bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recurrence and mortality rates with different treatment approaches of Merkel cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Harvey Jamison A. , Mirza Sultan A. , Erwin Patricia J. , Chan An W. , Murad M. H. , Brewer Jerry D.
Published: July 2021

Background

Comprehensive treatment recommendations for Merkel cell carcinoma are complex. We aimed to systematically review the published data on recurrence and mortality rates associated with various treatment approaches for Merkel cell carcinoma.

Methods

Search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus from inception to August 2015. Studies were included that reported comparative survival and recurrence data for two or more treatment modalities. Two reviewers independently reviewed and abstracted recurrence and mortality rates. Event rates for individual treatment arms in each study were pooled and meta‐analyzed across studies using a random‐effects model.

Results

Fifty‐two retrospective studies met inclusion criteria, revealing a total of 1,804 patients with primary Merkel cell carcinoma with data available for analyses. The recurrence rate was higher for surgery alone (55.0%) versus a combination of surgery and radiotherapy (39.0%) (odds ratio, 2.089; 95% CI, 1.374–3.177; P < 0.001). Combination therapy including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy had a higher mortality rate (44.6%) than did combined surgery and radiotherapy (23.2%) (odds ratio, 2.688; 95% CI, 1.196–6.037; P = 0.02).

Conclusions

The treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma with surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy may produce lower recurrence rates.
Phytochemical bioaccessibility and in vitro antidiabetic effects of Chinese sumac (Rhus chinensis Mill.) fruits after a simulated digestion: insights into the mechanisms with molecular docking analysis
Authors: Fu Yishan , Liu Xiaojing , Ma Qian , Yi Junjie , Cai Shengbao
Published: July 2021

This work studied the effects of gastrointestinal digestion on the phytochemical bioaccessibility and in vitro anti‐diabetic effects of different fractions from Chinese sumac fruits and delineated the underlying mechanisms by molecular docking. Results showed that gastric digestion significantly increased the phytochemical bioaccessibility and inhibitions for α‐glucosidase, dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐IV) and advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation of the ethanol‐extracted fraction, whereas intestinal digestion remarkably decreased these parameters (P < 0.05). For the free phenolic fraction, the parameters were remarkably reduced after gastric digestion but significantly increased after intestinal digestion (P < 0.05). Quercitrin and gvajaverin contributed the most to the α‐glucosidase and DPP‐IV inhibitions, and trigalloyl glucose and its isomer could be the primary bioactive substance responsible for AGE suppression. Quercitrin, the predominant phenolic compound, could effectively interact with crucial amino acid residues in α‐glucosidase, DPP‐IV and bovine serum albumin with hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions to exert its inhibitions.
An evaluation of the Japanese Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis criteria for disseminated intravascular coagulation as a predictor of prognosis in patients with infection
Authors: Madoiwa Seiji , Honda Goichi , Kawano Noriaki , Uchiyama Toshimasa , Kawasugi Kazuo , Takezako Naoki , Suzuki Kei , Seki Yoshinobu , Ikezoe Takayuki , Okamoto Kohji , Wada Hideo
Published: July 2021

Introduction

A criterion for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) that reflects the status of controlled coagulopathy would be useful for determining when to stop treatment. Use of the DIC criteria of the Japanese Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (JSTH) for predicting the outcome during recombinant soluble thrombomodulin (thrombomodulin alfa, TM‐α) treatment was evaluated.

Methods

A retrospective, multicenter survey was conducted in 798 medical facilities in Japan. Of the 4342 patients who underwent TM‐α treatment, 193 with infection‐associated DIC were investigated.

Results

The 28‐day mortality rate increased with the increase in JSTH DIC scores at the end of TM‐α treatment, with a Cramer's coefficient of association of 0.431. A reduced platelet count (odds ratio [OR]: 0.847, P < .001), prolonged prothrombin time ratio (OR: 5.681, P < .001), decreased fibrinogen level (OR: 0.995, P < .001), higher level of fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products (OR: 1.009, P = .026), and lower antithrombin activity (OR: 0.973, P < .001) were correlated with 28‐day mortality. On multivariate analysis, the JSTH DIC score at the completion of TM‐α therapy was a predictor of mortality (OR: 1.591, 95% CI: 1.219‐2.077).

Conclusion

The JSTH DIC score at the end of anticoagulation therapy may be a reliable tool for predicting the outcome in patients with infection‐associated DIC.
Creating a practice‐related culture for research: A qualitative study of engaging clinical nurses in utilization of developmental and research‐based knowledge in hospital settings
Authors: Berthelsen Connie , Koreska Mai
Published: July 2021

Aim

To describe academic nurses' experiences engaging clinical nurses in utilizing and implementing developmental and research‐based knowledge in hospital settings.

Methods

This study used a descriptive qualitative design. Fourteen academic nurses at Masters or PhD level from three different regions of Denmark participated in the study, relating their successful experiences engaging clinical nurses in utilizing and implementing developmental and research‐based knowledge. Data were collected in February 2020 through qualitative semi‐structured interviews and analysed using a qualitative manifest content analysis.

Results

The main theme revealed was that academic nurses were ‘Working towards creating a practice‐related culture for research’ to engage clinical nurses. This was supported by three subthemes: ‘Focusing on evidence‐based practice knowledge’, ‘Facilitating knowledge through a pedagogical approach’ and ‘Aiming for future changes’.

Conclusions

The academic nurses experienced their engagement of clinical nurses and the subsequent change of practice in patient care and nurses' workflows in the department settings, as successful due to the academic nurses' pedagogical actions to educate clinical nurses and due to the academic nurses' practice‐related approach to research and implementation.
Effect of leader mindfulness on hindrance stress in nurses: The social mindfulness information processing path
Authors: Liu Beini , Zhao Haizhu , Lu Qiang
Published: July 2021

Aim

This study aimed to explore the influence of leader mindfulness on hindrance stress in nurses. Based on the social mindfulness framework, the mediating effects of nurses’ perceptions of their leaders’ perspective taking and empathic concern and how they are moderated by mindfulness of nurses were investigated.

Design

A time‐lagged cross‐sectional survey was conducted.

Methods

The convenience sampling method was adopted. Data were collected at three time points from January to September 2020. A total of 393 paired datasets of nurses and their leaders were collected from 28 Chinese 3A grade hospitals. SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 23.0 were used for data analysis and hypotheses testing.

Results

(1) Leader mindfulness significantly reduced nurse hindrance stress. (2) Both nurses’ perceptions of their leaders’ perspective taking and empathic concern mediated the relationship between leader mindfulness and nurse hindrance stress. Empathic concern was more effective than perspective taking in the process of leader mindfulness for reducing nurse hindrance stress. Nurses’ perceptions of their leaders’ perspective taking completely mediated the relationship between empathic concern and nurse hindrance stress. (3) Nurse mindfulness moderated the relationship between leader mindfulness and nurses’ perceptions of their leaders’ empathic concern but had no significant effect on the relationship between leader mindfulness and nurses’ perceptions of their leaders’ perspective taking.

Conclusion

Leader mindfulness was an important interpersonal factor for reducing nurse hindrance stress. Nurses’ perceptions of their leaders’ perspective taking and empathic concern were pivotal mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of leader mindfulness. Nurse mindfulness is a situational factor that contributes to the effectiveness of leader mindfulness.

Impact

Hospitals can benefit from mindfulness interventions by improving the mindfulness of leaders and nurses. Nurse managers are encouraged to promote social mindfulness, which will enable perspective taking and empathic concern by nurses and thus reduce hindrance stress on nurses during the pandemic.
The experience of becoming a mother following successful in vitro fertilization: A grounded theory
Authors: Boz İlkay , Teskereci Gamze , Akgün Mehtap
Published: July 2021

Aim

To develop a theory to explain women's experiences about becoming a mother following successful in vitro fertilization treatment.

Design

This study is a qualitative study based on a constructivist grounded theory approach.

Methods

Data were collected using a semi‐structured interview guide initially that was later to be changed to a flexible interview guide between June 2018 and 2019. Interviews were conducted with 18 women, who became pregnant and mothers following successful in vitro fertilization treatment. Data collection and analysis were performed in a cyclic manner using open, axial and selective coding. This study was reported based on consolidated criteria and was used to report qualitative research data.

Findings

The core category, ‘non‐spontaneous path to motherhood’, involved the following four categories: ‘the treatment process is exhausting’, ‘leaving the infertility world’, ‘pregnancy under the shadow of fear’ and ‘getting stuck between fertile and infertile worlds’ with 10 sub‐categories.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insight into experiences of these women about becoming a mother. Unlike the Becoming a Mother Theory, it can be said that the anticipation stage, the first stage in the Becoming a Mother Theory, begins at the moment of embryo transfer in these women. Furthermore, the personal stage, the final stage in the Becoming a Mother Theory, is not completed within the first year after birth, even women were found to conceal experiences of in vitro fertilization treatment from the social environment even after birth.

Impact

This study will provide potential support for obstetric healthcare professionals in better understanding women's experiences about becoming a mother following successful in vitro fertilization treatment.
Alginate oligosaccharide alleviates D‐galactose‐induced cardiac ageing via regulating myocardial mitochondria function and integrity in mice
Authors: Feng Wenjing , Liu Jianya , Wang Shan , Hu Yi , Pan Hui , Hu Ting , Guan Huashi , Zhang Dongfeng , Mao Yongjun
Published: July 2021

Ageing is a crucial risk factor for the development of age‐related cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the molecular mechanisms of ageing and novel anti‐ageing interventions need to be deeply studied. Alginate oligosaccharide (AOS) possesses high pharmacological activities and beneficial effects. Our study was undertaken to investigate whether AOS could be used as an anti‐ageing drug to alleviate cardiac ageing. D‐galactose (D‐gal)‐induced C57BL/6J ageing mice were established by subcutaneous injection of D‐gal (200 mg·kg‐1·d‐1) for 8 weeks. AOS (50, 100 and 150 mg·kg‐1·d‐1) were administrated intragastrically for the last 4 weeks. As a result, AOS prevented cardiac dysfunction in D‐gal‐induced ageing mice, including partially preserved ejection fraction (EF%) and fractional shortening (FS%). AOS inhibited D‐gal‐induced up‐regulation of natriuretic peptides A (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and ageing markers p53 and p21 in a dose‐dependent manner. To further explore the potential mechanisms contributing to the anti‐ageing protective effect of AOS, the age‐related mitochondrial compromise was analysed. Our data indicated that AOS alleviated D‐gal‐induced cardiac ageing by improving mitochondrial biogenesis, maintaining the mitochondrial integrity and enhancing the efficient removal of impaired mitochondria. AOS also decreased the ROS production and oxidative stress status, which, in turn, further inhibiting cardiac mitochondria from being destroyed. Together, these results demonstrate that AOS may be an effective therapeutic agent to alleviate cardiac ageing.
Geographic variability in the gonadal development and sexual ontogeny of Hemigymnus, Cheilinus and Oxycheilinus wrasses among Indo‐Pacific coral reefs
Authors: Lowe Jake R. , Russ Garry R. , Bucol Abner A. , Abesamis Rene A. , Choat John H.
Published: July 2021

Patterns of reproductive ontogeny in four species of coral reef wrasses (F: Labridae) Hemigymnus melapterus, Hemigymnus fasciatus, Cheilinus fasciatus and Oxycheilinus digramma were investigated. Populations of each species were sampled from two island groups of the central Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia, and from coral reefs in the central Philippines. These three sampling locations span 30° of latitude. The GBR and Philippine reefs experience biologically significant differences in water temperature, geography and human activity. The studied wrasses are effectively unfished in Australia but heavily fished in the Philippines. Gonad weights, histology and demographic data were obtained across the entire size and age range of H. melapterus, C. fasciatus and O. digramma from all locations. Analysis identified three processes of male recruitment: functional gonochorism and both forms of protogynous hermaphroditism, monandry and diandry. The expression of these distinct sexual ontogenies was locality dependent. Populations of H. melapterus, H. fasciatus, C. fasciatus and O. digramma on the GBR showed consistently uniform patterns of sexual ontogeny, with all species being exclusively monandric. H. melapterus, C. fasciatus and O. digramma in the Philippines displayed complex sexual ontogenies, with all species showing histological evidence of both diandry and functional gonochorism. Reproductive investment in gonadal tissue, and population sex structure, also differed between GBR and Philippine coral reefs. Philippine populations had substantially lower gonado‐somatic indices than populations on the GBR. Nonetheless, Philippine populations matured more rapidly and displayed a protracted timing of sex change over a large size and age range. Thus, mature females appeared earlier and persisted later into ontogeny in the Philippines than on GBR reefs. Protracted timing of sex change on Philippine reefs is likely linked to the presence of primary males in the population, which is known to reduce the strength of selection for mature females to undergo sex change and become male. Hypotheses based on social structure of fish populations, environmental factors and evolutionary history were developed to account for the different patterns of sexual ontogeny in the focal wrasses.
COVID‐19 vaccination intention in the first year of the pandemic: A systematic review
Authors: Al‐Amer Rasmieh , Maneze Della , Everett Bronwyn , Montayre Jed , Villarosa Amy R. , Dwekat Entisar , Salamonson Yenna
Published: July 2021

Aims and objectives

To synthesise evidence regarding vaccination intention, identify factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy among healthcare professionals and the general populations globally.

Background

As COVID‐19 vaccine becomes available worldwide, attention is being directed to community vaccine uptake, to achieve population‐wide immunity. A number of factors have been reported to influence vaccine intention.

Methods

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic search of COVID‐19 vaccination intention related literature published on or before 31 December 2020 from seven databases was undertaken.

Results

Thirty articles were included in this systematic review. Overall COVID‐19 vaccination intention during the first year of the pandemic ranged from 27.7% to 93.3%. Findings highlighted that socio‐demographic differences, perceptions of risk and susceptibility to COVID‐19 and vaccine attributes influenced vaccination intention. Healthcare professionals particularly, nurses have higher vaccine hesitancy reportedly due to concerns regarding vaccine safety and efficacy and mistrust of health authorities. Negative information about COVID‐19 vaccines in the social media and low confidence in the health system were associated with lower acceptability among the community. Interestingly, cumulative increase in COVID‐19 caseloads of countries over time was not associated with vaccination intention.

Conclusions

The significant variability in vaccine intention rates worldwide would hamper efforts to achieve immunity against COVID‐19. Nurses’ concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy need to be addressed to increase vaccine acceptance and maximise their influence on vaccination decision in the community. As misinformation through social media negatively impacts vaccination uptake, authoritative and reliable information on vaccine attributes, disease risks and vaccination benefits are needed.

Relevance to clinical practice

Concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy including misinformation are important contributors to vaccine hesitancy. Addressing these factors, particularly among nurses who are considered trusted influencers of vaccination decisions in the community is an important strategy for pandemic preparedness.
Effectiveness of a musical fitness programme for older adults with cognitive impairment in long‐term care facilities: A quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Lin Pi‐Chu , Lay Yu‐Ling , Chiu Huei‐Ling , Chen I‐Hui , Peters Kath
Published: July 2021

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of a musical fitness programme (MFP) intervention in improving neuropsychiatric symptoms, depression, upper‐limb muscle strength and cognition of older adults with cognitive impairment in long‐term care (LTC) facilities.

Background

Because of population ageing, the number of older adults with cognitive impairment has been increasing. The effectiveness of medications in treating cognitive impairment is limited; therefore, the global trend has been for non‐pharmacological treatments. However, intervention studies of MFPs on older LTC residents with cognitive impairment are scant.

Design

This study adopted a quasi‐experimental design in accordance with the Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Nonrandomized Designs (TREND) checklist. In total, 84 older adults with cognitive impairment were recruited from seven LTC facilities. The MFP was implemented from July–November 2019.

Methods

The intervention group received the MFP, which was 50 min per session, twice a week for 12 weeks, whereas the comparison group received usual care. Neuropsychiatric inventory nursing home version, the Cornell scale for depression in dementia Chinese version, 30‐s arm curl test and Mini‐Mental State Examination were the outcome measures. Data were analysed using Chi‐square test, t test and repeated measure analysis of variance.

Results

After the intervention, the scores of neuropsychiatric inventory and the Cornell depression exhibited significant differences over time between two groups (F = 3.6, p = .029; F = 5.96, p = .003, respectively). Nevertheless, 30‐s arm curl test and Mini‐Mental State Examination demonstrated non‐significant between‐group differences.

Conclusion

The MFP can effectively reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms and depression in older adults with cognitive impairment in LTC facilities. To ensure a more robust evidence base, more research is warranted.

Relevance to clinical practice

The MFP is a non‐pharmacological treatment that can be implemented to promote psychological well‐being among older adults with cognitive impairment in LTC facilities, and to indirectly reduce nursing staff burden. To assist nursing staff in providing this intervention, on‐the‐job training is needed.
Uterocutaneous fistula after abdominal myomectomy: A case report
Authors: Wang Yongxue , Wang Shu , Shi Honghui , Lang Jinghe
Published: July 2021

Uterocutaneous fistula is an extremely rare postoperative complication and the most appropriate treatment remains unclear. In this case report, we described uterocutaneous fistula of a 41‐year‐old woman with persistent purulent discharge from a small opening in her midline incision after abdominal myomectomy. The patient was diagnosed as uterocutaneous fistula based on magnetic resonance imaging and the methylene blue dye test. Fertility‐sparing surgery was performed and uterocutaneous fistula was successfully corrected. Some nonabsorbable silk sutures were found attached to the sinus tract. This could lead to infection, which could cause the formation of a uterocutaneous fistula. Since after 1‐year of operation, no evidence of recurrence was found. Fertility‐sparing surgery is effective for a patient with uterocutaneous fistula. Complete resection of the sinus tract and surrounding necrotic tissue is required in the repair of urterocutaneous fistula.
Polygenic and major‐locus contributions to sexual maturation timing in Atlantic salmon
Authors: Debes Paul V. , Piavchenko Nikolai , Ruokolainen Annukka , Ovaskainen Outi , Moustakas‐Verho Jacqueline E. , Parre Noora , Aykanat Tutku , Erkinaro Jaakko , Primmer Craig R.
Published: July 2021

Sexual maturation timing is a life‐history trait central to the balance between mortality and reproduction. Maturation may be triggered when an underlying compound trait, called liability, exceeds a threshold. In many different species and especially fishes, this liability is approximated by growth and body condition. However, environmental vs. genetic contributions either directly or via growth and body condition to maturation timing remain unclear. Uncertainty exists also because the maturation process can reverse this causality and itself affect growth and body condition. In addition, disentangling the contributions of polygenic and major loci can be important. In many fishes, males mature before females, enabling the study of associations between male maturation and maturation‐unbiased female liability traits. Using 40 Atlantic salmon families, longitudinal common‐garden experimentation, and quantitative genetic analyses, we disentangled environmental from polygenic and major locus (vgll3) effects on male maturation, and sex‐specific growth and condition. We detected polygenic heritabilities for maturation, growth, and body condition, and vgll3 effects on maturation and body condition but not on growth. Longitudinal patterns for sex‐specific phenotypic liability, and for genetic variances and correlations between sexes suggested that early growth and condition indeed positively affected maturation initiation. However, towards spawning time, causality appeared reversed for males whereby maturation affected growth negatively and condition positively via both the environmental and genetic effects. Altogether, the results indicate that growth and condition are useful traits to study liability for maturation initiation, but only until maturation alters their expression, and that vgll3 contributes to maturation initiation via condition.
Nutrient cycling drives plant community trait assembly and ecosystem functioning in a tropical mountain biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Dantas de Paula Mateus , Forrest Matthew , Langan Liam , Bendix Jörg , Homeier Jürgen , Velescu Andre , Wilcke Wolfgang , Hickler Thomas
Published: July 2021

Community trait assembly in highly diverse tropical rainforests is still poorly understood. Based on more than a decade of field measurements in a biodiversity hotspot of southern Ecuador, we implemented plant trait variation and improved soil organic matter dynamics in a widely used dynamic vegetation model (the Lund‐Potsdam‐Jena General Ecosystem Simulator, LPJ‐GUESS) to explore the main drivers of community assembly along an elevational gradient.

In the model used here (LPJ‐GUESS‐NTD, where NTD stands for nutrient‐trait dynamics), each plant individual can possess different trait combinations, and the community trait composition emerges via ecological sorting. Further model developments include plant growth limitation by phosphorous (P) and mycorrhizal nutrient uptake.

The new model version reproduced the main observed community trait shift and related vegetation processes along the elevational gradient, but only if nutrient limitations to plant growth were activated. In turn, when traits were fixed, low productivity communities emerged due to reduced nutrient‐use efficiency. Mycorrhizal nutrient uptake, when deactivated, reduced net primary production (NPP) by 61–72% along the gradient.

Our results strongly suggest that the elevational temperature gradient drives community assembly and ecosystem functioning indirectly through its effect on soil nutrient dynamics and vegetation traits. This illustrates the importance of considering these processes to yield realistic model predictions.
Gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with isolated oligodontia and a Wnt gene mutation
Authors: Ross Jamila N. , Ruigrok Lisanne C. , Fennis Willem M.M. , Cune Marco S. , Rosenberg Antoine J.W.P. , van Nunen Annick B. , Créton Marijn A. , Ploos van Amstel Hans‐Kristian , van den Boogaard Marie‐José J.H.
Published: July 2021

Objective

Since Wnt signaling plays an important role in both tooth agenesis and altered intestine homeostasis, the aim was to compare gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with isolated oligodontia caused by a Wnt pathway gene mutation and controls.

Methods

A case–control study was designed to compare self‐reported gastrointestinal symptoms among patients with isolated oligodontia, caused by a Wnt signaling gene mutation, and fully dentate controls. The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) was used to assess gastrointestinal symptoms. Prevalence and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms among patients and age‐ and gender‐matched controls were evaluated.

Results

Twenty patients with isolated oligodontia and a pathogenic variant in the wnt pathway genes WNT10A, LRP6, or PAX9 participated. The prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms was higher in the oligodontia patients compared to their controls (Χ2(1) = 87.33, p = .008). Mean GSRS total scores (p = .011) and domain scores for “abdominal pain” (p = .022), “reflux” (p = .003) and constipation (p = .030) were higher for these oligodontia patients compared to their controls.

Conclusion

Gastrointestinal symptoms are more prevalent and more severe in patients with isolated oligodontia and a deficiency in a Wnt pathway‐related gene, when compared to controls without tooth agenesis.
Inflamed brain: Targeting immune changes and inflammation for treatment of depression
Authors: Sakamoto Shinji , Zhu Xiaolei , Hasegawa Yuto , Karma Sadik , Obayashi Mizuho , Alway Emily , Kamiya Atsushi
Published: July 2021

Although there are a number of clinically effective treatments for depression, many patients exhibit treatment resistance. Recent clinical and preclinical studies reveal that peripheral and brain immune changes and inflammation are involved in the pathophysiology of depression. This ‘Inflamed Brain’ research provides critical clues for understanding of disease pathophysiology and many candidate molecules that are potentially useful for identifying novel drug targets for the treatment of depression. In this review, we will present clinical evidence on the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of depression. We will also summarize current clinical trials which test drugs targeting inflammation for the treatment of patients with depression. Furthermore, we will briefly provide preclinical evidence demonstrating altered immune system function and inflammation in stress‐induced animal models and will discuss the future potential of inflammation‐related drug targets. Collectively, inflammatory signatures identified in clinical and preclinical studies may allow us to stratify depressive patients based on biotypes, contributing to the development of novel mechanism‐based interventions that target specific patient populations.
Eruptive agminated nevi in a successfully treated Langerhans cell histiocytosis patient
Authors: Echavarria Maria , Schoch Jennifer , Tate Jesalyn , Motaparthi Kiran , De Benedetto Anna , Reith John , Howell Diane
Published: July 2021

A 7‐year‐old girl with a history of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), in remission, presented with the sudden appearance of multiple, agminated nevi. Skin biopsy revealed a benign junctional nevus, without recurrence of LCH. Subsequent immunohistochemical testing of both the skin and iliac wing biopsies demonstrated a BRAF V600E mutation. MAPK pathway mutations have been implicated in both LCH and nevogenesis.
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: A single‐center experience
Authors: Türe Mehmet , Kan Ahmet , Akın Alper , Yılmaz Kamil , Şen Velat
Published: July 2021

Background

This case series aims to evaluate the presenting symptoms, laboratory data, systemic findings, and response to early treatment in patients who were followed up with the diagnosis of multisystemic inflammatory syndrome associated with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19).

Methods

The presentation, laboratory findings, and responses to treatment of patients hospitalized and diagnosed with multisystemic inflammatory syndrome were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

A total of 32 patients were included in the study. The median age was 90 (1.5–204) months and 62.5% of the patients were male; 59.4% of the cases were non‐specific disease, 31.2% typical (complete) Kawasaki, and 9.4% had phenotypic characteristics of atypical (incomplete) Kawasaki. Most of the patients were found to have low albumin and elevated C‐reactive protein, sedimentation rate, and d‐dimer, and all patients had elevated N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, and procalcitonin. Lymphopenia was detected in 25 patients (78.1%) and serum ferritin levels were elevated in 25 patients (78.1%). Eleven (34.4%) patients responded well only to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. Twenty patients (62.5%) received intravenous immunoglobulin and steroid therapy (second‐line therapy). Only one patient (3.1%) received third‐line therapy (intravenous immunoglobulin + steroid +anakinra + plasmapheresis). None of the patients died.

Conclusions

Most patients had mild clinical symptoms and responded well to intravenous immunoglobulin and / or steroid therapies as first‐ and second‐line therapies. Only one of our patients was clinically stabilized after third‐line treatment because he did not respond to intravenous immunoglobulin and steroid therapy. We think that all of our patients diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children recovered because we had recommended quickly medical intervention. Treatment should therefore be started immediately in patients diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. If there is no response after 24 h to the initial treatment, the next treatment protocol should be started.
Regulatory short RNAs: A decade's tale for manipulating salt tolerance in plants
Authors: Negi Pooja , Mishra Shefali , Ganapathi Thumballi Ramabhatta , Srivastava Ashish Kumar
Published: July 2021

Salt stress is a globally increasing environmental detriment to crop growth and productivity. Exposure to salt stress evokes a complex medley of cellular signals, which rapidly reprogram transcriptional and metabolic networks to shape plant phenotype. To date, genetic engineering approaches were used with success to enhance salt tolerance; however, their performance is yet to be evaluated under realistic field conditions. Regulatory short non‐coding RNAs (rsRNAs) are emerging as next‐generation candidates for engineering salt tolerance in crops. In view of this, the present review provides a comprehensive analysis of a decade's worth of functional studies on non‐coding RNAs involved in salt tolerance. Further, we have integrated this knowledge of rsRNA‐mediated regulation with the current paradigm of salt tolerance to highlight two regulatory complexes (RCs) for regulating salt tolerance in plants. Finally, a knowledge‐driven roadmap is proposed to judiciously utilize RC component(s) for enhancing salt tolerance in crops.
Functional role of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the modulation of cognitive bias
Authors: Xia Xue , Li Yansong , Wang Yanqiu , Xia Jing , Lin Yitong , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Liu Yu , Zhang Jian
Published: July 2021

Human cognition is often biased. It is a fundamental question in psychology how cognitive bias is modulated in the human brain. Automatic action tendency is a typical cognitive bias. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is a crucial area for processing various behavioral tasks. We investigated the functional role of DLPFC in the modulation of cognitive bias by testing the automatic action tendency during automatic and regulated behavioral tasks. Unilateral intermittent or continuous theta burst stimulation (excitatory iTBS or inhibitory cTBS) was used to manipulate the left or right DLPFC excitability and assess the changes in automatic action tendency during a manikin task. An approaching behavior with positive stimulus and avoiding behavior with negative stimulus were performed in an automatic task. An approaching behavior with negative stimulus and avoiding behavior with positive stimulus were performed in a regulated task. Reaction time was measured. We confirmed the automatic action tendency that reaction time for performing an automatic task was shorter than that for performing a regulated task. The automatic action tendency was enhanced after left DLPFC excitatory iTBS and was abolished after left DLPFC inhibitory cTBS stimulation. On the other hand, right DLPFC excitatory iTBS accelerated the avoiding behaviors and right DLPFC inhibitory cTBS accelerated approaching behaviors. The results suggest that left DLPFC modulates the automatic action tendency while the right DLPFC modulates the direction of behavioral tasks. We conclude that left DLPFC and right DLPFC are key nodes in modulating the cognitive bias while their functional roles are different.
Polygonal simplification and its use in DEM generalization for land surface segmentation
Authors: Feciskanin Richard , Minár Jozef
Published: July 2021

We introduce a simplification method based on irregular triangular networks to create a generalized digital elevation model (DEM) for land surface segmentation. The quadric error metrics simplification (QEMS) algorithm was used to generalize the DEM as a method that follows the theory of optimal triangle for (land) surface representation. Its use for land surface modeling is novel, however, it is well known in computer graphics. Comparison of QEMS with the maximum z‐tolerance method shows priority in terms of root mean square error. Numerical expression of the value concentration of the third‐order variables (curvature changes) around zero (K0) was used as an indicator of elementary form representation in generalized DEMs. K0 was calculated for a set of DEMs at several generalization levels in two different territories, as well as for comparably generalized artificial surfaces. K0 values of real DEMs vary significantly with generalization levels and character of the landforms, and their maxima point to the generalization levels that best preserve the information about elementary forms of various hierarchical levels. Differences between K0 of real DEMs and artificial surfaces confirm the same.
Production and consumption of gentrification aesthetics in Shanghai’s M50
Authors: Ning Yajing , Chang T.C.
Published: July 2021

The transformation of artist communities into cultural consumption sites is a notable trend in many post‐reform Chinese cities. Once enclaves for creative freelancers, artist communities have seen an influx of tourists, cultural commodification, and socio‐spatial changes. While much has been written about the role of state and art practitioners in effecting gentrification, less attention has been given to the transformation of gentrified sites into consumable spaces and how they are received. Drawing on the case of 50 Moganshan Road (M50), a former industrial zone and artist colony in Shanghai that has become a cultural district, this paper sheds light on the relationships between urban regeneration, artistic production, and aesthetic consumption. The study applies the idea of gentrification aesthetics, a concept that bridges middle‐class consumption with inner‐city regeneration. By extending the concept to an art space shaped by production and consumption forces, a more holistic understanding of urban redevelopment is afforded, along with its attendant social, cultural, and personal dimensions and challenges.
Using Wavelet Analysis to Distinguish Cavitation Acoustic Emissions From Blunt Impact Noise
Authors: Eckersley Christopher , Op 't Eynde Joost , Abrams Mitchell , Bass Cameron R.
Published: July 2021

Cavitation has been shown to have implications for head injury, but currently there is no solution for detecting the formation of cavitation through the skull during blunt impact. The goal of this communication is to confirm the wideband acoustic wavelet signature of cavitation collapse, and determine that this signature can be differentiated from the noise of a blunt impact. A controlled, laser induced cavitation study was conducted in an isolated water tank to confirm the wide band acoustic signature of cavitation collapse in the absence of a blunt impact. A clear acrylic surrogate head was impacted to induce blunt impact cavitation. The bubble formation was imaged using a high speed camera, and the collapse was synched up with the wavelet transform of the acoustic emission. Wideband acoustic response is seen in wavelet transform of positive laser induced cavitation tests, but absent in laser induced negative controls. Clear acrylic surrogate tests showed the wideband acoustic wavelet signature of collapse can be differentiated from acoustic noise generated by a blunt impact. Broadband acoustic signal can be used as a biomarker to detect the incidence of cavitation through the skull as it consists of frequencies that are low enough to potentially pass through the skull but high enough to differentiate from blunt impact noise. This lays the foundation for a vital tool to conduct CSF cavitation research in-vivo.
Numerical Thermal Analysis of a Hot Noncircular Rotating Cylinder in the Presence of a Magnetic Field
Authors: Khozeymeh-Nezhad Hojjat , Basati Yaser , Niazmand Hamid
Published: July 2021

In this paper for the first time, a Lattice Boltzmann Simulation is performed to analyze the simultaneous effects of a hot rotating elliptic cylinder and the magnetic field on the mixed convection flow in a square enclosure. Complicated flow patterns and isotherm plots are found and analyzed in the concentric annulus between the internal elliptic cylinder and the outer square enclosure. Results indicate that increasing the Reynolds number, instantaneous averaged Nusselt number of the enclosure and its oscillation amplitude increase, while decrease with increasing the Hartmann number especially at its lower values. Furthermore, response surface method is adopted to find the optimal location of the elliptic cylinder. Response surface optimization results reveal that the average Nusselt number shows a decreasing–increasing trend with increasing both nondimensional parameters of cylinder center (Xc, Yc). Finally, the optimal location of the elliptic cylinder for the maximum heat transfer rate is obtained as Xc = 0.65 and Yc = 0.35. Moreover, a comparative study is performed to evaluate the heat transfer effects of the elliptical cylinder rotation as compared to circular cylinder. It was found that the elliptical cylinder rotation has a significant effect on the heat transfer enhancement, especially at high values of Re and Ha. As an example, the heat transfer rate for the elliptical cylinder at Re = 200 is increased by 13% and 34% as compared to the circular cylinder at Ha = 50 and 100, respectively.
Numerical Analysis of the Effect of Trapezoidal Baffles Inside Fuel and Air Channels on the Performance of a Planar-Type Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Authors: Ramírez-Minguela J. J. , Alfaro-Ayala J. A. , Rangel-Hernández V. H. , Belman-Flores J. M. , Rodríguez-Muñoz J. L. , Pérez-Segura T. , Alvarado-Rodríguez C. E.
Published: July 2021

This paper investigates the effect of trapezoidal baffles inside a planar-type solid oxide fuel cell. To achieve the objective, four cases are proposed: (1) simple planar geometry as a base case, (2) trapezoidal baffles inside the fuel channel, (3) trapezoidal baffles inside the air channel, and (4) trapezoidal baffles in both fuel and air channels. The height of the trapezoidal baffles inside the channels of the solid oxide fuel cell increases along the direction of the fluid flow. The numerical investigation is based on a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model that takes into account the phenomenon of mass transfer, heat transfer, species transport, and electrochemical reactions. A detailed comparison of the performance between the four cases of the fuel cell is provided in terms of power density, fluid flow, species concentration, temperature distributions, and electric fields at a variable current density and a fixed power density of 3000 W/m2. The results show that the power density, the velocity, the availability of the hydrogen and oxygen species on the electrodes-electrolyte interfaces increases for case 2, case 3, and case 4, respectively, in comparison to case 1. Finally, the average temperature of the electrode–electrolyte interface is reduced with the baffles, and it is concluded that the configuration with baffles inside the air channel (case 3) shows better results in terms of the increment of the power density and the decrement of the average temperature.
Strain Rate and Temperature Effects in Nanoindentation Testing on Hardness in Selective Laser Melting IN718
Authors: Abo Znemah Reem , Voyiadjis George Z. , Wood Paul , Akbari Edris
Published: July 2021

The microstructure and mechanical hardness of Inconel 718 (INC718) hexagonal honeycomb cellular structure manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) was studied in this work. Non-heat-treated SLM-produced samples with cell wall thicknesses of 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mm were studied. The hardness was measured using MTS Nanoindenter at different temperatures and strain rates. At room temperature, continuous hardness measurements through a penetration depth of 2 µm using three different strain rates (0.02, 0.05, and 0.08 s−1) were performed. At the temperatures 100 and 200 °C, single hardness measurements at eight different maximum loads were performed. Using scanning ion microscopy (SIM), the grain size was found to change significantly as the cell wall thickness reduced from 0.6 mm to 0.4 mm compared to the change from 0.8 mm to 0.6 mm. A similar trend in mechanical hardness reduction was observed in the three samples. The microstructure, hardness, and strain rate sensitivity displayed anisotropy in properties between the planes parallel and perpendicular to the build direction. A model describing the temperature, strain rate, and indentation size effects on hardness developed by the second author was modified and used to evaluate the intrinsic material length scale used in gradient plasticity theory.
A Bayesian Optimized Discriminant Analysis Model for Condition Monitoring of Face Milling Cutter Using Vibration Datasets
Authors: Bajaj Naman S. , Patange Abhishek D. , Jegadeeshwaran R. , Kulkarni Kaushal A. , Ghatpande Rohan S. , Kapadnis Atharva M.
Published: July 2021

With the advent of industry 4.0, which conceptualizes self-monitoring of rotating machine parts by adopting techniques like data analytics, cloud computing, Internet of things, machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence. The significant research area in predictive maintenance is tool condition monitoring (TCM) as the tool condition affects the overall machining process and its economics. Lately, machine learning techniques are being used to classify the tool’s condition in operation. These techniques are cost saving and help industries with adopting future-proof solutions for their operations. One such technique called discriminant analysis (DA) must be examined particularly for TCM. Owing to its less-expensive computation and shorter run times, using them in TCM will ensure the effective use of the cutting tool and reduce maintenance times. This article presents a Bayesian optimized discriminant analysis model to classify and monitor the tool condition into three user-defined classes. The data are collected using an in-house designed and developed data acquisition (DAQ) module setup on a Vertical Machining Center (VMC). The hyperparameter tuning has been incorporated using Bayesian optimization search, and the parameter that gives the best model was found out to be “linear,” achieving an accuracy of 93.3%. This study confirms the feasibility of machine learning techniques like DA in the field of TCM and using Bayesian optimization algorithms to fine-tune the model, making it industry ready.
Difference Between SFMR and SITMR Compensation for Hydrostatic Thrust Bearing
Authors: Sha Yuanpeng , Chen Shujiang , Lu Changhou , Pan Wei
Published: July 2021

Both flat and island type membranes are used in single-action membrane restrictors. But the difference between the single-action flat membrane restrictor (SFMR) and the single-action island type membrane restrictor (SITMR) has rarely been reported in the literature. In this study, we first compared the static and dynamic characteristics of SFMR and SITMR and found that there is a little difference between them when the difference between supply pressure ps and outlet pressure pr is not large. Then, we investigated the dynamic characteristics of hydrostatic thrust bearings using both SFMR and SITMR compensation and found SITMR having a better dynamic bearing performance. The reason for this phenomenon is that the mass of the membrane in SITMR is smaller than that of the membrane in SFMR. When the difference between supply pressure ps and outlet pressure pr becomes large, SFMR reduces the static flowrate of the lubricant of bearing systems more significantly than SITMR.
Articulatory compensation for low-pass filtered formant-altered auditory feedback
Authors: Uezu Yasufumi , Hiroya Sadao , Mochida Takemi
Published: July 2021

Auditory feedback while speaking plays an important role in stably controlling speech articulation. Its importance has been verified in formant-altered auditory feedback (AAF) experiments where speakers utter while listening to speech with perturbed first (F1) and second (F2) formant frequencies. However, the contribution of the frequency components higher than F2 to the articulatory control under the perturbations of F1 and F2 has not yet been investigated. In this study, a formant-AAF experiment was conducted in which a low-pass filter was applied to speech. The experimental results showed that the deviation in the compensatory response was significantly larger when a low-pass filter with a cutoff frequency of 3 kHz was used compared to that when cutoff frequencies of 4 and 8 kHz were used. It was also found that the deviation in the 3-kHz condition correlated with the fundamental frequency and spectral tilt of the produced speech. Additional simulation results using a neurocomputational model of speech production (SimpleDIVA model) and the experimental data showed that the feedforward learning rate increased as the cutoff frequency decreased. These results suggest that high-frequency components of the auditory feedback would be involved in the determination of corrective motor commands from auditory errors.