bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-Modal Interaction Through Anthropomorphically Designed Communication Medium to Enhance the Self-Disclosures of Personal Information
Authors: Jinnai Nobuhiro , Sumioka Hidenobu , Minato Takashi , Ishiguro Hiroshi ,   Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University 1-3 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan,   Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) 2-2-2 Hikaridai, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto 619-0288, Japan
Published: February 2020

Although current communication media facilitate interactions among individuals, researchers have warned that human relationships built through these media tend to lack the level of intimacy acquired through face-to-face communications. In this study, we investigate how the long-term use of humanlike communication media affects the development of intimate relationships between human users. We examine changes in the relationship between individuals while they converse with each other through humanlike communication media or mobile phones for approximately a month. The intimacy of their relationship was evaluated using the amount of self-disclosed personal information. The result shows that a significantly greater amount of self-disclosure is made through a communication medium with humanlike appearance and soft material compared with the use of a typical mobile phone. The amount of self-disclosure showed cyclic variation in the experiment through humanlike communication media. Furthermore, we discuss a possible underlying mechanism of this effect from the misattribution of a feeling caused by intimate distance with the medium to a conversation partner.
Development and Evaluation of a Close-Fitting Assistive Suit for Back and Arm Muscle – e.z.UP®–
Authors: Liao Yun-Ting , Ishioka Toshifumi , Mishima Kazuko , Kanda Chiaki , Kodama Kenji , Tanaka Eiichiro ,   Graduate School of Information, Production and Systems, Waseda University 2-7 Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyusyu, Fukuoka 808-0135, Japan,   Asahicho Corporation 110 Fukawa-cho, Fuchu-city, Hiroshima 726-0004, Japan,   Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University 2-7 Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyusyu, Fukuoka 808-0135, Japan
Published: February 2020

This paper proposes a close-fitting assistive suit, called e.z.UP®, with a passive actuation mechanism composed of an adjustable structure. The suit can adequately assist the back and arm muscles of a user with the proposed layout of an arm assistive belt and a two-layer structure, respectively. With its lightweight characteristic (i.e., weighing 0.75 kg only), the proposed suit is portable and easy to wear without additional burden. By using the averaged Japanese body data, a simulation was conducted based on a human body model wearing our proposed suit to evaluate the layout of the arm assistive belt. The simulation results prove that the proposed suit can adequately assist the user’s arm muscles based on the user’s motion. An experiment involving the measurement of muscle activities is also implemented with seven young subjects and seven middle-aged subjects to evaluate the arm assistive belt and the two-layer structure. The experimental results reveal that the proposed suit can successfully and appropriately assist both the arm and back muscles simultaneously.
Interactive Information Support by Robot Partners Based on Informationally Structured Space
Authors: Yamamoto Shion , Woo Jinseok , Chin Wei Hong , Matsumura Keiichi , Kubota Naoyuki ,   Graduate School of Systems Design, Tokyo Metropolitan University 6-6 Asahigaoka, Hino, Tokyo 191-0065, Japan,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Technology 1404-1 Katakura, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0982, Japan,   INFITECHM Co., Ltd. 1-15-27 Kounandai, Kounan-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 234-0054, Japan
Published: February 2020

Recently, there has been an increase in the importance of community-centric systems as a new paradigm to enhance the quality of community (QOC). Social media plays an important role in creating, sharing, and exchanging information within a community. However, assistive technologies should be developed from human-centric and community-centric points of view to realize such information support. In this paper, we discuss the use of smart devices interlocked robot partners for interactive information support similar to concierge services in hotels. The interactive information support system is composed of two main subsystems, namely robot partners and informationally structured space servers. A robot partner performs communication and interaction with people through voice recognition and gesture recognition in addition to the use of touch interfaces. The informationally structured space server receives the measurement data of human motions and personal information containing human requests and preferences from the robot partner. Next, the informationally structured space server selects and recommends shops, restaurants, and sightseeing spots to the guests and visitors through utterance and display by the robot partner. First, we explain the concept of the informationally structured space to connect a person with sensory information and propose the overall architecture of the informationally structured space. Next, we explain how to provide information support using smart devices interlocked robot partners based on the informationally structured space. In addition, we describe several social experiments on interactive information support at hotels. Finally, we discuss the effectiveness of the proposed system and the future direction of community-centric systems.
Semi-Automatic Dataset Generation for Object Detection and Recognition and its Evaluation on Domestic Service Robots
Authors: Ishida Yutaro ,   Kyushu Institute of Technology 2-4 Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 808-0196, Japan, Tamukoh Hakaru
Published: February 2020

This paper proposes a method for the semi-automatic generation of a dataset for deep neural networks to perform end-to-end object detection and classification from images, which is expected to be applied to domestic service robots. In the proposed method, the background image of the floor or furniture is first captured. Subsequently, objects are captured from various viewpoints. Then, the background image and the object images are composited by the system (software) to generate images of the virtual scenes expected to be encountered by the robot. At this point, the annotation files, which will be used as teaching signals by the deep neural network, are automatically generated, as the region and category of the object composited with the background image are known. This reduces the human workload for dataset generation. Experiment results showed that the proposed method reduced the time taken to generate a data unit from 167 s, when performed manually, to 0.58 s, i.e., by a factor of approximately 1/287. The dataset generated using the proposed method was used to train a deep neural network, which was then applied to a domestic service robot for evaluation. The robot was entered into the World Robot Challenge, in which, out of ten trials, it succeeded in touching the target object eight times and grasping it four times.
Mobile Robot Utilizing Arm Rotations – Performance of Mobile Robot Under a Gravity Environment –
Authors: Hayashi Ryota , Setoyama Yasuyuki , Kinugasa Tetsuya , Yoshida Koji ,   Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Okayama University of Science 1-1 Ridai-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-0005, Japan,   Department of Electronic Control Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Kagoshima College 1460-1 Shinko, Hayato-cho, Kirishima 899-5193, Japan
Published: February 2020

In this research, we have considered a mobile robot that can start to move by utilizing rotations of the two arms. This robot consists of two rotating arms and a body. Additionally, it has a device that can fix the body to a platform constructed on a certain wall or floor. In our previous study, we investigated the performance of a robot that could move in a planar space without friction or gravity through several numerical simulations. In this study, we investigate the performance of the mobile robot under a gravity environment. While the body is fixed to a starting platform, the mobile robot can store kinetic energy by rotating its arms. When the body is released from the starting platform, the mobile robot hops to the subsequent platform. We consider a scheme to control the hopping direction of the mobile robot and a scheme to reduce the collision impact against the subsequent platform. Thereafter, we verify the feasibility of the proposed schemes through numerical simulations.
Rubén Quiroz Ávila, La razón racial (Clemente Palma y el racismo a fines del siglo XIX)
Authors: Díaz Iván
Published: February 2020

La razón racial (2015), de Rubén Quiroz Ávila, se instituye como un discurso que desmonta las fantasías de un discurso eurocéntrico implantado e interiorizado desde la invasión y la colonización española. A través de una relectura analítica y muy bien documentada de la historia nacional intelectual, el autor remece los cimientos ideológicos de la nación peruanade los dominantes. El texto, como crítica a la ideología y filosofía del escritor Clemente Palma, denuncia un discurso colonizador y homogeneizador que se configura a partir de prácticas sociales y discursivas de exclusión, marginación y denigración del otro no-blanco.
Mario Montalbetti y Ralph Bauer Vietnam
Authors: Pacheco Jhonny J
Published: February 2020

Vietnam es un libro compuesto por puro lenguaje: visual y lingüístico. En la primera sección de este texto, encontramos 38 fotografías de Ralph Bauer, que nos muestran una serie de hechos cotidianos de personas en restaurantes, madres con hijos, grupo de amigos, rostros de mujeres, entre otras imágenes, en conjunto con la vista de muchos paisajes, todos a blanco y negro, Por su parte, Mario Montalbetti, en Vietnam, ha logrado conjugar imagen y escritura, filosofía y poesía, lenguaje y significado,modernidad y tradición, que hacen de este pequeño libro un indicativo que su escritura no tiene límites, como el mismo lenguaje siempre huidizo, esquivo, lúdico, ante lo literario, lo poético, la escritura.
Synergistic Effect between Surfactant and Nanoparticles on the Stability of Foam in EOR Processes
Authors: Qian Chen , Telmadarreie Ali , Dong Mingzhe , Bryant Steven
Published: February 2020

The major challenge in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) by gas injection is poor volumetric sweep efficiency, mainly due to the high gas mobility and reservoir heterogeneity. Injecting gas as a foam increases sweep efficiency, but maintaining foam stability within the reservoir remains a challenge. This research evaluates the synergistic interaction of one type of nanoparticle and a surfactant to increase foam stability, using the concentration ratio of the two components to tune the affinity of the nanoparticle for the gas/liquid interface. We test the capability of the synergistic two-component system to stabilize methane foam and compare it with foam stabilized by surfactants only. A key distinction is the foam stability upon contact with oil, and we explain the observations in static and dynamic conditions.

Foam stability was measured in both static (bubble structure) and dynamic (flow through porous media) conditions. In the static test, foam is generated by the shaking method, and foam texture (bubble size and shape) and the decay of foam height with time are indicators of foam stability. To test static stability in the presence of oil, heavy oil is injected into the foam/liquid interface. In dynamic tests, foam is pregenerated before flowing at elevated pressures into sandpacks containing various oil saturations. Normalized pressure gradient and apparent viscosity are the indicators of foam stability and effectiveness for improving oil recovery.

The extent to which nanoparticles are covered with surfactant governs the foam stability, in both static and dynamic conditions. Static foam is stable in the presence of oil only if the nanoparticles are partially covered by the surfactant. In the dynamic test, foam stabilized with only the surfactant collapses in the porous media when oil is present. Nanoparticles alone could not generate foam regardless of the presence of oil or salinity, but foam stabilized with nanoparticles partially covered by surfactant is stable in the presence of both residual and initial oil, and foam apparent viscosity could reach up to 400 cp at residual heavy oil condition. In both static and dynamic conditions, nanoparticles completely covered with a bilayer of surfactant do not stabilize foam in the presence of oil. Partially covered nanoparticle foam also demonstrated salt tolerance in both static and dynamic tests, and foam apparent viscosity can reach up to 200 cp with high salinity and residual heavy oil presented. Thus, at appropriate surface coverage, the combination of nanoparticles and surfactant is more effective than either stabilizer alone.

The result shows that interaction of surfactant and nanoparticles is important in foam stability in the porous media with oil. In particular, this interaction is synergistic at certain coverage. This type of synergy can provide much more robust mobility control for EOR processes involving gas injection.
Optimizing Drilling Wells and Increasing the Operation Efficiency Using Digital Twin Technology
Authors: Mayani Maryam Gholami , Baybolov Timur , Rommetveit Rolv , Ødegaard Sven Inge , Koryabkin Vitaly , Lakhtionov Sergey
Published: February 2020

As part of the digital transformation, the oil and gas sector should move beyond the traditional way of drilling, towards utilizing new and more efficient technologies. The objective of this paper is to show how a digital twin based on the virtual model of a drilling well can be used to optimize the operation and improve operational performance.

Utilizing digital twins in drilling is a more advanced and cost-effective method to plan, monitor and operate well construction than the traditional method. A Digital twin in drilling is to use advanced down hole data and advanced modeling of the physical drilling system based on thermo-hydraulic and mechanical models during the lifecycle of well construction. It provides several benefits to the operation and improves drilling performance. Various drilling models interact during the whole drilling life cycle. During operations, real-time data from wells are used in combination with modeled data from a digital twin. This can realize early detection of anomalies and offer early diagnostic messages to avoid problems before they fully develop. It helps to reduce non-productive time and increase safety.

The Digital Twin technology can be used during the whole drilling operation. Several drilling case studies will be presented using the digital twin to provide real-time ECD control during tripping in and out of the well, as well as back-reaming procedure on some oil fields. Automatic pickup hook load roadmap plotting including; lift, slack and rotation off bottom (ROB), for some oilfields are discussed. The results of the simulation are presented in both 2D and 3D visualization format. By using the digital twin, challenges and risks during the operation have been identified. Automated diagnostic alarms have detected and prevented hazardous incidents ahead of the time.

Digital Twin technology will play an important role in the automation process of drilling. The technology will provide automatic quality control and calibration of drilling data, automated forward looking, automated diagnostics and decision support and eventually automatic optimization of the drilling process in real-time. This will be achieved by linking the Digital Twin to the rig control system.
Comparing the effectiveness of magnesium oxide and naldemedine in preventing opioid-induced constipation: A proof of concept, single institutional, two arm, open-label, phase II, randomized controlled trial: the MAGNET study
Authors: Ozaki Anna , Kessoku Takaomi , Iwaki Michihiro , Kobayashi Takashi , Yoshihara Tsutomu , Kato Takayuki , Honda Yasushi , Ogawa Yuji , Imajo Kento , Higurashi Takuma , Yoneda Masato , Taguri Masataka , Yamanaka Takeharu , Ishiki Hiroto , Kobayashi Noritoshi , Saito Satoru , Ichikawa Yasushi , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: February 2020

Background: Patients taking opioids are known to develop opioid-induced constipation (OIC), which reduces their quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study is to compare magnesium oxide to naldemedine and determine which is more effective in preventing OIC. Methods: This is a proof of concept, prospective, randomized controlled trial, that commenced in Japan in March 2018. Initially, a questionnaire-based survey will be conducted targeting adult cancer patients who had concomitantly commenced opioid and OIC prevention treatment. Patients will then be randomly allocated to magnesium oxide (500 mg, thrice daily) or naldemedine (0.2 mg, once daily) groups. Each drug will be orally administrated for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint is defined as any improvement in the Japanese version of Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (JPAC-QOL) scores from the baseline to 2 weeks of treatment. Discussion : The primary endpoint is changes in the JPAC-QOL scores from the baseline to 2 weeks of intervention. The key secondary endpoint will be changes in spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) at 2 and 12 weeks of intervention. This study will determine whether magnesium oxide or naldemedine is more effective for the prevention of OIC. Trial registration: This trial is registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000031891). Registered March 25, 2018, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000036408.
Clinical utility of polyethylene glycol conjugated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (PEG-G-CSF) for preventing severe neutropenia in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with FOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab: A single-center retrospective study
Authors: Yusuke Kitagawa , Osumi Hiroki , Shinozaki Eiji , Ota Yumiko , Nakayama Izuma , Suzuki Takeshi , Wakatsuki Takeru , Ogura Mariko , Ooki Akira , Takahari Daisuke , Suenaga Mitsukuni , Chin Keisho , Yamaguchi Kensei
Published: February 2020

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol conjugated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (PEG-G-CSF) for preventing neutropenia in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients that received fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan (FOLFOXIRI) plus bevacizumab (Bev) in clinical practice. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed mCRC patients who received FOLFOXIRI plus Bev between December 2015 and December 2017. We evaluated the efficacy of PEG-G-CSF as preventing or treating grade 3/4 neutropenia, the overall response rate (ORR) according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events of FOLFOXIRI plus Bev based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Results A total of 26 patients (median age 53.5 years) were included. The ORR rate was 65.3%, the median PFS was 9.6 months (7.2–16.9), and the median OS was 24.2 months (13.6–NA). Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occurred in 53.8% of the patients, and febrile neutropenia occurred in 7.7%. PEG-G-CSF was given to 77.0% of the patients, including prophylactically (n = 9) and after the development of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (n = 11). No patients experienced grade 3 or higher neutropenia after the administration of PEG-G-CSF. In seven of the nine patients who received PEG-G-CSF prophylactically (77.8%), no dose adjustment was required. Conclusions PEG-G-CSF is useful in preventing severe neutropenia in mCRC patients treated with FOLFOXIRI plus Bev.
Pneumocystis pneumonia occurrence and prophylaxis duration in kidney transplant recipients according to perioperative treatment with rituximab: a single-center, retrospective study
Authors: Kim Young Hoon , Kim Jee Yeon , Kim Dong Hyun , Ko Youngmin , Choi Ji Yoon , Shin Sung , Jung Joo Hee , Park Su-Kil , Kim Sung-Han , Kwon Hyunwook , Han Duck Jong
Published: February 2020

Background

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a life-threatening fungal infection that can occur in kidney transplantation (KT) recipients. A growing number of KT recipients are receiving perioperative treatment with rituximab, which is associated with prolonged B-cell depletion and possible risk of PCP occurrence; however, the optimal prophylaxis duration according to rituximab treatment is yet unknown. We compared the occurrence of PCP and the duration of prophylaxis in KT recipients according to rituximab treatment.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 2110 patients who underwent KT between January 2009 and December 2016, who were divided into non-Rituximab group (n = 1588, 75.3%) and rituximab group (n = 522, 24.7%).

Results

In the rituximab group, the estimated number needed to treat (NNT) for prophylaxis prolongation from 6 to 12 months was 29.0 with a relative risk reduction of 90.0%. In the non-rituximab group, the estimated NNT value was 133.3 and the relative risk reduction was 66.4%. Rituximab treatment (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.09; P < 0.01) and acute rejection (HR = 2.19; P = 0.03) were significant risk factors for PCP in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that maintaining PCP prophylaxis for 12 months may be beneficial in KT recipients treated with rituximab for desensitization or acute rejection treatment.
First evidence of the deletion in the Pfhrp2 and Pfhrp3 genes in Plasmodium falciparum from Equatorial Guinea
Authors: Berzosa Pedro , González V , Taravillo L , Mayor A , Romay-Barja M , Garcia L , Ncogo P , Riloha M , Benito Agustín
Published: February 2020

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) as a good alternative malaria-diagnosis method in remote parts of sub-Saharan Africa. The majority of commercial RDTs currently available detect the Plasmodium falciparum protein histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2). There have also been recent reports of pfhrp2 gene deletions being found in parasites collected from several African countries. The WHO has concluded that lacking the pfhrp2 gene must be monitored in Africa. The purpose of the study was to analyse why the samples that were positive by PCR were negative by RDTs and, therefore, to determine whether there have been deletions in the pfhrp2 and/or pfhrp3 genes.

Methods

Malaria NM-PCR was carried out on all the samples collected in the field. A group of 128 samples was positive by PCR but negative by RDT; these samples were classified as RDT false-negatives. PCR was carried out for exon2 of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes to detect the presence or absence of these two genes. Frequencies with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used for prevalence estimates. Associations were assessed by the Chi-square test or Fisher´s exact test. The level of significance was set at p ≤0.05. Statistical analyses were performed using the software package SPSSv.15.0.

Results

After PCR, 81 samples were identified (4.7%, 95% CI: 3.8-5.8) which had deletion in both genes, pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 . Overall, however, 11 samples (0.6%, 95% CI: 0.36-1.14) had deletion only in pfhrp2 but not in pfhrp3 , and 15 (0.9%, 95% CI: 0.6-1.5) presented with deletion only in pfhrp3 but not in pfhrp2 . Considering the pfhrp2 gene separately, within the total of 1,724 samples, 92 (5.3%, 95% CI: 4.37-6.5) had evidence of deletion.

Conclusion

The present study provides the first evidence of deletion in the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes in P. falciparum isolates from Equatorial Guinea. However, larger studies across different regions within the country and across different seasonal profiles are needed to determine the full extent of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletion. It is strongly recommended to implement an active surveillance programme in order to detect any increases in pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletion frequencies.
Profiling the urinary microbiome in men with calcium-based kidney stones
Authors: Xie Jing , Huang Jian-sheng , Huang Xiang-jiang , Peng Jun-ming , Yu Zhou , Yuan Ye-qing , Xiao Ke-feng , Guo Ji-nan
Published: February 2020

Background

The dogma that urine is sterile in healthy individuals has been overturned by recent studies applying molecular-based methods. Mounting evidences indicate that dysbiosis of the urinary microbiota is associated with several urological diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the characteristics of the urinary microbiome of patients with calcium-based kidney stones and compare it with those of healthy individuals.

Method

We collected bladder urine samples from 22 adult male patients with calcium-based kidney stones and 21 age-matched healthy controls by transurethral catheterization. For kidney stone patients, paired renal pelvis urine was also collected via ureteral catheter using aseptic technique. The V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was sequenced, and the urinary microbiota was analyzed by kidney stone status and specimen-type.

Results

The diversity of the urinary microbiota in kidney stone patients was significantly lower than that of healthy controls based on the Shannon and Simpson index (P<0.001 for both indices). The urinary microbiota structure also significantly differed between kidney stone patients and healthy controls (ANOSIM, R = 0.11, P <0.001). Differential representation of inflammation associated bacteria (e.g., Acinetobacter ) and several enriched functional pathways were identified in the urine of kidney stones patients. Meanwhile, we found the species diversity, overall composition of microbiota and predicted functional pathways were similar between bladder urine and renal pelvis urine in kidney stone patients.

Conclusion

A marked dysbiosis of urinary microbiota in male patients with calcium-based kidney stones was observed, which may be helpful to interpret the association between bacteria and calcium-based kidney stones.
Transcriptome and metabolite analyses provide insights into zigzag-shaped stem formation in tea plants (Camellia sinensis)
Authors: Cao Hongli , Wang Feiquan , Lin Hongzheng , Ye Yijun , Zheng Yucheng , Li Jiamin , Hao Zhilong , Ye Naixing , Yue Chuan
Published: February 2020

Background: Shoot orientation is important for plant architecture formation, and zigzag-shaped shoots are a special trait found in many plants. Zigzag-shaped shoots have been selected and thoroughly studied in Arabidopsis; however, the regulatory mechanism underlying zigzag-shaped shoot development in other plants, especially woody plants, is largely unknown.
Results: In this study, tea plants with zigzag-shaped shoots, namely, Qiqu (QQ) and Lianyuanqiqu (LYQQ), were investigated and compared with the erect-shoot tea plant Meizhan (MZ) in an attempt to reveal the regulation of zigzag-shaped shoot formation. Tissue section observation showed that the cell arrangement and shape of zigzag-shaped stems were aberrant compared with those of normal shoots. Moreover, a total of 2175 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from the zigzag-shaped shoots of the tea plants QQ and LYQQ compared to the shoots of MZ using transcriptome sequencing, and the DEGs involved in the “Plant-pathogen interaction”, “Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis”, “Flavonoid biosynthesis” and “Linoleic acid metabolism” pathways were significantly enriched. Additionally, the DEGs associated with cell expansion, vesicular trafficking, phytohormones, and transcription factors were identified and analysed. Metabolomic analysis showed that 13 metabolites overlapped and were significantly changed in the shoots of QQ and LYQQ compared to MZ.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that zigzag-shaped shoot formation might be associated with the gravitropism response and polar auxin transport in tea plants. This study provides a valuable foundation for further understanding the regulation of plant architecture formation and for the cultivation and application of horticultural plants in the future.
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in patients with HIV/AIDS
Authors: Guo Hebing , Liu Jingyuan , Pu Lin , Hao Jingjing , Yin Ningning , Liu Yufeng , Xiong Haofeng , Li Ang
Published: February 2020

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a useful method and instrument in critically ill patients with fluid overload and metabolic disarray, especially in those who are unable to tolerate the intermittent hemodialysis. However, the epidemiology, influence factors of CRRT and mortality in patients with HIV/AIDS are still unclear in China. This study aims to study the HIV-infected patients admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and explore the influence factors correlated with CRRT and their prognosis. Methods: We performed a retrospective case-control study in the ICU of the Beijing Ditan Hospital Capital Medical University. From June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2017, 225 cases were enrolled in this clinical study. Results: 122 (54.2%) patients were diagnosed with AKI during their stay in ICU, the number and percentage of AKI stage 1, 2 and 3 were 38 (31.1%), 21(17.2%) and 63(51.7%), respectively. 26.2% of AKI patients received CRRT during the stay of ICU. 56.25% CRRT patients died in ICU. The 28-day mortality was 62.5%, and the 90-day mortality was 75%. By univariate logistics analysis, it showed that higher likelihood of diagnosis for respiratory failure (OR=7.333,95% CI 1.467-36.664, p=0.015), higher likelihood of diagnosis for septic shock (OR=1.005,95% CI 1.001-1.01, p=0.018), and higher likelihood to use vasoactive agents (OR=10.667,95% CI 1.743-65.271, p=0.001), longer mechanical ventilation duration (OR=1.011,95% CI 1.002-1.019, p=0.011), higher likelihood for diagnosis for PCP (OR=7.50,95% CI 1.288-43.687, p=0.025), higher SOFA score at ICU admission (OR=1.183,95% CI 1.012-1.383, p=0.035), longer duration of CRRT (OR=1.014,95% CI 1.001-1.028, p=0.034) contributed to a higher mortality at ICU. The Cox Analysis for the cumulative survival of AKI 3 patients between the CRRT and non-CRRT groups shows no significant differences (p =0.595).Conclusion: There is a high incidence of AKI in HIV-infected patients admitted in our ICU. Patients with severe AKI were more prone to be admitted for CRRT and have a consequent poor prognosis.
Peripheral Anterior Chamber Depth and Screening Techniques for Primary Angle Closure Disease in Community Elderly Chinese
Authors: Xue Wenwen , Luo Qin , Yuan Yin , Fu Chaowei , He Jiangnan , Zou Haidong , Tong Xiaowei , Lee Richard K. , Ge Ling
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To investigate the distribution of peripheral anterior chamber depth (ACD) and the relationship between peripheral ACD and gonioscopy compared to other ocular parameters (peripheral ACD, spherical equivalent [SE], intraocular pressure [IOP]) for primary angle closure disease (PACD) screening in an elderly Chinese community.

Methods

Cross-sectional study. Adults 50 and older were enrolled from a population-based study using cluster random sampling in Pudong New District, Shanghai. Remote ocular screening was performed with digital anterior eye structure photography. Van Herrick measurements were used to evaluate the peripheral ACD, the depth of the peripheral anterior chamber, and corneal thickness (CT), and the ACD to CT ratio was calculated. Subjects with peripheral ACD less than 0.5 CT were made follow-up appointments for clinical examination with gonioscopy. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were generated to show the performance of different tests in screening for primary angle closure disease (PACD).

Results

2528 adults participated in the study with 91 patients diagnosed with PACD. 2463 subjects had valid data in the right eye available for analysis. The mean peripheral ACD values for men and women were significantly different: 1.04±0.46 (range 0.11-2.93) CT and 0.87±0.41 (range 0.12-2.96) CT respectively (t=-4.18; P<0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis reveals that peripheral ACD declined by 0.31 CT (P<0.0001) per diopter of SE and was 0.19 CT (P<0.0001) shallower in women than in men (r2=0.1304, P<0.0001). Peripheral ACD performed best in screening for PACD.

Conclusions

Peripheral ACD measurement is recommended for PACD screening in community elderly Chinese.
Functionally enhanced placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells inhibit adipogenesis in orbital fibroblast with graves’ ophthalmopathy
Authors: Kim Jae Yeon , Park Sohae , Lee Hyun-Jung , Lew Helen , Kim Gi Jin
Published: February 2020

Background: Placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PD-MSCs) have unique immunomodulatory properties, and Phosphatase of regenerating liver-1 (PRL-1) regulates self-renewal ability of stem cells and promotes proliferation. Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the orbit and is characterized by increased orbital contents involving adipose tissue. Because the mechanism of inhibiting adipogenesis in orbital fibroblast (OF) with GO patients remains uncertain, the major objective is to investigate mechanisms alleviating adipogenesis by PRL-1 overexpressing PD-MSCs (PD-MSCsPRL-1, PRL-1+) in OF derived from GO patients.

Methods: primary OFs from patients with GO were isolated from orbital adipose tissue specimens. After maturation as adipogenic differentiation, normal and GO-derived OF were cocultured with naïve and PD-MSCsPRL-1. Western blotting were conducted for evaluating molecular mechanisms for inhibiting adipogenesis in GO.

Results: The characterizations of PD-MSCsPRL-1 were similar to naïve. OF with GO patients stimulated adipocyte differentiation were significantly decreased lipid accumulation by cocultivation with PD-MSCsPRL-1 comparing with naïve. The mRNA and protein expression of adipogenic markers was declined in PD-MSCsPRL-1. The expression of pPI3K/AKT/mTOR protein in OF with GO patients was downregulated by cocultivation with PD-MSCsPRL-1 secreted IGFBPs. Interestingly, IGFBP2, 4, and 7 expressions through integrin alpha 4 (ITGA4) and beta 7 (ITGB7) in PD-MSCsPRL-1 were higher than naïve and upregulated pFAK downstream factor.

Conclusion: Taken together, secreted IGFBPs by PD-MSCsPRL-1 via upregulating FAK and blocking IGF inhibit adipogenesis of OF with GO patients, providing novel therapeutic approach using functionally enhanced MSCs potential for degenerative diseases.
LncRNA SNHG5 promotes the proliferation and cancer stem cell-like properties of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating UPF1 and Wnt signaling pathway
Authors: Li Yarui , Hu Junbi , Lu Guifang , Ren Mudan , Zhang Zhiyong , Guo Dan , Lu Xinlan , He Shuixiang
Published: February 2020

Background: It have been revealed that lncRNAs had a critical role in human cancers, including HCC. Our previous study found a lncRNA SNHG5 related to the development of HCC. However, the role and exact mechanism of SNHG5 in HCC proliferation and the liver CSC-like properties is still unclear. Materials and Methods: We investigated the HCC cells proliferation and CSC-like properties in vitro and in vivo by knockdown or upregulate SNHG5, and detected underlying mechanisms by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, bioinformatic analysis, luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation. Results: Knockdown of SNHG5 repressed HCC cells proliferation and CSC-like properties, while overexpression of SNHG5 promoted cells growth. At the same time, CSCs markers ( CD44, CD133 and ALDH1) and related transcription factors (OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG) were downregulated when SNHG5 knockdown. Further investigations showed that SNHG5 regulated the proliferation and CSC-like properties of HCC by binding UPF1 and regulating Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Conclusions: SNHG5 plays critical role to promote HCC cells proliferation and cancer stem cell-like properties via UPF1 and Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Prevalence and perceived importance of racial matching in the psychotherapeutic dyad: A national survey of addictions treatment clinical practices
Authors: Steinfeldt Jesse A. , Clay Shondra L. , Priester Paul E.
Published: February 2020

Background: Despite conflicting results in the literature concerning its efficacy in practice, racial matching has been identified as a component of culturally sensitive treatment. Methods: This study examined the perceived importance and prevalence of racial matching by surveying a national sample of substance abuse treatment centers from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Results: Using univariate statistical analysis, results for the prevalence of racial matching revealed that in 58% of the clinics, there was the potential to match a counselor with a racially similar client, while in 39% of the clinics, there was no potential to provide such a match. Among the agencies that displayed a potential for racial matching, 26% of the respondents indicated that they never racially matched clients and therapists, 71% reported that they sometimes practice racial matching, 15% indicated that they usually racially match, and only 7% purported to always racially match clients and therapists. Results for the perceived importance of racial matching revealed that in both situations where treatment centers had the potential for racial matching and did not have the potential for racial matching, supervisors reported that it was relatively important to provide culturally sensitive treatment but that it was not as important to match clients in substance abuse centers with racially/ethnically similar counselors. Conclusion: The topic of racial matching can be very complex and has shown variation amongst substance abuse centers; however, this study emphasizes the importance of providing culturally sensitive treatment and an appreciation of differences among members within each racial group. Keywords: culturally responsive counseling; cross-racial counseling; addictions treatment
Recurrence of low-risk vaginal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma: A case report and literature review
Authors: Peng Hongfa , You Yan , Li Lei
Published: February 2020

Background Low-risk vaginal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) requires no radiotherapy (RT) for local control. Case summary A 32-month-old girl presented with an exophytic vaginal botryoid mass, which was confirmed of be ERMS. She was given two courses of vincristine, topotecan, and cyclophosphamide (VAC) as neoadjuvant therapy, after which she underwent a hysteroscopy and conservative resection of the vaginal lesion with a negative margin. She was diagnosed with low-risk ERMS (stage I, subgroup A and Group I) and was discharged after another four courses of VAS. However, twenty-eight months after the last treatment, she presented with a giant mass protruding through the vaginal introitus, which was confirmed to be a recurrence of ERMS. Despite multiple rounds of therapy, the patient died 39 months after her diagnosis, at 5 years of age. Conclusion When making the decision to eliminate RT for low-risk vaginal ERMS patients, the risk of local recurrence should be considered and emphasized.
Overall survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer after surgically primary tumor resected: a SEER-based nomogram analysis
Authors: Pan Maoen , Yang Yuanyuan , Wu Xiaoting , Huang Heguang
Published: February 2020

Background This study aimed to establish and validate a nomogram to predict overall survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC) after surgically primary tumor resected. Methods All mPC patients who underwent primary tumor resection at SEER database between 2004 and 2016 were identified. We randomly assigned two-thirds of the patients to the training group and one third to the validation group. In the training group, the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to analyze survival outcomes. A univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis was used to identify significant prognostic factors for establishing a nomogram. The predictive accuracy and discriminative ability were measured by the concordance index (C-index) and risk group stratification. Results A total of 742 patients were included for analysis. Four significant prognostic factors were obtained and included in the nomogram. The nomogram showed an acceptable discrimination ability (C- index:0.711) and good calibration and was further validated in the validation cohort (C- index: 0.727). The nomogram total points (NTP) had the potential to stratify patients into 2-risk groups with a median OS of 11 and 4.5 months (P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions The nomogram can provide considerable accuracy individual prediction OS outcomes in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer undergone primary tumor surgery and it can guide clinicians to make decisions in the clinical therapies.
Time-ResNeXt for epilepsy recognition based on EEG signals in wireless networks
Authors: wang shaoqiang , wang shudong , Zhang song , wang yifan
Published: February 2020

To automatically detect dynamic EEG signals to reduce the time cost of epilepsy diagnosis. In the signal recognition of electroencephalogram (EEG)of epilepsy, traditional machine learning and statistical methods require manual feature labeling engineering in order to show excellent results on a single data set. And the artificially selected features may carry a bias, and cannot guarantee the validity and expansibility in real-world data. In practical applications, deep learning methods can release people from feature engineering to a certain extent. As long as the focus is on the expansion of data quality and quantity, the algorithm model can learn automatically to get better improvements. In addition, the deep learning method can also extract many features that are difficult for humans to perceive, thereby making the algorithm more robust. Based on the design idea of ​​ResNeXt deep neural network, this paper designs a Time-ResNeXt network structure suitable for time series EEG epilepsy detection to identify EEG signals. The accuracy rate of Time-ResNeXt in the detection of EEG epilepsy can reach 91.50%. The Time-ResNeXt network structure produces extremely advanced performance on the benchmark dataset (Berne-Barcelona dataset), and has great potential for improving clinical practice.
The Association Between Gallstone Disease and Metabolic Syndrome Related Abnormalities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jiang Peiwu , Ni Zhongkai , Huang Shifei , Li Xiaowen , Li Ye , Huang Hai
Published: February 2020

BackgroundBile excretion is one of an important metabolite excretion pathway of human body. In recent years, it has been reported that metabolic diseases are associated with the occurrence of GSD (Gallstone Disease). The main purpose of this systematic review is to examine the relationship between metabolic syndrome and cholelithiasis, including components of the metabolic syndrome such as abnormal blood glucose regulation, hyperlipidemia, and obesity.MethodsPubmed, Cochrane library and embase were searched for all English language articles for the following relevant keywords: Metabolic Syndrome, Reaven Syndrome X, Biliary Calculi, Cholelithiasis Gallstones. Case-control study, cross-sectional study and cohort study were included .Pooled relative risks (RRs) or odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The pooled mean differences of the outcome measures were compared between patients with and without MetS.ResultsAfter screening, a total of 5 cross-sectional studies and 1 cohort studies were included in the meta-analysis. The 6 studies evaluated a total of 49101 people，of whom 9055 had MS and 2308 had GSD. There is a significant correlation between MS and GSD (z=6.65, p = 0.000), and it’s more significant in female. All studies displayed increasing odds of GSD with increasing number of MetS traits, where patients with three or more MetS traits tended to have a higher prevalence of nephrolithiasis.ConclusionsOur review shows a definite association of MetS with GSD, and the more the components of MetS, the higher the prevalence of GSD. Although not as obvious as women, men also support this conclusion.
The association between eating rate and functional dyspepsia in Iranian adults
Authors: Saneei Parvane , Keshteli Ammar Hassanzadeh , Rasad Hamid , Daghaghzadeh Hamed , Feizi Awat , Esmaillzadeh Ahmad , Adibi Peyman
Published: February 2020

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between eating rate and functional dyspepsia (FD) in a large population of Iranian adults.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed eating rate of 4763 Iranian adults using a dietary habit questionnaire. We used a modified validated version of the Rome III questionnaire to assess gastrointestinal health. FD was defined as having one or more of the following characteristics: bothersome postprandial fullness, early satiation and/or epigastric pain or epigastric burning. Needed information on meal frequency, meal regularity, intra-meal fluid drinking as well as on other potential confounders was obtained by using a pre-tested questionnaire.Results: Functional dyspepsia was prevalent in 15.2% (n=703) of the studied population. Lunch and total eating rate was associated with greater odds of having FD(OR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.04-1.8) and (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1-2.11), respectively). However, this relationship weakened after adjusting for confounding factors. No significant relationship was found between dinner eating rate and FD in both crude and adjusted models (OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 0.83-1.51). There was no significant relation between lunch, dinner or total eating rate and risk of postprandial fullness, early satiation or epigastric pain either in crude or adjusted models. Eating rate was not related to severity or frequency of FD components.Conclusions: Fast eating was associated with greater odds of FD. However, there was no association between fast eating with postprandial fullness and epigastria pain. Further studies, particularly prospective ones, are required to confirm these relations.