bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ileocolic Interposition as a Gastric Substitute in Patients with Total Gastrectomy; Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Soltani Ehsan , Mahmoudzadeh Habibollah , Omranipour Ramesh
Published: January 2021

Background: The standard method for reconstruction after total gastrectomy is Roux-en-Y reconstruction, which has several negative points such as malabsorption. The most important reasons for weight loss in these patients are reserval insufficiency and reduction of food-digestive juice blending. We suggest that the creation of a food reserve with a natural conduit by ileocolic interposition may help the patient to have more normal diet habits and prevent severe weight loss. Methods: The study enrolled 8 patients with proximal gastric cancer, who underwent total gastrectomy with omentectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy. Then, the ileocolic segment with its vasculature was prepared and the anastomosis was done like right colon interposition between esophagus and duodenum. Intraoperative and postoperative events and also nutritional conditions were recorded. Results: Among 8 patients enrolled in the study, not an intraoperative bad event nor anastomotic site leakage, abscess formation, or other significant post-operative complication were seen. Except for the first two patients, the rest did not suffer from dysphagia. None of the patients suffered from delayed, chronic, or uncontrolled vomiting. All patients experienced weight loss postoperatively but after 2 months, they gained weight. Barium examination and also upper endoscopy revealed that the patients had normal reserval volume, no evidence of erosion or ulceration, no evidence of biliary esophagitis or reflux, and absence of tumor relapse. Conclusions: Because of the nutritional benefits of ileocolic interposition after total gastrectomy in gastric cancer treatment, it can be used as an acceptable alternative method of reconstruction in a subgroup of selected patients.
Glioblastoma Break-in; Try Something New
Authors: Bogoyavlenskaya Tatyana Alexandrovna , Tyagunova Ekaterina Evgenyevna , Kostin Roman Konstantinovich , Zaharov Alexander Sergeevich , Vasil'ev Yuriy Leonidovich , Kytko Olesya Vasilevna
Published: January 2021

Context: Glioblastoma is the most invasive brain tumor with a poor prognosis and rapid progression. The standard therapy (surgical resection, adjuvant chemotherapy, and radiotherapy) ensures survival only up to 18 months. In this article, we focus on innovative types of radiotherapy, various combinations of temozolomide with novel substances, and methods of their administration and vector delivery to tumor cells. Evidence Acquisition: For a detailed study of the various options for chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Elsevier, NCBI MedLine, Scopus, Google Scholar, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Global Health, CyberLeninka, and RSCI databases were analyzed. Results: The most available method is oral or intravenous administration of temozolomide. More efficient is the combined chemotherapy of temozolomide with innovative drugs and substances such as lomustine, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and chloroquine, as well as olaparib. These combinations improve patient survival and are effective in the treatment of resistant tumors. Compared to standard fractionated radiotherapy (60 Gy, 30 fractions, 6 weeks), hypofractionated is more effective for elderly patients due to lack of toxicity; brachytherapy reduces the risk of glioblastoma recurrence, while radiosurgery with bevacizumab is more effective against recurrent or inoperable tumors. Currently, the most effective treatment is considered to be the intranasal administration of anti-Ephrin A3 (anti-EPHA3)-modified containing temozolomide butyl ester-loaded (TBE-loaded) poly lactide-co-glycolide nanoparticles (P-NPs) coated with N-trimethylated chitosan (TMC) to overcome nasociliary clearance. Conclusions: New radiotherapeutic methods significantly increase the survival rates of glioblastoma patients. With some improvement, it may lead to the elimination of all tumor cells leaving the healthy alive. New chemotherapeutic drugs show impressive results with adjuvant temozolomide. Anti-EPHA3-modified TBE-loaded P-NPs coated with TMC have high absorption specificity and kill glioblastoma cells effectively. A new “step forward” may become a medicine of the future, which reduces the specific accumulation of nanoparticles in the lungs, but simultaneously does not affect specific absorption by tumor cells.
Nosocomial Infection Surveillance in Neonatal Intensive Care Units of Bahrami Children’s Hospital
Authors: Kajiyazdi Mohammad , Dasdar Shayan , Kianfar Nika , Kaveh Mahbod
Published: January 2021

Background: Nosocomial Infection (NI) is one of the leading causes of short- and long-term morbidity and mortality among neonates, especially in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of NIs and associated factors. Methods: From March 2017 to September 2018, all the neonates who were admitted to the NICUs of Bahrami Children’s Hospital were enrolled. Nosocomial infections were identified based on the definition of CDC-NNIS. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of the patients were extracted from the medical records. Results: A total of 979 neonates were admitted to the NICU, of whom 60 were diagnosed with NI. The incidence of NI was 6.1 per 100 hospitalized patients. The most prevalent NI was bloodstream infection (30%), followed by pneumonia (21.7%). The most frequent presentations were respiratory distress (31.7%) and poor feeding (26.7%). Major pathogens were Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (25.7%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (25.7%). The mean hospital stay was 25.2 ± 20.89 days. The mortality rate of patients with NI was 16.7%. The factors associated with an increased risk of mortality among patients with NI were a lack of ventilation support, low birth weight, and WBCs with an abnormal range. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that the incidence of NI was high, and the cultures collected from body fluids had a particular role in the diagnosis and treatment of NI. Standard infection control practices should be applied to reduce the incidence of NI and subsequent morbidity and mortality.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Children With COVID-19: Evidence From West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia
Authors: Indriyani Sang Ayu Kompiyang , Dewi Nurhandini Eka , Kartasasmita Cissy B
Published: January 2021

Background: Globally, COVID-19 is less prevalent in children than adults. However, in Indonesia, the number of infected children have been increasing rapidly. Objectives: To describe characteristics and outcomes of children with COVID-19 in West-Nusa-Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed registries of children with confirmed COVID-19 collected by the Indonesian-Pediatric-Society, West-Nusa-Tenggara. Children diagnosed with COVID-19 by RT-PCR from March 2 to July 12, 2020, were included in the analysis. Results: Of 146 COVID-19-confirmed subjects, 47.9% were symptomatic, 45.2% were aged < 5 years old, 58.2% were male, 54.8% had a history of COVID-19 contact, and 2.7% (n = 4) died. Asymptomatic subjects had older median age (P < 0.01), longer median duration of RT-PCR conversion (P < 0.01) than symptomatic children and 88.2% had a history of COVID-19 contact. Forty-eight (out of 55 hospitalized symptomatic subjects or 87%) were < 5 years old, had younger median age (P < 0.01), and 4 (7.3%) had a history of COVID-19 contact. They also had higher respiratory rate and body temperature (P < 0.01), lower oxygen saturation (P < 0.01), higher white-blood-cell counts (P = 0.01), and lower hemoglobin levels (P = 0.015) compared to the non-hospitalized symptomatic subjects. Forty-three (78%) hospitalized subjects were in severe and critical condition, 49 (89%) were pneumonia, and 28 (51%) had bilateral infiltrates on chest X-ray. All registered deaths were due to acute-respiratory-distress-syndrome. Besides, all deaths were in hospitals without a pediatric-intensive-care-unit. Conclusions: In the present study, we identified both asymptomatic and symptomatic COVID-19 infected children. Most symptomatic COVID-19 cases were in children < 5 years old, presented with severe pneumonia, and few of them had a history of COVID-19 contact.
Change-point detection and trend analysis in monthly, seasonal and annual air temperature and precipitation series in Bartın province in the western Black Sea region of Turkey
Authors: Yaman Barbaros , Ertuğrul Mertol
Published: January 2021

Studies associated with climate change and variability are of great importance at both the global and local scale in the global climate crisis. In this study, change-point detection and trend analysis were carried out on mean, maximum, minimum air temperatures and total precipitation based on monthly, seasonal and annual scale in Bartın province located in the western Black Sea Region of Turkey. For this aim, 4-different homogenei-ty tests (von Neumann test, Pettitt test, Buishand range test and standard normal homogeneity test) for change-point detection, Modified Mann–Kendall test and Şen’s innovative trend test for trend analysis, and Sen’s slope test for the magnitude estimation of trends were used. According to the test results, the summer temperatures in particular show increasing trends at the 0.001 significance level. Mean maximum temperature in August, mean minimum temperature in June and August, and mean temperature in July and August are in increasing trend at the 0.001 significance level. Over a 51 year period (1965–2015) in Bartın province, the highest rate of change per decade in air temperatures is in August (0.55°C for Tmax, 0.46°C for Tmin and 0.43°C for Tmean) based on Sen’s slope. However, the study showed that apart from October precipitation, there is no significant trend in monthly, seasonal and annual precipitation in Bartın. Increasing trends in mentioned climate variables are also visually very clear and strong in Şen’s innovative trend method, and they comply with the statistical results. As a result, the study revealed some evidence that temperatures will increase in the future in Bartın and its environs.
A supervised scheme for aspect extraction in sentiment analysis using the hybrid feature set of word dependency relations and lemmas
Authors: Bhamare Bhavana R. , Prabhu Jeyanthi
Published: February 2021

Due to the massive progression of the Web, people post their reviews for any product, movies and places they visit on social media. The reviews available on social media are helpful to customers as well as the product owners to evaluate their products based on different reviews. Analyzing structured data is easy as compared to unstructured data. The reviews are available in an unstructured format. Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis mines the aspects of a product from the reviews and further determines sentiment for each aspect. In this work, two methods for aspect extraction are proposed. The datasets used for this work are SemEval restaurant review dataset, Yelp and Kaggle datasets. In the first method a multivariate filter-based approach for feature selection is proposed. This method support to select significant features and reduces redundancy among selected features. It shows improvement in F1-score compared to a method that uses only relevant features selected using Term Frequency weight. In another method, selective dependency relations are used to extract features. This is done using Stanford NLP parser. The results gained using features extracted by selective dependency rules are better as compared to features extracted by using all dependency rules. In the hybrid approach, both lemma features and selective dependency relation based features are extracted. Using the hybrid feature set, 94.78% accuracy and 85.24% F1-score is achieved in the aspect category prediction task.
Serum BDNF levels and the antidepressant effects of electroconvulsive therapy with ketamine anaesthesia: a preliminary study
Authors: Zheng Wei , Cen Qiaomei , Nie Sha , Li Minyi , Zeng Rong , Zhou Sumiao , Cai Dongbin , Jiang Miaoling , Huang Xiong
Published: February 2021

Objective

To firstly examine the relationship between serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and antidepressant response to ketamine as an anaesthesia in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in Chinese patients with treatment-refractory depression (TRD).

Methods

Thirty patients with TRD were enrolled and underwent eight ECT sessions with ketamine anaesthesia (0.8 mg/kg) alone. Depression severity, response and remission were evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to examine serum BDNF levels in patients with TRD at baseline and after the second, fourth and eighth ECT sessions. Baseline serum samples were also collected for 30 healthy controls.

Results

No significant differences were observed in serum BDNF levels between patients with TRD and healthy controls at baseline (p > 0.05). The remission rate was 76.7% (23/30) after the last ECT treatment, although all patients with TRD obtained antidepressant response criteria. Serum BDNF levels were not altered compared to baseline, even between remitters and nonremitters (all p > 0.05), despite the significant reduction in HAMD-17 and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores after ECT with ketamine anaesthesia (all p < 0.05). The antidepressant effects of ECT with ketamine anaesthesia were not correlated with changes in serum BDNF levels (all p > 0.05).

Conclusion

This preliminary study indicated that serum BDNF levels do not appear to be a reliable biomarker to determine the antidepressant effects of ketamine as an anaesthesia in ECT for patients with TRD. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm these findings.
What are the limits on whale ear bone size? Non-isometric scaling of the cetacean bulla
Authors: Groves Sabrina L. , Peredo Carlos Mauricio , Pyenson Nicholas D.
Published: February 2021

The history of cetaceans demonstrates dramatic macroevolutionary changes that have aided their transformation from terrestrial to obligate aquatic mammals. Their fossil record shows extensive anatomical modifications that facilitate life in a marine environment. To better understand the constraints on this transition, we examined the physical dimensions of the bony auditory complex, in relation to body size, for both living and extinct cetaceans. We compared the dimensions of the tympanic bulla, a conch-shaped ear bone unique to cetaceans, with bizygomatic width—a proxy for cetacean body size. Our results demonstrate that cetacean ears scale non-isometrically with body size, with about 70% of variation explained by increases in bizygomatic width. Our results, which encompass the breadth of the whale fossil record, size diversity, and taxonomic distribution, suggest that functional auditory capacity is constrained by congruent factors related to cranial morphology, as opposed to allometrically scaling with body size.
Лауреаты Нобелевской премии 2020 года По физике — Роджер Пенроуз, Райнхард Генцель и Андреа Гез, "Природа"
Authors: Постнов К.А. , ЧЕРЕПАЩУК А.М.
Published: February 2021

Второй год подряд самая престижная Нобелевская премия по физике присуждается за теоретические исследования в области гравитации и космологии и высококлассные астрономические наблюдения. В 2019 г. — Дж.Пиблзу за теоретические исследования в области физической космологии и астрономам М.Майору и Д.Кело за открытие экзопланеты вокруг звезды солнечного типа. В 2020 г. — математику Р.Пенроузу «за открытие, что образование черных дыр является надежным предсказанием общей теории относительности» и опять же астрономам Р.Генцелю и А.Гез — «за открытие компактного сверхмассивного объекта в центре нашей Галактики».
НОВЫЕ ДАННЫЕ О РАСПРОСТРАНЕНИИ MYA ARENARIA LINNAEUS, 1758 В ТАГАНРОГСКОМ ЗАЛИВЕ АЗОВСКОГО МОРЯ, "Наука Юга России"
Authors: Савикин А.И.
Published: February 2021

Бореальный моллюск Mya arenaria Linnaeus, 1758 акклиматизировался в Азовском море в 1977 г. и встречается повсеместно на песчаных и илистых грунтах. До 2005 г. в Таганрогском заливе вид отмечался в самой западной части, образуя небольшие скопления с невысокой биомассой. С 2005 по 2016 г. в этой части акватории не фиксировался. Из-за ежегодного увеличения солености водоема с 2016 г. началось распространение вида на восток. В начале экспансии M. arenaria регистрировался только в районе косы Долгая с биомассой 2,6 г/м, а к 2019 г. встречался практически повсеместно до косы Кривая с биомассой до 756 г/м.
ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ МЕТОДИКИ СТРУКТУРИРОВАННОГО ИНТЕРАКТИВНОГО ОПРОСА В ДИНАМИЧЕСКОМ НАБЛЮДЕНИИ И ДИФФЕРЕНЦИАЛЬНОЙ ДИАГНОСТИКЕ БРОНХООБСТРУКТИВНЫХ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЙ И ВНЕБОЛЬНИЧНОЙ ПНЕВМОНИИ, "Вестник Центрального научно-исследовательского института туберкулеза"
Authors: Шубин И.В. , Мишланов В.Ю. , Кошурникова Е.П.
Published: February 2021

Цель исследования – применение интерактивного опроса с помощью респираторного модуля интерактивного автоматизированного вопросника «Электронная поликлиника» для дифференциальной диагностики и динамического наблюдения больных хронической обструктивной болезнью легких (ХОБЛ), бронхиальной астмой (БА) и внебольничной пневмонией (ВП) в условиях удаленного доступа. Материалом исследования явились 219 человек (30 пациентов с тяжелым течением ХОБЛ, 28 пациентов с тяжелым течением БА, 41 пациент с ВП и 120 практически здоровых лиц), прошедшие интерактивное анкетирование респираторного модуля компьютерной программы «Электронная поликлиника». Статистический анализ полученных результатов проводился с использованием программного пакета Statistica 10.0. По результатам автоматизированного заключения компьютерной программы «Электронная поликлиника», у пациентов с ВП были выявлены следующие синдромы: легочно-плевральный, синдром лихорадки, дыхательной недостаточности и бронхитический. Для пациентов с БА специфичными оказались атопический и бронхообструктивный синдромы. Для пациентов с ХОБЛ – бронхообструктивный, бронхитический и синдром дыхательной недостаточности. Детализация выявленных симптомов кашля и одышки привела к составлению характерных паттернов БА, ХОБЛ и ВП, которые в сочетании с синдромным диагнозом можно применять для диагностики, дифференциальной диагностики и качественного наблюдения за течением и контролем заболевания. Применение интерактивного анкетирования в условиях удаленного доступа позволяет проводить динамическое наблюдение за выраженностью симптомов, что способствует своевременному выполнению необходимых диагностических исследований и коррекции терапии, а значит, улучшению прогноза и качества жизни пациентов.
The fauna fights back: invasive Cane Toads killed by native centipedes in tropical Australia
Authors: Pomeroy John , Brown Gregory P. , Webb Grahame J. W. , Shine Richard
Published: February 2021

We report two cases of Cane Toads Rhinella marina being killed by Australasian Giant Centipedes Ethmostigmus rubripes in the Northern Territory. At 1730 h on 12 November 2020, a centipede was found attacking a subadult Cane Toad near Larrimah, Northern Territory. At 2015 h on 26 April 2005, near Humpty Doo, a centipede that was seized by a subadult Cane Toad retaliated and killed its attacker (but did not consume it). These observations reinforce the fact that, contrary to popular opinion, Cane Toads are vulnerable to many species of native predators in Australia.
A CASE SERIES ON SCRUB TYPHUS
Authors: Moideen Shamsudeen , Thoyyib MK Muhammed , Haris Fathima Zerin , Sunny Anjala , VP Neetha
Published: January 2021

Scrub typhus is a rickettsial disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. It is transmitted to humans via infected chiggers (larva of trombiculid mite). Eschar is a characteristic feature for the diagnosis of scrub typhus and other mite or tick-borne rickettsiosis. Immunofluorescence Antibody (IFA) test is the gold standard for the diagnosis, and doxycycline is the drug of choice for treatment of scrub typhus. We present a case series of scrub typhus in three patients from South India. All three patients presented with high grade fever and IgM scrub typhus was positive status in all cases. Doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 7 days along with supportive care was effective in all the cases. Serum creatinine levels dropped to normal and renal status of all patients improved well with antimicrobial treatment. Early diagnosis of the infection is necessary as the disease as it can have multiple system involvement and serious complications.
Health and Nutritional Qualities of Drinks Produced in the Beninese Brewery Company and Those Sold on the Benin Market
Authors: Tchekessi Célestin K. C. , Banon Jultesse S. B. , Fagbohoun Arthur , Aguenou Tchouaib , Bouraima Akim , Sachi Pivot S. A. , Bleoussi Roseline T. M. , Djogbe Anayce A. M. , Assogba Karl T. , Azokpota Paulin , Yaou Innocent P. Bokossa
Published: February 2021

Aims: This study aims to evaluate the microbiological, physicochemical and sensory qualities of beverages sold on the market in Benin.

Study Design:  The biological material used consisted mainly of beverage samples (126) collected at random from three wholesalers at the points of sale on two different occasions (regular period of 15 days) at the Dantokpa international market in Cotonou (Benin) in between April and September 2019.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted between April and December 2019 at the Food Safety Research, Laboratory of Microbiology and Food Technologies, Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.

Methodology: Microbiological, physicochemical and sensory qualities of samples were evaluated.

Results: The results of the microbiological analyzes revealed that all the drinks analyzed contained neither the total mesophilic aerobic flora, nor wild yeast, saccharomyces nor lactic bacteria. Therefore, the drinks are free from all pathogenic microorganisms that may harm the health of consumers. These products sold on the market complied with the criteria set by the standards and were therefore of satisfactory hygienic quality. However, the physicochemical parameters of the various drinks analyzed varied significantly from one brand to another. Results showed that the Nigerian Guinness produced contained more foam (287 s at 20 °C) and was rich in Diacetyl (0.119 mg / l) than the Benin Guinness (0.050 mg / l). As for the beer "La Béninoise", it produced more foam (220 s at 20 °C) than the Goldberg (209 s at 20 °C) but less than the Satzenbrau (250 s at 20 °C). The beer "La Béninoise" was less rich in Diacetyl (0.026 mg / l) and shown more than Goldberg (0.047 mg/l) and Satzenbrau (0.034 mg/l). As for the types of mixed drinks, it is the star Radler of Nigeria which presented a beautiful foam (235 s at 19.9 °C) with a cloudy aspect compared to the variegated one of Benin (227 s at 20.1 °C). Sensory analysis revealed that Beninese Brewery Company drinks were more appreciated by tasters.

Conclusion: In view of these results, all the beverages analyzed can be recommended to consumers because most of these drinks are of satisfactory quality and consistent with the standards.
Causes and Consequences of Geomagnetic Field Collapse
Authors: Herndon J. Marvin
Published: February 2021

Consequences of the next geomagnetic field collapse, concomitant with a magnetic polarity reversal or excursion, have been greatly underestimated as based upon a widely-accepted, but physically-impossible geoscience paradigm. The underlying causes of geomagnetic field collapse are inexplicable in that flawed paradigm wherein geomagnetic field production is assumed to be produced in the Earth’s fluid core. Here I review the causes and consequences of geomagnetic field collapse in terms of a new geoscience paradigm, called Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics, specifically focusing on nuclear fission georeactor generation of the geomagnetic field and the intimate connection between its energy production and the much greater stored energy of protoplanetary compression. The nuclear georeactor is subject to a staggering range and variety of potential instabilities. Yet, its natural self-control mechanism allows stable operation without geomagnetic reversals for times longer than 20 million years. Geomagnetic reversals and excursions occur when georeactor sub-shell convection is disrupted. Disrupted sub-shell convection can occur due to (1) major trauma to Earth such as an asteroid collision or (2) change in the charge particle flux from the sun or change in the ring current either of which can induce electrical current into the georeactor via the geomagnetic field causing ohmic-heating that can potentially disrupt sub-shell convection. Further, humans could deliberately or unintentionally disrupt sub-shell convection by disrupting the charge-particle environment across portions of the geomagnetic field by nuclear detonations or by heating the ionosphere with focused electromagnetic radiation. The use of electromagnetic pulse weapons is potentially far more devastating to humanity than previously imagined, and should be prohibited. During the next polarity reversal or excursion, increased volcanic activity may be expected in areas fed by georeactor heat, such as the East African Rift System, Hawaii, Iceland, and Yellowstone in the USA. One potentially great risk is triggering the eruption of the Yellowstone super-volcano.
Antimicrobial Chlorinated Carbazole Alkaloids from the Sponge‐Associated Actinomycete Streptomyces diacarniLHW51701
Authors: Cheng Yijia , Chen Nannan , Li Jing , Su Jun‐Cheng , Yang Jingya , Zhang Cui‐Xian , Lin Hou‐Wen , Zhou Yongjun
Published: January 2021

Main observation and conclusion

Four new chlorinated carbazole alkaloids, chlocarbazomycins (CCBs) A—D, were isolated from sponge associated bacterium Streptomyces diacarni LHW51701. Their structures were elucidated via spectroscopic techniques (including HRESIMS, 1D & 2D NMR), and X‐ray crystallographic analysis. Structurally, the 4‐chloro coupled with 3‐methoxyl substituents in the tricycle nucleus of CCBs A—D and the N‐methoxyl group of CCB‐D are rare in naturally occurred tricyclic carbazole alkaloids. Moreover, CCBs A—D do not bear the typical C1 para‐alkyl and C2 meta‐methyl side chains of bacterial tricycle carbazoles, suggesting a novel mechanism of aromatic ring formation in biosynthesis. The biological evaluation showed that CCB‐C possessed inhibitory activities against pathogenic microorganisms including methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Mycobacterium smegmatis, Bacillus mycoides, and Candida albicans.
A modified backward integration method for optimal control problems with degenerate equilibrium points
Authors: Fortuny Ayuso Pedro , Bayón Luis , Grau José María , Ruiz Maria del Mar , Suárez Pedro Maria
Published: January 2021

We present a new numerical indirect method to solve optimal control problems with degenerate equilibrium points. When the optimal control problem is autonomous, the corresponding canonical system becomes an autonomous system of ordinary differential equations. Combining the well‐known blow‐up technique of vector fields with the classic backward integration method, and focusing on a specific type of degenerate singular points, we develop a new method that is both easy to implement and able to deal with complex problems.
Point process models for sweat gland activation observed with noise
Authors: Kuronen Mikko , Myllymäki Mari , Loavenbruck Adam , Särkkä Aila
Published: January 2021

The aim of this article is to construct spatial models for the activation of sweat glands for healthy subjects and subjects suffering from peripheral neuropathy by using videos of sweating recorded from the subjects. The sweat patterns are regarded as realizations of spatial point processes and two point process models for the sweat gland activation and two methods for inference are proposed. Several image analysis steps are needed to extract the point patterns from the videos and some incorrectly identified sweat gland locations may be present in the data. To take into account the errors, we either include an error term in the point process model or use an estimation procedure that is robust with respect to the errors.
Exosome therapeutics for COVID‐19 and respiratory viruses
Authors: Popowski Kristen D. , Dinh Phuong‐Uyen C. , George Arianna , Lutz Halle , Cheng Ke
Published: January 2021

Respiratory viral diseases are a leading cause of mortality in humans. They have proven to drive pandemic risk due to their complex transmission factors and viral evolution. However, the slow production of effective antiviral drugs and vaccines allows for outbreaks of these diseases, emphasizing a critical need for refined antiviral therapeutics. The delivery of exosomes, a naturally secreted extracellular vesicle, yields therapeutic effects for a variety of diseases, including viral infection. Exosomes and viruses utilize similar endosomal sorting pathways and mechanisms, providing exosomes with the potential to serve as a therapeutic that can target, bind, and suppress cellular uptake of various viruses including the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Here, we review the relationship between exosomes and respiratory viruses, describe potential exosome therapeutics for viral infections, and summarize progress toward clinical translation for lung‐derived exosome therapeutics.
Respect for the journey: a survivor-led investigation of undergoing psychotherapy assessment
Authors: Faulkner Alison , Kelly Katie , Gibson Sarah , Gillard Steve , Samuels Lana , Sweeney Angela
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Psychotherapy assessments are key decision points for both clients and services, carrying considerable weight on both sides. Limited research indicates that assessments have immediate and long-term impacts on clients, particularly where trauma has been experienced, affecting engagement with therapy. Understanding assessments from clients’ perspectives can inform service development and improve client experience.

Methods

This is a survivor-led exploration of clients’ experiences of undergoing assessment for talking therapies. Interviews were conducted with seven people who had undergone assessment for psychological therapies in third sector and NHS services. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically.

Results

The core theme was ‘respect for the journey’ reflecting the need expressed by participants for their life experiences prior to the assessment to be given full respect and consideration. Six sub-themes were identified: trauma and desperation, fear of judgement, search for trust and safety, sharing and withholding (a balancing act), feeling deconstructed, and finding hope.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the heightened emotional power surrounding psychotherapy assessments, reflecting the journey participants had undertaken to reach this point. The dilemma facing clients at the heart of an assessment—how much to share and how much to withhold—demonstrates the importance for services and assessors of treating the journey a client has made to the assessment with care and respect. Findings indicate the value of services and practitioners undertaking a trauma-informed approach to assessment encounters.
A high tibial slope, allograft use, and poor patient-reported outcome scores are associated with multiple ACL graft failures
Authors: Winkler Philipp W. , Wagala Nyaluma N. , Hughes Jonathan D. , Lesniak Bryson P. , Musahl Volker
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To compare clinical outcomes, radiographic characteristics, and surgical factors between patients with single and multiple anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft failures. It was hypothesized that patients experiencing multiple ACL graft failures exhibit lower patient-reported outcome scores (PROs) and a higher (steeper) posterior tibial slope (PTS) than patients with single ACL graft failure.

Methods

Patients undergoing revision ACL reconstruction with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were included in this retrospective cohort study. Based on the number of ACL graft failures, patients were assigned either to the group “single ACL graft failure “or” multiple ACL graft failures “. The PTS was measured on strict lateral radiographs. Validated PROs including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee form, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Lysholm Score, Tegner Activity Scale, ACL-Return to Sport after Injury Scale, and Visual Analogue Scale for pain were collected.

Results

Overall, 102 patients were included with 58 patients assigned to the single ACL graft failure group and 44 patients to the multiple ACL graft failures group. Quadriceps tendon autograft was used significantly more often (55% vs. 11%, p < 0.001) and allografts were used significantly less often (31% vs. 66%, p < 0.001) as the graft for first revision ACL reconstruction in patients with single versus multiple ACL graft failures. Patients with multiple ACL graft failures were associated with statistically significantly worse PROs (IKDC: 61.7 ± 19.3 vs. 77.4 ± 16.8, p < 0.05; Tegner Activity Scale: 4 (range, 0–7) vs. 6 (range 2–10), p < 0.05), higher PTS (12 ± 3° vs. 9 ± 3°, p < 0.001), and higher rates of subsequent surgery (73% vs. 14%, p < 0.001) and complications (45% vs. 17%, p < 0.05) than patients with single ACL graft failure.

Conclusion

Compared to single ACL graft failure in this study multiple ACL graft failures were associated with worse PROs, higher PTS, and allograft use. During the first revision ACL reconstruction, it is recommended to avoid the use of allografts and to consider slope-reducing osteotomies to avoid multiple ACL graft failures and improve PROs.

Level of evidence

Level 3.
Harmonisation of PET/CT contrast recovery performance for brain studies
Authors: Verwer E. E. , Golla S. S. V. , Kaalep A. , Lubberink M. , van Velden F. H. P. , Bettinardi V. , Yaqub M. , Sera T. , Rijnsdorp S. , Lammertsma A. A. , Boellaard R.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

In order to achieve comparability of image quality, harmonisation of PET system performance is imperative. In this study, prototype harmonisation criteria for PET brain studies were developed.

Methods

Twelve clinical PET/CT systems (4 GE, 4 Philips, 4 Siemens, including SiPM-based “digital” systems) were used to acquire 30-min PET scans of a Hoffman 3D Brain phantom filled with ~ 33 kBq·mL−1 [18F]FDG. Scan data were reconstructed using various reconstruction settings. The images were rigidly coregistered to a template (voxel size 1.17 × 1.17 × 2.00 mm3) onto which several volumes of interest (VOIs) were defined. Recovery coefficients (RC) and grey matter to white matter ratios (GMWMr) were derived for eroded (denoted in the text by subscript e) and non-eroded grey (GM) and white (WM) matter VOIs as well as a mid-phantom cold spot (VOIcold) and VOIs from the Hammers atlas. In addition, left-right hemisphere differences and voxel-by-voxel differences compared to a reference image were assessed.

Results

Systematic differences were observed for reconstructions with and without point-spread-function modelling (PSFON and PSFOFF, respectively). Normalising to image-derived activity, upper and lower limits ensuring image comparability were as follows: for PSFON, RCGMe = [0.97–1.01] and GMWMre = [3.51–3.91] for eroded VOI and RCGM = [0.78–0.83] and GMWMr = [1.77–2.06] for non-eroded VOI, and for PSFOFF, RCGMe = [0.92–0.99] and GMWMre = [3.14–3.68] for eroded VOI and RCGM = [0.75–0.81] and GMWMr = [1.72–1.95] for non-eroded VOI.

Conclusions

To achieve inter-scanner comparability, we propose selecting reconstruction settings based on RCGMe and GMWMre as specified in “Results”. These proposed standards should be tested prospectively to validate and/or refine the harmonisation criteria.
Assessment of Surgical Care Provided in National Health Services Hospitals in Mozambique: The Importance of Subnational Metrics in Global Surgery
Authors: Cossa Matchecane , Rose John , Berndtson Allison E. , Noormahomed Emilia , Bickler Stephen W.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Surgery plays a critical role in sustainable healthcare systems. Validated metrics exist to guide implementation of surgical services, but low‐income countries (LIC) struggle to report recommended metrics and this poses a critical barrier to addressing unmet need. We present a comprehensive national sample of surgical encounters from a LIC by assessing the National Health Services of Mozambique.

Material and methods

A prospective cohort of all surgical encounters from Mozambique's National Health Service was gathered for all provinces between July and December 2015. Primary outcomes were timely access, provider densities for surgery, anesthesiology, and obstetrics (SAO) per 100,000 population, annualized surgical procedure volume per 100,000, and postoperative mortality (POMR). Secondary outcomes include operating room density and efficiency.

Results

Fifty‐four hospitals had surgical capacity in 11 provinces with 47,189 surgeries. 44.9% of Mozambique's population lives in Districts without access to surgical services. National SAO density was 1.2/100,000, ranging from 0.4/100,000 in Manica Province to 9.8/100,000 in Maputo City. Annualized national surgical case volume was 367 procedures/100,000 population, ranging from 180/100,000 in Zambezia Province to 1,897/100,000 in Maputo City. National POMR was 0.74% and ranged from 0.23% in Maputo Province to 1.78% in Niassa Province.

Discussion

Surgical delivery in Mozambique falls short of international targets. Subnational deficiencies and variations between provinces pose targets for quality improvement in advancing national surgical plans. This serves as a template for LICs to follow in gathering surgical metrics for the WHO and the World Bank and offers short‐ and long‐term targets for surgery as a component of health systems strengthening.
Outcomes of Incisional Hernia Repair Surgery After Multiple Re‐recurrences: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis
Authors: Sneiders Dimitri , de Smet Gijs H. J. , Hartog Floris den , Yurtkap Yagmur , Menon Anand G. , Jeekel Johannes , Kleinrensink Gert‐Jan , Lange Johan F. , Gillion Jean‐François
Published: January 2021

Background

Patients with a re‐recurrent hernia may account for up to 20% of all incisional hernia (IH) patients. IH repair in this population may be complex due to an altered anatomical and biological situation as a result of previous procedures and outcomes of IH repair in this population have not been thoroughly assessed. This study aims to assess outcomes of IH repair by dedicated hernia surgeons in patients who have already had two or more re‐recurrences.

Methods

A propensity score matched analysis was performed using a registry‐based, prospective cohort. Patients who underwent IH repair after ≥ 2 re‐recurrences operated between 2011 and 2018 and who fulfilled 1 year follow‐up visit were included. Patients with similar follow‐up who underwent primary IH repair were propensity score matched (1:3) and served as control group. Patient baseline characteristics, surgical and functional outcomes were analyzed and compared between both groups.

Results

Seventy‐three patients operated on after ≥ 2 IH re‐recurrences were matched to 219 patients undergoing primary IH repair. After propensity score matching, no significant differences in patient baseline characteristics were present between groups. The incidence of re‐recurrence was similar between groups (≥ 2 re‐recurrences: 25% versus control 24%, p = 0.811). The incidence of complications, as well as long‐term pain, was similar between both groups.

Conclusion

IH repair in patients who have experienced multiple re‐recurrences results in outcomes comparable to patients operated for a primary IH with a similar risk profile. Further surgery in patients who have already experienced multiple hernia re‐recurrences is justifiable when performed by a dedicated hernia surgeon.
Food in a colonial setting: the flora assemblage of a short-lived Seleucid-founded site in the Near East
Authors: Orendi Andrea , Lichtenberger Achim , Tal Oren
Published: January 2021

In this paper we present the analysis of archaeobotanical material retrieved by means of flotation from well-secured features during recent excavation work carried out in 2019 and 2020 by the German-Israeli Tell Iẓṭabba Excavation Project in the Seleucid-founded town of Nysa-Scythopolis. Founded under Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164 bce) and destroyed by the Hasmonaeans in the later years of John Hyrcanus (in 108/07 bce), the site offers a unique opportunity for observing the dietary habits of its settlers. The large sample size, namely the largest well-secured Seleucid assemblage ever analyzed in the southern Levant, together with its versatile provenance exhibit previously unknown information for the Hellenistic southern Levant vis-à-vis a unique case-study of high resolution systematic archaeobotanical analysis. The botanical assemblage from Tell Iẓṭabba gives a clearer picture of botanical dietary practices in Hellenistic Palestine. By presenting the archaeobotanical data of the published Hellenistic assemblages from the southern Levant, we offer a comprehensive overview of the agrarian resources cultivated and consumed as food at the time and period.
Congenital abdominal wall defects and cryptorchidism: a population-based study
Authors: Raitio Arimatias , Syvänen Johanna , Tauriainen Asta , Hyvärinen Anna , Sankilampi Ulla , Gissler Mika , Helenius Ilkka
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Several studies have reported high prevalence of undescended testis (UDT) among boys with congenital abdominal wall defects (AWD). Due to rarity of AWDs, however, true prevalence of testicular maldescent among these boys is not known. We conducted a national register study to determine the prevalence of UDT among Finnish males with an AWD.

Methods

All male infants with either gastroschisis or omphalocele born between Jan 1, 1998 and Dec 31, 2015 were identified in the Register of Congenital Malformations. The data on all performed operations were acquired from the Care Register for Health Care. The register data were examined for relevant UDT diagnosis and operation codes.

Results

We identified 99 males with gastroschisis and 89 with omphalocele. UDT was diagnosed in 10 (10.1%) infants with gastroschisis and 22 (24.7%) with omphalocele. Majority of these required an operation; 8/99 (8.1%) gastroschisis and 19/89 (21.3%) omphalocele patients. UDT is more common among AWD patients than general population with the highest prevalence in omphalocele.

Conclusions

Cryptorchidism is more common among boys with an AWD than general population. Furthermore, omphalocele carries significantly higher risk of UDT and need for orchidopexy than gastroschisis. Due to high prevalence testicular maldescent, careful follow-up for UDT is recommended.
“Get with the Guidelines Heart Failure Risk Score” for mortality prediction in patients undergoing MitraClip
Authors: Iliadis Christos , Spieker Maximilian , Kavsur Refik , Metze Clemens , Hellmich Martin , Horn Patrick , Westenfeld Ralf , Tiyerili Vedat , Becher Marc Ulrich , Kelm Malte , Nickenig Georg , Baldus Stephan , Pfister Roman
Published: January 2021

Background

Reliable risk scores in patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TMVR) are lacking. Heart failure is common in these patients, and risk scores derived from heart failure populations might help stratify TMVR patients.

Methods

Consecutive patients from three Heart Centers undergoing TMVR were enrolled to investigate the association of the “Get with the Guidelines Heart Failure Risk Score” (comprising the variables systolic blood pressure, urea nitrogen, blood sodium, age, heart rate, race, history of chronic obstructive lung disease) with all-cause mortality.

Results

Among 815 patients with available data 177 patients died during a median follow-up time of 365 days. Estimated 1-year mortality by quartiles of the score (0–37; 38–42, 43–46 and more than 46 points) was 6%, 10%, 23% and 30%, respectively (p < 0.001), with good concordance between observed and predicted mortality rates (goodness of fit test p = 0.46). Every increase of one score point was associated with a 9% increase in the hazard of mortality (95% CI 1.06–1.11%, p < 0.001). The score was associated with long-term mortality independently of left ventricular ejection fraction, NYHA class and NTproBNP, and was equally predictive in primary and secondary mitral regurgitation.

Conclusion

The “Get with the Guidelines Heart Failure Risk Score” showed a strong association with mortality in patients undergoing TMVR with additive information beyond traditional risk factors. Given the routinely available variables included in this score, application is easy and broadly possible.

Graphic abstract
Transcription factor ZmPLATZ2 positively regulate the starch synthesis in maize
Authors: Li Hui , Wang Yayun , Xiao Qianlin , Luo Li , Zhang Chunxia , Mao Changqing , Du Jia , Long Tiandan , Cao Yao , Yi Qiang , Wang Yongbin , Li Yangping , Huang Huanhuan , Liu Hanmei , Hu Yufeng , Yu Guowu , Liu Yinghong , Zhang Junjie , Huang Yubi
Published: January 2021

Maize is one of the three major crops worldwide based on its yield and quality. Starch is crucial to both the yield and quality of maize as it accounts more than 60% of the seed weight, and its structure influences the quality of the crop. Starch synthase I (SSI) contributes to the majority of the starch synthase activity in the maize endosperm. An in-depth understanding of the starch synthesis regulatory mechanism would provide opportunities for improving the yield and quality of maize. In this study, ZmPLATZ2, a plant AT-rich sequence and zinc-binding protein (PLATZ) transcription factor related to starch synthesis, was selected based on co-expression analysis. The semiquantitative RT-PCR and qRT-PCR assays revealed that ZmPLATZ2 had a high expression in the endosperm, and reached the peak at 12 days after pollination (DAP). Different treatments demonstrated that ZmPLATZ2 was downregulated by the presence of sucrose. Subsequent transactivation and subcellular localization analyses showed that ZmPLATZ2 was localized in the nuclei without transactivation. Yeast one-hybrid and transient expression in maize endosperm indicated that ZmPLATZ2 could bind to the promoters of ZmSSI, ZmISA1, and ZmISA2 and increase their gene expression. After ZmPLATZ2 overexpression in rice, four starch synthesis genes were significantly upregulated in the transgenic plant, including the OsSSI gene. In vitro DAP-seq data showed that ZmPLATZ2 could bind to the CAAAAAAA element. In conclusion, our data support that ZmPLATZ2 binds to the CAAAAAAA element in the ZmSSI promoter and mediates the Glu signal pathway.
How Gender Differences in Entitlement and Apprehension Manifest Themselves in Negotiation
Authors: Mozahem Najib A. , El Masri Moniat El Noufous K. , Najm Nazhat M. , Saleh Samah S.
Published: January 2021

The gender difference in the propensity to initiate negotiation has been theorized to be mediated by three constructs: recognition of opportunities, entitlement, and apprehension. This study seeks to investigate whether differences in feminine and masculine traits can be used to explain gender differences in the three predictors of the propensity to initiate negotiations. Data was collected from 350 surveys distributed in Lebanon. Items were used to measure the constructs masculinity and femininity, as well as the three predictors of the propensity to initiate negotiation, namely Recognition of opportunities, Entitlement, and Apprehension. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to assess the validity of the measures, while structural equation modeling was used to investigate the relationship between the personality traits and the three constructs. Results indicate that masculinity enhances entitlement, which in turn leads to higher levels of negotiation while femininity enhances apprehension, which in turn leads to lower levels of negotiation. Both masculine and feminine traits were found to be positively related to the recognition of opportunities.