bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differentiation of Malignant and Benign Orbital Space‐Occupying Lesions Using Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound
Authors: Zhang Yao , Deng Qing , Sun Bin , Chen Liao , Huang Xin , Pan Juhong , Huang Xingyue , Zhang Jun , Chen Wenwei 
Published: January 2021

ObjectivesTo evaluate the value of time‐intensity curve (TIC) analysis of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) signal to differentiate malignant from benign orbital space‐occupying lesions.MethodsThe CEUS signal of 111 patients with orbital space‐occupying lesions was retrospectively analyzed using SonoLiver software. TIC‐related parameters such as the arrival time (AT), rise time (RT), time to peak (TTP), maximum intensity (IMAX), mean transit time (mTT), slope of the increase (RS), and slope of the decrease (DS) were compared between the malignant and benign groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to acquire the cutoff values of these parameters for differential diagnosis.ResultsTIC patterns were characterized by fast increase and fast decrease in signal intensity in the malignant group, fast increase and a slow decrease in signal intensity in the benign group. The differences in the IMAX, RS, DS, mTT, TTP, and RT between the 2 groups were statistically significant (p <.01), while the difference in the AT were not (p = .672). ROC curve analysis showed that IMAX = 427.20, DS = 34.72, and mTT = 33.55 were the best cutoff values for differential diagnosis of malignant and benign space‐occupying lesions. The accuracy rate of CEUS visual evaluation for differential diagnosis was 66.67% (74/111), while TIC quantitative analysis could effectively improve the accuracy to 89.19% (99/111).ConclusionsTIC analysis can improve CEUS efficiency to differentiate malignant from benign orbital space‐occupying lesions.
Sea‐ice microbial communities in the Central Arctic Ocean: Limited responses to short‐term pCO2 perturbations
Authors: Torstensson Anders , Margolin Andrew R. , Showalter Gordon M. , Smith Walker O. , Shadwick Elizabeth H. , Carpenter Shelly D. , Bolinesi Francesco , Deming Jody W. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe Arctic Ocean is more susceptible to ocean acidification than other marine environments due to its weaker buffering capacity, while its cold surface water with relatively low salinity promotes atmospheric CO2 uptake. We studied how sea‐ice microbial communities in the central Arctic Ocean may be affected by changes in the carbonate system expected as a consequence of ocean acidification. In a series of four experiments during late summer 2018 aboard the icebreaker Oden, we addressed microbial growth, production of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), photosynthetic activity, and bacterial assemblage structure as sea‐ice microbial communities were exposed to elevated partial pressures of CO2 (pCO2). We incubated intact, bottom ice‐core sections and dislodged, under‐ice algal aggregates (dominated by Melosira arctica) in separate experiments under approximately 400, 650, 1000, and 2000 μatm pCO2 for 10 d under different nutrient regimes. The results indicate that the growth of sea‐ice algae and bacteria was unaffected by these higher pCO2 levels, and concentrations of DOC and EPS were unaffected by a shifted inorganic C/N balance, resulting from the CO2 enrichment. These central Arctic sea‐ice microbial communities thus appear to be largely insensitive to short‐term pCO2 perturbations. Given the natural, seasonally driven fluctuations in the carbonate system of sea ice, its resident microorganisms may be sufficiently tolerant of large variations in pCO2 and thus less vulnerable than pelagic communities to the impacts of ocean acidification, increasing the ecological importance of sea‐ice microorganisms even as the loss of Arctic sea ice continues.
Seasonality and biological forcing modify the diel frequency of nearshore pH extremes in a subarctic Alaskan estuary
Authors: Miller Cale A. , Kelley Amanda L. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAcidification in nearshore waters is influenced by a multitude of drivers that shape the dynamics of pH and carbonate chemistry variability on diurnal, seasonal, and yearly time scales. Monitoring efforts aimed at characterizing high temporal variability are lacking in many nearshore systems, particularly in high‐latitude regions such as Alaska. To rectify this, a nearshore acidification sensor array was established in the Fall of 2017 within Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Presented here are the results from the first year of these deployments, and the first record of a year‐long high‐frequency pH time series for nearshore Alaska. SeaFET™ pH and O2 sensors deployed in Jakolof Bay and Bear Cove reveal a seasonally dynamic system in which nearshore waters in these two enclosed bays transition to being predominantly net autotrophic systems for a period of 60‐plus days. High rates and durations of primary production in late spring and early summer create high pH conditions and extreme variability. Observed pH values in Jakolof Bay and Bear Cove tracked hourly rates of change on the order of 0.18 and 0.10 units, respectively. In Jakolof Bay nondirectional variability within a 12‐h period was > 1 pH unit, exposing organisms to unstable, nonstatic pH conditions on tidal and diurnal cycles. Consistent frequency patterns detailing the magnitude of pH variability was correlated to tidal and O2 signatures, elucidating the dynamics and drivers of pH variability. This first year of observations is the first step in quantifying the anthropogenic contribution to acidification for Kachemak Bay in the forthcoming years.
Characteristic facial features and cortical blindness distinguish the DOCK7‐related epileptic encephalopathy
Authors: Haberlandt Edda , Valovka Taras , Janjic Tanja , Müller Thomas , Blatsios Georgios , Karall Daniela , Janecke Andreas R. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe epileptic encephalopathies display extensive locus and allelic heterogeneity. Biallelic truncating DOCK7 variants were recently reported in five children with early‐onset epilepsy, intellectual disability, and cortical blindness, indicating that DOCK7 deficiency causes a specific type of epileptic encephalopathy.MethodsWe identified 23‐ and 27‐year‐old siblings with the clinical pattern reported for DOCK7 deficiency, and conducted genome‐wide linkage analysis and WES. The consequences of a DOCK7 variant were analyzed on the transcript and protein level in patients’ fibroblasts.ResultsWe identified a novel homozygous DOCK7 frameshift variant, an intragenic tandem duplication of 124‐kb, previously missed by CGH array, in adult patients. Patients display atrophy in the occipital lobe and pontine hypoplasia with marked pontobulbar sulcus, and focal atrophy of occasional cerebellar folia is a novel finding. Recognizable dysmorphic features include normo‐brachycephaly, narrow forehead, low anterior and posterior hairlines, prominent ears, full cheeks, and long eyelashes. Our patients function on the level of 4‐year‐old children, never showed signs of regression, and seizures are largely controlled with multi‐pharmacotherapy. Studies of patients’ fibroblasts showed nonsense‐mediated RNA decay and lack of DOCK7 protein.ConclusionDOCK7 deficiency causes a definable clinical entity, a recognizable type of epileptic encephalopathy.
Pediatric Nephrotic Syndrome: Pharmacologic and Nutrition Management
Authors: Hampson Kyle J. , Gay Morgan L. , Band Molly E. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractNephrotic syndrome is a common kidney disease during childhood that is characterized by alterations in glomerular filtration and leads to protein, fluid, and nutrient loss in the urine. Most patients experience peripheral, gravity‐dependent edema; however, serious cases exhibit anasarca and ascites. Many long‐term complications of the disease exist due to the underlying pathology and the therapies used for treatment, including metabolic bone disease, micronutrient deficiencies, and hyperlipidemia. Pharmacologic and nutrition interventions are key to appropriate management. Fluid and sodium restriction in combination with corticosteroids, albumin, and diuretics are used to manage edema. Steroid‐sparing therapies like alkylating agents and calcineurin inhibitors and dietary modification to eliminate dairy and gluten may be warranted in patients with frequent relapses or steroid‐refractory disease. Nutrition clinicians should familiarize themselves with the nuances of treating this disease to optimize care for children with nephrotic syndrome.
Comparison between the new exact and numerical solutions of the Mikhailov–Novikov–Wang equation
Authors: Bekir Ahmet , Shehata Maha S. M. , Zahran Emad H. M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn this article, we employ the Mikhailov–Novikov–Wang integrable equation (MNWIE) appearing by means of the perturbatives symmetry approach to the rating of integrable non‐evolutionary PDEs. The new exact soliton solutions of this equation which were not achieved before have been realized for the first time in the framework of the (G′/G)‐expansion method. In the same vein and parallel, the corresponding numerical solutions of this equation have been established using the variational iteration method (VIM).
Pretransplant myeloid and immune suppression, reduced toxicity conditioning with posttransplant cyclophosphamide: Initial outcomes of novel approach for matched unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplant for hemoglobinopathies
Authors: Kharya Gaurav , Bakane Atish N. , Rauthan Archana M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is currently the only curative option for thalassemia major (TM) and sickle cell disease (SCD). We report our experience of using pretransplant immune suppression (PTIS), augmented Johns Hopkins conditioning, and posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) as graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis for matched unrelated donor (MUD) transplant in TM/SCD. At a median follow‐up of 307.5 days (range 251‐395), all patients (three TM, one SCD) are alive and disease free. MUD HSCT with PTIS, augmented Johns Hopkins conditioning, and PTCy as GvHD prophylaxis is a promising way of treating patients with hemoglobinopathies with low regimen‐related toxicity (RRT), no risk of graft failure (GF) and minimal GvHD rates.
Cancer incidence and survival trends among infants in the United States from 1975 to 2014
Authors: Wang Haijun , Mejia Maria Carmenza , Gonzalez Sandra J. , Zoorob Roger J. , Chai Weiwen , Du Xianglin L. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundCancer among infants (<1 year old) has unique epidemiologic, clinical, and genetic characteristics compared with cancer in older children. Nonetheless, data on secular trends in infant cancer incidence and survival in the United States is sparse.MethodsPopulation‐based data from nine areas of the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) were used to estimate the incidence, average annual percentage change (APC) for trends, and survival of malignant neoplasm among infants from 1975 to 2014. Data were stratified by gender, race, registry, and cancer type.ResultsThere were 3437 new infant cancer cases with an overall incidence of 23.6/100 000. Neuroblastoma was the most common infant malignancy (6.5/100 000), followed by leukemia (3.8/100 000), and brain and central nervous system tumors (3.3/100 000). The incidence rate increased significantly from 1975 to 2014 (APC 0.68; 95% CI 0.30‐1.06; P < .05). Variations in overall incidence rates were uneven across SEER registry geographic areas, with the lowest rates among both males and females in New Mexico. Relative to other racial distribution, infant cancer rates were highest among Whites. The relative survival rates improved over time for all tumors except for renal, sarcomas, and germ cells and were not significantly different by gender or race.ConclusionsCancer incidence among infants increased over time largely driven by leukemia, germ cell, and sarcoma mainly among male infants. The overall survival for infant cancer has improved over the past 40 years, especially since 1990 for hepatic tumors, lymphoma, and leukemia. Further research is needed to explore the potential impacts of genetic, environmental, and perinatal factors for possible explanations for these increased cancer incidence trends.
Improved mechanical performances of short aramid fiber‐reinforced polypropylene composites by Ti3C2 Mxene nanosheets
Authors: Tang Bolin , Yang Yaru , Shi Yicheng , Nie Huijie , Xia Hongqin , Shen Xiaojun 
Published: January 2021

AbstractFiber‐reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites are widely used for structural bearing because of their excellent mechanical property. So, it is necessary to improve the mechanical property of fiber‐reinforced PP composites. In this present, two‐dimensional Ti3C2 Mxene nanosheets were bound to short aramid fiber (SAF), forming Ti3C2 nanosheets‐modified SAF (Ti3C2/SAF), aiming to improve PP mechanical property. The Ti3C2 nanosheets were obtained after hydrofluoric acid etching and ultrasonically delamination procedure, followed by chemically bound to the surface of H3PO4 solution‐treated SAF to form Ti3C2/SAF. The Ti3C2/SAF‐reinforced PP (Ti3C2/SAF/PP) composites were prepared by a melt blending method. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the Ti3C2/SAF modified with different concentration of Ti3C2 nanosheets solution presented the distinct morphologies, with the 0.3 mg/ml Ti3C2/SAF formed a relatively uniform Ti3C2 nanosheets coating on the SAF surface. Test results of mechanical performance indicated that the tensile and impact strength of Ti3C2/SAF/PP composites were significantly improved. Especially, the maximum tensile and impact strength of 0.3 Ti3C2/SAF/PP composite at 5 wt% reached to 37.8 MPa and 14.0 kJ/m2, which was increased by 11.5% (or 28.1%) in tensile strength and 12.9% (or 38.6%) in impact strength, compared with that of SAF/PP composite (or PP matrix). This can be attributed that Ti3C2 nanosheets binding to SAF improved the interfacial bonding strength between SAF and PP. This work provides a promising strategy for improving the mechanical properties of fiber‐reinforced PP composites.
Study on functional sites in human multidrug resistance protein 1 (hMRP1)
Authors: He Junmei , Han Zhongjie , Farooq Qurat ul Ain , Li Chunhua 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHuman multidrug resistance protein 1 (hMRP1) is an important member of the ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily. It can extrude a variety of anticancer drugs and physiological organic anions across the plasma membrane, which is activated by substrate binding, and is accompanied by large‐scale cooperative movements between different domains. Currently, it remains unclear completely about how the specific interactions between hMRP1 and its substrate are and which critical residues are responsible for allosteric signal transduction. To the end, we first construct an inward‐facing state of hMRP1 using homology modeling method, and then dock substrate proinflammatory agent leukotriene C4 (LTC4) to hMRP1 pocket. The result manifests LTC4 interacts with two parts of hMRP1 pocket, namely the positively charged pocket (P pocket) and hydrophobic pocket (H pocket), similar to its binding mode with bMRP1 (bovine MRP1). Additionally, we use the Gaussian network model (GNM)‐based thermodynamic method proposed by us to identify the key residues whose perturbations markedly alter their binding free energy. Here the conventional GNM is improved with covalent/non‐covalent interactions and secondary structure information considered (denoted as sscGNM). In the result, sscGNM improves the flexibility prediction, especially for the nucleotide binding domains with rich kinds of secondary structures. The 46 key residue clusters located in different subdomains are identified which are highly consistent with experimental observations. Furtherly, we explore the long‐range cooperation within the transporter. This study is helpful for strengthening the understanding of the work mechanism in ABC exporters and can provide important information to scientists in drug design studies.
Curcumin/d‐mannitol as photolarvicide: induced delay in larval development time, changes in sex ratio and reduced longevity of Aedes aegypti
Authors: Mezzacappo Natasha Ferreira , de Souza Larissa Marila , Inada Natália Mayumi , Dias Lucas Danilo , Garbuio Matheus , Venturini Francine Perri , Corrêa Thaila Quatrini , Moura Lidia , Blanco Kate Cristina , de Oliveira Kleber Thiago , Bagnato Vanderlei Salvador 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDResistant populations of Ae. aegypti have been a major problem in arboviruses epidemic areas, generating a strong demand for novel methods of vector control. In this regard, our group has demonstrated the use of curcumin as an efficient photoactive larvicide to eliminate Ae. aegypti larvae. This work was aimed to evaluate the Ae. aegypti (Rockefeller) development under sublethal conditions, using a curcumin/d‐mannitol (DMC) formulation. The photolarvicidal efficacy under semi‐field and field conditions (wild populations) was also analyzed, as well as the photobleaching and residual activity of DMC.RESULTSA delay in development time when larvae were exposed to sublethal concentrations of DMC was observed, followed by significant changes in sex ratio and reduction in longevity. DMC also presented a low residual activity when compared to usual larvicides, and had a substantial photolarvicidal activity against wild populations in field trials, achieving 71.3% mortality after 48 h.CONCLUSIONSOverall, these findings are of great biological importance for the process of enabling the implementation of DMC as a new product in the control of Ae. aegypti larvae, and contributes to the improvement of new plant‐based larvicides. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Biosafety of bee pollinators in genetically modified agro‐ecosystems: Current approach and further development in the EU
Authors: Arpaia Salvatore , Smagghe Guy , Sweet Jeremy B 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBee pollinators are an important guild delivering a fundamental input to European agriculture due to the ecological service they provide to crops in addition to the direct economic revenues from apiculture. Bee populations are declining in Europe as a result of the effects of several environmental stressors, both natural and of anthropic origin. Efforts are ongoing in the European Union (EU) to improve monitoring and management of pollinator populations to arrest further declines. Genetically modified (GM) crops are currently cultivated in a limited area in Europe, and an environmental risk assessment (ERA) is required prior to their authorization for cultivation. The possible impacts of GM crops on pollinators are deemed relevant for the ERA. Existing ecotoxicological studies indicate that traits currently expressed in insect‐resistant GM plants are unlikely to represent a risk for pollinators. However, new mechanisms of insect resistance are being introduced into GM plants, including novel combinations of Cry toxins and double strand RNA (dsRNA), and an ERA is required to consider lethal and sublethal effects of these new products on nontarget species, including insect pollinators. The evaluation of indirect effects linked to the changes in management practices (e.g. for herbicide‐tolerant GM crops) is an important component of EU regulations and a requirement for ERA. This paper reviews current approaches used to test the sensitivity of pollinators to GM plants and their products to determine whether sufficient data are being provided on novel GM plants to satisfy EU risk assessment requirements. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Reinforcement learning and Bayesian data assimilation for model‐informed precision dosing in oncology
Authors: Maier Corinna , Hartung Niklas , Kloft Charlotte , Huisinga Wilhelm , de Wiljes Jana 
Published: January 2021

AbstractModel‐informed precision dosing (MIPD) using therapeutic drug/biomarker monitoring offers the opportunity to significantly improve the efficacy and safety of drug therapies. Current strategies comprise model‐informed dosing tables or are based on maximum a posteriori estimates. These approaches, however, lack a quantification of uncertainty and/or consider only part of the available patient‐specific information. We propose three novel approaches for MIPD using Bayesian data assimilation (DA) and/or reinforcement learning (RL) to control neutropenia, the major dose‐limiting side effect in anticancer chemotherapy. These approaches have the potential to substantially reduce the incidence of life‐threatening grade 4 and subtherapeutic grade 0 neutropenia compared with existing approaches. We further show that RL allows to gain further insights by identifying patient factors that drive dose decisions. Due to its flexibility, the proposed combined DA‐RL approach can easily be extended to integrate multiple end points or patient‐reported outcomes, thereby promising important benefits for future personalized therapies.
Economic and economic‐statistical designs of the side sensitive group runs chart with auxiliary information
Authors: Ng Peh Sang , Khoo Michael B. C. , Yeong Wai Chung , Saha Sajal , Chew XinYing 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis article studies the economic and economic‐statistical designs of the auxiliary information (AI) based side sensitive group runs (SSGR‐AI) chart. The regression estimator that consists of information not only from the primary variable but also from the auxiliary variable is integrated into the control charting statistic. Optimal designs of the SSGR‐AI chart, for the minimization of the expected cost function with and without statistical constraints, are developed based on (i) average run length (ARL) and (ii) expected average run length (EARL). Furthermore, sensitivity analyses are conducted, that is, the impact of various input parameters on the optimal parameters and costs for different values of correlation coefficients (ρ) between the primary and auxiliary variables are investigated. In addition, the effects of incorrect specification of the size of the shift on the optimal cost of the SSGR‐AI chart are studied. The comparative study reveals that the SSGR‐AI chart is superior to the exponentially weighted moving average‐AI (EWMA‐AI) and synthetic‐AI (Syn‐AI) charts, for both designs, by giving the smallest costs.
Purification of Single and Entangled Photons by Wavepacket Shaping
Authors: Chuu Chih‐Sung , Cheng Chun‐Yuan , Wu Chih‐Hsiang , Wei Cheng‐Yeh , Huang Sheng‐Yao , Chen Yen‐Ju , Feng Shih‐Wen , Yang Chun‐Yao 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSingle photons and entangled photons lie at the heart of photonic quantum technologies, whose optimal performances are normally reached when the purity of the single or entangled photons is high. However, the multiphoton emission, dissipation, and decoherence in practical realizations always lead to the degradation of the single‐ and entangled‐ photon quality. The purification of single or entangled photons is thus valuable to restore the quantum states and enhance the performance of quantum technologies. The applications of wavepacket shaping, an emerging quantum optics tool to manipulate the single‐ and entangled‐ photon wavefunctions, to purify single and entangled photons are reviewed. In particular, by modulating the single photons emitted from optically excited room‐temperature quantum dots, it is shown that the fast‐decaying multiphoton emission can be eliminated to obtain a low value of g(2)(0) that is independent of the excitation power. It is also shown that the two‐photon interference and polarization entanglement of the non‐degenerate biphotons from spontaneous parametric down‐conversion can be restored after modulating the biphotons with a periodic function. The works have potential applications in long‐distance quantum communication and linear optical quantum computation.