bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
[Retracted] Alpha Protein Kinase 2 Promotes Esophageal Cancer via Integrin Alpha 11
Authors: Ainiwaer Julaiti , Zhang Liwei , Niyazi Maidiniyeti , Awut Edris , Zheng Shutao , Sheyhidin Ilyar , Dai JiangHong
Published: June 2022

Background. As a common disease around the world, esophageal cancer (EC) primarily includes two subclasses: esophageal adenocarcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Mortality has been rising over the years; hence, exploring the mechanism of EC development has become critical. Among the alpha protein kinases, alpha protein kinase 2 (ALPK2) presumably has a connection with EC, but it has never been revealed before. Methods. In this study, IHC analysis was used for ALPK2 expression quantification in ES tissues. TE‐1 and Eca‐109, which are both human EC cell lines, were used for in vitro analysis of cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and colony formation. Results. ALPK2 was found to have an abundant expression within EC tissues (P < 0.001), as well as in the two selected human EC cell lines (P < 0.05). The data showed that ALPK2 depletion suppressed EC cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation, meanwhile stimulating apoptosis (P < 0.001). The in vivo experiments also displayed inhibitory effects caused by ALPK2 depletion on EC tumorigenesis (P < 0.001). It was further validated that ALPK2 depletion made the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR, as well as CDK6 and PIK3CA levels downregulated (P < 0.001). Mechanistically, we identified integrin alpha 11 (ITGA11) as a downstream gene of ALPK2 regulating EC. More importantly, we found that ITGA11 elevation promoted cell proliferation and migration and rescued the suppression effects caused by ALPK2 depletion (P < 0.001). Conclusions. ALPK2 promotes esophageal cancer via integrin its downstream gene alpha 11; ALPK2 can potentially act as a target for the treatment of EC.
Low Expression of miR-491-3p Is Correlated with Lymph Node Metastasis in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Yu Haiou , Luo Shuang
Published: June 2022

Objective. MiR-491-3p, as a tumor suppressor miRNA, was found decreased in many solid tissues. In this study, we aim to investigate miR-491-3p expression in gastric cancer with or without lymph node metastasis (LNM). Methods. GSE173215 dataset from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) was used to measure miRNA expression from tissue samples of gastric cancer patients. Moreover, gastric tumor tissues (non-LNM: n = 78; LNM: n = 68) were obtained to detect the miR-491-3p expression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Kaplan–Meier (KM) survival analysis, as well as Cox regression analysis, were performed to reveal the role of miR-491-3p in diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer. Results. According to GSE173215 datasets (t = −11.25, adjust

P

value = 1.30E-06) and our clinical results (0.390 ± 0.193 vs. 0.562 ± 0.166,

P
<
0.005

), the gastric cancer patients with LNM showed lower miR-491-3p expression than those without LNM, demonstrating a high diagnostic efficiency (sensitivity: 74.36%; specificity: 69.12%). In addition, both LNM and low miR-491-3p expression were correlated with the poor prognosis of gastric cancer. Furthermore, the LNM patient with low expression of miR-491-3p had the worse prognosis, but the non-LNM patient with high expression of miR-491-3p had the best prognosis. MiR-491-3p expression (HR = 0.003, 95%CI: 3.35E-04∼0.028) and LNM (HR = 2.326, 95%CI: 1.046∼5.173) were independent risk factors for gastric cancer. Conclusion. Downregulated miR-491-3p expression was found in gastric cancer, being a high diagnostic efficiency and an independent risk factor for gastric cancer, especially in those having LNM.
Research on Internal Structure and Mechanism of Landslide Based on Hydrogeophysical Investigation (Quan’an Landslide, Southwest China)
Authors: Wang Xiangpeng , Wang Xuben , Wang Kunpeng , Luo Wei , Xiao Junqiu , Hu Jin , Hu Depan
Published: June 2022

The survey area is located in the planning area of Longquan national urban park, with frequent human activities, numerous water conservancy, transportation projects, and frequent geological disasters such as landslides. The Red Mudstone has low strength and easy to soften in the case of water, and it is very prone to landslide in rainy season. At present, there are many studies on Red Mudstone Landslides, but most of them are analyzed by geological means, and the monitoring process is also dominated by surface deformation and settlement; there is less analysis with hydrogeological that is caused by rainfall and human activities. For Red Mudstone Landslides, to effectively reveal and analyze the process of the Slip Mechanism, we need to carry out the characteristics of hydrogeological structure and underground physical structure, and compare with surface monitoring and point geological structure. In this study, a one-year field survey and hydrogeophysical survey were carried out. Combined with the characteristics of environmental geology, the geophysical forward modeling problem based on finite element method was used to verify the influence of rainfall on the electrical characteristics of underground media. The smoothness constrained least square method and three-dimensional unstructured grid method are used to interpret the ERT data, analyze the abnormal patterns of electrical structure of landslide in different seasons, and correspond well with the GPR data. According to the characteristics of surface vegetation and weathering, as well as the displacement and settlement monitoring after landslide, the spatial characteristics of red bed landslide are revealed, and the relationship between landslide, rainfall, and human activities is clarified.
Online Education Satisfaction Assessment Based on Machine Learning Model in Wireless Network Environment
Authors: Qin Jing
Published: June 2022

With the development of wireless network technology, the transformation of educational concepts, the upgrading of users’ educational needs, and the transformation of lifestyles, online education has made great strides forward. However, due to the rapid growth of online education in my country, many regulatory systems have not kept pace with the development of online education, resulting in low user experience and satisfaction with online education. The establishment of a user satisfaction model is beneficial for attracting attention and thinking about research in the field of online education service quality, assisting enterprises in recognizing the specific impact of various factors in services, accelerating service quality improvement, and assisting in the formulation of industry norms and improving enterprise competitiveness, all of which help students acquire knowledge more easily. In the era of big data, traditional satisfaction evaluation methods have many drawbacks, so more and more machine learning methods are applied to satisfaction evaluation models. This paper takes the research of machine learning algorithm as the core to carry out the research work, uses the cost-sensitive idea to improve the decision tree, considers the cost of different types of classification errors, and uses the random forest principle to integrate the generated decision tree, thereby improving the accuracy of the model. The model has better stability, and the validity of the model is verified by experiments. For a follow-up in-depth investigation of online education satisfaction rating technology, the linked work of this paper has certain reference and reference value.
Driving Detection Based on the Multifeature Fusion
Authors: Yang Qiufen , Lu Yan
Published: June 2022

In order to solve the problems of facial feature localization and driver fatigue state identification methods in driving fatigue detection, a driving detection method based on the multifeature fusion was proposed. This method uses a supervised descent algorithm to simultaneously locate multiple facial features of drivers. On the basis of blink, yawn and nod judgment, multiple characteristic values of blink frequency, yawn frequency, and nod frequency of drivers were extracted to establish a fatigue detection sample database, and a naive Bayes classifier was constructed to judge fatigue. When the driver appears fatigue driving, warning information is given in time in order to prevent traffic accidents. The experimental results show that two sample videos were selected for testing. The accuracy rate of video sample 1 and video sample 2 was 94.74% and 95.00%, respectively. Conclusion. In the actual driving environment video test results, the discriminant average accuracy of a driver fatigue state reaches 94.87%, which has a good performance.
Therapeutic Value of Traditional Chinese Massage plus Moxibustion for Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Yang Jianhui , Zou Jianping , Zhang Qingfeng
Published: June 2022

Objective. To evaluate the therapeutic value of traditional Chinese massage plus moxibustion for degenerative knee osteoarthritis (DKOA). Methods. From January 2019 to October 2021, 152 patients with DKOA were enrolled. All patients were randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group. The control group was treated with oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules. The treatment group was treated with traditional Chinese massage and moxibustion on the basis of the control group. The duration of treatment in the two groups was 8 weeks. The effectiveness, visual analog scale (VAS) score, the hospital for special surgery (HSS) score, World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) score, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results. There were no significant differences in age, sex, and the duration of disease between the two groups (

P
>
0.05

). The overall response rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group after treatment (92.1% vs 78.9%;

P
=
0.038

); the VAS score of both two groups were significantly decreased, and the VAS score in the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group (3.5 ± 1.4 vs 4.8 ± 1.1;

P
<
0.001

); the HSS score and WHOQOL-BREF score significantly improved in both groups, and the HSS score and WHOQOL-BREF score improved more in the treatment group than those of the control group (

P
<
0.05

). The high-sensitivity CRP level significantly decreased in both groups, and the high-sensitivity CRP level in treatment group is lower than that of the control group (2.79 ± 1.65 vs 4.37 ± 1.54;

P
<
0.001

); the IL-6 level was significantly decreased in the treatment group than in the control group (7.22 ± 3.41 vs 4.59 ± 2.98;

P
<
0.001

). Conclusion. Traditional Chinese massage plus moxibustion is worthy of clinical application, which has a significant clinical effect on DKOA, reducing pain and improving knee joint function and quality of life.
Mathematical Modeling and Control of COVID-19 Using Super Twisting Sliding Mode and Nonlinear Techniques
Authors: Aljuboury Anwer S. , Abedi Firas , Shukur Hanan M. , Hashim Zahraa Sabah , Ibraheem Ibraheem Kasim , Alkhayyat Ahmed
Published: June 2022

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, several control strategies have been proposed. The rapid spread of COVID-19 globally, allied with the fact that COVID-19 is a serious threat to people’s health and life, motivated many researchers around the world to investigate new methods and techniques to control its spread and offer treatment. Currently, the most effective approach to containing SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and minimizing its impact on education and the economy remains a vaccination control strategy, however. In this paper, a modified version of the susceptible, exposed, infectious, and recovered (SEIR) model using vaccination control with a novel construct of active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) is thus used to generate a proper vaccination control scheme by rejecting those disturbances that might possibly affect the system. For the COVID-19 system, which has a unit relative degree, a new structure for the ADRC has been introduced by embedding the tracking differentiator (TD) in the control unit to obtain an error signal and its derivative. Two further novel nonlinear controllers, the nonlinear PID and a super twisting sliding mode (STC-SM) were also used with the TD to develop a new version of the nonlinear state error feedback (NLSEF), while a new nonlinear extended state observer (NLESO) was introduced to estimate the system state and total disturbance. The final simulation results show that the proposed methods achieve excellent performance compared to conventional active disturbance rejection controls.
Privacy Protection Dilemma and Improved Algorithm Construction Based on Deep Learning in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Tang Chenming
Published: June 2022

With the development of science and technology and the progress of social civilization, people have entered the era of big data. People’s personal information, privacy data, financial status, and financial information have become more and more transparent. Personal privacy has also changed from traditional physical privacy to portrait privacy and further changed to digital privacy based on artificial intelligence, big data, algorithms, and other technologies. At this stage, a new type of privacy problem has been formed, that is, deep learning privacy. In order to better protect the right to privacy, we should effectively block the protection dilemma of privacy and improve the construction of algorithms in the era of artificial intelligence, strengthen our own awareness of prevention, understand the current situation of infringing and protecting the right to privacy, fully protect the right to privacy, and promote the legal construction of the right to privacy in the era of artificial intelligence. However, China’s traditional privacy protection system cannot fully adapt to this change, and this highlights the lack of rules and hidden dangers of efficiency of privacy protection under the influence of penetrating monitoring, mandatory sharing, structural discrimination, and interactive assimilation of artificial intelligence. Therefore, based on the infringement mechanism of artificial intelligence on personal privacy, we should build a monitoring and identification function filing system, establish a segmentation and selective agreement rule system, build a comparative antidiscrimination rule system, innovate the “cloud blocking” rule system to protect our privacy, and comprehensively address the major challenges posed by new technologies such as artificial intelligence to China’s privacy protection system.
Delta-DAGMM: A Free Rider Attack Detection Model in Horizontal Federated Learning
Authors: Huang Hai , Zhang Borong , Sun Yinggang , Ma Chao , Qu Jiaxing
Published: June 2022

Federated learning is a machine learning framework proposed in recent years. In horizontal federated learning, multiple participants cooperate to train and obtain a common final model. Participants only need to transmit the local updated model instead of local datasets. Some participants do not use effective local data sets, but provide disguised model parameters to participate in federal training and obtain common training models. This attack is called Free-rider attack. To the best of our knowledge, researches have proposed some Free-rider attack strategies with theoretical support, but there are few researches on Free-rider attack detection. However, the model disguised by some attackers using special attack strategies is similar to the real model in terms of convergence and weight, so it is difficult to detect the model provided by attacker as abnormal data. Based on DAGMM, a high-dimensional abnormal data detection model, this paper optimizes the sample processing and compression model, and proposes an improved detection algorithm, called Delta-DAGMM. Two types of large datasets are used for experiments. The experimental results show that Delta-DAGMM has higher precision and F1 score than DAGMM. On average, the Delta-DAGMM algorithm achieves a precision of 98.42% and an F1 score of 98.36%.
Model Selection and Parameter Estimation for an Improved Approximate Bayesian Computation Sequential Monte Carlo Algorithm
Authors: Deng Yue , Pei Yongzhen , Li Changguo , Zhu Bin
Published: June 2022

Model selection and parameter estimation are very important in many fields. However, the existing methods have many problems, such as low efficiency in model selection and inaccuracy in parameter estimation. In this study, we proposed a new algorithm named improved approximate Bayesian computation sequential Monte Carlo algorithm (IABC‐SMC) based on approximate Bayesian computation sequential Monte Carlo algorithm (ABC‐SMC). Using the IABC‐SMC algorithm, given data and the set of two models including logistic and Gompertz models of infectious diseases, we obtained the best fitting model and the values of unknown parameters of the corresponding model. The simulation results showed that the IABC‐SMC algorithm can quickly and accurately select a model that best matches the corresponding epidemic data among multiple candidate models and estimate the values of unknown parameters of model very accurately. We further compared the effects of IABC‐SMC algorithm with that of ABC‐SMC algorithm. Simulations showed that the IABC‐SMC algorithm can improve the accuracy of estimated parameter values and the speed of model selection and also avoid the shortage of ABC‐SMC algorithm. This study suggests that the IABC‐SMC algorithm can be seen as a promising method for model selection and parameter estimation.
Marketing Strategy of Rural Tourism Based on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Xie Dan , He Yu
Published: June 2022

In recent years, with the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology and big data application and the continuous optimization of algorithms such as deep learning algorithms and reinforcement learning algorithms, tourist attractions using “smart tourism” technology can obtain more accurate and in-depth knowledge from tourism big data and mine the value behind the data. As an important branch of tourism, the rise of rural tourism has inspired rural areas to protect the local environment, inherit characteristic culture, develop tourism resources, develop tourism economy, and increase rural income, which has well responded to the call of the rural revitalization strategy. However, due to lack of information resources and technology, some rural scenic spots still adopt traditional marketing methods without the support of big data and artificial intelligence technology. This paper proposes a research work on the marketing strategy of rural tourist attractions based on big data and artificial intelligence, analyzes current application of big data and artificial intelligence in rural tourism, and discusses the transformation of rural tourism marketing to a new fusion model with the support of big data and artificial intelligence, aiming to study every step involved and supported deeply by big data and artificial intelligence, from the awakening of intentions before the travel to the analysis of behaviors and preferences during the travel and the collection of evaluation after the travel. The research results of this paper show that more sufficient and deep integration between rural tourism and artificial intelligence/big data are needed to make tourists get better tour experience and marketing strategy of rural scenic spots to get better effects and income.
Synchronization Analysis of Multiple FitzHugh-Nagumo Noisy and Nonnoisy Neurobiological Networks
Authors: Ibrahim Malik Muhammad , Iram Shazia , Kamran Muhammad Ahmad , Naeem Mannan Malik Muhammad , Ali Muhammad Umair , Jung Il Hyo , Oh Semin , Kim Sangil
Published: June 2022

In the biological neural bursting and firing synchronization plays a vital role in all neuronal activities that are utilized for making decisions, executing commands, and sending information by neurons and their complex networks in the biological complexed brain. Understanding how the biological brain functionality comes out from different patterns of neuronal transmission between the large group of neural networks stands as one of the enduring challenges of modern neuroscience. This study investigated a methodology for synchronization of multiple single/dual state gap junctions FitzHugh-Nagumo (FHN) drive and slave networks under the condition of external noise. The theory of control was utilized to propose simple and diverse controllers to examine the synchronization problem of the different single and dual state gap junctions coupled nonnoisy and noisy FHN neurobiological drive and slave networks. Control laws are designed to stabilize the error dynamics without direct cancelation and synchronize all the states of both FHN neurobiological drive and slave networks. Sufficient conditions for achieving synchronization in the multiple single/dual state gap junction FHN noisy and nonnoisy neurobiological drive and slave networks were derived analytically using the theory of Lyapunov stability. Furthermore, the proposed controllers have been verified by using five noisy/nonnoisy FHN neurobiological drive and slave networks through numerical simulations.
Research on Sound Source Material Recognition Technology in Indoor Geotechnical Inspection
Authors: Guo Huajie , Jiang Huihuang , Gao Mingxian
Published: June 2022

Studies have shown that physical parameters such as size have obvious influence and relevance on the sound spectrum structure. In order to study the new detection technology of sound recognition of compaction of soil, this article conducted a large number of indoor soil sample hammering tests. The timbre features of the sound are extracted by the impact sound feature extraction method based on the principle of auditory perception, and the focus is on the correlation between frequency domain eigenvalues such as spectral centroid and different compaction of soil. By grouping and analyzing the multiple sets of acoustic samples after the different compaction of soil samples are excited, we found that the centroid feature of the subband spectrum can well represent the compaction of soil, and the two have a strong correlation; the maximum correlation coefficient is up to 0.81. The research results show that when the reasonable hammering force range of exciting soil is 30 N~89 N, the subband spectrum centroid feature is used as an index to characterize the compaction of soil, which can be used to infer the compaction of soil.
[Retracted] Effect of Cu Doping on ZnO Nanoparticles as a Photocatalyst for the Removal of Organic Wastewater
Authors: Khalid Awais , Ahmad Pervaiz , Khan Abdulhameed , Muhammad Saleh , Khandaker Mayeen Uddin , Alam Md. Mottahir , Asim Mohd , Din Israf Ud , Chaudhary Ratiram G. , Kumar Dileep , Sharma Rohit , Faruque Mohammad Rashed Iqbal , Emran Talha Bin
Published: June 2022

Environmental problems with chemical and biological water pollution have become a major concern for society. Providing people with safe and affordable water is a grand challenge of the 21st century. The study investigates the photocatalytic degradation capabilities of hydrothermally prepared pure and Cu‐doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) for the elimination of dye pollutants. A simple, cost‐effective hydrothermal process is employed to synthesize the Cu‐doped ZnO NPs. The photocatalytic dye degradation activity of the synthesized Cu‐doped ZnO NPs is tested by using methylene blue (MB) dye. In addition, the parameters that affect photodegradation efficiency, such as catalyst concentration, starting potential of hydrogen (pH), and dye concentration, were also assessed. The dye degradation is found to be directly proportional to the irradiation time, as 94% of the MB dye is degraded in 2 hrs. Similarly, the dye degradation shows an inverse relation to the MB dye concentration, as the degradation reduced from 94% to 20% when the MB concentration increases from 5 ppm to 80 ppm. The synthesized cost‐effective and environmentally friendly Cu‐doped ZnO NPs exhibit improved photocatalytic activity against MB dye and can therefore be employed in wastewater treatment materials.
Evaluating the Performance of Inclusive Growth Based on the BP Neural Network and Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Fan Shuangshuang , Liu Xiaoxue
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we use the panel data of 281 cities in China from 2005 to 2020 for capturing the factors driving urban inclusive growth (IG). In doing this, we employ the BP neural network algorithm combined with the DEA model to measure the urban inclusive growth efficiency (IGE). Furthermore, a nest of machine learning (ML) algorithms are introduced to explore the drivers of urban IGE, which overcomes the defects of endogeneity and multicollinearity of traditional econometric methods. We find for the overall sample that entrepreneurship and innovation contribute the most to IGE, accounting for about 35%, respectively, and they are the most critical drivers, while the heterogeneity test results reveal that the contribution of influencing factors has changed for different regions such as the eastern region, the central region, and the western region. Based on the experimental results of the ML model, we provide some policy suggestions for China and similar developing countries and emerging economies to promote IG.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Moxibustion in the Treatment of Infantile Diarrhea
Authors: Li Ziming
Published: June 2022

The main contribution of this research paper is to summarize the results of Meta-analysis of moxibustion in the treatment of infantile diarrhea which is one the common disease and requires considerable attention from the research community and funding organizations. In order to verify that the proposed scheme has merits, a comprehensive searching methodology was adopted by considering various databases such as China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Network Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Pub Med Database, Google Academic, and Cochrane Library. It is important to note that a powerful computer has been utilized to carry out this searching. Finally, only those literature contents are selected which meet the inclusion criteria. Likewise, exclusion criteria was used to exclude irrelevant contents of the literature. RevMan 5.3 was used to analyze the collected data and after reading the titles and abstracts, 29 well-designed studies were selected. Through searching the full text, reading literature, and quality evaluation, 17 papers were finally included. Response rates were reported in all 17 studies, and subgroup analysis was performed based on whether or not other therapies were combined. 7 studies compared the effectiveness of simple moxibustion and conventional therapy in the treatment of infantile diarrhea, and the results showed statistically significant differences [OR = 4.01, 95% CI (2.03, 7.84),

P
<
0.0001

]; 10 studies compared the effectiveness of moxibustion combined with other therapies and conventional therapies in the treatment of diarrhea in children, and the results showed that the difference had general meaning [OR = 4.45, 95% CI (2.83, 7.10),

P
<
0.00001

]. The funnel plot (in Figure) showed that the distribution of included studies was asymmetrical on both sides of the baseline, which could be considered as publication bias. Traditional Chinese medicine moxibustion could effectively relieve the symptoms of infantile diarrhea, and the effect was significant.
Evaluation of Students’ Online Learning Behavior and Perception of Psychological State Based on Data Mining
Authors: Zhang Meng , Jia Meihui
Published: June 2022

This paper first analyzes the characteristics of students’ OLB and stimulates students’ online learning motivation based on the locus of control (LoC) stimulation model. Through data mining technology, this paper puts forward the analysis model of OLB, the sequence mining model of OLB, and the interactive model of OLB. Finally, a psychological state perception model based on OLB analysis is constructed; MAE and MSE are used as indexes to compare the fitting effects of GBRT, AdaBoostRegression, LinearSVR, and LinearRegression algorithms on the model. The results show that the relationship between students’ psychological state and OLB is very close. While the model constructed has certain predictive ability for students’ psychological state perception of OLB, which has certain practical significance for the regulation of students’ learning behavior.
The Gastric Cancer Registry: A Genomic Translational Resource for Multidisciplinary Research in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Almeda Alison F. , Grimes Susan M. , Lee HoJoon , Greer Stephanie , Shin GiWon , McNamara Madeline , Hooker Anna C. , Arce Maya M. , Kubit Matthew , Schauer Marie C. , Van Hummelen Paul , Ma Cindy , Mills Meredith A. , Huang Robert J. , Hwang Joo Ha , Amieva Manuel R. , Han Summer S. , Ford James M. , Ji Hanlee P.
Published: June 2022

Background:

Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality. Developing information systems which integrate clinical and genomic data may accelerate discoveries to improve cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. To support translational research in gastric cancer, we developed the Gastric Cancer Registry (GCR), a North American repository of clinical and cancer genomics data.

Methods:

Participants self-enrolled online. Entry criteria into the GCR included the following: (i) diagnosis of gastric cancer, (ii) history of gastric cancer in a first- or second-degree relative, or (iii) known germline mutation in the gene CDH1. Participants provided demographic and clinical information through a detailed survey. Some participants provided specimens of saliva and tumor samples. Tumor samples underwent exome sequencing, whole-genome sequencing, and transcriptome sequencing.

Results:

From 2011 to 2021, 567 individuals registered and returned the clinical questionnaire. For this cohort 65% had a personal history of gastric cancer, 36% reported a family history of gastric cancer, and 14% had a germline CDH1 mutation. 89 patients with gastric cancer provided tumor samples. For the initial study, 41 tumors were sequenced using next-generation sequencing. The data was analyzed for cancer mutations, copy-number variations, gene expression, microbiome, neoantigens, immune infiltrates, and other features. We developed a searchable, web-based interface (the GCR Genome Explorer) to enable researchers’ access to these datasets.

Conclusions:

The GCR is a unique, North American gastric cancer registry which integrates clinical and genomic annotation.

Impact:

Available for researchers through an open access, web-based explorer, the GCR Genome Explorer will accelerate collaborative gastric cancer research across the United States and world.
There Is a Positive Dose-Dependent Association between Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil and Its Efficacy for Androgenetic Alopecia: Findings from a Systematic Review with Meta-Regression Analyses
Authors: Gupta Aditya K. , Hall Deanna C. , Talukder Mesbah , Bamimore Mary A.
Published: June 2022

Background: Recently, low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) has entered the landscape of therapies for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). We determined whether using LDOM is associated with improving AGA in a dose-dependent manner; secondarily, we examined whether a dose-dependent association also exists for safety. Methods: Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed and Scopus to identify studies that would be eligible for our quantitative analyses; the logistics of our analyses was determined by the data we gathered. Results: Six studies were eligible for quantitative analyses; we conducted meta-regressions. We found that, for persons with AGA, increasing the dosage of LDOM by 1 mg/day was – after six months – significantly associated with an expected sex-adjusted increase in hair diameter (mean difference = 1.4 μm, p = 0.01), total hair density (mean difference = 47.1 hairs/cm2, p = 0.007), terminal hair density (mean difference = 9.1 hairs/cm2, p = 0.001), risk of hypertrichosis (mean difference = 17.9%, p = 0.006), and cardiovascular adverse events (mean difference = 4.8%, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Our study produced new evidence as our work is the first to show a positive dose-dependent association between the use of LDOM and change in hair diameter, hair density, risk of hypertrichosis, and cardiovascular adverse events for persons with AGA. Future randomized trials could produce causal evidence that would corroborate these dose-dependent associations.
Metabolic Changes across Tertiles of Delta Changes in Height SDS during Growth Hormone Therapy in Children with Growth Hormone Deficiency
Authors: Giannini Cosimo , Mastromauro Concetta , Polidori Nella , Chiarelli Francesco , Mohn Angelika
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance are components of the metabolic syndrome and in adults are positively affected by growth hormone (GH) treatment. Few data are available on youth, especially evaluating the improvement of metabolic features after starting GH treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in metabolic profile in GHD children across tertiles of h-SDS changes after at least 20 months of GH therapy. Methods: Data from 51 normal-weight children and adolescents with GHD (age: 11.4 ± 2.3 years; h-SDS: −2.25 ± −1.94) who had performed a complete metabolic profile including IGF-1, lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol), glucose metabolism (fasting glycemia, insulin, hemoglobin A1c levels), and insulin resistance indices (HOMA, TG/HDL ratio) before and after start GH treatment were analyzed. Subjects who had received GH therapy for at least 20 months were eligible. Delta changes were calculated for each variable. Subjects were divided according to tertiles of delta changes of h-SDS (1st tertile, 2nd tertile, 3rd tertile) before and after a period of GH treatment. Results: In each tertile group, a significant increase in height SDS was documented. Delta changes in glucose metabolism, lipid profile, and insulin resistance indices significantly improved across tertiles groups, showing the highest tertile a better metabolic pattern. Discussion/Conclusions: GH therapy is associated with improvement of metabolic profile. Delta changes seem to be more evident in those children with a higher tertile of delta h-SDS after starting GH therapy. A tailored therapy aimed to reach a proper goal in h-SDS after GH treatment might be necessary in order to reduce cardiovascular risk in GHD children.
Intravitreal Tissue Plasminogen Activator Injection for the Treatment of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Reitblat Olga , Barayev Edward , Gal-Or Orly , Tsessler Maria , Dotan Assaf
Published: June 2022

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intravitreal injection of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) on proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Methods: PVR was induced in a rabbit model by intraocular injection of dispase (0.05 U/0.1 mL). Progression of PVR was followed by indirect ophthalmic examination. Following 6 weeks, 5 animals received intravitreal injection of 25 µg/0.1 mL tPA and four were injected with balanced salt solution (BSS). Animals were euthanized at 48 h following tPA/BSS injection, and eyes were enucleated for histological evaluation and staining with α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and Sirius Red. Results: Following tPA injection, one eye had a reduction in PVR from grade 2 to 1 and three eyes remained stable. Following BSS, PVR grade was unchanged in three eyes. In one eye in each group, the severity of PVR could not be assessed due to limited view. Staining with αSMA showed reduced presence of fibroblasts in eyes injected with tPA compared with those injected with BSS. Collagen type I and III, demonstrated by Sirius Red staining, was reduced in the tPA group in comparison with controls. Conclusion: Our results suggest that intravitreally injected tPA may show an inhibitory effect on PVR progression. Further exploration in clinical trials is desired.
Microcalcification and Thoracic Aortopathy: A Window Into Disease Severity
Authors: Fletcher Alexander J. , Nash Jennifer , Syed Maaz B.J. , Macaskill Mark G. , Tavares Adriana A.S. , Walker Niki , Salcudean Hannah , Leipsic Jonathon A. , Lim Kelvin H.H. , Madine Jillian , Wallace William , Field Mark , Newby David E. , Bouchareb Rihab , Seidman Michael A. , Akhtar Riaz , Sellers Stephanie L.
Published: June 2022

Background:

Patients with thoracic aortopathy are at increased risk of catastrophic aortic dissection, carrying with it substantial mortality and morbidity. Although granular medial calcinosis (medial microcalcification) has been associated with thoracic aortopathy, its relationship to disease severity has yet to be established.

Methods:

One hundred one thoracic aortic specimens were collected from 57 patients with thoracic aortopathy and 18 control subjects. Standardized histopathologic scores, immunohistochemistry, and nanoindentation (tissue elastic modulus) were compared with the extent of microcalcification on von Kossa histology and 18F-sodium fluoride autoradiography.

Results:

Microcalcification content was higher in thoracic aortopathy samples with mild (n=28; 6.17 [2.71–10.39];
P
≤0.00010) or moderate histopathologic degeneration (n=30; 3.74 [0.87–11.80];
P
<0.042) compared with control samples (n=18; 0.79 [0.36–1.90]). Alkaline phosphatase (n=26;
P
=0.0019) and OPN (osteopontin; n=26;
P
=0.0045) staining were increased in tissue with early aortopathy. Increasingly severe histopathologic degeneration was related to reduced microcalcification (n=82; Spearman ρ, −0.51;
P
<0.0001)—a process closely linked with elastin loss (n=82; Spearman ρ, −0.43;
P
<0.0001) and lower tissue elastic modulus (n=28; Spearman ρ, 0.43;
P
=0.026).
18
F-sodium fluoride autoradiography demonstrated good correlation with histologically quantified microcalcification (n=66; r=0.76;
P
<0.001) and identified areas of focal weakness in vivo.

Conclusions:

Medial microcalcification is a marker of aortopathy, although progression to severe aortopathy is associated with loss of both elastin fibers and microcalcification.
18
F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography quantifies medial microcalcification and is a feasible noninvasive imaging modality for identifying aortic wall disruption with major translational promise.
Amyloid-β (Aβ)-Related Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy Causing Lobar Hemorrhage Decades After Childhood Neurosurgery
Authors: Kellie Jeremy F. , Campbell Bruce C.V. , Watson Rosie , Praeger Adrian J. , Nair Girish , Murugasu Anand , Rowe Christopher C. , Masters Colin L. , Collins Steven , McLean Catriona , Yassi Nawaf
Published: June 2022

Background:

Recent reports raise the possibility of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) leading to intracerebral hemorrhage in young adults following childhood neurosurgery, suggesting transmission of amyloid-β (Aβ) through neurosurgical procedures including dura mater grafting. Parenchymal Aβ deposition, and to a lesser extent tau aggregation, similar to that seen in Alzheimer disease, have also been described.

Methods:

We conducted a database review of 634 consecutive intracerebral hemorrhage patients aged <65 years at a tertiary stroke center over 20 years to identify such patients.

Results:

We identified 3 patients aged in their thirties who presented with spontaneous lobar intracerebral hemorrhage, with imaging or neuropathology consistent with CAA, and a history of childhood neurosurgery. Two of these patients had undergone a dural repair using cadaveric dura mater (Lyodura). In addition to CAA, both patients had neuropathologically confirmed parenchymal Aβ and tau deposits, characteristic of Alzheimer disease.

Conclusions:

Our findings support the concept of neurosurgical Aβ transmission but suggest that such cases are rare in standard clinical practice.
Agreement for the Termination of the Intra-EU bit s
Authors: Särkänne Katariina
Published: June 2022

While the agreement for the termination of the intra-European Union (EU) bilateral investment treaties (bit s) is moving the intricate question of intra-EU investment arbitration closer to solution, the retroactive effects of the agreement may prove problematic from the viewpoint of international law. It is argued in the article that the underlying reason for this is the different understandings under the EU law perspective and the international law perspective on whether the intra-EU bit s have been inapplicable in the light of international treaty law. Furthermore, the article discusses the proceedings regarding intra-EU awards in national courts in the aftermath of the termination agreement, concluding that there is notable uncertainty looming over the faith of the awards. Finally, an overview is taken on the termination of the bit s in the Member States, which did not sign the termination agreement, discussing the possible consequences of the opt-out.
Dream, Memory, and Reflection: Transfigurations of Su Shi’s Qiuchi Rock in Song Poetry
Authors: Yang Xiaoshan
Published: June 2022

The present study traces the changing meanings of Su Shi’s Qiuchi rock in Song poetry. As an aesthetic artifact, the rock may be gifted and exchanged through literati social interactions. At a more personal level, the rock reminds Su of a mysterious dream and symbolizes a place of retreat, described as his homeland in Shu, a Daoist grotto heaven, and a utopia that is superior to Peach Blossom Spring. The rock also serves as Su’s most faithful companion in the dark days of his exile to the far south. In the poems of Southern Song poets, who experienced the trauma of the fall of northern China to the Jurchens, the rock turns into a nostalgic object but also prompts acute reflections on petrophilia as a morally and philosophically problematic passion.
Recent Developments in Medieval Chinese Literary Research and Pedagogy: An Interview with Ronald Egan
Authors: Zhang Yue , Egan Ronald
Published: June 2022

In this interview, Professor Egan and I discuss issues related to reception studies, Chinese literary history, translation, and graduate education. The interview begins with the advantages and disadvantages of applying reception studies to premodern Chinese literature and to the works of major writers in particular. We then discuss two recent Chinese literary histories written in English and compare them to mainstream literary history written by Chinese scholars in China in terms of their different audiences, purposes, and uses. As scholars and students consult these histories, this discussion led to the topic of how to teach and how to train graduate students. Egan shares his experience with effective approaches for teaching classical Chinese literature in the American academic setting. In the last section of the interview, he focuses on graduate education, the academic and intellectual preparation that students need before they begin their PhD, what they should pay attention to as students, and their job prospects after they receive their degree.
Guarding the Guards: Education, Corruption, and Nepal’s Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA)
Authors: Gellner David N. , Adhikari Krishna P.
Published: June 2022

With development, democratization, and market reforms, corruption has become pervasive in Nepal, especially in areas where government licencing is required. Medical education is a site of considerable political and public contention, because of the nexus that links politicians, educational entrepreneurs, and the licencing of medical colleges. The case of Lokman Singh Karki, the notorious chief of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (ciaa) from 2013 to 2016 is explored, as is that of his nemesis, the campaigner for the reform of medical education, Dr Govinda KC. The ciaa was for a time converted into a prime instrument of corruption instead of being a defence against it. Different scales of reciprocity and differing moral valuations of reciprocity lie at the heart of the fierce moral debates over the rightness or wrongness of Dr KC’s hunger strikes.
4. Zambilfrosh
Authors: Khan Geoffrey
Published: June 2022

The story is presented in both a spoken and a sung version. A son of a king went out hunting one day with some servants. After three days, they started to return home. On the way he encountered a group of people lamenting the death of somebody. The boy was shocked, since he had never witnessed death before. On returning home, he told his father that he had no desire to live a worldly life if men are mortal, but wished to seek to enter the heavenly kingdom. He left home and met a monk, who took him to a monastery. In the monastery the boy made a living through weaving baskets and mats. One day in the market he was accosted by the wife of a king, who asked him to weave a basket for her. When the boy delivered the basket to her, she attempted to seduce him. He refused her advances and castigated her. After the intervention of an angel, he managed to run away.
9. The Bridge of Dalale
Authors: Molin Dorota
Published: June 2022

A builder tried to build a bridge in Zakho, but the structure kept collapsing. One day, he heard a voice saying that in order for the bridge to stand, he must sacrifice a member of his own family. He considered his three daughters-in-law (and apparently no other family member), eventually picking the one who was called Dalale. He reasoned that since she was a foreigner, his reputation in the community would suffer the least damage. When Dalale approached the bridge, unsuspecting, he killed her and put her inside the construction. The bridge was completed successfully. The story ends with a sung ballad which laments poor Dalale and curses the murderous builder.
10. The Bridge of Dalale Narrated
Authors: Molin Dorota
Published: June 2022

A builder called Toma was commissioned to construct a bridge in Samana. After he had completed it successfully, the local ruler cut off his right hand, so that the builder could not repeat such a project for another city. The builder took revenge by causing it to collapse. Toma fled the city and arrived in Zakho, where he was commissioned again to build a bridge. He could not, however, prevent the bridge from collapsing. In a night vision, he was told by an angel that he must put a ‘living soul’ into the bridge. In the morning, Toma’s daughter-in-law, Dalale, reached the bridge first, so she was the one to be sacrificed. Dalale agreed to be put in the bridge to save Toma and his family. After this, the bridge was completed successfully. Dalale was put in the bridge alive, but died there after some days.
11. The Bridge of Dalal
Authors: Mohammadirad Masoud
Published: June 2022

A builder was commissioned to build a bridge in Cizre Bohtan. The emir cut off his right hand lest he build a similar bridge elsewhere. To take revenge against the emir, the builder fled to Zakho and accepted to build a bridge there. The arch of the bridge kept collapsing. A fortune-teller advised the builder to sacrifice the first ‘living soul’ who would come onto the bridge the next day and put it inside the bridge in order for the arch to hold together. The next morning, the builder’s daughter-in-law, Dalal, brought the workers food. She came with a dog. The dog was distracted by a mouse at the edge of the bridge. Dalal was the first to stand on the bridge. She was put into the bridge alive and the arch was completed successfully. The next day, her husband tried to take her out of the bridge. Dalal made him stop, saying that she would be happy to be a sacrifice for Zakho.