bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Injections of platelet‐rich plasma prepared by automatic blood cell separator combined with topical 5% minoxidil in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia
Authors: Wei Wei , Zhang Yuanjing , Long Binman , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhang Chi , Zhang Siping
Published: June 2023

Background

Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) has been increasingly accepted as a potential therapy in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), However, there remains a dearth of data on the effectiveness of PRP prepared by automatic blood cell separator with a combination of topical minoxidil for the treatment of AGA.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PRP prepared by automatic blood cell separator combined with topical 5% minoxidil therapy in male AGA.

Methods

Thirty male patients with mild/moderate AGA were enrolled in a randomized double‐blind controlled study. Patients were randomly divided into two treatment arms: (group A) PRP prepared by automatic blood cell separator combined with topical 5% minoxidil group; (group B) PRP prepared by automatic blood cell separator combined with a topical placebo group. Trichoscopic assessments regarding hair density/quantity and mean hair diameter were performed at baseline and follow‐up. Clinical efficacy of global photography and patient satisfaction were conducted to verify the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment, and the occurrence of adverse reactions was recorded.

Results

We detected a significant increase in all patients in hair density and quantity after PRP treatment (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in mean hair diameter. Although hair density/quantity was more pronounced in group A than in group B, the difference between groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In terms of clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction, group A was superior to group B, and no serious adverse reactions occurred.

Conclusion

We hereby conclude that the injections of PRP prepared by an automated method are effective and safe in the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate male AGA patients, and its combination with topical 5% minoxidil therapy was superior to PRP monotherapy with better clinical efficacy and higher patient satisfaction.
Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of tertiary androgenetic alopecia with severe alopecia areata based on high‐resolution MRI
Authors: Ye Yujie , Wang Yuting , Zhu Jingfeng , Huang Renjun , Yu Qiuyu , Zhang Jingwen , Chen Xinyi , Wei Zifan , Han Yunjian , Zhou Naihui , Li Ping , Li Yonggang
Published: June 2023

Background and aim

No previous study investigated the anatomical changes of the scalp and hair follicles between tertiary androgenetic alopecia and severe alopecia areata using high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR‐MRI). This study aimed to explore the value of HR‐MRI in assessing alopecia.

Materials and methods

Forty‐eight people were included in this study. The imaging indicators of the vertex and occipital scalp were recorded and compared. The logistic regression model was developed for the indicators that differed between tertiary androgenetic alopecia and severe alopecia areata. The receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the diagnostic efficacy of the model for tertiary androgenetic alopecia and severe alopecia areata.

Results

At the vertex, the thickness of the subcutaneous tissue layer, follicle depth, relative follicle depth, total number of follicles within a 2‐cm distance, and number of strands reaching the middle and upper third of the subcutaneous fat layer within a 2‐cm distance were statistically different between patients with tertiary androgenetic alopecia, those with severe alopecia areata, and healthy volunteers (p < 0.05). The logistic regression model suggested that the subcutaneous tissue layer thickness was important in discriminating tertiary androgenetic alopecia from severe alopecia areata. The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, and best cutoff values of the subcutaneous tissue layer were 0.886, 94.4%, 70%, and 4.31 mm, respectively.

Conclusions

HR‐MRI can observe the changes in anatomical structures of the scalp and hair follicles in patients with alopecia. HR‐MRI can be applied to the differential diagnosis of tertiary androgenetic alopecia and severe alopecia areata.
Prevalence of sleep disturbances in people with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Mo Wenping , Liu Xiaoji , Yamakawa Miyae
Published: June 2023

Objective:

This review will determine the prevalence of sleep disturbances in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

Introduction:

Mild cognitive impairment is regarded as a transitional state between normal functioning and dementia, and has a high likelihood of conversion to dementia. Individuals with mild cognitive impairment may suffer more severe sleep disturbances compared with normal older people. In some studies, sleep disturbances were associated with significantly higher odds of mild cognitive impairment. There is a need for prevalence estimates of sleep disturbances in people with mild cognitive impairment based on the currently available literature to guide clinical health care professionals and public health policies.

Inclusion criteria:

The review will consider studies reporting on the prevalence of sleep disturbances in individuals with mild cognitive impairment, using validated instruments, including subjective and/or objective measures. Studies will be excluded if the participants report sleep-related breathing or movement disorders. Studies using only the Mini-Mental State Examination to diagnose mild cognitive impairment will also be excluded.

Methods:

The review will follow the JBI methodology for systematic reviews of prevalence and incidence. The MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, Cochrane Library (CDSR and CENTRAL), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), PsycINFO (EBSCOhost), Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection databases will be systematically searched from inception to the present with no language limitations. Analytical observational studies, including prospective and retrospective cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies, will be considered. Two reviewers will independently conduct the study selection, critical appraisal, and data extraction. Methodological quality will be evaluated using the JBI critical appraisal checklist for studies reporting prevalence data. A meta-analysis will be conducted to synthesize the prevalence data, where possible.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO (CRD42022366108)
A Computational Model of Ventricular Dimensions and Hemodynamics in Growing Infants
Authors: Hiebing Ashley A. , Pieper Riley G. , Witzenburg Colleen M.
Published: June 2023

Previous computer models have successfully predicted cardiac growth and remodeling in adults with pathologies. However, applying these models to infants is complicated by the fact that they also undergo normal, somatic cardiac growth and remodeling. Therefore, we designed a computational model to predict ventricular dimensions and hemodynamics in healthy, growing infants by modifying an adult canine left ventricular growth model. The heart chambers were modeled as time-varying elastances coupled to a circuit model of the circulation. Circulation parameters were allometrically scaled and adjusted for maturation to simulate birth through 3 yrs of age. Ventricular growth was driven by perturbations in myocyte strain. The model successfully matched clinical measurements of pressures, ventricular and atrial volumes, and ventricular thicknesses within two standard deviations of multiple infant studies. To test the model, we input 10th and 90th percentile infant weights. Predicted volumes and thicknesses decreased and increased within normal ranges and pressures were unchanged. When we simulated coarctation of the aorta, systemic blood pressure, left ventricular thickness, and left ventricular volume all increased, following trends in clinical data. Our model enables a greater understanding of somatic and pathological growth in infants with congenital heart defects. Its flexibility and computational efficiency when compared to models employing more complex geometries allow for rapid analysis of pathological mechanisms affecting cardiac growth and hemodynamics.
Off-Axis Loading Fixture for Spine Biomechanics: Combined Compression and Bending
Authors: Moore Axel C. , Holder Dione A. , Elliott Dawn M.
Published: June 2023

The spine is a multi-tissue musculoskeletal system that supports large multi-axial loads and motions during physiological activities. The healthy and pathological biomechanical function of the spine and its subtissues are generally studied using cadaveric specimens that often require multi-axis biomechanical test systems to mimic the complex loading environment of the spine. Unfortunately, an off-the-shelf device can easily exceed 200,000 USD, while a custom device requires extensive time and experience in mechatronics. Our goal was to develop a cost-appropriate compression and bending (flexion–extension and lateral bending) spine testing system that requires little time and minimal technical knowledge. Our solution was an off-axis loading fixture (OLaF) that mounts to an existing uni-axial test frame and requires no additional actuators. OLaF requires little machining, with most components purchased off-the-shelf, and costs less than 10,000 USD. The only external transducer required is a six-axis load cell. Furthermore, OLaF is controlled using the existing uni-axial test frame's software, while the load data is collected using the software included with the six-axis load cell. Here we provide the design rationale for how OLaF develops primary motions and loads and minimizes off-axis secondary constraints, verify the primary kinematics using motion capture, and demonstrate that the system is capable of applying physiologically relevant, noninjurious, axial compression and bending. While OLaF is limited to compression and bending studies it produces repeatable physiologically relevant biomechanics, with high quality data, and minimal startup costs.
Segmented Line Heat Source Model for Thermal Radiation Calculation of Jet Fires in Chemical Plants
Authors: Liu Mingwei , Wang Yuanxin , Luo Lijia , Bao Shiyi , Jia Bo , Li Xuesheng , Ding Wuji
Published: June 2023

The jet fire caused by the leakage of combustible materials is one of the biggest threats to the safety of chemical plants. Thermal radiation of the jet fire brings severe damage to nearby facilities and people's health. To evaluate the damage of jet fires, a precise model for the calculation of thermal radiation is indispensable. Classical thermal radiation models of jet fires either have a lower prediction accuracy or a higher computation complexity. To overcome such deficiencies, this paper proposes a novel segmented line heat source (SLHS) model for jet fires. Because the length of the jet fire is often much larger than the width, the jet fire is viewed as a line heat source, with all the heat radiated from the centerline of the jet fire. The jet fire is divided into three segments along the flame length according to the temperature distribution and thermal radiation characteristics of the flame. Based on the SLHS model, three types of thermal radiation models called cone-cylinder-cone, ellipsoid-cylinder-ellipsoid, and ellipsoid-cylinder-cone models are built for computing the radiant heat flux distribution around the jet fire. The effectiveness and advantages of the proposed models are illustrated with the experimental data and a numerical simulation.
Uncertainty and Sensitivity Evaluation of the QUENCH-02 Experiment Simulation Using the ASYST Code
Authors: Šadek Siniša , Pavlinac Renato , Ivanjko Karlo , Grgić Davor
Published: June 2023

Uncertainty and sensitivity methods are increasingly used in safety analyzes of nuclear power plants to address the unreliability of input data, numerical models, and, in general, the lack of knowledge regarding certain physical phenomena, in determining safety margins and acceptance criteria. The ASYST code, developed as part of an international nuclear technology ASYST Development and Training Program (ADTP) managed by Innovative Systems Software (ISS), is used to perform an uncertainty analysis of the QUENCH-02 experiment conducted at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. The code uses a probabilistic methodology based on the propagation of input uncertainties. The QUENCH facility contains electrically heated PWR fuel rod simulators and the aim of the experiment is to examine hydrogen generation and the behavior of the fuel rod cladding during core reflood. For selected input parameters, such as steam/water flow, electrical power, and other relevant boundary conditions, it is necessary to define their probability density functions. Input databases are then prepared for individual calculations based on the selected confidence level and confidence interval. The number of performed calculations is 60, large enough to ensure at least 95% coverage of expected output results and uncertainty limits. The results of the calculations are compared with the experimental measurements. The Pearson correlation coefficient is used to obtain correlation between the input uncertain parameters and the output data. Sensitivity analyses cover the influence of variations in the heater's electrical power and the steam flow rate on the hydrogen production and the maximum cladding temperature.
HAXPES reference spectra of Pd with Cr Kα excitation
Authors: Zheng Dong , Young Christopher N. , Stickle William F.
Published: June 2023

Monochromatic Cr Kα radiation (5414.8 eV) has been used to acquire XPS and Auger data on a sputtered Pd sample. Survey data, high-resolution scans of all observed photoelectron peaks, and high-resolution scans of Auger lines are presented herein.
Electron-enhanced SiO2 atomic layer deposition at 35 °C using disilane and ozone or water as reactants
Authors: Gertsch Jonas C. , Sobell Zachary C. , Cavanagh Andrew S. , Simka Harsono , George Steven M.
Published: June 2023

Electrons can enhance SiO2 atomic layer deposition (ALD) at low temperatures using disilane (Si2H6) and either ozone (O3/O2) or water (H2O) as reactants. SiO2 electron-enhanced ALD (EE-ALD) was demonstrated at 35 °C by exposing the sample to sequential electron, oxygen reactant, and Si2H6 exposures. The reaction sequence was electron beam exposure for 3 s, purge for 5 s, O3/O2 or H2O exposure at 0.5–1.0 Torr for 3 s, purge for 10 s, Si2H6 exposure at 100 mTorr for 1 s, and purge for 15 s. The electron exposure was an electron current of ∼150 mA for 3 s. The electrons were produced by a hollow cathode plasma electron source typically operating with a grid bias of ≈−300 V. These electrons could irradiate a sample area of ∼2 × 2 cm2. In situ spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements determined that SiO2 EE-ALD films nucleated rapidly and deposited linearly versus number of EE-ALD cycles. The SiO2 EE-ALD growth rate was 0.89 Å/cycle using O3/O2 and 0.88 Å/cycle using H2O. The SiO2 growth rate was also self-limiting at higher electron and Si2H6 exposures. In addition, SiO2 EE-ALD films were grown by changing the reaction sequence or codosing the electrons with the oxygen reactant. The SiO2 EE-ALD films could be grown on conducting silicon wafers or insulating SiO2 films. SiO2 EE-ALD is believed to be possible on insulating SiO2 films because the secondary electron yield for SiO2 at electron energies of ∼100–300 eV is greater than unity. Under these conditions, the SiO2 film charges positive during electron exposure and then pulls back secondary electrons to maintain charge neutrality. The SiO2 EE-ALD films had properties that were comparable with thermal SiO2 oxides. The refractive indices of the SiO2 EE-ALD films were similar at n = 1.44 ± 0.02 for various process conditions and equivalent to the refractive index of a wet thermal SiO2 oxide film. In addition, all the SiO2 EE-ALD films yielded etch rates in dilute buffered oxide etch solution that were only slightly higher than the etch rate of a thermal SiO2 oxide film. SiO2 EE-ALD should be useful to deposit high-quality SiO2 films for various applications at low temperatures.
Using Artificial Intelligence to Detect the Relationship Between Social Media Sentiment and Season Ticket Purchases
Authors: Popp Nels , Du James , Shapiro Stephen L. , Simmons Jason M.
Published: June 2023

Sport marketing researchers and practitioners have suggested that sport organizations that effectively engage in social media conversations with fans are likely to influence fan behavior. Few prior studies have empirically examined the relationship between social media engagement and sport product purchases, particularly event tickets. The current study utilized artificial intelligence to examine eight user sentiments on official sport organizations’ Twitter accounts, then determine if those sentiments were related to season ticket sales. Three years of season ticket data were obtained from 62 NCAA Division I men’s basketball teams and utilized in a regression model, which also identified Twitter sentiment scores from 176,439 posts captured from the official Twitter account of those programs. A final model, which included several control variables, explained 65.7% of the variance in season ticket sales, with the lagged sentiments of “joy” (positive) and “sadness” (negative) having a statistically significant relationship with season tickets sold.
Exploring Motives for Twitch Viewership and Content Creation With the Exergame Zwift
Authors: Hambrick Marion E. , Montanaro Anthony E. , Frederick Evan L. , Cocco Adam R.
Published: June 2023

Exergames require users to actively participate in sports in real time. Individuals taking part in exergames can use the livestreaming platform Twitch to create and view related content. This study employed uses and gratifications theory to examine Twitch usage and the motives of viewers and content creators of Zwift, a bicycling exergame. Thematic analysis of semistructured interviews with 10 Twitch users revealed viewers and content creators shared the motives of interaction and knowledge. Viewers also identified the motives of community, fandom, and competition as important, while content creators were additionally motivated by accomplishments, brand, and broadcasting. These findings align with previous research of Twitch usage and offer advice for practitioners. The study also highlighted the importance of studying the underinvestigated exergames, providing an opportunity to grow this participation.
The lncRNA LETS1 promotes TGF-β–induced EMT and cancer cell migration by transcriptionally activating a TβR1-stabilizing mechanism
Authors: Fan Chuannan , González-Prieto Román , Kuipers Thomas B. , Vertegaal Alfred C. O. , van Veelen Peter A. , Mei Hailiang , ten Dijke Peter
Published: June 2023

Transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β) signaling is a critical driver of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer progression. In SMAD-dependent TGF-β signaling, activation of the TGF-β receptor complex stimulates the phosphorylation of the intracellular receptor-associated SMADs (SMAD2 and SMAD3), which translocate to the nucleus to promote target gene expression. SMAD7 inhibits signaling through the pathway by promoting the polyubiquitination of the TGF-β type I receptor (TβRI). We identified an unannotated nuclear long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) that we designated LETS1 (lncRNA enforcing TGF-β signaling 1) that was not only increased but also perpetuated by TGF-β signaling. Loss of LETS1 attenuated TGF-β–induced EMT and migration in breast and lung cancer cells in vitro and extravasation of the cells in a zebrafish xenograft model. LETS1 potentiated TGF-β–SMAD signaling by stabilizing cell surface TβRI, thereby forming a positive feedback loop. Specifically, LETS1 inhibited TβRI polyubiquitination by binding to nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT5) and inducing the expression of the gene encoding the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1), a component of a destruction complex for SMAD7. Overall, our findings characterize LETS1 as an EMT-promoting lncRNA that potentiates signaling through TGF-β receptor complexes.
Pulmonary Expression of Interleukin-17 Contributes to Neutrophil Infiltration into the Lungs during Pneumonic Plague
Authors: Theriot Hayley M. , Malaviarachchi Priyangi A. , Scott Madeleine G. , Appell Kenneth T. , Banerjee Srijon K. , Pechous Roger D.
Published: June 2023

Inhalation of respiratory droplets infected with
Yersinia pestis
results in a rapidly progressing and lethal necrotic pneumonia called primary pneumonic plague. Disease manifests as biphasic, with an initial preinflammatory phase with rapid bacterial replication in the lungs absent readily detectable host immune responses.
Liver X Receptor-Inducible Host E3 Ligase IDOL Targets a Human Cytomegalovirus Reactivation Determinant
Authors: Mlera Luwanika , Collins-McMillen Donna , Zeltzer Sebastian , Buehler Jason C. , Moy Melissa , Zarrella Kristen , Caviness Katie , Cicchini Louis , Tafoya David J. , Goodrum Felicia
Published: June 2023

Herpesviruses establish lifelong latent infections, which pose an important risk for disease particularly in the immunocompromised. Our work is focused on the betaherpesvirus human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) that latently infects the majority of the population worldwide.
Single-Cell Transcriptomics of Epstein-Barr Virus and Human Herpesvirus 6 Coinfection
Authors: Miranda JJ L.
Published: June 2023

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infections are widespread in human populations. Here, I describe single-cell RNA sequencing of two lymphoblastoid cell lines harboring both episomal EBV and inherited chromosomally integrated HHV-6. Rare instances of HHV-6 expression appear enriched with EBV reactivation.
Birth Mode Does Not Determine the Presence of Shared Bacterial Strains between the Maternal Vaginal Microbiome and the Infant Stool Microbiome
Authors: Dos Santos Scott J. , Shukla Ishika , Hill Janet E. , Money Deborah M. ,   The Maternal Microbiome Legacy Project Team, Money Deborah M. , Hill Janet E. , Joseph K.S. , van Schalkwyk Julie E. , Albert Arianne Y.K. , Elwood Chelsea N. , Gantt Soren , Grabowska Kirsten , Hutcheon Jennifer A. , Links Matthew G. , Manges Amee R. , Mitchell-Foster Sheona M. , Dumonceaux Tim J. , Hodgson Zoë G. , Lyons Janet
Published: June 2023

The importance of the gut microbiome in human health and disease is widely recognized, and there has been a growing appreciation that alterations in gut microbiome composition during a “critical window” of development may impact health in later life. Attempts to correct gut microbiome dysbiosis related to birth mode are underpinned by the assumption that the lack of exposure to maternal vaginal microbes during caesarean delivery is responsible for dysbiosis.
Sustained Transmission of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Strains with High-Level Azithromycin Resistance (MIC ≥ 256 μg/mL) in Argentina, 2018 to 2022
Authors: Gianecini Ricardo Ariel , Poklepovich Tomas , Golparian Daniel , Cuenca Noelia , Scocozza Laura , Bergese Silvina , Canigia Liliana Fernández , Vilches Viviana , Lazzarino Elgart María Julia , Unemo Magnus , Campos Josefina , Galarza Patricia
Published: June 2023

Azithromycin resistance in
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
has been increasing in numerous populations worldwide, which is of concern, as azithromycin is part of the recommended dual treatment in many countries. Here, we report 13
N. gonorrhoeae
isolates with high-level azithromycin resistance (MIC ≥ 256 μg/mL).
Mechanisms of Qingyi Decoction in Severe Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Acute Lung Injury via Gut Microbiota: Targeting the Short-Chain Fatty Acids-Mediated AMPK/NF-κB/NLRP3 Pathway
Authors: Wang Zhengjian , Liu Jin , Li Fan , Ma Shurong , Zhao Liang , Ge Peng , Wen Haiyun , Zhang Yibo , Liu Xiaojun , Luo Yalan , Yao Jiaqi , Zhang Guixin , Chen Hailong
Published: June 2023

Gut microbiota affects the severity of SAP-ALI and intestinal barrier function. During SAP, a significant increase in the relative abundance of gut pathogens (
Escherichia
,
Enterococcus
,
Enterobacter
,
Peptostreptococcus
,
Helicobacter
) was observed.
Dynamics of the MRSA Population in a Chilean Hospital: a Phylogenomic Analysis (2000–2016)
Authors: Martínez José R. W. , Planet Paul J. , Spencer-Sandino Maria , Rivas Lina , Díaz Lorena , Moustafa Ahmed M. , Quesille-Villalobos Ana , Riquelme-Neira Roberto , Alcalde-Rico Manuel , Hanson Blake , Carvajal Lina P. , Rincón Sandra , Reyes Jinnethe , Lam Marusella , Calderon Juan F. , Araos Rafael , García Patricia , Arias César A. , Munita José M.
Published: June 2023

Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) is a major public health pathogen that disseminates through the emergence of successful dominant clones in specific geographic regions. Knowledge of the dissemination and molecular epidemiology of MRSA in Latin America is scarce and is largely based on small studies or more limited typing techniques that lack the resolution to represent an accurate description of the genomic landscape.
Mycoplasma hominisnecrotising pneumonia in an immunocompetent adult male
Authors: Pachunka Joseph , Hankins Richard
Published: June 2023

Mycoplasma hominis, a common coloniser of the urogenital tract, is a rare cause of respiratory infections in an immunocompetent patient.M. hominislacks a cell wall and can be difficult to identify with standard culture methods posing difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. We describe a case ofM. hominispneumonia in an immunocompetent man in his early 40s without any risk factors presenting with a cavitary lesion who developed empyema and necrotising pneumonia requiring surgical debridement. Identification ofM. hominisand subsequent modification of antibiotic therapy led to favourable outcome.M. hominisshould be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with treatment resistant pneumonia especially in patients with trauma, intracranial injury, lung transplant or if immunocompromised. WhileM. Hominisis naturally resistant to all antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis, we recommend levofloxacin or other fluoroquinolone to most effectively treat with doxycycline as a potential alternative.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor lichenoid eruption due to pembrolizumab
Authors: McCormick Benjamin Joseph , Zieman Daniel , West-Santos Cassidy , Phillips Michael B
Published: June 2023

Pembrolizumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor used in many cancer types, including genitourinary cancers. Although immunotherapies have dramatically changed the landscape of cancer treatment by providing an alternative to traditional chemotherapy, they have been associated with significant immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) with wide-ranging clinical manifestations. We present the case of an elderly woman on pembrolizumab for metastatic bladder cancer who developed cutaneous IRAE with lichenoid eruptions that responded to high-dose intravenous glucocorticoids.
Stenting versus medical therapy alone for symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis: protocol for a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Tao , Xing Zixuan , Gong Haozhi , Derdeyn Colin P , Zaidat Osama O , Almallouhi Eyad , Luo Jichang , Gao Peng , Wang Haibo , Jiao Liqun
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is a common cause of stroke worldwide. However, whether the treatment options for symptomatic ICAS is stent placement or medical therapy alone is still controversial. At present, three multicentre randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have been published, but their research designs are also slightly different and the conclusions are not completely consistent. Therefore, we plan to conduct a systematic review and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials to ascertain safety and efficacy of stenting versus medical therapy alone for symptomatic patients with intracranial arterial stenosis.

Methods and analyses

We will identify RCTs comparing stenting vs medical therapy alone in patients with symptomatic ICAS stenosis (70%–99%) through a systematic search, mainly including PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov. Individual-level patient data for a prespecified list of variables will be sought from authors of all eligible studies. The primary outcome was a composite of stroke or death within 30 days, or stroke in territory of qualifying artery beyond 30 days after randomisation. IPD meta-analysis will be conducted with a one-stage approach.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval and individual patient consent will not be required in most cases since this IPD meta-analysis will use pseudoanonymised data from RCTs. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and international conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022369922.
Quality improvement intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening at the primary care setting: a cluster-randomised controlled trial
Authors: Irazola Vilma , Santero Marilina , Sanchez Mario , Tristao Ignez , Ruiz Juan Ignacio , Spira Cintia , Ismael Julia , Cavallo Ana Soledad , Gutierrez Laura , Mazzaresi Yanina , Nadal Ana Maria , García Elorrio Ezequiel
Published: June 2023

Background

Approximately 81% of deaths in Argentina are from chronic non-communicable diseases and 21% caused by cancer. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most frequent cancer in Argentina. Even though CRC screening has been recommended for adults from 50 to 75 years old by using a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) annually, screening rates remain below 20% in the country.

Methods

We conducted an 18-month, two-arm, pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial evaluating the effect of a quality improvement intervention, based on the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, considering barriers and catalysts to articulate theory and practice, to increase CRC screening rates using FITs at primary care level. The study involved ten public primary health centres in Mendoza province, Argentina. The primary outcome measure was the rate of effective CRC screening. Secondary outcomes were the rate of participants with a positive FIT, tests with invalid results and the rate of participants referred for colonoscopy.

Results

Screening was effective in 75% of the participants in the intervention arm vs 54.2% in the control arm, OR 2.5 (95% CI 1.4 to 4.4, p=0.001). These results remained unchanged after adjusting for individual demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Regarding secondary outcomes, the overall prevalence of positive tests was 17.7% (21.1% in the control arm and 14.7% in the intervention arm, p=0.3648). The overall proportion of participants with inadequate test results was 5.2% (4.9% in the control arm vs 5.5% in the intervention arm, p=0.8516). All the participants with positive tests were referred for colonoscopy in both groups.

Conclusions

An intervention based on quality improvement strategies proved to be highly successful in increasing effective CRC screening in Argentina’s primary care setting within the public healthcare system.

Trial registration number

NCT04293315.
HSPA4 regulated glioma progression via activation of AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Yuan Xi , Sun Xiangdong , Zhou Bin , Zhao Shuang , Li Yikun , Ming Haolang
Published: June 2023

Glioma is still an incurable disease with high invasiveness. Heat shock 70 kDa protein 4 (HSPA4) is a member of the HSP110 family, and is associated with the development and progression of various cancers. In the current study, we assessed the expression of HSPA4 in clinical samples, and found that HSPA4 was up-regulated in glioma tissues and correlated with tumor recurrence and grade. Survival analyses demonstrated that glioma patients with high HSPA4 expression had lower overall survival and disease-free survival times. In vitro knockdown of HSPA4 inhibited glioma cell proliferation, mediated cell cycle arrest at G2 phase and apoptosis, and reduced the migration ability. In vivo, the growth of HSPA4-knockdown xenografts was markedly suppressed compared to the tumors formed by HSPA4-positive control cells. Additionally, Gene set enrichment analyses disclosed that HSPA4 was associated with the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The regulatory effect of the AKT activator SC79 on cell proliferation and apoptosis was suppressed by HSPA4 knockdown, indicating that HSPA4 is capable of promoting glioma development. In summary, these data showed that HSPA4 is likely to play a pivotal role in the progression of glioma, and consequently may be a promising therapeutic target for glioma therapy.
Detection of joining points for genomic DNA circularization in cell culture
Authors: Maeda Toyoki
Published: June 2023

We previously reported on extrachromosomal circular DNA extracted from mouse brain. We attempted to reconfirm the formation of circular DNA from this region in a culture system. From a circular DNA-enriched fraction of a mouse embryonic tumor-derived cell line capable of inducing neuronal differentiation, circular DNA in the same region was isolated by nested inverse polymerase chain reaction as performed previously. We attempted to amplify and identify some junctions that were evidence of circularization. In this analysis, we captured several junctions that indicated circularization in cultured cells induced to differentiate into neurons. We observed that some of the sequences shared the same point of attachment, indicating that there exist genomic sequences that are amenable to binding toward circularization. Cells were X-ray-irradiated to determine whether any transformation occurred in DNA circularization. Consequently, circularization junctions occurred after differentiation-induced stimulation and before and after X-ray irradiation. This finding indicated that circularization junctions can be formed from this region without being inhibited by X-ray irradiation and irrespective of cell differentiation stage. Furthermore, the presence of circular DNA was confirmed in which genomic fragments from different chromosomes were replaced. These findings suggest that extrachromosomal circular DNA contributes to the interchromosomal translocation of genomic fragments.
Security and application of semi-quantum key distribution protocol for users with different quantum capabilities
Authors: Ye Chong-Qiang , Li Jian , Chen Xiu-Bo , Hou Yanyan , Wang Zhuo
Published: June 2023

Semi-quantum protocols serve as a bridge between quantum users and “classical” users with limited quantum capabilities, providing support for application scenarios that cannot afford the excessively high cost of quantum resources. In this paper, we present a semi-quantum key distribution (SQKD) protocol based on Bell states and single particles, which is designed for key distribution between different types of users. The protocol enables simultaneous key distribution between quantum and classical users, as well as key establishment between two classical users. The security analysis demonstrates that the protocol can reach the same level of security as the full quantum protocol. Furthermore, we extrapolate the proposed protocol to other semi-quantum protocols, such as semi-quantum key agreement and semi-quantum private comparison protocols. Compared with previous similar ones, our SQKD protocol and its extended versions can fulfill the requirements of their respective counterparts individually. Therefore, our SQKD protocol has the potential for broader applications in practical scenarios.
The influence of dark matter on the motion of asteroids
Authors: Di Haoran , Shi Haihao , Peng Yanli
Published: June 2023

The standard model of cosmology shows that there is about 26.8% dark matter in the universe. Although many dark matter models have been proposed, the nature of dark matter is still not clear at present. There are two major candidates for dark matter, dark matter particles and primordial black holes. However, it is difficult to distinguish these two kinds of dark matter models by using the gravitational lensing effect of dark matter. Based on the influence of dark matter on asteroid motion, we find that if dark matter is composed of particles, its influence on asteroid motion is very weak. If the dark matter is composed of primordial black holes, it may produce observational effect. Therefore, dark matter particles and primordial black holes can be distinguished by observing the trajectory of asteroids if there is a primordial black hole or more at the edge of the solar system.
Dual symmetry-protected bound states in the continuum enabled by toroidal dipoles in dielectric metamaterials
Authors: Xue Han , Xiong Xinyue , Wang Weihua
Published: June 2023

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) are a special kind of resonant states that remain localized even though they coexist with a continuous spectrum of radiating waves. They have already emerged as an important design principle for creating systems with high-quality ([Formula: see text] factor states to enhance light–matter interaction. Many approaches have been proposed to achieve BICs, but it is still of great challenge to design multiple BICs simultaneously, and especially working at terahertz (THz) frequencies. In this paper, we propose an all-dielectric metamaterial, consisting of four hollow cylinders in each unit cell. We show dual BICs exist in such a simple structure, and as breaking the symmetry via varying the inner radius of two diagonal cylinders, they will turn to quasi-BICs with high yet finite Q-factor. These quasi-BICs are manifested themselves as two new dips in the transmission spectrum, of which the resonance shapes can be well described by the Fano formula with a few fitting parameters. We find the evolution of their Q-factors still follows the simple linear relationship with respect to the inverse square of the asymmetry parameter. Based on the multipole decomposition method, two BICs are further investigated to show different multipole components for them. Interestingly, the higher frequency BIC is closely related to the excitation of toroidal dipole (TD), which will split into two TDs as breaking the symmetry. The proposed metamaterial provides an alternative platform to merge the physics of BICs, Fano, and TD, and to pave the way for potential device applications (since the states of extremely high-Q factor).
Advanced numerical analysis of convective rarefied flows in microchannels: Studying the impact of multiple obstacle arrangements through LBM modeling
Authors: Hammid Siham , Naima Khatir , Menni Younes , Kezrane Cheikh , Liazid Abdelkrim , Al-Dujaili Ayad Qasim , Abdulkareem Ahmed Ibraheem , Humaidi Amjad Jaleel , Shoja Sarah Jawad
Published: June 2023

The investigation of fluid flow and forced convective heat transfer in microchannels with square barriers is the focus of this study. The positioning of obstacles was varied in three cases: at the top wall, bottom wall, and symmetrically distributed on both sides of the microchannel wall. The thermal Lattice Boltzmann Method in conjunction with the Double Distribution Function and Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook approach was used for simulation through computer code in Python. Slip velocity and temperature jump were considered in the boundary conditions for the walls of the microchannel and obstacles. The results demonstrate that the rarefaction effect, placement of barriers, and choice of square obstacles significantly impact fluid flow and heat transfer. An increase in Knudsen numbers (Kn) leads to a decrease in temperature and velocity. The presence of obstructions on both sides of the microchannel walls reduces the fluid’s velocity and cools the fluid at the microchannel’s exit. The third case, with obstacles on both sides, presents a practical approach for reducing the fluid’s temperature at the exit, resulting in the lowest level of skin friction (Cf) and a reduction in the Nusselt number (Nu). The proposed configurations can be utilized to enhance the geometry of microchannels and for cooling purposes in small-scale devices and systems with miniature mechanical and electrical components. The study’s findings suggest that the placement of obstacles at the bottom or on both sides, depending on the need for best cooling on both sides or only at the top to reduce material consumption, can achieve low temperature at the exit of a rectangular microchannel.
A Combined Usage of NLP Libraries Towards Analyzing Software Documents
Authors: Kong Xianglong , Zhuo Hangyi , Gu Zhechun , Cheng Xinyun , Zhang Fan
Published: June 2023

Software documents are commonly processed by natural language processing (NLP) libraries to extract information. The libraries provide similar functional APIs to achieve NLP tasks, numerous toolkits result in a problem of selection. In this work, we propose a method to combine the strengths of different NLP libraries to avoid the subjective selection of a specific NLP library. The combined usage is conducted through two steps, i.e. document-level selection of primary NLP library and sentence-level overwriting. The primary NLP library is determined according to the overlap degree of the results. The highest overlap degree indicated the most effective NLP library on a specific NLP task. Through sentence-level overwriting, the possible fine-gained improvements from other libraries are extracted to overwrite the outputs of primary library. We evaluate the combined method with six widely used NLP libraries and 200 documents from three different sources. The results show that the combined method can generally outperform all the studied NLP libraries in terms of accuracy. The finding means that our combined method can be used instead of individual NLP library for more effective results.
Multipliers and covers of perfect diassociative algebras
Authors: Mainellis Erik
Published: June 2023

The paper concerns perfect diassociative algebras and their implications to the theory of central extensions. It is first established that perfect diassociative algebras have strong ties with universal central extensions. Then, using a known characterization of the multiplier in terms of a free presentation, we obtain a special cover for perfect diassociative algebras, as well as some of its properties. The subsequent results connect and build on the previous topics. For the final theorem, we invoke an extended Hochschild–Serre-type spectral sequence to show that, for a perfect diassociative algebra, its cover is perfect and has trivial multiplier. As an important consequence, we obtain the entire theory for associative algebras as a special case of diassociative algebras. We conclude with a concrete example.
Microstructural and nonlinear optical properties of quaternary gallium-titanium-zinc-oxide transparent conductive semiconductor thin films
Authors: Yu Zhen , Yu Jiying , Zhang Yuan , Ren Dahua , Yi Jinqiao , Li Qiang , Zhang Teng
Published: June 2023

Transparent and conductive quaternary gallium-titanium-zinc-oxide films were grown on glass substrates by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. The effects of growth temperature on structure, morphology, electrical, and nonlinear optical properties of the films were investigated systematically. All the deposited films possess hexagonal wurtzite structure with (002) preferred crystallographic orientation. The obtained optical bandgaps of the deposited films are larger than that of pure zinc oxide, which is ascribed to the reduction in band tail width. The film deposited at growth temperature of [Formula: see text]C exhibits the optimum crystalline quality with the lowest dislocation density of [Formula: see text] nm[Formula: see text], the highest visible light transparency of 82.06%, the minimum sheet resistance of 11.2 [Formula: see text]/sq, and the maximum figure-of-merit of [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]. The present findings indicate that the gallium-titanium-zinc-oxide films are promisingly utilized as transparent conductive layer. The refractive index and extinction coefficient of the deposited films were estimated by using spectrum fitting approach. A normal optical dispersion behavior was observed in visible region, while an anomalous dispersion behavior appeared in ultraviolet region. In addition, the nonlinear optical parameters were obtained. This first-hand information is useful for future rational design of multicomponent zinc oxide semiconductor materials for optoelectronic applications.
Experimental alteration of allanite at 200°C: the role of pH and aqueous ligands
Authors: Denys Axel , Auzende Anne-Line , Janots Emilie , Montes-Hernandez German , Findling Nathaniel , Lanari Pierre , Magnin Valérie
Published: June 2023

Allanite is a major host of rare earth elements (REEs) in the continental crust. In this study, reaction mechanisms behind allanite alteration are investigated through batch experiment runs on natural allanite grains in carbonate-bearing hydrothermal fluids at 200°C, with initial acidic (pH = 4) or alkaline (pH = 8) conditions and with different aqueous ligands (120 mmol kg
−1
of F, Cl, P or S). Time-series experiment runs in F-doped systems at different durations between 15 and 180 days reached a steady state at 120 days. The pH efficiently controls the allanite alteration process, with initial high pH, alkaline conditions being more reactive (75% alteration compared with 25% under acidic conditions). The ligand also significantly influences the alteration process under initial acidic conditions with the P-doped system (70%) almost non-reactive for the Cl- and S-doped systems (<5%). In the alteration rim, REEs are mainly redistributed in REE-bearing phases either as carbonates (F-doped) or phosphates (P-doped). The relatively flat REE-normalized patterns of the recovered experimental fluids suggest a fractionation of light rare earth elements (LREEs) over heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) during the course of the alteration reactions. It is proposed that secondary REE mineral precipitation at the reaction front creates a local disequilibrium in the solution and a steep chemical gradient promoting allanite dissolution and thus its alterability.
Design and Analysis of a Processing-in-DIMM Join Algorithm: A Case Study with UPMEM DIMMs
Authors: Lim Chaemin , Lee Suhyun , Choi Jinwoo , Lee Jounghoo , Park Seongyeon , Kim Hanjun , Lee Jinho , Kim Youngsok
Published: June 2023

Modern dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) support processing-in-memory (PIM) by implementing in-DIMM processors (IDPs) located near memory banks. PIM can greatly accelerate in-memory join, whose performance is frequently bounded by main-memory accesses, by offloading the operations of join from host central processing units (CPUs) to the IDPs. As real PIM hardware has not been available until very recently, the prior PIM-assisted join algorithms have relied on PIM hardware simulators which assume fast shared memory between the IDPs and fast inter-IDP communication; however, on commodity PIM-enabled DIMMs, the IDPs do not share memory and demand the CPUs to mediate inter-IDP communication. Such discrepancies in the architectural characteristics make the prior studies incompatible with the DIMMs. Thus, to exploit the high potential of PIM on commodity PIM-enabled DIMMs, we need a new join algorithm designed and optimized for the DIMMs and their architectural characteristics.

In this paper, we design and analyze Processing-In-DIMM Join (PID-Join), a fast in-memory join algorithm which exploits UPMEM DIMMs, currently the only publicly-available PIM-enabled DIMMs. The DIMMs impose several key challenges on efficient acceleration of join including the shared-nothing nature and limited compute capabilities of the IDPs, the lack of hardware support for fast inter-IDP communication, and the slow IDP-wise data transfers between the IDPs and the main memory. PID-Join overcomes the challenges by prototyping and evaluating hash, sort-merge, and nested-loop algorithms optimized for the IDPs, enabling fast inter-IDP communication using host CPU cache streaming and vector instructions, and facilitating fast rank-wise data transfers between the IDPs and the main memory. Our evaluation using a real system equipped with eight UPMEM DIMMs and 1,024 IDPs shows that PID-Join greatly improves the performance of in-memory join over various CPU-based in-memory join algorithms.