bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Total Cholesterol Levels in Men with Schizophrenia Receiving Risperidone and Haloperidol Treatment
Authors: Agusmita Agusmita , Loebis Bahagia , Husada Muhammad Surya , Effendy Elmeida
Published: July 2021

AIM: The objectives of the study were to compare total cholesterol levels in men with schizophrenia receiving risperidone and haloperidol treatment.

METHODS: We conducted on treatment analysis experiment study involving 30 subjects who received risperidone and 30 subjects who received haloperidol. Total cholesterol levels were examined at week 0 and week 8.

RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics. At week 8, mean of total cholesterol level in the risperidone group was 207.23 ± 21.49 compared to 188.17 ± 17.00 in the haloperidol group. A difference of 19.06 ± 5.00 (95% CI 9.05–29.08) was observed, which is statistically significant (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: There was a statistically significant increase in total cholesterol levels in men with schizophrenia receiving risperidone compared to haloperidol.
Idiomysis bumbumiensis sp. nov., a new mysid species (Mysida, Mysidae, Anisomysini) from Southeast Asia
Authors: Nurshazwan Ja’afar , Sawamoto Shozo , Rahim Azman bin Abdul
Published: July 2021

We provide a detailed description, including illustrations, of a new species of mysid belonging to the genus Idiomysis W. M. Tattersall, 1922 from Pulau Bum Bum, Sabah, Malaysia. The presence of two segments of antennal scale, a shorter endopod of uropod than the exopod and a pair of minute spines at the apex of the telson distinguishes Idiomysis bumbumiensis sp. nov. from all other species in the genus. The present species is the seventh member of the genus Idiomysis and it is the first described in Southeast Asia. It is also the third species of tribe Anisomysini discovered in Malaysian waters. We include an updated dichotomous key of all Idiomysis species.
La famille et le travail, le travail de la famille
Authors: Scherman Matthieu
Published: July 2021

L’article vise à analyser les relations entre les formes familiales et le travail dans les économies de la fin du Moyen Âge. Il se focalise sur les cas des travailleurs de Trévise et sur le groupe des marchands-banquiers à travers le cas de la famille des Salviati. Toutes les interrogations que pose l’organisation économique et sociale des marchés à la fin du Moyen Âge ne peuvent se comprendre sans prendre en considération les aspects familiaux : travail et familles sont imbriqués comme le sont les relations entre familles de grands marchands-banquiers. En effet, que les grands marchands internationaux ou les plus petits opérateurs soient analysés, un constat similaire peut être avancé : la famille est au centre des stratégies économiques et de l’organisation du travail à la fin du Moyen Âge. Elle constitue le pivot de l’organisation des marchés du travail et des structures économiques au xv e  siècle.
Great Expectations. Hicks on expectations from Theory of Wages [1932] to Value and Capital [1939]
Authors: Lenfant Jean-Sébastien
Published: July 2021

L’article explore en détail le développement et le rôle des anticipations dans la représentation du fonctionnement d’une économie capitaliste selon John Hicks. Il couvre ses contributions à la théorie économique dans les années 1930, avec un accent sur Valeur et Capital . La question posée est de savoir si Hicks propose une théorie des anticipations. Nous soutenons qu’il y a plusieurs éléments d’une telle théorie dans les écrits de Hicks, mais que ce qui est le plus important pour lui est la dynamique historique générée par l’hétérogénéité des anticipations. JEL codes : B2, B3, D5, D8
Understanding expectational coordination as a major intellectual challenge: The “eductive” guide line
Authors: Guesnerie Roger
Published: July 2021

Le texte met en exergue ce que l’on peut appeler l’approche « divinatoire » pour un examen critique de l’hypothèse d’Anticipations Rationnelles. La Section 2 compare de façon informelle et intuitive les approches et résultats de l’apprentissage « divinatoire » et de l’apprentissage « en temps réel » dans deux cas polaires (un modèle à deux périodes d’équilibre partiel et un modèle simple de cycles réels). La section 3 passe en revue partie de la littérature théorique analysant la stabilité « divinatoire » dans les champs de la finance, du commerce international, de l’équilibre général, de la macroéconomie de court ou plus long terme.
Rational expectations in a changing world
Authors: Kirman Alan
Published: July 2021

Les anticipations permettent de s’intéresser à ce qui va advenir dans le futur comme elles peuvent être totalement déconnectées de toute dimension temporelle. Dans les deux cas, elles occupent une place fondamentale en science économique. Quand on cherche à savoir comment une économie va évoluer au cours du temps, on est forcé d’émettre des hypothèses sur les modalités selon lesquelles les agents qui prennent les décisions économiques anticipent le futur. Dans un environnement incertain, il n’est pas possible de modéliser l’évolution de l’économie sans faire des hypothèses sur les anticipations formées par les individus. Les économistes généralement supposent qu’en se fondant sur leurs anticipations, les individus font les « meilleurs » choix possibles. Cette « hypothèse d’anticipations rationnelles » suppose d’une certaine manière que les agents aient connaissance du processus qui gouverne l’évolution de l’économie. Ce papier soutient que non seulement cette vision des choses est irréaliste et ne correspond pas à ce qui empiriquement observé mais qu’elle est aussi totalement incompatible avec la non-ergodicité associée au caractère éminemment complexe de nos systèmes socio-économiques. Étant donné l’impossibilité de construire une véritable théorie fondée sur des comportement « rationnels » ou encore optimaux, nous pourrions avoir besoin de fonder notre analyse sur des sortes d’heuristiques semblables à celles que les individus, ou même les animaux utilisent pour déterminer leurs actions futures. Dès lors, le comportement agrégé ne serait plus le fruit de calculs sophistiqués des agents mais le produit de l’interaction entre agents mobilisant ces heuristiques.
Information and expectations in policy-making: Friedman’s changing approaches to macroeconomic dynamics
Authors: Rivot Sylvie
Published: July 2021

L’article montre comment Friedman en vint progressivement à incorporer le processus de formation des anticipations dans son analyse des déséquilibres macroéconomiques. Nous montrons que le jeune monétarisme de Friedman est basé sur un ajustement lent des prix et des salaires, en grande partie à cause de l’existence de contrats de long terme. Quand il posa la question des anticipations dans ses travaux en dynamique macro-économique, Friedman considéra d’abord des anticipations statiques. Au milieu des années 1960, sa critique « anticipationniste » de la courbe de Phillips plaça au cœur de l’analyse l’idée que les agents privés ajustent progressivement leurs prévisions à un nouvel environnement informationnel. Néanmoins, les anticipations adaptatives impliquent un comportement rétrospectif (tournés vers le passé) s’agissant de la structure des prix, sans tenir de l’effet probable d’une politique discrétionnaire sur l’état de l’économie dans le futur ; d’où les erreurs systématiques de prévision commises par les agents économiques. Friedman prendra finalement en considération des comportements prospectifs (tournés vers le futur) dans les années 1970s mais sans cependant adopter pleinement l’approche de la politique économique par le courant des anticipations rationnelles. On peut trouver dans le monétarisme tardif de Friedman un écho de son travail ancien avec Savage à propos des attitudes face au risque, basé sur l’approche en termes de probabilité subjective. Mais ceci est le résultat résiduel d’un processus extrêmement long.
Zero-sum games for pure jump processes with risk-sensitive discounted cost criteria
Authors: Pal Chandan , Pradhan Somnath
Published: July 2021

In this paper we study zero-sum stochastic games for pure jump processes on a general state space with risk sensitive discounted criteria. We establish a saddle point equilibrium in Markov strategies for bounded cost function. We achieve our results by studying relevant Hamilton-Jacobi-Isaacs equations.
Digital Elements for SAP ERP Education and Training: Results from a Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Soellner Sigita
Published: July 2021

SAP ERP knowledge is becoming more and more important and

the demand for corresponding education and training is constantly increasing. As of today, curricula around SAP ERP typically include face-to-face instruction by a lecturer as well as hands-on practice phases in the SAP system to apply and reinforce the theoretical knowledge. In the era of COVID-19, this created challenges, since courses needed to be redesigned to fully digital within a very short amount of time. The purpose of this paper is to identify existing digital elements around SAP ERP education and training that could help lecturers to design engaging hybrid or fully digital learning offerings. To achieve this goal, a systematic literature review was conducted, and the results show that the identified offerings are either infrastructural offerings or simulations. Furthermore, SAP S/4HANA is hardly addressed in prior research, even though it is supposed to become the industry standard by 2027. Consequently, future research should focus on developing digital elements for education and training around SAP S/4HANA. Existing simulations might be adapted, but research should also try to explore further digital elements beyond simulations.
Les pratiques publiques de capital-investissement en faveur du développement
Authors: Ronal Océane
Published: July 2021

Depuis le début des années 2000, les pratiques publiques de capital-investissement ambitionnent de mettre la finance au service du développement, avec pour enjeu d’apporter des fonds propres au capital d’entreprises auxquelles ils font défaut, tout en démontrant la profitabilité de ces investissements. L’aide publique au développement entend ainsi à la fois répondre à un besoin de financement du secteur privé des pays dits en développement et inciter les détenteurs de capitaux privés à y investir. Cet article analyse le capital-investissement comme forme d’action financiarisée (re-)configurant les logiques et pratiques de régulation publique du développement ; l’État-actionnaire endossant, dans ce cadre, les rôles de créateur de marché financier et de gestionnaire de risques. La démonstration repose sur deux grands arguments. D’une part, dans le cadre de la transformation de la relation État-marchés financiers, les pratiques publiques de capital-investissement créent une industrie financière par un processus d’instrumentation publique de la finance. D’autre part, le processus de financiarisation favorise une réinterprétation des enjeux de l’action publique en matière de rendement.
Libéralisation des marchés laitiers et transformation des régimes de concurrence
Authors: Dervillé Marie
Published: July 2021

Nous proposons de mobiliser le concept de régime de concurrence pour appréhender la co-évolution des stratégies individuelles et des régulations collectives et publiques dans un domaine d’activité particulier. Combinant l’institutionnalisme historique de John R. Commons aux apports de la théorie de la régulation et de la socio-économie, le régime de concurrence définit les marges de manœuvres individuelles des opérateurs (faisceau de droits de propriété) compte tenu des régulations sectorielles informelles (conceptions de contrôle) et formelles (structures de gouvernance) et des régulations publiques (règles de l’échange).Les résultats des recherches empiriques menées sur la transformation des secteurs laitiers français et allemands au cours des 60 dernières années montrent le rôle central joué par l’action collective dans la stabilisation des marchés, tant dans le cadre de politiques publiques interventionnistes (effectivité et extension du cadre réglementaire) que libérales (structuration d’ordres sectoriels). La différenciation régionale des régimes de concurrence ressort en Allemagne comme un levier essentiel d’adaptation à la libéralisation des marchés laitiers. Le verrouillage sectoriel national dans le cas français limite les possibilités régionales d’innovation et de création de valeur et freine la transition vers un régime de concurrence post-industriel.
The Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic on Airport Operations
Authors: Karakuş Güzide , Sak Fatma Selin , Altınel Ahu
Published: July 2021

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which started in China as of December 2019, has spread all over the world and caused different adverse effects in each country. The coronavirus has affected millions of people around the world and caused thousands of deaths. The pandemic, which causes us to question our knowledge to be true and is a new factor that should be seen as a risk in future planning, has brought new regulations in all vital activities. The fact that airline transportation is one of the sectors most affected by coronavirus determined the scope of the study. Within the scope of the study, exploratory case study was preferred and how airport operations were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic was illustrated.
Citrus Huanglongbing Recognition Algorithm Based on CKMOPSO
Authors: Wang Hui , Cai Tie , Cao Wei
Published: July 2021

In view of the similarity of characteristics between the features of the disease images and the large dimension, and the features correlation of the disease images, this will lead to the generation of feature redundancy, and will introduce a serious impact on the recognition efficiency and accuracy of citrus Huanglongbing. In addition, they have the defects of high cost of detection algorithms and low detection accuracy. This will occur in the image cutting feature extraction stage, so this paper uses the citrus Huanglongbing recognition algorithm based on kriging model simplex crossover local based search Multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm(CKMOPSO) selects feature vectors with strong classification capabilities from the original disease image features, experimental results show that this is an effective recognition method.
Challenges and Recommendations in Big Data Indexing Strategies
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed Attia , Abdel-Fattah Manal A. , Khedr Ayman E.
Published: July 2021

Index structures are one of the main strategies for effective data access applied for indexing data. According to expansion of data, traditional indexing strategies on big data meets several challenges that lead to weak performance; they haven't abilities to handle the rapid increase of data in terms of accurate retrieval results and processing time. So, it is necessary to substitute traditional index with another efficient index structure called learned index. Learned index goes to use machine learning models to tackle such issues and achieve more enhancements of processing time and accurate results. In this research, the authors discuss different indexing strategies on big data both traditional and learned indexes, demonstrate the main features of them, perform comparison in terms of its performance, and present big data indexing challenges and solutions. Consequently, the research suggests replacing traditional indexes by dynamic index models, which lead to less processing time and more accurate results taking into consideration specification of hardware used.
Supporting Social Capital by Utilizing Community Network Positions
Authors: Vollenbroek Wouter , de Vries Sjoerd , van Dijk Jan
Published: July 2021

In organizations, it is increasingly about utilizing the intellectual and social capital of employees. Communities of practice (CoPs) are organized to take full advantage of the intellectual and social capital. In this study, the focus is on social capital and the aim is to improve it in CoPs by understanding individual's community network positions. A netnographic approach has been used to identify community network positions based on online social interactions of individuals. In order to gain insight into underlying factors that are related to the development of these network positions, a unique digital connection has been made with a socio-psychological survey. The results indicate increasing polarization in the CoPs. The more centrally located people are more positive about their perceived opportunities from their organisation and consider themselves in a better position to make a meaningful contribution to a CoP than those with a less central position. Thus, understanding and utilizing community network positions can make an important contribution to supporting social capital.
Thinking Together and Governance in Transport Planning
Authors: Occelli Sylvie , Landini Simone
Published: July 2021

Sustainability issues challenge most conventional approaches to policy design and implementation. One broader concern is how to create the conditions for the desired sustainability options to be realized. In this pursuit, policy design has several tasks to accomplish, such as strengthening governance, promoting learning, and enabling self-organization. The case study presented in this paper is an example of this undertaking. It is part of activities carried out at IRES Piemonte for supporting the sustainability-oriented transport plan of the Piedmont region in Italy. It deals with the development of an ICT tool to address the following question: Given the list of the transport plan's interventions, which ones are more likely to be a successful package and achieve the desired goals most effectively? The paper outlines the conceptual and methodological underpinnings of the tool and illustrates the main results of an application which involved participants from different regional departments.
Gamification and Gen Z in Higher Education
Authors: Saxena Manisha , Mishra Dharmesh K.
Published: July 2021

Research has found that the new-age learner, Gen Z, is different from his/ her predecessors and hence educators need new age pedagogical interventions to cater to this group of learners. With a change in the way the new age learner learns, the education system needs to revamp to incorporate tools that suit the need of the learner.The paper reviews the use of Gamification as a tool for motivation and engagement for Gen Z in higher education with the help of peer-reviewed research literature from research databases predominantly from Scopus and Web of Science. The purpose of this paper is to provide suggestions on how to create an engaging and meaningful learning environment in Higher Education for Gen Z by providing relevant insights on Gamification with the help of secondary research. As this is an emerging field of study, this paper will help policymakers, educators and academicians to design and implement relevant interventions to use Gamification as an effective tool for Gen Z learners in the field of higher education.
Technological and Disruptive Innovations in a Nation's Industrialization and Leadership Development
Authors: Forrest Jeffrey Yi-Lin , Li Zhen , Solano Roger A. , Doorn David J.
Published: July 2021

The turn of this new century has been witnessing the effort of various leading developed and developing countries in their attempt to materialize next round of industrialization by emphasizing on innovations. To potentially provide guidance to such national efforts, this paper explores the relationship between technological innovation and industrialization and the importance of disruptive innovation in the development of a nation’s international leadership. By employing the rigor of game theory, this work first looks at key conditions under which an established market invites competition and innovation. On top of such generally true results, it is consequently shown that technological innovation is a driving force behind industrialization and that disruptive innovation can assist a nation to become an international leader. Other than providing policy recommendations, this paper concludes with open problems for future research.
Revisiting How Perceived Uncertainty and Herd Behavior Influence Technology Choice
Authors: Vedadi Ali , Greer Timothy H.
Published: July 2021

Understanding how herd behavior occurs in the information systems context is important because such behavior influences many choice decisions, is the reason for some decision anomalies, and explains the reasons behind the rise or collapse of technology trends. Perceived uncertainty is a critical factor that triggers herding, but despite its influential role, prior research has not adequately investigated this broad concept. This research contributes to the literature by decomposing perceived uncertainty to its dimensions and analyzing the influence of each one on triggering individuals’ herd behavior. Our findings show that unlike state uncertainty, only effect and response uncertainty are the triggers herd behavior.
A Survey of Semantic Construction and Application of Satellite Remote Sensing Images and Data
Authors: Lu Hui , Liu Qi , Liu Xiaodong , Zhang Yonghong
Published: July 2021

With the rapid development of satellite technology, remote sensing data has entered the era of big data, and the intelligent processing of remote sensing image has been paid more and more attention. Through the semantic research of remote sensing data, the processing ability of remote sensing data is greatly improved. This paper aims to introduce and analyze the research and application progress of remote sensing image satellite data processing from the perspective of semantic. Firstly, it introduces the characteristics and semantic knowledge of remote sensing big data; Secondly, the semantic concept, semantic construction and application fields are introduced in detail; then, for remote sensing big data, the technical progress in the study field of semantic construction is analyzed from four aspects: semantic description and understanding, semantic segmentation, semantic classification and semantic search, focusing on deep learning technology; Finally, the problems and challenges in the four aspects are discussed in detail, in order to find more directions to explore.
Environmental exposure to cadmium but not lead is associated with decreased semen quality parameters
Authors: Olszak-Wasik Katarzyna , Tukiendorf Andrzej , Kasperczyk Aleksandra , Wdowiak Artur , Horak Stanislaw
Published: July 2021

Environmental factors may negatively contribute to a progressive worsening of semen quality, and differences in semen quality may result from different environmental exposures (regional differences) or lifestyle differences. Heavy metals are factors with a confirmed negative influence on male fertility. Among them, lead and cadmium are commonly found in human surroundings. Thus, we analyzed semen parameters (according to the World Health Organization 2010 recommendations) and semen lead and cadmium concentrations in 188 men from two different regions in Poland, a typical agricultural area and an industrial area, in couples that had been diagnosed with infertility. The assays were performed using flameless electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. In the statistical analysis, regional comparisons and then taxonomic comparisons based on three parameters (age, semen concentration, and sperm morphology) were applied. We showed that more cadmium than lead accumulated in semen, a higher cadmium concentration was observed in semen obtained from men from the agricultural region, and better semen quality and lower cadmium concentrations were found in the semen of men from the industrial, more polluted region. We thus showed an existing regionalism in the sperm quality properties. However, semen parameters such as morphology and progressive and nonprogressive motility followed the same trends, regardless of the patient's age, region, or class. We could conclude that the environment has a minor impact on sperm morphology and progressive and nonprogressive motility and that other existing factors could have an indirect influence on semen quality.
BCL6B hypermethylation predicts metastasis and poor prognosis in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma after thermal ablation
Authors: Li Xin , Guo Mingzhou , Yang Lili , Cheng Zhigang , Yu Xiaoling , Han Zhiyu , Liu Fangyi , Sun Qiang , Han Xianjing , Yu Jie , Liang Ping
Published: July 2021

Aims:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of BCL6B methylation in the progression of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after thermal ablation.

Settings and Design:

This is a retrospective study and written informed consent was obtained from all patients or their legal guardians.

Subjects and Methods:

Between October 2008 and December 2013, 73 patients with early-stage HCC within the Milan criteria, who received thermal ablation, were recruited.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Based on methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, the relationship between BCL6B methylation and patient characteristics and prognosis was analyzed using univariate, multivariate, and Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results:

The median follow-up period was 56 (8–110) months. For the BCL6B unmethylated group, the 1-, 3- and 5-year metastasis and overall survival (OS) rates after thermal ablation were 10.0%, 10.0%, and 40.0% and 100%, 100% and 90.0%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year metastasis and OS rates of the methylated group were 23.8%, 66.7% and 88.9% and 66.2%, 71.4% and 41.3%, respectively. Levels of absolute count lymphocyte, serum cholinesterase and albumin in the BCL6B unmethylated group were higher than those in the methylated group (P = 0.020, 0.000, and 0.009, respectively). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that BCL6B methylation was related to metastasis and poor prognosis (P = 0.001 and 0.018, respectively). Univariate analysis revealed that BCL6B methylation was a risk factor for metastasis and poor prognosis (odds ratio [OR]: 5.663; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.745–18.375, P = 0.004 and OR: 3.734; 95% CI, 1.151–12.110, P = 0.028, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that BCL6B methylation was an independent risk factor for metastasis (OR: 3.736; 95% CI, 1.000–13.963,P = 0.05) and not for prognosis (OR: 2.780; 95% CI, 0.835–9.250,P = 0.096).

Conclusions:

BCL6B methylation could be a valuable prognostic factor for metastasis and poor prognosis in early-stage HCC after thermal ablation, which is an independent risk factor for metastasis. Our findings provide insights for combining ablation and epigenetic therapy for patients with HCC.
Novel nomogram predicting cancer-specific survival and overall survival in patients with primary esophageal small-cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Jisheng , Yu Hejiang , Peng Ling , Li Li , Wang Xiangling , Hao Jing , Shao Na
Published: July 2021

Background:

Small-cell carcinoma is a relatively infrequent pathological variety of esophageal cancer. In this study, a novel nomogram model was developed to evaluate the cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with primary esophageal small-cell carcinoma (ESmCC).

Materials and Methods:

In total, 502 patients with primary ESmCC were identified based on data from 1973 to 2015 retrieved from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database. Clinical characteristics such as age at diagnosis, gender, race, site, tumor stage, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were included for multivariate logistic analyses to predict CSS and OS. Nomogram models for the prediction of CSS and OS in ESmCC patients were tested with the concordance index (C-index) method and calibration curves.

Results:

From our multivariate analyses, race, stage, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, but not surgery, were significantly associated with the CSS of ESmCC patients, while age at diagnosis, stage, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were significantly associated with their OS. Nomograms were developed using age at diagnosis, race, gender, stage, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy to predict the two survival measures; these nomograms were verified as accurate in predicting OS and CSS in ESmCC patients, with C-index values of 0.736 and 0.731, respectively.

Conclusions:

By utilizing easily accessible clinicopathological information, we established a simple but useful tool for predicting the CSS and OS of ESmCC patients that could help to make personalized clinical decisions for patients with this rare malignancy.
The role of prostate-specific antigen and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of granulomatous prostatitis induced by intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine therapy in patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Wang Zilong , Han Chenglin , Xu Yingkun , Yu Xiao , Kang Weiting , Xiang Yuzhu , Yuan Yanhua , Li Lianjun , Wang Muwen
Published: July 2021

Aims:

This study aimed to evaluate the role of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in the diagnosis of granulomatous prostatitis (GP) induced by intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine (BCG) therapy in patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Subjects and Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed eight patients with bladder cancer who underwent intravesical BCG therapy after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBt) cancer. All these eight patients received 12-core transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate systemic biopsies. Clinical data on PSA with T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), T2WI, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) on mpMRI were enrolled in the study. H and E and acid-fast staining was performed to pathologically prove GP.

Results:

Four of all eight cases were above 4 ng/ml total PSA (tPSA) levels and four cases were within normal ranges, while free PSA/tPSA levels decreased to lower than 16% in all patients. Every patient had hard prostatic nodules through digital rectal examination (DRE). All characters of prostate mpMRI did not show signal intensity (SI) of prostate cancer before BCG therapy but showed abnormal signals after BCG therapy. All nodular lesions showed equal SI on T1WI, lower SI on T2WI, higher SI on DWI, and lower SI on ADC after BCG therapy. Pathologic results were GP and acid-fast staining outcomes were positive in all biopsies.

Conclusions:

Perioperative serum PSA levels, prostate magnetic resonance imaging, and DRE may help in the diagnosis of GP induced by intravesical BCG therapy. In general, male patients with middle- and high-risk NMIBC are recommended to undertake DRE, PSA, and prostate mpMRI, if possible, before and after TURBt.
Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation of bilateral renal cell carcinomas
Authors: Zhang Ruimin , Qi Erpeng , Liang Ping , Cheng Zhigang , Tan Shuilian , Han Zhiyu , Liu Fangyi , Yu Jie , Yu Xiaoling
Published: July 2021

Objective:

To retrospectively review the safety and efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) of bilateral renal cell carcinomas (BRCCs).

Patients and Methods:

In this study, eight patients of BRCCs with 20 lesions seen from November 2012 to October 2018 were enrolled retrospectively. The patients were treated with US -guided percutaneous MWA and were followed up with contrast-enhanced US and computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

Results:

Technical success was achieved 20 tumors. The 18 lesions were performed to ablate 90%; 2 lesions were repeated because of detecting residual ablated tumor. Except six patients were noted fever, no severe complications occurred. The median follow-up time was 24 months (range 7–59 months). Among the eight patients, there was no local tumor recurrence in 6 of 8 completely ablated tumor lesions. One patient was retreated by MWA 6 months after ablation, and another was retreated after 19 months due to local tumor recurrence. No patients have obvious change of renal function and lost their life.

Conclusion:

US-guided percutaneous MWA is a beneficial treatment for BRCC.
A practical screening strategy for Lynch syndrome and Lynch syndrome mimics in colorectal cancer
Authors: Yao Zhi-Gang , Lv Bei-Bei , Jing Hai-Yan , Su Wen-Jing , Li Jia-Mei , Fan Hui , Zhao Miao-Qing , Qin Ye-Jun , Sun Xi-Chao
Published: July 2021

Objectives:

The objective of the study is to provide an efficient and practical screening strategy to distinguish a broader spectrum of Lynch syndrome (LS) and LS mimics-associated colorectal cancer (CRC), including Lynch-like syndrome (LLS), constitutional mismatch repair-deficiency, familial CRC type X (FCCTX), and polymerase proofreading-associated polyposis syndrome.

Materials and Methods:

1294 cases of CRC samples were detected mismatch repair (MMR) status using immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, in which the cases with MLH1-deficient CRC underwent BRAF mutation analysis by IHC. Following the personal and/or family history survey, next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to detect gene variants.

Results:

1294 CRC patients were dichotomized into tumors caused by a deficient MMR (dMMR) system and a proficient MMR (pMMR) system after MMR status analysis. 45 patients with suspected sporadic dMMR CRC were then separated from MLH1-deficient CRC though BRAF mutation status analysis by IHC. Following the personal and/or family history survey for 1294 patients, as well as germline genetic testing by NGS, 34 patients were diagnosed as LS (8 cases), SLS (13 cases), LLS ( 6 cases), FCCTX (3 cases), and sporadic CRC (4 cases).

Conclusions:

Our screening strategy, which consists of clinical and molecular analyses, is expected to improve the screening efficiency and management for the LS and LS mimics.
Colonic metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma after treated by ablation and transarterial chemoembolization manifested by intestinal obstruction
Authors: Mu Mengjuan , Yu Jie , Liang Ping , Yu Xiaoling , Cheng Zhigang
Published: July 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with gastrointestinal tract metastasis is a rare condition. Recently, we encountered one case of HCC with direct invasion to the colon, which was manifested by intestinal obstruction. The patient was an 86-year-old man who underwent multiple transarterial chemoembolization and microwave ablation treatment for HCC lesions for 10 years. Two months after last palliative microwave ablation, computed tomography showed a 7.0-cm liver tumor directly invading the hepatic flexure of colon with the symptom of right abdominal pain and discontinuous nausea and vomiting. HCC colon metastasis with intestinal obstruction was diagnosed. Intestinal adhesion lysis and colostomy were performed. The patient survived 10 months after surgery and died of tumor progression.
Intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Ying , Shi Menting , Chen Shuanggang , Wan Weiqi , Shen Lujun , Shen Binyan , Qi Han , Cao Fei , Wu Ying , Huang Tao , Chen Guanjian , Mo Jinqing , Ye Dongdong , Zhang Yinqi , Feng Ziqing , Fan Weijun
Published: July 2021

Context and Aims:

The identification of inflammation-related prognostic heterogeneity in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can reveal more effective first-line treatments. Our study aimed to compare the intermediate-stage HCC patients' different inflammation-based scores in predicting their progression-free survival (PFS) after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Materials and Methods:

We analyzed retrospectively a total of 128 intermediate-stage HCC patients who received first-line TACE treatment. We used the Cox-proportional hazards modeling to identify the independent prognostic factors. We compared the inflammation-based scores abilities to predict the PFS through the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curves.

Results:

The multivariate analysis showed that tumor size and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were the independent prognostic factors for PFS (P < 0.05). The PLR predicted the intermediate-stage HCC patients' PFS receiving the TACE treatment better than other inflammation-based scores (e.g., the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), the modified GPS, the Prognostic Index, the Prognostic Nutritional Index, the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and the systemic immune-inflammation index) (P < 0.05). An easy-to-use novel inflammation score based on tumor size – PLR-size score significantly improved the PFS prediction performance (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

As a first-line treatment, TACE was not well suitable for all intermediate-stage HCC patients, while the PLR was a better inflammation-based score than others. Tumor size should be regarded as an essential variable in affecting intermediate-stage HCC patients' first-line treatment strategies.
Computed tomography-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for pulmonary multiple ground-glass opacities
Authors: Xue Guoliang , Li Zhichao , Wang Gang , Wei Zhigang , Ye Xin
Published: July 2021

With the wide application of low-dose computed tomography (CT) and high-resolution CT, the increasing cases of pulmonary nodules are identified through routine thoracic imaging examination, many of which are presented as multiple ground-glass opacities (GGOs). The multiple GGOs could be divided into four pathological types and usually got different combined mutation patterns, suggesting that each GGO is an independent event and should be treated separately. However, there is no established guideline to the treatment of multiple GGOs so far. Here, we report a multiple GGOs case with a different mutation pattern treated by CT-guided percutaneous microwave ablation.
Efficacy comparison between microwave ablation combined with radiation therapy and radiation therapy alone for locally advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer
Authors: Song Pengyuan , Sun Wei , Pang Min , He Weina , Zhang Weihua , Sheng Lijun
Published: July 2021

Purpose:

Comparing the efficacy and complications of microwave ablation (MA) combined with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and IMRT alone for locally advanced peripheral nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods:

Retrospective analysis was conducted on 76 patients with locally advanced peripheral NSCLC undergoing chemotherapy and metastatic lymph node radiation therapy from June 2014 to June 2016. Either MA or IMRT was used to treat primary lesions. Thirty-four cases were treated with MA (MA group), 42 cases were treated with IMRT (IMRT group), and comparisons were made of the 1–3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and complications of the two groups.

Results:

The PFS of the MA group at 1, 2, and 3 years were 70.59% (24/34), 47.06% (16/34), and 35.29% (12/34), and the PFS of the IMRT group at the same intervals were 71.43% (30/42), 52.38% (22/42), and 35.71% (15/42), with no significant difference (χ2= 0.006, P = 0.936) (χ2= 0.213, P = 0.645) (χ2= 0.001, P = 0.970). Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) occurred in 14.70% (5/34) of MA group patients, which was significantly lower than in the IMRT group 40.48% (17/42), but without grade II or above RILI.

Conclusion:

MA combined with IMRT in the treatment of locally advanced peripheral NSCLC was not inferior to the clinical effect of radiation therapy alone, and radiation lung injury incidence was also lower.
Prognostic nomogram for hepatocellular carcinoma patients after transarterial chemoembolization based on des-γ-carboxy prothrombin reactivity and modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors
Authors: Zhao Su-Ming , Qiu Li-Wei , Zhao Hui , Gu Wei-Wei , Yang Xiao-Hu , Gu Zhu-Xing , Shi Rong-Feng , Ni Cai-Fang
Published: July 2021

Aims:

The aim of this study was to construct a nomogram that will predict the overall survival (OS) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Materials and Methods:

Imaging data, clinical characteristics, and serum des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) levels of 93 HCC patients treated with TACE were collected. Lasso regression, random forest, and other methods were used to screen the OS-related variables and construct the Cox prognosis model. The model was visualized by nomogram, and the net benefit of the clinical decision was assessed by decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results:

It was found that DCP level after TACE was an important predictor of OS in HCC patients. The OS of the patients with lower serum DCP levels after TACE was significantly better than the group with higher levels (P = 0.003). The Cox prognostic model was constructed using four predictors including DCP reactivity (P = 0.001), modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST, P = 0.005), Child-Pugh class (P = 0.018), and portal vein thrombosis (P = 0.039). The C-index of the nomogram for OS of patients after TACE was 0.813. The clinical decision-making net benefits based on the nomogram were better than the decision-making based on the TNM stage system.

Conclusion:

DCP reactivity and mRECIST are the key predictors of prognosis in HCC patients that received TACE as their initial treatment. The nomogram constructed with these two indicators as the core could predict the OS of HCC patients after TACE and help in clinical decision-making.
Meta-marco de la alfabetización digital: análisis comparado de marcos de competencias del Siglo XXI
Authors: Martínez Bravo María Cristina , Sádaba Chalezquer Charo , Serrano-Puche Javier
Published: July 2021

Introducción: Ante una inminente era digital marcada por la globalización y la innovación tecnológica, diferentes organismos plantearon la importancia de innovar la educación con las denominadas competencias del siglo XXI. La necesidad de nuevas habilidades para participar de la cultura digital es destacada en diferentes propuestas, donde la competencia digital es clave y fundamental para vivir, trabajar y participar en la sociedad del conocimiento. Metodología: Este trabajo tiene por objetivo generar una propuesta integrada de la alfabetización digital mediante un análisis comparado de la competencia digital en ocho marcos de competencias del siglo XXI (ATCS, enGauge, Naep, Nets, OCDE, P21, Unesco, Unión Europea), los cuales son estudiados en tres grandes bloques temáticos: a) definición, b) objetivos y visión y c) competencias y habilidades. Resultados: La alfabetización digital abarca un enfoque holístico, nutrido por diferentes alfabetizaciones, desde el cual se construye un meta-marco con nueve competencias: tres competencias directas, 1)información y datos, 2) comunicación y colaboración y 3) técnica; cinco competencias transversales, 4) resolución de problemas, 5) ciudadanía global y conciencia multicultural, 6) interpersonal, 7) pensamiento de futuro, 8) pensamiento creativo y 9) pensamiento crítico; y 53 habilidades digitales cognitivas, críticas, técnicas, sociales, emocionales y proyectivas. Conclusiones: La alfabetización digital multidimensional consolida la perspectiva tecnosocial para el empoderamiento y apropiación tecnológica, que supera el uso operativo de las herramientas y promueve el uso amplio, significativo e innovador de la tecnología para la construcción de una sociedad equitativa, el empleo digno, la participación social, entre otros propósitos conectados con la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible.
Role of Prealbumin in Predicting the Prognosis of Severely and Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Cui Ningning , Tong Haihui , Li Yan , Ge Yanyan , Shi Yuxin , Lv Ping , Zhao Xiaobo , Zhang Jianchu , Fu Gui , Zhou Yanfen , Jiang Ke , Lin Nengxing , Bai Tao , Jin Runming , Wei Sheng , Yang Xuefeng , Li Xin
Published: July 2021

Most critically ill patients experience malnutrition, resulting in a poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the association of prealbumin (PAB) with the prognosis for severely and critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and explore factors related to this association. Patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from West Campus of Union Hospital in Wuhan from January 29, 2020 to March 31, 2020 were enrolled in this study. Patients were classified into the PAB1 (150–400 mg/L; N = 183) and PAB2 (< 150 mg/L; N = 225) groups. Data collection was performed using the hospital’s electronic medical records system. The predictive value of PAB was evaluated by measuring the area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve. Patients were defined as severely or critically ill based on the Guidance for COVID-19 (7th edition) by the National Health Commission of China. During this analysis, 316 patients had severe cases and 65 had critical cases. A reduced PAB level was associated with a higher risk of mortality and a longer hospital stay. The AUROC curve for the prognosis based on the PAB level was 0.93, with sensitivity of 97.2% and specificity of 77.6%. For severe cases, a lower level of PAB was associated with a higher risk of malnutrition, higher NK cell counts, and lower B lymphocyte counts; these factors were not significant in critical cases. C-reactive protein and nutritional status mediated the association between PAB and prognosis. This retrospective analysis suggests that the PAB level on admission is an indicator of the prognosis for COVID-19.
Grade 3 ESL teachers’ (mis)conceptions about vocabulary acquisition, learning and instruction: A case study
Authors: Sibanda Jabulani
Published: July 2021

development-related (mis)conceptions of ten purposively selected Grade 3 English Second Language teachers in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, with a view to indexing their vocabulary pedagogical practices. The efficacy of teacher cognition on teaching  practices is the theory upon which the present study, which considers vocabulary development as a proxy for literacy attainment, is based. The theory is buttressed by literature on the research-based best practices in literature development against which teachers’ conceptionsare measured. Semi-structured teacher interview findings showed that vocabulary instruction proceeded largely on the basis of intuitive pedagogical decisions which evince dissonance with researchbased best practices. There was a manifest disregard for both incidental andcontextualised vocabulary development, and an apparent underestimation of learners’ potential for independent vocabulary acquisition. Professed instructional strategies only drew learners’ attention to the orthographic and phonological forms of the words at the expense of other crucial dimensions of word knowledge. The paper recommends a consideration of teachers’ vocabulary development-related  perceptions as a point of departure for teacher education and teacher professional development, among others.
Association between blood pressure dipping patterns and hypertension-mediated organ damage among Nigerians with newlydiagnosed hypertension
Authors: Dele-Ojo B.F. , Ogunmodede J.A. , Ojo O.D. , Kolo P.M. , Katibi I.A. , Omotoso A.B. , Adeoye M.A. , Adesokan A.
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Abnormal blood pressure (BP) dipping patterns are associated with increased cardiovascular risk among Africans. This study determined the association between BP dipping patterns and hypertension-mediated organ damage among patients with newly-diagnosed hypertension.Methods: Ambulatory BP monitoring and echocardiography were carried out on 120 participants. Participants were categorized based on the ratio of night-time to day-time systolic BP into 4 patterns: Normal dipper (≥ 10% but < 20%), non-dippers (≥ 0% but < 10%), reverse  dippers (<0%) and extreme dippers (≥ 20%).Result: Fifty-one (42.5%) were males, the mean age and body mass index were 44.2±9.8years and 27.1±4.4kg/m2 respectively. The non-dipping pattern was the most prevalent while the reverse dipping had the lowest mitral E/A ratio. Office systolic blood pressure was the only predictor of left ventricular hypertrophy (OR=1.050, 95% CI=1.004-1.098; p-value = 0.034).Conclusions: The non-dipping pattern was the most prevalent abnormal dipping pattern while the reverse dippers had the highest risk of hypertension-mediated organ damage. Office blood pressure was the only predictor of left ventricular hypertrophy. Hence, office BP measurement as well as ambulatory blood pressure measurements are potentially important tools in risk stratification in resource-poor settings of sub-Saharan Africa.