bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic effect of modified double-dose photodynamic therapy in circumscribed choroidal haemangioma
Authors: Byeon Hyeong Ju , Lee Ji Hwan , Lee Junwon , Choi Eun Young , Kim Yong Joon , Lee Sung Chul , Lee Christopher Seungkyu
Published: September 2021

Aims

To retrospectively compare the therapeutic effect of modified double-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT) with standard-dose PDT in patients with circumscribed choroidal haemangioma (CCH).

Methods

Thirty-nine patients with CCH were categorised in two groups by PDT type. The standard-dose group (n=12) was treated with 6 mg/m2verteporfin and a 689 nm laser for 83 s. The modified double-dose group (n=27) received one vial of verteporfin (15 mg), and the dose was calculated for each patient based on body surface area, then irradiance time was adjusted according to calculated verteporfin dose to achieve a ‘double’-dose effect. Treatment outcomes (foveal centre thickness, subretinal fluid, tumour thickness and diameter) were measured at baseline and 1 year post-treatment; subretinal fluid levels were also measured at 1, 3 and 6 months post-treatment.

Results

No differences in baseline characteristics were found between the two groups. The modified double-dose group showed a greater reduction in tumour thickness (45.3% vs 20.6%, p=0.013) and tumour volume (60.0% vs 30.0%, p=0.006) at 1 year post-treatment. Recurred or non-complete resolution patients in the standard-dose group tended to show much increased subretinal fluid than those in the modified double-dose group at 1-year post-treatment.

Conclusion

Modified double-dose PDT is an effective and safe protocol for symptomatic CCH management, greater tumour regression and potentially better resolution of subretinal fluid compared with standard PDT.
Venous Capacitance and Venous Return in Young Adults with Typical Vasovagal Syncope: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Fish Ely , Barak Lanciano Sapir , Shavit Itay , Palacci Hagar , Chaiat Chen , Avivi Ishay , Haber Kaptsenel Ella , Nussinovitch Udi
Published: September 2021

Vasovagal syncope (VVS) has a high prevalence in the general population and is associated with potential complications. There is limited information on the possible association between venous capacitance (VC) and venous return (VR), important determinants of preload and VVS. Since the tilt test was reported to yield a high rate of false positive results, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether abnormal VC and VR at baseline could predispose individuals to VVS.

To this end, 88 young, healthy volunteers were recruited and classified to 26 (29.5%) who experienced typical VVS and 62 (70.5%) who did not. VC and VR were evaluated with a commercial device and plethysmography applied to the elevated legs. Maximum venous outflow (MVO), segmental venous capacitance (SVC) and MVO/SVC ratio were calculated and averaged.

No significant differences between MVO (5.0±0.5 vs 5.6±0.8, p>0.05), SVC (6.0±0.5 vs 6.3±0.8, p>0.05) or MVO/SVC ratio (0.83±0.02 vs 0.86±0.03, p>0.05) were observed for the non-VVS and VVS volunteers, respectively. There was a significant association between a higher MVO and SVC values and a larger decrease in diastolic blood pressure with standing, although correlations were weak (R2=0.0582 and 0.0681, respectively).

In conclusion, at baseline, VC and VR are not impaired in healthy volunteers with a history of VVS. It remains unknown if similar results would be found in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities. Also, the sensitivity of VC and VR evaluations to identify a predisposition for VVS following physiological provocations merits further study.
Elevated T cell repertoire diversity is associated with progression of lung squamous cell premalignant lesions
Authors: Maoz Asaf , Merenstein Carter , Koga Yusuke , Potter Austin , Gower Adam C , Liu Gang , Zhang Sherry , Liu Hanqiao , Stevenson Christopher , Spira Avrum , Reid Mary E , Campbell Joshua D , Mazzilli Sarah A , Lenburg Marc E , Beane Jennifer
Published: September 2021

Objective

The immune response to invasive carcinoma has been the focus of published work, but little is known about the adaptive immune response to bronchial premalignant lesions (PMLs), precursors of lung squamous cell carcinoma. This study was designed to characterize the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in PMLs and its association with clinical, pathological, and molecular features.

Methods

Endobronchial biopsies (n=295) and brushings (n=137) from high-risk subjects (n=50), undergoing lung cancer screening at approximately 1-year intervals via autofluorescence bronchoscopy and CT, were profiled by RNA-seq. We applied the TCR Repertoire Utilities for Solid Tissue/Tumor tool to the RNA-seq data to identify TCR CDR3 sequences across all samples. In the biopsies, we measured the correlation of TCR diversity with previously derived immune-associated PML transcriptional signatures and PML outcome. We also quantified the spatial and temporal distribution of shared and clonally expanded TCRs. Using the biopsies and brushes, the ratio of private (ie, found in one patient only) and public (ie, found in two or more patients) TCRs was quantified, and the CDR3 sequences were compared with those found in curated databases with known antigen specificities.

Results

We detected 39,303 unique TCR sequences across all samples. In PML biopsies, TCR diversity was negatively associated with a transcriptional signature of T cell mediated immune activation (p=4e-4) associated with PML outcome. Additionally, in lesions of the proliferative molecular subtype, TCR diversity was decreased in regressive versus progressive/persistent PMLs (p=0.045). Within each patient, TCRs were more likely to be shared between biopsies sampled at the same timepoint than biopsies sampled at the same anatomic location at different times. Clonally expanded TCRs, within a biopsied lesion, were more likely to be expanded at future time points than non-expanded clones. The majority of TCR sequences were found in a single sample, with only 3396 (8.6%) found in more than one sample and 1057 (2.7%) found in two or more patients (ie, public); however, when compared with a public database of CDR3 sequences, 4543 (11.6%) of TCRs were identified as public. TCRs with known antigen specificities were enriched among public TCRs (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Decreased TCR diversity may reflect nascent immune responses that contribute to PML elimination. Further studies are needed to explore the potential for immunoprevention of PMLs.
Diversity matters: the other doctor within the Dutch academic healthcare system
Authors: Tweed TTT , Maduro CV , Güneș NH , Poeze M , Busari J O
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Over the past year, there has been a worldwide increase in the focus on systemic discrimination and inequitable practices within different societies, particularly concerning race and ethnicity. The inherent (experience of) inequity in racism is notonly limited to individuals but also found in different domains of societal structures, including healthcare and academia. In academia and healthcare organisations, junior Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) doctors and students regularly find themselves caught between the leaky pipeline phenomenon and hierarchically dependent positions in academic healthcare settings. Voicing their experiences after such encounters is neither an option nor a choice they can do without repercussions. The prejudices, stigmas, implicit biases present within these environments result in segregated practices, where BAME doctors become the ‘other’ doctor (otherism), and based on their religion, ethnicity, migrant background or physical features are boxed into a specific group or category.

Reflections & recommendations

The outcome of this exercise (re-) emphasised that more improvement in the Dutch healthcare systems concerning stigmas and biases towards race and ethnicity are needed to promote the inclusion of future BAME doctors and students. A pivotal turn is urgently needed to repair the racial stigmas and biases that have distorted the image of BAME doctors/students, limiting their academic and professional progress. By structurally implementing focused strategies to promote inclusivity, the current gap within healthcare and the participation between non- BAME and BAME-doctors/students can be bridged, inevitably leading to better healthcare services, safer learning environments and a balanced representation of our multicultural societies in healthcare.

We argue that increased self-reflection from such critical inquiry will ultimately result in clear and objective understandings of (pre) existent inequitable practices in our societies.
The $$\uptau $$ challenges at FCC-ee
Authors: Dam Mogens
Published: September 2021

At FCC-ee, about $$1.7 \times 10^{11}\,\hbox {Z} \rightarrow \uptau ^+\uptau ^-$$

1.7
×

10
11

Z
→

τ
+

τ
-

events will be produced. This high statistics in the clean $$\hbox {e}^+\hbox {e}^-$$

e
+

e
-

environment opens the possibility of much improved determinations of $$\uptau $$
τ
-lepton properties and, via the measurement of the $$\uptau $$
τ
polarisation, of the neutral-current couplings of electrons and $$\tau $$
τ
s. Improved measurements of $$\uptau $$
τ
-lepton properties—lifetime, leptonic branching fractions, and mass—allow important tests of lepton universality. The experimental challenge is to match as far as possible statistical uncertainties generally at the $$10^{-5}$$

10

-
5

level. This applies in particular to the lifetime measurement, which is derived from the 2.2-mm $$\uptau $$
τ
average flight distance, and for the branching fraction and polarisation measurements, where the cross-channel contamination is of particular concern. These issues raise strict detector requirements, in particular, on the accuracy of the construction and alignment of the vertex detector and of the precise calorimetric separation and measurement of photons and $$\uppi ^0$$

π
0

s in the collimated $$\uptau $$
τ
decay topologies.
NP-Hardness and Approximation Algorithms for Iterative Pricing on Social Networks with Externalities
Authors: Shen Chenli , Lin Wensong
Published: September 2021

We study how a monopolist seller should price an indivisible product iteratively to the consumers who are connected by a known link-weighted directed social network. For two consumers [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], there is an arc directed from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] if and only if [Formula: see text] is a fashion leader of [Formula: see text]. Assuming complete information about the network, the seller offers consumers a sequence of prices over time and the goal is to obtain the maximum revenue. We assume that the consumers buy the product as soon as the seller posts a price not greater than their valuations of the product. The product’s value for a consumer is determined by three factors: a fixed consumer specified intrinsic value and a variable positive (resp. negative) externality that is exerted from the consumer’s out(resp. in)-neighbours. The setting of positive externality is that the influence of fashion leaders on a consumer is the total weight of links from herself to her fashion leaders who have owned the product, and more fashion leaders of a consumer owning the product will increase the influence (external value) on the consumer. And the setting of negative externalities is that the product’s value of showing off for a consumer is the total weight of links from her followers who do not own the product to herself, and more followers of a consumer owning the product will decrease this external value for the consumer. We confirm that finding an optimal iterative pricing is NP-hard even for acyclic networks with maximum total degree [Formula: see text] and with all intrinsic values zero. We design a greedy algorithm which achieves [Formula: see text]-approximation for networks with all intrinsic values zero and show that the approximation ratio [Formula: see text] is tight. Complementary to the hardness result, we design a [Formula: see text]-approximation algorithm for Barabási–Albert networks.
A Bracing Nonlinear Walk in Applied Mechanics: Memoirs and Reflections
Authors: Thompson J. Michael T.
Published: September 2021

This article is an informal auto-biographical memoir by Mike Thompson, reflecting in retirement on his scientific researches in nonlinear phenomena, wandering pictorially from shell buckling, through bifurcations and chaos to climate tipping points. Some ideas and advice to young researchers are offered whenever it seems appropriate. Two research groups at University College London, and their two IUTAM Symposia are given some prominence, as are the ten years editing the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
Dynamics and Bifurcations in Networks Designed for Frequency Conversion
Authors: In Visarath , Palacios Antonio
Published: September 2021

This article reviews recent progress in signal frequency up-conversion and down-conversion, both theory and experiments with network implementations. The fundamental idea is to exploit the inherent symmetry of networks to produce collective behavior in which certain oscillators tend to oscillate at different frequencies. This concept is significantly different from other techniques, e.g. master-slave systems, in the sense that the collective behavior arises naturally from the mutual interactions of the individual units, and without any external forcing. In this manuscript, we present a comprehensive review of the basic ideas, methods, and experiments of the symmetry-based phenomenon of frequency conversion. In addition, we present a review of a device implementation of a broad spectrum analyzer, which motivated the development of systematic methods to up- and down-convert frequencies of oscillations. This device is made up of large parallel arrays of analog nonlinear oscillators with the ability to receive complex signals containing multiple frequencies and instantaneously lock-on or respond to a received signal in a few oscillation cycles.
Detection of Synergistic Combinatorial Perturbations by a Bifurcation-Based Approach
Authors: Luo Min , Huang Dasong , Jiao Jianfeng , Wang Ruiqi
Published: September 2021

Drug combination has become an attractive strategy against complex diseases, despite the challenges in handling a large number of possible combinations among candidate drugs. How to detect effective drug combinations and determine the dosage of each drug in the combination is still a challenging task. When regarding a drug as a perturbation, we propose a bifurcation-based approach to detect synergistic combinatorial perturbations. In the approach, parameters of a dynamical system are divided into two groups according to their responses to perturbations. By combining two parameters chosen from two groups, three types of combinations can be obtained. Synergism for different perturbation combinations can be detected by relative positions of the bifurcation curve and the isobole. The bifurcation-based approach can be used not only to detect combinatorial perturbations but also to determine their perturbation quantities. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach, we apply it to the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) network. The approach has implications for the rational design of drug combinations and other combinatorial control, e.g. combinatorial regulation of gene expression.
Emergence of Stripe-Core Mixed Spiral Chimera on a Spherical Surface of Nonlocally Coupled Oscillators
Authors: Kim Ryong-Son , Tae Gi-Hun , Choe Chol-Ung
Published: September 2021

We report on a stripe-core mixed spiral chimera in a system of nonlocally coupled phase oscillators, located on the spherical surface, where the spiral wave consisting of phase-locked oscillators is separated by a stripe-type region of incoherent oscillators into two parts. We analyze the existence and stability of the stripe-core mixed spiral chimera state rigorously, on the basis of the Ott–Antonsen reduction theory. The stability diagram for the stationary states including the spiral chimeras as well as incoherent state is presented. Our stability analysis reveals that the stripe-core mixed spiral chimera state emerges as a unique attractor and loses its stability via the Hopf bifurcation. We verify our theoretical results using direct numerical simulations of the model system.
Consideration of Three Seismic Isolation Performances as Design Objectives for Equivalent Linear Analysis of Bilinear Hysteretic Isolation Systems
Authors: Wang Shiang-Jung , Huang Yin-Nan , Lee Hsueh-Wen , Chang Yu-Wen
Published: September 2021

The design displacement, its corresponding acceleration performance, and the re-centering performance of bilinear hysteretic isolation systems are adopted as previously determined design objectives for equivalent linear analysis. To demonstrate the applicability and generalization of the analysis procedure, two sets of values for damping modification factors are employed in the analysis: those provided by ASCE/SEI 7-16, and those estimated for different ranges of the ratios of effective periods of seismic isolation systems to pulse periods of ground motions. To investigate a broad range of seismic responses of base-isolated structures, 15 pulse-like near-fault ground motions are used for numerical demonstration. The analysis procedure is numerically verified to be practically feasible. A numerical comparison also shows that the three design objectives previously determined in the analysis procedure are sufficiently conservative compared with analysis results from nonlinear dynamic response history, even when subjected to pulse-like near-fault ground motions. Regarding the approximation to maximum inelastic acceleration and displacement responses, it is particularly more conservative for the former when the design displacement is greater and when adopting values of the damping modification factors provided in ASCE/SEI 7-16. For the approximation to dynamic residual displacement responses, the influences of pulse-like near-fault ground motions and different design objectives on the re-centering performance of bilinear hysteretic isolation systems still need further study.
Riemannian submersions for q-entropies
Authors: Kalogeropoulos Nikolaos
Published: September 2021

In an attempt to find the dynamical foundations for [Formula: see text]-entropies, we examine the special case of Lagrangian/Hamiltonian systems of many degrees of freedom whose statistical behavior is conjecturally described by the [Formula: see text]-entropic functionals. We follow the spirit of the canonical ensemble approach. We consider the system under study as embedded in a far larger total system. We explore some of the consequences that such an embedding has, if it is modeled by a Riemannian submersion. We point out the significance in such a description of the finite-dimensional Bakry–Émery Ricci tensor, as a local mesoscopic invariant, for understanding the collective dynamical behavior of systems described by the [Formula: see text]-entropies.
A prey–predator model and control of a nematodes pest using control in banana: Mathematical modeling and qualitative analysis
Authors: Yadav Sudhakar , Kumar Vivek
Published: September 2021

This study develops a mathematical model for describing the dynamics of the banana-nematodes and its pest detection method to help banana farmers. Two criteria: the mathematical model and the type of nematodes pest control system are discussed. The sensitivity analysis, local stability, global stability, and the dynamic behavior of the mathematical model are performed. Further, we also develop and discuss the optimal control mathematical model. This mathematical model represents various modes of management, including the initial release of infected predators as well as the destroying of nematodes. The theoretical results are shown and verified by numerical simulations.
Circulating extracellular vesicles of patients with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome have higher RAC1 and induce recapitulation of nephrotic syndrome phenotype in podocytes
Authors: Eroglu Fehime K. , Yazar Volkan , Guler Ulku , Yıldırım Muzaffer , Yildirim Tugce , Gungor Tulin , Celikkaya Evra , Karakaya Deniz , Turay Nilsu , Ciftci Dede Eda , Korkusuz Petek , Salih Bekir , Bulbul Mehmet , Gursel Ihsan
Published: September 2021

Up to now, the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the pathogenesis of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (NS) has not been studied. Here, we found that relapse NS EVs contain significantly increased active RAC1, induce enhanced podocyte motility, increase expression of RAC-GTP and phospho-p38 expression in vitro. These results suggest that plasma EVs are biologically active molecules in the pathogenesis of NS.
Clinical Treatment Analysis and Imaging Study of Patients with Acute Angina in Cardiovascular Medicine
Authors: Li Peng , He Li
Published: September 2021

With the accelerating pace of life, increasing stress and unhealthy diet make cardiovascular disease one of the important diseases that endanger human health, among which the incidence of acute angina is gradually increasing. At present, there are many clinical treatment studies on acute angina pectoris, but the relevant imaging analysis is very lacking. In order to study the clinical treatment of patients with acute angina pectoris and analyze the relevant medical images, to arrive at a more effective treatment method, this article launched an in-depth study. First, we selected 88 patients with acute angina in a hospital as the research object and randomly divided them into a control group (n = 44) and an experimental group (n = 44) Yan et al. (2020). The control group was treated with conventional acute angina pectoris drugs, while the experimental group was treated with clopidogrel on this basis. The two groups were treated at the same time, and the treatment time lasted for 3 months. Then, the risk factors of the two groups of patients were analyzed, and the differences were statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). Then, the medical images of the two groups of patients were analyzed, and the diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, and coronary artery stenosis were compared before and after treatment. After treatment, the diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure of the experimental group were 88.31 ± 3.15 mmHg and 125.63 ± 4.16 mmHg, respectively. The proportion of patients with zero-vessel disease and single-vessel disease in the experimental group increased to 15.91% and 56.82%. The treatment plan received by the experimental group patients had a better improvement effect. Finally, the clinical efficacy was compared. The total effective rates of the control and experimental groups were 72.7% and 88.6%, respectively. This shows that the treatment method adopted by the experimental group of patients has a better curative effect and is worthy of clinical promotion.
Severity Assessment of COVID-19 Using a CT-Based Radiomics Model
Authors: Xu Zhigao , Zhao Lili , Yang Guoqiang , Ren Ying , Wu Jinlong , Xia Yuwei , Yang Xuhong , Cao Milan , Zhang Guojiang , Peng Taisong , Zhao Jiafeng , Yang Hui , Hu Jinfeng , Du Jiangfeng
Published: September 2021

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has evolved into a worldwide pandemic. Although CT is sensitive in detecting lesions and assessing their severity, these works mainly depend on radiologists’ subjective judgment, which is inefficient in case of a large-scale outbreak. This work focuses on developing a CT-based radiomics model to assess whether COVID-19 patients are in the early, progressive, severe, or absorption stages of the disease. We retrospectively analyzed the CT images of 284 COVID-19 patients. All of the patients were divided into four groups (0-3): early (

n
=
75

), progressive (

n
=
58

), severe (

n
=
75

), and absorption (

n
=
76

) groups, according to the progression of the disease and the CT features. Meanwhile, they were split randomly to training and test datasets with the fixed ratio of 7 : 3 in each category. Thirty-eight radiomic features were nominated from 1688 radiomic features after using select

K

-best method and the ElasticNet algorithm. On this basis, a support vector machine (SVM) classifier was trained to build this model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to determine the diagnostic performance of various models. The precision, recall, and

f

1

-score of the classification model of macro- and microaverage were 0.82, 0.82, 0.81, 0.81, 0.81, and 0.81 for the training dataset and 0.75, 0.73, 0.73, 0.72, 0.72, and 0.72 for the test dataset. The AUCs for groups 0, 1, 2, and 3 on the training dataset were 0.99, 0.97, 0.96, and 0.93, and the microaverage AUC was 0.97 with a macroaverage AUC of 0.97. On the test dataset, AUCs for each group were 0.97, 0.86, 0.83, and 0.89 and the microaverage AUC was 0.89 with a macroaverage AUC of 0.90. The CT-based radiomics model proved efficacious in assessing the severity of COVID-19.
Trajectory Optimization of Hypersonic Periodic Cruise Using an Improved PSO Algorithm
Authors: Li Hesong , Wang Yi , Xu Shangcheng , Zhou Yunfan , Su Dan
Published: September 2021

Periodic cruise has the potential to improve the fuel-saving efficiency of hypersonic cruise vehicles but is difficult to optimize. In this paper, hypersonic periodic cruise trajectory is analyzed theoretically and optimized by an improved Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm. Firstly, through theoretical analysis, it is determined that the optimal throttle curve can be parameterized as a switching function. Considering the optimization direction of algorithm, a new penalty function for the constraints of periodic cruise is proposed. Then, PSO algorithm is improved and applied in periodic cruise trajectory optimization. Numerical results demonstrate that optimized periodic cruise trajectory costs less fuel compared with steady-state cruise trajectory, and without computing gradient information, the proposed method is also robust. Finally, the fuel-saving mechanism of periodic cruise is explored by comparing with steady-state cruise, which reveals that periodic cruise trajectory has higher impulse and lift-drag ratio, but lower mechanical energy loss rate.
Routing Optimization Algorithm of Spatial DTN Network Based on Multiattribute Decision
Authors: Liang Hua , Yang Yang , Wang Ziyan
Published: September 2021

Delay or stop (DTN) tolerance space network is considered to be a technology that can trade with a limited or restricted field communication area. In the space DTN network architecture, routing is very important. This article is based on the best‐in‐class multiattribute decision‐making DTN network routing optimization algorithm. The goal is to use the optimized DTN network routing algorithm multiattribute decision‐making algorithm and conduct a more in‐depth study on the field information mechanism multipath decision algorithm and network path. Aiming at the problems of long link delay and frequent link interruption of current deep‐space communication characteristics, and solving the impact on communication caused by system performance degradation. This paper adopts the multiattribute decision‐making model algorithm to construct simulation tests, introduces the DTN network architecture, and analyzes the four attributes of the multi‐attribute decision‐making link bandwidth, node data forwarding rate, link establishment delay, and network error rate. The experimental results show that, in the spatial information network, the high‐speed movement of nodes and the highly dynamic nature of the network make the deep‐space network topology unstable and long communication delay; the change of the link mode and switch connection in the network will cause the routing table to update. This routing update method requires the exchange of topology information between all networks; when the forwarding rates of adjacent nodes are 100%, 90%, 95%, and 70%, nodes can only perform routing independently when they meet. The decision attribute algorithm has obvious changes to the attributes of any node in the spatial DTN network. The most obvious is that the link establishment delay has reached the standard of 5 or more.
An Automatic Knee Osteoarthritis Diagnosis Method Based on Deep Learning: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Wang Yifan , Wang Xianan , Gao Tianning , Du Le , Liu Wei
Published: September 2021

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. According to the evidence presented on both sides of the knee bones, radiologists assess the severity of OA based on the Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grading system. Recently, computer-aided methods are proposed to improve the efficiency of OA diagnosis. However, the human interventions required by previous semiautomatic segmentation methods limit the application on large-scale datasets. Moreover, well-known CNN architectures applied to the OA severity assessment do not explore the relations between different local regions. In this work, by integrating the object detection model, YOLO, with the visual transformer into the diagnosis procedure, we reduce human intervention and provide an end-to-end approach to automatic osteoarthritis diagnosis. Our approach correctly segments 95.57% of data at the expense of training on 200 annotated images on a large dataset that contains more than 4500 samples. Furthermore, our classification result improves the accuracy by 2.5% compared to the traditional CNN architectures.
Lack of Association between Common Polymorphisms in Selenoprotein P Gene and Susceptibility to Colorectal Cancer, Breast Cancer, and Prostate Cancer: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Xu Hanjiang , Mo Fan , Zhou Jun , Hao Zongyao , Chen Xianguo , Liang Chaozhao
Published: September 2021

Background and Objective. Selenoprotein P (SEPP1) is the major selenoprotein in plasma. Previous studies have demonstrated that SEPP1 expression was reduced in human prostate and colon tumors. Nowadays, studies concerning SEPP1 gene polymorphisms and cancer susceptibility have been extensively investigated, whereas results from these studies remain debatable rather than conclusive. Thus, we performed the present meta‐analysis to comprehensively assess the association between two common polymorphisms (rs3877899 and rs7579) in SEPP1 and cancer susceptibility. Method. We search the PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Wanfang (China) databases (up to December 1, 2020) to identify all eligible publications. The pooled odds ratio (OR) correspondence with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to evaluate the associations. Results. Finally, nine eligible studies with 7,157 cases and 6,440 controls and five studies with 2,278 cases and 2,821 controls were enrolled in rs3877899 and rs7579 polymorphisms, individually. However, a null significant association was detected between the two polymorphisms in SEPP1 and susceptibility to colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer in all comparison models. Subsequently, subgroup analysis based on tumor type, no significant association was identified for prostate, breast, and colorectal cancer. In addition, when the stratification analyses were conducted by the source of control, HWE status, and ethnicity, yet no significant association was found. Conclusions. The current meta‐analysis shows that SEPP1 rs3877899 and rs7579 polymorphisms may not be associated with susceptibility to colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, and further well‐designed studies with a larger sample size are warranted to validate our findings.
Exercise Reduces Morphine‐Induced Hyperalgesia and Antinociceptive Tolerance
Authors: Gong Xingrui , Fan Rongmei , Zhu Qinghong , Ye Xihong , Chen Yongmei , Zhang Mazhong
Published: September 2021

Chronic morphine intake for treating various pain is frequently concomitant with morphine‐induced hyperalgesia and tolerance. The mechanisms can be explained by the activation of p38‐MAPK proteins in microglia in the spinal cord horn. Exercise has been shown to prevent the development of microglia overactivation. Thus, we designed to test whether exercise prevents the morphine‐induced hyperalgesia and tolerance as well as suppression of p38 phosphorylation. A p38 inhibitor SB203580, exercise, and exercise preconditioning were used for treating morphine‐induced hyperalgesia and tolerance development in the present study. The behavior tests for hyperalgesia and tolerance were performed in male Wistar rats before and after morphine administration. Western blotting and immunostaining for examining phosphorylated‐p38 expression were performed after the behavior tests. Our results showed that SB203580 and exercise, but not exercise preconditioning, prevented the occurrence of morphine‐induced hyperalgesia and tolerance. Meanwhile, exercise decreased morphine‐induced phosphorylated‐p38 overexpression. In summary, exercise prevented the development of morphine‐induced hyperalgesia and tolerance. The mechanism may be related to inhibition of p38 phosphorylation.
Motorcycle Ban and Traffic Safety: Evidence from a Quasi-Experiment at Zhejiang, China
Authors: Chen Jingjing , Wang Qian , Huang Jie
Published: September 2021

Motorcycle bans have been implemented in many cities across China for long time, one of the main reasons for which is the high death rate of the traffic accidents related to motorcycles’ fast speed and weak safety. This study applies a quasi-experiment on whether or not and when motorcycle bans are implemented in the 11 prefecture cities in Zhejiang Province, taking the prefecture-level cities with motorcycle bans as the experimental group and the others as the control group, so as to identify whether such bans can effectively reduce the number of traffic accidents and deaths, as well as the related internal mechanism. This study concludes that the effect of the motorcycle bans on reducing the number of traffic accident deaths is significant, and their impact does not decrease over time due to the diversity of policies. Further, the mechanism analysis shows that the motorcycle bans have not only reduced the number of motorcycles and thus may improve the traffic safety but also diminished the traffic accidents by reducing the fatality rate. Finally, this study proposes to optimize the motorcycle bans by planning special lanes and strengthening motorcycle management.
Detection and Blocking of Replay, False Command, and False Access Injection Commands in SCADA Systems with Modbus Protocol
Authors: L Rajesh , Satyanarayana Penke
Published: September 2021

Industrial control systems (ICS) are being used for surveillance and controlling numerous industrial process plants in national critical infrastructures. Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system is a core component in ICS systems for continuous monitoring and controlling these process plants. Legacy SCADA systems are working in isolated networks and using proprietary communication protocols which made them less exposed to cyber threats. In recent times, these ICS systems have been connected to Internet and corporate networks for data sharing and remote monitoring. They are also using open protocols and operating systems. This leads to vulnerabilities of the system to cyberattacks. Cybersecurity threats are more prevalent than ever in ICS systems. These attacks may be external or internal. Modbus is a widely deployed communication protocol for SCADA communications. There is no security in design of Modbus protocol, and it is vulnerable to numerous cyberattacks. In this paper, we worked for False Command Injection attack, False Access Injection attack, and replay attacks on Modbus protocol. Initially, a real-time SCADA testbed was set up, and we envisaged the impact of these attacks on Modbus protocol data using the testbed. In this work, we used local area network (LAN) environment only for simulating the attacks. We assumed that the attacks penetrated the LAN network. We proposed and developed (a) a method to detect replay attacks by incorporating time stamp and sequence number in Modbus communications and (b) a frame filtering module which will block unauthorized attacks like False Command Injection and False Access Injection attacks to reach programmable logic controller (PLC). Numbers of attacks were simulated and the performance of the method was measured using attack block rate (ABR). It blocked 97% of malicious Modbus transactions or attacks to reach the PLC. It protects SCADA systems from attackers, which is a core component of industrial control systems. The solution enhanced the security of SCADA systems with Modbus protocol.
Resveratrol Suppresses Annulus Fibrosus Cell Apoptosis through Regulating Oxidative Stress Reaction in an Inflammatory Environment
Authors: Shan Qunqun , Li Ning , Zhang Fan , Yu Peng , Meng Qingxi
Published: September 2021

During disc degeneration, the increase of inflammatory cytokines and decrease of disc cell density are two prominent features. Enhanced inflammatory reaction contributes to disc annulus fibrosus (AF) cell apoptosis. In this study, we investigated whether resveratrol can suppress AF cell apoptosis in an inflammatory environment. Rat disc AF cells were cultured in medium with or without tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). Resveratrol was added along with the culture medium supplemented with TNF‐α. Caspase‐3 activity, cell apoptosis ratio, expression of apoptosis‐associated molecules (Bcl‐2, Bax, caspase‐3, cleaved PARP, and cleaved caspase‐3), reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, and the total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured. Our results showed that TNF‐α significantly increased caspase‐3 activity and AF cell apoptosis ratio and upregulated gene/protein expression of Bax, caspase‐3, cleaved caspase‐3, and cleaved PARP, whereas it downregulated the expression of Bcl‐2. Moreover, TNF‐α significantly increased ROS content but decreased the total SOD activity. Further analysis demonstrated that resveratrol partly attenuated the effects of TNF‐α on AF cell apoptosis‐associated parameters, decreased ROS content, and increased the total SOD activity in the AF cells treated with TNF‐α. In conclusion, resveratrol attenuates inflammatory cytokine TNF‐α‐induced AF cell apoptosis through regulating oxidative stress reaction in vitro. This study sheds a new light on the protective role of resveratrol in alleviating disc degeneration.
Identification of Good Practices in Long‐Term Exercise‐Based Rehabilitation Programs in Stroke Patients
Authors: Mameletzi Dimitra , Anifanti Maria , Baotić Kristina , Bernetti Andrea , Budinčević Hrvoje , Žuna Petra Črnac , Deligiannis Asterios , Dennehy Zekie , Ferrari Andrea , Forgione Dolores , Hrvoje Jurlina , Ilardi Maura , Kiss-Szemán Borbála Sára , Koutlianos Nikolaos , Kovářová Iveta , Mangone Massimiliano , Paoloni Marco , Rapolienė Lolita , Razbadauskas Artūras , Skarbalienė Aelita , Skarbalius Egidijus , Kouidi Evangelia
Published: September 2021

Physical activity is an important factor for primary and secondary stroke prevention. The process of stroke rehabilitation includes early and late physical activity and exercise, which prevents further stoke and improve patients’ quality of life. MY WAY project, an ERASMUS+ SPORT program, is aimed at analyzing and developing or transferring best innovative practices related to physical activity and exercise enhancing health in poststroke patients. The aim of the study was to identify, analyze, and present the good practices and strategies to encourage participation in sport and physical activity and engage and motivate chronic stroke patients to perform physical activity changing their lifestyle and to maintain a high adherence to long‐term exercise‐based rehabilitation programs. Our results demonstrated that unified European stroke long‐term exercise‐based rehabilitation guidelines do not exist. It seems that low training frequency with high aerobic exercise intensity may be optimal for improved physical performance and quality of life in combination with a high adherence. It is important to optimize the training protocols suitable for each patient. The continuous education and training of the specialized professionals in this field and the presence of adequate structures and cooperation between different healthcare centers are important contributors. The clear objective for each country should be to systematically make the necessary steps to enhance overall exercise‐based stroke rehabilitation attendance in the long term. Long‐term interventions to support the importance of physical exercise and lifelong exercise‐based rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients should be created, what coincides with the goal of the MY WAY project.
Closed-Loop Supply Chain Design with Sustainability Aspects and Network Resilience under Uncertainty: Modelling and Application
Authors: Baghizadeh Komeyl , Pahl Julia , Hu Guiping
Published: September 2021

In this study, we present a multiobjective mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model to design a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) from production stage to distribution as well as recycling for reproduction. The given network includes production centers, potential points for establishing of distribution centers, retrieval centers, collecting and recycling centers, and the demand points. The presented model seeks to find optimal locations for distribution centers, second-hand product collection centers, and recycling centers under the uncertainty situation alongside the factory’s fixed points. The purpose of the presented model is to minimize overall network costs including processing, establishing, and transportation of products and return flows as well as environmental impacts while maximizing social scales and network flexibility according to the presence of uncertainty parameters in the problem. To solve the proposed model with fuzzy uncertainty, first, the improved epsilon (ε)-constraints approach is used to transform a multiobjective to a single-objective problem. Afterward, the Lagrangian relaxation approach is applied to effectively solve the problem. A real-world case study is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed model. Finally, sensitivity analysis is performed to study the effects of important parameters on the optimal solution.
Hypermutation, Mismatch Repair Deficiency, and Defining Predictors of Response to Checkpoint Blockade
Authors: Graham Laura S. , Pritchard Colin C. , Schweizer Michael T.
Published: September 2021

Mutational burden is positively correlated with tumor neoantigen load and studies have demonstrated an association between high tumor mutational burden (TMB) and response to checkpoint blockade. On the basis of a phase II study, the anti-PD-1 therapy, pembrolizumab, was given FDA approval for use in any solid tumor with a high TMB (i.e., >10 mutations/megabase) as assessed by the FoundationOne companion diagnostic. This was an important step in expanding a potentially efficacious treatment option to patients who are likely to benefit and have limited other therapies available. Following this approval, there has been debate regarding the wide applicability of this approval and the most appropriate use of TMB as a predictive biomarker, with several studies questioning the predictive utility of TMB in this context. We discuss the scientific rationale and utility of using TMB as a tool to predict response to immunotherapy as well as address this biomarker's limitations.
The Association between Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fresnais David , Humble Mats B. , Bejerot Susanne , Meehan Adrian , Fure Brynjar
Published: September 2021

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that cognitive impairment (CI) and different etiologies of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), are associated with vascular risk factors and atherosclerosis. In clinical practice, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) measured by ultrasonography may be a marker of atherosclerosis. Many studies report increased CIMT in patients with dementia and CI although a firm association has not yet been established. Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to study the relationship between CIMT, dementia, and CI. Methods: The literature search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and included the following databases: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Epistemonikos. The search spanned from 2000 to 2020 and was limited to English and Scandinavian languages. Results: The main analysis of CIMT in subjects with CI compared to subjects with no cognitive impairment (NCI) included 12 studies; 1,089 subjects with CI and 5,223 with NCI. There was no significant difference in CIMT between the CI and NCI groups. However, subgroup analyses revealed significantly higher CIMT in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia groups than the NCI group. In addition, patients with dementia had increased CIMT compared to patients with MCI, and patients with AD demonstrated higher CIMT than those with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). Conclusion: CIMT may be higher in subjects with CI than in cognitively healthy subjects although no significant difference was observed in our main analysis. CIMT was higher in the dementia group than the MCI group and in the AD group compared to the VCI group.
Performance of Rapid On-Site Evaluation in Breast Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsies: Identifying Areas of Diagnostic Challenge
Authors: Torous Vanda F. , Lopez Silvia Huerta , Xu Christine , Sweeney Brenda J. , Pitman Martha B.
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a well-established method for sampling breast lesions with high accuracy and positive predictive value. Despite its decline in recent years relative to the use of core needle biopsies, there are several advantages to FNA which include cost-effectiveness, low complication rate, and the ability to perform rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE). The aim of this study was to evaluate breast FNAs with ROSE to identify diagnostic challenges during ROSE. Materials and Methods: We identified all breast FNAs with ROSE performed at Massachusetts General Hospital from January 2014 to December 2019. From the electronic medical record, clinical, radiological, and follow-up pathology results were recorded. Comparison between the rapid and final cytological diagnosis was made. All discrepancies were documented with major discrepancy defined as a malignant rapid interpretation not confirmed on final diagnosis or a negative rapid interpretation upgraded to suspicious or positive on final diagnosis. Results: The study cohort consisted of 483 breast FNAs with ROSE. The rapid and final cytological interpretations showed good correlation, with only 6 (1.2%) major discrepancies. Problematic areas included low-grade, lobular, and fibroepithelial lesions with low cellularity being a contributory factor to misclassification. Conclusions: FNA remains a highly accurate method for the evaluation of breast lesions with ROSE.