bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainability of paediatric asthma care quality in community hospitals after ending a national quality improvement collaborative
Authors: Schechter Sarah , Jaladanki Sravya , Rodean Jonathan , Jennings Brittany , Genies Marquita , Cabana Michael D , Kaiser Sunitha Vemula
Published: January 2021

Background

Community hospitals, which care for most hospitalised children in the USA, may be vulnerable to declines in paediatric care quality when quality improvement (QI) initiatives end. We aimed to evaluate changes in care quality in community hospitals after the end of the Pathways for Improving Paediatric Asthma Care (PIPA) national QI collaborative.

Methods

We conducted a longitudinal cohort study during and after PIPA. PIPA included 45 community hospitals, of which 34 completed the 12-month collaborative and were invited for extended sustainability monitoring (total of 21–24 months from collaborative start). PIPA provided paediatric asthma pathways, educational materials/seminars, QI mentorship, monthly data reports, a mobile application and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Access to pathways, educational materials and the mobile application remained during sustainability monitoring. Charts were reviewed for children aged 2–17 years old hospitalised with a primary diagnosis of asthma (maximum 20 monthly per hospital). Outcomes included measures of guideline adherence (early bronchodilator administration via metered-dose inhaler (MDI), secondhand smoke screening and referral to smoking cessation resources) and length of stay (LOS). We evaluated outcomes using multilevel regression models adjusted for patient mix, using an interrupted time-series approach.

Results

We analysed 2159 hospitalisations from 23 hospitals (68% of eligible). Participating hospitals were structurally similar to those that dropped out but had more improvement in guideline adherence during the collaborative (29% vs 15%, p=0.02). The end of the collaborative was associated with a significant initial decrease in early MDI administration (81%–68%) (adjusted OR (aOR) 0.26 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.42)) and decreased rate of referral to smoking cessation resources (2.2% per month increase to 0.3% per month decrease) (aOR 0.86 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.98)) but no significant changes in LOS or secondhand smoke screening.

Conclusions

The end of a paediatric asthma QI collaborative was associated with concerning declines in guideline adherence in community hospitals.
Paediatric palliative care: why transfuse?
Authors: Robert Guillaume , Chappe Celine , Ferreira Ana , MC Ewan Elisabeth , Calmanti Sara
Published: January 2021

Should indication for transfusion in paediatric palliative care be based on the child’s perspective rather than the biological results? An 8-year-old boy presenting a relapse of a stage IV neuroblastoma received regular blood transfusions. A severe exophtalmia led the doctors to question the transfusion strategy. Over 7.5 months, the child received 56 red blood cell units and 31 platelet units. He was hospitalised 50 times. Indication for blood test and transfusion may be regularly and collegially reassessed. Transfusion needs in a palliative strategy can be as high as in a curative strategy. Practices, benefits but also ethical and public health dimensions should be more studied.
Endoscopically delivered Purastat for the treatment of severe haemorrhagic radiation proctopathy: a service evaluation of a new endoscopic treatment for a challenging condition
Authors: White Katherine , Henson Caroline Claire
Published: January 2021

Background

A total of 30 000 people are treated with pelvic radiotherapy annually in the UK. Rectal bleeding is common following pelvic radiotherapy and one of the main causes is radiation proctopathy (RP). Six per cent develop severe bleeding from RP, leading to anaemia requiring iron +/− blood transfusion. There are very few safe, effective, evidence-based treatments. Purastat is a haemostatic agent licensed for gastrointestinal bleeding. It is a self-assembling peptide that forms a molecular mesh in contact with blood, thereby sealing blood vessels. There are numerous studies showing its efficacy and safety in various surgical/endoscopic settings. This service evaluation reports the first experience of the use of Purastat in RP.

Methods

Consecutive patients attending pelvic radiation disease clinic with severe refractory RP were offered treatment with Purastat. This was defined as rectal bleeding into the pan±anaemia with no response to rectal sucralfate. Purastat was applied endoscopically at four weekly intervals up to three times, with more as required. Bleeding severity, endoscopic grade and haemoglobin were recorded.

Results

Twenty-one patients were treated (18 men, median age 76 years) with a median of three treatments. Ten were on antithrombotics, 1 had thrombocytopenia and 13 had anaemia at baseline. Median episodes of bleeding reduced from 4.5 (0–27) to 2 (0–16) in the 7 days prior to the first and third treatment, respectively. Endoscopic grade was improved. Mean haemoglobin increased from 116.0 to 122.7. There were no complications.

Conclusion

Even in this cohort of severe refractory RP, there was an improvement in bleeding and endoscopic grade with Purastat. A randomised controlled trial is planned.
Association between maternal employment status during pregnancy and risk of depressive symptomatology 1 month after childbirth: the Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Authors: Aochi Yuri , Honjo Kaori , Kimura Takashi , Ikehara Satoyo , Iso Hiroyasu
Published: January 2021

Background

Previous studies, which examined the association between employment status and postpartum depression, were limited by binary or ternary employment status measures (employed/unemployed or full-time/part-time/unemployed). This study examined the association between detailed employment status during pregnancy and risk of depressive symptomatology 1 month after childbirth, and the effect modification by one’s perceived level of social support and household equivalent income.

Methods

Our study examined 76 822 participants in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study. The exposure included maternal employment status during pregnancy (regular workers, dispatched workers, part-time workers, self-employed workers, non-employed and others), and the outcome was depressive symptomatology 1 month after childbirth: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS scores ≥9 and ≥13). Adjusted ORs and 95% CIs of depressive symptomatology associated with employment status were calculated by multivariable logistic regression. Subgroup analyses by perceived level of social support and household equivalent income were conducted.

Results

Compared with regular workers, the risk of depressive symptomatology (EPDS score ≥9) was higher for non-employed and others, and that (EPDS score ≥13) was so for part-time workers. There was no significant interaction by perceived level of social support and household equivalent income in the associations. However, part-time workers and non-employed had excess risk of depressive symptomatology among women with lower perceived level of social support, but not among those with the higher one.

Conclusion

Compared with regular workers, part-time workers and non-employed had an increased risk of depressive symptomatology, which was confined to women with lower perceived level of social support.
Early ventilator liberation and decreased sedation needs after tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19 infection
Authors: Carmichael Heather , Wright Franklin L , McIntyre Robert C , Vogler Thomas , Urban Shane , Jolley Sarah E , Burnham Ellen L , Firth Whitney , Velopulos Catherine G , Idrovo Juan Pablo
Published: January 2021

Background

Since the outset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, published tracheostomy guidelines have generally recommended deferral of the procedure beyond the initial weeks of intubation given high mortality as well as concerns about transmission of the infection to providers. It is unclear whether tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19 infection facilitates ventilator weaning, and long-term outcomes are not yet reported in the literature.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of tracheostomy outcomes in patients with COVID-19 infection at a single-center academic tertiary referral intensive care unit. Patients underwent percutaneous tracheostomy at the bedside; the procedure was performed with limited staffing to reduce risk of disease transmission.

Results

Between March 1 and June 30, 2020, a total of 206 patients with COVID-19 infection required mechanical ventilation and 26 underwent tracheostomy at a mean of 25±5 days after initial intubation. Overall, 81% of tracheostomy patients were liberated from the ventilator at a mean of 9±6 days postprocedure, and 54% were decannulated prior to hospital discharge at a mean of 21±10 days postprocedure. Sedation and pain medication requirements decreased significantly in the week after the procedure. In-hospital mortality was 15%. Among tracheostomy survivors, 68% were discharged to a facility.

Discussion

The management of patients with COVID-19 related respiratory failure can be challenging due to prolonged ventilator dependency. In our initial experience, outcomes post-tracheostomy in this population are encouraging, with short time to liberation from the ventilator, a high rate of decannulation prior to hospital discharge, and similar mortality to tracheostomy performed for other indications. Barriers to weaning ventilation in this cohort may be high sedation needs and ventilator dyssynchrony.

Level of evidence

Level V—Therapeutic/care management.
Effects of a diatom ecosystem engineer (Didymosphenia geminata) on stream food webs: implications for native fishes
Authors: Clancy Niall G. , Brahney Janice , Dunnigan James , Budy Phaedra
Published: January 2021

Stream habitat changes affecting primary consumers often indirectly impact secondary consumers such as fishes. Blooms of the benthic algae Didymosphenia geminata (Didymo) are known to affect stream macroinvertebrates, but the potential indirect trophic impacts on fish consumers are poorly understood. In streams of the Kootenai River basin, we quantified the diet, condition, and growth rate of species of trout, char, and sculpin. In 2018, macroinvertebrate taxa composition was different between a stream with Didymo and a stream without, but trout diets, energy demand, and growth rates were similar. Trout abundance was higher in the stream with Didymo, but the amount of drifting invertebrates was higher in the stream without. In 2019, we surveyed 28 streams with a gradient of coverage. Didymo abundance was correlated only with the percentage of aquatic invertebrates in trout diets and was not related to diets of char or sculpin or condition of any species. Thus, we found no evidence for a trophic link between Didymo blooms and the condition or growth of trout, char, or sculpin in mountainous headwater streams.
Stability of charged thin-shell gravastars with quintessence
Authors: Sharif M. , Javed Faisal
Published: January 2021

This paper develops a new solution of gravitational vacuum star in the background of charged Kiselev black holes as an exterior manifold. We explore physical features and stability of thin-shell gravastars with radial perturbation. The matter thin layer located at thin-shell greatly affects stable configuration of the developed structure. We assume three different choices of matter distribution such as barotropic, generalized Chaplygin gas and generalized phantomlike equation of state. The last two models depend on the shell radius, also known as variable equation of state. For barotropic model, the structure of thin-shell gravastar is mostly unstable while it shows stable configuration for such type of matter distribution with extraordinary quintessence parameter. The resulting gravastar structure indicates stable behavior for generalized Chaplygin gas but unstable for generalized phantomlike model. It is also found that proper length, entropy and energy within the shell show linear relation with thickness of the shell.
Towards unification of quark and lepton flavors in $$A_4$$ modular invariance
Authors: Okada Hiroshi , Tanimoto Morimitsu
Published: January 2021

We study quark and lepton mass matrices in the $$A_4$$

A
4

modular symmetry towards the unification of the quark and lepton flavors. We adopt modular forms of weights 2 and 6 for quarks and charged leptons, while we use modular forms of weight 4 for the neutrino mass matrix which is generated by the Weinberg operator. We obtain the successful quark mass matrices, in which the down-type quark mass matrix is constructed by modular forms of weight 2, but the up-type quark mass matrix is constructed by modular forms of weight 6. The viable region of $$\tau $$
τ
is close to $$\tau =i$$

τ
=
i

. Lepton mass matrices also work well at nearby $$\tau =i$$

τ
=
i

, which overlaps with the one of the quark sector, for the normal hierarchy of neutrino masses. In the common $$\tau $$
τ
region for quarks and leptons, the predicted sum of neutrino masses is 87–120 meV taking account of its cosmological bound. Since both the Dirac CP phase $$\delta _{CP}^\ell $$

δ

CP

ℓ

and $$\sin ^2\theta _{23}$$

sin
2

θ
23

are correlated with the sum of neutrino masses, improving its cosmological bound provides crucial tests for our scheme as well as the precise measurement of $$\sin ^2\theta _{23}$$

sin
2

θ
23

and $$\delta _{CP}^\ell $$

δ

CP

ℓ

. The effective neutrino mass of the $$0\nu \beta \beta $$

0
ν
β
β

decay is $$\langle m_{ee}\rangle =15$$

⟨

m

ee

⟩
=
15

–31 meV. It is remarked that the modulus $$\tau $$
τ
is fixed at nearby $$\tau =i$$

τ
=
i

in the fundamental domain of SL(2, Z), which suggests the residual symmetry $$Z_2$$

Z
2

in the quark and lepton mass matrices. The inverted hierarchy of neutrino masses is excluded by the cosmological bound of the sum of neutrino masses.
Androgens, the kidney, and COVID-19: an opportunity for translational research
Authors: Yanes Cardozo Licy L. , Rezq Samar , Pruett Jacob E. , Romero Damian G.
Published: January 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has reached pandemic proportions, affecting millions of people worldwide. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of COVID-19. Epidemiological reports have shown that the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with preexisting comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic kidney diseases, all of which are also risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI). The kidney has emerged as a key organ affected by SARS-CoV-2. AKI is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with COVID-19. Male sex is an independent predictor for AKI, and an increased death rate has been reported in male patients with COVID-19 worldwide. The mechanism(s) that mediate the sex discrepancy in mortality due to COVID-19 remain(s) unknown. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)2 is the receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Alterations in the ACE-to-ACE2 ratio have been implicated in renal diseases. This perspective aims to discuss data that suggest that androgens, via alterations in the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system, impair renal hemodynamics, predisposing patients to AKI during COVID-19 infection, which could explain the higher mortality observed in men with COVID-19. Clinicians should ensure early and effective cardiometabolic control for all patients to ameliorate the compensatory elevation of ACE2 and alterations in the ACE-to-ACE2 ratio. A better understanding of the role of androgens in SARS-CoV-2-associated AKI and mortality is imperative. The kidney could constitute a key organ that may explain the sex disparities of the higher mortality and worst outcomes associated with COVID-19 in men.
Neuroprotective Effects of Early Hypothermia Induced by Phenothiazines and DHC in Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Han Yun , Geng Xiao-kun , Lee Hangil , Li Fengwu , Ding Yuchuan
Published: January 2021

Background and Purpose. Studies have shown that interischemia hypothermia is able to reduce the size of myocardial infarctions and improve their clinical outcomes. The present study determined whether interischemia hypothermia induced by the pharmacological approach induced stronger neuroprotection in ischemic brains. Methods. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were studied in 4 groups: (1) sham; (2) stroke; (3) stroke treated with pharmacological hypothermia before reperfusion (interischemia hypothermia); and (4) stroke treated with pharmacological hypothermia after reperfusion is initiated (inter-reperfusion hypothermia). The combination of chlorpromazine and promethazine with dihydrocapsaicin (DHC) was used to induce hypothermia. To compare the neuroprotective effects of drug-induced hypothermia between the interischemia and inter-reperfusion groups, brain damage was evaluated using infarct volume and neurological deficits at 24 h reperfusion. In addition, mRNA expressions of NADPH oxidase (NOX) subunits (gp91phox, p67phox, p47phox, and p22phox) and glucose transporter subtypes (GLUT1 and GLUT3) were determined by real-time PCR at 6 and 24 h reperfusion. ROS production was measured by flow cytometry assay at the same time points. Results. In both hypothermia groups, the cerebral infarct volumes and neurological deficits were reduced in the ischemic rats. At 6 and 24 h reperfusion, ROS production and the expressions of NOX subunits and glucose transporter subtypes were also significantly reduced in both hypothermia groups as compared to the ischemic group. While there were no statistically significant differences between the two hypothermia groups at 6 h reperfusion, brain damage was significantly further decreased by interischemia hypothermia at 24 h. Conclusion. Both interischemia and inter-reperfusion pharmacological hypothermia treatments play a role in neuroprotection after stroke. Interischemia hypothermia treatment may be better able to induce stronger neuroprotection after ischemic stroke. This study provides a new avenue and reference for stronger neuroprotective hypothermia before vascular recanalization in stroke patients.
Effects of Phenylethanoid Glycosides Extracted from Herba Cistanches on the Learning and Memory of the APP/PSI Transgenic Mice with Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Yang Jianhua , Ju Bowei , Hu Junping
Published: January 2021

Background. To investigate the effects of phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) extracted from Herba Cistanches on the behavioral and cognition capacity of the APP/PSI transgenic mice with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods. AD mice were randomly divided into the control group, model group, donepezil group, PhG groups, and verbascose group, respectively. Three weeks later, the animals were subject to behavioral and cognition evaluation by the nesting test, Morris water maze test, and step‐down test. Results. The cognition capacity in these groups showed a significant increase compared with that in the model group. The step‐down test indicated that the errors induced by the memory decrease in the PhG groups and verbascose group showed a significant decrease compared with those in the model group (P < 0.05). Conclusions. PhGs attenuated the cognitive dysfunction features of the APP/PSI transgenic gene. Besides, PhGs were the active components for the anti‐AD activity of H. Cistanches.
RNA-Seq Expression Analysis of Chronic Asthmatic Mice with Bu-Shen-Yi-Qi Formula Treatment and Prediction of Regulated Gene Targets of Anti-Airway Remodeling
Authors: Cui Jie , Lv Zexi , Teng Fangzhou , Yi La , Tang Weifeng , Wang WenQian , Tulake Wuniqiemu , Qin Jingjing , Zhu Xueyi , Wei Ying , Dong Jingcheng
Published: January 2021

Airway remodeling is one of the typical pathological characteristics of asthma, while the structural changes of the airways in asthma are complex, which impedes the development of novel asthma targeted therapy. Our previous study had shown that Bu-Shen-Yi-Qi formula (BSYQF) could ameliorate airway remodeling in chronic asthmatic mice by modulating airway inflammation and oxidative stress in the lung. In this study, we analysed the lung transcriptome of control mice and asthmatic mouse model with/without BSYQF treatment. Using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis, we found that 264/1746 (15.1%) of transcripts showing abnormal expression in asthmatic mice were reverted back to completely or partially normal levels by BSYQF treatment. Additionally, based on previous results, we identified 21 differential expression genes (DEGs) with fold changes (FC) > (±) 2.0 related to inflammatory, oxidative stress, mitochondria, PI3K/AKT, and MAPK signal pathways which may play important roles in the mechanism of the anti-remodeling effect of BSYQF treatment. Through inputting 21 DEGs into the IPA database to construct a gene network, we inferred Adipoq, SPP1, and TNC which were located at critical nodes in the network may be key regulators of BSYQF's anti-remodeling effect. In addition, the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) result for the selected four DEGs matched those of the RNA-seq analysis. Our results provide a preliminary clue to the molecular mechanism of the anti-remodeling effect of BSYQF in asthma.
Yangxue Jiedu Fang Ameliorates Psoriasis by Regulating Vascular Regression via Survivin/PI3K/Akt Pathway
Authors: Lv Hongpeng , Liu Xin , Chen Weiwen , Xiao Shiju , Ji Yunrun , Han Xuyang , Li Yafan , Wang Xiaoxu , Zhang Guangzhong , Li Ping
Published: January 2021

Background. Psoriasis (PA) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the skin that adversely affects patients’ quality of life. Yangxue Jiedu Fang (YXJD) has been used for decades to treat psoriasis in China. However, its antipsoriatic mechanisms are still poorly understood. In this study, we explored the effects of YXJD on angiogenesis and apoptosis of microvessels in PA, the underlying mechanisms in HUVEC cells transfected by Survivin overexpression plasmid and in a mouse model of imiquimod-induced psoriasis and the relationship between VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and Survivin. Methods. A BALB/c mouse model of imiquimod- (IMQ-) induced PA was established, and the mice were treated with YXJD. Cell viability was assessed by CCK8 assay. Apoptosis was detected by annexin V–FITC/PI double-staining and caspase-3 assays. The PI3K/Akt/β-catenin pathway was analyzed by western blotting, ELISA, and immunochemical analysis. Results. YXJD ameliorated symptoms and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores and also reduced the number of microvessels, as determined by the microvessel density (MVD). The expression of apoptotic protein Survivin in endothelial cells, autophagy-related proteins p62, and angiogenic proteins VEGF was inhibited by YXJD, and the repressed expression of LC3II/I increased by YXJD. The proteins related to the PI3K/Akt pathway and β-catenin expression and the nuclear entry of β-catenin were reduced in IMQ-induced PA mice treated with YXJD. In HUVEC cells transfected by Survivin overexpression plasmid, we observed YXJD regulated the expression of Survivin, LC3II/I, and p62, VEGF, and PI3K/Akt pathway-relative proteins and the nuclear entry of β-catenin. Conclusions. YXJD inhibited the expression of Survivin via PI3K/Akt pathway to adjust apoptosis, autophagy, and angiogenesis of microvessels and thus improve the vascular sustainability in psoriasis. YXJD may represent a new direction of drug research and development for immunomodulatory therapy for psoriasis.
The Effects of Combining Cancer Drugs with Compounds Isolated from Combretum zeyheri Sond. and Combretum platypetalum Welw. ex M.A. Lawson (Combretaceae) on the Viability of Jurkat T Cells and HL‐60 Cells
Authors: Wende Morris , Sithole Simbarashe , Chi Godloves Fru , Stevens Marc Y. , Mukanganyama Stanley
Published: January 2021

Combretum zeyheri and Combretum platypetalum have been shown to have anticancer, antibacterial, antituberculosis, and antifungal effects in both in vivo and in vitro studies. This study sought to evaluate the antiproliferative effects of compounds isolated from C. zeyheri and C. platypetalum on Jurkat T and HL‐60 cancer cell lines in combination with doxorubicin and/or chlorambucil. At their GI50 concentrations, the isolated compounds were combined with the corresponding GI50 of chlorambucil and doxorubicin. The cytotoxic effects of the combined compounds were determined on BALB/c mouse peritoneal cells. All the 4 isolated compounds had significant cytotoxic effects on Jurkat T cells. Compounds CP 404 (1), CP 409 (2), CZ 453 (3), and CZ 455 (4) had GI50s on Jurkat T cells of 3.98, 19.33, 6.82, and 20.28 μg/ml, respectively. CP 404 (1), CP 409 (2), CZ 453 (3), and CZ 455 (4) showed GI50s of 14.18, 28.69, 29.87, and 16.46 μg/ml on HL‐60 cancer cell lines, respectively. The most potent combination against Jurkat T cells was found to be CP 404 (1) and chlorambucil. This combination showed no cytotoxic effects when tested on BALB/c mouse peritoneal cells. It was concluded that the compounds extracted from C. zeyheri and C. platypetalum inhibit the growth of Jurkat T cells in vitro. The combination of the compounds with anticancer drugs enhanced their anticancer effects. The combination of CP 404 (1) and chlorambucil was found not to be toxic to normal mammalian cells. Therefore, CP 404 (1), 3‐O‐β‐L‐rrhamnopyranosyl‐5,7,3 ′4 ′,5 ′‐pentahydroxyflavone, has the potential to be a source of lead compounds that can be developed for anticancer therapy. Further structure‐activity relationship studies on this compound are warranted.
Dataset Denoising Based on Manifold Assumption
Authors: Hao Zhonghua , Ma Shiwei , Chen Hui , Liu Jingjing
Published: January 2021

Learning the knowledge hidden in the manifold-geometric distribution of the dataset is essential for many machine learning algorithms. However, geometric distribution is usually corrupted by noise, especially in the high-dimensional dataset. In this paper, we propose a denoising method to capture the “true” geometric structure of a high-dimensional nonrigid point cloud dataset by a variational approach. Firstly, we improve the Tikhonov model by adding a local structure term to make variational diffusion on the tangent space of the manifold. Then, we define the discrete Laplacian operator by graph theory and get an optimal solution by the Euler–Lagrange equation. Experiments show that our method could remove noise effectively on both synthetic scatter point cloud dataset and real image dataset. Furthermore, as a preprocessing step, our method could improve the robustness of manifold learning and increase the accuracy rate in the classification problem.
Structural and Electrochemical Properties of Lanthanum Silicate Apatites La10Si6−x−0.2AlxZn0.2O27−δ for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs)
Authors: Afroze Shammya , Absah Hidayatul Qayyimah Hj Hairul , Reza Md Sumon , Somalu Mahendra Rao , Park Jun-Young , Nekoonam Saeed , Issakhov Alibek , Azad Abul Kalam
Published: January 2021

An excellent oxide ion conductivity with high oxygen transportation of lanthanum silicate apatite at the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) can be achieved through the solid-state reaction method. The doped La10Si6−x−0.2AlxZn0.2O27−δ (x = 0.2 and 0.4) materials sintered at 1600°C accomplished crystallinity and crystal structure of apatite-type. The structural and electrochemical characterizations of La10Si6−x−0.2AlxZn0.2O27−δ (x = 0.2 and 0.4) were executed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The total oxide ion conductivities of La10Si6−x−0.2AlxZn0.2O27−δ (x = 0.2 and 0.4) were measured from low to intermediate operating temperature range (450 to 800°C) using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Room temperature XRD patterns of La10Si6−x−0.2AlxZn0.2O27−δ (x = 0.2 and 0.4) exhibited La10Si6O27 apatite phase with space group P63/m as the main phase with the minor appearance of La2SiO5 as an impurity phase. The highest total oxide ion conductivity of 3.24 × 10−3 Scm−1 and corresponding activation energy of 0.30 eV at 800°C were obtained for La10Si5.6Al0.2Zn0.2O26.7 which contains a low concentration of Al3+ dopant.
CO2 Adsorption Capacity of Organic Alkali Sorbent CPEI from Polyethyleneimine
Authors: Wang Feng , Yu Lu , Li Youhua , Huang Dengfa
Published: January 2021

Support-free cross-linked polyethyleneimine sorbent (CPEI) for CO2 capture was evaluated as the regenerable sorbent. The total amines available for the CO2 capture on CPEI were determined by the polyethyleneimine/glutaraldehyde ratio for the synthesis of CPEI. The CO2 capacity of CPEI in the slurry bubble column reactor reached 4.92 mmol/g, which is 1.97 times higher than that obtained under anhydrous conditions. The adsorption kinetics of CPEI in the reactor were investigated in terms of the CPEI amount, the CO2 fraction, the gas flow rate, temperature, and the total amines available. The experimental breakthrough curves for the sorbent were well-fitted with a fractional-order kinetic model. The modeling analysis found the influence of diffusion resistance on the adsorption is more significant than that of the driving force. The CO2 capacity of CPEI remained almost constant during the temperature swing adsorption/desorption cycles.
Efficacy and Safety of Sahastara Remedy Extract Capsule in Primary Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Double-Blinded Active-Controlled Trial
Authors: Kakatum Narin , Pinsornsak Piya , Kanokkangsadal Puritat , Ooraikul Buncha , Itharat Arunporn
Published: January 2021

Sahastara (SHT) remedy is a Thai traditional medicine described in the Thai National List of Essential Medicine (NLEM) for the relief of muscle pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of SHT remedy extract capsule for treating primary OA. A phase 2, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial study was used to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of SHT in comparison with diclofenac for the treatment of knee OA. The outcome of reduce pain was measured from VAS, 100 meter time walk, and the WOMAC score of day 14 and day 28 which should reduce significantly when compared with day 0 and should be equal with or better than diclofenac. Blood pressure and blood chemistry values at day 14 and day 28 did not change when compared with day 0. The results found that SHT remedy ethanolic extract capsule can reduce all OA knee scores at day 14 and day 28 significantly when compared with day 0 and also no significant difference with diclofenac (

P
>
0.05

). The SHT also showed safety values on blood pressure and blood chemistry. The SHT was observed that it had no serious side effect. The results of this study are the first report of using the SHT ethanolic extract capsule in the treatment of primary osteoarthritis of the knee. It can be recommended as an anti-inflammatory herbal drug for reducing pain in knee osteoarthritis patients.
Anticoncept Drift Method for Malware Detector Based on Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Dai Yusheng , Li Hui , Qian Yekui , Guo Yunling , Zheng Min
Published: January 2021

The number of new malware has been increasing year by year, and the construction of the malware sample space is also changing with time. The existing research studies on malware detection mainly focus on how to improve detection performance and how to effectively detect the evasion malware and improve the detection performance of adversarial samples, while ignoring the concept drift of malware samples over time. The concept drift of the sample will lead to the aging of the detector model, thus resulting in the reduction of the detection accuracy. Concerning this problem, we proposed a malware sample generator based on auxiliary classifier GAN, according to the malware samples generated, to train the detection model. In this paper, the API call sequence is used as a feature to train the improved generative adversarial network, and the trained generator model is used to generate samples that simulate concept drift for the purpose of training detection models. Meanwhile, using the detection results of the detector as the training set again, the generator is used to generate samples, so as to repeatedly train the detection model and improve the anticoncept drift performance of the monitoring model. In this paper, real malware samples and generated samples are used to train the detector model, and malware samples are segmented in a linear time sequence as test sets to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results reveal that the framework can maintain good detection accuracy and effectively mitigate the aging of the detector in a longer time dimension.
Immunization of Cooperative Spreading Dynamics on Complex Networks
Authors: Wang Jun , Cai Shi-Min , Zhou Tao
Published: January 2021

Cooperative spreading dynamics on complex networks is a hot topic in the field of network science. In this paper, we propose a strategy to immunize some nodes based on their degrees. The immunized nodes disable the synergistic effect of cooperative spreading dynamics. We also develop a generalized percolation theory to study the final state of the spreading dynamics. By using the Monte Carlo method, numerical simulations reveal that immunizing nodes with a large degree cannot always be beneficial for containing cooperative spreading. For small values of transmission probability, immunizing hubs can suppress the spreading, while the opposite situation happens for large values of transmission probability. Furthermore, numerical simulations show that immunizing hubs increase the cost of the system. Finally, all numerical simulations can be well predicted by the generalized percolation theory.
Beneficial Effect of Taraxacum coreanum Nakai via the Activation of LKB1-AMPK Signaling Pathway on Obesity
Authors: Shin Mi-Rae , Kim Min Ju , Park Hae-Jin , Han Jegeun , Roh Seong-Soo
Published: January 2021

Objective. Liver kinase B (LKB) 1 and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) are master regulators and sensors for energy homeostasis. AMPK is mainly activated via phosphorylation of LKB1 under energy stress. Here, we highlighted the antiobesity effect and underlying mechanism of Taraxacum coreanum Nakai (TCN) in connection with LKB1-AMPK signaling pathway. Methods. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed on a high-fat diet (60% kcal fat; HFD) to induce obesity. Simultaneously, they received 100 or 200 mg/kg TCN orally for 5 weeks. We measured the body weight gain and liver weight along with liver histology. Moreover, the changes of factors related to lipid metabolism and β-oxidation were analyzed in the liver, together with blood parameters. Results. The body weights were decreased in mice of the TCN200 group more than those of the HFD control group. Moreover, TCN supplementation lowered serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels, whereas TCN increased HDL-cholesterol level. Liver pathological damage induced by HFD was alleviated with TCN treatment and accompanied with significant reduction in serum AST and ALT activities. In addition, TCN significantly increased the expression of p-AMPK compared with the HFD control group via the activation of LKB1/AMPK signaling pathway. Lipid synthesis gene like ACC was downregulated and factors related to β-oxidation such as carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (CPT-1) and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP-2) were upregulated through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α activation. Conclusion. Taken together, these data suggest that TCN treatment regulates lipid metabolism via LKB1-AMPK signaling pathway and promotes β-oxidation by PPARα; hence, TCN may have potential remedy in the prevention and treatment of obesity.
[Retracted] Genome Assembly and Analyses of the Macrofungus Macrocybe gigantea
Authors: Kui Ling , Zhang Zhe , Wang Yangzi , Zhang Yesheng , Li Shiming , Dong Xiao , Xia Qiuju , Sheng Jun , Wang Jian , Dong Yang
Published: January 2021

Macrocybe gigantea (M. gigantea) is a macrofungus genus that contains a big number of fairly fleshy gilled mushrooms with white spores. This macrofungus produces diverse bioactive compounds, antioxidants, and water‐soluble polysaccharides. However, the genomic resources of this species remain unknown. Here, we assembled the genome of M. gigantea (41.23 Mb) into 336 scaffolds with a N50 size of 374,455 bp and compared it with the genomes of eleven other macrofungi. Comparative genomics study confirmed that M. gigantea belonged to the Macrocybe genus, a stand‐alone genus different from the Tricholoma genus. In addition, we found that glycosyl hydrolase family 28 (GH28) in M. gigantea shared conserved motifs that were significantly different from their counterparts in Tricholoma. The genomic resource uncovered by this study will enhance our understanding of fungi biology, especially the differences in their growth rates and energy metabolism.
6-Gingerol, a Major Ingredient of Ginger Attenuates Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Liver Injury in Rats through the Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Authors: Alsahli Mohammed A. , Almatroodi Saleh A. , Almatroudi Ahmad , Khan Amjad Ali , Anwar Shehwaz , Almutary Abdulmajeed G. , Alrumaihi Faris , Rahmani Arshad Husain
Published: January 2021

Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) is a well-known hepatocarcinogen, and its oral administration causes severe liver damage including cancer. DEN induces the pathogenesis of the liver through reactive oxygen species mediated inflammation and modulation of various biological activities. 6-Gingerol, a major component of ginger, is reported to prevent liver diseases by reducing the oxidative stress and proinflammatory mediators. The present study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of 6-gingerol through the measurement of oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory markers, liver function enzyme parameter, and histopathological analysis. The rats were randomly divided into four groups as the control, DEN treated (50 mg/kg b.w.), DEN+6-gingerol (each 50 mg/kg b.w.), and 6-gingerol only. To evaluate the hepatoprotective effects, liver function enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), oxidative stress markers (SOD, GSH, GST, and TAC), lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers (CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and ICAM1), haematoxylin and eosin staining, Sirius red staining, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy were performed. The results showed a significant increase in liver function enzymes, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers in the DEN-treated group as compared to the control group. Besides this, altered architecture of hepatocytes (infiltration of inflammatory cells, congestion, blood vessel dilation, and edema), abundant collagen fiber and organelle structures like distorted shaped and swollen mitochondria, and broken endoplasmic reticulum were noticed. The administration of 6-gingerol significantly ameliorated the biochemical and histopathological changes. The increased expression of TNF-α protein was noticed in the DEN-treated group whereas the administration of 6-gingerol significantly decreased the expression of this protein. Based on these findings, it can be suggested that 6-gingerol may be an alternative therapy for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases.
Forecast of Freight Volume in Xi’an Based on Gray GM (1, 1) Model and Markov Forecasting Model
Authors: Yang Fan , Tang Xiaoying , Gan Yingxin , Zhang Xindan , Li Jianchang , Han Xin
Published: January 2021

Due to the continuous improvement of productivity, the transportation demand of freight volume is also increasing. It is difficult to organize freight transportation efficiently when the freight volume is quite large. Therefore, predicting the total amount of goods transported is essential in order to ensure efficient and orderly transportation. Aiming at optimizing the forecast of freight volume, this paper predicts the freight volume in Xi’an based on the Gray GM (1, 1) model and Markov forecasting model. Firstly, the Gray GM (1, 1) model is established based on related freight volume data of Xi’an from 2000 to 2008. Then, the corresponding time sequence and expression of restore value of Xi’an freight volume can be attained by determining parameters, so as to obtain the gray forecast values of Xi’an’s freight volume from 2009 to 2013. In combination with the Markov chain process, the random sequence state is divided into three categories. By determining the state transition probability matrix, the probability value of the sequence in each state and the predicted median value corresponding to each state can be obtained. Finally, the revised predicted values of the freight volume based on the Gray–Markov forecasting model in Xi’an from 2009 to 2013 are calculated. It is proved in theory and practice that the Gray–Markov forecasting model has high accuracy and can provide relevant policy bases for the traffic management department of Xi’an.
A Case of Cardiac Arrest during C1 Laminectomy for Irreducible Atlantoaxial Subluxation
Authors: Shibao Yosuke , Koda Masao , Nakayama Keita , Asada Tomoyuki , Sato Kosuke , Kono Mamoru , Eto Fumihiko , Mataki Kentaro , Kumagai Hiroshi , Nagashima Katsuya , Miura Kousei , Noguchi Hiroshi , Takahashi Hiroshi , Funayama Toru , Abe Tetsuya , Yamazaki Masashi
Published: January 2021

We report a case of cardiac arrest, which occurred during C1 laminectomy for irreducible atlantoaxial subluxation, with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) upon interruption of the laminectomy. A 60-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis presented with neck pain, bilateral finger numbness, and bladder-rectal disturbance. Simple radiograph images showed that the atlantodental interval (ADI) was enlarged to 8 mm, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed severe spinal stenosis at C1. She was diagnosed with cervical spondylotic myelopathy due to atlantoaxial subluxation. Cardiac arrest occurred twice during the C1 laminectomy and occipito-cervical fusion (Occ-C3), and ROSC occurred without any treatment. There was no postoperative worsening of neurological symptoms, and the improvement of sensory and motor palsy was favorable. The pathogenic mechanism was presumed to be trigeminocardiac reflex. Cardiac arrest during upper cervical spine surgery is an important intraoperative complication of which operators should be made aware.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Ameliorates Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Ankle Osteoarthritis in the Rat Model via Suppression of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Ragab G. H. , Halfaya F. M. , Ahmed O. M. , Abou El-Kheir W. , Mahdi E. A. , Ali T. M. , Almehmadi M. M. , Hagag U.
Published: January 2021

Until now, there is no treatment that cause complete cure of the chronic inflammatory and degenerative disease, osteoarthritis (OA). Moreover, the underlying mechanisms of OA development and progress are not fully elucidated, and the present pharmacological treatment alternatives are restricted and associated with adverse side effects. Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate the role of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the remedy of OA in the rat model in terms of inflammation, ankle histopathological alterations, and oxidative stress. OA was induced in male Wistar rats by injection of MIA (2 mg)/50 µL isotonic saline in the right ankle joint for two successive days in each rat. After the 2nd MIA injection, the osteoarthritic rats were allocated into two groups such as the MIA group (group 2) and MIA + PRP group (group 3). The MIA + PRP group was treated with PRP (50 µL) by injection into the ankle joint of the right hind limb of each rat at days 14, 21, and 28 after the 2nd injection of MIA. The same equivalent volume of saline, as a substitute of PRP, was injected into the ankle joint of each rat of the normal control group (group 1) and MIA group (group 2) at the same tested periods. Swelling of joint, bodyweight, total leucocytes count (TLC), and morphological as well as histological changes of ankle joints were evaluated. Serum lipid peroxides (LPO), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels were examined as biomarkers of oxidative stress. Serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were investigated by ELISA as biomarkers of inflammation. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out to investigate the soft tissues in joints. The obtained results revealed that PRP reduced LPO and increased GSH and GST levels in osteoarthritic rats. Also, PRP significantly diminished serum TNF-α and IL-17 levels, while it increased IL-4 serum levels in rats with MIA-induced OA. Morphological observations, histological analysis, and MRI revealed a gradual diminishing in joint inflammation and destruction of cartilage in PRP-injected osteoarthritic rats. Based on these results, it can be suggested that PRP has antiarthritic potential in MIA-induced OA, which may be mediated via suppression of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Formulation and In Vitro Evaluation of Oral Capsules from Liquid Herbal Antimalarials Marketed in Ghana
Authors: Osei-Asare Christina , Owusu Fredrick William Akuffo , Entsie Philomena , Annan Ama Kwansima , Gyamaa Rita Akosua , Amenuke Edem Makafui
Published: January 2021

Malaria ranks amongst the major health challenges faced by many developing countries. In Sub-Saharan and tropical regions of Africa, malaria continues to claim the life of one out of every twenty children below the age of five years. In adults, mortality rates are lower, but frequent debilitating attacks reduce the quality of life for chronic sufferers. The patronage and usage of liquid herbal antimalarials in the management and treatment of malaria in Ghana have been on the ascendency over the past decade. This project seeks to transform five liquid herbal antimalarial preparations (Agbeve pevah, Time mixture, Givers mixture, Masada mixture, and Rooter mixture) produced locally and commonly used for the treatment of malaria fever into capsules. This will help eliminate the current limitations, such as lack of patient compliance due to the bitterness and bulky nature of packaged preparation. The amount of dry extract per dose of each herbal antimalarial preparation and the wavelength of maximum absorption (λmax) of aqueous solutions of Agbeve, Time, Givers, Masada, and Rooter extract were determined. The flow properties of formulated granules were determined and subsequently encapsulated. The formulated capsules were evaluated using basic pharmacopeial tests, such as uniformity of weight, disintegration, drug content, and dissolution. Difference, f1, and similarity, f2, factors were employed in analyzing the dissolution profiles of the formulated capsules. The formulated granules exhibited good flow properties and passed the weight uniformity, disintegration, and drug content tests. The capsules exhibited optimal release of extract at the 45th minute in 0.1 M HCL. All formulated capsules had ƒ2 values >50 and ƒ1 values <15, indicating the similarity of their drug release profiles with their respective liquid herbal antimalarials. Oral capsules of Agbeve, Time, Givers, Masada, and Rooter have been successfully formulated and can be used as a substitute for Agbeve pevah, Time mixture, Givers mixture, Masada mixture, and Rooter mixture, respectively, in the treatment of malaria.