bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating vision-specific quality of life and functional vision in a Brazilian population with Stargardt disease
Authors: Gomes Mirela L. S. , Mansur-Pantuzzo Esther R. , Lagos Angel A. R. , Corrêa Humberto , Duarte Dante , Frasson Maria
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To compare the vision-specific quality of life (QoL) of individuals with Stargardt disease (STGD) with that of healthy individuals and to investigate the association between vision-specific QoL and functional vision.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 41 patients with STGD and 46 healthy volunteers matched by age and gender. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was used to calculate the Functional Acuity Score (FAS) and Goldmann perimetry the Functional Field Score (FFS). These scores were combined to obtain the Functional Vision Score (FVS). Vision-specific QoL was assessed using the 25-item version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25).

Results

The groups had similar sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. There were significant differences in BCVA, vision-specific QoL assessed by the NEI VFQ-25, and FVS ( p < 0.001) between individuals with STGD and controls. The final total score and all the subscales of the NEI VQF-25 questionnaire were significantly lower in the STGD group ( p < 0.001), except for the subscales general health, color vision, and ocular pain. NEI VFQ-25 results in the STGD group were positively correlated with family income, FVS, and FFS. FVS was the score best correlated with the NEI VFQ-25 total score.

Conclusions

Individuals with STGD had significant impairment of vision-specific QoL and functional vision compared with controls and the FVS was the objective evaluation method most correlated with vision-specific QoL in this population.
A slow rotary dynamic motion of a disc under the influence of torque with the concept of a large parameter
Authors: I Abdulaziz , Ismail Aya , Abdulaziz Omar
Published: August 2022

A rotary motion is studied, which is used as a paradigm in both mathematics and dynamics. In this motion, the body moves around its axis. Important examples of this motion are the earth, wheels for cars or bicycles, cooling fans, airplanes, radars, and motion of the discs. In this article, we consider one of these motions such as the slow rotational motion of a disc of high natural frequency around a fixed point different from its center of mass. Suppose a constant gyrostatic couple acts on the body about the axis of symmetry. Let us consider the axis of symmetry coincide with one of the main axes of inertia. The controlled nonlinear independent system of equations of motion is obtained in the form of six nonlinear differential equations in the presence of three independent first integrals. This system is reduced to an alternative independent quasi-linear system consisting of two differential equations with only one integral. At first, when the body rotates slowly with a small angular speed about the axis of the symmetry, we achieve a large parameter for the motion which is proportional to the inverse of the angular velocity component. Then, we use the large parameter technique to obtain approximate and high-frequency analytic solutions for this motion. This technique enables us to introduce new conditions of the motion, save a lot of energy required to move the disc, and obtain new approximated solutions in a new domain of the disc parameters. We present a digital example of the problem to clarify the inferences of the motion depending on the parameters of the body. On the other hand, we use the Runge–Kutta algorithmic method to obtain the numerical solutions corresponding to the approximate solutions of the considered independent system. We investigate the inaccuracies and errors of analytic and numerical solutions by comparing them. This problem offers many applications in gyroscope dynamics, industrial engineering, astrophysics, navigation, satellites, and space engineering.
Networked gift-giving: Ethno-religious minority youths’ negotiation of status and social ties in a society of distrust
Authors: De Leyn Tom , De Wolf Ralf , Vanden Abeele Mariek , De Marez Lieven
Published: August 2022

The reciprocal exchanges of messages, likes, and pictures on social media are typical expressions of mobile youth culture. After all, it is well-established that young people’s disclosure practices support their efforts to maintain relationships, gain autonomy, and, by large, consolidate a place in the world. What is often missing, however, is an exploration of how the specific socio-cultural contexts of ethno-religious minority youths shape and are shaped by social media appropriations. Therefore, we conducted a 15-month ethnographic study among ethno-religious minority youths in which we investigated networked gift-giving practices. We stress the notion of “networked” because the results illustrate how these young people appropriate the amplified visibility of their relational maintenance behaviors on social media in order to negotiate status and social ties. We connect these findings to the concept of a “distrustful society” as the participants hold a general distrust in society due to experiences of racism and marginalization.
Feeling like ‘the ham of the sandwich’: The contested professional identities of school-based early childhood educators in Chile
Authors: Lagos-Serrano María-José
Published: August 2022

Present-day early childhood educators face the challenge of producing their professional identities in highly neo-liberal contexts, negotiating contested discourses on professionalism, education quality and the overall purpose of early childhood education. While it has been suggested by critical scholarship that the early childhood workforce responds to these challenges by developing a unified professional identity, the author contends that particular contexts of practice (such as schools) and the schoolification of early childhood education may produce fragmentation within the workforce. This is crystallised in the figure of the school-based early childhood educator, whose professional practice lies somewhere between that of a kindergarten educator and a schoolteacher. As school-based early childhood education is not perceived as proper early childhood practice by kindergarten educators, school-based educators struggle to identify with this group of practitioners. Drawing on a psychoanalytically informed qualitative study with early childhood educators, the author discusses some of these tensions and proposes the notion of liminal identity (an intermediate space of becoming where identities – among other possibilities – may be examined and reimagined) as a starting point for the exploration of this emergent type of professional subjectivity in the context of an increasing provision of early childhood education in school settings. The author calls for a destabilisation of oversimplified understandings of the relation between educators and their contexts of practice, and the acknowledgement that educators experience and respond to the struggles of the profession in diverse and complex ways.
Development of a material-independent method for calculating the bending moment stresses acting on railway sleepers with constant cross-section
Authors: Hoffmann David , Freudenstein Stephan
Published: August 2022

Railway sleepers experience bending moment stresses when subjected to railway traffic. These stresses are influenced by various parameters, such as loading, support conditions or the sleeper material. Approaches for the calculation of relevant bending moments currently exist only for prestressed concrete sleepers. For sleepers made of other materials, there are neither in-depth studies or literature on their bending stress nor calculation methods for determining the bending moments. Therefore, several 1000 calculations were carried out with the aim of depicting the stresses acting on sleepers in ballast. For these calculations, the theory of the beam on elastic foundation was used, with the help of which combinations of different support and loading conditions as well as of other parameters were investigated. By analysing the results focussing on the bending moments resp. the lever arms causative for these moments, it was possible to establish a correlation between the results obtained. Based on this correlation, a procedure for the determination of the lever arms independently from the load introduction length was developed. In combination with the scaling of the results over the elastic length of the sleepers, considering the track modulus as well as the sleeper geometry and material properties, this resulted in a generally valid, material-independent method for determining the moment stress of sleepers of constant cross-section, independent of the load introduction length.
Wavelet neural network sliding mode control of two rigid joint robot manipulator
Authors: Tlijani Hatem , Jouila Ameni , Nouri Khaled
Published: August 2022

To solve the problems of low accuracy and poor stability due to uncertainties, external disturbances and unknown load, which exist in the position control of rigid joint robot manipulator, this article is to propose Non-Singular Fast Terminal Sliding Mode Control strategy with Wavelet neural networks observer (NSFTSMCW). The wavelet observer is designed using the online approximation capability of the neural network, which is used to online estimate the modeling error, external disturbances and uncertainties generated by the dynamic surface control of the joint robot online. Combining the above strategies, the robot manipulators position controller is designed. The stability of this control strategy is demonstrated by stability analysis using the Lyapunov criterion. Simulations on the 2-Link Rigid Joint (2LRJ) robot show that the control strategy can overcome the chattering phenomena ensures the accuracy and stability of the joint robot position control.
MicroRNA-21 protects against sepsis-induced acute lung injury by targeting phosphatase and tensin homolog in mice
Authors: Ge Chen , Liu Junhang , Fu You , Jia Lijing , Long Ling , Dong Shimin
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Sepsis can cause acute lung injury (ALI), one of the leading causes of death in critically ill patients. The underlying mechanisms of sepsis-induced acute lung injury include excessive inflammation, oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, pulmonary edema, and lung tissue dysfunction. Recent studies have shown that miRNA-21 (miR-21) plays a vital role in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury. Relatively few studies have focused on the protective effects of ALI. This study aimed to determine the potential role of miR-21 in sepsis-induced ALI.

Methods: We performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in a septic mouse model induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and found that miR-21 expression was upregulated. We then transfected the miR-21 precursor to upregulate miR-21 expression and miR-21 inhibitor to downregulate miR-21 expression. The sham group was exposed only to the cecum. ALI was induced by CLP, and the pre-miR-21+ALI and anti-miR-21+ALI groups were treated with miR-21 precursor or miR-21 inhibitor in the caudal vein before CLP. Pre-miR-21+ALI+PTEN inhibition (Pre-miR-21+ALI+PI) and anti-miR-21+ALI+PTEN inhibition (Anti-miR-21+ALI+PI) groups were treated with PTEN inhibition into the caudal vein after miR-21 transfection. Inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress indicators, lung tissue cell apoptosis, oxygenation index (OI), lung wet/dry weight ratio, and lung pathological changes in the lung were observed in each group.

Results: Compared with ALI mice, inflammatory response, oxidative stress indicators, lung tissue cell apoptosis, and the degree of lung injury were remarkably alleviated in Pre-miR-21+ALI mice and aggravated in Anti-miR-21+ALI mice. Western blot analysis showed that phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) protein expression was decreased in CLP-treated mics. PTEN protein expression was decreased in the Pre-miR-21+ALI group but increased in the Anti-miR-21+ALI group. Moreover, the effect of miR-21 on anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-apoptosis enhanced after PTEN inhibition.

Conclusion: This study revealed that miR-21 has a protective effect in sepsis-induced ALI by regulating PTEN in mice.
Global stroke statistics 2022
Authors: Thayabaranathan Tharshanah , Kim Joosup , Cadilhac Dominique A , Thrift Amanda G , Donnan Geoffrey A , Howard George , Howard Virginia J , Rothwell Peter M , Feigin Valery , Norrving Bo , Owolabi Mayowa , Pandian Jeyaraj , Liu Liping , Olaiya Muideen T
Published: August 2022

Background:

Contemporary data on stroke epidemiology and the availability of national stroke clinical registries are important for providing evidence to improve practice and support policy decisions.

Aims:

To update the most current incidence, case-fatality, and mortality rates on stroke and identify national stroke clinical registries worldwide.

Methods:

We searched multiple databases (based on our existing search strategy) to identify new original papers, published between 1 November 2018 and 15 December 2021, that met ideal criteria for data on stroke incidence and case-fatality, and added these to the studies reported in our last review. To identify national stroke clinical registries, we updated our last search, using PubMed, from 6 February 2015 until 6 January 2022. We also screened reference lists of review papers, citation history of papers, and the gray literature. Mortality codes for International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and ICD-10 were extracted from the World Health Organization (WHO) for each country providing these data. Population denominators were obtained from the United Nations (UN) or WHO (when data were unavailable in the UN database). Crude and adjusted stroke mortality rates were calculated using country-specific population denominators, and the most recent years of mortality data available for each country.

Results:

Since our last report in 2020, there were two countries (Chile and France) with new incidence studies meeting criteria for ideal population-based studies. New data on case-fatality were found for Chile and Kenya. The most current mortality data were available for the year 2014 (1 country), 2015 (2 countries), 2016 (11 countries), 2017 (10 countries), 2018 (19 countries), 2019 (36 countries), and 2020 (29 countries). Four countries (Libya, Solomon Islands, United Arab Emirates, and Lebanon) reported mortality data for the first time. Since our last report on registries in 2017, we identified seven more national stroke clinical registries, predominantly in high-income countries. These newly identified registries yielded limited information.

Conclusions:

Up-to-date data on stroke incidence, case-fatality, and mortality continue to provide evidence of disparities and the scale of burden in low- and middle-income countries. Although more national stroke clinical registries were identified, information from these newly identified registries was limited. Highlighting data scarcity or even where a country is ranked might help facilitate more research or greater policy attention in this field.
Reliability assessment of degradation processes with random shocks considering recoverable shock damages
Authors: Huang Tingting , Chen Songming , Zhao Yuepu , Dai Wei
Published: August 2022

For the products that are exposed to random shocks in the field use, the continuous degradation processes of the products are often affected by random shocks. There are two types of shock effects typically: (1) a sudden change of the degradation signal; (2) an increment of the degradation rate. For some kinds of the products, such as the material with recovery properties and smart systems with self-recovery properties, the sudden change of degradation signals caused by shocks can be fully or partially recovered after the occurrence of the shocks. Thus, the recoverable shock damage should be considered in the degradation modeling and reliability prediction of such products. In this paper, a degradation model considering recoverable shock damage is established based on a Wiener process. Three transition zones are divided according to different shock effects. The arrival of the random shocks is expressed by a homogeneous Poisson process, and the shock magnitudes are non-negative independent random variables following a normal distribution. The shock effect is described as the cumulative shock damage function consisting of both the effect on the degradation signal which is expressed by an exponential function with/without a residual effect for a partial or full recovery, and on the degradation rate which is proportional to the shock magnitude when the shock magnitude exceeds the critical threshold. Parameter estimation and reliability prediction are discussed. Numerical examples are presented as demonstrations of the applications of the proposed model.
“The Popular Entertainment Side of Broadcasting Should Receive Much More Attention”: The BBC, Comedy, and Nation-Building at Home and Abroad
Authors: Mills Brett
Published: August 2022

This article outlines and examines the role comedy and entertainment have played at the BBC in constructing a sense of national identity both in the UK and overseas. It demonstrates the ways in which UK national identities are intertwined with ideas of a sense of humour, and the extent to which this is a performative act. Beginning with a historical approach, the article shows how the BBC, over time, has employed comedy as a way to evidence particularities of UK national identities, and the importance of the organisation in contributing to this.
Digitalizing the Supply Chain of Clinical Trials
Authors: Antonuccio Deborah , Buser Lukas , Ehrenthal Joachim , Maheswaran Mugunthan , Schwarz Philip
Published: August 2022

Clinical trials investigate the effectiveness and safety of new medications and treatments before market introduction. Data quality and speed are keys to clinical trials success, together with the overall time to bring innovative medicines to patients in need. Cutting edge trials programs rely on data from participant devices to track and monitor health. The supply chain of these devices, and leveraging supply chain data to improve it, have become critical to clinical trials success. This case presents how a small Business Unit specialized improved their device supply chain by digitizing supply chain processes and leveraging supply chain data. Set in the Swiss pharmaceuticals industry, case provides rich insights on data collection and exchange in clinical trials supply chains.
The importance of non-fatal overdose in reducing drug related deaths characteristics of non-fatal overdoses and associated risk factors in patients attending a specialist community-based substance misuse service
Authors: Matheson Catriona
Published: August 2022

This commentary piece reviews the paper by Cowden et al. on Characteristics on Non-fatal overdoses.
Description and outcomes of patients with substance use disorder with serious bacterial infections who had a multidisciplinary care conference
Authors: Conte Michael , Schneider Brent , Varley Cara D. , Streifel Amber C. , Sikka Monica K.
Published: August 2022

Background:

Patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) and severe bacterial infections requiring prolonged antibiotic therapy represent a significant challenge to providers due to complexity of care coordination required to ensure safe and effective treatment. Our institution developed a patient-centered multidisciplinary discharge planning conference, OPTIONS-DC, to address this challenge.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective review to evaluates parameters between patients who received an OPTIONS-DC and those who did not.

Results:

We identified 73 patients receiving an OPTIONS-DC and 100 who did not. More patients with an OPTIONS-DC were < 40 years of age (76.7% versus 61.0%, OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.1–4.7, p = 0.02), had positive HCV antibody testing (58.9% versus 41.0%, OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.1–3.8, p = 0.02), injection drug use (93.2% versus 79.0%, OR = 3.6 95% CI = 1.3–10.1, p = 0.01), used methamphetamines (84.9% versus 72.0%, OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.0–4.8, p = 0.04), and started inpatient SUD treatment (80.8% versus 63%, OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.2–5.0, p = 0.04) compared with those without a conference. The OPTIONS-DC group was more likely to be diagnosed with bacteremia (74.0% versus 57.0%, OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.1–4.1, p = 0.02), endocarditis (39.7% versus21.0%, OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.3–4.9, p = 0.03), vertebral osteomyelitis (45.2% versus 15.0%, OR = 4.7, 95% CI = 2.3–9.6, p < 0.01), and epidural abscess (35.6% versus 10.0%, OR = 5.0, 95% CI = 2.2–11.2, p < 0.01) and require 4 weeks or more of antibiotic treatment (97.3% versus 51.1%, OR = 34.1, 95% CI = 7.9–146.7, p = 0.01). Patients with an OPTIONS-DC were also more likely to be admitted between 2019 and 2020 than between 2018 and 2019 (OR = 4.1, 95% CI = 2.1–7.9, p < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Patients with an OPTIONS-DC tended to have more complicated infections and longer courses of antibiotic treatment. While further research on outcomes is needed, patients receiving an OPTIONS-DC were able to successfully complete antibiotic courses across a variety of settings.
Extramedullary hematopoiesis secondary to COVID-19: A first case report in a newborn
Authors: Caudrelier Nicolas , Cyr Patrick , Kokta Victor , McCuaig Catherine
Published: August 2022

A 39 weeks newborn baby was born with blueberry muffin macules and papules on her back. Skin biopsy was performed and showed extramedullary hematopoiesis. The mother who was infected by COVID-19 infection at 35 weeks of pregnancy did not have any other risk factor for extramedullary hematopoiesis, thus making this viral infection the most likely cause of blueberry muffin rash.
Nasopharyngeal sialocoele with underlying auditory tube neoplasia in a cat
Authors: Fritz Julien , Belmudes Audrey , Cauvin Edouard , Girard Nicolas , Rault Delphine N
Published: August 2022

Case summary

An 8-year-old cat was presented with recent signs related to upper airway obstruction. CT revealed a hypoattenuating mass, with rim enhancement, in the nasopharynx. Paracentesis yielded a viscous fluid, consistent with saliva on cytology. The sialocoele was aspirated, and surgical excision of the ipsilateral mandibular and sublingual salivary glands was performed. The sialocoele recurred 3 months later, associated with a polypoid structure in the auditory tube region. This was surgically extirpated. Histology was consistent with a tubulopapillar adenocarcinoma.

Relevance and novel information

To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a nasopharyngeal sialocoele with confirmed underlying neoplasia in a cat, and the first description of CT imaging features of a nasopharyngeal sialocoele in a cat.
Anti-Asian Hate Crime in U.S. National News: A Content Analysis of Coverage and Narratives from 2010–2021
Authors: Powers Ráchael A. , Bleeker Kacy , Alcalde Crystal
Published: August 2022

Research on the media's portrayal of Asian American crime victims has largely entailed content analyses of specific high-profile cases, partly because Asian Americans have been largely ignored in the media. The current study examines national news coverage (2010–2021) of both specific anti-Asian hate crime incidents as well as articles that discuss the rise in hate crime against the Asian American community. We also include anti-Hispanic hate crime articles over the same time period as a comparison group. In doing so, we examine the extent of coverage, portrayals of victims and perpetrators, including stereotypes of Asian Americans, and how the incidents are situated in a larger context of violence against racial minorities. While there were similarities between the groups in the media narratives, such as the offender's race rarely being mentioned, there were notable differences as well. For example, articles on Asian Americans were more likely to portray hate crime as a new phenomenon, but also more likely to include quotes from victims and/or their families. The findings have implications for the media's role in shaping the social consequences of pandemics.
Spot It, Prevent It: Evaluation of a Rapid Response Algorithm for Managing Workplace Violence Among Home Care Workers
Authors: Ruco Arlinda , Nichol Kathryn , Edwards Brydne , Roy Meghla , Morgan Dionne , Holness D Linn , McKay Sandra
Published: August 2022

Background:

Workplace violence incidents remain pervasive in health care. Home care workers like personal support workers (PSWs) provide services for clients with dementia, which has been identified as a risk factor for workplace violence. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the implementation of a rapid response algorithm resolved unsafe working conditions associated with responsive behaviors and decreased perception of risk.

Methods:

A nonexperimental pre- and post-evaluation design was utilized to collect data from PSWs and supervisors. PSWs completed an online survey about their experience with workplace violence and perception of risk. Bi-weekly check-ins were conducted with supervisors to track incidents and their level of resolution in the algorithm. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted to gather in-depth feedback about the algorithm in practice.

Findings:

We found no difference in risk perception among PSWs pre- and post-implementation. However, PSWs who had been employed for less than 1 year had a significantly higher risk perception. Overall, the algorithm was found to be helpful in resolving workplace violence incidents.

Conclusion and Application to Practice:

Opportunity exists to further refine the algorithm and ongoing dissemination, and implementation of the algorithm is recommended to continually address incidents of workplace violence. Newly hired PSWs may require additional supports. Ongoing education and training were identified as key mitigation strategies.
Hemorrhagic Brain Metastasis as an Initial Presentation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Patient With Alcohol-Related Liver Cirrhosis: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Thida Chan , Pokhrel Akriti , Sun Lishi , Wu Richard , Jaswani Vijay , Wang Jen C.
Published: August 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary hepatic cancer. Although it usually presents as a liver mass, rarely HCC can have an initial presentation at an extrahepatic site before the diagnosis of the primary lesion in the liver. Even rarely was that brain metastasis as initial extrahepatic presentations. Furthermore, the initial presentation of HCC as brain metastases has been with most cases being secondary to hepatitis-related hepatoma. In this case report, we are presenting a rare and unusual case of hemorrhagic cerebral metastasis as an initial extrahepatic presentation of an alcohol-related hepatoma. Our case is the second case in the English literature that has been presented in such a way. Due to the uncommonness of presentation, there can be diagnostic dilemmas and delay in treatment. Therefore, a high level of suspicion is needed in the high-risk patients of HCC who present with unexplained or new neurological signs and symptoms. More exploration is warranted for clinical research and treatment guidelines for brain metastases of HCC to help improve survival and quality of life.
Shared ACL Bone Tunnel Technique for Repair of Lateral Meniscus Posterior Root Tears Combined With ACL Reconstruction
Authors: Zhou Yi , Bai Fan , Liu Xiaoyan , She Hongjiang , Ding Chuan , Xiang Bingyan
Published: August 2022

Background:

Independent transtibial pullout repair is a common surgical technique for repairing lateral meniscus posterior root tears (LMPRTs). The shared anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) bone tunnel technique is an alternative technique for LMPRT repair combined with ACL reconstruction (ACLR) to avoid the establishment of additional bone tunnels.

Purpose:

To compare the clinical outcomes of the shared ACL bone tunnel versus the independent transtibial pullout techniques for LMPRT repair combined with ACLR.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Between March 2014 and February 2018, a total of 48 patients were diagnosed with ACL injury with concomitant LMPRT; 22 patients underwent independent transtibial pullout repair (group T), and 26 patients underwent the shared ACL bone tunnel technique (group S). At a follow-up of >2 years, we compared knee functional recovery using the Lysholm, Tegner, and International Knee Documentation Committee scores and the pivot-shift test. Lateral meniscal extrusion, and cartilage degeneration on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were also compared. The healing status of the lateral meniscus posterior root was compared using second-look arthroscopy and MRI.

Results:

The duration of surgery was significantly shorter in group S compared with group T (98.3 ± 11.1 vs 127.9 ± 17.5 min; P = .001). At final follow-up, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in knee functional scores, pivot shift, or grade of cartilage degeneration. Lateral meniscal extrusion was decreased in group S compared with group T (2.41 ± 0.61 vs 1.59 ± 1.35 mm; P = .014). Second-look arthroscopy revealed stable healing in 16 of 18 patients (88.9%) in group S and 10 of 15 patients (66.7%) in group T ( P = .38).

Conclusion:

Both the shared ACL bone tunnel and the independent transtibial pullout techniques led to satisfactory clinical outcomes. The shared ACL bone tunnel technique is the simpler of the 2 procedures for combined LMPRT repair with ACLR.
Elasticity of the Scalene Muscles in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers Using Shear Wave Elastography
Authors: Takaba Keishi , Takenaga Tetsuya , Tsuchiya Atsushi , Takeuchi Satoshi , Fukuyoshi Masaki , Nakagawa Hiroki , Futamura Hidenori , Futamura Ryo , Sugimoto Katsumasa , Murakami Hideki , Yoshida Masahito
Published: August 2022

Background:

Thoracic outlet syndrome is more common in overhead athletes. The anterior and middle scalene muscles have been associated with thoracic outlet syndrome; however, the relationship between the elastic moduli of the scalene muscles and the overhead-throwing position has not been evaluated.

Purpose:

To investigate the elastic moduli of the anterior and middle scalene muscles in simulated throwing positions using shear wave elastography.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

We enrolled collegiate baseball players who underwent preseason medical checkups in January and February 2020. The anterior and middle scalene muscles were visualized in the short-axis view using ultrasound. In this view, the elastic moduli of the anterior and middle scalene muscles were measured using shear wave elastography in the following arm and neck positions: (1) adduction and neutral rotation of the shoulder (neutral), (2) 90° of abduction and external rotation of the shoulder (ABER), and (3) ABER with neck rotation toward the nonthrowing side (ABER+NR). Repeated-measures analysis of variance and a paired t test were used to compare the elastic modulus values among the 3 positions and between the 2 muscles, respectively.

Results:

Overall, 30 baseball players were included. In both scalene muscles, the elastic moduli were significantly greater in the ABER versus neutral position (anterior scalene: 14.4 ± 3.8 vs 9.4 ± 2.0 kPa, respectively [ P < .001]; middle scalene: 15.8 ± 5.0 vs 10.9 ± 3.4 kPa, respectively [ P < .001]). In the neutral position, the elastic modulus was significantly greater in the middle scalene than the anterior scalene (10.9 ± 3.4 vs 9.4 ± 2.0 kPa, respectively; P = .03). In the ABER+NR position, the elastic modulus was significantly greater in the anterior scalene than the middle scalene (18.1 ± 4.6 vs 15.8 ± 2.6 kPa, respectively; P = .03).

Conclusion:

Because the ABER position was a simulation of the throwing position, these results indicate that this position could be associated with high elastic moduli of the scalene muscles, and both the anterior and middle scalene muscles may be involved.
Serum cystatin C level can be used to estimate GFR in patients with solid tumors: CON
Authors: Latcha Sheron
Published: August 2022

Serum cystatin C (CysC) is being promoted by the major nephrology societies as a confirmatory biomarker to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Many clinicians have the impression that CysC may be a better biomarker for estimating GFR in cancer patients because it is less influenced by muscle mass and nutritional status. Cancer patients were not well represented in the cohorts from which the most frequently used Cr based eGFR estimating equations were derived. Clinical data supports that serum CysC levels are affected by the cancer milieu itself and by clinical factors that are often present in cancer patients. This article highlights data showing that serum CysC levels cannot be reliably used to estimate GFR in solid tumors.
Simulating post-disaster temporary housing needs for displaced households and out-of-town contractors
Authors: Wang Chenbo , Costa Rodrigo , Baker Jack W
Published: August 2022

Residential damage from major disasters often displaces local residents out of their homes and into temporary housing. Out-of-town contractors assisting in post-disaster housing reconstruction also need housing, creating additional pressure on the local housing stock. Communities should thus prepare for a surge in temporary housing demand to minimize the impact on the local residents and to expedite housing recovery efforts. Computational models can support recovery planning. This article introduces an agent-based simulation framework to estimate the workforce demand and the joint temporary housing needs of contractors and displaced households. The main agents are households seeking to repair their homes, local contractors, and out-of-town contractors. Out-of-town contractor agents come into the community if the labor and housing markets are favorable. The framework can be used to evaluate the resulting challenges and benefits of interventions aimed at attracting out-of-town contractors to expedite housing recovery. We present a case study on the housing recovery of the city of San Francisco after hypothetical M 6.5, M 7.2, and M 7.9 earthquakes. A shortage of contractors is shown to bottleneck the reconstruction if no out-of-town contractors are recruited. Conversely, out-of-town contractors increase the likelihood of temporary housing shortages. These results highlight the need to plan for shortages of reconstruction labor and temporary housing during recovery.
Characterizing the role of the immune microenvironment in multiple myeloma progression at a single-cell level
Authors: Schinke Carolina , Poos Alexandra M. , Bauer Michael , John Lukas , Johnson Sarah , Deshpande Shayu , Carrillo Luis , Alapat Daisy , Rasche Leo , Thanendrarajan Sharmilan , Zangari Maurizio , Al Hadidi Samer , van Rhee Frits , Davies Faith , Raab Marc S. , Morgan Gareth , Weinhold Niels
Published: August 2022

Early alterations within the bone marrow microenvironment that contribute to the progression of multiple myeloma (MM) from its precursor stages could be the key to identifying novel therapeutic approaches. However, the intrinsic variability in cellular populations between patients and the differences in sample processing and analysis methods have made it difficult to identify consistent changes between data sets. Here, we used single-cell RNA sequencing of bone marrow cells from precursor stages, monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance, smoldering MM, and newly diagnosed MM and analyzed our data in combination with a previously published data set that used a similar patient population and sample processing. Despite the vast interpatient heterogeneity, some alterations were consistently observed in both data sets. We identified changes in immune cell populations as the disease progressed, which were characterized by a substantial decrease in memory and naïve CD4 T cells, and an increase in CD8+ effector T cells and T-regulatory cells. These alterations were further accompanied by an enrichment of nonclonal memory B cells and an increase in CD14 and CD16 monocytes in MM compared with its precursor stages. These results provide crucial information on the immune changes associated with the progression to clinical MM and can help to develop immune-based strategies for patient stratification and early therapeutic intervention.
Elucidating parasite and host-cell factors enabling Babesia infection in sickle red cells under hypoxic/hyperoxic conditions
Authors: Beri Divya , Singh Manpreet , Rodriguez Marilis , Barbu-Stevanovic Mihaela , Rasquinha Giselle , Mendelson Avital , An Xiuli , Manwani Deepa , Yazdanbakhsh Karina , Lobo Cheryl A.
Published: August 2022

Sickle red blood cells (RBCs) represent a naturally existing host-cell resistance mechanism to hemoparasite infections. We investigate the basis of this resistance using Babesia divergens grown in sickle (SS) and sickle trait (AS) cells. We found that oxygenation and its corresponding effect on RBC sickling, frequency of fetal hemoglobin positive (HbF+) cells, cellular redox environment, and parasite proliferation dynamics, all played a role in supporting or inhibiting Babesia proliferation. To identify cellular determinants that supported infection, an image flow cytometric tool was developed that could identify sickled cells and constituent Hb. We showed that hypoxic conditions impaired parasite growth in both SS and AS cells. Furthermore, cell sickling was alleviated by oxygenation (hyperoxic conditions), which decreased inhibition of parasite proliferation in SS cells. Interestingly, our tool identified HbF+-SS as host-cells of choice under both hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions, which was confirmed using cord RBCs containing high amounts of HbF+ cells. Uninfected SS cells showed a higher reactive oxygen species–containing environment, than AA or AS cells, which was further perturbed on infection. In hostile SS cells we found that Babesia alters its subpopulation structure, with 1N dominance under hypoxic conditions yielding to equivalent ratios of all parasite forms at hyperoxic conditions, favorable for growth. Multiple factors, including oxygenation and its impact on cell shape, HbF positivity, redox status, and parasite pleiotropy allow Babesia propagation in sickle RBCs. Our studies provide a cellular and molecular basis of natural resistance to Babesia, which will aid in defining novel therapies against human babesiosis.
Hybrid Navigation System Based Autonomous Positioning and Path Planning for Mobile Robots
Authors: Shentu Shuzhan , Gong Zhao , Liu Xin-Jun , Liu Quan , Xie Fugui
Published: August 2022

Positioning and navigation technology is a new trend of research in mobile robot area. Existing researches focus on the indoor industrial problems, while many application fields are in the outdoor environment, which put forward higher requirements for sensor selection and navigation scheme. In this paper, a complete hybrid navigation system for a class of mobile robots with load tasks and docking tasks is presented. The work can realize large-range autonomous positioning and path planning for mobile robots in unstructured scenarios. The autonomous positioning is achieved by adopting suitable guidance methods to meet different application requirements and accuracy requirements in conditions of different distances. Based on the Bezier curve, a path planning scheme is proposed and a motion controller is designed to make the mobile robot follow the target path. The Kalman filter is established to process the guidance signals and control outputs of the motion controller. Finally, the autonomous positioning and docking experiment are carried out. The results of the research verify the effectiveness of the hybrid navigation, which can be used in autonomous warehousing logistics and multi-mobile robot system.
Effectiveness of antiviral treatment in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients with normal or mildly elevated alanine aminotransferase: a retrospective study
Authors: Wei Sufang , Hu Meixin , Chen Hongjie , Xie Qiuli , Wang Peng , Li Hong , Peng Jie
Published: August 2022

Background

There are inadequate data and no histological evidence regarding the effects of antiviral treatment for hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with normal or mildly elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT). This study investigated the effects of antiviral treatment on these patients.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the outcomes of antiviral treatment for HBeAg-negative CHB patients with normal or mildly elevated ALT who were treated with nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs) for up to 96 weeks.

Results

A total of 128 patients were enrolled; 74 patients had normal ALT and 54 patients had mildly elevated ALT. The total cumulative rates of viral suppression were 64.06%, 81.97%, and 96.39%, at weeks 24, 48, and 96, respectively. The cumulative rates of viral suppression for the normal and mildly elevated ALT groups were 67.85% and 58.97%, 86.39% and 76.31%, and 93.13% and 97.04% at weeks 24, 48, and 96, respectively. The serum HBV DNA levels at week 12 and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels at week 24 were significant predictors of the 96-week virological response. Of the 128 patients, 54 with normal ALT and 33 with mildly elevated ALT underwent FibroScan at baseline. Significant fibrosis (F ≥ 2) was found in 44.4% (n = 24) and 51.5% (n = 17) of the patients in the normal ALT group and mildly elevated ALT group, respectively. Compared with the values at baseline, liver stiffness values significantly decreased at week 48 (8.12 kPa vs. 6.57 kPa; p < 0.001) and week 96 (8.87 kPa vs. 6.43 kPa; p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

HBeAg-negative CHB patients with normal ALT could benefit from antiviral therapy with NAs, similar to patients with mildly elevated ALT. Antiviral treatment is strongly recommended for HBeAg-negative CHB patients with normal ALT. Additionally, significant liver fibrosis is not rare in HBeAg-negative CHB patients with ALT less than two-times the upper limit of normal, and FibroScan should be performed regularly for these patients.
Expression of TRAF6 in peripheral blood B cells of patients with myasthenia gravis
Authors: Li Ting , Li Yue , Li Jia-Wen , Qin Ying-Hui , Zhai Hui , Feng Bin , Li He , Zhang Ning-Nannan , Yang Chun-Sheng
Published: August 2022

Background

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) can regulate the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways by acting as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, which enhances B cell activation. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of TRAF6 in the peripheral blood B cells of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients and analyze the relationships between TRAF6 expression and clinical characteristics.

Method

In our study, the expression level of TRAF6 in peripheral blood B cells of 89 patients was measured by flow cytometry compared with that of healthy subjects. The effects of disease severity, MG classification and immunotherapy on TRAF6 expression level were also analyzed.

Results

In our study, TRAF6 expression was elevated in CD19+ B cells and CD19+CD27+ memory B cells in generalized MG (GMG) patients compared with ocular MG (OMG) patients (p = 0.03 and p = 0.03, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation between the TRAF6 expression level and disease severity in both OMG patients and GMG patients (CD19+ B cells: OMG: p < 0.001, r = 0.89; GMG: p = 0.001, r = 0.59; CD29+CD27+ B cells: OMG: p = 0.001, r = 0.80; GMG: p = 0.048, r = 0.38). TRAF6 expression was significantly elevated in CD19+ B cells and CD19+CD27+ memory B cells in GMG with acute aggravation compared with GMG in MMS (p = 0.009 and p = 0.028, respectively). In the eleven MG patients who were followed, TRAF6 expression in B cells and memory B cells was significantly decreased after treatment (p = 0.03 and p < 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

TRAF6 is potentially a useful biomarker of inflammation in patients with MG, and might be used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
The relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and diabetic retinopathy in adults from the United States: results from the National Health and nutrition examination survey
Authors: He Xiaojie , Qi Shanshan , Zhang Xi , Pan Jiandong
Published: August 2022

Background

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Systemic inflammation is intimately associated with DR. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) index is a relatively new indicator of inflammation.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out among adults with DM based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2009 to 2016. NLR was presented as absolute neutrophil counts/ absolute lymphocyte counts. The relationship of NLR levels to DR was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

There were 2772 eligible subjects extracted from the NHANES. In the multivariate analysis, NLR was related to the risk of DR after adjustment for potential confounders. The association between NLR levels and DR was nonlinear, with an inflection point of 4.778. Compared with the baseline values, NLR was not statistically significant on the right side of the inflection point (1.000, 0.914 to 1.094, 0.9974) but was positively associated with DR on the left side (1.236, 1.132 to 1.349, < 0.0001).

Conclusions

NLR reflects systemic inflammation that may increase the risk of DR. NLR positively correlates with DR when its value is less than 4.778.
Comparison of the effect of post space preparation time on the apical seal of two different sealers
Authors: Hajihassani Neda , Mohammadi Navid , Karimi Kelayeh Ahmad , Aalaei Shima
Published: August 2022

Background

 The present study compared the effect of post space preparation time on the apical seal of two different sealers.

Methods

In the in vitro study, 94 central incisors were used. After the samples’ root canal preparation, they were randomly assigned to four experimental groups (n = 21). The samples in groups 1 and 2 were obturated with AH Plus sealer, gutta-percha, and in groups 3 and 4 with Endoseal MTA bioceramic sealer and single cone technique. The post spaces in groups 1 and 3 were prepared immediately and in groups 2 and 4 with a delay. The samples were evaluated at 7-, 30-, and 90-day intervals for apical microleakage using the fluid filtration technique. The data were analyzed with SPSS 25, using three-way ANOVA and independent t-test.

Results

 The apical microleakage in groups 3 and 4, obturated with Endoseal MTA bioceramic sealer and prepared immediately and after a delay, respectively, was not significantly different between the interval times. In group 2, obturated with AH Plus sealer and prepared for post space with a delay, the apical microleakage was significantly less than all the other groups. Group 1, obturated with AH Plus sealer and prepared for post space immediately, exhibited the least microleakage after seven days, but its microleakage increased over time to reach the level of groups 3 and 4.

Conclusion

 According to the results, the apical microleakage in the AH + sealer group and the delayed post-space preparation method, was significantly less than all the other groups over time.