bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can anti-corruption improve the quality of environmental information disclosure?
Authors: Wei Ye , He Wenjian
Published: April 2021

This study takes the anti-corruption campaign of the 18th CPC National Congress in China as an exogenous impact, using the data of heavy polluting enterprises in Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share manufacturing industry over 2008–2018 and the local level data to build a double difference (DID) model, which proves that anti-corruption can increase the quality of enterprise environmental information disclosure significantly. After a series of tests such as parallel trend test and placebo test, the results are still robust. The intermediary effect model results indicate that the anti-corruption increases the violation cost of enterprises and encourages enterprises to carry out innovation activities, and ultimately increase the quality of enterprise environmental information disclosure. Considering that enterprise nature, enterprise size, and the environmental supervision strength will influence the quality of enterprise environmental information disclosure differently. We further construct a group regression model for heterogeneity analysis and finds that non-state-owned enterprises, large enterprises and regions with more substantial environmental supervision will improve the quality of enterprise environmental information disclosure to a greater extent. The findings of paper can help understand the internal mechanism between anti-corruption and corporate environmental information disclosure and provide empirical evidence for the implementation of mandatory environmental information disclosure policy.
Metal-organic Framework [H2NMe2]3 [Tb(PDA)3] Induces Cytotoxic Effects and Changes DNA Methylation-related Gene Expression in a Human Fibroblast Cell Line
Authors: Carrillo-Cocom Leydi Maribel , Juárez-Méndez Lucia , Rincón Susana , Rivera-Villanueva José María , Nic-Can Geovanny , Zepeda Alejandro
Published: April 2021

In this work, we describe the effect of six concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mg/mL) of a metal-organic framework [H2NMe2]3 [Tb(PDA)3] on the viability of human fibroblast cells (hFB) after 48 h of exposure. The terbium metal-organic framework may be utilized for a variety of environmental and human health applications due to its luminescent properties and high thermal and water stability. However, the cytotoxic and epigenetic effects of lanthanide MOFs have not been fully elucidated to date. Therefore, we evaluated the cytotoxic effects, internalization and changes in DNA methylation-associated gene expression induced by exposing hFB to Tb-MOF. The images obtained by SEM, confocal microscopy and EDS analysis demonstrated the internalization of Tb-MOF at concentrations as low as 0.05 mg/mL, as well as dose-dependent toxicity in the fibroblasts, with a mean inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.260 ± 0.012 mg/mL being observed. Additionally, we detected significant changes in the gene expression levels of DNA methyltransferases and demethylases (important regulators of development of cell) due to the presence of Tb-MOF, suggesting that Tb-MOF could contribute to cell death and destabilize the genome even at low concentrations. These results of this study may establish a foundation for future research attempting to develop and apply secure nanomaterials (e.g., MOFs) to minimize damage to the environment and human health.
Hepatoprotective Effect of Costus Afer on Trace Metal Mixture Treated Rats Mediated by Regulation of Oxidative Stress Markers, Inflammatory Cytokines and Bio-Metal Chelation
Authors: Anyanwu Brilliance O. , Ezejiofor Anthonet N. , Nwaogazie Ify L. , Orisakwe Orish Ebere E
Published: April 2021

Technological developments have led to exposure to various substances that are harmful to the environment and public health, including heavy metals. In the environment, these grades of metals are usually diverse mixtures shown to cause physiological, biochemical and neurological dysfunctions in humans and laboratory animals. Cadmium, Lead, and mercury have been envisaged to exhibit their hepatotoxic effects by oxidative induction damage and synthesis of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The current work evaluated the protective activity of aqueous leaf extract of Costus afer (ALECA)) on liver damage arsing from exposure to trace metal mixture (TMM): cadmium chloride (CdCl2), lead chloride (PbCl2), and mercury chloride (HgCl2). Five groups of weight matched Sprague Dawley rats were treated for 90 days. Metal mixture and deionized water were used to treat the 2 groups of rats whereas the other 3 groups were treated with various doses of the ALECA through oral gavage alongside the metal mixture. Hepatic function parameters, oxidative biomarkers, inflammatory cytokines, Morphological changes and trace metals (concentrations were monitored in the liver). TMM treatment resulted in significant increase in ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, IL-6, MDA, but decreased albumin, total protein, IL-10, SOD, CAT and GSH levels. TMM also caused some morphological changes and increased the heavy metal (Pb, Cd and Hg) concentrations in the liver. The leaf extract gave a reasonable protective effect on the hepatotoxicity caused by trace metal mixture - through the mechanisms of metal chelation, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant although this depends on the dosage to the rats. ALECA may be beneficial in the management of liver toxicity.
The toxicity of cadmium-copper mixtures on daphnids and microalgae analysed using the Biotic Ligand Model
Authors: CLEMENT Bernard , FELIX Vincent , BERTRAND Valentin
Published: April 2021

For the prediction of metals mixture ecotoxicity, the BLM approach is promising since it evaluates the amount of metals accumulated on the biotic ligand on the basis of water chemistry, i.e. species (major cations) competing with metals, and related toxicity. Based on previous work by Farley et al. 2015 (MMME research project), this study aimed at modelling toxicity of Cd:Cu mixtures (0:1–1:1–1:0–1:2 − 1:3 − 2:1–3:1–4:1–5:1–6:1) to the crustacean Daphnia magna (48h immobilization tests) and the microalga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (72h growth inhibition tests). The USGS model was chosen, assuming additivity of effects and accumulation of metals on a single site. The assumption that EDTA could contribute to toxicity through metals complexing was also tested, and potential effects due to reduction of ions Ca2+ absorption by metals were considered. Modelling started with parameter values of Farley et al. 2015 and some of these parameters were adjusted to fit modelled data on observed data. The results show that toxicity can be correctly predicted for the microalgae and that the hypothesis of additivity is verified. For daphnids, the prediction was roughly correct, but taking into account CuEDTA led to more realistic parameter values close to that reported by Farley et al. 2015. However, It seems that, for daphnids responses, metals interact either antagonistically or synergistically depending on the Cu:Cd ratio. Furthermore, synergy could not be explained by additional effects linked to a reduction of Ca absorption since this reduction, mainly due to Cd, increased inversely to synergy. Finally, the USGS model applied to our data was able to predict Cu:Cd mixture toxicity to microalgae and daphnids, giving rise to estimated EC50s roughly reflecting EC50s calculated from observed toxicity.
Diabetes Distress, Medication Taking, Glycaemic Control and Self-Management: Comparing a Minority Migrant Group With Mainstream Society
Authors: Alzubaidi Hamzah , Samorinha Catarina , Sulieman Hana , Namara Kevin Mc , Browning Colette
Published: April 2021

Background

Diabetes distress (DD) has broad-ranging effects on type 2 diabetes (T2DM) management and outcomes. DD research is scarce among ethnic minority groups, particularly Arabic-speaking immigrant communities. To improve outcomes for these vulnerable groups, healthcare providers, including pharmacists, need to understand modifiable predictors of DD.
Objective

To assess and compare DD and its association with medication-taking behaviours, glycaemic control, self-management, and psychosocial factors among first-generation Arabic-speaking immigrants and English-speaking patients of Anglo-Celtic background with diabetes, and determine DD predictors. Setting: Various healthcare settings in Australia. Method: A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted. Adults with T2DM completed a survey comprised of validated tools. Glycated haemoglobin, blood pressure, and lipid profile were gathered from medical records. Multiple linear regression models were computed to assess the DD predictors. Main outcome measure: Diabetes distress level.
Results

Data was analysed for 696 participants: 56.3% Arabic-speaking immigrants and 43.7% English-speaking patients. Compared with English-speaking patients, Arabic-speaking immigrants had higher DD, lower medication adherence, worse self-management and glycaemic control, and poorer health and clinical profile. The regression analysis demonstrated that higher DD in Arabic-speaking immigrants was associated with cost-related medication underuse and lower adherence to exercise, younger age, lower education level, unemployment, lower self-efficacy, and inadequate glycaemic control. Whereas among English-speaking patients, higher DD was associated with both cost- and non-cost-related underuse of medication and lower dietary adherence.
Conclusion

Results provided new insights to guide healthcare providers on reducing the apparent excess burden of DD among Arabic-speaking immigrants and potentially improve medication adherence, glycaemic control, and self-management.
Dilated Deep Neural Architectures for Improving Retinal Vessel Extraction
Authors: V Sathananthavathi , G Indumathi
Published: April 2021

Human eye is an absolute sensory organ for vision. Eye sight is entirely accomplished by the blood flow in retinal vessels in eye. Diseases such as diabetes retinopathy, hypertension and arteriosclerosis cause change in branching pattern and diameter of retinal blood vessels leading to blindness. These changes can be analyzed by segmenting retinal blood vessel. Hence the retinal vasculature is recognized as the promising anatomical region for the diagnosis of several commonly seen diseases including cardiovascular related and diabetes. In this paper we propose two novel deep neural architectures named as Dilated fully convolved convolutional neural network (FCNN) and dilated depth concatenated neural network (DCNN) to segment the retinal blood vessels. The feature maps of fundus images are extracted by multiple dilated convolutional layers and due to the large field of view by dilation, pixel classification gets improved. The proposed work is evaluated for both the proposed architectures with and without dilation. It is observed from the obtained results that dilation enhances the network performance. To eliminate the non-uniform illumination and low contrast differences effect the preprocessed images are used for training the architectures. The proposed methodologies are experimented on the two publicly available databases DRIVE and STARE database.
Assessing placental function across gestation: a multi-institutional study of BOLD-MRI for the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Schabel Matthias , Roberts Victoria , Gibbins Karen , Rincon Monica , Gaffney Jessica , Streblow Aaron , Wright Adam , Lo Jaime , Park Byung , Kroenke Christopher , Szczotka Kathryn , Blue Nathan , Page Jessica , Harvey Kathy , Varner Michael W. , Silver Robert , Frias Antonio
Published: April 2021

The placenta is a remarkable organ that coordinates and regulates maternal-fetal interactions during pregnancy to optimize fetal development. A host of obstetric complications are associated with placental dysfunction, and existing methods for evaluating in vivo placental function fail to reliably detect at-risk pregnancies prior to maternal or fetal morbidity. Although routinely used as a monitoring tool, the predictive power of ultrasound for identifying compromised pregnancies is poor. Recent preclinical studies performed in our laboratory, using blood oxygen-level dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI) in the pregnant nonhuman primate (NHP), established a strong correlation between placental T2* values and maternal-fetal oxygen transport. Here we extend this work to a large, longitudinal, two-site study of quantitative in vivo T2* mapping in human pregnancies across 11 to 38 weeks of gestation to characterize the evolution of placental oxygenation in uncomplicated pregnancies and to elucidate the relationship between aberrant placental T2* and adverse obstetric outcomes attributable to placental dysfunction. This methodology has high discriminatory power and strong potential diagnostic utility.
Machine Learning for the Prediction of Progression in Patients with Acute Kidney Injury in Critical Care
Authors: Zhang Lifan , Wei Canzheng , Feng Yunxia , Ma Aijia , Kang Yan
Published: April 2021

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serve and harmful syndrome in the intensive care unit. The purpose of this study is to develop a prediction model that predict whether patients with AKI stage 1/2 will progress to AKI stage 3. Methods: Patients with AKI stage 1/2, when they were ﬁrst diagnosed with AKI in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-III), were included. We excluded patients who had underwent RRT or progressed to AKI stage 3 within 72 hours of the ﬁrst AKI diagnosis. We also excluded patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We used the Logistic regression and machine learning extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) to build two models which can predict patients who will progress to AKI stage 3. Established models were evaluated by cross-validation, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), and precision-recall curves (PRC). Results: We included 25711 patients, of whom 2130 (8.3%) progressed to AKI stage 3. Creatinine, multiple organ failure syndromes (MODS), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), sepsis, and respiratory failure were the most important in AKI progression prediction. The XGBoost model has a better performance than the Logistic regression model on predicting AKI stage 3 progression (AU-ROC, 0.926; 95%CI, 0.917 to 0.931 vs. 0.784; 95%CI, 0.771 to 0.796, respectively). Conclusions: The XGboost model can better identify patients with AKI progression than Logistic regression model. Machine learning techniques may improve predictive modeling in medical research. Keywords: Acute kidney injury; Critical care; Logistic Models; Extreme gradient boosting
The Combined Effect of Dichloroacetate and 3-Bromopyruvate in Colorectal Cancer Cell Line, HT-29; The Mitochondrial Pathway Apoptosis
Authors: Nikravesh Hojatolla , Khodayar Mohammad Javad , Behmanesh Babak , Mahdavinia Masoud , Teimoori Ali , Alboghobeish Soheila , Zeidooni Leila
Published: April 2021

Background
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is regarded as the first line treatment for colorectal cancer; however, its effectiveness is limited by drug resistance. The ultimate goal of cancer therapy is induction of cancer cell death to achieve an effective outcome with minimal side effects. The present work aimed to assess the anti-cancer activities of mitocans which can be considered as an effective anticancer drug due to high specificity in targeting cancer cells.
Methods
MTT (3–4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was performed to determine the effects of our mitocans on cell viability and cell death. Apoptosis and necrosis, caspase 3 activity, mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS production in HT29 cell lines were analyzed by ApopNexin™ FITC/PI Kit, Caspase- 3 Assay Kit, MitoTracker Green and DCFH-DA, respectively. Moreover, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression level of pro-apoptotic (Bax) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) genes in HT29 cell lines.
Results
treatment with mitocans (3Br-P + DCA) inhibited the growth of HT29. Moreover, 3Br-P + DCA significantly induced apoptosis and necrosis, activation of caspase 3 activity, depolarize the mitochondrial membrane potential, and ROS production. At a molecular level, 3Br-P + DCA treatment remarkably down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2, while up-regulated the expression of Bax.
Conclusion
mitocans, in particular the combined drug, 3Br-P + DCA, could be regarded and more evaluated as a safe and effective compound for CRC treatment. Targeting hexokinase and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase enzymes may be an option to overcome 5-FU -mediated chemo-resistant in colorectal cancer.
Effects of Nighttime Aromatherapy using Skin Patches with Lavender Aroma on Mood States in Young Women
Authors: Sazawa Kanako , Ogawa Yoshiko , Kawada Shigeo
Published: April 2021

Background: The effect of nighttime aromatherapy on sleep has been explored. However, its effect on mood states has not been established. This study aimed to determine the effects of nighttime aromatherapy, using skin patches with lavender aroma, on mood states of young women. Methods: Twenty-four young women slept as usual with a skin patch placed under their clothing for seven consecutive nights. One group of subjects (AROM group) used skin patches with lavender aroma, whereas the other group (CONT group) used skin patches without the aroma. The primary outcome measure was mood states assessed with the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition (POMS 2). The secondary outcome measures were physiological indices of stress assessed by salivary α-amylase activity, cortisol concentration, and pulse rate measured immediately after waking up. Assessments were performed pre-intervention, the morning after the first intervention night, and post-intervention.Results: Skin patches with lavender aroma improved total mood disturbance and two negative subscales scores of the POMS 2 in the AROM group over time. There was an interaction between time and treatment condition (with/without aromatherapy) for the fatigue-inertia subscale, although no interaction was detected between time and condition for total mood disturbance and the anger-hostility subscale. The positive subscales scores of POMS 2 did not change in both groups. In the AROM group, salivary α-amylase level measured the morning after the first intervention night was significantly higher than the pre-intervention level; however, there was no significant difference between pre- and post-intervention. Moreover, there were no significant changes in salivary cortisol concentration and pulse rate in both groups. Conclusions: Unlike the AROM group, no improvement in mood states was observed in the CONT group. Low-cost and easily applicable aromatherapy using skin patches are potentially useful in stabilizing mood states in various populations.Trial registration: UMIN-CTR, UMIN000035051. Registered 28 November 2018, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000039962
Secreted MMP-14 is A Predictor for Antifibrotic Effect of IC-2-Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cell Sheets on Liver Fibrosis in Mice
Authors: Fukushima Kenji , Itaba Noriko , Kono Yohei , Okazaki Shizuma , Enokida Shinpei , Kuranobu Naomi , Murakami Jun , Enokida Makoto , Nagashima Hideki , Kanzaki Susumu , Namba Noriyuki , Shiota Goshi
Published: April 2021

Transplantation of IC-2-engineered bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) sheets (IC-2 sheets) was previously reported to potentially reduce liver fibrosis. This study prepared IC-2-engineered cell sheets from multiple lots of BM-MSCs and examined the therapeutic effects of these cell sheets on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice. The predictive factors for antifibrotic effect on liver fibrosis were tried to identify in advance. Consequently, secreted matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-14 was found to be a useful predictive factor to reduce liver fibrosis. Moreover, the cutoff index of MMP-14 for 30% reduction of liver fibrosis was 0.918 fg/cell, judging from univariate analysis and receiver operating curve analysis. In addition, MMP-13 activity and thioredoxin contents in IC-2 sheets were also inversely correlated with hepatic hydroxyproline contents. Finally, IC-2 was also found to promote MMP-14 secretion from BM-MSCs of elderly patients. Surprisingly, the values of secreted MMP-14 from BM-MSCs of elderly patients were much higher than those of young persons. The results of this study suggest that the IC-2 sheets would be applicable to clinical use in autologous transplantation for patients with cirrhosis regardless of the patient’s age.
Kinetic Control Concept for the Diffusion Processes of Paracetamol Active Molecules Across Affinity Polymer Membranes
Authors: Tarhouchi Sanae , Louafy Rkia , Atmani El Houssine EL , Hlaïbi Miloudi
Published: April 2021

Background: Paracetamol compound remains the most used pharmaceutical as an analgesic and antipyretic for pain and fever. It has been detected in aquatic environments. The recovery of this compound from wastewater is one of the important operations carried out by modern industries. Its recovery is especially important for environmental protection. Currently, research is focused on membrane technology that has gained considerable interest over the last decades due to the various advantages that it presents.Result: Our work reports the selective extraction of paracetamol from liquid solution using two types of affinity polymer membranes: (i) polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) and (ii) grafted polymer membrane (GPM). The same extractive agent, gluconic acid (GA), is used for both. After total characterization, the developed membranes were adopted. Kinetic and thermodynamic models have been used to determine the values of various macroscopic parameters, permeability (P), and initial flux (J0), to understand the membrane performance. The same techniques have been used to determine the values of different microscopic parameters, association constant (Kass), and apparent diffusion coefficient (D*) that determine the interaction between the paracetamol substrates and the extractive agent, necessary for the diffusion of paracetamol molecules through the membrane. Similarly, the effects of initial concentration (C0), acidity (pH), and temperature were examined.Conclusion: The experimental results allow the determination of values of activation and thermodynamic parameters (Ea, ΔH#, ΔS#, ΔH#dis, and ΔH#th). The results explain the membrane performances and confirm that the energetic or kinetic aspects control the mechanisms related to the oriented processes. The results also indicate that it is possible to recycle wastewater and eliminate contaminants such as paracetamol.
The Ecological Niche of bat Viruses Closely Related to SARS-CoV-2, as Inferred from Phylogeographic Analyses of Rhinolophus Species
Authors: HASSANIN Alexandre , Tu Vuong Tan , Curaudeau Manon , Csorba Gabor
Published: April 2021

To date, viruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2 have been reported in four bat species: Rhinolophus acuminatus, Rhinolophus affinis, Rhinolophus malayanus, and Rhinolophus shameli. Here, we analysed 343 sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (CO1) from georeferenced bats of the four Rhinolophus species identified as reservoirs of viruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2. Haplotype networks were constructed in order to investigate patterns of genetic diversity among bat populations of Southeast Asia and China. No strong geographic structure was found for the four Rhinolophus species, suggesting high dispersal capacity. The ecological niche of bat viruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2 was predicted using the four localities in which bat viruses were recently discovered and the localities where bats showed the same CO1 haplotypes than virus-positive bats. The ecological niche of bat viruses related to SARS-CoV was deduced from the localities where bat viruses were previously detected. The results show that the ecological niche of bat viruses related to SARS-CoV2 includes several regions of mainland Southeast Asia whereas that of bat viruses related to SARS-CoV is mainly restricted to China. In agreement with these results, human populations in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand appear to be much less affected by the Covid-19 pandemic than other countries of Southeast Asia. In the climatic transitional zone between the two ecological niches (southern Yunnan, northern Laos, northern Vietnam), genomic recombination between highly divergent viruses is more likely to occur. Since recombinant viruses can threaten the benefit of vaccination campaigns, these regions should be under surveillance.
A Novel Linguistic Decision Making Method Based on the Voting Model for Large-Scale Linguistic Decision making
Authors: Pei Zheng , Yan Li
Published: April 2021

The notable characteristic of large-scale linguistic decision making problems is that there are so many decision makers provide linguistic assessments according to fuzzy linguistic representation models. In real world applications, fuzzy linguistic terms mean different things for different people, it means that linguistic assessments based on linguistic representation models may be simultaneous in the same large-scale linguistic decision making problems. To this end, a novel linguistic decision making method based on the voting model is proposed in the paper, which can be utilized to deal with large-scale linguistic decision making problems with linguistic assessments based on multi linguistic representation models. In large-scale linguistic decision process, evaluation-based voting is defined and multi linguistic decision matrix is designed to represent multi linguistic assessments provided by many decision makers according to linguistic representation models, properties of the decision matrix are analysed to show that linguistic assessments based on linguistic representation models can be simultaneously represented. Based on multi linguistic decision matrix, a new linguistic decision making framework is developed to deal with large-scale linguistic decision making problems with multi linguistic assessments, in which normalization of multi linguistic decision matrix and trust degrees of linguistic terms are contained, more important, based on trust degrees of linguistic terms and 2-tuple fuzzy linguistic aggregation operators, an uniform fusion method of multi linguistic assessments is proposed to aggregate multi linguistic assessments of large-scale linguistic decision making problems. Finally, user experiences of shared bikes, which is a large-scale linguistic decision making problem in real-world applications, is employed to show the new decision making framework and the uniform fusion method of multi linguistic assessments, furthermore comparison with existing linguistic decision making methods are analyzed in the example, it seems that multi linguistic decision matrix and the uniform fusion method are useful and effective tools to deal with large-scale linguistic decision making problems with multi linguistic assessments.
Specialized Dermatological - Rheumatological Patient Management Improves Diagnostic Outcome and Patient Journey: A Four-Year Analysis
Authors: Ziob Jana , Behning Charlotte , Brossart Peter , Bieber Thomas , Wilsmann-Theis Dagmar , Schäfer Valentin Sebastian
Published: April 2021

Background:Management of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and other rheumatological diseases requires an interdisciplinary approach involving dermatologists and rheumatologists. The aim of the study was to analyze the specialized dermatological-rheumatological management before and after foundation of a PsA center. Methods:A retrospective cohort study of all dermatology-rheumatology consultations during two periods was conducted. Period one, from April 1st, 2016 to February 28th, 2018 versus period two, from March 1st, 2018 to January 31st, 2020, after foundation of a PsA center. Clinical data on patient characteristics including psoriasis subtypes, clinical symptoms and signs, disease activity scores, classification criteria and comorbidities as well as patient journey were extracted and analyzed.Results: 404 consultations were studied. Close collaboration in a PsA center lead to a relevantly shortened patient journey concerning rheumatological complaints: period 1: median (IQR): 36.0 (10.0-126.0) months, period 2: median (IQR): 24.0 (6.0-60.0) months. Established scores and classification criteria such as GEPARD or CASPAR did not assist in diagnosis of PsA. Arthralgia (p=0.0407), swollen joints (p=0.0151), morning stiffness (p=0.0451) and dactylitis (p=0.0086) helped to distinguish between osteoarthritis and PsA.Conclusions: Clinical signs and symptoms, scores and classification criteria usually assessed were less helpful than expected in diagnosis of PsA and other rheumatological diseases. Close collaboration in a specialized PsA center yielded the fastest way of diagnosis.
DeepBeam – A Machine Learning Framework For Tuning The Primary Electron Beam of The PRIMO Monte Carlo Software
Authors: Tabor Zbisław , Kabat Damian , Waligórski Michael
Published: April 2021

BackgroundAny Monte Carlo simulation of dose delivery using medical accelerator-generated megavolt photon beams begins by simulating electrons of the primary electron beam interacting with a target. Because the electron beam characteristics of any single accelerator are unique and generally unknown, an appropriate model of an electron beam must be assumed before MC simulations can be run. The purpose of the present study is to develop a flexible framework with suitable regression models for estimating parameters of the model of primary electron beam in simulators of medical linear accelerators, basing on real reference dose profiles measured in a water phantom. MethodsAll simulations were run using PRIMO MC simulator. Two regression models for estimating the parameters of the simulated primary electron beam, both based on machine learning, were developed. The first model applies Principal Component Analysis to measured dose profiles in order to extract principal features of the shapes of the these profiles. The PCA-obtained features are then used by Support Vector Regressors to estimate the parameters of the model of the electron beam. The second model, based on deep learning, consists of a set of encoders processing measured dose profiles, followed by a sequence of fully connected layers acting together, which solve the regression problem of estimating values of the electron beam parameters directly from the measured dose profiles. Results of the regression are then used to reconstruct the dose profiles, basing on the PCA model. Agreement between the measured and reconstructed profiles can be further improved by an optimization procedure resulting in the final estimates of the parameters of the model of the primary electron beam. These final estimates are then used to determine dose profiles in MC simulations.ResultsAnalysed were a set of actually measured (real) dose profiles of 6 MV beams from a real Varian 2300 C/D accelerator, a set of simulated training profiles, and a separate set of simulated testing profiles, both generated for a range of parameters of the primary electron beam of the Varian 2300 C/D PRIMO simulator. Application of the two-stage procedure based on regression followed by reconstruction-based minimization of the difference between measured (real) and reconstructed profiles resulted in achieving consistent estimates of electron beam parameters and in a very good agreement between the measured and simulated photon beam profiles.ConclusionsThe proposed framework is a readily applicable and customizable tool which may be applied in tuning virtual primary electron beams of Monte Carlo simulators of linear accelerators. The codes, training and test data, together with some trained models and readout procedures, are freely available at the site: https://github.com/taborzbislaw/DeepBeam.
A signature of Ten Chromodomain Helicase DNA (CHD) Genes Related LncRNAs Predicts Overall Survival in Gastric Cancer Patients
Authors: Wang xiaodong , Li yaxian , Lu yida , Li Yongxiang
Published: April 2021

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common tumors in the world and is often found at an advanced stage. Gene mutations and changes in lncRNA expression often led to the occurrence of GC. In this study, we explored the function of Chromodomain Helicase DNA (CHD) genes and a multi-gene prognostic model was established for its co-expressed lncRNA.Methods: We used the "Limma" package of R software to analyze the expression differences of CHDs genes. Use Kaplan-Meier curve to plot the relationship between risk score and patient survival time. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to describe the reliability of the model. The data used is obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and CellMiner database. Results: We found that CHDs gene mutations had significant statistical differences with tumor mutation load and were involved in biological functions such as DNA winding and transcription. 10 CHDs gene-related lncRNAs were used to establish a prognosis model for GC patients. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis proved that risk score could be an independent prognostic factor. Conclusion: In our study, we developed a novel prognostic model using 10 CHDs-related lncRNAs to predict individualized survival in patients with GC.
Forced-self-excited System of Iced Transmission Lines under Planar Harmonic Excitations
Authors: Liu Xiaohui , Yang Shuguang , Min Guangyun , Sun Ceshi , Liang Haobo , Zou Ming , Wu Chuan , Cai Mengqi
Published: April 2021

This paper is concerned with the analysis of the self-excited vibrations and forced vibrations of the iced transmission lines. By introducing the external excitation load, the effect of dynamic wind on the nonlinear vibration equations of motion is reflected by vertical aerodynamic force. The approximate analytical solution of the non-resonance, and the amplitude frequency response relation of the principal resonance of the forced self-excited system are obtained by using the multiple scale method. With the increase in excitation amplitude, the nonlinearity of the system is enhanced, and the forced-self-excited system experiences three vibration stages (self-excited vibration, the superposition form of self-excited vibration and forced vibration, forced vibration controlled by nonlinear damping). Among them, the accuracy of the approximate analytical solution decreases with the increase of the nonlinear strength. And the excitation amplitude is greater than the critical value, the quenching phenomenon appear in the forced-self-excited system, and the discriminant formula is derived in this paper. In addition, the frequency of excitation term determines the vibration form of the system. The principal resonance, super-harmonic resonance and sub-harmonic resonance of the forced-self-excited system are analyzed by using different excitation frequencies. Compared with the principal resonance and the harmonic resonance, the meaningful transition from periodic response to quasi periodic response is easy to appear with the condition of the 1/3-order sub-harmonic and the 3-order super-harmonic. The conclusions would be helpful to the practical engineering of the iced transmission lines. More important, as a combination of Duffing equation and Rayleigh equation, the forced-self-excited system also has high theoretical research value.
The pathways from perceived discrimination to self-rated health among the Chinese diaspora during the COVID-19 pandemic: investigation of the roles of depression, anxiety, and social support
Authors: Chen Youli , Wang Zicong , Dong Weizhen , Xu Jia Huei Chen , Wu Sizhe Ji , Zhang Xiangyang , Chen Chun
Published: April 2021

Background. Research indicates the adverse impacts of perceived discrimination on health, and discrimination inflamed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a type of social exclusion, could affect the well-being of the Chinese diaspora. The relationship and pathways of perceived discrimination’s effect on health among the Chinese diaspora in the context of the pandemic were examined to contribute to the literature on discrimination in this population under the global public health crisis.Methods. We analysed data from 705 individuals of Chinese descent residing in countries outside of China, who participated in a cross-sectional online survey carried out between April 22 and May 9, 2020. This study utilizes a structural equation model (SEM) to evaluate both direct and indirect effects of perceived discrimination on self-rated health (SRH) and assessed the mediating roles of psychological distress (namely, anxiety and depression) and social support from family and friends. Results. In this online sample comprised predominantly of young adults and those of relatively high socioeconomic status, this study confirmed the positive and direct effect of perceived discrimination on poor SRH but found the indirect effect was mainly mediated by depression. The association between anxiety and SRH was not significant in this SEM, while a higher level of social support from family leads to better SRH, and the level of social support from friends negatively predicted SRH. Conclusions. Our findings suggest discrimination negatively affected the well-being of the Chinese diaspora, and depression acted as a major mediator between the discrimination-health relationship. Therefore, interventions for reducing discrimination in order to preserve the well-being of the Chinese diaspora are necessary, and that prompt intervention to address depression may partially relieve the disease burden caused by the surge of discrimination.
Five-Years Review of Colorectal Carcinoma in Iran-Guilan During 2005-2010; An Epidemiologic Study.
Authors: Tolouei Mohammad , Aghajanzadeh Manouchehr , Taheri Morteza
Published: April 2021

Purpose: Different factors including race, ethnicity, nutritional, environmental, and socioeconomic factors affect the prevalence of CCC and result in special epidemiologic features in the different geographic locations throughout the world.Methods: This survey was a cross-sectional retrospective descriptive study that investigated all of the operated patients with a definite diagnosis of CCC from March of 2005 to March of 2010 in the Guilan province of Iran.Results: Of a total of 311 patients, 55.3% were male and 44.7% female. The mean age was 58.91±14.29 years old. The mean average age was 60.76±4.38 years for men and 56.62±13.88 years for women. 159 patients had rectum carcinoma and 152 patients had colon carcinoma.The duration of the symptoms was less than six months in 56.9% of the patients and more than six months in 34.1%. The most common primary site of the tumor was the rectum (159 patients). The most common symptom was rectorrhagia. In the patients with FAP, the mean age was 26 years lower than patients without FAP.The mean Hemoglobin level at planning for surgery was 11.37±2.02 with arrange of 4.7 to 16.4 mg/dl.Conclusion: Considering the ever-increasing the disease and decrease in the age of affliction reported in this study, it is considered to the evaluating to the risk factors, survey the more epidemiologic study, promote the public and special screening program, and timely therapeutic intervention. Moreover, considering the high rate of rectosigmoid cases, it seems that fiber optic sigmoidoscopy has an important role in the screening and diagnosis of the disease.
Establishment of a Murine Model of Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure with Multi-organ Dysfunction
Authors: Nautiyal Nidhi , Maheshwari Deepanshu , Kumar Dhananjay , Kumari Rekha , Gupta Suchi , Sharma Sachin , Mohanty Sujata , Parasar Anupama , Bihari Chhagan , Biswas Subhrajit , Rastogi Archana , Maiwall Rakhi , Kumar Anupam , Sarin Shiv Kumar
Published: April 2021

Background and Aims: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a distinct clinical entity with high probability of organ failure and mortality. Experimental models of ACLF are needed to understand the pathophysiology and natural course of the disease.Methodology and Results: To mimic the syndrome of ACLF, chronic liver disease was induced by intra-peritoneal administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 10 weeks, followed by acute injury with acetaminophen (APAP) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Blood, ascitic fluid and organs were collected to study cell death, regeneration and fibrosis. APAP/LPS induced second insult to the CCL4 animals showed progressive and significant increase in bilirubin (p < 0.05), prothrombin time (P < 0.0001) and blood ammonia (p < 0.001) post-acute injury similar to human ACLF. Ascites was noticed by day 11 (median serum-ascites albumin gradient, SAAG ((1.2(1.1–1.3) g/dL) suggestive of portal hypertension. At 24 hours post-APAP/LPS infusion, the liver tissue showed increased hepatocyte ballooning and endothelial cell TUNEL positivity. This was followed by progressive hepatocyte necrosis from perivascular region at day 7 to lobular region by day 11 acute injury. They also showed regression in fibrous septa (p < 0.005) in comparison to cirrhosis. A progressive loss of hepatic regeneration (proliferating cell nuclear antigen; p < 0.005) was also seen following APAP/LPS injury. These animals also showed a significant increase in serum creatinine (p < 0.05) levels and renal tubular injury by day 11 which was not present in cirrhotic animals.Conclusion: The CCL4/APAP/LPS (CALPS) model of ACLF mimics the clinical, biochemical and histological features of ACLF with demonstrable progressive hepatocyte necrosis, liver failure, impaired regeneration, development of portal hypertension and organ dysfunction in an animal with chronic liver disease.
The Long-Term Effect of Exposure to Particulate Matter Air Pollution on the Incidence of Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Khosravipour Masoud , Safari-Faramani Roya , Rajati Fatemeh , Omidi Fariborz
Published: April 2021

This study systematically reviews the long-term impact of exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm on the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI). The relevant databases were searched with appropriate keywords on February 29, 2020. A random-effects model through a generic inverse-variance method was used to calculate the pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of MI. The number of 17 cohort studies with more than 18 million participants and 800,000 cases of MI were included. A significantly higher risk of MI was observed per 1 µg/m3 increment of PM with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm (HR= 1.02,95 % CI = 1.01, 1.03). Subgroup analysis according to the study population indicates subjects with cardiovascular diseases history had a significantly greater risk of MI per 1 µg/m3 increase in PM with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm level (HR= 1.05,95% CI= 1.01, 1.08). Subgroup analysis according to aerodynamic diameter of PM showed only a significant stronger risk of MI per 1 µg/m3 increase in PM with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 µm (HR= 1.01,95% CI= 1.00, 1.02). The pooled result confirms a significant association between the long-term exposure to PM air pollution and the developing of MI.
Immunotherapy-on-chip Against an Experimental Sepsis Model
Authors: Zerva Ioanna , Bakela Katerina , Athanassakis Irene
Published: April 2021

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is commonly used in murine sepsis models, which are largely associated with immunosuppression and collapse of the immune system. After adapting the LPS treatment to the needs of locally bred BALB/c mice, the present study explored the protective role of Micrococcus luteus peptidoglycan (PG) pre-activated vaccine-on chip technology in endotoxemia. The established protocol consisted of five daily intraperitoneal injections of 0.2mg/g LPS, allowing longer survival, necessary for a therapeutic treatment application. A novel immunotherapy technology, the so-called vaccine-on-chip consists of a 3-dimentional laser micro-textured silicon (Si)-scaffold loaded with macrophages and activated in vitro with 1μg/ml PG, which has been previously shown to exert a mild immunostimulatory activity upon subcutaneous implantation. The LPS treatment significantly decreased CD4+ and CD8+ cells, while increasing CD11b+, Gr1+, CD25+, Foxp3+ and class II+ cells. These results were accompanied by increased arginase-1 activity in spleen cell lysates and C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), IL-6, TNF-a, IL-10 and IL-18 in the serum, while acquiring severe sepsis phenotype as defined by the murine sepsis scoring. The in vivo application of PG pre-activated implant significantly increased the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ cells, while decreasing the percentage of Gr1+, CD25+, CD11b+, Foxp3+ cells and arginase-1 activity in the spleen of LPS-treated animals, as well as all serum markers tested, allowing survival and rescuing the severity of sepsis phenotype. In conclusion, these results reveal a novel immunotherapy technology based on PG pre-activated micro-texture Si-scaffolds in LPS endotoxemia, supporting thus its potential use in the treatment of septic patients.
Identification of potential Zinc deficiency responsive genes and regulatory pathways in rice genotypes by Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis
Authors: Muvunyi Blaise Pascal , Lu Xiang , He Sang , Ye Guoyou
Published: April 2021

BackgroundZinc (Zn) malnutrition has been linked to serious health concerns in humans. Targeting genetic biofortification of rice grain Zn can efficiently improve the global Zn nutritional status. To genetically enhance rice grain Zn content, the genetic and molecular mechanisms of Zn deficiency response need to be elucidated. Here, Differential Gene Expression Analysis (DGEA) and Weighted Gene Coexpression Analysis (WGCNA) were established to identify modules of coexpressed genes, the most preserved genes and molecular pathways regulating Zn deficiency response in rice varieties. ResultsTwelve modules of coexpressed genes were obtained by WGCNA using 1649 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from our DGEA and 2121 Zn genes from earlier studies. Three modules (TTA-M, TRA-M and CA-M) were judged the most relevant for Zn deficiency based on their richness in the well-recognized Zn deficiency responsive (ZDR) genes and molecular pathways. 96 (17%), 188 (47.6%) and 96 (24%) genes from TTA-M, TRA-M and CA-M modules respectively, were significantly expressed in the DGEA. These coexpressed DEGs (CoDEGs) were considered as the most preserved Zn deficiency responsive genes. Of the well-known ZDR genes, only OsZIP8, OsZIP10, OsMT1a and OsNAAT1 were preserved. Functional annotations for all CoDEGs from the identified ZDR modules showed that glutathione metabolism and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites were the most quickly upregulated molecular pathways. Lastly, a biology-informed gene-gene interaction network analysis (GGIN) indicated that CoDEGs including OsLSI3, OsWOX11, OsNRT1.1B, OsPSK5, OsSWN6 and OsMID1 strongly interact with the recognized ZDR genes in the ZDR modules. Curiously, these CoDEGs were previously validated for other economic traits in rice. ConclusionFindings from this study provide comprehensive insights into the molecular mechanisms of Zn deficiency response in rice and may facilitate gene and pathway prioritization, to enhance Zn use efficiency (ZUE) and Zn biofortification in rice.