bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vaccination and the Prevention of Communicable Diseases in Healthcare Settings: Lessons from the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Voyer Benjamin G , Provencher Claudine
Published: May 2021

With the number of Covid cases and Covid-related deaths continuing unabated, achieving a high vaccination coverage is essential to ensure the safety of staff and patients and resume normal hospital care admissions and operations. This article questions current strategies around vaccination in healthcare settings and proposes ways to understand and address vaccination hesitancy among staff. It offers insights on how to develop a multifaceted vaccination strategy, which takes into consideration vaccination hesitancy among healthcare professionals and community-specific factors. Drawing from social psychological theories, we suggest that the root of vaccination hesitancy lies in conflicting representations or cognitive polyphasia. In addition, we argue that current communication strategies mostly rely on rational arguments and ignores the importance of a more emotion-based approach.
Two-scale homogenization of hydrodynamic lubrication in a mechanical seal with isotropic roughness based on the Elrod cavitation algorithm
Authors: Han Yanxiang , Meng Qingen , de Boer Gregory
Published: May 2021

A two-scale homogenization method for modelling the hydrodynamic lubrication of mechanical seals with isotropic roughness was developed and presented the influence of surface topography coupled into the lubricating domain. A linearization approach was derived to link the effects of surface topography across disparate scales. Solutions were calculated in a polar coordinate system derived based on the Elrod cavitation algorithm and were determined using homogenization of periodic simulations describing the lubrication of a series of surface topographical features. Solutions obtained for the hydrodynamic lubrication regime showed that the two-scale homogenization approach agreed well with lubrication theory in the case without topography. Varying topography amplitude demonstrated that the presence of surface topography improved tribological performance for a mechanical seal in terms of increasing load-carrying capacity and reducing friction coefficient in the radial direction. A Stribeck curve analysis was conducted, which indicated that including surface topography led to an increase in load-carrying capacity and a reduction in friction. A study of macro-scale surface waviness showed that the micro-scale variations observed were smaller in magnitude but cannot be obtained without the two-scale method and cause significant changes in the tribological performance.
Friction analysis of aircraft landing gears due to landing impact
Authors: Baskaran Sanjay , Sivaprakasam Sivakumar
Published: May 2021

In this work, a six degrees of freedom heave-pitch mathematical model has been developed for an aircraft with main and nose oleo-pneumatic landing gear. Nonlinearities in stiffness, damping, and bending characteristics of landing gears and tires are incorporated in the model. Friction is an incidental and inevitable reaction that sticks along with the strut motion during the event of ground contact. The friction generated in the landing gear is the sum of the contribution from bearings and seals fitted in the landing gear. This study has focused on investigating the amount of frictional resistance gained by the struts while an aircraft is landing at various sink rates. The strut vertical forces, seal friction forces, and bearing friction forces generated in the main and nose landing gear during touchdown have been presented in this work. This preliminary estimation of friction forces for a range of sink rates aids the designer in developing optimal geometric or strut parameters in the design stage. This work also helps to calculate total landing loads for the certification of the landing gear.
Care consumption of people with multiple sclerosis: A multichannel sequence analysis in a population-based setting in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Roux Jonathan , Kingwell Elaine , Zhu Feng , Tremlett Helen , Leray Emmanuelle ,   the BeAMS Study group
Published: May 2021

Background:

Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) typically require complex multidisciplinary care, which is rarely formally assessed.

Objectives:

We applied multichannel sequence analysis (MCSA) to identify care consumption patterns by PwMS in British Columbia, Canada.

Methods:

We created two cohorts, comprising incident and prevalent MS cases, using linked clinical and administrative data. We applied MCSA to quantify and compare the care pathways of PwMS, based on all-cause hospitalizations and physician visits (divided into five specialities). Care consumption clusters were characterized using demographic and clinical features.

Results:

From 1048 incident and 3180 prevalent PwMS, the MCSA identified 12 and 6 distinct care consumption clusters over a median follow-up of 9.6 and 13.0 years, respectively. Large disparities between clusters were observed; the median number of annual consultations ranged from 5.6 to 21.3 for general practitioners, 1.2 to 4.6 for neurologists and 0 to 5.3 for psychiatrists in the incident cohort. Characteristics at MS symptom onset associated with the highest care consumption included high comorbidity burden and older age. There were similar disparities and associations for prevalent PwMS.

Conclusion:

The distinct patterns of care consumption, which were reminiscent of the heterogeneity of MS itself, may facilitate health service planning and evaluation, and provide a novel outcome measure in health research.
Major Lower-Limb Amputation During the COVID Pandemic in South India
Authors: Viswanathan Vijay , Nachimuthu Sukanya
Published: May 2021

People with diabetes have a higher risk of lower-limb amputations than people without diabetes. The risk of avoidable lower-limb amputations has increased in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown period. Hence, we conducted a retrospective, single-centered study on major amputations during the prepandemic period (March 25, 2019-December 31, 2019) and pandemic period (March 25, 2020-December 31, 2020). During the prepandemic period, 24 major amputations (below-knee and above-knee amputations) were performed and during the pandemic period, 37 major amputations were performed. There was a 54.1% increase in major amputations noted in the pandemic period more than the prepandemic period. This increase may also be due to irregular/missed hospital visits, improper diet, nonadherence to the medications, and physical inactivity. This study shows the indirect effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with diabetes, resulting in the increased incidence of lower-extremity amputations (below-knee and above-knee amputations) which might cause a drastic impact on their quality of life. This study also emphasizes the importance of easy and routine access to foot-care specialists to prevent avoidable amputations.
Measuring the Efficacy of a Club Sports New Participant Orientation
Authors: Lifschutz Leon
Published: May 2021

This study examines the impact of the University of Vermont Club Sports’ recently implemented new participant orientation. Using program evaluation theory and a survey instrument, this study measured the efficacy of the new program. A survey was designed and sent to all 312 participants with a response rate of 23%. Descriptive statistics from the instrument indicate strong efficacy for participants who completed the program with all outcome measures reporting moderate to considerable growth. T-tests and ANOVAs, in most instances, indicate similar efficacy of outcomes among different groups of respondents. However, statistically significant differences exist based on individual or team gender on three specific outcome measures. Results of this study suggest value in the implementation of the club sports new participant orientation while identifying groups where additional attention may be needed through adjustments to the curriculum or additional outreach strategies.
Stator flux oriented multiple sliding-mode speed control design of induction motor drives
Authors: Wu Hsiu-Ming , Lin Yue-Feng , Chen Chien-Hsu
Published: May 2021

Due to superior robustness characteristic of sliding-mode control techniques, this study proposes a multiple sliding-mode control (MSMC) strategy based on the stator flux oriented vector scheme for speed control of three-phase AC induction motor (IM) drives in the presence of an external disturbance and uncertainties. At first, the dynamic model of a three-phase IM drive is transformed into two-axe orthogonal model (i.e. d and q axes) in the synchronously rotating frame so that vector control can be applied. Then, based on the stator flux oriented scheme (i.e. zero stator flux at q-axis and constant at d-axis), the proposed MSMC causes mechanical angular speed and stator current at q-axis reach toward predefined sliding surfaces. Moreover, stator flux and current at d-axis are respectively indirect and direct controlled such that tracking errors approach toward designed sliding surfaces. The closed-loop stability of the proposed MSMC is proved to possess uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB) performance by Lyapunov stability criteria. Furthermore, the simulation results reveal that the proposed MSMC strategy has a high level of robustness despite addition of an external load and random uncertainties on system parameters. In the meantime, the simulations for comparing the baseline controller (i.e. conventional PI control) are also conducted to verify the superiority of the proposed control scheme.
Design of a fuzzy safety margin derivation system for grip force control of robotic hand in precision grasp task
Authors: Islek Canfer , Ozdemir Ersin
Published: May 2021

In this study, the aim was to grasp and lift an unknown object without causing any permanent change on its shape using a robotic hand. When people lift objects, they add extra force for safety above the minimum limit value of the grasp force. This extra force is expressed as the “safety margin” in the literature. In the conducted study, the safety margin is minimized and the grasp force was controlled. For this purpose, the safety margin performance of human beings for object grasping was measured by the developed system. The obtained data were assessed for a fuzzy logic controller (FLC), and the fuzzy safety margin derivation system (SMDS) was designed. In the literature, the safety margin rate was reported to vary between 10% and 40%. To be the basis for this study, in the experimental study conducted to measure the grip performance of humans, safety margin ratios ranging from 9% to 20% for different surface friction properties and different weights were obtained. As a result of performance tests performed in Matlab/Simulink environment of FLC presented in this study, safety margin ratios ranging from 8% to 21% for different surface friction properties and weights were obtained. It was observed that the results of the performance tests of the developed system were very close to the data of human performance. The results obtained demonstrate that the designed fuzzy SMDS can be used safely in the control of the grasp force for the precise grasping task of a robot hand.
Interfering via ASEAN? In the Case of Disaster Management
Authors: Suzuki Sanae
Published: May 2021

It has been argued that the non-interference principle is given more emphasis than democracy and human rights in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Yet a certain kind of consensus has emerged: ASEAN members may become involved in one another’s domestic affairs as long as they do so via ASEAN organs and instruments. This can be seen in co-operation on disaster management. Since the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) was established in 2011, the definition of a “disaster” appropriate for regional management has been broadened. Careful analysis of this case shows that, each for its own strategic reasons, ASEAN organs and institutions began to be useful for both “giving” and “receiving” member states. This article’s analysis of strategic interaction among member states yields useful insights on how intervention via multi-lateral frameworks shapes both the behaviour of domestic decision-makers and the dynamics within regional organisations.
Addressing the Whole Child: The Power of Data and Teams
Authors: Driscoll Louisa
Published: May 2021

As 21st-century school nurses, we address students holistically to meet their needs. The ASCD and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s coordinated school health model “Whole School, Whole Child, Whole Community” resonates with many school nurses. However, implementing the model can be challenging. This article explains how the school district of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, uses data to leverage their whole child team to meet their school district’s needs.
Accepting Educational Responsibility: Preparing Administrators to Lead Inclusive Schools
Authors: Melloy Kristine J. , Cieminski Amie , Sundeen Todd
Published: May 2021

Educational leaders are expected to lead schools for increased outcomes for all students. Effective leadership of inclusive schools requires certain skills and dispositions. However, many principals do not have background in special education and there is criticism that educational leadership preparation programs are inadequately preparing aspiring school leaders. In this study, we surveyed graduate students in a leadership preparation program to understand their perceptions of their knowledge and skills related to leading inclusive schools. The results of the study contribute to the body of research regarding curricular and experiential changes needed in preparation programs to prepare leaders for inclusive schools.
Possible additional MRI markers for critical brain swelling with increased intracranial pressure in children?
Authors: Huisman Thierry AGM , Hwang Misun , Orman Gunes
Published: May 2021

A retrospective study was performed evaluating the volume and T2/T1 signal intensity of orbital fat in five children diagnosed with severe global brain swelling and confirmed cessation of cerebral perfusion. Imaging showed a volume increase (five of five) and a heterogeneous T2-hypointensity of orbital fat (four of five). This preliminary study suggests that swelling and T2-hypointensity of orbital fat may be a marker of global brain swelling and/or increased intracranial pressure.
Low complication rates of testosterone and estradiol implants for androgen and estrogen replacement therapy in over 1 million procedures
Authors: Donovitz Gary S.
Published: May 2021

Background:

Testosterone (T) deficiency (TD) in men and women and estrogen (E) deficiency (ED) in women increasingly affects the overall health and quality of life of patients. T implants have seen increased utilization over the past decade. We evaluated continuation rates and adverse events that occurred during T therapy by reviewing practitioner reported data on compressed human-identical T implants for the treatment of TD in both men and women collected over 7 years.

Methods:

This was a retrospective review of data collected prospectively from men and women from 2012 and 2019. Men who had the clinical syndrome of TD received subcutaneous T implant therapy. Women who presented with symptoms of TD and/or ED underwent T implant and/or estradiol implant therapy. The clinics spanned multiple specialties including obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, family practice, and urology. Data were entered into a secure, custom tracking App, using Azure App Services and MS SQL Database integrated with a proprietary dosing site and industry-leading Pharmacy Dispensing software (BioTracker®).

Results:

Over the 7 years, 1,204,012 subcutaneous implant procedures were performed for 376,254 patients; 85% of the procedures were performed in women. Of the women, 54% of were premenopausal, and 46% were postmenopausal. The overall continuation rate after two insertions was 93%. The overall complication rate was <1%. Most common secondary response reported was pellet extrusion, which was more common in men (<3%) than women (<1%).

Conclusions:

This study is the largest reported retrospective study to evaluate the continuation and complication rates of T pellet implants. The safety of subcutaneous hormone pellet implants in men and women appears to be better than other routes of administration of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Further investigations on short- and long-term benefits of this modality are ongoing and could expand the overall utilization of this method.
Error Detection in Music Education: A Review of Literature
Authors: Sorenson Rachel A.
Published: May 2021

The ability to accurately detect performance errors is a fundamental skill for music educators and has been a popular topic of research within the field of music education. In fact, it has been suggested that roughly half of all ensemble rehearsals are dedicated to error detection. The purpose of this literature review was to synthesize the research literature related to error detection among preservice and inservice music educators. The majority of error detection studies have centered on the topics of (a) defining errors and error hierarchy, (b) developing tests and programmed materials, (c) personal characteristics related to error detection ability, and (d) factors that influence error detection ability. Results from existing error detection studies suggest that not only are there valid and reliable methods for testing error detection ability, but certain variables have the potential to increase or decrease that ability. In addition, findings revealed that a tension exists between designing error detection studies with high ecological validity (real world, contextual relevance) and those with high internal validity (elimination of confounding variables). Based on these findings, I offer several recommendations for inservice music educators and music education faculty.
New arsenate minerals from the Arsenatnaya fumarole, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. XVI. Yurgensonite, K2SnTiO2(AsO4)2, the first natural tin arsenate, and the katiarsite–yurgensonite isomorphous series
Authors: Pekov Igor V. , Zubkova Natalia V. , Agakhanov Atali A. , Yapaskurt Vasiliy O. , Belakovskiy Dmitry I. , Vigasina Marina F. , Britvin Sergey N. , Turchkova Anna G. , Sidorov Evgeny G. , Pushcharovsky Dmitry Yu.
Published: May 2021

The new mineral yurgensonite, ideally K2SnTiO2(AsO4)2, the first natural arsenate with species-defining tin, and the continuous isomorphous series between yurgensonite and katiarsite KTiO(AsO4) are described from sublimates of the Arsenatnaya fumarole at the Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. Yurgensonite and a Sn-bearing variety of katiarsite are associated closely with one another and with badalovite, pansnerite, yurmarinite, achyrophanite, arsenatrotitanite, hatertite, khrenovite, svabite, sanidine, hematite, cassiterite, rutile and aphthitalite-group sulfates. Yurgensonite occurs as sword-shaped crystals up to 0.01 mm × 0.05 mm × 1 mm or acicular to hair-like individuals up to 1 mm long, typically forming radial aggregates up to 2 mm across. It is transparent, colourless, white or pale beige, with vitreous lustre. The mineral is brittle, cleavage was not observed. Dcalc is 3.877 g cm-3. Yurgensonite is optically biaxial (–), α = 1.764(6), β = 1.780(6), γ = 1.792(6) and 2Vmeas. is large. Chemical composition (wt.%, electron-microprobe; holotype) is: Na2O 0.51, K2O 16.27, Rb2O 0.12, Al2O3 0.26, Fe2O3 4.33, SiO2 0.29, TiO2 10.17, SnO2 22.01, P2O5 0.14, V2O5 0.19, As2O5 40.20, Sb2O5 4.88, SO3 0.28, total 99.65. The empirical formula based on 10 O apfu is (K1.92Na0.09Rb0.01)Σ2.02(Sn0.81Ti0.71Fe3+0.30Sb5+0.17Al0.03)Σ2.02(As1.945Si0.03S0.02P0.01V0.01)Σ2.015O10. Yurgensonite is orthorhombic, Pna21, a = 13.2681(6), b = 6.6209(3), c = 10.8113(5) Å, V = 949.74(7) Å3 and Z = 4. The crystal structure was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, R = 5.02%. Yurgensonite belongs to the KTP-structure type. It is a Ti,Sn-ordered analogue of katiarsite. The structure contains chains of corner-linked alternating crystallographically non-equivalent octahedra M(1) and M(2). In yurgensonite, Sn4+ prevails in the M(2)O6 octahedron whereas the M(1) site is Ti4+-dominant. The new mineral is named in honour of the Russian mineralogist, geochemist and specialist in studies of ore deposits Professor Georgiy Aleksandrovich Yurgenson (born 1935).
BTK inhibitors, irrespective of ITK inhibition, increase efficacy of a CD19/CD3-bispecific antibody in CLL
Authors: Mhibik Maissa , Gaglione Erika M. , Eik David , Kendall Ellen K. , Blackburn Amy , Keyvanfar Keyvan , Baptista Maria Joao , Ahn Inhye E. , Sun Clare , Qi Junpeng , Rader Christoph , Wiestner Adrian
Published: May 2021

Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) are a preferred treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Indefinite therapy with BTKis, although effective, presents clinical challenges. Combination therapy can deepen responses, shorten treatment duration, and possibly prevent or overcome drug resistance. We previously reported on a CD19/CD3-bispecific antibody (bsAb) that recruits autologous T-cell cytotoxicity against CLL cells in vitro. Compared with observations with samples from treatment-naïve patients, T cells from patients being treated with ibrutinib expanded more rapidly and exerted superior cytotoxic activity in response to the bsAb. In addition to BTK, ibrutinib also inhibits interleukin-2 inducible T-cell kinase (ITK). In contrast, acalabrutinib, does not inhibit ITK. Whether ITK inhibition contributes to the observed immune effects is unknown. To better understand how BTKis modulate T-cell function and cytotoxic activity, we cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from BTKi-naive and ibrutinib- or acalabrutinib-treated CLL patients with CD19/CD3 bsAb in vitro. T-cell expansion, activation, differentiation, and cytotoxicity were increased in PBMCs from patients on treatment with either BTKi compared with that observed for BKTi-naïve patients. BTKi therapy transcriptionally downregulated immunosuppressive effectors expressed by CLL cells, including cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and CD200. CTLA-4 blockade with ipilimumab in vitro increased the cytotoxic activity of the bsAb in BTKi-naïve but not BTKi-treated PBMCS. Taken together, BTKis enhance bsAb-induced cytotoxicity by relieving T cells of immunosuppressive restraints imposed by CLL cells. The benefit of combining bsAb immunotherapy with BTKis needs to be confirmed in clinical trials.
Genetic identification of patients with AML older than 60 years achieving long-term survival with intensive chemotherapy
Authors: Itzykson Raphael , Fournier Elise , Berthon Céline , Röllig Christoph , Braun Thorsten , Marceau-Renaut Alice , Pautas Cécile , Nibourel Olivier , Lemasle Emilie , Micol Jean-Baptiste , Adès Lionel , Lebon Delphine , Malfuson Jean-Valère , Gastaud Lauris , Goursaud Laure , Raffoux Emmanuel , Wattebled Kevin-James , Rousselot Philippe , Thomas Xavier , Chantepie Sylvain , Cluzeau Thomas , Serve Hubert , Boissel Nicolas , Terré Christine , Celli-Lebras Karine , Preudhomme Claude , Thiede Christian , Dombret Hervé , Gardin Claude , Duployez Nicolas
Published: May 2021

To design a simple and reproducible classifier predicting the overall survival (OS) of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) ≥60 years of age treated with 7 + 3, we sequenced 37 genes in 471 patients from the ALFA1200 (Acute Leukemia French Association) study (median age, 68 years). Mutation patterns and OS differed between the 84 patients with poor-risk cytogenetics and the 387 patients with good (n = 13), intermediate (n = 339), or unmeasured (n = 35) cytogenetic risk. TP53 (hazards ratio [HR], 2.49; P = .0003) and KRAS (HR, 3.60; P = .001) mutations independently worsened the OS of patients with poor-risk cytogenetics. In those without poor-risk cytogenetics, NPM1 (HR, 0.57; P = .0004), FLT3 internal tandem duplications with low (HR, 1.85; P = .0005) or high (HR, 3.51; P < 10−4) allelic ratio, DNMT3A (HR, 1.86; P < 10−4), NRAS (HR, 1.54; P = .019), and ASXL1 (HR, 1.89; P = .0003) mutations independently predicted OS. Combining cytogenetic risk and mutations in these 7 genes, 39.1% of patients could be assigned to a “go-go” tier with a 2-year OS of 66.1%, 7.6% to the “no-go” group (2-year OS 2.8%), and 3.3% of to the “slow-go” group (2-year OS of 39.1%; P < 10−5). Across 3 independent validation cohorts, 31.2% to 37.7% and 11.2% to 13.5% of patients were assigned to the go-go and the no-go tiers, respectively, with significant differences in OS between tiers in all 3 trial cohorts (HDF [Hauts-de-France], n = 141, P = .003; and SAL [Study Alliance Leukemia], n = 46; AMLSG [AML Study Group], n = 223, both P < 10−5). The ALFA decision tool is a simple, robust, and discriminant prognostic model for AML patients ≥60 years of age treated with intensive chemotherapy. This model can instruct the design of trials comparing the 7 + 3 standard of care with less intensive regimens.
miR-29a sensitizes the response of glioma cells to temozolomide by modulating the P53/MDM2 feedback loop
Authors: Chen Qiudan , Wang Weifeng , Chen Shuying , Chen Xiaotong , Lin Yong
Published: May 2021

Recently, pivotal functions of miRNAs in regulating common tumorigenic processes and manipulating signaling pathways in brain tumors have been recognized; notably, miR‐29a is closely associated with p53 signaling, contributing to the development of glioma. However, the molecular mechanism of the interaction between miR-29a and p53 signaling is still to be revealed. Herein, a total of 30 glioma tissues and 10 non-cancerous tissues were used to investigate the expression of miR‐29a. CCK-8 assay and Transwell assay were applied to identify the effects of miR-29a altered expression on the malignant biological behaviors of glioma cells in vitro, including proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to further validate the regulatory effect of p53 or miR-29a on miR-29a or MDM2, respectively, at the transcriptional level. The results showed that miR-29a expression negatively correlated with tumor grade of human gliomas; at the same time it inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted apoptosis of glioma cells in vitro. Mechanistically, miR-29a expression was induced by p53, leading to aberrant expression of MDM2 targeted by miR-29a, and finally imbalanced the activity of the p53-miR-29a-MDM2 feedback loop. Moreover, miR-29a regulating p53/MDM2 signaling sensitized the response of glioma cells to temozolomide treatment. Altogether, the study demonstrated a potential molecular mechanism in the tumorigenesis of glioma, while offering a possible target for treating human glioma in the future.
LncRNA DNM3OS regulates GREM2 via miR-127-5p to suppress early chondrogenic differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells under hypoxic conditions
Authors: Zhou Xiaozhong , Xu Wangyang , Wang Yeyang , Zhang Hui , Zhang Li , Li Chao , Yao Shun , Huang Zixiang , Huang Lishan , Luo Dixin
Published: May 2021

Background

Improved chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by genetic regulation is a potential method for regenerating articular cartilage. MiR-127-5p has been reported to promote cartilage differentiation of rat bone marrow MSCs (rMSCs); however, the regulatory mechanisms underlying hypoxia-stimulated chondrogenic differentiation remain unknown.

Methods

rMSCs were induced to undergo chondrogenic differentiation under normoxic or hypoxic conditions. Expression of lncRNA DNM3OS, miR-127-5p, and GREM2 was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Proteoglycans were detected by Alcian blue staining. Western blot assays were performed to examine the relative levels of GREM2 and chondrogenic differentiation related proteins. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to assess the association among DNM3OS, miR-127-5p, and GREM2.

Results

MiR-127-5p levels were upregulated, while DNM3OS and GREM2 levels were downregulated in rMSCs induced to undergo chondrogenic differentiation, and those changes were attenuated by hypoxic conditions (1% O2). Further in vitro experiments revealed that downregulation of miR-127-5p reduced the production of proteoglycans and expression of chondrogenic differentiation markers (COL1A1, COL2A1, SOX9, and ACAN) and osteo/chondrogenic markers (BMP-2, p-SMAD1/2). MiR-127-5p overexpression produced the opposite results in rMSCs induced to undergo chondrogenic differentiation under hypoxic conditions. GREM2 was found to be a direct target of miR-127-5p, which was suppressed in rMSCs undergoing chondrogenic differentiation. Moreover, DNM3OS could directly bind to miR-127-5p and inhibit chondrogenic differentiation of rMSCs via regulating GREM2.

Conclusions

Our study revealed a novel molecular pathway (DNM3OS/miR-127-5p/GREM2) that may be involved in hypoxic chondrogenic differentiation.
Green and Cost-Effective Synthesis of Tin Oxide Nanoparticles: A Review on the Synthesis Methodologies, Mechanism of Formation, and Their Potential Applications
Authors: Gebreslassie Yemane Tadesse , Gebretnsae Henok Gidey
Published: May 2021

Nanotechnology has become the most promising area of research with its momentous application in all fields of science. In recent years, tin oxide has received tremendous attention due to its fascinating properties, which have been improved with the synthesis of this material in the nanometer range. Numerous physical and chemical methods are being used these days to produce tin oxide nanoparticles. However, these methods are expensive, require high energy, and also utilize various toxic chemicals during the synthesis. The increased concerns related to human health and environmental impact have led to the development of a cost-effective and environmentally benign process for its production. Recently, tin oxide nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by green methods using different biological entities such as plant extract, bacteria, and natural biomolecules. However, industrial-scale production using green synthesis approaches remains a challenge due to the complexity of the biological substrates that poses a difficulty to the elucidations of the reactions and mechanism of formations that occur during the synthesis. Hence, the present review summarizes the different sources of biological entities and methodologies used for the green synthesis of tin oxide nanoparticles and the impact on their properties. This work also describes the advances in the understanding of the mechanism of formation reported in the literature and the different analytical techniques used for characterizing these nanoparticles.
A comparative analysis on risk communication between international and Chinese literature from the perspective of knowledge domain visualization
Authors: Dong Huiling , Wu Qunhong , Pang Yue , Wu Bingyi
Published: May 2021

Background

The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) severely damaged and endangered people’s lives at the end of 2019. Risk communication plays an important role in the response to it successfully, which has been appreciated by the World Health Organization. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of risk communication research is necessary, which can understand current research hotspots and reveal new trends.

Methods

In this study, we collected 1134 international articles from the Web of Science database and 3983 Chinese articles from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database. Bibliometric and mapping knowledge domain analysis methods were used for temporal distribution analysis, cooperation network analysis, co-word network analysis, and burst detection analysis.

Results

The first article in this field was published by western scholars earlier, while the first Chinese article in 2002. Research institutions mainly come from universities. The USA plays a key role in this field. Chinese scholars had a closer cooperation network, but there was less cooperation among domestic institutions. Risk perception, trust, risk management, and risk information had always been the research hotspots in this academic. Trust, sentiment research, and public risk events were essential directions for the future. There are 25 burst words for international articles, while 11 burst words for Chinese articles from 2000 to 2020.

Conclusions

In summary, both domestic and international researchers are concerned about risk communication, risk perception, trust, and risk information. International research on risk communication is systematic and comprehensive relatively. However, Chinese scholars take severe acute respiratory syndrome as the research background and reviewing foreign knowledge as the research starting point. With the purpose of practical and applied research based on a public emergency, the risk communication research lacks continuity in Chinese academy in the past years.
Structural comparison of the rostra of two species of weevils coexisting on Ailanthus altissima: the response to ecological demands of egg deposition
Authors: Zhang Ganyu , Guo Wenjuan , Wang Xiaoyi , Wang Qian , Cui Jin , Wen Junbao
Published: May 2021

Background

Elongated rostra play an important role in the egg-laying of weevils, and its emergence plays a key role in the adaptive radiation of weevils.Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatusMotschulsky andE. brandtiHarold co-occur on the same only hostAilanthus altissima, while their oviposition sites are different. In order to understand the adaptation between the rostra of the two weevils and their oviposition sites, the structural differentiation of the rostra inE. scrobiculatusandE. brandtiwas compared.

Results

The present study reveals that: (1) The rostra length ofE. scrobiculatusandE. brandtiwas found to be correlated with body size, larger weevils have a correspondingly longer rostrum. The increase of rostra length may be a byproduct of larger weevils. (2) There were significant differences in the external shape of the two rostra, especially the shape of the mandibles of the mouthparts at the apex of the rostra used to excavate an oviposition cavity. (3) There was no difference in the size of the abductor muscles that control the extension of the mandibles, but there were significant differences in the size of the adductor muscles that control the contraction of the mandibles.

Conclusions

These structural differences reflect the functional potential ovipositional tactics of rostra, which is considered to be a response to the ecological demands of egg deposition, and also provide new insights into the coexistence of two weevil species in the same hostA. altissima.
Waist to height ratio is associated with an increased risk of mortality in Chinese patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Chen Jianqiao , Li Man , Hao Benchuan , Cai Yulun , Li Huiying , Zhou Wenli , Song Yujian , Wang Shiqi , Liu Hongbin
Published: May 2021

Background

Abdominal obesity as a predominant comorbidity has played a key role in the incidence and worsening of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) behaves better than waist circumference or body mass index in evaluating abdominal obesity. While the association between WHtR and all-cause death in Chinese patients with HFpEF remains unclear.

Methods

Patients with stable HFpEF (N = 2041) who presented to our hospital from January 2008 to July 2019 were divided into low-WHtR (< 0.5, N = 378) and high-WHtR (≥ 0.5, N = 1663). Multivariable Cox proportional-hazard models were used to examine the association of WHtR with all-cause death.

Results

The average age was 76.63 ± 11.44 years, and the mean follow-up was 4.53 years. During follow-up, 185 patients (9.06%) reached the primary outcome of all-cause death. As for the secondary outcome, 79 patients (3.87%) experienced cardiovascular death, 106 (5.19%) had non-cardiovascular death, and 94 (4.61%) had heart failure rehospitalization. After multivariable adjustment, a higher WHtR was significantly associated with the increased risks of all-cause death [adjusted hazard ratios (HR) 1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–3.45, p = 0.032], cardiovascular death (adjusted HR 2.58; 95% CI 1.01–6.67, p = 0.048), and HF rehospitalization (adjusted HR 3.04; 95% CI 1.26–7.31, p = 0.013).

Conclusions

Higher WHtR is an independent risk factor for all-cause death in Chinese patients with HFpEF.
Metformin alters therapeutic effects in the BALB/c tumor therapy model
Authors: Meyer Felix B. , Goebel Sophie , Spangel Sonja B. , Leovsky Christiane , Hoelzer Doerte , Thierbach René
Published: May 2021

Background

Despite considerable medical proceedings, cancer is still a leading cause of death. Major problems for tumor therapy are chemoresistance as well as toxic side effects. In recent years, the additional treatment with the antidiabetic drug metformin during chemotherapy showed promising results in some cases. The aim of this study was to develop an in vitro tumor therapy model in order to further investigate the potential of a combined chemotherapy with metformin.

Methods

Cytotoxic effects of a combined treatment on BALB/c fibroblasts were proven by the resazurin assay. Based on the BALB/c cell transformation assay, the BALB/c tumor therapy model was established successfully with four different and widely used chemotherapeutics from different categories. Namely, Doxorubicin as a type-II isomerase inhibitor, Docetaxel as a spindle toxin, Mitomycin C as an alkylating agent and 5-Fluorouracil as an antimetabolite. Moreover, glucose consumption in the medium supernatant was measured and protein expressions were determined by Western Blotting.

Results

Initial tests for the combined treatment with metformin indicated unexpected results as metformin could partly mitigate the cytotoxic effects of the chemotherapeutic agents. These results were further confirmed as metformin induced resistance to some of the drugs when applied simultaneously in the tumor therapy model. Mechanistically, an increased glucose consumption was observed in non-transformed cells as well as in the mixed population of malignant transformed cell foci and non-transformed monolayer cells, suggesting that metformin could also increase glucose consumption in transformed cells.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study suggests a cautious use of metformin during chemotherapy. Moreover, the BALB/c tumor therapy model offers a potent tool for further mechanistic studies of drug-drug interactions during cancer therapy.

Graphical abstract
The clinical features and outcomes of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome
Authors: Kim Hyuna , Oh Shin Yeop
Published: May 2021

Background

The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical features and outcomes of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS).

Methods

A retrospective review of the medical records was performed on patients with THS between March 2016 and January 2020. A total of eleven patients fulfilling the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3 beta) diagnostic criteria for THS were included in this study.

Results

The average age of the patients with THS was 57.18 ± 15.32 years and the mean duration of recovery was 26.91 ± 24.35 days. All eleven patients had orbital or periorbital pain as the first symptom followed by diplopia. Ptosis was found in five patients (45.45 %) in the involved eye. Sixth cranial nerve (CN) palsy was most common (eight cases, 72.73 %), followed by third and fourth CN palsy (five cases, 45.45 %, respectively), optic neuritis (two cases, 18.18 %), and trigeminal nerve and facial nerve palsy (one case, 9.09 %, respectively). One patient with optic neuritis failed to recover visual acuity and the other ten patients completely recovered their ocular motor limitation. All patients were initially treated with steroids. One patient relapsed after five weeks and one patient had a history of THS five years earlier.

Conclusions

THS responded well to steroid treatment, but if it was accompanied by optic neuritis as optic nerve involvement, we suggest follow-up with high dose steroid treatment especially was important.
Intra-and interobserver reliability of determining the femoral footprint of the torn anterior cruciate ligament on MRI scans
Authors: Zee M. J. M. , Sulaihem R. A. , Diercks R. L. , van den Akker-Scheek I.
Published: May 2021

Background

Re-injury rates following reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are significant; in more than 20% of patients a rupture of the graft occurs. One of the main reasons for graft failure is malposition of the femoral tunnel. The femoral origin of the torn ACL can be hard to visualize during arthroscopy, plus many individual variation in femoral origin anatomy exists, which may lead to this malpositioning. To develop a patient specific guide that may resolve this problem, a preoperative MRI is needed to identify the patient specific femoral origin of the ACL. The issue here is that there may be a difference in the reliability of identification of the femoral footprint of the ACL on MRI between different observers with different backgrounds and level of experience. The purpose of this study was to determine the intra- and interobserver reliability of identifying the femoral footprint of the torn ACL on MRI and to compare this between orthopedic surgeons, residents in orthopedic surgery and MSK radiologists.

Methods

MR images of the knee joint were collected retrospectively from 20 subjects with a confirmed rupture of the ACL. The 2D (coronal, sagittal, transversal) proton-density (PD) images were selected for the segmentation procedure to create 3D models of the femurs. The center of the femoral footprint of the ACL on 20 MRI scans, with visual feedback on 3D models (as reference) was determined twice by eight observers. The intra- and interobserver reliability of determining the center of the femoral footprint on MRI was evaluated. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated for the X, Y and Z coordinates separately and for a 3D coordinate.

Results

The mean 3D distance between the first and second assessment (intraobserver reliability) was 3.82 mm. The mean 3D distance between observers (interobserver reliability) was 8.67 mm. ICCs were excellent (> 0.95), except for those between the assessments of the two MSK radiologists of the Y and Z coordinates (0.890 and 0.800 respectively). Orthopedic surgeons outscored the residents and radiologists in terms of intra- and interobserver agreement.

Conclusion

Excellent intraobserver reliability was demonstrated (< 4 mm). However the results of the interobserver reliability manifested remarkably less agreement between observers (> 8 mm). An orthopedic background seems to increase both intra- and interobserver reliability. Preoperative planning of the femoral tunnel position in ACL reconstruction remains a surgical decision. Experienced orthopedic surgeons should be consulted when planning for patient specific instrumentation in ACL reconstruction.
The influence of sagittal pelvic malrotation on transverse acetabular ligament guided cup orientation: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ling Tingxian , Ding Zichuan , Yuan Mingcheng , Zhou Kai , Zhou Zongke
Published: May 2021

Background

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) candidates frequently present pelvic malrotation. The aim of this study is to analyze how pelvic malrotation influence transverse acetabular ligament (TAL) guided cup orientation and investigate whether pelvic malrotation produce different clinical outcomes after THA.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of THA patients (144 hips) who use TAL as a guidance for cup positioning from March 2017 to January 2020. The patients were divided into normal pelvis (NP) group and backward pelvis (BP) group by sagittal pelvic malrotation assessed by APPA, the angle between the vertical and the APP on standing lateral pelvic radiographs preoperatively. Cup anteversion and inclination and that out of the safe zones were measured and compared in two groups. The demographic data, clinical results, and complications of patients were also compared.

Results

Backward pelvic malrotation were found in 60.6 % of this cohort of THA candidates. The mean angle of both inclination and anteversion in BP group were significantly larger than that in NP group. The rate of cup for anteversion and inclination above the safe zone in BP group was significantly larger than that in NP group. There were 4 patients in BP group recording anterior hip dislocation after surgery. Other complications were not observed at last follow-up.

Conclusions

Backward pelvis malrotation may increase TAL guided cup inclination and anteversion, which were inclined to became outlier above the safe zone. This likely increase the rates of dislocation after THA. For the patients with pelvis malrotation, cup positioning should be performed individually instead of guided by TAL.
Genetic characterization of an H5N6 avian influenza virus with multiple origins from a chicken in southern China, October 2019
Authors: Wen Feng , Yang Jing , Guo Jinyue , Wang Congying , Cheng Qing , Tang Zheng , Luo Kaijian , Yuan Sheng , Huang Shujian , Li Yong
Published: May 2021

Background

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) of H5 subtype pose a great threat to the poultry industry and human health. In recent years, H5N6 subtype has rapidly replaced H5N1 as the most predominate HPAIV subtype circulating in domestic poultry in China. In this study, we describe the genetic and phylogenetic characteristics of a prevalent H5N6 strain in Guangdong, China.

Results

Nucleotide sequencing identified a H5N6 subtype HPAIV, designated as A/chicken/Dongguan/1101/2019 (DG/19), with a multibasic cleavage site in the hemagglutinin (HA). Phylogenetic analysis revealed DG/19 was a reassortant of H5N1, H5N2, H5N8, and H6N6 subtypes of avian influenza viruses. A number of mammalian adaptive markers such as D36N in the HA were identified.

Conclusions

Our results showed that HPAIV H5N6 strains still emerge in well-managed groups of chicken farms. Considering the increasing prevalence of H5N6 HPAIV, and the fact that H5N6 HPAIVs are well adapted to migratory birds, an enhanced surveillance for the East Asian-Australasian flyway should be undertaken to prevent potential threats to the poultry industry and human health.