bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Immune-Related Prognostic Signature for Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Xue Yuanbo , Li Jing , Lu Xiubo
Published: June 2020

Background:

Recent studies have confirmed that immune-associated genes perform a crucial function in recurrence and metastasis of thyroid carcinoma. A reliable immune-related prognostic signature for patients with thyroid cancer is needed. This study constructed a novel immune-related prognostic signature for thyroid cancer and evaluated its prognostic value by bioinformatics analysis.

Methods:

In this study, we anatomized differentially expressed immune-associated genes from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database were randomly divided into training set and test set. A novel immune-related prognostic signature for thyroid cancer was developed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and Cox regression analysis: Risk score = (0.6846 × expression value of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 5 [CXCL5]) + (1.1556 × expression value of Azurocidin 1 [AZU1]) + (−0.3156 × expression value of nucleotide binding oligomerization domain containing 1 [NOD1] + (0.0542 × expression value of TNF Receptor Superfamily Member 11b [TNFRSF11B]) + (0.0952 × expression value of VGF nerve growth factor inducible [VGF]). The established prognostic signature was evaluated based on training set and test set by survival curves, receiver–operator characteristic curves, risk score, survival status, heatmap, and independent prognostic analysis. Meanwhile, we appraised the correlation between target immune-associated genes and clinical stage, tumor-infiltrating immune cells respectively.

Results:

Five immune-associated genes were used for constructing an immune-related prognostic signature by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, univariate, and multivariate analysis. Survival curves, receiver–operator characteristic curves, and independent prognostic analysis showed the signature had significant prediction value. Clinical and immune cell correlation analyses indicated that target immune-associated genes may participate in tumor immune infiltration and tumor progression.

Conclusions:

We constructed a novel 5 immune-associated genes signature for predicting the prognosis of patients with thyroid cancer, which may help clinical workers evaluate individualized therapy and prognosis.
The role of chest computed tomography in the management of COVID-19: A review of results and recommendations
Authors: Wong Molly D , Thai Theresa , Li Yuhua , Liu Hong
Published: June 2020

The rapid and dramatic increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 has led to a global pandemic. Early detection and containment are currently the most effective methods for controlling the outbreak. A positive diagnosis is determined by laboratory real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) testing, but the use of chest computed tomography (CT) has also been indicated as an important tool for detection and management of the disease. Numerous studies reviewed in this paper largely concur in their findings that the early hallmarks of COVID-19 infection are ground-glass opacities (GGOs), often with a bilateral and peripheral lung distribution. In addition, most studies demonstrated similar CT findings related to the progression of the disease, starting with GGOs in early disease, followed by the development of crazy paving in middle stages and finally increasing consolidation in the later stages of the disease. Studies have reported a low rate of misdiagnosis by chest CT, as well as a high rate of misdiagnosis by the rRT-PCR tests. Specifically, chest CT provides more accurate results in the early stages of COVID-19, when it is critical to begin treatment as well as isolate the patient to avoid the spread of the virus. While rRT-PCR will probably remain the definitive final test for COVID-19, until it is more readily available and can consistently provide higher sensitivity, the use of chest CT for early stage detection has proven valuable in avoiding misdiagnosis as well as monitoring the progression of the disease. With the understanding of the role of chest CT, researchers are beginning to apply deep learning and other algorithms to differentiate between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 CT scans, determine the severity of the disease to guide the course of treatment, and investigate numerous additional COVID-19 applications.

Impact statement

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been worldwide, and clinicians and researchers around the world have been working to develop effective and efficient methods for early detection as well as monitoring of the disease progression. This minireview compiles the various agency and expert recommendations, along with results from studies published in numerous countries, in an effort to facilitate the research in imaging technology development to benefit the detection and monitoring of COVID-19. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review paper on the topic, and it provides a brief, yet comprehensive analysis.
Relationship of Benzene Concentration, ECR Benzene, Malondialdehyde, Glutathione, and DNA Degeneration in Shoe Industrial Workers in Osowilangun, Indonesia
Authors: Tualeka Abdul Rohim , Guan Ng Yee , Russeng Syamsiar S. , Ahsan Ahsan , Susilowati Indri H. , Rahmawati Pudji , Ain Khusnul
Published: June 2020

In the shoes industry, benzene constitute as one of the source of chemical hazard especially used in the gluing section. This compound is metabolized by the liver, forming free radicals in the body which can ultimately reduce the concentration of glutathione and increased malondialdehyde causing DNA degeneration. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between benzene concentration, excess cancer risk (ECR), malondialdehyde, glutathione, and DNA degeneration among workers in shoes industry in Osowilangun, Surabaya. This is an observational study with a cross-sectional design. The number of research samples was 25 respondents. The average concentration of benzene in workers was above the threshold (10.31 ppm). There were 15 (60%) respondents with ECR >0.0001 who experienced DNA degeneration. There was no relationship between benzene concentration, malondialdehyde, glutathione, and DNA degeneration. However, there was a relationship between benzene ECR, malondialdehyde, glutathione, and DNA degeneration in the shoe industry workers in Osowilangun.
The Protection Effect of Resveratrol Against Radiation-Induced Inflammatory Bowel Disease via NLRP-3 Inflammasome Repression in Mice
Authors: Sun Hao , Cai Hui , Fu Yue , Wang Qin , Ji Kaihua , Du Liqing , Xu Chang , Tian Lifang , He Ningning , Wang Jinhan , Zhang Manman , Liu Yang , Wang Yan , Li Jia , Liu Qiang
Published: June 2020

With the extensive application of radiotherapy in various cancers, its side effects in tissues adjacent to cancers are garnering much attention. Intestines are sensitive to irradiation due to its rapid proliferation, and irradiation-induced enteric inflammation is common in patients with pelvic peritoneal tumors. Sirt1, class III protein deacetylase, could lead to transcriptional repression of various inflammation-associated genes, and our previous study has proved its relationship with interleukin (IL)-1β. Here we show that resveratrol, the activator of Sirt1, could alleviate the bowel inflammation induced by irradiation and the expression of Sirt1 is consistent with the inflammation level. We further identified in vivo that Sirt1 repress the expression of IL-1β by the repression of NLR Family, Pyrin Domain Containing protein 3 (NLRP3) expression. In conclusion, this study confirms resveratrol acts against radiation-induced inflammatory bowel disease via NLRP-3 inflammasome repression in mice and supports Sirt1 as a potential biomarker and therapy target in intestinal radiation protection.
Complications in pediatric interventional neuroradiology management. Reflections on a personal experience
Authors: Rodesch Georges , Smajda Stanislas
Published: June 2020

Pediatric interventional neuroradiology is a rewarding but demanding specialty. It cannot be classified as a miniaturized technical procedure simply because it deals with small vessels in small patients but remains a field requiring specific knowledge combining clinical, anatomical, physiologic, and technical features. Complications that occur remain terrible experiences in this population whose patients have not personally requested to be treated for their vascular malformations. The aim of this article is to evoke the various possible groups of complications that may occur during a pediatric endovascular procedure in order to make physicians aware of these problems and help them to avoid them.
Study on bifurcation characteristics of multi-clearance bending torsional coupling gear transmission based on EHL
Authors: Dong Hao , Zhang Jianwen , Wang Libang
Published: June 2020

In order to study the influence of tooth surface friction on the non-linear bifurcation characteristics of multi-clearance gear drive system, a 6 degree-of-freedom bending torsional coupled vibration model was established. The time-varying mesh stiffness, backlash, support clearance and damping were considered comprehensively in this non-linear vibration model. Loaded tooth contact analysis was used to calculate the time-varying mesh stiffness. Based on the elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication, the time-varying friction coefficient was calculated. Runge–Kutta numerical method was used to solve the dimensionless dynamic differential equation. Using phase diagram, Poincaré diagram, time history diagram, and spectrum diagram, the influence of tooth surface friction on bifurcation characteristics was studied. The results show that the system undergoes a change from 1-periodic motion, multi-periodic motion, to chaotic motion through bifurcation and catastrophe when the speed changes independently. When the friction coefficient of tooth surface changes from 0, 0.05 to 0.09, the chaotic motion of the system is suppressed. Similarly, with the increase in tooth friction, the chaotic motion characteristics are suppressed. Tooth surface friction is the main factor affecting chaotic motion. With the increase in friction coefficient of tooth surface, the chaos characteristic does not change obviously and the vibration amplitude decreases slightly.
Voicing regulatory perspectives of the combination products
Authors: Sanduria Sumit , Tripathy Swagat , Murthy PN , Patra BP , Dureja Harish
Published: June 2020

Combination products (CPs) are nothing but medical products that do not adequately apt solely into a regulatory category, but reasonably comprise of any combination of drug, device and biological product. The use of combination products and delivery systems are to deal with a chronic condition or to relieve an acute condition or to treat the various lives threaten & complex diseases. This article assesses the regulation of combination products in USA, India, China, Japan and Europe and likens the regulatory regime in pharmaceutical environments. Though many of these types of products have been available for years, recent FDA guidelines have spelled out viewpoint on both a development and commercialization perspective. These elucidations have led to augment regulatory expectations resulting in new and increased challenges. To make sure compliance with these regulations and beat challenges, it is essential to remain familiar with the dynamic changing regulations. This piece of writing spotlights on key aspects to understand the concept of combination products, its classification, review period and most importantly facts to consider when any organization is gearing up for a regulatory submission to regulatory agency and its prospective for PLCM of the combination product.
Evidence that nerve surgery improves functional outcome for obstetric brachial plexus injury
Authors: Pondaag Willem , Malessy Martijn J. A.
Published: June 2020

The majority of children with obstetric brachial plexus injury show some degree of spontaneous recovery. This review explores the available evidence for the use surgical brachial plexus repair to improve outcome. So far, no randomized trial has been performed to evaluate the usefulness of nerve repair. The evidence level of studies comparing surgical treatment with non-surgical treatment is Level IV at best. The studies on natural history that are used for comparison with surgical series are also, unfortunately, of too low quality. Among experts, however, the general agreement is that nerve reconstruction is indicated when spontaneous recovery is absent or severely delayed at specific time points. A major obstacle in comparing or pooling obstetric brachial plexus injury patient series, either surgical or non-surgical, is the use of many different outcome measures. A requirement for multicentre studies is consensus on how to assess and report outcome, both concerning motor performance and functional evaluation.
ICU admissions: Consequences after discharge
Authors: Karavadra Minal , Bell Ricky
Published: June 2020

The intensive care department may seem a long way from the GP's consulting room, but every year tens of thousands of critically ill patients are admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) across the UK. Patients are often left with long term sequelae that may require GP input. Physical weakness, psychiatric disturbance and cognitive decline are not uncommon after an illness that requires a stay in an ICU. These hinder a patient’s return to their previous level of function and impact caregivers after discharge. This article aims to highlight the chronic symptoms patients can acquire during ICU admission that may come to the attention of GPs for their advice and treatment.
Diclofenac reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease: a pilot analysis of NSAIDs in two US veteran populations
Authors: Stuve Olaf , Weideman Rick A. , McMahan Danni M. , Jacob David A. , Little Bertis B.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Our aim was to determine whether specific nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) agents are associated with a decreased frequency of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Materials and methods:

Days of drug exposure were determined for diclofenac, etodolac, and naproxen using US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pharmacy transaction records, combined from two separate VA sites. AD diagnosis was established by the International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision (ICD-9)/ICD-10 diagnostic codes and the use of AD medications. Cox regression survival analysis was used to evaluate the association between AD frequency and NSAID exposure over time. Age at the end of the study and the medication-based disease burden index (a comorbidity index) were used as covariates.

Results:

Frequency of AD was significantly lower in the diclofenac group (4/1431, 0.28%) compared with etodolac (328/14,646, 2.24%), and naproxen (202/12,203, 1.66%). For regression analyses, naproxen was chosen as the comparator drug, since it has been shown to have no effect on the development of AD. Compared with naproxen, etodolac had no effect on the development of AD, hazard ratio (HR) 1.00 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.84–1.20, p = 0.95]. In contrast, diclofenac had a significantly lower HR of AD compared with naproxen, HR 0.25 (95% CI: 0.09–0.68, p <0.01). After site effects were controlled for, age at end of the study (HR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.07–1.09, p <0.001) was also found to influence the development of AD, and the medication-based disease burden index was a strong predictor for AD, HR 5.17 (95% CI: 4.60–5.81) indicating that as comorbidities increase, the risk for AD increases very significantly.

Conclusion:

Diclofenac, which has been shown to have active transport into the central nervous system, and which has been shown to lower amyloid beta and interleukin 1 beta, is associated with a significantly lower frequency of AD compared with etodolac and naproxen. These results are compelling, and parallel animal studies of the closely related fenamate NSAID drug class.
iTIND: the second-generation temporary implantable nitinol device for minimally invasive treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Balakrishnan Dhivya , Jones Patrick , Somani Bhaskar K.
Published: June 2020

iTIND is the second-generation version of the temporary nitinol implantable device (TIND), which has emerged over the past decade as one of the latest additions to the library of minimally invasive surgeries now available to treat bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by benign prostate enlargement. While the key procedural steps remain the same, it now carries specific modifications designed to improve its efficacy and safety profile further. With the option to perform implantation under local anaesthesia, it can be delivered on an ambulatory basis and in the office setting. While the formal position of iTIND in current guidelines is yet to be determined, 12-month data demonstrates that it can improve both objective and subjective outcome measures, which are sustained at short-term follow up.
Treatment effects of cumulative cisplatin dose during radiotherapy following induction chemotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: propensity score analyses
Authors: Peng Liang , Chen Jia-Luo , Zhu Guang-Li , Huang Cheng-Long , Li Jun-Yan , Ma Jun , Wen Wei-Ping , Tang Ling-Long
Published: June 2020

Background:

The treatment effects of cumulative cisplatin dose (CCD) during radiotherapy (RT) following induction chemotherapy (IC) have not been determined for patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods:

A total of 3460 patients with locoregionally advanced NPC who were treated with IC plus cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy or RT alone were included in this retrospective study. Three CCD groups (0 mg/m2 ⩽ CCD <100 mg/m2, 100 mg/m2 ⩽ CCD <200 mg/m2, CCD ⩾200 mg/m2) were balanced through the inverse probability of treatment weighting based on propensity scores estimated by a general boosted model. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS); the secondary endpoints were distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS).

Results:

CCD ⩾200 mg/m2 and <200 mg/m2 exhibited similar treatment effects for OS and DMFS, and were both superior to CCD <100 mg/m2 for OS and DMFS in patients with stage IVa NPC. The three CCD groups achieved similar treatment effects for patients with stage II–III NPC. After IC, CCD during RT appeared to exert little treatment effect on LRFS.

Conclusion:

The CCD during RT exerts treatment effects and improves OS by reducing the risk of distant metastasis for patients with stage IVa NPC following IC, and CCD <200 mg/m2 (mainly 160 mg/m2 in this group) is recommended. However, RT alone may be sufficient after IC in patients with stage II–III NPC.
Role of FcγRI in Antigen-Dependent Eosinophil Activation in Patients With Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: An Yun-Fang , Suo Li-Min , Xue Jin-Mei , Han Hai-Yang , Yang Gui , Liu Jiang-Qi , Liu Zhi-Qiang , Liu Zhi-Gang , Zhao Chang-Qing , Yang Ping-Chang
Published: June 2020

Background

The eosinophil (Eo) activation is a crucial factor evoking allergic rhinitis (AR) attacks; factors; the mechanism of triggering Eo activation remains to be further investigated. The interaction of antigen (Ag) and antibody plays a critical role in evoking allergy attacks. This study aims to elucidate the role of FcγRI, the high affinity receptor of IgG, in the Ag-mediated Eo activation.

Methods

Nasal lavage fluids (NLF) were collected from AR patients and healthy control (HC) subjects. Eos were isolated by flow cytometry cell sorting and analyzed by pertinent immunological approaches.

Results

Eos composed more than 60% of the cellular components in AR NLF. Exposure to specific Ags (sAgs) in the culture triggered Eos to release inflammatory mediators. High levels of FcγRI were detected on the surface of AR NLF Eos. Exposure to lipopolysaccharide markedly increased the FcγRI expression in naive Eos, which could be bound by Ag-specific IgG (sIgG) to form complexes on the surface of Eos; this made Eos at the sensitized status. Eos bore with the sIgG/FcγRI complexes could be activated upon exposure to sIgG in the culture; these Eos can be designated as Ag-specific Eos. Passive transfer of Ag-specific Eos resulted in profound AR response in mice upon sAg challenge. Depletion of FcγRI on Eos efficiently abolished AR response in mice.

Conclusions

AR Eos express high levels FcγRI, that can be bound by sIgG to make Eos sensitized. Re-exposure to specific Ags can activate the sensitized Eos.
Emotion Residue in Neutral Faces: Implications for Impression Formation
Authors: Albohn Daniel N. , Adams Reginald B.
Published: June 2020

Despite the prevalent use of neutral faces in expression research, the term neutral still remains ill-defined and understudied. A general assumption is that one’s overt attempt to pose a nonexpressive face results in a neutral display, one devoid of any expressive information. Ample research has demonstrated that nonexpressive faces do convey meaning, however, through emotion-resembling appearance. Here, we examined whether prior expressive information lingers on a face, in the form of emotion residue, and whether despite overt attempts to display a neutral face, these subtle emotion cues influence trait impressions. Across three studies, we found that explicit attempts at posing neutral displays retained emotion residue from a prior expression. This residue in turn significantly impacted the impressions formed of these otherwise “neutral” displays. We discuss implications of this work for better understanding how accurate impressions are derived from the so-called neutral faces and underscore theoretical and methodological considerations for future research.
Cognitive Barriers to Reducing Income Inequality
Authors: Jackson Joshua Conrad , Payne Keith
Published: June 2020

As economic inequality grows, more people stand to benefit from wealth redistribution. Yet in many countries, increasing inequality has not produced growing support for redistribution, and people often appear to vote against their economic interest. Here we suggest that two cognitive tendencies contribute to these paradoxical voting patterns. First, people gauge their income through social comparison, and those comparisons are usually made to similar others. Second, people are insensitive to large numbers, which leads them to underestimate the gap between themselves and the very wealthy. These two tendencies can help explain why subjective income is normally distributed (therefore most people think they are middle class) and partly explain why many people who would benefit from redistribution oppose it. We support our model’s assumptions using survey data, a controlled experiment, and agent-based modeling. Our model sheds light on the cognitive barriers to reducing inequality.
Remembering the King: Understanding strategic management of and participation in Elvis’ Death Week
Authors: Janoske McLean Melissa L. , Vibber Kelly
Published: June 2020

This exploratory qualitative study looks at Death Week, the annual commemoration of Elvis Presley’s death at Graceland in Memphis, TN, as a uniquely important part of tourism-based strategic public relations with a specific focus on the distinctive needs and considerations for dark tourism. Graceland, the second-most visited private home in the United States, offers a unique perspective on relationship building and maintenance, where the focus is less on awareness of Graceland and Elvis, and more on the continuation and generation of relationships to maintain interest across generations. Interviews were conducted with three public relations practitioners connected to Memphis or Elvis Presley Enterprises and 17 Death Week Candlelight Vigil participants, to better understand the promotion, delivery, and evaluation of a dark tourism experience. The impact of neo-tribes, a specific type of fandom, is also discussed as an important factor in continual relationship building with Death Week participants. The article concludes with suggestions for deepening the theoretical connection between dark tourism and public relations, and offers best practices for practitioners engaged in dark tourism relationship building.
“Food is something everyone should participate in”: A positive deviance approach to understanding the use of a food and nutrition app in low-income, Latino homes
Authors: Neffa-Creech Deborah , Clarke Peter , Evans Susan H , Glovinsky Joanna
Published: June 2020

Objectives:

Latino families are among the most likely to be overweight or obese, which are conditions associated with numerous health risks and diseases. These families might lack know-how for preparing vegetables that fall outside cooks’ culinary comfort zones and cultural traditions. Mobile apps are increasingly being developed for healthier cooking and eating, but research has not much explored how such apps are used among these families to help facilitate changes in eating patterns. This research seeks to identify behaviors and motivations that lead household cooks (i.e. mothers) in low-income Latino homes to use a food and nutrition app and create healthier eating environments for their families.

Methods:

This study uses a positive deviance approach and individual interviews with mothers who were frequent app users and experienced beneficial food outcomes during their participation in a randomized controlled trial that tested the effects of an app on their cooking and family eating behaviors. Interviews were analyzed for themes using a framework analysis approach.

Results:

Three themes emerged across interviews that were suggestive of approaches that led mothers to become frequent app users and prepare healthier meals: (1) mothers invited their children to use the app; (2) they involved both sons and daughters in the kitchen; and (3) they (cautiously) stepped outside their culinary comfort zones.

Conclusion:

Mobile apps and app-focused interventions should include features that invite: app co-use between mothers and children; opportunities for mothers to socialize boys, as well as girls into kitchen routines; and the use of culturally-familiar ingredients or recipes that are easily adaptable.
Vasoplegia after cardiopulmonary bypass: A narrative review of pathophysiology and emerging targeted therapies
Authors: Barnes Theresa J , Hockstein Maxwell A , Jabaley Craig S
Published: June 2020

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and cardiopulmonary bypass is a cornerstone in the surgical management of many related disease states. Pathophysiologic changes associated both with extracorporeal circulation and shock can beget a syndrome of low systemic vascular resistance paired with relatively preserved cardiac output, termed vasoplegia. While increased vasopressor requirements accompany vasoplegia, related pathophysiologic mechanisms may also lead to true catecholamine resistance, which is associated with further heightened mortality. The introduction of a second non-catecholamine vasopressor, angiotensin II, and non-specific nitric oxide scavengers offers potential means by which to manage this challenging phenomenon. This narrative review addresses both the definition, risk factors, and pathophysiology of vasoplegia and potential therapeutic interventions.
An unusual case of bowel obstruction in emergency surgery: The heterotopic mesenteric ossification
Authors: Andrea Aurelio Ricciardolo , Nicola De Ruvo , Stefani Caramaschi , Francesco Serra , Alberto Farinetti , Anna Vittoria Mattioli , Roberta Gelmini
Published: June 2020

The heterotopic mesenteric ossification, also known as myositis ossificans, is a rare form of heterotopic ossification, a metaplastic phenomenon where new bone is formed in the mesenteric base, generally after abdominal trauma (surgical or other). The pathophysiology of heterotopic mesenteric ossification is unknown; clinical presentation is not specific, with vague abdominal symptoms, uncertain radiological findings, and often regular laboratory exams. No consensus exists on the best possible approach, although it might well be both medical and surgical. We reviewed the clinical history of a 28-year-old man with a recent motor vehicle accident who was admitted to our surgical unit with symptoms consistent with a small bowel obstruction; after surgery, a diagnosis of myositis ossificans was surprisingly made.
Rare case of meningitis due to an emerging pathogen Chryseobacterium indologenes
Authors: Sud Anuj , Chaudhary Monica , Baveja CP , Pandey PN
Published: June 2020

Chryseobacterium indologenes is a non-glucose fermenting Gram-negative bacteria widely distributed in nature. It has been found to cause a variety of infections like nosocomial pneumonia, bacteremia and wound infections usually in immunosuppressed patients and those with indwelling devices. The organism is resistant to a significant number of the commonly prescribed broad spectrum antibiotics. We report a rare case of meningitis due to C. indologenes in a patient diagnosed with medulloblastoma and hydrocephalus with an external ventricular drain in situ. The patient was successfully treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole combination and external ventricular drain replacement as shown by subsequent sterile cultures.
Patterns of liver injury in COVID‐19 – a German case series
Authors: Schattenberg Jörn M , Labenz Christian , Wörns Marcus‐Alexander , Menge Philipp , Weinmann Arndt , Galle Peter R , Sprinzl Martin F.
Published: June 2020

Background

Reports of liver injury in patients with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) are emerging from China and the USA. A wide variety of liver function test abnormalities and few cases of severe liver failure have been reported. No data on the hepatic phenotype from Europe are available at current.

Methods

We report a case series of 44 consecutive patients hospitalized for COVID‐19 in Germany.

Results

At the time of admission, aspartate aminotransferase greater than the upper limit of normal was present in 70%, while alanine aminotransferase was elevated in 15.8%. Markers of cholestatic liver injury were altered only in a minority of patients. During hospitalization, 31% and 22% experienced increasing aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, respectively, when transaminases were normal at admission. Severe liver injury defined by 3×> upper limit of normal was observed in 9.1% over a mean time of 10.5 days. Importantly, patients exhibited cytotoxicity including lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine kinase elevations, but no signs of relevant liver function impairment.

Conclusion

In summary, in a case series of hospitalized patients in Germany, cytotoxicity in the absence of severe liver dysfunction at admission and only few cases suggestive of severe liver injury during hospital were observed.
Physiotherapists’ role during hospital-to-home transition for older adults with hip fracture and mobility limitation: A research protocol
Authors: Kalu Michael E , Okoh Augustine C , Nwankwo Henrietha , Anieto Ebuka , Adandom Israel , Jumbo Samuel , Ekezie Uduonu , Diameta Emofe , Akinrolie Olayinka , Obi Perpetua , Omeje Chidinma , Mohammad Sadiq , Ajulo Michael , Opara MacMillian , Abaraogu Ukachukwu O
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Functional deficits such as gait speed, muscle strength or reduced activities in daily living after discharge are predictors for hospital readmission for older adults with hip fractures. However, physiotherapists (PTs) who are inherently mobility experts, do not actively participate during the hospital-to-home transition of older adults with hip fractures in the developing countries, including Nigeria. This qualitative study aims to describe and explore how PTs working within inpatient rehabilitation units prepare older adults (≥60 years) with a hip fracture for transfer to their home in the community.

Methods

We will adopt Sally Thorne’s Interpretive Description approach to purposively select 25 PTs with 5-years experience of participating in discharging older adults with hip fractures from inpatient rehabilitation-to-home. Data collection will include (a) semi-structured, one-on-one interviews with PTs, (b) discharge summaries of two older adults, and (c) final focus group discussion with PTs. We will ask the physiotherapists to provide discharge summaries of two older adults - one that they described as a “difficult” case and one that they described as an “easy” case during inpatient rehabilitation-to-home transition. Data will be analyzed employing Sally Thorne’s “borrowing techniques”- content and thematic analysis for the patients’ discharge summaries and PT interviews, respectively.
Relational data paradigms: What do we learn by taking the materiality of databases seriously?
Authors: Thomer Andrea K , Wickett Karen M
Published: June 2020

Although databases have been well-defined and thoroughly discussed in the computer science literature, the actual users of databases often have varying definitions and expectations of this essential computational infrastructure. Systems administrators and computer science textbooks may expect databases to be instantiated in a small number of technologies (e.g., relational or graph-based database management systems), but there are numerous examples of databases in non-conventional or unexpected technologies, such as spreadsheets or other assemblages of files linked through code. Consequently, we ask: How do the materialities of non-conventional databases differ from or align with the materialities of conventional relational systems? What properties of the database do the creators of these artifacts invoke in their rhetoric describing these systems—or in the data models underlying these digital objects? To answer these questions, we conducted a close analysis of four non-conventional scientific databases. By examining the materialities of information representation in each case, we show how scholarly communication regimes shape database materialities— and how information organization paradigms shape scholarly communication. These cases show abandonment of certain constraints of relational database construction alongside maintenance of some key relational data organization strategies. We discuss the implications that these relational data paradigms have for data use, preservation, and sharing, and discuss the need to support a plurality of data practices and paradigms.
Protective effect of Tβ4 on central nervous system tissues and its developmental prospects
Authors: Zhang Gui-hong , Murthy Krishna Dilip , Binti Pare Rahmawati , Qian Yi-hua
Published: June 2020

Tissue repair and regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) remains a serious medical problem. CNS diseases such as traumatic and neurological brain injuries have a high mortality and disability rate, thereby bringing a considerable amount of economic burden to society and families. How to treat traumatic and neurological brain injuries has always been a serious issue faced by neurosurgeons. The global incidence of traumatic and neurological brain injuries has gradually increased and become a global challenge. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is the main G-actin variant molecule in eukaryotic cells. During the development of the CNS, Tβ4 regulates neurogenesis, tangential expansion, tissue growth, and cerebral hemisphere folding. In addition, Tβ4 has anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties. It promotes angiogenesis, wound healing, stem/progenitor cell differentiation, and other characteristics of cell migration and survival, providing a scientific basis for the repair and regeneration of injured nerve tissue. This review provides evidence to support the role of Tβ4 in the protection and repair of nervous tissue in CNS diseases, especially with the potential to control brain inflammatory processes, and thus open up new therapeutic applications for a series of neurodegenerative diseases.
PRESS-Play: Musical Engagement as a Motivating Platform for Social Interaction and Social Play in Young Children with ASD
Authors: Lense Miriam D. , Camarata Stephen
Published: June 2020

Musical experiences are ubiquitous in early childhood. Beyond potential benefits of musical activities for young children with typical development, there has long been interest in harnessing music for therapeutic purposes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, there is debate as to the effectiveness of these approaches and thus a need to identify mechanisms of change (or active ingredients) by which musical experiences may impact social development in young children with ASD. In this review, we introduce the PRESS-Play framework, which conceptualizes musical activities for young children with ASD within an applied behavior analysis framework consistent with the principles of naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions. Specifically, the PRESS-Play framework proposes that musical activities support key elements of evidence-based approaches for social engagement including predictability, reinforcement, emotion regulation, shared attention, and social play context, providing a platform for delivery and receipt of social and behavioral instruction via a transactional, developmental approach. PRESS-Play considers that these factors may impact not only the child with ASD but also their interaction partner, such as a parent or peer, creating contexts conducive for validated social engagement and interaction. These principles point to focused theories of change within a clinical-translational framework in order to experimentally test components of social-musical engagement and conduct rigorous, evidence-based intervention studies.
Music May Reduce Loneliness and Act as Social Surrogate for a Friend: Evidence from an Experimental Listening Study
Authors: Schäfer Katharina , Saarikallio Suvi , Eerola Tuomas
Published: June 2020

After losing a close other, individuals usually confide in an empathic friend to receive comfort and they seem to have a heightened desire for mood-congruent, consoling music. Hence, it has been proposed that affect-congruent music acts as a social surrogate for an empathic friend. Thus, we hypothesized that listening to comforting music, as a response to a social loss experience, provides a sense of empathic company as indicated by reduced loneliness and heightened empathy. We further predicted that distracting music would have a stronger impact on the listeners’ mood in comparison to comforting pieces. To test these assumptions, an experiment with two factors was designed: (1) Sadness was induced by an approved guided imagery method where participants visualized either their father dying (social loss), losing their eyesight (non-social loss), or shopping for groceries (control condition). (2) After the mood induction, the listening task included either comforting or distracting music that participants selected themselves. Psychometric measures for mood and loneliness were collected before and after the mood induction and after the music listening. The data were analyzed with mixed model ANOVAs. The results showed a significant reduction of loneliness and a relevant rise in empathy and mood due to listening to self-selected music, irrespective of the listener’s mood or the applied listening strategy, which suggests that private musical engagement in general can provide mood-repair and a sense of connection. This beneficial effect of private musical engagement supports the notion that not only music production but also its perception engenders social cognition. Overall, the findings corroborate the idea of music as a social surrogate.
Collaborative research: Working together to deliver land-based prison initiatives
Authors: Brown Geraldine , Brady Geraldine
Published: June 2020

Collaborative research offers an opportunity to access experiential knowledge, rooted in a process that aims to move beyond traditional research relationships and boundaries. Collaborative research does not always change the power differential; nonetheless, it has the potential to lead to ethical relationships and for partnership working that supports ‘change’. Working in this way aids in understanding and advancing ideas for change, grounded in the views and experiences of all involved. In this article, we share our experiences of carrying out two collaborative land-based prison-based evaluations. These programmes, delivered by third sector organisations, have both worked with men in prison but differed in relation to focus, approach, timescale and the specific group of men targeted within the prison population. This work highlights how working collaboratively lends itself to a way of engaging, through building a range of relationships with key stakeholders, men in prison, prison staff and practitioners, a channel to ‘knowing differently’ and potential for creating humanising spaces within the prison environment. This article details the rewards, tensions and challenges we have encountered when carrying out land-based studies, illuminating additional dimensions for consideration when adopting this approach.
Science, society and planning: Joseph Needham’s report to Chiang Kai-shek in 1946
Authors: Fu Banghong
Published: June 2020

Based on historical materials in the United Kingdom and China, this article analyses Joseph Needham’s 1946 report to the national government’s then leader, Chiang Kai-shek, on the state and prospects of modern science in China, and discusses its background, main content, characteristics, influences and significance. Needham completed the report at the end of 1945, and kept in mind the rich Eastern and Western contexts while writing it. The report revealed a series of institutional problems to do with science in China and provided a framework for scientific development. It also provided specific measures and essentially formed a plan for the scientific development of China at the institutional level. The report had an impact in China at the time, and the Ministry of Education engaged its content to formulate six specific measures for scientific development. Moreover, the Supreme Council for National Defence promoted China’s first 10-year plan for applied science. Needham’s report had universal significance for the development of science – not only in China at the time, but even globally today. The report also played an important role in the formation of Needham’s monumental book series, Science and Civilisation in China.
After Joseph Needham: The legacy reviewed, the agenda revised – some personal reflections
Authors: Lloyd Geoffrey
Published: June 2020

We all owe Joseph Needham an immense debt for discovering Chinese science and technology for Western scholars. But his famous question (Why did the Chinese, who had been so far in advance of Europe until the 17th century, fail to produce modern science independently?) is simplistic.

Needham’s discussion relied on categories (‘physics’, ‘engineering’, even ‘mathematics’) that are largely anachronistic. He was preoccupied by questions of priorities (who did what first). We should recognise that the historical record brings to light many breakthroughs in the development of science, in Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, ancient Greece and ancient China, as well as in Europe in the 17th century and beyond; they all call for detailed analysis of the different social, political, economic, institutional and intellectual factors at work. One topic of particular importance and current interest concerns the factors that enable innovation to flourish, where the differing experience of ancient societies can provide lessons that may still be relevant today. The new agenda for the history of science should have a global remit.
My farewell to Science and Civilisation in China
Authors: Cullen Christopher
Published: June 2020

The author served as General Editor of the Science and Civilisation in China series from 1992 to 2014. He reviews the history of this scholarly project since its inception by Joseph Needham in 1943, and discusses some of the problems that had to be solved in the production of such a complex and far-ranging publication. He illustrates the discussion with reference to three of the books in the series that appeared under his editorship – those dealing with the topics of ceramics, ferrous metallurgy and ethnobotany.
Betrayal Trauma and Resilience in Former Foster Youth
Authors: Carroll Amber Ruth
Published: June 2020

Resilience is often operationalized as the presence of positive behaviors and the absence of negative behaviors without considering external factors (e.g., racial discrimination), potentially limiting one’s ability to control their outcomes. In a sample of 20 former foster youth, this study investigated internal and interpersonal resilience and betrayal trauma. A mixed-methods approach addressed two questions: (a) How resilient are former foster youth? and (b) Which factors examined correlate with resilience? I hypothesized that (1) resilience would positively correlate with emotion regulation and self-esteem and (2) negatively correlate with perceived stress, betrayal trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and that (3) betrayal trauma would positively correlate with PTSD and (4) negatively correlate with emotion regulation. Results demonstrated no correlation between resilience and emotion regulation or self-esteem; negative correlations between resilience and perceived stress, betrayal trauma, and PTSD; and insignificant correlations between betrayal trauma and PTSD and emotion regulation.
Historical Continuities in South Asian Film Narratives:Contemporary Representations of Religious,Ethno-linguistic and Sexual Minorities
Authors: Sengupta Roshni
Published: June 2020

The article attempts to examine the construction and representation of minority identities in the visual cultures of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, thereby endeavouring to establish a cinematic historiography of South Asia. Since the cinematic medium can accomplish what written history cannot, this article makes an effort to understand the underlying causes of linearity and simultaneity which are fortes of the moving image, with regard to visual construction and representation of religious, ethno-linguistic and sexual identities. The major objectives of this article are to establish a comparative framework for the study of South Asian cinema with focus on films from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, outline a possible theoretical structure for the future study of South Asian cinema, contextualize the intervening spaces between cinema and politics—particularly the realms of cinematic representation of religious or communal identities in South Asian cinema, categorise existing trends and observe transformations in the methodology of cinematic representation of identities.
A Study on Internet Industry Self-regulation in China and Its Implications for Child Protection in Cyberspace
Authors: A. R. Mubarak
Published: June 2020

Self-regulation of the Internet industry has been a popular policy approach adopted by many countries. However, unlike self-regulation of more traditional industries, self-regulation of the Internet industry has been a challenging process due to the sheer volume of cyberspace and involvement of stakeholders located beyond any single country’s jurisdiction. The industry has achieved limited success in self-regulation, specifically in the area of child protection in cyberspace. China has actively adopted a policy of Internet industry self-regulation and public supervision of the Internet industry, in order to remove online material that is not suitable for children. This article critically reviews China’s pre-emptive government regulation and stern actions to regulate the Internet industry to monitor the material that the Internet industry allows through its network. Despite criticism of the Chinese government for its attempts to control freedom of expression through the Internet, this article argues that China has in its own unique ways managed to monitor the contents in cyberspace. There are many valuable lessons to be learnt from the Chinese experience. Studying the unique working relationship that has evolved between the Chinese government and the Internet industry may be beneficial in understanding the ways in which vulnerable population groups like children can be protected in cyberspace.