bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross‐Disciplinary Application for Qualitative Magnesium Corrosion Assays
Authors: Gao Xinzhe , Sun Yunhan , Jia Qi , Lee Eui-Seok , Jiang Heng Bo
Published: June 2022

At the moment, unserviceable magnesium implants make a good case in point for further responsible study in this field. Whether we are willing to admit it or not, existing methods for corrosion monitoring are exposed to susceptibility and instability. Interdisciplinary theories and the existing corrosion experiments were combined based on their various merits for developing an accurate and precise corroding experiment for Mg/Mg alloys. We used the water‐soluble tetrazolium‐8 (WST‐8) reagent to further complete the immersion experiment. The color change of the solution reflects the rationale of corrosion, followed by monitoring the degree of corrosion. The feasibility of this idea will be demonstrated.
Discovering Gene Signature Shared by Prostate Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases Based on the Bioinformatics Approach
Authors: Su Qiang , Dai Bin , Zhang Hanjian , Zhang Shengqiang
Published: June 2022

Background. Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the highest frequent malignant tumors with very complicated pathogenesis. Genes of neurodegenerative diseases can influence tumor progression. But its role in the progression of PCa remains unclear. The purpose of the present academic work was to identify significant genes with poor outcome and their underlying mechanism. Methods. The GSE70768, GSE88808, and GSE134051 datasets were downloaded to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The DEG screening criteria were as follows:

P
<
0.05

and differential fold change

logFC

≥
1

. The common DEGs (co-DEGs) of the three datasets were obtained by the Robust Rank Aggregation (RRA) method. Gene Ontology (GO) function annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed using R software. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was performed for co-DEGs using STRING to screen critical genes. Differential expression and prognosis of key genes were analyzed by the online tool Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2). The intersection gene between key genes and neurodegenerative genes was identified by constructing a Venn diagram. Results. A total of 263 co-DEGs were identified from the three datasets. GO analysis showed that co-DEGs were mainly involved in muscle contraction and blood circulation regulation. The top ten key genes were ACTG2, APOE, F5, CALD1, MYH11, MYL9, MYLK, TPM1, TPM2, and CALM1. GEPIA2 analysis showed that APOE, MYH11, and MYLK differ dramatically between tumor and normal tissues. These key genes are related to disease-free survival (DFS) in PCa. APOE was the intersection gene between key genes and Alzheimer-related genes. Conclusion. The neurodegenerative gene APOE may be a potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarker for PCa.
Isolated Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of the Vulva in a 28-Year-Old Lady: A Report of a Case and Brief Review of the Literature
Authors: Sadati Maryam Sadat , Todarbary Nafiseh , Sari Aslani Fatemeh , Hadibarhaghtalab Maryam
Published: June 2022

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare, proliferative disorder of Langerhans’ cells. The presentation can vary from single organ involvement to multisystem and disseminated in severe cases, affecting children more than adults. Isolated vulvar involvement of LCH in a 28-year-old woman has rarely been described and also there are limited data for diagnosis and treatment. Herein, we report the case of a 28-year-old woman with isolated vulvar LCH, misdiagnosed with herpes simplex infection, successfully treated with thalidomide.
Cancer Stem Cells: From an Insight into the Basics to Recent Advances and Therapeutic Targeting
Authors: Bisht Shweta , Nigam Manisha , Kunjwal Shyam S. , Sergey Plygun , Mishra Abhay Prakash , Sharifi-Rad Javad
Published: June 2022

Cancer is characterized by an abnormal growth of the cells in an uncontrolled manner. These cells have the potential to invade and can eventually turn into malignancy, leading to highly fatal forms of tumor. Small subpopulations of cancer cells that are long-lived with the potential of excessive self-renewal and tumor formation are called cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer-initiating cells or tumor stem cells. CSCs can be found in tissues, such as breast, brain, lung, liver, ovary, and testis; however, their origin is still a matter of debate. These cells can differentiate and possess self-renewal capacity maintained by numerous intracellular signal transduction pathways, such as the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, Notch signaling, transforming growth factor-β signaling, and Hedgehog signaling. They can also contribute to numerous malignancies and are an important reason for tumor recurrence and metastasis because they are resistant to the known therapeutic strategies that mainly target the bulk of the tumor cells. This review contains collected and compiled information after analyzing published works of the last three decades. The goal was to gather information of recent breakthroughs related to CSCs, strategies to target CSCs’ niche (e.g., nanotechnology with tumor biology), and their signaling pathways for cancer therapy. Moreover, the role of metformin, an antidiabetic drug, acting as a chemotherapeutic agent on CSCs by inhibiting cellular transformation and its selective killing is also addressed.
Bearing Fault Vibration Signal Feature Extraction and Recognition Method Based on EEMD Superresolution Sparse Decomposition
Authors: Jian Zhang- , Raja S. Selvakumar , Nan Deng , Kon Mawien
Published: June 2022

This paper aims at the shortcomings of the current conventional processing methods of bearing fault vibration signals in improving signal-to-noise ratio, fine feature extraction, and recognition. A feature extraction and recognition method of abnormal vibration signals based on Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) superresolution sparse decomposition is designed. First of all, the superresolution sparse decomposition method is used to refine the set of IMF components of vibration signals after EEMD decomposition. Secondly, the features of the set are extracted and their corresponding energy entropy is calculated. Thirdly, the classification and recognition are carried out. Finally, the effectiveness and feasibility of the method are verified by experiments. It has been proved that this method can better realize the denoising and fine processing aimed at abnormal vibration signals. It has certain theoretical significance and applied value.
Association between GNAQ Gene DNA Methylation and Vascular Recurrence in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Li Dandan , Ling Xi , Li Xiaoqing , Wei Hongtao , Zhao Zhigang , Li Xingang , Ma Ning
Published: June 2022

Purpose: We aimed to assess whether the aberrant methylation of GNAQ gene, which may involve in the clopidogrel resistance (CR), was associated with a higher risk of recurrent ischemic events in clopidogrel-treated acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients. Methods: This is a nested case-control study, 152 clopidogrel-treated acute ischemic stroke or TIA patients that were propensity-matched were included in the final analysis, including 36 patients with vascular recurrence set as cases. Methylation levels of GNAQ gene were identified with MassARRAY EpiTYPER assays. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the predictive value of CpG units for recurrent ischemic events within 1 year.Mediation analysis was performed to assess the role of CR in describing the effect of GNAQ methylation on recurrent ischemic events. Results: A total of 16 differentially methylated CpG units were identified. Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that the average methylation of CpG 32–39 of GNAQ was associated with a significantly higher risk of ischemic events (p < 0.001). When transformed into dichotomous variables with the receiver operating characteristic curve, hypomethylation (<0.31) of CpG 32–39 of GNAQ significantly increased the risk of vascular recurrence (odds ratio 73.82, 95% confidence interval 20.33–268.01). The mediation effect of CR for recurrent ischemic events was not identified. Conclusions: Hypomethylation of CpG 32–39 of GANQ gene was associated with a higher risk of ischemic events for clopidogrel-treated acute ischemic stroke or TIA patients. Further studies were warranted to explain the possible mechanism.
Can Non-Coding NR5A1 Gene Variants Explain Phenotypes of Disorders of Sex Development?
Authors: Fabbri-Scallet Helena , Werner Ralf , Guaragna Mara S. , de Andrade Juliana G.R. , Maciel-Guerra Andrea T. , Hornig Nadine C. , Hiort Olaf , Guerra-Júnior Gil , de Mello Maricilda P.
Published: June 2022

Introduction: NR5A1 is an essential transcription factor that regulates several target genes involved in reproduction and endocrine function. Pathogenic variants in this gene are responsible for a wide spectrum of disorders/differences of sex development (DSD). Methods: The molecular study involved Sanger sequencing, in vitro assays, and whole exome sequencing (WES). Results: Four variants were identified within the NR5A1 non-coding region in 3 patients with 46,XY DSD. In vitro analyses showed that promoter activity was affected in all cases. WES revealed variants in SRA1, WWOX, and WDR11 genes. Discussion/Conclusion: Evaluation of clinical and phenotypic significance of variants located in a non-coding region of a gene can be complex, and little is known regarding their association with DSD. Nevertheless, based on the important region for interaction with cofactors essential to promote appropriated sex development and on our in vitro results, it is feasible to say that an impact on gene expression can be expected and that this may be correlated with the DSD pathophysiology presented in our patients. Considering the number of cases that remain elusive after screening for the well-known DSD related genes, we emphasize the importance of a careful molecular analysis of NR5A1 non-coding region which is commonly neglected and might explain some idiopathic DSD cases.
Bacillary Layer Detachment in an Atypical Case of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Associated with High Hyperopia
Authors: Murillo Sergio A. , Medina Silvia P. , Romero Rosa Maria , Murillo Fernando H.
Published: June 2022

A 16-year-old boy with elevated hyperopia presented to the office with a 24-h history of bilateral blurred vision, mainly of the left eye, and bilateral central serous chorioretinopathy. He showed a clinically recognizable bacillary layer detachment in one eye and excellent multimodal diagnostic image correlation, with the best-corrected visual acuity as 20/400. He had bilateral serous retinal detachment, as confirmed by optical coherence tomography. Laser photocoagulation was performed with good results, and reestablishment of the foveal anatomical structure was documented 16 days after treatment.
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Chiasmitis
Authors: Cuna Alessandra , Pellegrini Francesco , Interlandi Emanuela , Mandarà Erika , De Luca Marco , De Marco Rocco , Ciabattoni Cristina , Zappacosta Antonio , Papayannis Alessandro
Published: June 2022

A 29-year-old girl presented complaining of acute bilateral visual loss associated with mild headache and retrobulbar pain. She was diagnosed with chiasmal optic neuritis caused by multiple sclerosis. Her visual acuity and visual field defect promptly improved after steroid therapy. However optical coherence tomography angiography showed a progressive reduction of superficial capillary plexus density of the retina and optic nerve consistent with the progressive impairment of the retinal ganglionar cell layer. Contrary to chiasmal compression, in chiasmal optic neuritis, the superficial capillary plexus density reduction is diffuse and does not reflect the peculiar anatomy of the chiasm.
Oxidative Stress, Testosterone, Cortisol, and Vitamin D: Differences in Professional Soccer Players of African and Caucasian Origin
Authors: Abate Michele , Salini Vincenzo
Published: June 2022

Background: Under conditions of intense exercise, the production of free radicals and cortisol increases, whereas blood levels of testosterone and vitamin D decrease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the behavior of these parameters, ethnic differences, and their relationships with overtraining. Materials and Methods: Fifty professional soccer players were studied. Oxidative stress, testosterone, cortisol, and vitamin D were collected in pre- and mid-competitive season, and their differences in Africans and Caucasians were evaluated. Results: An increase in oxidative stress was observed in mid-season in both groups, but this was more significant in Africans (386 ± 162.6 vs. 277.8 ± 106.9 UCarr, p = 0.005; 2,965.4 ± 815.8 vs. 2,560.6 ± 608.1 BAP, p = 0.035). Levels of testosterone and vitamin D were higher in August compared to February in all participants; in both months, testosterone levels were higher in Africans (11.5 ± 2.4 vs. 9.1 ± 2.6, p = 0.004; 10.3 ± 1.6 vs. 7.7 ± 2.3, p = 0.000), whereas vitamin D levels were higher in Caucasians (39.4 ± 11.1 vs. 33.4 ± 9.7, p = 0.048; 31.8 ± 9.7 vs. 27.4 ± 9.4, in August and February, respectively). Insufficient/deficient levels of vitamin D were more frequently observed in Africans, but the difference was close to significance only in August. Conclusions: Although lower levels of vitamin D and higher levels of cortisol and oxidative stress in mid-season in Africans could have a negative influence on performance, no symptoms of overtraining were observed, probably due to higher levels of testosterone which enable homeostatic balance.
Atrial Arrhythmia Ablation in Patients With D-Transposition of the Great Arteries and Atrial Switch
Authors: Chiriac Anca , Cheema Kamal P. , Giardi Davide , Espinosa Samantha M. , Fitzgerald Patrick , Perez-Downes Julio C. , Umadat Goyal , Hodge David O. , Phillips Sabrina D. , Madhavan Malini , Asirvatham Samuel J. , McLeod Christopher J.
Published: June 2022

Background:

Patients with D-transposition of the great arteries and atrial switch have a high incidence of atrial arrhythmias. We sought to analyze the arrhythmia substrate, ablation strategies, and outcomes for catheter ablation in this population.

Methods:

An in-depth analysis of all clinical and procedural data in patients with D-transposition of the great arteries, atrial baffles, and atrial arrhythmia ablation was performed.

Results:

A cohort of 32 patients (72% male, mean age 38±7 years) underwent ablation for non-AV nodal reentrant tachycardia atrial arrhythmias, and 4 patients underwent AV nodal reentrant tachycardia ablation. Cavotricuspid isthmus flutter (CTI-flutter) was the most common arrhythmia, encountered in 75% of patients, followed by scar-related intraatrial reentrant tachycardia (non-CTI intraatrial reentrant tachycardia, 53%) and focal atrial tachycardia (focal atrial tachycardia, 6%). Among the 32 patients, 26 underwent 31 procedures at our institution. For patients with prior outside intervention, the index ablation at our institution revealed CTI-dependent flutter in 3/5 cases. However, redo ablation after an index ablation with demonstrated bidirectional CTI block revealed different/new arrhythmia substrates (80% non-CTI intraatrial reentrant tachycardia, 40% focal atrial tachycardia). Achieving bidirectional block across the CTI often required ablating on both sides of the baffle (retroaortic access, 81%; using a baffle leak, 11.5%; or transbaffle puncture, 7.7%). Combined approaches were necessary in 19% to reach the critical tissue. Acute procedural success was 81%, and recurrence was documented in 58% of patients. Despite recurrence, clinical arrhythmia burden was significantly reduced post-ablation (
P
<0.001), with rare episodes, amenable to antiarrhythmic therapy. Redo ablation was required in 5 (19%) patients and uncovered new arrhythmia substrates. AV nodal reentrant tachycardia ablation also required transbaffle approaches in 3/4 patients.

Conclusions:

CTI-dependent flutter was the most common arrhythmia in patients with Dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries and atrial switch. Transbaffle approaches were often necessary, and, provided that bidirectional CTI block was achieved at the index ablation, late recurrence was due to different arrhythmia mechanisms. Despite recurrence, ablation was associated with significant clinical improvement.
Proto-Chadic reconstruction and Afroasiatic vowel system typology
Authors: Wolff H. Ekkehard
Published: June 2022

The reconstruction of the Proto-Chadic (PC) vowel system has hitherto been considered impossible. Proposals covered one (*a), two (*a, *ə), three (*a, *i, *u) and four (*a, *ə, *i, *u) vowels. The one-vowel solution gains support by evidence from mainly the languages of the Central Chadic branch, together with the notion of palatalisation and labialisation prosodies, which create particular ‘colourings’ for vowels and consonants in phonetic surface realisations and have been discovered to operate in all branches of the family, but to very different extent. Based on new insights into the phonological history of Central Chadic (Wolff 2022, forthcoming), at variance with Gravina (2014), and referring back to a typology of Chadic vowel systems suggested by Schuh (2017), we can now tentatively delineate the development from a minimal vowel inventory */a/, *[ə] in PC to vowel systems of between one and 15 (short and long) phonemic vowels in modern Chadic languages. Diachronic vowel-system typology in Chadic allows a critical review of received wisdom concerning vowel systems elsewhere in Afroasiatic, potentially touching on issues pertaining to the internal sub-classification of the phylum. At least the vowel system of Tashelhiyt (Berber) corresponds in essential details to the PC minimal vowel system, a non-trivial observation that raises questions concerning genetic heritage, language contact, and/or areal innovation.
Researcher Li-Ming MA: Contributions to systematic acarology and entomology
Authors: LIN JIAN-ZHEN
Published: June 2022

This paper provides a brief biography of researcher Li-Ming Ma (1935–2021), who was a Chinese systematic acarologist and entomologist. He published 464 papers during his professional life (106 papers during working years, 358 papers after his retirement). During 1957–2021, he established two new genera, one new subgenus, 342 new species and three new subspecies of arthropods, which are catalogued here. The information provided includes genus and species names, type data, hosts, location, type deposition and reference list. Some of the types of 126 species were transferred from their original deposition to IZAS (Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Beijing, China).
Ceropales pallida sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae, Ceropalinae) described from northern Europe
Authors: ØDEGAARD FRODE , ABENIUS JOHAN , PAUKKUNEN JUHO
Published: June 2022

A new pompilid wasp, Ceropales pallida sp. nov., is described, illustrated and distinguished from its close relative Ceropales maculata. The new species is supported by evidence from morphological characters as well as DNA barcoding. The type specimens were collected at several localities in southern Norway, Sweden and Finland.
Storylines of South Pacific Convergence Zone Changes in a Warmer World
Authors: Narsey Sugata , Brown Josephine R. , Delage Francois , Boschat Ghyslaine , Grose Michael , Colman Rob , Power Scott
Published: June 2022

The South Pacific convergence zone (SPCZ) is evaluated in simulations of historical climate from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) and phase 6 (CMIP6) models, showing a modest improvement in the simulation of South Pacific precipitation (spatial pattern and mean bias) in CMIP6 models but little change in the overly zonal position of the SPCZ compared with CMIP5 models. A set of models that simulate a reasonable SPCZ are selected from both ensembles, and future projections under high emissions (RCP8.5 and SSP5–8.5) scenarios are examined. The multimodel mean projected change in SPCZ precipitation and position is small, but this multimodel mean response obscures a wide range of future projections from individual models. To investigate the full range of future projections a storyline approach is adopted, focusing on groups of models that simulate a northward-shifted SPCZ, a southward-shifted SPCZ, or little change in SPCZ position. The northward-shifted SPCZ group also exhibit large increases in precipitation in the equatorial Pacific, while the southward-shifted SPCZ group exhibit smaller increases in equatorial precipitation but greater increases within the SPCZ region. A moisture budget decomposition confirms the findings of previous studies: that changes in the mean circulation dynamics are the primary source of uncertainty for projected changes in precipitation in the SPCZ region. While uncertainty remains in SPCZ projections, partly due to uncertain patterns of sea surface temperature change and systematic coupled model biases, it may be worthwhile to consider the range of plausible SPCZ projections captured by this storyline approach for adaptation and planning in the South Pacific region.

Significance Statement

The South Pacific convergence zone is a band of intense rainfall that influences the weather and climate of many Pacific Island communities. Future changes in the SPCZ will therefore impact these communities. We examine climate model representations of future climate to find out how the SPCZ might change in a warmer world. While the models disagree on future changes in the SPCZ, we suggest that it may be useful to consider groups of models with common “storylines” of future change. The changes in the position of the SPCZ in a warmer world correlate strongly to the amount of rainfall change locally. Some models suggest a northward movement of the SPCZ, while others suggest a southward movement. Consideration of the full range of possible future behavior of the SPCZ is needed to better prepare for the impacts of a warmer climate.
Booster Dose of Attention Training Program for Young Novice Drivers: A Longitudinal Driving Simulator Evaluation Study
Authors: Glassman Jeffrey , Yahoodik Sarah , Samuel Siby , Young Jared , Knodler Michael K. , Zhang Tingru , Zafian Tracy , Fisher Donald L. , Yamani Yusuke
Published: June 2022

Objective

We examined the effectiveness of a second exposure to ACCEL, a novel driving training program, on latent hazard anticipation (HA) performance several months after their first exposure.

Background

Past research has demonstrated that PC-based driver training programs can improve latent HA performance in young novice drivers, but these improvements are below the ceiling level.

Method

Twenty-five participants were randomly assigned to either the Placebo group, the ACCEL-1 group, or the ACCEL-2 group. Following the completion of the assigned training program, participants drove a series of eighteen scenarios incorporating latent hazards in a high-fidelity driving simulator with their eyes tracked. Participants returned two to six months following the first session and completed either the placebo program (ACCEL-1 and Placebo groups), or a second dose of training program (ACCEL-2 group), again followed by simulated evaluation drives.

Results

The ACCEL-2 group showed improved HA performance compared to the ACCEL-1 and Placebo groups in the second evaluation.

Conclusion

ACCEL enhances young novice drivers’ latent HA performance. The effectiveness of ACCEL is retained up to 6 months, and a second dose further improves HA performance.

Application

Policy makers should consider requiring such training before the completion of graduate driver license programs. Young novice drivers that do not show successful latent HA performance could be required to complete additional training before being allowed to drive without restrictions.
A Review and Meta-Analysis of Interactive Metronome Training: Positive Effects for Motor Functioning
Authors: Lee Hyo Keun , Kim Hyun Joon , Kim Sang Bum , Kang Nyeonju
Published: June 2022

Interactive metronome training may be effective for improving motor performances through timing. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, 18 prospective studies met our eligibility criteria, and we summarized the effects of interactive metronome training protocols on motor functioning. We estimated effect sizes by quantifying differences in altered motor functions between participants in interactive metronome training and control groups. Two additional subgroup analyses determined whether the positive effects on motor function improvements were different among (a) three types of participants (i.e., athletes, healthy individuals, and patients with neurological disorders) and (b) two different training protocols (i.e., interactive metronome training only and interactive metronome training combined with an additional motor program). Random-effects model meta-analysis revealed moderate positive effects of interactive metronome training on motor function, with interactive metronome treatment effects significant across athletes, healthy individuals, and patients with neurological disorders. Interactive metronome training combined with additional motor programs showed comparable effects to those obtained after interactive metronome training alone. These findings suggest motor improvement benefits to strengthening or capitalizing on an individual’s motor timing.
A Simple and Reproducible In Vivo Rabbit Phonation Model for Glottic Insufficiency
Authors: Swift William M. , Churnin Ian T. , Hamdi Osama A. , Strumpf Andrew M. , Koehn Heather A. , Cottler Patrick S. , Daniero James J.
Published: June 2022

Objective

The objective of this study is to describe an in vivo rabbit phonation model for glottic insufficiency that is simple and reproducible by means of unilateral transcricothyroid laryngeal muscle stimulation and high‐speed video recordings of evoked phonation.

Study Design

Nonrandomized controlled animal trial.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Methods

A single operation including evoked phonation with bilateral and unilateral transcricothyroid laryngeal muscle stimulation conditions was modeled using 6 New Zealand white rabbits. The effect of stimulation method on glottic cycle, pitch, and loudness was compared. Endoscopic recordings using 5000 frames‐per‐second image capture technology and audiologic recordings were obtained for all phonation conditions. Primary outcome measures included means of maximum glottal area (MGA)/length pixel ratio, right and left amplitude/length pixel ratios, calculated cycle frequency, auditory recorded frequency, and maximum auditory intensity. Measurements were obtained via pixel counts using ImageJ.

Results

Mean MGA/length was significantly greater with unilateral, 20.30, vs bilateral, 9.62, stimulation (P = .043). Mean frequency of 479.92 Hz vs 683.46 Hz (P = .027) and mean maximum intensity of 76.3 dB vs 83.5 dB (P = .013) were significantly increased from unilateral to bilateral stimulation. There was no significant difference in mean right amplitude/length between unilateral and bilateral.

Conclusion

The described model demonstrates a simple and reproducible means of producing glottic insufficiency due to unilateral vocal fold bowing and represents a pathway for better understanding the biomechanics and pathophysiology of glottic insufficiency due to superior laryngeal nerve injury and vocal fold immobility and offers the potential to compare treatment modalities through in vivo study.
Lipid profiles and lifestyle habits of stroke survivors in the east coast region of peninsular Malaysia: Preliminary findings
Authors: Wong Hui Jie , Harith Sakinah , Lua Pei Lin , Ibrahim Khairul Azmi
Published: June 2022

Background: Stroke survivors are at high risk for recurrent cardiovascular events if no prevention strategies are undertaken. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the fasting serum lipid profiles and lifestyle habits in stroke survivors, and the factors associated with suboptimal lipid profiles. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted in three public hospitals in Malaysia. Stroke survivors' data regarding the socio-demographic characteristics, clinical profiles, fasting serum lipid profiles, dietary adherence, and physical activity levels were acquired. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the factors associated with suboptimal lipid goals. Results: A total of 104 stroke survivors were recruited from patients attending the neurology and rehabilitation departments. Only 22% of the stroke survivors attained the targeted low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L). Meanwhile, more than two thirds of patients achieved the targeted total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals. Patients with a longer stroke duration (Adjusted odds ratio, AOR 3.33, 95% confidence intervals, CI: 1.09, 10.13, p  =  0.034), elevated blood pressure (AOR 4.74, 95% CI: 1.65, 13.62, p  =  0.004), chronic kidney disease (AOR 3.30, 95% CI: 1.05, 10.34, p  =  0.041), abdominal obesity (AOR 3.14, 95% CI: 1.20, 8.21, p  =  0.020), excessive energy intake (AOR 2.72, 95% CI: 1.07, 6.91, p  =  0.036), and excessive saturated fatty acids intake (AOR 2.85, 95% CI: 1.02, 7.93, p  =  0.045) were significantly associated with suboptimal lipid profiles. Conclusion: The lipid goals attainment was low, particularly the LDL-C levels among Malaysian stroke survivors. Greater efforts are warranted to fully utilise the lipid-lowering therapy and the lifestyle changes in these high-risk patients.
Power, Policy, and Community Change: Humanbecoming Reflections
Authors: Ortiz Mario R.
Published: June 2022

Nursing is filled with many innovative leaders who strive to work at the “cutting edge” of possibilities. This edge is tenuous and must be attended to with care through how nurse leaders and policymakers are present with people, situations, and ideas. Nurse leaders and policymakers must be guided by unique nursing theoretical perspectives as they are “present” with others navigating power and change. The purpose of this paper is to explore humanbecoming and the way it contributes to understanding power, health policy, and community change concepts.
The Scholar’s Prelude
Authors: Kabigting Edwin-Nikko R.
Published: June 2022

The author in this article reflects on the importance of conceptual analysis, explores predominant conceptual analysis methods in the discipline of nursing, and connects it to ideas within musical composition.
Homelessness and Vulnerably-Housed Defined: A Synthesis of the Literature
Authors: Flike Kimberlee , Foust Janice B. , Hayman Laura L. , Aronowitz Teri
Published: June 2022

There is no single accepted definition used in policy or research for the concepts of homelessness and vulnerably housed. Neuman’s systems model (NSM) was the framework for this mixed-studies review, with the client system defined as these social issues and categorized as environmental stressors. Eighteen unique definitions of the concepts were identified in 30 studies. Extrapersonal stressors included housing history, interpersonal stressors included dependence on others for housing, and intrapersonal stressors included self-identification. Each level of stressor should be considered when defining these populations for inclusion in future research. Proposed definitions were formulated from the analysis of the results.
A novel path tracking method of tractor based on improved second-order sliding mode considering front wheel steering angle compensation
Authors: Wang Liang , Zhu Shaohua , Liu Yuxi , Du Xianxu , Zhu Zhongxiang , Zhai Zhiqiang
Published: June 2022

Existing agricultural tractor path tracking methods rarely consider tracking accuracy and driving stability simultaneously. To solve this problem, a novel path tracking method of tractor is proposed in this paper. The method contains two layers of controllers. The first layer is the desired front wheel steering angle controller based on path prediction, and the desired yaw rate of tractor can be obtained by reference model expression. The second layer is the front wheel steering angle compensation controller based on improved second-order sliding mode (SOSMC) to improve tractor driving stability. The innovation of SOSMC is a combination of nonlinear integral sliding mode (NISM) surface and improved Super-Twisting algorithm, which can not only improve the rate of the control system to the sliding mode surface, but also suppress chattering. To verify the performance of SOSMC, the simulations are carried out on three paths at the constant speed of 10 km/h through Matlab/Simulink and Carsim. Three working paths including arched, pear-shape and lemniscate are constructed in Carsim. The results show that the control effect under three controllers is better than no control. Compared with no control, the maximum value and root mean square (RMS) of lateral error under SOSMC are reduced by 13.09% and 25.07% on average in three paths, and that of yaw rate are decreased 53.29% and 54.64%. The tracking accuracy of SOSMC is the best of three controllers, and that of NISMC is better than SMC. Compared with NISMC, the maximum value and RMS of yaw rate under SOSMC are reduced by 37.74% and 43.62% on average. The yaw rate, front wheel steering angle compensation value and chattering amplitude of front wheel steering angle under SOSMC are significantly smaller than those of SMC and NISMC. In summary, the novel path tracking method can simultaneously satisfy the accuracy and stability of the tractor when it tracks the field working path.
Retrospective analysis of association between hepatopathy and serum DGGR lipase activity in dogs: a pilot study
Authors: Thomson James M. , Williams Tim L.
Published: June 2022

1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-(6′-methylresorufin) ester (DGGR) lipase assays are used to measure lipase activity in the diagnosis of pancreatitis. The effect of hepatic lipases released from damaged hepatocytes on serum DGGR lipase activity has not been reported, to our knowledge. We identified dogs with histologically confirmed liver lesions and concurrent unremarkable pancreatic histology, and dogs with no histologic evidence of hepatic or pancreatic disease. Dogs with relevant comorbidities were excluded. The hepatopathy group ( n = 7) included 4 dogs with inflammatory hepatopathies, 2 with hepatic neoplasia, and 1 with unspecified (non-inflammatory, non-neoplastic) hepatopathy. The control group ( n = 5) included one dog each with enteritis, subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma, hydrocephalus, myelomalacia, and tetanus. A Mann–Whitney U test compared selected biochemical parameters including serum DGGR lipase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and amylase activities, with statistical significance defined as p  ≤ 0.05. Data are presented as median and range. Serum DGGR lipase activity (RI: <44 IU/L) was not different between the hepatopathy (52 IU/L; range: 27–85 IU/L) and control (37 IU/L, 25–105 IU/L; p = 0.947) groups. Serum amylase activity (RI: 256–1,610 IU/L) was significantly higher in the hepatopathy group (830 IU/L; 711–1,210 IU/L) than the control group (541 IU/L, 336–695 IU/L; p = 0.028). No association or correlation between serum DGGR lipase activity and hepatic lesions (based on histologic or biochemical findings) was identified, suggesting that clinically relevant changes in serum DGGR lipase activity may not be expected secondary to hepatopathy alone.
OLIG2 immunolabeling in feline ependymoma
Authors: Demeter Elena A. , Kent Marc , Glass Eric N. , Rissi Daniel R. , Edwards John , Miller Andrew D.
Published: June 2022

Ependymoma, one of the most common gliomas in cats, occurs most often in the lateral and third ventricles and has variable histologic patterns that often form rosettes and pseudorosettes. Oligodendrocyte transcription factor (OLIG2) is expressed in oligodendrocyte precursor cells and mature oligodendrocytes. Although widely used as a diagnostic marker for most gliomas, OLIG2 is reported to have minimal immunolabeling in ependymomas. Here we characterize the OLIG2 immunolabeling pattern in 19 cases of feline ependymoma, which occurred predominantly in the lateral and third ventricles. Immunohistochemistry for GFAP was variable in 14 cases and was typically localized in the cytoplasmic processes of the neoplastic ependymal cells, especially in the rosettes and pseudorosettes. Nuclear OLIG2 immunolabeling was present in 17 cases and varied in intensity from weak (4 cases) to strong (13 cases). The distribution of OLIG2 immunolabeling within the neoplasms included none (2 cases), <25% (7 cases), 25–50% (6 cases), 51–75% (2 cases), and >75% (3 cases). OLIG2 immunolabeling intensity and distribution is widespread in feline ependymoma, in contrast to ependymomas in other species, and should not be relied upon as a specific marker for feline oligodendroglioma.
An Eight Year Clinico-Microbiological Retrospective Study on Brain Abscesses in India
Authors: Chetty Meghna , Rakhi Biswas , Rachana Kannambath , Sujatha Sistla , Srinivasan Gopalkrishnan Muthu
Published: June 2022

Background:

Intracranial abscesses have been a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge since time immemorial for both the microbiologists and the neurosurgeons. There is paucity of detailed studies documenting the infecting organism causing brain abscesses in South India.

Aims:

The study aimed at identifying and assessing the prevalence of aerobic, anaerobic bacteria and fungi associated with brain abscesses at a tertiary care hospital in South India.

Methods and Material:

Eight years data was collected from the records of culture reports from 2007 to 2010 and 2013 to 2018. The corresponding clinical case records were retrieved for the assessment of risk factors. Risk factors of brain abscess development were assessed based on clinical cases records.

Results:

Data from 140 brain abscess cases obtained over a period of 8 years were analyzed. Out of the 140 samples, 66 (47.14%) were culture positive in which 33 (50%) had single aerobic/facultative anaerobic bacteria, 20 (30.3%) had mixture of more than one aerobic/facultative anaerobic bacteria, 12 (18.18%) had single obligate anaerobic bacteria and 1(1.5%) sample had Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated. Among the total 92 isolates, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21/92, 23%) and Staphylococcus aureus (20/92, 22%) predominated. Bacteroides fragilis group was the most common obligate anaerobe isolated. There were no fungal isolates. As there were various isolates isolated, hence there is heterogeneity of isolates detected Neuroanatomically, parietal lobe (45/140, 32%) was the most common location. Otogenic infection was the major risk factor for parietal and temporal lobe abscess ( P value < .05).

Conclusions:

It has become essential for the microbiologists to be aware of unusual isolates from brain abscess and its complex nature. Obscurity and difficulty in their microbiological diagnosis calls for more such detailed studies.
Managing neutrality, rapport, and antiracism in qualitative interviews
Authors: Zhang Tianhao , Okazawa Ryo
Published: June 2022

This study examines interviewers’ practices in managing conflicting institutional expectations of neutrality and rapport in interview interaction which are complicated by the normative expectation of antiracism. By applying conversation analysis and membership categorization analysis to sequences of interaction after interviewees’ possibly racist talk, we demonstrate that the interviewer deploys various interactional resources to orient to antiracism, while maintaining a neutralistic stance and sustaining rapport with interviewees. The interviewer’s orientation towards antiracism becomes more explicit as the interactions unfold. We argue that these practices are both constrained and enabled by the unique institutional features of qualitative interviews. Implications for research on race using interview data are also discussed.
Roman provincial sexualities: Constructing the body, sexuality, and gender through erotic lamp art
Authors: Vucetic Sanja
Published: June 2022

This paper explores how replicated erotic art decorating terracotta lamps constructed sexual ideology in Roman provinces. Lamp imagery, through semantic combination of elements, generated sexual discourse in which certain bodies and actions visually articulated boundaries of ideal and non-ideal sexualities and associated practices. Mould-made replication helped sexual disc-reliefs communicate consistent ideas about sexuality, aiding cultural cohesion throughout the globalising empire. Lamp portability helped these ideas reach large audiences across vast geographies. Provincial communities, through selection of these objects, however, redefined Roman sexual discourse locally. The greatest difference is discernible between the Latin and Greek locales. In the Latin sites disc-reliefs generate meaning through idealised and dwarf symplegmata, whereas in the Greek East they do so through portrayals of idealised symplegma, mythological rapes, and bestiality. The paper demonstrates the plurality of provincial sexualities, the regional bases for their formation, and their implication in broader Roman colonial discourses.
Dissecting the ferroptosis-related prognostic biomarker and immune microenvironment of driver gene-negative lung cancer
Authors: Zhou Rui , Ma Hao-chuan , Liu Yi-hong , Chen Xian , Chang Xue-song , Chen Ya-dong , Liu Li-rong , Li Yong , Zhu Yan-juan , Zhang Hai-bo
Published: June 2022

Despite significant advances in targeted and immune therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), effective therapies for wild-type epidermal growth factor receptor/anaplastic lymphoma kinase ( EGFR/ALKWT) with low expression of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) NSCLC remain elusive. Numerous studies have shown that ferroptosis plays an essential role in antitumor activity. To identify the molecular regulation patterns associated with ferroptosis, 351 EGFR/ALKWT NSCLC samples with low-level PD-L1 were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and clustered using the k-means clustering technique. The two clusters associated with ferroptosis showed significantly different prognoses. In total, 169 differential expression genes (DEGs) were identified. Cluster differential analysis revealed that Cluster 1 had a significantly poorer overall survival (OS) and was associated with more negative immune regulation. In addition, TCGA samples were randomly assigned in a 7:3 ratio to a training group or testing group. A signature of eight genes associated with ferroptosis was established in the training cohort using DEGs and validated in the test cohort and three independent cohorts (GSE72049, GSE41271, and GSE50081). The 5-year area under the curve (AUC) was 0.713, which was significantly higher than that of other predictors, including TNM stage and age. Furthermore, the risk score was associated with immune function, immune infiltration, and immunotherapy response, with high-risk patients having a worse prognosis, an immune-suppressing phenotype, and a poor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. This study aims to contribute to our understanding of the biological role of ferroptosis in EGFR/ALKWT NSCLC with low-level PD-L1, laying the groundwork for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Design of a general complex problem-solving architecture based on task management and predictive optimization
Authors: Ahmad Shabir , Khan Salman , Jamil Faisal , Qayyum Faiza , Ali Abid , Kim DoHyeun
Published: June 2022

Many real-life problems have different contradicting goals and no simple solution. Therefore, an analysis is made to select the appropriate solution based on the scenario, which is considered the best compromise toward the achievement of a goal. In literature, it is known as complex problem-solving and is a kind of paradigm that has been around since the last century, but the cognition involved in complex problem-solving has purely relied on experts in the field. However, with the evolution of the current stack of technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, it is quite possible to perform the cognition process with the help of machines based on the previously-trained historical data. Our previous work proposed the complex problem-solving as a service for smart cities. In this article, we extend this work and propose a generic architecture for complex problem-solving using task orchestration and predictive optimization in Internet of Things–enabled generic smart space. The proposed framework makes use of historical data for artificial cognition of the complexity of the given problem. For this, predictive optimization is used, which identifies the problem and intelligently predict the solution based on the given constraints. The task orchestration architecture is used to decompose the complex problem into small tasks for real-world deployment into sensors and actuators. The architecture is evaluated against different load conditions and different categories of problems, and the results suggest that the proposed architecture can be used a commonplace for different smart space solutions.
Dual antiplatelet therapy with cilostazol in stroke patients with extracranial arterial stenosis or without arterial stenosis: A subgroup analysis of the CSPS.com trial
Authors: Uchiyama Shinichiro , Toyoda Kazunori , Okamura Satomi , Omae Katsuhiro , Hoshino Haruhiko , Kimura Kazumi , Kitagawa Kazuo , Minematsu Kazuo , Yamaguchi Takenori
Published: June 2022

Background:

We previously reported that dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with cilostazol was superior to aspirin or clopidogrel for the prevention of recurrent stroke and vascular events in a subgroup analysis of intracranial arterial stenosis in the Cilostazol Stroke Prevention Study for Antiplatelet Combination ( CSPS.com ), a randomized controlled trial.

Aims:

We conducted another subgroup analysis to investigate the benefit of DAPT with cilostazol in patients with extracranial arterial stenosis (ECAS) and those without arterial stenosis.

Methods:

We compared the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke, vascular events, and major bleeding between DAPT with cilostazol plus aspirin or clopidogrel and aspirin or clopidogrel alone in patients with ischemic stroke between 8 and 180 days before starting trial treatment and ECAS or without arterial stenosis.

Results:

The median follow-up period was 1.4 years. The risk of recurrent ischemic stroke (hazard ratio (HR): 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42–2.57) and vascular events (HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.42–2.24) did not differ between the two groups for the 253 patients with ECAS, whereas they were lower (HR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.18–0.74 and HR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.26–0.85, respectively) in the DAPT group for the 944 patients without arterial stenosis. The risk of major bleeding did not differ between the groups in patients with ECAS (HR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.05–6.39) or without arterial stenosis (HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.27–2.26).

Conclusion:

DAPT with cilostazol might be beneficial for prevention of recurrent stroke and vascular events in patients without arterial stenosis but not in those with ECAS.

Data access statement:

We will make the deidentified participant data from this research available to the scientific community with as few restrictions as feasible, while retaining exclusive use until the publication of major output.