bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Pathology of Asthma: What Is Obstructing Our View?
Authors: Aegerter Helena , Lambrecht Bart N.
Published: October 2022

Despite the advent of sophisticated and efficient new biologics to treat inflammation in asthma, the disease persists. Even following treatment, many patients still experience the well-known symptoms of wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. What are we missing? Here we examine the evidence that mucus plugs contribute to a substantial portion of disease, not only by physically obstructing the airways but also by perpetuating inflammation. In this way, mucus plugs may act as an immunogenic stimulus even in the absence of allergen or with the use of current therapeutics. The alterations of several parameters of mucus biology, driven by type 2 inflammation, result in sticky and tenacious sputum, which represents a potent threat, first due to the difficulties in expectoration and second by acting as a platform for viral, bacterial, or fungal colonization that allows exacerbations. Therefore, in this way, mucus plugs are an overlooked but critical feature of asthmatic airway disease.
Myostatin: A Skeletal Muscle Chalone
Authors: Lee Se-Jin
Published: October 2022

Myostatin (GDF-8) was discovered 25 years ago as a new transforming growth factor-β family member that acts as a master regulator of skeletal muscle mass. Myostatin is made by skeletal myofibers, circulates in the blood, and acts back on myofibers to limit growth. Myostatin appears to have all of the salient properties of a chalone, which is a term proposed over a half century ago to describe hypothetical circulating, tissue-specific growth inhibitors that control tissue size. The elucidation of the molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms underlying myostatin activity suggests that myostatin functions as a negative feedback regulator of muscle mass and raises the question as to whether this type of chalone mechanism is unique to skeletal muscle or whether it also operates in other tissues.
Metabolic Recruitment in Brain Tissue
Authors: Barros L.F. , Ruminot I. , Sotelo-Hitschfeld T. , Lerchundi R. , Fernández-Moncada I.
Published: October 2022

Information processing imposes urgent metabolic demands on neurons, which have negligible energy stores and restricted access to fuel. Here, we discuss metabolic recruitment, the tissue-level phenomenon whereby active neurons harvest resources from their surroundings. The primary event is the neuronal release of K+that mirrors workload. Astrocytes sense K+in exquisite fashion thanks to their unique coexpression of NBCe1 and α2β2 Na+/K+ATPase, and within seconds switch to Crabtree metabolism, involving GLUT1, aerobic glycolysis, transient suppression of mitochondrial respiration, and lactate export. The lactate surge serves as a secondary recruiter by inhibiting glucose consumption in distant cells. Additional recruiters are glutamate, nitric oxide, and ammonium, which signal over different spatiotemporal domains. The net outcome of these events is that more glucose, lactate, and oxygen are made available. Metabolic recruitment works alongside neurovascular coupling and various averaging strategies to support the inordinate dynamic range of individual neurons.
Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Health and Disease
Authors: Xu Yang , Kovacic Jason C.
Published: October 2022

The endothelium is one of the largest organ systems in the body, and data continue to emerge regarding the importance of endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction in vascular aging and a range of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Over the last two decades and as a process intimately related to EC dysfunction, an increasing number of studies have also implicated endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) as a potentially disease-causal pathobiologic process that is involved in a multitude of differing CVDs. However, EndMT is also involved in physiologic processes (e.g., cardiac development), and transient EndMT may contribute to vascular regeneration in certain contexts. Given that EndMT involves a major alteration in the EC-specific molecular program, and that it potentially contributes to CVD pathobiology, the clinical translation opportunities are significant, but further molecular and translational research is needed to see these opportunities realized.
Multiple Facets of Cellular Homeostasis and Regeneration of the Mammalian Liver
Authors: Huppert Stacey S. , Schwartz Robert E.
Published: October 2022

Liver regeneration occurs in response to diverse injuries and is capable of functionally reestablishing the lost parenchyma. This phenomenon has been known since antiquity, encapsulated in the Greek myth where Prometheus was to be punished by Zeus for sharing the gift of fire with humanity by having an eagle eat his liver daily, only to have the liver regrow back, thus ensuring eternal suffering and punishment. Today, this process is actively leveraged clinically during living donor liver transplantation whereby up to a two-thirds hepatectomy (resection or removal of part of the liver) on a donor is used for transplant to a recipient. The donor liver rapidly regenerates to recover the lost parenchymal mass to form a functional tissue. This astonishing regenerative process and unique capacity of the liver are examined in further detail in this review.
CT-derived measurements of pulmonary blood volume in small vessels and the need for supplemental oxygen in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Dierckx Wendel , De Backer Wilfried , Lins Muriel , De Meyer Yinka , Ides Kris , Vandevenne Jan , De Backer Jan , Franck Erik , Lavon Ben R. , Lanclus Maarten , Thillai Muhunthan
Published: October 2022

This research provides, by using new imaging analysis on CT imaging, an insight into the pathophysiology of patients with COVID-19 infection. By visualizing and quantifying the blood in small vessels in the lung, we can link these results to the clinical need for oxygen in patients with COVID-19 infection.
Hypophosphatemia in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19), Complications, and Considerations: A Systematic Review
Authors: Fakhrolmobasheri Mohammad , Vakhshoori Mehrbod , Heidarpour Maryam , Najimi Arash , Mozafari Amir Mohamad , Rezvanian Hassan
Published: October 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has various manifestations on different body organs, including the lungs, heart, kidneys, and central nervous system. However, the frequency of electrolyte abnormalities, especially hypophosphatemia, is still debated in this pandemic. Our main aim in this review is to evaluate the frequency and complications of hypophosphatemia in COVID‐19‐infected individuals. A systematic literature review was performed in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane electronic databases with the combination of different keywords till October 2021. We recruited all relevant published records (including cross‐sectional and case‐control studies as well as editorials and brief reports) assessing hypophosphatemia among patients with COVID‐19 infection. After assessing all 928 recruited records and discarding duplicates, 4 records met the inclusion criteria. Three articles were further included during a manual search of the literature. Overall, the included studies reported 1757 subjects (males: 51.3%), with the mean age ranging from 37.2 ± 13.6 years to 65.9 ± 13.9 years. Hypophosphatemia prevalence has been reported from 7.6% to 19.5%. Patients with the severe status of COVID‐19 had a higher prevalence of low serum phosphate levels than those with moderate infection. This review indicates that hypophosphatemia might be categorized as a complication in clinical settings during the COVID‐19 pandemic, requiring a high clinical suspicion to implement appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to prevent life‐threatening outcomes. However, it needs to be more elucidated by further studies whether hypophosphatemia in severe COVID‐19 is directly related to COVID‐19 or is just a complication of severe illness.
Upregulation of Klotho Aggravates Insulin Resistance in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Trophoblast Cells
Authors: Lin Li , Wang Xinyu , Zhao Weihua , Chen Yaxuan
Published: October 2022

Objective. Insulin resistance (IR) plays a key role in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pathogenesis. The antiaging protein klotho has been proven to be closely related to IR. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of klotho on IR in GDM trophoblast cells. Methods. The GDM cell model of HTR-8/SVneo cells was induced by high glucose (HG). Plasmid transfection was used to mediate the overexpression or silencing of klotho. The effects of klotho on cell viability, IR, and the IGF-1/PI3K pathways were observed by RT-qPCR, western blot, Cell Counting Kit-8 detection, glucose uptake assay, and immunofluorescence detection. Results. Klotho expression was up-regulated in HG-induced cells. Overexpression of klotho could reduce the cell viability, insulin signaling molecules (INSR-α, INSR-β, IRS1, IRS2, and GLUT4), and glucose uptake in HTR-8/SVneo cells of the HG group. In addition, the overexpression of klotho inhibited the levels of IGF-1, IGF-1R/p-IGF-1R, and the phosphorylation and activation of the signal transduction molecules PI3K/Akt/mTOR. On the contrary, klotho deletions could reverse these changes of HTR-8/SVneo cells induced by HG. Conclusion. In a word, the results of this study showed that the regulation of klotho played an important role in the IR of trophoblast cells induced by HG, which was mediated at least in part by the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Exploring Age and Gender Differences in ICT Cybersecurity Behaviour
Authors: Branley-Bell Dawn , Coventry Lynne , Dixon Matt , Joinson Adam , Briggs Pam
Published: October 2022

Known age differences exist in relation to information and communication technology (ICT) use, attitudes, access, and literacy. Less is known about age differences in relation to cybersecurity risks and associated cybersecurity behaviours. Using an online survey, this study analyses data from 579 participants to investigate age differences across four key cybersecurity behaviours: device securement, password generation, proactive checking, and software updating. Significant age differences were found; however, this is not a straightforward relationship. Older users appear less likely to secure their devices compared to younger users; however, the reverse was found for the other behaviours, with older users appearing more likely to generate secure passwords and show proactive risk awareness and regularly install updates. Gender was not a significant predictor of security behaviour (although males scored higher for self-reported computer self-efficacy and general resilience). Self-efficacy was identified as a mediator between age and three of the cybersecurity behaviours (password generation, proactive checking, and updating). General resilience was also a significant mediator for device securement, password generation, and updating; however, resilience acted as a moderator for proactive checking. Implications of these findings are twofold: firstly, helping to guide the development of training and interventions tailored to different cybersecurity behaviours and secondly informing cybersecurity policy development.
Intrauterine Limb Ischemia in Patient Heterozygous for the 677C>T) RS1801133 (Polymorphism of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase MTHR Gene
Authors: Al Hammouri Ahmad , Misk Rami A. , Abumunshar Hamza , Abunejma Fawzy M. , Idrees Tasnim S. , Abu Arqoub Mahmoud , Malhis Deiaa , Shroof Abdullah , Alzughayyar Tareq Z.
Published: October 2022

Background. Intrauterine arterial thrombosis is extremely rare. Multiple inherited coagulopathies were found to be associated with thrombophilia and an increased risk of intrauterine arterial thrombosis. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase MTHFR (C667T) polymorphism was found to be associated with mild hyper-homocysteinemia, which, in turn, can promote thrombotic complications. Materials and Methods. We reported a case of intrauterine upper limb ischemia in a neonate who was found to be heterozygous for the 677C > T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene despite the dispute regarding its clinical significance as a risk of arterial thrombosis. We also reviewed the literature and summarized the clinical features, treatment, and prognosis of similar cases. Case Presentation. We reported a full-term female, born by normal spontaneous vaginal delivery who was found to have a swollen, blue left upper limb in the delivery room. Left upper limb computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed left subclavian artery thrombosis. Investigations for the risk revealed heterozygosity for the MTHFR (C667T) polymorphism. Left upper limb amputation was done after the failure of medical management. Conclusion. Despite the conflict about whether heterozygosity for MTHFR (C667T) polymorphism increases the risk of arterial thrombosis or not, there are few cases in the literature presented with intrauterine upper limb ischemia and were found to be heterozygous for the mutation. We recommend investigating neonates and their parents for complete thrombophilia mutations when they present with unusual vascular occlusion sites as newborns.
Assessment and Management of Cognitive and Psychosocial Difficulties for People with Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland: A National Survey of Clinical Practice
Authors: Hynes Sinéad M. , O’Keeffe Fiadhnait , Bane Eimear , Oglesby Megan H. , Dwyer Christopher P. , Joyce Robert , Klein Olga A.
Published: October 2022

Background. A recent survey of 109 healthcare professionals explored how UK healthcare professionals typically assess and treat multiple sclerosis (MS)-related cognitive impairment. Little is currently known about what constitutes usual care for cognitive impairment and psychosocial care for people with MS in Ireland. Aim. The aim of the current research was to survey healthcare professionals (HCPs) who work with people with MS, to understand current assessment and management of cognition and psychosocial care in people with MS in the Republic of Ireland. Methods. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Data were collected online through Microsoft forms and through postal responses. The original UK questionnaire was adapted, piloted, and distributed to Irish HCPs. Participants were qualified HCPs who work clinically with people with MS in the Republic of Ireland. Results. Ninety-eight HCPs completed the survey. Only 34% of those surveyed reported routine screening of cognition for people with MS within their services; approximately, 36% HCPs reported that they did not provide information or services in relation to cognition to people with MS and 39% reported not referring elsewhere when cognitive difficulties were suspected. Out of the 98 HCPs, 47% reported assessing mood difficulties as part of their services, with 14% unsure. In total, 70% of participants reported onward referral took place if mood difficulties were identified. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment was the most commonly administrated cognitive assessment. Cognitive intervention choices were found to be guided by clinical judgement in 75.5% of cases. Discussion. Despite the high importance placed on cognitive and psychosocial care, there is very little consistency in treatment and assessment across services for people with MS in Ireland.
Energy Management Systems Using Smart Grids: An Exhaustive Parametric Comprehensive Analysis of Existing Trends, Significance, Opportunities, and Challenges
Authors: Khan Nitasha , Shahid Zeeshan , Alam Muhammad Mansoor , Bakar Sajak Aznida Abu , Mazliham M. S. , Khan Talha Ahmed , Ali Rizvi Syed Safdar
Published: October 2022

The integration of widely fluctuating distributed generation (such as photovoltaic panels, wind power, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems) puts the stability of power technologies and distribution structures in jeopardy. However, the fundamental reason is that the electrical supply and demand ratio may not be balanced. An excess or scarcity of electricity in the production or consumption of energy can disrupt the system and cause serious difficulties such as voltage drops/rises and, in extreme cases, power outages. Energy management systems can efficiently increase the balance between supply and demand while reducing peak load during unscheduled periods. The energy management system can handle distributing or exchanging energy among the many energy resources available and economically supplying loads in a stable, safe, and effective manner under all power grid operating situations. This article examines the energy control system’s structure, goals, benefits, and challenges through an in-depth investigation of the various stakeholders and participants involved in this system. This review provides a detailed essential analysis of the operation of several programs used inside the power management system, such as demand response, demand management, and energy quality management. It also includes a summary of the smart grid’s functionalities, features, and related techniques and has discovered research gaps, challenges, and issues. Furthermore, in this article, the authors review the literature on the enabling technologies of smart grid and investigate the energy management system, which is among one of the major emerging technologies and quantifications of the various uncertainty techniques. In this paper, the authors also discussed the comprehensive review of researchers’ efforts and contributions to the smart energy management system in the smart grid. It also compares and evaluates the key optimization approaches utilized to achieve the remarkable aims of energy management structures while also fulfilling a variety of constraints. This comprehensive review will be very beneficial for the new researchers, and it would be a great contribution to the research community.
Reconstruction and Differential Expression Profiling Core Target Analyses of the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA Network Based on Competitive Endogenous RNAs in Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Xu Sai , Chen Shouqiang , Zhang Menghe , An Wenrong , Li Jie , Sun Zhenhai , Xu Yunsheng
Published: October 2022

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common autoimmune disease worldwide. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a type of noncoding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs). In addition to their roles in numerous biological processes, circRNAs are also linked to a vast range of diseases including UC. Although previous studies have examined many circRNAs, the physiological and pathological roles of the circRNA-associated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network in UC remain unclear. Thus, we constructed a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network based on the ceRNA hypothesis by analyzing data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information Gene Expression Omnibus (NCBI-GEO) database. Genes with higher degree values than others in the ceRNA network were selected as central nodes when constructing the corresponding core subnetworks. To fully understand the biological function of the ceRNA network, we entered all differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) from the ceRNA network into the Database for Annotation and Integrated Discovery (DAVID), which was used to perform Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. We further entered DEmRNAs into the STRING database for protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. The results elucidated that the ceRNA network comprised 403 circRNA nodes, 5 miRNA nodes, 138 mRNA nodes, and 559 edges. Three core ceRNA subnetworks centered on hsa-miR-342-3p, hsa-miR-199a-5p, and hsa-miR-142-3p were reconstructed in this study. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses identified 167 enriched GO categories and 14 enriched KEGG pathway terms. The core PPI network was composed of 15 core targets, of which CD44, HIF1A, and MMP2 were the most significant. In summary, 3 hub miRNAs (hsa-miR-342-3p, hsa-miR-199a-5p, hsa-miR-142-3p) and 3 hub genes (CD44, HIF1A, and MMP2) might play an important role in the development of UC. These hub nodes, first proposed here, might also be used as potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.
Finger Vein Verification on Different Datasets Based on Deep Learning with Triplet Loss
Authors: Li Jun , Yang Luokun , Ye Mingquan , Su Yang , Liu Juntong
Published: October 2022

In this study, deep learning and triplet loss function methods are used for finger vein verification research, and the model is trained and validated between different kinds of datasets including FV-USM, HKPU, and SDUMLA-HMT datasets. This work gives the accuracy and other evaluation indexes of finger vein verification calculated for different training-validation set combinations and gives the corresponding ROC curves and AUC values. The accuracy of the best result has reached 98%, and all the ROC AUC values are above 0.98, indicating that the obtained model can identify the finger veins well. Since the experiments are cross-validated between different kinds of datasets, the model has good adaptability and applicability. From the experimental results, it is also found that the model trained on the dataset that is more difficult to be distinguished will be a better and more robust model.
On the Recovery of a Conformable Time-Dependent Inverse Coefficient Problem for Diffusion Equation of Periodic Constraints Type and Integral Over-Posed Data
Authors: Abdel Aal Mohammad , Djennadi Smina , Abu Arqub Omar , Alsulami Hamed
Published: October 2022

In the utilized analysis, we consider the inverse coefficient problem of recovering the time-dependent diffusion coefficient along the solution of the conformable time-diffusion equation subject to periodic boundary conditions and an integral over-posed data. Along with this, the conformable time derivative with order

0
<
η
≤
1

is defined in the sense of a limit operator. The formal solution set for the considered inverse coefficient conformable problem is acquired via utilizing the Fourier expansion method. Under some conditions on the data and applicability of the Banach theorem, we insured the existence and uniqueness of the regular solution. Continuous dependence of the solutions set

q

t

,
u

x
,
t

in the given data is shown. Couples of illustrative examples in the form of data results and computational figures are also utilized. Future remarks, highlights, and work results are epitomized in the penultimate part. Finally, some latest used and focused references are given.
Aiming Sustainable Transportation Utilizing Social Capital: A Perspective of Mobile Car Park App
Authors: Ahad Md Taimur , Song Bo , Li Yan , Rahman F. M. Nafis
Published: October 2022

The mobile car parking (MCP) app provides users to locate a car park and park his/her car, which is expected to contribute to sustainable transportation. Previous mobile phone-based studies have also advocated that mobile apps create a social network among the users. However, MCP studies have yet not addressed the notion of such social capital which is expected to contribute to the sustainable transportation in a city. MCP, in fact, can also create a communication network among car owners, drivers, and car park owners and offer a unique base for studying social capital and resource utilization opportunities. To reduce the gap in existing studies, in this study, an android-based MCP app was developed as a tool to study the components of social capital. After developing the MCP app, two focus group studies were conducted to explore the components an MCP app can provide. Lastly, we linked the social capital components to the sustainable transportation goals. This research pinpointed several social capital components that are addressable to sustainable transportation, including information exchange, communication, connectedness, time-saving capabilities, mobility, coordination, plan-based journeys, and an opportunity to generate income from the social network. Moreover, very few studies have reported that social capital empirically contributes to time-saving capabilities, mobility, sustainable transportation through improved coordination in car parking management, and improved journey based on car parking decisions which are new contributions to social capital. This research is significant, as most of the mobile-based social capital research concentrated on bonding, bridging, and networking among social network members. However, this research has expanded the components of social capital in many directions. Furthermore, from the research methodological perspective, this research adopts a new approach through a combination of experimental research and focus group study.
A Narrative Review of Different Hemostatic Materials in Emergency Treatment of Trauma
Authors: Xiao Xiaoxiao , Wu Zhoupeng
Published: October 2022

Hemostatic materials are very important for the treatment of a large number of bleeding trauma patients in battlefield and disaster environments. Different types of hemostatic materials need to be used for emergency hemostasis according to different injury parts and severity. At present, the first-aid hemostatic materials have been well applied to the bleeding of body surface wounds, limbs, and junctions, but there are still no ideal hemostatic materials in the early treatment of first aid for the deep and incompressible bleeding of thoracoabdominal cavity and visceral organs. This paper reviews the classification and mechanism of hemostatic materials, as well as the application and research progress in trauma emergency, so as to provide reference for the application of hemostatic materials in early first-aid emergency.
A Study on LoRa SX1276 Performance in IoT Health Monitoring
Authors: Azhar Muzafar Muhammad Izz Z. , Mohd Ali Aiffah , Zulkifli Safiah
Published: October 2022

The Internet of Things (IoT) for healthcare can improve patient monitoring more effectively, especially since the occurrence of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease in 2019. Integrating sensors with long range (LoRa) technology, which provides long-range, low-power, and secure data transmission, can ensure better patient treatment and disease surveillance. This study is aimed at evaluating and understanding the LoRa performance as the wireless platform in IoT health monitoring. The MH-ET Live MAX30102 sensor is used to measure blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate, while TTGO LoRa32 SX1276 is used as the wireless platform. Results show that to obtain accurate readings from the sensor, users must be in rested condition, place their fingertip onto the sensor properly for a few moments without any movement, and use the body part of the fingertip only. In outdoor environment tests in the suburban area, the LoRa SX1276 transceiver’s performance for the line-of-sight (LoS) transmission shows that the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and RSSI recorded at 1300-meter distance are -6.5 dB and -118 dBm, respectively. Non-line-of-sight (NLoS) test shows that LoRa still communicates with each other after eight blocks of houses with an approximate displacement of 240 meters apart between the modules, with RSSI and SNR values of -113 dBm and -5.42 dB, respectively. The analysis using LoRa Modem Calculator Tool proved the theoretical performances and effectiveness of LoRa communications.
Durability Evaluation of Concrete in Cold and Arid Regions Based on Grey Relational Theory
Authors: Gong Li , Liang Ying , Zhang Bingzong , Gong Xuelei , Yang Yiqun
Published: October 2022

Aiming at the outstanding problem of concrete durability in cold and arid regions, the Datonghe‐Qingwangchuan Diversion Project in Gansu Province, China, was used as a typical research area, and erosion products were determined by field sampling and laboratory XRD analysis. Three durability evaluation indices, namely, the mass loss rate, relative dynamic elastic modulus (RDEM), and compressive strength loss rate, were measured via indoor accelerated testing. Based on grey relational theory, a concrete durability evaluation model was constructed. The critical failure values of the three evaluation indices were introduced as a set of data to optimize the model and determine the grey relational degree of each group of concrete specimens under different working conditions. The results show that using the test results and the optimized grey relational analysis evaluation model, the concrete specimens mixed with an air‐entraining agent have strong resistance to composite erosion. The durability of concrete specimens with an air‐entraining agent content of 0.016% and fly ash content of 15% is better, and a high content (30%) of fly ash accelerates the damage of concrete specimens. The model calculations are consistent with the test results. This method can solve the problem of the durability of concrete specimens in the whole test cycle not being fully evaluated. The results of the study provide useful references for concrete mix proportion optimization and durability evaluation problems.
Infrared Fast-Maneuvering Target Tracking Based on Robust Exact Differentiator with Improved Particle Filter
Authors: Zhang Wanxin , Huang Bingrui , Meng Sijie , Zhu Jihong
Published: October 2022

This paper deals with the problem of nonlinear uncertainties when tracking an infrared dim small target with fast maneuvers. The particle filter (PF)-based methods are mostly considered. The existing improvement methods for the PF can handle the infrared dim small target with the conventional maneuver, the motion state of which changes slowly and in most cases is assumed to be linear. However, when fast maneuvers appear on the target, the PF-based method will soon suffer from particle degeneracy, or even loss of the target. In this paper, a robust exact differentiator (RED)-based particle generating method is proposed to improve the PF. New birth particles are produced by the proposed method, which can keep up with the fast maneuvers, and ensure the particle diversity of the PF, so as to avoid the particle degeneracy and depletion, meanwhile the number of particles required can be decreased. Numerical simulations are conducted, showing that the proposed algorithm has more advantages than the state-of-the-art method.
Intravitreal Ranibizumab Alone or in Combination with Calcium Dobesilate for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema in Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Patients: 12-Month Outcomes of a Retrospective Study
Authors: Wang Dongxuan , Wang Hui , Wu Shuang , Yang Xueqiu , Xu Jiansen
Published: October 2022

Objective. This study investigates the efficacy of CaD combined with intravitreal ranibizumab for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients with nonproliferative DR. Methods. This retrospective, observational, case-control study enrolled consecutive patients newly diagnosed with DME. The patients were treated with 3-monthly loading dose injections of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) followed by pro re nata injections (3 + PRN), with or without daily oral CaD. The patients were treated and followed up for 12 months. We reviewed their medical records to determine the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings, number of injections, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and central macular thickness (CMT) at 3, 6, and 12 months after the first injection. Results. We reviewed 102 eyes of 102 patients; 54 patients received IVR combined with oral CaD (IVR + CaD group) and 48 received only IVR (IVR group). In both groups, BCVA was higher, and CMT was lower, at 3, 6, and 12 months after the injection compared to those at the baseline (p<0.05for all), while there were no significant differences in BCVA improvement or CMT reduction between the two groups (p>0.05). The mean number of IVR injections was significantly lower in the IVR + CaD group than the IVR group (5.4 ± 1.1 vs. 6.7 ± 1.6 injections,p<0.05) during 1 year of treatment. No adverse events were noted in either group. Conclusions. Compared to IVR alone, the addition of oral CaD to IVR in DME patients was safe and effective for improving visual function and restoring the retinal anatomy and was associated with the need for fewer injections.
Assessment of Antibiotic Resistance and Efflux Pump Gene Expression in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Isolates from South Africa by Quantitative Real-Time PCR and Regression Analysis
Authors: Mitchev Nireshni , Singh Ravesh , Ramsuran Veron , Ismail Arshad , Allam Mushal , Kwenda Stanford , Mnyameni Florah , Garrett Nigel , Swe Swe-Han Khine , Niehaus Abraham J. , Mlisana Koleka P.
Published: October 2022

Introduction. Treatment of gonorrhoea infection is limited by the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains. Cost-effective molecular diagnostic tests can guide effective antimicrobial stewardship. The aim of this study was to correlate mRNA expression levels in Neisseria gonorrhoeae antibiotic target genes and efflux pump genes to antibiotic resistance in our population. Methods. This study investigated the expression profile of antibiotic resistance-associated genes (penA, ponA, pilQ, mtrR, mtrA, mtrF, gyrA, parC, parE, rpsJ, 16S rRNA, and 23S rRNA) and efflux pump genes (macAB, norM, and mtrCDE), by quantitative real-time PCR, in clinical isolates from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Whole-genome sequencing was used to determine the presence or absence of mutations. Results. N. gonorrhoeae isolates, from female and male patients presenting for care at clinics in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were analysed. As determined by binomial regression and ROC analysis, the most significant (

p
≤
0.05

) markers for resistance prediction in this population, and their cutoff values, were determined to be mtrC (

p
=
0.024

; cutoff <0.089), gyrA (

p
=
0.027

; cutoff <0.0518), parE (

p
=
0.036

; cutoff <0.0033), rpsJ (

p
=
0.047

; cutoff <0.0012), and 23S rRNA (

p
=
0.042

; cutoff >7.754). Conclusion. Antimicrobial stewardship includes exploring options to conserve currently available drugs for gonorrhoea treatment. There is the potential to predict an isolate as either susceptible or nonsusceptible based on the mRNA expression level of specific candidate markers, to inform patient management. This real-time qPCR approach, with few targets, can be further investigated for use as a potentially cost-effective diagnostic tool to detect resistance.
Prevalence of ESBL-Producing Enterobacter Species Resistant to Carbapenems in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Khademi Farzad , Vaez Hamid , Neyestani Zohreh , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: October 2022

Background. Carbapenems are the last-line therapy for multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections caused by Enterobacterales, including those caused by Enterobacter species. However, the recent emergence of carbapenem-resistant (CR) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae pathogens, which are resistant to nearly all antibiotics, has raised concerns among international healthcare organizations. Hence, because there is no comprehensive data in Iran, the current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of antibiotic resistance among Enterobacter species, especially CR and ESBL-producing strains, in Iran. Methods. The literature search was performed up to June 21, 2021, in national and international databases using MeSH-extracted keywords, i.e., Enterobacter, antibiotic resistance, carbapenem, ESBL, and Iran. Study selection was done based on the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data analysis was carried out using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software. Results. The pooled prevalence of Enterobacter species resistant to various antibiotics is as follows: imipenem 16.6%, meropenem 16.2%, aztreonam 40.9%, ciprofloxacin 35.3%, norfloxacin 31%, levofloxacin 48%, gentamicin 42.1%, amikacin 30.3%, tobramycin 37.2%, tetracycline 50.1%, chloramphenicol 25.7%, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 52%, nalidixic acid 49.1%, nitrofurantoin 43%, ceftriaxone 49.3%, cefixime 52.4%, cefotaxime 52.7%, ceftazidime 47.9%, cefepime 43.6%, and ceftizoxime 45.5%. The prevalence rates of MDR and ESBL-producing Enterobacter species in Iran were 63.1% and 32.8%, respectively. Conclusion. In accordance with the warning of international organizations, our results revealed a high prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacter species in Iran, which is probably associated with the high prevalence of Enterobacter species resistant to most of the assessed antibiotics, especially MDR strains. However, the resistance rate to carbapenems was relatively low, and these drugs can still be considered as drugs of choice for the treatment of Enterobacter infections in Iran. Nevertheless, continuous monitoring of drug resistance along with antibiotic therapy based on the local data and evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of new antibiotics or combination therapeutic strategies, such as ceftazidime/avibactam, meropenem/vaborbactam, plazomicin, and eravacycline, is recommended.
Impact of One-Week Administration of Dihydrotestosterone in Rat Anterior Pituitary Gland
Authors: Kanasaki Haruhiko , Tumurbaatar Tuvshintugs , Cairang Zhouma , Tumurgan Zolzaya , Oride Aki , Okada Hiroe , Kyo Satoru
Published: October 2022

Hyperandrogenism causes dysfunction of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis in reproductive women. In this study, we examined the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on characteristic changes in rat anterior pituitary gland samples. DHT was administered to ovary-intact 6-week postnatal female rats for 7 days, after which the anterior pituitary glands were examined and compared with those in control rats. Estrous cyclicity was not drastically disrupted by DHT treatment. Common gonadotropin α subunit (Cga), luteinizing hormone β subunit (Lhb), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) β subunit (Fshb) gene expression levels were not modulated by DHT treatment, while prolactin (Prl) gene expression was significantly repressed by DHT. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor (Gnrh-r) gene expression was significantly inhibited by DHT, whereas pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptor (Pca1-r) gene expression was increased by DHT. Gene expression levels of the receptors encoded by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (Trh-r) and kisspeptin (Kiss1-r) genes were unchanged. Expression of inhibin α subunit (Inha) and activin βA subunits (Actba) within the pituitary was inhibited by DHT treatment, while activin B subunit (Actbb) and follistatin (Fst) gene expression was unchanged by DHT. In mouse pituitary gonadotroph LβT2 cells, DHT did not modulate the gene expression of Gnrh-r, but it inhibited the expression of Inha and Actba subunits within the LβT2 cells. In rat prolactin-producing GH3 cells, DHT did not modulate prolactin gene expression, but it increased Pac1-r gene expression. The present observations suggest that DHT directly or indirectly affects the anterior pituitary gland and induces characteristic changes in hormone-producing cells.
The Effect of Thymoquinone on Oxidative Stress Parameters and Apolipoprotein E in Alzheimer Model in Rats
Authors: Akarsu Gökhan Doğukan , Çetin Aysun
Published: October 2022

Introduction: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of thymoquinone (TQ) on oxidative stress and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) in an experimental Alzheimer’s model created with AlCl3 and D-galactose in rats. Methods: Thirty-six Wistar Albino male rats saline group (Group 1), aluminum chloride (AlCl3) + D-galactose (D-Gal) group (Group 2), AlCl3 + D-Gal + TQ group (Group 3) were divided into 3 groups. The study was completed with 33 rats. Group 1 was given saline intraperitoneally (i.p) for 28 days. 2nd group; D-Gal at a dose of 60 mg/kg/day and AlCl3 at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day were given i.p. daily for 28 days. 3rd group; D-Gal at a dose of 60 mg/kg/day and AlCl3 at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day were given i.p. daily for 28 days. Group 3 rats were given 20 mg/kg/day TQ in corn oil by gavage for 14 days. Malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAS), total oxidant capacity (TOS), glutathione peroxidase (GsH-Px), and ApoE levels were determined in the blood and brain tissues of rats in all three groups. One-way ANOVA test was used in the statistical analysis of the data. Results: Means of TAS, TOS, GSH-Px, SOD, MDA, and ApoE in blood and brain tissue of all three groups (excluding ApoE in brain tissue) were different from each other and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, TQ, it was determined that all oxidative stress parameters examined had positively affected and decreased blood tissue ApoE levels. TQ can be used as an antioxidant and curative in Alzheimer’s disease.
Physiological and Cognitive Determinants of Gait Variability of Asian Population: The Yishun Study
Authors: Lau Lay Khoon , Abdul Jabbar Khalid Bin , Pang Wei Jun Benedict , Chen Kexun Kenneth , Seah Wei Ting , Ullal Mallya Jagadish , Yap Philip Lin Kiat , Ng Tze-Pin , Wee Shiou Liang
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Gait variability is associated with frailty, dementia, and falls. Studies on the association of physiological and cognitive factors with gait variability have seldom included middle-aged adults, even though these adults already experienced loss of muscular strength and postural stability. This study aimed a) to examine and compare the trend of gait variability in men and women, across the adult age spectrum, and b) to identify and compare the contributions of physiological and cognitive factors to gait variability. Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study at a single center. A random sample of 507 community-dwelling, well-functioning adults aged 21–90 years were studied. Cognition was measured using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status. Physiological factors examined included visual contrast sensitivity (VCS), postural sway, hand reaction time, handgrip strength (HGS), knee extensor strength, and gait variability (coefficient of variation [CoV]). Multivariable regression models were used to examine the association between physiological and cognitive performance with gait CoV. Results: Women walked with greater stride width CoV (p < 0.01) and double support time (DST) CoV (p < 0.01) than men. The stride width (p = 0.01) and DST variability (p = 0.03) were significantly higher in older men as compared to men in younger age-groups. Gait speed accounted for most of the gait CoV variances and attenuated the effects of physiological performance and/or attention cognition on most gait variability, except for CoV of DST and stride width. Adults with better VCS (β = −0.19), faster hand reaction (β = 0.12), and greater HGS (β = −0.15) had lower variability in step length. Conclusion: The trends of stride width CoV and DST CoV across adult age spectrum were different between men and women. Greater stride width variability was partly attributed to greater HGS, possibly to better control lateral stability during walking. Physiological factors outweigh cognition in regulating most of the gait CoV in this study. They are modifiable and potential targets for healthy aging program.
Verständnis ambulanter Verhaltenstherapeuten von Belastungsreaktionen und PTBS
Authors: Lindauer Marlena , Linden Michael , Muschalla Beate
Published: October 2022

Hintergrund: Belastende Lebensereignisse wie beruflicher Stress, soziale Konflikte, Unfälle oder körperliche Gewalt sind häufig und können bei einem kleinen Teil der Betroffenen zu psychischen Störungen, wie einer posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (PTBS), führen. Ein diagnostisches Problem ist anamnestisch die Abgrenzung zwischen ursächlichen Belastungsereignissen, Gelegenheitsursachen, Pseudoursachen oder retrospektiven Umdeutungen. Die Arbeit untersucht, wie häufig die Diagnose einer PTBS bei Patienten in ambulanter Verhaltenstherapie genannt wird und welche Ursachen, Befunde und Therapiemaßnahmen berichtet werden. Stichprobe und Methode: Es wurden 1'480 verhaltenstherapeutische Berichte an den Gutachter bezüglich der Vergabe der Diagnose PTBS untersucht. Fälle mit einer PTBS-Diagnose (N = 106) wurden mit zufällig ausgewählten sonstigen Behandlungsfällen ohne Erwähnung eines Traumas (N = 95) verglichen. Ergebnisse: In 7,16% wurde die Diagnose PTBS vergeben. In etwa 90% der Fälle beider Gruppen wurden anamnestisch krankheitsrelevante belastende Erlebnisse be­richtet. Bei den PTBS-Fällen wurde nur in 17% ein lebensbe­drohliches Ereignis geschildert. In etwa einem Viertel basierte die Trauma-Annahme nur auf therapeuten- oder patientenseitigen Anmutungen. In den PTBS-Fällen wurde das gesamte Spektrum an Expositionsverfahren genannt. Diskussion: Die Daten sprechen dafür, dass (a) belastende Erfahrungen von vielen Patienten berichtet werden, (b) die Diagnose PTBS dennoch nur in begrenztem Umfang gestellt wird, (c) bei PTBS-Fällen die diagnostischen Kriterien nur teilweise erfüllt scheinen, und (d) bei den PTBS-Fällen das ge­samte Spektrum an Expositionstechniken benannt wird. Schlussfolgerung: Stressassoziierte Erkrankungszustände bedürfen einer sorgfältigen Differenzierung.
Expression of Karyopherin Alpha 2 and Karyopherin Beta 1 Correlate with Poor Prognosis in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Ohhara Yoshihito , Kinoshita Ichiro , Suzuki Akira , Imagawa Makoto , Taguchi Jun , Noguchi Takuro , Takeuchi Satoshi , Shimizu Yasushi , Seki Hideyuki , Suzuki Junichi , Dosaka-Akita Hirotoshi
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Karyopherin alpha 2 (KPNA2) and karyopherin beta 1 (KPNB1) constitute nuclear transport protein complexes involved in nuclear import and are significant in tumor progression. Although high KPNA2 expression was associated with poor prognosis in solid tumors, the relationship between KPNA2 and KPNB1 expression and their prognostic role in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to correlate the expression of KPNA2 and KPNB1 with various features, including clinicopathological characteristics in 130 patients with GC and survival in 94 patients with invasive lesions extending to the submucosa or deeper. Results: High expression of KPNA2 and KPNB1 was found in 25% and 36% of the patients, respectively. Both were significantly related to tumor depth, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, and Ki-67 expression. KPNA2 expression was significantly related to that of KPNB1 (p < 0.001). Patients with high KPNB1 expression had poorer prognosis than those with low expression (p = 0.027), as was also observed in case of KPNA2 (p < 0.001). Patients with high expression of both KPNA2 and KPNB1 accounted for 18% and had a poorer prognosis than those with high expression of either and those with low expression of both (p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that high expression of both KPNA2 and KPNB1 was an independent prognostic factor in patients with GC (hazard ratio, 3.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.64–2.73, p = 0.001). Conclusion: KPNA2 expression was correlated with KPNB1 expression, and high co-expression of KPNA2 and KPNB1 may represent a strong prognostic biomarker in GC.