bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance‐determining factors in biathlon prone shooting without physical stress
Authors: Köykkä Miika , Laaksonen Marko S. , Ihalainen Simo , Ruotsalainen Keijo , Linnamo Vesa
Published: October 2021

This study investigated the most important factors determining biathlon prone shooting performance. Ten female and 16 male biathletes (age 19.9 ± 2.9 years) from the national teams of Finland and Vuokatti‐Ruka Sports Academy performed 6 × 5 biathlon prone shooting shots without physical stress under laboratory conditions. Shooting performance and multiple aiming point trajectory variables were measured together with an analysis of triggering force. Based on the aiming point trajectory data principal component analysis, we identified four technical components in biathlon prone shooting: stability of hold, aiming accuracy, cleanness of triggering, and timing of triggering. Multiple regression analysis (MRA) further determined that cleanness of triggering, aiming accuracy, and timing of triggering accounted for 80% of mean shooting performance (p < 0.001). Better stability of hold, aiming accuracy and cleanness of triggering were directly associated with better shooting performance (0.62 ≤ |r| ≥0.79, all p < 0.001). Better stability of hold measures were also associated with better cleanness of triggering, and higher pre‐shot trigger force levels were associated with better stability of hold and cleanness of triggering. These results indicate that with both direct and indirect effects on performance, stability of hold seems to be a general prerequisite for successful biathlon shooting. The results also highlight the importance of aiming accuracy, cleanness and timing of triggering, along with a high pre‐shot trigger force level. The variables identified in this study could be used to assess biathletes’ performance in the most relevant shooting technical aspects to guide the emphasis of their shooting training.
Evaluation of urine electrolytes for the diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs
Authors: Dropkin Casey A. , Kruger John M. , Langlois Daniel K.
Published: October 2021

Background

Most dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism (HA) have a mineralocorticoid deficiency, which decreases renal tubular sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion. Limited information is available concerning the clinical value of measuring urine electrolytes to aid in an HA diagnosis.

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of urine electrolyte measurements in dogs with HA.

Methods

Urine sodium and potassium concentrations were measured in 89 dogs, including 39 dogs with HA and 50 controls with nonadrenal illness. Fractional excretions of sodium (FENa) and potassium (FEK) were also calculated. Urine electrolytes and fractional excretion values were compared between the groups. Sensitivities and specificities were determined for various cut‐points.

Results

The median urine sodium to potassium (Na:K) ratio was twofold greater (P < .001), and median FENawas fourfold greater (P < .001) in HA dogs as compared with controls. However, no cut‐point for any variable with >90% sensitivity or specificity provided a corresponding specificity or sensitivity of >50%. When only dogs with abnormal serum or plasma electrolytes were included in the analyses, absolute urine electrolyte concentrations and FENawere not different between study populations (P > .05 for all comparisons), but the FEKwas increased (P = .005) and the urine potassium:creatinine ratio was decreased (P < .001) in the control dogs compared with the dogs with HA.

Conclusions

Urine electrolyte concentrations and fractional excretions are altered in dogs with HA. However, substantial overlap exists with control dogs with nonadrenal illness. Therefore, these values are unlikely to have diagnostic utility for dogs with HA.
Effectiveness of interventions that support penicillin allergy assessment and de-labeling of patients by non-allergy specialists: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Powell Neil , Kohl Declan , Ahmed Shadia , Kent Bridie , Sandoe Jonathan , Tonkin-Crine Sarah , Owens Rhys , Stephens Jennie , Upton Mathew
Published: October 2021

Objective:

This review will systematically examine and synthesize the evidence evaluating the effectiveness and safety of interventions that enable non-allergy specialist health care workers to assess allergy risk in patients with reported penicillin allergies and subsequently remove erroneous allergy records.

Introduction:

The potential benefits of removing erroneous penicillin allergy labels (de-labeling) are wide-ranging. Penicillin allergy assessment and de-labeling is an antibiotic stewardship priority. Delivery of such assessment and de-labeling by non-allergy specialists has been reported in several studies, but the effectiveness and safety have not been formally synthesized. This is a necessary step in the upscaling of penicillin allergy assessment services.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider quantitative studies using appropriate designs. The studies will include adults and pediatric patients who have undergone penicillin allergy assessment and de-labeling by non-allergy specialists in any health care setting.

Methods:

A range of databases will be searched to identify studies published in English, with no date limit applied. Unpublished studies and gray literature will also be searched. Title and abstract screening, and assessment of selected full texts against the inclusion criteria will be conducted by at least two independent reviewers. Identified studies will be assessed for methodological quality using standardized critical appraisal instruments. Data will be extracted and categorized using the EPOC taxonomy, and the effectiveness and safety of the intervention will be determined. Where possible, data will be pooled to facilitate meta-analysis. Data from heterogeneous studies will be reported narratively. The GRADE approach for grading the certainty of evidence will be followed.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42020219044
Associations Among Home Indoor Environmental Quality Factors and Worker Health While Working From Home During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Awada Mohamad , Becerik-Gerber Burcin , Lucas Gale , Roll Shawn C.
Published: October 2021

The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 virus forced office workers to conduct their daily work activities from home over an extended period. Given this unique situation, an opportunity emerged to study the satisfaction of office workers with indoor environmental quality (IEQ) factors of their houses where work activities took place and associate these factors with mental and physical health. We designed and administered a questionnaire that was open for 45 days during the COVID-19 pandemic and received valid data from 988 respondents. The results show that low satisfaction with natural lighting, glare, and humidity predicted eye-related symptoms, while low satisfaction with noise was a strong predictor of fatigue or tiredness, headaches or migraines, anxiety, and depression or sadness. Nose- and throat-related symptoms and skin-related symptoms were only uniquely predicted by low satisfaction with humidity. Low satisfaction with glare uniquely predicted an increase in musculoskeletal discomfort. Symptoms related to mental stress, rumination, or worry were predicted by low satisfaction with air quality and noise. Finally, low satisfaction with noise and indoor temperature predicted the prevalence of symptoms related to trouble concentrating, maintaining attention, or focus. Workers with higher income were more satisfied with humidity, air quality, and indoor temperature and had better overall mental health. Older individuals had increased satisfaction with natural lighting, humidity, air quality, noise, and indoor temperature. Findings from this study can inform future design practices that focus on hybrid home-work environments by highlighting the impact of IEQ factors on occupant well-being.
Fear, Anger, and Loneliness: Emotional Pain and Referee Attrition in English Grassroots Football
Authors: Potrac Paul A. , Hall Edward T. , Nichol Adam J.
Published: October 2021

This interpretive study provides original insights into the socioemotional experiences that contributed to referee attrition in English grassroots football. Data were generated using an online survey (n = 251) and in-depth interviews (n = 20) with former referees. Using complementary symbolic interactionist and relational conceptualizations of identity, social interaction, and emotional pain, the analysis addressed the participants’ interpretations of their problematic encounters with the various significant others (e.g., coaches, managers, players, spectators, and administrators) that comprised their respective social networks in grassroots football. Importantly, the participants described several emotionally painful issues related to match day environments, disciplinary proceedings, and deployment and development processes that simultaneously coexisted alongside and exacerbated one another. The findings present important implications for those individuals and governing bodies who are responsible for referee retention.
A Unique Reverse Adaptation Mechanism Assists Bordetella pertussis in Resistance to Both Scarcity and Toxicity of Manganese
Authors: Čapek Jan , Procházková Ilona , Matoušek Tomáš , Hot David , Večerek Branislav
Published: October 2021

Bordetella pertussis
, a respiratory pathogen restricted to humans, continuously adapts its genome to its exclusive host. We show that speciation of this reemerging pathogen was accompanied by loss of function of the manganese exporter.
Pathogenesis, Symptomatology, and Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through Analysis of Viral Genomics and Structure
Authors: Rando Halie M. , MacLean Adam L. , Lee Alexandra J. , Lordan Ronan , Ray Sandipan , Bansal Vikas , Skelly Ashwin N. , Sell Elizabeth , Dziak John J. , Shinholster Lamonica , D’Agostino McGowan Lucy , Ben Guebila Marouen , Wellhausen Nils , Knyazev Sergey , Boca Simina M. , Capone Stephen , Qi Yanjun , Park YoSon , Mai David , Sun Yuchen , Boerckel Joel D. , Brueffer Christian , Byrd James Brian , Kamil Jeremy P. , Wang Jinhui , Velazquez Ryan , Szeto Gregory L. , Barton John P. , Goel Rishi Raj , Mangul Serghei , Lubiana Tiago ,   COVID-19 Review Consortium Vikas Bansal, John P. Barton, Simina M. Boca, Joel D. Boerckel, Christian Brueffer, James Brian Byrd, Stephen Capone, Shikta Das, Anna Ada Dattoli, John J. Dziak, Jeffrey M. Field, Soumita Ghosh, Anthony Gitter, Rishi Raj Goel, Casey S. Greene, Marouen Ben Guebila, Daniel S. Himmelstein, Fengling Hu, Nafisa M. Jadavji, Jeremy P. Kamil, Sergey Knyazev, Likhitha Kolla, Alexandra J. Lee, Ronan Lordan, Tiago Lubiana, Temitayo Lukan, Adam L. MacLean, David Mai, Serghei Mangul, David M, Gitter Anthony , Greene Casey S.
Published: October 2021

COVID-19 involves a number of organ systems and can present with a wide range of symptoms. From how the virus infects cells to how it spreads between people, the available research suggests that these patterns are very similar to those seen in the closely related viruses SARS-CoV-1 and possibly Middle East respiratory syndrome-related CoV (MERS-CoV).
Comparative Analysis of the Cultured and Total Bacterial Community in the Wheat Rhizosphere Microbiome Using Culture-Dependent and Culture-Independent Approaches
Authors: Youseif Sameh H. , Abd El-Megeed Fayrouz H. , Humm Ethan A. , Maymon Maskit , Mohamed Akram H. , Saleh Saleh A. , Hirsch Ann M.
Published: October 2021

Bacteria colonizing the rhizosphere, a narrow zone of soil surrounding the root system, are known to have beneficial effects in improving the growth and stress tolerance of plants. However, most bacteria in natural environments, especially those in rhizosphere soils, are recalcitrant to cultivation using traditional techniques, and thus their roles in soil health and plant growth remain unexplored.
Supplemental Material: Magmatism, migrating topography, and the transition from Sevier shortening to Basin and Range extension, western United States
Authors: Lund Snee Jens-Erik , Milller Elizabeth
Published: October 2021

Appendices, figures, and supplementary tables to support the text. The material includes methodological descriptions, as well as detailed descriptions of the stratigraphic successions and their age control, sample localities, and analytical data.
Improving early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes and COPD: protocol of the RED-CVD cluster randomised diagnostic trial
Authors: Groenewegen Amy , Zwartkruis Victor W , Rienstra Michiel , Hollander Monika , Koffijberg Hendrik , Cramer Maarten Jan Maria , van der Schouw Yvonne T , Hoes Arno W , de Boer Rudolf A , Rutten Frans H
Published: October 2021

Introduction

The early stages of chronic progressive cardiovascular disease (CVD) generally cause non-specific symptoms that patients often do not spontaneously mention to their general practitioner, and are therefore easily missed. A proactive diagnostic strategy has the potential to uncover these frequently missed early stages, creating an opportunity for earlier intervention. This is of particular importance for chronic progressive CVDs with evidence-based therapies known to improve prognosis, such as ischaemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation and heart failure.

Patients with type 2 diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at particularly high risk of developing CVD. In the current study, we will demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of screening these high-risk patients with our early diagnosis strategy, using tools that are readily available in primary care, such as symptom questionnaires (to be filled out by the patients themselves), natriuretic peptide measurement and electrocardiography.

Methods and analysis

The Reviving the Early Diagnosis-CVD trial is a multicentre, cluster randomised diagnostic trial performed in primary care practices across the Netherlands. We aim to include 1300 (2×650) patients who participate in a primary care disease management programme for COPD or type 2 diabetes. Practices will be randomised to the intervention arm (performing the early diagnosis strategy during the routine visits that are part of the disease management programmes) or the control arm (care as usual). The main outcome is the number of newly detected cases with CVDs in both arms, and the subsequent therapies they received. Secondary endpoints include quality of life, cost-effectiveness and the added diagnostic value of family and reproductive history questionnaires and three (novel) biomarkers (high-sensitive troponin-I, growth differentiation factor-15 and suppressor of tumourigenicity 2). Finally newly initiated treatments will be compared in both groups.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands. Results are expected in 2022 and will be disseminated through international peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration number

NTR7360.
Nickel hypersensitivity and endovascular devices: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Guéroult Aurélien M , Al-Balah Amer , Davies Alun H , Shalhoub Joseph
Published: October 2021

Objective

Nickel allergy is common; endovascular specialists are often confronted with nickel allergic patients ahead of the implantation of endovascular devices, many of which are nickel-containing. Our aim was to elucidate whether nickel hypersensitivity is significantly associated with worse or adverse outcomes after placement of a nickel-containing endovascular device.

Methods

Inclusion criteria were: endovascular and transcatheter procedures for coronary, structural heart, neurovascular and peripheral vascular pathology involving nickel-allergic patients. All adverse outcomes were included as defined by included studies. A systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken using a random-effects model. Searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE were conducted for articles published 1947–2019.

Results

190 records were identified, 78 articles were included for qualitative synthesis and 15 met criteria for meta-analysis. Patch-test confirmed nickel allergy was associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes following implantation of a nickel-containing endovascular device (n=14 articles, 1740 patients; OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.41 to 4.85). This finding further was observed in coronary (n=12 articles, 1624 patients; OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.16 to 3.23) and structural heart subgroups (n=2 articles, 83 patients; OR 52.28, 95% CI 1.31 to 2079.14), but not in the neurovascular subgroup (n=1 article, 33 patients; OR 3.04, 95% CI 0.59 to 15.72) or with a patient-reported history of nickel allergy (n=2 articles, 207 patients; OR 2.14, 95% CI 0.23 to 19.70).

Conclusions

Patch-tested nickel allergy is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes following endovascular device implantation and alternative treatment options should be considered. Specialists faced with patients’ self-reporting nickel allergy should consider proceeding to diagnostic patch-testing.
A generalization of the Kobayashi–Oshima uniformly bounded multiplicity theorem
Authors: Tauchi Taito
Published: October 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be a minimal parabolic subgroup of a real reductive Lie group [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] a closed subgroup of [Formula: see text]. Then it is proved by Kobayashi and Oshima that the regular representation [Formula: see text] contains each irreducible representation of [Formula: see text] at most finitely many times if the number of [Formula: see text]-orbits on [Formula: see text] is finite. Moreover, they also proved that the multiplicities are uniformly bounded if the number of [Formula: see text]-orbits on [Formula: see text] is finite, where [Formula: see text] are complexifications of [Formula: see text], respectively, and [Formula: see text] is a Borel subgroup of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we prove that the multiplicities of the representations of [Formula: see text] induced from a parabolic subgroup [Formula: see text] in the regular representation on [Formula: see text] are uniformly bounded if the number of [Formula: see text]-orbits on [Formula: see text] is finite. For the proof of this claim, we also show the uniform boundedness of the dimensions of the spaces of group invariant hyperfunctions using the theory of holonomic [Formula: see text]-modules.
Spectral computation of reactive bi-directional hydromagnetic non-Newtonian convection flow from a stretching upper parabolic surface in non-Darcyporous medium
Authors: Shahid A. , Bhatti M. M. , Anwar Bég O. , Animasaun I. L. , Javid Khurram
Published: October 2021

This paper presents a mathematical model for bi-directional convection magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) tangent hyperbolic nanofluid flow from the upper horizontal subsurface of a stretching parabolic surface to a non-Darcian porous medium, as a simulation of nanocoating. Chemical reaction, activation energy and thermo solutal buoyancy effects are included. The Darcy–Brinkman–Forchheimer model is deployed which permits the analysis of inertial (second order) porous drag effects. The Buongiorno nanoscale model is deployed which includes Brownian motion and thermophoresis effects. The dimensionless, transformed, nonlinear, coupled ordinary differential equations are solved by implementing the spectral relaxation method (SRM). Validation with previous studies is included. The numerical influence of key parameters on transport characteristics is evaluated and visualized graphically. Velocity is elevated (and momentum boundary layer thickness is reduced) with increasing wall thickness parameter, permeability parameter, Forchheimer parameter, Weissenberg (rheological) parameter and modified Hartmann (magnetic body force) number. Velocity enhancement is also computed with increment in stretching rate parameter, rheological power-law index, thermal Grashof number, and species (solutal) Grashof number, and momentum boundary layer thickness diminishes. Temperature is suppressed with increasing stretching rate index and Prandtl number whereas it is substantially elevated with increasing Brownian motion and thermophoresis parameters. Velocity and temperature profiles are reduced adjacent to the parabolic surface with larger wall thickness parameter for stretching rate index [Formula: see text]1, whereas the reverse behavior is observed for stretching rate index [Formula: see text]1. Nanoparticle concentration magnitude is depleted with larger numeric of Lewis number and the Brownian motion parameter, whereas it is enhanced with greater values of the stretching index and thermophoresis parameter. The nanoparticle concentration magnitude is reduced with an increase in chemical reaction rate parameter whereas it is boosted with activation energy parameter. Skin friction, Nusselt number and Sherwood number are also computed. The study is relevant to electromagnetic nanomaterials coating processes with complex chemical reactions.
Tailoring the band alignment and magnetic and optical properties of g-C3N4/WSe2 van der Waals heterostructures by vacancies and atomic doping
Authors: Wang Chen , Ye Jiaxin , An Yukai
Published: October 2021

Tunable band structure and effective spatial separation of carriers are important for designing good optoelectronic devices. In this work, effects of interfacial defect including vacancies and [Formula: see text]- or [Formula: see text]-type doping on the band alignment and magnetic and optical properties of g-C3N4/WSe2 van der Waals heterostructures are systematically investigated under the premise of spin-orbit coupling density-functional theory. The results illustrate that the pristine g-C3N4/WSe2 heterostructure exhibits intrinsic type-I band alignment with a direct bandgap of 1.101 eV, and the absorption of UV-visible light can be effectively improved compared with that of isolated WSe2 and g-C3N4 monolayers. The N vacancies as well as [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] doping produce asymmetrical spin-up and spin-down states, bringing about the magnetization and even magnetic half-metallicity characteristics ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] doping). The band edge positions of g-C3N4/WSe2 heterostructure can be also well adjusted by introducing vacancies and [Formula: see text]- or [Formula: see text]-type doping in the g-C3N4 layer, accompanied by the transition of band alignment from types I to II, which will remarkably promote the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The defective g-C3N4/WSe2 heterostructures can be considered as a promising candidate for spintronics and optoelectronic devices.
GLOBAL ECONOMIC SANCTIONS, GLOBAL BANK LINKAGES AND INFORMATION ASYMMETRY: AN EVIDENCE FROM CROSS-COUNTRY DATA
Authors: HA LE THANH , DUNG HOANG PHUONG , CHUONG PHAM HONG , THANH TO TRUNG , HUONG TRAN THI LAN
Published: October 2021

This paper investigates the effects of global economic sanctions (GESs) on global bank linkages (GBLs) by using 4,032 pairs of 66 countries during the 2001–2013 period. We use the structural gravity model combining with the rich database of the Global Sanction Data Base introduced by Felbermayr et al. [(2020). The global sanctions data base. European Economic Review, 129, 1–23]. Our empirical results show a negative association between the GESs and GBLs. The differential effects of GESs on the GBLs are conditional on the sanction types. Furthermore, the consequences of global sanctions become more severe for countries featuring higher information asymmetries, captured either by a high level of world uncertainty, an occurrence of crisis and shocks or by a weak institutional system. Our results are robust and reliable when we use an alternative measure of bank connections, and in the context of controlling the potential endogeneity of global sanction.
An Explainable Deep Learning Ensemble Model for Robust Diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy Grading
Authors: Shorfuzzaman Mohammad , Hossain M. Shamim , El Saddik Abdulmotaleb
Published: October 2021

Diabetic retinopathy (DR)
is one of the most common causes of vision loss in people who have diabetes for a prolonged period.
Convolutional neural networks (CNNs)
have become increasingly popular for computer-aided DR diagnosis using retinal fundus images. While these CNNs are highly reliable, their lack of sufficient explainability prevents them from being widely used in medical practice. In this article, we propose a novel explainable deep learning ensemble model where weights from different models are fused into a single model to extract salient features from various retinal lesions found on fundus images. The extracted features are then fed to a custom classifier for the final diagnosis of DR severity level. The model is trained on an APTOS dataset containing retinal fundus images of various DR grades using a cyclical learning rates strategy with an automatic learning rate finder for decaying the learning rate to improve model accuracy. We develop an explainability approach by leveraging gradient-weighted class activation mapping and shapely adaptive explanations to highlight the areas of fundus images that are most indicative of different DR stages. This allows ophthalmologists to view our model's decision in a way that they can understand. Evaluation results using three different datasets (APTOS, MESSIDOR, IDRiD) show the effectiveness of our model, achieving superior classification rates with a high degree of precision (0.970), sensitivity (0.980), and AUC (0.978). We believe that the proposed model, which jointly offers state-of-the-art diagnosis performance and explainability, will address the black-box nature of deep CNN models in robust detection of DR grading.
Hypoxia Reduction Sensitizes Refractory Cancers to Immunotherapy
Authors: Jayaprakash Priyamvada , Vignali Paolo Dario Angelo , Delgoffe Greg M. , Curran Michael A.
Published: October 2021

In order to fuel their relentless expansion, cancers must expand their vasculature to augment delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients. The disordered web of irregular vessels that results, however, leaves gaps in oxygen delivery that foster tumor hypoxia. At the same time, tumor cells increase their oxidative metabolism to cope with the energetic demands of proliferation, which further worsens hypoxia due to heightened oxygen consumption. In these hypoxic, nutrient-deprived environments, tumors and suppressive stroma evolve to flourish while antitumor immunity collapses due to a combination of energetic deprivation, toxic metabolites, acidification, and other suppressive signals. Reversal of cancer hypoxia thus has the potential to increase the survival and effector function of tumor-infiltrating T cells, as well as to resensitize tumors to immunotherapy. Early clinical trials combining hypoxia reduction with immune checkpoint blockade have shown promising results in treating patients with advanced, metastatic, and therapeutically refractory cancers.
Engineering Low Cost ZnO/RGO Nanocomposite for the Picomolar Sensing of Epinephrine, Uric Acid and Tyrosine
Authors: Joseph Teena , Thomas Jasmine , Thomas Tony , Thomas Nygil
Published: October 2021

This paper demonstrates a highly sensitive, selective, biocompatible and cost-effective method for the simultaneous determination of Epinephrine (EPN), Uric acid (UA) and Tyrosine (TYR). Superior electrochemical performance was achieved using ZnO/RGO/CPE modified electrodes compared to individual components, graphene oxide (GO) and ZnO modified electrodes. The electrochemical activity of the fabricated sensor is examined through cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and chronoamperometry (CA). A sharp increase in anodic peak current and negative shift in the electrode potential upon modification indicates enhanced electrocatalytic activity of ZnO/RGO/CPE. Well distinguishable voltammetric peaks with base-to-base separation and better anodic current were achieved with modified electrode in a mixture of EPN, UA and TYR. The developed sensor exhibits good electrocatalytic activity and an excellent rate of electron transfer arising from the synergistic effect of ZnO and RGO. The detection limit of each biomolecule calculated using DPV is 310 pM for EPN, 340 pM for UA and 730 pM for TYR. The practical feasibility of the proposed sensor is demonstrated by recording satisfactory voltammetric responses in human urine and serum samples.
Effect of Chinese Medicine on the Biological Behavior and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Qi Hengxin , Pan Yuefeng , Chen Li , Li Rui , Wang Chonghua , Wang Ruimin
Published: October 2021

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on biological behavior and magnetic resonance imaging and recurrence rate of patients with bladder cancer. Method. Forty-seven postoperative bladder cancer patients treated in our hospital who met the criteria were selected and randomly divided into the TCM treatment group (observation group) and the group without TCM treatment (control group). In the TCM treatment group, the prescription was slightly adjusted according to the different symptoms, and the main prescription remained unchanged. According to the treatment plan, patients continued to undergo bladder irrigation chemotherapy plus TCM treatment, while the control group was only treated with bladder irrigation chemotherapy. The number of patients with recurrence at 3 and 6 months and 1 year, the effects on patients’ clinical symptoms, and quality of life were observed, respectively. The changes in MRI images, blood routine, immune function, and leukocyte level and other related indexes before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. Results. After the patients in the observation group were treated with traditional Chinese medicine, the patients’ quality of life significantly improved. The patients’ CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ indexes were significantly higher than those of the control group. The levels of Hb and PLT of the patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those of the patients in the control group. Patients in the observation group had higher leukocyte levels and a lower recurrence rate than patients in the control group. Conclusion. TCM with chemotherapy drugs can effectively improve patients’ immune function, increase the level of T-lymphocyte subpopulation, and improve bone marrow hematopoietic function, which has a significant effect on the prevention and treatment of bladder cancer recurrence after surgery.
Inverted Length-Biased Exponential Model: Statistical Inference and Modeling
Authors: Almutiry Waleed
Published: October 2021

This research article proposes a new probability distribution, referred to as the inverted length-biased exponential distribution. The hazard rate function (HZRF) and density function (PDF) in the new distribution allow additional flexibility as well as some desired features. It provides a more flexible approach that may be used to represent many forms of real-world data. The quantile function (QuF), moments (MOs), moment generating function (MOGF), mean residual lifespan (MRLS), mean inactivity time (MINT), and probability weighted moments (PRWMOs) are among the mathematical and statistical features of the inverted length-biased exponential distribution. In the case of complete and type II censored samples (TIICS), the maximum likelihood (MLL) strategy can be used to estimate the model parameters. An asymptotic confidence interval (COI) of parameter is constructed at two confidence levels. We perform simulation study to examine the accuracy of estimates depending upon some statistical measures. Simulation results show that there is great agreement between theoretical and empirical studies. We demonstrate the new model’s relevance and adaptability by modeling three lifespan datasets. The proposed model is a better fit than the half logistic inverse Rayleigh (HLOIR), type II Topp–Leone inverse Rayleigh (TIITOLIR), and transmuted inverse Rayleigh (TRIR) distributions. We anticipate that the expanded distribution will attract a broader range of applications in a variety of fields of research.
Evaluation of the Effect of Comprehensive Nursing in Psychotherapy of Patients with Depression
Authors: Liu Jialing , Xun Zhiyuan
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this study is to understand the emotional experience and psychological intervention of patients with depression and to explore the intervention effect of nursing intervention in the psychological treatment of patients with depression, so as to provide clinical nursing work recommendations and provide reference for the implementation of intervention methods for patients with depression. In addition, through case analysis, this paper combines controlled trials to study the effect of comprehensive nursing in the psychotherapy of patients with depression and combines mathematical statistics to process data. Through the analysis of controlled trials, it can be known that on the basis of conventional medication, interventional guidance for patients with depression through comprehensive nursing programs can play an ideal effect in improving the depression of patients. Moreover, it can effectively improve the patient’s quality of life after intervention and enhance the patient’s nursing satisfaction.
Ameliorative Effects of Gallic Acid on Cisplatin‐Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rat Variations of Biochemistry, Histopathology, and Gene Expression
Authors: Eslamifar Zahra , Moridnia Abbas , Sabbagh Susan , Ghaffaripour Reza , Jafaripour Leila , Behzadifard Mahin
Published: October 2021

Background. Cisplatin is a powerful chemotherapeutic drug mainly used in the treatment of solid tumors. Aggregation of the drug in renal proximal tubule cells causes nephrotoxicity and renal failure. Investigations showed nephrotoxicity as Cisplatin’s dose‐limiting side effect. One of the Cisplatin toxicity mechanisms is generation of reactive oxygen species, which leads to oxidative stress and renal damage. The purpose of this study was evaluation of the modulating effects of Gallic acid on Cisplatin‐induced variations including Caspase‐3 and Clusterin expression and histopathological and biochemical parameters in adult male Wistar rats. Method. Rats were kept under standard condition of temperature, light, and humidity. The animals were divided into 4 groups: GpI: control group (received distilled water for 10 days); GpII: Gallic acid (alone) (50 mg/kg bw, once a day for 10 days); GpIII: Cisplatin (alone), single dose (6 mg/kg bw, I.P. on 5th day of study); GpIV: Gallic acid (50 mg/kg bw, once a day for 10 days) and also injected with single dose of Cisplatin (6 mg/kg bw, I.P., on 5th day of study). After 10 days, all rats were anaesthetized and plasma collected to estimate urea, creatinine, and uric acid. The right kidneys were removed for the study of gene expression and biochemical parameters. The left kidneys were used for histopathological studies. Results. The Cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity was evident from the elevated levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid, and renal tissue MDA and also decreased levels of SOD, CAT, GPX, and GSH in renal tissue. Administration of Gallic acid significantly modulated nephrotoxicity markers, gene expression variations, and histopathological damage. Conclusion. Outcomes of the present investigation suggest that Gallic acid provides protection against CP‐induced nephrotoxicity, but for application in people, further studies are needed.
Effect of Oral Care in a Patient with Depression and Burning Mouth Syndrome during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Nagao Yumiko , Nakagaki Hitomi , Tsuji Masahide
Published: October 2021

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a burning sensation that occurs in the mouth without any underlying cause. There is no satisfactory treatment for BMS, so far. Herein, we report the case of a 74-year-old female with untreated depression who presented with BMS. Despite taking antidepressants, she developed suicidal thoughts, particularly due to the increasing number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and suicides in Japan. The symptoms of BMS and the oral discomfort were eliminated using a multifaceted approach, which included the following: continuous application of the oral care gel “REFRECARE-H®” to the mucous membranes, regular dental visits, collaboration with medical and dental professionals, and administration of zinc preparations. Her suicidal thoughts had disappeared, and her quality of life, assessed using the visual analogue scale, was improved following the treatment. Dentists should strive to provide oral care, while providing treatment in collaboration with specialists, for the early detection of depression and zinc deficiency in patients with BMS.
Analysis of Application Examples of Differential Privacy in Deep Learning
Authors: Shen Zhidong , Zhong Ting
Published: October 2021

Artificial Intelligence has been widely applied today, and the subsequent privacy leakage problems have also been paid attention to. Attacks such as model inference attacks on deep neural networks can easily extract user information from neural networks. Therefore, it is necessary to protect privacy in deep learning. Differential privacy, as a popular topic in privacy‐preserving in recent years, which provides rigorous privacy guarantee, can also be used to preserve privacy in deep learning. Although many articles have proposed different methods to combine differential privacy and deep learning, there are no comprehensive papers to analyze and compare the differences and connections between these technologies. For this purpose, this paper is proposed to compare different differential private methods in deep learning. We comparatively analyze and classify several deep learning models under differential privacy. Meanwhile, we also pay attention to the application of differential privacy in Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), comparing and analyzing these models. Finally, we summarize the application of differential privacy in deep neural networks.
Scapular Winging following Sports-Related Injury in a Rugby Player
Authors: Ishizuka Shinya , Kobayakawa Akinori , Hiraiwa Hideki , Oba Hiroki , Sakaguchi Takefumi , Idota Masaru , Haga Takahiro , Mizuno Takafumi , Kawashima Itaru , Kuriyama Kanae , Imagama Shiro
Published: October 2021

The most common cause of medial scapular winging is long thoracic nerve palsy (LTN) and subsequent serratus anterior muscle dysfunction. A 16-year-old right-handed male high-school rugby player developed severe right-sided neck and shoulder pain after tackling an opponent while playing rugby. Six weeks after initial injury, the patient observed shoulder muscle weakness when performing his daily activities. On physical examination, limited active elevation of the right shoulder in the scapular plane and scapular winging was observed. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed atrophy of both the SA and subclavius muscles on the right side, and we initially suspected an LTN injury sustained. However, while detailing his history, the patient explained that he also had noted difficulty sucking high viscosity drinks such as shakes and smoothies since childhood. In addition, physical examination showed weakness of the orbicularis oculi muscle. Considering the facial muscle weakness, facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) was also suspected, and genetic testing showed chromosome 4q35 deletion with restriction fragments 17 kb and 3 tandem repeated DNA confirming the diagnosis of FSHD. Clinicians should be aware that FSHD could be one of the differential diagnoses of scapular winging after sports injury, and surgeons should rule out the diagnosis of FSHD before performing any surgical treatment for SA palsy.
Fast Decomposition Algorithm Based on Two-Dimensional Wavelet Transform for Image Processing of Graphic Design
Authors: Jiang Feifei , Yao Wenting
Published: October 2021

Graphic design is an important part of the design field today. In this era of information explosion, designs that can deliver information faster and more accurately are bound to gain popularity among the public. In this paper, we propose a fast decomposition algorithm image processing method based on a new transform of the wavelet transform, which mainly addresses the problems of large computation of feature points and long-time consumption of traditional image processing algorithms. Firstly, the second-order decomposition of the image is performed by wavelet function to obtain the low-frequency components of the image, and the wavelet gradient vector is used to extract feature points from the overlapping regions of the low-frequency image so that the transformation parameters of feature points can be obtained quickly under the low-frequency image to guide the feature point extraction under the high-frequency image; on this basis, an improved algorithm of image processing based on the fast decomposition algorithm of two-dimensional wavelet transform with planar design is proposed. Using the properties of one-way matching and directional consistency of feature point constraints, the mismatched point pairs are effectively eliminated to improve the feature point matching accuracy and real-time performance. Finally, the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method are verified by two sets of experiments.
Elevated Levels of IL-27 Are Associated with Disease Activity in Patients with Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Cui Xiufang , Jiao Chunhua , Wang Di , Ye Ziping , Ma Jingjing , Tang Nana , Zhang Hongjie
Published: October 2021

Immune disorders play an important role in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease (CD). Notably, the increased immune response of Th1 cells and related cytokines is associated with the onset of CD. IL-27 is a newly discovered IL-12-related cytokine, but its expression and clinical significance in CD patients are still controversial. This study is aimed at evaluating the serum levels of IL-27 in CD patients and analyzing their clinical significance. The results indicated that serum levels of IL-27 in CD patients were significantly higher than those in control subjects (median (interquartile range (IQR)): 110.0 (95.0, 145.0) vs. 85.0 (80.0, 95.0) pg/ml,

P
<
0.001

). Furthermore, the IL-27 levels significantly increased in CD patients at the active stage compared with CD patients in remission (CDR) (127.5 (100.0, 150.0) vs. 90 (80.0, 110.0) pg/ml,

P
<
0.001

). However, there was no difference in IL-27 levels between CDR and control subjects. The levels of IL-27 were positively correlated with Crohn’s disease activity index (CDAI), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fecal calprotectin (FC), and Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease (SES-CD) and negatively correlated with hemoglobin (Hb) and serum albumin (ALB). IL-27 combined with CRP favored the prediction of CD activity (area under the curve (AUC): 0.88). Additionally, the proportions of Th17 and Th1 cells in peripheral blood were higher in CD patients than in control subjects. Active CD patients exhibited significantly higher proportions of Th17 and Th1 cells than those in remission. Moreover, correlation analysis indicated that the serum levels of IL-27 were positively associated with the frequency of Th17 cells in CD patients (

r
=
0.519

,

P
=
0.013

) but not associated with the frequency of Th1 cells in CD patients. IL-27 is positively associated with multiple inflammation indicators and may exert a proinflammatory profile by regulating Th17 cell differentiation in the development of Crohn’s disease. In the future, IL-27 combined with CRP is expected to become an important biological marker of CD activity.
Determination of Renal Distribution of Zinc, Copper, Iron, and Platinum in Mouse Kidney Using LA‐ICP‐MS
Authors: Stepka Petr , Kratochvilova Monika , Kuchynka Michaela , Raudenska Martina , Polanska Hana Holcova , Vicar Tomas , Vaculovic Tomas , Vaculovicova Marketa , Masarik Michal
Published: October 2021

The main dose‐limiting side effect of cisplatin is nephrotoxicity. The utilization of cisplatin is an issue of balancing tumour toxicity versus platinum‐induced nephrotoxicity. In this study, we focused on intraorgan distribution of common essential trace elements zinc, copper, and iron in healthy mouse kidneys and distribution of platinum after cisplatin treatment. Renal distribution in 12 nontreated Nu‐Nu mice (males) was assessed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS). Furthermore, 9 Nu‐Nu mice were treated with cisplatin. The order of elements concentration in kidneys was as follows: Fe > Zn > Cu. All three metals showed the higher concentrations at the cortex and medulla (28.60, 3.35, and 93.83 μg/g for Zn, Cu, and Fe, respectively) and lower concentration at the pelvis and the urinary tract (20.20, 1.93, and 62.48 μg/g for Zn, Cu, and Fe, respectively). No statistically significant difference between cortex and medulla was observed for these elements. After platinum treatment, the concentration of platinum in kidneys was enhanced more than 60‐times, p < 0.001. Platinum significantly showed the highest accumulation in cortex (2.11 μg/g) with a gradient distribution. Platinum was less accumulated in medulla and pelvis than in cortex, and the lowest accumulation occurred in the urinary tract (1.13 μg/g). Image processing has been successfully utilized to colocalize metal distribution using LA‐ICP‐MS and histological samples images.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Magnetic Polypyrrole Nanotubes for Adsorption of Cr(VI) in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Zhang Wenjuan , Wang Yaxian , Fei Yulong , Wang Youliang , Zhang Zhaoxiong , Kou Miao , Feng Qiancheng , Wang Sheng , Du Xueyan
Published: October 2021

A novel and efficient route is proposed to fabricate Fe3O4/polypyrrole (Fe3O4/PPy) nanotubes via a one‐pot process. The one‐pot strategy involves the synthesis of Fe3O4/PPy nanotubes by oxidative polymerization of pyrrole (Py) monomer using Fe3+ as an oxidant in the presence of methyl orange (MO) and Fe3+ used as iron source to form Fe3O4 simultaneously in basic conditions without adding any additional iron source and oxidant. The effects of Fe3+ concentration on the morphology and adsorption capacity of the Fe3O4/PPy nanotubes were investigated. The Fe3O4/PPy nanotubes exhibit a tubular structure. Fe3O4 nanoparticles are well dispersed among the PPy nanotubes. The Fe3O4/PPy nanotubes exhibit excellent magnetic property, which make them easy to separate from wastewater by magnetic separation. The diameter of the PPy nanotubes decreased with the increase of the Fe3+ concentration. The Fe3O4/PPy nanotubes showed strong adsorption capability for Cr(VI) with the maximum adsorption capacity of about 451.45 mg·g−1, which is significantly higher than bare Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Cr(VI) was adsorbed on Fe3O4/PPy nanotubes by ion exchange and chelation, where Cr(VI) was partially reduced to Cr(III) due to the existence of −NH+ on the Fe3O4/PPy nanotubes. Furthermore, the Fe3O4/PPy nanotubes are recyclable, retaining 90% of the initial removal efficiency after 5 adsorption/desorption cycles.