bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 and dengue: a deadly duo
Authors: Ridwan Raiiq
Published: June 2020

While COVID-19 wreaks havoc across the world, countries in South and South-East Asia and Latin America are faced with the prospect of a second epidemic: dengue. Further complicating the picture is that the early signs and symptoms of dengue and COVID-19 could be similar, making it a risk that patients may be wrongly diagnosed early in the course of disease. This is confounded further by a report from Singapore of false-positive dengue antibody testing in two COVID-19 patients, and the presence of co-infection of dengue and COVID-19 in Thailand. Unless urgent measures are taken, there is a risk that dengue and COVID-19 could overwhelm healthcare systems across multiple countries.
Effect of carbon nanotubes and nanodiamonds on the heat storage ability of natural rubber composites
Authors: Poikelispää Minna , Honkanen Mari , Vippola Minnamari , Sarlin Essi
Published: June 2020

Phase change materials are utilized in heat storage applications, as they have high latent heat during the phase transition. In addition, high thermal conductivity is required from the heat storage materials to achieve high energy efficiency. In this study, the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanodiamonds (NDs) on the thermal conductivity and the heat storage capacity of the paraffin–natural rubber composites was studied. It was found that the CNTs work better than NDs in such composites. They increase thermal conductivity significantly and thus improve the heat transfer rate of the composite. They were also found to prevent the migration of paraffin out of the rubber during the vulcanization process, which increases the lifetime of the composite.
Social Goals in the Theory of the Firm: A Systems Theory View
Authors: Valentinov Vladislav , Roth Steffen , Pies Ingo
Published: June 2020

Drawing on Luhmannian social systems theory, this article revisits the single- versus multiple-objective debate on the theory of the firm. Firms are conceptualized as complexity reducing systems structurally coupled with potentially risky environments, and profit maximization is considered as a complexity reduction strategy for making sense of these environments. Whereas single-objective approaches reflect cases when environmental risks do not materialize into corporate sustainability problems, multiple-objective approaches address these problems by increasing the corporation’s environmental responsiveness beyond the profit maximization function. Our systems-theoretic framework therefore identifies the common ground between the two approaches and draws attention to the circumstances under which they can claim validity.
Research on tobacco foreign body detection device based on machine vision
Authors: Chao Mi , Kai Chen , Zhiwei Zhang
Published: June 2020

Foreign body detection is an important aspect that affects the quality of tobacco production. This paper describes a direct foreign body detection scheme using machine vision, which uses three cameras arranged around a tobacco bale to record its multiple surfaces and directly identify foreign bodies. In this study, color sorting table method (CSTM) was first used to identify and remove color-sensitive foreign bodies; thereafter, gray threshold method and double threshold method were used to further identify and remove foreign bodies with similar colors. The experimental results indicate that the multi-step hybrid identification method proposed herein can effectively identify and remove various foreign bodies in the production process of tobacco packs, with an accuracy rate of 97.8%, which meets the industrial requirements for foreign body detection. Compared with various existing devices and methods, it has the advantages of high detection efficiency and low cost.
Enhanced nonparametric control charts under simple and ranked set sampling schemes
Authors: Abbas Zameer , Nazir Hafiz Zafar , Abid Muhammad , Akhtar Noureen , Riaz Muhammad
Published: June 2020

Investigation and removal of unnatural variation in the processes of manufacturing, production and services require application of statistical process control. Control charts are the most famous and commonly used statistical process control tools to trace changes in the manufacturing and nonmanufacturing processes parameter(s). The nonparametric control charts become necessary when the distribution of underlying process is unknown or questionable. The nonparametric charts are robust alternative along with holding property of quick shift detection ability in process parameter(s). In this article, we have proposed nonparametric double exponentially weighted moving average chart based on Wilcoxon signed rank test under simple and ranked set sampling schemes for efficient monitoring of the process location. The proposed control charts are compared with classical exponentially weighted moving average, double exponentially weighted moving average, nonparametric exponentially weighted moving average sign, nonparametric exponentially weighted moving average signed rank, nonparametric cumulative sum signed rank charts using average run length and some other characteristics of run length distribution as performance measures. Comparison reveals that the proposed control charts performs better to detect all kinds of shifts in the process location than existing counterparts. A real-life application related to manufacturing process (the variable of interest is the diameter of piston ring) is also provided for the practical implementation of the proposed chart.
Dual-loop generalized predictive control method for two-phase three-wire railway active power quality controller
Authors: Kaleybar Hamed Jafari , Brenna Morris , Foiadelli Federica
Published: June 2020

One of the most challenging topics in electric railway networks (ERNs) is power quality (PQ) problems caused by single-phase feeding of time-varying and high-power locomotives. During previous years, many techniques and compensators have been offered to alleviate these problems. Railway active power quality controller (RAPQC) is considered as one of the most efficient approaches. Due to the time-variant, uncertainty and distorted features of ERNs, the controlling of RAPQCs has always been a substantial concern to experts. This paper presents, a new robust control system for two-phase three-wire RAPQC (ThRAPQC) based on generalized model predictive control integrated with modified instantaneous reactive power theory (GMPC-MIRP). A dual-loop balancing system has been adopted in the proposed control system to equalize the active powers of traction power substation (TPSS) adjacent feeders, compensate reactive powers and suppress harmonic simultaneously. The performance of the proposed method in comparison with the conventional Fryze-Buchholz-Depenbrock (FBD)-based current strategy together with hysteresis current controller (FBD-HCC) has been evaluated through the detailed simulations and Opal-RT 5600-based laboratory setup results. The fast response, high precision, lower fluctuation in reference current tracking and high capability of working in distorted conditions are the outstanding privileges of the proposed method that are confirmed by the output results.
An improved active power direction method for harmonic source identification
Authors: Joshi Pragya , Jain Sachin K
Published: June 2020

Due to significant increment in harmonic polluting loads in the power system, there has been enhanced attention of the power professionals towards the estimation of harmonic signals and identification of their sources in the system. Harmonic source identification is an important step for proper accountability, monitoring, and mitigation of any harmonic pollution. The active power direction (APD) method is one of the conventional approaches for harmonic source detection in the distribution system. Although it is simple and easy to implement, serious concerns were raised on its validity, as the direction of active power is dependent on the phase angle. In this paper, APD is augmented with distorting and non-distorting power to improve its accuracy and reliability for harmonic source identification. The distorting and non-distorting portions of the loads are separated, and the distorting and non-distorting powers are calculated at each node. These calculated powers, in addition to the direction of the harmonic active power, are used to formulate the logic required for deciding the severity index at each node. The validity of the method has been tested on a single-phase network, an IEEE-5 bus system, and an IEEE-14 bus system. It has been observed that the proposed method provides good results than conventional APD with the same measurement requirement.
(Un)Democratic change and use of social sanctions for domestic politics: Council of Europe monitoring in Turkey
Authors: Soyaltin-Colella Digdem
Published: June 2020

Monitoring is the formal instrument through which the Council of Europe imposes social sanctions on its member countries by publicly exposing their wrongdoings. As a soft governance tool, monitoring is argued to have a limited impact on state policies. Yet, in Turkey, Council of Europe monitoring worked to promote pro-democratic change and then backfired through the escalation of authoritarian practices. This article shows that being subjected to Council of Europe monitoring can lead to democratic change if and when its sanctioning requirements fit the political agenda of the incumbents and empower them against domestic opponents. In the case of misfit, the political costs of aligning with the Regional Organisations’ sanctions increase for governments at home. Yet, as the Turkish case indicates, the outcome has not been inertia but rather the reverse as the government used the Council of Europe’s social sanctions to legitimise its undemocratic measures until it regained power in internal political struggles.
Making Evidence-Based Interventions Relevant for Users: A Comparison of Requirements for Dissemination Readiness Across Program Registries
Authors: Buckley Pamela R. , Fagan Abigail A. , Pampel Fred C. , Hill Karl G.
Published: June 2020

This study compares prevention program registries in current use on their level of support for users seeking to implement evidence-based programs. Despite the importance of registries as intermediaries between researchers and the public, and although previous studies have examined how registries define their standards for methodological soundness and evidence of efficacy, little research has focused on the degree to which registries consider programs’ dissemination readiness. The result is that registry users are uncertain whether listed programs and their necessary support materials are even available for implementation. This study evaluates 11 publicly and privately funded prevention registries that review the evidence base of programs seeking to improve child health and prosocial outcomes on the degree to which they use dissemination readiness as an evidentiary criterion for rating programs, and the extent and type of information they provide about dissemination readiness to support real-world implementation. The results show wide variability, with few having standards about dissemination readiness or making evidence-based information about interventions easily accessible to users. Findings indicate the need for registries to (1) do more to assess dissemination readiness before including programs on their website and (2) offer more complete information on dissemination readiness and implementation support to users.
Depression as a Comorbid Condition: A Descriptive Comparative Study
Authors: Frain Judy , Wu Horng-Shiuann , Chen Ling
Published: June 2020

Studies analyzing depressive symptoms across chronic disease populations are limited. Our descriptive comparison investigation included two studies on life-limiting conditions: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and breast cancer. In both, depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). We found a mean depression score of 18.1 (± 11.8) overall ( N = 243). Over half (54%) reported clinically significant depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥ 16); 26% reported severe depressive symptoms (CES-D > 24). Disease and years of education were predictors of depressive symptoms. Persons living with breast cancer showed significantly worse depressive symptoms than persons living with HIV (p < 0.0001). After adjusting for disease, fewer years of education predicted worse depressive symptoms (p < 0.0001). This study demonstrated common determinants of depressive symptoms in both disease populations, suggesting that underlying conditions known to be predictors of depression could be assessed to identify those at higher risk for depression.
Interdependent Group Rewards: Rewarding On-Task Behavior Versus Academic Performance in an Eighth-Grade Classroom Serving Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Authors: Jaquett Caroline M. , Skinner Christopher H. , Moore Tara , Ryan Kyle , McCurdy Merilee , Cihak David
Published: June 2020

An alternating treatments design was used to evaluate and compare the effects of two interdependent group contingencies on the academic performance, on-task behavior, and disruptive behavior of eighth-grade students in a social studies class. All students were enrolled in a self-contained alternative school for students with behavior problems. Delivering rewards contingent upon participants’ average percent correct enhanced on-task behavior and percent correct on independent seatwork assignments; however, delivering rewards contingent upon participants’ on-task behavior yielded more consistent and larger increases in percent correct and on-task behavior. Neither group contingency resulted in consistent or meaningful changes in disruptive behavior. Theoretical and applied implications related to direct and indirect effects of interdependent group rewards are discussed along with directions for future research.
Saudi Society for Cardiac Surgeons consensus document on COVID-19, April 1, 2020
Authors: Albacker Turki B , Eskandar Khalid , Ismail Huda , Tash Aadel , Alkhamees Khalid , Alhalees Zuhair , Abu-Khudair Walid
Published: June 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic represents an international health crisis that is challenging to all governments. Health practitioners in different fields have a duty to guide people and governments to achieve safe health practices. The Saudi Society for Cardiac Surgeons recognizes that it is difficult to establish evidence-based guidelines for safe cardiac surgery practices in such a crisis because this is an unprecedented health pandemic. So we decided to work with our colleagues in other societies by reviewing different recommendations and safe practices issued by different health organizations and scientific societies. The aim was to come up with recommendations that could guide hospitals, physicians, and other members of the healthcare team on the best available practices that are applicable to our community and that will not only ensure optimum patient care delivery but also protect healthcare workers from the risk of infection and aid the national effort in containing and managing this worldwide pandemic.
On the design and validation of a rubric for the evaluation of performance in a musical contest
Authors: Álvarez-Díaz Marcos , Muñiz-Bascón Luis Magín , Soria-Alemany Antonio , Veintimilla-Bonet Alberto , Fernández-Alonso Rubén
Published: June 2020

Evaluation of music performance in competitive contexts often produces discrepancies between the expert judges. These discrepancies can be reduced by using appropriate rubrics that minimise the differences between judges. The objective of this study was the design and validation of an analytical evaluation rubric, which would allow the most objective evaluation possible of a musical solo performance in a regulated official competition. A panel of three experts created an analytical rubric made up of five review criteria and three scoring levels, together with their respective indicators. To validate the rubric, two independent panels of judges used it to score a sample of recordings. An examination was made of the dimensionality, sources of error, inter-rater reliability and internal consistency of the scores coming from the experts. The essential unidimensionality of the rubric was confirmed. No differential effects between raters were found, nor were significant differences seen in each rater’s internal consistency. The use of a rubric as tool for evaluating music performance in a competitive context has positive effects, improving reliability and objectivity of the results, both in terms of intra-rater consistency and agreement between raters.
Thermal conductivity and conditioning of grey expanded polystyrene foams
Authors: Simpson A , Rattigan IG , Kalavsky E , Parr G
Published: June 2020

This article focuses on the thermal conductivity of 50 mm thick silver grey (infrared absorbing) expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam boards blown with pentane. The effect of short-term ageing from the point of production, by ambient conditioning at 23°C/50% RH, is compared to conditioning at an elevated temperature of 70°C. The declared thermal properties of the product and CE certification are fulfilled by the requirements of the European EPS product standard and SG19 Guidance. Measured thermal conductivity levels within 1% of the final value are acceptable and considered representative throughout the economic life of the product. Levels within the criteria were determined for 50 mm silver EPS after conditioning for 5 days at an elevated temperature of 70°C, whereas for conditioning at 23°C/50% RH the time taken was 23 days. The latter time is in good accord with retesting retained grey EPS boards of similar density and up to 9 years old, after initial testing 22 days from production, and conditioning at 23°C/50% RH. Elevated temperature conditioning increases the rate of diffusion of the blowing agent, but there has been concern about EPS beads softening above 60°C. Although there is little evidence from scanning electron microscopy of significant increase in perforation of the cell membranes at elevated temperatures, there is some indication of a small increase in wrinkling of the walls and intercell skeletal strands at 60°C and 70°C. It takes longer to eliminate the pentane gas by conditioning at 23°C/50% RH but there is no risk of material change from heat conditioning.
Multilingual acquisition property by property: A view from a wider perspective
Authors: Wrembel Magdalena
Published: June 2020

This commentary discusses the recent keynote article by Westergaard (2021), which is an interesting contribution to the field of language acquisition and multilingualism, especially because it attempts to provide a wider perspective by embracing first, second and third language acquisition. I address major claims put forward by Westergaard, to support them with my own research data from the domain of phonology as well as to raise some questions as to potential limitations of the approach, and to point to avenues for future theoretical and methodological refinement.
Unmet device reprogramming needs at the end of life among patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gonzalez-Jaramillo Valentina , Sobanski Piotr , Calvache Jose A , Arenas-Ochoa Luisa F , Franco Oscar H , Hunziker Lukas , Eychmüller Steffen , Maessen Maud
Published: June 2020

Background:

Use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators is increasingly common. As patients approach the end of life, it is appropriate to deactivate the shock function.

Aim:

To assess the prevalence of implantable cardioverter defibrillator reprogramming to deactivate the shock function at the end of life and the prevalence of advance directives among this population.

Design:

Following a previously established protocol available in PROSPERO, we performed a narrative synthesis of our findings and used the logit transformation method to perform our quantitative synthesis.

Data sources:

We searched seven bibliographic databases (Embase, Cochrane Central register of controlled Trials, Medline-Ovid, Web-of-Science, Scopus, PsychInfo, and CINAHL) and additional sources until April 2019.

Results:

Of the references we identified, 14 were included. We found a pooled prevalence of implantable cardioverter defibrillator reprogramming at the end of life of 28% (95% confidence interval, 22%–36%) with higher reprogramming rates after the recommendations for managing the device at the end of life were published. Among patients with advance directives, the pooled prevalence of advance directives that explicitly mentioned the device was 1% (95% confidence interval, 1%–3%).

Conclusions:

The prevalence of implantable cardioverter defibrillator reprogramming and advance directives that explicitly mentioned the device was very low. Study data suggested reprogramming decisions were made very late, after the patient experienced multiple shocks. Patient suffering could be ameliorated if physicians and other healthcare professionals adhere to clinical guidelines for the good management of the device at the end of life and include deactivating the shock function in the discussion that leads to the advance directive.
Superselective transcatheter arterial embolization for acute small bowel bleeding: clinical outcomes and prognostic factors for ischemic complications
Authors: Kim Yong Seek , Kwon Joon Ho , Han Kichang , Kim Man-Deuk , Lee Junhyung , Kim Gyoung Min , Won Jong Yun
Published: June 2020

Background

Small bowel bleeding (SBB) accounts for 5%–10% of all cases of acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) plays an important role in the treatment of SBB.

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of superselective TAE exclusively for SBB and to assess factors associated with clinical outcomes.

Material and Methods

From January 2006 to April 2017, 919 patients were admitted with signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding; 74 patients (mean age = 57.5 years; age range = 14–82 years) with positive angiographic findings for SBB were retrospectively analyzed. The technical success of TAE and clinical outcomes, including recurrent bleeding, major complications, and in-hospital mortality were evaluated. The associations of various clinical and technical factors with clinical outcomes were analyzed.

Results

The bleeding foci were in the ileum in 48 (65%) patients and the jejunum in 26 (35%). Technical success was achieved in 72 (97%) patients. The rates of recurrent bleeding, major complications, and in-hospital mortality were 12% (7/57), 21% (15/71), and 25% (18/72), respectively. Superselective embolization was a significant prognostic factor associated with fewer major complications (OR = 0.069; P = 0.003). The increased number of embolized vasa recta was significantly associated with a higher probability of major complications (OR = 2.64; P < 0.001). The use of N-butyl cyanoacrylate was associated with lower rates of major complication (OR = 0.257; P = 0.027).

Conclusion

TAE is a safe and effective treatment modality for SBB. In addition, whenever possible, TAE should be performed in a superselective manner to minimize ischemic complications.
Plasma P-selectin level is associated with severity of coronary heart disease in Chinese Han population
Authors: Song Chunhui , Wu Guohai , Chang Sheng , Bie Lizhan
Published: June 2020

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the association between plasma P-selectin levels and the severity of coronary heart disease (CHD) in a Chinese Han population.

Methods

We enrolled 219 patients with CHD and 168 healthy individuals without CHD as a control group. Coronary stenosis was evaluated based on the number of diseased coronary arteries and the Gensini scoring system. P-selectin levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the association between CHD and plasma P-selectin level was analyzed.

Results

P-selectin levels were significantly higher in CHD patients compared with controls. Levels were highest in patients with three-vessel disease and lowest in those with one-vessel disease, with significant differences among the groups. P-selectin levels were also highest in the high-score and lowest in the low-score group according to Gensini score, with significant differences among the groups. P-selectin level was significantly positively correlated with Gensini score and C-reactive protein level. Elevated P-selectin was identified as an independent risk factor for CHD.

Conclusion

P-selectin levels were increased in Chinese Han patients with CHD. P-selectin level is an independent risk factor for CHD and may serve as a biomarker reflecting the severity of CHD in the Chinese Han population.
Effects of artificial cycles with and without gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist pretreatment on frozen embryo transfer outcomes
Authors: Qi Qianrong , Luo Jin , Wang Yaqin , Xie Qingzhen
Published: June 2020

Objective

This study aimed to compare the pregnancy outcomes between women receiving frozen embryo transfer (FET) with hormone replacement treatment (HRT) with and without gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) pretreatment.

Methods

All consecutive women undergoing HRT cycles (2936 cycles) or HRT with GnRHa pretreatment (HRT + GnRHa, 303 cycles) at our reproductive center between January 2015 and December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

The average age was higher in the HRT + GnRHa compared with the HRT group (34.0 ± 4.8 vs. 31.3 ± 4.4). However, the pregnancy outcomes were comparable between the two groups. The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly increased in younger women (≤35 years) in the HRT + GnRHa group compared with the HRT group (56.8% vs. 48.7%), but the live birth rates were similar in the two groups (44.2% vs. 38.4%). The HRT + GnRHa protocol significantly increased the clinical pregnancy rate (55.6% vs. 43.2%) and live birth rate (43.5% vs. 33.5%) compared with the HRT group among women with endometriosis, and significantly decreased the abortion rate in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (3.1% vs. 16.4%).

Conclusions

GnRHa pretreatment may improve pregnancy outcomes in women with endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Treatment and follow-up of fetuses that developed congenital heart block due to autoantibody in two cases
Authors: Hou Min , Zhao Ying , Liu Xiao-Wei , He Yi-Hua
Published: June 2020

Objective

Autoantibody-related congenital heart block (ACHB) is a passively acquired autoimmune disease. This study aimed to examine the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment of ACHB.

Method

The clinical data of two fetuses with first-degree ACHB were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Two pregnant women were strongly positive for anti-Sjögren’s syndrome-related antigen A (SSA) antibody. Among these two cases, one had a prolonged atrioventricular (AV) interval at 28+3 weeks in utero, while the other had a prolonged AV interval at 24+6 weeks in utero. After prenatal intervention, one patient recovered to normal, while one fetus continued to have ACHB after treatment with dexamethasone and intravenous immunoglobulin. Furthermore, the two neonates were positive for anti-SSA antibody and were diagnosed with ACHB.

Conclusion

The pathogenesis of ACHB is closely correlated with anti-SSA/Ro antibody and anti-SSB/La antibody from the mother, and is affected by fetal susceptibility. Early screening and early intervention for ACHB are important.
ETView VivaSight single lumen vs. conventional intubation in simulated studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Oh Seok Kyeong , Lim Byung Gun , Kim Young Sung , Lee Jae Hak , Won Young Ju
Published: June 2020

Objective

The ETView VivaSight single lumen airway tube (ETView) is a tracheal tube incorporating a video camera. We carried out a meta-analysis of previous simulation studies by inexperienced personnel to determine if the ETView could improve the success rate of first-attempt intubation.

Methods

We collected data from randomized controlled trials comparing the use of the ETView VivaSight single lumen versus a conventional endotracheal tube in a simulated manikin or cadaver study.

Results

Eleven studies (558 participants, 3,254 intubations, and 19 scenarios) were included. The ETView had a significantly higher success rate and shorter insertion time than conventional intubation in both normal airways (with or without chest compression) and in difficult airways. In addition, the ETView demonstrated better results in terms of a higher rate of Cormack−Lehane grade 1 and a lower incidence of dental trauma.

Conclusions

Inexperienced personnel can insert the ETView more rapidly and with a higher intubation success rate compared with a conventional tube.
MiR-26a inhibits the inflammatory response of microglia by targeting HMGA2 in intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Jin Jun , Zhou Feng , Zhu Jie , Zeng Weixian , Liu Yong
Published: June 2020

Objective

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a common cerebrovascular disease with high mortality and poor prognosis. Therefore, the biological function and underlying molecular mechanism of miR-26a in inflammatory injury following ICH was investigated.

Methods

The potential role of miR-26a was investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated microglial cells by quantitative real-time PCR. To explore the potential role of HMGA2 in the miR-26a-regulated inflammatory response, LPS-induced microglial cells were cotransfected with an miR-26a mimic and pcDNA-HMGA2. Then, lentivirus-mediated overexpression of an miR-26a mimic in mouse microglial cells was performed, and the effects of miR-26a treatment on IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α expression in the mouse brain, neurological behavior, and rotarod test performance of mice after ICH were observed.

Results

MiR-26a was significantly downregulated in LPS-treated microglia and ICH mouse models. MiR-26a markedly reduced IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α expression in LPS-treated microglial cells. Furthermore, HMGA2 was verified as a direct target of miR-26a. In vivo, miR-26a overexpression in mouse microglial cells significantly suppressed proinflammatory cytokine expression in mouse brains and markedly improved the neurological behavior and rotarod test performance of mice after ICH.

Conclusion

MiR-26a remarkably inhibited proinflammatory cytokine release by targeting HMGA2, indicating that miR-26a could protect against secondary brain injury following ICH.
c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase suppression significantly inhibits the growth of transplanted breast tumors in mice
Authors: Huang You-Cheng , Pan Wu , Li Hui , Yan Tao
Published: June 2020

Objective

The current study investigated the effect of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) expression on the growth of transplanted breast cancer tumors in mice.

Methods

A breast cancer transplantation model was established in BALB/c mice, which were then treated with SP600125 (30 mg/kg) for 24 days. After sacrificing the mice, the inhibitory effects of SP600125 on breast cancer growth were calculated by weighing tumors. Moreover, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and the tumor microvascular density (MVD) were evaluated via immunohistochemistry. Cell apoptosis was also examined using a TUNEL kit.

Results

Compared with the findings in the control group, SP600125 treatment (30 mg/kg) obviously suppressed tumor growth during the 15-day observation period. SP600125 treatment markedly inhibited JNK mRNA expression. Furthermore, VEGF protein expression (50% vs. 100%) and MVD (18.27 ± 1.70 vs. 23.17 ± 4.02) were also significantly decreased by SP600125 treatment, whereas the apoptosis index was significantly higher in the treatment group (10.23 ± 1.97% vs. 4.53 ± 1.40%).

Conclusion

Inhibition of JNK signaling can significantly suppress the growth of transplanted breast tumors in mice.
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition and metastasis of colon cancer cells induced by the FAK pathway in cancer-associated fibroblasts
Authors: Xuefeng Xuefeng , Hou Ming-Xing , Yang Zhi-Wen , Agudamu Agudamu , Wang Feng , Su Xiu-Lan , Li Xian , Shi Lin , Terigele Terigele , Bao Li-Li , Wu Xin-Lin
Published: June 2020

Objective

The role and mechanism of tetrathiomolybdate (TM) in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in colon cancer using three-dimensional (3D) culture were investigated, and the associations between the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) pathway and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in CAFs were explored.

Methods

A 3D co-culture model of colon cancer LOVO cells with CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) was established using Matrigel as a scaffold material. The differential expression of LOXL2 (lysyl oxidase-like 2) in the supernatant of CAFs and NFs was determined using ELISA, and expression levels of EMT-related proteins and FAK signaling pathway-related proteins were determined using western blot.

Results

LOXL2 levels secreted by CAFs were higher compared with that secreted by NFs. In the CAF + LOVO group, compared with the LOVO group, E-cadherin expression decreased significantly, while N-cadherin and F-PAK expression increased significantly. TM results were opposite compared with the above results.

Conclusions

CAFs stimulate EMT in human colon cancer LOVO cells by secreting LOXL2 to activate the FAK signaling pathway, thereby promoting tumor metastasis. TM inhibited the occurrence of EMT in the CAF-induced colon cancer LOVO cell line, thereby reducing the invasion and metastasis of colon cancer cells.
Molecular fingerprint of precancerous lesions in breast atypical hyperplasia
Authors: Zheng Chao , Jia Hong Ying , Liu Li Yuan , Wang Qi , Jiang Hong Chuan , Teng Li Song , Geng Cui Zhi , Jin Feng , Tang Li Li , Zhang Jian Guo , Wang Xiang , Wang Shu , Alejandro Fernandez-Escobar , Wang Fei , Yu Li Xiang , Zhou Fei , Xiang Yu Juan , Huang Shu Ya , Fu Qin Ye , Zhang Qiang , Gao De Zong , Ma Zhong Bing , Li Liang , Fan Zhi Min , Yu Zhi Gang
Published: June 2020

Objective

To identify atypical hyperplasia (AH) of the breast by shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS), and to explore the molecular fingerprinting characteristics of breast AH.

Methods

Breast hyperplasia was studied in 11 hospitals across China from January 2015 to December 2016. All patients completed questionnaires on women’s health. The differences between patients with and without breast AH were compared. AH breast lesions were detected by Raman spectroscopy followed by the SHINERS technique.

Results

There were no significant differences in clinical features and risk-related factors between patients with breast AH (n = 37) and the control group (n = 2576). Fifteen cases of breast AH lesions were detected by Raman spectroscopy. The main different Raman peaks in patients with AH appeared at 880, 1001, 1086, 1156, 1260, and 1610 cm−1, attributed to the different vibrational modes of nucleic acids, β-carotene, and proteins. Shell-isolated nanoparticles had different enhancement effects on the nucleic acid, protein, and lipid components in AH.

Conclusion

Raman spectroscopy can detect characteristic molecular changes in breast AH lesions, and may thus be useful for the non-invasive early diagnosis and for investigating the mechanism of tumorigenesis in patients with breast AH.
Mechanism of azithromycin in airway diseases
Authors: Yang Jie
Published: June 2020

Azithromycin (AZM) has been used to treat chronic inflammatory airway diseases because it regulates cell–cell contact between airway epithelial cells. Airway mucus hypersecretion is an important component of chronic respiratory diseases. Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) is the major mucin produced by airway epithelial cells, and hypersecretion of MUC5AC is a sign of various pulmonary inflammatory diseases. Recently, it was found that matrix metallopeptidase 9 is involved in mucus hypersecretion. Moreover, AZM can inhibit the ability of TNF-α-to induce interleukin (IL)-8 production. This review focuses on the effects on AZM that may be beneficial in inhibiting MUC5AC, matrix metalloprotease-9 and IL-8 production in airway epithelial cells. In addition, recent studies have begun to assess activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in response to AZM. Understanding these new developments may be helpful for clinicians.
Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor with multiple liver metastases: A case report with literature review
Authors: Xia Yijun , Zhang Lei , Wu Huijun , Qiao Liang , Xia Long
Published: June 2020

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (PHNETs) are a group of extremely rare tumors that are difficult to differentiate from common hepatic malignancies on routine imaging studies. By presenting a case of PHNET, we herein introduce our experience with the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and management of patients with this rare disease. The patient was preoperatively diagnosed with hepatic hydatidosis but postoperatively diagnosed with a PHNET with multiple liver metastases. He was successfully treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. This case indicates that the clinical diagnosis of PHNET is a medical challenge. Although peptide receptor radionuclide therapy has been suggested as the mainstay of treatment for well-differentiated somatostatin receptor-positive PHNETs, patients with a large tumor burden may also benefit from transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.
Role of diffusion-weighted imaging in the diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis
Authors: Lv Bin , Tian Cheng-lin , Cao Xiang-yu , Liu Xin-feng , Wang Jun , Yu Sheng-yuan
Published: June 2020

Objective

To evaluate the hyperintense signal (HIS) performance on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in diagnosing cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT).

Methods

Seventy-eight patients with CVT hospitalized from January 2004 to January 2015 were retrospectively studied alongside 78 controls without intracranial organic diseases. Diagnostic accuracy indices of HIS on DWI or T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) to diagnose CVT at different sites and states were analyzed.

Results

The overall sensitivity of HIS on DWI for the diagnosis of CVT was significantly lower than that of HIS on T2WI (34.6% vs. 79.5%). HIS on T2WI was more sensitive than HIS on DWI in detecting thrombosis, especially in the superior sagittal sinus and transverse sinus. HIS on DWI was inversely related to the time between disease onset and imaging. Compared with HIS on T2WI, combining HIS on DWI and T2WI did not increase the sensitivity for detecting CVT. HIS on DWI was not detected in the control group, but HIS on T2WI was detected in 26.3% of control individuals. The specificity of HIS on DWI for CVT was higher than that of HIS on T2WI (97.4% vs. 76.9%).

Conclusion

HIS on DWI has a lower sensitivity, but a higher specificity, than HIS on T2WI for diagnosing CVT.
1H-NMR analysis of amino acid metabolism in aqueous humor of patients with cataract, according to diabetes status
Authors: Jin Jing , Sun Qian , Wu Zan , Liu Kun , Song Zhengyu , Su Li
Published: June 2020

Objective

To investigate the differences in amino acid metabolism in aqueous humor of patients with cataract, according to diabetes status, using a 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance approach.

Methods

Aqueous humor samples from patients with age-related cataract, with or without diabetes, were collected during cataract surgery. All samples underwent nuclear magnetic resonance spectra analysis to characterize their metabolic function. Potential metabolic pathways were analyzed via MetaboAnalyst 3.0.

Results

This study included eight aqueous humor samples from patients with cataract and diabetes and eight aqueous humor samples from age- and sex-matched patients with cataract alone. Four metabolites were found to significantly differ in the aqueous humor of patients with cataract and diabetes, relative to patients with cataract alone; these metabolites were glucose (higher in patients with diabetes), valine, lysine, and tyrosine (all lower in patients with diabetes). Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis was presumed to be involved in the metabolic differences observed in patients with cataract, according to diabetes status.

Conclusions

The amino acid metabolic profile in the aqueous humor differed among patients with cataract, according to diabetes status. Disturbance of amino acid metabolism in the aqueous humor may be related to cataract formation in patients with diabetes.
Use of a locking intramedullary nail for the treatment of initial varus proximal humeral fracture: a prospective pilot study
Authors: Deng Xiang-Yi , Fan Zhi-Yuan , Yu Bao-Fu , Ni Bin-Bin , Wang Wei , Lu Hua , Shen Hao
Published: June 2020

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility of locked intramedullary nailing, rather than locking plate fixation combined with fibular allograft augmentation, for initial varus proximal humeral fractures.

Methods

This prospective pilot study enrolled patients with initial varus proximal humeral fractures that were treated with a locking intramedullary nail. Radiography was performed to evaluate fracture healing. Data about the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, Constant Shoulder Score (CSS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and shoulder range of motion (ROM) were recorded.

Results

Twenty patients, including eight with Neer two-part and 12 with three-part fractures, were followed-up, with a mean time of 12.3 months. All patients sustained fractures that healed without re-varus. During the last follow-up, the shoulder function of the patients had recovered well, with a mean VAS pain score of 1.4, a mean CSS of 83.1, a mean DASH score of 80.8, a mean ASES score of 84.0 and a satisfactory ROM. In one patient, the proximal locking screw came out and was removed via a second surgery.

Conclusions

The use of a locking intramedullary nail alone for initial varus proximal humeral two-/three-part fractures was feasible. This treatment has advantages, such as preventing re-varus and causing milder surgical trauma, than that seen with a locking plate.
Serum levels of allopregnanolone, progesterone and testosterone in menstrually-related and postmenopausal migraine: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Rustichelli Cecilia , Bellei Elisa , Bergamini Stefania , Monari Emanuela , Baraldi Carlo , Castro Flavia Lo , Tomasi Aldo , Ferrari Anna
Published: June 2020

Background

Reduced blood or cerebrospinal fluid levels of allopregnanolone are involved in menstrual cycle-linked CNS disorders, such as catamenial epilepsy. This condition, like menstrually-related migraine, is characterized by severe, treatment-resistant attacks. We explored whether there were differences in allopregnanolone, progesterone and testosterone serum levels between women with menstrually-related migraine (MM, n = 30) or postmenopausal migraine without aura who had suffered from menstrually-related migraine during their fertile age (PM, n = 30) and non-headache control women in fertile age (FAC, n = 30) or post-menopause (PC, n = 30).

Methods

Participants were women with migraine afferent to a headache centre; controls were female patients’ acquaintances. Serum samples obtained were analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS.

Results

In menstrually-related migraine and postmenopausal migraine groups, allopregnanolone levels were lower than in the respective control groups (fertile age and post-menopause) ( p < 0.001, one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey-Kramer post-hoc comparison test) while progesterone and testosterone levels were similar. By grouping together patients with migraine, allopregnanolone levels were inversely correlated with the number of years and days of migraine/3 months ( p ≤ 0.005, linear regression analysis).

Conclusion

Decreased GABAergic inhibition, due to low allopregnanolone serum levels, could contribute to menstrually-related migraine and persistence of migraine after menopause. For the management of these disorders, a rise in the GABAergic transmission by increasing inhibitory neurosteroids might represent a novel strategy.
Experimental Findings with VISSIM and TransModeler for Evaluating Environmental and Safety Impacts using Micro-Simulations
Authors: Song Zhijin , Wang Huizi , Sun Jian , Tian Ye
Published: June 2020

Micro-simulation packages provide an efficient and systematic approach to depicting traffic dynamics. Nonetheless, many of these models used by the micro-simulation packages are only calibrated with respect to observed traffic indicators such as average speed, traffic count, and so forth, while omitting non-traffic indicators. This paper aims to investigate the performance of VISSIM and TransModeler when depicting non-traffic indicators such as fuel consumption, emissions, and safety. A model was first calibrated for traffic indicators based on Next Generation SIMulation (NGSIM) trajectories. Results indicated that after calibration, simulation accuracy was still unsatisfactory with regard to energy consumption and emission measurements, with errors of up to 38.23% in VISSIM. In assessing safety, the relative error of VISSIM increased from 12.36% to 59.92% after calibration. The error in TransModeler increased to almost 100%. Furthermore, this study explored the simulation accuracy of VISSIM and TransModeler under different traffic conditions and discovered that the models’ accuracies were relatively high when simulating stop-and-go traffic. We also explored the causes of these observed differences through a regression model. This study presents practical insight into the deficiencies of micro-simulation related research, and based on error analysis, provides a theoretical reference for optimizing simulation accuracy from a novel perspective.
The ‘Silk Road’: Historical Perspectives and Modern Constructions
Authors: Mishra Ravi K.
Published: June 2020

As it is frequently the case in the modern world, the term ‘Silk Road’ or ‘Silk Roads’ is of colonial provenance. The elaborate network of ancient routes originating in the fourth millennium bc and linking various parts of the Eurasian landmass through Central Asia was re-imagined and reinvented in the late nineteenth century as a ‘Silk Road’ connecting China with the Roman Empire, thereby undermining the role of the steppe with its various nomadic and oasis cultures which had always been at the heart of this Eurasian system of trade and other exchange. Ever since, historiography has focussed on the role of sedentary civilisations in this system of exchange, with a particular emphasis on China and the West, thus undermining the role of other sedentary civilisations such as India. Contrary to the dominant narrative, the antiquity of the Eurasian trade network goes back to several millennia before the rise of either the Han Empire or Rome. Whereas this network did connect the agrarian civilisations, this happened primarily through the agency of central Asian intermediaries whose culmination is represented by the rise of the vast Mongol Empire in the thirteenth century. The idea of the ‘Silk Road(s)’ is thus anachronistic in the sense that it is a backward projection of present into the historical past, especially in view of the fact that silk was only one among several important items of exchange, such as horses, cotton, precious stones, and furs.