bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inflammatory bowel disease presenting with pyodermatitis‐pyostomatitis vegetans in a pediatric patient: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Berzin Daniella , Lahad Avishai , Weiss Batia , Barzilai Aviv , Greenberger Shoshana
Published: May 2021

Pyodermatitis‐pyostomatitis vegetans (PD‐PSV) is rarely reported in the pediatric population. Here, we provide a review of pediatric PD‐PSV in the literature and report a case of widespread PD‐PSV in a 15‐year‐old male without a previous history of inflammatory bowel disease or gastrointestinal symptoms. Clinical, histological, and immunopathological workup established PD‐PSV and revealed subclinical Crohn's disease. Treatment with infliximab was effective in inducing rapid resolution of the lesions.
Endometrial angiogenesis induced by uterine insufflation with an oxygen–ozone gas mixture in mares
Authors: Camargo Ferreira Jair , Silva Amaral Rafael , Mara Cardoso Letícia , Panelli Marchió Sophia , Aldrovani Rodrigues Marcela , Fonseca Alves Carlos Eduardo , de Meira Cezinande
Published: May 2021

Ozone (O3) therapy has been used to improve peripheral tissue oxygenation in humans and domestic animals. The goal of the present study was to characterize histological changes in the endometria of healthy equines following tissue exposure to gas mixtures enriched with different concentrations of O3. Cycling mares without endometrial degeneration were divided into three groups according to treatment (n = 9 mares/group). The uteri from the O3, ½O3 and control groups were insufflated for 3 min with gas containing 42, 21 and 0 μg O3 ml‐1, respectively. Treatments were performed every three days from D0 to D6. Endometrial samples were collected immediately before the first treatment and 24 hr after the last treatment. The following nine histological parameters were evaluated: (i) the number of endometrial blood vessels, (ii) endometrial vascular degree (EVD), (iii) increase rate of blood vessels, (iv) increase rate of EVD, (v) glandular total area, (vi) glandular lumen area, (vii) intraglandular secretion area, (viii) glandular epithelial height and (ix) luminal epithelial height. In the O3 group, a positive effect from treatment (p < .01) was detected for all vascular parameters (i, ii, iii and iv), glandular total area, intraglandular secretion area and glandular epithelial height. Compared to the control group, the ½O3 group had greater (p < .01) EVD (84.1 ± 12%) and a higher increase rate of blood vessels (151.9 ± 47.1%). Uterine insufflation with low or intermediate concentrations of the O2–O3 gas mixture induced endometrial angiogenesis. Morphometry, but not morphology, of the endometrial glands was affected by local O3 therapy. These findings would be of great significance for the development of new therapies for infertility in mares.
Shedding light inside the black box of implementation: Tax crimes as a predicate crime for money laundering
Authors: Rossel Lucia , Unger Brigitte , Ferwerda Joras
Published: May 2021

Even perfect transposition of EU Directives does not necessarily translate into homogeneous rules or application of rules across the European Union. Europeanization literature focused on the formal transposition of EU Directives. Newer studies suggest looking into the black box of how this translates into law in action. The 4th Anti‐Money Laundering Directive incorporated taxes as a predicate crime for money laundering. We analyze how and why this Directive has been implemented so differently across EU countries both in the books and in action through a novel dataset. We find that country characteristics can explain formal transposition patterns and influence the domestic adaptation of regulation as well as how practitioners, the second front line of implementation, use these rules in action. We find that corruption, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, tax morale, and tax administrative capacity are important factors to explain lingering differences in the books and in action among EU Member States.
Beyond the monitors: Anaesthesiologists’ experiences of the process of extubation
Authors: Rönnberg Linda , Nilsson Ulrica , Hellzén Ove , Melin‐Johansson Christina
Published: May 2021

Background

Although extubation is a high‐risk phase associated with risk of severe complications for patients undergoing general anaesthesia, there is a lack of research about this phenomenon from the perspective of anaesthesiologists’ experiences of the process of extubation in the anaesthesia setting.

Aim

To describe Swedish anaesthesiologists’ experiences of the extubation process in the anaesthesia setting.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive design study with individual semi‐structured interviews was conducted in three hospitals in Sweden with a total of 17 anaesthesiologists. A qualitative manifest content analysis method was used to analyse the data.

Results

The anaesthesiologists’ experiences were described in two categories: To assemble sensibilities, where the anaesthesiologists are receptive to inputs, create tailored plans, are guided by emotions and experiences, and sense the atmosphere in the process of extubation; and To stay focused, where they understand the importance of preparation and being prepared, and of being calm and strategic, and of needing to trust the registered nurse anaesthetist in the process of extubation.

Conclusions

Decision‐making regarding the process of extubation does not rely solely on monitoring signs; rather, the anaesthesiologists described how, by looking beyond the monitors and by being receptive to inputs from the patient and other professionals, their experience and intuition guides them through the process of extubation.
Acute effect of HIIT on testosterone and cortisol levels in healthy individuals: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Dote‐Montero Manuel , Carneiro‐Barrera Almudena , Martinez‐Vizcaino Vicente , Ruiz Jonatan R. , Amaro‐Gahete Francisco J.
Published: May 2021

To determine the acute effect of a single high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) session on testosterone and cortisol levels in healthy individuals, a systematic search of studies was conducted in MEDLINE and Web of Science databases from inception to February 2020. Meta‐analyses were performed to establish the acute effect of HIIT on testosterone and cortisol levels immediately after a single HIIT session; after 30 min and 60 min (primary outcomes); and after 120 min, 180 min, and 24 h (secondary outcomes, only for pre‐post intervention groups). Potential effect‐size modifiers were assessed by meta‐regression analyses and analyses of variance. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane's risk of bias tool and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. The meta‐analyses of 10 controlled studies (213 participants) and 50 pre‐post intervention groups (677 participants) revealed a significant increase in testosterone immediately after a single HIIT session (d = 0.92 and 0.52, respectively), which disappeared after 30 min (d = 0.18 and −0.04), and returned to baseline values after 60 min (d = −0.37 and −0.16). Significant increases of cortisol were found immediately after (d = 2.17 and 0.64), after 30 min (d = 1.62 and 0.67) and 60 min (d = 1.32 and 0.27). Testosterone and cortisol levels decreased significantly after 120 min (d = −0.48 and −0.95, respectively) and 180 min (d = −0.29 and −1.08), and returned to baseline values after 24 h (d = 0.14 and −0.02). HIIT components and participant's characteristics seem to moderate the effect sizes. In conclusion, testosterone and cortisol increase immediately after a single HIIT session, then drop below baseline levels, and finally return to baseline values after 24 h. This meta‐analysis provides a better understanding of the acute endocrine response to a single HIIT session, which would certainly be valuable for both clinicians and coaches in the prescription of exercise programs to improve health and performance. Testosterone and cortisol may be used as sensitive biomarkers to monitor the anabolic and catabolic response to HIIT.
The chicken or the egg? Plastome evolution and an independent loss of the inverted repeat in papilionoid legumes
Authors: Lee Chaehee , Choi In‐Su , Cardoso Domingos , de Lima Haroldo C. , de Queiroz Luciano P. , Wojciechowski Martin F. , Jansen Robert K. , Ruhlman Tracey A.
Published: May 2021

The plastid genome (plastome), while surprisingly constant in gene order and content across most photosynthetic angiosperms, exhibits variability in several unrelated lineages. During the diversification history of the legume family Fabaceae, plastomes have undergone many rearrangements, including inversions, expansion, contraction and loss of the typical inverted repeat (IR), gene loss and repeat accumulation in both shared and independent events. While legume plastomes have been the subject of study for some time, most work has focused on agricultural species in the IR‐lacking clade (IRLC) and the plant model Medicago truncatula. The subfamily Papilionoideae, which contains virtually all of the agricultural legume species, also comprises most of the plastome variation detected thus far in the family. In this study three non‐papilioniods were included among 34 newly sequenced legume plastomes, along with 33 publicly available sequences, to assess plastome structural evolution in the subfamily. In an effort to examine plastome variation across the subfamily, approximately 20% of the sampling represents the IRLC with the remainder selected to represent the early‐branching papilionoid clades. A number of IR‐related and repeat‐mediated changes were identified and examined in a phylogenetic context. Recombination between direct repeats associated with ycf2 resulted in intraindividual plastome heteroplasmy. Although loss of the IR has not been reported in legumes outside of the IRLC, one genistoid taxon was found to completely lack the typical plastome IR. The role of the IR and non‐IR repeats in the progression of plastome change is discussed.
Discovery and biological evaluation of a small‐molecule inhibitor of CRM1 that suppresses the growth of triple‐negative breast cancer cells
Authors: Gao Jiujiao , Chu Peng , Liu Caigang , Sun Zhaolin , Liu Quentin , Yang Yongliang
Published: May 2021

Dysregulation of the nuclear export machinery mediated by chromosomal maintenance 1 (CRM1, also known as exportin‐1), is closely associated with various human disorders, such as breast cancer. Previously, we identified sulforaphene and its synthetic analogues as covalent inhibitors of CRM1. Herein, we describe the discovery and biological evaluation of another sulforaphene synthetic analogue, LFS‐31, as a potential CRM1 inhibitor. In addition, we investigated the reversible binding mechanism of LFS‐31 with CRM1 through molecular simulations coupled with bio‐layer interferometry (BLI) and found relatively high binding affinity (KD = 43.1 ± 35.3 nM) between the LFS‐31 and CRM1 groups. We found that LFS‐31 exhibited a stronger growth suppression of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells than non‐TNBC cells, and had minimal effect on normal breast cells. Pharmacological treatment of TNBC cells with LFS‐31 at nanomolar concentrations led to the nuclear retention of IkBα resulting in strong suppression of NF‐κB transcriptional activity and attenuated cell growth and proliferation, which collectively contributed to the antitumor responses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the use of a sulforaphene analogue as a potent CRM1 inhibitor that targets the NF‐κB signaling pathway for the targeted therapy of TNBC.
Fibroblast‐like synoviocytes: Role in synovial fibrosis associated with osteoarthritis
Authors: Maglaviceanu Anca , Wu Brian , Kapoor Mohit
Published: May 2021

The synovial membrane undergoes a variety of structural changes throughout the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA), including the development of fibrosis. Fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) are a heterogenous cell population of the synovium that are suggested to drive the fibrotic response, but the exact mechanisms associated with their activation in OA remain unclear. Once activated, FLS are suggested to acquire a myofibroblast‐like phenotype that drives fibrogenesis through excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) component deposition and an enhanced contractile function. In this review, we define FLS in the synovium, discuss how select extracellular or endogenous factors potentially induce their activation in OA, and describe how the activity of myofibroblast‐like cells affects the structure of the synovial membrane.
Thermodynamic evaporation and freshwater mixing models to test salinity proxies for late Pleistocene lake levels, Mono Lake, California
Authors: Sahajpal* Rahul , Hemming N. Gary , Rouff Ashaki A. , Hemming Sidney R. , Zimmerman Susan , Sahajpal Ritvik
Published: May 2021

Times of higher paleolake levels in Mono Lake basin correspond to higher abundances of authigenic minerals such as calcite and Mg-smectite in the Wilson Creek Formation, the lake sediments exposed around the modern lake that represent the persistent wetter conditions of the last glacial cycle. It has been suggested that precipitation of these minerals in Mono Lake is controlled by the flux of water (surface and ground), which replenishes Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions in the lake. This water is subsequently depleted due to the high rates of evaporation in the Mono Basin, resulting in precipitation of calcite and Mg-smectite mineral phases. Thermodynamic evaporation models starting with Sierra Nevada spring water can simulate the chemical composition of Mono Lake remarkably well. These models do not, however, consider the mixing of freshwaters in the lake that is hypothesized to result in precipitation of calcite and Mg-smectite. Here, we present the results of our empirical evaporation and mixing (E&M) model using simple thermodynamic approaches. Although this model is highly simplified, it provides a valuable test of the hypothesis.
Dynamical system analysis of self-interacting three-form field cosmological model: stability and bifurcation
Authors: Chakraborty Soumya , Mishra Sudip , Chakraborty Subenoy
Published: May 2021

The present work deals with Cosmological model of a three-form field, minimally coupled to gravity and interacting with cold dark matter in the background of flat FLRW space-time. By suitable choice of the dimensionless variables, the evolution equations are converted to an autonomous system and cosmological study is done by dynamical system analysis. The critical points are determined and the stability of the (non-hyperbolic) equilibrium points are examined by center manifold Theory. Possible bifurcation scenarios have been examined by the Poincaré index theory to identify possible cosmological phase transition. Also stabilities of the critical points have been analyzed globally using geometric features.
Analytical solutions for bosonic fields in the cosmological multiply warped braneworld
Authors: Ribeiro A. S. , Alencar G. , Landim R. R.
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we find analytical solutions for the scalar and gauge fields in the cosmological multiply warped braneworld scenario. Having done that, we find the precise mass spectra for Bosonic fields. We compare those spectra to the ones previously found in the literature for the static case.
Evolution of the universe from the perspective of entropy and information
Authors: Tu Fei-Quan , Sun Bin , Wan Meng , Huang Qi-Hong
Published: May 2021

Entropy is a key concept widely used in physics and other fields. At the same time, the meaning of entropy with different names and the relationship among them are confusing. In this paper, we discuss the relationship among the Clausius entropy, Boltzmann entropy and information entropy and further show that the three kinds of entropy are equivalent to each other to some extent. Moreover, we point out that the evolution of the universe is a process of entropy increment and life originates from the original low entropy of the universe. Finally, we discuss the evolution of the entire universe composed of the cosmological horizon and the space surrounded by it and interpret the entropy as a measure of information of all microstates corresponding to a certain macrostate. Under this explanation, the thermodynamic entropy and information entropy are unified and we can conclude that the sum of the entropy of horizon and the entropy of matter in the space surrounded by the horizon does not decrease with time if the second law of thermodynamics holds for the entire universe.
High-dimensional regimes of non-stationary Gaussian correlated Wishart matrices
Authors: Bourguin Solesne , Dang Thanh
Published: May 2021

We study the high-dimensional asymptotic regimes of correlated Wishart matrices [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a [Formula: see text] Gaussian random matrix with correlated and non-stationary entries. We prove that under different normalizations, two distinct regimes emerge as both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] grow to infinity. The first regime is the one of central convergence, where the law of the properly renormalized Wishart matrices becomes close in Wasserstein distance to that of a Gaussian orthogonal ensemble matrix. In the second regime, a non-central convergence happens, and the law of the normalized Wishart matrices becomes close in Wasserstein distance to that of the so-called Rosenblatt–Wishart matrix recently introduced by Nourdin and Zheng. We then proceed to show that the convergences stated above also hold in a functional setting, namely as weak convergence in [Formula: see text]. As an application of our main result (in the central convergence regime), we show that it can be used to prove convergence in expectation of the empirical spectral distributions of the Wishart matrices to the semicircular law. Our findings complement and extend a rich collection of results on the study of the fluctuations of Gaussian Wishart matrices, and we provide explicit examples based on Gaussian entries given by normalized increments of a bi-fractional or a sub-fractional Brownian motion.
Solution of Fractional Differential Equations Utilizing Symmetric Contraction
Authors: Hussain Aftab
Published: May 2021

The aim of this paper is to present another family of fractional symmetric

α

-

η

-contractions and build up some new results for such contraction in the context of

ℱ

-metric space. The author derives some results for Suzuki-type contractions and orbitally

T

-complete and orbitally continuous mappings in

ℱ

-metric spaces. The inspiration of this paper is to observe the solution of fractional-order differential equation with one of the boundary conditions using fixed-point technique in

ℱ

-metric space.
A Behavioral Model of Drivers’ Mean Speed Influenced by Weather Conditions, Road Geometry, and Driver Characteristics Using a Driving Simulator Study
Authors: Zolali Mehdi , Mirbaha Babak , Layegh Maziyar , Behnood Hamid Reza
Published: May 2021

Driving above the speed limit is one of the factors that significantly affect safety. Many studies examined the factors affecting the speed of vehicles in the simulated environment. The present study aimed to analyze drivers’ characteristics, time and weather conditions, and geometric features’ effect on mean speed in simulated conditions simultaneously. In this regard, the simulator experiment data of 70 drivers were collected in a two‐lane rural highway at six different times, and weather scenarios and their socioeconomic characteristics were collected by a questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to capture the complex relationships among related variables. Eleven variables were grouped into four latent variables in the structural model. Latent variables including “Novice Drivers,” “Experienced Drivers,” “Sight Distance,” and “Geometric Design” were defined and found significant on their mean speed. The results showed that “Novice Drivers” have a positive correlation with the mean speed. Meanwhile, “Experienced Drivers,” who drive 12% slower than the novice group, negatively affect the mean speed with a standard regression weight of −0.08. This relation means that young and novice drivers are more inclined to choose higher speeds. Among variables, the latent variable “Sight Distance” has the most significant effect on the mean speed. This model shows that foggy weather conditions strongly affect the speed selection behavior and reduce the mean speed by 40%. Nighttime also reduces mean speed due to poor visibility conditions. Furthermore, “Geometric design” as the latent variable indicates the presence of curves on the simulated road, and it can be concluded that the existence of a curve on the road encourages drivers to slow down, even young drivers. It is noteworthy that the parts of the simulated road with a horizontal curve act as a speed reduction tool for drivers.
Risk Factors for Gastric Cancer‐Associated Thrombotic Diseases in a Han Chinese Population
Authors: Song Bo , Wang Yamei , Zhu Xiuzhi , Zhang Li , Zhou Hui , Zhang Hongmei , Zhang Tianliang , Ji Wansheng
Published: May 2021

The aim of the present work was to investigate the risk factors for gastric cancer‐ (GC‐) associated thrombotic diseases in a Han Chinese population. A total of 333 patients diagnosed with GC, 68 with thrombotic diseases included in the case group and the remaining 265 in the control group, were enrolled. The relevant data for the participants, including general information (gender, age, smoking, and drinking), comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, and anemia), tumor‐related data (tumor site, histology, degree of differentiation, and clinical stage), and treatment‐related data (surgery, chemotherapy, hormones, transfusion, and peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC)), were collected. Statistically significant factors derived from univariate analyses were then subjected to multivariate logistic regression analyses. The results demonstrate a statistically significant difference in age, diabetes, hypertension, histology, surgery, chemotherapy, and PICC (P < 0.05), compared with control. Age, diabetes, surgery, and PICC serve as independent risk factors for GC‐associated thrombotic diseases (P < 0.05). The present work demonstrates that GC‐associated thrombotic diseases are significantly associated with age, diabetes, surgery, and PICC, suggesting a potential target for early detection and preventive strategy for GC patients with thrombophilia.
Moxibustion for Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Huang Yuanen , Wu Jingping , Cheng Hongbin , Liu Yanling
Published: May 2021

Background. Herpes zoster (HZ) is a disease that mainly causes severe segmental neuralgia and vesicles after infection with herpes zoster virus (VZV). At the same time, more than 9 to 34 percent of patients have postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) present with chronic pain for months or even years. Moxibustion has been used to treat herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia for many years; however, there has been no comprehensive study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of moxibustion in the treatment of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. More studies evaluated the combined effects of acupuncture and moxibustion. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate their efficacy and safety, so as to provide an evidence‐based basis for the clinical application of moxibustion in the treatment of HZ and PHN. Method. The literature search was conducted in nine Chinese and English databases, and randomized controlled trials were pooled from their inceptions to June 2020. The included literature was screened, and data were extracted. RevMan 5.3 software and Stata software were used for statistical analysis. The primary outcome was the total effect. The secondary outcomes include VAS, NRS, and time of analgesia. Outcomes. From a total of 1957 identified studies, 31 were included in analysis (N = 2334 cases). 31 RCTs contained the experimental sample of 1185 cases and the control sample of 1149 cases reported efficiency of different moxibustions in the treatment of herpes zoster, statistical heterogeneity inspection without heterogeneity. So, we used the fixed‐effects model, merge effect quantity OR = 3.89 (95% CI: 2.88∼5.25), Z = 8.86, and it suggested sample merger analysis was statistically significant. Also, the moxibustion, compared to other methods in the treatment of herpes zoster and herpes zoster neuralgia efficiency, increased significantly. The VAS scales, WMD = 1.69 (95% CI: 1.17∼2.22), and the time of analgesia, WMD = 2.41 (95% CI: 3.26∼1.73), indicated that moxibustion surpassed others in the relief of pain. NRS was just reported in one study. It was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in adverse effects OR = 0.61 (95% CI: 0.33∼1.13), Z = 1.56 (P = 0.12). Conclusion. Moxibustion has obvious advantages over other therapies in the treatment of HZ and PHN. However, due to the obvious publication bias, the interpretation of the results should be cautious, and more rigorous randomized controlled clinical studies should be included to further confirm the results in the future.
Effect of Deep Cervical Flexor Muscle Training Using Pressure Biofeedback on Pain and Forward Head Posture in School Teachers with Neck Pain: An Observational Study
Authors: Alghadir Ahmad H. , Iqbal Zaheen A.
Published: May 2021

Background. Teaching is one of the professions where incidence and prevalence of neck pain is high. Prolonged use of computers, which has further increased due to online teaching amid pandemic, is known to cause neck pain and alter posture, while people with forward head posture (FHP) are prone to develop neck pain and related disability. Research has shown that impairment of deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscles leads to insufficiency in coordination, activation, overload, and poor support on cervical structures that further lead to development of neck pain and altered neck posture. The objective of this study was to see the effect of DCF muscle training using pressure biofeedback on pain and FHP in school teachers with neck pain. Methods. This observational study was conducted at medical center in school premises. Fifty‐five school teachers aged between 25 and 40 years with experience of more than 5 years were invited to participate in this study. Subjects were divided in two groups. Both the groups received conventional exercises while in experimental group DCF muscle training using pressure biofeedback was given additionally. Pain and FHP were assessed using NPRS and cranio‐vertebral angle using digital photograph technique, respectively, at baseline and end of four weeks of treatment. Results. Although pain and FHP improved in both the groups, mean improvement in both the measures was more in the group that also received DCF training using pressure biofeedback. Conclusions. This study shows that although pain and FHP improved following conventional exercises in school teachers with neck pain, mean improvement was more significant among those who received additional DCF muscle training using pressure biofeedback.
Association of Polymorphisms in Vitamin D-Metabolizing Enzymes DHCR7 and CYP2R1 with Cancer Susceptibility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wen Jing , Li Jia , Liang Xinyuan , Wang Aiping
Published: May 2021

The deficiency of vitamin D has been reported to be relevant to cancer risk. DHCR7 and CYP2R1 are crucial components of vitamin D-metabolizing enzymes. Thus, accumulating researchers are concerned with the correlation between polymorphisms of DHCR7 and CYP2R1 genes and cancer susceptibility. Nevertheless, the conclusions of literatures are inconsistent. We conducted an integrated review for the correlation of DHCR7 and CYP2R1 SNPs with cancer susceptibility. In the meanwhile, a meta-analysis was performed using accessible data to clarify the association between DHCR7 and CYP2R1 SNPs and overall cancer risk. Literatures which meet the rigid inclusion and exclusion criteria were involved. The association of each SNP with cancer risk was calculated by odds ratios (ORs). 12 case-control designed studies covering 23780 cases and 27307 controls were ultimately evolved in the present meta-analysis of five SNPs (DHCR7 rs12785878 and rs1790349 SNP; CYP2R1 rs10741657, rs12794714, and rs2060793 SNP). We found that DHCR7 rs12785878 SNP was significantly related to cancer risk in the whole population, Caucasian subgroup, and hospital-based (HB) subgroup. DHCR7 rs1790349 SNP was analyzed to increase cancer risk in Caucasians. Moreover, CYP2R1 rs12794714-A allele had correlation with a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Our findings indicated that rs12785878, rs1790349, and rs12794714 SNPs might potentially be biomarkers for cancer susceptibility.
Incorporation of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Morphology and Properties of Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanocomposites
Authors: Azman Nuzul Fatihin Izatil , Zuhairi Safiyyah Aliya , Ratnam Chantara Thevy , Yaakob Yazid , Mamat Md Shuhazlly
Published: May 2021

In this work, the interaction effect between polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the morphology and thermal properties of the nanocomposites have been investigated. PET nanocomposites with the incorporation of 0.1 wt% and 0.5 wt% of MWCNTs and GNPs were prepared by the melt compounding and injection moulding method. The presence of MWCNTs and GNPs in the PET matrix was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. MWCNTs and GNPs acted as a nucleating agent which enhanced the crystallization of PET/MWCNT/GNP nanocomposites at both weight percentages. The result obtained from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the incorporation of MWCNTs and GNPs into pure PET improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. The nanofillers served as efficient heat sinks which prevent thermal degradation of PET. From the fractured cross-section morphology in field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), the nanofillers displayed good dispersion in the PET matrix. Better dispersion distribution found in 0.1 wt% PET/MWCNTs/GNPs nanocomposites compared to 0.5 wt% PET/MWCNTs/GNPs nanocomposites which favor less mechanical and physical failures like crack, delamination, and agglomeration.
Distribution Channel and Remanufacturing Strategy Selection
Authors: Wu Xunbo , Wang Yi , Meng Lingjie , Jiang Wenqi , Wang Ming
Published: May 2021

Remanufacturing has become an important and fast-growing industry. Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) cooperate with third-party remanufacturers (3PRs) through either outsourcing or licensing. They sell the new and remanufactured products either directly to the consumer or indirectly through a retailer. Our study compares the OEM’s remanufacturing strategy selection in different distribution channel structures. We demonstrate that outsourcing remanufacturing benefits the OEM when the new products are sold directly and remanufactured products, with a relatively low valuation, are sold indirectly; otherwise, licensing remanufacturing is more beneficial for the OEM. We further find that when consumers perceive the remanufactured products with a sufficiently high value, the selection of remanufacturing strategies benefits consumers, society, and the environment.
The Cyr61 Is a Potential Target for Rotundifuran, a Natural Labdane‐Type Diterpene from Vitex trifolia L., to Trigger Apoptosis of Cervical Cancer Cells
Authors: Gong Gang , Shen Yu-Li , Lan Hai-Yue , Jin Jin-Mei , An Pei , Zhang Li-Jun , Chen Li-Li , Peng Wei , Luan Xin , Zhang Hong
Published: May 2021

Cervical cancer is a common female malignant tumor that seriously threatens human health. This study explored the anticervical cancer effects and potential mechanisms of Rotundifuran (RTF), a natural product isolated from Vitex trifolia L. In this study, we found that RTF can suppress the proliferation of cervical cancer cell lines, including HeLa and SiHa cells (with the IC50 less than 10 μM), via induction of apoptosis in vitro, and the antitumor effect of RTF is further confirmed on the HeLa cell‐inoculated xenograft model. In addition, our results proved that the antitumor effects of RTF might be related with the reactive oxygen species‐ (ROS‐) induced mitochondrial‐dependent apoptosis through MAPK and PI3K/Akt signal pathways. Using proteomics analysis and the drug affinity responsive target stability‐ (DARTS‐) combined mass spectrometry (DARTS‐MS), Cyr61 was indicated as a potential target for RTF in cervical cancer cells. Our present study would be beneficial for the development of RTF as a candidate for treatment of cervical cancer in the future.
A Heterogeneous Branching Process with Immigration Modeling for COVID‐19 Spreading in Local Communities in China
Authors: Zhang Lin , Wang Haochen , Liu Zhongyang , Liu Xiao Fan , Feng Xin , Wu Ye
Published: May 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic spread catastrophically over the world since the spring of 2020. In this paper, a heterogeneous branching process with immigration is established to quantify the human‐to‐human transmission of COVID‐19 in local communities, based on the temporal and structural transmission patterns extracted from public case disclosures by four provincial Health Commissions in China. With proper parameter settings, our branching model matches the actual transmission chains satisfactorily and, therefore, sheds light on the underlying COVID‐19 spreading mechanism. Moreover, based on our branching model, the efficacy of home quarantine and social distancing are explored, providing a reference for the effective prevention of COVID‐19 worldwide.
A Novel Crow Swarm Optimization Algorithm (CSO) Coupling Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Crow Search Algorithm (CSA)
Authors: Jia Ying-Hui , Qiu Jun , Ma Zhuang-Zhuang , Li Fang-Fang
Published: May 2021

The balance between exploitation and exploration essentially determines the performance of a population‐based optimization algorithm, which is also a big challenge in algorithm design. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) has strong ability in exploitation, but is relatively weak in exploration, while crow search algorithm (CSA) is characterized by simplicity and more randomness. This study proposes a new crow swarm optimization algorithm coupling PSO and CSA, which provides the individuals the possibility of exploring the unknown regions under the guidance of another random individual. The proposed CSO algorithm is tested on several benchmark functions, including both unimodal and multimodal problems with different variable dimensions. The performance of the proposed CSO is evaluated by the optimization efficiency, the global search ability, and the robustness to parameter settings, all of which are improved to a great extent compared with either PSO and CSA, as the proposed CSO combines the advantages of PSO in exploitation and that of CSA in exploration, especially for complex high‐dimensional problems.
A Rare Case of Extremely Severe Heterotopic Ossification after Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty due to Persistent Mild Periprosthetic Joint Infection
Authors: Kinoshita Yutaka , Nakano Shunji , Yoshioka Shinji , Nakamura Masaru , Goto Tomohiro , Hamada Daisuke , Sairyo Koichi
Published: May 2021

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) can be a mild, persisting infection. Although heterotopic ossification (HO) is common following total hip arthroplasty (THA), the etiology of severe HO remains unclear. Herein, we describe a rare case of extremely severe HO after a PJI associated with a Staphylococcus caprae infection in a 78-year-old male patient. The patient had poorly controlled diabetes mellitus with no diabetic complications. The patient had no previous history of hip surgery, hip injury, or systemic bacterial infection. Immediately after the initial THA, he developed intermittent low-grade fever (37°C), which persisted for 3 months; consequently, he also reported mild hip pain during walking. He experienced a gradual decrease in hip range of motion within 5 years after the surgery, with progressive gait impairment. Two revision surgeries were required for the successful treatment of this difficult case. The patient’s hip function improved, and the PJI was controlled following the second revision surgery. Based on the clinical course, CNS-caused PJI may lead to severe HO. This possibility warrants verification from an accumulated number of cases.
Forecasting of Hazard Zone due to Storm Surge Using SIND Model
Authors: Kim Dong Hyun , Yoo Hyung Ju , Lee Seung Oh
Published: May 2021

We have developed the SIND (scientific interpolation for natural disasters) model to forecast natural hazard zone for storm surge. Most previous studies have been conducted to predict hazard zone with numerical simulations based on various scenarios. It is hard to predict hazard zone for all scenarios and to respond immediately because most numerical models are requested a long simulation time and complicated postprocess, especially in coastal engineering. Thus, in this study, the SIND model was developed to overcome these limitations. The principal developing methods are the scientific interpolation for risk grades and trial and error for parameters embedded in the governing equation. Even designed with hatch files, applying disaster characteristics such as the risk propagation, the governing equation for storm surge in coastal lines was induced from the mathematical solver, COMSOL Multiphysics software that solves partial differential equations for multiple physics using FEM method. The verification process was performed through comparison with the official reference, and the accuracy was calculated with a shape similarity indicating the geometric similarity of the hazard zone. It was composed of position, shape, and area criteria. The accuracy of about 80% in terms of shape similarity was archived. The strength of the model is high accuracy and fast calculation time. It took only less than few seconds to create a hazard map for each scenario. As future works, if the characteristics of other disasters would be understood well, it would be able to present risk propagation induced from each natural disaster in a short term, which should help the decision making for EAP.
Curcumin Targets Both Apoptosis and Necroptosis in Acidity‐Tolerant Prostate Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Lee Yoon-Jin , Park Kwan-Sik , Lee Sang-Han
Published: May 2021

Objective. Curcumin, a major bioactive curcuminoid derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, is known to have anticancer potential and is still under investigation. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic mechanism(s) of curcumin against acidity‐tolerant prostate cancer PC‐3AcT cells in lactic acid‐containing medium. Methods. Using 2D‐monolyer and 3D spheroid culture models, MTT assay, annexin V‐PE binding assay, flow cytometric analysis, measurement of ATP content, and Western blot analysis were used for this study. Results. At nontoxic concentrations in normal prostate epithelial RWPE‐1 and HPrEC cells, curcumin led to strong cytotoxicity in PC‐3AcT cells, including increases in sub‐G0/G1 peak, annexin V‐PE‐positive cells, and ROS levels; loss of mitochondrial membrane potential; reduction of cellular ATP content; DNA damage; and concurrent induction of apoptosis and necroptosis. A series of changes induced by curcumin were effectively reversed by reducing ROS levels or replenishing ATP. Pretreatment with apoptosis inhibitor Q‐VD‐Oph‐1 or necroptosis inhibitor necrostatin‐1 restored cell viability inhibited by curcumin. Treatment of 3D spheroids with curcumin decreased cell viability, accompanied by an increase in mediators of apoptosis and necroptosis, including cleaved caspase‐3 and cleaved PARP, phospho (p)‐RIP3, and p‐MLKL proteins. Conclusion. This study shows that curcumin simultaneously induces apoptosis and necroptosis by oxidative mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent ATP depletion, providing a mechanistic basis for understanding the novel role of curcumin for prostate carcinoma cells.
Impact of Portal Vein Thrombosis on Endoscopic Variceal Band Ligation in Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Huang Yue
Published: May 2021

Background. Portal vein (PV) thrombosis (PVT) is a common complication of liver cirrhosis and can refer to thrombosis within the PV that can extend to its left or right branches and in some cases to the superior mesenteric vein or the splenic vein (Chawla and Bodh, 2015). For severe PVT patients, there are possibilities of increasing PV resistance and reduction of the blood flow though PV towards liver, which exacerbate liver function damage meanwhile elevating the gastrointestinal variceal bleeding risk. Endoscopic Variceal band ligation (EVL) is often used to prevent esophageal variceal bleeding; postoperative complications such as severe gastrointestinal bleeding and bleeding-related death, fever, retrosternal pain, and esophageal stenosis may appear. There was absence of the research which evaluated the impact of PVT in liver cirrhosis on the complication of endoscopic Variceal band ligation for now. We herein aimed to compare cirrhosis patients with and without PVT of recent complications after EVL. Method. We established the retrospective investigation on 144 consecutive cirrhosis patients (excluding patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and who received portal vein-systemic circulation devascularization or shunt surgery, splenectomy, hepatectomy, liver transplantation, transjugular intrahepatic portal vein stent shunt (TIPS), endoscopic varices Variceal ligation, or sclerotherapy before) who have received first endoscopic esophageal varices band ligation in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, ZheJiang University, between January 2014 and December 2017. Portal vein Doppler ultrasonography, liver computerized tomography (CT), and angiography or liver-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were applied to evaluate the portal vein thrombosis of each patient before EVL. There were 18 patients confirmed with portal vein thrombosis while the other 126 patients without PVT. The primary end point for this research is the upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and related death occurred from the date of ligation until leaving hospital, and the secondary end point is the appearance of postoperative fever and retrosternal pain. Results. There are no significant differences of gastrointestinal bleeding, bleeding-related death, fever, or retrosternal pain after EVL and the length of hospital stays between cirrhotic patients with or without PVT (

P
=
0.34
,
0.51
,
0.58
,
0.61
,
0.88

). Conclusion. Liver cirrhosis with portal vein thrombosis did not increase incidence of recent complications of the endoscopic Variceal band ligation.
A Rare Case of a Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Spermatic Cord
Authors: Awobajo Moyosore , Hettwer Stefanie , Hackman Sarah
Published: May 2021

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare mesenchymal tumors, originally identified in the pleura. Even though they have subsequently been described in several extrapleural sites, the incidence of SFTs in the spermatic cord is particularly rare. Here, we report a case of a 27-year-old male that presented with a 3-year history of left scrotal swelling. Computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound demonstrated multiple solid, hypoechoic well-circumscribed masses that were separate from the testis. Surgical excision of the mass led to pathologic diagnosis of a solitary fibrous tumor involving the spermatic cord. Solitary fibrous tumors, although rare, are an important differential diagnosis for urogenital tumors.
The Effects of Different Substrate Combinations on Growth and Yield of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Authors: Muswati Charles , Simango Kennedy , Tapfumaneyi Linda , Mutetwa Moses , Ngezimana Wonder
Published: May 2021

This research was aimed at evaluating the effect of mixing substrates on the growth and yield of Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus). Seven substrates, namely, Trt1 (cotton waste), Trt2 (wheat straw), Trt3 (crushed baobab fruit shells, 100%), Trt4 (cotton husk + wheat straw + crushed baobab fruit shells, 1 : 1 : 1), Trt5 (baobab fruit shells + cotton husks, 1 : 1), Trt6 (baobab fruit shells + wheat straw, 1 : 1), and Trt7 (cotton waste + wheat straw, 1 : 1) were used. Each treatment was replicated 5 times and laid out in a CRD. The duration of developmental stages, yield, and biological efficiency was recorded. Cotton waste demonstrated a significantly (

p
<
0.05

) higher mycelial colonization rate taking an average of 18.20 days to complete full spawn run, 23.20 days from spawning to pinhead formation, 2.80 days for pins to mature, and an average of 26.00 days to first harvest. There was a significant (

p
<
0.05

) difference in the total number of pins with cotton waste being the highest with an average of 29.80 pins, although it was not significantly different from Trt4. The highest (5.40 cm) stipe girth was recorded from Trt4 while the highest (5.22 cm) cap diameter was recorded in Trt1. There was a significant (

p
<
0.05

) difference in yield and biological efficiency. Trt1 had the highest (1.292 kg) average yield; however, it was not significantly (

p
>
0.05

) different from that of Trt4 (1.289 kg). From the research, it was observed that mixing substrate can help to increase yield and, as a result, a higher benefit-cost ratio. Therefore, further studies should be done to evaluate the effects of mixing other substrates besides the ones used in this current research.
Obesity as a Risk Factor for Failure to Wean from ECMO: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zaidi Syed Arsalan A. , Saleem Kainat
Published: May 2021

Purpose. Obesity has been associated with an increased risk of respiratory complications and other systemic illnesses. Respiratory dynamics in an obese patient, combined with modified lung physiology of ARDS, present a significant challenge in managing obese patients with ARDS. Many physicians think of obesity as a relative contraindication to ECMO. We performed a meta-analysis to see the effect of obesity on weaning from ECMO and survival to hospital discharge. Methods. We searched online databases for studies on ECMO and obesity. The search yielded 49 citations in total; after extensive review, six studies were assessed and qualified to be included in the final analysis. Patients were stratified into BMI >30 kg/m2 (obese) and BMI < 30 kg/m2 (nonobese). Results. In meta-analysis, there was a total sample population of 1285 patients, with 466 in the obese group and 819 in the nonobese group. There was no significant difference in weaning from ECMO when compared between obese and nonobese patients, with a risk ratio of 1.03 and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.94–1.13 (heterogeneity: chi2 = 7.44, df = 4 (

p
=
0.11

), I2 = 46%). There was no significant difference in survival rates between obese and nonobese patients who were treated with ECMO during hospitalization, with a risk ratio of 1.04 and 95% CI of 0.86–1.25 (heterogeneity: Tau2 0.03, chi2 = 14.61, df = 5 (

p
=
0.01

), I2 = 66%). Conclusion. Our findings show no significant difference in survival and weaning from ECMO in obese vs. nonobese patients. ECMO therapy should not be withheld from obese patients, as obesity is not a contraindication to ECMO.