bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Research on Coal and Gas Delay Outburst and AE Characteristics under Conditions of Geostress and Gas Pressure Disturbance
Authors: Jiabo Geng , Jiangtong Liu , Xiaoshuang Li , Wen Nie , Dongming Zhang , Jiang Xu
Published: August 2021

Adopting yellow mud as barrier layer materials, coal and gas delay outburst experiments under conditions of geostress and gas accumulation disturbance were carried out by using self‐developed simulation system, to find out roles of geostress and gas pressure played in the process of the delay outburst and ways to predict it, through analysis of variations of gas pressure, and AE characteristics during the process. The results show that after the geostress increased by 0.11 MPa from 1.80 MPa, an outburst occurs, while in gas accumulation situations, the gas pressure increase of 0.27 MPa from 0.67 MPa induces an outburst; hence, geostress is one of the dominant factors impacting an outburst occurrence. The lasting time of the outburst triggering under geostress disturbance is shorter than that under gas accumulation disturbance, while the duration of the outburst development under gas accumulation conditions is longer than that under geostress conditions. Coal seam breakage by geostress is the precondition for an outburst risk, and gas expansion energy is the dominant parameter influencing the duration of the outburst development. The AE signals show distinctive features in different stages of the outburst under geostress disturbance. At the preparation stage of the outburst, the AE signals increase sharply but have a low intensity and then drop to a lower balance level. At the triggering stage, the AE signals become active and increasing until up to the peak where the outburst occurs, and the intensity is highest.
Diabetic Bone Marrow Cell Injection Accelerated Acute Pancreatitis Progression
Authors: Luo Xiao-Min , Yan Cen , Zhang Yue-Jie , Meng Ling-Jia , Lu Guo-Tao , Yin Ji-Ming , Feng Ying-Mei
Published: August 2021

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the leading causes of hospital admission, 20% of which could progress to the severe type with extensive acinar cell necrosis. Clinical studies have reported that diabetes is an independent risk factor of the incidence of AP and is associated with higher severity than nondiabetic subjects. However, how diabetes participates in AP progression is not well defined. To investigate this question, wild-type (wt) and diabetic db/db mice at the age of 16 weeks were used in the study. AP was induced in wt recipients by 10 injections of 50 μg/kg caerulein with a 1 h interval. One hour after the last caerulein injection, bone marrow cells (BMC) isolated from wt and db/db mice were injected intraperitoneally into the recipients (

1
×

10

7

cells/recipient). The recipients with no BMC injection served as controls. Thirteen hours after BMC injection, serum lipase activity was 1.8- and 1.3-folds higher in mice that received db/db BMC, compared with those with no injection and wt BMC injection, respectively (

p
≤
0.02

for both). By H&E staining, the overall severity score was 14.7 for no cell injection and 16.6 for wt BMC injection and increased to 22.6 for db/db BMC injection (

p
≤
0.002

for both). In particular, mice with db/db BMC injection developed more acinar cell necrosis and vacuolization than the other groups (

p
≤
0.03

for both). When sections were stained with an antibody against myeloperoxidase (MPO), the density of MPO+ cells in pancreatitis was 1.9- and 1.6-folds higher than wt BMC and no BMC injection groups, separately (

p
≤
0.02

for both). Quantified by ELISA, db/db BMC produced more IL-6, GM-CSF, and IL-10 compared with wt BMC (

p
≤
0.04

for all). In conclusion, BMC of db/db mice produced more inflammatory cytokines. In response to acinar cell injury, diabetic BMC aggravated the inflammation cascade and acinar cell injury, leading to the progression of acute pancreatitis.
Assessment of Pharmacy Students’ Satisfaction towards Pharmacotherapy Lectures Delivered at the University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
Authors: Yismaw Malede Berihun , Tesfaye Zelalem Tilahun , Bhagavathula Akshaya Srikanth
Published: August 2021

Background. Quality healthcare can be assured by fostering quality teaching-learning process. Students are well-equipped to judge the quality of the teaching-learning process. Consequently, students’ satisfaction should be considered for the improvement of quality teaching. Objective. The study aimed to explore how far the University of Gondar (UoG) provides quality pharmacy education based on the perspective of students using the validated Instructional Skills Questionnaire (ISQ). Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on May 2018 GC on 105 pharmacy students at the University of Gondar, Northern Ethiopia. Data were collected using the suspected demographic information and the validated Instructional Skills Questionnaire (ISQ). Data were entered into IBM SPSS Statistics® version 25, and the results of the analysis were described using descriptive and inferential statistics. A letter of ethical approval was obtained from the ethical review board of the University of Gondar prior to data collection. Results. More than half (58.6%) of the participants were female, and 85.1% of the subjects aged between 21 and 25 years. The highest students’ satisfaction was in the ISQ dimension of explication (58.03%) followed by instruction (56.13%) and comprehension (52.78). Student’s T-test showed that extension (night-shift) students have a higher average satisfaction score (3.54 

±

 0.34) compared to regular (day-shift) students (3.31 

±

 0.41) (t (103) = 2.422,

p
=
0.017

). Similarly, fourth-year students showed higher average satisfaction (3.54 

±

 0.33) as compared to fifth-year students (3.28 

±

 0.42) (t (103) = 3.41,

p
=
0.002

). Conclusion. In the present study, a higher students’ satisfaction was obtained about explication (58.03%) among seven ISQ dimensions, while students’ satisfaction related to activation was minimal (49%). Students’ satisfaction related to the learning outcome was found to be relatively high (67.23%). The study also showed that there is a significant difference in students’ satisfaction within the different study programs and years of study. Hence, the instructors should work to improve students’ satisfaction, thereby increasing the number of qualified professionals in the market.
Backpropagation Neural Network Artificial Intelligence Algorithm-Based Magnetic Resonance Imaging Image Feature Analysis in the General Anesthesia Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Li Yufang , Wang Xin , Zhao Qian , Zhang Xiaoqing , Bai Manyun
Published: August 2021

Objective. This study aimed to present an investigation of the clinical significance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images obtained based on the backpropagation neural network (BPNN) artificial intelligence algorithm for hip arthroplasty under general anesthesia. Methods. In this study, a case-review method was used to collect 100 patients requiring total hip replacement. They were then randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. Based on the neural network algorithm, the images of the two groups of patients were analyzed to judge their accuracy. Then the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI images based on neural algorithms were compared with those processed by radiologists. Results. It was found that MRI processed by BP neural network had good accuracy in the diagnosis of hip joint diseases compared with CT. Meanwhile, the images processed by BP neural network had good specificity and accuracy compared with the images processed by radiologists. Conclusion. Imaging images obtained by BPNN artificial intelligence algorithm were more accurate than CT images, which had more guiding value for surgeons in operation.
Prediction of Vegetable Supply in Henan Province Based on PSO-GM (1, N) Model
Authors: Guo Xueqiang , Li Bingjun
Published: August 2021

GM (1, N) model is one of the grey prediction models considering the influence of many factors. This paper improves GM (1, N) model and constructs PSO-GM (1, N) model. Firstly, Lasso method is used to select the influencing factors, then the priority of influencing factors and the value of parameter N in GM (1, N) model are determined, and finally PSO method is used to optimize GM (1, N) model. Taking the vegetable supply in Henan Province as the research object, this paper makes an empirical test by using PSO-GM (1, N) model. The results show that the key factors affecting the vegetable supply in Henan Province are the number of rural employees, highway mileage, and application of pesticide. The vegetable supply in Henan Province will continue to show a steady growth trend in the next three years.
Computed Tomography Images under Iterative Reconstruction Algorithm in Analysis of the Efficacy of Honey-Fried Herba Ephedrae along with Western Medicine on Acute Exacerbation Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Xue Jun , Zhang Jun , Li Li , Zang Ping
Published: August 2021

To explore the application value of the reconstruction algorithm based on an iterative algorithm in the analysis of CT image and analyze the therapeutic effect of honey-fried Herba Ephedrae combined with Western medicine on acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), a total of 96 AECOPD patients admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to December 2019 were selected as research subjects. According to a different treatment method, the subjects were divided into a control group (Ctrl group, conventional therapy) and an observation group (OG, conventional therapy + honey-fried Herba Ephedrae), with 48 in each group. The CT image algorithm was established based on the iterative algorithm, and the CT dose indexes of the reconstruction algorithm and the Filtered Back Projection (FBP) algorithm under the same conditions were compared (

P
<
0.05

). After using CT to confirm the diagnosis of the subjects, the difference in indicators of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1%), and forced vital capacity (FVC), inflammatory factors of serum interleukin-8 (IL-8), serum interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), the bronchial wall area, and the total treatment efficiency before and after different treatment was analyzed. The results suggested that the Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI) of iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithm when scanning different parts was higher than that of the FBP algorithm. The pulmonary function indexes and the expression of IL-8 and TNF-α in the OG were higher than those in the Ctrl group (

P
<
0.05

); the bronchial wall area, bronchial wall area percentage, and IL-10 expression in the OG were all lower than those in the Ctrl group (

P
<
0.05

). The effectiveness and improvement rates of the Ctrl group were 47.92% and 25%, respectively, significantly lower than those in the OG group, 56.25% and 31.25% (

P
<
0.05

), and the total efficiency of the observation group was 87.5%, which was significantly higher than that in the Ctrl group (72.92%) (

P
<
0.05

). In conclusion, based on the iterative algorithm, a CT reconstruction algorithm with better noise reduction performance was established, and the use of honey-fried Herba Ephedrae combined with Western medicine can improve the effective rate of treatment.
Heat and Mass Transfer Enhancement of MHD Hybrid Nanofluid Flow in the Presence of Activation Energy
Authors: Shanmugapriya M. , Sundareswaran R. , Senthil Kumar P.
Published: August 2021

In this study, water is apprehended as conventional fluid with the suspension of two types of hybrid nanoparticles, namely, single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) and multiwalled CNTs (MWCNTs). The influence of a magnetic field, thermal radiation, and activation energy with binary chemical reaction has been added to better examine the fine point of hybrid nanofluid flow. The mathematical structure regarding the physical model for hybrid nanofluid is established and then the similarity variables are induced to transmute the leading PDEs into nonlinear ODEs. These equations were solved using the shooting technique together with RKF 4-5th order for various values of the governing parameters numerically. The results of prominent parameters were manifested through graphs and tables. The results indicate that the hybrid nanofluid

SWCNT
−

MWCNT

/

water

is fully adequate in cooling and heating compared to other hybrid nanofluids. In addition, the rise in the value of activation energy

E

upsurges the nanoparticle transfer rate of hybrid nanofluid.
Analysis of Genetic Alterations Related to DNA Methylation in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors Based on Data Mining
Authors: Yu Xiaqing , Han Yali , Liu Simin , Jiang Wen , Song Yingchun , Tong Junyu , Qiao Tingting , Lv Zhongwei , Li Dan
Published: August 2021

Embryonal carcinoma (EC) and seminoma (SE) are both derived from germ cell neoplasia in situ but show big differences in growth patterns and clinical prognosis. Epigenetic regulation may play an important role in the development of EC and SE. This study investigated the DNA methylation-based genetic alterations between EC and SE by analyzing the datasets of mRNA expression and DNA methylation profiling. The datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between EC and SE by limma package in R environment. Gene function enrichment analysis of the DEGs was performed on the DAVID tool, the results of which suggested differences in capability of pluripotency and genomic stability between EC and SE. The minfi package and wANNOVAR tool were used to identify differentially methylated genes. A total of 37 genes were discovered with both mRNA expression and the accordant DNA methylation changes. The findings were verified by the sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed. Finally, 5 genes (PRDM1, LMO2, FAM53B, HCN4, and FAM124B) were found that showed both low expression and high methylation in EC, and were significantly associated with relapse-free survival. The findings of methylation-based genetic features between EC and SE might be helpful in studying the role of DNA methylation in cancer development.
Chromosomal Instability and Origin of B Chromosomes in the Amazonian Glass Tetra Moenkhausia oligolepis (Günther, 1864) (Characiformes, Characidae)
Authors: dos Santos Luana Pereira , Francisco Carine M. , Campos Júnior Edimar O. , Castro Jonathan P. , Utsunomia Ricardo , Morelli Sandra , Porto-Foresti Fábio , Foresti Fausto , Artoni Roberto F.
Published: August 2021

B chromosomes occur in different species of the small characid fishes of the genus Moenkhausia. These supernumerary elements, that do not recombine with chromosomes of the standard A complement and follow their own evolutionary mechanism vary in number, morphology, and distribution. Here, we show karyotypic data of individuals of 2 populations of Moenkhausia oligolepis of the Brazilian Amazon (Pedro Correia and Taboquinha streams, Tocantins river basin), both with a diploid number of 50 chromosomes and karyotypic formula of 10m + 32sm + 8a. In addition to the normal complement, we also observed the occurrence of B chromosomes in the 2 populations with intra- and interindividual variation ranging from 0 to 10 Bs, independent of sex. The C-banding pattern evidenced heterochromatic blocks located mainly in the pericentromeric region of the chromosomes, while the B chromosomes appeared euchromatic. Silver-stained nucleolus organizer regions were identified in multiples sites, and some of these blocks were positive when stained with chromomycin A3. The karyotype analysis and the application of whole-chromosome painting in populations of M. oligolepis reinforce the conservation of the basal diploid number for the genus, as well as the evolutionary tendency in these fishes to carry B chromosomes. Both populations turned out to be in different stages of stability and expansion of their B chromosomes. We further suggest that the origin of these chromosomes is due to the formation of isochromosomes. Here, we identified a pair of complement A chromosomes involved in this process.
Multifocal Pattern Dystrophy Simulating Fundus Flavimaculatus: Multimodal Imaging for Early Diagnosis
Authors: Rotsos Tryfon , Gkounta Alexandra , Symeonidis Chrysanthos , Lavaris Anastasios , Mavrikakis Emmanouil
Published: August 2021

Multifocal pattern dystrophy simulating fundus flavimaculatus (MPDSFF) is a clinical entity characterized by several clinicopathological, angiographic, tomographic, and electrophysiological findings. A 58-year-old caucasian female patient presented with bilateral floaters and metamorphopsia. Best-corrected visual acuity (VA) was 6/6 in both eyes and intraocular pressure was 14 and 15 mm Hg, respectively. Fundus examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT), autofluoresence (AF), fluorescein angiography (FA) and pattern Electroretinogram were employed for the diagnosis of this case. Clinical and imaging findings were consistent with MPDSFF. Noticeable progression was observed in OCT scans 6 months following the baseline visit, while no significant changes were observed over the following 12 months. Prognosis of VA in MPDSFF patients may remain relatively good even in the presence of considerable anatomic changes. Disease progression may be slow and significant reduction in VA may present only secondary to a choroidal neovascular membrane. Patient follow-up should include OCT scans, PERG, and AF in addition to VA and dilated fundus examination every 6–12 months. As relevant literature is limited and no effective treatment modality has been employed for this clinical entity, the identification of the cellular death pathway in pattern dystrophies may lead to an applicable management approach.
Dysfunctional Overnight Memory Consolidation in Patients with Schizophrenia in Comparison to Healthy Controls: Disturbed Slow-Wave Sleep as Contributing Factor?
Authors: Weinhold Sara Lena , Lechinger Julia , Ittel Jasper , Ritzenhoff Romina , Drews Henning Johannes , Junghanns Klaus , Göder Robert
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Memory deficiency has been shown in schizophrenia patients, but results on the role of sleep parameters in overnight consolidation of associative verbal memory are still missing. Therefore, the aim of our study was to elucidate underlying processes of impaired sleep-related consolidation of associative word pairs in schizophrenia including standard sleep parameters as well as sleep spindle counts and spectral analysis. Methods: Eighteen stably medicated schizophrenia patients and 24 healthy age-matched controls performed an associative declarative memory task before and after polysomnographic recordings. Part of the participants expected verbal associative memory testing in the morning, while the others did not. Furthermore, participants filled in self-rating questionnaires of schizophrenia-typical experiences (Eppendorf Schizophrenia Inventory [ESI] and Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale). Results: Schizophrenia patients performed worse in verbal declarative memory in the evening as well as in overnight consolidation (morning compared to evening performance). While duration of slow-wave sleep was nearly comparable between groups, schizophrenia patients showed lower sleep spindle count, reduced delta power during slow-wave sleep, and reduced spindle power during the slow oscillation (SO) up-state. In healthy but not in schizophrenia patients, a linear relationship between overnight memory consolidation and slow-wave sleep duration as well as delta power was evident. No significant effect with respect to the expectation of memory retrieval was evident in our data. Additionally, we observed a negative linear relationship between total number of sleep spindles and ESI score in healthy participants. Discussion/Conclusion: As expected, schizophrenia patients showed deficient overnight verbal declarative memory consolidation as compared to healthy controls. Reduced sleep spindles, delta power, and spindle power during the SO up-state may link sleep and memory deficiency in schizophrenia. Additionally, the absence of a linear relationship between sleep-related memory consolidation and slow-wave sleep as well as delta power suggests further functional impairments in schizophrenia. Note that this conclusion is based on observational data. Future studies should investigate if stimulation of delta waves during sleep could improve memory performance and thereby quality of life in schizophrenia.
Occult Brain Arteriovenous Malformation Superimposed on a Pial Arteriovenous Fistula: Case Report
Authors: Phelps Ryan R.L. , Raygor Kunal P. , Amans Matthew R. , Gupta Nalin , Abla Adib A.
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Pial arteriovenous fistulas are characterized by an abnormal connection between an intracranial artery and vein without an intervening nidus. Their predominant symptoms largely arise from mass effect, shunting, or hemorrhage. Most conservatively managed cases progress to death, but endovascular and/or surgical intervention is often successful. Case Presentation: We present the unique case of a 15-year-old girl with spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage from a single-vessel arteriovenous fistula. Although preoperative imaging failed to show a distinct nidus, intraoperative indocyanine green angiography performed after successful clipping of the primary fistulous site revealed residual shunting from a peri-lesional arteriovenous malformation. Discussion/Conclusion: This case demonstrates the importance of intraoperative imaging and meticulous circumferential inspection of these lesions to detect residual vascular shunting.
EPOC: Enfoque personalizado para el tratamiento según la guía GOLD 2021
Authors: Acuña-Kaldman Moisés
Published: August 2021

Background: In the Phase III KRONOS study, triple therapy with budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol fumarate metered dose inhaler (BGF MDI) was shown to reduce exacerbations and improve lung function versus glycopyrronium/formoterol fumarate dihydrate (GFF) MDI in patients with moderate-to-very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, whether the benefits related to the ICS component of BGF are driven by patients with high blood eosinophil counts (EOS) and/or airway reversibility has not been previously studied. Methods: KRONOS was a Phase III, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter, randomized, controlled study of patients with moderate-to-very-severe COPD. Patients were randomized 2:2:1:1 to receive BGF 320/14.4/10 μg, GFF 14.4/10 μg, budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate (BFF) MDI 320/10 μg via a single Aerosphere inhaler, or open-label budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate dry powder inhaler 400/12 μg (BUD/FORM DPI; Symbicort Turbuhaler) twice-daily for 24 weeks. Efficacy outcomes included in this post-hoc analysis were change from baseline in morning pre-dose trough FEV1 over weeks 12–24 and the rate of moderate-to-severe and severe COPD exacerbations. Adverse events in the non-reversible subgroup are also reported. Results: Of 1896 patients analyzed, 948 (50%) were non-reversible and had EOS <300 cells/mm3. In this group, BGF significantly improved morning pre-dose trough FEV1 versus BFF and BUD/FORM (least squares mean treatment difference, 95% confidence interval [CI] 69 mL [39, 99], unadjusted p  < 0.0001 and 51 mL [20, 81], unadjusted p = 0.0011, respectively) and was comparable to GFF. BGF also significantly reduced annual moderate-to-severe exacerbation rates versus GFF (rate ratio [95% CI] 0.53 [0.37, 0.76], unadjusted p = 0.0005), with numerical reductions observed versus BFF and BUD/FORM. These results were similar for the overall study population. Safety findings were generally similar between non-reversible patients with EOS <300 cells/mm3 and the overall population. Conclusions: In patients with moderate-to-very-severe COPD without airway reversibility and EOS <300 cells/mm3, BGF significantly improved morning pre-dose trough FEV1 versus BFF and BUD/FORM and significantly reduced the rate of moderate-to-severe exacerbations versus GFF. These findings demonstrate that BGF can provide benefits for a broad range of patients with COPD, and that the overall findings of the KRONOS primary analysis were not driven by patients with reversible airflow obstruction or high eosinophil counts. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02497001. Registered 14 July 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02497001
Synbindin Downregulation Participates in Slit Diaphragm Dysfunction
Authors: Ivanov Veniamin , Fukusumi Yoshiyasu , Zhang Ying , Yasuda Hidenori , Kitazawa Meiko , Kawachi Hiroshi
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Synbindin, originally identified as a neuronal cytoplasmic molecule, was found in glomeruli. The cDNA subtractive hybridization technique showed the mRNA expression of synbindin in glomeruli was downregulated in puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) nephropathy, a mimic of minimal-change nephrotic syndrome. Methods: The expression of synbindin in podocytes was analyzed in normal rats and 2 types of rat nephrotic models, anti-nephrin antibody-induced nephropathy, a pure slit diaphragm injury model, and PAN nephropathy, by immunohistochemical analysis and RT-PCR techniques. To elucidate the function of synbindin, a gene silencing study with human cultured podocytes was performed. Results: Synbindin was mainly expressed at the slit diaphragm area of glomerular epithelial cells (podocytes). In both nephrotic models, decreased mRNA expression and the altered staining of synbindin were already detected at the early phase when proteinuria and the altered staining of nephrin, a key molecule of slit diaphragm, were not detected yet. Synbindin staining was clearly reduced when severe proteinuria was observed. When the cultured podocytes were treated with siRNA for synbindin, the cell changed to a round shape, and filamentous actin structure was clearly altered. The expression of ephrin-B1, a transmembrane protein at slit diaphragm, was clearly lowered, and synaptic vesicle-associated protein 2B (SV2B) was upregulated in the synbindin knockdown cells. Conclusion: Synbindin participates in maintaining foot processes and slit diaphragm as a downstream molecule of SV2B-mediated vesicle transport. Synbindin downregulation participates in slit diaphragm dysfunction. Synbindin can be an early marker to detect podocyte injury.
Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis of Hypereosinophilia in Rheumatology Practice
Authors: Üsküdar Cansu Döndü , Üsküdar Teke Hava , Yildirim Reşit , Dinler Mustafa , Korkmaz Cengiz
Published: August 2021

Background: There has been no investigation so far on the prevalence or causes of hypereosinophilia during rheumatic diseases. Objectives: The study aimed to identify the prevalence and causes of hypereosinophilia among the patients followed in a rheumatology department. Methods: The patients aged 18 years or over followed in our rheumatology department between January 2010 and December 2019 who had at least one AEC ≥1,500/µL measurement in their peripheral blood count were identified retrospectively. Results: Over the 10 years, a total of 130,769 peripheral blood counts were performed, of which 3.9% showed eosinophilia and 0.065% showed hypereosinophilia. Hypereosinophilia was identified in 85 patients. The underlying rheumatic disease was determined in 89.4% (n = 76) of patients. Of these, the most frequent one was rheumatoid arthritis at a ratio of 40.8%, followed by eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) at a ratio of 10.5%. Hypereosinophilia was in primary form in 3.5% of the patients, whereas secondary to another condition in 91.8% (n = 78) of the cases and idiopathic in 4.7% (n = 4) of patients. The most common cause of secondary hypereosinophilia was drug induced, as detected in 61.2%, followed by allergic conditions in 11.5% and EGPA in 9.4%. In 15.2% (n = 13) of the cases, hypereosinophilia was associated with an underlying rheumatic disease. In the cases with drug-induced hypereosinophilia, most often (in 28.8%) methotrexate was the offending agent. Conclusions: Rheumatologists should be cognizant that hypereosinophilia concurrent to rheumatic diseases is usually not due to the underlying rheumatic disease, except for the conventional eosinophil-related rheumatic diseases.
Comparison of Oxidative Effects of Electronic Cigarette and Tobacco Smoke Exposure Performed Experimentally
Authors: Aslaner Oktay
Published: August 2021

Objective: Cigarette smoking is a life-threatening habit that has rapidly spread in every socioeconomic part of the public worldwide. There exist mechanisms of nicotine delivery available to use in the hope of halting cigarette smoking, and the electronic cigarette (EC) is one of the common methods used for tobacco smoking replacement. This study aimed to investigate experimentally the oxidative effects of tobacco smoke and EC smoke which contain nicotine. Method: We constructed smoke circuit rooms for exposing the rats to EC or tobacco smoke. Three groups were created, the control group (N = 8); the electronic cigarette group (N = 8), exposure to electronic cigarette smoke for 2 h per day; and the tobacco group (N = 8), exposure to traditional cigarette smoke for 2 h per day. After the first and second week of exposure, blood samples were obtained, and serum oxidative stress index (OSI), paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity, and prolidase levels were evaluated. Results: Higher values of OSI and prolidase levels were detected in the first week of EC or tobacco smoke exposure in both study groups (p < 0.001) when compared with the control group, and partial decrements were observed in the second week. By contrast, elevated PON1 levels were observed in the second week after EC or tobacco smoke exposure. The highest OSI levels were observed in the tobacco smoke group (p < 0.001). The lowest values of PON1 levels were detected in the first week of the electronic cigarette smoke group, and this decremental value was statistically different than normal, the second week of the electronic cigarette smoke group, the first week of the traditional cigarette smoke exposure group, and the second week of the traditional cigarette smoke exposure group values (p < 0.000). Conclusion: Our results indicate that EC smoke induced oxidative stress. Therefore, ECs are potentially risky for human health and can lead to important health problems.
Direct Bilirubin in Drainage Fluid 3 days after Hepatectomy Is Useful for Detecting Severe Bile Leakage
Authors: Harimoto Norifumi , Araki Kenichiro , Yamanaka Takahiro , Hagiwara Kei , Ishii Norihiro , Tsukagoshi Mariko , Watanabe Akira , Shirabe Ken
Published: August 2021

Introduction: The International Study Group of Liver Surgery (ISGLS) definition of bile leakage is an elevated total bilirubin concentration in the drainage fluid after post-operative day (POD) 3, which has been widely accepted. However, there were no reports about direct bilirubin in drainage fluid to predict bile leakage. Methods: Data from 257 patients who underwent hepatectomy were retrospectively reviewed. The optimal cut-off value was investigated using receiver-operating characteristic curves. The predictive power of drainage fluid total bilirubin (dTB) and drainage fluid direct bilirubin (dDB) to predict bile leakage, which was defined using ISGLS grade B or grade C, were compared. Results: ISGLS grade B bile leakage occurred in 16 patients (6.2%). Area under the curve (AUC) of dDB was always higher than that of dTB on each POD. The AUC of dDB was >0.75 on PODs 2, 3, and 5, and then it increased with the increasing POD. The dDB on POD 5 showed the highest accuracy (0.91) and positive predictive value (PPV) (0.67), which was followed by dTB/serum total bilirubin (sTB) on POD 3 (accuracy, 0.91; PPV, 0.33). Because the PPV of dDB increased as the POD increased, dDB was better than dTB for predicting clinically significant bile leakage. dDB on POD 3 showed the highest negative predictive value (0.97). The positive likelihood of dDB increased and the negative likelihood of dDB decreased on the basis of the POD. Among patients with dTB/sTB ≤3 on POD 3, 19.1% of these patients had bile leakage when dDB was >0.44 on POD 3. Conclusions: Measurement of both dDB and dTB, which are easy to perform, can be used to effectively predict clinically significant bile leakage.
Racial, Ethnic, and Geographic Disparities in Cardiovascular Health Among Women of Childbearing Age in the United States
Authors: Zheng Yi , Wen Xiaoxiao , Bian Jiang , Zhao Jinying , Lipkind Heather S. , Hu Hui
Published: August 2021

Background

In the United States, large disparities in cardiovascular health (CVH) exist in the general population, but little is known about the CVH status and its disparities among women of childbearing age (ie, 18–49 years).

Methods and Results

In this cross‐sectional study, we examined racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities in CVH among all women of childbearing age in the United States, using the 2011 to 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Life's Simple 7 (ie, blood pressure, glucose, total cholesterol, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, and diet) was used to examine CVH. Women with 7 ideal CVH metrics were determined to have ideal CVH. Among the 269 564 women of childbearing age, 13 800 (4.84%) had ideal CVH. After adjusting for potential confounders, non‐Hispanic Black women were less likely to have ideal CVH (odds ratio, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.46–0.63) compared with non‐Hispanic White women, and with significantly lower odds of having ideal metrics of blood pressure, blood glucose, body mass index, and physical activity. No significant difference in CVH was found between non‐Hispanic White and Hispanic women. Large geographic disparities with temporal variations were observed, with the age‐ and race‐adjusted ideal CVH prevalence ranging from 4.05% in the District of Columbia (2011) to 5.55% in Maine and Montana (2019). States with low ideal CVH prevalence and average CVH score were mostly clustered in the southern United States.

Conclusions

Large racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities in CVH exist among women of childbearing age. More efforts are warranted to understand and address these disparities.
Exodus in Matthew’s Looking Glass: Jesus’s Flight to Egypt (Matt 2:13–18) as a Reflection Story
Authors: Stargel Linda
Published: August 2021

Matthew’s placement of Hosea 11:1 – “Out of Egypt I called my son” – following the arrival of Jesus in Egypt has been largely misinterpreted by scholars as a “premature quotation.” The Old Testament’s expanded portrayal of a symbolic Egypt, the interpretative framework of the Social Identity Approach, and the recognition of Matthew 2:13–18 as a “reflection story” add the necessary keys for understanding Hosea 11:1’s placement. Old Testament exodus stories not only advance the possibility of a symbolic interpretation of Egypt in the citation, but they favor such an interpretation. The exodus allusions in Matthew’s story endorse this symbolic interpretation of Israel as the Egyptian Other. In the looking glass of the exodus, Matthew’s Flight to Egypt story reveals both the character of the Other and that of the story’s hero.
Trading Freedoms for Protection: Gender and Localised Protection in Libya
Authors: Donovan Outi
Published: August 2021

Much has been written on the 2011 intervention in Libya and its implications to the R2P principle, but we know less about the lived experience of protection in a context where the post-intervention responsibility for protecting civilians was quickly transferred to the interim authorities who had limited governance capacity. This has resulted in ‘localised protection’ where militias, tribal elders, and family members constitute the main actors providing protection to their respective communities. Although this is in line with the growing emphasis on local ownership underwriting UN and donor discourse, a troubling upshot of the localised protection is that it often disempowers, and at times subjects the protected to further insecurity and violence. The aim of this analysis is to explore this dynamic of protection and insecurity. I draw on feminist theorising of the masculine protection logic and argue that civilians in Libya negotiate multiple, gendered protection bargains that often produce perverse outcomes, by subjecting the ‘protected’ to renewed or increased insecurities, rather than reducing them.
Ancient Models for the New Musicians
Authors: Ercoles Marco
Published: August 2021

On the symbolic role assumed by mythical musicians (e.g. Marsyas, Olympus, Orpheus, Thamyris) in the debate on music in the second half of the fifth century BC, with particular attention to them in the fragments of New Musicians (Melanipp. PMG 758 and 766, Tim. PMG 791.221–4, Telest. PMG 805 and 806). Timotheus and the other exponents of the New Music tried to construct distant and authoritative models for their way of making music by projecting back onto those ancient ‘colleagues’ key features of their style, namely poikilia, inventiveness and virtuosity.
A new species of the Achalinus rufescens complex (Xenodermidae: Achalinus) from Fujian Province, China
Authors: LI KE , WU YA-YONG , XU RUI-YING , ZHU FEI , REN JIN-LONG , GUO PENG , DONG BING-JUN
Published: August 2021

A new species of the xenodermid snake genus Achalinus Peters, 1869 is described from Fujian Province, China, based on six specimens. Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses based on a mitochondrial DNA fragment (CO1) indicated the new taxon is different from its congeners (p–distance ≥ 18.5%). Morphologically, the new species can be diagnosed from the other species by a combination of following characters: (1) dorsal scales 23 rows throughout, strongly keeled, the most outer rows on both sides also keeled and slightly enlarged; (2) tail relatively longer, TaL/TL ratio 0.26–0.29 in males, 0.21–0.22 in females; (3) maxillary teeth 30–33; (4) length of suture between internasals significantly longer than that between prefrontals; (5) nasal divided into two sections by nasal cleft; (6) a single loreal; (7) SPO 1, seldom 2; (8) SPL 6, the fourth and fifth contacting eye; (9) IFL5, rarely 6, the first three touching the first pair of chin shields; (10) TMP 7–9, arranged in three rows; (11) VS 142–149 in males, VS 152–154 in females; (12) SC 74–81 in males, SC 63–65 in females, arranged in a single row; (13) cloacal entire; (14) greyish brown above, pale yellow beneath; (15) dorsum with an indistinct longitudinal vertebral stripe. The description of the new species brings the total species of Achalinus to 19.
The Modulation of Regulatory T Cells via High Mobility Group Box-1/Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-Products/Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase Axis in Chronic Kidney Diseases with Complication of Sepsis
Authors: Chen Yingying , Chen Lan , Zhang Yiyan , Ling Yisheng , Hu Xiaolong , Guan Tianjun
Published: August 2021

Chronic kidney diseases (CKD) with complication of sepsis brings great clinical burden worldwide. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can regulate key immune response during the progression of the diseases. The present study aims to investigate the role of HMGB1 in the regulation of Tregs and
find out the potential mechanism. Jurkat cells were stimulated with 0.5 ng/ml TGF-β1 for 24 h to induce phenotypic alternation into Tregs, followed by stimulation with indoxyl sulfate (IS) and lipopolysac-charide (LPS) for 24 h. Then, Tregs were treated with recombinant human HMBG1
(rHMGB1) at different concentrations (10, 100 and 1000 ng/ml). Cell viability of Tregs was assayed by CCK-8. The gene expressions related to proliferation and autophagy were determined using RT-qPCR and western blotting. RAGE was inhibited by transfection with shRNA-RAGE in Tregs. The results
showed that HMGB1 and RAGE were upregulated upon IS and LPS induction in Tregs. rHMGB1 significantly promoted the viability, proliferation and function of Tregs at a concentration-dependent way, which was partly reversed by RAGE knockdown. Besides, HMGB1-RAGE could regulate autophagy activity
and AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway. In summary, our study concluded that the active autophagy mediated by enhanced HMGB1-RAGE axis through AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway was a potential mechanism to enhance Tregs viability and function in chronic kidney diseases with complication of sepsis.
Sex Determining Region Y-Box 12 Promotes Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of Osteosarcoma Cells by Activating β-Catenin/T Cell Factor Axis
Authors: Lu Minhua , Chen Xingguang
Published: August 2021

Objectives: This study aims to clarify the role of sex determining region Y-box 12 (SOX12) in accelerating the proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities of osteosarcoma (OS) via β-catenin/TCF axis. Materials and Methods: SOX12 levels in human osteosarcoma
cell lines and human fetal osteoblastic cell line were determined by RT-qPCR. The proliferation rates of osteosarcoma cells were both determined by CCK-8 assay and EdU staining. In addition, osteosarcoma cell migration and migration were determined by wound healing assay and trans-well assay,
respectively. TOPFlash/FOPFlash reporter activity assay and western blot assay were simultaneously performed for the detection of β-catenin/TCF axis. Results: SOX12 was elevated in osteosarcoma cell lines, developing the critical role in proliferation, migration and invasion
of osteosarcoma cells. The β-catenin/TCF pathway was activated in osteosarcoma. SOX12 overexpression exerted promotive effects on activation of β-catenin/TCF pathway and SOX12 knockdown showed the opposite effects. Conclusions: SOX12 accelerates proliferation,
migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells by activating β-catenin/TCF axis, thus stimulating the progression of OS.
The Mechanism of Nano-Particles Intervening Invasion and Metastasis of Lymphoma Based on Autophagy Targeted with miR-36b and Orienteering Analysis on Apoptosis Gene
Authors: Zhao Guihua , Ma Xiaoying , Sun Dejun
Published: August 2021

Whether the expression of gene P53 related with autophagy and apoptosis and action was regulated by miR-36b was discussed in our study. And the action of orienteering nano-particles on intervening invasion and metastasis of lymphoma was analyzed. The normal lymphoid tissue collected
from the patients with simple lymphatic hyperplasia was set as control. The lymphoma samples from patients with early indolent lymphoma were collected. The level of mRNA in miR-36b and P53 was detected by PCR. The level of P53 protein and level of mRNA in miR-36b and P53 among normal lymphoid
cell, cell strain of low metastatic lymphoma and cell strain of high metastatic lymphoma was compared. They were divided into four groups: miR-NC group, orienteering nano-particles’ group, siRNA-NC group and siRNA-P53 group. The cell proliferative capacity was detected by FCM. The quantity
of cell invasion and metastasis was detected by transwell. The expression quantity of P53 mRNA in lymphoma tissue was increased obviously compared with control group. The expression of miR-36b was lower while the expression of P53 was higher along with the later staging of TNM. And the express
was related with the staging of TNM. The expression quantity of P53 mRNA in lymphoma cell was higher in normal cell notably. But expression quantity of miR-36b in lymphoma cell was lower in normal cell notably. The decreased of expression of miR-36b and increased of expression of P53 was related
with enhancing the ability of invasion and metastasis of lymphoma cells.
MiR-1246 Involves in the Proliferation, Apoptosis and Inflammation of Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes by Targeting Axis Inhibition Protein 2 and Glycogen Synthetase Kinase-3β via Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Guo Siyin , Hu Shichang , Zhao Guoyuan , Hu Weijian , Liao Yiling , Liu Zhijun , Huo Shaochuan , Huango Xudong
Published: August 2021

Background and Objective: Accumulating evidence supports that fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLS) plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). miR-1246 has been reported to be up-regulated in the sera of RA patients. The purpose of the present research
was to determine the potential role of miR-1246 in RA and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: miR-1246, GSK3β and AXIN2 levels were determined by RT-qPCR. By exploiting miR-1246 inhibitor, shRNA-GSK3β and shRNA-AXIN2, we detected the effects of miR-1246, GSK3β
and AXIN2 on cell proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation in RA-FLSs. Bioinformatics analysis predicted the binding sites of miR-1246 to AXIN2, miR-1246 to GSK3β. Moreover, luciferase reporter assay verified the binding relationship. Results: In comparison with normal
human FLSs, higher levels of miR-1246 existed in RA-FLSs. Downregulation of miR-1246 inhibited cell proliferation, inflammation and β-catenin expression, and promoted cell apoptosis. Furthermore, bioinformatic analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay identified AXIN2 or GSK3β
as a target gene of miR-1246. Downregulation of miR-1246 enhanced AXIN2 and GSK3β expression in RA-FLSs. Besides, co-transfection with shRNA-GSK3β or shRNA-AXIN2 partly reversed the regulatory effects of miR-1246 inhibitor in RA-FLSs. Conclusions: Collectively,
our in vitro experiments proved that downregulation of miR-1246 might alleviate RA pathogenesis by targeting AXIN2 and GSK3β via Wnt/β-Catenin axis.
Mir-36a Inhibits Hypoxia Reoxygenation and Promotes Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Promote Cardiomyocyte Repair
Authors: Sun Zhiting , Yang Kangni , Zhao Hongyun
Published: August 2021

This study explores the mechanism of miR-36a in the hypoxia-reoxygenation process and its engagement in the repair of cardiomyocytes via modulating bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Thirty-two patients with myocardial injury were enrolled after hospitalization. Meanwhile,
32 normal patients were recruited as controls. The miR-36a levels were quantified via ELISA. BMSCs were isolated and cultured. The qRT-PCR was employed to determine the expression of genes involved in myocardial injury and hypoxia-reoxygenation, including KGF, SpB, SpA, CK18, SpC and Occludin.
Specific mRNAs related to myocardial damage repair were also measured after miR-36a was knockdown and overexpressed during the process of repair induction. The expression of miR-36a in 32 patients with myocardial injury was elevated compared to that in controls. BMSCs can quantitatively retard
the expression of hypoxia-reoxygenation-related genes. The knockdown of miR-36a can significantly enhance the expression of hypoxia-reoxygenation-related genes which were engaged in myocardial injury. miR-36a overexpression can significantly impede the expression of the hypoxia-reoxygenation-related
genes which were involved in myocardial injury. miR-36a contributes to the repair of myocardial injury via functionally enhancing BMSCs’ function and interfering with the hypoxia-reoxygenation process.
Research on Biological Molecular Mechanism of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) Through miR-34a
Authors: Qi Jing , Chen Guang , Wang Xiaojun , Ran Haiqiong , Yue Haiquan
Published: August 2021

This study aims to assess the action of miR-34a on MSCs homing onto OSCC. Sixty cases of tissue sample in OSCC was analyzed retrospectively and thirty of normal oral tissue was included as a control group. miR-34a expression in OSCC was detected by qRT-PCR. The relation of expression
with OSCC was analyzed. The independent risk factor in the life time of OSCC was studied. pc-DNA-miR-34a and si-miR-34a was transfected into MSCs to analyze its action on MSCs homing onto OSCC by CCK-8 and clone formation assays as well as on cell apoptosis by flow cytometry. The level of
miR-34a in patients with OSCC was significantly elevated and was associated with overall survival and prognosis. The FIGO staging and miR-34a expression was the independent risk factor of DFS and OS of patients with OSCC. The cell activity and homing capacity of MSCs was reduced significantly
after knock-down of miR-34a expression along with increased apoptotic cell rate. In addition, the miR-34a could prompt the MSC homing onto OSCC. In conclusion, miR-34a level was up-regulated significantly in OSCC and associated with the prognosis, indicating that it might be a novel target
for the treatment of OSCC.