bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controlled Fabrication of Wafer-Scale Zigzag Silicon Nanowire Arrays by Metal-Assisted Chemical Etching through Synergistic Effect of Viscosity and Temperature
Authors: Mateen Abdul , Farid Ghulam , Peng Kui-Qing
Published: May 2022

Zigzag silicon nanowires (SiNWs) attract great interest due to their unique physical/chemical properties that make them appealing in various applications; yet, their fabrication has always been difficult and the formation mechanism for zigzag silicon nanostructures remains elusive. In this work, the influence of temperature on the morpholohies of SiNWs by metal-assisted chemical etching (MatEtch or MACE) in aqueous HF-H2O2-C3H8O3 solution is systematically analyzed. It is found that zigzag-shaped silicon nanowires can be fabricated through a slow etching process at low temperatures in the presence of glycerol (C3H8O3). The synergistic effect of glycerol and low etchant-temperatures varied from 15 °C to 35 °C facilitate the fabrication of zigzag-SiNWs. The arm length of the zigzag design increases with the increase of temperature. However, straight SiNWs are fabricated at higher temperatures, such as those greater than 35 °C. It is also shown that for dispersed AgNPs, straight channels can be obtained at higher temperatures, while low temperature favors zigzag channels with decreasing arm length. We anticipate that these findings provide scientific guidance for the controlled fabrication of large-scale zigzag SiNW arrays.
Pyroptosis-Related Gene Signature and Expression Patterns in the Deterioration of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Wu Yan , Ma Qi , Wang Xudong , Wei Tianci , Tian Jiawei , Zhang Wenjing
Published: May 2022

Background. Pyroptosis has been shown to be involved in the overall process of atherosclerosis. This study was aimed at investigating pyroptosis-related gene expression patterns in atherosclerosis and their diagnostic significance. Methods and Results. In GSE100927, fifty-four pyroptosis-related genes were identified. Between atherosclerotic plaques and normal samples, the expression patterns of pyroptosis-related genes were significantly different. In order to construct a pyroptosis-related risk score signature (PRSS), the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was combined with multivariate logistic regression to screen twelve genes. The diagnostic efficiency of the PRSS performed well in GSE43292, as shown by the results of receiver-operating characteristics (ROCs). Consensus clustering identified two expression patterns of pyroptosis-related genes in different statuses of atherosclerotic plaque in GSE163154. The biological behavior of the different clusters was examined by the gene set variation analysis (GSVA). The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses revealed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the two clusters were enriched in the immune response. The Cytoscape software was used to construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks for hub gene screening. Following that, the Drug Gene Interaction Database (DGIdb) was utilized to find 47 possible medicines and chemical compounds that interact with hub genes in atherosclerotic plaques. Conclusion. The results of this study showed that pyroptosis-related genes contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis and may serve as biomarkers in clinical diagnosis as well as novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of AS.
Numerical Simulation of Ballistic Limit of Protective Structure Based on Fractal Theory and Edge Computing
Authors: Wu Shuaitao , Zhou Chuwei
Published: May 2022

Fractal theory, as a new research method, has been widely studied in various fields. Based on fractal theory and edge computing, the numerical simulation of ballistic limit of protective structure is deeply studied in this paper. In this paper, the ballistic limit of spherical aluminum projectiles colliding with Whipple protective structure under the condition of encounter velocity of 1~12 km/S is numerically simulated. By combining the existing experimental data with the data obtained by numerical simulation, the fitted impact limit equation is obtained by multiple linear regression, and the linear relationship of the fitted equation is tested for significance. According to the critical failure kinetic energy discrimination method proposed in this paper, the high-speed impact protection performance evaluation of the above two structures is given, and the experimental verification is carried out in the ballistic range. The experimental results are consistent with the theoretical predictions. It is proved that the ballistic limit of Whipple protective structure in high-speed region is significantly higher than that predicted by traditional ballistic limit equation, which has reference value for spacecraft protective structure design and spacecraft in-orbit safety analysis.
Refractive Errors and Risk Factors for Myopia in Primary School Students in Urumqi
Authors: Liu Meng , Qin Han , Wang Yan , Gao Yunxian
Published: May 2022

Objective. To investigate the prevalence of refractive errors and risk factors for myopia in primary school students in Saybag District of Urumqi. Methods. A total of 972 primary school students in two elementary schools in Saybag District were included in this study which was conducted from June 2019 to November 2019. Uncorrected visual acuity test and noncycloplegic autorefraction were performed, and their visual acuity was analyzed. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to predict risk factors for myopia. Results. Myopia was the most frequent refractive error among primary school students aged 7-11 in Sayibake District, Urumqi City, with a prevalence rate of 60.39%, and mainly mild myopia. The proportion of myopia increased with age, and the proportion of females suffering from myopia was higher than that of males, and the proportion of students from the Han ethnic group suffering from myopia was also higher than that of the other ethnic groups. The students mainly suffered from mild myopia, and the degree of myopia was related to age and gender, regardless of ethnicity. In addition, multivariate regression analysis showed that age and gender were the influencing factors of myopia occurrence and progression Conclusion.Our study results showed a significant prevalence of myopia in pupils aged 7-11 years in Saybag District of Urumqi is affected by gender and age and not by ethnicity.
Scutellarin Improves Type 2 Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Regulating Cardiomyocyte Autophagy and Apoptosis
Authors: Su Yanmei , Fan Xiaoming , Li Siman , Li Zhigang , Tian Ming , Li Shude
Published: May 2022

Diabetes cardiomyopathy has metabolic disorder and abnormality of cardiomyocytes, which is closely related to autophagy or apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. Scutellarin (SCU) is an important monomer extracted from Erigeron breviscapus (vant.) Hand.-Mazz. This study was conducted to investigate the function of SCU on apoptosis and autophagy of myocardial cells. We established a model of type 2 diabetic cardiomyopathy by high-fat and high-sugar diet. The results indicated that SCU downregulated blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and upregulated high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level. In addition, SCU downregulated lactic dehydrogenase 1 (LDH1) and creatine kinase (CK) levels. Meanwhile, SCU improved the myocardium morphology and reduced myocardial apoptosis. Furthermore, SCU promoted the mRNA and protein expression of autophagy-related factors (Beclin-1 and LC3-II) and inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of apoptosis-related factors (caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-12, Bax, and Cyt-C). In conclusion, SCU can promote autophagy signal pathway by upregulating the autophagy-related factors and inhibit the apoptotic signal pathway by downregulating apoptosis-related factors, thereby relieving type 2 diabetic cardiomyopathy (T2DC).
Decision Support Algorithm for Discipline Construction of Comparative Pedagogy Based on Evolutionary Graph Data Mining
Authors: Dan Zhao
Published: May 2022

The traditional pedagogy discipline construction decision support algorithm has the problems of poor discipline construction decision satisfaction, high decision time, and low decision recall rate. Therefore, a decision support algorithm for discipline construction of comparative pedagogy based on evolutionary graph data mining is designed. First, the programme call graph is created based on the programme execution path, and then the graph reduction method is used to decrease the call graph set and create the weighted behavior graph set. The original graph set is then reduced using the subtree reduction procedure. The interference of weights in the graph must be eliminated while mining closed subgraphs using a close graph method. The most frequent subgraph of comparative pedagogy discipline construction is then mined, and an SVM classifier is created to accomplish information mining of comparative pedagogy discipline construction in evolutionary graph data mining. Then, using the complete weighing approach, the attribute classification of comparative pedagogy discipline construction is accomplished, and the decision weight of comparative pedagogy discipline construction is established. Finally, the weight distribution scheme of comparative pedagogy discipline construction is obtained by using European distance, so as to realize the decision support of comparative pedagogy discipline construction. The experimental results show that the decision-making satisfaction of comparative pedagogy discipline construction of this method is 97.32%, the decision-making time is only 0.9 min, and the decision-making recall rate is as high as 98.66%, indicating that the decision-making effect of comparative pedagogy discipline construction of this method is good.
Managing Bipolar Disease Complicated with Psychosis in Conjunction with Polypharmacy, Parkinson’s Disease, and Multiple Comorbidities
Authors: Irizarry Ricardo , Sosa Gomez Ariel , Miles Simeon , Tamayo Acosta Jean
Published: May 2022

The lifelong prevalence of bipolar disorder in adults, including subsyndromal forms, has increased over the years in the United States. By contrast, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease have demonstrated an age-related rise in prevalence. As the global population manages to live longer thanks to sociomedical developments, it is expected to observe a rise in the occurrence of comorbid neuropsychiatric disorders. Herein, we present the case and management regimen of a 51-year-old female patient with multiple comorbidities and in the presence of polypharmacy. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and bipolar disorder type I alongside multiple comorbidities; her polypharmacy and medical history presented a significant clinical challenge in managing her condition. This case report focuses on the pharmacologic management of neuropsychiatric disorders titrated to this patient’s particular needs, which were complicated by psychosis and comorbidities.
A Qualitative Study of Factors Influencing Implementation of Tobacco Control in Pediatric Practices
Authors: Nabi-Burza Emara , Winickoff Jonathan P. , Drehmer Jeremy E. , Zeegers Maurice P. , Walters Bethany Hipple , Ward Kenneth
Published: May 2022

Introduction. Clinical effort against secondhand smoke exposure (CEASE) is an evidence-based intervention that prepares child healthcare clinicians and staff with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to ask family members about tobacco use, provide brief counseling and medication assistance, and refer to free cessation services. Aim. This study sought to identify factors that influenced the implementation of CEASE in five pediatric intervention practices in five states that participated in a cluster randomized clinical trial of the CEASE intervention. Methods. Guided by questions from the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR) interview guide, semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 clinicians and practice staff from five intervention practices after the practices had implemented CEASE for two years. Interviews were conducted by a trained qualitative researcher, recorded with permission, and transcribed verbatim. An interview codebook was inductively developed; two researchers used the codebook to code data. After coding, data was analyzed to identify factors, as described by the CFIR domains that influenced the implementation of CEASE. Results. The implementation of CEASE in practices was influenced by the adaptability and complexity of the intervention, the needs of patients and their families, the resources available to practices to support the implementation of CEASE, other competing priorities at the practices, the cultures of practices, and clinicians’ and office staffs’ knowledge and beliefs about family-centered tobacco control. Conclusion. Identifying and influencing certain critical factors guided by information gathered through interviews may help improve implementation and sustainability of family-centered tobacco control interventions in the future. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01882348.
Detecting Buildings and Nonbuildings from Satellite Images Using U-Net
Authors: Alsabhan Waleed , Alotaiby Turky , Dudin Basil
Published: May 2022

Automatic building detection from high-resolution satellite imaging images has many applications. Understanding socioeconomic development and keeping track of population migrations are essential for effective civic planning. These civil feature systems may also help update maps after natural disasters or in geographic regions undergoing dramatic population expansion. To accomplish the desired goal, a variety of image processing techniques were employed. They are often inaccurate or take a long time to process. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are being designed to extract buildings from satellite images, based on the U-Net, which was first developed to segment medical images. The minimal number of images from the open dataset, in RGB format with variable shapes, reveals one of the advantages of the U-Net; that is, it develops excellent accuracy from a limited amount of training material with minimal effort and training time. The encoder portion of U-Net was altered to test the feasibility of using a transfer learning facility. VGGNet and ResNet were both used for the same purpose. The findings of these models were also compared to our own bespoke U-Net, which was designed from the ground up. With an accuracy of 84.9%, the VGGNet backbone was shown to be the best feature extractor. Compared to the current best models for tackling a similar problem with a larger dataset, the present results are considered superior.
Analysis and Study on Spatial Matching between Governmental Affairs’ Service Resources and Population: Empirical Analysis Based on the Statistical Data of L City in Central China
Authors: Guo Ya-Guang , Xu Jun , Yin Qian
Published: May 2022

Objective. To construct a coupling model between resources for governmental affairs services and population data and its evaluation system, this research investigates and surveys offline (site, hardware, and human resources) and online service resources of governmental affairs on the basis to the Seventh National Census. The study aims to provide countermeasures and suggestions to promote governmental affairs service resources for people in specific areas more effectively. Method. This study analyzes and examines spatial matching between governmental affairs’ service resources and the population by using principal component analysis. Using the coupling matching degree model for reference, this study constructs a matching model based on governmental affairs’ service resources and its evaluation system. Furthermore, the study analyzes and demonstrates the coupling matching degree between governmental affairs’ service resources and the population system. Conclusions. Over the past five years, the matching level between governmental affairs’ service resources and the population has been categorized as moderate coordinative matching on the whole. From the perspective of changing trends, which are affected by population fluctuations, the matching degree also fluctuates, thus indicating a close relationship. Therefore, some relevant governmental departments need to continue promoting the “One Net, One Access, One Time” reform further and encouraging the equal allocation of governmental affairs’ service resources.
Physical Modeling of a Shallow‐Buried Metro Tunnel in the Soft Loess Layer Using Similarity Theory
Authors: Jiang Xuemeng , Hou Lele , Shang Shuping , Xu Longfei , Yu Hangfei
Published: May 2022

The special engineering characteristics of loess will inevitably bring hidden trouble to the construction of shallow buried subway tunnel. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the variation law of surrounding rock stress, lining stress, and surface settlement in loess tunnel construction and further explore the optimum construction method in the soft loess area. A model test considering the different excavation methods and prereinforcement measures was conducted to measure the surrounding rock pressure, lining stress, and surface settlement under different working conditions. The results show that the sequence of tunnel excavation had a great influence on the stability of the tunnel. As the experimental steps increased, the surrounding rock stress and lining stress at each monitoring section gradually increase. Especially, stress concentration could easily occur at the arch foot of the tunnel. The pre‐reinforcement measure, especially the WSS grouting, was more crucial than the excavation method. Considering the number of elements, the combination of DSDM excavation method and WSS grouting reinforcement method was proposed as the final construction method of the tunnel in soft loess area in this paper. The research results can effectively guide the design and construction of a shallow tunnel in the soft loess area.
Construction of Enterprise Financial Information Intelligent Processing Innovation Model Based on Internet of Things Technology
Authors: Ding Mei
Published: May 2022

The application of Internet of Things technology provides conditions for the systematization of enterprise financial data and the intellectualization of financial management. In this study, support vector machine (SVM) algorithm and genetic algorithm (GA) are combined to obtain the innovation model of enterprise financial information intelligent processing based on GA-SVM optimization algorithm. Nine factors affecting enterprise financial information processing from 2010 to 2018 are selected as influencing factors, and according to the idea and method of data modeling, the simulation experiment of enterprise financial information intelligent processing model is carried out with MATLAB. The results show that the average fitness of GA-SVM is close to the best fitness, indicating that each individual in the population is near the optimal solution. The RMSE of GA-SVM is 0.35%, and the root mean square error obtained is greater than this value, which shows that the application effect of GA-SVM is significantly better than that of SVM using cross validation method, and it is more suitable for precision prediction. At the same time, it also reflects that the optimization of SVM parameters by GA is reliable. The algorithm can be better applied in the intelligent processing of enterprise financial information and can provide a certain reference for enterprises in the financial management based on the Internet of Things.
In Vitro Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Digestive Enzymes Inhibition Activities of Hydro-Ethanolic Leaf and Bark Extracts of Psychotria densinervia (K. Krause) Verdc
Authors: Mba Jean Romuald , Zouheira Djamila , Dairou Hadidjatou , Yadang Fanta S. A. , Gael Nfor Njini , Ayong Lawrence , Kuiate Jules-Roger , Agbor Gabriel A.
Published: May 2022

Psychotria densinervia hydro-ethanolic leaf extract (PHELE) and bark extract (PHEBE) were evaluated for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and inhibition of digestive enzymes activities. The antioxidant activity was characterized by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) assays. The anti-inflammatory activity was characterized by protein denaturation and antiproteinase tests, while the inhibition of the enzymes was assessed using α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase, and cholesterol esterase activities. PHELE presented low (

p
<
0.001

) IC50 (59.09 ± 5.97 μg/ml) for DPPH compared with ascorbic acid (71.78 ± 6.37 μg/ml) and PHEBE (115.40 ± 1.21 μg/ml). The IC50 of PHELE (262.4 ± 4.46 μg/ml) and PHEBE (354.2 ± 1.97 μg/ml) was higher (

p
<
0.001

) than that of catechin (33.48 ± 2.02 μg/ml) for ABTS. PHELE had high (

p
<
0.001

) FRAP (341.73 ± 21.70 mg CE/g) than PHEBE (150.30 ± 0.32 mg CE/g). PHELE presented (

p
<
0.001

) high TPC (270.05 ± 7.53 mg CE/g) and TFC (23.43 ± 0.032 mg CE/g) than PHEBE (TPC: 138.89 ± 0.91 and TFC: 20.06 ± 0.032 mg CE/g). PHELE showed antiprotein denaturation with IC50 (257.0 ± 7.51 μg/ml) (

p
<
0.001

) and antiproteinase activity (74.37 ± 1.10 μg/ml) lower than PHEBE (316.1 ± 6.02 μg/ml and 177.6 ± 0.50 μg/ml), respectively. Orlistat inhibited lipase (

p
<
0.001

) activity with IC50 (37.11 ± 4.39 μg/ml) lower than PHELE and PHEBE (50.57 ± 2.89 μg/ml and 62.88 ± 1.74 μg/ml, respectively). PHELE inhibited cholesterol esterase with IC50 (34.75 ± 3.87 μg/ml) lower than orlistat (54.61 ± 2.56) and PHEBE (80.14 ± 1.71 μg/ml). PHELE inhibited α-amylase IC50 (6.07 ± 4.05 μg/ml) lower than PHEBE (19.69 ± 6.27 μg/ml) and acarbose (20.01 ± 2.84 μg/ml). Acarbose inhibited α-glucosidase (

p
<
0.001

) activity with IC50 (4.11 ± 3.47 μg/ml) lower than PHELE (24.41 ± 2.84 μg/ml) and PHEBE (38.81 ± 2.46 μg/ml). PHELE presented better antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and enzyme inhibition activity than PHEBE.
Study of tRNA-Derived Fragment tRF-20-S998LO9D in Pan-Cancer
Authors: Ma Jinqi , Liu Fengxia
Published: May 2022

Objective. The purpose is to study the effect of tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) on pan-cancer through bioinformatics. Methods. The expression information of tRF-20-S998LO9D, a type of tRF-5, was retrieved through MINTbase in pan-cancer and verified by qPCR. We preliminarily explored the effect of tRF-20-S998LO9D on cell proliferation in breast cancer and lung cancer cell lines. Then an online KM-plotter provided by OncotRF was used to discover the prognostic significance. GO/KEGG analyses were executed to predict the potential mechanism of tRF-20-S998LO9D in cancer. Results. We found that tRF-20-S998LO9D was highly expressed in a variety of cancers like breast invasive carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, kidney renal clear cell carcinoma, lung squamous cell carcinoma, pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, and uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma. Inhibition of tRF-20-S998LO9D led to reduced cell proliferation in breast cancer (MCF-7) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (SK-MES-1) cells. Elevated tRF-20-S998LO9D indicated poor prognosis in a variety of cancers. tRF-20-S998LO9D might be involved in multiple cancer-related pathways. Conclusion. We concluded that tRF-20-S998LO9D was upregulated and negatively correlated with prognosis of a variety of cancers. It may be a potential cancer-promoting marker in pan-cancer.
Choline Alleviates Disorders of Lipid Metabolism in Hybrid Grouper (♀ Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂ E. lanceolatus) Caused by High-Lipid Diet
Authors: Li Tao , Yan Xiaobo , Dong Xiaohui , Pan Simiao , Tan Beiping , Zhang Shuang , Suo Xiangxiang , Li Zhihao , Huang Weibin , Yang Yuanzhi , Zhang Haitao
Published: May 2022

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary choline levels on growth performance, liver histology, lipid metabolism and related gene expression of hybrid grouper (♀ Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂ E. lanceolatus) fed high-lipid diets. The fish (initial body weight

6.86
±
0.01
 
g

) were fed diets containing different choline levels (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g/kg, named D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5, respectively) for 8 weeks. The results shows that (a) dietary choline levels had no significant effect on the final body weight (FBW), weight gain rate (WGR), and specific growth rate (SGR) compared with the control group (

P
>
0.05

); (b) with the increase in choline levels, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), lipoprotein lipase (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) of serum, all showed a tendency to increase and then decrease, and the maximum values were obtained in the D4 group (

P
<
0.05

); (c) TG and TC in the liver showed a tendency to decrease first and then increase with the dietary choline levels and reached the minimum value in D3 and D4 groups, respectively (

P
<
0.05

); (d) with increased choline levels, hepatic lipase (HL), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), and fatty acid synthetase (FAS) in the liver all showed a tendency to increase and then decrease, and the maximum values were obtained in the D4 group, except ATGL that the maximum value was obtained in the D3 group (

P
<
0.05

); (e) oil red staining showed that dietary choline significantly reduced hepatic lipid deposition; (f) choline supplementation significantly upregulated the expression of lipolytic genes lipoprotein lipase (lpl), hormone-sensitive lipase (hsl), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (pparα) and inhibited the expression of lipid synthesis genes fatty acid synthetase (fas), acetyl-CoA carboxylase α (accα), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (pparγ). In summary, choline can promote lipid metabolism of hybrid grouper by regulating lipid metabolism-related enzyme activity and gene expression and mitigating the negative effects of high-lipid diets.
Research on the Evaluation of Industrial Poverty Alleviation under the Background of the Internet
Authors: Tao Ying , Xie Jiazhi , Yang Jinqiao
Published: May 2022

With the advent of the information age in the 21st century, Internet technology has developed rapidly. With the development of agriculture, industry, and service industry, Internet technology has also achieved further innovation and cross-border integration. The rapid development of Internet technology has provided new ideas for poverty alleviation in poor areas of China and accelerated the speed of poverty alleviation in poor areas. Based on the assumption of China’s industrial poverty alleviation and the analysis of the implementation center, this paper puts forward an evaluation method of industrial poverty alleviation effect based on the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, which is evaluated from three aspects: income structure, expenditure structure, and labor resources. Taking Wuxi County as an example, this paper discusses the combination of human capital theory and multidimensional poverty theory. The evaluation of poverty alleviation effectiveness includes four indicators (comprehensive analysis, evaluation system, policy implementation, poverty alleviation funds) and 21 secondary indicators. Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation is an objective, fair, and comprehensive evaluation of the overall level of poverty alleviation and development in Wuxi. The expert scoring method is used to calculate the weight of each index and determine the level of members and the industrial situation of China’s industrial poverty alleviation. According to the scores of each evaluation index, the poor households in Wuxi County are very satisfied with the person in charge of help, the villager group, the way of helping, and the effect of helping.
Plexin-B2 and Semaphorins Do Not Drive Rhabdomyosarcoma Proliferation or Migration
Authors: Karki Anju , Purohit Reshma , Tosoni Sofia , Bharathy Narendra , Michalek Joel E , Chen Sonja , Keller Charles
Published: May 2022

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common pediatric soft tissue sarcoma for which subsets of patients have longstanding unmet clinical needs. For example, children with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma and metastases at diagnosis will experience only 8% disease-free 5-year survival for nonlocalized unresectable recurrent disease. Hence, development of novel therapeutic strategies is urgently needed to improve outcomes. The Plexin-Semaphorin pathway is largely unexplored for sarcoma research. However, emerging interest in the Plexin-Semaphorin signaling axis in pediatric sarcomas has led to phase I cooperative group dose-finding clinical trials, now completed (NCT03320330). In this study, we specifically investigated the protein expression of transmembrane receptor Plexin-B2 and its cognate SEMA4C ligands in clinical RMS tumors and cell models. By RNA interferences, we assessed the role of Plexin-B2 in cell growth and cell migration ability in selected alveolar and embryonal RMS cell model systems. Our results affirmed expression of Plexin-B2 across human samples, while also dissecting expression of the different protein subunits of Plexin-B2 along with the assessment of preferred Semaphorin ligands of Plexin-B2. Plexin-B2 knockdown had positive or negative effects on cell growth, which varied by cell model system. Migration assayed after Plexin-B2 knockdown revealed selective cell line specific migration inhibition, which was independent of Plexin-B2 expression level. Overall, these findings are suggestive of context-specific and possibly patient-specific (stochastic) role of Plexin-B2 and SEMA4 ligands in RMS.
Data-Rich Spatial Profiling of Cancer Tissue: Astronomy Informs Pathology
Authors: Szalay Alexander S. , Taube Janis M.
Published: May 2022

Astronomy was among the first disciplines to embrace Big Data and use it to characterize spatial relationships between stars and galaxies. Today, medicine, in particular pathology, has similar needs with regard to characterizing the spatial relationships between cells, with an emphasis on understanding the organization of the tumor microenvironment. In this article, we chronicle the emergence of data-intensive science through the development of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and describe how analysis patterns and approaches similarly apply to multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) pathology image exploration. The lessons learned from astronomy are detailed, and the new AstroPath platform that capitalizes on these learnings is described. AstroPath is being used to generate and display tumor-immune maps that can be used for mIF immuno-oncology biomarker development. The development of AstroPath as an open resource for visualizing and analyzing large-scale spatially resolved mIF datasets is underway, akin to how publicly available maps of the sky have been used by astronomers and citizen scientists alike. Associated technical, academic, and funding considerations, as well as extended future development for inclusion of spatial transcriptomics and application of artificial intelligence, are also addressed.
Increased Microtubule Growth Triggered by Microvesicle-mediated Paracrine Signaling is Required for Melanoma Cancer Cell Invasion
Authors: Pudelko Karoline , Wieland Angela , Hennecke Magdalena , Räschle Markus , Bastians Holger
Published: May 2022

The acquisition of cell invasiveness is the key transition from benign melanocyte hyperplasia to aggressive melanoma. Recent work has provided an intriguing new link between the presence of supernumerary centrosomes and increased cell invasion. Moreover, supernumerary centrosomes were shown to drive non–cell-autonomous invasion of cancer cells. Although centrosomes are the principal microtubule organizing centers, the role of dynamic microtubules for non–cell-autonomous invasion remains unexplored, in particular, in melanoma. We investigated the role of supernumerary centrosomes and dynamic microtubules in melanoma cell invasion and found that highly invasive melanoma cells are characterized by the presence of supernumerary centrosomes and by increased microtubule growth rates, both of which are functionally interlinked. We demonstrate that enhanced microtubule growth is required for increased three-dimensional melanoma cell invasion. Moreover, we show that the activity to enhance microtubule growth can be transferred onto adjacent noninvasive cells through microvesicles involving HER2. Hence, our study suggests that suppressing microtubule growth, either directly using anti-microtubule drugs or through HER2 inhibitors might be therapeutically beneficial to inhibit cell invasiveness and thus, metastasis of malignant melanoma.

Significance:

This study shows that increased microtubule growth is required for melanoma cell invasion and can be transferred onto adjacent cells in a non–cell-autonomous manner through microvesicles involving HER2.
Early Renal-Replacement Therapy May Reduce the All-Cause Mortality of Severe COVID-19: An Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Qian Jing , Wang Mengjing , You Huaizhou , Luo Jianfeng , Li Shengqing , Chen Shu , Chen Yijian , Li Xiantao , Wang Kangjie , Zhang Weichen , Yuan Li , Ni Li , Chen Jing
Published: May 2022

Introduction: The efficacy of renal-replacement treatment (RRT) remains to be validated in COVID-19. In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of early initiation of RRT in intensive care unit (ICU) adults with severe COVID-19. Methods: Fifty-eight adult patients in ICU with critically ill or severe COVID-19 with a tendency of critical illness were recruited from February 9, 2020, to March 30, 2020. Early RRT were determined by the ICU medical team based on boom in cytokines levels, increased organs injury/failure, and rapid aggravation of condition. All participants were followed up from the first day of ICU admission to March 30, 2020. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality in ICU. Results: The mean age of the cohort was 68.4 ± 14.6 years, with 81.0% having at least one comorbidity before hospitalization. Twenty patients (34.5%) initiated early RRT after 24.1 ± 10.4 days from the onset and 6.4 ± 3.6 days from ICU admission. Thirty-four of 58 participants (58.6%) died during ICU follow-up. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional-hazards model showed that early RRT was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in ICU with an adjusted HR of 0.280 (95% CI: 0.106–0.738, p = 0.010). Sudden unexpected death (SUD) was remarkably reduced in the early RRT group, compared with the control group (0.2 vs. 2.9 per 100 person-day, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Early RRT can reduce the all-cause in-hospital mortality, especially SUD in patients with severe COVID-19, but not improve multi-organ impairment or increase the risk of AKI. Early initiation of RRT merits an optional strategy in critically ill patients with COVID-19 (ChiCTR2000030773).
M1 Macrophages Increase Endothelial Permeability and Enhance p38 Phosphorylation via PPAR-γ/CXCL13-CXCR5 in Sepsis
Authors: Chen Wen , Wang Yi , Zhou Ye , Xu Yuansheng , Bo Xiangye , Wu Jinhong
Published: May 2022

Purpose: Vascular endothelial hyperpermeability and barrier disruption are involved in the initiation and development of sepsis. M1 macrophages promote inflammation in sepsis by releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. This study was designed to investigate the functional relationships between M1 macrophages and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: HUVECs were co-cultured with THP-1-derived M1 macrophages pretreated with or without rosiglitazone (RSG), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ agonist. C-X-C chemokine receptor type (CXCR)5 was knocked down by short hairpin RNA lentivirus. Cecal ligation and puncture were used to induce sepsis in a mouse model. Endothelial permeability was evaluated using transendothelial electrical resistance and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran assays. Results: Chemokine ligand (CXCL)13 was upregulated in M1 macrophages than M0 macrophages, as well as in the culture medium. In HUVECs co-cultured with M1 macrophages, transendothelial electrical resistance decreased, FITC-dextran flux increased, p38 phosphorylation was strengthened, and the expression of tight junction proteins (zonula occludens protein-1, occludin, and claudin-4) decreased. CXCR5 RNA interference or RSG pretreatment partially reversed these effects. A luciferase reporter assay revealed that CXCL13 was a direct target of PPAR-γ. RSG treatment decreased serum levels of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, CXCL13, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6, downregulated CXCL13 in peritoneal macrophages, and enhanced the survival rate of sepsis mice. Conclusion: M1 macrophages induced endothelial hyperpermeability and promoted p38 phosphorylation in sepsis by inhibiting PPAR-γ to increase CXCL13 production. PPAR-γ/CXCL13-CXCR5 signaling could be a promising novel therapeutic target for sepsis.
Cobimetinib Sensitizes Cervical Cancer to Paclitaxel via Suppressing Paclitaxel-Induced ERK Activation
Authors: Liu Yuan , Zhao Runsheng , Qin Xiaomin , Mao Xiaogang , Li Quan , Fang Shanshan
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Chemoresistance remains the main cause of treatment failure in cervical cancer and novel therapeutic strategies are required. Cobimetinib, a potent yet selective inhibitor of MEK1 and 2, is currently used to treat melanoma clinically. In this work, we identified cobimetinib as a promising candidate for treating cervical cancer. Methods: The in vitro and in vivo efficacies of cobimetinib were examined using cervical cancer cell cultures and xenograft mouse model. Its combination with paclitaxel was analyzed using the combination index. Immunoblotting was performed on MAPK and ERK pathways. Results: Cobimetinib displays a potent anti-cervical cancer activity in a panel of cell lines regardless of cellular origin and HPV presence, and its combination with paclitaxel is synergistic in inhibiting cervical cancer cells. This is achieved by the growth inhibition and caspase-dependent apoptosis induction, through inhibiting MAPK/ERK activation. In addition, paclitaxel activates ERK in cervical cancer cells, and this can be reversed by cobimetinib. We finally confirm the efficacy of cobimetinib alone and its combination with paclitaxel in the cervical cancer xenograft mouse model. Discussion/Conclusion: Our preclinical findings will accelerate the initialization of clinical trials to use combination of cobimetinib and paclitaxel for treating cervical cancer. Our work also emphasizes the therapeutic value of targeting MAPK/ERK to overcome chemoresistance in cervical cancer.
Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Assessment of Behavior in Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech and Agrammatic Aphasia
Authors: Hokelekli Fatma Ozlem , Duffy Joseph R. , Clark Heather M. , Utianski Rene L. , Botha Hugo , Stierwalt Julie A. , Strand Edythe A. , Machulda Mary M. , Whitwell Jennifer L. , Josephs Keith A.
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Progressive agrammatic aphasia (PAA) can be associated with abnormal behaviors; however, it is unknown whether behaviors occur and/or are different in patients with primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAOS). We aimed to compare baseline and longitudinal behavioral symptomatology between PPAOS, patients with PAA, and patients with both apraxia of speech and PAA (AOS-PAA). Methods: We recruited 89 patients for this study, 40 with PPAOS, 11 with PAA, and 38 with AOS-PAA. Behavioral disturbances were evaluated using the frontal behavior inventory (FBI) which was also split into negative behaviors and disinhibition, and the 20-item behavioral assessment scale (20-BAS). Data analysis was performed using linear regression and linear mixed models. Results: Of the 89 patients in the study, 54% were women and the mean age at onset was 68 years. All patients, regardless of diagnosis, endorsed at least one symptom on the FBI at baseline, most frequently verbal apraxia (100%), logopenia (95.6%), irritability (55.9%), and apathy (42.6%). On the 20-BAS, 47.6% of the patients endorsed at least one symptom, most commonly “crying more easily” (19.5%) and personality change (18.3%). PPAOS was the least behaviorally affected group, with differences between PPAOS and AOS-PAA mainly driven by negative behaviors as opposed to disinhibition for PPAOS and PAA. The behavioral metrics showed average sensitivity and specificity to distinguish between groups. Behavioral disturbances worsened over time although rate of behavioral change across groups was similar. Conclusion: Behavioral disturbances are more common and severe in patients with agrammatic aphasia with or without AOS compared to patients with isolated apraxia of speech.
Effect of Phentermine on Hepatic Steatosis in Bariatric Surgery: A Pilot Study
Authors: Pérez-Cruz Elizabeth , Guevara-Cruz Martha , Ortiz-Gutiérrez Salvador , Luna-Camacho Yuritzy , Guzmán-Aguilar Rafael , Briceño-Sáenz Giuseppe , González-Salazar Luis , Flores-López Adriana
Published: May 2022

Objective: Hepatic steatosis is associated with increased surgical complications in bariatric surgery patients. We aimed to evaluate the effect of phentermine in reducing hepatic steatosis, adipose tissue, and surgical complications in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Methods: This was a two-arm, double-blind, randomized, controlled pilot trial of 64 adult subjects with BMI >35 kg/m2 selected for bariatric surgery randomized into phentermine group (15 mg once daily) or placebo group for 8 weeks. Both groups adhered to a hypocaloric diet (500 calories/day) and an individualized exercise program. The primary endpoint was reducing the frequency of hepatic steatosis measured by ultrasound and reducing adipose tissue through fat mass in total kilograms or percentage. Key secondary points were the prevalence of surgical complications. Baseline and final biochemical parameters and blood pressure too were assessments. Results: In the phentermine group, the frequency of hepatic steatosis decreased by 19%, and the percentage of patients with a normal ultrasound increased from 9% to 28% (p = 0.05). Likewise, the decrease in fat mass in kilograms was more significant in the phentermine group (56.1 kg vs. 51.8 kg, p = 0.02). A significant reduction in the HOMA-IR index was observed regardless of weight loss. No differences in surgical complications were observed between groups. Phentermine was well-tolerated; no differences were observed in the frequency of adverse events between the groups. Conclusions: Phentermine decreased the proportion of individuals with hepatic steatosis by 19% and promoted a more significant fat mass loss in kilograms among candidates for bariatric surgery.
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in semen samples: a scoping review
Authors: Sabage Luís Expedito , Otani Guilherme Akira , Guidio Leandro Tonderys , Mazzo Alessandra , Leitão Victor Augusto Scheirer , Santos Carlos Ferreira dos , Nardi Aguinaldo César
Published: May 2022

Background: many doubts about the infection of SARS-CoV-2 were raised, such as sexual transmission, sterility, and changes in fertility procedures; however, information is not clearly stated and organized.
Purpose: to review and summarize scientific evidence on detection of SARS-CoV-2 in semen samples of Covid-19 patients.
Methods: literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Medline and Embase databases, and followed Scoping Review protocol defined by Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) after the guiding question “Is it possible to detect SARS-CoV-2 in the semen of adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19?”
Results: 287 studies were identified, and, after discerning analysis, 9 studies published in the English language were selected. Three researchers analyzed the studies for SARS-CoV-2 presence in the seminal fluid, patients’ severity, days since the onset of disease, diagnosis confirmation, semen collection method, viral analysis method, and sample numbers.
Conclusions: it was not possible to find strong evidence to confirm the presence or absence of Covid-19 in the semen of adult patients. New studies on the subject should be better designed, taking into account the possible anatomical and functional conditions and changes of the male reproductive system during and after the infection by SARS-CoV-2.
Análise dos motivos de internação hospitalar de idosos no extremo norte do Brasil
Authors: Macedo Júnior Adler Monteiro de , Macedo João Pedro Soares de , Cardoso Thalia Inácia Araújo , Moraga Lilian Mara Vieira Monsalve , Lima Gabrielle Mendes , Nogami Audrey Stella Akemi
Published: May 2022

Objetivo: caracterizar os motivos de internação hospitalar de idosos de 2015 até 2019 em Roraima, Brasil. Métodos: estudo epidemiológico descritivo, sob análise temporal de dados do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares referentes às hospitalizações de idosos. Foram avaliadas faixas etárias, período de internação, sexo, taxas de internações, diagnósticos e variações no ranking das causas das mesmas. Resultados: foram registradas 23.844 internações em idosos no Estado. As doenças dos aparelhos circulatório, respiratório e digestório representaram os principais grupos associados às internações (44,2% do total). Houve predomínio da população masculina nas internações e a população com 80 anos ou mais registrou as maiores porcentagens. Pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, insuficiência cardíaca e internação para realização de exames e investigação foram os diagnósticos com maiores colocações no ranking de causas específicas. Conclusão: Observa-se predomínio de homens idosos nas internações, além de maior porcentagem de internações dos muitos idosos (acima de 80 anos).
Imagem corporal em mulheres idosas e fatores associados (comorbidades, socioeconômicos, atividade física e a função sexual)
Authors: Carvalho Juliana Cordeiro , Zimmermann Rogério Dubosselard , Almeida Maria da Conceição Lafayette de , Lima Monique de Freitas Gonçalves
Published: May 2022

O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar a imagem corporal em mulheres idosas e seus fatores associados. Trata-se de um estudo observacional-descritivo, quantitativo de corte transversal. Foram avaliadas 110 idosas cadastradas nos cursos de línguas pela Universidade Aberta da Terceira Idade (UNATI) inserida na Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), no município do Recife-PE. Foram analisados: a imagem corporal, o nível de atividade física, a função e satisfação sexual, condições sociodemográficas e clínicas. Verificou-se que a hipertensão arterial e com quem reside estavam relacionadas com a imagem corporal. Já fatores socioeconômicos, a função sexual e o nível de atividade física não obtiveram relação com a imagem corporal. Percebeu-se também que 68 (61,8%) idosas desejavam ter um corpo mais magro, corroborando com grande parte da literatura e reafirmando a ideia de que o corpo da mulher idosa ainda é muito criticado diante da sociedade. Concluiu-se que a imagem corporal consegue ter influência perante quem reside e com comorbidades como a pressão alta, além disso, comprova que o corpo da mulher idosa, infelizmente, ainda desagrada grande parte das mulheres, podendo assim, influenciar sua autoestima, imagem corporal e afetando, consequentemente, a qualidade de vida das mesmas.