bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iterating Fixed Point via Generalized Mann’s Iteration in Convex b‐Metric Spaces with Application
Authors: Asif A. , Alansari M. , Hussain N. , Arshad M. , Ali A.
Published: February 2021

This manuscript investigates fixed point of single‐valued Hardy‐Roger’s type F‐contraction globally as well as locally in a convex b‐metric space. The paper, using generalized Mann’s iteration, iterates fixed point of the abovementioned contraction; however, the third axiom (F3) of the F‐contraction is removed, and thus the mapping F is relaxed. An important approach used in the article is, though a subset closed ball of a complete convex b‐metric space is not necessarily complete, the convergence of the Cauchy sequence is confirmed in the subset closed ball. The results further lead us to some important corollaries, and examples are produced in support of our main theorems. The paper most importantly presents application of our results in finding solution to the integral equations.
Clostridium Difficile and COVID-19: Novel Risk Factors for Acute Portal Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Rokkam Venkata Ram Pradeep , Kutti Sridharan Gurusaravanan , Vegunta Rathnamitreyee , Vegunta Radhakrishna , Boregowda Umesha , Mohan Babu P.
Published: February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented global health care crisis. COVID-19 patients are found to have increased thrombotic risk. Despite being on prophylactic anticoagulation, many develop serious arterial and venous thromboembolic events. Emerging reports indicate COVID-19 may be considered a novel risk factor for portal vein thrombosis. Although, intra-abdominal infections are identified as risk factors, clostridium difficile colitis has not been typically seen as a risk factor for PVT. We report a case of an elderly female with a recent diagnosis of COVID-19 and no prior history of cirrhosis or malignancy who presented with diarrhea due to clostridium difficile infection. She developed sudden onset severe abdominal pain during the course of hospitalization. Acute portal vein thrombosis was identified on CT imaging of the abdomen, and she improved well with therapeutic anticoagulation. Acute portal vein thrombosis usually results from a combination of local and systemic prothrombotic risk factors. The combination of local infection by clostridium difficile and COVID-19 coagulopathy led to development of portal vein thrombosis in our patient. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of portal vein thrombosis reported in a patient with clostridium difficile infection in the setting of COVID-19 coagulopathy. During the current pandemic, clinicians should strongly consider abdominal imaging in patients presenting with abdominal pain due to clostridium difficile infection in the setting of COVID-19 to rule out complications such as portal vein thrombosis. Early diagnosis and treatment of portal vein thrombosis prevent complications of portal hypertension and intestinal infarctions.
Model Construction and Performance Degradation Characteristics of a Deflector Jet Pressure Servo Valve under the Condition of Oil Contamination
Authors: Chu Yuanbo , Yuan Zhaohui , He Xuegong , Dong Zhichao
Published: February 2021

The deflector jet pressure servo valve is a kind of high-precision hydraulic component that can be widely used in the antiskid braking system of an aircraft. In actual service, it will be faced with extreme working conditions of gradual oil contamination, which will cause performance degradation and function maladjustment of the whole valve. To this end, the paper proposes a performance degradation characteristic analysis method. In which, firstly, the structural characteristics and working principle of the deflector jet pressure valve are analyzed; then, the entire dynamics model of the pressure valve is built using the braking cavity as the load blind cavity. Secondly, the two main failure modes induced by oil contamination such as erosion wear of pilot stage and stuck of slide valve stage’s valve core are determined based on the engineering experience, aimed at which the failure mechanism is analyzed; then, the sensitivity simulation model of the servo valve’s output pressure with respect to key degradation parameters is established and the sensitivity analysis is performed. Finally, combining the theoretical analysis with multiphysics simulation correction methods, the performance degradation model of the typical failure modes are established, and then, the performance degradation characteristics under dynamic contamination conditions are analyzed, which is combined with the failure threshold determined by the dynamics simulation to finish the service life prediction of the deflector jet servo valve.
An Optimized Neural Network Classification Method Based on Kernel Holistic Learning and Division
Authors: Wen Hui , Li Tongbin , Chen Deli , Yang Jianlu , Che Yan
Published: February 2021

An optimized neural network classification method based on kernel holistic learning and division (KHLD) is presented. The proposed method is based on the learned radial basis function (RBF) kernel as the research object. The kernel proposed here can be considered a subspace region consisting of the same pattern category in the training sample space. By extending the region of the sample space of the original instances, relevant information between instances can be obtained from the subspace, and the classifier’s boundary can be far from the original instances; thus, the robustness and generalization performance of the classifier are enhanced. In concrete implementation, a new pattern vector is generated within each RBF kernel according to the instance optimization and screening method to characterize KHLD. Experiments on artificial datasets and several UCI benchmark datasets show the effectiveness of our method.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Long Noncoding RNAs as Potential Novel Biomarkers in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy
Authors: Zou Shaohan , Zhao Shaojie , Wang Jing , Dong Ruirui , Zou Ping , Liang Fengbing , Zhu Ting ting , Zhou Tao , Li Na , Zhang Yan , Wang Tiejun , Chen Minjian , Zhou Conghua , Zhang Ting , Luo Liang
Published: February 2021

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of important regulators participating in various pathological processes. Until now, the role of lncRNAs in the occurrence and development of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) has rarely been investigated. The data from microarray screening revealed 58 upregulated and 85 downregulated lncRNAs and 47 upregulated and 71 downregulated mRNAs in ICP patients compared to healthy controls. Bioinformatics analysis revealed biological processes focused on lipid metabolism, apoptosis, cell cycle, cell differentiation, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, the expressions of three lncRNAs (ENST00000505175.1, ASO3480, and ENST00000449605.1) chosen for verification were significantly decreased and showed the diagnostic and prognostic value for ICP based on ROC analysis. This is the first study to report the specific role of lncRNAs in ICP, which may be helpful for the diagnosis and prognosis of ICP clinically.
ST36 Acupuncture Alleviates the Inflammation of Adjuvant-Induced Arthritic Rats by Targeting Monocyte/Macrophage Modulation
Authors: Yang Fuming , Gong Yinan , Yu Nannan , Yao Lin , Zhao Xue , Hong Shouhai , Wang Shenjun , Chen Bo , Xu Yuan , Pang Guangchang , Wang Hui , Guo Yongming , Li Yanan , Guo Yi , Xu Zhifang
Published: February 2021

Background. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the aggregation of immune cells and secretion of cytokines in the joint synovium, causing hyperblastosis and even bone destruction. Acupuncture has been proven effective in RA treatment. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory action of acupuncture, specifically, in relation to immune cell interactions and key mediators. Methods. Rats with adjuvant-induced arthritics (AIA) were treated with manual acupuncture (MA) at Zusanli (ST36). Joint edema and paw withdrawal latency were monitored to observe the effects on inflammation. The levels of 24 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in ankle joints during the treatment (on days 1, 7, 15, and 21) were detected by multiplex immunoassay. A bioinformatics analysis based on a directed weighted mathematical model was used to construct cell communication network diagrams and identify the key cells through calculation. The monocyte/macrophage polarization in inflamed joints was investigated by detecting M1- and M2-phenotypic populations and their related cytokines. Results. ST36 MA alleviated paw edema and upregulated the nociceptive threshold of AIA rats. Several innate and adaptive immune cytokines were dynamically regulated by MA, and MA-treated rats showed a significant improvement in symptoms compared with AIA rats by day 21. The immune cell-cell communication networks were intensified with the development of RA but were significantly reduced after treatment with MA. MA was found to specifically regulate monocytes/macrophages in inflamed ankle joints ST36 MA also inhibited M1-phenotype macrophages accompanied by decreased levels of IL-1β. Conclusions. ST36 MA showed anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects as well as inhibition of immune cell communication networks in inflamed joints of AIA rats. Inhibiting the polarization of macrophages to the M1-phenotype in inflamed joints may be one of the key mechanisms of MA anti-inflammatory action. This research highlighted a systematic research paradigm for investigating mechanisms of acupuncture action.
Effect of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of jute yarns
Authors: Smail Y Ben , Moumen A El , Imad A , Lmai F , Ezahri M
Published: February 2021

In the last two decades, an increasing interest has been observed for the use of natural fibers such as jute fibers in different applications. These fibers are characterized by their low cost and their availability. They are mainly used in fabric bag manufacturing. The objective of this paper is to study the effect of temperature on the mechanical properties of jute yarns. An experimental study was conducted at different temperatures (22 °C; 80 °C; 105 °C and 150 °C) for 24 h. Each degree was followed by tensile testing of the specimen. Besides, the thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to investigate the effect of the temperature on the thermal stability and the thermal degradation of the jute fibers. In addition, the statistical analysis was performed using the method of two and three-parameter Weibull distribution to determine the spatial distribution of the properties. The results showed that there was a degradation of the mechanical properties of the jute yarns heated to high temperature compared to the raw yarns (considered as a specimen exposed to 22 °C). The tensile strain and the Young modulus failed by 36% and 13% respectively for the specimens heated at 150 °C and the failure kinematic of the jute fiber was affected by the temperature of heating. The TGA showed that the thermal stability of the jute yarns was affected by two factors: fibers drying and their changing temperatures.
Comparison of pulmonary function in isoflurane anaesthetized ventilated sheep (Ovis aries) following administration of intravenous xylazine versus medetomidine
Authors: Raisis Anthea L , Hosgood Giselle L , Crawford Nicholas , Kästner Sabine , Musk Gabrielle C , Herrmann Peter , Mosing Martina
Published: February 2021

Alpha2 receptor agonists (alpha2-agonists) are useful sedative and analgesic agents in sheep, but have adverse pulmonary effects, which are reportedly similar between different alpha2-agonists. This randomized crossover study compared pulmonary function after intravenous administration of an alpha2-agonist, either xylazine or an equipotent dose of medetomidine in 34 female sheep anaesthetized twice. Pulmonary function was assessed using spirometry, volumetric capnography, arterial blood gas analysis 1 min prior to, and 5 and 10 min after administration of the allocated alpha 2 agonist drug. Pulmonary structural changes were subsequently assessed using computed tomography (CT). Tachypnoea or hypoxaemia prompted reversal with atipamezole and exclusion of data. Data were analysed for a fixed effect of drug using a mixed effect linear model with significance set at p < 0.05. Ten sheep administered xylazine required atipamezole while none of sheep receiving medetomidine did. Xylazine produced significantly higher respiratory frequency, airway pressures, airway resistance and arterial carbon dioxide (CO2), and lower dynamic compliance, tidal volume, CO2 elimination and end tidal CO2 tension and arterial oxygen tension than medetomidine. This was associated with a significantly lower % of aerated tissue and higher % poorly and non-aerated tissue in CT images of sheep receiving xylazine versus medetomidine. In conclusion, xylazine administration produced marked decreases in pulmonary function, in ventilated isoflurane anaesthetized sheep, when compared to an equipotent dose of medetomidine when administered as an intravenous bolus supporting the use of medetomidine when alpha2-agonists are required.
Semantic Clustering During Verbal List Learning Is Associated With Employment Status in a Community Sample
Authors: Williams Michael W. , Ulrich Nathalie , Woods Steven Paul
Published: February 2021

The ability to learn and remember verbal information is highly relevant to many work roles and environments, but we know little about the underlying cognitive mechanisms of those associations. This study examined the hypothesis that unemployment is associated with decreased spontaneous use of higher-order encoding strategies deployed during list learning and recall. Participants were 120 employed and 59 unemployed community-dwelling adults who completed the California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition (CVLT-II) as part of a broader neuropsychological assessment. Standardized measures of semantic, serial, and subjective clustering were generated from the CVLT-II. After adjusting for data-driven covariates, a significant interaction emerged between employment status and clustering strategy, whereby participants in the employed group exhibited significantly higher scores on semantic clustering, but not serial or subjective clustering, than the unemployed group. The semantic clustering slope score was higher among the employed group and was positively associated with executive functions and declarative memory. These findings suggest that higher-order semantic organizational strategies during supraspan list learning may be relevant to maintaining gainful employment (e.g., mentally organizing work-related instructions and task lists). Future studies might examine semantic clustering in relation to employment changes and work performance, as well as the potential benefit of metacognitive interventions for learning and employment success.
Preparation and characterization of new red luminescent fibers based on a multilayer structure
Authors: Zheng Liubin , Zhu Yanan , Pang Zengyuan , Li Jing , Chen Wenying , Ge Mingqiao
Published: February 2021

Composite red luminescent material SMED/LCA (Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+,Dy3+/light conversion agent) is a phosphor with long afterglow, which was prepared by LCA and SMED at a certain mass ratio. It has excellent characteristics, such as high lightness and emitting red light, but poor stability properties because LCA falls off easily from the surface of SMED. Here, SiO2 (Al2O3 or MgF2) was coated on the surface of SMED/LCA through the heterogeneous deposition method to prepare a stable composite phosphor, adding coated phosphor into a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber-forming polymer and wet spinning to form SMED/LCA-PAN (composite red light-emitting fiber). The surface element distribution, phase structure and luminescence properties of SMED/LCA-PAN were characterized. The results show that SiO2 (Al2O3 or MgF2) is successfully coated on the surface of the material, and the coating has no effect on the phase of SMED in the fibers. The intensity red/blue ratio (Int.600 nm versus Int.470 nm) of coated SMED/LCA fiber in the afterglow emission spectrum increases by about 1.9 times; the increase in energy conversion efficiency indicates the enhancement of the red light effect. In addition, the afterglow initial brightness is up to 0.148 cd/m2 after 15 min of ultraviolet light excitation, and the luminous fiber still has high afterglow brightness.
Perception modeling based on vision and touch: “authenticity” of leather defined through observational experience
Authors: Watanabe Shuhei , Horiuchi Takahiko
Published: February 2021

Nowadays, numerous products use artificial leather as it is a cost-effective alternative to genuine leather. However, products made from artificial leather may leave impressions on consumers that are dissimilar to those left by products made of genuine leather. In other words, products that use artificial leather but are perceived as genuine leather are more attractive to consumers. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to understand and quantify the factors that affect the mechanism via which consumers perceive a leather product to be made of genuine leather. We conducted several experiments to evaluate the hypothesis regarding human perception. Measurement experiments were performed to obtain the visual and physical properties of such impressions. We estimated the representative impressions formed by people during their interaction with leather samples through subjective experiments and derived models of these impressions in terms of the measured properties. Subjective evaluation experiments were performed under visual, tactile, and visual–tactile conditions. Finally, we quantified leather “authenticity” using these representative impressions. Participants, who are general consumers, were divided into two groups according to their familiarity with leather. The “authenticity” perception model of the group familiar with leather was constructed under visual and visual–tactile conditions, whereas the model of the group unfamiliar with leather was constructed under visual–tactile conditions, suggesting the influence of a cross-modal phenomenon. The results of this study can be applied to develop attractive artificial leather, which is expected to contribute to the protection of animal rights while promoting the sale of artificial leather products.
A rare cause of left ventricular outflow tract mass in infancy: Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma
Authors: Haranal Maruti , Febrianti Zul , Latiff Haifa A , Rahman Sabariah A , Sivalingam Sivakumar
Published: February 2021

Primary cardiac tumors are one of the rare causes of intracardiac masses in pediatric population. Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas are benign cardiac tumors with predilection for valvular endocardium, and the presentation is dictated by the cardiac structure involved and the tumor characteristics. We report an infant with cardiac papillary fibroelastoma manifesting as an asymptomatic left ventricular outflow tract mass. This case is being presented to emphasize the rare occurrence of cardiac papillary fibroelastoma in pediatric population and to be cognizant of this entity when considering differential diagnosis of intracardiac masses in this subgroup.
Change and predictive ability of circulating immunoregulatory lymphocytes in long-term outcomes of acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Li Sicheng , Huang Yichen , Liu Yang , Rocha Marcelo , Li Xiaofan , Wei Pengju , Misilimu Dilidaer , Luo Yunhe , Zhao Jing , Gao Yanqin
Published: February 2021

Lymphocytes play an important role in the immune response after stroke. However, our knowledge of the circulating lymphocytes in ischemic stroke is limited. Herein, we collected the blood samples of clinical ischemic stroke patients to detect the change of lymphocytes from admission to 3 months after ischemic stroke by flow cytometry. A total of 87 healthy controls and 210 patients were enrolled, and the percentages of circulating T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, double negative T cells (DNTs), CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), CD8+ Tregs, B cells and regulatory B cells (Bregs) were measured. Among patients, B cells, Bregs and CD8+ Tregs increased significantly, while CD4+ Tregs dropped and soon reversed after ischemic stroke. CD4+ Tregs, CD8+ Tregs, and DNTs also showed high correlations with the infarct volume and neurological scores of patients. Moreover, these lymphocytes enhanced the predictive ability of long-term prognosis of neurological scores when added to basic clinical information. The percentage of CD4+ Tregs within lymphocytes showed high correlations with both acute and long-term neurological outcomes, which exhibited a great independent predictive ability. These findings suggest that CD4+ Tregs can be a biomarker to predict stroke outcomes and improve existing therapeutic strategies of immunoregulatory lymphocytes.
Cognitive impairment in mild traumatic brain injury: a diffusion kurtosis imaging and volumetric study
Authors: Wang Ming-Liang , Wei Xiao-Er , Yu Meng-Meng , Li Wen-Bin
Published: February 2021

Background

A significant number of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) would experience cognitive deficit.

Purpose

To investigate the brain structural changes in sub-acute mTBI by diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and volumetric analysis, and to assess the relationship between brain structural changes and cognitive functions.

Material and Methods

A total of 23 patients with sub-acute mTBI and 24 control participants were recruited. All the participants underwent examinations of neuropsychological tests, DKI, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based morphological scans. Images were investigated using whole brain-based analysis and further regions of interest-based analysis for subcortical nuclei. The neuropsychological tests were compared between the mTBI and the control group. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between gray matter (GM) volume, DKI parameters, and cognitive functions.

Results

Compared with control participants, mTBI patients performed worse in the domains of verbal memory, attention and executive function ( P < 0.05). No regional GM volume differences were observed between the mTBI and control groups ( P > 0.05). Using DKI, patients with mTBI showed lower mean kurtosis (MK) in widespread white matter (WM) regions and several subcortical nuclei ( P < 0.05), and higher mean diffusivity (MD) in the right pallidum ( P < 0.05). Lower MK value of multiple WM regions and several subcortical nuclei correlated with cognitive impairment ( P < 0.05).

Conclusion

DKI was sensitive in detecting brain microstructural changes in patients with sub-acute mTBI showing lower MK value in widespread WM regions and several subcortical nuclei, which were statistically associated with cognitive deficits.
The diagnostic value of T2 map, diffusion tensor imaging, and diffusion kurtosis imaging in differentiating dermatomyositis from muscular dystrophy
Authors: Ran Jun , Dai Bin , Liu Chanyuan , Zhang Huayue , Li Yitong , Hou Bowen , Li Xiaoming
Published: February 2021

Background

Dermatomyositis (DM) and muscular dystrophy are clinically difficult to differentiate.

Purpose

To confirm the feasibility and assess the accuracy of conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), T2 map, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in the differentiation of DM from muscular dystrophy.

Material and Methods

Forty-two patients with DM proven by diagnostic criteria were enrolled in the study along with 23 patients with muscular dystrophy. Conventional MR, T2 map, DTI, and DKI images were obtained in the thigh musculature for all patients. Intramuscular T2 value, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and mean kurtosis (MK) values were compared between the patients with DM and muscular dystrophy. Student’s t-tests and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed for all parameters. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

The intramuscular T2, ADC, FA, MD, and MK values within muscles were statistically significantly different between the DM and muscular dystrophy groups ( P<0.01). The MK value was statistically significantly different between the groups in comparison with T2 and FA value. As a supplement to conventional MRI, the parameters of MD and MK differentiated DM and muscular dystrophy may be valuable. The optimal cut-off value of ADC and MD values (with respective AUC, sensitivity, and specificity) between DM and muscular dystrophy were 1.698 ×10−3mm2/s (0.723, 54.1%, and 78.1%) and 1.80 ×10−3mm2/s (61.9% and 70.2%), respectively.

Conclusion

Thigh muscle ADC and MD parameters may be useful in differentiating patients with DM from those with muscular dystrophy.
When politicians do not care for the policy: Street-level compliance in cross-agency contexts
Authors: Mavrot Céline , Hadorn Susanne
Published: February 2021

The non-implementation of political decisions is a major challenge of contemporary political life. Policy analysis has devoted careful attention to implementation gaps resulting from administrative non-compliance with political orders. However, the fact that political authorities actually want to enforce all policies should not be taken for granted. This article proposes a conceptual model that systematically accounts for cross-agency divergence and convergence processes both at the political and at the street levels. We find that in inter-sectoral policies, dissent between different heads of agencies (political level) or between groups of implementing bureaucrats (street level) rather than dissent between the political and the street-level can be a major cause of non-compliance. Based on a comparative dataset on the implementation of the smoking ban in 12 Swiss states, the article analyzes cross-agency fragmentation processes. It advocates a stronger dialogue between street-level bureaucracy and policy coordination literatures, and nuances the conceptualization of (non-)compliance in a cross-agency context.
Influence of post welding heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welding joint of AZ31 Mg alloy
Authors: Singh Kulwant , Singh Gurbhinder , Singh Harmeet
Published: February 2021

At present, magnesium alloys are extensively used in numerous applications due to their light weight and better characteristics. Welding of magnesium alloys is regarded as one of the most complex phenomena in various industries. The friction stir welding of magnesium alloys has encouraged abundant scientific and industrial interest as it has the potency to form a good quality joint. Post welding heat treatment is an appropriate process to further improve the properties or performance of FSW joints. Therefore, the present work aims to join AZ31 Mg alloy plates by friction stir welding, and microstructural and mechanical properties of the joint have been examined. Furthermore, the consequence of post welding heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of FSW joint has been evaluated. Tensile strength and elongation of FSW joint were about 145.4 ± 4.9 MPa and 9.5 ± 0.9%, respectively. It was found that post welding heat treatment was beneficial in homogenizing grains and to enhance mechanical properties. Tensile strength and elongation of the joint were improved by 4.74% and 15.78% respectively after PWHT. The highest microhardness of stir zone decreased about 6.84% (73 Hv to 68 Hv) after heat treatment and hardness pattern of weld became relatively smooth. Toughness of PWHT joint was 4.5 ± 0.17 Joules. The mode of tensile failure of as-welded and PWHT joint was ductile.
Theodor Meynert (1833–1892): Famous brain-anatomist and poet
Authors: Hlade Josef
Published: February 2021

This paper focuses on the lesser-known side of the famous neuropathologist, anatomist, and psychiatrist Theodor Meynert (1833–1892): Meynert as a poet. Meynert decided to become a doctor late in life, a decision that required him to give up on having a career as a writer. This analysis outlines that Meynert, as a scientist, was significantly shaped by his multifaceted interests and surrounding environment. It refers to previously unknown archival materials and especially letters that gives new insights into his multifactored personality. Thus, as this paper argues, his poetic affinity is of great importance to understanding his work.
The First Eastern General Hospital (1914–1919) of the Royal Army Medical Corps at Cambridge
Authors: Demetriades Andreas K
Published: February 2021

The First Eastern General Hospital (1914–1919) from its inception at the Leys School, its growth and establishment at Trinity College Cambridge and then its further move to the cricket grounds of King’s College and Clare College (now the site of the University Library), exemplifies the determination and desire of Cambridge University to contribute to the humanitarian effort during World War I. It is also a prime example of the sheer sacrifice and altruism of the medical profession across its ranks to offer its services in times of need. From its day of mobilisation on 5 August and its first patient admission on 16 August 1914 through 30 June 1918, the last month for which hospital data exist, the First Eastern General Hospital admitted 62,664 patients from Home, Expeditionary, Belgian and Mediterranean Forces. In the last month alone, it admitted more than 2000 personnel. By its closure, there were only 437 deaths, a mortality rate of 0.69 per cent. It paved the way for Auxiliary Hospitals to which 2500 of its patients were transferred. Both Barnwell and Cherry Hinton Military Hospitals, set up to care for venereal disease patients, sprang from the First Eastern General and followed its organisation and staff arrangements after the parent closed.
Including a general practice endorsement letter with the testing kit in the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme: Results of a cluster randomised trial
Authors: Cross Amanda J , Myles Jonathan , Greliak Paul , Hackshaw Allan , Halloran Stephen , Benton Sally C , Addison Caroline , Chapman Caroline , Djedovic Natasha , Smith Stephen , Wagner Christian von , Duffy Stephen W , Raine Rosalind
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of general practitioner endorsement accompanying the screening kit rather than with the invitation letter on participation in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme and on the socioeconomic gradient in participation in the Programme.

Methods

The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in England is delivered via five regional hubs. In early 2016, we carried out a cluster-randomised trial, with hub-day of invitation as the randomisation unit. We randomised 150 hub-days of invitation to the intervention group, GP endorsement on the letter accompanying the guaiac faecal occult blood testing kit (75 hub-days, 197,366 individuals) or control, usual letter (75 hub-days, 197,476 individuals). The endpoint was participation, defined as return of a valid kit within 18 weeks of initial invitation. Because of the cluster randomisation, data were analysed by a hierarchical logistic regression, allowing a random effect for date of invitation. Socioeconomic status was represented by the index of multiple deprivation.

Results

Participation was 59.4% in the intervention group and 58.7% in the control group, a significant difference ( p = 0.04). There was no heterogeneity of the effect of intervention by index of multiple deprivation. We found that there was some confounding between date and screening episode order (first or subsequent screen). This in turn may have induced confounding with age and slightly diluted the result.

Conclusions

General practitioner endorsement induces a modest increase in participation in bowel cancer screening, but does not affect the socioeconomic gradient. When considering cluster randomisation as a research method, careful scrutiny of potential confounding is indicated in advance if possible and in analysis otherwise.
Ultralight micro-perforated sandwich panel with hierarchical honeycomb core for sound absorption
Authors: He Wei , Peng Xiangjun , Xin Fengxian , Lu Tian Jian
Published: February 2021

A theoretical model is developed to study the superior sound absorption performance of ultralight mirco-perforated sandwich panels with double-layer hierarchical honeycomb core. Numerical simulations are performed to validate theoretical model predictions and explore physical mechanisms underlying the sound absorption. Systematic parametric study is implemented to investigate the influence of specific structural parameters on sound absorption. To maximize sound absorption, optimal structural parameters of the hierarchical sandwich are obtained using the method of simulated annealing. It is demonstrated that viscous dissipation of the air inside micro-perforations and around inlet/outlet regions dominates sound absorption. Compared to micro-perforated sandwich panels with regular honeycomb core, not only the proposed hierarchical construction has much improved load-bearing capacity, but also significantly enhanced sound absorption covers a wide range of frequency.
Exact solution by dynamic stiffness method for the natural vibration of porous functionally graded plate considering neutral surface
Authors: Ali Md. Imran , Azam Mohammad Sikandar
Published: February 2021

This paper presents the formulation of dynamic stiffness matrix for the natural vibration analysis of porous power-law functionally graded Levy-type plate. In the process of formulating the dynamic stiffness matrix, Kirchhoff-Love plate theory in tandem with the notion of neutral surface has been taken on board. The developed dynamic stiffness matrix, a transcendental function of frequency, has been solved through the Wittrick–Williams algorithm. Hamilton’s principle is used to obtain the equation of motion and associated natural boundary conditions of porous power-law functionally graded plate. The variation across the thickness of the functionally graded plate’s material properties follows the power-law function. During the fabrication process, the microvoids and pores develop in functionally graded material plates. Three types of porosity distributions are considered in this article: even, uneven, and logarithmic. The eigenvalues computed by the dynamic stiffness matrix using Wittrick–Williams algorithm for isotropic, power-law functionally graded, and porous power-law functionally graded plate are juxtaposed with previously referred results, and good agreement is found. The significance of various parameters of plate vis-à-vis aspect ratio ( L/b), boundary conditions, volume fraction index ( p), porosity parameter ( e), and porosity distribution on the eigenvalues of the porous power-law functionally graded plate is examined. The effect of material density ratio and Young’s modulus ratio on the natural vibration of porous power-law functionally graded plate is also explained in this article. The results also prove that the method provided in the present work is highly accurate and computationally efficient and could be confidently used as a reference for further study of porous functionally graded material plate.
Use of sit-to-stand test to assess the physical capacity and exertional desaturation in patients post COVID-19
Authors: Núñez-Cortés Rodrigo , Rivera-Lillo Gonzalo , Arias-Campoverde Marisol , Soto-García Dario , García-Palomera Roberto , Torres-Castro Rodrigo
Published: February 2021

We propose the use of the 1-minute sit-to-stand test (1STST) to evaluate the physical capacity and exertional desaturation one month after discharge in a sample of patients who survived COVID-19 pneumonia. This was a cross-sectional study that collected routine data from consecutive patients admitted to the outpatient program in a public hospital in Chile. Patients were asked to complete a 1STST. Data were analyzed according to those with and without a prolonged hospital stay of >10 days. Eighty-three percent of the patients were able to complete the test (N = 50). The median age was 62.7 ± 12.5 years. The average number of repetitions in the 1STST was 20.9 ± 4.8. Thirty-two percent of patients had a decrease in pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) ≥ 4 points. The prolonged hospital stay subgroup had a significant increase in exertional desaturation (mean difference = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.2 to 3.9; p = 0.001) and dyspnea (mean difference = 1.1; 95% CI = 0.4 to 2.1; p = 0.042) compared to the group of length of stay ≤10 days. In-hospital survivors of COVID-19, the 1STST showed a decrease in physical capacity at one month in those 90% who were able to complete it. The 1STST was able to discriminate between those with and without a prolonged hospital stay and was able to detect exertional desaturation in some patients.
LncRNA BLACAT1 Promotes Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of Prostate Cancer Cells via Regulating miR-29a-3p/DVL3 Axis
Authors: Liao Bo , Chen Shuangquan , Li Yugen , Yang Zhaohui , Yang Ying , Deng Xianzhong , Ke Sha
Published: February 2021

Background:

Long non-coding RNA bladder cancer associated transcript 1 (BLACAT1) is oncogenic in several types of cancers. However, little is known concerning its expression and function in prostate cancer.

Methods:

Paired prostate cancer samples were collected, and the expression levels of BLACAT1, miR-29a-3p and disheveled segment polarity protein 3 (DVL3) were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR); BLACAT1 shRNAs were transfected into PC-3 and LNCaP cell lines, and proliferative ability was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay; qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to analyze the changes of miR-29a-3p and DVL3; dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to determine the regulatory relationships between miR-29a-3p and BLACAT1, and miR-29a-3p and DVL3.

Results:

BLACAT1 expression was significantly up-regulated in cancerous tissues of prostate cancer samples and positively correlated with the expression of DVL3, while negatively associated with miR-29a-3p. After the transfection of BLACAT1 shRNAs into prostate cancer cells, the proliferative ability and metastatic ability of cancer cells were significantly inhibited; BLACAT1 shRNAs could reduce the expression of DVL3 on both mRNA and protein expressions levels, the luciferase activity of BLACAT1 reporter was inhibited by miR-29a-3p, and DVL3 was validated as a target gene of miR-29a-3p.

Conclusion:

BLACAT1 expression is abnormally up-regulated in prostate cancer tissues. BLACAT1 can modulate the proliferative and metastatic ability of prostate cancer cells and have the potential to be the “ceRNA” to regulate the expression of DVL3 by sponging miR-29a-3p.
Circulating Tumor Cells Correlate With Prognosis in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Shichao , Wang Lili , Zhang Wenying , Liu Feng , Zhang Yanjie , Jiang Bin , Wang JiongYi , Yuan Haihua
Published: February 2021

Background:

To investigate the relationship of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and the clinical characteristic parameters and prognosis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods:

The retrospective clinical study included 95 patients with HNSCC who after surgery in Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine between December 2015 and December 2016. All patients were followed up for survival until the end of June 2019. The CTCs detection was performed by negative enrichment (NE) immunofluorescence-in situ hybridization (im-FISH) of chromosome 8.

Results:

Patients with higher CTCs counts are associated with a worse prognosis with an area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.756 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.640-0.872, p = 0.001]. The CTCs-positive rate of HNSCC patients was 58.9% (56/95) by using the cut-point of 3. Both the chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis showed that the N stage and clinical stage were significantly associated with CTCs-positive in patients with HNSCC ( p < 0.05). Further Non-parametric test analysis indicated that more CTCs counts were detected in late N and clinical stages patients ( p < 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that CTCs-positive were correlated with shorter progression-free survival (PFS) ( p < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) ( p = 0.001). Further, the CTCs-positive was an independent prognostic factor for PFS and OS according to the Cox multivariate regression analysis ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

More CTCs were associated with N stage, clinical stage, poor prognosis in patients with HNSCC, which might be used as a prognostic biomarker.
Active Participation, Mind–Body Stabilization, and Coping Strategies with Integrative Medicine in Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Theuser Anna-Katharin , Antoniadis Sophia , Langemann Hanna , Wasner Sonja , Grasruck Katharina , Dietzel-Drentwett Svenja , Fasching Peter A. , Beckmann Matthias W. , Hack Carolin C.
Published: February 2021

Purpose:

Increasing numbers of breast cancer survivors have led to a growing demand for integrative medicine. When patients have completed treatments associated with severe side effects, attention turns to reducing psychological symptoms, coping behavior, and self-care. The aim of this study was to assess patient-reported benefits in relation to active participation, mind–body stabilization, and coping strategies in breast cancer patients receiving integrative medicine.

Methods:

In a cross-sectional study, health counseling and treatment provided by a standardized integrative medicine consultancy service at the University Breast Center of Franconia were evaluated in 75 breast cancer patients over a 15-month period. At the baseline, the patients answered a questionnaire on their medical history, symptoms, and the treatment goals they were hoping to achieve with integrative medicine. Patient-reported outcomes relative to active participation, mind–body stabilization, and coping strategies were analyzed.

Results:

A large majority of the patients had previous experience with integrative medicine (91%). Most reported that they achieved their treatment goals with integrative medicine. Ninety-one percent achieved active participation in cancer treatment, 90% mind–body stabilization, and 79% improvement in coping strategies. Besides active participation, which was greatest in patients with stable disease, the success of integrative therapy was independent of age, concomitant diseases, previous integrative medicine experience, treatment state, and systemic cancer therapy.

Conclusion:

Breast cancer patients benefit from the counseling and treatment provided with integrative medicine in mind–body stabilization and coping with cancer. Active participation in cancer treatment is important for the patients. Integrative treatment services should form part of routine patient care.
WNT signaling in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Wolke Carmen , Antileo Elmer , Lendeckel Uwe
Published: February 2021

The Wnt signaling pathway regulates physiological processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation, cell fate decisions, and stem cell maintenance and, thus, plays essential roles in embryonic development, but also in adult tissue homeostasis and repair. The Wnt signaling pathway has been associated with heart development and repair and has been shown to be crucially involved in proliferation and differentiation of progenitor cells into cardiomyocytes. The investigation of the role of the Wnt signaling pathway and the regulation of its expression/activity in atrial fibrillation has only just begun. The present minireview (I) provides original data regarding the expression of Wnt signaling components in atrial tissue of patients with atrial fibrillation or sinus rhythm and (II) summarizes the current state of knowledge of the regulation of Wnt signaling components’ expression/activity and the contribution of the various levels of the Wnt signal transduction pathway to the processes of the development, maintenance, and progression of atrial fibrillation.
Castrated autoimmune glomerulonephritis mouse model shows attenuated glomerular sclerosis with altered parietal epithelial cell phenotype
Authors: Otani Yuki , Ichii Osamu , Masum Md. Abdul , Namba Takashi , Nakamura Teppei , Kon Yasuhiro
Published: February 2021

Sex hormones help in maintaining proper immunity as well as renal homeostasis in mammals, and these multi-functional properties characterize the onset of sex-dependent diseases. To clarify the contribution of sex hormones to autoimmune disease-related renal pathogenesis, BXSB/MpJ- Yaa was investigated as a murine autoimmune glomerulonephritis model. BXSB/MpJ- Yaa and its wild-type, BXSB/MpJ- Yaa+were castrated or sham-operated at three weeks and examined until six months of age. Both castrated strains showed significantly lower serum testosterone levels and body weights than sham-operated mice. Castration did not change the disease phenotypes in BXSB/MpJ- Yaa+. At three months, both sham-operated and castrated BXSB/MpJ- Yaa manifested splenomegaly, autoantibody production, and glomerulonephritis, and castrated BXSB/MpJ- Yaa tended to show heavier spleen weights than the sham-operated group. At six months, both the treated BXSB/MpJ- Yaa showed equivalent autoimmune disease conditions; however, castrated mice clearly showed milder glomerular sclerotic lesions than the sham-operated groups. Urinary albumin excretion in castrated BXSB/MpJ- Yaa was significantly milder than in sham-operated mice at four months, but those of both the treated BXSB/MpJ- Yaa were comparable at six months. The examined renal histopathological indices in parietal epithelial cells were remarkably altered by castration. Briefly, castration decreased the height of parietal epithelial cells and total parietal epithelial cell number in BXSB/MpJ- Yaa at six months. For immunostaining, parietal epithelial cells facing the injured glomeruli of BXSB/MpJ- Yaa expressed CD44, an activated parietal epithelial cell marker, and CD44-positive parietal epithelial cells showed nuclear localization of the androgen receptor and proliferation marker Ki67. CD44- or Ki67-positive parietal epithelial cells were significantly fewer in castrated group than in sham-operated BXSB/MpJ- Yaa at six months. Further, quantitative indices for CD44-positive parietal epithelial cell number and frequency in renal corpuscles positively correlated with glomerular sclerotic severity in BXSB/MpJ- Yaa. In conclusion, androgen seemed to have an effect on both systemic immunity and renal morpho-function; however, the effect on the latter could be more clearly observed in BXSB/MpJ- Yaa, as parietal epithelial cell activation resulted in glomerular sclerosis.