bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estrogen- and Progesterone (P4)-Mediated Epigenetic Modifications of Endometrial Stromal Cells (EnSCs) and/or Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSCs) in the Etiopathogenesis of Endometriosis
Authors: Szukiewicz Dariusz , Stangret Aleksandra , Ruiz-Ruiz Carmen , Olivares Enrique G. , Soriţău Olga , Suşman Sergiu , Szewczyk Grzegorz
Published: January 2021

Endometriosis is a common chronic inflammatory condition in which endometrial tissue appears outside the uterine cavity. Because ectopic endometriosis cells express both estrogen and progesterone (P4) receptors, they grow and undergo cyclic proliferation and breakdown similar to the endometrium. This debilitating gynecological disease affects up to 15% of reproductive aged women. Despite many years of research, the etiopathogenesis of endometrial lesions remains unclear. Retrograde transport of the viable menstrual endometrial cells with retained ability for attachment within the pelvic cavity, proliferation, differentiation and subsequent invasion into the surrounding tissue constitutes the rationale for widely accepted implantation theory. Accordingly, the most abundant cells in the endometrium are endometrial stromal cells (EnSCs). These cells constitute a particular population with clonogenic activity that resembles properties of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). Thus, a significant role of stem cell-based dysfunction in formation of the initial endometrial lesions is suspected. There is increasing evidence that the role of epigenetic mechanisms and processes in endometriosis have been underestimated. The importance of excess estrogen exposure and P4 resistance in epigenetic homeostasis failure in the endometrial/endometriotic tissue are crucial. Epigenetic alterations regarding transcription factors of estrogen and P4 signaling pathways in MSCs are robust in endometriotic tissue. Thus, perspectives for the future may include MSCs and EnSCs as the targets of epigenetic therapies in the prevention and treatment of endometriosis. Here, we reviewed the current known changes in the epigenetic background of EnSCs and MSCs due to estrogen/P4 imbalances in the context of etiopathogenesis of endometriosis.
Agglomeration economies, congestion diseconomies, and fertility dynamics in a two-region economy
Authors: Muroishi Madoka , Yakita Akira
Published: January 2021

Using a small, open, two-region economy model populated by two-period-lived overlapping generations, we analyze long-term agglomeration economy and congestion diseconomy effects of young worker concentration on migration and the overall fertility rate. When the migration-stability condition is satisfied, the distribution of young workers between regions is obtainable in each period for a predetermined population size. Results show that migration stability does not guarantee dynamic stability of the economy. The stationary population size stability depends on the model parameters and the initial population size. On a stable trajectory converging to the stationary equilibrium, the overall fertility rate might change non-monotonically with the population size of the economy because of interregional migration. In each period, interregional migration mitigates regional population changes caused by fertility differences on the stable path. Results show that the inter-regional migration-stability condition does not guarantee stability of the population dynamics of the economy.
Cardiovascular event risk estimated after coronary revascularization and optimal medical therapy: J-ACCESS4 prognostic study
Authors: Sakatani Tomohiko , Nakajima Kenichi , Fujita Hiroshi , Nishimura Tsunehiko
Published: January 2021

Background

An assessment of cardiac events and survival using quantitative gated myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) (J-ACCESS) associated several risk factors with cardiac events in Japan. The clinical course after revascularization and/or optimal medical therapy (OMT) was followed in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) at moderate-to-high risk estimated by software incorporating the J-ACCESS risk model. The present study aimed to determine the relevance of changes in estimated risk to outcomes of these therapies.

Methods

This study included 494 patients with possible or definite CAD who underwent initial pharmacological stress 99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) before and eight months after therapy. Major cardiac event risk during 3 years of follow-up was calculated using an equation based on that in the J-ACCESS study. Patients with ≥ 10% cardiac event risk estimated at the first MPS (n = 31) were analyzed and followed up for at least 1 year.

Results

Estimated risk was reduced by ≥ 5% in 14 patients (45%) after therapy. During a follow-up period of 22.1 ± 6.7 months, one patient without such reduction had a major cardiac event. Mean %summed stress scores significantly decreased from baseline to follow-up in patients with and without risk reduction. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF [%]) at rest was significantly increased at the second, compared with the first MPS between patients with, than without risk reduction (57 ± 17 vs. 45 ± 16%, p = 0.001 and 50 ± 11 vs. 49 ± 9%, p = 0.953, respectively).

Conclusions

A reduction in cardiac ischemia and an increase in LVEF by revascularization and/or OMT were necessary to avoid cardiac events among patients with moderate-to-high estimated risk, and changes in event risk were quantifiable.
The Exploration of the Uncanny Valley from the Viewpoint of the Robot’s Nonverbal Behaviour
Authors: Thepsoonthorn Chidchanok , Ogawa Ken-ichiro , Miyake Yoshihiro
Published: January 2021

Many studies have been conducted to find approaches to overcome the Uncanny Valley. However, the focus on the influence of the robot’s appearance leaves a big missing part: the influence of the robot’s nonverbal behaviour. This impedes the complete exploration of the Uncanny Valley. In this study, we explored the Uncanny Valley from the viewpoint of the robot’s nonverbal behaviour in regard to the Uncanny Valley hypothesis. We observed a relationship between the participants’ ratings on human-likeness of the robot’s nonverbal behavior and affinity toward the robot’s nonverbal behavior, and define the point where the affinity toward the robot’s nonverbal behavior significantly drops down as the Uncanny Valley. In this study, an experiment of human–robot interaction was conducted. The participants were asked to interact with a robot with different nonverbal behaviours, ranging from 0 (no nonverbal behavior, speaking only) to 3 (gaze, head nodding, and gestures) combinations and to rate the perceived human-likeness and affinity toward the robot’s nonverbal behavior by using a questionnaire. Additionally, the participants’ fixation duration was measured during the experiment. The result showed a biphasic relationship between human-likeness and affinity rating results. A curve resembling the Uncanny Valley is found. The result was also supported by participants’ fixation duration. It showed that the participants had the longest fixation at the robot when the robot expressed the nonverbal behaviours that fall into the Uncanny Valley. This exploratory study provides evidence suggesting the existence of the Uncanny Valley from the viewpoint of the robot’s nonverbal behaviour.
The Rise of the Roboid
Authors: Fortunati Leopoldina , Sorrentino Alessandra , Fiorini Laura , Cavallo Filippo
Published: January 2021

The aim of this paper is to analyze a new phenomenon that is emerging in the field of social robotics, which we name as “roboid”. The roboid is a robot that is still at the prototype stage but claims to be fully functioning. We argue that the roboid has been created to handle a new phase between the prototyping and the commercialization of robots. In this intermediate phase, a wide-spread promotional campaign is organized by robot producers, with the purpose of understanding the desires, needs, and suggestions of potential customers. We present the first case of a a highly human-like roboid named Sophia. We carried out the visual analysis of the content and the content-agnostic factors of a selection of 15 videos uploaded on YouTube on the social robot Sophia and a qualitative analysis of the textual component of these videos to investigate a selected part of the promotional campaign on Sophia. Furthermore, on the 23,810 comments that users have posted on these videos, we applied quantitative analysis to explore the observers’ opinions about Sophia. Results highlight that: (1) a powerful but potentially ridiculous narrative has been used to build the rhetoric of Sophia; (2) the comments on the videos are too poor to enable a co-construction of this social robot with the audiences (implicit intention of Hanson Robotics); (3) the introduction of the roboid might be a very good solution to reduce the uncertainties that may occur when a new robot moves directly from the laboratory to the market.
Susceptibility and residual effect of indoxacarb formulations on major soybean lepidopteran pests
Authors: da Silva Oliveira Marina Gomes , Serikawa Rosana Harumi , da Silva Fábio Maximiano Andrade , Fernandes Odair Aparecido
Published: January 2021

Chysodeixis includens and Helicoverpa armigera can negatively impact soybean yield due to defoliation and direct injury on the pods, respectively. Insecticides, such as indoxacarb, are still an important controlling tool to manage these insects. To support Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Insect Resistance Management (IRM) as well as to reduce product decantation during storage and nozzle clogging in field application, a new indoxacarb formulation (emulsifiable concentrate - EC) was developed to replace the suspension concentrate formulation (SC). The objective of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility and compare the residual effects of two indoxacarb formulations on C. includens and H. armigera on soybean. A dose-response curve and the residual effect from in-field application were obtained using a laboratory strain of both insect pests. Soybean leaflets were collected and dipped into aqueous indoxacarb solutions. The evaluations were performed 96 h after the infestation to calculate the insect mortality percentage and foliar damage. Also, plants were sprayed in the field and leaflets from mid and upper regions of the plants were collected and used to feed third-instar larvae of both species. Results demonstrated that C. includens and H. armigera are similary sensitive to indoxacarb. The residual activity was up to 1 h after application for H. armigera and up to 3 days for C. includens. No difference was observed on this activity between mid and upper regions of the plant. Overall, the enhanced EC formulation is as effective as the SC formulation for the control of both species on soybean.
Influence of temperature-viscosity behaviors of Karamay oil sand bitumen on the geomechanics in the SAGD process
Authors: Gao Yanfang , Chen Mian
Published: January 2021

Viscosity-temperature behavior is important for the thermal recovery of bitumen: firstly, it is a criterion for evaluating the evolution of mobility with temperature, which affects oil production; and secondly, it determines the role of bitumen in the geomechanics in oil sand reservoir. To quantitatively evaluate the effect of temperature on dynamic viscosity, some experimental and modeling investigations were conducted. The viscosity of Karamay oil sand bitumen over a temperature range of 20 ~ 350 °C was measured, and the viscosity-temperature behavior was simulated by a modified three-parameter model using the least square method. It was found that the viscosity of Karamay bitumen drops sharply with the temperature increase. The effect of bitumen viscosity on the geomechanics in the SAGD process was discussed in terms of reservoir deformation, fluid flow, and heat transfer behaviors. The reservoir deformation, fluid flow, and heat transfer behaviors at varying bitumen viscosity show significant differences in the drained, partially drained, and undrained geomechanical zones. The structure’s bulk modulus, effective stress, and volumetric strain in the drained zone are lower than those in the undrained zone; while the oil mobility and Peclet number show the opposite tendency. The changes in the structure’s bulk modulus, effective stress, volumetric strain, oil mobility, and Peclet number due to the phase change of bitumen increase with the increase of oil saturation. This study can provide the field engineers with guidance for the design of a proper oil recovery scheme before its implementation, and with a useful relation for the coupled thermal-flow-structure analyses.
Sanctified Sexual Relationships in Marriage: Reflections from Religious Wives and Husbands
Authors: Leavitt Chelom E. , Allsop David B. , Clarke Rebecca W. , Marks Loren D. , Dollahite David C.
Published: January 2021

Background

Religion and sex are both prominent elements of most people's lives. Most adults view both religion and sex as quite important in their lives. However, some research indicates that religion may negatively impact individuals’ perspectives on sex.

Purpose

We examined highly religious individuals’ spontaneous comments of the role of religion and sex in their lives and looked for themes in how sex and religion may be associated.

Methods

We conducted in-depth, qualitative interviews using a racially and ethnically diverse sample consisting of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish families comprised of 198 married heterosexual couples based on conjoint interviews with the husbands and wives. Couples were in long-term marriages (average 20 years) were interviewed together when most (93%) were in their 40s and 50s in 2001–2010. The topic of the nexus of religion and sexual relationships was not on the interview questionnaire but still surfaced in many of the interviews.

Results

We analyzed participants’ comments related to sex and found six themes that revealed these religious families’ perspectives on the purpose of sex, including: 1. The sanctity of sex; 2. The expression of sex is limited to marriage; 3. Sex strengthens the marriage; 4. Sex is for procreation; 5. Sex is just one component of a strong marriage; and 6. Religious beliefs can be damaging. Implications and applications are discussed.

Conclusions and Implications

This study also illustrates that how individuals, marriages, and families interpret and apply the teachings of their respective religion may have more to do with the influence of religion than their particular denomination or their religious attendance. Sexuality was viewed as a covenant, a higher purpose, a form of worship, or even a way to make God happy, but only within the bonds of marriage. Couples identified their sexual relationship with Godly characteristics and this provided a sense of power and sanctification. These findings may provide needed insight to religious couples about how and why sex and religion blend or create conflict.
The Role of Teachers' Social Networks in ICT-Based Instruction
Authors: Kim Jinhee , Pak Sejin , Cho Young Hoan
Published: January 2021

To scale up pedagogical innovation using information and communications technology (ICT), educators have shifted the focus of professional development from primarily an individualist endeavor to a collective approach including teachers' social networks (SNs). SNs have been found to be a major contributor to professional development and support, which in turn promote teachers' self-efficacy and improve their teaching practices. However, the effects of SNs in pedagogical innovation may vary depending on the structure of SNs and the quality of the interaction in a network. It is necessary to reconsider the assumption that the more networked teachers become, the better they teach students. This study aims to explore both the supportive and obstructive roles of teachers' SNs in scaling up ICT-based instruction through in-depth interviews with 14 primary school teachers (7 active and 7 passive ICT using teachers) in South Korea. This study found that some SNs played a positive role in supporting ICT-based instruction and professional development, whereas some imposed constraints on using ICT for teaching and learning. Teachers who actively conducted ICT-based instruction were likely to have appropriate countermeasures to obstructive SNs. This study suggests that systematic supports are necessary to help teachers expand their supportive SNs in and out of schools and to develop professional competencies to overcome the negative impacts of obstructive SNs.
Being useful among persons aged over 65: social representations from a cross-sectional European study
Authors: de Boissieu Paul , Guerin Serge , Suissa Véronique , Ecarnot Fiona , Letty Aude , Sanchez Stéphane
Published: January 2021

Background

There is a compelling need to prepare our societies and healthcare systems to deal with the oncoming wave of population ageing. The majority of older persons maintain a desire to be valued and useful members of society and of their social networks.

Aims

We sought to investigate the perception of usefulness among persons aged 65 years and over in four European countries.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional survey with a representative sample of individuals aged 65 years or older from the population of retired persons (including recently retired persons and oldest-old individuals) from 4 European countries selected using quota sampling. In February 2016, an internet questionnaire was sent to all selected individuals. The characteristics used for the quota sampling method were sex, age, socio-professional category, region, city size, number of persons in household, autonomy, marital status, place of residence, income and educational status. The questionnaire contained 57 questions. Sociodemographic characteristics were recorded. Responses were analysed with principal components analysis (PCA).

Results

A total of 4025 persons participated; 51% were males, and 70% were aged 65–75 years. PCA identified six classes of individuals, of which two classes (Classes 2 and 3) were characterized by more socially isolated individuals with little or no sense of usefulness, low self-esteem and a poor sense of well-being. These two classes accounted for almost 20% of the population. Younger and more autonomous classes reported a more salient sense of usefulness.

Conclusions

The loss of the sense of usefulness is associated with dissatisfaction with life and a loss of pleasure, and persons with profiles corresponding to Classes 2 and 3 should, therefore, be targeted for interventions aimed at restoring social links.
Secure-user sign-in authentication for IoT-based eHealth systems
Authors: Deebak B. D. , Al-Turjman Fadi
Published: January 2021

Sustainable Computing has advanced the technological evolution of the Internet and information-based communication technology. It is nowadays emerging in the form of the Cloud of Medical Things (CoMT) to develop smart healthcare systems. The academic community has lately made great strides for the development of security for the CoMT based application systems, such as e-healthcare systems, industrial automation systems, military surveillance systems, and so on. To the architecture of CoMT based Smart Environment, Chebyshev Chaotic-Map based single-user sign-in (S-USI) is found as a significant security-control mechanism. To ensure the fidelity, the S-USI assigns a unary-token to the legal users to access the various services, provided by a service provider over an IP-enabled distributed networks. Numerous authentication mechanisms have been presented for the cloud-based distributed networks. However, most of the schemes are still persuasible to security threats, such as user-anonymity, privileged-insider, mutual authentication, and replay type of attacks. This paper applies a sensor/sensor-tag based smart healthcare environment that uses S-USI to provide security and privacy. To strengthen the authentication process, a robust secure based S-USI mechanism and a well-formed coexistence protocol proof for pervasive services in the cloud are proposed. Using the formal security analysis, the prominence of the proposed strategies is proven to show the security efficiency of proposed S-USI. From the formal verification, the comparison results demonstrate that the proposed S-USI consumes less computation overhead; and thus it can be more suitable for the telecare medical information systems.
Prioritization of public services for digitalization using fuzzy Z-AHP and fuzzy Z-WASPAS
Authors: Sergi Duygu , Ucal Sari Irem
Published: January 2021

In this paper, public services are analyzed for implementations of Industry 4.0 tools to satisfy citizen expectations. To be able to prioritize public services for digitalization, fuzzy Z-AHP and fuzzy Z-WASPAS are used in the analysis. The decision criteria are determined as reduced cost, fast response, ease of accessibility, reduced service times, increase in the available information and increased quality. After obtaining criteria weights using fuzzy Z-AHP, health care services, waste disposal department, public transportation, information services, social care services, and citizen complaints resolution centers are compared using fuzzy Z-WASPAS that is proposed for the first time in this paper. Results show that health care services have dominant importance for the digitalization among public services.
Creating proactive behavior for the risk assessment by considering expert evaluation: a case of textile manufacturing plant
Authors: Karasan Ali , Erdogan Melike
Published: January 2021

Applying risk assessment approaches to improve quality in enterprises is of great importance especially for sectors that are labor-intensive and thus frequently encountered failures. One of the methods frequently used to take precautions against failures caused by high variability in this type of sector is failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA). In this study, a hybrid FMEA approach is proposed so as to take measures against failures in the textile sector where there are high-quality differences due to its structure and failures frequently occurred. Since the different combinations of risk parameters’ scores may produce the same risk degree based on the function of the FMEA’s basis, misleading results for the risk analysis in the practical risk management can be occurred. Moreover, the risk priority number (RPN) function has a limitation in the weight determining process, since it assigns the equal weight for each risk parameter in the classical FMEA. To overcome these shortcomings in the RPN calculation for the risks in the FMEA approach, a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach is applied under the framework of fuzzy logic. Through that, in this study, we aimed to prove an expert system based on the rules that specifically focusing on the risk sources of the woven fabric industry. To create such a rule-based system, inputs are generated using fuzzy AHP and modified fuzzy TOPSIS. A case study is carried out with the method proposed in a textile mill, and it is determined which risks arising from failures are higher. For the validation of the results, a comparative analysis is conducted. Moreover, for the robustness of the decisions, one-at-a-time sensitivity analysis with respect to different scenarios are applied. As a result of the analyses, it is shown that our proposed model can be used as an efficient proactive risk calculator for the managers or researchers to make useful inferences, judgments, and decisions of the production processes for eliminating the shortcomings of the traditional FMEA.
Machine learning based soft sensor model for BOD estimation using intelligence at edge
Authors: Pattnaik Bhawani Shankar , Pattanayak Arunima Sambhuta , Udgata Siba Kumar , Panda Ajit Kumar
Published: January 2021

Real-time water quality monitoring is a complex system as it involves many quality parameters to be monitored, the nature of these parameters, and non-linear interdependence between themselves. Intelligent algorithms crucial in building intelligent systems are good candidates for building a reliable and convenient monitoring system. To analyze water quality, we need to understand, model, and monitor the water pollution in real time using different online water quality sensors through an Internet of things framework. However, many water quality parameters cannot be easily measured online due to several reasons such as high-cost sensors, low sampling rate, multiple processing stages by few heterogeneous sensors, the requirement of frequent cleaning and calibration, and spatial and application dependency among different water bodies. A soft sensor is an efficient and convenient alternative approach for water quality monitoring. In this paper, we propose a machine learning-based soft sensor model to estimate biological oxygen demand (BOD), a time-consuming and challenging process to measure. We also propose a system architecture for implementing the soft sensor both on the cloud and edge layers, so that the edge device can make adaptive decisions in real time by monitoring the quality of water. A comparative study between the computational performance of edge and cloud nodes in terms of prediction accuracy, learning time, and decision time for different machine learning (ML) algorithms is also presented. This paper establishes that BOD soft sensors are efficient, less costly, and reasonably accurate with an example of a real-life application. Here, the IBK ML technique proves to be the most efficient in predicting BOD. The experimental setup uses 100 test readings of STP water samples to evaluate the performance of the IBK technique, and the statistical measures are reported as correlation coefficient = 0.9273, MAE = 0.082, RMSE = 0.1994, RAE = 17.20%, RRSE = 37.62%, and edge response time = 0.15 s only.
Event Classification with Quantum Machine Learning in High-Energy Physics
Authors: Terashi Koji , Kaneda Michiru , Kishimoto Tomoe , Saito Masahiko , Sawada Ryu , Tanaka Junichi
Published: January 2021

We present studies of quantum algorithms exploiting machine learning to classify events of interest from background events, one of the most representative machine learning applications in high-energy physics. We focus on variational quantum approach to learn the properties of input data and evaluate the performance of the event classification using both simulators and quantum computing devices. Comparison of the performance with standard multi-variate classification techniques based on a boosted-decision tree and a deep neural network using classical computers shows that the quantum algorithm has comparable performance with the standard techniques at the considered ranges of the number of input variables and the size of training samples. The variational quantum algorithm is tested with quantum computers, demonstrating that the discrimination of interesting events from background is feasible. Characteristic behaviors observed during a learning process using quantum circuits with extended gate structures are discussed, as well as the implications of the current performance to the application in high-energy physics experiments.
Spring-Arrangement Effect on Flow-Induced Vibration of a Circular Cylinder
Authors: Yamada Koki , Shigeyoshi Yuga , Chen Shuangjing , Nishi Yoshiki
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This study elucidated the effect of an inclined spring arrangement on the flow-induced vibration of a circular cylinder to understand if the effect enhances the harnessing of the energy of fluid flows.

Method

An experiment was conducted on a circulating water channel. A circular cylinder was partially submerged. It was elastically supported by two springs whose longitudinal directions were varied. With the speed of the water flow varied, the vibrations of the circular cylinder were measured. The measured vibrations were interpreted by la linear dynamic model.

Results and discussion

In a few cases, a jump in response amplitudes from zero to the maximum was observed with the spring inclination at reduced velocities of 6 to 7, whereas gradually increasing response amplitudes were observed in other cases. The inclined spring arrangement achieved greater velocity amplitudes than in cases without spring inclination. A theoretical evaluation of the measured responses indicates that the effect of the inclined springs was caused by geometric nonlinearity; the effect would be more prominent by employing a longer moment lever.
Species and potential sources of phosphorus in groundwater in and around Mataram City, Lombok Island, Indonesia
Authors: Ioka Seiichiro , Onodera Shin-ichi , Saito Mitsuyo , Rusydi Anna , Bakti Hendra , Wakasa Sachi A.
Published: January 2021

Geochemical evaluation of the species and potential sources of P in groundwater in and around Mataram City, Lombok Island, Indonesia can aid in the initial research on evaluating the fate of P when detailed geological information is unavailable. The results of ion chromatography and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy show that the concentrations of PO43– and total dissolved P (TDP) in groundwater range from approximately 0.1 to 8.5 mg l–1 and from 0.04 to 2.95 mg l–1, respectively. Dissolved inorganic P accounted for 86%, on average, of the TDP concentration, and PO43– represented the predominant P species in this groundwater. The potential sources for most of this dissolved PO43–, according to indices developed based on the PHREEQC software and groundwater quality data, could be the dissolution of hydroxyapatite and/or vivianite minerals. However, the potential sources of dissolved PO43– in groundwater with a TDP concentration of ≥ 1 mg l–1 is likely to be the reduction of Fe(III)–(hydro)oxides, the initial decomposition of organic matter, or the dissolution of carbonate-rich fluorapatite considering the Fe2+, dissolved organic carbon, Ca2+ and F− concentrations measured. In addition, as several groundwater samples had a TDP concentration of ≤ 1 mg l–1 and comparatively high concentration of NO3–, other potential sources of dissolved PO43– in this groundwater could be anthropogenic.
Optoelectronic properties of highly porous silver oxide thin film
Authors: Al-Sarraj Ahmad , Saoud Khaled M. , Elmel Abdelaziz , Mansour Said , Haik Yousef
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we report oxidation time effect on highly porous silver oxide nanowires thin films fabricated using ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and oxygen plasma etching method. The NW’s morphological, electrical, and optical properties were investigated under different plasma etching periods and the number of deposition cycles. The increase of plasma etching and oxidation time increases the surface roughness of the Ag NWs until it fused to form a porous thin film of silver oxide. AgNWs based thin films were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, and UV–Vis spectroscopy techniques. The obtained results indicate the formation of mixed mesoporous Ag2O and AgO NW thin films. The Ag2O phase of silver oxide appears after 300 s of oxidation under the same conditions, while the optical transparency of the thin film decreases as plasma etching time increases. The sheet resistance of the final film is influenced by the oxidation time and the plasma application periodicity.

Graphic abstract
Microencapsulation of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using Plumeria leaf extract and kinetic studies in the release of ZnO-NPs from microcapsules
Authors: Halanayake Kalana D. , Kalutharage Nishantha K. , Hewage Jinasena W.
Published: January 2021

Biosynthesis using plant extract is known as one of the potential techniques to synthesize different zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) in different size ranges. ZnO-NPs were synthesized using Plumeria leaf extract with laboratory chemical reagent Zn(CH3COO)2 and followed by the micro-encapsulation of biosynthesized ZnO-NPs using chitosan and cellulose with TEOF as a cross-linker employing freeze gelation method. Both neat and encapsulated ZnO-NPs have been characterized by FT-IR, UV spectroscopy, XRD, and SEM techniques. The UV-spectroscopic analysis confirmed the characteristic band of ZnO-NPs at 356.0 nm, and FIIR showed the peaks at 544 cm−1 and 545 cm−1 corresponding to the Zn–O bond. Powder XRD pattern showed the wurtzite structure of ZnO and gave the calculated average crystallite size as of 27.23 nm. In the case of encapsulated ZnO-NPs, the UV–visible spectrum showed two strong absorption peaks at 232.5 nm, 242.5 nm, and a weak peak at 357 nm. A broad peak at 3333 cm−1 in FT-IR spectra is either due to N–H stretching in the amide group of chitosan or hydroxyl group in encapsulated ZnO-NPs. It was observed that chitosan loaded ZnO-NPs had higher entrapment efficiency (81.98%) at 15 mL of plant extract. The kinetic profile in the release of ZnO particles out from encapsulated ZnO-NPs was observed to follow four kinetic paths in 120 min at pH 1.2. The particle release followed the zero-order kinetic in the first 50 min and then followed by Hixson–Crowell kinetic in the next 50 min with two different rate constants, 2.6 × 10−3 min−1 and 13 × 10−3 min−1, before it backs to the zero-order kinetics. This study shows that ZnO nanoparticles can easily be biosynthesized and encapsulated for use in the pharmaceutical industry.
Spinal mechanisms contributing to the development of pain hypersensitivity induced by sphingolipids in the rat
Authors: Wei Hong , Chen Zuyue , Koivisto Ari , Pertovaara Antti
Published: January 2021

Background

Earlier studies show that endogenous sphingolipids can induce pain hypersensitivity, activation of spinal astrocytes, release of proinflammatory cytokines and activation of TRPM3 channel. Here we studied whether the development of pain hypersensitivity induced by sphingolipids in the spinal cord can be prevented by pharmacological inhibition of potential downstream mechanisms that we hypothesized to include TRPM3, σ1 and NMDA receptors, gap junctions and D-amino acid oxidase.

Methods

Experiments were performed in adult male rats with a chronic intrathecal catheter for spinal drug administrations. Mechanical nociception was assessed with monofilaments and heat nociception with radiant heat. N,N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS) was administered to induce pain hypersensitivity. Ononetin, isosakuranetin, naringenin (TRPM3 antagonists), BD-1047 (σ1 receptor antagonist), carbenoxolone (a gap junction decoupler), MK-801 (NMDA receptor antagonist) and AS-057278 (inhibitor of D-amino acid oxidase, DAAO) were used to prevent the DMS-induced hypersensitivity, and pregnenolone sulphate (TRPM3 agonist) to recapitulate hypersensitivity.

Results

DMS alone produced within 15 min a dose-related mechanical hypersensitivity that lasted at least 24 h, without effect on heat nociception. Preemptive treatments with ononetin, isosakuranetin, naringenin, BD-1047, carbenoxolone, MK-801 or AS-057278 attenuated the development of the DMS-induced hypersensitivity, but had no effects when administered alone. Pregnenolone sulphate (TRPM3 agonist) alone induced a dose-related mechanical hypersensitivity that was prevented by ononetin, isosakuranetin and naringenin.

Conclusions

Among spinal pronociceptive mechanisms activated by DMS are TRPM3, gap junction coupling, the σ1 and NMDA receptors, and DAAO.
What still presents urgently to ENT during a pandemic? Experience of an ENT rapid access clinic during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic
Authors: Stubington T J , Morrison B , Sevilla C , Judd O
Published: January 2021

Objectives

This study sought to determine the conditions that still present to ENT despite government advice to avoid unnecessary travel. It also assessed the impact of social distancing on pathologies presenting to ENT and reviewed the usefulness of telephone consultations in semi-urgent presentations.

Method

A retrospective review was conducted of 97 instances of patient care carried out in the rapid access ENT clinic at a large district general hospital.

Results

Otitis externa and foreign bodies represented 25 per cent and 13 per cent of consultations respectively. Tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess were uncommon, representing 6 per cent of total consultations. Telephone appointments represented only 28 per cent of total consultations; however, they appeared to reduce the number of physical appointments required.

Conclusion

Otitis externa and foreign bodies continue to be common during the pandemic. Social distancing measures reduced the number of tonsillitis and quinsy presentations. Telephone consultations are effective for certain urgent presentations to ENT, most noticeably nasal trauma and follow up of non-serious pathologies.
Impact of a paediatric cardiac rehabilitation programme upon patient quality of life
Authors: Kroll Kristin H. , Kovach Joshua R. , Ginde Salil , Jacobsen Roni M. , Danduran Michael , Foster Andrea , Brosig Cheryl L.
Published: January 2021

Introduction:

Cardiac rehabilitation programmes for paediatric patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) have been shown to promote emotional and physical health without any associated adverse events. While prior studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of these types of interventions, there has been limited research into how the inclusion of psychological interventions as part of the programme impacts parent-reported and patient-reported quality of life.

Materials and methods:

Patients between the ages of 7 and 24 years with CHD completed a cardiac rehabilitation programme that followed a flexible structure of four in person-visits with various multidisciplinary team members, including paediatric psychologists. Changes in scores from the earliest to the latest session were assessed regarding exercise capacity, patient functioning (social, emotional, school, psychosocial), patient general and cardiac-related quality of life, patient self-concept, and patient behavioural/emotional problems.

Results:

From their baseline to final session, patients exhibited significant improvement in exercise capacity (p = 0.00009). Parents reported improvement in the patient’s emotional functioning, social functioning, school functioning, psychosocial functioning, cognitive functioning, communication, and overall quality of life. While patients did not report improvement in these above areas, they did report perceived improvement in certain aspects of cardiac-related quality of life and self-concept.

Discussion:

This paediatric cardiac rehabilitation programme, which included regular consultations with paediatric psychologists, was associated with divergent perceptions by parents and patients on improvement related to quality of life and other aspects of functioning despite improvement in exercise capacity. Further investigation is recommended to identify underlying factors associated with the differing perceptions of parents and patients.
Targeting TGFβ signal transduction for cancer therapy
Authors: Liu Sijia , Ren Jiang , ten Dijke Peter
Published: January 2021

Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) family members are structurally and functionally related cytokines that have diverse effects on the regulation of cell fate during embryonic development and in the maintenance of adult tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of TGFβ family signaling can lead to a plethora of developmental disorders and diseases, including cancer, immune dysfunction, and fibrosis. In this review, we focus on TGFβ, a well-characterized family member that has a dichotomous role in cancer progression, acting in early stages as a tumor suppressor and in late stages as a tumor promoter. The functions of TGFβ are not limited to the regulation of proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and metastasis of cancer cells. Recent reports have related TGFβ to effects on cells that are present in the tumor microenvironment through the stimulation of extracellular matrix deposition, promotion of angiogenesis, and suppression of the anti-tumor immune reaction. The pro-oncogenic roles of TGFβ have attracted considerable attention because their intervention provides a therapeutic approach for cancer patients. However, the critical function of TGFβ in maintaining tissue homeostasis makes targeting TGFβ a challenge. Here, we review the pleiotropic functions of TGFβ in cancer initiation and progression, summarize the recent clinical advancements regarding TGFβ signaling interventions for cancer treatment, and discuss the remaining challenges and opportunities related to targeting this pathway. We provide a perspective on synergistic therapies that combine anti-TGFβ therapy with cytotoxic chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy.
Lack of an association between gallstone disease and bilirubin levels with risk of colorectal cancer: a Mendelian randomisation analysis
Authors: Culliford Richard , Cornish Alex J. , Law Philip J. , Farrington Susan M. , Palin Kimmo , Jenkins Mark A. , Casey Graham , Hoffmeister Michael , Brenner Hermann , Chang-Claude Jenny , Kirac Iva , Maughan Tim , Brezina Stefanie , Gsur Andrea , Cheadle Jeremy P. , Aaltonen Lauri A. , Dunlop Malcom G. , Houlston Richard S.
Published: January 2021

Background

Epidemiological studies of the relationship between gallstone disease and circulating levels of bilirubin with risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) have been inconsistent. To address possible confounding and reverse causation, we examine the relationship between these potential risk factors and CRC using Mendelian randomisation (MR).

Methods

We used two-sample MR to examine the relationship between genetic liability to gallstone disease and circulating levels of bilirubin with CRC in 26,397 patients and 41,481 controls. We calculated the odds ratio per genetically predicted SD unit increase in log bilirubin levels (ORSD) for CRC and tested for a non-zero causal effect of gallstones on CRC. Sensitivity analysis was applied to identify violations of estimator assumptions.

Results

No association between either gallstone disease (P value = 0.60) or circulating levels of bilirubin (ORSD = 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.96–1.03, P value = 0.90) with CRC was shown.

Conclusions

Despite the large scale of this study, we found no evidence for a causal relationship between either circulating levels of bilirubin or gallstone disease with risk of developing CRC. While the magnitude of effect suggested by some observational studies can confidently be excluded, we cannot exclude the possibility of smaller effect sizes and non-linear relationships.
Genetic analysis of ALS cases in the isolated island population of Malta
Authors: Borg Rebecca , Farrugia Wismayer Maia , Bonavia Karl , Farrugia Wismayer Andrew , Vella Malcolm , van Vugt Joke J. F. A. , Kenna Brendan J. , Kenna Kevin P. , Vassallo Neville , Veldink Jan H. , Cauchi Ruben J.
Published: January 2021

Genetic isolates are compelling tools for mapping genes of inherited disorders. The archipelago of Malta, a sovereign microstate in the south of Europe is home to a geographically and culturally isolated population. Here, we investigate the epidemiology and genetic profile of Maltese patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), identified throughout a 2-year window. Cases were largely male (66.7%) with a predominant spinal onset of symptoms (70.8%). Disease onset occurred around mid-age (median age: 64 years, men; 59.5 years, female); 12.5% had familial ALS (fALS). Annual incidence rate was 2.48 (95% CI 1.59–3.68) per 100,000 person-years. Male-to-female incidence ratio was 1.93:1. Prevalence was 3.44 (95% CI 2.01–5.52) cases per 100,000 inhabitants on 31st December 2018. Whole-genome sequencing allowed us to determine rare DNA variants that change the protein-coding sequence of ALS-associated genes. Interestingly, the Maltese ALS patient cohort was found to be negative for deleterious variants in C9orf72, SOD1, TARDBP or FUS genes, which are the most commonly mutated ALS genes globally. Nonetheless, ALS-associated repeat expansions were identified in ATXN2 and NIPA1. Variants predicted to be damaging were also detected in ALS2, DAO, DCTN1, ERBB4, SETX, SCFD1 and SPG11. A total of 40% of patients with sporadic ALS had a rare and deleterious variant or repeat expansion in an ALS-associated gene, whilst the genetic cause of two thirds of fALS cases could not be pinpointed to known ALS genes or risk loci. This warrants further studies to elucidate novel genes that cause ALS in this unique population isolate.
Parental mosaicism in Marfan and Ehlers–Danlos syndromes and related disorders
Authors: Chesneau Bertrand , Plancke Aurélie , Rolland Guillaume , Chassaing Nicolas , Coubes Christine , Brischoux-Boucher Elise , Edouard Thomas , Dulac Yves , Aubert-Mucca Marion , Lavabre-Bertrand Thierry , Plaisancié Julie , Khau Van Kien Philippe
Published: January 2021

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a heritable connective tissue disorder (HCTD) caused by pathogenic variants in FBN1 that frequently occur de novo. Although individuals with somatogonadal mosaicisms have been reported with respect to MFS and other HCTD, the overall frequency of parental mosaicism in this pathology is unknown. In an attempt to estimate this frequency, we reviewed all the 333 patients with a disease-causing variant in FBN1. We then used direct sequencing, combined with High Resolution Melting Analysis, to detect mosaicism in their parents, complemented by NGS when a mosaicism was objectivized. We found that (1) the number of apparently de novo events is much higher than the classically admitted number (around 50% of patients and not 25% as expected for FBN1) and (2) around 5% of the FBN1 disease-causing variants were not actually de novo as anticipated, but inherited in a context of somatogonadal mosaicisms revealed in parents from three families. High Resolution Melting Analysis and NGS were more efficient at detecting and evaluating the level of mosaicism compared to direct Sanger sequencing. We also investigated individuals with a causal variant in another gene identified through our “aortic diseases genes” NGS panel and report, for the first time, on an individual with a somatogonadal mosaicism in COL5A1. Our study shows that parental mosaicism is not that rare in Marfan syndrome and should be investigated with appropriate methods given its implications in patient’s management.
ILB® resolves inflammatory scarring and promotes functional tissue repair
Authors: Hill Lisa J. , Botfield Hannah F. , Begum Ghazala , Qureshi Omar , Vigneswara Vasanthy , Masood Imran , Barnes Nicholas M. , Bruce Lars , Logan Ann
Published: January 2021

Fibrotic disease is a major cause of mortality worldwide, with fibrosis arising from prolonged inflammation and aberrant extracellular matrix dynamics. Compromised cellular and tissue repair processes following injury, infection, metabolic dysfunction, autoimmune conditions and vascular diseases leave tissues susceptible to unresolved inflammation, fibrogenesis, loss of function and scarring. There has been limited clinical success with therapies for inflammatory and fibrotic diseases such that there remains a large unmet therapeutic need to restore normal tissue homoeostasis without detrimental side effects. We investigated the effects of a newly formulated low molecular weight dextran sulfate (LMW-DS), termed ILB®, to resolve inflammation and activate matrix remodelling in rodent and human disease models. We demonstrated modulation of the expression of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in vitro together with scar resolution and improved matrix remodelling in vivo. Of particular relevance, we demonstrated that ILB® acts, in part, by downregulating transforming growth factor (TGF)β signalling genes and by altering gene expression relating to extracellular matrix dynamics, leading to tissue remodelling, reduced fibrosis and functional tissue regeneration. These observations indicate the potential of ILB® to alleviate fibrotic diseases.
Magnetic relaxation in a Co(ii) chain complex: synthesis, structure, and DFT computational coupling constant
Authors: Wu Wen-Hao , Wang Ya-Qun , Mi Hong-Li , Xue Qing-Xuan , Shao Feng , Shen Fei , Yang Feng-Lei
Published: January 2021

We report a homospin non-solvated CoII chain compound constructed by two similar tridentate ligands and chloride ions, which displays slow magnetic relaxation below 5 K.