bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of long-term clinical response in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis receiving certolizumab pegol
Authors: Maksymowych Walter P. , Kumke Thomas , Auteri Simone E. , Hoepken Bengt , Bauer Lars , Rudwaleit Martin
Published: October 2021

Background

Identification of predictive clinical factors of long-term treatment response may contribute to improved management of non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA) patients. This analysis aims to identify whether any baseline characteristics or Week 12 clinical outcomes in nr-axSpA patients with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and/or sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enrolled in the C-axSpAnd study are predictive of achieving clinical response after 1 year of certolizumab pegol (CZP).

Methods

C-axSpAnd (NCT02552212) was a phase 3, multicentre study, including a 52-Week double-blind, placebo-controlled period. Enrolled patients were randomised to CZP 200 mg Q2W or placebo. Predictors of Week 12 (CZP group only) and Week 52 clinical response were identified using a multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis. Response variables included Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score major improvement (ASDAS-MI), Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society 40% response (ASAS40), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index 50% response (BASDAI50) and ASDAS inactive disease (ASDAS-ID). Predictive factors assessed included demographic and baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes at Week 12. A p-value <0.05 was required for forward selection into the model and p ≥0.1 for backward elimination. Missing data or values collected after switching to open-label treatment were accounted for using non-responder imputation. Sensitivity analyses accounted for patients with changes in non-biologic background medication.

Results

Of 317 enrolled patients, 159 and 158 were randomised to CZP and placebo, respectively. Younger age and male sex were identified as predictors of Week 12 response across all assessed efficacy outcomes in CZP-treated patients. Consistent predictors of Week 52 response, measured by ASDAS-MI, ASAS40 and BASDAI50, included human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 positivity and sacroiliitis on MRI at baseline. MRI positivity was also predictive of achieving ASDAS-ID at Week 52. Sensitivity analyses were generally consistent with the primary analysis. In placebo-treated patients, no meaningful predictors of Week 52 response were identified.

Conclusions

In this 52-Week, placebo-controlled study in nr-axSpA patients with elevated CRP and/or active sacroiliitis on MRI at baseline, MRI sacroiliitis and HLA-B27 positivity, but not elevated CRP or responses at Week 12, were predictive of long-term clinical response to CZP. Findings may support rheumatologists to identify patients suitable for TNFi treatment.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02552212. Registered on 15 September 2015
Dysregulation of miR-638 in diabetic nephropathy and its role in inflammatory response
Authors: Lin Mei , Song Dan , Zhang Suo , Li Ping
Published: October 2021

Background

MicroRNA (miRNA) can be used as a biomarker for the early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of miR-638 in DN and to analyse its regulatory effect on inflammation.

Methods

This retrospective study involved 98 subjects, including non-diabetic healthy controls (n = 30), patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM, n = 36) without complications and patients with DN (n = 32). After the anthropometric and biochemical evaluation, serum miR-638 levels were assessed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The levels of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Spearman correlations were used to analyze the correlation between miR-638 and urinary albumin excretion (UAE), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and inflammatory factors. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to measure the diagnostic value of miR-638 in DN. Human mesangial cells (HMCs) were treated with normal glucose (NG, 5.5 mM glucose), high glucose (HG, 30 mM glucose), or high osmotic pressure solution (HO, 5.5 mM glucose + 24.5 mM mannitol) in vitro to simulate the hyperglycamic state in vivo. Subsequently, the HMCs were transfected with miR-638 mimics to regulate the level of miR-638 in the cells and detect its regulation on cell inflammation and proliferation.

Results

Compared with healthy controls and patients with T2DM, serum miR-638 in patients with DN was significantly lower. The reduced miR-638 expression has a significant diagnostic value, which can significantly distinguish patients with DN from healthy controls or patients with T2DM. Inflammatory factors were significantly upregulated in patients with DN and negatively correlated with miR-638 levels. In addition, miR-638 was negatively correlated with UAE and positively correlated with eGFR. HG decreased the level of miR-638 and promoted the expression of inflammatory factors and proliferation in HMCs. However, miR-638 mimic significantly decreased the levels of inflammatory factors and inhibited the proliferative ability induced by HG.

Conclusions

Serum miR-638 expression was low in DN and can be a potentially valuable biomarker for DN. This miRNA seems to influence inflammatory responses and participate in the progression of DN by regulating proliferation.
Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses of transposable elements in polychaetous annelids highlight LTR retrotransposon diversity and evolution
Authors: Filée Jonathan , Farhat Sarah , Higuet Dominique , Teysset Laure , Marie Dominique , Thomas-Bulle Camille , Hourdez Stephane , Jollivet Didier , Bonnivard Eric
Published: October 2021

Background

With the expansion of high throughput sequencing, we now have access to a larger number of genome-wide studies analyzing the Transposable elements (TEs) composition in a wide variety of organisms. However, genomic analyses often remain too limited in number and diversity of species investigated to study in depth the dynamics and evolutionary success of the different types of TEs among metazoans. Therefore, we chose to investigate the use of transcriptomes to describe the diversity of TEs in phylogenetically related species by conducting the first comparative analysis of TEs in two groups of polychaetes and evaluate the diversity of TEs that might impact genomic evolution as a result of their mobility.

Results

We present a detailed analysis of TEs distribution in transcriptomes extracted from 15 polychaetes depending on the number of reads used during assembly, and also compare these results with additional TE scans on associated low-coverage genomes. We then characterized the clades defined by 1021 LTR-retrotransposon families identified in 26 species. Clade richness was highly dependent on the considered superfamily. Copia elements appear rare and are equally distributed in only three clades, GalEa, Hydra and CoMol. Among the eight BEL/Pao clades identified in annelids, two small clades within the Sailor lineage are new for science. We characterized 17 Gypsy clades of which only 4 are new; the C-clade largely dominates with a quarter of the families. Finally, all species also expressed for the majority two distinct transcripts encoding PIWI proteins, known to be involved in control of TEs mobilities.

Conclusions

This study shows that the use of transcriptomes assembled from 40 million reads was sufficient to access to the diversity and proportion of the transposable elements compared to those obtained by low coverage sequencing. Among LTR-retrotransposons Gypsy elements were unequivocally dominant but results suggest that the number of Gypsy clades, although high, may be more limited than previously thought in metazoans. For BEL/Pao elements, the organization of clades within the Sailor lineage appears more difficult to establish clearly. The Copia elements remain rare and result from the evolutionary consistent success of the same three clades.
Motivation behind running among older adult runners
Authors: León-Guereño Patxi , Galindo-Domínguez Héctor , Balerdi-Eizmendi Eneko , Rozmiarek Mateusz , Malchrowicz-Mośko Ewa
Published: October 2021

Background

Recreational running has greatly increased over the last decade, and different research has tried to understand the motivation that leads these amateur athletes to run. However, most research has focused on adult athletes, while the motivation behind older adult athletes has been overlooked.

Methods

The aim of this research was to analyse the motivational aspects of amateur runners aged over 50 years, and to consider the influence that years of practice, type of participation and some socio-demographical variables have on these older adults’ motivation behind running. 244 older adult amateur athletes in total completed an online survey with the 56 items contained in the motivation of marathoners scales (MOMS), 108 of whom were female (44%), and 136 were male runners (56%). Athletes were asked about their years’ running experience (< 1 year, 1–5 years, 6–10 years, > 10 years), their participation in running events (recreationally, half marathon, marathon, ultramarathon) and age (ranges 50–60, more than 60 years), gender (male, female), family life (whether in a relationship or not), and whether they had children (yes, no).

Results

The results showed statistical differences in the nine MOMS dimensions in terms of years’ running experience and participation in different running events. Moreover, older adult runners’ gender and age subsequently showed statistical differences with five and six motivational factors respectively, while athletes that did not have children were more likely to run regarding competition and showing recognition. Family life did not show any statistical association with any of the dimensions on the scale in this population, while regression analyses showed that, mainly, years’ running experience and participation were positively predicted, together with most motivational dimensions, while having children was negatively predicted in some of them.

Conclusions

This study showed that older adult runners’ reasons for participating differ from those obtained in previous studies, especially regarding training experience and participation in events. Therefore, the older adult population should be specifically addressed.
Histamine binding activity of surface-modified yeast by histamine binding protein (HBP)
Authors: Jang Hyeweon , Lee Geun Woo , Kim Yang-Hoon , Min Jiho
Published: October 2021

Histamine is an immune mediator that is mainly secreted when an immediate, rapid response is needed in the body, and an excessive secretion of histamine or lack of enzymes that degrade histamine can result in various side effects. Histamine binding protein (HBP) is secreted by a mite species to prevent the host’s histamine-induced immune responses by binding the histamine molecule in the blood. Cloning was performed to express HBP on the yeast surface (MBTL-GWL-1), and immunofluorescence (IF) and western blot was performed to confirm the expression of the recombinant protein. The histamine inhibitory ability of GWL-1 cells was tested according to the cell concentration. The highest inhibitory ability of 1.30 × 107 CFU/ml of GWL-1 cells was of about 60 %. The GWL-1 cell concentration and the degree of histamine inhibition were confirmed to be dose-dependent, and dead cell debris was shown to have a histamine inhibitory effect, although not as much as that of whole cells. Phagocytosis assays were performed to determine whether histamine affected the RAW 264.7 cell’s phagocytosis, and to indirectly confirm the GWL-1 cell’s histamine inhibition. By confirming that, we found that GWL-1 captures histamine. Therefore, it can be expected to become a competitive material in the anti-allergy market.
Practices and intravascular catheter infection during on- and off-hours in critically ill patients
Authors: Buetti Niccolò , Ruckly Stéphane , Lucet Jean-Christophe , Mageau Arthur , Dupuis Claire , Souweine Bertrand , Mimoz Olivier , Timsit Jean-François
Published: October 2021

Background

The potential relationship between intravascular catheter infections with their insertion during weekend or night-time (i.e., off-hours or not regular business hours) remains an open issue. Our primary aim was to describe differences between patients and catheters inserted during on- versus off-hours. Our secondary aim was to investigate whether insertions during off-hours influenced the intravascular catheter infectious risks.

Methods

We performed a post hoc analysis using the databases from four large randomized-controlled trials. Adult patients were recruited in French ICUs as soon as they required central venous catheters or peripheral arterial (AC) catheter insertion. Off-hours started at 6 P.M. until 8:30 A.M. during the week; at weekend, we defined off-hours from 1 P.M. on Saturday to 8.30 A.M. on Monday. We performed multivariable marginal Cox models to estimate the effect of off-hours (versus on-hours) on major catheter-related infections (MCRI) and catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs).

Results

We included 7241 patients in 25 different ICUs, and 15,208 catheters, including 7226 and 7982 catheters inserted during off- and on-hours, respectively. Catheters inserted during off-hours were removed after 4 days (IQR 2, 9) in median, whereas catheters inserted during on-hours remained in place for 6 days (IQR 3,10; p < 0.01) in median. Femoral insertion was more frequent during off-hours. Among central venous catheters and after adjusting for well-known risk factors for intravascular catheter infection, we found a similar risk between off- and on-hours for MCRI (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.61–1.37, p = 0.65) and CRBSI (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.65–1.68, p = 0.85). Among central venous catheters with a dwell-time > 4 or > 6 days, we found a similar risk for MCRI and CRBSI between off- and on-hours. Similar results were observed for ACs.

Conclusions

Off-hours did not increase the risk of intravascular catheter infections compared to on-hours. Off-hours insertion is not a sufficient reason for early catheter removal, even if femoral route has been selected.
Aetiology and outcome of non-traumatic coma in African children: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ray Stephen T. J. , Fuller Charlotte , Boubour Alexandra , Bonnett Laura J. , Lalloo David G. , Seydel Karl B. , Griffiths Michael J.
Published: October 2021

Background

Non-traumatic coma is a common acute childhood presentation to healthcare facilities in Africa and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Historically, the majority of cases were attributed to cerebral malaria (CM). With the recent drastic reduction in malaria incidence, non-malarial coma is becoming a larger proportion of cases and determining the aetiology is diagnostically challenging, particularly in resource-limited settings. The purpose of this study will be to evaluate the aetiology and prognosis of non-traumatic coma in African children.

Methods

With no date restrictions, systematic searches of MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus will identify prospective and retrospective studies (including randomised controlled trials, cluster randomised trials, cohort studies, cross-sectional, and case-control studies) recruiting children (1 month–16 years) with non-traumatic coma (defined by Blantyre Coma Score ≤ 2 or comparable alternative) from any African country. Disease-specific studies will be included if coma is associated and reported. The primary outcome is to determine the aetiology (infectious and non-infectious) of non-traumatic coma in African children, with pooled prevalence estimates of causes (e.g., malaria). Secondary outcomes are to determine overall estimates of morbidity and mortality of all-cause non-traumatic coma and disease-specific states of non-traumatic coma, where available. Random effects meta-analysis will summarise aetiology data and in-hospital and post-discharge mortality. Heterogeneity will be quantified with τ2, I2, and Cochran’s Q test.

Discussion

This systematic review will provide a summary of the best available evidence on the aetiology and outcome of non-traumatic coma in African children.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42020141937
Asymptotic pointwise error estimates for reconstructing shift-invariant signals with generators in a hybrid-norm space
Authors: Li Haizhen , Fan Xiao , Tang Yan
Published: October 2021

Sampling and reconstruction of signals in a shift-invariant space are generally studied under the requirement that the generator is in a stronger Wiener amalgam space, and the error estimates are usually given in the sense of $L_{p,{1 / \omega }}$

L

p
,
1
/
ω

-norm. Since we often need to reflect the local characteristics of reconstructing error, the asymptotic pointwise error estimates for nonuniform and average sampling in a non-decaying shift-invariant space are discussed under the assumption that the generator is in a hybrid-norm space. Based on Lemma 2.1–Lemma 2.6, we first rewrite the iterative reconstruction algorithms for two kinds of average sampling functionals and prove their convergence. Then, the asymptotic pointwise error estimates are presented for two algorithms under the case that the average samples are corrupted by noise.
Cyberchondria severity and quality of life among Lebanese adults: the mediating role of fear of COVID-19, depression, anxiety, stress and obsessive–compulsive behavior—a structural equation model approach
Authors: Rahme Clara , Akel Marwan , Obeid Sahar , Hallit Souheil
Published: October 2021

Background

This study highlights the significant association between cyberchondria and quality of life among the Lebanese population in the time of COVID-19. The aim was to assess the association between cyberchondria and quality of life (QOL) of Lebanese community during the COVID-19 pandemic and assess the mediating effect of fear of COVID-19, depression, anxiety, stress and Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale in this association.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out between December 2020 and January 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 449 persons participated in this study by filling the online questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to examine the structural relationship between cyberchondria severity, the mediator (anxiety, stress, depression, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and fear of COVID-19) and physical/mental QOL.

Results

Having a university level of education and older age were significantly associated with higher physical QOL scores, whereas higher obsession-compulsion disorder, higher stress and higher anxiety were significantly associated with lower physical QOL scores. Higher anxiety was significantly associated with lower mental QOL scores. The results of the SEM showed that stress, fear of COVID-19 and to a lesser limit OCD, mediated the association between cyberchondria severity and physical QOL, whereas anxiety, stress and fear of COVID-19 mediated the association between cyberchondria severity and mental QOL.

Conclusion

This research reported interesting results encouraging more exploration of cyberchondria and its association with quality of life during this unique period of the pandemic. However, this virus has altered the lives of individuals all across the world, and the consequences will last for a long time. Along with all of the steps done to stop the development of COVID-19 and improve physical outcomes, mental health requires immediate care. More research is needed to determine the coping techniques people are employing to deal with the pandemic.
iHear: Canadian medical student based hearing assessment program for grade school children using a tablet audiometer
Authors: Lammers Deanna , Rocker Adam , Chan David S. , Couchman Deema , Wang Yiqiao , Fraser Amy , MacCormick Johnna , Bromwich Matthew
Published: October 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the progress and challenges of a hearing screening program as well as review the incidence of pediatric hearing loss in grade school children participating in this program.

Methods

Medical students from the University of Ottawa established iHear, a grade school hearing assessment program that uses novel tablet audiometry. Over 3 years, children in grades 1 and 2 were assessed and those found to have abnormal results on iHear assessment were then referred to audiology for formal testing, and to otolaryngology if needed.

Results

From 2014 to 2017, 753 children aged 5–9 years old were assessed for hearing loss. Mean age of participants was 6.7 years, 51.9% of whom were female. Of the children assessed, 86 (11.4%) had abnormal results and 6 (0.8%) had inconsistent results, necessitating 92 referrals for assessment by a professional audiologist. Of the 65 participants who completed secondary audiologic assessment, 54 (83.1%) were normal and 11 (16.9%) had a definitive hearing loss or abnormal tympanometry. A total of 32 children were lost to follow-up. A total of 118 medical students were involved in the iHear program.

Conclusions

Hearing loss in grade school populations continues to go undetected across Canada. Programs such as iHear demonstrate that gaps in the provision of hearing assessment can be filled effectively by medical students equipped with tablet audiometry. Medical student exposure to audiology and otolaryngology increased through the iHear program.

Graphical Abstract
Effect of orthopaedic resident education on screening for intimate partner violence
Authors: Peters Mikaela J. , Roffey Darren M. , Lefaivre Kelly A.
Published: October 2021

Background

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is prevalent in women presenting to orthopaedic fracture clinics. Rates of IPV have increased during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Our aim was to determine the effect of educational experiences on IPV knowledge and IPV screening to inform best-practices in resident education.

Methods

Cross-sectional online survey of orthopaedic surgery residency programs in Canada. Demographics, IPV educational experiences, IPV knowledge, and frequency of IPV screening were collected via a modified version of the Physician Readiness to Manage Intimate Partner Violence Survey (PREMIS). Descriptive statistics and regression modeling identified predictors of IPV knowledge and frequency of IPV screening.

Results

Responses were obtained from 105 orthopaedic residents; 84% participated in classroom training, 39% underwent mentorship training, 32% received both classroom training and mentorship, and 10% reported neither. Classroom training had no statistically significant association with IPV knowledge or frequency of IPV screening. Residents who received mentorship were 4.1 times more likely to screen for IPV (95% CI: 1.72–10.05), older residents were more likely to screen for IPV (OR: 8.3, 95% CI: 2.64–29.84), and senior residents were less likely to screen for IPV than junior residents (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09–0.82).

Conclusions

Classroom training was not associated with any effect on IPV knowledge nor the frequency of IPV screening. Educational efforts should be targeted at increasing mentorship opportunities in order to improve IPV screening practices in Canadian orthopaedic residents.
Variations of crustal thickness and average Vp/Vs ratio beneath the Shanxi Rift, North China, from receiver functions
Authors: Chen Yifang , Chen Jiuhui , Li ShunCheng , Yu Zhanyang , Liu Xuzhou , Shen Xuzhang
Published: October 2021

The Shanxi Rift located in the central part of the North China Craton (NCC) as a boundary between the Ordos block and the Huabei basin. The Shanxi graben system is a Cenozoic rift and originated from back-arc spreading related to westward subduction of the western Pacific and far field effects caused by northward subduction of the Indian plate. It has also had strong earthquake activity in China since the Quaternary. To investigate the tectonic evolution and tectonic setting of strong earthquakes in the Shanxi Rift, we apply the receiver function $$H$$
H
-$$\kappa$$
κ
stacking method to determine the crustal thickness and average Vp/Vs ratio in the area. The results show that the thickness of the crust increases from approximately 30 km in the Huabei basin to approximately 47 km in the Yinshan Mountains with a close correlation between the Moho depth and topography. The Yuncheng, Linfen and Taiyuan grabens have varying degrees of crustal thinning. The crustal average Vp/Vs ratio in the Shanxi Rift has significant heterogeneity; the high Vp/Vs ratio (~ 1.85) are found in the Datong and Yuncheng grabens, and Vp/Vs ratio of the Taiyuan and Linfen grabens is approximately 1.75 which close to the global average value ~ 1.782. Combining the observations in this study with previous research, we suggest that the grabens in the Shanxi Rift experienced extensional deformation from south to north and that the possibility of strong earthquakes in the central part of the Shanxi seismic belt is greater than that on the northern and southern sides.
Corporate social responsibility in international business literature: results from text data mining of the Journal of International Business Studies
Authors: Paul Karen , Parra Carlos M.
Published: October 2021

Corporate social responsibility has been an important theme in management at least since the 1960s. International business became a recognized subfield in management around the same time. Logically, there might have been much dialogue about corporate social responsibility in international business research and publication, yet previous reviews of the literature indicate relatively little such research. This study complements previous literature reviews by employing text data mining to analyze a sample of 1188 articles published from 2000 to 2018 in the Journal of International Business Studies (JIBS). Results show that from 2000 to 2018 only 35 CSR focused articles appeared. CSR research has increased over time, highly influenced by editorial specification of special issues. These documents can be grouped into seven CSR topics, with corruption and embeddedness being the most salient. Strategies are suggested for increasing research on CSR in international business.
Training muscle activation patterns of the lower paretic extremity using directional exertion improves mobility in persons with hemiparesis: a pilot study
Authors: Bourbonnais Daniel , Pelletier René , Azar Joëlle , Sille Camille , Goyette Michel
Published: October 2021

Background

Controlled static exertion performed in the sagittal plane on a transducer attached to the foot requires coordinated moments of force of the lower extremity. Some exertions and plantarflexion recruit muscular activation patterns similar to synergies previously identified during gait. It is currently unknown if persons with hemiparesis following stroke demonstrate similar muscular patterns, and if force feedback training utilizing static exertion results in improved mobility in this population.

Methods

Electromyographic (EMG) activity of eight muscles of the lower limb were recorded using surface electrodes in healthy participants (n = 10) and in persons with hemiparesis (n = 8) during an exertion exercise (task) performed in eight directions in the sagittal plane of the foot and a plantarflexion exercise performed at 20 and 40% maximum voluntary effort (MVE). Muscle activation patterns identified during these exertion exercises were compared between groups and to synergies reported in the literature during healthy gait using cosine similarities (CS). Functional mobility was assessed in four participants with hemiparesis using GAITRite® and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test at each session before, during and after static force feedback training. Tau statistics were used to evaluate the effect on mobility before and after training. Measures of MVE and the accuracy of directional exertion were compared before and after training using ANOVAs. Spearman Rho correlations were also calculated between changes in these parameters and changes in mobility before and after the training.

Results

Muscle activation patterns during directional exertion and plantarflexion were similar for both groups of participants (CS varying from 0.845 to 0.977). Muscular patterns for some of the directional and plantarflexion were also similar to synergies recruited during gait (CS varying from 0.847 to 0.951). Directional exertion training in hemiparetic subjects resulted in improvement in MVE (p < 0.040) and task performance accuracy (p < 0.001). Hemiparetic subjects also demonstrated significant improvements in gait velocity (p < 0.032) and in the TUG test (p < 0.022) following training. Improvements in certain directional efforts were correlated with changes in gait velocity (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Static force feedback training following stroke improves strength and coordination of the lower extremity while recruiting synergies reported during gait and is associated with improved mobility.
Role of diffusion-weighted MRI in evaluation of pediatric musculoskeletal soft tissue masses
Authors: El-Adalany Mohamed Ali , Eid Nevertiti Kamal El-Din , Othman Salma , El-Metwally Dina
Published: October 2021

Background

In pediatric patients, soft tissue masses encompass a wide heterogeneous group of benign and malignant lesions. MRI is a powerful diagnostic tool in the workup of soft tissue tumors in children, and it helps in characterization of lesion and evaluation of the extent of the lesion. However, conventional MRI techniques are not specific in differentiating benign from malignant lesions. So to improve characterization of tumors, DWI was added to MRI techniques as it increases sensitivity and specificity by detecting the micro-diffusion changes of water into intra- and extracellular spaces. The aim of this work was to highlight the diagnostic value of DWI in detection and characterization of different musculoskeletal soft tissue masses in pediatrics.

Results

There was a statistically significant difference regarding the mean ADC value of benign and malignant masses (P value = 0.001*). The mean ADC value for all benign masses (n = 41) was 1.495 ± 0.55 SD × 10–3 mm2/s, while the mean ADC value for all malignant masses (n = 21) was 0.449 ± 0.27 SD × 10–3 mm2/s. The cutoff ADC value between benign and malignant masses was 0.88 × 10–3 mm2/s. This cutoff ADC value has sensitivity of 100.0%, specificity of 92.3%, PPV of 66.7%, NPV of 100.0% and diagnostic accuracy of 93.3%.

Conclusion

In pediatric patients, DWI is an innovative valuable noninvasive imaging technique for characterization of musculoskeletal soft tissue masses and discrimination between benign and malignant masses.
Association Between Brain Substructure Dose and Cognitive Outcomes in Children With Medulloblastoma Treated on SJMB03: A Step Toward Substructure-Informed Planning
Authors: Acharya Sahaja , Guo Yian , Patni Tushar , Li Yimei , Wang Chuang , Gargone Melissa , Ashford Jason M. , Wilson Lydia , Faught Austin , Reddick Wilburn E. , Patay Zoltan , Gajjar Amar , Conklin Heather M. , Merchant Thomas E.
Published: October 2021

PURPOSE

To characterize the association between neurocognitive outcomes (memory and processing speed) and radiation (RT) dose to the hippocampus, corpus callosum (CC), and frontal white matter (WM) in children with medulloblastoma treated on a prospective study, SJMB03.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients age 3-21 years with medulloblastoma were treated at a single institution on a phase III study. The craniospinal RT dose was 23.4 Gy for average-risk patients and 36-39.6 Gy for high-risk patients. The boost dose was 55.8 Gy to the tumor bed. Patients underwent cognitive testing at baseline and once yearly for 5 years. Performance on tests of memory (associative memory and working memory) and processing speed (composite processing speed and perceptual speed) was analyzed. Mixed-effects models were used to estimate longitudinal trends in neurocognitive outcomes. Reliable change index and logistic regression were used to define clinically meaningful neurocognitive decline and identify variables associated with decline.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-four patients were eligible for inclusion, with a median neurocognitive follow-up of 5 years. Mean right and left hippocampal doses were significantly associated with decline in associative memory in patients without posterior fossa syndrome (all P < .05). Mean CC and frontal WM doses were significantly associated with decline in both measures of processing speed (all P < .05). Median brain substructure dose–volume histograms were shifted to the right for patients with a decline in associative memory or processing speed. The odds of decline in associative memory and composite processing speed increased by 23%-26% and by 10%-15% for every 1-Gy increase in mean hippocampal dose and mean CC or frontal WM dose, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Increasing RT dose to the CC or frontal WM and hippocampus is associated with worse performance on tests of processing speed and associative memory, respectively. Brain substructure–informed RT planning may mitigate neurocognitive impairment.
Cancer Provider and Survivor Experiences With Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Arem Hannah , Moses Jenna , Cisneros Cindy , Blondeau Benoit , Nekhlyudov Larissa , Killackey Maureen , Pratt-Chapman Mandi L.
Published: October 2021

PURPOSE:

The COVID-19 pandemic led to rapid shifts in cancer survivorship care, including the widespread use of telehealth. Given the swift transition and limited data on preferences and experiences around telehealth, we surveyed oncology providers and post-treatment survivors to better understand experiences with the transition to telehealth.

METHODS:

We distributed provider (MD, PA or NP, nurse, navigator, and social worker) and survivor surveys through the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer in mid-October 2020. Survivor surveys were also disseminated through patient advocacy organizations. We included questions on demographics, experiences with telehealth, and preferences for future telehealth utilization.

RESULTS:

Among N = 607 providers and N = 539 cancer survivors, there was overwhelmingly more support from providers than from survivors for delivery of various types of survivorship care via telehealth and greater comfort with telehealth technologies. The only types of appointments deemed appropriate for survivorship care by both > 50% of providers and survivors were discussion of laboratory results or imaging, assessment and/or management of cancer treatment symptoms, nutrition counseling, and patient navigation support. Only a quarter of survivors reported increased access to health care services (25.5%), and 32.0% reported that they would use telehealth again.

CONCLUSION:

Although there have been drastic changes in technological capabilities and billing reimbursement structures for telehealth, there are still concerns around delivery of a broad range of survivorship care services via telehealth, particularly from the patient perspective. Still, offering telehealth services, where endorsed by providers and if available and acceptable to cancer survivors, may provide more efficient and accessible care following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beauty Standards in Egypt
Authors: Russell Mona L.
Published: October 2021

The creation of a hybrid beauty in the cartoon sphere and in advertising intersected with popular and consumer culture at a moment when women’s roles in the public sphere were changing. Politically the nation was at a crossroads: the Anglo-Egyptian treaty of 1936 removed most impediments toward Egyptian independence; however, British troops remained in the Suez Canal zone. With respect to economic history, multinationals were expanding in Egypt, while an emerging bourgeoisie worked to establish local industries. With World War II came economic crisis: inflation, profiteering, black markets, rising inequality, and the return of British troops to strategic locations around the country. This article argues that the hybrid beauty represents the push and pull between women’s emerging roles in public spaces and traditional values, imperialism versus authenticity, local industry competing against multinationals, and a negotiation of new roles for husbands and wives in companionate marriage.
A Delicate Balancing Act
Authors: Jamal Amaney , Nooruddin Irfan
Published: October 2021

Historically Arab regimes have played critical roles in securing women’s rights in their societies. Yet regimes remain concerned about domestic, especially Islamist and traditionalist, reactions to women’s rights. When regimes feel they can overcome this resistance they honor commitments to women’s rights. When they fear more domestic opposition they renege. This article argues that Arab regimes are less likely to resist domestic opposition to women’s rights when US military presence increases in the region. The authors test the argument using cross-national data including an original expert-coder scale of Islamist power, and estimate an instrumental variable model to allay concerns of endogeneity. A case study of Jordan explicates their causal argument. The results are robust to different measures of Islamist strength and to different estimation techniques. Understanding this unintended consequence of US military deployments to the Arab world is important for future analysis of female empowerment in the Arab world.
How cells tell up from down and stick together to construct multicellular tissues – interplay between apicobasal polarity and cell–cell adhesion
Authors: Vasquez Claudia G. , de la Serna Eva L. , Dunn Alexander R.
Published: October 2021

Polarized epithelia define a topological inside and outside, and hence constitute a key evolutionary innovation that enabled the construction of complex multicellular animal life. Over time, this basic function has been elaborated upon to yield the complex architectures of many of the organs that make up the human body. The two processes necessary to yield a polarized epithelium, namely regulated adhesion between cells and the definition of the apicobasal (top–bottom) axis, have likewise undergone extensive evolutionary elaboration, resulting in multiple sophisticated protein complexes that contribute to both functions. Understanding how these components function in combination to yield the basic architecture of a polarized cell–cell junction remains a major challenge. In this Review, we introduce the main components of apicobasal polarity and cell–cell adhesion complexes, and outline what is known about their regulation and assembly in epithelia. In addition, we highlight studies that investigate the interdependence between these two networks. We conclude with an overview of strategies to address the largest and arguably most fundamental unresolved question in the field, namely how a polarized junction arises as the sum of its molecular parts.
Rapid Fabrication of a Pumpless PDMS Microfluidic Device Using CO2 Laser Micromachining for Automated Formation of Monodisperse Water-in-Oil Droplets
Authors: Okayama Shotaro , Nakatani Masaya , Hashimoto Masahiko
Published: October 2021

To form monodisperse water-in-oil droplets in a fully automated fashion, we fabricated a pumpless microfluidic device consisting of top and bottom polydimethylsiloxane slabs. All microstructures required for droplet formation were directly patterned on the surfaces of two polydimethylsiloxane slabs using CO2 laser micromachining, facilitating rapid fabrication of the current device. This device formed uniformly sized droplets (a coefficient of variation for droplet diameters of <4%) at a rate of ∼220 droplets/s.
Lumbar Bone Mineral Adaptation: The Effect of Fast Bowling Technique in Adolescent Cricketers
Authors: KEYLOCK LAURA , FELTON PAUL , ALWAY PETER , BROOKE-WAVELL KATHERINE , PEIRCE NICHOLAS , KING MARK
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Localized bone mineral density (BMD) adaptation of the lumbar spine, particularly on the contralateral side to the bowling arm, has been observed in elite male cricket fast bowlers. No study has investigated this in adolescents, or the role of fast bowling technique on lumbar BMD adaptation. This study aims to investigate lumbar BMD adaptation in adolescent cricket fast bowlers, and its relationship with fast bowling technique.

Methods

Thirty-nine adolescent fast bowlers underwent anteroposterior dual x-ray absorptiometry scan of their lumbar spine. Hip, lumbopelvic and thoracolumbar joint kinematics, and vertical ground reaction kinetics were determined using three-dimensional motion capture and force plates. Significant partial (covariate: fat-free mass) and bivariate correlations of the technique parameters with whole lumbar (L1–L4) BMD and BMD asymmetry (L3 and L4) were advanced as candidate variables for multiple stepwise linear regression.

Results

Adolescent fast bowlers demonstrated high lumbar Z-Scores (+1.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7–1.4) and significantly greater BMD on the contralateral side of L3 (9.0%; 95% CI, 5.8%–12.1%) and L4 (8.2%; 95% CI, 4.9%–11.5%). Maximum contralateral thoracolumbar rotation and maximum ipsilateral lumbopelvic rotation in the period between back foot contact and ball release (BR), as well as contralateral pelvic drop at front foot contact, were identified as predictors of L1 to L4 BMD, explaining 65% of the variation. Maximum ipsilateral lumbopelvic rotation between back foot contact and BR, as well as ipsilateral lumbopelvic rotation and contralateral thoracolumbar side flexion at BR, were predictors of lumbar asymmetry within L3 and L4.

Conclusions

Thoracolumbar and lumbopelvic motion are implicated in the etiology of the unique lumbar bone adaptation observed in fast bowlers whereas vertical ground reaction force, independent of body mass, was not. This may further implicate the osteogenic potential of torsional rather than impact loading in exercise-induced adaptation.
Fiscal Transfers in the Spatial Economy
Authors: Henkel Marcel , Seidel Tobias , Suedekum Jens
Published: October 2021

Many countries shift substantial public resources across jurisdictions to mitigate spatial economic disparities. We use a general equilibrium model with multiple asymmetric regions, labor mobility, and costly trade to carve out the aggregate implications of fiscal transfers. Calibrating the model for Germany, we find that transfers indeed deliver smaller disparities across regions. This comes at the cost of lower national output, however, because economic activity is diverted away from core cities and toward remote areas with low productivity. But despite this loss in output per capita by about 2 percent in our baseline specification, welfare still increases by 0.07 percent because the transfer scheme countervails overcongestion in large cities. If the optimal transfer regime was implemented, welfare would increase by 0.06 percent. (JEL H77, J61, R12, R13, R23)
Do Value-Added Taxes Affect International Trade Flows? Evidence from 30 Years of Tax Reforms
Authors: Benzarti Youssef , Tazhitdinova Alisa
Published: October 2021

This paper uses all value-added tax (VAT) changes across EU Member States from 1988 to 2016 to estimate the effect of VATs on trade flows. We find small elasticities of trade flows with respect to VATs, even when VAT changes are large. These elasticities are substantially smaller than the elasticities of trade flows with respect to tariffs estimated in the trade literature. This finding holds across different time periods, countries, and types of reforms. Our results imply that VATs are unlikely to distort trade flows. (JEL F13, F14, H25, H87)
One Ringgit and five Ringgit Malaysian banknotes reader using backlight mechanism and image processing techniques
Authors: Salem Turki Khaled , Wong Wai Kit , Min Thu Soe , Wong Eng Kiong
Published: October 2021

Visually impaired persons face challenges in running business activities, especially in handling banknotes. Malaysia researchers had proposed some Ringgit banknotes recognition systems to aid visually impaired persons recognize and classify Ringgit banknotes. However, these electronic banknote readers can only recognize Malaysian Banknotes’ Ringgit value, they have no counterfeit detection features. The purpose of this study is to develop a banknote reader that not only can help visually impaired persons recognize the banknote value, but also to detect the counterfeit of the banknote, safeguarding their losses. This paper proposed a Malaysian banknote reader using backlight mechanism and image processing techniques to read and detect counterfeit for one Ringgit and five Ringgit Malaysian banknotes. The developed handheld banknote reader used visual type sensor to capture banknote image, passed to raspberry pi controller to perform image processing on banknote value and the extracted watermarks features. The developed image processing algorithm will trace out the region of interests: 1)see-thru windows, 2)Crescent and Star, 3)Perfect see though register and detect the watermarks features accordingly. The processed result will be passed back to the handheld banknote reader and broadcast on an attached mini speaker to aid the visually impaired understand the holding banknote, whether it is a real one Ringgit, real five Ringgit or none of them. The experimental result shown by this approach able to accomplish numerous round of banknote reading attempts with successful outcomes. Confusion matrix is further employed to study the performance of the banknote reader, in terms of true positive, true negative, false positive and false negative. Details analysis had been focused on the critical false positive cases (predicted real banknote and actually is fake banknote) and false negative cases (predicted fake banknote and it is actually real banknote).
Features of Studying the Topic “Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ” Within the Framework of the Module “Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture”
Authors: Pushkin A.
Published: October 2021

The article reveals the experience of an Orthodox school teacher in teaching the course “Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture.” In accordance

with the Federal State Educational Standard of Primary General Education, fourth-graders get acquainted with the Orthodox holiday of the

Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. The methodology of organizing education allows younger students to form an awareness of the spiritual meaning inherent in any Orthodox holiday. The teacher uses both traditional teaching methods (retelling, essay, educational dialogue) and methods that reflect the originality of Orthodox culture: assessing religious texts, looking at the icon and listening to church chants dedicated to the feast of the Transfiguration of the Jesus Christ.
Tutoring in Modern Education
Authors: Zenkina S. , Kubatina P.
Published: October 2021

The article discusses the concepts of «tutoring», «tutor», and also clarifies the history of the emergence of tutoring. The article defines the main directions of tutoring development.
Social Adaptation of People with Disabilities: Some Aspects of Theory and Practice
Authors: Kielevyaynen Larisa
Published: October 2021

The article reveals the concept of “social adaptation” based on the analysis of materials for candidate and doctoral dissertations, there are provisions on the conditions for the implementation of social adaptation, the practice of social adaptation at Petrozavodsk State University is presented.