bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
P4HA1 Acts as a Potential Target in Renal Cell Carcinoma and Pan-cancer
Authors: Li Yang , Ge Yu-zheng , Qian Yi-guan , Chen Ke , Zhao Feng , Qin Zhiqiang , Zhou Liuhua , Xu Luwei , Xu Zheng , Dou Quanliang , Jia Ruipeng
Published: October 2021

Background: Prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha 1 (P4HA1) plays a vital role in providing the major part of the catalytic site of the active enzyme. Emerging evidence has revealed that P4HA1 participates in the initiation and development of several malignant tumors, nevertheless, the pan-analysis of P4HA1 remains unspecified. Methods: In this study, we carried out an in-depth analysis of the expression patterns and prognostic value of P4HA1 across the datasets of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA ) and Kaplan-Meier Plotter. The genomic and epigenetic alterations, correlation with immune infiltration and DNA methylation of P4HA1 in different cancers were also analyzed across multiple databases. Moreover, we further explored the biological function and mechanism of P4HA1 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Results: The results characterized the different expression profile and prognostic values of P4HA1 in pan-cancer. Remarkably, P4HA1 expression was increased in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) and positively correlated with the OS and DFS of patients with kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP). In addition, a positive correlation between P4HA1 expression and immune cell infiltration in KIRC was observed. We also identified a strong correlation between P4HA1 expression and immune checkpoint gene expression, microsatellite instability and tumor mutation burden in kidney chromophobe (KICH). Finally, the results of in vitro experiments verified that overexpression of P4HA1 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of RCC cells. Conclusion: Overall, our study suggested that P4HA1 might play a significant role in tumorigenesis and have the potential to be the target for the prognosis and therapy for several malignant tumors, especially for RCC.
A Death-Related Gene Signature for Prognosis with Osteosarcoma
Authors: Xie Bin , Tan Shiyong , Li Chao , Liang Junyang
Published: October 2021

Purpose: Osteosarcoma is one of the most prevalent malignancies, and despite significant advances in its treatment, patient prognosis remains poor and survival rates are low. It is undoubtedly important to explore the possible reasons for the low survival rates of patients and to reveal the differences.Methods and Results: We obtained RNA-Seq (HT seq) and clinical characteristics of osteosarcoma patients from the TCGA database and divided them into survival group and death group. We defined the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two groups as death-related genes (DRGs) and used them to construct a prognostic signature for overall survival of patients with osteosarcoma. The results of the validation demonstrated satisfactory accuracy and predictive prognostic value of the model. In addition, we performed a series of bioinformatic analyses that identified two key genes and the regulatory networks they constituted that may play a role in the progression of osteosarcoma.Conclusion: Our DRGs signature represents a novel and clinically useful prognostic biomarker for patients with osteosarcoma, helping to aid clinical decision-making.
Effects of an Early Mass-flowering Crop on Wild Bee Communities and Traits in Power Line Corridors Vary With Floral Resources and Landscape Context
Authors: Du Clos Brianne , Drummond Francis A. , Loftin Cynthia S.
Published: October 2021

ContextPower line corridors have been repeatedly assessed as habitat for wild bees; however, few studies have examined them as bee habitat relative to nearby crop fields and surrounding landscape context.ObjectivesWe surveyed bee communities in power line corridors near (within 150-300 m) to and isolated (>1 km) from lowbush blueberry fields in both a simple and a complex landscape context. Additionally, we examined the influences of floral resources and bee life-history traits. MethodsWe surveyed wild bees and floral resources in power line corridors in Maine, USA, during 2013-2015. We calculated landscape composition surrounding sites at four spatial scales and gathered bee trait information from the literature. We assessed differences in bee communities across growing regions and site types with generalized linear models.ResultsWe collected many of Maine’s wild bee species and observed a rare plant-pollinator relationship within power line corridors. We found greater bee abundance and species richness throughout the more complex Midcoast landscape, while our expected enhancement from mass-flowering lowbush blueberry fields was evident only with bee species richness in the simpler Downeast landscape. Landscape composition and floral diversity varied between the two growing regions, though landscape composition had more influence over bee communities than floral diversity. Solitary species and ground-nesting species were more sensitive to landscape context than social or cavity-nesting species. ConclusionsPower line corridors provide crucial refugia for crop pollinating wild bees in resource-poor landscapes. Further exploration of population dynamics and pollination efficiency may clarify this relationship.
Fabrication Mechanism of Asymmetric Block Copolymer Membrane: Combination of Self-Assembly and Phase Separation Process
Authors: Hamta Afshin , Ashtiani Farzin Zokaee , Karimi Mohammad , Moayedfard Sareh
Published: October 2021

In this paper, the concept of functional mechanism of copolymer membrane formation is explained and analyzed from theoretical and experimental point of view. To understand the phase inversion process and control the final membrane morphology, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) membrane morphology through the self-assembly phenomena is investigated. Since the analysis of the membrane morphology requires the study of both thermodynamic and kinetic parameters, the effect of different membrane formation conditions is investigated experimentally; In order to perceive the formation mechanism of the extraordinary structure membrane, a thermodynamic hypothesis is also developed based on the hydrophilic coil migration to the membrane surface. This hypothesis is analyzed according to Hansen Solubility Parameters and proved using EDX, SAXS and contact angle analysis of SAN25. Moreover, the SAN30 membrane is fabricated under different operating conditions to evaluate the possibility of morphological prediction based on the developed hypothesis.
Implementing Food Bank and Health Care Partnerships: A Pilot Study of Perspectives From Charitable Food Systems in Texas
Authors: Poulos Natalie , Nehme Eileen , O'Neil Molly , Mandell Dorothy
Published: October 2021

Background

Partnerships between charitable food systems and healthcare systems have been forming across the country to support individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, yet little research has focused on these partnerships, particularly from a food bank perspective. The objective of this exploratory pilot study was to identify implementation challenges and facilitators of charitable food system and healthcare partnerships from the food bank perspective.
Method

Texas food banks with existing food bank/healthcare partnerships were identify through website review and support from Feeding Texas. Interview questions were tailored to each interview, but all focused on identify program components of the food bank/healthcare partnership and implementation barriers/facilitators of the partnership. In total, six interviews were conducted with food bank/healthcare partnership leaders (n=4) and charitable food system experts (n=2) about their experiences of working with food bank/healthcare partnerships. All interviews were completed via Zoom and took between 30-60 minutes to completed. Detailed notes were taking during each interview, and immediately discussed with the complete research time to formulate broad implementation themes.
Results

Interviews suggest unique implementation challenges exist at all levels of food bank/healthcare partnerships including the partnership, program, and system levels. Partnership-level implementation challenges focused on issues of partnership scale and data collection, sharing, and analysis. Program-level implementation challenges focused on food and produce expectations. Structural-level implementation challenges included issues of food safety, subsidized food regulations, and patient privacy. Implementation facilitators included leadership support, mission compatibility/organizational readiness, food insecurity training, and identify of partnership champions.
Conclusions

This study adds to the growing interest in food bank/healthcare partnership as it highlights unique implementation challenges and facilitators for cross-sector partnerships between healthcare systems and community-based charitable food systems. Ultimately, we believe that collaborative discussion among leaders of charitable food systems and healthcare systems is needed to overcome outlined implementation challenges to better facilitate sustainable, equitable implementation of food bank/healthcare partnerships.
Imaging the Alternatively Spliced D Domain of Tenascin C in Preclinical Models of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Zhang Liang , Pohl Calvin S. , Homan Kristoff T. , Sun Victor Z. , Gaudette Stephanie M. , Nelson Christine M. , Erickson Jamie E. , Knight Heather L. , Bose Sahana , Lynch Grace R. , McRae Bradford L. , Sterman Annette J. Schwartz , Mitra Soumya
Published: October 2021

Purpose To image colon-expressed alternatively spliced D domain of tenascin C in preclinical colitis models using near infrared (NIR) labeled targeted molecular imaging agents.Methods Human IgG and scFv fusion proteins specific to the alternatively spliced D domain of tenascin C were generated. Immunohistochemistry identified disease-specific expression of this extracellular matrix in mouse colitis models. Proteins were labeled with the NIR fluorophore IRDye 800CW via amine chemistry and intravenously dosed to evaluate targeting specificity in preclinical rodent and primate colitis models.Results The NIR labeled proteins successfully targeted colonic lesions in a murine model of colitis and appeared as distinct punctate spots. Co-administration of a blocking dose reduced the whole colon standardized uptake of the fluorescent dose >7-fold in mouse models. Estimates suggest local expression at >100 nM in diseased mouse colon. Macroscopic targeting specificity was not observed in diseased primate colon. Cellular level specificity was assessed via microscopy and immunohistochemistry.Conclusion Our imaging data suggest the alternatively spliced D domain of tenascin C is a promising target for delivery-based applications in inflammatory bowel diseases.
Association Studies of Different Genetic Variants of αS2-casein Gene (CSN1S2) With Milk Production Traits (Lactose, SNF&Density) in Malvi, Nimari, Sahiwal & HF Crossbred Cattle
Authors: Pandey Akhilesh , Khan Zeeshan
Published: October 2021

αs2-casein is a primary milk protein. However, there has been little research focused on the effects of αs2-casein variants on milk. The αs2-casein (CSN1S2) play a major protein found in ruminant’s milk, which is encoded by a highly polymorphic CSN1S2 gene present on chromosome 6. Research work was carried out on 50 animals each of Malvi, Nimari, Sahiwal and HF Crossbred cattle at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. The αS2 casein gene (1267 bp) was digested by EcoRV restriction enzyme yielding two genotypes viz., AA (1267 bp) and BB (1267/1150/117 bp) in Malvi, Nimari and HF crossbred cattle, while only one genotype (AA) in Sahiwal. The restriction site was absent in Sahiwal resulting in only single compact band of 1267 bp. The tested animals of Sahiwal were found monomorphic at this locus. Association study of different genotypes with milk composition traits revealed that the mean lactose % was significantly higher in Malvi compared to others for AB genotype animals as compared to AA genotype. The mean SNF % between AA and AB was found non-significant in Malvi, Nimari and HF crossbred. The mean milk density (kg/L) was significantly higher for AB genotype than AA genotype of Nimari and HF crossbred. The mean milk density (kg/L) was observed maximum in Nimari for AB genotype and minimum in Malvi and Sahiwal for AA genotype. The genotypic and gene frequencies of αS2-casein gene (CSN1S2)/EcoRV locus pattern showed that the frequencies of AA, AB and BB genotypes were found to be 0.44, 0.56 and 0.00 in Malvi; 0.68, 0.32 and 0.00 in Nimari; 1.00, 0.00, and 0.00 in Sahiwal and 0.58, 0.42 and 0.00 in HF crossbred, respectively. The frequency of A allele was found to be highest as compared to B allele in all the four breeds of cattle under the study.
Assessment of Biosafety and Implantation Feasibility of Novel Phakic Refractive Lens
Authors: Zhang Shaohua , Huang Chang , Miao Huamao , Wu Junyao , Xing Chao , Dai Zhaoxing , Sun Jianguo
Published: October 2021

Purpose: To investigate the biosafety and implantation feasibility of newly developed phakic refractive lens (PRL) in rabbit eyes. Methods: The PRLs, including short PRL (S-PRL), large PRL (L-PRL), and large grooved PRL (LG-PRL), were prepared by molding liquid medical silicon. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the above PRLs was evaluated by incubating them with human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) and then measuring cell viability by CCK-8 assay. In vitro cell adhesion of PRLs was assessed by culturing HLECs on PRL film surface and calculating the cell number and average cell area after stained with Calcein-AM and fluorescent. The implantation feasibility was appraised by observing the relative positions of S-PRL, L-PRL or LG-PRL implanted in the posterior chamber of rabbit eyes by optical coherence tomography, and calculating their retention ratio postoperatively. The intraocular pressure (IOP) of S-PRL, L-PRL, LG-PRL and control groups of rabbit eyes was compared to evaluate the biosafety of implantation.Results: The results of in vitro cytotoxicity showed no significant difference of cell viability was observed in the S-PRL, L-PRL or LG-PRL groups compared to the control group throughout the whole experiment. The HLECs cultured on the PRL film surface presented similar cell number, but smaller average cell area (53.8% vs 100%) when compared to the control group, which implied obvious adhesion inhibition on HLECs caused by PRL film. After implantation of S-PRL, L-PRL or LG-PRL into the posterior chamber of rabbit eyes, no obvious inflammation and IOP elevation were observed at each time point in all sample groups compared to the control group, which indicated that PRL samples had good implantation biosafety. Most of the implanted L-PRL and LG-PRL kept in the correct location, while only less of the S-PRL was at the right site. That was, L-PRL and LG-PRL had proper relative position and high retention ratio in the posterior chamber of rabbit eyes. L-PRL and S-PRL samples tended to attach to iris surface, while LG-PRL sample constructed enough space on the iris surface by its grooves surrounding the central optical zone, which was conducive to circulation of aqueous humor.Conclusions: The newly developed LG-PRL sample presented good biosafety in terms of the negligible in vitro cytotoxicity, ocular inflammation and IOP fluctuations. The LG-PRL provided the best implantation feasibility due to the more proper relative position, available space for aqueous humor circulation, and high retention ratio in the posterior chamber of rabbit eyes among the three kinds of PRL samples. Thus, LG-PRL is a promising alternative with appropriate size and surface structure to more effectively correct refractive errors.
Investigation of Patient Care Management in Fangcang Shelter Hospital under COVID-19: a Simple Electric Management Mode
Authors: Li Xueyuan , Chong Wei
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic spreads all over the world for its high infectivity. This paper presents the practice in patient care management in a Fangcang shelter hospital(FSH) in Wuhan. Large numbers of mild patients were admitted to fangcang shelter hospitals at the beginning of 2020. The Liaoning National Medical Rescue Team (LNMRT) applied simple electronic management (SEM) mode in patient care management when working in the Wuchang Fangchang Shelter Hospital (WFSH). The medical efficiency was assessed by comparing the median hospitalization time between the patients receiving normal treatment and care (group A) and those receiving the SEM(group B). The median hospitalization time was 14 days for group A and 12 days for group B (p=0.001). As a result, It was more effective to apply SEM in fangcang shelter hospitals.
Mechanical Reliability and Modeling of Hydroxyapatite Scaffold
Authors: Abifarin Johnson Kehinde
Published: October 2021

Significant contributions on the improvement of the mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite (HAp) have been widely reported. However, failure analysis (mechanical reliability) and modeling are missing. This article filled the gap by conducting Two-parameter Weibull distribution assisted by modeling to investigate the mechanical reliability of HAp. The employed HAp was characterized under SEM/EDS analysis. The results revealed the characteristics of HAp and also the nature of the synthesis route employed through its irregular morphology. The Two-parameter Weibull distribution analysis was conducted on the hardness and compressive strength of HAp scaffold. The characteristic hardness and compressive strength, coupled with their corresponding bounds, failure rates, and correlation coefficients were been presented. The Weibull analysis with the assistance of modeling revealed HAp fabricated under 10 KN compaction load and sintered at 1100 oC as the most reliable sample under hardness condition, while HAp fabricated under 15 KN compaction load and sintered at 1000 oC gave the most reliable characteristic under compression. However, 15 KN compaction load and 1100 oC sintering temperature showed the best reliability on the overall mechanical (hardness and compressive strength) reliability. Future study is recommended on the reliability of HAp scaffolds considering other mechanical properties that are essential for biomedical application.
Changes in Left Ventricular Strain Parameters After Empagliflozin Treatment in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Normal Ejection Fraction
Authors: Işık Ferhat , Aslan Burhan , Bilge Önder , İnci Ümit , Taştan Ercan , Akçay Medet , Yıldız Halil , Demir Muhammed , Özbek Mehmet , Akın Halil , Araç Eşref
Published: October 2021

Objective: In recent years, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are known to improve symptoms and reduce mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). Empagliflozin is an antidiabetic drug that SGLT-2 inhibitor. Empagliflozin has beneficial cardiac effects like other SGLT-2 inhibitors. However, data on how empagliflozin treatment affects echocardiographic parameters are limited. We aim to evaluate the changes in left ventricular myocardial strain parameters with 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in patients with diabetes mellitus and normal ejection fraction after empagliflozin treatment.Material and Method: A total of 48 patients were included in our study. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of the patients were normal and there were no HF symptoms and findings. Demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic parameters of study population were evaluated. Empagliflozin 10 mg once daily was given to all patients. Initial and at the end of 3rd month, the 2D-STE parameters of all patients were examined.Results: The median age of the study population was 55.0 (45.0 – 62.5, IQR) years and 27 (56.3 %) of them were female. There was a significant increase in the left ventricle global longutidunal strain (LV-GLS) and left ventricle global circumferential strain (LV-GCS) compared to baseline [respectively; -19.7(-17.5;-20.9) vs -19.2(-17.6;-20.2), p= 0.016 and -18.9(-16.0;-20.8) vs -17.1(-15.8;-18.7), p= 0.003]. Although left ventricular global radial strain (LV-GRS) was increased compared to baseline, it was not significant [37.0(31.0-41.6) vs 36.3(32.4-40.3), p= 0.776].Conclusion: In our study, left ventricular myocardial strain parameters such as LV-GLS and LV-GCS were improved in diabetic patients with normal ejection fraction after empagliflozin treatment.
Ancient acid rains in Ediacaran – an alternative story for sulfate sedimentation
Authors: Shaldybin Michail
Published: October 2021

Vast deposits of anhydrite and magnesite widely distributed in Ediacaran strata of East Siberia near the Riphean unconformity. Anhydrite-rich rocks are not look like of evaporitic origin find mostly nodules and the layers of chicken-wire structure otherwise disseminated as tiny sulfate forms amongst the terrigenous rocks. Here we propose an alternative point of view for anhydrite appearance – the enrichment of Sulphur because of the slashing increase the content of sulfur in the Ediacaran atmosphere due to high volcanic activity. It is suggested that the ancient Earth's atmosphere could have also been influenced by powerful sulfuric acid rains that eroded the Precambrian dolomites causing their aggressive degradation. Chemical reactions with dolomite and sulfuric acid showed that in the early stages an unstable phase of bassanite occur which later stabilized as anhydrite after its heating as an analogue of aging. Aggressive acids have caused global process of dolomite karstification of the Siberian craton with appearance in Ediacaran strata in addition to the sulfate phases, including magnesite and sulphurous phases of pyrite and barite.
Risk-adjusted Design Basis Earthquake’s Adequacy for use in Seismic Design Codes
Authors: Zaman Mohammad , Ghayamghamian Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2021

In most buildings’ seismic design codes design basis peak ground acceleration (PGADBE) is provided by employing a uniform-hazard approach. However, a new trend in updating seismic codes is to adopt a risk-informed method to estimate the PGADBE so-called risk-adjusted design basis peak ground acceleration (PGARDBE). An attempt is made here to examine the adequacy of the PGARDBE to fulfill the assumptions made in seismic codes for converting the maximum considered earthquake’s (MCE) intensity to PGADBE. To this end, the performance of regular intermediate steel moment frames (IMF) is assessed in terms of collapse margin (CMR) and residual drift ratios in the event of MCE and design basis earthquake (DBE), respectively. The PGARDBEs are computed for Karaj County, Iran. A set of 96 index archetypes of regular IMF are designed considering four design parameters, which include the number of stories (2, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15), span lengths (4 and 8 meters), occupancies (residential and commercial), and seismic demands (0.15, 0.25, 0.35 and 0.45g). The PGADBE prescribed by Standard No. 2800 for Karaj neither meets the assumed acceptance criteria nor stands on the safe side. Meanwhile, PGARDBE fulfills the acceptance criteria but does not necessarily satisfy the implicit assumption made in codes that the code-conforming buildings have at least a CMR of 1.5 if the MCE occurs. This emphasizes that the PGARDBE should not be used without examining the CMR fulfillment. The results recommend that a lower limit need to be set on PGARDBEs, which is found to be 0.35g for Karaj. Outcomes also reveal that the code-conforming buildings designed with the proposed PGARDBE can fulfill both repairability and life safety performances at the DBE and MCE, respectively. These buildings also have a high chance to be even considered as repairable ones at the seismic demand of MCE. Furthermore, regardless of the employed method for estimating PGADBE, various relationships between design parameters with different performance indicators such as CMR, residual drift ratio, ductility demand, imposed drift ratio, and building’s normalized weight are presented. These relationships can be used to evaluate the buildings’ safety factor against collapse and repairability, justification of using IMF in regions with high seismicity, level of structural and nonstructural damage as well as the economic consequence of changes in PGADBE. The presented relationships provide a multi-criteria decision-making tool to decide on the optimum PGADBE leading to an affordable alternative and tolerable damage.
Elevated serum levels of kynurenine pathway metabolites in Behçet's patients
Authors: ONMAZ DUYGU ERYAVUZ , Tezcan Dilek , Sivrikaya Abdullah , Abusoglu Sedat , Kuzu Menekse , Yerlikaya Fatma Humeyra , Yilmaz Sema , Unlu Ali
Published: October 2021

Behçet's disease (BD) is a inflammatory, multisystemic vasculitis of unknown etiopathogenesis. However, innate and adaptive immune system involvement and immune-mediated networks play a key role in the inflammatory cascade. Studies have shown that both indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase enzyme, which is induced in inflammatory conditions and catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step in the tryptophan (TRP) metabolism by the kynurenine pathway (KP), and downstream metabolites have immunomodulatory properties. The study was aimed to measure KP metabolites levels in patients with BD and to investigate the relationship between disease activity and clinical findings with these metabolites. The study included 120 patients with BD and 120 healthy volunteers. Serum TRP, kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3HAA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3HK), quinolinic acid (QUIN) levels were analyzed with tandem mass spectrometric method. Demographic data, clinical manifestations and disease activity score (BDCAF) were recorded. Serum KYN, KYNA, 3HK, 3HAA, QUIN levels and KYN/TRP ratio were higher (p<0.05) in patients with BD compared to the control group, while TRP levels were lower (p<0.05). KYN/TRP ratio and QUIN levels were significantly higher in the presence of neurobehçet's while serum KYN levels were significantly higher in the presence of arthritis (p<0.05). Also, serum QUIN levels were significantly higher in the presence of thrombosis (p<0.05). BDCAF score positively correlated with KYN/TRP ratio and QUIN levels. Our findings showed that serum KP metabolite levels were elevated in patients with BD and there is a relationship between these metabolites with disease activity, clinical findings and inflammatory burden.
Parent Satisfaction Related to Child’s Post-Operative Pain Management
Authors: Mathias Edlin Glane , Pai Mamatha Shivananda , Kumar Vijay , Guddattu Vasudeva , Bramhagen Ann-Cathrine
Published: October 2021

Surgery of a child is a stressful event for the parents and the family. Pain management is an important part of treatment among children undergoing surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to examine the parent satisfaction level related to child’s post-operative pain management. The study included 160 mothers of children aged 2-7 years undergoing elective surgery. In the study the mothers were randomly allocated either to the intervention (n=80) or control group (n=80). The children in the intervention group received age-appropriate distraction interventions for three postoperative days along with the usual care. Children in the control group received only usual care. Data on parent satisfaction related to postoperative pain management interventions was assessed on the day of discharge using a Parent satisfaction scale. It was found that majority 68 (85%) of mothers in the intervention and 27 (33.7%) in the control group were “very satisfied” with pain management interventions. However, 12 (15%) mothers in the intervention and 53 (66.2%) were “moderate satisfied”. The mean and standard deviation of parent satisfaction in the intervention group was 42 ±5.237 and 34 ± 6.642 in the control group. Results from One-way ANOVA identified that there was a significant difference in the parent satisfaction between the intervention and control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Nurses worldwide must engage parents in the management of their child’s postoperative pain by clearly expressing their responsibilities and roles, as well as providing ample opportunities for parent’s active participation in their child’s postoperative pain management.
Effects of a mobile health intervention on activities of stress self-management for workers: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lee Young Joo
Published: October 2021

Background: Mobile health interventions are being widely tried because of their attractive advantages. However, there is not enough evidence for its effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mobile app-based stress management intervention (mSMI) on highly stressed workers.Methods: A sample of 82 white-collar workers with elevated symptoms of perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10≥22) were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The mSMI consisted of three modules: self-management including a work diary, counseling based on cognitive behavioral therapy and interventions focused on music, meditation, relaxation and image healings. Self-report data were collected the baseline and post-intervention. Study outcomes were perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and work engagement. Data were assessed using analysis of covariance with covariates.Results: There was significantly reduced perceived stress from baseline to 6 weeks in mSMI (t=5.788, p<.001) and control group (t=3.184, p=.003). After adjusting for covariates, the between-group difference in the perceived stress was significantly different (F=4.051, p=.048); however, the effect size was small. There was no significant intervention effect on anxiety, depression, and work engagement. The process evaluation indicated that most participants (85.3%) were satisfied with the intervention and their mental health benefited.Conclusion: This study found that mobile health intervention facilitated stress management for highly stressed workers. Further studies should address job-related outcomes and mental health symptoms in workers by applying the latest information technology and addressing the limitations of mobile interventions.Trial Registration: Not applicable.
Optimization of Finishing Parameters for Magnetic Compound Fluid Finishing (MCFF) of Copper Alloy
Authors: Fan Jinwei , Ren Xingfei , Pan Ri , Wang Peitong , Tao Haohao
Published: October 2021

As an advanced finishing technology, magnetic compound fluid finishing (MCFF) is considered to be able to achieve damage-free finishing of low-hardness materials such as copper alloys with appropriate finishing parameters. However, ignoring the influence of the material removal amount on the dimensional accuracy when optimizing the finishing parameters may result in excessive material removal and a reduction in the workpiece's dimensional accuracy. Thus, a novel finishing parameters optimization method considering dimensional accuracy is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the MCFF experiments are planned and carried out for modeling. Secondly, a MCFF model is established based on the integrated learning theory. The established model is a multi-layer neural network fusion model comprised of a prediction layer and a fusion layer, which can accurately predict the polished surface quality and material removal amount. Thirdly, taking the effect of material removal amount on the dimensional accuracy into account, the finishing parameters are optimized by the multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm. Finally, the model's prediction accuracy and the superiority of the optimized parameters are compared and verified by experiments. The results demonstrate that the developed model can correctly predict the finishing effect, and the high-quality polished surfaces and high dimensional accuracy can be obtained with the optimized finishing parameters.
Exploring the Therapeutic Mechanism of the Mongolian Medicine Scabiosa Against Hepatic Fibrosis Based on UHPLC-TOF-MS/MS Combined with Network Pharmacological Methods and Experimental Verification
Authors: zhang chunyan , Yuan Hong-Wei , Ren Gui-Qiang , Li Xiao-Jun , Gao Xiao-Yang , Zhao Xiao-Lu , Ma Yue-Hong
Published: October 2021

Objective To systematically elucidate the chemical composition of Mongolian medicine scabiosa, explore its key targets and related pathways by network p harmacology, and further clarify its against hepatic fibrosis mechanism through experiments. Methods The Mongolian medicine scabiosa was determined by UHPLC -TOF-MS/MS and its components were analyzed; The intersection of Mongolian medicine scabiosa was screened in the Swiss target prediction database to obtain the against hepatic fibrosis target of Mongolian Medicine Scabiosa. The protein interaction was analyzed through a string database, and the GO function and KEGG path way were analyzed on the Metascape platform. Meanwhile, we selected the PI3K/Akt and PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, p38 and p-p38 targets in MAPK signaling pathway for v erification. The mechanism against hepatic fibrosis of Mongolian medicine scabiosa was verified by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Results A total of 120 chemical constituents were identified, including flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, terpenoids, phenols, and fatty acids. According to the prediction, there are 63 against hepatic fibrosis targets, including 20 core targets. GO enrichment analysis involves three aspects: biological process (BP), cell component (CC), and molecular function (MF). KEGG enrichment results show that PI3K/Akt, EGFR, Rap1, HIF-1, Ras, MAPK are significant pathways. In the in vivo experiment, Mongolian medicine scabiosa can significantly reduce serum biochemical indexes ( P< 0.05), hydroxyproline ( P< 0.05); Masson staining showed that the proliferation of abnormal fibrous tissue w as reduced, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells was reduced, which improved the fibrotic liver tissue; RT-qPCR results showed that the expression of α-SMA, c ollagen, PI3K, Akt, p38 mRNA decreased( P< 0.05). The results of Western blot showed that compare with the model group, the Mongolian medicine scabiosa could i nhibit the expression of markers of hepatic fibrosis α-SMA, collagen, PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, p38,p-p38decreased( P< 0.01); In the in vitro experiment, MTT results showe d that the inhibition rate of serum containing Mongolian medicine scabiosa on HSC-T6 was the highest at 24 hours; Western blot results showed that compared with t he control group, the protein expression levels of α-SMA, collagen, PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, p38,p-p38 in high, medium and low dose groups were significantly decreased
The SOS response may promote the transfer of resistance genes and plasmids by indole in Escherichia coli
Authors: Lv Shuoyan , Guo Yue , Chen Hong , Huang Ruisen , Guan Songlei
Published: October 2021

Bacterial resistance is caused by a variety of causes. SOS response is the main stress mode for bacteria to adapt to environmental stress and repair damage, and the abuse of antibiotics is the main factor inducing SOS response.In order to clarify the role of SOS response in bacterial drug resistance.In this study, we induced SOS response by cefotaxime sodium,then exogenous indole, it was found that the conjugation efficiency increased significantly after SOS response and exogenous indole, at most increased 50 times,and drug-resistance genes (blaCTX−M−9G, fosA3 )and plasmids (IncI2,IncFIB) can be transferred between bacteria in the process of SOS.Moreover,the change trends of extracellular indole level, sensor pump (acrEF ,mtr mRNA) on cell membrane surface and tnaA mRNA were consistent with the ibpA mRNA downstream of SOS response.in which indole may play the role of "messenger".The above results show that SOS response can promote the horizontal transfer of drug-resistance genes, which is completed by regulating the level of indole, which plays a messenger role in the process of conjugation. Therefore, inhibiting SOS response by controlling the level of antibiotics in the environment, or directly interfering with the chemical synthesis of indole will help to reduce the transmission of drug resistance genes.
Occurrences and characteristics of full-size microplastics derived from mulch films in major exorheic rivers of Hainan, China
Authors: Jiao Meng , Liu Beibei , Wu Lin , Ren Lu , Wang Luya , Ma Wending , Li Ruilong
Published: October 2021

Mulch film residues in farmland take risk of being transported to the wider environment, which may cause greater plastic pollution. Discharge of various sewage, as well as the releases from tourism, shipping, and aquaculture, was confirmed to important sources of microplastics (MPs) in rivers. However, the occurrences, characteristics and contribution of microplastics derived from mulch films (MMF) in rivers were still largely unknown. In this study, UV-Vis Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were sequentially used to identify the full-size MMF (1-5000 µm) in field samples. Studies confirmed that MMF, as a polyethylene-matrix composite doped with additives, is an important contributor of MPs in upstream farmland soil and riparian sediments, and even exists in a small amount in estuarine sediments. Specifically, the value of MMF in estuarine sediments ranged from 38 ± 8 to 82 ± 17 items/kg (including 54.9–74.2% small size (1-5 µm )), accounting for 9.0–13.7% of total MPs. Moreover, black and fragment were the dominant color and shape of these MMF, respectively. Our work first demonstrated that MMF was a neglected part of MPs in estuaries, especially in the drainage areas with high agricultural activity.
Privacy Issue: From Static to Dynamic Online Social Networks
Authors: Alanezi Mafaz , Mahmood Basim
Published: October 2021

Today’s societies have become more dependent on social networks in terms of communications and interactions. These networks contain most of the people?s activities, which can be public or even personal events. In the last decade, social networks have turned into more prominent platforms in managing and organizing public events. The Egyptian revolution in 2011 and the Ukrainian
revolution in 2014 are good reflections of such events. However, it is not known how much the privacy issue of users is revealed in the reality as a consequence of their online interactions. In
this work, we investigate the privacy issue in online social networks and its reflection on real life. Our dataset was extracted from the Facebook groups/pages that were involved in the 2019 Iraqi October revolution. Our approach generates a static network using the collected dataset. Then, we investigate the generated static network in terms of detecting potential anomalies. After that, we project the static network (including its characteristics) into a dynamic environment and generate
a dynamic network for investigating the privacy issue in the real life. The contribution of this work lies in projecting a real-world static network into a dynamic environment aiming at investigating users? privacy in the real world. Finally, this kind of approach has not been given enough attention in the literature and yet to be deeply investigated in this article.
Pseudolycorine Chloride Ameliorates Th17-cell-mediated CNS Autoimmunity by Restraining MDSCs Expansion
Authors: Zhang Gan , Zhu Xinying , Yang Fan , Li Juan , Leng Xiao , Li Limei , Wang Yantang
Published: October 2021

In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a large number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) appear, and these cells can accelerate the development of EAE in mice. The aim of this study was to evaluate pseudolycorine chloride’s (PLY) inhibitory effect on the expansion of MDSCs and differentiation of monocyte-like MDSCs (M-MDSCs), while proving that PLY can improve the severity of Th17 cell-mediated EAE by affecting MDSCs. Flow cytometry suggested that PLY significantly inhibited the proliferation and expansion of MDSCs stimulated by IL-6 and GM-CSF, especially the differentiation of M-MDSCs in a dose-dependent manner. Three concentrations of PLY (0.67, 2, and 6 μM) had no cytotoxicity in vitro . Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, LFB, and immunofluorescence suggested inflammatory infiltration and demyelination. MDSCs and related Th17 cell infiltration in the spinal cord were inhibited by PLY (40 mg/kg). In conclusion, PLY inhibited the differentiation and expansion of MDSCs, especially M-MDSCs, and intervened in the progression of EAE in mice.
A Generalized Vernalization Response Function for Winter Wheat
Authors: Streck Nereu Augusto , Weiss Albert , Baenziger P. Stephen
Published: October 2021

Vernalization is a process required for certain plant species to enter the reproductive stage through an exposure to low, nonfreezing temperatures. These plant species include some fall‐planted cereals, among them winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A three‐stage linear function is currently used in wheat simulation models to describe the developmental response to the duration of the vernalization treatment, expressed as effective vernalization days (VD). This function lacks generality because the value of its coefficients varies with genotype. The objective of this study was to develop a generalized nonlinear vernalization response function for winter wheat. The nonlinear vernalization function developed in this study has coefficients with biological meaning. Data of final leaf number at different VD treatments in 12 winter wheat cultivars from 19 trials, which are from published research and from a growth chamber experiment conducted as part of this study, were used as independent data for evaluating the nonlinear vernalization function. These data sets represent a wide range of winter wheat cultivars developed in different parts of the world. The generalized nonlinear vernalization function described the developmental response to VD better (RMSE = 0.032) than the three‐stage linear functions (RMSE = 0.060 for cultivar Karl 92 and RMSE = 0.129 for cultivar Arapahoe). It is concluded that the vernalization response of winter wheat can be described by a general vernalization function. This conclusion implies that a reduction in the input data requirements is possible for winter wheat simulation models.
A Genetic Neural Network Model of Flowering Time Control in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Welch Stephen M. , Roe Judith L. , Dong Zhanshan
Published: October 2021

Crop simulation models incorporate many physiological processes within sophisticated mathematical frameworks. However, the control mechanisms for these processes tend to be ad hoc, empirical, and indirectly inferred from data and may lack realistic plasticity. Using model organisms like Arabidopsis thaliana, genomic scientists are rapidly disentangling the networks of genes that exert physiological control. As yet, however, these networks are qualitative in nature, depicting promotion and inhibition pathways but not supporting quantitative predictions of overall integrated effects. We believe (i) that neural networks can provide the quantification that current genetic networks lack and (ii) that taxonomic conservation of central genetic mechanisms will make networks developed for model plants also useful in crops. This paper presents evidence supporting the first point based on a neural network with eight nodes corresponding to A. thaliana genes controlling inflorescence timing. The nodes were linked into photoperiod and autonomous pathways abstracted from an existing qualitative genetic network model. Growth chamber data on transition timing were collected at 16 and 24°C for seven A. thaliana strains possessing loss‐of‐function mutations at the network loci. An eighth strain served as a common wild‐type control. The neural network model reproduced the time course of the transition at both temperatures for all eight genotypes. Results included tracking a novel, temperature‐dependent exchange in transition order exhibited by two mutants whose duplication is not possible by usual crop simulation methods. Furthermore, the ability to imitate the data appeared to have a desirable sensitivity to assumed network structure.
Hepatic encephalopathy: issues relevant to clinical practice
Authors: Maevskaya M. V.
Published: October 2021

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) remains one of the most serious complications of liver cirrhosis. Its clinical spectrum sometimes creates difficulties in the optimal diagnosis at the patient’s bedside and treatment. To present new data on the field of clinical management of cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy. The role of ammonia in the diagnosis of HE is still under discussion. In clinical practice, in patients with suspected overt HE, normal ammonia concentration can be used to exclude this diagnosis. In contrast, a high concentration of ammonia in the absence of clinical signs of HE should not serve as a criterion for this diagnosis and as a guide for treatment. A separate issue for discussion is the covert HE. The simplest and most affordable test for screening for covert HE and evaluating the effectiveness of therapy is the animal naming test, which can be done on bedside by physician or caregivers. Patients with covert HE need treatment that is similar in approach to overt HE. The diagnosis of overt HE and the methods of its therapy are well known. According to Russian recommendations, depending on the disease course in a certain patient, lactulose, rifaximin, L-ornithine L-aspartate can be used as first-line drugs, which is applicable to the treatment of both overt and latent PE. The main issues on the management of HE in liver cirrhosis relate to the diagnostic role of ammonia, optimal diagnosis and treatment strategy for covert HE, therapy of choice for both overt and latent HE. There are expert opinions and consensus documents on all these issues. Treatment of overt and latent PE is carried out according to the same principles. Drugs of choice: lactulose, rifaximin and L-Ornithine L-Aspartate.
Calculation of the Wöhler (S-N) Curve Using a Two-Scale Model
Authors: Mlikota M.
Published: October 2021

This chapter deals with the initiation of a short crack and subsequent growth of the long crack in a carbon steel under cyclic loading, concluded with the estimation of the complete lifetime represented by the Wöhler (S-N) curve. A micro-model containing the microstructure of the material is generated using the Finite Element Method and the according non-uniform stress distribution is calculated afterwards. The number of cycles needed for crack initiation is estimated on the basis of the stress distribution in the microstructural model and by applying the physically-based Tanaka-Mura model. The long crack growth is handled using the Paris law. The analysis yields good agreement with experimental results from literature.
A Compendium of Deformation-Mechanism Maps for Metals
Authors: Fisher David
Published: October 2021

Deformation-mechanism maps represent an invaluable guide to predicting the optimum processing conditions for a material. They are also useful in matching a material to a given engineering application. The present book summarizes recent research results in the field. The book references 106 original resources and includes their direct web link for in-depth reading.