bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A prognostic nomogram based on LASSO Cox regression in patients with pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Tianming , Mao Zhiqing , Wang Hong
Published: September 2022

Background
This study was designed to construct and validate a new nomogram that was available for predicting overall survival (OS)in patients with pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC).
Methods
1864 LCNEC patients in total, of which 556 patients served as the validation group and 1308 patients as the training cohort, were drawn from the SEER database. We created a new nomogram for the training cohort using independent factors for overall survival (OS) via LASSO Cox regression, ultimately selecting five independent factors by a stepwise forward process. The nomogram contains all of the Cox regression results. Every result of the Cox regression is contained in the nomogram. Analyses of the calibration curve, decision curve, area under the curve (AUC), and concordance index (C-index) values were performed to assess the effectiveness and discriminative capability of the nomogram (DCA). NRI and IDI index were also used to assess the nomogram's performance in predicting OS against the 7th edition AJCC TNM staging system.Finally, we used the time-dependent ROC curves to assess the specificity and sensitivity of the newly constructed nomogram against the 7th edition AJCC TNM staging system at 3 years and 5years.
Results
Five optimal variablesfor predictive factors for OS were selected and merged to construct a 3- and 5 years OS nomogram.In the training cohort, the nomogram's C-index was 0.716, and it was 0.708 in the validation cohort. The actual survival rate and the calibration curves showing the nomogram forecasts were in good agreement. Results from the DCA in two cohorts demonstrated the clinical validity and applicability of the nomogram. The training cohort's NRI for 3 and 5 years OS was 0.296 and 0.161, while the IDI was 0.054 and 0.055 for predicting OS in comparison to the 7th edition AJCC TNM staging scheme. In the validation cohort, the NRI for 3 and 5 years OS was 0.289 and − 0.009, while the IDI was 0.053 and 0.041. Comparing the new nomogram andthe 7th edition AJCC TNM staging system in predicting 3-years OS were 0.811and 0.820,and 5-years OS were 0.821 and 0.828 in the training cohort. Moreover,Survival curves for the low-risk and high-risk groups were plotted using Kaplan-Meier analysis.
Conclusions
The prognostic nomogram may be very helpful in estimating the overall survival of patients with pulmonary LCNEC.
Nocturnal High Systolic Blood Pressure is Associated with Poor Discharge Outcome in Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients: Results from the Chinese Stroke Center Alliance Study
Authors: Liu Jingyi , Gu Hongqiu , Pu Yuehua , Jiang Yingyu , Duan Wanying , Liu Xin , Nie Ximing , Zhang Zhe , Wang Chunjuan , Zhao Xingquan , Wang Yilong , Li Zixiao , Liu Liping
Published: September 2022

Background and purpose
Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage is a neurological emergency with high mortality and disability. Hypertensive states are related to a bad prognosis and a higher risk of rebleeding. However, the relationship between high blood pressure and onset time with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage and its prognosis is quite unknown.
Methods
Data from the Chinese Stroke Center Alliance database was reviewed. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to hemorrhage onset time and status of admission systolic blood pressure. Poor outcome was regarded as in-hospital mortality or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. The association between onset time and admission systolic blood pressure and risk of poor outcome was analyzed by the Cox regression model.
Results
Of 8136 patients included in this study, 1791 (22.0%) patients had poor outcome at discharge. Compared with normotensive patients with daytime onset, hypertensive patients with nighttime onset significantly increased the risk of in-hospital mortality or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (adjusted OR, 1.796; 95% CI, 1.511–2.136; p < 0.001).
Conclusions
Nighttime onset with the presence of increased blood pressure at admission was associated with the increased risk of in-hospital mortality or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.
Retrospective analysis of patients with severe combined immune deficiency: A 20-year Single center experience
Authors: Korkmaz Sevim Busra , Aytekin Selma Erol , Tokgoz Huseyin , Guner Sukru , Reisli Ismail , Keles Sevgi
Published: September 2022

Severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by impairment in the development and function of lymphocytes and could be a fatal disease if not treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplant in the first 2 years of life. There are differences in SCID diagnostic criteria between different primary immunodeficiency societies. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate clinical and laboratory findings of the patients followed up with the diagnosis of 59 SCID at our clinic over the past 20 years to develop an algorithm to help diagnosis of SCID for the countries which high ratio of consanguineous marriage and haven’t started TREC assay in their newborn screening program. The mean age at diagnosis was 5.80 ± 4.90 months, delay in diagnosis was 3.29 ± 3.99 months. The most common complaint and physical examination findings were cough and eczematous rash (63%)/organomegaly (61%), respectively. ADA, Artemis, RAG1/2 deficiency were the most common genetic defects. Lymphopenia (87.5%) was the most frequent abnormal laboratory finding and below 3000/mm³ in 95% of the patients. CD3+ T cell count was 300/mm3and below in 83% of the patients. Although the diagnostic criterion for SCID is specified as a CD3+ T lymphocyte count below 300/mm3 by IUIS and lower total lymphocyte counts (under 3000/mm3) together with determination of genetic defects leading to SCID by ESID, profound lymphopenia might not occur in some genetic defects. Combination of ESID and IUIS criteria for diagnosis of SCID would be safety for the countries with high ratio of consanguineous marriage. Physicians should consider diagnosis of SCID in the patient under 2 years with severe infections together with lymphocyte count under of 3000/mm3.
Delivering the Thinking Healthy Programme as a universal group intervention integrated into routine antenatal care: a randomized-controlled pilot study
Authors: Boran Perran , Dönmez Melike , Barış Ezgi , Us Mahmut Caner , Altaş Zeynep Meva , Nisar Anum , Atif Najia , Sikander Siham , Hıdıroğlu Seyhan , Save Dilşad , Rahman Atif
Published: September 2022

Background
Women with perinatal depression and their children are at increased risk of poor health outcomes. There is a need to implement non-stigmatizing interventions into existing health systems which reduce psychosocial distress during pregnancy and prevent perinatal depression. We adapted the WHO-endorsed Thinking Healthy Programme (THP) to be delivered universally to all women attending routine online pregnancy schools in Istanbul, Turkey. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention.
Methods
This mixed-methods study incorporated a two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial and qualitative evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of the adapted THP – Brief Group version (THP-BGV) to a range of stakeholders. We recruited pregnant women at 12-30 weeks’ gestation through pregnancy schools within the University Hospital’s catchment area. Women in the intervention arm received five online sessions of the THP-BGV delivered by antenatal nurses. The intervention employed principles of cognitive behaviour therapy to provide psychoeducation, behaviour activation, problem-solving strategies and group support to participants. In the control arm, women received usual care consisting of routine online educational pregnancy classes aided by the antenatal nurses. The women were assessed for depressive symptoms with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at baseline and 4-6 weeks post-intervention and also evaluated for anxiety, perceived social support, partner relationship, level of disability and sleep quality. In-depth interviews were conducted with women and other key stakeholders.
Results
Of the 99 consecutive women referred to the pregnancy schools, 91 (91.9%) were eligible and 88 (88.8%) consented to participate in the study and were randomized. Eighty-two (83%) completed the final assessments. Our main findings were that this preventive group intervention was feasible to be integrated into routine antenatal educational classes and it was valued by the women and delivery-agents. While the study was not powered to detect differences between intervention and control conditions, we found small trends towards reduction in anxiety and depressive symptoms favoring the intervention arm. No serious adverse events were reported.
Conclusions:
Given the paucity of preventive interventions for perinatal depression in low and middle-income countries, a fully powered definitive randomized controlled trial of this feasible and acceptable intervention should be conducted.
Trial registration: The study was registered at Clinical Trails.gov (NCT04819711) (Registration Date: 29/03/2021).
Vesicle amine transport-1 regulates hepatocellular carcinoma progression by EGF-induced STAT3 signalling
Authors: Dong Ningning , Wang Suihai , Xie Qian , Song Wen , Li Yumei , Chen Ke , Kuang Zhenzhan , Lin Xin , Gao Yanjun , Niu Wen-Bo , Deng Huan , He Peirong , Liu Tiancai , Li Ming , Wu Yingsong , Li Ji-Liang
Published: September 2022

Vesicle amine transport-1 (VAT-1) was implicated in regulation of vesicular transport, mitochondrial fusion, axonal growth, phospholipid transport and cell migration. However, the role of VAT-1 in tumour biology and disease progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. Here, we first investigated the expression of VAT-1 in clinical HCC samples by immunohistochemistry and in various transcriptomic datasets by bioinformatics. The biological functions of VAT-1 in HCC were then explored by using a variety of techniques including in vitro cell-based assays, in vivo xenograft models, high throughput mRNA-Seq, KEGG pathway enrichment, flow-cytometry analysis, immunoassays and bioinformatics. Underlying mechanisms were further verified in clinical tumour specimens. We demonstrated that VAT-1 is significantly upregulated in tumour tissues and associated with tumour size, invasion, clinical stage and overall survival of patients. Multivariate Cox analysis indicated VAT-1 is an independent unfavourable prognostic factor. VAT-1 downregulation significantly inhibited cell growth and colony formation in vitro and xenograft growth by decreasing proliferation and increasing apoptosis. Mechanistic studies revealed VAT-1 downregulation inhibits tumour growth through induction of the cell cycle arrest at G1-G0 by regulating the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin D3, CDK6, c-Myc and MCL-1. Strikingly, VAT-1 regulates STAT3 phosphorylation at Y705, nuclear translocation of pSTAT3-Y705, EGF-induced STAT3 signalling and consequently the expression of downstream c-Myc and cyclin D1. In both established HCC cell lines and clinical tumour samples, VAT-1 regulates numerous pathways including cell cycle, ErbB pathway, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance and JAK-STAT pathway; VAT-1 expression is significantly correlated with core components of EGF-EGFR-STAT3-cell cycle axis, highlighting the role of VAT-1 in regulation of EGF-STAT3-c-Myc-cyclin D/CDK6 signalling. Our results provide new insights into the carcinogenesis and disease progression of HCC and rationales for the development of novel intervention strategies against HCC. VAT-1 could serve as an independent prognostic biomarker for predicting clinical outcome of HCC patients.
Metabolic syndrome and its components predict the biochemical recurrence and adverse pathological features of patients following radical prostatectomy: A propensity score matching study
Authors: Liu Zenan , Zhu Xuehua , He Jide , Lu Jian
Published: September 2022

Background
To investigate the predictive value of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in biochemical recurrence (BCR) and adverse pathological features of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) after radical prostatectomy (RP).
Methods
A total of 525 PCa patients who underwent RP between 2010 and 2019 at Peking University Third Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The Kaplan-Meier method was performed to assess BCR-free survival (BCRFS). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted to identify the predictive factors of BCRFS and adverse pathological features respectively before and after propensity score matching (PSM).
Results
Enrolled patients were allocated into MetS group (n = 136) and non-MetS group(n = 389) according to the presence or absence of MetS, and 127 new matched pairs were identified to balance the baseline characteristics after 1:1 PSM. In propensity matched patients, the Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that MetS (P = 0.020), hyperglycemia (P = 0.015) and hypertriglyceridemia (P = 0.001) were significantly associated with worse BCRFS; the result of multivariate Cox analyses showed that hyperglycemia (P = 0.040), hypertriglyceridemia (P = 0.017), percentage of positive biopsy cores (P = 0.041) and prostate specific antigen (P = 0.019) were identified as independent prognostic factors for BCRFS. In addition, hypertriglyceridemia was independently associated with non-organ confined disease (NOCD) (P = 0.010), extra-capsular extension (ECE) (P = 0.010) and upgrading (P = 0.017) in the multivariate logistic analyses.
Conclusions
Hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia are the two effective MetS components both identified as independent risk factors for worse BCRFS after RP, while hypertriglyceridemia was independently associated with NOCD, ECE and upgrading as well.
Assessing Lesotho's Financial Burden of Household Payments and Access to Healthcare, 2022
Authors: Zbelo Mesfin G. , Lesaoana Mapenane Anastacia , Lechesa Ramahlapane Abel , Masia Nthabiseng Victorious
Published: September 2022

Background
Health care financing is primarily about paying for health care. It motivates health care providers to increase the supply of health care goods and services to ensure that all individuals have access to effective public health and personal health care services and goods. The ultimate intent is to improve the health of individuals and the general population in line with the principles of Universal Health Coverage. When patients’ OOP reaches a certain level, some people forgo health care due to the price, and others who access services face financial difficulties.
Methods
The paper uses data from the six- household income and expenditure survey (2018/19). It provides an insight into the health care expenditure and evidence on whose health service needs the health system meets and the household financial burden by health payments.
Results
Out-of-pocket health expenditure (OOP) as a share of total health expenditure on average stands at 11.1% in 2018/19. The government spends 12.7% of its total budget on health. In 2019, 33.1% of the population did not access the health services they needed. About 3.3% of households or 4,295 households that corresponds to about 17,180 individuals spend 52.1% of their net of food income (non-subsistence income) on healthcare – a catastrophic level of household spending.
Conclusion
Despite the low rate of out-of-pocket investing by families, and moderately expanding domestic investing in health care, Lesotho health care system requires a combination of policies to ensure fair financing of health care.
SARS-CoV-2 Immunity following different combinations of vaccination and breakthrough infection
Authors: Pusnik Jernej , Monzon-Posadas Werner O. , Zorn Jasmin , Peters Kathrin , Baum Maximilian , Proksch Hannah , Schlüter Celina Beta , Alter Galit , Menting Tanja , Streeck Hendrik
Published: September 2022

The elicited anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity worldwide is becoming increasingly complex with individuals receiving a different amount of vaccine doses paired with or without recovery from breakthrough infections with different variants. To understand the variety of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity we analyzed the adaptive immune responses of individuals that initially received 2 doses of mRNA vaccine and either received a booster vaccination, recovered from a breakthrough infection, or both. Our data suggest that two vaccine doses and delta breakthrough infection or three vaccine doses and optionally omicron or delta infection provide better B cell immunity than the initial 2 doses of mRNA vaccine with or without alpha breakthrough infection. A particularly potent humoral response against the currently circulating omicron variant was observed for the thrice vaccinated individuals with omicron breakthrough infection; a 46-fold increase in neutralization compared to 2 vaccine doses (P < 0.0001). The same group also had the highest titer of spike-specific antibodies in saliva and highest frequency of spike-specific memory B cells in peripheral blood; 9.5-fold (P < 0.001) and 3.5-fold (P < 0.05) increase compared to 2 vaccine doses. The T cell response after two vaccine doses was not significantly influenced by additional immunizations. Of note, individuals with hybrid immunity showed better coordination of the adaptive immune response compared to those only vaccinated. Taken together, our data provide a detailed insight into the SARS-CoV-2 immunity following different immunization scenarios.
A rare case of a mediastinal mature cystic teratoma remaining asymptomatic for 70 years: case report
Authors: BELAYACHI Badreddine , FENANE Hicham , MSOUGAR Yassine
Published: September 2022

Background
Mediastinal teratoma is an uncommon disease, nevertheless they represent the most common mediastinal germ cell tumours. It may grow silently for several years and remain undiagnosed until the occurrence of a complication.
Aim
The main aim of this article is to illustrate the silent evolution of an anterior mediastinal teratoma for over 70 years without presenting any notable complications.
Case presentation:
We present the case of a 70-year-old female, treated for hypertension with ACE inhibitors and thiazides, referred to our department for managing a voluminous mediastinal mass, discovered fortuitously by a general practitioner in a chest X-ray. The anamnesis didn’t relate any chest pain, cough, dyspnea nor hemoptysis. The clinical examination, in particular pleuropulmonary, was unremarkable. The workup (Chest X-Ray and CT scan) demonstrated a voluminous pleural mass at the expense of the right mediastinal pleura, rounded in shape, with calcified wall and fluid content. Blood tests did not demonstrate eosinophilia, and antihydatid IgG serology was negative. serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels were found to be normal. The patient subsequently underwent a right posterolateral thoracotomy with resection of the lesion. The mass was dissected very carefully and then resected in toto. The macroscopic and microscopic histological examination demonstrated a mature cystic teratoma. Surgical resection was an adequate treatment and the prognosis was excellent for the patient.
Conclusion
Cystic mature teratomas are rare thoracic tumours, often recognised by radiological examination.This article relates the asymptomatic evolution that a teratoma could have, remaining silent until an accidental radiological discovery.
Knowledge and Experiences of Families Regarding of Amber Necklaces
Authors: Aktura Bekir , Dertli Mert Haci , Ozen Ege Hazal , Onaran Ezgi , Hashimov Elnur , Basibuyuk Mine , Karabayir Nalan
Published: September 2022

Background
Amber necklaces have been used frequently to reduce the complaints of babies during teething. In this study, the knowledge and experience of families regarding the use of amber necklaces investigated.
Methods
The structured questionnaire was applied face-to-face to parents with a 4–24 month old baby who applied to the paediatric outpatient clinic.
Results
One hundred one families participating in the study reported that they used the amber necklace most frequently for restlessness (n = 72, 71.3%). Eighty- three percent of families reported that the amber necklace was beneficial. It determined that 2% of the babies had suffocation and 2% had problems dispersing the grains.
Conclusion
Although the parents think that the use of amber necklaces is effective during the teething period, they are not aware of the risks. It is important for healthcare professionals to inform their families about teething and especially the risks of using amber necklaces.
Customizing mechanical properties of additive-manufactured metallic meta grain structure with sheet-based gyroid architecture
Authors: Kim Kibeom , Kim Gun-hee , Kim Hyung Giun , Kim Hoe-Joon , Kim Namjung
Published: September 2022

Cellular structures achieved using high-precision additive manufacturing techniques have enabled extraordinary results, such as negative Poisson ratio, negative thermal expansion, and optical metamaterials. However, the use of cellular structures in mechanical applications is disadvantageous because of 1) limited design options, causing limited mechanical performances and 2) the absence of systematic design methodologies. Hence, we propose a novel structure inspired by the polycrystalline structure to enhance design variability as well as mechanical reliability. This is called meta grain structure (MGS). A systematic design methodology is also proposed to obtain the optimal design of MGS that satisfies the target mechanical property. A database with 138 different MGSs is built and tested numerically, so that the correlation between the relative densities of grains in the MGS and the corresponding mechanical properties is analyzed. In addition, the optimum design parameters of the MGS that satisfy the target Young’s modulus are obtained using particle swarm optimization (PSO) and machine learning (ML)-based regression models. The proposed design methodology enables us to build a unique structure that offers various design options and overcomes the current limitations of lattice structures. Furthermore, a systematic inverse design methodology using PSO and ML-based regression models helps us to create an MGS that satisfies the required mechanical performance
GLP-1 plays a protective role in hippocampal neuronal cells by activating cAMP-CREB-BDNFsignaling pathway against CORT+HG-induced toxicity
Authors: Ma Qi , Wang Li , An Zhiguo , Luo Xiao , Zhang Lili , Yan Ping , Jin Lu , Cai Ren , Xu Bin , Liu Xiangxin , Yi Qizhong
Published: September 2022

Major depressive disorder (MDD) combined with diabetes mellitus (DM) seriously reduce the quality of life of patients, currently there is still no effective treatment. Our study explores the feasibility of GLP-1 in the treatment of major depressive disorder combined with diabetes mellitus. We aimed to assess the protective effects of GLP-1 on mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line HT22 cultured with corticosterone (CORT) and high glucose (HG). HT22 cells were cultured with CORT + HG to construct cell model of MDD combined with DM. After treatment with GLP-1, cell viability detected by CCK-8 assay, cell apoptosis/necrocytosis detected by flow cytometry/confocal laser scanning microscopy, BDNF and neurotransmitter levels in culture supernatants measured through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, LDH and glucose levels in culture supernatants measured via colorimetric assay, and proteins of cAMP-CREB-BDNF signal pathway measured by colorimetric assay Western blot. To construct cell model of MDD combined with DM, the ideal intervention combination are CORT 200µM and HG 50mM for 48 hours. After treatment of 50nM GLP-1 for 48 hours, the apoptosis rate and necrocytosis rate of model + 50nM GLP-1 group decreased significantly compared with the model group. The concentration of BDNF, neurotransmitter (5-HT, DA, NE), PKA, p-CREB and p-Trkb in culture supernatants of model + 50nM GLP-1 group increased significantly compared with the model group. The concentration of grouse and LDH in culture supernatants of model + 50nM GLP-1 group decreased significantly compared with the model group. GLP-1 against CORT + HG-induced toxicity by activating cAMP-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway in hippocampal neuronal cell.
Relationship between Fall History and Toe Grip Strength in Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Inagaki Yusuke , Mawarikado Yuya , Fujii Tadashi , Kubo Takanari , Kido Akira , Tanaka Yasuhito
Published: September 2022

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases in older adults, is associated with a high incidence of falls. Similarly, toe grip strength (TGS) is associated with a history of falls in older adults; however, the relationship between TGS and falls in older adults with KOA who are at risk of falling is not known. Therefore, this study aimed to determine if TGS is associated with a history of falls in older adults with KOA.
Methods: The study participants, older adults with KOA scheduled to undergo unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA), were divided into two groups: non-fall (n=256) and fall groups (n=74). Descriptive data, fall-related assessments, modified Fall Efficacy Scale (mFES), radiographic data, pain, and physical function including TGS were evaluated. The assessment was conducted on the day before performing TKA. Mann–Whitney and chi-squared tests were performed to compare the two groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association of each outcome with the presence or absence of falls.
Results: Mann–Whitney U test revealed statistically significant differences in height, TGS on the affected and unaffected sides, and mFES. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the incidence of fall history is associated with TGS on the affected side.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that increasing age and TGS are related to a history of falls in older adults with KOA. The significance of evaluating TGS among patients with KOA in routine clinical practice was demonstrated.
Command-Filter-Based Backstepping for a Class of Nonlinear Systems with Finite-Time Observer in the Presence of Mismatched Disturbances
Authors: Aslmostafa Ehsan , Asadollahi Mostafa , Kharrati Hamed , Rahimi Afshin , Mirzaei Mohammad Javad
Published: September 2022

This paper considers the stabilization problem for a class of nonlinear systems in the presence of mismatched disturbances. For this purpose, a differentiator is employed such that by using newly defined virtual controls and the modified error compensation signals, the command-filter backstepping approach combined with a mismatched finite-time disturbance observer such that the proposed control guarantees the asymptotic stabilization of system states. In the introduced observer, the imposed external disturbance parameters are identified precisely within the finite-time period. This produces a better transient performance compared to the Lyapunov parameter estimation method. Moreover, the imposed restrictions over external disturbances are relaxed, i.e., the common restrictive condition over the disturbances’ first derivatives is removed. This approach also helps to solve the problem of the explosion of complexity, which is usually caused by higher-order system differentiation in backstepping technique. As a result of applying this method, especially to more complicated systems, the complexity of calculation is greatly reduced. Moreover, by means of the common Lyapunov function, the stability of the proposed observer and the control scheme is shown. Finally, a simulation example is provided to show the effectiveness of the theoretical developments.
Facile Preparation of TPU/PCL/Carbon Nanotubes Double-Percolation Conductive Nanocomposite and Evaluation for Rapid and Selective Response in Volatile Organic Compounds Applications
Authors: Yang Han , Xiong Tanghong , Yan Lei , Zhang Xuntao , Bian Jun , Lin Hailan , Chen Daiqiang
Published: September 2022

Severe environmental pollution due to improper emissions of volatile organic gases (VOCs) has brought a serious threat to human health, safety, the environment and socially sustainable development. Here, we report a convenient method for the preparation of conductive gas-sensitive nanocomposites by using thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/polycaprolactone (PCL) blends as polymer matrix and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as functional nanofiller through direct solution blending method. The experimental results indicated that the TPU phase has preferentially dispersed MWCNTs. The two-phase continuity structure of the matrix could be achieved by adjusting the ratio of TPU to PCL, and the electrical conductivity increased with the increase of the two-phase continuity. When the mass ratio of TPU and PCL was fixed at 50:50, the lowest resistivity of 2.57×105Ω·m for the TPU/PCL/MWCNTs nanocomposite was obtained when MWCNTs were blended with TPU first and then with PCL. The TPU/PCL/MWCNTs nanocomposite gas-sensitive tests indicated the best gas-sensitive selectivity, responsiveness and recovery to formaldehyde compared with another target VOCs (benzene, xylene, ammonia, and ethanol). TPU/PCL/MWCNTs nanocomposites exhibited 74% gas responsiveness to formaldehyde gas at 25oC and 500 ppm. Moreover, the responsiveness of the TPU/PCL/MWCNTs nanocomposites indicated a doughty variation linearly with the increase in formaldehyde concentration.
An Automatic Red-Female Association Tested by the Stroop Task
Authors: Chen Na , Nakamura Koyo , Watanabe Katsumi
Published: September 2022

Previous studies showed stereotyped color-gender associations (e.g., red/pink is female, and blue/green is male). Here, we investigated the automaticity of color-gender associations using two Stroop-word categorization tasks. Ten Japanese gendered words were chosen as visual stimuli. In Experiment 1 (N = 23), participants were instructed to indicate whether a target word presented in either red, green, or gray font color was a masculineor feminine word. Results showed a congruency effect of red-female association that red font color facilitated feminine words categorization and inhibited masculine words categorization than other colors.No effect of green-male association was observed. Experiment 2 (N = 23 newly recruited participants) tested whether the congruency effect of color-gender associationscould bias perceptual font color categorization. Participants were asked to discriminate the font color in low saturation was red or green while ignoring the word’s meaning. Results showed that participants responded faster and made fewer errors when categorizing red font colors for feminine words than masculine words. A congruent effect of green-male association on performance accuracy was observed and there was no effect on response times. Through two experiments, an automaticallyactivated red-female association in conceptual gendered word categorization and perceptual font color discriminationwas observed. Those results suggest that color-gender associations could be strong to bias both conceptual gender and perceptual color processing.
Pan-cancer analysis of ARMCX genes identifies ARMCX1 as a novel suppressor gene for pancreatic carcinoma
Authors: Shen Bingbing , Xu Jian , Quan Gang , Wang Jianguo , Liu Yunxun , Jiang Jianxin
Published: September 2022

Background:
Pancreatic carcinoma (PAAD) is one of the malignant tumors with high lethality and low survival rate. Armadillo (ARMCX) family members play vital roles in tumorigenesis, but the tumorigenesis was not unclear. Our study aims to explore the novel biomarker of early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for PAAD.
Methods:
Firstly, UCSC Xena was used to download the data of pan-cancer. Then, we perform the pan-cancer analysis of ARMCX genes from expression, survival, immune subtype, tumor microenvironment, and stemness. Secondly, we focus on the roles of ARMCX genes in PAAD from the immune subtype, tumor microenvironment, and stemness. Lastly, we used GEIPA to select a key gene, and ARMCX1 was selected as our object. We analyzed the roles of ARMCX1 in PAAD from the differential expression, survival, independent prognosis, clinical features, mechanism, DNA methylation levels, immune cell infiltration, and immunoinhabitors.
Results:
Based on the pan-cancer analysis, we deem that the differential expression of ARMCX genes exists in multiple tumors, which is closely associated with OS of multiple tumor patients. Plus, we also found that the expression is negatively related to immune subtypes, estimate score, immune score, stromal score, and stemness score. Based on the PAAD analysis, we found that the expression of ARMCX1 and ARMCX4 was significantly different in the immune subtype and a significant difference exists in RNAss, DNAss, stromal score, immune score, and estimate score. Based on the study of ARMCX1 in PAAD, We deemed that ARMCX1 is a lower expression in PAAD than in normal pancreas tissue, and the low expression is closely associated with poor OS of PAAD patients. ARMCX1 is an independent prognosis factor for PAAD patients. In addition, the downregulation of ARMCX1 is also closely associated with hypermethylation of the ARMCX1 promoter. We also found that the expression of ARMCX1 is related to some immune cells and immunoinhibitors.
Conclusion:
Therefore, we concluded that hypermethylation of the ARMCX1 promoter leads to the downregulation of ARMCX1 expression and inhabits the PAAD progression through influencing the immune cell by some potential mechanism.
Investigation of Factors Affecting Motif-Based Short- and Long-Term Memory Behaviour in Biological Networks
Authors: TURAN AHMET , KAYIKÇIOĞLU Temel
Published: September 2022

Learning and memory formation in living organisms is an issue under investigation. How learning occurs is not fully understood. Nevertheless, learning and memory are evaluated to correlate with the connective structure between cells. Memory formed in the biological neural network structure is thought to be closely related to cell connections. Biological experiments have been determined connections called motifs, which usually comprise three or four cells and repeat within the network. The connection of these motifs varies as to the status of inter-cellular stimulus. The primary make-up of the biological memory is thought to correlate with such repeated cell connections. For this reason, studies investigate the memory behaviour of the motifs. In this study, some important factors affecting motif-based short- and long-term memory behaviour in biological networks were investigated. For that purpose, the effect of the connection patterns of the motifs on the short- and long-term memory structure was investigated for all three-cell motifs. We used the Hodgkin-Huxley neuron model for cells. Using graph theory, we created three-cell motifs. In the created motifs; The effects of intercellular connection patterns, the type of excitation of cells to each other, and the duration of chemical synaptic stimulation on short- and long-term memory were examined. Based on the data got from the models; We showed that the structure of the motif and the type of stimulus affect directly memory formation in all three-cell motifs. We also showed that the short-term memory duration (in the motif and stimulation conditions) changes with the change of the synaptic stimulation time constant, which models the duration of intercellular communication. At the end of this study, we classified all three-cell motifs for the states that present short- and long-term memory behaviour. We studied the biological events that occur during learning on the model and examined their effects on learning. Consequently, these studies have demonstrated learning about living organisms.
OMM: Online Mobile Mindfulness to Improve the Well-Being of Cancer Survivors
Authors: Orasud Ariel Siritorn , Bantum Erin , Uchiyama Mai
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Anxiety and cancer related neuropathy are two persistent effects related to treatment for cancer. Mindfulness meditation has been used with substantial impact as a non-pharmacologic intervention to mitigate side and late effects of treatment. Mobile apps are ubiquitous for most of the general population, yet have a particular relevance for cancer survivors, given that physical and geographic limitations can be present. The goal of the current manuscript is to describe an ongoing trial of the Mindfulness Coach mobile application (“app”) for cancer survivors.
Methods: In this randomized wait-list controlled trial, cancer survivors experiencing anxiety or cancer related neuropathy (200 in each arm) and who have finished primary treatment for cancer are invited to participate. Data are collected at three time points regardless of randomization condition: baseline, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks. Both face-to-face and online recruitment strategies have been employed. In addition to evaluating the impact of mobile mindfulness of anxiety or cancer related neuropathy, other pain, fatigue, trauma, sleep, and satisfaction with the Mindfulness Coach app will also be assessed.
Conclusion: Mindfulness meditation is becoming widely used by the general public, in addition to the use of mobile technology. Finding ways to deliver mindfulness meditation to people who have been treated for cancer allows for the intervention to be accessible to a larger breadth of survivors. The results of this intervention will have implications for further understanding the impact of mindfulness meditation on two persistent side and late effects of treatment of cancer— anxiety and cancer related neuropathy.
Primary ID: BANTUM-2017-1
Secondary ID: NCI-2019-08685
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03581357
Acceptable but further revision needed? The psychometric properties of the Positive Beliefs about Rumination Scale and the Negative Beliefs about Rumination Scale in relation to Chinese undergraduates
Authors: Zhou Honggui , Liu Hong , Ma Xiaohong , Deng Yunlong
Published: September 2022

Background
Rumination, a transdiagnostic factor in different psychopathological conditions, is believed to be activated and sustained by dysfunctional metacognition. The Positive Beliefs about Rumination Scale (PBRS) and the Negative Beliefs about Rumination Scale (NBRS) have been used to measure the metacognitive beliefs of rumination and have been investigated in many cultural contexts. However, it remains unclear whether these scales can work as well for the Chinese population. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the psychometric properties of the Chinese versions of these scales and to test the metacognitive model of rumination for students with different levels of depression.
Methods
The PBRS and NBRS were forward-backward translated into Mandarin. In total 1,025 college students were recruited to complete a battery of web-based questionnaires. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and correlation analysis were used to test the structure, validity, and reliability of the two scales, as well as their item correlations with rumination.
Results
A new two-factor structure of the PBRS (rather than the original one-factor model) and a new three-factor structure of the NBRS (rather than the original two-factor model) were extracted. The goodness-of-fit indices of these two factor models showed they had a good to very good fit with the data. The internal consistency and construct validity of PBRS and NBRS were also affirmed.
Conclusion
The Chinese versions of the PBRS and the NBRS were generally shown to be reliable and valid, but their newly extracted structures fit the Chinese college students better than their original structures. These new models of PBRS and NBRS are of value to be further explored in Chinese population.
An extended Markov-switching model approach to modelling latent heterogeneity in departmentalized manpower systems
Authors: Ossai Everestus Okafor , Nduka Uchenna Chinedu , Madukaife Mbanefo Solomon , Udom Akaninyene Udo , Ugwu Samson Offorma
Published: September 2022

In recent works in manpower planning interest has been awakened in modelling manpower systems in departmentalized framework. This, as a form of disaggregation, may solve the problem of observable heterogeneity but not latent heterogeneity; it rather opens up other aspects of latent heterogeneity hitherto unaccounted for in classical (non-departmentalized) manpower models. In this paper a multinomial Markov-switching model is formulated for investigating latent heterogeneity in intra-departmental and interdepartmental transitions in departmentalized manpower systems. The model incorporates the mover-mediocre-stayer principle. The use of EM algorithm for estimation of the model parameters and a validity test for assessing the model performance in comparison to the classical Markov manpower model are presented.
Construction of the structural equation model of stigma, self-disclosure, social support, and quality of life of breast cancer patients after surgery——A multicenter study
Authors: Bu Liuxiu , Chen Xisui , Zheng Shaoyan , Fan Guanhua
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Stigma is common in patients with breast cancer after surgery, which has a negative impact on the quality of life(QOL). This study aimed to investigate the QOL of breast cancer patients after surgery and to analyze the multiple chains mediating effects of self-disclosure and social support between stigma and QOL.
Methods: A total 292 patients of breast cancer patients after operation were recruited in this study. A questionnaire survey was conducted using the general information questionnaire, the consumer experiences of stigma questionnaire (CESQ), the distress disclosure index(DDI), the perceived social support scale(PSSS), and the functional assessment of cancer therapy-breast(FACT-B). Path analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized serial multiple mediation model.
Results: The total scores of stigma, self-disclosure, social support and QOL were 15 (10 ~ 22), 39 (31 ~ 46), 58 (50 ~ 67) and 88 (74 ~ 104) respectively. QOL of breast cancer patients after the operation was negatively correlated with stigma (p < 0.01), and positively correlated with self-disclosure and social support (p < 0.01). Self-disclosure and social support played a complete mediating effect between stigma and QOL, and the total mediating effect value was 85. 87%.
Conclusions: Self-disclosure and social support play a complete intermediary role between stigma and QOL. In order to improve the quality of life of patients, medical staff should pay attention to the assessment of stigma, encourage patients to express their emotions, and encourage their families and friends to respond to their expression and needs of patients.
P4HA3 Promotes Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Progression via the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β Pathway
Authors: Zhang Zhechuan , Zhang Ronggui , Zhang Yuanfeng
Published: September 2022

Purpose
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of renal cell carcinoma. P4HA3 is a key enzyme in collagen biosynthesis and has emerged as important molecules in regulation of proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in various tumor types. The role of P4HA3 in the development of ccRCC has remained to be elucidated.
Methods
Genes expression, prognostic, and enrichment analyses were carried out with bioinformatics analysis. The efficiency of P4HA3 knockdown was confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting. The cellular functions were analyzed by CCK-8, EdU, wound healing, and transwell assays. The levels of related proteins expression were analyzed by western blotting.
Results
P4HA3 was highly expressed in ccRCC compared with normal tissue samples from the TCGA database. Kaplan-Meier curves results showed that the expression level of P4HA3 was significantly negatively correlated with overall survival of patients. P4HA3 expression knockdown inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ccRCC cells, as demonstrated by in vitro experiments. In addition, GSEA results revealed that P4HA3 may be related to EMT and involved in the PI3K-AKT-GSK3β pathway in ccRCC; this was tentatively confirmed through western blotting.
Conclusion
P4HA3 may induce ccRCC progression via the PI3K-AKT-GSK3β signaling pathway and could represent a potential therapeutic target.
Fuzzy-based variable impedance control of uncertain robot manipulator in flexible environment: A nonlinear force contact model-based approach
Authors: Guo Ying , Peng Jinzhu , Ding Shuai , Liang Jing , Wang Yaonan
Published: September 2022

In this paper, a variable impedance control method is proposed for uncertain robotic systems based on a nonlinear force contact-based flexible environmental model. First, a nonlinear force contact model between the rigid manipulator and flexible environment is established to approximate more realistic interaction responses and to avoid excessive overshoot of the force that usually exists in the traditional spring-damping environmental model. Then, according to the force contact-based environmental model, a fuzzy-based adaptive variable impedance controller is designed to achieve position and force tracking of the manipulator, where the impedance parameters are adjusted online through the force and position feedback of the robotic system, and the fuzzy logic system $(FLS)$ is used to compensate the uncertainties. The stability of adaptive variable impedance control is proved by Routh stability criterion and the boundness of all signals in the robotic system is proved by Lyapunov stability analysis. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by the simulation of a two-link manipulator.
A novel cysteine-based flame retardant for biomass poplar wood density board
Authors: Yan Dong , Chen Dong , Tan Jia , Yuan Liping , Huang Zizhi , Zou Dongfang , Peng Dongmei , Song Ling , Tao Qiang , Tan zhengde , Deng Jiyong , Hu Yunchu
Published: September 2022

A novel reactive flame retardant based on L-cysteines containing P, N and S flame retardant elements was synthesized and used to improve the flame resistance of a density board made of poplar wood. The outcomes demonstrated the excellent flame retardancy and catalytic carbon formation of the poplar density board treated with the flame retardant. The thermogravimetric infrared coupler (TG-FTIR) test and thermal cracking gas mass spectrometer (Py-GC-MS) test both revealed that the flame retardant modified the thermal decomposition pathway of the wood, forming many residues and producing only a small amount of combustible gas. The ultimate oxygen index (LOI) of poplar density board treated with 20% cysteine-based flame retardant was as high as 60.9%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the surface of the treated wood powder was rough and that the wood powder particles were interconnected by the flame retardant. This suggests that the flame-retardant molecules have a bridging effect on the inner structure of the density board. Moreover, the cone calorimetry (CONE) experiments showed that with the flame retardant treatment, there was significant reduction of total heat release (THR) and heat release rate (HRR) of the density board. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the cysteine-based flame retardant.