bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual acuity outcomes and anti-VEGF therapy intensity in diabetic macular oedema: a real-world analysis of 28 658 patient eyes
Authors: Ciulla Thomas A , Pollack John S , Williams David F
Published: April 2020

Background/Aim

To assess visual acuity (VA) outcomes and antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment intensity in diabetic macular oedema (DMO).

Methods

Retrospective analysis was performed in treatment-naïve patients with DMO from 2013 to 2018 using a database of aggregated de-identified electronic medical records (Vestrum Health).

Results

At 1 year, 28 658 patient eyes underwent a mean of 6.4 anti-VEGF injections, gaining a mean of +4.2 letters (95% confidence interval for mean gain: +4.0 to +4.5 letters, p<0.001). When stratified by anti-VEGF medication and by years 2013–2018, no clinically meaningful differences in injection frequency or 1-year VA change resulted. At 1 year, 50% of eyes received ≤6 injections, while <20% received 10–13 injections, representing monthly treatment. Mean letters gained at 1 year generally showed a linear relationship with mean number of anti-VEGF injections, beyond two injections. Eyes with good baseline VA (≥20/40) generally were at risk of VA loss at 1 year; those with moderately severe baseline impairment (20/70 to 20/200) who received ≥10 injections improved by a mean of +10.3 letters.

Conclusion

In clinical practice, patients with DMO undergo fewer anti-VEGF injections and exhibit worse visual gains compared with patients in randomised clinical trials. Visual outcomes correlate with treatment intensity at 1 year, with ceiling effects related to baseline VA.
UAS integration in congested terminal airspace: challenges posed to pilots
Authors: Diiulio Julie , Militello Laura G. , Klein Devorah E.
Published: April 2020

There is increasing demand to operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in congested terminal environments, such as busy commercial airports. With this demand comes challenges to pilots. To identify these challenges, we conducted critical decision method (CDM) interviews with pilots. CDM is a cognitive task analysis method aimed at uncovering tacit cognitive challenges. Eight pilots from the U.S. were interviewed including four UAS pilots and four commercial pilots. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis, resulting in the identification of four categories of cognitive challenges: (i) noticing anomalies, (ii) diagnosing automation behavior, (iii) understanding when and how to intervene, and (iv) coordinating with air traffic control. In this paper, we describe each challenge, highlight real-world examples from our interviews, and provide some recommendations for addressing the implications of integrating UAS in congested terminal airspace.
Continuous Dependence on a Parameter of Exponential Attractors for Nonclassical Diffusion Equations
Authors: Wang Gang , Hu Chaozhu
Published: April 2020

In this paper, a new abstract result is given to verify the continuity of exponential attractors with respect to a parameter for the underlying semigroup. We do not impose any compact embedding on the main assumptions in the abstract result which is different from the corresponding result established by Efendiev et al. in 2004. Consequently, it can be used for equations whose solutions have no higher regularity. As an application, we prove the continuity of exponential attractors in H01 for a class of nonclassical diffusion equations with initial datum in H01.
The Plasma Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor Is Related to Disease Activity of Patients with ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
Authors: Huang Fei , Li Yueqiang , Xu Ranran , Cheng Anying , Lv Yongman , Liu Qingquan
Published: April 2020

Objective. The soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is associated with kidney diseases and is used as a prognostic factor of renal function progression. The aim of this study was to explore whether circulating suPAR was associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody- (ANCA-) associated vasculitis (AAV) disease activity. Methods. We evaluated 90 AAV patients with follow-up data and 35 normal controls; their plasma suPAR and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured by ELISA. Associations between these levels, clinical parameters, and prognosis were analyzed. Results. Plasma suPAR levels in AAV patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls (5,920.08±3,447.17 vs. 1,441.97±835.04 pg/mL, P<0.001). Furthermore, suPAR was significantly elevated in AAV patients in active stage compared to those in partial remissions (6,492.19±3,689.48 vs. 5,031.86±2,489.01 pg/mL, P=0.039). Correlation analyses demonstrated that suPAR levels positively correlated with initial serum creatinine, BVAS, CRP, and procalcitonin concentration, and negatively correlated with eGFR and C3 circulating levels. In a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, patients with plasma suPAR levels >5683.3 pg/mL showed poorer survival than patients with lower levels (log-rank, P=0.001). Besides, multivariate analyses confirmed that plasma suPAR levels were an independent adverse prognostic factor for a composite outcome of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or death, after adjusting for age and gender (HR 1.05, 95% CI=1.01−1.11, P=0.043). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed a suPAR cutoff value >6662.2 pg/mL for composite outcome with 68% sensitivity and 88% specificity, with an AUC=0.82, (95% CI=0.68−0.96, P<0.001). Conclusion. Circulating suPAR levels might be a marker of activity correlated with disease activity in AAV patients, and, to some extent, could be a factor of poor prognosis.
Commentaires sur quelques évidences du culte à Déméter et Coré dans la Carthage Punique
Authors: Tabone Danilo Andrade
Published: April 2020

Le culte a Déméter et Coré à Carthage a été déjà l’objet de l’attention de plusieurs chercheurs. Le culte des Deux Déesses grecques était présent dans le Nord de l’Afrique, notablement à Carthage, ainsi comme à d’autres points du monde punique, comme l’Espagne et le île de Sardaigne, par exemple, a Tharros; cela est attesté par sources grecques, par un montant considérable d’inscriptions épigraphiques puniques et néo-puniques, datés de la période postérieur aux guerres romano-carthaginois, à la fin du IIIe et IIe siècles av. J.-C (et latines aussi), et par l’Archéologie, qui par la période préromaine a abondant documentation, notamment à partir de sanctuaires comme Kourba et Soliman, au Cap Bon, où on a été trouvé figurines liées au culte grec sicilien de Déméter; autre source importante est la Numismatique. L’objectif de cette étude est avant tout considérer les sources disponibles systématiquement, mais non complètement, ainsi comme réfléchir sur certains débats sur le thème, ce qui nous permettra réfléchir sur la nature de ce culte à Carthage.
Black Trolls Matter: Racial and Ideological Asymmetries in Social Media Disinformation
Authors: Freelon Deen , Bossetta Michael , Wells Chris , Lukito Josephine , Xia Yiping , Adams Kirsten
Published: April 2020

The recent rise of disinformation and propaganda on social media has attracted strong interest from social scientists. Research on the topic has repeatedly observed ideological asymmetries in disinformation content and reception, wherein conservatives are more likely to view, redistribute, and believe such content. However, preliminary evidence has suggested that race may also play a substantial role in determining the targeting and consumption of disinformation content. Such racial asymmetries may exist alongside, or even instead of, ideological ones. Our computational analysis of 5.2 million tweets by the Russian government-funded “troll farm” known as the Internet Research Agency sheds light on these possibilities. We find stark differences in the numbers of unique accounts and tweets originating from ostensibly liberal, conservative, and Black left-leaning individuals. But diverging from prior empirical accounts, we find racial presentation—specifically, presenting as a Black activist—to be the most effective predictor of disinformation engagement by far. Importantly, these results could only be detected once we disaggregated Black-presenting accounts from non-Black liberal accounts. In addition to its contributions to the study of ideological asymmetry in disinformation content and reception, this study also underscores the general relevance of race to disinformation studies.
Strategy using a new antigenic test for rapid diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in respiratory samples from children consulting at hospital
Authors: Haddar Cyrille H. , Joly Johan , Carricajo Anne , Verhoeven Paul O. , Grattard Florence , Mory Olivier , Begaud Evelyne , Germani Yves , Cantais Aymeric , Pozzetto Bruno
Published: April 2020

Background

Despite vaccination programs, Streptococcus pneumoniae remains among the main microorganisms involved in bacterial pneumonia, notably in terms of severity. The prognosis of pneumococcal infections is conditioned in part by the precocity of the diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) targeting cell wall polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae and performed directly in respiratory samples, on the strategy of diagnosis of respiratory pneumococcal infections in children.

Results

Upper-respiratory tract samples from 196 children consulting at hospital for respiratory infection were tested for detecting S. pneumoniae using a newly-designed RDT (PneumoResp, Biospeedia), a semi-quantitative culture and two PCR assays. If positive on fluidized undiluted specimen, the RDT was repeated on 1:100-diluted sample. The RDT was found highly specific when tested on non-S. pneumoniae strains. By comparison to culture and PCR assays, the RDT on undiluted secretions exhibited a sensitivity (Se) and negative predictive value (NPV) of more than 98%. By comparison to criteria of S. pneumoniae pneumonia combining typical symptoms, X-ray image, and culture ≥107 CFU/ml, the Se and NPV of RDT on diluted specimens were 100% in both cases.

Conclusions

In case of negative result, the excellent NPV of RDT on undiluted secretions allows excluding S. pneumoniae pneumonia. In case of positive result, the excellent sensitivity of RDT on diluted secretions for the diagnosis of S. pneumoniae pneumonia allows proposing a suitable antimicrobial treatment at day 0.
The COngenital HeARt Disease in adult and Pulmonary Hypertension (COHARD-PH) registry: a descriptive study from single-center hospital registry of adult congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension in Indonesia
Authors: Dinarti Lucia Kris , Hartopo Anggoro Budi , Kusuma Arditya Damar , Satwiko Muhammad Gahan , Hadwiono Muhammad Reyhan , Pradana Aditya Doni , Anggrahini Dyah Wulan
Published: April 2020

Backgrounds

The COngenital HeARt Disease in adult and Pulmonary Hypertension (COHARD-PH) registry is the first registry for congenital heart disease (CHD) and CHD-related pulmonary hypertension (PH) in adults in Indonesia. The study aims to describe the demographics, clinical presentation, and hemodynamics data of adult CHD and CHD-related PH in Indonesia.

Methods

The COHARD-PH registry is a hospital-based, single-center, and prospective registry which includes adult patients with CHD and CHD-related PH. The patients were enrolled consecutively. For this study, we evaluated the registry patients from July 2012 until July 2019. The enrolled patients underwent clinical examination, electrocardiography, chest x-ray, 6-min walking test, laboratory measurement, and transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Right heart catheterization was performed to measure hemodynamics and confirm the diagnosis of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH).

Results

We registered 1012 patients during the study. The majority were young, adult females. The majority of CHD was secundum ASD (73.4%). The main symptom was dyspnea on effort. The majority of patients (77.1%) had already developed signs of PH assessed by echocardiography. The Eisenmenger syndrome was encountered in 18.7% of the patients. Based on the right heart catheterization, 66.9% of patients had developed PAH. Patients with PAH were significantly older, had lower peripheral oxygen saturation, had lower 6-min walking distance, and higher NTproBNP. The NTproBNP level independently predicted the development of PAH among CHD.

Conclusions

The COHARD-PH registry is the first Indonesian adult-CHD and CHD-related PH registry. The demographics, clinical presentation, and hemodynamics dataof this registry reflect the situation in developing countries which needs to be compared with similar registries from developed countries.
The utility of multi-stack alignment and 3D longitudinal image registration to assess bone remodeling in rheumatoid arthritis patients from second generation HR-pQCT scans
Authors: Brunet Scott C. , Kuczynski Michael T. , Bhatla Jennifer L. , Lemay Sophie , Pauchard Yves , Salat Peter , Barnabe Cheryl , Manske Sarah L.
Published: April 2020

Background

Medical imaging plays an important role in determining the progression of joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). High resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) is a sensitive tool capable of evaluating bone microarchitecture and erosions, and 3D rigid image registration can be used to visualize and quantify bone remodeling over time. However, patient motion during image acquisition can cause a “stack shift” artifact resulting in loss of information and reducing the number of erosions that can be analyzed using HR-pQCT. The purpose of this study was to use image registration to improve the number of useable HR-pQCT scans and to apply image-based bone remodeling assessment to the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of RA patients.

Methods

Ten participants with RA completed HR-pQCT scans of the 2nd and 3rd MCP joints at enrolment to the study and at a 6-month follow-up interval. At 6-months, an additional repeat scan was acquired to evaluate reliability. HR-pQCT images were acquired in three individual 1 cm acquisitions (stacks) with a 25% overlap. We completed analysis first using standard evaluation methods, and second with multi-stack registration. We assessed whether additional erosions could be evaluated after multi-stack registration. Bone remodeling analysis was completed using registration and transformation of baseline and follow-up images. We calculated the bone formation and resorption volume fractions with 6-month follow-up, and same-day repositioning as a negative control.

Results

13/57 (23%) of erosions could not be analyzed from raw images due to a stack shift artifact. All erosions could be volumetrically assessed after multi-stack registration. We observed that there was a median bone formation fraction of 2.1% and resorption fraction of 3.8% in RA patients over the course of 6 months. In contrast to the same-day rescan negative control, we observed median bone formation and resorption fractions of 0%.

Conclusions

Multi-stack image registration is a useful tool to improve the number of useable scans when analyzing erosions using HR-pQCT. Further, image registration can be used to longitudinally assess bone remodeling. These methods could be implemented in future studies to provide important pathophysiological information on the progression of bone damage.
‘I didn’t know what to expect’: Exploring patient perspectives to identify targets for change to improve telephone-delivered psychological interventions
Authors: Rushton Kelly , Ardern Kerry , Hopkin Elinor , Welsh Charlotte , Gellatly Judith , Faija Cintia , Armitage Christopher J. , Lidbetter Nicky , Lovell Karina , Bower Peter , Bee Penny
Published: April 2020

Background

Remote delivery of psychological interventions to meet growing demand has been increasing worldwide. Telephone-delivered psychological treatment has been shown to be equally effective and as satisfactory to patients as face-to-face treatment. Despite robust research evidence, however, obstacles remain to the acceptance of telephone-delivered treatment in practice. This study aimed to explore those issues using a phenomenological approach from a patient perspective to identify areas for change in current provision through the use of theoretically based acceptability and behaviour change frameworks.

Methods

Twenty-eight semi-structured interviews with patients experiencing symptoms of common mental health problems, waiting, receiving or having recently received telephone-delivered psychological treatment via the UK National Health Service’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA).

Results

The majority of data clustered within five key domains of the TDF (knowledge, skills, cognitive and interpersonal, environmental context and resources, beliefs about capabilities, beliefs about consequences) and mapped to all constructs of the TFA (affective attitude, ethicality, intervention coherence, self-efficacy, burden, opportunity costs, and perceived effectiveness). Themes highlighted that early stages of treatment can be affected by lack of patient knowledge and understanding, reservations about treatment efficacy, and practical obstacles such as absent non-verbal communication, which is deemed important in the development of therapeutic alliance. Yet post-treatment, patients can reflect more positively, and report gaining benefit from treatment. However, despite this, many patients say that if they were to return for future treatment, they would choose to see a practitioner face-to-face.

Conclusions

Using a combination of theoretically underpinned models has allowed the identification of key targets for change. Addressing knowledge deficits to shift attitudes, highlighting the merits of telephone delivered treatment and addressing skills and practical issues may increase acceptability of, and engagement with, telephone-delivered treatment.
Antibiotic treatment regimens for bone infection after debridement: a study of 902 cases
Authors: Wang Xiaohua , Fang Li , Wang Shulin , Chen Yueqi , Ma Huan , Zhao Hongwen , Xie Zhao
Published: April 2020

Background

Our aim was to investigate the clinical efficacy and complications of antibiotic treatment regimens for patients with bone infection.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed patients with bone infection admitted to our hospital between March 2013 and October 2018. After surgical debridement was performed, the patients were divided into three groups: IV group (intravenous antibiotics for 2 weeks); oral group (intravenous antibiotics for 2 weeks followed by oral antibiotics for 4 weeks); and rifampicin group (intravenous antibiotics for 2 weeks followed by oral antibiotics plus rifampicin for 4 weeks). The infection control rate and complications were compared among the three groups.

Results

A total of 902 patients were enrolled. The infection sites included 509 tibias, 228 femurs, 32 humeri, 23 radii and ulnae, 40 calcanei, and 47 miscellaneous sites, as well as 23 multiple-site infections. After at least 6 months of follow-up, 148 (16.4%) patients had an infection recurrence. The recurrence rate of the IV group was 17.9%, which was not significantly higher than the recurrence rates of the oral group (10.1%) and rifampicin group (10.5%), P = 0.051. The incidence of abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in the IV group was 15.1%, which was lower than that in the oral group (18.0%) and rifampicin group (27.4%), P = 0.026. The rates of proteinuria in the three groups were 3.2, 4.5, and 9.3%, respectively, P = 0.020.

Conclusions

After debridement of bone infection, short-term antibiotic treatment regimens might offer similar rates of infection eradication while avoiding the risk of renal and hepatic damage associated with prolonged antibiotic use.

The level of clinical relevance

Stage III.
Efficient production of (S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol using xylan as co-substrate by a coupled multi-enzyme Escherichia coli system
Authors: Rao Junchao , Zhang Rongzhen , Xu Guanyu , Li Lihong , Xu Yan
Published: April 2020

Background

(S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol is an important chiral intermediate in the synthesis of liquid crystals and chiral biphosphines. (S)-carbonyl reductase II fromCandida parapsilosiscatalyzes the conversion of 2-hydroxyacetophenone to (S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol with NADPH as a cofactor. Glucose dehydrogenase with a Ala258Phe mutation is able to catalyze the oxidation of xylose with concomitant reduction of NADP+to NADPH, while endo-β-1,4-xylanase 2 catalyzes the conversion of xylan to xylose. In the present work, the Ala258Phe glucose dehydrogenase mutant and endo-β-1,4-xylanase 2 were introduced into the (S)-carbonyl reductase II-mediated chiral pathway to strengthen cofactor regeneration by using xylan as a naturally abundant co-substrate.

Results

We constructed several coupled multi-enzyme systems by introducing (S)-carbonyl reductase II, the A258F glucose dehydrogenase mutant and endo-β-1,4-xylanase 2 intoEscherichia coli. Different strains were produced by altering the location of the encoding genes on the plasmid. Only recombinantE. coli/pET-G-S-2 expressed all three enzymes, and this strain produced (S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol from 2-hydroxyacetophenone as a substrate and xylan as a co-substrate. The optical purity was 100% and the yield was 98.3% (6 g/L 2-HAP) under optimal conditions of 35 °C, pH 6.5 and a 2:1 substrate-co-substrate ratio. The introduction of A258F glucose dehydrogenase and endo-β-1,4-xylanase 2 into the (S)-carbonyl reductase II-mediated chiral pathway caused a 54.6% increase in yield, and simultaneously reduced the reaction time from 48 to 28 h.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates efficient chiral synthesis using a pentose as a co-substrate to enhance cofactor regeneration. This provides a new approach for enantiomeric catalysis through the inclusion of naturally abundant materials.
MiR-423-5p may regulate ovarian response to ovulation induction via CSF1
Authors: Xie Shi , Zhang Qiong , Zhao Jing , Hao Jie , Fu Jing , Li Yanping
Published: April 2020

Background

We have previously shown that hsa-miR-423-5p expression in ovarian granulosa cells is decreased in high ovarian response populations. The objective of the present study was to find the target gene and mechanism for miR-423-5p involved in ovarian response regulation.

Methods

(a) TargetScan was used to predict the target gene of hsa-miR-423-5p. (b) A model for hsa-miR-423-5p overexpression or inhibition was constructed by transfecting KGN cells with lentivirus. CSF1 mRNA and protein expression and luciferase activity were measured. (c) The cell cycles of control and lentivirus treated KGN cells were analyzed. Western blot was used to measure the expression of CDKN1A in KGN cells. (d) The concentration of E2 in KGN cell culture medium were measured.

Results

(a) TargetScan revealed that the 3′ un-translated region of CSF1 matched 11 bases at the 5′ end of miR-423-5p, making it a likely target gene. (b) Overexpression or inhibition of miR-423-5p were associated with respective decreases or increases in CSF1 expression (both mRNA and protein) (p < 0.05) and luciferase activity (p < 0.05). (c) When miR-423-5p expression increased, the number of G0/G1 phase cells and the expression of CDKN1A protein increased while estradiol concentrations in the cell culture solution decreased (p < 0.05). However, when miR-423-5p expression decreased, the number of S phase cells increased and E2 concentrations increased while the expression of CDKN1A protein decreased (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Colony stimulating factor 1 is a target gene of miR-423-5p and that it may regulate ovarian response to ovulation induction by affecting granulosa cells proliferation and estrogen secretion.
Effect of initial infusion rates of fluid resuscitation on outcomes in patients with septic shock: a historical cohort study
Authors: Hu Bo , Chen Joy C. Y. , Dong Yue , Frank Ryan D. , Passe Melissa , Portner Erica , Peng Zhiyong , Kashani Kianoush
Published: April 2020

Background

Fluid resuscitation has become the cornerstone of early septic shock management, but the optimal fluid rate is still not well studied. The goal of this investigation is to examine the relationship between fluid resuscitation rate and septic shock resolution.

Method

We retrospectively studied adult (≥ 18 years) patients with septic shock, defined based on sepsis III definition, from January 1, 2006, through May 31, 2018, in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) of Mayo Clinic Rochester. The fluid resuscitation time was defined as the time required to infuse the initial fluid bolus of 30 ml/kg, based on the recommendations of the 2016 surviving sepsis campaign. The cohort was divided into four groups based on the average fluid rate (group 1 ≥ 0.5, group 2 0.25–0.49, group 3 0.17–0.24, and group 4 < 0.17 ml/kg/min). The primary outcome was the time to shock reversal. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to account for potential confounders.

Result

A total of 1052 patients met eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. The time-to-shock reversal was significantly different among the groups (P < .001). Patients in group 1 who received fluid resuscitation at a faster rate had a shorter time to shock reversal (HR = 0.78; 95% CI 0.66–0.91; P = .01) when compared with group 4 with a median (IQR) time-to-shock reversal of 1.7 (1.5, 2.0) vs. 2.8 (2.6, 3.3) days, respectively. Using 0.25 ml/kg/min as cutoff, the higher fluid infusion rate was associated with a shorter time to shock reversal (HR = 1.22; 95% CI 1.06–1.41; P = .004) and with decreased odds of 28-day mortality (HR = 0.71; 95% CI 0.60–0.85; P < .001).

Conclusion

In septic shock patients, initial fluid resuscitation rate of 0.25–0.50 ml/kg/min (i.e., completion of the initial 30 ml/kg IV fluid resuscitation within the first 2 h), may be associated with early shock reversal and lower 28-day mortality compared with slower rates of infusion.
No association between interleukin-18 levels and risk of cardiovascular disease: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Fan Siyu , He Pan , Guan Jieqiong , Song Wenjing , Zhi Hong , Wang Lina
Published: April 2020

Objective

In this study, Mendelian randomization method was used to determine whether there was a causal association between inflammatory cytokine IL-18 and cardiovascular disease risk.

Methods

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the association between IL-18-137G/C and -607C/A polymorphisms and phenotype of IL-18 levels, and also the risks of CVD. All the literatures were searched before September 30, 2019. The logistic regression and linear regression were used to evaluate between IL-18 level and the risk of CVDs.

Result

Twelve eligible articles of the association between IL-18-137G/C and CVD risks and 8 eligible literatures related to IL-18-607C/A and CVD risks; 2 qualified literatures of the association between IL-18 SNPs and IL-18 levels and 4 eligible literatures related to IL-18 levels and CVD risks. Data of 4 literatures on the correlation between IL-18 level and CVD were summarized. Compared with patients with CVD, the mean of IL-18 level in the normal group was significantly decreased by 50.844 pg/ml (P < 0.05). But the association between IL-18-137G/C, IL-18-607C/A and CVD were not significant (P > 0.05), and the association between IL-18-607C/A and IL-18 level was also not significant (P > 0.05), Mendelian randomization study was failed to prove the association between IL-18 level and CVD risk.

Conclusion

This study does not support a causal association between IL-18 level and the risks of CVD.
HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases – emerging insights into their biological roles and disease relevance
Authors: Wang Yaya , Argiles-Castillo Diana , Kane Emma I. , Zhou Anning , Spratt Donald E.
Published: April 2020

Homologous to E6AP C-terminus (HECT) E3 ubiquitin ligases play a critical role in various cellular pathways, including but not limited to protein trafficking, subcellular localization, innate immune response, viral infections, DNA damage responses and apoptosis. To date, 28 HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases have been identified in humans, and recent studies have begun to reveal how these enzymes control various cellular pathways by catalyzing the post-translational attachment of ubiquitin to their respective substrates. New studies have identified substrates and/or interactors with different members of the HECT E3 ubiquitin ligase family, particularly for E6AP and members of the neuronal precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated 4 (NEDD4) family. However, there still remains many unanswered questions about the specific roles that each of the HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases have in maintaining cellular homeostasis. The present Review discusses our current understanding on the biological roles of the HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases in the cell and how they contribute to disease development. Expanded investigations on the molecular basis for how and why the HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases recognize and regulate their intracellular substrates will help to clarify the biochemical mechanisms employed by these important enzymes in ubiquitin biology.
Structural and Energy Characteristics of NiAl Alloys with Deviations from Stoichiometric Composition. General Provisions. Part 1
Authors: Potekaev A.I. , Chaplygina A.A. , Starostenkov M.D. , Klopotov A.A. , Kulagina V.V. , Chaplygin P.A. , Marchenko E.S.
Published: April 2020

The research results are presented in two parts. The first part presents data describing the general state of the problem of low-stability pre-transitional structural phase states in intermetallides of the Ni-Al system. Physical interpretations of low-stability structural phase states in condensed systems are described along with the applied physical-mathematical model based on a calculated block of 32x32x32 elementary cells (65536 atoms) of an ordered BCC structure (superstructure B2, Pearson symbol cP2). The study is carried out by Monte Carlo methods using the Metropolis algorithm for an intermetallic NiAl sample of stoichiometric composition (used as an example). It is found out that a kind of hysteresis is observed during thermal cycling. The presence of such hysteresis indicates the irreversibility of the occurring processes. This implies a difference in the structural phase states at the heating and cooling stages.

The second part of the paper will demonstrate the results of a computer simulation of changes in structural phase states. The focus will be made on the low-stability pre-transitional structural phase states and energy characteristics of intermetallides образом with deviations from the stoichiometric composition of Ni45Al55 and Ni55Al45.
On Sectional Curvature of Metric Connection with Vectorial Torsion
Authors: Rodionov E.D. , Slavsky V.V. , Khromova O.P.
Published: April 2020

Papers of many mathematicians are devoted to the study of semisymmetric connections or metric connections with vector torsion on Riemannian manifolds. This type of connectivity is one of the three main types discovered by E. Cartan and finds its application in modern physics, geometry, and topology of manifolds. Geodesic lines and the curvature tensor of a given connection were studied by I. Agricola, K. Yano, and other mathematicians. In particular, K. Yano proved an important theorem on the connection of conformal deformations and metric connections with vector torsion. Namely: a Riemannian manifold admits a metric connection with vector torsion and the curvature tensor being equal to zero if and only if it is conformally flat. Although the curvature tensor of a hemisymmetric connection has a smaller number of symmetries compared to the Levi-Civita connection, it is still possible to define the concept of sectional curvature in this case. The question naturally arises about the difference between the sectional curvature of a semisymmetric connection and the sectional curvature of a Levi-Civita connection.This paper is devoted to the study of this issue, and the authors find the necessary and sufficient conditions for the sectional curvature of the semisymmetric connection to coincide with the sectional curvature of the Levi-Civita connection. Non-trivial examples of hemisymmetric connections are constructed when possible.
Hot Climate, Cold War
Authors: Dörries Matthias
Published: April 2020

This essay is part of a special issue entitled “Looking Backward, Looking Forward: HSNS at 50,” edited by Erika Lorraine Milam.
FORMAT EVOLUTION
Authors: Borisov Oleg
Published: April 2020

The article is an attempt to consider the historical development of social relations, leading through information technology to the transition from the classical format of coordination of an individual and a group to its technical counterpart in a postulated society based on knowledge. Schematically, the struc-ture of development appears in the isolation of an individual from the collective in connection with the formation in the course of better adaptation of a reflexive ability leading to an awareness of one's own mortality. The compensating mechanism at the next stage of adaptation of cognitive abilities that restore the internal balance of the body due to purely psychological mechanisms is the development of practices that allow hypostatic ideas about things in a special space responsible for their immutability and virtual constancy. In contrast to the physiological mechanisms of homeostasis of an individual in contact with the external environment, where its objects appear as unconditionally necessary sources of satisfying the need, reorientation in connection with the recognition of imminent death to the internal environment in order to search for such saving practices has generated a personal homeostasis in which the formed ability linked an individual not only with himself due to the virtual construction, but also at a new level of relations - with community, giving rise to indirect communication individuals related to social homeostasis. In the new conditions of the information society, technological formats are digital analogues of the classical coordination of an individual and a group. Due to technological development, further diversification of reality into virtual and real in a successive change in the configurations of the organism / individual / personality – herd / community / group relationships in its informational diversity removes the distinction between virtual constructs and real ones. Obtaining software, due to which classical formats based on hierophany (manifestation of the sacred) are replaced and reformatted without changing their functionality by electronic versions, informants in the conditions of atomization build a personality-group structure, where the identity of being and the concept of being are configured according to the required informat. In the future, self-determination of personality and self-organization of groups receive impersonal instability.
Ciudadanía, sufragio y propiedad en las Constituciones francesas de 1791 y 1793
Authors: Sánchez Quiñones Luis
Published: April 2020

En apenas tres años, la Revolución Francesa promulgó dos Constituciones en las que los derechos políticos contaron con una perspectiva radicalmente opuesta. El primero de los textos, suscrito en 1791, planteaba un derecho de sufragio radicado en la propiedad de raíces lockianas. Sin embargo, en 1793 se estableció un derecho de sufragio mucho más amplio basado en la mera condición del sujeto y obviando las referencias a la propiedad.Recibido: 11 octubre 2019Aceptado: 20 febrero 2020Publicación en línea: Artículos en Prensa 07 abril 2020; Núm. 5 (2020) 26 junio 2020
Structure and characteristics of boron-containing steels for fasteners
Authors: Haretski H. P. , Solovey N. F , Shenets S. L. , Tereshchenko A. V. , Avdeev S. V. , Pokrovskii A. I. , Tolkacheva O. I.
Published: April 2020

According to TU 14-1-4486-88 and TU 14-1-5490-2004, in accordance with international standards DIN EN 10263-4, OJSC «BSW – Management Company of the Holding «BMC» produces hot-rolled products of the following grades of steel: 20Г2Р, 

30Г1Р, 20MnB4, 30MnB4 and 32CrB4 microalloyed with boron. They are used for the manufacture of fasteners instead of previously used steels 35X, 38X and 40X. The use of boron-containing steels reduces the surface defects of hardware; to increase the stability of the mechanical properties of bolts, screws, studs, strength class 8.8 and 10.9 by GOST 1759.4-87; to achieve a high level of toughness at negative temperatures. It is shown that steel 20Г2Р provides stable mechanical properties of products up to M27 (in contrast to steel grades 35X, which are designed exclusively for bolts of class M16 8.8). The boron-containing steels in the delivery state with the structure of granular perlite have high technological plasticity – in the cold, the bolt head is formed and the thread is rolled without tearing in the thread hollows, as is the case with chromium steels of type 40X. It was found that their ductility increases due to the low content of carbon and chromium, as well as the formation of dispersed carbonitride-boride phases of a globular form.
Bending technology of high strength steel sheets and tools for its realization
Authors: Tаmilа V. A. , Nesterovich M. L.
Published: April 2020

The article proposes and theoretically justifies a method for bending high-strength steels with compression. The technology allows to get parts from high-strength steels without cracks along the bending line. In the case of bending according to the proposed method, the deformation is carried out by the combined action of longitudinal and lateral forces. Equitations are derived showing the stress distribution over the cross section in the deformation zone. The article proposes and theoretically justifies a method for bending high-strength steels with compression. The technology allows you to get parts from high-strength steels without cracks along the bending line. In the case of bending according to the proposed method, the deformation is carried out by the action of longitudinal and transverse forces. Equitations were derived for finding the longitudinal compressive force at which the neutral layer in the workpiece moves to the outer surface based on the equations of stress distribution. Equitations are derived for finding the moment created by the longitudinal compressive force, as well as the moment formed by the action of compressive stresses, which made it possible to derive the equation for the external bending moment during bending with compression. Equitation is derived for finding the shoulder of the force action creating an external bending moment. Equitation is derived for finding the force of the punch for bending with compression.
Current Evidence of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Use in the Treatment of Tendon Disorders: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-regression of Prospective Clinical Studies
Authors: Cho Woo Sup , Chung Sun Gun , Kim Won , Jo Chris H. , Lee Shi-Uk , LEE SANG-YOON
Published: April 2020

Purpose Although several studies with animals have reported the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for tendon regeneration, little is known about the efficacy and safety of MSCs in human tendon disorders. We performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MSC therapy in patients with tendon disorders enrolled in prospective clinical studies. Methods We systematically searched prospective clinical studies investigating the effects of MSCs administration on human tendon disorders with at least a 6-month follow-up period on PubMed-Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. The primary outcome of interest was the change in pain on motion related to tendon disorders. We performed a pairwise meta-analysis using the fixed-effects model to assess treatment response, which was calculated by the standardized mean difference. Meta-regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between MSCs dose and pooled effect sizes in each cell dose. Results Four prospective clinical trials investigating the effect of MSCs on tendon disorders were retrieved. MSCs showed significant pooled effect size (overall Hedge’s g pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.868; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.274–2.462; P < 0.001). The treatment with MSCs improved all the aspects analyzed, i.e. pain, functional scores, radiologic parameters (magnetic resonance image or ultrasonography), and arthroscopic findings. In the meta-regression analysis, there was a significant cell dose-dependent response in pain relief (Q = 9.06, P = 0.029). While three studies reported mild adverse events after MSCs injection, these were not severe and relieved spontaneously. Conclusions Our meta-analysis revealed that MSC therapy may improve pain, function, radiologic, and arthroscopic parameters in patients with tendon disorders. Due to the small number of studies in this meta-analysis and considering the increasing MSCs applications, there is a strong need for large-scale randomized controlled trials to confirm the long-term functional improvement as well as the adverse effects of MSC therapies in tendon disorders.
Research on the supervision mechanism of new energy time-sharing rental Vehicles: An evolutionary game analysis
Authors: Zhang Wei , Chen Yejian , Wan Xiaoyu
Published: April 2020

Background：It is difficult to break the “production and marketing dilemma” by relying only on the production enterprises and consumers. This paper introduces the government into market subject and constructs a three-party dynamic evolution game model between government, enterprises, and consumers to reveal the control strategy. This paper makes a concrete analysis and verifies the model with a case study by revealing the game process between the regulation strategy and behavior decision of enterprises and consumers.Results：When the key parameters are in different numerical ranges, the system has four evolutionary stability results. By appropriately increasing the amount of subsidies and penalties, increasing the proportion of compensation coefficient to consumers, and urging enterprises to reduce operating costs, the government is conducive to the healthy development of the new energy timesharing automobile industry.Conclusions：The subsidy range and punishment intensity have a positive effect on the evolution of the system to the ideal state, the consumer compensation coefficient has a positive effect on the evolution of the system to the ideal state, the effort of operating costs has a negative effect on the evolution of the system to the ideal state. The study can provide a theoretical basis and a reference for policy formulation and decision-making.
Research on the Spatial Effect of Green Economic Efficiency in China from the Perspective of Informatization
Authors: Tian Xinbao , Yu Chuanhao
Published: April 2020

Background: Green economy has been paid more and more attention in the information age. Informatization plays an important role in the development of green economy by the transmission of industrial structure rationalization and upgrading. Because of the spatial mobility of information, it is necessary to study the spatial spillover effect of information on the efficiency of green economy. In this paper, the non-radial directional distance function and the comprehensive index method are used to evaluate the efficiency of green economy and informatization respectively. On this basis, the spatial characteristics of the two are analyzed. Finally, the spatial econometric model is used to analyze the spatial impact of informatization on the efficiency of green economy. Results: The following findings can be drawn: (i)The spatial distribution of the green economy efficiency and informatization are unbalanced; (ii) There is a significant spatial spillover effect in the efficiency of green economy; (iii) The development of informatization plays an important impact on the efficiency of green economy. Conclusions: It can be seen that informatization plays an important role in the development of green economy, so we can get the following suggestions: (i) Developing green economy according to different conditions of different places. (ii) Establishing regional coordination mechanism of green economic development. (iii) Using informatization to promote the development of green economy.
The global impact of Aspergillus infection on COPD
Authors: Denning David , Hammond Emily E. , McDonald Charles S. , Vestbo Jørgen
Published: April 2020

Background Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often leads to hospitalisation and invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a serious complication. Aspergillus sensitisation may worsen symptoms in COPD. In 2016, the global estimate of COPD was 251 million affected. Methods We identified published papers between January 2000 and May 2019 with >50 subjects and GOLD criteria for grade II, III or IV (FEV1/FVC <70% and FEV1 <80%) using spirometry. Given limited data, a conservative 10.5% estimate of annual hospitalisation was assumed based on studies in Algeria. A separate literature search assessed the impact of Aspergillus sensitisation on severity of COPD (by FEV1). Hospitalised COPD patients develop IA in 1.3% -3.9%, based on positive cultures of Aspergillus spp. and radiological findings. Mortality was estimated based on the diagnosis of IA being made and patients treated. Results We re-estimated the global prevalence of COPD GOLD stages II-IV at 552,300,599 people (7.39% of the population) with 339,206,893 (8.58%) in Asia, 85,278,783 (8.52%) in the Americas, 64,298,051 (5.37%) in Africa, 59,484,329 (7.77%) in Europe and 4,032,543 (10.86%) in Oceania. Aspergillus sensitisation prevalence in COPD was 13.6% (7.0-18.3%) and not related to lower predicted FEV1% (P >0.05). An estimated 57,991,563 (10.5%) people with COPD are admitted to hospital annually and of these 753,073 (1.3%) - 2,272,322 (3.9%) develop IA and 540,451 – 977,082 deaths (43-72%) are predicted annually, assuming the diagnosis is made and treatment given. Conclusions: The prevalence of COPD is much higher than previously estimated. Mortality may be higher that estimated as not all diagnosis of IA is probably made. Improved rapid diagnosis of IA using culture and non-culture based techniques is required in COPD hospital admissions to reduce mortality.
Assessment of Anti-oxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Green Tea in Critically Ill Patients with Pneumonia
Authors: Labbani-Motlagh Zohre , Abrishami Ramin , Motamed Saeed Mohammadi , Shahrami Reza
Published: April 2020

Background: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome is common in critically ill patients and negatively affects clinical outcomes. Preventing oxidative damage, may suppress this systemic response. Previous studies confirmed that polyphenols in green tea have both antioxidant and immuno-stimulant effect, so there could be a probability of green tea clinical application. Two groups of 8 patients enrolled in this randomized, controlled clinical trial. Treatment group received Green Tea Extract (GTE), and placebo group received extract's solvent for 7 days. Blood samples taken 3 times/week and oxidative, physiologic and inflammatory markers were measured. Results: Differences between the baselines for each variable were not significant. FRAP value showed slower decrease in GTE group. Thiol level increased in GTE group and decreased in Placebo group. IL-6 and APACHE II score were lower in GTE group on day7. Leucocyte count showed overall increase in GTE group and decrease in placebo group. Differences between two groups in all aforementioned variables were statistically insignificant.Conclusion: As a conclusion green tea had no significant effect on all measured variables; but in GTE group despite better oxidative status in the first 3 days, more inflammation was observed on day7. Considering small sample size further investigations are needed.