bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vernacular landscape and its role in the development of creative urban practices
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, Butsykina Y. O.
Published: September 2022

The paper is devoted to the analysis of the vernacular landscape concept defined as one that is culturally conceptualized both within the city and outside it. We identified the key characteristics of the concept, such as: community, border, temporal development (Jackson), repetitive practices of non-professionals, variability and diversity (Certeau). We determined the key methods of cultural research of the vernacular landscape: representational and phenomenological. Representational method deals with the practices that refer to the repetitive habits and customs of the dwellers, everyday practices that are manifested in long-term fields studies and film and video materials stydying. We considered the peculiarities of vernacular landscape formation in the city and creativity as its essential characteristic. Accordingly, creative practices that shape the vernacular landscape of the city have the following defining features: inclusiveness, repeatability and familiarity, non-expertise, non-economic motivation. The nature of creativity itself allows the creative individual to directly influence the common good, changing the landscape of her locus (yard, district, city, etc.). The concept of tactical urbanism is considered as an alternative to the concept of creative economy and one that sees vernacular creative practices as a key engine for the development of creative potential of the city. This updated approach to understanding creativity significantly expands the term of vernacular landscape: both physically (because it expands the geography of creative practices of the city, going beyond certain areas, where the creative class is concentrated, up to the suburbs) and substantively (creative practices are interpreted in many more variable key). Creativity is singled out as one of the most common and revealing types of creative practices that have great potential in the qualitative transformation of the vernacular landscape of the city. Yarnbombing is a clear example of such a tactical intervention in urban space.
Comparison of Parental Attitudes before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Atli S. , Gunuc S.
Published: September 2022

The goal of this study was to investigate changes in parental attitudes and family variables during the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey methodology was employed to collect the data; the questionnaires included a family information form prepared by the researchers and the “Parental Attitude Research Instrument” (PARI), used to examine changes in parental attitudes related to the pandemic. The initial data, collected immediately before the outbreak of COVID-19, were compared with data gathered in May 2020, by which time the pandemic had already spread throughout Turkey. The research sample included 119 mothers with preschool children aged 5—6 years enrolled in four public schools. Our findings indicated that changes in family life and parental attitudes occurred during the pandemic. While scores measuring the two PARI subscales of dependency and egalitarianism and democratic attitudes increased, the scores for rejection of the homemaking role and strictness and authoritarianism decreased. According to the multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) results, there was a statistically significant difference between the time measurements (taken before and during the pandemic) with respect to the combined dependent variables of egalitarianism and democratic attitudes and strictness and authoritarianism, even after controlling for the demographic variables.
Vybor setochnoy modeli i otsenka vliyaniya izmeritel'nykh priborov v zadachakh modelirovaniya vyazkogo potoka v maloraskhodnykh stupenyakh tsentrobezhnogo kompressora
Authors: Kartashov Sergey Vladimirovich , Kozhukhov Yuriy Vladimirovich
Published: September 2022

The paper deals with the choice of a grid model and estimation of the influence of measurement devices placed in the flow part (FP) at numerical simulating (RANSapproach) a viscous gas flow in a lowflow stage of a centrifugal compressor at conditional flow coefficient Ф = 0.008 using the Numeca Fine/Turbo program. The influence of measurement devices total pressure tubes placed in three sections along the diameter of the diffuser was estimated. The conclusion obtained is that the measurement devices affected slightly the losses as compared with other types of losses in the lowflow stage of the centrifugal compressor. The problem of the grid independence of the solution of a calculation model in the working path of the stage as well as in the adjacent areas was examined. It was shown that ensuring the grid independence of the solution in the adjacent areas of the lowflow stage was of no less importance than in blade apparatuses of the flow part. The influence of the dimensionless distance of the first nearwall layer y+, when using the SpalartAllmaras low Reynolds number model of turbulence was evaluated
A sentiment analysis of the Black Lives Matter movement using Twitter
Authors: Peng Jacqueline , Fung Jun Shen , Murtaza Muhammad , Rahman Afnan , Walia Pallav , Obande David , Verma Anish R.
Published: September 2022

As more attention is brought to the issue of racial injustice, public sentiments and opinions on racial issues are increasingly important to track. At the same time, recent progress in machine learning and natural language processing methods, coupled with the growing amount of available data for training and analysis, allows researchers to extract sentiments from text data at large scales. We applied a natural language processing framework to study public sentiment surrounding the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. Specifically, we used a state-of-the-art BERT model fine-tuned for Twitter sentiment classification to predict the sentiment from approximately 1 million tweets from July 2013 to March 2021 related to BLM. The BERT model was trained on the Sentiment 140 dataset on which it obtained an AUC of 0.97 on the training data and 0.94 on testing data, outperforming other machine learning models. We found that retweet frequency and word count frequency were able to illustrate important themes in the BLM movement as well as indicate events of significant importance to the movement. Additionally, sentiment analysis revealed which of these themes and events were associated with positive public sentiment, such as social justice, and which were associated with negative sentiment, such as police brutality. Our analyses can also be applied to better understand other social and political movements to aid related research and activism.
Cognitive Dimension of Security
Authors: Koktysh K. , Renard-Koktysh A.
Published: September 2022

The article is devoted to the analysis of the algocognitive culture, the new reality that humanity has already entered, but remains far from being understood. Today we can speak about dissolution of the concept of privacy: almost all actions of a person, including his daily trips, his social circle and values it shares, his correspondence and purchases are automatically observed, and completely transparent to information corporations. The problem of fake news has become insurmountable: their appearance into the information cascade converts in an event immediately, making later investigations and refutations almost obsolete. A «culture of cancellation» has emerged, within which a priori there is no criteria for good and evil, where it has become possible to «delete» from the information circulation any arrays of knowledge that do not meet the requirements of the self-proclaimed «new ethics», and to ostracize people associated with them. The author compares the current state of affairs with the era of the dominance of sophists in ancient Greece, when the truth was determined depending on the conjuncture, and finds relevant parallels. In this context, the author formulates the concept of «cognitive vulnerability»: the new reality makes possible control of the masses of people, setting not only their consumer, but also political behavior. The author defines network reality as an alternative system of socialization, where the «network» ontology and values turn out to be more competitive than real ones, and therefore de facto displace them. The latter becomes possible due to a kind of «splitting» of the personality, when the emotional reaction is de facto separated from the real goal-oriented activity, and connected with the virtual reality. Ruling algorithms in social networks are aimed at achieving this goal: for an example author turns to recent investigation by The Wall Street Journal regarding Facebook: the MSI algorithm used by the latter provokes disputes and splits on every occasion. De facto, this leads to a situation where American information corporations are moving towards the new quality of the actual owner of sovereignty over the consciousness of the external societies. This challenge has already been met by China: since September 1, 2021, Beijing had nationalized algorithms, and handed control over them to the Communist Party. The author analyzes the steps taken by China and comes to the conclusion that in case of success China will become not only an economic, but also an ideological alternative to America, thereby making a bid to restore a bipolar world political system.
Breaches of Agreements to Negotiate: A Comparative Analysis of Damages
Authors: Giaoui Frank S.
Published: September 2022

Assessing economic loss and compensatory damages for contract breaches traditionally navigates between two practical difficulties: judicial uncertainty and technical complexity. Judicial tension is exceptionally high when objective data is missing, and when information exists, current financial and statistical methodologies are too complex or costly. To reduce inefficient bargaining, unnecessary litigations, and uncertain judicial decisions, there is a need for alternative methods that are both factual and simpler than current quantitative methods. This paper takes from the personal injury doctrine to posit that viable assessment methods include the development of damages schedules for certain economic losses. It uses breaches of corporate agreements to negotiate or to agree in the US and France to illustrate so. After reviewing data sampled from several hundred contract cases, this paper highlights a convergence of seemingly opposed case laws over the last 25 years as a starting point for a standardized damages methodology. The empirical analysis shows strong correlations between plaintiff outcomes and claims quantum, evidentiary levels of sophistication, business risk, and law firm size. Based on these results, this article formulates practical suggestions for parties seeking to improve their chances of success. It delineates the groundwork for additional empirical analysis needed to achieve statistical representation. Using damages schedules combined with artificial intelligence would give rise to predictive decision support systems that assess the probability of obtaining damages and the quantum of those damages. This would trigger a virtuous cycle: assisting judges in their discretionary decisions, and improving the accuracy of predictive models, thus, giving more incentives for all stakeholders to use them. Hence, their use would streamline litigation and eventually generate value for society beyond what can be imagined today.
An Examination of Dental Health Among Metropolitan and Appalachian Adolescents in Ohio
Authors: Bader Kyle , Roberts Megan E. , Keller-Hamilton Brittney
Published: September 2022

Background: Poor dental health is a common chronic condition among youth. Appalachian versus metropolitan residence, socioeconomic status, and health behaviors contribute to poor dental health. Limited research has directly compared dental health and risk factors for poor dental health among Appalachian and metropolitan youth. We exam-ined the association between dental health and residence among adolescent boys and explored socioeconomic and be-havioral factors that may contribute to differences in dental health.Methods: Adolescent males from metropolitan and rural Appalachian Ohio (n = 1220, age 11-16 years) reported their diet and tobacco use. Parents or guardians reported when boys had last visited the dentist and rated their dental health (excellent/very good/good versus fair/poor). Unadjusted logistic regression modeled the association between fair/poor dental health and residence (metropolitan versus Appalachian). Adjusted analyses controlled for race, household income, dental visits, diet, and tobacco use.Results: Appalachian (versus metropolitan) boys were more likely to have used tobacco in the past 30 days and consumed fewer fruit and vegetables, more added sugar, and more sugary beverages. The relation between dental health and Appalachian versus metropolitan residence did not reach statistical significance, and adjusting for behavioral factors did little to change the observed association.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that some of the urban/rural disparities in dental health observed in other stud-ies may be related to behavioral factors like tobacco use and diet, but much remains unexplained. We provide support for behavioral interventions to address these issues in the Appalachian community.
Mobilizing Communities to Sustainably Produce Face Masks: Public Health Practice in the Time of COVID-19
Authors: Snyder Andrew M. , Weisel Heidi L. , Chatfield Sheryl L.
Published: September 2022

Background: Face mask shortages in health care and use recommendations and requirements in a variety of com-munity and professional contexts associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the United States created initial and ongoing demand for face masks. In March 2020, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided guidelines for use of cotton masks for individuals in health care settings and in public. Community volun-teers provide a potential workforce to rapidly and flexibly address critical needs in emergent circumstances.

Methods: People Protecting Each-other Sustainably (PPEs) was developed to recruit and manage over 100 Northeast Ohio volunteers. People Protecting Each-other Sustainably used the social media platform Facebook to facilitate material donations, volunteer recruitment and training, and to function as an ongoing central communications hub. Leaders used an assembly line process with zero contact pick up and drop off at multiple stages of production to allow safe assembly and distribution of face masks.

Results: A total of 7 695 handmade face masks were created to distribute to local frontline responders in 10 weeks. Use of upsourced and donated materials allowed this project to reduce potential landfill waste and made a zero cost project possible. Volunteers had positive responses to the project and reported benefits from their participation.

Conclusion: This model has been successfully recreated by a smaller group in Geauga County, Ohio, with similarly successful results. Clearly this model of community mobilization has the potential to be replicated in other state of emer-gency crises and emergency response situations to produce lifesaving or necessary equipment when industry standard equipment is not readily available.
Breast Implant Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA- ALCL): A Systematic Review and Case Report Regarding Incidence and Pathology Workup
Authors: Reinhard Ruben , Biermann Niklas , Kuehlmann Britta , Prantl Lukas
Published: September 2022

Background: Breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA ALCL) is a rare indolent yet lethal disease. Recently the WHO accepted it as an individual new entity. Since then national and international registries have attempted to collect epidemiological data, but incidence rates vary strongly. The aim of this article is to provide an update on the status of the national BIA-ALCL registries and identify pitfalls alongside the current collection and diagnostic algorhythm. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed and epidemiological data from national registries were compared. Furthermore a case report of a false positive diagnosis was added and the pitfalls alongside the diagnostic algorhythm was worked out. Results: The comparison of national registries revealed significant differences in the collected data. Mean start of the registries was 2014, median 2015. Reporting of BIA-ALCL cases is mandatory except in two countries. Capture rates vary between 0-100%. Incidence rates range from 0.0 up to 8.9 per million implant years. The number of deaths does not correlate with the number of implants or the total population. The very same strains of CD30 can be interpreted differently. Conclusion: Comparing epidemiologic data revealed significant differences among national registries. In particular, non-published sales data of breast implants and non-mandatory recording of the disease lead to an overall underreporting of cases. Therefore, the incidence rates still cannot be compared uniformly. Furthermore the definition of CD30 straining intensity should be standardized and adjusted in the guidelines.
Diet, Gut Dysbiosis and Liver Cirrhosis and their Influence upon Hepatic Encephalopathy
Authors: Jesus Rosângela , Boulhosa Ramona , Oliveira Lucivalda , Cunha Carla , Matos Alexandre , Cavalcante Lourianne , Dezan Maria , Bueno Allain , Lyra André
Published: September 2022

Cirrhosis is the end stage of progressive liver fibrosis, resulted from chronic inflammation and liver injury. Early identification of risk factors and appropriate treatment for hepatic decompensation is paramount for positive health outcomes. In this review study, we revisited mechanisms associated with gut dysbiosis and intestinal hyperpermeability in advanced liver disease, and further discussed nutritional strategies for the management of dysbiosis in liver cirrhosis. In gut dysbiosis, proportionally lower concentrations of bacteria belonging to beneficial taxa such as Lachnospiraceae, Clostridiales, Ruminococcaceae and Veillonellaceae and others are observed, in relation to pathogenic taxa such as Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroidaceae and others. Cirrhotic patients present decreased bowel motility, bacterial overgrowth and increased intestinal permeability. Dysbiosis may further exacerbate such conditions due to the ability of pathogenic bacteria to adhere to the epithelium, produce endotoxin, disrupt bile acid metabolism, activate the immune system and trigger inflammation, in a vicious cycle. The triad hepatic encephalopathy – cirrhosis – gut dysbiosis is an evident entity, and primary prevention as well as management strategies for those three conditions aim strongly at improving intestinal health by focusing on nutritional interventions. High-protein diets may be recommended for cirrhosis patients, and the protein source is a key factor to consider, and so are dietary fibre and carbohydrate compositions. Attention is given to reduce saturated fat intake. Supplementation with branched-chain amino acids, probiotics and prebiotics have also shown positive results.
Pros and Cons for COVID-19 Vaccination and Boost of Young Adults in Light of Recent Literature
Authors: Nemunaitis John , Lehmann Paul , Willey James
Published: September 2022

Many lives were saved in high-risk populations through the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines. However, further mutation of new viral variants has reduced vaccine efficacy. Here we provide a review of the literature on pros and cons of vaccination and boost vs. naturally acquired immunity in young healthy adults. Our research indicates (1) being vaccinated, even after booster shots, demonstrates limits to protection from infection and spreading of the COVID-19 variants. (2) Young healthy adults predominantly develop mild or no symptoms after infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants, particularly Omicron, as such vaccination is not necessarily needed to protect young healthy adults. (3) Sequential vaccination with booster injections has been associated with reports of autoimmune complications. Complications not as commonly seen after natural infection. (4) Numerous assessments have revealed immunity imprinted through natural infection and durable protection against COVID-19 variants thereby supporting choice to natural infection in some. We conclude that for the young healthy adults, some of the risks and disadvantages afforded by vaccination prevail over the medical benefits. Moreover, Omicron as was observed, caused mild upper respiratory tract infection, and appeared to act in young healthy adults as an ideal “natural vaccine” to induce herd immunity, which in effect will diminish new variant development and may reduce duration of future pandemics in combination with vaccination of elderly and immune compromised.
The Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve does not lie in the Tracheo-esophageal Groove
Authors: Naraynsingh Vijay , Ramnarine Aryaa , Maharajh Sandeep , Hassranah Samara , Cawich Shamir
Published: September 2022

Traditional anatomic textbooks suggest that the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) ascends in the tracheoesophageal groove (TEG). However, during thyroid and parathyroid surgery, we have noted that the RLN is often not in the groove. In this study, we objectively measured the course of 41 RLNs in relation to the TEG. We found that the RLN was in the groove in only one case. On the right, the angle ranged from 0 – 50°(mean 27.5°) and on the left the range was 15 – 45°, (mean 25.5°) away from the TEG. In conclusion, it was unusual for the RLN to lie in the tracheo-esophageal groove. Thus, in mobilizing the thyroid lobe medially during thyroidectomy, one must exercise care as it is likely that one will encounter the RLN well lateral to the groove. We propose a new technique of objectively measuring the deviation of the RLN from the TEG.
A Systematic Review of the Novel Compound Arthrosamid Polyacrylamide (PAAG) Hydrogel for Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Cole A. , Maulana R. , Whitehead J.P. , Lee P.Y.F
Published: September 2022

Background: Polyacrylamide (PAAG) hydrogel is a novel compound that has recently become available in the UK market under the name Arthrosamid to treat osteoarthritis (OA). It adheres to and bulks up the synovial membrane and acts as a scaffold to treat the synovium. The purpose of this systematic review was to explore all available patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and adverse events of this novel compound for a management option for knee OA. Study Design & Methods: We undertook a comprehensive literature review of PubMed, OVID, and MEDLINE databases up until April 2022 for reports of outcomes of PAAG and OA. Using keywords: (“Polyacrylamide” OR “PAAG” OR “Arthrosamid”) AND (“Osteoarthritis” OR “OA”). Study participants were those that had PAAG hydrogel intraarticular injection for knee OA. All results were screened, and relevant papers reviewed in full. This review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) 2020 statement. Results: A total combined number of 463 patients’ outcomes were reported and assessed. Statistically significant data was identified in two studies at both 52 weeks and 13 months. Indicating the efficacy of PAAG hydrogel at one year post injection. Further continuation of one of these studies provided statistically significant results at 2 years. In a Randomised Control Trial (RCT) numerically superior data was identified compared to hyaluronic acid. Injection of PAAG hydrogel intraarticularly into the knee has been shown to be safe with no long-lasting adverse events reported. Conclusion: From the literature this PAAG hydrogel seems to be an efficacious and safe treatment option for knee OA and provides positive results for at least 2 years.
Selecting the Appropriate Memory Test for Patients with Stroke: Criterion Validity of the Buschke Selective Reminding Test
Authors: Leitner Damian , Udala Megan , Miller Harry , Libben Maya
Published: September 2022

Accurate assessment of memory following a stroke is important for patient rehabilitation. The Buschke Selective Reminding Test (SRT) is a test of verbal learning and memory that can be used to assess many clinical populations. The current study investigated the criterion validity of the SRT by comparing scores from patients with stroke to healthy controls, and identified scores on the SRT that best differentiate between these two groups. Participants included 65 patients with stroke and 65 age-and education-matched healthy controls. The control group differed significantly from patients with stroke on all scores (p <.01). Spearman’s rho correlations revealed potential multicollinearity between multiple SRT measures. Binomial logistic regression suggested SRT scores differentiated patients with stroke from controls, and correctly classified 76% of cases. Lower continuous long-term retrieval (CLTR) scores were more likely among patients with stroke. Results supported the SRT as useful for identifying verbal learning and memory impairment in acute stroke inpatients.
Opioid Use Among Orthopaedic Patients and Comparison of Opioid Prescribing Patterns Among Spine Surgeons and Other Orthopaedic Subspecialists in the United States
Authors: Tannoury Chadi , Bhale Rahul , Koh Justin , Saade Aziz , Maatouk Christopher , Tannoury Tony
Published: September 2022

Background/Introduction: The US opioid epidemic has received particular attention with 33091 reported deaths from narcotic overdose in 2015. A recent survey comparing US and Japanese opioid prescribing patterns from the AOA-JOA traveling fellows included 76 US orthopedic surgeons representing 8 subspecialties. We used this data to compare opioid prescribing patterns among US spine surgeons to other orthopaedic subspecialties. Materials/Methods: The survey included data based on surgeon demographics (gender, age, years in practice), patient baseline opioid use (pre/post-operative opioid use, types of opioid agents, duration of opioid use), perioperative pain management (procedure/institution factors, multimodal analgesic therapy), and responses to questions regarding opioid use attitudes. Survey responses were recorded as either categorical or semi-continuous variables. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-squared analysis for categorical responses and Kolmogorov-Smirnov testing to a statistical significance level of p < 0.05. Parameters that trended toward significance to p < 0.10 were also recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata statistical analysis software [StataCorp, College Station, Texas]. Results: Spine patients were more likely using opioid medications prior to evaluation by spine surgeons compared to non-spine patients(p=0.029). Patients with spine pathologies treated non-operatively were also more likely to be prescribed opioids(p=0.006). Post-operatively, spine patients were less likely to stop opioid prescriptions on the intended time (p=0.046). Peri-operatively, spine patients were more likely to be given muscle relaxant medications, and less likely to receive local/regional anesthesia(p=0.0025). Additionally, spine patients showed a trend toward association for requesting additional opioids beyond their initial prescription(p=0.057). Spine surgeons showed a trend toward association for choice of opioid agent prescribed–spine patients were less likely to receive codeine/tramadol analogs(p=0.062). When surveyed on opinions regarding opioid use, US spine surgeons did not show significantly different opinions regarding opioid use compared to surgeons in other subspecialties. Discussion/Conclusion: Spine patients did demonstrate statistically significant patterns of opioid use, particularly regarding opioid use prior to evaluation by orthopedic surgeon and use of opioids for nonoperative pathologies. They were also less likely to stop opioid prescriptions on time. Surgeon prescription patterns and perceptions of opioid use were not significantly different for spine surgeons compared to other subspecialties.
A Safer World after Vaccination against COVID-19, Government Responses and Health Outcomes: A Comparative Study
Authors: Wong Johnston , Ho Ghee , He Harry
Published: September 2022

During the first year of the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020, world governments were split between the herd immunity strategy and that of strict social distancing. Health outcomes of 14 countries analyzed revealed unexpectedly high levels of deaths due to the disease, particularly among those countries which relaxed control as early as April 2020. Public health experts predicted that the COVID-19 Pandemic, though mutated into Delta, would come to an end in mid-2021 when vaccination became available. Unfortunately, the situation was more complicated and disappointing as the coronavirus mutated further into another generation. Omicron spread faster but was less fatal than the Delta, some early records showed. Some countries therefore have declared that the Pandemic was over while China, sticking to its zero infection policy, was still fighting to contain the Omicron variant. As Hong Kong has lost 3875 lives in the spring of 2022, a similar death rate projected for China would be astronomical. In China, the public health crisis has been prolonged, policies of social distancing remain upheld, and international doors cannot be opened. This study reviewed government responses and health performances of 14 countries in 2020, 2021, and early 2022. The 3 periods were characterized by the impact of COVID-19, Delta, and Omicron. Major indicators analyzed include data from Government Responses and Stringency Index developed by Oxford Tracker and health data provided by the WHO and John Hopkins University. Effects on economies and health care financing, mostly reported by the Economist Intelligence Unit, were also discussed.
Tissue-Specific Cell Penetrating Peptides for Targeted Delivery of Small Interfering RNAs
Authors: Lopuszynski Jack , Agrawal Vaishavi , Zahid Maliha
Published: September 2022

Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) offer unique and promising solutions to overcome barriers to intracellular delivery of potential therapeutics for a variety of diseases, particularly when used as a delivery method for RNA interference agents such as siRNA. CPP mediated siRNA delivery provides promising therapeutic potential for various pathologies including many different types of cancer as well as other pathologies. Both cell-specific and non-cell-specific CPPs can play roles in transporting several types of cargo into cells, including but not limited to drugs, viral vectors, peptide nucleic acids, nanoparticles, liposomes, and siRNA. CPPs mediate siRNA delivery through a variety of delivery methods, including covalent conjugation and nanoparticle formation, and can be fashioned to facilitate endosomal escape. While no therapeutics currently utilize CPP-mediated siRNA delivery, two major approved therapeutics use RNA interference as a treatment modality, and many clinical trials are in progress testing the use of CPPs, again with an emphasis on the treatment of cancer. Further research is needed before the clinical use of CPP/siRNA complexes is commonplace, but advances in both CPP and siRNA technology appear promising for this method of treatment.
Study of Outcome After One Year Follow Up of Tuberculosis Patients After the Completion of Treatment in Tertiary Care Center in Western Maharashtra
Authors: Kompella Kiran , Gaikwad Someshwar , Singhal Anuj , Mangal Vishal , Yadav Arun , Chauhan Saurav
Published: September 2022

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) still remains an important public health problem in India. After completion of treatment, we hardly know that what happened to these cases once they are declared as cured and released in community. Hence the study was conducted to find out the outcomes and factors associated with them. Material and methods: It was a longitudinal observational study. Patients were followed up for up to one year after completion of the treatment for weight gain, and adverse side effects. Results: In our study 91 % of the cases were cured, 1.7 % were treatment failure and 2.18 % died. All the cases of recurrent TB were cured. HIV and TB co-infection was found in 15.7 % cases. 85% of patients tolerated the anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) well. The incidence of extra pulmonary TB was 19.2 %. Out of 229 cases 16 failed to gain weight at the end of therapy. The gain in weight was statistically significant (p value <0.001). The adverse outcome was seen in 20 cases. Conclusion: In our study, 91 % of the cases including 100% of recurrent Tb cases were cured because of newer RNTCP program. The incidence of extra pulmonary TB was higher than the national average. The majority (85%) of patients tolerated the anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) well. Out of 229 cases, only 16 patients failed to gain weight at the end of therapy. The gain in weight was significant predictor of good outcome in treating tuberculosis. The factors like weight gain, age, sex, place of stay or comorbidities were not associated as predictors of poor outcome. However, presence of co-morbidity like HIV and Diabetes may be associated with poor outcome but a higher sample size may be required to confirm it.
From Stem Cell Transplantation to CAR-T Therapy in Relapse-Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Gisselbrecht Christian , Neste Eric
Published: September 2022

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is a highly curable disease when complete remission after immunochemotherapy is achieved. Despite a high complete remission rate, which is a prerequisite for a cure, 20–40% of patients will relapse or fail first-line therapy. Salvage chemotherapy followed by intensification with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) has been established as a curative treatment for relapsed chemosensitive patients under 60 years of age. The results have been somewhat disappointing, with less than 50% of patients being eligible for transplant and relapse posttransplant ranging from 60–40%. Improvements have been made with new drugs in development, immunoconjugate bispecific monoclonal antibodies, and chimeric antigen receptor technology (CAR-T). A more precise evaluation of prognostic factors with PET scans and other biological factors during treatment will allow for the design of new treatment strategies. The exceptional response rate in phase 2 achieved with the three available CARTs has now been confirmed with a longer follow-up period. At 2 years, the overall survival (OS) expectancy is 50% with a plateau on the curves. Three randomized studies compared CARTs to the standard of care with ASCT and demonstrated the superiority of CARTs. Despite this superiority, the relapse rate remains 50%, which is significantly better than the standard of care. However, major improvements in OS have not yet been achieved. A clearer definition of eligible patients should also take into account their interim pet-scan, metabolic tumour volume, relation with Ct DNA with follow-up of minimal residual disease.
Helicobacter pylori infection and disease severity in multiple sclerosis patients: Is there a link with HLA alleles?
Authors: Mazaheri Shahir , Heshmati Yazdan , Vazifehdaryazd Mohsen , Khazaei Mojtaba , Ghiasian Masoud , Rasouli-Saravani Ashkan , Hajilooi Mehrdad , Solgi Ghasem
Published: September 2022

Backgrounds: Environmental factors such as bacterial infections, as well as genetic factors—in particular the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles—have been implicated in the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aims to explore the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection, HLA alleles, and disease severity in Iranian MS patients. Methods: The study population comprised 125 MS patients and 153 ethnically matched healthy controls. Stool antigen test was used to detect H. pylori, and the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores were assessed in the patients. HLA-DRB1 and DQB1 alleles and haplotypes were determined in both the patients and the controls. The relationships between H pylori infection, HLA alleles, and EDSS were also analyzed. Results: HLA-DRB1*15 and DQB1*06 alleles families and the DRB1*15~DQB1*06 haplotype were significantly more frequent in MS patients, whereas HLA-DRB1*14 and DRB1*14~DQB1*05 haplotype were less frequent. Of the 125 MS patients, 38 were diagnosed with active H. pylori infection. We found lower frequencies of HLA-DRB1*15 (P = .08) and DRB1*16 (P = .05) alleles and a higher frequency of DQB1*02 (P = .06) in the H. pylori-positive patients. HLA-DRB1*07 was more prevalent in patients with EDSS≤3.0 (P = .06). More severe MS cases (EDSS>3.0) were linked to H pylori positivity (P = .02), disease chronicity (P = .001), receiving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (P = .02), and female gender (P = .05). Conclusion: These preliminary findings suggest a link between H. pylori infection and the severity of MS H. pylori-positive patients regardless of the type of HLA carriage.
Influence of Covid-19 on the Socio-Emotional Aspect of School Communities
Authors: Baron Miriam , Brandenburg Cristine , Maciel Jocyana , Neves Vanusa , Fialho Lia
Published: September 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic arrived abruptly and had a negative impact on the various sectors of society, including the educational field. The objective of this study was to know the influence of Covid-19 on the socio-emotional aspect of school communities in a Brazilian capital. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. The study took place in June and July 2020. A total of 172 directors of municipal and state schools responded to an electronic questionnaire. Issues related to the socio-emotional conditions of students, teachers, coordinators and other members of the school community were addressed. The results were described by means of frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The study showed that, in the view of school directors, the Covid-19 pandemic strongly and negatively influenced the socio-emotional aspects of students, teachers, coordinators and other professionals belonging to the state and municipal school community of Fortaleza. The teachings of the present pandemic serve as an example for facing future public health emergencies, as in the case of the next pandemic “X”. Mainly with regard to the formulation and implementation of consistent public policies for the school community, with special support for: mental and emotional health, health care and hygiene to face the pandemic, operationalization of digital information and communication technologies, developing communication and the network collaboration between schools, families and students, among others.
Genetic Risk Stratification and the Primary Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Fair Jacques , Acuna Esperanza , Roberts Robert
Published: September 2022

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the number cause of death in the world. It is estimated that 50% of Americans will experience a cardiac event in their lifetime. The underlying pathology leading to coronary artery disease and its clinical manifestations, such as angina, myocardial infarction, and sudden death is coronary atherosclerosis. While the disease is not usually manifested clinically until the sixth or seventh decade, the underlying pathology is initiated as early as the second or third decade. Numerous randomized clinical trials have shown cardiac morbidity and mortality can be prevented by lowering the risk of known conventional risk factors for CAD such as decreasing plasma cholesterol or controlling hypertension. Secondary prevention of these conventional risk factors has been very effective; however, primary prevention has been shown to be even more effective. A major barrier to primary prevention is the lack of markers to detect among young asymptomatic individuals those at risk for CAD. The conventional risk factors are often not present until the sixth or seventh decade which could be late for primary prevention. Genetic predisposition accounts for 50% of the risk for CAD. Recently over 200 genetic risk variants predisposing to CAD have been discovered. Based on these variants, one can express the genetic risk for CAD in a single number referred to as the Polygenic Risk Score (PRS). The PRS has been evaluated in over one million individuals and shown that those with high genetic risk have the highest incidence of heart disease and can be reduced by 40-50%, utilizing drugs (statins and PCSK9 inhibitors) or lifestyle changes (favorable diet and increased exercise). The genetic risk for CAD is determined at conception and thus can be predicted anytime from birth onward. The PRS detection of young asymptomatic individuals based on the PRS enables one to implement early primary prevention. Adoption of the PRS to risk stratify for CAD could represent a paradigm shift in the prevention of this pandemic disease.
COVID-19: Using the Right Tools at the Right Time
Authors: Griffin Daniel
Published: September 2022

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV2, first described in several cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, China in December 2020 has now become a disease that is now present throughout the world. Multiple evidence-based measures and therapeutics are now available for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Many therapeutics have been studied and some even continue to be used without compelling evidence to suggest efficacy. Critical to the prevention and successful identification of treatments for COVID-19 has been an appreciation of the multiple stages of this disease. A previous paper published in February 2021 presented a consensus framework of relevant stages of COVID-19 authored by 35 physicians and scientist from multiple disciplines and countries. This framework included: three periods: the period of pre-exposure, the incubation period, the period of detectable viral replication, and five phases: the viral symptom phase, the early inflammatory phase, the secondary infection phase, the multisystem inflammatory phase, and the tail phase. This common terminology has served as a framework to guide COVID-19 therapeutics studied or currently in use. We now have a greater understanding of this disease and an update framework with two preclinical periods, the Pre-exposure Period and the Incubation Period, followed by four clinical phases, the Early Viral Upper Respiratory Non-hypoxic Phase, the Early Inflammatory Lower Respiratory Hypoxic Phase, the Secondary Symptomatic Phase and the Late Phase. We also have more evidence regarding the role of improved ventilation, the effectiveness of different masks, several highly effective vaccines, and a few effective antiviral, immunomodulatory, and supportive therapies. As there has been substantial progress made in understanding this disease and the role of various interventions, both nonpharmacological and pharmacological and changes over time in characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 such as a shorter incubation period and different susceptibility to various therapeutics, it is appropriate to put forth this update.
Conditions Other than Severe Combined Immune Deficiency Found on SCID Newborn Screening
Authors: Freij Joudeh , Secord Elizabeth
Published: September 2022

Severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) is caused by a wide variety of genetic variants that result in absent or diminished levels of mature and functional T cells. SCID Newborn Screening programs that detect T cell receptor excision circles have resulted in early intervention and improvement in survival rates in infants with SCID but have also identified other conditions with low T cells. These conditions trigger what could be thought of as false positive tests for SCID, but for the most part they do reflect low T cells in conditions other than SCID. The scope of this review is entities other than severe combined immune deficiency that cause low T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) and are thus identified on newborn screening. Secondary immune deficiencies from prematurity, neonatal medical conditions, hypomorphic or incomplete variants of SCID, transient T cell lymphopenia of infancy, and primary immune deficiencies that do not qualify as SCID are all elaborated. Identification and treatment options for these conditions leading to low TRECs are discussed.
A novel toolkit based on Artificial Intelligence and Automated Machine Learning to aid outcome prediction and decision-making in the selection of patients undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischaemic Stroke.
Authors: Nayak Sanjeev , Jeganath Vijay , Zhao Qian
Published: September 2022

Aim: To develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Automated Machine Learning (AutoML) toolkit to aid decision-making for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) based on readily available patient variables that could predict functional outcome following MT. Methods: Datasets of 1097 patients from Systematic Evaluation of Patients Treated With Stroke Devices for Acute Ischemic Stroke (STRATIS) Registry and SWIFT PRIME Trial were retrospectively evaluated. Linear and non-linear models were built using an automated ML platform, DataRobot. We developed two stage models for predicting the outcome of the patient: Model 1 predicted survival, defined as an mRS score of 0-5 (alive) or 6 (dead). Model 2 predicted good/bad survivor, defined as an mRS score of 0-2 (good) or 3-5 (poor). Results: The primary outcome was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days after stroke. Prediction of survival was 83% accurate (area under the curve [AUC] 0.7780). Prediction of good/poor survivor was 61% accurate (AUC 0.7061). A two-stage machine learning model has an improved 80% overall accuracy of prediction. Conclusion: The proposed AI-based AutoML toolkit evaluates various baseline clinical and radiological characteristics and predicts significant variations in treatment benefit between patients. With its improved prediction accuracy, the toolkit is clinically useful as it helps in distinguishing between individual patients who may experience benefit from Mechanical Thrombectomy treatment for acute ischaemic stroke from those who may not.
Effect of the FIT Taijipao on 20-30-Year-Old Adults’ Cardiorespiratory Function
Authors: Li Liyuan
Published: September 2022

The FIT taijipao is a personalized fitness run, based on tai chi thought, and taking physiological index heart rate as the assessment of exercise load standard. According to the current research, there is no clear study to confirm its health benefits. Therefore, this study intended to examine the effects of FIT taijipao on cardiorespiratory function for 20-30 years old adults. 60 volunteers were recruited from a university of Sichuan province, China. After the volunteers signed informed consent, they were randomly divided into the experimental group (30 students) and the control group (30 volunteers). The experimental group had the FIT taijipao twice a week guided by professionals, while the control group kept their original lifestyle. During the experiment, the baseline survey, heart rate and other health indexes of all the volunteers were assessed. In the final, there were 21 experimenters in the experimental group (6 males and 15 females) and 15 in another group (5 males and 10 females). The study processed the data in group by SPSS22.0 Paired T test and independent T test were conducted. After the 3-month experiment, it was found heart rate at rest (HRrest) had a significant downward trend. There was a highly significant difference in the experiment group’s HRrest before and after the experiment. Moreover, the quantitative load of the experimental group was 5 km / h or 8.3 km / h, the downward trend of HR was effectively lower than that before the experiment. It is suggested that the FIT taijipao has effects on reducing the oxygen consumption of heart contraction, the load of heart ejection and the work of heart in adults aged 20 to 30.