bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acupuncture-related adverse events: systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective clinical studies
Authors: Bäumler Petra , Zhang Wenyue , Stübinger Theresa , Irnich Dominik
Published: September 2021

Objective

Overview on risks of acupuncture-related adverse events (AEs).

Design

Systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective studies.

Data sources

PubMed, Scopus and Embase from inception date to 15 September 2019.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Prospective studies assessing AEs caused by needle acupuncture in humans as primary outcome published in English or German.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two independent researchers selected articles, extracted the data and assessed study quality. Overall risks and risks for different AE categories were obtained from random effects meta-analyses.

Main outcomes

Overall risk of minor AEs and serious adverse events (SAEs) per patients and per treatments.

Results

A total of 7679 publications were identified. Twenty-two articles reporting on 21 studies were included. Meta-analyses suggest at least one AE occurring in 9.31% (95% CI 5.10% to 14.62%, 11 studies) of patients undergoing an acupuncture series and in 7.57% (95% CI 1.43% to 17.95%, 5 studies) of treatments. Summary risk estimates for SAEs were 1.01 (95% CI 0.23 to 2.33, 11 studies) per 10 000 patients and 7.98 (95% CI 1.39 to 20.00, 14 studies) per one million treatments, for AEs requiring treatment 1.14 (95% CI 0.00 to 7.37, 8 studies) per 1000 patients. Heterogeneity was substantial (I2>80%). On average, 9.4 AEs occurred in 100 treatments. Half of the AEs were bleeding, pain or flare at the needle site that are argued to represent intended acupuncture reaction. AE definitions and assessments varied largely.

Conclusion

Acupuncture can be considered among the safer treatments in medicine. SAEs are rare, and the most common minor AEs are very mild. AEs requiring medical management are uncommon but necessitate medical competence to assure patient safety. Clinical and methodological heterogeneity call for standardised AE assessments tools, clear criteria for differentiating acupuncture-related AEs from therapeutically desired reactions, and identification of patient-related risk factors for AEs.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020151930.
Cost-effectiveness of speech and language therapy plus scalp acupuncture versus speech and language therapy alone for community-based patients with Broca’s aphasia after stroke: a post hoc analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Liu Zhizhen , Huang Jia , Xu Ying , Wu Jingsong , Tao Jing , Chen Lidian
Published: September 2021

Objective

This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of combined scalp acupuncture therapy with speech and language therapy for patients with Broca’s aphasia after stroke.

Design

A within-trial cost-effectiveness analysis.

Settings

Community health centres.

Subjects

A total of 203 participants with Broca’s aphasia after stroke who had been randomly assigned to receive scalp acupuncture with speech and language therapy (intervention) or speech and language therapy alone (control).

Intervention

Both groups underwent speech and language therapy (30 min per day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks), while the intervention group simultaneously received scalp acupuncture.

Primary outcomes

All outcomes were collected at baseline, and after the 4-week intervention and 12-week follow-up. Cost-effectiveness measures included the Chinese Rehabilitation Research Center Standard Aphasia Examination (CRRCAE) and Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE). Cost–utility was evaluated using quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were expressed, and sensitivity analysis was conducted.

Results

The total cost to deliver the intervention was €4001.72, whereas it was €4323.57 for the control group. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios showed that the intervention was cost-effective (€495.1 per BDAE grade gained; €1.8 per CRRCAE score gained; €4597.1 per QALYs gained) relative to the control over the 12 weeks. The intervention had a 56.4% probability of being cost-effective at the ¥50 696 (€6905.87) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita threshold. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results.

Conclusions

Compared with speech and language therapy alone, the addition of scalp acupuncture was cost-effective in Chinese communities. As the costs of acupuncture services in China are likely to differ from other countries, these results should be carefully interpreted and remain to be confirmed in other populations.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR-TRC-13003703.
Comparison between Custodiol, del Nido and modified del Nido in the myocardial protection - Cardioplegia Trial: a study protocol for a randomised, double-blind clinical trial
Authors: Almeida Adriana Silveira , Ceron Rafael Oliveira , Anschau Fernando , Kopittke Luciane , Lira Kathize Betti , Delvaux Renan Senandes , Rode Juarez , Rey Rafael Antônio Widholzer , Wittke Estefânia Inês , Rombaldi Alfeu Roberto
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Myocardial protection is essential for successful cardiac surgery, and the search for an ideal cardioplegic solution has continued since its beginning. In this context, Custodiol, del Nido and modified del Nido are single-dose cardioplegic solutions with good safety profiles and great relevance in modern surgical practice. While these solutions have all been evaluated for their impact on patient outcomes independently, limited research exists comparing them directly. Thus, the present study aims to examine the effects of these cardioplegic solutions on myocardial protection and clinical outcomes in adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. The assessment of the increase in myocardial injury biomarkers in patients submitted to all treatment methods may be considered a major strength of our study.

Methods and analysis

This is a clinical trial study protocol that will compare myocardial protection and clinical outcomes among three patient groups based on which cardioplegic solution was used. Patients will be randomised to receive del Nido (n=30), modified del Nido (n=30) or Custodiol (n=30). Myocardial injury biomarkers will be measured at the baseline and 2 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours after the cardiopulmonary bypass. Clinical outcomes will be assessed during the trans operative period and the intensive care unit stay, in addition to other haematological parameters.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol and its related documents were approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Brazil, registered under no. 4.029.545. The findings of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal in the related field.

Trial registration number

RBR-7g5s66.
Adolescents and age of consent to HIV testing: an updated review of national policies in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Barr-DiChiara Magdalena , Tembo Mandikudza , Harrison Lisa , Quinn Caitlin , Ameyan Wole , Sabin Keith , Jani Bhavin , Jamil Muhammad S , Baggaley Rachel , Johnson Cheryl
Published: September 2021

Objectives

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where HIV burden is highest, access to testing, a key entry point for prevention and treatment, remains low for adolescents (aged 10–19). Access may be hampered by policies requiring parental consent for adolescents to receive HIV testing services (HTS). In 2013, the WHO recommended countries to review HTS age of consent policies. Here, we investigate country progress and policies on age of consent for HIV testing.

Design

Comprehensive policy review.

Data sources

Policies addressing HTS were obtained through searching WHO repositories and governmental and non-governmental websites and consulting country and regional experts.

Eligibility criteria

HTS policies published by SSA governments before 2019 that included age of consent.

Data extraction and synthesis

Data were extracted on HTS age of consent including exceptions based on risk and maturity. Descriptive analyses of included policies were disaggregated by Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) and Western and Central Africa (WCA) subregions.

Results

Thirty-nine policies were reviewed, 38 were eligible; 19/38 (50%) permitted HTS for adolescents ≤16 years old without parental consent. Of these, six allowed HTS at ≥12 years old, two at ≥13, two at ≥14, five at ≥15 and four at ≥16. In ESA, 71% (n=15/21) allowed those of ≤16 years old to access HTS, while only 24% (n=6/25) of WCA countries allowed the same. Maturity exceptions including marriage, sexual activity, pregnancy or key population were identified in 18 policies. In 2019, 63% (n=19/30) of policies with clear age-based criteria allowed adolescents of 12–16 years old to access HIV testing without parental consent, an increase from 37% (n=14/38) in 2013.

Conclusions

While many countries in SSA have revised their HTS policies, many do not specify age of consent. Revision of SSA consent to HTS policies, particularly in WCA, remains a priority to achieve the 2025 goal of 95% of people with HIV knowing their status.
High-dose IL-2/CD25 fusion protein amplifies vaccine-induced CD4+and CD8+neoantigen-specific T cells to promote antitumor immunity
Authors: Hernandez Rosmely , LaPorte Kathryn M , Hsiung Sunnie , Santos Savio Alicia , Malek Thomas R
Published: September 2021

Background

Immunization with tumor neoantigens is a promising vaccine approach to promote antitumor immunity due to their high immunogenicity, lack of expression in normal tissue, and preferential induction of tumor neoantigen-specific T cells, which are central mediators of the anti-cancer response. A drawback to targeting tumor neoantigen-specific T cells is that these cells are found at a low frequency in patients with cancer, limiting their therapeutic benefit. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) promotes expansion and persistence of tumor-reactive T cells. However, its clinical use has been hampered by toxicities arising from its multiple cellular targets. Thus, new engineered IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) agonists with distinctive cell type selectivity have been designed to harness the potential of IL-2 for tumor immunotherapy.

Methods

We investigated the potential to amplify neoantigen-specific CD4+and CD8+T cell immune responses to promote antitumor immunity through vaccination with tumor neoantigens. Following T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated induction of the high-affinity IL-2R on these T cells, amplification of the neoantigen-specific T cell response was achieved using a high dose of the mouse IL-2/CD25 (mIL-2/CD25) fusion protein, an IL-2R agonist with more favorable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics than IL-2 and selectivity toward the high-affinity IL-2R.

Results

Administration of a high dose of mIL-2/CD25 shortly after antigen-dependent induction of the high-affinity IL-2R amplified the numbers and function of TCR transgenic tumor-reactive tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) CD4+T cells, leading to antitumor immunity to B16-F10 melanoma. This approach was adapted to amplify endogenous polyclonal B16-F10 neoantigen-specific T cells. Maximal expansion of these cells required prime/boost neoantigen vaccinations, where mIL-2/CD25 was optimal when administered only after the boosting steps. The ensuing mIL-2/CD25-driven immune response supported antitumor immunity to B16-F10 and was more effective than treatment with a similar amount of IL-2. Optimal antitumor effects required amplification of CD4+and CD8+neoantigen-specific T cells. High-dose mIL-2/CD25 supported a tumor microenvironment with higher numbers of CD4+and CD8+T effectors cells with increased granzyme B expression and importantly a more robust expansion of neoantigen-specific T cells.

Conclusion

These results indicate that neoantigen-based vaccines are optimized by potentiating IL-2R signaling in CD4+and CD8+neoantigen-reactive T cells by using high-dose mIL-2/CD25, leading to more effective tumor clearance.
Multi-centric European post-market follow-up study of the Neuroform Atlas Stent System: primary results
Authors: Lefevre Pierre-Henri , Schramm Peter , Kemmling André , Barreau Xavier , Marnat Gaultier , Piotin Michel , Berlis Ansgar , Wanke Isabel , Bonafe Alain , Houdart Emmanuel
Published: September 2021

Background

Few prospective series have described the safety and effectiveness of the Neuroform Atlas Stent System. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of the device in patients treated for unruptured aneurysm.

Methods

ATLAS EU PMCF is a consecutive, prospective, multicentric study that included patients with unruptured saccular aneurysm of all sizes. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 3–6 months and 12–16 months with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or MRI imaging follow-up as per the site standard of care. The primary efficacy endpoint was adequate aneurysm occlusion (Raymond Roy occlusion grade I and II) on 12 month angiography. The primary safety endpoint was any major stroke or ipsilateral stroke or neurological death within 12 months.

Results

Of the 106 patients consented, 105 were treated with at least one Neuroform Atlas stent. There was a failed implantation attempt in 1 patient, 85 patients received lateral stenting, and 19 patients received Y-stenting. Mean aneurysm neck size was 4.2 mm (range 1.9–33 mm). Adequate occlusion was observed in 95.1% immediately after the procedure and in 98.9% of cases at 1 year DSA follow-up. Overall, 1.0% (1/102; 95% CI 0.0% to 5.3%) of patients experienced a primary safety endpoint of major stroke. Three minor strokes resulted in a modified Rankin Scale score of 2.

Conclusions

In this multicentric, prospective study, stent-assisted coiling of medium size unruptured aneurysms with the Neuroform Atlas stent resulted in a favorable rate of satisfactory occlusion. In our findings, the use of the Y-stenting technique was associated with increased rates of procedural complications.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02783339.
Patient and healthcare professional eHealth literacy and needs for systemic sclerosis support: a mixed methods study
Authors: Kocher Agnes , Simon Michael , Dwyer Andrew A , Blatter Catherine , Bogdanovic Jasmina , Künzler-Heule Patrizia , Villiger Peter M , Dan Diana , Distler Oliver , Walker Ulrich A , Nicca Dunja
Published: September 2021

Objectives

We engaged patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and healthcare professionals to assess electronic health (eHealth) literacy and needs relating to web-based support using internet-based information and communication technologies (ICT).

Methods

We employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. First, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in patients (n=101) and professionals (n=47). Next, we conducted three focus groups with patients, family members and professionals (n=17).

Results

Of patients, 89.1% used ICT at least weekly for private communication. Patients reported relatively high comprehension of eHealth information (x¯=6.7, 95% CI: 6.2 to 7.3, range 1–10), yet were less confident evaluating information reliability (x¯=5.8, 95% CI: 5.1 to 6.4) and finding eHealth apps (x¯=4.8, 95% CI: 4.2 to 5.4). Patients and professionals reported little experience with web-based self-management support. Focus groups revealed ‘considering non-ICT-accessible groups’and ‘fitting patients’ and professionals’ technology’as crucial for acceptability. In relation to understanding/appraising eHealth, participants highlighted that general SSc information is not tailored to individual’s disease course. Recommendations included ‘providing timely, understandable and safe information’and ‘empowering end-users in ICT and health decision-making skills’. Professionals expressed concerns about lacking resources. Patients were concerned about data security and person-centredness. Key eHealth drivers included ‘addressing end-user perceptions’and ‘putting people at the centre of technology’.

Conclusions

Patients and professionals need education/training to support uptake of eHealth resources. Key elements include guiding patients to timely/reliable information and using eHealth to optimise patient–provider communication. Design that is responsive to end-users’ needs and considers individuals with limited eHealth literacy and/or ICT access appears to be critical for acceptability.
Looking for Lorentz invariance violation (LIV) in the latest long baseline accelerator neutrino oscillation data
Authors: Rahaman Ushak
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we have analysed the latest data from NO$$\nu $$
ν
A and T2K with the Lorentz invariance violation along with the standard oscillation hypothesis. We have found that the NO$$\nu $$
ν
A data cannot distinguish between the two hypotheses at $$1\, \sigma $$

1

σ

confidence level. T2K data and the combined data analysis excludes standard oscillation at $$1\, \sigma $$

1

σ

. All three cases do not have any hierarchy sensitivity when analysed with LIV. There is a mild tension between the two experiments, when analysed with LIV, as $${\theta _{23}}$$

θ
23

at NO$$\nu $$
ν
A best-fit is at higher octant but the same for T2K is at lower octant. The present data from accelerator neutrino long baseline experiments lose octant determination sensitivity when analysed with LIV. The tension between the two experiments is also reduced when the data are analysed with LIV.
Adsorption evaluation of large-size HDEHP/SiO2-P adsorbent investigated by micro-PIXE analysis
Authors: Miyazaki Y. , Goto I. , Watanabe S. , Sano Y. , Kofuji H. , Takeuchi M. , Satoh T.
Published: September 2021

The Zr and Mo removal from HLLW is the current issue for repeated usage of the CMPO/SiO2-P-packed column. The adsorbability of the 2-mm-sized HDEHP/SiO2-P adsorbent, which was prepared by fabricating a SiO2 particle from the vibration cutting method and adapting a new polymerization method, was evaluated by the batch-wise adsorption experiment. In spite of the impregnation ratio of the HDEHP extractant, the extraction of Zr and Mo ions from the simulated HLLW was achieved but lanthanide ions e.g., Nd and Gd were also extracted as a minor component. Such unusual adsorption behavior of lanthanide ions could be only provided by accurate, sensitive and reliable micro-PIXE analysis.
A Single-Node Classifier Implementation on Chua Oscillator within a Physical Reservoir Computing Framework
Authors: Sychou Uladzislau
Published: September 2021

The study lies in the field of physical reservoir computing and aims to develop a classifier using Fisher Iris dataset for benchmark tasks. Single Chua chaotic oscillator acts as a physical reservoir. The study was performed using computer simulation. The features of Iris flowers are represented as the consequence of short pulses at a constant level of a control parameter, which is fed to the oscillator, changing its dynamics. During the classification of flowers, the oscillator works without being reset, so each pulse on the input changes the phase trajectory and makes it unique for each Iris flower. Finally, the estimation of the symmetry of an attractor makes it possible to connect each species of Iris with the properties of the attractor.

The resulting architecture of the classifier includes a single-node externally-driven Chua oscillator with time-delayed input. The classifier shows two mistakes in classifying the dataset with 75 samples working in chaotic mode.
Abundant Firing Patterns in a Memristive Morris–Lecar Neuron Model
Authors: Qi Guoyuan , Wu Yu , Hu Jianbing
Published: September 2021

Improving the neuron model and studying its electrical activities according to the real biophysical environment are significant in human cognitive brain activity and neural behavior. The complex transmembrane motion of ions on the neuronal cell membrane can establish time-varying electromagnetic fields and affect the transition firing patterns of neurons. In this paper, a threshold memristor is used to describe the electromagnetic induction and magnetic field effects of neuron cell membrane ion exchange to improve the neuron model, and a memristive Morris–Lecar (mM–L) neuron model is proposed. Numerical simulation confirms that different intensities of electromagnetic fields can produce distinct pattern transitions in electrical activities of the neuron, such as periodic bursting, periodic spiking, chaotic bursting. From the perspective of neuron’s interspike interval (ISI), the ISIs bifurcation in the multiparameter planes, ISIs firing periods, the variance of ISIs and other methods are used to find the trend of the mM–L neuron firing pattern transition. Finally, based on the 4D nonlinear differential equation of the mM–L neuron model, the complete electronic implementation of the model is designed. The output of the designed circuit is consistent with the theoretical prediction, which is extremely useful for studying the dynamics of a single neuron.
Fabrication of FSW Tool Pins Through Turning of H13 Tool Steel: A Comparative Analysis for Residual Stresses
Authors: Butola Ravi , Singh Ravi Pratap , Choudhary Naman , Mer K. K. S. , Bhaskar Jitendra , Singari Ranganath M.
Published: September 2021

In the present research, measurement of residual stress induced during turning and threading operations for the fabrication of two types of pin profiled friction stir processing/welding (FSP/FSW) tools, i.e. cylindrical profiled pin tool and cylindrical threaded profiled pin tool, is being dealt with. Workpiece was chosen to be H13 tool steel with a diameter of 22[Formula: see text]mm and 110[Formula: see text]mm length. Turning and threading was done on CNC machine tools using CNMG 12404-THM uncoated tungsten carbide cutting tool. For residual stress measurement of the workpieces, an XRD-based Pulsetec[Formula: see text]-X360n portable residual stress analyzer setup was used. The experimental results show that the cylindrical pin profile tool had a compressive residual stress of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MPa and compressive residual shear stress of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MPa, while the cylindrical threaded pin profile tool had a compressive residual stress of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MPa (51.8% more) and compressive residual shear stress of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MPa (40% less). It has been concluded that due to threading operation on the cylindrical threaded pin profile, the value of residual stress is more in it, and since the stress is compressive in nature, it would have a better positive impact while doing FSP/FSW than that of the cylindrical profiled pin tool.
Synthesis of 10,20-substituted tetrabenzo-5,15-diazaporphyrin copper complexes from soluble precursors
Authors: Sugano Yuki , Matsuo Kyohei , Hayashi Hironobu , Aratani Naoki , Yamada Hiroko
Published: September 2021

We report improved synthesis of the bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene(BCOD)-fused 5,15-diazaporphyrin and meso-substituted derivatives by metal-template aza-annulation reaction. The obtained compounds act as the soluble precursors of tetrabenzo-5,15-diazaporphyrin (TBDAP) by thermal conversion. The substituents at meso-positions make significant differences in the optical properties and morphology in the thin film upon thermal conversion.
Compression Experiment and Failure Analysis of Additive Manufactured Multi-Layer Lattice Sandwich Structure
Authors: Yan Jun , Jiang Cuncun , Fan Zhirui , Xu Qi , Du Hongze , Sun Wei , Wang Guangyuan , Niu Bin
Published: September 2021

The rapid development of additive manufacturing technology provides a new opportunity for the fabrication and research of multi-layer lattice sandwich structures, and thereby some excellent performances can be further discovered. Based on the manufacturing-experiment-analysis technical route, the failure mode of the additive manufactured aluminum multi-layer alloy lattice sandwich structure under quasi-static compression is systematically studied in this paper. Through the combination of experimental observation and finite element analysis, the complex failure mechanism of the multi-layer lattice sandwich structure is revealed. The results show that the multi-layer lattice sandwich structure under quasi-static compression conditions mainly manifests as a layer-by-layer failure mode of the internal lattice structure, which includes the yield, plastic buckling and material damage. At the same time, in comparison with the force–displacement curve and the structural deformation in the key locations, the analysis accuracy of the finite element model can be verified by the compression experiment. Based on the verified finite element model, the most significant influence of different face panel thicknesses, as well the rod radiuses and tilting angles on the energy absorption (EA) is identified via sensitivity analysis. Furthermore, size factors on the structural EA are revealed. This study can provide a helpful guidance for the design of multi-layer lattice sandwich structures in practical applications.
Pain-induced changes in motor unit discharge depend on recruitment threshold and contraction speed
Authors: Martinez-Valdes Eduardo , Negro Francesco , Arvanitidis Michail , Farina Dario , Falla Deborah
Published: September 2021

Pain induces changes in motor performance, motor unit recruitment, and rate coding behavior that varies across different contraction speeds. Here we show that that pain reduces motor unit discharge rate and prolongs the neuromechanical delay at slow contraction speeds only. This new evidence suggests that there are differential nociceptive inhibitory effects across the motor unit pool, which allows fast submaximal contractions to be exerted despite the presence of pain.
Therapeutic Targeting of Hypoxia-A2-Adenosinergic Pathway in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Halpin-Veszeleiova Katarina , Hatfield Stephen M.
Published: September 2021

The hypoxia-hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α-A2-adenosinergic pathway protects tissues from inflammatory damage during antipathogen immune responses. The elimination of this physiological tissue-protecting mechanism by supplemental oxygenation may contribute to the high mortality of oxygen-ventilated COVID-19 patients by exacerbating inflammatory lung damage. Restoration of this pathway with hypoxia-adenosinergic drugs may improve outcomes in these patients.
Combination of AAV-CCL19 and GPC3 CAR-T Cells in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Meng Min , Wu Yi-chen
Published: September 2021

Background. Chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cell (CAR-T) therapy has great potential for treating malignant tumors, especially hematological malignancies. However, the therapeutic effect of solid tumors is limited. One of the most important factors is the homing of CAR-T cells to tumor tissues in vivo. Method. a recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) subtype carrying the CCL19 gene was used to pretreat the tumor before the Glypican-3 (GPC3) CAR-T treatment. The tumor tissue continuously expressed CCL19 and analyzed the tumor-suppressive effect of AAV-CCL19 on GPC3 CAR-T by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Result. Under the chemotaxis of CCL19, CAR-T cells had a significant increase in the degree of tumor tissue infiltration; also, the antitumor effect in vitro was significantly enhanced. AAV-CCL19 combined with GPC3 CAR-T significantly increased the survival time of mice. The aforementioned results showed that the combination of AAV-CCL19 and GPC3 CAR-T cells effectively increased the ability of CAR-T cells to go home into the tumor tissue, making the CAR-T cell treatment more effective. Conclusion. This study is expected to solve the dilemma in treating CAR-T cell solid tumors and achieve better clinical results.
Effects of Long‐Term Exposure to L‐Band High‐Power Microwave on the Brain Function of Male Mice
Authors: Lin Yanyun , Gao Peng , Guo Yichen , Chen Qin , Lang Haiyang , Guo Qiyan , Miao Xia , Li Jing , Zeng Lihua , Guo Guozhen
Published: September 2021

Currently, the impact of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on the nervous system is an increasingly arousing public concern. The present study was designed to explore the effects of continuous long‐term exposure to L‐band high‐power microwave (L‐HPM) on brain function and related mechanisms. Forty‐eight male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were exposed to L‐HPM at various power densities (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 W/m2) and the brain function was examined at different time periods after exposure. The morphology of the brain was examined by hematoxylin‐eosin (HE) and deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Furthermore, cholinergic markers, oxidative stress markers, and the expression of c‐fos were evaluated to identify a “potential” mechanism. The results showed that exposure to L‐HPM at 1.5 W/m2 can cause generalized injuries in the hippocampus (CA1 and CA3) and cerebral cortex (the first somatosensory cortex) of mice, including cell apoptosis, cholinergic dysfunction, and oxidative damage. Moreover, the deleterious effects were closely related to the power density and exposure time, indicating that long‐term and high‐power density exposure may be detrimental to the nervous system.
Research on the Particle Filter Single-Station Target Tracking Algorithm Based on Particle Number Optimization
Authors: Zhang Lieping , Nie Jinghua , Zhang Shenglan , Yu Yanlin , Liang Yong , Zhang Zuqiong
Published: September 2021

Given that the tracking accuracy and real-time performance of the particle filter (PF) target tracking algorithm are greatly affected by the number of sampled particles, a PF target tracking algorithm based on particle number optimization under the single-station environment was proposed in this study. First, a single-station target tracking model was established, and the corresponding PF algorithm was designed. Next, a tracking simulation experiment was carried out on the PF target tracking algorithm under different numbers of particles with the root mean square error (RMSE) and filtering time as the evaluation indexes. On this basis, the optimal number of particles, which could meet the accuracy and real-time performance requirements, was determined and taken as the number of particles of the proposed algorithm. The MATLAB simulation results revealed that compared with the unscented Kalman filter (UKF), the single-station PF target tracking algorithm based on particle number optimization not only was of high tracking accuracy but also could meet the real-time performance requirement.
Prolonged Honeymoon Period in a Thai Patient with Adult-Onset Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Thewjitcharoen Yotsapon , Wanothayaroj Ekgaluck , Jaita Haruethai , Nakasatien Soontaree , Butadej Siriwan , Khurana Ishant , Maxwell Scott , El-Osta Assam , Chatchomchuan Waralee , Krittiyawong Sirinate , Himathongkam Thep
Published: September 2021

Context. The “honeymoon” phase among people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) refers to the period (mostly less than 1 year) in which beta-cells remain functional and are able to produce insulin to maintain good glycemic control shortly following the development of diabetes. This phenomenon is still not completely understood. Previous studies have shown that the absence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at initial presentation, short duration of symptoms, older age at presentation, and strenuous exercise could be potential factors that influence the honeymoon phase. Objective. To describe a usual case of adult-onset T1DM with prolonged honeymoon period for more than 5 years. Methods. Repeated mixed meal stimulation tests for a period of 6–12 months together with monitoring pancreatic autoantibodies and laboratory data were followed following the onset of diagnosis. Results. We report a 24-year-old Thai patient with T1DM with sustained remission without antidiabetic medication for more than 5 years while maintaining low-carbohydrate intake and regular exercise. Repeated mixed meal stimulation tests for a period of 6–12 months revealed preserved beta-cell functions. Interestingly, repeated pancreatic autoantibodies at 5 years after diagnosis still showed positive anti-GAD, anti-IA2, and anti-ZnT8. Conclusion. Restored beta-cell function with complete insulin withdrawal in new-onset T1DM has been reported in very few cases with some common factors as in our patient (low-carbohydrate intake with regular exercise). Delaying autoimmune activity by reducing metabolic load in newly diagnosed T1DM might play a role in maintaining the honeymoon period and could lead to an innovative therapeutic option in new-onset T1DM.
Aminoquinolines as Translational Models for Drug Repurposing: Anticancer Adjuvant Properties and Toxicokinetic-Related Features
Authors: Ferreira Paulo Michel Pinheiro , Ferreira José Roberto de Oliveira , Sousa Rayran Walter Ramos de , Bezerra Daniel Pereira , Militão Gardenia Carmen Gadelha
Published: September 2021

The indiscriminate consumption of antimalarials against coronavirus disease-2019 emphasizes the longstanding clinical weapons of medicines. In this work, we conducted a review on the antitumor mechanisms of aminoquinolines, focusing on the responses and differences of tumor histological tissues and toxicity related to pharmacokinetics. This well-defined analysis shows similar mechanistic forms triggered by aminoquinolines in different histological tumor tissues and under coexposure conditions, although different pharmacological potencies also occur. These molecules are lysosomotropic amines that increase the antiproliferative action of chemotherapeutic agents, mainly by cell cycle arrest, histone acetylation, physiological changes in tyrosine kinase metabolism, inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways, cyclin D1, E2F1, angiogenesis, ribosome biogenesis, triggering of ATM-ATR/p53/p21 signaling, apoptosis, and presentation of tumor peptides. Their chemo/radiotherapy sensitization effects may be an adjuvant option against solid tumors, since 4-aminoquinolines induce lysosomal-mediated programmed cytotoxicity of cancer cells and accumulation of key markers, predominantly, LAMP1, p62/SQSTM1, LC3 members, GAPDH, beclin-1/Atg6, α-synuclein, and granules of lipofuscin. Adverse effects are dose-dependent, though most common with chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, amodiaquine, and other aminoquinolines are gastrointestinal changes, blurred vision ventricular arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, QTc prolongation, severe hypoglycemia with loss of consciousness, and retinopathy, and they are more common with chloroquine than with hydroxychloroquine and amodiaquine due to pharmacokinetic features. Additionally, psychological/neurological effects were also detected during acute or chronic use, but aminoquinolines do not cross the placenta easily and low quantity is found in breast milk despite their long mean residence times, which depends on the coexistence of hepatic diseases (cancer-related or not), first pass metabolism, and comedications. The low cost and availability on the world market have converted aminoquinolines into “star drugs” for pharmaceutical repurposing, but a continuous pharmacovigilance is necessary because these antimalarials have multiple modes of action/unwanted targets, relatively narrow therapeutic windows, recurrent adverse effects, and related poisoning self-treatment. Therefore, their use must obey strict rules, ethical and medical prescriptions, and clinical and laboratory monitoring.
Existence and Stability of Solutions of Fuzzy Fractional Stochastic Differential Equations with Fractional Brownian Motions
Authors: Arhrrabi Elhoussain , Elomari M’hamed , Melliani Said , Chadli Lalla Saadia
Published: September 2021

The existence, uniqueness, and stability of solutions to fuzzy fractional stochastic differential equations (FFSDEs) driven by a fractional Brownian motion (fBm) with the Lipschitzian condition are investigated. Finally, we investigate the exponential stability of solutions.
IFN‐γ Licensing Does Not Enhance the Reduced Immunomodulatory Potential and Migratory Ability of Differentiation‐Induced Porcine Bone Marrow‐Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in an In Vitro Xenogeneic Application
Authors: Lee Hyeon-Jeong , Kim Hwan-Deuk , Jo Chan-Hee , Bok Eun-Yeong , Kim Saet-Byul , Lee Sung-Lim , Jang Min , Bae Seul-Gi , Yun Sung-Ho , Kim Seung-Joon , Rho Gyu-Jin , Lee Won-Jae
Published: September 2021

IFN‐γ licensing to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is applied to enhance the therapeutic potential of MSCs. However, although the features of MSCs are affected by several stimuli, little information is available on changes to the therapeutic potential of IFN‐γ‐licensed differentiated MSCs during xenogeneic applications. Therefore, the present study is aimed at clarifying the effects of adipogenic/osteogenic differentiation and IFN‐γ licensing on the in vitro immunomodulatory and migratory properties of porcine bone marrow‐derived MSCs in xenogeneic applications using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). IFN‐γ licensing in differentiated MSCs lowered lineage‐specific gene expression but did not affect MSC‐specific cell surface molecules. Although indoleamine 2,3 deoxygenase (IDO) activity and expression were increased after IFN‐γ licensing in undifferentiated MSCs, they were reduced after differentiation. IFN‐γ licensing to differentiated MSCs elevated the reduced IDO expression in differentiated MSCs; however, the increase was not sufficient to reach to the level achieved by undifferentiated MSCs. During a mixed lymphocyte reaction with quantification of TNF‐α concentration, proliferation and activation of xenogeneic PBMCs were suppressed by undifferentiated MSCs but inhibited to a lesser extent by differentiated MSCs. IFN‐γ licensing increasingly suppressed proliferation of PBMCs in undifferentiated MSCs but it was incapable of elevating the reduced immunosuppressive ability of differentiated MSCs. Migratory ability through a scratch assay and gene expression study was reduced in differentiated MSCs than their undifferentiated counterparts; IFN‐γ licensing was unable to enhance the reduced migratory ability in differentiated MSCs. Similar results were found in a Transwell system with differentiated MSCs in the upper chamber toward xenogeneic PBMCs in the lower chamber, despite IFN‐γ licensing increased the migratory ability of undifferentiated MSCs. Overall, IFN‐γ licensing did not enhance the reduced immunomodulatory and migratory properties of differentiated MSCs in a xenogeneic application. This study provides a better understanding of the ways in which MSC therapy can be applied.
Application Calibration Based on Energy Consumption Model in Optimal Design of Green Buildings
Authors: Xue Feiran , Zhao Jingyuan
Published: September 2021

Buildings will generate considerable resource and energy consumption, environmental impact, and costs throughout their entire life cycle. Life cycle assessment and life cycle cost methods have become widely used building sustainability evaluation methods internationally due to their long‐term comprehensive evaluation perspectives and scientific quantitative calculation methods. In response to energy consumption management issues in green buildings, a questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the concepts of sustainable development, green environmental protection, and energy consumption management of construction enterprise personnel. Through the survey, it can be seen that corporate executives generally have a sense of sustainable development and pay more attention to sustainable competition and the green development of enterprises. Approximately 90% of executives understand energy consumption models. Only 10% of employees do not understand, but they are acquired by the company’s frontline employees. The result of the feedback is just the opposite. Frontline workers pay little attention to the long‐term development of the company. Only about 5% of employees are proficient in the energy management system, but the proportion of completely unknown is as high as 20%, indicating that the overall energy management awareness of Chinese enterprises still needs to be strengthened. Secondly, through design experiments, the energy‐saving management effect of the energy consumption model was observed and analyzed. From the power saving and load test, we found that the monitoring of the energy consumption model is helpful for companies to choose more energy‐efficient building circuit designs, achieving an average annual energy‐saving effect of about 8%, so as to achieve the purpose of energy saving.
Improved Model for Generating Incremental Product Innovation Schemes
Authors: Geng Lisha , Xing Jinge , Shi Xiaofei , Zu Liran , Chai Meiqun
Published: September 2021

To realize incremental product innovation, the key problems of existing products need to be identified and solved with feasible innovation schemes. This study examines the generation process of innovation schemes by integrating Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ). This study has the following advantages: first, this study proposes new rules for distinguishing physical conflicts with technical conflicts and the method for calculating conflict importance after building House of Quality (HoQ) in QFD. Second, an improved integrated model of QFD and TRIZ is constructed, which generates innovation schemes by solving not only the conflicts between technical characteristics but also the problems of product parts. Third, the uncertainty and subjectivity of the data provided by decision-makers in the evaluation process of innovation schemes are processed by interval grey numbers. Moreover, a cone model is built to make the evaluation results more reliable. Last, a case study of water purifiers is conducted to illustrate the validity of the generation process of incremental product innovation schemes.
Development of the Binary and Ternary Atorvastatin Solid Dispersions: In Vitro and In Vivo Investigations
Authors: Faraji Elahe , Mohammadi Mojdeh , Mahboobian Mohammad Mehdi
Published: September 2021

The object of this study was to prepare binary and ternary solid dispersions of atorvastatin (ATR) by the melting method using PEGs and poloxamer 188 (P188) as the carriers, singly and in combination with each other. Dissolution behavior, solubility studies, X‐ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were studied. Furthermore, antihyperlipidemic activities of formulations were compared to each other by serum lipid analyses in hyperlipidemic rats. Based on the results, the highest dissolution efficiency (DE30 = 83%) was obtained by binary systems consisted of ATR and P188. Also, no additional improvement was observed in dissolution properties of ternary solid dispersion formulations. Solubility studies showed enhancement of ATR phase solubility in water and a buffer solution containing P188 or PEG 10000. Furthermore, saturated solubility of ATR in the buffer solution improved more than twofold in the optimized ternary dispersion system. No crystalline changes occurred in PEG‐based formulations; meanwhile, partial amorphization happened in the ATR‐P188 combination. Finally, the in vivo study in hyperlipidemic rats exhibited a rapid decrease in the lipid profile of all formulations compared to ATR (after 7 days). Moreover, reduction of serum triglycerides and total cholesterol on the 14th day in the ATR group (p value < 0.01) was less than solid dispersion or physical mixing preparations (p value < 0.001). These findings proved the appropriate influence of using PEG and P188 in solid dispersion systems for the improvement of the therapeutic efficiency of ATR.
Combined Corneal Cross-Linking and Myoring Implantation in Advanced Keratoconus: Femtosecond Laser versus Manual Dissection
Authors: Ibrahim Basiony Ahmed , Fayez ElSawy Moataz , Mohamed Ismail Mahmoud , Samy Abd ElAziz Mohamed , Tawfik KhalafAllah Mahmoud , Galal Zaky Adel
Published: September 2021

Background. Intrastromal corneal ring segments are widely adopted for keratoconus management. However, the complete ring (Myoring) was proposed to be superior in advanced cases. Myoring can be implanted either via femtoassisted or manual dissection techniques. A comparison between both techniques can delineate any differences in the outcomes. Methods. This was a prospective interventional case series study. Sixty-four eyes with progressive advanced keratoconus were enrolled: 36 and 28 had femtoassisted or manual Myoring, respectively. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), maximal keratometry (Kmax), spherical equivalent (SE) and corneal thinnest location were measured in all eyes preoperatively and at one, six, and 12 months postoperatively. Epi-off corneal cross-linking (CXL) was performed eight weeks after Myoring implantation for all cases. Results. Femtoassisted Myoring dissection significantly improved UCVA and CDVA from 0.1 ± 0.06 and 0.18 ± 0.1 preoperatively to 0.29 ± 0.08 and 0.43 ± 0.1 at 12 months. Also, manual technique similarly enhanced UCVA and CDVA from 0.11 ± 0.05 and 0.2 ± 0.1 preoperatively to 0.27 ± 0.2 and 0.4 ± 0.2 at 12 months. In terms of safety, while no cases of ring extrusion were encountered with the femtoassisted technique, six (21.4%) cases of extrusion were encountered in the manual group. Conclusion. Femtoassisted or manual Myoring technique followed by CXL is an effective choice for advanced progressive keratoconus. Although it did not reach a statistical significance, the high extrusion rate with manual dissection is a red flag to be considered.
Performance Evaluation of Color Descriptors under Illumination Variation
Authors: Sun Danyu , Zhao Xixuan , Kan Jiangming
Published: September 2021

Color descriptors, which involve the extraction of color information that is robust to illumination variation, are indispensable for accessing reliable visual information as illumination variation is inevitable in many practical cases. There has been many color descriptors proposed in literature, but the performance of different color descriptors in different scenes under illumination variation and the influence of the surface characteristics have not been investigated. In this paper, we first systematically introduced the theoretical basis of color descriptors, categorized the existing color descriptors according to the theoretical basis, and then compared the performance of different color descriptors utilized for image recognition and image retrieval tasks on both the indoor and outdoor image datasets. We adopted the recognition rate and normalized average rank as the evaluation criteria to measure the performance of color descriptors. Experiment results show that the color moment invariants (CMI) provide the optimal balance between the performance and dimensions in most tests, and color descriptors derived from physical reflectance models are more suitable for object recognition and image retrieval. We also concluded the best color descriptors for each kind of scene and surface characteristics.
Investigating the Selective Control of Photoassociation of Yb2
Authors: Cheng Junxia , Tian Bo , Li Siyu , Wang Jia , Wu Shenjiang
Published: September 2021

The selective control of photoassociation of Yb2 is investigated in theory. Based on ab initio to rationalize Franck–Condon filtering, the optimal target states of photoassociation have been obtained. The corresponding vibrational transitions from X1Σ+g to the excited state (A1Σu+, B1Πu, C1Σu+, and D1Πu) are

v

′

 = 23, 50, 55, and 0, respectively. By using quantum wave packet dynamic methods, we calculated the yields with time evaluation for the selected target states. The projections of time-dependent wave functions of initial states on the target vibrational eigenstates reflected the synthetic yields of Yb2. For target A1Σu+, we used Gaussian pulse to make the yield of

v

′

 = 23 up to 97% at 725 fs. After a laser pulse, the positive chirp promoted the yield of vibrational states to increase, but the negative chirp inhibited its decrease. For the D1Πu state, when laser intensity is 1.0 × 1014 W/cm2, the purity and yield of target state

v

′

 = 0 reached the maximum at 1350 fs. That is to say, changing the laser parameters and pulse shapes could control the photochemical reaction along our desired direction. These conditions will provide an important reference and suggest a scheme for a feasible photoassociation of further experimental and theoretical research studies. Current study may promote an important step toward the realization of highly accurate quantum manipulation and material synthesis.