bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of globalization and English language on communicative strategies of industrial advertising
Authors: Isakova A A
Published: March 2021

Bee CTa™ The following article is devoted to the influence of globalization and English on communicative strategies of the industrial advertising. Any person has to be guided in a powerful stream of information, defining their attitude to any realities. Tyumen regional industrial advertising is one of the forms of mass communication. The relevance of this study is determined by the daily life, man is obliged to a greater degree of self-oriented among urban stream media in order to adapt to the conditions of everyday reality. Thus, the aim of the research is a scientific assessment of influence of the industrial advertising text on the ordinary consciousness of the different layers and cohorts of the population of the region. It is useful and interesting for other regions and countries. The main idea of the article is prove that English is occupied by leading position in the system of European multilingualism and industrial advertising. The influence of language on the formation of tastes, ideas, industrial policy and communication of industrial advertising is also revealed. Thus, the word globalization, English language and advertising strategies influence and form industrial communication.
Research of technological properties of casting polyurethane compounds
Authors: Alekhina R A , Lopatina Y A , Sviridov A S
Published: March 2021

The technological properties of three marks of casting polyurethane compounds Advaform 80, Silagerm 6080, Polyflex 80A were considered in the article. Those products were intended for manufacturing piston pump diaphragm. The effect of preparation of the mixture, expressed in the presence of vacuum processing, on the quality of the product was investigated. The viscosity of these marks of polyurethane compounds were determined with a rotary viscometer. It is shown that the time of vacuum processing is an important parameter of quality of castings, which in turn depends on the pot time of the polyurethane. It was also noted that the low viscosity of the compound does not always guarantee the best casting quality in processes of manually pouring, and the pot time of the compound has a much greater effect on the quality. As the optimal material for producing diaphragm was chosen Advaform 80 due to its long pot time, which made it possible to carry out high-quality vacuum processing with the formation of a minimum amount of bubbles.
Application of two types of embedded fiber-optic sensors for process-induced strain measurement in cement mixture
Authors: Kosheleva N , Serovaev G , Gusev G
Published: March 2021

Two types of fiber-optic sensors applied to process-induced strain measurements of cement mixture are compared in this study. Point fiber-optic strain sensors based on the Bragg grating and distributed fiber-optic strain sensors were embedded into cement sample at the manufacturing stage. Embedded optical fibers did not have any additional protective coating except standard one (polyimide or acrylate). Both systems remain their integrity and operability after casting and hardening of the studied material and show the good agreement in strain measurements at the period taken into consideration.
Cost of inner amenable groupoids
Authors: Tucker-Drob Robin , Wróbel Konrad
Published: March 2021

Kida and Tucker-Drob recently extended the notion of inner amenability from countable groups to discrete p.m.p. groupoids. In this article, we show that inner amenable groupoids have “fixed priced 1” in the sense that every principal extension of an inner amenable groupoid has cost 1. This simultaneously generalizes and unifies two well known results on cost from the literature, namely, (1) a theorem of Kechris stating that every ergodic p.m.p. equivalence relation admitting a nontrivial asymptotically central sequence in its full group has cost 1, and (2) a theorem of Tucker-Drob stating that inner amenable groups have fixed price 1.
Grothendieck-Lefschetz and Noether-Lefschetz for bundles
Authors: Ravindra G. , Tripathi Amit
Published: March 2021

We prove a mild strengthening of a theorem of C̆esnavic̆ius which gives a criterion for a vector bundle on a smooth complete intersection of dimension at least

3
3

to split into a sum of line bundles. We also prove an analogous statement for bundles on a general complete intersection surface.
Conformal measures and the Dobrušin-Lanford-Ruelle equations
Authors: Borsato Luísa , MacDonald Sophie
Published: March 2021

We demonstrate the equivalence of two definitions of a Gibbs measure on a subshift over a countable group. We formulate a more general version of the classical Dobrušin-Lanford-Ruelle equations with respect to a measurable cocycle, which reduce to the classical equations when the cocycle is induced by an interaction or a potential, and show that a measure satisfying these equations must have the conformal property. We also review methods of constructing an interaction from a potential and vice versa, such that the interaction and the potential have the same Gibbs and equilibrium measures.
Nodal solutions of Yamabe-type equations on positive Ricci curvature manifolds
Authors: Julio-Batalla Jurgen , Petean Jimmy
Published: March 2021

We consider a closed cohomogeneity one Riemannian manifold

(

M
n

,
g
)

(M^n,g)

of dimension

n
≥
3

n\geq 3

. If the Ricci curvature of

M
M

is positive, we prove the existence of infinite nodal solutions for equations of the form

−

Δ
g

u
+
λ
u
=
λ

u
q

-\Delta _g u + \lambda u = \lambda u^q

with

λ
>
0

\lambda >0

,

q
>
1

q>1

. In particular for a positive Einstein manifold which is of cohomogeneity one or fibers over a cohomogeneity one Einstein manifold we prove the existence of infinite nodal solutions for the Yamabe equation, with a prescribed number of connected components of its nodal domain.
Measuring the synchronisation of agricultural prices: co-movement of cycles in pig and cattle prices in Brazil, Chile and Uruguay
Authors: Fliessbach Astrid , Ihle Rico
Published: March 2021

Simultaneous spikes in global prices of many agricultural commodities in recent years have induced an interest in quantifying the degree of synchronisation of these movements. We suggest a conceptual framework explaining why temporally varying price synchronisation may happen and propose the concordance index for the empirical measurement of the incidence, symmetry and permanence of synchronisation. We establish that the index generates insights into time series dynamics which are complementary to those obtained from cointegration analysis. We illustrate the approach with an application for the co-movement in cyclical components of pig and cattle prices in three Latin American countries. The findings reveal moderate synchronisation levels which show asymmetric instabilities.
Effectiveness of a school-based randomized controlled trial aimed at increasing physical activity time in adolescents
Authors: Morais Lidiane da C , Paravidino Vitor Barreto , Mediano Mauro F F , Benthroldo Raycauan , Gonçalves Tatiana R , Sgambato Michele R , de Souza Bárbara da S N , Junior Eliseu V , Marques Emanuele S , Pereira Rosângela A , Sichieri Rosely , Cunha Diana B
Published: March 2021

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of obesity prevention educational activities, isolated or combined with the modification of the school environment on total physical activity time.

Methods

This is a school-based randomized controlled trial, conducted with 2511 students from fifth and sixth-grade in Brazil, that employed a parallel, three-group experimental arms: control group (CG), PAAPPAS group (PG) and PAAPPAS-environment group (PEG). During the 2016 school year, the PG received educational activities in the classroom, providing a general basis for a healthy lifestyle. The PEG received the same educational activities and also modifications in the school environment to stimulate physical activity practice during one month. Physical activity was evaluated through a validated physical activity questionnaire. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed to evaluate the rate of change of physical activity time between groups using PROC GENMOD procedure. All analyses were performed using SAS.

Results

Total physical activity time increased by 22% in PEG compared with CG (P = 0.003). No difference was observed between PEG and PG (Δ = 60.20 vs. 36.37, respectively; P = 0.27) and between PG and CG (Δ = 36.37 vs. 9.70, respectively; P = 0.23). The proportion of individuals who attended at least 150 min week−1 of physical activity increased in PEG compared with PG (P = 0.04); however, no difference was observed between PEG and CG (P = 0.19) and between PG and CG (P = 0.26). For 300 min week−1, no difference was observed between groups.

Conclusion

A school-based multi-component intervention including modification of the school environment was effective for increasing physical activity time among adolescents.
Genome-wide polygenic risk score for retinopathy of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Forrest Iain S , Chaudhary Kumardeep , Paranjpe Ishan , Vy Ha My T , Marquez-Luna Carla , Rocheleau Ghislain , Saha Aparna , Chan Lili , Van Vleck Tielman , Loos Ruth J F , Cho Judy , Pasquale Louis R , Nadkarni Girish N , Do Ron
Published: March 2021

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common consequence in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and a leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Yet, its genetic predisposition is largely unknown. Here, we examined the polygenic architecture underlying DR by deriving and assessing a genome-wide polygenic risk score (PRS) for DR. We evaluated the PRS in 6079 individuals with T2D of European, Hispanic, African and other ancestries from a large-scale multi-ethnic biobank. Main outcomes were PRS association with DR diagnosis, symptoms and complications, and time to diagnosis, and transferability to non-European ancestries. We observed that PRS was significantly associated with DR. A standard deviation increase in PRS was accompanied by an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.12 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–1.20; P = 0.001] for DR diagnosis. When stratified by ancestry, PRS was associated with the highest OR in European ancestry (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.02–1.41; P = 0.049), followed by African (OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.03–1.28; P = 0.028) and Hispanic ancestries (OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.00–1.10; P = 0.050). Individuals in the top PRS decile had a 1.8-fold elevated risk for DR versus the bottom decile (P = 0.002). Among individuals without DR diagnosis, the top PRS decile had more DR symptoms than the bottom decile (P = 0.008). The PRS was associated with retinal hemorrhage (OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.03–2.02; P = 0.03) and earlier DR presentation (10% probability of DR by 4 years in the top PRS decile versus 8 years in the bottom decile). These results establish the significant polygenic underpinnings of DR and indicate the need for more diverse ancestries in biobanks to develop multi-ancestral PRS.
Addressing the Unique Qualities of Upper-Level Biology Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences through the Integration of Skill-Building
Authors: Beatty Abby E , Ballen Cissy J , Driessen Emily P , Schwartz Tonia S , Graze Rita M
Published: March 2021

Synopsis

Early exposure to course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) in introductory biology courses can promote positive student outcomes such as increased confidence, critical thinking, and views of applicability in lower-level courses, but it is unknown if these same impacts are achieved by upper-level courses. Upper-level courses differ from introductory courses in several ways, and one difference that could impact these positive student outcomes is the importance of balancing structure with independence in upper-level CUREs where students typically have more autonomy and greater complexity in their research projects. Here we compare and discuss two formats of upper-level biology CUREs (Guided and Autonomous) that vary along a continuum between structure and independence. We share our experiences teaching an upper-level CURE in two different formats and contrast those formats through student reported perceptions of confidence, professional applicability, and CURE format. Results indicate that the Guided Format (i.e., a more even balance between structure and independence) led to more positive impacts on student outcomes than the Autonomous Format (less structure and increased independence). We review the benefits and drawbacks of each approach while considering the unique elements of upper-level courses relative to lower-level courses. We conclude with a discussion of how implementing structured skill-building can assist instructors in adapting CUREs to their courses.
Effects of Autumn Warming on Energy Consumption of Diapausing Fall Webworm (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) Pupae
Authors: Zhao Lvquan , Wang Wei
Published: March 2021

Since its invasion into China in 1979, the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea Drury, has spread from Dandong city (about 40°N) in Liaoning Province to Nanjing city (about 32°N) in Jiangsu Province, and to other areas. Owing to geographic and latitudinal gradients in temperature, H. cunea will encounter temperature changes during the spreading process. In this study, we verified the hypothesis that autumn warming accelerates the energy consumption of H. cunea diapause pupae. We found that, after autumn warming, the body size and mass of diapause pupae decreased significantly and raised constant temperature accelerated carbohydrate and protein consumption in female pupae, while fluctuating temperature changes had a more pronounced effect on carbohydrate and protein consumption in male pupae. Contrary to expectations, the lipid content of diapause pupae did not decrease after autumn warming, and even increased significantly. We conclude that warming in autumn accelerates energy consumption by diapause pupae, and the autumn energy consumption of diapause pupae is dominated by carbohydrates, supplemented by protein when carbohydrates are overconsumed, while lipid use is dominated by anabolic metabolism during autumn.
Benzoxazinoids selectively affect maize root-associated nematode taxa
Authors: Sikder Md Maniruzzaman , Vestergård Mette , Kyndt Tina , Fomsgaard Inge S , Kudjordjie Enoch Narh , Nicolaisen Mogens
Published: March 2021

Although the effects of plant secondary metabolites on plant defence have been studied for decades, the exact roles of secondary metabolites in shaping plant-associated microbial and nematode communities remain elusive. We evaluated the effects of benzoxazinoids, a group of secondary metabolites present in several cereals, on root-associated nematodes. We employed 18S rRNA metabarcoding to compare maize root-associated nematode communities in a bx1 knockout maize line impaired in benzoxazinoid synthesis and in its parental wild type. Both genotype and plant age affected the composition of the nematode community in the roots, and the effects of benzoxazinoids on nematode communities were stronger in the roots than in the rhizosphere. Differential abundance analysis and quantitative PCR showed that the root lesion nematode Pratylenchus neglectus was enriched in the bx1 mutant line, while another root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus crenatus, was reduced. Correlation analysis showed that benzoxazinoid concentrations in maize roots mostly correlated negatively with the relative abundance of nematode sequence reads. However, positive correlations between benzoxazinoids and nematode taxa, including several plant-parasitic nematodes, were also identified. Our detailed nematode community analysis suggests differential and selective effects of benzoxazinoids on soil nematodes depending on both the nematode species and the benzoxazinoid compound.
Lowering the Voting Age to 16 in Practice: Processes and Outcomes Compared
Authors: Eichhorn Jan , Bergh Johannes
Published: March 2021

Research into the possible consequences of lowering the voting age to 16 used to be rather speculative in nature, as there were few countries that had implemented earlier enfranchisement. This has changed over the past decade. We now have a range of countries in different locations, mostly in Europe and South America, where 16- and 17-year-olds can vote in some or all elections. In many of those places empirical research has given us insights into the experiences of young people and the impact of those changes on political discussions. However, so far these studies have largely been conducted individually in each country, which makes comparisons difficult. This article summarises the key insights from empirical research across countries with lower voting ages. It identifies common patterns, but also highlights differences. Overall, the impact appears to not be negative and often positive in terms of political engagement and civic attitudes. However, the comprehensiveness of effects varies. The article offers some possible frameworks to understand differences, in particular by reflecting on the processes that led to voting franchise changes, but also indicates where gaps in knowledge remain, and what sort of research would be required to produce systematically comparable results.
Increased risk of severe infections and mortality in patients with newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus: a population-based study
Authors: Zhao Kai , Xie Hui , Li Lingyi , Esdaile John M , Aviña-Zubieta J Antonio
Published: March 2021

Objective

To evaluate the risk of severe infection and infection-related mortality among patients with newly diagnosed SLE.

Methods

We conducted an age- and gender-matched cohort study of all patients with incident SLE between 1 January 1997 and 31 March 2015 using administrative health data from British Columbia, Canada. Primary outcome was the first severe infection after SLE onset necessitating hospitalization or occurring during hospitalization. Secondary outcomes were total number of severe infections and infection-related mortality.

Results

We identified 5169 SLE patients and matched them with 25 845 non-SLE individuals from the general population, yielding 955 and 1986 first severe infections during 48 367 and 260 712 person-years follow-up, respectively. The crude incidence rate ratios for first severe infection and infection-related mortality were 2.59 (95% CI: 2.39, 2.80) and 2.20 (95% CI: 1.76, 2.73), respectively. The corresponding adjusted hazard ratios were 1.82 (95% CI: 1.66, 1.99) and 1.61 (95% CI: 1.24, 2.08). SLE patients had an increased risk of a greater total number of severe infections with crude rate ratio of 3.24 (95% CI: 3.06, 3.43) and adjusted rate ratio of 2.07 (95% CI: 1.82, 2.36).

Conclusion

SLE is associated with increased risks of first severe infection (1.8-fold), a greater total number of severe infections (2.1-fold) and infection-related mortality (1.6-fold).
A randomised double-blind comparison of phenylephrine and norepinephrine for the management of postspinal hypotension in pre-eclamptic patients undergoing caesarean section
Authors: Mohta Medha , R Lakshmi , Chilkoti Geetanjali T. , Agarwal Rachna , Malhotra Rajeev Kumar
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Studies comparing phenylephrine and norepinephrine for the treatment of postspinal hypotension in pre-eclamptic patients are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To compare bolus doses of phenylephrine and norepinephrine for treating hypotension in pre-eclamptic mothers undergoing caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. It was hypothesised that norepinephrine and phenylephrine use would be associated with similar neonatal outcome.

DESIGN

Randomised controlled study.

SETTING

Single centre, tertiary care, university teaching hospital, from December 2018 to March 2020.

PATIENTS

A total of 86 women with pre-eclampsia and a singleton pregnancy who developed postspinal hypotension during caesarean section.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients received intravenous phenylephrine (50 μg) or norepinephrine (4 μg) for treatment of hypotension, defined as a fall in baseline systolic BP by ≥ 20% or an absolute value < 100 mmHg.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was umbilical artery pH. Secondary outcomes included Apgar scores, the number of hypotensive episodes, vasopressor requirements, the incidence of tachycardia/bradycardia/arrhythmias/hypertension and maternal complications.

RESULTS

Umbilical artery pH was not different between the phenylephrine and norepinephrine groups (7.26 ± 0.06 and 7.27 ± 0.06, respectively; P = 0.903). The median [IQR] number of hypotensive episodes was higher in the norepinephrine than the phenylephrine group: 2 [1 to 3] vs 1 [1 to 2], respectively; P = 0.014. Apgar scores, total number of vasopressor boluses required, systolic BP trends and the incidence of maternal complications were comparable in the two groups. Heart rate (HR) values were lower in phenylephrine group (P = 0.026), and one patient in phenylephrine group and none in the norepinephrine group developed bradycardia (HR < 50 bpm), P = 1.000.

CONCLUSIONS

In women with pre-eclampsia undergoing caesarean section, bolus doses of phenylephrine (50 μg) and norepinephrine (4 μg) used to treat hypotension after spinal anaesthesia are equally effective with similar neonatal and maternal outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

CTRI/2018/11/016478
Cognitive Fatigue in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: A Meta-Analysis and Scoping Review
Authors: Riccardi Jessica Salley , Ciccia Angela
Published: March 2021

Objective:

To review the evidence available on cognitive fatigue (ie, increase in mental exhaustion after prolonged cognitive activity) in childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI), including rates, associated factors and effects, and management strategies.

Methods:

A meta-analysis and scoping review of the literature were conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Terms were searched in relevant databases and through hand-searching. Articles were included and excluded based on specific criteria and methods were evaluated for risk of bias.

Results:

Of 2579 initially eligible articles, 4 studies with 6 effect sizes (due to reporting of data by group in 2 studies) were included for a meta-analysis and 11 for a scoping review. Cognitive fatigue was a common symptom in children after TBI of varying severities and times post-injury. Few studies investigated factors or effects associated with cognitive fatigue, although emerging evidence indicates some relations with family and injury factors and postinjury functioning. Active rehabilitation was investigated by 2 studies and could be a safe management strategy for cognitive fatigue, but additional investigation is needed on this and other possible assessment and treatment approaches.

Conclusions:

Cognitive fatigue is a common symptom in children who experience a TBI of any severity. Additional research is needed to determine the course of cognitive fatigue, elucidate the relations between cognitive fatigue and secondary factors, and to build clinically useful assessment and treatment methods.
Sensitivity to Noise Following a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Shepherd Daniel , Heinonen-Guzejev Marja , Heikkilä Kauko , Landon Jason , Theadom Alice
Published: March 2021

Objective:

To describe changes in the prevalence and clinical correlates of noise sensitivity (NS) in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) across a 12-month period and to determine whether NS at an early stage of recovery has predictive value for later postconcussive symptoms.

Setting:

A mixed urban and rural region of New Zealand.

Participants:

Data for 341 adults (201 males, 140 females; age range from 16 to 91 years) were extracted from a 1-year TBI incidence, and outcomes study was conducted in New Zealand.

Design:

Secondary analysis of data from a community-based, longitudinal population study of an mTBI incidence cohort collected within 1 week of injury (baseline) and at 1, 6, and 12 months postinjury.

Main Measures:

Measures at baseline (within 2 weeks of the injury) and 1, 6, and 12 months included the Rivermead Post-concussion Symptoms Questionnaire and its NS item, the Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale, and the computerized CNS-Vital Signs neurocognitive test.

Results:

NS progressively declined postinjury, from 45% at baseline to 28% at 12 months. In turn, NS showed itself as a significant predictor of future postconcussive symptoms.

Conclusion:

Taken together with previous research, the findings of the current study indicate that NS may have clinical utility in flagging vulnerability to persistent postconcussive symptoms.
Incorporating Immunoproteins in the Development of Classification Models of Progression of Intracranial Hemorrhage After Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Hinson H. E. , Li Peter , Myers Loren , Agarwal Chinar , Pollock Jeffrey , McWeeney Shannon
Published: March 2021

Objective:

To define clinical, radiographic, and blood-based biomarker features to be incorporated into a classification model of progression of intracranial hemorrhage (PICH), and to provide a pilot assessment of those models.

Methods:

Patients with hemorrhage on admission head computed tomography were identified from a prospectively enrolled cohort of subjects with traumatic brain injury. Initial and follow-up images were interpreted both by 2 independent readers, and disagreements adjudicated. Admission plasma samples were analyzed and principal components (PCs) composed of the immune proteins (IPs) significantly associated with the outcome of interest were selected for further evaluation. A series of logistic regression models were constructed based on (1) clinical variables (CV) and (2) clinical variables + immune proteins (CV+IP). Error rates of these models for correct classification of PICH were estimated; significance was set at P < .05.

Results:

We identified 106 patients, 36% had PICH. Dichotomized admission Glasgow Coma Scale (P = .004), Marshall score (P = .004), and 3 PCs were significantly associated with PICH. For the CV only model, sensitivity was 1.0 and specificity was 0.29 (95% CI, 0.07-0.67). The CV+IP model performed significantly better, with a sensitivity of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.64-0.99) and a specificity of 1.0 (P = .008). Adjustments to refine the definition of PICH and better define radiographic predictors of PICH did not significantly improve the models' performance.

Conclusions:

In this pilot investigation, we observed that composites of IPs may improve PICH classification models when combined with CVs. However, overall model performance must be further optimized; results will inform feature inclusion included in follow-up models.
Race/Ethnicity and Community Participation Among Veterans and Service Members With Traumatic Brain Injury: A VA Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Study
Authors: Stevens Lillian Flores , Ketchum Jessica M. , Sander Angelle M. , Callender Librada , Dillahunt-Aspillaga Christina , Dreer Laura E. , Finn Jacob A. , Gary Kelli W. , Graham Kristin M. , Juengst Shannon B. , Kajankova Maria , Kolakowsky-Hayner Stephanie , Lequerica Anthony H. , Rabinowitz Amanda R.
Published: March 2021

Objective:

To examine racial/ethnic disparities in community participation among veterans and active duty service members with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Setting:

Five Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) TBI Model Systems (TBIMS) Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers (PRCs). Participants: Three hundred forty-two community-dwelling adults (251 White, 34 Black, and 57 Hispanic) with TBI enrolled in the VA TBIMS National Database who completed a 1-year follow-up interview. Mean age was 38.6 years (range, 19-84 years).

Design:

Cross-sectional analysis of a prospective observational cohort study. Main Measures: Community participation at 1 year postinjury assessed by 3 domains of the Participation Assessment with Recombined Tools–Objective (PART-O): Out & About, Productivity, and Social Relations.

Results:

Significant differences were observed among race/ethnicity groups in PART-O Productivity and Out & About domains without controlling for relevant participant characteristics; Productivity scores were significantly higher for non-Hispanic Black than for non-Hispanic White participants (t = 2.40, P = .0169). Out & About scores were significantly higher for Hispanic than for non-Hispanic White participants (t = 2.79, P = .0056). However, after controlling for demographic, injury severity, and 1-year follow-up characteristics, only differences in the Out & About domain remained statistically significant (t = 2.62, P = .0094), with scores being significantly higher for Hispanics than for non-Hispanic Whites.

Conclusions:

The results, which differ from findings from studies conducted in non-VA healthcare settings where there are greater racial/ethnic disparities in participation outcomes, could reflect differences between military and civilian samples that may reduce disparities.
Moxibustion therapy on lumbar disc herniation
Authors: Hua Fanghui , Xiong Jun , Zhang Haifeng , Xiang Jie , Huang Shouqiang
Published: March 2021

Background:

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH), as a disease with great disturbance to life and work, is known as the origin of the severe and disabling forms of nerve root pain. Recognized as an increasingly widely accepted treatment, the efficacy of moxibustion on LDH has been affirmed. However, clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for the treatment of LDH with moxibustion have not been developed. Therefore, we will carry out this work following the accepted methodological quality standards.

Methods:

The new CPG will be developed according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II) and WHO guideline handbook. And then determine recommendations based on high-level evidence. We will set up a Guideline Working Group and define clinical issues according to the PICO principles (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes). After evidence syntheses and several rounds of Delphi process, we will reach the consensus. In making the guideline, Patient values or preferences, results of peer review, and interest statements are all within the bounds of what we must consider.

Results:

As the study is not yet complete, no results can be reported.

Conclusion:

So far, we will develop the first CPG for moxibustion of LDH strictly based on systematic methodologies in China. This CPG will establish the standard of LDH in moxibustion therapy.

Registration number:

IPGRP-2020CN034.
Retroperitoneal dendritic cell sarcoma
Authors: Wang Chuanhong , Lei Pinggui , Wan Yong , Fu Ping , Fan Bing , Liu Jiaqi , Hu Fangfang , Xu Rongchun
Published: March 2021

Ratioanle:

Interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma (IDCS) is a rare sarcoma that originates from interdigitating dendritic cells in lymphoid tissue, the imaging characteristics of which are poorly defined. Pathological examination can identify the tumor, but reports on the imaging characteristics of IDCS are limited.

Patient concerns:

Here, we report a case of IDCS in a 48-year-old female involving the retroperitoneal area. The patient had a lumbar mass on her right lower back for 4 years, and which started increasing in size 1 year before.

Diagnoses:

An irregular soft tissue mass (10.1cm × 8.5 cm in size) in the right lower back of retroperitoneum was detected by CT examination with unclear borders, uneven density, and necrosis. The solid components of the mass were significantly enhanced on postcontrast imaging. The soft tissue was irregular and uneven. Cystic solid masses were observed on MRI examination in the right retroperitoneum, lateral abdominal wall, waist, and back. Necrosis, hemorrhage, and cystic transformation were observed inside the lesion. The cyst wall, separation, and wall nodules were significantly enhanced on the postcontrast image. No distant metastasis was observed. Postoperative pathology confirmed the diagnosis of IDCS.

Interventions:

The patient underwent surgical resection. The resected margin was positive, and the patient received adjuvant radiotherapy 2 months after the surgery.

Outcomes:

Twelve months after radiotherapy, the patient's chest CT showed multiple metastases in both lungs. The patient was started on combination chemotherapy of doxorubicin and ifosfamide, and the follow-up is still ongoing.

Lessons:

Imaging provides a unique advantage to determine the extent of the IDCS, the invasion of adjacent tissues, and the presence or absence of distant metastases.
Superb microvascular imaging for detecting carpal tunnel syndrome compared with power Doppler ultrasonography
Authors: Zhang Jili , Zhu Weikai , Lin Mingxin , Jiang Chang
Published: March 2021

Background:

Sonography enhances diagnostic accuracy by the detection of the epineural or intraneuronal blood flow.
[1–4]
Power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has been previously studied and shown to be valid and reliable for grading the intraneural flow.
[3,4]
However, superb microvascular imaging (SMI) represents a new era in diagnostic sonography, and this new technology enables accurate visualization of vascular structures with intensive clutter suppression to provide flow signals for large to small vessels, and it presents these data at high frame rates.
[5–7]
Studies suggested that SMI is more sensitive in demonstrating blood flow in the diagnosis of CTS compared with PDUS.
[7]
In order to gain clarity, a meta-analysis to systematically review and synthesize relevant data on the evaluating intraneural blood flow of the median nerve (MN) using SMI and PDUS was undertaken.

Methods:

We will search PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Chinese biomedical databases from their inceptions to the December 31, 2020, without language restrictions. Two authors will independently carry out searching literature records, scanning titles and abstracts, full texts, collecting data, and assessing risk of bias. Review Manager 5.2 and Stata 14.0 software will be used for data analysis.

Results:

This systematic review will investigate whether superb microvascular imaging is more sensitive to display the blood flow in the MN with CTS than PDUS.

Conclusion:

Its findings will provide strong evidence for the feasibility of superb microvascular imaging on the detection of the neovascularization of the MN with CTS.

Systematic review registration:

INPLASY202110018.
Curative effects of traditional Chinese medicine on liver fibrosis
Authors: Gao Xia , Cao Wenfu
Published: March 2021

Background:

Assessing the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine on liver fibrosis is the main purpose of this systematic review protocol.

Methods:

The following electronic databases will be searched from their respective inception dates to 1st December 2021: PubMed, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Embase, WorldSciNet, Ovid, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, the Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, the Wanfang Database, and the China Biology Medicine Disc. All published randomized controlled trials in English or Chinese related to curative effects of Traditional Chinese medicine on liver fibrosis will be included. The primary outcome is the levels of serum hyaluronic acid, laminin, type III procollagen, and type IV procollagen. There is no secondary outcomes. Two reviewers will conduct the study selection, data extraction, and assessment independently. The assessment of risk of bias and data synthesis will be conducted with Review Manager Software V.5.2.

Results:

The results will provide a high-quality synthesis of current evidence for researchers in this subject area.

Conclusion:

The conclusion of our study will provide an evidence to judge whether traditional Chinese medicine is an effective intervention for patients with liver fibrosis.

Registration number:

INPLASY202110017
Extra-pulmonary complications of 45 critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Yichang, Hubei province, China
Authors: Wang Peng , Tan Xiang , Li Qian , Qian Min , Cheng Aiguo , Ma Baohua , Wan Peng , Zhang Xinli , Guo Changyun , Sheng Mengting , Yi Mengqiu , Yu Min
Published: March 2021

Mortality of critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was high. Aims to examine whether time from symptoms onset to intensive care unit (ICU) admission affects incidence of extra-pulmonary complications and prognosis in order to provide a new insight for reducing the mortality. A single-centered, retrospective, observational study investigated 45 critically ill patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in ICU of The Third People's Hospital of Yichang from January 17 to March 29, 2020. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to time from symptoms onset to ICU admission (>7 and ≤7 days) and into 2 groups according to prognosis (survivors and non-survivors). Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, radiological characteristics and treatment data were studied. Compared with patients who admitted to the ICU since symptoms onset ≤7 days (55.6%), patients who admitted to the ICU since symptoms onset >7 days (44.4%) were more likely to have extra-pulmonary complications (19 [95.0%] vs 16 [64.0%], P = .034), including acute kidney injury, cardiac injury, acute heart failure, liver dysfunction, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hyperamylasemia, and hypernatremia. The incidence rates of acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumothorax, and hospital-acquired pneumonia had no difference between the 2 groups. Except activated partial thromboplastin and Na+ concentration, the laboratory findings were worse in group of time from symptoms onset to ICU admission >7 days. There was no difference in mortality between the 2 groups. Of the 45 cases in the ICU, 19 (42.2%) were non-survivors, and 16 (35.6%) were with hospital-acquired pneumonia. Among these non-survivors, hospital-acquired pneumonia was up to 12 (63.2%) besides higher incidence of extra-pulmonary complications. However, hospital-acquired pneumonia occurred in only 4 (15.4%) survivors. Critically ill patients with COVID-19 who admitted to ICU at once might get benefit from intensive care via lower rate of extra-pulmonary complications.
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the clinical effects of aroma inhalation therapy on sleep problems
Authors: Cheong Moon Joo , Kim Sungchul , Kim Jee Su , Lee Hyeryun , Lyu Yeoung-Su , Lee Yu Ra , Jeon Byeonghyeon , Kang Hyung Won
Published: March 2021

Background:

This systematic review investigated the clinical effects of inhalation aromatherapy for the treatment of sleep problems such as insomnia.

Methods:

Studies on sleep problems and inhalation aromatherapy, published in Korean and international journals, were included in the meta-analysis. Five domestic and international databases, respectively each, were used for the literature search. Keywords included sleep disorder, sleep problems, insomnia, and aroma inhalation, and the related literature was further searched. After the screening, selected articles were assessed for their quality and conducted the risk of bias using RevMan 5.0, a systematic literature review was then conducted. A meta-analysis comparing the averages was conducted on studies that reported numerical values. Additionally, meta-analysis of variance and meta-regression analyses were performed.

Results:

Meta-analysis of the 34 studies using the random-effects model revealed that the use of aromatherapy was highly effective in improving sleep problems such as insomnia, including quantitative and qualitative sleep effects (95% confidence interval [CI], effect sizes = 0.6491). Subgroup analysis revealed that the secondary outcomes including stress, depression, anxiety, and fatigue were significantly effective. The single aroma inhalation method was more effective than the mixed aroma inhalation method. Among the single inhalation methods, the lavender inhalation effect was the greatest.

Conclusion:

Inhalation aromatherapy is effective in improving sleep problems such as insomnia. Therefore, it is essential to develop specific guidelines for the efficient inhalation of aromatherapy.

Ethics and dissemination:

Ethical approval is not required because individual patient data are not included. The findings of this systematic review were disseminated through peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number:

CRD42020142120.
Two cases of rt-PA with dual antiplatelet therapies with capsular warning syndrome
Authors: Xue Xiaofan , Zhou Heng , Zhou Lichun
Published: March 2021

Rationale:

Capsular warning syndrome (CWS) is a term to describe stereotyped lacunar transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Patients with CWS are at high risk of developing completed stroke. However, the exact pathophysiology of CWS is still unclear, and there is no conclusive clinical strategy for CWS patients.

Patient symptoms:

Two cases of middle-aged men with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus presented with fluctuating right-sided weakness, numbness, and dysarthria.

Diagnoses:

These two patients were diagnosed with CWS.

Interventions:

Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) intravenous thrombolysis (0.9 mg/kg) was administered first and treated with aspirin (100 mg) and clopidogrel (75 mg) after 24 h of rt-PA for 21 days following by aspirin (100 mg) alone.

Outcomes:

Both cases got favorable clinical outcomes of somatic symptoms. In addition, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI or DW-MRI) showed that ischemic injury disappeared in case 1 while maintained within a reasonable range in case 2.

Lessons:

Early recognition and rt-PA/dual antiplatelet treatment may be an effective strategy for patients with CWS.
Risk factors for brain metastases from non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: He Jinlin , Wang Xiaolei , Xiao Rensen , Zuo Wei , Zhang Wei , Yao Huiming
Published: March 2021

Brain metastasis is a common site of distant metastasis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that greatly reduces the prognosis of patients. In this study, we explored the correlation between different clinical factors and secondary brain metastases in NSCLC in an attempt to identify NSCLC patient populations at high risk of metastasis to the central nervous system.

We collected data for 350 NSCLC patients from the medical record system of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from June 2015 to June 2019, and these patients had pathologically verified diagnoses. The correlations between age at the time of diagnosis, sex, histological type, calcium concentration, hemoglobin (HB), fibrinogen (Fbg), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA125, and CA199 levels and brain metastasis were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for NSCLC brain metastasis. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to calculate the cutoff, sensitivity, and specificity of the independent related factors.

Of the 350 patients, 57 were diagnosed with brain metastases. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that lesion diameter, calcium concentration, and CEA level were independent risk factors correlated with brain metastasis (P < .05). There were no significant differences in age, sex, type of histopathology, presence or absence of mediastinal lymph node metastasis, HB, Fbg, APTT, ALP, cancer antigen 125 (CA-125), or cancer antigen 199 (CA-199) levels between patients with brain metastases and patients without brain metastases (P > .05, respectively). ROC curves demonstrated that these factors had comparable accuracy in predicting brain metastasis (area under the curve [AUCs] were 0.620, 0.661, and 0.729, respectively). The cutoff values for lesion diameter, calcium, and CEA were 5.050 cm, 2.295 mmol/L, and 11.160 ng/mL, respectively. The sensitivities for prediction brain metastasis were 59.6%, 64.9%, and 73.3%, with specificities of 63.1%, 59.2%, and 70.3%, respectively.

According to our study, lesion diameter, calcium concentration, and CEA level are independent risk factors for brain metastases in NSCLC patients. Thus, we can strengthen the regular follow-up of NSCLC patients with tumor diameter > 5.050 cm, calcium > 2.295 mmol/L, CEA > 11.160 ng/mL, and use these factors as a reference for preventive treatments.
Comparison of the treatment results of knee osteoarthritis using adipose tissue mesenchymal stromal cells derived through enzymatic digestion and mechanically fragmented adipose tissue
Authors: Krześniak Anna Maria , Radzimowski Kuba , Stolarczyk Artur
Published: March 2021

Introduction:

Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition that affects daily functioning and decreases the quality of life. There are many ways of treatment depending on the stage of the disease. Advanced cases are qualified for arthroplasty, which is an extensive and demanding surgical procedure. Less advanced stages are treated in various ways: from rehabilitation, through oral and intra-articular pharmacotherapy, to surgical treatment (arthroscopy, osteotomy). Because surgical treatment is risky, scientists focus on less invasive therapeutic methods. The most valuable management is based on regeneration. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) derived from the adipose tissue have a great regenerative and anti-inflammatory potential, therefore an attempt is being made to take advantage of them in knee osteoarthritis treatment.

The study aims to compare the clinical effects of treatment of knee osteoarthritis using adipose tissue MSC obtained by an enzymatic method with the outcomes of the therapy with the mechanically fragmented adipose tissue.

Methods:

One hundred adults with primary knee osteoarthritis will undergo lipoaspiration under sterile conditions. The collected lipoaspirates will be further processed, depending on the randomly assigned group-enzymatically with the use of collagenase or mechanically using the Lipogems system. The preparations will be administered to the patients’ knee joints in the operating room under ultrasound control.

The results of treatment will be assessed using Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, measuring the flexibility of the knee joint, evaluating joint gap in X-ray and the quality of cartilage in magnetic resonance T2-mapping during 1 year after treatment.

Discussion/conclusion:

Identification and functional analysis of the regenerative capacity of adipose-derived MSC depending on three variables (body weight, sex, and age) will help to develop a targeted therapy for different groups of patients and will determine the effectiveness of both methods of treatment. An attempt will be made to identify groups of patients with the greatest regenerative potential of the adipose tissue, and thus indicate those with the most probable improvement of the joint condition.

Trial registration:

This study protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Medical University of Warsaw and registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04675359 (06 Jan 2021)
Effects of programmed death ligand 1 on the prognosis of neuroblastoma
Authors: Wu Zelin , Wei Fenggui , Zou Yawei
Published: March 2021

Background:

Previous studies have investigated the prognostic role of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in patients with neuroblastoma, while the results are still controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to clarify the relationship between the expression of PD-L1 and the prognosis of neuroblastoma.

Methods:

Search electronic databases include PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science, and the search time is set to build the database until January 2021. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to analyze the included results. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 15.0 software.

Results:

This review will be disseminated in print by peer-review.

Conclusion:

The study will provide updated evidence for the evaluation of whether the expression of PD-L1 is associated with poor prognosis in patients with neuroblastoma.

Ethics and dissemination:

The private information from individuals will not be published. This systematic review also should not damage participants’ rights. Ethical approval is not available. The results may be published in a peer-reviewed journal or disseminated in relevant conferences

OSF Registration number:

DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/FBCY6.