bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical Outcomes and EEG Prognostic Factors After Stereotactic Laser Amygdalohippocampectomy for Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Wu Shasha , Issa Naoum P. , Lacy Maureen , Satzer David , Rose Sandra L. , Yang Carina W. , Collins John M. , Liu Xi , Sun Taixin , Towle Vernon L. , Nordli Douglas R. , Warnke Peter C. , Tao James X.
Published: May 2021

Objective: To assess the seizure outcomes of stereotactic laser amygdalohippocampectomy (SLAH) in consecutive patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) in a single center and identify scalp EEG and imaging factors in the presurgical evaluation that correlate with post-surgical seizure recurrence.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical and EEG records of 30 patients with drug-resistant mTLE who underwent SLAH and had at least 1 year of follow-up. Surgical outcomes were classified using the Engel scale. Univariate hazard ratios were used to evaluate the risk factors associated with seizure recurrence after SLAH.

Results: The overall Engel class I outcome after SLAH was 13/30 (43%), with a mean postoperative follow-up of 48.9 ± 17.6 months. Scalp EEG findings of interictal regional slow activity (IRSA) on the side of surgery (HR = 4.05, p = 0.005) and non-lateralizing or contra-lateralizing seizure onset (HR = 4.31, p = 0.006) were negatively correlated with postsurgical seizure freedom. Scalp EEG with either one of the above features strongly predicted seizure recurrence after surgery (HR = 7.13, p < 0.001) with 100% sensitivity and 71% specificity.

Significance: Understanding the factors associated with good or poor surgical outcomes can help choose the best candidates for SLAH. Of the variables assessed, scalp EEG findings were the most clearly associated with seizure outcomes after SLAH.
Idiosyncratic Characteristics of Postural Sway in Normal and Perturbed Standing
Authors: Sakanaka Tania E. , Lakie Martin , Reynolds Raymond F.
Published: May 2021

Objective

Are people with a characteristically large physiological sway rendered particularly unstable when standing on a moving surface? Is postural sway in standing individuals idiosyncratic? In this study, we examine postural sway in individuals standing normally, and when subtle continuous sinusoidal disturbances are applied to their support platform. We calculate consistency between conditions to verify if sway can be considered characteristic of each individual. We also correlate two different aspects of participants’ responses to disturbance; their sway velocity and their regulation of body orientation.

Methods

Nineteen healthy adults (age 29.2 ± 3.2 years) stood freely on footplates coaxially aligned with their ankles and attached to a motorized platform. They had their eyes closed, and hips and knees locked with a light wooden board attached to their body. Participants either stood quietly on a fixed platform or on a slowly tilting platform (0.1 Hz sinusoid; 0.2 and 0.4 deg). Postural sway size was separated into two entities: (1) the spontaneous sway velocity component (natural random relatively rapid postural adjustments, RMS body angular velocity) and (2) the evoked tilt gain component (much slower 0.1 Hz synchronous tilt induced by the movement of the platform, measured as peak-to-peak (p-p) gain, ratio of body angle to applied footplate rotation).

Results

There was no correlation between the velocity of an individual’s sway and their evoked tilt gain (r= 0.34,p= 0.15 andr= 0.30,p= 0.22). However, when considered separately, each of the two measurements showed fair to good absolute agreement within conditions. Spontaneous sway velocity consistently increased as participants were subjected to increasing disturbance. Participants who swayed more (or less) did so across all conditions [ICC(3,k)= 0.95]. Evoked tilt gain also showed consistency between conditions [ICC(3,k)= 0.79], but decreased from least to most disturbed conditions.

Conclusion

The two measurements remain consistent between conditions. Consistency between conditions of two very distinct unrelated measurements reflects the idiosyncratic nature of postural sway. However, sway velocity and tilt gain are not related, which supports the idea that the short-term regulation of stability and the longer-term regulation of orientation are controlled by different processes.
The Distribution of Skull Score and Skull Density Ratio in Tremor Patients for MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy
Authors: Tsai Kevin Wen-Kai , Chen Jui-Cheng , Lai Hui-Chin , Chang Wei-Chieh , Taira Takaomi , Chang Jin Woo , Wei Cheng-Yu
Published: May 2021

Objective

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a minimum-invasive surgical approach to non-incisionally cause the thermos-coagulation inside the human brain. The skull score (SS) has already been approved as one of the most dominant factors related to a successful MRgFUS treatment. In this study, we first reveal the SS distribution of the tremor patients, and correlate the SS with the image feature from customized skull density ratio (cSDR). This correlation might give a direction to future clinical studies for improving the SS.

Methods

Two hundred and forty-six patients received a computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain, and a bone-enhanced filter was applied and reconstructed to a high spatial resolution CT images. The SS of all patients would be estimated by the MRgFUS system after importing the reconstructed CT images into the MRgFUS system. The histogram and the cumulative distribution of the SS from all the patients were calculated to show the percentage of the patients whose SS lower than 0.3 and 0.4. The same CT images of all patients were utilized to calculated the cSDR by first segmented the trabecular bone and the cortical bone from the CT images and divided the average trabecular bone intensity (aTBI) by the average cortical bone intensity (aCBI). The Pearson’s correlations between the SS and the cSDR, aTBI, and the aCBI were calculated, respectively.

Results

There were 19.19 and 50% of the patient who had the SS lower than the empirical threshold 0.3 and 0.4, respectively. The Pearson’s correlation between the SS and the cSDR, aCBI, and the aTBI were R = 0.8145, 0.5723, and 0.8842.

Conclusion

Half of the patients were eligible for the MRgFUS thalamotomy based on the SS, and nearly 20% of patients were empirically difficult to achieve a therapeutic temperature during MRgFUS. The SS and our cSDR are highly correlated, and the SS had a higher correlation with aTBI than with aCBI. This is the first report to explicitly reveal the SS population and indicate a potential way to increase the chance to achieve a therapeutic temperature for those who originally have low SS.
Age-Related Changes in Cardiac Autonomic Modulation and Heart Rate Variability in Mice
Authors: Piantoni Chiara , Carnevali Luca , Molla David , Barbuti Andrea , DiFrancesco Dario , Bucchi Annalisa , Baruscotti Mirko
Published: May 2021

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess age-related changes in cardiac autonomic modulation and heart rate variability (HRV) and their association with spontaneous and pharmacologically induced vulnerability to cardiac arrhythmias, to verify the translational relevance of mouse models for further in-depth evaluation of the link between autonomic changes and increased arrhythmic risk with advancing age.

Methods

Heart rate (HR) and time- and frequency-domain indexes of HRV were calculated from Electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings in two groups of conscious mice of different ages (4 and 19 months old) (i) during daily undisturbed conditions, (ii) following peripheral β-adrenergic (atenolol), muscarinic (methylscopolamine), and β-adrenergic + muscarinic blockades, and (iii) following β-adrenergic (isoprenaline) stimulation. Vulnerability to arrhythmias was evaluated during daily undisturbed conditions and following β-adrenergic stimulation.

Results

HRV analysis and HR responses to autonomic blockades revealed that 19-month-old mice had a lower vagal modulation of cardiac function compared with 4-month-old mice. This age-related autonomic effect was not reflected in changes in HR, since intrinsic HR was lower in 19-month-old compared with 4-month-old mice. Both time- and frequency-domain HRV indexes were reduced following muscarinic, but not β-adrenergic blockade in younger mice, and to a lesser extent in older mice, suggesting that HRV is largely modulated by vagal tone in mice. Finally, 19-month-old mice showed a larger vulnerability to both spontaneous and isoprenaline-induced arrhythmias.

Conclusion

The present study combines HRV analysis and selective pharmacological autonomic blockades to document an age-related impairment in cardiac vagal modulation in mice which is consistent with the human condition. Given their short life span, mice could be further exploited as an aged model for studying the trajectory of vagal decline with advancing age using HRV measures, and the mechanisms underlying its association with proarrhythmic remodeling of the senescent heart.
The Drosophila melanogaster Levodopa-Induced Depression Model Exhibits Negative Geotaxis Deficits and Differential Gene Expression in Males and Females
Authors: Moulin Thiago C. , Ferro Federico , Hoyer Angela , Cheung Pierre , Williams Michael J. , Schiöth Helgi B.
Published: May 2021

More than 320 million people live with depression in the world, a disorder that severely limits psychosocial functioning and diminishes quality of life. The prevalence of major depression is almost two times higher in women than in men. However, the molecular mechanisms of its sex-specific pathophysiology are still poorly understood. Drosophila melanogaster is an established model for neurobiological research of depression-like states, as well as for the study of molecular and genetic sex differences in the brain. Here, we investigated sex-specific effects on forced-climbing locomotion (negative geotaxis) and gene expression of a fly model of depression-like phenotypes induced by levodopa administration, which was previously shown to impair normal food intake, mating frequency, and serotonin concentration. We observed that both males and females show deficits in the forced-climbing paradigm; however, modulated by distinct gene expression patterns after levodopa administration. Our results suggest that Drosophila models can be a valuable tool for identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying the difference of depressive disorder prevalence between men and women.
Methylene Blue Application to Lessen Pain: Its Analgesic Effect and Mechanism
Authors: Lee Seung Won , Han Hee Chul
Published: May 2021

Methylene blue (MB) is a cationic thiazine dye, widely used as a biological stain and chemical indicator. Growing evidence have revealed that MB functions to restore abnormal vasodilation and notably it is implicated even in pain relief. Physicians began to inject MB into degenerated disks to relieve pain in patients with chronic discogenic low back pain (CDLBP), and some of them achieved remarkable outcomes. For osteoarthritis and colitis, MB abates inflammation by suppressing nitric oxide production, and ultimately relieves pain. However, despite this clinical efficacy, MB has not attracted much public attention in terms of pain relief. Accordingly, this review focuses on how MB lessens pain, noting three major actions of this dye: anti-inflammation, sodium current reduction, and denervation. Moreover, we showed controversies over the efficacy of MB on CDLBP and raised also toxicity issues to look into the limitation of MB application. This analysis is the first attempt to illustrate its analgesic effects, which may offer a novel insight into MB as a pain-relief dye.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Role of Cellular Calcium Disorder in Varicella Zoster Virus-Induced Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
Authors: Wu Songbin , Yang Shaomin , Ou Mingxi , Chen Jiamin , Huang Jiabing , Xiong Donglin , Sun Wuping , Xiao Lizu
Published: May 2021

As a typical neuropathic pain, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common complication of herpes zoster (HZ), which seriously affects the normal life and work of patients. The unclear pathogenesis and lack of effective drugs make the clinical efficacy of PHN unsatisfactory. Here, we obtained the transcriptome profile of neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) and DRG in rats infected with varicella zoster virus (VZV) by transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) combined with publicly available gene array data sets. Next, the data processing of the transcriptome map was analyzed using bioinformatics methods, including the screening of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Gene Ontology (GO), and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Finally, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of calcium-related genes, and calcium fluorescent probes and calcium colorimetry were used to evaluate the distribution and content of calcium ions in cells after VZV infection. Transcriptome data analysis (GO and KEGG enrichment analysis) showed that calcium disorder played an important role in SH-SY5Y cells infected by VZV and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of the PHN rat model. The results of qRT-PCR showed that the expression levels of calcium-related genes BHLHA15, CACNA1F, CACNG1, CHRNA9, and STC2 were significantly upregulated, while the expression levels of CHRNA10, HRC, and TNNT3 were significantly downregulated in SH-SY5Y cells infected with VZV. Our calcium fluorescent probe and calcium colorimetric test results showed that VZV could change the distribution of calcium ions in infected cells and significantly increase the intracellular calcium content. In conclusion, our results revealed that the persistence of calcium disorder caused by VZV in nerve cells might be a crucial cause of herpetic neuralgia, and a potential target for clinical diagnosis and treatment of PHN.
Antioxidant Effect of Soymilk Fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum HFY01 on D-Galactose-Induced Premature Aging Mouse Model
Authors: Li Chong , Fan Yang , Li Shuang , Zhou Xianrong , Park Kun-Young , Zhao Xin , Liu Huazhi
Published: May 2021

The antioxidant effect of soymilk fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum HFY01 (screened from yak yogurt) was investigated on mice with premature aging induced by D-galactose. In vitro antioxidant results showed that L. plantarum HFY01-fermented soymilk (LP-HFY01-DR) had better ability to scavenge the free radicals 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) than unfermented soymilk and Lactobacillus bulgaricus-fermented soymilk. Histopathological observation showed that LP-HFY01-DR could protect the skin, spleen and liver, reduce oxidative damage and inflammation. Biochemical results showed that LP-HFY01-DR could effectively upregulate glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels and decrease malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the liver, brain, and serum. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction further showed that LP-HFY01-DR could promote the relative expression levels of the genes encoding for cuprozinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD, SOD1), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD, SOD2), CAT, GSH, and GSH-Px in the liver, spleen, and skin. High-performance liquid chromatography results revealed daidzin, glycitin, genistin, daidzein, glycitein, and genistein in LP-HFY01-DR. In conclusion, LP-HFY01-DR could improve the antioxidant capacity in mice with premature aging induced by D-galactose.
KDM2A Targets PFKFB3 for Ubiquitylation to Inhibit the Proliferation and Angiogenesis of Multiple Myeloma Cells
Authors: Liu Xinling , Li Jiaqiu , Wang Zhanju , Meng Jie , Wang Aihong , Zhao Xiaofei , Xu Qilu , Cai Zhen , Hu Zhenbo
Published: May 2021

The lysine demethylase KDM2A (also known as JHDM1A or FBXL11) demethylates histone H3 at lysine K36 which lead to epigenetic regulation of cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. However, many biological processes are mediated by KDM2A independently by its histone demethylation activity. In the present study, we aimed to characterize the functional significance of KDM2A in multiple myeloma (MM) disease progression. Specifically, we defined that one of the key enzymes of glycolysis PFKFB3 (6-phosphofructo-2-kinase) is ubiquitylated by KDM2A which suppresses MM cell proliferation. Previous study showed that KDM2A and PFKFB3 promoted angiogenesis in various tumor cells. We further reveal that KDM2A targets PFKFB3 for ubiquitination and degradation to inhibit angiogenesis. Several angiogenic cytokines are also downregulated in MM. Clinically, MM patients with low KDM2A and high PFKFB3 levels have shown worse prognosis. These results reveal a novel function of KDM2A through ubiquitin ligase activity by targeting PFKFB3 to induce proliferation, glycolysis and angiogenesis in MM cells. The data provides a new potential mechanism and strategy for MM treatment.
Criterion for Imminent Failure During Loading—Discrete Element Method Analysis
Authors: Dȩbski Wojciech , Pradhan Srutarshi , Hansen Alex
Published: May 2021

It has recently been reported that the equal load sharing fiber bundle model predicts the rate of change of the elastic energy stored in the bundle reaches its maximum before catastrophic failure occurs, making it a possible predictor for imminent collapse. The equal load sharing fiber bundle model does not contain central mechanisms that often play an important role in failure processes, such as localization. Thus, there is an obvious question whether a similar phenomenon is observed in more realistic systems. We address this question using the discrete element method to simulate breaking of a thin tissue subjected to a stretching load. Our simulations confirm that for a class of virtual materials which respond to stretching with a well-pronounced peak in force, its derivative and elastic energy we always observe an existence of the maximum of the elastic energy change rate prior to maximum loading force. Moreover, we find that the amount of energy released at failure is related to the maximum of the elastic energy absorption rate.
Environment-Driven Adaptations of Leaf Cuticular Waxes Are Inheritable for Medicago ruthenica
Authors: Guo Yanjun , Zhao Xiao , Li Yang , Li Zhen , Xiao Qianlin , Wang Yanmei , Zhang Xuefeng , Ni Yu
Published: May 2021

Cuticular waxes covering the plant surface play pivotal roles in helping plants adapt to changing environments. However, it is still not clear whether the responses of plant cuticular waxes to their growing environments are inheritable. We collected seeds of Medicago ruthenica (a perennial legume) populations from 30 growing sites in northern China and examined the variations of leaf cuticular waxes in a common garden experiment. Four wax genes, MrFAR3-1, MrFAR3-2, MrCER1, and MrKCS1, involved in biosynthesis of predominant wax classes (primary alcohol and alkane) and wax precursors, were isolated to test the contributions of genetic variations of the coding sequences (CDS) and the promoter sequences and epigenetic modifications. The plasticity responses of the cuticular waxes were further validated by two stress-modeling experiments (drought and enhancing ultraviolet B). Great variations in total wax coverage and abundance of wax classes or wax compounds were observed among M. ruthenica populations in a common garden experiment. Stress-modeling experiments further validated that M. ruthenica would alter leaf wax depositions under changed growing conditions. The transcriptional levels of the wax genes were positively or negatively correlated with amounts of cuticular waxes. However, the analysis of promoter methylation showed that the methylation level of the promoter region was not associated with their expressions. Although both promoter sequences and CDS showed a number of polymorphic sites, the promoters were not naturally selected and insignificant difference could be observed in the numbers and types of acting elements of the four wax genes among populations. In contrast, the CDS of the wax genes were naturally selected, with a number of missense mutations resulting in alterations of the amino acid as well as their isoelectric points and polarities, which could impact on enzyme function/activity. We conclude that long-term adaptation under certain environments would induce genetic mutation of wax biosynthesis genes, resulting in inheritable alterations of cuticular wax depositions.
Structural and Nutritional Peculiarities Related to Lifespan Differences on Four Lopesia Induced Bivalve-Shaped Galls on the Single Super-Host Mimosa gemmulata
Authors: Costa Elaine C. , Oliveira Denis C. , Ferreira Dayse K. L. , Isaias Rosy M. S.
Published: May 2021

Super-host plants are elegant models to evaluate the peculiarities of gall structural and nutritional profiles due to the stimuli of distinct gall inducers in temporal and spatial perspectives. Galls induced by congeneric insects,Lopesiaspp. (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) on the same host plant,Mimosa gemmulataBarneby (Fabaceae) were analyzed to estimate if variations of 1 or 2 months in gall lifespans may result in differences over the accumulation of nutritional resources, and their compartmentalization both in cell walls and protoplasm.Mimosa gemmulatahosts fourLopesia-induced galls: the lenticular bivalve-shaped gall (LG) with a 2-month life cycle, the brown lanceolate bivalve-shaped gall (BLG) and the green lanceolate bivalve-shaped gall (GLG) with 3 month-life cycles, and the globoid bivalve-shaped gall (GG) with a 4 month-life cycle. The comparisons among the fourLopesiagalls, using anatomical, histometric, histochemical, and immunocytochemical tools, have demonstrated that the longest lifespan of the GG related to its highest increment in structural and nutritional traits compared with the LG, GLG, and BLG. The differences among the tissue stratification and cell wall thickness of the galls with the 2-month and the 3-month lifespans were subtle. However, the GG had thicker cell walls and higher stratification of the common storage tissue, schlerenchymatic layers and typical nutritive tissue than the other three gall morphospecies. The higher tissue thickness of the GG was followed by the formation of a bidirectional gradient of carbohydrates in the protoplasm, and the detection of xyloglucans in cell walls. Current data supported the presumption that the longest the lifespan, the highest the impact over the structural and nutritional metabolism of theLopesiagalls associated toM. gemmulata.
Arabinogalactan Proteins in Plant Roots – An Update on Possible Functions
Authors: Hromadová Dagmar , Soukup Aleš , Tylová Edita
Published: May 2021

Responsiveness to environmental conditions and developmental plasticity of root systems are crucial determinants of plant fitness. These processes are interconnected at a cellular level with cell wall properties and cell surface signaling, which involve arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) as essential components. AGPs are cell-wall localized glycoproteins, often GPI-anchored, which participate in root functions at many levels. They are involved in cell expansion and differentiation, regulation of root growth, interactions with other organisms, and environmental response. Due to the complexity of cell wall functional and regulatory networks, and despite the large amount of experimental data, the exact molecular mechanisms of AGP-action are still largely unknown. This dynamically evolving field of root biology is summarized in the present review.
Identifying Variables That Predict Depression Following the General Lockdown During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gozansky Einav , Moscona Gal , Okon-Singer Hadas
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to define the psychological markers for future development of depression symptoms following the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Based on previous studies, we focused on loneliness, intolerance of uncertainty and emotion estimation biases as potential predictors of elevated depression levels. During the general lockdown in April 2020, 551 participants reported their psychological health by means of various online questionnaires and an implicit task. Out of these participants, 129 took part in a second phase in June 2020. Subjective loneliness during the lockdown rather than objective isolation was the strongest predictor of symptoms of depression 5 weeks later. Younger age and health related worry also predicted higher non-clinical levels of depression and emotional distress. The results support the diathesis-stress model, which posits that a combination of preexisting vulnerabilities along with stressors such as negative life events are among the factors affecting the development of psychopathology. Moreover, our results correspond with those of previous studies conducted worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Taken together, these findings call for focusing on psychological factors, especially among younger people, to identify individuals at risk for future development of depression and to promote new strategies for prevention.
Deficits in Emotion Regulation Partly Mediate the Relation Between Seep Problems and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescent Inpatients With Depression
Authors: Kirschbaum-Lesch Inken , Holtmann Martin , Legenbauer Tanja
Published: May 2021

Sleep problems are a risk factor for the development of depressive disorders and influence the severity and treatment of depressive symptoms negatively. To enhance treatment for depression in young people, it is important to advance the understanding of the relationship between sleep problems and depressive symptoms. Since deficits in emotion regulation are discussed as possible underlying mechanisms, the present study investigated the mediating effect of maladaptive and adaptive strategies for emotion regulation on the association between sleep problems and depressive symptoms. Emotion regulation strategies, depression and sleep quality were assessed via self-report in a large clinical sample of 602 adolescents (age 13–18 years) who reported clinically relevant symptoms of depression. The questionnaires were assessed at admission for inpatient psychiatric treatment. Correlation and mediation analyses were performed. There was a significant partial mediation effect (β = 0.554, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.527), indicating that sleep problems influenced depressive symptoms via the decreased use of adaptive strategies and the increased use of maladaptive strategies. Additionally, a direct effect of sleep problems on depressive symptoms emerged (β = 0.251, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.364). This cross-sectional study provides first indications that additional treatment modules focusing on sleep and ER skills in prevention and treatment programs for adolescents would be important steps. Longitudinal studies are needed to substantiate these results.
Early Detection of Prescription Drug Abuse Using Doctor Shopping Monitoring From Claims Databases: Illustration From the Experience of the French Addictovigilance Network
Authors: Soeiro Thomas , Lacroix Clémence , Pradel Vincent , Lapeyre-Mestre Maryse , Micallef Joëlle
Published: May 2021

Opioid analgesics and maintenance treatments, benzodiazepines and z-drugs, and other sedatives and stimulants are increasingly being abused to induce psychoactive effects or alter the effects of other drugs, eventually leading to dependence. Awareness of prescription drug abuse has been increasing in the last two decades, and organizations such as the International Narcotics Control Board has predicted that, worldwide, prescription drug abuse may exceed the use of illicit drugs. Assessment of prescription drug abuse tackles an issue that is hidden by nature, which therefore requires a specific monitoring. The current best practice is to use multiple detection systems to assess prescription drug abuse by various populations in a timely, sensitive, and specific manner. In the early 2000's, we designed a method to detect and quantify doctor shopping for prescription drugs from the French National Health Data System, which is one of the world's largest claims database, and a first-class data source for pharmacoepidemiological studies. Doctor shopping is a well-known behavior that involves overlapping prescriptions from multiple prescribers for the same drug, to obtain higher doses than those prescribed by each prescriber on an individual basis. In addition, doctor shopping may play an important role in supplying the black market. The paper aims to review how doctor shopping monitoring can improve the early detection of prescription drug abuse within a multidimensional monitoring. The paper provides an in-depth overview of two decades of development and validation of the method as a complementary component of the multidimensional monitoring conducted by the French Addictovigilance Network. The process accounted for the relevant determinants of prescription drug abuse, such as pharmacological data (e.g., formulations and doses), chronological and geographical data (e.g., impact of measures and comparison between regions), and epidemiological and outcome data (e.g., profiles of patients and trajectories of care) for several pharmacological classes (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and methylphenidate).
Human Trafficking: Results of a 5-Year Theory-Based Evaluation of Interventions to Prevent Trafficking of Women From South Asia
Authors: Zimmerman Cathy , Mak Joelle , Pocock Nicola S. , Kiss Ligia
Published: May 2021

Preventing modern slavery is of global interest, but evidence on interventions remains weak. This paper presents findings from a 5-year theory-based evaluation of an empowerment and knowledge-building intervention to prevent the exploitation of South Asian female migrant workers. The evaluation used realist evaluation techniques to examine the intervention mechanisms, outcomes, and context. Findings from qualitative and quantitative data from Nepal, India, and Bangladesh indicate that the intervention mechanisms (trainings) were not well-targeted, not delivered by appropriate trainers, and did not address participants' expectations or concerns. The outcomes of empowerment and migration knowledge were not achieved due to poor integration of context-related factors, flawed assumptions about the power inequalities, including barriers preventing women from asserting their rights. Ultimately, interventions to prevent exploitation of migrant workers should be developed based on strong evidence about the social, political, and economic realities of their migration context, especially in destination settings.
Psychological Impact During the First Outbreak of COVID-19 on Frontline Health Care Workers in Shanghai
Authors: Feng Jingjing , Xu Jinfu , Xu Susu , Cao Huifang , Zheng Cuixia , Sharma Lokesh , Dela Cruz Charles S. , Zhang Jing , Chu Dejie , Yu Li , Tu Chunlin , Li Fan , Ren Tao , Zhang Fengying , Du Chunlin , Gu Wenchao , Liu Hongwei , Qian Yechang , Shen Changxing , Tang Chunhong , Bi Yueping , Xiao Feng , Gu Kejia , Zhang Jie , Ye Zheng , Zhao Liang , Zhai Jiayi , Hu Xiaoying , Qu Jieming , Jie Zhijun
Published: May 2021

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a significant health threat. Health care worker (HCWs) are at a significant risk of infection which may cause high levels of psychological distress. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 on HCWs and factors which were associated with these stresses during the first outbreak in Shanghai.

Methods: Between February 9 and 21, 2020, a total of 3,114 frontline HCWs from 26 hospitals in Shanghai completed an online survey. The questionnaire included questions on their sociodemographic characteristics, 15 stress-related questions, and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Exploratory factor analysis was applied to the 15 stress-related questions which produced four distinct factors for evaluation. Multiple linear regression models were performed to explore the association of personal characteristics with each score of the four factors. Binary logistic analysis was used to explain the association of personal characteristics and these four factors with the GHQ-12.

Results: There were 2,691 valid surveys received. The prevalence of emotional distress (defined as GHQ-12 ≥ 12) was noted in 47.7% (95%CI:45.7–49.6%) HCWs. Females (OR = 1.43, 95%CI:1.09–1.86) were more likely to have a psychological distress than males. However, HCWs who work in secondary hospitals (OR = 0.71, 95% CI:0.58–0.87) or had a no contact history (OR = 0.45, 95%CI: 0.35–0.58) were less likely to suffer psychological distress. HCWs who were nurses, married, and had a known contact history were highly likely to have anxiety. HCWs working at tertiary hospitals felt an elevated anxiety regarding the infection, a lack of knowledge, and less protected compared to those who worked at secondary hospitals.

Conclusions: Our study shows that the frontline HCWs had a significant psychosocial distress during the COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai. HCWs felt a lack of knowledge and had feelings of being not protected. It is necessary for hospitals and governments to provide additional trainings and psychological counseling to support the first-line HCWs.
Social Capital and Depressive Episodes: Gender Differences in the ELSA-Brasil Cohort
Authors: Souto Ester Paiva , Moreno Arlinda B. , Chor Dóra , Melo Enirtes C. Prates , Barreto Sandhi M. , Nunes Maria Angélica , Griep Rosane Harter
Published: May 2021

Introduction: The association between social capital and depression is a frequent research topic in developed countries, often with inconclusive results. Furthermore, for both social capital and depression, there are gender differences established in the literature. This study investigates gender differences in the association of social capital with the incidence and maintenance of depressive episodes.

Methods: Baseline and second wave data (4 years of follow-up) from the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), a multicenter cohort of civil servants with 15,105 workers aged 35–74 years, were used. Social capital was assessed using the Resource Generator, a scale composed of two different dimensions: “social support” and “prestige and education.” Depressive episodes were assessed using the Clinical Interview Schedule - Revised (CIS-R). The statistical analysis was performed using multinomial regression with adjustments for possible confounding factors.

Results: Among men, low social capital in the “social support” dimension was associated with the incidence of depressive episodes (RR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.01–2.72). Among women, social support was associated with the maintenance of depressive episodes (RR = 2.66; 95% CI: 1.61–4.41). Social capital was not associated with the incidence or maintenance of depressive episodes in the “prestige and education” dimension in both genders.

Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of the dimension “social support” in both genders in its association with mental health. The resource-based social capital approach proved to be adequate for investigating mental health and confirms the idea that social networks can be useful in the treatment and prevention of depressive episodes.
Vitamin D Status and Its Influence on the Health of Preschool Children in Hangzhou
Authors: Chen Zhaojun , Lv Xi , Hu Wensheng , Qian Xia , Wu Ting , Zhu Yunxia
Published: May 2021

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in children are global public health problems. However, few studies have focused on vitamin D status in healthy preschool children, especially in Asia. This study aimed to investigate vitamin D status and host-related factors in healthy preschool children in Hangzhou to analyze the impact of low vitamin D levels (<30 ng/mL) on health outcomes (obesity, early childhood caries, and respiratory tract infections).

Methods: A total of 1,510 healthy children aged 24–72 months from 15 kindergartens in Hangzhou were included. Data on the children's gender, age, body mass index (BMI), caries, and blood samples available for vitamin D analysis were collected from June to August 2018. A total of 325 children aged 36–48 months took part in a survey on the frequency of respiratory tract infections in the last year.

Results: The children's mean 25(OH)D level was 28.01 ± 7.29 ng/mL. A total of 11.4% of the children had vitamin D deficiency, and 52.6% had vitamin D insufficiency. Only 36.0% had vitamin D sufficiency. No significant difference was found by gender or BMI group. However, children in the obesity group had the highest prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and the lowest 25(OH)D levels. A significant negative correlation was found between the 25(OH)D level and child age (r = −0.144, p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that the children’s 25(OH)D levels decreased by 0.17 ng/mL per month with age. In addition, children with low vitamin D levels might increase the risk of obesity and early childhood caries. Multiple linear regression indicated that the number of caries in children increased by 0.08 per 1-ng/mL decrease in the 25(OH)D level (β = −0.08, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is a serious problem among healthy preschool children in Hangzhou. Public health policies or interventions should be implemented to ensure that preschool children have adequate vitamin D to reduce the risk of related diseases.
Quantification: The View From Natural Language Generation
Authors: Carstensen Kai-Uwe
Published: May 2021

Quantification is one of the central topics in language and computation, and the interplay of collectivity, distributivity, cumulativity, and plurality is at the heart of the semantics of quantification expressions. However, its aspects are usually discussed piecemeal, distributed, and only from an interpretative perspective with selected linguistic examples, often blurring the overall picture. In this article, quantification phenomena are investigated from the perspective of natural language generation. Starting with a small-scale, but realistic scenario, the necessary steps toward generating quantifier expressions for a perceived situation are explained. Together with the automatically generated descriptions of the scenario, the observations made are shown to present new insights into the interplay, and the semantics of quantification expressions and plurals, in general. The results highlight the importance of taking different points of view in the field of language and computation.
Energy-Efficient Power Allocation in Non-Linear Energy Harvesting Multiple Relay Systems
Authors: Pan Huifang , Zhu Qi
Published: May 2021

In this paper, to maximize the energy efficiency (EE) in the two-hop multi-relay cooperative decoding and forwarding (DF) system for simultaneous wireless information and power transmission (SWIPT), an optimal power allocation algorithm is proposed, in which the relay energy harvesting (EH) adopts a nonlinear model. Under the constraints, including energy causality, the minimum transmission quality of information and the total transmission power at the relays, an optimization problem is constructed to jointly optimize the transmit power and power-splitting (PS) ratios of multiple relays. Although this problem is a nonlinear fractional programming problem, an iterative algorithm is developed to obtain the optimal power allocation. In particular, the joint power allocation at multiple relays is first decoupled into a single relay power allocation, and then single-relay power allocation is performed by the Dinkelbach iteration algorithm, which can be proven that it is a convex programming problem. Its closed form solutions for different polylines of EH models are obtained by using mathematical methods, such as monotonicity, Lagrange multipliers, the KKT condition and the Cardan formula. The simulation results show the superiority of the power allocation algorithm proposed in this paper in terms of EE.
Time-Fixed Glideslope Guidance for Approaching the Proximity of an Asteroid
Authors: Wang Jinlin , Li Hai , Lin Zhangjin , Huo Hong
Published: May 2021

The guidance and control problem of spacecraft approaching an asteroid using constant continuous thrust is studied in this work. The range of interest is from hundreds of kilometers to several kilometers, in which relative measurements of much higher accuracy than based on Earth can be used to facilitate further hovering or landing operations. Time-fixed glideslope guidance algorithm is improved by introducing a substitute of an existing control parameter and combined with elliptical relative orbital dynamics to rendezvous the spacecraft with a prescribed location in the proximity of a given asteroid. A vast range of values for the control parameters are explored and suitable combinations are found. To fully validate the robustness and accuracy of the proposed control algorithm, Monte Carlo simulations are done with the navigational error and implementation error considered.
Evaluation of Nutritive Values through Comparison of Forage Yield and Silage Quality of Mono-Cropped and Intercropped Maize-Soybean Harvested at Two Maturity Stages
Authors: Soe Htet Maw Ni , Hai Jiang-Bo , Bo Poe Thinzar , Gong Xiang-Wei , Liu Chun-Juan , Dang Ke , Tian Li-Xin , Soomro Rab Nawaz , Aung Khaing Lin , Feng Bai-Li
Published: May 2021

Maize and soybean intercropping is a cereal-legume intercropping pattern that not only increases grain yield but also improves the nutritional value of silage. Experiments were conducted in the summer season to compare the yield and nutritional composition of the forage and silage quality of mono-cropped maize and intercropped maize-soybean harvested at two stages of maturity. The main treatments were one sole crop maize (SM) and four maize-soybean intercropping patterns (one-row maize to one-row soybean (1M1S), one-row maize to two-row soybean (1M2S), one-row maize to three-row soybean (1M3S), and two-row maize to one-row soybean (2M1S). The crops were harvested when the maize reached the milk (R3) and maturity (R6) stages. Results indicated a significant increase in the fresh biomass and dry-matter production of maize fodder alone compared with those of maize intercropped with soybean fodder. After 60 days of ensiling period, silage samples were analyzed for pH, organic acids, dry matter, crude protein (CP), ether extract, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and other mineral compositions. All intercropped silages showed higher CP values (1M1S, 12.1%; 1M2S, 12.2%; 1M3S, 12.4%; and 2M1S, 12.1%) than the SM silage (8.7%). Higher organic acids were produced in 1M3S than in the other silages. Correlation data showed that CP was highly correlated with lactic acid but negatively associated with crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract, and NDF. Thus, the intercropping of maize and soybean silage is recommended due its enhanced crop production, nutritional values in dairy animals, and prolific animal feedings and because it was scientifically evaluated as a feed stuff. This study indicated that 1M3S was the most preferable among intercropped silages in terms of nutrient composition.
A Review of Acquired Autoimmune Blistering Diseases in Inherited Epidermolysis Bullosa: Implications for the Future of Gene Therapy
Authors: Patel Payal , Jones Virginia , Behnam Christy , Di Zenzo Giovanni , Amber Kyle
Published: May 2021

Gene therapy serves as a promising therapy in the pipeline for treatment of epidermolysis bullosa (EB). However, with great promise, the risk of autoimmunity must be considered. While EB is a group of inherited blistering disorders caused by mutations in various skin proteins, autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBD) have a similar clinical phenotype and are caused by autoantibodies targeting skin antigens. Often, AIBD and EB have the same protein targeted through antibody or mutation, respectively. Moreover, EB patients are also reported to carry anti-skin antibodies of questionable pathogenicity. It has been speculated that activation of autoimmunity is both a consequence and cause of further skin deterioration in EB due to a state of chronic inflammation. Herein, we review the factors that facilitate the initiation of autoimmune and inflammatory responses to help understand the pathogenesis and therapeutic implications of the overlap between EB and AIBD. These may also help explain whether corrections of highly immunogenic portions of protein through gene therapy confers a greater risk towards developing AIBD.
Green Nanotechnology: The Latest Innovations, Knowledge Gaps, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Martins Roberto , Kaczerewska Olga Barbara
Published: May 2021

Nanotechnology is a key enabling technology bringing together chemists, biologists, physicists, and materials science engineers, among others [...]
Generic Product Lifecycle Model: A Holistic and Adaptable Approach for Multi-Disciplinary Product–Service Systems
Authors: Gräßler Iris , Pottebaum Jens
Published: May 2021

The linear economic model behind contemporary product lifecycle representations contradicts planetary boundaries and the idea of sustainability. At the same time, Circular Economy (CE) driven models lack consideration of profound technological insights. Based on observations in research and the application of projects of different industries, a quantitative and qualitative literature analysis is applied to identify both strengths and shortcomings of current lifecycle models. These findings are used to create lifecycle model portfolios and to derive a generic Product Lifecycle model (gPLC). The gPLC is validated by three industrial cases based on collaborative research projects. In practice, resource and energy consumption as well as waste production and emissions can be minimized with the help of established methods not only by economists, but also by engineers. Transparency of material and information circularity practically implies the opportunity to implement, for instance, Minimum Viable Products and DevOps approaches. The originality of the gPLC is characterized by three main aspects: first, material and information flows of multi-disciplinary product–service systems are recognized as the foundation for a modern CE; second, a differentiation between product classes and instances is elaborated to stimulate sustainable design of material core products and digital CE business models; and third, the stakeholder perspective is expanded from manufacturer and consumer/user to further perspectives, such as recycler and society.
Intelligent Control System to Irrigate Orchids Based on Visual Recognition and 3D Positioning
Authors: Chang Ting-Wei , Wang Wei-Cheng , Chen Rongshun
Published: May 2021

This work develops a novel automatic irrigation system to implement the customized and accurate watering for an individual seedling. The system integrates the modules of visual recognition of the stem-leaf junction, identification of the stem-root junction as the watering point, and control of the spraying nozzle. The model of YOLOv3 is employed to screen the stem-leave junction of an orchid seedling, whose depth map then acquired by the method of Semi-Global Block Matching (SGBM) extracts the three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of the junction center. Next, the concept of leaf vector is introduced to identify the stem-root junction of the orchid seedling as the accurate watering point, which the spraying nozzle is controlled to reach for supplement of the specific amount of water. A number of experiments were conducted to verify the proposed irrigation system for orchid seedlings at different locations with various heights. The experimental results show that the rates of successful watering are 82% and 83.3% for the uni-pot and multi-pot orchid seedlings, respectively.