bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corticothalamic projections deliver enhanced responses to medial geniculate body as a function of the temporal reliability of the stimulus
Authors: Kommajosyula Srinivasa P. , Bartlett Edward L. , Cai Rui , Ling Lynne , Caspary Donald M.
Published: November 2021

Ageing and challenging signal‐in‐noise conditions are known to engage the use of cortical resources to help maintain speech understanding. Extensive corticothalamic projections are thought to provide attentional, mnemonic and cognitive‐related inputs in support of sensory inferior colliculus (IC) inputs to the medial geniculate body (MGB). Here we show that a decrease in modulation depth, a temporally less distinct periodic acoustic signal, leads to a jittered ascending temporal code, changing MGB unit responses from adapting responses to responses showing repetition enhancement, posited to aid identification of important communication and environmental sounds. Young‐adult male Fischer Brown Norway rats, injected with the inhibitory opsin archaerhodopsin T (ArchT) into the primary auditory cortex (A1), were subsequently studied using optetrodes to record single‐units in MGB. Decreasing the modulation depth of acoustic stimuli significantly increased repetition enhancement. Repetition enhancement was blocked by optical inactivation of corticothalamic terminals in MGB. These data support a role for corticothalamic projections in repetition enhancement, implying that predictive anticipation could be used to improve neural representation of weakly modulated sounds.

Key points

In response to a less temporally distinct repeating sound with low modulation depth, medial geniculate body (MGB) single units show a switch from adaptation towards repetition enhancement.

Repetition enhancement was reversed by blockade of MGB inputs from the auditory cortex.

Collectively, these data argue that diminished acoustic temporal cues such as weak modulation engage cortical processes to enhance coding of those cues in auditory thalamus.
Torso Kinematics in Human Rolling Do Not Change When Upper Extremity Motion Is Constrained
Authors: Vu Linh Q. , Agrawal Rahul , Hassan Mahdi , Hakansson Nils A.
Published: November 2021

Human rolling, as turning in bed, is a fundamental activity of daily living. A quantitative analysis of rolling could help identify the neuromusculoskeletal disorders that prohibit rolling and develop interventions for individuals who cannot roll. This study sought to determine whether crossing the arms over the chest would alter fundamental coordination patterns when rolling. Kinematic data were collected from 24 subjects as they rolled with and without their arms crossed over their chest. Crossing the arms decreased the mean peak angular velocities of the shoulders (p = .001) and pelvis (p = .013) and influenced the mean duration of the roll (p = .057). There were no fundamental differences in shoulder and pelvis coordination when rolling with the arms crossed over the chest, implying that the arms may not have a major role in rolling.
Dynamics of Antibacterial Drone Establishment in Staphylococcus aureus: Unexpected Effects of Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Authors: Dhasmana Neha , Ram Geeta , McAllister Kathleen N. , Chupalova Yulia , Lopez Peter , Ross Hope F. , Novick Richard P.
Published: November 2021

For a particulate therapeutic agent, such as the ABD, accurate enumeration of particles is critical to enable evaluation of preparative procedures and calculation of therapeutic dosages. It is equally important that a selective marker used for these two purposes be biologically inert.
Involvement of RIG-I Pathway in Neurotropic Virus-Induced Acute Flaccid Paralysis and Subsequent Spinal Motor Neuron Death
Authors: Bhaskar Meenakshi , Mukherjee Sriparna , Basu Anirban
Published: November 2021

Neurotropic viral infections are an increasingly common cause of immediate or delayed neuropsychiatric sequelae, cognitive impairment, and movement disorders or, in severe cases, death. Given the highest reported disability-adjusted life years and mortality rate worldwide, a better understanding of molecular mechanisms for underlying clinical manifestations like AFP will help in development of more effective tools for therapeutic solutions.
25-Hydroxycholesterol Inhibits Kaposi’s Sarcoma Herpesvirus and Epstein-Barr Virus Infections and Activates Inflammatory Cytokine Responses
Authors: Serquiña Anna K. P. , Tagawa Takanobu , Oh Daniel , Mahesh Guruswamy , Ziegelbauer Joseph M.
Published: November 2021

A cholesterol derivative, 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC), has been demonstrated to inhibit infections from widely different bacteria and viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, its mechanism of activity is still not fully understood.
mDia1 Assembles a Linear F-Actin Coat at Membrane Invaginations To Drive Listeria monocytogenes Cell-to-Cell Spreading
Authors: Dhanda Aaron S. , Vogl A. Wayne , Ness Fern , Innocenti Metello , Guttman Julian A.
Published: November 2021

Listeria monocytogenes
spreads from one cell to another to colonize tissues. This cell-to-cell movement requires the propulsive force of an actin-rich comet tail behind the advancing bacterium, which ultimately distends the host plasma membrane into a slender bacterium-containing membrane protrusion.
Global Chromosome Topology and the Two-Component Systems in Concerted Manner Regulate Transcription in
Streptomyces
Authors: Gongerowska-Jac Martyna , Szafran Marcin J. , Mikołajczyk Jakub , Szymczak Justyna , Bartyńska Magdalena , Gierlikowska Anna , Biały Sylwia , Elliot Marie A. , Jakimowicz Dagmara
Published: November 2021

Streptomyces
microbes, soil bacteria with complex life cycle, are the producers of a broad range of biologically active compounds (e.g., antibiotics).
Streptomyces
bacteria respond to various environmental signals using a complex transcriptional regulation mechanism. Understanding regulation of their gene expression is crucial for
Streptomyces
application as industrial organisms.
Magmatism and related metamorphism as a response to mountain-root collapse of the Dabie orogen: Constraints from geochronology and petrogeochemistry of metadiorites
Authors: Yang Yang , Liu Yi-Can , Li Yang , Groppo C. , Rolfo F.
Published: November 2021

Post-collisional mountain-root collapse and subsequent massive partial melting occurred in the high-temperature (HT) ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic terrane of the North Dabie complex zone (NDZ), central China. The NDZ was deeply subducted in the Triassic, producing widespread migmatites and various magmatic intrusions in the Cretaceous. Post-collisional metadiorites with distinctive large K-feldspar augen porphyroblasts, locally reported but rarely exposed in the NDZ, underwent a complex evolutional history. In this contribution, integrated studies including field investigation, petrographic observation and mineral analysis, zircon U-Pb geochronological and Hf isotopic analyses, and whole-rock elemental and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic analyses of the metadiorites were carried out. Our results provide new constraints on the mountain-root collapse in the Dabie orogen. The metadiorites are enriched in large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements, whereas they are depleted in high field strength elements and heavy rare earth elements with significant Ba positive anomalies, a composition consistent with the lower continental crust. All the studied samples have moderately enriched initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.707582–0.708099), low εNd(t) values (−15.3 to −20.4), and low initial Pb isotopic ratios (16.0978–16.8452, 15.3167–15.4544, and 37.1778–37.8397 for 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb, respectively). However, they have highly negative εHf(t) values and Paleoproterozoic two-stage Hf model ages, which are only partially consistent with data from the associated UHP metamorphic rocks. Such features suggest the metadiorites resulted from a magma produced by mixing of Triassic UHP mafic lithologies and minor amounts of mantle-derived materials. Zircon morphological analysis and U-Pb sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe dating combined with conventional thermobarometry indicate that these upwelling melts crystallized at pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions of 5.4–5.7 kbar and 750–768 °C at ca. 130 Ma and subsequently suffered HT metamorphism at ca. 125 Ma. We conclude that the metadiorites’ precursors were derived from partial melting of the Triassic subducted Neoproterozoic mafic lower-crustal rocks, with addition of minor amounts of mantle-derived materials in the Early Cretaceous, in response to mountain-root collapse of the orogen. Based on petrographic textures and mineral compositions, it is moreover inferred that formation of the distinctive K-feldspar porphyroblasts is likely related to a two-stage process, i.e., crystallization derived from biotite breakdown after the formation of the metadiorite at T = 640–703 °C and P < 4.5 kbar and coarsening related to shear deformation.
Superior mesenteric artery syndrome treated successfully by endoscopy-assisted jejunal feeding tube placement
Authors: Kim Jongkuk , Yang Songsoo , Im Yeong Cheol , Park Inkyu
Published: November 2021

We report the case of a 31-year-old man with superior mesenteric artery syndrome after reoperation due to postoperative complications from rectal cancer. Although initial total parenteral nutrition (TPN) therapy failed, he underwent endoscopy-assisted feeding tube placement without complications instead of surgery. After 2 weeks of dual feeding (enteral feeding and TPN), he improved, gaining 6 kg; and an oral diet was advanced.
Renal arteriovenous malformation and venous thrombosis: a tumour-like presentation
Authors: Kosseifi Fares , Brenier Martin , Boulay Isabelle , Durand Xavier
Published: November 2021

Renal arteriovenous malformation is a primarily congenital renal vascular abnormality. It is usually diagnosed incidentally on imaging, and the most common subtype is ‘cirsoid’, consisting of multiple, enlarged arterial feeders interconnecting with draining veins. We present a 74-year-old woman with an incidental finding of what was at first considered a hypervascularised kidney tumour but turned out to be a left intrarenal arteriovenous malformation associated with a left renal vein thrombosis. Selective endovascular embolisation was performed. The cause-consequence relationship between the arteriovenous malformation and the thrombosis is unique. To our knowledge, no such case has ever been reported.
Primary thyroid squamous cell carcinoma presenting as a left-sided neck lump
Authors: Akbar Sarah , Nigam Ajay , Mati Wael , Golka Dariusz
Published: November 2021

The elderly patient presenting with a neck lump often raises concerns regarding a malignancy. Thyroid gland malignancies are well recognised and subtype characteristics thoroughly researched, whereas rarer types of thyroid carcinoma are reported infrequently and often behave more aggressively. An 83-year-old woman was referred from the general practitioner (GP) to otolaryngology due to a 7-month history of an unexplained enlarging left-sided neck swelling. A fine-needle aspiration revealed cytology consistent with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Staging imaging failed to reveal evidence of a primary foci elsewhere. The definitive diagnosis was that of a primary thyroid SCC: a rare entity with limited citations in the literature. Surgical resection has been found to comprise the optimal treatment for this disease. Recognition of the possibility of primary thyroid SCC in elderly patients presenting with a neck lump, with prompt referral to a head and neck specialist permits a timely progression to potentially curative surgical management, a more promising prognosis and reduced mortality rates.
Global red and processed meat trade and non-communicable diseases
Authors: Chung Min Gon , Li Yingjie , Liu Jianguo
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Rapid increases in the trade of global red and processed meat impede international efforts toward sustainable diets by increasing meat consumption. However, little research has examined cross-country variations in diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) because of meat trade. We aimed to examine the impact of red and processed meat trade on diet-related NCDs and to identify which countries are particularly vulnerable to diet-related NCDs due to red and processed meat trade.

Methods

By selecting 14 red meat and six processed meat items, we investigated bilateral meat trade flows across 154 countries. Then, we integrated health data and information on red and processed meat trade to quantify the country-specific burden of diet-related NCDs attributable to the meat trade using a comparative risk assessment framework.

Results

Results show that global increases in red and processed meat trade contributed to the abrupt increase of diet-related NCDs, and the attributable burden of diet-related NCDs had large geographical variations among countries. We also identified responsible exporting countries that increase diet-related NCD risks in importing countries. Over the period from 1993 to 2018, island countries in the Caribbean and Oceania were particularly vulnerable to diet-related NCD incidents and mortality due to large meat imports. In addition, countries in Northern and Eastern Europe have exceedingly increased attributable death and disability-adjusted life year rates via meat imports.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that both exporters and importers must urgently undertake cross-sectoral actions to reduce the meat trade’s health impacts. To prevent unintended health consequences due to red and processed meat trade, future interventions need to integrate health policies with agricultural and trade policies by cooperating with both responsible exporting and importing countries.
Trends and causes of adult mortality from 2007 to 2017 using verbal autopsy method, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Fenta Esete Habtemariam , Sisay Binyam Girma , Gebreyesus Seifu H , Endris Bilal Shikur
Published: November 2021

Objectives

We aim to analyse the trends and causes of mortality among adults in Addis Ababa.

Setting

This analysis was conducted using verbal autopsy data from the Addis Ababa Mortality Surveillance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Participants

All deceased adults aged 15 years and above between 2007–2012 and 2015–2017 were included in the analysis.

Outcome measures

We collected verbal autopsy and conducted physician review to ascertain cause of death.

Result

A total of 7911 data were included in this analysis. Non-communicable disease (NCD) accounted for 62.8% of adult mortality. Mortality from communicable diseases, maternal conditions and nutritional deficiencies followed this by accounting for 30.3% of total mortality. Injury accounted for 6.8% of total mortality. We have observed a significant decline in mortality attributed to group one cause of death (43.25% in 2007 to 12.34% in 2017, p<0.001). However, we observed a significant increase in mortality attributed to group II cause of death (from 49.95% in 2007 to 81.17% in 2017, p<0.001). The top five leading cause of death in 2017 were cerebrovascular disease (12.8%), diabetes mellitus (8.1%), chronic liver disease (6.3%), hypertension (5.7%), ischaemic heart disease (5.7%) and other specified neoplasm (5.2%).

Conclusion

We documented an epidemiological shift in cause of mortality from communicable diseases to NCD over 10 years. There is a great progress in reducing mortality due to communicable diseases over the past years. However, the burden of NCDs call for actions for improving access to quality health service, improved case detection and community education to increase awareness. Integrating NCD intervention in to a well-established and successful programme targeting communicable diseases in the country might be beneficial for improving provision of comprehensive healthcare.
How do health professionals translate evidence on early childhood allergy prevention into health literacy-responsive practice? A protocol for a mixed-method study on the views of German health professionals
Authors: Curbach Janina , Lander Jonas , Dierks Marie Luise , Grepmeier Eva-Maria , von Sommoggy Julia
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Paediatricians, general practitioners (GPs) and midwives in primary care are important sources of information for parents on early childhood allergy prevention (ECAP). Research has shown that preventive counselling by health professionals can be effective in improving patients’ health literacy (HL) and health behaviour. Providing effective advice relies on two factors. First, health professionals need be up-to-date with research evidence on ECAP, to consider popular misconceptions and fears and to translate this knowledge into clear recommendations for parents (knowledge translation). Second, they need to know and apply counselling techniques and create a practice setting which accommodates parental HL needs (health literacy-responsive care). The objective of this study is to explore and assess how German health professionals take up and translate ECAP evidence into appropriate recommendations for parents, how they consider HL in counselling and practice organisation and what barriers and enablers they find in their performance of HL-responsive ECAP.

Methods and analysis

The study has a sequential mixed-method design, in two phases. In the first phase, qualitative semi-structured expert interviews will be conducted with health professionals (paediatricians, GPs and midwives) at primary care level and professional policy level. Data collection is ongoing until January 2022. In the second phase, based on the qualitative results, a standardised questionnaire will be developed, and pilot-tested in a wider population of German health professionals. The findings of both phases will be integrated.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has received ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of the University of Regensburg (18-1205-101). The results will be published in international peer-reviewed open access journals and via presentations at scientific conferences. The results will also be shared with German health professionals, decision-makers and potential funders of interventions.
Efficacy of tofacitinib in reduction of inflammation detected on MRI in patients with Psoriatic ArthritiS presenTing with axial involvement (PASTOR): protocol of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial
Authors: Proft Fabian , Torgutalp Murat , Muche Burkhard , Rios Rodriguez Valeria , Verba Maryna , Poddubnyy Denis
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory disease characterised by synovitis, enthesitis, dactylitis and axial involvement. The prevalence of axial involvement ranges from 25% to 70% in this patient group. Treatment recommendations for axial PsA were mainly extrapolated from guidelines for axial spondyloarthritis, and the main treatment options are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (tumour necrosis factor, IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors). Tofacitinib was approved for the treatment of PsA and its efficacy on axial inflammation has been demonstrated in a phase II study of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This prospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy of tofacitinib in reducing inflammation in the sacroiliac joints (SIJs) and spine on MRI in patients with axial disease of their PsA presenting with active axial involvement compatible with axial PsA.

Methods and analyses

This is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical trial in patients with axial PsA who have evidence of axial involvement, active disease as defined by a Bath AS Disease Activity Index score of ≥4 and active inflammation on MRI of the SIJs and/or spine as assessed by and independent central reader. The study includes a 6-week screening period, a 24-week treatment period, which consist of a 12-week placebo-controlled double-blind treatment period followed by a 12-week active treatment period with tofacitinib for all participants, and a safety follow-up period of 4 weeks. At baseline, 80 subjects shall be randomised (1:1) to receive either tofacitinib or matching placebo for a 12-week double-blind treatment period. At week 12, an MRI of the whole spine and SIJs will be performed to evaluate the primary study endpoint.

Ethics and dissemination

The study will be performed according to the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and the German drug law. The independent ethics committees of each centre approved the ethical, scientific and medical appropriateness of the study before it was conducted.

Trial registration number

NCT04062695; ClinicalTrials.gov and EudraCT No: 2018-004254-22; European Union Clinical Trials Register.
Integrated system responses for families impacted by violence: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Gear Claire , Ting Chien-Ju , Eraki Manarah , Eppel Elizabeth , Koziol-McLain Jane
Published: November 2021

Introduction

The impacts of violence have a significant effect on health and well-being, particularly for women and children. Violence within families is widely recognised as a complex problem constituted by constantly interacting and evolving social, economic, health and cultural elements. Calls for integrated services have arisen from growing understanding about the implications of this complexity, which suggest family violence and solutions to it are generated endogenously from the reflexive nonlinear interactions of system agents. Despite these calls for integration, services designed to support families impacted by violence and the systems that design and fund them are often responsive only to one part of the problem and might not pay attention to agent interactions and their adaptive reflexivity. This paper outlines a scoping protocol to explore how integrated approaches to family violence are conceptualised in current literature, with innovative use of a complexity theory lens.

Method

Our scoping review protocol follows the framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley and refined by Levac. It searches 6 databases, 3 journals and 10 websites using keywords to capture the notion of integration and a complex adaptive system, namely the participant (system agents), concept (system agent interaction) and the context (family violence). Selection criteria require the articles to be written in English, have full-text article available, and were published after 2010. Items selected also need to be evidence based showing interaction between system agents. Applying complexity theory, sensitises us to the reflexive patterns of interaction between system elements and routine ways of interacting.

Ethics and dissemination

The nature of this review means that ethics approval is not required. Findings will be disseminated via academic publications, conferences and discussions with policy decision-makers. The findings will be used to develop a plan for stakeholder consultation to share and validate learnings and inform future research.
Developing a preference-based measure for weight-specific health-related quality of life in adolescence: the WAItE UK valuation study protocol
Authors: Robinson Tomos , Hill Sarah , Oluboyede Yemi
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Adolescent obesity is a public health problem in the UK. The Weight-Specific Adolescent Instrument for Economic Evaluation (WAItE) has been developed as the first weight-specific health-related quality of life measure appropriate for economic evaluation, but currently cannot be used to generate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), which are the basis of cost-utility analysis. Generic measures (such as the EQ-5D-Y or CHU-9D) may be insensitive to small but important health changes in overweight or obese adolescents. This study aims to generate a preference-based scoring algorithm for the WAItE.

Methods and analysis

A discrete choice experiment (DCE) will be administered to value health states described by the WAItE classification system. These health states will be presented to members of the adult general population of the UK via an online survey. A range of regression models will be used to produce the utility algorithm for the WAItE. The DCE-visual analogue scale and time trade-off (TTO) anchoring methods will be used anchor the value set on to the 0–1 QALY scale.

Ethics and dissemination

The Newcastle University Medical School Ethics Committee approved the study (references 4772/2020 (DCE) and 9978/2020 (TTO)). The developed algorithm can be applied to future economic evaluations of weight management interventions and treatments for adolescents.
Patient perspectives on integrated healthcare for HIV, hypertension and type 2 diabetes: a scoping review
Authors: Singh Sabine , Kirk Ole , Jaffar Shabbar , Karakezi Catherine , Ramaiya Kaushik , Kallestrup P , Kraef Christian
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Antiretroviral therapy has reduced mortality and led to longer life expectancy in people living with HIV. These patients are now at an increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Integration of care for HIV and NCDs has become a focus of research and policy. In this article, we aim to review patient perspectives on integration of healthcare for HIV, type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Methods

The framework for scoping reviews developed by Arksey and O'Malley and updated by Peteret alwas applied for this review. The databases PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane library were searched. Broad search terms for HIV, NCDs (specifically type 2 diabetes and hypertension) and healthcare integration were used. As the review aimed to identify definitions of patient perspectives, they were not included as an independent term in the search strategy. References of included publications were searched for relevant articles. Titles and abstracts for these papers were screened by two independent reviewers. The full texts for all the publications appearing to meet the inclusion criteria were then read to make the final literature selection.

Results

Of 5502 studies initially identified, 13 articles were included in this review, of which 11 had a geographical origin in sub-Saharan Africa. Nine articles were primarily focused on HIV/diabetes healthcare integration while four articles were focused on HIV/hypertension integration. Patient’s experiences with integrated care were reduced HIV-related stigma, reduced travel and treatment costs and a more holistic person-centred care. Prominent concerns were long waiting times at clinics and a lack of continuity of care in some clinics due to a lack of healthcare workers. Non-integrated care was perceived as time-consuming and more expensive.

Conclusion

Patient perspectives and experiences on integrated care for HIV, diabetes and hypertension were mostly positive. Integrated services can save resources and allow for a more personalised approach to healthcare. There is a paucity of evidence and further longitudinal and interventional evidence from a more diverse range of healthcare systems are needed.
Section of Venereal Disease
Authors: Parnell Roderick J. G.
Published: November 2021

(1) Introductory and Statistics.

(2) Prophylaxis of Venereal Disease.

(3) R.N. Hospital, Haslar.

(4) R.N. Hospital, Chatham.

(5) Work in other Establishments aud in Ships.
Analysis of prognostic factors in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma associated with rheumatic diseases
Authors: Gorodetskiy Vadim , Probatova Natalya , Obukhova Tatiana , Vasilyev Vladimir
Published: November 2021

Objective

The risk of developing diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is increased in many rheumatic diseases (RDs). It is possible that RD-associated DLBCL is a distinct subset within the category of ‘DLBCL’, exhibiting characteristic biological features and clinical behaviour. However, information on RD-associated DLBCL is limited.

Methods

We searched the V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology (Russia) database from 1996 to 2021 for patients with RDs and coexisting DLBCL. Prognostic factors including the International Prognostic Index (IPI), bulk disease andc-MYC/8q24gene rearrangements were analysed. Furthermore, we stratified DLBCLs as germinal centre B-cell (GCB) subtype and non-GCB subtype based on Hans’ immunohistochemical algorithm and also examined Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) status.

Results

Twenty-seven patients with RD-associated DLBCL were identified. Twenty patients had primary Sjogren’s syndrome, three had systemic lupus erythematosus, two had rheumatoid arthritis and two had systemic sclerosis. Secondary Sjogren’s syndrome was found in four patients. The median age at the time of diagnosis of DLBCL was 59 years with a female predominance (26:1). Based on IPI, 16 patients were assigned to the intermediate-high and high-risk groups. Bulk disease was detected in 29% of patients. Of the 20 examined cases, 4 (20%) were classified as the GCB subtype and 16 (80%) were classified as the non-GCB subtype. EBV was detected in 2 of the 21 tested cases (10%), and thec-MYC/8q24gene rearrangement was not found in any of the 19 examined cases. After the lymphoma diagnosis, the median overall survival (OS) was 10 months (range: 0–238 months).

Conclusions

Except for the more common non-GCB subtype, we did not identify any other prognostic factor that could influence the prognosis of patients with RD-associated DLBCL. We believe that short OS in our patients was predominantly associated with decreased tolerance to lymphoma treatment.
Vitamin K2—a neglected player in cardiovascular health: a narrative review
Authors: Hariri Essa , Kassis Nicholas , Iskandar Jean-Pierre , Schurgers Leon J , Saad Anas , Abdelfattah Omar , Bansal Agam , Isogai Toshiaki , Harb Serge C , Kapadia Samir
Published: November 2021

Vitamin K2serves an important role in cardiovascular health through regulation of calcium homeostasis. Its effects on the cardiovascular system are mediated through activation of the anti-calcific protein known as matrix Gla protein. In its inactive form, this protein is associated with various markers of cardiovascular disease including increased arterial stiffness, vascular and valvular calcification, insulin resistance and heart failure indices which ultimately increase cardiovascular mortality. Supplementation of vitamin K2has been strongly associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes through its modification of systemic calcification and arterial stiffness. Although its direct effects on delaying the progression of vascular and valvular calcification is currently the subject of multiple randomised clinical trials, prior reports suggest potential improved survival among cardiac patients with vitamin K2supplementation. Strengthened by its affordability and Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA)-proven safety, vitamin K2supplementation is a viable and promising option to improve cardiovascular outcomes.
Thermal gauge theories with Lagrange multiplier fields
Authors: Brandt F.T. , Frenkel J. , Martins-Filho S. , McKeon D.G.C. , Sakoda G.S.S.
Published: November 2021

We study the Yang–Mills theory and quantum gravity at finite temperature, in the presence of Lagrange multiplier fields. These restrict the path integrals to field configurations, which obey the classical equations of motion. This has the effect of doubling the usual one-loop thermal contributions and of suppressing all radiative corrections at higher-loop order. Such theories are renormalizable at all temperatures. Some consequences of this result in quantum gravity are briefly examined.
Smart City Construction Visual Simulation Application Based on Intelligent BIM Technology
Authors: Li Ming , Xiong Xiaofan , Yin Qianliang
Published: November 2021

This paper takes a project comprehensive office building project of Chaoyang financial center as an example, based on the construction visualization requirements of BIM technology, this paper analyzes the modeling requirements and Suggestions applicable to the project. With the help of Revit modeling software, the architecture and structure model of the whole drawing and three floors underground and two floors above ground electromechanical model are completed. There is a collision detection between the structural and electromechanical subject model that be established by Navisworks Manage 2016 software, also, the paper analyzes the causes of the collision and puts forward corresponding solutions, and find out the problems in the model and make changes in time, which prepare the model for the construction visualization simulation application. On this basis, the construction progress plan set up by Microsoft Project 2013 was carried out and related to the three-dimensional (3D) parameterized model components, which implement the visual simulation of the construction process of research and the 4D simulation of construction process of the project. What’s more, the application of visualization simulation based on BIM technology can greatly reduce the occurrence of changes and rework in actual construction, thus greatly improving the efficiency of construction work.11
The tunable 0−π qubit: Dynamics and relaxation
Authors: Rajpoot Garima , Kumari Komal , Joshi Sandeep , Jain Sudhir R.
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we present a systematic treatment of a [Formula: see text] qubit in the presence of a time-dependent external flux. A gauge-invariant Lagrangian and the corresponding Hamiltonian are obtained. The effect of the flux noise on the qubit relaxation is obtained using the perturbation theory. Under a time-dependent drive of sinusoidal form, the survival probability, and transition probabilities have been studied for different strengths and frequencies. The driven qubit is shown to possess coherent oscillations among two distinct states for a weak to moderate strength close to resonant frequencies of the unperturbed qubit. The parameters can be chosen to prepare the system in its ground state. This feature paves the way to prolong the lifetime by combining ideas from weak measurement and quantum Zeno effect. We believe that this is an important variation of a topologically protected qubit which is tunable.
A Nonlinear Optimal Control Approach for Multi-DOF Brachiation Robots
Authors: Rigatos G. , Abbaszadeh M. , Busawon K. , Gao Z. , Pomares J.
Published: November 2021

This paper proposes a nonlinear optimal control approach for mulitple degrees of freedom (DOF) brachiation robots, which are often used in inspection and maintenance tasks of the electric power grid. Because of the nonlinear and multivariable structure of the related state-space model, as well as because of underactuation, the control problem of these robots is nontrivial. The dynamic model of the brachiation robots undergoes first approximate linearization with the use of Taylor series expansion around a temporary operating point which is recomputed at each iteration of the control method. For the approximately linearized model, an H-infinity feedback controller is designed. The linearization procedure relies on the Jacobian matrices of the brachiation robots’ state-space model. The proposed control method stands for the solution of the optimal control problem for the nonlinear and multivariable dynamics of the brachiation robots, under model uncertainties and external perturbations. For the computation of the controller’s feedback gains an algebraic Riccati equation is solved at each time-step of the control method. The global stability properties of the control scheme are proven through Lyapunov analysis. The new nonlinear optimal control approach achieves fast and accurate tracking for all state variables of the brachiation robots, under moderate variations of the control inputs.
Preparation of porphyrin and phthalocyanine conjugates for biomedical applications
Authors: Pontón Iris , Sánchez-García David
Published: November 2021

The aim of this review is to offer a succinct overview of the main synthetic techniques used in the preparation of conjugates containing porphyrins, including chlorins and bacteriochlorins and phthalocyanines for biomedical applications and photodynamic therapy (PDT). To illustrate the conjugation techniques representative examples from the literature will be presented.
The Radicalization of Young Protesters in Hong Kong: Under the Context of Globalization and Power Relations
Authors: Zheng Yingqin
Published: November 2021

This paper takes the social unrest in 2019 as a case study and identifies three factors that contributed to the radicalization of social protests in Hong Kong: globalization, digitalization and the U.S. meddling in Hong Kong affairs. First, with the deepening of globalization, the worsening of social-economic conditions had bred populism among the youth. Second, digital technologies and social media platforms also made it easy for young people in Hong Kong to protest in a more covert and radical way. Third, the U.S. support for the Hong Kong opposition leaders added fuel to the radicalization of youth protesters. All these factors finally led to radicalized social protests in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, following the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong SAR, violent activities were largely stopped and social order was gradually restored.
miR‐199a Targeting PNRC1 to Promote Keratinocyte Proliferation and Invasion in Cholesteatoma
Authors: Yao Lihui , Zhang Wenjing , Zheng Jian , Lu Xing , Zhang Fan
Published: November 2021

Introduction. miR‐199a has been reported as an oncogene of various cancers. However, the biological function and regulatory mechanism of miR‐199a in keratinocytes of cholesteatoma are still unclear. Methods. Detection by qRT‐PCR was conducted on miR‐199a’s expression in both thirty pairs of cholesteatoma tissues and normal skins. For characterizing the function of miR‐199a, this research adopted transwell assay, wound healing assay, and CCK8 assays. Under the support of qRT‐PCR, efforts were made to investigate the relative expression of candidate target genes. Moreover, the evaluation of the targeting relationship between miR‐199a and the candidate target gene was conducted with the dual‐luciferase reporter assay. Results. The upregulation of miR‐199a was found in cholesteatoma tissues, which facilitated the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HaCaT cells, while its downregulation caused opposite results. Conclusions. The findings of the present research offer more insights into the molecular mechanism of cholesteatoma progression.
Highly Reliable Method to Obtain a Correlation Coefficient Unaffected by the SEM Noise Component for Examining the Degree of Specimen Damage due to Electron Beam Irradiation
Authors: Oho Eisaku , Suzuki Kazuhiko , Yamazaki Sadao
Published: November 2021

A correlation coefficient is often used as a measure of the strength of a linear relationship (i.e., the degree of similarity) between two sets of data in a variety of fields. However, in the field of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it is frequently difficult to properly use the correlation coefficient because SEM images generally include severe noise, which affects the measurement of this coefficient. The current study describes a method of obtaining a correlation coefficient that is unaffected by SEM noise in principle. This correlation coefficient is obtained from a total of four SEM images, comprising two sets of two images with identical views, by calculating several covariance values. Numerical experiments confirm that the measured correlation coefficients obtained using the proposed method for noisy images are equal to those for noise-free images. Furthermore, the present method can be combined with a highly accurate and noise-robust position alignment as needed. As one application, we show that it is possible to immediately examine the degree of specimen damage due to electron beam irradiation during a certain SEM observation, which has been difficult until now.
Exploring a Role for Parental Mental Health in Perception and Reports of Pain on Behalf of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Grosvenor Luke P. , Whitney Daniel G. , Volk Heather E. , Fallin M. Daniele
Published: November 2021

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a higher prevalence of pain compared to those without ASD. Pain is a leading cause of morbidity and disability worldwide and may contribute to adverse health outcomes in people with ASD, thus warranting further research on this special population. The present study used data from 1,423 children with ASD and 46,023 children without ASD and their mothers from the combined 2016-2017 National Survey of Children’s Health. Mothers reported child pain and ASD status and their own mental health status. Mothers reporting a status of “Fair or Poor” were considered as having maternal mental health conditions (MMHCs) for the purposes of this study. Children with and without ASD who had mothers with MMHCs had higher odds of pain compared to children with mothers without MMHCs. These increased odds did not attenuate as a result of controlling for co-occurring neurological conditions, which have been associated with increased pain in children with ASD. Thus, parent mental health may alter perception and/or reports of pain on behalf of children with and without ASD. Future research should include more detailed assessments of parent mental health and clinical assessments of children in order to explore the role of parent mental health in the experiences of pain and other symptoms present in children with ASD.
Rockburst Inducement Mechanism and Its Prediction Based on Microseismic Monitoring
Authors: Li Yongsong , Zhou Chao
Published: November 2021

The rockburst disaster in the hard rock caused by excavation and unloading of deep underground caverns threatens the safety of engineering construction. In recent years, the microseismic monitoring technology, which can dynamically monitor the whole process of progressive failure of rock mass in real time, has been widely used in rockburst monitoring and early warning of underground engineering. In view of the slight rockburst in local surrounding rock during the excavation of underground powerhouse of Huanggou Pumped Storage Power Station, a rockburst microseismic monitoring system is constructed. And through the analysis of the temporal and spatial activity of microseisms during the monitoring period, the potential risk areas of rockbursts are identified and delineated. The monitoring results show that the microseismic system can effectively capture the blasting and microseismic signals during construction. The microseismic activity is closely related to the intensity of field blasting disturbance. The potential risk areas of rockburst are the upstream side arch shoulder and the intersection between lower drainage corridor and workshop installation room. The research results can provide technical support for later excavation and support of underground powerhouse caverns of Huanggou Hydropower Station.
Remote Diagnosis System of Uremia Complicated with Sleep Disorder and Effectiveness of Nursing Intervention
Authors: Wang Yiqian , Zhu Jing , Cao Jun , Zheng Dan , Wang Lihua
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to analyze the related factors and remote diagnosis of sleep disorders in patients with uremia and to provide the basis for clinical intervention measures. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate the sleep quality of 100 patients with uremia. The experimental results show that among 100 patients with uremia, 83 patients (83%) were complicated with sleep disorder, and the average PSQI score was (10.73 ± 1.36). The PSQI score was significantly higher in the elderly, patients with long duration of dialysis, patients with elevated CRP, patients with substandard anemia, and patients with substandard calcium and phosphorus, with statistical significance (

P
<
0.05

). The sleep quality of patients with uremia is correlated with depression, age, and penetration age. The worse the sleep quality is, the more severe the depression is. It proved that the sleep quality of dialysis patients is an important factor. Conclusion. Sleep disorder is a common complication in patients with uremia. Age, anemia, calcium and phosphorus abnormality, permeation age, and inflammatory status are important factors affecting sleep quality in dialysis patients.
Role of the Microenvironment in Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Strategies for Treating Human Liver Diseases
Authors: Xu Shan-jing , Ye Li-ping , Wang Wei , Chen Ya-hong , Dong Jian , Mao Xin-li , Li Shao-wei
Published: November 2021

Liver disease is a severe health problem that endangers human health worldwide. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is a novel treatment for patients with different liver diseases due to its vast expansion potential and distinctive immunomodulatory properties. Despite several preclinical trials having confirmed the considerable efficacy of MSC therapy in liver diseases, the questionable safety and efficacy still limit its application. As a precursor cell, MSCs can adjust their characteristics in response to the surrounding microenvironment. The microenvironment provides physical and chemical factors essential for stem cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. However, the mechanisms are still not completely understood. We, therefore, summarized the mechanisms underlying the MSC immune response, especially the interaction between MSCs and the liver microenvironment, discussing how to achieve better therapeutic effects.
Physical Aspects of Homogeneous-Heterogeneous Reactions on MHD Williamson Fluid Flow across a Nonlinear Stretching Curved Surface Together with Convective Boundary Conditions
Authors: Ahmed Kamran , Akbar Tanvir , Muhammad Taseer
Published: November 2021

This article is concerned with the fluid mechanics of MHD steady 2D flow of Williamson fluid over a nonlinear stretching curved surface in conjunction with homogeneous-heterogeneous reactions with convective boundary conditions. An effective similarity transformation is considered that switches the nonlinear partial differential equations riveted to ordinary differential equations. The governing nonlinear coupled differential equations are solved by using MATLAB bvp4c code. The physical features of nondimensional Williamson fluid parameter

λ

, power-law stretching index

m

, curvature parameter

K

, Schmidt number

Sc

, magnetic field parameter

M

, Prandtl number

Pr

, homogeneous reaction strength

k

1

, heterogeneous reaction strength

k

2

, and Biot number

γ

are presented through the graphs. The tabulated form of results is obtained for the skin friction coefficient. It is noted that both the homogeneous and heterogeneous reaction strengths reduced the concentration profile.
An Efficient Multifeature Model for Improving the Performance of Critical Energy Infrastructure
Authors: Zhuo Guangping , Nazir Shah , Khan Habib Ullah , Mukhtar Neelam
Published: November 2021

Energy infrastructure is well thought-out to be one of the complex infrastructures due to its convoluted configuration and automatic control among all of the systems. With such systems, various connections are made for the purpose of configurations. The energy system infrastructure aims to analytically evaluate each element of the system based on fundamental energy branches according to the customer demand. Developing a novel critical evaluation approach for complex energy infrastructure is pertinent to the evaluation of mixed energy system infrastructure. Considering the functional relationships between elements and their infrastructures, a system is needed to overcome the limitations of the current systems. By doing the efficient modeling of enhancing the performance infrastructure of critical energy infrastructure enable better quantitative evaluation of system. The purpose of the proposed study is to develop an evaluation approach for enhancing the performance of critical energy infrastructure. With the help of the proposed approach, efficient multifeature model for enhancing the performance of critical energy infrastructure was experimentally calculated. The experimental setup of the proposed study was done in the Super Decision tool for an efficient multifeature model for enhancing the performance. Results of the experiments reveal the effectiveness of the proposed research.