bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Efficacy of High-flow Oxygen Versus Conventional Oxygen for Asthma Control: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies
Authors: Li Juan , Jiang Jialing , Wang Kaijin
Published: July 2021

Introduction: The efficacy of high-flow oxygen versus conventional oxygen therapy for asthma control remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of high-flow oxygen versus conventional oxygen therapy on asthma control. Methods: We have searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through May 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of high-flow oxygen versus conventional oxygen therapy for asthma control. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model.Results: Four RCTs are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with conventional oxygen therapy for asthma, high-flow oxygen is associated with significantly lower dyspnea score (SMD=-0.63; 95% CI=-1.08 to -0.17; P=0.008), but reveals no remarkable influence on PaCO2 (SMD=0.28; 95% CI=-0.22 to 0.77; P=0.28), PaO2 (SMD=0.44; 95% CI=-1.34 to 2.22; P=0.63), intubation (OR=1.09; 95% CI=0.15 to 8.21; P=0.93) or hospital length of stay (SMD=-0.07; 95% CI=-0.41 to 0.27; P=0.67). Conclusions: High-flow oxygen may benefit to reduce dyspnea score than conventional oxygen therapy for asthma.
Assessment of COVID-19 Vaccination Intention Among Community Health Workers: a Web-based Cross-sectional Survey During the First Wave of the Pandemic in India
Authors: Goel Kapil , Sen Arunima , Goel Parul , Satapathy Prakasini , Vij Jatina , Jain Lovely , Patro Binod , Singh Ritesh , Sekhar Sitanshu , Chakrapani Venkatesan , Pala Star , Sankhe Lalit , Modi Bhavesh , Bali Surya , Nadda Anuradha , Kiran Tanvi , Rajagopal Vineeth , Aggarwal Arun Kumar , Gupta Madhu , Padhi Bijaya K
Published: July 2021

Background: Vaccine hesitancy is of considerable concern as it threatens the great potential of a vaccine against COVID-19. Community health workers (CHWs) bridge the gap between the community and the health care system. Their intention to get vaccinated will not only affect them but will also affect the community’s perception of the vaccine. This study aims to understand the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 among community health care workers in India and its determinants.Methods: A web-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 357 community health workers using snowball sampling. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was shared with study participants across major geographical regions in India through social media during the first wave (November-December 2020).Results: Among 357 community health workers, 208 (58%) responded positively regarding their intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Graduate [aOR 2.26 (95% CI: 1.27-4.01), p=0.006] and post-graduate participants [aOR 2.85 (95% CI: 1.43-5.68), p=0.003], those with lower risk perception [aOR 1.86 (95% CI: 1.03-3.35), p=0.038] and respondents who trusted the healthcare system [aOR 2.60 (95% CI:1.59-4.26), p<0.001] were more likely to get vaccinated. Respondents who were exposed to COVID-19 cases were less likely to uptake the hypothetical vaccine [aOR 0.57 (95% CI: 0.34-0.96), p=0.034].Conclusions: Increasing knowledge regarding the COVID-19 vaccine might not be enough to improve vaccine acceptance rates. Enhancing trust among community health workers in the healthcare system and regarding the available vaccines seem necessary. In addition, targeted interventions addressing socio-demographic determinants related to COVID-19 vaccination should help improve acceptance of the vaccine.
Probing the troublesome peaked relationship between avian species richness and natural land cover
Authors: De Camargo Rafael Xavier , Currie David
Published: July 2021

Context : Biodiversity models postulate that the relationship between richness and the proportion of natural land cover (pNLC i.e., not dominated by human uses) is: 1) monotonic positive, 2) reasonably strong , 3) consistent in different geographic areas . Earlier work examining 100-km 2 human-dominated landcover in Ontario, Canada, observed that surveyed avian species richness is a peaked function of pNLC. Objective : We tested whether the same relationship between avian species richness and pNLC is also observed in an independent geographic area that has similar biomes. We also tested whether the peaked relations might be caused by temperature gradients, gradients in the size of species pools, grain size in the analyses, and landscape heterogeneity. Methods : Using breeding bird atlases of Ontario (Canada) and New York State (USA), we estimated species richness in landscapes varying from 25 to 900 km 2 . We related richness to the pNLC in each landscape and examined the same relationships after controlling for temperature, habitat heterogeneity, and species pool size. Results : Landscape-level species richness is a peaked, and not very strong function of pNLC. The relationship is not an artefact of temperature gradients, species pool size, or land cover heterogeneity. Conclusions : The proposition that increased amounts of natural land cover promotes species richness is clearly true at the limit, in landscapes with relatively little (<30%) natural cover. In landscapes with higher amounts of natural cover, a certain amount of human-modified land covers can provide habitat for species that prefer open habitats.
Factors associated with inappropriate overdose response among people who use prescription opioids non-medically in rural Appalachia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Macmadu Alexandria , Gurka Kelly K. , Linn Herbert I. , Smith Gordon S.
Published: July 2021

Background

Opioid-related overdose deaths have accelerated in recent years. In response, overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs have been implemented across the United States, although many rural Appalachians continue to lack access. Despite the growing number of OEND programs, risk factors for inappropriate overdose response among persons who are training-naïve are currently unknown.
Methods

We used respondent-driven sampling to recruit and enroll 169 adults who use prescription opioids non-medically from three rural counties in West Virginia. Participants were interviewed to ascertain experience with witnessed overdose (lifetime and prior-year), characteristics of the most recent witnessed overdose, responses to the witnessed overdose, and OEND acceptability. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with inappropriate response to opioid-related overdose.
Results

Among the 73 (43% of the total sample) participants who witnessed an opioid-related overdose, the majority (n = 53, 73%) reported any inappropriate response. Participants were significantly more likely to report an inappropriate overdose response when the overdose victim was unresponsive (OR = 3.36; 95% CI = 1.07, 10.58). The most common appropriate responses were staying with the victim until recovery or help arrived (n = 66, 90%) and calling 911 (n = 63, 86%), while the most common inappropriate responses were hitting or slapping the victim (n = 37, 51%) and rubbing the victim with ice or placing them in a cold shower or bath (n = 14, 19%). While most (n = 60, 82%) had never heard of overdose prevention training, the vast majority (n = 69, 95%) were willing to participate in training, particularly those who had responded inappropriately (n = 52, 98%).
Conclusions

These findings underscore the urgent need for expanded access to OEND programs in at-risk rural communities that lacked coverage. Indeed, information generated by this study informed the development of a statewide naloxone distribution program in WV. These findings also indicate OEND programs are highly acceptable to training-naïve people who use opioids in rural Appalachia. Additional approaches to expand access to harm reduction services in the region, including mobile services and mail-based naloxone distribution should be aggressively pursued.
Can Paraspinal Muscle Degeneration Be a Reason for Refractures After Percutaneous Kyphoplasty? A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Observation
Authors: Zhao He , He Yan , Yang Jun-Song , Bao Wei , Chen Jian , Liu Ji-Jun , Li Qing-Da , Liu Peng , Qian Bing , Zhao Yuan-Ting , Hao Ding-Jun
Published: July 2021

Background: Vertebral augmentation (VA) techniques are used to treat acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). However, the incidence of recurrent vertebral fractures after VA is controversial. Various factors have been discussed in the literature, but no convincing study on the quality of paraspinal muscles has been reported. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the changes in paraspinal muscles and discuss the relationship between paraspinal muscle degeneration and vertebral refractures after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP).Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in patients who underwent PKP for an initial OVCF between July 2017 and August 2018. Patients were followed up and categorized in the refractured or non-refractured group. A final magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and a preoperative MRI scan were used to determine the measurements. The paraspinal muscles at the mid-height level of the initial fractured vertebral body were measured using regions of interest (ROIs), including the cross-sectional area (CSA) and signal intensity (SI). The changes in the observed data were compared between the groups using rank-sum tests.Results: Overall, 92 patients were enrolled in the study; 33 of them sustained vertebral refractures during the follow-up and the other 59 patients did not. There were no significant differences in terms of sex, age, preoperative bone mineral density, and body mass index between the groups (all, P>0.05). The refractured group had a significantly higher decrease in the ROI-CSA and CSA/SI, and a higher increase in ROI-SI, compared with the preoperative data (all, P<0.05).Conclusions: The quality of paraspinal muscles significantly decreased in patients with new OVCFs after PKP. This brings a new perspective to the study of postoperative recurrent fractures; patients and physicians need to pay more attention to the efficacy of bed rest and bracing.
Classification of potential pathways affecting the VEGF pathway in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) recurrent: A bioinformatics study based on differentially expressed- microRNAs
Authors: Hadizadeh Morteza , Soltani Ramin , Langaee Taimour , pirouz Marziye Shad , Mozafari M. R. , Ghasemi Sorayya
Published: July 2021

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) resistance to anti-angiogenesis drugs results in recurrence of the disease which leads to death. The resistance to anti-angiogenesis drugs that target the VEGF pathway is due to the influence of other pathways. This study aimed to identify and classify the pathways that are related to the VEGF pathway in GBM recurrent. The identification of differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) based on GBM GSE profiles (GSE32466) were carried out using a LIMMA R package and VEGF pathway genes in the KEGG database. Pathways related to DEmiRNAs and VEGF pathway genes were discovered by DIANA-miRPath v3.0, NetworkAnalyst and ToppGene databases, respectively. Inhibitory or activity affecting pathways relating to VEGF pathway were obtained based on XTalkDB database. The classification was determined by the KEGG database. There were 1014 genes that were found to have interaction with VEGF signaling pathway genes. One hundred ninteen pathways were achieved which have overlapping genes with the VEGF pathway genes. The MAPK pathway had the most in common genes with the VEGF pathway (39 genes). A total of 91 pathways were identified in 24 different classes. Several pathways significantly affect the VEGF pathway. Hence, it seems necessary to achieve new targets for combination therapies for GBM.
Impact of Demographic, Clinical, and Treatment Compliance Characteristics on Quality of Life of Venezuelan Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Carrión-Nessi Fhabián S. , Marcano-Rojas María V. , Arocha Sinibaldo R. Romero , Millán Daniela L. Mendoza , Forero-Peña David A. , Antuarez-Magallanes Allen W. , Snih Soham Al , Rodríguez Martín A. , Fuentes-Silva Yurilís J.
Published: July 2021

BackgroundWe have here assessed the impact of demographic, clinical, and treatment compliance characteristics on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Venezuelan patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have used a disease-specific questionnaire, the Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL), validated in our patient population, to measure HRQoL.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 patients with SLE from outpatient clinic. Patients completed a form with demographic, clinical, and treatment compliance data, and the LupusQoL questionnaire. HRQoL was classified as better or worse according to the cutoff points previously established for this patient population. Spearman’s r test was used to determine the correlations between age, years of education, disease duration, SLEDAI, and SLICC-DI with the eight domains of the LupusQoL. Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare HRQoL between the two groups of patients according to treatment compliance. Binomial logistic regression using the backward successive step selection method was performed to identified the risk factors associated with each of the eight domains of the LupusQoL between patients with inactive SLE (SLEDAI < 4) and active (SLEDAI ≥ 4).ResultsHRQoL of our patients was classified as better in all domains of the LupusQoL. Age correlated negatively with all domains of the LupusQoL, except with “burden to others”, and disease activity correlated negatively with all domains of the LupusQoL, except with “intimate relationships” and “burden to others” (p < 0.05). Patients who fully complied with indicated treatment had higher scores in “physical health” domain compared to patients who did not comply with at least one of the prescribed medications (p < 0.05). In patients with active SLE, a risk factor associated with worse “planning” and “intimate relationships” was older age, while having had SLE flare-ups in the previous six months was a risk factor associated with worse “physical health” (p < 0.05).ConclusionAge and disease activity were negatively correlated with almost all domains of the LupusQoL, and treatment compliance was associated with higher score in the “physical health” domain. Disease control and treatment compliance should be the main goals for a better HRQoL in our patients with SLE.
Susceptibility of Bacterial Endophthalmitis Isolates to Vancomycin, Ceftazidime, and Amikacin
Authors: Chen Kuan-Jen , Sun Ming-Hui , Hou Chiun-Ho , Chen Hung-Chi , Chen Yen-Po , Wang Nan-Kai , Liu Laura , Wu Wei-Chi , Chou Hung-Da , Kang Eugene Yu-Chuan , Lai Chi-Chun
Published: July 2021

Bacterial endophthalmitis is a rare intraocular infection, and prompt administration of intravitreal antibiotics is crucial for preventing severe vision loss. The retrospective study is to investigate the in vitro susceptibility to the antibiotics vancomycin, amikacin, and ceftazidime of bacterial endophthalmitis isolates in specimens at a tertiary referral center from January 1996 to April 2019 in Taiwan. Overall, 450 (49.9%) isolates were gram positive, 447 (49.6%) were gram negative, and 4 (0.4%) were gram variable. In gram-positive isolates, coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most commonly cultured bacteria (158, 35.1%), followed by streptococci (100, 22.2%), enterococci (75, 16.7%), and Staphylococcus aureus (70, 15.6%). In gram-negative isolates, they were Klebsiella pneumoniae (166, 37.1%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (131, 29.3%). All gram-positive organisms were susceptible to vancomycin, with the exception of one Enterococcus faecium isolate (1/450, 0.2%). Of the gram-negative isolates, 96.9% and 93.7% were susceptible to ceftazidime and amikacin, respectively. Nine isolates (9/447, 2.0%) were multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, comprising Klebsiella pneumoniae (4/164, 2.4%), Acinetobacter baumannii (2/3, 67%), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (3/18, 17%). In conclusion, in vitro susceptibility testing revealed that vancomycin remains the suitable antibiotic treatment for gram-positive endophthalmitis. Ceftazidime and amikacin provide approximately the same degree of gram-negative coverage. Multidrug-resistant bacterial endophthalmitis was uncommon.
Regulating the T7 RNA Polymerase Expression in E. coli BL21 (DE3) to Provide More Host Options for Recombinant Protein Production
Authors: Xu Ying-Shuang , Du Fei , Li Zi-Jia , Wang Yu-Zhou , Zhang Zi-Xu , Sun Xiao-Man , Huang He
Published: July 2021

Escherichia coli is the most widely used bacterium in prokaryotic expression system for the production of recombinant proteins. In BL21 (DE3), the gene encoding the T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) is under control of the strong lacUV5 promoter (PLacUV5), which produces more T7 RNAP than wild-type lac promoter (PLacWT) to promote the production of recombinant proteins. However, there is a resource allocated limitation between cell growth and protein production when producing autolytic proteins or membrane proteins. T7 RNAP is the key factor to solve this problem. Hence, we replaced respectively PLacUV5 with other inducible promoters: arabinose promoter (ParaBAD), rhamnose promoter (PrhaBAD), tetracycline promoter (Ptet) to optimize the production of recombinant protein by regulating the transcription level of T7 RNAP. Compared with BL21 (DE3), the constructed engineering strains had higher sensitivity to inducers, among which rhamnose and tetracycline promoters had the lowest leakage ability. In the glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) production, the engineered strains BL21 (DE3::tet) exhibited great biomass, cell survival rate and foreign protein expression level. In addition, these engineered strains had been successfully applied to the production of other membrane proteins, including E. coli cytosine transporter protein (CodB), the E. coli membrane protein insertase/foldase (YidC), and E. coli F-ATPase subunit b (Ecb). The engineering strains constructed in this paper provided more host choices for the production of recombinant proteins.
Visualization of microRNA-21 Dynamics in Neuroblastoma Cells Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Based on a microRNA-21-responsive Reporter Gene
Authors: Bao Guangcheng , Sun Jun , Huang Jie , Zheng Helin , Wei Jie , Fu Yuanqiao , Qiu Jiawen , Hou Jingxin , Zou Xuefeng , Xiang Bin , Cai Jinhua
Published: July 2021

Background: MicroRNAs (miRs) have been shown to be closely associated with the occurrence and development of tumors and to have potential as diagnostic and therapeutic targets. The detection and quantification of miRs by noninvasive imaging technology is crucial for deeply understanding their biological functions. Our aim was to develop a novel miR-21-responsive gene reporter system for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visualization of the miR-21 dynamics in neuroblastoma.Methods: The reporter gene ferritin heavy chain (FTH1) was modified by the addition of 3 copies of the sequence completely complementary to miR-21 (3xC_miR-21) to its 3'-untranslated region (3' UTR) and transduced into SK-N-SH cells to obtain SK-N-SH/FTH1-3xC_miR-21 cells. Then, the antagomiR-21 was delivered into cells by graphene oxide functionalized with polyethylene glycol and dendrimer. Before and after antagomiR-21 delivery, FTH1 expression, MRI contrast and intracellular iron uptake were assayed in vitro and in vivo.Results: In the SK-N-SH/FTH1-3xC_miR-21 cells, FTH1 expression was in an “off” state due to the combination of intratumoral miR-21 with the 3' UTR of the reporter gene. AntagomiR-21 delivered into the cells bound to miR-21 and thereby released it from the 3' UTR of the reporter gene, thus “switching on” FTH1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. This phenomenon resulted in intracellular iron accumulation and allowed MRI detection in vitro and in vivo.Conclusions: MRI based on the miR-21-responsive gene reporter may be a potential method for visualization of the endogenous miR-21 dynamics.
miR-145-5p Mimic Inhibits Bone Metastasis of Prostate Cancer Via the Regulation of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Luo Bingfeng , Yuan Yuan , Hou Jian , Kuang Guanming , Li Ping , Zhu Yifei , Yi Xiang , Xing Yaping , Lo Richard , Lu Zhenquan
Published: July 2021

Background: The bone is the most common site of distant metastasis in prostate cancer. However, treatments for the bone metastasis of prostate cancer remain unsatisfactory. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play a variety of critical roles in tumor development and progression. Studies have confirmed that miRNA mimics could regulate the response to therapy in many cancers. Methods: In this study, a set of forty-four miRNAs were reduced in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases by high-throughput sequencing analysis. Wound healing, transwell assays and western blotting analysis were used to explore the role of miRNA mimic in prostate cancer bone metastasis. Results: Further gene ontology and pathway analysis showed that these miRNAs target genes are mainly involved in cellular metabolic process, intracellular membrane-bounded organelle, as well as proteoglycans in cancer and focal adhesion. Therefore, these down-regulated miRNAs may play a key role for prostate cancer bone metastasis treatment, including hsa-miR-221-3p, hsa-miR-222-3p, hsa-miR-133a-3p, hsa-miR-222-5p, hsa-miR-204-3p, hsa-miR-145-5p, hsa-miR-3681-5p, hsa-miR-184, hsa-miR-144-3p, hsa-miR-204-5p, and hsa-miR-221-5p. To further investigate the role of these miRNA mimics on prostate cancer bone metastasis, miR-145-5p was randomly selected for validation. Bioinformatics analysis showed that miR-145-5p target genes significantly affected TGF-beta and adherens junction signaling pathway. Wound healing and transwell assays and western blotting analysis revealed that miR-145-5p mimic inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion. Importantly, miR-145-5p mimic increased the expression of E-cadherin and reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9. These results revealed that miR-145-5p mimic mediated epithelial mesenchymal transition. Meanwhile, miR-145-5p mimic enhanced the level of caspase 9, which is an important promoter of apoptosis. Conclusions: These results indicate that miR-145-5p mimic could inhibit the progress of prostate cancer bone metastasis via regulation of epithelial mesenchymal transition. In addition, miR-145-5p mimic could induce the apoptosis of prostate cancer cells with bone metastases. In summary, the miR-145-5p mimic is expected to become a novel strategy for the treatment of tumor metastasis.
Near-Source Magnitude Scaling of Spectral Accelerations: Analysis and Update of Kotha et al. (2020) Model
Authors: Kotha Sreeram Reddy , Weatherill Graeme , Bindi Dino , Cotton Fabrice
Published: July 2021

Ground-motion models (GMMs) are often used to predict the random distribution of spectral accelerations (SAs) at a site due to an earthquake at a distance. In probabilistic seismic hazard and risk assessment, large earthquakes occurring close to a site are considered as critical scenarios. GMMs are expected to perform well for such rare scenarios i.e., to predict realistic SAs with low prediction uncertainty. However, the datasets used to regress GMMs are usually deficient of data from rare/critical scenarios. The Kotha et al. (2020) GMM developed from the Engineering Strong Motion (ESM) dataset was found to predict decreasing short-period SAs with increasing \({M}_{W}\ge {M}_{h}=6.2\), and with large within-model uncertainty at near-source distances \({R}_{JB}\le 30km\). In this study, we analysed and updated the parametrisation of the GMM based on non-parametric and parametric analyses of ESM and the NEar Source Strong motion (NESS) datasets. By reducing \({M}_{h}\) to 5.7, we could rectify the \({M}_{W}\) scaling issue, while also reducing the within-model uncertainty on predictions at \({M}_{W}\ge 6.2\). We then evaluated the updated GMM against NESS data, and found that the SAs from a few large, thrust-faulting events in California, New Zealand, Japan, and Mexico are significantly higher than GMM median predictions. However, near-source recordings of these events were mostly made on soft-soil geology and contain anisotropic pulse-like effects. A more thorough non-ergodic treatment of NESS was not possible because most sites sampled unique events in very diverse tectonic environments. Therefore, for now, we provide an updated set of GMM coefficients, within-model uncertainty, and heteroskedastic variance models.
Transarterial Chemoembolization Improves Survival in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Treated with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Plus Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Hu Yue , Pan Tao , Cai Xi , He Quansheng , Zheng Yubao , Hu Bing , Jiang Ting , Huang Mingsheng , Jiang Zaibo , Chen Junwei , Wu Chun
Published: July 2021

BackgroundThe survival benefit and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is unclear. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of TACE combined with TKIs and ICIs the treatment of advanced HCC. MethodsIn this study, the conditions of 147 patients with advanced HCC who underwent TKIs plus ICIs treatment between July 2017 and April 2020 were evaluated. We divided these patients into the TACE group and non-TACE group based on whether they were treated with TACE during TKIs plus ICIs treatment, and compared their survival outcomes, especially overall survival (OS), and whether they were exposed to unexpected toxicities. ResultsIn this study, a total of 98 patients who underwent TACE during TKIs plus ICIs treatment were included in the TACE group, while the other 49 patients were included in the non-TACE group. According to the Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST), the objective response rate (ORR) of the TACE group was higher than that of the non-TACE group (ORR 74.5% vs. 40.8%, p ＜0.001). The OS of the TACE group was significantly longer than the non-TACE group (OS 19.3 months vs. 10.8 months, p = 0.010). The incidence of grade 3-4 toxicities in the TACE group was similar to that in the non-TACE group (33.7% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.532). ConclusionsThe TACE treatment combined with TKIs plus ICIs resulted in longer OS compared to the treatment of systemic TKIs plus ICIs without TACE during the process of advanced HCC.
Influence of Coracoglenoid Space on the Stability of Scapular Neck Fractures: Biomechanical Study
Authors: Chen Junfeng , Zhang Wei , Pang Gang , Meng Qingling , Zhu Youyu , Deng Xuefei
Published: July 2021

Background: The anatomical variation of the coracoglenoid space has the potential to influence the stability of scapular neck fractures. This paper aimed to investigate the path-mechanical mechanisms of different types of coracoglenoid space on the scapular neck fractures by morphometric analysis and biomechanical experiments.Methods: A total of 68 dry scapulae (left: 36; right: 32) were collected, the types of coracoglenoid space delimited by a boundary based on the ratio of the mean values of CGD to the mean values of CGN. Each specimen of a different type was under static axial compressive load test to failure. The average failure loads, stiffness, and energy for each specimen were calculated.Results: Two types of coracoglenoid space were identified. The incidence of Type Ⅰ (2.4 < ratio ≤ 3.5) (‘‘hook’’ shape) was found to be 53%, that of Type Ⅱ (3.5 < ratio ≤ 5.0) (‘‘square bracket’’ shape) was found to be 47%. There was no statistically significant difference in the two types between different body sides (P > 0.05). The average maximum failure load of these two types was 1270.82 ± 318.85 N and 1529.18 ± 467.29 N, respectively (P = 0.011). The measures of the average failure stiffness and energy of Type Ⅱ were significantly higher than Type Ⅰ (896.75 ± 281.14 N/mm vs. 692.91 ± 217.9 5N/mm, P = 0.001; 2100.38 ± 649.54 N⋅mm vs. 1712.71 ± 626.02 N⋅mm, P = 0.015, respectively).Conclusions: The variation of coracoglenoid space is large in different individuals, hook-like space is associated with fewer forces, stiffness, and energy, which constitute an anatomical predisposition to the scapular neck fractures.
Real-time Nonlinear Parameter Estimation and Tracking Control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Closed-Loop
Authors: Imran Imil Hamda , Stolkin Rustam , Montazeri Allahyar
Published: July 2021

The real-time unknown parameter estimation and adaptive tracking control problem are investigated in this paper for a six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) of under-actuated quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A virtual proportional derivative (PD) is designed to maintain the translational dynamics. Two adaptive schemes are developed to handle the attitude dynamics of UAV with several unknown parameters. In the beginning, a classical adaptive scheme using the certainty equivalence principle is proposed and designed. The idea is to design a controller for an ideal situation by assuming the unknown parameter was known. Then the unknown parameter is replaced by its estimation. A theoretical analysis is provided to ensure the trajectory tracking of the adaptive controller. However, an inherent drawback of this scheme is that there is no guarantee for the estimated parameters to converge to the actual values. To address this issue, a new adaptive approach is developed as the next step by adding a continuous function to the control structure. The proposed technique guarantees handling of parametric uncertainties with an appropriate design manifold. The rigorous analytical proof and numerical simulation analyses are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed control design.
MiR-4303 relieves chondrocyte inflammation by targeting ASPN in osteoarthritis
Authors: Wang Chunyu , Li Wang , Guan Xingfa , Yue Changfeng
Published: July 2021

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a severe articular cartilage disease whose pathogenesis involves the inflammation of chondrocytes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are considered to be effective inflammation regulators. However, the regulatory mechanism of miRNAs in osteoarthritis needs to be further elucidated. In this paper, we aim to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which miR-4303 regulates osteoarthritis.
Methods

RT-qPCR is performed to detect the levels of miR-4303, ASPN, PDIA3, PIK3CA, and TRAF3; CCK-8 assay is conducted to evaluate chondrocyte viability; EdU assay was carried to assess chondrocyte proliferation; western blot is conducted to measure the levels of ASPN, PCNA, Ki-67, CyclinA1, CyclinB1, CyclinD2, p27, Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, and Cleaved caspase-9 proteins; FACs is performed to detect the distribution of chondrocytes in each cell cycle and chondrocyte apoptosis; ELISA is conducted to assess the levels of TNF-β, IL-1β and IL-6 in the supernatant of chondrocytes; the potential binding sites of miR-4303 and ASPN are predicted by miRDB software, which is confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.
Results

Our findings illustrated that miR-4303 was down-regulated in arthritic tissues and LPS-induced chondrocytes; miR-4303 overexpression rescued LPS-induced chondrocyte viability, proliferation and cell cycle and alleviated LPS-induced chondrocyte apoptosis; miR-4303 overexpression inhibited the release of inflammatory factors in LPS-induced chondrocytes; miR-4303 targeted ASPN and miR-4303 relieved chondrocyte inflammation via targeting ASPN.
Conclusion

MiR-4303 serves as a prognostic biomarker and relieves chondrocyte inflammation via targeting ASPN. Our findings provide novel prognostic biomarkers in predicting the progression and prognosis of osteoarthritis.
Medial Temporal Lobe Contributions to Resting-State Networks
Authors: Seoane Sara , Modroño Cristián , Mora José Luis González , Janssen Niels
Published: July 2021

The medial temporal lobe (MTL) is a set of interconnected brain regions that have been shown to play a central role in behavior as well as in neurological disease. Recent studies using resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rsfMRI) have attempted to understand the MTL in terms of its functional connectivity with the rest of the brain. However, the exact characterization of the whole-brain networks that co-activate with the MTL as well as how the various sub-regions of the MTL are associated with these networks remains poorly understood. Here we attempted to advance these issues by exploiting the high spatial-resolution 7T rsfMRI dataset from the Human Connectome Project with a data-driven analysis approach that relied on Independent Component Analysis (ICA) restricted to the MTL. We found that four different well-known resting-state networks co-activated with a unique configuration of MTL subcomponents. Specifically, we found that different sections of the parahippocampal cortex were involved in the default mode, visual and dorsal attention networks, sections of the hippocampus in the somatomotor and default mode networks, and the lateral entorhinal cortex in the dorsal attention network. We replicated this set of results in a validation sample. These results provide new insight into how the MTL and its subcomponents contribute to known resting-state networks. The participation of the MTL in an expanded range of resting-state networks requires a rethink of its presumed role in behavior and disease.
Association of Epicardial Adipose Tissue with Essential Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zou Xinyu , Li Yingrui , She Qiang , Liu Bin
Published: July 2021

Background and aims: Increased epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been proposed as a risk factor for essential hypertension (EH). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of EAT with EH.Methods and results: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were systematically reviewed to identify relevant studies assessing the association of EAT thickness (EAT-t) and volume (EAT-v) with EH. There were 39 observational studies and 8,983 subjects included in the meta-analysis. The analysis indicated that hypertensive patients had a higher mean of EAT-t (SMD=0.64, 95% CI: 0.44-0.83, p<0.001) and EAT-v (SMD: 0.69, 95% CI:0.34-0.1.05, p<0.001) than normotensive individuals. Accordingly, we calculated pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of EAT with EH, and the results showed that EAT-t (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.09–2.33, P<0.001) and EAT-v (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.33–2.19, P<0.001) were associated with essential hypertension. Additionally, higher mean of EAT-t (SMD=0.85, 95% CI=0.49-0.1.21, p<0.001) and EAT-v (SMD=0.83, 95% CI=0.31-1.34, p=0.002) were found in non-dipper hypertensive patients than those in dipper patients, but we didn’t find significant difference in EAT-t among patients with different grades of hypertension. We also investigated the association of EAT with complications in hypertensive patients, and the results showed that EAT was increased in patients with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction than those without. Conclusions: The increase in EAT was associated with the occurrence and complications of EH. The findings provide new information regarding the occurrence and complications of EH.
Towards Accurate State of Charge Estimation for Lithium-ion Batteries using Self-supervised Transformer Model: A Deep Learning Approach
Authors: Hannan M , How Dickson , Lipu M. S. Hossain , Mansor M , Ker Pin , Dong Z , Sahari K , Tiong S , Muttaqi Kashem , Mahlia T M I , Blaabjerg Fred
Published: July 2021

Accurate state of charge (SOC) estimation of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries is crucial in prolonging cell lifespan and ensuring its safe operation for electric vehicle applications. In this article, we propose the deep learning-based transformer model trained with self-supervised learning (SSL) for end-to-end SOC estimation without the requirements of feature engineering or adaptive filtering. We demonstrate that with the SSL framework, the proposed deep learning-enabled transformer model achieves the lowest root-mean-square-error (RMSE) of 1.2% and a mean-absolute-error (MAE) of 0.7% on the test dataset at various ambient temperatures. With SSL, the proposed model can be trained with as few as 5 epochs using only 20% of the total training data and still achieves less than 1.9% RMSE on the test data. Finally, we also demonstrate that the learning weights during the SSL training can be transferred to a new Li-ion cell with different chemistry and still achieve on-par performance compared to the models trained from scratch on the new cell.
Rickettsia burneti and Brucella melitensis co-infection: a case report and literature review
Authors: Song Jiangqin , Li Xiaolong , Hu Xiaorong , Ding Yan , Zhou Junyang , Yan Xiangyuan
Published: July 2021

Background Rickettsia burneti is the causative agent of Q fever, Brucella melitensis is the causative agent of brucellosis, both of which are intracellular parasitic gram-negative bacteria. Rickettsia burneti and Brucella melitensis coinfection is fairly rarely reported in clinical. Early diagnosis and treatment are of great significance to the treatment and prognosis of brucellosis and Q fever. Case Presentation Here, we report a case of Rickettsia burneti and Brucella melitensis co-infection. The patient is a 49-year-old sheepherder, was hospitalized for left forearm trauma. Three days after admission, the patient’s fever up to 39.0°C with excessive sweating, weakness, loss of appetite and headache. Rickettsia burneti IgM was detected positive by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). After 72 hours blood culture incubation, bacterial growth was detected in aerobic bottles, Gram-negative bacilli were found in culture medium smear, the colony was identified as Brucella melitensis by mass spectrometry. The patient accept therapy of doxycycline (100 mg bid, po) and rifampicin (600 mg qd, po) for a total duration of four weeks. After receiving treatment, the patient’s symptoms disappeared rapidly, there has been no relapse or signs of chronic infection.Conclusion For high-risk practitioners, Q fever and brucellosis may be present in one patient, we should routinely test for both pathogens through a variety of tests to prevent missed diagnosis.
Gate-tunable Charge Carrier Electrocaloric Effect in Trilayer Graphene
Authors: Cortés Natalia , Negrete Oscar , Peña Francisco J. , Vargas Patricio
Published: July 2021

The electrocaloric (EC) effect is the change in temperature and entropy of a material driven by the application of an electric field. Our tight-binding calculations linked to Fermi statistics, show that the EC effect can be produced in trilayer graphene (TLG) structures connected to a heat source, triggered by changes in the electronic density of states (DOS) at the Fermi level when external gate fields are applied on the outer graphene layers. We demonstrate that entropy changes are sensitive to the stacking arrangement in TLG systems. The AAA-stacked TLG presents an inverse EC response (cooling) regardless of the temperature value and gate field potential strength, whereas the EC effect in ABC-stacked TLG remains direct (heating) above room temperature. We reveal otherwise the TLG with Bernal-ABA stacking generates both the direct and inverse EC response within the same sample, associated with gate-dependent electronic transitions of thermally excited charge carriers from the valence band to the conduction band in the band structure. The novel charge carrier electrocaloric effect we propose in quantum layered systems may bring a wide variety of prototype van der Waals materials that could be used as versatile platforms to controlling the thermal response in nanodevices.
Estimating the Spatial Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Soil Total Nitrogen Stocks by Remote Sensing Methods: A Case Study in a Forest-dominated Alpine Watershed, Western China
Authors: wang chao , Zhao Chuanyan , Li Kaiming , Peng Shouzhang , Wang Ying
Published: July 2021

Soil organic carbon and soil total nitrogen stocks are important indicators for evaluating soil health and stability. Accurately predicting the spatial distribution of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen stocks is an important basis for mitigating global warming, ensuring regional food security, and maintaining the sustainable development of ecologically fragile areas. On the basis of field sampling data and remote sensing technology, this study divided the topsoil (0–30 cm) into three soil layers of 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm to carry out soil organic carbon and soil total nitrogen stocks estimation experiments in the Qilian Mountains in western China. A multiple linear regression model and a stepwise multiple linear regression model were used to estimate soil organic carbon and soil total nitrogen stocks. A total of 119 topsoil samples and nine remotely sensed environmental variables were collected and used for model development and validation. The results indicated that these two linear regression models showed good performance. The modified soil-adjusted vegetation index (MSAVI), perpendicular vegetation index (PVI), aspect, elevation, and solar radiation were the key environmental variables affecting soil organic carbon and total nitrogen stocks. In topsoil, remote sensing technology could be used to predict the soil properties in layers; however, as the soil depth increased, the performance of the linear regression models gradually decreased.
Lessons Learned: Research Benefits and Beyond Associated with Participating in the NSF I-Corps™ Customer Discovery Program
Authors: Bosman Lisa , Garcia-Bravo Jose
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study is to communicate lessons learned and benefits (which go beyond assessing commercial viability) from faculty principal investigator participation in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) Customer Discovery National Teams Program.
The NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery National Teams Program markets itself as a program that "prepares scientists and engineers to extend their focus beyond the university laboratory and accelerates the economic and societal benefits of NSF-funded, basic-research projects that are ready to move
toward commercialization." However, there is so much more to be gained by program participants. Unfortunately, researchers wouldn't know this unless they personally participated in the program or received insights from someone who has completed the program. This study aims to respond to the
following research question: How does participation in the NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery Program benefit faculty principal investigators? This study integrates both secondary data, using VentureWell's data file and code book, which was developed as an assessment tool for the NSF I-Corps National
Teams Program, and autoethnography, whereby the authors use a qualitative research approach to self-reflect upon their own experiences conducting customer discovery on energy-focused technologies. Findings show there is much to be gained by program participants, including improvements in overall
career success attributes, such as learning, mentoring, and research capabilities. In addition, the results show faculty researchers how they can recreate the process on their own.
Inventor-Entrepreneurs: Patents and Patent Licensing in the Early Republic
Authors: Daemmrich Arthur
Published: July 2021

Independent inventors have limited routes to secure financial returns on the time and capital they invest to develop and realize a new idea. Research into two centuries of inventors has identified their options as licensing patents once they are issued, selling inventions (and patents)
to existing companies, forging consulting arrangements with operating firms, or raising funds and starting a business. This article explores patent licensing as an entrepreneurial approach using a case study of the largely unknown licensing program undertaken by Samuel Hopkins after receiving
the first U. S. patent. A license agreement signed between Hopkins and Eli Cogswell, a potash manufacturer in Vermont, offers a case study of how an inventor-entrepreneur worked in the early American republic. It also provides insights into the links between intellectual property and entrepreneurship,
the mindset of inventor-entrepreneurs, and the challenges of bringing a new technology to market at a foundational moment in U. S. history.
Entomopathogenic nematode management of small hive beetles (Aethina tumida) in three native Alabama soils under low moisture conditions
Authors: Sanchez WinDi , Shapiro David , Williams Geoff , Lawrence Kathy
Published: July 2021

The goal was to determine the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) on Aethina tumida small hive beetle (SHB) in Alabama soils. The objectives were to (i) determine the pupation success of SHB wandering larvae; (ii) determine the efficacy of EPNs on SHB wandering larvae in natural and autoclaved soil; and (iii) determine the efficacy of EPNs on SHB wandering larvae in three Alabama soil types at typical low moisture levels. The Alabama soils were Kalmia loamy sand (KLS), Benndale fine sandy loam (BFSL), and Decatur silt loam (DSL). Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, H. indica, Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltiae, S. kraussei, and S. riobrave were tested at population densities of 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 third-stage infective EPN juveniles (IJ3) per 130 cm3 soil. Pupation success in SHB population densities of 5, 10, and 20 wandering larvae per Petri dish were similar. Of the six EPN species, S. carpocapsae achieved the highest efficacy across all EPN population densities in both natural and autoclaved soil. Steinernema riobrave and H. indica achieved the next highest efficacies; however, they were significantly less effective than S. carpocapsae. Steinernema carpocapsae parasitized 87% SHB wandering larvae across all population densities tested. Steinernema carpocapsae achieved the best efficacy colonizing 94% of the SHB in the KLS soil, 80% in the BFSL soil, and 47% in the DSL soil. In conclusions, S. carpocapsae is be a promising biological control EPN to implement into a management system on SHB.