bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and risk factors of peripheral artery disease in a population with chronic kidney disease in Australia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ho Chau L. B. , Chih Hui J. , Garimella Pranav S. , Matsushita Kunihiro , Jansen Shirley , Reid Christopher M.
Published: June 2021

There is a lack of clarity and guidance for screening peripheral artery disease (PAD) in persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage kidney disease (ESKD) despite this group being at excess risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this current study, we performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to examine the prevalence and risk factors for PAD in persons with CKD in Australian cohorts. We used the inverse variance heterogeneity meta‐analysis with double arcsine transformation to summarize the prevalence of PAD (with 95% CIs). Nine studies and 18 reports from the Australia and New Zealand dialysis and transplant registry with 36 cohorts were included in the review. We found a substantially higher PAD prevalence in cohorts based on an ankle‐brachial index (ABI) or toe systolic pressure (TBI) than cohorts based on self‐reported history. Higher PAD prevalence was observed in ESKD persons than CKD persons without dialysis (PAD diagnosis based on ABI or TBI: 31% in ESKD persons and 23% in CKD persons, PAD diagnosis based on self‐reported history: 17% in ESKD persons and 10% in CKD persons). Older age, Caucasian race, cerebrovascular disease and haemodialysis were associated with the presence of PAD in ESKD persons. Our findings indicated a considerable proportion of PAD in CKD and ESKD persons particularly in those with ESKD. To develop and provide an adequate plan to clinically manage CKD patients with PAD, evidence of cost‐effectiveness and clinical benefit of early detection of PAD in persons with CKD in Australia is recommended for future studies.
Beyond technology, drips, and machines: Moral distress in PICU nurses caring for end‐of‐life patients
Authors: Gagnon Michelle , Kunyk Diane
Published: June 2021

Moral distress is an experience of profound moral compromise with deeply impactful and potentially long‐term consequences to the individual. Critical care areas are fraught with ethical issues, and end‐of‐life care has been associated with numerous incidences of moral distress among nurses. One such area where the dichotomy of life and death seems to be at its sharpest is in the pediatric intensive care unit. The purpose of this study was to understand the moral distress experiences of pediatric intensive care nurses when caring for pediatric patients at the end of life. A secondary analysis was undertaken of seven transcripts from registered nurses across six Canadian pediatric intensive care units and produced three themes: under prioritization of child patient dignity, burden of insider knowledge, and environmental constraints on nursing roles and responsibilities. When caring for patients at the end of life, nurses experienced moral distress when a dignified death was not realized. Furthermore, despite interprofessional collaboration efforts in Canada, the concept of silo mentality persists and contributes to moral distress. Organizational involvement is needed to address moral distress in pediatric intensive care nurses both to achieve a dignified death for child patients and in addressing silo mentality.
Elemental diet therapy for eosinophilic gastroenteritis and dietary habits
Authors: Higuchi Tsukasa , Tokunaga Mai , Murai Takemi , Takeuchi Kouichi , Nakayama Yoshiko
Published: June 2021

Background

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGID) are a group of conditions with increased eosinophilic infiltration in any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Although an allergic reaction to certain foods is considered the main cause of EGID, their detailed pathomechanism has not yet been elucidated, nor have proper management strategies been fully established. Moreover, some patients with intractable EGID are resistant to such therapies as an empirical elimination diet and corticosteroids.

Methods

We analyzed retrospectively the medical records of four children with intractable eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) managed with elemental diet therapy (EDT) using an amino acid‐based formula.

Results

All patients displayed resolution of their symptoms after 2 weeks of EDT. Three patients successfully completed food reintroduction and could return to their normal life. No adverse events related to EDT were recorded.

Conclusions

Elemental diet therapy appears effective and safe for treating pediatric intractable EGE symptoms. Afterwards, the patient’s dietary habits should be considered during carefully monitored food reintroduction. With the relatively small number of published case reports and no randomized trials, more study is needed on EDT for EGE.
Outdoor sunscreen testing with high‐intensity solar exposure in a Chinese and Caucasian population
Authors: Granger Corinne , Ong Gavin , Andres Philippe , Trullàs Carles , Hosenally Muzzammil , Lai Wei , Liu Wei , Krutmann Jean , Passeron Thierry , Lim Henry W.
Published: June 2021

Background

Currently, sunscreens' sun protection factor (SPF) and ultraviolet (UV) A protection are tested separately under indoor conditions, without considering external conditions that may affect performance. Studies are often conducted in Caucasian individuals; other racial groups may respond differently.

Methods

An outdoor, double‐blind, intra‐individual study was performed in 63 healthy Chinese and Caucasian volunteers in Singapore. Subjects underwent one outdoor sun exposure lasting 2‐3 hours. ISO reference products P3 (SPF 15), P5 (SPF 30), and P8 (SPF 50+) applied at 2 mg/cm2 were compared against each other and against an untreated exposed area (positive control) and an unexposed area (negative control). Endpoints were investigator global assessment (IGA) of erythema at 24 hours, IGA of pigmentation at 1 week, and colorimetry (a*, L*, and ITA) at 24 hours and 1 week.

Results

Clinical erythema and pigmentation scores were statistically significantly different among the three sunscreens, with the highest SPF product providing the highest protection, confirming the discriminatory capacity of the model used. Colorimetric assessment correlated well with clinical evaluation.

Conclusion

This study confirmed the feasibility of ranking sunscreens (at 2 mg/cm2) based on clinical effects of high‐intensity outdoor solar radiation. Larger studies are needed to look at differences in erythema and pigmentation reactions between Chinese and Caucasian individuals, which could be relevant for photoprotection.
Outcomes of repeat kidney transplantation following prior graft failure secondary to BK nephropathy: A single‐center retrospective study
Authors: Dong Rachel , Shetty Aneesha , Tambur Anat R , Ison Michael G.
Published: June 2021

Background

BK virus is associated with development of nephropathy (BKVN) that can lead to graft failure after renal transplantation. There are limited data on rates of recurrence and outcomes of repeat renal transplantation after prior graft loss caused by BKVN.

Methods

After IRB approval, data on all patients who underwent a repeat renal transplantation after prior graft failure as a result of BKVN were identified. Data on management of patients prior to retransplantation, induction and maintenance immunosuppression, and key clinical and virologic outcomes were collected. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.

Results

Thirteen patients were identified over a 13‐year period, and follow‐up of these patients occurred for a median of 4.7 years. Most patients have previous renal transplants removed prior to (7/13, 53.8%) or at the time of retransplantation (3/13, 23.1%). Close virologic monitoring of serum and urine, coupled with early immunosuppression minimization, was associated with few patients developing BK viruria above 1 × 107 c/mL (4/13, 30.8%), BK viremia above 10,000 c/mL (2/13, 15.4%), and biopsy‐proven BKVN (1/12, 8.3%); most (8/13, 61.5%) developed BK viruria at any level. Renal function at 1 year post‐retransplantation was generally excellent and only 1 patient developed graft failure caused by recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. In our review of the literature, 2 large observational studies of the UNOS database as well as our analysis of case reports showed excellent graft survival and very low rates of recurrent BKVN leading to graft loss.

Conclusions

Retransplantation after prior graft failure caused by BKVN generally has low rates of recurrence when coupled with close monitoring and early immunosuppression minimization. Removal of failed renal transplant may allow easier monitoring for recurrence.
Ferredoxin 1 is downregulated by the accumulation of abscisic acid in an ABI5‐dependent manner to facilitate rice stripe virus infection in Nicotiana benthamiana and rice
Authors: Cui Weijun , Wang Shu , Han Kelei , Zheng Ersong , Ji Mengfei , Chen Binghua , Wang Xuming , Chen Jianping , Yan Fei
Published: June 2021

Ferredoxin 1 (FD1) accepts and distributes electrons in the electron transfer chain of plants. Its expression is universally downregulated by viruses and its roles in plant immunity have been brought into focus over the past decade. However, the mechanism by which viruses regulate FD1 remains to be defined. In a previous report, we found that the expression of Nicotiana benthamiana FD1 (NbFD1) was downregulated following infection with potato virus X (PVX) and that NbFD1 regulates callose deposition at plasmodesmata to play a role in defense against PVX infection. We now report that NbFD1 is downregulated by rice stripe virus (RSV) infection and that silencing of NbFD1 also facilitates RSV infection, while viral infection was inhibited in a transgenic line overexpressing NbFD1, indicating that NbFD1 also functions in defense against RSV infection. Next, a RSV‐derived small interfering RNA was identified that contributes to the downregulation of FD1 transcripts. Further analysis showed that the abscisic acid (ABA) which accumulates in RSV‐infected plants also represses NbFD1 transcription. It does this by stimulating expression of ABA insensitive 5 (ABI5), which binds the ABA response element motifs in the NbFD1 promoter, resulting in negative regulation. Regulation of FD1 by ABA was also confirmed in RSV‐infected plants of the natural host rice. The results therefore suggest a mechanism by which virus regulates chloroplast‐related genes to suppress their defense roles.
CALLUS FORMATION AND PLANT REGENERATION FROM IMMATURE EMBRYOS OF PIGMENTED UPLAND RICE (Oryza sativa cv. Tadong)
Authors: Yan Hoo Kah , Chin Lee Ping , Latip Mariam A. , Surugau Noumie , A. Aziz Zaleha
Published: June 2021

The application of biotechnology in upland rice improvement programs depends on the availability of efficient regeneration protocols.  Although protocols for shoot regeneration of upland rice are available, none has been reported for pigmented cultivars.  This study reports on a protocol for callus induction and regeneration of Tadong, a pigmented upland rice cultivar from Sabah.  For callus induction, immature embryos were cultured on media containing 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic (2,4-D) at various concentrations (0 – 2.5 mg/L) and on different types of media (MS; MSB5; N6B5; N6).  To induce shoot regeneration, callus explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with combinations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) at various concentrations (0 – 3.0 mg/L) and 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 1.0 mg/L.  To induce shoot development, callus explants were pre-treated with Thidiazuron (TDZ) at various concentrations (0-1.0 mg/l) and exposed to different desiccation periods (0 – 72 hours).  2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic at 2.5 mg/L and N6B5 medium resulted in the highest percentages of explant forming callus which were 60.3 ± 17.0 % and 58.7 ± 9.8 % respectively.   The regeneration media failed to induce shoot on callus explants, instead, green spots were formed on the surface of the callus.  The green spots were stimulated to develop into shoots when the callus explants were pre-treated with 0.5 mg/L TDZ or exposed to partial desiccation for 24 h, the percentages of explant forming shoot were 35.7 ± 4.8 % and 47.7 ± 6.8 % respectively.   Shoots developed into complete plants on hormone-free MS medium and acclimatized.
Large families of elliptic curves ordered by conductor
Authors: Shankar Ananth N. , Shankar Arul , Wang Xiaoheng
Published: June 2021

In this paper we study the family of elliptic curves $E/{{\mathbb {Q}}}$, having good reduction at $2$ and $3$, and whose $j$-invariants are small. Within this set of elliptic curves, we consider the following two subfamilies: first, the set of elliptic curves $E$ such that the quotient $\Delta (E)/C(E)$ of the discriminant divided by the conductor is squarefree; and second, the set of elliptic curves $E$ such that the Szpiro quotient$\beta _E:=\log |\Delta (E)|/\log (C(E))$ is less than $7/4$. Both these families are conjectured to contain a positive proportion of elliptic curves, when ordered by conductor. Our main results determine asymptotics for both these families, when ordered by conductor. Moreover, we prove that the average size of the $2$-Selmer groups of elliptic curves in the first family, again when these curves are ordered by their conductors, is $3$. The key new ingredients necessary for the proofs are ‘uniformity estimates’, namely upper bounds on the number of elliptic curves with bounded height, whose discriminants are divisible by high powers of primes.
FMRP y las neuroliginas: la influencia de la actividad sensorial en las dinámicas del neurodesarrollo
Authors: Viveros Araque Elisa , Rengifo Gomez Juliana , Becerra-Hernández Lina Vanessa
Published: June 2021

El síndrome de Frágil X (SFX) es la principal causa hereditaria de discapacidad cognitiva y la causa hereditaria conocida más común en los Trastornos del Espectro Autista (TEAs). En este síndrome se afecta la expresión de la proteína de retardo mental del cromosoma X frágil (FMRP), una proteína reguladora de la traducción de ARN. FMRP participa en el refinamiento de los circuitos neuronales durante el desarrollo. Las fallas en su función coinciden con la aparición de circuitos neuronales sobreabundantes en espinas dendríticas inmaduras y con pérdida de la plasticidad sináptica.

Por otra parte, las neuroliginas (Nlgs), que se han encontrado mutadas en algunos pacientes con TEAs, son proteínas de adhesión neuronal postsináptica. Estas proteínas ayudan a la especialización y la maduración dendrítica, y su mutación coincide con alteraciones en la transmisión sináptica.

Dado que FMRP y Nlgs son proteínas necesarias para los procesos de eliminación y maduración sináptica afectados tanto en FXS como en TEAs, en esta revisión recopilamos y examinamos la evidencia de los principales hallazgos sobre estas proteínas, su relación y su modulación dependiente de la actividad generada por la experiencia sensorial. Además, destacamos a Drosophila melanogaster como el organismo de las emergentes investigaciones en este campo.
La niña sin voz y su madre invisible
Authors: Vargas-Acevedo Catalina
Published: June 2021

Hace poco, durante mi práctica clínica, me encontré con una paciente de una comunidad indígena y su madre, que no hablaba español. La paciente, para fines de este texto, la que llamé la niña sin voz por su vulnerabilidad y por la falta de opinión que le daba su edad temprana, su falta de lenguaje y un retraso en su neurodesarrollo. Su madre, vulnerable también y con pobre capacidad de comunicación por las barreras de lenguaje, la llamé la madre invisible. El trabajo de comunicación y de comprensión con su madre y las barreras que nos implicaba el idioma, su cultura y la mía, me hizo reflexionar y en el siguiente texto comparto esa reflexión. Así mismo, comparto el proceso emocional y racional que surgió a partir de este caso. Este es un llamado a conservar la humanidad y el humanismo, tanto de las personas con las que nos encontramos, como el nuestro. Así como respetar el proceso humano y sensible que atravesamos nosotros a la hora de tomar decisiones humanas, aunque no siempre sea racional.
Uso del ultrasonido a la cabecera del paciente con neumonía por COVID-19: una revisión narrativa de la literatura
Authors: Navarro Sanchez Juan Diego , Herrera Daza Laura Catalina , Granada Romero Juliana , Montaña Manrique David Enrique
Published: June 2021

Objetivo: Revisar la literatura disponible sobre diagnóstico ultrasonográfico en el servicio de urgencias de pacientes con diagnóstico de COVID-19. Metodología: Búsqueda de la literatura disponible en las bases de datos Medline, Embase y Google Scholar, utilizando los términos de ((coronavirus) OR (COVID) OR (nCOV) OR (sars cov 2) OR (COVID-19)) AND ((Ultrasound) OR (Ecography) OR (Ultrasonography) OR (lung ultrasonography) OR (Point of care) OR (POCUS)) AND ((Lung) OR (Thorax)). Resultados: En la literatura revisada se describen en la ultrasonografía pulmonar, predominantemente, líneas B como principal hallazgo; además, consolidaciones subpleurales y alteraciones de la línea pleural. También la descripción del A-BBC Score, que permite cuantificar la insuficiencia pulmonar del paciente y su afectación clínica. Conclusiones: La ecografía a la cabecera del paciente tiene un rol importante en la valoración del paciente con neumonía por COVID-19, ya que disminuye la necesidad de estudios imagenológicos y permite el diagnóstico y
monitorización del paciente con reducción de la exposición del personal sanitario y la contaminación de áreas clínicas. Sin embargo, se requieren más estudios dada la poca literatura disponible actualmente en población con COVID-19
“TE ACOMPAÑAMOS": enseñando profesionalismo en un centro colombiano de atención ambulatoria
Authors: Robayo Gonzalez Claudia Ximena , Páez Rojas Paola Liliana , Falla Rivas Ruth Asceneth , Ayala Copete Ana Maria , Villanueva Congote Juliana
Published: June 2021

Introducción: La necesidad de un aprendizaje integral que trascienda el conocimiento teórico es fundamental en el proceso de formación del estudiante de medicina. Por lo anterior surge “Te acompañamos” como una estrategia de aprendizaje experiencial que busca potenciar el desarrollo de humanización y profesionalismo médico mediante un programa basado en el acompañamiento de adultos mayores por parte de estudiante de medicina en un centro de atención primaria.

Métodos: El programa inició en 2017 en la ciudad de Bogotá con una recolección de datos y análisis hasta 2019. Se valoró la experiencia del estudiante mediante una encuesta semiestructurada de preguntas abiertas basada en la codificación de los calificativos descritos en las vivencias. Se evaluó la experiencia del paciente mediante una encuesta estructurada telefónica que arrojó indicadores porcentuales de satisfacción.

Resultados: 289 estudiantes participaron beneficiando a 824 adultos mayores. Se resalta el desarrollo de comportamientos prosociales, empatía y conocimiento del contexto del paciente al finalizar la experiencia. Además, se destaca la satisfacción por encima del 90% de los beneficiarios y la humanización de la atención recibida en el centro.

Conclusión: La humanización y profesionalismo es necesario en la formación integral médica.  Por esto, se necesita articular estrategias de enseñanza vivencial en la práctica clínica para lograr mejores resultados.
Síndrome de infusión por propofol: revisión de tema
Authors: Tabares Arboleda Maria Paz , Ávila Lina María , Londoño Duarte María Piedad
Published: June 2021

El Propofol es un agente anestésico endovenoso usado ampliamente en la inducción y mantenimiento de anestesia, así como en sedación de pacientes en diferentes escenarios. Sus propiedades farmacocinéticas y farmacodinámicas hacen de este un medicamento ideal para el cuidado de pacientes críticos. Algunas de ellas, su rápido inicio de acción y recuperación tras suspender la infusión, además de la presencia de pocos efectos adversos, lo hacen favorable en ciertas condiciones clínicas (descenso de la Presión Intracraneana [PIC] en pacientes con Trauma Cráneo Encefálico [TCE]). Sin embargo, desde hace más de 20 años se han reportado casos en la literatura con respecto a la presencia de signos y síntomas comunes relacionados con la infusión de propofol a dosis mayores de 4 – 5mg/kg/h y por largos periodos de tiempo (>48hrs), como acidosis metabólica, disfunción cardiaca y renal, rabdomiolisis, hipertrigliceridemia e hipercalemia, que en conjunto son conocidos como Síndrome de Infusión de Propofol (SIP). Si bien esta patología es poco frecuente,  es potencialmente fatal sin un diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno. El presente artículo pretende dejar unos puntos claros sobre su fisiopatología, características clínicas, diagnóstico y tratamiento con base en la literatura actual.
Trombosis aguda idiopática no puerperal de la vena ovárica: presentaciónde caso y revisión de la literatura
Authors: Inga Ceballos Dayana Alejandra , Montaña Manrique David Enrique , Quevedo Florez Leonardo Alexander , Matiz Espinoza Raul Esteban
Published: June 2021

La trombosis de la vena gonadal es una enfermedad poco frecuente, asociada a estados de hipercoagulabilidad. Se presenta principalmente en el período postparto, o en menor frecuencia en otras condiciones gineco obstétricas como cesáreas, abortos, neoplasias ginecológicas y en enfermedad pélvica inflamatoria (EPI). Este documento es una revisión de casos de la literatura asociada a un reporte de un caso con presentación no habitual de esta entidad que nos lleva a recordar esta condición como diagnóstico diferencial en dolor abdominopélvico agudo, así como su enfoque diagnóstico y tratamiento en el departamento de emergencias.
Leaving the damage behind
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: June 2021

A mechanism by which migrating cells shed defective mitochondria is identified.
Albumin Neutralizes Hydrophobic Toxins and Modulates
Candida albicans
Pathogenicity
Authors: Austermeier Sophie , Pekmezović Marina , Porschitz Pauline , Lee Sejeong , Kichik Nessim , Moyes David L. , Ho Jemima , Kotowicz Natalia K. , Naglik Julian R. , Hube Bernhard , Gresnigt Mark S.
Published: June 2021

Albumin is the most abundant serum protein in humans. During inflammation, serum albumin levels decrease drastically, and low albumin levels are associated with poor patient outcome.
The Carbapenemase BKC-1 from Klebsiella pneumoniae Is Adapted for Translocation by Both the Tat and Sec Translocons
Authors: Bharathwaj Manasa , Webb Chaille T. , Vadlamani Grishma , Stubenrauch Christopher J. , Palmer Tracy , Lithgow Trevor
Published: June 2021

Bacteria can readily acquire plasmids via lateral gene transfer (LGT). These plasmids can carry genes for virulence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Supplemental Material: Picrite-basalt complex in the Baoshan-Gongshan Block of northern Sibumasu: Onset of a mantle plume before breakup of Gondwana and opening of the Neo-Tethys Ocean
Authors: Su Li , al. et
Published: June 2021

Table S1-1: Olivine compositions of Menglian picrites; Table S1-2: Clinopyroxene compositions of Menglian picrites; Table S1-3: Spinel compositions of Menglian picrites; Table S2: Major and trace elements of picrites-basalts in the Baoshan-Gongshan block; Table S3: Whole-rock Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd isotope compositions of picrites and basalts from Baoshan-Gongshan Block; Table S4-1: Zircon U-Pb analyses of gabbroic samples of the picrite-basalt complex in Baosan-Gongshan Block; Table S4-2: Zircon U-Pb analyses of diabase sample (ST-23) of the picrite-basalt complex in Baosan-Gongshan Block; Table S4-3: U-Pb analyses of zircon Standards; Table S5: Calculated mantle potential temperature (Tp) and pressure for picrites and basalts in the Baoshan-Gongshan block.
Recurrent unilateral restrictive elevation deficit in childhood: a tailored approach
Authors: Unni Deepesh , Shameer Abdul , Sharma Pradeep
Published: June 2021

Monocular elevation deficiency poses a challenge to strabismus surgeons on account of its varied clinical presentations as well as management which often needs a tailored approach. We report on a young child who presented to us at 6 months of age with a clinical course marked by primary involvement of the inferior rectus muscle in one eye causing restricted elevation in all gazes and complete relief of hypotropia following disinsertion of the affected muscle but followed by recurrence and additional procedures (antimitotic application and superior rectus plication) for the same. She followed a recalcitrant clinical course which was marked by multiple recurrences requiring a tailored approach and finally managed successfully with a follow-up of 3 years, by now. This case demonstrates the almost intractable nature of restrictive pathology involving a single muscle warranting multiple surgeries and a close follow-up with good surgical outcome.
Appendiceal intussusception from endometriosis
Authors: Lopez Marc Paul Jose , Chan Valerie , Melendres Mark Francis , Lutanco Rainier
Published: June 2021

An asymptomatic 39-year-old woman was noted to have occult bleeding by faecal immunohistochemical test. Investigations showed a 3 cm×2 cm caecal lesion by colonoscopy that was consistent with abdominal CT scan findings of a 1.6 cm×1.9 cm×2.3 cm enhancing focus in the medial caecal wall. The patient underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy after diagnostic laparoscopy and intraoperative colonoscopy revealed an intussuscepted appendix. The final histopathology was an appendiceal intussusception secondary to endometriosis.
Recurrent cavernous sinus thrombosis: a rare complication of Cushing disease
Authors: Tong Chin Voon , Tee Chee Kit
Published: June 2021

A 14-year-old girl who presented in 2017 with headache, unilateral right eye ptosis and secondary amenorrhoea had an initial workup consistent with non-functioning pituitary macroadenoma. She underwent debulking of pituitary tumour in October 2017. Postoperatively, she developed recurrent cavernous sinus thrombosis. In view of recurrent thrombosis, she was reinvestigated and was found to have adrenocorticotropic hormone-dependent Cushing. Follow-up MRI 1 year after initial presentation showed that there was structural recurrence of pituitary macroadenoma. She subsequently underwent a petrosal craniotomy for debulking of tumour. Postsurgery she remained biochemically Cushingnoid. MRI 5 months after second surgery showed an enlarging pituitary mass which was deemed inoperable. A multidisciplinary meeting discussion consensus for treatment included radiotherapy and somatostatin analogue, pasireotide. She completed 30 cycles of radiotherapy and MRI post radiotherapy showed reduction in the size of the macroadenoma. Currently, she is waiting for pasereotide initiation.
Superior mesenteric vein and portal vein thrombosis in a patient with COVID-19: a rare case
Authors: Jeilani Milad , Hill Robert , Riad Mahmud , Abdulaal Yasser
Published: June 2021

A 68-year-old man was referred to the general surgeons on account of his abdominal pain of unknown cause. He had contracted COVID-19, 9 days prior. CT chest abdomen and pelvis revealed an extensive thrombus extending from the portal vein to the superior mesenteric vein. Further investigation ruled out haematological causes, and COVID-19 was determined to be the cause. He was treated with an extended course of therapeutic dose low molecular weight heparin under the guidance of the haematology team. He was discharged once he was clinically stable and pain-free, with a plan to be followed up by both the surgeons and haematologists. This case highlights the different ways in which COVID-19 presents, and the need for clearer guidance on the treatment and prevention of thromboembolism in COVID-19.
Linking cohort-based data with electronic health records: a proof-of-concept methodological study in Hong Kong
Authors: Gao Le , Leung Miriam T Y , Li Xue , Chui Celine S L , Wong Rosa S M , Au Yeung Shiu Lun , Chan Edward W W , Chan Adrienne Y L , Chan Esther W , Wong Wilfred H S , Lee Tatia M C , Rao Nirmala , Wing Yun Kwok , Lum Terry Y S , Leung Gabriel M , Ip Patrick , Wong Ian C K
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Data linkage of cohort-based data and electronic health records (EHRs) has been practised in many countries, but in Hong Kong there is still a lack of such research. To expand the use of multisource data, we aimed to identify a feasible way of linking two cohorts with EHRs in Hong Kong.

Methods

Participants in the ‘Children of 1997’ birth cohort and the Chinese Early Development Instrument (CEDI) cohort were separated into several batches. The Hong Kong Identity Card Numbers (HKIDs) of each batch were then uploaded to the Hong Kong Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System (CDARS) to retrieve EHRs. Within the same batch, each participant has a unique combination of date of birth and sex which can then be used for exact matching, as no HKID will be returned from CDARS. Raw data collected for the two cohorts were checked for the mismatched cases. After the matching, we conducted a simple descriptive analysis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) information collected in the CEDI cohort via the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD Symptoms and Normal Behaviour Scale (SWAN) and EHRs.

Results

In total, 3473 and 910 HKIDs in the birth cohort and CEDI cohort were separated into 44 and 5 batches, respectively, and then submitted to the CDARS, with 100% and 97% being valid HKIDs respectively. The match rates were confirmed to be 100% and 99.75% after checking the cohort data. From our illustration using the ADHD information in the CEDI cohort, 36 (4.47%) individuals had ADHD–Combined score over the clinical cut-off in the SWAN survey, and 68 (8.31%) individuals had ADHD records in EHRs.

Conclusions

Using date of birth and sex as identifiable variables, we were able to link the cohort data and EHRs with high match rates. This method will assist in the generation of databases for future multidisciplinary research using both cohort data and EHRs.
Knowing the goal: an inclusive economy that can address the public health challenges of our time
Authors: Shipton Deborah , Sarica Shifa , Craig Neil , McCartney Gerry , Katikireddi Srinivasa Vittal , Roy Graeme , McGregor Peter , Scobie Graeme
Published: June 2021

Objective

Inequality is deeply embedded in our economic structures—it is necessary to address these economic inequalities if we are to reduce health inequalities. An inclusive economic approach was conceptualised as a way to reduce these economic inequalities, although the attributes of this approach are unclear. Public health practitioners are increasingly asked to provide a health perspective on the economic recovery plans in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper aims to identify the attributes of an inclusive economy to enable the public health profession to influence an inclusive economic recovery.

Approach

We conducted a rapid review of grey and peer-reviewed literature to identify the attributes of an inclusive economy as currently defined in the literature.

Attributes of an inclusive economy

Twenty-two concepts were identified from 56 reports and articles. These were collapsed into four distinct attributes of an inclusive economy: (1) an economy that is designed to deliver inclusion and equity, (2) equitable distribution of the benefits from the economy (eg, assets, power, value), (3) equitable access to the resources needed to participate in the economy (eg, health, education), and (4) the economy operates within planetary boundaries.

Conclusion

As economies are (re)built following the COVID-19 pandemic, these attributes of an inclusive economy—based on the current literature—can be used to develop, and then monitor progress of, economic policy that will reduce health inequalities, improve health and mitigate against climate change.
Structural Surrogate Model and Dynamic Response Prediction with Consideration of Temporal and Spatial Evolution: An Encoder–Decoder ConvLSTM Network
Authors: Peng Hong , Yan Jingwen , Yu Ying , Luo Yaozhi
Published: June 2021

In this paper, a new deep learning framework named encoding convolution long short-term memory (encoding ConvLSTM) is proposed to build a surrogate structural model with spatiotemporal evolution of structure, estimate the structural spatiotemporal state and predict the dynamic response under similar future dynamic load conditions. The main work of this study includes: (a) The spatiotemporal response tensor database is developed using discrete-time history data of structural dynamic response. (b) As an extension of LSTM, convolution operation is combined with LSTM network to construct structural surrogate model from the spatiotemporal evolution structural performance. (c) To enhance the anti-interference ability of structural surrogate models, a new three-layer encoding layer is added for denoising autoencoders of the hybrid network. The influence of building types and input noise on the accuracy and antinoise performance of the surrogate models are analyzed through the dynamic response prediction of a frame-shear wall, a cylindrical, and a spherical reticulated shell structure. As a testbed for the proposed network, a case study is performed on a laboratory stadium structure. The results demonstrate that the developed surrogate model can predict the structural dynamic response precisely with more under 30% noise interference.
A Deep Learning Model and a Dataset for Diagnosing Ophthalmology Diseases
Authors: Duwairi Rehab M. , Al-Zboon Saad A. , Al-Dwairi Rami A. , Obaidi Ahmad
Published: June 2021

The rapid development of artificial neural network techniques, especially convolutional neural networks, encouraged the researchers to adapt such techniques in the medical domain. Specifically, to provide assist tools to help the professionals in patients’ diagnosis. The main problem faced by the researchers in the medical domain is the lack of available annotated datasets which can be used to train and evaluate large and complex deep neural networks. In this paper, to assist researchers who are interested in applying deep learning techniques to aid the ophthalmologists in diagnosing eye-related diseases, we provide an optical coherence tomography dataset with collaboration with ophthalmologists from the King Abdullah University Hospital, Irbid, Jordan. This dataset consists of 21,991 OCT images distributed over seven eye diseases in addition to normal images (no disease), namely, Choroidal Neovascularisation, Full Macular Hole (Full Thickness), Partial Macular Hole, Central Serous Retinopathy, Geographic atrophy, Macular Retinal Oedema, and Vitreomacular Traction. To the best of our knowledge, this dataset is the largest of its kind, where images belong to actual patients from Jordan and the annotation was carried out by ophthalmologists. Two classification tasks were applied to this dataset; a binary classification to distinguish between images which belong to healthy eyes (normal) and images which belong to diseased eyes (abnormal). The second classification task is a multi-class classification, where the deep neural network is trained to distinguish between the seven diseases listed above in addition to the normal case. In both classification tasks, the U-Net neural network was modified and subsequently utilised. This modification adds an additional block of layers to the original U-Net model to become capable of handling classification as the original network is used for image segmentation. The results of the binary classification were equal to 84.90% and 69.50% as accuracy and quadratic weighted kappa, respectively. The results of the multi-class classification, by contrast, were equal to 63.68% and 66.06% as accuracy and quadratic weighted kappa, respectively.
The minus total k-domination numbers in graphs
Authors: Dayap Jonecis , Dehgardi Nasrin , Asgharsharghi Leila , Sheikholeslami Seyed Mahmoud
Published: June 2021

For any integer [Formula: see text], a minus total [Formula: see text]-dominating function is a function [Formula: see text] satisfying [Formula: see text] for every [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text]. The minimum of the values of [Formula: see text], taken over all minus total [Formula: see text]-dominating functions [Formula: see text], is called the minus total [Formula: see text]-domination number and is denoted by [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we initiate the study of minus total [Formula: see text]-domination in graphs, and we present different sharp bounds on [Formula: see text]. In addition, we determine the minus total [Formula: see text]-domination number of some classes of graphs. Some of our results are extensions of known properties of the minus total domination number [Formula: see text].
Cometary Panspermia — Overcoming Cultural Constraints
Authors: Wickramasinghe N. Chandra
Published: June 2021

The importance of distinguishing between hypotheses that are verified by a vast number of predictions and have not been falsified, and conjectures without any compelling evidence is of paramount importance for science educators to keep in mind. This article describes the trajectory of one such hypothesis. The concept of cometary panspermia has been developed over a period of four decades and evidence for it has straddled many scientific disciplines from astronomy, to geology, biology and epidemiology. With an ever-increasing number of predictions of this theory being verified, the question as to why it has not entered mainstream thinking is an intriguing one. I suggest that this resistance is connected with sociological considerations, including a deep cultural hostility to theories that appear to have a foreign or “alien” provenance.
Photon Dreams: Years Later
Authors: Smilga A. V.
Published: June 2021

The perspectives of sending a manned space mission to other stars are explored. The conclusions are disappointing: it will never be possible.
Football Player Posture Detection Method Combining Foreground Detection and Neural Networks
Authors: Hu Xin
Published: June 2021

In recent years, with the rapid development of artificial intelligence, information technology, intelligent digital video surveillance systems, real-time sports competition playback, and other technologies have emerged one after another, making the advantages of deep learning-based football posture detection tasks become more obvious. Related models and methods have been applied to the research field of sports posture estimation and have achieved great improvement, surpassing the traditional football posture estimation method based on manual design features in one fell swoop. In addition, the application of video foreground detection has developed rapidly and has great application value in sports analysis. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel football motion detection approach combining foreground detection and deep learning for real-time detection of football player posture. The main task of foreground target detection is to extract the interesting foreground target in the real monitoring scene and use it as the target of interest for subsequent analysis. Then, we propose a triple DetectNet detection framework based on deep learning technology, which can quickly and robustly realize the three-dimensional pose estimation of multiperson motion. For input, the triple DetectNet framework uses three neural networks and is executed in three stages; the first stage is to use the DetectNet (DN) network to detect the bounding box of each person separately, the second stage uses the 2DPoseNet (2DPN) network to estimate each of the corresponding two-dimensional poses of the individual, and the third stage uses the 3DPoseNet (3DPN) network to obtain the 3D pose of the person. This paper also conducted experiments on four datasets, and the results proved the superiority and success of this algorithm.
An Efficient User-Centric Consent Management Design for Multiservices Platforms
Authors: Marillonnet Paul , Ates Mikaël , Laurent Maryline , Kaaniche Nesrine
Published: June 2021

This paper presents an efficient user-centric consent management system to access online services of the Territorial Collectivities and Public Administration (TCPA) as well as user-authorized third parties. It defines a novel PII manager that supports a set of sources obeying to different authorization and PII retrieval protocols. This contribution is motivated by the necessity to interface TCPA services with remote sources that provide Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Hence, the originality of our solution is multifold. First, the burden for enforcing the interoperability between the sources and the TCPA services collecting the PII is reduced from the point of view of the user, the administrator of the User-Relationship Management (URM) platform, and the territorial agent responsible for processing the user’s queries. Second, it defines a unified consent model supporting four types of sources. Third, it goes into details of practical implementations. Fourth, the relevance of the proposed PII manager for a relevant TCPA use case is demonstrated through a functional analysis.
Numerical and Experimental Investigations on Performance Optimization of a Microturbojet Engine Combustor
Authors: He Wu , Guo Zhihui , Xu Siyuan , Jin Yi
Published: June 2021

Sudden extinction of a microturbojet engine combustor was encountered during the engine accelerating process, which motivates the present work to optimize the combustor performance. Numerical results show that by decreasing the primary zone air-introducing area and increasing the dilution zone air-introducing area, the primary zone air percentage is reduced from 39.35% to 32%, and the primary zone excess air ratio is reduced from 1.122 to 0.915, which is believed to be beneficial for flame stability both in terms of residence time and rich burn. Meanwhile, the vortex flow pattern in the primary zone varies little as the variations of the airflow distribution. The new engine, which is equipped with the optimized combustor, is tested by experiments. The successful accelerating to the rotating design speed demonstrates the effectiveness of combustor optimization work.
Data‐Driven Cluster Analysis of Oxidative Stress Indexes in relation to Vitamin D Level, Age, and Metabolic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes on Metformin Therapy
Authors: Cojic Milena M. , Klisic Aleksandra , Kocic Radivoj , Veljkovic Andrej , Kocic Gordana
Published: June 2021

Recent advances in vitamin D research indicate that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are suffering from vitamin D deficiency and increased oxidative stress to a variable extent, which could produce different health impacts for each individual. The novel multivariate statistical method applied in the present study allows metabolic phenotyping of T2DM individuals based on vitamin D status, metabolic control, and oxidative stress status in order to identify effectively different subtypes in our type 2 DM study population. Data‐driven statistical cluster analysis was performed with 95 patients with T2DM, treated with metformin. Clusters were based on 12 variables—age, disease duration, vitamin D level, insulin, fasting glycemia (FG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), high‐density and low‐density lipoprotein, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), body mass index (BMI), and triglycerides/glucose index (TYG). The analysis revealed four unique clusters which differed significantly in terms of vitamin D status, with a mean 25 (OH) D level in cluster 1 (57.84 ± 11.46 nmol/L) and cluster 4 (53.78 ± 22.36 nmol/L), falling within the insufficiency range. Cluster 2 had the highest mean level of 25 (OH) D (84.55 ± 22.66 nmol/L), indicative of vitamin D sufficiency. Cluster 3 had a mean vitamin D level below 50 nmol/L (49.27 ± 16.95), which is considered deficient. Patients in the vitamin D sufficient cluster had a significantly better glycemic and metabolic control as well as a lower level of lipid peroxidation compared to other clusters. The patients from the vitamin D sufficient cluster also had a significantly higher level of vitamin D/MPO, vitamin D/XO, vitamin D/MDA, vitamin D/CAT, and vitamin D/TRC than that in the vitamin deficient and insufficient clusters. The vitamin D deficient cluster included significantly younger patients and had a significantly lower level of AOPP/TRC and albumin/TRC than the vitamin D sufficient cluster. The evidence from our cluster analysis in the context of separated T2DM demonstrates beneficial effects of optimal vitamin D status on metabolic control and oxidative stress in T2DM patients. Older T2DM patients require higher vitamin D levels in order to achieve good metabolic control and favorable antioxidant protection. Since protein damage is more pronounced in these patients, adding water‐soluble antioxidant in addition to higher doses of vitamin D should be considered.
Optimizing Synchronization of Tennis Professional League Live Broadcast Based on Wireless Network Planning
Authors: Tang Kai , Huo Lian-Juan
Published: June 2021

The live broadcast of the common league mainly adopts the design of streaming media data block by block. The secondary processing of streaming data is carried out on the server-side. It results in a higher delay during a live broadcast. The higher delay has numerous disadvantages during broadcasting for delay-sensitive applications. We have to solve the delay problems during a live broadcast. Therefore, in this paper, we optimize the synchronization of the tennis professional league live broadcast based on wireless network planning. In the proposed scheme, the 3D detection target model is first constructed, and the background is extracted from the moving video image. The extraction is performed using the interframe difference elimination algorithm, and the target motion trajectory is predicted. Then the phase difference characteristics of the image foreground trajectory are analyzed by the Hilbert transform to detect target missing points. By observing the vertex structure of the target missing point, the phase Fourier transform frame is constructed. Finally, the synchronization of the league live broadcast is encoded and decoded. Based on the timestamp, the synchronization optimization of the tennis professional league live broadcast is completed. The experimental results show that the synchronization optimization method has good synchronization, high resolution, short reaction time, and good detection effect.
Rutting Resistance of Hot Mix Asphalt Containing Coarse Recycled Concrete Aggregates Coated with Waste Plastic Bottles
Authors: Azarhoosh Alireza , Koohmishi Mehdi , Hamedi Gholam Hossein
Published: June 2021

The use of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) as a part of coarse aggregates in asphalt pavements confers economic and environmental benefits. Coarse RCA (CRCA) has inferior mechanical and physical properties compared to natural aggregates due to very porous and weakly adhered cement mortar. In this study, CRCA surfaces were coated with waste plastic bottles (WPB) and used at 15%, 30%, and 50% in the asphalt concrete. The Marshall, stiffness modulus, and dynamic creep tests were performed to determine the strength of hot mix asphalts against rutting. The results revealed that the use of untreated CRCA reduced the Marshall quotient and the rutting resistance of the asphalt concrete. The results of the stiffness modulus and dynamic creep tests indicated that CRCA incorporation increased permanent deformation in the tested specimens due to the reduction of asphalt concrete stiffness. However, the asphalt concrete containing treated CRCA had lower permanent deformation because WPB promotes CRCA stability by penetrating its void and reinforcing cement mortar. Furthermore, by raising the temperature, the strength of all asphalt concretes decreased against rutting, and the reduction rate was higher in the modified specimens.