bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of pH on the Composition and Physical Stability of Peanut Oil Bodies from Aqueous Enzymatic Extraction
Authors: Gao Yuhang , Zhou Longzheng , Yao Fei , Chen Fusheng
Published: October 2021

Peanut oil body (POB), which is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and bioactive substances, is widely used in cosmetics, food, and medicine. Compared with synthetic emulsifiers, peanut oil bodies have health advantages as natural emulsions. The physicochemical properties of oil bodies affect their food processing applications. To improve peanut oil body yield, cell-wall-breaking enzymes were screened for aqueous enzymatic extraction. The optimum conditions were as follows: enzymatic hydrolysis time, 2 h; material-to-liquid ratio, 1 : 5 (

m
/
v

); enzyme concentration, 2% (

v
/
m

); and temperature, 50°C. Oil body stability was closely related to pH. With increasing pH, the average particle size and zeta-potential of the oil bodies increased, indicating aggregation, as confirmed by microstructure analysis. At pH 11, exogenous proteins at the oil body interface were eluted, leaving endogenous proteins, which led to a decreased interfacial protein content and oil body aggregation. Therefore, oil body stability decreased under alkaline pH conditions, but no demulsification occurred.
A Note of Caution: Gramicidin Affects Signaling Pathways Independently of Its Effects on Plasma Membrane Conductance
Authors: Evans Frances , Hernández Julio A. , Cabo Federico , Chifflet Silvia
Published: October 2021

Gramicidin is a thoroughly studied cation ionophore widely used to experimentally manipulate the plasma membrane potential (PMP). In addition, it has been established that the drug, due to its hydrophobic nature, is capable of affecting the organization of membrane lipids. We have previously shown that modifications in the plasma membrane potential of epithelial cells in culture determine reorganizations of the cytoskeleton. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved, we explored the effects of PMP depolarization on some putative signaling intermediates. In the course of these studies, we came across some results that could not be interpreted in terms of the properties of gramicidin as an ionic channel. The purpose of the present work is to communicate these results and, in general, to draw attention to the fact that gramicidin effects can be misleadingly attributed to its ionic or electrical properties. In addition, this work also contributes with some novel findings of the modifications provoked on the signaling intermediates by PMP depolarization and hyperpolarization.
Neuroprotective Effects of Estradiol plus Lithium Chloride via Anti-Apoptosis and Neurogenesis Pathway in In Vitro and In Vivo Parkinson’s Disease Models
Authors: Lee Yung-Shih , Feng Chien-Wei , Peng Mei-Yu , Chan Te-Fu , Chen Yu-Chieh
Published: October 2021

Few pharmaceutical agents for slowing Parkinson’s disease (PD) progression existed, especially for perimenopause females. The current general medications are mostly hormone replacement therapy and may have some side effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a novel treatment for PD. This study examined the possibility of estradiol plus lithium chloride (LiCl), one of the metal halides used as an alternative to salt. We showed that the combination of LiCl and estradiol could enhance neurogenesis proteins GAP-43 and N-myc in the human neuronal-like cells. We also further confirmed the neurogenesis activity in zebrafish. LiCl and LiCl plus estradiol could enhance 6-OHDA-induced upregulation of TGase-2b and Rho A mRNA expression. Besides, LiCl plus estradiol showed a synergic effect in anti-apoptotic activity. LiCl plus estradiol protected SH-SY5Y cells and zebrafish against 6-OHDA-induced damage on neurons than LiCl or estradiol alone groups via p-P38, p-Akt, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 cascade. The potential for developing this combination as a candidate treatment for PD is discussed.
The Effect of Toothpastes Containing Natural Ingredients Such As Theobromine and Caffeine on Enamel Microhardness: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Golfeshan Farzaneh , Mosaddad Seyed Ali , Ghaderi Faezeh
Published: October 2021

The current study aimed to investigate the effect of biocompatible kinds of toothpastes containing natural ingredients such as theobromine and caffeine on the enamel microhardness after demineralization. 72 maxillary premolar teeth extracted for orthodontic purposes were used in this study. Primary enamel surface microhardness examinations were performed using a Digital Micro Vickers Hardness Tester following the Knoop technique (50 g load for 15 s with three indentations at various points). The specimens were immersed in lactic acid (pH = 5.4) for 7 days, washed with distilled water, dried, and then retested for microhardness. According to the type of toothpaste used for brushing, all specimens were categorized as follows: Group 1, Theodent classic® toothpaste (theobromine); Group 2, Power Energy toothpaste (caffeine); Group 3, Colgate toothpaste (fluoride); and Group 4, distilled water as the negative control. The specimens were retested for enamel microhardness after brushing 2 times a day for one month. After brushing with different types of toothpaste, for all experiment groups, the increase in microhardness values in the demineralized enamel surfaces was significant and there were significant differences between them (

p

value <0.05). The fluoride group had the highest microhardness and had a significant difference with the caffeine and distilled water groups, but there was no significant difference with the theobromine group (

p

value <0.05). In the theobromine group, the hardness was considerably higher than in the caffeine and distilled water groups. There was no significant difference between the caffeine and distilled water groups. Theobromine toothpaste had the same remineralization effect as that of fluoride toothpaste, while caffeine toothpaste had no positive effect on the remineralization process.
Orthodontic Overcorrection Scheme Generation Based on Improved Multiparticle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Ma Tian , Lyu Jiahao , Yang Qin , Li Zhanli , Li Yuancheng , Chen Yanping , Ren Xincheng
Published: October 2021

The orthodontic treatment often relies on the experience of doctors in traditional methods, and there are often fewer doctors with good experience, which is not conducive to improving the efficiency of patient consultation. Therefore, it has become the mainstream research direction in recent years to assist doctors in improving the efficiency of diagnosis by simulating the dental orthodontic process through computers. The orthodontic process is a multiobjective and high-dimensional path planning problem. To optimize the movement path of multiobjective orthodontics and compensate for the movement efficiency of invisible appliances, a preovercorrection orthodontic motion path scheme based on an improved multi-PSO algorithm was proposed to reduce the dimension disaster and the movement cost and improve the success rate of orthodontic surgery. Firstly, the solution set of the multiobjective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is introduced into the multi-PSO path planning algorithm to obtain the orthodontic movement path. Secondly, by analyzing the movement efficiency of the invisible appliance, tooth displacement compensation is designed and evaluated, and the final orthodontic scheme was generated for patients through the overcorrection method. Finally, the scheme is visualized by VTK visualization. The experimental results show that compared with the multi-PSO algorithm, the improved algorithm can reduce the length of the motion path by 10%, and the rotation angle is reduced by 4%. Meanwhile, the preovercorrection scheme designed can provide movement allowance for the orthodontic process, which guarantees that the optimal orthodontic path obtained by the scheme conforms to the clinical experiment results, ensuring that the tooth can move according to the expected path in the clinical experiment and assuring the success rate of orthodontic treatment.
METTL3-Mediated m6A RNA Modification Regulates Corneal Injury Repair
Authors: Dai Yarong , Cheng Maosheng , Zhang Siyan , Ling Rongsong , Wen Jieqi , Cheng Yifan , Huang Boxuan , Li Jinrong , Dai Caifeng , Mao Shiqing , Lin Shuibin , Shen Huangxuan , Jiang Yizhou
Published: October 2021

Limbal stem cells are essential for continuous corneal regeneration and injury repair. METTL3-catalyzed N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA modifications are involved in many biological processes and play a specific role in stem cell regeneration, while the role of m6A modifications in corneal injury repair remains unknown. In this study, we generated a limbal stem cell-specific METTL3 knockout mouse model and studied the role of m6A in repairing corneal injury caused by alkali burn. The results showed that METTL3 knockout in the limbal stem cells promotes the in vivo cell proliferation and migration, leading to the fast repair of corneal injury. In addition, m6A modification profiling identified stem cell regulatory factors AHNAK and DDIT4 as m6A targets. Our study reveals the essential functions of m6A RNA modification in regulating injury repair and provides novel insights for clinical therapy of corneal diseases.
Effects of Heated Pneumoperitoneum on Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Peritoneal Histology in Female Dogs That Underwent Video-Assisted Ovariohysterectomy
Authors: Milech Vanessa , de Oliveira Juliana S. , de Ataide Michelli A. W. , Coradini Gabriela P. , Mann Thaís R. , Sarturi Vanessa Z. , Hartmann Hellen F. , Linhares Marcella T. , Antunes Bernardo N. , de Andrade Cínthia M. , Kommers Glaucia D. , Silva Marco A. M. , Müller Daniel C. de M. , Brun Maurício V.
Published: October 2021

Laparoscopic procedures require the creation of pneumoperitoneum. CO2, which must be cold and dry, is the standard gas used in such surgeries. The type of gas used, its temperature, and moisture may change the peritoneal surface and cause systemic and local oxidative stress. Our objective is to evaluate the influence of pneumoperitoneum heating on the occurrence of histological lesions in the peritoneum, inflammation, plasma oxidative stress, and on the mesothelial surface in patients undergoing video-assisted ovariohysterectomy. Twenty canine females were included and distributed evenly into two groups: heated CO2 (HG) and unheated CO2 (UHG). The biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress were evaluated before insufflation (T0), at 30 min (T1), and at 60 min (T2) of exposure to CO2. Biopsies of the peritoneal tissue for histological evaluation were performed at T0 and T2. Regarding plasma parameters, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) showed a greater activity in the HG at T1 (

p
=
0.0268

) and T2 (

p
=
0.0423

); in turn, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) showed a greater activity at T2 in the HG (

p
=
0.0175

) compared with T0. Catalase activity (CAT) was different between HG times; it was higher at T1 (

p
=
0.0253

). There was a decrease in the levels of substances reactive to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) (

p
=
0.0117

) and in glutathione (GSH) (

p
=
0.0114

) between T0 and T2 in the UHG. Regarding tissue oxidative stress, the CAT in the HG showed a greater activity at T2 than T1 (

p
=
0.0150

). By comparing the groups at each time, there was a difference only at T2 (

p
=
0.0288

), being greater in the HG. Regarding the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the HG, there was a difference between T2 in relation to T0 and T1 (

p
=
0.0181

); finally, there was an increase only at T1 (

p
=
0.0287

) in the UHG when comparing groups at the same time. There were no differences in the histological parameters evaluated. Our study demonstrates that the heating of CO2 generates a greater inflammatory response and forms reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the plasma and peritoneal levels.
Orofacial Manifestation and Dental Management of Sickle Cell Disease: A Scoping Review
Authors: kakkar Mayank , Holderle Kristen , Sheth Megha , Arany Szilvia , Schiff Leslie , Planerova Adela
Published: October 2021

Aims. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an upcoming global health problem with rapid progress in therapy especially since 2017. However, systematic reviews found no clinical trials on the dental treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD). This article aims to outline the oral features of the sickle disease and discuss oral management strategies that can serve as guidelines for dental professionals. Material and Methods. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. The search strategies were developed to cover publications from January 2010 to March 2020. With the help of keywords, multiple abstracts were identified. These abstracts were further reviewed, which included the information about the SCD manifestation, particularly about the oral health features. Based on all these articles and clinical experience, a narrative review was constructed, which summarizes all the aspects of the oral manifestation in people with SCD. Results. The results of this study demonstrate that there is distinct evidence available, indicating the developmental enamel defect leading to hypoplasia and increasing susceptibility to dental caries. Another important result of this review found that people with SCD have a vaso-occlusive crisis in the microcirculation in the dental pulp leading to symptomatic and asymptomatic pulpal necrosis without any signs of odontogenic pathology in an apparently healthy tooth. The study also found that early detection, intervention, and prevention are crucial for improving oral health care, and involving a multidisciplinary approach plays an important role in managing people with SCD. Conclusion. Patients with sickle cell disease have chronic overall health problems. The hematological disorder becomes their main concern and impaired oral health becomes secondary, increasing the risk for dental caries at the most. This paper broadly describes the oral manifestations of SCD, additionally; this paper also provides recommendations for better dental management of patients with SCD. Patients with SCD are often misjudged and, due to lack of knowledge and guidelines, dental providers are not able to provide adequate care. This paper attempts to highlight the essential measures to provide better dental care.
Mobile Education Resource Sharing Method for Wireless Broadband Connection
Authors: Jia Zihang , Zhang Jiasai , Yi Kenan
Published: October 2021

The recall rate and precision rate of current mobile education resource sharing methods are low, and the resource sharing time is long, so a mobile education resource sharing method based on wireless broadband connection is proposed. Ant colony algorithm was used to optimize the focused crawler, the optimized crawler was used to capture the data of mobile education resources and extract the semantic features of the captured data, and the K-means clustering algorithm was used to cluster all the data. Based on the calculation results of network centrality and network density, a wireless broadband connection is used to schedule mobile education resources to complete the sharing of mobile education resources. The experimental results show that the proposed method’s recall rate and precision rate are above 95% and 96%, and the average resource sharing time is 0.63 s. The comprehensive performance of the proposed method is better.
Influence of LncRNA NKILA on Bloodstream Infection of Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae and Its Ability to Induce Delayed Neutrophil Apoptosis
Authors: Li Yang , Wang Weijia , Chen Kang , Ma Suzhen , Wang Juan
Published: October 2021

Objective. Pneumonia due to hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP) is a high-risk subtype of pneumonia with high mortality and disability rates. An in-depth understanding of hvKP’s pathogenic process and mechanism of action is the focus of achieving early disease diagnosis and early symptomatic treatment. This study conducted a preliminary analysis on the influence of lncRNA NKILA (NKILA) on hvKP, aiming at providing a new approach to the diagnosis and treatment of hvKP and laying a reliable foundation for subsequent NKILA-related studies. Methods. Selected from our hospital from October 2016 to February 2018, 67 patients who were examined for the pathogenic microorganisms of alveolar lavage fluid were selected as the research subjects. Among them, 29 were diagnosed as hvKP (research group), and the other 38 had no pathogenic bacteria (control group). Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) NKILA and inflammatory factors were detected, and the clinical significance of NKILA was analyzed. In addition, neutrophils from research group were extracted and NKILA expression was increased to observe the alterations in cell apoptosis, respiratory burst intensity, and NF-kappa B inhibitor alpha (NF-κB) p65 protein. Results. Serum and BALF levels of NKILA and inflammatory factors were higher in research group than in control group, and NKILA decreased in both cohorts after treatment (

P
<
0.05

). NKILA had an excellent predictive effect on the occurrence of hvKP (

P
<
0.001

) and was positively correlated with inflammatory factors (

P
<
0.05

). Prognostic follow-up revealed that NKILA also had a good predictive value for death in hvKP patients (

P
<
0.05

), and increased posttreatment levels predicted an increased risk of death (

P
<
0.05

). In vitro, increased NKILA hindered the delayed apoptosis rate, decreased respiratory burst intensity of hvKP neutrophils, and activated NF-κB p65 protein (

P
<
0.05

). Conclusion. With an elevated expression profile in hvKP, NKILA can induce the delayed apoptosis of neutrophils, enhance the ability of releasing inflammatory mediators, and promote the progression of hvKP via activating NF-κB p65.
Cyber‐Security Assessment of Industry 4.0 Enabled Mechatronic System
Authors: Kotuszewski Piotr , Kukielka Krzysztof , Kluk Paweł , Ordys Andrzej , Bieńkowski Karol , Kościelny Jan Maciej , Syfert Michał , Wnuk Paweł , Możaryn Jakub , Fajdek Bartłomiej
Published: October 2021

This paper reports on development of a laboratory set‐up, for testing the concept and the components of Industry 4.0 enabled mechatronic system. A simple mock manufacturing lane is connected to a collaborating robot. There are three different programmable logic controllers (PLC) and various other elements which need to talk to each other using a variety of communication protocols. The controllers, and consequently the schedule of operations, can be programmed remotely. Moreover, the information is exchanged through the cloud service which could also assume the role of a soft‐PLC. From the perspective of cyber‐security, this set‐up enables defining benchmarks and performing tests for resilience of the control structure. Some test scenarios are discussed in the paper.
Floristics and Diversity of Invasive Alien Plant Species in Humbo District, South Ethiopia
Authors: Kuma Markos , Achiso Zewde , Chinasho Alefu , Yaya Dalga , Tessema Samuel
Published: October 2021

Deliberate and unintentional introduction of invasive alien plant species on native biodiversity by aid agencies and other bodies directly or indirectly are being a series of problems on the economy, ecology, politics, and health of life on earth. Identifying and compiling floristics and the status of invasive alien species and identifying which have viable populations are necessary to manage the ecosystems. The present study is therefore intended to provide information for concerned bodies on the area which needs management priority computing the composition, structure, and diversity of invasive alien plants. A field assessment was conducted to determine the distribution and heterogeneity of invasive alien plant species, and then, six kebeles were chosen and transact lines were laid using a purposeful sampling technique. The vegetation and environment data were collected from farmland, grazing land, fallow land, and road sides using 95 subquadrats (5 m × 5 m) set in the center and corner of 19 main quadrats (20 m × 20 m). The voucher specimens collected were taken to the Herbarium of Ethiopia (ETH) for taxonomic identification and future reference. The frequency and density of floristics data were analyzed using MS Excel version 2010, and species diversity was calculated using Shannon (H′), Simpson (D), and evenness (E) indices. Among 35 alien plant species invading natural vegetation in Ethiopia, 25 alien plant species were found in the Humbo district of the Wolaita zone. The densest invasive alien plant species in the area were Parthenium hysterophorus consisting of 15197 individuals/ha, followed by Richardia scabra consisting of 11908 individuals/ha, Xanthium strumarium consisting of 7292 individuals/ha, and Ocimum forskolei consisting of 6280 individuals/ha. The highest species diversity was computed in fallow land (H′ = 2.369), which is followed by farmland (H′ = 1.627) and grazing land (H′ = 1.419). The higher the density of the invasive alien species, the higher the ability to change the structure and diversity of native species of the area results in a decrease in the function and services of the ecosystem. Therefore, management methods must prioritize land types that had the highest diversity of invasive alien species.
A New Exponential-X Family: Modeling Extreme Value Data in the Finance Sector
Authors: Ahmad Zubair , Mahmoudi Eisa , Roozegar Rasool , Alizadeh Morad , Afify Ahmed Z.
Published: October 2021

In this paper, a family of statistical models, namely, a new exponential-X family is proposed. A subcase of the introduced family, called the new exponential-Weibull (NE-Weibull) model, is studied. The NE-Weibull model is very competent and possesses heavy-tailed properties. The maximum likelihood estimators of its parameters are derived. The consistency and efficiency of these estimators are assessed in a brief simulation study. Finally, the effectiveness of the NE-Weibull distribution is illustrated by modeling real insurance claims data. The practical analysis shows that the NE-Weibull distribution outclassed other distributions and it can be a better choice for modeling data in the finance sector.
Further Exploration on Bifurcation for Fractional‐Order Bidirectional Associative Memory (BAM) Neural Networks concerning Time Delay ∗
Authors: Wang Nengfa , Xu Changjin , Liu Zixin
Published: October 2021

This work principally considers the stability issue and the emergence of Hopf bifurcation for a class of fractional‐order BAM neural network models concerning time delays. Through the detailed analysis on the distribution of the roots of the characteristic equation of the involved fractional‐order delayed BAM neural network systems, we set up a new delay‐independent condition to guarantee the stability and the emergence of Hopf bifurcation for the investigated fractional‐order delayed BAM neural network systems. The work indicates that delay is a significant element that has a vital impact on the stability and the emergence of Hopf bifurcation in fractional‐order delayed BAM neural network systems. The simulation figures and bifurcation plots are clearly presented to verify the derived key research results. The established conclusions of this work have significant guiding value in regulating and optimizing neural networks.
Nrf2 Activation Attenuates Chronic Constriction Injury‐Induced Neuropathic Pain via Induction of PGC‐1α‐Mediated Mitochondrial Biogenesis in the Spinal Cord
Authors: Sun Jia , Li Jia-Yan , Zhang Long-Qing , Li Dan-Yang , Wu Jia-Yi , Gao Shao-Jie , Liu Dai-Qiang , Zhou Ya-Qun , Mei Wei
Published: October 2021

Background. Neuropathic pain is a debilitating disease with few effective treatments. Emerging evidence indicates the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in neuropathic pain. Nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a potent regulator of the antioxidant response system. In this study, we investigated whether RTA‐408 (RTA, a novel synthetic triterpenoid under clinical investigation) could activate Nrf2 and promote mitochondrial biogenesis (MB) to reverse neuropathic pain and the underlying mechanisms. Methods. Neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. Pain behaviors were measured via the von Frey test and Hargreaves plantar test. The L4‐6 spinal cord was collected to examine the activation of Nrf2 and MB. Results. RTA‐408 treatment significantly reversed mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in CCI mice in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, RTA‐408 increased the activity of Nrf2 and significantly restored MB that was impaired in CCI mice in an Nrf2‐dependent manner. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma coactivator‐1alpha (PGC‐1α) is the key regulator of MB. We found that the PGC‐1α activator also induced a potent analgesic effect in CCI mice. Moreover, the antinociceptive effect of RTA‐408 was reversed by the preinjection of the PGC‐1α inhibitor. Conclusions. Nrf2 activation attenuates chronic constriction injury‐induced neuropathic pain via induction of PGC‐1α‐mediated mitochondrial biogenesis in the spinal cord. Our results indicate that Nrf2 may be a potential therapeutic strategy to ameliorate neuropathic pain and many other disorders with oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Multiple Attribute Decision-Making Problem Using Picture Fuzzy Graph
Authors: Amanathulla Sk. , Muhiuddin G. , Al-Kadi D. , Pal M.
Published: October 2021

In a picture fuzzy environment, almost all multiple attribute decision-making (

MADM

) methods have been discussed a type of problem in which there is no relationship among the attributes. Although the relationship among the attributes should be considered in the actual applications, so we need to pay attention to that important issue. This article applied graph theory to the picture fuzzy set (

PFS

) and obtained a new method,

MADM

, to solve complicated problems under a picture fuzzy environment. The developed method can capture the relationship among the attributes that cannot be handled well by any existing methods. This study introduces union, intersection, sum, Cartesian product, the composition of picture fuzzy graphs (

PFG

s), and their important properties. Finally, by considering the importance of relationships among attributes in the determination process, two algorithms, based on

PFG

, have developed to solve complicated problems using picture fuzzy information. Also, two numerical examples have introduced to explain how to deal with the

MADM

problem under picture fuzzy environment.
Neoadjuvant STING Activation, Extended Half-life IL2, and Checkpoint Blockade Promote Metastasis Clearance via Sustained NK-cell Activation
Authors: Milling Lauren E. , Garafola Daniel , Agarwal Yash , Wu Shengwei , Thomas Ayush , Donahue Nathan , Adams Josetta , Thai Nikki , Suh Heikyung , Irvine Darrell J.
Published: October 2021

Combination immunotherapy treatments that recruit both innate and adaptive immunity have the potential to increase cancer response rates by engaging a more complete repertoire of effector mechanisms. Here, we combined intratumoral STimulator of INterferon Genes (STING) agonist therapy with systemically injected extended half-life IL2 and anti–PD-1 checkpoint blockade (hereafter CIP therapy) to drive innate and adaptive antitumor immunity in models of triple-negative breast cancer. Unlike treatment with the individual components, this trivalent immunotherapy halted primary tumor progression and led to long-term remission for a majority of animals in two spontaneously metastasizing orthotopic breast tumor models, though only as a neoadjuvant therapy but not adjuvant therapy. CIP therapy induced antitumor T-cell responses, but protection from metastatic relapse depended on natural killer (NK) cells. The combination of STING agonists with IL2/anti–PD-1 synergized to stimulate sustained granzyme and cytokine expression by lung-infiltrating NK cells. Type I IFNs generated as a result of STING agonism, combined with IL2, acted in a positive-feedback loop by enhancing the expression of IFNAR-1 and CD25 on lung NK cells. These results suggest that NK cells can be therapeutically targeted to effectively eliminate tumor metastases.

See related Spotlight by Demaria, p. 3 .
Associations of Body Mass Index-Metabolic Phenotypes with Cognitive Decline in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Zhang Liang , Gu Lu-Yan , Dai Shao-bing , Zheng Ran , Jin Chong-Yao , Fang Yi , Yang Wen-Yi , Tian Jun , Yin Xin-Zhen , Zhao Guo-Hua , Pu Jia-Li , Zhang Bao-Rong , Yan Ya-Ping , Chen Ying
Published: October 2021

Background: Growing evidence suggests important effects of body mass index (BMI) and metabolic status on neurodegenerative diseases. However, the roles of BMI and metabolic status on cognitive outcomes in Parkinson’s disease (PD) may vary and are yet to be determined. Methods: In total, 139 PD patients from the whole PD cohort in Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative database underwent complete laboratory measurements, demographic and anthropometric parameters at baseline, and were enrolled in this study. Further, they were categorized into 4 different BMI-metabolic status phenotypes using Adult Treatment Panel-III criteria. Motor and cognition scales at baseline and longitudinal changes after a 48-month follow-up were compared among the 4 groups. Repeated-measure linear mixed models were performed to compare PD-related biomarkers among BMI-metabolic status phenotypes across time. Results: We found that PD patients in the metabolically unhealthy normal weight group showed more cognitive decline in global cognition and visuospatial perception after a 48-month follow-up than those in the other 3 groups (p < 0.05). No difference was found in motor scales among different BMI-metabolic status phenotypes. Finally, compared to the metabolically healthy normal weight group, the metabolically healthy obesity group had lower CSF Aβ42 and serum neurofilament levels in repeated-measure linear mixed models adjusting for age, gender, APOE e4 carrier status, and years of education (p = 0.031 and 0.046, respectively). Conclusion: The MUNW phenotype was associated with a rapid cognitive decline in PD.
Very Early Increased Platelet Count within a Week after Initiation of High-Dose Dexamethasone Treatment Is Associated with Long-Term Response in Newly Diagnosed Immune Thrombocytopenia Patients
Authors: Ishiyama Midori , Shiseki Masayuki , Yoshinaga Kentaro , Ryuzaki Michiko , Izuka Yuki , Watanabe Aya , Tanaka Norina , Shinohara Akihito , Hagiwara Shotaro , Tanaka Junji
Published: October 2021

To evaluate the long-term efficacy of high-dose dexamethasone (HD-DXM) treatment for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), we retrospectively analysed 36 newly diagnosed ITP patients treated with HD-DXM as a first-line treatment. An initial response was obtained in 23 (63.9%) patients, including 11 with a complete response (CR) and 12 with a partial response (PR). Six months after HD-DXM treatment, 26 of 33 (78.8%) evaluable patients achieved objective responses, including 18 CR and 8 PR. Among 13 patients without initial response, very early increased platelet count within a week (VEIP) was observed in 7 patients, 5 (71.4%) of whom achieved a response at 6 months. In 29 patients who had available platelet count within a week, patients showing VEIP revealed longer survival than those who did not (p = 0.026). HD-DXM was an effective treatment for newly diagnosed ITP patients. VEIP after HD-DXM treatment initiation was associated with a long-term objective response in newly diagnosed ITP patients.
Candida guilliermondii Onychomycosis Involving Fingernails in a Breast Cancer Patient under Docetaxel Chemotherapy
Authors: Merad Yassine , Derrar Hichem , Tabouri Sarah , Berexi-Reguig Faiza
Published: October 2021

Onychomycosis has been shown to have a higher incidence in cancer patients. Nail toxicity is a quite common side effect of anticancer agents. Taxotere© is a chemotherapeutic known to cause great incidence of nail change and has a role in subungual suppuration. We report on a 52-year-old woman with breast cancer admitted in our institution for onycholysis. Because of the stage and histology of breast cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was initiated. The patient received 8 cycles of Taxotere and Adriamycin (AT), and she underwent a modified radical mastectomy. Three months later, the patient developed evidence of onycholysis, involving all the fingernails. We observed the following changes in nails of all the digits in both hands: onycholysis, dystrophy, oedema, and exudate. Nail scraping and purulent discharge were collected and cultured on Sabouraud medium. Physical features of the colonies and biochemical tests (Auxacolor©) revealed Candida guilliermondii as the sole etiologic agent of onychomycosis. This case details an onycholysis in a breast cancer case successfully managed solely with amorolfine lacquer. This clinical and mycological presentation should alert the clinician to the possibility of onychomycosis induced by docetaxel chemotherapy.
EPOC: Efecto de diferentes regímenes de corticoesteroides sobre las exacerbaciones en pacientes hospitalizados
Authors: Fong-Ponce Briseyra Guadalupe
Published: October 2021

Background:Systemic corticosteroid administration for severe acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) reduces the duration of hospital stays. Corticosteroid-sparing regimens have showed non-inferiority to higher accumulated dose regimens regarding re-exacerbation risk in patients with AECOPD. However, it remains unclear whether 14-day or 2–5-day regimens would result in shorter admission durations and changes in mortality risk. We explored this by analysing the number of days alive and out of hospital based on two randomised controlled trials with different corticosteroid regimens. Methods:We pooled individual patient data from the two available multicentre randomised trials on corticosteroid-sparing regimens for AECOPD: the REDUCE (n = 314) and CORTICO-COP (n = 318) trials. In the 14-day regimen group, patients were older, fewer patients received pre-treatment with antibiotics and more patients received pre-treatment with systemic corticosteroids. Patients randomly allocated to the 14-day and 2–5-day regimens were compared, with adjustment for baseline differences. Results:The number of days alive and out of hospital within 14 days from recruitment was higher for the 2–5 day regimen group (mean 8.4 days; 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.0–8.8) than the 14-day regimen patient group (4.2 days; 95% CI3.4–4.9; p < 0.001). The 14-day AECOPD group had longer hospital stays (mean difference, 5.4 days [standard error ± 0.6]; p < 0.0001) and decreased likelihood of discharge within 30 days (hazard ratio [HR] 0.5; 95% CI 0.4–0.6; p < 0.0001). Comparing the 14-day regimen and the 2–5 day regimen group showed no differences in the composite endpoint ‹death or ICU admission› (odds ratio [OR] 1.4; 95% CI 0.8–2.3; p = 0.15), new or aggravated hypertension (OR 1.5; 95% CI 0.9–2.7; p = 0.15), or mortality risk (HR 0.8; 95% CI 0.4–1.5; p = 0.45) during the 6-month follow-up period. Conclusions:14-day corticosteroid regimens were associated with longer hospital stays and fewer days alive and out of hospital within 14 days, with no apparent 6-month benefit regarding death or admission to ICU in COPD patients. Our results favour 2–5 day regimens for treating COPD exacerbations. However, prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.
Impact of Periprocedural Myocardial Injury and Infarction Definitions on Long-Term Mortality After Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Song Lei , Wang Yang , Guan Changdong , Zou Tongqiang , Sun Zhongwei , Xie Lihua , Zhang Rui , Dou Kefei , Yang Weixian , Wu Yongjian , Qiao Shubin , Xu Bo
Published: October 2021

Background:

The prognostic implications of biomarker elevation following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions remain controversial. This study assessed the association of periprocedural myocardial injury and clinically relevant definition of periprocedural myocardial infarction with subsequent outcomes after CTO-PCI.

Methods:

We enrolled consecutive patients between January 2010 and December 2013 who underwent CTO-PCI at a large-volume center with serial CK-MB (creatine kinase–myocardial band) or cTnI (cardiac troponin I) measurements. The primary outcome was 5-year cardiovascular death.

Results:

A total of 2616 patients (2691 CTOs) with postprocedural CK-MB or cTnI undergoing PCI recanalization were included, per-lesion technical success rate was 74.4%. Postprocedural CK-MB and cTnI elevation occurred in 5.6% and 65.5% patients, respectively. For 2485 patients with serial CK-MB measurements, only postprocedural peak CK-MB ≥5× upper reference limit was associated with increased 5-year cardiovascular death (adjusted hazard ratio, 9.88 [95% CI, 3.06–31.9]). In contrast, for 1233 patients with serial cTnI measurements, no such association was present in any threshold. The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions definition of periprocedural myocardial infarction was associated with 5-year cardiovascular death (adjusted hazard ratio, 8.45 [95% CI, 3.58–20.0]), whereas the ARC-2 (Academic Research Consortium-2) and fourth UDMI (Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction) were not.

Conclusions:

In a large cohort of CTO-PCI, moderate to high levels of peak postprocedural CK-MB were prognostically significant, whereas such association was not observed in postprocedural cTnI. The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention criteria (but not ARC-2 and fourth UDMI) were identified as clinically relevant periprocedural myocardial infarction definition following CTO-PCI.

Graphic Abstract:

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graphic abstract
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The Second International Electrography and Copy Art Biennial, Valencia, Spain, 1988: The Beginning of the Digital Graphics Age
Authors: Alcalá-Mellado José-Ramón
Published: October 2021

In the late 1980s, the commercialization of digital reproduction technology led copy art in a new direction, ushering in a new era of events with global impact and significance. Among these events was the second International Electrography and Copy Art Biennial, held in Valencia, Spain, in October 1988, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the first electrophotographic copy. This landmark occasion marked the beginning of a new and prosperous digital era that would continue throughout the following decade and was spearheaded by artists of the so-called third generation.
Toward an Empirical Analysis of Income and Time Poverty in Urban China
Authors: Wang Wei
Published: October 2021

Many earlier studies have assessed Chinese poverty using monetary dimensions, but few have considered the time dimension. This research investigates multidimensional poverty in urban China, using data from the 2013 China Household Income Project, from the standpoints of income and time. A logistic regression model was used to estimate the socioeconomic causes of income poverty, time poverty, and income–constrained time poverty. Empirical results obtained from this study reveal that being a paid female worker or a private enterprise employee and bearing the financial burdens of housing and medical care have significant effects on the probability of being time poor. In addition, workers who have low academic achievement, children, and educational loans are particularly prone to suffering income–constrained time poverty. This study contributes to the assessment of severe poverty situations and suggests an increasing need for working time regulations and more support for less-educated workers in urban China.
Optimal analysis and application of the warp tension control system for a rapier loom
Authors: Xiao Yanjun , Zhang Zhenpeng , Liu Zhenhao , Liu Weiling , Gao Nan , Zhou Wei , Mao Zhe
Published: October 2021

Traditional proportional–integral–derivative (PID) control performance optimization is an essential method to improve a loom’s warp tension control performance. This work proposes an improved genetic algorithm optimized PID control scheme to overcome the decline in control performance of the traditional PID control algorithm in a loom’s warp tension control system. Through the decoupling analysis of loom motion mechanism, the establishment of warp tension model and the optimization of fitness evaluation mechanism of genetic algorithm can effectively overcome the problems of local optimal solution and algorithm degradation of genetic algorithm. Simulation experiments were carried out with the traditional PID, the integral separation PID, and the genetic PID in warp tension control. The results show the advantage of the genetic-PID algorithm to control warp tension stability. Ultimately, according to the functional characteristics of the loom mechanism, a tension control platform for experimental studies was established. The test results show that the maximum fluctuation range of warp tension is within [−2, +6] at the test speed of 850 rpm, which meets the requirements of long-term stable and reliable control of warp tension under different weaving conditions.
Preservice teachers’ experiences as first-time voice instructors
Authors: Baughman Melissa
Published: October 2021

Authentic context learning (ACL) experiences have proven beneficial to preservice music teachers in a variety of ways and settings. While research specific to ACL within instrumental and choral music contexts is extensive, there have been no investigations of ACL in an applied voice setting. The purpose of this study was to investigate six preservice music teachers’ experiences as first-time voice instructors. Through an examination of verbal and written reflections, I sought to learn how the experience of teaching voice shaped preservice teachers’ perceptions of their own instruction and how this ACL experience shaped their identity as teachers. Six undergraduate music education majors at a large Midwestern university in the United States instructed weekly, 30-minute voice lessons for 8 consecutive weeks. Data collection methods included: (a) participants’ weekly lesson logs (b) participants’ weekly lesson reflections (c) participants’ final reflections, and (d) one, 60-minute focus group. Preservice teachers perceived modeling and kinesthetic activities to be the most effective teaching strategies, and realized their own deficiencies as vocal instructors. Music teacher educators should consider facilitating opportunities for preservice teachers to teach vocal technique in a variety of settings.
Emotional recovery following divorce: Will the real self-compassion please stand up?
Authors: Chau Ronald F. , Sawyer Widyasita N. , Greenberg Jeff , Mehl Matthias R. , Sbarra David A.
Published: October 2021

Self-compassion is a positive psychological construct associated with heightened well-being, but the construct is largely measured via self-report. In a study of divorcing adults ( N = 120), we sought to replicate and extend prior research on the association between self-rated and observed self-compassion, the linguistic cues associated with self-rated and observed self-compassion, and the predictive utility of observed self-compassion. Untrained observers rated participants’ stream-of-consciousness recordings about their marriage and separation experience. We found adequate consensus among raters of observed self-compassion and a significant, positive association between self-rated and observed self-compassion. Greater self- and observer-rated self-compassion were associated with less distress at baseline; however, only observed self-compassion was associated with less distress at the final study assessment. Discussion centers on the cues observers use to perceive self-compassion in others and the extent to which behavioral manifestations of affect may shape such ratings.
The complicated connection between closeness and the quality of romantic relationships
Authors: Frost David M. , LeBlanc Allen J.
Published: October 2021

Closeness is often considered synonymous with better quality romantic relationships. However, individual differences exist in the degree of closeness people desire in their relationships. This study examined the implications that discrepancies between actual and ideal closeness have for relationship quality in romantic couples. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 103 cohabiting couples ( N = 206) in the United States, who were randomly selected from a nationally representative survey panel. Dyadic analysis using actor–partner interdependence models with latent outcomes revealed that internal discrepancies between actual and idealized closeness were associated with poorer relationship quality for both individuals and their partners. These associations persisted above and beyond the effects of actual closeness and dyad-level differences in actual and ideal closeness. The association between closeness and relationship quality may be more individual than dyadic in nature, warranting renewed attention to the idiographic experience of closeness and its association with relational well-being.
Support needs and barriers to accessing support: Baseline results of a mixed-methods national survey of people bereaved during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Harrop Emily , Goss Silvia , Farnell Damian , Longo Mirella , Byrne Anthony , Barawi Kali , Torrens-Burton Anna , Nelson Annmarie , Seddon Kathy , Machin Linda , Sutton Eileen , Roulston Audrey , Finucane Anne , Penny Alison , Smith Kirsten V , Sivell Stephanie , Selman Lucy E
Published: October 2021

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic is a mass bereavement event which has profoundly disrupted grief experiences. Understanding support needs and access to support among people bereaved at this time is crucial to ensuring appropriate bereavement support infrastructure.

Aim:

To investigate grief experiences, support needs and use of formal and informal bereavement support among people bereaved during the pandemic.

Design:

Baseline results from a longitudinal survey. Support needs and experiences of accessing support are reported using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of free-text data.

Setting/participants:

711 adults bereaved in the UK between March and December 2020, recruited via media, social media, national associations and community/charitable organisations.

Results:

High-level needs for emotional support were identified. Most participants had not sought support from bereavement services (59%, n = 422) or their General-Practitioner (60%, n = 428). Of participants who had sought such support, over half experienced difficulties accessing bereavement services (56%, n = 149)/General-Practitioner support (52%, n = 135). About 51% reported high/severe vulnerability in grief; among these, 74% were not accessing bereavement or mental-health services. Barriers included limited availability, lack of appropriate support, discomfort asking for help and not knowing how to access services. About 39% ( n = 279) experienced difficulties getting support from family/friends, including relational challenges, little face-to-face contact and disrupted collective mourning. The perceived uniqueness of pandemic bereavement and wider societal strains exacerbated their isolation.

Conclusions:

People bereaved during the pandemic have high levels of support needs alongside difficulties accessing support. We recommend increased provision and tailoring of bereavement services, improved information on support options and social/educational initiatives to bolster informal support and ameliorate isolation.