Application of non-thermal plasma in medicine: a bibliometric and visualization analysis

Non-thermal plasma has been widely studied in medicine due to its beneficial effect with low thermal or other damages. Numerous medical research studies have been conducted using non-thermal plasma devices; yet, to date, there is no report summarizing this field as a whole. In this study, we aim to perform a bibliometric analysis to assess the state of research, current research priorities, and emerging trends in non-thermal plasma medicine over the last two decades. Publications related to non-thermal plasma medicine (2002–2022) were searched in Web of Science core collection. Bibliometric analysis and visualization was then performed using R-Bibliometrix and CiteSpace. A total of 725 publications related to non-thermal plasma were identified. The annual number of publications has increased continuously over the past two decades. n the field of non-thermal plasma medicine, Germany, China and the United States dominated. Of all institutions, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology published the most papers. The journal with highest citation was JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS. Bekeschus Sander published the highest H-value of articles. “Inactivation”, “Apoptosis”, “Chronic Wound” is the primary focus area of non-thermal plasma medicine, “Differentiation”, “Water”, “Gene Expression” and “Cell Death” were the main keywords of the new research hotspots. In this study, bibliometric methods were used to analyze current research priorities and trends in non-thermal plasma medicine and to identify the countries, institutions, authors, and journals with the greatest influence in the field to enhance collaboration and learning

Strategies to improve the therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell‐derived extracellular vesicle (MSC-EV): a promising cell-free therapy for liver disease

Liver disease has emerged as a significant worldwide health challenge due to its diverse causative factors and therapeutic complexities. The majority of liver diseases ultimately progress to end-stage liver disease and liver transplantation remains the only effective therapy with the limitations of donor organ shortage, lifelong immunosuppressants and expensive treatment costs. Numerous pre-clinical studies have revealed that extracellular vesicles released by mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-EV) exhibited considerable potential in treating liver diseases. Although natural MSC-EV has many potential advantages, some characteristics of MSC-EV, such as heterogeneity, uneven therapeutic effect, and rapid clearance in vivo constrain its clinical translation. In recent years, researchers have explored plenty of ways to improve the therapeutic efficacy and rotation rate of MSC-EV in the treatment of liver disease. In this review, we summarized current strategies to enhance the therapeutic potency of MSC-EV, mainly including optimization culture conditions in MSC or modifications of MSC-EV, aiming to facilitate the development and clinical application of MSC-EV in treating liver disease

Molecular Ecology of Pyrethroid Knockdown Resistance in Culex pipiens pallens Mosquitoes

Pyrethroid insecticides have been extensively used in China and worldwide for public health pest control. Accurate resistance monitoring is essential to guide the rational use of insecticides and resistance management. Here we examined the nucleotide diversity of the para-sodium channel gene, which confers knockdown resistance (kdr) in Culex pipiens pallens mosquitoes in China. The sequence analysis of the para-sodium channel gene identified L1014F and L1014S mutations. We developed and validated allele-specific PCR and the real-time TaqMan methods for resistance diagnosis. The real-time TaqMan method is more superior to the allele-specific PCR method as evidenced by higher amplification rate and better sensitivity and specificity. Significant positive correlation between kdr allele frequency and bioassay-based resistance phenotype demonstrates that the frequency of L1014F and L1014S mutations in the kdr gene can be used as a molecular marker for deltamethrin resistance monitoring in natural Cx. pipiens pallens populations in the East China region. The laboratory selection experiment found that L1014F mutation frequency, but not L1014S mutation, responded to deltamethrin selection, suggesting that the L1014F mutation is the key mutation conferring resistance to deltamethrin. High L1014F mutation frequency detected in six populations of Cx. pipens pallens suggests high prevalence of pyrethroid resistance in Eastern China, calling for further surveys to map the resistance in China and for investigating alternative mosquito control strategies

Monitoring the Dynamic Response of a Buried Polyethylene Pipe to a Blast Wave: An Experimental Study

Although the use of polyethylene (PE) pipelines has become increasingly widespread in recent years, few studies have addressed their seismic design and ability to withstand blast waves. In order to establish their seismic capacity, the dynamic response of buried pipelines subjected to blast waves must be explored in depth. Here, we studied the dynamic response of PE pipes situated near an explosive source. Time histories of dynamic strains were measured by conventional strain gauges after simple waterproof treatment, and pipe and ground vibration velocity curves were obtained. Based on the experimental data, the attenuation law of the peak strains under the conditions of different charge masses and blast center distances was analyzed, and the spectrum characteristics of strain, velocity of the pipe, and ground velocity were studied. The results revealed that a large hoop strain on the PE pipes was produced due to the local impact near the explosive source. We found that peak hoop strain (PHS) or peak axial strain (PAS) had a power attenuation relationship with the scaled distance, and this relationship could also be derived by dimensional analysis. The average frequency of strains had the same attenuation form as the charge mass, which was between 10 Hz and 50 Hz. Additionally, the vibration of the pipe showed a low frequency. We also determined that the attenuation of the average frequency of pipe and ground vibration velocity was closely related to the charge mass and the scaled distance. Pipe peak vibration velocity (PPVV), ground peak particle velocity (GPPV), and the peak dynamic strain of pipe were highly positively correlated, which verifies the feasibility of using GPPV to characterize pipeline vibration and strain level. Thus, a blasting criterion of 10% minimum request strength (MRS) for PE pipe was proposed, which means that the additional PHS or PAS of the dangerous point must be less than 10% MRS, and we also propose limiting the safety distance–charge mass for blasts near buried PE pipelines by the criterion. Some results in this paper can serve as the basis for future in-depth theoretical research

Sedimentary characteristics and controlling factors of hyperpycnal flow in the Lower Shahejie Formation of Qikou Sag, Bohai Bay Basin

This study clarified the sedimentary characteristics of hyperpycnal flow sediments, investigated the plane and vertical characteristics and the differences in hyperpycnal flow sedimentary systems from different provenances, and finally discussed the controlling factors of hyperpycnal flow in rift basins. The sedimentary characteristics of hyperpycnal flow in the Lower Shahejie Formation of the Qikou Sag, Bohai Bay Basin have been studied through the comprehensive analysis of drilling core, logging, seismic attribute, and grain data.The results show that there are three typical recognition features for the hyperpycnal flow deposits in the study area: ① The vertical sedimentary sequence is composed of a reverse grain grading in the lower part, a normal grain grading in the upper part and a relatively thick layer with no obvious change in grain size; ② The sediment is dominated by a gradual suspension. The types of cumulative probability curves include a complex multistage style, an upper arch style and a low slope two-stage style; ③ The lithofacies is characterized by erosional filling deposition and various bedding structures with the development of maroon argillaceous layers, maroon gravels, abundant plant debris and carbonaceous debris. The channelized hyperpycnal flow sediments have multiple sources. The most significant source is the Gegu source, which is characterized by a long-distance transportation path, multiple flower bodies and widespread deposits along the transportation path.Two types of sedimentary models are established in this study, and the controlling factors of hyperpycnal flow include paleogeomorphology, paleoprovenance and paleoclimate. Considering that hyperpycnal flow widely exists in rift lacustrine basins with its channel sandstone bodies being good reservoir properties, our study suggests that hyperpycnal flow is a breakthrough point for oil and gas exploration in continental rift lacustrine basins

Tumor Lysis Syndrome with CD20 Monoclonal Antibodies for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Signals from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System

Background and ObjectiveAlthough tumor lysis syndrome was reported with obinutuzumab and rituximab, the association with CD20 monoclonal antibodies for chronic lymphocytic leukemia is unclear.MethodsA disproportionality analysis was conducted to investigate the link between CD20 monoclonal antibodies and tumor lysis syndrome by accounting for known confounders and comparing with other anticancer drugs, using data from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System. Reporting odds ratios and the information component were calculated as disproportionality measures. A stepwise sensitivity analysis was conducted to test the robustness of disproportionality signals. Bradford Hill criteria were adopted to globally assess the potential causal relationship.ResultsFrom 2004 to 2022, 197, 368, 41, and 14 tumor lysis syndrome reports were detected for obinutuzumab, rituximab, ofatumumab, and alemtuzumab (CD52 monoclonal antibody), respectively. Disproportionality signals were found for the above four monoclonal antibodies when compared with other anticancer drugs. Sensitivity analyses confirmed robust disproportionality signals for obinutuzumab, rituximab, and ofatumumab. The median onset time was 4.5, 1.5, and 2.5 days for rituximab, obinutuzumab, and ofatumumab, respectively. A potential causal relationship was fulfilled by assessing Bradford Hill criteria.ConclusionsThis pharmacovigilance study on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System detected a plausible association between CD20 monoclonal antibodies (but not CD52) and tumor lysis syndrome by assessing the adapted Bradford Hill criteria. Urgent clarification of drug- and patient-related risk factors is needed through large comparative population-based studies

Reimbursing for the costs of teaching and research in finnish hospitals: A stochastic frontier analysis

In this study stochastic frontier cost function was used to estimate the teaching and research costs of Finnish hospitals. Predicted efficiency adjusted costs were calculated and compared to evaluate the current level of teaching and research reimbursement. The efficiency adjustment had significant impact on the marginal and average cost estimates of the teaching and research output. The results suggest that the average rate of teaching and research reimbursement should be approximately 14.6% of the total operating costs in university teaching hospitals. The main finding was that the university teaching hospitals were underfunded with respect to both research and teaching output. Copyright Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. 2006Reimbursement, Hospitals, Teaching, Cost efficiency, Stochastic frontier,