bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Consumer Recommendation Behavior and Market Equilibrium in E-Commerce from the Perspective of Social Media
Authors: Jiang Hongtao , Chen Lin
Published: February 2023

Under the strategic goal of building a domestic economic cycle, the development quality of social e-commerce in my country needs to be improved urgently. The main reason for the low quality of social e-commerce development in my country is that the natural advantages of social e-commerce, such as high-efficiency dissemination of information and increased consumer utility due to improper sales model design, cannot play a role. However, the lack of research on social e-commerce systems makes it difficult for retailers to obtain effective theoretical guidance for their sales model design. Based on this, this paper takes the three most important and important social e-commerce sales models in my country at present—recommended reward model, online group purchase model, and online crowdfunding model as the research objects, and systematically analyzes the consumer recommendation behaviors in the three sales models. By analyzing and market equilibrium, while improving the theoretical research of social e-commerce, it also provides theoretical basis and policy guidance for the optimal mode design of social e-commerce under different sales modes. This paper considers the consumer recommendation behavior in social networks and analyzes the main characteristics of the three sales models in view of the development status and specific problems of social e-commerce in my country, and then constructs retailer-existing consumer-potential The three-agent dynamic Stackelberg game model of consumers analyzes the influence mechanism and market equilibrium of consumer recommendation behavior under three sales models.
Feature Point Detection and Description Networks Based on Asymmetric Convolution and the Cross‐ResolutionImage‐Matching Method
Authors: Zhang Ruixing , Yao Tao , Yan Lianshan
Published: February 2023

Image matching can be transformed into the problem of feature point detection and matching of images. The current neural network methods have a weak detection effect on feature points and cannot extract enough sparse and uniform feature points. In order to improve the detection and description ability of feature points, this paper proposes a self‐supervised feature point detection and description network based on asymmetric convolution: ACPoint. Specifically, first, feature point pseudolabels are learned from an unlabeled dataset, and pseudolabels are used for supervised learning; then, the learned model is used to update pseudolabels. Through multiple iterations of model training and label updating, high‐quality labels and high‐accuracy models are obtained adaptively. The asymmetric convolution feature point (ACPoint) network adopts an asymmetric convolution module to simultaneously train three convolution branches to learn more feature information, which uses two one‐dimensional convolutions to enhance the backbone of square convolution from both horizontal and vertical directions and improve the representation of local features during inference. Based on the ACPoint network, a cross‐resolution image‐matching method is proposed. Experiments show that our proposed network model has higher localization accuracy and homography estimation ability on the HPatches dataset.
Canine Alveolar Echinococcosis: An Emerging and Costly Introduced Problem in North America
Authors: Kolapo Temitope U. , Hay Allison , Gesy Karen M. , Frey Caroline F. , Rothenburger Jamie L. , Joffe Danny J. , Spotswood Tim , Huang Yanyun , Massolo Alessandro , Peregrine Andrew S. , Hill Janet E. , Jenkins Emily J.
Published: February 2023

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by the metacestode of Echinococcus multilocularis, is emerging in both dogs and people in North America. Here, we review 27 cases of canine AE opportunistically reported since the index case was described in 2009 in Western Canada. We describe clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, outcome, and source of canine infection, based on genetics of the parasite isolated from some canine cases. Diagnosis of AE was by histopathology and/or PCR on DNA extracted from metacestodes. The median age of dogs at diagnosis was 4 years (range 1–12), which is low compared to neoplasia, the most common differential diagnosis. There was no sex predilection and different breeds were involved, but there were a disproportionate number of boxers and beagles relative to their representation in the general canine population. The most common potential risk factors included contact with wildlife and visits to off leash areas. Abdominal distension was the most common clinical sign at presentation, and medical imaging generally revealed an abdominal mass. On histopathology, protoscoleces were observed in 7 out of 14 dogs. In 7 cases, DNA sequences were most similar to European (versus North American) haplotypes, identical to those recently reported in coyotes as definitive hosts in North America, and different between eastern and western North America, implying multiple introduction events. Dogs that were not treated (n = 6) had 16% survival in the first 100 days in comparison with 82% survival of treated dogs (n = 11). Direct costs to the owner of treating canine AE ranged from 1,317 to 12,655 CAD depending on the situation at the onset of treatment. This study provides important clinical, epidemiological, and economic information for veterinary practitioners and regulators for importation of dogs, and for public health, as dogs with AE may serve as indicators of parasite range expansion and risk to humans.
A Pilot Study of Plantar Mechanics Distributions and Fatigue Profiles after Running on a Treadmill: Using a Support Vector Machine Algorithm
Authors: Liu Qian , Chen Hairong , Thirupathi Anand , Yang Meimei , Baker Julien S. , Gu Yaodong
Published: February 2023

The treadmill is widely used in running fatigue experiments, and the variation of plantar mechanical parameters caused by fatigue and gender, as well as the prediction of fatigue curves by a machine learning algorithm, play an important role in providing different training programs. This experiment aimed to compare changes in peak pressure (PP), peak force (PF), plantar impulse (PI), and gender differences of novice runners after they were fatigued by running. A support vector machine (SVM) was used to predict the fatigue curve according to the changes in PP, PF, and PI before and after fatigue. 15 healthy males and 15 healthy females completed two runs at a speed of 3.3 m/s ± 5% on a footscan pressure plate before and after fatigue. After fatigue, PP, PF, and PI decreased at hallux (T1) and second‐fifth toes (T2–5), while heel medial (HM) and heel lateral (HL) increased. In addition, PP and PI also increased at the first metatarsal (M1). PP, PF, and PI at T1 and T2–5 were significantly higher in females than in males, and metatarsal 3–5 (M3–5) were significantly lower in females than in males. The SVM classification algorithm results showed the accuracy was above average level using the T1 PP/HL PF (train accuracy: 65%; test accuracy: 75%), T1 PF/HL PF (train accuracy: 67.5%; test accuracy: 65%), and HL PF/T1 PI (train accuracy: 67.5%; test accuracy: 70%). These values could provide information about running and gender‐related injuries, such as metatarsal stress fractures and hallux valgus. Application of the SVM to the identification of plantar mechanical features before and after fatigue. The features of the plantar zones after fatigue can be identified and the learned algorithm of plantar zone combinations with above‐average accuracy (T1 PP/HL PF, T1 PF/HL PF, and HL PF/T1 PI) can be used to predict running fatigue and supervise training. It provided an important idea for the detection of fatigue after running.
Nursing Workforce Retention in Rural Ghana: The Predictive Role of Satisfaction, Rural Fit, and Resilience
Authors: Poku Collins Atta , Mensah Eva , Kyei Josephine , Ofei Adelaide Maria Ansah
Published: February 2023

Introduction. High turnover of nurses in rural healthcare settings contributes to challenges in healthcare delivery. Various incentive packages have been introduced in rural healthcare settings to curb this phenomenon, but the canker still exists. The study aimed at assessing the predictive role of job satisfaction, rural fit, and resilience on nurses’ retention in rural Ghana. Materials and Methods. A multicentre cross-sectional design was adopted to collect data from 462 nurses. Analysis through descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Pearson moment product correlation, and multiple regression was done. Results. There was low resilience and rural fit among nurses with higher turnover intention, which was predicted by average daily attendance (β = 0.108), rural fit (β = −0.144), resilience (β = −0.350), satisfaction with prospects (β = −0.187), and satisfaction with prospect and pay (β = −0.171) at the significance of 0.05. Conclusion. Policymakers can be assured that not just improving financial incentives to nurses, but the integration of nurses to rural settings, commensurate workload and improving pay and prospects for professional growth and resilience are needed for rural retention. Implications for nursing management, nurse managers, and policymakers have a role to develop sustainable strategies to integrate rural fit, resilience, and job satisfaction to help reduce turnover among nurses.
A Tool for Visualization and Analysis of Neighbourhoods, Clusters, and Indicators during the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Silva Julio Cezar Soares , Ferreira Nivan Roberto , Almeida Filho Adiel Teixeira de
Published: February 2023

Visual analytics tools for spatiotemporal analysis can be used to manage and monitor the propagation of an epidemic. The problem is that dashboards encountered in the literature do not take into consideration how the geolocation characteristics, such as socioeconomic indicators, influence the infection risk or other epidemic variables. This analysis can support health officials in managing the outbreak to consider information about indicators in compartment models for propagation prediction and intervention simulation. The objective of this work was to bring widgets that offer a more profound exploration and analysis of the impact of the pandemic on socioeconomic indicators. In our approach, the association of epidemic variables and indicators can be explored with commonly adopted visualization plots. Also, we propose a way to gather the specialist’s risk perception, and as a result, a risk heatmap is produced, allowing the reduction of time series data cluttering. Finally, it is possible to use the risk heatmap information to compare neighbourhoods and socioeconomic indicators by ranking them according to a severity score. Some use cases were performed to demonstrate the use and capability of the proposed widgets.
Feed‐Forward Deep Neural Network (FFDNN)‐Based Deep Features for Static Malware Detection
Authors: Singh Priyanka , Borgohain Samir Kumar , Sarkar Achintya Kumar , Kumar Jayendra , Sharma Lakhan Dev
Published: February 2023

The portable executable header (PEH) information is commonly used as a feature for malware detection systems to train and validate machine learning (ML) or deep learning (DL) classifiers. We propose to extract the deep features from the PEH information through hidden layers of a feed‐forward deep neural network (FFDNN). The extraction of deep features of hidden layers represents the dataset with a better generalization for malware detection. While feeding the deep feature of one hidden layer to the succeeding layer, the Gaussian error linear unit (GeLU) activation function is applied. The FFDNN is trained with the GeLU activation function using the deep features of individual layers as well as concatenated deep features of all hidden layers. Similarly, the ML classifiers are also trained and validated in with individual layer deep features and concatenated features. Three highly effective ML classifiers, random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and k‐nearest neighbour (k‐NN) have been investigated. The performance of the proposed model is demonstrated using a statically significant large dataset. The obtained results are interesting and encouraging in terms of classification accuracy. The classification accuracy reaches 99.15% with the internal discriminative deep feature for the proposed FFDNN‐ML classifier with the GeLU activation function.
The Relationship between the Characteristics of Tinnitus and the Hearing Curative Effect of Sudden Deafness
Authors: Zou Ting , Xu Jin , Lu Hongyi , Yu Mingqiang
Published: February 2023

Background: Tinnitus is the most common complication of sudden deafness. There are many studies on tinnitus and tinnitus as a prognostic factor for sudden deafness. Summary: We collected 285 cases (330 ears) of sudden deafness to investigate the relationship between tinnitus psychoacoustic characteristics and the hearing curative effective rate. The hearing curative effective rate was analyzed and compared between the patients whether it is accompanied by tinnitus, with different tinnitus frequency and different tinnitus loudness. Key Messages: Patients with tinnitus frequency (125–2,000 Hz) and no tinnitus have better hearing efficacy, and those with high frequency tinnitus (3,000–8,000 Hz) have worse hearing efficacy. Test the tinnitus frequency of patients in the initial stage of sudden deafness has some guiding significance for the evaluation of hearing prognosis.
Flood Detection Using Backpropagation Neural Network Method
Authors: Ani Dwi Ratnasari  , Hasin Khoirul
Published: February 2023

Lack of river and watershed management will cause problems and disasters. One of it is the flood that can cause physical, social and economic loss. So countermeasures or flood anticipation are needed by using the Early Warning System (EWS) to provide early information if a flood is going to occur. This study uses five input indicators: temperature, humidity, water discharge, water surface altitude and rainfall data that will produce output in the form of notifications and alarms for the Early Warning System (EWS). Then the input and output data configuration will be processed using a Backpropagation Neural Network. Data used is data recorded in real-time on the research object for two weeks with the composition of training and testing data with a percentage of 80% and 20%. The best backpropagation neural network model used has the input of 5 neurons layer architecture, 15 neurons as the hidden layer and three neurons as the output layer. The flood prediction result uses the Backpropagation Neural Network method, has an RMSE score performance of 2.16e-21 and a percentage success testing system of 91.33%. It shows that the model has an excellent accuracy level.
Ship Collision Realtime Early Warning System Based on Automatic Identification System (AIS) Data
Authors: Anggani Ghozi Restu , Arfianto Afif Zuhri , Arleiny Arleiny , Setiawan Bambang Teguh
Published: February 2023

One of the efforts to improve shipping safety is using the Automatic Identification System (AIS) according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recommendations. By utilizing Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, the system can monitor AIS ship movement patterns and compare them with the latest conditions. Information such as the ship's position, destination and speed is tracked. The author will create a real-time ship collision early warning system based on AIS data in this final project. The method used is the haversine formula to calculate the distance between two coordinate points on the earth's surface based on the ship's latitude and longitude. The results of AIS data in the form of latitude, longitude, and ID numbers will be processed using PHP to determine the distance and angle of the ship in real time. From 50 tests on two ships, two conditions can cause ship collisions. The results of these tests are that the percentage of collisions is 4%. The real-time system helps know the ship's actual movement based on current conditions
Pediatric Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Development of a Porcine Model and the Influence of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Duration on Brain Injury
Authors: Slovis Julia C. , Volk Lindsay , Mavroudis Constantine , Hefti Marco , Landis William P. , Roberts Anna L. , Delso Nile , Hallowell Thomas , Graham Kathryn , Starr Jonathan , Lin Yuxi , Melchior Richard , Nadkarni Vinay , Sutton Robert M. , Berg Robert A. , Piel Sarah , Morgan Ryan W. , Kilbaugh Todd J.
Published: February 2023

Background

The primary objective was to develop a porcine model of prolonged (30 or 60 minutes) pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) followed by 22‐ to 24‐hour survival with extracorporeal life support, and secondarily to evaluate differences in neurologic injury.

Methods and Results

Ten‐kilogram, 4‐week‐old female piglets were used. First, model development established the technique (n=8). Then, a pilot study was conducted (n=15). After 80% survival was achieved in the final 5 pilot animals, a proof‐of‐concept randomized study was completed (n=11). Shams (n=6) underwent anesthesia only. Severe neurological injury was determined by a composite score of mitochondrial function, neuropathology, and cerebral metabolism: scale of 0–6 (severe: >3). Among 15 piglets in the pilot study, overall survival was 10 (67%); of the final 5, overall survival was 4 (80%). Eleven piglets were then randomized to 60 (CPR60, n=5) or 30 minutes of CPR (CPR30, n=5); 1 animal was excluded from prerandomization for intra‐abdominal hemorrhage (10/11, 91% survival). Three of 5 animals in the CPR60 group had severe neurological injury scores versus 1 of 5 in the CPR30 group (
P
=0.52). During ECMO, CPR60 animals had lower pH (CPR60: 7.4 [IQR 7.4–7.4] versus CPR30: 7.5 [IQR 7.4–7.5],
P
=0.022), higher lactate (CPR60: 6.8 [IQR 6.8–11] versus CPR30: 4.2 [IQR 4.1–4.3] mmol/L;
P
=0.012), and higher ICP (CPR60: 19.3 [IQR 11.7–29.3] versus CPR30: 7.9 [IQR 6.7–9.3] mm Hg;
P
=0.037). Both groups had greater mitochondrial injury than shams (CPR60:
P
<0.001; CPR30:
P
<0.001). CPR60 did not differ from CPR30 in mitochondrial respiration, neuropathology, or cerebral metabolism.

Conclusions

A pediatric porcine model of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation after 60 and 30 minutes of CPR consistently resulted in 24‐hour survival with more severe lactic acidosis in the 60‐minute cohort.
Association Between Triglycerides and Incident Cognitive Impairment in Black and White Adults in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study
Authors: Rosenson Robert S. , Cushman Mary , McKinley Emily C. , Muntner Paul , Wang Zhixin , Vaisar Tomas , Heinecke Jay , Tangney Christy , Judd Suzanne , Colantonio Lisandro D.
Published: February 2023

Background

Elevated nonfasting triglycerides were associated with non‐Alzheimer dementia in a recent study. However, this study neither evaluated the association of fasting triglycerides with incident cognitive impairment (ICI) nor adjusted for high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol or hs‐CRP (high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein), known risk markers for ICI and dementia.

Methods and Results

We examined the association between fasting triglycerides and ICI among 16 170 participants in the REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) study without cognitive impairment or a history of stroke at baseline in 2003 to 2007 and who had no stroke events during follow‐up through September 2018. Overall, 1151 participants developed ICI during the median follow‐up of 9.6 years. The relative risk for ICI associated with fasting triglycerides of ≥150 mg/dL versus <100 mg/dL including adjustment for age and geographic region of residence was 1.59 (95% CI, 1.20–2.11) among White women and 1.27 (95% CI, 1.00–1.62) among Black women. After multivariable adjustment, including adjustment for high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and hs‐CRP, the relative risk for ICI associated with fasting triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL versus <100 mg/dL was 1.50 (95% CI, 1.09–2.06) among White women and 1.21 (95% CI, 0.93–1.57) among Black women. There was no evidence of an association between triglycerides and ICI among White or Black men.

Conclusions

Elevated fasting triglycerides were associated with ICI in White women after full adjustment including high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and hs‐CRP. The current results suggest that the association between triglycerides and ICI is stronger in women than men.
Trends and Costs of US Telehealth Use Among Patients With Cardiovascular Disease Before and During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Lee Jun Soo , Lowe Beasley Kincaid , Schooley Michael W. , Luo Feijun
Published: February 2023

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic affected outpatient care delivery and patients' access to health care. However, no prior studies have documented telehealth use among patients with cardiovascular disease.

Methods and Results

We documented the number of telehealth and in‐person outpatient encounters per 100 patients with cardiovascular disease and the percentage of telehealth encounters from January 2019 to June 2021, and the average payments per telehealth and in‐person encounters across a 12‐month period (July 2020–June 2021) using the MarketScan commercial database. From February 2020 to April 2020, the number of in‐person encounters per 100 patients with cardiovascular disease decreased from 304.2 to 147.7, whereas that of telehealth encounters increased from 0.29 to 25.3. The number of in‐person outpatient encounters then increased to 280.7 in June 2020, fluctuated between 268.1 and 346.4 afterward, and ended at 268.1 in June 2021, lower than the prepandemic levels. The number of telehealth encounters dropped to 16.8 in June 2020, fluctuated between 8.8 and 16.6 afterward, and ended at 8.8 in June 2021, higher than the prepandemic levels. Patients who were aged 18 to 35 years, women, and living in urban areas had higher percentages of telehealth encounters than those who were aged 35 to 64 years, men, and living in rural areas, respectively. The mean (95% CI) telehealth and in‐person outpatient encounter costs per visit were $112.8 (95% CI, $112.4–$113.2) and $161.4 (95% CI, $160.4– $162.4), respectively.

Conclusions

There were large fluctuations in telehealth and in‐person outpatient encounters during the pandemic. Our results provide insight into increased telehealth use among patients with cardiovascular disease after telehealth policy changes were implemented during the pandemic.
Preparation Technology and Properties of Carbon-Reinforced Recycled Aggregate Concrete and Mortar
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Wu Keyang , Wang Shuai , Wang Li , Yang Wei , Qian Chen
Published: February 2023

Crushing the demolished waste concrete as aggregate to prepare fresh concrete may cause aggregate internal damage leading to strength reduction. To counter this issue, in the current study, the recycled aggregate is mixed with nano-calcium oxide in a vacuum reactor, and then a high
concentration of carbon dioxide is introduced to fill the internal damages of the recycled aggregate. A layer of hydrophilic alkaline substance is formed on the surface of recycled aggregate to absorb carbon dioxide, which improves the strength of recycled aggregate particles and the bonding
performance of aggregate-cement interface area. The test results show that the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate particles are improved after vacuum carbon strengthening, and the vacuum carbon strengthening effect of recycled aggregate with large particle size is more obvious. Compression
strength of concrete and mortar prepared by vacuum carbon-reinforced aggregate is observed to be 13.6% and 30% higher than ordinary recycled concrete, respectively. Also, the proposed recycled aggregate improvement method manifests a 21.1% reduction in carbon emissions. These findings offer
crucial parameters for the engineering use of recycled concrete, promote new ideas to reduce carbon emissions caused by fresh concrete production, and provide an important reference for the sustainable recycling of waste concrete.
Comparison of Casein and Polycarboxylate Modified Cellulose Nanocrystals as Superplasticizers in Self-Leveling Mortars
Authors: Bian Hang , Zhang Xuejian , Li Yongtao , Li Dong , Li Peng , Liu Huisheng , Wang Wangyang , Xu Ting
Published: February 2023

In order to replace casein superplasticizer in self-leveling mortars, polycarboxylate grafted cellulose nanocrystals (PC-g-CNCs) have been synthesized and characterized. AFM revealed the spherical and rod-like shape of casein and PC-g-CNCs, indicating that superplasticizers adsorb differently
on the surface of cement particles. In ternary binder-based self-leveling mortars, PC-g-CNCs resulted in smoother paste surfaces without bleeding or segregation and improved fluidity retention than casein. It might be due to CNCs’ high water retention capacity, which changed the viscosity
of mortar while also facilitating delayed cement hydration. Such a PC-g-CNCs emerge as potential substitute for casein superplasticizer applications.
Investigations on the unsteady flow mechanism of the high-throughflow fan with partial-height booster rotor
Authors: Zhou Chuangxin , Zhao Shengfeng , Lu Xin’gen
Published: February 2023

This paper describes the use of numerical simulations to evaluate the complicated steady and unsteady flow in a high-throughflow fan stage. A detailed investigation of the aerodynamic performance is carried out at the choking point, near-choking point, peak efficiency point, and near-stall point. The peak efficiency point is selected as a typical operating point to clarify the unsteady flow mechanism inside the fan stage. The unsteady simulation results show that the mass flow is lower under all operating conditions than in steady flow, and the difference increases as the operation point approaches the near-stall point. The isentropic efficiency decreases by 0.41% at the near-stall point, but improves slightly at the other points considered. The total pressure ratio does not change significantly. The total pressure loss coefficient of the stator increases significantly, but the changes in the isentropic efficiency of the fan stage mean that the stator has only a slight effect on the performance of the overall stage. An in-depth analysis of the peak efficiency point is conducted. First, the distribution of entropy along spanwise at the outlet of the rotor and stator domain is examined, and the unsteady effects are found to be mainly concentrated near the hub, mid-span, and higher-span of the stator. Detailed analysis of these three regions shows that the main influence comes from the distortion of the transmission of flow field information in the hub boundary layer at the rotor/stator interface, the interaction between the tip vortex and other vortexes near the mid-span region, and the interaction between the trailing edge separation vortex of the fan rotor and the surfaces of the stator.
A multicenter analysis of the outcomes with venetoclax in patients with relapsed mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: Sawalha Yazeed , Goyal Subir , Switchenko Jeffrey M. , Romancik Jason T. , Kamdar Manali , Greenwell I. Brian , Hess Brian T. , Isaac Krista M. , Portell Craig A. , Mejia Garcia Alex , Goldsmith Scott , Grover Natalie S. , Riedell Peter A. , Karmali Reem , Burkart Madelyn , Buege Michael , Akhtar Othman , Torka Pallawi , Kumar Anita , Hill Brian T. , Kahl Brad S. , Cohen Jonathon B.
Published: February 2023

To report the activity of venetoclax in patients with relapsed mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), we identified 81 patients treated with venetoclax monotherapy (n = 50, 62%) or in combination with a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) (n = 16, 20%), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (n = 11, 14%), or other active agents at 12 US academic medical centers. Patients had high-risk disease features including Ki67 >30% (61%), blastoid/pleomorphic histology (29%), complex karyotype (34%), and TP53 alterations (49%), and received a median of 3 prior treatments including BTKis in 91%. Venetoclax alone or in combination resulted in an overall response rate (ORR) of 40% and median progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of 3.7 and 12.5 months, respectively. The receipt of ≤3 prior treatments was associated with higher odds of response to venetoclax in a univariable analysis. In a multivariable analysis, having a high-risk Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index score before receiving venetoclax and disease relapse or progression within 24 months of diagnosis were associated with inferior OS whereas the use of venetoclax in combination was associated with superior OS. Although most patients (61%) had low risk for tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), 12.3% of patients developed TLS despite the implementation of several mitigation strategies. In conclusion, venetoclax resulted in good ORR but short PFS in patients with MCL who are at high risk, and may have a better role in earlier lines of treatment and/or in conation with other active agents. TLS remains an important risk in patients with MCL who initiate treatment with venetoclax.
Physioxia improves the selectivity of hematopoietic stem cell expansion cultures
Authors: Igarashi Kyomi J. , Kucinski Iwo , Chan Yan Yi , Tan Tze-Kai , Khoo Hwei Minn , Kealy David , Bhadury Joydeep , Hsu Ian , Ho Pui Yan , Niizuma Kouta , Hickey John W. , Nolan Garry P. , Bridge Katherine S. , Czechowicz Agnieszka , Gottgens Berthold , Nakauchi Hiromitsu , Wilkinson Adam C.
Published: February 2023

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are a rare type of hematopoietic cell that can entirely reconstitute the blood and immune system after transplantation. Allogeneic HSC transplantation (HSCT) is used clinically as a curative therapy for a range of hematolymphoid diseases; however, it remains a high-risk therapy because of its potential side effects, including poor graft function and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Ex vivo HSC expansion has been suggested as an approach to improve hematopoietic reconstitution in low-cell dose grafts. Here, we demonstrate that the selectivity of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based mouse HSC cultures can be improved using physioxic culture conditions. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis helped confirm the inhibition of lineage-committed progenitor cells in physioxic cultures. Long-term physioxic expansion also afforded culture-based ex vivo HSC selection from whole bone marrow, spleen, and embryonic tissues. Furthermore, we provide evidence that HSC-selective ex vivo cultures deplete GVHD-causing T cells and that this approach can be combined with genotoxic-free antibody-based conditioning HSCT approaches. Our results offer a simple approach to improve PVA-based HSC cultures and the underlying molecular phenotype, and highlight the potential translational implications of selective HSC expansion systems for allogeneic HSCT.
Performance improvement of a tunnel junction memristor with amorphous insulator film
Authors: Liu Fenning , Peng Yue , Liu Yan , Xiao Wenwu , Hao Yue , Han Genquan
Published: February 2023

This study theoretically demonstrated the oxygen vacancy (VO2+)-based modulation of a tunneling junction memristor (TJM) with a high and tunable tunneling electroresistance (TER) ratio. The tunneling barrier height and width are modulated by the VO2+-related dipoles, and the ON and OFF-state of the device are achieved by the accumulation of VO2+ and negative charges near the semiconductor electrode, respectively. Furthemore, the TER ratio of TJMs can be tuned by varying the density of the ion dipoles (Ndipole), thicknesses of ferroelectric-like film (TFE) and SiO2 (Tox), doping concentration (Nd) of the semiconductor electrode, and the workfunction of the top electrode (TE). An optimized TER ratio can be achieved with high oxygen vacancy density, relatively thick TFE, thin Tox, small Nd, and moderate TE workfunction.
Identification and analysis of miRNAs differentially expressed in male and female Trichosanthes kirilowii maxim
Authors: Hu Xiu-qin , Song Han , Li Na , Hao Chun-xiang , Zhang Bo , Li Xin-peng , Xin Jie , Zhang Yong-qing
Published: February 2023

Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. (TK) is a dioecious plant in the Cucurbitaceae family of which different sexes have separate medicinal uses. We used Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology to sequence miRNAs from male and female flower buds of TK. We performed bioinformatics analysis, miRNA identification, and target gene prediction on the data obtained from sequencing, and association analysis was performed in combination with the results of a previous transcriptome sequencing study. As a result, there were 80 differentially expressed miRNAs (DESs) between the female and male plants (48 upregulated and 32 downregulated in female plants). Moreover, 27 novel miRNAs in DESs were predicted to have 282 target genes, and 51 known miRNAs were predicted to have 3418 target genes. By establishing a regulatory network between miRNAs and target genes, 12 core genes were screened, including 7 miRNAs and 5 target genes. Among them, tkmiR157a-5p, tkmiR156c, tkmiR156_2, and tkmiR156k_2 jointly target the regulation of tkSPL18 and tkSPL13B. These two target genes are specifically expressed in male and female plants, respectively, and are involved in the biosynthesis process of BR, which is closely related to the sex differentiation process of TK. The identification of these miRNAs will provide a reference for the analysis of the sex differentiation mechanism of TK.
TRAP-induced PAR1 expression with its mechanism during AMI in a rat model
Authors: Wang Ani , Gu Xinyuan , Wang Chunyang , Li Yanhui , Deng Fuhong , Fang Jie , Chen Naxia , Li Qifu , Tang Lilong
Published: February 2023

Background and objective

Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) is crucial in individuals with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The continuous and prompt PAR1 activation mainly dependent on PAR1 trafficking is essential for the role of PAR1 during AMI in which cardiomyocytes are in hypoxia. However, the PAR1 trafficking in cardiomyocytes specially during the hypoxia is still unclear.

Methods and result

A rat AMI model was created. PAR1 activation with thrombin-receptor activated peptide (TRAP) had a transient effect on cardiac function in normal rats but persistent improvement in rats with AMI. Cardiomyocytes from neonatal rats were cultured in a normal CO2 incubator and a hypoxic modular incubator chamber. The cells were then subjected to western blot for the total protein expression and staining with fluorescent reagent and antibody for PAR1 localization. No change in total PAR1 expression following TRAP stimulation was observed; however, it led to increased PAR1 expression in the early endosomes in normoxic cells and decreased expression in the early endosomes in hypoxic cells. Under hypoxic conditions, TRAP restored the PAR1 expression on both cell and endosomal surfaces within an hour by decreasing Rab11A (8.5-fold; 179.93 ± 9.82% of the normoxic control group, n = 5) and increasing Rab11B (15.5-fold) expression after 4 h of hypoxia. Similarly, Rab11A knockdown upregulated PAR1 expression under normoxia, and Rab11B knockdown downregulated PAR1 expression under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Cardiomyocytes knocked out of both Rab11A, and Rad11B lost the TRAP-induced PAR1 expression but still exhibited the early endosomal TRAP-induced PAR1 expression under hypoxia.

Conclusions

TRAP-mediated activation of PAR1 in cardiomyocytes did not alter the total PAR1 expression under normoxic conditions. Instead, it triggers a redistribution of PAR1 levels under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. TRAP reverses the hypoxia-inhibited PAR1 expression in cardiomyocytes by downregulating Rab11A expression and upregulating Rab11B expression.
Establishing a hyperacute stroke service during the COVID-19 pandemic: our institution’s one year experience
Authors: Abdul Rashid Anna Misya’il , Md Noh Mohamad Syafeeq Faeez , Yusof Khan Abdul Hanif Khan , Loh Wei Chao , Baharin Janudin , Ibrahim Azliza , Ishak Fadhilah Hani , Sardi Aminuddin , Hanapai Ahmad Firdaus , Mohamad Nur Afiqah , Inche Mat Liyana Najwa , Hoo Fan Kee , Wan Sulaiman Wan Aliaa , Basri Hamidon
Published: February 2023

Background and aims

The corononavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in modifications in the workflow and redistribution of human resources, causing challenges in setting up of an acute stroke service. We would like to share our preliminary outcome amid this pandemic, to determine if the implementation of COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) affected the delivery of our hyperacute stroke service.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed one-year data from our stroke registry that began with the establishment of our hyperacute stroke service at Universiti Putra Malaysia Teaching Hospital from April 2020 until May 2021.

Results

Setting up acute stroke services during the pandemic with constrained manpower and implementation of COVID-19 SOPs, was challenging. There was a significant dip of stroke admission from April to June 2020 due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) implemented by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19. However, the numbers of stroke admission steadily rose approaching 2021, after the implementation of recovery MCO. We managed to treat 75 patients with hyperacute stroke interventions i.e. intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), mechanical thrombectomy (MT) or both. Despite implementing COVID-19 SOPs and using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as our first line acute stroke imaging modality, clinical outcomes in our cohort were encouraging; almost 40% of patients who underwent hyperacute stroke treatment had early neurological recovery (ENR), and only 33% of patients had early neurological stability (ENS). In addition, we were able to maintain our door-to-imaging (DTI) and door-to-needle (DTN) time in line with international recommendations.

Conclusions

Our data reflects that COVID-19 SOPs did not deter successful delivery of hyperacute stroke services in our center. However, bigger and multi center studies are required to support our findings.
In-stent restenosis and stented-territory infarction after carotid and vertebrobasilar artery stenting
Authors: Ryu Jae-Chan , Bae Jae-Han , Ha Sang Hee , Kwon Boseong , Song Yunsun , Lee Deok Hee , Chang Jun Young , Kang Dong-Wha , Kwon Sun U. , Kim Jong S. , Kim Bum Joon
Published: February 2023

Background

Prognosis after vertebrobasilar stenting (VBS) may differ from that after carotid artery stenting (CAS). Here, we directly compared the incidence and predictors of in-stent restenosis and stented-territory infarction after VBS and compared them with those of CAS.

Methods

We enrolled patients who underwent VBS or CAS. Clinical variables and procedure-related factors were obtained. During the 3 years of follow-up, in-stent restenosis and infarction were investigated in each group. In-stent restenosis was defined as reduction in the lumen diameter > 50% compared with that after stenting. Factors associated with the occurrence of in-stent restenosis and stented-territory infarction in VBS and CAS were compared.

Results

Among 417 stent insertions (93 VBS and 324 CAS), there was no statistical difference in in-stent restenosis between VBS and CAS (12.9% vs. 6.8%, P = 0.092). However, stented-territory infarction was more frequently observed in VBS than in CAS (22.6% vs. 10.8%; P = 0.006), especially a month after stent insertion. HbA1c level, clopidogrel resistance, and multiple stents in VBS and young age in CAS increased the risk of in-stent restenosis. Diabetes (3.82 [1.24–11.7]) and multiple stents (22.4 [2.4–206.4]) were associated with stented-territory infarction in VBS. However, in-stent restenosis (odds ratio: 15.1, 95% confidence interval: 3.17–72.2) was associated with stented-territory infarction in CAS.

Conclusions

Stented-territory infarction occurred more frequently in VBS, especially after the periprocedural period. In-stent restenosis was associated with stented-territory infarction after CAS, but not in VBS. The mechanism of stented-territory infarction after VBS may be different from that after CAS.
Dishevelled 2 regulates cancer cell proliferation and T cell mediated immunity in HER2-positive breast cancer
Authors: Rasha Fahmida , Boligala Geetha Priya , Yang Mingxiao V. , Martinez-Marin Dalia , Castro-Piedras Isabel , Furr Kathryn , Snitman Annie , Khan Sonia Y. , Brandi Luis , Castro Maribel , Khan Hafiz , Jahan Nusrat , Almodovar Sharilyn , Melkus Michael W. , Pruitt Kevin , Layeequr Rahman Rakhshanda
Published: February 2023

Background

Dishevelled paralogs (DVL1, 2, 3) are key mediators of Wnt pathway playing a role in constitutive oncogenic signaling influencing the tumor microenvironment. While previous studies showed correlation of β-catenin with T cell gene expression, little is known about the role of DVL2 in modulating tumor immunity. This study aimed to uncover the novel interaction between DVL2 and HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer (BC) in regulating tumor immunity and disease progression.

Methods

DVL2 loss of function studies were performed with or without a clinically approved HER2 inhibitor, Neratinib in two different HER2+ BC cell lines. We analyzed RNA (RT-qPCR) and protein (western blot) expression of classic Wnt markers and performed cell proliferation and cell cycle analyses by live cell imaging and flow cytometry, respectively. A pilot study in 24 HER2+ BC patients was performed to dissect the role of DVL2 in tumor immunity. Retrospective chart review on patient records and banked tissue histology were performed. Data were analyzed in SPSS (version 25) and GraphPad Prism (version 7) at a significance p < 0.05.

Results

DVL2 regulates the transcription of immune modulatory genes involved in antigen presentation and T cell maintenance. DVL2 loss of function down regulated mRNA expression of Wnt target genes involved in cell proliferation, migration, invasion in HER2+ BC cell lines (±Neratinib). Similarly, live cell proliferation and cell cycle analyses reveal that DVL2 knockdown (±Neratinib) resulted in reduced proliferation, higher growth arrest (G1), limited mitosis (G2/M) compared to non-targeted control in one of the two cell lines used. Analyses on patient tissues who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n = 14) further demonstrate that higher DVL2 expression at baseline biopsy pose a significant negative correlation with % CD8α levels (r = − 0.67, p < 0.05) while have a positive correlation with NLR (r = 0.58, p < 0.05), where high NLR denotes worse cancer prognosis. These results from our pilot study reveal interesting roles of DVL2 proteins in regulating tumor immune microenvironment and clinical predictors of survival in HER2+ BC.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates potential immune regulatory role of DVL2 proteins in HER2+ BC. More in-depth mechanistic studies of DVL paralogs and their influence on anti-tumor immunity may provide insight into DVLs as potential therapeutic targets benefiting BC patients.
The influence of six polymorphisms of uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) gene and childhood obesity: a case–control study
Authors: Fortes Jakeline S. , Pinto Renata M. , de Souza Raissa F. , Godoy Fernanda R. , da Cruz Raphael S. , de M e Silva Daniela , Filho Hugo P. Leite , da Cruz Aparecido D. , Minasi Lysa B.
Published: February 2023

Background

Obesity is defined as a multifactorial disease, marked by excessive accumulation of body fat, responsible for compromising the individual’s health over the years. The energy balance is essential for the proper functioning of the body, as the individual needs to earn and spend energy in a compensatory way. Mitochondrial Uncoupling Proteins (UCP) help in energy expenditure through heat release and genetic polymorphisms could be responsible for reducing energy consumption to release heat and consequently generate an excessive accumulation of fat in the body. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the potential association between six UCP3 polymorphisms, that have not yet been represented in ClinVar®, and pediatric obesity susceptibility.

Methods

A case–control study was conducted with 225 children from Central Brazil. The groups were subdivided into obese (123) and eutrophic (102) individuals. The polymorphisms rs15763, rs1685354, rs1800849, rs11235972, rs647126, and rs3781907 were determined by real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR).

Results

Biochemical and anthropometric evaluation of obese group showed higher levels of triglycerides, insulin resistance, and LDL-C and low level of HDL-C. Insulin resistance, age, sex, HDL-C, fasting glucose, triglyceride levels, and parents’ BMI explained up to 50% of body mass deposition in the studied population. Additionally, obese mothers contribute 2 × more to the Z-BMI of their children than the fathers. The SNP rs647126 contributed to 20% to the risk of obesity in children and the SNP rs3781907 contribute to 10%. Mutant alleles of UCP3 increase the risk for triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HDL-C levels. The polymorphism rs3781907 is the only one that could not be a biomarker for obesity as the risk allele seem to be protective gains the increase in Z-BMI in our pediatric population. Haplotype analysis demonstrated two SNP blocks (rs15763, rs647126, and rs1685534) and (rs11235972 and rs1800849) that showed linkage disequilibrium, with LOD 76.3% and D’ = 0.96 and LOD 57.4% and D’ = 0.97, respectively.

Conclusions

The causality between UCP3 polymorphism and obesity were not detected. On the other hand, the studied polymorphism contributes to Z-BMI, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HDL-C levels. Haplotypes are concordant with the obese phenotype and contribute minimally to the risk of obesity.