bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Principles guiding ethical research in a collaboration to strengthen Indigenous primary healthcare in Australia: learning from experience
Authors: Bailie Jodie , Laycock Alison Frances , Conte Kathleen Parker , Matthews Veronica , Peiris David , Bailie Ross Stewart , Abimbola Seye , Passey Megan Elizabeth , Cunningham Frances Clare , Harkin Kerryn , Bainbridge Roxanne Gwendalyn
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Indigenous communities worldwide are leading calls for all research involving Indigenous people to be underpinned by values and principles articulated by them. Many researchers are explicitly adopting these principles to guide what, where, how and when research is undertaken with Indigenous people. With critical reflection to support the implementation of such principles largely absent from published literature, this paper explores both the implementation of, and the outcomes from a set of guiding principles used in a large-scale Australian research collaboration to improve Indigenous health.

Methods

In this inductive qualitative study, we adopted a principles-focused evaluation approach. Based on interviews with 35 actors in the collaboration and a review of project documents, we generated themes that were then iteratively discussed, refined and categorised into (1) ‘strategies’—activities by which implementation of our guiding principles were recognised; (2) ‘outcomes’—results seen from implementing the principles and (3) ‘conditions’—aspects of the context that facilitated and constrained implementation of the principles.

Results

Respondents found it difficult to articulate how the guiding principles were actually implemented, and frequently referred to them as part of the fabric of the collaboration. They viewed the set of principles as mutually reinforcing, and as providing a rudder for navigating complexity and conflict. Implementation of the principles occurred through five strategies—honouring the principles; being dynamic and adaptable; sharing and dispersing leadership; collaborating purposefully and adopting a culture of mutual learning. Outcomes included increased Indigenous leadership and participation; the ability to attract principled and values-driven researchers and stakeholders, and the development of trusting and respectful relationships. The conditions that facilitated the implementation of the principles were collaborating over time; an increasing number of Indigenous researchers and taking an ‘innovation platform’ approach.

Conclusion

Our findings show that principles guiding collaborations are valuable in providing a focus, direction and a way of working together when they are collaboratively developed, hold genuine meaning for all members and are implemented within a culture of continuous critical reflection, learning and adaptation, with ongoing reinterpretation of the principles over time.
Ethiopian Pediatric Society Quality Improvement Initiative: a pragmatic approach to facility-based quality improvement in low-resource settings
Authors: Patterson Jacquelyn , Worku Bogale , Jones Denise , Clary Alecia , Ramaswamy Rohit , Bose Carl
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To describe critical features of the Ethiopian Pediatric Society (EPS) Quality Improvement (QI) Initiative and to present formative research on mentor models.

Setting

General and referral hospitals in the Addis Ababa area of Ethiopia.

Participants

Eighteen hospitals selected for proximity to the EPS headquarters, prior participation in a recent newborn care training cascade and minimal experience with QI.

Interventions

Education in QI in a 2-hour workshop setting followed by implementation of a facility-based QI project with the support of virtual mentorship or in-person mentorship.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcome—QI progress, measured using an adapted Institute for Healthcare Improvement Scale; secondary outcome—contextual factors affecting QI success as measured by the Model for Understanding Success in Quality.

Results

The dose and nature of mentoring encounters differed based on a virtual versus in-person mentoring approach. All QI teams conducted at least one large-scale change. Education of staff was the most common change implemented in both groups. We did not identify contextual factors that predicted greater QI progress.

Conclusions

The EPS QI Initiative demonstrates that education in QI paired with external mentorship can support implementation of QI in low-resource settings. This pragmatic approach to facility-based QI may be a scalable strategy for improving newborn care and outcomes. Further research is needed on the most appropriate instruments for measuring contextual factors in low/middle-income country settings.
Utility of radial endobronchial ultrasonography combined with transbronchial lung cryobiopsy in patients with diffuse parenchymal lung diseases: a multicentre prospective study
Authors: Inomata Minoru , Kuse Naoyuki , Awano Nobuyasu , Tone Mari , Yoshimura Hanako , Jo Tatsunori , Minami Jonsu , Takada Kohei , Muto Yutaka , Fujimoto Kazushi , Harada Akinori , Bae Yuan , Kumasaka Toshio , Yamakawa Hideaki , Sato Shintaro , Tobino Kazunori , Matsushima Hidekazu , Takemura Tamiko , Izumo Takehiro
Published: January 2021

Background

Radial endobronchial ultrasonography (R-EBUS) has been used in conjunction with transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) to diagnose diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD) and to decrease the risk of bleeding complications. The diagnostic utility of different R-EBUS signs, however, remains unknown.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine whether different R-EBUS signs could be used to more accurately diagnose DPLD and whether bronchial bleeding could be prevented with use of R-EBUS during TBLC.

Method

Eighty-seven patients with DPLD were included in this multicentre prospective study, with 49 patients undergoing R-EBUS. R-EBUS signals were characterised as displaying either dense or blizzard signs. Pathological confidence of specimens obtained from TBLC was compared between patients with dense versus blizzard signs, and severity of bronchial bleeding was determined based on whether R-EBUS was performed or not.

Results

All patients with dense signs on R-EBUS showed consolidation on high-resolution CT (HRCT) imaging. Pathological confidence of lung specimens was significantly higher in patients with dense signs versus those with blizzard signs (p<0.01) and versus those who did not undergo R-EBUS (p<0.05). Patients who underwent TBLC with R-EBUS were more likely to experience no or mild bronchial bleeding than patients who did not undergo R-EBUS (p<0.01), with shorter procedure times (p<0.01).

Conclusions

The dense R-EBUS sign corresponded with consolidation on HRCT. High-quality lung specimens may be obtainable when the dense sign is observed on R-EBUS, and R-EBUS combined with TBLC may reduce risk of bronchial bleeding and shorten procedure times.
Youth sport injury research: a narrative review and the potential of interdisciplinarity
Authors: Hausken-Sutter Solveig Elisabeth , Pringle Richard , Schubring Astrid , Grau Stefan , Barker-Ruchti Natalie
Published: January 2021

To prevent sports injuries, researchers have aimed to understand injury aetiology from both the natural and social sciences and through applying different methodologies. This research has produced strong disciplinary knowledge and a number of injury prevention programmes. Yet, the injury rate continues to be high, especially in youth sport and youth football. A key reason for the continued high injury rate is the development of injury prevention programmes based on monodisciplinary knowledge that does not account for the complex nature of sport injury aetiology. The purpose of this paper is to consider and outline an interdisciplinary research process to research the complex nature of sport injury aetiology. To support our proposition, we first present a narrative review of existing youth football and youth sport injury research demonstrating an absence of paradigmatic integration across the research areas’ main disciplines of biomedicine, psychology and sociology. We then demonstrate how interdisciplinary research can address the complexity of youth sport injury aetiology. Finally, we introduce the interdisciplinary process we have recently followed in a youth football injury research project. While further research is necessary, particularly regarding the integration of qualitative and quantitative sport injury data, we propose that the pragmatic interdisciplinary research process can be useful for researchers who aim to work across disciplines and paradigms and aim to employ methodological pluralism in their research.
Culturally sensitive prescribing of common symptom management drugs
Authors: Taylor Bridget
Published: January 2021

Aim

Many commonly used medicines contain, or are derived from, products which are unacceptable for religious or philosophical reasons. This paper discusses religious and non-religious dietary restrictions that have implications for prescribing in palliative care.

Method

A search was undertaken of the summary of product characteristics of 18 commonly used medications in palliative care. Any animal products used in the production process were not specified. Thirty-nine pharmaceutical companies were contacted to gather specific information to address this.

Results

Some companies were unable to provide all the requested information even after 21 days. There is considerable variation regarding excipients and products involved in the manufacturing processes between different manufacturers of the same product. Within the products considered, bovine rennet was often used to extract lactose from cow’s milk; gelatine was most often, but not always, bovine; magnesium stearate was mostly non-animal in origin. If alcohol is not a matter of concern, it might appear that liquid formulations would generally be more acceptable than capsules or tablets. However, assumptions cannot be made as producers and production processes commonly change.

Conclusion

It has not been possible to provide definitive information about whether animal products and alcohol are involved in the manufacturing processes of these medicines. The onus is on prescribers to sensitively enquire about any dietary restrictions individuals might have, to contact companies directly to gather specific information and be prepared to discuss the impact on symptom management if equivalent alternatives are not available.
Outcomes of Atrial Fibrillation Hospitalizations in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Report from the National Inpatient Sample
Authors: Rivera Pavon Mavi Maureen , Shahi Anoj , Akuna Emmanuel , Asemota Iriagbonse Rotimi , Arif Abdul Wahab , Torres Andrea , Elbermawy Mahmoud , Velazquez Genaro , Almani Muhammad Usman , Usman Muhammad , Quelal Karol , Bashir Mohammad Waqas , Ojemolon Pius Ehiremen , Eseaton Precious Obehi
Published: January 2021

This study compares outcomes of patients admitted for atrial fibrillation (AF) with and without coexisting systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. Hospital length of stay (LOS), total hospital charges, odds of undergoing ablation, pharmacologic cardioversion and electrical cardioversion were secondary outcomes of interest. Data were abstracted from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2016 and 2017 database. The NIS was searched for adult hospitalizations with AF as principal diagnosis with and without SLE as secondary diagnosis using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analysis was used accordingly to adjust for confounders. There were over 71 million discharges included in the combined 2016 and 2017 NIS database. 821,630 hospitalizations were for adult patients, who had a principal diagnosis of AF, out of which, 2645 (0.3%) had SLE as secondary diagnosis. Hospitalizations for AF with SLE had similar inpatient mortality (1.5% vs 0.91%, adjusted OR (AOR): 1.0, 95% CI 0.47 to 2.14, p=0.991), LOS (4.2 vs 3.4 days, p=0.525), total hospital charges ($51,351 vs $39,121, p=0.056), odds of undergoing pharmacologic cardioversion (0.38% vs 0.38%, AOR: 0.90, 95% CI 0.22 to 3.69, p=0.880) and electrical cardioversion (12.9% vs 17.5%, AOR 0.87, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.15, p=0.324) compared with those without SLE. However, SLE group had increased odds of undergoing ablation (6.8% vs 4.2%, AOR: 1.9, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.7, p<0.0001). Patients admitted for AF with SLE had similar inpatient mortality, LOS, total hospital charges, likelihood of undergoing pharmacologic and electrical cardioversion compared with those without SLE. However, SLE group had greater odds of undergoing ablation.
Physiochemical studies of functionalized MWCNT/transformer oil nanofluid utilized in a double pipe heat exchanger
Authors: Porgar Sajjad , Vafajoo Leila , Nikkam Nader , Nezhaad Gholamreza Vakili
Published: January 2021

The transformer-oil based nanofluid suspensions were prepared by adding 0.05 to 0.80 wt% multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) functionalized with a –COOH group. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used to stabilize the suspensions. The resulting material was used as a coolant in a double pipe heat exchanger operated under co- and counter-current flow conditions. The nanofluid thermo–physical features such as the thermal conductivity, viscosity, and density were determined at various temperatures and mass fractions. Then, pertinent semi-empirical relations were developed. To verify any MWCNT and SDS interactions with the material, the Fourier-transform infrared analysis was performed. Moreover, the stability of the nanofluid suspension was understudied through the UV–vis and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. In addition, the maximum heat transfer coefficient improvement was determined to be 86.7% at a MWCNT mass fraction of 0.8 wt%. Meanwhile, average increments of the overall heat transfer coefficient and thermal conductivity of the prepared nanofluid were revealed about 37.2% and 138%, respectively in comparison with that of the base fluid. Furthermore, the optimum thermal conductivity of 0.388 W/m.K was obtained at 45 °C and 0.8 wt% of the MWCNT. Ultimately, a sensitivity analysis emphasized that, the understudied system’s behaviors were within an accuracy limit of ± 97%.
Study of magnetic and transport properties of Bi2Se3/FeSe2 bilayer thin films
Authors: Zhang J. , Zhao K. , Yang X. S. , Zhao Y.
Published: January 2021

Thin films of topological insulator (TI) Bi2Se3 were grown onto the surfaces of FeSe2 layers of different thicknesses on Si (100) substrates by magnetron sputtering, forming bilayer films with smooth surface. Magnetic and transport measurements indicate ferromagnetism in these bilayer samples. Large coercive fields at low-temperatures and a room-temperature magnetic order were observed. Moreover, nonsaturated high-filed linear magnetoresistance (MR) and weak anti-localization effect were found in these bilayer thin films. These results indicate that the bilayer samples could have both strong spin–orbit coupling and ferromagnetic proximity effect, which are the desired features.
First-principle-based structural and thermodynamic parameters of Ni–Al intermetallic compounds under different pressures and temperatures
Authors: Ali Shabir , Huang Taihong , Song Peng , Shah Syed Hatim , Ali Rawaid , Arif Muhammad , Lu Jiansheng
Published: January 2021

The structural and temperature reliance manner of the thermodynamic parameters of Ni–Al intermetallic compounds with different pressures is comprehensively studied by executing first-principles calculation using the density functional theory (DFT). The calculated optimized volume and bulk modulus are in good agreement with the experimental and theoretical results at zero pressure. Quasi-harmonic Debye model is adopted to find out the bulk modulus, volumetric thermal expansion coefficient, Debye temperature, Gibbs free energy and enthalpy of Ni–Al intermetallic compounds in different pressure ranges from 0 MPa to 600 MPa and temperature ranges from 0 K to 1200 K. Additionally, special attention is paid to calculate the mutual relationships between the thermodynamic parameters with different pressures and temperatures.
FRACTIONAL MAYER NEURO-SWARM HEURISTIC SOLVER FOR MULTI-FRACTIONAL ORDER DOUBLY SINGULAR MODEL BASED ON LANE–EMDEN EQUATION
Authors: SABIR ZULQURNAIN , RAJA MUHAMMAD ASIF ZAHOOR , BALEANU DUMITRU
Published: January 2021

This research is related to present a novel fractional Mayer neuro-swarming intelligent solver for the numerical treatment of multi-fractional order doubly singular Lane–Emden (LE) equation using combined investigations of the Mayer wavelet (MW) neural networks (NNs) optimized by the global search effectiveness of particle swarm optimization (PSO) and interior-point (IP) method, i.e. MW-NN-PSOIP. The design of novel fractional Mayer neuro-swarming intelligent solver for multi-fractional order doubly singular LE equation is derived from the standard LE model and the shape factors; fractional order terms along with singular points are examined. The modeling based on the MW-NN strength is implemented to signify the multi-fractional order doubly singular LE model using the ability of mean squared error in terms of the merit function and the networks are optimized with the integrated capability of PSOIP scheme. The perfection, verification and validation of the fractional Mayer neuro-swarming intelligent solver for three different cases of the multi-fractional order doubly singular LE equation are recognized through comparative investigations from the reference results on different measures based on the convergence, robustness, stability and accuracy. Furthermore, the statics interpretations further validate the performance of the proposed fractional Mayer neuro-swarming intelligent solvers.
SOLVABILITY OF THE MOORE–GIBSON–THOMPSON EQUATION WITH VISCOELASTIC MEMORY TERM AND INTEGRAL CONDITION VIA GALERKIN METHOD
Authors: BOULAARAS SALAH
Published: January 2021

We consider the following abstract version of the Moore–Gibson–Thompson (MGT) equation: [Formula: see text] depending on the parameters [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a convex and nonnegative memory kernel. The related energy has been shown to decay exponentially by Boulaaras et al., Math. Meth. Appl. Sci. 42 (2019) 2664–2679; Lasiecka et al., Z. Angew. Math. Phys. 67 (2016) 17. Here, in this original work, the solvability of the abstract version of nonlocal mixed boundary value problem for the MGT equation via Galerkin’s method is discussed.
Post-Pandemic Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Jing Long
Published: January 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has given rise to an array of problems in cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries. Some items on the cooperation agenda have been delayed and people-to-people exchanges have come to a halt. The pandemic, notwithstanding, is a testament to the value and resilience of the “[Formula: see text]” framework and has presented an opportunity for both sides to identify new areas for future collaboration. In a post-pandemic world, China and Central and Eastern European countries will not only have to address the shortfalls and drawbacks in the current cooperation mechanism, but also firmly work together to deal with new challenges arising from the pandemic.
Study on Mechanical Properties and Control Technology of Surrounding Rock in the Fracture Zone of a Roadway
Authors: Yang Yushun , Fang Zhiming , Ji Guangying , Zhao Baigao , Wei Sijiang
Published: January 2021

We aim at the problem of the large deformation and difficult control of surrounding rock when passing through a fault fracture zone in the centralized rail transportation lane along the south wing of Xinyi Coal Mine; the stress environment and failure mechanism of surrounding rock are analyzed through field investigation, numerical simulation, and field industrial test. The instability of the surrounding rock in the fault fracture zone was considered to be the result of the joint effect of the surrounding rock fracture development, lithology differences, water gushing occurrences, low strength of the original support, high in situ stress, and fault‐related tectonic stress. Rock blocks are collected on site at the fracture zone, and the remoulded samples are prepared for mechanical experiments in the laboratory. The basic mechanical parameters of the roadway passing through silty mudstone, sand‐mudstone interlayer, and fine sandstone were analyzed. A three‐dimensional model is established to analyze the distributions of the stress, deformation, and plastic area in the surrounding rock mass after the tunnel passes through, considering both a single‐rock mass and a multilayer‐rock mass. Based on the above analysis, the “closed support + shotcrete + grouting + anchor mesh cable coupling support” is proposed. Three stations were arranged on site to observe the mine pressure, and the field industrial test shows that, within the 100 days of observation, the maximum roof‐to‐floor convergence is 38 mm, while the maximum horizontal convergence is 56 mm. The overall reinforcement effect of the roadway is good, the surface is smooth, and there is no phenomenon of concrete cracking and bolt fracture.
Solutions of Conformable Fractional-Order SIR Epidemic Model
Authors: Harir Atimad , Malliani Said , Chandli Lalla Saadia
Published: January 2021

In this paper, the conformable fractional-order SIR epidemic model are solved by means of an analytic technique for nonlinear problems, namely, the conformable fractional differential transformation method (CFDTM) and variational iteration method (VIM). These models are nonlinear system of conformable fractional differential equation (CFDE) that has no analytic solution. The VIM is based on conformable fractional derivative and proved. The result revealed that both methods are in agreement and are accurate and efficient for solving systems of OFDE.
A Conceptual Model and Evaluating Experiments for Studying the Effect of Soil Deformation on Its Permeability
Authors: Enayat Masoud , Shoaei Gholamreza , Nikudel Mohammad Reza
Published: January 2021

Soil structure and void ratio are the major factors that control the permeability changes during soil deformation. In this research, we proposed and tested a conceptual model considering these two factors based on the concept of permeability anisotropy. This model, which is expressed as k(e) graph, determines the total k values that soil can achieve and shows that as deformation proceeds, soil permeability passes through a specific zone in the k(e) graph. Thus, by deforming a soil sample, measuring its permeability during deformation, and comparing the results using the k(e) graph, it might be possible to predict deformation effects on the permeability. To evaluate this conceptual model, we designed and built a special apparatus to carry out two sets of experiments. The first set was performed to achieve the k(e) graph during static compression based on the conceptual model; and the second set was conducted to investigate the permeability changes relative to k(e) graph during simple shear deformation in constant volume condition. Our results show that the theoretical k(e) graph agrees more with the measured k(e) graph in medium to dense samples that might have no macropore. In addition, particles’ preferential orientation and/or anisotropic permeability were not changed during shear deformation due to three possible causes: deformation done in constant volume deformation, relatively low shear strain, and shearing along particle orientation. Void ratio and particle orientation are associated with each other, and soil shearing with constant void ratio might cause the anisotropy of permeability to be relatively constant. Thus, it is needed to design and build a new complex apparatus or use a special method for testing how permeability changes within the k(e) graph zone during soil deformation.
Gut Microbiota-Derived Metabolites in the Development of Diseases
Authors: Shen Guangyu , Wu Jing , Ye Bang-Ce , Qi Nan
Published: January 2021

Gut microbiota is increasingly recognized as a metabolic organ essential for human health. Compelling evidences show a variety set of links between diets and gut microbial homeostasis. Changes in gut microbial flora would probably contribute to the development of certain diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, allergy, and psychiatric diseases. In addition to the composition of gut microbiota, the metabolites derived from gut microbiota have emerged as a pivotal regulator in diseases development. Since high-fat and high-protein diets substantially affect the gut microbial ecology and human health, the current review summarizes the gut microbiota-derived metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), amino acids, and their derivatives and highlights the mechanisms underlying the host responses to these bioactive substances.
Study of Fractional Integral Operators Containing Mittag-Leffler Functions via Strongly

α
,
m

-Convex Functions
Authors: Dong Yanliang , Saddiqa Maryam , Ullah Saleem , Farid Ghulam
Published: January 2021

The main aim of this paper is to give refinement of bounds of fractional integral operators involving extended generalized Mittag-Leffler functions. A new definition, namely, strongly

α
,
m

-convex function is introduced to obtain improvements of bounds of fractional integral operators for convex,

m

-convex, and

α
,
m

-convex functions. The results of this paper will provide simultaneous generalizations as well as refinements of various published results.
Vitamin D Status and Usual Nutrient Intake of Filipino Children Aged 6–12 Years in Selected Areas in the Philippines: A 2018 National Nutrition Survey
Authors: Angeles-Agdeppa Imelda , Tanda Keith V.
Published: January 2021

Background. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, usual nutrient intake, and food sources of vitamin D of Filipino children aged 6–12 years in selected areas in the Philippines. Methods. The National Nutrition Survey (NNS) collected blood samples of children aged 6–12 years from selected study sites: Manila City and Quezon City in the National Capital Region (NCR); Cagayan Province and Baguio City in Luzon; Northern Samar and Siquijor in Visayas; and Butuan City and Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao. About 789 children aged 6–12 years participated in this study. Serum vitamin D was determined by electrochemiluminescence binding assay (ECLIA). Food intake data were collected using two-day nonconsecutive 24 h food recall. Usual nutrient intakes were estimated using Personal Computer Software for Intake Distribution Estimation (PC-SIDE) program. Results. The mean serum vitamin D of 25 (OH)D was 72.7 ± 0.67 μmol/L. The overall prevalence of combined vitamin D deficiency (<50 μmol/L) and insufficiency (51–74 μmol/L) among children aged 6–12 years was 60.6%. Females had a higher prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency compared to males. NCR (57.9%) had a higher deficiency compared to the other areas. The usual intake of vitamin D (2 μg/day) among children was below the adequate intake of 5 μg/day. The main food sources of vitamin D are coming from fish (53%), pork (19%), and egg/egg dishes (16%). Conclusion. This study revealed that there is a significantly high level of vitamin D insufficiency in children aged 6–12 years. Filipino females had higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency compared to males. Among the areas, NCR has the highest prevalence of deficiency/insufficiency.
A Retrospective Analysis of Thromboembolic Phenomena in Mechanically Ventilated Patients with COVID-19
Authors: Faqihi Fahad , Alharthy Abdulrahman , Balhamar Abdullah , Nasim Nasir , Alanezi Khaled , Alaklobi Feisal , Memish Ziad A. , Blaivas Mike , Alqahtani Saleh A. , Karakitsos Dimitrios
Published: January 2021

Background. Recent studies have shown an increased prevalence of thromboembolic disease in critically ill patients with the novel SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19). However, the use of enhanced anticoagulation therapy in these patients remains controversial. Objectives. To determine the incidence of thromboembolic phenomena (TEP) and hemorrhagic events (HEs) in intensive care unit (ICU) COVID-19 patients. Methods. One hundred and sixty ICU patients with COVID-19 were enrolled. Clinical examination results, laboratory data, and imaging studies (computed tomography/Doppler ultrasound scans) for these patients were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Outcome measures including days on mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, and day-28 mortality were recorded. Results. Sixty patients (37.5%) developed TEP including thirty patients with deep vein thrombosis, 55 patients with pulmonary embolism, and 7 patients with arterial thromboembolism. Cardiac arrhythmias, lymphocytopenia, and increased D-dimers were more frequently observed in the TEP group compared to the non-TEP group of patients (all

p
<
0.05

). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of a cutoff D-dimer level of 3.0 μg/mL for predicting PE were 74.5%, 95.1%, 86.8%, and 91.9%, respectively. Thirteen patients experienced HEs, which were more frequently observed in the TEP group (

p
<
0.05

). Twenty-eight-day mortality was higher in the TEP group (60%) compared to the non-TEP group (30%) of patients (

p
=
0.02

). Conclusions. The rates of TEP and HEs in mechanically ventilated critically ill COVID-19 patients were 37. 5% and 8.1%. Twenty-eight-day mortality was higher in the TEP group (60%) compared to the non-TEP group (30%) of patients.
Fault Diagnosis of Intershaft Bearing Using Variational Mode Decomposition with TAGA Optimization
Authors: Tian Jing , Wang Shu-Guang , Zhou Jie , Ai Yan-Ting , Zhang Yu-Wei , Fei Cheng-Wei
Published: January 2021

To efficiently extract the features of aeroengine intershaft bearing faults with weak signal, the variational mode decomposition (VMD) method based on the tolerant adaptive genetic algorithm (TAGA) (TAGA‐VMD) is proposed by introducing the idea of tolerance into the traditional adaptive genetic algorithm in this paper. In this method, the tolerant genetic algorithm was adopted to find the optimum empirical parameters K and α of VMD. A fault simulation experiment system of intershaft bearings was built for the inner ring fault and outer ring fault of bearings to verify the proposed TAGA‐VMD method. The results show that the proposed method can effectively extract the fault feature frequency of intershaft bearings, and the error between the extracted fault feature frequency and the theoretical value of fault frequency is less than 0.1%. The efforts of this study provide one promising fault feature extraction approach for aeroengine intershaft bearing fault diagnosis with weak signal.
Infection Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance Levels in Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in Gynecological Outpatients of a Tertiary Hospital in China from 2015 to 2018
Authors: Zhang Wei , Li Lijuan , Zhang Xuelian , Fang Hongshu , Chen Huajian , Rong Changxian
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study was to estimate the Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis infection prevalence and antibiotic resistance levels in gynecological outpatients. Clinical characteristics and laboratory data of gynecological outpatients of the Fourth People’s Hospital of Chongqing from 2015 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Antibiotic resistance levels in U. urealyticum and M. hominis were defined by a commercial Mycoplasma kit for antibiotic susceptibility testing. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate risk factors associated with Mycoplasma isolation. Comparisons of yearly distributions and resistance rates were assessed by chi-square tests. Fifty-six percent of gynecological outpatients were positive for U. urealyticum, and 11.02% were positive for M. hominis. In the univariate analysis, women aged 30–39 years or with a history of pregnancy or gynecological diseases had an increased risk for Mycoplasma isolation, while women who were postmenopausal or had an education level of undergraduate degree or above had a decreased risk of Mycoplasma isolation. In the multivariate logistic regression model, an independent risk factor for Mycoplasma isolation was a history of gynecological diseases, while a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or above were protective factors against Mycoplasma isolation. There were distinctly gradual increases in the positivity rates of U. urealyticum and M. hominis from 2015 to 2018 and an overall increasing trend of resistance to ten antibiotics among U. urealyticum and M. hominis. The top three antibiotics associated with resistance were ofloxacin, sparfloxacin, and levofloxacin. Doxycycline, josamycin, and minocycline were preferred because they had the lowest levels of resistance. Increases in the prevalence of infection and antibiotic resistance in U. urealyticum and M. hominis were observed from 2015 to 2018, clearly confirming the necessity to monitor the standardized administration of antibiotics.
Cicadidae Periostracum Attenuates Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms and Pathology via the Regulation of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation
Authors: Park Gunhyuk , Moon Byeong Cheol , Ryu Seung Mok , Kim Wook Jin , Lim Hye-Sun
Published: January 2021

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial inflammatory skin disease of complex etiology. Despite its increasing prevalence, treatment for AD is still limited. Crude drugs, including herbal extracts or natural resources, are being used to treat AD symptoms, with minimum side effects. Cicadidae Periostracum (CP), derived from the slough of insects belonging to the family Cicadidae, is a commonly used crude drug in traditional Asian medicine to treat/control epilepsy, shock, and edema. However, the effect of CP on AD‐like skin lesions is unknown. In this study, we examined the effect of a CP water extract on AD disease development in vivo, using a house dust mite‐induced AD mouse model, and in vitro, using HaCaT keratinocytes and a 3D human skin equivalent system. Importantly, CP administration alleviated house dust mite‐induced AD‐like symptoms, suggested by the quantified dermatitis scores, animal scratching behaviors, skin moisture retention capacity, and skin lesion and ear thickness. Furthermore, histopathological analysis demonstrated that CP decreased intralesional mast cell infiltration. In addition, CP treatments decreased the systemic levels of immunoglobulin E, histamine, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and the local mRNA expression of TSLP and several Th1/Th2 cytokines. Our data suggest that these effects were mediated by the inhibition of nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation. In vivo and in vitro CP treatments resulted in the downregulation of inflammasome components, such as ASC and cleaved caspase‐1, as well as related mediators such as IL‐1β and reactive oxygen species. Collectively, our results suggest that CP is a potential therapeutic agent for AD, controlling inflammatory responses through the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Deep Ensemble Model for Classification of Novel Coronavirus in Chest X‐Ray Images
Authors: Ahmad Fareed , Farooq Amjad , Ghani Muhammad Usman
Published: January 2021

The novel coronavirus, SARS‐CoV‐2, can be deadly to people, causing COVID‐19. The ease of its propagation, coupled with its high capacity for illness and death in infected individuals, makes it a hazard to the community. Chest X‐rays are one of the most common but most difficult to interpret radiographic examination for early diagnosis of coronavirus‐related infections. They carry a considerable amount of anatomical and physiological information, but it is sometimes difficult even for the expert radiologist to derive the related information they contain. Automatic classification using deep learning models can help in better assessing these infections swiftly. Deep CNN models, namely, MobileNet, ResNet50, and InceptionV3, were applied with different variations, including training the model from the start, fine‐tuning along with adjusting learned weights of all layers, and fine‐tuning with learned weights along with augmentation. Fine‐tuning with augmentation produced the best results in pretrained models. Out of these, two best‐performing models (MobileNet and InceptionV3) selected for ensemble learning produced accuracy and FScore of 95.18% and 90.34%, and 95.75% and 91.47%, respectively. The proposed hybrid ensemble model generated with the merger of these deep models produced a classification accuracy and FScore of 96.49% and 92.97%. For test dataset, which was separately kept, the model generated accuracy and FScore of 94.19% and 88.64%. Automatic classification using deep ensemble learning can help radiologists in the correct identification of coronavirus‐related infections in chest X‐rays. Consequently, this swift and computer‐aided diagnosis can help in saving precious human lives and minimizing the social and economic impact on society.
Notch-Regulated Dendritic Cells Restrain Inflammation-Associated Colorectal Carcinogenesis
Authors: Wang Lei , Yu Shuiliang , Chan Ernest R. , Chen Kai-Yuan , Liu Cui , Che Danian , Awadallah Amad , Myers Jay , Askew David , Huang Alex Y. , Maillard Ivan , Huang Dan , Xin Wei , Zhou Lan
Published: January 2021

Conventional dendritic cells (cDC) play a central role in T-cell antitumor responses. We studied the significance of Notch-regulated DC immune responses in a mouse model of colitis-associated colorectal cancer in which there is epithelial downregulation of Notch/Hes1 signaling. This defect phenocopies that caused by GMDS (GDP-mannose 4,6-dehydratase) mutation in human colorectal cancers. We found that, although wild-type immune cells restrained dysplasia progression and decreased the incidence of adenocarcinoma in chimeric mice, the immune system with Notch2 deleted in all blood lineages or in only DCs promoted inflammation-associated transformation. Notch2 signaling deficiency not only impaired cDC terminal differentiation, but also downregulated CCR7 expression, reduced DC migration, and suppressed antigen cross-presentation to CD8+ T cells. Transfer of Notch-primed DCs restrained inflammation-associated dysplasia progression. Consistent with the mouse data, we observed a correlation between infiltrating cDC1 and Notch2 signaling in human colorectal cancers and found that GMDS-mutant colorectal cancers showed decreased CCR7 expression and suppressed cDC1 signature gene expression. Suppressed cDC1 gene signature expression in human colorectal cancer was associated with a poor prognosis. In summary, our study supports an important role for Notch2 signaling in cDC1-mediated antitumor immunity and indicates that Notch2-controlled DCs restrain inflammation-associated colon cancer development in mice.
3D Technique-Based Nonsurgical Correction of Deformational Congenital Auricular Deformities
Authors: Zhu Yifan , Zhou Yuemin , Zhao Qiannan , Ma Yuanyuan , Lu Yuquan
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Congenital auricular deformity (CAD) is a common postpartum deformity, and nonsurgical correction of CAD has been recognized as a safe and effective approach. Three-dimensional (3D) technique has been used in surgical reconstruction of unilateral microtia; however, 3D technique used in nonsurgical correction for deformational CAD has not been reported. Methods: In this study, 12 CAD patients aged from 0.6 to 7 months with 16 deformational CAD were treated with 3D technique-based personalized nonsurgical correction (3D-NSC). Patients’ CAD was photographed pre- and post-correction, and clinical outcome was evaluated as poor, fair, good, and excellent by comparing pre- and post-correction pictures. Different kinds of tests were used to analyze the data. Results: All patients got an improved auricle shape (10 excellent, 2 good, and 4 fair). Multivariate regression analysis showed that CAD type was significantly associated with correction outcome, sex and age were significantly associated with correction outcome for the 11 constructed types of CAD, and age was significantly associated with the correction outcome when we focused on the male constructed auricles. Conclusion: 3D-NSC provided a significant nonsurgical clinical treatment for CAD patients, with younger patients getting better clinical outcomes with shorter correction time.
Rationale of Blood Purification in the Post-Resuscitation Syndrome following Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Narrative Review
Authors: Redant Sebastien , De Bels David , Honoré Patrick M.
Published: January 2021

Even today, little is known about the pathophysiology of the post-resuscitation syndrome. Our narrative review is one of the first summarizing all the knowledge about this phenomenon. We have focused our review upon the potential role of blood purification in attenuating the consequences of the post-resuscitation syndrome. Blood purification can decrease the cytokine storm particularly when using a CytoSorb absorber. Acrylonitrile 69-based oXiris membranes can remove endotoxin and high-mobility group box 1 protein. Blood purification techniques can quickly induce hypothermia. Blood purification can be used with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to remove excess water. Further trials are needed to provide more concrete data about the use of blood purification in the post-resuscitation syndrome.
FGF10 Attenuates Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Hou Qinhan , Chen Hongmou , Liu Quan , Yan Xianlei
Published: January 2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can induce neuronal apoptosis and neuroinflammation, resulting in substantial neuronal damage and behavioral disorders. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) have been shown to be critical mediators in tissue repair. However, the role of FGF10 in experimental TBI remains unknown. In this study, mice with TBI were established via weight-loss model and validated by increase of modified neurological severity scores (mNSS) and brain water content. Secondly, FGF10 levels were elevated in mice after TBI, whereas intraventricular injection of Ad-FGF10 decreased mNSS score and brain water content, indicating the remittance of neurological deficit and cerebral edema in TBI mice. In addition, neuronal damage could also be ameliorated by stereotactic injection of Ad-FGF10. Overexpression of FGF10 increased protein expression of Bcl-2, while it decreased Bax and cleaved caspase-3/PARP, and improved neuronal apoptosis in TBI mice. In addition, Ad-FGF10 relieved neuroinflammation induced by TBI and significantly reduced the level of interleukin 1β/6, tumor necrosis factor α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Moreover, Ad-FGF10 injection decreased the protein expression level of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), MyD88, and phosphorylation of NF-κB (p-NF-κB), suggesting the inactivation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, overexpression of FGF10 could ameliorate neurological deficit, neuronal apoptosis, and neuroinflammation through inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for brain injury in the future.
Combination of CA19-9 and Blood Free-Circulating Methylated RUNX3 May Be Useful to Diagnose Stage I Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Fujimoto Yuko , Suehiro Yutaka , Kaino Seiji , Suenaga Shigeyuki , Tsuyama Takanori , Matsui Hiroto , Higaki Shingo , Fujii Ikuei , Suzuki Chieko , Hoshida Tomomi , Matsumoto Toshihiko , Takami Taro , Nagano Hiroaki , Sakaida Isao , Yamasaki Takahiro
Published: January 2021

Background: Although serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) is widely used as a useful biomarker of pancreatic cancer for monitoring the response to therapy, it is not recommended for screening of early pancreatic cancer because of its limited sensitivity for small tumors. Thus, it is critical to discover novel serum biomarkers to complement CA19-9 in order to improve sensitivity. Although methylated runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) is a biomarker of pancreatic cancer, its detection by conventional bisulfite-based methylation assays from a small serum sample amount is very difficult. Therefore, we developed a new methylation assay, the combined restriction digital PCR (CORD) assay, that enables counting of even one copy of a methylated gene in a small DNA sample amount without DNA bisulfite treatment. Objectives: We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of serum DNA testing of methylated RUNX3 by the CORD assay in combination with and without CA19-9 for the detection of pancreatic cancer in 55 patients with pancreatic cancer, 12 patients with benign pancreatic disease, and 80 healthy individuals. Results: The CORD assay of methylated RUNX3 had a sensitivity of 50.9% (28/55) and specificity of 93.5% (86/92). Combination of the CORD assay of methylated RUNX3 and CA19-9 resulted in a sensitivity of 85.5% (47/55) and specificity of 93.5% (86/92) for all stages of pancreatic cancer and a sensitivity of 77.8% (7/9) for stage I pancreatic cancer. Conclusions: ombination of the CORD assay and CA19-9 may provide an alternative screening strategy for detecting early-stage pancreatic cancer.
Delayed-Release Phosphatidylcholine Is Effective for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Stremmel Wolfgang , Vural Hüseyin , Evliyaoglu Osman , Weiskirchen Ralf
Published: January 2021

Background: Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is intrinsically missing in intestinal mucus of patients with ulcerative colitis. Topical supplementation with delayed intestinal release PC formulations is assumed to compensate this lack. Three monocenter randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a 30% PC-containing lecithin were successful, whereas 1 trial with >94% PC-containing lecithin failed. Objectives: Evaluation of 30% PC-containing lecithin provided in a delayed intestinal release formulation for treatment efficacy of ulcerative colitis was evaluated by meta-analysis of 3 RCTs. Methods: Meta-analysis of 3 studies was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% Cl were calculated for remission, clinical and endoscopic improvement, histology, and life quality. p values <0.05 were accepted as significant. Results: The meta-analysis of 3 RTCs with 160 included patients with ulcerative colitis verified that PC improved the rate of remission (OR = 9.68), as well as clinical (OR = 30.58) and endoscopic outcomes (OR = 36.73). Within the available patient population, also histology and quality of life became better. All effects were significant over placebo. Achieved remission was maintained in a higher percentage of patients under intestinal-release PC formulation than placebo. The profile of adverse events was identical to the placebo population. Conclusions: A 30% PC-containing lecithin in delayed intestinal release formulation improves clinical and endoscopic outcomes, histologic activity, and quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis. For the patients, lack of adverse events is an important consideration.
ПРОБЛЕМИ ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ НАДАННЯ ДOПOМOГИ НEДOНOШEНИМ НOВOНАРOДЖEНИМ У КЗ «ДНІПРOПEТРOВCЬКИЙ CПEЦІАЛІЗOВАНИЙ КЛІНІЧНИЙ МEДИЧНИЙ ЦEНТР МАТEРІ ТА ДИТИНИ ІМ. ПРOФ. М. Ф. РУДНЄВА» ДНІПРOПEТРOВCЬКOЇ OБЛАCНOЇ РАДИ»
Authors: Uralbayeva T. S. , Rega N. I. , Yastremska S. O.
Published: January 2021

У статті наведено дані, які характеризують ефективність надання медичної допомоги недоношеним новонародженим у КЗ «Дніпрoпeтрoвcький cпeціалізoваний клінічний мeдичний цeнтр матeрі та дитини ім. прoф. М. Ф. Руднєва» Дніпрoпeтрoвcькoї oблаcнoї ради», зокрема аналіз кадрового забезпечення лікарями та медичними сестрами відділень, які надають неонатологічну допомогу, структуру захворюваності та показники смертності серед недоношених новонароджених.