bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crop tree release increased the density of soil nematodes and improved the food web structure
Authors: Yin Haifeng , Su Yu , Li Xianwei , Fan Chuan , Chen Gang , Feng Maosong , Liu Size , Guo Maojin , Li Xiangjun , Chen Yuqin , Wu Dayu
Published: August 2020

As a special thinning method, crop tree release (CTR) has a beneficial effect on forest environments and structures by changing forest light, heat, and water. However, the impact of CTR on underground biodiversity remains unclear. Therefore, we analyzed the composition, diversity, and metabolic footprints of soil nematode communities under three CTR (100, 150, and 200 trees·ha–1) treatments, as well as a no CTR treatment, in Pinus massoniana Lamb. plantations. The results showed that CTR increased the density of soil nematodes (P < 0.05), the number of omnivore–predator nematodes (P < 0.05), and the diversity (H′) of nematodes (P < 0.05) and enriched the food web structure of soil nematodes. In the medium CTR density treatment (150 trees·ha–1), the nematode density and diversity (H′) were the highest (P < 0.05), the number of omnivore–predator nematodes was also the highest (P < 0.05), and the enrichment index and structure index values of the soil nematodes reached the maximum at the depth of 0–10 cm (P < 0.05). Our results indicated that the community structure of soil nematodes became more stable and mature after CTR, which may be attributed to the changes of soil condition, especially soil organic matter, and plant diversity indirectly.
Fungal endophyte diversity in table grapes
Authors: Wijekoon Champa , Quill Zoe
Published: August 2020

Plant fungal endophytes are diverse microbial sources that reside inside plants. Grapes (Vitis vinifera) are rich in polyphenols that have beneficial health effects, and recent research has shown that fungal endophytes in grapes may contribute to the production of these polyphenols and may serve as biocontrol agents. In this study, we determined the fungal microbial endophyte diversity in North American table grapes found at a Winnipeg, Manitoba, market. The amplicon internal transcribed spacer (ITS) metagenomics approach was used to profile the fungal communities of the fruit endophyte microbiome of three table grape types. The data supported endophyte diversity in different table grapes, including possible bioactive, saprophytic, and pathogenic fungi. Culturable endophytes were isolated and identified by morphology and ITS amplicon sequencing. The majority of the isolated culturable strains included Alternaria spp. and Cladosporium spp. The results provided evidence of the existence of diverse fungal endophytes isolated and identified from the fruit of the table grapes. These fungal endophytes may have potential in agricultural, industrial, and pharmaceutical applications.
Doubly charmed multibaryon systems
Authors: Garcilazo H. , Valcarce A.
Published: August 2020

We study two- and three-baryon systems with two units of charm looking for possible bound states or resonances. All two-baryon interactions are consistently derived from a constituent quark model tuned in the light-flavor hadron phenomenology: spectra and interactions. The presence of the heavy quarks makes the two-body interactions simpler than in the light-flavor sector. Our results show a narrow two-body resonance with quantum numbers$$(I,J^P)=(0,0^+)$$(I,JP)=(0,0+). It is located 6.2 MeV below the$$\Sigma _c\Sigma _c$$ΣcΣcthreshold and has a width of 4.7 MeV. The foregoing two-body state contributes to generate a$$N \Sigma _c\Sigma _c$$NΣcΣcresonance with quantum numbers$$(I,J^P)=(1/2,1/2^+)$$(I,JP)=(1/2,1/2+)and a separation energy of 0.2 MeV.
The evolution of extortion strategy in the kagome lattice
Authors: Zhao Qian , Mao Yajun , Rong Zhihai
Published: August 2020

The extortion strategy can let its surplus exceed its opponents by a fixed percentage, hence the influence of extortion strategy in a population games has drawn wide attention. In this paper, we study the evolution of extortion strategy with unconditional cooperation and unconditional defection strategies in the Kagome lattice with abundant triangles. Our investigation shows that the extortion strategy can act as catalysts to promote the evolution of cooperation in the networked Prisoner’s Dilemma game. Moreover, proper strength of extortion slope can improve the living environment of the cooperators, thus they enhance cooperation level in the network. Moreover, proper strength of extortion can not only enhance the cooperation level, but also delay the extinction of cooperation. The underlying overlapping triangles help individuals form cooperation cliques that play crucial roles for the evolution of cooperation in those lattices.
Quantificational evaluation of the resolving power of qualitative biomarkers with different cardinal numbers based on a magnitude-standardized index
Authors: Hongwei Wang , Chunling Jiang , Chenjian Li , Hui Liu
Published: August 2020

Biomarkers are used for clinical diagnostic purposes, but existing indexes exhibit limitations in terms of the resolving power of biomarkers. This paper proposes a new index, the magnitude-standardized index (MSI), to describe the quantitative variations and resolving powers of different biomarkers. In MSI analysis models, variation scales for ratios and differences are considered simultaneously, and a higher MSI value implies a stronger risk or effect for a biological factor. We explain the rationale for the MSI via hybrid and geometric methods and verify its efficacy through simulation experiments. Our results indicate that the MSI is superior to the Youden index and odds ratio for describing resolving power. When two biomarkers with similar Youden index values, odds ratios, or MSI values but different positive test rates (or cardinal numbers) were combined, all three index values increased; however, only the MSI value remained relatively stable. For a very small cardinal number, such as that of a single nucleotide polymorphism, the MSI value is at most half of the maximum value (0.5), allowing comparisons between MSI values for biomarkers with different cardinal numbers. The MSI can thus provide a better quantifiable evaluation of the resolving power of biomarkers with different cardinal numbers.
Jacobi geometry and Hamiltonian mechanics: The unit-free approach
Authors: Zapata-Carratalá Carlos
Published: August 2020

We present a systematic treatment of line bundle geometry and Jacobi manifolds with an application to geometric mechanics that has not been noted in the literature. We precisely identify categories that generalize the ordinary categories of smooth manifolds and vector bundles to account for a lack of choice of a preferred unit, which in standard differential geometry is always given by the global constant function [Formula: see text]. This is what we call the “unit-free” approach. After giving a characterization of local Lie brackets via their symbol maps, we apply our novel categorical language to review Jacobi manifolds and related notions such as Lichnerowicz brackets and Jacobi algebroids. The main advantage of our approach is that Jacobi geometry is recovered as the direct unit-free generalization of Poisson geometry, with all the familiar notions translating in a straightforward manner. We then apply this formalism to the question of whether there is a unit-free generalization of Hamiltonian mechanics. We identify the basic categorical structure of ordinary Hamiltonian mechanics to argue that it is indeed possible to find a unit-free analogue. This paper serves as a prelude to the investigation of dimensioned structures, an attempt at a general mathematical framework for the formal treatment of physical quantities and dimensional analysis.
On phase transition behaviors of Kerr–Sen black hole
Authors: Belhaj A. , El Balali A. , El Hadri W. , El Moumni H. , Essebani M. A. , Sedra M. B.
Published: August 2020

We investigate phase transitions and critical behaviors of the Kerr–Sen black hole in four dimensions. Computing the involved thermodynamical quantities including the specific heat and using the Ehrenfest scheme, we show that such a black hole undergoes a second-order phase transition. Adopting a new metric form derived from the Gibss free energy scaled by a conformal factor associated with extremal solutions, we calculate the geothermodynamical scalar curvature recovering similar phase transitions. Then, we obtain the scaling laws and the critical exponents, matching perfectly with mean field theory.
Non-well-founded Proof Theory of Transitive Closure Logic
Authors: Cohen Liron , Rowe Reuben N. S.
Published: August 2020

Supporting inductive reasoning is an essential component is any framework of use in computer science. To do so, the logical framework must extend that of first-order logic. Transitive closure logic is a known extension of first-order logic that is particularly straightforward to automate. While other extensions of first-order logic with inductive definitions are
a priori
parametrized by a set of inductive definitions, the addition of a single transitive closure operator has the advantage of uniformly capturing all finitary inductive definitions. To further improve the reasoning techniques for transitive closure logic, we here present an
infinitary
proof system for it, which is an
infinite descent
–style counterpart to the existing (explicit induction) proof system for the logic. We show that the infinitary system is complete for the standard semantics and subsumes the explicit system. Moreover, the uniformity of the transitive closure operator allows semantically meaningful complete restrictions to be defined using simple syntactic criteria. Consequently, the restriction to regular infinitary (i.e., 
cyclic
) proofs provides the basis for an effective system for automating inductive reasoning.
Inhibition of Specificity Protein 1 Is Involved in Phloretin‐Induced Suppression of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Kang Dan , Zuo Wenren , Wu Qingxin , Zhu Qingyi , Liu Ping
Published: August 2020

Phloretin is a flavonoid existed in various plants and has been reported to possess anticarcinogenic activity. However, the anticancer mechanism of phloretin in prostate cancer (PCa) remains unclear. Here, our in vitro and in vivo experimental data demonstrate that phloretin inhibits the phosphorylation and the activation of EGFR and then inhibits its downstream PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK1/2 pathways in PCa cells. Inhibition of these two pathways further decreases expression of Sp1 by inhibiting Sp1 gene transcription, induces degradation of Sp1 protein by inhibiting GSK3β phosphorylation, suppresses nucleolin‐enhanced translation of Sp1 mRNA by inhibiting nucleolin phosphorylation, and directly inactivates transcription activity of Sp1. Inhibition of Sp1 subsequently decreases the expression of Sp3/4, VEGF, and Survivin and then upregulates apoptosis‐related proteins and downregulates cell cycle‐related proteins in PCa cells. Finally, phloretin treatment in PCa cells induces cell growth inhibition and apoptosis, suggesting that phloretin may be an effective therapy compound in the treatment of prostate cancer.
A Review of Clinical Applications and Side Effects of Methotrexate in Ophthalmology
Authors: Wang Ge , Peng Xiaoyan
Published: August 2020

Methotrexate (MTX) is a folate analog widely used against a range of diseases including malignancies and autoimmune disorders. Its high effectiveness-price ratio also won extensive application in ophthalmology. On the other hand, although MTX has an excellent pharmacological efficacy, MTX associated side effects in clinical use, which vary from patient to patient, are nonnegligible. There is no comparatively systematic review on MTX associated side effects and its risk factors. This review aimed to reveal novel clinical approaches of MTX and its adverse effects in order to provide a reference for ophthalmic scholars in clinical application of MTX.
Translation Invariance-Based Deep Learning for Rotating Machinery Diagnosis
Authors: Du Wenliao , Wang Shuangyuan , Gong Xiaoyun , Wang Hongchao , Yao Xingyan , Pecht Michael
Published: August 2020

Discriminative feature extraction is a challenge for data-driven fault diagnosis. Although deep learning algorithms can automatically learn a good set of features without manual intervention, the lack of domain knowledge greatly limits the performance improvement, especially for nonstationary and nonlinear signals. This paper develops a multiscale information fusion-based stacked sparse autoencoder fault diagnosis method. The autoencoder takes advantage of the multiscale normalized frequency spectrum information obtained by dual-tree complex wavelet transform as input. Accordingly, the multiscale normalized features guarantee the translational invariance for signal characteristics, and the stacked sparse autoencoder benefits the unsupervised feature learning and ensures accurate and stable diagnosis performance. The developed method is performed on motor bearing vibration signals and worm gearbox vibration signals, respectively. The results confirm that the developed method can accommodate changing working conditions, be free of manual feature extraction, and perform better than the existing intelligent diagnosis methods.
A Bioinformatics Research on Novel Mechanism of Compound Kushen Injection for Treating Breast Cancer by Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Verification
Authors: Liu Shuyu , Hu Xiaohong , Fan Xiaotian , Jin Ruiqi , Yang Wenqian , Geng Yifei , Wu Jiarui
Published: August 2020

Compound Kushen injection (CKI) has been extensively used in treating breast cancer (BC). However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, 16 active compounds of CKI were obtained from 3 articles for target prediction. Then, a compound‐predicted target network and a compound‐BC target network were conducted by Cytoscape 3.6.1. The gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the DAVID database. The binding energy between the key targets of CKI and the active compounds was studied by molecular docking. As a result, 16 active compounds of CKI were identified, corresponding to 285 putative targets. The key targets of CKI for BC are HSD11B1, DPP4, MMP9, CDK1, MMP2, PTGS2, and CA14. The function enrichment analysis obtained 13 GO entries and 6 KEGG pathways, including bladder cancer, cancer pathways, chemical carcinogenesis, estrogen signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and leukocyte transendothelial migration. The result of molecular docking indicated that DPP4 had strong binding activity with matrine, alicyclic protein, and sophoridine, and MMP9 had strong binding activity with adenine and sophoridine. In conclusion, the therapeutic effect of CKI on BC is based on the overall pharmacological effect formed by the combined effects of multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways. This study provides a theoretical basis for further experimental research in the future.
Renal Effects of Sulodexide in Type 2 Diabetic Patients without Nephrotic Range Proteinuria
Authors: Yongwatana Kachonsak , Supasyndh Ouppatham , Satirapoj Bancha
Published: August 2020

Background. Glycosaminoglycan plays an important role in the maintenance of glomerular charge selectivity of diabetic nephropathy. Sulodexide, a mixture of naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan polysaccharide components, has shown a nephroprotective effect in an experimental model of diabetic nephropathy. Although sulodexide reduced albuminuria in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, long-term effects in patients with type 2 diabetes with significant proteinuria have not been established.Objectives. The study was aimed at investigating the effects of sulodexide on proteinuria and renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy.Methods. Fifty-two patients with proteinuria between 500 and 3000 mg/day received sulodexide 200 mg/day for 12 months, while 56 matched patients with type 2 diabetes constituted the control group. All patients received standard metabolic and blood pressure controls. Primary outcome was evaluated as percentage of reduced proteinuria compared with the control group. Renal function was assessed using estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR).Results. Proteinuria significantly increased in the control group [0.9 (IQR 0.3 to 1.78) to 1.16 (IQR 0.44 to 2.23) g/gCr,P=0.001], whereas it remained stable in the sulodexide group [0.66 (IQR 0.23 to 0.67) to 0.67 (IQR 0.17 to 1.51) g/gCr,P=0.108]. At 12 months, proteinuria was higher by 19.4% (IQR 10.3 to 37.6) in the control group while proteinuria was lower by -17.7% (IQR -53.1 to 3.2) in the sulodexide group with a significant difference between groups (P=0.001). Renal function was noted as a change of estimated GFR, and serum creatinine decreased significantly during the study in both groups but did not significantly differ between groups. No significant changes in the blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and hemoglobin A1C were reported.Conclusion. In addition to standard treatment, sulodexide is efficient in maintaining proteinuria in patients with type 2 diabetes with nonnephrotic range proteinuria, but it did not provide an additional benefit concerning renal disease progression.
Gender‐Related and Hemispheric Effects in Cortical Thickness‐Based Hemispheric Brain Morphological Network
Authors: Choi Yong-Ho , Yun Je-Yeon , Kim Bo-Hyun , Lee Min-Ho , Song Sa-Kwang , Lee Jong-Min
Published: August 2020

Objective. The current study examined gender‐related differences in hemispheric asymmetries of graph metrics, calculated from a cortical thickness‐based brain structural covariance network named hemispheric morphological network. Methods. Using the T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans of 285 participants (150 females, 135 males) retrieved from the Human Connectome Project (HCP), hemispheric morphological networks were constructed per participant. In these hemispheric morphologic networks, the degree of similarity between two different brain regions in terms of the distributed patterns of cortical thickness values (the Jensen–Shannon divergence) was defined as weight of network edge that connects two different brain regions. After the calculation and summation of global and local graph metrics (across the network sparsity levels K = 0.10‐0.36), asymmetry indexes of these graph metrics were derived. Results. Hemispheric morphological networks satisfied small‐worldness and global efficiency for the network sparsity ranges of K = 0.10–0.36. Between‐group comparisons (female versus male) of asymmetry indexes revealed opposite directionality of asymmetries (leftward versus rightward) for global metrics of normalized clustering coefficient, normalized characteristic path length, and global efficiency (all p < 0.05). For the local graph metrics, larger rightward asymmetries of cingulate‐superior parietal gyri for nodal efficiency in male compared to female, larger leftward asymmetry of temporal pole for degree centrality in female compared to male, and opposite directionality of interhemispheric asymmetry of rectal gyrus for degree centrality between female (rightward) and male (leftward) were shown (all p < 0.05). Conclusion. Patterns of interhemispheric asymmetries for cingulate, superior parietal gyrus, temporal pole, and rectal gyrus are different between male and female for the similarities of the cortical thickness distribution with other brain regions. Accordingly, possible effect of gender‐by‐hemispheric interaction has to be considered in future studies of brain morphology and brain structural covariance networks.
Concepts on Coloring of Cluster Hypergraphs with Application
Authors: Samanta Sovan , Lee Jeong Gon , Naseem Usman , Khan Shah Khalid , Das Kousik
Published: August 2020

Coloring of graph theory is widely used in different fields like the map coloring, traffic light problems, etc. Hypergraphs are an extension of graph theory where edges contain single or multiple vertices. This study analyzes cluster hypergraphs where cluster vertices too contain simple vertices. Coloring of cluster networks where composite/cluster vertices exist is done using the concept of coloring of cluster hypergraphs. Proper coloring and strong coloring of cluster hypergraphs have been defined. Along with these, local coloring in cluster hypergraphs is also provided. Such a cluster network, COVID19 affected network, is assumed and colored to visualize the affected regions properly.
[Retracted] Classification of Diabetes Using Photoplethysmogram (PPG) Waveform Analysis: Logistic Regression Modeling
Authors: Qawqzeh Yousef K. , Bajahzar Abdullah S. , Jemmali Mahdi , Otoom Mohammad Mahmood , Thaljaoui Adel
Published: August 2020

In this research, the photoplethysmogram (PPG) waveform analysis is utilized to develop a logistic regression‐based predictive model for the classification of diabetes. The classifier has three predictors age, b/a, and SP indices in which they achieved an overall accuracy of 92.3% in the prediction of diabetes. In this study, a total of 587 subjects were enrolled. A total of 459 subjects were used for model training and development, while the rest of the 128 subjects were used for model testing and validation. The classifier was able to diagnose 63 patients correctly as diabetes while 27 subjects were wrongly classified as nondiabetes with an accuracy of 70%. Again, the model classified 479 subjects as nondiabetes correctly while it incorrectly classified 18 subjects as diabetes with an accuracy of 96.4%. Finally, the proposed model revealed an overall predictive accuracy of 92.3% which makes it a reliable surrogate measure for diabetes classification and prediction in clinical settings.
Human Microbe‐Disease Association Prediction by a Novel Double‐Ended Random Walk with Restart
Authors: Wang Di , Cui Yan , Cao Yuxuan , He Yuehan , Chen Hui
Published: August 2020

Microorganisms in the human body play a vital role in metabolism, immune defense, nutrient absorption, cancer control, and prevention of pathogen colonization. More and more biological and clinical studies have shown that the imbalance of microbial communities is closely related to the occurrence and development of various complex human diseases. Finding potential microbial‐disease associations is critical for understanding the pathology of a few diseases and thus further improving disease diagnosis and prognosis. In this study, we proposed a novel computational model to predict disease‐associated microbes. Specifically, we first constructed a heterogeneous interconnection network based on known microbe‐disease associations deposited in a few databases, the similarity between diseases, and the similarity between microorganisms. We then predicted novel microbe‐disease associations by a new method called the double‐ended restart random walk model (DRWHMDA) implemented on the interconnection network. In addition, we performed case studies of colon cancer and asthma for further evaluation. The results indicate that 10 and 9 of the top 10 microorganisms predicted to be associated with colorectal cancer and asthma were validated by relevant literatures, respectively. Our method is expected to be effective in identifying disease‐related microorganisms and will help to reveal the relationship between microorganisms and complex human diseases.
[Retracted] Circular RNA circCCDC66 Contributes to Malignant Phenotype of Osteosarcoma by Sponging miR‐338‐3p to Upregulate the Expression of PTP1B
Authors: Xiang Deng , Li Yugang , Lin Yanshui
Published: August 2020

In recent years, the mechanism of cancer research has become hotspots of life science and medicine, especially due to the rapid development of molecular medicine and bioinformatics research. Similarly, the molecular mechanism also has received increasing attention in osteosarcoma (OS) research. Also, a considerable amount of research confirmed that circular RNAs (circRNAs) could regulate cancer cell growth and metastasis. This study aimed to explore the effect of a circRNA, circCCDC66, on OS and reveal its potential molecular mechanism. High circCCDC66 expression level was found in OS patient‐derived tissue samples and OS cell lines by qRT‐PCR. The abilities cell proliferation and metastatic of U2OS and SW1353 cells were then assessed by Cell Counting Kit‐8 and transwell assay, respectively. The interaction between circCCDC66 and its target miRNAs were verified by the dual‐luciferase reporter assay. Through functional experiments, we found that circCCDC66 knockdown promoted the inhibition of cell proliferation and metastatic of OS cell lines. From mechanistic perspective, circCCDC66 upregulated PTP1B by sponging miR‐338‐3p. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that circCCDC66 contributed to malignant behaviors of OS cells by miR‐338‐3p/PTP1B pathway, which suggested circCCDC66/miR‐338‐3p/PTP1B axis might be a potential therapeutic target.
Preclinical Development of Mahanine‐Enriched Fraction from Indian Spice Murraya koenigii for the Management of Cancer: Efficacy, Temperature/pH stability, Pharmacokinetics, Acute and Chronic Toxicity (14‐180 Days) Studies
Authors: Satyavarapu Eswara Murali , Sinha Prasun Kumar , Mandal Chitra
Published: August 2020

Murraya koenigii is well documented in the Indian ancient medical text “Charaka Samhita.” The carbazole alkaloid “mahanine” from this plant exhibited anticancer activity against several cancers. Here, we have taken a comprehensive study to standardize the method for the preparation of a mahanine‐enriched fraction (MEF) with the highest yield and defined markers. Our optimized method produced MEF having the highest amount of mahanine, a major marker, with excellent in vitro antiproliferative activity against ovarian and breast cancer cells as evidenced by decreased cell viability by MTT assay. Moreover, it exhibited condensed and fragmented nuclei by DAPI staining and increased annexin V‐/PI‐stained cells after MEF treatment, indicating apoptosis. It also exhibited good efficacy in ovarian and breast cancer syngeneic mice models, with an ED50 of 300 mg/kg body weight (BW). MEF is stable up to 40°C for ≥3 months. Its biological activity remains unchanged at a wide range of pH (1‐10) for up to ~3 hours, indicating a safe oral route of administration. Additionally, the comparative pharmacokinetics of MEF and mahanine in rats showed a 31% higher bioavailability of mahanine in MEF‐fed rats compared to rats fed with mahanine alone. Furthermore, mice fed with MEF at 5000 mg/kg BW single dose, 300‐1500 mg/kg BW/day for 14 days, and 300 mg/kg BW/day for 28, 90, and 180 days for subacute, subchronic, chronic studies, respectively, did not show any significant clinical signs of toxicity, behavioral changes, mortality, organ weights, serum biochemistry, and hematological parameters indicating no/minimum toxicity for up to 180 days. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing the pH/temperature stability and chronic toxicity studies of MEF along with in vivo efficacy against breast cancer. Taken together, our study will enhance the commercial value of this highly potential medicinal plant and will be helpful as a reference material for its clinical development.
Study on Intervention Mechanism of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction on ARDS Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Liang Xu , Luo Changyong , Li Yan , Li Xin , Wang Qian , Zhang Shujing , Sun Qingqiao , Ma Yuanhong , Xiong Caihua , Zeng Yanpeng
Published: August 2020

Background. Yiqi Huayu Jiedu (YQHYJD) is a traditional Chinese medicine decoction made up of eight traditional Chinese medicines. Although YQHYJD is effectively used to prevent and treat ARDS/acute lung injury (ALI) in rats, the molecular mechanisms supporting its clinical application remain elusive. The purpose of the current study was to understand its lung protective effects at the molecular level using network pharmacology approach. Methods. In an ARDS animal model, the beneficial pharmacological activities of YQHYJD were confirmed by reduced lung tissue damage levels observed on drug treated rats versus control group. We then proposed a network analysis to discover the key nodes based on drugs and disease network. Subsequently, we analyzed interaction networks and screened key targets. Using Western blot to detect the expression level of key targets, the intervention effect of changes in expression level of key targets on ARDS was evaluated. Results. Pathway enrichment analysis of highly ranked genes showed that ErbB pathways were highly related to ARDS. Finally, western blot results showed decreased level of the AKT1 and KRAS/NRAS/HRAS protein in the lung after treatment which confirmed the hypothesis. Conclusion. In conclusion, our results suggest that YQHYJD can exert lung tissue protective effect against the severe injury through multiple pathways, including the endothelial cells permeability improvement, inflammatory reaction inhibition, edema, and lung tissue hemorrhage reduction.
Macrophage Depletion Improves Endothelial Insulin Resistance and Protects against Cardiovascular Injury in Salt‐Sensitive Hypertension
Authors: Liu Yue-Yang , Luo Jun , Cai Ruiping , Zhang Junjie , Xu Qian , Tian Yuantong , Zhou Ming-Sheng
Published: August 2020

Vascular endothelial insulin signaling is critical for the maintenance of vascular and metabolic homeostasis. We have previously shown that in hypertensive Dahl rats, impaired vascular insulin action is linked to angiotensin II activation of the NFκB inflammatory pathway. Macrophage polarization (M1) has implicated in hypertensive and metabolic diseases. Here, we investigated the effect of macrophage depletion using liposome‐encapsulated clodronate (LEC) on endothelial insulin resistance and cardiovascular remodeling in Dahl salt‐sensitive (DS) rats. High salt intake (HS) for 5 weeks increased systolic blood pressure (SBP: 192 ± 5 vs. 144 ± 4 mmHg in NS, p < 0.05), aortic and cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, and impaired acetylcholine‐ and insulin‐induced vasorelaxation, accompanied by impaired insulin activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthases (eNOS)/NO signaling. HS rats had a significant increase in CD68 (a monocyte/macrophage marker) expression in the aorta and the heart. LEC reduced SBP (168 ± 5 mmHg, p < 0.05) and cardiovascular injury and improved acetylcholine‐ and insulin‐mediated vasorelaxation and insulin signaling molecules with a reduction in the macrophage infiltration in the aorta and the heart. HS rats also manifested an increase in the aortic expressions of inflammatory cytokines, including the ratio of phosphorylated inhibitory kappa B (Iκb)/Iκb, tumor necrosis factor α, and phosphorylated c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and oxidative stress, which were reduced in HS/LEC rats. Our results suggest that in salt‐sensitive hypertension, macrophage may importantly contribute to endothelial insulin resistance, vascular inflammation, and injury. These findings support the idea that macrophages may be a new target for immunotherapy of vasculopathy in hypertensive and metabolic disorders.
Applications of the RST Algorithm to Nonlinear Systems in Real-Time Hybrid Simulation
Authors: Tang Yu , Qin Hui
Published: August 2020

Real-time substructure testing (RST) algorithm is a newly developed integration method for real-time hybrid simulation (RTHS) which has structure-dependent and explicit formulations for both displacement and velocity. The most favourable characteristics of the RST algorithm is unconditionally stable for linear and no iterations are needed. In order to fully evaluate the performance of the RST method in solving dynamic problems for nonlinear systems, stability, numerical dispersion, energy dissipation, and overshooting properties are discussed. Stability analysis shows that the RST method is only conditionally stable when applied to nonlinear systems. The upper stability limit increases for stiffness-softening systems with an increasing value of the instantaneous degree of nonlinearity while decreases for stiffness-hardening systems when the instantaneous degree of nonlinearity becomes larger. Meanwhile, the initial damping ratio of the system has a negative impact on the upper stability limit especially for instantaneous stiffness softening systems, and a larger value of the damping ratio will significantly decrease the upper stability limit of the RST method. It is shown in the accuracy analysis that the RST method has relatively smaller period errors and numerical damping ratios for nonlinear systems when compared with other two well-developed algorithms. Three simplified engineering cases are presented to investigate the dynamic performance of the RST method, and the numerical results indicate that this method has a more desirable accuracy than other methods in solving dynamic problems for both linear and nonliner systems.
Information Linkage between Carbon and Energy Markets: Multiplex Recurrence Network Approach
Authors: Xu Hua , Wang Minggang , Yang Weiguo
Published: August 2020

In this paper, a multilayer recurrence network is introduced to examine the information linkage between carbon and energy markets. We first construct a multilayer recurrence network of energy and carbon markets, and we define the information linkage coefficient to measure the linkage relationship between the network layers based on the network microstructure. To measure the mutual leading relationship between carbon and energy markets, we construct a time-delay multilayer recurrence network and introduce the time-delay information linkage coefficient to measure the intersystem interaction. The carbon and energy prices, including West Texas Intermediate crude oil, coal, natural gas, and gasoline, from February 22, 2011, to April 1, 2019, are selected as sample data for empirical analysis. The results show that the linkage relationship between oil, coal, natural gas, and carbon prices presents a U-shaped trend in the second, transitional, and third phases of the European Union carbon market, while the linkage trend of gasoline and carbon prices continues to rise. The mutual leading relationship between energy and carbon prices changes in different stages, and carbon price plays a leading role at the present stage.
Pulmonary Fibrosis in COVID-19 Survivors: Predictive Factors and Risk Reduction Strategies
Authors: Ojo Ademola S. , Balogun Simon A. , Williams Oyeronke T. , Ojo Olusegun S.
Published: August 2020

Although pulmonary fibrosis can occur in the absence of a clear-cut inciting agent, and without a clinically clear initial acute inflammatory phase, it is more commonly associated with severe lung injury. This may be due to respiratory infections, chronic granulomatous diseases, medications, and connective tissue disorders. Pulmonary fibrosis is associated with permanent pulmonary architectural distortion and irreversible lung dysfunction. Available clinical, radiographic, and autopsy data has indicated that pulmonary fibrosis is central to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (SARS) and MERS pathology, and current evidence suggests that pulmonary fibrosis could also complicate infection by SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this review is to explore the current literature on the pathogenesis of lung injury in COVID-19 infection. We evaluate the evidence in support of the putative risk factors for the development of lung fibrosis in the disease and propose risk mitigation strategies. We conclude that, from the available literature, the predictors of pulmonary fibrosis in COVID-19 infection are advanced age, illness severity, length of ICU stay and mechanical ventilation, smoking and chronic alcoholism. With no proven effective targeted therapy against pulmonary fibrosis, risk reduction measures should be directed at limiting the severity of the disease and protecting the lungs from other incidental injuries.
Postoperative Pain Management among Registered Nurses in a Vietnamese Hospital
Authors: Vu Phuong Hoang , Tran Duc Viet , Le Yen Thi , Thu Do Ha Thi , Vu Sao Thi , Dinh Huong Thanh , Nguyen Tu Huu
Published: August 2020

This study examined the postoperative pain management practices among registered nurses in an urban hospital in Vietnam. Data of 90 nurses about postoperative pain management practices and pain management at the department were collected. Results indicated that 83.3% of nurses reported that they regularly assessed the degree of pain for postoperative patients. Only 32.2% used assessment tools such as the numeric rating scale to measure pain. Experience in pain management and having guidelines in the department were associated with a higher score in pain management practice. Findings suggested that facilitating the use of pain instruments and developing pain management guidelines should be prioritized.
Small-Bowel Lesions in Patients Taking Direct Oral Anticoagulants Detected Using Capsule Endoscopy
Authors: Yamaoka Minoru , Imaeda Hiroyuki , Hosoe Naoki , Yoneno Kazuaki , Kanno Ryu , Mitsufuji Takashi , Sasaki Takahiro , Akiyama Yuji , Ohgo Hideki , Morohoshi Yuichi , Kanai Takanori , Yamamoto Toshimasa , Mimura Toshihide , Ogata Haruhiko , Araki Nobuo , Yamamoto Keiji , Nakamoto Hidetomo
Published: August 2020

Background and Aim. Direct oral anticoagulant- (DOAC-) induced small-bowel lesions have not been described. We evaluated small-bowel lesions related to DOAC using video capsule endoscopy (VCE). Methods. This study was a prospective, open-label, nonblinded, multicenter, and observational study. From September 2013 to March 2017, patients taking DOACs were enrolled. Patients underwent VCE. The type and location of small-bowel lesions were registered. Also, (1) the proportion of lesions detected between types of DOAC was evaluated and (2) the hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin levels were compared between patients with and without small-bowel lesions. Results. 33 patients were enrolled, but 4 patients withdrew their consent, and VCE was performed on 29 patients. Eight, 13, and 8 patients received dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban, respectively. Small-bowel transit was complete in 27 of 29 patients (93.1%). Small-bowel lesions were detected in 23 (79.3%), redness in 12 (41.4%), erosions in 14 (48.3%), and angioectasia in 3 (10.3%) patients, and 6 patients (20.7%) had no abnormalities. Redness and erosions were detected in the upper, middle, or lower portions, but erosions tended to be less frequent in the middle portion (p=0.25, 0.06). Angioectasia was not detected in the lower portion. No patients had active bleeding. The findings did not differ according to the drug. The relationships between the endoscopic findings and the Hb and serum ferritin levels were not significant. Conclusion. Many patients taking DOACs had small-bowel lesions; however, most lesions were relatively mild. Observing small-bowel lesions over longer periods may be necessary in patients taking DOACs. This trial is registered with UMIN000011527.
Antimicrobial Activity of Isoniazid in Conjugation with Surface-Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Nonmycobacterial Microorganisms
Authors: Zargarnezhad Sarah , Gholami Ahmad , Khoshneviszadeh Mehdi , Abootalebi Seyedeh Narjes , Ghasemi Younes
Published: August 2020

Isoniazid, the choice antitubercular agent, has only been employed against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This study evaluated if the enzyme-mimetic activities of magnetic nanoparticles could accelerate the activation process of isoniazid against mycobacterial and, more importantly, non-mycobacterial microorganisms. First, magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and coated by lipoamino acid; then, isoniazid was conjugated to synthesized nanoparticles. Antibacterial activities of nanoconjugated isoniazid were evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and four Gram-positive and Gram-negative nonmycobacterial strains through a microdilution broth process. Results showed that the required amount of isoniazid against Mycobacterium tuberculosis would decrease to 44.8% and 16.7% in conjugation with naked and surface-modified magnetic nanoparticles, respectively. Also, 32 μg/mL and 38 μg/mL of isoniazid in conjugation with naked and surface-modified nanoparticles, respectively, could prevent the growth of Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Hence, the vicinity of magnetic nanoparticles with isoniazid could declare promising aspects of isoniazid antibacterial capabilities.
Equivalent Parameter Conditions for the Validity of Half-Discrete Hilbert-Type Multiple Integral Inequality with Generalized Homogeneous Kernel
Authors: Chen Qiang , He Bing , Hong Yong , Li Zhen
Published: August 2020

Let Gu,v be a homogeneous nonnegative function of order λ,Kn,xm,ρ=Gnλ1,xm,ρλ2. By using the weight coefficient method, the equivalent parameter conditions and best constant factors for the validity of the following half-discrete Hilbert-type multiple integral inequality ∫ℝ+m ∑n=1∞ Kn,xm,ρanfxdx≤Ma~p,αfq,β are discussed. Finally, its applications in operator theory are discussed.
The Effect of Conduction Exercise and Self‐Acupressure in Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Study
Authors: Yuen Chun-Sum , Chua Ka-Kit , Lau Wai-Hing , Zhuang Zhi-Yuen , Chow Ho-Yan , Li Min
Published: August 2020

Introduction. Parkinson’s disease cannot be well treated by conventional medication. Acupuncture and Tai Chi are proven to be effective in relieving symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Traditional Chinese medicine exercises may prove to be an effective complementary therapy. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of conduction exercise and self‐acupressure in treating Parkinson’s disease. Method. This study is an accessor‐ and data analyzer‐blind, add‐on, randomized, controlled, pilot clinical study. In the treatment group, they were taught to practice conduction exercise and self‐acupressure for 8 weeks. No additional treatment was given in the control group. Assessments were done at week 4 and week 8 of the treatment period. The primary outcomes are the total score and domain scores of the Chinese version of 39‐item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire. The secondary outcomes are the total score and domain scores of a custom‐designed questionnaire, which is a short form of Nonmotor Symptom Scale. Results. 22 patients in the treatment group and 14 in the control group continued to the treatment phase. Patients in the treatment group displayed improvement trends in primary and secondary outcomes. Improvements were significant in two areas of a custom‐designed questionnaire: total score (p = 0.014) and domain score of gastrointestinal tract (p = 0.004). No severe adverse events were reported. Conclusion. Conduction exercise and self‐acupressure were well accepted by and feasible for Parkinson’s disease patients. The data generated can be used for the planning of future studies. The exercise regime can be promoted as a home‐based, self‐practice therapy for Parkinson’s disease patients, due to its safety, low cost, and convenience in implementation. This study is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IPR-17011987, on 14 July 2017).
BMIVPOT, a Fully Automated Version of the Intravenous Pole: Simulation, Design, and Evaluation
Authors: Sayed-Kassem Abbas , Kozah Nancy , Hajj-Moussa Georges , Harb Reem , Zaylaa Amira J.
Published: August 2020

Robotic intravenous poles are automated supportive instrument that needs to be triggered by patients to hold medications and needed supplies. Healthcare engineering of robotic intravenous poles is advancing in order to improve the quality of health services to patients worldwide. Existing intravenous poles in the market were supportive to patients, yet they constrained their movement, consumed the time of both the patient and the nurse, and they were expensive in regard to what they offer. Although robotic poles overcame some of the movement limitations of the commercial/market poles, they were partially automated and did not offer additional technological features. The aim of our work was to develop a fully automated Biomedical Intravenous Pole Robot (BMIVPOT) to resolve the aforementioned limitations and to offer new technological features to intravenous poles, thereby promoting the health services. Several sensors and build-up materials were empirically chosen to be cost-effective and fulfill our needs. The new prototype was divided into three steps: simulated prototype, real implementation of the prototype, and testing and evaluation. Simulation results showed the best qualitative way to fit all the specifications in the robotic system, such as the shape, sensors, and connections in order to provide the proper functionality of the system. Experimental and real results provided the manufactured parts, implemented sensors, and the final robot. Testing the tracking and the flow sensor performances were provided. Evaluation of our Biomedical Intravenous Pole Robot with alternatives showed that our robot outperforms the other poles in many aspects including the features it offers, the percentage of interventions it comprised, the reliability, and cost-effectiveness. The overall percentage of features offered by our Biomedical Intravenous Pole Robot was 60% higher than that offered by peer research poles and 80% higher than that of the market poles. In addition, the average percentage of integration of interventions (architecture, sensor, wireless, tracking, and mechanical) in the Biomedical Intravenous Pole Robot was at least 56% higher than that of the alternative poles. According to the results, Biomedical Intravenous Pole Robot offers a cost-effective price as compared to the others. As a future prospect, we intend to add more features to this prototype in order to enhance it, such as vital signs detection, and improve the tracking system.
The Utility of Diffusion and Perfusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Target Delineation of High‐Grade Gliomas
Authors: Fei Qian , Qian Lu-Xi , Zhang Yu-Jie , Guo Wen-Jie , Bian Xiu-Hua , Yin Li , Yan Peng-Wei , Wang Ting-Ting , Qian Pu-Dong , Guo Zhen , He Xia
Published: August 2020

Background. The tumor volume of high‐grade glioma (HGG) after surgery is usually determined by contrast‐enhanced MRI (CE‐MRI), but the clinical target volume remains controversial. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (multimodality MRI) techniques such as magnetic resonance perfusion‐weighted imaging (PWI) and diffusion‐tensor imaging (DTI) can make up for CE‐MRI. This study explored the survival outcomes and failure patterns of patients with HGG by comparing the combination of multimodality MRI and CE‐MRI imaging with CE‐MRI alone. Methods. 102 patients with postoperative HGG between 2012 and 2016 were included. 50 were delineated based on multimodality MRI (PWI, DTI) and CE‐MRI (enhanced T1), and the other 52 were delineated based on CE‐MRI as control. Results. The median survival benefit was 6 months. The 2‐year overall survival, progression‐free survival, and local–regional control rates were 48% vs. 25%, 42% vs. 13.46%, and 40% vs. 13.46% for the multimodality MRI and CE‐MRI cohorts, respectively. The two cohorts had similar rates of disease progression and recurrence but different proportions of failure patterns. The univariate analysis shows that characteristics of patients such as combined with epilepsy, the dose of radiotherapy, the selection of MRI were significant influence factors for 2‐year overall survival. However, in multivariate analyses, only the selection of MRI was an independent significant predictor of overall survival. Conclusions. This study was the first to explore the clinical value of multimodality MRI in the delineation of radiotherapy target volume for HGG. The conclusions of the study have positive reference significance to the combination of multimodality MRI and CE‐MRI in guiding the delineation of the radiotherapy target area for HGG patients.