bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinctive Gut Microbiota Alteration Is Associated with Poststroke Functional Recovery: Results from a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Dang Yini , Zhang Xintong , Zheng Yu , Yu Binbin , Pan Dijia , Jiang Xiaomin , Yan Chengjie , Yu Qiuyu , Lu Xiao
Published: December 2021

Objectives. Functional prognosis is potentially correlated with gut microbiota alterations following the dysregulation of the gut-microbiota-brain axis after stroke. This study was designed to explore the poststroke alterations of gut microbiota and potential correlations between gut microbiota and global functions. Methods. A total of thirty-eight patients with stroke and thirty-five healthy demographics-matched controls were recruited. Their fecal DNAs were extracted, and the V3-V4 regions of the conserved bacterial 16S RNA were amplified and sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Microbial composition, diversity indices, and species cooccurrence were compared between groups. Random forest and receiver operating characteristic analysis were used to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers. Relationships between discriminant bacteria and poststroke functional outcomes were estimated. Results. Higher alpha diversity of gut microbiota was observed in poststroke patients as compared to the healthy controls (

p
<
0.05

). Beta diversity showed that microbiota composition in the poststroke group was significantly different from that in the control group. Relative abundance of nine genera increased significantly in poststroke patients, while 82 genera significantly decreased (

p
<
0.05

). The accuracy, specificity, and susceptibility of the optimal model consisted of the top 10 discriminant species were 93%, 100%, and 86%, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that bacterial taxa abundant between subacute and chronic stroke patients were overall different (

p
<
0.05

). The modified Rankin scale (mRS) (

r
=
−
0.370

,

p
<
0.05

), Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) score (

r
=
0.364

,

p
<
0.05

), water swallow test (WST) (

r
=
0.340

,

p
<
0.05

), and Barthel index (BI) (

r
=
0.349

,

p
<
0.05

) were significantly associated with alterations of distinctive gut microbiota. Conclusions. The gut microbiota in patients with stroke was significantly changed in terms of richness and composition. Significant associations were detected between alterations of distinctive gut microbiota and global functional prognosis. It would facilitate novel treatment target selection in the context of stroke while the causal relationships between distinctive gut microbiota alterations and functional variations need to be further verified with well-designed studies.
A Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm Based on Grid Technique and Multistrategy
Authors: Zou Kangge , Liu Yanmin , Wang Shihua , Li Nana , Wu Yaowei
Published: December 2021

When faced with complex optimization problems with multiple objectives and multiple variables, many multiobjective particle swarm algorithms are prone to premature convergence. To enhance the convergence and diversity of the multiobjective particle swarm algorithm, a multiobjective particle swarm optimization algorithm based on the grid technique and multistrategy (GTMSMOPSO) is proposed. The algorithm randomly uses one of two different evaluation index strategies (convergence evaluation index and distribution evaluation index) combined with the grid technique to enhance the diversity and convergence of the population and improve the probability of particles flying to the real Pareto front. A combination of grid technology and a mixed evaluation index strategy is used to maintain the external archive to avoid removing particles with better convergence based only on particle density, which leads to population degradation and affects the particle exploitation ability. At the same time, a variation operation is proposed to avoid rapid degradation of the population, which enhances the particle search capability. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has better convergence and distribution than CMOPSO, NSGAII, MOEAD, MOPSOCD, and NMPSO.
A Study on the Convergence Analysis of the Inexact Simplified Jacobi–Davidson Method
Authors: Zhao Jutao , Guo Pengfei
Published: December 2021

The Jacobi–Davidson iteration method is very efficient in solving Hermitian eigenvalue problems. If the correction equation involved in the Jacobi–Davidson iteration is solved accurately, the simplified Jacobi–Davidson iteration is equivalent to the Rayleigh quotient iteration which achieves cubic convergence rate locally. When the involved linear system is solved by an iteration method, these two methods are also equivalent. In this paper, we present the convergence analysis of the simplified Jacobi–Davidson method and present the estimate of iteration numbers of the inner correction equation. Furthermore, based on the convergence factor, we can see how the accuracy of the inner iteration controls the outer iteration.
Evaluating the Street Greening with the Multiview Data Fusion
Authors: Sun Lishuang , Wang Jianing , Xie Zhiwei , Li Ruren , Wu Xinyu , Wu Yifan
Published: December 2021

Street greening, an indispensable element of urban green spaces, has played an important role in beautifying the environment, alleviating the urban heat island effect, and improving residents’ comfort. Vegetation coverage is a common index used for measuring street greening. However, there are some shortcomings in the traditional evaluation methods of vegetation coverage. Part of the vegetation coverage cannot be determined from a two‐dimensional perspective, such as shrubs and green walls. In this paper, the Sentinel‐2 image was used to extract the street fractional vegetation cover (SFVC) and the Baidu street view panoramas were used to extract the green view index (GVI). To overcome the lack of a single perspective from the street vegetation coverage evaluation, the above two indices were merged to construct a comprehensive street greening evaluation index (CSGEI). The research area is the Longhua District of Shenzhen city in Southern China. All three indices were divided into five classes using natural breakpoint methods based on previous research experience. The results showed that Baidu street view panoramas could effectively identify shrubs and green walls that were deficient in the Sentinel‐2 image. The GVI is a supplement to the street vegetation coverage. The SFVC and GVI were divided into five classes, from L1 to L5 implying a gradual increase in the percentage of the vegetated area. The result has shown that the SFVC was in the L1, accounting for 53.68%. After index merging, the process of accounting for the L1 decreased to 31.29%. The multiperspective integrated CSGEI could comprehensively measure the distribution information of street greening and guide the planning and management of urban green landscapes.
Ferritinophagic Flux Was a Driving Force in Determination of Status of EMT, Ferroptosis, and NDRG1 Activation in Action of Mechanism of 2-Pyridylhydrazone Dithiocarbamate S-Acetic Acid
Authors: Li Hao , Zhou Wei , Wei Huiping , Li Longlong , Wang Xu , Li Yongli , Li Shaoshan , Li Changzheng
Published: December 2021

Ferritinophagy is a process of ferritin degradation in lysosomes; however, how its effect on other cellular events, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and ferroptosis remains elusive. In this study, we determined how ferritinophagic flux influence the status of EMT and ferroptosis in HepG2 cell. Our data revealed that 2-pyridylhydrazone dithiocarbamate s-acetic acid (PdtaA) induced EMT inhibition involved ferritinophagy-mediated ROS production, but addition of ferrostatin-1 could attenuate the effect of PdtaA on the regulation of EMT-related proteins, suggesting that ferroptosis might involve in the EMT regulation. Next, downregulation of Gpx4 and xCT as well as enhanced lipid peroxidation further supported that PdtaA was able to induce ferroptosis. Knockdown of NCOA4 significantly attenuated the regulatory effect of PdtaA on related proteins which highlighted that the strength of ferritinophagic flux (NCOA4/ferritin) was a driving force in determination of the status of EMT and ferroptosis. Furthermore, NDRG1 activation was also observed, and knockdown of NDRG1 similarly influenced the expressions of ferroptosis-related proteins, suggesting that NDRG1 also involved ferroptosis induction, which was first reported. Taken together, PdtaA-induced EMT inhibition, ferroptosis, and NDRG1 activation all depended on the strength of ferritinophagic flux.
Two-Stage Robust Optimization Model for Uncertainty Investment Portfolio Problems
Authors: Luan Dongqing , Wang Chuming , Wu Zhong , Xia Zhijie
Published: December 2021

Investment portfolio can provide investors with a more robust financial management plan, but the uncertainty of its parameters is a key factor affecting performance. This paper conducts research on investment portfolios and constructs a two-stage mixed integer programming (TS-MIP) model, which comprehensively considers the five dimensions of profit, diversity, skewness, information entropy, and conditional value at risk. But the deterministic TS-MIP model cannot cope with the uncertainty. Therefore, this paper constructs a two-stage robust optimization (TS-RO) model by introducing robust optimization theory. In case experiments, data crawler technology is used to obtain actual data from real websites, and a variety of methods are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model in dealing with uncertainty. The comparison of models found that, compared with the traditional equal weight model, the investment benefits of the TS-MIP model and the TS-RO model proposed have been improved. Among them, the Sharpe ratio, Sortino ratio, and Treynor ratio have the largest increase of 19.30%, 8.25%, and 7.34%, respectively.
Key Technologies and Discrete Dynamic Modeling Analysis of Online Travel Planning System Based on Big Data Scenario Aware Service
Authors: Hao Yange , Song Na
Published: December 2021

The key technology of online travel recommendation system has been widely concerned by many Internet experts. This paper studies and designs a scenario aware service model in online travel planning system and proposes an online travel planning recommendation model which integrates collaborative filtering and clustering personalized recommendation algorithm. At the same time, the algorithm performance test method and model evaluation index are given. The results show that CTTCF algorithm can find more neighbor users than UCF algorithm, and the smaller the search space is, the more significant the advantage is. The number of neighbors is 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25, respectively, and the corresponding average absolute error values are about 0.815, 0.785, 0.765, 0.758, and 0.755, respectively. The scores of the six emotional travel itinerary recommendation schemes are all higher than 142 points. Only the two schemes have no obvious rendering effect. The proposed online travel itinerary planning scheme has potential value and important significance in the application of follow-up recommendation system. It solves the problem of low scene perception satisfaction in the key technologies of online tourism planning system.
Infrared and Visible Image Fusion via Fast Approximate Bilateral Filter and Local Energy Characteristics
Authors: Li Zongping , Lei Wenxin , Li Xudong , Liao Tingting , Zhang Jianming
Published: December 2021

Image fusion is to effectively enhance the accuracy, stability, and comprehensiveness of information. Generally, infrared images lack enough background details to provide an accurate description of the target scene, while visible images are difficult to detect radiation under adverse conditions, such as low light. People hoped that the richness of image details can be improved by using effective fusion algorithms. In this paper, we propose an infrared and visible image fusion algorithm, aiming to overcome some common defects in the process of image fusion. Firstly, we use fast approximate bilateral filter to decompose the infrared image and visible image to obtain the small-scale layers, large-scale layer, and base layer. Then, the fused base layer is obtained based on local energy characteristics, which avoid information loss of traditional fusion rules. The fused small-scale layers are acquired by selecting the absolute maximum, and the fused large-scale layer is obtained by summation rule. Finally, the fused small-scale layers, large-scale layer, and base layer are merged to reconstruct the final fused image. Experimental results show that our method retains more detailed appearance information of the fused image and achieves good results in both qualitative and quantitative evaluations.
Research on Learning Evaluation of Online General Education Course Based on BP Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Zongbiao
Published: December 2021

Network open curriculum provides a new solution for general education in local colleges and universities, which makes the network curriculum widely popularized and applied in colleges and universities. However, due to the lack of good curriculum learning evaluation, it is inconvenient for learners to choose. Therefore, this paper proposes to use the BP neural network model to evaluate the learning process of network general education course. Based on the course and user data provided by the existing platform, this paper constructs an online course learning evaluation model and studies the structure and effect relationship among learning experience, learning investment, and learning performance of ordinary online courses based on the preaging process product (3P) model and structural analysis method. Our research shows that curriculum quality is a key factor in analyzing and predicting learning results, which has a great impact on learning achievement. Learning experience is a direct factor affecting academic achievement. Learning experience, as an intermediary variable, indirectly affects e‐learning performance. At the same time, it puts forward some suggestions to optimize the learning effect of ordinary online courses. On the one hand, the evaluation model provided in this paper can provide a reference for learners to select online courses; on the other hand, it can also be used as a supplement to the existing subjective evaluation model.
Efficiency of the Stool-PCR Test Targeting NADH Dehydrogenase (Nad) Subunits for Detection of Opisthorchis viverrini Eggs
Authors: Phadungsil Wansika , Pumpa Supaporn , Sirisabhabhorn Kridsada , Geadkaew-Krenc Amornrat , Grams Rudi , Mungthin Mathirut , Ruang-Areerate Toon , Adisakwattana Poom , Labbunruang Nipawan , Martviset Pongsakorn
Published: December 2021

Opisthorchis viverrini infection is the major parasitic infection problem in Southeast Asian countries, and long-term infection will lead to cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), the bile duct cancer. The early diagnosis of O. viverrini infection may interrupt the progression of the opisthorchiasis and other related illnesses, especially CCA. The current diagnostic procedure is stool examination by microscope-based methods such as direct smear and concentration techniques but it is limited by low parasite egg numbers. The molecular diagnosis prompts the chance to evaluate the light infection with low number of parasite eggs but is currently inconvenient for routine use due to special equipment requirement and unstable sensitivities. Our present study aims to establish the efficiency of OvNad subunits, the mitochondrial gene, for introducing as a potential diagnostic target by conventional PCR, the cheapest and easiest molecular procedure. A total of 166 stool samples were investigated microscopically by the PBS-ethyl acetate concentration technique (PECT); 75 samples were O. viverrini positive with 28 samples that were positive with single parasite (hookworm, A. lumbricoides, S. stercoralis, Taenia spp., and T. trichiura), 11 samples were with mixed infection, and 52 samples were without parasite detection. The detection limits of OvNad subunits were evaluated in artificially spiked samples containing 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Ov-eggs. The result suggested that the best detection efficacy was of OvNad5 that had exact detection limits at only 5 eggs. In the PCR amplification of OvNad subunits, there exist 100% specificities with varied sensitivities from 64%, 88%, 80%, and 100% of OvNad1, OvNad2, OvNad4, and OvNad5, respectively. OvNad subunits were amplified specifically without cross reactivity with the other collected parasites. Our study established that OvNad subunits, especially OvNad5, are the potent candidates for PCR amplification of stool containing Ov-eggs with high confidential sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV even in the light infection that would be a benefit for developing as a routine diagnosis of O. viverrini infection.
Research on Network Model of Dentate Gyrus Based on Bionics
Authors: Zhang Jin , Wei Xiaoping , Zhang Shiwen , Niu Xin , Li Guang , Tian Tiantian
Published: December 2021

As an important part of the brain, the dentate gyrus has an irreplaceable effect in the process of memory generation. Therefore, the study of the dentate gyrus model has important significance in the study of brain function. This paper, combined with the real anatomical structure of the dentate gyrus, is based on the existing calculation model for studying the pathological state of the dentate gyrus, a network model of dentate gyrus based on bionics. Then, a simulation experiment on the normal dentate gyrus model is performed on the NEURON platform, the output of each neuron in the model is observed, and a conclusion that the improved model can respond to stimuli, generate action potentials, and transmit them along with the neural network is made. At the same time, the output results are compared with the existing pathological models, and the characteristics of the stimulus response between neurons in the dentate gyrus under normal physiological conditions are obtained. Finally, according to the semiquantitative classification definition and quantitative classification definition of the small-world network, the model is analyzed, and it is concluded that the improved dentate gyrus network model has small-world characteristics. Therefore, the neurons in the improved dentate gyrus model are tightly connected and can simulate the real dentate gyrus to a certain extent.
Research Progress in Vitamin A and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Liu Zhonghui , Wang Jingyu , Xu Qu , Hong Qin , Zhu Jiansheng , Chi Xia
Published: December 2021

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder. Over the past few decades, many studies have investigated the effects of VA supplementation in ASD patients and the relationship between vitamin A (VA) levels and ASD. VA is an essential micronutrient that plays an important role in various systems and biological processes in the form of retinoic acid (RA). Recent studies have shown that serum VA concentration is negatively correlated with the severity of ASD. The lack of VA during pregnancy or early fetal development can affect brain development and lead to long-term or even permanent impairment in the learning process, memory formation, and cognitive function. In addition, VA deficiency has been reported to have a major impact on the gastrointestinal function of children with ASD, while VA supplementation has been shown to improve the symptoms of ASD to a certain extent. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the relationship between VA and ASD.
[Retracted] Analysis on the Clinical Effect of High‐Dose Glucocorticoids Combined with Immunosuppressants on Patients with Myasthenia Gravis Undergoing Video‐Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Authors: Liu Pei , Wang Haoyue , Hu Jiejie , Zhai Xiaobin , Ge Zhaoming
Published: December 2021

Objective. The purpose of the study was to investigate the clinical effect of high‐dose glucocorticoids (GCS) combined with immunosuppressants on the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG) with video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Methods. A total of 106 MG patients admitted to the neurology department of our hospital from February 2016 to February 2020 were selected as the study subjects and divided into experimental group (n = 53) and control group (n = 53). The patients in the control group underwent VATS, while the patients in the experimental group were treated with high‐dose GCS combined with immunosuppressants on the basis of VATS treatment. The clinical efficacy of different MG treatment methods was analyzed. Results. No significant differences were observed in visual analogue score (VAS) at T1 between the two groups (P > 0.05), while VAS scores at T2, T3, and T4 in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001). In the experimental group, the overall response rate was significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). Cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated protein 4 (CTLA4) level in regulatory T (Treg) cells in experimental groups after treatment was significantly higher, compared to that in before treatment and the control group (P < 0.05). Similar results of each quantitative MG score were displayed in both groups after treatment, compared to before treatment and the control group (P < 0.05). Clinical performance of patients with lower incidence of adverse reactions in the experimental groups after treatment was significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion. GCS combined with immunosuppressants can effectively relieve patients’ clinical symptoms and improve their quality of life, with significant clinical efficacy and high safety, which is worthy of application and promotion.
Multivalent Functions Related with an Integral Operator
Authors: Ali Shah Syed Ghoos , Hussain Saqib , Noor Saima , Darus Maslina , Ahmad Ibrar
Published: December 2021

In this present paper, we introduce and explore certain new classes of uniformly convex and starlike functions related to the Liu–Owa integral operator. We explore various properties and characteristics, such as coefficient estimates, rate of growth, distortion result, radii of close-to-convexity, starlikeness, convexity, and Hadamard product. It is important to mention that our results are a generalization of the number of existing results in the literature.
A Novel Hierarchical Key Assignment Scheme for Data Access Control in IoT
Authors: Li Xiaoyu , Ye Min , Chen Jiahui , Chen Jianhui , Chen Yeh-Cheng
Published: December 2021

Hierarchical key assignment scheme is an efficient cryptographic method for hierarchical access control, in which the encryption keys of lower classes can be derived by the higher classes. Such a property is an effective way to ensure the access control security of Internet of Things data markets. However, many researchers on this field cannot avoid potential single point of failure in key distribution, and some key assignment schemes are insecure against collusive attack or sibling attack or collaborative attack. In this paper, we propose a hierarchical key assignment scheme based on multilinear map to solve the multigroup access control in Internet of Things data markets. Compared with previous hierarchical key assignment schemes, our scheme can avoid potential single point of failure in key distribution. Also the central authority of our scheme (corresponding to the data owner in IoT data markets) does not need to assign the corresponding encryption keys to each user directly, and users in each class can obtain the encryption key via only a one-round key agreement protocol. We then show that our scheme satisfies the security of key indistinguishability under decisional multilinear Diffie-Hellman assumption. Finally, comparisons show the efficiency of our scheme and indicates that our proposed scheme can not only resist the potential attacks, but also guarantee the forward and backward security.
A Study of Big-Data-Driven Data Visualization and Visual Communication Design Patterns
Authors: Zhu Weiming
Published: December 2021

This paper provides an in-depth study and analysis of big-data-driven data visualization and visual communication design models. The characteristics of new media and the definition of traditional media are analyzed; the importance of the new media environment is derived through comparison; and the successful cases of new media integration today are analyzed. In this process, we will optimize the traditional science and technology intelligence service model, optimize the various components that make up the science and technology intelligence wisdom service, achieve model optimization and reflect the four characteristics of science and technology intelligence wisdom service, and reconstruct the science and technology intelligence wisdom service using the literature research method. The design based on imagery schema theory is manifest, inclusive, and somewhat innovative and at the same time has a high degree of consistency and internal logical relationship with the visual representation of multidomain heterogeneous data at the cognitive level and displays purpose. This internal logical relationship is systematically organized and deeply analyzed, and the methodology from subpattern extraction and visual interaction design to the deep integration of visual representation is proposed in combination with specific application scenarios and cases.
Thermal Stability Kinetics and Shelf Life Estimation of the Redox‐Active Therapeutic and Mimic of Superoxide Dismutase Enzyme, Mn(III) meso‐Tetrakis(N‐ethylpyridinium‐2‐yl)porphyrin Chloride (MnTE‐2‐PyPCl5, BMX‐010)
Authors: Maia Clarissa G. C. , de Araujo Bárbara C. R. , de Freitas-Marques Maria B. , da Costa Israel F. , Yoshida Maria Irene , da Nova Mussel Wagner , Sebastião Rita de Cássia O. , Rebouças Júlio S.
Published: December 2021

Mn(III) meso‐tetrakis(N‐ethylpyridinium‐2‐yl)porphyrin chloride (MnTE‐2‐PyPCl5, BMX‐010, and AEOL10113) is among the most studied superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimics and redox‐active therapeutics, being currently tested as a drug candidate in a phase II clinical trial on atopic dermatitis and itch. The thermal stability of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) is useful for estimating the expiration date and shelf life of pharmaceutical products under various storage and handling conditions. The thermal decomposition and kinetic parameters of MnTE‐2‐PyPCl5 were determined by thermogravimetry (TG) under nonisothermal and isothermal conditions. The first thermal degradation pathway affecting Mn‐porphyrin structural integrity and, thus, activity and bioavailability was associated with loss of ethyl chloride via N‐dealkylation reaction. The thermal stability kinetics of the N‐dealkylation process leading to MnTE‐2‐PyPCl5 decomposition was investigated by using isoconversional models and artificial neural network. The new multilayer perceptron (MLP) artificial neural network approach allowed the simultaneous study of ten solid‐state kinetic models and showed that MnTE‐2‐PyPCl5 degradation is better explained by a combination of various mechanisms, with major contributions from the contraction models R1 and R2. The calculated activation energy values from isothermal and nonisothermal data were about 90 kJ mol–1 on average and agreed with one another. According to the R1 modelling of the isothermal decomposition data, the estimated shelf life value for 10% decomposition (t90%) of MnTE‐2‐PyPCl5 at 25°C was approximately 17 years, which is consistent with the high solid‐state stability of the compound. These results represent the first study on the solid‐state decomposition kinetics of Mn(III) 2‐N‐alkylpyridylporphyrins, contributing to the development of this class of redox‐active therapeutics and SOD mimics and providing supporting data to protocols on purification, handling, storage, formulation, expiration date, and general use of these compounds.
Construction of University Online Examination System Based on Cloud Computing Technology
Authors: Song Shixian
Published: December 2021

With cloud computing's powerful computing power, many end users can create a variety of effective network applications using the cloud's services without having to worry about computing technology or access methods. Based on CC technology's on-demand service characteristics and unlimited dynamic expansion capability, this article designs and implements a shared network examination system. In the Web mode, the functions of receiving and distributing examination data, identity verification, online examination, and examination result collection can be realized using the SaaS deployment structure, MVC three-tier architecture, Java modeling language, XFIE, JSON, web service, DES, and other technologies combined with MySQL database. At the same time, the improved parallel genetic annealing algorithm (IPGAA) is proposed as a CC resource scheduling strategy. The IPGAA has better adaptability in the CC system with various cloud resources because it combines the fast global search ability of the genetic algorithm (GA) with the local search ability of the simulated annealing algorithm. Simulation tests show that the IPGAA is effective.
Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Low-Carbohydrate Diets with Low-Fat Diets for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Li Shunhua , Ding Lu , Xiao Xinhua
Published: December 2021

Introduction. To compare the efficacy of low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs) with low-fat diets (LFDs) in body weight and glycemic control for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, and their cardiovascular and renal safety. Methods. We searched PubMed, Ovid, Embase databases, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to April, 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which lasted more than 3 months were included. The primary outcomes are the mean change from baseline in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and body weight loss. Secondary outcomes included mean difference in lipid parameters, blood pressures, and serum creatinine. Results. Totally, 12 RCTs met inclusion criteria representing 761 patients. Compared with LFDs, treatment with LCDs achieved significant reduced HbA1c by 0.35% (95% CI: −0.45, −0.24;

P

 < 0.00001). LCDs appeared to be more beneficial in decreasing body weight than LFDs (WMD = −2.99 kg; 95% CI: −4.36, −1.63;

P

 < 0.0001), especially in the subgroup that used VLCDs (WMD = −9.49 kg; 95% CI: −12.88, −6.09,

P

 < 0.00001). For cardiovascular risk factors, the LCD interventions significantly reduced TG concentration (WMD: −0.20 mmol/l; 95% CI: −0.31, −0.10;

P

 = 0.0001) and increased HDL-C concentration (WMD: 0.09 mmol/l; 95% CI: 0.05,0.13;

P

 < 0.00001). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the difference in HbA1c, TG, and HDL-C between two dietary restrictions respectively lasted up to 1.5 and 2 years, whereas the beneficial effects of body weight loss diminished over time and disappeared after 2 years. LCDs were not associated with decreased level of TC or LDL-C, neither SBP nor DBP in comparison with LFDs. Moreover, no significant difference in serum creatinine could be found among such two diet interventions. Conclusions. LCDs are superior to LFDs for T2DM patients in improving HbA1c and reducing body weight, with a rewarding effect of some cardiovascular risk factors in a longer-term diabetes management. However, available data are insufficient to evaluate the association between diet interventions and renal safety. Future larger longer-term follow-up clinical trials are needed to provide more evidence about the sustainable effects and safety of LCDs compared with LFDs.
Chemotherapeutic and Safety Profile of a Fraction from Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Stem Bark
Authors: Pinheiro Ferreira Paulo Michel , Drumond Renata Rosado , Silva Jurandy do Nascimento , Oliveira Sousa Ian Jhemes , Oliveira Barros de Alencar Marcus Vinicius , Oliveira Ferreira da Mata Ana Maria , Nery Monção Nayana Bruna , Maria das Graças Lopes Citó Antonia , Urano Carvalho Ana Fontenele , Farias Davi Felipe , Marçal da Costa Patrícia , Viana Nunes Adriana Maria , Marcelo de Castro e Sousa João , Amélia de Carvalho Melo-Cavalcante Ana
Published: December 2021

Mimosa caesalpiniifolia (Fabaceae) is used by Brazilian people to treat hypertension, bronchitis, and skin infections. Herein, we evaluated the antiproliferative action of the dichloromethane fraction from M. caesalpiniifolia (DFMC) stem bark on murine tumor cells and the in vivo toxicogenetic profile. Initially, the cytotoxic activity of DFMC on primary cultures of Sarcoma 180 (S180) cells by Alamar Blue, trypan, and cytokinesis block micronucleus (CBMN) assays was assessed after 72 h of exposure, followed by the treatment of S180-bearing Swiss mice for 7 days, physiological investigations, and DNA/chromosomal damage. DFMC and betulinic acid revealed similar in vitro antiproliferative action on S180 cells and induced a reduction in viable cells, induced a reduction in viable cells and caused the emergence of bridges, buds, and morphological features of apoptosis and necrosis. S180-transplanted mice treated with DFMC (50 and 100 mg/kg/day), a betulinic acid-rich dichloromethane, showed for the first time in vivo tumor growth reduction (64.8 and 80.0%) and poorer peri- and intratumor quantities of vessels. Such antiproliferative action was associated with detectible side effects (loss of weight, reduction of spleen, lymphocytopenia, and neutrophilia and increasing of GOT and micronucleus in bone marrow), but preclinical general anticancer properties of the DFMC were not threatened by toxicological effects, and these biomedical discoveries validate the ethnopharmacological reputation of Mimosa species as emerging phytotherapy sources of lead molecules.
Reservoir Characteristics of the Lower Permian Marine-Continental Transitional Shales: Example from the Shanxi Formation and Taiyuan Formation in the Ordos Basin
Authors: Wang H. , Zhang L. , Zhao Q. , Qiu Z. , Liu D. , Zhang Q. , Wang Y. , Dong D.
Published: December 2021

The pore types and pore structure parameters of the heterogenetic shale will affect the percolation and reservoir properties of shale; therefore, the research on these parameters is very important for shale reservoir evaluation. We used X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), low-pressure CO2 adsorption analysis, mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP), and high-pressure methane adsorption analysis to analyze the characteristics of different pore types and their parameters of the Lower Permian Shanxi Formation and Taiyuan Formation in the Ordos Basin. The influence of different mineral contents on the porosity and pore size is also investigated. The Shanxi Formation (SF) is composed of quartz (average of 38.4%), plagioclase, siderite, Fe-dolomite, calcite, pyrite, and clay minerals (average of 50.1%), while the Taiyuan Formation (TF) is composed of calcite (average of 37%), siderite, Fe-dolomite, quartz, pyrite, and clay minerals (average of 32.3%). The most common types of pores observed in this formation are interparticle pores (InterP pores), intraparticle pores (IntraP pores), interclay pores, intercrystalline pores (InterC pores), organic matter pores (OM pores), and microfractures. CO2 adsorption analysis demonstrates the type I physisorption isotherms, showing microporous solids having comparatively small external surfaces. The similar types of isothermal shapes of the Shanxi Formation (SF) and Taiyuan Formation (TF) suggest that both types have similar pore size distribution (PSD) within the measured pore range by the low-pressure CO2 adsorption experiment. The micropore pore size of the TF is larger than that of the SF. MICP shows the larger pores (>50 nm), and most of the volume was adsorbed by macropores. Methane gas sorption capacity increases with increasing pressure. Clay minerals and quartz played an important role in providing adsorption sites for methane gas. The overall analysis of both formations shows that TF has good reservoir properties than SF.
An Accurate Estimation of the Eigenfrequency of an Offshore Wind Turbine Considered as the Stepped Euler-Bernoulli Beam in Three-Spring Flexible Foundation Using the Power Series Method
Authors: Robinson Mouafo Teifouet Armand , Wang Zhenyu
Published: December 2021

The present study employs the power series method (PSM) to accurately predict the natural frequencies of eleven offshore wind turbines (OWT). This prediction is very important as it helps in the quick verification of experimental or finite element results. This study idealizes the OWT as a stepped Euler-Bernoulli beam carrying a top mass and connected at its bottom to a flexible foundation. The first part of the beam represents a monopile and the transition piece while its second part is a tower. The foundation is modeled using three springs (lateral, rotational, and cross-coupling springs). This work’s aim is at improving therefore the previous researches, in which the whole wind turbine was taken as a single beam, with a tower being tapered and its wall thickness being negligible compared to its diameter. In order to be closer to real-life OWT, three profiles of the tapered tower are explored: case 1 considers a tower with constant thickness along its height. Case 2 assumes a tower’s thickness being negligible compared to its mean diameter, while case 3 describes the tower as a tapered beam with varying thickness along its height. Next, the calculated natural frequencies are compared to those obtained from measurements. Results reveal that case 2, used by previous researches, was only accurate for OWT with tower wall thickness lower than 15 mm. Frequencies produced in case 3 are the most accurate as the relative error is up to 0.01%, especially for the OWT with thicknesses higher or equal to 15 mm. This case appears to be more realistic as, practically, wall thickness of a wind tower varies with its height. The tower-to-pile thickness ratio is an important design parameter as it highly has impact on the natural frequency of OWT, and must therefore be taken into account during the design as well as lateral and rotational coupling springs.
Protective Effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on Cerebral Ischemia Reperfusion Injury by Alleviating Autophagy in the Ischemic Penumbra
Authors: Zhao Yanmeng , Ma Xiujuan , Yu Wentao , Zhang Ziwei , Wang Wenliang , Zhou Xiaohong , Gao Weijuan
Published: December 2021

Objectives. To evaluate the protective effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) against cerebral ischemia reperfusion and investigate whether autophagy is involved in its mechanism of action. Methods. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: the sham, cerebral ischemia reperfusion (I/R), and I/R + BHD groups. A rat model of cerebral I/R injury was established via middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h, followed by 1, 3, and 7 d of reperfusion. Neurological scores and regional cerebral blood flow were assessed to determine whether the model was successfully established. Brain infarct volume was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The apoptosis rate was detected using TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) staining, and neuronal damage was evaluated by Nissl staining. The Beclin-1 and LC3 protein levels in the ischemic core, penumbra, and contralateral area were analysed by Western blotting. The occurrence of autophagy in the penumbra was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results. BHD treatment alleviated the cerebral infarct volume, neuronal apoptosis rate, and neuronal damage 3 and 7 d after cerebral I/R injury. Furthermore, 3 d after reperfusion, we observed that the Beclin-1 levels were significantly decreased in the core in the I/R group, whereas transformation of LC3 I to LC3 II exhibited no obvious differences between the sham and I/R groups. In the penumbra, the Beclin-1 levels and transformation of LC3 I to LC3 II in the I/R group were significantly increased compared with that in the sham group. However, no significant difference in the contralateral area was noted between the two groups. BHD significantly inhibited the expression of Beclin-1 and the transformation of LC3 I to LC3 II in the penumbra after cerebral I/R injury but yielded no significant changes in the core and contralateral area. Conclusions. BHD exerts a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting autophagy in neurons in the penumbra after cerebral I/R injury.
Research on Learning State Based on Students’ Attitude and Emotion in Class Learning
Authors: Huang Dong , Zhang WeiXin
Published: December 2021

In basic education, timely and accurate grasp of students’ classroom learning status can provide real-time information reference and overall evaluation for teachers and managers, which has a very important educational application value. At present, a lot of information technology is applied in the analysis of classroom student behavior state, and the state analysis technology based on a classroom video has the characteristics of strong timeliness, wide dimension, and large capacity, which is especially suitable for the analysis and acquisition of students’ classroom state, and attracts the attention of major educational technology companies. However, the current student state acquisition technology based on video analysis lacks large scenes and has low practicability, and finally, the video-based student classroom behavior state analysis technology mainly focuses on a single behavior feature, which cannot fully reflect the student’s classroom behavior state. In view of the above problems, this study introduces the face recognition algorithm based on a student classroom video and its implementation process, improves the hybrid face detection model based on a traditional model, and proposes the neural network algorithm of student expression recognition based on a visual transformer. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm based on students' classroom videos can effectively detect students’ attention and emotional state in class.
Syntaxin4-Munc18c Interaction Promotes Breast Tumor Invasion and Metastasis by Regulating MT1-MMP Trafficking
Authors: Brasher Megan I. , Chafe Shawn C. , McDonald Paul C. , Nemirovsky Oksana , Gorshtein Genya , Gerbec Zachary J. , Brown Wells S. , Grafinger Olivia R. , Marchment Matthew , Matus Esther , Dedhar Shoukat , Coppolino Marc G.
Published: December 2021

Invasion of neighboring extracellular matrix (ECM) by malignant tumor cells is a hallmark of metastatic progression. This invasion can be mediated by subcellular structures known as invadopodia, the function of which depends upon soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-activating protein receptor (SNARE)-mediated vesicular transport of cellular cargo. Recently, it has been shown the SNARE Syntaxin4 (Stx4) mediates trafficking of membrane type 1–matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) to invadopodia, and that Stx4 is regulated by Munc18c in this context. Here, it is observed that expression of a construct derived from the N-terminus of Stx4, which interferes with Stx4-Munc18c interaction, leads to perturbed trafficking of MT1-MMP, and reduced invadopodium-based invasion in vitro, in models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Expression of Stx4 N-terminus also led to increased survival and markedly reduced metastatic burden in multiple TNBC models in vivo. The findings are the first demonstration that disrupting Stx4-Munc18c interaction can dramatically alter metastatic progression in vivo, and suggest that this interaction warrants further investigation as a potential therapeutic target.

Implications:

Disrupting the interaction of Syntaxin4 and Munc18c may be a useful approach to perturb trafficking of MT1-MMP and reduce metastatic potential of breast cancers.
A Case of Extensive Grover’s Disease in a Patient with a History of Multiple Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers
Authors: Kotzerke Mareike , Mitri Fouad , Enk Alexander , Toberer Ferdinand , Haenssle Holger
Published: December 2021

We report on a 69-year-old man who presented with itching and erythematous papules on his torso and extremities, which were resistant to topical therapy with antibiotics and steroids. Physical examination revealed multiple erythematous papules on his back, neckline, and lower extremities. The lesions had appeared 4 years earlier and usually worsened with heat or extensive sweating. Histopathology of previous skin biopsies had shown multiple cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas or was non-conclusive. Thus, a re-biopsy was performed, revealing acanthosis and focal acantholytic dyskeratosis. These clinical and anamnestic findings lead to the diagnosis of extensive Grover’s disease (GD). Oral therapy with isotretinoin 30-mg QD led to the regression of the skin lesions. Topical adapalene, as well as topical corticosteroids, were later prescribed for maintenance therapy.
Decreasing Trend in Incidence of Late Onset Culture Positive Bloodstream Infections but Not Late Onset Meningitis in Preterm Infants <33 Weeks Gestation in Canadian Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Zhou Qi , Ong Melissa , Lan Marie , Ye Xiang Y. , Ting Joseph Y. , Shah Prakesh S. , Lee Shoo K. ,   on behalf of the Canadian Neonatal Network (CNN) Investigators
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Recent studies reported decreased incidence of late onset sepsis in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), but it is unclear whether this is also true for late onset meningitis. Recent reports that both meningitis and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) are associated with systemic inflammation also raise questions about an association between the 2. Methods: All preterm infants <33 weeks gestational age admitted to CNN NICUs from 2010 to 2018 were included. We compared incidence trends of late onset culture positive bloodstream infection (CPBSI) and late onset meningitis, and examined the association of meningitis and IVH (exposure), after adjustment for potential confounders. Results: Of 36,573 infants included, 32,198 had no infection, 3,977 had only late onset CPBSI and 398 had late onset meningitis. There was significant decrease in incidence of late onset CPBSI (14%–10%; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92, 0.95) but not late onset meningitis (1.6%–1.2%; AOR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.94, 1.01). Compared to infants with no IVH grade 3 or above, infants with IVH grade 3, or above had higher odds of late onset meningitis versus no infection (AOR 4.16; 95% CI 3.17, 5.44), and higher odds of late onset meningitis versus late onset CPBSI (AOR 4.11; 95% CI 3.08, 5.50). Conclusions: There was a decreasing trend of late onset CPBSI but not late onset meningitis. An association between late onset meningitis and IVH grade 3 or above was observed. Late onset CPBSI and meningitis may have different risk factors and require different prevention strategies.