bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
miRNA normalization enables joint analysis of several datasets to increase sensitivity and to reveal novel miRNAs differentially expressed in breast cancer
Authors: Ben-Elazar Shay , Aure Miriam Ragle , Jonsdottir Kristin , Leivonen Suvi-Katri , Kristensen Vessela N. , Janssen Emiel A. M. , Kleivi Sahlberg Kristine , Lingjærde Ole Christian , Yakhini Zohar
Published: February 2021

Different miRNA profiling protocols and technologies introduce differences in the resulting quantitative expression profiles. These include differences in the presence (and measurability) of certain miRNAs. We present and examine a method based on quantile normalization, Adjusted Quantile Normalization (AQuN), to combine miRNA expression data from multiple studies in breast cancer into a single joint dataset for integrative analysis. By pooling multiple datasets, we obtain increased statistical power, surfacing patterns that do not emerge as statistically significant when separately analyzing these datasets. To merge several datasets, as we do here, one needs to overcome both technical and batch differences between these datasets. We compare several approaches for merging and jointly analyzing miRNA datasets. We investigate the statistical confidence for known results and highlight potential new findings that resulted from the joint analysis using AQuN. In particular, we detect several miRNAs to be differentially expressed in estrogen receptor (ER) positive versus ER negative samples. In addition, we identify new potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for both clinical groups. As a specific example, using the AQuN-derived dataset we detect hsa-miR-193b-5p to have a statistically significant over-expression in the ER positive group, a phenomenon that was not previously reported. Furthermore, as demonstrated by functional assays in breast cancer cell lines, overexpression of hsa-miR-193b-5p in breast cancer cell lines resulted in decreased cell viability in addition to inducing apoptosis. Together, these observations suggest a novel functional role for this miRNA in breast cancer. Packages implementing AQuN are provided for Python and Matlab:https://github.com/YakhiniGroup/PyAQN.
Pathways of calcium regulation, electron transport, and mitochondrial protein translation are molecular signatures of susceptibility to recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis in Thoroughbred racehorses
Authors: Aldrich Kennedy , Velez-Irizarry Deborah , Fenger Clara , Schott Melissa , Valberg Stephanie J.
Published: February 2021

Recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) is a chronic muscle disorder of unknown etiology in racehorses. A potential role of intramuscular calcium (Ca2+) dysregulation in RER has led to the use of dantrolene to prevent episodes of rhabdomyolysis. We examined differentially expressed proteins (DEP) and gene transcripts (DEG) in gluteal muscle of Thoroughbred race-trained mares after exercise among three groups of 5 horses each; 1) horses susceptible to, but not currently experiencing rhabdomyolysis, 2) healthy horses with no history of RER (control), 3) RER-susceptible horses treated with dantrolene pre-exercise (RER-D). Tandem mass tag LC/MS/MS quantitative proteomics and RNA-seq analysis (FDR <0.05) was followed by gene ontology (GO) and semantic similarity of enrichment terms. Of the 375 proteins expressed, 125 were DEP in RER-susceptible versus control, with 52 ↑DEP mainly involving Ca2+regulation (N = 11) (e.g. RYR1, calmodulin, calsequestrin, calpain), protein degradation (N = 6), antioxidants (N = 4), plasma membranes (N = 3), glyco(geno)lysis (N = 3) and 21 DEP being blood-borne. ↓DEP (N = 73) were largely mitochondrial (N = 45) impacting the electron transport system (28), enzymes (6), heat shock proteins (4), and contractile proteins (12) including Ca2+binding proteins. There were 812 DEG in RER-susceptible versus control involving the electron transfer system, the mitochondrial transcription/translational response and notably the pro-apoptotic Ca2+-activated mitochondrial membrane transition pore (SLC25A27,BAX,ATP5subunits). Upregulated mitochondrial DEG frequently had downregulation of their encoded DEP with semantic similarities highlighting signaling mechanisms regulating mitochondrial protein translation. RER-susceptible horses treated with dantrolene, which slows sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+release, showed no DEG compared to control horses. We conclude that RER-susceptibility is associated with alterations in proteins, genes and pathways impacting myoplasmic Ca2+regulation, the mitochondrion and protein degradation with opposing effects on mitochondrial transcriptional/translational responses and mitochondrial protein content. RER could potentially arise from excessive sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+release and subsequent mitochondrial buffering of excessive myoplasmic Ca2+.
Experimental warming influences species abundances in a Drosophila host community through direct effects on species performance rather than altered competition and parasitism
Authors: Thierry Mélanie , Pardikes Nicholas A. , Lue Chia-Hua , Lewis Owen T. , Hrček Jan
Published: February 2021

Global warming is expected to have direct effects on species through their sensitivity to temperature, and also via their biotic interactions, with cascading indirect effects on species, communities, and entire ecosystems. To predict the community-level consequences of global climate change we need to understand the relative roles of both the direct and indirect effects of warming. We used a laboratory experiment to investigate how warming affects a tropical community of three species of Drosophila hosts interacting with two species of parasitoids over a single generation. Our experimental design allowed us to distinguish between the direct effects of temperature on host species performance, and indirect effects through altered biotic interactions (competition among hosts and parasitism by parasitoid wasps). Although experimental warming significantly decreased parasitism for all host-parasitoid pairs, the effects of parasitism and competition on host abundances and host frequencies did not vary across temperatures. Instead, effects on host relative abundances were species-specific, with one host species dominating the community at warmer temperatures, irrespective of parasitism and competition treatments. Our results show that temperature shaped a Drosophila host community directly through differences in species’ thermal performance, and not via its influences on biotic interactions.
Universal barcoding regions, rbcL, matK and trnH-psbA do not discriminate Cinnamomum species in Sri Lanka
Authors: Chandrasekara C. H. W. M. R. Bhagya , Naranpanawa D. Nathasha U. , Bandusekara B. Supun , Pushpakumara D. K. N. G. , Wijesundera D. Siril A. , Bandaranayake Pradeepa C. G.
Published: February 2021

The genus Cinnamomum consists of about 250 species spread globally. Out of these, C. verum (C. zeylanicum), also known as true cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon, has gained worldwide attention due to its culinary uses and medicinal values. Sri Lanka is the largest true cinnamon producer in the world and accounts for about 80–90% of global production. Other than the cultivated species, Sri Lankan natural vegetation is home to seven endemic wild species of the genus Cinnamomum. While these are underutilized, proper identification and characterization are essential steps in any sustainable conservation and utilization strategies. Currently, species identification is purely based on morphological traits, and intraspecific diversity has made it more challenging. In this study, all the eight Cinnamomum species found in Sri Lanka, C. capparu-coronde, C. citriodorum C. dubium, C. litseifolium, C. ovalifolium, C. rivulorum, C. sinharajaense, and C. verum were collected in triplicates and identified using typical morphological traits. DNA extracted with the same collection was assessed with universal barcoding regions, rbcL, matK, and trnH-psbA. While no intraspecific sequence differences were observed in C. citriodorum, C. rivulorum, and C. verum, the others had polymorphic sites in one, two, or all regions assessed. Interestingly, two individuals of C. sinharajaense had identical barcodes to the cultivated species C. verum, while the other one had one variable cite in matK region and three cites in trnH-psbA reigon. Further, one C. dubium and one C. capparu-coronde accession each had identical, rbcL, and trnH-psbA sequences while those had only a single nucleotide variation observed in matK region. Overall, the phylogeny of Cinnamomum species found in Sri Lanka could not be completely resolved with DNA barcoding regions studied.
Genomic diversity and organization of complex polysaccharide biosynthesis clusters in the genus Dickeya
Authors: Ranjan Manish , Khokhani Devanshi , Nayaka Sanjeeva , Srivastava Suchi , Keyser Zachary P. , Ranjan Ashish
Published: February 2021

The pectinolytic genus Dickeya (formerly Erwinia chrysanthemi) comprises numerous pathogenic species which cause diseases in various crops and ornamental plants across the globe. Their pathogenicity is governed by complex multi-factorial processes of adaptive virulence gene regulation. Extracellular polysaccharides and lipopolysaccharides present on bacterial envelope surface play a significant role in the virulence of phytopathogenic bacteria. However, very little is known about the genomic location, diversity, and organization of the polysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide biosynthetic gene clusters in Dickeya. In the present study, we report the diversity and structural organization of the group 4 capsule (G4C)/O-antigen capsule, putative O-antigen lipopolysaccharide, enterobacterial common antigen, and core lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis clusters from 54 Dickeya strains. The presence of these clusters suggests that Dickeya has both capsule and lipopolysaccharide carrying O-antigen to their external surface. These gene clusters are key regulatory components in the composition and structure of the outer surface of Dickeya. The O-antigen capsule/group 4 capsule (G4C) coding region shows a variation in gene content and organization. Based on nucleotide sequence homology in these Dickeya strains, two distinct groups, G4C group I and G4C group II, exist. However, comparatively less variation is observed in the putative O-antigen lipopolysaccharide cluster in Dickeya spp. except for in Dickeya zeae. Also, enterobacterial common antigen and core lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis clusters are present mostly as conserved genomic regions. The variation in the O-antigen capsule and putative O-antigen lipopolysaccharide coding region in relation to their phylogeny suggests a role of multiple horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events. These multiple HGT processes might have been manifested into the current heterogeneity of O-antigen capsules and O-antigen lipopolysaccharides in Dickeya strains during its evolution.
Guidance on the interpretation of faecal calprotectin levels in children
Authors: Orfei Martina , Gasparetto Marco , Hensel Kai O. , Zellweger Florian , Heuschkel Robert B. , Zilbauer Matthias
Published: February 2021

Background

Faecal calprotectin (FCP) is a powerful tool to predict inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. In the paediatric patient population, the reference value of < 50 μg/g and the influence of age on FCP levels result in a high number of redundant investigations and specialist referrals. We assessed paediatric FCP levels, their diagnostic value and corresponding referral pathways from primary and secondary care.

Methods

We analysed two cohorts from a precisely defined catchment area: one consisted of all FCPs measured in this area (n = 2788). The second cohort—a subset of the first cohort—consisted of FCP values and corresponding clinical data from children who were referred for possible IBD to our department (n = 373).

Results

In the first cohort, 47% of FCP levels were > 50 μg/g, 15% were ≥ 250 μg/g. Children < 1y had significantly (p < 0.001) higher FCP than older children. In the second cohort, 6.7% of children with an FCP of < 250 μg/g (or 8.6% with an FCP of < 600 μg/g) had IBD–all featured symptoms suggestive of IBD (e.g. bloody diarrhoea, nocturnal abdominal pain, weight loss) or abnormal blood tests. 76% of patients in whom raised FCP (> 50 μg/g) was the sole reason for being referred for suspected IBD did not have IBD.

Conclusion

Children with an FCP < 600 μg/g and without matching symptoms suggestive of IBD are unlikely to have IBD. A higher FCP reference value may provide cost-effective improvement that could avoid redundant investigations and specialist referrals. A guideline for specialist referrals is proposed.
Prioritizing investments in rapid response vaccine technologies for emerging infections: A portfolio decision analysis
Authors: Gouglas Dimitrios , Marsh Kevin
Published: February 2021

This study reports on the application of a Portfolio Decision Analysis (PDA) to support investment decisions of a non-profit funder of vaccine technology platform development for rapid response to emerging infections. A value framework was constructed via document reviews and stakeholder consultations. Probability of Success (PoS) data was obtained for 16 platform projects through expert assessments and stakeholder portfolio preferences via a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE). The structure of preferences and the uncertainties in project PoS suggested a non-linear, stochastic value maximization problem. A simulation-optimization algorithm was employed, identifying optimal portfolios under different budget constraints. Stochastic dominance of the optimization solution was tested via mean-variance and mean-Gini statistics, and its robustness via rank probability analysis in a Monte Carlo simulation. Project PoS estimates were low and substantially overlapping. The DCE identified decreasing rates of return to investing in single platform types. Optimal portfolio solutions reflected this non-linearity of platform preferences along an efficiency frontier and diverged from a model simply ranking projects by PoS-to-Cost, despite significant revisions to project PoS estimates during the review process in relation to the conduct of the DCE. Large confidence intervals associated with optimization solutions suggested significant uncertainty in portfolio valuations. Mean-variance and Mean-Gini tests suggested optimal portfolios with higher expected values were also accompanied by higher risks of not achieving those values despite stochastic dominance of the optimal portfolio solution under the decision maker’s budget constraint. This portfolio was also the highest ranked portfolio in the simulation; though having only a 54% probability of being preferred to the second-ranked portfolio. The analysis illustrates how optimization modelling can help health R&D decision makers identify optimal portfolios in the face of significant decision uncertainty involving portfolio trade-offs. However, in light of such extreme uncertainty, further due diligence and ongoing updating of performance is needed on highly risky projects as well as data on decision makers’ portfolio risk attitude before PDA can conclude about optimal and robust solutions.
Delirium as a predictor of mortality and disability among hospitalized patients in Zambia
Authors: Banerdt Justin K. , Mateyo Kondwelani , Wang Li , Lindsell Christopher J. , Riviello Elisabeth D. , Saylor Deanna , Heimburger Douglas C. , Ely E. Wesley
Published: February 2021

Objective

To study the epidemiology and outcomes of delirium among hospitalized patients in Zambia.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, from October 2017 to April 2018. The primary exposure was delirium duration over the initial 3 days of hospitalization, assessed daily using the Brief Confusion Assessment Method. The primary outcome was 6-month mortality. Secondary outcomes included 6-month disability, evaluated using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0.

Findings

711 adults were included (median age, 39 years; 461 men; 459 medical, 252 surgical; 323 with HIV). Delirium prevalence was 48.5% (95% CI, 44.8%-52.3%). 6-month mortality was higher for delirious participants (44.6% [39.3%-50.1%]) versus non-delirious participants (20.0% [15.4%-25.2%];P< .001). After adjusting for covariates, delirium duration independently predicted 6-month mortality and disability with a significant dose-response association between number of days with delirium and odds of worse clinical outcome. Compared to no delirium, presence of 1, 2 or 3 days of delirium resulted in odds ratios for 6-month mortality of 1.43 (95% CI, 0.73–2.80), 2.20 (1.07–4.51), and 3.92 (2.24–6.87), respectively (P< .001). Odds of 6-month disability were 1.20 (0.70–2.05), 1.73 (0.95–3.17), and 2.80 (1.78–4.43), respectively (P< .001).

Conclusion

Among hospitalized medical and surgical patients in Zambia, delirium prevalence was high and delirium duration independently predicted mortality and disability at 6 months. This work lays the foundation for prevention, detection, and management of delirium in low-income countries. Long-term follow up of outcomes of critical illness in resource-limited settings appears feasible using the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of seasonal influenza vaccination in postpartum women, Honduras
Authors: Madewell Zachary J. , Chacón-Fuentes Rafael , Jara Jorge , Mejía-Santos Homer , Molina Ida-Berenice , Alvis-Estrada Juan Pablo , Coello-Licona Rosa , Montejo Belinda
Published: February 2021

Background

Influenza during pregnancy may cause serious neonatal outcomes including stillbirth, fetal distress, preterm birth, congenital abnormalities, and stunted growth. Pregnant women are the highest priority group for seasonal influenza vaccination, but low coverage has been repeatedly reported in this population. Understanding reasons for and for not receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine is needed to design communication strategies to increase vaccination coverage. This study aimed to describe knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of seasonal influenza vaccination among women giving birth in public maternity hospitals in Honduras.

Methods

From August 20–October 8, 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional KAP survey regarding seasonal influenza vaccinations to a sample of postpartum women who gave birth in maternity hospitals and clinics from the Ministry of Health of Honduras and Honduran Social Security Institute. We reported frequency distributions for demographics, KAP of influenza vaccine, and vaccination coverage. We used logistic regression to analyze unadjusted and adjusted associations between sociodemographic characteristics and influenza vaccination.

Results

We surveyed 842 postpartum women in 17 healthcare facilities. Of 534 postpartum women with term pregnancy and verified vaccinations, 417 (78.1%; 95% CI: 74.6–81.6%) were vaccinated for influenza. Factors associated with verified influenza vaccination included receipt of vaccination recommendations by a healthcare worker during prenatal check-ups (aOR: 16.46; 95% CI: 9.73–27.85), concurrent chronic disease (aOR: 5.00; 95% CI: 1.25–20.07), and influenza vaccination of other children in the household (aOR: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.19–4.39). The most cited reasons for vaccination were perceived benefits for both mother and infant and easy access. Reasons for non-vaccination were: vaccine was not offered and fear of side effects, harm to the infant, and needles or pain caused by injection.

Conclusion

Influenza vaccination was well received among postpartum women in Honduras. Increasing clinician recommendations for vaccination and assuring the vaccine is readily available to women during prenatal visits may increase vaccination rates.
Research on the inheritance and protection of folk art and culture from the perspective of network cultural governance
Authors: Zhou Kai , Wang Kainan , Lin Xinxin
Published: February 2021

In the age of network, network culture is gestated, and the emergence of security issues makes the governance of network culture put on the agenda. In order to explore ways to protect and inherit folk art and culture, This article mainly uses the mathematical model established by the principal component analysis method and the multiple regression method to analyze the current folk arts such as the lack of professional talents and other problems faced by the current folk arts. From the perspective of network cultural governance Analyze the number of audiences, etc., and reflect the inadequacy of the inheritance and protection of folk art and culture through the model, Therefore, it is proposed to cultivate compound talents, build cultural brands, and build a "gatekeeper" defense line. While creating a clear cyberspace, it can achieve better protection and inheritance of folk art and culture.
Transmission of the atypical/Nor98 scrapie agent to Suffolk sheep with VRQ/ARQ, ARQ/ARQ, and ARQ/ARR genotypes
Authors: Cassmann Eric D. , Mammadova Najiba , Moore S. Jo , Benestad Sylvie , Greenlee Justin J.
Published: February 2021

Scrapie is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that occurs in sheep. Atypical/Nor98 scrapie occurs in sheep that tend to be resistant to classical scrapie and it is thought to occur spontaneously. The purpose of this study was to test the transmission of the Atypical/Nor98 scrapie agent in three genotypes of Suffolk sheep and characterize the distribution of misfolded prion protein (PrPSc). Ten sheep were intracranially inoculated with brain homogenate from a sheep with Atypical/Nor98 scrapie. All sheep with the ARQ/ARQ and ARQ/ARR genotypes developed Atypical/Nor98 scrapie confirmed by immunohistochemistry, and one sheep with the VRQ/ARQ genotype had detectable PrPSc consistent with Atypical/Nor98 scrapie at the experimental endpoint of 8 years. Sheep with mild early accumulations of PrPSc in the cerebellum had concomitant retinal PrPSc. Accordingly, large amounts of retinal PrPSc were identified in clinically affected sheep and sheep with dense accumulations of PrPSc in the cerebellum.
Frameshift variant in MITF gene in a large family with Waardenburg syndrome type II and a co-segregation of a C2orf74 variant
Authors: Albarry Maan Abdullah , Latif Muhammad , Alreheli Ahdab Qasem , Awadh Mohammed A. , Almatrafi Ahmad M. , Albalawi Alia M. , Basit Sulman
Published: February 2021

Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is a hereditary disorder affecting the auditory system and pigmentation of hair, eyes, and skin. Different variants of the disease exist with the involvement of mutation in six genes. The aim of the study is to identify the genetic defects underlying Waardenburg syndrome in a large family with multiple affected individuals. Here, in this study, we recruited a large family with eleven affected individuals segregating WS type 2. We performed whole genome SNP genotyping, whole exome sequencing and segregation analysis using Sanger approach. Whole genome SNP genotyping, whole exome sequencing followed by Sanger validation of variants of interest identified a novel single nucleotide deletion mutation (c.965delA) in theMITFgene. Moreover, a rare heterozygous, missense damaging variant (c.101T>G; p.Val34Gly) in theC2orf74has also been identified. The C2orf74 is an uncharacterized gene present in the linked region detected by DominantMapper. Variants inMITFandC2orf74follows autosomal dominant segregation with the phenotype, however, the variant inC2orf74is incompletely penetrant. We proposed a digenic inheritance of variants as an underlying cause of WS2 in this family.
Digital inequality, faculty communication, and remote learning experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey of U.S. undergraduates
Authors: Katz Vikki S. , Jordan Amy B. , Ognyanova Katherine
Published: February 2021

Aims

The COVID-19 pandemic forced closure of most U.S. university campuses in March 2020, obliging millions of students to finish their semesters via remote learning. This study examines whether and how students’ prior and current experiences of digital inequality—defined as constrained access to the internet and internet-connecting devices—were associated with their remote learning experiences.

Method

An anonymous, online survey of 2,913 undergraduate college students from 30 U.S. universities completing their spring term remotely was conducted between April and May 2020. Hypothesis testing utilized a structural equation model with cluster-bootstrapped standard errors and p-values, to account for students being clustered by university.

Results

Findings revealed that students’ challenges with internet connectivity and digital devices during remote learning were associated with lower remote learning proficiency (RLP). Difficulty communicating with professors and teaching assistants was also associated with lower RLP. Prior experience with online coursework was associated with higher RLP, and digital inequality challenges during the year prior to the pandemic with lower RLP. Moreover, students who reported greater financial hardship since the start of the pandemic experienced significantly more connectivity, device, and faculty communication challenges during remote learning, and had significantly lower RLP.

Conclusions

Many students will continue to learn remotely in some form until the pandemic recedes. We identify key factors associated with students’ remote learning proficiency: (1) consistent, high-speed internet connectivity and functioning devices to connect to it, and (2) the ability to relate to and communicate easily with professors and teaching assistants. This study identifies potential barriers to effective remote learning, as well as possible opportunities to improve students’ experiences.
Assessment of dynamic cardiac repolarization and contractility in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Radbill Andrew E. , Lei Lucy Y. , Paranjape Sachin Y. , Blackwell Daniel J. , Abraham Robert L. , Chew Derek S. , Raj Satish R. , Knollmann Björn C.
Published: February 2021

Aims

Arrhythmia mechanisms in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy remain uncertain. Preclinical models suggest hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-linked mutations perturb sarcomere length-dependent activation, alter cardiac repolarization in rate-dependent fashion and potentiate triggered electrical activity. This study was designed to assess rate-dependence of clinical surrogates of contractility and repolarization in humans with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Methods

All participants had a cardiac implantable device capable of atrial pacing. Cases had clinical diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, controls were age-matched. Continuous electrocardiogram and blood pressure were recorded during and immediately after 30 second pacing trains delivered at increasing rates.

Results

Nine hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients and 10 controls were enrolled (47% female, median 55 years), with similar baseline QRS duration, QT interval and blood pressure. Median septal thickness in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients was 18mm; 33% of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients had peak sub-aortic velocity >50mmHg. Ventricular ectopy occurred during or immediately after pacing trains in 4/9 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients and 0/10 controls (P = 0.03). During delivery of steady rate pacing across a range of cycle lengths, the QT-RR relationship was not statistically different between HCM and control groups; no differences were seen in subgroup analysis of patients with or without intact AV node conduction. Similarly, there was no difference between groups in the QT interval of the first post-pause recovery beat after pacing trains. No statistically significant differences were seen in surrogate measures for cardiac contractility.

Conclusion

Rapid pacing trains triggered ventricular ectopy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients, but not controls. This finding aligns with pre-clinical descriptions of excessive cardiomyocyte calcium loading during rapid pacing, increased post-pause sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release, and subsequent calcium-triggered activity. Normal contractility at all diastolic intervals argues against clinical significance of altered length-dependent myofilament activation.
Spatial pattern of COVID-19 deaths and infections in small areas of Brazil
Authors: Lima Everton Emanuel Campos de , Gayawan Ezra , Baptista Emerson Augusto , Queiroz Bernardo Lanza
Published: February 2021

As of mid-August 2020, Brazil was the country with the second-highest number of cases and deaths by the COVID-19 pandemic, but with large regional and social differences. In this study, using data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health, we analyze the spatial patterns of infection and mortality from Covid-19 across small areas of Brazil. We apply spatial autoregressive Bayesian models and estimate the risks of infection and mortality, taking into account age, sex composition of the population and other variables that describe the health situation of the spatial units. We also perform a decomposition analysis to study how age composition impacts the differences in mortality and infection rates across regions. Our results indicate that death and infections are spatially distributed, forming clusters and hotspots, especially in the Northern Amazon, Northeast coast and Southeast of the country. The high mortality risk in the Southeast part of the country, where the major cities are located, can be explained by the high proportion of the elderly in the population. In the less developed areas of the North and Northeast, there are high rates of infection among young adults, people of lower socioeconomic status, and people without access to health care, resulting in more deaths.
Evaluation of qualitative and quantitative data of Y-90 imaging in SPECT/CT and PET/CT phantom studies
Authors: Kubik Agata , Budzyńska Anna , Kacperski Krzysztof , Maciak Maciej , Kuć Michał , Piasecki Piotr , Wiliński Maciej , Konior Marcin , Dziuk Mirosław , Iller Edward
Published: February 2021

Introduction

We aimed to assess the feasibility of SPECT and PET Y-90 imaging, and to compare these modalities by visualizing hot and cold foci in phantoms for varying isotope concentrations.

Materials and methods

The data was acquired from the Jaszczak and NEMA phantoms. In the Jaszczak phantom Y-90 concentrations of 0.1 MBq/ml and 0.2 MBq/ml were used, while higher concentrations, up to 1.0 MBq/ml, were simulated by acquisition time extension with respect to the standard clinical protocol of 30 sec/projection for SPECT and 30 min/bed position for PET imaging. For NEMA phantom, the hot foci had concentrations of about 4 MB/ml and the background 0.1 or 0.0 MBq/ml. All of the acquired data was analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitative assessment was conducted by six observers asked to identify the number of visible cold or hot foci. Inter-observer agreement was assessed. Quantitative analysis included calculations of contrast and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and comparisons with the qualitative results.

Results

For SPECT data up to two cold foci were discernible, while for PET four foci were visible. We have shown that CNR (with Rose criterion) is a good measure of foci visibility for both modalities. We also found good concordance of qualitative results for the Jaszczak phantom studies between the observers (corresponding Krippendorf’s alpha coefficients of 0.76 to 0.84).

In the NEMA phantom without background activity all foci were visible in SPECT/CT images. With isotope in the background, 5 of 6 spheres were discernible (CNR of 3.0 for the smallest foci). For PET studies all hot spheres were visible, regardless of the background activity.

Conclusions

PET Y-90 imaging provided better results than Bremsstrahlung based SPECT imaging. This indicates that PET/CT might become the method of choice in Y-90 post radioembolization imaging for visualisation of both necrotic and hot lesions in the liver.
Intravenous infusion of rocuronium bromide prolongs emergence from propofol anesthesia in rats
Authors: Suzuki Kaoru , Sunaga Hiroshi , Yamakawa Kentaro , Suga Yoshifumi , Kondo Ichiro , Tsubokawa Tsunehisa , Uezono Shoichi
Published: February 2021

Background

Neuromuscular blocking agents induce muscle paralysis via the prevention of synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction and may have additional effects at other sites of action. With regard to potential effects of neuromuscular blocking agents on the central nervous system, a definitive view has not been established. We investigated whether intravenous infusion of rocuronium bromide affects the emergence from propofol anesthesia.

Methods

Using an in vivo rat model, we performed propofol infusion for 60 minutes, along with rocuronium bromide at various infusion rates or normal saline. Sugammadex or normal saline was injected at the end of the infusion period, and we evaluated the time to emergence from propofol anesthesia. We also examined the neuromuscular blocking, circulatory, and respiratory properties of propofol infusion along with rocuronium bromide infusion to ascertain possible factors affecting emergence.

Results

Intravenous infusion of rocuronium bromide dose-dependently increased the time to emergence from propofol anesthesia. Sugammadex administered after propofol infusion not containing rocuronium bromide did not affect the time to emergence. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide, and pH were not affected by rocuronium bromide infusion. Neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium bromide, even at the greatest infusion rate in the emergence experiment, was rapidly antagonized by sugammadex.

Conclusions

These results suggest that intravenous infusion of rocuronium bromide dose-dependently delays the emergence from propofol anesthesia in rats. Future studies, such as detection of rocuronium in the cerebrospinal fluid or central nervous system, electrophysiologic studies, microinjection of sugammadex into the brain, etc., are necessary to determine the mechanism of this effect.
A three-dimensional finite element analysis on the effects of implant materials and designs on periprosthetic tibial bone resorption
Authors: Park Hyung Jun , Bae Tae Soo , Kang Seung-Baik , Baek Hyeong Ho , Chang Moon Jong , Chang Chong Bum
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Implant material is a more important factor for periprosthetic tibial bone resorption than implant design after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The virtual perturbation study was planned to perform using single case of proximal tibia model. We determined whether the implant materials’ stiffness affects the degree of periprosthetic tibial bone resorption, and whether the effect of material change with the same implant design differed according to the proximal tibial plateau areas.

Materials and methods

This three-dimensional finite element analysis included two cobalt-chromium (CoCr) and two titanium (Ti) tibial implants with different designs. They were implanted into the proximal tibial model reconstructed using extracted images from computed tomography. The degree of bone resorption or formation was measured using the strain energy density after applying axial load. The same analysis was performed after exchanging the materials while maintaining the design of each implant.

Results

The degree of periprosthetic tibial bone resorption was not determined by the type of implant materials alone. When the implant materials were changed from Ti to CoCr, the bone resorption in the medial compartment increased and vice versa. The effect of material composition’s change on anterior and posterior areas varied accordingly.

Conclusions

Although the degree of bone resorption was associated with implant materials, it differed depending on the design of each implant. The effect on the degree of bone resorption according to the materials after TKA should be evaluated while concomitantly considering design.
A deep learning-based method for grip strength prediction: Comparison of multilayer perceptron and polynomial regression approaches
Authors: Hwang Jaejin , Lee Jinwon , Lee Kyung-Sun
Published: February 2021

The objective of this study was to accurately predict the grip strength using a deep learning-based method (e.g., multi-layer perceptron [MLP] regression). The maximal grip strength with varying postures (upper arm, forearm, and lower body) of 164 young adults (100 males and 64 females) were collected. The data set was divided into a training set (90% of data) and a test set (10% of data). Different combinations of variables including demographic and anthropometric information of individual participants and postures was tested and compared to find the most predictive model. The MLP regression and 3 different polynomial regressions (linear, quadratic, and cubic) were conducted and the performance of regression was compared. The results showed that including all variables showed better performance than other combinations of variables. In general, MLP regression showed higher performance than polynomial regressions. Especially, MLP regression considering all variables achieved the highest performance of grip strength prediction (RMSE = 69.01N, R = 0.88, ICC = 0.92). This deep learning-based regression (MLP) would be useful to predict on-site- and individual-specific grip strength in the workspace to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in the upper extremity.
Prevalence and impact of comorbid obstructive sleep apnoea in diffuse parenchymal lung diseases
Authors: Li Diandian , Wang Bo , Liu Yi , Wang Haohua
Published: February 2021

Objective

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are increasingly recognized as important features in diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLDs) with differed prevalence and impact reported. The aim of this study is to systematically review the prevalence of comorbid OSA and characterize its impact on clinical and outcome measurements in adults with DPLDs.

Methods

Publications addressing the prevalence of OSA in DPLDs and its impacts on DPLDs were selected from electronic databases. A random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of OSA. Odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs) were used to assess the associations of OSA with clinical and outcome measurements. Heterogeneity was quantified by I2 with 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results

4 studies comprising 643 participants were included. Overall, the pooled prevalence of OSA among DPLDs was 72% (95% CI: 65–79%; I2 = 75.4%). Moderate-severe OSA was observed in 40% patients (95% CI: 28–52%; I2 = 90.8%). The prevalence was higher as 76% in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients than in connective tissue associated-ILD or sarcoidosis (60%). Although oxygen desaturation during sleep was greater in OSA group compared with non-OSA patients, there was no difference in lung function or systematic comorbidities between the two groups. The associations between OSA and the mortality or disease progression of DPLDs were also systematically reviewed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, OSA is a common comorbidity in DPLD patients, affecting approximately three in four patients, which may exacerbate the nocturnal desaturation and have negative influence on the outcomes. Larger studies with more homogeneous samples are warranted.
Comparisons of fatigue between dialysis modalities: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Maruyama Yukio , Nakayama Masaaki , Ueda Atsushi , Miyazaki Mariko , Yokoo Takashi
Published: February 2021

Background

Fatigue is one of the most frequent complications in dialyzed patients and is associated with poorer patient outcomes. Multiple factors are reported to be associated with fatigue development. Of them, the impacts of dialysis modalities remain unknown.

Methods

A total of 194 dialysis patients (mean age, 61±11 years; 134 males; modalities included hemodialysis (HD) in 26, online hemodiafiltration (HDF) in 74, peritoneal dialysis (PD) in 68, and combined therapy with PD and HD in 26 cases) were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Fatigue was assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS), a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and our original scale of fatigue, and depression was assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory-second edition (BDI-II). Our original scale of fatigue was administered both on dialysis and dialysis-free days to patients on HD and online HDF.

Results

The scores of the POMS, VAS, and our original scale were weakly but significantly inter-related (rho = 0.58, P<0.01; rho = 0.47, P<0.01, and rho = 0.42, P<0.01 between POMS and VAS, POMS and our original scale for fatigue, and VAS and our original scale for fatigue, respectively). The scores of these 3 tests showed no significant differences among the 4 modalities. On multivariate analysis, age, body mass index, creatinine, and employment status were associated with the presence or severity of fatigue, whereas dialysis modality was not. A similar result was obtained in 122 patients without depression. The prevalence of fatigue by our original scale was significantly lower on dialysis-free days than on dialysis days in patients on HD and online HDF.

Conclusions

The results suggest that there is no significant association between different dialysis modalities including HD, online HDF, PD and combined therapy with PD and HD and the prevalence or severity of fatigue.
Determinants of the number of heavy metal musicians per capita
Authors: Maguire Donald
Published: February 2021

This study is a follow-up to the 2015 study titled ‘Determinants of the production of heavy metal music’. That study attempted to find an equation that would predict the number of heavy metal bands that each country had. That study was unable to arrive at a single equation, and double counting the output of musicians who were in more than one band was likely the reason.

This study re-tests the variables that were found to be significant in the original study, some alternatives to those variables, and reconsiders some variables that were not found to be significant in the original study. To overcome the problem that the original study had with double counting the output of musicians who were in more than one band, this study uses the number of metal musicians per 100,000 people as the dependent variable rather than the number of heavy metal bands per 100,000 people.

The independent variables considered in this study are as follows: the percentage of population with access to electricity, the number of unpaid parking tickets per UN diplomat during the period in which the City of New York was not enforcing parking violations on diplomats, the number of concert halls per million population, the Democracy Index, the percentage of the population who speak English, per capita electrical consumption, the average GDP per capita for the prior 3 years, the GINI index, latitude, life expectancy, Scandinavian Law, the average number of years of school that a citizen is expected to complete, the number of years the country was governed under constitutions that made reference to Marxism (with several variants capping the number of years at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60), males between the ages of 15 and 24 as a percentage of the total population, males between the ages of 15 and 24 as a percentage of all males, the percentage of the population that identifies as Catholic and the percentage of the population that is not affiliated with a religion.

The study found that changing the dependent variable from the number of metal bands per 100,000 to the number of metal musicians per 100,000 people did address the problem of double counting the output of some musicians; the original study was unable to arrive at a single equation as a model, this study was able to do that. This study and the original study arrived at the same significant independent variables: the number of concert halls per million population, latitude, Scandinavian law, Years Marxist, males between the ages of 15 and 24 as a percentage of the total population, the percentage of the population that identifies as Catholic and the percentage of the population that is not affiliated with a religion.
O Poder Legislativo Municipal pode contribuir para os ODS: a experiência de um mandato de vereador em Balneário Camboriú
Authors: FURLAN MEIRINHO ANDRÉ , DACOL KELLI CRISTINA
Published: February 2021

O caso trazido à mesa redonda intitulada “ODS e às Cidades” compreende as iniciativas na área ambiental relacionadas aos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável – ODS, desenvolvidas no mandato de vereador no âmbito do Poder Legislativo do município de Balneário Camboriú. Trata-se de uma experiência inovadora que utilizou os objetivos da Agenda de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, estabelecida pelas Nações Unidas. As proposições apresentadas vão ao encontro do tripé da sustentabilidade: viabilidade econômica, justiça social e respeito ao meio ambiente. Tais iniciativas contribuem para estimular a capacidade de resiliência da cidade e melhorar a qualidade de vida dos cidadãos.
A kvalitatív összehasonlító elemzés és a strukturálatlan reflektív napló a tanárok reflektív gondolkodásának feltárásában
Authors: Sántha Kálmán
Published: February 2021

A tanulmány arra a kérdésre keres választ, hogy több éve pályán lévő pedagógusok miként gondolkodnak a jövő iskolájáról. A reflexiók feltárása mellett kiemelt célunk a kvalitatív összehasonlító elemzés fuzzy-set verziójának (fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis ‒ fsQCA) hazai neveléstudományi empirikus vizsgálatban való alkalmazhatóságának illusztrálása is. A komplex módszertani környezetben a strukturálatlan reflektív napló és a fsQCA kombinálására került sor. Az adatelemzés során a kvalitatív tartalomelemzés mellett kiemelt szempont a strukturálatlan kvalitatív adatok fuzzy halmazokká transzformálása, amely több lépésben valósult meg. Az eredmények hálózatszerűen jelenítik meg az iskolai tereket és a tanítás-tanulás folyamatát. A klasszikus tanár- és tananyagközpontú didaktikai háromszög átértelmeződött, így a gyermekközpontúság, a problémamegoldás, a digitalizáció és a szülőkkel való együttműködés került fókuszba a reflexiók alapán. A pedagógusok nézeteiknek és pedagógiai tudásuknak megfelelően reagálnak, rutinjuknak, kognitív sémáiknak függvényében cselekednek a tanítás-tanulás folyamatában.
Transcultural Psychiatry: Comparison of Eastern and Western Culture and their influence on mental health and its treatment
Authors: Tiong Shyun Ping , Rajkumari Starry , Rasidi NurFariesha Farhanna binti , Poplavskaya Olga Viktorovna
Published: February 2021

Introduction

In a globalizing world the need for humans to understand one another is fundamental. Transcultural Psychiatry aims to bridge the differences due to culture, norms and values, especially in a controversial topic such as the paranormal between doctors and patients.

Objectives

To study the beliefs of Eastern and Western populations on the subject of religion, the paranormal and its relation to mental health.

Methods

The study was conducted targeting citizens of Eastern and Western countries (target sample size 200). A survey and 2 case studies were distributed, aimed to determine respondents level of belief in cultural superstitions and practices, views on mental disorders and opinions on treatment. A chi-square statistical test (significance set at 0.05) was performed to test validity.

Results

Results are tabulated in Table 1. In the case studies, P-value =4.68x10
-6 proves a strong relationship between East/West populations and their viewpoints on mental illness vs. possession. There is a strong relationship (p=3.37x10
-5) between respondents beliefs in spiritual healing and its effectiveness in treating mental illness.

Table 1

East

West

Total respondents (226)

58%

42%

Identified as religious

74%

26%

Strong belief in paranormal

85%

15%

Effectiveness of spiritual healing

55%

45%

Preferred methods of treatment

Mental health professionals

54%

46%

Religious healer/psychic

90%

10%

Conclusions

The study revealed that Eastern populations are far more superstitious and religious than their Western conterparts, and also have higher belief in the effectiveness of spiritual healing to treat mental disorders. This difference demonstrates the importance of integrating culture into diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, and further explore methods for more inclusive treatment plans.