bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of perioperative intravenous lidocaine on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing resection of colorectal cancer: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: JI Wentao , Zhang Xiaoting , Sun Guolin , Wang Xiandong , Liu Jia , Bian Jinjun , Bo Lulong
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Techniques using local anaesthetics provide high-quality analgesia, while the anti-inflammatory properties of these drugs may represent an additional advantage. Perioperative intravenous lidocaine has shown positive effects not only on postoperative pain but also on bowel function and duration of hospital stay, due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and opioid-sparing effects. However, these potential benefits are not well established in patients undergoing resection with colorectal cancer. This research aims to determine the effect of perioperative intravenous lidocaine on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing resection of colorectal cancer.

Methods and analysis

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, SinoMed and WanFang Data databases were electronically retrieved to include the randomised controlled trials comparing perioperative intravenous lidocaine with placebo infusion in patients undergoing resection of colorectal cancer before August 2021. Registers of clinical trials, potential grey literature and abstracts from conferences will also be searched. Two reviewers will screen literature, extract data and assess risk of bias of studies included independently. The primary outcome variable will be long-term survival outcome, tumour recurrence and metastasis rate, and restoration of intestinal function. The secondary outcome variables will consist of the severity of postoperative pain at 4, 12, 24 and 48 hours after surgery, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and the length of hospital stay. A meta-analysis will be performed using RevMan V.5.4 software provided by the Cochrane Collaboration and Stata V.12.0. subgroup and sensitivity analyses will be conducted.

Ethics and dissemination

Because the data used for this systematic review will be exclusively extracted from published studies, ethical approval and informed consent of patients will not be required. The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, presented at conferences and shared on social media platforms.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020216232.
Oral health assessment of older adults living in long-term care facilities by non-dental professionals: a systematic review protocol of instruments
Authors: Rodrigues Lorrany Gabriela , Vettore Mario Vianna , Figueiredo Isadora Lemos , Sampaio Aline Araújo , Ferreira Raquel Conceição
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Regular oral health assessment among older adults living in long-term care facilities (LTCF) can improve their oral health. Different instruments have been developed and used to evaluate the oral health of institutionalised older people by non-dental professionals. These instruments must demonstrate adequate measurement properties. This systematic review aims to examine the studies describing the instruments employed to assess the oral health of older adults living in LTCF by non-dental professionals. The study will also evaluate the measurement properties of such instruments using the checklist proposed by the Consensus-based Standards to select health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN).

Methods and analysis

Studies describing the development of instruments for assessing oral health of institutionalised older adults by non-dental professionals will be included. Studies assessing at least one measurement property (validity, reliability or responsiveness) will be also considered. Electronic searches will be conducted on MEDLINE (PubMed, Ovid), Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and LILACS databases. Two independent reviewers will select the studies and will extract data concerning the characteristics of the research and the instrument. The measurement properties will be evaluated using the COSMIN checklist. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach will be used to grade the quality (or certainty) of evidence and strength of recommendations.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethical approval is required. The results will be submitted for publication to a peer-review journal and presented at relevant conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020191479.
Association of decreased physical activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic with new-onset neck pain in survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Sekiguchi Takuya , Hagiwara Yoshihiro , Yabe Yutaka , Sugawara Yumi , Tsuji Ichiro , Itoi Eiji
Published: August 2021

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people to stay at home and to maintain social distancing. This study aimed to assess the association of reduced physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic with new onset of neck pain (katakori) among a rural Japanese population living in areas damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE).

Design, setting and participants

This prospective cohort study has been conducted continuously since 2011 after the GEJE. This study used longitudinal data from 1608 adults who responded to the self-reported questionnaire before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes in physical activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic were categorised into four groups: ‘no change’, ‘decreased by 20%–30%’, ‘decreased by half’ and ‘almost never go out’. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the OR and 95% CI of the association between COVID-19 pandemic-related physical inactivity and new-onset neck pain.

Results

In total, ‘no change’, ‘decreased by 20%–30%’, ‘decreased by half’, and ‘almost never go out’ were reported by 9.2%, 27.7%, 31.2% and 21.9% of respondents, respectively. Among them, 9.8% reported new-onset neck pain. A significantly higher rate of new-onset neck pain was observed in participants who reported ‘decreased by half’ (adjusted OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.30) and who ‘almost never go out’ (adjusted OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.16 to 3.91), compared with those who reported ‘no change.’

Conclusions

Decreased physical activity has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was significantly associated with new-onset neck pain among GEJE survivors.
Validation of ethnicity in administrative hospital data in women giving birth in England: cohort study
Authors: Jardine Jennifer Elizabeth , Frémeaux Alissa , Coe Megan , Gurol Urganci Ipek , Pasupathy Dharmintra , Walker Kate
Published: August 2021

Objective

To describe the accuracy of coding of ethnicity in National Health Service (NHS) administrative hospital records compared with self-declared records in maternity booking systems, and to assess the potential impact of misclassification bias.

Design

Secondary analysis of data from records of women giving birth in England (2015–2017).

Setting

NHS Trusts in England participating in a national audit programme.

Participants

1 237 213 women who gave birth between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2017.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

(1) Proportion of women with complete ethnicity; (2) agreement on coded ethnicity between maternity (maternity information systems (MIS)) and administrative hospital (Hospital Episode Statistics (HES)) records; (3) rates of caesarean section and obstetric anal sphincter injury by ethnic group in MIS and HES.

Results

91.3% of women had complete information regarding ethnicity in HES. Overall agreement between data sets was 90.4% (κ=0.83); 94.4% when collapsed into aggregate groups of white/South Asian/black/mixed/other (κ=0.86). Most disagreement was seen in women coded as mixed in either data set. Rates of obstetrical events and complications by ethnicity were similar regardless of data set used, with the most differences seen in women coded as mixed.

Conclusions

Levels of accuracy in ethnicity coding in administrative hospital records support the use of ethnicity collapsed into groups (white/South Asian/black/mixed/other), but findings for mixed and other groups, and more granular classifications, should be treated with caution. Robustness of results of analyses for associations with ethnicity can be improved by using additional primary data sources.
Nurses’ experiences of caring for people with COVID-19 in Hong Kong: a qualitative enquiry
Authors: Chau Janita Pak Chun , Lo Suzanne Hoi Shan , Saran Ravneet , Leung Claudia Ho Yau , Lam Simon Kwun Yu , Thompson David R
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Nurses are the largest group of healthcare workers on the front line of efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic. An understanding of their nursing experiences, the challenges they encountered and the strategies they used to address them may inform efforts to better prepare and support nurses and public health measures when facing a resurgence of COVID-19 or new pandemics. This study aimed to explore the experiences of nurses caring for people with suspected or diagnosed COVID-19 in Hong Kong.

Design

A qualitative study was conducted using individual, semistructured interviews. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for thematic analysis.

Setting

Participants were recruited from acute hospitals and a public health department in Hong Kong from June 2020 to August 2020.

Participants

A purposive sample of registered nurses (N=39) caring for people with COVID-19 in Hong Kong were recruited.

Results

Two-thirds of the nurses had a master’s degree and over a third had 6–10 years of nursing experience. Around 40% of the nurses cared for people with COVID-19 in isolation wards and a quarter performed COVID-19-related work for 31-40 hours/week. Most (90%) had training in COVID-19 and three-quarters had experience of working in infection control teams. Six key themes emerged: confronting resource shortages; changes in usual nursing responsibilities and care modes; maintaining physical and mental health; need for effective and timely responses from relevant local authorities; role of the community in public health protection and management; and advanced pandemic preparedness.

Conclusions

Our study found that nurses possessed resilience, self-care and adaptability when confronting resource shortages, changing nursing protocols, and physical and mental health threats during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, coordinated support from the clinical environment, local authorities and community, and advanced preparedness would likely improve nursing responses to future pandemics.
Nocardiosis in Renal Transplant Patients
Authors: Gibson Maya , Yang Nianlan , Waller Jennifer L , Young Lufei , Bollag Wendy B , Kheda Mufaddal , Mohammed Azeem , Baer Stephanie L
Published: August 2021

Renal transplant patients are immunosuppressed and are at increased risk of opportunistic infections, including Nocardia infection. In renal transplant patients, information on the incidence and risk factors associated with nocardiosis is limited. To address the incidence and risk factors associated with nocardiosis in a large renal transplant population, we used the US Renal Data System (USRDS). Sequelae of allograft failure or rejection after infection were also examined. Demographics, clinical risk factors, Nocardia diagnosis, and allograft failure following Nocardia infection were queried in USRDS renal transplant patients using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes in billing claims and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Form 2728. Generalized linear models were used to determine the risk factors associated with nocardiosis, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association of risk factors with graft failure among patients with Nocardia infection. Of 203,233 renal transplant recipients identified from 2001 to 2011, 657 (0.32%) were diagnosed with Nocardia infection. Pneumonia was the most frequent presentation (15.2%), followed by brain abscess (8.4%). Numerous factors associated with increased Nocardia infection included age >65 years (OR=2.10, 95% CI 1.71 to 2.59), history of transplant failure (OR=1.28, CI 1.02 to 1.60) or history of rejection (OR=4.83, CI 4.08 to 5.72), receipt of a deceased donor transplant (OR=1.23, CI 1.03 to 1.46), and treatment with basiliximab (OR=1.25, CI 1.00 to 1.55), cyclosporine (OR=1.30, CI 1.03 to 1.65), tacrolimus (OR=2.45, CI 2.00 to 3.00), or thymoglobulin (OR=1.89, CI 1.59 to 2.25). In patients with nocardiosis administration of antithymocyte globulin (HR=2.76), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR=2.47), and presentation of Nocardia infection with brain abscess (HR=1.85) were associated with an increased risk of graft failure. This study provides new information to enhance early recognition and targeted treatment of nocardiosis in renal transplant patients.
Validation of the Intermountain Risk Score and Get with the Guidelines—Heart Failure Score in predicting mortality
Authors: Engelsgjerd Erik K , Benziger Catherine P , Horne Benjamin D
Published: August 2021

Objective

The Intermountain Risk Score (IMRS) was evaluated for validation as a mortality predictor and compared with the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines—Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) risk score in a rural heart failure (HF) population.

Background

IMRS predicts mortality in general populations using common, inexpensive laboratory tests, patient age and sex, but requires validation in patients with HF.

Methods

Individuals were selected from the GWTG-HF registry at Essentia Health. This included consecutive HF inpatients age ≥18 years admitted July 2017–June 2019. IMRS was calculated using sex-specific weightings of the complete blood count, basic metabolic profile, and age.

Results

A total of 703 individuals (mean age: 74.12, 44.38% female) were studied. The 30-day IMRS predicted 30-day mortality for both sexes (females n=312: OR=1.19 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.32) per +1, p<0.001; males n=391: OR=1.23 (CI 1.12 to 1.36) per +1, p<0.001). The GWTG-HF risk score (only available in n=300, 42.7%) was independent of IMRS for 30-day mortality (OR=1.11 (CI 1.06 to 1.16) per +1, p<0.001). Using thresholds in bivariate modelling, IMRS (high vs low risk, OR=8.25 (CI 2.19 to 31.09), p=0.002) and the GWTG-HF score (tertile 3 vs 1: OR=2.18 (CI 0.84 to 5.68), p=0.11) independently predicted mortality. In multivariable analyses including covariables, IMRS (high vs low risk: OR=6.69 (CI 1.75 to 25.60), p=0.005) and the GWTG-HF score (tertile 3 vs 1: OR=2.62 (CI 0.96 to 7.12), p=0.06) remained predictors of mortality. Results were similar for 1-year mortality.

Conclusions

The IMRS and GWTG-HF scores predicted mortality of patients with HF in a large rural healthcare system. Future study of these scores as initial clinical risk estimators for evaluating their utility in improving patient health outcomes and increasing cost effectiveness is warranted.
Evaluation of the internal blast resistance of a bi-directionally prestressed concrete tubular structure according to ANFO explosive charge weight
Authors: Choi Ji-Hun , Choi Seung-Jai , Lee Tae-Hee , Yang Dal-Hun , Kim Jang-Ho Jay
Published: August 2021

When an extreme internal loading is applied to prestressed concrete (PSC) structures, serious property damage and human casualties may occur. However, the existing designs for PSC structures such as prestressed concrete containment vessels (PCCVs) do not include features to protect the structure from forces such as explosive blasts. Therefore, we evaluated the internal blast-resistance of PSC structures using blast tests on bi-directionally prestressed tubular concrete members. The goal of the study was to examine structural behavior data after an internal detonation. Explosive charges (ammonium nitrate – fuel oil; ANFO) were detonated at the center of the mid-span of the concrete tube with a standoff distance of 1000 mm. The data acquired included blast pressure, deflection, strain, crack pattern, and prestressing loss. The data were used to calculate the internal blast charge weight required to cause a PCCV to fail and to calibrate a simulation program to be used commercially for internal blast simulations at real scale structure.
Evolution of bridge live load models and truck weight limits: the case of Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Pushka Amanda , Regehr Jonathan D. , Mufti Aftab , Algohi Basheer , Fiorillo Graziano
Published: August 2021

Changes in the size and weight regulations for trucks have been used to improve their productivity, safety, and operational performance in Canada. In response to these changes, bridge design codes undergo modifications to envelop the potential range of trucks in operation. A five-decade timeline is presented to: (i) document how bridge codes and their live load models have evolved, with a focus on the Manitoba-specific HSS-25 truck; and (ii) discuss how responsive the bridge design codes have historically been to changes in truck size and weight regulations. While at times bridge codes are released in conjunction with expected regulation changes, there is often delay in the issuance of those codes. Assessments of the current truck fleet, which now includes long combination vehicles (LCVs), may be a consideration for future bridge live load models.
Physiological and nutritional constraints on zooplankton productivity due to eutrophication and climate change predicted using a resource-based modeling approach
Authors: Zhang Chen , Brett Michael T. , Nielsen Jens M. , Arhonditsis George B. , Ballantyne Ashley P. , Carter Jackie L. , Kann Jacob , Müller-Navarra Dörthe C. , Schindler Daniel E. , Stockwell Jason D. , Winder Monika , Beauchamp David A.
Published: August 2021

Emerging evidence suggests that zooplankton production is affected by physiological and nutritional constraints due to climate change and eutrophication, which in turn could have broad implications for food-web dynamics and fisheries production. In this study, we developed a resource-based zooplankton production dynamics model that causally links freshwater cladoceran and copepod daily production-to-biomass (P/B) ratios with water temperature, phytoplankton biomass and community composition, and zooplankton feeding selectivity. This model was used to evaluate constraints on zooplankton growth under four hypothetical scenarios: involving natural plankton community seasonal succession; lake fertilization to enhance fisheries production; eutrophication; and climatic warming. Our novel modeling approach predicts zooplankton production is strongly dependent on seasonal variation in resource availability and quality, which results in more complex zooplankton dynamics than predicted by simpler temperature-dependent models. For mesotrophic and hypereutrophic lakes, our study suggests that the ultimate control over zooplankton P/B ratios shifts from physiological control during colder periods to strong resource control during warmer periods. Our resource-based model provides important insights into the nature of biophysical control of zooplankton under a changing climate that has crucial implications for food web energy transfer and fisheries production.
Holographic entanglement entropy in flat limit of the generalized minimal massive gravity model
Authors: Setare M. R. , Koohgard M.
Published: August 2021

Previously we have studied the Generalized Minimal Massive Gravity (GMMG) in asymptotically $$AdS_3$$

A
d

S
3

background, and have shown that the theory is free of negative-energy bulk modes. Also we have shown GMMG avoids the aforementioned “bulk-boundary unitarity clash”. Here instead of $$AdS_3$$

A
d

S
3

space we consider asymptotically flat space, and study this model in the flat limit. The dual field theory of GMMG in the flat limit is a $$BMS_3$$

B
M

S
3

invariant field theory, dubbed (BMSFT) and we have BMS algebra asymptotically instead of Virasoro algebra. In fact here we present an evidence for this claim. Entanglement entropy of GMMG is calculated in the background in the flat null infinity. Our evidence for mentioned claim is the result for entanglement entropy in filed theory side and in the bulk (in the gravity side). At first using Cardy formula and Rindler transformation, we calculate entanglement entropy of BMSFT in three different cases. Zero temperature on the plane and on the cylinder, and non-zero temperature case. Then we obtain the entanglement entropy in the bulk. Our results in gravity side are exactly in agreement with field theory calculations.
Supersymmetric domain walls in maximal 6D gauged supergravity I
Authors: Karndumri Parinya , Nuchino Patharadanai
Published: August 2021

We find a large class of supersymmetric domain wall solutions from six-dimensional $$N=(2,2)$$

N
=
(
2
,
2
)

gauged supergravity with various gauge groups. In general, the embedding tensor lives in $${{\mathbf {144}}}_c$$

144
c

representation of the global symmetry SO(5, 5). We explicitly construct the embedding tensors in $${{\mathbf {15}}}^{-1}$$

15

-
1

and $$\overline{{\mathbf {40}}}^{-1}$$

40
¯

-
1

representations of $$GL(5)\sim {\mathbb {R}}^+\times SL(5)\subset SO(5,5)$$

G
L

(
5
)

∼

R

+

×
S
L

(
5
)

⊂
S
O

(
5
,
5
)

leading to $$CSO(p,q,5-p-q)$$

C
S
O
(
p
,
q
,
5
-
p
-
q
)

and $$CSO(p,q,4-p-q)\ltimes {\mathbb {R}}^4_{{\varvec{s}}}$$

C
S
O

(
p
,
q
,
4
-
p
-
q
)

⋉

R

s

4

gauge groups, respectively. These gaugings can be obtained from $$S^1$$

S
1

reductions of seven-dimensional gauged supergravity with $$CSO(p,q,5-p-q)$$

C
S
O
(
p
,
q
,
5
-
p
-
q
)

and $$CSO(p,q,4-p-q)$$

C
S
O
(
p
,
q
,
4
-
p
-
q
)

gauge groups. As in seven dimensions, we find half-supersymmetric domain walls for purely magnetic or purely electric gaugings with the embedding tensors in $${{\mathbf {15}}}^{-1}$$

15

-
1

or $$\overline{{\mathbf {40}}}^{-1}$$

40
¯

-
1

representations, respectively. In addition, for dyonic gauge groups with the embedding tensors in both $${{\mathbf {15}}}^{-1}$$

15

-
1

and $$\overline{{\mathbf {40}}}^{-1}$$

40
¯

-
1

representations, the domain walls turn out to be $$\frac{1}{4}$$

1
4

-supersymmetric as in the seven-dimensional analogue. By the DW/QFT duality, these solutions are dual to maximal and half-maximal super Yang–Mills theories in five dimensions. All of the solutions can be uplifted to seven dimensions and further embedded in type IIB or M-theories by the well-known consistent truncation of the seven-dimensional $$N=4$$

N
=
4

gauged supergravity.
Maximal acceleration, reciprocity & nonlocality
Authors: Buoninfante Luca
Published: August 2021

The existence of a fundamental scale is expected to be a key feature of quantum gravity. Many approaches take this property as a starting assumption. Here, instead, we take a less conventional viewpoint based on a critical inspection of both fundamental principles and kinematic laws. We point out that rigorous arguments suggest a more urgent need to revise known theories to incorporate a fundamental acceleration scale already in flat space. The reciprocity principle can naturally do so. In addition to noticing links with string theory, we argue that the reciprocity principle implies an infinite-derivative generalization of the Einstein–Hilbert action that makes the gravitational interaction fundamentally nonlocal, thus providing a guiding principle that could lead us towards the formulation of a consistent theory of quantum gravity.
Absorption spectroscopy of quantum black holes with gravitational waves
Authors: Agullo Ivan , Cardoso Vitor , del Rio Adrián , Maggiore Michele , Pullin Jorge
Published: August 2021

The observation of electromagnetic radiation emitted or absorbed by matter was instrumental in revealing the quantum properties of atoms and molecules in the early XX century, and constituted a turning-point in the development of the quantum theory. Quantum mechanics changes dramatically the way radiation and matter interact, making the probability of emission and absorption of light strongly frequency dependent, as clearly manifested in atomic spectra. In this essay, we advocate that gravitational radiation can play, for the quantum aspects of black holes, a similar role as electromagnetic radiation did for atoms, and that the advent of gravitational-wave astronomy can bring this fascinating possibility to the realm of observations.
One-loop correction to the Casimir energy in Lifshitz-like theory
Authors: Valuyan M. A.
Published: August 2021

In this paper, Radiative Correction (RC) to the Casimir energy was computed for the self-interacting massive/massless Lifshitz-like scalar field, confined between a pair of plates with Dirichlet and Mixed boundary conditions in [Formula: see text] dimensions. Moreover, using the results obtained for the Dirichlet Casimir energy, the RC to the Casimir energy for Periodic and Neumann boundary conditions were also draw outed. To renormalize the bare parameters of the Lagrangian, a systematic perturbation expansion was used in which the counterterms were automatically obtained in a position-dependent manner. In our view, the position dependency of the counterterm was allowed, since it reflected the effects of the boundary condition imposed or the background space in the problem. All the answers obtained for the Casimir energy were consistent with well-known physical expects. In a language of graphs, the Casimir energy for the massive Lifshitz-like scalar field confined with four boundary conditions (Dirichlet, Neumann, Mixed, and Periodic) was also compared to each other, and as a concluding remark, the sign and magnitude of their values were discussed.
Effect of nozzle inlet parameters on the dry granulation atomization process of Si3N4 ceramic bearing balls
Authors: Yu Dongling , Zhang Xiaohui , Luo Hongbin , Liao Dahai , Wu Nanxing
Published: August 2021

In this paper, the atomization characteristics of Si3N4 ceramic dry granulation affect the performance of Si3N4 ceramic bearing balls. In order to improve the dry granulation characteristics and the comprehensive performance of Si3N4 ceramic bearing balls, the atomization mechanism of the spinning nozzle used for Si3N4 dry granulation was studied in detail. The interaction between air and binder in the pressure-swirl nozzle is analyzed based on VOF method, the modified realizable [Formula: see text] turbulence model is used to simulate the flow field inside and outside the pressure-swirl nozzle, the effects of nozzle inlet parameters including the number of tangential inlets and the deflection angle of tangential inlets on the binder volume fraction, velocity distribution and pressure distribution are analyzed. The results show that when the number of tangential inlets increases from 1 to 4, the swirl strength of gas–liquid two-phase in the nozzle increases, the mean diameter of air core increases from 1.51[Formula: see text]mm to 2.01[Formula: see text]mm, and the spray cone angle increases from 18.5[Formula: see text] to 26.4[Formula: see text]. Besides, when the deflection angle of tangential inlet increases from 0[Formula: see text] to 15[Formula: see text], the swirl strength of gas–liquid two-phase in the nozzle with the deflection angle of tangential inlet of 10[Formula: see text] is the largest, and the mean diameter of air core and spray cone angle is 3.04[Formula: see text]mm and 30.7[Formula: see text], respectively. Based on the atomization experiment platform of the electric control fuel system, the mean diameter of air core and spray cone angle are measured, the micromorphology of Si3N4 particles is observed, which verifies the correctness of numerical simulation. When the Si3N4 particles are prepared by dry granulation, taking the atomization performance of nozzle into consideration, the pressure-swirl nozzle with 4 tangential inlets and 10[Formula: see text] deflection angle should be selected.
Research on the Influence of Industry-University-Research Cooperation Innovation Network Characteristics on Subject Innovation Performance
Authors: Li Mingxing , Zhang Mengjuan , Agyeman Fredrick Oteng , ud din Khan Hira Salah
Published: August 2021

The automobile industry serves as the primary industry for national development and also enhances manufacturing development strategies. Its source of power comes from the maturity and operational efficiency of the technology innovation network within the industry. Firstly, this paper takes the automobile industry of the Yangtze River Economic Belt as the research object and depicts the topological structure of the 1985–2015 Industry-University-Research Cooperation Innovation Network (IURCIN) from the perspective of space-time evolution. Then, based on the 2015 industrial network characteristic data, the paper analyses the impact of individual network characteristics such as intermediate centrality, structural hole limitation, and cooperation intensity on the innovation performance of the respective network. At the same time, it adds innovation activity, per capita gross regional product (GRP), and research and development (R&D) fund input intensity as control variables in the quantitative analysis. The results show that the centrality and structural hole limitation significantly and positively affect the subject innovation performance. The cooperation intensity and the subject innovation performance have an inverted U-shaped relationship. The innovation activity has a positive effect on the subject’s innovation performance. Furthermore, per capita GRP and R&D expenditure intensity on the main innovation performance is not significant. Finally, the countermeasures and suggestions are put forward to promote the innovation performance of each subject in the IURCIN.
Effects of Yiqi Huoxue Decoction on Post-Myocardial Infarction Cardiac Nerve Remodeling and Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy in Rats
Authors: Wang Hui , Zhang Yuqin , Guo Shuwen , Wu Jiani , Lin Wang’ou , Zhang Binyue , Feng Pengfei , Wei Lulu , Liu Yunke , Chen Jie , Li Yufei
Published: August 2021

Myocardial infarction can lead to ventricular remodeling and arrhythmia, which is closely related to nerve remodeling. Our previous study found that Yiqi Huoxue decoction (YQHX) can improve ventricular remodeling and reduce myocardial damage. Therefore, in this study, we observed the effect of YQHX on cardiac neural remodeling and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and its possible mechanism. This research is composed of two parts: animal and H9c2 cells experiments. The animal model of acute myocardial infarction was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. H9c2 cells were placed in 94% N2, 5% CO2, and 1% O2 hypoxic environment for 12 hours to replicate the hypoglycemic hypoxia model. The experimental results showed that, compared with the MI group, YQHX can significantly improve heart function after myocardial infarction and reduce nerve remodeling and myocardial hypertrophy. Pathological structure observation demonstrated reducing myocardial tissue damage and decreasing of cell cross-sectional area, diameter, and circumference. The positive rate of TH declined apparently, and the sympathetic nerve density was lower than that of the MI group. After YQHX was given for 28 days, the proneural remodeling factors TH, NGF, and GAP43 in the marginal zone of infarction and stellate ganglion decreased obviously while the inhibitory nerve remodeling factor Sema-3A increased. The myocardial hypertrophic protein ANP and β-MHC were also significantly inhibited with p-ERK1/2 protein expression level prominently reduced. There was no difference between the YQHX group and the Meto group. After myocardial infarction, nerve remodeling was seen in the marginal area of infarction and stellate ganglion, and the neuropeptides released by which promoted myocardial hypertrophy. The mechanism may be related to the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. YQHX could regulate the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, inhibit the release of nerve remodeling factors and myocardial hypertrophy protein to reduce nerve remodeling, and relieve myocardial hypertrophy.
An Exceedingly Rare Case of Liraglutide-Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Parvataneni Swetha , Ramachandran Rajarajeshwari , Then Eric , Grantham Tyler , Gaduputi Vinaya
Published: August 2021

Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. We are reporting the second case of liraglutide-induced liver injury, with complete resolution of liver injury after discontinuation of the drug.
Diagnostic Fragment-Ion-Based for Rapid Identification of Chlorogenic Acids Derivatives in Inula cappa Using UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Peng Jie , Xie Jing , Shi Silin , Luo Lilan , Li Kailin , Xiong Pei , Cai Wei
Published: August 2021

Inula cappa (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) DC has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat malaria, dysentery, and hepatitis. Previous studies have shown that chlorogenic acid is the effective ingredient of plants in this family. And the research of the chlorogenic acid in Inula cappa will help to further improve the effective resource utilization rate of this plant. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an accurate method to characterize the chlorogenic acid components in Inula cappa. In this study, a simple, fast, and sensitive UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry method was established, which can simultaneously analyze known and unknown ingredients in a short time (within 30 minutes) in Inula cappa. According to the diagnosis fragmentation ions, retention time, and bibliography, 68 chlorogenic acid derivatives were identified in Inula cappa. The results of this experiment lay the foundation for the active substances and quality control of Inula cappa and provide a theoretical basis for whether Inula cappa can be an alternative to the endangered wild medicinal materials of the same family.
Lack of WDFY4 Aggravates Ovalbumin-Induced Asthma via Enhanced Th2 Cell Differentiation
Authors: Li Yan , Wang Anran , Long Feng , Gao Fei , Gao Shang , Wei Shijun , Liu Ai , Li Xi , Sun Wenjie , Li Jiangxia , Liu Qiji
Published: August 2021

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease, and Th2 cells play an important role in asthma. WDFY4 (WDFY family member 4) is a susceptibility gene in several autoimmune diseases. Objective: In this study, the roles of WDFY4 in Th2 cell differentiation and Th2-dependent asthma were investigated. Methods: Naïve CD4+ T cells were isolated from wild-type and WDFY4-deficient mice and induced to differentiate in vitro. Subsequently, a mouse model of asthma was established by sensitization with ovalbumin. Results: Study results showed that WDFY4 deficiency could promote the differentiation of Th2 cells and the production of Th2 cytokines. WDFY4-deficient asthmatic mice showed higher levels of Th2 cytokines in the lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid than wild-type mice. Moreover, infiltration of inflammatory cells, hyperplasia of goblet cells, production of mucus, and deposition of collagen were enhanced in WDFY4-deficient asthmatic mice. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the pivotal role of WDFY4 in the pathogenesis of asthma and in Th2 cell differentiation.
Secondary Invasive Breast Events among Patients with Hormone-Positive Breast Cancer and High-Risk Oncotype DX Recurrence Scores 26–30 and ≥31
Authors: Berger Natalie F. , Zimmerman Brittney S. , Tharakan Serena , Suchman Kelly , Cascetta Krystal P. , Blanter Julia , Moshier Erin , Ru Meng , Jaffer Shabnam , Tiersten Amy
Published: August 2021

Background: The Oncotype DX Recurrence Score (ODx RS) is the most widely adopted genomic assay used to guide treatment for patients with early-stage, hormone-positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC), with higher scores predicting greater risk of recurrence and benefit from chemotherapy. Patients with ODx RS >25 typically recieve adjuvant chemotherapy; however, data regarding efficacy of chemotherapy for reducing recurrence in this population have been mixed. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate outcomes of patients with early-stage HR+ BC with high-risk ODx RS (26–30 and ≥31) in order to assess treatment patterns and outcomes. We hypothesized that the benefit of chemotherapy in these groups may be minimal and that select patients may forgo chemotherapy in favor of more aggressive endocrine therapy and ovarian suppression. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 515 patients with early-stage, HR+ BC with high-risk ODx RS 26–30 and ≥31 treated between 2006 and 2018. Patients were stratified by RS: low-risk (≤10), intermediate-risk (11–25), and high-risk (≥26). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the time to secondary invasive breast events (SIBE) or distributions overall and among different RS groups with the log rank test used to compare distributions between groups. Results: Rates of chemotherapy administration were 7% among the low-risk group, 18% among the intermediate-risk group, and 83% among high-risk patients with 41 SIBE (8%) reported. When stratified by ODx RS, 5-year rates of SIBE were 4%, 6%, and 16% for low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk RS, respectively. Among the 27 lymph node (LN)-negative patients with ODx RS 26–30, 74% received chemotherapy. The 5-year rate of SIBE was 25% among patients who received chemotherapy and 33% among those who did not (p = 0.5489). Among the 23 LN-negative patients with ODx RS ≥31, 91% of patients received chemotherapy. The 5-year rate of SIBE was 0% both with and without chemotherapy. Conclusions: There was no statistically significant difference in SIBE for patients with high-risk ODx RS based on chemotherapy treatment. More aggressive endocrine therapy with ovarian suppression has become an alternative to chemotherapy among patients with intermediate-risk ODx RS (16–25). This approach may be useful among patients with high-risk ODx RS, with additional studies needed in this patient population.
Two Cases of Dyskeratosis Congenita with Clinically Distinct Presentations, Seen in National University Hospital, Singapore
Authors: Juay Lester , Chandran Nisha Suyien
Published: August 2021

Dyskeratosis congenita (DKC) is a genodermatosis of variable inheritance and is often characterised by the classical triad of nail dysplasia, reticulate hyperpigmentation of upper chest and neck, and oral leukoplakia. We report 2 cases of DKC from National University Hospital, Singapore, whose clinical presentations differed greatly from each other. Dermatologists should hold a high index of suspicion for DKC in young patients who present without the classical triad of features, as early dermatological care can be instituted through reinforcement of rigorous sun protection and regular surveillance for skin cancers. Early diagnosis also offers physicians the time to organise haematopoietic stem cell transplantation if necessary, as bone marrow failure is often inevitable. As a multisystemic disease with high morbidity and mortality particularly from haematological complications if left undetected and untreated in the early stages, the role of the dermatologist in diagnosing DKC is a crucial one.
Outcomes following Notched Ruthenium-106 Plaque Brachytherapy for Juxtapapillary Choroidal Melanomas
Authors: Sobti Manvi Manu , Edington Magdalena , Connolly Julie , McLernon David J. , Schipani Stefano , Ritchie Diana , Cauchi Paul , Chadha Vikas
Published: August 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of juxtapapillary choroidal melanomas treated with notched ruthenium-106 plaques. Methods: Juxtapapillary choroidal melanomas (tumours within 2 disc diameters from the optic disc) treated with notched ruthenium-106 plaques (Eckert & Ziegler, BEBIG, Berlin, Germany) at the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The data were analysed with respect to various outcome measures including recurrence, complications, vision, and eye preservation. Results: We reviewed 40 patients with a median tumour diameter of 8.4 mm (range 5–17 mm) and a median thickness of 2.5 mm (range 1.1–6 mm). AJCC tumour category distribution was 62.5% T1, 32.5% T2, and 5% T3 tumours. The mean presenting vision was 0.3 logMAR, and the mean final vision was 0.7 logMAR, with 62.5% retaining >1.0 logMAR and 50% retaining >0.3 logMAR at the final follow-up. The median follow-up was 51 months (14–100 months). Over the maximum follow-up time, 13 tumours (32.5%) recurred. Six of these were treated with salvage proton beam therapy (PBT), 2 with transpupillary thermotherapy followed by PBT, and 5 with enucleation. The final eye retention rate was 87.5%. Complications included maculopathy (10%), retinal detachment (5%), neovascular glaucoma (2.5%), and diplopia (2.5%). The observed risk of recurrence over 5 years was 31% (95% CI: 14.1%, 47.8%), and the risk of enucleation over 5 years was 11.5% (95% CI: 0.9%, 21.8%). Conclusion: Juxtapapillary choroidal melanomas treated with notched ruthenium plaques have a high recurrence rate and frequently need salvage treatment with PBT for tumour control. This has led to a change in our practice toward offering PBT as the first-line treatment for these patients.
Comparison between Fovea-Sparing and Complete Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling for the Treatment of Myopic Traction Maculopathy: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zeng Qiaozhu , Yao Yuou , Zhao Mingwei
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) is a major cause of impaired vision in eyes with high myopia, which is characterized by retinal thickening, retinoschisis, lamellar macular hole (MH), and foveal retinal detachment. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane peeling (ILMP) has been developed to theoretically prevent postoperative MH formation and improve best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) gain for MTM compared with the complete ILMP. However, in previous studies, the anatomic and visual outcomes still remain uncertain and controversial. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomic and visual outcomes of vitrectomy with fovea-sparing ILMP for the treatment of MTM compared with complete ILMP. Methods: Articles from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were systematically retrieved. The main outcomes were the rate of a postoperative MH and visual improvement of BCVA (converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]). The secondary outcomes were the proportion of patients with visual improvement, the proportion of anatomic success, preoperative and postoperative BCVA, preoperative and postoperative central fovea thickness, and time to anatomic resolution. Results: There was a higher rate of postoperative MH formation (odds ratio [OR] 5.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.72–18.44; p = 0.004) and less improvement of BCVA in logMAR (mean difference [MD] −0.09; 95% CI: −0.18 to 0.00; p = 0.04) in the complete ILMP group. However, postoperative BCVA (MD 0.14; 95% CI: 0.00–0.27; p = 0.05), the proportion of patients with visual improvement (OR 0.39; 95% CI: 0.15–1.02; p = 0.05), postoperative central foveal thickness (MD −10.02; 95% CI: −24.4 to 4.36; p = 0.17), the rate of anatomic success (MD 0.39; 95% CI: 0.15–1.03; p = 0.06), and time to resolution (MD −1.65; 95% CI: −3.66 to 0.36; p = 0.11) showed no significant differences. Conclusion: PPV combined with the fovea-sparing ILMP could contribute to a lower MH formation rate and more improvement of BCVA in logMAR than PPV combined with complete ILMP.
É preciso nomear Ricardo: jornalismo, história de vida e escrevivência
Authors: Tavares Frederico de Mello Brandão , Porfírio Lucas
Published: August 2021

Publicada no site BuzzFeed, em outubro de 2017, a reportagem “Fofão da Augusta? Quem me chama assim não me conhece”, do jornalista Chico Felitti recebeu cerca de um milhão de acessos em menos de 24 horas. O texto conta a história de vida de um “conhecido anônimo” do centro de São Paulo, cuja identidade se revela jornalisticamente nesse perfil ampliado que se tornou um conteúdo viral. A partir desse objeto, este artigo pergunta sobre uma “escrita ética” que perpassa e constitui o jornalismo e sua relação com o tempo presente, adotando duas questões de fundo conceitual-metodológico, costuradas uma à outra: 1. um olhar sobre mídia e alteridade; e 2. uma análise aplicada a partir do conceito de “escrevivência”. Problematiza-se como o relato jornalístico, encarado como potência tensionadora do mundo, permite encontros entre sujeitos “em narrativa” e funciona como espaço de inclusão e humanização.
Spending More on the Poor? A Comprehensive Summary of State-Specific Responses to School Finance Reforms from 1990–2014
Authors: Shores Kenneth A. , Candelaria Christopher A. , Kabourek Sarah E.
Published: August 2021

Sixty-seven school finance reforms (SFRs), a combination of court-ordered and legislative reforms, have taken place since 1990; however, there is little empirical evidence on the heterogeneity of SFR effects. In this study, we estimate the effects of SFRs on revenues and expenditures between 1990 and 2014 for twenty-six states. We find that, on average, per pupil spending increased, especially in low-income districts relative to high-income districts. However, underlying these average effect estimates, the distribution of state-level effect sizes ranges from negative to positive—there is substantial heterogeneity. When predicting SFR impacts, we find that multiple state-level SFRs, union strength, and some funding formula components are positively associated with SFR effect sizes in low-income districts. We also show that, on average, states without SFRs adopted funding formula components and increased K–12 state revenues similarly to states with SFRs.
The Columbellidae (Gastropoda, Buccinoidea) in the Miocene Paratethys Sea—striking diversity of a negelected group
Authors: HARZHAUSER MATHIAS , LANDAU BERNARD M.
Published: August 2021

We document 37 Columbellidae species, placed in 15 genera, from the middle Miocene of the Paratethys Sea, adding about 20% of new species to the previously known Columbellidae fauna of the Paratethys. This distinct increase is based on a careful revision of museum material that was collected during the 19th century. A detailed revision revealed numerous misidentifications of published material, which greatly distorted the understanding of many species in the literature. The revised fauna reveals only minimal affinities with coeval faunas from the Proto-Mediterranean Sea and suggests a palaeogeographic subdivision within the Central Paratethys between northern and southern basins. A major drop in columbellid diversity occurred at the Langhian/Serravallian boundary, coinciding with the Miocene Climatic Transition. This event led to a severe diversity decline from a high Langhian level of 32 species, which was comparable in the number of columbellid species to that of the modern Red Sea and tropical West Africa (~23 species), down to a diversity level of nine species, equalling that of the modern Mediterranean Sea.

                Auingeria nov. gen., Bellacolumbella nov. gen., Martaia nov. gen. and Defensina nov. gen. are introduced as new genera. Mitrella dacica nov. sp., Mitrella demaintenonae nov. sp., Mitrella elongatissima nov. sp., Mitrella viennensis nov. sp. and Zafrona sphaerocorrugata nov. sp. are described as new species. Costoanachis venzoi is proposed as replacement name for Anachis (Costoanachis) subcorrugata Venzo & Pelosio, 1963 non Columbella (Anachis) subcorrugata Boettger, 1906.

                Lectotypes are designated for Columbella (Anachis) guembeli Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, Columbella januskiewiczi Friedberg, 1938, Columbella (Mitrella) fallax Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, Atilia (Macrurella) hilberi Cossmann, 1901, Columbella petersi Hilber, 1879, Columbella (Mitrella) complanata Sacco, 1890, Columbella (Mitrella) bittneri Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, Columbella (Orthurella) elongata var. convexula Sacco, 1890, Columbella (Anachis) moravica Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, Columbella (Mitrella) bucciniformis Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, Columbella (Anachis) haueri Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, Columbella (Anachis) austriaca Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, Pyrene (Anachis) bellardii grussbachensis Csepreghy-Meznerics, 1969, Columbella (Anachis) dujardini Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, Columbella (Anachis) zitteli Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, Columbella (Nitidella) karreri Hoernes & Auinger, 1880, and Columbella (Nitidella) katharinae Hoernes & Auinger, 1880.

                Scabrellana is introduced as replacement name for the trilobite genus Scabrella Wenndorf (1990) non Scabrella Sacco, 1890.