bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Multi-Action Emollient Plus Cream Improves Skin Barrier Function in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: In vitro and Clinical Evidence
Authors: Quadri Marika , Lotti Roberta , Bonzano Laura , Ciardo Silvana , Guanti Mario Bruno , Pellacani Giovanni , Pincelli Carlo , Marconi Alessandra
Published: March 2021

Background: Emollients capable of restoring the skin barrier function would extend their role beyond basic maintenance therapy in atopic dermatitis (AD). Objectives: Investigate the effect of a novel emollient plus cream (EC; Dermoflan®) on the skin barrier in vitro and in patients with mild-to-moderate AD. Methods: The effect of EC on the skin barrier recovery was evaluated using a tape-stripping (TS) model. After TS, organ cultures were treated with EC (undiluted or diluted 1:1 with water) and analyzed at 18–120 h using hematoxylin and eosin, Oil Red O, immunohistochemical, and immunofluorescent techniques. In a double-blind, randomized study, EC or placebo was applied once daily for 2 months to antecubital folds of the upper and lower limbs of patients with mild-to-moderate AD in clinical remission. Epidermal thickness, vascularization, and epidermal hydration were assessed by optical coherence tomography and corneometry, respectively, at baseline, and 1 and 2 months following treatment initiation. Results: Following TS, EC treatment significantly increased epidermal thickness and lipid content versus diluent in the skin organ culture, as well as claudin-1, involucrin, and caspase-14 expression, suggesting skin barrier repair. EC treatment also decreased keratin-16 expression and increased levels of Toll-like receptors 1 and 2 versus diluent, suggesting involvement in regulating the epidermal immune response. In 20 patients randomized 1:1 to EC or placebo, EC treatment at the elbow fold/popliteal fossa significantly decreased epidermal thickness after 2 months, and the number of blood vessels at the elbow fold after 1 and 2 months, versus placebo. EC significantly improved the skin hydration after 2 months versus baseline. Conclusions: This novel multi-action EC may help to restore epidermal homeostasis and improve the skin of patients with AD. Results indicate that this novel multi-action EC could be a valid adjuvant therapy in patients with AD. Key Message: Novel multi-action emollient cream helps to restore epidermal homeostasis and improves the skin affected by AD.
Rehabilitation under Social Isolation: Outcomes of Older Individuals with Hip Fractures, Admitted to a Postacute Geriatric Rehabilitation Center, during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Leibovici-Weissman Yaara , Levy Yochai , Michaelis Michal , Hershkovitz Avital
Published: March 2021

Background/Aims: The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of an ongoing pandemic. The highest mortality rate is observed among the older adult population. During the first wave of the pandemic (March–June 2020), following a national health decree demanding that no visitors or family members be allowed in health institutions, our geriatric rehabilitation center closed gates to all visitors from the outside. We aimed to assess the rehabilitation outcomes of older patients with hip fractures in the first pandemic wave, who underwent rehabilitation under complete social isolation from primary care givers and family members. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. It took place at a university-affiliated, major postacute geriatric rehabilitation center. Rehabilitation outcomes measured were discharge functional independence measure (FIM) score and motor FIM score, FIM score change, motor FIM score change, favorable motor FIM effectiveness, length of stay, discharge destination, and home aid at discharge. Results: The study group included 36 patients who were admitted during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2020). The control group comprises 106 individuals with hip fractures who were admitted in the respective time periods during the previous 2 years, that is, March 1, 2018, to June 30, 2018, and March 1, 2019, to June 30, 2019. The facility’s occupancy rates were much lower during the first wave of the pandemic in comparison with previous years (78 and 99%, respectively). Patients showed similar demographics and comorbidities, but the social isolation group was more severely deconditioned upon admission. All rehabilitation outcomes were similar between groups. Conclusion: According to the findings of this retrospective study, social isolation from family and caregivers did not have a detrimental effect on the rehabilitation outcomes of these patients. More evidence must be gathered and presented on the matter.
Sobre o estilo narrativo do cinema brasileiro: notas baseadas em roteiros de filmes da década de 1950
Authors: Romanzoti Natasha
Published: March 2021

Este artigo tem como objetivo destacar algumas características do cinema brasileiro com foco no estilo narrativo, por meio da análise dos seguintes roteiros dos anos 1950: O grande momento (1958), O homem do Sputnik (1959), Agulha no palheiro (1953) e Esquina da ilusão (1953). Apesar dos esforços em termos de industrialização e padronização do cinema brasileiro na década, paradigmas clássicos como a estrutura de três atos parecem ser de pouco interesse ou inaplicáveis a essa produção cinematográfica. De modo geral, a influência do teatro e do rádio brasileiros, juntamente com o crescente impacto das novelas, pode ser mais relevante para os roteiros brasileiros dos anos 1950 do que a estrutura aristotélica e outros conceitos e estratégias narrativas bem conhecidos.
Na contramão do mercado fonográfico: a trajetória da gravadora Festa
Authors: Orlandi Ana Paula
Published: March 2021

Este artigo aborda a trajetória da gravadora Festa, criada na década de 1950, no Rio de Janeiro, por Irineu Garcia (1920-1984). Entre 1955 e 1971, tendo à frente Garcia, o selo fonográfico gravou dezenas de discos de literatura (poesia, prosa, teatro) e de música erudita e popular, sobretudo de autores brasileiros. Apesar das dificuldades enfrentadas por Festa no sentido de viabilizar sua produção, principalmente na década de 1960, essa iniciativa contribuiu para sinalizar a existência de um nicho fonográfico no país voltado para produções ditas refinadas do ponto de vista cultural e ajudou a pavimentar o caminho para o surgimento nas décadas posteriores de gravadoras voltadas para uma fatia ignorada pelo mercado de discos no Brasil, a exemplo da Discos Marcus Pereira (1972), Eldorado (1977), Kuarup (1977) e Biscoito Fino (1993).
Árvores imunes ao corte no Parque Halfeld, Juiz de Fora/MG: um estudo de caso sobre políticas e valores de preservação
Authors: Cunha Caio Freitas , Unanue Mariane Garcia , Colchete Filho Antonio Ferreira
Published: March 2021

Este artigo tem por objetivo abordar o caso de duas árvores da cidade de Juiz de Fora, que foram declaradas imunes ao corte como amostra das políticas públicas de preservação da vegetação urbana, visando revelar qual sua contribuição para a vida urbana, incluindo os aspectos simbólicos e afetivos de sua relação com os habitantes. Adota-se o estudo de caso como eixo metodológico, com viés qualitativo, recorrendo à pesquisa bibliográfica de estudos dedicados ao conceito de paisagem afetiva, ao Código Florestal (2012) e aos decretos municipais que concedem imunidade ao corte a determinadas árvores na localidade. Aliandotal esforço à coleta de dados por meio de imagens fotográficas e de satélite, foi possível verificar o estado de conservação das árvores imunes ao corte, suas condições de plantio, cuidados e integração com o entorno, observando o grau de sucesso das políticas públicas de proteção às espécies nativas e exóticas que aqui se encontram. Conclui-se que os esforços de avaliação de árvores potenciais candidatas à imunidade ao corte em Juiz de Fora contemplam pouco os elementos afetivos e simbólicos das relações entre as árvores e a população, o que resulta na seleção de exemplares com pouca interação sócio-histórica com a população do entorno e da cidade.
A morfologia urbana como instrumento para reconstrução de Bento Rodrigues
Authors: Teixeira Maria Cristina Villefort , Medeiros Mirelli Borges , Pereira Ana Beatriz Mascarenhas
Published: March 2021

O povoado de Bento Rodrigues, subdistrito de Mariana, no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, com cerca de 600 habitantes, foi devastado pelos rejeitos da barragem de Fundão, em novembro de 2015. O risco de futuros desastres e a incerteza acerca de sua toxicidade inviabilizaram a reconstrução do povoado no local original, iniciando o processo de assentamento em novo sítio, denominado Lavoura. A concepção do projeto urbanístico para esse reassentamento incluiu a participação ativa da população, que demandava a relação de vizinhança e o sistema viário estabelecido no antigo subdistrito como elementos fundamentais para o plano. Mesmo apresentando semelhança no traçado, a nova paisagem não equivale àquela anterior vivenciada pelos moradores, devido aos diferentes aspectos físicos entre as duas localidades. O presente artigo objetiva analisar o caso da reconstrução de Bento Rodrigues que, com a aplicação dos elementos estruturantes da morfologia urbana nos dois contextos, pode apresentar condições mais adequadas à implantação de projetos urbanos para áreas atingidas por desastres
Public Opinion of Ethnic Minority Area in Northern Vietnam in the Context of Globalization
Authors: Tan Phan , Thuy Ly Le Thi
Published: March 2021

Researching public opinion in ethnic minority areas of Vietnam in general and ethnic minority area of Northern Vietnam in particular to understand what people are desiring is essential.

Ethnic minorities in Northern Vietnam are not only concerned with the urgent issues associated with their daily lives, but also diverse social issues in an age where communication is strongly developing. People always show dynamism and activeness in practices related to public opinion. And remarkably, in this picture, there is no clear slice between modern elements of the globalization context and traditional elements.

Views that ethnic minorities are always passive need to be revised. It is necessary to create conditions for people to participate more effectively in the policy making process.
Cognitive Bias, Privacy Rights, and Digital Evidence in International Criminal Proceedings: Demystifying the Double-Edged ai Revolution
Authors: Vecellio Segate Riccardo
Published: March 2021

International criminal tribunals (ict s) have found, almost consistently, that unlawfully and/or secretly obtained evidence is admissible. De facto, defendants in international criminal law (icl) enjoy no privacy-related procedural safeguards under either the applicable domestic law or international human rights law (ihrl). Privacy violations are not confined to those impairing defendants’ rights; they might result in premature acquittals or in misconducts vis-à-vis the victims, too. While this is practically unescapable a compromise due to the ‘high profile’ of the accused and the complexity, length, momentousness, and ‘political charge’ of these trials, over-relaxed admissibility rules become unsustainable as far as digital evidence is concerned, in that they add to the latter’s inherently low reliability and heavy cognitive impact. Facing this issue, it is legit to wonder whether artificial intelligence (ai) might mitigate privacy violations or render them no longer necessary, thus improving the fairness record of the International Criminal Court (icc) and other ict s.
Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses revealed a new Calocybe (Lyophyllaceae, Basidiomycota) species from northeast China
Authors: XU JIZE , YU XIAODONG , ZHANG CHUNLAN , LI YU
Published: March 2021

A new species, Calocybe decurrens, is illustrated and described in detail based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses. Calocybe decurrens is mainly characterized by its decurrent gills and by its stipe that discolors upon maturation. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and the large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrLSU) sequences. The results indicated that its affiliation is in genus Calocybe, where it occupies an isolated position. A full description, color images, illustrations and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of the new species are provided.
Firm Behavior in the Face of Severe Weather: Economic Analysis between Probabilistic and Deterministic Warnings
Authors: Howard Seth P. , Klockow-McClain Kim E. , Boehmer Alison P. , Simmons Kevin M.
Published: March 2021

Tornadoes cause billions of dollars in damage and over 100 fatalities on average annually. Yet, an indirect cost to these storms is found in lost sales and/or lost productivity from responding to over 2000 warnings per year. This project responds to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, H.R. 353, which calls for the use of social and behavioral science to study and improve storm warning systems. Our goal is to provide an analysis of cost avoidance that could accrue from a change to the warning paradigm, particularly to include probabilistic hazard information at storm scales. A survey of nearly 500 firms was conducted in and near the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area asking questions about experience with tornadoes, sources of information for severe weather, expected cost of responding to tornado warnings, and how the firm would respond to either deterministic or probabilistic warnings. We find a dramatic change from deterministic warnings compared to the proposed probabilistic and that a probabilistic information system produces annual cost avoidance in a range of $2.3–$7.6 billion (U.S. dollars) compared to the current deterministic warning paradigm.
Self-management in Heart Failure: The Importance of Self-regulation but not Complexity of Condition
Authors: Zaharova Svetlana , Litwack Kim , Gopalakrishnan Sandeep , Ellis Julie , Saltzberg Mitchell Todd
Published: March 2021

Heart failure (HF) is a growing public health problem. Self-management (SM) of HF is an important component of chronic disease management. Guided by the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory (IFSMT), we examined the associations among complexity of condition, self-regulation, and self-efficacy mediation of SM behaviors in a population of HF outpatients. A cross-sectional design was used. Seventy-three outpatients with HF were enrolled. Simple and multiple linear regressions were run for each outcome variable. Only self-regulation was significantly associated with SM behavior. Complexity of condition was not significantly associated with SM behavior. There was no mediation by self-efficacy. Future nursing interventions should explore self-regulation in HF to provide a clearer understanding of the processes used to change health behavior. SM may be particularly useful in HF with preserved ejection fraction (EF), where there is no proven pharmacological treatment.
Empathy in context: Socioeconomic status as a moderator of the link between empathic accuracy and well-being in married couples
Authors: Hittner Emily F. , Haase Claudia M.
Published: March 2021

The present laboratory-based study investigated socioeconomic status (SES) as a moderator of the association between empathic accuracy and well-being among married couples from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Empathic accuracy was measured using a performance-based measure of empathic accuracy for one’s spouse’s negative emotions during a marital conflict conversation. Aspects of well-being included well-being (i.e., positive affect, life satisfaction), ill-being (i.e., negative affect, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms), and marital satisfaction. SES was measured using a composite score of income and education. Findings showed that SES moderated associations between empathic accuracy and well-being. Empathic accuracy was beneficial (for well-being and ill-being) or not harmful (for marital satisfaction) at low levels of SES. In contrast, empathic accuracy was not beneficial (for well-being and ill-being) or harmful (for marital satisfaction) at high levels of SES. Results were robust (controlled for age, gender, and race). Findings are discussed in light of interdependence vs. independence in low- vs. high-SES contexts and highlight the importance of socioeconomic context in determining whether empathic accuracy benefits well-being or not.
Standing up against crisis-induced entrepreneurial uncertainty: Fewer teams, more habitual entrepreneurs
Authors: Kuckertz Andreas
Published: March 2021

The global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus–2) has led to drastic infection control measures that have dramatically affected societies and economies worldwide. Against this background, it is the purpose of this commentary to illustrate how innovative entrepreneurial activity in particular has been affected by the rising uncertainty caused by the first COVID-19 wave. By comparing innovative North American and European startups established pre-crisis and during the first wave of the pandemic, this commentary suggests that startups founded in the crisis are characterised less by entrepreneurial teams and more by habitual entrepreneurs. Interestingly, female entrepreneurial activity seems not to have been affected by the crisis when measured as the proportion of women founders involved in innovative startups pre-crisis and during crisis. The commentary thus, illustrates what particular type of entrepreneur persists during rising uncertainty and allows us to draw conclusions for policy-making and further research on the interface of entrepreneurship, crisis and uncertainty.
Walking and mindfulness improve the exercise capacity of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lin Feng-Lien , Yeh Mei-Ling
Published: March 2021

Objective:

To evaluate the effects of mindful walking practice on the exercise capacity of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Design:

A randomised controlled trial with four repeated measurements.

Setting:

Outpatient departments of a medical centre in northern Taiwan.

Participants:

Patients with mild to severe COPD.

Intervention:

The control group received usual care, whereas the mindful walking group received usual care plus undertook a mindful walking practice.

Outcome measures:

The main outcome was the six-minute walk distance. And the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease classification, dyspnoea, heart rate variability and interoceptive awareness were control factors.

Results:

Compared with the control group ( n = 40), the mindful walking group ( n = 38) achieved a significantly longer six-minute walk distance (longer by 45.57 m; P = 0.04). The interaction effect of the six-minute walk distance significantly increased on Week 4 ( P = 0.01), Week 8 ( P = 0.002) and Week 12 ( P = 0.02). Participants in Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease class A exhibited significantly improved six-minute walk distance compared with those in class D ( P  = 0.001). Moreover, scores on the emotional awareness scale of interoceptive awareness were significantly associated with the six-minute walk distance ( P = 0.02).

Conclusion:

The eight-week mindful walking practice improved the exercise capacity of patients with COPD, and its effect was sustained for at least four weeks after the end of the practice. This study suggest that this practice improved COPD symptoms, reduced COPD risk and increased the interoceptive awareness of this population.
Collision kidney tumor with clear cell renal cell carcinoma and papillary type 1 renal cell carcinoma. A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Lamprou Stavros , Glykas Ioannis , Fragkoulis Charalampos , Theodoropoulou Georgia , Koutsonikas Georgios , Papadopoulos Georgios
Published: March 2021

Introduction:

The most common renal neoplasms include clear cell, papillary, and chromophobe renal cell carcinomas. The simultaneous occurrence of different histological types of adjacent neoplasms in the same organ is known as a collision tumor. Collision kidney tumors have already been described but only in rare cases.

Case description:

In this case report we present a 68-year-old man with chronic kidney insufficiency under dialysis who underwent an open right nephrectomy in our department with the histological diagnosis of a collision kidney tumor consisting of clear cell and papillary type 1 renal cell carcinoma.

Conclusion:

To the best of our knowledge, our case of a collision kidney tumor consisting of clear cell RCC and papillary type 1 RCC, is unique in literature.
Study on the collision dynamics of integral shroud blade for high-pressure turbine in different integral shroud clearance distance
Authors: Zhang Qinglei , Wang Haoyang , Qin Jiyun , Duan Jianguo
Published: March 2021

In steam turbine, turbine blades are prone to vibrate during operation, resulting in steam turbine accidents. The most common method for reducing the vibration of steam turbine blades is to design an integral shroud for blade which is termed as integral shroud blade. Most previous studies simplified straight integral blades into cantilever beam and used harmonic response analysis method to simulate the vibration response of blades. This method is suitable for simulating straight blade vibration under harmonic force conditions. For twisted blades, accurate results are hard to acquire and the specific collision process cannot be simulated. In order to observe the collision process on a microscopic scale and explore its collision damping mechanism, this study evaluated the collision process of twisted blades with different integral shroud clearance distance based on LS-DYNA software. The collision process for a two-blade system and a three-blade system with integral shroud clearance distance from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm has been simulated. The results indicated that integral shroud clearance distance have opposite vibration damping effect when the blade under the condition of forced vibration and free vibration. For the two-blade system, the optimal integral shroud clearance distance is 0.4 mm for forced vibration condition and 0.1 mm for free vibration condition. For the three-blade system, the optimal integral shroud clearance distance is 0.1 mm for forced vibration condition and 0.5 mm for free vibration condition.
‘We’re all in this together’: Perspectives from within the Gulf Cooperation Council Women’s Games
Authors: Al-Khalifa Hussa K , Al-Khalifa Dwa
Published: March 2021

Sport has often been advocated as a tool to achieve various social development (SD) goals. It has also been used as a way of expanding soft power (SP) influence. Combining both concepts provides an opportunity to understand how SP and SD may interrelate through the use of domestic SP strategies in sport. In this paper, we discuss the identified themes of unity, pride, and collective identity that arise from a regional women’s sporting competition in the Arabian Gulf among the Gulf Cooperation Council members, as factors that strengthened the prominence of athletes’ shared identity and connectedness. Using the perspectives of the authors who were immersed in the sporting competition, we argue that this information is important for sports organisers to use as bases for SP strategies to achieve inwards-focused social goals.
The role of perceived loneliness and sociodemographic factors in association with subjective mental and physical health and well-being in Norwegian adolescents
Authors: Moksnes Unni K. , Bjørnsen Hanne N. , B. Eilertsen Mary-Elizabeth , Espnes Geir Arild
Published: March 2021

Aims:

Adolescence is a particularly salient period for understanding the role of perceived loneliness for subjective health and well-being. This study investigated sociodemographic differences (sex, age, self-reported socio-economic status (SES)) in loneliness and associations between sociodemographic factors, loneliness and self-rated health (SRH), subjective health symptoms, symptoms of depression/anxiety and mental well-being (MWB) in a sample of Norwegian adolescents.

Methods:

The study was based on a cross-sectional sample of 1816 adolescents aged 15–21 years. The participants reported scores on an 11-item scale assessing subjective health complaints (SHC), one item each assessing SRH and loneliness, the 10-item version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist and the seven-item version of the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. SES was assessed using perceived family economy and parents’ education. Data were analysed with descriptive, comparative and multiple linear regression analyses.

Results:

The multivariate results showed that boys scored significantly higher on MWB than girls did, whereas girls scored significantly higher on loneliness, depression/anxiety and SHC. Perceptions of poorer family finances were significantly associated with higher levels of SHC and depression/anxiety, lower levels of MWB and more negative SRH. Loneliness showed significant positive associations with depression/anxiety and SHC, and significant negative associations with MWB and SRH. A significant moderation effect of sex by loneliness was found in association with depression/anxiety, with stronger associations for girls.

Conclusions:

The findings in this study support the significant roles of sex, perceptions of family finances and loneliness in association with adolescent’s subjective mental and physical health and well-being, especially mental health.
Spouse and Child Abuse Associated With Illicit Drug Use in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Baheshmat Shahab , Gholami Jaleh , Amin-Esmaeili Masoumeh , Shadloo Behrang , Rahimi-Movaghar Afarin
Published: March 2021

Background:

There is a high prevalence of substance use disorders, especially among men, in Iran and is associated with a high burden on families. We aimed to systematically review the association between illicit drug use and spouse and child abuse in Iran.

Method:

Comprehensive terms were used to search three international databases (ISI, Medline, and Scopus) and a national database of Scientific Information Database up to September 2019. The retrieved citations were screened based on the eligibility criteria and then data were extracted, and the risk of bias was assessed by two independent investigators. Data were analyzed using random-effects model to estimate pooled odds ratios ( ORs) and the heterogeneity of studies.

Results:

The search yielded 18 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Illicit substance use in husbands was associated with increased odds of current violence ( OR = 3.50; 95% CI [2.09, 5.86]), current physical violence ( OR = 5.41; 95% CI [3.50, 8.35]), current psychological violence ( OR = 6.20; 95% CI [3.74, 10.30]), and current sexual violence ( OR = 7.23; 95% CI [4.06, 12.87]) against spouse. In studies on child abuse, the odds of current physical child abuse by parents who used an illicit substance was 3.88 times (95% CI [1.50, 10.01]) higher than parents who did not use any illicit substance.

Conclusion:

The results of the current study showed that illicit substance use is associated with an increased risk of spouse and child abuse. This is an important social and health consequence of drug use and should be addressed in all drug control plans.
Defining abnormal cold sensitivity using the Cold Intolerance Symptom Severity questionnaire: a population study
Authors: Stjernbrandt Albin , Liljelind Ingrid , Nilsson Tohr , Wahlström Jens
Published: March 2021

Cold sensitivity, a common and disabling sequela of hand injury, can be assessed using the Cold Intolerance Symptom Severity (CISS) questionnaire, rating symptoms on a scale from 4 to 100. The primary objective of this study was to define a clinical cut-off for abnormal cold sensitivity based on the CISS score in a healthy working-age population. The secondary objective was to investigate how age, gender and previous injuries and diseases influence CISS scoring. In this study, 1239 out of 1582 selected healthy subjects of working age living in northern Sweden completed the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 78%. The 95th percentile for the CISS score was 49.5 for men and 53.0 for women. The effects of age, gender and previous injuries and diseases were minor and not considered clinically relevant. The results support that a CISS score above 50 should be considered as abnormal cold sensitivity.

Level of evidence: III
Low-body-perfusion via an arterial sheath reduces inflammation after aortic arch reconstruction surgery
Authors: Baehner Torsten , Breuer Johannes , Heinze Ingo , Duerr Georg Daniel , Dewald Oliver , Velten Markus
Published: March 2021

Pediatric cardiac surgeries involving aortic arch reconstruction are complex and require long cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) times with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). Selective perfusion techniques have been developed to prevent the deleterious consequences of DHCA associated hypoperfusion. The effectivity of low body perfusion through cannulation of the femoral artery with an arterial sheath remains to be elucidated. We compared perfusion and inflammation in patients receiving selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) only to low body perfusion (LBP) in addition to ACP during DHCA for aortic arch reconstruction surgery. There was no difference in patient characteristics, cardiac pathologies, or performed procedures between ACP and LBP groups. Lactate levels increased after cardiac arrest in both groups. However, lactate levels were lower after 1 h reperfusion, at the end of extracorporeal circulation (ECC), and after surgery in LBP group compared to ACP only. Furthermore, creatinine was increased in ACP group on postoperative day 1 compared to LBP group but no acute kidney injury was observed in any group. IL-6 concentration increased in ACP group, while remained unchanged in LBP group compared to pre surgical values and were significantly lower compared to ACP group on postoperative days 1 and 2. LBP via an arterial sheath during cardiac arrest for aortic arch reconstruction surgery in addition to ACP, improves post ECC tissue perfusion as indicated by lower lactate levels and reduces creatinine levels suggesting milder kidney injury. LBP seems to prevent postoperative inflammation through a reduction in procedural duration or enhanced perfusion and thereby improves the outcome after aortic arch reconstruction surgery.
Midterm Functional and Structural Outcomes of Large/Massive Cuff Tears Treated by Arthroscopic Partial Repair
Authors: Moriyama Hiroaki , Gotoh Masafumi , Tanaka Koji , Mitsui Yashuhiro , Nakamura Hidehiro , Ozono Hiroki , Okawa Takahiro , Shiba Naoto
Published: March 2021

Background:

Previous studies have shown good clinical outcomes in patients with irreparable large or massive rotator cuff tears treated using arthroscopic partial repair (APR); however, few studies have evaluated both functional and structural outcomes in these patients.

Purpose:

To evaluate both functional and structural outcomes in patients with large or massive rotator cuff tears treated using APR.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Between March 2009 and November 2016, a total of 30 patients underwent APR because of the irreparability of their large or massive rotator cuff tears during surgery. Of these patients, 24 completed the minimum 24-month follow-up (mean, 61.8 ± 27.1 months; range, 24-112 months) and were included in this study. Functional outcome measures included the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) scores and the visual analog scale for pain. Structural outcome measures comprised preoperative fatty degeneration, mediolateral tear size, residual tendon attachment area, and glenohumeral (GH) arthritic changes evaluated on magnetic resonance imaging scans or plain radiographs before and after surgery. Functional and structural outcomes were evaluated preoperatively, at 3 months postoperatively, and at the final follow-up.

Results:

The JOA scores for all patients significantly improved from 67.9 ± 11.3 preoperatively to 85.4 ± 15.6 postoperatively ( P < .0001). Similarly, the UCLA scores significantly improved from 15.8 ± 4.20 preoperatively to 29 ± 6.69 at final follow-up postoperatively ( P < .0001). The mediolateral tear size were significantly decreased at 3 months postoperatively ( P < .001) and at the final follow-up ( P < .001). Compared with preoperative scores, the novel score evaluating the residual tendon attachment area improved from 3.08 ± 0.46 to 3.54 ± 0.41 ( P < .001) after surgery overall, although it significantly deteriorated from 3 months postoperatively to the final follow-up. GH osteoarthritis progressed in 6 patients (25%). Patients who developed osteoarthritis had lower JOA and UCLA scores than did those who did not (JOA, P = .010; UCLA, P = .037).

Conclusion:

In irreparable large or massive rotator cuff tears treated using APR, functional outcome improved after surgery. Although the residual tendon attachment area improved, functional outcome after APR corresponded to the GH alterations at the midterm follow-up. Longer-term follow-up is needed to further elucidate the effect of APR on clinical outcomes in these patients.
Experiment-Wise Type I Error Control: A Focus on 2 × 2 Designs
Authors: Frane Andrew V.
Published: March 2021

Factorial designs are common in psychology research. But they are nearly always used without control of the experiment-wise Type I error rate (EWER), perhaps because of a lack of awareness about viable procedures for that purpose and perhaps also because of a lack of appreciation for the problem of Type I error inflation. In this article, key concepts relating to Type I error inflation are discussed, with emphasis on the 2 × 2 factorial design. Simulations are used to evaluate various approaches in that context. I show that conventional approaches often do not control the EWER. Alternative approaches are recommended that reliably control the EWER and are simple to implement.
Density Peak clustering of protein sequences associated to a Pfam clan reveals clear similarities and interesting differences with respect to manual family annotation
Authors: Russo Elena Tea , Laio Alessandro , Punta Marco
Published: March 2021

Background

The identification of protein families is of outstanding practical importance for in silico protein annotation and is at the basis of several bioinformatic resources. Pfam is possibly the most well known protein family database, built in many years of work by domain experts with extensive use of manual curation. This approach is generally very accurate, but it is quite time consuming and it may suffer from a bias generated from the hand-curation itself, which is often guided by the available experimental evidence.

Results

We introduce a procedure that aims to identify automatically putative protein families. The procedure is based on Density Peak Clustering and uses as input only local pairwise alignments between protein sequences. In the experiment we present here, we ran the algorithm on about 4000 full-length proteins with at least one domain classified by Pfam as belonging to the Pseudouridine synthase and Archaeosine transglycosylase (PUA) clan. We obtained 71 automatically-generated sequence clusters with at least 100 members. While our clusters were largely consistent with the Pfam classification, showing good overlap with either single or multi-domain Pfam family architectures, we also observed some inconsistencies. The latter were inspected using structural and sequence based evidence, which suggested that the automatic classification captured evolutionary signals reflecting non-trivial features of protein family architectures. Based on this analysis we identified a putative novel pre-PUA domain as well as alternative boundaries for a few PUA or PUA-associated families. As a first indication that our approach was unlikely to be clan-specific, we performed the same analysis on the P53 clan, obtaining comparable results.

Conclusions

The clustering procedure described in this work takes advantage of the information contained in a large set of pairwise alignments and successfully identifies a set of putative families and family architectures in an unsupervised manner. Comparison with the Pfam classification highlights significant overlap and points to interesting differences, suggesting that our new algorithm could have potential in applications related to automatic protein classification. Testing this hypothesis, however, will require further experiments on large and diverse sequence datasets.
Strain-based and sex-biased differences in adrenal and pancreatic gene expression between KK/HlJ and C57BL/6 J mice
Authors: Inglis Angela , Ubungen Rosario , Farooq Sarah , Mata Princess , Thiam Jennifer , Saleh Soad , Shibin Sherin , Al-Mohanna Futwan A. , Collison Kate S.
Published: March 2021

Background

The ever-increasing prevalence of diabetes and associated comorbidities serves to highlight the necessity of biologically relevant small-animal models to investigate its etiology, pathology and treatment. Although the C57BL/6 J model is amongst the most widely used mouse model due to its susceptibility to diet-induced obesity (DIO), there are a number of limitations namely [1] that unambiguous fasting hyperglycemia can only be achieved via dietary manipulation and/or chemical ablation of the pancreatic beta cells. [2] Heterogeneity in the obesogenic effects of hypercaloric feeding has been noted, together with sex-dependent differences, with males being more responsive. The KK mouse strain has been used to study aspects of the metabolic syndrome and prediabetes. We recently conducted a study which characterized the differences in male and female glucocentric parameters between the KK/HlJ and C57BL/6 J strains as well as diabetes-related behavioral differences (Inglis et al. 2019). In the present study, we further characterize these models by examining strain- and sex-dependent differences in pancreatic and adrenal gene expression using Affymetrix microarray together with endocrine-associated serum analysis.

Results

In addition to strain-associated differences in insulin tolerance, we found significant elevations in KK/HlJ mouse serum leptin, insulin and aldosterone. Additionally, glucagon and corticosterone were elevated in female mice of both strains. Using 2-factor ANOVA and a significance level set at 0.05, we identified 10,269 pancreatic and 10,338 adrenal genes with an intensity cut-off of ≥2.0 for all 4 experimental groups. In the pancreas, gene expression upregulated in the KK/HlJ strain related to increased insulin secretory granule biofunction and pancreatic hyperplasia, whereas ontology of upregulated adrenal differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to cell signaling and neurotransmission. We established a network of functionally related DEGs commonly upregulated in both endocrine tissues of KK/HlJ mice which included the genes coding for endocrine secretory vesicle biogenesis and regulation: PCSK2, PCSK1N, SCG5, PTPRN, CHGB and APLP1. We also identified genes with sex-biased expression common to both strains and tissues including the paternally expressed imprint gene neuronatin.

Conclusion

Our novel results have further characterized the commonalities and diversities of pancreatic and adrenal gene expression between the KK/HlJ and C57BL/6 J strains as well as differences in serum markers of endocrine physiology.
Epidemiological risk factors and the geographical distribution of eight Mycobacterium species
Authors: Donohue Maura J.
Published: March 2021

Background

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental bacterium that may cause and/or compound respiratory diseases in humans. There are over a hundred NTM species with varying pathogenicity’s Therefore, it is necessary to characterize the populations at risk for each species.

Methods

Demographic (age, sex, and state of residence) and microbiological data from 2014 were extracted from Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio disease surveillance systems. NTM species with > 50 reports were included in the analysis. Patient sex, age, and incidence rates were generated for each of the following NTM species: M. abscessus, M. avium complex (MAC), M. chelonae, M. fortuitum, M. gordonae, M. kansasii, M. mucogenicum, and M. peregrinum.

Results

Analysis by sex showed that M. chelonae,M. fortuitum, M. gordonae,and M. kansasii had significantly higher rates in males than females. Age was not associated with patient rates for several specific NTM species e.g., M. chelonae. Mississippi had the highest patient’ rates for M. avium, M. gordonae, M. kansasii, and M. chelonae. Ohio had the highest patient’ rates for M. abscessus, M. mucogenicum, and M. peregrinum. The highest patient’s rate for M. fortuitum was observed in Missouri.

Conclusion

This study showed that NTM infection occurred more frequently in males. The highest rates were observed in Mississippi for most of the NTMs studied. Age was not a strong risk factor for some of the NTM species.
Peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis caused by Mycobacteroides massiliense: the first case and review of the literature
Authors: Hamada Shintaro , Takata Tomoaki , Kitaura Tsuyoshi , Teraoka Chiori , Aono Akio , Taniguchi Sosuke , Mae Yukari , Isomoto Hajime , Chikumi Hiroki , Mitarai Satoshi
Published: March 2021

Background

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis caused by nontuberculous Mycobacterium is rare; however, the number of cases has increased over the past decades. Mycobacteroides massiliense is a subspecies of the Mycobacteroides abscessus complex. It has different clinical characteristics compared to the other subspecies of the complex. Previous case reports of PD-associated peritonitis caused by Mycobacteroides abscessus complex have not distinguished the subspecies in detail.

Case presentation

A 40-year-old man presented with an exit-site and tunnel infection refractory to antibiotic therapy. Peritonitis occurred after simultaneous catheter removal and reinsertion. The Mycobacteroides abscessus complex was detected in the culture of the dialysis effluent. Removal of the PD catheter combined with antibiotics, including macrolides, resulted in a good clinical course. Further analysis of multiplex PCR and the hsp65 gene sequence identified the bacterium as Mycobacteroides massiliense.

Conclusions

The Mycobacteroides abscessus complex is classified into three subspecies; Mycobacteroides abscessus, Mycobacteroides massiliense, and Mycobacteroides bolletii. These have different characteristics, particularly antibiotic susceptibility. Therefore, clear identification of the subspecies of the Mycobacteroides abscessus complex is necessary for definitive treatment.
Statistical and bioinformatic analysis of hemimethylation patterns in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Sun Shuying , Zane Austin , Fulton Carolyn , Philipoom Jasmine
Published: March 2021

Background

DNA methylation is an epigenetic event involving the addition of a methyl-group to a cytosine-guanine base pair (i.e., CpG site). It is associated with different cancers. Our research focuses on studying non-small cell lung cancer hemimethylation, which refers to methylation occurring on only one of the two DNA strands. Many studies often assume that methylation occurs on both DNA strands at a CpG site. However, recent publications show the existence of hemimethylation and its significant impact. Therefore, it is important to identify cancer hemimethylation patterns.

Methods

In this paper, we use the Wilcoxon signed rank test to identify hemimethylated CpG sites based on publicly available non-small cell lung cancer methylation sequencing data. We then identify two types of hemimethylated CpG clusters, regular and polarity clusters, and genes with large numbers of hemimethylated sites. Highly hemimethylated genes are then studied for their biological interactions using available bioinformatics tools.

Results

In this paper, we have conducted the first-ever investigation of hemimethylation in lung cancer. Our results show that hemimethylation does exist in lung cells either as singletons or clusters. Most clusters contain only two or three CpG sites. Polarity clusters are much shorter than regular clusters and appear less frequently. The majority of clusters found in tumor samples have no overlap with clusters found in normal samples, and vice versa. Several genes that are known to be associated with cancer are hemimethylated differently between the cancerous and normal samples. Furthermore, highly hemimethylated genes exhibit many different interactions with other genes that may be associated with cancer. Hemimethylation has diverse patterns and frequencies that are comparable between normal and tumorous cells. Therefore, hemimethylation may be related to both normal and tumor cell development.

Conclusions

Our research has identified CpG clusters and genes that are hemimethylated in normal and lung tumor samples. Due to the potential impact of hemimethylation on gene expression and cell function, these clusters and genes may be important to advance our understanding of the development and progression of non-small cell lung cancer.
Using a hybrid agent-based and equation based model to test school closure policies during a measles outbreak
Authors: Hunter Elizabeth , Kelleher John D.
Published: March 2021

Background

In order to be prepared for an infectious disease outbreak it is important to know what interventions will or will not have an impact on reducing the outbreak. While some interventions might have a greater effect in mitigating an outbreak, others might only have a minor effect but all interventions will have a cost in implementation. Estimating the effectiveness of an intervention can be done using computational modelling. In particular, comparing the results of model runs with an intervention in place to control runs where no interventions were used can help to determine what interventions will have the greatest effect on an outbreak.

Methods

To test the effects of a school closure policy on the spread of an infectious disease (in this case measles) we run simulations closing schools based on either the proximity of the town to the initial outbreak or the centrality of the town within the network of towns in the simulation. To do this we use a hybrid model that combines an agent-based model with an equation-based model. In our analysis, we use three measures to compare the effects of different intervention strategies: the total number of model runs leading to an outbreak, the total number of infected agents, and the geographic spread of outbreaks.

Results

Our results show that closing down the schools in the town where an outbreak begins and the town with the highest in degree centrality provides the largest reduction in percent of runs leading to an outbreak as well as a reduction in the geographic spread of the outbreak compared to only closing down the town where the outbreak begins. Although closing down schools in the town with the closest proximity to the town where the outbreak begins also provides a reduction in the chance of an outbreak, we do not find the reduction to be as large as when the schools in the high in degree centrality town are closed.

Conclusions

Thus we believe that focusing on high in degree centrality towns during an outbreak is important in reducing the overall size of an outbreak.