bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the Efficacy and Safety of Ivy Leaf (Hedera helix) Cough Syrup Compared with Acetylcysteine in Adults and Children with Acute Bronchitis
Authors: Kruttschnitt Esther , Wegener Tankred , Zahner Catherine , Henzen-Bücking Silke
Published: May 2020

Introduction. Acute bronchitis is defined as a sudden inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lung mainly caused by viral infection. It is characterized by a persistent cough which can be productive or dry. It is the most common disease in industrialized countries, and thus herbal expectorants enjoy a high popularity in many European countries due to their favorable risk‐benefit ratio. Objective. The present noninterventional study was intended to gain further data on the application of a cough syrup containing ivy leaf extract EA 575® by evaluating its efficacy and safety in children and adults with symptoms of acute bronchitis. Acetylcysteine (ACC) was chosen as comparator drug (common mono preparations). Material and Methods. The study was conducted at 25 medical practices throughout Switzerland as prospective, open, noninterventional study. Results. At entry visit, all clinical assessments including coughing fits, sputum, dyspnoea, rales, severity of the diseases, and coughing quality were rated with moderate intensity in both groups. At the final visit after seven days of treatment, there was a comparable improvement in both groups for all assessments except dyspnoea and number of cough attacks which showed a higher improvement in the EA 575® group compared with ACC. Further, cough‐associated sleeping disorders improved more in the EA 575® group. Both, physicians and patients described the efficacy of EA 575® comparable with acetylcysteine. Observations of the tolerability were comparable for both products. The study results indicate that ivy leaf extract might be an effective alternative to acetylcysteine with respect to the improvement of respiratory function in children and adults at a slightly better evaluation of efficacy.
High Accurate Crack Reconstruction Based on an Improved Discontinuous Digital Image Correlation: Subset Restore and Adaptation Method
Authors: Tang Wenzhi , Xiao Hanbin , Chen Chentong
Published: May 2020

Digital image correlation (DIC) is an efficient nondestructive technique for measuring surface displacement in engineering. However, standard DIC is restricted to continuous deformation, and the existing discontinuous DIC (DDIC) techniques are only able to measure small-scale cracks. In this report, a novel subset restore model and a corresponding subset size adaptation algorithm are presented to overcome this limitation for crack-state and displacement field reconstruction for large-scale cracks. The technique introduces a new subset restore method for splicing the segmented subset by tracing the motion trajectory caused by pure discontinuities. The proposed model facilitates the calculation of the rotation angle and the pivot of the subset movement. The subset size adaptation algorithm is designed based on an evaluation of the intensity gradient and correlation coefficient to allow the model to achieve high accuracy. Validation of the approach was performed using two typical crack models, by deforming a numerically synthesized Gaussian speckle image according to the deformation data from finite element analysis (FEA) results and photographing a laboratory tensile test with a high-speed CCD camera, respectively. The results validate the efficacy and high accuracy of the proposed approach compared to standard DIC in the reconstruction of the displacement fields in both continuous and discontinuous regions. The accuracy of resultant displacement reconstruction achieves approximately 0.015 pixels and 0.05 pixels in continuous region and crack vicinity, respectively.
Heat Transfer in Boundary Layer Magneto‐Micropolar Fluids with Temperature‐Dependent Material Properties over a Stretching Sheet
Authors: Fatunmbi Ephesus O. , Okoya Samuel S.
Published: May 2020

The process of heat transfer in boundary layer magneto‐micropolar fluid with temperature‐dependent material properties past a flat stretching sheet in a porous medium is investigated in this study. Two distinct cases of boundary heating conditions are analyzed for the heat transfer in this work, viz., prescribed surface temperature (PST) and prescribed heat flux (PHF). With the aid of similarity conversion analysis, the formulated equations of the flow and heat transfer have been translated into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Subsequently, Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg integration scheme in company of shooting techniques employed to obtain numerical solutions to the reduced equations. The findings are graphically illustrated and discussed in view of the two cases of boundary heating, while the results for the physical quantities of engineering concern are tabulated for various controlling parameters. In the limiting situations, the results generated are compared favourably with the earlier reported data in the literature, while the numerical solutions demonstrate a reduction in the rate of heat transfer and the viscous drag for both PST and PHF conditions with growth in the magnitude of material parameter K.
Learning from Large-Scale Wearable Device Data for Predicting the Epidemic Trend of COVID-19
Authors: Zhu Guokang , Li Jia , Meng Zi , Yu Yi , Li Yanan , Tang Xiao , Dong Yuling , Sun Guangxin , Zhou Rui , Wang Hui , Wang Kongqiao , Huang Wang
Published: May 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered a new response involving public health surveillance. The popularity of personal wearable devices creates a new opportunity for tracking and precaution of spread of such infectious diseases. In this study, we propose a framework, which is based on the heart rate and sleep data collected from wearable devices, to predict the epidemic trend of COVID-19 in different countries and cities. In addition to a physiological anomaly detection algorithm defined based on data from wearable devices, an online neural network prediction modelling methodology combining both detected physiological anomaly rate and historical COVID-19 infection rate is explored. Four models are trained separately according to geographical segmentation, i.e., North China, Central China, South China, and South-Central Europe. The anonymised sensor data from approximately 1.3 million wearable device users are used for model verification. Our experiment's results indicate that the prediction models can be utilized to alert to an outbreak of COVID-19 in advance, which suggests there is potential for a health surveillance system utilising wearable device data.
Analysis of Electromagnetic Force on Rotor End Windings of a 300 MW Variable-Speed Generator Motor for Pumped Storage
Authors: Qiao Zhaowei , Sun Yutian
Published: May 2020

The variable-speed generator motor (VSGM) for pumped storage has a cylindrical rotor with three-phase lap or wave windings distributed in slots evenly and fed by a converter. For a large-scale VSGM, the electromagnetic force (EMF) on rotor end windings is an important contributor to distortion, vibration, and even damage of rotor end windings. A 3D finite element model of rotor end region of a 300 MW VSGM is set up. The distribution map of EMF density on involute and nose parts of rotor end windings, under rated load and three-phase short circuit at supersynchronous and subsynchronous speed, is drawn. Furthermore, the amplitude of EMF is calculated, and the radial, tangential, and axial components of EMF are analyzed. The results in this paper will lay a foundation for design of rotor end windings and their support structure.
Deep Learning for the Classification of Genomic Signals
Authors: Morales J. Alejandro , Saldaña Román , Santana-Castolo Manuel H. , Torres-Cerna Carlos E. , Borrayo Ernesto , Mendizabal-Ruiz Adriana P. , Vélez-Pérez Hugo A. , Mendizabal-Ruiz Gerardo
Published: May 2020

Genomic signal processing (GSP) is based on the use of digital signal processing methods for the analysis of genomic data. Convolutional neural networks (CNN) are the state-of-the-art machine learning classifiers that have been widely applied to solve complex problems successfully. In this paper, we present a deep learning architecture and a method for the classification of three different functional genome types: coding regions (CDS), long noncoding regions (LNC), and pseudogenes (PSD) in genomic data, based on the use of GSP methods to convert the nucleotide sequence into a graphical representation of the information contained in it. The obtained accuracy scores of 83% and 84% when classifying between CDS vs. LNC and CDS vs. PSD, respectively, indicate the feasibility of employing this methodology for the classification of these types of sequences. The model was not able to differentiate from PSD and LNC. Our results indicate the feasibility of employing CNN with GSP for the classification of these types of DNA data.
Multicomponent Nanocomposites for Complex Anticancer Therapy: Effect of Aggregation Processes on Their Efficacy
Authors: Kutsevol Nataliya , Kuziv Yuliia , Bezugla Tetiana , Chumachenko Vasyl , Chekhun Vasyl
Published: May 2020

Multicomponent nanocomposites for anticancer therapy were prepared, characterized, and tested for their antitumor efficacy. The water-soluble star-like dextran-graft-polyacrylamide copolymer was used as a nanoplatform for the creation of polymer-based multicomponent drug delivery systems for photodynamic and combined (photodynamic+chemotherapy) antitumor therapy. The three-component nanocomposites with incorporated gold nanoparticles and photosensitizer and the four-component ones additionally loaded by Doxorubicin into polymer nanoplatform were studied at 25 and 37°C by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Nanocomposites were tested for their photodynamic cytotoxicity for the cell line of breast cancer MCF-7/S. Three-component nanocomposites demonstrated higher efficacy than the four-component ones. The decrease in the activity of the four-component systems is explained by the aggregation process caused by the introduction of an additional component, which leads to a decrease in the hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance of the polymer macromolecule.
An Efficient Integrity Verification and Authentication Scheme over the Remote Data in the Public Clouds for Mobile Users
Authors: Ganesh S. Milton , Manikandan S. P.
Published: May 2020

The digitalization of the modern world and its applications seem to be integrated more with the mobile phones than with any other communication devices. Since the mobile phones have become ubiquitous with applications for nearly all users, they have become a preferred choice for uploading the sensitive information to the cloud servers. Though the drive for data storage in cloud servers is implicit due to its pay-per-use policies, the manipulation of the data present in the cloud servers by hackers and hardware failure incidents, as happened in Amazon cloud servers in 2011, necessitates the demand for data verification at regular intervals over the data stored in the remote servers. In this line, modern day researchers have proposed many novel schemes for ensuring the remote data integrity, but they suffer from attacks or overheads due to computation and communication. This research paper provides solutions in three dimensions. Firstly, a novel scheme is introduced to verify the integrity of the data stored in the remote cloud servers in the context of mobile users. The second dimension is that of reducing the computational and communication overheads during the auditing process than the previous works. The third dimension securely authenticates the mobile user during the auditing process and the dynamic data operations such as block modification, insertion, and deletion. Moreover, the proposed protocol is provably secure exhibiting soundness, completeness, and data privacy making it an ideal scheme for implementation in the real-world applications.
Does Smoking Cessation at Primary Diagnosis Reduce the Recurrence Risk of Nonmuscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer? Results of a Prospective Study
Authors: Serretta Vincenzo , Di Maida Fabrizio , Baiamonte Davide , Vella Marco , Pavone Carlo , Cacciatore Loris , Valerio Maria Rosaria , Scalici Gesolfo Cristina , Sanfilippo Chiara
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Evidence that smoking cessation at first diagnosis of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) reduces the risk of recurrence is lacking. The aim of our prospective study was to analyze the association between patients’ changes in smoking habits after diagnosis and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Patients: After transurethral resection of primary NMIBC, patients were classified as “ex-smokers,” i.e., those definitively stopping, and as “active smokers,” i.e., those continuing or restarting to smoke. Smoking status was reassessed every 3 months during the first year and every 6 months thereafter. Data on patients’ demographics, smoking status, tumor characteristics, treatments, and follow-up were collected. Statistical analysis was performed adopting SPSS 15.0.1 and R3.4.2 software. Results: Out of 194 patients, 67 (34.5%) quit smoking after the diagnosis, while 127 (65.5%) did not. The clinical and pathological characteristics were homogeneously distributed. At a median follow-up of 38 months, 106 patients (54.6%) recurred, 33 (49.2%) ex- and 73 (60.3%) active smokers with a 3-year RFS of 42.3 and 50.7%, respectively (p = 0.55). No statistically significant association between recurrence, pathological features of the primary tumor, and patient smoking habits after diagnosis was detected. Results were not statistically influenced by the intensity (cigarette/day) and duration (years) of smoking. In multivariate analysis, cigarette smoking cessation at diagnosis did not significantly reduce tumor recurrence. Conclusion: In our prospective study, more than half of our patients recurred at 3 years. In multivariate analysis, smoking cessation did not significantly reduce tumor recurrence. However, the 8.4% reduction in favor of the ex-smokers suggests the need of larger studies with longer follow-ups. Surprisingly, only 35% of smokers definitively quit after diagnosis. The urologists should play a more active role to persuade the patients to stop smoking at first cancer diagnosis.
Tenofovir Treatment Has Lower Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma than Entecavir Treatment in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Hairong , Shi Yu , Hayden John C. , Ryan Paul M. , Rahmani Jamal , Yu Guangsheng
Published: May 2020

Purpose: Tenofovir (TDF) and entecavir (ETV) are both equally recommended as first-line treatments for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). They have comparable efficacy in virologic response, but their effect on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in CHB is controversial. Therefore, we aimed to compare TDF and ETV evaluating the risk of HCC development in CHB patients. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted up to November 2019 in MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases without language and time restrictions. DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models were used to estimate combined hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs. Results: Seven studies containing 35,785 participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled HR (95% CI) of HCC in the patients who used TDF versus patients who used ETV was 0.75 (0.56–0.96). There was no significant heterogeneity detected among the included studies results (I2 = 47.5%). There was no significant publication bias detected among the included studies (Begg’s p = 0.88 and Egger’s regression test p = 0.96). Conclusions: Evidence to date suggests that TDF treatment is associated with significantly fewer cases of HCC when compared to ETV.
Impact of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment on Work-Related Life and Financial Factors
Authors: Richter-Ehrenstein Christiane , Martinez-Pader Julia
Published: May 2020

Background: Survival rates of breast cancer patients are high, and the majority of women is <65 years old when first treated for breast cancer. The aim of our study is to assess work-related life factors and analyze the financial opportunities of breast cancer survivors and how this is reflected in the general quality of their lives. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, hospital-based monocentric questionnaire study of women diagnosed with breast cancer. Recruitment was carried out from January to March 2011 for women diagnosed with and treated for primary breast cancer between 2005 and 2010 at Charité University Hospital Berlin. Results: The study included 492 breast cancer patients without recurrence. In total, 81.3% of the women returned to work, and 30.2% of the women felt a reduction of financial opportunities. Financial problems were named by at least 20% of the patients as being the main cause for a reduced quality of life. Conclusion: Long-term, disease-free breast cancer survivors reported a significant change in their work-related factors as well as changes in their financial opportunities.
Suprascapular Artery Aneurysm Secondary to Severe Shoulder Joint Osteoarthritis
Authors: Summers Timothy Kyle , Sookhoo Benjamin Derick , Stumpo Lorie , Parada Stephen A.
Published: May 2020

Aneurysms of the thyrocervical trunk and collateral branches are rarely encountered. Upon literature review, no documented cases of a suprascapular artery aneurysm resulting from osteoarthritis have been previously described. A 64-year-old female was found to have focal aneurysmal formation within the suprascapular artery. The extensive osteoarthritic changes to the glenoid, including medialization of her joint line, is hypothesized to have led to arterial injury and the observed aneurysm formation. Chronic mechanical stress on small vessels from abnormal bony contact in the setting of osteoarthritis can lead to aneurysmal formation. Arthritis as a cause of aneurysm formation in collateral vessels of the thyrocervical trunk has not been previously described.
The tadpole of Hypsiboas pombali (Caramaschi, Pimenta & Feio, 2004) (Anura, Hylidae)
Authors: JUNCÁ FLORA ACUÑA , CAMURUGI FELIPE , DE ALMEIDA MERCÊS EDNEI
Published: May 2020

Hypsiboas pombali is, on the basis of its morphological similarity to H. semilineatus (Caramaschi et al. 2004), one of the six species of the clade H. semilineatus group (Faivovich et al. 2005). Here, we described the external morphology of the previously unknown tadpole of Hypsiboas pombali.
Neuromuscular Blocking Agents and Reversal Agents Among Hospitalized Children: A Cerner Database Study
Authors: Zhong Wenjun , Liu Xinyue , Bash Lori D. , Bortnichak Ed , Horrow Jay , Koro Carol
Published: May 2020

Background: Sugammadex (Bridion) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2015 for the reversal of neuromuscular block (NMB) induced by rocuronium and vecuronium bromide in adults undergoing surgery and approved for use in both adults and children in the European Union in 2008. Sugammadex use in children has been reported in the United States, but to what extent is not clear. Aims: The aim was to describe the utilization pattern of NMB agents and factors associated with the use of reversal agents (neostigmine and sugammadex) in US children. Methods: Cross-sectional study of children with exposure to NMB agents between 2015 and 2017 in the Cerner Health Facts® database, which is an electronic health record (EHR) database across 600 facilities in the United States. Logistic regression estimated factors associated with the use of sugammadex vs neostigmine. Results: A total of 27 094 pediatric clinical encounters were exposed to neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs), in which 21 845 were exposed to rocuronium (76%), vecuronium (18%), or both (6%). Among children with exposure to rocuronium and vecuronium, the use of sugammadex was 1.7% in 2016 and 7.6% in 2017. The multivariable logistic model suggested that children who were older (age 12-17 years vs 0-1 year; odds ratio [OR] 1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-2.83), Hispanic or Latino ethnicity and other ethnicities (vs non-Hispanic or Latino; OR 2.03 and 1.56; 95% CI, 1.55-2.67 and 1.15-2.13, respectively), in teaching facilities (OR 1.26; 95% CI, 1.00-1.59), or admitted through emergency departments (OR 1.65; 95% CI, 1.06-2.58) were independently more likely to receive sugammadex than neostigmine after controlling for other covariates. Conclusions: In Cerner Health Facts database 2015 to 2017, among children, rocuronium was more commonly used than vecuronium, and sugammadex use was observed since 2016. Sugammadex and neostigmine users varied by demographic, clinical, and site-level characteristics.
Effect of multiple matrix cracking on crack bridging of fiber reinforced engineered cementitious composite
Authors: Zheng Xuan , Zhang Jun , Wang Zhenbo
Published: May 2020

In the present paper, a modified micromechanics based model that describes the crack bridging stress in randomly oriented discontinuous fiber reinforced engineered cementitious composite is developed. In the model, effect of multiple matrix cracking on fiber embedded length, which in turn influencing fiber bridging in the composite, is taken into consideration. First, crack spacing of high strength-low shrinkage engineered cementitious composite was experimentally determined by photographing the specimen surface at some given loading points during uniaxial tensile test. The diagram of average cracking spacing and loading time of each composite is obtained based on above data. Then, fiber bridging model is modified by introducing a revised fiber embedment length as a function of crack spacing. The model is verified with uniaxial tensile test on both tensile strength and crack opening. Good agreement between model and test results is obtained. The modified model can be used in design and prediction of tensile properties of fiber reinforced cementitious composites with characteristics of multiple matrix cracking.
Workplace location and the quality of work: The case of urban-based workers in the UK
Authors: Wheatley Daniel
Published: May 2020

Recent growth in flexible work which is detached from traditional urban workplaces, including homeworking, mobile working and forms of self-employment (gig work), has increased interest in the quality of work. This article compares job quality indicators between urban-based workers in standard (employer/business premises) and non-standard (homeworking, driving/travelling, mobile working) workplaces. Multinomial logistic regression is applied to UK panel data from four waves (2010–2011, 2012–2013, 2014–2015, 2016–2017) of the Understanding Society study. The analysis finds that urban-based employees working at home, predominantly in highly skilled occupations, have jobs which exhibit a number of characteristics of good work. Self-employed homeworkers, more often women, have lower job quality but leisure satisfaction benefits. Mobile working jobs offer greater spatial and temporal flexibility and job satisfaction, but also exhibit lower quality characteristics evident of trade-offs and divisions between forms of mobile work. Driving/travelling jobs exhibit lower job quality characteristics, especially among self-employed urban-based workers.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Racial Basis for Interstate Highways and Urban Renewal
Authors: Retzlaff Rebecca
Published: May 2020

This article analyzes how Interstate Highways were used in Montgomery, Alabama, to maintain racial hierarchies during the civil rights movement, how the routing of Interstate Highways through Montgomery changed over time, and the connections between Interstate Highway routing and the racially volatile political environment after the Montgomery Bus Boycott. To address these issues, the article analyzes the planning of the Interstate Highways and the Urban Renewal areas in the city. The article concludes that highway engineering in Montgomery took a more racially motivated turn after the Bus Boycott with the rise of a racially charged political environment in 1959.
Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation Therapy in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Byun Young Jae , Yan Flora , Nguyen Shaun A. , Lentsch Eric J.
Published: May 2020

Objective

To evaluate the treatment efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Data Sources

Primary studies were identified though PubMed, Scopus, OVID, and Cochrane Library.

Review Methods

Systematic review was conducted by querying databases for articles published through July 2019. The search identified randomized controlled trial, randomized comparison, or observational studies pertaining to TENS treatment for OSA. Meta‐analysis was performed on pre‐ and posttreatment apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI), mean oxygen saturation (SaO2), lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT), and arousal index (AI).

Results

Literature search identified 10 studies that reported sufficient outcome measures to be considered for analysis. A total of 198 patients were identified with a mean age of 50.9 years with a male to female ratio of 1.6:1. Average body mass index (BMI) of the cohort was 29.8 kg/m2. Treatment with TENS demonstrated reduction in AHI by 12.9 points (95% confidence interval, −22.3 to −3.43;P=. 008). The mean differences in SaO2, LSAT, and AI did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

The TENS treatment of upper airway dilator muscles resulted in reduction of AHI in patients with OSA. However, its effects on SaO2, LSAT, and AI were equivocal. Its impact on patients’ quality of life could not be assessed due to heterogeneity in outcome measures. Future randomized controlled trials with generalizable standardized outcome measures are needed to assess the efficacy and compliance of TENS.
Upholding the Tripartite Mission in Times of Crisis: Purpose and Perseverance in the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Standiford Taylor , Shuman Andrew G. , Fessell David , Brenner Michael J. , Bradford Carol R.
Published: May 2020

Academic otolaryngology has historically comprised a tripartite mission of research, education, and clinical care. This mission is greatly strained by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Research laboratories are fallow, surgical cases are deferred, and clerkships are canceled. Otolaryngologists are adapting to new circumstances ranging from virtual patient care to urgent procedures in protective gear to deployment to provisional field hospitals. Amid these operational challenges, the specialty is demonstrating extraordinary resilience and grit, discovering new ways to serve learners, colleagues, and communities. Statements from leaders in otolaryngology reveal selfless acts and purposefulness. Necessity has spurred innovation in education, science, and novel models of care. Paragons strike notes of hope, inspiring us to persevere and serve. This commentary explores the present challenges and offers a vision for upholding the academic mission.
COVID‐19 and the Widening Gap in Health Inequity
Authors: Krouse Helene J.
Published: May 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has brought to light significant health inequities that have existed in our society for decades. Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and immigrants are the populations most likely to experience disparities related to burden of disease, health care, and health outcomes. Increasingly, national and state statistics on COVID‐19 report disproportionately higher mortality rates in blacks. There has never been a more pressing time for us to enact progressive and far‐reaching changes in social, economic, and political policies that will shape programs aimed at improving the health of all people living in the United States.
Otolaryngologists’ Role in Redeployment During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Commentary
Authors: Shipchandler Taha Z. , Nesemeier B. Ryan , Schmalbach Cecelia E. , Ting Jonathan Y.
Published: May 2020

As otolaryngologists, we identify as subspecialists and fellowship‐trained surgeons and may even identify as “super‐subspecialists.” The likelihood of being redeployed and drawing from knowledge learned during our postgraduate year 1 training seemed exceedingly unlikely until physician resources became scarce in some health care systems during the COVID‐19 pandemic. More now than ever, it is evident that our broad training is valuable in helping patients and allowing the otolaryngologist to meaningfully contribute to the larger health care community, especially while the majority (70%‐95%) of elective care is delayed. With our skill set, otolaryngologists are poised to support various aspects of hospital wards, intensive care units, emergency departments, and beyond.
Book review: Suchandra Ghosh, From the Oxus to the Indus: A Political and Cultural Study, c. 300 BCE to c. 100 BCE
Authors: Shrimali Krishna Mohan
Published: May 2020

Suchandra Ghosh, From the Oxus to the Indus: A Political and Cultural Study, c. 300 BCE to c. 100 BCE, Primus Books, Delhi, 2017, xviii + 178 pp., ₹1150 (Hardback).
Book review: Arupjyoti Saikia, A Century of Protests: Peasant Politics in Assam Since 1900
Authors: Behal Rana P.
Published: May 2020

Arupjyoti Saikia, A Century of Protests: Peasant Politics in Assam Since 1900, Routledge, New Delhi, 2014, 480 pp., ₹1495 (Hardback).
Book review: Sumbul Halim Khan, Art and Craft Workshops under the Mughals
Authors: Subodh Sanjay
Published: May 2020

Sumbul Halim Khan, Art and Craft Workshops under the Mughals, Primus Books, Delhi, 2015, viii + 128 pp., ₹750 (Hardback).
Practice and evaluation of enrichment programs for the gifted and talented learners
Authors: Chen Wei-Ren , Chen Mei-Fang
Published: May 2020

The ultimate goal of gifted education programs is to cultivate students’ competences through challenging, enriching, and engaging opportunities for talent development. The purpose of this review is to present two main approaches of enrichment programs for gifted learners in Taiwan: the programs following the law and the alternative programs initiated by local authorities, private organizations, and researchers. The rationale and practice of program evaluation are also discussed to analyze Taiwan’s gifted education program logics and qualities to reflect on the development of these programs. Finally, the prospects of program design and evaluation are proposed: (a) defining the criteria for success or effectiveness, (b) selecting or developing valid and reliable measurement tools and strategies, (c) conducting long-term evaluation plans and follow-up studies, and (d) promoting evidence-based decision-making in gifted education.
Navigation of the paradoxical landscape of the family business
Authors: McAdam Maura , Clinton Eric , Dibrell Clay
Published: May 2020

The aim of this special issue is to enhance knowledge and understanding of the distinctive, paradoxical landscape of the family business. In particular, it investigates the strategies used by family businesses to manage such tensions and to navigate this landscape where numerous paradoxes relating to family businesses have been identified. Moores and Barrett provide an overview of this distinctive, paradoxical landscape, which comprised a systematic literature review of 203 items spanning an eighteen-year period. After a rigorous reviewing process, three papers were selected for inclusion in this special issue, namely, Radu-Lefebvre and Randerson; Helvert-Beugels, Flören and Nordqvist; and Discua Cruz, which accumulatively improve our understanding of the antecedents, consequences and dynamic processes of paradoxical tensions within a family business. Finally, future research directions which acknowledge the family businesses as ageless, mindful, intuitive, collaborative and paradoxical are provided.
Clonal evolution of AML1-ETO coexisting with BCR-ABL and additional chromosome abnormalities in a blastic transformation of chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Ma Cheng-Cheng , Chai Ye , Chen Hui ling , Wang Xin , Gao Ying , Hu Wan li , Xiang Xue
Published: May 2020

Blast crisis develops in a minority of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia even in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Reports suggest that we know little about the mechanism of BCR-ABL and AML1-ETO co-expression in blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia, and that other chromosomal abnormalities also coexist. Here, we document an unusual and interesting case of a 51-year-old female diagnosed in the chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia. After undergoing TKI treatment for 3 months, her bone marrow aspirates in the chronic phase had transformed to blast crisis. Molecular genetic testing indicated she was positive for p210 form of BCR-ABL (copy number decreased from 108.91% to 56.96%) and AML1-ETO fusion (copy number, 5.65%) genes and had additional chromosomal abnormalities of t(8; 21)(q22; q22)/t(9; 22)(q34; q11), t(2; 5)(p24; q13) and an additional +8 chromosome.
Clinical outcomes of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion via a novel tubular retractor
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhang Yaqing , Chong Fanli , Zhou Yue , Huang Bo
Published: May 2020

Objective

To assess the feasibility and clinical results of microscopic minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) using a novel tapered tubular retractor that preserves the multifidus.

Method

A total of 122 patients underwent MIS-TLIF using a tapered tubular retractor system from March 2016 to August 2017. Perioperative parameters and follow-up outcomes were reviewed.

Results

The follow-up period was 23.95 ± 1.43 months. The operative time averaged 130.48 ± 34.44 minutes. The estimated blood loss was 114.10 ± 96.70 mL. The mean time until ambulation was 16.33 ± 6.29 hours. The average visual analogue scale (leg/waist) and Oswestry Disability Index scores (preoperative to last follow-up) improved from 4.93 ± 2.68/3.74 ± 2.28 to 0.34 ± 0.77/0.64 ± 0.74 and from 59.09% ± 22.34 to 17.04% ± 8.49, respectively. At the last follow-up, 98.36% of the patients achieved solid fusion. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in two cases. The asymptote of the surgeon’s learning curve occurred at the 25th case. There were no significant differences between the preoperative qualitative and quantitative analyses of multifidus muscle fatty infiltration and those at the final follow-up.

Conclusion

MIS-TLIF can be performed safely and effectively using this tapered tubular retractor system, which helps preserve the multifidus.
Exploration of the role of serum ghrelin in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive tract malignancies
Authors: Zhu Changzhen , Liu Yuqin , Kang Weiming , Zhang Zimu , Zeng Ziyang , Liu Dong
Published: May 2020

Objective

The incidence of digestive tract malignancies (DTMs) is increasing, early diagnosis is limited, and treatment effects are unsatisfactory. DTMs express ghrelin, which might be involved in tumor formation and development; whether serum ghrelin can provide useful guidance remains unknown.

Methods

Sera of healthy individuals were obtained from October 2017 through March 2018; serum samples from patients with gastric (GC), colon (CC), and rectal (RC) cancers were collected during the same period. Serum ghrelin was tested by ELISA and correlated with clinicopathology of patients with DTMs.

Results

Serum ghrelin was higher in patients (GC, 38 patients; CC, 24; RC, 26) than in 69 healthy individuals and decreased significantly after tumor resection. Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 score and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio affected perioperative serum ghrelin levels. The epithelial cell marker AE1/AE3 (pan keratin) in patients with GC, tumor location in the colon in patients with CC, and age in patients with RC also affected perioperative serum ghrelin.

Conclusions

Serum ghrelin might provide early warning of occurrence and guide prognosis of DTMs. Ghrelin can be used when screening for nutritional risk and inflammation. The clinicopathological influence on serum ghrelin in patients with DTMs is related to tumor location in the digestive tract.
Inflammation as a risk factor for stroke in atrial fibrillation: data from a microarray data analysis
Authors: Li Yingyuan , Tan Wulin , Ye Fang , Wen Shihong , Hu Rong , Cai Xiaoying , Wang Kebing , Wang Zhongxing
Published: May 2020

Objective

Stroke is a severe complication of atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to discover key genes and microRNAs related to stroke risk in patients with AF using bioinformatics analysis.

Methods

GSE66724 microarray data, including peripheral blood samples from eight patients with AF and stroke and eight patients with AF without stroke, were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between AF patients with and without stroke were identified using the GEO2R online tool. Functional enrichment analysis was performed using the DAVID database. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was obtained using the STRING database. MicroRNAs (miRs) targeting these DEGs were obtained from the miRNet database. A miR–DEG network was constructed using Cytoscape software.

Results

We identified 165 DEGs (141 upregulated and 24 downregulated). Enrichment analysis showed enrichment of certain inflammatory processes. The miR–DEG network revealed key genes, including MEF2A, CAND1, PELI1, and PDCD4, and microRNAs, including miR-1, miR-1-3p, miR-21, miR-21-5p, miR-192, miR-192-5p, miR-155, and miR-155-5p.

Conclusion

Dysregulation of certain genes and microRNAs involved in inflammation may be associated with a higher risk of stroke in patients with AF. Evaluating these biomarkers could improve prediction, prevention, and treatment of stroke in patients with AF.
PD-L1 expression level in different thymoma stages and thymic carcinoma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Hua-Fei , Wu Li-Xin , Li Xiao-Feng , Zhu You-Cai , Pan Wei-Wei , Wang Wen-Xian , Xu Chun-Wei , Huang Jian-Hui , Wu Min-Hua , Du Kai-Qi
Published: May 2020

Background:

The immune checkpoint ligand, programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1), is expressed in various tumors and associated with response to drugs that target programmed cell death protein 1. Previous studies have estimated the level of PD-L1 expression among different stages of thymoma and thymic carcinoma to evaluate its potential use as a diagnostic factor; however, its varying expression level has been problematic. We conducted this meta-analysis of published literature to evaluate PD-L1 expression in thymomas and thymic carcinomas.

Methods:

We analyzed 12 studies that included 320 patients with type A/AB/B1 thymoma, 225 patients with type B2/B3 thymoma, and 180 patients with thymic carcinoma.

Results:

No difference in PD-L1 expression level was found between the B2/B3 vs C groups (odds ratio [OR], 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26, 1.76; p = 0.42). However, the heterogeneity was very high ( I2 = 78%), and a significant difference was found between groups A/AB/B1 and B2/B3 (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.12, 0.41; p < 0.001), with a relatively low heterogeneity ( I2 = 55%).

Conclusion:

PD-L1 positivity might be a useful factor to differentiate type A/AB/B1 thymoma from type B2/B3 and thymic carcinoma. This result might be valuable for potential anti PD-L1 treatment in thymoma and thymic carcinoma.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With and Without Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis: 19-Year Clinical and Radiological Follow-up
Authors: Castoldi Marie , Magnussen Robert A. , Gunst Stanislas , Batailler Cécile , Neyret Philippe , Lustig Sébastien , Servien Elvire
Published: May 2020

Background:

Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) with a bone–patellar tendon–bone graft (BTB) is a reliable surgical option for the control of anterior knee laxity after ACL injury. The addition of a lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) may improve control of rotation knee laxity and improve short-term graft survival in high-risk patients.

Purpose:

The aims of this study were to compare long-term patient-reported outcomes, graft survival, and risk of osteoarthritis between ACLR with and without LET.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

This study included 121 consecutive knees (120 patients) presenting to a single center with an ACL rupture between 1998 and 1999. In total, 61 knees were randomized to an isolated BTB ACLR, and 60 knees were randomized to a BTB ACLR with an extra-articular lateral tenodesis with gracilis tendon (modified Lemaire).

Results:

Eighty knees in 79 patients (66%) were available for follow-up at a postoperative mean of 19.4 years (range, 19-20.2). Of those patients, 43 had a clinical examination and completed patient-reported outcome questionnaires, and the other 37 patients were evaluated through the questionnaires alone. Standard radiographs were available for 45 patients and laximetry (TELOS) for 42 patients. Mean subjective International Knee Documentation Committee score at last follow-up was 81.8, and no differences were noted between the BTB and BTB-LET groups ( P = .7). Two-thirds of patients were still participating in pivoting sports. A total of 17 knees (21%) experienced a graft failure, 5 of which (6%) underwent revision ACLR. There was no significant difference in graft failure risk between the BTB group (29%) and the BTB-LET group (13%; P = .1). Lateral tibiofemoral osteoarthritis was significantly more frequent in the BTB-LET group (59%) as compared with the BTB group (22%; P = .02). Lateral compartment osteoarthritis was correlated with partial lateral meniscectomy.

Conclusion:

There were no significant differences in long-term patient-reported outcomes after ACLR with or without an LET. LET may increase the risk of lateral compartment osteoarthritis at long-term follow-up. There was a trend toward decreased graft failure risk with the addition of LET but this study was underpowered to assess this outcome.
Built Environment and Frailty: Neighborhood Perceptions and Associations With Frailty, Experience From the Nagoya Longitudinal Study
Authors: Martins Beatriz A. , Visvanathan Renuka , Barrie Helen R. , Huang Chi Hsien , Matsushita Eiji , Okada Kiwako , Satake Shosuke , Edwards Suzanne , Uno Chiharu , Kuzuya Masafumi
Published: May 2020

Neighborhood physical characteristics have been consistently associated with the health of older adults. This article investigates links between frailty and perceptions of the neighborhood environment. Using a cross-sectional analysis of 370 community-dwelling older adults from Nagoya, Japan, neighborhood perceptions were assessed using the Neighborhood Environmental Walkability Scale (NEWS) in addition to frailty, using a frailty index. Frailty was associated with the NEWS composite index, land use mix diversity, land use mix access, street connectivity, walking infrastructure, aesthetics, and crime safety, after adjustment for covariates. Older adults with increasing frailty have poorer perceptions of their neighborhoods, which could lead to further constriction of the life-space, less social and physical engagement, and worsening of frailty status.
The Influence of Household Pension Wealth, Partner’s Health and Spousal Employment Status on Heterogeneous Early Retirement Transitions among Women in England
Authors: Prattley Jennifer , Chandola Tarani
Published: May 2020

Continued employment in later life is important for economic well-being and health, and is a key policy issue. However, existing models of the determinants of extended working life do not provide a detailed account of coupled women’s early retirement patterns in the United Kingdom. This article uses data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing to show that partnered women aged between 50 and 59 do not adjust the timing of their labour force exit according to the level of pension wealth the couple has accrued. A retired or inactive spouse, caring obligations and poor health accelerate employment exit. Moreover, the odds of an involuntary exit from the labour force, where women have limited control or choice over the timing, are higher for women in lower pension wealth households than those in high wealth families, and among women with inactive rather than retired partners.
Can pollution charges reform promote industrial SO2 emissions reduction?—Evidence from 189 China’s cities
Authors: Gao Da , Li Yi , Yang Qiuyue
Published: May 2020

This paper evaluates the real effects of pollution charges reform on [Formula: see text] emissions at the city level. Using the establishment of Comprehensive Work Plan for Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction (The Plan) in China as a quasi-natural experiment, our difference-in-differences estimation shows that: (1) increasing pollution charges has a significant and positive effect on controlling industrial waste [Formula: see text], and this relationship is robust to different specifications and alternative measures; (2) [Formula: see text] emissions can be reduced to achieve reduction targets by forcing companies to strengthen the degree of process production controls and end-of-pipe treatment; (3) eastern and western cities have a better pollution control effect than the other regions, and large cities have better emission reduction effects than smaller cities. Overall, this paper sorts out the evolution of China’s pollution charge policy, and reveals the mechanisms behind the real effects of pollution charges reform on [Formula: see text] emissions, thus providing timely implications for policymakers concerned with environmental protection.
A generalization of functional clustering for discrete multivariate longitudinal data
Authors: Lim Yaeji , Cheung Ying Kuen , Oh Hee-Seok
Published: May 2020

This paper presents a new model-based generalized functional clustering method for discrete longitudinal data, such as multivariate binomial and Poisson distributed data. For this purpose, we propose a multivariate functional principal component analysis (MFPCA)-based clustering procedure for a latent multivariate Gaussian process instead of the original functional data directly. The main contribution of this study is two-fold: modeling of discrete longitudinal data with the latent multivariate Gaussian process and developing of a clustering algorithm based on MFPCA coupled with the latent multivariate Gaussian process. Numerical experiments, including real data analysis and a simulation study, demonstrate the promising empirical properties of the proposed approach.
Who Comes to Mind? Dynamic Construction of Social Networks
Authors: Bayer Joseph B. , Lewis Neil A. , Stahl Jonathan L.
Published: May 2020

Much remains unknown about moment-to-moment social-network cognition—that is, who comes to mind as we go about our day-to-day lives. Responding to this void, we describe the real-time construction of cognitive social networks. First, we outline the types of relational structures that comprise momentary networks, distinguishing the roles of personal relationships, social groups, and mental sets. Second, we discuss the cognitive mechanisms that determine which individuals are activated—and which are neglected—through a dynamic process. Looking forward, we contend that these overlooked mechanisms need to be considered in light of emerging network technologies. Finally, we chart the next steps for understanding social-network cognition across real-world contexts, along with the built-in implications for social resources and intergroup disparities.