bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytogenotoxicity Evaluation of Young Adults Exposed to High Levels of Air Pollution in a Mexican Metropolitan Zone Using Buccal Micronucleus Cytome Assay
Authors: González-Santiago Ana Elizabeth , Zúñiga-González Guillermo Moisés , Gómez-Meda Belinda Claudia , Gutiérrez-Corral Francisco Javier , Zamora-Perez Ana Lourdes , Sánchez-Parada María Guadalupe
Published: January 2021

Air pollution has become a serious public health problem globally. Recent studies support the harmful effect of air pollution on human health, in addition to scientific evidence that recognizes it as a human carcinogen. The buccal micronucleus cytome (BMC) assay is employed extensively to measure cytotoxic and genotoxic damage in a population exposed to environmental contamination. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in healthy young adults exposed to different levels of air pollution and to identify areas with air pollution rates above the regulatory limits. This study was performed through the BMC assay in oral mucosa samples from 80 healthy young adults from the Guadalajara metropolitan zone. Three highly contaminated areas were taken into account: Tlaquepaque, Miravalle, and Las Pintas. Las Aguilas, a less contaminated area, was used as a reference. The frequencies of nuclear abnormalities in the areas with the highest and lowest levels of air pollution were compared with the Mann–Whitney U test. In addition, an analysis of the concentration of environmental pollutants, particulate matter ≤ 10 μm (PM10), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO), were carried out in the mentioned areas, in order to identify the events above the regulatory limits in a year period. The results showed that young adults exposed to a higher concentration of pollutants showed higher frequencies of nuclear abnormalities. The individuals from the areas of Tlaquepaque, Miravalle, and Las Pintas showed cytotoxic damage since statistically significant differences were found in the abnormalities of pyknotic nuclei (PNs), condensed chromatin (CC), karyorrhexis (KX), and karyolysis (KL). The individuals who showed the most cytotoxic damage were from the Las Pintas area with higher frequencies in nuclear abnormalities (PNs, CC, KX, and KL) (p < 0.0001). Genotoxic damage was found in individuals from two zones, Miravalle and Las Pintas, with statistically significant differences in the abnormality of nuclear buds (NBUDs) (p < 0.0001). Our results suggest that exposure to high levels of air pollution in healthy young adults has an effect on cellular and nuclear integrity and thus in human health, since areas with higher air pollution showed an increase in cytotoxicity, specifically in early and late markers of cell death (CC, KX, PN, and KL) and genotoxic damage (BUDs).
Application of Rough Ant Colony Algorithm in Adolescent Psychology
Authors: Cong Tao , Jiang Lin , Sun Qihang , Li Yang
Published: January 2021

With the rapid development of big data, big data research in the security protection industry has been increasingly regarded as a hot spot. This article mainly aims at solving the problem of predicting the tendency of juvenile delinquency based on the experimental data of juvenile blindly following psychological crime. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a rough ant colony classification algorithm, referred to as RoughAC, which first uses the concept of upper and lower approximate sets in rough sets to determine the degree of membership. In addition, in the ant colony algorithm, we use the membership value to update the pheromone. Experiments show that the algorithm can not only solve the premature convergence problem caused by stagnation near the local optimal solution but also solve the continuous domain and combinatorial optimization problems and achieve better classification results. Moreover, the algorithm has a good effect on predicting classification and can provide guidance for predicting the tendency of juvenile delinquency.
A Survey of Cooperative Jamming‐Based Secure Transmission for Energy‐Limited Systems
Authors: Wu Yuandong , Huo Yan
Published: January 2021

Considering the ongoing development of various devices and rich applications in intelligent Internet of Things (IoT) systems, it is a crucial issue to solve secure transmission of legitimate signals for massive data sharing in the systems. Cooperative jamming‐based physical layer security is explored to be a complement of conventional cryptographic schemes to protect private information. Yet, this method needs to solve a game between energy consumption and signal secure transmission. In this paper, we summarize the basics of cooperative jamming and universal security metrics. Using the metrics, we study a series of typical cooperative jamming strategies from two aspects, including power allocation and energy harvesting. Finally, we propose open issues and challenges of further works on cooperative jamming in an IoT system with energy constraints.
Application Value of CTA in the Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage of Different Origins
Authors: Li Wei , Qi Lin , Guo Yulong , Zhang Zhen , He Guanglong , Li Yang , Wang Zhenyuan
Published: January 2021

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is difficult to detect because of its circulation through subarachnoid space, which leads to a high rate of missed diagnosis. Based on the above background, the purpose of this study is to study the application value of brain CT angiography (CTA) in computer-aided diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage with a wide range of brain digital subtraction angiography as a gold standard. This paper collected images and related medical records of 111 patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage receiving brain CTA and DSA examinations from February 2015 to November 2019 in the neurology department of our hospital. In contrast to the number, position, length, width, and neck width of the causative aneurysm detected by DSA, we evaluated the diagnostic results of CTA and evaluated whether there was statistical difference between the two detectives of intracranial aneurysms. The results showed that the area under ROC curve of subtraction CTA and conventional CTA was 1.000 and 0.818, respectively, which indicated that the former had better display effect on internal carotid aneurysm (AUC > 0.9), while the latter had medium value (0.7 < AUC ≤ 0.9), and the difference was statistically significant (z = 2.390,

p
=
0.017

).
Antiforensics of Speech Resampling Using Dual‐Path Strategy
Authors: Yan Diqun , Gong Yongkang , Liu Tianyun
Published: January 2021

Resampling is an operation to convert a digital speech from a given sampling rate to a different one. It can be used to interface two systems with different sampling rates. Unfortunately, resampling may also be intentionally utilized as a postoperation to remove the manipulated artifacts left by pitch shifting, splicing, etc. To detect the resampling, some forensic detectors have been proposed. Little consideration, however, has been given to the security of these detectors themselves. To expose weaknesses of these resampling detectors and hide the resampling artifacts, a dual‐path resampling antiforensic framework is proposed in this paper. In the proposed framework, 1D median filtering is utilized to destroy the linear correlation between the adjacent speech samples introduced by resampling on low‐frequency component. And for high‐frequency component, Gaussian white noise perturbation (GWNP) is adopted to destroy the periodic resampling traces. The experimental results show that the proposed method successfully deceives the existing resampling forensic algorithms while keeping good perceptual quality of the resampled speech.
Performance of Malaria Volunteers regarding Malaria Control Activities in Southeastern Myanmar: A Study in the Areas under Coverage of an Ethnic Health Organization
Authors: Thiha Ye , Zin Thant , Win Kyawt Mon , Soe Myat Thu , Aung Pyae Linn
Published: January 2021

Malaria volunteers (MVs) play an essential role in resolving malaria problems by delivering greater access to diagnosis and treatment services, mainly for the underserved community residing in hard-to-reach rural areas. The Karen Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW) has implemented community-based malaria control activities among the ethnic minorities in southeastern Myanmar by promoting the roles of MVs. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing the performance of MVs regarding malaria control activities in the area. From July to August 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 townships of southeastern Myanmar under the umbrella of the KDHW malaria project. A total of 140 MVs were employed as study participants. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. For data analyses, descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and logistics regression models were applied. More than half of the MVs perceived a good level of performance on malaria control activities. A higher level of performance has been observed among the MVs who had another job (AOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2–3.9), those experienced in health-related fields (AOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.4–4.9), who received good community support (AOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3–10.9), who were volunteers beyond three years (AOR: 4.0, 95% CI: 2.8–9.2), and whose family income totaled over 500,000 MMK (AOR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.6–4.2). The results mentioned the characteristics which should be prioritized in recruiting MVs. MV network and their workforce need to be nurtured by encouraging community support. For performance sustainability, attractive incentive schemes or a salary should be subsidized in support of their livelihoods.
A Bibliographic Assessment Using the Degrees of Publication Method: Medicinal Plants from the Rural Greater Mpigi Region (Uganda)
Authors: Schultz Fabien , Anywar Godwin , Quave Cassandra Leah , Garbe Leif-Alexander
Published: January 2021

In ethnopharmacological research, many field assessment tools exist. Yet, these miss that critical point of how to really determine which species merit the costly lab studies, e.g., evaluation of traditional use via pharmacological assays and isolation of bioactive secondary metabolites. This gap can be filled with the introduction of a new tool for literature assessment: the Degrees of Publication (DoPs). In this study, its application is illustrated through an extensive bibliographic assessment of 16 medicinal plant species that were recently identified in the Greater Mpigi region of Uganda as being frequently used by local traditional healers in the treatment of medical disorders (namely, Albizia coriaria, Cassine buchananii, Combretum molle, Erythrina abyssinica, Ficus saussureana, Harungana madagascariensis, Leucas calostachys, Microgramma lycopodioides, Morella kandtiana, Plectranthus hadiensis, Securidaca longipedunculata, Sesamum calycinum subsp. angustifolium, Solanum aculeastrum, Toddalia asiatica, Warburgia ugandensis, and Zanthoxylum chalybeum). These species are suspected to be understudied, and a thorough bibliographic assessment has not been previously performed. Thus, the objectives of our study were to undertake a comparative assessment of the degree to which each of these plant species has been studied in the past, including evaluation of the quality of the journals where results were published in. The determination of the DoPs enabled successful assessment of the degrees to which each individual plant species has been studied so far, while also taking into account the methodological “research chain of ethnopharmacology” from ethnobotanical studies (“traditional use”) to pharmacological assays (“bioactivity”) and finally to pharmacognostic research (“structure elucidation”). The significance of a research paper was assessed by determining whether its journal and publishing house were members of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). In total, 634 peer-reviewed publications were reviewed covering the period of 1960–2019, 53.3% of which were published in journals and by publishing houses affiliated with COPE (338 publications). The literature assessment resulted in the identification of understudied plants among the selected species. The majority of plants reviewed have not been sufficiently studied; six species were classified as being highly understudied and three more as being understudied: C. buchananii, F. saussureana, L. calostachys, M. lycopodioides, M. kandtiana, and S. calycinum subsp. angustifolium and A. coriaria, P. hadiensis, and S. aculeastrum, respectively. The newly introduced DoPs are a useful tool for the selection of traditionally used species for future laboratory studies, especially for pharmacological bioassays, isolation procedures, and drug discovery strategies.
Adaptive Reconstruction Algorithm Based on Compressed Sensing Broadband Receiver
Authors: Si Wei-Jian , Liu Qiang , Deng Zhi-An
Published: January 2021

Existing greedy reconstruction algorithms require signal sparsity, and the remaining sparsity adaptive algorithms can be reconstructed but cannot achieve accurate sparsity estimation. To address this problem, a blind sparsity reconstruction algorithm is proposed in this paper, which is applied to compressed sensing radar receiver system. The proposed algorithm can realize the estimation of signal sparsity and channel position estimation, which mainly consists of two parts. The first part is to use fast search based on dichotomy search, which is based on the high probability reconstruction of greedy algorithm, and uses dichotomy search to cover the number of sparsity. The second part is the signal matching and tracking algorithm, which is mainly used to judge the signal position and reconstruct the signal. Combine the two parts together to realize the blind estimation of the sparsity and the accurate estimation of the number of signals when the number of signals is unknown. The experimental analyses are carried out to evaluate the performance of the reconstruction probability, the accuracy of sparsity estimation, the running time of the algorithm, and the signal‐to‐noise ratio.
Research on the Seismic Performance of the Prefabricated Reinforced Concrete Column with Steel Mortise and Tenon Connections
Authors: Yan Jun , Jiang Lianjie
Published: January 2021

In this study, 6 prefabricated reinforced concrete columns with different lengths of connectors and thicknesses of the steel plate used in connectors and 1 cast‐in‐place reinforced concrete column were made, and then these specimens were tested under the low cycled reversed loading experiment to study the seismic performance of the prefabricated reinforced concrete columns with steel mortise and tenon connections. The failure mode, bearing capacity, ductility, stiffness degradation, and energy dissipation of the specimens were analyzed. The results show that compared with the cast‐in‐place specimens, the bearing capacity of the fabricated specimen is reduced by 5.77%–16.67%, but the ductility is increased by 11.28%–26.69%, and the cumulative energy consumption is increased by 3.40%–30.29%; the stiffness, bearing capacity degradation, and hysteretic behavior of the fabricated specimen under different displacement angles are less different from those of the cast‐in‐place specimens. When the length of the connector is 100 mm and the thickness of the steel plate used in the connector is 4 mm, the weld fracture may occur in the connection area of the fabricated specimen. The test results show that when the connector with a length of 100 mm is used, the thickness of the steel plate of the connector should not be less than 6 mm.
Prognostics and Health Management System for Electric Vehicles with a Hierarchy Fusion Framework: Concepts, Architectures, and Methods
Authors: Wang Cheng , Ji Tongtong , Mao Feng , Wang Zhenpo , Li Zhiheng
Published: January 2021

The prognostics and health management (PHM) of electric vehicles is an important guarantee for their safety and long‐term development. At present, there are few studies researching about life cycle PHM system of electric vehicles. In this paper, we first summarize the research progress and key methods of PHM. Then, we propose a three‐level PHM system with a hierarchy fusion architecture for electric vehicles based on the structure, data source of them. In the PHM system, we introduce a database consisting of the factory data, real‐time data, and detection data. The electric vehicle′s factory parameters are used for determining the life curve of the electric vehicle and its components, the real‐time data are used for predicting the remaining useful lifetime (RUL) of the electric vehicle and its components, and the detection data are used for fault diagnosis. This health management database is established to help make condition‐based maintenance decisions for electric vehicles. In this way, a complete electric vehicle PHM system is formed, which can realize the whole‐life‐cycle life prediction and fault diagnosis of electric vehicles.
Experimental Study on the Microstructure and Expansion Characteristics of Paleosol Based on Spectral Scanning
Authors: Ye Wanjun , Chen Yiqian , Gao Chong , Xie Tengfei , Jing Hongjun , Deng Yousheng
Published: January 2021

To investigate the microstructure of paleosol and its expansion characteristics, the paleosol of the Zaosheng #3 tunnel of the Yinxi high-speed railway was studied. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and scanning electron microscopy techniques (SEM), the microstructure of the paleosol was analyzed in terms of the mineral composition, formation elements, pore structure, and particle morphology. Five groups of undisturbed and remolded soils with different moisture contents were tested for the unloaded expansion rate and loaded expansion rate. The results show that the mineral components of the paleosol are mainly quartz, potash feldspar, calcite, and hematite, with the highest-content-component quartz accounting for 45.4% of the total content; the clay mineral composition of the paleosol has the highest content of montmorillonite at 12.3%. The elemental composition of the paleosol is dominated by Al, Si, Ca, and Fe, which form expansive mineral components such as quartz and montmorillonite, creating inherent conditions for expansibility of the paleosol. The T2 distribution curves of the undisturbed and remolded paleosol are composed of three peaks. The pore distribution of paleosol mainly includes medium pores, followed by large pores, and the contents of small pores and superlarge pores are very small. In terms of particle contact, the undisturbed soil is mostly in the form of “surface-surface” and “surface-edge” contact, and the remolded soil is mainly in the form of “point-surface” and “point-point” contact. The unloaded expansion rate of remolded soil is approximately twice that of undisturbed soil. The rate of loaded expansion of both soils decreases with increasing moisture content.
A Secure Chaotic Block Image Encryption Algorithm Using Generative Adversarial Networks and DNA Sequence Coding
Authors: Fang Pengfei , Liu Han , Wu Chengmao , Liu Min
Published: January 2021

This paper proposes a block encryption algorithm based on a new chaotic system that combines generative adversarial networks (GANs) and DNA sequence coding. First, the new one-dimensional chaotic system that combines GANs with DNA sequence coding generates two more complex key stream sequences. Then, the two different random sequences are combined with an improved Feistel network by utilizing the product of the block matrix to encrypt the image to scramble and diffuse the image. Finally, the security performance of this algorithm is quantitatively analysed. The simulation results show that the proposed chaotic system has a large key space, and the new algorithm yields adequate security and can resist exhaustive attacks and chosen-plaintext attacks. Therefore, this approach provides a new algorithm for secure transmission and protection of image information.
Methyl Gallate Attenuates Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats by Suppressing Oxidative Stress
Authors: Ahmed Akheruz Zaman , Satyam Shakta Mani , Shetty Prakashchandra , D’Souza Melanie Rose
Published: January 2021

Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among cancer survivors. The present study was aimed to investigate the cardioprotective potential of methyl gallate; an active polyphenolic nutraceutical, against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in Wistar rats. Twenty-four female Wistar rats (150–200 g) were divided into four groups (n = 6) which consist of normal control (group I), doxorubicin control (group II), test-A (group III), and test-B (group IV). Group III and group IV animals were prophylactically treated with methyl gallate 150 mg/kg/day and 300 mg/kg/day orally, respectively, for seven days. Doxorubicin (25 mg/kg; single dose) was administered through an intraperitoneal route to group II, III, and IV animals on the seventh day to induce acute cardiotoxicity. On the 8th day, besides ECG analysis, serum CK, CK-MB, LDH, AST, MDA, and GSH were assayed. Following gross examination of isolated hearts, histopathological evaluation was performed by light microscopy. A significant (

p

 < 0.05) cardiac injury, as well as oxidative stress, was observed in doxorubicin control rats in comparison to normal control rats. Methyl gallate at both the doses significantly (

p

 < 0.05) reduced doxorubicin-induced ECG changes, dyslipidaemia, and elevation of CK, CK-MB, LDH, AST, MDA and increased GSH level. Methyl gallate reversed the doxorubicin-induced histopathological changes in the heart. The present study revealed that methyl gallate exerts cardioprotection against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in female Wistar rats by suppressing oxidative stress. Our study opens the perspective to clinical studies for consideration of methyl gallate as a potential chemoprotectant nutraceutical in the combination chemotherapy with doxorubicin to limit its cardiotoxicity.
Interactional Effect of the Influential Parameters on Seismic Behaviour of the Concrete Surface Tanks
Authors: Hassanpour Yasaghi Alirezar , Fatahi Mazhar , Seyed Alizadeh Seyed Mehdi
Published: January 2021

Given to the importance of the tanks and their various applications in different industries, studying the seismic behaviour of these facilities is essential. In such structures, obtaining exact theoretical solution for the seismic behaviour of the tanks is very difficult due to the existence of the soil‐structure interaction. In this study, seismic behaviour studying has been taken into account and in addition to considering three‐dimensional model of finite element model of a surface rectangular tank and its beneath soil given to SSI and FSI effect, we have done required analysis and Drucker–Prager nonlinear model has been used to investigating more exactly to describe soil behaviour. Euler–Lagrange view with optional mesh displacement has been used for modelling tank‐water interaction. According to the obtained results from this modelling, soil beneath the tank and soil‐structure interaction affect highly on seismic behaviour of the surface tanks. Meanwhile, the response of the structure to the density changes and soil modulus of elasticity is more sensitive and changes in the coefficient of friction coefficient between the foundation surface and the soil and the internal friction angle do not have tangible effect on the response. The results reveal that the liquid containers response is more sensitive to the changes of the density and the soil modulus of elasticity more than friction coefficient between the surfaces and foundation and internal angle friction.
Catalpol‐Induced AMPK Activation Alleviates Cisplatin‐Induced Nephrotoxicity through the Mitochondrial‐Dependent Pathway without Compromising Its Anticancer Properties
Authors: Zhang Jiangnan , Zhao Tingting , Wang Changyuan , Meng Qiang , Huo Xiaokui , Wang Chong , Sun Pengyuan , Sun Huijun , Ma Xiaodong , Wu Jingjing , Liu Kexin
Published: January 2021

Nephrotoxicity is a common complication of cisplatin chemotherapy and, thus, limits the clinical application of cisplatin. In this work, the effects of catalpol (CAT), a bioactive ingredient extracted from Rehmannia glutinosa, on cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity and antitumor efficacy were comprehensively investigated. Specifically, the protective effect of CAT on cisplatin‐induced injury was explored in mice and HK‐2 cells. In vivo, CAT administration strikingly suppressed cisplatin‐induced renal dysfunction, morphology damage, apoptosis, and inflammation. In vitro, CAT induced activation of adenosine 5 ′‐monophosphate‐ (AMP‐) activated protein kinase (AMPK), improved mitochondrial function, and decreased generation of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to a reduction in inflammation and apoptosis, which ultimately protected from cisplatin‐induced injury. However, the beneficial effects of CAT were mostly blocked by coincubation with compound C. Furthermore, molecular docking results indicated that CAT had a higher affinity for AMPK than other AMPK activators such as danthron, phenformin, and metformin. Importantly, CAT possessed the ability to reverse drug resistance without compromising the antitumor properties of cisplatin. These findings suggest that CAT exerts positive effects against cisplatin‐induced renal injury through reversing drug resistance via the mitochondrial‐dependent pathway without affecting the anticancer activity of cisplatin.
MicroRNA-Based Cancer Mortality Risk Scoring System and hTERT Expression in Early-Stage Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Yoon Angela J. , Santella Regina M. , Wang Shuang , Kutler David I. , Carvajal Richard D. , Philipone Elizabeth , Wang Tian , Peters Scott M. , Stewart Claire R. , Momen-Heravi Fatemeh , Troob Scott , Levin Matt , AkhavanAghdam Zohreh , Shackelford Austin J. , Canterbury Carleigh R. , Shimonosono Masataka , Hernandez Brenda Y. , McDowell Bradley D. , Nakagawa Hiroshi
Published: January 2021

We have previously constructed a novel microRNA (miRNA)-based prognostic model and cancer-specific mortality risk score formula to predict survival outcome in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients who are already categorized into “early-stage” by the TNM staging system. A total of 836 early-stage OSCC patients were assigned the mortality risk scores. We evaluated the efficacy of various treatment regimens in terms of survival benefit compared to surgery only in patients stratified into high (risk score ≥0) versus low (risk score <0) mortality risk categories. For the high-risk group, surgery with neck dissection significantly improved the 5-year survival to 75% from 46% with surgery only (

p
<
0.001

); a Cox proportional hazard model on time-to-death demonstrated a hazard ratio of 0.37 for surgery with neck dissection (95% CI: 0.2–0.6;

p
=
0.0005

). For the low-risk group, surgery only was the treatment of choice associated with 5-year survival benefit. Regardless of treatment selected, those with risk score ≥2 may benefit from additional therapy to prevent cancer relapse. We also identified hTERT (human telomerase reverse transcriptase) as a gene target common to the prognostic miRNAs. There was 22-fold increase in the hTERT expression level in patients with risk score ≥2 compared to healthy controls (

p
<
0.0005

). Overexpression of hTERT was also observed in the patient-derived OSCC organoid compared to that of normal organoid. The DNA cancer vaccine that targets hTERT-expressing cells currently undergoing rigorous clinical evaluation for other tumors can be repurposed to prevent cancer recurrence in these high-risk early-stage oral cancer patients.
A Kind of Filling Lattice Structure Based on DFAM for Mechanical Parts: The Diamond Lattice Structure
Authors: Yin Xuan , Meng Wenjun , Cheng Jinzhao , Wang Hailong , Zhao Xiaoxia
Published: January 2021

Thanks to the geometric and material complexity of additive manufacturing, the design space of mechanical parts has been developed, in which lattice filling structure customization can be applied to the solid filling of mechanical parts to achieve the goal of mechanical structure lightweight. A kind of diamond lattice structure unit is designed by imitating the natural method based on Design for Additive Manufacturing of mechanical parts. The mathematical model of the relative density and mechanical properties of the unit are established, and the relationship between the two is obtained, which is verified by simulations; then the relatively uniform results are obtained. The variable density hypothesis of diamond lattice structure is proposed, the methods of simulations and compression tests are used to verify the hypothesis, and the results show that the variable density structure with the density of the filling element decreasing gradually with the stress point as the center has better compression performance and concurrently verify the correctness and applicability of the equivalent modulus of elasticity mathematical model. The results of this study can be applied to the solid sandwich filling of pressure mechanical parts, and the stress density matching relationship can be carried out to further specific design.
Prevalence and Subtype Analysis of Blastocystis hominis Isolated from Patients in the Northeast of Iran
Authors: Salehi Mitra , Mardaneh Jalal , Niazkar Hamid Reza , Minooeianhaghighi Mohammadhaasan , Arshad Elahe , Soleimani Fateme , Mohammadzadeh Alireza
Published: January 2021

Blastocystis hominis is the most common intestinal parasite found in humans and many other hosts. Pathogenicity of Blastocystis spp. remains controversial, and it has been suggested that it may be associated with specific subtypes of the organism. This study identified the B. hominis subtypes and their prevalence rates in the northeast of Iran. A total of 1878 samples were collected from the northeast of Iran from January to December 2017. The patients’ demographic details were recorded. Samples were examined by a wet mount, and genomic DNA was extracted from positive samples. Also, PCR was done on the positive samples, and sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were subsequently performed. From 1878 collected stool samples, 152 (8.1%) Blastocystis samples were detected by the microscopic method. Of the 152 samples, Blastocystis spp. were found in 53.6% of the men and 28.9% of the women who showed clinical gastrointestinal symptoms, and a significant relationship was observed between gender and clinical symptoms (

P
=
0.002

). A meaningful relationship was found between the season and infection with this parasite (

P

value = 0.003). The results of the sequencing of 22 PCR products showed the dominance of ST3, which was isolated from 10 (45.45%) patients, while ST1, ST2, and ST7 were found in 4 (18.19%), 7 (31.81%), and 1 (4.55%) patients, respectively. In this study, ST7 had a low prevalence in the northeast of Iran, and similar to previous studies, ST3 was the dominant subtype.
Efficacy of a Smart Antisnore Pillow in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Authors: Chung Tsung-Te , Lee Ming-Tsung , Ku Ming-Chou , Yang Kai-Chieh , Wei Cheng-Yu
Published: January 2021

Objective. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) increases the risk of cardiovascular, dementia, and motor vehicle accident events. However, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) which is the gold standard treatment is not acceptable for many patients with OSAS. Development of devices for the patients of nonadherence to CPAP is necessary. Materials and Methods. We evaluated the effect of the smart antisnore pillow (SAP) in patients with OSAS in a prospective, noncontrolled, nonrandomized, pilot study. According to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), they were divided into two groups: mild-to-moderate OSAS group and severe OSAS group. Single-night polysomnography (PSG) with application of a SAP was performed. Thirty patients, 15 males and 15 females, 33–82 years old (mean age,59.3±12.9years), completed the smart antisnore pillow therapy test. Among them, 23 patients had mild-to-moderate OSAS. Results. The SAP significantly improved the snore number (p=0.018), snore index (p=0.013), oxygen denaturation index (p=0.001), total AHI (p=0.002), and supine AHI (p=0.002) in the mild-to-moderate OSAS group, but there was no significant improvement in the severe OSAS group. Conclusions. We concluded that the SAP is an effective positional therapy device for patients with OSAS of mild-to-moderate severity.
Shadow Separation of Pavement Images Based on Morphological Component Analysis
Authors: Ma Changxia , Zhang Heng , Keong Li Bing
Published: January 2021

The shadow of pavement images will affect the accuracy of road crack recognition and increase the rate of error detection. A shadow separation algorithm based on morphological component analysis (MCA) is proposed herein to solve the shadow problem of road imaging. The main assumption of MCA is that the image geometric structure and texture structure components are sparse within a class under a specific base or overcomplete dictionary, while the base or overcomplete dictionaries of each sparse representation of morphological components are incoherent. Thereafter, the corresponding image signal is transformed according to the dictionary to obtain the sparse representation coefficients of each part of the information, and the coefficients are shrunk by soft thresholding to obtain new coefficients. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the shadow separation method proposed in this paper.
Bearing Characteristics of Surrounding Rock of Deep Mining Roadway with Full and End Bolt Anchorages: A Comparative Numerical and Experimental Study
Authors: Shi Wenbao , Li Yan , Li Wanfeng , Li Shihui
Published: January 2021

The support strength of surrounding rock in deep mining roadways can be significantly improved by replacing the end bolt anchorage with a full one. The support effects of both types of anchorage and the axial stress distribution characteristics in anchored bolt bodies were assessed via the indoor pull‐out test, simulated via the FLAC3D software, and verified by field measurements. The stability and variation patterns of the axial force, as well as the evolution law of bearing characteristics of surrounding rock, were analyzed. The results indicate that the polymorphic deformations of deep mining roadway surrounding rock and the bolt support body interact synchronously. The axial force evolution trend in bolt bodies with end anchorage revealed by field tests was consistent with the laboratory test results, in contrast to that of full anchorage. Although stress distribution laws in both sides of the mining roadway were the same for both types of anchorage, the vertical stress peak and damage range of full‐anchored surrounding rock slightly exceeded those of the end‐anchored one. The anchored area bearing a higher load alleviated the stress concentration of the surrounding rock. Since the deformations in fully and end anchored surrounding rocks increased gradually and sharply, respectively, the full anchorage is more conducive to deformation moving control of deep mining roadway surrounding rock. The research results can provide theoretical guidance for the design and construction of deep mining roadway bolt support.
Noise Exposure Alters Glutamatergic and GABAergic Synaptic Connectivity in the Hippocampus and Its Relevance to Tinnitus
Authors: Zhang Liqin , Wu Calvin , Martel David T. , West Michael , Sutton Michael A. , Shore Susan E.
Published: January 2021

Accumulating evidence implicates a role for brain structures outside the ascending auditory pathway in tinnitus, the phantom perception of sound. In addition to other factors such as age-dependent hearing loss, high-level sound exposure is a prominent cause of tinnitus. Here, we examined how noise exposure altered the distribution of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs in the guinea pig hippocampus and determined whether these changes were associated with tinnitus. In experiment one, guinea pigs were overexposed to unilateral narrow-band noise (98 dB SPL, 2 h). Two weeks later, the density of excitatory (VGLUT-1/2) and inhibitory (VGAT) synaptic terminals in CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus hippocampal subregions was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Overall, VGLUT-1 density primarily increased, while VGAT density decreased significantly in many regions. Then, to assess whether the noise-induced alterations were persistent and related to tinnitus, experiment two utilized a noise-exposure paradigm shown to induce tinnitus and assessed tinnitus development which was assessed using gap-prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle (GPIAS). Twelve weeks after sound overexposure, changes in excitatory synaptic terminal density had largely recovered regardless of tinnitus status, but the recovery of GABAergic terminal density was dramatically different in animals expressing tinnitus relative to animals resistant to tinnitus. In resistant animals, inhibitory synapse density recovered to preexposure levels, but in animals expressing tinnitus, inhibitory synapse density remained chronically diminished. Taken together, our results suggest that noise exposure induces striking changes in the balance of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs throughout the hippocampus and reveal a potential role for rebounding inhibition in the hippocampus as a protective factor leading to tinnitus resilience.
Comparative Analysis of Tenogenic Gene Expression in Tenocyte-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Response to Biochemical and Biomechanical Stimuli
Authors: Yang Feikun , Richardson Dean W.
Published: January 2021

The tendon is highly prone to injury, overuse, or age-related degeneration in both humans and horses. Natural healing of injured tendon is poor, and cell-based therapeutic treatment is still a significant clinical challenge. In this study, we extensively investigated the expression of tenogenic genes in equine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and tenocyte-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (teno-iPSCs) stimulated by growth factors (TGF-β3 and BMP12) combined with ectopic expression of tenogenic transcription factor MKX or cyclic uniaxial mechanical stretch. Western blotting revealed that TGF-β3 and BMP12 increased the expression of transcription factors SCX and MKX in both cells, but the tenocyte marker tenomodulin (TNMD) was detected only in BMSCs and upregulated by either inducer. On the other hand, quantitative real-time PCR showed that TGF-β3 increased the expression of EGR1, COL1A2, FMOD, and TNC in BMSCs and SCX, COL1A2, DCN, FMOD, and TNC in teno-iPSCs. BMP12 treatment elevated SCX, MKX, DCN, FMOD, and TNC in teno-iPSCs. Overexpression of MKX increased SCX, DCN, FMOD, and TNC in BMSCs and EGR1, COL1A2, DCN, FMOD, and TNC in teno-iPSCs; TGF-β3 further enhanced TNC in BMSCs. Moreover, mechanical stretch increased SCX, EGR1, DCN, ELN, and TNC in BMSCs and SCX, MKX, EGR1, COL1A2, DCN, FMOD, and TNC in teno-iPSCs; TGF-β3 tended to further elevate SCX, ELN, and TNC in BMSCs and SCX, MKX, COL1A2, DCN, and TNC in teno-iPSCs, while BMP12 further uptrended the expression of SCX and DCN in BMSCs and DCN in teno-iPSCs. Additionally, the aforementioned tenogenic inducers also affected the expression of signaling regulators SMAD7, ETV4, and SIRT1 in BMSCs and teno-iPSCs. Taken together, our data demonstrate that, in respect to the tenocyte-lineage-specific gene expression, BMSCs and teno-iPSCs respond differently to the tenogenic stimuli, which may affect the outcome of their application in tendon repair or regeneration.
Alterations of Dopamine-Related Transcripts in A11 Diencephalospinal Pathways after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Zhao Shunyi , DeFinis Jaclyn H. , Hou Shaoping
Published: January 2021

The diencephalic A11 nuclei are the primary source of spinal dopamine (DA). Neurons in this region project to all levels of the spinal cord. Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) often interrupts descending and ascending neuronal pathways and further elicits injury-induced neuronal plasticity. However, it is unknown how A11 neurons and projections respond to SCI-induced axotomy. Based on preliminary observation, we hypothesized that A11 DA-ergic neurons rostral to the lesion site might change their capacity to synthesize DA after SCI. Adult rats received a complete spinal cord transection at the 10th thoracic (T10) level. After 3 or 8 weeks, rostral (T5) and caudal (L1) spinal cord tissue was collected to measure mRNA levels of DA-related genes. Meanwhile, A11 neurons in the brain were explicitly isolated by laser capture microdissection, and single-cell qPCR was employed to evaluate mRNA levels in the soma. Histological analysis was conducted to assess the number of A11 DA-ergic neurons. The results showed that, compared to naïve rats, mRNA levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine decarboxylase (DDC), and D2 receptors in the T5 spinal segment had a transient decrease and subsequent recovery. However, dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH), D1 receptors, and DA-associated transcription factors did not change following SCI. Furthermore, axon degeneration below the lesion substantially reduced mRNA levels of TH and D2 in the L1 spinal segment. However, DDC transcript underwent only a temporary decrease. Similar mRNA levels of DA-related enzymes were detected in the A11 neuronal soma between naïve and SCI rats. In addition, immunostaining revealed that the number of A11 DA neurons did not change after SCI, indicating a sustention of capacity to synthesize DA in the neuroplasm. Thus, impaired A11 diencephalospinal pathways following SCI may transiently reduce DA production in the spinal cord rostral to the lesion but not in the brain.
Cardiac Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Nrf2 Expression, and Coagulation Events in Mice with Experimental Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Nemmar Abderrahim , Al-Salam Suhail , Beegam Sumaya , Zaaba Nur Elena , Yasin Javed , Hamadi Naserddine , Ali Badreldin H.
Published: January 2021

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known to be associated with cardiovascular dysfunction. Dietary adenine intake in mice is also known to induce CKD. However, in this experimental model, the mechanisms underlying the cardiotoxicity and coagulation disturbances are not fully understood. Here, we evaluated cardiac inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and coagulation events in mice with adenine (0.2% w/w in feed for 4 weeks)‐induced CKD. Control mice were fed with normal chow for the same duration. Adenine increased water intake, urine output, relative kidney weight, the plasma concentrations of urea and creatinine, and the urinary concentrations of kidney injury molecule‐1 and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin. It also decreased the body weight and creatinine clearance, and caused kidney DNA damage. Renal histological analysis showed tubular dilation and damage and neutrophilic influx. Adenine induced a significant increase in systolic blood pressure and the concentrations of troponin I, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and interleukin‐1β in heart homogenates. It also augmented the levels of markers of lipid peroxidation measured by malondialdehyde production and 8‐isoprostane, as well as the antioxidants superoxide dismutase and catalase. Immunohistochemical analysis of the hearts showed that adenine increased the expression of nuclear factor erythroid‐derived 2‐like 2 by cardiomyocytes. It also caused cardiac DNA damage. Moreover, compared with the control group, adenine induced a significant increase in the number of circulating platelet and shortened the thrombotic occlusion time in pial arterioles and venules in vivo, and induced a significant reduction in the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. In conclusion, the administration of adenine in mice induced CKD‐associated cardiac inflammation, oxidative stress, Nrf2 expression, and DNA damage. It also induced prothrombotic events in vivo. Therefore, this model can be satisfactorily used to study the cardiac pathophysiological events in subjects with CKD and the effect of drug treatment thereon.
Pulmonary Sarcomatoid Carcinoma Associated with Arterial Thromboembolism in a Cat
Authors: Guarino Aria L. , Jeon Albert B. , Abbott Jeffrey R. , Hill Richard C.
Published: January 2021

A 14-year-old, neutered male domestic shorthair cat presented for acute monoparesis with physical exam findings and biochemical data supportive of a distal arterial thromboembolism. Thoracic radiographs revealed an alveolar pattern in the right middle lung lobe and multifocal nodules in other lung lobes. A pulmonary mass was found on necropsy, which was composed of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components, confirmed with cytokeratin and vimentin immunohistochemistry. Using the World Health Organization classification scheme for mixed pulmonary tumors, this tumor would be characterized as a pleomorphic squamous cell carcinoma under the umbrella term of pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma. The World Health Organization classification of mixed pulmonary tumors and its application to previously reported mixed pulmonary tumors in companion animals is discussed. This is the first reported case of this tumor type in a cat, as well as the first report of this tumor type associated with an arterial thromboembolism in any veterinary species.
Cardiopulmonary Arrest with Airway Obstruction due to Postoperative Bleeding
Authors: Sato Kenichi , Chikuda Mami , Miyamae Yoshihisa , Kan Miwako
Published: January 2021

An 84-year-old woman underwent soft palate resection and skin grafting with tie-over under general anesthesia. Fourteen years previously, she had undergone aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting followed by lifelong warfarin and aspirin anticoagulation. We terminated the two drugs 8 and 6 days, respectively, before the present surgery and substituted intravenous heparin (10,000 units/day), which was terminated 6 h preoperatively. The surgery was uneventful. Heparin was restarted 2 days postoperatively but without warfarin potassium or aspirin because of postoperative soft palate bleeding, which continued for 10 days despite compression hemostasis. On day 10, she exhibited a suffocating large hemorrhagic mass, leading to cardiopulmonary arrest. Emergency consultation with medical doctors and dental anesthetists resulted in pulmonary resuscitation and tracheal intubation. After confirming spontaneous circulation/respiration, she was transferred to the intensive care unit. We now consider it essential that all medical/surgical/anesthesia specialists managing patients under anticoagulant therapy collaborate perioperatively.