bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cone-beam computed tomographic analysis of apical transportation and centering ratio of ProTaper and XP-endo Shaper NiTi rotary systems in curved canals: an in vitro study
Authors: Karkehabadi Hamed , Siahvashi Zeinab , Shokri Abbas , Haji Hasani Nasrin
Published: May 2021

Background

Cleaning and shaping of the root canal system is an important step of endodontic treatment. Canal transportation is a common procedural error in preparation of curved canals. This study aimed to compare the canal transportation and centering ratio of two rotary files in curved canals using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods

Forty-four extracted human mandibular first molars with mature apices and 10° to 30° apical curvature were selected. The samples were randomly divided into two groups (n = 22) with similar curvature. The canals were prepared with ProTaper and XP-endo Shaper file systems according to the manufacturers’ instructions. The CBCT images were obtained using Cranex 3D CBCT scanner before and after root canal preparation, and canal transportation and centering ratio of the files at 3, 4 and 5 mm levels from the apex were calculated. Data were compared between the two groups using independent t-test at 0.05 level of significance.

Results

The ProTaper Universal caused greater canal transportation and had lower centering ratio than XP-endo Shaper in both mesiodistal and buccolingual directions at all levels from the apex. The difference between the two groups regarding canal transportation was significant at all levels from the apex in buccolingual direction (P < 0.05) except for 3 mm from the apex (P > 0.05). The difference between the two groups regarding centering ratio was not significant (P > 0.05) in mesiodistal direction at all levels except for 4 mm from the apex (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The ProTaper Universal causes greater canal transportation in both buccolingual and mesiodistal directions than XP-endo Shaper.
“PrEP”ing for a PrEP demonstration project: understanding PrEP knowledge and attitudes among cisgender women
Authors: Pasipanodya Elizabeth C. , Stockman Jamila , Phuntsog Thupten , Morris Sheldon , Psaros Christina , Landovitz Raphael , Amico K. Rivet , Moore David J. , Blumenthal Jill
Published: May 2021

Background

Prior to implementing a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) demonstration study, we sought to explore cisgender women’s experiences with HIV prevention, PrEP knowledge and attitudes, and anticipated barriers and facilitators for PrEP uptake and adherence in Southern California.

Methods

Three focus groups were held with cisgender women of mixed HIV serostatus in San Diego and Los Angeles between November 2015 and January 2016. Women were recruited through local testing sites, community-based organizations, and social media. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Twenty-two women participated in focus groups, with median age 44 (IQR 30–53) and 6 identifying as non-Hispanic Black, 7 non-Hispanic White, 8 Latina and 1 mixed race. Despite limited prior PrEP knowledge and no PrEP experience, participants expressed interest in taking PrEP. Anticipated benefits were freedom from worry about HIV and control over sexual health; however, these were tempered by concerns including the possibility of increased HIV risk behaviors and potential side effects. Cisgender women reported potential barriers to PrEP uptake and adherence barriers, like competing priorities and poor PrEP access. Conversely, PrEP facilitators included utilizing practical tools such as phone apps and pill boxes as well as receiving encouragement from loved ones and support from other cisgender women on PrEP, women living with HIV and their medical providers.

Conclusions

Although PrEP awareness was low, participants recognized the importance of PrEP and ways to facilitate adherence. Exploring perspectives of cisgender women is integral to developing effective interventions to support PrEP uptake and adherence for women at elevated risk for HIV.
Deregulation and pricing of medical services: a policy experiment based in China
Authors: Zang Wenbin , Zhou Mei , Zhao Shaoyang
Published: May 2021

Background

Price regulation is a common constraint in Chinese hospitals. Based on a policy experiment conducted in China on the price deregulation of private nonprofit hospitals, this study empirically examines the impact of medical service price regulation on the pricing of medical services by hospitals.

Methods

Using the claim data of insured inpatients residing in a major Chinese city for the period 2010–2015, this study constructs a DID (difference-in-differences) model to compare the impact of price deregulation on medical expenditure and expenditure structure between public and private nonprofit hospitals.

Results

The empirical results based on micro data reveal that, price deregulated significantly increased the total expenditure per inpatient visit by 10.5%. In the itemized expenditure, the diagnostic test and drug expenditure per inpatient visit of private nonprofit hospitals decreased significantly, whereas the physician service expenditure per inpatient visit increased significantly. For expenditure structure, the proportions of drug expenditure and diagnostic test expenditure per inpatient visit significantly decreased by 5.7 and 3.1%, respectively. Furthermore, this paper also found that hospitals had larger price changes for dominant diseases than for non-dominant diseases.

Conclusions

Under price regulation, medical service prices generally become lower than their costs. Therefore, after price deregulation, private nonprofit hospitals increase medical service prices above their cost and achieve the service premium increasing physician medical services. Further, although price deregulation causes patient expenditure to increase to a certain level, it optimizes the expenditure structure, as well.
The long shadow of childhood cancer: a qualitative study on insurance hardship among survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Hendriks Manya Jerina , Harju Erika , Roser Katharina , Ienca Marcello , Michel Gisela
Published: May 2021

Background

The long-term consequences of childhood cancer have received increasing attention due to the growing number of survivors over the past decades. However, insurance hardships of survivors are mostly unknown. This study explored qualitatively, in a sample of childhood cancer survivors (CCS), (i) the experiences and needs of CCS living in Switzerland with a special focus on hardships related to insurance; and (ii) the views of insurance and law experts with experience on childhood cancer.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 childhood cancer survivors and 3 experts (one legal expert, two insurance experts). Data was analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

Three key themes emerged from the interviews with the CCS: 1) experiences with insurance, 2) perception of discrimination, and 3) needs and barriers for support. The interviewed experts provided further detailed clarification of CCS’ concerns. Our findings indicated that some CCS can move past their cancer history, while others continue to face hardships. CCS reported confusion about the opportunities and services within the social security system and most relied on their personal contacts for guidance. Finally, CCS expressed a strong need for socio-economic and legal support for social insurance questions, especially related to disability insurance.

Conclusions

With the growing population of CCS, it is essential to further assess the interplay between medical and psychosocial health and socio-economic hardship. Supportive psychosocial services should aim to ameliorate insurance hardships. Better understanding of the relationship between childhood cancer and insurance hardships during survivorship will inform efforts to improve long-term financial security and health outcomes for survivors. We call for the public, lawmakers, researchers, insurers, and patient organizations to come together and discuss future perspectives to avoid the risk of discrimination for cancer survivors.
Identification of collagen genes related to immune infiltration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in glioma
Authors: Yin Wen , Zhu Hecheng , Tan Jun , Xin Zhaoqi , Zhou Quanwei , Cao Yudong , Wu Zhaoping , Wang Lei , Zhao Ming , Jiang Xingjun , Ren Caiping , Tang Guihua
Published: May 2021

Background

Gliomas account for the majority of fatal primary brain tumors, and there is much room for research in the underlying pathogenesis, the multistep progression of glioma, and how to improve survival. In our study, we aimed to identify potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets of glioma and study the mechanism underlying the tumor progression.

Methods

We downloaded the microarray datasets (GSE43378 and GSE7696) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Then, we used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to screen potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets related to the tumor progression. ESTIMATE (Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumors using Expression data) algorithm and TIMER (Tumor Immune Estimation Resource) database were used to analyze the correlation between the selected genes and the tumor microenvironment. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the selected gene. Transwell and wound healing assays were used to measure the cell migration and invasion capacity. Western blotting was used to test the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related markers.

Results

We identified specific module genes that were positively correlated with the WHO grade but negatively correlated with OS of glioma. Importantly, we identified that 6 collagen genes (COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1, COL4A1, COL4A2, and COL5A2) could regulate the immunosuppressive microenvironment of glioma. Moreover, we found that these collagen genes were significantly involved in the EMT process of glioma. Finally, taking COL3A1 as a further research object, the results showed that knockdown of COL3A1 significantly inhibited the migration, invasion, and EMT process of SHG44 and A172 cells.

Conclusions

In summary, our study demonstrated that collagen genes play an important role in regulating the immunosuppressive microenvironment and EMT process of glioma and could serve as potential therapeutic targets for glioma management.
Genetic variation at the Cyp6m2 putative insecticide resistance locus in Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii
Authors:   The Anopheles gambiae 1000 Genomes Consortium, Wagah Martin G. , Korlević Petra , Clarkson Christopher , Miles Alistair , Lawniczak Mara K. N. , Makunin Alex
Published: May 2021

Background

The emergence of insecticide resistance is a major threat to malaria control programmes in Africa, with many different factors contributing to insecticide resistance in its vectors, Anopheles mosquitoes. CYP6M2 has previously been recognized as an important candidate in cytochrome P450-mediated detoxification in Anopheles. As it has been implicated in resistance against pyrethroids, organochlorines and carbamates, its broad metabolic activity makes it a potential agent in insecticide cross-resistance. Currently, allelic variation within the Cyp6m2 gene remains unknown.

Methods

Here, Illumina whole-genome sequence data from Phase 2 of the Anopheles gambiae 1000 Genomes Project (Ag1000G) was used to examine genetic variation in the Cyp6m2 gene across 16 populations in 13 countries comprising Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes. To identify whether these alleles show evidence of selection either through potentially modified enzymatic function or by being linked to variants that change the transcriptional profile of the gene, hierarchical clustering of haplotypes, linkage disequilibrium, median joining networks and extended haplotype homozygosity analyses were performed.

Results

Fifteen missense biallelic substitutions at high frequency (defined as > 5% frequency in one or more populations) are found, which fall into five distinct haplotype groups that carry the main high frequency variants: A13T, D65A, E328Q, Y347F, I359V and A468S. Despite consistent reports of Cyp6m2 upregulation and metabolic activity in insecticide resistant Anophelines, no evidence of directional selection is found occurring on these variants or on the haplotype clusters in which they are found.

Conclusion

These results imply that emerging resistance associated with Cyp6m2 is potentially driven by distant regulatory loci such as transcriptional factors rather than by its missense variants, or that other genes are playing a more significant role in conferring metabolic resistance.
Therapeutic efficacy of artemether–lumefantrine and artesunate–amodiaquine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Mali, 2015–2016
Authors: Diarra Youssouf , Koné Oumar , Sangaré Lansana , Doumbia Lassina , Haidara Dade Bouye Ben , Diallo Mouctar , Maiga Ababacar , Sango Hamadoun A. , Sidibé Halidou , Mihigo Jules , Nace Douglas , Ljolje Dragan , Talundzic Eldin , Udhayakumar Venkatachalam , Eckert Erin , Woodfill Celia J. , Moriarty Leah F. , Lim Pharath , Krogstad Donald J. , Halsey Eric S. , Lucchi Naomi W. , Koita Ousmane A.
Published: May 2021

Background

The current first-line treatments for uncomplicated malaria recommended by the National Malaria Control Programme in Mali are artemether–lumefantrine (AL) and artesunate–amodiaquine (ASAQ). From 2015 to 2016, an in vivo study was carried out to assess the clinical and parasitological responses to AL and ASAQ in Sélingué, Mali.

Methods

Children between 6 and 59 months of age with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infection and 2000–200,000 asexual parasites/μL of blood were enrolled, randomly assigned to either AL or ASAQ, and followed up for 42 days. Uncorrected and PCR-corrected efficacy results at days 28 and 42. were calculated. Known markers of resistance in the Pfk13, Pfmdr1, and Pfcrt genes were assessed using Sanger sequencing.

Results

A total of 449 patients were enrolled: 225 in the AL group and 224 in the ASAQ group. Uncorrected efficacy at day 28 was 83.4% (95% CI 78.5–88.4%) in the AL arm and 93.1% (95% CI 89.7–96.5%) in the ASAQ arm. The per protocol PCR-corrected efficacy at day 28 was 91.0% (86.0–95.9%) in the AL arm and 97.1% (93.6–100%) in the ASAQ arm. ASAQ was significantly (p < 0.05) better than AL for each of the aforementioned efficacy outcomes. No mutations associated with artemisinin resistance were identified in the Pfk13 gene. Overall, for Pfmdr1, the N86 allele and the NFD haplotype were the most common. The NFD haplotype was significantly more prevalent in the post-treatment than in the pre-treatment isolates in the AL arm (p < 0.01) but not in the ASAQ arm. For Pfcrt, the CVIET haplotype was the most common.

Conclusions

The findings indicate that both AL and ASAQ remain effective for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Sélingué, Mali.
Automated laryngeal mass detection algorithm for home-based self-screening test based on convolutional neural network
Authors: Kim Gun Ho , Sung Eui-Suk , Nam Kyoung Won
Published: May 2021

Background

Early detection of laryngeal masses without periodic visits to hospitals is essential for improving the possibility of full recovery and the long-term survival ratio after prompt treatment, as well as reducing the risk of clinical infection.

Results

We first propose a convolutional neural network model for automated laryngeal mass detection based on diagnostic images captured at hospitals. Thereafter, we propose a pilot system, composed of an embedded controller, a camera module, and an LCD display, that can be utilized for a home-based self-screening test. In terms of evaluating the model’s performance, the experimental results indicated a final validation loss of 0.9152 and a F1-score of 0.8371 before post-processing. Additionally, the F1-score of the original computer algorithm with respect to 100 randomly selected color-printed test images was 0.8534 after post-processing while that of the embedded pilot system was 0.7672.

Conclusions

The proposed technique is expected to increase the ratio of early detection of laryngeal masses without the risk of clinical infection spread, which could help improve convenience and ensure safety of individuals, patients, and medical staff.
Circulating angiopoietin-like proteins in metabolic-associated fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ke Yani , Liu Shan , Zhang Zheyuan , Hu Jie
Published: May 2021

Background

Angiopoietin-like proteins (ANGPTLs) are closely related to insulin resistance and lipid metabolism, and may be a key in metabolic syndrome. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (newly named metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD)) is based on metabolic dysfunction. There may be some correlation between ANGPTLs and MAFLD, but the specific correlation is unclear. This study aims to explore the predictive role of ANGPTLs in MAFLD and its progression.

Methods

Seven databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, WANFANG, CBM and Clinicaltrials.gov) were searched with free terms and MeSH terms. The random-effects model was used to pool the data, and Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were taken as the overall outcome. No language restrictions existed in the article selection. RevMan 5.3, Stata 16 and MetaXL software were applied to analyse the data and the GRADE system was utilized to assess the certainty of evidence.

Results

After reviewing 823 related articles, 13 studies (854 cases and 610 controls) met the inclusion criteria, and contributed to this meta-analysis. The results showed that circulating ANGPTL8 level was significantly elevated in the MAFLD group than in the healthy control group (SMD = 0.97 pg/mL, 95%CI: 0.77, 1.18). Conversely, there was no significant difference in the ANGPTL4 (SMD = 0.11 ng/mL, 95%CI: − 0.32, 0.54) and ANGPTL3 (SMD = − 0.95 ng/mL, 95%CI: − 4.38, 2.48) between the two groups. Subgroup analysis showed that: 1) the MAFLD group had significantly higher ANGPTL8 levels than the healthy control group in Asian and other races; 2) the ANGPTL8 levels in Body Mass Index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2 patients with MAFLD were higher than those in the healthy control group; 3) the higher ANGPTL8 levels were observed in moderate to severe MAFLD group than the healthy control group. Meta-regression demonstrated that BMI might effectively explain the high heterogeneity. No significant publication bias existed (P > 0.05). The certainty of evidence was assessed as very low by the GRADE system.

Conclusions

The ANGPTLs may be related to MAFLD. The increased ANGPTL8 level may be positively correlated with different situations of MAFLD, which may act as a potential indicator to monitor the development trends.
A compact system for simultaneous stimulation and recording for closed-loop myoelectric control
Authors: Garenfeld Martin A. , Jorgovanovic Nikola , Ilic Vojin , Strbac Matija , Isakovic Milica , Dideriksen Jakob L. , Dosen Strahinja
Published: May 2021

Background

Despite important advancements in control and mechatronics of myoelectric prostheses, the communication between the user and his/her bionic limb is still unidirectional, as these systems do not provide somatosensory feedback. Electrotactile stimulation is an attractive technology to close the control loop since it allows flexible modulation of multiple parameters and compact interface design via multi-pad electrodes. However, the stimulation interferes with the recording of myoelectric signals and this can be detrimental to control.

Methods

We present a novel compact solution for simultaneous recording and stimulation through dynamic blanking of stimulation artefacts. To test the system, a feedback coding scheme communicating wrist rotation and hand aperture was developed specifically to stress the myoelectric control while still providing meaningful information to the subjects. Ten subjects participated in an experiment, where the quality of closed-loop myoelectric control was assessed by controlling a cursor in a two degrees of freedom target-reaching task. The benchmark performance with visual feedback was compared to that achieved by combining visual feedback and electrotactile stimulation as well as by using electrotactile feedback only.

Results

There was no significant difference in performance between visual and combined feedback condition with regards to successfully reached targets, time to reach a target, path efficiency and the number of overshoots. Therefore, the quality of myoelectric control was preserved in spite of the stimulation. As expected, the tactile condition was significantly poorer in completion rate (100/4% and 78/25% for combined and tactile condition, respectively) and time to reach a target (9/2 s and 13/4 s for combined and tactile condition, respectively). However, the performance in the tactile condition was still good, with no significant difference in path efficiency (38/8%) and the number of overshoots (0.5/0.4 overshoots), indicating that the stimulation was meaningful for the subjects and useful for closed-loop control.

Conclusions

Overall, the results demonstrated that the developed system can provide robust closed-loop control using electrotactile stimulation. The system supports different encoding schemes and allows placing the recording and stimulation electrodes next to each other. This is an important step towards an integrated solution where the developed unit will be embedded into a prosthetic socket.
Vil Du?! incorporation of a serious game in therapy for sexually abused children and adolescents
Authors: Endendijk Joyce J. , Tichelaar Henny K. , Deen Menno , Deković Maja
Published: May 2021

Background

Talking about experiences of sexual abuse in therapy is difficult for children and adolescents, amongst others due to a lack of vocabulary to describe the situation, avoidance, or feelings of shame, fear, and self-blame. The serious game Vil Du?! was developed to help children open up about sexual experiences. Vil Du?! is a non-verbal communication game, which resembles a dress-up game, in which children can show the therapist what happened to them. The current study examined how and for which therapy components Vil Du?! was used by therapists.

Methods

We used a mixed-methods triangulation design. Therapists filled out online surveys about the use of Vil Du?! with 23 clients (Mage = 11.38 years, SD = 3.96; 61 % female). We also conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 therapists. The data were analyzed in SPSS (quantitative) and Nvivo (qualitative) following the stepwise guidelines of Zhang and Wildemuth.

Results

Merged qualitative and quantitative data revealed that therapists acknowledged the usefulness of Vil Du?! mostly for the therapy components trauma narration and processing, and psycho-education about sexuality. In addition, Vil Du?! might be most useful for clients who have difficulty with disclosing sexual abuse experiences, due to limited verbal abilities or feelings of guilt, shame, avoidance, and tension.

Conclusions

Recommendations from this study were incorporated in a user manual as a first step toward more systematic and broad implementation of Vil Du?! in the treatment of young sexual abuse victims. A next step is to test whether implementing Vil Du?! in therapy is effective in reducing the negative mental health consequences of sexual abuse for children and adolescents.
Tailored modulation of the inflammatory balance in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU?—a viewpoint
Authors: Kuindersma Marnix , Diaz Rocio Ramos , Spronk Peter E.
Published: May 2021

A growing consensus seems to be emerging that dexamethasone is a crucial component in the treatment of COVID-19-associated oxygen-dependent respiratory failure. Although dexamethasone has an undeniably beneficial effect on the inflammatory response in a subgroup of patients, the potential negative effects of corticosteroids must also be considered. In view of these negative effects, we argue that a one-size-fits-all dexamethasone approach may be potentially harmful in specific subsets of patients with COVID-19-associated ARDS. We propose a different individually tailored treatment strategy based on the patient’s inflammatory response.
Characterization of structural variation in Tibetans reveals new evidence of high-altitude adaptation and introgression
Authors: Quan Cheng , Li Yuanfeng , Liu Xinyi , Wang Yahui , Ping Jie , Lu Yiming , Zhou Gangqiao
Published: May 2021

Background

Structural variation (SV) acts as an essential mutational force shaping the evolution and function of the human genome. However, few studies have examined the role of SVs in high-altitude adaptation and little is known of adaptive introgressed SVs in Tibetans so far.

Results

Here, we generate a comprehensive catalog of SVs in a Chinese Tibetan (n = 15) and Han (n = 10) population using nanopore sequencing technology. Among a total of 38,216 unique SVs in the catalog, 27% are sequence-resolved for the first time. We systematically assess the distribution of these SVs across repeat sequences and functional genomic regions. Through genotyping in additional 276 genomes, we identify 69 Tibetan-Han stratified SVs and 80 candidate adaptive genes. We also discover a few adaptive introgressed SV candidates and provide evidence for a deletion of 335 base pairs at 1p36.32.

Conclusions

Overall, our results highlight the important role of SVs in the evolutionary processes of Tibetans’ adaptation to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and provide a valuable resource for future high-altitude adaptation studies.
Involvement of TLR4 signaling regulated-COX2/PGE2 axis in liver fibrosis induced by Schistosoma japonicum infection
Authors: Chen Lan , Ji Xiaofang , Wang Manni , Liao Xiaoyan , Liang Cuiying , Tang Juanjuan , Wen Zhencheng , Dominique Ferrandon , Li Zi
Published: May 2021

Background

Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation plays a pivotal role in hepatic inflammation and liver fibrosis. TLR4 pathway activation has been reported to be involved in mice liver fibrosis induced by hepatitis virus infection, alcohol abuse, biliary ligation, carbon tetrachloride 4 treatment, and Schistosoma japonicum (Sj) infection. The effect and mechanisms of the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2)/prostanoid E2 (PGE2) axis on liver fibrosis induced by Sj are still unclear.

Methods

Mice liver fibrosis were induced by cutaneous infection of Sj cercariae. COX-2 inhibitor, NS398 were injected from week 5 to week 7, while TLR4 inhibitor TAK242 were injected from week 4 to week 8 post Sj infection. Human HSCs line, LX-2 cells were cultured and exposed to LPS or synthetic PGE2, or pretreated by TAK242, TLR4-siRNA or NS398. Liver tissue and serum or in vitro cultured cell lysaste were collected at indicated time courses for exploring the relationship between TLR4 and COX2-PGE2 axis through qPCR, western blot, immunohistochemical assay, ect. One-way analysis of variance among multiple groups followed by Uncorrected Fisher’s LSD-t test or paired comparisons through t test were performed to tell the statistical differences.

Results

This study investigated the link between the COX2/PGE2 axis and TLR4 signaling in the induction of liver fibrogenesis in mice during Sj infection and in vitro culture of HSC strain-LX-2. The COX2/PGE2 axis was positively associated with Sj-induced liver fibrosis. TLR4 pathway activation stimulated the COX2/PGE2 axis in Sj-infected mice and in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed cultured HSCs. Synthetic PGE2 activated cultured HSCs through upregulation of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression. In LPS-triggered HSCs, NS398, a COX2 inhibitor, led to suppression of PGE2 synthesis and reduced expression of α-SMA and type I collagen (COL I).

Conclusions

These results indicate firstly the positive association of the COX2/PGE2 axis with liver fibrosis induced by Sj infection. TLR4 signaling may at least partially control the COX2/PGE2 axis in Sj-infected mice liver and in vitro cultured HSCs. The COX2/PGE2-EP2/EP4 axis might be a good drug target against liver fibrosis induced by Sj infection.

Graphical Abstract
Pulmonary sequestration with Aspergillus infection presenting as massive hemoptysis and hemothorax with highly elevated carcinoembryonic antigen in pleural effusion that mimics advanced lung malignancy
Authors: Luo Wei , Hu Tong-chen , Luo Lincheng , Li Ya-lun
Published: May 2021

Background

Pulmonary sequestration (PS) associated with massive hemoptysis, hemothorax, and elevated tumor markers or even lung malignancy has been reported in several studies. These clinical features combined with lung lesions on chest imaging are sometimes hard to differentiate from lung malignancies and often complicate the diagnostic procedure.

Case presentation

A 45-year-old man with PS presented with massive hemoptysis, hemothorax, and extremely elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in pleural effusion was initially misdiagnosed with advanced lung carcinoma, but was ultimately diagnosed with PS with Aspergillus infection.

Conclusions

PS is rarely concurrent with lung cancer; most of the time, it is misdiagnosed as a malignancy, especially when presenting with a fungal infection, which could remarkably elevate CEA in pleural effusion.
Myocardial strain analysis as a non-invasive screening test in the diagnosis of stable coronary artery disease
Authors: Akiash Nehzat , Mohammadi Mohammad , Mombeini Hoda , Nikpajouh Akbar
Published: May 2021

Background

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most prevalent diseases around the world; however, finding the best noninvasive, low-cost, and more easily accessible test for its screening has been a challenge for several years. Eighty-nine patients suspected of stable CAD underwent 2D-speckle-tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) at resting position and offline longitudinal myocardial strain analysis, followed by coronary angiography. The correlation of the global longitudinal strain (GLS) and territorial longitudinal strain (TLS) with significant CAD (70% and more stenosis in at least one coronary artery) was then evaluated.

Results

The statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between low GLS and significant CAD (P=0.0001). The results also showed a significant correlation between low TLS and significant CAD in the left and right coronary artery territories. The optimal cut-off point of GLS for the detection of significant CAD was −19.25, with a sensitivity of 76.5% and specificity of 76.6%.

Conclusion

This study confirmed the usefulness of 2DSTE myocardial strain analysis in diagnosis of CAD for detecting the affected coronary arteries using GLS and SLS.
Caffeine Increases Exercise Performance, Maximal Oxygen Uptake, and Oxygen Deficit in Elite Male Endurance Athletes
Authors: STADHEIM HANS KRISTIAN , STENSRUD TRINE , BRAGE SØREN , JENSEN JØRGEN
Published: May 2021

Caffeine increases endurance performance, but the physiological mechanisms improving high-intensity endurance capacity are not well characterized.

Purpose

The aims of the present study were to test the hypothesis that caffeine increases maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) and to characterize the physiological mechanisms underpinning improved high-intensity endurance capacity.

Methods

Twenty-three elite endurance-trained male athletes were tested twice with and twice without caffeine (four tests) in a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study with crossover design. Caffeine (4.5 mg·kg−1) or placebo was consumed 45 min before standardized warm-up. Time to exhaustion during an incremental test (running 10.5° incline, start speed 10.0 km·h−1, and 0.5 km·h−1 increase in speed every 30 s) determined performance. Oxygen uptake was measured continuously to determine V˙O2max and O2 deficit was calculated.

Results

Caffeine increased time to exhaustion from 355 ± 41 to 375 ± 41 s (Δ19.4 ± 16.5 s; P < 0.001). Importantly, caffeine increased V˙O2max from 75.8 ± 5.6 to 76.7 ± 6.0 mL·kg−1·min−1 (Δ 0.9 ± 1.7 mL·kg−1·min−1; P < 0.003). Caffeine increased maximal heart rate (HRpeak) and ventilation (VEpeak). Caffeine increased O2 deficit from 63.1 ± 18.2 to 69.5 ± 17.5 mL·kg−1 (P < 0.02) and blood lactate compared with placebo. The increase in time to exhaustion after caffeine ingestion was reduced to 11.7 s after adjustment for the increase in V˙O2max. Caffeine did not significantly increase V˙O2max after adjustment for VEpeak and HRpeak. Adjustment for O2 deficit and lactate explained 6.2 s of the caffeine-induced increase in time to exhaustion. The increase in V˙O2max, VE, HR, O2 deficit, and lactate explained 63% of the increased performance after caffeine intake.

Conclusion

Caffeine increased V˙O2max in elite athletes, which contributed to improvement in high-intensity endurance performance. Increases in O2 deficit and lactate also contributed to the caffeine-induced improvement in endurance performance.
The CNN Hip Accelerometer Posture (CHAP) Method for Classifying Sitting Patterns from Hip Accelerometers: A Validation Study
Authors: GREENWOOD-HICKMAN MIKAEL ANNE , NAKANDALA SUPUN , JANKOWSKA MARTA M. , ROSENBERG DORI E. , TUZ-ZAHRA FATIMA , BELLETTIERE JOHN , CARLSON JORDAN , HIBBING PAUL R. , ZOU JINGJING , LACROIX ANDREA Z. , KUMAR ARUN , NATARAJAN LOKI
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Sitting patterns predict several healthy aging outcomes. These patterns can potentially be measured using hip-worn accelerometers, but current methods are limited by an inability to detect postural transitions. To overcome these limitations, we developed the Convolutional Neural Network Hip Accelerometer Posture (CHAP) classification method.

Methods

CHAP was developed on 709 older adults who wore an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer on the hip, with ground-truth sit/stand labels derived from concurrently worn thigh-worn activPAL inclinometers for up to 7 d. The CHAP method was compared with traditional cut-point methods of sitting pattern classification as well as a previous machine-learned algorithm (two-level behavior classification).

Results

For minute-level sitting versus nonsitting classification, CHAP performed better (93% agreement with activPAL) than did other methods (74%–83% agreement). CHAP also outperformed other methods in its sensitivity to detecting sit-to-stand transitions: cut-point (73%), TLBC (26%), and CHAP (83%). CHAP’s positive predictive value of capturing sit-to-stand transitions was also superior to other methods: cut-point (30%), TLBC (71%), and CHAP (83%). Day-level sitting pattern metrics, such as mean sitting bout duration, derived from CHAP did not differ significantly from activPAL, whereas other methods did: activPAL (15.4 min of mean sitting bout duration), CHAP (15.7 min), cut-point (9.4 min), and TLBC (49.4 min).

Conclusion

CHAP was the most accurate method for classifying sit-to-stand transitions and sitting patterns from free-living hip-worn accelerometer data in older adults. This promotes enhanced analysis of older adult movement data, resulting in more accurate measures of sitting patterns and opening the door for large-scale cohort studies into the effects of sitting patterns on healthy aging outcomes.
Muscle Contraction Has a Reduced Effect on Increasing Glenohumeral Stability in the Apprehension Position
Authors: NICOLOZAKES CONSTANTINE P. , LUDVIG DANIEL , BAILLARGEON EMMA M. , PERREAULT ERIC J. , SEITZ AMEE L.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Glenohumeral instability accounts for 23% of all shoulder injuries among collegiate athletes. The apprehension position—combined shoulder abduction and external rotation—commonly reproduces symptoms in athletes with instability. Rehabilitation aims to increase glenohumeral stability by strengthening functional positions. However, it is unclear how much glenohumeral stability increases with muscle contraction in the apprehension position. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the ability to increase translational glenohumeral stiffness, a quantitative measure of glenohumeral stability, with muscle contraction is reduced in the apprehension position.

Methods

Seventeen asymptomatic adults participated. A precision-instrumented robotic system applied pseudorandom, anterior–posterior displacements to translate the humeral head within the glenoid fossa and measured the resultant forces as participants produced isometric shoulder torques. Measurements were made in neutral abduction (90° abduction/0° external rotation) and apprehension (90° abduction/90° external rotation) positions. Glenohumeral stiffness was estimated from the relationship between applied displacements and resultant forces. The ability to increase glenohumeral stiffness with increasing torque magnitude was compared between positions.

Results

On average, participants increased glenohumeral stiffness from passive levels by 91% in the neutral abduction position and only 64% in the apprehension position while producing 10% of maximum torque production. The biggest decrease in the ability to modulate glenohumeral stiffness in the apprehension position was observed for torques generated in abduction (49% lower, P < 0.001) and horizontal abduction (25% lower, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that individuals are less able to increase glenohumeral stiffness with muscle contraction in the apprehension position compared with a neutral shoulder position. These results may help explain why individuals with shoulder instability more frequently experience symptoms in the apprehension position compared with neutral shoulder positions.
Fusion protein EWS-FLI1 is incorporated into a protein granule in cells
Authors: Ahmed Nasiha S. , Harrell Lucas M. , Wieland Daniel R. , Lay Michelle A. , Thompson Valery F. , Schwartz Jacob C.
Published: May 2021

Ewing sarcoma is driven by fusion proteins containing a low-complexity (LC) domain that is intrinsically disordered and a powerful transcriptional regulator. The most common fusion protein found in Ewing sarcoma, EWS-FLI1, takes its LC domain from the RNA-binding protein EWSR1 (Ewing sarcoma RNA-binding protein 1) and a DNA-binding domain from the transcription factor FLI1 (Friend leukemia virus integration 1). EWS-FLI1 can bind RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) and self-assemble through its LC domain. The ability of RNA-binding proteins like EWSR1 to self-assemble or phase separate in cells has raised questions about the contribution of this process to EWS-FLI1 activity. We examined EWSR1 and EWS-FLI1 activity in Ewing sarcoma cells by siRNA-mediated knockdown and RNA-seq analysis. More transcripts were affected by the EWSR1 knockdown than expected and these included many EWS-FLI1 regulated genes. We reevaluated physical interactions between EWS-FLI1, EWSR1, and RNA Pol II, and used a cross-linking-based strategy to investigate protein assemblies associated with the proteins. The LC domain of EWS-FLI1 was required for the assemblies observed to form in cells. These results offer new insights into a protein assembly that may enable EWS-FLI1 to bind its wide network of protein partners and contribute to regulation of gene expression in Ewing sarcoma.
Das Quartärprofil von Sierentz-Monenberg (Elsass, F) am Südende des Oberrheingrabens
Authors: Wolf Jean-Jacques , Rentzel Philippe , Pümpin Christine
Published: May 2021

Die Stadt Basel, in der Südostecke der oberrheinischen Tiefebene gelegen, grenzt im Westen an die Ausläufer des Sundgauer Hügellandes, dessen lössbedeckte Anhöhen bedeutende quartärgeologische Archive darstellen. Einzig die geologischen Beobachtungen in Riehen-Gerhalde (CH), einem rechtsrheinischen Aufschluss am Eingang des Wiesentals, lieferten erste Anhaltspunkte zur komplexen Abfolge der Löss-Schichten über den dort anstehenden Hochterrassenschottern.

Mit neuen Profilaufschlüssen bei Sierentz (F), das linksrheinisch nur 10 km nordwestlich von Basel entfernt ist, ergab sich die Möglichkeit, Lössablagerungen über der Hochterrasse, d. h. in vergleichbarer geomorphologischer Situation zu dokumentieren, und so die quartärgeologische Datenbasis für den Raum Basel zu erweitern.
Exploiting the DepMap cancer dependency data using the depmap R package
Authors: Killian Theo , Gatto Laurent
Published: May 2021

The `depmap` package facilitates access in the R environment to the data from the DepMap project, a multi-year collaborative effort by the Broad Institute and Wellcome Sanger Institute, mapping genetic and chemical dependencies and other molecular biological measurements of over 1700 cancer cell lines. The 'depmap' package formats this data to simply the use of popular R data analysis and visualizing tools such as 'dplyr' and 'ggplot2'. In addition, the 'depmap' package utilizes 'ExperimentHub', storing versions of the DepMap data accessible from the Cloud, which may be selectively downloaded, providing a reproducible research framework to support exploiting this data. This paper describes a workflow demonstrating how to access and visualize the DepMap data in R using this package.
Phase-Based Estimation of the Harmonic Signal Frequency
Authors:   National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk 634050, Russia, Chernoyarov Oleg V. , Ivanov Vladimir A. , Maksimov Maksim I. , Dachian Serguei
Published: May 2021

This paper examines estimating the frequency of the information signal based on the analysis of the probability characteristics of the phase fluctuations when a mix of signal and narrowband noise is observed. The new estimation algorithm is described while the shortcomings of the commonly applied methods are specified. The performance of the proposed approach is illustrated by a number of examples. In particular, it is demonstrated that the application of the introduced procedure allows high accuracy measurements of the carrier frequency of the non-modulated, the multilevel phase and quadrature keyed signals.
Detection of the Coherent Pulse Signals with an Unknown Frequency against the Correlated Interferences
Authors:   National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk 634050, Russia, Chernoyarov Oleg V. , Ivanov Vladimir A. , Melnikov Kirill A. , Gulmanov Artem A.
Published: May 2021

The algorithm for detecting the coherent-pulse signals against correlated interferences is considered. It is invariant to both the carrier frequency of the signal and the statistical characteristics of its fluctuations. Its optimization is implemented in terms of the signal-to-interference ratio. The structure of the optimized procedure for extracting the signals with the limited statistics is found under the arbitrary signal-to- interference ratio. The efficiency of the introduced procedure is estimated. A technique is presented for calculating the detection characteristics. The usefulness of the obtained results for designing the corresponding detection devices is confirmed by a number of examples of numerical calculations.
An Autoencoder-Based Network Intrusion Detection System for the SCADA System
Authors:   Dept. of Computer Engineering, Myongji University, Yongin, R. of Korea, Altaha Mustafa , Lee Jae-Myeong , Aslam Muhammad , Hong Sugwon
Published: May 2021

The intrusion detection system (IDS) is the main tool to do security monitoring that is one of the security strategies for the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. In this paper, we develop an IDS based on the autoencoder deep learning model (AE-IDS) for the SCADA system. The target SCADA communication protocol of the detection model is the Distributed Network Protocol 3 (DNP3), which is currently the most commonly utilized communication protocol in the power substation. Cyberattacks that we consider are data injection or modification attacks, which are the most critical attacks in the SCADA systems. In this paper, we extracted 17 data features from DNP3 communication, and use them to train the autoencoder network. We measure accuracy and loss of detection and compare them with different supervised deep learning algorithms. The unsupervised AE-IDS model shows better performance than the other deep learning IDS models.
Measurement of Path Loss Characterization and Prediction Modeling for Swarm UAVs Air-to-Air Wireless Communication Systems
Authors:   Electrical Engineering, Department of Engineering, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Prince of Chumphon Campus, 17/1 Chumcoo District, Pathio, Chumphon, Thailand, Duangsuwan Sarun
Published: May 2021

A challenge swarm unmanned aerial vehicles (swarm UAVs)-based wireless communication systems have been focused on channel modeling in various environments. In this paper, we present the characterized path loss air-to-air (A2A) channel modeling-based measurement and prediction model. The channel model was considered using A2A Two-Ray (A2AT-R) extended path loss modeling. The prediction model was considered using an artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm to train the measured dataset. To evaluate the measurement result, path loss models between the A2AT-R model and the prediction model are shown. We show that the prediction model using ANN is optimal to train the measured data for the A2A channel model. To discuss the result, the parametric prediction errors such as mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and R-square (R2), are performed.
A Framework of Uplink-Downlink NOMA Protocol for Multiple Access in IoT-Oriented Networks
Authors:   Faculty of Electronics Technology, Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Le Anh-Tu , Do Dinh-Thuan
Published: May 2021

With the fast development of wireless systems and internet of things (IoT), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has been studied as one of effective schemes to meet increasing demands of massive users. Two types of NOMA transmission, i.e., uplink (UL) and downlink (DL), have been explored in term of mathematical analysis. The first one is derivation of outage probability for UL, DL. The second, we find parameters to adjust system performance to meet requirement in design of NOMA in practice.
Improved GbLN-PSO Algorithm for Indoor Localization in Wireless Sensor Network
Authors:   Soft Computing and Intelligent System Research Group Faculty of Computing, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Pekan 26600, Malaysia, Mozamir M.Shahkhir , Bakar Rohani Binti Abu , Din Wan Isni Soffiah Wan , Musa Zalili Binti
Published: May 2021

Localization is one of the important matters for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) because various applications are depending on exact sensor nodes position. The problem in localization is the gained low accuracy in estimation process. Thus, this research is intended to increase the accuracy by overcome the problem in the Global best Local Neighborhood Particle Swarm Optimization (GbLN-PSO) to gain high accuracy. To compass this problem, an Improved Global best Local Neighborhood Particle Swarm Optimization (IGbLN-PSO) algorithm has been proposed. In IGbLN-PSO algorithm, there are consists of two phases: Exploration phase and Exploitation phase. The neighbor particles population that scattered around the main particles, help in the searching process to estimate the node location more accurately and gained lesser computational time. Simulation results demonstrated that the proposed algorithm have competence result compared to PSO, GbLN-PSO and TLBO algorithms in terms of localization accuracy at 0.02%, 0.01% and 59.16%. Computational time result shows the proposed algorithm less computational time at 80.07%, 17.73% and 0.3% compared others.