bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evasion and Countermeasures Techniques to Detect Dynamic Binary Instrumentation Frameworks
Authors: Filho Ailton Santos , Rodríguez Ricardo J. , Feitosa Eduardo L.
Published: August 2021

Dynamic Binary Instrumentation (DBI) is a dynamic analysis technique that allows arbitrary code to be executed when a program is running. DBI frameworks have started to be used to analyze malicious applications. As a result, different approaches have merged to detect and avoid them. Commonly referred to as
split personality malware
or
evasive malware
are pieces of malicious software that incorporate snippets of code to detect when they are under DBI framework analysis and thus mimic benign behavior. Recent studies have questioned the use of DBI in malware analysis, arguing that it increases the attack surface. In this article, we examine the anti-instrumentation techniques that abuse desktop-based DBI frameworks and existing countermeasures to determine if it is possible to reduce the exploitable attack surface introduced by these DBI frameworks. In particular, we review the related literature to identify (i) the existing set of DBI framework evasion techniques and (ii) the existing set of countermeasures to avoid them. We also analyze and compare the taxonomies introduced in the literature, and propose a new taxonomy that expands and completes the previous taxonomies. Our findings demonstrate that despite advances in DBI framework protections that make them quite suitable for system security purposes, more efforts are needed to reduce the attack surface that they add during application analysis. Only 12 of the 26 evasion techniques covered in this document have countermeasures, threatening the transparency of DBI frameworks. Furthermore, the impact in terms of performance overhead and effectiveness of these countermeasures in real-world situations is unknown. Finally, there are only proofs of concept for 9 of these 26 techniques, which makes it difficult to validate and study how they evade the analysis in order to counter them. We also point out some relevant issues in this context and outline ways of future research directions in the use of DBI frameworks for system security purposes.
Application of Basketball Training System Based on Dynamic Intelligent Fog Computing Network
Authors: Yang Ke
Published: August 2021

Although the development of the mobile Internet and the Internet of Things has greatly promoted the progress and development of society, it has also created many problems for people on the road of scientific and technological exploration. In order to meet the problems and requirements of high bandwidth, high load, and low latency in the current network development, the emergence of the concept of mobile edge computing has attracted extensive attention from the academic community. This article focuses on the representative mode of mobile edge computing-fog computing (in this model, data, (data)processing, and applications are concentrated in devices at the edge of the network, instead of being stored almost entirely in the cloud). By applying it to the development and operation of basketball training system, it explores the performance of dynamic intelligent fog computing in intelligent end user services. This paper proposes a fog resource scheduling scheme based on linear weighted genetic algorithm, which converts the problem of multiobjective optimization into a single-objective optimization problem. When applying the genetic algorithm based on weighted sum, preference is given to delay, communication load, and service cost. Value is integrated into an objective function to perform genetic operations to get a better solution. From the experimental data, the system can support 20 DCTU terminals with a pressure request of 10 messages per second per terminal under the pressure environment created by the pressure test input data. The barrier-free transmission distance is 200 m, and the barrier transmission distance is 50 m. It has strong fault tolerance.
Numerical Simulation of the Volumetric Strain Distribution of a Protected Coal Seam
Authors: Jia Hengyi
Published: August 2021

To investigate the deformation characteristics of protected coal seams, the numerical simulation of the mining of an upper protective coal seam was carried out in the present study. Based on the basic definition of strain, a method for the extraction of the strain data of the protected coal seam was proposed, and the strain distribution characteristics were obtained. It was found that the

x

-direction strain is mainly distributed near the coal pillars on both sides and inside the goaf, the

y

-direction strain is mainly distributed at the working face, the initial mining line, and inside the goaf, and the

z

-direction strain is mainly distributed at the working face, the initial mining line, the coal pillars on both sides, and inside the goaf. The distribution characteristics and the value of volumetric strain were found to be basically consistent with the

z

-direction strain. As the working face advances, the protected coal seam undergoes compression and damage expansion in turn. The turning point between compression and damage expansion is approximately 15 m in front of the working face. The variation law of gas drainage in the boreholes of the protected coal seam is closely related to the distribution characteristics of volumetric strain. The results of this research are of great significance for the comprehensive investigation of the effects of pressure relief and the permeability enhancement of protective coal seam mining.
Hydrodynamic Performance of A‐Jacks Concrete Armor Units in Riverbeds around Downstream in Flip Buckets
Authors: Khalifehei Kamran , Azizyan Gholamreza , Shafai-Bajestan Mahmood
Published: August 2021

The jet flipped from flip buckets hits the dam’s downstream side as a free jet with an immense amount of energy, leading to bed erosion. Erosion of river bed materials downstream of dams could affect the performance of dams or power plants by altering the tailwater depth, rendering proper designs of controlling structures or erosion reduction methods highly indispensable in this regard. Hence, the hydrodynamic performance of A‐Jacks concrete armor units in controlling scour was examined in this study. A‐Jacks armors are applicable as a flexible protection without environmental risks often for bed erosion control. The desirable functionality of A‐Jacks armors depends on the flow hydrodynamic parameters such as velocity profile variations (U/UB), the Reynolds stresses ( and τv′w′), and the skin friction coefficient (Cf) created as a consequence of using A‐Jacks armors on beds. The size of A‐Jacks elements can have a role in increasing the flow turbulence to a certain depth so that after the impact of the flow with A‐Jacks armor, the vortices’ intensity as well as the shear stress affecting the bed gradually decreases. The results of the numerical model suggest that the surge in the flow turbulence energy dissipation downstream of flip buckets significantly mitigates the underlying conditions of scouring phenomena, which is evidence of A‐Jacks armors’ acceptable performance in scaling down scour depths.
Hepatoprotective Effect of Corm of Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman Extract against Isoniazid and Rifampicin Induced Hepatotoxicity in Swiss Albino Mice
Authors: Dubiwak Abebe Dukessa , Damtew Tesaka Wondimnew , Senbetu Mengistu Welde , Yewhalaw Delenasaw , Asere Tsegaye Girma , Nemo Gebi , Baye Minale Fekadie
Published: August 2021

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the cumbersome health-related problems which render approximately 50% of liver failure and patients to receiving liver transplantation every year. Antituberculosis drugs such as isoniazid and rifampicin are potentially rendering hepatotoxicity. Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman is an herbaceous perennial plant that contributes to the indigenous ethnomedicinal values for the society. This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of corm of Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman extracts against isoniazid and rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in Swiss albino mice. The study was conducted on 30 Swiss albino mice randomly allocated into five groups. Group I, group II, group III, group IV, and group V were the groups in which mice were given distilled water, only isoniazid and rifampicin, isoniazid and rifampicin along with 200 mg/kg corm of Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman extract, isoniazid and rifampicin along with 400 mg/kg corm of Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman extract, and isoniazid and rifampicin along with silymarin per oral per day, respectively. On the 30th day of the experiment, mice were sacrificed after anesthetized, and blood was drawn for the liver function test, and the liver was also taken from each experimental mouse for histopathological evaluation. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 subsequently exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis by using one-way ANOVA. Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin (TBIL) of group II mice were significantly (

p
<
0.05

) elevated as compared to group I. The group of mice treated with a corm of Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman at a dose of 400 mg/kg (group IV) and silymarin100 mg/kg (group V) showed a significant (

p
<
0.05

) decrease in ALT, AST, ALP, and TBIL as compared to the group II. The liver section of group II showed a change in liver architecture; however, these deformities were not noticed in group IV mice. The result showed corm of Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman extract has a very promising hepatoprotective potential against isoniazid and rifampicin induced liver injury.
Emergence of Highly Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Isolated from Patients with Infections Admitted to Public Hospitals in Southwest Iran
Authors: Namdari Sepide , Farhadi Ali , Khademalhoseini Aida , Behzad-Behbahani Abbas , Moaddeb Afsaneh
Published: August 2021

Background. The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms causing infections is increasing worldwide and becoming more serious in developing countries. Among those, Acinetobacter species are becoming prominent. Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of antimicrobial resistance of the bacteria causing infections, Acinetobacter species in particular, in local public hospitals in Firuzabad, Fars province, Iran. Methods. This cross-sectional study was performed on different clinical specimens collected from patients who were suspected of infections hospitalized from March 2016 to March 2019 in local hospitals of Firuzabad, Fars province, Iran. The bacterial isolates were identified following standard microbiological methods. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines were used to identify the antibiotic susceptibility of these isolates. Results. Overall, 1778 bacterial etiologies were isolated from 1533 patients diagnosed with infection. Of these, 1401 (78.8%) were Gram-negative and the remaining were Gram-positive bacteria. Escherichia coli (37.1%), Klebsiella spp. (13.9%), and Acinetobacter species (10.4%) were the most common isolated bacteria. Antibiotic sensitivity testing in this study showed a high resistance rate of Acinetobacter species to all antibiotics tested except Colistin. During the study period, the rate of infection with highly multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter species increased from 7.2% to 13.3%. Conclusions. This study highlights the emergence of MDR bacterial agents such as Acinetobacter species as a new threat in our region. However, a decrease in the rate of infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was noticeable.
A Universal Positioning System for Coupling Characterization of SEM and AFM
Authors: Liu Jinchao , Wang Andi , Yang Ji , Yin Shiheng , Yang Xianfeng
Published: August 2021

Hyphenated techniques, providing comprehensive information in various aspects such as constituent, structure, functional group, and morphology, play an important role in scientific research. Nowadays, coupling characterization of the same position in microscale is in great need in the field of nanomaterial research and exploration. In this article, a new hyphenated technique was developed to facilitate the coupling characterization of atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) by designing a universal positioning system. The system consisted of a specimen holder with coordinate grids and a software for converting the coordinate values of the same point to fit SEM, specimen holder, and AFM system. In working condition, the coordinates of the labeled points and target position were firstly extracted from the SEM operation software, then converted into the numerical values adapted to the specimen holder itself, and finally transformed into the coordinates matching the AFM system. The experimental result showed that a retrieving rate of 96% was achieved for a spherical target with a diameter of 1 μm in a

30
 
μ
m
×
30
 
μ
m

square. The hyphenated technique is a universal, accurate, efficient, and financially feasible method in microanalysis field and has great application potential.
Correlation between Imaging Morphological Findings and Laboratory Biomarkers in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Dimitriou Eleni , Sergentanis Theodoros N. , Lambadiari Vaia , Theodossiadis George , Theodossiadis Panagiotis , Chatziralli Irini
Published: August 2021

Purpose. To investigate the potential association between peripheral blood biomarkers and morphological characteristics of retinal imaging in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods. Participants in this cross-sectional study were 36 consecutive patients (36 eyes) with treatment-naïve DME, who underwent spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fundus photography, and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). In addition, peripheral blood samples were taken to evaluate full blood count and biochemical parameters. Correlation between imaging characteristics and laboratory parameters was examined. Results. Eyes with central subfield thickness greater than 405 μm presented significantly higher neutrophils/lymphocytes (

p
=
0.043

) and higher lipoprotein (a) compared to eyes with

CST
<
405
 
μ
m

(

p
=
0.003

). Presence of hyperreflective foci on SD-OCT was associated with significantly higher white blood cell count (

p
=
0.028

). Ellipsoid zone disruption was associated with significantly lower hematocrit (

p
=
0.012

), hemoglobin (

p
=
0.009

), and red blood cell count (

p
=
0.026

), as well as with higher lipoprotein (a) (

p
=
0.015

). Macular ischemia on FFA was associated with significantly higher monocytes (

p
=
0.027

) and monocytes/HDL (

p
=
0.019

). No significant associations were found between laboratory parameters and subretinal fluid, intraretinal fluid, exudates, cysts, disorganization of inner retinal layers, epiretinal membrane, and external limiting membrane condition. Conclusion. Specific imaging morphological characteristics were found to be associated with laboratory parameters in patients with DME. These findings may shed light on the pathophysiology of DME and its correlation with the development of specific clinical signs.
The Efficacy of Rosa damascena on Liver Enzymes in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial
Authors: Moravej S. Ali Al-Hadi , Shojaii Asie , Hashem Dabaghian Fataneh , Jazayeri S. Ferdows , Moravej S. Zahra , Khadem Ebrahim , Agah Shahram , Ghods Roshanak
Published: August 2021

Objective. This study aimed to appraise the potential effects of Rosa damascena preparation on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Design. In the randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials, seventy-four patients with NAFLD were prescribed either 1 g Rosa damascena powder or placebo three times in a day for 12 weeks. All patients were provided the lifestyle modification instructions and recommended following them precisely. ALT, AST, FBS, and lipid profiles were measured at the baseline after 12 weeks of studying. The Mann–Whitney U test was correctly used to compare the changes of variables among the groups. Results. Seventy-two patients completed the study in two groups. Sixty-seven patients were men, and the mean ± standard deviation of age was 40.11 ± 9.05 years. The Rosa damascena group showed a considerable decrease in the serum ALT (23.83 ± 24.82 vs. 16.19 ± 27.41,

p
=
0.042

), waist circumference (99.73 ± 10.01 vs. 101.52 ± 8.84,

p
=
0.003

), triglyceride (TG) (186.29 ± 76.75 vs. 184.47 ± 73.05,

p
=
0.001

), cholesterol (167.47 ± 34.48 vs. 184.11 ± 33.54,

p
=
0.001

), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (99.17 ± 28.66 vs. 107.52 ± 25.42,

p
=
0.001

), and elevation in serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (41.85 ± 6.56 vs. 39.20 ± 5.00,

p
<
0.007

) compared to the control group. Improving fatty liver degree due to liver ultrasound was higher in the Rosa damascena group than the control group (

p
=
0.001

). Conclusion. Rosa damascena meaningfully improves liver function in NAFLD. Hence, it can be recommended along with lifestyle modification for these patients. Further studies are recommended with a larger sample size.
Cardiac Ultrasound under Speckle Tracking Technology Based Analysis of Efficacy of Respiratory Rehabilitation on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Ren Chuangen , Liu Wantian
Published: August 2021

The study shined spotlight on the effect of respiratory rehabilitation training on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which was evaluated using speckle ultrasound algorithm-based cardiac ultrasound. Then, 90 patients with stable COPD, who were admitted to the hospital from January 2018 to December 2019, were randomly rolled into three groups, namely, the fast inhalation and slow exhalation (A) group, abdominal breathing (B) group, and control (C) group. For group A, on the basis of the conventional treatment, the method of rapid inhalation and slow exhalation was adopted. The group B (n = 30) adopted the abdominal breathing method besides the conventional treatment. In addition, the group C (n = 30) received only conventional treatment. Finally, the efficacy and parameters of the three treatment methods were compared. The echocardiographic parameters and echocardiographic images were calculated and processed by the speckle tracking method. Three kinds of operators were used to track the myocardial spots successfully, and the corresponding points in the image were obtained and calculated. It was found that there was no significant difference in the degree of dyspnea, exercise endurance, lung function, respiratory muscle function, and quality of life (QOL) before treatment

P
>
0.05

. After treatment, in contrast with group C, the previously mentioned indicators in groups A and B were obviously better

P
<
0.05

. Further, both the echocardiographic images and echocardiographic parameters of groups A and B were obviously improved, and there was no obvious difference between groups A and B. Hence, some degree of respiratory rehabilitation was very effective in the diagnosis of patients with chronic pulmonary obstruction. In conclusion, the speckle tracking algorithm-based cardiac ultrasound improves the image quality. At the same time, respiratory rehabilitation training is effective on COPD and worthy of clinical promotion.
Protective Mechanism of Berberine on Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells against Apoptosis Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide via the Stimulation of Autophagy
Authors: Li Shuai , Jiang Yizhou , Xing Xingan , Lin Ruohong , Li Qin , Zhou Wenshu , Qiu Wei , Zheng Wenhua
Published: August 2021

Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of severe and irreversible vision loss with limited effective therapies. Diminished autophagy and increased oxidative damage caused by ROS in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of AMD, and strategies aimed at enhancing autophagy are likely to protect these cells from oxidative damage. We have previously shown that berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Chinese herbs, was able to protect human RPE cells from H2O2‐induced oxidative damage through AMPK activation. However, the precise mechanisms behind this protective effect remain unclear. Given the essential role of AMPK in autophagy activation, we postulated that BBR may confer protection against H2O2‐induced oxidative damage by stimulating AMPK‐dependent autophagy. Our results showed that BBR was able to induce autophagy in D407 cells, whereas autophagy inhibitor PIKIII or silencing of LC3B blocked the protective effect of BBR. Further analysis showed that BBR activated the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathways and that both pharmacological and genetic inhibitions of the AMPK pathway abolished the autophagy‐stimulating effect of BBR. Similar results were obtained in primary cultured human RPE cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that BBR is able to stimulate autophagy in D407 cells via the activation of AMPK pathway and that its protective effect against H2O2‐induced oxidative damage relies on its autophagy‐modulatory effect. Our findings also provide evidence to support the potential application of BBR in preventing and treating AMD.
The Abnormal Phenomena of Entropy Weighting Method in the Dynamic Evaluation of Agricultural Water Conservation
Authors: Zhu Liangzhen , Xing Xigang , Yan Feng
Published: August 2021

Through a simple and intuitive example of the agricultural water conservation assessment in 3 provinces, China, the abnormal phenomena of the entropy weighting method (EWM) in the dynamic evaluation are revealed. The results show the following. (i) The irrigation water efficiency percentages (IWEPs) of these 3 provinces are improved from 53%, 53%, and 55% to 55%, 56%, and 56%, respectively. And their water-saving irrigation projects percentages (WSIPPs) are improved from 40%, 41%, and 41% to 42%, 42%, and 42%, respectively. However, their comprehensive agricultural conservation indices deteriorate from 52.11, 52.45, and 56.1 to 46.07, 46.74, and 48.57, respectively. (ii) EWM leads to the following paradox in the dynamic evaluation. All the indicators show improving trends, but the comprehensive evaluation results show a deteriorating trend. (iii) These abnormal phenomena of EWM are induced by that though all the indicators are improved, the discrimination of the worse indicators becomes larger while the discrimination of the better indicators becomes smaller. (iv) The abnormal phenomena of EWM in dynamic evaluation can be avoided by the trend analysis of the observation data and entropy values. When all the indicators have improvement trends, but the entropies of the better indicators are increasing and the entropies of the worse indicators are decreasing, EWM should not be used for assigning weights.
The Classification, Automorphism Group, and Derivation Algebra of the Loop Algebra Related to the Nappi–Witten Lie Algebra
Authors: Chen Xue
Published: August 2021

Set

L
≔

H

4

⊗

ℂ

R

,

R
≔
ℂ

t

±
1

, and

S
≔
ℂ

t

±

1
/
m

m
∈

ℤ

+

. Then,

L

is called the loop Nappi–Witten Lie algebra.

R

-isomorphism classes of

S
/
R

forms of

L

are classified. The automorphism group and the derivation algebra of

L

are also characterized.
Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Method of Ecological Environment Damage Compensation System and Management Based on Improved Association Rule Algorithm
Authors: Liu Dongyue
Published: August 2021

In recent years, there have been frequent cases of damage to the ecological environment, and the public interests of members of society have been repeatedly violated. The safety of the ecological environment is worrying. This paper uses the association rule algorithm and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method to improve the management of the ecological environment damage compensation system. This article has deeply studied the role of association rules in data mining and practically improved them and applied them to the management of the compensation system for environmental damage. This article also constructed a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model, following the principles of innovation, responsibility, judicial, and openness, clarified the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation and evaluation process, established a set of comments on the evaluation object, determined the membership function, and constructed the damage factor and multiple index factors such as compensation factor and damage object. Based on the use of the improved correlation algorithm, the accuracy and complexity of the model have been improved, reaching 85.47 and 76.32 points, respectively. It is hoped that the research in this article can contribute a little to accelerating the establishment of my country’s ecological environment damage compensation system, safeguarding the interests of the ecological environment, and protecting the ecological environment.
Classification of the Korean Sign Language Alphabet Using an Accelerometer with a Support Vector Machine
Authors: Na Youngmin , Yang Hyejin , Woo Jihwan
Published: August 2021

Recognition and understanding of sign language can aid communication between nondeaf and deaf people. Recently, research groups have developed sign language recognition algorithms using multiple sensors. However, in everyday life, minimizing the number of sensors would still require the use of a sign language interpreter. In this study, a sign language classification method was developed using an accelerometer to recognize the Korean sign language alphabet. The accelerometer is worn on the proximal phalanx of the index finger of the dominant hand. Triaxial accelerometer signals were used to segment the sign gesture (i.e., the time period when a user is performing a sign) and recognize the 31 Korean sign language letters (producing a chance level of 3.2%). The vector sum of the accelerometer signals was used to segment the sign gesture with 98.9% segmentation accuracy, which is comparable to that of previous multisensor systems (99.49%). The system was able to classify the Korean sign language alphabet with 92.2% accuracy. The recognition accuracy of this approach was found to be higher than that of a previous work in the same sign language alphabet classification task. The findings demonstrate that a single‐sensor accelerometer with simple features can be reliably used for Korean sign language alphabet recognition in everyday life.
AMH Is a Good Predictor of Metabolic Risk in Women with PCOS: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ou Miaoxian , Xu Pei , Lin Han , Ma Kaichi , Liu Mingxing
Published: August 2021

Objective. The relationship between metabolic risk and ovarian function is ambiguous. This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of 461 PCOS patients collected between January 2019 and June 2020 to investigate the relationship between serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and parameters of metabolic risk in the population with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods. A total of 461 PCOS patients aged 20–40 years were included and stratified into four groups according to the AMH level. The association between AMH and the parameters related to metabolic risk in these groups was compared, and the discrepancies were further explored. Binary logistic regression was performed to examine the risk factors of HOMA-IR. The values of AMH that best predicted the risk of HOMA-IR were also analyzed by ROC curves. Results. AMH was negatively associated with HOMA-IR (odds ratio (OR) −0.279, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.36 to −0.20), fasting insulin (OR −0.282, 95% CI −0.36 to −0.20), 1-hour postprandial insulin (OR −0.184, 95% CI −0.28 to −0.11), 2-hour postprandial insulin (−0.180, 95%CI −0.28 to −0.11), 3-hour postprandial insulin (OR −0.198, 95% CI –0.30 to −0.13), waist-hip ratio (OR −0.235, 95% CI −0.31 to −0.14), and body mass index (OR −0.350, 95% CI −0.43 to −0.27). There was no statistically significant relationship between blood pressure, serum glucose profile, or lipid levels and AMH. Binary logistic regression showed that AMH protected against the occurrence of PCOS patients (OR: 0.835, 0.776, and 0.898). For the prediction of HOMA-IR, AMH had an AUC-ROC of 0.704 (95% CI 0.652–0.755) with a cutoff value of 7.81 mmol/L, a sensitivity of 70.3%, and a specificity of 70.1%. Conclusions. Higher AMH levels were significantly associated with a lower insulin profile and might be a useful predictor for HOMA-IR in PCOS patients.
Development of an Individualized Immune Prognostic Signature for Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma through the Identification of Differential Immune Genes
Authors: Wang Jianfeng , Tang Chaozhi , Liu Xiaowu
Published: August 2021

Increasing evidence has shown that tumor microenvironments are an important feature in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) carcinogenesis and therapeutic efficacy. In this study, two subtypes of ccRCC, high- and low-immune groups, were identified based on the immune gene datasets, of which the differential immune genes were identified accordingly. Furthermore, we constructed a risk prognosis model using five immune genes, specifically, AQP9, KIAA1429, HAMP, CCL13, and CCL21. This model was highly predictive of ccRCC clinical characteristics and showed potential for use in immunotherapy. Furthermore, the five identified genes were highly correlated with the abundance of B cells, CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells in the tumor microenvironments. Among them, AQP9, KIAA1429, and HAMP exhibited significant prognostic potential. These findings indicate that monitoring and operating tumor microenvironments are of great significance for ccRCC prognosis and precise immunotherapy.
Effects of Postoperative Rehabilitation on Gait Parameters and Electromyography Variables in Acute and Chronic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery in Football Players
Authors: Nambi Gopal , Abdelbasset Walid Kamal , Verma Anju , Elsayed Shereen H. , Aldhafian Osama R. , Bin Nwihadh Naif , Omar Mohamed A. , Hassan Tohamy G. T. , Saleh Ayman K.
Published: August 2021

Background and Objective. To date, there were no clinically proven and evident ACLR rehabilitation protocols developed exclusively for football players, also no comparative studies were conducted on kinematic, kinetic, and EMG parameters on postoperative rehabilitation protocol in acute and chronic ACLR. The objective of this study was to find and compare the kinematic, kinetic, and EMG effects of postoperative rehabilitation after acute and chronic ACLR surgeries in football players. Design and Setting. Using the convenience sampling method, eligible subjects were divided into three groups. The test group consisted of acute (n = 15) and chronic (n = 15) ACL injured subjects who underwent ACLR surgery and 8 weeks postoperative rehabilitation. The control group consists of (n = 15) healthy subjects. Kinematic (cadence (steps/min), step length (cm), step width (cm), double support (% of the gait cycle), and swing phase (% of the gait cycle)), kinetic (F1, early stance phase; F2, middle stance phase; and F3, late stance phase forces), and EMG data of the (biceps femoris, adductor longus, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis) muscles were recorded and analyzed at baseline, 8 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months follow-up. Results. The results of the a-ACLR, c-ACLR, and control groups were compared. At 8 weeks following postoperative rehabilitation, the a-ACLR group shows more significant changes than the c-ACLR group (

p
<
0.001

). At 6 and 12 months, there are normal values of kinematic and kinetic values in a-ACLR compared with the results of the control group (

p
<
0.001

). Conclusion. The study showed that postoperative rehabilitation provides significant effects in the kinematic, kinetic, and EMG gait parameters in acute ACLR than chronic ACLR subjects. Early surgical intervention and postrehabilitation are mandatory to get the significant effects in the clinical parameters in acute and chronic ACL injury.
Binary Eluent Based Vortex-Assisted Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion for the Extraction and Determination of Multicomponent from Musk by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Shang Ye , Liang Chunxiao , Liu Tao , Du Kunze , Guo Jiading , Li Jin , Chang Yan-xu
Published: August 2021

A green, flexible, and effective strategy was proposed to quantify four target compounds (muscone, ethyl palmitate, ethyl oleate, and ethylparaben) from musk by binary eluent based vortex-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction coupled with GC/MS. Single-factor tests and orthogonal design were employed to optimize the MSPD parameters. In addition, the binary eluent system, methanol, and ethyl acetate 3 : 7 (v/v) were used to extract the target analytes. Finally, C18 was applied as the easily available dispersant and the sample powder was ground for 2 min. Thereafter, the mixture was rapidly extracted with the binary eluents under whirling for 3 min. Eventually, the analysis of the samples was completed within 12 min by GC/MS. All correlation coefficients (r) of four targets were more than 0.9991. The recoveries of all target compounds ranged from 92.8% to 101% while their RSDs were less than 6.94%. There was no significant matrix interference for the analysis. Thus, the combination of vortex-assisted MSPD with GC/MS was considered as a novel, rapid, and environmentally friendly quantitative approach for musk samples.
Escin Sodium Improves the Prognosis of Acute Pancreatitis via Promoting Cell Apoptosis by Suppression of the ERK/STAT3 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Qian , Zhao Chen , Zhang Lei , Sun Kai , Yu Linlin , Wang Xianming , Ren Lei , Zhang Nan , Chen Chengyu , Liu Ju , Wang Haimei , Tian Hu
Published: August 2021

Acute pancreatitis (AP), an inflammatory disorder of the pancreas, can cause systemic inflammatory responses. Escin Sodium (ES), a natural mixture of triterpene saponins extracted from the dry ripe fruit of Fructus Aesculi or horse chestnut crude, has been demonstrated to have antiedematous, anti‐inflammatory, and antiexudative effects. We here aim to investigate the effects of ES pretreatment on AP in vivo and in vitro and explore its potential molecular mechanism. In the present study, we demonstrated that ES pretreatment could apparently decrease amylase and lipase, downregulate inflammatory cytokines, and attenuate pancreatic damage. Additionally, the increased expression of apoptotic‐related proteins and the results of flow cytometry demonstrated the effects of ES on promoting apoptosis in acinar cells. Moreover, ES could enhance mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, ΔΨm) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and reduce intracellular calcium concentration, which are closely related to mitochondrial‐mediated death. The effect of ES pretreatment on acinar cell apoptosis was furtherly confirmed by the regulatory pathway of the ERK/STAT3 axis. These results suggest that ES attenuates the severity of AP by enhancing cell apoptosis via suppressing the ERK/STAT3 signaling pathway. These findings provide evidence for ES which is treated as a novel and potent therapeutic for the treatment of AP.
Effective Extraction of Palmatine and Berberine from Coptis chinensis by Deep Eutectic Solvents-Based Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction
Authors: Li Lijing , Zhang Dong , Wang Yuejie , Liu Fangxin , Xu Yang , Bao Huiwei
Published: August 2021

The effective components of Coptis chinensis were extracted by ultrasound-assisted technology, and the contents of palmatine and berberine were used as indexes by using Coptis chinensis as raw material and eutectic solvent as extractant. In addition, the effects of hydrogen bond donor type, molar ratio of hydrogen bond donor to acceptor, material-liquid ratio, water content of eutectic solvent system, sonication time, power, and ultrasonic temperature on the extraction rate of palmatine and berberine were studied. The optimum extraction technology of palmatine and berberine from Coptis chinensis was determined by single-factor experiment and response surface optimization test. As a result, it showed that the eutectic solvent system was constructed with choline chloride as hydrogen bond acceptor and phenol as hydrogen bond donor, with a molar ratio of 1 : 3. In addition, water content of the eutectic solvent system was 30%, ratio of material to liquid was 30 g/mL, ultrasonic time was 30 min, ultrasonic power was 200 W, and ultrasonic temperature was 60°C. At this time, the contents of palmatine and berberine in Coptis chinensis were 16.7145 mg/g and 57.4013 mg/g, respectively, which were predicted to be the same as the value, and the extraction effect was better than that of traditional extraction solvent method.
Meta-Analysis for Social Support Degree of Kidney Transplant Recipients: Evidence from China
Authors: Yang Qiaolan , Xia Min , Hu Shaohua , Chen Yazheng , Liao Guiyi
Published: August 2021

Social support refers to the subjective and (or) objective influence of various social relationships on individuals, which has a certain influence on the negative emotions of the kidney transplant patients. But there are still significant differences among various studies, so we performed a meta-analysis to analyze the social support degree of kidney transplant recipients. This article searched and selected the relevant cross-sectional surveys from PubMed, Embase, VIP, CNKI, Wanfang, and CBM databases according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and used the STROBE list combined with the observational research quality evaluation tools of Sanderson to conduct the quality appraisal. The “meta” and “metaphor” packages of the R software version 3.5.1 were used for the meta-analysis. A total of 17 studies with 2697 patients were included. The total scores of the social support and objective support of the renal transplant patients were abundant after the operation, indicating that the economic, physical, and emotional supports from the family, society, and the official organization are accepted. But the subjective support and support utilization degree were general. The support utilization was different among different genders, and female patients were lower than the males. In particular, the female patients relatively presented autism and the social support utilization degree was low. Medical staffs are needed to join the family, hospital, and society to create favorable conditions and improve the social support system and the utilization degree of the social support, thereby promoting the physical and mental health development of the patients.
Presence of TSHR in NK Cells and Action of TSH on NK Cells
Authors: Yang Qingqing , Li Jingyi , Kou Chunjia , Zhang Li , Wang Xiansheng , Long Yu , Ni Jiajia , Li Shuqi , Zhang Haiqing
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) is widely expressed in human tissues and cells. TSHR is not only involved in thyroid disease but also in the neuroendocrine-immune regulatory network. However, no study has exclusively focused on the expression and function of TSHR in natural killer (NK) cells. Methods: We studied TSHR expression using reverse transcription PCR to verify TSHR mRNA transcripts in human and mouse NK cells. Human and mouse thyroid and liver tissues as well as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or spleen lymphoid cells (SLCs) were used as controls. The TSHR protein levels in NK-92 cells were determined by immunofluorescence staining. The function of TSHR in NK cells was investigated by measuring the TSH-stimulated cAMP levels. Results: TSHR mRNA was detected in human and mouse NK cells as well as in NK-92 cells and had the same sequence as that of thyroid-derived, PBMC-derived, and liver-derived mRNA. The TSHR protein was also expressed in the cell membrane of NK-92 cells. Furthermore, the cAMP levels in NK-92 cells were significantly higher after adding 102 mIU/mL of bovine TSH at p < 0.05, which stimulated cAMP production in NK-92 cells. Conclusions: Our findings confirm that TSHR is present and functional in NK cells and provide key clues for the potential regulatory effects of TSH on TSHR in NK cells in the immune system.
“Transition” to Schizophrenia or Fluctuations within the Same Disorder?
Authors: Nordgaard Julie , Handest Rasmus , Henriksen Mads Gram , Vollmer-Larsen Anne , Handest Peter , Parnas Josef
Published: August 2021

Background: To prevent or delay the onset of psychotic disorders or ameliorate their course, prodromal research has strived to identify and treat individuals at risk of developing psychosis. While this approach is laudable, it is, however, not entirely unproblematic from clinical and conceptual perspectives. For example, it remains unclear how we are to understand the development from a nonpsychotic, distressing condition such as schizotypal disorder to a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia? The current terminology on the subject implies either a nonlinear jump (“conversion”) or a more linear progression (“transition”) from one disorder to another. To enrich our understanding of such diagnostic shifts, we examined the psychopathological pictures of patients who “transitioned” from schizotypal disorder to schizophrenia. Methods: From a larger study on psychopathology, we examined 40 patients who were diagnosed with schizotypal disorder at baseline. At 5-year follow-up, 30 patients maintained the diagnosis of schizotypal disorder, while 10 were re-diagnosed with schizophrenia. We examined detailed descriptions of the 10 patients who progressed to schizophrenia, comparing psychopathology and level of functioning. Results: The level of functioning decreased slightly from baseline to follow-up in 9 out of 10 patients. Eight patients had previously had micro-psychotic or psychotic experiences. All patients had self-disorders at baseline, and several patients had perceptual disorders. Nine patients had formal thought disorders at baseline. The progression is illustrated by 2 cases. Conclusion: In this small study, we did not find any striking changes in any of the patients, neither in terms of psychopathological manifestations nor in terms of their level of functioning. Thus, rather than witnessing a genuine “conversion” or “transition” from schizotypal disorder to schizophrenia, we observed dimensional fluctuations within the same condition.
Detection of Wheat Lipid Transfer Protein (Tri a 14) Sensitization: Comparison between Currently Available Diagnostic Tools
Authors: San Bartolomé Clara , Muñoz-Cano Rosa , Rius Josefina , Casas-Saucedo Rocío , Balsells Sara , Egri Natalia , Ruano-Zaragoza Maria , de la Cruz Cinthia , Bartra Joan , Pascal Mariona
Published: August 2021

Background: Wheat lipid transfer protein (LTP; Tri a 14) and ω5-gliadin have been described as major allergens in wheat allergy (WA) and relevant in wheat-induced anaphylaxis, frequently associated with cofactors. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare tools currently available in routine diagnosis to detect Tri a 14 sensitization, its clinical relevance, and cosensitization to ω5-gliadin and other LTPs. Methods: One hundred eighteen adults sensitized to rTri a 14 by ImmunoCAP® (cutoff ≥0.1 kUA/L) identified among 210 LTP allergic patients were included. We evaluated (1) wheat skin prick test (SPT), (2) specific IgE (sIgE) to wheat, rTri a 14, rTri a 19, peach, apple, walnut, hazelnut, and peanut LTPs using ImmunoCAP® and microarray ImmunoCAP®ISAC (cutoff ≥0.3I SU), and (3) wheat-related symptoms. Results: Wheat SPT and sIgE were positive in 31% and 85% of subjects, respectively. rTri a 14 by microarray was detected in 25%. Eight percent showed cosensitization to ω5-gliadin. Thirty percent referred symptoms (gastrointestinal [13%], urticaria [11%], and anaphylaxis [8%]). Cofactors (45%) were significantly associated with systemic reactions. Conclusion: WA due to Tri a 14 is frequently related with systemic reactions and because are frequently related to cofactors, the culprit may not be suspected. Together with the poor performance to identify Tri a 14 sensitization of the current routine diagnostic tools based on the analysis of whole wheat extract, such as wheat SPT or sIgE, there is a high risk that WA may be overlooked. Thus, when WA is suspected, sIgE Tri a 14 assessment is recommended, together with wheat and ω5-gliadin, preferably in the singleplex format, and carefully evaluated considering ≥0.1 kUA/L as a cutoff.
Soberania territorial em disputa: o caso da intervenção da Missão das Nações Unidas para a Estabilização no Haiti e seus impactos no território
Authors: Sainté Guerby , Lämmle Luca
Published: August 2021

O objetivo deste trabalho é fomentar o debate sobre soberania territorial em disputa tendo como foco a intervenção da Missão das Nações Unidas para Estabilização no Haiti (MINUSTAH) no território haitiano, partindo da análise que a soberania se insere no seu campo semântico da concepção de poder supremo, racionalização jurídica, princípio de ordem ou de legitimidade do poder. Suas fundamentações são variadas, mas todas envolvem uma referência geral à autoridade suprema, o apogeu da estrutura de poder. É uma das ferramentas importantes para o Estado realizar e cumprir seus objetivos, métodos e princípios nos seus limites de jurisdição. Para cada um deles, considera sua ação autônoma dentro de um espaço geográfico, de um território como base técnica ou do setor de intervenção. O tratado de direito internacional, que termina com a soberania de outro Estado, onde ele tem a capacidade de impor a decisão a todos, não apenas aos membros do Estado, mas, em princípio, a todo o território.
Mitos e nós do agronegócio no Brasil
Authors: Elias Denise
Published: August 2021

O presente artigo parte da hipótese de que os retrocessos políticos vividos no Brasil desde o golpe parlamentar de 2016 mostram a tendência ao aumento de poder dos agentes hegemônicos do agronegócio atuantes no país e, consequentemente, a propensão ao agravamento das desigualdades socioespaciais, dos conflitos e da violência no campo e nas cidades. O principal objetivo é discutir o que consideramos alguns dos principais mitos e nós nos quais se escora o agronegócio, uma vez que julgamos que devem ser desfeitos para que possamos trilhar os caminhos para uma sociedade mais justa, igualitária e democrática. A metodologia estruturou-se nos fundamentos da pesquisa qualitativa. Concluímos que as formas-conteúdo do agronegócio são contestáveis e devem ser rejeitadas e substituídas por outras.
Agricultura na aglomeração urbana de Presidente Prudente - SP
Authors: Pereira Claudinei da Silva
Published: August 2021

O artigo analisa aspectos relacionados à produção agrícola na cidade, vinculando duas dimensões essenciais: a morfologia urbana e as condições socioeconômicas. A primeira, aborda condições estruturais onde a prática agrícola se efetiva, tendo como fundamento a lógica subjacente de produção da cidade e as prerrogativas de apropriação do solo urbano enquanto negócio. A segunda, estrutura-se a partir de condicionantes econômicos, culturais e de novos valores atrelados ao consumo alimentar, no qual a prerrogativa de acesso a alimentos saudáveis vem cumprindo novos papéis na produção com fins de autoconsumo ou mesmo direcionado ao mercado. A partir do mapeamento da incidência da agricultura e aplicação de formulários junto aos produtores com finalidade comercial, construímos tipologia de análise da agricultura urbana, demonstrando diferentes funções que a prática agrícola exerce para os sujeitos e para as cidades.