bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a core outcome set for congenital pulmonary airway malformations: study protocol of an international Delphi survey
Authors: Hermelijn Sergei , Kersten Casper , Mullassery Dhanya , Muthialu Nagarajan , Cobanoglu Nazan , Gartner Silvia , Bagolan Pietro , Mesas Burgos Carmen , Sgro Alberto , Heyman Stijn , Till Holger , Suominen Janne , Schurink Maarten , Desender Liesbeth , Losty Paul , Ertresvag Kjetil , Tiddens Harm A W M , Wijnen Rene M H , Schnater Marco
Published: April 2021

Introduction

A worldwide lack of consensus exists on the optimal management of asymptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) even though the incidence is increasing. Either a surgical resection is performed or a wait-and-see policy is employed, depending on the treating physician. Management is largely based on expert opinion and scientific evidence is scarce. Wide variations in outcome measures are seen between studies making comparison difficult thus highlighting the lack of universal consensus in outcome measures as well. We aim to define a core outcome set which will include the most important core outcome parameters for paediatric patients with an asymptomatic CPAM.

Methods and analysis

This study will include a critical appraisal of the current literature followed by a three-stage Delphi process with two stakeholder groups. One surgical group including paediatric as well as thoracic surgeons, and a non-surgeon group including paediatric pulmonologists, intensive care and neonatal specialists. All participants will score outcome parameters according to their level of importance and the most important parameters will be determined by consensus.

Ethics and dissemination

Electronic informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Ethical approval is not required. After the core outcome set has been defined, we intend to design an international randomised controlled trial: the COllaborative Neonatal NEtwork for the first CPAM Trial, which will be aimed at determining the optimal management of patients with asymptomatic CPAM.
Multivariate analysis of the impact of weather and air pollution on emergency department visits for night-time headaches among children: retrospective, clinical observational study
Authors: Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Nozu Kandai , Ishiko Shinya , Nagase Hiroaki , Ninchoji Takeshi , Nagano China , Takeda Hiroki , Unzaki Ai , Ishibashi Kazuto , Morioka Ichiro , Iijima Kazumoto , Ishida Akihito
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To examine the association between the number of visits to the emergency department (ED) by children for night-time headaches and exposure to multifaceted factors, such as meteorological conditions and air pollution.

Design

We conducted a clinical observational time-series analysis study.

Setting

We reviewed consecutive patients younger than 16 years of age at the primary ED centre in Kobe city, Japan, during the night shift (19:30–7:00 hours) between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2019.

Participants

In total, 265 191 children visited the ED; 822 presented with headache during the study period.

Primary outcome measures

We investigated the effects of meteorological factors and air pollutants by multivariate analysis of Poisson regression estimates. A subanalysis included the relationship between the number of patients with night-time headaches and the above factors by sex. Furthermore, the effect of typhoon landing on patient visits for headache was also analysed. Headache was not classified because examinations were performed by general paediatricians (non-specialists).

Results

The number of patients with night-time headaches displayed distinct seasonal changes, with peaks during the summer. Multivariate analysis of Poisson regression estimates revealed a significant positive relationship between the number of patients for headache and mean temperature. Subanalysis by sex indicated a positive relationship between the number of patients with headache and mean temperature in both sexes; however, it was significant only for females. No relationship was found between the number of patients with headache and air pollution. There was no change in the number of patients for night-time headaches 3 days before and after typhoon landing.

Conclusions

High temperature is the main factor for visiting ED for night-time headaches among children in Kobe city. Our results suggest that preventive measures against night-time headaches may be possible by reducing time spent outside during summer.
Policy changes and the screening, diagnosis and treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis patients from 2015 to 2018 in Zhejiang Province, China: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Jiang Weixi , Peng Ying , Wang Xiaomeng , Elbers Chris , Tang Shenglan , Huang Fei , Chen Bin , Cobelens Frank
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To examine changes in the screening, diagnosis, treatment and management of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DRTB) patients, and investigate the impacts of DRTB-related policies on patients of different demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.

Design

A retrospective cohort study using registry data, plus a survey on DRTB-related policies.

Setting

All prefecture-level Centres for Disease Control in Zhejiang Province, China.

Main outcome measures

Alongside the care cascade, we examined: (1) reported number of presumptive DRTB patients; (2) percentage of presumptive patients with drug susceptibility testing (DST) records; (3) percentage of DRTB/rifampicin-resistant (RR) patients registered; (4) percentage of RR/multidrug-resistant TB (MDRTB) patients that received anti-DRTB treatment; and (5) percentage of RR/MDRTB patients cured/completed treatment among those treated. Multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to explore the impacts of DRTB policies after adjusting for other factors.

Results

The number of reported presumptive DRTB patients and the percentage with DST records largely increased during 2015–2018, and the percentage of registered patients who received anti-DRTB treatment also increased from 59.0% to 86.5%. Patients under the policies of equipping GeneXpert plus expanded criteria for DST had a higher likelihood of being registered compared with no GeneXpert (adjusted OR (aOR)=2.57, 95% CI: 1.20 to 5.51), while for treatment initiation the association was only significant when further expanding the registration criteria (aOR=2.38, 95% CI: 1.19 to 4.79). Patients with registered residence inside Zhejiang were more likely to be registered (aOR=1.96, 95% CI: 1.52 to 2.52), treated (aOR=3.83, 95% CI: 2.78 to 5.28) and complete treatment (aOR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.03 to 3.59) compared with those outside.

Conclusion

The policy changes on DST and registration have effectively improved DRTB case finding and care. Nevertheless, challenges remain in servicing vulnerable groups such as migrants and improving equity in the access to TB care. Future policies should provide comprehensive support for migrants to complete treatment at their current place of residence.
A good death: non-negotiable personal conditions for clinicians, healthcare administrators and support staff
Authors: Zaman Mehreen , Andoniou Ellena , Wind Keiwan , Gibson Jennifer , Upshur Ross , Rojas German , Jadad-Garcia Tamen , Jadad Alejandro R
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To ask all clinical, administrative and support staff affiliated with a large network of healthcare facilities to identify the conditions that they consider as non-negotiable for their own deaths to be regarded as good.

Methods

All 3495 staff of a healthcare network were asked to rank 10 conditions according to how non-negotiable they would be for themselves during their final 3 months or few hours for their own deaths to be considered as good. They were also asked about whether they had thought about their own death in the last 3 months, if they had a will, believed in God, and in the possibility of a good death, and the intensity of their fear of death.

Results

2971 (85%) completed the survey. Most were female (79%) and clinical staff (65%). 93% believed in God, 60% had thought about their death recently, 33% had an intense fear of death, and 4% had a will. 64% considered a good death possible. Participants ranked dying at a preferred place, emotional support from family and friends and relief from physical symptoms as their top priorities. The lowest ranked conditions were (from the bottom) relief from psychological distress, performance of rituals and the right to terminate life. There were no statistically significant differences across genders or individual occupational groups.

Conclusion

Most of conditions for a good death of interest to healthcare professionals could be provided without sophisticated medical infrastructure or specialised knowledge, opening the door for new support services to make it possible for everyone, anywhere.
Evaluation of a simulation faculty training workshop in a low-resource setting: a qualitative study
Authors: Seethamraju Rajasri Rao , Stone Kimberly , Shepherd Michael
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Simulation instructor training courses are infrequent in low-resource countries. PediSTARS India organisation has been conducting a Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop annually since 2014 and has trained 380 instructors in the last 6 years. The objective of this study is to evaluate this workshop using the basic Kirkpatrick model with a blended evaluation approach.

Methods

A qualitative study design was used with purposive sampling from the 2018 workshop cohort. An initial online questionnaire gathered demographic and professional profile of participants. Semistructured interviews with those who consented explored their perceptions about the workshop and their experiences using simulation for training at their workplaces. The analysis was done based on a deductive research approach around the framework of the first three levels of the Kirkpatrick model.

Results

A total of 11 in-depth interviews were conducted. Participants reported long-term retention, translation and positive impact of the knowledge and skills gained at the TOT workshop. The results achieved saturation and underwent respondent validation.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence to support simulation faculty training workshops as an effective educational intervention in promoting simulation-related workplace-based education and training among health practitioners and that follow-up activity may be useful in some cases. This is the first study of its kind in a low-resource setting, and supports similar simulation instructor training in these settings and provides a blueprint for such training. Follow-up studies are required to evaluate the longer term impact of this simulation instructor training.
Closing the gap: a call for a common blueprint for remote distance telesimulation
Authors: Duff Jonathan , Kardong-Edgren Suzie , Chang Todd P , Elkin Rachel L , Ramachandra Geethanjali , Stapleton Stephanie , Palaganas Janice C , Kou Maybelle , Gross Isabel T
Published: April 2021

The physical requirements mandated by the COVID-19 pandemic have presented a challenge and an opportunity for simulation educators. Although there were already examples of simulation being delivered at a distance, the pandemic forced this technique into the mainstream. With any new discipline, it is important for the community to agree on vocabulary, methods and reporting guidelines. This editorial is a call to action for the simulation community to start this process so that we can best describe and use this technique.
Development of an international sexual and reproductive health survey instrument: results from a pilot WHO/HRP consultative Delphi process
Authors: Kpokiri Eneyi E , Wu Dan , Srinivas Megan L , Anderson Juliana , Say Lale , Kontula Osmo , Ahmad Noor A , Morroni Chelsea , Izugbara Chimaraoke , de Visser Richard , Oduro Georgina Y , Gitau Evelyn , Welbourn Alice , Andrasik Michele , Norman Wendy V , Clifton Soazig , Gabster Amanda , Gesselman Amanda , Smith Chantal , Prause Nicole , Olumide Adesola , Erausquin Jennifer T , Muriuki Peter , van der Straten Ariane , Nicholson Martha , O"Connell Kathryn A , Mwoka Meggie , Bajos Nathalie , Mercer Catherine H , Gonsalves Lianne Marie , Tucker Joseph D
Published: April 2021

Population health surveys are rarely comprehensive in addressing sexual health, and population-representative surveys often lack standardised measures for collecting comparable data across countries. We present a sexual health survey instrument and implementation considerations for population-level sexual health research. The brief, comprehensive sexual health survey and consensus statement was developed via a multi-step process (an open call, a hackathon, and a modified Delphi process). The survey items, domains, entire instruments, and implementation considerations to develop a sexual health survey were solicited via a global crowdsourcing open call. The open call received 175 contributions from 49 countries. Following review of submissions from the open call, 18 finalists and eight facilitators with expertise in sexual health research, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), were invited to a 3-day hackathon to harmonise a survey instrument. Consensus was achieved through an iterative, modified Delphi process that included three rounds of online surveys. The entire process resulted in a 19-item consensus statement and a brief sexual health survey instrument. This is the first global consensus on a sexual and reproductive health survey instrument that can be used to generate cross-national comparative data in both high-income and LMICs. The inclusive process identified priority domains for improvement and can inform the design of sexual and reproductive health programs and contextually relevant data for comparable research across countries.
Severe liver trauma among pediatric patients in the Japan Trauma Registry
Authors: Aoki Makoto , Abe Toshikazu , Hagiwara Shuichi , Saitoh Daizoh , Oshima Kiyohiro
Published: April 2021

Background

Limited information exists regarding the clinical characteristics, management practices, and outcomes of pediatric patients with liver injury in Japan. The aim of this study is to evaluate the characteristics, management, and outcome of pediatric patients with liver injury in Japan.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter, retrospective cohort study using data from the Japan Trauma Data Bank between 2004 and 2018. Pediatric patients with liver injury were classified into the following management groups: nonoperative management (NOM); NOM with angioembolization (AE); operative management (OM). The primary outcome was in-hospital survival, and the secondary outcomes were dispositions, hospital length of stay (LOS), and rate of discharge to home.

Results

There were 308 pediatric patients with severe liver injury (organ injury scale grades ≥Ⅲ) during the study period; 135 patients had isolated liver injury and 173 patients had non-isolated liver injury. The rates of NOM, NOM with AE, and OM among all patients were 65%, 23%, and 12%, respectively. AE was highly used both in patients with isolated liver injury (27%) and non-isolated liver injury (22%). In-hospital survival of patients with isolated liver injury and those with non-isolated liver injury were 99% and 88%, respectively. Regarding secondary outcomes among patients with isolated liver injury, 82% were admitted to the intensive care unit. LOS was 11 (8–14) days and 82% were discharged to home.

Conclusions

Our retrospective observational study showed that management of pediatric patients with severe liver injury in Japan was characterized by high utilization of AE. The in-hospital survival rate in Japan was comparable with that of other developed countries.
Analyticity and Regge asymptotics in virtual Compton scattering on the nucleon
Authors: Caprini Irinel
Published: April 2021

We test the consistency of the data on the nucleon structure functions with analyticity and the Regge asymptotics of the virtual Compton amplitude. By solving a functional extremal problem, we derive an optimal lower bound on the maximum difference between the exact amplitude and the dominant Reggeon contribution for energies$$\nu $$νabove a certain high value$$\nu _h(Q^2)$$νh(Q2). Considering in particular the difference of the amplitudes$$T_1^\text {inel}(\nu , Q^2)$$T1inel(ν,Q2)for the proton and neutron, we find that the lower bound decreases in an impressive way when$$\nu _h(Q^2)$$νh(Q2)is increased, and represents a very small fraction of the magnitude of the dominant Reggeon. While the method cannot rule out the hypothesis of a fixed Regge pole, the results indicate that the data on the structure function are consistent with an asymptotic behaviour given by leading Reggeon contributions. We also show that the minimum of the lower bound as a function of the subtraction constant$$S_1^\text {inel}(Q^2)$$S1inel(Q2)provides a reasonable estimate of this quantity, in a frame similar, but not identical to the Reggeon dominance hypothesis.
Submersion of rubidium clusters in helium nanodroplets
Authors: Schiller Arne , Martini Paul , Al Maalouf Elias Emile Jabbour , Scheier Paul
Published: April 2021

Alkali atoms and small clusters are known to reside on the surface of a helium droplet rather than its inside as most other dopant species. A theoretical investigation suggested that alkali clusters (Li–Rb) exceeding a certain critical size can become submerged in the droplet, which was experimentally confirmed for sodium and potassium. Here, we report an analogous experimental study of rubidium cluster submersion by means of electron impact mass spectrometry. We recorded size distributions of Rb cluster ions at various electron energies between 8 and 160 eV. Our data suggest that Rb clusters attached to helium droplets undergo a gradual submersion transition similar to potassium, ultimately leading to the full submersion of clusters larger than $$\sim 100~\hbox {Rb}$$

∼
100

Rb

atoms. Our findings are consistent with previous theoretical and experimental studies.

Graphic abstract
Characterizations of the symmetrized polydisc via another family of domains
Authors: Pal Sourav , Roy Samriddho
Published: April 2021

We find new characterizations for the points in the symmetrized polydisc [Formula: see text], a family of domains associated with the spectral interpolation, defined by [Formula: see text] We introduce a new family of domains which we call the extended symmetrized polydisc [Formula: see text], and define in the following way: [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] We show that [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] and that [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text]. We first obtain a variety of characterizations for the points in [Formula: see text] and we apply these necessary and sufficient conditions to produce an analogous set of characterizations for the points in [Formula: see text]. Also, we obtain similar characterizations for the points in [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text]. A set of [Formula: see text] fractional linear transformations plays central role in the entire program. We also show that for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is nonconvex but polynomially convex and is starlike about the origin but not circled.
Image Authentication Using Block Truncation Coding in Lifting Wavelet Domain
Authors: Bhardwaj Anuj , Verma Vivek Singh , Gupta Sandesh
Published: April 2021

Image watermarking is one of the most accepted solutions protecting image authenticity. The method presented in this paper not only provides the desired outcome also efficient in terms of memory requirements and preserving image characteristics. This scheme effectively utilizes the concepts of block truncation coding (BTC) and lifting wavelet transform (LWT). The BTC method is applied to observe the binary watermark image corresponding to its gray-scale image. Whereas, the LWT is incorporated to transform the cover image from spatial coordinates to corresponding transform coordinates. In this, a quantization-based approach for watermark bit embedding is applied. And, the extraction of binary watermark data from the attacked watermarked image is based on adaptive thresholding. To show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, the experiment over different benchmark images is performed. The experimental results and the comparison with state-of-the-art schemes depict not only the good imperceptibility but also high robustness against various attacks.
A new sufficient condition for sparse vector recovery via ℓ1 − ℓ2 local minimization
Authors: Bi Ning , Tan Jun , Tang Wai-Shing
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we provide a necessary condition and a sufficient condition such that any [Formula: see text]-sparse vector [Formula: see text] can be recovered from [Formula: see text] via [Formula: see text] local minimization. Moreover, we further verify that the sufficient condition is naturally valid when the restricted isometry constant of the measurement matrix [Formula: see text] satisfies [Formula: see text]. Compared with the existing [Formula: see text] local recoverability condition [Formula: see text], this result shows that [Formula: see text] local recoverability contains more measurement matrices.
The impact of heterogeneous salt velocity models on the gross rock volume estimation: an example from the Santos Basin pre-salt, Brazil
Authors: Maul Alexandre , Cetale Marco , Guizan Cleverson , Corbett Patrick , Underhill John R. , Teixeira Leonardo , Pontes Rodrigo , González María
Published: April 2021

The thick and heterogeneous salt section in the Santos Basin, offshore Brazil, imposes great challenges in accessing the pre-salt hydrocarbon reservoirs, especially in relation to seismic imaging, signal quality and depth positioning. Some problems arise from the current velocity models for the salt section, which, for the majority, assume that the salt is a homogeneous halite layer. In the Santos Basin, the commonly assumed salt – halite – only makes up to 80% of the mineral in this section. The inclusion of other salts as stratification in the velocity models, based on seismic attributes, has achieved good results in the last decade, especially for depth resolution. In this work, we analyse the benefits of different velocity models, considering presence/absence of salt stratification and comparing the gross rock volume above the oil–water contact. The results show a significant effect on the depth resolution of the events, as well as on volume estimation, indicating that the greater the reliability captured by the complex velocity models, the greater the confidence in the resulting volumetric information.
Doma: a new multi-technological lithic occurrence in the Lower Son Valley (north-central India) and its regional context
Authors: Mehra Shashi B.
Published: April 2021

The Lower Son Valley is generally overlooked despite a lengthy history of archaeological and geological studies in the adjacent Middle Son Valley. However, recent explorations in the former have yielded a large number of Palaeolithic and microlithic sites. This paper provides an initial report on Doma, a newly discovered site with the first-known stratified bifaces in this part of the valley. The site preserves multi-period technologies in different contexts, including terminal Acheulean/early Middle Palaeolithic and Upper Palaeolithic (all tentatively assigned based on respective typologies). Preliminary field observations are presented on the sedimentary sequence, archaeological surveys, topographical mapping, raw material and the overall palaeoanthropological assessment of Doma. The raw material utilized at the site is primarily porcellanite, derived from exposures of the Semri Group of the Vindhyan Supergroup. The oldest Palaeolithic evidence at Doma broadly resembles Late Acheulean sites dated to
c.
140–120 ka in the nearby Middle Son Valley. The Pleistocene sediments here also yielded mammalian fossil specimens, such as long bone fragments, dental specimens and antler fragments. Along with the lithics and fossils, the site also preserves datable sedimentary sequences with calcrete, all key proxies in developing a testable model of technological transitions within a palaeoenvironmental framework, in the future.
A Potential Strategy for Simultaneous Determination of Deferoxamine and Vitamin C Using MCR-ALS with Nanostructured Electrochemical Sensor in Serum and Urine of Thalassemia and Diabetic Patients
Authors: Darabi Rozhin , Shabani-Nooshabadi Mehdi , Khoobi Asma
Published: April 2021

Simultaneous determination of deferoxamine and vitamin C at the surface of a nanostructured -modified sensor is reported at this study. The electrode is designed based on a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride as an ionic liquid (IL) and CdO-nanoparticle/rGO (IL/CdO/rGO/CPE). The nanostructures are studied by various techniques containing X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), field emission scanning electron microscopes (FESEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The high degree of overlapping voltammograms is studied by multivariate curve resolution alternating least (MCR-ALS) algorithm. At first, a multivariate optimization is studied using response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite rotatable design (CCRD) model based on a five-level, three factor to optimize various parameters on DPV signal of the drugs. Then, second order data are built by changing in pulse heights of DPV. Results of MCR-ALS are used to data analysis that is obtained by electro-oxidation of deferoxamine and vitamin C. The strategy shows the current method is a potential way for analysis of the two important drugs in the presence of each other with high voltammetric overlapping in human serum and urine samples of patients with thalassemia major and minor. The voltammetric analyses of deferoxamine and vitamin C are performed in the concentration range of 5.0 × 10−8−900.0 × 10−2and 6.0 × 10−8−900.0 × 10−2M, and the detection limits are calculated 0.030 × 10−6and 0.025 × 10−6M, respectively.
Picosecond Laser-Assisted Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP): Aiming at the Si-Face of Single-Crystal 6H-SiC Wafer
Authors: Gao Bin , Guo Dan , Zhang Xin , Chen Gaopan , Pan Guoshun
Published: April 2021

Silicon carbide (SiC) presents huge application potential in semiconductor devices. However, attributed to its high hardness and stability, there always appears an urgent problem about how to improve the efficiency of chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of the SiC Si-face. In this study, an effective picosecond laser-assisted CMP method is proposed, which first preprocesses the Si-face with picosecond laser and then carries out CMP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nano scratch tester (NST), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was employed to investigate the surface alteration of SiC Si-face by picosecond laser pretreatment (PLP). The results demonstrate that the ripples and polycrystalline layer produced by PLP improve the surface machinability, and the C–O, Si–C–O, and Si–O bonds oxidized by PLP lead to easier removal by CMP. Hence compared with the no laser pretreated (NLP) samples, the material removal rate (MRR) of PLP samples is much higher in the first 45 min of CMP and the surface roughness (Rq) is lower after CMP. The proposed method has certain scientific significance and industrial production guidance for SiC semiconductor device manufacture.
Combined effects of a ketogenic diet and exercise training alter mitochondrial and peroxisomal substrate oxidative capacity in skeletal muscle
Authors: Huang Tai-Yu , Linden Melissa A. , Fuller Scott E. , Goldsmith Felicia R. , Simon Jacob , Batdorf Heidi M. , Scott Matthew C. , Essajee Nabil M. , Brown John M. , Noland Robert C.
Published: April 2021

A ketogenic diet with normal protein content (NPKD) increases body weight and fat mass, increases intramuscular triglyceride storage, and upregulates pathways related to protein metabolism. In combination with exercise training, a NPKD induces additive and/or synergistic activation of AMPK, PGC-1α, mitochondrial fission/fusion genes, mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and peroxisomal adaptations in skeletal muscle. Collectively, results from this study provide mechanistic insight into adaptations in skeletal muscle relevant to keto-adaptation.
Proteome analysis of human adipocytes identifies depot-specific heterogeneity at metabolic control points
Authors: Raajendiran Arthe , Krisp Christoph , Souza David P. De , Ooi Geraldine , Burton Paul R. , Taylor Renea A. , Molloy Mark P. , Watt Matthew J.
Published: April 2021

Adipocyte metabolism varies depending on anatomical location and the adipocyte protein composition may orchestrate this heterogeneity. We used SWATH proteomics in patient-matched human upper- (visceral and subcutaneous) and lower-body (glutealfemoral) adipocytes and detected 4,220 proteins and distinguishable regional proteomes. Upper-body adipocyte proteins were associated with glycolysis, de novo lipogenesis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress, whereas lower-body adipocyte proteins were associated with enhanced PPARα activation, fatty acid, and BCAA oxidation, TCA cycle flux, and oxidative phosphorylation.
Unraveling the thread of uncontrolled immune response in COVID-19 and STEMI: an emerging need for knowledge sharing
Authors: Rios-Navarro Cesar , Dios Elena de , Forteza Maria J. , Bodi Vicente
Published: April 2021

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 that first emerged in Wuhan in December 2019 has resulted in the devastating pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019, creating an emerging need for knowledge sharing. Meanwhile, myocardial infarction is and will probably remain the foremost cause of death in the Western world throughout the coming decades. Severe deregulation of the immune system can unnecessarily expand the inflammatory response and participate in target and multiple organ failure, in infection but also in critical illness. Indeed, the course and fate of inflammatory cells observed in severe ST-elevation myocardial infarction (neutrophilia, monocytosis, and lymphopenia) almost perfectly mirror those recently reported in severe coronavirus disease 2019. A pleiotropic proinflammatory imbalance hampers adaptive immunity in favor of uncontrolled innate immunity and is associated with poorer structural and clinical outcomes. The goal of the present review is to gain greater insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this canonical activation and downregulation of the two arms of the immune response in both entities, to better understand their pathophysiology and to open the door to innovative therapeutic options. Knowledge sharing can pave the way for therapies with the potential to significantly reduce mortality in both infectious and noninfectious scenarios.
Psychotropic drugs upregulate aquaporin-2 via vasopressin-2 receptor/cAMP/protein kinase A signaling in inner medullary collecting duct cells
Authors: Kim Sua , Jo Chor Ho , Kim Gheun-Ho
Published: April 2021

It is unclear whether antipsychotic drugs can retain water in the kidney in the absence of vasopressin. This study demonstrates that haloperidol, sertraline, and carbamazepine can produce nephrogenic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis because they directly upregulate vasopressin-2 receptor and aquaporin-2 (AQP2) via cAMP/PKA signaling. We showed that, in addition to AQP2 trafficking, AQP2 protein abundance was rapidly increased by treatment with antipsychotic drugs in association with dephosphorylation of AQP2 at Ser261 and accelerated AQP2 transcription.
Bacteriocins: Potential for Human Health
Authors: Huang Fuqing , Teng Kunling , Liu Yayong , Cao Yanhong , Wang Tianwei , Ma Cui , Zhang Jie , Zhong Jin
Published: April 2021

Due to the challenges of antibiotic resistance to global health, bacteriocins as antimicrobial compounds have received more and more attention. Bacteriocins are biosynthesized by various microbes and are predominantly used as food preservatives to control foodborne pathogens. Now, increasing researches have focused on bacteriocins as potential clinical antimicrobials or immune‐modulating agents to fight against the global threat to human health. Given the broad‐ or narrow‐spectrum antimicrobial activity, bacteriocins have been reported to inhibit a wide range of clinically pathogenic and multidrug‐resistant bacteria, thus preventing the infections caused by these bacteria in the human body. Otherwise, some bacteriocins also show anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, and immune‐modulatory activities. Because of the safety and being not easy to cause drug resistance, some bacteriocins appear to have better efficacy and application prospects than existing therapeutic agents do. In this review, we highlight the potential therapeutic activities of bacteriocins and suggest opportunities for their application.
The Impact of Tropical Cyclones in Premonsoonal Season on Local Convection over the Al-Hajar Mountains in Oman during 2007–2018
Authors: Al-Zadjali Salma , Al-Rawahi Zamzam , Al-Brashdi Hamid
Published: April 2021

The tropical cyclones (TCs) and convective storms have a significant impact on triggering widespread flooding in vulnerable areas. However, it is not clear whether the TCs stimulate the convective precipitation over the Al-Hajar Mountains in Oman or suppress it although it had been shown in many studies that TCs suppress the local convection development. This study aims to test the applicability of the hypothesis that the TCs suppress the convection over mountainous to the Al-Hajar Mountains. In order to test the hypothesis of tropical cyclones’ impact on local convection development over the Al-Hajar Mountains, this study considers three different cases during the premonsoon season between 2007 and 2018. The results revealed that weak local convection is reported over the Al-Hajar Mountains during the presence of the cyclones in the Arabian Sea and during the period of their direct impacts. The rainfall in these cases was mainly from stratiform clouds. Therefore, the impact of TCs on the convective suppression over the mountains is applicable to the Al-Hajar Mountains. This study will provide decision-makers and policy creators with knowledge as to whether the Al-Hajar Mountains are susceptible and vulnerable to the risk of torrential downpour, flash flooding, and thunderstorms as what is believed to be.
The Relationship between Cementitious Composition and Properties of Ultrahigh Strength Concrete
Authors: Wang Dehui , Zhang Zhiwen
Published: April 2021

It is well known that supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) have obvious effects on the properties of concrete. In order to understand the relationship between cementitious materials and properties of ultrahigh strength concrete (UHSC), the cementitious compositions of UHSC were designed by the simple‐centroid design method. The effects of cementitious compositions on the properties of UHSC were investigated. It was found that the incorporation of silica fume (SF) improved the flowability and strength of UHSC, but it decreased the time of acceleration period, calcium hydroxide (CH) content, and porosity of UHSC at a certain content. The incorporation of fly ash (FA) increased the flowability, time of acceleration period, and porosity of UHSC, but it decreased the strength and CH content of UHSC. The relationships between cement, silica fume, and fly ash and the properties of UHSC were calculated based on the simple‐centroid design method.
Altruistic Punishment, Status Conflict, and Knowledge Sharing in the Workplace: An Evolutionary Game Model
Authors: Song Fang , Hu Xiwu , Li Junfeng , Watson Michael Allen
Published: April 2021

Second- and third-party altruistic punishments can both improve knowledge sharing, but it is debatable which does so better. We thus concurrently consider the influence of status conflict advantage and disadvantage on knowledge sharing. We also analyze knowledge sharing by introducing an evolutionary game model and conducting simulations, and reveal the following: (1) the appropriate choice for an organization that is increasing its knowledge contribution is third-party punishment; (2) the status conflict advantage and disadvantage play important roles in knowledge sharing. When the status conflict advantage is greater than the disadvantage, the two players eventually share knowledge, and vice versa. Interestingly, when the status conflict advantage is equal to the disadvantage, the player with the stronger sharing inclination has a powerful impact on the player who would rather hoard knowledge, thus ultimately leading him/her to share. (3) Guanxi, knowledge capacity, and synergy revenue have positive effects on knowledge sharing, while the knowledge sharing cost has a negative influence on them. Moreover, the stable equilibrium result is affected by the initial system state. In sum, our results not only promote the understanding of altruistic punishment and status conflict regarding knowledge sharing but also provide practical implications for both organizations and leaders.
The Impact of DNA Methylation on IL6 mRNA Levels in Hematinic Deficiency and Atopy-Associated Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Patients
Authors: Nur’aeny Nanan , Gurnida Dida Akhmad , Suwarsa Oki , Sufiawati Irna
Published: April 2021

Objective. To investigate the DNA methylation using pyrosequencing and its effects on the upregulation of IL6 mRNA in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) in connection with hematinic deficiency and atopy. Material and Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, from January–March 2019 and was approved by the Health Research Ethics Committee of Universitas Padjadjaran (Ethics No. 990/UN6.KEP/EC/2018). Furthermore, the subjects had RAS ulcers with a history of at least twice a year along with atopy and dietary imbalance with no history of recurrent intraoral herpes or any systemic diseases. This study was performed on 23 RAS patients and 21 healthy subjects, and the sampling was carried out consecutively. The blood samples were collected from all the subjects, and then, the DNA and RNA were extracted from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Consequently, the bisulfite-modified DNA was used to confirm the methylation status of the IL6 gene promoter through the pyrosequencing method. The methylation levels of the IL6 promoter were assessed by a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique. The gene expression of RAS and the control group was analyzed by the 2−ΔΔCT method. The statistical analysis using the Mann–Whitney U test was conducted to evaluate IL6 mRNA levels and DNA methylation withpvalue <0.05 considered to be statistically significant. Result. The IL6 mRNA levels were approximately 1.88-fold in RAS patients, and there was a significant relationship between the expression of the IL6 gene and the increased risk of RASp<0.001. It was reported that four out of six sites in the cytosine phosphate guanine (CpG) island IL6 promoter had a lower degree of methylation, and two other sites in patients with RAS had greater methylation compared with control, but not statistically significant. Conclusion. This study showed the upregulation of IL6 mRNA levels in RAS patients compared to control. DNA methylation in the present study is at sites 566–658, whereas the location of the IL6 promoter is at sites 1–1684. Thus, it would be necessary conducting some research at other CpG sites of IL6 promoter islands to determine the status of DNA methylation.
Enteropathogenic Bacterial and Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Asymptomatic Food Handlers in Rangsit University Canteens, Central Thailand
Authors: Kitvatanachai Sirima , Jantrapanukorn Bajaree , Supcharoengoon Utsanee , Atasilp Chalirmporn
Published: April 2021

Food handlers play an important role in the transmission of foodborne diseases. 108 asymptomatic food handlers work in RSU canteens and have never been checked for intestinal bacteria and parasites, which might be a potential source of infection for customers. This study is aimed at estimating the prevalence of enteropathogenic bacterial and intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers in Rangsit University canteens, central Thailand. A total of 79 food handlers were enrolled, and each provided one stool sample (response rate of 73.2%). Females comprised 93.7% of study participants, and the largest age group was 41–50 years (34.2%). The prevalence of enteropathogenic bacteria in stool cultures was 2.5%, and only Aeromonas spp. were detected. The pathogenic protozoa Giardia duodenalis was detected in 1.3% of samples, and nonpathogenic protozoa was found in 11.4%. No helminths were found in any samples. Approximately 80% of food handlers demonstrated good hygiene practices, including regular hand washing after visiting the toilet, regular hand washing when preparing food, using soap when washing hands, wearing uniforms/gowns, practicing correct hand washing techniques, and having short fingernails. However, the results showed a lack of personal hygiene training and routine medical care (>50% of samples). Stronger intervention would help to eliminate future infections.
Microbiological and Physicochemical Characteristics of Three Types of “Soumbara” from Seeds of African Locust Bean in Korhogo Markets, Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Kambire Ollo , Yao Konan Mathurin , Sika Andrée Emmanuelle , Coulibaly Aminata , Boli Zamble Bi Irie Abel , Koffi-Nevry Rose
Published: April 2021

“Soumbara” is a fermented product sold in the markets of several West African countries. In the markets, it is sold in several formats (granulated, powder, and paste). The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of these three types of “Soumbara” sold in the Korhogo markets. For this purpose, a preliminary survey followed by a sampling of 54 samples of “Soumbara” was carried out. The microorganism load count was carried out according to microbiological standards. The pH, titratable acidity, and moisture content were measured, respectively, with a pH meter, by dosing with sodium hydroxide solution and by differential weighing after passing the sample through the oven. The pH of the different samples is around 6. The moisture content is higher in “Soumbara” paste (20-24.7%) than in powdered (7.3-9.3%) and granulated (8.6-10.7%) “Soumbara.” The acidity rates are between 0.07 and 0.13%, 0.2 and 0.3%, and 0.08 and 0.1%, respectively, for the granulated, powder, and paste types. Mesophilic aerobic germ loads (6.17-8.38 log10 cfu/g) for all three types of “Soumbara” are above the standard. Total coliform (1.13-2.96 log10 cfu/g), mould (0.86-2.52 log10 cfu/g), and yeast (0.33-1.53 log10 cfu/g) loads are below standard. The microbiological quality of the three types of “Soumbara” is unsatisfactory. Overall, “Soumbara” powder is the most contaminated, followed by granulated and paste “Soumbara.” “Soumbara” must be added during culinary preparations in order to avoid possible public health problems.
Research on the Mechanical Characteristics of Cyclic Loading and Unloading of Rock Based on Infrared Thermal Image Analysis
Authors: Wu Lewen , Zhou Keping , Gao Feng , Gu Zhongyuan , Yang Chun
Published: April 2021

In the operations of underground rock engineering, such as mining, the formation of goafs is often accompanied by unloading and energy effects. In this study, a cyclic loading and unloading stress test is carried out to analyze the strength characteristics of the loaded samples under different loading and unloading ranges as well as different numbers of cycles. The rock force is accompanied by substantial energy changes. To better fit the energy analysis under cyclic loading and unloading conditions, thermal infrared radiation characteristic analysis is performed during rock loading and unloading. An infrared radiation camera is adopted to detect the infrared characteristics of the rock force process after cyclic loading and unloading. Multiangle detection is implemented on the temperature, temperature field, and frequency histogram. The analysis shows that cyclic loading and unloading first strengthen and then weaken the rock. Moreover, the failure caused by the local stress concentration leads to a sharp increase in the temperature. There are significant temperature fluctuations before and after failure, and the temperature field after failure can be divided into three zones, namely, the normal temperature zone, heating zone, and mutational temperature zone, to comprehensively reflect that rock compression failure which is accompanied by the process of energy accumulation and release. On the basis of infrared energy analysis, the index of the energy release rate is introduced, and the loading and unloading analysis model is constructed. The research results reveal that rock failure is accompanied by the process of energy accumulation and release, which provides evidence for the analysis of the spatial stability of the rock mass under cyclic loading and unloading conditions and engineering excavation.
Thrombocytopenia as a Diagnostic Marker for Malaria in Patients with Acute Febrile Illness
Authors: Gebreweld Angesom , Erkihun Yonas , Feleke Daniel Getacher , Hailu Gebru , Fiseha Temesgen
Published: April 2021

Background. Thrombocytopenia is the most common hematological abnormality in patients with acute malaria. This study aimed to determine the role of thrombocytopenia as a diagnostic marker for malaria in patients with acute febrile illness. Method. A cross-sectional health facility-based study was conducted on 423 consecutively selected acute febrile patients at Ataye District Hospital from February to May 2019 GC. A complete blood count and malaria microscopy were performed for each acute febrile patient. ROC curve analysis was performed to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of platelet count in predicting malaria. A

P

 ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result. Out of the 423 acute febrile patients, 73 (17.3%) were microscopically confirmed malaria cases and the rest 350 (82.7%) patients had negative blood film results. Of the microscopically confirmed malaria cases, 55 (75.34%) were P. vivax and 18 (24.66%) were P. falciparum. The prevalence of thrombocytopenia among malaria patients (79.5%) was significantly higher than those in malaria negative acute febrile patients (13.7%),

P

 < 0.001. About 67% malaria-infected patients had mild to moderate thrombocytopenia and 12.3% had severe thrombocytopenia. The ROC analysis demonstrated platelet counts <150,000/μl as an optimal cutoff value with 0.893 area under the curve, 79.5% sensitivity, 86.3% specificity, 95.3% negative predictive value, and 54.7% positive predictive value to predict malaria. Conclusion. Malaria is still among the major public health problems in the country. Thrombocytopenia is a very good discriminatory test for the presence or absence of malaria with 79.5% sensitivity and 86.3% specificity. Therefore, this may be used in addition to the clinical and microscopic parameters to heighten the suspicion of malaria.