bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of White Matter Disconnection in the Symptoms Relating to the Anarchic Hand Syndrome: A Single Case Study
Authors: Pacella Valentina , Ricciardi Giuseppe Kenneth , Bonadiman Silvia , Verzini Elisabetta , Faraoni Federica , Scandola Michele , Moro Valentina
Published: May 2021

The anarchic hand syndrome refers to an inability to control the movements of one’s own hand, which acts as if it has a will of its own. The symptoms may differ depending on whether the brain lesion is anterior, posterior, callosal or subcortical, but the relative classifications are not conclusive. This study investigates the role of white matter disconnections in a patient whose symptoms are inconsistent with the mapping of the lesion site. A repeated neuropsychological investigation was associated with a review of the literature on the topic to identify the frequency of various different symptoms relating to this syndrome. Furthermore, an analysis of the neuroimaging regarding structural connectivity allowed us to investigate the grey matter lesions and white matter disconnections. The results indicated that some of the patient’s symptoms were associated with structures that, although not directly damaged, were dysfunctional due to a disconnection in their networks. This suggests that the anarchic hand may be considered as a disconnection syndrome involving the integration of multiple antero-posterior, insular and interhemispheric networks. In order to comprehend this rare syndrome better, the clinical and neuroimaging data need to be integrated with the clinical reports available in the literature on this topic.
A Randomized Computer-Assisted Rehabilitation Trial of Attention in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis: A Post Hoc Analysis
Authors: Simone Marta , Viterbo Rosa Gemma , Margari Lucia , Iaffaldano Pietro
Published: May 2021

Cognitive impairment (CI) is a remarkable feature in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS). The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is increasingly used to explore CI in MS. Recently, a four-point worsening on the SDMT score has been demonstrated to correlate with a clinically meaningful cognitive worsening in adult MS. We conducted a post hoc analysis of a randomized computer-assisted rehabilitation trial for attention impairment in POMS to test the clinical meaningfulness of the changes in SDMT scores at the end of the trial (delta SDMT). A four-point SDMT cut-off was applied. POMS patients exposed to specific computer training (ST) and non-specific training (nST) were compared. Data of 16 POMS (9 females, age 15.75 ± 1.74 years) patients were analyzed. At the end of the trial, 25% of patients reported no clinically significant changes (−3 to 3), 12.5% a clinically significant worsening (≤−4) and 62.5% a clinically significant improvement (≥4) in the delta SDMT. The proportion of patients reporting a clinically meaningful improvement was significantly (p = 0.008) higher (100%) in patients exposed to ST in comparison to those (25%) exposed to nST. The use of the four-point SDMT cut-off may be useful to assess the clinical meaningfulness of results from cognitive rehabilitation trials.
Effects of Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation on Trigeminal Blink Reflex Excitability
Authors: Guerra Andrea , Vicenzini Edoardo , Cioffi Ettore , Colella Donato , Cannavacciuolo Antonio , Pozzi Silvia , Caccia Barbara , Paparella Giulia , Di Stefano Giulia , Berardelli Alfredo , Bologna Matteo
Published: May 2021

Recent evidence indicates that transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) modulates sensorimotor cortex excitability. However, no study has assessed possible TUS effects on the excitability of deeper brain areas, such as the brainstem. In this study, we investigated whether TUS delivered on the substantia nigra, superior colliculus, and nucleus raphe magnus modulates the excitability of trigeminal blink reflex, a reliable neurophysiological technique to assess brainstem functions in humans. The recovery cycle of the trigeminal blink reflex (interstimulus intervals of 250 and 500 ms) was tested before (T0), and 3 (T1) and 30 min (T2) after TUS. The effects of substantia nigra-TUS, superior colliculus-TUS, nucleus raphe magnus-TUS and sham-TUS were assessed in separate and randomized sessions. In the superior colliculus-TUS session, the conditioned R2 area increased at T1 compared with T0, while T2 and T0 values did not differ. Results were independent of the interstimulus intervals tested and were not related to trigeminal blink reflex baseline (T0) excitability. Conversely, the conditioned R2 area was comparable at T0, T1, and T2 in the nucleus raphe magnus-TUS and substantia nigra-TUS sessions. Our findings demonstrate that the excitability of brainstem circuits, as evaluated by testing the recovery cycle of the trigeminal blink reflex, can be increased by TUS. This result may reflect the modulation of inhibitory interneurons within the superior colliculus.
Gross and Micro-Anatomical Study of the Cavernous Segment of the Abducens Nerve and Its Relationships to Internal Carotid Plexus: Application to Skull Base Surgery
Authors: Wysiadecki Grzegorz , Radek Maciej , Tubbs R. Shane , Iwanaga Joe , Walocha Jerzy , Brzeziński Piotr , Polguj Michał
Published: May 2021

The present study aims to provide detailed observations on the cavernous segment of the abducens nerve (AN), emphasizing anatomical variations and the relationships between the nerve and the internal carotid plexus. A total of 60 sides underwent gross-anatomical study. Five specimens of the AN were stained using Sihler’s method. An additional five specimens were subjected to histological examination. Four types of AN course were observed: a single nerve along its entire course, duplication of the nerve, division into separate rootlets at the point of contact with the cavernous part of the internal carotid artery (ICA), and early-branching before entering the orbit. Due to the relationships between the ICA and internal carotid plexus, the cavernous segment of the AN can be subdivided into a carotid portion located at the point of contact with the posterior vertical segment of the cavernous ICA and a prefissural portion. The carotid portion of the cavernous AN segment is a place of angulation, where the nerve always directly adheres to the ICA. The prefissural portion of the AN, in turn, is the primary site of fiber exchange between the internal carotid plexus and either the AN or the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus.
Savouring as an Intervention to Decrease Negative Affect in Anxious Mothers of Children with Autism and Neurotypical Children
Authors: Pereira Ariel S. , Azhari Atiqah , Hong Chloe A. , Gaskin Gerin E. , Borelli Jessica L. , Esposito Gianluca
Published: May 2021

Savouring is an emotion regulation strategy and intervention that focuses on the process of attending, intensifying and prolonging positive experiences and positive affect associated with these memories. Personal savouring involves a reflection on positive memories that are specific to the individual and do not involve others. In contrast, relational savouring entails reflecting on instances when people were responsive to the needs of their significant others. Such interventions hold potential benefits in enhancing positive affect (PA) and reducing negative affect (NA) for both parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and parents of neurotypical children. Adults with greater symptoms of generalised anxiety have been found to have less PA and more NA. However, no study has investigated the effects of a mother’s anxiety symptoms on the efficacy of savouring in enhancing PA and reducing NA. Thus, this paper combined personal and relational savouring to investigate whether savouring may enhance PA and reduce NA of a pooled sample of mothers of neurotypical children and mothers of children with ASD. 52 mothers of neurotypical children and 26 mothers of children with ASD aged 3–7 years old were given a series of questionnaires and randomly assigned to either relational savouring or personal savouring conditions. In relational savouring, mothers were asked to reflect upon a shared positive experience with their child while in the personal savouring condition, a personal positive experience was recalled. Across mothers of children with ASD and neurotypical children, findings suggest that savouring leads to a decrease in NA (p < 0.01) but not increases in PA. Similarly, mothers with higher levels of anxiety experience a greater decrease in NA (p < 0.001) compared to mothers with lower levels of anxiety post-savouring. This study proposes that a brief savouring intervention may be effective among mothers of preschoolers. As lower levels of negative affect is linked to healthier psychological well-being, mothers might be able to engage in more effective and warm parenting after savouring exercises, which would cultivate positive mother-child relationships that benefit their children in the long-term.
The Implementation of Preconditioned Epidermal Neural Crest Stem Cells to Combat Ischemic Stroke. Comment on Othman, F.A.; Tan, S.C. Preconditioning Strategies to Enhance Neural Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Ischemic Stroke. Brain Sci. 2020, 10, 893
Authors: Pandamooz Sareh , Jurek Benjamin , Salehi Mohammad Saied , Mostaghel Mandana , Miyan Jaleel A. , Dianatpour Mehdi , Borhani-Haghighi Afshin
Published: May 2021

In the recent review published in Brain Sciences, Othman and Tan suggested several preconditioning strategies to improve stem cell therapy after ischemic brain injury [...]
Metastatic Esophageal Carcinoma Cells Exhibit Reduced Adhesion Strength and Enhanced Thermogenesis
Authors: Huo Zihe , Sá Santos Mariana , Drenckhan Astrid , Holland-Cunz Stefan , Izbicki Jakob R. , Nash Michael A. , Gros Stephanie J.
Published: May 2021

Despite continuous improvements in multimodal therapeutic strategies, esophageal carcinoma maintains a high mortality rate. Metastases are a major life-limiting component; however, very little is known about why some tumors have high metastatic potential and others not. In this study, we investigated thermogenic activity and adhesion strength of primary tumor cells and corresponding metastatic cell lines derived from two patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. We hypothesized that the increased metastatic potential of the metastatic cell lines correlates with higher thermogenic activity and decreased adhesion strength. Our data show that patient-derived metastatic esophageal tumor cells have a higher thermogenic profile as well as a decreased adhesion strength compared to their corresponding primary tumor cells. Using two paired esophageal carcinoma cell lines of primary tumor and lymph nodes makes the data unique. Both higher specific thermogenesis profile and decreased adhesion strength are associated with a higher metastatic potential. They are in congruence with the clinical patient presentation. Understanding these functional, biophysical properties of patient derived esophageal carcinoma cell lines will enable us to gain further insight into the mechanisms of metastatic potential of primary tumors and metastases. Microcalorimetric evaluation will furthermore allow for rapid assessment of new treatment options for primary tumor and metastases aimed at decreasing the metastatic potential.
Sex-Specific Isolation and Propagation of Human Premeiotic Fetal Germ Cells and Germ Cell-Like Cells
Authors: Mishra Swati , Taelman Jasin , Chang Yolanda W. , Boel Annekatrien , De Sutter Petra , Heindryckx Björn , Chuva De Sousa Lopes Susana M.
Published: May 2021

The second trimester of human development is marked by asynchronous gonadal development hampering the isolation of homogenous populations of early and late fetal germ cells (FGCs). We evaluated the feasibility of using surface markers TNAP, PDPN, EPCAM and ITGA6 to isolate FGCs as well as human primordial germ cell-like cells (hPGCLCs) derived from embryonic stem cells (hESCs) from both sexes by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Our results suggest that a combination of TNAP and PDPN was sufficient to separate populations of premeiotic FGCs and hPGCLCs in both sexes. This combination of antibodies also proved efficient in separating ‘mitotic’ from ‘retinoic-acid responsive’ female FGCs. Furthermore, we report that the differentiation efficiency of TNAP+PDPN+ hPGCLCs from hESCs was sex-independent, but the ability to propagate differed considerably between the sexes. In contrast to male, female hPGCLCs retained their characteristics and exhibited robust colony-forming ability when cultured for five days in medium containing LIF, forskolin and FGF2. We conclude that marked sex differences exist in the isolation and propagation of human FGCs and hPGCLCs. Our study provides novel insights relevant for the optimization of in vitro gametogenesis in humans.
Dynamic Changes in Protein-Membrane Association for Regulating Photosynthetic Electron Transport
Authors: Messant Marine , Krieger-Liszkay Anja , Shimakawa Ginga
Published: May 2021

Photosynthesis has to work efficiently in contrasting environments such as in shade and full sun. Rapid changes in light intensity and over-reduction of the photosynthetic electron transport chain cause production of reactive oxygen species, which can potentially damage the photosynthetic apparatus. Thus, to avoid such damage, photosynthetic electron transport is regulated on many levels, including light absorption in antenna, electron transfer reactions in the reaction centers, and consumption of ATP and NADPH in different metabolic pathways. Many regulatory mechanisms involve the movement of protein-pigment complexes within the thylakoid membrane. Furthermore, a certain number of chloroplast proteins exist in different oligomerization states, which temporally associate to the thylakoid membrane and modulate their activity. This review starts by giving a short overview of the lipid composition of the chloroplast membranes, followed by describing supercomplex formation in cyclic electron flow. Protein movements involved in the various mechanisms of non-photochemical quenching, including thermal dissipation, state transitions and the photosystem II damage–repair cycle are detailed. We highlight the importance of changes in the oligomerization state of VIPP and of the plastid terminal oxidase PTOX and discuss the factors that may be responsible for these changes. Photosynthesis-related protein movements and organization states of certain proteins all play a role in acclimation of the photosynthetic organism to the environment.
Angiotensinergic Neurotransmissions in the Medial Amygdala Nucleus Modulate Behavioral Changes in the Forced Swimming Test Evoked by Acute Restraint Stress in Rats
Authors: Marchi-Coelho Camila , Costa-Ferreira Willian , Reis-Silva Lilian L. , Crestani Carlos C.
Published: May 2021

We investigated the role of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1 receptor) and type 2 (AT2 receptor) and MAS receptors present in the medial amygdaloid nucleus (MeA) in behavioral changes in the forced swimming test (FST) evoked by acute restraint stress in male rats. For this, rats received bilateral microinjection of either the selective AT1 receptor antagonist losartan, the selective AT2 receptor antagonist PD123319, the selective MAS receptor antagonist A-779, or vehicle 10 min before a 60 min restraint session. Then, behavior in the FST was evaluated immediately after the restraint (15 min session) and 24 h later (5 min session). The behavior in the FST of a non-stressed group was also evaluated. We observed that acute restraint stress decreased immobility during both sessions of the FST in animals treated with vehicle in the MeA. The decreased immobility during the first session was inhibited by intra-MeA administration of PD123319, whereas the effect during the second session was not identified in animals treated with A-779 into the MeA. Microinjection of PD123319 into the MeA also affected the pattern of active behaviors (i.e., swimming and climbing) during the second session of the FST. Taken together, these results indicate an involvement of angiotensinergic neurotransmissions within the MeA in behavioral changes in the FST evoked by stress.
Milano–Torino Staging and Long-Term Survival in Chinese Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: He Ruojie , Zheng Minying , Lian Ling , Yao Xiaoli
Published: May 2021

(1) Background: The aim of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the association between disease progression according to the Milano–Torino staging (MITOS) system and long-term survival in Chinese patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We also examined factors affecting MITOS progression. (2) Methods: Patients were enrolled and underwent follow-up at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, and their demographic and clinical data, including the Milano–Torino stage, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale—Revised (ALSFRS-R) score and neuropsychiatric data, were evaluated. The sensitivity and specificity of predicting survival outcomes based on MITOS progression and ALSFRS-R score decline from baseline to 6 months were compared. The associations between MITOS progression from baseline to 6 months and survival outcome at 12, 18 and 24 months were examined, and factors associated with disease progression were evaluated with subgroup analyses. (3) Results: Among the 100 patients included, 74% were in stage 0 at baseline, and approximately 95% progressed to a higher stage of the MITOS system at 24 months. MITOS progression from baseline to 6 months and ALSFRS-R decline showed comparable value for predicting survival at 12, 18, and 24 months. MITOS progression from baseline to 6 months is strongly associated with death outcomes. Older age at onset and increased depression and anxiety scores may be related to disease progression. (4) Conclusions: MITOS progression during the early disease course could serve as a prognostic marker of long-term survival and may have utility in clinical trials. Age at onset and diagnosis and neuropsychiatric factors might be associated with disease progression.
Charge Transfer on the Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering of Ag/4-MBA/PEDOT:PSS System: Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding
Authors: Pan Yuenan , Wang Wei , Guo Shuang , Jin Sila , Park Eungyeong , Sun Yantao , Chen Lei , Jung Young Mee
Published: May 2021

A sandwich-structured noble metal-probe molecule-organic semiconductor consisting of Ag nanoparticles (NPs), 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) and different concentrations of poly(styrenesulfonate:poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT:PSS) was prepared by layer-by-layer assembly. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding was observed to have a significant effect on the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of Ag/4-MBA/PEDOT:PSS. Upon increasing the PEDOT:PSS concentration, the characteristic Raman band intensity of 4-MBA was enhanced. In addition, the selected b2 vibration mode was significantly enhanced due to the influence of the charge transfer (CT) mechanism. The CT degree (ρCT) of the composite system was calculated before and after doping with PEDOT:PSS; when the concentration of PEDOT:PSS was 0.8%, the SERS intensity tended to be stable, and ρCT reached a maximum. Compared with that of the undoped PEDOT:PSS system, ρCT was significantly enhanced after doping, which can be explained by the CT effect induced by hydrogen bonds. These results indicate that hydrogen bonding transfers a charge from the Fermi energy level of Ag to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of 4-MBA, and due to the resulting potential difference, the charge will continue to transfer to the LUMO of PEDOT:PSS. Therefore, the introduction of organic semiconductors into the field of SERS not only expands the SERS substrate scope, but also provides a new idea for exploring the SERS mechanism. In addition, the introduction of hydrogen bonds has become an important guide for the study of CT and the structure of composite systems.
Enhanced Methanol Oxidation Activity of PtRu/C100−xMWCNTsx (x = 0–100 wt.%) by Controlling the Composition of C-MWCNTs Support
Authors: Quan Dang Long , Le Phuoc Huu
Published: May 2021

PtRu nanoparticles decorated on carbon-based supports are of great interest for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). In this study, PtRu alloy nanoparticles decorated on carbon Vulcan XC-72 (C), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and C-MWCNTs composite supports were synthesized by co-reduction method. As a result, PtRu nanoparticles obtained a small mean size (dmean = 1.8–3.8 nm) with a size distribution of 1–7 nm. We found that PtRu/C60MWCNTs40 possesses not only high methanol oxidation activity, but also excellent carbonaceous species tolerance ability, suggesting that C-MWCNTs composite support is better than either C or MWCNTs support. Furthermore, detailed investigation on PtRu/C100−xMWCNTsx (x = 10–50 wt.%) shows that the current density (Jf), catalyst tolerance ratio (Jf/Jr), and electron transfer resistance (Ret) are strongly affected by C-MWCNTs composition. The highest Jf is obtained for PtRu/C70MWCNTs30, which is considered as an optimal electrocatalyst. Meanwhile, both PtRu/C70MWCNTs30 and PtRu/C60MWCNTs40 exhibit a low Ret of 5.31–6.37 Ω·cm2. It is found that C-MWCNTs composite support is better than either C or MWCNTs support in terms of simultaneously achieving the enhanced methanol oxidation activity and good carbonaceous species tolerance.
Achieving Good Protection on Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polythene by In Situ Growth of Amorphous Carbon Film
Authors: Dang Rui , Ma Liqiu , Zhou Shengguo , Pan Deng , Xia Bin
Published: May 2021

Ultra-high molecular weight polythene (UHMWPE), with outstanding characteristics, is widely applied in modern industry, while it is also severely limited by its inherent shortcomings, which include low hardness, poor wear resistance, and easy wear. Implementation of feasible protection on ultra-high molecular weight polythene to overcome its shortcomings would be of significance. In the present study, amorphous carbon (a-C) film was fabricated on ultra-high molecular weight polythene (UHMWPE) to provide good protection, and the relevant growth mechanism of a-C film was revealed by controlling carbon plasma currents. The results showed the in situ transition layer, in the form of chemical bonds, was formed between the UHMWPE substrate and the a-C film with the introduction of carbon plasma, which provided strong adhesion, and then the a-C film continued epitaxial growth on the in situ transition layer with the treatment of carbon plasma. This in situ growth of a-C film, including the in situ transition layer and the epitaxial growth layer, significantly improved the wetting properties, mechanical properties, and tribological properties of UHMWPE. In particular, good protection by in situ growth a-C film on UHMWPE was achieved during sliding wear.
Resistant Starch-Based Edible Coating Composites for Spray-Dried Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Comparative Assessment of Thermal Protection, In Vitro Digestion and Physicochemical Characteristics
Authors: Muhammad Zafarullah , Ramzan Rabia , Zhang Ruifen , Zhang Mingwei
Published: May 2021

Polysaccharides have excellent potential as food-grade coating materials for microencapsulation in pro- and prebiotics-based functional food industry. In this study, potato, maize, and rice resistant starches composite coatings with D-mannose, maltodextrin, and whey protein concentrate were prepared for the spray-dried microencapsulation of Lactobacillus acidophilus KLDS 1.1003. Assessment of different polysaccharide coatings to enhance the longevity of probiotics at high temperatures of spray-drying process, storage, and targeted delivery in the gastrointestinal tract were the key objectives of the present study. The highest microencapsulation efficiencies were shown by maize (95.80%) and potato (94.30%) resistant starches. Similarly, maize resistant starch (MRS)-based composites provided the highest thermal resistance, with Tg 38.77 ± 1.10–93.13 ± 0.81 °C and showed the least 2.1 log cycles viability loss in simulated GI tract. Viability losses during storage were in the following order: control > RRS > PRS > MRS, and the inactivation rate of the microencapsulated cells followed the first-order kinetics (R2 = 0.9264–0.9918). The resistant starch-based spray-dried microcapsules possessed 27.00 ± 0.03 to 52.28 ± 1.02 µm size range and SEM micrographs showed a unified smooth surface without cracks and ruptures. These findings will expand the potential use of natural food-grade coatings in functional foods and allied industries involving spray-dried products.
Structural, Magnetic and Gas Sensing Activity of Pure and Cr Doped In2O3 Thin Films Grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition
Authors: Yaragani Veeraswamy , Kamatam Hari , Deva Arun Kumar Karuppiah , Mele Paolo , Christy Arulanandam , Gunavathy Kugalur , Alomairy Sultan , Al-Buriahi Mohammed
Published: May 2021

Pure In2O3 and 6% Cr-doped In2O3 thin films were prepared on a silicon (Si) substrate by pulsed laser deposition technique. The obtained In2O3/In2O3:Cr thin films structural, morphological, optical, magnetic and gas sensing properties were briefly investigated. The X-ray diffraction results confirmed that the grown thin films are in single-phase cubic bixbyte structure with space group Ia-3. The SEM analysis showed the formation of agglomerated spherical shape morphology with the decreased average grain size for Cr doped In2O3 thin film compared to pure In2O3 film. It is observed that the Cr doped In2O3 thin film shows the lower band gap energy and that the corresponding transmittance is around 80%. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements revealed that the presence of oxygen vacancy in the doped In2O3 film. These oxygen defects could play a significant role to enhance the sensing performance towards chemical species. In the magnetic hysteresis loop, it is clear that the prepared films confirm the ferromagnetic behaviour and the maximum saturation value of 39 emu/cc for Cr doped In2O3 film. NH3 gas sensing studies was also carried out at room temperature for both pure and Cr doped In2O3 films, and the obtained higher sensitivity is 182% for Cr doped In2O3, which is about nine times higher than for the pure In2O3 film due to the presence of defects on the doped film surface.
Ordering and Dynamics of Interacting Colloidal Particles under Soft Confinement
Authors: Herrera-Velarde Salvador , Euán-Díaz Edith C. , Castañeda-Priego Ramón
Published: May 2021

Confinement can induce substantial changes in the physical properties of macromolecules in suspension. Soft confinement is a particular class of restriction where the boundaries that constraint the particles in a region of the space are not well-defined. This scenario leads to a broader structural and dynamical behavior than observed in systems enclosed between rigid walls. In this contribution, we study the ordering and diffusive properties of a two-dimensional colloidal model system subjected to a one-dimensional parabolic trap. Increasing the trap strength makes it possible to go through weak to strong confinement, allowing a dimensional transition from two- to one-dimension. The non-monotonic response of the static and dynamical properties to the gradual dimensionality change affects the system phase behavior. We find that the particle dynamics are connected to the structural transitions induced by the parabolic trap. In particular, at low and intermediate confinement regimes, complex structural and dynamical scenarios arise, where the softness of the external potential induces melting and freezing, resulting in faster and slower particle diffusion, respectively. Besides, at strong confinements, colloids move basically along one direction, and the whole system behaves structurally and dynamically similar to a one-dimensional colloidal system.
Experimental Evaluation of Untreated and Pretreated Crumb Rubber Used in Concrete
Authors: Awan Hamad Hassan , Javed Muhammad Faisal , Yousaf Adnan , Aslam Fahid , Alabduljabbar Hisham , Mosavi Amir
Published: May 2021

The present research aims at evaluating the mechanical performance of untreated and treated crumb rubber concrete (CRC). The study was also conducted to reduce the loss in mechanical properties of CRC. In this study, sand was replaced with crumb rubber (CR) with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by volume. CR was treated with NaOH, lime, and common detergent for 24 h. Furthermore, water treatment was also carried out. All these treatments were done to enhance the mechanical properties of concrete that are affected by adding CR. The properties that were evaluated are compressive strength, indirect tensile strength, unit weight, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and water absorption. Compressive strength was assessed after 7 and 28 days of curing. The mechanical properties were decreased by increasing the percentage of the CR. The properties were improved after the treatment of CR. Lime treatment was found to be the best treatment of all four treatments followed by NaOH treatment and water treatment. Detergent treatment was found to be the worse treatment of all four methods of treatment. Despite increasing the strength it contributed to strength loss.
The Prognostic Correlation of Heart Rate Variability at Diagnosis with Survival of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Ciurea Ana-Maria , Gheonea Dan Ionuț , Schenker Michael , Mehedințeanu Alina Maria , Târtea Georgică Costinel , Vere Cristin Constantin
Published: May 2021

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) indices have been shown to be associated with prognosis in various types of cancer. This study aims to assess the ability of these indices to predict survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after diagnosis. Methods: We retrospectively collected data from 231 patients diagnosed with HCC between January 2014 and March 2018. The baseline clinical-pathological variables and HRV indices (extracted from Holter electrocardiogram recordings) were analyzed. Results: Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the predictive value of the above factors for overall survival (OS). The univariate analysis revealed that an age > 60 years, hepatitis C, portal vein involvement (thrombosis), a tumor size > 5 cm, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) > 400 ng/mL, serum albumin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were risk factors for poor OS. Multivariable Cox regression analyses identified that a tumor size > 5 cm and AFP > 400 ng/mL predict poorer outcomes in HCC patients. It should be mentioned that, in both the univariate analysis and in the multivariate analysis, between HRV indices, SDNN (standard deviation of all normal-to-normal (NN) intervals) < 110 ms was an independent risk factor for OS with an HR of 3.646 (95% CI 2.143 to 6.205). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that HRV indices identify HCC patients at high risk of death and suggests that such monitoring might guide the need for early therapy in these types of patients, as well as the fact that HRV can be a potential noninvasive biomarker for HCC prognosis.
Corticosteroid Injection Alone or Combined with Surgical Excision of Keloids versus Other Therapies Including Ionising Radiotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
Authors: Wang Ru , Danielsen Patricia L. , Ågren Magnus S. , Duke Janine , Wood Fiona , Zeng Xiao-Xi , Mao Yu , Cen Ying
Published: May 2021

Keloid scars are difficult to manage and remain a therapeutic challenge. Corticosteroid therapy alone or ionising radiation (radiotherapy) alone or combined with surgery are first-line treatments, but the scientific justification for these treatments is unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) is to assess the effects of intralesional corticosteroid injection in treating keloids or preventing their recurrence after surgical removal. Searches for RCTs were conducted through the MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBSCO and Cochrane databases from January 1974 to September 2017. Two authors independently reviewed study eligibility, extracted data, analysed the results, and assessed methodological quality. Sixteen RCTs that included more than 814 patients were scrutinised. The quality of evidence for most outcomes was moderate to high. In 10 RCTs, corticosteroid intralesional injections were compared with 5-fluorouracil, etanercept, cryosurgery, botulinum toxin, topical corticosteroid under a silicone dressing, and radiotherapy. Corticosteroid intralesional injections were more effective than radiotherapy (RR 3.3, 95% CI: 1.4–8.1) but equipotent with the other interventions. In conjunction with keloid excision, corticosteroid treatment was compared with radiotherapy, interferon α-2b and verapamil. In two RCTs, there were fewer keloid recurrences (RR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.21–0.89) demonstrated with adjuvant radiotherapy than with corticosteroid injections. More high-quality, large-scale RCTs are required to establish the effectiveness of corticosteroids and other therapies in keloid management.
Tracking Control of Single-Axis Feed Drives Based on ADRC and Feedback Linearisation
Authors: Yuan Meng , Xu Zhezhuang
Published: May 2021

The accuracy of manufacturing highly characterises the performance of industrial motion control. However, detrimental effects such as nonlinear coupling, model uncertainty and unknown external disturbances severely affect trajectory tracking performance. In this paper, we proposed an ADRC and feedback linearisation-based control algorithm for the high-precision trajectory tracking of feed drives. The controller was rigorously designed to ensure the convergence of observer states and tracking error. The applicability of the proposed approach was successfully demonstrated via high-fidelity simulation, and the numerical results based on different tracking methods were compared.
Attention Mechanisms in CNN-Based Single Image Super-Resolution: A Brief Review and a New Perspective
Authors: Zhu Hongyu , Xie Chao , Fei Yeqi , Tao Huanjie
Published: May 2021

With the advance of deep learning, the performance of single image super-resolution (SR) has been notably improved by convolution neural network (CNN)-based methods. However, the increasing depth of CNNs makes them more difficult to train, which hinders the SR networks from achieving greater success. To overcome this, a wide range of related mechanisms has been introduced into the SR networks recently, with the aim of helping them converge more quickly and perform better. This has resulted in many research papers that incorporated a variety of attention mechanisms into the above SR baseline from different perspectives. Thus, this survey focuses on this topic and provides a review of these recently published works by grouping them into three major categories: channel attention, spatial attention, and non-local attention. For each of the groups in the taxonomy, the basic concepts are first explained, and then we delve deep into the detailed insights and contributions. Finally, we conclude this review by highlighting the bottlenecks of the current SR attention mechanisms, and propose a new perspective that can be viewed as a potential way to make a breakthrough.
Transferability of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to Measure Traffic Density
Authors: Chung Jiyong , Kim Gyeongjun , Sohn Keemin
Published: May 2021

Whereas detecting individual vehicles in a video image using a convolutional neural network (CNN) prevails for traffic surveillance, CNNs also have been successfully adapted to counting vehicles via a regression method, which conveys the advantages of simplifying the model structure, and inference time can be reduced in the field. This model also demands much less human effort to tag images with labels. The number of vehicles in an image becomes the label, rather than bounding boxes drawn around every single vehicle. Nonetheless, the labeling task takes considerable time whenever a CNN model is trained and tested for a new road segment. There are two ways to alleviate the human effort involved in using this method. A previous study used a pseudo label pre-training method, and another study employed an image synthesis method to solve the problem. Besides these two methods, we investigated the model transferability to reduce the labeling effort. Using a CNN that was fully trained on images of a road segment, we devised a robust way to utilize the trained model for another site by transforming the model output with a simple quadratic equation. The utility of the proposed method was confirmed at the expense of a minute amount of deterioration in accuracy.
Testosterone Boosters Intake in Athletes: Current Evidence and Further Directions
Authors: Lazarev Artemii , Bezuglov Eduard
Published: May 2021

“Testosterone boosters” (TB)—are supplements that are claimed to increase testosterone levels in the human body. While the consumption of TB may be popular among athletes, there is insufficient evidence both about the safety and the real efficacy of TB. In our review, we searched MEDLINE/PubMed and Cochrane Library for studies on the effects of 15 substances that are claimed to increase testosterone levels Anacyclus pyrethrum; Bulbine natalensis; Epimedium (horny goat weed); L-arginine; L-carnitine; magnesium; Mucuna pruriens; pantothenic acid; selenium; shilajit Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali); Serenoa repens (saw palmetto); boron; Withania somnifera (ashwagandha); and Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) in athletes and healthy adults under 55 years of age. We found such studies regarding 10 out of 15 substances: L-arginine (3 studies); L-carnitine (2); magnesium (1); selenium (2); shilajit (1); Tongkat Ali (2); Serenoa repens (1); boron (3); ashwagandha root (2); and fenugreek (7). Many of them fail to prove the efficacy of these substances to increase testosterone levels. Tongkat Ali, ashwagandha, and fenugreek were the substances with the strongest evidence. The positive effect of magnesium and shilajit on testosterone concentration was shown in single studies. Conflicting data found that L-arginine, L-carnitine, Serenoa repens, selenium and boron do not appear to increase testosterone levels. There are almost no data on the safety profile of various TB components; however, certain TB components may be linked to coagulation, and pancreatic and hepatic disorders. Based on the review, the authors conclude that at present TB cannot be recommended for use by athletes due to insufficient data on their efficacy and safety.
Extending the Shelf-Life of Fresh-Cut Green Bean Pods by Ethanol, Ascorbic Acid, and Essential Oils
Authors: Awad Asmaa H. R. , Parmar Aditya , Ali Marwa R. , El-Mogy Mohamed M. , Abdelgawad Karima F.
Published: May 2021

Green beans are a perishable crop, which deteriorate rapidly after harvest, particularly when minimally processed into ready-to-eat fresh-cut green beans. This study investigated the effectiveness of ethanol, ascorbic acid (AsA), tea tree essential oil (TTO), and peppermint essential oil (PMO) on the quality and storability of fresh-cut green bean pods samples stored at 5 °C for 15 days. Our results indicated that samples treated with ethanol, AsA, TTO, and PMO preserved appearance, firmness (except ethanol), chlorophyll content, and moisture compared with the samples without any treatment (control). Additionally, higher vitamin C, total soluble solids (TSS), total sugars, and total phenolic compounds (TPC) were observed in samples treated with ethanol, AsA, TTO, and PMO compared with the control. The most effective treatments for controlling microbial growth were ethanol followed by either TTO or PMO. All the treatments had positive effects on shelf life, maintained quality, and reducing microbial growth during 15 days of cold storage. A particular treatment can be selected based on the economic feasibility and critical control point in the value chain.
A Time-Varying Gerber Statistic: Application of a Novel Correlation Metric to Commodity Price Co-Movements
Authors: Algieri Bernardina , Leccadito Arturo , Toscano Pietro
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the daily co-movements in commodity prices over the period 2006–2020 using a novel approach based on a time-varying Gerber correlation. The statistic is computed considering a set of probabilities estimated via non-traditional models that give a time-varying structure to the measure. The results indicate that there are several co-movements across commodities, that these co-movements change over time, and that they are tendentially positive. Conditional auto-regressive multithreshold logit models show higher forecasting accuracy for agricultural returns, while dynamic conditional correlation models are more accurate for energy products and metals. The proposed models are shown to be superior in terms of forecasting power to the benchmark method which is based on estimating the Gerber correlation moving a rolling window.
The Empathic Capacity and the Ability to Regulate It: Construction and Validation of the Empathy Management Scale (EMS)
Authors: Mora-Pelegrín Miguel , Montes-Berges Beatriz , Aranda María , Vázquez María Agustina , Armenteros-Martínez Elena
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study was to develop a measure to evaluate the management of empathic capacity. To this end, two studies were conducted. Study 1 (N = 277, 172 females) describes the scale creation procedure, factorial validity, and internal consistency. The exploratory factor analysis yielded a five-factor model with 18 items (62.4% of the variance explained). The dimensions were as follows: D1: identification, D2: incorporation, D3: reverberation, D4: separation, and D5: projection. The internal consistency was good (alpha values ranging from 0.70 to 0.80). Study 2 (N = 480, 323 females) examined the validity (including convergent validity) of the model and the relationships with sociodemographic variables. The five-factor model showed a robust goodness of fit, χ2 = 240.5, p < 0.001, root mean square residual (RMSR) = 0.05. The fit indices were satisfactory, Non-normed fit index (NNFI) = 0.89, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.90, mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.04. The convergent validity analysis showed that, as empathy management increased, so too did the empathy level and emotional intelligence. Some differences by age and sex were found. In conclusion, the Empathy Management Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for analyzing the empathic process that allows vulnerabilities and strengths to be estimated, which could improve professional practice in the healthcare context.
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Recognition of Markers for Targeted Therapy
Authors: Tomas-Roca Laura , Rodriguez Marta , Alonso-Alonso Ruth , Rodriguez-Pinilla Socorro M. , Piris Miguel Angel
Published: May 2021

Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL)s, the most common type of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, constitute a heterogeneous group of disorders including different disease sites, strikingly diverse molecular features and a profound variability in the clinical behavior. Molecular studies and clinical trials have partially revealed the underlying causes for this variability and have made possible the recognition of some molecular variants susceptible of specific therapeutic approaches. The main histogenetic groups include the germinal center, activated B cells, thymic B cells and terminally differentiated B cells, a basic scheme where the large majority of DLBCL cases can be ascribed. The nodal/extranodal origin, specific mutational changes and microenvironment peculiarities provide additional layers of complexity. Here, we summarize the status of the knowledge and make some specific proposals for addressing the future development of targeted therapy for DLBC cases.
Can Novel Insights into the Pathogenesis of Myeloproliferative Neoplasm-Related Thrombosis Inform Novel Treatment Approaches?
Authors: Wolach Ofir , Shacham Abulafia Adi
Published: May 2021

Despite recent advances in diagnosis and therapy, arterial and venous thrombosis remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Preventing and treating arterial and venous thrombosis represent one of the major goals in MPNs. The prothrombotic phenotype of MPNs is the result of a complex interplay between several components. Neutrophils, platelets, red blood cells (RBCs) and endothelial cells assume an activated phenotype in MPNs and undergo morphologic and metabolic changes that render these cells prothrombotic. These changes are in part the result of alterations induced by MPN initiating, driving mutations as well as the effect of extrinsic factors that stem from cell interactions as well as the inflammatory environment and rheological properties that characterize MPNs. In this review, we address current management issues in MPNs and provide an update on recent understanding of the pathogenesis of thrombosis in MPNs. We also address how lessons learned from other thrombo-inflammatory conditions can further inform and improve management of thrombosis in MPNs. Based on the above data and recent discoveries and developments, we discuss potential novel targets and therapeutic approaches to tackle the challenge of thrombosis in MPNs.
Bruise Damage and Quality Changes in Impact-Bruised, Stored Tomatoes
Authors: Pathare Pankaj B. , Al-Dairi Mai
Published: May 2021

This study examined three main possible effects (impact, storage temperature, and duration) that cause and extend the level of bruising and other quality attributes contributing to the deterioration of tomatoes. The impact threshold level required to cause bruising was conducted by subjecting tomato samples to a steel ball with a known mass from different drop heights (20, 40, and 60 cm). The samples were then divided and stored at 10 and 22 °C for 10 days for the further analysis of bruise area and any physiological, chemical, and nutritional changes at two day intervals. Six prediction models were constructed for the bruised area and other quality attribute changes of the tomato. Storage time, bruise area, weight loss, redness, total color change, color index, total soluble solids, and pigments content (lycopene and carotenoids) showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase with the increase of drop height (impact level) and storage temperature. After 10 days of storage, high drop impact and storage at 22 °C generated a higher reduction in firmness, lightness, yellowness, and hue° (color purity). Additionally, regression model findings showed the significant effect of storage duration, storage temperature, and drop height on the measured variables (bruise area, weight loss, firmness, redness, total soluble solids, and lycopene) at a 5% probability level with a determination coefficient (R2) ranging from 0.76 to 0.95. Bruising and other quality attributes could be reduced by reducing the temperature during storage. This study can help tomato transporters, handlers, and suppliers to understand the mechanism of bruising occurrence and how to reduce it.
Phenotypic Characterization and Differential Gene Expression Analysis Reveal That Dwarf Mutant dwf Dwarfism Is Associated with Gibberellin in Eggplant
Authors: Lu Yang , Luo Shuangxia , Li Qiang , Li Na , Du Wenchao , Yu Ping , Wang Xing , Zhang Weiwei , Xuan Shuxin , Zhou Xuan , Shen Jiajia , Zhao Jianjun , Wang Yanhua , Chen Xueping , Shen Shuxing
Published: May 2021

Dwarfism is a desirable trait in eggplant breeding, as it confers higher lodging resistance and allows simplified management and harvest. However, a few dwarf mutants have been reported, and the molecular mechanism underlying dwarfism in eggplant is completely unknown. Here, we report a dwarf mutant (dwf) isolated from an ethyl methyl sulfonate (EMS)-induced mutant library. The hypocotyl length, plant height, and length of internode cells of dwf were significantly decreased compared to those of the wild-type parent ‘14-345’ (WT). Differential gene expression analysis revealed that GA-related genes, including GA2ox and DELLA, were up-regulated whereas the gibberellin (GA3) content decreased in dwf. Moreover, exogenous GA3 treatment significantly increased the relative growth rate of dwf compared to WT, further indicating the important roles of GA in regulating the dwarf phenotype of dwf. Collectively, our findings shed light on GA-mediated dwarfism in dwf plants and offer a good germplasm that could be used for eggplant dwarfism breeding in the future.