bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-criteria Decision Analysis for Health Technology Assessment of Intensive Care Ventilators for Pediatric Patients.
Authors: Andellini Martina , Faggiano Francesco , Picardo Sergio Giuseppe , Testa Giuseppina , Perrotta Daniela , Bianchi Roberto , Nocchi Federico , Capussotto Carlo , Bassanelli Elena , Derrico Pietro , Pirozzi Nicola , Pecchia Leandro , Ritrovato Matteo
Published: August 2021

BackgroundThe technological complexity and heterogeneity of intensive care ventilator models currently available on the market together with the heterogeneity in pediatric patients (0 to 18 years old), make the choice of the best machine for pediatric healthcare setting crucial.This paper is aimed at addressing all the critical aspects linked to the implementation of intensive care ventilators in a pediatric setting, highlighting the most relevant technical features and describing the methodology to conduct health technology assessment (HTA) for supporting the decision-making process.Four ventilators models were included in the assessment process. A decision-making support tool (DoHTA method) based on Analytic Hierarchy Process, was applied. 28 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were identified, defining the safety, clinical effectiveness, organizational, technical, and economic aspects. The Performance scores of each ventilator have been measured with respect to KPIs integrated with the total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, leading to a final rank of the four possible technological solutions. ResultsThe final technologies’ performance scores reflected a deliver valued, contextualized, and shared outputs, detecting the most performant technological solution for the specific hospital context. HTA results had informed and supported the pediatric hospital decision-making process. ConclusionsThis study, identifying and discussing the pros and cons of innovative features of ventilators and all the evaluation criteria and aspects to be taken into account during the evaluation process, can be considered as a valuable proof of evidence as well as a reliable and transferable method for conducting a decision making process in a hospital context.
Investigating and Correlating Photoelectrochemical, Photocatalytic, and Antimicrobial Properties of TiO2 Nanolayers
Authors: Seiß Volker , Helbig Uta , Lösel Ralf , Eichelbaum Maik
Published: August 2021

Semiconducting transition metal oxides such as TiO2 are promising photo(electro)catalysts for solar water splitting and photoreduction of CO2. Titania admixtures are also used in paints and building materials or as coating on window glass and medical devices, giving the modified materials antimicrobial, self-or even air-cleaning properties. Although TiO2 is an effective catalyst for all these applications, it is mechanistically important to distinguish between photoelectrocatalytic, photocatalytic and antimicrobial processes. In the former, TiO2 is usually electrically contacted as photoanode, i.e. only the oxidation reaction takes place at the titania surface. In the two latter applications, TiO2 works as heterogeneous catalyst and has to catalyze a complete redox cycle. The underlying common and diverging rate-determining photochemical and photoelectrochemical mechanisms are still not well understood. Here, we thus present a systematic structural, photoelectrocatalytic, photocatalytic and antimicrobial study to directly compare and correlate these properties. We prepared TiO2 thin films on flourine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates by a sol-gel spin-coating technique. The materials were annealed at temperatures between 200 and 600°C and their morphologies were studied by GIXRD, FESEM and EDX. Photoelectrochemical properties were measured by linear sweep voltammetry, photoelectrochemical impedance spectroscopy, chopped light chronoamperometry, and intensity modulated photocurrent/ photovoltage spectroscopy. For comparison, photocatalytic rate constants were determined by methylene blue and Escherichea coli degradation and correlated with the deduced photoelectrocatalytic parameters.
Nonlinear Vibration-Damping Investigation of a Vertical Cantilever Beam Simulation Aircraft tail via NTDSC Procedure
Authors: Taha Ashraf Taha El-sayed , Bauomy H.S.
Published: August 2021

A nonlinear time delay saturation controller (NTDSC) used to minimize the vibrations of a vertical cantilever beam simulated as an airplane tail and exposed to harmonic force. A modified form of saturation-based controllers is given to lessen system vibrations. The perturbation technique is used to generate an approximate solution to evaluate the nonlinear behavior of this model. Time histories of the primary system and the controller are shown to demonstrate the reaction with and without control. The time-history response, as well as the impacts of the parameters on the system and controller, were simulated numerically using the MATLAB program. The Routh-Hurwitz criterion was used to show the stability investigation at simultaneous resonance. The impact of controller parameters and time delays on system response curves are examined. Time-delays are explored in the control loop for their implications on controller performance and system stability. The impacts of time delay are also investigated in order to establish the operation's safe zone. Validation curves are provided to show how closely the perturbation and numerical solutions are related. A comparison is made with recently released papers.
New Diagnostic Parameter for Neonatal Sepsis: Red Cell Distribution Width Fluctuations
Authors: Guo Bin-Fang , Wang Yu-Chun , Xu Ping-Ping
Published: August 2021

Background: To evaluate the role of red cell distribution width (RDW) fluctuations in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study of the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database (version 1.4), newborns with sepsis were matched with patients without sepsis to analyze RDW as a diagnostic marker. Those newborns were analyzed based on gestational age, sex, and ethnicity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and multiple logistic regression were used to evaluate RDW fluctuation for sepsis diagnosis. Results: A total of 2456 neonates were included. RDW fluctuations showed better accuracy than the maximum RDW did (area under the curve (AUC): 0.88 vs. 0.81, sensitivity 92.10% vs. 78.70%; specificity 71.70% vs. 69.30%, respectively). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed a positive association between RDW fluctuation and the diagnosis of sepsis (odds ratio 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–1.18) after adjusting for gestational age, hemoglobin, and white blood cell count. Conclusion: RDW fluctuations might be a potential diagnostic marker for NICU patients with sepsis.
Genes and Mechanisms Associated With Experimentally Induced Bovine Respiratory Disease Identified With Supervised Machine Learning Methodology on Integrated Transcriptomic Datasets
Authors: Scott Matthew , Woolums Amelia , Swiderski Cyprianna , Perkins Andy , Nanduri Bindu
Published: August 2021

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a multifactorial disease involving complex host immune interactions shaped by pathogenic agents and environmental factors. Advancements in RNA sequencing and associated analytical methods are improving our understanding of host response related to BRD pathophysiology. Supervised machine learning (ML) approaches present one such method for analyzing new and previously published transcriptome data to identify novel genes and mechanisms. Our objective was to apply ML models to lung and immunological tissue datasets acquired from previous clinical BRD experiments to identify genes that classify disease with high accuracy. Raw mRNA sequencing reads from 151 bovine datasets (n=123 BRD, n=28 control) were downloaded from NCBI-GEO. Quality filtered reads were assembled in a HISAT2/Stringtie2 pipeline. Raw gene counts for ML analysis were normalized, transformed, and analyzed with MLSeq, utilizing six ML models. Cross-validation parameters (5-fold, repeated 10 times) were applied in a 70:30 training/testing ratio. Downstream analysis of genes identified by the top sparse classifiers for each etiological association was performed within WebGestalt and Reactome (FDR < 0.05). Support vector machines was routinely the top non-sparse classifier for predicting etiological disease versus sham control. Nearest shrunken centroid and Poisson linear discriminant analysis with power transformation could reliably classify IBR and BRSV with 100% accuracy. Genes identified in IBR and BRSV, but not BVDV, were related to type I interferon production and IL-8 secretion, specifically in lymphoid tissue and not lung. Genes identified in Mannheimia haemolytica infections were involved in activating classical and alternative pathways of complement. Novel findings, including expression of genes related to reduced mitochondrial oxygenation and ATP synthesis in consolidated lung tissue, were discovered. Genes identified in each analysis represent distinct genomic events relevant to understanding and predicting clinical BRD. The few genes shared across analyses may be reliably associated with clinical BRD. Our analysis demonstrates the utility of ML with published datasets for discovering functional information to support prediction and understanding BRD acquisition.
Impact of Lipid Profile, Cardiac Biomarkers, Serum Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Activity, Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant on Blood Pressure Status
Authors: Mehri Sounira , Rebhi Ikhlass , KHAMLAOUI Wided , Finsterer Josef , Chaaba Raja , zarrouk Sinda , HAMMAMI Sonia , HAMMAMI Mohamed
Published: August 2021

The hemodynamic determinants of myocardial oxygen demand measured were heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (BP), and rate pressure product (RPP). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of lipid profile, cardiac biomarkers, and serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, oxidative stress (plasma malondialdehyde, MDA; conjugated diene, DC), and antioxidant status (glutathione peroxidase, GPx) on BP. Three hundred and six non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients compared to 410 healthy controls. The diastolic and systolic BP was correlated positively with serum ACE activity. The rate pressure product (RPP) was correlated negatively with Fasting glucose (r= -0.144; p = 0.012), HbA1c (r= -0.117; p = 0.041) and GPx activity (r= -0.148; p = 0.009), and positively with smoking (r = 0,197; p = 0.001), BMI (r = 0,219; p = 0.001), peak cTnI (r = 0.131; p = 0.022), serum ACE activity (r = 0,190; p = 0.001) and DC level (r = 0.189; p = 0.001) in NSTEMI patients. Regarding healthy controls, no correlation was found between the diastolic or systolic BP with serum ACE activity, peak cTnI, MDA, DC level, GPx activity, and lipid parameters. The existence of a specific correlation between the rate pressure product, diastolic and systolic BP and, lipid profile, serum ACE activity and, cardiac biomarkers, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status increase the NSTEMI risk on patients.
A Real-World-Data Retrospective Cohort Study of Low Estrogen Receptor Positive Early Breast Cancer: Natural History and Treatment Outcomes.
Authors: Costa Ricardo , Bari Shahla , Boulware David , Li Jiannong , Loftus Loretta , Soyano Aixa , Jameel Zena , Khong Hung , Czerniecki Brian
Published: August 2021

Purpose
Estrogen receptor–positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease with an ongoing debate regarding the optimal cutoff point for clinically relevant ER expression. We used a real-world database to assess prognostic and predictive values of lower ER expression levels on treatment outcomes with endocrine therapy.
Methods
We used a nationwide electronic health record– (EHR-) derived deidentified database. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the correlation between ER expression, tumor characteristics, and treatment patterns among patients with early-stage BC. We used Kaplan-Meier survival curves to estimate relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). To assess an optimal ER expression level cut point, correlations between ER+ expression and clinical outcomes were performed.
Results
Among 4697 patients with early-stage BC, 83 (1.76%) had ER+-low BC (ER expression, 1%-9.99%), and 36 (0.8%) had ER+-intermediate BC (10%-19.9%). ER+-low tumors were associated with higher tumor grade, larger size and higher axillary tumor burden than ER+-high tumors (≥ 20% ER expression). African Americans had a higher prevalence of both triple-negative BC (TNBC; 21%) and ER+-low BC (22%) than ER+-high tumors (8%). Patients with ER+-low and ER+-intermediate tumors had survival outcomes similar to patients with TNBC and worse survival outcomes than patients with ER+-high tumors (P < .001). No significant correlations between endocrine therapy and RFS or OS were observed among patients with either ER+-low or ER+-intermediate BCs. Further tumors with < 20% ER expression were associated with worse outcomes.
Conclusions
Patients with ER expression levels < 20% derive minimal benefit from endocrine therapies.
Wireless Power Transfer System with Enhanced Efficiency by Using Frequency Reconfigurable Metamaterial
Authors: Shan Dongyong , Wang Haiyue , Cao Ke , Zhang Junhua
Published: August 2021

The wireless power transfer (WPT) system has been widely used in various fields such as household appliances, electric vehicle charging and sensor applications. A frequency reconfigurable magnetic resonant coupling wireless power transfer (MRCWPT) system with dynamically enhanced efficiency by using the frequency reconfigurable metamaterial is proposed in this paper. The reconfigurability is achieved by adjusting the capacitance value of the variable capacitor connected in the coil of the system. Finite element simulation results have shown that the frequency reconfigurable electromagnetic metamaterial can manipulate the direction of the electromagnetic field of the system due to its abnormal effective permeability. The ultra-thin frequency reconfigurable metamaterial is designed at the different working frequency of 14.1 MHz, 15 MHz, 16.2 MHz, 17.5 MHz, 19.3 MHz, 21.7 MHz and 25 MHz to enhance the magnetic field and power transfer efficiency (PTE) of the system. Frequency reconfigurable mechanism of the system with the frequency reconfigurable metamaterial is derived by the equivalent circuit theory. Finally, further measurement which verifies the simulation by reasonable agreement is carried out. PTE of the system by adding the metamaterial are 59%, 73%, 67%, 66%, 65%, 60% and 58% at different working frequencies. PTE of the system without and with the metamaterial is 72% and 49% at the distance of 120 mm and the frequency of 15 MHz, respectively.
Biomechanical Effects of Polyetheretherketone and Titanium Rods in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Li Jie , Cao Shuai , Wang Jie , Zong Gaoyang , Qiao Hao , Liu Weidong , Li Haopeng , Lu Teng
Published: August 2021

Background: Currently, the comprehensive biomechanical evaluation of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is limited. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical differences between titanium alloy (Ti) rods and PEEK rods in TLIF. Methods: L3-5 lumbar models were developed using the finite element method. Four surgical models of TLIF were constructed by simulating different fusion methods and rods: cage fusion with Ti rods, cage fusion with PEEK rods, bone graft alone with Ti rods, and bone graft alone with PEEK rods. The range of motion (ROM) and stress distribution of the surgical and adjacent segments were then compared. Results: Compared to the Ti rods, the PEEK rods increased the ROM by 0.7–20% at the L4/5 segment and decreased the ROM by 0.8–15.1% at the L3/4 segment. The disc stresses at the L3/4 level were similar among the surgical models (0.79–1.80 MPa). The peak stresses of the screws, rods, and bone-screw interfaces in the PEEK rod models were 0–1.2 times, 1.6–4.4 times, and 0–1.4 times lower than those of the Ti rod models, respectively. PEEK rods increased the average strain of the bone graft by 0.5–61.6% and the stresses of the cage by 0.9–44.1% and endplates by 2.1–52.9%. Conclusion: In TLIF, PEEK rods played a positive role in restoring the ROM. They also increased the strain of the bone graft, stresses of the endplates and cages, and the risk of rod fracture and reduced the stress of the screw-rod system. Bone grafts alone combined with PEEK rods had acceptable biomechanical behavior in TLIF.
Real-World Effectiveness of Liraglutide Versus Dulaglutide In Japanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Tanaka Kenichi , Okada Yosuke , Tokutsu Akemi , Tanaka Yoshiya
Published: August 2021

Real-world data comparing the effectiveness of various glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are limited. We investigated the clinical effectiveness of liraglutide and dulaglutide in Japanese T2DM in a real-world setting. This retrospective study included 179 patients with T2DM who were treated with GLP-1 RA for at least 12 months (liraglutide, n=97; dulaglutide, n=82). Changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) at the end of 12-month treatment were evaluated. Compared with the liraglutide group, the dulaglutide group included significantly older patients with longer disease duration, lower body mass index, and higher proportion of dementia cases. HbA1c was significantly lower at 12 months in both groups (liraglutide, 8.9 to 7.6%; dulaglutide, 8.8 to 7.5%). Hierarchical regression analysis showed no differences in the extent of changes in HbA1c at 12 months between the two agents, after adjustment for differences in patient characteristics and drug adjustments during the 12-month period. High baseline HbA1c, the addition of GLP-1 RA treatment, and in-hospital initiation of GLP-1 RA treatment were identified as significant contributing factors to HbA1c reduction. Although patient characteristics were different between the two treatment groups, comparable HbA1c-lowering effects were noted in real-world settings.
Gaucher disease: clinical phenotypes and refining GBA mutational spectrum in Thai patients
Authors: Phetthong Tim , Tim-Aroon Thipwimol , Khongkraparn Arthaporn , Noojarern Saisuda , Kuptanon Chulaluck , Wichajarn Khunton , Sathienkijkanchai Achara , Suphapeetiporn Kanya , Charoenkwan Pimlak , Tantiworawit Adisak , Noentong Naruwan , Wattanasirichaigoon Duangrurdee
Published: August 2021

Background
Gaucher disease (GD is a rare lysosomal storage disorder, characterized by hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia, with or without neurologic involvement. The disorder is categorized into three phenotypes: GD type 1 or nonneuronopathic GD; GD type 2 or acute neuronopathic GD; and GD type 3 or chronic neuronopathic GD. The purposes of this study were to describe clinical characteristics of Thai GD in patients diagnosed and/or followed up during 2010–2018 and to perform re-genotyping including analysis of GBA recombinant alleles which had not been investigated in Thai patients before.
Results
There were 27 patients from seven medical centers, enrolled in the study. All the cases had pediatric onset. GD3 (44.5%) was the most common phenotype, followed by GD2 (40.7%) and GD1 (14.8%), with one case of neonatal GD. The median age of onset for GD1, GD2, and GD3 was 72, 4 and 12 months, respectively, suggesting relatively earlier onset of GD1 and GD3 in Thai patients. All patients with GD1 and most patients with GD3 received ERT. Four patients with GD3 had ERT followed by HSCT. Patients with GD3 who received no or late ERT showed unfavorable outcomes. We identified 14 mutations including two novel (p.S384F and p.W533*) and 12 reported pathogenic variants: p.L483P, p.N409S, p.R159W, p.P305A, p.A175G, p.D448H, p.V414L, IVS2 + 1G > A, IVS6-1G > C, IVS7 + 1G > C, IVS9-3C > G, and Rec1a. The p.L483P was the most prevalent allele found in this study, at 66% (33/50 alleles), followed by IVS2 + 1G > A, Rec1a, and IVS6-1G > C. Twenty-four percent of patients were reassigned with validated genotypes, most of whom (4 of 6) were patients with GD2. The [p.S384F + p.W533*] being compounded with p.L483P, was found in the patient with neonatal GD, suggesting that the p.S384F could potentiate the deleterious effect of the p.W533*, and/or vice versa.
Conclusions
Neuronopathic GD was strikingly prevalent among Thai affected population. Homozygous p.L483P was the most common genotype identified in Thai patients. Recombinant allele Rec1a and splicing mutations were associated with GD2 and severe cases of GD3. Mutation spectrum could be useful for designing stepwise molecular analysis, genetic screenings in population, and new therapeutic research for neuronopathic GD.
Influence of Surface Passivation on Perovskite CsPbBr1.2I1.8 Quantum Dots and Application of High Purity Red Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Chen Lung-Chien , Tien Yen-Hung , Tian Jianjun
Published: August 2021

In this work, trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) ligand is employed to improve the quality of CsPbBr1.2I1.8 quantum dots (QDs) films. Lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2) is also used to passivate the surface of the films. The study of ligand and surface passivation on the luminous efficiency of red light-emitting diode (LED) is discussed. The CsPbBr1.2I1.8 QDs films co-doped with TOPO and Pb(NO3)2 can effectively improve the performance of the CsPbBr1.2I1.8 QDs LEDs due to reduction of non-radiation recombination of the carriers and smooth morphology in the active layer, thus improving the injection and transportation capabilities of carriers. As a result, the highest luminosity and current efficiency are 502.7 cd/m2 and 0.175 cd/A, respectively.
Increasing Autophagy ameliorate all-trans-retinal-activated NLRP3 Inflammasome 2 in human THP-1 macrophage cells
Authors: Xia Qingqing , Huang Lvxing , Chen Hengyi , Zhou Yingying , Zhang Lingmin , Xie Jing , Wang Junjuan , Li Jie
Published: August 2021

BackgroundProfound inflammation that mediated by innate immune sensors can be observed in retina, and is considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of all-trans-retinal (atRAL)-caused retinal degeneration. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. MethodsCell viability was detected with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). The concentration of IL-1β was evaluated using IL-1β ELISA Kits. The levels of autophagy-related proteins were measured by Western blotting. The measurement of autophagic flux was performed with virus vectors packing tandem monomeric mCherry-eGFP-tagged LC3B. ResultsWe focused on studying the effects of atRAL on macrophage cell line THP-1 and determining the underlying signal pathway through pharmacological and genetical manipulation. We first found the maturation and release of IL-1β was regulated by the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. We secondly found that mitochondria-associated reactive oxygen species (ROS) were involved in the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and caspase 1 cleavage. Finally, we found that atRAL functionally activated autophagy in THP-1 cells, and atRAL-caused NLRP3 inflammasome activation is suppressed by autophagy. Overall, our results show atRAL simultaneously activates NLRP3 inflammasome and autophagy in THP-1 cells, and increasing autophagy leads to the inhibition of the excessive activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Our study provides new insight into the pathogenesis of aging related retina degeneration.
Systematic comparison of incomplete-supervision approaches for biomedical imaging classification
Authors: Boushehri Sayedali Shetab , Qasim Ahmad , Waibel Dominik , Schmich Fabian , Marr Carsten
Published: August 2021

Deep learning based classification of biomedical images requires manual annotation by experts, which is time-consuming and expensive. Incomplete-supervision approaches including active learning, pre-training and semi-supervised learning address this issue and aim to increase classification performance with a limited number of annotated images. Up to now, these approaches have been mostly benchmarked on natural image datasets, where image complexity and class balance typically differ considerably from biomedical classification tasks. In addition, it is not clear how to combine them to improve classification performance on biomedical image data. We thus performed an extensive grid search combining seven active learning algorithms, three pre-training methods and two training strategies as well as respective baselines (random sampling, random initialization, and supervised learning). For four biomedical datasets, we started training with 1% of labeled data and increased it by 5% iteratively, using 4-fold cross-validation in each cycle. We found that the contribution of pre-training and semi-supervised learning can reach up to 20% macro F1-score in each cycle. In contrast, the state-of-the-art active learning algorithms contribute less than 5% to macro F1-score in each cycle. Based on performance, implementation ease and computation requirements, we recommend the combination of BADGE active learning, ImageNet-weights pre-training, and pseudo-labeling as training strategy, which reached over 90% of fully supervised results with only 25% of annotated data for three out of four datasets. We believe that our study is an important step towards annotation and resource efficient model training for biomedical classification challenges.
Inter-Basin Water Governance by Transfer Rules Based on System Dynamics
Authors: Abdi-Dehkordi Mehri , Bozorg-Haddad Omid , Salavitabar Abdolrahim , Loáiciga Hugo A.
Published: August 2021

Inter-basin water transfers are widely implemented to counter the uneven geographical distribution of natural water sources. The Big Karun Basin, Iran, has long been of interest to water managers due to its discharge potential, and where several water transfer projects are operated or are under study. This study implements system dynamics modeling (SDM) to the Big Karun Basin consisting of 6 dams, 12 drinking and industrial consumers, 7 fish farmers, 31 agricultural consumers, 5 operational inter-basin water transfer projects, and 7 under-study inter-basin water transfer projects. SDM was applied considering existing inter-basin water transfers. The results show an average annual 8 to 10 billion cubic meters of water is transfered from the Karun River to the Persian Gulf. Part of this flow can be used to meet some of the water demands in the central and eastern basins of Iran subject to accurate social and environmental assessment of impacts. SDM modeling was also implemented accounting for all existing water transfers plus under-study water transfers. The results indicate the firm energy from hydropower produced by the Big Karun Basin system would decrease by 28% relative to existing water transfer conditions. This issue raises concerns given the Big Karun Basin contribution to electricity production Iran. The water supply to several sectors would be marginally impacted by future water tranfers, yet water quality would be compromised in some instances. Therefore, the Big Karun Basin water system was simulated considering inter-basin water governance based on hedging rules for the under-study water transfers. Results indicate the minimum demands of destination basins and source basin (drinking and industrial consumers) couldbe met, the hydropower energy could be generated with a high reliability when implementing inter-basin water governance. The results also indicate the firm energy from hydropower produced by the Big Karun Basin system would decrease by 12% relative to existing water transfer conditions and the vulnerability of the water system would decrease in terms of required quality for downstream demands and water users relative to the full-transfer water condition.
Expression and Function of Tumor Necrosis Factor- α-Induced Protein 8-Like (TIPE) Family in Glioma
Authors: Chen Qiong , Wang Haitao , Li Jing , Chen Yisi , Liu Tiancai , Deng Hao , Lin Li , Xu Jiangping
Published: August 2021

Although novel strategies of glioma are emerging sequentially, the effectiveness of novel treatment remains suboptimal at present. Therefore, profiles of molecular are needed for improving diagnosis, survival prediction and identification of therapeutic targets for glioma. Tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein 8-like (TNFAIP8/TIPE) family members are involved in tumorigenesis and inflammatory responses but have been poorly studied in glioma. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression and functions of TIPE family in glioma. The expression data of the TIPE family from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas(CGGA), the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were conducted to analyze TIPEs expression and functional networks in gliomas. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression were performed to access the overall survival of these genes. The related functional networks were identified using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and LinkedOmics. The relationship between TNFAIP8 and tumor immune system were analyzed by TISIDB. The results shown that TIPEs were generally expression in gliomas. Glioma patients with high TNFAIP8 levels tend to be more malignant than those with low expression and are associated with reduced survival. GSEA identified a variety of oncogenic and immune pathway that were tightly linked with TNFAIP8. TISIDB data found that TINAIP8 expression was significantly positively correlated with immune infiltrates cells and immune-related factors.TNFAIP8 exhibit crucial role in reduced survival in glioma and could serve as a potential prognostic biomarker. The present study revealed the expression patterns and potential functional networks of TNFAIP8 in glioma, providing insights for future research of the role of TNFAIP8 in carcinogenesis.
Experimental Demonstrations of Coherence de Broglie Waves Using Sub-Poisson Distributed Coherent Photon Pairs
Authors: Kim S. , Ham Byoung S.
Published: August 2021

Recently, a new interpretation of quantum mechanics has been developed for the wave nature of a photon, where determinacy in quantum correlations becomes an inherent property without the violation of quantum mechanics. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a direct proof of the wave natures of quantum correlation for the so-called coherence de Broglie waves (CBWs) using sub-Poisson distributed coherent photon pairs obtained from an attenuated laser. The observed experimental data coincides with the analytic solutions and the numerical calculations. Thus, the CBWs pave a road toward deterministic and macroscopic quantum technologies for such as quantum metrology, quantum sensing, and even quantum communications, that are otherwise heavily limited due to the microscopic non-determinacy of the particle nature-based quantum mechanics.
Role of Nrf2 Signaling in Development of Hepatocyte-Like Cells
Authors: Takasu Chie , Gao Luping , Saito Yu , Morine Yuji , Ikemoto Tetsuya , Yamada Shinichiro , Miyazaki Katsuki , Okikawa Shouhei , Shimada Mitsuo
Published: August 2021

Generation of hepatocytes from human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) could be a promising alternative source of human hepatocytes. However, mechanisms to differentiate hepatocytes from hADSCs are not fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the role of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) in differentiation of hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs). We used our established three-step differentiation protocol to develop HLCs from hADSCs. Significant nuclear translocation of Nrf2 occurred from day 11 (Step 2) until the end of HLC differentiation. There were no significant differences in Nrf2 translocation rates among the four experimental groups (activin-A, GSK3 inhibitor, Nrf2 siRNA, and control) at day 6 (end of Step 1). Nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in the GSK3 inhibitor-treated group was obviously higher than the other groups at day 11 (Step 2). Moreover, nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in the GSK3 inhibitor-treated group was notably higher than the other groups during Step 3. CYP3A4 activity (Luciferin-IPA assay) of the GSK3 inhibitor-treated group was significantly higher than the other three groups. Nrf2 was activated during differentiation of HLCs, and inhibition of Nrf2 delayed maturation and impaired the function of HLCs. Thus, Nrf2 might be a notable target for developing highly functional human HLCs.
Investigation of Crystal Structure, Electrical and Magnetic Properties of Spinel Mn-Cd Ferrite Nanoparticles
Authors: Badr M. H. , Nasr M. H. , Elkholy M. M. , El-Deen L. M. S. , Turky Gamal M. , Moustafa M. , Abouhaswa A. S. , Hamalawy A. A. EL
Published: August 2021

Fe2Cd1-xMnxO4 (x= 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) spinel ferrite nanoparticle samples were synthesized using a flash auto-combustion technique and analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The inspection of dielectric and magnetic properties of the prepared ferrites was carried out by using broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and vibration sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements, respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis verified the formation of the main cubic phase with space group Fd3m and a decrease in lattice constants with the increase in Mn-content. FTIR study revealed the two characteristic absorption bands of spinel ferrites and their dependence on Mn-content was investigated and explained. Elastic moduli such as Longitudinal, transverse and mean elastic wave velocities (𝑉𝑙 , 𝑉𝑡 𝑉𝑚), bulk modulus (𝐵), rigidity modulus (𝐺), Young modulus (𝐸) and calculated Debye temperature (θD) have been studied and found to decrease with the increase in Mn-content. SEM analysis revealed nanoparticles agglomeration of uniform grains with increasing in the average grain size as Mn-content increased. The VSM measurements showed an increase in saturation magnetization (Ms) accompanied by a decrease in coercivity (Hc) as Mn-content increased. Dielectric investigations showed very high values of permittivity and dielectric loss at lower frequencies reflecting the combination of exchange of electrons between ferrous and ferric ions and ions’ transport. The ac-conductivity showed a plateau that yields the dc-conductivity (σdc) at lower frequencies followed by a characteristic frequency (νc) at which it tends out to follow a power law. The relation between these two parameters confirms the empirical BNN-relation.
Pannexin-1 promotes the invasion of pituitary adenoma by modulating ATP release
Authors: Tang Xiaoshuang
Published: August 2021

Background

Pannexin-1 (Panx1) channel participates in the development of many tumor subtypes, however, its role of Panx1 in pituitary adenoma (PA) remains largely unknown. The current study was designed to investigate the role of Panx1 in PA, especially in the invasion of PA.
Methods

We examined the expression of Panx1 in 56 surgical PA samples, which were divided into invasive and noninvasive groups. We also established Panx1-overexpressing (Panx1-OE) PA cells using the GH3 and MMQ cell lines in vitro.
Results

We found that the expression of Panx1 in invasive PA was significantly upregulated compared with noninvasive PA and pituitary gland and that Panx1-OE could promote the invasion of these cell lines but had no effect on their proliferation. Further metabolomics experiments confirmed that Panx1-OE could trigger changes in several metabolic pathways of GH3 cells. Among the dysregulated cellular metabolites, we found that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) could be released to the extracellular matrix through the Panx1 channel and thereby enhance the invasion of GH3 cells. Mechanistically, ATP promoted extracellular Ca2+ influx and upregulated the expression of secretagogin and MMP-2/9 by activating the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R). We also found that the Panx1-ATP-P2X7R signaling pathway may promote GH3 cell invasion by remodeling the actin cytoskeleton.
Conclusion

Taken together, our findings point to a pivotal role of Panx1 in promoting PA invasion, indicating its use as a potential therapeutic target for invasive PA.
The press and Nigeria's isolationist foreign policy (1993-1998)
Authors: Nworgu K. O.
Published: August 2021

Gen. Sani Abacha took over from Chief Ernest Shonekan's interim government which was formed when Gen Ibrahim Babangida "stepped aside". On assumption of office, Abacha was faced with the imminent disintegration of the country caused by the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, widely believed to have been won by the late businessman, Chief M. K. O. Abiola. Also, threatening the administration was the activities of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) both at home and abroad. The main objective of this study was to find out how the press covered Nigeria's foreign policy within 1993-1998. The study involved content analysis, historical and case study designs. The instrument for data collection included content analysis of newspaper contents library material related to the subject matter. The sampling technique used for the study is the purposive sampling, involving all the newspaper stories, features, opinion articles on the subject matter. The population included all newspaper stories published on Abacha’s regime within the period of 1993-1998. A total sampling size of 56 news stories, articles and features were selected purposively through the constructed weeks based on two days interval. Four national newspapers, namely, The Guardian, This Day, the Vanguard and the Post Express were used. From the findings of the study we concluded that press reports on the examined foreign policy did not make much impact on the outcome of these foreign policy issues since the military regime in power never wanted opposition or criticisms. Therefore, the regime went ahead to Isolate itself from main stream international politics and the press was helpless due to the fear of being gagged or proscribed as was the practice of the Abacha's administration. However, the press assumed a patriotic posture in her support for the regime's approach to Bakassi Peninsula dispute between Nigeria and Cameroun. Also the issue of peace keeping in the sub-region got the strong approval of the Nigerian press, even when a cross section of Nigerian citizens were skeptical about the regime interventionist policy in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Of Benevolence and Unity: Unpacking China's Policy Discourses Toward Southeast Asia
Authors: Gloria Enrico
Published: August 2021

While much attention has been directed on the security and economic implications of China’s rise in the region, research on the normative implications of China’s persistent attempt at projecting a positive major power identity continue to be lacking. This paper seeks to contribute to this growing literature, as it applies Social Identity Theory (SIT) in analyzing China’s discourses toward Southeast Asia from Mao to Xi. More specifically, it unpacks social identity phenomena within discourses reflected in official documents by using predicate analysis. Insights from the findings of this paper underscore China’s growing role as a normative power driven by a longstanding objective to be perceived positively and distinctively. Likewise, this paper also finds that there is a continuity with respect to China’s foreign policy discourse of depicting Sino-Southeast Asia relations as unique and united. There are also indications that Southeast Asia has consistently been presented as benefiting from its relations with China, thereby treating it as a prototype of what a Sino-centric order might offer for the rest of the world. Ultimately, China’s discourses of itself, Southeast Asia, and Sino-Southeast Asia relations point to major power aspirations of constructing a united in-group and a positive identity.
Rheumatoid arthritis of menopause: there are more questions than answers
Authors: Khashukoeva A. Z. , Naumov A. V. , Meshkov A. D. , Rassokhina O. V.
Published: August 2021

The article is devoted to an urgent issue - rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The symptoms of arthritis appear in women during menopause. Literature data show that it is often during period of poor reproductive function that the disease first manifests itself in women. RA significantly affects the prognosis of women’s life expectancy and quality. The clinical and pathogenetic relationships between autoimmune diseases (one of which is RA) and the features of menopause remain poorly understood and require research. Basically, papers devoted to the problem present epidemiological studies and the study of the relationships between sex hormones levels and inflammatory mediators that are specific to RA.

A literature review on the features of the onset and course of rheumatoid arthritis in menopausal women is presented. The most accepted in the literature explanations characterizing the relationship between changes during menopause and RA are arguments about the protective effect of estrogens on the cells of the musculoskeletal system and the ability of estrogens to influence the intensity of inflammation (systemic inflammation of low intensity associated with age). In the case of the development of rheumatoid arthritis in old age, higher levels of IL-6 and lower TNFa are revealed. This fact gives rise to the choice of basic therapy in favor of a humanized monoclonal antibody to the human interleukin-6 receptor - tocilizumab.

The review may be of interest to both practising rheumatologists, neurologists, and gynecologists and general practitioners.
Effect of physical rehabilitation programs on the recovery sensorimotor functions in premature infants during the postnatal ontogenes’s period
Authors: Nalobina A. N. , Volova M. V. , Dakuko A. N.
Published: August 2021

Introduction.Improving the treatment of premature infants is one of the priorities in the development of perinatal care for children in Russia. The widespread introduction of modern high-tech methods of resuscitation of premature children has shown its effectiveness in improving their survival. However this has led to an increase in various health disorders. Therefore, it is extremely important to determine and practically use effective technologies of medical care that will not only save the lives of children born prematurely, but also significantly affect their health indicators in subsequent age periods.

Purpose of the study. To study the influence of various physical rehabilitation programs on the development of adaptive reactions and correction of impaired sensorimotor functions in early postnatal ontogenesis in premature infants.

Materials and methods.A comprehensive study of 120 infants in the first year of life was carried out, including functional testing, anthropometric, general clinical and physiological methods for the development and assessment of the impact of physical rehabilitation programs of different volume and content on sensorimotor development and the state of adaptive capabilities of the body of premature infants in the first year of life.

Results.The maximum effectiveness of rehabilitation measures for premature infants of the first year of life was noted only with a combination of sympathetic type of autonomic regulation of the heart rate and a program that included therapeutic exercises, massage, dry immersion and hydrokinesitherapy. In premature babies with a pronounced predominance of sympathetic regulation of the heart rhythm, the smallest rehabilitation programs are most appropriate.

Conclusions. When developing a physical rehabilitation program, it is necessary to take into account the state of the adaptive capabilities of the body of premature infants in the first year of life, which can be determined by the type of autonomic regulation of the heart rate.
Optimization of the method for diagnostics of cardial autonomic neuropathy in diabetes mellitus 2 types
Authors: Moshkhoeva L. S. , Barinov A. N.
Published: August 2021

Introduction. Early diagnosis of cardiac autonomic neuropathy is the basis for the risk of heart disease and premature death in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes). All patients with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes should undergo annual screening, including history taking and neurophysiologic evaluation, for early diabetic autonomic neuropathy. This article describes a modern diagnostic technique based on changes in heart rate variability, which allows early detection of damage to the parasympathetic nervous system and timely prescribing disease-modifying treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and methods. The study included 50 patients with type 2 diabetes (cf. Age 56.5 ± 13.5 years) and 30 healthy subjects (cf. Age 58 ± 10 years), matched by sex and age. according to the NSC questionnaire, the severity of neurological deficit - according to the NIS-LL scale, neuropathic pain syndrome - according to the TSS scale.

Results. In the study group of patients with type 2 diabetes, severe CAN was detected in 13.3%, moderate CAN in 40% of patients, in 46.6% of patients, CAN was not detected. In the group of healthy volunteers, disorders of the autonomic nervous system of moderate were detected in 3.3%, in the remaining 96.7% of autonomic disorders were not accepted.

Conclusion. The results of pulse oximetric tests with deep breathing are comparable to the results of the QAT device Case-4 (p < 0.001). The method of pulse oximetric diagnostics is more practical to use in comparison with the hardware QAT.
Padrão e Determinantes da Infraestrutura Urbana dos Municípios Paraenses
Authors: Rebello Fabrício Khoury , Souza Carina Chagas Madeira de , Santos Marcos Antônio Souza dos , Lopes Maria Lúcia Bahia , Bello Leonardo Augusto Lobato
Published: August 2021

O artigo analisa o desenvolvimento dos municípios paraenses a partir de aspectos determinantes de sua infraestrutura urbana. Neste sentido, foi elaborado um Índice de Infraestrutura Urbana (IIU) para aferir o desenvolvimento relativo da infraestrutura disponível, verificar quais fatores determinam este desenvolvimento e hierarquizar os municípios de acordo com diferentes graus de infraestrutura (Alto, Médio e Baixo). O modelo foi concebido a partir de análise fatorial que identificou dois fatores que explicam 91,12% da variância total dos dados. Os resultados revelam que a grande maioria dos municípios (61,11%) foi classificada com baixo grau de infraestrutura e que apenas 3,47% foram considerados com alto grau, sendo que boa parte desses estão localizados na Região Metropolitana de Belém (RMB) onde, historicamente, tem se concentrado os maiores investimentos públicos e privados. Esta realidade demonstra a necessidade de se implantar medidas mais efetivas e sinérgicas nos investimentos públicos, realizados pela União, Estado e municípios, como forma de estimular o ambiente econômico propício para enfrentar desafios vitais ligados à qualidade de vida dos paraenses, tendo em conta que o estado do Pará e a Amazônia, de maneira geral, exibem baixo desempenho nos mais variados indicadores socioambientais e econômicos.