bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contextual equipoise: a novel concept to inform ethical implications for implementation research in low-income and middle-income countries
Authors: Seward Nadine , Hanlon Charlotte , Murdoch Jamie , Colbourn Tim , Prince Martin James , Venkatapuram Sridhar , Sevdalis Nick
Published: December 2020

The call for universal health coverage requires the urgent implementation and scale-up of interventions that are known to be effective, in resource-poor settings. Achieving this objective requires high-quality implementation research (IR) that evaluates the complex phenomenon of the influence of context on the ability to effectively deliver evidence-based practice. Nevertheless, IR for global health is failing to apply a robust, theoretically driven approach, leading to ethical concerns associated with research that is not methodologically sound.

Inappropriate methods are often used in IR to address and report on context. This may result in a lack in understanding of how to effectively adapt the intervention to the new setting and a lack of clarity in conceptualising whether there is sufficient evidence to generalise findings from previous IR to a new setting, or if a randomised controlled trial (RCT) is needed. Some of the ethical issues arising from this shortcoming include poor-quality research that may needlessly expose vulnerable participants to research that has not been adapted to suit local needs and priorities, and the inappropriate use of RCTs that denies participants in the control arm access to treatment that is effective within the local context.

To address these concerns, we propose a complementary approach to clinical equipoise for IR, known ascontextual equipoise. We discuss challenges in the evaluation of context and also with assessing the certainty of evidence to justify an RCT. Finally, we describe methods that can be applied to improve the evaluation and reporting of context and to help understand if contextual equipoise can be justified or if significant adaptations are required. We hope our analysis offers helpful insight to better understand and ensure that the ethical principle of beneficence is upheld in the real-world contexts of IR in low-resource settings.
Creating a prepared mental health workforce: comparative illustrations of implementation strategies
Authors: Chorpita Bruce F , Daleiden Eric L , Vera Juan Diego , Guan Karen
Published: December 2020

Background

Psychotherapy implementation must contend with the task of preparing a mental health workforce to provide the highest quality services to as much of a service population as possible, in high-income as well as low-to-middle income countries.

Objective

We outline general challenges and solutions and investigate how well various implementation strategies would fit a clinical population.

Methods

Using a data set from a prior cluster randomised trial with a clinically diverse population and 33 intervention practices, we presented multiple illustrations comparing the ability of different implementation strategies to serve youth and families with procedures in which service providers were trained.

Findings

A series of survival functions demonstrated that many common implementation strategies are unlikely to create a prepared workforce, given the large and diverse number of practices needed to be mastered by providers.

Clinical implications

‘Benchmark’ solutions that afforded superior coverage of the service population could be supported through paced learning approaches (ie, training interventions a little at a time) using extensible, modular intervention designs.
ID-OCTA: OCT angiography based on inverse SNR and decorrelation features
Authors: Li Huakun , Liu Kaiyuan , Yao Lin , Deng Xiaofeng , Zhang Ziyi , Li Peng
Published: December 2020

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) takes the flowing red blood cells (RBCs) as intrinsic contrast agents, enabling fast and three-dimensional visualization of vasculature perfusion down to capillary level, without a requirement of exogenous fluorescent injection. Various motion-contrast OCTA algorithms have been proposed to effectively extract dynamic blood flow from static tissues utilizing the different components of OCT signals (including amplitude, phase and complex) with various operations (such as differential, variance and decorrelation). Those algorithms promote the application of OCTA in both clinical diagnosis and scientific research. The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematical review of OCTA based on the inverse SNR and decorrelation features (ID-OCTA), mainly including the OCTA contrast origins, ID-OCTA imaging, quantification and applications.
China–Middle East Relations: New Developments, New Challenges
Authors: ZHU Zhiqun
Published: December 2020

The Middle East is a key region in China’s diplomacy due to its role as the largest supplier of oil to China and its strategic location. China is one of the few foreign powers that have maintained good relations with all countries in the region. However, as the intensifying US–China strategic rivalry spreads to the region, China’s relations with Middle Eastern countries are facing serious challenges.
Design of an Inclusive Financial Privacy Index (INF-PIE): A Financial Privacy and Digital Financial Inclusion Perspective
Authors: Akanfe Oluwafemi , Valecha Rohit , Rao H. Raghav
Published: December 2020

Financial privacy is an important part of an individual's privacy, but efforts to enhance financial privacy have often not been given enough prominence by some countries when advancing financial inclusion. This impedes under-served communities from utilizing financial services. This article adopts a design science approach to create an INclusive Financial Privacy IndEx (INF-PIE) from the two perspectives of financial privacy and digital financial inclusion to help ensure financial services for a wide range of populations. This article first examines the privacy policies of Mobile Wallet and Remittance (MWR) apps (a digital financial solution), uses an analytics approach for extracting semi-structured information components; and based on text categorization and topic modeling, creates privacy policy compliance scores. In particular, it analyses the privacy policies using natural language processing techniques such as Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (tf-idf) and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA). This article then develops a digital financial inclusion score through a multivariate analysis of indexes extracted from the global findex dataset using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Finally, the INF-PIE framework is established to analyze various countries and assess their financial privacy and digital financial inclusion practices. This framework can show how countries’ relative data privacy compliance and digital financial inclusion practices underscore their inclusive financial privacy.
From the Editor: Kicking the Fossil Fuel Habit
Authors: Rajeshwar Krishnan
Published: December 2020

The title of this column is also borrowed from Goodstein’s delightful little book. Energy and health care continue to hog the national headlines but in terms of the technical interests of the Society, energy issues are perhaps more germane. On June 26, the U.S. House of Representatives “passed the most important environmental and energy legislation in our nation’s history,” in the words of Fred Krupp, President of the Environmental Defense Fund.
Pennington Corner: Lots of Energy in Vienna
Authors: Calvo Roque J.
Published: December 2020

An ECS meeting in Europe is always an energetic event because we produce extraordinary technical programs and attract many of the best scientists in our discipline to one of the world’s greatest destinations.
Websites of Note - Fall 2009
Authors: Nagy Zoltan
Published: December 2020

Discover websites about Famous Electrochemists, Electrochemistry of the Nerve Impulse, and Electrochemical Technology in Microelectronics.
From the Editor: All Things Bio
Authors: Rajeshwar Krishnan
Published: December 2020

Corrosion has been classically associated with metallic objects in non-biological environments. But this is certainly no longer true—the corroding surfaces being studied have progressively encompassed other types of materials (e.g., polymers, semiconductors) over the years and the relevance of biological environments in corrosion processes has been increasingly recognized.
From the Editor: Let the Citations Begin
Authors: Rajeshwar Krishnan
Published: December 2020

In the research world, especially in academic institutions and research institutes, we are always seeking plaudits from our peers whether we like to admit it or not. This applies to both publications and talks, and in this respect, researchers are no different (in a sociological sense) than writers and performing artists.
From the Editor: Making the Electric Grid Smarter
Authors: Rajeshwar Krishnan
Published: December 2020

“It’s not cool without power” said the front-page headline in the Dallas Morning News, Saturday, June 15, 2009. The story was about how 60,000 people in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex area tried to live and work with no electricity for almost four sweltering summer days when the thermometer consistently hovered in the mid-90s.
From the President: Success Through International Cooperation
Authors: Buckley Noel
Published: December 2020

I have just returned from the 2008 Pacific Rim Meeting on Electrochemical and Solid State Science (PRiME 2008) in Hawaii. This was the fifth such joint meeting to be held in Hawaii since 1987 in our continuing tradition of successful collaboration with The Electrochemical Society of Japan (ECSJ).
Book Review - Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Vereecken Jean
Published: December 2020

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has proven to be a very powerful method, used in several domains and with different purposes (study of a reaction mechanism, monitoring, assessment of a protection method, etc.).
Websites of Note - Winter 2009
Authors: Nagy Zoltan
Published: December 2020

Discover websites about The History of Fuel Cells, Battery University, and Electrochemistry Lecture Notes.
ECS Classics: Norman Hackerman — Scientist, Educator, Administrator
Authors: Frankenthal Robert P.
Published: December 2020

Norman Hackerman, who died last year at the age of 95, was a giant among giants: a world renowned scientist, an outstanding educator, a highly successful administrator, and a champion for basic research. He was member of ECS for more than 60 years.
The Chalkboard: Fundamentals of Electrochemical Capacitor Design and Operation
Authors: Miller John R. , Simon Patrice
Published: December 2020

Capacitors store electrical charge. Because the charge is stored physically, with no chemical or phase changes taking place, the process is highly reversible and the discharge-charge cycle can be repeated over and over again, virtually without limit. Electrochemical capacitors (ECs), variously referred to by manufacturers in promotional literature as “supercapacitors” or “ultracapacitors,” store electrical charge in an electric double layer at the interface between a high-surface-area carbon electrode and a liquid electrolyte.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Increasing Efficiency with Conventional Fuels
Authors: Wachsman Eric D.
Published: December 2020

Sir William Grove has been credited with inventing the fuel cell in 1839. That fuel cell, as with the majority of fuel cells developed since then, focused on the use of hydrogen as a fuel. As such, fuel cell technology has become synonymous with hydrogen technology in the public perception. As a result of this perception, the funding and advancement of fuel cell technology has risen and fallen with the popularity of a hydrogen-based economy replacing our current fossil fuel dependence.
JES Classics: ECS Science at Its Best
Authors: Rajeshwar Krishnan
Published: December 2020

The word “classic,” according to Webster’s Dictionary, has many connotations, all of them signifying something of the highest class: “of the highest quality or rank, having recognized and permanent value, of enduring interest and appeal, a work especially of literature, art, or music meriting the highest respect, particularly definitive, reliable, or authoritative or something regarded as perfect of its kind or fitting to serve as a model.” Indeed all of these descriptors would apply aptly to the works and people featured in this special issue of the magazine celebrating the scientific contributions of ECS members.
Organic Electrochemistry as a Community (The 2008 Manuel Baizer Award Address)
Authors: Fry Albert
Published: December 2020

I am deeply appreciative to ECS for the Manuel Baizer Award in Organic Electrochemistry and also for the opportunity and incentive this award address has offered me to look into and ponder some questions I have had for some time.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Commercialization, Research, and Challenges
Authors: Wachsman Eric D. , Singhal Subhash C.
Published: December 2020

World wide interest in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) has increased dramatically over the last ∼20 years as indicated in part by the tremendous growth in attendance at the International Symposium on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.
Laureates of the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation: An ECS “Hall of Fame”
Authors: Rajeshwar Krishnan
Published: December 2020

Over the years, many ECS members have been recognized for their contributions and accomplishments as scientists and engineers outside of the Society community. Few awards or prizes match the cachet associated with the National Medal of Science™ and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation™, especially given that these prestigious honors consider the societal impact of a candidate’s work.
New Materials and New Configurations for Advanced Electrochemical Capacitors
Authors: Naoi Katsuhiko , Simon Patrice
Published: December 2020

Today, electrochemical capacitors (ECs) have the potential to emerge as a promising energy storage technology. The weakness of EC systems is certainly the limited energy density, which restricts applications to power delivery over only few seconds. As a consequence, many research efforts are focused on designing new materials to improve energy and power densities.
Thin Film Micro-Batteries
Authors: Dudney Nancy J.
Published: December 2020

Thin film batteries are built layer by layer by vapor deposition. The resulting battery is formed of parallel plates, much as an ordinary battery construction, just much thinner.
Getting Back into Gear: Fuel Cell Development After the Hype
Authors: Meyers Jeremy P.
Published: December 2020

Just over a decade ago in this magazine, the question was posed, “Is There a Fuel Cell in Your Future?” While the author of that article wisely refrained from explicit predictions and carefully spelled out a lot of the key challenges that lay ahead for fuel cell development at the time, readers who read the article and who read about fuel cells in the mainstream press could be forgiven for assuming that the answer might well be “Yes. And soon.”
Electrochemiluminescent Arrays for Toxicity Screening
Authors: Rusling James F.
Published: December 2020

Electrochemical applications to biomedical problems began in the early days of quantitative polarography and this topic was reviewed in a classic book by Březina and Zuman published over 50 years ago.
The Role of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells in Advanced Hybrid Power Systems of the Future
Authors: Tucker David , Shelton Michael S. , Manivannan A.
Published: December 2020

In pursuing the implementation of highly efficient, emission-free power, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is looking to the development of hybrid power systems that make use of the coupling of an electrochemical device with a heat engine, or more specifically, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and a gas turbine.
Metallic Medical Implants: Electrochemical Characterization of Corrosion Processes
Authors: Schmutz Patrik , Quach-Vu Ngoc-Chang , Gerber Isabel
Published: December 2020

The use of metallic alloys for a whole range of medical implants is justified by their superior mechanical properties (hardness, stiffness, etc.) compared, for example, to polymers. Other properties like biocompatibility or visibility in X-ray images also can be mentioned. One of their drawbacks is that electrochemical reactions take place on metallic surfaces in the human body.
High-Energy Portable Fuel Cell Power Sources
Authors: Narayan S.R. , Valdez Thomas I.
Published: December 2020

The energy density requirement for portable power sources is ever on the increase. Technology companies are working to find ways to enhance the run time of mobile devices such as portable computers, MP3 players, and mobile phones.
Toward the Miniaturization of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Traversa Enrico
Published: December 2020

Sustainable energy production, compatible with environment preservation, is one of the major problems to be tackled in the near future. The search for new energy production technologies as alternatives to fossil fuel combustion need to consider renewable sources.
Advanced Polymers as Active Materials and Electrolytes for Electrochemical Capacitors and Hybrid Capacitor Systems
Authors: Naoi Katsuhiko , Morita Masayuki
Published: December 2020

Recent advancements in nanotechnology have resulted in the development of new materials and a greater fundamental understanding of their properties. Those advancements are currently being applied to revolutionary designs of ECs and are enabling new types of hybrid energy-storage devices that exhibit characteristics of batteries and ECs.
Corrosion of Metallic Biomaterials in Cell Culture Environments
Authors: Hiromoto Sachiko
Published: December 2020

Metallic materials are used in biomedical devices for various parts of the human body. The implanted material is exposed to body fluids, such as intercellular fluid and blood depending on the surrounding tissue.
Persistent Luminescence Beats the Afterglow: 400 Years of Persistent Luminescence
Authors: Hölsä Jorma
Published: December 2020

Persistent luminescence is a phenomenon where the material is emitting—usually in the visible range—for hours after the irradiation (or excitation) source has been switched off. The irradiation used may be visible light or UV, X-ray, or gamma radiation.
Fix, Heal, and Disappear: A New Approach to Using Metals in the Human Body
Authors: Shaw Barbara A. , Sikora Elizabeth , Virtanen Sannakasisa
Published: December 2020

An interesting trend in the development of modern materials for biomedical applications, especially from a corrosion standpoint, is bioabsorbability. The idea that once implanted, the device would stay in the human body only for the time it takes to “fix” the problem and then quietly dissolve (corrode) away is indeed fascinating. With this approach, corrosion becomes a desirable materials property.
High Voltage Study of Li-Excess Material as a Cathode Material for Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Jiang Meng
Published: December 2020

The 2008 Joseph W. Richards Summer Research Fellowship — Summary Report
Micro and Nano Electrodes Prepared by Patterning SiOx Thin Films on Au Planar Surfaces
Authors: Santos Marcos J. Leite
Published: December 2020

The 2008 F. M. Becket Summer Research Fellowship — Summary Report
Synthesis, Isolation, and Structural Studies of C60(70)(i-C3F7)n Derivatives
Authors: Shustova Natalia B.
Published: December 2020

The 2008 H. H. Uhlig Summer Research Fellowship — Summary Report
Connecting Steady State Voltammetry and Oxygen Reduction Activity
Authors: Viswanathan Venkatasubramanian
Published: December 2020

2009 H. H. Uhlig Summer Research Fellowship — Summary Report
Evolution of Periodic Orbits within the Frame of Formation Satellites
Authors: Abouelmagd Elbaz I. , Doshi Mitali J. , Pathak Niraj M.
Published: December 2020

In the framework of formation satellites, the periodic orbits of deputy satellite are analyzed when the chief satellite is moving in an elliptical orbit. This analysis is developed on 1- to 10-loop periodic orbits of the deputy satellite. These orbits along with their associated loops are discussed under some specific initial position sets. The effects of different initial velocities, initial true anomalies, and eccentricities on the initial position and orbital period of periodic orbits of deputy satellite are investigated.
Study on Neuroendocrine‐Immune Function of Cistanche deserticola and Its Rice Wine Steaming Products in Glucocorticoid‐Induced Rat Model
Authors: Liu Bonan , Shi Ji , Li Zhe , Zhang Chao , Liu Pengpeng , Yao Wei , Jia Tianzhu
Published: December 2020

The desert‐dwelling Cistanche herb was first recorded in the “Shen Nong Herbal Classic” and is listed as the top‐grade herbal medicine in this publication. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia records that pieces of Cistanche deserticola (CD) and rice wine‐steamed Cistanche deserticola (WCD) can be used in the clinic as the main types of decoctions. After being steamed with rice wine, the antiaging and tonifying kidney‐yang effects are enhanced. In this study, we detected the chemical content of CD and WCD and the pharmacological mechanism of invigorating kidney‐yang deficiency in model rats. Aim. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of CD and WCD on the neuroendocrine‐immune function of kidney‐yang deficiency in glucocorticoid‐overdosed model rats. Materials and methods. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were selected. The rats were subcutaneously injected with corticosterone water suspension for the glucocorticoid‐overdosed model rats. The positive control rats were gavaged with Jinkuishenqi pills and high‐, medium‐, and low‐dose CD/WCD suspensions (1.646 g/(kg day), 5.48 g/(kg day), 2.74 g/(kg day), and 1.37 g/(kg day), respectively); the blank control (BC) and model control (MC) groups were given the same volume of distilled water as those in the drug group for 40 consecutive days at a dose of 1 mL/100 g. After the last administration, the blood was collected from the abdominal aorta, and serum levels of T, CRH, ACTH, CORT, cortisol, IL‐10, IL‐6, IL‐2, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ were measured. Organ indexes of the thymus gland and the spleen were calculated. The expression of Bax, Bcl‐2, caspase‐3, Fas, and FasL in the adrenal gland was measured by immunohistochemistry. The pathological changes in the thymus gland and the adrenal gland were observed by HE staining (×200). T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of CaM mRNA in the hypothalamus and hypophysis tissues was also measured by RT‐PCR. Results. Compared with the MC group, the CD and WCD groups exhibited increases in activity, the organ index of the thymus and the spleen, the serum levels of T, CRH, ACTH, CORT, cortisol, IL‐2, and IL‐10, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+, and the expression of Bcl‐2, caspase‐3, Fas, FasL, and CaM in the hypophysis tissue. The CD and WCD groups also exhibited reductions in the IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ levels in serum and the expression of CaM mRNA in the hypothalamus. Conclusions. Each dose of CD and WCD could counteract the dysregulated sex hormone and immune factors in glucocorticoid‐overdosed model rats, enhancing and restoring the effect of the hypothalamic nerve cells and improving immune function.
Skin-Related Properties and Constituents from the Aerial Parts Extract of Persicaria senticosa
Authors: Choi Yun-Hyeok , Lee Jae Yeon , Lee Ji Eun , Jung Yeon Woo , Jeong Wonsik , Hong Seong Su , Cho Young-Rak , Choi Chun Whan
Published: December 2020

In the course of screening for cosmetic ingredients by measuring antioxidant and antiwrinkle and whitening and anti-inflammatory activities, skin-related activity was tested using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, 2,2

′

-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, elastase inhibition, tyrosinase inhibition, and nitric oxide assay. Several Polygonaseae extracts were found to show potent activity. The results showed that the Persicaria senticosa methanolic extract has the 1,1­diphenyl-2­picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ABTS radical scavenging activities (IC50 61.0 and 17.5 μg/mL). In the elastase inhibition assay and nitric oxide assay, the IC50 of methanolic extract of Persicaria senticosa was 739.7 μg/mL and 71.8 μg/mL. The Persicaria senticosa 70% ethanolic extract partitioned with n-hexane, CH2Cl2, EtOAc, n-BuOH, and aqueous fractions. The purification of EtOAc soluble layer was by column chromatography separation and MPLC analysis of Compounds 1-7. It was identified as loliolide (1), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (2), quercetin-3-O-glucuronide (3), 4-methoxy caftraric acid (4), kaempferol-3-(6-methylglucuronide) (5), quercetin-3-(6-methylglucuronide) (6), and quercetin (7). Structure was elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR and MS spectrometry as well as comparison with reported literatures. Radical scavenging effect on DPPH, tyrosinase inhibition, and nitric oxide assay on several compounds from Persicaria senticosa was found to show potent activity. The results showed that Compound 7 has the NO assay (IC5029.7 μM). For DPPH, the IC50 of Compounds 2, 3, 5, and 7 was 39.6, 31.2, 37.0, and 22.7 μM. In tyrosinase inhibitory activity, the IC50 of Compound 7 was 14.3 μM.
Optimized Synthesis Approaches of Metal Nanoparticles with Antimicrobial Applications
Authors: Marinescu Liliana , Ficai Denisa , Oprea Ovidiu , Marin Alexandru , Ficai Anton , Andronescu Ecaterina , Holban Alina-Maria
Published: December 2020

According to the literature data, metal nanoparticles can be synthesized by various methods but the chemical reduction methods are mostly applied getting more advantageous comparing with the other methods. This work emphasizes also that the combination of synthetized methods could lead to the spectacular results depending on the application. Among the chemical methods, this work analyzed the polyol method, radiolytic process, microemulsion method, solvo-thermal method, microwave-assisted synthesis, and electrochemical synthesis. It also presents the main application of metal nanoparticles in biomedical fields, empathizing on their antimicrobial potential.
Effects of L-/N-Type Calcium Channel Blockers on Angiotensin II–Renin Feedback in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Kawabata Yutaka , Soeki Takeshi , Ito Hiroyuki , Matsuura Tomomi , Kusunose Kenya , Ise Takayuki , Yamaguchi Koji , Tobiume Takeshi , Yagi Shusuke , Fukuda Daiju , Yamada Hirotsugu , Wakatsuki Tetsuzo , Kitani Mitsuhiro , Kawano Kazuhiro , Taketani Yoshio , Sata Masataka
Published: December 2020

Objectives. Cilnidipine, an L-/N-type calcium channel blocker (CCB), has unique organ-protective properties due to suppression of hyperactivity in the sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin system (RAS). In this study, we hypothesized that cilnidipine might exert a renoprotective effect by suppressing the RAS. Methods. A total of 25 hypertensive patients receiving a RAS inhibitor were randomly assigned to a cilnidipine (n = 12) or amlodipine (n = 13) group. The effects of cilnidipine on proteinuria and angiotensin II–renin feedback were assessed. Results. After 6 months of treatment, both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced to a similar extent in both groups. The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio was significantly lower in the cilnidipine group (

p
<
0.05

) than in the amlodipine group. Amlodipine increased plasma angiotensin I and angiotensin II levels (

p
<
0.05

), whereas cilnidipine did not. Interestingly, the cilnidipine group had a higher ratio of angiotensin-(1–7) (Ang-(1–7)) to angiotensin II in plasma than the amlodipine group (

p
<
0.05

). Conclusions. The L-/N-type CCB cilnidipine, but not amlodipine, decreased urinary albumin excretion in hypertensive patients. Cilnidipine also increased the ratio of Ang-(1–7) to angiotensin II in plasma, which might be one factor underlying its beneficial effects.
Routine Multiple Duodenal Biopsy during Endoscopy of Dyspeptic Patients Seems Unnecessary for Screening of Celiac Disease
Authors: Behforouz Amir , Esmaeelzadeh Abbas , Mozaffari Homan Mosanan , Mokhtarifar Ali , Faravani Elham , Amoueian Sakineh , Khooei Alireza , Jarahi Lida , Goshayeshi Ladan
Published: December 2020

Introduction. Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic and common cause of dyspepsia with a rising prevalence worldwide. This study is aimed at investigating the prevalence of CD in dyspeptic patients based on serology and biopsy, determining the associated factors, and assessing the necessity of regular duodenal biopsies from normal mucosa in diagnosis of CD among dyspeptic patients. Methods. This cross-sectional study was performed on 530 adult dyspeptic patients who underwent gastroduodenoscopy in Imam Reza hospital, Mashhad, during 2016-2018. Demographic characteristics, clinical data, and laboratory analyses were extracted from hospital records. CD was diagnosed based on intestinal biopsy and serum antitissue transglutaminase (anti-TTG) levels. Mucosal lesions were classified according to the modified Marsh classification. Data were analyzed in SPSS with

P
<
0.05

being considered significant. Results. Overall, 163 males (30.8%) and 367 females (69.2%) with an average age of

46.38
±
15.54

years were studied. High anti-TTG levels were seen in 36 (6.8%) patients, and duodenal pathologies were seen in 23 (4.5%) patients. Fifteen (2.8%) were diagnosed with CD based on both serology and biopsy. Bloating was the most common type of dyspepsia in CD patients (7, 46.7%), followed by epigastric pain (6, 40%), and postprandial fullness (2, 13.3%). Two CD patients (13.3%) reported a positive family history for CD. Logistic regression model showed that iron deficiency anemia (IDA), anti-TTG level, and Helicobacter pylori infection were predictors of histological changes of CD, whereas IDA was the only independent predictor of CD in dyspeptic patients (

OR
=
17.65

,

95
%
CI
=
1.53
‐
202.52

, and

P
=
0.021

). Conclusion. CD is prevalent in dyspeptic patients, but routine biopsy from normal-appearing duodenal mucosa is not recommended for all patients. Serological studies, complete history, and careful endoscopic evaluation may provide better cost-effective clinical solutions to improve the diagnostic yield of celiac disease in dyspeptic patients.
Helicity Amplitudes for Generic Multibody Particle Decays Featuring Multiple Decay Chains
Authors: Marangotto Daniele
Published: December 2020

We present the general expression of helicity amplitudes for generic multibody particle decays characterised by multiple decay chains. This is achieved by addressing for the first time the issue of the matching of the final particle spin states among different decay chains in full generality for generic multibody decays, proposing a method able to match the exact definition of spin states relative to the decaying particle ones. We stress the importance of our result by showing that one of the matching methods used in the literature is incorrect, leading to amplitude models violating rotational invariance. The results presented are therefore relevant for performing numerous amplitude analyses, notably those searching for exotic structures like pentaquarks.
Novel Gallium(III), Germanium(IV), and Hafnium(IV) Folate Complexes and Their Spectroscopic, Thermal Decomposition, Morphological, and Biological Characteristics
Authors: El-Habeeb Abeer A.
Published: December 2020

In this study, we describe novel gallium(III), germanium(IV), and hafnium(IV) folate complexes, including their synthesis and analyses. The synthesized folate complexes were also subject to thermal analysis (TGA) to better examine their thermal degradation and kinetic properties. The folate complexes had high stability and were nonspontaneous. The Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger equations were used to determine thermodynamic parameters and describe the kinetic properties. These complexes were synthesized through the chemical interactions in neutralized media between the folic acid drug ligand (FAH2) with GaCl3, GeCl4, and HfCl4 metal salts at 1 : 2 (metal : ligand) molar ratio. The conductance measurements have low values due to their nonelectrolytic behavior. The X-ray powder diffraction solid powder pattern revealed a semicrystalline nature. In vitro, we screened the synthesized folate chelates for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The inhibition of four bacterial and two fungi pathogens (E. coli, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, A. flavus, and Candida albicans) was improved using a folic acid drug relative to the control drug.
The Molecular Mechanisms of Regulating Oxidative Stress-Induced Ferroptosis and Therapeutic Strategy in Tumors
Authors: Zhu Jinghan , Xiong Yixiao , Zhang Yuxin , Wen Jingyuan , Cai Ning , Cheng Kun , Liang Huifang , Zhang Wanguang
Published: December 2020

Ferroptosis is an atypical form of regulated cell death, which is different from apoptosis, necrosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy. Ferroptosis is characterized by iron-dependent oxidative destruction of cellular membranes following the antioxidant system’s failure. The sensitivity of ferroptosis is tightly regulated by a series of biological processes, the metabolism of iron, amino acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and the interaction of glutathione (GSH), NADPH, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and phospholipids. Elevated oxidative stress (ROS) level is a hallmark of cancer, and ferroptosis serves as a link between nutrition metabolism and redox biology. Targeting ferroptosis may be an effective and selective way for cancer therapy. The underlying molecular mechanism of ferroptosis occurrence is still not enough. This review will briefly summarize the process of ferroptosis and introduce critical molecules in the ferroptotic cascade. Furthermore, we reviewed the occurrence and regulation of reduction-oxidation (redox) for ferroptosis in cancer metabolism. The role of the tumor suppressor and the epigenetic regulator in tumor cell ferroptosis will also be described. Finally, old drugs that can be repurposed to induce ferroptosis will be characterized, aiming for drug repurposing and novel drug combinations for cancer therapy more efficiently and economically.
Long-Term Risk of Progression to Sustained Hypertension in White-Coat Hypertension with Normal Night-Time Blood Pressure Values
Authors: Faria João , Mesquita Bastos José , Bertoquini Susana , Silva José , Polónia Jorge
Published: December 2020

Background. The long-term prognosis and transition towards sustained ambulatory hypertension (SHT) of white-coat hypertension (WCHT) remain uncertain particularly in those with both normal nighttime and daytime blood pressure (BP) values. Different classification criteria and the use of antihypertensive drugs may contribute to conflicting results. Patients and Methods. We prospectively evaluated for a 7.1 year transition to SHT in 899 nondiabetic subjects free from cardiovascular (CV) events: normotensive (NT) (n = 344; 52, 9% female; ageing 48 ± 14 years); untreated WCHT (UnWCHT n = 399; 50, 1% female; ageing 51 ± 14 years); and treated WCHT with antihypertensive drugs after baseline (TxWCHT n = 156; 54, 4% female; ageing 51 ± 15 years). All underwent 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring (24 h-ABPM) at baseline, at 30 to 60 months, and at 70 to 120 months thereafter. WCHT was at baseline (with no treatment) as office BP ≥ 140/or 90 mm·Hg, daytime BP < 135/85 mm·Hg, and nighttime BP < 120/70 mm·Hg. Development of SHT was considered if daytime BP ≥ 135/or 85 mm Hg and/or nighttime BP ≥ 120/or 70 mm·Hg. Results. Baseline metabolic parameters did not differ among groups. At 30–60 months and at the end of follow-up, development of SHT occurred, respectively, in NT (3.8% (n = 13) and 9.6% (n = 33)) and in UnWCHT (10.1% (n = 40) and 16.5% (n = 66)) (

p
<
0.009

). The mean annual increase of average 24 h-systolic BP was 0.48 + 0.93 in NT and 0.73 + 1.06 in UnWCHT, whereas annual SBP in office increased in NT by 1.2 + 0.95 but decreased in UnWCHT by 1.36 + 1.35 mm Hg (

p
<
0.01

). Conclusion. Untreated WCHT patients exhibit a faster and a higher risk of developing SHT compared to NT with TxWCHT assuming an intermediate position between them.
A Seven‐Dimensional Building Information Model for the Improvement of Construction Efficiency
Authors: Wang Zhimin , Liu Jin
Published: December 2020

With the fast expansion of major cities in China, increasing scale, complex, and tall buildings have been built to meet the increasing commercial and living demand. However, the efficiency of project management and investment is not always satisfactory. To solve this problem, a seven‐dimensional building information model (7D BIM) is developed. To do this, a 3D BIM is firstly developed, which consists of architecture model, equipment model, steel framework model, other solid models, etc. Then, a 1D schedule management model and a 3D project management model (bidding management, enterprise quota management, and process management) have been integrated into the 3D BIM, thus forming a 7D BIM for a complex project. By providing a clear 3D vision in modeling the construction process, the proposed 7D model can be applied to help engineers/project managers carry out clash detection, structure design, modification, equipment installation, 3D project management, and maintenance after construction. The performance of this model has been demonstrated through a case study of a complex project launched in China. The study shows that the implementation of the 7D BIM has achieved significant cost and time saving as well as project quality and work efficiency improvement.
Antihypertensive and Renal Protective Effects of Oryeongsan in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Kang Kiwan , Jeong Minjeong , Kim Hongjun , Lim Beomjin , Kim Sangjun , Jang Insoo
Published: December 2020

Oryeongsan (ORS), a traditional medicine used to regulate body fluids, has a long history of use as a diuretic in Korea, China, and Japan. ORS is commonly thought to lower blood pressure, but high‐quality data on its effects are sparse. The purpose of this study was to determine the antihypertensive and renal protective effects of ORS in rats with hypertension. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were divided into two groups with similar mean baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Then, 10 mL/kg of vehicle (distilled water) or 200 mg/kg of ORS extract were administered orally once a day for 3 weeks. SBP and DBP were measured at weeks 1, 2, and 3. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected, and kidneys were removed for histology. By the 2nd and 3rd week after initiation of treatment, the ORS‐treated group had significantly lower SBP than control‐treated rats (191.3 ± 6.5 vs. 206.3 ± 9.8 mmHg, p = 0.022 at the 2nd week; 195.8 ± 7.8 vs. 217.0 ± 8.1 mmHg, p = 0.003 at the 3rd week, respectively). The ORS‐treated group trended toward having a lower DBP than control, but there was no significant difference. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Cr) were not different between the ORS‐treated and control groups (BUN: 23.7 ± 1.1 vs. 22.7 ± 2.8 mg/dL, p = 0.508; Cr: 19.0 ± 2.2 vs. 21.6 ± 2.1 μM, p = 0.083, respectively). The percentage of renal tissue affected by tubulointerstitial fibrosis was significantly lower in the ORS‐treated group (1.68 ± 0.60) compared to controls (3.17 ± 0.96, p = 0.019). These findings suggest that treatment with ORS reduces SBP and ameliorates renal damage in SHR.
Generalized Hesitant Fuzzy Ideals in Semigroups
Authors: Muhiuddin G. , Alanazi A. M. , Mahboob A. , Al-Kadi D.
Published: December 2020

In this paper, as a generalization of the concepts of hesitant fuzzy bi-ideals and hesitant fuzzy right (resp. left) ideals of semigroups, the concepts of hesitant fuzzy

m
,
n

-ideals and hesitant fuzzy

m
,
0

-ideals (resp.

0
,
n

-ideals) are introduced. Furthermore, conditions for a hesitant fuzzy

m

,

n

-ideal (

m
,
0

-ideal,

0
,
n

-ideal) to be a hesitant fuzzy bi-ideal (right ideal, left ideal) are provided. Moreover, several correspondences between bi-ideals (right ideals, left ideals) and hesitant fuzzy

m
,
n

-ideals (

m
,
0

-ideals,

0
,
n

-ideals) are obtained. Also, the characterizations of different classes of semigroups in terms of their hesitant fuzzy

m
,
n

-ideals and hesitant fuzzy

m
,
0

-ideals (

0
,
n

-ideals) are investigated.
A New User Revocable Ciphertext-Policy Attribute-Based Encryption with Ciphertext Update
Authors: Liu Zhe , Wang Fuqun , Chen Kefei , Tang Fei
Published: December 2020

The revocable ciphertext-policy attribute-based encryption (R-CP-ABE) is an extension of ciphertext-policy attribute-based encryption (CP-ABE), which can realize user direct revocation and maintain a short revocation list. However, the revoked users can still decrypt the previously authorized encrypted data with their old key. The R-CP-ABE scheme should provide a mechanism to protect the encrypted data confidentiality by disqualifying the revoked users from accessing the previously encrypted data. Motivated by practical needs, we propose a new user R-CP-ABE scheme that simultaneously supports user direct revocation, short revocation list, and ciphertext update by incorporating the identity-based and time-based revocable technique. The scheme provides a strongly selective security proof under the modified decisional

q

-parallel bilinear Diffie–Hellman Exponent problem, where “strongly” means that the adversary can query the secret key of a user whose attribute set satisfies the challenge ciphertext access structure and whose identity is in the revocation list.
Secrecy Performance Analysis of the NOMA System on High-Speed Railway
Authors: Xie Wenwu , Yang Jinxia , Liu Xinzhong , Yang Zhihe , Peng Xin , Liao Jianwu , Huang Tingyu
Published: December 2020

High-speed railway (HSR) wireless communications are required to ensure strict security. In this work, we study the secrecy performance of a nonorthogonal multiple access- (NOMA-) aided HSR wireless communication system in the case of an eavesdropping user. Specifically, applying NOMA technology to the HSR communication system can effectively improve the data rates. Therefore, we study the secrecy performance of the downlink NOMA system under the HSR wireless communication. In particular, the exact analytical results for the secrecy outage probability (SOP) based on no small-scale channel state information (CSI) are derived. We also provide all of the parameterizations for the proposed channel model. Finally, the correctness of theoretical derivation is verified via simulations. Results show the positive effect of utilizing the NOMA for enhancing wireless systems secrecy performance.
Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells: The Present Alternative for High-Incidence Diseases, Even SARS-Cov-2
Authors: Juárez-Navarro Karen J. , Padilla-Camberos Eduardo , Díaz Néstor Fabián , Miranda-Altamirano Ariel , Díaz-Martínez N. Emmanuel
Published: December 2020

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), defined as plastic adherent cells with multipotent differentiation capacity in vitro, are an emerging and valuable tool to treat a plethora of diseases due to their therapeutic mechanisms such as their paracrine activity, mitochondrial and organelle transfer, and transfer of therapeutic molecules via exosomes. Nowadays, there are more than a thousand registered clinical trials related to MSC application around the world, highlighting MSC role on difficult-to-treat high-incidence diseases such as the current COVID-19, HIV infections, and autoimmune and metabolic diseases. Here, we summarize a general overview of MSCs and their therapeutic mechanisms; also, we discuss some of the novel clinical trial protocols and their results as well as a comparison between the number of registries, countries, and search portals.
Novel Optical Coherence Tomography Parameters as Prognostic Factors for Stage 3 Epiretinal Membranes
Authors: Park Young Gun , Hong Seo Yeon , Roh Young-Jung
Published: December 2020

Purpose. We aimed to describe the visual prognosis of eyes with ectopic inner foveal layers (EIFLs) after epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery. Methods. This retrospective study enrolled patients diagnosed with stage 3 ERM based on the EIFL staging scheme who underwent ERM surgery with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. Central foveal thickness (CFT), EIFL thickness, and the length of the ellipsoid zone defect were evaluated at baseline and at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery based on pre- and postoperative swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. The association of EIFL thickness and other OCT parameters with pre- and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was analyzed. Results. Sixty-nine eyes with stage 3 ERMs were analyzed. Preoperative BCVA was correlated with preoperative CFT (r = 0.517,

p
<
0.001

) and preoperative EIFL thickness (r = 0.652,

p
<
0.001

). At 12 months, postoperative BCVA was correlated negatively with preoperative CFT (r = 0.470,

p
=
0.016

) and preoperative EIFL thickness (r = 0.582,

p
=
0.004

). The improvement in BCVA was not associated with postoperative reduction in CFT

p
=
0.06

, although it was significantly associated with postoperative reduction in EIFL thickness (r = 0.635,

p
=
0.007

). Conclusions. EIFL thickness should be considered a negative prognostic factor for postoperative anatomical and functional recovery in patients with stage 3 ERMs.
Cancer-Induced Muscle Wasting Requires p38β MAPK Activation of p300
Authors: Sin Thomas K. , Zhang Guohua , Zhang Zicheng , Zhu James Z. , Zuo Yan , Frost Jeffrey A. , Li Min , Li Yi-Ping
Published: December 2020

Cancer-associated cachexia, characterized by muscle wasting, is a lethal metabolic syndrome without defined etiology or established treatment. We previously found that p300 mediates cancer-induced muscle wasting by activating C/EBPβ, which then upregulates key catabolic genes. However, the signaling mechanism that activates p300 in response to cancer is unknown. Here, we show that upon cancer-induced activation of Toll-like receptor 4 in skeletal muscle, p38β MAPK phosphorylates Ser-12 on p300 to stimulate C/EBPβ acetylation, which is necessary and sufficient to cause muscle wasting. Thus, p38β MAPK is a central mediator and therapeutic target of cancer-induced muscle wasting. In addition, nilotinib, an FDA-approved kinase inhibitor that preferentially binds p38β MAPK, inhibited p300 activation 20-fold more potently than the p38α/β MAPK inhibitor, SB202190, and abrogated cancer cell–induced muscle protein loss in C2C12 myotubes without suppressing p38α MAPK–dependent myogenesis. Systemic administration of nilotinib at a low dose (0.5 mg/kg/day, i.p.) in tumor-bearing mice not only alleviated muscle wasting, but also prolonged survival. Therefore, nilotinib appears to be a promising treatment for human cancer cachexia due to its selective inhibition of p38β MAPK.

Significance:

These findings demonstrate that prevention of p38β MAPK–mediated activation of p300 by the FDA-approved kinase inhibitor, nilotinib, ameliorates cancer cachexia, representing a potential therapeutic strategy against this syndrome.
Assessing Drug Development Risk Using Big Data and Machine Learning
Authors: Vergetis Vangelis , Skaltsas Dimitrios , Gorgoulis Vassilis G. , Tsirigos Aristotelis
Published: December 2020

Identifying new drug targets and developing safe and effective drugs is both challenging and risky. Furthermore, characterizing drug development risk, the probability that a drug will eventually receive regulatory approval, has been notoriously hard given the complexities of drug biology and clinical trials. This inherent risk is often misunderstood and mischaracterized, leading to inefficient allocation of resources and, as a result, an overall reduction in R&D productivity. Here we argue that the recent resurgence of Machine Learning in combination with the availability of data can provide a more accurate and unbiased estimate of drug development risk.