bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short interpregnancy interval: circumstance or choice?
Authors: Taylor Rebecca Alexandra Margaret , Yang Jenny M , Cheney Kate , Black Kirsten
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Despite the knowledge of pregnancy risks attributable to inadequate birth spacing, over one-third of pregnancies occur within 18 months of a preceding birth. In this qualitative study we sought to interview women with a short interpregnancy interval (sIPI) to explore their knowledge of contraception and birth spacing and their experience of counselling on these themes.

Methods

We conducted in-depth interviews with women with a sIPI (live-birth less than 18 months prior to conception of current pregnancy) at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Canterbury Hospital in Sydney, Australia. Women were recruited at the second antenatal visit or day 3 postpartum. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. The six-phase thematic analysis framework described by Braun and Clarke was used to perform qualitative data analysis.

Results

Twenty women were interviewed (IPI range: 3–18 months). The three central themes that arose were that perceptions of IPIs are shaped by individual circumstances, a lack of information from healthcare providers (HCPs) on IPI and contraception limited women’s ability to make informed decisions, and that reproductive life planning is an important element of pregnancy care.

Conclusions

In this study, women with a sIPI did not feel informed about birth spacing, had poor knowledge of reliable contraceptives, and remained at risk of further closely spaced pregnancies. There was a desire among women with a sIPI to receive clear and consistent education on these topics. HCPs need to do more to educate women in the antenatal and postnatal period to help them space their pregnancies appropriately.
Brugada syndrome: update and future perspectives
Authors: Marsman E Madelief J , Postema Pieter G , Remme Carol Ann
Published: October 2021

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited cardiac disorder, characterised by a typical ECG pattern and an increased risk of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). BrS is a challenging entity, in regard to diagnosis as well as arrhythmia risk prediction and management. Nowadays, asymptomatic patients represent the majority of newly diagnosed patients with BrS, and its incidence is expected to rise due to (genetic) family screening. Progress in our understanding of the genetic and molecular pathophysiology is limited by the absence of a true gold standard, with consensus on its clinical definition changing over time. Nevertheless, novel insights continue to arise from detailed and in-depth studies, including the complex genetic and molecular basis. This includes the increasingly recognised relevance of an underlying structural substrate. Risk stratification in patients with BrS remains challenging, particularly in those who are asymptomatic, but recent studies have demonstrated the potential usefulness of risk scores to identify patients at high risk of arrhythmia and SCD. Development and validation of a model that incorporates clinical and genetic factors, comorbidities, age and gender, and environmental aspects may facilitate improved prediction of disease expressivity and arrhythmia/SCD risk, and potentially guide patient management and therapy. This review provides an update of the diagnosis, pathophysiology and management of BrS, and discusses its future perspectives.
Surgical Repair of Intercostal Pulmonary Hernia Secondary to Cough Induced Rib Fracture
Authors: Ayers D E , LeFeuvre A , Barker P
Published: October 2021

Intercostal pulmonary hernia, a protrusion of lung parenchyma with overlying pleural membranes through an abnormal defect in the thoracic cage, is an uncommon phenomenon. Rib fractures caused by coughing similarly represent an infrequently occurring clinical presentation. Pulmonary herniation through an intercostal defect caused by cough fractures has been described twice in the literature to our knowledge. We present a case of pulmonary herniation secondary to cough fracture in a chronic bronchitic, successfully treated by thoracotomy with application of the basic principles of hernia repair, and a discussion of the mechanisms of injury.
Republished: Manual reduction of a radial artery loop under direct fluoroscopic visualization
Authors: Luther Evan , Huang Eric , King Hunter , Silva Michael , Burks Joshua , Jamshidi Aria , Peterson Eric C
Published: October 2021

Transradial access has become increasingly used in neurointerventions because it reduces access site complications. However, radial artery anomalies can be difficult to navigate, often necessitating conversion to femoral access. We describe the case of a female patient in her early 70 s who underwent preoperative embolization of a carotid body tumor via right transradial access. Her radial angiogram demonstrated the presence of a radial artery loop which was successfully navigated with a triaxial system but would not spontaneously reduce even after the guide catheter was advanced into the subclavian artery. However, manual manipulation of the catheters in the antecubital fossa under direct fluoroscopic visualization reduced the loop allowing the procedure to continue transradially. Although a majority of radial loops can be traversed and reduced using standard techniques, this case demonstrates that manual reduction can be successful when other measures fail. We recommend attempting this method before converting the access site.
Whirling disease in the Crowsnest River: an emerging threat to wild salmonids in Alberta
Authors: James Clayton T. , Veillard Marie F. , Martens Amanda M. , Pila Emmanuel A. , Turnbull Alyssa , Hanington Patrick , Luek Andreas , Alexander Julie , Nehring R. Barry
Published: October 2021

We provide the first documented case of whirling disease (WD) impacts to wild, self-sustaining rainbow trout (RNTR, Oncorynchus mykiss) populations in Canada. Myxobolus cerebralis (Mc), the causative agent of WD, was first confirmed in Alberta in 2016. However, evidence of disease in local fish populations was unknown. Using a weight-of-evidence approach, we examined multiple parasite life cycle stages in the Crowsnest River, Alberta. Percentage of infected Tubifex tubifex worms actively shedding triactinomyxons (TAMs) exceeded known thresholds of Mc establishment and TAM densities instream exceeded thresholds known to cause ≥90% declines in RNTR populations. Mc was detected at 5 of 6 study sites in water, fish, and worms. Disease severity was highest in the lower watershed where 100% of sentinel fish tested positive for Mc 7 to 14 days post-exposure; up to 85% of wild fingerling RNTR showed clinical signs of disease and yearling trout were largely absent from the river suggesting reduced survival. Our findings indicate conditions necessary for outbreak of WD exist in Alberta, highlighting the need to consider this disease as an emerging threat to wild salmonid populations.
Fingerprint construction through genotyping by sequencing for applied breeding in Brassica rapa
Authors: Li Guoliang , Yue Lixin , Cai Xu , Li Fei , Zhang Hui , Zhang Shujiang , Zhang Shifan , Sun Rifei
Published: October 2021

This study evaluated the genotyping by sequencing (GBS) protocol for fingerprinting Brassica rapa, and the data derived were more reliable than the re-sequencing data of B. rapa. Of the 10 enzyme solutions used to analyze the numbers of genotypes and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in B. rapa, five solutions showed better results, namely, A (HaeIII, 450–500 bp), E (RsaI+HaeIII, 500–550 bp), F (RsaI+HaeIII, 500–600 bp), G (RsaI+HaeIII, ‘All’ fragment), and J (RsaI+EcoRV-HF®, ‘All’ fragment). The five enzyme solutions showed less than 40% similarity in different individuals from various samples, and 90% similarity between two individuals from one sample. The E enzyme solution was the most suitable for fingerprinting B. rapa, revealing well-distributed SNPs in the whole genome. Of the 82 highly inbred lines and 18 F1 lines of B. rapa sequenced by GBS in the E enzyme solution, known parents of 10 F1 lines were verified, and male parents were discovered for 8 F1 lines that had only known female parents. This study provides a valuable method for screening parents for F1 lines in B. rapa for the efficient evaluation of GBS with varied library construction strategies.
Y-shaped soliton solutions for the (2+1)-dimensional bidirectional Sawada–Kotera equation
Authors: Yang Shuxin , Zhang Zhao , Li Biao
Published: October 2021

On the basis of the Hirota bilinear method, resonance Y-shaped soliton and its interaction with other localized waves of (2+1)-dimensional bidirectional Sawada–Kotera equation are derived by introducing the constraint conditions. These types of mixed soliton solutions exhibit complex interaction phenomenon between the resonance Y-shaped solitons and line waves, breather waves, and high-order lump waves. The dynamic behaviors of the interaction solutions are analyzed and illustrated.
Fast Defocus Blur Detection Network via Global Search and Local Refinements
Authors: Sun Xiaoli , Hai Yang , Zhang Xiujun , Xu Chen , Li Min
Published: October 2021

Defocus blur detection aims at separating regions on focus from out-of-focus for image processing. With today’s popularity of mobile phones with portrait mode, accurate defocus blur detection has received more and more attention. There are many challenges that we currently confront, such as blur boundaries of defocus regions, interference of messy backgrounds and identification of large flat regions. To address these issues, in this paper, we propose a new deep neural network with both global and local pathways for defocus blur detection. In global pathway, we locate the objects on focus by semantical search. In local pathway, we refine the predicted blur regions via multi-scale supervisions. In addition, the refined results in local pathway are fused with searching results in global pathway by a simple concatenation operation. The structure of our new network is developed in a feasible way and its function appears to be quite effective and efficient, which is suitable for the deployment on mobile devices. It takes about 0.2[Formula: see text]s per image on a regular personal laptop. Experiments on both CUHK dataset and our newly proposed Defocus400 dataset show that our model outperforms existing state-of-the-art methods.
A Calculation Method of Magnetic Anomaly Field Distribution of Ellipsoid with Arbitrary Posture
Authors: Han Song-Tong , Zhang Bo , Rong Xiao-Li , Bian Lei-Xiang , Zhang Guo-Kai , Wen Zhu
Published: October 2021

The ellipsoidal magnetization model has a wide range of application scenarios. For example, in aviation magnetic field prospecting, mineral prospecting, seabed prospecting, and UXO (unexploded ordnance) detection. However, because the existing ellipsoid magnetization formula is relatively complicated, the detection model is usually replaced by a dipole. Such a model increases the error probability and poses a significant challenge for subsequent imaging and pattern recognition. Based on the distribution of ellipsoid gravity potential and magnetic potential, the magnetic anomaly field distribution equation generated by the ellipsoid is deduced by changing the aspect ratio, making the ellipsoid equivalent to a sphere. The result of formula derivation shows that the two magnetic anomaly fields are consistent. This paper uses COMSOL finite element software to model UXO, ellipsoids, and spheres and analyzes magnetic anomalies. The conclusion shows that the ellipsoid model can completely replace the UXO model when the error range of 1nT is satisfied. Finally, we established two sets of ellipsoids and calculated the magnetic anomalous field distributions on different planes using deduction formulas and finite element software. We compared the experimental results and found that the relative error of the two sets of data was within [Formula: see text]‰. Error analysis found that the error distribution is standardized and conforms to the normal distribution. The above mathematical analysis and finite element simulation prove that the calculation method is simple and reliable and provides a magnetic field distribution equation for subsequent UXO inversion.
A new class of nonlinear conjugate gradient coefficients for unconstrained optimization
Authors: Boumediene Amina , Bechouat Tahar , Benzine Rachid , Hadji Ghania
Published: October 2021

The nonlinear Conjugate gradient method (CGM) is a very effective way in solving large-scale optimization problems. Zhang et al. proposed a new CG coefficient which is defined by [Formula: see text]. They proved the sufficient descent condition and the global convergence for nonconvex minimization in strong Wolfe line search. In this paper, we prove that this CG coefficient possesses sufficient descent conditions and global convergence properties under the exact line search.
Risk Measures: Robustness, Elicitability, and Backtesting
Authors: He Xue Dong , Kou Steven , Peng Xianhua
Published: October 2021

Risk measures are used not only for financial institutions’ internal risk management but also for external regulation (e.g., in the Basel Accord for calculating the regulatory capital requirements for financial institutions). Though fundamental in risk management, how to select a good risk measure is a controversial issue. We review the literature on risk measures, particularly on issues such as subadditivity, robustness, elicitability, and backtesting. We also aim to clarify some misconceptions and confusions in the literature. In particular, we argue that, despite lacking some mathematical convenience, the median shortfall—that is, the median of the tail loss distribution—is a better option than the expected shortfall for setting the Basel Accords capital requirements due to statistical and economic considerations such as capturing tail risk, robustness, elicitability, backtesting, and surplus invariance.
Interpretation of Recent Unrest Events (Bradyseism) at Campi Flegrei, Napoli (Italy): Comparison of Models Based on Cyclical Hydrothermal Events versus Shallow Magmatic Intrusive Events
Authors: Lima A. , Bodnar R. J. , De Vivo B. , Spera F. J. , Belkin H. E.
Published: October 2021

Several recent models that have been put forth to explain bradyseism at Campi Flegrei (CF), Italy, are discussed. Data obtained during long-term monitoring of the CF volcanic district has led to the development of a model based on lithological-structural and stratigraphic features that produce anisotropic and heterogeneous permeability features showing large variations both horizontally and vertically; these data are inconsistent with a model in which bradyseism is driven exclusively by shallow magmatic intrusions. CF bradyseism events are driven by cyclical magmatic-hydrothermal activity. Bradyseism events are characterized by cyclical, constant invariant signals repeating over time, such as area deformation along with a spatially well-defined seismogenic volume. These similarities have been defined as “bradyseism signatures” that allow us to relate the bradyseism with impending eruption precursors. Bradyseism is governed by an impermeable shallow layer (B-layer), which is the cap of an anticlinal geological structure culminating at Pozzuoli, where maximum uplift is recorded. This B-layer acts as a throttling valve between the upper aquifer and the deeper hydrothermal system that experiences short (1-102 yr) timescale fluctuations between lithostatic/hydrostatic pressure. The hydrothermal system also communicates episodically with a cooling and quasi-steady-state long timescale (103-104 yr) magmatic system enclosed by an impermeable carapace (A layer). Connectivity between hydrostatic and lithostatic reservoirs is episodically turned on and off causing alternatively subsidence (when the systems are connected) or uplift (when the systems are disconnected), depending on whether permeability by fractures is established or not. Earthquake swarms are the manifestation of hydrofracturing which allows fluid expansion; this same process promotes silica precipitation that seals cracks and serves to isolate the two reservoirs. Faults and fractures promote outgassing and reduce the vertical uplift rate depending on fluid pressure gradients and spatial and temporal variations in the permeability field. The miniuplift episodes also show “bradyseism signatures” and are well explained in the context of the short timescale process.
Congenital Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Suckling Piglet
Authors: Hattab Jasmine , Trachtman Abigail Rose , Tiscar Pietro Giorgio , Di Domenico Marco , Abbate Jessica Maria , Ieni Antonio , Marruchella Giuseppe
Published: October 2021

A 3-week-old suckling piglet spontaneously died after septicemic colibacillosis. At postmortem examination, bulging and ulcerated lesions were seen, affecting the oral mucosa on the inner surface of the lower lip. After histopathological investigation, the diagnosis of congenital oral squamous cell carcinoma was made. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of congenital oral squamous cell carcinoma ever described. A relationship has been shown or suggested between papillomavirus infection and oral squamous cell carcinoma in humans and animals. However, next-generation sequencing study did not demonstrate any papillomavirus sequences in the case reported herein.
Whole Blood Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Correlation between Specific Immune Cells and Septicemic Melioidosis
Authors: Xu Ke , Xu Dahua , Pei Hua , Quan Yunfan , Liu Jun , Yin Li , Li Xuexia , ShenTian  , Li Kongning , Xia Qianfeng
Published: October 2021

Melioidosis is a serious infectious disease caused by the environmental Gram-negative bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei. It has been shown that the host immune system, mainly comprising various types of immune cells, fights against the disease. The present study was to specify correlation between septicemic melioidosis and the levels of multiple immune cells. First, the genes with differential expression patterns between patients with septicemic melioidosis (B. pseudomallei) and health donors (control/healthy) were identified. These genes being related to cytokine binding, cell adhesion molecule binding, and MHC relevant proteins may influence immune response. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed 23 enriched immune response pathways. We further leveraged the microarray data to investigate the relationship between immune response and septicemic melioidosis, using the CIBERSORT analysis. Comparison of the percentages of 22 immune cell types in B. pseudomallei vs. control/healthy revealed that those of CD4 memory resting cells, CD8+ T cells, B memory cells, and CD4 memory activated cells were low, whereas those of M0 macrophages, neutrophils, and gamma delta T cells were high. The multivariate logistic regression analysis further revealed that CD8+ T cells, M0 macrophages, neutrophils, and naive CD4+ cells were strongly associated with the onset of septicemic melioidosis, and M2 macrophages and neutrophils were associated with the survival in septicemic melioidosis. Taken together, these data point to a complex role of immune cells on the development and progression of melioidosis.
Influence of Physical Dimension and Morphological‐Dependent Antibacterial Characteristics of ZnO Nanoparticles Coated on Orthodontic NiTi Wires
Authors: Gholami Mona , Esmaeilzadeh Mahdiyeh , Kachoei Zahra , Kachoei Mojgan , Divband Baharak
Published: October 2021

White spot lesions (WSLs) are one of the adverse effects of fixed orthodontic treatments. They are the primary sign of caries, which means inhibiting this process by antibacterial agents will reverse the procedure. The current study tested the surface modification of nickel‐titanium (NiTi) wires with ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), as antimicrobial agents. As the morphology of NPs is one of the most critical factors for their properties, the antibacterial properties of different morphologies of ZnO nanostructures coated on the NiTi wire were investigated. For the preparation of ZnO nanostructures, five coating methods, including chemical vapor deposition (CVD), chemical precipitation method, polymer composite coating, sol‐gel synthesis, and electrospinning process, were used. The antibacterial activity of NPs was assessed against Streptococcus mutans by the colony counting method. The obtained results showed that all the samples had antibacterial effects. The antibacterial properties of ZnO NPs were significantly improved when the specific surface area of particles increased, by the ZnO nanocrystals prepared via the CVD coating method.
Inhibition of the Immunoproteasome Subunit LMP7 Ameliorates Cerebral White Matter Demyelination Possibly via TGFβ/Smad Signaling
Authors: Chen Xingyong , Yao Nannan , Lin Zejing , Wang Yinzhou
Published: October 2021

Objectives. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion induces white matter ischemic injury and cognitive impairment, whereas the mechanism remains unclear. Immunoproteasomes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute ischemia stroke and multiple sclerosis. However, the expression and role of immunoproteasomes in the brain of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion remain to be clarified. Methods. Chronic white matter ischemic injury mice models were induced by bilateral carotid artery stenosis (BCAS). A selective immunoproteasome subunit low-molecular-mass peptide-7 (LMP7) inhibitor PR957 was administered to mice. Cognitive function, white matter integrity, and potential pathways were assessed after BCAS. Results. The present study found that chronic cerebral hypoperfusion following BCAS induced cerebral white matter demyelination and cognitive impairment, accompanied with elevated expression of the immunoproteasomes LMP2 and LMP7, activation of astrocytes and microglia, and increased production of inflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-10, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)). However, inhibition of LMP7 with the specific proteasome inhibitor PR957 significantly mitigated the histological damage of the white matter, suppressed inflammatory response, and paralleled by an improvement of cognitive function. Furthermore, treatment of PR957 significantly upregulated the level of TGFβ1, the total expression level, and the phosphorylation level of Smad2/3 and promoted brain remyelination. Surprisingly, PR957 alone had no effects on the neuroinflammation response and the activation of TGFβ/Smad signaling in the sham-operated (BCAS-nonoperated) mice. Conclusions. The possible mechanism underlying this was attributed to that the immunoproteasome regulates TGFβ/Smad signaling-mediated neuroinflammation and oligodendrocyte remyelination.
Development and Evaluation of the Wound Healing Effect of a Novel Topical Cream Formula Based on Ginkgo biloba Extract on Wounds in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Bardaa Sana , Makni Khouloud , Boudaouara Ons , Bardaa Tarek , Ktari Naourez , Hachicha Selim , Ben Salah Riadh , Kallel Rim , Sahnoun Zouheir , Boufi Sami
Published: October 2021

Despite advances in diabetes care, impaired diabetic wound healing remains a significant clinical problem. The present study was aimed at developing a novel cream based on Ginkgo biloba extract and investigating its wound healing effect on full‐thickness wounds in diabetic rats. The topical formulated oil‐in‐water emulsion‐based cream contains Ginkgo biloba aqueous extract in an amount of about 1% to 5% as an active agent. The prepared formula was subjected to physicochemical assessment and pharmacotechnical characterization. Eighteen alloxan‐induced diabetic rats completing full‐thickness excisional skin wounds were randomly divided into three groups topically treated with either a normal saline (control group), the reference drug (“Cytol Centella cream®”), and cream based on the Ginkgo biloba extract. The response to treatment was assessed by macroscopic, qualitative, and quantitative histopathological analysis. The prepared formula showed good physicochemical properties. The rheological behavior of the prepared cream followed a non‐Newtonian pseudoplastic pattern at different storage temperatures. The cream, which is a macroemulsion with uniform size distribution, remained stable for 6 months. Skin tolerance studies confirmed the compatibility of the cream with the skin. During the experimental trial, the cream based on the Ginkgo biloba‐treated group showed significant improvements over the control and reference groups for both general wound appearance and healing dynamics. This increased rate of closure of wounds in diabetic rats was associated with increased collagen synthesis. Our findings showed that the cream could be a promising and innovative topical treatment with Ginkgo biloba extract for the management of acute diabetic wounds.
The Assessment of Selected miRNA Profile in Familial Mediterranean Fever
Authors: Kahraman Cigdem Yuce , Egin Mehmet Ertugrul , Tatar Abdulgani , Turkez Hasan , Mardinoglu Adil
Published: October 2021

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most prevalent autoinflammatory disease. Typical findings are recurrent fever attacks with serositis, skin rash, and synovitis. FMF is caused by mutations in the MEFV gene, encoding pyrin protein. Pyrin functions in innate immunity and triggers inflammation via inflammatory mediators’ production and acts as the primary regulatory component of the inflammasome. On the other hand, various miRNAs play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of different types of cancers and immune‐related and neurodegenerative diseases. However, their association with FMF is still unclear. Therefore, in this study, we assessed the roles of selected thirteen miRNAs associated with immune functions. We recruited genetically diagnosed 28 FMF patients and 28 healthy individuals. The expression profiling of the miRNAs was determined by qRT‐PCR and normalized to SNORD61. Our analysis revealed that miR‐34a‐5p, miR‐142‐3p, miR‐216a‐5p, miR‐340‐5p, miR‐429, and miR‐582‐5p were upregulated, whereas miR‐107, miR‐569, and miR‐1304‐5p were downregulated in the FMF patients. Among them, miR‐107 was found to be the most remarkable in M694V homozygous mutants compared to other homozygous mutants. During clinical follow‐up of the patients with M694V mutation, which is closely related to amyloidosis, evaluation of mir‐107 expression might be crucial and suggestive. Our results showed that miRNAs might serve a function in the pathogenesis of FMF. Further studies may provide novel and effective diagnostic and therapeutic agents that target examined miRNAs. Targeting miRNAs in FMF seems to be promising and may yield a new generation of rational therapeutics and diagnostic or monitoring tools enabling FMF treatment.
Cannabidiol Decreases Metalloproteinase Activity and Normalizes Angiogenesis Factor Expression in UVB‐Irradiated Keratinocytes from Psoriatic Patients
Authors: Gęgotek Agnieszka , Atalay Sinemyiz , Wroński Adam , Markowska Agnieszka , Skrzydlewska Elżbieta
Published: October 2021

The development of psoriasis is associated with the consequences of oxidative stress and inflammation leading to metabolic changes locally, in the skin cells, and systemically, in the blood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effect of psoriasis vulgaris (PsV) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) on the basal plasma/keratinocyte levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and angiogenesis factors, as well as to evaluate the effect of CBD on these parameters in keratinocytes isolated from psoriatic/healthy individuals with and without in vitro irradiation by UVB. A quantitative chemiluminescent method of detection based on an ELISA protocol and zymography technique was used during analysis. It was shown that activity levels of MMP‐9 and TIMP‐2 in PsA plasma were higher than in PsV. Changes in the proteolytic activity were accompanied by an increase in markers of angiogenesis (angiopoietin‐2, HGF, VEGF, TNFα, PDGF, FGF), where in the specific case of angiopoietin‐2 and TNFα, the overexpression in PsV was significantly stronger than in PsA. CBD application to keratinocytes partially restored levels of MMP‐1/2/3/7 and TIMP‐1/2 (in an effect which was particularly enhanced by UVB irradiation), as well as levels of the examined angiogenic factors except TNFα (levels of which were increased in psoriatic keratinocytes and decreased in healthy keratinocytes). Presented results indicate that CBD may be suggested as an antiangiogenic factor that reduces the proinflammatory action of UVB in psoriatic keratinocytes and partially has a protective effect for healthy keratinocytes.
The Effect of Benson Relaxation Technique on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress of Jordanian Patients Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Saifan Ahmad Rajeh , Aburuz Mohannad Eid , Dhaher Enas A. , Rayyan Abdallah , Jaberi Mira Al , Masa'Deh Rami
Published: October 2021

Depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) are common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and are highly correlated with poor quality of life. Managing DAS among such patients can improve their quality of life (QoL), empowering them with improved autonomy, self-care, independency, and ability to perform daily activities. This study is aimed at examining the effectiveness of the Benson Relaxation Technique (BRT) on reducing DAS among patients diagnosed with MS in Jordan. This quasiexperimental study of 105 Jordanian patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis tested an intervention group (60 patients) who received BRT and a control group (45 patients) who received normal treatment. Data were collected from January 2021 to April 2021, using the Arabic version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS21). The intervention group was instructed to perform the BRT two times a day for 10 minutes at home for eight weeks at two specific times, with 7-8-hour intervals between each episode. STROBE guidelines were followed in reporting the review. At the baseline comparison, there was no statistical difference between the interventional and control groups with regard to DAS. The levels of DAS between the two groups after three months of the last sessions of the intervention (postintervention) were compared. The results showed that the intervention group had significantly lower levels of DAS compared to the control group. The levels of the DAS were significantly lower for the intervention group postintervention. Adding relaxation techniques to the therapeutic routine is a cost-effective complementary treatment to decrease DAS among MS patients and improve their QoL. Relevance to Practice. This study provides a baseline of data that could facilitate further investigations in the future to improve the quality of services delivered to such patients and thus their QoL and satisfaction.
Construction of a Nonlinear Model of Tourism Economy Forecast Based on Wireless Sensor Network from the Perspective of Digital Economy
Authors: Liu Jun , Jia Faxian
Published: October 2021

With the outbreak of the new crown epidemic, the world economy has been severely tested, making predictions more difficult. Wireless sensors have the advantages of low cost, ease of use, high reliability, and high safety and have been widely used in the tourism economy. In order to understand the ability of wireless sensors to predict the regional economy, this article uses an example to construct a nonlinear model of wireless sensors to predict the regional economy. With the continuous development of the concept of circular economy, circular economy has gradually been recognized by Chinese scholars and practitioners. After domestic scholars continue to study the theory of circular economy, practicing the concept of circular economy and taking the road of sustainable development have become one of the important directions of the development of industrial theory. Literature analysis and other methods were used to conduct research on databases such as CNKI, Wan fang Database, and SSCI. Literature was collected, and GIS spatial analysis technology was used to analyze different areas and finally get a prediction model. The phenomenon is nonlinearity (such as saturation nonlinearity in the magnetic circuit), and some are caused by the nonlinear relationship between system variables (such as linear resistance and squared nonlinearity between current and power) and some artificially introduced nonlinear links (such as the hysteresis nonlinearity of relays). Experiments have proved that there is a certain error between the prediction model and the actual result; the error value is about 9%, which is less than the value of other prediction models. This shows that the output results of the nonlinear model of wireless sensor regional economic prediction should be processed reasonably. This result has a certain reference value, and its output should be combined with the actual situation. Related research found that under the nonlinear model, the more accurate and comprehensive the input value is, the closer the output result is to the actual value.
Concordance of Mother-Child (6–23 Months) Dietary Diversity and Its Associated Factors in Kucha District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Guja Tesfaye , Melaku Yabsira , Andarge Eshetu
Published: October 2021

Meeting minimum standards of dietary quality in mothers and children is a challenge in many developing countries including Ethiopia. Emerging evidence suggests that maternal and child dietary diversity is associated, but little is known about the associated factors of concordance of mother-child dietary diversity in Ethiopia and none is documented in the study area. This study examines the concordance between mother-child (6–23 months) dyads dietary diversity and the associated factors in Kucha District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 791 mother-child (6–23 months) pairs from 11 selected kebeles on March 6 to April 13, 2017. Multistage cluster sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. The sampling frame was obtained from the family folder of health posts in each kebele. The mother-child pairs were selected by the simple random sampling method. The 7 food groups of the World Health Organization (WHO) for children and the 10 food groups of FANTA/FAO 2016 for mothers were used to analyze the dietary diversity. Cohen’s kappa statistics was calculated to see the strength of concordance. The multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to determine factors affecting mother-child dietary diversity concordance. A good concordance was noted between mother-child dietary diversity scores (Kappa = 0.43). Only 56 (7.1%) mothers were negative deviants, and 133 (16.8%) mothers were positive deviants in dietary diversity consumption. Rural residence (AOR = 3.49; 95% CI: 1.90–6.41), having no formal education (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.08–3.05), not owning milking cow (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.10–2.56), children with low dietary diversity (AOR = 8.23; 95% CI: 5.17–13.08), and mothers with low dietary diversity (AOR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.29–0.74) were found to be factors associated with mother-child dietary diversity concordance. An increase in the percentage of children reaching the minimum dietary diversity was greater with a successive increase in maternal dietary diversity. Despite interesting similarities between mothers and children dietary consumption, more than three-quarters of concordants did not achieve the recommended dietary diversity score (were low concordants). Interventions targeting on rural women’s access to high school education, home-based milking cow rearing, and promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture to meet the dietary requirements of mothers and children in a sustainable manner and public health efforts to improve child nutrition may be strengthened by promoting maternal dietary diversity due to its potential effect on the entire family.
Application of the WNN-Based SCG Optimization Algorithm for Predicting Soft Soil Foundation Engineering Settlement
Authors: Li Guihua , Han Chenyu , Mei Hong , Chen Shuai
Published: October 2021

Settlement prediction in soft soil foundation engineering is a newer technique. Predicting soft soil settling has long been one of the most challenging techniques due to difficulties in soft soil engineering. To overcome these challenges, the wavelet neural network (WNN) is mostly used. So, after assessing its estimate performance, two elements, early parameter selection and system training techniques, are chosen to optimize the traditional WNN difficulties of readily convergence to the local infinitesimal point, low speed, and poor approximation performance. The number of hidden layer nodes is determined using a self-adaptive adjustment technique. The wavelet neural network (WNN) is coupled with the scaled conjugate gradient (SCG) to increase the feasibility and accuracy of the soft fundamental engineering settlement prediction model, and a better wavelet network for the soft ground engineering settlement prediction is suggested in this paper. Furthermore, we have proposed the technique of locating the early parameters based on autocorrelation. The settlement of three types of traditional soft foundation engineering, including metro tunnels, highways, and high-rise building foundations, has been predicted using our proposed model. The findings revealed that the model is superior to the backpropagation neural network and the standard WNN for solving problems of approximation performance. As a result, the model is acceptable for soft foundation engineering settlement prediction and has substantial project referential value.
The Genetic Landscape of Ocular Adnexa MALT Lymphoma Reveals Frequent Aberrations in NFAT and MEF2B Signaling Pathways
Authors: Magistri Marco , Happ Lanie E. , Ramdial Jeremy , Lu XiaoQing , Stathias Vasileios , Kunkalla Kranthi , Agarwal Nitin , Jiang Xiaoyu , Schürer Stephan C. , Dubovy Sander R. , Chapman Jennifer R. , Vega Francisco , Dave Sandeep , Lossos Izidore S.
Published: October 2021

A comprehensive constellation of somatic nonsilent mutations and copy-number (CN) variations in ocular adnexa marginal zone lymphoma (OAMZL) is unknown. By utilizing whole-exome sequencing in 69 tumors, we define the genetic landscape of OAMZL. Mutations and CN changes in CABIN1 (30%), RHOA (26%), TBL1XR1 (22%), and CREBBP (17%) and inactivation of TNFAIP3 (26%) were among the most common aberrations. Candidate cancer driver genes cluster in the B-cell receptor (BCR), NF-κB, NOTCH, and NFAT signaling pathways. One of the most commonly altered genes is CABIN1, a calcineurin inhibitor acting as a negative regulator of the NFAT and MEF2B transcriptional activity. CABIN1 deletions enhance BCR-stimulated NFAT and MEF2B transcriptional activity, while CABIN1 mutations enhance only MEF2B transcriptional activity by impairing binding of mSin3a to CABIN1. Our data provide an unbiased identification of genetically altered genes that may play a role in the molecular pathogenesis of OAMZL and serve as therapeutic targets.

Significance:

We report systematic application of whole-exome sequencing and CN variations in OAMZL, revealing common alterations in regulation of NFAT signaling pathway that may facilitate identification of new therapies.
HSP70 Inhibition Blocks Adaptive Resistance and Synergizes with MEK Inhibition for the Treatment of NRAS-Mutant Melanoma
Authors: Parris Joshua L.D. , Barnoud Thibaut , Leu Julia I.-Ju , Leung Jessica C. , Ma Weili , Kirven Nicole A. , Poli Adi Naryana Reddy , Kossenkov Andrew V. , Liu Qin , Salvino Joseph M. , George Donna L. , Weeraratna Ashani T. , Chen Qing , Murphy Maureen E.
Published: October 2021

NRAS-mutant melanoma is currently a challenge to treat. This is due to an absence of inhibitors directed against mutant NRAS, along with adaptive and acquired resistance of this tumor type to inhibitors in the MAPK pathway. Inhibitors to MEK have shown some promise for NRAS-mutant melanoma. In this work, we explored the use of MEK inhibitors for NRAS-mutant melanoma. At the same time, we investigated the impact of the brain microenvironment, specifically astrocytes, on the response of a melanoma brain metastatic cell line to MEK inhibition. These parallel avenues led to the surprising finding that astrocytes enhance the sensitivity of melanoma tumors to MEK inhibitors (MEKi). We show that MEKi cause an upregulation of the transcriptional regulator ID3, which confers resistance. This upregulation of ID3 is blocked by conditioned media from astrocytes. We show that silencing ID3 enhances the sensitivity of melanoma to MEKi, thus mimicking the effect of the brain microenvironment. Moreover, we report that ID3 is a client protein of the chaperone HSP70, and that HSP70 inhibition causes ID3 to misfold and accumulate in a detergent-insoluble fraction in cells. We show that HSP70 inhibitors synergize with MEKi against NRAS-mutant melanoma, and that this combination significantly enhances the survival of mice in two different models of NRAS-mutant melanoma. These studies highlight ID3 as a mediator of adaptive resistance, and support the combined use of MEK and HSP70 inhibitors for the therapy of NRAS-mutant melanoma.

Significance:

MEKi are currently used for NRAS-mutant melanoma, but have shown modest efficacy as single agents. This research shows a synergistic effect of combining HSP70 inhibitors with MEKi for the treatment of NRAS mutant melanoma.
Comprehensive Immunoprofiling of High-Risk Oral Proliferative and Localized Leukoplakia
Authors: Hanna Glenn J. , Villa Alessandro , Mistry Nikhil , Jia Yonghui , Quinn Charles T. , Turner Madison M. , Felt Kristen D. , Pfaff Kathleen , Haddad Robert I. , Uppaluri Ravindra , Rodig Scott J. , Woo Sook-Bin , Egloff Ann Marie , Hodi F. Stephen
Published: October 2021

Oral leukoplakia is common and may, in some cases, progress to carcinoma. Proliferative leukoplakia is a progressive, often multifocal subtype with a high rate of malignant transformation compared with the more common localized leukoplakia. We hypothesized that the immune microenvironment and gene expression patterns would be distinct for proliferative leukoplakia compared with localized leukoplakia. We summarize key clinicopathologic features among proliferative leukoplakia and localized leukoplakia and compare cancer-free survival (CFS) between subgroups. We analyze immunologic gene expression profiling in proliferative leukoplakia and localized leukoplakia tissue samples (NanoString PanCancer Immune Oncology Profiling). We integrate immune cell activation and spatial distribution patterns in tissue samples using multiplexed immunofluorescence and digital image capture to further define proliferative leukoplakia and localized leukoplakia. Among N = 58 patients (proliferative leukoplakia, n = 29; localized leukoplakia, n = 29), only the clinical diagnosis of proliferative leukoplakia was associated with significantly decreased CFS (HR, 11.25; P < 0.01; 5-year CFS 46.8% and 83.6% among patients with proliferative leukoplakia and localized leukoplakia, respectively). CD8+ T cells and T regulatory (Treg) were more abundant among proliferative leukoplakia samples (P < 0.01) regardless of degree of epithelial dysplasia, and often colocalized to the dysplasia–stromal interface. Gene set analysis identified granzyme M as the most differentially expressed gene favoring the proliferative leukoplakia subgroup (log2 fold change, 1.93; Padj < 0.001). Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) was comparatively overexpressed among proliferative leukoplakia samples, with higher (>5) PD-L1 scores predicting worse CFS (Padj < 0.01). Proliferative leukoplakia predicts a high rate of malignant transformation within 5 years of diagnosis. A prominent CD8+ T-cell and Treg signature along with relative PD-L1 overexpression compared with localized leukoplakia provides strong rationale for PD-1/PD-L1 axis blockade using preventative immunotherapy.

Significance:

This is the first in-depth profiling effort to immunologically characterize high-risk proliferative leukoplakia as compared with the more common localized leukoplakia. We observed a notable cytotoxic T-cell and Treg signature with relative overexpression of PD-L1 in high-risk proliferative leukoplakia providing a strong preclinical rationale for investigating PD-1/PD-L1 axis blockade in this disease as preventative immunotherapy.
Effect of the Fungal Immunomodulatory Protein FIP-fve in the Neutrophilic Asthma Animal Model
Authors: Pan Hui-Hsien , Ko Jiunn-Liang , Wu Chia-Ta , Sun Hai-Lun , Quek Yeak-Wun , Ku Min-Sho , Lue Ko-Huang
Published: October 2021

Background: Asthma animal models provide valuable information about the pathogenesis and the treatment of asthma. An ovalbumin (OVA)/complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-sensitized model was developed to induce neutrophil-dominant asthma and to investigate whether fungal immunomodulatory peptide-fve (FIP-fve) could improve asthma features in the OVA/CFA-sensitized model. Methods: We used female BALB/c mice and sensitized them intraperitoneally with OVA/CFA on days 1, 2, and 3. On days 14, 17, 21, 24, and 27, they were challenged with intranasal OVA. The airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) was detected by BUXCO, inflammatory cells were stained with Liu’s stain, the cytokines were detected using ELISA, and the airway inflammation was analyzed with hematoxylin and eosin stain. Results: According to the results, OVA/CFA sensitization could induce AHR, high levels of IgE, and inflammatory cells especially neutrophils infiltration in the lung and airway inflammation. IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, IL-25, IL-33, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) increased in the OVA/CFA-sensitized mice. OVA/CFA-sensitized mice treated with FIP-fve not only increased IL-12 and IFN-γ but also decreased IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, IL-17, IL-25, IL-33, and TGF-β in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Moreover, FIP-fve significantly decreased neutrophil infiltration in the lung. Conclusion: The OVA/CFA model induced neutrophilic asthma successfully, and FIP-fve improved neutrophil-dominant asthma.
Circ_ROBO2/miR-149 Axis Promotes the Proliferation and Migration of Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells by Activating NF-κB Signaling
Authors: Lin Dong-Sheng , Zhang Chi-Yuan , Li Liang , Ye Guo-Hong , Jiang Lu-Ping , Jin Qiao
Published: October 2021

Atherosclerosis is the leading global cause of mortality. The occurrence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is regulated by a diversity of pathways, including circRNAs. However, the potential mechanisms of circRNAs in CAD remain unclear. Here, qRT-PCR was used to examine the expressions of miR-149 and circ_ROBO2. Their influences on cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were measured by CCK-8, trans­well, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. The protein levels of p-IκBα and NF-κB p65 were examined using western blot. The molecular interactions were validated using dual luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays. The expression patterns of circ_ROBO2 and miR-149 in CAD patients and PDGF-BB-treated human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) were upregulated and downregulated, respectively. Knockdown of circ_ROBO2 could markedly inhibit the capabilities of proliferation and migration, enhance the apoptotic rate, and suppress NF-κB signaling in PDGF-BB-treated HASMCs. Mechanistically, circ_ROBO2 acted as a sponge of miR-149 to activate TRAF6/NF-κB signaling. Rescue studies demonstrated that neither silencing miR-149 nor activation of NF-κB signaling obviously abolished the biological roles of circ_ROBO2 knockdown in PDGF-BB treated-HASMCs. This discovery elucidated a functional mechanism of circ_ROBO2 in CAD, suggesting that circRNAs serve a vital role in the progression of CAD.