bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-UAV Trajectory Planning during Cooperative Tracking Based on a Fusion Algorithm Integrating MPC and Standoff
Authors: Li Bo , Song Chao , Bai Shuangxia , Huang Jingyi , Ma Rui , Wan Kaifang , Neretin Evgeny
Published: March 2023

In this paper, an intelligent algorithm integrating model predictive control and Standoff algorithm is proposed to solve trajectory planning that UAVs may face while tracking a moving target cooperatively in a complex three-dimensional environment. A fusion model using model predictive control and Standoff algorithm is thus constructed to ensure trajectory planning and formation maintenance, maximizing UAV sensors’ detection range while minimizing target loss probability. Meanwhile, with this model, a fully connected communication topology is used to complete the UAV communication, multi-UAV formation can be reconfigured and planned at the minimum cost, keeping off deficiency in avoiding real-time obstacles facing the Standoff algorithm. Simulation validation suggests that the fusion algorithm proves to be more capable of maintaining UAVs in stable formation and detecting the target, compared with the model predictive control algorithm alone, in the process of tracking the moving target in a complex 3D environment.
Moderate Averaged Deviations for a Multi-Scale System with Jumps and Memory
Authors: de Oliveira Gomes André , Catuogno Pedro
Published: March 2023

This work studies a two-time-scale functional system given by two jump diffusions under the scale separation by a small parameter ε→0. The coefficients of the equations that govern the dynamics of the system depend on the segment process of the slow variable (responsible for capturing delay effects on the slow component) and on the state of the fast variable. We derive a moderate deviation principle for the slow component of the system in the small noise limit using the weak convergence approach. The rate function is written in terms of the averaged dynamics associated with the multi-scale system. The core of the proof of the moderate deviation principle is the establishment of an averaging principle for the auxiliary controlled processes associated with the slow variable in the framework of the weak convergence approach. The controlled version of the averaging principle for the jump multi-scale diffusion relies on a discretization method inspired by the classical Khasminkii’s averaging principle.
The Effects of Physiological Stress on the Accuracy of Age-at-Death Estimation in The Hamann–Todd Collection
Authors: Simon Allyson M. , Cheverko Colleen M. , Clark Melissa A. , Mellendorf Tempest D. , Hubbe Mark
Published: March 2023

Age-at-death estimation is influenced by biological and environmental factors. Physiological stress is intertwined with these factors, yet their impact on senescence and age estimation is unknown. Stature, linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH), and antemortem tooth loss (AMTL) in the Hamann–Todd Osteological Collection (n = 297) are used to understand whether physiological stress is related to age estimation inaccuracy using transition analysis (TA). Considering the low socioeconomic status of individuals in the collection, it was expected that many people experienced moderate to severe physiological stressors throughout their lives. Of the sample, 44.1% had at least one LEH, but analyses found no relationship between LEH incidence and TA error. There was no association between stature and TA error for males or females. However, females with at least one LEH had significantly shorter statures (t = 2.412, p = 0.009), but males did not exhibit the same pattern (t = 1.498, p = 0.068). Further, AMTL frequency and TA error were related (r = 0.276, p < 0.001). A partial correlation controlling for age-at-death yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.024 (p = 0.684), suggesting that this relationship is mostly explained by age-at-death. These data suggest that age estimation methods are not significantly affected by physiological stress in this sample, but further investigations are needed to understand how these variables relate to skeletal aging.
The Code of Ethics and Conduct for Forensic Specialists: A Framework from The Portuguese Association of Forensic Sciences
Authors: Madureira-Carvalho Áurea , Gomes Nelson , Dias-da-Silva Diana , Azevedo Rui , Fernandes Luís , Dinis-Oliveira Ricardo , Caldas Inês
Published: March 2023

Forensic sciences aggregate a series of scientific and technological domains that aid the judiciary and judicial system. Despite the highly specialized and qualified professionals taking a role in forensic practice, this paradigmatic integration of law, science, and technology often leads them to face significant ethical challenges. Indeed, forensic sciences hold a unique position due to the social and legal implications inherent to forensic expertise. The potential interference with personal rights and freedoms requires the professional practice of the forensic specialist to be guided by alignment with scientific-technical competence under the seal of the highest ethical principles. However, the absence of a specific statutory regulation blurs the performance of the forensic professional and may harm the professional credibility but also the scientific domain as a whole. The existence of ethical pillars is essential to support professional practice, following international recommendations in this regard. Herein, we propose a framework for a code of ethics and conduct that is based on the professional particularities characterizing the forensic practice but also considers the ethical issues that are mandatory to ensure high levels of reliability and credibility of forensic specialists.
Outlining the Victims of the Holocaust and the Argentinian Dictatorship: Jerzy Skąpski’s Każdy Dzień Oświęcimia and Rodolfo Aguerreberry, Julio Flores, and Guillermo Kexel’s “El Siluetazo”
Authors: Marino Jessica Paola
Published: March 2023

In this article, I examine two case studies of spatial representation of atrocity and trauma: Jerzy Skąpski’s poster Każdy Dzień Oświęcimia (Every Day at Auschwitz) (1974), published in the October 1978 edition of The Unesco Courier, and the aesthetic/activist action known as “El Siluetazo” (1983), which was created by Rodolfo Aguerreberry, Julio Flores, and Guillermo Kexel, and carried out as a memory-activist intervention by the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo and the Argentinian public on 21–22 September 1983. To examine the interconnections of Holocaust memory within these two case studies, I follow Michael Rothberg’s notion of multidirectional memory and Astrid Erll’s conceptualization of transcultural and travelling memory. In particular, I analyze how Skąpski’s use of silhouettes to spatially depict the victims of Auschwitz is adopted and transformed by the Argentinian artists and public to denounce the disappearance of 30,000 of their compatriots. I argue that in outlining the figures of the victims of the Holocaust and the Argentinian dictatorship, respectively, these creative works exemplify the transcultural use of silhouettes originating in Holocaust memory and the multidirectional influence, derived from their organic connection, of spatial visualizations of absent bodies as they commemorate and make present the victims of these traumatic histories.
Exploring the Lifetime Effect of Children on Wellbeing Using Two-Sample Mendelian Randomisation
Authors: Woolf Benjamin , Sallis Hannah M. , Munafò Marcus R.
Published: March 2023

Background: Observational research implies a negative effect of having children on wellbeing. Objectives: To provide Mendelian randomisation evidence of the effect of having children on parental wellbeing. Design: Two-sample Mendelian randomisation. Setting: Non-clinical European ancestry participants. Participants: We used the UK Biobank (460,654 male and female European ancestry participants) as a source of genotype-exposure associations, the Social Science Genetics Consortia (SSGAC) (298,420 male and female European ancestry participants), and the Within-Family Consortia (effective sample of 22,656 male and female European ancestry participants) as sources of genotype-outcome associations. Interventions: The lifetime effect of an increase in the genetic liability to having children. Primary and secondary outcome measures: The primary analysis was an inverse variance weighed analysis of subjective wellbeing measured in the 2016 SSGAC Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS). Secondary outcomes included pleiotropy robust estimators applied in the SSGAC and an analysis using the Within-Family consortia GWAS. Results: We did not find strong evidence of a negative (standard deviation) change in wellbeing (β = 0.153 (95% CI: −0.210 to 0.516) per child parented. Secondary outcomes were generally slightly deflated (e.g., −0.049 [95% CI: −0.533 to 0.435] for the Within-Family Consortia and 0.090 [95% CI: −0.167 to 0.347] for weighted median), implying the presence of some residual confounding and pleiotropy. Conclusions: Contrary to the existing literature, our results are not compatible with a measurable negative effect of number of children on the average wellbeing of a parent over their life course. However, we were unable to explore non-linearities, interactions, or time-varying effects.
Mutational Spectrum of the ABCA12 Gene and Genotype–Phenotype Correlation in a Cohort of 64 Patients with Autosomal Recessive Congenital Ichthyosis
Authors: Hotz Alrun , Kopp Julia , Bourrat Emmanuelle , Oji Vinzenz , Süßmuth Kira , Komlosi Katalin , Bouadjar Bakar , Tantcheva-Poór Iliana , Hellström Pigg Maritta , Betz Regina , Giehl Kathrin , Schedel Fiona , Weibel Lisa , Schulz Solveig , Stölzl Dora , Tadini Gianluca , Demiral Emine , Berggard Karin , Zimmer Andreas , Alter Svenja , Fischer Judith
Published: March 2023

Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) is a non-syndromic congenital disorder of cornification characterized by abnormal scaling of the skin. The three major phenotypes are lamellar ichthyosis, congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, and harlequin ichthyosis. ARCI is caused by biallelic mutations in ABCA12, ALOX12B, ALOXE3, CERS3, CYP4F22, NIPAL4, PNPLA1, SDR9C7, SULT2B1, and TGM1. The most severe form of ARCI, harlequin ichthyosis, is caused by mutations in ABCA12. Mutations in this gene can also lead to congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma or lamellar ichthyosis. We present a large cohort of 64 patients affected with ARCI carrying biallelic mutations in ABCA12. Our study comprises 34 novel mutations in ABCA12, expanding the mutational spectrum of ABCA12-associated ARCI up to 217 mutations. Within these we found the possible mutational hotspots c.4541G>A, p.(Arg1514His) and c.4139A>G, p.(Asn1380Ser). A correlation of the phenotype with the effect of the genetic mutation on protein function is demonstrated. Loss-of-function mutations on both alleles generally result in harlequin ichthyosis, whereas biallelic missense mutations mainly lead to CIE or LI.
Association of NEF2L2 Rs35652124 Polymorphism with Nrf2 Induction and Genotoxic Stress Biomarkers in Autism
Authors: Porokhovnik Lev N. , Pisarev Vladimir M. , Chumachenko Anastasia G. , Chudakova Julia M. , Ershova Elizaveta S. , Veiko Natalia N. , Gorbachevskaya Natalia L. , Mamokhina Uliana A. , Sorokin Alexander B. , Basova Anna Ya. , Lapshin Mikhail S. , L. Izhevskaya Vera L. , Kostyuk Svetlana V.
Published: March 2023

Increased oxidative/genotoxic stress is known to impact the pathophysiology of ASD (autism spectrum disorder). Clinical studies, however, reported limited, heterogeneous but promising responses to treatment with antioxidant remedies. We determined whether the functional polymorphism of the Nrf2 gene, master regulator of anti-oxidant adaptive reactions to genotoxic stress, links to the genotoxic stress responses and to an in vitro effect of a NRF2 inductor in ASD children. Oxidative stress biomarkers, adaptive responses to genotoxic/oxidative stress, levels of master antioxidant regulator Nrf2 and its active form pNrf2 before and after inducing by dimethyl fumarate (DMF), and promotor rs35652124 polymorphism of NFE2L2 gene encoding Nrf2 were studied in children with ASD (n = 179). Controls included healthy adults (n = 101). Adaptive responses to genotoxicity as indicated by H2AX and cytoprotection by NRF2 contents positively correlated in ASD children with a Spearman coefficient of R = 0.479 in T+, but not CC genotypes. ASD children with NRF2 rs35652124 CC genotype demonstrated significantly higher H2AX content (0.652 vs. 0.499 in T+) and pNrf2 induction by DMF, lowered 8-oxo-dG concentration in plasma and higher cfDNA/plasma nuclease activity ratio. Our pilot findings suggest that in ASD children the NEF2L2 rs35652124 polymorphism impacts adaptive responses that may potentially link to ASD severity. Our data warrant further studies to reveal the potential for NEF2L2 genotype-specific and age-dependent repurposing of DMF and/or other NRF2-inducing drugs.
Temporal Changes in SARS-CoV-2 Infection Pattern in Patients Admitted with Hematological Diseases—A Single Center Experience from North India
Authors: Halder Rohan , Talaulikar Dipti , Singh Reema , Menon Nidhi , Folbs Bhaarat , Mehta Pallavi , Kapoor Jyotsna , Khushoo Vishvdeep , Verma Megha , Bansal Nitin , Agrawal Narendra , Ahmed Rayaz , Bhurani Dinesh
Published: March 2023

Previous studies have shown the vulnerability of hematological patients with the Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to compare the outcomes and risk factors for poor survival in patients with hematological conditions hospitalized with COVID-19 infection. Single centre, retrospective, cohort study included all patients with a hematological condition admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, New Delhi, India between 1 April 2020 and 31 May 2021. Of a total of 154 patients, 81 were in the pre-delta group and 73 were in the delta group out of which 21 (25.97%) in the pre-delta group and 24 (33.88%) patients in the delta group died. Haematological characteristics—age > 60 years, progressive hematological cancer, more than two lines of anti-cancer therapy, and active chemo-immunotherapy or targeted therapy were associated with higher mortality in the delta group. COVID-19 characteristics associated with higher mortality during the delta wave were severity of COVID infection, higher oxygen requirements, and COVID plasma therapy There were no deaths in individuals (n = 15) within the delta group who received COVID-19 vaccination. This study adds to the evidence that patients with hematological diseases are a particularly vulnerable group and the delta variant of the virus is associated with higher mortality. We could identify patient characteristics and features related to COVID-19 infection and underlying hematological conditions that were associated with poor outcomes in the delta sub-group. Vaccination was found to be an effective strategy for overcoming mortality and morbidity in these patients.
People’s Need for Health Information and Communication: How Past Experiences Could Support Future Interventions
Authors: Pittau Barbara , Pettinau Francesca , Mastino Antonio
Published: March 2023

People’s need for information and communication concerning health has emerged from many sources, even for important aspects related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenges of those who want to respond to this need are mainly related to which design characteristics could better support their aim. Thus, this article first examines a selected list of examples of different approaches of interventions targeted at citizens aimed at increasing health knowledge. Successively our recent experience regarding a new tool developed to support people’s health by promoting communication about citizens’ approach towards pharmaceuticals is discussed. In addition, here we propose that a similar methodological approach may be useful also to highlight people's critical issues and suggestions regarding health care system, i.e., factors that could play a pivotal role in a pandemic scenario. Our experience in the local context through an integrated strategy can be useful to address key factors concerning people’s approach to medicines, and approach to health care system even during a pandemic scenario. Overall these examples of past experience show how some approaches could support the understanding of suitable future, community-level, interventions to enhance information and communication about health and care.
Effects of Different Rapid Weight Loss Strategies and Percentages on Performance-Related Parameters in Combat Sports: An Updated Systematic Review
Authors: Martínez-Aranda Luis Manuel , Sanz-Matesanz Manuel , Orozco-Durán Guillermo , González-Fernández Francisco Tomás , Rodríguez-García Lorena , Guadalupe-Grau Amelia
Published: March 2023

Most combat sports (CS) are structured in weight categories, and it is very common to carry out body weight adjustment strategies in order to compete in lower weight categories. For this reason, different rapid weight loss (RWL) strategies are usually performed to pass the pre-competition weigh-in test, and then a replenishment of fluids and carbohydrate-rich foods is conducted in an attempt to recover the weight and avoid a performance loss. In this context, no clear references have been found on whether these types of strategies have negative effects, impairing the athlete’s combat and/or physical performance. For this reason, the aim of this study was to review the scientific literature on the effect of rapid weight reduction strategies on the performance of CS athletes. A literature search was performed through four different databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect). Four inclusion criteria were established as follows: (1) the subjects had to be competitors in the CS and carry out RWL strategies; (2) at least two measurement points, that is, normal conditions and dehydration condition; (3) measurements in a real competition or simulating the same conditions; (4) original research articles written in English or Spanish and available in full text. Finally, a total of 16 articles were finally included in this research. All subjects (n = 184) were athletes from combat disciplines, with a minimum of 3–4 years of practice, as well as with certain experience in RWL. Six of the studies reported that an RWL strategy of around 5% of body weight loss did not affect performance parameters. However, the other ten studies with RWL between 3 and 6% or even higher reported negative effects or impairments on different parameters related to performance and/or athlete’s psychophysiology, such as perceived fatigue, mood states, strength and power production, as well as changes in hormonal, blood and urine parameters, body composition, or the kinematics of the technical gesture. Although there is still no clear answer to the issue approached in this research, in general terms, it seems that in order to guarantee an acceptable athletic performance of the competitor, the weight loss should not exceed 3% to ≤5% of body weight together with ≥24 h for adequate (or at least partial) recovery and rehydration processes. In addition, it is highly recommended to lose weight progressively over several weeks, especially focusing on competitions lasting several days, as well as multiple rounds or qualifying stages.
Professional Interpreter Services and the Impact on Hospital Care Outcomes: An Integrative Review of Literature
Authors: Kwan Michelle , Jeemi Zakia , Norman Richard , Dantas Jaya A. R.
Published: March 2023

Migration patterns have rapidly changed in Australia and elsewhere, which have contributed to increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse societies. This requires healthcare sectors to provide professional interpreter services for patients with a language barrier to eliminate healthcare disparities. This integrative review aimed to investigate the impact of professional interpreter services on hospital care outcomes and the associated cost of service provision. A systematic search of five databases was conducted for peer-reviewed articles from January 1996 to December 2020. Data were extracted for the hospital setting, intervention, population, study design, outcomes and key findings. Following the PRISMA guidelines, full-text screening identified 37 articles that were analysed and included. Communication quality, hospital care outcomes and hospital costs were the three main themes identified. Closing the language gap should be a primary consideration to prevent adverse events that affect patient safety and the standard of care in hospitals. The findings of this review indicate the provision of professional interpreter services can enhance hospital care for linguistically diverse patients by improving patient–provider communication. To gain insight into the changing patterns on the outcomes of medical care, further research requires efforts by the hospital administrative system to document complete records of service usage.
The Moderating Role of Self-Care Behaviors in Personal Care Aides of Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Pereira M. Graça , Gonçalves Ana Filipa , Brito Laura
Published: March 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges and work changes for formal caregivers such as personal care aides with an impact on their quality of life (QoL). This cross-sectional study aims to analyze the relationships and contribution of sociodemographic and psychological variables towards QoL including the moderating role of self-care. This study included 127 formal caregivers from Portugal who were assessed on depression, anxiety and stress (DASS-21); professional self-care (SCAP); quality of life (SF-12); COVID-19 traumatic stress (COVID-19TSC) and preventive COVID-19 infection behaviors (PCOVID-19 IBS). Professional self-care was positively associated with QoL and also moderated the relationship between distress and QoL (p < 0.001). According to results, nursing homes should provide formal caregivers, such as personal care aides, with the professional support they need in order to promote their QoL and prevent burnout.
Liver CT Image Recognition Method Based on Capsule Network
Authors: Wang Qifan , Chen Aibin , Xue Yongfei
Published: March 2023

The automatic recognition of CT (Computed Tomography) images of liver cancer is important for the diagnosis and treatment of early liver cancer. However, there are problems such as single model structure and loss of pooling layer information when using a traditional convolutional neural network to recognize CT images of liver cancer. Therefore, this paper proposes an efficient method for liver CT image recognition based on the capsule network (CapsNet). Firstly, the liver CT images are preprocessed, and in the process of image denoising, the traditional non-local mean (NLM) denoising algorithm is optimized with a superpixel segmentation algorithm to better protect the information of image edges. After that, CapsNet was used for image recognition for liver CT images. The experimental results show that the average recognition rate of liver CT images reaches 92.9% when CapsNet is used, which is 5.3% higher than the traditional CNN model, indicating that CapsNet has better recognition accuracy for liver CT images.
Phylogeny and Evolutionary Timescale of Muscidae (Diptera: Calyptratae) Inferred from Mitochondrial Genomes
Authors: Li Xin , Cai Xiaodong , Ding Shuangmei , Wang Liang , Li Wenliang , Liu Xiaoyan , Zhang Chuntian , Yang Ding
Published: March 2023

House flies (Muscidae) comprise the most species-rich family of the muscoid grade with over 5000 described species worldwide, and they are abundant in various terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The high number of species, varied appearances, complex feeding habits, and wide distributions have hindered researchers from understanding their phylogeny and evolutionary history. Here, we newly sequenced fifteen mitochondrial genomes and reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships and divergence time among eight subfamilies of Muscidae (Diptera). The best phylogenetic tree, which was inferred by IQ-Tree, recovered the monophyly for seven out of eight subfamilies (except for Mydaeinae). Based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological characteristics, we prefer the subfamily status of Azeliinae and Reinwardtiinae, and separate Stomoxyinae from Muscinae. Genus Helina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 was synonymized with Phaonia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830. The divergence time estimation indicated Muscidae originated at 51.59 Ma (early Eocene). Most subfamilies had originated around 41 Ma. We provided a mtgenomic viewpoint on the phylogenetic relationships and divergence time estimation of Muscidae.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bloodstream Infections in SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bongiovanni Marco , Barda Beatrice
Published: March 2023

Bacterial co-infections increase the severity of respiratory viral infections and are frequent causes of mortality in COVID-19 infected subjects. During the COVID-19 period, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, an inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotic treatments has been frequently described, mainly due to prolonged hospitalization, especially in intensive care unit departments, and the use of immune-suppressive treatments as steroids. This misuse has finally led to the occurrence of infections by multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Although different reports assessed the prevalence of Gram-negative infections in COVID-19 infected patients, scarce data are currently available on bloodstream infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The aim of our systematic review is to describe data on this specific population and to discuss the possible implications that these co-infections could have in the management of COVID-19 pandemics in the future. We systematically analysed the current literature to find all the relevant articles that describe the occurrence of P. aeruginosa bloodstream infections in COVID-19 patients. We found 40 papers that described in detail P. aeruginosa HAIs-BSI in COVID-19 patients, including 756,067 patients overall. The occurrence of severe infections due to MDR bacteria had a significant impact in the management of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infections, leading to a prolonged time of hospitalization and to a consequent increase in mortality. In the near future, the increased burden of MDR bacteria due to the COVID-19 pandemic might partially be reduced by maintaining the preventive measures of infection control implemented during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, we discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic changed the role of antimicrobial stewardship in healthcare settings, according to the isolation of MDR bacteria and how to restore on a large scale the optimization of antibiotic strategies in COVID-19 patients.
Estimating the Prevalence of Cardiac Amyloidosis in Old Patients with Heart Failure—Barriers and Opportunities for Improvement: The PREVAMIC Study
Authors: Ruiz-Hueso Rocío , Salamanca-Bautista Prado , Quesada-Simón Maria Angustias , Yun Sergi , Conde-Martel Alicia , Morales-Rull José Luis , Suárez-Gil Roi , García-García José Ángel , Llàcer Pau , Fonseca-Aizpuru Eva María , Amores-Arriaga Beatriz , Martínez-González Ángel , Armengou-Arxe Arola , Peña-Somovilla José Luis , López-Reboiro Manuel Lorenzo , Aramburu-Bodas Óscar
Published: March 2023

Background: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) could be a common cause of heart failure (HF). The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of CA in patients with HF. Methods: Observational, prospective, and multicenter study involving 30 Spanish hospitals. A total of 453 patients ≥ 65 years with HF and an interventricular septum or posterior wall thickness > 12 mm were included. All patients underwent a 99mTc-DPD/PYP/HMDP scintigraphy and monoclonal bands were studied, following the current criteria for non-invasive diagnosis. In inconclusive cases, biopsies were performed. Results: The vast majority of CA were diagnosed non-invasively. The prevalence was 20.1%. Most of the CA were transthyretin (ATTR-CM, 84.6%), with a minority of cardiac light-chain amyloidosis (AL-CM, 2.2%). The remaining (13.2%) was untyped. The prevalence was significantly higher in men (60.1% vs 39.9%, p = 0.019). Of the patients with CA, 26.5% had a left ventricular ejection fraction less than 50%. Conclusions: CA was the cause of HF in one out of five patients and should be screened in the elderly with HF and myocardial thickening, regardless of sex and LVEF. Few transthyretin-gene-sequencing studies were performed in older patients. In many patients, it was not possible to determine the amyloid subtype.
Feasibility of Non-Invasive Coronary Artery Disease Screening with Coronary CT Angiography before Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Boyer Jérémy , Bartoli Axel , Deharo Pierre , Vaillier Antoine , Ferrara Jérôme , Barral Pierre-Antoine , Jaussaud Nicolas , Morera Pierre , Porto Alizée , Collart Frédéric , Jacquier Alexis , Cuisset Thomas
Published: March 2023

Coronary artery disease (CAD) screening is usually performed before transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) by invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Computed coronary tomography angiography (CCTA) has shown good diagnostic performance for CAD screening in patients with a low probability of CAD and is systematically performed before TAVI. CCTA could be an efficient alternative to ICA for CAD screening before TAVI. We sought to investigate the diagnostic performance of CCTA in a population of unselected patients without known CAD who were candidates for TAVI. All consecutive patients referred to our center for TAVI without known CAD were enrolled. All patients underwent CCTA and ICA, which were considered the gold standard. A statistical analysis of the diagnostic performance per patient and per artery was performed. 307 consecutive patients were enrolled. CCTA was non-analyzable in 25 patients (8.9%). In the per-patient analysis, CCTA had a sensitivity of 89.6%, a specificity of 90.2%, a positive predictive value of 65.15%, and a negative predictive value of 97.7%. Only five patients were classified as false negatives on the CCTA. Despite some limitations of the study, CCTA seems reliable for CAD screening in patients without known CAD who are candidates for TAVI. By using CCTA, ICA could be avoided in patients with a CAD-RADS score ≤ 2, which represents 74.8% of patients.
TiNi-Based Material with Shape-Memory Effect for Surgical Treatment of Diseases of Small Intestine in Newborn and Young Children
Authors: Anikeev Sergey G. , Kaftaranova Maria I. , Hodorenko Valentina N. , Ivanov Stanislav D. , Artyukhova Nadezhda V. , Shabalina Anastasiia V. , Kulinich Sergei A. , Slizovsky Grigory V. , Mokshin Anatolii V. , Gunther Victor E.
Published: March 2023

Alloys based on TiNi are widely used in various fields of technology and medicine. In the present work, we report on the preparation of TiNi-alloy-based wire with the shape-memory effect, which was used for compression clips for surgery. The composition and structure of the wire and its martensitic and physical–chemical properties were studied using SEM, TEM, optic microscopy, profilometry, mechanical tests, etc. The TiNi alloy was found to consist of B2 and B19′ and secondary-phase particles of Ti2Ni, TiNi3 and Ti3Ni4. Its matrix was slightly enriched in Ni (50.3 at.% of Ni). A homogeneous grain structure was revealed (an average grain size of 19 ± 0.3 μm) with equal quantities of grain boundaries of special and general types. The surface oxide layer provides improved biocompatibility and promotes the adhesion of protein molecules. Overall, the obtained TiNi wire was concluded to exhibit martensitic, physical and mechanical properties suitable for its use as an implant material. The wire was then used for manufacturing compression clips with the shape-memory effect and applied in surgery. The medical experiment that involved 46 children demonstrated that the use of such clips in children with double-barreled enterostomies permitted improvement in the results of surgical treatment.
A Machine-Learning-Based Approach for Predicting Mechanical Performance of Semi-Porous Hip Stems
Authors: Akkad Khaled , Mehboob Hassan , Alyamani Rakan , Tarlochan Faris
Published: March 2023

Novel designs of porous and semi-porous hip stems attempt to alleviate complications such as aseptic loosening, stress shielding, and eventual implant failure. Various designs of hip stems are modeled to simulate biomechanical performance using finite element analysis; however, these models are computationally expensive. Therefore, the machine learning approach is incorporated with simulated data to predict the new biomechanical performance of new designs of hip stems. Six types of algorithms based on machine learning were employed to validate the simulated results of finite element analysis. Afterwards, new designs of semi-porous stems with outer dense layers of 2.5 and 3 mm and porosities of 10–80% were used to predict the stiffness of the stems, stresses in outer dense layers, stresses in porous sections, and factor of safety under physiological loads using machine learning algorithms. It was determined that decision tree regression is the top-performing machine learning algorithm as per the used simulation data in terms of the validation mean absolute percentage error which equals 19.62%. It was also found that ridge regression produces the most consistent test set trend as compared with the original simulated finite element analysis results despite relying on a relatively small data set. These predicted results employing trained algorithms provided the understanding that changing the design parameters of semi-porous stems affects the biomechanical performance without carrying out finite element analysis.
PTEN, MMP2, and NF-κB and Regulating MicroRNA-181 Aggravate Insulin Resistance and Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Khokhar Manoj , Purohit Purvi , Tomo Sojit , Agarwal Riddhi G. , Gadwal Ashita , Bajpai Nitin Kumar , Bohra Gopal Krishna , Shukla Ravindra Kumar
Published: March 2023

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is characterized by an increase in urinary albumin excretion, diabetic glomerular lesions, and a decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We assessed the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), nuclear factor kappa-β (NF-κB), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), and microRNA-181 in healthy controls (HC), individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without nephropathy, and those with DN. Our study investigated the association between these genes, insulin resistance (IR), and eGFR to gain insight into their roles in the pathogenesis and progression of DN. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests were conducted on HC (N = 36), T2DM (N = 38) patients, and DN (N = 35) patients. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for whole blood gene expression analysis and performed bioinformatics analyses, including protein–protein interaction, gene ontology, and co-expression networks. We compared our expression data with other GEO-Microarray datasets. Our study highlights the role of IR in the progression of nephropathy in T2DM via the PTEN-Akt-mTOR signalling pathway. We also observed a decreasing trend in the expression of MMP2 and PTEN and an increasing trend in the expression of NF-κB and miR-181b-5p with the progression of nephropathy to the severe stage. The dysregulated expression of MMP2, PTEN, NF-κB, and miR-181b-5p in patients with T2DM contributes to the progression of T2DM to DN by aggravating IR, inflammation, accelerating basement membrane thickening, mesangial matrix expansion, and renal fibrosis.
Detecting the Bronze Age Sites by Using CORONA Satellite Photography and UAV Photogrammetry: A Case Study from the Middle of Yangtze River, China
Authors: Zou Qiushi
Published: March 2023

The CORONA satellite image preserves the landscape from half a century ago, and has played a great role in landscape archaeology in many regions of the world. In recent years, with the rapid development of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Photogrammetry technology, Archaeologists can easily obtain the digital surface model (DSM)and Digital Ortho Map (DOM) of a site in the fieldwork. In the archaeological survey of bronze age sites in the middle of the Yangtze River project, we combined the UAV photogrammetry results with CORONA satellite photography, which can help us extract the surface landscape feature of the sites. This strategy has shown significant advantages in reconstructing the settlement layout, detecting the unknown linear features (such as walls, moats and canals) of sites and comparing the landscape between different sites.
Recovery from Exercise in Persons with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Authors: Moore Geoffrey E. , Keller Betsy A. , Stevens Jared , Mao Xiangling , Stevens Staci R. , Chia John K. , Levine Susan M. , Franconi Carl J. , Hanson Maureen R.
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives: Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is the hallmark of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), but there has been little effort to quantitate the duration of PEM symptoms following a known exertional stressor. Using a Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) that includes nine common symptoms of ME/CFS, we sought to characterize the duration and severity of PEM symptoms following two cardiopulmonary exercise tests separated by 24 h (2-day CPET). Materials and Methods: Eighty persons with ME/CFS and 64 controls (CTL) underwent a 2-day CPET. ME/CFS subjects met the Canadian Clinical Criteria for diagnosis of ME/CFS; controls were healthy but not participating in regular physical activity. All subjects who met maximal effort criteria on both CPETs were included. SSS scores were obtained at baseline, immediately prior to both CPETs, the day after the second CPET, and every two days after the CPET-1 for 10 days. Results: There was a highly significant difference in judged recovery time (ME/CFS = 12.7 ± 1.2 d; CTL = 2.1 ± 0.2 d, mean ± s.e.m., Chi2 = 90.1, p < 0.0001). The range of ME/CFS patient recovery was 1–64 days, while the range in CTL was 1–10 days; one subject with ME/CFS had not recovered after one year and was not included in the analysis. Less than 10% of subjects with ME/CFS took more than three weeks to recover. There was no difference in recovery time based on the level of pre-test symptoms prior to CPET-1 (F = 1.12, p = 0.33). Mean SSS scores at baseline were significantly higher than at pre-CPET-1 (5.70 ± 0.16 vs. 4.02 ± 0.18, p < 0.0001). Pharmacokinetic models showed an extremely prolonged decay of the PEM response (Chi2 > 22, p < 0.0001) to the 2-day CPET. Conclusions: ME/CFS subjects took an average of about two weeks to recover from a 2-day CPET, whereas sedentary controls needed only two days. These data quantitate the prolonged recovery time in ME/CFS and improve the ability to obtain well-informed consent prior to doing exercise testing in persons with ME/CFS. Quantitative monitoring of PEM symptoms may provide a method to help manage PEM.
Enterolith Treated with a Combination of Double-Balloon Endoscopy and Cola Dissolution Therapy
Authors: Nomura Kei , Shibuya Tomoyoshi , Omori Masashi , Odakura Rina , Ito Kentaro , Maruyama Takafumi , Haraikawa Mayuko , Haga Keiichi , Nomura Osamu , Fukushima Hirofumi , Murakami Takashi , Ishikawa Dai , Hojo Mariko , Nagahara Akihito
Published: March 2023

A 71-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis who had been taking NSAIDs for many years consulted our hospital for abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with a small bowel obstruction due to an enterolith according to an abdominal CT scan that showed dilation from the enterolith in the small intestine on the oral side. It was considered that the intestinal stone was formed due to stagnation of intestinal contents and had gradually increased in size, resulting in an intestinal obstruction. We performed antegrade double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) to observe and remove the enterolith. We used forceps and a snare to fracture the enterolith. During this attempt, we found a seed in the center of the enterolith. Since the intestinal stone was very hard, cola dissolution therapy was administered from an ileus tube for 1 week. The following week, DBE was performed again, and it was found that the stone had further softened, making attempts at fracture easier. Finally, the enterolith was almost completely fractured. Intestinal stenosis, probably due to ulcers caused by NSAIDs, was found. Small bowel obstruction with an enterolith is rare. In this case, it was considered that the seed could not pass through the stenotic region of the small intestine and the intestinal contents had gradually built up around it. It has been suggested that DBE may be a therapeutic option in cases of an enterolith. Further, cola dissolution therapy has been shown to be useful in treating an enterolith, with the possible explanation that cola undergoes an acid–base reaction with the enterolith. In summary, we report, for the first time, treatment of an enterolith with a combination of DBE and cola dissolution therapy, thereby avoiding surgery and its risks.
Stabilization of Comminuted Fractures of the Proximal Humerus with Intramedullary Nails and Angularly Stable Locking Plates—Functional Results before and during the SARS-COVID-19 Pandemics
Authors: Ratajczak Karol , Szczęsny Grzegorz , Tomaszewski Wiesław
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives: Intramedullary nailing (IMN) and angularly stable plating (ASP) are the most popular techniques for the stabilization of comminuted fractures of the proximal humerus, without either one being obviously superior. The aim of the study was to validate the functional outcomes of both stabilization techniques in the COVID-19 pandemic by comparing them with data obtained just before the pandemic, because the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic are affecting several aspects of social and medical life—being afraid of the transmission of the infection, patients reduce their exposure to healthcare to absolutely essential emergencies. Moreover, working conditions in the operating theater have also become more restrictive. Materials and Methods: Investigations were performed on 112 adult patients with Neer’s three- and four-fragment fractures stabilized with IMN (64) and ASP (48). Treatment effects were validated six months after surgery based on radiographs for evidence of bone union, humeral neck–shaft angle (NSA) and implant placement. Limb function was assessed with the QuickDash and Constant–Murley scores. Data obtained from patients treated in the COVID-19 pandemic were compared with those obtained before the pandemic. Results: The healing of all fractures was satisfactory, but complications developed in six cases. Three patients required secondary interventions due to inadequate repositioning: one after IMN and two after ASP. Additionally, one ASP was complicated by the secondary destabilization of a primarily properly stabilized major tubercle, and in two cases by conflict of the protruding implant with the acromion. ASP was noted to provide better functional results during the COVID-19 pandemic according to the Constant–Murley score (p = 0.0048; Student’s t-test). No significant differences were observed in the pre-COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: Our results suggest that ASP is more beneficial for the stabilization of comminuted fractures of the proximal humerus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comparison of BODE and ADO Indices in Predicting COPD-Related Medical Costs
Authors: Li Chin-Ling , Chang Hui-Chuan , Tseng Ching-Wan , Tsai Yuh-Chyn , Liu Jui-Fang , Tsai Meng-Lin , Lin Meng-Chih , Liu Shih-Feng
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives:The ADO (age, dyspnea, and airflow obstruction) and BODE (body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity) indices are often used to evaluate the prognoses for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD); however, an index suitable for predicting medical costs has yet to be developed. Materials and Methods: We investigated the BODE and ADO indices to predict medical costs and compare their predictive power. A total of 396 patients with COPD were retrospectively enrolled. Results: For hospitalization frequencies, BODE was R2 = 0.093 (p < 0.001), and ADO was R2 = 0.065 (p < 0.001); for hospitalization days, BODE was R2 = 0.128 (p < 0.001), and ADO was R2 = 0.071 (p < 0.001); for hospitalization expenses, BODE was R2 = 0.020 (p = 0.047), and ADO was R2 = 0.012 (p = 0.179). BODE and ADO did not differ significantly in the numbers of outpatient visits (BODE, R2 = 0.012, p = 0.179; ADO, R2 = 0.017, p = 0.082); outpatient medical expenses (BODE, R2 = 0.012, p = 0.208; ADO, R2 = 0.008, p = 0.364); and total medical costs (BODE, R2 = 0.018, p = 0.072; ADO, R2 = 0.016, p = 0.098). In conclusion, BODE and ADO indices were correlated with hospitalization frequency and hospitalization days. However, the BODE index exhibits slightly better predictive accuracy than the ADO index in these items.
Genetic Markers of Insulin Resistance and Atherosclerosis in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Perumalsamy Sangeetha , Huri Hasniza Zaman , Abdullah Bashar Mudhaffar , Mazlan Othman , Wan Ahmad Wan Azman , Vethakkan Shireene Ratna D. B.
Published: March 2023

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by impaired insulin secretion on a background of insulin resistance (IR). IR and T2DM are associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD). The mechanisms of IR and atherosclerosis are known to share similar genetic and environmental roots. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) detected at the earliest stages of IR might be the origin of atherosclerosis progression. ED influences the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and their encoding genes. The genes and their single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) act as potential genetic markers of IR and atherosclerosis. This review focuses on the link between IR, T2DM, atherosclerosis, CAD, and the potential genetic markers CHI3L1, CD36, LEPR, RETN, IL-18, RBP-4, and RARRES2 genes.
KOH-Based Hydrothermal Synthesis of Iron-Rich Titanate Nanosheets Assembled into 3D Hierarchical Architectures from Natural Ilmenite Mineral Sands
Authors: Lagos Karina J. , Marinkovic Bojan A. , Dosen Anja , Debut Alexis , Vizuete Karla , Guerrero Victor H. , Pardo Emilio , Pontón Patricia I.
Published: March 2023

The synthesis of titanate nanostructures from low-cost mineral precursors is a topic of continuous interest, considering not only their fundamental aspects but also the benefits of incorporating such nanomaterials in a wide variety of applications. In this work, iron-rich titanate nanosheets were synthesized from Ecuadorian ilmenite sands (ilmenite–hematite solid solution-IHSS) through an alkaline hydrothermal treatment (AHT) using potassium hydroxide (KOH). The effect of the duration of the KOH-AHT was assessed at 180 °C for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. The morphology evolution over time and the plausible formation mechanisms of titanate nanostructures were discussed. The most significant morphological transformation was observed after 72 h. At this time interval, the titanate nanostructures were assembled into well-defined 3D hierarchical architectures such as book-block-like arrangements with open channels. Based on X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analyses, it was determined that these nanostructures correspond to iron-rich layered titanates (Fe/Ti mass ratio of 7.1). Moreover, it was evidenced that the conversion of the precursor into layered nanostructures was not complete, since for all the tested reaction times the presence of remaining IHSS was identified. Our experiments demonstrated that the Ecuadorian ilmenite sands are relatively stable in KOH medium.