bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Twin-Driven Remaining Useful Life Prediction for Gear Performance Degradation: A Review
Authors: He Bin , Liu Long , Zhang Dong
Published: January 2021

As a transmission component, the gear has been obtained widespread attention. The remaining useful life (RUL) prediction of gear is critical to the prognostics health management (PHM) of gear transmission systems. The digital twin (DT) provides support for gear RUL prediction with the advantages of rich health information data and accurate health indicators (HI). This paper reviews digital twin-driven RUL prediction methods for gear performance degradation, from the view of digital twin-driven physical model-based and virtual model-based prediction method. From the view of the physical model-based one, it includes a prediction model based on gear crack, gear fatigue, gear surface scratch, gear tooth breakage, and gear permanent deformation. From the view of the digital twin-driven virtual model-based one, it includes non-deep learning methods and deep learning methods. Non-deep learning methods include the wiener process, gamma process, hidden Markov model (HMM), regression-based model, and proportional hazard model. Deep learning methods include deep neural networks (DNN), deep belief networks (DBN), convolutional neural networks (CNN), and recurrent neural networks (RNN). It mainly summarizes the performance degradation and life test of various models in gear and evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of various methods. In addition, it encourages future works.
Composites of Silicon@Li4Ti5O12 and Graphite for High-Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery Anode Materials
Authors: Sturman James , Zhang Yong , Yim Chae-Ho , Niketic Svetlana , Toupin Mathieu , Baranova Elena A. , Abu-Lebdeh Yaser
Published: January 2021

Silicon (Si) is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries owing to its high theoretical capacity. However, it suffers from poor capacity retention during cycling due to mechanical stresses, pulverization, and an unstable solid electrolyte interface. One practical approach to mitigate the problem is a coating design, where nano-sized silicon is encapsulated within a selected protective layer. In this study, silicon nanoparticles have been coated with a protective layer of Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) ceramic and prepared using a water-based sodium alginate binder. It is found that the Si@LTO composites can be combined with graphite to improve battery performance further. The composite electrodes have been tested in half cells at C/10 and 1C rates. The best Si@LTO and graphite composite has an initial high capacity (∼900 mAh g−1 at C/10 and ∼600 mAh g−1 at 1C) and good capacity retention. It is found that this capacity retention is superior to Si@LTO alone and a binary composite of silicon with graphite. These Si@LTO + graphite composites are a promising way to integrate silicon into the development of stable and high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries.
Laboratory Investigation on the Effects of Natural Fracture on Fracture Evolution of Granite Exposed to Freeze-Thaw-Cyclic (FTC) Loads
Authors: Wang Yu , Yi Xuefeng , Gao Shaohua , Liu Hao
Published: January 2021

The natural fractures in rock mass are susceptible to damage evolution when subjecting to repeated freeze-thaw (F-T) weathering in cold regions, which can lead to the instability of rock engineering and even occurrence of geological hazards. Knowledge of how natural fracture impacts the overall fracture evolution of freeze-thawed rock is important to predict the stability of rock structure. In this work, we reported uniaxial experimental measurements of the changes in strength, deformation, acoustic emission (AE) pattern, and Felicity effect during increasing amplitude stress-cycling conditions on granite. The results show that the change of fracture aperture is related to the fracture openness and filling characteristics, open-type fracture is sensitive to F-T treatment, and its aperture increases faster than the close-type and fill-type fracture. In addition, strength decreases, and the damping characteristics first decrease and then increase with increasing natural fracture volume. AE activities also present different responses during sample deformation. The proportion of AE signals having low-frequency characteristics increases with increasing natural fracture volume, and the shear sliding along natural fracture results in the surge of AE activities. Moreover, the Felicity effect indicates that the Felicity ratio presents a fluctuation decreasing trend, and the preexisting fractures alter the stress memory characteristics of rock. It is suggested that the changes of the geomechanical and AE pattern are the interactions between the natural fracture and the newly stimulated fracture. The testing results are expected to improve the understanding of the influence of natural fractures on rock fracture evolution and can be helpful to predict the stability of rock structures and rock mass in cold regions.
In Vitro Wound Healing Potential of Photobiomodulation Is Possibly Mediated by Its Stimulatory Effect on AKT Expression in Adipose‐Derived Stem Cells
Authors: Rajendran Naresh K. , Houreld Nicolette N. , Abrahamse Heidi
Published: January 2021

Increasing evidence suggests that adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) serve as a therapeutic approach for wound healing. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of photobiomodulation (PBM) on antioxidant enzymes in ADSCs. Four ADSC cell models, namely, normal, wounded, diabetic, and diabetic wounded, were irradiated with 660 nm (fluence of 5 J/cm2 and power density of 11.2 mW/cm2) or 830 nm (fluence of 5 J/cm2 and power density of 10.3 mW/cm2). Nonirradiated cells served as controls. Cell morphology and wound migration were determined using light microscopy. Cell viability was determined by the trypan blue exclusion assay. The enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of antioxidants (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and heme oxygenase (HMOX1)). AKT activation and FOXO1 levels were determined by immunofluorescence and western blotting. The gaps (wound) in PBM‐treated wounded and diabetic wounded cell models closed faster than the controls. PBM treatment significantly increased antioxidant levels in all cell models. This reflects that oxidative stress is reduced on the counterpart of increased antioxidant levels. This might be due to the activation of the AKT signaling pathway as evidenced by the increased AKT signals via western blotting and immunofluorescence. This data suggests that PBM promotes wound healing by increasing antioxidant levels by activating AKT signaling.
On the Change of Distance Energy of Complete Bipartite Graph due to Edge Deletion
Authors: Sun Shaowei , Wan Ziyan
Published: January 2021

The distance energy of a graph is defined as the sum of absolute values of distance eigenvalues of the graph. The distance energy of a graph plays an important role in many fields. By constructing a new polynomial, we transform a problem on the sum of the absolute values of the roots of a quadratic polynomial into a problem on the largest root of a cubic polynomial. Hence, we give a new and shorter proof on the change of distance energy of a complete bipartite graph due to edge deletion, which was given by Varghese et al.
On Stancu-Type Generalization of Modified

p
,
q

-Szász-Mirakjan-Kantorovich Operators
Authors: Hu Yong-Mo , Cheng Wen-Tao , Gui Chun-Yan , Zhang Wen-Hui
Published: January 2021

In the present article, we construct

p
,
q

-Szász-Mirakjan-Kantorovich-Stancu operators with three parameters

λ
,
α
,
β

. First, the moments and central moments are estimated. Then, local approximation properties of these operators are established via

K

-functionals and Steklov mean in means of modulus of continuity. Also, a Voronovskaja-type theorem is presented. Finally, the pointwise estimates, rate of convergence, and weighted approximation of these operators are studied.
In-Hospital Peak Glycemia in Predicting No-Reflow Phenomenon in Diabetic Patients with STEMI Treated with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Liu Fang , Huang Rui , Li Ya , Zhao Surui , Gong Yue , Xu Zesheng
Published: January 2021

Although percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) significantly improves the prognosis for myocardial infarction, the no-reflow phenomenon is still the major adverse complication of PCI leading to increased mortality, especially for the patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) combined with diabetes. To reduce the occurrence of no-reflow, prognostic factors must be identified for no-reflow phenomenon before PCI. A total of 262 participants with acute STEMI and diabetes were recruited into our cardiovascular center and underwent primary PCI for the analyses of prognostic factors of no-reflow. The patients were divided into two groups according to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI): the normal flow and no-reflow groups, and related factors were analyzed with different statistical methods. In the present investigation, the in-hospital peak glycemia was significantly higher in the no-reflow group than the normal flow group, while more narrowed vessels, higher level of initial TIMI flow, were observed in the patients of the no-reflow group. A multivariate logistic regression analysis further demonstrated that peak glycemia was an independent predictor for no-reflow in the diabetic patients with STEMI. Our data indicated the importance of the proper control of glucose before PCI for the diabetic patients with STEMI before PCI to reduce the occurrence of the no-reflow after operation.
Prevalence of Anemia and Undernutrition of Adolescent Females in Selected Schools in Ghana
Authors: Tandoh Marina Aferiba , Appiah Abigail Owusuaa , Edusei Anthony Kwaku
Published: January 2021

Anemia among adolescent females is a major worldwide public health problem which should be given appropriate attention. Half of all anemic cases are caused by iron deficiency. In addition to anemia, poor nutrition is also a challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. This study determined the prevalence of anemia and undernutrition among adolescent females in school. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 151 adolescent females in four basic schools in the Ahafo region of Ghana. The hemoglobin level and anthropometry measures of participants were taken to determine their anemic and nutritional status. The prevalence of anemia among adolescent females in school was 50.3%. Out of the 151 participants, 6.6%, 19.9%, and 23.8% were severely anemic, moderately anemic, or mildly anemic, respectively. Only 2% of the participants were underweight, but the rate of stunting was 26.5%. The notable high prevalence of anemia that was found among adolescent females was correlated with other health and wellness concerns. Anemia and under nutrition negatively affect academic performance, productivity, and general wellbeing of adolescents; therefore, effective measures should be put in place to correct and eradicate these nutritional problems.
Velvet Antler Methanol Extracts Ameliorate Parkinson’s Disease by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation: From C. elegans to Mice
Authors: Liu Ying , Li Hongyuan , Li Yunfei , Yang Min , Wang Xiaohui , Peng Yinghua
Published: January 2021

Velvet antler is the traditional tonic food or medicine used in East Asia for treating aging‐related diseases. Herein, we try to dissect the pharmacology of methanol extracts (MEs) of velvet antler on Parkinson’s disease (PD). Caenorhabditis elegans studies showed that MEs decreased the aggregation of α‐synuclein and protected oxidative stress‐induced DAergic neuron degeneration. In vitro cellular data indicated that MEs suppressed the LPS‐induced MAPKs and NF‐κB activation, therefore inhibiting overproduction of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and interleukin‐6; blocking microglia activation; and protecting DAergic neurons from the microglia‐mediated neurotoxicity. In vivo MPTP‐induced PD mouse investigations found that MEs prevented MPTP‐induced neuron loss in the substantia nigra and improved the behavioral rotating rod performance in MPTP‐treated mice by increasing the expression level of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and downregulating α‐synuclein protein expression. In all, these results demonstrate that MEs ameliorate PD by inhibiting oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.
Multiphase Trajectory Optimization of a Lunar Return Mission to an LEO Space Station
Authors: Yang Luyi , Li Haiyang , Zhang Jin , Luo Yazhong
Published: January 2021

Lunar exploration architecture can be made more flexible and reliable with the support of a low-Earth orbit (LEO) space station. This study therefore evaluated a proposed hybrid optimization scheme to design the entire trajectory of a reusable spacecraft starting from trans-Earth injection (EI) at the perilune and ending at an LEO space station. As such a trajectory has multiple constraints and multiple dynamical models, it is divided into the trans-Earth phase, aerocapture phase, and postatmospheric phase. The optimization scheme is performed at two levels: sublevel and top level. At the sublevel, two novel pseudo rules are proposed to optimize the trans-Earth trajectory so that it satisfies the coplanar constraints of the space station. Then, in the aerocapture phase, the bank angle is optimized to satisfy the mission constraints, and in the atmospheric phase, the one-impulsive maneuver is performed and optimized to insert the spacecraft into the target space station orbit. The multiple phases are connected to each other by boundary conditions where the terminal state of the previous phase is transformed into the initial state of the following phase. At the top level, the vacuum perigee height is selected as the mission design variable based on problem characteristics analysis and a hybrid optimization scheme is conducted to minimize the total velocity increment. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid optimization method is effective for the design of an entire trajectory with acceptable velocity cost which is less than that in the previous study. The coplanar constraints of the space station and other mission constraints in each phase are also satisfied. Furthermore, the proposed trajectory design method is shown to be applicable to a reusable spacecraft returning to an LEO space station parked in any arbitrary orbital plane.
Scaling Performance Analysis and Optimization Based on the Node Spatial Distribution in Mobile Content‐Centric Networks
Authors: Ren Jiajie , Li Demin , Zhang Lei , Zhang Guanglin
Published: January 2021

Content‐centric networks (CCNs) have become a promising technology for relieving the increasing wireless traffic demands. In this paper, we explore the scaling performance of mobile content‐centric networks based on the nonuniform spatial distribution of nodes, where each node moves around its own home point and requests the desired content according to a Zipf distribution. We assume each mobile node is equipped with a finite local cache, which is applied to cache contents following a static cache allocation scheme. According to the nonuniform spatial distribution of cache‐enabled nodes, we introduce two kinds of clustered models, i.e., the clustered grid model and the clustered random model. In each clustered model, we analyze throughput and delay performance when the number of nodes goes infinity by means of the proposed cell‐partition scheduling scheme and the distributed multihop routing scheme. We show that the node mobility degree and the clustering behavior play the fundamental roles in the aforementioned asymptotic performance. Finally, we study the optimal cache allocation problem in the two kinds of clustered models. Our findings provide a guidance for developing the optimal caching scheme. We further perform the numerical simulations to validate the theoretical scaling laws.
Joint Congestion Control and Resource Allocation for Delay‐Aware Tasks in Mobile Edge Computing
Authors: Li Shichao , Wang Qiuyun , Wang Yunfeng , Xie Jianli , Li Cuiran , Tan Dengtai , Kou Weigang , Li Wenjie
Published: January 2021

Recently, in order to extend the computation capability of smart mobile devices (SMDs) and reduce the task execution delay, mobile edge computing (MEC) has attracted considerable attention. In this paper, a stochastic optimization problem is formulated to maximize the system utility and ensure the queue stability, which subjects to the power, subcarrier, SMDs, and MEC server computation resource constraints by jointly optimizing congestion control and resource allocation. With the help of the Lyapunov optimization method, the primal problem is transformed into five subproblems including the system utility maximization subproblem, SMD congestion control subproblem, SMD computation resource allocation subproblem, joint power and subcarrier allocation subproblem, and MEC server scheduling subproblem. Since the first three subproblems are all single variable problems, the solutions can be obtained directly. The joint power and subcarrier allocation subproblem can be efficiently solved by utilizing alternating and time‐sharing methods. For the MEC server scheduling subproblem, an efficient algorithm is proposed to solve it. By solving the five subproblems at each slot, we propose a delay‐aware task congestion control and resource allocation (DTCCRA) algorithm to solve the primal problem. Theoretical analysis shows that the proposed DTCCRA algorithm can achieve the system utility and execution delay trade‐off. Compared with the intelligent heuristic (IH) algorithm, when the control parameter V increases from 106 to 107, the total backlogs are decreased by 5.03% and the system utility is increased by 3.9% on average for the extensive performance by using the proposed DTCCRA algorithm.
A multidimensional framework for characterizing the citation impact of scientific publications
Authors: Bu Yi , Waltman Ludo , Huang Yong
Published: January 2021

The citation impact of a scientific publication is usually seen as a one-dimensional concept. We introduce a multidimensional framework for characterizing the citation impact of a publication. In addition to the level of citation impact, quantified by the number of citations received by a publication, we also conceptualize and operationalize the depth and breadth and the dependence and independence of the citation impact of a publication. The proposed framework distinguishes between publications that have a deep citation impact, typically in a relatively narrow research area, and publications that have a broad citation impact, probably covering a wider area of research. It also makes a distinction between publications that are strongly dependent on earlier work and publications that make a more independent scientific contribution. We use our multidimensional citation impact framework to report basic descriptive statistics on the citation impact of highly cited publications in all scientific disciplines. In addition, we present a detailed case study focusing on the field of scientometrics. The proposed citation impact framework provides a more in-depth understanding of the citation impact of a publication than a traditional one-dimensional perspective.
Coping Responses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Peru
Authors: Voronin Ivan A. , Manrique-Millones Denisse , Vasin Georgy M. , Millones-Rivalles Rosa Bertha , Manrique-Pino Oscar , Fernández-Ríos Nataly , Marakshina Yulia A. , Lobaskova Marina M. , Symanyuk Elvira E. , Pecherkina Anna A. , Ageeva Irina A. , Lysenkova Irina A. , Ismatullina Victoria I. , Sitnikova Maria A. , Malykh Sergey B.
Published: January 2021

Background. !e COVID-19 pandemic has subjected people around the world to severe stress, evoking a variety of coping responses. Coping responses can be broadly classi"ed into four strategies: 1) problem-focused coping; 2) emotionfocused coping; 3) socially supported coping; and 4) avoidance. While there is a wide variability of individual coping responses, to some extent they are also culturally speci"c. Objective. !is study aimed to compare the di#erences in the prevalence and factor structure of coping responses during COVID-19 pandemic in three countries: Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Peru. Design. !e sample included 501 participants from Russia, 456 participants from Kyrgyzstan, and 354 participants from Peru. !e mean age of participants was 28 years in Russia (SD = 13.5); 24 years in Kyrgyzstan (SD = 10.0); and 30 years in Peru (SD = 12.3). In Russia and Kyrgyzstan, coping strategies were assessed with an abbreviated Russian adaptation of the COPE (Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced) questionnaire. In Peru, coping responses were assessed using the Spanish version of the Brief COPE questionnaire. !e average scores from "%een COPE scales were used as the input data for linear modelling and factor analysis. Results. !e coping scores varied substantially within each country. Di#erences between countries accounted for 17.7% of the total variability in religious coping; 15.8% in acceptance; 13.9% in mental disengagement; and less than 7% in the other coping strategies. No di#erence in the prevalence of coping responses was found between Russian and Kyrgyz participants a%er accounting for age and gender. In all three countries the coping responses were associated with the same four coping domains: problem-focused coping, socially supported coping, avoidance, and emotion-focused coping. Four factors explained up to 44% of the total variation in the COPE scores. Religious coping and mental disengagement were classi"ed into di#erent coping domains in the three countries. Conclusion. !e results suggest that during the COVID-19 pandemic, people from di#erent countries apply the full range of coping responses within the four universal coping strategies. Religious coping and mental disengagement di#ered the most across the countries, suggesting that some coping behaviors can take on di#erent roles within the system of coping responses to stressful events. We attribute these di#erences to di#ering cultural and socioeconomic characteristics, and the di#erent measures taken by governments in response to COVID-19.
Psychological and Ethnocultural Sensitivities in the Perception of COVID-19 Memes by Young People in Russia and China
Authors: Smirnova Olga V. , Denissova Galina V. , Svitich Luisa G. , Lin Chuanzhao , Steblovskaia Soia B. , Antipova Alina S.
Published: January 2021

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought dramatic changes to all spheres of life. These changes have triggered an immediate response from the media, including social media, which repeatedly posts not only up-to-date information about this most relevant issue, but also users’ reactions to it, including Internet memes. Objective. The research presented in this article focused on comparing the psychological and ethnocultural sensitivities in the perception of COVID-19memes by young people in Russia and China. Design. The selected sample contained 108 respondents (n = 108), comprised of 50 Chinese and 58 Russian university students. The study consisted of two procedures: a survey and a student’s t-test on the perception of specific Internet memes. Results. The main results were that memes which evoke a positive response from the respondents and cheer them up were scored the highest. Such qualities as relevance, kindness, cheerfulness, creativity, meaningfulness, and thought-provoking ability were rated high. Each group of respondents gave a higher score to “our own” memes and a lower score to the other group’s memes. It is generally typical of the Chinese to have a more positive perception of reality. We ascertained a tendency towards polarization of opinions and focus on individualization among the Russian respondents, whereas the Chinese respondents strove for orderliness and consensus. Conclusion. As a whole, COVID-19 memes in such ethnoculturally different audiences as the Russians and Chinese serve a compensatory function for young people, helping them overcome the hardships of the pandemic through the memes’ relevance and creative character.
Four new species of the subterranean amphipod genus Stygobromus (Amphipoda: Crangonyctidae) from shallow groundwater habitats on the Coastal Plain and eastern margin of the Piedmont in Maryland and Virginia, USA
Authors: HOLSINGER JOHN R. , ANSELL LYNNETTE MEADOR , SHAFER JUSTIN
Published: January 2021

Four new species of the subterranean amphipod genus Stygobromus are described from groundwater habitats in Maryland and Virginia. All four of the species occur in Maryland, and one of them also occurs in Virginia.Three of these species are found in groundwater seeps or seepage springs in the Piedmont of northeastern Maryland, whereas the fourth occurs in similar habitats on the Coastal Plain of southern Maryland west of the Chesapeake Bay and on the opposite side of the Potomac River in seeps on theCoastal Plain in southeastern Virginia. Descriptions of the new species bring the total number of described species in the genus to 139, all but five of which are recorded from North America. Recognition of the four new species suggests that species diversity in Stygobromus is greater in shallow groundwater habitats east of the Appalachian cave and karst region than originally believed.
Zalmoxidae (Arachnida: Opiliones: Laniatores) of the Paleotropics: a catalogue of Southeast Asian and Indo-Pacific species
Authors: SHARMA PRASHANT P. , KURY ADRIANO B. , GIRIBET GONZALO
Published: January 2021

A revised catalogue of the Paleotropical Zalmoxidae including images of selected available type specimens is presented. Distribution data are provided to the best of our knowledge. The genera Acrozalmoxis Roewer, 1915, Camanastus Roewer, 1949, Papuastus Roewer, 1949, Savoa Roewer, 1949, and Zalmoxomma Roewer, 1949 are newly synonymized with the type genus Zalmoxis Sørensen, 1886. The following new combinations are established: Zalmoxis australis, Zalmoxis bonka, Zalmoxis insularis, Zalmoxis maculosus, Zalmoxis occidentalis, and Zalmoxis ponapeus. Bogania Forster, 1955 and Bunofagea Lawrence, 1959 are removed from Zalmoxidae and transferred to Phalangodidae. Gjellerupia Roewer, 1913 and Spalicus Roewer, 1949 are considered Grassatores incertae sedis. The incidence of preoccupied taxon names is redressed by designation of new specific epithets as follows: Zalmoxis neoguinensis (Roewer, 1915) is renamed Zalmoxis thorelli; Zalmoxis neoguinensis (Müller, 1917) is renamed Zalmoxis muelleri; Zalmoxis neoguinensis (Roewer, 1949) is renamed Zalmoxis mutus; and Zalmoxis minima (Roewer, 1915) is restored to Gjellerupia minima. Zalmoxis pallicolor Strand, 1910 is synonymized with Zalmoxis armatipes Strand, 1910. Diagnoses of genera are provided. Species richness and familial level relationships of Zalmoxidae are discussed.
Procambarus (Ortmannicus) luxus (Decapoda: Cambaridae), a new crayfish from southern Texas
Authors: JOHNSON DANIEL P.
Published: January 2021

Procambarus (Ortmannicus) luxus is described from Bee, Brooks, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio counties, Texas. It may be distinguished from its nearest relative, P. (O.) texanus, by its strongly asymmetrical first pleopods with proximal extremities separated by a distinct gap; strongly corneous, narrow, scarcely laterally deflected mesial process; slightly more recurved cephalic process and central projection; and an annulus ventralis which is more weakly overhung by the adjacent sternum and bears a prominent caudomedian tonguelike projection.
Polymer Vector Loading Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Matrix Protein Gene for Colon Cancer Therapy
Authors: Yang Tingting , Luo Ting , Guo Hongjun , Hu Yuzhu , Lin Yunzhu , Wang Bilan
Published: January 2021

Gene therapy has been widely studied in colon cancer treatment. However, effective delivery of genes is a limitation for clinical applications. In the research, DOATP/mPEG-PLA-mPEG (DPLP) nanoparticles carrying the vesicular stomatitis virus matrix protein plasmid (pVSVMP) was used
for colon cancer therapy, resulting in high transfection efficiency and expression efficiency in CT26 cells. Moreover, the DPLP-pVSVMP complex was provide with apoptosis induction and proliferation suppression of CT26 cells in vitro and can efficiently inhibit tumor growth in murine
colon cancer model by inducing apoptosis, suppressing proliferation and angiogenesis. These results suggest that DPLP nanoparticles delivering pVSVMP might be a latent therapeutic avenue for colon cancer.
Advances in the Application of Injectable Thermosensitive Hydrogel Systems for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Xue Bingxin , Qu Ying , Shi Kun , Zhou Kai , He Xinlong , Chu Bingyang , Qian Zhiyong
Published: January 2021

Systemic administration of anticancer therapeutic agents remains a crucial strategy for clinical cancer therapy. However, poor drug accumulation at tumor sites and severe side effects to normal tissues induced by off-target effects lower their therapeutic efficiency and limit their
deep application in clinical settings. How to overcome these issues has continuously raised concerns. Reportedly, injectable thermosensitive hydrogels are good carriers for local drug delivery systems, demonstrating a flowable and injectable sol state at room temperature, easily loading therapeutic
agents with large loading contents. Under normal body temperature, these hydrogels are stimulated to undergo a phase transition to an immobile gel state, which serves as a drug reservoir at local injection sites. After intratumoral or peritumoral injection, the localized hydrogel reservoir
shows a slow and sustained drug release behavior, and can also targeted deliver therapeutic agents to cancer cells instead of normal cells, improving the therapeutic efficiency and reducing systemic side effects. This review summarizes the development of injectable thermosensitive hydrogel
systems, reviews the research application advances of these systems in different therapy strategies for cancer, discusses the present issues and awaits their future in clinical applications.
The metabolic reprogramming in acute myeloid leukemia patients depends on their genotype and is a prognostic marker
Authors: Lo Presti Caroline , Fauvelle Florence , Jacob Marie-Christine , Mondet Julie , Mossuz Pascal
Published: January 2021

Leukemic cells display some alterations in metabolic pathways, which play a role in leukemogenesis and in patients’ prognosis. To evaluate the characteristics and the impact of this metabolic reprogramming, we explore the bone marrow samples from 54 de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, using an untargeted metabolomics approach based on proton high-resolution magic angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance. The spectra obtained were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis to find specific metabolome alterations and biomarkers correlated to clinical features. We found that patients display a large diversity of metabolic profiles, according to the different AML cytologic subtypes and molecular statuses. The link between metabolism and molecular status was particularly strong for the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG), whose intracellular production is directly linked to the presence of isocitrate dehydrogenase mutations. Moreover, patients’ prognosis was strongly impacted by several metabolites, such as 2-HG that appeared as a good prognostic biomarker in our cohort. Conversely, deregulations in phospholipid metabolism had a negative impact on prognosis through 2 main metabolites (phosphocholine and phosphoethanolamine), which could be potential aggressiveness biomarkers. Finally, we highlighted an overexpression of glutathione and alanine in chemoresistant patients. Overall, our results demonstrate that different metabolic pathways could be activated in leukemic cells according to their phenotype and maturation levels. This confirms that metabolic reprogramming strongly influences prognosis of patients and underscores a particular role of certain metabolites and associated pathways in AML prognosis, suggesting common mechanisms developed by leukemic cells to maintain their aggressiveness even after well-conducted induction chemotherapy.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome associated with consumption of Gynura segetum
Authors: Zhang Lijie , Li Qing , Makamure Joyman , Zhao Dan , Liu Ziyi , Zheng Chuansheng , Liang Bin
Published: January 2021

Background

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) on hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) associated with consumption of Gynura segetum (GS).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 9 consecutive patients with GS-related HSOS who were refractory to supportive treatment and underwent TIPS at our institution between January 2014 and September 2019. The patients were evaluated for safety and efficacy, including TIPS complications and changes in portosystemic pressure gradient (PPG), ascites, total bilirubin, liver size and portal vein diameter.

Results

TIPS procedures were performed successfully in the 9 patients, and no technically-related complications due to the TIPS procedure were recorded. The PPG was improved by TIPS in all patients (mean PPG before TIPS, 30.4 ± 5.2 vs. 13.0 ± 4.1 mm Hg post-TIPS, P = 0.008). One patient who was lost to follow-up, whereas the remaining 8 patients survived with a median follow-up period of 12 months (range 5–39 months). Although the total bilirubin was significantly increased 5–7 days after TIPS compared with that before the procedure (3.57 ± 1.58 vs. 4.82 ± 2.06 mg/dl, P = 0.017), it returned to baseline levels at 1-month follow-up (3.53 ± 2.72 vs. 4.82 ± 2.06 mg/dl, P = 0.401). The patients experienced complete resolution or noticeable reduction of ascites (P < 0.001), significant reduction of liver size (16.7 ± 2.2 vs. 13.7 ± 1.7 cm, P = 0.018), and significant enlargement of the portal trunk (10.7 ± 2.5 vs. 13.4 ± 2.4 mm, P = 0.017) after TIPS compared to the pre-TIPS state.

Conclusion

TIPS may offer a potentially useful treatment for the GS-related HSOS.
Unemployment rate, opioids misuse and other substance abuse: quasi-experimental evidence from treatment admissions data
Authors: Azagba Sunday , Shan Lingpeng , Qeadan Fares , Wolfson Mark
Published: January 2021

Background

The relationship between economic conditions and substance abuse is unclear, with few studies reporting drug-specific substance abuse. The present study examined the association between economic conditions and drug-specific substance abuse admissions.

Methods

State annual administrative data were drawn from the 1993–2016 Treatment Episode Data Set. The outcome variable was state-level aggregate number of treatment admissions for six categories of primary substance abuse (alcohol, marijuana/hashish, opiates, cocaine, stimulants, and other drugs). Additionally, we used a broader outcome for the number of treatment admissions, including primary, secondary, and tertiary diagnoses. We used a quasi-experimental approach -difference-in-difference model- to estimate the association between changes in economic conditions and substance abuse treatment admissions, adjusting for state characteristics. In addition, we performed two additional analyses to investigate (1) whether economic conditions have an asymmetric effect on the number of substance use admissions during economic downturns and upturns, and (2) the moderation effects of economic recessions (2001, 2008–09) on the relationship between economic conditions and substance use treatment.

Results

The baseline model showed that unemployment rate was significantly associated with substance abuse treatment admissions. A unit increase in state unemployment rate was associated with a 9% increase in treatment admissions for opiates (β = 0.087, p < .001). Similar results were found for other substance abuse treatment admissions (cocaine (β = 0.081, p < .001), alcohol (β = 0.050, p < .001), marijuana (β = 0.036, p < .01), and other drugs (β = 0.095, p < .001). Unemployment rate was negatively associated with treatment admissions for stimulants (β = − 0.081, p < .001). The relationship between unemployment rate and opioids treatment admissions was not statistically significant in models that adjusted for state fixed effects and allowed for a state- unique time trend. We found that the association between state unemployment rates and annual substance abuse admissions has the same direction during economic downturns and upturns. During the economic recession, the negative association between unemployment rate and treatment admissions for stimulants was weakened.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that economic hardship may have increased substance abuse. Treatment for substance use of certain drugs and alcohol should remain a priority even during economic downturns.
Systematic content analysis of patient evaluations of START NOW psychotherapy reveals practical strategies for improving the treatment of opioid use disorder
Authors: Truong Albert Yi-Que , Saway Brian Fabian , Bouzaher Malek H. , Rasheed Mustafa Nawroz , Monjazeb Sanaz , Everest Soleille Dorothy , Giampalmo Susan Linda , Hartman David , Hartman Cheryl , Kablinger Anita S. , Trestman Robert L.
Published: January 2021

Background

Clinical trials provide consistent evidence for buprenorphine’s efficacy in treating opioid use disorder (OUD). While the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 requires physicians to combine medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with behavioral intervention, there is no clear evidence for what form or elements of psychotherapy are most effective when coupled with MAT to treat OUD. This investigation involves focus groups designed to collect patient opinions about a specific psychotherapy, called START NOW, as well as general beliefs about various elements of psychotherapy for treating OUD. Our analysis reveals trends about patient preferences and strategies for improving OUD treatment.

Methods

Subjects included patients enrolled in buprenorphine/naloxone MAT at our institution’s office-based opioid treatment program. All subjects participated in a single START NOW group session, which was led by a provider (physician or nurse practitioner trained and standardized in delivering START NOW). Consented subjects participated in satisfaction surveys and audio-recorded focus groups assessing individual beliefs about various elements of psychotherapy for treating OUD.

Results

Overall, 38 different focus groups, 92 participation events, and 44 unique subjects participated in 1-to-6 different START NOW session/audio-recorded focus group sessions led by a certified moderator. Demographic data from 36/44 subjects was collected. Seventy-five percent (33/44) completed the START NOW Assessment Protocol, which revealed self-reported behavioral trends. Analysis of all 92 START NOW Satisfaction Questionnaire results suggests that subjects’ opinions about START NOW improved with increased participation. Our analysis of audio-recorded focus groups is divided into three subsections: content strategies for new psychotherapies, implementation strategies, and other observations. For example, participants request psychotherapies to target impulsivity and to teach future planning and build positive relationships.

Conclusions

The results of this study may guide implementation of psychotherapy and improve the treatment of OUD, especially as it relates to improving the modified START NOW program for treating OUD. Our study also reveals a favorable outlook of START NOW with increased participation, suggesting that any initial reticence to this program can be overcome to allow for effective implementation.
Predicting diagnostic outcome in adult autism spectrum disorder using the autism diagnostic observation schedule, second edition
Authors: Adamou Marios , Jones Sarah L. , Wetherhill Stephanie
Published: January 2021

Background

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) module four assessment for diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in adults has shown good sensitivity and specificity in research settings.

Method

This study aimed to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the ADOS-2 module four by investigating the components of the assessment, in relation to diagnostic outcome in a clinical setting. Data from 88 service users referred to a Specialist Adult Autism Service was explored.

Results

ADOS-2 scores failed to predict the diagnostic outcome (overall sensitivity = 92%, specificity = 57%). Interestingly, scores from the ‘restricted interests’ component of the ADOS-2 have the potential to predict diagnostic outcome, despite this domain not been included in the scoring algorithm.

Conclusions

Based on our findings, we recommend clinicians are cautious when interpreting results of the ADOS-2 assessment.
Self-rated health status in relation to aircraft noise exposure, noise annoyance or noise sensitivity: the results of a cross-sectional study in France
Authors: BAUDIN Clémence , LEFÈVRE Marie , CHAMPELOVIER Patricia , LAMBERT Jacques , LAUMON Bernard , EVRARD Anne-Sophie
Published: January 2021

Background

Noise is a major public health issue because of its negative impacts on health, including annoyance, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular diseases and altered cognitive performance among children. Self-rated health status (SRHS) can be considered as a reliable indicator of quality of life, morbidity and mortality but few studies have considered SRHS in relation to aircraft noise exposure. The present study aims to investigate the association between this exposure and SRHS of people living near airports in France, and to consider the mediating or moderating role of aircraft noise annoyance and noise sensitivity in this association.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 1242 participants older than 18 and living near three major French airports. Information on their SRHS, aircraft noise annoyance, noise sensitivity and demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors was collected during a face-to-face interview performed at home. Outdoor aircraft noise levels were estimated for each participant’s home address using noise maps. Logistic regressions with adjustment for potential confounders were used. The moderating and mediating effects of aircraft noise annoyance and noise sensitivity were investigated following Baron and Kenny’s recommendations.

Results

A significant association was shown between aircraft noise levels and a fair/poor SRHS, only in men (OR=1.55, 95%CI 1.01–2.39, for a 10 dB(A)-increase in Lden). This relationship was higher in men highly sensitive to noise (OR=3.26, 95%CI 1.19–8.88, for a 10 dB(A)-increase in Lden). Noise sensitivity was associated with a fair/poor SRHS significantly in women (OR=1.74, 95%CI 1.12–2.68) and at the borderline of significance in men (OR=1.68, 95% CI 0.94–3.00), whereas aircraft noise annoyance was associated with a fair/poor SRHS only in men (OR=1.81, 95%CI 1.00–3.27).

Conclusion

The present study confirms findings in the small number of available studies to date suggesting a positive association between aircraft noise levels and a fair/poor SRHS. These results also support the hypothesis that noise sensitivity would moderate this association. However, a mediating effect of annoyance cannot be excluded.
Spiritual care practices in hospices in the Western cape, South Africa: the challenge of diversity
Authors: Mahilall Ronita , Swartz Leslie
Published: January 2021

Background

South Africa is a very diverse middle-income country, still deeply divided by the legacy of its colonial and apartheid past. As part of a larger study, this article explored the experiences and views of representatives of hospices in the Western Cape province of South Africa on the provision of appropriate spiritual care, given local issues and constraints.

Methods

Two sets of focus group discussions, with 23 hospice participants, were conducted with 11 of the 12 Hospice Palliative Care Association registered hospices in the Western Cape, South Africa, to understand what spiritual care practices existed in their hospices against the backdrop of multifaceted diversities. The discussions were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Two prominent themes emerged: the challenges of providing relevant spiritual care services in a religiously, culturally, linguistically and racially diverse setting, and the organisational context impacting such a spiritual care service. Participants agreed that spiritual care is an important service and that it plays a significant role within the inter-disciplinary team. Participants recognised the need for spiritual care training and skills development, alongside the financial costs of employing dedicated spiritual care workers. In spite of the diversities and resource constraints, the approach of individual hospices to providing spiritual care remained robust.

Discussion

Given the diversities that are largely unique to South Africa, shaped essentially by past injustices, the hospices have to navigate considerable hurdles such as cultural differences, religious diversity, and language barriers to provide spiritual care services, within significant resource constraints.

Conclusions

While each of the hospices have established spiritual care services to varying degrees, there was an expressed need for training in spiritual care to develop a baseline guide that was bespoke to the complexities of the South African context. Part of this training needs to focus on the complexity of providing culturally appropriate services.
The role of microglia membrane potential in chemotaxis
Authors: Laprell Laura , Schulze Christian , Brehme Marie-Luise , Oertner Thomas G.
Published: January 2021

Microglia react to danger signals by rapid and targeted extension of cellular processes towards the source of the signal. This positive chemotactic response is accompanied by a hyperpolarization of the microglia membrane. Here, we show that optogenetic depolarization of microglia has little effect on baseline motility, but significantly slows down the chemotactic response. Reducing the extracellular Ca2+ concentration mimics the effect of optogenetic depolarization. As the membrane potential sets the driving force for Ca2+ entry, hyperpolarization is an integral part of rapid stimulus-response coupling in microglia. Compared to typical excitable cells such as neurons, the sign of the activating response is inverted in microglia, leading to inhibition by depolarizing channelrhodopsins.
An “expressionistic” look at serrated precancerous colorectal lesions
Authors: Marra Giancarlo
Published: January 2021

Background

Approximately 60% of colorectal cancer (CRC) precursor lesions are the genuinely-dysplastic conventional adenomas (cADNs). The others include hyperplastic polyps (HPs), sessile serrated lesions (SSL), and traditional serrated adenomas (TSAs), subtypes of a class of lesions collectively referred to as “serrated.” Endoscopic and histologic differentiation between cADNs and serrated lesions, and between serrated lesion subtypes can be difficult.

Methods

We used in situ hybridization to verify the expression patterns in CRC precursors of 21 RNA molecules that appear to be promising differentiation markers on the basis of previous RNA sequencing studies.

Results

SSLs could be clearly differentiated from cADNs by the expression patterns of 9 of the 12 RNAs tested for this purpose (VSIG1, ANXA10, ACHE, SEMG1, AQP5, LINC00520, ZIC5/2, FOXD1, NKD1). Expression patterns of all 9 in HPs were similar to those in SSLs. Nine putatively HP-specific RNAs were also investigated, but none could be confirmed as such: most (e.g., HOXD13 and HOXB13), proved instead to be markers of the normal mucosa in the distal colon and rectum, where most HPs arise. TSAs displayed mixed staining patterns reflecting the presence of serrated and dysplastic glands in the same lesion.

Conclusions

Using a robust in situ hybridization protocol, we identified promising tissue-staining markers that, if validated in larger series of lesions, could facilitate more precise histologic classification of CRC precursors and, consequently, more tailored clinical follow-up of their carriers. Our findings should also fuel functional studies on the pathogenic significance of specific gene expression alterations in the initiation and evolution of CRC precursor subtypes.