bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulating health professional scopes of practice: comparing institutional arrangements and approaches in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK
Authors: Leslie Kathleen , Moore Jean , Robertson Chris , Bilton Douglas , Hirschkorn Kristine , Langelier Margaret H. , Bourgeault Ivy Lynn
Published: January 2021

Background

Fundamentally, the goal of health professional regulatory regimes is to ensure the highest quality of care to the public. Part of that task is to control what health professionals do, or theirscope of practice. Ideally, this involves the application of evidence-based professional standards of practice to the tasks for which health professional have received training. There are different jurisdictional approaches to achieving these goals.

Methods

Using a comparative case study approach and similar systems policy analysis design, we present and discuss four different regulatory approaches from the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. For each case, we highlight the jurisdictional differences in how these countries regulate health professional scopes of practice in the interest of the public. Our comparative Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) analysis is based on archival research carried out by the authors wherein we describe the evolution of the institutional arrangements for form of regulatory approach, with specific reference to scope of practice.

Results/conclusions

Our comparative examination finds that the different regulatory approaches in these countries have emerged in response to similar challenges. In some cases, ‘tasks’ or ‘activities’ are the basis of regulation, whereas in other contexts protected ‘titles’ are regulated, and in some cases both. From our results and the jurisdiction-specific SWOT analyses, we have conceptualized a synthesized table of leading practices related to regulating scopes of practice mapped to specific regulatory principles. We discuss the implications for how these different approaches achieve positive outcomes for the public, but also for health professionals and the system more broadly in terms of workforce optimization.
A fair and EMG-validated comparison of recruitment criteria, musculotendon models and muscle coordination strategies, for the inverse-dynamics based optimization of muscle forces during gait
Authors: Michaud Florian , Lamas Mario , Lugrís Urbano , Cuadrado Javier
Published: January 2021

Experimental studies and EMG collections suggest that a specific strategy of muscle coordination is chosen by the central nervous system to perform a given motor task. A popular mathematical approach for solving the muscle recruitment problem is optimization. Optimization-based methods minimize or maximize some criterion (objective function or cost function) which reflects the mechanism used by the central nervous system to recruit muscles for the movement considered. The proper cost function is not known a priori, so the adequacy of the chosen function must be validated according to the obtained results. In addition of the many criteria proposed, several physiological representations of the musculotendon actuator dynamics (that prescribe constraints for the forces) along with different musculoskeletal models can be found in the literature, which hinders the selection of the best neuromusculotendon model for each application. Seeking to provide a fair base for comparison, this study measures the efficiency and accuracy of: (i) four different criteria within the static optimization approach (where the physiological character of the muscle, which affects the constraints of the forces, is not considered); (ii) three physiological representations of the musculotendon actuator dynamics: activation dynamics with elastic tendon, simplified activation dynamics with rigid tendon and rigid tendon without activation dynamics; (iii) a synergy-based method; all of them within the framework of inverse-dynamics based optimization. Motion/force/EMG gait analyses were performed on ten healthy subjects. A musculoskeletal model of the right leg actuated by 43 Hill-type muscles was scaled to each subject and used to calculate joint moments, musculotendon kinematics and moment arms. Muscle activations were then estimated using the different approaches, and these estimates were compared with EMG measurements. Although no significant differences were obtained with all the methods at statistical level, it must be pointed out that a higher complexity of the method does not guarantee better results, as the best correlations with experimental values were obtained with two simplified approaches: the static optimization and the physiological approach with simplified activation dynamics and rigid tendon, both using the sum of the squares of muscle forces as objective function.
Investigating the feasibility of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation to facilitate post-stroke overground gait performance in chronic stroke: a partial least-squares regression approach
Authors: Solanki Dhaval , Rezaee Zeynab , Dutta Anirban , Lahiri Uttama
Published: January 2021

Background

Investigation of lobule-specific electric field effects of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) on overground gait performance has not been performed, so this study aimed to investigate the feasibility of two lobule-specific bilateral ctDCS montages to facilitate overground walking in chronic stroke.

Methods

Ten chronic post-stroke male subjects participated in this repeated-measure single-blind crossover study, where we evaluated the single-session effects of two bilateral ctDCS montages that applied 2 mA via 3.14 cm2 disc electrodes for 15 min targeting (a) dentate nuclei (also, anterior and posterior lobes), and (b) lower-limb representations (lobules VIIb-IX). A two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test was performed at a 5% significance level on the percent normalized change measures in the overground gait performance. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis was performed on the quantitative gait parameters as response variables to the mean lobular electric field strength as the predictors. Clinical assessments were performed with the Ten-Meter walk test (TMWT), Timed Up & Go (TUG), and the Berg Balance Scale based on minimal clinically important differences (MCID).

Results

The ctDCS montage specific effect was found significant using a two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test at a 5% significance level for 'Step Time Affected Leg' (p = 0.0257) and '%Stance Time Unaffected Leg' (p = 0.0376). The changes in the quantitative gait parameters were found to be correlated to the mean electric field strength in the lobules based on PLSR analysis (R2 statistic = 0.6574). Here, the mean electric field strength at the cerebellar lobules, Vermis VIIIb, Ipsi-lesional IX, Vermis IX, Ipsi-lesional X, had the most loading and were positively related to the 'Step Time Affected Leg' and '%Stance Time Unaffected Leg,' and negatively related to the '%Swing Time Unaffected Leg,' '%Single Support Time Affected Leg.' Clinical assessments found similar improvement in the TMWT (MCID: 0.10 m/s), TUG (MCID: 8 s), and BBS score (MCID: 12.5 points) for both the ctDCS montages.

Conclusion

Our feasibility study found an association between the lobular mean electric field strength and the changes in the quantitative gait parameters following a single ctDCS session in chronic stroke. Both the ctDCS montages improved the clinical outcome measures that should be investigated with a larger sample size for clinical validation.

Trial registration: Being retrospectively registered.
Infrapatellar versus suprapatellar approach for intramedullary nailing of the tibia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ponugoti Nikhil , Rudran Branavan , Selim Amr , Nahas Sam , Magill Henry
Published: January 2021

Background

Intramedullary nailing (IMN) is a conventional technique for the treatment of tibial shaft fractures. It has been suggested that the suprapatellar (SP) approach holds advantages over the traditional infrapatellar (IP) approach. Current literature lacks adequate data to provide robust clinical recommendations. This meta-analysis aims to determine the efficacy of infrapatellar versus suprapatellar techniques for IMN.

Methods

An up-to-date literature search of the Embase, Medline, and registry platform databases was performed. The search was conducted using a predesigned search strategy and all eligible literature was critically appraised for methodological quality via the Cochrane’s collaboration tool. Fluoroscopy time, operative time, pain score, knee function, deep infection, non-union and secondary operation rates were all considered.

Conclusion

A total of twelve studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results of this analysis show that suprapatellar nailing is associated with reduced post-operative pain scores and improved functional outcomes. The data suggest no significant difference in terms of operative times, fluoroscopy times, rates of deep infection, non-union or secondary procedures when compared to infra-patellar techniques. Further studies are required to confirm these findings and assess long-term results.
Antibody–drug conjugates in solid tumors: a look into novel targets
Authors: Criscitiello Carmen , Morganti Stefania , Curigliano Giuseppe
Published: January 2021

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are a relatively new class of anticancer agents designed to merge the selectivity of monoclonal antibodies with cell killing properties of chemotherapy. They are commonly described as the “Trojan Horses” of therapeutic armamentarium, because of their capability of directly conveying cytotoxic drug (payloads) into the tumor space, thus transforming chemotherapy into a targeted agent. Three novel ADCs have been recently approved, i.e., trastuzumab deruxtecan, sacituzumab govitecan and enfortumab vedotin, respectively, targeting HER2, Trop2 and Nectin4. Thanks to progressive advances in engineering technologies these drugs rely on, the spectrum of diseases sensitive to these drugs as well as their indications are in continuous expansion. Several novel ADCs are under evaluation, exploring new potential targets along with innovative payloads. This review aims at providing a summary of the technology behind these compounds and at presenting the latest ADCs approved in solid tumors, as well as at describing novel targets for ADCs under investigation and new strategies to optimize their efficacy in solid tumors.
Development of a multi-gene-based immune prognostic signature in ovarian Cancer
Authors: Cao Tiefeng , Shen Huimin
Published: January 2021

Background

Various components of the immune system play a critical role in the prognosis and treatment response in ovarian cancer (OC). Immunotherapy has been recognized as a hallmark of cancer but the effect is contradictional. Reliable immune gene-based prognostic biomarkers or regulatory factors are necessary to be systematically explored to develop an individualized prediction signature.

Methods

This study systematically explored the gene expression profiles in patients with ovarian cancer from RNA-seq data set for The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Differentially expressed immune genes and transcription factors (TFs) were identified using the collected immune genes from ImmPort dataset and TFs from Cistoma database. Survival associated immune genes and TFs were identified in terms of overall survival. The prognostic signature was developed based on survival associated immune genes with LASSO (Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) Cox regression analysis. Further, we performed network analysis to uncover the potential regulators of immune-related genes with the help of computational biology.

Results

The prognostic signature, a weighted combination of the 21 immune-related genes, performed moderately in survival prediction with AUC was 0.746, 0.735, and 0.749 for 1, 3, and 5 year overall survival, respectively. Network analysis uncovered the regulatory role of TFs in immune genes. Intriguingly, the prognostic signature reflected the immune cells landscape and infiltration of some immune cell subtypes.

Conclusions

We first constructed a signature with 21 immune genes of clinical significance, which showed promising predictive value in the surveillance, and prognosis of OC patients.
Clearance of inflammatory cytokines in patients with septic acute kidney injury during renal replacement therapy using the EMiC2 filter (Clic-AKI study)
Authors: Lumlertgul Nuttha , Hall Anna , Camporota Luigi , Crichton Siobhan , Ostermann Marlies
Published: January 2021

Background

The EMiC2 membrane is a medium cut-off haemofilter (45 kiloDalton). Little is known regarding its efficacy in eliminating medium-sized cytokines in sepsis. This study aimed to explore the effects of continuous veno-venous haemodialysis (CVVHD) using the EMiC2 filter on cytokine clearance.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study conducted in critically ill patients with sepsis and acute kidney injury requiring kidney replacement therapy. We measured concentrations of 12 cytokines [Interleukin (IL) IL-1β, IL-1α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, vascular endothelial growth factor, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, epidermal growth factor (EGF)] in plasma at baseline (T0) and pre- and post-dialyzer at 1, 6, 24, and 48 h after CVVHD initiation and in the effluent fluid at corresponding time points. Outcomes were the effluent and adsorptive clearance rates, mass balances, and changes in serial serum concentrations.

Results

Twelve patients were included in the final analysis. All cytokines except EGF concentrations declined over 48 h (p < 0.001). The effluent clearance rates were variable and ranged from negligible values for IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-1α, IL-1β, and EGF, to 19.0 ml/min for TNF-α. Negative or minimal adsorption was observed. The effluent and adsorptive clearance rates remained steady over time. The percentage of cytokine removal was low for most cytokines throughout the 48-h period.

Conclusion

EMiC2-CVVHD achieved modest removal of most cytokines and demonstrated small to no adsorptive capacity despite a decline in plasma cytokine concentrations. This suggests that changes in plasma cytokine concentrations may not be solely influenced by extracorporeal removal.

Trial registration: NCT03231748, registered on 27th July 2017.
Implementation of the Randomized Embedded Multifactorial Adaptive Platform for COVID-19 (REMAP-COVID) trial in a US health system—lessons learned and recommendations
Authors:   The UPMC REMAP-COVID Group, on behalf of the REMAP-CAP Investigators
Published: January 2021

Background

The Randomized Embedded Multifactorial Adaptive Platform for COVID-19 (REMAP-COVID) trial is a global adaptive platform trial of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We describe implementation at the first US site, the UPMC health system, and offer recommendations for implementation at other sites.

Methods

To implement REMAP-COVID, we focused on six major areas: engaging leadership, trial embedment, remote consent and enrollment, regulatory compliance, modification of traditional trial management procedures, and alignment with other COVID-19 studies.

Results

We recommend aligning institutional and trial goals and sharing a vision of REMAP-COVID implementation as groundwork for learning health system development. Embedment of trial procedures into routine care processes, existing institutional structures, and the electronic health record promotes efficiency and integration of clinical care and clinical research. Remote consent and enrollment can be facilitated by engaging bedside providers and leveraging institutional videoconferencing tools. Coordination with the central institutional review board will expedite the approval process. Protocol adherence, adverse event monitoring, and data collection and export can be facilitated by building electronic health record processes, though implementation can start using traditional clinical trial tools. Lastly, establishment of a centralized institutional process optimizes coordination of COVID-19 studies.

Conclusions

Implementation of the REMAP-COVID trial within a large US healthcare system is feasible and facilitated by multidisciplinary collaboration. This investment establishes important groundwork for future learning health system endeavors.

Trial registration

NCT02735707. Registered on 13 April 2016.
Core outcomes set for research on the treatment of opioid use disorder (COS-OUD): the National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network protocol for an e-Delphi consensus study
Authors: Karnik Niranjan S. , Campbell Cynthia I. , Curtis Megan E. , Fiellin David A. , Ghitza Udi , Hefner Kathryn , Hser Yih-Ing , McHugh R. Kathryn , Murphy Sean M. , McPherson Sterling M. , Moran Landhing , Mooney Larissa J. , Wu Li-Tzy , Shmueli-Blumberg Dikla , Shulman Matisyahu , Schwartz Robert P. , Stephens Kari A. , Watkins Katherine E. , Marsden John
Published: January 2021

Background

A lack of consensus on the optimal outcome measures to assess the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) has hampered the pooling of research data for evidence synthesis and clinical guidelines. A core outcome set (COS) is a minimum set of outcome measures that are recommended for all studies of a particular condition. The National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) Core Outcome Set for OUD (COS-OUD) is a development study to identify core constructs, meaningful outcomes, and their optimal measurement for all efficacy and effectiveness studies of OUD treatment and service delivery.

Methods/design

Overseen by an expert workgroup, a modified, stepwise, e-Delphi methodology will be used to gain consensus among a panel of clinical practitioners and researchers involved in the treatment of OUD, who are members of the CTN. Sequential rounds of anonymous, online questionnaires will be used to identify, rate the importance of, and refine a core outcome set. A consensus threshold will be achieved if at least 70% of the panel rate the measure as critical for inclusion in the COS-OUD. Where consensus is not reached or there are suggestions for new measures, these will be brought forward to a further round of review prior to a consensus meeting. Products from this study will be communicated via peer-reviewed scientific journals and conferences.

Discussion

This initiative will develop a COS for OUD intervention trials, treatment studies, and service delivery and will support the pooling of research and clinical practice data and efforts to develop measurement-based care within the OUD treatment cascade.

Trial registration

http://www.comet-initiative.org/Studies/Details/1579
Valorization of outer tunic of the marine filter feeder Ciona intestinalis towards the production of second-generation biofuel and prebiotic oligosaccharides
Authors: Hrůzová Kateřina , Matsakas Leonidas , Karnaouri Anthi , Norén Fredrik , Rova Ulrika , Christakopoulos Paul
Published: January 2021

Background

One of the sustainable development goals focuses on the biomass-based production as a replacement for fossil-based commodities. A novel feedstock with vast potentials is tunicate biomass, which can be pretreated and fermented in a similar way to lignocellulose. Ciona intestinalis is a marine filter feeder that is cultivated to produce fish feed. While the inner tissue body is used for feed production, the surrounding tunic remains as a cellulose-rich by-product, which can be further separated into outer and inner tunic. Ethanol production from organosolv-pretreated whole-tunic biomass was recently validated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of organosolv pretreated outer-tunic biomass for the production of biofuels and cellobiose that is a disaccharide with prebiotic potential.

Results

As a result, 41.4 g/L of ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, corresponding to a 90.2% theoretical yield, was achieved under the optimal conditions when the tunicate biomass was pretreated at 195 °C for 60 min at a liquid-to-solid ratio of 50. In addition, cellobiose production by enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated tunicate biomass was demonstrated with a maximum conversion yield of 49.7 wt. %.

Conclusions

The utilisation of tunicate biomass offers an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative for value-added biofuels and chemicals. The cultivation of tunicate biomass in shallow coastal sea improves the quality of the water and ensures sustainable production of fish feed. Moreover, there is no competition for arable land, which leaves the latter available for food and feed production.
RCO-3 and COL-26 form an external-to-internal module that regulates the dual-affinity glucose transport system in Neurospora crassa
Authors: Li Jinyang , Liu Qian , Li Jingen , Lin Liangcai , Li Xiaolin , Zhang Yongli , Tian Chaoguang
Published: January 2021

Background

Low- and high-affinity glucose transport system is a conserved strategy of microorganism to cope with environmental glucose fluctuation for their growth and competitiveness. In Neurospora crassa, the dual-affinity glucose transport system consists of a low-affinity glucose transporter GLT-1 and two high-affinity glucose transporters HGT-1/HGT-2, which play diverse roles in glucose transport, carbon metabolism, and cellulase expression regulation. However, the regulation of this dual-transporter system in response to environmental glucose fluctuation is not yet clear.

Results

In this study, we report that a regulation module consisting of a downstream transcription factor COL-26 and an upstream non-transporting glucose sensor RCO-3 regulates the dual-affinity glucose transport system in N. crassa. COL-26 directly binds to the promoter regions of glt-1, hgt-1, and hgt-2, whereas RCO-3 is an upstream factor of the module whose deletion mutant resembles the Δcol-26 mutant phenotypically. Transcriptional profiling analysis revealed that Δcol-26 and Δrco-3 mutants had similar transcriptional profiles, and both mutants had impaired response to a glucose gradient. We also showed that the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) complex is involved in regulation of the glucose transporters. AMPK is required for repression of glt-1 expression in starvation conditions by inhibiting the activity of RCO-3.

Conclusions

RCO-3 and COL-26 form an external-to-internal module that regulates the glucose dual-affinity transport system. Transcription factor COL-26 was identified as the key regulator. AMPK was also involved in the regulation of the dual-transporter system. Our findings provide novel insight into the molecular basis of glucose uptake and signaling in filamentous fungi, which may aid in the rational design of fungal strains for industrial purposes.
Improved BioGents® Sentinel trap with heat (BGSH) for outdoor collections of Anopheline species in Burkina Faso and Mali, West Africa
Authors: Guindo Amadou , Epopa Patric Stephane , Doumbia Sidy , Millogo Abdoul-Azize , Diallo Brehima , Yao Franck Adama , Yagoure Bilkissou , Tripet Frederic , Diabate Abdoulaye , Coulibaly Mamadou B.
Published: January 2021

Background

Since the late 1990s, malaria control programmes have relied extensively on mass bednet distribution and indoor residual spraying. Both interventions use pesticides and target mosquitoes coming indoors either to feed or to rest. Unfortunately, these intensified vector control campaigns have resulted in mosquito populations with high levels of resistance to most of the chemical compounds used against them and which are increasingly exophagic and exophillic, hence difficult to monitor indoors. Consequently, there is an urgent need for novel tools to sample outdoor anopheline populations for monitoring interventions and disease surveillance programmes.

Methodologies

In this study, we tested several modifications and configurations of the BioGents® Sentinel (BGS) trap, designed with the aim to increase its efficacy for sampling malaria vector species. Traps were used with chemical attractants and CO2, and the impacts of trap position, trap colour contrast combination and the addition of a heat source were tested in two studies conducted in the Sudano-Sahelian region of Burkina Faso and Mali.

Results

The results show that of all the configurations tested, the addition of a heat source to the BGS trap with the original colour combination and an upward positioning resulted in a 1.8- and 5.9-fold increase in host-seekingAnopheles gambiae(s.l.) females in the experiments performed in Burkina Faso and Mali, respectively. BGS with heat traps, referred to as BGSH traps, capturedAn. gambiae(s.l.),An. pharoensis,An. coustani,CulexandMansoniaspp. Importantly, the results suggest that their efficacy does not depend on the close proximity of nearby hosts in houses.

Conclusions

The results suggest that BGSH traps can be an effective scalable tool for sampling outdoor anopheline vector populations. Further developments enabling CO2and heat generation for longer periods of time would further improve the trap’s versatility for large-scale surveillance programmes.

Graphical Abstract
Adherent invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) strain LF82, but not Candida albicans, plays a profibrogenic role in the intestine
Authors: Chokr Dina , Cornu Marjorie , Neut Christel , Bortolus Clovis , Charlet Rogatien , Desreumaux Pierre , Speca Silvia , Sendid Boualem
Published: January 2021

Background

Intestinal fibrosis is a frequent complication of Crohn’s disease. However, the factors that cause chronicity and promote fibrogenesis are not yet understood.

Aims

In the present study, we evaluated the profibrotic effects of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) LF82 strain and Candida albicans in the gut.

Methods

Colonic fibrosis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by administration of three cycles of 2.5% (w/v) dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 5 weeks. LF82 and C. albicans were administered orally once at the start of each week or each cycle, respectively. Expression of markers of myofibroblast activation was determined in TGF-β1-stimulated human intestinal epithelial cells (IECs).

Results

LF82 administration exacerbated fibrosis in DSS-treated mice, revealed by increased colonic collagen deposition and expression of the profibrotic genes Col1a1, Col3a1, Fn1 and Vim. This was accompanied by enhanced gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as more recruited inflammatory cells into the intestine. LF82 also potentiated TGF-β1-stimulated epithelial–mesenchymal transition and myofibroblast activation in IECs, by further inducing gene expression of the main mesenchymal cell markers FN1 and VIM and downregulating the IEC marker OCLN. Proinflammatory cytokines were overexpressed with LF82 in TGF-β1-stimulated IECs. Conversely, C. albicans did not affect intestinal fibrosis progression in DSS-treated mice or myofibroblast activation in TGF-β1-stimulated IECs.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that AIEC strain LF82, but not C. albicans, may play a major profibrogenic role in the gut.
Phylogenetic signal in floral temperature patterns
Authors: Rands Sean A. , Harrap Michael J. M.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Floral structures may be warmer than their environment, and can show thermal patterning, where individual floral structures show different temperatures across their surface. Pollinators can differentiate between artificial flowers that mimic both naturally warmed and thermally patterned ones, but it has yet to be demonstrated that these patterns are biologically meaningful. To explore the relationship between pollinators and temperature patterning, we need to know whether there is diversity in patterning, and that these patterns are not simply a by-product of floral architecture constrained by ancestry. We analysed a dataset of 97 species to explore whether intrafloral temperature differences were correlated within clades (phylogenetic signal), or whether the variation seen was diverse enough to suggest that floral temperature patterns are influenced by the abiotic or pollinator-related niches to which plant species are adapted.

Results

Some phylogenetic signal was observed, with both the Asteraceae and species ofPelargoniumbeing more similar than expected by chance, but with other species surveyed not showing signal. The Asteraceae tend to have large temperature differences across the floral surface, which may be due to floral architecture constraints within the family. Other families show no correlation, suggesting that patterning is influenced by pollinators and the environment.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury is alleviated by curcumin-peptide hydrogel via upregulating autophagy and protecting mitochondrial function
Authors: Liao Chi-Lin , Liu Yang , Huang Meng-Zhao , Liu Hua-Yong , Ye Zi-Liang , Su Qiang
Published: January 2021

Background

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is an important factor limiting the success of cardiac reperfusion therapy. Curcumin has a significant cardioprotective effect against IRI, can inhibit ventricular remodeling induced by pressure load or MI, and improve cardiac function. However, the poor water solubility and low bioavailability of curcumin restrict its clinical application.

Methods

In this study, we prepared and evaluated a curcumin-hydrogel (cur-hydrogel) to reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis and reactive oxygen species formation induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation injury, promote autophagy, and reduce mitochondrial damage by maintaining the phosphorylation of Cx43.

Results

Meanwhile, cur-hydrogel can restore cardiac function, inhibit myocardial collagen deposition and apoptosis, and activate JAK2/STAT3 pathway to alleviate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Conclusions

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the protective effects of cur-hydrogel on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating apoptosis, autophagy, and mitochondrial injury in vitro and in vivo, which lays a new theoretical and experimental foundation for the prevention and reduction of IRI.
Efficacy of a multivalent vaccine against Fasciola hepatica infection in sheep
Authors: Zafra Rafael , Buffoni Leandro , Pérez-Caballero Raúl , Molina-Hernández Verónica , Ruiz-Campillo María T. , Pérez José , Martínez-Moreno Álvaro , Martínez Moreno Francisco J.
Published: January 2021

In this work we report the protection found in a vaccination trial performed in sheep with two different vaccines composed each one by a cocktail of antigens (rCL1, rPrx, rHDM and rLAP) formulated in two different adjuvants (Montanide ISA 61 VG (G1) and Alhydrogel®(G2)). The parameters of protection tested were fluke burden, faecal egg count and evaluation of hepatic lesions. In vaccinated group 1 we found a significant decrease in fluke burden in comparison to both unimmunised and infected control group (37.2%; p = 0.002) and to vaccinated group 2 (Alhydrogel®) (27.08%; p = 0.016). The lower fluke burden found in G1 was accompanied by a decrease in egg output of 28.71% in comparison with the infected control group. Additionally, gross hepatic lesions found in vaccine 1 group showed a significant decrease (p = 0.03) in comparison with unimmunised-infected group. The serological study showed the highest level for both IgG1 and IgG2 in animals from group 1. All these data support the hypothesis of protection found in vaccine 1 group.
Ordering graphs with large eccentricity-based topological indices
Authors: Tang Yunfang , Qi Xuli
Published: January 2021

For a connected graph, the first Zagreb eccentricity index$\xi _{1}$ξ1is defined as the sum of the squares of the eccentricities of all vertices, and the second Zagreb eccentricity index$\xi _{2}$ξ2is defined as the sum of the products of the eccentricities of pairs of adjacent vertices. In this paper, we mainly present a different and universal approach to determine the upper bounds respectively on the Zagreb eccentricity indices of trees, unicyclic graphs and bicyclic graphs, and characterize these corresponding extremal graphs, which extend the ordering results of trees, unicyclic graphs and bicyclic graphs in (Du et al. in Croat. Chem. Acta 85:359–362, 2012; Qi et al. in Discrete Appl. Math. 233:166–174, 2017; Li and Zhang in Appl. Math. Comput. 352:180–187, 2019). Specifically, we determine then-vertex trees with thei-th largest indices$\xi _{1}$ξ1and$\xi _{2}$ξ2foriup to$\lfloor n/2+1 \rfloor $⌊n/2+1⌋compared with the first three largest results of$\xi _{1}$ξ1and$\xi _{2}$ξ2in (Du et al. in Croat. Chem. Acta 85:359–362, 2012), then-vertex unicyclic graphs with respectively thei-th and thej-th largest indices$\xi _{1}$ξ1and$\xi _{2}$ξ2foriup to$\lfloor n/2-1 \rfloor $⌊n/2−1⌋andjup to$\lfloor 2n/5+1 \rfloor $⌊2n/5+1⌋compared with respectively the first two and the first three largest results of$\xi _{1}$ξ1and$\xi _{2}$ξ2in (Qi et al. in Discrete Appl. Math. 233:166–174, 2017), and then-vertex bicyclic graphs with respectively thei-th and thej-th largest indices$\xi _{1}$ξ1and$\xi _{2}$ξ2foriup to$\lfloor n/2-2\rfloor $⌊n/2−2⌋andjup to$\lfloor 2n/15+1\rfloor $⌊2n/15+1⌋compared with the first two largest results of$\xi _{2}$ξ2in (Li and Zhang in Appl. Math. Comput. 352:180–187, 2019), where$n\ge 6$n≥6. More importantly, we propose two kinds of index functions for the eccentricity-based topological indices, which can yield more general extremal results simultaneously for some classes of indices. As applications, we obtain and extend some ordering results about the average eccentricity of bicyclic graphs, and the eccentric connectivity index of trees, unicyclic graphs and bicyclic graphs.
A q-Polak–Ribière–Polyak conjugate gradient algorithm for unconstrained optimization problems
Authors: Mishra Shashi Kant , Chakraborty Suvra Kanti , Samei Mohammad Esmael , Ram Bhagwat
Published: January 2021

A Polak–Ribière–Polyak (PRP) algorithm is one of the oldest and popular conjugate gradient algorithms for solving nonlinear unconstrained optimization problems. In this paper, we present a q-variant of the PRP (q-PRP) method for which both the sufficient and conjugacy conditions are satisfied at every iteration. The proposed method is convergent globally with standard Wolfe conditions and strong Wolfe conditions. The numerical results show that the proposed method is promising for a set of given test problems with different starting points. Moreover, the method reduces to the classical PRP method as the parameter q approaches 1.
Weak and strong convergence of inertial algorithms for solving split common fixed point problems
Authors: Chen Hong-Yi
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we propose two iterative schemes for approximating solutions of split common fixed point problems in multiple linear operators case. The first algorithm implements the Krasnosel’skiĭ–Mann iteration with an inertial effect for which the weak convergence is established under mild assumptions. With the tool of nearly contractive mappings, we introduce a viscosity-type iteration which ensures strong convergence. We apply our results to solve a multiple split monotone variational inclusion problem. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithms.
Stochastically exponential synchronization for Markov jump neural networks with time-varying delays via event-triggered control scheme
Authors: Liu Xiaoman , Zhang Haiyang , Yang Jun , Chen Hao
Published: January 2021

This paper focuses on the stochastically exponential synchronization problem for one class of neural networks with time-varying delays (TDs) and Markov jump parameters (MJPs). To derive a tighter bound of reciprocally convex quadratic terms, we provide an improved reciprocally convex combination inequality (RCCI), which includes some existing ones as its particular cases. We construct an eligible stochastic Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional to capture more information about TDs, triggering signals, and MJPs. Based on a well-designed event-triggered control scheme, we derive several novel stability criteria for the underlying systems by employing the new RCCI and other analytical techniques. Finally, we present two numerical examples to show the validity of our methods.
Dynamical analysis of a new fractional-order predator–prey system with Holling type-III functional
Authors: Dai Lihua , Wang Junjie , Ni Yonggen , Xu Bin
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we consider a new fractional-order predator–prey model with Holling type-III functional response and stage structure. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory and by constructing a suitable Lyapunov functional, we obtain some sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of positive solutions and the asymptotic stability of the positive equilibrium to the system. Finally, we give some numerical examples to illustrate the feasibility of our results.
Survival and ergodicity of a stochastic Holling-III predator–prey model with Markovian switching in an impulsive polluted environment
Authors: Qin Wen , Zhang Hanjun , He Qingsong
Published: January 2021

Based on the effects of white noise and colored noise, we propose a stochastic Holling-III predator–prey model in an impulsive polluted environment. Firstly, we prove an existence and uniqueness theorem of the presented model. Secondly, we establish sufficient criteria of extinction, nonpersistence in mean, and weak persistence in mean for both prey and predator species. Thirdly, with the aid of Lyapunov functions, we prove that this system is ergodic and has a unique stationary distribution under certain conditions. Finally, we verify the theoretical results by performing some numerical simulations.
General Raina fractional integral inequalities on coordinates of convex functions
Authors: Baleanu Dumitru , Kashuri Artion , Mohammed Pshtiwan Othman , Meftah Badreddine
Published: January 2021

Integral inequality is an interesting mathematical model due to its wide and significant applications in mathematical analysis and fractional calculus. In this study, authors have established some generalized Raina fractional integral inequalities using an $(l_{1},h_{1})$
(

l
1

,

h
1

)
-$(l_{2},h_{2})$
(

l
2

,

h
2

)
-convex function on coordinates. Also, we obtain an integral identity for partial differentiable functions. As an effect of this result, two interesting integral inequalities for the $(l_{1},h_{1})$
(

l
1

,

h
1

)
-$(l_{2},h_{2})$
(

l
2

,

h
2

)
-convex function on coordinates are given. Finally, we can say that our findings recapture some recent results as special cases.
Correction to: Characteristics of ammonia gas emissions from soybean cultivation soils treated with mixed microorganisms
Authors: Park Jong‑Hwan , Lee Su‑Lim , Hwang Se‑Wook , Eom Ju‑Hyun , Kim Seong‑Heon , Kang Se‑Won , Cho Ju‑Sik , Seo Dong‑Cheol
Published: January 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Prognostic value of metabolic tumor volume and total lesion glycolysis on preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with localized primary gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Authors: Hwang Sang Hyun , Jung Minkyu , Jeong Yong Hyu , Jo KwanHyeong , Kim Soyoung , Wang Jiyoung , Cho Arthur
Published: January 2021

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of pretreatment18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in patients with localized primary gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and to compare the predictive values of18F-FDG PET/CT parameters with those of clinicopathological prognostic factors.

Methods

Sixty-two localized GIST patients who underwent staging with18F-FDG PET/CT from January 2007 to December 2013 before surgery were retrospectively enrolled. A volume of interest with a standardized uptake value (SUV) threshold of 2.5 was used to determine the metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). These metabolic indices, along with the maximum SUV (SUVmax), were analyzed to evaluate recurrence-free survival (RFS). Other significant clinical and pathologic indices were also retrospectively reviewed for RFS analysis.

Results

Patients were followed up for a median of 42.0 months (range, 5.6–111.5). During the follow-up period, 13 patients (21.0%) experienced disease recurrence. In univariate analysis, tumor size (> 5 cm), mitotic count (> 5/high-power field), modified National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus criteria, adjuvant imatinib treatment, SUVmax (≥ 7.04), MTV (≥ 50.76 cm3), and TLG (≥ 228.79 g) were significant prognostic factors affecting RFS (p< 0.05). In multivariate analysis, only MTV (hazard ratio, 17.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.03–154.17,p= 0.009) and TLG (hazard ratio, 20.48; 95% CI, 2.19–191.16,p= 0.008) were independent prognostic factors for RFS. The 5-year RFS rates were 96.4% and 96.6% in patients with a low MTV and TLG and 27.3% and 23.6% in patients with a high MTV and TLG, respectively (p< 0.001).

Conclusion

MTV and TLG are independent prognostic factors for predicting recurrence in patients with localized primary GIST. Patients with a high MTV or TLG are at risk for poor prognosis and should be closely observed for disease recurrence.
A preliminary study: designing and validating projective images of Young’s early maladaptive schema (EMS) domains
Authors: Siahmoshtei Javad , Delavar Ali , Borjali Ahmad
Published: January 2021

Background

This study aims to design and validate ten projective images ofYoung’s Early Maladaptive Schema(EMS) domains. For this purpose, two questions are to be addressed. (1) How is the factorial structure of the projective images of EMS domains? (2) Do the images designed in the domains of disconnection and rejection, impaired autonomy and performance, impaired limits, other-directedness, and over-vigilance and inhibition have sufficient validity?

Methods

This is an applied mixed-methods exploratory study, in which the statistical population consisted of psychologists from Tehran Province in the qualitative section (n = 8) as well as other individuals aged between 18 and 65 years (mean age = 33) from Qazvin in the quantitative section (n = 102) in 2018. The research questions were analyzed through principal axis factoring with a varimax rotation, confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Cronbach’s alpha.

Results

According to the results, ten images and five domains of Young’s EMSs contribute to a simple structure. Accounting for 70.35% of the total variance of EMSs, the five dimensions include disconnection and rejection, impaired autonomy and performance, impaired limits, other-directedness, and over-vigilance and inhibition.

Conclusions

The results indicated that the designed projective images yielded acceptable construct validity.
Correlates of emotional intelligence among Lebanese adults: the role of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, alcohol use disorder, alexithymia and work fatigue
Authors: Obeid Sahar , Haddad Chadia , Fares Kassandra , Malaeb Diana , Sacre Hala , Akel Marwan , Salameh Pascale , Hallit Souheil
Published: January 2021

Background

Relationship between emotional intelligence and emotional variables such as stress, depression, anxiety and mental health has been well documented in child and adult samples. New insights into the association between emotional intelligence and different components of mental health in one study (cognitive, emotional and behavioral dimensions) can help patients, therapists, relatives, and friends to understand, explain, and cope with symptoms. There have been no studies assessing the association between the emotional intelligence (EI) with various factors in Lebanon. This study principal aim was to evaluate how EI is related to mental health issues: social anxiety, depression, alcohol use disorders (AUD), work fatigue, stress and alexithymia in Lebanon.

Methods

789 participants were enrolled in a cross-sectional study between November 2017 and March 2018. A cluster analysis was used to evaluate participants’ profiles with the help of emotional intelligence subscales, to separate the Lebanese population into equal limited units with different characteristics using the K-mean technique.

Results

Three clusters were computed dividing participants into low EI (cluster 1; 24.5%), moderate EI (cluster 2; 43.7%) and high EI (cluster 3; 31.7%) respectively. Fitting into the cluster 1 (low EI) was significantly associated with higher AUD, alexithymia, anxiety, depression, perceived stress, social phobia, emotional, mental and physical work fatigue, suicidal ideation compared to cluster 3 (high EI). Fitting into the cluster 2 (moderate EI) was significantly correlated with higher AUD, depression, alexithymia, anxiety, perceived stress, social phobia, mental work fatigue and suicidal ideation compared to cluster 3 (high EI).

Conclusion

This study results suggest that emotional intelligence is related to different variables, warranting interventions to limit/decrease alcohol abuse and mental/psychological illnesses as much possible.
Craftsmanship and materials: painted Bodhisattva sculptures in the Fengguo Temple dated to the year 1020 in Yi County, Northeast China
Authors: Song Jiahang , Xiang Wei , Yan Shaojun , Zhou Weiqiang , Ma Linyan
Published: January 2021

As a royal temple, the Fengguo Temple has profound historical, artistic, scientific and social values. With a thousand-year history, it is one of the three existing temples of the Liao Dynasty in China. Now there remains the Main Hall with delicate wall paintings and vivid painted sculptures. The research subject of this paper is the painted Bodhisattva sculptures in the Main Hall. The study target is to reveal the craftsmanship and materials of the painted Bodhisattva sculptures. X-ray detection and the ground-penetrating radar were employed to explore the internal structure of the painted sculptures reasonably. Through microscope analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopic analysis, the chemical constituents and hierarchical structure of the pigment layer were detected and analyzed. The grain composition and chemical composition of the base layer were presented as well. The research results offer detailed documents for subsequent restoration and pave the way for preventive conservation. Finally, this paper summarized the craftsmanship and materials of painted sculpture works in different periods, so as to explore the development history of the painted sculptures culture.
Post-Western sociologies: what and why?
Authors: Xie Lizhong
Published: January 2021

“Post-Western sociologies” mainly refer to some sociological systems constructed by non-Western and Western sociologists, after the so-called “Western sociologies” have been spread to the non-Western world. It includes various types, such as “non-westernized Western sociologies,” “westernized non-Western sociologies,” and “non-Western sociologies.” “Post-Western sociologies” therefore are neither equal to “non-Western sociologies” nor equal to “de-westernized” or “anti-westernized” sociologies. Compared with concepts such as “de-Westernization” or even “indigenization,” the concept of “post-Westernization” is more inclusive.