bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obstetric rectal laceration in the absence of an anal sphincter injury
Authors: Awomolo Adeola , Hardman Danielle , Louis-Jacques Adetola
Published: August 2021

Rectal laceration in the absence of concurrent anal sphincter injury at the time of parturition is not a frequently reported finding. This rarely encountered injury is also referred to as a buttonhole injury. It is a disruption of the vaginal and rectal tissue with resultant disruption of the anal epithelium in the setting of an intact external anal sphincter. A 30-year-old gravida 1 para 0 at 39 weeks presented for induction of labour due to chronic hypertension. During her labour course, she developed with superimposed preeclampsia with severe features and magnesium sulfate was initiated. She underwent a spontaneous vaginal delivery of an infant weighing 3840 g. Following delivery, stool was visualised in the vagina. A rectal examination revealed a rectovaginal defect separate from the second-degree perineal laceration, which extended proximally to the cervix. The anal sphincter was noted to be intact with good tone. Both defects were repaired, and she had an uncomplicated recovery.
Flecainide toxicity with high pacemaker capture thresholds and associated takotsubo syndrome
Authors: Manley-Casco Dario , Crass Stephanie , Alqusairi Rana , Girard Steven
Published: August 2021

We describe a case of a woman in her 80s with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) despite being on flecainide who was admitted for AF with rapid ventricular response. Attempts with direct-current cardioversions were unsuccessful despite increased doses of the antiarrhythmic therapy. At atrioventricular (AV) nodal ablation, very high right ventricular capture thresholds resulted in abortion of the procedure as back-up ventricular pacing could not be assured with adequate margin for safety. Shortly following the electrophysiology (EP) study, the patient developed cardiogenic shock with new apical left ventricular regional wall motion abnormality suggestive of apical ballooning and a toxic-appearing wide QRS complex electrocardiogram (EKG). The patient was successfully treated with sodium bicarbonate infusion for presumed flecainide toxicity. The regional wall motion abnormality and EKG changes resolved along with normalisation of capture thresholds after 2 days of treatment. The patient underwent an uncomplicated successful AV nodal ablation several weeks later.
Five-year change in refractive error and its risk factors: results from the Gutenberg Health Study
Authors: Stingl Julia V. , Ban Sol A , Nagler Markus , Schmidtmann Irene , Wild Philipp S. , Lackner Karl J. , Münzel Thomas , Beutel Manfred E. , Pfeiffer Norbert , Schuster Alexander K.
Published: August 2021

Background/Aims

To examine the 5-year change in refractive error in phakic eyes and its risk factors in the general population.

Methods

The Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a population-based cohort study including 15 010 participants from Germany aged 35–74 years at baseline examination (2007–2012). After 5 years, a follow-up examination was carried out (83% participation). 5-year change of spherical equivalent (SE) was computed as difference between follow-up and baseline objective refraction. Linear and logistic regression analysis were conducted analysing potential risk factors. Only phakic eyes at follow-up examination were included.

Results

Right eyes of 10 175 subjects were included. An age-related shift of refractive error was identified, namely −0.12 D for age 35–44 years, 0.25 D for age 45–54 years, 0.25 D for age 55–64 years and 0.12 D for age 65–74 years during the 5-year follow-up. Smokers had a hyperopic shift (OR=1.31; p<0.001), while baseline SE (OR=0.89 per dioptre; p<0.001) and female sex (OR=1.49; p<0.001) were linked with a myopic shift. Education, occupation and other cardiovascular parameters were not associated with change in refractive error.

Conclusions

The GHS demonstrates a parabolic shift in refractive error with a myopic shift at age 35–44 years, followed by a hyperopic shift at age 45–64 years which decreases at higher age. Smoking is associated with a hyperopic shift whereas female sex and myopic baseline SE is associated with a myopic shift. Educational level and occupation were not linked to a change in refractive error at age 35–74 years.
Population-based associations between progression of normal-tension glaucoma and Yang-deficient constitution among Chinese persons
Authors: Tang Lewei , Chen Liang , Ye Cong , Zheng Jingwei , Zhou Yi , Tao Yan , Huang Qiangjie , Wang Xiaoyan , Shang Xiao , Pan Xiafei , Congdon Nathan , Liang Yuanbo
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To explore the association between constitution types as defined by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and risk for normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).

Design

Population-based cohort study.

Methods

Persons were identified in a population cohort aged ≥30 years with NTG, defined as having an untreated mean intraocular pressure measurement ≤21 mm Hg over six separate occasions, with no single reading >24 mm Hg (as in the Collaborative Normal Tension Glaucoma Study). The Body Constitution in Traditional Chinese Medicine Questionnaire was used to assess each participant’s TCM constitution types. The association between various constitutions and visual field progression according to Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial criteria was assessed using Cox regression HR models.

Results

Among 142 participants (245 eyes), 23 persons (17.6%) and 25 eyes (10.2%) progressed, over a mean (SD) follow-up duration of 3.49 (0.99) years. Progression rates were highest in participants with Yang-deficient constitution (n=19, 13.4%), among whom 7 (36.8%) exhibited worsening fields. After adjusting for sex, age, central corneal thickness, retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and mean deviation on visual field testing, Yang-deficient constitution (HR 4.63, 95% CI 1.77 to 12.1, p=0.002) and higher mean intraocular pressure during follow-up (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.56, p=0.044) were associated with field progression.

Conclusions

Yang-deficient constitution and higher intraocular pressure are risk factors for visual field progression in NTG patients. Yang deficiency is characterised by abnormal vasoregulation, and these results may be consistent with prior studies linking NTG progression to Raynaud’s phenomenon and migraine.
Development of measures for assessing mistreatment of women during facility-based childbirth based on labour observations
Authors: Berger Blair O , Strobino Donna M , Mehrtash Hedieh , Bohren Meghan A , Adu-Bonsaffoh Kwame , Leslie Hannah H , Irinyenikan Theresa Azonima , Maung Thae Maung , Balde Mamadou Dioulde , Tunçalp Özge
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Mistreatment of women during childbirth is increasingly recognised as a significant issue globally. Research and programmatic efforts targeting this phenomenon have been limited by a lack of validated measurement tools. This study aimed to develop a set of concise, valid and reliable multidimensional measures for mistreatment using labour observations applicable across multiple settings.

Methods

Data from continuous labour observations of 1974 women in Nigeria (n=407), Ghana (n=912) and Guinea (n=655) were used from the cross-sectional WHO’s multicountry study ‘How women are treated during facility-based childbirth’ (2016–2018). Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to develop a scale measuring interpersonal abuse. Two indexes were developed through a modified Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development approach for generating composite indexes. Measures were evaluated for performance, validity and internal reliability.

Results

Three mistreatment measures were developed: a 7-item Interpersonal Abuse Scale, a 3-item Exams & Procedures Index and a 12-item Unsupportive Birth Environment Index. Factor analysis results showed a consistent unidimensional factor structure for the Interpersonal Abuse Scale in all three countries based on factor loadings and interitem correlations, indicating good structural construct validity. The scale had a reliability coefficient of 0.71 in Nigeria and approached 0.60 in Ghana and Guinea. Low correlations (Spearman correlation range: −0.06–0.19; p≥0.05) between mistreatment measures supported our decision to develop three separate measures. Predictive criterion validation yielded mixed results across countries. Both items within measures and measure scores were internally consistent across countries; each item co-occurred with other items in a measure, and scores consistently distinguished between ‘high’ and ‘low’ mistreatment levels.

Conclusion

The set of concise, comprehensive multidimensional measures of mistreatment can be used in future research and quality improvement initiatives targeting mistreatment to quantify burden, identify risk factors and determine its impact on health and well-being outcomes. Further validation and reliability testing of the measures in other contexts is needed.
British Columbia CARMA-CHIWOS Collaboration (BCC3): protocol for a community-collaborative cohort study examining healthy ageing with and for women living with HIV
Authors: Swann Shayda A , Kaida Angela , Nicholson Valerie , Brophy Jason , Campbell Amber R , Carter Allison , Elwood Chelsea , Gebremedhen Tsion , Gormley Rebecca , King Elizabeth M , Lee Melanie , Lee Vonnie , Maan Evelyn J , Magagula Patience , Nyman Sheila , Pang Davi , Pick Neora , Povshedna Tetiana , Prior Jerilynn C , Singer Joel , Tognazzini Shelly , Murray Melanie C M , Cote Helene C F
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Women living with HIV (WLWH) experience accelerated ageing and an increased risk of age-associated diseases earlier in life, compared with women without HIV. This is likely due to a combination of viral factors, gender differences, hormonal imbalance and psychosocial and structural conditions. This interdisciplinary cohort study aims to understand how biological, clinical and sociostructural determinants of health interact to modulate healthy ageing in WLWH.

Methods and analysis

The British ColumbiaChildren and Women:AntiRetroviral therapy andMarkers ofAging-CanadianHIVWomen’s Sexual and Reproductive Health CohortStudy (CARMA-CHIWOS) Collaboration (BCC3) study will enrol WLWH (n=350) and sociodemographically matched HIV-negative women (n=350) living in British Columbia. A subset of BCC3 participants will be past participants of CARMA, n≥1000 women and children living with and without HIV, 2008–2018 and/or CHIWOS, n=1422 WLWH, 2013–2018. Over two study visits, we will collect biological specimens for virus serologies, hormones and biological markers as well as administer a survey capturing demographic and sociostructural–behavioural factors. Sociodemographics, comorbidities, number and type of chronic/latent viral infections and hormonal irregularities will be compared between the two groups. Their association with biological markers and psychostructural and sociostructural factors will be investigated through multivariable regression and structural equation modelling. Retrospective longitudinal analyses will be conducted on data from past CARMA/CHIWOS participants. As BCC3 aims to follow participants as they age, this protocol will focus on the first study visits.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the University of British Columbia Children’s and Women’s Research Ethics Board (H19-00896). Results will be shared in peer-reviewed journals, conferences and at community events as well as atwww.hivhearme.caand @HIV_HEAR_me. WLWH are involved in study design, survey creation, participant recruitment, data collection and knowledge translation. A Community Advisory Board will advise the research team throughout the study.
Self-rated health trajectory and frailty among community-dwelling older adults: evidence from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging (TLSA)
Authors: Chu Wei-Min , Ho Hsin-En , Yeh Chih-Jung , Hsiao Yu-Han , Hsu Pi-Shan , Lee Shu-Hsin , Lee Meng-Chih
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Self-rated health (SRH) is an assessment and predictor of health based on an individual’s general condition; however, evidence of the value of SRH for predicting frailty remains scarce for older Asian adults. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between SRH score trajectory and frailty among older individuals in Taiwan.

Design

An 8-year retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Data were retrieved from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging from 1999 to 2007.

Participants

Respondents aged 53–69 years old who were not frail or disabled in 1999 (n=1956).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Frailty was defined using the Fried criteria. The group-based trajectory modelling technique was used to estimate SRH trajectories. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations between changes in SRH and frailty.

Results

Four SRH trajectory classes were identified across the 8-year follow-up: 232 participants (11.9%) were classified into the constantly poor SRH group, 1123 (57.4%) into the constantly fair SRH group, 335 (17.1%) into the constantly good SRH group and 266 (13.6%) into the good-to-fair SRH group. After adjusting for gender, age, level of education, income, social participation, health behaviours and major comorbidities, it was found that age, poor income satisfaction, without job and constantly poor SRH were associated with increased risk of frailty, while constantly good SRH (OR 0.04, 95% CI (0.01 to 0.32)) and good-to-fair SRH (OR 0.19, 95% CI (0.06 to 0.63)) were associated with reduced risks of frailty.

Conclusions

Constantly poor SRH was associated with an increased risk of frailty in older age. SRH in older adults should be recognised as a predictive tool for future frailty. Diet and exercise interventions may help to prevent frailty among high-risk older individuals with constantly low SRH.
Evaluation of energy intake by brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire among male patients with stable/at risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Nishida Yuki , Nakamura Hidetoshi , Sasaki Satoshi , Shirahata Toru , Sato Hideaki , Yogi Sanehiro , Yamada Yosuke , Nakae Satoshi , Tanaka Shigeho , Katsukawa Fuminori
Published: August 2021

Background and objective

Weight loss and reduced fat-free mass are independent risk factors for mortality among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These factors are important for determining diet therapy and examining the validity of assessment for energy intake (EI). We assessed the agreement of EI between a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) and the doubly labelled water (DLW) method among male patients with stable/at risk for COPD.

Method

In this cross-sectional observational study, data for 33 male patients were analysed. At the first visit, EI was estimated using a BDHQ (EIBDHQ). Total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured during 13–15 days by the DLW method, while corrected EI was calculated using the TEE and weight change during the DLW period (EIDLW). The difference between EIBDHQand EIDLWwas evaluated by the Bland-Altman method. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the proportion of variance in the difference between EIBDHQand EIDLW, as determined by the patient’s characteristics.

Results

EIBDHQwas 2100 (95% CI: 1905 to 2295) kcal/day in the total population. A fixed bias was observed between EIBDHQand EIDLWas −186 (95% CI: −422 to 50) kcal/day, while a proportional bias was not detected by the Bland-Altman analysis. Age, weight, anxiety and interleukin 6 were responsible for 61.7% of the variance in the difference between both EIs in a multiple regression model.

Conclusions

The BDHQ underestimated EI among male patients with stable/at risk for COPD, but this estimation error was within an acceptable range compared with previous studies. EIBDHQprecision might be improved by considering common COPD traits, including inflammatory condition and mental state.
Retrospective single-centre descriptive study of the characteristics, management and outcomes of adult patients with suspected sepsis in the emergency department
Authors: Sabir Lisa , Wharton Laura , Goodacre Steve
Published: August 2021

Background

Guidelines for adults presenting to the emergency department (ED) with suspected sepsis recommend protocols and bundles that promote rapid and potentially intensive treatment, but give little consideration of how patient characteristics, such as age, functional status and comorbidities, might influence management. This study aimed to describe the characteristics, management and outcomes of adults attending the ED with suspected sepsis, and specifically describe the prevalence of comorbidities, functional impairment and escalations of care.

Methods

We undertook a single-centre retrospective observational study involving medical record review of a random sample of adults admitted to an ED between February 2018 and January 2019 with suspected sepsis. Descriptive statistics were used with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for key proportions.

Results

We included 509 patients (median age 74 years), of whom 49.3% met the Sepsis-3 criteria. Less than half of the patients were living at home independently (42.5%) or could walk independently (41.5%), 19.3% were care home residents and 89.2% of patients had one or more comorbidity. 22% had a pre-existing do not attempt resuscitation order. 6.5% were referred to intensive care, and 34.3% of the 13.2% who died in-hospital had an escalation plan explicitly documented.

Conclusion

Adults with suspected sepsis have substantial functional limitations, comorbidities and treatment directives that should be considered in guidelines, especially recommendations for escalation of care.
A randomized controlled trial on the effect of dietary guidance on the treatment of Henoch-Schonlein purpura in children
Authors: Wang Li , Yin Chunyan , Zhang Meizhen , Mao Hua , Hao Huixiang , Hu Xiaoting , Xue Wanli
Published: August 2021

The amino acid-based formulae were extensively added to diet of children for the treatment of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP), and the nutrition and growth situation of children were evaluated after giving new dietary intervention. Patients were randomly divided into restricted diet group (n=30) and dietary guidance group (n=30). Besides, 30 cases with bronchiolitis who had normal diet were selected as the control group. The dietary questionnaire was designed to record the types and intakes of various foods taken by children every day, and the intake levels of nutrients were analyzed. Physical examination, biochemical analysis of blood and urine routine were carried out to evaluate the effect of dietary guidance on their growth and development. The results showed that restricted diet group had lower levels of nutrient intake and the actual/recommended percentage. However, overall nutrient intake level of the dietary guidance group was higher, basically equal to the recommended intake level. Besides, the actual intake and actual/recommended percentage of nutrients of dietary guidance group were significantly higher than those of restricted diet group (p<0.05). Dietary guidance can improve nutrients and protein intake of children with HSP, and reduce the relapse of rash and incidence of complications.
Silent progression of brain atrophy in aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Authors: Masuda Hiroki , Mori Masahiro , Hirano Shigeki , Uzawa Akiyuki , Uchida Tomohiko , Muto Mayumi , Ohtani Ryohei , Aoki Reiji , Kuwabara Satoshi
Published: August 2021

Objective

To investigate longitudinal brain atrophy in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Methods

We investigated the longitudinal brain atrophy rate in patients with aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMOSD (AQP4+NMOSD) and those with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a retrospective cohort study. Brain volume was calculated with statistical parametric mapping-12.

Results

We enrolled 36 patients with AQP4+NMOSD and 60 with MS. Patients with NMOSD were older and had a higher Kurtzke’s expanded disability status scale score at baseline MRI compared with those with MS. Disease duration, annual relapse rate and intervals from the last attack and from disease-modifying drugs initiation were not significantly different between the two groups. Lower normalised lesion volume and higher normalised white matter volume were found in patients with NMOSD compared with those with MS at baseline MRI. However, the annualised atrophy rate of normalised brain volume was similar between the NMOSD (median 0.47; IQR 0.75; p=0.49) and MS (median 0.46; IQR 0.84) groups. After adjustment of age and the presence of clinical relapse, no differences of the annualised atrophy rate of normalised brain volume also were found for NMOSD and MS. Patients with AQP4+NMOSD with long cord lesion showed higher annualised atrophy rate of normalised grey matter volume compared with those without long cord lesion.

Conclusions

Silent progression of brain atrophy was present in patients with AQP4+NMOSD, as shown in patients with MS, even in the clinically inactive age-matched cases. Subclinical dying back degeneration may explain the brain atrophy in patients with AQP4 +NMOSD.
Misdiagnosis of prolonged psychogenic non-epileptic seizures as status epilepticus: epidemiology and associated risks
Authors: Jungilligens Johannes , Michaelis Rosa , Popkirov Stoyan
Published: August 2021

Objective

To determine the epidemiology of prolonged psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (pPNES) misdiagnosed as status epilepticus, as well as the risks associated with non-indicated treatment.

Methods

We performed an individual patient data analysis from the Rapid Anticonvulsant Medication Prior to Arrival Trial (RAMPART) and the Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial (ESETT) to assess incidence, patient characteristics and clinical course of misdiagnosed pPNES.

Results

Among 980 patients aged 8 years or older diagnosed and treated for status epilepticus in RAMPART and ESETT, 79 (8.1%) were discharged with a final diagnosis of pPNES. The relative incidence was highest in adolescents and young adults (20.1%). The typical female preponderance seen in that age bracket was not evident in children and older adults. Adverse effects, including respiratory depression and intubation, were documented in 26% of patients with pPNES receiving benzodiazepines in RAMPART and 33% of patients receiving additional second-line medication in ESETT. In ESETT, patients who were treated with benzodiazepines before hospital admission had higher rates of unresponsiveness and severe adverse effects than those treated after admission, suggesting cumulative effects of accelerated treatment momentum. Across trials, one in five patients with pPNES were admitted to an intensive care unit.

Conclusions

Misdiagnosis and treatment of pPNES as status epilepticus are a common and widespread problem with deleterious consequences. Mitigating it will require training of emergency staff in semiological diagnosis. Status epilepticus response protocols should incorporate appropriate diagnostic re-evaluations at each step of treatment escalation, especially in clinical trials.
Secondary injury and inflammation after intracerebral haemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis of molecular markers in patient brain tissue
Authors: Loan James JM , Kirby Caoimhe , Emelianova Katherine , Dando Owen R , Poon Michael TC , Pimenova Leisan , Hardingham Giles E , McColl Barry W , Klijn Catharina JM , Al-Shahi Salman Rustam , Schreuder Floris HBM , Samarasekera Neshika
Published: August 2021

Background

Inflammatory responses to intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) are potential therapeutic targets. We aimed to quantify molecular markers of inflammation in human brain tissue after ICH compared with controls using meta-analysis.

Methods

We searched OVID MEDLINE (1946–) and Embase (1974–) in June 2020 for studies that reported any measure of a molecular marker of inflammation in brain tissue from five or more adults after ICH. We assessed risk of bias using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (mNOS; mNOS score 0–9; 9 indicates low bias), extracted aggregate data, and used random effects meta-analysis to pool associations of molecules where more than two independent case–control studies reported the same outcome and Gene Ontology enrichment analysis to identify over-represented biological processes in pooled sets of differentially expressed molecules (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews ID: CRD42018110204).

Results

Of 7501 studies identified, 44 were included: 6 were case series and 38 were case–control studies (median mNOS score 4, IQR 3–5). We extracted data from 21 491 analyses of 20 951 molecules reported by 38 case–control studies. Only one molecule (interleukin-1β protein) was quantified in three case–control studies (127 ICH cases vs 41 ICH-free controls), which found increased abundance of interleukin-1β protein after ICH (corrected standardised mean difference 1.74, 95% CI 0.28 to 3.21, p=0.036, I2=46%). Processes associated with interleukin-1β signalling were enriched in sets of molecules that were more abundant after ICH.

Conclusion

Interleukin-1β abundance is increased after ICH, but analyses of other inflammatory molecules after ICH lack replication. Interleukin-1β pathway modulators may optimise inflammatory responses to ICH and merit testing in clinical trials.
Influence of glucose levels on clinical outcome after mechanical thrombectomy for large-vessel occlusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Perez-Vega Carlos , Domingo Ricardo A , Tripathi Shashwat , Ramos-Fresnedo Andres , Kashyap Samir , Quinones-Hinojosa Alfredo , Lin Michelle P , Fox W Christopher , Tawk Rabih G
Published: August 2021

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) represents the mainstay of treatment for patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion (LVO). Intravenous thrombolysis has been associated with worse clinical outcome in patients presenting with high blood glucose levels at admission; to date the true effect of hyperglycemia in the setting of MT has not been fully elucidated. In this meta-analysis, we analyzed the influence of high blood glucose levels at admission on clinical outcome after MT. Ovid EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from their dates of inception up to March 2021. An initial search identified 2118 articles representing 1235 unique studies. After applying selection criteria, three prospective and five retrospective studies were analyzed, yielding a pooled cohort of 5861 patients (2041 who presented with hyperglycemia, and 3820 who presented with normal blood glucose levels). Patients in the hyperglycemia group were less likely to have a modified Ranking Scale (mRS) score <3 (risk ratio (RR): 0.65; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.72; p<0.0001;I2=13%), and had an increased risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) (RR: 2.07; 95% CI 1.65 to 2.60; p<0.0001;I2=0%) and mortality (RR: 1.73; 95% CI 1.57 to 1.91; p<0.0001;I2=0%). Patients who present with hyperglycemia and undergo MT for treatment of LVO have an increased risk of unfavorable clinical outcome, sICH, and mortality. Glucose levels at admission appear to be a prognostic factor in this subset of patients. Further studies should focus on evaluating control of the glucose level at admission as a modifiable risk factor in patients undergoing MT for LVO.
Adenylate kinases of thermophilesAquifex aeolicusandGeobacillus stearothermophilus: biochemical and kinetic studies
Authors: Ludwiczak Agnieszka , Wujak Magdalena , Kozakiewicz Anna , Wojtczak Andrzej , Komoszyński Michał
Published: August 2021

Adenylate kinases (AK) play a pivotal role in the regulation of cellular energy. The aim of our work was to achieve the overproduction and purification of AKs from two groups of bacteria and to determine, for the first time, the comprehensive biochemical and kinetic properties of adenylate kinase from Gram-negative Aquifex aeolicus (AKaq) and Gram-positive Geobacillus stearothermophilus (AKst). Therefore we determined KMand Vmaxvalues, and the effects of temperature, pH, metal ions, donors of the phosphate groups and inhibitor Ap5A for both thermophilic AKs. The kinetic studies indicate that both AKs exhibit significantly higher affinity for substrates with the pyrophosphate group than for adenosine monophosphate. AK activation by Mg2+and Mn2+revealed that both ions are efficient in the synthesis of adenosine diphosphate and adenosine triphosphate; however, Mn2+ions at 0.2–2.0 mmol/L concentration were more efficient in the activation of the ATP synthesis than Mg2+ions. Our research demonstrates that zinc ions inhibit the activity of enzymes in both directions, while Ap5A at a concentration of 10 µmol/L and 50 µmol/L inhibited both enzymes with a different efficiency. Sigmoid-like kinetics were detected at high ATP concentrations not balanced by Mg2+, suggesting the allosteric effect of ATP for both bacterial AKs.
Semiclassical approximation meets Keldysh–Schwinger diagrammatic technique: scalar $$\varphi ^4$$
Authors: Radovskaya A. A. , Semenov A. G.
Published: August 2021

We study the evolution of the non-equilibrium quantum fields from a highly excited initial state in two approaches: the standard Keldysh–Schwinger diagram technique and the semiclassical expansion. We demonstrate explicitly that these two approaches coincide if the coupling constant g and the Plank constant $$\hbar $$
ħ
are simultaneously small. Also, we discuss loop diagrams of the perturbative approach, which are summed up by the leading order term of the semiclassical expansion. As an example, we consider shear viscosity for the scalar field theory at the leading semiclassical order. We introduce the new technique that unifies both semiclassical and diagrammatic approaches and open the possibility to perform the resummation of the semiclassical contributions.
Spherically symmetric anisotropic charged solution under complete geometric deformation approach
Authors: Maurya S. K. , Al Aamri Asma Mohammed , Al Aamri Athari Khalifa , Nag Riju
Published: August 2021

We present a new systematic approach to find the exact gravitationally decoupled anisotropic spherical solution in the presence of electric charge by using the complete geometric deformation (CGD) methodology. To do this, we apply the transformations over both gravitational potentials by introducing two unknown deformation functions. This new systematic approach allows us to obtain the exact solution of the field equations without imposing any particular ansatz for the deformation functions. Specifically, a well-known mimic approach and equation of state (EOS) have been applied together for solving the system of equations, which determine the radial and temporal deformation functions, respectively. The matching conditions at the boundary of the stellar objects with the exterior Reissner–Nordström metric are discussed in detail. In order to see the physical validity of the solution, we used well-behaved interior seed spacetime geometry and solved the system of equations using the above approaches. Next, we presented several physical properties of the solution through their graphical representations. The stability and dynamical equilibrium of the solution have been also discussed. Finally, we predicted the radii and mass-radius ratio for several compact objects for different decoupling parameters together with the impact of the decoupling parameters on the thermodynamical observables.
Structural and decay properties of nuclei appearing in the α-decay chains of 296,298,300,302,304120 within the relativistic mean field formalism
Authors: Biswal N. , Jain Nishu , Kumar Raj , Pradeep A. S. , Mishra S. , Bhuyan M.
Published: August 2021

An extensive study of [Formula: see text]-decay half-lives for various decay chains of isotopes of [Formula: see text] is performed within the axially deformed relativistic mean-field (RMF) formalism by employing the NL3, NL3[Formula: see text], and DD-ME2 parameter set. The structural properties of the nuclei appearing in the decay chains are explored. The binding energy, quadrupole deformation parameter, root-mean-square charge radius, and pairing energy are calculated for the even–even isotopes of [Formula: see text], which are produced in five different [Formula: see text]-decay chains, namely, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]. A superdeformed prolate ground state is observed for the heavier nuclei, and gradually the deformation decreases towards the lighter nuclei in the considered decay chains. The RMF results are compared with various theoretical predictions and experimental data. The [Formula: see text]-decay energies are calculated for each decay chain. To determine the relative numerical dependency of the half-life for a specific [Formula: see text]-decay energy, the decay half-lives are calculated using four different formulas, namely, Viola–Seaborg, Alex–Brown, Parkhomenko–Sobiczewski and Royer for the above said five [Formula: see text]-decay chain. We notice a firm dependency of the half-life on the [Formula: see text]-decay formula in terms of [Formula: see text]-values for all decay chains. Further, this study also strengthens the prediction for the island of stability in terms of magic number at the superheavy valley in the laboratories.
Effective Filter Pruning Method Using Additional Downsampled Image for Global Pooling Applied CNN
Authors: Kim Hyunseok , Ibrokhimov Bunyodbek , Kang Sanggil
Published: August 2021

Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) show remarkable performance in many areas. However, most of the applications require huge computational costs and massive memory, which are hard to obtain in devices with a relatively weak performance like embedded devices. To reduce the computational cost, and meantime, to preserve the performance of the trained deep CNN, we propose a new filter pruning method using an additional dataset derived by downsampling the original dataset. Our method takes advantage of the fact that information in high-resolution images is lost in the downsampling process. Each trained convolutional filter reacts differently to this information loss. Based on this, the importance of the filter is evaluated by comparing the gradient obtained from two different resolution images. We validate the superiority of our filter evaluation method using a VGG-16 model trained on CIFAR-10 and CUB-200-2011 datasets. The pruned network with our method shows an average of 2.66% higher accuracy in the latter dataset, compared to existing pruning methods when about 75% of the parameters are removed.
Geometric phase for Dirac Hamiltonian under gravitational fields in the nonrelativistic regime
Authors: Ghosh Tanuman , Mukhopadhyay Banibrata
Published: August 2021

We show the appearance of geometric phase in a Dirac particle traversing in nonrelativistic limit in a time-independent gravitational field. This turns out to be similar to the one originally described as a geometric phase in magnetic fields. We explore the geometric phase in the Kerr and Schwarzschild geometries, which have significant astrophysical implications. Nevertheless, the work can be extended to any spacetime background including that of time-dependent. In the Kerr background, i.e. around a rotating black hole, geometric phase reveals both the Aharonov–Bohm effect and Pancharatnam–Berry phase. However, in a Schwarzschild geometry, i.e. around a nonrotating black hole, only the latter emerges. We expect that our assertions can be validated in both the strong gravity scenarios, like the spacetime around black holes, and weak gravity environment around Earth.
Terahertz wave detection by plasmonic-antenna enhanced sum frequency generation
Authors: Sun Jie , Zhang Fangxing , Zhou Zhihao , Shen Dongyi , Kang Qiao , Luo Xin , Zhao Guolin , Liu Wei , Wan Wenjie
Published: August 2021

We propose a scheme of terahertz (THz) indirect detection via plasmonic-antenna enhanced sum frequency generation process, where the THz wave is converted to optical wave that is detected by photodetector. The gold antenna built in the structure can improve the conversion efficiency by enhancing both the optical wave and THz wave. The numerical simulations show that the field enhancement is influenced by the geometry of the antenna, so the conversion efficiency can be improved highly by optimizing the antenna. Compared with commercial detectors, our detection system has a much lower noise equivalent power (NEP) of 15.4[Formula: see text]pW/[Formula: see text] at 5[Formula: see text]THz.
A note on the regular ideals of Leavitt path algebras
Authors: Gonçalves Daniel , Royer Danilo
Published: August 2021

We show that, for an arbitrary graph, a regular ideal of the associated Leavitt path algebra is also graded. As a consequence, for a row-finite graph, we obtain that the quotient of the associated Leavitt path by a regular ideal is again a Leavitt path algebra and that Condition (L) is preserved by quotients by regular ideals. Furthermore, we describe the vertex set of a regular ideal and make a comparison between the theory of regular ideals in Leavitt path algebras and in graph C*-algebras.
On characterization of a finite group by the set of conjugacy class sizes
Authors: Gorshkov Ilya
Published: August 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be a finite group and [Formula: see text] be the set of its conjugacy class sizes. In the 1980s, Thompson conjectured that the equality [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is simple, implies the isomorphism [Formula: see text]. In a series of papers of different authors, Thompson’s conjecture was proved. In this paper, we show that in some cases it is possible to omit the conditions [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is simple and prove a more general result.
OPTIMAL MESH CRITERIA IN FINITE ELEMENT MODELING OF HUMAN FOOT: THE DEPENDENCE FOR MULTIPLE MODEL OUTPUTS ON MESH DENSITY AND LOADING BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
Authors: CHEN WEN-MING , CAI YI-HENG , YU YUE , GENG XIANG , MA XIN
Published: August 2021

The use of finite element models has gained popularity in the field of foot and footwear biomechanics to predict the stress–strain distribution and the treatment effectiveness of therapeutic insoles for pathological foot conditions. However, a comprehensive evaluation of mesh quality is often ignored, meanwhile no golden standard exists for the mesh density and selection of element size at an acceptable accuracy. Here, we make a convergence test and established anatomically-realistic foot models at different mesh densities. The study compared the discrepancy in output variables to the changes of element type and mesh density under barefoot and footwear conditions with compressive and shear loads, which are commonly encountered in foot and footwear biomechanics simulations. For a range of loading conditions simulated in 125 finite element models, the peak plantar pressure consistently converged with optimal mesh size determined at 2.5[Formula: see text]mm. The convergence variable of principal strains and stress tensors, however, varies significantly. The max von-Mises stress showed strong sensitive behavior to the changes of the mesh density. The pattern for contact pressure distribution became less accurate when the element sizes increase to 6.0[Formula: see text]mm; in particular, the locations of the pressure peak do not show remarkable changes, but the size of the area of contact still changes. The current study could offer a general guideline when generating a reasonable accurate finite element models for the analysis of plantar pressure distributions and stress/strain states employed for foot and footwear biomechanics evaluations.
TAGUCHI-BASED OPTIMIZATION OF HEAD AND NECK CT ANGIOGRAPHY: IN-VIVO ENHANCED TRIGGERED TIMING FOR 600 PATIENTS
Authors: LIN CHIH-SHENG , CHEN YUNG-FU , DENG JIE , YANG DENG-HO , CHEN MING-HSIANG , LIN YA-HUI , PAN LUNG-KWANG
Published: August 2021

The Taguchi-based optimization of head and neck CT angiography (CTA) using in-vivo enhanced triggered timing for 600 patients was accomplished in this study. A total of 600 patients were categorized into three (test, verification, and implementation groups with 360, 120, and 120 patients, respectively). The patients in the test group were randomly assigned into 18 sub-groups according to Taguchi L[Formula: see text](2[Formula: see text]) orthogonal array for optimizing factor combinations of head and neck CTA. The signal-to-noise ratio was defined as a high LRA/US ratio (both left and right arterial pressure divided by upper sinuses’ one) and low stdev. The seven factors of CTA were: (A) left- or right-hand injection; (B) tube current, mA; (C) kilovoltage peak, kVp; (D) contrast media concentration; (E) FOV; (F) flow rate of contrast media; and (G) rotation time for one CTA loop. With the Taguchi unique organization, 18 sub-groups (each containing 20 patients’ real LRA/US ratios) could cover 1458 cases and provide the appropriate reliability. The optimal factor combination was identified as follows: (A) left-hand injection, (B) tube current of 280[Formula: see text]mA, (C) 100[Formula: see text]kVp, (D) contrast media concentration of 60%, (E) FOV of 250[Formula: see text]mm, (F) contrast media flow rate of 4.0[Formula: see text]ml/s, and (G) rotation time for one CTA loop of 0.9[Formula: see text]s. The optimal suggestion was validated in the verification group with 120 patients and applied to the implementation group with 120 patients. The successful factor combination is instrumental in defining a standard protocol for medical staff in deriving the maximal LRA/US value ([Formula: see text]) of head and neck CTA.
HemoNet: Predicting hemolytic activity of peptides with integrated feature learning
Authors: Yaseen Adiba , Gull Sadaf , Akhtar Naeem , Amin Imran , Minhas Fayyaz
Published: August 2021

Quantifying the hemolytic activity of peptides is a crucial step in the discovery of novel therapeutic peptides. Computational methods are attractive in this domain due to their ability to guide wet-lab experimental discovery or screening of peptides based on their hemolytic activity. However, existing methods are unable to accurately model various important aspects of this predictive problem such as the role of N/C-terminal modifications, D- and L- amino acids, etc. In this work, we have developed a novel neural network-based approach called HemoNet for predicting the hemolytic activity of peptides. The proposed method captures the contextual importance of different amino acids in a given peptide sequence using a specialized feature embedding in conjunction with SMILES-based fingerprint representation of N/C-terminal modifications. We have analyzed the predictive performance of the proposed method using stratified cross-validation in comparison with previous methods, non-redundant cross-validation as well as validation on external peptides and clinical antimicrobial peptides. Our analysis shows the proposed approach achieves significantly better predictive performance (AUC-ROC of 88%) in comparison to previous approaches (HemoPI and HemoPred with AUC-ROC of 73%). HemoNet can be a useful tool in the search for novel therapeutic peptides. The python implementation of the proposed method is available at the URL: https://github.com/adibayaseen/HemoNet .
Bézier variant of Bernstein–Durrmeyer blending-type operators
Authors: Prakash Chandra , Deo Naokant , Verma D. K.
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we construct the Bézier variant of the Bernstein–Durrmeyer-type operators. First, we estimated the moments for these operators. In the next section, we found the rate of approximation of operators [Formula: see text] using the Lipschitz-type function and in terms of Ditzian–Totik modulus of continuity. The rate of convergence for functions having derivatives of bounded variation is discussed. Finally, the graphical representation of the theoretical results and the effectiveness of the defined operators are given.
Dynamics of ostracod communities throughout the Mulde/
lundgreni
event: contrasting patterns of species richness and palaeocommunity compositional change
Authors: Rinkevičiūtė Simona , Stankevič Robertas , Radzevičius Sigitas , Meidla Tõnu , Garbaras Andrius , Spiridonov Andrej
Published: August 2021

The Mulde event was one of several significant turnover events during the Silurian. This event is mostly recognized in the fossil record of graptolites and conodonts, as well as stable carbon isotopic data. Therefore, the ostracods – a significant part of the benthos – comprise a new and important dimension in understanding this global geobiological episode. Here, a new ostracod and

δ

13

C

high-resolution record from the upper Wenlock interval from a Gėluva-118 core (central Lithuania) are presented. Analyses revealed that the Mulde/
lundgreni
event had a negligible effect on the increasing alpha diversity trend during the Mid- to Upper Wenlock. A stratigraphically constrained time series analysis of ostracod palaeocommunities revealed the presence of six temporally distinct compositional states/assemblages consistent with the Milankovitch scale (presumably eccentricity) fourth- and fifth-order sea level fluctuations. An analysis of ostracod recurrence plots revealed a sudden disruption during the Mulde/
lundgreni
event and a hierarchical pattern of intercalating compositionally stable states, a pattern expected under the ‘sloshing bucket’ hypothesis of community change. A recurrence quantification analysis of subdominant species revealed that, in the aftermath of the Mulde event, there was a sudden transition to compositionally more stable communities, suggesting a strong ecosystem-level effect from this oceanic perturbation.

Supplementary material:
Ostracod abundance and isotopic data are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5538271