bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Syndrome Prediction Models Using Machine Learning and Sasang Constitution Type
Authors: Park Ji-Eun , Mun Sujeong , Lee Siwoo
Published: February 2021

Background. Machine learning may be a useful tool for predicting metabolic syndrome (MetS), and previous studies also suggest that the risk of MetS differs according to Sasang constitution type. The present study investigated the development of MetS prediction models utilizing machine learning methods and whether the incorporation of Sasang constitution type could improve the performance of those prediction models. Methods. Participants visiting a medical center for a health check-up were recruited in 2005 and 2006. Six kinds of machine learning were utilized (K-nearest neighbor, naive Bayes, random forest, decision tree, multilayer perceptron, and support vector machine), as was conventional logistic regression. Machine learning-derived MetS prediction models with and without the incorporation of Sasang constitution type were compared to investigate whether the former would predict MetS with higher sensitivity. Age, sex, education level, marital status, body mass index, stress, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking were included as potentially predictive factors. Results. A total of 750/2,871 participants had MetS. Among the six types of machine learning methods investigated, multiplayer perceptron and support vector machine exhibited the same performance as the conventional regression method, based on the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves. The naive-Bayes method exhibited the highest sensitivity (0.49), which was higher than that of the conventional regression method (0.39). The incorporation of Sasang constitution type improved the sensitivity of all of the machine learning methods investigated except for the K-nearest neighbor method. Conclusion. Machine learning-derived models may be useful for MetS prediction, and the incorporation of Sasang constitution type may increase the sensitivity of such models.
Complexity Relationship between Power and Trust in Hybrid Megaproject Governance: The Structural Equation Modelling Approach
Authors: Deng Binchao , Xie Wenwen , Cheng Fan , Deng Jiaojiao , Long Liang
Published: February 2021

Intra‐organization and inter‐organization collaboration and governance are becoming increasingly important for megaprojects. Different stakeholders form intricate links in a network structure. This study explores the role and effect of hybrid governance on complex network projects, such as urban rail transit projects. This included conducting a questionnaire survey with 116 professionals from organizations involved in urban rail transit projects and adopting structural equation modelling to analyze the data. The results analyzed the levels of intra‐organization and inter‐organization trust under the conditions of power asymmetry and power sharing. A higher level of power asymmetry was associated with lower hybrid governance performance. In contrast, a higher level of power sharing is associated with better hybrid governance performance. The results are generalizable to other projects with complicated organizational and network relationships.
Study on Seismic Performance of Porcelain Pillar Electrical Equipment Based on Nonlinear Dynamic Theory
Authors: Xue Yaodong , Cheng Yongfeng , Zhu Zhubing , Li Sheng , Liu Zhenlin , Guo Hulun , Zhang Shujun
Published: February 2021

In order to consider the influence of nonlinear characteristics of porcelain pillar electrical equipment on the dynamic response under seismic excitation, a theoretical analysis method of nonlinear dynamics was raised to define the nonlinear parameter of the flange connection and establish a dynamic model of porcelain pillar electrical equipment. The theoretical analysis and the test results have a good degree of fitting, which verifies the correctness of the dynamic model and reveals the nonlinear seismic response law of the porcelain pillar equipment. According to the results, both the nonlinear calculation results of the displacement at the top end of the porcelain pillar and the stress at the bottom end of the porcelain pillar are smaller than the results in the linear calculation. The difference between them increases gradually with the increase of seismic excitation. The differences in displacement and stress at a seismic excitation of 0.5 g are 14.58% and 23.25%, respectively. When the nonlinear parameter increases to a certain value, the impact of maximum stress on the bottom of the porcelain pillar is very small and the change is not obvious. The research provides a theoretical reference for the seismic design of pillar electrical equipment.
Twiddler Syndrome without Lead Dislodgment Discovered by Remote Monitoring
Authors: Champagne Catherine , Dognin Nicolas , Molin Franck , Steinberg Christian , Philippon François , Sarrazin Jean-François , O'hara Gilles , Nault Isabelle , Roy Karine , Plourde Benoit , Blier Louis , Champagne Jean
Published: February 2021

Twiddler syndrome is an uncommon yet dangerous phenomenon usually resulting in lead displacement with loss of capture of cardiac implantable electronic devices. In this case report, we present an interesting case of Twiddler syndrome without lead dislodgment which was detected by an alert triggered by an increase in impedance on remote monitoring.
Nonintrusive Installation of the TMR Busbar DC Current Sensor
Authors: Xu X. P. , Liu T. Z. , Zhu M. , Wang J. G.
Published: February 2021

In recent years, new energy vehicles, photovoltaic power stations, communication base stations, energy storage systems, and other power electronic systems have developed rapidly. The development of these systems has the trend of continuously increasing the power density per unit area, reducing the system volume, and continuously increasing using the busbars. More and more new current sensors will be used in these systems and play a key role. Traditional current sensor cannot meet the development trend of power electronic systems due to their large size and high cost. In this paper, a new small coreless tunnel junction magnetoresistance (TMR) busbar dc current sensor adopted differential scheme which improves the sensor’s anti‐interference ability that is designed. The current sensor adopts an open‐closed structure for easy nonintrusive installation. Four TMRs which adopted differential structure are placed on the edges of the busbar. The peak current measurement range is ±600 A, the rated current measurement range is ±300 A, and the supply voltage is 5 V.
Microbial Enzymes Used in Bioremediation
Authors: Bhandari Sobika , Poudel Darbin Kumar , Marahatha Rishab , Dawadi Sonika , Khadayat Karan , Phuyal Sitaram , Shrestha Shreesti , Gaire Santosh , Basnet Kusum , Khadka Uddhav , Parajuli Niranjan
Published: February 2021

Emerging pollutants in nature are linked to various acute and chronic detriments in biotic components and subsequently deteriorate the ecosystem with serious hazards. Conventional methods for removing pollutants are not efficient; instead, they end up with the formation of secondary pollutants. Significant destructive impacts of pollutants are perinatal disorders, mortality, respiratory disorders, allergy, cancer, cardiovascular and mental disorders, and other harmful effects. The pollutant substrate can recognize different microbial enzymes at optimum conditions (temperature/pH/contact time/concentration) to efficiently transform them into other rather unharmful products. The most representative enzymes involved in bioremediation include cytochrome P450s, laccases, hydrolases, dehalogenases, dehydrogenases, proteases, and lipases, which have shown promising potential degradation of polymers, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated compounds, dyes, detergents, agrochemical compounds, etc. Such bioremediation is favored by various mechanisms such as oxidation, reduction, elimination, and ring-opening. The significant degradation of pollutants can be upgraded utilizing genetically engineered microorganisms that produce many recombinant enzymes through eco-friendly new technology. So far, few microbial enzymes have been exploited, and vast microbial diversity is still unexplored. This review would also be useful for further research to enhance the efficiency of degradation of xenobiotic pollutants, including agrochemical, microplastic, polyhalogenated compounds, and other hydrocarbons.
Clinical Observation of Phacoemulsification Combined with Intravitreal Injection of Conbercept in Cataract Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Wang Jing , Liu Yuqi , Hu Yiping , Lu Lu , Tang Kaili , Zhang Jinsong
Published: February 2021

Aim. To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of phacoemulsification surgery combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept in cataract patients with DME. Methods. This is a prospective clinical cohort study. Thirty-five cataract patients (49 eyes) with DME were divided into two groups. The observation group (23 eyes) underwent a cataract phacoemulsification surgery combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept 0.5 mg; the control group (26 eyes) underwent a cataract phacoemulsification surgery only. The visual acuity, central macular thickness (CMT), IOP, and anterior chamber flare were examined before surgery and 1 week and one month after surgery. Results. The UCVA and BCVA in Log MAR in the observation group were lower than those in the control group at 1 week (

p
=
0.032

;

p
=
0.041

) and 1 month (

p
=
0.035

;

p
=
0.039

), respectively, after the surgery. The CMT of the observation group changed from 492.7 ± 32.2 μm before surgery to 341.6 ± 59.9 μm one week after surgery and 374.8 ± 48.3 μm one month after surgery. The CMT of control group increased after surgery. There was no significant difference in IOP and flare between the two groups at all following times. Conclusion. In patients with DME, undergoing a cataract surgery combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept is safe and effective for visual improvement and CMT declination with relatively fewer IOP and flare fluctuation.
Efficacy of a Novel Herbal Formulation (F2) on the Management of Obesity: In Vitro and In Vivo Study
Authors: Pandeya Prakash Raj , Lamichhane Ramakanta , Lee Kyung-Hee , Lamichhane Gopal , Kim Se-Gun , Jung Hyun-Ju
Published: February 2021

Background. Currently, obesity and its comorbidities have become a serious threat to human health necessitating urgent development of safe and effective therapy for their management. Materials and Methods. In this research, a novel polyherbal formulation (F2) was prepared by mixing specific proportions of royal jelly and lemon juice with ethanol extracts of Orostachys japonicus, Rhus verniciflua, and Geranium thunbergii. The antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS assay methods. The antiobesity potential of the F2 was assessed in vitro using 3T3-L1 fibroblast and in vivo using a high-fat diet (HFD) fed C57BL/6J mice model. F2 was administered in mice at the dose of 23 mg/kg and 46 mg/kg, twice daily by oral gavage. A well-accepted antiobesity agent, Garcinia cambogia (GC), at 200 mg/kg was used as a positive control. Results. F2 was observed to exhibit synergistic antiadipogenic activity in 3T3-L1 cells. This inhibition was reinforced by the downregulation of specific adipogenic transcription factors. Furthermore, F2 was also found to reduce mice body weight gain, food efficiency ratio, fasting blood glucose level, fat deposition into the liver, and mass of white adipose tissue. F2 also played a role in the excretion of fat consumed by the mice. For most of the assays performed, the F2 (46 mg/kg) was comparable to the positive control GC (200 mg/kg). In addition, potential and synergistic antioxidant activity was observed on F2. Conclusion. The results revealed that the formulation F2 exhibited potential antiobesity activity through the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation, dietary fat absorption, and reduction of free fatty acids deposition in tissues.
Numerical Simulation of Empty‐Hole Effect during Parallel‐Hole Cutting under Different In Situ Stress Conditions
Authors: Wu Zhengyu , Luo Dayou , Chen Feng , Huang Wulin
Published: February 2021

With the progress of deep mining in mine exploitation, the effect of the in situ stress field plays a more and more significant and crucial role in rock blasting. To uncover the impact of in situ stress field on empty‐hole effect during parallel‐hole cutting, the distribution and the trend of changes in dynamic stress around empty hole during blasting under different in situ stress conditions are simulated based on the basic model for parallel‐hole cutting using 3D finite element analysis software ANSYS/LS‐DYNA and implicit‐explicit analysis method. Subsequently, the law of variation in the empty‐hole effect under different in situ stress conditions is determined, and the effects of horizontal and vertical stress fields are analyzed in detail. The simulation results show that the overall increase in in situ stress can facilitate compressive failure and inhibit tensile failure in the rock mass around an empty hole during blasting. When empty holes are arranged horizontally, the effect of the vertical stress field is consistent with that of the in situ stress field, while the effect of the horizontal stress field is opposite to that of the in situ stress field. With the increased stress, the inhibitive effect of the vertical stress field on tensile stress around an empty hole is remarkably stronger than that of the horizontal stress field. Finally, the numerically simulated results are verified by the theoretical calculation. This study can provide new insight and a simple but accurate numerical simulation method to investigate how the in situ stress field affects the empty‐hole effect, especially in deep mining.
“Dormancy” and “Awakening” Method Used for Fresh Mortar Waste Recycling and Reuse
Authors: Pan Jin , Wang Liang , Wang Pengju , Wang Hao , Cao Ke , Shen Wenfeng
Published: February 2021

A safe and zero hazardous method is proposed to recycle and reuse fresh mortar waste. In this method, a dormancy agent and an awakening agent were used together in this study to reuse waste cement mortars. Citric acid (CA) was used as the dormancy agent to retard the hydration of cement, and an alkaline accelerator (AA) was used as the awakening agent to accelerate the hydration of cement retarded by CA at an early age. Autogenous shrinkage, dry shrinkage and quality loss, compressive strength, capillary water absorption, and rapid chloride penetration testing were performed for the mortars. A setting time test, X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed for the pastes (without sand). The results showed that the addition of 0.3% of CA solution increased the setting time significantly. This was because the citrate ions were absorbed onto the surface of the cement particles and a protective film was formed around the cement particles to retard dissolution. However, the retarding effect was eliminated by the AA, which was mainly composed of sodium silicate due to the contribution to initial calcium consumption. With the increasing dosage of the AA, the autogenous shrinkage, dry shrinkage, water absorption, and total charges passed were increased continuously compared to the reference. However, the influence was insignificant at a low dosage of the AA (1% and 1.5%). Obviously, the compressive strengths of the mortars with the AA were increased compared with the reference at the curing times of 3 d and 7 d. On the basis of not reducing the compressive strength of mortar, the reutilization of fresh mortar waste is realized. From this work, it was found that the reuse of waste cement mortars was feasible with the combined utilization of CA and the AA, which could provide some theoretical basis and experimental data for engineering applications.
Experimental Study on Axial Impact Mitigating Stick‐Slip Vibration with a PDC Bit
Authors: Wang Yong , Ni Hongjian , Tu Yiliu (Paul) , Wang Ruihe , Wang Xueying , Zhang Heng , Lyu Jiaxue , Xie Hongqiao
Published: February 2021

Stick‐slip vibration reduces the drilling rate of penetration, causes early wear of bits, and threatens the safety of downhole tools. Therefore, it is necessary to study suppression methods of stick‐slip vibration to achieve efficient and safe drilling. Field tests show that the use of downhole axial impactors is helpful to mitigate stick‐slip vibration and improve rock‐breaking efficiency. However, there are many deficiencies in the study of how axial impact load affects stick‐slip vibration of a PDC bit. In this paper, based on the two‐degrees‐of‐freedom spring‐mass‐damper model and similarity theory, a laboratory experiment device for suppressing stick‐slip vibration of a PDC bit under axial impact load has been developed, and systematic experimental research has been carried out. The results show that the axial impact force can suppress the stick‐slip vibration by reducing the amplitude of weight on bit and torque fluctuations and by increasing the main frequency of torque. The amplitude of impact force affects the choice of the optimal back‐rake angle. The impact frequency is negatively correlated with the fluctuation amplitude of the rotary speed. When the impact frequency is greater than 100 Hz, the fluctuation amplitude of the rotary speed will not decrease.
V-ATPase Inhibition Decreases Mutant Androgen Receptor Activity in Castrate-resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Whitton Bradleigh , Okamoto Haruko , Rose-Zerilli Matthew , Packham Graham , Crabb Simon J.
Published: February 2021

Prostate cancer is critically dependent on androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Despite initial responsiveness to androgen deprivation, most patients with advanced prostate cancer subsequently progress to a clinically aggressive castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) phenotype, typically associated with expression of splice-variant or mutant AR forms. Although current evidence suggests that the vacuolar-ATPase (V-ATPase), a multiprotein complex that catalyzes proton transport across intracellular and plasma membranes, influences wild-type AR function, the effect of V-ATPase inhibition on variant AR function is unknown.

Inhibition of V-ATPase reduced AR function in wild-type and mutant AR luciferase reporter models. In hormone-sensitive prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, DuCaP) and mutant AR CRPC cell lines (22Rv1, LNCaP-F877L/T878A), V-ATPase inhibition using bafilomycin-A1 and concanamycin-A reduced AR expression, and expression of AR target genes, at mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, combining chemical V-ATPase inhibition with the AR antagonist enzalutamide resulted in a greater reduction in AR downstream target expression than enzalutamide alone in LNCaP cells. To investigate the role of individual subunit isoforms, siRNA and CRISPR-Cas9 were used to target the V1C1 subunit in 22Rv1 cells. Whereas transfection with ATP6V1C1-targeted siRNA significantly reduced AR protein levels and function, CRISPR-Cas9–mediated V1C1 knockout showed no substantial change in AR expression, but a compensatory increase in protein levels of the alternate V1C2 isoform.

Overall, these results indicate that V-ATPase dysregulation is directly linked to both hormone-responsive prostate cancer and CRPC via impact on AR function. In particular, V-ATPase inhibition can reduce AR signaling regardless of mutant AR expression.
Matched Targeted Therapy for Pediatric Patients with Relapsed, Refractory, or High-Risk Leukemias: A Report from the LEAP Consortium
Authors: Pikman Yana , Tasian Sarah K. , Sulis Maria Luisa , Stevenson Kristen , Blonquist Traci M. , Apsel Winger Beth , Cooper Todd M. , Pauly Melinda , Maloney Kelly W. , Burke Michael J. , Brown Patrick A. , Gossai Nathan , McNeer Jennifer L. , Shukla Neerav N. , Cole Peter D. , Kahn Justine M. , Chen Jing , Barth Matthew J. , Magee Jeffrey A. , Gennarini Lisa , Adhav Asmani A. , Clinton Catherine M. , Ocasio-Martinez Nicole , Gotti Giacomo , Li Yuting , Lin Shan , Imamovic Alma , Tognon Cristina E. , Patel Tasleema , Faust Haley L. , Contreras Cristina F. , Cremer Anjali , Cortopassi Wilian A. , Garrido Ruiz Diego , Jacobson Matthew P. , Dharia Neekesh V. , Su Angela , Robichaud Amanda L. , Saur Conway Amy , Tarlock Katherine , Stieglitz Elliot , Place Andrew E. , Puissant Alexandre , Hunger Stephen P. , Kim Annette S. , Lindeman Neal I. , Gore Lia , Janeway Katherine A. , Silverman Lewis B. , Tyner Jeffrey W. , Harris Marian H. , Loh Mignon L. , Stegmaier Kimberly
Published: February 2021

Despite a remarkable increase in the genomic profiling of cancer, integration of genomic discoveries into clinical care has lagged behind. We report the feasibility of rapid identification of targetable mutations in 153 pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory or high-risk leukemias enrolled on a prospective clinical trial conducted by the LEAP Consortium. Eighteen percent of patients had a high confidence Tier 1 or 2 recommendation. We describe clinical responses in the 14% of patients with relapsed/refractory leukemia who received the matched targeted therapy. Further, in order to inform future targeted therapy for patients, we validated variants of uncertain significance, performed ex vivo drug-sensitivity testing in patient leukemia samples, and identified new combinations of targeted therapies in cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models. These data and our collaborative approach should inform the design of future precision medicine trials.

Significance:

Patients with relapsed/refractory leukemias face limited treatment options. Systematic integration of precision medicine efforts can inform therapy. We report the feasibility of identifying targetable mutations in children with leukemia and describe correlative biology studies validating therapeutic hypotheses and novel mutations.

See related commentary by Bornhauser and Bourquin, p. 1322.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1307
Uveal Melanoma in Asians: A Review
Authors: Manchegowda Pradeep , Singh Arun D. , Shields Carol , Kaliki Swathi , Shah Parag , Gopal Lingam , Rishi Pukhraj
Published: February 2021

Despite limited data, some differences in the clinical profile can be observed in Asian population when compared with presentation of uveal melanoma (UM) in white population. The incidence of UM is higher in Whites than in Asians. For the purpose of comparison with Asian population, data from North America, Europe, and Australia were considered as that of “white” population. The annual incidence of UM has been reported to be 5–6 cases/million in whites. The incidence in different parts of Asia is estimated at 0.2–0.6 per million. The age of presentation is around 40–55 years in Asians, which is younger when compared to that of whites (mean age of 58 years). At presentation, mean basal diameter of tumors in Asians is greater compared to whites but overall, medium-size tumors are most common. Clinical presentation is straightforward in majority of cases with retinal detachment, acute glaucoma, uveitis, cataract, or vitreous hemorrhage as common symptoms. Epithelioid cell-type variant carries the worst prognosis. Management options for choroidal melanoma include transpupillary thermotherapy, plaque radiotherapy, charged particle irradiation, local resection, enucleation, or orbital exenteration. Most commonly used modalities are enucleation and plaque radiotherapy.
Trends and In-Hospital Outcomes of Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis Associated with Gastrointestinal Malignancies: A Nationwide Analysis
Authors: Handa Shivani , Gupta Kamesh , Sterpi Michelle , Khan Ahmad , Hoskote Abhinav , Kasi Anup
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Gastrointestinal cancers have a strong association with splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT), yet the hospitalization data is unknown. Objective and Methods: We analyzed around 78 million discharges from the 2007–2017 Nationwide Inpatient Sample with an inclusion criterion of adult patients admitted for portal or hepatic vein thrombosis as a primary diagnosis with a gastrointestinal or hepatobiliary malignancy as a secondary diagnosis. The outcomes were in-hospital mortality, complication rates, and resource utilization. Odds ratios (OR) and means were adjusted for confounders using multivariate regression analysis models. Results: Out of the total 32,324 hospitalizations for SVT, 3,220 (10%) were associated with a GI malignancy, of which hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pancreatic cancer were the most common. Portal vein thrombosis accounted for 95% of these hospitalizations. Admissions for pancreatic cancer-associated SVT have increased by 7.2 times from 2007 to 2017. Patients with SVT and concomitant GI malignancies were significantly older and had a higher comorbidity score than those with SVT without GI malignancy. Risk of inpatient mortality for SVT patients were significantly higher for patients with gastric cancer (rate: 12.1%, OR 8.6, 95% CI: 1.8–39.7) and HCC (rate: 7.6%, OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.5–4.8) as compared to non-GI malignancy-related SVT. Odds of variceal bleeding were significantly higher for patients with HCC (OR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.2–2.34) than patients without GI malignancy. Conclusions: Digestive cancer-associated SVTs constitute 10% of all SVT related hospitalizations and are significantly increasing in the past decade. We report the baseline characteristics and predictors of inpatient mortality in this study.
Sensory Processing Sensitivity Predicts Individual Differences in Resting-State Functional Connectivity Associated with Depth of Processing
Authors: Acevedo Bianca P. , Santander Tyler , Marhenke Robert , Aron Arthur , Aron Elaine
Published: February 2021

Background: Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is a biologically based temperament trait associated with enhanced awareness and responsivity to environmental and social stimuli. Individuals with high SPS are more affected by their environments, which may result in overarousal, cognitive depletion, and fatigue. Method: We examined individual differences in resting-state (rs) brain connectivity (using functional MRI) as a function of SPS among a group of adults (M age = 66.13 ± 11.44 years) immediately after they completed a social affective “empathy” task. SPS was measured with the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) Scale and correlated with rs brain connectivity. Results: Results showed enhanced rs brain connectivity within the ventral attention, dorsal attention, and limbic networks as a function of greater SPS. Region of interest analyses showed increased rs brain connectivity between the hippocampus and the precuneus (implicated in episodic memory); while weaker connectivity was shown between the amygdala and the periaqueductal gray (important for anxiety), and the hippocampus and insula (implicated in habitual cognitive processing). Conclusions: The present study showed that SPS is associated with rs brain connectivity implicated in attentional control, consolidation of memory, physiological homeostasis, and deliberative cognition. These results support theories proposing “depth of processing” as a central feature of SPS and highlight the neural processes underlying this cardinal feature of the trait.
Adhärenz bei Asthmapatienten: Medizinische und psychologische Merkmale identifizieren
Authors: Haidl Peter
Published: February 2021

Medication non-adherence is associated with sub-optimal asthma control. Identification of medical and psychological characteristics associated with non-adherence is important to enable a targeted and personalized approach when working with patients and for the development of interventions to improve patient outcomes by improving medication adherence. We enrolled adults who had diagnosed asthma and who were prescribed daily inhaled corticosteroid medication. We used published and validated instruments to measure medical characteristics including asthma features, practical asthma knowledge and perceived involvement in care and psychological characteristics including anxiety, depression, optimism, and personality traits, to assess the relationship with medication non-adherence. A total of 126 participants provided data, with 64 (50.8%) of the participants identified as non-adherent. Multivariate analyses showed that younger age, high neuroticism scores and a previous asthma hospital admission were associated with non-adherence. Interestingly, depression was associated with a lower risk of non-adherence. This study showed that a personalized medicine approach would include interventions targeting those who are younger, who have been in hospital for asthma and who rate high on the neuroticism personality trait. Given the availability of effective medications for asthma, better understanding of the characteristics associated with non-adherence is important to enhance optimal self-management.
Kombinationstherapie mit Ambrisentan und Tadalafil bei CTD-PAH: viel hilft viel?
Authors: Xanthouli Panagiota
Published: February 2021

Objectives: To evaluate initial combination therapy with ambrisentan plus tadalafil (COMB) compared with monotherapy of either agent (MONO), and the utility of baseline characteristics and risk stratification in predicting outcomes, in patients with connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD-PAH) and the systemic sclerosis (SSc)-pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) subpopulation. Methods: This post hoc analysis of the Ambrisentan and Tadalafil in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (AMBITION) study included patients with CTD-PAH from the modified intention-to-treat population. Time to clinical failure (TtCF) was assessed by baseline characteristics, treatment assignment and risk group (low, intermediate and high) at baseline and week 16. TtCF was compared between groups using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression modelling. Results: The analysis included 216 patients (COMB, n = 117; MONO, n = 99). The risk of clinical failure was lower with COMB versus MONO (risk reduction: CTD-PAH 51.7%, SSc-PAH 53.7%), particularly in patients with haemodynamic parameters characteristic of typical PAH without features of left heart disease and/or restrictive lung disease at baseline. The risk of clinical failure was lower with COMB versus MONO in the baseline low-risk group (HR not calculated due to no events in COMB), baseline intermediate-risk group (HR 0.519, 95% CI 0.297 to 0.905) and in the week 16 low-risk group (HR 0.069, 95% CI 0.009 to 0.548). Conclusions: The benefit of COMB over MONO was demonstrated in patients with CTD-PAH, particularly in those with typical PAH haemodynamic characteristics at baseline. COMB is appropriate for patients categorised as low risk and intermediate risk at baseline and low risk at follow-up. Trial registration number: NCT01178073.
Reflux Symptoms: Functional and Structural Diseases and the Approach from the GI Specialist
Authors: Lundell Lars
Published: February 2021

The GI specialist has an important role to play in the long-term management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients to secure a proper diagnosis and the selection of best possible therapeutic strategy. Through intensified information and education, the implementation of national and international guidelines can be more effectively processed, whereupon a significant improvement in cost-effectiveness of the current management will be fostered. Regarding the more specific group of GERD patients, as represented by the so-called PPI-refractory patients, data have now emerged to guide us into the future. Noteworthy is that the majority of the alleged PPI-refractory GERD patients do not, after careful investigations, have GERD. Based on recently published RCT data, a clinically highly relevant difference in treatment success was noted in favor of laparoscopic antireflux surgery as compared to a variety of medical treatment alternatives. Likewise, it can be concluded that it seems as if the latter can only offer a limited effect. Whenever a corresponding powerful clinical difference in therapeutic outcome between different strategies and treatment alternatives is detected, this will have a huge impact on treatment algorithms and clinical management.
“It's Not You, It's Me”: Prices, Quality, and Switching in U.S.-China Trade Relationships
Authors: Monarch Ryan
Published: February 2021

Costs from switching suppliers can affect prices by discouraging buyer movements from high- to low-cost sellers. This paper uses confidential data on U.S. importers and their Chinese exporters to investigate these costs. I find barriers to supplier adjustments: nearly half of importers keep their partner over time. Importers switch less if their supplier offers higher quality or provides lower prices. I propose and structurally estimate a dynamic discrete choice model to compute switching costs. Cost estimates are large, heterogeneous across products, and matter for trade prices: halving switching costs reduces the U.S.-China Import Price Index by 7.6%.
The Ethiopian staple food crop enset (Ensete ventricosum) assessed for the first time for resistance against the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus goodeyi
Authors: Kidane Selamawit A. , Meressa Beira H. , Haukeland Solveig , Hvoslef-Eide Anne Kathrine (Trine) , Coyne Danny L.
Published: February 2021

Pratylenchus goodeyi appears to be the most prevalent nematode pest of enset in Ethiopia, where it can occur in extremely high densities. However, the damage to yield or how different enset cultivars react to the nematode has yet to be determined. The current study therefore sought to establish a first assessment of these reactions by enset to P. goodeyi infection. Determining pest-resistant cultivars is an important task in developing management strategies. Our study evaluated nine enset cultivars to establish host response and identify potential sources of resistance. In addition, the pathogenicity of P. goodeyi was assessed on three enset cultivars. After 9 months’ growth, significant differences in final population densities (Pf) and reproduction factor (RF) were observed amongst the nine cultivars, with ‘Gefetanuwa’ the most susceptible (Pf = 25 799 and RF = 12.9), and similarly in a repeat experiment for 4.5 months (Pf = 126 534 and RF = 63.3). ‘Maziya’ and ‘Heila’ were the most resistant in the first experiment (Pf < 455 and RF < 0.2) as well as in the repeat, together with ‘Kellisa’ (Pf < 5255 and RF < 2.6). In the pathogenicity experiment four inoculum densities significantly affected the Pf and RF but not among the three cultivars ‘Maziya’, ‘Arkiya’ and ‘Heila’. This is the first known study to assess genotype reaction to P. goodeyi, which shows that there are significant differences in the reactions of different cultivars and that resistance appears to be present in enset.
Erasmus’ Uncollected Adages
Authors: Regier Willis Goth
Published: February 2021

Erasmus numbered 4151 adages in his last and largest Adagiorum Chiliades (1536). More adages appear in his Prolegomena (e.g., “light as a feather,” “bright as the sun”) and hundreds more are cited in his commentaries and dedicatory epistles (e.g., “Time shows who truly loves,” “Never think friendly what is said by foe”). All his life Erasmus liberally seasoned his writings with adages, almost all of which were gathered in the final Chiliades. But there are adages in his correspondence and Opera Omnia not in his great collection, and there are adages dropped from one edition to another. A search for uncollected adages and comparison of these with adages later deleted offer evidence of Erasmus’ effort and of his criteria for gathering and selection.
Heresy and Humanity
Authors: Martin Terence J.
Published: February 2021

Something new is afoot in Erasmus’ thinking about heresy and heretics. This essay explores some fundamental shifts in the way Erasmus understands religious life that serve to alter how heresy is conceived and heretics are to be handled—including a change in emphasis from doctrine to ethics for the sake of human flourishing; an embrace of fallibility in lieu of certitude to make way for fruitful conversation between adversaries; a surprisingly strong appreciation of the historicity of everything ecclesial; and too a cautious yet ultimately ironic concession for public authorities to use force in the persecution of heretics. With these underlying moves, Erasmus’ thinking about heresy represents a significant overture to a modern and pluralistic policy toward difference and dissidence framed by a humanistic ethic retrieved from biblical sources. In the end, Erasmus leaves no room for the persecution of those deemed heretics.
miR-34 Promotes Autophagy and Apoptosis of Spinal Chondrocytes by Mammalian Target of Rapamycin/Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B Signaling
Authors: Wu Jun , Zhao Fenfen , Tian Feng , Ma Feng , Guan Tao
Published: February 2021

Autophagy and apoptosis of chondrocytes participate in spondyloarthritis (SpA). miR-34 involves in various diseases. However, miR-34’s role in autophagy and apoptosis of spine chondrocytes remains unclear. SpA patients and normal bone and articular cartilage tissues were collected,
and miR-34 level was detected by Real-time PCR. The chondrocytes of SpA patients were isolated and divided into control group, miR-34 siRNA group and miR-34 group followed by analysis of Caspase 3 activity, cell proliferation by MTT assay, expression of Bax, Bcl-2, ATG5 and Beclin1 by Real
time PCR, mTOR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway protein expression by western blot, as well as TNF-α and IL-6 secretion by ELISA. miR-34 was significantly upregulated in SpA patients compared to normal (P <0.05). miR-34 siRNA transfection into SpA chondrocytes significantly
down-regulated miR-34 expression, promoted cell proliferation, decreased Caspase 3 activity and Bax expression, increased Bcl-2, ATG5 and Beclin1 expression, decreased TNF-α and IL- 6 secretion as well as increased pmTOR and pAKT expression (P <0.05). miR-34 mimics was
transfected into SpA chondrocytes, which up-regulated miR-34 expression and significantly reversed the above changes (P <0.05). miR-34 is upregulated in SpA patients. Down-regulation of miR-34 inhibits articular chondrocyte apoptosis and promotes autophagy by down-regulatingmTOR/PI3K/AKT
signaling pathway, thereby promoting articular chondrocyte proliferation and inhibiting joint inflammation.
Who Is Responsible for Disinformation? European Approaches to Social Platforms’ Accountability in the Post-Truth Era
Authors: De Blasio Emiliana , Selva Donatella
Published: February 2021

This article examines counterdisinformation policies to investigate how European countries are shaping the meaning and boundaries of social platforms’ accountability. We describe the cultural determinants of social platforms’ accountability through a content analysis technique that considered principles, actors, and instruments, resulting in four models of social platform accountability: accountability set by law, codecided accountability, regulated self-regulation, and pure self-regulation. Our results suggest that most of the 11 countries in this study maintain specific positions on the role of digital media in society. At the same time, some patterns of convergence were evident: the weakening of State control in favor of freedom of information; the enhancement of transparency in social platforms’ politics-related activities as a guiding principle to ensure public monitoring; and the standardization of a multistakeholder model of coregulation. The article also focuses on the technological dimension of social platform accountability, enabling us to recognize the degree to which different models rely on algorithms. It then problematizes the limitations and risks of social platforms’ accountability.
Midterm Outcomes on Primary Endovascular Treatment of 395 Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease Patients: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Çakmak Ender Özgün , Bayam Emrah , Yilmaz Fatih , Kahyaoğlu Muzaffer , Çelik Mehmet , Öcal Lütfi , Çakir Çayan , Karagöz Ali , Izgi Ibrahim Akin
Published: February 2021

We report the results of endovascular treatment of Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II (TASC) A&B, TASC C, and TASC D aortoiliac lesions in a single vascular center. In this retrospective, observational cohort study, we analyzed 395 patients (mean age 61.2 ± 9.0; 359 men) between January 2015 and December 2017. Technical success was achieved in 96.5%; in-hospital mortality was 1.2% (n = 5). Median follow-up was 36 months (range 24-49 months). After 1 and 5 years, the primary patency rates were 99% and 85% for TASC A&B, 90%, and 78% for TASC C, and 90% and 74% for TASC D. Secondary patency rates were 99% and 90% for TASC A&B, 98% and 65% for TASC C, and 97% and 65% for TASC D. Previous peripheral revascularization (hazard ratio: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.01-3.08, P = .04) was associated with decreased primary patency along with lower age, TASC C, and TASC D class. This analysis reported the acceptable effectiveness and safety of stenting for all types of aortoiliac occlusive disease in a modern setting, with few complications and excellent long-term primary and secondary patency rates.
High Coronary Wall Shear Stress Worsens Plaque Vulnerability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Bajraktari Artan , Bytyçi Ibadete , Henein Michael Y.
Published: February 2021

Aim:

The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess the impact of wall shear stress (WSS) severity on arterial plaque vulnerability.

Methods:

We systematically searched electronic databases and selected studies which assessed the relationship between WSS measured by intravascular ultrasound and coronary artery plaque features. In 7 studies, a total of 615 patients with 28 276 arterial segments (median follow-up: 7.71 months) were identified. At follow-up, the pooled analysis showed high WSS to be associated with regression of plaque fibrous area, weighted mean difference (WMD) −0.11 (95% CI: −0.20 to −0.02, P = .02) and fibrofatty area, WMD −0.09 (95% CI: −0.17 to −0.01, P = .02), reduction in plaque total area, WMD −0.09 (95% CI: −0.14 to −0.04, P = .007) and increased necrotic core area, and WMD 0.04 (95% CI: 0.01-0.09, P = .03) compared with low WSS. Dense calcium deposits remained unchanged in high and low WSS (0.01 vs 0.02 mm2; P > .05). High WSS resulted in profound remodeling (40% vs 18%, P < .05) and with more constructive remodeling than low WSS (78% vs 40%, P < .01).

Conclusions:

High WSS in coronary arteries is associated with worsening plaque vulnerability and more profound arterial wall remodeling compared with low WSS.
Aortic Elasticity Evaluated by Pulsed Tissue Doppler Imaging of the Ascending Aorta in Different Diseases: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ren Manyi , Li Xiuzhen , Xue Minghua
Published: February 2021

Several methods have been applied for the evaluation of aortic elasticity. Pulsed tissue Doppler imaging of the ascending aorta is a noninvasive method applied for the evaluation of aortic elasticity in wide variety of diseases which are reviewed in this study. A comprehensive systematic literature search was carried out in November 2019 using the English databases including PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Embase. All references of eligible articles and published reviews on tissue Doppler imaging were searched for relevant publications. Data were extracted according to predefined criteria (including country of study origin, patient population, number of patients in case and control groups, and results of aortic elasticity evaluation in the specific patient groups compared with controls). Two independent reviewers extracted the data, and the results were checked, compared, and edited by the third reviewer. No formal assessment of the statistics of the primary data was made. The results showed that decreased aortic elasticity is not only present in cardiovascular diseases but also can be identified in diseases of other systems that affect cardiovascular system.
Enlightenment of China’s University Teachers’ Entrepreneurial Awareness for Entrepreneurship Education
Authors: Du Jinchen , Ye Zi , Peng Fengting , Wang Zihan , Diao Zhanqiu , Huang Zhaoxin , Xiang Min
Published: February 2021

This study uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to study the understanding of China’s university teachers (hereinafter referred to as teachers) on the preparation period of entrepreneurship. Through questionnaire survey, factor analysis and fuzzy evaluation, we get the classification of the factors of entrepreneurship by teachers, including education factors, social factors, and policy factors.Teachers believe that the most important primary influencing factors of entrepreneurship formation is founders’ fundamentals, the most important secondary influencing factors is social factors. In addition, the main impact of teacher entrepreneurship awareness on entrepreneurship education is as follows: in the competition and practice of entrepreneurial projects, on-campus entrepreneurial teachers mainly participate as assistants and they are quite passive. It may be because that their participation motivation is departed from the purpose of entrepreneurship. Off-campus entrepreneurship tutors focus more on the ability of the social entrepreneurial team to marketize the products or services.
Challenging the system: Pedestrian sovereignty in the early systemisation of city traffic in Stockholm, ca. 1945–1955
Authors: Emanuel Martin
Published: February 2021

This article probes the duality of marginalisation yet omnipresence of walking in cities. Using innovation in traffic light technology in Stockholm as a case study, it seeks to understand the attempts to regulate and safeguard pedestrians in the first decade after the Second World War. The article argues that traffic lights and other technologies were part of experts’ efforts to make urban mobility “systemic”, linking streets with vehicles and road users with the aim to optimize traffic. In doing so, their approach to pedestrian control was ambiguous. On the one hand, experts wanted to fit pedestrians into the emerging city traffic system: make them predictable, while also seeing to their safety. On the other hand, their designs and corresponding legislation often accepted pedestrian sovereignty, and walking was not systemised in Stockholm during the period studied here.
Forensic age estimation using conventional radiography of the medial clavicular epiphysis: A systematic review
Authors: Shedge Rutwik , Kanchan Tanuj , Warrier Varsha , Dixit Shilpi Gupta , Krishan Kewal
Published: February 2021

Of the many roles that forensic anthropologists and medico-legal professionals need to perform, forensic age estimation is one of the most frequent and important. Scoring medial clavicular epiphyseal (MCE) fusion is a method used to estimate age in young adults. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the reliability and reproducibility of MCE fusion visualised by conventional radiography and scored by Schmeling’s grading system to determine whether an individual has attained the age of 18 years. Four articles were acquired after screening 4589 articles across four databases, and these were subjected to qualitative and quantitative synthesis. The risk of bias was calculated in the qualitative synthesis using the QUADAS-2 tool. Horizontal box plots were constructed to see whether MCE fusion as visualised by conventional radiography can be used to ascertain whether an individual has attained the age of maturity (18 years). It was observed that stages 4 and 5 of the Schmeling’s method of age estimation from MCE fusion are observed only in individuals aged ≥18 years. This indicates that MCE fusion, when visualised using x-rays, which are associated with less ionisation radiation compared to computed tomography, can be used to verify the attainment of the age majority in individuals.