bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of glutathione S-transferase omega gene polymorphisms in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a case-control study
Authors: Yassa Marianne E. , Arnaout Hanaa H. , Botros Shahira K. , Obaid Emad N. , Mahmoud Wael M. , Morgan Dalia S.
Published: March 2021

Background

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. Glutathione-S-methyl transferase (GSTs) enzymes’ family is known to catalyze carcinogens detoxification. Overexpression of (GSTO) omega class was reported in cancer occurrence. The purpose of the study was to investigate the association of GSTO1*A140D (rs4925) and GSTO2*N142D (rs156697) polymorphisms with the susceptibility to childhood ALL and to evaluate their prognostic impact. Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique in 96 Egyptian pediatric ALL patients and 99 controls.

Results

No statistically significant different GSTO1*A140D genotype and allele distribution was observed among ALL cases and controls; however, a statistically significant different GSTO1*A140D genotype distribution was found between de novo ALL cases and controls [CC (37% vs. 56.6%), CA (47.8% vs. 40.4%), and AA (15.2% vs. 3.0%), respectively] (0.008). GSTO1*A140D variant genotypes’ frequency was significantly higher in de novo cases than in controls (63% vs. 43.4%) (0.028). The minor allele frequency (MAF) of GSTO1*A140D-A was significantly higher in de novo cases compared to controls (0.39 vs. 0.23) (0.005). Genotyping of GSTO2*N142D revealed a statistically significant difference of genotype distribution between ALL patients and controls [AA (26% vs. 36.3%), AG (62.5% vs. 61.6%), and GG (11.4% vs. 2.0%), respectively] (0.017) and between de novo ALL cases and controls [AA (37% vs. 36.3%), AG (45.7% vs. 61.6%), and GG (17.3% vs. 2.0%), respectively] (0.002). The MAF of GSTO2*N142D-G was significantly higher in ALL patients than in controls (0.42 vs. 0.32) (0.046). The high-risk ALL group had a higher frequency of GSTO1*A140D and GSTO2*N142D variant genotypes compared to corresponding wild genotypes and a higher frequency of combined polymorphisms compared to single polymorphisms and wild genotypes but with no statistically significant difference.

Conclusion

A statistically significant difference of GSTO1*A140D and GSTO2*N142D genotype distribution was detected between de novo ALL cases and controls. Compared to the control group, the MAF of GSTO1*A140D-A was overexpressed in de novo ALL cases and that of GSTO2*N142D-G was significantly higher in ALL patients. These findings suggest that the studied polymorphisms might play a significant role in the susceptibility to de novo childhood ALL in Egypt; however, GSTO1*A140D and/or GSTO2*N142D polymorphisms have no impact on ALL prognosis.
Paraganglioma Presenting as Hypoxia and Syncope in Pregnancy: A Case Report
Authors: Elsamadicy Emad A. , Yazdani Shekoufeh , Karuppiah Arunthevaraja , Marcano Isabel , Turan Ozhan , Kodali Bhavani Shankar , Jessel Rebecca
Published: March 2021

Paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare tumors with an incidence of 0.007% in pregnant women. Patients with PGLs commonly present with hypertension and tachycardia. This case report describes the evaluation and management of a multiparous woman at 32 weeks of gestation with syncope, hypoxia, and tachycardia as unusual presenting symptoms of PGL. Her symptoms were attributable to paradoxical effects of circulating catecholamines on downregulated alpha-adrenergic receptors resulting in decreased systemic vascular resistance.
A Consecutive Case Series of Rescue Intubations With the Articulating Total Control Introducer for Precision Tracheal Access
Authors: Shah Ashka , Durnford Katryn , Knecht Lauren , Jacobson Cameron , Runnels Sean Torin
Published: March 2021

Effective rescue after failed intubation is important to limit the number of attempts and patient risk. Nothing is known about the Total Control Introducer’s (TCI) effectiveness as an intubation rescue device. A single system’s airway management database was studied. The TCI was used for rescue in 34 cases. Overall success was 33 of 34 (97%). First-pass success was 32 of 33 (97%). First-pass rescue was successful in 12 of 12 (100%) after video and direct laryngoscopy had failed. In this case series, the TCI was found to be a highly effective rescue technique after failed direct and video laryngoscopy.
Ultrasonography Using the Right Supraclavicular Fossa View Detects Pathology and Facilitates Solutions for Placement of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters: A Case Report
Authors: Lind Peter Carøe , Kirkegaard Ellen , Juhl-Olsen Peter
Published: March 2021

The right supraclavicular fossa view allows for ultrasonographic visualization of the central veins. A preprocedural scan of an asymptomatic 38-year-old man referred for peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertion revealed a large thrombus in the right brachiocephalic vein. Hence, a left-sided insertion was chosen. Using the right supraclavicular view, the PICC was visualized in the left brachiocephalic vein, and the catheter was followed to its final position, avoiding contact with the thrombus. Thus, the right supraclavicular fossa view allowed for the detection of relevant pathology and facilitated an alternative feasible strategy with real-time catheter guidance during PICC insertion.
Review ofRussia’s Crony Capitalism: The Path from Market Economy to Kleptocracyby Anders Åslund
Authors: Alexeev Michael
Published: March 2021

Anders Åslund provides a comprehensive description of the main political and economic events of Vladimir Putin’s 20 years at the helm of the country. In politics, Åslund shows how Putin skillfully maneuvered to destroy democracy in Russia. I argue that the “cultural backlash” by older generations played perhaps an even more important role. I also show that the young generations hold rather liberal values, thus providing hope for the future. In economics, Åslund focuses on large state corporations, assets of Putin’s cronies, and macroeconomic policies, with only general statements about the country’s institutional weakness. I complement Åslund’s analysis by a more detailed examination of the impact of institutions and briefly survey fiscal federalism and informal economic activities—issues without which the workings of the Russian economy are hard to understand. (JEL D72, H77, O52, P26, P35)
A giant isolated right coronary aneurism
Authors: Andreoli Chiara , Biscottini Emilia , Helou Johny , Crusco Federico , Marchetti Francesco , Scarpignato Maurizio
Published: March 2021

A previously healthy 32-year-old female hailing from Mexico presented to the emergency department with rectorrhagia. Caseating granulomas were detected on histopathological analysis from cecum ulcerative lesions. A purified protein derivative skin test resulted positive. In order to exclude pulmonary tubercolosis, a CT lung scan was performed: a rounded and voluminous mass, located above the right atrioventricular cardiac junction, was unexpectedly revealed. Further, a cardiac magnetic resonance and a coronary angiography disclosed a giant (5 × 4,8 cm) isolated aneurysm of proximal right coronary artery with severe thrombotic layering. The patient was treated with isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide; after approximately 2 months of treatment, she had complete resolution of cecal lesions. Anticoagulant oral therapy with warfarin was started and the patient was submitted to coronary artery grafting bypass surgery.
Advance MR evaluation of synchronous multifocal osteosarcoma with pathologic fracture
Authors: Setiawati Rosy , Lay Eveline Stephanie , Testini Valentina , Rahardjo Paulus , Edward Mouli , Mustokoweni Sjahjenny , Guglielmi Giuseppe
Published: March 2021

Objective:

Synchronous multifocal osteosarcoma is a rare condition in which the osteosarcoma presents with multiple bone lesions at the time of diagnosis, usually without any visceral metastases. The first case was described in early 1930s by Silverman. To report a case of synchronous multifocal osteosarcoma in adolescent with pathologic fracture.

Methods:

An 18-year-old girl presented with a painful mass in the right thigh of 4 months’ duration and a history of thigh bone fracture a month ago. Patient’s medical records and family history was unremarkable. Physical examination showed angulation and shortening at right femoral region with tenderness and swelling. Initial radiograph and magnetic resonance (MR) images showed multiple lesions in right femoral shaft and pelvic bone with primary tumor in right distal femur with pathologic fracture and multiple bone marrow lesions found in the contralateral bones. Imaging and histopathological results supported the diagnosis of synchronous multifocal osteosarcoma. After following the chemotherapy as the treatment of choice, the radiograph and MRI evaluation were done and showed reduction of the mass size with union of the destructed part with the formation of callus. The advance MRI revealed reduction of the overall mass and the composition of the viable area compared to previous study. The patient had satisfying response to chemotherapy series and a better functional outcome on subsequent visits.

Results:

Diagnosis of synchronous multifocal osteosarcoma was based on patient and family history and finding of multiple lesions in the MR images, meanwhile the plain radiograph only revealed the primary tumor. Amstutz described multifocal osteosarcoma as presence of one primary tumor and several smaller lesions. Most recent reviews concluded that multifocal osteosarcoma is bone-to-bone metastatic process rather than multicentric origin. The limitation in this case was absence of thoracic CT which is suggested to rule out any pulmonary metastases instead of routine chest radiograph.

Conclusion:

Although satisfying improvement was clinically achieved, further advanced MRI would be indicated to evaluate the progression of tumor and its respond to therapy.
Calculated relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for initial DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) from flattening filter and flattening filter-free 6 MV X-ray fields
Authors: Nakano Hisashi , Kawahara Daisuke , Tanabe Satoshi , Utsunomiya Satoru , Takizawa Takeshi , Sakai Madoka , Nakano Toshimichi , Ohta Atsushi , Kaidu Motoki , Ishikawa Hiroyuki
Published: March 2021

Objectives:

We evaluated the radiobiological effectiveness based on the yields of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) of field induction with flattening filter (FF) and FF-free (FFF) photon beams.

Methods:

We used the particle and heavy ion transport system (PHITS) and a water equivalent phantom (30 × 30 × 30 cm3) to calculate the physical qualities of the dose-mean lineal energy (yD) with 6 MV FF and FFF. The relative biological effectiveness based on the yields of DNA-DSBs (RBEDSB) was calculated for standard radiation such as 220 kVp X-rays by using the estimating yields of SSBs and DSBs. The measurement points used to calculate the in-field yD and RBEDSB were located at a depth of 3, 5, and 10 cm in the water equivalent phantom on the central axis. Measurement points at 6, 8, and 10 cm in the lateral direction of each of the three depths from the central axis were set to calculate the out-of-field yD and RBEDSB.

Results:

The RBEDSB of FFF in-field was 1.7% higher than FF at each measurement depth. The RBEDSB of FFF out-of-field was 1.9 to 6.4% higher than FF at each depth measurement point. As the distance to out-of-field increased, the RBEDSB of FFF rose higher than those of FF. FFF has a larger RBEDSB than FF based on the yields of DNA-DSBs as the distance to out-of-field increased.

Conclusions:

The out-of-field radiobiological effect of FFF could thus be greater than that of FF since the spreading of the radiation dose out-of-field with FFF could be a concern compared to the FF.

Advances in knowledge:

The RBEDSB of FFF of out-of-field might be larger than FF.
Barriers and facilitators to implementing clinical imaging guidelines by healthcare professionals using theoretical domains framework: a mixed-methods systematic review protocol
Authors: Kisembo Harriet Nalubega , Nassanga Ritah , Ameda Faith Ameda , Ocan Moses , Kinengyere Alison A , Abdirahaman Sahal Omal , Malumba Richard , Salama Dina Husseiny , Kawooya Michael Grace
Published: March 2021

Objectives:

To identify, categorize, and develop an aggregated synthesis of evidence using the theoretical domains framework (TDF) on barriers and facilitators that influence implementation of clinical imaging guidelines (CIGs) by healthcare professionals (HCPs) in diagnostic imaging

Methods:

The protocol will be guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers’ Manual 2014. Methodology for JBI Mixed Methods Systematic Reviews and will adhere to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA-P). Information source will include databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library), internet search (https://www.google.com/scholar), experts’ opinion, professional societies/organizations websites and government bodies strategies/recommendations, and reference lists of included studies. Articles of any study design published in English from 1990 to date, having investigated factors operating as barriers and/or facilitators to the implementation CIGs by HCPs will be eligible. Selecting, appraising, and extracting data from the included studies will be independently performed by at least two reviewers using validated tools and Rayyan – Systematic Review web application. Disagreements will be resolved by consensus and a third reviewer as a tie breaker. The aggregated studies will be synthesized using thematic analysis guided by TDF. Results: Identified barriers will be defined a priori and mapped into 7 TDF domains including knowledge, awareness, effectiveness, time, litigationand financial incentives

Conclusion:

The results will provide an insight into a theory-based approach to predict behavior-related determinants for implementing CIGs and develop strategies/interventions to target the elicited behaviors. Recommendations will be made if the level of evidence is sufficient

Advances in knowledge:

Resource-constrained settings that are in the process of adopting CIGs may opt for this strategy to predict in advance likely impediments to achieving the goal of CIG implementation and develop tailored interventions during the planning phase. Systematic review Registration: PROSPERO ID = CRD42020136372 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO).
Comparison of quantitative and qualitative scoring approaches for radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis as applied to a preliminary investigation into the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell delivery methods in a rat model
Authors: Wang Li Ming , Jung Sungmi , Serban Monica , Chatterjee Avishek , Lee Sangkyu , Jeyaseelan Krishinima , El Naqa Issam , Seuntjens Jan , Ybarra Norma
Published: March 2021

Objectives:

Compare a quantitative, algorithm-driven, and qualitative, pathologist-driven, scoring of radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF). And using these scoring models to derive preliminary comparisons on the effects of different mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) administration modalities in reducing RIPF.

Methods

25 rats were randomized into 5 groups: non-irradiated control (CG), irradiated control (CR), intraperitoneally administered granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor or GM-CSF (Drug), intravascularly administered MSC (IV), and intratracheally administered MSC (IT). All groups, except CG, received an 18 Gy conformal dose to the right lung. Drug, IV and IT groups were treated immediately after irradiation. After 24 weeks of observation, rats were euthanized, their lungs excised, fixed and stained with Masson’s Trichrome. Samples were anonymized and RIPF was scored qualitatively by a certified pathologist and quantitatively using ImageScope. An analysis of association was conducted, and two binary classifiers trained to validate the integrity of both qualitative and quantitative scoring. Differences between the treatment groups, as assessed by the pathologist score, were then tested by variance component analysis and mixed models for differences in RIPF outcomes.

Results:

There is agreement between qualitative and quantitative scoring for RIPF grades from 4 to 7. Both classifiers performed similarly on the testing set (AUC = 0.923) indicating accordance between the qualitative and quantitative scoring. For comparisons between MSC infusion modalities, the Drug group had better outcomes (mean pathologist scoring of 3.96), correlating with significantly better RIPF outcomes than IV [lower by 0.97, p = 0.047, 95% CI = (0.013, 1.918)] and resulting in an improvement over CR [lower by 0.93, p = 0.037, 95% CI = (0.062, 1.800].

Conclusion:

Quantitative image analysis may help in the assessment of therapeutic interventions for RIPF and can serve as a scoring surrogate in differentiating between severe and mild cases of RIPF. Preliminary data demonstrate that the use of GM-CSF was best correlated with lower RIPF severity.

Advances in knowledge

Quantitative image analysis can be a viable supplemental system of quality control and triaging in situations where pathologist work hours or resources are limited. The use of different MSC administration methods can result in different degrees of MSC efficacy and study outcomes.
Building capacity through open approaches: Lessons from developing undergraduate electrophysiology practicals
Authors: McKiernan Erin C. , Medina Gómez Lucía
Published: March 2021

Background: Electrophysiology has a wide range of biomedical research and clinical applications. As such, education in the theoretical basis and hands-on practice of electrophysiological techniques is essential for biomedical students, including at the undergraduate level. However, offering hands-on learning experiences is particularly difficult in environments with limited resources and infrastructure.

Methods: In 2017, we began a project to design and incorporate electrophysiology laboratory practicals into our Biomedical Physics undergraduate curriculum at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. We describe some of the challenges we faced, how we maximized resources to overcome some of these challenges, and in particular, how we used open scholarship approaches to build both educational and research capacity.

Results: We succeeded in developing a number of experimental and data analysis practicals in electrophysiology, including electrocardiogram, electromyogram, and electrooculogram techniques. The use of open tools, open platforms, and open licenses was key to the success and broader impact of our project. We share examples of our practicals and explain how we use these activities to strengthen interdisciplinary learning, namely the application of concepts in physics to understanding functions of the human body.

Conclusions: Open scholarship provides multiple opportunities for universities to build capacity. Our goal is to provide ideas, materials, and strategies for educators working in similar resource-limited environments.
Limitations to current methods to estimate cause of death: a validation study of a verbal autopsy model
Authors: Menéndez Clara , Quintó Llorenç , Castillo Paola , Carrilho Carla , Ismail Mamudo R. , Lorenzoni Cesaltina , Fernandes Fabiola , Hurtado Juan Carlos , Rakislova Natalia , Munguambe Khátia , Maixenchs Maria , Macete Eusebio , Mandomando Inacio , Martínez Miguel J , Bassat Quique , Alonso Pedro L , Ordi Jaume
Published: March 2021

Background: Accurate information on causes of death (CoD) is essential to estimate burden of disease, track global progress, prioritize cost-effective interventions, and inform policies to reduce mortality. In low-income settings, where a significant proportion of deaths take place at home or in poorly-resourced peripheral health facilities, data on CoD often relies on verbal autopsies (VAs). Validations of VAs have been performed against clinical diagnosis, but never before against an acceptable gold standard: the complete diagnostic autopsy (CDA).

Methods: We have validated a computer-coded verbal autopsy method –the InterVA- using individual and population metrics to determine CoD against the CDA, in 316 deceased patients of different age groups who died in a tertiary-level hospital in Maputo, Mozambique between 2013 and 2015.  

Results: We found a low agreement of the model across all age groups at the individual (kappa statistic ranging from -0.030 to 0.232, lowest in stillbirths and highest in adults) and population levels (chance-corrected cause-specific mortality fraction accuracy ranging from -1.00 to 0.62, lowest in stillbirths, highest in children). The sensitivity in identifying infectious diseases was low (0% for tuberculosis, diarrhea, and disseminated infections, 32% for HIV-related infections, 33% for malaria and 36% for pneumonia). Of maternal deaths, 26 were assigned to eclampsia but only four patients actually died of eclampsia.

Conclusions: These findings do not lead to building confidence in current estimates of CoD. They also call to the need to implement autopsy methods where they may be feasible, and to improve the quality and performance of current VA techniques.
Movement and Balance. A comment on Derek Attridge’s Moving Words
Authors: Lilja Eva
Published: March 2021

This paper discusses some central problems that occur within cognitive versification studies. Derek Attridge’s Moving Words (2013) comments on Richard Cureton’s concept of temporalities. Attridge understands poetic rhythm as movement. He draws the conclusion that movement and repetition are, in principle, contradictory because, in a way, repetition looks backwards and stops the movement. This turns out to be a complicated statement, as repetition seems to be the only poetic device that is common in poetry all over the world. However, it may be possible to understand the relationship between movement and repetition with the help of Reuven Tsur’s concept of back-structuring. This shows how verse rhythm is spatialised as well as has the ability to move in time. This is possible because of gestalt borders that close the sequences. Additionally, Cureton’s fourth thematic temporality is useful to solve the conflict. Temporality is a complex reality, and poetic rhythm also has the ability to stand still.
Kobiety w polityce: Sfera publiczna
Authors: Banaś Monika
Published: March 2021

WOMEN IN POLITICS. THE PUBLIC SPHERE Culture, which is the basis of individual and collective mentality, has power to form and re-form human behaviour, ambitions, actions, plans, etc. The cultural dimension is therefore highly important for the issues presented in this publication. Mentality consent to the presence of women in politics as active agents, and not only passive (absent) actors, can and does happen precisely through cultural changes. In this case, projects promoting gender equality, equal access of women and men to material and symbolic goods, such as work and prestige, play a fundamental role. Also in the field of education, it is vital to encourage children and young adults, regardless of gender, to become involved in political life, without stigmatizing, discriminating against or perpetuating stereotypical thinking about women. The topic of women’s participation in politics still remains a vivid issue, calling for inclusion in the general public discourse and general social awareness and, above all, everyday practice. Let this publication be an invitation to do so.
Fast Modelling and Identification of Hydraulic Brake Plants for Automotive Applications
Authors: Pugi Luca , Alfatti Federico , Berzi Lorenzo , Favilli Tommaso , Pierini Marco  , Forrier Bart , D’hondt Thomas , Sarrazin Mathieu
Published: March 2021

Diffusion of electric and hybrid vehicles is accelerating the development of innovative braking technologies. Calibration of accurate models of a hydraulic brake plant involves availability of large amount of data whose acquisition is expensive and time consuming. Also, for some applications, such as vehicle simulators and hardware in the loop test rig, a real-time implementation is required. To avoid excessive computational loads, usage of simplified parametric models is almost mandatory. In this work, authors propose a simplified functional approach to identify and simulate the response of a generic hydraulic plant with a limited number of experimental tests. To reproduce complex nonlinear behaviours that are difficult to be reproduced with simplified models, piecewise transfer functions with scheduled poles are proposed. This innovative solution has been successfully applied for the identification of the brake plant of an existing vehicle, a Siemens prototype of instrumented vehicle called SimRod, demonstrating the feasibility of proposed method.
Control of the Test Rig for Spring Stiffness Measurement with Hydraulic Integrated Actuator and Computer Vision
Authors: Noskievič Petr , De León Melvin Alexis Lara
Published: March 2021

The paper deals with the control of the test rig for measurement of the stiffness of the spring. The test rig is equipped with integrated hydraulic actuator and multilayer control system with computer vision to automate the testing process and to increase the safety of the operating staff during the testing. The integrated hydraulic actuator allows to control the piston velocity and position and to produce the force needed for the spring compression and stiffness measurement. It has an integrated manifold with four proportional flow control valves connected as the full hydraulic resistance bridge. Each control valve is controlled separately using the input signal. That makes it possible to realize different connections and control strategies of the hydraulic cylinder using the different control algorithms. The hydraulic circuit was modelled and simulated, and the achieved simulation results are presented in the paper. The test rig is controlled using the microprocessor control system and is it equipped by different transducers – position transducer, pressure transducers and force transducer to be able to collect data important for the stiffness characteristic evaluation. The upper level of the control system is created by the vision control system. The goal of the implementation of the machine vision is to decrease the number of the manual operations done by the technician by the spring testing and to extend the automatic testing cycle of the automatic computer vision-controlled movement of the actuator at the beginning of the testing cycle and finally to increase the safety of the operating staff. The structure and functionality of the designed control system, experimentally obtained results and evaluated stiffness characteristic of the tested spring are presented in the following chapters.
Bladder-to-bladder metastasis: gallbladder cancer metastasising to the urinary bladder
Authors: Mukherjee S , Abbaraju J , Russell G , Madaan S
Published: March 2021

We report a 48-year-old fit and healthy woman who was incidentally diagnosed to have adenocarcinoma of gallbladder after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Subsequent imaging showed no evidence of regional or distant spread. She was scheduled for elective laparotomy and resection of gallbladder bed, but during laparotomy frozen section analysis of an incidentally discovered peritoneal deposit confirmed metastasis, so the procedure was abandoned. Thereafter, she received cisplatin and gemcitabine chemotherapy. However, surveillance computed tomography incidentally noted a urinary bladder mass which had not been present before. Transurethral resection of the bladder lesion revealed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of urinary bladder. The appearance and immunoprofile of the lesion confirmed metastasis from the primary gallbladder cancer, which has not been documented in the literature to the best of our knowledge. Her disease progressed and she is being challenged with gemcitabine and carboplatin as second-line palliative chemotherapy. She is still alive two years after the initial diagnosis.
Suspected cauda equina syndrome: no reduction in investigation, referral and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Woodfield J , Brennan PM , Statham PFX , Stone J , Hoeritzauer I
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Compression of the cauda equina can lead to bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction with lower limb pain, numbness and weakness. Urgent surgical decompression aims to prevent progressive neurological deficit. Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome (CES), such as back pain, sciatica and bladder dysfunction are common in the population, but the majority of those investigated do not have radiological cauda equina compression. However, a missed diagnosis can have significant medical, social and legal consequences. We investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on presentation and management of suspected CES.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study analysed referral, investigation and treatment of CES in a regional neurosurgical centre during the initial COVID-19 surge between March and May 2020 compared with March to May 2019.

Results

Referrals for suspected CES were similar during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 275) compared with 2019 (n = 261, p = 0.596) despite a significant (19%) decrease in total emergency neurosurgical referrals (1248 in 2020 vs 1544 in 2019, p < 0.001). Nineteen (7%) of the suspected CES referrals underwent decompression in 2020, similar to 16 (6%) in 2019 (p = 0.867). There were no differences in outcomes or complications and no evidence of delays in presentation or treatment.

Conclusions

Unlike other emergency neurosurgical conditions, the number of referrals for suspected CES and the percentage of referrals with radiological cauda equina compression were unchanged during the COVID-19 pandemic. The persistence of CES referrals when many people stayed away from hospital highlights the distress and worry caused by suspected CES and its symptoms to both patients and healthcare providers.
Real-time noise reduction based on ground truth free deep learning for optical coherence tomography
Authors: Huang Yong , Zhang Nan , Hao Qun
Published: March 2021

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution non-invasive 3D imaging modality, which has been widely used for biomedical research and clinical studies. The presence of noise on OCT images is inevitable which will cause problems for post-image processing and diagnosis. The frame-averaging technique that acquires multiple OCT images at the same or adjacent locations can enhance the image quality significantly. Both conventional frame averaging methods and deep learning-based methods using averaged frames as ground truth have been reported. However, conventional averaging methods suffer from the limitation of long image acquisition time, while deep learning-based methods require complicated and tedious ground truth label preparation. In this work, we report a deep learning-based noise reduction method that does not require clean images as ground truth for model training. Three network structures, including Unet, super-resolution residual network (SRResNet), and our modified asymmetric convolution-SRResNet (AC-SRResNet), were trained and evaluated using signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), edge preservation index (EPI) and computation time (CT). The effectiveness of these three trained models on OCT images of different samples and different systems was also investigated and confirmed. The SNR improvement for different sample images for L2-loss-trained Unet, SRResNet, and AC-SRResNet are 20.83 dB, 24.88 dB, and 22.19 dB, respectively. The SNR improvement for public images from different system for L1-loss-trained Unet, SRResNet, and AC-SRResNet are 19.36 dB, 20.11 dB, and 22.15 dB, respectively. AC-SRResNet and SRResNet demonstrate better denoising effect than Unet with longer computation time. AC-SRResNet demonstrates better edge preservation capability than SRResNet while Unet is close to AC-SRResNet. Eventually, we incorporated Unet, SRResNet, and AC-SRResNet into our graphic processing unit accelerated OCT imaging system for online noise reduction evaluation. Real-time noise reduction for OCT images with size of 512×512 pixels for Unet, SRResNet, and AC-SRResNet at 64 fps, 19 fps, and 17 fps were achieved respectively.
NMR spectroscopy reveals acetylsalicylic acid metabolites in the human urine for drug compliance monitoring
Authors: Kupriyanova Galina , Rafalskiy Vladimir , Mershiev Ivan , Moiseeva Ekaterina
Published: March 2021

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Long-term use of antiplatelet drugs is a well-studied therapy for the prevention of cardiovascular death. Ensuring compliance with lifelong administration of antiplatelet drugs, in particular acetylsalicylic acid, is one of the challenges of such therapy. The aim of this study is to explore the possibility of using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to identify acetylsalicylic acid metabolites in urine and to search for characteristic markers that could be used to detect patient compliance with long-term acetylsalicylic acid treatment.
Pretreatment with Salvadora persica L. (Miswak) aqueous extract alleviates paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and hematological toxicity in male mice
Authors: Alaraj Mohd , Acar Tolgahan , Kosinska Irena , Al-Trad Bahaa , Almaaytah Ammar M. , Saadh Mohamed J. , Qumani Mohammed A. , Syed Shahid M. , Altaif Khalil I. , Ashfaque Hossain
Published: March 2021

Background and Aim: Paracetamol (PCM) ingestion is one of the most frequent global causes of toxicity. Salvadora persica L. is a plant that among many other effects exhibits potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. In this study, we investigated the possible protective effect of S. persica aqueous extract in the PCM overdose-induced liver and kidney injury and hematological changes in a mice model.

Materials and Methods: Mice were given PCM with and without S. persica pretreatment. Blood cell counts and liver and kidney function biomarkers were measured. Liver and kidney samples were histologically examined.

Results: A single overdose of PCM caused significant elevations of alanine and aspartate transaminases, alkaline phosphate, bilirubin, urea, uric acid, and creatinine compared with the control group. In addition, PCM toxicity significantly lowered red blood cell count but insignificantly increased both white blood cell and platelet counts in comparison to the control mice. Pretreatment with S. persica significantly prevented PCM-induced changes in hepatic and renal biomarkers. S. persica also caused marked reversal of hematological changes. Histologically, the liver and kidney showed inflammation and necrosis after PCM treatment, which were significantly reduced in mice pretreated with S. persica.

Conclusion: Taken together, S. persica significantly inhibited PCM-induced renal, hepatic, and hematological toxicity, pointing to its possible use in the treatment of liver and renal disorders.
Egyetemi-ipari együttműködések a kapcsolatmarketing nézőpontjából
Authors: Vilmányi Márton
Published: March 2021

Az innovatív szervezetek (egyetemek, vállalatok, hídképző intézmények) közötti kapcsolatok sikerességének hosszú távú biztosítása kulcsfontosságú összefüggést jelent az innovációorientált tevékenységekben érdekelt piaci szereplők számára éppúgy, mint napjaink gazdaságfejlesztési aktivitásait koordináló kormányzati szereplők számára. Az egyetemi-ipari együttműködések fejlesztése kiemelt szerepet játszik mind az Európai Unió innovációs politikájában, mind az Új Magyarország Fejlesztési Tervben, vagy az egyes hazai felsőoktatási intézmények intézményfejlesztési terveiben. E kapcsolatok vizsgálata, kezelése során ugyanakkor mind az elméleti, mind a gyakorlati szakemberek hajlamosak az egyetemi-ipari interakciókat homogén módon együttműködésként kezelni, pedig a kapcsolat módja, iránya, mélysége függvényében e területen is lényeges különbségek adódnak. A szerző tanulmányában e különbségekre rámutatva az egyetemi- ipari együttműködéseket a kapcsolatmarketing nézőpontjából értelmezi, áttekintést adva e kapcsolatok motivációiról, formáiról, főbb jellemzőiről.
Apoyo a la Autonomía, satisfacción de Necesidades Psicológicas Básicas, Motivación Autodeterminada y Bienestar en bailarines adolescentes de una escuela de danza.
Authors: García Garay Marta
Published: March 2021

Tomando como base teórica la Teoría de la Autodeterminación (Deci y Ryan, 1985,2000), se puso a prueba un modelo correlacional atendiendo a las variables: Apoyo a la Autonomía, satisfacción de Necesidades Psicológicas Básicas, Motivación Autodeterminada y Bienestar (Autoconcepto: Autovalía Global y Competencia en Danza).

Muestra de 75 bailarines (M=12.49; DT=2.32) la totalidad del alumnado adolescente de una escuela privada de danza. Se utilizaron diversos instrumentos estandarizados propios del deporte y adaptados a danza. Se realizaron estadísticos descriptivos, correlaciones de Pearson y análisis de la fiabilidad interna (Alfa de Cronbach), utilizando el paquete estadístico SPSS21.

Los índices de fiabilidad superaron los criterios recomendables (alfa > .70) a excepción de la Competencia en Danza (alfa=.46). Los resultados ofrecieron apoyo parcial al modelo propuesto. Cuando los bailarines perciben que sus profesores les proporcionan un clima de apoyo a la autonomía, informan de mayor satisfacción de sus necesidades psicológicas (especialmente autonomía y relación) y de mayor calidad de la experiencia: mayor motivación autodeterminada hacia el baile. No se han confirmado las hipótesis relacionadas con el autoconcepto.
Experiencia del departamento de psicología en la escuela de fútbol base C.F. San José
Authors: Álvarez Fernández María Sol , Chico Camacho Rocío
Published: March 2021

La principal finalidad de este trabajo es presentar el área de actuación, en el contexto del fútbol base, del Departamento de Psicología del C.F. San José. El objetivo más importante del Club es el desarrollo integral del jugador, por lo que se busca potenciar su crecimiento tanto deportivo como personal. Para abordar esta labor, se actúa de manera específica con los diferentes agentes implicados en la entidad (cuerpo técnico, jugadores, y madres y padres) mediante asesoramiento, formación, entrenamiento psicológico, orientación, evaluación, y apoyo psicológico. Y también se trabaja de manera transversal, con todos ellos, a través del programa “Juego Limpio” de fomento de valores positivos en el deporte.
Dependencia y psicopatología en deportistas: un estudio piloto
Authors: Ortiz García Cristina , Arbinaga Ibarzabal Félix
Published: March 2021

La dependencia al ejercicio físico presenta características similares a los trastornos por dependencia a sustancias. El objetivo propuesto fue llevar a cabo un estudio piloto y analizar la existencia diferencial de psicopatología según el nivel de dependencia al ejercicio en una muestra de 50 deportistas. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron la “Escala de Dependencia del Ejercicio (EDS-R)” de Downs, Hausenblas y Nigg (2004) y el SCL-90-R (Derogatis, 1975). En la EDS-R no existen diferencias entre sexos y sólo aquellos que dicen tener un entrenador obtienen puntuaciones superiores, en la sub-escala Tiempo-Dedicado, frente a los que no lo tienen. Los no federados, frente a los federados, obtienen puntuaciones más altas Falta de Control y Efectos Deseados, así como una mayor puntuación en Ansiedad-Fóbica y Psicoticismo. Tras el ANOVA son los Dependientes, frente a los Sintomáticos No Dependientes y los Asintomáticos, quienes obtienen mayores puntuaciones en todas las subescalas del SCL-90-R, salvo en Hostilidad y en la subescala Fóbicos sólo se presentan diferencias entre Dependientes y Asintomáticos. En conclusión, los dependientes muestran una mayor psicopatología y sería recomendable potenciar futuros estudios con muestras más amplias para ahondar en estas relaciones.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE, GLOBALIZATION AND NIGERIAN ECONOMY
Authors: Odo Cosmas , Ozoemenam Kenneth  N. , Edeh Kingsley N.
Published: March 2021

Protagonists of free trade such as the World Bank and IMF are loud in proclaiming the virtues of international trade and globalization. They are quick to point out that granting free rein to these concepts would not only lead to optimal resource allocation but also engender growth in global economy. This paper sought to probe the veracity of these claims in the context of a developing economy like Nigeria. The paper first clears up conceptual issues involved and later cast the operations of these phenomena within the Nigerian economic setting. It was found that whereas industrial countries, in joint operation with their multinational corporations, may have benefited immensely from the opportunities created by international trade and globalization, developing countries, characterized by weak technological base and unfavourable macro-economic factors, have hitherto benefitted minimally, but her losses far outweigh her gains such that she could rightly be characterized as a net loser in the competition. It therefore argues that countries like Nigeria should protect their domestic markets from the negative impact of foreign trade and globalization. It however recommends that Nigeria should adopt a selective technological transfer that fits into her domestic need for economic diversification via private sector-led initiatives.
Constraints Of Community Participation On Domestic Solid Waste Management In Sodo City, Wolayita Ethiopia
Authors: Meja Merihun Fikru , Ayano Nigatu Bushura
Published: March 2021

This study was undertaken to assess the constraints of community participation on domestic solid waste management activities in sodo city, Ethiopia. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected from 204 households who were randomly selected from four kebeles (Fana, Gebeya, Gido and Selame) of wolayita-sodo city. The primary data were gathered through survey questionnaire, key informant interview, focus group discussion, and field observation. The secondary data were collected from central statistics authority, city municipality, published and unpublished sources. The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. The result shows that participation of communities on domestic solid waste management was low. The result from binary logistic regression model revealed that the probability of household participation on domestic solid waste management was positively and significantly constrained by educational level of households, household income, and household access to main road, small-scale enterprise service coverage and supply of waste facility. On the other hand, sex of household head and marital statuses were negatively and significantly constrained the probability of household participations on domestic solid waste management. As a result, widening the horizon of education and training, expanding small-scale enterprise service coverage, supply of waste facility and provision of road infrastructure within the community was suggested to reduce constraints of community participation on domestic solid waste management.
Pandemic Aftershock: Revisiting Consumers’ Risk Perception Attitude and Perceived Safety towards an Audience-Centered Marketing Paradigm
Authors: AL-Sahouly Ibrahim
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this empirical research is to empirically investigate the effect of Covid-19 crisis on Egyptians’ risk perception attitude, perceived safety and local travel intentions inside Egypt for the aim of reaching significant marketing insights and recommendation to benefit the tourism sector during Covid-19 pandemic. Those marketing insights can help prepare citizens to deal with the crisis challenges for the objective of normalizing everyday practice, maintain productivity and help protect the stability of the community.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts the variables of the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM), which provides a useful framework to understand how individuals respond to crisis/risk. This research empirically investigates the current insights, concerns and needs of 300 samples from the Egyptian community for the aim of reaching a practical method of normalization; thus, bridging what the researcher would like to call “the blind spot” or gaps of actions between decision makers and citizens. This research applies quantitative research method. Data were collected online. It is significant to pinpoint that this empirical investigation  adopts the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM), which provides a useful framework to understand how individuals respond to crisis/risk communication messages for the purpose of investigating the research hypotheses; thus, this empirical study does not aim to extend nor to present a conceptual framework for the adopted Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) within the Egyptian milieu.

Findings

The research findings suggest new marketing implementations for overcoming the challenges facing the local tourism sector in Egypt due to Covid-19 pandemic crisis, and further recommends an audience-centered paradigm in marketing and communicating promotional messages.

Originality/value

To date, limited empirical research has investigated Egyptian tourists’ insights for sustaining the internal tourism sector in Egypt during normal and crisis times. This research is considered valuable to decision makers, marketers and academics alike as it provides up- to- date marketing insights and empirical results for the aim of normalizing the internal tourism practices in Egypt after the pandemic shock and even during the consecutive waves of Covid-19.
The Fisher Separation Theorem And Capital Budgeting Decisions Of Quoted Firms In Nigeria
Authors: Olulu-Briggs Omiete Victoria
Published: March 2021

This study explored the Fisher separation theorem and capital budgeting decisions of quoted firms on the Nigerian stock exchange. A sample of 60 questionnaires were filled and returned by staffs from particular sectors like manufacturing, health and agriculture.  Descriptive statistics was employed to illustrate the data while the Spearman rank order correlation test was used to determine if a significant relationship exist among the variables. From the estimates, the Net Present Value and Modified Internal Rate of Return are regularly employed by firms in making capital budgeting decisions. Also, when firms employ capital budgeting tools, it creates wealth for both managers and shareholders, providing support for the Fisher’s separation theorem. Finally, a correlation coefficient of 0.827 reflect a positive and linear relationship between capital budgeting decision and Shareholders’ value creation. Thus, an increase in capital budgeting decisions result to an increase in value creation. This outcome is consistent with findings from other economies and previous studies. It thus recommends that firms in the Nigerian environment should ensure they play down on shareholders’ desire for dividends and instead redirect their funds to more investments by employing suitable capital budgeting decisions.
Promoting Companies and Host Community Relationship through Literacy Education for Sustainable Community Development in Rivers State, Nigeria.
Authors: UGWU Angela Nkechi , OMEJE Mercy Ebere
Published: March 2021

There is need for a good rapport or relationship between companies and their host communities for a peaceful co-existence and maximum achievement of the company’s desired goals and development of the communities.  This paper examined literacy education as a tool for equipping community members with skills, attitude and information for a peaceful co-existence between them and companies in their communities for sustainable community development. The writers established that there are conflicts that arise between companies and host communities due to reasons like ignorance, lack of information or misinformation that literacy programs can deal with. It was suggested among others that states should resuscitate mass literacy programmes in communities and there should be integration of literacy training programs into the community development plans by companies in their host communities as part of the cooperate social responsibilities