistance of gastric cancer cells by inhibiting the PI3K‐Akt signaling pathway.
miR‐142a‐5p promoted osteoblast differentiation via targeting nuclear factor IA
Authors: Yuan Hairui , Li Mengyue , Feng Xue , Zhu Endong , Wang Baoli 
Published: July 2020

AbstractmiR‐142a‐5p plays critical roles in multiple biological processes and diseases, such as inflammation and tumorigenesis. However, it remains to be explored if and how miR‐142a‐5p contributes to osteoblast differentiation. In this study, our results showed that miR‐142a‐5p was highly expressed in bone tissue of mice and increased during osteogenesis in preosteoblast MC3T3‐E1 cells. Supplementing miR‐142a‐5p activity using miR‐142a‐5p agomir promoted osteogenic differentiation in stromal cell line ST2 and preosteoblastic line MC3T3‐E1. Conversely, miR‐142a‐5p antagomir, an inhibitor of endogenous miR‐142a‐5p, could reduce osteoblast differentiation in ST2 and MC3T3‐E1 cells. Nuclear factor IA (NFIA), a site‐specific transcriptional factor, was demonstrated to be directly targeted by miR‐142a‐5p. Overexpression of NFIA inhibited miR‐142a‐5p‐mediated osteoblast differentiation in ST2 cells. Furthermore, mechanism explorations revealed that Wnt/β‐catenin signaling transcriptionally regulated the expression of miR‐142a‐5p during osteogenic differentiation. β‐catenin binds to the T‐cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor binding motif within the promoter of miR‐142 and positively regulates its transcriptional activity. Our findings suggested that miR‐142a‐5p promoted osteoblast differentiation via targeting NFIA.
Growth of Head Circumference and Body Length in Preterm Infants Receiving a Multicomponent vs a Soybean‐Based Lipid Emulsion: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Costa Simonetta , Cocca Carmen , Barone Giovanni , Catenazzi Piero , Gallini Francesca , Maggio Luca , Fusco Francesca Paola , Vento Giovanni 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe growth of very low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) infants relies, to a large extent, on parenteral nutrition (PN) during the early weeks of life. Despite the parenteral nutrients supply, extrauterine growth restriction remains the main concern for these infants. A parenteral multicomponent lipid emulsion (MLE) might improve growth and neurological outcomes, delivering fats for brain growth that the traditional soybean‐based lipid emulsion (SLE) fails to provide. We hypothesize that the use of an MLE in PN may reduce the loss of head circumference (HC) z‐score from birth to 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age (PMA) or at discharge compared with the use of an SLE in VLBW infants.MethodsInfants with BW ≤1250 g, without malformations or chromosomal abnormalities, were randomly assigned to receive an MLE or an SLE. The primary outcome was the change in HC z‐score (HC Δ z‐score) from birth to 36 weeks’ PMA or at discharge. Secondary outcomes included the change in weight and length z‐score (W Δ z‐score and L Δ z‐score) as well as incidence of late‐onset sepsis and PN‐associated cholestasis (PNAC).ResultsOf the 128 infants randomized, 51 infants in the MLE group and 50 infants in the SLE group were analyzed. The MLE was significantly associated with a decreased loss in HC and length z‐scores from birth to 36 weeks’ PMA or at discharge.ConclusionsThis is the first randomized controlled trial providing the evidence that an MLE is associated with improved HC growth in comparison with a pure SLE.
High‐performance liquid chromatography–based fingerprint analysis with chemical pattern recognition for evaluation of Mahonia bealei (Fort.) Carr
Authors: Huang Yang , Wang Tiejie , Yin Guo , Wang Jue , Jiang Kun , Tu Jiasheng 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA simple and efficient high‐performance liquid chromatography method combined with chemical pattern recognition was established for quality evaluation of Mahonia bealei (Fort.) Carr. A common pattern of 30 characteristic peaks was applied for similarity analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and partial least squares discriminant analysis in the 37 batches of M. bealei (Fort.) Carr. to discriminate wild M. bealei (Fort.) Carr., cultivated M. bealei (Fort.) Carr., and its substitutes. The results showed that partial least squares discriminant analysis was the most effective method for discrimination. Eight characteristics peaks with higher variable importance in projection values were selected for pattern recognition model. A permutation test and 26 batches of testing set samples were performed to validate the model that was successfully established. All of the training and testing set samples were correctly classified into three clusters (wild M. bealei (Fort.) Carr., cultivated M. bealei (Fort.) Carr., and its substitutes) based on the selected chemical markers. Moreover, 26 batches of unknown samples were used to predict the accuracy of the established model with a discrimination accuracy of 100%. The obtained results indicated that the method showed great potential application for accurate evaluation and prediction of the quality of M. bealei (Fort.) Carr.
Anal Sphincter Length as Determined by 3‐Dimensional Endoanal Ultrasound and Anal Manometry
Authors: Norderval Stig , Pedersen Torunn K. , Collinson Rowan J. 
Published: July 2020

ObjectivesThe normal female external anal sphincter (EAS) is shorter anteriorly than laterally and posteriorly. Furthermore, the thickness of the very proximal part of the circular EAS is thinner than 50% of the lateral and posterior EAS thickness. The extent of these features is not fully explored. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the normal anal sphincter with 3‐dimensional (3D) endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) and to relate 3D EAUS length measurements to sphincter length determined by anal manometry.MethodsHealthy premenopausal nulliparous women underwent anal manometry and 3D EAUS examinations. Two experienced colorectal surgeons independently assessed all scans, blinded to any patient data.ResultsA total of 43 women were included. Four scans were incomplete and excluded from the analysis. Interobserver agreement was fair to very good for the various length measurements. The mean length from the distal border of the puborectal muscle to the very proximal border of the anterior EAS (the anterior gap) was 4.4 (95% confidence interval, 3.9–4.9) mm, whereas the length to the level where the anterior EAS thickness was at least 50% of the lateral and posterior EAS thickness was 7.2 (95% confidence interval, 6.5–7.9) mm. Manometric sphincter length at rest did not correlate with any 3D EAUS length measurements.ConclusionsIn the normal anterior female anal canal, the EAS is not present or appears with less than 50% of the thickness of the lateral and posterior EAS for the first 7.2 mm below the distal border of the puborectal muscle.
Association Between Olfactory Impairment and Disease Severity and Duration in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Sasaki Shoichi , Horie Yoshiharu 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe association between olfactory dysfunction and disease duration and severity in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains controversial.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine the relationship between olfactory dysfunction and disease severity and duration in patients with recently diagnosed parkinsonism and patients with PD with a previous diagnosis.MethodsOlfactory function was evaluated in 79 patients with recently diagnosed parkinsonism, 71 patients with PD with a previous diagnosis—with patients in both groups free of cognitive impairment—and 128 age‐matched controls. The Odor‐Stick Identification Test for Japanese score was counted as the numbers of correct answers, responses of indistinguishable, and responses of odorless. Parkinsonism was evaluated using the Movement Disorder Society Criteria, the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part III, and 123iodine‐labeled N‐(3‐fluoropropyl)‐2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐(4‐iodophenyl) nortropane single photon emission computed tomography (DaTscan).ResultsIn the patients with recently diagnosed parkinsonism having the UPDRS Part III score ≥5 (mean [standard deviation: SD] score: 6.3 [1.9]) and with a positive DaTscan, the mean (SD) numbers of correct answers, responses of indistinguishable and responses of odorless were 4.3 (2.2), 1.6 (2.0), and 1.2 (2.2), respectively. In patients with PD with a previous diagnosis (mean [SD] UPDRS Part III score: 10.9 [3.2]), these numbers were 2.5 (2.2), 2.2 (2.5), and 3.8 (4.6), respectively. The patients with PD with a previous diagnosis showed more significant deterioration than the patients with recently diagnosed parkinsonism in the numbers of correct answers and responses of odorless (P < 0.0001). Olfaction in the combined patient group was significantly impaired compared with age‐matched controls in each category (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsThese findings imply a close association between olfactory dysfunction and disease severity and duration in PD.
Lactic Acidosis Secondary to Thiamin Deficiency Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Derespina Kim R , Kaushik Shubhi , Mahadeo Kris , McCabe Megan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA 22‐month‐old female with high‐risk neuroblastoma completed 5 cycles of chemotherapy then underwent high‐dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue (ASCR). Parenteral nutrition was administered from day +2 following ASCR, as she was unable to tolerate nasogastric feeds because of grade IV mucositis and vomiting. On day +12, she developed worsening metabolic acidosis with above reportable levels of lactic acid. Given the patient's well clinical appearance and paucity of evidence of end‐organ dysfunction on physical examination and on laboratory studies, there was high suspicion that the patient's lactic acidosis did not result from tissue hypoxia and was, in fact, a type B lactic acidosis. Thiamin was empirically administered, with rapid improvement in lactic acidosis. Thiamin deficiency was later confirmed by laboratory studies drawn prior to thiamin administration.
Holocene pore‐ice δ18O and δ2H records from drained thermokarst lake basins in the Old Crow Flats, Yukon, Canada
Authors: Bandara Sasiri , Froese Duane , Porter Trevor J. , Calmels Fabrice 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThermokarst lakes form following the thaw of ice‐rich permafrost and drain after a few decades to millennia. Drained thermokarst lake basins (DTLBs) become epicenters for peat accumulation and re‐aggradation of ice‐rich permafrost. This re‐aggradation of permafrost may be interrupted by subsequent thermokarst lake formation with sufficient disturbance. Thermokarst lakes and DTLBs are abundant near Old Crow, Yukon, Canada, but little is known about their evolution through the Holocene. In this study, we investigate the hydrology and drainage histories of seven DTLBs from the Old Crow Flats on the basis of cryostratigraphy, radiocarbon dating, and pore‐ice δ18O and δ2H records. Cryostratigraphic evidence implies only one of the seven studied DTLBs underwent multiple thermokarst cycles. Radiocarbon age–depth models demonstrate a slowdown in the rate of post‐drainage peat accumulation with time. Pore‐ice isotope analyses reveal a spectrum of possible post‐drainage isotopic histories resulting from spatial variability in permafrost, vegetation, and hydrology. Unlike lacustrine silt, post‐drainage peat contains relatively constant pore‐ice isotope trends. In light of our findings, we propose that syngenetic peat permafrost in DTLBs preserve a warm‐season sampling of local meteoric waters. These pore‐ice δ18O and δ2H records may aid millennial‐scale paleoclimate investigations, as we demonstrate through our reconstruction of Holocene climate change in northern Yukon.
Ensemble model for the degradation prediction of proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks
Authors: Wang Fu‐Kwun , Huang Chang‐Yi , Mamo Tadele , Cheng Xiao‐Bin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractProton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stacks are widely used in mobile and portable applications due to their clean and efficient model of operation. We propose an ensemble model based on a stacked long short‐term memory model that combines three machine‐learning models, including long short‐term memory with attention mechanism, support vector regression, and random forest regression, to improve the degradation prediction of a PEMFC stack. The prediction intervals can be derived using the dropout technique. The proposed model is compared with some existing models using two PEMFC stacks. The results show that the proposed model outperforms the other models in terms of mean absolute percentage error and root mean square error. Regarding the remaining useful life prediction, the proposed model with the sliding window approach can provide better results.