bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decreased secretion and profibrotic activity of tubular exosomes in diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Wen Jin , Ma Zhengwei , Livingston Man J. , Zhang Wei , Yuan Yanggang , Guo Chunyuan , Liu Yutao , Fu Ping , Dong Zheng
Published: July 2020

Tubular changes contribute to the development of renal pathologies in diabetic kidney disease (DKD), including interstitial fibrosis. It is unclear how tubular cells relay signals to interstitial fibroblasts. Recently, exosomes have been recognized as crucial mediators of intercellular communication. We hypothesized that exosomes secreted from tubular cells may stimulate fibroblasts for interstitial fibrosis in DKD. In this study, we isolated and purified exosomes from the renal cortex of DKD mice and high glucose-treated mouse proximal tubular cells. Compared with nondiabetic mice, exosome secretion in kidney tissues decreased in DKD mice. Likewise, high glucose incubation reduced exosome secretion in mouse kidney proximal tubular BUMPT cells. To study the effect of tubular cell exosomes on fibroblasts, exosomes from BUMPT cells were added to renal fibroblast NRK-49F cell cultures. Notably, exosomes from high glucose conditioned BUMPT cells induced higher proliferation, significant morphological change, and substantial production of fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin, and collagen type Ι in NRK-49F fibroblasts. Proteomics analysis was further performed to profile the proteins within tubular cell exosomes. Interestingly, 22 proteins were found to be differentially expressed between tubular exosomes derived from high glucose conditioned cells and those from normal glucose conditioned cells. Cytoscape analysis suggested the existence of two protein-protein interaction networks in these exosomal differentially expressed proteins. While one of the protein-protein interaction networks comprised enolase 1 (Eno1), heat shock protein family A member 8 (Hspa8), thioredoxin 1 (Txn1), peptidylprolyl isomerase A (Ppia), phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (Pgk1), DNA topoisomerase II-β (Top2b), and β-actin (Actb), the other had the family proteins of human leucocyte antigen F (Ywhag), a component of the ND10 nuclear body (Ywhae), interferon regulatory factor-8 (Ywhaq), and human leucocyte antigen A (Ywhaz). Gene expression analysis via Nephroseq showed a correlation of Eno1 expression with DKD clinical manifestation. In conclusion, DKD is associated with a decrease in exosome secretion in renal tubular cells. Exosomes from high glucose conditioned tubular cells may regulate the proliferation and activation of fibroblasts, contributing to the paracrine signaling mechanism responsible for the pathological onset of renal interstitial fibrosis in DKD.
Dose Comparison of Dexmedetomidine Sedation following Spinal Anesthesia: Parturient versus Nonpregnant Women—A Randomized Trial
Authors: Xiong Ming , Chen Biyun , Hu Zurong , Gupta Somdatta , Li Zhitao , Liu Jiping , He Jing , Patel Shivani , Eloy Jean Daniel , Xu Bo
Published: July 2020

Background. This study was designed to investigate and compare the effective doses of dexmedetomidine for sedation in parturient patients who underwent Cesarean section (CS) and nonpregnant women who underwent elective gynecologic surgery. Methods. The study comprised 60 females aged between 25 and 35. They were divided into two groups. The parturient group received a bolus dose of dexmedetomidine over 15 min after the delivery of the fetus and placenta. In the nonpregnant women group, a bolus of dexmedetomidine was administered intravenously upon the completion of spinal anesthesia. The subsequent dose required by patients in each group was then determined through a modified two-stage Dixon up-and-down sequential method. Probit analysis was used to calculate the ED50 and the ED95 of dexmedetomidine for adequate sedation. Results. The ED50 of dexmedetomidine for adequate sedation in parturient patients was 1.58 μg/kg (1.51–1.66 μg/kg); in nonpregnant women, it was 0.96 μg/kg (0.91–1.01 μg/kg) (95% CI). The ED95 of dexmedetomidine in parturients was 1.80 μg/kg (1.70–2.16) μg/kg and that of nonpregnant women was 1.10 μg/kg (1.04–1.30 μg/kg) (95% CI). The ED50 in parturients was significantly higher than that in nonpregnant women (P<0.05). Conclusion. The ED50 of dexmedetomidine for target sedation in parturients who received spinal anesthesia for CS is greater than 1.5 times that in nonpregnant women who received spinal anesthesia for lower abdominal gynecologic surgery. This study postulates that the dose of dexmedetomidine required to achieve optimal sedation following spinal anesthesia is much higher in parturients than in nonpregnant women undergoing gynecologic surgeries. This trial is registered with NCT02111421.
Performance of Special‐Shaped Concrete‐Filled Square Steel Tube Column under Axial Compression
Authors: Wang Zhen , Zhou Xuejun , Wei Fangshuai , Li Mingyang
Published: July 2020

The axial compressive performance of novel L‐shaped and T‐shaped concrete‐filled square steel tube (L/T‐CFSST) column was assessed in this study. Ten L/T‐CFSST columns were tested to failure under axial load. The experimental data were used to determine various failure modes, bearing capacities, and load‐displacement curves. The test parameters included the section form, steel tube thickness, steel yield strength, and slenderness ratio. The axial compressive performance of the L/T‐CFSST column proved favorable, and each square steel tube showed strong cooperative performance. The failure mode of the stub column specimen (H/D ≤ 3) was strength failure caused by local buckling of the steel tube and that of the medium‐long column member (H/D > 3) was instability failure caused by overall bending of the specimen. A finite element analysis (FEA) model was established and successfully validated by comparison against the test results. Based on the FEA model, parametric analyses were conducted to investigate the effects of steel tube thickness, concrete strength, steel yield strength, and slenderness ratio. The ultimate loads obtained from the experiments and FEA were compared to the results calculated by the available design codes. A formula was established to calculate the axial compressive strength and stability bearing capacity of the L/T‐CFSST column accordingly. The calculation results are in close agreement with the FEA and experimental results, and the proposed formula may provide a workable reference for practicing engineers.
Wearable Sensor-Based Human Activity Recognition Using Hybrid Deep Learning Techniques
Authors: Wang Huaijun , Zhao Jing , Li Junhuai , Tian Ling , Tu Pengjia , Cao Ting , An Yang , Wang Kan , Li Shancang
Published: July 2020

Human activity recognition (HAR) can be exploited to great benefits in many applications, including elder care, health care, rehabilitation, entertainment, and monitoring. Many existing techniques, such as deep learning, have been developed for specific activity recognition, but little for the recognition of the transitions between activities. This work proposes a deep learning based scheme that can recognize both specific activities and the transitions between two different activities of short duration and low frequency for health care applications. In this work, we first build a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) for extracting features from the data collected by sensors. Then, the long short-term memory (LTSM) network is used to capture long-term dependencies between two actions to further improve the HAR identification rate. By combing CNN and LSTM, a wearable sensor based model is proposed that can accurately recognize activities and their transitions. The experimental results show that the proposed approach can help improve the recognition rate up to 95.87% and the recognition rate for transitions higher than 80%, which are better than those of most existing similar models over the open HAPT dataset.
Mathematical Model of Air Pocket Evolution during Water Filling a Long-Slope Pipeline and Its Application to Air Removal Prediction
Authors: Chen Yuanyuan , Cui Yanyu , Chen Wenhui , Deng Tao , Gong Jing
Published: July 2020

During water filling a long-slope pipeline, air pocket is very likely to be entrapped at peak point. In order to track air movement and predict air removal conditions, a mathematical model of air pocket evolution, including its formation, compression, and entrainment, is proposed in this paper. The simulation results were compared with the engineering field data and the two are basically consistent. Furthermore, the two most important factors which play a great role in the removal of air pocket, i.e., the terrain category and the inlet flow rate, are analyzed in detail. It is concluded that the removal conditions reach three outcomes: air pocket compressed and partly removed, compressed and completely removed, and compressed without any removal. In this paper, the terrain which leads to the last outcome is called the “Dangerous Terrain.” And for the “Dangerous Terrain,” it is of great importance that the inlet flow rate should be strictly confined within a certain level. While for the other two categories of terrains, an increased flow rate is in any respect beneficial to the removal of air pocket.
Fasting Therapy Contributes to the Improvement of Endothelial Function and Decline in Vascular Injury‐Related Markers in Overweight and Obese Individuals via Activating Autophagy of Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Authors: Sun Jiapan , Zhang Tingying , Zhang Li , Ke Bin , Qin Jian
Published: July 2020

Background. High body mass index‐ (BMI‐) related vascular injury contributes to the pathogenesis of the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Rigorous calorie restriction is one of the major lifestyle interventions to reduce vascular risk in overweight or obese individuals. However, the effects of fasting therapy (FT) on vascular function and the mechanism are still unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the impacts of FT on endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and circulating arterial damage parameters in overweight and obese individuals and possible mechanism. Methods. Overweight and obese individuals participated in FT intervention (7‐day very low calorie diet). Arterial function including brachial arterial flow‐mediated dilation (FMD), brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), vascular injury‐related markers including trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO), and leptin and endothelial microparticles (EMPs) were assessed. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) of these participants were isolated and cultured to investigate EPCs function. mRFP‐GFP‐LC3 confocal microscopy scanning and western blot were carried out to determine autophagy. Results. After FT, body weight and BMI significantly decreased (81.76 ± 12.04 vs. 77.51 ± 12.06 kg, P < 0.01; 29.93 ± 2.82 vs. 28.47 ± 2.83 kg/m2, P < 0.01). FT remarkably improved FMD (5.26 ± 1.34 vs. 6.25 ± 1.60%, P = 0.01) while baPWV kept unchanged. TMAO and leptin levels decreased (3.96 ± 1.85 vs. 2.73 ± 1.33 μmol/L, P = 0.044; 6814 ± 2639 vs. 3563 ± 2668 μmol/L, P < 0.01). EMPs showed a decreased tendency. EPCs function was significantly improved, autophagy fluorescence intensity was enhanced, and the level of Beclin1, Atg5, LC3 II/I also increased after starvation in vitro, and the effects were blocked by autophagy inhibitor. Conclusions. Our present study demonstrated for the first time that FT markedly improves endothelial function and reduces the levels of arterial injury markers through improving EPCs function via activating autophagy. These findings provide a novel insight into FT as a lifestyle intervention strategy to promote the maintenance of vascular homeostasis in overweight or obese individuals. The trial was registered with ChiCTR1900024290.
Effect of Ghrelin Hormone as a Diagnostic Factor on Appendicitis
Authors: Amouzeshi Ahmad , Zarban Asghar , Yahooian Seyede Narjes , Emampour Bibi Fatemeh Shakhs
Published: July 2020

Background. Appendicitis is the most common cause of surgery in people under 50. In America, it causes 250,000 cases per year and about 1 million days of hospitalization. Methods. This cross-sectional study was performed on 20 patients under appendectomy with diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The statistical population was divided into two groups, proven appendicitis in pathology and rejection of appendicitis in pathology. Then, 10 patients were assigned into each group. Results. A total of 20 patients were enrolled in this study, 9 of whom were female (45%) and 11 male (55%). The most common symptom was anorexia. However, there was no statistical difference between the two groups. The lowest level of serum ghrelin was 0.95 and the highest was 16.00 in the study group, which was the mean in people with appendicitis and nonappendicitis 6.24±4.09 and 5.12±4.85, respectively. These values were not significantly different between the two groups (T=0.45, df=18, p=0.65). Conclusion. This conclusion may be due to the small number of cases introduced into the study, which suggests that further investigation is warranted with a larger sample size.
Distributed Finite-Time Bipartite Consensus for Multiagent System with Event-Triggered Control
Authors: Xie Haibo , Liu Zhengjiang , Yan Chengyong , Zhou Shibo
Published: July 2020

This paper investigates the distributed finite-time event-triggered bipartite consensus control for multiagent systems over antagonistic networks. Under the constraint of energy conservation, a distributed nonlinear finite-time control protocol only depending upon local information is proposed coupled with event-triggered strategies, where controllers of agents at triggered instants are only updated to reduce the computation. It is proved that when the antagonistic network is structurally balanced with a spanning tree, a necessary and sufficient condition is established to guarantee all agents to reach consensus values with identical magnitude but opposite signs. More interestingly, the settling time depending on the initial state is obtained over the whole process. Comparing to asymptotic control algorithms, the proposed control method has better disturbance rejection properties and convergence rate. Simulations are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Study on the Extraction Simulation of the Cylindrical Features
Authors: Zhao Zexiang , Ren Dongxu , Zhao Xinyu , Li Bin , Liu Ruyi
Published: July 2020

The extraction simulation method and theory of cylindrical components were promoted in this paper. According to the manufacturing principle of the cylindrical components, the main influence factors of their precision manufacturing were analyzed, and their extraction models of cylindrical features were built under the analysis of the errors of the slideway and the spindle as well as the parallelism error between the slideway and the spindle rotary axis. The determination principle of modeling parameters of cylindrical features was studied. According to the extraction strategies of the roundness profiles, generatrix profiles, birdcage profile, and single spiral profile, some cylindrical features were simulated by using the established models, and their corresponding global sizes, calculated sizes, and form errors were evaluated and compared. The simulation experiments showed that the simulation models can meet the needs for the research of the relationship among the size tolerance, the form tolerance, the waviness, and the roughness, and can be taken as the theoretic base for the error budgets of the slideway and the rotation spindle in the design of precision machine tools.
Primary Angioplasty in a Catastrophic Presentation: Acute Left Main Coronary Total Occlusion—The ATOLMA Registry
Authors: Gutiérrez-Barrios A. , Gheorghe L. , Camacho-Freire S. , Valencia-Serrano F. , Cañadas-Pruaño D. , Calle-Pérez G. , Alarcón de la Lastra I. , Silva E. , García-Molinero D. , Agarrado-Luna A. , Zayas-Ruedas R. , Vázquez-García R. , Serra A.
Published: July 2020

Objectives. To determine the outcome predictors of in-hospital mortality in acute total occlusion of the left main coronary artery (ATOLMA) patients referred to emergent angioplasty and to describe the clinical presentation and the long-term outcome of these patients. Background. ATOLMA is an uncommon angiographic finding that usually leads to a catastrophic presentation. Limited and inconsistent data have been previously reported regarding true ATOLMA, yet comprehensive knowledge remains scarce. Methods. This is a multicenter retrospective cohort that includes patients presenting with myocardial infarction due to a confirmed ATOLMA who underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Results. In the period of the study, 7930 emergent PCI were performed in the five participating centers, and 46 of them had a true ATOLMA (0.58%). At admission, cardiogenic shock was present in 89% of patients, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was required in 67.4%. All the patients had right dominance. Angiographic success was achieved in 80.4% of the procedures, 13 patients (28.2%) died during the catheterization, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 58.6% (27/46). At one-year and at the final follow-up, 18 patients (39%) were alive, including four cases successfully transplanted. Multivariate analysis showed that postprocedural TIMI flow was the only independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (OR 0.23, (95% CI 0.1–0.36), p<0.001). Conclusions. Our study confirms that the clinical presentation of ATOLMA is catastrophic, presenting a high in-hospital mortality rate; nevertheless, primary angioplasty in this setting is feasible. Postprocedural TIMI flow resulted as the only independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. In-hospital survivors presented an encouraging outcome. ATOLMA and left dominance could be incompatible with life.
Design of Broadband Band-Pass Filter with Cross-Coupled Line Structure
Authors: La Dong-Sheng , Guan Xin , Li Hong-Cheng , Li Yu-Ying , Guo Jing-Wei
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a broadband band-pass filter with cross-coupled line structure. The cross-coupled line structure is composed of the parallel coupled lines and an open stub. It can be analyzed by the odd- and even-mode method due to its symmetric structure. There are three transmission poles in the passband and two transmission zeros out of passband. Then, the influence of the impedance parameters on the transmission zeros and transmission poles are analyzed. Then, the physical parameters of the proposed band-pass filter are given. And using HFSS for simulation and optimization, the final insertion loss and return loss of filter are obtained. The simulation and measurement results are in good agreement, which validates the design idea.
3D-QSAR Study of the Chalcone Derivatives as Anticancer Agents
Authors: ElMchichi Larbi , Belhassan Assia , Lakhlifi Tahar , Bouachrine Mohammed
Published: July 2020

For their biological properties and particularly for their anticancer activities, chalcones are widely studied. In this work, we have submitted diverse sets of chalcone derivatives to the 3D-QSAR (3-dimensional quantitative structural-activity relationship) to study their anticancer activities against HTC116 (human colon cancer), relying on the 3-dimensional descriptors: steric and electrostatic descriptors for the CoMFA (comparative molecular field analysis) method and steric, electrostatic, hydrophobic, H-bond donor, and H-bond acceptor descriptors for the CoMSIA method. CoMFA as well as the CoMSIA model have encouraging values of the cross-validation coefficient (Q2) of 0.608 and 0.806 and conventional correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.960 and 0.934, respectively. Furthermore, values of R2test have been obtained as 0.75 and 0.90, respectively. Besides, y-randomization test was also performed to validate our 3D-QSAR models. Based on these satisfactory results, ten new compounds have been designed and predicted by in silico ADMET method. This study could expand the understanding of chalcone derivatives as anticancer agents and would be of great help in lead optimization for early drug discovery of highly potent anticancer activity.
Cultivable Actinobacteria First Found in Baikal Endemic Algae Is a New Source of Natural Products with Antibiotic Activity
Authors: Axenov-Gribanov Denis V. , Kostka Daria V. , Vasilieva Ulyana А. , Shatilina Zhanna M. , Krasnova Maria E. , Pereliaeva Ekaterina V. , Zolotovskaya Elena D. , Morgunova Maria M. , Rusanovskaya Olga O. , Timofeyev Maxim A.
Published: July 2020

Inadequate use of antibiotics has led to spread of microorganisms resistant to effective antimicrobial compounds for humans and animals. This study was aimed to isolate cultivable strains of actinobacteria associated with Baikal endemic alga Draparnaldioides baicalensis and estimate their antibiotic properties. During this study, we isolated both widespread and dominant strains related to the genus Streptomyces and representatives of the genera Saccharopolyspora, Nonomuraea, Rhodococcus, and Micromonospora. For the first time, actinobacteria belonging to the genera Nonomuraea and Saccharopolyspora were isolated from Baikal ecosystem. Also, it was the first time when actinobacteria of the genus Nonomuraea were isolated from freshwater algae. Some rare strains demonstrated activity inhibiting growth of bacteria and yeasts. Also, it has been shown that the strains associated with Baikal alga D. baicalensis are active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. According to this study and previously published materials, diversity of cultivable actinobacteria and rare strains isolated from D. baicalensis is comparable to that of cultivable actinobacteria previously isolated from plant sources of Lake Baikal. Also, it exceeds the cultivable actinobacteria diversity previously described for macroinvertebrates, water, or sediments of Lake Baikal. The large number of rare and active strains associated with the endemic alga D. baicalensis could be the promising sources for biopharmaceutical and biotechnological developments and discovery of new natural compounds.
Research on Patent-Knowledge Representation and Automatic Classification Based on Situation Mapping
Authors: Xu Zilin , Li Wenqiang , Li Yan , Ma Jinlong , Liu Qiyu
Published: July 2020

A patent is a type of long-term literature containing the most complete design information in most fields. Thus, it can provide designers with valuable guides for solving various design problems in different fields. Establishing the mapping relationship between the design problem and patent knowledge in different fields is the key to creating an incentive channel for the transfer and combination of multidisciplinary patent knowledge. According to the situation mapping between the design problem and patent knowledge, a method for patent-knowledge representation and automatic patent classification is proposed in this paper. The problem situation is described using four dimensions, namely, function, performance, relationship, and emotion, according to the design-problem types. Multigranular situation attributes are extracted from different design problems. A structured attribute database is established. The mapping relationship between the problem situation and patent knowledge is developed. To realize the effective utilization of the patent knowledge, this study investigates an automatic patent-classification method using the situation attributes as classification categories. An application system of patent knowledge is developed by this method. The system can support the search for patent knowledge related to the design problem and effectively assist designers in achieving an innovative design process.
[Retracted] Effects of Trace Irrigation at Different Depths on Transcriptome Expression Pattern in Cotton (G. hirsutum L.) Leaves
Authors: Chen Li-yu , Zhang Li-feng , Lu Zhan-yuan , Xian Feng , Zhang Jian-zhong , Cheng Yu-chen , Zhang Xiang-qian , Liu Yan
Published: July 2020

Drought is a limiting factor for cotton productivity and quality. Irrigation could increase cotton yield. This study is aimed at formulating a proper irrigation depth for cotton at China’ Inner Mongolia and at investigating the molecular mechanism underlying the difference induced by irrigation. Transcriptomic analysis was carried out to reveal the global transcriptome profiles on the leaves of cotton seedlings (G. hirsutum L. cv. “Zhongmian 92”) with trace irrigation tapes at 30 cm (D30) and 50 cm (D50) underground. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and clustered by functional enrichment analysis. The results showed that no significant differences were found in the lint percentage. The yields of unpinned and lint cotton were increased by the D30 regime but decreased by the D50 regime. Transcriptomic analysis showed that 4,549 nonoverlapped DEGs were identified by comparative analysis. Transcription factors, including bZIP, WARK, Myb, and NAC, were altered between D50 and D30. The D50 regime induced more DEGs compared with the D30 regime, which was associated with plant tolerance to abiotic stresses and drought. In conclusion, trace irrigation at 30 cm underground was suitable for cotton irrigation at China’s Inner Mongolia, while the D50 irrigation regime influenced the cotton yield via drought stress in cotton plants.
A Novel Group Decision-Making Approach for Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic Term Sets and Its Application to VIKOR
Authors: Geng Xiuli , Jin Yunting , Zhang Yongzheng
Published: July 2020

This paper develops a novel group decision-making (GDM) approach for solving multiple-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) problems with uncertainty. The hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets (HFLTSs) are applied to elicit the decision makers’ linguistic preferences due to their distinguished efficiency and flexibility in representing uncertainty. However, the existing context-free grammar for linguistic description cannot allow generating the linguistic expressions completely free to limit the richness of HFLTSs, and the related methods for dealing with HFLTSs also have limitations in aggregating HFLTSs with different lengths and types. Therefore, this paper proposes extended context-free grammar and a novel GDM approach for HFLTSs, considering the advantages of the rough set theory and OWA operators. The rough set theory can manage the uncertainty existing in the fuzzy representation and deal with HFLTSs represented by the 2-tuple fuzzy linguistic model to get rough number sets. The OWA operator can aggregate these sets with different numbers of elements into an interval simply and objectively. Then, an extended VIKOR method based on the proposed GDM approach for HFLTSs is presented to solve the MCGDM problems. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the applicability and validity of the developed GDM approach and the hesitant VIKOR method through sensitivity and comparison analysis with other existing approaches.
Coupling Quasi-Two-Dimensional Friction Model and Discrete Vapor Cavity Model for Simulation of Transient Cavitating Flows in Pipeline Systems
Authors: Sun Qiang , Wu Yuebin , Xu Ying , Chen Liang , Jang Tae Uk
Published: July 2020

Accurate simulation of cavitating flows in pipeline systems is important for cost-effective surge protection. However, this is still a challenge due to the complex nature of the problem. This paper presents a numerical model that combines the discrete vapor cavity model (DVCM) with the quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) friction model to simulate transient cavitating flows in pipeline systems. The proposed model is solved by the method of characteristics (MOC), and the performance is investigated through a numerical case study formulated based on a laboratory pipeline reported in the literature. The results obtained by the proposed model are compared with those calculated by the classic one-dimensional (1D) friction model with the DVCM and the corresponding experimental results provided by the literature, respectively. The comparison shows that the pressure peak, waveform, and phase of pressure pulsations predicted by the proposed model are closer to the experimental results than those obtained by the classic 1D model. This demonstrates that the proposed model that combines the quasi-2D friction model with the DVCM has provided a solution to more accurately simulate transient cavitating flows in pipeline systems.
Antimetastatic Potential of Rhodomyrtone on Human Chondrosarcoma SW1353 Cells
Authors: Tayeh Malatee , Watanapokasin Ramida
Published: July 2020

Chondrosarcoma is primary bone cancer, with the forceful capacity to cause local invasion and distant metastasis, and has a poor prognosis. Cancer metastasis is a complication of most cancers; it is one of the leading causes of cancer‐related death. Rhodomyrtone is a pure compound that has been shown to induce apoptosis and antimetastasis in skin cancer. However, the inhibitory effect of rhodomyrtone on human chondrosarcoma cell metastasis is largely unknown. Effect of rhodomyrtone on cell viability in SW1353 cell was determined by MTT assay. Antimigration, anti‐invasion, and antiadhesion were carried out to investigate the antimetastatic potential of rhodomyrtone on SW1353 cells. Gelatin zymography was performed to determine matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) and MMP‐9 activities. The effect of rhodomyrtone on the underlying mechanisms was performed by Western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that rhodomyrtone reduced cell viability of SW1353 cells at the low concentration (<3 μg/mL); cell viability was >80%. Rhodomyrtone at the subcytotoxic concentrations (0.5, 1.5, and 3 μg/mL) significantly inhibited cell migration, invasion, and adhesion of SW1353 cells in a dose‐dependent fashion. Protein expression of integrin αv, integrin β3, and the downstream migratory proteins including focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the phosphorylation of serine/threonine AKT, Ras, RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42 were inhibited after treatment with rhodomyrtone. Moreover, we found that rhodomyrtone decreased the protein level of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 as well as the enzyme activity in SW1353 cells. Meanwhile, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1) and TIMP‐2 expression was increased in a dose‐dependent fashion. Besides, rhodomyrtone dramatically inhibited the expression of growth factor receptor‐bound protein‐2 (GRB2) and the phosphorylated form of extracellular signal regulation kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase1/2 (JNK1/2). These results indicated that rhodomyrtone inhibited SW1353 cell migration, invasion, and metastasis by suppressing integrin αv β3/FAK/AKT/small Rho GTPases pathway as well as downregulation of MMP‐2/9 via ERK and JNK signal inhibition. These findings indicate that rhodomyrtone possessed the antimetastasis activity that may be used for antimetastasis therapy in the future.
Local Thickening and Friction Reducing to Constant Resistance in a Prefolded Energy Absorption Device
Authors: Xu Hailiang , Song Jiaqi , An Dong , Song Yimin , Lv Xiangfeng
Published: July 2020

The energy absorption support for impact resistance used in mining engineering is a prefolded energy absorption device. In this paper, through the quasistatic compression test and numerical simulation, the relationship between the deformation process, load-displacement curve, and plastic strain of the original prefolded energy absorbing device is studied. It is found that the concave side stiffness has an obvious effect on the first and second descending sections of the load-displacement curve, and the friction coefficient has an obvious effect on the second ascending section of that. In order to make the prefolded energy absorption device reach the state of constant resistance where the reaction load does not fluctuate or the fluctuation is small in the crushing process, the plastic strain is restrained by thickening the local area of the concave side, which effectively reduces the descending amplitude of the load-displacement curve. Whether continuoues deformation occurs is affected by the friction coefficient. Finally, a constant resistance energy absorption device is designed by thickening the concave side and reducing the friction coefficient. Compared with the original structure, the maximum bearing capacity of the constant resistance energy absorption device is basically unchanged, the average bearing capacity is increased by 29%, the total energy absorption is increased by 111%, the specific energy absorption is increased by 119%, and the load-displacement curve variance is reduced to 3% of the original structure.
Machining Parameters and Toolpath Productivity Optimization Using a Factorial Design and Fit Regression Model in Face Milling and Drilling Operations
Authors: Minquiz Gustavo M. , Borja Vicente , López-Parra Marcelo , Ramírez-Reivich Alejandro C. , Ruiz-Huerta Leopoldo , Lázaro R. C. Ambrosio , Sánchez Alejandro Shigeru Yamamoto , Vazquez-Leal H. , Pavon-Solana María-Esther , Flores Méndez J.
Published: July 2020

Very commonly, a mechanical workpiece manufactured industrially includes more than one machining operation. Even more, it is a common activity of programmers, who make a decision in this regard every time a milling and drilling operation is performed. This research is focused on better understanding the power behavior for face milling and drilling manufacturing operations, and the methodology followed was the design of experiments (DOEs) with the cutting parameters set in combination with toolpath evaluation available in commercial software, having as main goal to get a predictive power equation validated in two ways, linear or nonlinear, and understanding the energy consumption and the quality surface in face milling and final diameter in drilling. The results show that it is possible to find difference in a power demand of 1.52 kW to 3.9 kW in the same workpiece, depending on the operations (face milling or drilling), cutting parameters, and toolpath chosen. Additionally, the equations modelled showed acceptable values to predict the power, with p values higher than 0.05 which is the significance level for the nonlinear and linear equations with an R square predictive of 98.36. Some conclusions established that optimization of the cutting parameters combined with toolpath strategies can represent an energy consumption optimization higher than 0.21% and the importance to try to find an energy consumption balance when a workpiece has different milling operations.
Seismic Response Study of Tunnels Running underneath a Subway Station in Parallel
Authors: Sun Fuxue , Wang Guo-bo , Peng Xiang-jun , Jin Zhou-zhou , Li Xiao-chun , Zhao Jie-lin
Published: July 2020

A tunnel passing below a metro station is taken as the object of our study, and a two-dimensional plane model is established to study the effects of their dynamic interaction to seismic excitation. Comparative analysis is used to obtain the influence law between the underground structures and on the soil. The results show that (1) the influence of the underground structure on the soil response is related to structure depth. The range of influence of the station structure on the surface is approximately five times the width of the station, and the surface response is obviously significant within this range. (2) The existence of the tunnel is conducive to reducing the acceleration of the column in the station. It increases the displacement difference between the stations, but the impact on the internal force of the station is not significant. (3) The influence of the station on the dynamic response of the tunnel is consistent with regard to tunnel acceleration, difference in displacement between the top and bottom of the tunnel, and internal force. The presence of the station will reduce the dynamic response of the tunnel.
Layout Optimization of Rail Expansion Joint on Long‐Span Cable‐Stayed Bridge for High‐Speed Railway
Authors: Cai Xiaopei , Liu Wanli , Xie Kaize , Zhu Wenjun , Tan Xiyuan , Gao Yongjie
Published: July 2020

Continuous welded rail (CWR) has been widely applied to the Chinese high‐speed railways. It is interesting to reduce the effect of rail longitudinal force on the long‐span cable‐stayed bridges. Taking the pile‐soil interaction into account, the finite element model of CWR on the long‐span cable‐stayed bridge is established based on the bridge‐track interaction theory. The rail longitudinal force can be reduced and the track stability can be improved significantly by installing Rail Expansion Joint (REJ). The layout scheme of REJ plays a controlling role on designing CWR on bridges. Results show that the unidirectional REJ should be laid on both ends of the long‐span cable‐stayed bridge. Switch rails of REJ are set up on the main beam, stock rails are laid on the simply supported beams and crossing over beam joints, and several‐meter long small resistance fasteners need to be laid on the sides of stock rails to reduce the fixed pier longitudinal force near the main beam. The range of REJ laid on cable‐stayed bridge is mainly determined by temperature, rail breaking, and seismic condition; the bending and braking loads have little influence on it. Multiple field tests are carried out to prove the validity of the numerical model and the design methodology.
Bonding Performance and Evaluation of Basalt Fiber Asphalt Macadam Seal
Authors: Quan Enmao , Cao Yangsen , Xu Hongke
Published: July 2020

To broaden the application of the basalt fiber in the preventive maintenance of asphalt pavement, this study investigated the bonding performance and evaluated the comprehensive performance of the basalt fiber asphalt macadam seal. Firstly, different types of basalt fiber asphalt macadam seal were prepared. The influences of content and length of the basalt fiber and dosage of emulsified asphalt on the bonding performance of the asphalt macadam seal were analyzed and compared. Next, by using the efficacy coefficient method, comprehensive performance considering both mechanical and economic characteristics of the basalt fiber asphalt macadam seal was evaluated. After that, reasonable content of each material was determined. Finally, the strengthening mechanism of the fiber on the bonding performance of macadam seals was revealed from a microscopic view. The results showed that compared with the ordinary asphalt macadam seal, the loss aggregate rate of the basalt fiber asphalt macadam seal was 11.0–30.5% lower, and the pull‐out strength, shear strength, and torsional shear strength were 11.7–16.3%, 9.7–22.4%, and 4.2–20.6% higher, respectively. Considering the bonding performance and economic benefits, the optimal amount of emulsified asphalt and basalt fiber was 1.6 kg/m2 and 70 g/m2, respectively. Basalt fiber increased the cohesion of the asphalt material and improved the bonding performance of asphalt macadam seals through formation of the three‐dimensional network structure. This study can provide reference to the application of basalt fibers in asphalt pavement maintenance.
Modeling and Optimization for Fault Diagnosis of Electromechanical Systems Based on Zero Crossing Algorithm
Authors: Chen Qing , Liu Tao , Wu Xing , Li Hua
Published: July 2020

The demand of system security and reliability in the modern industrial process is ever-increasing, and fault diagnosis technology has always been a crucial research direction in the control field. Due to the complexity, nonlinearity, and coupling of multitudinous control systems, precise system modeling for fault diagnosis is attracting more attention. In this paper, we propose an improved method of electromechanical systems fault diagnosis based on zero-crossing (ZC) algorithm, which can present the calculation model of zero-crossing rate (ZCR) and optimize the parameters of ZC algorithm by establishing a criterion function model to improve the diagnosis accuracy and robustness of ZC characteristic model. The simulation validates the influence of different signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on ZC feature recognition ability and indicates that the within-between distance model is effective to enhance the diagnose accuracy of ZC feature. Finally, the method is applied to the diagnosis of motor fault bearing, which confirms the necessity and effectiveness of the model improvement and parameter optimization and verifies the robustness to the load.
Angiographic Complete versus Clinical Selective Incomplete Percutaneous Revascularization in Heart Failure Patients with Multivessel Coronary Disease
Authors: Chang Chieh-Yu , Chen Chun-Chi , Hsieh I-Chang , Hsieh Ming-Jer , Lee Cheng-Hung , Chen Dong-Yi , Tsai Ming-Lung , Ho Ming-Yun , Yeh Jih-Kai , Huang Yu-Chang , Lu Yu-Ying , Wang Chao-Yung , Chang Shang-Hung , Wen Ming-Shien
Published: July 2020

Background. Patients with multivessel disease (MVD) often pursue complete revascularization (CR) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to improve prognosis. However, angiographic CR is not always feasible and is associated with some procedure-related complications in heart failure (HF) patients with MVD. Clinical selective incomplete revascularization (IR) may be reasonable for these high-risk patients, but its role in long-term outcomes remains uncertain. Methods. Six hundred patients with HF and MVD submitted to PCI were enrolled. Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were defined as a composite of recurrent myocardial infarction, any revascularization, and all-cause mortality at 5 years. Results. During a mean follow-up period of 3.7 ± 1.9 years, there was no significant difference in 5-year MACEs between selective IR and successful angiographic CR in HF patients with MVD. However, patients who failed CR had a significantly greater incidence of 5-year MACEs than those in the other two groups (failed CR: 46.4% vs. selective IR: 27.7% vs. successful CR: 27.8%, p<0.001). Conclusions. Long-term outcomes of selective IR were comparable with those of successful angiographic CR in HF patients with MVD. However, patients that failed CR showed 2.53-fold increased risk of MACEs compared to patients undergoing either selective IR or successful angiographic CR. A more comprehensive planning strategy should be devised before PCI in HF patients with MVD.
A Phase Ib Study of Alpelisib or Buparlisib Combined with Tamoxifen Plus Goserelin in Premenopausal Women with HR-Positive HER2-Negative Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Lu Yen-Shen , Lee Keun Seok , Chao Tsu-Yi , Tseng Ling-Ming , Chitapanarux Imjai , Chen Shin-Cheh , Liu Chien-Ting , Sohn Joohyuk , Kim Jee Hyun , Chang Yuan-Ching , Yang Youngsen , Shotelersuk Kanjana , Jung Kyung Hae , Valenti Roberta , Slader Cassandra , Gao Melissa , Park Yeon Hee
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

This study reports the MTD, recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), and preliminary efficacy of alpelisib or buparlisib used in combination with tamoxifen plus goserelin in premenopausal patients with hormone receptor–positive (HR+), HER2-negative (HER2−) advanced breast cancer (ABC).

Patients and Methods:

This study enrolled premenopausal women with HR+, HER2− ABC. Patients received tamoxifen (20 mg once daily) and goserelin acetate (3.6 mg every 28 days) with either alpelisib (350 mg once daily; n = 16) or buparlisib (100 mg once daily; n = 13) in 28-day cycles until MTD was observed.

Results:

The criteria for MTD were not met for both alpelisib and buparlisib. The RP2D of alpelisib and buparlisib in combination with tamoxifen and goserelin were 350 mg and 100 mg, respectively. Both combinations met protocol-specified criteria for tolerability. The most common grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) were hypokalemia (12.5%), hyperglycemia (6.3%), and rash (6.3%) for alpelisib and alanine aminotransferase increase (30.8%), aspartate aminotransferase increase (23.1%), and anxiety (15.4%) for buparlisib. TEAEs led to treatment discontinuation in 18.8% and 53.8% of alpelisib- and buparlisib-treated patients, respectively. Progression-free survival was 25.2 months in the alpelisib group and 20.6 months in the buparlisib group.

Conclusions:

The RP2Ds of alpelisib and buparlisib were 350 mg and 100 mg, respectively. No unexpected safety findings were reported. Although an early-phase study, data suggest that alpelisib plus endocrine therapy may be a potentially efficacious treatment that warrants further evaluation for premenopausal patients with HR+, HER2− ABC.

See related commentary by Clark et al., p. 371
Once, Twice, Three Times a Finding: Reproducibility of Dendritic Cell Vaccine Trials Targeting Cytomegalovirus in Glioblastoma
Authors: Batich Kristen A. , Mitchell Duane A. , Healy Patrick , Herndon James E. , Sampson John H.
Published: July 2020

Despite standard of care for glioblastoma, including gross total resection, high-dose radiation, and dose-limited chemotherapy, this tumor remains one of the most aggressive and therapeutically challenging. The relatively small number of patients with this diagnosis compared with more common solid tumors in clinical trials commits new glioblastoma therapies to testing in small, underpowered, nonrandomized settings. Among approximately 200 registered glioblastoma trials identified between 2005 and 2015, nearly half were single-arm studies with sample sizes not exceeding 50 patients. These constraints have made demonstrating efficacy for novel therapies difficult in glioblastoma and other rare and aggressive cancers. Novel immunotherapies for glioblastoma such as vaccination with dendritic cells (DC) have yielded mixed results in clinical trials. To address limited numbers, we sequentially conducted three separate clinical trials utilizing cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific DC vaccines in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma whereby each follow-up study had nearly doubled in sample size. Follow-up data from the first blinded, randomized phase II clinical trial (NCT00639639) revealed that nearly one third of this cohort is without tumor recurrence at 5 years from diagnosis. A second clinical trial (NCT00639639) resulted in a 36% survival rate at 5 years from diagnosis. Results of the first two-arm trial (NCT00639639) showed increased migration of the DC vaccine to draining lymph nodes, and this increased migration has been recapitulated in our larger confirmatory clinical study (NCT02366728). We have now observed that nearly one third of the glioblastoma study patient population receiving CMV-specific DC vaccines results in exceptional long-term survivors.