bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteome Profiling—Pitfalls and Progress
Authors: Haynes Paul A. , Yates III John R.
Published: February 2021

In this review we examine the current state of analytical methods in proteomics. The conventional methodology using two-dimensional electrophoresis gels and mass spectrometry is discussed, with particular reference to the advantages and shortcomings thereof. Two recently published methods which offer an alternative approach are presented and discussed, with emphasis on how they can provide information not available via two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. These two methods are the isotope-coded affinity tags approach of Gygi et al. and the two-dimensional liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry approach as presented by Link et al. We conclude that both of these new techniques represent significant advances in analytical methodology for proteome analysis. Furthermore, we believe that in the future biological research will continue to be enhanced by the continuation of such developments in proteomic analytical technology.
MHD Three-Dimensional Free Convective Flow with Periodic Permeability and Heat Transfer of a Second-Grade Fluid
Authors: Latif Atifa , Rana Muhammad Afzal , Ahmad Babar , Hussan Muhammad
Published: February 2021

The present study delivers the mathematical model and theoretical analysis of a three-dimensional flow in a free convection for an electrically conducting incompressible second-grade fluid through a very high porous medium circumscribed by an infinite vertical porous plate subject to a constant suction. A uniform magnetic field along the normal to the surface of plate is applied. Periodic permeability for the medium is assumed, while velocity of free stream is taken to be uniform. Analytic expressions are presented for velocity and temperature fields, pressure, and skin friction components by perturbation technique. The impacts on these physical quantities by the physical parameters existing in the model are discussed and envisioned graphically. It is interesting to note that elastic and permeability parameters are able to control the skin friction along the main flow direction, magnetic field to reduce the pressure, and Reynolds number to control the thermal boundary layer thickness. It is also noted that temperature distribution does not depend upon permeability parameter.
A New Family of Fourth-Order Optimal Iterative Schemes and Remark on Kung and Traub’s Conjecture
Authors: Liu Chein-Shan , Lee Tsung-Lin
Published: February 2021

Kung and Traub conjectured that a multipoint iterative scheme without memory based on

m

evaluations of functions has an optimal convergence order

p
=

2

m
−
1

. In the paper, we first prove that the two-step fourth-order optimal iterative schemes of the same class have a common feature including a same term in the error equations, resorting on the conjecture of Kung and Traub. Based on the error equations, we derive a constantly weighting algorithm obtained from the combination of two iterative schemes, which converges faster than the departed ones. Then, a new family of fourth-order optimal iterative schemes is developed by using a new weight function technique, which needs three evaluations of functions and whose convergence order is proved to be

p
=

2

3
−
1

=
4

.
Effect of Bedding Structure on the Energy Dissipation Characteristics of Dynamic Tensile Fracture for Water-Saturated Coal
Authors: Gong Shuang , Zhou Lei , Wang Zhen , Wang Wen
Published: February 2021

The analysis of energy dissipation characteristics is a basic way to elucidate the mechanism of coal rock fragmentation. In order to study the energy dissipation patterns during dynamic tensile deformation damage of coal samples, the Brazilian disc (BD) splitting test under impact conditions was conducted on burst-prone coal samples using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) loading system. The effects of impact velocity, bedding angle, and water saturated on the total absorbed energy density, total dissipated energy density, and damage variables of coal samples were investigated. In addition, the coal samples were collected after crushing to produce debris with particle sizes of 0-0.2 mm and 0.2-5 mm, and the distribution characteristics of different size debris were compared and analyzed. The results show that the damage variables of natural dry coal samples increase approximately linearly with the increase of impact velocity; however, the overall damage variables of saturated coal samples increase exponentially as a function of impact velocity. Compared with air-dry samples, the number of fragments with the particle size of 0-0.2 mm of saturated samples decreases by 14.1%-31.3%, and the number of fragments with the particle size of 0.2-5 mm decreases by 33.7%-53.0%. However, when the bedding angle is 45°, the percentage of fragment mass of saturated samples is larger than that of air-dry samples. The conclusions provide a theoretical basis for understanding the deterioration mechanism of coal after water saturation and the implementation of water injection dust prevention technology in coal mines.
Evaluation of Peripartum Hysterectomy in a Tertiary Care Unit and Its Effect on Patients’ Long-Term Physical and Mental Wellbeing: Quest Is Not Over When You Save the Life
Authors: Pathiraja P. D. M. , Jayawardane Asanka
Published: February 2021

Objectives. Peripartum hysterectomy can be performed as an elective procedure or as a life-saving emergency procedure in obstetrics. It is associated with significant maternal morbidity and mortality. We report peripartum hysterectomies done during the study period in a tertiary referral centre, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Methodology. We collected data on all severe acute maternal morbidity and mortality events (SAMM) from June 01, 2014, to June 01, 2015, at De Soysa Hospital for Women (DSHW). We invited all women who underwent PPH to complete the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36) before hospital discharge and at six months after the hysterectomy date to assess their general and mental health before and after surgery. Focus group discussions (FGD) were used to further evaluate the patient experience and to identify service delivery improvements. Results. There were eleven peripartum hysterectomies done during the study period for 7160 deliveries. None were primigravida. Median age and gestation were 36 years and 37 weeks, respectively. The commonest indication for peripartum hysterectomy was a morbidly adherent placenta (seven). Nine of the deliveries were elective lower-segment caesarean section and two were vaginal deliveries. Four emergency peripartum hysterectomies were done for primary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and two for secondary PPH. All patients required intensive care and there were no maternal deaths. The analysis of SF-36 data revealed that all patients suffered a significant reduction in the quality of life at six months after the surgery. FGD highlighted that most patients needed further counselling and support to improve their physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. Some of the patients were willing to share their experience on voluntary basis to help those undergoing peripartum hysterectomies in the future. Conclusion. Peripartum hysterectomy is an important life-saving procedure associated with severe maternal morbidity and mortality. This study reveals that the physical, psychological, and social adverse effects would remain in the long term.
Comparative Analysis of the Glutathione S-Transferase Gene Family of Four Triticeae Species and Transcriptome Analysis of GST Genes in Common Wheat Responding to Salt Stress
Authors: Hao Yongchao , Xu Shoushen , lyu Zhongfan , Wang Hongwei , Kong Lingrang , Sun Silong
Published: February 2021

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are ancient proteins encoded by a large gene family in plants, which play multiple roles in plant growth and development. However, there has been little study on the GST genes of common wheat (Triticum aestivum) and its relatives (Triticum durum, Triticum urartu, and Aegilops tauschii), which are four important species of Triticeae. Here, a genome-wide comprehensive analysis of this gene family was performed on the genomes of common wheat and its relatives. A total of 346 GST genes in T. aestivum, 226 in T. durum, 104 in T. urartu, and 105 in Ae. tauschii were identified, and all members were divided into ten classes. Transcriptome analysis was used to identify GST genes that respond to salt stress in common wheat, which revealed that the reaction of GST genes is not sensitive to low and moderate salt concentrations but is sensitive to severe concentrations of the stressor, and the GST genes related to salt stress mainly come from the Tau and Phi classes. Six GST genes which respond to different salt concentrations were selected and validated by a qRT-PCR assay. These findings will not only provide helpful information about the function of GST genes in Triticeae species but also offer insights for the future application of salt stress resistance breeding in common wheat.
A Novel Time‐Incremental End‐to‐End Shared Neural Network with Attention‐Based Feature Fusion for Multiclass Motor Imagery Recognition
Authors: Lian Shidong , Xu Jialin , Zuo Guokun , Wei Xia , Zhou Huilin
Published: February 2021

In the research of motor imagery brain‐computer interface (MI‐BCI), traditional electroencephalogram (EEG) signal recognition algorithms appear to be inefficient in extracting EEG signal features and improving classification accuracy. In this paper, we discuss a solution to this problem based on a novel step‐by‐step method of feature extraction and pattern classification for multiclass MI‐EEG signals. First, the training data from all subjects is merged and enlarged through autoencoder to meet the need for massive amounts of data while reducing the bad effect on signal recognition because of randomness, instability, and individual variability of EEG data. Second, an end‐to‐end sharing structure with attention‐based time‐incremental shallow convolution neural network is proposed. Shallow convolution neural network (SCNN) and bidirectional long short‐term memory (BiLSTM) network are used to extract frequency‐spatial domain features and time‐series features of EEG signals, respectively. Then, the attention model is introduced into the feature fusion layer to dynamically weight these extracted temporal‐frequency‐spatial domain features, which greatly contributes to the reduction of feature redundancy and the improvement of classification accuracy. At last, validation tests using BCI Competition IV 2a data sets show that classification accuracy and kappa coefficient have reached 82.7 ± 5.57% and 0.78 ± 0.074, which can strongly prove its advantages in improving classification accuracy and reducing individual difference among different subjects from the same network.
Robust Fixed-Time Synchronization for Coupled Delayed Neural Networks with Discontinuous Activations Subject to a Quadratic Polynomial Growth
Authors: Yu Lina , Ma Yunfei , Yang Yuntong , Zhang Jingchao , Wang Chunwei
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we focus on the robust fixed-time synchronization for discontinuous neural networks (NNs) with delays and hybrid couplings under uncertain disturbances, where the growth of discontinuous activation functions is governed by a quadratic polynomial. New state-feedback controllers, which include integral terms and discontinuous factors, are designed. By Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional method and inequality analysis technique, some sufficient criteria, which ensue that networks can realize the robust fixed-time synchronization, are addressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Moreover, the upper bound of the settling time, which is independent on the initial values, can be determined to any desired values in advance by the configuration of parameters in the proposed control law. Finally, two examples are provided to illustrate the validity of the theoretical results.
Optimization Design of Oil-Immersed Iron Core Reactor Based on the Particle Swarm Algorithm and Thermal Network Model
Authors: Yuan Fating , Lv Kai , Tang Bo , Wang Yue , Yang Wentao , Qin Shihong , Ding Can
Published: February 2021

In this paper, according to the design parameters of oil-immersed iron core reactor, the thermal network model of windings is established by the thermo-electric analogy method, and the temperature distribution of the windings can be obtained. Meanwhile, a fluid-thermal coupled finite element model is established, the temperature and fluid velocity distribution are extracted, and the simulation results show that the error coefficient of temperature is less than 3% compared with the thermal network model, so the correctness of thermal network model has been verified. Taking the metal conductor usage and loss of windings as the optimization objects, the optimization method based on the particle swarm algorithm and thermal network model is proposed, and the Pareto optimal solutions between the metal conductor usage and loss of windings are given. The optimization results show that the metal conductor usage is reduced by 23.05%, and the loss is reduced by 20.25% compared with the initial design parameters, and the maximum temperature of winding does not exceed the expected value. Thus, the objects of low metal conductor usage and loss of windings are conflicted and cannot be optimized simultaneously; the optimization method has an important guiding significance for the design of oil-immersed iron core.
[Retracted] IL‐32 Promotes the Radiosensitivity of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell through STAT3 Pathway
Authors: Ma Zhiyu , Dong Zhen , Yu Dingyue , Mu Mingchen , Feng Wanwen , Guo Jiayi , Cheng Beibei , Guo Jiayou , Ma Jianxin
Published: February 2021

Objective. This study is set out to determine the relationship between IL‐32 and radiosensitivity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods. Western blot was adopted for measuring IL‐32 expression in Eca‐109 and TE‐10 cells. Eca‐109 and TE‐10 cells with interference or overexpression of IL‐32 were treated with the presence or absence of X‐ray irradiation. Then, the use of CCK8 assay was to detect proliferation ability, and effects of IL‐32 expression on radiosensitivity of ESCC were tested by colony formation assay. The cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. STAT3 and p‐STAT expression, and apoptotic protein Bax were detected by western blot. Results. Colony formation assay and CCK8 assay showed that compared with the NC group without treatment, the growth of the ESCC cells, that is Eca‐109 and TE‐10, was significantly inhibited in the OE+IR group with highly expressed IL‐32 and irradiation. In flow cytometry analysis, in Eca‐109 and TE‐10 cells, highly expressed IL‐32 combined with irradiation significantly increased apoptosis compared with the control group. Highly expressed IL‐32 has a synergistic effect with irradiation, inhibiting STAT3 and p‐STAT3 expression and increasing apoptotic protein Bax expression. Conclusion. IL‐32 can improve the radiosensitivity of ESCC cells by inhibiting the STAT3 pathway. Therefore, IL‐32 can be used as a new therapeutic target to provide a new attempt for radiotherapy of ESCC.
Influence of Organic Matter Content on Engineering Properties of Clays
Authors: Gui Yue , Zhang Qiumin , Qin Xiaqiang , Wang Jianfei
Published: February 2021

Most natural sedimentary clay contains organic matter, and even a small amount of organic matter will have a great impact on the physical and mechanical properties of clay. In order to clarify the influence of organic matter content on clay soil, the illite‐quartz mixture was mixed with natural amorphous peat soil (organic matter content is 50%) in different proportions for studying the influence of different organic matter contents on the physical properties (specific gravity, Gs; moisture content, w; void ratio, e; liquid limit, wL; plastic limit, wp; plasticity index, Ip) and shear characteristics (cohesion, c; friction angle, φ) of clay soil. The experimental results found that, with the change of organic matter content, the specific gravity and void ratio of clay changed linearly, while the water content, Atterberg limit, shear strength, cohesion, and friction angle changed nonlinearly with the increase of organic matter content. Moisture content and Atterberg limit have a turning point when OC = 7.5%. Shear strength, cohesion, and friction angle all have obvious turning points when OC = 7.5% and OC = 37.5%. The variation of moisture content and Atterberg limit with organic matter content indicates that OC = 7.5% may be the limit value for the different forms of organic matter in the clay. When OC ≤ 7.5%, the organic matter in clay is in the bound state; when OC > 7.5%, the bound organic matter reaches saturation; and the free organic matter gradually increases. The change law of shear strength characteristics with organic matter content shows that the interaction between minerals and organic matter exhibits different shear characteristics under different organic matter content. When OC ≤ 7.5%, clay shows mineral properties, when 7.5% < OC ≤ 37.5%, clay shows mineral‐free organic matter properties, and when OC > 37.5%, clay shows free organic matter properties.
Jatropha Oil as a Substituent for Palm Oil in Biobased Polyurethane
Authors: Amri Mohamad Ridzuan , Al-Edrus Syeed Saifulazry Osman , Guan Chuah Teong , Yasin Faizah Md , Hua Lee Seng
Published: February 2021

Polyurethanes (PUs) are unique polymers that can be tailored to suit certain applications and are increasingly used in many industrial fields. Petrochemicals are still used as the main compound to synthesize PUs. Today, environmental concerns arise in the research and technology innovations in developing PUs, especially from vegetable polyols which are having an upsurge. These are driven by the uncertainty and fluctuations of petroleum crude oil price and availability. Jatropha has become a promising substituent to palm oil so as to reduce the competition of food and nonfood in utilizing this natural resource. Apart from that, jatropha will solve the problem related to the European banning of palm oil. Herein, we review the literature on the synthesis of PUs using different vegetable oils and compare it with jatropha oil and its nanocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals. Given the potential of vegetable oil PUs in many industrial applications, we expect that they will increase commercial interest and scientific research to bring these materials to the market soon.
Some Properties of Curvature Tensors and Foliations of Locally Conformal Almost Kähler Manifolds
Authors: Khuzwayo Ntokozo Sibonelo , Massamba Fortuné
Published: February 2021

We investigate a class of locally conformal almost Kähler structures and prove that, under some conditions, this class is a subclass of almost Kähler structures. We show that a locally conformal almost Kähler manifold admits a canonical foliation whose leaves are hypersurfaces with the mean curvature vector field proportional to the Lee vector field. The geodesibility of the leaves is also characterized, and their minimality coincides with the incompressibility of the Lee vector field along the leaves.
Aesthetic Parameters and Patient-Perspective Assessment Tools for Maxillary Anterior Single Implants
Authors: Afrashtehfar Kelvin I. , Assery Mansour K. A. , Bryant S. Ross
Published: February 2021

Background. This review aimed to concisely describe the current aesthetic objective indices for a single-implant maxillary anterior crown. The secondary aim was to propose introducing a unified, standardized questionnaire for adequately collecting patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in implant dentistry. Materials and Methods. A literature review was conducted using both EMBASE/Ovid and MEDLINE/PubMed databases by combining keywords and Emtree/Mesh terms related to “Esthetics,” “Self-Assessment or Surveys and Questionnaires,” and “Single-Tooth Dental Implants.” Results. The most meaningful aesthetic objective indices for single implants in the literature are the Pink Esthetic Score (PES), the Papilla Presence Index (PPI), Peri‐Implant and Crown Index (PICI), PES/White Esthetic Score (PES/WES), the Implant Crown Aesthetic Index (ICAI), and a modified version of the ICAI (mod-ICAI) index. Clearly, PES/WES is still the most widely accepted tool. It is encouraging to observe that there is an increasing tendency in recent years to report PROMs more frequently in the implant dentistry literature. We proposed the implementation of a unified, standardized questionnaire using a self-administered visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring system, which evaluates overall satisfaction, comfort, tooth appearance, gingival appearance, function, and hygiene complexity. This tool should be validated in the oral implantology research context for its regular implementation or further development. Conclusions. Conducting qualitative studies among dental implant patients who received few implants or single-tooth implant reconstructions in the aesthetic zone may help dental researchers understand better how to efficiently develop and validate a quantitative instrument. This standard tool would reduce heterogeneity bias by providing comparable data between studies.
A Case of Low-Grade Oncocytic Tumor/Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma (Oncocytic Variant) of the Kidney
Authors: Ishikawa Noriyoshi , Kimura Nao , Yoshida Toshio , Yoshimura Ichiro , Nakahara Ken , Tsuzuki Toyonori , Tokunaga Osamu
Published: February 2021

The oncocytic variant of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (oChRCC) and low-grade oncocytic tumor (LOT) is introduced as new renal disease entity. Both of these tumors are low-grade malignancies consisting of cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm. Distinguishing between eosinophilic variant of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (eCRCC) and oncocytoma is often a diagnostic challenge in routine surgical pathology. However, oChRCC and LOT might be independent disease entities that might not fit completely into any of these categories. Histologically, these tumors have greater morphological similarity with oncocytoma than with ChRCC. However, immunohistochemically, they exhibit diffuse and dense positivity for CK7 and are negative for CD117. In the present case, we initially had difficulty distinguishing among oncocytoma, eCRCC, and type 2 papillary renal cell carcinoma (2-pRCC). However, after learning about new disease entities such as oChRCC and LOT, we were able to diagnose this tumor.
Zinc Preconditioning Provides Cytoprotection following Iodinated Contrast Media Exposure in In Vitro Models
Authors: Perera Marlon , Ischia Joseph , Bolton Damien , Shulkes Arthur , Baldwin Graham S. , Patel Oneel
Published: February 2021

Introduction & Objectives. Contrast media (CM) causes renal injury through both direct cellular injury (cytotoxicity) and regional vascular changes (renal hypoxia) mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Zinc may be able to provide protection against CM-induced cytotoxicity due to its indirect antioxidant properties and subsequent effect on ROS. We aimed to determine the protective role of zinc preconditioning against contrast-induced renal injury in vitro. Methods. Normal human proximal renal kidney cells (HK-2) were preconditioned with either increasing doses of ZnCl2 or control. Following this preconditioning, cells were exposed to increasing concentrations of Iohexol 300 mg I2/ml for four hours. Key outcome measures included cell survival (MTT colorimetric assay) and ROS generation (H2DCFDA fluorescence assay). Results. Contrast media induced a dose-dependent reduction in survival of HK-2 cells. Compared to control, contrast media at 150, 225, and 300 mg I2/ml resulted in 69.5% (SD 8.8%), 37.3% (SD 4.8%), and 4.8% (SD 6.6%) cell survival, respectively (

p
<
0.001

). Preconditioning with 37.5 μM and 50 μM ZnCl2 increased cell survival by 173% (SD 27.8%) (

p
<
0.001

) and 219% (SD 32.2%) (

p
<
0.001

), respectively, compared to control preconditioning. Zinc preconditioning resulted in a reduction of ROS generation. Zinc pre-conditioning with 37.5 μM μM ZnCl2 reduced ROS generation by 46% (

p
<
0.001

) compared to control pre-conditioning. Conclusions. Zinc preconditioning reduces oxidative stress following exposure to radiographic contrast media which in turn results in increased survival of renal cells. Translation of this in vitro finding in animal models will lay the foundation for future use of zinc preconditioning against contrast induced nephropathy.
General Control of Amino Acid Synthesis 5‐Like 1‐Mediated Acetylation of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Regulates Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Kidney Disease
Authors: Lv Tingting , Lu Yao , Liu Yi , Feng Hong , Li Chensheng , Sheng Wei , Cui Zhengguo , Zhu Suwei , Gu Xia , Yang Zhe , Wan Qiang
Published: February 2021

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the major cause of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). In the past few decades, there has been a large amount of evidence to highlight the pivotal role of oxidative stress in the development and progression of DKD. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms are not fully elucidated. A new sight has been established that the mitochondrial acetyltransferase GCN5L1 participates in cellular redox homeostasis maintenance in DKD. Firstly, we found that the expression of GCN5L1 is significantly elevated both in human and mouse kidney tissues with DKD and in hyperglycemic renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs), while deletion of GCN5L1 could effectively ameliorate oxidative stress‐induced renal injury in DKD. Furthermore, deletion of GCN5L1 could reduce MnSOD acetylation on lysine 68 and activate its activity, thereby scavenging excessive ROS and relieving oxidative stress‐induced renal inflammation and fibrosis. In general, GCN5L1‐mediated acetylation of MnSOD exacerbated oxidative stress‐induced renal injury, suggesting that GCN5L1 might be a potential intervention target in DKD.
Volumetric Evaluation of Pharyngeal Airway after Functional Therapy
Authors: Yıldırım Ersin , Karaçay Şeniz
Published: February 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate three-dimensional (3D) effects of Twin-block functional appliance (TB) on the pharyngeal airway by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). A total of 30 patients (14 females, 16 males; mean age

12.50
±
1.23

and

12.83
±
1.17

years, respectively) with skeletal Class II malocclusion were included in this study and were treated with TB. On the pretreatment (T1) and posttreatment (T2) CBCT scans, volumetric changes in the pharyngeal airway; SNA, SNB, and ANB angles; and bilateral effective mandibular (Co-Gn) and midfacial length (Co-A) were also evaluated. The statistical differences were accessed by Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and Mann-Whitney

U

tests were used to analyze the scores of male and female subjects. In this study, an increase was observed in SNB and Co-Gn (

p
<
0.01

) while a decrease in ANB and SNA (

p
<
0.01

and

p
<
0.05

, respectively) was found. However, increase in midfacial length was not statistically significant (

p
>
0.05

). In the evaluation of volumetric pharyngeal airway changes, statistically significant increases (

p
<
0.01

) in the upper and lower division and total airway volume were determined. Gender differences were insignificant for all measurements (

p
>
0.05

). Volumetric changes in the pharyngeal airway after functional therapy can be successfully evaluated by CBCT images. The anterior repositioning of the mandible by TB increases the mandibular length and pharyngeal airway volume in patients with retrognathic mandible.
Gynura divaricata Water Extract Presented the Possibility to Enhance Neuronal Regeneration
Authors: Kantawong Fahsai , Saisuwan Chanakarn , Soeratanapant Pirakorn , Wanachantararak Phenphichar , Nan Jiang , Wu Jianming , Chang Young-Tae
Published: February 2021

Gynura divaricata (GD) is an Asian herb widely used as an alternative medicine and functional food for type 2 diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy is considered as an important complication of diabetic patients. This study focused on neuroregenerative effects of GD for use in the prevention of diabetic neuropathy. GD leaves were cut and boiled in water to mimic real-life cooking. The boiled content was filtered through white gauze and lyophilized to preserve as dried powder. Antioxidant assay was performed using DPPH assays. UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS was employed to test for important compounds in the extract of these herbs. MTT assay was used to test for cell viability. The extracts at concentration of 250 μg/mL were tested with human gingival cell to observe the change of gene expression. The DPPH assay showed that GD water extract at the concentration of 5000 μg/mL could inhibit DPPH radical for 39.2%. The results showed that 5000 µg of GD water extract contained total phenolic content equivalent to 310.9 µg standard gallic acid. UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS result found phenolic acids and flavonoids as the main components. Human gingival cells treated with 250 μg/mL of GD water extract for 10 days showed upregulation of some neuronal differentiation markers. Staining with Cdr3 dye confirmed the presentation of neuronal progenitors. The extract at the concentration of 250 μg/mL was also tested with apical papilla cells to screen for change of gene expression by RNA sequencing. The result also showed significant upregulation of alpha-internexin (INA). These results indicated that GD water extract might have an inductive effect for neural regeneration and could be used as functional food and supplementation for the prevention or treatment of diabetic neuropathy. This work provided the basic knowledge for further investigations into the benefits of GD for diabetic neuropathy.
Effect of Different Gamma Dose and Chemical Etching on Pre- and Post-Alpha-Irradiated PM-355 Polymer
Authors: Rahaman Mostafizur , Periyasami Govindasami , Aldalbahi Ali
Published: February 2021

This work is based on the effect of different gamma doses with pre- and post-alpha-irradiated PM-355 polymer (polycarbonate of allyl diglycol). The phase crystallinity and structural analysis of the reference and irradiated PM-355 polymer were analyzed using an X-ray diffraction (XRD) study. It is revealed that the irradiation and etching reduce the %crystallinity but increase the crystallite size of the PM-355 polymer. The increase in crystallite size of PM-355 polymer after irradiation is supported by the scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis. The etching of the samples results in an increase in its track diameter. The optical band gap energy, measured by ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy, shows a decrement trend with the increase of gamma and alpha irradiation doses, and etching for all sets of samples under investigation. The number of carbon atoms per conjugation and per cluster has increased after gamma irradiation and etching. However, the increment is more pronounced for etched samples compared to nonetched ones. This indicates that etching results in a bigger size of cluster. Photoluminescence (PL) for both cases before and after etching has a dominant peak around 430 nm before and after irradiation, and change in peak intensity after irradiation confirmed that particle bombardment induced defects and clusters in the PM-355, which serves as nonradiative centers. The polymer can be used as a detector for gamma irradiation.
Health Indicator for Predictive Maintenance Based on Fuzzy Cognitive Maps, Grey Wolf, and K-Nearest Neighbors Algorithms
Authors: Mazzuto G. , Antomarioni S. , Ciarapica F. E. , Bevilacqua M.
Published: February 2021

An essential step in the implementation of predictive maintenance involves the health state analysis of productive equipment in order to provide company managers with performance and degradation indicators which help to predict component condition. In this paper, a supervised approach for health indicator calculation is provided combining the Grey Wolf Optimisation method, Swarm Intelligence algorithm, and Fuzzy Cognitive Maps. The k-neighbors algorithms is used to predict the Remaining Useful Life of an item, since, in addition to its simplicity, they produce good results in a large number of domains. The approach aims to solve the problem that frequently occurs in interpolation procedures: the approximation of functions belonging to a chosen class of functions of which we have no knowledge. The proposed algorithm allows maintenance managers to distinguish different degradation profiles in depth with a consequently more precise estimate of the Remaining Useful Life of an item and, in addition, an in-depth understanding of the degradation process. Specifically, in order to show its suitability for predictive maintenance, a dataset on NASA aircraft engines has been used and results have been compared to those obtained with a neural network approach. Results highlight how all of the degradation profiles, obtained using the proposed approach, are modelled in a more detailed manner, allowing one to significantly distinguish different situations. Moreover, the physical core speed and the corrected fan speed have been identified as the main critical factors to the engine degradation.
Teledentistry: A Boon Amidst COVID-19 Lockdown—A Narrative Review
Authors: Deshpande Shantanu , Patil Devendra , Dhokar Amol , Bhanushali Parin , Katge Farhin
Published: February 2021

The recent spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its associated coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused widespread public health concerns. Despite huge efforts to contain the disease spread, it is still on the rise because of the community spread pattern of this infection. In order to prevent the community spread, a nationwide lockdown was implemented, due to which many restrictions were imposed on movements of citizens within the country. Since the dental professionals were at the forefront of acquiring the infection, the majority of the dental clinics were shut for routine dental procedures. Only emergency treatment was provided to the patients. However, due to restrictions in movement, it was difficult for the patients to visit the clinics for routine check-ups. This was overcome by the advancements in technology which has a major impact on medicine. Due to increased usage of smartphones and related software applications, the clinical data exchange was facilitated between patients and clinicians which has been termed as “teledentistry.” Teledentistry is a combination of telecommunications and dentistry, involving the exchange of clinical information and images for dental consultation and treatment planning. This technology served as a boon for the dentists to manage dental emergencies during the lockdown period. This narrative review discusses teledentistry and its applications in general and specialty dental practice amidst the COVID-19 lockdown.
Neighborhood Attentional Memory Networks for Recommendation Systems
Authors: Gu Tianlong , Chen Hongliang , Bin Chenzhong , Chang Liang , Chen Wei
Published: February 2021

Deep learning systems have been phenomenally successful in the fields of computer vision, speech recognition, and natural language processing. Recently, researchers have adopted deep learning techniques to tackle collaborative filtering with implicit feedback. However, the existing methods generally profile both users and items directly, while neglecting the similarities between users’ and items’ neighborhoods. To this end, we propose the neighborhood attentional memory networks (NAMN), a deep learning recommendation model applying two dedicated memory networks to capture users’ neighborhood relations and items’ neighborhood relations respectively. Specifically, we first design the user neighborhood component and the item neighborhood component based on memory networks and attention mechanisms. Then, by the associative addressing scheme with the user and item memories in the neighborhood components, we capture the complex user-item neighborhood relations. Stacking multiple memory modules together yields deeper architectures exploring higher-order complex user-item neighborhood relations. Finally, the output module jointly exploits the user and item neighborhood information with the user and item memories to obtain the ranking score. Extensive experiments on three real-world datasets demonstrate significant improvements of the proposed NAMN method over the state-of-the-art methods.
Information Contagion and Stock Price Crash Risk
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Chao , Yao Hong
Published: February 2021

We introduce continuity and temporariness into the independent cascade model to depict information diffusion in a social network. Investor behavior changes are determined according to the process of information diffusion, and the investment portfolio model consisting of sentiments is proposed to reveal the fire sales of stocks and the resulting stock price crash risk. Therefore, the relationship between information diffusion and stock price crash risk is established, and the contagion of stock price crash risk is analyzed from the perspective of information diffusion. Furthermore, some immunization strategies of networks are compared to prevent stock price crash risk. The results show that the tendency of stock price crash risk is consistent with that of information diffusion, which indicates that information diffusion before the fire sales is the key to triggering stock price crash risk. Moreover, investors with many ties contribute more to information diffusion than others; hence, immunization strategies of networks based on global information are more effective in preventing stock price crash risk than that based on local information. This study provides a new perspective for the study of contagion risk in the stock market, and it hints at the possibility of regulatory intervention to prevent stock price crash risk.
GAS7 Deficiency Promotes Metastasis in MYCN-Driven Neuroblastoma
Authors: Dong Zhiwei , Yeo Kok Siong , Lopez Gonzalo , Zhang Cheng , Dankert Eggum Erin N. , Rokita Jo Lynne , Ung Choong Yong , Levee Taylor M. , Her Zuag Paj , Howe Cassie J. , Hou Xiaonan , van Ree Janine H. , Li Shuai , He Shuning , Tao Ting , Fritchie Karen , Torres-Mora Jorge , Lehman Julia S. , Meves Alexander , Razidlo Gina L. , Rathi Komal S. , Weroha S. John , Look A. Thomas , van Deursen Jan M. , Li Hu , Westendorf Jennifer J. , Maris John M. , Zhu Shizhen
Published: February 2021

One of the greatest barriers to curative treatment of neuroblastoma is its frequent metastatic outgrowth prior to diagnosis, especially in cases driven by amplification of the MYCN oncogene. However, only a limited number of regulatory proteins that contribute to this complex MYCN-mediated process have been elucidated. Here we show that the growth arrest-specific 7 (GAS7) gene, located at chromosome band 17p13.1, is preferentially deleted in high-risk MYCN-driven neuroblastoma. GAS7 expression was also suppressed in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma lacking 17p deletion. GAS7 deficiency led to accelerated metastasis in both zebrafish and mammalian models of neuroblastoma with overexpression or amplification of MYCN. Analysis of expression profiles and the ultrastructure of zebrafish neuroblastoma tumors with MYCN overexpression identified that GAS7 deficiency led to (i) downregulation of genes involved in cell–cell interaction, (ii) loss of contact among tumor cells as critical determinants of accelerated metastasis, and (iii) increased levels of MYCN protein. These results provide the first genetic evidence that GAS7 depletion is a critical early step in the cascade of events culminating in neuroblastoma metastasis in the context of MYCN overexpression.

Significance:

Heterozygous deletion or MYCN-mediated repression of GAS7 in neuroblastoma releases an important brake on tumor cell dispersion and migration to distant sites, providing a novel mechanism underlying tumor metastasis in MYCN-driven neuroblastoma.

See related commentary by Menard, p. 2815
Loss-of-Function Variants in the Tumor-Suppressor Gene PTPN14 Confer Increased Cancer Risk
Authors: Olafsdottir Thorhildur , Stacey Simon N. , Sveinbjornsson Gardar , Thorleifsson Gudmar , Norland Kristjan , Sigurgeirsson Bardur , Thorisdottir Kristin , Kristjansson Arni Kjalar , Tryggvadottir Laufey , Sarin Kavita Y. , Benediktsson Rafn , Jonasson Jon G. , Sigurdsson Asgeir , Jonasdottir Aslaug , Kristmundsdottir Snaedis , Jonsson Hakon , Gylfason Arnaldur , Oddsson Asmundur , Fridriksdottir Run , Gudjonsson Sigurjon A. , Zink Florian , Lund Sigrun H. , Rognvaldsson Solvi , Melsted Pall , Steinthorsdottir Valgerdur , Gudmundsson Julius , Mikaelsdottir Evgenia , Olason Pall I. , Stefansdottir Lilja , Eggertsson Hannes P. , Halldorsson Bjarni V. , Thorsteinsdottir Unnur , Agustsson Tomas T. , Olafsson Karl , Olafsson Jon H. , Sulem Patrick , Rafnar Thorunn , Gudbjartsson Daniel F. , Stefansson Kari
Published: February 2021

The success of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in identifying common, low-penetrance variant-cancer associations for the past decade is undisputed. However, discovering additional high-penetrance cancer mutations in unknown cancer predisposing genes requires detection of variant-cancer association of ultra-rare coding variants. Consequently, large-scale next-generation sequence data with associated phenotype information are needed. Here, we used genotype data on 166,281 Icelanders, of which, 49,708 were whole-genome sequenced and 408,595 individuals from the UK Biobank, of which, 41,147 were whole-exome sequenced, to test for association between loss-of-function burden in autosomal genes and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common cancer in Caucasians. A total of 25,205 BCC cases and 683,058 controls were tested. Rare germline loss-of-function variants in PTPN14 conferred substantial risks of BCC (OR, 8.0; P = 1.9 × 10−12), with a quarter of carriers getting BCC before age 70 and over half in their lifetime. Furthermore, common variants at the PTPN14 locus were associated with BCC, suggesting PTPN14 as a new, high-impact BCC predisposition gene. A follow-up investigation of 24 cancers and three benign tumor types showed that PTPN14 loss-of-function variants are associated with high risk of cervical cancer (OR, 12.7, P = 1.6 × 10−4) and low age at diagnosis. Our findings, using power-increasing methods with high-quality rare variant genotypes, highlight future prospects for new discoveries on carcinogenesis.

Significance:

This study identifies the tumor-suppressor gene PTPN14 as a high-impact BCC predisposition gene and indicates that inactivation of PTPN14 by germline sequence variants may also lead to increased risk of cervical cancer.
Combined Analysis of Concordance between Liquid and Tumor Tissue Biopsies for RAS Mutations in Colorectal Cancer with a Single Metastasis Site: The METABEAM Study
Authors: Kagawa Yoshinori , Elez Elena , García-Foncillas Jesús , Bando Hideaki , Taniguchi Hiroya , Vivancos Ana , Akagi Kiwamu , García Ariadna , Denda Tadamichi , Ros Javier , Nishina Tomohiro , Baraibar Iosune , Komatsu Yoshito , Ciardiello Davide , Oki Eiji , Kudo Toshihiro , Kato Takeshi , Yamanaka Takeharu , Tabernero Josep , Yoshino Takayuki
Published: February 2021

Purpose:

OncoBEAM™ is a circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) test that uses the BEAMing digital PCR technology. We clarified the association between the baseline tumor burden and discordance in the RAS status by metastatic sites in patients with a single metastatic site.

Experimental Design:

Data from previous Spanish and Japanese studies investigating the concordance of the RAS status between OncoBEAM™ and tissue biopsy in 221 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) were used. We collected data from patients with liver, peritoneal, or lung metastases and evaluated the concordance rates according to the metastatic site and the association between the concordance rate and tumor burden.

Results:

Patients had metastases in the liver (n = 151), peritoneum (n = 25), or lung (n = 45) with concordance rates of 91% (95% confidence interval, 85%–95%), 88% (68%–97%), and 64% (49%–78%), respectively. Factors associated with concordance included the baseline longest diameter and lesion number (P = 0.004), and sample collection interval (P = 0.036). Concordance rates ≥90% were observed in the following groups: liver metastases alone, regardless of the baseline longest diameter and lesion number; peritoneal metastases alone in patients with a baseline longest diameter ≥20 mm; and lung metastases alone in patients with a baseline longest diameter ≥20 mm and/or number of lesions ≥10.

Conclusions:

Plasma ctDNA-based liquid biopsy in patients with mCRC may be useful depending on the metastatic site. The maximum diameter and lesion number should be carefully considered when determining patients' RAS status with only peritoneal or lung metastases.
Clinical and Biomarker Results from Phase I/II Study of PI3K Inhibitor Alpelisib plus Nab-paclitaxel in HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Abramson Vandana G. , O'Dea Anne , Nye Lauren , Mayer Ingrid , Pathak Harsh B. , Hoffmann Marc , Stecklein Shane R. , Elia Manana , Lewis Sharon , Scott Jecinta , De Jong Jilliann A. , Wang Yen Y. , Yoder Rachel , Schwensen Kelsey , Finke Karissa , Heldstab Jaimie , LaFaver Stephanie , Williamson Stephen K. , Phadnis Milind A. , Reed Gregory A. , Kimler Bruce F. , Khan Qamar J. , Godwin Andrew K.
Published: February 2021

Purpose:

PIK3CA mutations are common in breast cancer and promote tumor progression and treatment resistance. We conducted a phase I/II trial of alpelisib (α-specific PI3K inhibitor) plus nab-paclitaxel in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Patients and Methods:

Eligible patients had HER2-negative MBC with any number of prior chemotherapies. Phase I was 3+3 dose-escalation design with three dose levels of alpelisib (250, 300, and 350 mg) daily plus nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 administered on days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days. Phase II was according to Simon's two-stage design. PIK3CA mutations in tumor/circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) were assessed. Primary endpoints were recommended phase II dose (RP2D) and objective response rate (ORR). Additional endpoints included safety, pharmacokinetics, progression-free survival (PFS), and association of PIK3CA mutation with outcomes.

Results:

A total of 43 patients were enrolled (phase I, n = 13 and phase II, n = 30). A total of 84% had visceral disease and 84% had prior taxane. No dose-limiting toxicities occurred in phase I. RP2D was alpelisib 350 mg daily plus nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15. Hyperglycemia (grade 3, 26% and grade 4, 0%), neutropenia (grade 3, 23% and grade 4, 7%), diarrhea (grade 3, 5% and grade 4, 0%), and rash (grade 3, 7% and grade 4, 0%) were the most common adverse events. Among 42 evaluable patients, ORR was 59% (complete response, 7% and partial response, 52%), 21% of whom had response lasting >12 months; median PFS was 8.7 months. A total of 40% of patients demonstrated tumor and/or ctDNA PIK3CA mutation; patients with tumor/ctDNA mutation demonstrated better PFS compared with those without mutation (11.9 vs. 7.5 months; HR, 0.44; P = 0.027). Patients with normal metabolic status had longer PFS compared with prediabetic/diabetic patients (12 vs. 7.5 months; P = 0.014). No pharmacokinetics interactions were detected.

Conclusions:

The alpelisib plus nab-paclitaxel combination was well tolerated and shows encouraging efficacy, especially in patients with PIK3CA-mutated tumor/ctDNA. The impact of metabolic status on response to this combination merits further investigation.