bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Both Water Intoxication and Osmotic BBB Disruption Increase Brain Water Content in Rats
Authors: KOZLER P. , RILJAK V. , POKORNÝ J.
Published: October 2020

Our previous experiments revealed that water intoxication and osmotic BBB disruption in the rat allow penetration of high-molecular substances into the brain and that resulting changes in the internal environment of the CNS lead to pathological development, such as the loss of integrity of myelin. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the previously described phenomena are associated with increased water content in the brain. To answer the question following methods were used: a) water intoxication: intraperitoneal administration of distilled water, b) osmotic BBB disruption: application of mannitol (20 %) selectively into the internal carotid artery, c) brain wet weight was measured after decapitation, and subsequently (after six days in thermostat set at 86 °C) the dry weight were estimated d) in animals with 20 % and 30 % hyperhydration the degree of myelin deterioration was estimated e) animal locomotor activity was tested by continuous behavior tracking and analysis. Brain water content after water intoxication and following the administration of mannitol was higher than in the control group. Different degrees of hyperhydration led to different levels of brain water content and to different degrees of myelin impairment. Hyperhydration corresponding to 20 % of the body weight brought about lower locomotor activity. Increased water content in the brain after the BBB osmotic disruption is surprising because this method is frequently used in the clinical practice.
Daily Profile of glut1 and glut4 Expression in Tissues Inside and Outside the Blood-Brain Barrier in Control and Streptozotocin-Treated Rats
Authors: ŠOLTÉSOVÁ D. , VESELÁ A. , MRAVEC B. , HERICHOVÁ I.
Published: October 2020

Glucose is molecule usually studied in relation to metabolism. Except for this traditional view, it is known that under certain conditions glucose can serve as a signal molecule for the circadian system. The circadian system is entrained by relevant synchronizing cues that can be tissue-dependent. Central oscillator is synchronized mainly by light-dark cycle, while peripheral oscillators can be entrained by food intake. Glucose transport in the organism is controlled by insulin dependent and independent mechanism. Therefore, we employed streptozotocin-induced diabetes to elucidate the influence of metabolic changes on glucose transporter (glut1, glut4) 24-h expression profile in peripheral oscillators in tissues, inside (frontal cortex, cerebellum) and outside (heart) the blood–brain barrier. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection. Seventeen days later, sampling was performed during a 24-h cycle. Gene expression was measured using real-time PCR. We observed down-regulation of glut1 and glut4 expression in the heart of diabetic rats. The expression of glut1 and glut4 in brain areas was not down-regulated, however, we observed trend to phase advance in glut1 expression in the cerebellum. These results may indicate higher glucose levels in diabetic brain, which might influence regulation of clock gene expression in different manner in brain compared to periphery.
Upregulation of Genes Involved in Cardiac Metabolism Enhances Myocardial Resistance to Ischemia/Reperfusion in the Rat Heart
Authors: RAVINGEROVÁ T. , ČARNICKÁ S. , LEDVÉNYIOVÁ V. , BARLAKA E. , GALATOU E. , CHYTILOVÁ A. , MANDÍKOVÁ P. , NEMČEKOVÁ M. , ADAMEOVÁ A. , KOLÁŘ F. , LAZOU A.
Published: October 2020

Genes encoding enzymes involved in fatty acids (FA) and glucose oxidation are transcriptionally regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR), members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Under conditions associated with O2 deficiency, PPAR-α modulates substrate switch (between FA and glucose) aimed at the adequate energy production to maintain basic cardiac function. Both, positive and negative effects of PPAR-α activation on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury have been reported. Moreover, the role of PPAR-mediated metabolic shifts in cardioprotective mechanisms of preconditioning (PC) is relatively less investigated. We explored the effects of PPAR-α upregulation mimicking a delayed “second window” of PC on I/R injury in the rat heart and potential downstream mechanisms involved. Pretreatment of rats with PPAR-α agonist WY-14643 (WY, 1 mg/kg, i.p.) 24 h prior to I/R reduced post-ischemic stunning, arrhythmias and the extent of lethal injury (infarct size) and apoptosis (caspase-3 expression) in isolated hearts exposed to 30-min global ischemia and 2-h reperfusion. Protection was associated with remarkably increased expression of PPAR-α target genes promoting FA utilization (medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-4 and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I) and reduced expression of glucose transporter GLUT-4 responsible for glucose transport and metabolism. In addition, enhanced Akt phosphorylation and protein levels of eNOS, in conjunction with blunting of cardioprotection by NOS inhibitor L-NAME, were observed in the WY-treated hearts. Conclusions: upregulation of PPAR-α target metabolic genes involved in FA oxidation may underlie a delayed phase PC-like protection in the rat heart. Potential non-genomic effects of PPAR-α–mediated cardioprotection may involve activation of prosurvival PI3K/Akt pathway and its downstream targets such as eNOS and subsequently reduced apoptosis.
Protective effect of captopril, olmesartan, melatonin and compound 21 on doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats
Authors: HRENÁK J. , ARENDÁŠOVÁ K. , RAJKOVIČOVÁ R. , AZIRIOVÁ S. , REPOVÁ K. , KRAJČÍROVIČOVÁ K. , CELEC P. , KAMODYOVÁ N. , BÁRTA A. , ADAMCOVÁ M. , PAULIS L. , ŠIMKO F.
Published: October 2020

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a serious public health problem with increasing prevalence and novel approaches to renal protection are continuously under investigation. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of melatonin and angiotensin II type 2 receptor agonist compound 21 (C21) to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker olmesartan on animal model of doxorubicin nephrotoxicity. Six groups of 3-month-old maleWistar rats (12 per group) were treated for four weeks. The first group served as a control. The remaining groups were injected with a single dose of doxorubicin (5 mg/kg i.v.) at the same day as administration of either vehicle or captopril (100 mg/kg/day) or olmesartan (10 mg/kg/day) or melatonin (10 mg/kg/day) or C21 (0.3 mg/kg/day) was initiated. After four week treatment, the blood pressure and the level of oxidative stress were enhanced along with reduced glomerular density and increased glomerular size. Captopril, olmesartan and melatonin prevented the doxorubicin-induced increase in systolic blood pressure. All four substances significantly diminished the level of oxidative burden and prevented the reduction of glomerular density and modestly prevented the increase of glomerular size. We conclude that captopril, olmesartan, melatonin and C21 exerted a similar level of renoprotective effects in doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity.
Hydrogen Induced Cracks in Stainless Steel 304 in Hydrogen Pressure and Stress Corrosive Atmosphere
Authors: Choe Byung Hak , Lee Sang Woo , Ahn Jong Kee , Lee Jinhee , Lim Tae Woon
Published: October 2020

The phenomena of hydrogen induced cracking (HIC) in 304 stainless steels was considered in a hydrogen pressure and stress corrosive atmosphere. Microstructures with chloride pits and stress corrosion cracks around the HIC were analyzed by SEM/EDS. Abnormal phase transformations induced by the hydrogen were analyzed using TEM and diffraction. In the hydrogen pressure atmosphere, pits and pores were observed on the surface of the 304 stainless steels. In addition, it was determined that Cl, an etchant component, was concentrated at a high concentration in the pits. SCC (stress corrosion cracking) was induced in the Cl atmosphere by stress caused by the abrasive embedded in the pits. It was assumed that the SCC mechanism is similar to HIC in that it occurs in the surface tensile stress and Cl atmosphere and is accompanied by grain boundary cracks similar to IGSCC (inter-granular SCC). The deformation induced phase transformation accompanied by planar slip should be related to the main cause of HIC in the hydrogen pressured atmosphere. Abnormal forbidden spots between the main diffraction spots were induced by the HIC in the hydrogen attacked area, where the microstructure was hardened. Understanding the HIC mechanism related to chloride corrosion can be used to assess the fitness of austenitic stainless steels for uses where there is a possibility of various susceptible cracking in hydrogen and chloride atmospheres.
Deposition of Low-Resistivity Aluminum Thin Films Via Application of Substrate Bias During Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Choi Dooho
Published: October 2020

In this study, the critical role of substrate bias during the sputter deposition of Al thin films is discussed. Two sets of Al thin films having a nominal thickness of 300 nm were deposited at sputtering pressures of 4.1 and 1.5 mTorr, respectively, with an applied negative substrate bias in the range of 0-200 V. It was found that the microstructure, surface roughness, film resistivity and grain size were greatly altered by the combination of bias magnitudes and sputtering pressures. The sputtering pressure of 4.1 mTorr resulted in greater changes in the film properties with the application of substrate bias, and a lesser but still significant degree was observed for the films deposited at 1.5 mTorr. The resistivity values for the films deposited at 1.5 mTorr were found to be significantly lower, with the lowest resistivity value of 3.1 µΩcm achieved at a substrate bias of 50 V. Based on grain size measured by the line intercept method and MayadasShatzkes grain boundary scattering model, the resistivity contribution of grain boundary scattering for the lowest-resistivity film was found to be 0.37 µΩcm, which indicates that the film resistivity in the optimized condition is close to the known bulk resistivity of 2.65 µΩcm.
Mask Mandates, Misinformation, and Data Voids in Local News Coverage of COVID-19
Authors: Morrow Garrett , Compagni Gabriela
Published: October 2020

Local news sources in the United States have been dwindling for years. Although newsrooms are shrinking, the American public generally trust their local news sources. Crisis events like the COVID-19 pandemic are circumstances where people are actively searching for information and some of what they will find will inevitably be misinformation given the volume of misinformation being created and the affordances of social media services that encourage viral spread. It is critical to understand if local news is spreading misinformation or acting as a cross-cutting information source. This study uses local news data from a media aggregator and mixed methods to analyze the relationship between local news and misinformation. Findings suggest that local news sources are serving as cross-cutting information sources but occasionally reinforce misinformation. We also find a worrying increase of anti-mask stories and accompanying decrease of pro-mask stories after a mask mandate is enacted.
Debatt: Ska kön synas? Könsperspektiv i och på social högskoleutbildning
Authors: Sandström Gunnbritt
Published: October 2020

I inlägget, som empiriskt fokuserar socialpedagogutbildningen, beskrivs hur kön tydliggörs i kursplaner och litteraturlistor. Vidare diskuteras hur de situationer som både den teoretiska och praktiska undervisningssituationen erbjuder kan tas tillvara för att höja medvetenheten om könsstrukturer.
Institutionen som arena för skapandet av sexuell identitet. Samtal från ett särskilt ungdomshem
Authors: Överlien Carolina
Published: October 2020

Syftet med denna samtalsanalytiska studie är att studera hur institutionen kan vara en arena för skapandet av sexuell identitet, genom att analysera tal om sexualitet vid ett särskilt ungdomshem för unga kvinnor, 14 - 20 år. Studien visar hur frågan om sexualitet genomsyrar arbetet i vardagen på institutionen och fungerar som en organisatorisk princip. Studien visar vidare hur personalen talar om de omhändertagna unga kvinnorna som asexuella och som offer för sexuella övergrepp.
Fält, habitus och kapital som kompletterande redskap i professionsforskning
Authors: Carlhed Carina
Published: October 2020

Artikeln syftar till att undersöka på vilket sätt Bourdieus perspektiv kan bidra till en fördjupad förståelse av professionell praktik. I artikeln har Andrew Abbotts arbete om professioner som system valts ut som jämförelseperspektiv. Hur kan Bourdieus ansats bidra till och komplettera  professionsforskningen?
Motstånd och neutralisering. Kön, makt och professionalitet i arbetet med våld i nära relationer
Authors: Mattsson Tina
Published: October 2020

Könsintegrerade verksamheter som tar emot kvinnor, män och barn med erfarenheter av våld i nära relationer blir allt vanligare. Artikeln belyser hur arbetet vid en sådan enhet sker i ett spänningsfält av våld, makt och kön som gör det svårt att synliggöra våld och kvinnors utsatthet.
Debatt: Förtroendekrisen mellan Socialstyrelsen och det sociala arbetet fortsätter
Authors: Herz Marcus
Published: October 2020

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Hem eller vårdplats – hur behandlas personer med omsorgsbehov i hyreslagstiftningen?
Authors: Norberg Per
Published: October 2020

Genom ädelreformen 1992 fick kommunerna uppdrag att ordna särskilda boenden för personer med omsorgsbehov. Dessa boenden skulle utgöra den omsorgsbehövandes hem. De skulle betala hyra och därmed få de rättigheter som följer av hyreslagen. Artikeln beskriver hur denna grupp behandlats i domstolarna samt diskuterar ändamålsenligheten av att tillämpa hyreslagstiftningen på gruppen.
Association of Hantavirus Infections and Leptospirosis With the Occurrence of Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Etiology in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka: A Prospective Study With Patients and Healthy Persons
Authors: Sunil-Chandra N. P. , Jayaweera J. A. A. S. , Kumbukgolla W. , Jayasundara M. V. M. L.
Published: October 2020

Chronic Kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu) has become a significant disease burden, affecting farming community of Sri Lanka and the exact etiology, which could be multifactorial, is not hitherto established. This study is aimed to determine the association of past hantavirus infection and leptospirosis with the occurrence of CKDu. A cohort (n = 179) of known CKDu patients living in high-CKDu prevalent areas of Anuradhapura district of Sri Lanka was compared with a group of 49 healthy, sex-matched younger blood relatives of CKDu patients (control-1) and another 48 healthy, age, and sex-matched individuals living in low-CKDu prevalent area (control-2) of the same district where same life style and climate conditions prevail. Fifty out of 179 (27.9%) CKDu patients, 16/49 (32.7%) of control-1 and 7/48 (14.6%) of control-2 were found positive for IgG antibodies to Puumala, Hantaan or both strains of hantaviruses. Hantaan strain specificity was found to be predominant in all study groups. Hantavirus IgG sero-prevalence of healthy individuals living in low-CKDu prevalent area was significantly lower compared to CKDu patients and healthy younger blood relatives living in high-CKDu prevalent areas (p = 0.03). Past hantavirus infection possesses a significant risk for the occurrence of CKDu (OR = 4.5; 95% CI-3.1-5.4, p = 0.02). In contrast, IgG seroprevalence to hantaviruses was not significantly different in CKDu patients and healthy younger blood relatives living in high-CKDu prevalent areas indicating past hantavirus infection has no association with the occurrence of CKDu or possibly, younger relatives may develop CKDu in subsequent years. Seroprevalence to leptospirosis showed no significant difference between CKDu patients and healthy controls.
“Tobacco Is the Chief Medicinal Plant in My Work”: Therapeutic Uses of Tobacco in Peruvian Amazonian Medicine Exemplified by the Work of a Maestro Tabaquero
Authors: Berlowitz Ilana , Torres Ernesto García , Walt Heinrich , Wolf Ursula , Maake Caroline , Martin-Soelch Chantal
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Harmful usage of tobacco is a public health problem of global concern and, in many countries, the main risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Yet, in the Peruvian Amazon, the geographical region believed to be tobacco’s historical birthplace, this plant is associated with a strikingly different usage and repute: Tobacco (especially Nicotiana rustica L.) in this area is described as a potent medicinal plant, used topically or via ingestion to treat a variety of health conditions. The goal of this transdisciplinary field study was to investigate clinical applications of the tobacco plant as per Amazonian medicine exemplified in the practice of a reputed Maestro Tabaquero, an Amazonian traditional healer whose medical specialization focuses on tobacco-based treatments.

Methods

Using a transdisciplinary clinical approach, we conducted in-depth interviews with the tabaquero applying the systematizing expert interview method, in order to map modes of preparation and administration, indications, contraindications, effects, risks, adverse effects, and systemic aspects of tobacco-based remedies.

Results

The informant’s descriptions revealed refined knowledge on this plant’s therapeutic properties and scope, safety profile, and application techniques. The main indications mentioned included “problems of the mind,” of the respiratory system, parasitic illnesses (intestinal/skin), gout, and Amazonian epistemic conditions described as spiritual-energetic in nature. A liquid remedy taken orally was his most commonly used preparation, with acute/sub-acute effects involving a pronounced psychoactive component (altered state of consciousness) and physiological response (emesis, nausea). A skilled tabaquero that knows how to dose, administer, and intervene in case of adverse effects was considered imperative for safe treatment delivery.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study employing a transdisciplinary clinical approach to examine therapeutic applications of tobacco by an Amazonian tabaquero. Our findings significantly contribute to the growing research literature on Amazonian medicine and emergent psychedelic-assisted therapies and could, in the long-term, open new treatment avenues in several domains. Forthcoming studies should assess toxicity/safety and clinical outcomes of patients receiving Amazonian tobacco-based treatment.
When Grades Are High but Self-Efficacy Is Low: Unpacking the Confidence Gap Between Girls and Boys in Mathematics
Authors: Zander Lysann , Höhne Elisabeth , Harms Sophie , Pfost Maximilian , Hornsey Matthew J.
Published: October 2020

Girls have much lower mathematics self-efficacy than boys, a likely contributor to the underrepresentation of women in STEM. To help explain this gender confidence gap, we examined predictors of mathematics self-efficacy in a sample of 1,007 9th graders aged 13–18 years (54.2% girls). Participants completed a standardized math test, after which they rated three indices of mastery: an affective component (state self-esteem), a meta-cognitive component (self-enhancement), and their prior math grade. Despite having similar grades, girls reported lower mathematics self-efficacy and state self-esteem, and were less likely than boys to self-enhance in terms of performance. Multilevel multiple-group regression analyses showed that the affective mastery component explained girls’ self-efficacy while cognitive self-enhancement explained boys’. Yet, a chi-square test showed that both constructs were equally relevant in the prediction of girls’ and boys’ self-efficacy. Measures of interpersonal sources of self-efficacy were not predictive of self-efficacy after taking the other dimensions into account. Results suggest that boys are advantaged in their development of mathematics self-efficacy beliefs, partly due to more positive feelings and more cognitive self-enhancement following test situations.
Detection of Selection Signatures Underlying Production and Adaptive Traits Based on Whole-Genome Sequencing of Six Donkey Populations
Authors: Zhou Zihui , Fan Yingzhi , Wang Gang , Lai Zhenyu , Gao Yuan , Wu Fei , Lei Chuzhao , Dang Ruihua
Published: October 2020

Donkeys (Equus asinus) are an important farm animal. After long-term natural and artificial selection, donkeys now exhibit a variety of body sizes and production performance values. In this study, six donkey breeds, representing different regions and phenotypes, were used for second-generation resequencing. The sequencing results revealed more than seven million single nucleotide variants (SNVs), with an average of more than four million SNVs per species. We combined two methods, Z-transformed heterozygosity (ZHp) and unbiased estimates of pairwise fixation index (di) values, to analyze the signatures of selection. We mapped 11 selected regions and identified genes associated with coat color, body size, motion capacity, and high-altitude adaptation. These candidate genes included staining (ASIP and KITLG), body type (ACSL4, BCOR, CDKL5, LCOR, NCAPG, and TBX3), exercise (GABPA), and adaptation to low-oxygen environments (GLDC and HBB). We also analyzed the SNVs of the breed-specific genes for their potential functions and found that there are three varieties in the conserved regions with breed-specific mutation sites. Our results provide data to support the establishment of the donkey SNV chip and reference information for the utilization of the genetic resources of Chinese domestic donkeys.
Dietary Supplementation with Palmitoyl-Glucosamine Co-Micronized with Curcumin Relieves Osteoarthritis Pain and Benefits Joint Mobility
Authors: Gugliandolo Enrico , Peritore Alessio Filippo , Impellizzeri Daniela , Cordaro Marika , Siracusa Rosalba , Fusco Roberta , D’Amico Ramona , Di Paola Rosanna , Schievano Carlo , Cuzzocrea Salvatore , Crupi Rosalia
Published: October 2020

Chronic mixed pain and orthopedic dysfunction are the most frequently associated consequences of canine osteoarthritis (OA). An unmet need remains for safe and effective therapies for OA. Palmitoyl-glucosamine (PGA) and curcumin are safe and naturally occurring compounds whose use is limited by poor bioavailability. Micronization is an established technique to increase bioavailability. The aim of this study was to investigate if the dietary supplementation with PGA co-micronized with curcumin (PGA-Cur, 2:1 ratio by mass) could limit pathologic process in two well-established rat models of inflammation and OA pain, i.e., subplantar carrageenan (CAR) and knee injection of sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA), respectively. In CAR-injected animals, a single dose of PGA-cur significantly reduced paw edema and hyperalgesia, as well as tissue damage and neutrophil infiltration. The repeated administration of PGA-Cur three times per week for 21 days, starting the third day after MIA injection resulted in a significant anti-allodynic effect. Protection against cartilage damage and recovery of locomotor function by 45% were also recorded. Finally, PGA-cur significantly counteracted MIA-induced increase in serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, NGF, as well as metalloproteases 1, 3, and 9. All the effects of PGA-Cur were superior compared to the compounds used singly. PGA-Cur emerged as a useful dietary intervention for OA.
Lipid Profile, Lipoprotein Subfractions, and Fluidity of Membranes in Children and Adolescents with Depressive Disorder: Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in a Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Katrenčíková Barbora , Vaváková Magdaléna , Waczulíková Iveta , Oravec Stanislav , Garaiova Iveta , Nagyová Zuzana , Hlaváčová Nataša , Ďuračková Zdenka , Trebatická Jana
Published: October 2020

Depressive disorder (DD) is a psychiatric disorder whose molecular basis is not fully understood. It is assumed that reduced consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids (FA) is associated with DD. Other lipids such as total cholesterol (TCH), LDL-, and HDL-cholesterols (LDL-CH, HDL-CH) also play a role in depression. The primary endpoint of the study was the effect of omega-3 FA on the severity of depression in children and adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the secondary endpoint, relationship between depressive disorder symptoms and lipid profile, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol subfractions, Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activities, and erythrocyte membrane fluidity in 58 depressed children and adolescents (calculated by the statistical program on the effect size), as well as the effect of omega-3 FA on the monitored parameters. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), lipid profile by standard biochemical procedures, and LDL- and HDL-subfractions by the Lipoprint system. Basic biochemical parameters including lipid profile were compared with levels in 20 healthy children and were in the physiological range. Improvement of symptoms in the group supplemented with a fish oil emulsion rich in omega-3 FA in contrast to omega-6 FA (emulsion of sunflower oil) has been observed. We are the first to report that omega-3 FAs, but not omega-6 FA, increase large HDL subfractions (anti-atherogenic) after 12 weeks of supplementation and decrease small HDL subfractions (proatherogenic) in depressed children. We found a negative correlation between CDI score and HDL-CH and the large HDL subfraction, but not LDL-CH subfractions. CDI score was not associated with erythrocyte membrane fluidity. Our results suggest that HDL-CH and its subfractions, but not LDL-CH may play a role in the pathophysiology of depressive disorder. The study was registered under ISRCTN81655012.
A Computational Framework for Prediction and Analysis of Cancer Signaling Dynamics from RNA Sequencing Data—Application to the ErbB Receptor Signaling Pathway
Authors: Imoto Hiroaki , Zhang Suxiang , Okada Mariko
Published: October 2020

A current challenge in systems biology is to predict dynamic properties of cell behaviors from public information such as gene expression data. The temporal dynamics of signaling molecules is critical for mammalian cell commitment. We hypothesized that gene expression levels are tightly linked with and quantitatively control the dynamics of signaling networks regardless of the cell type. Based on this idea, we developed a computational method to predict the signaling dynamics from RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) gene expression data. We first constructed an ordinary differential equation model of ErbB receptor → c-Fos induction using a newly developed modeling platform BioMASS. The model was trained with kinetic parameters against multiple breast cancer cell lines using autologous RNA-seq data obtained from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) as the initial values of the model components. After parameter optimization, the model proceeded to prediction in another untrained breast cancer cell line. As a result, the model learned the parameters from other cells and was able to accurately predict the dynamics of the untrained cells using only the gene expression data. Our study suggests that gene expression levels of components within the ErbB network, rather than rate constants, can explain the cell-specific signaling dynamics, therefore playing an important role in regulating cell fate.
Therapeutic Updates for Relapsed and Refractory Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Voorhees Timothy J , Beaven Anne W
Published: October 2020

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a B-cell malignancy representing approximately one in ten lymphomas diagnosed in the United States annually. The majority of patients with HL can be cured with chemotherapy; however, 5–10% will have refractory disease to front-line therapy and 10–30% will relapse. For those with relapsed or refractory (r/r) HL, salvage chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is standard of care, but half of patients will subsequently have disease progression. Relapse following ASCT has been associated with exceedingly poor prognosis with a median survival of only 26 months. However, in recent years, novel agents including brentuximab vedotin (BV) and programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibodies (anti-PD-1, nivolumab and pembrolizumab) have been shown to extend overall survival in r/r HL. With the success of novel agents in relapsed disease after ASCT, these therapies are beginning to show clinically meaningful response rates prior to ASCT. Finally, a new investigation in r/r HL continues to produce promising treatment options even after ASCT including CD30 directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. In this review, we will discuss the recent advances of BV and anti-PD-1 therapy prior to ASCT, novel approaches in r/r HL after ASCT, and review active clinical trials.
ΕGFR/ERβ-Mediated Cell Morphology and Invasion Capacity Are Associated with Matrix Culture Substrates in Breast Cancer
Authors: Kyriakopoulou Konstantina , Riti Eirini , Piperigkou Zoi , Koutroumanou Sarri Konstantina , Bassiony Heba , Franchi Marco , Karamanos Nikos K.
Published: October 2020

Breast cancer accounts for almost one in four cancer diagnoses in women. Studies in breast cancer patients have identified several molecular markers, indicators of aggressiveness, which help toward more individual therapeutic approaches. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression is associated with increased metastatic potential and worst survival rates. Specifically, abnormal EGFR activation leads to altered matrix metalloproteinases’ (MMPs) expression and, hence, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, resulting in induced migration and invasion. The use of matrix substrates for cell culture gives the opportunity to mimic the natural growth conditions of the cells and their microenvironment, as well as cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of EGFR inhibition, estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) and different matrix substrates [type I collagen and fibronectin (FN)] on the functional properties, expression of MMPs and cell morphology of ERβ-positive TNBC cells and shERβ ones. Our results highlight EGFR as a crucial regulator of the expression and activity levels of MMPs, while ERβ emerges as a mediator of MMP7 and MT1-MMP expression. In addition, the EGFR/ERβ axis impacts the adhesion and invasion potential of breast cancer cells on collagen type I. Images obtained by scanning electron microscope (SEM) from cultures on the different matrix substrates revealed novel observations regarding various structures of breast cancer cells (filopodia, extravesicles, tunneling nanotubes, etc.). Moreover, the significant contribution of EGFR and ERβ in the morphological characteristics of these cells is also demonstrated, hence highlighting the possibility of dual pharmacological targeting.
Effect of Urethane Crosslinking by Blocked Isocyanates with Pyrazole-Based Blocking Agents on Rheological and Mechanical Performance of Clearcoats
Authors: June Young-Gun , Jung Kevin Injoe , Choi Moonhyun , Lee Tae Hee , Noh Seung Man , Jung Hyun Wook
Published: October 2020

A novel blocked isocyanate crosslinker was synthesized, and its applicability was investigated for the low-temperature curing of automotive clearcoats. Various pyrazole derivatives were prepared as blocking agents in isocyanate crosslinkers, which strongly affect the deblocking and curing properties of the urethane-bonded coating systems. The thermal curing properties of clearcoat samples containing a pyrazole-based blocked isocyanate crosslinker and polyol resin were characterized under two different temperature conditions (120 and 150 °C). The decrease in the amount of hydroxyl groups in the polyol before and after curing was expressed by the change in OH stretching frequency in the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra. The real-time rheological storage moduli of the bulk clearcoat mixtures were measured via a rotational rheometer to determine the effect of pyrazole-based blocking agents on the curing dynamics. In addition, a rigid-body pendulum tester (RPT) was employed to investigate the curing behavior in the thin film form. The nano-indentation and the nano-scratch tests were conducted to examine the surface hardness and scratch resistance characteristics of the cured clearcoat films. The results show that a low-temperature curing system of clearcoats can be realized by tuning the curing temperature and reactivity of isocyanate crosslinkers blocked with pyrazole-based substituents.
ASDToolkit: A Novel MATLAB Processing Toolbox for ASD Field Spectroscopy Data
Authors: Elmer Kathryn , Soffer Raymond J. , Arroyo-Mora J. Pablo , Kalacska Margaret
Published: October 2020

Over the past 30 years, the use of field spectroscopy has risen in importance in remote sensing studies for the characterization of the surface reflectance of materials in situ within a broad range of applications. Potential uses range from measurements of individual targets of interest (e.g., vegetation, soils, validation targets) to characterizing the contributions of different materials within larger spatially mixed areas as would be representative of the spatial resolution captured by a sensor pixel (UAV to satellite scale). As such, it is essential that a complete and rigorous assessment of both the data acquisition procedures and the suitability of the derived data product be carried out. The measured energy from solar-reflective range spectroradiometers is influenced by the viewing and illumination geometries and the illumination conditions, which vary due to changes in solar position and atmospheric conditions. By applying corrections, the estimated absolute reflectance (Rabs) of targets can be calculated. This property is independent of illumination intensity or conditions, and is the metric commonly suggested to be used to compare spectra even when data are collected by different sensors or acquired under different conditions. By standardizing the process of estimated Rabs, as is provided in the described toolkit, consistency and repeatability in processing are ensured and the otherwise labor-intensive and error-prone processing steps are streamlined. The resultant end data product (Rabs) represents our current best effort to generate consistent and comparable ground spectra that have been corrected for viewing and illumination geometries as well as other factors such as the individual characteristics of the reference panel used during acquisition.
Circulating Levels of Visceral Adipose Tissue-Derived Serine Protease Inhibitor (Vaspin) Appear as a Marker of Musculoskeletal Pain Disability
Authors: Tarabeih Nader , Kalinkovich Alexander , Shalata Adel , Livshits Gregory
Published: October 2020

Musculoskeletal pain (MSP), specifically low back pain (LBP), is often associated with several adipose tissue-derived cytokines (adipokines) and body composition, but their correlations with the LBP-related disability/severity phenotypes remain poorly understood. In this cross-sectional study, two self-reported validated questionnaires were used to collect back pain and disability data in an ethnically homogeneous family-based population sample (N = 1078). Plasma levels of relatively new adipokines, vaspin and adipsin, were detected by ELISA. Body composition parameters, including fat, skeletal muscle mass, extracellular water (ECW), and others were assessed through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) technology. Statistical analysis was conducted, accounting for the familial composition of the sample. The multiple regression analyses with four LBP-related phenotypes as dependent variables consistently showed, for the first time, the significant associations with vaspin levels, regardless of other covariates. The odds ratios (OR)/SD ranged between 1.24 (95%CI = 1.03–1.50) and 1.33 (95%CI = 1.07–1.64), depending on the LBP phenotype. Among the tested body composition covariates, only ECW levels displayed consistent and highly significant associations with all tested LBP phenotypes (OR from 1.43, 95%CI = 1.14–1.79 to 1.68, 95%CI = 1.26–2.24). The results clearly suggest that circulating concentrations of vaspin and ECW levels could serve as biomarkers of MSP/LBP severity and complications.
Entropy Monotonicity and Superstable Cycles for the Quadratic Family Revisited
Authors: Amigó José M. , Giménez Ángel
Published: October 2020

The main result of this paper is a proof using real analysis of the monotonicity of the topological entropy for the family of quadratic maps, sometimes called Milnor’s Monotonicity Conjecture. In contrast, the existing proofs rely in one way or another on complex analysis. Our proof is based on tools and algorithms previously developed by the authors and collaborators to compute the topological entropy of multimodal maps. Specifically, we use the number of transverse intersections of the map iterations with the so-called critical line. The approach is technically simple and geometrical. The same approach is also used to briefly revisit the superstable cycles of the quadratic maps, since both topics are closely related.
Fractal and Entropy Analysis of the Dow Jones Index Using Multidimensional Scaling
Authors: Machado José A. Tenreiro
Published: October 2020

Financial time series have a fractal nature that poses challenges for their dynamical characterization. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is one of the most influential financial indices, and due to its importance, it is adopted as a test bed for this study. The paper explores an alternative strategy to the standard time analysis, by joining the multidimensional scaling (MDS) computational tool and the concepts of distance, entropy, fractal dimension, and fractional calculus. First, several distances are considered to measure the similarities between objects under study and to yield proper input information to the MDS. Then, the MDS constructs a representation based on the similarity of the objects, where time can be viewed as a parametric variable. The resulting plots show a complex structure that is further analyzed with the Shannon entropy and fractal dimension. In a final step, a deeper and more detailed assessment is achieved by associating the concepts of fractional calculus and entropy. Indeed, the fractional-order entropy highlights the results obtained by the other tools, namely that the DJIA fractal nature is visible at different time scales with a fractional order memory that permeates the time series.
SteganoCNN: Image Steganography with Generalization Ability Based on Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Duan Xintao , Liu Nao , Gou Mengxiao , Wang Wenxin , Qin Chuan
Published: October 2020

Image-to-image steganography is hiding one image in another image. However, hiding two secret images into one carrier image is a challenge today. The application of image steganography based on deep learning in real-life is relatively rare. In this paper, a new Steganography Convolution Neural Network (SteganoCNN) model is proposed, which solves the problem of two images embedded in a carrier image and can effectively reconstruct two secret images. SteganoCNN has two modules, an encoding network, and a decoding network, whereas the decoding network includes two extraction networks. First, the entire network is trained end-to-end, the encoding network automatically embeds the secret image into the carrier image, and the decoding network is used to reconstruct two different secret images. The experimental results show that the proposed steganography scheme has a maximum image payload capacity of 47.92 bits per pixel, and at the same time, it can effectively avoid the detection of steganalysis tools while keeping the stego-image undistorted. Meanwhile, StegaoCNN has good generalization capabilities and can realize the steganography of different data types, such as remote sensing images and aerial images.
Karpinski Score under Digital Investigation: A Fully Automated Segmentation Algorithm to Identify Vascular and Stromal Injury of Donors’ Kidneys
Authors: Salvi Massimo , Mogetta Alessandro , Meiburger Kristen M. , Gambella Alessandro , Molinaro Luca , Barreca Antonella , Papotti Mauro , Molinari Filippo
Published: October 2020

In kidney transplantations, the evaluation of the vascular structures and stromal areas is crucial for determining kidney acceptance, which is currently based on the pathologist’s visual evaluation. In this context, an accurate assessment of the vascular and stromal injury is fundamental to assessing the nephron status. In the present paper, the authors present a fully automated algorithm, called RENFAST (Rapid EvaluatioN of Fibrosis And vesselS Thickness), for the segmentation of kidney blood vessels and fibrosis in histopathological images. The proposed method employs a novel strategy based on deep learning to accurately segment blood vessels, while interstitial fibrosis is assessed using an adaptive stain separation method. The RENFAST algorithm is developed and tested on 350 periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) images for blood vessel segmentation and on 300 Massone’s trichrome (TRIC) stained images for the detection of renal fibrosis. In the TEST set, the algorithm exhibits excellent segmentation performance in both blood vessels (accuracy: 0.8936) and fibrosis (accuracy: 0.9227) and outperforms all the compared methods. To the best of our knowledge, the RENFAST algorithm is the first fully automated method capable of detecting both blood vessels and fibrosis in digital histological images. Being very fast (average computational time 2.91 s), this algorithm paves the way for automated, quantitative, and real-time kidney graft assessments.
Integrating Driving Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulator with Large-Scale VANET Simulator for Evaluation of Cooperative Eco-Driving System
Authors: Lee Geonil , Ha Seongmin , Jung Jae-il
Published: October 2020

Recent advances in information and communication technology (ICT) have enabled interaction and cooperation between components of the transportation system, and cooperative eco-driving systems that apply ICT to eco-driving systems are receiving significant attention. A cooperative eco-driving system is a complex system that requires consideration of the electronic control unit (ECU) and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. To evaluate these complex systems, it is needed to integrate simulators with expertise. Therefore, this study presents an integrated driving hardware-in-the-loop (IDHIL) simulator for the testing and evaluation of cooperative eco-driving systems. The IDHIL simulator is implemented by integrating the driving hardware-in-the-loop simulator and a vehicular ad hoc network simulator to develop and evaluate a hybrid control unit and cooperative eco-driving application for the connected hybrid electric vehicle (CHEV). A cooperative eco-driving speed guidance application is utilized to demonstrate the use of our simulator. The results of the evaluation show the improved fuel efficiency of the CHEV through a calculation of the optimal speed profile and the optimal distribution of power based on V2X communication. Finally, this paper concludes with a description of future directions for the testing and evaluation of cooperative eco-driving systems.
Resonance Stability Analysis of Large-Scale Wind Power Bases with Type-IV Wind Generators
Authors: Xing Facai , Xu Zheng , Zhang Zheren , Dan Yangqing , Zhu Yanwei
Published: October 2020

To guarantee the reliable and efficient development of wind power generation, oscillation problems in large-scale wind power bases with Type-IV generators are investigated from the view of resonance stability in this paper. Firstly, the transfer characteristics of disturbances in Type-IV wind generators are analyzed to establish their impedance model, based on the balance principle of frequency components. Subsequently, considering the dynamic characteristics of the transmission network and the interaction among several wind farms, the resonance structure of a practical wind power base is analyzed based on the s-domain nodal admittance matrix method. Furthermore, the unstable mechanism of the resonance mode is further illustrated by the negative-resistance effect theory. Finally, the established impedance model of the Type-IV wind generator and the resonance structure analysis results of the wind power bases are verified through the time-domain electro-magnetic transient simulation in PSCAD/EMTDC. Case studies indicate that there is a certain resonance instability risk in large-scale wind power bases in a frequency range of 1–100 Hz, and the unstable resonance mode is strongly related to the negative-resistance effect and the capacitive effect of Type-IV wind generators.
Intelligent Recognition of Insulator Contamination Grade Based on the Deep Learning of Ultraviolet Discharge Image Information
Authors: Zhang Da , Chen Shuailin
Published: October 2020

In order to achieve the noncontact detection of the contamination grade of insulators and to provide guidance for preventing the contamination flashover of insulators based on the pollution state, we propose a contamination grade recognition method based on the deep learning of ultraviolet discharge images using a sparse autoencoder (SAE) and a deep belief network (DBN). Under different humidity conditions, we filmed and preprocessed the ultraviolet discharge images of insulators at different contamination grades and we obtained the ultraviolet spot area sequence as original data for contamination grade recognition. A double-layer sparse autoencoder was used to extract sparse features that could characterize different contamination grades from the ultraviolet spot area sequence. Using the extracted features, a DBN composed of three layers of restricted Boltzmann machine was trained to provide contamination grade recognition. To verify the effectiveness of the method proposed in this paper, high-voltage experiments were performed on contaminated insulators at relative humidity levels of 80%, 85%, and 90%, and ultraviolet images were recorded. The proposed SAE–DBN method was used to identify the ultraviolet images of the insulators with different contamination grades. The recognition accuracy rates at the three humidity levels were 91.25%, 93.125%, and 92.5%. The experimental results showed that this method could accurately recognize the contamination grade of the insulator and provide guidance for the prevention of contamination flashover based on the pollution severity.
Influence of Active Power Output and Control Parameters of Full-Converter Wind Farms on Sub-Synchronous Oscillation Characteristics in Weak Grids
Authors: Hao Yafeng , Liang Jun , Wang Kewen , Wu Guanglu , Joseph Tibin , Sun Ruijuan
Published: October 2020

Active power outputs of a wind farm connected to a weak power grid greatly affect the stability of grid-connected voltage source converter (VSC) systems. This paper studies the impact of active power outputs and control parameters on the subsynchronous oscillation characteristics of full-converter wind farms connected weak power grids. Eigenvalue and participation factor analysis was performed to identify the dominant oscillation modes of the system under consideration. The impact of active power output and control parameters on the damping characteristics of subsynchronous oscillation is analysed with the eigenvalue method. The analysis shows that when the phase-locked loop (PLL) proportional gain is high, the subsynchronous oscillation damping characteristics are worsened as the active power output increases. On the contrary, when the PLL proportional gain is small, the subsynchronous oscillation damping characteristics are improved as the active power output increases. By adjusting the control parameters in the PLL and DC link voltage controllers, system stability can be improved. Time-domain results verify the analysis and the findings.