bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Access to and experience of education for children and adolescents with cancer: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Bryan Gemma , Kelly Paula , Chesters Heather , Franklin Jayne , Griffiths Helen , Langton Loveday , Langton Luke , Wakefield Claire E. , Gibson Faith
Published: June 2021

Background

Cancer diagnosis in childhood or adolescence impacts significantly on school attendance, experience and educational outcomes. While there is longstanding recognition in clinical practice that these effects span the whole illness trajectory and continue beyond treatment completion, further clarity is required on the specific barriers and facilitators to education during cancer treatment and beyond, as well as on the experiences of children and adolescents across the full range of education settings (hospital, home, virtual, original school of enrolment), in order to determine which interventions are successful in improving access and experience from their perspective. The aim of this review is to identify what is known from the existing literature about access to and experience of education for children and adolescents with cancer during and post treatment.

Methods

We have planned a scoping literature review searching the following databases from inception onwards: MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase and Embase Classic, Web of Science Core Collection, Education Resources Index, Sociological Abstracts, APA PsycINFO, SCOPUS, CINAHL Plus, Emcare and The Cochrane Library. In addition, DARE, conference abstracts, key journals, and institutional websites will be searched. Arksey and O’Malley’s six-step process will be followed, including a consultation exercise. Studies, reports and policies from any country providing care and treatment for children and adolescents with cancer published in English will be considered eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles and abstract data. A narrative summary of findings will be conducted. Data analysis will involve quantitative (e.g., frequencies) and qualitative (e.g., content and thematic analysis) methods.

Discussion

This is a timely examination given the increased incidence of childhood cancer, more intensive treatment regimens and improved survival rates for childhood cancer. The inclusion of a substantive consultation exercise with families and professionals will provide an important opportunity to examine the scoping review outputs. Findings will assist the childhood cancer community in developing a comprehensive evidence-based understanding of a significant associated bio-psychosocial impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment and will form the first step towards developing effective interventions and policies to mitigate identified detrimental effects.

Systematic review registration

Open Science Framework (osf/io/yc4wt)
Identifying key environmental barriers experienced by persons with mild, moderate, or severe disability in Bankim Health District, Cameroon: a policy-targeted secondary analysis of data obtained with the World Bank and WHO model disability survey
Authors: Lee Lindsay , Mou Ferdinand , Um Boock Alphonse , Fellinghauer Carolina , Kohls Mirjam , Cieza Alarcos , Sabariego Carla
Published: June 2021

Background

Comprehensive data is key for evidence-informed policy aiming to improve the lives of persons experiencing different levels of disability. The objective of this paper was to identify the environmental barriers — including physical, social, attitudinal, and political barriers — that might become priorities for cross-cutting policies and policies tailored to the needs of persons experiencing severe disability in Cameroon.

Methods

A secondary analysis of data obtained with the WHO Model Disability Survey was completed in the Bankim Health District (N = 559) using random forest regression to determine and compare the impact of the environmental factors on the experience of disability.

Results

The physical environment had by far the highest influence on disability, with transportation, toilet of the dwelling, and the dwelling itself being the most important factors. Factors inside one’s own home (toilet of the dwelling, and the dwelling itself) were the most important for persons with moderate and severe disability, followed by attitudes of others and issues with accessing health care.

Conclusion

Our study provides country policy makers with evidence for setting priorities and for the development of evidence-informed policies for the Bankim Health District in Cameroon.
The effects of biodiversity gradient on plant mass and metabolism of individual submerged macrophytes
Authors: Qi Liang-Yu , Zeng Hong-Yuan , Bai Zhong-Xi , Wang Yan-Hong , Liu Li , Zhong Wen , Ye Shi-Yun , Fu Hui , Li Feng , Shao Chang-Liang , Wu Ai-Ping
Published: June 2021

Background

The effects of biodiversity on community function and services are frequently studied in the history of ecology, while the response of individual species to biodiversity remains great elusive. In this study, we determined the biodiversity effects on community productivity as well as species level plant mass and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) metabolism of eight submerged plants. These macrophytes in Lake Erhai were selected and planted in a water depth of one meter along a diversity gradient of 1, 2, 4 or 8 species. Then, the community productivity or species level plant mass, soluble protein, free amino acid and soluble carbohydrate were correlated to species richness to determine the biodiversity effects on community and single species.

Results

The results showed that the community level biomass was positively correlated to plant species richness although the species level plant mass of individual species responded differently to the overall plant species richness. Namely, only one plant mass positively correlated to species richness and the others decreased or showed no significant correlation with the increase of species richness. The soluble proteins of most macrophytes were positively correlated to species richness; however, both the free amino acid and soluble carbohydrate of the plants were negatively or not significantly correlated to species richness.

Conclusions

These results indicated that the selection effects might dominate in our aquatic communities and the negative impacts of biodiversity on C and N metabolism of the macrophytes increased with the increase of species richness, which might result from the strong competition among the studied species. The biodiversity effects on the plant mass, and C and N metabolism of individual submerged species were first reported in this study, while more such field and control experiments deserve further research.
Biogeographical characteristics of Schistosoma mansoni endemic areas in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta analysis
Authors: Ponpetch Keerati , Erko Berhanu , Bekana Teshome , Richards Lindsay , Liang Song
Published: June 2021

Background

In Ethiopia, schistosomiasis is caused bySchistosoma mansoniandS. haematobiumwith the former being widespread and more than 4 million people are estimated to be infected byS. mansoniannually with 35 million at risk of infection. Although many school- and community-based epidemiological surveys were conducted over the past decades, the national distribution of schistosomiasis endemic areas and associated socio-environmental determinants remain less well understood. In this paper, we reviewS. mansoniprevalence of infections and describe key biogeographical characteristics in the endemic areas in Ethiopia.

Methods

We developed a database ofS. mansoniinfection surveys in Ethiopia through a systematic review by searching articles published between 1975 and 2019 on electronic online databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. A total of 62 studies involving 95 survey locations were included in the analysis. We estimated adjusted prevalence of infection from each survey by considering sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests using Bayesian approach. All survey locations were georeferenced and associated environmental and geographical characteristics (e.g. elevation, normalized difference vegetation index, soil properties, wealth index, and climatic data) were described using descriptive statistics and meta-analysis.

Results

The results showed that the surveys exhibited a wide range of adjusted prevalence of infections from 0.5% to 99.5%, and 36.8% of the survey sites had adjusted prevalence of infection higher than 50%.S. mansoniendemic areas were distributed in six regional states with the majority of surveys being in Amhara and Oromia. Endemic sites were found at altitudes from 847.6 to 3141.8 m above sea level, annual mean temperatures between 17.9 and 29.8 ℃, annual cumulative precipitation between 1400 and 1898 mm, normalized difference vegetation index between 0.03 and 0.8, wealth index score between –68 857 and 179 756; and sand, silt, and clay fraction in soil between 19.1–47.2, 23.0–36.7, and 20.0–52.8 g/100 g, respectively.

Conclusions

The distribution ofS. mansoniendemic areas and prevalence of infections exhibit remarked environmental and ecological heterogeneities. Future research is needed to understand how much these heterogeneities drive the parasite distribution and transmission in the region.

Graphic Abstract
Contact modeling from images using cut finite element solvers
Authors: Claus S. , Kerfriden P. , Moshfeghifar F. , Darkner S. , Erleben K. , Wong C.
Published: June 2021

This paper presents a robust digital pipeline from CT images to the simulation of contact between multiple bodies. The proposed strategy relies on a recently developed immersed finite element algorithm that is capable of simulating unilateral contact between solids without meshing (Claus and Kerfriden in Int J Numer Methods Eng 113(6):938–966, 2018). It was shown that such an approach reduces the difficulties associated with the digital flow of information from analytically defined geometries to mechanical simulations. We now propose to extend our approach to include geometries, which are not defined mathematically but instead are obtained from images, and encoded in 3D arrays of voxels. This paper introduces two novel elements. Firstly, we reformulate our contact algorithm into an extension of an augmented Lagrangian CutFEM algorithm. Secondly, we develop an efficient algorithm to convert the surface data generated by standard segmentation tools used in medical imaging into level-set functions. These two elements give rise to a robust digital pipeline with minimum user intervention. We demonstrate the capabilities of our algorithm on a hip joint geometry with contact between the femur and the hip bone.
Limitations of using surrogates for behaviour classification of accelerometer data: refining methods using random forest models in Caprids
Authors: Dickinson Eleanor R. , Twining Joshua P. , Wilson Rory , Stephens Philip A. , Westander Jennie , Marks Nikki , Scantlebury David M.
Published: June 2021

Background

Animal-attached devices can be used on cryptic species to measure their movement and behaviour, enabling unprecedented insights into fundamental aspects of animal ecology and behaviour. However, direct observations of subjects are often still necessary to translate biologging data accurately into meaningful behaviours. As many elusive species cannot easily be observed in the wild, captive or domestic surrogates are typically used to calibrate data from devices. However, the utility of this approach remains equivocal.

Methods

Here, we assess the validity of using captive conspecifics, and phylogenetically-similar domesticated counterparts (surrogate species) for calibrating behaviour classification. Tri-axial accelerometers and tri-axial magnetometers were used with behavioural observations to build random forest models to predict the behaviours. We applied these methods using captive Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) and a domestic counterpart, pygmy goats (Capra aegagrus hircus), to predict the behaviour including terrain slope for locomotion behaviours of captive Alpine ibex.

Results

Behavioural classification of captive Alpine ibex and domestic pygmy goats was highly accurate (> 98%). Model performance was reduced when using data split per individual, i.e., classifying behaviour of individuals not used to train models (mean ± sd = 56.1 ± 11%). Behavioural classifications using domestic counterparts, i.e., pygmy goat observations to predict ibex behaviour, however, were not sufficient to predict all behaviours of a phylogenetically similar species accurately (> 55%).

Conclusions

We demonstrate methods to refine the use of random forest models to classify behaviours of both captive and free-living animal species. We suggest there are two main reasons for reduced accuracy when using a domestic counterpart to predict the behaviour of a wild species in captivity; domestication leading to morphological differences and the terrain of the environment in which the animals were observed. We also identify limitations when behaviour is predicted in individuals that are not used to train models. Our results demonstrate that biologging device calibration needs to be conducted using: (i) with similar conspecifics, and (ii) in an area where they can perform behaviours on terrain that reflects that of species in the wild.
Synergistic nanoarchitecture of mesoporous carbon and carbon nanotubes for lithium–oxygen batteries
Authors: Kim Yeongsu , Yun Jonghyeok , Shin Hyun-Seop , Jung Kyu-Nam , Lee Jong-Won
Published: June 2021

A rechargeable lithium–oxygen battery (LOB) operates via the electrochemical formation and decomposition of solid-state Li2O2 on the cathode. The rational design of the cathode nanoarchitectures is thus required to realize high-energy-density and long-cycling LOBs. Here, we propose a cathode nanoarchitecture for LOBs, which is composed of mesoporous carbon (MPC) integrated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The proposed design has the advantages of the two components. MPC provides sufficient active sites for the electrochemical reactions and free space for Li2O2 storage, while CNT forests serve as conductive pathways for electron and offer additional reaction sites. Results show that the synergistic architecture of MPC and CNTs leads to improvements in the capacity (~ 18,400 mAh g− 1), rate capability, and cyclability (~ 200 cycles) of the CNT-integrated MPC cathode in comparison with MPC.
Anti-proliferative, antioxidant effects of methanol extract of Calotropis procera leaf on lung cancer cells (H1299) and its ameliorative effect on expression of CD146 on blood cells
Authors: Olajuyin Ayobami Matthew , Olajuyin Adefunke Kafayat , Wang Ziqi , Zhao Xingru , Xu Zhiwei , Zhang Quncheng , Zhang Xiaoju
Published: June 2021

Background

Calotropis procera leaf is one of the plants commonly utilized in phytomedicine in Nigeria. The present investigation explored the use of the extracts on cell viability and apoptosis respectively. In this study, the expression of the Cluster of differentiation 146 (CD146) in the blood of lung cancer patients on regulatory T cells (Tregs) was determined. The antioxidant and anti-proliferative effects of methanol extracts of Caloropis procera leaf on lung cancer cell H1299 were investigated.

Methods

From the flow cytometry, the expression of the CD146+ in the T cells were evaluated using the healthy patient, adenocarcinoma, squamous, and small cell lung cancer respectively. The apoptosis of granulocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes, CD4+, and Treg were determined by 7-amino-actinomycin D/Annexin V-Allophycocyanin (APC) staining during the resting stage and after 24 h respectively. Immunofluorescence was conducted. Cell viability assay, hydroxyl (OH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging radicals were conducted. Reducing power and flavonoid content of Calotropis procera were investigated. The effect of the Calotropis procera at different concentrations at 24hrs was determined.

Results

From the flow cytometry, the expression of the CD146+ on the T cells includes 4.60 % in healthy patients, 10.10, 12.20, 9.80 % in adenocarcinoma, squamous and small cell lung cancer. The apoptosis of granulocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes, CD4+ and Treg were determined by 7-amino-actinomycin D/Annexin V-APC staining during the resting stage and after 24 h which indicate that apoptosis also occurred on Treg. Immunofluorescence shows the presence of CD146 in lung cancer patient’s tissues. The methanol extracts of Calotropis procera leaf have antioxidant and anti-proliferative effects. Methanol extract of Calotropis procera leaf reduced CD146 expression on blood cells at 24 h.

Conclusion

Increased CD146 expression in the Treg of lung cancer patients indicates that it may be a possible target for the treatment of lung cancer by utilizing potent immunotherapy or natural products such as methanol extract of Calotropis procera leaf which may ameliorate the expression of CD146. Calotropis procera has antioxidant, inhibitory capacity on H1299 lung cancer cells, and the ability to scavenge OH, H2O2, and NO radicals. Hence, this investigation strengthens the phyto-medicinal properties of Calotropis procera.
Isolated congenital cleft mitral valve leaflet: a rare cause of refractory cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Bahrami Mubashir H. , Ansari Hamza Z. , Guglin Maya , Ephrem Georges , Revtyak George E.
Published: June 2021

We report a unique presentation of isolated congenital cleft mitral valve complicating cardiogenic shock from acute myocardial infarction. Isolated cleft mitral valve is an uncommon diagnosis that can have significant clinical implications, especially if not recognized in patients presenting to the catheterization lab with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock. A review of this rare diagnosis including the options and timing of therapeutic interventions, which can include MitraClip, is important for publication.

The case is of a patient who presented with an anterior acute ST elevation myocardial infarction. Despite early coronary revascularization and conventional support, refractory cardiogenic shock ensued requiring mechanical circulatory support escalation to Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Subsequently, left ventriculography revealed a massively dilated left atrium and severe mitral regurgitation raising concerns for a mechanical mitral valve complication. The patient was taken to the operating room for possible mitral valve surgery, but a preoperative transesophageal echocardiogram revealed an isolated posterior cleft mitral valve. Since the patient had stabilized on mechanical circulatory support, emergent surgery was deferred. The patient successfully recovered during index hospitalization with mechanical circulatory support and discharged on guideline directed medical therapy.

In conclusion, isolated cleft mitral valve is a rare diagnosis that can often be underrecognized without comprehensive 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography evaluation. If diagnosed early with significant regurgitation, surgical treatment results in good outcomes and preservation of LV systolic function. Percutaneous correction of a CMVL with MitraClip has been described and may offer an alternative approach for high risk surgical patients.
The role of heterocyclic aromatic amines in colorectal cancer: the evidence from epidemiologic studies
Authors: Le Marchand Loïc
Published: June 2021

Since Dr. Sugimura’s discovery of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAA) in broiled fish, many epidemiological studies have been conducted to investigate their role in human cancers, often focusing on colorectal cancer. The difficulty in measuring HAA exposure from meat and fish intake in these studies has resulted in inconsistent findings. Because studying individuals who may be particularly susceptible to the carcinogenic effects of HAA might facilitate the demonstration of a link with cancer, multiple studies have focused on individuals with the high activity phenotype for CYP1A2 and/or NAT2, the two main metabolic enzymes involved in the bioactivation of HAA. These investigations have also yielded inconsistent results. Two recent large pooled analyses of colorectal cancer studies have helped clarify the overall evidence. One was conducted in whites and reported no interaction of red meat intake and NAT2 genotype on risk in Whites. The other was conducted in Japanese and African Americans, two populations with high rates of the disease and a prevalence of the at-risk rapid NAT2 phenotype 10- and 2-fold greater than in whites, respectively. In those groups, a significant interaction was found, with the association of red meat with colorectal cancer being strongest among individuals with the rapid NAT2 phenotype, intermediate among those with the intermediate phenotype and not significant among those with the slow NAT2 phenotype. Recent research on biomarkers has focused on PhIP hair content, as a marker of exposure to HAA, and on DNA adducts using new sensitive quantitative methods, as markers of early biological effects. These advances, when brought to bear, may contribute greatly to the further elucidation of the carcinogenicity of HAA in humans.
Machine Learning Methods to Identify Missed Cases of Bladder Cancer in Population-Based Registries
Authors: Noone Anne-Michelle , Lam Clara J. K. , Smith Angela B. , Nielsen Matthew E. , Boyd Eric , Mariotto Angela B. , Banerjee Mousumi
Published: June 2021

PURPOSE

Population-based cancer incidence rates of bladder cancer may be underestimated. Accurate estimates are needed for understanding the burden of bladder cancer in the United States. We developed and evaluated the feasibility of a machine learning–based classifier to identify bladder cancer cases missed by cancer registries, and estimated the rate of bladder cancer cases potentially missed.

METHODS

Data were from population-based cohort of 37,940 bladder cancer cases 65 years of age and older in the SEER cancer registries linked with Medicare claims (2007-2013). Cases with other urologic cancers, abdominal cancers, and unrelated cancers were included as control groups. A cohort of cancer-free controls was also selected using the Medicare 5% random sample. We used five supervised machine learning methods: classification and regression trees, random forest, logic regression, support vector machines, and logistic regression, for predicting bladder cancer.

RESULTS

Registry linkages yielded 37,940 bladder cancer cases and 766,303 cancer-free controls. Using health insurance claims, classification and regression trees distinguished bladder cancer cases from noncancer controls with very high accuracy (95%). Bacille Calmette-Guerin, cystectomy, and mitomycin were the most important predictors for identifying bladder cancer. From 2007 to 2013, we estimated that up to 3,300 bladder cancer cases in the United States may have been missed by the SEER registries. This would result in an average of 3.5% increase in the reported incidence rate.

CONCLUSION

SEER cancer registries may potentially miss bladder cancer cases during routine reporting. These missed cases can be identified leveraging Medicare claims and data analytics, leading to more accurate estimates of bladder cancer incidence.
Impact of Palliative Care Involvement on End-of-Life Care Patterns Among Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Kassam Alisha , Gupta Abha , Rapoport Adam , Srikanthan Amirrtha , Sutradhar Rinku , Luo Jin , Widger Kimberley , Wolfe Joanne , Earle Craig , Gupta Sumit
Published: June 2021

PURPOSE

Evidence suggests that adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer (defined as age 15-39 years) receive high-intensity (HI) medical care at the end-of-life (EOL). Previous population-level studies are limited and lack information on the impact of palliative care (PC) provision. We evaluated prevalence and predictors of HI-EOL care in AYAs with cancer in Ontario, Canada. A secondary aim was to evaluate the impact of PC physicians on the intensity of EOL care in AYAs.

METHODS

A retrospective decedent cohort of AYAs with cancer who died between 2000 and 2017 in Ontario, Canada, was assembled using a provincial registry and linked to population-based health care data. On the basis of previous studies, the primary composite measure HI-EOL care included any of the following: intravenous chemotherapy < 14 days from death, more than one emergency department visit, and more than one hospitalization or intensive care unit admission < 30 days from death. Secondary measures included the most invasive (MI) EOL care (eg, mechanical ventilation < 14 days from death) and PC physician involvement. We determined predictors of outcomes using appropriate regression models.

RESULTS

Of 7,122 AYAs, 43.8% experienced HI-EOL care. PC physician involvement (odds ratio [OR], 0.57; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.63) and older age at death (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.74) were associated with a lower risk of HI-EOL care. AYAs with hematologic malignancies were at highest risk for HI and MI-EOL care. PC physician involvement substantially reduced the odds of mechanical ventilation at EOL (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.43).

CONCLUSION

A large proportion of AYAs with cancer experience HI-EOL care. Our study provides strong evidence that PC physician involvement can help mitigate the risk of HI and MI-EOL care in AYAs with cancer.
The Cortisol and ACTH Response to Dex/CRH Testing in Women With and Without Perimenopausal Depression
Authors: Guerrieri Gioia M , Ben Dor Rivka , Li Xiaobai , Wei Shau-Ming , Martinez Pedro E , Neiman Lynnette K , Rubinow David R , Schmidt Peter J
Published: June 2021

Context

Abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are frequent accompaniments of depression, and studies have documented the role of stress and stressful life events in the ontogeny of perimenopausal depressions (PMD). Because HPA axis function in women is further modulated both by aging and ovarian steroids, it is possible that a dysregulated HPA axis contributes to the increased risk of PMD.

Objective

We examined HPA axis function in perimenopausal women with and without depression using the combined dexamethasone–corticotropin-releasing hormone (Dex/CRH) test.

Methods

Dex/CRH tests were performed on 20 women with PMD and 20 women who were also perimenopausal but without current or past depression (control women). Main outcome measures were plasma levels of cortisol and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and 24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC). Five women took chronic stable medications, otherwise all women were medically healthy, and both groups were comparable with respect to reproductive stage and age. Standardized symptom rating scales were administered to each woman prior to Dex/CRH testing.

Results

No group differences were present in either baseline or stimulated ACTH and cortisol secretion. Baseline plasma measures of estradiol, progesterone, and 24-hour UFC levels similarly did not differ in PMD and control women.

Conclusion

Despite reports of increased stress responsiveness in PMD, we observed no abnormalities of HPA axis activity associated with PMD compared with women without depression. These findings suggest that PMD is not uniformly associated with HPA dysregulation and could reflect underlying pathophysiologic processes that are distinct from women with nonreproductive-related depressions.
Exenatide, Dapagliflozin, or Phentermine/Topiramate Differentially Affect Metabolic Profiles in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Elkind-Hirsch Karen E , Chappell N , Seidemann Ericka , Storment John , Bellanger Drake
Published: June 2021

Context

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce weight and improve insulin sensitivity via different mechanisms.

Objective

The efficacy of once-weekly exenatide (EQW) and dapagliflozin (DAPA) alone and coadministered (EQW/DAPA), DAPA/extended-release (ER) metformin (DAPA/MET), and phentermine topiramate extended release (PHEN/TPM) on metabolic parameters, body composition, and sex hormones were examined in obese women with PCOS.

Methods

Nondiabetic women (n = 119; aged 18-45 years) with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 and less than 45 and polycystic ovary syndrome (National Institutes of Health criteria) were randomly assigned in a single-blinded fashion to EQW (2 mg weekly); DAPA (10 mg daily), EQW/DAPA (2 mg weekly/10 mg daily), DAPA (10 mg)/MET (2000 mg XR daily), or PHEN (7.5 mg)/TPM (46 mg ER daily) treatment for 24 weeks. Study visits at baseline and 24 weeks included weight, blood pressure (BP), waist (WC) measures, and body composition evaluated by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Oral glucose tolerance tests were conducted to assess glycemia and mean blood glucose (MBG), and compute insulin sensitivity (SI) and secretion (IS) measures. Sex steroids, free androgen index (FAI), and lipid profiles were measured in the fasting sample.

Results

EQW/DAPA and PHEN/TPM resulted in the most loss of weight and total body fat by DXA, and WC. Despite equivalent reductions in BMI and WC with PHEN/TPM, only EQW/DAPA and EQW resulted in significant improvements in MBG, SI, and IS. Reductions in fasting glucose, testosterone, FAI, and BP were seen with all drugs.

Conclusion

Dual therapy with EQW/DAPA was superior to either alone, DAPA/MET and PHEN/TPM in terms of clinical and metabolic benefits in this patient population.
Colonial Debts
Authors: Zambrana Rocío
Published: June 2021

With the largest municipal debt in US history and a major hurricane that destroyed much of the archipelago's infrastructure, Puerto Rico has emerged as a key site for the exploration of neoliberalism and disaster capitalism. In Colonial Debts Rocío Zambrana develops the concept of neoliberal coloniality in light of Puerto Rico's debt crisis. Drawing on decolonial thought and praxis, Zambrana shows how debt functions as an apparatus of predation that transforms how neoliberalism operates. Debt functions as a form of coloniality, intensifying race, gender, and class hierarchies in ways that strengthen the colonial relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States. Zambrana also examines the transformation of protest in Puerto Rico. From La Colectiva Feminista en Construcción's actions, long-standing land rescue/occupation in the territory, to the July 2019 protests that ousted former governor Ricardo “Ricky” Rosselló, protests pursue variations of decolonial praxis that subvert the positions of power that debt installs. As Zambrana demonstrates, debt reinstalls the colonial condition and adapts the racial/gender order essential to it, thereby emerging as a key site for political-economic subversion and social rearticulation.
An atlas of seven zebrafish hox cluster mutants provides insights into sub/neofunctionalization of vertebrate Hox clusters
Authors: Yamada Kazuya , Maeno Akiteru , Araki Soh , Kikuchi Morimichi , Suzuki Masato , Ishizaka Mizuki , Satoh Koumi , Akama Kagari , Kawabe Yuki , Suzuki Kenya , Kobayashi Daiki , Hamano Nanami , Kawamura Akinori
Published: June 2021

Vertebrate Hox clusters are comprised of multiple Hox genes that control morphology and developmental timing along multiple body axes. Although results of genetic analyses using Hox-knockout mice have been accumulating, genetic studies in other vertebrates have not been sufficient for functional comparisons of vertebrate Hox genes. In this study, we isolated all of the seven hox cluster loss-of-function alleles in zebrafish using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Comprehensive analysis of the embryonic phenotype and X-ray micro-computed tomography scan analysis of adult fish revealed several species-specific functional contributions of homologous Hox clusters along the appendicular axis, whereas important shared general principles were also confirmed, as exemplified by serial anterior vertebral transformations along the main body axis, observed in fish for the first time. Our results provide insights into discrete sub/neofunctionalization of vertebrate Hox clusters after quadruplication of the ancient Hox cluster. This set of seven complete hox cluster loss-of-function alleles provide a formidable resource for future developmental genetic analysis of the Hox patterning system in zebrafish.
Does different activation between the medial and the lateral gastrocnemius during walking translate into different fascicle behavior?
Authors: Hamard Raphaël , Aeles Jeroen , Kelp Nicole Y. , Feigean Romain , Hug François , Dick Taylor J. M.
Published: June 2021

The functional difference between the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) during walking in humans has not yet been fully established. Although evidence highlights that the MG is activated more than the LG, the link with potential differences in mechanical behavior between these muscles remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine whether differences in activation between the MG and LG translate into different fascicle behavior during walking. Fifteen participants walked at their preferred speed under two conditions: 0% and 10% incline treadmill grade. We used surface electromyography and B-mode ultrasound to estimate muscle activation and fascicle dynamics in the MG and LG. We observed a higher normalized activation in the MG than in the LG during stance, which did not translate into greater MG normalized fascicle shortening. However, we observed significantly less normalized fascicle lengthening in the MG than in the LG during early stance, which matched with the timing of differences in activation between muscles. This resulted in more isometric behavior of the MG, which likely influences the muscle–tendon interaction and enhances the catapult-like mechanism in the MG compared with the LG. Nevertheless, this interplay between muscle activation and fascicle behavior, evident at the group level, was not observed at the individual level, as revealed by the lack of correlation between the MG–LG differences in activation and MG–LG differences in fascicle behavior. The MG and LG are often considered as equivalent muscles but the neuromechanical differences between them suggest that they may have distinct functional roles during locomotion.
Unsupervised gene selection for predicting cell spatial positions in the Drosophila embryo
Authors: Chen Yang , Mao Disheng , Zhang Yuping , Ouyang Zhengqing
Published: June 2021

Analyzing single cell RNA-seq data is important for deciphering the spatial relationships, expression patterns, and developmental processes of cells. Combining in situ hybridization-based gene expression atlas images, some works have successfully recovered spatial locations of cells in zebrafish and Drosophila embryos. In this article, we describe a highly ranked method in the DREAM Single Cell Transcriptomics Challenge for predicting cell positions in the Drosophila embryo. The method performs unsupervised feature extraction to select a small number of driver genes and then uses them to predict gene expression and spatial position of each individual cell. First, hierarchical clustering is used to select a subset of driver genes. Second, the similarity matrix of single cells in the bins of the reference atlas is computed. Based on the similarity matrix, the spatial positions of cells are then determined by hierarchical clustering. This method is evaluated on the cell positions and gene expressions in the DREAM Single Cell Transcriptomics Challenge. The comparison with the “silver standard” suggests that our method is effective in reconstructing the cell spatial positions and gene expression patterns in tissues.
Organizational and methodological aspects of primary swimming teaching for junior schoolchildren
Authors: Bielikova Natalia , Dedeliuk Nina
Published: June 2021

The goal. The current state of development of society makes quite high demands on man as a person and a bearer of universal cultural values, an important place in which are healthy forms of human life. One of the important components of these forms is the ability to swim, the foundation of which is laid in childhood. This is since the qualities formed in childhood are the strongest and play a major role in the formation of personality.

Methodology: To achieve this goal, research methods such as data analysis of scientific and methodological literature, a generalization of the experience of best pedagogical practice were used. Analysis of data of scientific and methodical literature, the generalization of experience of advanced pedagogical.

Results. The mechanism of forming a value attitude to swimming is the activity of resolving the contradiction between the awareness of its importance in human life and fear and psychological unpreparedness for water activities. Based on the analysis of the scientific literature, the main components of the methodology of primary swimming training of junior schoolchildren were identified, which contains the target, content, and methodological components.

Conclusion. The proposed components of organizational and methodological aspects of primary swimming training of junior schoolchildren form a system that combines based on a common goal target, meaningful, criterion, methodological component and provide the result – achieving sustainable positive internal personality changes and positive dynamics of swimming skills in young children.
Techniques for administering inhaled medicines to patients with bronchial asthma in nursing practice
Authors: Czerwińska Pawluk Iwona , Pawluk Elwira Paula , Szymaszek Angelo Daniel
Published: June 2021

Bronchial asthma due to complex etiopathogenesis, the frequency of exacerbations is a serious medical and social problem [10]. At the root of the disease lies the chronic inflammatory process, which is the main cause of symptoms [5,18]. In the therapy of bronchial asthma, the basis is drugs administered directly to the affected area of the inflammatory process by various inhalation techniques. Ignorance of drug inhalation techniques and/or failure of the patient/caregivers to make pharmacotherapy recommendations is associated with a risk of many side effects. In order for patient therapy to be safe and effective, it is necessary to carry out large-scale educational activities both among medical staff as well as patients and their caregivers in the field of aerosol therapy techniques.

Streszczenie

Astma oskrzelowa ze względu na złożoną etiopatogenezę, częstość zaostrzeń stanowi poważny problem medyczny jak i społeczny [10]. U podłoża choroby leży przewlekły proces zapalny, który jest główną przyczyną objawów [5,18]. W terapii astmy oskrzelowej podstawę stanowią leki podawane bezpośrednio do miejsca objętego procesem zapalnych za pomocą różnych technik inhalacyjnych. Nieznajomość technik inhalacji leków i / lub niestosowanie się pacjenta / jego opiekunów do zaleceń w zakresie farmakoterapii wiąże się z ryzykiem wielu działań niepożądanych. Aby terapia pacjentów była bezpieczna i skuteczna konieczne jest prowadzenie na szeroką skalę działań edukacyjnych zarówno wśród personelu medycznego jak też pacjentów i ich opiekunów z zakresu technik aerozoloterapii.

Słowa kluczowe: astma oskrzelowa, techniki aerozoloterapii.
The evaluation of the impact of flexion and extension angles and lateral torso flexion on the selected spine and pelvis parameters
Authors: Mrozkowiak Mirosław
Published: June 2021

The aim of the research was to assess the impact of flexion and extension angles and lateral torso flexion on the selected spine and pelvis parameters among the population of children aged between 7 and 15 years.

Material and methods. The research was conducted in randomly selected kindergartens and schools in the Warmia and Masuria region and the Pomerania region during six semi-annual editions. The study population consisted of 2,361 children. This allowed to record 16,608 observations of 31 parameters describing body posture using the photogrammetric method.

Results. The analysis of multiple regression with selection of the subset of the optimal set of variables included four parameters affecting the following: flexion angle and extension angle in the sagittal plane, angle of flexion to the left and to the right in the frontal plane. The set of variables included the parameters of the pelvis-spine complex.

Conclusions

1.Spinal parameters are significantly and positively affected by the angle of torso extension in the sagittal plane and the angle of flexion to the left in the frontal plane and negatively influenced by the flexion angle in the sagittal plane.

2.The values of torso extension and flexion angles in the sagittal plane and torso flexion to the left and right in the frontal plane have a significant and positive impact on the total length of the spine (C7-S1) and the percentage of growth (DCK%), the Delta angle and the height of lumbar lordosis. The inclination angle of the lumbosacral spine, the total spinal length and the percentage of body height and the height of lumbar lordosis account for the parameters that are most dependent on the angles describing vertical orientation of the axial organ.

3.The significant negative impact on the spine parameters is remarkably lower. The most negatively dependent parameters include: lumbosacral inclination angle, the length and angle of thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis angle.

4.Hardly any influence of the analysed angles on pelvis parameters demonstrated herein requires further studies on the impact of foot parameters on the parameters of pelvis and spine.

5.The significant correlations of flexion and extension angles in the sagittal plane as well as the flexion angle in the frontal plane should be taken into consideration in the process of correcting body posture defects and errors.
Relationships between selected parameters of pelvis in children and adolescents aged 3–20 years of age in the context of gender and environment
Authors: Mrozkowiak Mirosław
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Pelvis is a part of the skeletal system. It is a pelvic ring composed of the sacral bone, coccygeal bone and two pelvic bones, the right one and the left one. When walking, pelvis undergoes angular displacement in the frontal, sagittal and transverse planes.

Material and methods: The studies were conducted in randomly selected kindergartens and schools from the urban and rural environment in the Warmia and Masuria region and the Pomerania region among 1832 male and 1974 female subjects at the age of 3 – 20 years. The photogrammetric method was applied to diagnose the angle of pelvic torsion to the left and to the right side in the frontal plane.

Results: The general analysis of the correlation coefficient including positive and negative correlations suggested that the values ranged between 0.43 and 0.44 for KNM and KNM-, from -0.1 to 0.1 for KNM and KSM-, and from -0.08 to -0.04 for KNM and KSM. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient for KNM- and KSM- ranged between -0.11 and -0.1, for KNM and KSM from -0.14 to 0.11, and for KSM- and KSM -0.72 to -0.7.

Conclusions: A high degree of negative correlations was recorded between the angle of pelvic torsion in the transverse plane to the left and the angle of pelvis twisted to the right side. A poor degree of positive correlation was observed between the parameters of KNM and KSM- as well as KNM- and KSM. A poor negative correlation was reported between the parameters of KNM and KSM and the parameters of KNM- and KSM-. The correction procedure for the pelvic position should consider mutual interdependencies of tilt angles in the frontal plane and of torsion angles in the transverse plane.
Financial Support of Western Galicia Communities for Polish Legions in 1914
Authors: Cisek Marek
Published: June 2021

Based on the source query conducted by thee team of the Supreme National Committee at the National Archives in Kraków, this paper discusses the organization and fi nancing aid for shooting troops and Polish Legions from the society of Western Galicia in 1914. Particular attention was paid to the organization of the aid and the sources of fundraising for the Legions in Kraków and counties and municipalities in Western Galicia.
Programme Proposals of the Social-Democratic Political Opposition in the 1980’s Poland.
Authors: Kluzik Marcin
Published: June 2021

This paper presents programme proposals of the social democratic (socialist) fraction of political opposition in Poland in the 1980’s, and especially its organized part. This fraction’s programme was inspired by the ideas and traditions of Polish independence and democratic socialism, symbolized by the pre-war PPS. The paper discusses selected issues raised by the Polish socialists in order to briefl y show the programme proposals developed by this fraction of political opposition.
Małopolska Heritage of the January Uprising
Authors: Mikołajczyk Jolanta
Published: June 2021

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the outbreak of the January Uprising there appeared the idea of the realisation of a project of collecting information about the war graves of the insurrectionists of the period 1863-1864 located within the boundaries of the present-day Małopolska voivodeship. During the course of the collection of the materials there appeared the necessity of locating in Poland the war graves of those who headed to join the uprising from the villages and towns of Małopolska. The resources kept by the voivodeship offices proved extremely helpful in the realisation of this endeavour.In Poland about 540 graves of insurrectionists (individual and collective graves) are protected by the state – i.e. graves of insurrectionists who perished, died due to the wounds they received, were killed as war prisoners or were executed according to the sentences of the Russian summary courts. In the area of the Małopolska voivodeship 29 structures of this type are preserved (23 collective graves and 6 individual graves). In other regions of the country the presence of one individual and 13 collective war graves in which those who perished originated from the Małopolska region was established. On the basis of the materials that were collected more than one hundred names of the insurrectionists who were buried there were established as well. The search is in progress; the present article describes the state of knowledge as of December 2015.