bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Satellite Radar Imagery for Detection and Monitoring of Geohazards
Authors: Byrraju Sumanth V. , Rizos Dimitris C. , Qian Yu
Published: March 2020

This paper presents three case studies that were part of a 1-year study that explores the feasibility of using commercially available satellite and other aerial imagery to monitor the right of way of railroads for effects and conditions that could potentially trigger landslides and other geohazards. Two satellite image processing techniques in the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) family have been studied and employed, that is, the Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) and the Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS-InSAR). All satellite images used in this work are in the public domain and the software is open source. Showcase studies have demonstrated that the current satellite technology makes it feasible to monitor the railway right of way for large- and small-scale deformations and changes in the ground moisture content in adequate resolution. The frequency of acquisition of satellite images is adequate for the long-term monitoring of the infrastructure. The satellite analysis results can be superimposed to visual imagery for ease of visual inspection and evaluation. Future work for the development of a monitoring system of the railway right of way needs to focus on verifying the accuracy of the techniques with in situ measurements through conventional means and quantifying the changes of the moisture content.
Comparison of Leukocyte-Rich Platelet-Rich Plasma and Leukocyte-Poor Platelet-Rich Plasma on Achilles Tendinopathy at an Early Stage in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Jiang Guangyao , Wu Yifan , Meng Jiahong , Wu Fengfeng , Li Sihao , Lin Mu , Gao Xin , Hong Jianqiao , Chen Weishan , Yan Shigui , Yan Ruijian , Feng Gang , Cheng Zhiyuan
Published: March 2020

Background:

Tendinopathy is still a great challenge in clinical practice, and the role of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is controversial. The influence of leukocytes on tendinopathy at an early stage has not been defined so far.

Purpose:

To compare the effects of leukocyte-rich PRP (Lr-PRP) and leukocyte-poor PRP (Lp-PRP) on Achilles tendinopathy when applied at an early stage.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

A rabbit Achilles tendinopathy model was induced by a collagenase injection. A week later, treatments were applied randomly on local Achilles tendon lesions: (1) 200 μL of Lr-PRP (16 legs), (2) 200 μL of Lp-PRP (16 legs), and (3) 200 μL of saline (16 legs). At 3 and 6 weeks after the collagenase injection, outcomes were evaluated by histology, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results:

The Lr-PRP group had a lower T2 signal intensity ( P = .0377) and smaller diameter ( P = .0193) and cross-sectional area ( P = .0194) than the Lp-PRP group on MRI. Histologically, the Lr-PRP group had better scores than the Lp-PRP group ( P = .0284 and P = .0188, respectively). Compared with the Lp-PRP group, higher gene expression and more protein synthesis of collagen I ( P = .0160 and P = .0309, respectively) and CD163 ( P < .0001 and P = .0411, respectively) were found in the Lr-PRP group. Considering TEM and biomechanical testing, the Lr-PRP group demonstrated more mature collagen fibers ( P < .0001), a larger fiber diameter ( P = .0005), a higher failure load ( P = .00417), and higher tensile stress ( P < .0001) than the Lp-PRP group.

Conclusion:

Lr-PRP had more beneficial effects than Lp-PRP when delivered at an early stage during tendon repair.

Clinical Relevance:

Here, we showed that tendinopathy influenced the curative effects of PRP in vivo. An early-stage application of Lr-PRP had more benefits for the repair of tendinopathy than Lp-PRP in a rabbit model, which will supplement guidelines of PRP treatment on tendinopathy clinically.
Trends in Internet Use Among Older Adults in the United States, 2011–2016
Authors: Yoon Hyunwoo , Jang Yuri , Kim Seoyoun , Speasmaker Alycia , Nam Ilsung
Published: March 2020

The present study examined the trends in internet use among older adults (60+ years) in the United States from 2011 to 2016 by considering not only the entire study sample as a whole but also specific subgroups by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and education. Using data from 107,500 older adults in the California Health Interview Survey between 2011 and 2016, the significance of linear trends was tested by including the survey year as a continuous variable in the logistic regression. Findings confirm the general knowledge that an increased number of the older U.S. population used the internet over the period of 2011–2016. Furthermore, closer inspection indicates that this upward trend does not apply to all, but specifically to those with advanced age, male gender, racial/ethnic minority background, and low educational attainment. Findings provide implications for identifying and prioritizing a target group for internet technology training.
Neighborhood Walkability and Overweight/Obese Weight Status Among Latino Adults
Authors: Murillo Rosenda , Reesor-Oyer Layton M. , Hernandez Daphne C. , Liu Yu , Obasi Ezemenari M.
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

To examine whether aerobic physical activity mediates the association between neighborhood walkability and overweight/obesity weight status among Latino adults and whether the relative contribution of this pathway linking neighborhood walkability and aerobic activity varies by level of neighborhood social cohesion.

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Setting:

National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2015.

Sample:

NHIS adult Latino participants ≥18 years of age (n = 4303).

Measures:

Neighborhood walkability, neighborhood social cohesion, body mass index, and aerobic physical activity.

Analysis:

To determine whether physical activity mediates the relationship of walkability with overweight/obese weight status, a simple mediation analysis was conducted. Additionally, a moderated mediation analysis was conducted to test whether neighborhood social cohesion had a moderating effect on this relationship.

Results:

On average, the sample was 41 years old, 51% were male, 34% had less than a high school education, and 57% were foreign-born. Neighborhood walkability was statistically significantly related to overweight/obese weight status (standardized effect= −0.05, standard error [SE] = 0.02, P = .01). The interaction between walkability and neighborhood social cohesion on physical activity was not significant (standardized effect = 0.06, SE = 0.03, P = .09). Thus, the indirect effect of walkability on overweight/obesity weight status through physical activity was not shown to be modified by neighborhood social cohesion.

Conclusion:

Other neighborhood environment factors may play a role in the contribution of neighborhood walkability to overweight/obese weight status among Latinos.
Tribological behavior of spark plasma sintered ultrafine-grained WC-cobalt cemented carbides in dry sliding
Authors: Wang Zhenhua , Wang Boxiang , Yin Zengbin , Liu Kui
Published: March 2020

Ultrafine-grained tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co) cemented carbides with different Co content were fabricated by spark plasma sintering. Then, tribological behavior of the ultrafine-grained WC-Co cemented carbides were studied by performing sliding wear tests with grinding balls made of GCr15 bearing steel (HRC 62∼66) and Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy (HRC 36). When the grinding ball is composed of GCr15 steel, the time required to reach the stable friction stage decreases with the increase in cobalt content, whereas the friction coefficient and wear rate tend to increase, and the wear type is abrasive wear. When the grinding ball is made of titanium alloy, the friction coefficient and adhesive wear volume first increase and then decrease with the increase in Co content, both reaching maximum values at 6 wt.% Co, and the wear type is adhesive wear.
Multi-objective optimization design for the blade angles of hydraulic torque converter with adjustable pump
Authors: Zheng Zhi-Ying , Liu Quan-Zhong , Deng Yong-Kang , Li Biao
Published: March 2020

To improve the efficiency of a hydraulic torque converter with adjustable pump at low load and thus increase the operation scope of high efficiency, multi-objective optimization design is carried out for the blade angles by incorporating three-dimensional steady computational fluid dynamics numerical simulation, design of experiments, Kriging surrogate model and multi-objective genetic algorithm. The results show that the angle of blade trailing edge in first-stage stator is the main influencing factor of the efficiency of hydraulic torque converter with adjustable pump. All the peak efficiencies of hydraulic torque converter with adjustable pump at three openings of the pump are improved after optimization, and the increased extent increases with decreasing opening of the pump. The operation scope of high efficiency consequently increases from 2.46 to 2.67. Besides, the improvement for the efficiency of hydraulic torque converter with adjustable pump is achieved by increasing the efficiency of the pump. The increase of angle of blade trailing edge in first-stage stator and the decrease of angle of blade leading edge in second-stage turbine after optimization induce the positive angle of attack at the inlet of second-stage turbine, thus realizing the performance optimization of hydraulic torque converter with adjustable pump. This also explains the increased proportion of the torque of second-stage turbine at larger speed ratios after optimization and the fact that the angle of blade trailing edge in first-stage stator is the main influencing factor of the efficiency of hydraulic torque converter with adjustable pump. The established multi-objective optimization method provides a reference solution for the optimization design of blade angles and for the improvement of integrated efficiency of hydraulic torque converter.
Quantum and systems theory in world society: Not brothers and sisters but relatives still?
Authors: Albert Mathias , Bathon Felix Maximilian
Published: March 2020

This article provides a sympathetic, yet also somewhat critical, engagement with the notion of ‘quantizing’ by exploring substantive overlaps between quantum and systems theory. It is based on the observation that while quantum theory is ‘non-classical’ in its entire world-view, there is a danger that when it comes to the social world it is simply laid on a world-view of that world, which remains at its core ‘classical’. This situation calls for engaging quantum with existing non-classical social theories. Resemblances between quantum and systems theory are obviously given through similarities around the concepts of observation and meaning, whose status and function in both bodies of theory is explored. We then probe the degree to which obvious analogies in fact could be read as overlaps and similarities that could be put to complementary analytical use: in a sense, we argue that systems theory ‘does’ quantum theory, and vice versa. The article concludes with some vistas of this discussion for the field of international relations.
Career counselling ex-offenders: Issues and interventions
Authors: Chen Charles P , Shields Brittany
Published: March 2020

Vocational and career wellbeing is of essential importance for the successful reintegration of ex-offenders back into civil society, becoming healthy and productive citizens who contribute to the common good of the general society in which they live. Within a Canadian context, this article intends to draw attention to the vocational wellbeing of adult ex-offenders who have served time in prison after a conviction. To this end, the article identifies the major career issues for ex-offenders, and then links theoretical knowledge and research evidence to career development interventions to counter career problems experienced by this population. It sheds light on the pertinence of utilizing career theories to inform and direct career counselling interventions that can improve and enhance the career wellness of this population.
Practical Heutagogy: Promoting Personalized Learning in Management Education
Authors: Stoten David William
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this article is to highlight the benefits to both organizations and individuals in adopting heutagogy within management education to develop individual capability. This conceptual paper is based on a systematic review of the literature relating to heutagogy and learning theory. This article calls for the adoption of heutagogic learning within management education alongside traditional pedagogy and andragogy. It provides a number of practical examples of how heutagogy may be implemented in a variety of contexts, ranging from undergraduate study to senior leadership positions within organizations. This article contributes to the growing interest and literature related to new forms of student-centered learning and, in particular, heutagogy. This article is an original contribution to the discourse on student-centered learning and the contribution that heutagogy may make to the professional development of individuals.
Identifying subgroups: Part 2: Trajectories of change over time
Authors: Lee Christopher S , Faulkner Kenneth M , Thompson Jessica H
Published: March 2020

Methods to identify multiple trajectories of change over time are of great interest in nursing and in related health research. Latent growth mixture modeling is a data-centered analytic strategy that allows us to study questions about distinct trajectories of change in key measures or outcomes of interest. In this article, a worked example of latent growth mixture modeling is presented to help expose researchers to the use and appeal of this analytic strategy.
Combined Use of Autologous Stromal Vascular Fraction Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma for Chronic Ulceration of the Diabetic Lower Limb Improves Wound Healing
Authors: Yin Shilu , Yang Xin , Bi Hongsen , Zhao Zhenmin
Published: March 2020

The discovery of stromal vascular fraction cells and platelet-rich plasma in promoting tissue regeneration has prompted a new idea for the treatment of chronic diabetic ulcer of the lower limb. The study aim was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a new method that applied stromal vascular fraction cells and platelet-rich plasma together in the treatment of recalcitrant chronic diabetic ulcer. We conducted a single-center, prospective, open, noncontrolled study. Four patients (5 ulcers in total) who had received standard treatment for diabetic ulcer for at least 3 months that failed to heal was enrolled. All patients were treated with surgical debridement, cell suspension (stromal vascular fraction cells suspended by platelet-rich plasma) injection into the wound, and platelet-rich plasma gel coverage. Wounds were measured every week after treatment using a 2-dimensional digital camera and a 3-dimensional wound measurement device. All patients were followed-up for 4 months after the treatment. Four of the 5 ulcers healed completely within a mean of 71.75 ± 29.57 days. The average proportion of granulation tissue achieved 100% within 4 weeks for all cases. The wound size decreased to less than half of the original size for all cases 4 weeks after the treatment. Findings revealed that the new treatment is efficient to achieve wound healing in patients with recalcitrant chronic diabetic ulcer of lower limb.
Quantitative evaluation of fault propagation in a commercial cloud system
Authors: Wang Chao , Fu Zhongchuan
Published: March 2020

As semiconductor technology scales into the nano regime, hardware faults have been threats against computational devices. Cloud systems are incorporating more and more computing density and energy into themselves; thus, fundamental research on topics such as dependability validation is needed, in order to verify the robustness of clouds for sensor networks. However, dependability evaluation studies have often been carried out beyond isolated physical systems, such as processors, sensors, and single boards with or without operating system hosts. These studies have been performed using inaccurate simulations instead of validating complete cloud software stacks (firmware, hypervisor, operating system hosts and workloads) as a whole. In this article, we describe the implementation of a fault injection tool, which validates the dependability of a commercial cloud software stack. Hardware faults induced by high energy density environments can be injected; the fault propagation through the cloud software stack is traced, and quantitatively evaluated. Experimental results show that the integrated fault detection mechanism of the cloud system, such as fatal trap detectors, has left a detection margin of 20% silent data corruption to narrow down. We additionally propose two detection mechanisms, which proved good performance in fault detection of cloud systems.
Beyond Simplifications: Making Sense of Paradoxical Chinese Values in Chinese-Western Business Negotiations
Authors: Spijkman Marleen , de Jong Menno D. T.
Published: March 2020

Previous research has drawn attention to the coexistence of paradoxical Chinese values in modern China, which might influence Chinese-Western business negotiations. In this study, we empirically investigate this phenomenon from the perspective of Western business negotiators. In two interview rounds, 17 seasoned Dutch negotiators were asked about their experiences when negotiating with Chinese business partners. The results confirm the coexistence of paradoxical Chinese values in business negotiations and identify four patterns in which traditional and modern values may occur: random, contextual, transitional, and simultaneous occurrence. On the basis of our findings, we argue that there is a need for Western negotiators to develop a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and paradoxical values from the Chinese worldview of Yin and Yang.
Rammohun Roy: His contribution to the making of India
Authors: Sircar Jawhar
Published: March 2020

Rammohun Roy was the first Indian to use the English language to communicate his views on religious, social, and political issues. He also was possibly the first to make Bengali prose his vehicle to communicate his message. The essential message he wished to convey was that of rationalism and of an anxiety to convey Western advances in knowledge, especially science, to his fellow countrymen. He thus preferred English to Sanskrit education. His fight against sati was based not only on a call for humanity but also on a reform of traditional Hinduism and improvement of the position of women. His knowledge of Arabic and Persian made him appreciate the monotheistic message of Islam, which he also saw in ancient Hinduism, notably the Upanishads. Despite his own position as a large landholder, he wished to protect peasants from oppression and argued that rents payable by peasants should also be fixed at a low figure, just as the tax imposed on the landlord had been fixed under the Permanent Settlement.
Sindh in Karachi: A topography of separateness, connectivity, and juxtaposition
Authors: Khan Nichola
Published: March 2020

From imperial ‘unhappy valley’, to decapitated province, commercial capital, and 21st century megacity, this article reflects on relations of separateness and connectivity between Sindh and its capital city Karachi. These culminated in Pakistan’s post-Independence years, in official and political language, governances of national, provincial and city division, and political rhetoric and violence. The article asks what else might be uncovered about their relationship other than customary alignments and partitions between an alien urban behemoth and a provincial periphery. It develops a topographical view to refer to the physical arrangement of environments but also people’s profane, spiritual and political connections and losses involving place and dwelling. This is expanded through examples of land appropriations involving urban real-estate development, environmental migrations and displacement, the idiom of the hijra and Sufistic devotion, and ethnic nationalist and religious extremism. The article questions ways losses of ground and attachment might unite people across provincial divides in an alternative, forward motion of cohabitation. It reveals a multi-layered historical tracing of ways that Sindh, as it is lived in Karachi and vice versa, digresses and wanders through deep cross-regional dynamics and developments. These create new departures from self and place, and rebuff the tendency to centre ‘other’ knowledges as the starting-point and epistemology for studies of Karachi and Sindh. Last, Karachi is a useful optic for thinking about continuities of colonialism and postcolonialism, crisis and fracture in South Asia; ways these are infused with planetary urbanization dynamics, and local, regional and national developments that resist easy universalism.
Transcriptome profiling provides insights into molecular mechanism in Peanut semi-dwarf mutant
Authors: Guo Fengdan , Ma Junjie , Hou Lei , Shi Suhua , Sun Jinbo , Li Guanghui , Zhao Chuanzhi , Xia Han , Zhao Shuzhen , Wang Xingjun , Zhao Yanxiu
Published: March 2020

Background

Plant height, mainly decided by main stem height, is the major agronomic trait and closely correlated to crop yield. A number of studies had been conducted on model plants and crops to understand the molecular and genetic basis of plant height. However, little is known on the molecular mechanisms of peanut main stem height.

Results

In this study, a semi-dwarf peanut mutant was identified from60Co γ-ray induced mutant population and designated as semi-dwarf mutant 2 (sdm2). The height ofsdm2was only 59.3% of its wild line Fenghua 1 (FH1) at the mature stage. Thesdm2has less internode number and short internode length to compare with FH1. Gene expression profiles of stem and leaf from bothsdm2and FH1 were analyzed using high throughput RNA sequencing. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in hormone biosynthesis and signaling pathways, cell wall synthetic and metabolic pathways. BR, GA and IAA biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways were significantly enriched. The expression of several genes in BR biosynthesis and signaling were found to be significantly down-regulated insdm2as compared to FH1. Many transcription factors encoding genes were identified as DEGs.

Conclusions

A large number of genes were found differentially expressed betweensdm2and FH1. These results provide useful information for uncovering the molecular mechanism regulating peanut stem height. It could facilitate identification of causal genes for breeding peanut varieties with semi-dwarf phenotype.
Genome-wide discovery and functional prediction of salt-responsive lncRNAs in duckweed
Authors: Fu Lili , Ding Zehong , Tan Deguan , Han Bingying , Sun Xuepiao , Zhang Jiaming
Published: March 2020

Background

Salt significantly depresses the growth and development of the greater duckweed, Spirodela polyrhiza, a model species of floating aquatic plants. Physiological responses of this plant to salt stress have been characterized, however, the roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) remain unknown.

Results

In this work, totally 2815 novel lncRNAs were discovered in S. polyrhiza by strand-specific RNA sequencing, of which 185 (6.6%) were expressed differentially under salinity condition. Co-expression analysis indicated that the trans-acting lncRNAs regulated their co-expressed genes functioning in amino acid metabolism, cell- and cell wall-related metabolism, hormone metabolism, photosynthesis, RNA transcription, secondary metabolism, and transport. In total, 42 lncRNA-mRNA pairs that might participate in cis-acting regulation were found, and these adjacent genes were involved in cell wall, cell cycle, carbon metabolism, ROS regulation, hormone metabolism, and transcription factor. In addition, the lncRNAs probably functioning as miRNA targets were also investigated. Specifically, TCONS_00033722, TCONS_00044328, and TCONS_00059333 were targeted by a few well-studied salt-responsive miRNAs, supporting the involvement of miRNA and lncRNA interactions in the regulation of salt stress responses. Finally, a representative network of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA was proposed and discussed to participate in duckweed salt stress via auxin signaling.

Conclusions

This study is the first report on salt-responsive lncRNAs in duckweed, and the findings will provide a solid foundation for in-depth functional characterization of duckweed lncRNAs in response to salt stress.
Associations between ankle-brachial index, diabetes, and sleep apnea in the Hispanic community health study/study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) database
Authors: Alshehri Mohammed M. , Alqahtani Abdulfattah S. , Alenazi Aqeel M. , Aldhahi Monira , Alothman Shaima , Gray Corey , Alqahtani Bader , Khunti Kamlesh , Kluding Patricia
Published: March 2020

Background

Sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus (DM) negatively impact cardiovascular health. One important indicator of cardiovascular health is the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI). Either low ABI or high ABI are signs of peripheral vascular impairment. Impaired vascular health and DM, together, might provoke sleep apnea; however, information regarding these relationships is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between ABI, DM status, and severity of obstructive sleep apnea in people of Hispanic/Latino descent who are diverse in culture, environmental exposures, nativity, socioeconomic status, and disease burden.

Methods

A cross sectional analysis from a multi-center epidemiologic study, Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, was utilized and included 3779 participants (mean age 55.32 ± 7.67, females 57.9%). The sample was divided into 4 groups based on the American Diabetes Association diagnostic guidelines (no DM or DM), and the ABI status (normal and abnormal). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the association of the four groups and other independent variables with severity of sleep apnea measured by apnea-hypopnea index. Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparisons between groups for the apnea-hypopnea index. The significant level was set at 0.01.

Results

There were significant differences between groups in the mean of apnea-hypopnea index (P < 0.001; no DM + normal ABI = 5.42 ± 9.66, no DM + abnormal ABI = 7.11 ± 11.63, DM + normal ABI = 10.99 ± 15.16, DM + abnormal ABI = 12.81 ± 17.80). Linear regression showed that DM and abnormal ABI were significantly associated with severe sleep apnea (β = 3.25, P = 0.001) after controlling for age, sex, BMI, income, education, alcohol use, cigarette use, hypertension or related medication, stroke and statin use.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that people with DM and abnormal ABI were more likely to have high apnea-hypopnea index compared to the other groups. We observed gradual increasing in the severity of sleep apnea from low abnormality groups to high abnormality groups for Hispanic/Latino. Further work should elucidate the association of DM, abnormal ABI and sleep apnea with longer term outcomes, and replicate this work in different populations.
Clinical implications with tolvaptan on monitored bioimpedance-defined fluid status in patients with cirrhotic ascites: an observational study
Authors: Shiba Shunsuke , Chu Po-sung , Nakamoto Nobuhiro , Yamataka Karin , Taniki Nobuhito , Ojiro Keisuke , Yamaguchi Akihiro , Morikawa Rei , Yoshida Aya , Ikura Akihiko , Ebinuma Hirotoshi , Saito Hidetsugu , Kanai Takanori
Published: March 2020

Background

Prognostic value or clinical implications of fluid status monitoring in liver cirrhosis are not fully elucidated. Tolvaptan, an orally available, selective vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist approved for hyponatremia in the United States and European Union. It is also used for cirrhotic ascites at a relatively low dose (3.75 mg to 7.5 mg) in Japan, exerts its diuretic function by excreting electrolyte-free water. We hypothesized that bioimpedance-defined dynamic changes in fluid status allow prediction of response of V2 antagonism and survival in cirrhotic patients.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, 30 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis who were unresponsive to conventional diuretics were enrolled. Detailed serial changes of body composition that were assessed by using non-invasive bioimpedance analysis (BIA) devices, along with biochemical studies, were monitored at 5 time points.

Results

Sixteen patients were classified as short-term responders (53%). Rapid and early decrease of BIA-defined intracellular water, as soon as 6 h after the first dose (ΔICWBIA%-6 h), significantly discriminated responders from non-responders (AUC = 0.97,P < 0.0001). ΔICWBIA%-6 h was highly correlated with the change of BIA-derived phase angle of trunk, e.g. reduced body reactance operated at 50 kHz after 24 h of the first dose of tolvaptan. Lower baseline blood urea nitrogen and lower serum aldosterone were predictive of a rapid and early decrease of ICWBIA. A rapid and early decrease of ICWBIAin response to tolvaptan was also predictive of a better transplant-free survival.

Conclusions

BIA-defined water compartment monitoring may help predict short-term efficacy and survival in decompensated cirrhotic patients treated with tolvaptan.
Correction to: Amyloid PET, FDG-PET or MRI? - the power of different imaging biomarkers to detect progression of early Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Ortner Marion , Drost René , Hedderich Dennis , Goldhardt Oliver , Müller-Sarnowski Felix , Diehl-Schmid Janine , Förstl Hans , Yakushev Igor , Grimmer Timo
Published: March 2020

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors ask to correct the surname of co-author Dennis Hedderich from from Heddderich to Hedderich.
Effect of dexmedetomidine on prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in pediatric strabismus surgery: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Li Shuangshuang , Liu Tingjie , Xia Junming , Jia Jie , Li Wenxian
Published: March 2020

Background

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are common side-effects following strabismus surgery. The present study aimed to compare the effects of different doses of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on PONV incidence in pediatric patients undergoing strabismus surgery.

Methods

In this prospective randomized double-blinded study, 126 pediatric patients undergoing strabismus surgery were randomized into one of three groups: Placebo group, normal saline; DEX1 group, 0.3 μg/kg dexmedetomidine, and DEX2 group, 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine. Oculocardiac reflex (OCR) events were recorded during surgery. PONV or postoperative vomiting (POV) was recorded for 24 h in the ward. Pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium (PAED) scale and emergence agitation (EA) scale were recorded in the recovery room.

Results

Intraoperative OCR was significantly reduced in DEX2 group (42%) as compared to that of Placebo group (68%) (p = 0.0146). During the first 24 h post-op, the overall incidence of PONV was significantly lower in DEX2 group (10%) than that of Placebo group (32%) (p = 0.0142). There was no significant difference in POV among the three groups. PAED or EA scores among the three groups were similar during recovery time.

Conclusion

Dexmedetomidine (0.5 μg/kg) reduced OCR and PONV without lengthening extubation time or recovery time in pediatric patients undergoing strabismus surgery.

Trial registration

The trial was prospectively registered before patient enrollment at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Clinical Trial Number: ChiCTR1800020176, Date: 12/19/2018).
Meconium peritonitis resulting from different etiologies in siblings: a case report
Authors: Park Kyung Hee , Bae Mi Hye , Lee Na Rae , Han Young Mi , Byun Shin-Yun , Kim Hae-Young
Published: March 2020

Background

Meconium peritonitis is defined as aseptic chemical inflammation caused by intrauterine bowel perforation. The underlying causes of bowel perforation include intestinal atresia, midgut volvulus, intussusception, congenital bands, and meconium ileus.

Case presentation

Siblings with prenatally diagnosed meconium peritonitis of different etiologies were found. The elder sister was born at 36 + 6 weeks gestation with a birth weight of 3110 g. She was diagnosed with meconium peritonitis caused by ileal atresia. Two years later, the younger brother was born at 34 + 3 weeks gestation with a birth weight of 2850 g. He was diagnosed with meconium peritonitis caused by midgut volvulus.

Conclusions

Among the previously reported cases of meconium peritonitis, familial occurance of meconium peritonitis is extremely rare. We present a case of prenatally diagnosed meconium peritonitis in siblings to promote further understanding of its etiology and clinical course.
Cervical cancer screening practices among women in Ghana: evidence from wave 2 of the WHO study on global AGEing and adult health
Authors: Calys-Tagoe Benedict N. L. , Aheto Justice M. K. , Mensah George , Biritwum Richard B. , Yawson Alfred E.
Published: March 2020

Background

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer that affects women worldwide. It has been and remains the leading cause of cancer mortality among women in Ghana. Despite the fact that cervical cancer is preventable through early detection and treatment of precancerous lesions, anecdotal evidence from gynaecological clinics in Ghana indicates that most patients present with a late stage of the disease. This study assesses the cervical cancer screening practices among women in Ghana.

Methods

Data from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) multi-country Study on AGEing and adult health (SAGE) wave 2 conducted between 2014 and 2015 in Ghana was used. We employed binary logistic regression models to analyse data on 2711 women to examine factors associated with having pelvic examination among women aged ≥18 years. Among those who had pelvic examination, we applied binary logistic regression models to analyse factors associated with receiving Pap smear test as a subgroup analysis.

Results

Of the 2711 women aged 18 years or older surveyed, 225 (8.3%) had ever had a pelvic examination and only 66 (2.4%) of them reported ever having done a Pap smear test. For those who had pelvic examination, only 26.94% had Pap smear test. Ethnic group, marital status, father’s educational level and difficulty with self-care were independently associated with undergoing pelvic examination. Only age and healthcare involvement were independently associated with pelvic examination within the past 5 years to the survey. Marital status, satisfaction with healthcare and healthcare involvement were independently associated with Pap smear test.

Conclusion

Even though cervical cancer is preventable through early detection of precancerous lesions using Pap smear test, the patronage of this screening test is still very low in Ghana. Factors influencing the low patronage in Ghana include the marital status of women, their level of satisfaction with healthcare as well as their level of involvement with healthcare. These may be the consequences of a weak health system and the lack of a national policy on cervical cancer screening.
An evaluation of time series summary statistics as features for clinical prediction tasks
Authors: Guo Chonghui , Lu Menglin , Chen Jingfeng
Published: March 2020

Background

Clinical prediction tasks such as patient mortality, length of hospital stay, and disease diagnosis are highly important in critical care research. The existing studies for clinical prediction mainly used simple summary statistics to summarize information from physiological time series. However, this lack of statistics leads to a lack of information. In addition, using only maximum and minimum statistics to indicate patient features fails to provide an adequate explanation. Few studies have evaluated which summary statistics best represent physiological time series.

Methods

In this paper, we summarize 14 statistics describing the characteristics of physiological time series, including the central tendency, dispersion tendency, and distribution shape. Then, we evaluate the use of summary statistics of physiological time series as features for three clinical prediction tasks. To find the combinations of statistics that yield the best performances under different tasks, we use a cross-validation-based genetic algorithm to approximate the optimal statistical combination.

Results

By experiments using the EHRs of 6,927 patients, we obtained prediction results based on both single statistics and commonly used combinations of statistics under three clinical prediction tasks. Based on the results of an embedded cross-validation genetic algorithm, we obtained 25 optimal sets of statistical combinations and then tested their prediction results. By comparing the performances of prediction with single statistics and commonly used combinations of statistics with quantitative analyses of the optimal statistical combinations, we found that some statistics play central roles in patient representation and different prediction tasks have certain commonalities.

Conclusion

Through an in-depth analysis of the results, we found many practical reference points that can provide guidance for subsequent related research. Statistics that indicate dispersion tendency, such as min, max, and range, are more suitable for length of stay prediction tasks, and they also provide information for short-term mortality prediction. Mean and quantiles that reflect the central tendency of physiological time series are more suitable for mortality and disease prediction. Skewness and kurtosis perform poorly when used separately for prediction but can be used as supplementary statistics to improve the overall prediction effect.
Epidemiological and PK/PD cutoff values determination and PK/PD-based dose assessment of gamithromycin against Haemophilus parasuis in piglets
Authors: Zhou Yu-Feng , Bu Ming-Xiao , Liu Ping , Sun Jian , Liu Ya-Hong , Liao Xiao-Ping
Published: March 2020

Background

Gamithromycin is a macrolide approved for the treatment of bovine and swine respiratory diseases. Our study aims to establish the clinical breakpoint and optimum dose regimen for gamithromycin against Haemophilus parasuis in piglets.

Results

Gamithromycin was well absorbed and fully bioavailable (87.2–101%) after intramuscular and subcutaneous administrations. The MICs of gamithromycin for 192 clinical H. parasuis isolates ranged from 0.008 to 128 mg/L and the epidemiological cutoff (ECOFF) was calculated as 1.0 mg/L. A large potentiation effect of serum on in vitro susceptibility of gamithromycin was observed for H. parasuis, with broth/serum ratios of 8.93 for MICs and 4.46 for MBCs, respectively. The postantibiotic effects were 1.5 h (1 × MIC) and 2.4 h (4 × MIC), and the postantibiotic sub-MIC effects ranged from 2.7 to 4.3 h. Gamithromycin had rapid and concentration-dependent killing against H. parasuis, and the AUC24h/MIC ratio correlated well with ex vivo efficacy (R2 = 0.97). The AUC24h/MIC targets in serum associated with bacteriostatic, bactericidal and eradication activities were 15.8, 30.3 and 41.2, respectively. The PK/PD-based population dose prediction indicated a probability of target attainment (PTA) for the current marketed dose (6 mg/kg) of 88.9% against H. parasuis. The calculated gamithromycin dose for a PTA ≥ 90% was 6.55 mg/kg. Based on Monte Carlo simulations, the PK/PD cutoff (COPD) was determined to be 0.25 mg/L.

Conclusion

The determined cutoffs and PK/PD-based dose prediction will be of great importance in gamithromycin resistance surveillance and serve as an important step in the establishment of optimum dose regimen and clinical breakpoints.
Pesticide exposure and risk of aggressive prostate cancer among private pesticide applicators
Authors: Pardo Larissa A. , Beane Freeman Laura E. , Lerro Catherine C. , Andreotti Gabriella , Hofmann Jonathan N. , Parks Christine G. , Sandler Dale P. , Lubin Jay H. , Blair Aaron , Koutros Stella
Published: March 2020

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among men in developed countries; however, little is known about modifiable risk factors. Some studies have implicated organochlorine and organophosphate insecticides as risk factors (particularly the organodithioate class) and risk of clinically significant PCa subtypes. However, few studies have evaluated other pesticides. We used data from the Agricultural Health Study, a large prospective cohort of pesticide applicators in North Carolina and Iowa, to extend our previous work and evaluate 39 additional pesticides and aggressive PCa.

Methods

We used Cox proportional hazards models, with age as the time scale, to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between ever use of individual pesticides and 883 cases of aggressive PCa (distant stage, poorly differentiated grade, Gleason score ≥ 7, or fatal prostate cancer) diagnosed between 1993 and 2015. All models adjusted for birth year, state, family history of PCa, race, and smoking status. We conducted exposure-response analyses for pesticides with reported lifetime years of use.

Results

There was an increased aggressive PCa risk among ever users of the organodithioate insecticide dimethoate (n = 54 exposed cases, HR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.80) compared to never users. We observed an inverse association between aggressive PCa and the herbicide triclopyr (n = 35 exposed cases, HR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.48, 0.95), with the strongest inverse association for those reporting durations of use above the median (≥ 4 years; n = 13 exposed cases, HR=0.44, 95% CI=0.26, 0.77).

Conclusion

Few additional pesticides were associated with prostate cancer risk after evaluation of extended data from this large cohort of private pesticide applicators.
Suitability of individual and bulk milk samples to investigate the humoral immune response to lumpy skin disease vaccination by ELISA
Authors: Milovanović Milovan , Milićević Vesna , Radojičić Sonja , Valčić Miroslav , Hoffmann Bernd , Dietze Klaas
Published: March 2020

Background

The detection of antibodies against capripoxvirus has become easier with a commercially available ELISA validated for serum and plasma. In order to explore its suitability for immunological investigations on alternative samples, this study targeted milk as sample matrix available through non-invasive sampling.

Methods

Samples for this study were collected from dairy cows vaccinated against LSD in an area without reported LSD virus circulation. Paired serum and milk (individual and bulk) samples were tested by ELISA without and with modifications of the sample incubation time for the milk samples. For the evaluation of the test specificity, 352 milk samples from a milk repository in Germany were used as negative control. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed for determination of the Youden index and determination of the most suitable cut-off value for maximum specificity.

Results

From 154 analyzed serum samples from Serbia, 75 were detected as positive in the ELISA. Sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA test for milk samples reached values of 88 to 91% using Youden criteria. A cut-off of 10 was determined aiming for maximum specificity. This cut-off value was used for further analysis. Using the protocol for serum, out of 154 milk samples, 38 were detected as positive, number of positive detected milk samples increase up to 48 with modified protocol. Milk samples from Germany reacted negative, except two samples that had borderline results using modified protocol. Significant statistical difference (p < 0.05) was observed between two incubation protocols. The detection of LSD-specific antibodies from bulk milk samples (pools of 2–10 individuals) came along with a reduced sensitivity over the sample of individual animals.

Conclusions

Results show that the detection of capripoxvirus specific antibodies in milk samples using the commercially available ELISA from IDvet is feasible and can represent a helpful tool for LSDV monitoring programs.
Detectable HIV-1 in semen in individuals with very low blood viral loads
Authors: Kariuki Samuel Mundia , Selhorst Philippe , Norman Jennifer , Cohen Karen , Rebe Kevin , Williamson Carolyn , Dorfman Jeffrey R.
Published: March 2020

Background

Several reports indicate that a portion (5–10%) of men living with HIV-1 intermittently shed HIV-1 RNA into seminal plasma while on long term effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). This is highly suggestive of an HIV-1 reservoir in the male genital tract. However, the status of this reservoir in men living with HIV-1 who are not under treatment is underexplored and has implications for understanding the origins and evolution of the reservoir.

Finding

Forty-three HIV-1 positive, antiretroviral therapy naïve study participants attending a men’s health clinic were studied. Semen viral loads and blood viral loads were generally correlated, with semen viral loads generally detected in individuals with blood viral loads > 10,000 cp/ml. However, we found 1 individual with undetectable viral loads (<20cp/ml) and 2 individuals with very low blood viral load (97 and 333cp/ml), but with detectable HIV-1 in semen (485–1157 copies/semen sample). Blood viral loads in the first individual were undetectable when tested three times over the prior 5 years.

Conclusions

Semen HIV-1 viral loads are usually related to blood viral loads, as we confirm. Nonetheless, this was not true in a substantial minority of individuals suggesting unexpectedly high levels of replication in the male genital tract in a few individuals, despite otherwise effective immune control. This may reflect establishment of a local reservoir of HIV-1 populations.