bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Replicating Cortical Signatures May Open the Possibility for “Transplanting” Brain States via Brain Entrainment
Authors: Poltorak Alexander
Published: September 2021

Brain states, which correlate with specific motor, cognitive, and emotional states, may be monitored with noninvasive techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) that measure macroscopic cortical activity manifested as oscillatory network dynamics. These rhythmic cortical signatures provide insight into the neuronal activity used to identify pathological cortical function in numerous neurological and psychiatric conditions. Sensory and transcranial stimulation, entraining the brain with specific brain rhythms, can effectively induce desired brain states (such as state of sleep or state of attention) correlated with such cortical rhythms. Because brain states have distinct neural correlates, it may be possible to induce a desired brain state by replicating these neural correlates through stimulation. To do so, we propose recording brain waves from a “donor” in a particular brain state using EEG/MEG to extract cortical signatures of the brain state. These cortical signatures would then be inverted and used to entrain the brain of a “recipient” via sensory or transcranial stimulation. We propose that brain states may thus be transferred between people by acquiring an associated cortical signature from a donor, which, following processing, may be applied to a recipient through sensory or transcranial stimulation. This technique may provide a novel and effective neuromodulation approach to the noninvasive, non-pharmacological treatment of a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders for which current treatments are mostly limited to pharmacotherapeutic interventions.
Prognostic Factors and Effect of Adjuvant Chemoradiation Following Chemotherapy in Resected Pancreatic Cancer Patients With Lymph Node Metastasis or R1 Resection
Authors: Xing Jiazhang , Yang Bo , Hou Xiaorong , Jia Ning , Gong Xiaolei , Li Xiaoyuan , Zhou Na , Cheng Yuejuan , Bai Chunmei
Published: September 2021

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease with a poor prognosis. In resectable PDAC, the recurrence rate is still high even when surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) are applied. Regional lymph node metastasis and positive margins are associated with higher recurrence risk and worse survival. Adjuvant radiotherapy has been explored, but its efficacy remains controversial. In recent years, some characteristics have been reported to stratify patients who may benefit from adjuvant chemoradiation (CRT), such as lymph node metastasis and margin status. Adjuvant chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation (CT-CRT) was also proposed. A total of 266 patients with resectable PDAC who have lymph node metastasis or R1 resection after surgery were enrolled. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, pancreatic body or tail tumor location (HR 0.433, p<0.0001, compared with pancreatic head) and adjuvant CT predicted a better survival, while there were no significant differences among the different CT regimens. Higher T stage indicated poor survival (stage I: reference; stage II: HR 2.178, p=0.014; stage III: HR 3.581, p=0.001). Propensity score matching was applied in 122 patients to explore the role of CRT. A cohort of 51 patients (31 and 20 patients in the CT and CT-CRT groups, respectively) was generated by matching. Further analyses revealed adjuvant CT-CRT was associated with prolonged survival compared with CT alone (HR 0.284, p=0.014) and less frequent local recurrences (56.5% vs. 21.4% in the CT and CT-CRT group, respectively). However, no significant differences in disease-free survival among these two groups were observed.
LINC00346 Sponges miR-30c-2-3p to Promote the Development of Lung Adenocarcinoma by Targeting MYBL2 and Regulating CELL CYCLE Signaling Pathway
Authors: Xu Qian , Xu Zhenwu , Zhu Kai , Lin Jinlan , Ye Bo
Published: September 2021

Background

LINC00346 has recently been reported to regulate the development of several cancer types, but its biological functions and underlying mechanisms in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) have not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of LINC00346 in the progression of LUAD.

Methods

Bioinformatics was performed to find the target lncRNA, miRNA and mRNA, and the binding relationship between the target genes was verified by dual luciferase reporter gene and RIP assays. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to detect the location of LINC00346 in LUAD tissues. The expressions of LINC00346, miR-30c-2-3p and MYBL2 in each group were detected by qRT-PCR, and western blot was performed to detect expressions of MYBL2 and CELL CYCLE related proteins. Proliferation, metastasis, apoptosis and cell cycle of LUAD cells were detected by CCK-8, colony formation, Transwell and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Mouse xenograft models were established to further determine the effects of LINC00346 on LUAD tumor growth in vivo.

Results

LINC00346 was upregulated in LUAD tissues and cells and was mainly localized in the cytoplasm. Knockdown of LINC00346 inhibited tumor growth in vivo, proliferation, metastasis and cell cycle progression, while induced apoptosis. LINC00346 sponged miR-30c-2-3 by targeting MYBL2 and regulating CELL CYCLE signaling pathway. Inhibiting miR-30c-2-3p or overexpressing MYBL2 could reverse the inhibitory effect of LINC00346 knockdown on LUAD process.

Conclusions

LINC00346 as a ceRNA played a carcinogenic role in the development of LUAD via miR-30c-2-3p/MYBL2 axis regulating the CELL CYCLE signaling pathway. The study generally elucidated the mechanism by which LINC00346 regulated the development of LUAD, providing new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of LUAD guided by lncRNA.
DIAPH1 Promotes Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression Through Cell Cycle Regulation
Authors: Yang Jiechao , Huang Qiang , Guo Yang , Wei Zheqiang , Zhou Liang , Chen Hui
Published: September 2021

The diaphanous related formin 1 (DIAPH1) protein is involved in the regulation of dynamic cytoskeleton reorganization, which is closely related to mitosis and the cell cycle. Cell cycle disorders are generally regarded as important underlying causes of many cancers. In the current study, we have revealed that DIAPH1 expression is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and that DIAPH1 promotes colony formation, cell proliferation, and G1/S progression in LSCC cells. Additionally, DIAPH1 promotes growth of AMC-HN-8 LSCC-derived tumors in vivo. In this study, RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that DIAPH1 knockdown led to changes in the expression of genes associated with signaling during the cell cycle. Using western blot analyses, we further demonstrated that DIAPH1 knockdown resulted in upregulation of p21Waf1/Cip1, p19Ink4d, p27Kip1, and p16Ink4a and downregulation of cyclinA2, cyclinD1, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6. These results suggest that DIAPH1 influences the expression of genes in several signaling pathways and promotes LSCC progression by regulating the cell cycle.
Targeting Tim-3 in Cancer With Resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 Blockade
Authors: Tian Tian , Li Zhaoming
Published: September 2021

Programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) or programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) blocking therapy has completely changed the treatment pattern of malignant tumors. It has been tested in a wide range of malignant tumors and achieved clinical success. It might be a promising cancer treatment strategy. However, one of the important disadvantages of PD-1/PD-L1 blocking therapy is that only a few patients have a positive response to it. In addition, primary or acquired drug resistance can also lead to cancer recurrence in patients with clinical response. Therefore, it is very important to overcome the resistance of PD-1/PD-L1 blocking therapy and improve the overall response rate of patients to the immunotherapy. T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain molecule 3 (Tim-3) belongs to the co-inhibitory receptor family involved in immune checkpoint function. Due to adaptive resistance, the expression of Tim-3 is up-regulated in PD-1/PD-L1 blocking therapy resistant tumors. Therefore, blocking the immune checkpoint Tim-3 might antagonize the resistance of PD-1/PD-L1 blocking therapy. This review systematically introduces the preclinical and clinical data of combined blockade of Tim-3 and PD-1/PD-L1 in cancer immunotherapy, and discusses the prospect of overcoming the drug resistance of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy through blockade of Tim-3.
Reconstruction of Complex Lateral Skull Base Defects After Oral Cancer Resection With Individualized Anterolateral Thigh Flap
Authors: Gong Zhaojian , Zhang Shanshan , Chen Chang , Zhi Yuan , Zi Moxin
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Complex lateral skull base defects resulting from advanced or recurrent oral cancer resection are continuously challenging reconstructive surgeons. This study aimed to use reconstructive methods for lateral skull base defects, explore their feasibility, and evaluate the efficacy of defect reconstruction using anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps.

Patients and Methods

We performed a retrospective case series of 37 patients who underwent lateral skull base defect reconstruction using the ALT/anteromedial thigh (AMT) flap between March 2016 and May 2021 at the Second Xiangya Hospital. The design and harvest of the flaps, methods for defect reconstruction, and reconstructive efficacy are described.

Results

Of the 37 patients, 3 were women and 34 were men, with a mean age of 51.7 years. Among the defects, 26 were through-and-through defects and were reconstructed using ALT chimeric flaps, double ALT flaps, folded ALT flap, combined ALT chimeric flaps and AMT flaps, or combined ALT chimeric flaps and pectoralis major flaps; the large lateral skull base dead spaces were filled with muscle tissues or fatty tissues. Postoperatively, 38 of the 39 ALT/AMT flaps survived completely, and the remaining flap experienced partial necrosis. Venous compromise occurred in one patient who was salvaged after operative exploration. Oral and maxillofacial wound infections occurred in two patients, salivary fistula in three patients, and thigh wound effusion in three patients. The wounds healed gradually in all patients after repeated dressing changes. Thirty-three patients were followed up for approximately 3–60 months; their oral functions and appearance were acceptable, and thigh motor dysfunction was not observed.

Conclusions

With the convenient flap design and muscle flap harvest, large and individualized tissue supply, feasible combination with other flaps, effective reduction or avoidance of wound complications, and acceptable donor site morbidity, the ALT flap is an appropriate choice for complex lateral skull base defect reconstruction.
Probiotic VSL#3 Treatment Reduces Colonic Permeability and Abdominal Pain Symptoms in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Boonma Prapaporn , Shapiro Jordan M. , Hollister Emily B. , Badu Shyam , Wu Qinglong , Weidler Erica M. , Abraham Bincy P. , Devaraj Sridevi , Luna Ruth Ann , Versalovic James , Heitkemper Margaret M. , Savidge Tor C. , Shulman Robert J.
Published: September 2021

Background:Little is known regarding the clinical impact of treatment and treatment duration of probiotic VSL#3 on gut and microbiome function in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As part of a safety trial, we assessed the effect of VSL#3 treatment duration on abdominal pain, stooling, gut permeability, microbiome composition and function.

Methods:Adults with IBS were randomized into an open label trial to receive the probiotic VSL#3 for 4 or 8 weeks. Adverse events, abdominal pain, and stooling patterns were recorded daily. Gut permeability, fecal bile acid levels, and microbiome composition were profiled at baseline and after treatment.

Results:Fifteen subjects completed the trial (4-week:n= 8; 8-week:n= 7). Number of pain episodes decreased in both groups (P= 0.049 andP= 0.034; 4- vs. 8-week, respectively). Probiotic organisms contained in VSL#3 were detected in feces by whole shotgun metagenomic sequencing analysis and relative abundances ofStreptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus plantarum, andLactobacillus caseisubsp.paraccaseicorrelated significantly with improved abdominal pain symptoms and colonic permeability at study completion. Although abdominal pain correlated significantly with the detection of probiotic species at study completion, a composite view of gut microbiome structure showed no changes in community diversity or composition after VSL#3 treatment.

Conclusions:Probiotic organisms identified in stool correlated significantly with improvement in colonic permeability and clinical symptoms, prompting future studies to investigate the mechanistic role of VSL#3 and colonic permeability in IBS pathophysiology in a larger randomized controlled trial.

Clinical Trial Registration:www.clinicaltrials.gov, Identifier: NCT00971711.
Lifestyle Risk Factors and the Population Attributable Fractions for Overweight and Obesity in Chinese Students of Zhejiang Province
Authors: Gu Fang , Zhou Siliang , Lou Ke , Deng Rui , Li Xingxiu , Hu Jie , Dong Bin
Published: September 2021

Objectives: To assess the relationship between modifiable lifestyle factors and risk of overweight/obesity in Chinese students, and to evaluate the predicting prevalence of overweight if the lifestyle risk factors were removed.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 40,141 students in grade three and above (8–24yrs) in 2019 in Zhejiang Province, China. Physical examination was performed, and a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect lifestyle information, including dietary behavior, physical activity, TV watching, sleeping, smoking, drinking, and tooth-brushing habits. Logistic regression models were performed to assess the relationship between overweight/obesity and a series of lifestyle factors. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were used to calculate the predicting prevalence of overweight/obesity if lifestyle risk factors were removed.

Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity of participants was 25.5% (male 32.3%, female 18.1%). Overweight/obesity were associated with adverse lifestyle factors, such as watch TV ≥1 h/day (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.11–1.22), insufficient sleep (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.11–1.22), and irregular toothbrushing habits (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.01–1.39). Based on the calculated PAFs, the predicted prevalence of overweight/obesity would decline moderately if lifestyle factors were modified, with the magnitudes of decrease vary by sex, age and residence. Generally, a larger reduction was estimated if the sleeping time was increased and TV time was reduced, with the prevalence of overweight/obesity decreased by 1.1% (95% CI: 0.7, 1.5%) and 0.9% (95% CI: 0.6, 1.2%), respectively.

Conclusions: Predicted prevalence of overweight/ obesity in Chinese students may decrease if modifiable lifestyle risk factors were removed. The attributable risk for obesity of lifestyle behaviors varied in age, sex and residence groups. The findings of this study may provide insights for planning and optimizing future obesity intervention endeavors.
Arterial Hypertension and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Mulas Olga , Caocci Giovanni , Mola Brunella , La Nasa Giorgio
Published: September 2021

Background: Off-target effects in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are associated with cardiovascular toxicity. Hypertension represents an important cardiovascular complication and, if not appropriately managed, can contribute to developing thrombotic events. Third-generation TKI ponatinib is associated with hypertension development, and its use is more restricted than in the past. Few data are reported for second-generation TKI, nilotinib, dasatinib, and bosutinib. The aim of this article was to evaluate with a systematic review and meta-analysis the real incidence of hypertension in CML patients treated with second- or third-generation TKI.

Methods: The PubMed database, Web of Science, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched for studies published between January 1, 2000, and January 30, 2021; the following terms were entered in the database queries: Cardiovascular, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, CML, Tyrosine kinases inhibitor, TKI, and Hypertension. The study was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.

Results: A pooled analysis of hypertension incidence was 10% for all new-generation TKI, with an even higher prevalence with ponatinib (17%). The comparison with the first-generation imatinib confirmed that nilotinib was associated with a significantly increased risk of hypertension (RR 2; 95% CI; 1.39-2.88, I2=0%, z=3.73, p=0.0002). The greatest risk was found with ponatinib (RR 9.21; 95% CI; 2.86-29.66, z=3.72, p=0.0002).

Conclusion: Hypertension is a common cardiovascular complication in CML patients treated with second- or third-generation TKI.
Efficacy and Safety of Metformin Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Gharib Mahmoud , Elbaz Walaa , Darweesh Ebtissam , Sabri Nagwa Ali , Shawki May Ahmed
Published: September 2021

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of metformin use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs).

Methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled, single blinded, study was carried on 66 RA patients with moderate and high disease activity state, receiving csDMARDs. Patients were simply randomized to receive either metformin 850 mg twice daily (Metformin group, n = 33), or placebo twice daily (Control group, n = 33) in addition to their stable anti-rheumatic regimen and followed up for 6 months. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), disease activity of 28 joints based on CRP (DAS-28-CRP), and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated at baseline and then every 3 months. Moreover, serum adiponectin was assessed at baseline and after 6 months.

Results: Sixty patients completed the study. Drop out was due to intolerance to metformin side effects (n = 3) and non-compliance (n = 3). Metformin significantly decreased CRP levels and DAS-28-CRP after 6 months compared to the control group (p-value <0.001). A significant improvement in QOL of metformin group was observed as early as after 3 months (p-value = 0.006) with a continued improvement observed at 6 months (p-value <0.001) compared to the control group. Despite the significantly higher serum adiponectin in the metformin group at baseline, it was significantly reduced after 6 months in the metformin group with median percent change of −63.49% compared to the significant increase in the control group with median percent change of 92.40%.

Conclusion: Metformin significantly improved inflammation, disease severity, and QOL in RA patients with high safety profile.

Clinical Trial Registration: Clinical-Trials.gov, identifier [NCT08363405].
Engineering Entangled Photons for Transmission in Ring-Core Optical Fibers
Authors: Cañas G. , Gómez E. S. , Baradit E. , Lima G. , Walborn S. P.
Published: September 2021

The capacity of optical communication channels can be increased by space division multiplexing in structured optical fibers. Radial core optical fibers allows for the propagation of twisted light–eigenmodes of orbital angular momentum, which have attracted considerable attention for high-dimensional quantum information. Here we study the generation of entangled photons that are tailor-made for coupling into ring core optical fibers. We show that the coupling of photon pairs produced by parametric down-conversion can be increased by close to a factor of three by pumping the non-linear crystal with a perfect vortex mode with orbital angular momentum ℓ, rather than a gaussian mode. Moreover, the two-photon orbital angular momentum spectrum has a nearly constant shape. This provides an interesting scenario for quantum state engineering, as pumping the crystal with a superposition of perfect vortex modes can be used in conjunction with the mode filtering properties of the ring core fiber to produce simple and interesting quantum states.
Superiority Verification of Deep Learning in the Identification of Medicinal Plants: Taking Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis as an Example
Authors: Yue JiaQi , Li WanYi , Wang YuanZhong
Published: September 2021

Medicinal plants have a variety of values and are an important source of new drugs and their lead compounds. They have played an important role in the treatment of cancer, AIDS, COVID-19 and other major and unconquered diseases. However, there are problems such as uneven quality and adulteration. Therefore, it is of great significance to find comprehensive, efficient and modern technology for its identification and evaluation to ensure quality and efficacy. In this study, deep learning, which is superior to conventional identification techniques, was extended to the identification of the part and region of the medicinal plant Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis from the perspective of spectroscopy. Two pattern recognition models, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and support vector machine (SVM), were established, and the overall discrimination performance of the three types of models was compared. In addition, we also compared the effects of different sample sizes on the discriminant performance of the models for the first time to explore whether the three models had sample size dependence. The results showed that the deep learning model had absolute superiority in the identification of medicinal plant. It was almost unaffected by factors such as data type and sample size. The overall identification ability was significantly better than the PLS-DA and SVM models. This study verified the superiority of the deep learning from examples, and provided a practical reference for related research on other medicinal plants.
Humanizing Stakeholders by Rethinking Business
Authors: Quintelier Katinka J. P. , van Hugten Joeri , Parmar Bidhan L. , Brokerhof Inge M.
Published: September 2021

Can business humanize its stakeholders? And if so, how does this relate to moral consideration for stakeholders? In this paper we compare two business orientations that are relevant for current business theory and practice: a stakeholder orientation and a profit orientation. We empirically investigate the causal relationships between business orientation, humanization, and moral consideration. We report the results of six experiments, making use of different operationalizations of a stakeholder and profit orientation, different stakeholders (employees, suppliers, labor unions), and different participant samples. Our findings support the prediction that individual stakeholders observing a stakeholder-oriented firm see the firm’s other stakeholders as more human than individual stakeholders observing a profit-oriented firm. This humanization, in turn, increases individual stakeholders’ moral consideration for the firm’s other stakeholders. Our findings underscore the importance of humanization for stakeholders’ moral consideration for each other. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the firm as a moral community of stakeholders. Specifically, we move away from a focus on managers, and how they can make business more moral. Instead we direct attention to (other) stakeholders, and how business can make these stakeholders more moral.
Reformulated Object Relations Theory: A Bridge Between Clinical Psychoanalysis, Psychotherapy Integration, and the Understanding and Treatment of Suicidal Depression
Authors: Shahar Golan
Published: September 2021

In contrast to the fruitful relationship between psychoanalysis/psychoanalysts and the humanities, institutionalized psychoanalysis has been largely resistant to the integration of psychoanalysis with otherempiricalbranches of knowledge (infant observation, psychotherapy research, psychological and neurobiological sciences), as well as clinical ones [primarily cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)]. Drawing from two decades of theoretical and empirical work on psychopathology, psychotherapy, and psychoanalysis, the author aims to show how a reformulation of object relations theory (RORT) using (neuro-)psychological science may enhance a clinical-psychoanalytic understanding and treatment of suicidal depression, which constitutes one of the most formidable health challenges of our time. Specifically, he rewrote the notion of Melanie Kleinpositions—primarily the depressive position—using extant knowledge of structure of emotions, the centrality of mental representations of the future (“prospection”) and the toxic nature of criticism-based emotions. This reformulation enables a dialog between clinical psychoanalysis and other therapeutic schools of thought and sheds light on the understanding and treatment of suicidal depression.
What Matters and What Matters Most for Survival After age 80? A Multidisciplinary Exploration Based on Twin Data
Authors: Johansson Boo , Thorvaldsson Valgeir
Published: September 2021

Given research and public interest for conditions related to an extended lifespan, we addressed the questions of what matters and what matters most for subsequent survival past age 80. The data was drawn from the population-based and multidisciplinary Swedish OCTO Twin Study, in which a sample (N = 699) consisting of identical and same-sex fraternal twin pairs, followed from age 80 until death, provided detailed data on health, physical functioning, life style, personality, and sociodemographic conditions. Information concerning date of birth and death were obtained from population census register. We estimated heritability using an ACE model and evaluated the role of multiple predictors for the mortality-related hazard rate using Cox regression. Our findings confirmed a low heritability of 12%. As expected, longer survival was associated with being a female, an apolipoprotein E (APOE) e4 allele non-carrier, and a non-smoker. Several diseases were found to be associated with shorter survival (cerebrovascular, dementia, Parkinson’s, and diabetes) as well as certain health conditions (high diastolic blood pressure, low body mass index, and hip fracture). Stronger grip and better lung function, as well as better vision (but not hearing), and better cognitive function (self-evaluated and measured) was related to longer survival. Social embeddedness, better self-evaluated health, and life-satisfaction were also significantly associated with longer survival. After controlling for the impact of comorbidity, functional markers, and personality-related predictors, we found that sex, cerebrovascular diseases, compromised cognitive functioning, self-related health, and life-satisfaction remained as strong predictors. Cancer was only associated with the mortality hazard when accounting for other co-morbidities. The survival estimates were mostly in anticipated directions and contained effect sizes within the expected range. Noteworthy, we found that some of the so-called “soft-markers” remained strong predictors, despite a control for other factors. For example, self-evaluation of health and ratings of life-satisfaction provide additional and valuable information.
Reliability of Online Surveys in Investigating Perceptions and Impressions of Faces
Authors: Hirao Naoyasu , Koizumi Koyo , Ikeda Hanako , Ohira Hideki
Published: September 2021

Online experimental methods are used in psychological studies investigating the perceptions and impressions of facial photographs, even without substantial evidence supporting their reliability and validity. Although, the quality of visual stimuli is more difficult to control remotely, the methods might allow us to obtain a large amount of data. Then the statistical analysis of a larger volume of data may reduce errors and suggest significant difference in the stimuli. Therefore, we analyzed the reliability and validity of online surveys in investigating the perceptions (shine, red, and dark) and impressions (attractiveness, trustworthy, and so on) of facial photographs created from averaged faces with skin tones modified using computer graphics (CG). In this study, we conducted online (Online1) and laboratory experiments with well-controlled conditions (Control). For each experiment, 50 participants (men and women in Japan, age: 20–59years) completed the same questionnaire regarding their impressions of the same 28 CG facial photographs. The results showed significant correlations between the two experiments for all 19 items in the questionnaire. SD in the Online1 compared to the Control from the stimuli and individual differences were 56–84 and 88–104% in each questionnaire items, respectively. Moreover, the rates of mismatching perceptual evaluations to the corresponding physical features demonstrated in the photographs were 4.9–9.7% on average in an additional online survey of another 2,000 participants (Online2). These results suggest that online surveys can be applied to experiments to investigate impressions from CG facial photographs instead of general laboratory experiment by obtaining an appropriate number of participants to offset larger statistical errors that may result from the increased noise in the data from conducting the experiment online.
Changes Over Time in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Among Children Who Survived the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake and Predictive Variables
Authors: Chen Ying , Lam Chow , Deng Hong , Ko Kam Ying
Published: September 2021

Background: This study examines changes over time in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among children who survived the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and the relevant predictive variables.

Methods: A total of 203 children and adolescents were investigated 24 months after the earthquake, and 151 children and adolescents completed the 1-year follow-up study. Participants completed the Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-13), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the predictors of changes in PTSD severity.

Results: Eighty percent of the children still had some PTSD symptoms 2 years after the Wenchuan earthquake, and 66.25% of the children had symptoms that lasted 3 years. In the model predicting PTSD symptom severity, the loss of family members and child burial explained a significant 21.9% of the variance, and depression explained a significant 16.7% of the variance. In the model predicting changes in PTSD severity, the change scores for resilience and depression explained a significant 18.7% of the variance, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) explained a significant 33.6% of the variance.

Conclusions: PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents can persist for many years after trauma. In addition to using psychological interventions to improve PTSD symptoms, improvements in depression and resilience should also be considered.
Irritability Is Associated With Decreased Cortical Surface Area and Anxiety With Decreased Gyrification During Brain Development
Authors: Piguet Camille , Mihailov Angeline , Grigis Antoine , Laidi Charles , Duchesnay Edouard , Houenou Josselin
Published: September 2021

Background: Brain development is of utmost importance for the emergence of psychiatric disorders, as the most severe of them arise before 25 years old. However, little is known regarding how early transdiagnostic symptoms, in a dimensional framework, are associated with cortical development. Anxiety and irritability are central vulnerability traits for subsequent mood and anxiety disorders. In this study, we investigate how these dimensions are related to structural changes in the brain to understand how they may increase the transition risk to full-blown disorders.

Methods: We used the opportunity of an open access developmental cohort, the Healthy Brain Network, to investigate associations between cortical surface markers and irritability and anxiety scores as measured by parents and self-reports.

Results: We found that in 658 young people (with a mean age of 11.6) the parental report of irritability is associated with decreased surface area in the bilateral rostral prefrontal cortex and the precuneus. Furthermore, parental reports of anxiety were associated with decreased local gyrification index in the anterior cingulate cortex and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex.

Conclusions: These results are consistent with current models of emotion regulation network maturation, showing decreased surface area or gyrification index in regions associated with impaired affective control in mood and anxiety disorders. Our results highlight how dimensional traits may increase vulnerability for these disorders.
End-of-Life Decision-Making Capacity in Older People With Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Kotzé Carla , Roos Johannes Lodewikus , Ehlers René
Published: September 2021

Background:The study's main aim was to assess the end-of-life decision-making capacity and health-related values of older people with serious mental illness.

Methods:A cross-sectional, observational study, was done at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, Gauteng Province, South Africa that included 100 adults older than 60 years of age and diagnosed with serious mental illness. The Mini-Cog and a semi-structured clinical assessment of end-of-life decision-making capacity was done before a standardized interview, Assessment of Capacity to Consent to Treatment, was administered. This standardized instrument uses a hypothetical vignette to assess decision-making capacity and explores healthcare-related values.

Results:The Assessment of Capacity to Consent to Treatment scores correlated (p< 0.001) with the outcomes of the semi-structured decision-making capacity evaluation. Significant correlations with impaired decision-making capacity included: lower scores on the Mini-Cog (p< 0.001); a duration of serious mental illness of 30–39 years (p= 0025); having a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (p= 0.0007); and being admitted involuntarily (p< 0.0001). A main finding was that 65% of participants had decision-making capacity for end-of-life decisions, were able to express their values and engage in advance care discussions.

Discussion and Conclusion:Healthcare providers have a duty to initiate advance care discussions, optimize decision-making capacity, and protect autonomous decision-making. Many older patients with serious mental illness can engage in end-of-life discussions and can make autonomous decisions about preferred end-of-life care. Chronological age or diagnostic categories should never be used as reasons for discrimination, and older people with serious mental illness should receive end-of-life care in keeping with their preferences and values.
Lean to Fly: Leaning-Based Embodied Flying can Improve Performance and User Experience in 3D Navigation
Authors: Adhikari Ashu , Hashemian Abraham M. , Nguyen-Vo Thinh , Kruijff Ernst , Heyde Markus von der , Riecke Bernhard E.
Published: September 2021

When users in virtual reality cannot physically walk and self-motions are instead only visually simulated, spatial updating is often impaired. In this paper, we report on a study that investigated if HeadJoystick, an embodied leaning-based flying interface, could improve performance in a 3D navigational search task that relies on maintaining situational awareness and spatial updating in VR. We compared it to Gamepad, a standard flying interface. For both interfaces, participants were seated on a swivel chair and controlled simulated rotations by physically rotating. They either leaned (forward/backward, right/left, up/down) or used the Gamepad thumbsticks for simulated translation. In a gamified 3D navigational search task, participants had to find eight balls within 5 min. Those balls were hidden amongst 16 randomly positioned boxes in a dark environment devoid of any landmarks. Compared to the Gamepad, participants collected more balls using the HeadJoystick. It also minimized the distance travelled, motion sickness, and mental task demand. Moreover, the HeadJoystick was rated better in terms of ease of use, controllability, learnability, overall usability, and self-motion perception. However, participants rated HeadJoystick could be more physically fatiguing after a long use. Overall, participants felt more engaged with HeadJoystick, enjoyed it more, and preferred it. Together, this provides evidence that leaning-based interfaces like HeadJoystick can provide an affordable and effective alternative for flying in VR and potentially telepresence drones.
Acceptance of Supportive Illustrations for Preparation of Patients for an Orthopedic Telemedical Consultation
Authors: Estel Katharina , Weber Gordian , Richter Luise , Hofmann Marko , Ruckdeschel Patrick , Märdian Sven , Willy Christian , Back David Alexander
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Telemedical video consultations are a powerful support for patient–doctor interactions. For optimal digital settings, explanatory illustrations may be helpful for patients. This study analyzed patients' the attitude of patients to illustrations preparing for an orthopedic telemedical consultation (OTC).

Methods: A leaflet with eight illustrations was designed and their acceptance and estimated necessity was evaluated among patients who had experienced an OTC (EXP-group) and others who had not (NOV-group) with a 12-item-questionnaire.

Results: Sixty patients participated (n = 30 each group). All illustrations were evaluated positively. The EXP-group gave significantly higher ratings than the NOV-group for improved understanding by the given keywords of the illustrations (p = 0.046), preference for being informed by illustrations than by merely by a pure text (p = 0.023), better feeling of preparation for an OTC by the illustrations (p = 0.005), and the impression of a simplified process of the OTC by the illustrations (p = 0.012).

Discussion: While the illustrations were well-accepted by the participants, significant differences were revealed between the valuation of single aspects by patients, depending on a previous experience with an OTC. Therefore, a leaflet with explanatory illustrations may be helpful in preparing patients for an OTC to support the digital patient–doctor contact.
Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization (THD) Anolift-Prospective Assessment of Safety and Efficacy
Authors: Giordano Pasquale , Schembari Elena
Published: September 2021

The adjunct of a mucopexy to conventional dearterialization has become a routine part of the transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization procedure in order to facilitate the management of the prolapsing component and has helped to expand the indications of this technique to more advanced stages of hemorrhoidal disease. A simple technical modification of THD with targeted mucopexy (TM), called Anolift, is described. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this technical variation. The procedure consisted of two parts: one aimed at the dearterialization and the other concentrated on the management of the prolapsing component. Once all the arteries were identified and transfixed an Anolift targeted mucopexy was performed using a continuous barbed suture with a synthetic absorbable monofilament (Polydioxanone) 2/0 Filbloc (Assut Europe) stitch mounted on a 4/8 30 mm needle. Severity of hemorrhoidal symptoms was scored from 0 to 20 using a dedicated questionnaire: the Hemorrhoidal Assessment Severity Score (HASS). From May 2018 to November 2020, 60 patients with hemorrhoidal disease (HD) underwent a THD Anolift procedure. Three patients experienced severe post-operative pain and 10 (23%) suffered with difficulty in evacuation. The median follow-up period was 15.5 months (range 2–32 months). The mean HASS changed from 16.43 pre-operatively to 1.95 post-operatively (p < 0.0001). Pre-operative HASS very strongly correlated with the degree of hemorrhoids (p < 0.001), while there was no correlation between the pre-operative HASS or the degree of hemorrhoids and the post-operative HASS (p = 0.163). There was no significant difference in predicted post-operative HASS according to the pre-operative HD stage. One patient (1.6%) with circumferential IV hemorrhoids had a recurrence and required a further THD. Two patients had excision of skin tags (3%). The Anolift technique is safe and effective for the management of HD even in patients with advanced stages.
Comparison of Different Surgical Methods for Necrotizing Pancreatitis: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xiao Jianguo , Quan Xiaojiao , Liu Fang , Li Wen
Published: September 2021

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness and safety of three methods of open necrosectomy, minimally invasive surgery and endoscopic step-up approach for necrotizing pancreatitis.

Methods: We searched Pubmed, Embase, ScienceDirect, and CNKI full text database (CNKI) (to December 25, 2019). RCT, prospective cohort study (PCS), and retrospective cohort study (RCS) comparing the effectiveness and safety of any two of above-mentioned three methods were included.

Results: There was no significant difference in major complications or death, and mortality between the minimally invasive surgery treatment group and the endoscopic step-up approach treatment group (RR = 1.66, 95%CI: 0.83–3.33, P = 0.15; RR = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.59–1.86, P = 0.87); the incidence rate of new-onset multiple organ failure, enterocutaneous fistula, pancreatic-cutaneous fistula, intra-abdominal bleeding, and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency in the endoscopic step-up approach treatment group was significantly lower than minimally invasive surgery group (RR = 2.65, 95%CI: 1.10–6.36, P = 0.03; RR = 6.63, 95%CI: 1.59–27.60, P = 0.009; RR = 7.73, 95%CI: 3.00–19.89, P < 0.0001; RR = 1.91, 95%CI: 1.13–3.24, P = 0.02; RR = 1.83, 95%CI: 1.9–3.16, P = 0.02); hospital stay in the endoscopic step-up approach group was significantly shorter than minimally invasive surgical treatment group (MD = 11.26, 95%CI: 5.46–17.05, P = 0.0001). The incidence of pancreatic-cutaneous fistula in the endoscopic escalation step therapy group was significantly lower than that in the open necrosectomy group (RR = 0.11, 95%CI: 0.02–0.58, P = 0.009).

Conclusion: Compared with minimally invasive surgery and open necrosectomy, although endoscopic step-up approach cannot reduce the main complications or death and mortality of patients, it can significantly reduce the incidence of some serious complications, such as pancreatic-cutaneous fistula, enterocutaneous fistula, intra-abdominal bleeding, endocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and can significantly shorten the patient's hospital stay.
Wind Tunnel Testing of ONERA-M, AGARD-B and HB-2 Standard Models at Off-Design Conditions
Authors: Damljanović Dijana , Vuković Đorđe , Ocokoljić Goran , Ilić Biljana , Rašuo Boško
Published: September 2021

Published results for standard wind tunnel models at non-standard test conditions are quite rare and/or may not be available. It has been found that those results are a useful aid in preparations for a number of wind tunnel tests in the Military Technical Institute (VTI) in Belgrade. Test campaigns of standard models at non-standard conditions are performed to serve as an internal database for future wind tunnel tests in such environments. Those tests, that partially overlap the referenced Mach number and/or angle of attack ranges, are conducted in different VTI’s test facilities; different model sizes and support stings were used. The standard models used in static measurements in VTI, ranging from simple missile shapes and re-entry bodies to complicated airplanes, are briefly described and sample non-standard test results are given. The correlation of the test results among models and facilities has been done with references in the available ranges, and, after confirming a good agreement, it is assumed that the results are also valid in the extended ranges of conditions. These results may be useful for researchers in other wind tunnel facilities and for those who handle CFD tools.
A Reductive Metabolic Switch Protects Infants with Transposition of Great Arteries Undergoing Atrial Septostomy against Oxidative Stress
Authors: Piñeiro-Ramos José David , Rahkonen Otto , Korpioja Virpi , Quintás Guillermo , Pihkala Jaana , Pitkänen-Argillander Olli , Rautiainen Paula , Andersson Sture , Kuligowski Julia , Vento Máximo
Published: September 2021

Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is one of the most common cyanotic congenital heart diseases requiring neonatal surgical intervention. Parallel circulations that result in impaired cerebral oxygen delivery already in utero may lead to brain damage and long-term neurodevelopmental delay. Balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) is often employed to mix deoxygenated and oxygenated blood at the atrial level. However, BAS causes a sudden increase in arterial blood oxygenation and oxidative stress. We studied changes in oxygen saturation as well as metabolic profiles of plasma samples from nine newborn infants suffering from TGA before and until 48 h after undergoing BAS. The plasma metabolome clearly changed over time and alterations of four metabolic pathways, including the pentose phosphate pathway, were linked to changes in the cerebral tissue oxygen extraction. In contrast, no changes in levels of lipid peroxidation biomarkers over time were observed. These observations suggest that metabolic adaptations buffer the free radical burst triggered by re-oxygenation, thereby avoiding structural damage at the macromolecular level. This study enhances our understanding of the complex response of infants with TGA to changes in oxygenation induced by BAS.
Uncovering Active Communities from Directed Graphs on Distributed Spark Frameworks, Case Study: Twitter Data
Authors: Moertini Veronica S. , Adithia Mariskha T.
Published: September 2021

Directed graphs can be prepared from big data containing peoples’ interaction information. In these graphs the vertices represent people, while the directed edges denote the interactions among them. The number of interactions at certain intervals can be included as the edges’ attribute. Thus, the larger the count, the more frequent the people (vertices) interact with each other. Subgraphs which have a count larger than a threshold value can be created from these graphs, and temporal active communities can then be mined from each of these subgraphs. Apache Spark has been recognized as a data processing framework that is fast and scalable for processing big data. It provides DataFrames, GraphFrames, and GraphX APIs which can be employed for analyzing big graphs. We propose three kinds of active communities, namely, Similar interest communities (SIC), Strong-interacting communities (SC), and Strong-interacting communities with their “inner circle” neighbors (SCIC), along with algorithms needed to uncover them. The algorithm design and implementation are based on these APIs. We conducted experiments on a Spark cluster using ten machines. The results show that our proposed algorithms are able to uncover active communities from public big graphs as well from Twitter data collected using Spark structured streaming. In some cases, the execution time of the algorithms that are based on GraphFrames’ motif findings is faster.