bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (C-PHQ-9) in patients with psoriasis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ye Xin , Shu Hui-Ling , Feng Xia , Xia Deng-mei , Wang Zheng-qun , Mi Wen-yao , Yu Bei , Zhang Xue-li , Li Changqiang
Published: July 2020

Objective

To evaluate the clinical reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (C-PHQ-9) in patients with psoriasis.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Tertiary care centre.

Participants

Patients with psoriasis who have not been diagnosed with depression (n=148; mean age 43.37±17.46 years; 31.19% female).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome measures considered in this study were the C-PHQ-9 and the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). The American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-V) was used as the gold standard for the diagnosis of depression. Cronbach’s α and test–retest reliability after 1 week were evaluated using reliability analysis, and criterion and structural validity were assessed using validity analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to identify the best demarcation score and diagnostic accuracy.

Results

Compared with DSM-V (27.27%), both C-PHQ-9 (39.19%) and HAMD (31.01%) had higher rates for detecting depression. The mean completion time for C-PHQ-9 evaluation (2.02±0.84 min) was significantly less than that for HAMD (23.37±3.21 min, p<0.001). The Cronbach’s α coefficient for the C-PHQ-9 was 0.938. The correlation coefficients of the nine items with the total scale ranged from 0.540 to 0.854, and the mean inter-item correlation coefficients ranged from 0.376 to 0.933. After a week, the retest coefficient was 0.955 (p<0.01). Principal component factor analysis showed that C-PHQ-9 identified a unifactorial structure. The best cut-off point was 9 points, with a sensitivity of 98.00% and a specificity of 90.80%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.979 (95% CI 0.968 to 0.991).

Conclusion

C-PHQ-9 has good reliability and validity in patients with psoriasis and can be used for primary screening of patients with psoriasis and depression. This scale has obvious time and labour advantages over the HAMD and should be considered for use in clinical practice.
Health of mothers of children with a life-limiting condition: a protocol for comparative cohort study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink
Authors: Fraser Lorna Katharine , Murtagh Fliss E M , Sheldon Trevor , Gilbody Simon , Hewitt Catherine
Published: July 2020

Introduction

There are now nearly 50 000 children with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition in the UK. These include conditions where there is no reasonable hope of cure and from which they will die, as well as conditions for which curative treatment may be feasible but can fail, for example, cancer or heart failure. Having a child with a life-limiting condition involves being a coordinator and provider of healthcare in addition to the responsibilities and pressures of parenting a child who is expected to die young. This adversely affects the health and well-being of these mothers and affects their ability to care for their child, but the extent of the impact is poorly understood.

This study aims to quantify the incidence and nature of mental and physical morbidity in mothers of children with a life-limiting condition, their healthcare use and to assess whether there is a relationship between the health of the mother and the child’s condition.

Methods and analysis

A comparative cohort study using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and linked hospital data will include three groups of children and their mothers (those with a life-limiting condition, those with a chronic condition and those with no long-term health condition total=20 000 mother–child dyads). Incidence rates and incidence rate ratios will be used to quantify and compare the outcomes between groups with multivariable regression modelling used to assess the relationship between the child’s disease trajectory and mother’s health.

Ethics and dissemination

This study protocol has approval from the Independent Scientific Advisory Committee for the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Database Research. The results of this study will be reported according to the STROBE and RECORD guidelines. There will also be a lay summary for parents which will be available to download from the Martin House Research Centre website (www.york.ac.uk/mhrc).
Patients’ experiences with fluctuations in persistent physical symptoms: a qualitative study
Authors: Barends Hieke , Walstock Ella , Botman Femke , de Kruif Anja , Claassen Nikki , van der Wouden Johannes C , olde Hartman Tim , Dekker Joost , van der Horst Henriette
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To explore patients’ experiences with fluctuations in persistent physical symptoms (PPS) and to understand which factors—from their viewpoint—play a role in these fluctuations.

Design

Qualitative study using semistructured interviews and thematic content analysis.

Setting

This qualitative study is part of a multicentre prospective cohort study on the course of PPS. Patients were recruited in general practices and specialised treatment facilities for PPS throughout the Netherlands.

Participants

Interviews were conducted with a sample of fifteen patients with PPS to explore their experiences with fluctuations in symptom severity.

Results

We identified three themes in the analysis: (1) patterns in symptom fluctuations (2) perceived causes of symptom exacerbations and (3) Patients’ strategies in gaining control over symptom exacerbations. Daily and weekly fluctuations in symptoms were an important element in patients’ experiences. In particular anticipating on the worsening of symptoms impacted their daily routines and posed various challenges. Symptom exacerbations were attributed to overstepping physical limits and/or the impact of negative emotions. Resigning to physical limits, adjusting ones daily planning, weighing personal needs and learning to say ‘no’ were described as different strategies in gaining control over symptom exacerbations.

Conclusions

Fluctuations in the severity of symptoms—and in particular daily and weekly symptom exacerbations—are an important element of the symptom experience in patients with PPS and poses various challenges. Patients attributed symptom exacerbation to overstepping physical limits and/or negative emotions. Patients described different strategies in gaining control over symptom exacerbations.
Cardiovascular disease risk perception in a Hungarian community sample: psychometric evaluation of the ABCD Risk Perception Questionnaire
Authors: Martos Tamas , Csabai Márta , Bagyura Zsolt , Ocsovszky Zsófia , Rafael Beatrix , Sallay Viola , Merkely Béla
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Reliable and valid assessment of subjective risk perception is a crucial part of cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and rehabilitation. Since the recently developed Attitudes and Beliefs about Cardiovascular Disease (ABCD) Risk Questionnaire complies with these requirements, the aim of the present study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Hungarian version of the measure.

Design and setting

Community-based cross-sectional observational study

Participants

In sum, 410 (M=49.53 years, SD=8.09) Hungarian adults (inclusion criteria: aged 35 and above, not under treatment with a psychiatric disorder) were included in the present study (female: n=277, 67.6%; college or university-level education: n=247, 60.2%).

Methods

We translated the ABCD Risk Questionnaire into Hungarian and checked its psychometric properties and validity indices.

Primary outcome measures

Internal consistency, explorative and confirmative factorial validity. Associations with sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, as well as with measures of mental health (depressive symptoms, perceived stress and well-being).

Results

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a three-factor solution, corresponding to the original subscales of Risk Perception, Perceived Benefits and Healthy Eating Intentions, with a moderate correlation between the latent constructs. The respondents’ level of knowledge on CVD risk factors was largely independent of their subjective risk perception. The results also provided evidence on the weak-to-medium associations between mental health indices and CVD-related perceptions. Based on the results, a shortened scale version was also suggested.

Conclusion

This study confirms the factorial structure, internal consistency and validity of the Hungarian version of the ABCD Risk Questionnaire in a non-English-speaking community sample. The ABCD Risk Perception Questionnaire is a parsimonious and psychometrically adequate measure to assess CVD-related attitudes and knowledge in the general population. Further research is needed in socioeconomically more diverse and in clinical samples, as well as in longitudinal intervention studies.
Association between poor sleep quality and depression symptoms among the elderly in nursing homes in Hunan province, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hu Zhao , Zhu Xidi , Kaminga Atipatsa Chiwanda , Zhu Tingting , Nie Yu , Xu Huilan
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To examine the association between the prevalence of poor sleep quality and depression symptoms among the elderly in the nursing homes of Hunan province in China.

Design, Setting and participants

This was a cross-sectional study investigating 817 elderly people from 24 nursing homes in China’s Hunan province.

Main outcome measures

Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) such that poor sleep quality was defined as PSQI Score >5. In addition, depression symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Linear regression models and binary logistic regression models were used to analyse the relationship between the prevalence of poor sleep quality and depression symptoms.

Results

The mean PSQI Score was 8.5±4.9, and the prevalence of poor sleep quality was 67.3%. Additionally, the mean GDS Score was 9.8±7.5, and the prevalence of depression symptoms was 36.0%. Elderly people with poor sleep quality had increased GDS Score (mean difference=2.54, 95% CI 1.66 to 3.42) and increased risk of depression symptoms (OR=3.19, 95% CI 2.04 to 4.98) after controlling for demographics, chronic disease history, lifestyle behaviours, social support, activities of daily living and negative life events.

Conclusions

The prevalence of poor sleep quality was relatively high, and this was associated with increased depression symptoms. Therefore, poor sleep quality could be speculated as a marker of current depression symptoms in the elderly.
COVID-19 pandemic: changes in cancer admissions
Authors: Guven Deniz Can , Aktas Burak Yasin , Aksun Melek Seren , Ucgul Enes , Sahin Taha Koray , Yildirim Hasan Cagri , Guner Gurkan , Kertmen Neyran , Dizdar Omer , Kilickap Saadettin , Aksoy Sercan , Yalcin Suayib , Turker Alev , Uckun Fatih Mehmet , Arik Zafer
Published: July 2020

Background

COVID-19 pandemic could create a collateral damage to cancer care denoting disruptions in care due to a significant burden on healthcare and resource allocations. Herein, we evaluate the early changes in the inpatient and outpatient oncology clinics to take a snapshot of this collateral damage at Hacettepe University Cancer Institute.

Methods

Patients applying the outpatient clinic and outpatient palliative care (OPC) clinic for the first time and patients admitted to inpatient wards in the first 30 days after the first case of COVID-19 in Turkey were evaluated. These data were compared with data from the same time frame in the previous 3 years.

Results

The mean number of daily new patient applications to the outpatient clinic (9.87±3.87 vs 6.43±4.03, p<0.001) and OPC clinic (3.87±1.49 vs 1.13±1.46, p<0.001) was significantly reduced compared with the previous years. While the number of inpatient admissions was similar for a month frame, the median duration of hospitalisation was significantly reduced. The frequency of hospitalisations for chemotherapy was higher than in previous years (p<0.001). By comparison, the rate of hospitalisations for palliative care (p=0.028) or elective interventional procedures (p=0.001) was significantly reduced.

Conclusion

In our experience, almost all domains of care were affected during the pandemic other than patients’ systemic treatments. There were significant drops in the numbers of newly diagnosed patients, patients having interventional procedures and palliative care services, and these problems should be the focus points for the risk mitigation efforts for prevention of care disruptions.
Inflammatory bowel disease in India: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Snell Alice , Segal Jonathan , Limdi Jimmy , Banerjee Rupa
Published: July 2020

Evidence is emerging that inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are becoming increasingly prevalent in developing countries, altering the previously held view that these were diseases of the West. Within this is a substantial increase in the burden of this disease in India, a matter of great importance to the country itself as well as in furthering our understanding of the disease. There is comparatively less data on this, both from the epidemiological standpoint as well as on disease pathogenesis in this particular cohort and is very much a subject matter of evolving understanding and research. This article aims to look at the changing global distribution of the disease and its implications. The Indian disease phenotype, and the aetiology of disease development will also be addressed with particular focus on differing pathogenetic processes in the Indian subpopulation, with consideration of what clues may be offered by the increasing incidence of the disease in this developing nation. Available evidence will be evaluated with the objective of providing a comprehensive overview of the development of IBD in India.
Sex differences in the association between childhood maltreatment and cardiovascular disease in the UK Biobank
Authors: Soares Ana Luiza Gonçalves , Hammerton Gemma , Howe Laura D , Rich-Edwards Janet , Halligan Sarah , Fraser Abigail
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To assess and compare associations between childhood maltreatment and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in men and women in the UK. In secondary analyses, we also explored possible age differences and associations with early onset CVD (<50 years).

Methods

We included 157 311 participants from the UK Biobank who had information on physical, sexual or emotional abuse, emotional or physical neglect. CVD outcomes were defined as any CVD, hypertensive disease, ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease. These were extracted from self-report, blood pressure measurements, hospital register and death register. The associations between maltreatment and CVD were assessed using Poisson regression with robust variance to estimate risk ratios, stratified by sex and adjusted for socioeconomic and demographic factors.

Results

All types of maltreatment were associated with increased risk of CVD and IHD in both sexes. Additionally, in women all types of maltreatment were associated with higher risk of hypertensive disease, and all, except emotional neglect, were associated with cerebrovascular disease. In men, all but sexual abuse, were associated with higher risk of hypertensive disease, and all, except physical and sexual abuse, were associated with cerebrovascular disease. Associations were generally stronger in women, and individuals who were younger at baseline had stronger associations of childhood maltreatment with any CVD and IHD, but age differences were less evident when only early onset CVD was considered.

Conclusions

Childhood maltreatment was consistently associated with CVD and stronger associations were generally observed in women and seemed to be stronger for early onset CVD.
Analysis of Count Data in the Setting of Cervical Cancer Detection
Authors: Bracamontes Christina G , Carrillo Thelma , Montealegre Jane , Fradkin Leonid , Follen Michele , Mulla Zuber D
Published: July 2020

Women with an abnormal Pap smear are often referred to colposcopy, a procedure during which endocervical curettage (ECC) may be performed. ECC is a scraping of the endocervical canal lining. Our goal was to compare the performance of a naïve Poisson (NP) regression model with that of a zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) model when identifying predictors of the number of distress/pain vocalizations made by women undergoing ECC. Data on women seen in the colposcopy clinic at a medical school in El Paso, Texas, were analyzed. The outcome was the number of pain vocalizations made by the patient during ECC. Six dichotomous predictors were evaluated. Initially, NP regression was used to model the data. A high proportion of patients did not make any vocalizations, and hence a ZIP model was also fit and relative rates (RRs) and 95% CIs were calculated. AIC was used to identify the best model (NP or ZIP). Of the 210 women, 154 (73.3%) had a value of 0 for the number of ECC vocalizations. NP identified three statistically significant predictors (language preference of the subject, sexual abuse history and length of the colposcopy), while ZIP identified one: history of sexual abuse (yes vs no; adjusted RR=2.70, 95% CI 1.47 to 4.97). ZIP was preferred over NP. ZIP performed better than NP regression. Clinicians and epidemiologists should consider using the ZIP model (or the zero-inflated negative binomial model) for zero-inflated count data.
Impact of guselkumab, an interleukin-23 p19 subunit inhibitor, on enthesitis and dactylitis in patients with moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis: results from a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase II study
Authors: Mease Philip J , Gladman Dafna D , Deodhar Atul , McGonagle Dennis G , Nash Peter , Boehncke Wolf-Henning , Gottlieb Alice , Xu Xie L , Xu Stephen , Hsia Elizabeth C , Karyekar Chetan S , Helliwell Philip S
Published: July 2020

Objective

To evaluate the effect of guselkumab on enthesitis and dactylitis in a phase II trial of patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods

This was a phase II, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of adults with active PsA (≥3 swollen and ≥3 tender joints and C reactive protein ≥0.3 mg/dL) despite conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and/or oral corticosteroid therapy. Patients were randomised to subcutaneous injections of guselkumab 100 mg or placebo at weeks 0, 4 and every 8 weeks, with placebo crossover to guselkumab at week 24. Dactylitis was scored on a scale of 0–3 on each digit; enthesitis was assessed using the Leeds Enthesitis Index (0–6). Other assessments included American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index responses.

Results

Of 149 randomised patients, 107 patients had enthesitis (mean score=2.7) and 81 patients had dactylitis (mean dactylitis score=5.7) at baseline. Mean improvements in enthesitis and dactylitis at week 24 were greater in the guselkumab group versus placebo and sustained through week 56. Similar results were observed for the proportions of patients with resolution of enthesitis and dactylitis. At week 56, mean improvements in enthesitis and dactylitis among patients who switched from placebo to guselkumab treatment were similar to those in the guselkumab group. In the guselkumab group, ACR20 responders had greater improvements in enthesitis and dactylitis versus non-responders (week 24).

Conclusions

At week 24, the guselkumab group had greater mean improvements in enthesitis and dactylitis and greater proportions of patients with resolution of enthesitis and dactylitis versus placebo. ACR20 response was associated with improvements in enthesitis and dactylitis.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT02319759.

URL:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02319759; Registered 18 December 2014.
Effects of feeding graded levels of black spruce needles and branches on beef cow performance and health during mid to late gestation
Authors: Lafreniere C. , Berthiaume R. , Giesen L. , Campbell C.P. , Gardner D. , Panter Kip , Mandell I.B.
Published: July 2020

Pregnant beef cows (56; 727 ± 102 kg body weight) in their second trimester were used to examine black spruce (BSP) needles and branches for replacing alfalfa silage in wintering cow diets. Five dietary treatments assessed BSP inclusion rates (0%, 15%, 22.5%, 30%, and 37.5% in the diet) for 92 d up until 2 wk before start of calving using a randomized complete block design (10–12 cows per treatment). There were linear decreases (P < 0.001) in total weight gain, average daily gain, and dry matter intakes (DMI) as amounts of dietary BSP increased. Low DMI feeding BSP may be attributed to palatability issues and lower rates of digestion. Changes in body condition score increased (P < 0.003) as dietary BSP increased. These effects are supported by corresponding linear decreases (P < 0.001) for changes in rump fat cover and increases (P < 0.001) in serum non-esterified fatty acids as dietary BSP increased. After feeding the test diets, there were no dietary treatment differences (P > 0.42) for calf birth and weaning weights as well as cow pregnancy and culling rates. Based on this study, incorporation of BSP into gestating cow diets cannot be recommended.
Optomechanics of a stable diffractive axicon light sail
Authors: Srivastava Prateek R. , Swartzlander Grover A.
Published: July 2020

Beamed propulsion of a light sail based on radiation pressure benefits from a passively self-stabilizing “beam riding” diffractive film. We describe the optomechanics of a rigid non-spinning light sail that mitigates catastrophic sail walk-off and tumbling by use of a flat axicon diffraction grating. A linear stability analysis and numerical integration of the coupled translational and rotational equations of motion are examined. Stability is traded against longitudinal acceleration. The examined system achieves 90% of the theoretical longitudinal force limit and stability against a relative sail translation up to 30% of the sail radius when the payload is attached to a long boom.
Evidence for Initial Mass Function Variation in Massive Early-Type Galaxies
Authors: Smith Russell J.
Published: July 2020

The initial mass function (IMF), describing the distribution of birth masses of stars, plays a pivotal role in establishing the observable properties of galaxies. This article reviews the evidence for variation in the IMF of massive early-type galaxies (ETGs), especially from spectroscopic studies and from dynamical and gravitational lensing measurements over the past decade. The principal conclusions are as follows: ▪  The spectra of massive ETGs depart from the predictions of models with Milky Way–like IMFs in a way that is best reproduced by assuming a steeper (bottom-heavy) IMF below ∼1 M⊙. ▪  Lensing and dynamical models, assuming a constant mass-to-light ratio for the stellar component, infer heavy IMFs, superficially supporting the result from spectra. ▪  The spectroscopic signal exhibits a steep gradient, however, and may be confined to the innermost region with scales ≲2 kpc; such internal variation in the stellar mass-to-light ratio would invalidate a key assumption of most dynamics and lensing studies. ▪  For masses above the main sequence turnoff in ancient populations (≳1 M⊙), there is little evidence for a steeper IMF in massive ETGs or their high-redshift progenitors; rather, a slightly shallower slope is preferred in this regime from several different arguments. ▪  Steep internal gradients may be responsible for some of the apparent discrepancies between different methods and also point to the cause of the IMF variation being restricted to conditions specific to the in situ formation phase of ETG cores.
Cellular Mechanisms of NETosis
Authors: Thiam Hawa Racine , Wong Siu Ling , Wagner Denisa D. , Waterman Clare M.
Published: July 2020

Neutrophils are critical to innate immunity, including host defense against bacterial and fungal infections. They achieve their host defense role by phagocytosing pathogens, secreting their granules full of cytotoxic enzymes, or expelling neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) during the process of NETosis. NETs are weblike DNA structures decorated with histones and antimicrobial proteins released by activated neutrophils. Initially described as a means for neutrophils to neutralize pathogens, NET release also occurs in sterile inflammation, promotes thrombosis, and can mediate tissue damage. To effectively manipulate this double-edged sword to fight a particular disease, researchers must work toward understanding the mechanisms driving NETosis. Such understanding would allow the generation of new drugs to promote or prevent NETosis as needed. While knowledge regarding the (patho)physiological roles of NETosis is accumulating, little is known about the cellular and biophysical bases of this process. In this review, we describe and discuss our current knowledge of the molecular, cellular, and biophysical mechanisms mediating NET release as well as open questions in the field.
The Sins of Our Forefathers: Paternal Impacts on De Novo Mutation Rate and Development
Authors: Aitken R. John , De Iuliis Geoffry N. , Nixon Brett
Published: July 2020

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are generally characterized by excellent DNA surveillance and repair, resulting in one of the lowest spontaneous mutation rates in the body. However, the barriers to mutagenesis can be overwhelmed under two sets of circumstances. First, replication errors may generate age-dependent mutations that provide the mutant cells with a selective advantage, leading to the clonal expansions responsible for dominant genetic diseases such as Apert syndrome and achondroplasia. The second mechanism centers on the vulnerability of the male germline to oxidative stress and the induction of oxidative DNA damage in spermatozoa. Defective repair of such oxidative damage in the fertilized oocyte results in the creation of mutations in the zygote that can influence the health and well-being of the offspring. A particular hot spot for such oxidative attack on chromosome 15 has been found to align with several mutations responsible for paternally mediated disease, including cancer, psychiatric disorders, and infertility.
Chemical Mediators at the Bacterial-Fungal Interface
Authors: Scherlach Kirstin , Hertweck Christian
Published: July 2020

Interactions among microbes are key drivers of evolutionary progress and constantly shape ecological niches. Microorganisms rely on chemical communication to interact with each other and surrounding organisms. They synthesize natural products as signaling molecules, antibiotics, or modulators of cellular processes that may be applied in agriculture and medicine. Whereas major insight has been gained into the principles of intraspecies interaction, much less is known about the molecular basis of interspecies interplay. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the understanding of chemically mediated bacterial-fungal interrelations. We discuss pairwise interactions among defined species and systems involving additional organisms as well as complex interactions among microbial communities encountered in the soil or defined as microbiota of higher organisms. Finally, we give examples of how the growing understanding of microbial interactions has contributed to drug discovery and hypothesize what may be future directions in studying and engineering microbiota for agricultural or medicinal purposes.
Shaping an Endospore: Architectural Transformations During Bacillus subtilis Sporulation
Authors: Khanna Kanika , Lopez-Garrido Javier , Pogliano Kit
Published: July 2020

Endospore formation in Bacillus subtilis provides an ideal model system for studying development in bacteria. Sporulation studies have contributed a wealth of information about the mechanisms of cell-specific gene expression, chromosome dynamics, protein localization, and membrane remodeling, while helping to dispel the early view that bacteria lack internal organization and interesting cell biological phenomena. In this review, we focus on the architectural transformations that lead to a profound reorganization of the cellular landscape during sporulation, from two cells that lie side by side to the endospore, the unique cell within a cell structure that is a hallmark of sporulation in B. subtilis and other spore-forming Firmicutes. We discuss new insights into the mechanisms that drive morphogenesis, with special emphasis on polar septation, chromosome translocation, and the phagocytosis-like process of engulfment, and also the key experimental advances that have proven valuable in revealing the inner workings of bacterial cells.
Bacterial Quorum Sensing During Infection
Authors: Azimi Sheyda , Klementiev Alexander D. , Whiteley Marvin , Diggle Stephen P.
Published: July 2020

Bacteria are highly interactive and possess an extraordinary repertoire of intercellular communication and social behaviors, including quorum sensing (QS). QS has been studied in detail at the molecular level, so mechanistic details are well understood in many species and are often involved in virulence. The use of different animal host models has demonstrated QS-dependent control of virulence determinants and virulence in several human pathogenic bacteria. QS also controls virulence in several plant pathogenic species. Despite the role QS plays in virulence during animal and plant laboratory-engineered infections, QS mutants are frequently isolated from natural infections, demonstrating that the function of QS during infection and its role in pathogenesis remain poorly understood and are fruitful areas for future research. We discuss the role of QS during infection in various organisms and highlight approaches to better understand QS during human infection. This is an important consideration in an era of growing antimicrobial resistance, when we are looking for new ways to target bacterial infections.
The Impact of Online Media Big Data on Firm Performance: Based on Grey Relation Entropy Method
Authors: Qin Hai-qing , Li Zhen-hui , Yang Jia-jia
Published: July 2020

The study uses the grey relation entropy method to explore the impact of online media big data on firm performance, based on 17 randomly selected Chinese A-share listed companies during the period from 2012 to 2017. It shows that the media big data, especially the negative media coverage, is highly associated with both short-term and long-term firm performance. Then, this study employs the system GMM method to testify how negative media coverage affects firm performance. It indicates that negative media coverage may be a damage crisis for the focal firm in the short term, but a favorable chance for change in the long run. These findings not only enrich the research on the influence of online media big data but also provide some references for enterprise managers.
Finite-Time H2/H∞ Control Design for Stochastic Poisson Systems with Applications to Clothing Hanging Device
Authors: Qi Yan , Zhong Shiyu , Yan Zhiguo
Published: July 2020

In this paper, the design of finite-time H2/H∞ controller for linear Itô stochastic Poisson systems is considered. First, the definition of finite-time H2/H∞ control is proposed, which considers the transient performance, H2 index, and H∞ index simultaneously in a predetermined finite-time interval. Then, the state feedback and observer-based finite-time H2/H∞ controllers are presented and some new sufficient conditions are obtained. Moreover, an algorithm is given to optimize H2 and H∞ index, simultaneously. Finally, a simulation example indicates the effectiveness of the results.
Facile Synthesis of Nanoporous Amorphous Silica on Silicon Substrate
Authors: Hui Luo , Yongquan Huang , Lili Wu , Yanming Ge , Kaichen Huang , Xi Lin , Kexin Tang , Xiufang Lv , Hailing Yu
Published: July 2020

Large-scale nanoporous amorphous silica nanostructure is fabricated via a simply etched approach and effective thermal evaporation process. The nanoporous amorphous silica was synthesized by a general and scalable process via etching by metal particles on the silica sheets. In this study, we elucidated how a nanoporous structure was performed and the addition of indium is the key factor that determined the formation of the nanoporous structures. The morphology and the sizes of the porous structure could be tunable by the sizes and the shape of the metal. We discovered a promising optical property in the as-synthesized nanostructures, which have a photoluminescence in an intensive ultraviolet emission as well as a broad visible emission at room temperature.
Effects of Electroacupuncture on Ovarian Expression of the Androgen Receptor and Connexin 43 in Rats with Letrozole‐Induced Polycystic Ovaries
Authors: Xu Ge , Zhang Andong , Liu Jiandang , Wang Xi , Feng Jiwei , Chen Yuelai
Published: July 2020

Background. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) occurs in women of reproductive age and is often characterized by reproductive and endocrine dysfunction. Androgens play a major role in PCOS, and previous studies reported abnormal expression of Connexin 43 (Cx43) in animal models of PCOS, suggesting an association of Cx43 with PCOS pathogenesis. Experimental and clinical evidence indicated that acupuncture may be a safe and effective approach for treating reproductive and endocrine disorders in women with PCOS. This study aimed to determine the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on PCOS and its relationship with the expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and Cx43. Methods. In total, 30 female Sprague Dawley rats (6 weeks old) were randomly divided into three groups: control group, letrozole (LE) group, and LE + EA group. Rats were administered LE solution (1.0 mg/kg) for 21 consecutive days to induce PCOS. For the LE + EA group, additional EA treatment was conducted (2 Hz, 20 min/d) with “Guanyuan” (CV3) for 14 consecutive days. After hematoxylin‐eosin staining, the ovarian structure was observed with an optical microscope, and serum levels of the following hormones were examined via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH); luteinizing hormone (LH), insulin (INS), anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH), and inhibin B (INHB). Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were evaluated using glucose oxidase‐peroxidase. Ovarian mRNA and protein expressions of AR and Cx43 were determined by real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis. Results. EA was found to restore the cyclicity and ovarian morphology in the PCOS rat model. Serum derived from the LE + EA group showed significant decreases in the levels of T, free androgen index (FAI), LH, LH/FSH ratio, AMH, INHB, and fasting serum insulin (FINS), and significant increases in the levels of E2, FSH, and SHBG. Western blot analysis showed a decreased protein expression of ovarian AR and Cx43; real‐time RT‐PCR showed reduced expression of ovarian mRNA levels of AR and Cx43. Conclusions. In conclusion, our results showed that EA can ease hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary morphology in PCOS rats. Furthermore, EA counteracted the letrozole‐induced upregulation of AR and Cx43. These results suggested that acupuncture can break the vicious cycle initiated by excessive androgen secretion and may be an effective treatment method for improving the reproductive and endocrine dysfunction caused by PCOS.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Three Patients with Bipolar II Disorder during Depressive Episodes
Authors: Kimura Yasuhiro , Hamatani Sayo , Matsumoto Kazuki , Shimizu Eiji
Published: July 2020

Bipolar II disorder is a recurrent mental health disorder characterized by alternating hypomanic and depressive episodes. Providing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as an adjuvant to pharmacotherapy can reduce the recurrence rate of bipolar disorder. It has not been examined whether CBT can be started during a depressive episode in patients with bipolar II disorder; however, the use of CBT during the remission period has been demonstrated to reduce recurrence. The current study is a case report involving three Japanese patients with bipolar II disorder, who started CBT during the depressive phase after a hypomanic episode was stabilized by pharmacotherapy. All patients experienced excessively positive thinking one week apart and were able to choose behaviors that would stabilize bipolar mood by observing its precursors. After intervention, patients’ bipolar mood according to the Internal State Scale (ISS) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was improved. Our findings suggested that providing CBT to patients with bipolar II disorder during depressive episodes as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy is feasible.
Reaction Spectrum Comparative Analysis of Seismic Performance of 62 m CFST Bridge with Curved‐String Truss before and after Reinforcement
Authors: Chen Daihai , Li Yinxin , Li Zheng , Fang Yilin , Ma Laijing , Ma Fengrui
Published: July 2020

Taking a 62 m CFST bridge with a curved‐string truss as the research object, according to its reinforcement scheme, the spatial finite element models of the bridge before and after reinforcement were established by using the general finite element software ANSYS. The natural frequencies of the bridge before and after reinforcement were calculated, and the seismic performance of the bridge was analyzed by using the response spectrum method. The results show that the frequencies of the reinforced bridges increase in varying degrees, especially the vertical and torsional frequencies. Before and after reinforcement, the maximum axial force in the upper chord of the bridge is the largest, and the shear force and bending moment are small. The maximum internal force appears at the two ends of the upper chord. This position should be regarded as the weak link of the bridge seismic resistance. Under the same conditions, the axial force of the bridge after reinforcement is reduced by about 30% compared with that before reinforcement, and the displacement of the bridge after reinforcement is reduced in varying degrees. The reinforcement measures can improve the lateral and vertical stiffness of the bridge, especially the stiffness of the deck system.
Serum Cholinesterases, a Novel Marker of Clinical Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Retrospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Shao Xiaona , Yang Lei , Hu Keyue , Shen Ruiwei , Ye Qunqun , Yuan Xiaogang , Zhao Qiang , Shen Jianwei
Published: July 2020

Background. The aim of our study was to investigate whether serum cholinesterase (ChE) levels were associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Materials and Methods. We conducted a retrospective case-control study to clarify the relationship between serum ChE levels and IBD that included 142 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 60 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), and 264 healthy controls (HCs). We used ROC curves to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum ChE levels for IBD. Results. Substantially lower serum ChE levels were detected in patients with UC than in HCs (6376 U/L versus 8418 U/L, P<0.001) and in patients with CD than in HCs (5181 U/L versus 8418 U/L, P<0.001). Additionally, patients with CD displayed significantly lower serum ChE levels than patients with UC (5181 U/L versus 6376 U/L, P<0.01). We also found that there was a negative association between serum ChE levels and the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score of patients with CD (P=0.011) and the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI) score of patients with UC (P=0.018). The area under the curve (AUC) for serum ChE for the diagnosis of IBD was 0.826, and the AUCs of serum ChE for the diagnosis of CD and UC were 0.890 and 0.800, respectively. Conclusions. Serum ChE levels have important clinical significance in the diagnosis and assessment of clinical activity in patients with IBD, and the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway may provide new ideas for targeted treatment of IBD.
Terpenoids and Their Biological Activities from Cinnamomum: A Review
Authors: Wu Meiting , Ni Lin , Lu Haixiao , Xu Huiyou , Zou Shuangquan , Zou Xiaoxing
Published: July 2020

Cinnamomum is a genus of the family Lauraceae, which has been recognized worldwide as an important genus due to its beneficial uses. A great deal of research on its phytochemistry and pharmacological effects has been conducted. It is noteworthy that terpenoids are the characteristic of Cinnamomum due to the peculiar structures and significant biological effects. For a more in-depth study and the better use of Cinnamomum plants in the future, the chemical structures and biological effects of terpenoids obtained from Cinnamomum were summarized in the present study. To date, a total of 181 terpenoids with various skeletons have been isolated from Cinnamomum. These compounds have been demonstrated to play an important role in immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. However, studies on the bioactive components from Cinnamomum plants have only focused on a dozen species. Hence, further studies on the potential pharmacological effects need to be conducted in the future.
A Circulating Long Noncoding RNA Panel Serves as a Diagnostic Marker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Huang Jinlan , Zheng Yansong , Xiao Xialin , Liu Can , Lin Jinpiao , Zheng Sijia , Yang Bin , Ou Qishui
Published: July 2020

Background. Circulating long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to serve as diagnostic biomarkers for various cancers. We aimed to elucidate the diagnostic efficacy of eight serum lncRNAs HULC, MALAT1, Linc00152, PTENP1, PTTG3P, SPRY4-IT1, UBE2CP3, and UCA1 and their combinations for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods. A total of 129 patients with HCC, 49 patients with liver cirrhosis, 27 patients with chronic hepatitis B, and 93 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The levels of serum lncRNAs were assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The correlations between serum lncRNAs and clinicopathological characteristics were further analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were utilized to estimate the diagnostic capacity of serum lncRNAs and their combination with AFP for HCC. A logistic regression model was performed to establish a multiple-lncRNA panel. Results. The levels of serum HULC, MALAT1, Linc00152, PTTG3P, SPRY4-IT1, UBE2CP3, and UCA1 were significantly higher in HCC patients than in patients with benign liver diseases and healthy controls, whereas serum PTENP1 was significantly decreased in HCC patients compared with healthy participants. Positive correlations between serum Linc00152 and GGT, serum PTTG3P and GGT, and serum SPRY4-IT1 and ALT were noted in HCC patients. ROC analysis revealed that all these lncRNAs had a significantly predictive value for HCC except for PTENP1. The best performance of single lncRNA was obtained by Linc00152 with an AUC of 0.877. When combined with AFP, the combination of Linc00152 and AFP gained the highest accuracy, yielding an AUC of 0.906. Through logistic regression analysis, the panel consisting of serum linc00152, UCA1, and AFP provided the greatest predictive ability, obtaining an AUC of 0.912 with 82.9% sensitivity and 88.2% specificity. Conclusion. The panel of serum Linc00152, UCA1, and AFP demonstrates a novel and noninvasive biomarker with relatively high sensitivity and specificity for HCC diagnosis.
Phenomenon and Critical Conditions of Chamber Soil Sliming during EPB Shield Tunneling in Water‐Rich Weathered Diorite: Case Study of Jinan Metro, China
Authors: Wang Lu , Zhu Wei , Qian Yongjin , Xu Chao , Hu Jiannan , Xing Huitang
Published: July 2020

The sliming problem of chamber soil is caused by excessive groundwater seeping into the pressure chamber when an Earth pressure balance shield tunnels through a water‐rich weathered rock stratum under semiopen under‐pressure mode. As a solution to this problem, a calculation model was established based on field measurements of the discharged soil properties, the seepage water volume, and the seepage path in Jinan Metro, China. Chamber soil sliming is a phenomenon in which chamber soil is in a thin mud state, with no pressure balance in the pressure chamber of the EPB shield and an excessive water content of the chamber soil owing to the continuous seepage of groundwater into the chamber. The chamber pressure is relatively low, which is different from the phenomenon of spewing when the chamber pressure is relatively high. A large amount of water seepage from the stratum around the tunnel excavation surface and shield to the chamber is a significant factor leading to chamber soil sliming during the construction process. It was considered that when the moisture content of the chamber soil, w, is 2wL ≤ w ≤ 3wL, slight chamber soil sliming may occur, whereas when w ≥ 3wL, serious chamber soil sliming may occur. Moreover, some measures to prevent and control the occurrence of chamber soil sliming were discussed. Controlling the advancing time and the permeability coefficient of chamber soil during construction is the most effective measure to avoid the phenomenon of soil sliming.
Improved Efficiency of Object Code Verification Using Statically Abstracted Object Code
Authors: Shaukat N. , Shuja S. , Srinivasan S. K. , Jabeen S.
Published: July 2020

One of the major challenges in the formal verification of embedded system software is the complexity and substantially large size of the implementation. The problem becomes crucial when the embedded system is a complex medical device that is executing convoluted algorithms. In refinement-based verification, both specification and implementation are expressed as transition systems. Each behavior of the implementation transition system is matched to the specification transition system with the help of a refinement map. The refinement map can only project those values from the implementation which are responsible for labeling the current state of the system. When the refinement map is applied at the object code level, numerous instructions map to a single state in the specification transition system called stuttering instructions. We use the concept of Static Stuttering Abstraction (SSA) that filters the common multiple segments of stuttering instructions and replaces each segment with a merger. SSA algorithm reduces the implementation state space in embedded software, subsequently decreasing the efforts involved in manual verification with WEB refinement. The algorithm is formally proven for correctness. SSA is implemented on the pacemaker object code to evaluate the effectiveness of abstracted code in verification process. The results helped to establish the fact that, despite code size reduction, the bugs and errors can still be found. We implemented the SSA technique on two different platforms and it has been proven to be consistent in decreasing the code size significantly and hence the complexity of the implementation transition system. The results illustrate that there is considerable reduction in time and effort required for the verification of a complex software control, i.e., pacemaker when statically stuttering abstracted code is employed.