bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of pharmacological treatment on outcomes of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: an updated systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Lin Yaowang , Cai Zhigang , Yuan Jie , Liu Huadong , Pang Xinli , Chen Qiuling , Tang Xinzheng , Geng Qingshan , Dong Shaohong
Published: November 2022

Background

Optimal treatment strategies for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remain uncertain. The goal of this study was to compare the treatment effects of different therapeutic agents for patients with HFpEF.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before June 2022 were searched from PubMed, Clinical Trials gov, and the Cochrane Central Register databases. Combined odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the primary and secondary outcomes. All-cause death was the primary endpoint and cardiac death, hospitalization for HF, and worsening HF (WHF) events were secondary endpoints in this meta-analysis.

Results

Fifteen RCTs including 31,608 patients were included in this meta-analysis. All-cause and cardiac death were not significantly correlated between drug treatments and placebo. Compared with placebo, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs), and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors significantly reduced HF hospitalizations [odds ratio (OR) = 0.64, (95% confidence interval (95%CI 0.43 − 0.96), OR = 0.73, (95%CI 0.61 − 0.86), and OR = 0.74, (95%CI 0.66 − 0.83), respectively] without heterogeneity among studies. Only SGLT2 inhibitors significantly reduced WHF events [OR = 0.75, (95%CI 0.67 − 0.83)].

Conclusions

No treatments were effective in reducing mortality, but ARNIs, ACEIs or SGLT2 inhibitors reduced HF hospitalizations and only SGLT2 inhibitors reduced WHF events for patients with HFpEF.
Improvements in malaria surveillance through the electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (eIDSR) system in mainland Tanzania, 2013–2021
Authors: Joseph Joseph J. , Mkali Humphrey R. , Reaves Erik J. , Mwaipape Osia S. , Mohamed Ally , Lazaro Samwel N. , Aaron Sijenunu , Chacky Frank , Mahendeka Anna , Rulagirwa Hermes S. , Mwenesi Mwendwa , Mwakapeje Elibariki , Ally Ally Y. , Kitojo Chonge , Serbantez Naomi , Nyinondi Ssanyu , Lalji Shabbir M. , Wilillo Ritha , Al-mafazy Abdul-wahid , Kabula Bilali I. , John Claud , Bisanzio Donal , Eckert Erin , Reithinger Richard , Ngondi Jeremiah M.
Published: November 2022

Background

Tanzania has made remarkable progress in reducing malaria burden and aims to transition from malaria control to sub-national elimination. In 2013, electronic weekly and monthly reporting platforms using the District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) were introduced. Weekly reporting was implemented through the mobile phone-based Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (eIDSR) platform and progressively scaled-up from 67 to 7471 (100%) public and private health facilities between 2013 and 2020. This study describes the roll-out and large-scale implementation of eIDSR and compares the consistency between weekly eIDSR and monthly DHIS2 malaria indicator data reporting, including an assessment of its usefulness for malaria outbreak detection and case-based surveillance (CBS) in low transmission areas.

Methods

The indicators included in the analysis were number of patients tested for malaria, number of confirmed malaria cases, and clinical cases (treated presumptively for malaria). The analysis described the time trends of reporting, testing, test positivity, and malaria cases between 2013 and 2021. For both weekly eIDSR and monthly DHIS2 data, comparisons of annual reporting completeness, malaria cases and annualized incidence were performed for 2020 and 2021; additionally, comparisons were stratified by malaria epidemiological strata (parasite prevalence: very low < 1%, low 1 ≤ 5%, moderate 5 ≤ 30%, and high > 30%).

Results

Weekly eIDSR reporting completeness steadily improved over time, with completeness being 90.2% in 2020 and 93.9% in 2021; conversely, monthly DHIS2 reporting completeness was 98.9% and 98.7% in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Weekly eIDSR reporting completeness and timeliness were highest in the very low epidemiological stratum. Annualized malaria incidence as reported by weekly eIDSR was 17.5% and 12.4% lower than reported by monthly DHIS2 in 2020 and 2021; for both 2020 and 2021, annualized incidence was similar across weekly and monthly data in the very low stratum.

Conclusion

The concurrence of annualized weekly eIDSR and monthly DHIS2 reporting completeness, malaria cases and incidence in very low strata suggests that eIDSR could be useful tool for early outbreak detection, and the eIDSR platform could reliably be expanded by adding more indicators and modules for CBS in the very low epidemiological stratum.
Patterns of change in obesity indices and other cardiometabolic risk factors before the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes: two decades follow-up of the Tehran lipid and glucose study
Authors: Koohi Fatemeh , Ahmadi Nooshin , Azizi Fereidoun , Khalili Davood , Valizadeh Majid
Published: November 2022

Background

Identifying patterns of variation in obesity indices and other cardiometabolic risk factors before the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes could provide insight into the critical period when drastic changes occurred and facilitate targeted interventions for the prevention of diabetes. Therefore, this study sought to explore patterns of change in obesity indices and other cardiometabolic risk factors before diabetes diagnosis.

Methods

We investigated 6305 participants (43.7% men) aged 20–65 from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) who were free of diabetes at baseline. First, we jointly estimated developmental multi-trajectories of obesity indices using multivariate latent class growth mixed model, and then patterns of cardiometabolic risk factors within the identified multi-trajectories were assessed using mixed-effects models.

Results

Three patterns of change in obesity indices were identified. Most participants belonged to the “progressing” group (83.4%; n = 742), with a slight but steadily rising in obesity indices until diagnosis in both men and women. All multi-trajectory groups showed similar exponential increases in fasting and 2-h plasma glucose concentrations 6 years before diagnosis and linear increases in blood pressure and total and LDL cholesterol throughout follow-up. Patterns of triglyceride and HDL cholesterol accompanied each group’s patterns of change in obesity indices.

Conclusion

Three patterns of the joint progression of obesity indices before diabetes diagnosis were accompanied by similar blood glucose patterns and other cardiometabolic risk factors. These findings suggest the impact of the increasing trend of obesity indices and other metabolic factors on the incidence of diabetes and emphasize the importance of assessing the metabolic risk factors at each visit.
Death from human cytomegalovirus infection in a girl with congenital thymic dysplasia
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhu Yu , Liu Weiping , Wan Chaomin , Guo Qin
Published: November 2022

We report the case of a girl with congenital thymic dysplasia and refractory disseminated Human Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection diagnosed by autopsy. Additionally, she was diagnosed with T-cell lymphopenia immunodeficiency and received antiviral therapy with ganciclovir (GCV) /valganciclovir (V-GCV) and enhanced foscarnet. The CMV viral load (VL) monitoring was elevated with retinitis, interstitial pneumonia, and hepatitis. The phenotype of T-cell lymphopenia was uncertain, which limited any alternative therapy by whole-exome sequencing (WES) and lymphocyte subset panel until autopsy. The girl died of progressive respiratory failure and septic shock at ten months of age. Severe disseminated CMV infection typically develops in infants with primary maternal infections and occurs earlier during gestation and in people with a weakened host immune system. Individuals with CMV infection with initial immunodeficiency are associated with a poor prognosis, which is similar to patients with secondary immunodeficiency. This case describes the difficult treatment and prognosis of CMV infection in patients with congenital immunodeficiency, highlighting the importance of early aggressive anti-CMV antiviral therapy in immunodeficiencies, VL monitoring, drug resistance and the role of T-cells in CMV infection.
The effect of shunt surgery on corticospinal excitability in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study
Authors: Sirkka Jani , Säisänen Laura , Julkunen Petro , Könönen Mervi , Kallioniemi Elisa , Leinonen Ville , Danner Nils
Published: November 2022

Background

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a multifactorial disease presenting with a classical symptom triad of cognitive decline, gait disturbance and urinary incontinence. The symptoms can be alleviated with shunt surgery but the etiology of the symptoms remains unclear. Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) was applied to characterize corticospinal excitability and cortical motor function before and after shunt surgery in order to elucidate the pathophysiology of iNPH. We also aimed to determine, whether nTMS could be applied as a predictive tool in the pre-surgical work-up of iNPH.

Methods

24 patients with possible or probable iNPH were evaluated at baseline, after cerebrospinal fluid drainage test (TAP test) and three months after shunt surgery (follow-up). Symptom severity was evaluated on an iNPH scale and with clinical tests (walking test, Box & Block test, grooved pegboard). In the nTMS experiments, resting motor threshold (RMT), silent period (SP), input–output curve (IO-curve), repetition suppression (RS) and mapping of cortical representation areas of hand and foot muscles were assessed.

Results

After shunt surgery, all patients showed improved performance in gait and upper limb function. The nTMS parameters showed an increase in the RMTs (hand and foot) and the maximum value of the IO-curve increased in subject with a good surgical outcome. The improvement in gait correlated with an increase in the maximum value of the IO-curve. SP, RS and mapping remained unchanged.

Conclusion

The excitability of the motor cortex and the corticospinal tract increased in iNPH patients after shunt surgery. A favorable clinical outcome of shunt surgery is associated with a higher ability to re-form and maintain neuronal connectivity.
Australian podiatrists’ understanding and current practices of reablement for older people: a qualitative exploratory study
Authors: Mulquiny Lachlan , Oakman Jodi
Published: November 2022

Background

The ageing of Australia's population is placing significant pressure on health and social aged care services due to increasing demand for the provision and a relative decrease in the healthcare workforce. Reablement has been introduced by the Australian Commonwealth Government and is aimed at increasing older people's independence to age in place and decreasing dependency on aged care services. To date, research on reablement practice has focussed on interventions from physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and nurses, with no data available on podiatrist involvement. The aim of this research was to explore Australian podiatrists’ understanding and current practice of implementing a reablement approach to older clients.

Methods

A qualitative exploratory study was conducted with Australian podiatrists who had experience working with older people and were familiar with the reablement model. Podiatrists were recruited after completing a prior web‐based survey. Promotion of the web‐based survey was via professional networks and Twitter. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using Braun and Clarke's approach to thematic analysis.

Results

Fourteen podiatrists were interviewed. Using thematic analysis, three themes were generated: (i) Thinking and practicing differently, (ii) Reconciling practice with competing pressures, (ii) Funding influences on podiatry practice and reablement. Rather than identifying practice examples that demonstrate involvement by podiatrists in older peoples reablement, our analysis identified system level barriers which gave negative influence on podiatrists’ ability to implement the reablement model.

Conclusions

The participants in this study considered their role in reablement for older people was limited. While some participants felt unskilled to implement the reablement model, it is factors such as inadequate funding arrangements and clients’ perceptions of podiatrists’ roles have a more significant impact on current practice and are seemingly more intractable.
Driving assessment in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease: progress to date and the path forward
Authors: Bayat Sayeh , Roe Catherine M.
Published: November 2022

Background

Changes in driving behaviour may start at the preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), where the underlying AD biological process has begun in the presence of cognitive normality. Here, we summarize the emerging evidence suggesting that preclinical AD may impact everyday driving behaviour.

Main

Increasing evidence links driving performance and behaviour with AD biomarkers in cognitively intact older adults. These studies have found subtle yet detectable differences in driving associated with AD biomarker status among cognitively intact older adults.

Conclusion

Recent studies suggest that changes in driving, a highly complex activity, are linked to, and can indicate the presence of, neuropathological AD. Future research must now examine the internal and external validity of driving for widespread use in identifying biological AD.
NKD2 is correlated with the occurrence, progression and prognosis of thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Gao Yu , Wang Yiwei , Guo Rende
Published: November 2022

Background

Thyroid carcinoma (THCA) is the most prevalent type of tumor in endocrine system. NKD2 has been increasingly evidenced to play crucial roles in many cancers, except for THCA. We herein aimed to explore the potential role of NKD2 in THCA.

Methods

Totally 502 THCA patient data were downloaded from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database. Overall survival was estimated by Kaplan–Meier method. Gene set enrichment analysis was conducted to obtain significant functional pathways. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to determine the NKD2 expression differences among various groups. The NKD2 expression was validated in cell lines and tissue microarray.

Results

Significantly higher NKD2 expression was observed in THCA samples compared with adjacent samples, which were successfully verified in cell lines and tissue microarray. Moreover, NKD2 expression gradually elevated along with the increase of TNM Stage, and NKD2 expression was significantly higher in elder THCA patients compared with young patients. NKD2 highly expressed THCA patients had worse prognosis compared with NKD2 low-expressed patients. Furthermore, 53 pathways were significantly activated in the high NKD2 expression patients compared with low NKD2 expression THCA patients.

Conclusions

In summary, high NKD2 expression was probably related to the progression and poor prognosis of THCA. NKD2 is a promising prognostic biomarker and pathogenic target of THCA.
Respiratory illness virus infections with special emphasis on COVID-19
Authors: Gandhi Lekha , Maisnam Deepti , Rathore Deepika , Chauhan Preeti , Bonagiri Anvesh , Venkataramana Musturi
Published: November 2022

Viruses that emerge pose challenges for treatment options as their uniqueness would not know completely. Hence, many viruses are causing high morbidity and mortality for a long time. Despite large diversity, viruses share common characteristics for infection. At least 12 different respiratory-borne viruses are reported belonging to various virus taxonomic families. Many of these viruses multiply and cause damage to the upper and lower respiratory tracts. The description of these viruses in comparison with each other concerning their epidemiology, molecular characteristics, disease manifestations, diagnosis and treatment is lacking. Such information helps diagnose, differentiate, and formulate the control measures faster. The leading cause of acute illness worldwide is acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and are responsible for nearly 4 million deaths every year, mostly in young children and infants. Lower respiratory tract infections are the fourth most common cause of death globally, after non-infectious chronic conditions. This review aims to present the characteristics of different viruses causing respiratory infections, highlighting the uniqueness of SARS-CoV-2. We expect this review to help understand the similarities and differences among the closely related viruses causing respiratory infections and formulate specific preventive or control measures.
Targeting the integrated stress response in hematologic malignancies
Authors: Nwosu Gus O. , Powell Jason A. , Pitson Stuart M.
Published: November 2022

While numerous targeted therapies have been recently adopted to improve the treatment of hematologic malignancies, acquired or intrinsic resistance poses a significant obstacle to their efficacy. Thus, there is increasing need to identify novel, targetable pathways to further improve therapy for these diseases. The integrated stress response is a signaling pathway activated in cancer cells in response to both dysregulated growth and metabolism, and also following exposure to many therapies that appears one such targetable pathway for improved treatment of these diseases. In this review, we discuss the role of the integrated stress response in the biology of hematologic malignancies, its critical involvement in the mechanism of action of targeted therapies, and as a target for pharmacologic modulation as a novel strategy for the treatment of hematologic malignancies.
Adversity, emotion, and resilience among Syrian refugees in the Netherlands
Authors: Fadhlia Tengku Nila , Sauter Disa A. , Doosje Bertjan
Published: November 2022

Background

Syrian refugees comprise the vast majority of refugees in the Netherlands. Although some research has been carried out on factors promoting refugee resilience, there have been few empirical studies on the resilience of Syrian refugees.

Method

We used a qualitative method to understand adversity, emotion, and the factors contributing to resilience in Syrian refugees. We interviewed eighteen adult Syrian refugees residing in the Netherlands and used thematic analysis to identify the themes.

Results

We identified themes and organized them into three main parts describing the challenges (pre and post-resettlement), key emotions pertaining to those experiences, and resilience factors. We found six primary protective factors internally and externally promoting participants' resilience: future orientation, coping strategies, social support, opportunities, religiosity, and cultural identity. In addition, positive emotions constituted a key feature of refugees’ resilience.

Conclusion

The results highlight the challenges and emotions in each stage of the Syrian refugees’ journey and the multitude of factors affecting their resilience. Our findings on religiosity and maintaining cultural identity suggest that resilience can be enhanced on a cultural level. So it is worth noting these aspects when designing prevention or intervention programs for Syrian refugees.
Expression of Ki-67 and P16 are related with HPV in squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal
Authors: Pan Wei , Zhang Chen , Chen Min , Min Shiyao , Xu Liang , Chi Zhangcai
Published: November 2022

Background

Squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal (EACSCC) is an uncommon tumor and responsible for no more than 0.2% of all the head and neck malignancies. Although there is remarkable research evidence exhibiting that high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) accounts for considerable head and neck malignancies, its role in the pathogenesis of EACSCC is yet to be determined.

Methods

We evaluated 16 patients with EACSCC treated at our department. We employed PCR to assay for high-risk subtypes of HPV. Two pathologists reviewed the histopathological staining via hematoxylin and eosin along with immunohistochemical staining of p16INK4a and Ki-67.

Results

Detection of HPV DNA was done via PCR in 3 (18.75%) patients, and 8 (50%) positive (+) cases were determined via p16INK4a immunostaining. Besides, 3 (37.5%) individuals were HPV positive as per p16INK4a PCR results. In addition, all of the p16INK4a-positive specimens were diagnosed as moderately differentiated carcinomas.

Conclusions

Expression of Ki-67 was related to HPV status. This is the first report implicating high-risk HPV in squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal. However, p16INK4a immunostaining is a suspectable approach for diagnosing HPV for EACSCC. In addition, HPV might enhance an elevated proliferation rate in EACSCC, illustrated via expression of Ki-67.

Graphical Abstract
C1q and the classical complement cascade in geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Yednock Ted , Fong Donald S. , Lad Eleonora M.
Published: November 2022

Geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a retinal neurodegenerative disorder. Human genetic data support the complement system as a key component of pathogenesis in AMD, which has been further supported by pre-clinical and recent clinical studies. However, the involvement of the different complement pathways (classical, lectin, alternative), and thus the optimal complement inhibition target, has yet to be fully defined. There is evidence that C1q, the initiating molecule of the classical pathway, is a key driver of complement activity in AMD. C1q is expressed locally by infiltrating phagocytic cells and C1q-activating ligands are present at disease onset and continue to accumulate with disease progression. The accumulation of C1q on photoreceptor synapses with age and disease is consistent with its role in synapse elimination and neurodegeneration that has been observed in other neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, genetic deletion of C1q, local pharmacologic inhibition within the eye, or genetic deletion of downstream C4 prevents photoreceptor cell damage in mouse models. Hence, targeting the classical pathway in GA could provide a more specific therapeutic approach with potential for favorable efficacy and safety.
Long-term body composition changes in patients undergoing hemodialysis: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Seto Yumi , Kimura Mina , Matsunaga Tomohito , Miyasita Eishi , Kanno Yoshihiko
Published: November 2022

Background

Patients undergoing dialysis experience substantial decreases in muscle mass and functional muscle weakness. Muscle mass loss in patients undergoing hemodialysis is an independent predictor of survival, so muscle mass maintenance is essential for continued hemodialysis. This study examined longitudinal changes in the body composition of patients undergoing hemodialysis in different dialysis periods.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed body composition measurements obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) using the same measuring instrument. The dialysis periods were 1–10 years from the start of hemodialysis for group A (n = 25), 10–20 years for group B (n = 22), and 20–30 years for group C (n = 9). The initial and final measurements of each group were compared. Furthermore, the nutritional status based on the inflammation and nutritional indicators obtained during the measurement period of each group was examined.

Results

Muscle mass did not significantly decrease in groups A and B but did decrease in group C (P < 0.05). In all groups, the extracellular water-to-total body water ratio (ECW/TBW) significantly increased (P < 0.001). C-reactive protein in groups A and B increased; however, the median initial and final values were < 0.2 mg/dL, and no changes were observed in group C. Furthermore, the median normalized protein catabolic rate was 0.86–1.05 g/kg/day, and there was no difference in the initial or final rates. The mean energy and protein daily intakes were 30–32 kcal/ideal body weight (IBW) kg/day and 1.1 g/IBW kg/day, respectively.

Conclusions

In patients undergoing hemodialysis, even if the muscle mass values are maintained, the possibility of a substantial decrease in muscle mass cannot be ruled out when ECW/TBW increases. Control of inflammation and nutritional intake may help minimize muscle mass loss caused by continued hemodialysis in patients.
SARS-CoV-2 and monkeypox: what is common and what is not in a present pandemic versus a potential one—a neuropsychiatric narrative review
Authors: Roushdy Tamer
Published: November 2022

Pandemic represents challenging medical emergency as it is usually associated with high rates of mortalities and morbidities. Along the last 2 and half years the world has faced the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 pandemic that caught medical agencies and health authorities by surprise and costed more than half billion morbidities and 6 million mortalities. Unfortunately, the way developed countries contained the novel corona virus was unsatisfactory in means of early quarantines as well as obtaining and distributing an effective vaccine. This failure in management might have been responsible for the emergence of a new potential pandemic caused by monkeypox virus. Along the current review article, a detailed comparison is presented between corona virus and monkeypox virus based on virological characteristics, role of corona virus in monkeypox spread, pathogenesis, neuropsychiatric manifestations, and treatment and management. It is obvious that both viruses have a major role in causing various neuropsychiatric manifestations. Neurological manifestations are either bound directly to the virus spread to central and peripheral nervous system or secondary to triggering an immune reaction. Psychiatric ones are mostly related to stigmatization, isolation as well as changes that takes place in neurotransmitters and their metabolites within the nervous system. Dealing properly with monkeypox virus spread through previously learned lessons from corona virus might protect the world from a new pandemic.
Supplementary open dataset for WiFi indoor localization based on received signal strength
Authors: Bi Jingxue , Wang Yunjia , Yu Baoguo , Cao Hongji , Shi Tongguang , Huang Lu
Published: November 2022

Several Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) fingerprint datasets based on Received Signal Strength (RSS) have been shared for indoor localization. However, they can’t meet all the demands of WiFi RSS-based localization. A supplementary open dataset for WiFi indoor localization based on RSS, called as SODIndoorLoc, covering three buildings with multiple floors, is presented in this work. The dataset includes dense and uniformly distributed Reference Points (RPs) with the average distance between two adjacent RPs smaller than 1.2 m. Besides, the locations and channel information of pre-installed Access Points (APs) are summarized in the SODIndoorLoc. In addition, computer-aided design drawings of each floor are provided. The SODIndoorLoc supplies nine training and five testing sheets. Four standard machine learning algorithms and their variants (eight in total) are explored to evaluate positioning accuracy, and the best average positioning accuracy is about 2.3 m. Therefore, the SODIndoorLoc can be treated as a supplement to UJIIndoorLoc with a consistent format. The dataset can be used for clustering, classification, and regression to compare the performance of different indoor positioning applications based on WiFi RSS values, e.g., high-precision positioning, building, floor recognition, fine-grained scene identification, range model simulation, and rapid dataset construction.
Repairing left ventricular outflow after aortic composite graft pseudoaneurysm: case report
Authors: Caldeira da Rocha Rita , Congo Kisa , Trinca Manuel , Laranjeira Santos Álvaro
Published: November 2022

Background

We present a technique for aortic composite graft implantation after left ventricular outflow tract destruction due to its proximal dehiscence.

Case presentation

A 53-year-old gentleman with rheumatoid arthritis and history of Bentall procedure, presented with heart failure symptoms for the past month. Transthoracic echocardiogram identified prosthetic valve dysfunction, and transesophageal echocardiogram detected that its mechanism was by dehiscence. After excluding infectious etiology, it was hypothesized that the cause was the absence of endothelialization, owing to immunosuppressive therapy. Repair surgery was successful, and 2 years later, the patient is fully asymptomatic.

Conclusions

Immunosuppressive drugs are a rare cause of aortic composite graft dehiscence. Left ventricular outflow tract surgical reconstruction remains an extremely complex and high-risk intervention, with the need for reentry into cardiopulmonary bypass and graft proximal segment implantation in a lower position.
Redefining the clinical axillary lymph node staging using SPECT/CT in early breast cancer during SLNB
Authors: Ghanem Mohammad , Rasheed Rashid , Almousawi Ali , Ali Rola , Usmani Sharjeel
Published: November 2022

Background

SPECT/CT imaging can provide information on axillary nodal morphology, number, and status of axillary levels, along with information on primary tumor morphology, mediastinum, and lungs that assesses nodal status beyond localization. The current study aims to evaluate the feasibility of SLNB with SPECT/CT for reporting nodal information in terms of morphology, number, and axillary levels that assess nodal staging. Ninety consecutive patients with early breast cancer were included. Thirty-seven MBq (1 mCi) of Tc99m nanocolloid was used. SPECT/CT followed PS. Nodal morphology, number, and axillary levels of sentinel and non-SLNs were reported along with their localization through a gamma probe.

Results

The mean population age was 54.5 ± 3 years. PS visualized 152 SLNs in 79 patients (success rate of 88%), and SPECT/CT showed 178 SLNs in 84 patients (93% success rate). SPECT/CT showed 90% of SLNs localized at axillary levels I & II, with 10% at the rest of the nodal areas. Out of total surgically excised, 103/706 nodes were tumor positive, and 603/706 nodes were histopathologically tumor-free. Out of 178 hot nodules, 40 showed morphologically abnormal nodes, including a few with more than one abnormal feature. The average scores in the characterization of nodal morphology for the two observers were 2.4 ± 0.71 and 2.53 ± 0.52, respectively, with a substantial agreement (k = 0.76).

Conclusions

Hybrid imaging with SPECT/CT defines axillary lymph nodes' level and morphological features. This additional information directs the surgeon to nodes not seen by planar imaging during SLNB and can help redefine the clinical axillary lymph node staging.
A novel computational technique using coefficient diagram method for load frequency control in an interconnected power system
Authors: Heidary Jalal , Rastegar Hassan
Published: November 2022

This paper proposes a novel load frequency control (LFC) approach formulated on an optimal structure of the coefficient diagram method (CDM) in a two-area thermal power system. As part of a realistic analysis, nonlinearities related to governor dead band (GDB) and generation rate constraint (GRC) have been considered. In this article, a hybrid CDM method is combined with the optimization of its mathematical equations to achieve an innovative controller. Furthermore, a new metaheuristic optimization technique called the water cycle algorithm (WCA) is used to determine the optimal coefficients of the CDM controller. For the purpose of demonstrating the validity of the proposed scheme, a wide range of uncertainties in the dynamic parameters of a nonlinear power system were tested. In addition, a comparative study is presented between the results obtained from a classical integral, CDM alone, optimized fuzzy, optimized PID, and the suggested controller. In this new approach to improved control, algebraic support provides a robust and responsive controller that can provide fast and stable dynamic responses and effectively overcome the detrimental effects of nonlinearities and uncertainties in the parameters of the power system.
Wear characteristics of laser-deposited AlCoCrCuFeNi high entropy alloy with finite element analysis
Authors: Dada Modupeola , Popoola Patricia , Mathe Ntombi , Adeosun Samson
Published: November 2022

Background

Wear is a destructive phenomenon and one of the principal causes of material failure in moving components during surface interaction while in service. AlCoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy with its many properties is a potential material for aero-engine applications attributed to its outstanding relatively lightweight, high strength, good thermal, oxidation, and corrosion resistance properties. Hence, the investigation into the tribological behaviour of AlCoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloys is essential to reduce maintenance costs and prolong the service life of this advanced material for aerospace applications. Most AlCoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy compositions were fabricated via arc melting, which has been reported to have defects attributed to slow solidification, consequently reducing the mechanical properties of the alloy with limited reports on other fabrication methods. Therefore, there is a need for the use of advanced manufacturing techniques for fabricating these alloys to improve the tribological properties. In this study, AlCoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy was fabricated via laser metal deposition. The influence of the laser processing parameters, rapid solidification, and the applied load on the tribological properties of the as-built alloys under dry conditions has been studied for aerospace applications. The counter ball rolling friction analysis was also investigated using COMSOL Multiphysics.

Results

The results showed that at a high laser power of 1600 W and a scan speed of 12 mm/s, the lowest wear rates and highest hardness values were observed. The average coefficient of friction at room temperature was 0.1 and 0.3 at a speed of 21 m/s. The dominant wear mechanism at room temperature was abrasive wear as the wear rate increased linearly with an increase in load from 10 to 20 N. The scan speed had the most significant influence on the wear behaviour of the as-built high-entropy alloy attributed to the rapid rate of solidification which occurs at higher scan speeds.

Conclusions

The study examines the wear characteristics of high-entropy alloys fabricated via laser deposition technique in comparison with those fabricated via conventional routes. Although there were similarities in the phase structures of both techniques, the results showed that the wear resistance of the laser-deposited high-entropy alloy was comparatively higher than the same alloy prepared via conventional methods. Laser additive manufacturing was concluded to be a more successful method in fabricating high-entropy alloys.
The basic reproductive ratio of the 2022 outbreak of the monkey pox virus disease for the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, and Nigeria
Authors: Al-Raeei Marwan
Published: November 2022

Background

A recent outbreak of the monkey pox virus disease (MPVD) started to spread over the world before the second half of the 2022 year. This outbreak of the monkey pox virus disease is known as the 2022 outbreak of the monkey pox virus disease. The monkey pox virus disease is a type of the pox disease similar to the human one. This disease is an endemic in some African countries; however, a new spreading of this disease started to appear in other countries, such as the Spain, brazil, Greece, the United Kingdom, and Portugal, Australia, and the USA. As of the end of September 2022, the MPVD spread over than 107 countries over the world.

Results

This study focuses on the employing of the simplest model of the diseases forecasting which is SIRD model for the finding of the basic reproductive ratio of the monkey pox virus disease in multiple countries over the world where the disease spreads. The model takes into accounts the number of the susceptible people, the number of the infectious people, the number of the recovered people, and the number of the deceased people. Based on the results of the SIRD model coefficients, we find that the basic reproductive ratio values of the recent spreading of the monkey pox virus disease are 1.3274 for the United Kingdom where the first case of the disease was recorded, 1.0714 for the United Arab Emirates, 1.0866 for Nigeria, 1.5589 for Brazil, and 1.3610 for Canada.

Conclusions

We find that the average value of the basic reproductive ratio of the 2022 outbreak of the monkey pox virus disease is about 1.2809. This important result of our calculations predicts that the 2022 outbreak of the monkey pox virus disease is turned into pandemic over the world. The things which confirm this result, based on our calculations, are the values of the basic reproductive ratio of the 2022 outbreak of the disease in the considered countries from multiple continents where all the values of the basic reproductive ratio are bigger than one. From this point, the counties over the world must apply multiple procedures for limiting the spreading of the monkey pox virus disease.

Graphical Abstract
Adverse impact of lockdown during COVID-19 pandemic on micro-small and medium enterprises (Indian handicraft sector): A study on highlighted exit strategies and important determinants
Authors: Yadav Uma Shankar , Tripathi Ravindra , Tripathi Mano Ashish
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the global economy. For small- and medium-sized businesses, particularly in the handicraft sectors, it was exceptionally difficult to maintain operations during a global crisis. Without crisis management plans in place, business owners run the risk of having their operations abruptly terminated. Therefore, the researchers sought to comprehend and study the factors that led to the shutdown and departure strategies of microenterprises (in the handicraft sector) during the pandemic. To conduct this study, a descriptive research design was used, and registered Indian micro-businesses in the Cavite region were specifically chosen. According to the study's findings, the majority of microenterprises were sole proprietorships with a capitalization of less than INR 600,000.00 (Asian Development Bank in The COVID-19 impact on Philippine businesses: key findings from the enterprise survey.http://dx.doi.org/10.22617/SPR200214-2, 2020) and had been in business for three to six years. As a result, the respondents' most typical issues are Retooling and training of pandemic-sensitive enterprise strategies for micro-entrepreneurs, particularly in the handicraft sector, as well as research into the negative effects of lockdown on MSME, which are all examples of crisis-sensitive interventions among small industries (handicraft sector) entrepreneurs.
Myelofibrosis treatment history and future prospects
Authors: Ghit Amr
Published: November 2022

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a haematopoietic stem cell tumour caused by the lack of BCR-ABL translocation due to point mutations in Janus kinases (JAKs). In previous years, dealing with MF included several protocols such as traditional drugs that control general symptoms, splenectomy, blood transfusion, and allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Allogeneic HSCT is remaining the only treatment that has the potential to alter MF’s progression. However, clinical trials of JAK inhibitors and non-JAK targeted therapies have been increasingly carried out in earlier years. The most prominent JAK inhibitors for the treatment of MF are ruxolitinib, fedratinib, momelotinib, pacritinib, gandotinib, ilginatinib, itacitinib, and lestaurtinib. On the other hand, the non-JAK targeted therapies that showed strong efficacy and safety are alisertib, imetelstat, pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and sotatercept. In this review, we summarized the recent clinical trials carried out on these drugs to understand their efficacy and safety. Also, we talked briefly about allogeneic HSCT as powerful therapy until the present for patients suffering from MF.
A metamodel for heritage-based urban recovery
Authors: Gustafsson Christer , Ripp Matthias
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the potential transfer of a metamodel for heritage-based urban development (HBUD) in a postcrisis urban recovery scenario.

Design/methodology/approach

After an introduction to the field of cultural heritage as a resource for urban development, the research question is elaborated, and the current understanding of urban heritage is explored. The use of the metamodel in a postcrisis urban recovery setting is described as a potential solution. The proposed metamodel is introduced along with the grounded theory and design research methodology through which it was developed. The specific qualities of metamodels and how they can contribute to the proposed use are highlighted. The scenario is then developed further, and specific ways in which the metamodel could contribute are elaborated. Finally, the metamodel is compared to other methods, such as the historic urban landscape (HUL) approach, and the limitations are discussed.

Findings

The metamodel can potentially be used in a postcrisis urban recovery scenario. The metamodel cannot be used directly, owing to the nature of metamodels; however, it can be transferred to a specific context and help to structure successful heritage-based urban recovery (HBUR) processes.

Practical limitations/implications

One limitation is that it can be difficult to understand the differences between models and metamodels. Only with a comprehensive understanding of the nature of metamodels can this metamodel be applied, for example, to select appropriate models for HBUR. The metamodel can help to ensure that all relevant ‘elements’ are part of the processes designed for HBUR and emphasise the need for thorough planning, or scoping, of such processes.

Originality/value

Metamodelling has not previously been used for HBUD or HBUR.
Classification feature sets for source code plagiarism detection in Java
Authors: Hosam Eman , Hadhoud Mayada , Atiya Amir , Fayek Magda
Published: November 2022

In programming learning environments, the pressure of delivering many programming assignments makes plagiarism the easiest solution. This highly threatens the learning process; therefore, the need of an automatic, fast, and accurate detection of source code plagiarism becomes essential. To detect whether a pair of Java files is plagiarized, this paper proposes four classification feature sets: (i) structural histogram features, histogram-based features for summarizing similarity matrices; (ii) lexical per-class features, extracted from a lexical similarity matrix between the classes of the two compared files based on character 3-grams; (iii) structural counting features, twelve counting features representing the code structure; and (iv) modified original features: a set of modifications on the features of the used baseline. The results show that the best feature sets in F-measure are the structural histogram features and the lexical per-class features combined, which improve the F-measure by 4% compared to the baseline. The added features slow down the execution time. However, it is still efficient, given that it can classify 70k pairs in 23 min. In addition, we partially re-annotated the SOurce COde Re-use dataset. After the re-annotation, the F-measure of both the baseline and our work is improved, and our work achieves an F-measure of 93.6%, which is 7.5% higher than the new F-measure of the baseline. In addition, some remarks and recommendations are provided for using the SOurce COde Re-use dataset as a benchmark.
Two cases of sudden leaflet dehiscence after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Arai Yoshio , Marui Akira , Nagasawa Atsushi , Ohno Nobuhisa
Published: November 2022

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has caused a paradigm shift in the treatment of severe aortic stenosis. Although less invasive and good early results of TAVR have been reported, the long-term durability of the transcatheter aortic valve is still unclear.

Case presentation

We performed an emergent surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for two cases of acute heart failure due to sudden transcatheter aortic valve dehiscence after 7 or 6 years of primary TAVR. In both cases, transthoracic echocardiography revealed severe transvalvular regurgitation of the transcatheter aortic valve. Intraoperative findings revealed dehiscence on both sides of the anatomical non-coronary cusp without evident signs of degeneration, such as thickening, calcification, or infection. The postoperative course of the cases was uneventful, and the patients were discharged home on days 20 and 48 after the reoperation.

Conclusions

Although the cause of the valvular disease is unknown, we are seriously concerned that the number of similar cases will increase in the future. We should be cautious in expanding the application of TAVR without evidence of long-term safety.
Sex differences in symptomatology in people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders: protocol for a systematic review and pairwise meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Ferrer-Quintero Marta , Verdaguer-Rodriguez Marina , Esteban Sanjusto Marina , Serra-Arumí Clara , Usall Judith , Ochoa Susana , Bighelli Irene , García-Mieres Helena
Published: November 2022

Sex differences in symptomatology in people with psychosis have been studied extensively in recent decades. Although studies have pointed to such differences, to date there is no review that has performed a systematic search and quantitative synthesis. In this paper, we describe the protocol for a pairwise meta-analysis comparing a range of symptom outcome measures between men and women diagnosed with a psychotic spectrum disorder at different stages of the disorder (PROSPERO registration number CRD42021264942). In August 2021 we conducted systematic searches of PsychInfo, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Dialnet to identify observational studies that report data on symptoms for males and females separately. Two independent reviewers will conduct literature searches, select studies, extract data, assess the risk of bias and assess outcome quality. To assess the effect size of all outcome measures, we will conduct pairwise meta-analysis using random-effects models. The quality of studies will be evaluated using a National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's quality assessment tool and the confidence in the results will be evaluated using the GRADE tool. Meta-regression and sensitivity analyses will be conducted to assess the robustness of the findings. No ethical problems are foreseen. Results from this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences.