bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delayed Splenic Rupture After a Percutaneous Transsplenic Approach to Treat Portal Vein Occlusion
Authors: Hwang Jung Han , Kim Jeong Ho , Park Suyoung , Lee Ki Hyun
Published: February 2021

Purpose:

To report a case of delayed splenic rupture after percutaneous transsplenic portal vein stent deployment.

Case Report:

A 72-year-old male patient presented at a medical center with abdominal pain and reduced liver function according to laboratory tests. Due to a history of right hemihepatectomy and left portal vein occlusion, the percutaneous transhepatic approach was considered inappropriate. Instead, percutaneous transsplenic access was selected as a suitable procedure for portal vein catheterization. Eight days following the procedure, the patient developed abdominal pain, and a computed tomography scan showed a small splenic pseudoaneurysm that was underappreciated at the time. Patient suffered acute splenic rupture 32 days post-procedure. Subsequent embolization was performed, achieving complete hemostasis.

Conclusion:

The transsplenic approach should be considered when the transhepatic or transjugular approach is unfeasible or difficult to implement. A careful plugging of the puncture tract is necessary to prevent or minimize hemorrhage from the splenic access tract. In addition, careful serial follow-up computed tomography should be used to evaluate the splenic puncture tract.
Effect of Pre-Procedure Clopidogrel With Iliac Vein Stenting in Non-Thrombotic Vein Lesions
Authors: Kibrik Pavel , Arustamyan Michael , Alsheekh Ahmad , Ostrozhynskyy Yuriy , Rabinovich Vera , Marks Natalie , Hingorani Anil , Ascher Enrico
Published: February 2021

Objectives:

Iliac vein stenting is a relatively new procedure in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. Research has shown that it is a safe and effective form of treatment, however, one of the well-known risks is in-stent thrombosis. We hypothesize that a single 75 mg dose of Clopidogrel the night prior to the procedures along with a 3-month regimen post-op would decrease the 30-day thrombosis rate.

Methods:

A retrospective study was performed on 3,518 patients from September 2012 to August 2018 who received an iliofemoral stent. Patients were broken down into 2 main groups: those given Clopidogrel post-stent and those given Clopidogrel both pre- and post-stent. In our practice, we prescribe a 3-month course of Clopidogrel after iliac vein stenting. Patients were also checked for any anticoagulant medications pre- and/or post-stent. The 30-day thrombosis rates were recorded for each patient.

Results:

1,205 patients received Clopidogrel pre-procedurally and post-procedurally, 1,941 patients received Clopidogrel only post-procedurally. 372 patients were excluded from the study because they were on other anti-coagulant medications. Mean follow-up for this cohort was 17 months. 112 total patients developed some degree of 30 day in-stent thrombosis (3.6%). 74 patients developed a complete thrombosis of the stent and 38 developed a partial (≤60% occlusion) thrombosis. Of the 1,205 patients who were on clopidogrel pre-stenting, 28 had a complete thrombosis and 10 had a partial in-stent thrombosis. Of the 1,941 patients on Clopidogrel only post-stenting, 46 had a complete thrombosis and 28 had a partial in-stent thrombosis. Using the Chi-squared test, there were no statistically significant differences between the group of patients receiving Clopidogrel pre- and post-stent vs. just post-stent with respect to 30-day any degree of thrombosis rates (complete and partial thrombosis) (p = .33). Using the Chi-squared test, there were no statistically significant differences between the group of patients receiving Clopidogrel pre- and post-stent vs. just post-stent with respect to 30-day complete thrombosis rates (p = .93).

Conclusions:

There appears to be no statistical difference in 30-day thrombosis rates between those receiving Clopidogrel the night prior vs. those who do not receive Clopidogrel the night prior. Therefore, we conclude that it is not necessary to give this single dose the night prior to iliac vein stenting procedures.
Computational studies of the thermodynamic properties, and global and reactivity descriptors of fluorescein dye derivatives in acetonitrile using density functional theory
Authors: Juma Juma Mzume , Vuai Said AH
Published: February 2021

This work reports density functional theory calculations of the optimized geometries, molecular reactivity, energy gap, and thermodynamic properties of molecular dyes fluorescein (FS), fluorescein attached with methoxy (FSO), fluorescein attached with amine (FSA), fluorescein attached with methane (FSM), fluorescein attached with ethene (FSE), and fluorescein attached with thiophene (FST) using the hybrid functional B3LYP and 6-311G basis sets. When donating groups are attached to the molecular dye, the bond lengths are slightly decreased which is important for easy transfer of electron from donating to the accepting group. For all dyes, highest occupied molecular orbital/lowest occupied molecular orbital analysis results in positive outcomes upon electron injection to semiconductors and subsequent dye regeneration by the electrolyte. The ionization potential increases with increasing conjugation; therefore, the molecular dye attached to thiophene has the highest ionization potential. Meanwhile, a donating group with increased conjugation results in low electron affinity.
Supporting youth 12–24 during the COVID-19 pandemic: how Foundry is mobilizing to provide information, resources and hope across the province of British Columbia
Authors: Zenone Marco Antonio , Cianfrone Michelle , Sharma Rebecca , Majid Sanaa , Rakhra Jasmine , Cruz Kathryn , Costales Stefanie , Sekhon Monique , Mathias Steve , Tugwell Andrew , Barbic Skye
Published: February 2021

Foundry is a province-wide network of integrated health and social service centres for young people aged 12–24 in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Online resources and virtual care broaden Foundry’s reach. Its online platform – foundrybc.ca – offers information and resources on topics such as mental health, sexual wellness, life skills, and other content suggested by youth and young adults. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant and unique challenges to the youth and their families/caregivers served by Foundry. Disruptions to school, access to essential healthcare services such as counselling, familial financial security and related consequences has left young people with heightened anxiety. The Foundry team mobilized to respond to these extenuating circumstances and support BC youth and their families/caregivers during this hard time through three goals: (1) to amplify (and translate for young people and their families/caregivers) key messages released by government to support public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) to develop content that supports the needs of young people and their families/caregivers that existed before COVID-19 and are likely to be exacerbated as a result of this pandemic; and (3) to develop and host opportunities through social media and website articles to engage young people and their families/caregivers by creating a sense of community and promoting togetherness and social connection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each goal and plan integrated the leadership, feedback and needs of youth and their families through engagement with Foundry’s provincial youth and family advisory committees. Our study evaluated Foundry’s media response to the COVID-19 pandemic by recording/measuring (1) the website/social content created, including emerged thematic topic areas; (2) the process of topic identification through engagement with youth and young adults; (3) the social and website analytics of the created content; and (4) the constant, critical team-reflection of our response to the pandemic. Following measurement and reflection, our team offers recommendations to health promotion organizations for future preparedness.
When mandatory exercise at work meets employees’ rights to privacy and non-discrimination: a comparative and European perspective
Authors: Olsen Céline Brassart
Published: February 2021

In 2017, the municipality of Copenhagen made exercise mandatory for social workers performing physical tasks, such as lifting patients, cooking and cleaning. Private Danish companies have also started to impose exercise on their employees, including sedentary employees. Rationale behind mandatory exercise in the workplace is that it makes employees healthier and more productive, which is a win-win for employees and employers. However, mandatory exercise can put employees in a vulnerable position as employers potentially interfere with some of the fundamental rights of employees, namely their bodily autonomy and privacy. In addition, the increased emphasis on exercise at work and being ‘physically fit’ can indirectly lead to unlawful discrimination practices in recruitment, during employment, and at termination, as employers may exclude or sanction people who are not be able, or do not want, to exercise on various grounds, ranging from age, disability, pregnancy, religion, to health conditions. Therefore, this article examines the lawfulness of mandatory exercise at work in light of the fundamental rights of employees in two selected jurisdictions (Denmark and France), as well as under relevant European Union (EU) law, and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and related case law. Using a comparative and European perspective, the article examines the legality of mandatory exercise at work in the selected jurisdictions. It analyses and compares the level of protection of employees’ rights to privacy, autonomy and non-discrimination in France and Denmark. It also assesses whether mandatory exercise could qualify as an occupational health and safety measure in the selected jurisdictions. The article examines these questions in light of the increasing recognition and integration of fundamental rights in labour law at European, EU, and national levels. The article finds that the French and Danish labour laws offer different levels of protection of employees’ rights to autonomy, privacy and the right to non-discrimination. As a result, mandatory exercise would likely be deemed to be legal in Denmark, and illegal in France. However, the legality of mandatory exercise under Danish law could be challenged in light of the strong protection of employees’ fundamental rights at EU and European levels. The article concludes that rather than an obligation, exercise should be framed as a right for employees.
The somatosensory system in anorexia nervosa: A scoping review
Authors: Teaford Max , McMurray Matthew S. , Billock Vincent , Filipkowski Madison , Smart L. James
Published: February 2021

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder characterized by a number of symptoms including food restriction and body perception distortions. In the present scoping review, we outline the current literature on sensory submodalities related to the somatosensory system in AN including affective touch, haptic perception, interoception, nociception, proprioception, and tactile perception as well as multisensory integration. The evidence suggests that individuals with AN exhibit abnormalities in multisensory integration, discrimination (but not detection) of complex haptic and tactile stimuli, and reduced sensitivity to nociceptive stimuli. This review provides an outline of the current literature, identifies gaps within the literature, and suggests novel directions for future research.
Female breast cancer in New South Wales, Australia, by country of birth: implications for health-service delivery
Authors: Roder David , Zhao George W. , Challam Sheetal , Little Alana , Elder Elisabeth , Kostadinovska Gordana , Woodland Lisa , Currow David
Published: February 2021

Background

NSW has a multicultural population with increasing migration from South East Asia, the Western Pacific and Eastern Mediterranean.

Objective

To compare cancer stage, treatment (first 12 months) and survival for 12 country of birth (COB) categories recorded on the population-based NSW Cancer Registry.

Design

Historic cohort study of invasive breast cancers diagnosed in 2003–2016.

Patients

Data for 48,909 women (18+ ages) analysed using linked cancer registry, hospital inpatient and Medicare and pharmaceutical benefits claims data.

Measurement

Comparisons by COB using multivariate logistic regression and proportional hazards regression with follow-up of vital status to April 30th, 2020.

Results

Compared with the Australia-born, women born in China, the Philippines, Vietnam and Lebanon were younger at diagnosis, whereas those from the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Greece were older. Women born in China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Greece and Italy lived in less advantaged areas. Adjusted analyses indicated that: (1) stage at diagnosis was less localised for women born in Germany, Greece, Italy and Lebanon; (2) a lower proportion reported comorbidity for those born in China, the Philippines and Vietnam; (3) surgery type varied, with mastectomy more likely for women born in China, the Philippines and Vietnam, and less likely for women born in Italy, Greece and Lebanon; (4) radiotherapy was more likely where breast conserving surgery was more common (Greece, Italy, and Lebanon) and the United Kingdom; and (5) systemic drug therapy was less common for women born in China and Germany. Five-year survival in NSW was high by international standards and increasing. Adjusted analyses indicate that, compared with the Australian born, survival from death from cancer at 5 years from diagnosis was higher for women born in China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Italy, the United Kingdom and Greece.

Conclusions

There is diversity by COB of stage, treatment and survival. Reasons for survival differences may include cultural factors and healthier migrant populations with lower comorbidity, and potentially, less complete death recording in Australia if some women return to their birth countries for treatment and end-of-life care. More research is needed to explore the cultural and clinical factors that health services need to accommodate.
Beyond torture checklists: an exploratory study of the reliability and construct validity of the Torturing Environment Scale (TES)
Authors: Pérez-Sales Pau , González-Rubio Raquel , Mellor-Marsá Blanca , Martínez-Alés Gonzalo
Published: February 2021

Background

Torture methods have traditionally been quantified using checklists. However, checklists fail to capture accurately both the almost infinite range of available methods of torture and the victims’ subjective experience. The Torturing Environment Scale (TES) was designed as a multidimensional alternative that groups torture methods according to the specific human function under attack. This study aims to do an exploratory assessment of the internal consistency reliability and discriminatory validity of the TES as part of a construct validity assessment in a sample of Basque torture survivors.

Methods

We applied the TES to a sample of 201 torture survivors from the Istanbul Protocol Project in the Basque Country Study (IPP-BC) to profile torturing environments in detention. To estimate the internal consistency reliability of the scale, categorical omega values were obtained for each subscale of the TES. To assess its discriminatory validity, the “known groups” method was used comparing mean scorings by gender, state security forces involved in the detention, and decade (the 1980s to the present) when the events took place.

Results

Men reported more physical pain, while women reported more attacks on self-identity and sexual integrity. The TES also showed significant differences as regards the security forces involved in the detention: Civil Guard (a militarised police) used more manipulation of the environment, threats, fear, pain and extreme pain, as compared to national and regional corps. Finally, although patterns of torture remained mostly unchanged across decades, more recent detentions included more emphasis on psychological attacks: context manipulation, humiliation linked to sexual identity, and attacks to meaning and identity. For all subscales of the TES, categorical omega values ranged from 0.44 to 0.72.

Conclusion

The TES may be a useful tool in profiling torturing environments. Its sensitivity to key contextual variables supports the discriminatory validity of the scale. While some of the subscales showed an acceptable degree of internal consistency, others require further analysis to improve reliability. The scale provides unique insights into the profile of contemporary torture. It will allow for future quantitative research on the relationship between different torturing environments and the medical and psychological consequences thereof.
Uric acid‐induced pancreatic β-cell dysfunction
Authors: Ghasemi Asghar
Published: February 2021

Hyperuricemia is associated with insulin resistance, pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and consequently with development of type 2 diabetes. Although a direct relationship between high levels of uric acid (UA) and the development of diabetes is still a controversial issue, there is some evidence that strongly points to pancreatic β-cells damage as a result of high serum UA levels. Here, the mechanisms underlying UA-induced β-cell damage are discussed. Available literature indicates that UA can decrease glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and cause β-cell death. The mechanisms underlying these effects are UA-induced oxidative stress and inflammation within the β-cells. UA also stimulates inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) gene expression leading to NO-induced β-cell dysfunction. Thus hyperuricemia may potentially cause β-cell dysfunction, leading to diabetes. It may be hypothesized that in hyperuricemic subjects, UA-lowering drugs may be beneficial in preventing diabetes.
On a class of Hilbert-type inequalities in the whole plane related to exponent function
Authors: You Minghui
Published: February 2021

By introducing a kernel involving an exponent function with multiple parameters, we establish a new Hilbert-type inequality and its equivalent Hardy form. We also prove that the constant factors of the obtained inequalities are the best possible. Furthermore, by introducing the Bernoulli number, Euler number, and the partial fraction expansion of cotangent function and cosecant function, we get some special and interesting cases of the newly obtained inequality.
Structure of β-glucan from Tibetan hull-less barley and its in vitro fermentation by human gut microbiota
Authors: Nie Chenxi , Yan Xin , Xie Xiaoqing , Zhang Ziqi , Zhu Jiang , Wang Yangfan , Wang Xinlei , Xu Nan , Luo Yiwen , Sa Zhen , Li Xinyang , Liu Huicui , Tian Baoming , Ma Qingyu , Zhang Min , Chen Zhifei , Li Juxiu
Published: February 2021

Background

The influence of β-glucan on the human gut microbiota is closely related to the physicochemical structure of β-glucan. We purified a homogeneous water-soluble polysaccharide from Tibetan hull-less barley 25 and studied its structure and the in vitro fermentation profile.

Results

Analysis by gas chromatography (GC), Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force micrograph (AFM) helped determine the hull-less barley polysaccharide to be a β-glucan (molecular weight: 3.45 × 104 Da), which was further characterized as mixed-linkage (1 → 3)(1 → 4)-linked β-d-glucans. SEM images demonstrated an intricate web structure of the hull-less barley polysaccharide, while the AFM images revealed the presence of small spherical particles in its structure. In addition, the microbiota composition of the hull-less barley polysaccharide group was found to be altered, wherein the abundance of Pantoea, Megamonas, Bifidobacterium, and Prevotella-9 were increased. On the other hand, in vitro fermentation revealed that hull-less barley polysaccharide significantly decreased the pH value and increased the production of acetate, propionate, and butyrate.

Conclusions

Hull-less barley polysaccharide is a type of dietary fiber, and its analysis suggested that it may serve as a prebiotic food supplement for the regulation of the gut microbiota.
Genome-Wide Epigenetic Landscape of Lung Adenocarcinoma Links HOXB9 DNA Methylation to Intrinsic EGFR-TKI Resistance and Heterogeneous Responses
Authors: Su Sheng-Fang , Liu Chia-Hsin , Cheng Chiou-Ling , Ho Chao-Chi , Yang Tsung-Ying , Chen Kun-Chieh , Hsu Kuo-Hsuan , Tseng Jeng-Sen , Chen Huei-Wen , Chang Gee-Chen , Yu Sung-Liang , Li Ker-Chau
Published: February 2021

PURPOSE

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) show efficacy in treating patients with lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR-activating mutations. However, a significant subset of targeted patients fail to respond. Unlike acquired resistance (AR), intrinsic resistance (IR) remains poorly understood. We investigated whether epigenomic factors contribute to patient-to-patient heterogeneity in the EGFR-TKI response and aimed to characterize the IR subpopulation that obtains no benefit from EGFR-TKIs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of 79 tumors sampled from patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma before they received EGFR-TKI treatment and analyzed the patient responses. Pyrosequencing was performed in a validation cohort of 163 patients with EGFR-activating mutations.

RESULTS

A DNA methylation landscape of 216 CpG sites with differential methylation was established to elucidate the association of DNA methylation with the characteristics and EGFR-TKI response status of the patients. Functional analysis of 37 transcription-repressive sites identified the enrichment of transcription factors, notably homeobox ( HOX) genes. DNA methylation of HOXB9 (cg13643585) in the enhancer region yielded 88% sensitivity for predicting drug response (odds ratio [OR], 6.64; 95% CI, 1.98 to 25.23; P = .0009). Pyrosequencing validated that HOXB9 gained methylation in patients with a poor EGFR-TKI response (OR, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.13 to 8.19; P = .019).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that homeobox DNA methylation could be a novel tumor cellular state that can aid the precise categorization of tumor heterogeneity in the study of IR to EGFR-TKIs. We identified, for the first time, an epigenomic factor that can potentially complement DNA mutation status in discriminating patients with lung adenocarcinoma who are less likely to benefit from EGFR-TKI treatment, thereby leading to improved patient management in precision medicine.
Prediction of Adult Height by Machine Learning Technique
Authors: Shmoish Michael , German Alina , Devir Nurit , Hecht Anna , Butler Gary , Niklasson Aimon , Albertsson-Wikland Kerstin , Hochberg Ze’ev
Published: February 2021

Context

Prediction of AH is frequently undertaken in the clinical setting. The commonly used methods are based on the assessment of skeletal maturation. Predictive algorithms generated by machine learning, which can already automatically drive cars and recognize spoken language, are the keys to unlocking data that can precisely inform the pediatrician for real-time decision making.

Objective

To use machine learning (ML) to predict adult height (AH) based on growth measurements until age 6 years.

Methods

Growth data from 1596 subjects (798 boys) aged 0-20 years from the longitudinal GrowUp 1974 Gothenburg cohort were utilized to train multiple ML regressors. Of these, 100 were used for model comparison, the rest was used for 5-fold cross-validation. The winning model, random forest (RF), was first validated on 684 additional subjects from the 1974 cohort. It was additionally validated using 1890 subjects from the GrowUp 1990 Gothenburg cohort and 145 subjects from the Edinburgh Longitudinal Growth Study cohort.

Results

RF with 51 regression trees produced the most accurate predictions. The best predicting features were sex and height at age 3.4-6.0 years. Observed and predicted AHs were 173.9 ± 8.9 cm and 173.9 ± 7.7 cm, respectively, with prediction average error of –0.4 ± 4.0 cm. Validation of prediction for 684 GrowUp 1974 children showed prediction accuracy r = 0.87 between predicted and observed AH (R2 = 0.75). When validated on the 1990 Gothenburg and Edinburgh cohorts (completely unseen by the learned RF model), the prediction accuracy was r = 0.88 in both cases (R2 = 0.77). AH in short children was overpredicted and AH in tall children was underpredicted. Prediction absolute error correlated negatively with AH (P < .0001).

Conclusion

We show successful, validated ML of AH using growth measurements before age 6 years. The most important features for prediction were sex, and height at age 3.4-6.0. Prediction errors result in over- or underestimates of AH for short and tall subjects, respectively. Prediction by ML can be generalized to other cohorts.
The Dominican Educational and Social Contexts of Riccoldo of Monte Croce’s Pilgrimage Writing
Authors: Booth Philip
Published: February 2021

Riccoldo of Monte Croce (ca. 1243–1320), Dominican friar, missionary, and pilgrim, was an accomplished author, but nature of his written corpus has been disputed by scholarship. For some, he is a noted anti-Islamic polemicist. For others, he is a quasi-tolerant traveler in the East. Yet past attempts to understand Riccoldo’s corpus have taken little notice of the priory of Santa Maria Novella, Florence, where he spent most of his life. This article begins to rectify this omission and signals new ways to understand Riccoldo by drawing on the work of historians, philologists, and codicologists. It assesses Riccoldo’s relationship to Santa Maria Novella’s library and its books. It also traces some of Riccoldo’s social relationships, demonstrating how his positions as a lecturer and preacher and his social connections with individuals like Remigio de’ Girolami influenced his writings. Overall, this study reemphasizes the fact that without understanding social contexts we can never properly understand the intentions of pilgrim-authors.
Pilgrimage, Print, and Performance
Authors: Coneys Matthew
Published: February 2021

This article discusses three poems written in the early 1490s by the Florentine Giuliano Dati (1445–1524), a penitentiary priest at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran in Rome: the Stazione e indulgenze di Roma (1492–93), Tractato di Santo Ioanni Laterano (1492–94), and Aedificatio Romae (1494). Composed in the popular cantare verse form, which was strongly associated with public performance, these works are an unusual example of printed guides to Rome aimed specifically at an Italian audience. Situating Dati’s cantari within the broader culture of the Roman pilgrimage, the article assesses their relationship with established textual and performance traditions and considers the pastoral motivation behind their production. In doing so, it advocates for closer attention to the permeability between ephemeral print and performance in late medieval pilgrimage and devotional culture.
Dynamic properties of mitochondria during human corticogenesis
Authors: Baum Tierney , Gama Vivian
Published: February 2021

Mitochondria are signaling hubs responsible for the generation of energy through oxidative phosphorylation, the production of key metabolites that serve the bioenergetic and biosynthetic needs of the cell, calcium (Ca2+) buffering and the initiation/execution of apoptosis. The ability of mitochondria to coordinate this myriad of functions is achieved through the exquisite regulation of fundamental dynamic properties, including remodeling of the mitochondrial network via fission and fusion, motility and mitophagy. In this Review, we summarize the current understanding of the mechanisms by which these dynamic properties of the mitochondria support mitochondrial function, review their impact on human cortical development and highlight areas in need of further research.
EZH2 is required for parathyroid and thymic development through differentiation of the third pharyngeal pouch endoderm
Authors: Caprio Cinzia , Lania Gabriella , Bilio Marchesa , Ferrentino Rosa , Chen Li , Baldini Antonio
Published: February 2021

The Ezh2 gene encodes a histone methyltransferase of the polycomb repressive complex 2 that methylates histone H3 lysine 27. In this study, we investigated whether EZH2 has a role in the development of the pharyngeal apparatus and whether it regulates the expression of the Tbx1 gene, which encodes a key transcription factor required in pharyngeal development. To these ends, we performed genetic in vivo experiments with mouse embryos and used mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC)-based protocols to probe endoderm and cardiogenic mesoderm differentiation. Results showed that EZH2 occupies the Tbx1 gene locus in mouse embryos, and that suppression of EZH2 was associated with reduced expression of Tbx1 in differentiated mouse ESCs. Conditional deletion of Ezh2 in the Tbx1 expression domain, which includes the pharyngeal endoderm, did not cause cardiac defects but revealed that the gene has an important role in the morphogenesis of the third pharyngeal pouch (PP). We found that in conditionally deleted embryos the third PP was hypoplastic, had reduced expression of Tbx1, lacked the expression of Gcm2, a gene that marks the parathyroid domain, but expressed FoxN1, a gene marking the thymic domain. Consistently, the parathyroids did not develop, and the thymus was hypoplastic. Thus, Ezh2 is required for parathyroid and thymic development, probably through a function in the pouch endoderm. This discovery also provides a novel interpretational key for the finding of Ezh2 activating mutations in hyperparathyroidism and parathyroid cancer.
Structures and Conducting Properties of Molecular Conductors Based on Dimethyl-Substituted DTDA-TTP and DTDH-TTP
Authors: Kinoshita Naoya , Suzuki Kento , bin Alias Mohamad Safuwan , Shirahata Takashi , Misaki Yohji , Yamada Jun-ichi
Published: February 2021

Dimethyl substituted donors, 2-(4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-5-(1,3-dithian-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene (DMDT-DA-TTP) and 2-(4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-5-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene (DMDT-DH-TTP), were successfully synthesized, and (DMDT-DA-TTP)2X (X− = PF6−, AsF6−, and SbF6−) and (DMDT-DH-TTP)2X (X− = PF6− and AsF6−) were prepared. All the DMDT-DA-TTP and DMDT-DH-TTP salts adopt β-type molecular packing with a head-to-tail molecular stacking. Although the overlap modes of donor molecules in the DMDT-DA-TTP and DMDT-DH-TTP salts are similar, the degree of dimerization of donor molecules is quite different. That is, electronically strong dimerization of the DMDT-DA-TTP molecules was assessed in the salts, while the DMDT-DH-TTP molecules have electronically almost uniform stacking in the salts. A tight-binding band calculation suggested that all the DMDT-DA-TTP salts have effectively half-filled energy bands with narrow bandwidths of 0.39–0.40 eV, while the bandwidths of DMDT-DH-TTP salts (0.96 eV) are relatively wide due to the lack of an energy gap. The calculated Fermi surfaces of all the salts are quasi-one-dimensional. In correspondence with the different band structures, all the DMDT-DA-TTP salts exhibited semiconducting behavior derived from the Mott-insulating nature. In contrast, both the DMDT-DH-TTP salts showed metallic temperature dependence down to 5–7 K.
Harnessing brain waves: a review of brain magnetic resonance elastography for clinicians and scientists entering the field
Authors: Arani Arvin , Manduca Armando , Ehman Richard L , Huston III John
Published: February 2021

Brain magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is an imaging technique capable of accurately and non-invasively measuring the mechanical properties of the living human brain. Recent studies have shown that MRE has potential to provide clinically useful information in patients with intracranial tumors, demyelinating disease, neurodegenerative disease, elevated intracranial pressure, and altered functional states. The objectives of this review are: (1) to give a general overview of the types of measurements that have been obtained with brain MRE in patient populations, (2) to survey the tools currently being used to make these measurements possible, and (3) to highlight brain MRE-based quantitative biomarkers that have the highest potential of being adopted into clinical use within the next 5 to 10 years. The specifics of MRE methodology strategies are described, from wave generation to material parameter estimations. The potential clinical role of MRE for characterizing and planning surgical resection of intracranial tumors and assessing diffuse changes in brain stiffness resulting from diffuse neurological diseases and altered intracranial pressure are described. In addition, the emerging technique of functional MRE, the role of artificial intelligence in MRE, and promising applications of MRE in general neuroscience research are presented.
Efeitos da abordagem osteopática na doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica
Authors: Silva Filho Luciano Santos da , Mendes Jean Michel Regis , Mendes Maurício Rocha , Kuehner Cymara Pessoa
Published: February 2021

Objetivo: Realizar uma revisão integrativa sobre os efeitos da abordagem osteopática na doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica. Metodos: Estudo seccional e documental, realizado por meio de revisão integrativa da literatura disponível nas bibliotecas virtuais de saúde: National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) e Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro); no período de junho a outubro de 2019, através dos seguintes descritores em língua portuguesa e inglesa: Manipulação Osteopática, DPOC e Fisioterapia. Resultados: Foram encontrados 18 estudos potenciais inicialmente, dos quais 7 artigos foram considerados elegíveis para análise qualitativa. Conclusão: a utilização da Osteopatia como método coadjuvante apresenta evidências, embora incipientes, mas que já dão indícios dos seus efeitos na patologia. Dentre eles, estão: melhora da mecânica respiratória e da mobilidade diafragmática, aumento da capacidade de exercícios com diminuição da dispneia, além de efeitos nas variáveis pulmonares como CVF e VEF1, ainda não tão esclarecidos.
Pesticide exposure and lung cancer risk: A case-control study in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
Authors: Kangkhetkron Teera , Juntarawijit Chudchawal
Published: February 2021

Background: Pesticide exposure might increase risk of lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the historical use of pesticides commonly found in Thailand, and lung cancer.

Methods: This case-control study compared a lifetime pesticide exposure of 233 lung cancer cases, and 447 healthy neighbours matched for gender, and age (±5 years). Data on demographic, pesticide exposure and other related factors were collected using a face-to-face interview questionnaire. Associations between lung cancer and types of pesticides as well as individual pesticides were analyzed using logistic regression adjusted for gender (male, female), age (≤54, 55-64, 65-74, ≥75), cigarette smoking ( never smoked, smoked < 109,500, smoked ≥ 109,500), occupation (farmer, non-farmer), cooking fumes exposure (yes, no), and exposure to air pollution (yes, no).

Results: It was found that lung cancer was positively associated with lifetime use of herbicides and insecticides. Compared to people in the nonexposed groups, those in Q3-Q4 days of using herbicides and insecticides had an elevated risk of lung cancer, with odds ratio (OR) between 2.20 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-3.89), and 3.99 (95% CI 1.62-7.11) (p < 0.001). For individual pesticides, those presenting a significant association with lung cancer were dieldrin (OR = 2.56; 95% CI 1.36-4.81), chlorpyrifos (OR = 3.29; 95 % CI 1.93-5.61), and carbofuran (OR = 2.10; 95% CI 1.28-3.42). It was also found, for the first time, carbofuran, glyphosate, and paraquat to be strongly associated with lung cancer.

Conclusions: The results showed that lung cancer among Thai people in Nakhon Sawan province is associated with previous pesticide use. In addition to dieldrin and chlorpyrifos, we also found carbofuran, glyphosate, and paraquat to be strongly associated with lung cancer. These issues should receive more attention since these chemicals are used widely.
MUERTE COLECTIVA Y COVID-19: APUNTES PARA EL DEBATE.
Authors: Moreras Jordi , Tarrès Sol , Moral David , Gil Tébar Pilar , Solé Ariadna
Published: February 2021

The effects of the pandemic have plunged Spanish society in a situation of collective death not experienced for decades. In addition to the saturation of medical services, excess mortality also caused a situation of collapse in funeral services. The impossibility of carrying out funeral ceremonies, or the restriction of attendance, has placed an additional emotional burden on families who have had to suspend their mourning. In this article, we will apply Gaëlle Clavandier’s notion of “collective death” to analyse the commemorative actions carried out by public administrations, paying tribute to the victims of the pandemic.
Manifesto Internacional para a Promoção da Atividade Física no Pós-COVID-19: Urgência de uma Chamada para a Ação
Authors: CELAFISCS Centro de Estudos do Lab. de Apt. Fís. de São Caetano do Sul
Published: February 2021

Infográficos, versões em inglês e espanhol e outros materiais complementares podem ser consultados diretamente pelo link: https://celafiscs.org.br/manifesto-da-atividade-fisica/
Why Do Firms Fail to Engage Diversity? A Behavioral Strategy Perspective
Authors: Liu Chengwei
Published: February 2021

The persistent failure of organizations to engage diversity—to employ a diverse workforce and fully realize its potential—is puzzling, as it creates labor-market inefficiencies and untapped opportunities. Addressing this puzzle from a behavioral strategy as arbitrage perspective, this paper argues that attractive opportunities tend to be protected by strong behavioral and social limits to arbitrage. I outline four limits—cognizing, searching, reconfiguring, and legitimizing (CSRL)—that deter firms from sensing, seizing, integrating, and justifying valuable diversity. The case of Moneyball is used to illustrate how these CSRL limits prevented mispriced human resources from being arbitraged away sooner, with implications for engaging cognitive diversity that go beyond sports. This perspective describes why behavioral failures as arbitrage opportunities can persist and prescribes strategists, as contrarian theorists, a framework for formulating relevant behavioral and social problems to solve in order to search for and exploit these untapped opportunities.
Optical OFDM based on the fractional Fourier transform for an indoor VLC system
Authors: Nassiri Mahdi , Baghersalimi Gholamreza , Ghassemlooy Zabih
Published: February 2021

The fractional Fourier transform (FRFT), which is a family of linear transformations generalizing the classical Fourier transform, has been used in the fields of filter design, signal processing, phase retrieval, and pattern recognition due to its unique properties. The FRFT of a signal can be interpreted as a decomposition of the signal in terms of chirps. In this paper, for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, we introduce an optical FRFT (OFRFT)-based orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) visible light communications (VLC) system and compare numerical results with a direct current-biased optical (DCO)-OFDM system. First, the optimal fractional order is calculated to improve the performance of the proposed system by minimizing the bit error rate (BER). The numerical results show that OFRFT-OFDM with the optimal fractional order offers a significantly improved BER performance compared with DCO-OFDM under the same computational complexity and spectral efficiency. In addition, the peak to average power ratio, which is an issue in light emitting diode-based VLC systems, is reduced by

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using OFRFT-OFDM for the same BER compared with DCO-OFDM.
Planar metamaterial sensor with graphene elliptical rings in transmission mode
Authors: Farrokhfar Motahhare , Jarchi Saughar , Keshtkar Asghar
Published: February 2021

A periodic planar metamaterial sensor in the terahertz band based on surface plasmon polariton resonances is proposed and studied. The unit cell includes four half-elliptical graphene rings located on a three-layer substrate including a

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layer, an air gap, and another

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layer. The embedded air gap between the two layers of

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improves the sensitivity of the sensor. Parametric study is performed, and the effects of the dimensions of the elliptical rings, the air gap thickness, and the Fermi energy of graphene on resonant frequency, sensitivity, and figure of merit (FoM) are investigated and graphically illustrated. The parameters of the sensor are optimized to provide a high sensitivity with a suitable FoM. By changing the refractive index of the sensing environment from 1.2 to 2, maximum sensitivity of 21.1 µm/RIU with FoM 5.14 is provided. The performance of the sensor is compared with previous works, and it is shown that a considerable improvement in sensitivity is achieved. The proposed sensor is suitable for biosensing applications.
Switchable terahertz metasurface with polarization conversion and filtering functions
Authors: Li Zhe-Wen , Li Jiu-Sheng
Published: February 2021

A switchable metasurface with dual functions of polarization conversion and filtering is proposed in this paper. The designed structure is composed of a medium-metal-medium-metal-medium structure, and

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is embedded in the metal metasurface. When

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is an insulated state, this structure can perform linear polarization conversion under terahertz wave normal incidence, and it has good asymmetric transmission capabilities. At the range from 2.01 to 2.86 THz, the polarization conversion rate is higher than 93%. When

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is in the metallic state, the structure becomes a broadband band-stop filter with a 3 dB bandwidth of 1.73 THz. The polarization conversion and filtering functions of the proposed structure can be converted to each other by changing the external temperature. This switchable multifunction structure provides a new way for the design of terahertz devices.
Retention of lumpy skin disease virus in Stomoxys spp (Stomoxys calcitrans, Stomoxys sitiens, Stomoxys indica) following intrathoracic inoculation, Diptera: Muscidae
Authors: Issimov Arman , Taylor David B. , Shalmenov Malik , Nurgaliyev Birzhan , Zhubantayev Izimgali , Abekeshev Nurzhan , Kushaliyev Kaissar , Kereyev Abzal , Kutumbetov Lespek , Zhanabayev Assylbek , Zhakiyanova Yasmin , White Peter J.
Published: February 2021

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging disease of cattle in Kazakhstan and the means of transmission remains uncertain. In the current study, retention of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV) by three Stomoxys species following intrathoracic inoculation was demonstrated under laboratory conditions. A virulent LSDV strain was injected into the thorax of flies to bypass the midgut barrier. The fate of the pathogen in the hemolymph of the flies was examined using PCR and virus isolation tests. LSDV was isolated from all three Stomoxys species up to 24h post inoculation while virus DNA was detectable up to 7d post inoculation.
Measuring convergence in the sugarcane industry in China’s Guangxi province
Authors: Zeng Fangfang
Published: February 2021

Using the agricultural industry convergence framework, we analyzed the main sugarcane producing areas in China’s Guangxi province from 2010 to 2017. We selected the key elements on sugarcane industry convergence and on the benefit derived from industry convergence and development. We selected six secondary indexes and 18 tertiary indexes and used them to construct an overarching index system for measuring the convergence degree of sugarcane in the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries. We calculated the index’s system weight using the AHP and entropy method, and then the integrated development indicator of the sugarcane industry. Finally, we analyzed the convergence the development stage, achievements, and benefits of the sugarcane industry, as well as the shortage of convergence development. Our findings can provide guidance for the future development of the sugarcane industry in China from the perspective of industry convergence.
Features of patients that died for COVID-19 in a hospital in the south of Mexico: A observational cohort study
Authors: Ruíz-Quiñonez Jesús Arturo , Guzmán-Priego Crystell Guadalupe , Nolasco-Rosales Germán Alberto , Tovilla-Zarate Carlos Alfonso , Flores-Barrientos Oscar Israel , Narváez-Osorio Víctor , Baeza-Flores Guadalupe del Carmen , Gonzalez-Castro Thelma Beatriz , López-Brito Carlos Ramón , Denis-García Carlos Alberto , Pérez-García Agustín , Juárez-Rojop Isela Esther
Published: February 2021

Background

Due to the wide spread of SARS-CoV2 around the world, the risk of death in individuals with metabolic comorbidities has dangerously increased. Mexico has a high number of infected individuals and deaths by COVID-19 as well as an important burden of metabolic diseases; nevertheless, reports about features of Mexican individuals with COVID-19 are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate demographic features, clinical characteristics and the pharmacological treatment of individuals who died by COVID-19 in the south of Mexico.

Methods

We performed an observational study including the information of 185 deceased individuals with confirmed diagnoses of COVID-19. Data were retrieved from medical records. Categorical data were expressed as proportions (%) and numerical data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Comorbidities and overlapping symptoms were plotted as Venn diagrams. Drug clusters were plotted as dendrograms.

Results

The mean age was 59.53 years. There was a male predominance (60.1%). The mean hospital stay was 4.75 ± 4.43 days. The most frequent symptoms were dyspnea (88.77%), fever (71.42%) and dry cough (64.28%). Present comorbidities included diabetes (60.63%), hypertension (59.57%) and obesity (43.61%). The main drugs used for treating COVID-19 were azithromycin (60.6%), hydroxychloroquine (53.0%) and oseltamivir (27.3%).

Conclusions

Mexican individuals who died of COVID-19 had shorter hospital stays, higher frequency of shortness of breath, and higher prevalence of diabetes than individuals from other countries. Also, there was a high frequency of off-label use of drugs for their treatment.
Effects of public health interventions on the epidemiological spread during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand
Authors: Triukose Sipat , Nitinawarat Sirin , Satian Ponlapat , Somboonsavatdee Anupap , Chotikarn Ponlachart , Thammasanya Thunchanok , Wanlapakorn Nasamon , Sudhinaraset Natthinee , Boonyamalik Pitakpol , Kakhong Bancha , Poovorawan Yong
Published: February 2021

A novel infectious respiratory disease was recognized in Wuhan (Hubei Province, China) in December 2019. In February 2020, the disease was named “coronavirus disease 2019” (COVID-19). COVID-19 became a pandemic in March 2020, and, since then, different countries have implemented a broad spectrum of policies. Thailand is considered to be among the top countries in handling its first wave of the outbreak—12 January to 31 July 2020. Here, we illustrate how Thailand tackled the COVID-19 outbreak, particularly the effects of public health interventions on the epidemiological spread. This study shows how the available data from the outbreak can be analyzed and visualized to quantify the severity of the outbreak, the effectiveness of the interventions, and the level of risk of allowed activities during an easing of a “lockdown.” This study shows how a well-organized governmental apparatus can overcome the havoc caused by a pandemic.