bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of military life on changes in body mass index of enlisted men: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lee Bb Ni , Bae S W , Oh S Y , Yoon J H , Roh J , Won J U
Published: May 2020

Background

Obesity is a serious health problem with an incidence that is increasing rapidly. Enlisted men are a distinctive group characterised by 24-hour community-living and are likely to experience changes in body weight as a result of regular diet and exercise during enlistment.

Methods

This study reviewed data from the Second Military Health Survey. Changes in body mass index (BMI) before and during military service were analysed using paired t-test. We calculated OR and 95% CI for factors affecting weight improvement during military service through logistic regression.

Results

The mean BMI in the underweight group increased by 5.87 kg/m2 during service, while that in the normal weight group increased by 1.18 kg/m2. In contrast, the mean BMI in the overweight group decreased by 5.47 kg/m2 during service. The OR for an improved BMI in the subjective good health group compared with the subjective poor health group was statistically significant (OR=1.71, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.87). The OR for an improved BMI was significantly higher in the group with three or more times per week of strength training than in the group with one to two times per week of strength training, and was higher among the marines compared with the Army soldiers (OR=1.48, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.12 and OR=2.15, 95% CI 1.07 to 4.32, respectively).

Conclusions

Strength training showed a statistically significant increase in BMI during military service. Furthermore, the BMI of men who were underweight before their service increased, while it decreased among those who were overweight.
Interaction between drugs and the gut microbiome
Authors: Weersma Rinse K , Zhernakova Alexandra , Fu Jingyuan
Published: May 2020

The human gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem that can mediate the interaction of the human host with their environment. The interaction between gut microbes and commonly used non-antibiotic drugs is complex and bidirectional: gut microbiome composition can be influenced by drugs, but, vice versa, the gut microbiome can also influence an individual’s response to a drug by enzymatically transforming the drug’s structure and altering its bioavailability, bioactivity or toxicity (pharmacomicrobiomics). The gut microbiome can also indirectly impact an individual’s response to immunotherapy in cancer treatment. In this review we discuss the bidirectional interactions between microbes and drugs, describe the changes in gut microbiota induced by commonly used non-antibiotic drugs, and their potential clinical consequences and summarise how the microbiome impacts drug effectiveness and its role in immunotherapy. Understanding how the microbiome metabolises drugs and reduces treatment efficacy will unlock the possibility of modulating the gut microbiome to improve treatment.
Moral flux in primary care : the effect of complexity
Authors: Spicer John , Ahluwalia Sanjiv , Shah Rupal
Published: May 2020

In this article, we examine the inter-relationship between moral theory and the unpredictable and complex world of primary health care, where the values of patient and doctor, or groups of patients and doctors, may often clash. We introduce complexity science and its relevance to primary care; going on to explore how it can assist in understanding ethical decision making, as well as considering implications for clinical practice. Throughout the article, we showcase aspects and key concepts using examples and a case study developed from our day-to-day experience working as clinical practitioners in primary care.
The effect of miR-6523a on growth hormone secretion in pituitary cells of Yanbian yellow cattle
Authors: Ji Jiuxiu , Jin Taihua , Zhang Rui , Lou Angang , Chen Yingying , Xiang Siyu , Cui Changyan , Yu Longzheng , Guan Lizeng
Published: May 2020

Yanbian yellow cattle breeding is limited by its slow growth. We previously found that the miRNA miR-6523a is differentially expressed between Yanbian yellow cattle and Han Yan cattle, which differ in growth characteristics. In this study, we evaluated the effects of miR-6523a on growth hormone (GH) secretion in pituitary cells of Yanbian yellow cattle. Bioinformatics analyses using TargetScan and RNAhybrid, as well as dual luciferase reporter assays, showed that miR-6523a targets the 3′ untranslated region of somatostatin receptor 5 (SSTR5). We further found that the mRNA and protein expression levels of GH in pituitary cells were significantly higher in cells treated with miR-6523a mimic than in the control group (P = 0.0082 and P = 0.0069). The GH mRNA and protein expression levels were lower in cells treated with miR-6523a inhibitor than in the control group, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.064 and P = 0.089). SSTR5 mRNA and protein levels were inhibited by miR-6523a mimic compared with the control group (P = 0.0024 and P = 0.0028) and were elevated slightly by miR-6523a inhibitor (P = 0.093 and P = 0.091). These results prove that miR-6523a regulates GH secretion in pituitary cells by SSTR5. More broadly, these findings provide a basis for studies of the roles of miRNAs in animal growth and development.
coil: an R package for cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) DNA barcode data cleaning, translation, and error evaluation
Authors: Nugent Cameron M. , Elliott Tyler A. , Ratnasingham Sujeevan , Adamowicz Sarah J.
Published: May 2020

Biological conclusions based on DNA barcoding and metabarcoding analyses can be strongly influenced by the methods utilized for data generation and curation, leading to varying levels of success in the separation of biological variation from experimental error. The 5′ region of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI-5P) is the most common barcode gene for animals, with conserved structure and function that allows for biologically informed error identification. Here, we present coil ( https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=coil ), an R package for the pre-processing and frameshift error assessment of COI-5P animal barcode and metabarcode sequence data. The package contains functions for placement of barcodes into a common reading frame, accurate translation of sequences to amino acids, and highlighting insertion and deletion errors. The analysis of 10 000 barcode sequences of varying quality demonstrated how coil can place barcode sequences in reading frame and distinguish sequences containing indel errors from error-free sequences with greater than 97.5% accuracy. Package limitations were tested through the analysis of COI-5P sequences from the plant and fungal kingdoms as well as the analysis of potential contaminants: nuclear mitochondrial pseudogenes and Wolbachia COI-5P sequences. Results demonstrated that coil is a strong technical error identification method but is not reliable for detecting all biological contaminants.
Scalar perturbations in f(T) gravity using the $$1 + 3$$ covariant approach
Authors: Sahlu Shambel , Ntahompagaze Joseph , Abebe Amare , de la Cruz-Dombriz Álvaro , Mota David F.
Published: May 2020

The cosmological scalar perturbations of standard matter are investigated in the context of extended teleparallelf(T) gravity theories using the$$1+3$$1+3covariant formalism. After a review of the background gravitational field equations off(T) gravity and the introduction of the covariant perturbation variables, the usual scalar and harmonic decomposition have been performed, and the analysis of the growth of the density contrasts in the quasi-static approximation for two non-interacting fluids scenarios, namely torsion-dust and torsion-radiation mixtures is presented for the genericf(T) gravity theory. Special applications to two classes off(T) gravity toy models, namely$$f(T) = \mu T_0 \Big (\frac{T}{T_0}\Big )^n$$f(T)=μT0(TT0)nand$$f(T) = T+ \mu T_0 \Big (-\frac{T}{T_0}\Big )^n$$f(T)=T+μT0(-TT0)n, have then been made within the observationally viable regions of their respective parameter spaces, and the growth of the matter density contrast for both torsion-dust and torsion-radiation epochs of the Universe has been examined. The exact solutions of the dust perturbations, with growing amplitudes in cosmic time, are obtained for some limiting cases ofn. Similarly, the long- and short-wavelength modes in the torsion-radiation case are treated, with the amplitudes either oscillating or monotonically growing with time. Overall, it is noted thatf(T) models contain a richer set of observationally viable structure growth scenarios that can be tested against up-and-coming observational data and can accommodate currently known features of the large-scale structure power spectrum in the general relativistic and$$\varLambda CDM$$ΛCDMlimits.
Secure and efficient quantum designated verifier signature scheme
Authors: Zhang Yue , Xin Xiangjun , Li Fagen
Published: May 2020

A digital signature with designated verifier (SWDV) makes that only the designated verifier can verify its validity. It can be used to protect the privacy and economic interest of the signer. So, the SWDV schemes have many applications in e-voting, auction and some other fields. To make the SWDV secure against the quantum forger, a quantum signature with designated verifier signature (QSWDV) scheme is proposed. Our QSWDV is robust due to its strong security against forgery attack, inter-resending attacks, impersonation attacks and Trojan horse attacks. Its properties such as non-transferability and hiding source can be guaranteed by the signature simulation of the designated verifier. What is more, our scheme can be proved to be information-theoretically secure, which can guarantee the secrecy of the signer’s private key and the unforgeability of the QSWDV. In the proposed QSWDV scheme, the partners neither need use quantum one-way function nor need perform quantum state comparisons, which can reduce the complexity and improve the efficiency the QSWDV scheme.
Complete Lorentz transformation of a charge-current density
Authors: Franklin Jerrold
Published: May 2020

It is generally assumed in the literature that a Lorentz transformation on a neutral current loop results in a moving current loop with a nonvanishing charge distribution and an electric dipole moment. We show in this paper that this is not, in fact, correct. The derivation that leads to the charge distribution was based on an incomplete Lorentz transformation, which transforms the charge-current four-vector [Formula: see text], but not the space–time four-vector [Formula: see text]. We show that completing the Lorentz transformation by using the variable [Formula: see text] in the moving frame, rather than keeping the rest frame time variable [Formula: see text], results in there being no induced charge density and no resulting electric dipole moment.
Experimental research on stress-dependent permeability and porosity of rock-like materials with different thicknesses of smooth hidden joints
Authors: Chao Zhiming , Ma Guotao , Hu Xiewen , He Kun , Luo Gang , Mei Xuefeng , Li Dong
Published: May 2020

In this paper, a method is proposed to prepare rock-like materials with different thicknesses of hidden joints. Then, permeability and porosity of the self-prepared jointed specimens under different pore pressures during confining pressure loading and unloading are measured. The experimental results indicate that the gas permeability of the jointed specimens gradually decreases with the rise of pore pressure due to the existence of Klinkenberg effect, and Klinkenberg effect gradually decreases with the rise of hidden joint thickness. As the main seepage channels, hidden joints govern the seepage characteristics, and due to the existence of hidden joints, the intrinsic permeability is improved significantly. Besides, due to the existence of hidden joints, the intrinsic permeability and porosity are more sensitive to confining pressure loading than that of the intact specimen, and the sensitivity increases with the rise of hidden joint thickness. During confining pressure loading, there is a permanent deformation of the hidden joints and pores in the specimens, which results in both the intrinsic permeability and porosity being always lower than those in the loading process. Meanwhile, the permanent deformation rises with the increases of hidden joint thickness, which leads to the increases of gap of intrinsic permeability and porosity under loading and unloading processes. Additionally, after comparison of the fitting results, the sub-cubic law can reflect the relationship between flow rate and the thickness of non-persistent joints better than the cubic law.
Morphological transformations of AB diblock copolymer particles in soft confinement
Authors: Huang Dong-Lin , Zhang Bei , Zhang Jun
Published: May 2020

The morphologies of diblock copolymers self-assembled under selected solvent have been investigated systematically using a simulated annealing method. Various categories of internal morphologies are observed. The morphology transform can be modulated by three important factors: softness of confinement, volume fraction of A/B monomers ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) and selectivity of solvent. With increase in [Formula: see text], the selectivity of solvent can determine the type and number of cores. The softness of confinement can greatly influence the shape of copolymer which prefers to be sphere or nonsphere. Stacked lamella morphology is an efficient method to reduce the contact number between A-B blocks in softer confinement. Core–shell morphologies usually have large curly degree with small end-to-end distance of AB complex chain. The nucleation condition is that the ratio of end-to-end distance of AB complex chain to the length of whole chain is lower than 0.28. The simulation results can provide theoretical guidance for experiment in synthesis of nanoparticles.
Fabrication and thermal optimization of H+-implanted k9 glass waveguides
Authors: Liu Chun-Xiao , Chen Jing-Yi , Zhang Jie , Zhang Liao-Lin
Published: May 2020

The k9 glass emerges as the promising host for the waveguide formation, owing to its unique optical properties. Ion implantation is a powerful technique for the fabrication of optical waveguides. In this work, the 400-keV proton implantation at a dose of [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] was performed on the k9 glass to manufacture optical waveguide. Continuous annealing treatment at intervals of [Formula: see text] was used to enhance the guiding performances of the waveguide. The dark-mode spectrum and the refractive index profile of the waveguide were obtained by a prism coupling system and a reflectivity calculation method, respectively. The near-filed intensity distribution was measured by an end-face coupling equipment. The results suggest that the light field can be confined within the waveguide layer.
Carrier-potential interaction for high-Tc superconductivity
Authors: Pan Hui
Published: May 2020

The origin of high-temperature superconductivity has been widely debated since its discovery. Here, a model based on the interaction between carrier and local potential is proposed to reveal the mechanism. In this model, the potential that is analogous to the lattice point is composed of localized charges, whose vibration mediates the coupling of mobile carriers. A Hamiltonian that describes the vibration, coupling and various interactions among the ordered potentials and carriers is established. By analyzing the Hamiltonian, it is found that the vibration of local potential and the interactions, which are dependent on the carrier density, control the transition temperature. We show that the transition temperature is high if the local potential is composed of electrons and the mobile carrier is hole because of the strong coupling between them. By replacing the local potential with lattice point, the proposed model is equivalent to that in the BCS theory. Therefore, our model may provide a general theoretical description on the superconductivity.
Influence of tempering temperature on the fretting wear of low alloyed martensitic construction steel
Authors: Tang Qibing , Wei Xuejiao , Li Hao , Qiu Xinyue , Xu Xiaojun , Gou Guoqing , Xu Wei , Zhu Minhao
Published: May 2020

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the fretting wear behavior of low alloyed construction steel in the tempered fully martensitic state. The resulting damage mechanism and the resistance to fretting wear of martensitic steels subjected to different tempering temperature was evaluated and compared with the virgin (un-tempered) martensitic steel under the different loading conditions. The results show that the friction coefficient increases with the increase of the tempering temperature for all the applied loads. The fretting wear resistance mainly depends on the tempering temperature. Compared to the virgin (un-tempered) full martensite, most of the tempered martensites have better fretting wear resistance, in which the tempered martensitic (TM) steel of [Formula: see text] due to a good balance of strength and ductility has a super fretting wear resistance for all loading conditions. In addition, the correlation of fretting wear resistance with the initial hardness was discussed.
Scattering and fusion phenomena of 6Li +209Bi system
Authors: Swain R. R. , Dash C. , Mohanty P. , Sahu B. B.
Published: May 2020

In nucleus–nucleus collisions, the partial-wave scattering matrix, for the total effective complex potential is calculated, which explains the data of angular distribution of elastic scattering cross-sections. Furthermore the absorption cross-section is obtained from the arbitrarily small intervals which helps to derive the fusion cross-section ([Formula: see text]) data at different center-of-mass energies ([Formula: see text]) by collecting the absorption contributions in the interior region of the effective potential. Here, the potential is taken as energy independent and its weakly absorbing nature supports the resonance states in various partial-wave trajectories. Therefore, the resonances show oscillatory behavior changes with respect to energy [Formula: see text], which is the second derivative of the product [Formula: see text] with respect to [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we have successfully discussed the elastic scattering and fusion cross-sections simultaneously with the results of [Formula: see text].
COMPARISON OF X-RAY AND CT METHODS FOR ASSESSING SACRAL SHAPE VARIANTS AND IDENTIFYING A SECURE SACROILIAC SCREW FIXATION CORRIDOR
Authors: Radetzki Florian , Goehre Felix , Schwan Stefan , Wienke Andreas , Jansch Lars , Ullrich Bernhard , Noser Hansrudi , Wohlrab David , Delank Karl-Stefan , Ludtka Christoper , Mendel Thomas
Published: May 2020

Sacroiliac screw fixation is the only minimally invasive technique for stabilizing unstable posterior pelvic ring fractures. X-ray/CT methods identify sacral shape variants, which influence screw fixation feasibility at sacral segment S1. As no reliability analysis was previously published, this study analyzed four X-ray/CT-based screw corridor evaluation methods. CT datasets of 80 human pelvises (♂[Formula: see text][Formula: see text], ♀[Formula: see text][Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] years, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]kg) were used. CTs were post-processed using Amira 5.2 software to generate 3D models and analyzed for S1 transverse 7.3[Formula: see text]mm screw corridors using a C++ program. CT-slices and radiograph-like images were generated per each classification’s requirements. Five surgeons independently assessed sacral shape and transverse screw insertion feasibility. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive/negative predictive values were calculated. C++ analysis indicated feasible screw insertion in 66 cases (82%). Sensitivities were 86% (Mendel), 75% (Routt), 74% (Carlson), and 67% (Kim). Specificities were 73% (Mendel) and 79% (Kim). Mean positive predictive value spanned from 54.6% (Mendel) to 26.2% (Carlson); negative predictive value spanned from 94.5% (Kim) to 90.4% (Carlson). No significant differences existed between surgeons. Mendel’s classification provides reliable and reproducible assessment via the lateral sacral triangle, without additional CTs like Carlson or Routt or the subjectivity of Kim’s method.
FEMORAL NECK FRACTURE TREATED WITH CANNULATED SCREWS: IS REDUCTION THE KEY POINT?
Authors: Enrietti Emilio , Aprato Alessandro , Bellomo Lorenzo , Bistolfi Alessandro , Sabatini Luigi , Daghino Walter , Massè Alessandro
Published: May 2020

Background: In middle-aged patients, treatment of femoral neck fractures is still debated between osteosynthesis and replacement. Describing predictive factors is essential to choose the appropriate treatment for each patient. The aim of this study was to describe risk factors for avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femur head in patients with femoral neck fractures treated with three cannulated screws. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 91 patients between January of 2011 and February of 2017. Fractures were classified according to Garden and Pauwels classifications, fracture displacement was measured in millimetres (mm), quality of reduction was classified as anatomical or not anatomical; all post-operative radiographs were classified with Garden Alignment Index (GAI). Demographic data were recorded and analyzed. Results: AVN was found in six cases (6.6%). The Garden Classification ([Formula: see text]), GAI classification ([Formula: see text]), fracture displacement in mm ([Formula: see text]) and anatomical reduction ([Formula: see text]) were significantly associated with AVN. The most important risk factor for AVN was suboptimal reduction in axial view evaluated with GAI ([Formula: see text]). One case of AVN occurred in patients with GAI considered excellent (71.42%); no AVN occurred in patients with anatomical reduction (47.2%). Conclusions: Anatomical reduction in patients with femoral neck fractures treated with cannulated screws is mandatory. The degree of displacement before surgery influences the outcome but post-operative anatomical reduction, especially in the lateral view, is the most important predictive factor for the outcome: decreasing the Lateral Garden Angle (LGA) from 180∘increases significantly the risk for AVN.
Factors Associated with Renal Outcomes in an Inception Cohort of Biopsy-proven Lupus Nephritis Patients
Authors: Ho Roy Tsz Chung , Leung Moon Ho
Published: May 2020

Objective: To identify the clinical factors associated with renal response and flare in lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods: All 115 patients with biopsy-proven LN diagnosed between January 2002 and June 2015 in a tertiary centre comprised of an inception cohort that was followed up until February 2017. Baseline demographic, clinical parameters, renal biopsy histology, induction and maintenance immunosuppressive therapies, complete renal response (CRR), creatinine doubling, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), renal flares and infections were retrieved and analyzed with univariate log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression.

Results: At the time of the first renal biopsy, the age of patients was 38 ± 12.2 years (mean ± standard deviation), 90% female and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease duration 46 months (median); 67.0% were LN class IV or class IV + V. Patients were followed up for 104 ±49 months after biopsy. At months 3, 6, 12 and 24, a cumulative 25%, 46%, 66% and 76% of patients had achieved CRR, respectively. However, 49.5% who had CRR experienced [Formula: see text]1 infection of renal flare, with cumulative risk of 5%, 17%, 25% and 43% at year 1, 2, 3 and 5, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that nephrotic syndrome ([Formula: see text] = 0.03) and delay of renal biopsy [Formula: see text]2 months from the onset of LN ([Formula: see text] ¡ 0.01) were negatively associated with CRR. Hydroxychloroquine use was beneficial in attaining CRR ([Formula: see text] = 0.03, hazard ratio = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.80) and preventing renal flare ([Formula: see text] = 0.01, odds ratio = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.88). By the end of the study, 80% of patients remained in CRR though 10.4% patients ended up in ESRD (all class IV), 8.7% died and 28.7% had [Formula: see text]1 infection episode requiring hospitalization.

Conclusion: Most LN patients could achieve CRR after immunosuppressive therapy but renal flares were common over time. Infective complications were fairly frequent but the incidence of ESRD was low. The use of hydroxychloroquine was associated with better renal response and fewer flares.
The changing role of Geological Surveys: introduction
Authors: Hill Philip R. , Lebel Daniel , Hitzman Murray , Smelror Morten , Thorleifson Harvey
Published: May 2020

This volume is a collection of papers authored by senior managers and heads of Geological Survey organizations (GSOs) from around the world in an attempt to provide a benchmark on how GSOs are responding to national and international needs in a rapidly changing world. GSOs face an uncertain future and need to understand global trends. Whereas population trends are somewhat predictable, societal responses to change are much less so and technological change is fundamentally disruptive and chaotic. As countries adopt sustainable development principles and the public becomes increasingly (but not necessarily reliably) informed about environmental issues using social media, the integration of resource development and environmental stewardship becomes increasingly important. GSOs will continue to provide key information about Earth systems, natural hazards and climate change in this context. This introduction comprises a short review of the global trends affecting GSOs, a snapshot of the state of GSOs, examples of how GSOs are adapting their activities to the modern world, including the growing use of big data, and an examination of international collaboration between GSOs. The time is perhaps ripe to reinforce international collaborations through a global network of GSOs. To achieve this will require leadership and a focus on the big picture of global sustainability.
Empirical Models of Lobbying
Authors: Bombardini Matilde , Trebbi Francesco
Published: May 2020

This article offers a review of the recent empirical literature on lobbying within political economy. In surveying extant research, we emphasize quid pro quo and informational issues in special interest politics and highlight crucial open questions in both. The two main unresolved methodological issues remain ( a) how to account for the impact of lobbying on which equilibrium policies are chosen and advanced and ( b) how distorted those equilibrium policies are relative to the social optimum. Of the principal open questions within political economy, a comprehensive, quantitative assessment of the welfare effects of lobbying remains one of the most elusive.
Climate Change and Small Island Developing States
Authors: Thomas Adelle , Baptiste April , Martyr-Koller Rosanne , Pringle Patrick , Rhiney Kevon
Published: May 2020

Despite their heterogeneity, small island developing states (SIDS) are recognized as being particularly at risk to climate change, and, as they share numerous common traits, the United Nations recognizes them as a special group. SIDS have been quite vocal in calling attention to the challenges they face from climate change and advocating for greater international ambition to limit global warming. Here, we unpack factors that are helpful in understanding the relationship between climate change and SIDS through a review of studies that span disciplines and methodologies. We assess patterns of hazards, exposure, and vulnerability; impacts and risks; awareness and knowledge; adaptation planning and implementation; mitigation; loss and damage; and climate justice to provide an overarching review of literature on climate change and SIDS.
Corruption and Anti-Corruption in Environmental and Resource Management
Authors: Tacconi Luca , Williams David Aled
Published: May 2020

Corruption significantly affects the large majority of countries, and it has negative social and economic impacts. Its impacts on environmental and resource management (ERM) sectors are less well understood. We review corruption in the extractive industries, irrigation, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and conservation activities with a focus on the management of protected areas and the wildlife trade. There is significant evidence that corruption in ERM sectors is systemic. Corruption in these sectors has significant negative environmental and economic impacts, which can be expected to result in negative social impacts. Many of the anti-corruption policies proposed for the ERM sectors draw on the principal-agent theory. The political science literature on corruption found that theory to have limited application when corruption is systemic and the principal is corrupt. The analysis of corruption and anti-corruption in countries with systemic corruption should draw to a greater extent on collective action theory to identify more effective policies. We highlight some anti-corruption policies relevant to ERM sectors.
Slope Stability from a Hydrological Perspective: Taking Typical Soil Slope as an Example
Authors: Zhu Yuelu , Xiao Yaoting
Published: May 2020

In the traditional research of slope stability, it is difficult to continuously obtain the moisture content of soil in long time sequences. In combination with the precipitation, temperature, and vegetation cover data in the study area, the variable infiltration capacity hydrological model is used to estimate the daily variation of soil moisture content, which is used as a calculation condition for the analysis of slope stability. The results show that, from 1970 to 2010, the spatial‐temporal distribution of soil moisture content in the Weihe River Basin showed an increasing trend. Moreover, the shear strength of soil decreased, but the range was stable at approximately 2%. The strength reduction method based on the M‐C inscribed circle criterion (DP3) shows that the slope stability factor k had an increasing trend for over 40 y. The portion of the period with a k value higher than 1.2 is more than 85% of the entire period, that with a k value between 1 and 1.2 is approximately 9%, and that with a k value less than 1 is approximately 5.5%. The R/S analysis results show that the Hurst coefficients of the τ‐t curve and the k‐t curve are 0.5568 and 0.5888, respectively, and that the slope is in a state of no variation. Based on these factors, the present and future of the slope is in a stable state. This scheme is a method of studying slope stability based on hydrology, and it provides a modern alternative for soil shear strength calculation and geological hazard assessment.
Mechanisms of Cong Rong Shu Jing Compound Effects on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in a Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Lin Yao , Tang Lanfang , Huang Peizhen , Liu Ting , Zhong Jianan , Xu Qian , Li Xiyu , Lin Youning , Xiao Shaojian , Cai Jing
Published: May 2020

This study investigated the effects of the Cong Rong Shu Jing (CRSJ) compound on endoplasmic reticulum stress in a rat model of Parkinson′s disease (PD). A total of 40 rats were subcutaneously injected with rotenone‐sunflower oil emulsion into the back of the neck to establish a rat model of PD. These PD rats were randomly divided into low‐, medium‐, and high‐dose groups (intragastric administration of 0.5, 1, and 2 g/kg CRSJ, respectively) and a model group (intragastric administration of the solvent; 10 rats per group). Furthermore, 10 rats each were attributed to the control and vehicle groups (both received intragastric administration of the CRSJ solvent, and the vehicle group were injected additionally with sunflower oil alone). A traction test was conducted two times, after the PD model establishment and after 14 days of CRSJ gavage. The numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase‐ (TH‐) positive cells and the dopamine levels in the substantia nigra were assessed using immunohistochemistry and high‐performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Western blotting detected the expression levels of α‐synuclein, endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways‐related proteins, cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF), mesencephalic astrocyte‐derived neurotrophic factor (MANF), and phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway‐related proteins. Compared with the model group, the number of TH‐positive cells in the substantia nigra was increased in the CRSJ groups. The expression levels of α‐synuclein and the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways‐associated proteins glucose regulatory protein 78, inositol‐requiring enzyme 1, apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase 1, phosphorylated c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase, and caspase‐12 were reduced. However, CRSJ administration elevated the expression levels of the neurotrophic factors CDNF and MANF, as well as those of p‐PI3K and p‐AKT. The CRSJ compound can relieve endoplasmic reticulum stress in PD rats and exerts protective effects in this animal model. These effects may be related to increased expression of neurotrophic factors and activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.
Validation of Text Data Preprocessing Using a Neural Network Model
Authors: Woo HoSung , Kim JaMee , Lee WonGyu
Published: May 2020

Many artificial intelligence studies focus on designing new neural network models or optimizing hyperparameters to improve model accuracy. To develop a reliable model, appropriate data are required, and data preprocessing is an essential part of acquiring the data. Although various studies regard data preprocessing as part of the data exploration process, those studies lack awareness about the need for separate technologies and solutions for preprocessing. Therefore, this study evaluated combinations of preprocessing types in a text-processing neural network model. Better performance was observed when two preprocessing types were used than when three or more preprocessing types were used for data purification. More specifically, using lemmatization and punctuation splitting together, lemmatization and lowering together, and lowering and punctuation splitting together showed positive effects on accuracy. This study is significant because the results allow better decisions to be made about the selection of the preprocessing types in various research fields, including neural network research.
Effects of Hericium erinaceus Mycelium Extracts on the Functional Activity of Purinoceptors and Neuropathic Pain in Mice with L5 Spinal Nerve Ligation
Authors: Yang Pao-Pao , Chueh Sheau-Huei , Shie Hua-Lun , Chen Chin-Chu , Lee Li-Ya , Chen Wan-Ping , Chen Yu-Wen , Shiu Li-yen , Liu Pei-Shan
Published: May 2020

Neuropathic pain is a serious clinical problem that is difficult to treat. Purinoceptors (P2Rs) transduce pain perception from the peripheral to the central nervous system and play an important role in the transmission of neuropathic pain signals. We previously found that the crude extracts of Hericium erinaceus mycelium (HE‐CE) inhibited P2R‐mediated signaling in cells and reduced heat‐induced pain in mice. The present study explored the effects of HE‐CE on neuropathic pain. We used adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a P2R agonist to generate Ca2+ signaling and neuronal damage in a cell line. We also established a neuropathic mouse model of L5 spinal nerve ligation (L5‐SNL) to examine neuropathic pain and neuroinflammation. Neuropathic pain was recorded using the von Frey test. Neuroinflammation was evaluated based on immunohistofluorescence observation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels in astrocytes, ionized calcium‐binding adaptor molecule1 (iba1) levels in microglia, and IL‐6 levels in plasma. The results show that HE‐CE and erinacine‐S, but not erinacine‐A, totally counteracted Ca2+ signaling and cytotoxic effects upon P2R stimulation by ATP in human osteosarcoma HOS cells and human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells, respectively. SNL induced a decrease in the withdrawal pressure of the ipsilateral hind paw, indicating neuropathic pain. It also raised the GFAP level in astrocytes, the iba1 level in microglia, and the IL‐6 level in plasma, indicating neuroinflammation. HE‐CE significantly counteracted the SNL‐induced decrease in withdrawal pressure, illustrating that it could relieve neuropathic pain. It also reduced SNL‐induced increases in astrocyte GFAP levels, microglial iba1 levels, and plasma IL‐6 levels, suggesting that HE‐CE reduces neuroinflammation. Erinacine‐S relieved neuropathic pain better than HE‐CE. The present study demonstrated that HE inhibits P2R and, thus, that it can relieve neuropathic pain and neuroinflammation.
The New Fertility Policy and the Actuarial Balance of China Urban Employee Basic Endowment Insurance Fund Based on Stochastic Mortality Model
Authors: Xie Yuantao , Zhang Xinzhu , Lv Huijuan , Guo Xiaojing
Published: May 2020

This study aims to investigate the impact of China’s new fertility policy on the actuarial balance of its Urban Employee Basic Endowment Insurance (UEBEI) fund, with stochastic mortality model included to address the longevity risk. Combined with the latest UEBEI policy, this paper constructs an actuarial balance model and introduces the growth rate of wage, the age of employment and the age of retirement, the rate of payment, the rate of replacement, the annual rate of pension adjustment, and the population in terms of age into the model, which arise from the rate of payment, average wage, and personal and social factors. This study uses the sixth population census data by age group and gender to employ empirical analysis. The sensitivity analysis of China’s basic pension insurance fund balance is made. It is concluded that the increase in the growth rate of wage caused by social factors, the increase of fund investment returns, the delay of retirement, and the increase in the fund collection rate are all conducive to the sustainability of the UEBEI fund.
Rare Abdominal Wall Metastasis following Curative Resection of Gastric Cancer: What Can Be Learned from the Use of Percutaneous Catheters?
Authors: Parsee Arthur A. , Thomas Kerry L. , Ghayouri Masoumeh , Mehta Rutika , Latifi Kujtim , Sweeney Jennifer , Jeong Daniel , Ahmed Abraham
Published: May 2020

In cancer care, tissue seeding after curative resections is a known potential complication, despite precautions taken during surgical treatment. We present an uncommon case of an abdominal wall metastasis along the tract of a surgical drain following gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case of such an occurrence in the setting of a negative staging peritoneal lavage. Aside from the rarity of such a recurrence, this instance highlights an opportunity to reevaluate best practices with regard to the extent of coverage of postoperative salvage radiotherapy. The oncologic patient provides many challenges and may require multiple catheters for drainage and at times infusion of nutrition or therapeutic agents. These foreign bodies should be scrutinized both clinically and radiographically, as they may create vulnerabilities in keeping malignant diseases contained and controlled. We provide a review of the literature with reasonable treatment options for the benefit of future patients.
YAP-Mediated Recruitment of YY1 and EZH2 Represses Transcription of Key Cell-Cycle Regulators
Authors: Hoxha Sany , Shepard Alyssa , Troutman Scott , Diao Huitian , Doherty Joanne R. , Janiszewska Michalina , Witwicki Robert M. , Pipkin Matthew E. , Ja William W. , Kareta Michael S. , Kissil Joseph L.
Published: May 2020

The Hippo pathway regulates cell proliferation and organ size through control of the transcriptional regulators YAP (yes-associated protein) and TAZ. Upon extracellular stimuli such as cell–cell contact, the pathway negatively regulates YAP through cytoplasmic sequestration. Under conditions of low cell density, YAP is nuclear and associates with enhancer regions and gene promoters. YAP is mainly described as a transcriptional activator of genes involved in cell proliferation and survival. Using a genome-wide approach, we show here that, in addition to its known function as a transcriptional activator, YAP functions as a transcriptional repressor by interacting with the multifunctional transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1) and Polycomb repressive complex member enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2). YAP colocalized with YY1 and EZH2 on the genome to transcriptionally repress a broad network of genes mediating a host of cellular functions, including repression of the cell-cycle kinase inhibitor p27, whose role is to functionally promote contact inhibition. This work unveils a broad and underappreciated aspect of YAP nuclear function as a transcriptional repressor and highlights how loss of contact inhibition in cancer is mediated in part through YAP repressive function.

Significance:

This study provides new insights into YAP as a broad transcriptional repressor of key regulators of the cell cycle, in turn influencing contact inhibition and tumorigenesis.
Arginine Depletion Therapy with ADI-PEG20 Limits Tumor Growth in Argininosuccinate Synthase–Deficient Ovarian Cancer, Including Small-Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary, Hypercalcemic Type
Authors: Ji Jennifer X. , Cochrane Dawn R. , Tessier-Cloutier Basile , Chen Shary Yutin , Ho Germain , Pathak Khyatiben V. , Alcazar Isabel N. , Farnell David , Leung Samuel , Cheng Angela , Chow Christine , Colborne Shane , Negri Gian Luca , Kommoss Friedrich , Karnezis Anthony , Morin Gregg B. , McAlpine Jessica N. , Gilks C. Blake , Weissman Bernard E. , Trent Jeffrey M. , Hoang Lynn , Pirrotte Patrick , Wang Yemin , Huntsman David G.
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

Many rare ovarian cancer subtypes, such as small-cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT), have poor prognosis due to their aggressive nature and resistance to standard platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy. The development of effective therapeutics has been hindered by the rarity of such tumors. We sought to identify targetable vulnerabilities in rare ovarian cancer subtypes.

Experimental Design:

We compared the global proteomic landscape of six cases each of endometrioid ovarian cancer (ENOC), clear cell ovarian cancer (CCOC), and SCCOHT to the most common subtype, high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC), to identify potential therapeutic targets. IHC of tissue microarrays was used as validation of arginosuccinate synthase (ASS1) deficiency. The efficacy of arginine-depriving therapeutic ADI-PEG20 was assessed in vitro using cell lines and patient-derived xenograft mouse models representing SCCOHT.

Results:

Global proteomic analysis identified low ASS1 expression in ENOC, CCOC, and SCCOHT compared with HGSC. Low ASS1 levels were validated through IHC in large patient cohorts. The lowest levels of ASS1 were observed in SCCOHT, where ASS1 was absent in 12 of 31 cases, and expressed in less than 5% of the tumor cells in 9 of 31 cases. ASS1-deficient ovarian cancer cells were sensitive to ADI-PEG20 treatment regardless of subtype in vitro. Furthermore, in two cell line mouse xenograft models and one patient-derived mouse xenograft model of SCCOHT, once-a-week treatment with ADI-PEG20 (30 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg) inhibited tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusions:

Preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies identified ADI-PEG20 as a potential therapy for patients with rare ovarian cancers, including SCCOHT.
Inhibition of miR-21 Regulates Mutant KRAS Effector Pathways and Intercepts Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Development
Authors: Chu Nina J. , Anders Robert A. , Fertig Elana J. , Cao Minwei , Hopkins Alexander C. , Keenan Bridget P. , Popovic Aleksandra , Armstrong Todd D. , Jaffee Elizabeth M. , Zimmerman Jacquelyn W.
Published: May 2020

Almost all pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDA) develop following KRAS activation, which triggers epithelial transformation and recruitment of desmoplastic stroma through additional transcriptional and epigenetic regulation, but only a few of these regulatory mechanisms have been described. We profiled dysregulated miRNAs starting with the earliest premalignant pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanIN) in genetically engineered mutated KRAS and P53 (KPC) mice programmed to recapitulate human PDA tumorigenesis. We identified miR-21 and miR-224 as cell-specific and compartment-specific regulators in PanINs and PDA. miR-21 is overexpressed in tumor epithelial cells of premalignant ducts, while miR-224 is overexpressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts in PDA stroma. Inhibition of miR-21 reverted protumorigenic functionalities to baseline levels. Overexpression of miR-224 induced activated phenotypes in normal fibroblasts. In vivo miR-21 inhibition improved survival in established PDA. Importantly, early systemic miR-21 inhibition completely intercepted premalignant progression. Finally, an evaluation of miR-21 expression in the PDA cohort of The Cancer Genome Atlas identified a correlation between tumor epithelial cell content and miR-21 expression in human tumors providing further rationale for conducting human studies. Thus, miR-21 may be useful for early PanIN detection, and for intercepting developing premalignant pancreatic lesions and other KRAS-driven premalignancies.
The Association between Metabolic Syndrome and Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Ragbourne Sophie C. , Maghsoodi Negar , Streetly Matthew , Crook Martin A.
Published: May 2020

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a haematological malignancy arising from monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow, resulting in the presence of paraproteins or M-protein in serum. The involvement of paraproteins produced by malignant plasma cells in the development of hyperlipidaemia and low-HDL cholesterol has been described, as has an association with MM and obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance, that is, features of the metabolic syndrome (MS). There is an association between MS components, inflammatory cytokines, and the development of MM, and some drugs used in the treatment of MS such as statins and metformin may improve outcomes in MM.
Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Bartholin’s Gland: What Is the Best Approach?
Authors: Barcellini Amelia , Gadducci Angiolo , Laliscia Concetta , Imparato Sara , Vitolo Viviana , Preda Lorenzo , Valvo Francesca
Published: May 2020

Background and summary: Among all vulvar cancers, primary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of Bartholin’s gland is a very rare tumor characterized by a slow growth, a high local aggressiveness, and a remarkable recurrence rate. Due to its rarity, treatment remains a challenge for oncologists and gynecological surgeons. Key message: The present paper reports clinical, radiological, and histological features of ACC of Bartholin’s gland and reviews the literature data on the treatment options with a particular focus on the potential role of particle radiation therapy.