bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of postdural puncture headache—A randomized controlled trial comparing 22G Sprotte and Quincke
Authors: Sjulstad Ane Skaare , Odeh Francis , Baloch Farid K. , Berg Diana Hristova , Arntzen Kathrine , Alstadhaug Karl B. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the incidence of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) using 22‐gauge atraumatic needle (Sprotte, 22GS) compared with 22‐gauge traumatic needle (Quincke, 22GQ).BackgroundDiagnostic lumbar puncture (dLP) is commonly complicated by PDPH. Despite evidence to support the use of 22GS, European neurologists seem to keep using 22GQ.MethodsThis was a randomized, double‐blind study. Adults (age: 18–60 years) scheduled for dLP were included. dLP and CSF acquisition were performed in accordance with highly standardized procedures. Patients were followed up on days 2 and 7.ResultsIn total, 172 patients were randomized and lumbar punctured, and 21 were excluded due to wrong inclusion (n = 11), needle switch (n = 7), failed dLP (n = 1), withdrawal (n = 1), and missed follow‐up (n = 1). Among the remaining 151 patients (mean age: 40.7 ± 12.4 years), 77 had dLP using 22GQ and 74 using 22GS. Incidence of PDPH among patients punctured with 22GS (18%) was significantly lower (p = .004) than among patients punctured with 22GQ (39%). Relative risk was 0.45, 95% CI 0.26–0.80. Patients with PDPH had significantly lower weight (p = .035), and there was no significant difference related to age (p = .064), sex (p = .239), height (p = .857), premorbid episodic migraine (p = .829), opening pressure (p = .117), operators (p = .148), amount of CSF removed (p = .205), or number of attempts (p = .623).ConclusionsThe use of 22GS halves the risk of PDPH compared with 22GQ. This study provides strong support to make a change in practice where traumatic needles are still in regular use.
The immune phenotype of tongue squamous cell carcinoma predicts early relapse and poor prognosis
Authors: Troiano Giuseppe , Rubini Corrado , Togni Lucrezia , Caponio Vito Carlo Alberto , Zhurakivska Khrystyna , Santarelli Andrea , Cirillo Nicola , Lo Muzio Lorenzo , Mascitti Marco 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue (OTSCC), current tumor node metastasis staging system fails to identify at‐risk patients associated with early relapse and poor prognosis despite complete surgical resection. Given the importance of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the development of cancers, here we investigated the prognostic significance of the immune phenotype in OTSCC.MethodsHematoxylin‐eosin stained sections of OTSCCs from 211 patients were evaluated. Cancers were classified as (a) immune‐inflamed when TILs were found next to tumor cell nests; (b) immune‐excluded when TILs were found in the stroma, outside the tumor; and (c) immune‐desert for tumors lacking lymphocyte infiltrate. The prognostic significance of these immune phenotypes classes was investigated. Data were further validated on an independent cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas database.ResultsImmune‐desert phenotype was the least represented group of OTSCCs in our cohort (11.8%) and served as an independent prognostic factor. Patients with immune‐desert tumors exhibited worse disease‐specific survival (HR = 2.673; [CI: 95% 1.497‐4.773]; P = .001), overall survival (HR = 2.591; [CI: 95% 1.468‐4.572]; P = .001), and disease‐free survival (HR = 2.313; [CI: 95% 1.118‐4.786]; P = .024) at multivariate analysis.ConclusionsWe identified a specific subgroup of OTSCCs with poor prognosis. Tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes density and localization could serve as an integrative parameter to the current staging system and inform the selection of most appropriate treatments. In particular, the tumor immune phenotype could improve the stratification of patients with more aggressive disease.
A decision analysis comparing three strategies for peritoneal lavage cytology testing in staging of gastric cancer in China
Authors: He Qifei , Zhu Jinyi , Wang Anqiang , Ji Ke , Ji Xin , Zhang Ji , Wu Xiaojiang , Li Xia , Bu Zhaode , Ji Jiafu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundPositive peritoneal cytology (PCY) indicates metastasis (M1) in gastric cancer (GC) patients; both the American and Chinese guidelines recommend laparoscopic peritoneal lavage (LPL) for cytology. However, relatively high costs impair the widespread use of LPL in some resource‐limited regions in China, and the cost‐effectiveness of PCY testing remains unclear. Therefore, we performed a decision analysis to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of PCY testing by comparing the guideline‐recommended intraoperative LPL, a newly proposed preoperative percutaneous peritoneal lavage (PPL), and a third strategy of exploratory laparotomy with no cytology testing (ELNC) among GC patients.MethodsWe developed a decision‐analytic Markov model of the aforementioned three strategies for a hypothetical cohort of GC patients with curative intent after initial imaging, from the perspective of Chinese society. We estimated costs, quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs), and incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) as primary outcomes; we also conducted one‐way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses to investigate the model's robustness.ResultsWe found that ELNC was dominated (i.e., more expensive and less effective) by PPL and LPL. LPL was the most cost‐effective method with an ICER of US$17,200/QALY compared to PPL, which was below the Chinese willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) threshold of US$29,313 per QALY gained. In sensitivity analyses, PPL was more likely to be cost‐effective with a lower WTP threshold.ConclusionsCytology testing through either LPL or PPL was less expensive and more effective than ELNC among GC patients. Moreover, LPL was the most cost‐effective modality at the current WTP threshold, while PPL could potentially be cost‐effective in lower‐income areas.
Development of a nomogram for prognostic prediction of lower‐grade glioma based on alternative splicing signatures
Authors: Wang Yaning , Wang Zihao , Zhao Binghao , Chen Wenlin , Wang Yu , Ma Wenbin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe prognosis of lower‐grade glioma (LGG) differs from that of other grades gliomas. Although lots of studies on the prognostic biomarkers of LGG have been reported, few have significant clinical impact. Alternative splicing (AS) events can affect cell function by splicing precursor mRNA. Therefore, a prognostic model for LGG based on AS events are important to establish.MethodsRNA sequencing, clinical, and AS event data of 510 LGG patients from the TCGA database were downloaded. Univariate Cox regression analysis was used to screen out prognostic‐related AS events and LASSO regression and multivariate Cox regression were used to establish prognostic risk scores for patients in the training set (n = 340). After validation, a nomogram model was established based on the AS signature and clinical information, which was able to predict 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival rates. Finally, considering the regulatory effect of splicing factors (SFs) on AS events, an AS‐SF regulatory network was analyzed.ResultsThe most common AS event was exon skipping and the least was mutually exclusive exons. All the seven AS events were related to the prognosis of LGG patients, regardless of whether they were separated or considered as a whole event (integrated AS event), and the integrated AS event had the most significant correlation. After further inclusion of clinical indicators, eight factors were screened out: age, new event, KPS, WHO grade, treatment, integrated AS signature, IDH1 and TP53 mutation status, and a nomogram model was established. The study also constructed an AS‐SF regulatory network.ConclusionThe AS events and clinical factors that can predict the prognosis of LGG patients were screened, and a prognostic prediction model was established. The results of this study can play an important role in clinical work to better evaluate the prognosis of patients and impact treatment options.
Proteasomal dysfunction and ER stress triggers 2′‐hydroxy‐retrochalcone‐induced paraptosis in cancer cells
Authors: Nedungadi Divya , Binoy Anupama , Pandurangan Nanjan , Nair Bipin G. , Mishra Nandita 
Published: October 2020

AbstractChalcones are biologically active class of compounds, known for their anticancer activities. Here we show for the first time that out of the six synthetic derivatives of chalcone tested, 2′‐hydroxy‐retrochalcone (HRC) was the most effective in inducing extensive cytoplasmic vacuolation mediated death called paraptosis in malignant breast and cervical cancer cells. The cell death by HRC is found to be nonapoptotic in nature due to the absence of DNA fragmentation, PARP cleavage, and phosphatidylserine externalization. It was also found to be nonautophagic as there was an increase in the levels of autophagic markers LC3I, LC3II and p62. Immunofluorescence with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) marker protein calreticulin showed that the cytoplasmic vacuoles formed were derived from the ER. This ER dilation was due to ER stress as evidenced from the increase in polyubiquitinated proteins, Bip and CHOP. Docking studies revealed that HRC could bind to the Thr1 residue on the active site of the chymotrypsin‐like subunit of the proteasome. The inhibition of proteasomal activity was further confirmed by the fluorescence based assay of the chymotrypsin‐like subunit of the 26S proteasome. The cell death by HRC was also triggered by the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential and depletion of ATP. Pretreatment with thiol antioxidants and cycloheximide were able to inhibit this programmed cell death. Thus our data suggest that HRC can effectively kill cancer cells via paraptosis, an alternative death pathway and can be a potential lead molecule for anticancer therapy.
Potassium Titanate Nanobelts: A Unique Support for Au and AuRh Nanoparticles in the Catalytic Reduction of NO with CO
Authors: Wang Xianwei , Maeda Nobutaka , Meier Daniel M. , Baiker Alfons 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe catalytic reduction of NO with CO was examined over monometallic Au and bimetallic AuRh nanoparticles supported on potassium titanate (K2Ti8O17) nanobelts (KTN) and TiO2. The highly crystalline KTN, prepared from TiO2 by a hydrothermal process using KOH, were several μm long and ca. 8 nm wide. Both Au and bimetallic AuRh catalysts showed a striking enhancement of the catalytic performance with KTN as support, compared to corresponding TiO2‐supported catalysts. The reasons for this behavior could be traced back using in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy in tandem with modulation excitation spectroscopy, which proved that the KTN support promotes the formation of surface nitrate (−NO3−), carbonate (−CO32−), and isocyanide (−NCO) species. In particular, the combination of KTN with bimetallic AuRh nanoparticles results in the facile formation of isocyanide, which is a pivotal intermediate for producing dinitrogen molecules via the reaction with NO; NCO(a)+NO(a)→N2+CO2.
Triphenylphosphine as Efficient Antidote for the Sulfur‐Poisoning of the Pd/C Hydrogenation Catalyst
Authors: Xiong Renjie , Ren Wenqiang , Wang Zhiqiang , Zhang Minghui 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPd/C catalyst is a widely applied hydrogenation catalyst in organic synthesis for the reduction of many organic compounds. It has been reported that it suffers from sulfur poisoning. Herein we report that catalytic amounts of triphenylphosphine (TPP), which is also an usual poison to Pd/C, could greatly improve the catalytic performance of Pd/C in sulfur‐containing systems. The sulfur‐poisoned Pd/C catalyst can be activated when adding TPP. The characterizations show that TPP partly reduced the deactivated layer of palladium sulfide formed during the reaction at higher temperature, and expose the high active sites of metallic Pd to keep the hydrogenation process. TPP may promote the hydrogenation of nitro compounds and olefins in the presence of sulfur compounds, proving to be an efficient antidote for Pd/C hydrogenation catalyst poisoning.
Electrochemical Synthesis of a Multipurpose Pt−Ni Catalyst for Renewable Energy‐Related Electrocatalytic Reactions
Authors: Abu Sayeed Md , Woods Charlotte , Love Jonathan , O'Mullane Anthony P. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractRenewable energy driven electrochemical processes are becoming increasingly important in the transition away from fossil fuels. One of the key reactions is electrochemical water splitting to generate green hydrogen which ideally could be directly integrated with a wind or solar electricity source. However, alkaline electrolysers suffer from significant degradation in performance if they are rapidly powered down under reduced sunlight conditions when directly coupled with a solar cell due to reverse current flow. In this work we address this issue by creating a truly bifunctional electrode material that is switchable between the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The synthesis method is simple whereby a Pt electrode is electrochemically activated and then immersed in a nickel nitrate solution to electrolessly deposit Ni on the surface. When this electrode is electrochemically cycled, it creates an active Pt−Ni alloy at the Pt surface. Importantly, this electrocatalyst is switchable between both reactions without loss of activity as evidenced by an accelerated stress test over a 24 h period. An added advantage is that this Pt−Ni electrocatalyst is also more active than Pt for the oxygen reduction reaction which opens up its applicability in fuel cells. Finally, to demonstrate the multifunctionality of this Pt−Ni material, ethanol and ammonia oxidation is demonstrated which also shows better performance than Pt.
Morphologic and molecular analysis of early‐onset gastric cancer
Authors: Setia Namrata , Wang Cindy X. , Lager Angela , Maron Steve , Shroff Stuti , Arndt Nicole , Peterson Bryan , Kupfer Sonia S. , Ma Changqing , Misdraji Joseph , Catenacci Daniel , Hart John 
Published: October 2020

BackgroundEvidence suggests that early‐onset gastric cancers are distinct from traditional gastric cancers; however, detailed genomic and morphologic characterization of these cancers has not been performed.MethodsGenomic analysis was performed for 81 patients with gastric cancer who were 50 years old or younger; pathology slides were available for 53 of these patients, and they were re‐reviewed to perform a morphologic‐molecular correlation analysis. The results were compared with corresponding cBioPortal data and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) analysis, which represent traditional gastric cancers. The TP53 molecular signature was established to determine the pattern of somatic mutational damage. Variants of potential germline origin were also identified from next‐generation sequencing data.ResultsA higher rate of CDH1 mutations (22.2% of early‐onset gastric cancers vs 11.4% of traditional gastric cancers; P = .0042) but a similar rate of TP53 mutations (63% of early‐onset gastric cancers vs 56.6% of traditional gastric cancers; P = .2674) were seen in early‐onset cancers in comparison with traditional gastric cancers. The diffuse/mixed types correlated with the TCGA genomically stable type, and the remaining Lauren types correlated with the TCGA chromosomal instability type. Diffuse and indeterminate histologic types (overall survival, 26.25 months for the intestinal type, 20.5 months for the mixed type, 12.62 months for the diffuse type, and 9 months for the indeterminate type; P = .027) and the presence of a CDH1 gene mutation (overall survival, 9 months for mutant CDH1 and 22 months for wild‐type CDH1; P = .013) significantly correlated with worse survival. The TP53 gene frequently showed transition mutations (65.5%) involving the CpG sites (49%). Variants of potential germline origin were seen in high‐penetrance genes (CDH1 and APC) and moderate‐penetrance genes (ATM, NBN, and MUTYH) in 9.9% of cancers.ConclusionsEarly‐onset gastric cancer has distinct genomic alterations, such as CDH1 mutations, but shares with traditional gastric cancers a high frequency of TP53 mutations and the TP53 mutagenic signature. Diffuse and indeterminate histologic types and the presence of a CDH1 mutation are associated with worse overall survival. Endogenous factors leading to cytosine deamination and potential germline alterations in moderate‐penetrance cancer susceptibility genes may be implicated in the pathogenesis of these cancers.
Evolution and human's attraction and reaction to colour: Food and health
Authors: Hutchings John B. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFor continued good health, we are urged to design our meals around the colours of the rainbow. To answer the question “Why?” requires consideration of two evolutionary stories. These broadly are natural evolution, and evolution driven by the activities of human beings. For the first, we need to go back to the start of life on earth and think about pigments rather than colour. There are two major pigment families, carotenoids and those based on the porphyrin ring, without both of which life on earth would not exist, and which still play major roles in our make‐up and well‐being. Other pigments, edible and poisonous evolved as pressures on plant life increased through predation and their own need for survival. The second story commenced with the arrival of human beings and their eventual ability to control fire leading to development of food preservation, processing and more recently, ultraprocessing. The rainbow rule does not apply to such foods in which colour is an indicator of process. Heavily processed foods include use of coloured, cheap, poor quality, and unhealthy ingredients contributing to the present health crisis. For this intervention by humans we must switch from consideration of pigment to that of colour, because it is colour that is a major factor in our selection of the food we eat today.
Optimal camouflage colors determination using spectral reflectance of real‐scene objects
Authors: Daneshvar Elaheh , Amani Tehran Mohammad 
Published: October 2020

AbstractColor selection for a camouflage pattern is a substantial part in designing an effective camouflage pattern. Current color selection methods are often based on the prevailing colors of digital images captured from a scene. However, color extraction from digital images has shown a major difference between the pattern color and the real environment colors. In this article, we present a more precise approach to camouflage color selection based on the spectrophotometric data of dominant objects in a scene. To this end, the dominant objects of a grassland scene were identified. The spectral reflectance of the dominant objects was measured and the percentage of each of them occurred in the scene was estimated. Then, the chromatic values of dominant objects were inserted into an existing camouflage pattern based on the occurrence of each dominant object in the scene. The performance of the obtained colors was assessed by calculating the color difference between the printed camouflage pattern and the dominant objects of the scene. The results showed that using a portable spectrophotometer instead of using a digital camera is more accurate for camouflage color selection and reduces the color difference from the surrounding environment. Furthermore, our method guarantees the absolute similarity between camouflage colors and terrain colors without using camouflage evaluation indexes or photo‐simulation assessment.
Distributed Application Global States Monitoring in PEGASUS DA Applied to Parallel Graph Partitioning
Authors: Smyk Adam , Tudruj Marek 
Published: October 2020

SummaryThis paper presents how parallel advanced graph partitioning algorithms can be designed and improved with the use of global application states monitoring of distributed programs. The proposed algorithms have been implemented inside a novel distributed program design framework Program Execution Governed by Asynchronous Supervision of States in Distributed Applications (PEGASUS DA). This framework provides system support for the design of execution control in distributed applications based on automated global state monitoring. Two strategies for the control design of advanced parallel/distributed graph partitioning algorithms are presented and discussed. In the first one, the parallel algorithm control runs on top of the popular graph partitioning METIS tool. The second control strategy is based on genetic programming so that partitioning primitives and the overall algorithmic control can be freely designed by the user. Advanced partitioning methods have been conveniently embedded inside the global state monitoring driven PEGASUS DA framework which controls partitioning distributed actions at the level of processes and threads. The use of the framework allowed easy design and testing of different graph optimization strategies. The presented graph partitioning methods are illustrated by experiments with benchmark graphs. The experiments have comparatively assessed the obtained graph partitioning quality (visible improvement has been observed) and have identified benefits of the proposed approach for programmers.
Are native and non‐native pollinator friendly plants equally valuable for native wild bee communities?
Authors: Seitz Nicola , vanEngelsdorp Dennis , Leonhardt Sara D. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBees rely on floral pollen and nectar for food. Therefore, pollinator friendly plantings are often used to enrich habitats in bee conservation efforts. As part of these plantings, non‐native plants may provide valuable floral resources, but their effects on native bee communities have not been assessed in direct comparison with native pollinator friendly plantings. In this study, we performed a common garden experiment by seeding mixes of 20 native and 20 non‐native pollinator friendly plant species at separate neighboring plots at three sites in Maryland, USA, and recorded flower visitors for 2 years. A total of 3,744 bees (120 species) were collected. Bee abundance and species richness were either similar across plant types (midseason and for abundance also late season) or lower at native than at non‐native plots (early season and for richness also late season). The overall bee community composition differed significantly between native and non‐native plots, with 11 and 23 bee species being found exclusively at one plot type or the other, respectively. Additionally, some species were more abundant at native plant plots, while others were more abundant at non‐natives. Native plants hosted more specialized plant–bee visitation networks than non‐native plants. Three species out of the five most abundant bee species were more specialized when foraging on native plants than on non‐native plants. Overall, visitation networks were more specialized in the early season than in late seasons. Our findings suggest that non‐native plants can benefit native pollinators, but may alter foraging patterns, bee community assemblage, and bee–plant network structures.