bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a peer support intervention to improve the experience and outcomes of discharge from inpatient mental health care: the role of experiential knowledge in a coproduced approach
Authors: Marks Jacqueline , Foster Rhiannon , Gibson Sarah Louise , Simpson Alan , Rinaldi Miles , Repper Julie , Worner Jessica , Patel Shalini , Lucock Mike , Ussher Michael , White Sarah , Goldsmith Lucy , Barlow Sally , Gillard Steve
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Peer support is rapidly being introduced into mental health services internationally, yet peer support interventions are often poorly described, limiting the usefulness of research in informing policy and practice. This paper reports the development of a peer support intervention that aims to improve outcomes of discharge from inpatient to community mental health care. People with experiential knowledge of using mental health services—peer workers and service user researchers—were involved in all stages of developing the intervention: generating intervention components; producing the intervention handbook; piloting the intervention.

Results

Systematic review and expert panels, including our Lived Experience Advisory Panel, identified 66 candidate intervention components in five domains: Recruitment and Role Description of Peer Workers; Training for Peer Workers; Delivery of Peer Support; Supervision and Support for Peer Workers; Organisation and Team. A series of Local Advisory Groups were used to prioritise components and explore implementation issues using consensus methods, refining an intervention blueprint. A peer support handbook and peer worker training programme were produced by the study team and piloted in two study sites. Feedback workshops were held with peer workers and their supervisors to produce a final handbook and training programme.

The ENRICH trial is registered with the ISRCTN clinical trial register, number ISRCTN 10043328, and was overseen by an independent steering committee and a data monitoring committee.
Analysis of the sex-specific variability of blood parameters in data sets of the Mouse Phenome Database
Authors: Aigner Bernhard
Published: August 2021

Objective

The use of mice as animal models in biomedical research allows the standardization of genetic background and environmental conditions, which both affect phenotypic variability. As the use of both sexes in experiments is strongly recommended, sex-specific phenotypic variability is discussed with regard to putative consequences on the group size which is necessary for achieving valid and reproducible results. In this study, the sex-specific variability of 25 clinical chemical and hematological parameters which represent a comprehensive blood screen of laboratory mice, was analyzed in data sets which have been submitted to the Mouse Phenome Database.

Results

The overall analysis comprising all 25 clinical chemical and hematological parameters showed no evidence for substantial and robust general sex-specific variability. A large range of the ratio of the female and male coefficient of variation (CV) was found for every parameter among the respective strain data sets. This clearly demonstrated the appearance of unpredictable major interactions between genotype and environment regarding the sex-specific variability of the blood parameters analyzed.
Whole-genome methylation analysis of testicular germ cells from cryptozoospermic men points to recurrent and functionally relevant DNA methylation changes
Authors: Di Persio Sara , Leitão Elsa , Wöste Marius , Tekath Tobias , Cremers Jann-Frederik , Dugas Martin , Li Xiaolin , Meyer zu Hörste Gerd , Kliesch Sabine , Laurentino Sandra , Neuhaus Nina , Horsthemke Bernhard
Published: August 2021

Background

Several studies have reported an association between male infertility and aberrant sperm DNA methylation patterns, in particular in imprinted genes. In a recent investigation based on whole methylome and deep bisulfite sequencing, we have not found any evidence for such an association, but have demonstrated that somatic DNA contamination and genetic variation confound methylation studies in sperm of severely oligozoospermic men. To find out whether testicular germ cells (TGCs) of such patients might carry aberrant DNA methylation, we compared the TGC methylomes of four men with cryptozoospermia (CZ) and four men with obstructive azoospermia, who had normal spermatogenesis and served as controls (CTR).

Results

There was no difference in DNA methylation at the whole genome level or at imprinted regions between CZ and CTR samples. However, using stringent filters to identify group-specific methylation differences, we detected 271 differentially methylated regions (DMRs), 238 of which were hypermethylated in CZ (binominal test,p < 2.2 × 10–16). The DMRs were enriched for distal regulatory elements (p = 1.0 × 10–6) and associated with 132 genes, 61 of which are differentially expressed at various stages of spermatogenesis. Almost all of the 67 DMRs associated with the 61 genes (94%) are hypermethylated in CZ (63/67,p = 1.107 × 10–14). As judged by single-cell RNA sequencing, 13 DMR-associated genes, which are mainly expressed during meiosis and spermiogenesis, show a significantly different pattern of expression in CZ patients. In four of these genes, the promoter is hypermethylated in CZ men, which correlates with a lower expression level in these patients. In the other nine genes, eight of which downregulated in CZ, germ cell-specific enhancers may be affected.

Conclusions

We found that impaired spermatogenesis is associated with DNA methylation changes in testicular germ cells at functionally relevant regions of the genome. We hypothesize that the described DNA methylation changes may reflect or contribute to premature abortion of spermatogenesis and therefore not appear in the mature, motile sperm.
Melatonin contributes to the hypertrophic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cell-derived chondrocytes via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Xuan , He Tianwei , He Lei , Yang Bu , Liu Zhongyu , Pang Mao , Xie Peigen , Zhang Liangming , Rong Limin
Published: August 2021

Background

Hypertrophy is a critical process for chondrocyte differentiation and maturation during endochondral ossification, which is responsible for the formation of long bone and postnatal longitudinal growth. Increasing evidence suggests that melatonin, an indole hormone, plays a pivotal role in chondrogenesis. However, little is known about the effects of melatonin on the terminal differentiation of chondrocytes.

Methods

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived chondrocytes generated by a high-density micromass culture system were induced to undergo hypertrophic differentiation. Melatonin-mediated hypertrophic differentiation was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis (RT-PCR) analysis, histological staining and immunohistochemistry. Activation of the Wnt signaling pathway was evaluated by PCR array, RT-PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence. XAV-939, a Wnt signaling pathway antagonist, was further used to determine whether the effect of melatonin on chondrocyte hypertrophic differentiation was mediated occurred by activation of Wnt signaling pathway.

Results

Histological staining showed melatonin increased chondrocyte cell volume and the expression of type X collagen but decreased the expression of type II collagen compared with the control group. RT-PCR showed that melatonin significantly up-regulated the gene expressions of biomarkers of hypertrophic chondrocytes, including type X collagen, alkaline phosphatase, runt-related transcription factor 2, Indian hedgehog and parathyroid hormone-related protein receptor, and melatonin down-regulated the mRNA expression of hallmarks of chondrocytes, including parathyroid hormone-related protein. PCR array showed that the effect of melatonin on chondrocyte hypertrophic differentiation was accompanied by the up-regulation of multiple target genes of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, and this effect was blocked by XAV-939.

Conclusions

The current findings demonstrate that melatonin enhances the hypertrophic differentiation of MSC-derived chondrocytes through the Wnt signaling pathway. Our findings add evidence to the role of melatonin in promoting bone development and highlight the positive effects of melatonin on terminal differentiation of chondrocytes.
Engineered basic fibroblast growth factor-overexpressing human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells improve the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of endogenous neural stem cells and functional recovery of spinal cord injury by activating the PI3K-Akt-GSK-3β signaling pathway
Authors: Huang Feifei , Gao Tianyun , Wang Wenqing , Wang Liudi , Xie Yuanyuan , Tai Chenxun , Liu Shuo , Cui Yi , Wang Bin
Published: August 2021

Objectives

To investigate the safety for clinic use and therapeutic effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-overexpressing human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs) in mice with completely transected spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods

Stable bFGF-overexpressing HUCMSCs clones were established by electrotransfection and then subjected to systematic safety evaluations. Then, bFGF-overexpressing and control HUCMSCs were used to treat mice with completely transected SCI by tail intravenous injection. Therapeutic outcomes were then investigated, including functional recovery of locomotion, histological structures, nerve regeneration, and recovery mechanisms.

Results

Stable bFGF-overexpressing HUCMSCs met the standards and safety of MSCs for clinic use. In the mouse SCI model, stable bFGF-overexpressing HUCMSCs markedly improved therapeutic outcomes such as reducing glial scar formation, improving nerve regeneration and proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs), and increasing locomotion functional recovery of posterior limbs compared with the control HUCMSCs group. Furthermore, bFGF-overexpressing HUCMSCs promoted the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of NSCs in vitro through the PI3K-Akt-GSK-3β pathway.

Conclusion

bFGF-overexpressing HUCMSCs meet the requirements of clinical MSCs and improve evident therapeutic outcomes of mouse SCI treatment, which firmly supports the safety and efficacy of gene-modified MSCs for clinical application.
Mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy and exosomes in COVID-19: current trends and prospects
Authors: Abdelgawad Mai , Bakry Nourhan Saied , Farghali Ahmed A. , Abdel-Latif Ahmed , Lotfy Ahmed
Published: August 2021

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. The virus causes an exaggerated immune response, resulting in a cytokine storm and acute respiratory distress syndrome, the leading cause of COVID-19-related mortality and morbidity. So far, no therapies have succeeded in circumventing the exacerbated immune response or cytokine storm associated with COVID-19. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), through their immunomodulatory and regenerative activities, mostly mediated by their paracrine effect and extracellular vesicle production, have therapeutic potential in many autoimmune, inflammatory, and degenerative diseases. In this paper, we review clinical studies on the use of MSCs for COVID-19 treatment, including the salutary effects of MSCs on the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and the immunomodulation of the cytokine storm. Ongoing clinical trial designs, cell sources, dose and administration, and populations are summarized, and the paracrine mode of benefit is discussed. We also offer suggestions for optimizing MSC-based therapies, including genetic engineering, strategies for cell surface modification, nanotechnology applications, and combination therapies.
Potential and pitfalls of 89Zr-immuno-PET to assess target status: 89Zr-trastuzumab as an example
Authors: Huisman Marc C. , Menke-van der Houven van Oordt C. Willemien , Zijlstra Josée M. , Hoekstra Otto S. , Boellaard Ronald , van Dongen Guus A. M. S. , Shah Dhaval K. , Jauw Yvonne W. S.
Published: August 2021

Background

89Zirconium-immuno-positron emission tomography (89Zr-immuno-PET) is used for assessment of target status to guide antibody-based therapy. We aim to determine the relation between antibody tumor uptake and target concentration to improve future study design and interpretation.

Methods

The relation between tumor uptake and target concentration was predicted by mathematical modeling of 89Zr-labeled antibody disposition in the tumor. Literature values for trastuzumab kinetics were used to provide an example.

Results

89Zr-trastuzumab uptake initially increases with increasing target concentration, until it levels off to a constant value. This is determined by the total administered mass dose of trastuzumab. For a commonly used imaging dose of 50 mg 89Zr-trastuzumab, uptake can discriminate between immunohistochemistry score (IHC) 0 versus 1–2–3.

Conclusion

The example for 89Zr-trastuzumab illustrates the potential to assess target expression. The pitfall of false-positive findings depends on the cut-off to define clinical target positivity (i.e., IHC 3) and the administered mass dose.
An abbreviated therapy-dosimetric equation for the companion diagnostic/therapeutic [64/67Cu]Cu-SARTATE
Authors: Laffon Eric , de Clermont Henri , Marthan Roger
Published: August 2021

In a preclinical model of neuroblastoma, Dearling et al. recently demonstrated the potential interest for a theranostic approach of [64/67Cu]Cu-SARTATE for the detection and treatment of SSTR2-positive neuroblastoma lesions in pediatric patients whose widespread metastases survive initial therapy as minimal residual disease (MRD). MRD may be detected by [64Cu]Cu-SARTATE and subsequently treated by [67Cu]Cu-SARTATE. Since therapeutic dosimetry estimation of the latter agent from the uptake of the former one in the initial diagnostic scan was not addressed, the present theoretical commentary proposes the derivation of an abbreviated therapy-dosimetric equation for the companion diagnostic/therapeutic [64/67Cu]Cu-SARTATE that might be of interest for future clinical theranostic practice.
Comparison of nuclear imaging techniques and volumetric imaging for the prediction of postoperative mortality and liver failure in patients undergoing localized liver-directed treatments: a systematic review
Authors: Espersen Caroline , Borgwardt Lise , Larsen Peter Nørgaard , Andersen Trine Borup , Stenholt Louise , Petersen Lars J.
Published: August 2021

Background/aims

Although volumetric imaging by computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard for preoperative assessment of the future liver remnant, nuclear imaging studies have shown promising data. This systematic review summarized the results from trials investigating volumetric and nuclear medicine imaging for the prediction of postoperative mortality and liver failure (LF).

Methods

MEDLINE and Web of Science were searched for papers investigating nuclear imaging methods for the prediction of postoperative clinical outcomes in patients undergoing local, liver-directed treatments. Only papers investigating both preoperative nuclear imaging and CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MR) for the prediction of postoperative mortality and/or LF were included.

Results

Twenty-five trials were qualified for this review. All trials but two used technetium-based tracers for the nuclear imaging examination. Four papers used MR imaging and the remaining used CT for the volumetric evaluation. Overall, the studies were heterogeneous both in terms of methodology and imaging technique. Of the thirteen studies reporting on postoperative mortality, most were descriptive without detailed diagnostic data. A few with detailed data found that nuclear imaging had better predictive value than volumetric imaging. Nineteen studies investigated the prediction of postoperative LF of which seven papers investigated the predictive value of both modalities in multivariable regression analysis. Two papers found that only nuclear imaging parameters were predictive of LF, one paper found that the CT parameter was predictive, and four papers found that combined nuclear and CT/MR imaging parameters were predictive of LF.

Conclusion

Both methodologies were useful in the preoperative assessment of patients scheduled for liver interventions, especially in combination, but nuclear imaging demonstrated better predictive value for postoperative mortality and LF in a few trials. The overall technical and methodological heterogeneity of the included studies complicates the ability to directly compare the clinical utility of the two imaging techniques.
Genetic diversity and main functional composition of Lingzhi strains from main producing areas in China
Authors: Liu Yuan-chao , Tang Xiao-cui , Hu Hui-ping , Chen Di-ling , Xie Yi-zhen , Liang Xiao-wei , Li Xiang-min , Xiao Chun , Huang Long-hua , Wu Qing-ping
Published: August 2021

In this study, we used genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to examine the genetic diversity of 22 strains of Lingzhi and the quality differences in 15 fruit bodies of Lingzhi from different Chinese regions. The phylogenetic trees of 22 strains were constructed based on ITS (Internal transcribed spacer) and SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism). Moisture, ash, water-soluble extracts, alcohol-soluble extracts, polysaccharides, and triterpenoids from 15 fruit bodies of Lingzhi were detected and analyzed based on Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the US Pharmacopoeia references. Moreover, the monosaccharide composition of polysaccharides was studied using PMP-HPLC, and the effect of polysaccharides on the proliferation rate of splenocytes was investigated in vitro. The identification results of these strains by the phylogenetic trees which were constructed based on ITS sequences and SNPs showed that most of the strains applied in the main producing areas of Lingzhi in China were accurate except for a few inaccurate strains. The moisture, ash, water and alcohol soluble extractive, polysaccharide and triterpenoid content of all samples were meet the requirements of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, while the polysaccharide and triterpenoid content of less than half of the samples meet the requirements of the U.S. Pharmacopoeia. The polysaccharide extracted from these samples have different effects on the proliferation rate of spleen cells. To sum up, this is the first study that reported on the differences in Lingzhi strains from the main producing areas in China. The quality of some fruit bodies did not meet the pharmacopeia requirements, and wrong strains were used in some production areas; thus, strains should be given special attention before legal processing.
Genetic composition and evolution of the prevalent Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineages 2 and 4 in the Chinese and Zhejiang Province populations
Authors: Wu Beibei , Zhu Wenlong , Wang Yue , Wang Qi , Zhou Lin , Liu Zhengwei , Bi Lijun , Barun Mathema , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Chen Liang , Chen Songhua , Wang Xiaomeng , Wang Weibing
Published: August 2021

Background

There are seven human-adaptation lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Tuberculosis (TB) dissemination is strongly influenced by human movements and host genetics. The detailed lineage distribution evolution of Mtb in Zhejiang Province is unknown. We aim to determine how different sub-lineages are transmitted and distributed within China and Zhejiang Province.

Methods

We analysed whole-genome sequencing data for a worldwide collection of 1154 isolates and a provincial collection of 1296 isolates, constructed the best-scoring maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree. Bayesian evolutionary analysis was used to calculate the latest common ancestor of lineages 2 and 4. The antigenic diversity of human T cell epitopes was evaluated by calculating the pairwise dN/dS ratios.

Results

Of the Zhejiang isolates, 964 (74.38%) belonged to lineage 2 and 332 (25.62%) belonged to lineage 4. The distributions of the sub-lineages varied across the geographic regions of Zhejiang Province. L2.2 is the most ancient sub-lineage in Zhejiang, first appearing approximately 6897 years ago (95% highest posterior density interval (HDI): 6513–7298). L4.4 is the most modern sub-lineage, first appearing approximately 2217 years ago (95% HDI: 1864–2581). The dN/dS ratios showed that the epitope and non-epitope regions of lineage 2 strains were significantly (P < 0.001) more conserved than those of lineage 4.

Conclusions

An increase in the frequency of lineage 4 may reflect its successful transmission over the last 20 years. The recent common ancestors of the sub-lineages and their transmission routes are relevant to the entry of humans into China and Zhejiang Province. Diversity in T cell epitopes may prevent Mycobacterium tuberculosis from being recognized by the immune system.
Gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill immunocompromised patients
Authors: Catano Jennifer , Sacleux Sophie Caroline , Gornet Jean-Marc , Camus Marine , Bigé Naike , Saliba Faouzi , Azoulay Elie , Dumas Guillaume , Zafrani Lara
Published: August 2021

Background

Acute gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) may be a severe condition in immunocompromised patients and may require intensive care unit (ICU) admission. We aimed to describe the clinical spectrum of critically ill immunocompromised patients with GIB and identify risk factors associated with mortality and severe GIB defined by hemorrhagic shock, hyperlactatemia and/or the transfusion of more than 5 red blood cells units. Finally, we compared this cohort with a control population of non-immunocompromised admitted in ICU for GIB.

Results

Retrospective study in 3 centers including immunocompromised patients with GIB admitted in ICU from January, 1st 2010 to December, 31rd 2019. Risk factors for mortality and severe GIB were assessed by logistic regression. Immunocompromised patients were matched with a control group of patients admitted in ICU with GIB. A total of 292 patients were analyzed in the study, including 141 immunocompromised patients (compared to a control group of 151 patients). Among immunocompromised patients, upper GIB was more frequent (73%) than lower GIB (27%). By multivariate analysis, severe GIB was associated with male gender (OR 4.48, CI95% 1.75–11.42, p = 0.00), upper GIB (OR 2.88, CI95% 1.11–7.46, p = 0.03) and digestive malignant infiltration (OR 5.85, CI95% 1.45–23.56, p = 0.01). Conversely, proton pump inhibitor treatment before hospitalization was significantly associated with decreased risk of severe GIB (OR 0.25, IC95% 0.10–0.65, p < 0.01). Fifty-four patients (38%) died within 90 days. By multivariate analysis, mortality was associated with hemorrhagic shock (OR 2.91, IC95% 1.33–6.38, p = 0 .01), upper GIB (OR 4.33, CI95% 1.50–12.47, p = 0.01), and long-term corticosteroid therapy before admission (OR 2.98, CI95% 1.32–6.71, p = 0.01). Albuminemia (per 5 g/l increase) was associated with lower mortality (OR 0.54, IC95% 0.35–0.84, p = 0.01). After matching with a control group of non-immunocompromised patients, severity of bleeding was increased in immunocompromised patients, but mortality was not different between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

Mortality is high in immunocompromised patients with GIB in ICU, especially in patients receiving long term corticosteroids. Mortality of GIB is not different from mortality of non-immunocompromised patients in ICU. The prophylactic administration of proton pump inhibitors should be considered in this population.
Monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR but not β-d-glucan may help early diagnosing invasive Candida infection in critically ill patients
Authors: Jung Boris , Le Bihan Clément , Portales Pierre , Bourgeois Nathalie , Vincent Thierry , Lachaud Laurence , Chanques Gerald , Conseil Matthieu , Corne Philippe , Massanet Pablo , Timsit Jean François , Jaber Samir
Published: August 2021

Background

Precision medicine risk stratification is desperately needed to both avoid systemic antifungals treatment delay and over prescription in the critically ill with risk factors. The aim of the present study was to explore the combination of host immunoparalysis biomarker (monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR expression (mHLA-DR)) and Candida sp wall biomarker β-d-glucan in risk stratifying patients for secondary invasive Candida infection (IC).

Methods

Prospective observational study. Two intensive care units (ICU). All consecutive non-immunocompromised septic shock patients. Serial blood samples (n = 286) were collected at day 0, 2 and 7 and mHLA-DR and β-d-glucan were then retrospectively assayed after discharge. Secondary invasive Candida sp infection occurrence was then followed at clinicians’ discretion.

Results

Fifty patients were included, 42 (84%) had a Candida score equal or greater than 3 and 10 patients developed a secondary invasive Candida sp infection. ICU admission mHLA-DR expression and β-d-glucan (BDG) failed to predict secondary invasive Candida sp infection. Time-dependent cause-specific hazard ratio of IC was 6.56 [1.24–34.61] for mHLA-DR < 5000 Ab/c and 5.25 [0.47–58.9] for BDG > 350 pg/mL. Predictive negative value of mHLA-DR > 5000 Ab/c and BDG > 350 pg/mL combination at day 7 was 81% [95% CI 70–92].

Conclusions

This study suggests that mHLA-DR may help predicting IC in high-risk patients with septic shock. The added value of BDG and other fungal tests should be regarded according to the host immune function markers.
Hand-drawn sketch recognition with a double-channel convolutional neural network
Authors: Zhang Lei
Published: August 2021

In hand-drawn sketch recognition, the traditional deep learning method has the problems of insufficient feature extraction and low recognition rate. To solve this problem, a new algorithm based on a dual-channel convolutional neural network is proposed. Firstly, the sketch is preprocessed to get a smooth sketch. The contour of the sketch is obtained by the contour extraction algorithm. Then, the sketch and contour are used as the input image of CNN. Finally, feature fusion is carried out in the full connection layer, and the classification results are obtained by using a softmax classifier. Experimental results show that this method can effectively improve the recognition rate of a hand-drawn sketch.
Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) response to “Assessing risk of bias in human environmental epidemiology studies using three tools: different conclusions from different tools”
Authors: Radke Elizabeth G. , Glenn Barbara S. , Kraft Andrew D.
Published: August 2021

“Assessing risk of bias in human environmental epidemiology studies using three tools: different conclusions from different tools,” a recent publication in this journal, applied the study evaluation approach developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), as well as other approaches, to a set of studies examining polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and neurodevelopment. They concluded that use of the IRIS approach resulted in exclusion of studies, which would lead to hazard conclusions based on an incomplete body of evidence. As scientists in the IRIS program, we support the comparison of approaches to improve systematic review methods for environmental exposures; however, we believe the IRIS approach was misrepresented. In this letter, we demonstrate that the ratings attributed to the IRIS approach were not consistent with our own application of the tool. We also clarify the use of studies rated as “low confidence” and the use of an overall study confidence rating in our systematic reviews. In conclusion, the IRIS study evaluation approach is a transparent method to inform certainty in our evidence synthesis decisions and ensures consistency in the development of IRIS health assessments.
On convergence and complexity analysis of an accelerated forward–backward algorithm with linesearch technique for convex minimization problems and applications to data prediction and classification
Authors: Sarnmeta Panitarn , Inthakon Warunun , Chumpungam Dawan , Suantai Suthep
Published: August 2021

In this work, we introduce a new accelerated algorithm using a linesearch technique for solving convex minimization problems in the form of a summation of two lower semicontinuous convex functions. A weak convergence of the proposed algorithm is given without assuming the Lipschitz continuity on the gradient of the objective function. Moreover, the convexity of this algorithm is also analyzed. Some numerical experiments in machine learning are also discussed, namely regression and classification problems. Furthermore, in our experiments, we evaluate the convergent behavior of this new algorithm, then compare it with various algorithms mentioned in the literature. It is found that our algorithm performs better than the others.
A note on global existence of strong solution to the 3D micropolar equations with a damping term
Authors: Wang Wen , Long Yunchong
Published: August 2021

This paper studies the Cauchy problem of the 3D incompressible micropolar equations with a damping term $\sigma |u|^{\beta -1}u$
σ

|
u
|

β
−
1

u
($\sigma >0, 1\le \beta <3$
σ
>
0
,
1
≤
β
<
3
). It is shown that the strong solutions exist globally for any $1\le \beta <3$
1
≤
β
<
3
.
A fractional differential equation with multi-point strip boundary condition involving the Caputo fractional derivative and its Hyers–Ulam stability
Authors: Alam Mehboob , Zada Akbar , Popa Ioan-Lucian , Kheiryan Alireza , Rezapour Shahram , Kaabar Mohammed K. A.
Published: August 2021

In this work, we investigate the existence, uniqueness, and stability of fractional differential equation with multi-point integral boundary conditions involving the Caputo fractional derivative. By utilizing the Laplace transform technique, the existence of solution is accomplished. By applying the Bielecki-norm and the classical fixed point theorem, the Ulam stability results of the studied system are presented. An illustrative example is provided at the last part to validate all our obtained theoretical results.
Distributed data hiding in a single cloud storage environment
Authors: Mossebo Tcheunteu Stéphane Willy , Moyou Metcheka Leonel , Ndoundam René
Published: August 2021

Distributed steganography is an approach to concealing the secret in several files, leaving fewer traces than the classical approach. Recent work proposed by Moyou and Ndoumdan have improved this approach by preserving the integrity of these files in a multi-cloud storage environment. However, the approach requires a large size of the stego-key and the management of several cloud storage environments. Our contribution consists is to improve this approach by using a single cloud storage environment and reducing the size of the stego-key. In this work, a single cloud storage environment is used to solve the problems of managing several credentials, monetary costs and data controls associated with multi-cloud storage environments. The comparisons showed interesting results with simpler operations to be performed by the participants during the process.
Computation offloading technique for energy efficiency of smart devices
Authors: Ko Jaejun , Choi Young-June , Paul Rajib
Published: August 2021

The substantial number of wearable devices in the healthcare industry and the continuous growth of the market procreates the demand for computational offloading. Despite major development of wearable devices and offloading techniques, there are several concerns such as latency, battery power, and computation capability that requires significant development. In this paper, we focus on the fact that most smart wearable devices have Bluetooth pairing with smartphones, and Bluetooth communication is significantly energy-efficient compare to 3G/LTE or Wi-Fi. We propose a computation offloading technique that offloads from the smartphone to the cloud server considering the decision model of both wearable devices and smartphones. Mobile cloud computing can elevate the capacity of smartphones considering the battery state and efficient communications with the cloud. In our model, we increase the energy efficiency of smart devices. To accomplish this, a Dhrystone Millions of Instructions per Second (DMIPS)-based workload measurement model along with a computation offloading decision model were created. According to the performance evaluation, offloading from wearable devices to smartphones and offloading once to cloud server can reduce energy consumption significantly.
Optimal strategies for COVID-19 prevention from global evidence achieved through social distancing, stay at home, travel restriction and lockdown: a systematic review
Authors: Girum Tadele , Lentiro Kifle , Geremew Mulugeta , Migora Biru , Shewamare Sisay , Shimbre Mulugeta Shegaze
Published: August 2021

Background

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global public health agenda with high level of pandemicity. There is no effective treatment, but prevention strategies can alter the pandemic. However, the effectiveness of existing preventive measures and strategies is inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to review evidence related to COVID-19 prevention achieved through social distancing, stay at home, travel ban and lockdown in order to determine best practices.

Methods/design

This review has been conducted in accordance with the PRISMA and Cochrane guideline. A systematic literature search of articles archived from major medical databases (MEDLINE, SCOPUS, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) and Google scholar was done. Observational and modeling researches published to date with information on COVID-19 prevention like social distancing, stay at home, travel ban and lockdown were included. The articles were screened by two experts. Risk of bias of included studies was assessed through ROBINS-I tool and the certainty of evidence was graded using the GRADE approach for the main outcomes. The findings were presented by narration and in tabular form.

Results

A total of 25 studies was included in the review. The studies consistently reported the benefit of social distancing, stay at home, travel restriction and lockdown measures. Mandatory social distancing reduced the daily growth rate by 9.1%, contacts by 7–9 folds, median number of infections by 92% and epidemic resolved in day 90. Travel restriction and lockdown averted 70.5% of exported cases in china and doubling time was increased from 2 to 4 days. It reduced contacts by 80% and decreased the initial R0, and the number of infected individuals decreased by 91.14%. Stay at home was associated with a 48.6 and 59.8% reduction in weekly morbidity and fatality. Obligatory, long term and early initiated programs were more effective.

Conclusion

Social distancing, stay at home, travel restriction and lockdown are effective to COVID-19 prevention. The strategies need to be obligatory, initiated early, implemented in large scale, and for a longer period of time. Combinations of the programs are more effective. However, the income of individuals should be guaranteed and supported.
Identification of key genes affecting porcine fat deposition based on co-expression network analysis of weighted genes
Authors: Xing Kai , Liu Huatao , Zhang Fengxia , Liu Yibing , Shi Yong , Ding Xiangdong , Wang Chuduan
Published: August 2021

Background

Fat deposition is an important economic consideration in pig production. The amount of fat deposition in pigs seriously affects production efficiency, quality, and reproductive performance, while also affecting consumers’ choice of pork. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) is effective in pig genetic studies. Therefore, this study aimed to identify modules that co-express genes associated with fat deposition in pigs (Songliao black and Landrace breeds) with extreme levels of backfat (high and low) and to identify the core genes in each of these modules.

Results

We used RNA sequences generated in different pig tissues to construct a gene expression matrix consisting of 12,862 genes from 36 samples. Eleven co-expression modules were identified using WGCNA and the number of genes in these modules ranged from 39 to 3,363. Four co-expression modules were significantly correlated with backfat thickness. A total of 16 genes (RAD9A,IGF2R,SCAP,TCAP,SMYD1,PFKM,DGAT1,GPS2,IGF1,MAPK8,FABP,FABP5,LEPR,UCP3,APOF, andFASN) were associated with fat deposition.

Conclusions

RAD9A,TCAP,SMYD1,PFKM,GPS2, andAPOFwere the key genes in the four modules based on the degree of gene connectivity. Combining these results with those from differential gene analysis,SMYD1andPFKMwere proposed as strong candidate genes for body size traits. This study explored the key genes that regulate porcine fat deposition and lays the foundation for further research into the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying porcine fat deposition.
Abnormal expression profile of plasma-derived exosomal microRNAs in patients with treatment-resistant depression
Authors: Li Lian-Di , Naveed Muhammad , Du Zi-Wei , Ding Huachen , Gu Kai , Wei Lu-Lu , Zhou Ya-Ping , Meng Fan , Wang Chun , Han Feng , Zhou Qi-Gang , Zhang Jing
Published: August 2021

Whether microRNAs (miRNAs) from plasma exosomes might be dysregulated in patients with depression, especially treatment-resistant depression (TRD), remains unclear, based on study of which novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets could be discovered. To this end, a small sample study was performed by isolation of plasma exosomes from patients with TRD diagnosed by Hamilton scale. In this study, 4 peripheral plasma samples from patients with TRD and 4 healthy controls were collected for extraction of plasma exosomes. Exosomal miRNAs were analyzed by miRNA sequencing, followed by image collection, expression difference analysis, target gene GO enrichment analysis, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Compared with the healthy controls, 2 miRNAs in the plasma exosomes of patients with TRD showed significant differences in expression, among which has-miR-335-5p were significantly upregulated and has-miR-1292-3p were significantly downregulated. Go and KEGG analysis showed that dysregulated miRNAs affect postsynaptic density and axonogenesis as well as the signaling pathway of axon formation and cell growths. The identification of these miRNAs and their target genes may provide novel biomarkers for improving diagnosis accuracy and treatment effectiveness of TRD.
A study protocol of the photo-supported conversations about the well-being intervention (Be Well™) for people with stress related disorders
Authors: Gunnarsson A. Birgitta , Wagman Petra , Sternudd Hans T. , Holmberg Sara , Holmgren Kristina , Hörberg Ulrica
Published: August 2021

Background

Stress-related illnesses constitute a huge problem in society. The primary care services in Sweden form the first line of care whose role is to coordinate interventions for reducing symptoms, as well as health-promoting interventions. There is lack of knowledge concerning health-promoting interventions for these illnesses. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether photo-supported conversations about well-being (Be Well™) as an intervention, in addition to care as usual within the primary care services, improves health and well-being for patients with stress-related illnesses. The intervention will be compared to a control group, who receive care as usual. A further aim is to conduct a process evaluation.

Methods/Design

This ongoing project has a quasi-experimental design, using quantitative and qualitative methods, and includes patients from primary care centres in two Swedish counties. Seventy patients, 20–67 years, with stress-related illnesses will be recruited. They constitute an intervention group, which receive the intervention together with care as usual, and a control group, which receive care as usual. The intervention, photo-supported conversations about well-being, involves 12 sessions. Care as usual entails medication, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and/or psychotherapy. Data collection is carried out at baseline, and outcomes are assessed directly after the intervention, as well as six months after completion of the intervention. The outcomes are evaluated based on factors related to health, well-being and everyday occupations. Furthermore, data concerning experiences of well-being and perceptions of the intervention will be collected in interviews. The therapists will also be interviewed about their experiences of performing the intervention. Data will be analysed with non-parametric statistics, and qualitative methodology.

Discussion

The project is based on the concept that focusing on well-being despite living with stress-related illness may positively impact health and well-being as well as activity-related aspects, and that photo-supported conversations about well-being can contribute a complement to other treatment and rehabilitation. A strength is the use of a wide range of methods: such as quantitative measures, photographs, and qualitative interviews with participants and therapists. The results will thus provide knowledge about potential effects of this health-promoting intervention.

Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov: NCT04832295; retrospectively registered 2nd April 2021 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04832295
The effect of 12 weeks of mechanical vibration on root resorption: a micro-CT study
Authors: Yilmaz Hakan , Ozlu Fethiye Cakmak , Turk Tamer , Darendeliler Mehmet Ali
Published: August 2021

Objective

The aim was to investigate the effect of mechanical vibration on root resorption with or without orthodontic force application.

Material and methods

Twenty patients who required maxillary premolar extractions as part of orthodontic treatment were randomly divided into two groups of 10: no-force group and force group. Using a split-mouth procedure, each patient’s maxillary first premolar teeth were randomly assigned as either vibration or control side for both groups. A buccally directed vibration of 50 Hz, with an Oral-B HummingBird device, was applied to the maxillary first premolar for 10 min/day for 12 weeks. After the force application period, the maxillary first premolars were extracted and scanned with micro-computed tomography. Fiji (ImageJ), performing slice-by-slice quantitative volumetric measurements, was used for resorption crater calculation. Total crater volumes were compared with the Wilcoxon and Mann–Whitney U tests.

Results

The total crater volumes in the force and no-force groups were 0.476 mm3and 0.017 mm3on the vibration side and 0.462 mm3and 0.031 mm3on the control side, respectively. There was no statistical difference between the vibration and control sides (P> 0.05). There was more resorption by volume in the force group when compared to the no-force group (P< 0.05).

Conclusion

Mechanical vibration did not have a beneficial effect on reducing root resorption; however, force application caused significant root resorption.
A novel time efficient learning-based approach for smart intrusion detection system
Authors: Seth Sugandh , Singh Gurvinder , Kaur Chahal Kuljit
Published: August 2021

Background

The ever increasing sophistication of intrusion approaches has led to the dire necessity for developing Intrusion Detection Systems with optimal efficacy. However, existing Intrusion Detection Systems have been developed using outdated attack datasets, with more focus on prediction accuracy and less on prediction latency. The smart Intrusion Detection System framework evolution looks forward to designing and deploying security systems that use various parameters for analyzing current and dynamic traffic trends and are highly time-efficient in predicting intrusions.

Aims

This paper proposes a novel approach for a time-efficient and smart Intrusion Detection System.

Method

Herein, we propose a Hybrid Feature Selection approach that aims to reduce the prediction latency without affecting attack prediction performance by lowering the model's complexity. Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), a fast gradient boosting framework, is used to build the model on the latest CIC-IDS 2018 dataset.

Results

The proposed feature selection reduces the prediction latency ranging from 44.52% to 2.25% and the model building time ranging from 52.68% to 17.94% in various algorithms on the CIC-IDS 2018 dataset. The proposed model with hybrid feature selection and LightGBM gives 97.73% accuracy, 96% sensitivity, 99.3% precision rate, and comparatively low prediction latency. The proposed model successfully achieved a raise of 1.5% in accuracy rate and 3% precision rate over the existing model. An in-depth analysis of network parameters is also performed, which gives a deep insight into the variation of network parameters during the benign and malicious sessions.
Missing values compensation in duplicates detection using hot deck method
Authors: Ali Abdulrazzak , Emran Nurul A. , Asmai Siti A.
Published: August 2021

Duplicate record is a common problem within data sets especially in huge volume databases. The accuracy of duplicate detection determines the efficiency of duplicate removal process. However, duplicate detection has become more challenging due to the presence of missing values within the records where during the clustering and matching process, missing values can cause records deemed similar to be inserted into the wrong group, hence, leading to undetected duplicates. In this paper, duplicate detection improvement was proposed despite the presence of missing values within a data set through Duplicate Detection within the Incomplete Data set (DDID) method. The missing values were hypothetically added to the key attributes of three data sets under study, using an arbitrary pattern to simulate both complete and incomplete data sets. The results were analyzed, then, the performance of duplicate detection was evaluated by using the Hot Deck method to compensate for the missing values in the key attributes. It was hypothesized that by using Hot Deck, duplicate detection performance would be improved. Furthermore, the DDID performance was compared to an early duplicate detection method namely DuDe, in terms of its accuracy and speed. The findings yielded that even though the data sets were incomplete, DDID was able to offer a better accuracy and faster duplicate detection as compared to DuDe. The results of this study offer insights into constraints of duplicate detection within incomplete data sets.