bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HMGB1 involved in stress-induced depression and its neuroinflammatory priming role: a systematic review
Authors: Zhang Huifeng , Ding Lei , Shen Ting , Peng Daihui
Published: August 2019

Background

Evidence from clinical and preclinical studies has demonstrated that stress can cause depressive-like symptoms including anhedonia and psychomotor retardation, namely, the manifestation of motivational deficits in depression. The proximate mediator of linking social-environmental stress with internal motivational deficits remains elusive, although substantial studies proposed neural endocrine mechanisms. As an endogenous danger-associated molecule, high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is necessary and sufficient for stress-induced sensitization of innate immune cells and subsequent (neuro)inflammation.

Aim

This review aims to provide evidence to unveil the potential mechanism of the relationship between motivational deficits and stress in depression.

Methods

We reviewed original case-control studies investigating the association between HMGB1-mediated inflammation and stress-induced depression. The literature search of Pubmed and Web of Science electronic database from inception up to March 28th, 2019 were conducted by two independent authors. We performed a qualitative systematic review approach to explore the correlation between HMGB1-mediated inflammation and anhedonia/psychomotor retardation in depression.

Results

A total of 69 studies based on search strategy were retrieved and seven eligible studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies showed that HMGB1 was implicated with depressive-like behaviors, which are similar with motivational deficits. Furthermore, HMGB1-mediated inflammation in depressive-like behaviors may be involved in Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing three (NLRP3) inflammasome and proinflammatory cytokines, abnormal kynurenine pathway and imbalance between neuroprotective and neurotoxic factors.

Conclusions

We found that stress-induced inflammation mediated by HMGB1 may affect motivational deficits through regulating dopamine pathway in corticostriatal neurocircuitry. The systematic review may shed light on the novel neurobiological underpinning for treatment of motivation deficits in depression.
A Simulated Annealing-Based Barzilai–Borwein Gradient Method for Unconstrained Optimization Problems
Authors: Dong Wen-Li , Li Xing , Peng Zheng
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we propose a simulated annealing-based Barzilai–Borwein (SABB) gradient method for unconstrained optimization problems. The SABB method accepts the Barzilai–Borwein (BB) step by a simulated annealing rule. If the BB step cannot be accepted, the Armijo line search is used. The global convergence of the SABB method is established under some mild conditions. Numerical experiments indicate that, compared to some existing BB methods using nonmonotone line search technique, the SABB method performs well with high efficiency.
Differential polynomial rings in several variables over locally nilpotent rings
Authors: Chen Fei Yu , Hagan Hannah , Wang Allison
Published: August 2019

We show that a differential polynomial ring over a locally nilpotent ring in several commuting variables is Behrens radical, extending a result by Chebotar.
An associative left brace is a ring
Authors: Lau Ivan
Published: August 2019

It is proved that if a left brace [Formula: see text] has the operation ∗ associative, then [Formula: see text] is a two-sided brace. Consequently, [Formula: see text] is a Jacobson radical ring. This answers a question of Cedó, Gateva-Ivanova and Smoktunowicz.
Forecasting Chinese Stock Market Prices using Baidu Search Index with a Learning-Based Data Collection Method
Authors: Dong Jichang , Dai Wei , Liu Ying , Yu Lean , Wang Jie
Published: August 2019

In this study, to address search index selection and volatility problems, we propose a learning-based search index collection method that collects the search data fraction for modeling by learning the best criteria from robust statistics. Based on the fraction of collected search index from internet search engine ( Baidu.com ) data sources, a novel model is formulated for Chinese stock market price forecasting. We empirically test our method on the two main Chinese stock market price indexes and discover that the prediction accuracy is equivalent or superior to the benchmarks from previous studies that used alternative search index collection methods or lagged data prediction models. All prediction results outstand the importance of an effective data collection method for the robustness of forecast models and demonstrate the utility of a learning-based collection method for addressing search index collection problem, leading to a significant improvement in Chinese stock market price prediction accuracy.
Hybrid Use of Likert Scale-Based AHP and PROMETHEE Methods for Hazard Analysis and Consequence Modeling (HACM) Software Selection
Authors: Çalişkan Emre , Aksakal Erdem , Çetinyokuş Saliha , Çetinyokuş Tahsin
Published: August 2019

Being a decision-making process, software evaluation and selection is complicated, time-consuming, costly and also critical to the success of the project/work/organization. In this study, evaluation and selection of customized software which are used to identify the physical effect (explosion, fire and toxic emission) distances for industrial establishments containing, using or storing hazardous chemicals has been considered. These software are called the “Hazard Analysis and Consequence Modeling” (HACM) software in the literature. This study first prepared Likert scale-based questionnaires which were distributed to Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) professionals to obtain their opinions. Likert scale was used with Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method in the processing of data obtained from questionnaires in order to get over the inconsistency problem of pairwise comparison matrices. The Likert scale-based AHP method was used to determine the weights of the criteria, and Preference Ranking Organization METHod for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE) method was used to obtain the final ranking. PROMETHEE method was preferred for having the opportunity of evaluating the binary “Yes–No” questions in the solution process. Finally, application results were given to illustrate the proposed method by using the PROMETHEE software “Visual PROMETHEE 1.4.0.0”.
Sandwich Structure Electrode as Advanced Performance Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Wei Chengcheng , Sun Xiaogang , Liang Guodong , Huang Yapan , Hu Hao , Xu Yuhao
Published: August 2019

In this work, a sandwich structure electrode was prepared by a simple vacuum filtration and rolling process. The SEM showed that the active materials were uniformly embedded in the pores of the three-dimensional conductive network of the carbon nanotube (CNTs) conductive paper. The contact interface area of active material and the conductive network significantly increased and the interface resistance was greatly reduced. The porous anode can accommodate the volume expansion of the silicon and effectively alleviated pressed during cycle. The electrode also exhibited good stability in cycles. Electrochemical tests showed that the first discharge specific capacity of the sandwich electrode reached 2330[Formula: see text]mAh/g with a coulombic efficiency of 86%. After 500 cycles, the specific capacity was still maintained at 1512[Formula: see text]mAh/g. At a large current density of 2[Formula: see text]A/g, the specific capacity hold was 840[Formula: see text]mAh/g compared with the copper foil electrode of 100[Formula: see text]mAh/g.
Synthesis of Active MFe2O4/γ-Fe2O3 Nanocomposites (Metal = Ni or Co) for Reduction of Nitro-Containing Pollutants and Methyl Orange Degradation
Authors: El-Subruiti G. M. , Eltaweil A. S. , Sallam S. A.
Published: August 2019

Metal-ferrite/maghemite nanocomposites (NiFe2O4/***[Formula: see text]-Fe2O3 and CoFe2O4/[Formula: see text]-Fe2O[Formula: see text] were synthesized via doping maghemite with metal salt (NiCl2 or CoCl[Formula: see text] followed by reduction of metal ions using NaBH4. The synthesized metal-ferrite/maghemite nanocomposites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and the amounts of the dopant-metal (Ni/Co) were determined using ICP-OES technique. Results showed that this synthetic route produced nanocomposites with highly active ferrite phases MFe2O4. The synthesized nanocomposites exhibited exceptional catalytic activities for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and 2-nitroaniline as well as the catalytic degradation of methyl orange. Specific activity parameter of NiFe2O4/[Formula: see text]-Fe2O3 and CoFe2O4/[Formula: see text]-Fe2O3 toward reduction of 4-NP reached 993.9 and 929.8[Formula: see text]s[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text], respectively. These high values of specific activities are higher than most reported metal-ferrite composites prepared via traditional co-precipitation methods. Besides, strong magnetic properties of the prepared metal-ferrite/maghemites facilitates easy separation process for several reuses.
Optical Simulation and Investigation of the Effect of Hysteresis on the Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Jahantigh Farhad , Bagher Ghorashi S. M.
Published: August 2019

Perovskite solar cells have recently been considered to be an auspicious candidate for the advancement of future photovoltaic research. A power conversion efficiency (PCE) as high as 22% has been reported to be reached, which can be obtained through an inexpensive and high-throughput solution process. Modeling and simulation of these cells can provide deep insights into their fundamental mechanism of performance. In this paper, two different perovskite solar cells are designed by using COMSOL Multiphysics to optimize the thickness of each layer and the overall thickness of the cell. Electric potential, electron and hole concentrations, generation rate, open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current and the output power were calculated. Finally, PCEs of 20.7% and 26.1% were predicted. Afterwards, according to the simulation results, the role of the hole transport layer (HTL) was investigated and the optimum thickness of the perovskite was measured to be 200[Formula: see text]nm for both cells. Therefore, the spin coating settings are selected so that a coating with this thickness for cell 1 is deposited. In order to compare the performance of HTM layer, solar cells with a Spiro-OMeTAD HTM and without the HTM layer in their structure were fabricated. According to the obtained photovoltaic properties, the solar cell made with Spiro-OMeTAD has a more favorable open-circuit voltage ([Formula: see text]), short-circuit current density ([Formula: see text]), fill factor (FF) and PCE compared to the cell without the HTM layer. Also, hysteresis depends strongly on the perovskite grain size, because large average grain size will lead to an increase in the grain’s contact surface area and a decrease in the density of grain boundaries. Finally, according to the results, it was concluded that, in the presence of a hole transport layer, ion transfer was better and ion accumulation was less intense, and therefore, the hysteresis decreases.
Passages
Authors: Groce Alex
Published: August 2019

Gerald M. Weinberg's The Psychology of Computer Programming: Silver Anniversary Edition is this month's Passages selection. Weinberg died last August, but this book alone makes him immortal in the world of software engineering. The Psychology is one of my favorite software engineering classics, and one of the books that originally motivated this column. Tim Budd gave me my first copy, when I was a young and ignorant professor at Oregon State, when he retired (the opposite of the usual retirement gifting procedure) and I read it with great pleasure and attention for the first time, not long after, and began to form the idea of Passages not long after that. Why did I not write about it before this?
Sesamin Enhances Nrf2-Mediated Protective Defense against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Colitis via AKT and ERK Activation
Authors: Bai Xupeng , Gou Xiaoli , Cai Peiheng , Xu Chuncao , Cao Lin , Zhao Zhongxiang , Huang Min , Jin Jing
Published: August 2019

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a major form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with high incidence and prevalence in many countries. Patients with UC usually suffer from a lifetime of debilitating physical symptoms. Therefore, developing effective therapeutic strategy that can manage this disease better and improve patients’ life quality is in urgent need. Sesamin (SSM) is a lignan derived from sesame seeds. In this study, the protective effect of SSM against UC and the underlying mechanism were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Our data showed that SSM protected Caco-2 cells from H2O2-induced oxidative stress injury via GSH-mediated scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Dual luciferase reporter assay showed that the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was significantly increased by SSM, and the ability of SSM to activate Nrf2-targeted genes was further confirmed in Caco-2 cells using western blot and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). In contrast, Nrf2 knockdown abolished the protective effect of SSM. Additionally, we found that SSM also activated advanced protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in Caco-2 cells, while either AKT or ERK inhibition can prevent SSM-mediated nuclear translocation of Nrf2. Furthermore, SSM displayed a better protective effect against dextran sulfate sodium- (DSS-) induced UC compared with 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) in C57BL/6 mice. The enhanced Nrf2 signaling and activated AKT/ERK were also observed in the colon of mice after SSM administration. These results first demonstrate the protective effect of SSM against UC and indicate that the effect is associated with AKT/ERK activation and subsequent Nrf2 signaling enhancement. This study provides a new insight into the medicinal value of SSM and proposes it as a new natural nutrition for better managing the symptoms of UC.
Chloramphenicol Mitigates Oxidative Stress by Inhibiting Translation of Mitochondrial Complex I in Dopaminergic Neurons of Toxin-Induced Parkinson’s Disease Model
Authors: Han Jeongsu , Kim Soo Jeong , Ryu Min Jeong , Jang Yunseon , Lee Min Joung , Ju Xianshu , Lee Yu Lim , Cui Jianchen , Shong Minho , Heo Jun Young , Kweon Gi Ryang
Published: August 2019

Paraquat (PQ), an herbicide considered an environmental contributor to the development of Parkinson’s disease (PD), induces dopaminergic neuronal loss through reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress by mitochondrial complex I. Most patients with PQ-induced PD are affected by chronic exposure and require a preventive strategy for modulation of disease progression. To identify drugs that are effective in preventing PD, we screened more than 1000 drugs that are currently used in clinics and in studies employing PQ-treated cells. Of these, chloramphenicol (CP) showed the most powerful inhibitory effect. Pretreatment with CP increased the viability of PQ-treated SN4741 dopaminergic neuronal cells and rat primary cultured dopaminergic neurons compared with control cells treated with PQ only. CP pretreatment also reduced PQ-induced ROS production, implying that mitochondrial complex I is a target of CP. This effect of CP reflected downregulation of the mitochondrial complex I subunit ND1 and diminished PQ recycling, a major mechanism of ROS production, and resulted in the prevention of cell loss. Notably, these effects of CP were not observed in rotenone-pretreated SN4741 cells and Rho-negative cells, in which mitochondrial function is defective. Consistent with these results, CP pretreatment of MPTP-treated PD model mice also ameliorated dopaminergic neuronal cell loss. Our findings indicate that the inhibition of mitochondrial complex I with CP protects dopaminergic neurons and may provide a strategy for preventing neurotoxin-induced PD.
Cardioprotective Effect of Danhong Injection against Myocardial Infarction in Rats Is Critically Contributed by MicroRNAs
Authors: Chen Jingrui , wei Jing , Orgah John , Zhu Yan , Ni Jingyu , Li Lingyan , Zhang Han , Gao Xiumei , Fan Guanwei
Published: August 2019

Background. Danhong injection (DHI) has been mainly used for the treatment of myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, and coronary heart disease in clinical practice. Our previous studies have shown that DHI improves ventricular remodeling and preserves cardiac function in rats with myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we focused on the potential mechanism of DHI in protecting cardiac function in MI rats. Methods. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) to prepare a myocardial infarction (MI) model. After 14 day DHI intervention, cardiac function was measured by echocardiography and myocardial fibrosis was assessed by Masson staining. Differentiated miRNAs were screened using rat immunopathology miScript miRNA PCR arrays, and their results were verified by RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and immunoblotting. Results. DHI treatment significantly reduced infarct size and improved cardiac function and hemodynamics in MI rats by echocardiography and morphology. miRNA PCR array results showed that DHI reversed 25 miRNAs known to be associated with inflammation and apoptosis. Moreover, the expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was significantly reduced in the treated DHI group. Mechanistically, DHI downregulated the inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB (as reflected by inhibition of NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of the IκBα). Conclusions. DHI is effective in mitigating inflammation associated with MI by preventing NF-κB nuclear translocation and regulating miRNAs, thereby improving cardiac function in myocardial infarction rats.
The Combination Strategy of Transarterial Chemoembolization and Radiofrequency Ablation or Microwave Ablation against Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Xu Zhentian , Xie Haiyang , Zhou Lin , Chen Xinhua , Zheng Shusen
Published: August 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary cancer of the liver. Hepatectomy and liver transplantation (LT) are regarded as the radical treatment, but great majority of patients are already in advanced stage on the first diagnosis and lose the surgery opportunity. Multifarious image-guided interventional therapies, termed as locoregional ablations, are recommended by various HCC guidelines for the clinical practice. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is firstly recommended for intermediate-stage (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) B class) HCC but has lower necrosis rates. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is effective in treating HCCs smaller than 3 cm in size. Microwave ablation (MWA) can ablate larger tumor within a shorter time. Combination of TACE with RFA or MWA is effective and promising in treating larger HCC lesions but needs more clinical data to confirm its long-term outcome. The combination of TACE and RFA or MWA against hepatocellular carcinoma needs more clinical data for a better strategy. The characters and advantages of TACE, RFA, MWA, and TACE combined with RFA or MWA are reviewed to provide physician a better background on decision.
Crocin Improves Cognitive Behavior in Rats with Alzheimer's Disease by Regulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis
Authors: Lin Ling , Liu Guoliang , Yang Lina
Published: August 2019

Aim. To investigate the effect of crocin on the learning and memory acquisition of AD rats and its underlying mechanisms. Methods. A total of 48 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, AD model group, resveratrol group, and crocin group, with 12 rats per group. AD model was established by injecting Aβ25–35 to the lateral ventricle of rats, and thereafter the rats were administrated with resveratrol (40 mg/kg), crocin (40 mg/kg), or PBS daily for 14 days. Y-maze test and sucrose preference test were used to detect the learning and memory acquisition of rats. Neuronal apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining and Western blot for apoptosis-related proteins Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot tests were used to detect the expression of glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in hippocampal CA1 region (Hippo) and prefrontal cortical neurons (PFC). Results. The learning and memory abilities of AD rats were significantly decreased, which was significantly rescued by resveratrol and crocin. The apoptotic cell number of Hippo and PFC neurons in AD model group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.01), while resveratrol and crocin significantly decreased the apoptotic cell number in AD group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the expression of Bcl2 in PFC and hippo of AD model group was significantly decreased (P<0.01), while those of Bax, Caspase3, GRP78, and CHOP were significantly increased (P<0.01). Resveratrol and crocin could significantly reverse the expression of these proteins in AD rats (P<0.05). Conclusion. Crocin can improve the learning and memory ability of AD rats possibly by reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress and neuronal apoptosis.
The Organ Handling of Soluble Klotho in Humans
Authors: Picciotto Daniela , Murugavel Abitha , Ansaldo Francesca , Rosa Gian Marco , Sofia Antonella , Milanesi Samantha , Viazzi Francesca , Saio Michela , Balbi Manrico , Garibotto Giacomo , Verzola Daniela
Published: August 2019

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) reduces both Klotho expression and its shedding into circulation, an effect that accelerates progression and cardiovascular complications. However, the mechanisms that regulate Klotho release by the human kidney are still unknown. Methods: We measured plasma Klotho across the kidney, splanchnic organs and lung in 22 patients (71 ± 2 years, estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 60 ± 5.4 mL/min 1.73 m2) during elective diagnostic cardiac catheterizations. Results: Although the Klotho average renal vein concentrations were remarkably higher (by ∼9%) than arterial values, the kidney removed Klotho (or was at zero balance) in 7 subjects, indicating that the kidney contribution to systemic Klotho is not constant. Klotho fractional enrichment across the kidney was inversely related to plasma sodium (r = 0.43, p = 0.045) and acid uric acid levels (r = 0.38, p = 0.084) and directly, to renal oxygen extraction (r = 0.56, p = 0.006). In multivariate analysis, renal oxygen extraction was the only predictor of the enrichment of Klotho across the kidney, suggesting the dependence of renal Klotho release on tubular hypoxia or oxidative metabolism. Klotho balance was neutral across the lung. In patients with eGFR <60 mL/min, Klotho was also removed by splanchnic organs (single pass fractional extraction ∼11%). Conclusions: The present study identifies kidney oxygen uptake as a predictor of Klotho release, and splanchnic organs as a site for Klotho removal. This study provides new understanding of kidney Klotho release and suggests that modulating kidney oxygen metabolism could increase Klotho delivery, as an option to slow disease progression and blunt organ damage.
Identification of Distinct Arterial Waveform Clusters and a Longitudinal Evaluation of Their Clinical Usefulness
Authors: Sluyter John D. , Hughes Alun D. , Camargo Carlos A. , Thom Simon A. McG. , Parker Kim H. , Hametner Bernhard , Wassertheurer Siegfried , Scragg Robert
Published: August 2019

Clustering of arterial blood pressure (BP) waveform parameters could summarize complex information into distinct elements, which could be used to investigate cumulative (nonredundant) associations. We investigated this hypothesis in a large, adult population-based study (ViDA trial [Vitamin D Assessment] trial). To interpret the clusters and evaluate their usefulness, we examined their predictors and associations with cardiovascular events. In 4253 adults (mean age 65 years; 55% male) without a prior cardiovascular event, suprasystolic oscillometry was performed, yielding aortic pressure waveforms and several hemodynamic parameters. Participants were followed up for 4.6 years (median), accruing 300 cardiovascular events. Principal component analysis reduced 14 arterial waveform parameters to 3 uncorrelated factors that together explained 90% of the variability of the original data. Factors 1, 2, and 3 appeared to represent BP pulsatility, mean BP, and wave reflection, respectively. Across 6 antihypertensive drug classes, there were no differences in brachial systolic (
P
=0.23) and diastolic (
P
=0.13) BP; but there were significant variations in factor 3 (
P
<0.0001), especially for β-blocker use. The first and third factors were positively associated with cardiovascular events (multivariable-adjusted standardized hazard ratio [95% CI]=1.33 [1.18–1.50] and 1.15 [1.02–1.30], respectively), whereas the second factor had a J-shaped relationship, with a nadir corresponding to a brachial diastolic BP of ≈75 mm Hg. In conclusion, BP pulsatility, mean BP, and wave reflection are prognostically meaningful, distinct aspects of arterial function that can be used to summarize physiological variations in multiple arterial waveform parameters and identify truly cumulative associations when used as cardiovascular risk outcomes.
Field Notes: Agricultural History’s New Plot
Authors: Coclanis Peter A.
Published: August 2019

The last fifty years has witnessed the field of agricultural history undergoing a process of rejuvenation in which it has drawn closer to the cognate fields of environmental history and food history. The JIH has been instrumental in furthering this development. Its editors are to be saluted for the inspired idea to mount this retrospective/prospective initiative within the pages of its anniversary volume. Also worthy of a salute are the distinguished senior agricultural historians who helped to curtail American agricultural history’s relative decline in the second half of the twentieth century by welcoming talented young interlopers into the fold.
Painting, Instantaneism, Cinema, America, Ballet, Illumination, Apollinaire
Authors: Michelson Annette
Published: August 2019

Attending closely to the implicit kineticism of Picabia's 1924 “Instantaneist Manifesto” and the musicalist aesthetic of his art, Annette Michelson considers the artist's interest in time and moving images, arguing that temporalization is the key impulse in his practice regardless of medium. This dedication to temporalization, the author claims, manifests not only as a fetishization of mobility and travel but more critically as the stimulus for interrelations between dance, cinema, painting, and poetry.
Annette's Soho Loft
Authors: Mangolte Babette
Published: August 2019

Photographs taken by filmmaker and photographer Babette Mangolte of Annette Michelson's loft in Soho in 1978 and 2004.
Combined Dynamical and Statistical Downscaling for High-Resolution Projections of Multiple Climate Variables in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region of China
Authors: Han Zhenyu , Shi Ying , Wu Jia , Xu Ying , Zhou Botao
Published: August 2019

High-resolution combined dynamical and statistical downscaling for multivariables (HDM) was performed in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region by using observations from China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System (CLDAS), a regional climate model (RCM), and quantile mapping. This resulted in the production of a daily product with six variables (daily mean, maximum, and minimum temperature; precipitation; relative humidity; and wind speed), five ensemble members, a multidecadal time span (1980–2099), and a high resolution (6.25 km) for climate change projections under the RCP4.5 scenario. The evaluation showed that the HDM output could reproduce well the mean states of all variables and most extreme indices except the consecutive dry and wet days. The biases in the magnitude of interannual variability in HDM were mostly inherited from the RCM. By using the HDM, future projection over BTH was conducted. The results indicated that the annual mean temperature and precipitation as well as extreme heat and heavy precipitation events will increase over most regions. The warming magnitudes over the mountainous and coastal area at the northern BTH and the wetting magnitudes over the Daqinghe River basin (DRB) within BTH will be relatively stronger. The increases in extreme heat events will be much larger in the plain area. More than one-half of regions with the large extreme precipitation increase will be located within DRB. Both the number of models with the same sign of change and the ensemble standard deviation were used to estimate the projection uncertainty. The projected changes and uncertainties over DRB and subregions and Xiong’an city within the basin for each season are also discussed.
Attribution of Recent Trends in Temperature Extremes over China: Role of Changes in Anthropogenic Aerosol Emissions over Asia
Authors: Chen Wei , Dong Buwen , Wilcox Laura , Luo Feifei , Dunstone Nick , Highwood Eleanor J.
Published: August 2019

Observations indicate large changes in temperature extremes over China during the last four decades, exhibiting as significant increases in the amplitude and frequency of hot extremes and decreases in the amplitude and frequency of cold extremes. An ensemble of transient experiments with the fully coupled atmosphere–ocean model HadGEM3-GC2, including both anthropogenic forcing and natural forcing, successfully reproduces the spatial pattern and magnitude of observed historical trends in both hot and cold extremes. The model-simulated trends in temperature extremes primarily come from the positive trends in clear-sky longwave radiation, which is mainly due to the increases in greenhouse gases (GHGs). An ensemble of sensitivity experiments with Asian anthropogenic aerosol (AA) emissions fixed at their 1970s levels tends to overestimate the trends in temperature extremes, indicating that local AA emission changes have moderated the trends in these temperature extremes over China. The recent increases in Asian AA drive cooling trends over China by inducing negative clear-sky shortwave radiation directly through the aerosol–radiation interaction, which partly offsets the strong warming effect by GHG changes. The cooling trends induced by Asian AA changes are weaker over northern China during summer, which is due to the warming effect by the positive shortwave cloud radiative effect through the AA-induced atmosphere–cloud feedback. This accounts for the observed north–south gradients of the historical trends in some temperature extremes over China, highlighting the importance of local Asian AA emission changes on spatial heterogeneity of trends in temperature extremes.
Development of Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Resting Heart Rate Over Time: Findings From the OGHMA Study
Authors: Inoue Taku , Arima Hisatomi , Katsuimata Yuriko , Iseki Chiho , Kinjo Kozen , Iseki Kunitoshi
Published: August 2019

Both elevated resting heart rate (HR) and electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) are signs of a poor prognosis. Although elevated resting HR is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and target organ damage, the association between resting HR and the development of ECG-LVH is unclear. In the present study, 6860 subjects (4203 men, 2657 women, 19-89 years of age) without ECG-LVH at baseline were evaluated and followed for a mean duration of 3.7±1.4 years. During the follow-up period, 484 (7.1%) subjects developed ECG-LVH. Cox regression analysis revealed that each 10 beats/min increase in resting HR was associated with a 22% reduction in the development of ECG-LVH (95% confidence interval: 12%-30%, P < .0001) in men. While an increase in HR tended to be associated with the development of ECG-LVH in women, the relationship was not significant. In contrast to the concept that an elevated resting HR is a cardiovascular risk factor, these findings revealed that resting HR was negatively associated with the development of ECG-LVH in men.
Race, power, and minority parent participation
Authors: Lee Soyoung
Published: August 2019

Literature in the field of minority parent participation has focused on cultural differences and cultural mismatch as reasons for the difficulties that minority parents face in schools and has relied on a framework of cultural sensitivity in exploring the issues. Soyoung Lee proposes that the real issue underlying the dynamics between minority parents and schools and the reasons their voices are silenced are undeniably about race, power, and the exercise of racial privilege. She uses a personal narrative to illuminate how racism and power lead to the silencing of minority parents, and she makes recommendations for researchers, schools, and teacher educators to acknowledge and act on such forms of injustice.
On Leadership: Meeting charter schools in the middle
Authors: Starr Joshua P.
Published: August 2019

At the policy level, it’s important to keep debating the pros and cons of charter schools, when and where to permit them, and how best to govern them. But where those schools do exist, argues PDK’s CEO, system leaders can’t afford to take sides. Much more pressing is the need to coordinate among charters and traditional public schools and ensure that they work well for all children.
Career Confidential: Teacher wants to know if he has to call a student ‘they’
Authors: Fagell Phyllis L.
Published: August 2019

A teacher objects to calling a student by their preferred pronoun: they. An assistant superintendent wants to help teachers better manage their frustration with students.
CVI Experience toolbox: Simulation of visual processing difficulties
Authors: Pilon-Kamsteeg Florine , Dekker-Pap Marjoke J , de Wit Gerard C , van Genderen Maria M
Published: August 2019

We designed a cerebral visual impairment (CVI)–experience toolbox containing simulation exercises to let professionals experience the complexity of visual information processing and to get an impression of what it means to have CVI. We measured the benefits of the CVI Experience toolbox by using questionnaires during three CVI seminars with professionals ( n = 69). These seminars started with a slide presentation on CVI followed by the CVI experience toolbox. We presented the professionals with the same survey on their knowledge of CVI at the start of the seminar, after the presentation, and after the toolbox.

Professionals with more previous CVI experience started on average with a higher score. The final end score, however, did not seem to depend on previous experience. Furthermore, the added value of the experience toolset was quite independent of the added value of the presentation.

The results indicate that both the presentationand the experience toolboxadd to the understanding of CVI.
Effectiveness of repeated antivenom therapy for snakebite-related systemic complications
Authors: Park Kyung Hoon , Shin Hyungoo , Kang Hyunggoo , Kim Changsun , Choi Hyuk Joong , Yoo Kyunghun , Oh Jaehoon , Lim Tae Ho
Published: August 2019

Objective

This study aimed to determine the effect of repeated antivenom therapy compared with that of single antivenom therapy for treating snakebite-related systemic complications.

Methods

A retrospective medical record review from January 2008 to September 2016 was performed. Patients with snakebite injury who visited the Emergency Department in one tertiary center of Korea were included. The primary outcome was the survival rate. The secondary outcome was the effect of repeated antivenom therapy for treating snakebite-related systemic complications compared with that of single antivenom therapy on hospital length of stay.

Results

A total of 110 patients with snakebites were included. All patients survived to discharge. Twenty-nine (26.4%) patients had snakebite-related systemic complications. Of these, nine patients received repeated antivenom therapy and 20 patients received single antivenom therapy. The length of stay was significantly longer in those who received repeated antivenom therapy compared with those who received single antivenom therapy (10.0 [4.0–11.0] vs. 3.5 [0–7.0] days).

Conclusion

We were unable to demonstrate any superiority of repeated versus single antivenom therapy. However, repeated antivenom therapy is associated with a longer hospital stay. The reason for this finding is unknown.
Assessment of biological parameters in head and neck cancer based on in vivo distribution of 18F-FDG-FLT-FMISO-PET/CT images
Authors: Cegla Paulina , Kazmierska Joanna , Gwozdz Sebastian , Czepczynski Rafal , Malicki Julian , Cholewinski Witold
Published: August 2019

Objective:

Several genetic analyses have identified tumor diversity not only among tumors from different patients (intertumor heterogeneity) but also within individual tumors (intratumor heterogeneity). The aim of this study was to analyze the intratumor heterogeneity and other biological parameters based on in vivo distribution in triple-tracer positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) study in patients with newly diagnosed head and neck (H&N) cancer.

Methods:

Thirty-six patients with newly diagnosed H&N cancer were included in the study. Institutional Bioethical Committee approved the study protocol and informed consent was received from every participant. All patients underwent series of 3 PET/CT scans with [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG-PET), [18F]Fluorothymidine (18F-FLT-PET), and [18F]Fluoromisonidazole (18F-FMISO-PET) before treatment. Scans were performed on separate days, within a timeframe of 2 weeks. Several PET/CT parameters grading tumor biology including maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), its equivalent (total hypoxic lesion [TLH] and total proliferative lesion [TLP]), and heterogeneity (area under the curve–cumulative SUV histogram) for the primary tumor were compared.

Results:

All patients showed increased uptake of 18F-FDG in primary tumor, ranging from 2.29 to 14.89 SUVmax. Respectively, SUVmax values for 18F-FLT ranged from 0.93 to 16.11 and for 18F-FMISO 0.36–4.07. Based on 3-year follow-up, we divided patients in terms of survival forecasts (first with good prognosis and second with worse). Higher values of TLG/TLP/TLH and SUVmax were observed in the second group in all 3 tracers (for 18F-FDG: 167.40 vs 100.32, 11.15 vs 8.95; for 18F-FLT: 116.61 vs 60.67, 7.09 vs 5.47; for 18F-FMISO: 37.34 vs 22.30, 1.70 vs 1.61 respectively). Statistically significant differences were shown in SUVmax in 18F-FDG and 18F-FLT ( P<0.034, P<0.034, respectively; in TLG, P=0.05; TLP, P=0.04; and TLH, P=0.05).

Conclusion:

Our preliminary results suggest worse prognosis in patients with higher heterogeneity values of primary tumor in proliferation and hypoxia images and combination of metabolic and volumetric parameters in TLG and its equivalent and heterogeneity of primary tumor seems to be a prognostic factor.
Workload of breast image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy delivered with TomoTherapy
Authors: Ricotti Rosalinda , Miglietta Eleonora , Leonardi Maria Cristina , Cattani Federica , Dicuonzo Samantha , Rojas Damaris Patricia , Marvaso Giulia , Orecchia Roberto , Jereczek-Fossa Barbara Alicja
Published: August 2019

Objective:

To report treatment times (door to door) of adjuvant treatments of breast cancer (BC) with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Methods:

Treatment times of 62 patients with BC on the TomoTherapy Hi-Art System were collected for the analysis. Patients underwent either locoregional radiotherapy (postmastectomy radiotherapy [PMRT]) with helical modality (TomoHelical) or whole breast radiotherapy (RT) with simultaneous integrated boost (WBRT-SIB) with direct modality (TomoDirect). Door-to-door time was broken down into different steps, which were crucial to RT session.

Results:

A total of 594 treatment fractions were monitored. Median treatment time was 22.4 minutes (17.2–30.8) for PMRT and 14.4 minutes (10.9–23.5) for WBRT-SIB. The mean beam-on time accounted for 61.36% of the overall treatment time for PMRT compared to 57% for WBRT-SIB. The beam-on time was a much more time-consuming process.

Conclusion:

This treatment times analysis on the use of IMRT for BC might be useful to organize and improve the workflow efficiency in RT facilities.
Postoperative Pain Management in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: Where Are We Heading?
Authors: Pollak Uri , Bronicki Ronald A. , Achuff Barbara-Jo , Checchia Paul A.
Published: August 2019

Objectives:

Adequate postoperative pain management is crucial in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery because pain can lead to devastating short- and long-term consequences. This review discusses the limitations of current postoperative pain assessment and management in children after cardiac surgery, the obstacles to providing optimal treatment, and concepts to consider that may overcome these barriers.

Data Source:

MEDLINE and PubMed.

Conclusions:

Effective pain management in infants and young children undergoing cardiac surgery continues to evolve with innovative methods of both assessment and therapy using newer drugs or novel routes of administration. Artificial intelligence– and machine learning–based pain assessment and patient-tailored management in both pain measurement and prevention are already being integrated into the routine of current practice.
Academic Detailing to Reduce Sedative-Hypnotic Prescribing in Older Veterans
Authors: Ragan Addison P. , Aikens Garrett B. , Bounthavong Mark , Brittain Kevin , Mirk Anna
Published: August 2019

Background:

Sedative-hypnotics, including benzodiazepines (BZDs) and benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZD-RA), are considered potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in older adults. Academic detailing, an educational outreach delivered by trained clinicians to other clinicians to encourage evidence-based care, can promote deprescribing of PIMs.

Objective:

To evaluate the impact of academic detailing on sedative-hypnotic prescribing to older veterans.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of academic detailing on BZD and BZD-RA prescribing to veterans aged 75 years and older. Prescribing trends for primary care and mental health prescribers in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) Southeast Network were calculated for the 18 months before and after an initial academic detailing session for each prescriber. Pre–post interrupted time series analyses (ITSAs) were conducted, and period prevalence was calculated as the number of prescriptions per 1000 older veterans.

Results:

A total of 155 prescribers were followed for 36 months. BZD prevalence declined by 23% (69.08-53.33 per 1000 population; P < .001) and by 15% for BZD-RA (18.07-15.38 per 1000 population; P < .001). New starts on BZD declined by 54% (2.36-1.09 per 1000 population; P < .001) and new starts on BZD-RA declined by 53% (1.02-0.48 per 1000 population; P < .001). Alternative medications for insomnia increased by 23% (39.98-49.27 per 1000 population; P < .001). Findings from the ITSA confirmed those of the pre–post analysis with sustained effects in the postintervention period.

Conclusions:

Academic detailing was associated with reduced sedative-hypnotic prescribing in the primary care and mental health setting.
Revolution in Egypt: Political Movements and Mobilisation of Resources
Authors: Abdullah Farhad Hassan
Published: August 2019

This article discusses the application of the resource mobilisation theory (RMT) to clarify the activities of certain key socio-political movements in Egypt. It contends that the political movements in Egypt have utilised social networking sites (SNSs) as a tool for mobilising people and co-ordinating anti-regime activities. It deals with certain political groups prior to and throughout the revolution in Egypt, which played significant roles in recent political changes taking place in the country. This work confirmed that SNSs have become a crucial resource for political groups to bringing about collective and co-ordinated actions. Thus, the article elucidates the importance of RMT in the context of socio-political movements in Egypt and their subsequent influence by looking at the utilisation of social media throughout political uprisings in the country. As per the RMT, the SNSs could be used as a resource for promoting and succeeding anti-government political groups, which subsequently ended the regime.
An Inconvenient Truth: The Added Value of Transvaginal Imaging of the Internal Iliac and Adnexal Veins for Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
Authors: Walsh Michelle , Ahern Mary , Zahiri Nazha , David Angela , Lyons Shannon , Romero Javier , Hedgire Sandeep , Ghoshhajra Brian
Published: August 2019

Pelvic congestion syndrome is a chronic condition involving varicose veins in the pelvic area, resulting in dull aching pain, pelvic heaviness, palpable varicosities, and dyspareunia. The primary diagnostic modalities, computed tomography (CT) angiography and magnetic resonance (MR) angiography, can be time-consuming, expensive, and carry the risks of diagnostic radiation (CT) and intravenous contrast (CT and MR), and may not offer dynamic vascular information (CT). Recently, an increased role for ultrasound has been proposed in the diagnosis of pelvic congestion; however, the role of transvaginal (TV) duplex ultrasound has not been thoroughly investigated. Our study aims to evaluate the utility of a TV approach in the evaluation of valvular incompetence time (VIT) in seconds of the internal iliac and adnexal veins. A waiver of consent was granted by our Institutional Review Board for this retrospective review. A cohort of 36 women undergoing ultrasound evaluation for pelvic congestion syndrome was analyzed. Transvaginal and transabdominal (TA) images were obtained with reverse Trendelenburg positioning for imaging of the internal iliac veins with Valsalva maneuver to evaluate VIT, at the same visit, and the yield of each approach was compared for the presence of VIT. The number of vessels visualized, VIT, diagnostic success, and number of abnormal vessels were recorded. Between September 2018 and February 2019, 36 women underwent both TA and TV imaging. A total of 72 (100%) internal iliac veins were visualized by TV, but only 15 (21%) by TA. Of the 72 internal iliac veins imaged, 12 (17%) were shown to have valvular incompetence by TV exam, whereas only 2 (3%) were identified by TA, both of which were identified TV. Transabdominal images, when limited, were usually due to bowel gas. Transvaginal images had a higher yield for detection of internal iliac vein VIT, suggesting that the TV approach may be more sensitive and potentially more accurate versus a TA-only protocol.