bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Opioids and older adults: Increasing trends in opioid usage in a dental population compared to a National Database (NHANES)
Authors: Suarez‐Durall Piedad , Osborne Maile S. , Chan Chan , Enciso Reyes , Mulligan Roseann
Published: March 2022

Aim

To examine self‐reported opioid prevalence at a dental school clinic for patients ≥65 years old as compared to national data, comparing gender, ethnicity/race and older adult age groupings.

Methods and results

Self‐reported prescription opioid medication use was extracted from the medical record for dental patients ≥65 years old who visited the school's general dental clinic (GDC) in 2012 or 2017. This data was compared to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for 2011–2012 and 2017–18. There was a significant increase in prevalence of opioid use in adults ≥65 between 2012 (4.5%) and 2017 (6.5%) and for ages 65–79 (from 4.7% to 6.3%) and ≥80 (3.4% to 7.9%), women (4.8% to 7.0%), and African Americans (4.7% to 8.4%) in the GDC. Older adults at the GDC reported less opioid use than the NHANES national average for both periods no matter the gender or the age with variable results for race/ethnicity.

Conclusion

The prevalence of older adults taking opioids in our general dental school clinic population increased significantly in 2017 as compared to 2012 but was lower than the national average for the respective periods. Awareness of existing opioid usage in older adult patients and its higher adverse risk potential is critical when prescribing analgesics for dental pain for this age group.
Association between BMI and periodontitis in women living with or at risk for HIV
Authors: Janorkar Deepti A. , Long Dustin M. , Weber Kathleen M. , Sharma Anjali , Lin Guo‐Hao , D'Souza Gypsyamber , Edmonds Andrew , Kassaye Seble , Lahiri Cecile D. , Konkle‐Parker Deborah
Published: March 2022

Aims

Currently, there is no data available assessing the association between body mass index (BMI) and periodontitis among women living with HIV (WLWH). This study aims to investigate this association among WLWH and women at risk for HIV (WRH) in the United States.

Methods and results

Data from 351 WLWH and 52 WRH participants from the Women's Interagency HIV Study having pocket depths and clinical periodontal attachment loss assessments in 2003–2004 were included. Multinomial logistic regression analyses in the full sample assessed the relationship between BMI (underweight/normal, overweight, or obese) and periodontitis by severity (mild, moderate, severe), adjusting for study sites, age, education, annual household income, smoking, alcohol consumption, and diabetes.

Overall, 75.2% women (76.0% WLWH; 69.0% WRH) had periodontitis. Moreover, 75.0% obese and 75.3% overweight women were affected by periodontitis. In the full sample, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of having mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis in obese women were: 1.14 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.51–2.52), 1.02 (95% CI: 0.46–2.29), and 0.24 (95% CI: 0.06–1.07), respectively, and in overweight women: 0.70 (95% CI: 0.31–1.58), 0.85 (95% CI: 0.38–1.90), and 0.31 (95% CI: 0.08–1.15), respectively.

Conclusions

Even with high prevalence of periodontitis among women with or without HIV infection in this cohort, this study does not provide evidence of an association between BMI and periodontitis.
People with congenital bleeding disorders perspectives on why dentists refused to treat them: An exploratory qualitative study using a card sorting technique
Authors: Abed Hassan , Alsahafi Elham
Published: March 2022

Aims

This qualitative study aimed to assess people with congenital bleeding disorders (CBDs) perspectives on why their dentists refused to treat them.

Methods

Using validated and reliable questions, people with CBDs were asked about their attitude toward dental visit and teeth brushing, perceived thought about dentists’ knowledge and skill in treating them, perceived dental anxiety, and perceived barriers toward receiving dental services. Free text responses were added to report reasons of why people with CBDs could not brush their teeth sometimes and why the dentists refused to treat them. An open card sorting method was used to analyze participants free text reports.

Results

A total of 30 participants were recruited for the purpose of this qualitative study (70% adults and 30% children). Hemophilia A affected the majority of both groups. The majority of participants (n = 20, 67%) reported that they have been refused to be treated by their dentists (71% of adults versus 56% of children, as reported by their parents, p‐value = 0.398). Adult participants reported that they have been refused to be treated by dentists due to fear of dentists from uncontrolled gingival bleeding, their dentists’ beliefs that no dental treatment required for them, their thoughts that their dentists will refuse to treat them and difficulty of accommodating the dental visit with other medical appointments. Parents of children reported other reasons such as parents did not ask for dental treatments, difficulty of dental treatment to dentists, young age of patient, and poor accessibility to dental services due to long waiting list. Fear of adult participants from uncontrolled gingival bleeding (n = 4, 57%) and poor compliance of children toward teeth brushing (n = 2, 29%) were the reasons behind why they could not brush their teeth sometimes.

Conclusions

Among several reported reasons, fear of dentists from uncontrolled gingival bleeding was the most reported reason of why dentists refused to treat adults with CBDs. While other reasons were reported by parents of children with CBDs such as parents did not ask for dental treatment to their children, difficulty of dental treatment to dentists, young age of patients, and poor accessibility due to long waiting list.
Multiply robust matching estimators of average and quantile treatment effects
Authors: Yang Shu , Zhang Yunshu
Published: March 2022

Propensity score matching has been a long‐standing tradition for handling confounding in causal inference, however, requiring stringent model assumptions. In this article, we propose novel double score matching (DSM) utilizing both the propensity score and prognostic score. To gain the protection of possible model misspecification, we posit multiple candidate models for each score. We show that the debiasing DSM estimator achieves the multiple robustness property in that it is consistent if any one of the score models is correctly specified. We characterize the asymptotic distribution for the DSM estimator requiring only one correct model specification based on the martingale representations of the matching estimators and theory for local normal experiments. We also provide a two‐stage replication method for variance estimation and extend DSM for quantile estimation. Simulation demonstrates DSM outperforms single‐score matching and prevailing multiply robust weighting estimators in the presence of extreme propensity scores.
Colistin sulfate for decontamination of preservation fluid in kidney transplantation to decrease the incidence of donor‐derived infections caused by multidrug‐resistant Gram‐negative bacteria
Authors: Sui Mingxing , Zheng Nanxin , Xu Da , Li Yuhong , Li Yanhua , Pu Shijun , Ji Meili , Yang Suxia , Chen Yutong , Huang Juan , Zhu Youhua , Lu Hanlan , Zeng Li
Published: March 2022

Background

Preservation fluid (PF) contamination, especially by multidrug‐resistant (MDR) Gram‐negative bacteria (GNB), poses a high risk of donor‐derived infection (DDI) and severe clinical outcomes. We sought to determine whether the use of colistin sulfate to decontaminate PF in kidney transplantation can decrease the incidence of probable DDI (p‐DDI) caused by MDR GNB.

Methods

In a retrospective study of 916 recipients who received deceased donation, 864 PF samples were collected and cultured, and microbiological contaminants were recorded with the recipients’ clinical data and outcomes. From March 2016 to May 2019, 624 samples were decontaminated with ceftizoxime, and from June 2019 to March 2021, 240 samples were decontaminated with colistin sulfate. Between‐group comparisons were performed to assess the ability of the two decontamination regimens to decrease the incidence of p‐DDI, especially MDR GNB‐related infection.

Results

The overall PF contamination rate was 54.51% (471/864), and 80 samples were positive for MDR GNB contamination. All p‐DDIs occurred in the ceftizoxime group (p < 0.001), and 67.65% of p‐DDIs were MDR GNB‐related. In the ceftizoxime group, 23 of 61 cases of MDR GNB contamination led to related p‐DDIs, while none occurred in the colistin sulfate group (p = 0.002). Among the 23 patients with p‐DDIs, 5 died due to severe infection, and 2 experienced graft loss.

Conclusions

The goal of decontamination should be to decrease the risk of MDR GNB‐related p‐DDI, and colistin sulfate could be an effective and feasible option.

image
Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of medically treated female dogs with cystic endometrial hyperplasia–pyometra complex
Authors: Batista Pablo Rodrigo , Gobello Cristina , Rube Ana , Barrena Jorge Pablo , Arioni Sol , Blanco Paula Graciela
Published: March 2022

Monitoring the treatment outcome of canine cystic endometrial hyperplasia‐pyometra complex (CEH‐P) is essential to identify nonresponding patients who might require a rapid intervention to avoid life‐threatening conditions. Uterine artery Doppler characterization may contribute to monitoring medically treated CEH‐P, but published studies are currently lacking. Therefore, the aim of this longitudinal prospective observational study was to evaluate uterine artery resistance changes in the medical treatment of female dogs with CEH‐P. Twelve diestrous female dogs suffering from CEH‐P were treated with a combined protocol of cabergoline, cloprostenol, and antibiotics. The animals were clinically and ultrasonographically evaluated before the beginning of treatment (day 0) and on days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28. The widest transverse diameter and luminal diameter of uterine horns were measured, as well as the peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) of uterine arteries. The resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), and notch deep index (NDI) were calculated. On day 3, nine of 12 animals showed clinical improvement. In all these female dogs, the widest transverse sectional diameter (P < 0.01), luminal diameter (P < 0.01), PSV (P < 0.01), and EDV (P < 0.01) progressively decreased, while RI (P < 0.01), PI (P < 0.01), and NDI (P < 0.01) increased up to day 21. In nonresponding dogs (3/12), Doppler parameters remained unchanged. Although comparisons of PSV, EDV, and NDI were significantly different, these results should be cautiously interpreted due to the low statistical power. female dogs that responded to this treatment showed an increase in uterine artery resistance, along with clinical and ultrasonographic improvement.
Revealing diagnostic characters through morphological evolution in cleptoparasitic spider wasps (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae, Ceropales)
Authors: Waichert Cecilia , Rodriguez Juanita , Lelej Arkady S. , von Dohlen Carol D. , Pitts James P.
Published: March 2022

Spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) cleptoparasites, such as Ceropales Latreille, have evolved the ability to steal the spiders from other pompilids. This behaviour is often observed with morphological adaptations that might mislead taxonomic decisions due to convergence. For instance, four subgenera, Bifidoceropales Wolf, Ceropales s. str., Hemiceropales Wolf and Priesnerius Móczár and six species‐groups are recognized within Ceropales; all with doubtful identification. We studied species of Ceropales in light of molecular and morphological characters to delimit lineages and to test the applicability of morphological traits in diagnosing them. We used the molecular nuclear markers long‐wavelength rhodopsin and 28S ribosomal RNA, and the mitochondrial Cytochrome C Oxidase I available at Genebank to reconstruct Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees. Our results disagree with the current subgeneric classification. We found that fore wing venation and the shape of the female posterior metasomal segments are key characters to differentiate lineages. We discuss morphological evolution of the sting apparatus using ancestral state reconstructions; and we propose Bifidoceropales as a junior subjective synonym of Ceropales s. str., whereas Priesnerius, stat. resurr. and Hemiceropales are redefined based on male and female morphological traits. This study raises important concerns, from the validity of diagnostic characters currently used to identify cleptoparasite spider wasps—and taxa with habitat constraints leading to homoplasies. Taxonomy can benefit from the reconstruction of ancestral traits by revealing reliable diagnostic characters. Moreover, our investigation provides a framework for evolutionary studies on hymenopteran cleptoparasitoids and sets the basis for future phylogenomic investigations on Ceropales by opening new perspectives for taxonomic acts and guiding taxonomic sampling efforts.
Lithium-Ion Battery State of Health Estimation Based on Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Cuckoo Search Algorithm Optimized Elman Neural Network
Authors: Chang Chun , Wang Shaojin , Jiang Jiuchun , Gao Yang , Jiang Yan , Liao Li
Published: March 2022

In order to ensure the driving safety of electric vehicles and avoid potential failures, it is important to properly estimate the state of health (SOH) of lithium-ion batteries. In this paper, a method of lithium-ion battery SOH estimation based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and an algorithm fused by Elman neural network and cuckoo search (CS-Elman) is proposed. First, by extracting 19 features of EIS and using principal component analysis to reduce dimension, we obtain four principal components as model inputs. Second, CS algorithm optimizes the weights and thresholds of Elman algorithm. Next, we use the CS-Elman model to estimate the battery SOH and verify the model with the remaining battery data. In addition, we propose a variable temperature estimation model and verify the feasibility of the model between 25 °C and 45 °C. Finally, the experimental results show that the mean absolute error of the method is less than 1.36%.
Patterning characteristic control of sol-gel-derived random-structure oligomeric silsesquioxanes having a diazonaphthoquinone derivative
Authors: Suwa Mitsuhito , Kamogawa Masao , Fujii Manami , Nishiyama Takuya , Kozuka Hiromitsu
Published: March 2022

Positive photosensitive materials prepared by adding a diazonaphthoquinone (DNQ) derivative to matrices of oligomeric silsesquioxanes (oligo-SQs) with random structures, including only a phenyl (Ph) substituent or both Ph and methyl (Me) substituents (wherein the Ph group content is over 50 mol. %), exhibit a high patterning ability (i.e., a high-resolution pattern formation under 10 μm). One cause of such a high patterning ability is the particularly low solubility of unexposed areas in an alkaline developer, caused by the DNQ derivative-containing oligo-SQs having over 50 mol. % of Ph group content. However, the effects of the exposed areas on the alkaline dissolution behavior, which can be another factor of high patterning ability, have not been examined yet. In this study, the effects of the Me group content on the alkali solubility of the exposed areas on the optimum exposure dose (Eop), the resolution limit, and the pattern shape were examined for a positive photosensitive material having over 50 mol. % of Ph group content. As a result, the resolution did not change with increasing Me group content but the Eop decreased, and the pattern shape tended to change from showing a protruding defect in the central portion to having a normal taper shape. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations for the oligo-SQ model compounds suggested the formation of a new hydroxyl (OH) group domain that includes Me groups in oligo-SQs with increasing Me group content. This new type of OH group domain differs from that derived from oligo-SQs possessing only Ph groups. Moreover, the results suggested that the intramolecular hydrogen bonding was weaker in the new domain than in the domain from oligo-SQs containing only the Ph groups and that the intermolecular interaction between the domain and the DNQ was also weak. The weak intermolecular interaction seemed to be the cause of the high alkali solubility in the exposed areas.
Frequency-dependent polarization of repeating fast radio bursts—implications for their origin
Authors: Feng Yi , Li Di , Yang Yuan-Pei , Zhang Yongkun , Zhu Weiwei , Zhang Bing , Lu Wenbin , Wang Pei , Dai Shi , Lynch Ryan S. , Yao Jumei , Jiang Jinchen , Niu Jiarui , Zhou Dejiang , Xu Heng , Miao Chenchen , Niu Chenhui , Meng Lingqi , Qian Lei , Tsai Chao-Wei , Wang Bojun , Xue Mengyao , Yue Youling , Yuan Mao , Zhang Songbo , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2022

The polarization of fast radio bursts (FRBs), which are bright astronomical transient phenomena, contains information about their environments. Using wide-band observations with two telescopes, we report polarization measurements of five repeating FRBs and find a trend of lower polarization at lower frequencies. This behavior is modeled as multipath scattering, characterized by a single parameter, σ
RM
, the rotation measure (RM) scatter. Sources with higher σ
RM
have higher RM magnitude and scattering time scales. The two sources with the highest σ
RM
, FRB 20121102A and FRB 20190520B, are associated with compact persistent radio sources. These properties indicate a complex environment near the repeating FRBs, such as a supernova remnant or a pulsar wind nebula, consistent with their having arisen from young stellar populations.
Wildfire smoke destroys stratospheric ozone
Authors: Bernath Peter , Boone Chris , Crouse Jeff
Published: March 2022

Large wildfires inject smoke and biomass-burning products into the mid-latitude stratosphere, where they destroy ozone, which protects us from ultraviolet radiation. The infrared spectrometer on the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment satellite measured the spectra of smoke particles from the “Black Summer” fires in Australia in late 2019 and early 2020, revealing that they contain oxygenated organic functional groups and water adsorption on the surfaces. These injected smoke particles have produced unexpected and extreme perturbations in stratospheric gases beyond any seen in the previous 15 years of measurements, including increases in formaldehyde, chlorine nitrate, chlorine monoxide, and hypochlorous acid and decreases in ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and hydrochloric acid. These perturbations in stratospheric composition have the potential to affect ozone chemistry in unexpected ways.
Radical coupling decreases synthetic burden
Authors: Pitre Spencer P.
Published: March 2022

Cross coupling of light-promoted β-keto radicals enables natural product syntheses
Animal care committee sues own university
Authors: Grimm David
Published: March 2022

Fearing harassment, members aim to block new animal rights tactic
The Role of Long Noncoding RNA BST2-2 in the Innate Immune Response to Viral Infection
Authors: Chen Shengwen , Huang Xiang , Xie Qinya , Liu Qian , Zhu Haizhen
Published: March 2022

Innate immunity is an important part of the human immune system to resist the invasion of foreign pathogens. IRF3 plays a critical role in the innate immune response to viral infection.
Sindbis Macrodomain Poly-ADP-Ribose Hydrolase Activity Is Important for Viral RNA Synthesis
Authors: Aguilar Eduardo G. , Paniccia Gabrielle , Adura Carolina , Singer Zakary S. , Ashbrook Alison W. , Razooky Brandon S. , Rice Charles M. , MacDonald Margaret R.
Published: March 2022

Viral macrodomains have drawn attention in recent years due to their high degree of conservation in several virus families (e.g., coronaviruses and alphaviruses) and their potential druggability. These domains erase mono- or poly-ADP-ribose, posttranslational modifications written by host poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) proteins, from undetermined host or viral proteins to enhance replication.
A Polymorphic Gene within the Mycobacterium smegmatis
esx1
Locus Determines Mycobacterial Self-Identity and Conjugal Compatibility
Authors: Clark R. R. , Lapierre P. , Lasek-Nesselquist E. , Gray T. A. , Derbyshire K. M.
Published: March 2022

Conjugation, unlike other forms of HGT, requires direct interaction between two viable bacteria, which must be capable of distinguishing between mating types to allow successful DNA transfer from donor to recipient. We show that the conjugal compatibility of
Mycobacterium smegmatis
isolates is determined by a single, polymorphic gene located within the conserved
esx1
secretion locus.
Coding-Complete Genome Sequence of a
Falcon aviadenovirus A
Strain Associated with Necrotizing Hepatitis in an American Kestrel (
Falco sparverius
)
Authors: Gagnon Carl A. , Provost Chantale , Lair Stéphane
Published: March 2022

A necropsy was performed on an American kestrel (
Falco sparverius
) with necrotizing hepatitis associated with inclusion bodies, suggesting an adenovirus infection. A next-generation sequencing assay was conducted on the liver, and the coding-complete genome sequence of a
Falcon aviadenovirus A
strain was revealed.
Complete Genome Sequences of Six Chi-Like Bacteriophages That Infect Proteus and Klebsiella
Authors: Cobbley Hunter K. , Evans Seth I. , Brown Hannah M. F. , Eberhard Braden , Eberhard Nathaniel , Kim Minji , Moe Haley Mickelsen , Schaeffer Daniel , Sharma Ruchira , Thompson Daniel W. , Casjens Sherwood R. , Grose Julianne H.
Published: March 2022

Proteus mirabilis
and
Klebsiella aerogenes
are Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens that are responsible for nosocomial and health care-associated infections, including urinary tract infections. Here, the full genome sequences of six Chi-like
Proteus
(DanisaurMW, DoubleBarrel, Inception, Jing313, and NotEvenPhaged) or
Klebsiella
(Phraden) bacteriophages are announced, contributing to the understanding of Chi-like phages.
Synergistic Antibiofilm Effects of Pseudolaric Acid A Combined with Fluconazole against Candida albicans via Inhibition of Adhesion and Yeast-To-Hypha Transition
Authors: Zhu Bin , Li Zhen , Yin Hongmei , Hu Jun , Xue Yingjun , Zhang Guanyi , Zheng Xin , Chen Weiqin , Hu Xiaobo
Published: March 2022

Biofilms are the primary cause of antibiotic-resistant candida infections associated with medical implants and devices worldwide. Treating biofilm-associated infections is a challenge for clinicians because these infections are intractable and persistent.
Candida albicans
readily forms extensive biofilms on the surface of medical implants and mucosa.
The Role of Plasmid and Resistance Gene Acquisition in the Emergence of ST23 Multi-Drug Resistant, Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Du Pengcheng , Liu Chao , Fan Shuaihua , Baker Stephen , Guo Jun
Published: March 2022

Hypervirulent
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(hvKp) has become the dominant pathotype in hospitals recently. The sequence type (ST) 23 hvKp, which are more commonly associated with the community-acquired infections previously, may have the capacity to acquire multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotypes creating a new “superbug” (MDR-hvKp) in hospital.
TGFβ receptor inhibition unleashes interferon-β production by tumor-associated macrophages and enhances radiotherapy efficacy
Authors: Hamon Pauline , Gerbé De Thoré Marine , Classe Marion , Signolle Nicolas , Liu Winchygn , Bawa Olivia , Meziani Lydia , Clémenson Céline , Milliat Fabien , Deutsch Eric , Mondini Michele
Published: March 2022

Background

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) can limit the efficacy of cancer treatments, including radiotherapy (RT), by inducing an immunosuppressive tumor environment. The association of TGFβ with impaired T cell infiltration and antitumor immunity is known, but the mechanisms by which TGFβ participates in immune cell exclusion and limits the efficacy of antitumor therapies warrant further investigations.

Methods

We used the clinically relevant TGFβ receptor 2 (TGFβR2)-neutralizing antibody MT1 and the small molecule TGFβR1 inhibitor LY3200882 and evaluated their efficacy in combination with RT against murine orthotopic models of head and neck and lung cancer.

Results

We demonstrated that TGFβ pathway inhibition strongly increased the efficacy of RT. TGFβR2 antibody upregulated interferon beta expression in tumor-associated macrophages within the irradiated tumors and favored T cell infiltration at the periphery and within the core of the tumor lesions. We highlighted that both the antitumor efficacy and the increased lymphocyte infiltration observed with the combination of MT1 and RT were dependent on type I interferon signaling.

Conclusions

These data shed new light on the role of TGFβ in limiting the efficacy of RT, identifying a novel mechanism involving the inhibition of macrophage-derived type I interferon production, and fostering the use of TGFβR inhibition in combination with RT in therapeutic strategies for the management of head and neck and lung cancer.
STAT3 inhibitor Napabucasin abrogates MDSC immunosuppressive capacity and prolongs survival of melanoma-bearing mice
Authors: Bitsch Rebekka , Kurzay Annina , Özbay Kurt Feyza , De La Torre Carolina , Lasser Samantha , Lepper Alisa , Siebenmorgen Alina , Müller Verena , Altevogt Peter , Utikal Jochen , Umansky Viktor
Published: March 2022

Background

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) represent a negative prognostic factor in malignant melanoma. These cells are generated under chronic inflammatory conditions typical of cancer. The transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) orchestrates MDSC accumulation and acquisition of immunosuppressive properties. Here we studied STAT3 inhibition by Napabucasin as a way to block MDSC accumulation and activity and its potential to treat malignant melanoma.

Methods

In vitrogenerated murine MDSC and primary MDSC from melanoma-bearing mice were used to investigate the effects of Napabucasin on MDSCin vitro. TheRETtransgenic mouse model of malignant melanoma was used to examine Napabucasin therapy efficiency and its underlying mechanismsin vivo. Furthermore, STAT3 activation and its correlation with survival were explored in MDSC from 19 patients with malignant melanoma and humanin vitrogenerated monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell (M-MDSC) were used to evaluate the effects of Napabucasin.

Results

Napabucasin was able to abrogate the capacity of murine MDSC to suppress CD8+T-cell proliferation. The STAT3 inhibitor induced apoptosis in murine MDSC, significantly increased expression of molecules associated with antigen processing and presentation, as well as slightly decreased expression of immunosuppressive factors on these cells.RETtransgenic mice treated with Napabucasin showed prolonged survival accompanied by a strong accumulation of tumor-infiltrating antigen-presenting cells and activation of CD8+and CD4+T cells. Interestingly, patients with malignant melanoma with high expression of activated STAT3 in circulating M-MDSC showed significantly worse progression-free survival (PFS) than patients with low levels of activated STAT3. In addition, Napabucasin was able to abrogate suppressive capacity of humanin vitrogenerated M-MDSC.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that STAT3 inhibitor Napabucasin completely abrogated the immunosuppressive capacity of murine MDSC and human M-MDSC and improved melanoma-bearing mouse survival. Moreover, patients with malignant melanoma with high expression levels of activated STAT3 in M-MDSC displayed shorter PFS, indicating its role as a promising therapeutic target in patients with malignant melanoma and a predictive marker for their clinical outcome.
Ferulic acid and berberine, via Sirt1 and AMPK, may act as cell cleansing promoters of healthy longevity
Authors: DiNicolantonio James J , McCarty Mark F , Assanga Simon Iloki , Lujan Lidianys Lewis , O'Keefe James H
Published: March 2022

Ferulic acid, a bacterial metabolite of anthocyanins, seems likely to be a primary mediator of the health benefits associated with anthocyanin-rich diets, and has long been employed in Chinese cardiovascular medicine. In rodent studies, it has exerted wide-ranging antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, the molecular basis of which remains rather obscure. However, recent studies indicate that physiologically relevant concentrations of ferulic acid can boost expression of Sirt1 at mRNA and protein levels in a range of tissues. Sirt1, a class III deacetylase, functions to detect a paucity of oxidisable substrate, and in response works in various ways to promote cellular survival and healthful longevity. Sirt1 promotes ‘cell cleansing’ and cell survival by boosting autophagy, mitophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, phase 2 induction of antioxidant enzymes via Nrf2, and DNA repair—while inhibiting NF-kB-driven inflammation, apoptosis, and cellular senescence, and boosting endothelial expression of the protective transcription factor kruppel-like factor 2. A deficit of the latter appears to mediate the endothelial toxicity of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Ferulic acid also enhances the activation of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) by increasing expression and activity of its activating kinase LKB1—whereas AMPK in turn amplifies Sirt1 activity by promoting induction of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltranferase, rate-limiting for generation of Sirt1’s obligate substrate NAD+. Curiously, AMPK acts by independent mechanisms to potentiate many of the effects mediated by Sirt1. Hence, it is proposed that ferulic acid may exert complementary or synergistic health-promoting effects when used in conjunction with clinically useful AMPK activators, such as the nutraceutical berberine. Additional nutraceuticals which might have potential for amplifying certain protective effects of ferulic acid/berberine are also discussed.
Phenotype constrains the vocal tract in the most dimorphic mammal, the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina)
Authors: Redaelli Laura , Galimberti Filippo , Sanvito Simona
Published: March 2022

The study of mammal acoustic communication was revolutionized by the application of the source–filter theory, originally developed for human speech. The theory states that the vocal tract is constrained by body anatomy and, therefore, creates a structural link between phenotype and acoustic formants, providing a basis for honest signaling. The phenotype–formant link was validated in many species, but the phenotype–vocal tract link was rarely assessed. We used two dimensional (2D) videogrammetry to estimate the vocal tract length of wild southern elephant seal ( Mirounga leonina (Linnaeus, 1758)) males during their normal vocalization behavior. We showed that ( i) the vocal tract can be measured noninvasively in a large wild mammal; ( ii) the vocal tract depends on the structural phenotype (age, body length, and skull size); ( iii) the nasal tract is more related to the structural phenotype than the buccal tract; and ( iv) the dependence on size, and body length in particular, is stronger than the dependence on age. Altogether, the phenotypic constraint on the vocal tract provides the anatomical basis for honest signaling in elephant seals.
Report on the 1st workshop on recommender systems for human resources (RecSys in HR 2021) at RecSys 2021
Authors: Graus David , Bogers Toine , Kaya Mesut , Gutiérrez Francisco , Verbert Katrien
Published: March 2022

Recommender systems are increasingly used in more high risk application domains, including in the domain of Human Resources (HR). These recommender systems help end-users find relevant vacancies out of an abundant overload of available vacancies, but also support other important objectives such as job mobility. Despite the use in industry applications, there are several research challenges associated to such objectives that have not yet been addressed in detail in this context, such as supporting end-users to steer the recommendation process with input and feedback and increasing diversity of recommendations. The goal of our workshop is to build a strong research capacity around recommender systems for HR to address these challenges. This paper describes the goal and activities of the Workshop on Recommender Systems for Human Resources (RecSys in HR 2021), organized at the 15th ACM Conference on Recommender Systems.

Date
: 10--14 September, 2021.

Website
: https://foo2021.net.
Reducing cognitive load during video lectures in physiology with eye movement modeling and pauses: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Aalioui Lockman , Gouzi Fares , Tricot André
Published: March 2022

Lectures constitute a basic component of physiology instruction in scientific and healthcare curricula. Technological progress has allowed a switch from face to face to video lectures, yet there is no evidence of video efficacy in physiology. Because videos increase the cognitive load during a learning task, identifying tools that decrease students’ cognitive load during video lectures is critical. Segmenting videos with pauses and inducing joint attention with eye movement modeling examples (EMME) could reduce the cognitive load and improve second-year medical students’ learning in physiology video lectures. Second-year medical students were randomized into four groups [EMME + pauses (EMME + P), EMME without pause`s (EMME-NoP), pauses only (NoEMME + P), and no EMME and no pause (NoEMME-NoP)], took pretest quizzes, watched a renal physiology video lecture, and answered a cognitive load questionnaire and posttest quizzes on the Moodle learning management system. Student prior knowledge was assessed by a pretest, and learning gains were assessed by the difference between posttest and pretest scores. One hundred ninety-five students completed the experiment. Pauses improved learning gains ( P < 0.01) but not EMME ( P = 0.11). Student prior knowledge has several interactions with other variables: low-prior knowledge students obtained better learning gains ( P < 0.001) and high-prior knowledge students had lower learning gains with EMME ( P < 0.05). Our study shows the potential role of tools designed to reduce students’ cognitive load during a renal physiology video lecture and the critical need for empirical validation of pedagogical solutions that are adapted to the specificities of physiology lectures.
A Feature Selection Method of the Island Algorithm Based on Gaussian Mutation
Authors: Han Li , Xu Hongsheng , Ma Jiming , Jia Zechen
Published: March 2022

With the development of the Internet, the data we are dealing with is becoming more and more complex, which brings about various difficulties and problems when we process and use data. Feature selection methods are able to filter and remove redundant features, which is necessary to reduce the dimension of complex data. In this paper, the island algorithm is used to find the optimal feature subset in the set of feature subsets, but as the number of iterations increasing, the island algorithm tends to local optimization. To address this problem, a Gaussian mutation strategy is introduced to improve the island algorithm and proposed an island algorithm based on Gaussian mutation (IAGM). The main idea of the IAGM algorithm is to set a warning sign which aims to record the global optimum value generated by each iteration and judge whether the changes are less than a threshold value in the optimum value for three consecutive iterations. If it is less than the global optimum, the Gaussian mutation is applied to the current globally optimal plant location and then evaluates the new location and exchanges them when it is better than the global optimum. Otherwise, discard this plant and add a Gaussian mutation to the formula of the next new plant towards the global optimum, which is used to diversify the populations. Meanwhile, combining the IAGM algorithm with a support vector machine classifier, a feature selection method of the island algorithm based on Gaussian mutation (IAGMFS) is proposed. The UCI dataset is selected for simulation experiments and applied to classify images, which represents the advantages of the feature selection in IAGMFS proposed in this paper.
An English Teaching Ability Evaluation Model Based on Edge Computing
Authors: Pengju Du
Published: March 2022

One of the main basic components of the future generation of intelligent combat equipment is the edge computing platform. Evaluate the strategy and describe the test methods and key performance indicators. The method attempts will help to combine big data, intelligent computing models with typical military application scenarios, and conduct targeted research on the capability evaluation methods of embedded edge computing platforms. Aiming at the traditional evaluation method that uses manual evaluation, there is a great subjective consciousness in the evaluation process, which causes the problem of low accuracy of evaluation. A feedback model-based English teaching ability evaluation method is proposed. The use of a feedback mechanism in the English classroom can significantly increase the comparison of ability parameters. The open-minded calculation of the feedback evaluation is used to evaluate the various abilities in the English teaching process. The indications are presented as numbers, and an evaluation feedback model is built to verify the evaluation’s completeness and accuracy. In order to ensure the accuracy of the designed evaluation method of English teaching ability based on the feedback model, the simulated classroom teaching environment is simulated for comparison experiments, and the effectiveness of the designed evaluation method can be verified through the effective analysis of experimental data.
Decision-Making and Computational Modeling of Big Data for Sustaining Influential Usage
Authors: Chang Qingqing , Nazir Shah , Li Xia
Published: March 2022

Big Data is data whose shape and volume are rising with the passage of time and innovations in technology. This increase will give birth to more uncertain and complex situations, which will then be difficult to properly analyze and manage. Various devices are interconnected with each other, which communicate different types of information. This information is used for different purposes. A huge volume of data is produced, and the storage becomes larger. Computational modeling is the tool that helps analyze, process, and manage the data to extract useful information. The modern industry's challenge is to incorporate knowledge into Big Data applications to deal with distinguishing difficulties in computational models. The techniques and models are delivered with guides to help analysts quickly fit models to information insights. The decision support system is a strong system that plays a significant role in shaping Big Data for sustaining efficiency and performance. Decision-making through computational modeling is also a powerful mechanism for supporting efficient tools for managing Big Data for influential use. Keeping in view the issues of modern-day industry, the proposed study has been considered to present decision-making and computational modeling of Big Data for sustaining influential usage. The existing state-of-the-art literature is presented in an organized way to analyze the currently available research.
Finite Horizon Nonlinear Suboptimal Control for an Autonomous Soaring UAV
Authors: Ángeles-Rojas David , Santos-Sánchez Omar-Jacobo , Salazar Sergio , Lozano Rogelio
Published: March 2022

In this paper, a suboptimal nonlinear discrete control for nonlinear discrete affine systems is implemented in an autonomous soaring unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to improve energy consumption and performance. General expressions for this controller are obtained from the continuous nonlinear guidance model of a fixed-wing UAV and applied in a multiloop control structure. Simulation results in the task of trajectory tracking inside a thermal updraft and a comparative study with a proportional derivative (PD) controller validated the effectiveness of this method.
The Application of Graph Neural Network Based on Edge Computing in English Teaching Mode Reform
Authors: Huang Yunlong , Wang Yanqiu
Published: March 2022

The latest developments in edge computing have paved the way for more efficient data processing especially for simple tasks and lightweight models on the edge of the network, sinking network functions from cloud to edge of the network closer to users. For the reform of English teaching mode, this is also an opportunity to integrate information technology, providing new ideas and new methods for the optimization of English teaching. It improves the efficiency of English reading teaching, stimulates the interest of English learning, enhances students’ autonomous learning ability, and creates favorable conditions for students’ learning and development. This paper designs a MEC-based GNN (GCN-GAN) user preference prediction recommendation model, which can recommend high-quality video or picture text content to the local MEC server based on user browsing history and user preferences. In the experiment, the LFU-LRU joint cache placement strategy used in this article has a cache hit rate of up to 99%. Comparing the GCN-GAN model with other traditional graph neural network models, it performs caching experiments on the Douban English book data and Douban video data sets. The GCN-GAN model has a higher score on the cache task, and the highest speculation accuracy value F1 can reach 86.7.
Cytoprotective Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antifibrotic Impact of Celery Seed Oil and Manuka Honey Against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cystitis in Rabbits
Authors: Mousa Ayman M. , Allemailem Khaled S. , Alhumaydhi Fahad A. , Alrumaihi Faris , Almatroudi Ahmad , Aljasir Mohammad , Alwashmi Ameen S. S. , Al Rugaie Osamah , Soliman Khaled E. A. , Aljohani Abdullah S. M. , Al Abdulmonem Waleed , Ahmed Ahmed A. , Khan Arif , Khan Masood A. , AlSuhaymi Naif , Alsugoor Mahdi H. , Al-Megrin Wafa Abdullah , Elsayed Abulmaaty M.
Published: March 2022

Patients treated with cyclophosphamide (CP) usually suffer from severe hemorrhagic cystitis (HC). Our previous study exhibited that mesna + celery cotherapy partially ameliorated HC. Therefore, there is a substantial need to seek alternative regimens to get complete protection against CP-induced HC. The current study investigated the effects of mesna + celery seed oil (MCSO) or mesna + manuka honey (MMH) cotherapy against CP-induced HC in adult male rabbits. The forty rabbits were divided into four equal groups and treated for three weeks. The control group (G1) received distilled water and the second group (G2) received CP (50 mg/kg/week). The third group (G3) received CP + MCSO (CPMCSO regimen), and the fourth group (G4) received CP + MMH (CPMMH regimen). The urinary bladder (UB) specimens were processed to evaluate UB changes through histopathological, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and biochemical investigations. In G2, CP provoked HC features (urothelial necrosis, ulceration, and sloughing), UB fibrosis, and TNF-α immunoexpression. Besides, CP reduced the activity of antioxidant enzymes (GPx1, SOD3, and CAT) and elevated the serum levels of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1B, and IL-6 cytokines in G2 rabbits. In contrast, the CPMMH regimen caused significant increments of UB protection against HC in G4 rabbits compared to the partial protection by the CPMCSO regimen in G3. Therefore, our study indicated for the first time that the novel CPMMH regimen resulted in complete UB protection against CP-induced HC via combined antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties.
Investigation on the Properties of Concrete Containing Oil Shale Waste Ash as a Substitute for Cement
Authors: Shi Chenglin , Shi Zijian
Published: March 2022

Oil shale waste ash (OSWA) can be divided into semicoke ash (SA), power plant ash (PPA), and grinding ash (GA), which changes the properties of binding materials in varying degrees as partial replacements of cement in cement concrete. Fluidity of cement paste test is formed to reflect the compatibility between binding materials and admixture, using the mixture of cement to test compressive strength, flexural strength, and brittleness coefficient, to determine the mixing ratio of OSWA. The optimal amount of OSWA replacing cement was optimized by orthogonal test method, and the mechanical properties and frost resistance durability tests were carried out to clarify the reasonable amount and properties of OSWA replacing cement with cement concrete. The results show that appropriate admixtures should be taken into account when OSWA is used to replace cement in order to achieve the workability of cement concrete. The brittleness coefficient and crack resistance of cement concrete can be improved by adding proper PPA and GA. The oil shale cement concrete should not be used in the parts that require high frost resistance. It is feasible to replace cement with OSWA, and the fine powder type and mixing amount can be selected according to the actual project demand.
Evaluation of Electromyographic Activity of Masticatory Muscles in Adults with Posterior Crossbite
Authors: Osawa Gutierrez Luiz Makito , Quatrin Melissa Coradini , Sforza Chiarella , Baptista Rafael Reimann , Santayana de Lima Eduardo Martinelli
Published: March 2022

Introduction. There is evidence that patients with posterior crossbite (PXB) have neuromuscular changes in the masticatory muscles. However, up to the present time, the relationship among these changes on the electromyographic activity of the masticatory muscles is still unclear. Objective. To systematic review the available literature on the electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles in adults with PXB. Methods. Between August 22 and September 9, 2020, we searched the following seven electronic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SciELO, LILACS, and Scopus. No restrictions were applied regarding the language and year of publication. This systematic review was registered in the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO - CRD42020205057) database and conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. After data selection and extraction, the methodological quality of the selected studies was conducted independently by two reviewers, using two different evaluation tools. Results. 6957 records were initially located after the search process. In the end, eight papers were selected. Most studies were classified as having average to low methodological quality and moderate to high risk of bias. Based on the available evidence, adult patients with PXB have electromyographic activity changes in the masticatory muscles when compared with individuals without PXB. Moreover, adult patients with unilateral posterior crossbite (UPXB) have asymmetrical electromyographic activity when the crossbite side is compared with the noncrossbite side. Conclusion. Despite the lack of studies with high methodological quality, electromyographic evaluation of masticatory muscles should be considered in the diagnosis and in the orthodontic treatment plan of patients with PXB. Prospective studies with a higher sample size and follow-up time, conducted using a rigorous scientific methodology, are necessary to reach a more reliable conclusion.
Littlewood–Paley Characterization for Musielak–Orlicz–Hardy Spaces Associated with Self-Adjoint Operators
Authors: Shen Jiawei , Long Shunchao , Deng Yu-long
Published: March 2022

Let

X
,
d
,
μ

be a metric measure space endowed with a metric

d

and a non-negative Borel doubling measure

μ

. Let

L

be a non-negative self-adjoint operator on

L

2

X

. Assume that the (heat) kernel associated to the semigroup

e

−
t
L

satisfies a Gaussian upper bound. In this paper, we prove that the Musielak–Orlicz–Hardy space

H

φ
,
L

X

associated with

L

in terms of the Lusin-area function and the Musielak–Orlicz–Hardy space

H

L
,
G
,
φ

X

associated with

L

in terms of the Littlewood–Paley function coincide and their norms are equivalent. To do this, we first establish the discrete characterization of these two spaces. It improves the known results in the literature.