bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proportion of Patients on Warfarin Therapy Who Are Eligible for Conversion to a Direct Oral Anticoagulant in the Setting of COVID-19
Authors: Hess Rachel , Renner Elizabeth , Mouland Erin , Sutter-Long Denise , Ha Nghi
Published: November 2022

Background:

Warfarin, a commonly prescribed anticoagulant, requires frequent lab monitoring. Lab monitoring puts patients at risk of COVID-19 exposure and diverts medical resources away from health care systems. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) do not require routine therapeutic monitoring and are indicated first line for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) stroke prevention and venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention/treatment.

Objective:

The purpose of the study was to determine the proportion of patients who qualify for DOACs and assess for predictors of qualification.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study investigated patients on warfarin managed by Michigan Medicine Anticoagulation Service. Direct oral anticoagulant eligibility criteria were established using apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban package inserts. Patient eligibility was determined through chart review. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who qualify for DOACs based on clinical factors. Predictors of DOAC qualification were assessed.

Results:

This study included 3205 patients and found 51.8% ( n = 1661) of patients qualified for DOACs. Qualifying patients were older (71.9 vs 59.4 years, P < 0.0001) with a higher CHA2DS2 VASc (3.7 vs 3.4, P < 0.0007). The primary disqualifying factor was extreme weight, high and low. Accounting for a patient’s sex and referral source, age > 65 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.9, P < 0.0001) and NVAF indication (OR = 5.6, P < 0.0001) were significant predictors for DOAC qualification.

Conclusion and Relevance:

Approximately 52% of patients on warfarin were eligible for DOACs. This presents an opportunity to reduce patient exposure to health care settings and health care utilization in the setting of COVID-19. Increased costs of DOACs need to be assessed.
Study on mechanism analysis, specimen influence, and compensation control of large compound shaking table
Authors: Liang Jianwen , Ding Zhen , Han Qinghua , Ji Jinbao
Published: November 2022

In order to realize the wide frequency excitation and high accuracy control of a new type of large load-capacity seismic simulation shaking table (named large compound shaking table, LCST), it is necessary to study the in-depth mechanism, influence factors, and compensation algorithm of the LCST. In this paper, the mechanism model of LCST was established by transfer function matrix and the coupling characteristics were analyzed by Bristol method. Then, the three-variable control simulation analysis was carried out by Simulink. The specimen influence on the LCST was tested by setting different mass, frequencies, and damping ratios of the specimen. A series of simulation studies suggest that the control accuracy of LCST is most sensitive to the frequency of the specimen, and high natural frequency could even lead to system instability. For the sake of high-precision control, this paper proposed a feedforward decoupling compensation control (FDCC) strategy. Through numerical studies, the improved tracking of the FDCC strategy was demonstrated. In addition, the mature compensation methods in the conventional shaking table can be introduced reasonably into the control loop by FDCC strategy so that the LCST can more accurately replicate the characteristics of synthetic and historic earthquakes.
Advances in naval composite and sandwich structures for blast and implosion mitigations
Authors: Wanchoo Piyush , Kishore Shyamal , Pandey Akash , Shukla Arun
Published: November 2022

Naval structures owing to their operational conditions get exposed to extreme loadings and environments. Along with blasts generated through explosion events, enclosed naval structures are also vulnerable to structural dynamic instability, leading to implosion and catastrophic failure. This review explores state of the art in research work carried out to understand the deformation and damage mechanism of naval sandwich structures both on the surface and deep-sea environments. A brief overview of the current understanding regarding the response of sandwich structures to air shock, underwater shock, and implosion owing to dynamic instability is provided. The effect of environmental conditions on the dynamic response of these structures is also discussed. The article further discusses various mitigation techniques proposed to improve the blast and implosion mitigation of sandwich structures and points out the current research gaps existing in the common understanding.
Rosai-Dorfman Disease involving the eye and ocular adnexa. Clinicopathologic series of 17 patients
Authors: Ríos y Valles-Valles Dolores , Herrera-Cifuentes Sharon L , Rodríguez-Reyes Abelardo A , Rodríguez-Martínez Héctor A , Hernández-Ayuso Ivette , Zárate-Osorno Alejandra
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To describe the clinical features and histopathologic findings of Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) with ophthalmic involvement diagnosed at a Mexican ophthalmologic referral center in a period of 62 years.

Results

A total of 17 cases of RDD with ophthalmologic manifestations in Mexican-mestizo patients were collected. Female predominance was observed in 12 of 17 patients. The mean age was 36 years with a range of 12–76 years. The median age at presentation was 32 years. The orbit was the most affected location with 15 cases. Conjunctival disease was seen in 4 cases: two as isolated lesions, the rest with orbital or uveal involvement . One case suggested choroidal RDD associated to conjunctival and orbital lesion. Three cases presented multifocal disease. A patient with orbital affection developed extranodal disease elsewhere. No concurrent lymphadenopathy was observed in any patient. Histopathological examination revealed classic RDD findings in all cases: A polymorphous cellular infiltrate composed by lymphocytes, plasma cells and large histiocytes with emperipolesis hallmark of the disease. Immunohistochemically, histiocytes were positive for S-100 protein and CD68 in 15 cases.

Conclusion

RDD of the eye and ocular adnexa in Mexican-mestizo patients is common in middle-aged women frequently as an isolated orbital lesion. Histopathology is necessary for accurate diagnosis. Most patients had a favourable outcome after medical and surgical treatment. To the best of our knowledge this is the largest case series of RDD of the eye and ocular adnexa in Latin-American patients.
Experimental investigation on the two body abrasive wear of AA6061-SiC-Gr nano and hybrid nanocomposites
Authors: Lagisetti Virinchi Krishna , Reddy A. Prasad , Krishna P. Vamsi
Published: November 2022

Aluminium based hybrid nanocomposites can be employed in many applications owing to their desirable traits. Depending on the constituents of the hybrid metal matrix composites, they must be tested for their wear performance since there is a high chance that these materials will experience rapid wear. Determining the tribological behaviour of AA6061/ 2 wt. % SiCp nanocomposite and AA6061/2wt. % SiCp/2 wt. % graphite hybrid nanocomposite is the prime objective of this study. With AA6061 as the metal matrix and nano sized silicon carbide, graphite particles as primary and secondary reinforcements respectively, all the composite samples have been fabricated using ultrasonic assisted stir casting. Evaluation of the wear behaviour of the aforementioned materials is done using the two body abrasive wear tests conducted on a pin-on-disc apparatus. Wear coefficients and friction coefficients have been computed and were also analyzed with respect to various parameters. Additionally, wear mechanisms involved were deciphered and subsequently, wear maps have been developed for all the samples. The sample consisting 2 wt. % SiC and 2 wt. % graphite was found to have excellent wear resistance among all. Additionally, coefficient of friction was the lowest for the aforementioned sample itself.
Becoming aware of your gender and sexual identity: Narrative experiences, intersecting identities, and healthcare implications
Authors: Nagoshi Julie L , Pillai Vijayan K , Nagoshi Craig T , Hohn Kris L , Lindley Louis M
Published: November 2022

Eleven self-identified gay/lesbian individuals were interviewed about the age at which they became aware of their gender and sexual identity and whether they recalled specific life events associated with that awareness. Thematic analyses focused on individuals who recalled a specific age and event in early childhood in which they became aware of their gender and sexual identity versus individuals who did not recall a specific age tied to their awareness of their sexual and gender identities. Results showed that five participants gave non-specific ages (e.g., “always” and “at an early age”) when their gender identity became particularly salient, the remaining 6 participants reported a specific age and typically a specific event when their gender identity became particularly salient. Findings are discussed in the context of intersectionality, gender and sexual identity development, and the coming out process. Findings suggest that experiences related to gender identity and expression and sexual orientation are non-linear processes that vary widely, and that there is no one “master narrative”. Implications for mental health and the need for ongoing support services are also highlighted.
Study on axial compression bearing capacity of in-sulated sandwich concrete wall with embedded columns
Authors: Qiao Wentao , Tian Wenyu , Yuan Jiaxu , Wang Dong , Yuan Jiawei , Meng Lijun
Published: November 2022

An insulated sandwich concrete wall with embedded columns (ISCW-EC) is proposed by introducing horizontal reinforcements and cold formed steel embedded columns to the traditional insulated sandwich concrete wall. Axial compression load tests were performed on two full-scale specimens with different horizontal reinforcement spacings to investigate the failure mode of ISCW-EC. The failure patterns of both specimens are the same: splitting cracks present at the bottom of specimen and local buckling occurs at the bottom of the embedded column. The test results show that the specimen with smaller horizontal reinforcement spacing has smaller cracking load, lower secant stiffness, lower ductility and higher compression bearing capacity. Based on the test results, refined finite element models were established to perform a multi-parameter analysis in which the influences of horizontal reinforcement spacing, embedded column spacing, concrete strength and steel wire diameter are studied. The multi-parameter analysis results show that the increase of concrete strength and wire diameter improve the axial compression bearing capacity while the increase of the horizontal reinforcement spacing and embedded column spacing reduce it. Finally, the calculation formula of axial compression capacity of ISCW-EC is put forward based on both test and finite element analysis results.
Prevalence and Psychosocial Impacts of Stalking on Mental Health Professionals: A Systematic Review
Authors: Harris Natashia , Sheridan Lorraine , Robertson Noelle
Published: November 2022

Research examining the prevalence and impacts of stalking on mental health professionals (MHPs) has grown over the last two decades. Yet only one previous review has been undertaken examining impacts on staff and focusing on clients as stalkers, with prevalence estimated between 10% and 13%. This systematic review sought to assess prevalence of stalking, and associated impacts and methods of coping reported by MHPs, irrespective of perpetrator type. The search included all healthcare professional groups working in a mental health setting, reported in English or with available translation. Secondary searches were conducted through references cited in primary papers. Of the 7,060 papers identified in five databases, 11 peer-reviewed papers met rigorous inclusion criteria and were quality appraised. Reviewed studies reported prevalence rates between 10.2% and 50%, with higher quality papers reporting a narrower band, 13.9% and 14.3%. However, substantial variability in stalking definitions, and quality of methodology precluded precise prevalence estimation. Participants within the included studies disclosed significant adverse impacts on confidence and competence at work as a consequence of their experiences. Staff invoked substantial workplace and lifestyle changes to mitigate impacts of stalking. However, studies revealed staff disclosed stalking by perpetrators other than clients, notably colleagues and intimate partners, as often or more frequently than by clients. Limitations of the included research and future directions are discussed.
Maintaining Safety While Discussing Suicide: Trauma Informed Research in an Online Focus Groups
Authors: Epp Donna , Rauch Kyrra , Waddell-Henowitch Candice , Ryan Kimberley D. , Herron Rachel V. , Thomson Andrea E. , Mullins Sharran , Ramsey Doug
Published: November 2022

Although trauma informed (TI) care has been well researched and is used in many disciplines, TI practices for research are less developed. In this article, we explore the use of TI practices when discussing the sensitive topic of suicide within an online focus group. Qualitative studies on rural suicide are sparse, even though the incidence of suicide is higher rurally than in urban areas. Rural communities are often close knit and stigma can be greater toward non-normative experiences such as mental illness and suicide. Due to the nature of rural communities, the trauma of suicide can affect many people. We conducted focus groups with rural community participants who had an interest in suicide prevention to explore the gaps in rural suicide research and the best methods for knowledge dissemination of existing research. Steps were taken to mitigate re-traumatization and/or severe distress in the participants through a TI research approach. An online video conferencing platform became necessary due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The online features promoted safety and transparency by: enabling participants to turn off camera and microphone if they became distressed, allowing them time to self-regulate until feeling sufficiently safe to return to the focus group discussion; leaving the discussion at any time with little disruption; and being able to choose a comfortable place to join the discussion. Other TI activities included ensuring ongoing consent throughout the process, recruiting through a third party to enhance safety, having support resource lists tailored to the region, and encouraging participants to share and debrief final thoughts. A number of participants commented on feeling safe within the environment of the focus group. Limitations included challenges identifying distress online and technological difficulties associated with rural internet services. To our knowledge, this is the first article using a TI approach for discussing suicide through an online method.
Stability investigations of cageless ball bearings considering balls and outer rings with variable diameter raceways
Authors: Zhang Jingwei , Zhao Yanling , Zhang Xiaonan
Published: November 2022

The reducer raceway in the inner raceway of the outer ring of the cageless bearing can effectively make the rolling automatically discrete; nevertheless, it is unclear how this impacts the rolling. This work examines the influence of three types of reducer raceway structure form and prevent position on the mutual discrete stability of rolling bodies using numerical simulation and experiment. By analyzing the phase diagrams of rolling body velocity-displacement and inner ring velocity-displacement, it is discovered that the bearing area increases the stability of a single elliptical or shuttle-shaped local reducer raceway. The vibration of the elliptical reducer raceway bearing is the smallest and the rolling body discrete is the most stable, as determined by vibration testing of three forms of single reducer raceway ball bearings under varied working situations.
Off limits: The role of news and social media in developing sexual assault and harassment as a campaign issue during the Indian parliamentary elections of 2019
Authors: Guha Pallavi
Published: November 2022

In September 2018, the second wave of #Metooindia resumed in India, opening up conversations on sexual assault. Surprisingly, this did not lead to the inclusion of sexual assault as a key campaign issue in the Indian parliamentary elections in early 2019. This study investigates the underlying role of news media and social media in building an anti-sexual assault agenda in the 2019 Indian Lok Sabha election campaign. It builds on past literature on rational choice decision-making theory, social media activism and rape as a political issue in campaigns. This mixed method study includes the analysis of political manifestos and Facebook posts during the campaign, news articles published in the two most circulated English newspapers in India and interviews with political journalists. The restrained mainstream media coverage of sexual assault and pan-Indian social media platforms helped to limit the issue from becoming a part of the campaign during the elections.
Thyroid cancer in women of reproductive age: Key issues for the clinical team
Authors: Toro-Wills María Fernanda , Imitola-Madero Angélica , Alvarez-Londoño Angelina , Hernández-Blanquisett Abraham , Martínez-Ávila María Cristina
Published: November 2022

Women who are fertile experience a significant burden from thyroid cancer. In reality, delaying childbirth is the current trend in maternity. Women who have thyroid cancer may later want to get pregnant after it has been treated, which presents a multidisciplinary issue for their doctors. A variety of specialists are frequently involved in the treatment of thyroid cancer. This review aims to address the key elements of the strategy and places special emphasis on the significance of fertility in women with thyroid cancer diagnosis and remission. We will cover topics including the role of thyroid hormones in pregnancy and fertility.
The Impact of Adhesions on Nasal Airflow: A Quantitative Analysis Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Senanayake Praween , Warfield-McAlpine Patrick , Salati Hana , Bradshaw Kimberley , Wong Eugene , Inthavong Kiao , Singh Narinder
Published: November 2022

Background

Nasal adhesions (NAs) are a known complication of nasal airway surgery. Even minor NAs can lead to significant postoperative nasal airway obstruction (NAO). Division of such NAs often provides much greater relief than anticipated.

Objective

We examine the impact of NAs at various anatomical sites on nasal airflow and mucosal cooling using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and multiple test subjects.

Methods

CT scans of healthy adult subjects were used to construct three-dimensional nasal airway computational models. A single virtual 2.5 mm diameter NA was placed at one of five sites commonly seen following NAO surgery within each nasal cavity bilaterally, resulting in 10 NA models and 1 NA-free control for each subject. CFD analysis was performed on each NA model and compared with the subject's NA-free control model.

Results

4 subjects were recruited to create 44 computational models. The NAs caused the airflow streamlines to separate, leading to a statistically significant increase in mucosal temperature immediately downstream to the NAs (wake region). Changes in the mucosal temperature in the wake region of the NAs were most prominent in anteriorly located NAs with a mean increase of 1.62 °C for the anterior inferior turbinate NAs ( P < .001) and 0.63 °C for the internal valve NAs ( P < .001).

Conclusion

NAs result in marked disruption to airflow patterns and reduced mucosal cooling on critical surfaces, particularly in the wake region. Reduced wake region mucosal cooling may be a contributing factor to the exaggerated perception of nasal obstruction experienced by patients with NAs.
Endonasal Exposure of Lateral Recess of the Sphenoid Sinus: Significance of Pterygoid Process Pneumatization
Authors: Li Lifeng , London Nyall R , Prevedello Daniel M , Carrau Ricardo L
Published: November 2022

Background

Caudal pneumatization of the pterygoid process may impact endonasal exposure of the lateral recess of sphenoid sinus (LRSS).

Objectives

This study aims to explore the implications of a pneumatized pterygoid process for an endonasal transpterygoid approach to the LRSS and to define strategies regarding the preservation or sacrifice of the vidian nerve.

Methods

Dissection of the LRSS (11 sides) was performed on 6 cadaveric specimens, preselected for the radiographic presence of an LRSS. In addition, the dimensions of the LRSS were measured on the deidentified CT images of 120 patients (240 sides). The sphenoid sinus was subdivided into 3 categories: Type 1 (no identifiable LRSS), Type 2 (lateral pneumatization of the greater wing above the vidian canal), and Type 3 (pneumatization of both the greater wing and the pterygoid process).

Results

On the cadaveric specimens, a Type 2 pneumatization often allowed access to the LRSS above the level of the vidian canal; thus, sparing the vidian neurovascular bundle. In Type 3 pneumatization, a frontal corridor through the pterygoid base could be created to reach the LRSS with preservation of the vidian nerve. Extreme Type 3 pneumatization, however, required the transposition or sacrifice of the vidian nerve to facilitate a full direct access to the superolateral LRSS. Measurements on CT images revealed that the extent of caudal pneumatization of the pterygoid process had no statistically significant correlation with the superolateral extension of the lateral recess in patients with Type 3 LRSS ( P > .05).

Conclusion

Pneumatization of the LRSS toward a caudal or superolateral direction may develop independent from each other. Caudal pneumatization of the pterygoid process seems to variably impact the endonasal exposure of the LRSS.
User experience reevaluation and diffusion of technology in the context of compulsory usage illustrated by the example of telepsychotherapy—a literature review
Authors: Butz Benjamin , Kloep Leonie , Kriegesmann Bernd
Published: November 2022

Objective

Models explaining technology acceptance fail to recognize the influence temporary, compulsory usage, meaning forced usage due to external factors, may have on user evaluation and continued diffusion. However, in context of the Covid-19 pandemic, a highly infectious respiratory disease, the significance of this factor is evident. Triggered by legal contact restrictions and extended reimbursement capacities, usage of telepsychotherapy increased drastically, thereby influencing therapists' attitude and increasing the technology's maturity. In this comprehensive literature review, we aim to outline the current state of research toward telepsychotherapy adoption and identify potential influences of the compulsory usage on the reevaluation of technology as well as barriers inhibiting and factors promoting future use.

Methods

The review was conducted on the five databases ScienceDirect, Web of Science, PubMed, PubPsych, and IEEE up to April 2022.

Results

Out of 685 identified references, a final selection was made of 22 papers, discussing experiences with telepsychotherapy in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Satisfaction and intention to use are universally high, further increasing with time and use experience, while perceived challenges decrease. Barriers include mostly contextual factors, such as technical issues, reimbursement issues, strict regulations, insufficient infrastructure, and lack of organizational support, but also concerns regarding efficacy. Promoting factors are training, guidelines, and organizational support.

Conclusions

Telepsychohtherapy has become an integral part of psychotherapeutic care. A hybrid system in close coordination between provider and patient may prevail, addressing individual needs of both parties to achieve optimal care and provider well-being. This requires transparent regulations, guidelines, and standards.
A Black Feminist Analysis of Patient Provider Concordance in Sexual Health Care
Authors: Wade Jeannette , Frederick Helyne , Parker Sharon , Wiley Briana , Dillon Hannah , Wilson Dorrian , Taylor Kwani
Published: November 2022

Racial disparities in gynecological health have persisted over time. Interestingly, there is a dearth of research that centers Black women’s experiences with gynecologists and even less research that uses Black feminist theory and methods. We use semi-structured interviews ( N = 39) to understand the sexual health care related experiences of Black women at a Predominately White Institution (PWI) and a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). We found that the following themes captured Black women’s experiences: (1) Feeling Ignored, (2) Having Their Intelligence Insulted, (3) Receiving Proper Help and Education, (4) Benefits of Concordance across Race and Sex Categories, (5) Discomfort Due to Sexual Taboos, (6) Perceived Medical Racism, (7) Impact of other Intersectional Identities, and (8) No Impact. Implications for enhancing experiences with sexual health care appointments and improving patient provider relationships are discussed.
Can a single equation be used to predict the vital capacity of boys both before and during puberty?
Authors: Jaeger-Denavit O , Alphonse A
Published: November 2022

Good theoretical values for vital capacity (VCt) can be used to calculate a VC/VCt ratio which remains constant for a given individual subject throughout different growth periods. This longitudinal study on 27 boys was performed in order to determine whether a single equation was accurate throughout the growth of boys. The mean values of VC/VCt were also compared for the beginning and end of the prepubertal period in 57 boys and between the beginning and end of puberty in 40 boys. VCt was calculated from five reference equations using data from boys with average age 8-16 yrs, and from two equations using data specific to children and adolescents. The mean VC/VCt ratio was found to fall between the beginning and end of the prepubertal period and to increase very significantly between the beginning and end of the pubertal period when the reference equation used had been calculated using data from populations containing both pubertal and prepubertal subjects. When the equations established from adolescents were used, VC/VCt fell slightly between the beginning and end of the pubertal period. We conclude that data for children and adolescents should be treated separately when establishing reference values for VC.
Domiciliary investigation of sleep-related hypoxaemia in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Carroll N , Bain RJ , Smith PE , Saltissi S , Edwards RH , Calverley PM
Published: November 2022

In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) nocturnal oxygen desaturation occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Polysomnography, which requires hospital admission, will detect sleep-related breathing abnormalities. In order to avoid the inconvenience of hospital admission for the disabled patient, we investigated overnight oxygenation in ten boys with DMD by domiciliary oximetry. In four boys the results of oximetry were compared with those of a polysomnographic recording. The "repeatability" of domiciliary oximetry was assessed in six boys by performing oximetry on two non-consecutive nights. Older boys with DMD may develop a cardiomyopathy. In order to assess cardiac rhythm and ST segment changes we performed simultaneous Holter monitoring and oximetry in seven boys with overnight hypoxaemia. Six of the initial ten boys studied demonstrated episodic nocturnal hypoxaemia and there was a strong correlation between minimum oxygen saturation overnight and daytime arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions (PaO2 r = 0.89; PaCO2 r = -0.87). Despite adequate REM time during polysomnography, greater oxygen desaturation was found during domiciliary oximetry. No difference was found in the severity of desaturation recorded in the boys who were studied on two separate occasions. Five boys demonstrated marked heart rate variation during hypoxaemic episodes and more serious arrhythmias occurred overnight in the three most hypoxaemic boys. Domiciliary oximetry is a simple, repeatable method of assessing overnight oxygenation and compares well with polysomnography. In boys with advanced DMD and severe nocturnal hypoxaemia, 24 h electrocardiographic monitoring may detect potentially life-threatening arrhythmias.
Prevention of leucocyte elastase-induced emphysema in mice by heparin fragments
Authors: Lafuma C , Frisdal E , Harf A , Robert L , Hornebeck W
Published: November 2022

Heparin and its derivatives inhibit human leucocyte proteinases i.e. elastase and cathepsin G, but do not inhibit porcine pancreatic elastase and Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase. In vitro experiments, reported here, also indicate that elastin, one of the physiological substrates of human leucocyte elastase (HLE), could decrease by 30-fold the inhibitory potential of an hexadecasaccharide heparin fragment (dp 16) isolated from CY 222. Nevertheless, the inhibitory capacity of the heparin fragment still remains elevated with IC50 = 2.7 x 10(-7) M and still inhibits HLE in its free and adsorbed state to elastin. These overall data prompted us to evaluate the influence of CY 222 in HLE-induced emphysema. Emphysema was induced in mice eight weeks old, following a single instillation of 200 micrograms of HLE. CY 222 treated animals received 2.5 mg.kg-1 subcutaneously once daily, 6 days per week during 4 weeks prior to HLE instillation, and for eight weeks following HLE instillation. The heparin fragment treatment of the mice halved the mortality rate observed early following HLE instillation. After 8 weeks, surviving animals were examined for lung histological and morphometrical changes: mean linear intercept (MLI) and internal alveolar area (ISA). The CY 222 heparin fragments exerted a protective effect against HLE-induced emphysema by decreasing by 70% the MLI; these heparin fragments exerted no effect on emphysema induced by pancreatic elastase in hamsters or mice. Heparin derivatives represent a new class of physiological HLE low molecular weight inhibitors capable of preventing HLE-induced emphysema.
Ventilatory responsiveness to carbon dioxide below the normal control point in conscious normoxic humans
Authors: Cummin AR , Sidhu VS , Telford RJ , Saunders KB
Published: November 2022

A recently developed CO2 pulse technique was used to test for ventilatory sensitivity to CO2 in four normal men following 2 min voluntary hyperventilation down to an end-tidal CO2 tension (PETCO2) of 20 mmHg (2.7 kPa). Pure CO2 was injected into the inspiratory limb of a breathing circuit at 0.4 l.min-1 for 30 s and any small ventilatory response was detected against background noise by ensemble-averaging of multiple runs. Following hyperventilation, ventilation was initially often above control and apnoea was not seen. In one subject, the ventilatory response to the CO2 pulse was barely detectable either before or after hyperventilation. In another subject, there was a response to pulses given before hyperventilation and 3 and 5.5 min after hyperventilation but not 30 s after hyperventilation when PETCO2 was about 25 mmHg (3.3 kPa) and rising. In the two remaining subjects ventilatory responses were seen to CO2 pulses started 30 s after hyperventilation, although PETCO2 following the pulse remained some 5 mmHg (0.7 kPa) below baseline. We conclude that in some subjects the PETCO2 threshold lies well below the normal PETCO2. The technique is tedious for the experimental subject because of the large number of repetitions required and, therefore, unsuitable for a study on a large number of subjects.
Shape-aware stochastic neighbor embedding for robust data visualisations
Authors: Wängberg Tobias , Tyrcha Joanna , Li Chun-Biu
Published: November 2022

Background

The t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) algorithm has emerged as one of the leading methods for visualising high-dimensional (HD) data in a wide variety of fields, especially for revealing cluster structure in HD single-cell transcriptomics data. However, t-SNE often fails to correctly represent hierarchical relationships between clusters and creates spurious patterns in the embedding. In this work we generalised t-SNE using shape-aware graph distances to mitigate some of the limitations of the t-SNE. Although many methods have been recently proposed to circumvent the shortcomings of t-SNE, notably Uniform manifold approximation (UMAP) and Potential of heat diffusion for affinity-based transition embedding (PHATE), we see a clear advantage of the proposed graph-based method.

Results

The superior performance of the proposed method is first demonstrated on simulated data, where a significant improvement compared to t-SNE, UMAP and PHATE, based on quantitative validation indices, is observed when visualising imbalanced, nonlinear, continuous and hierarchically structured data. Thereafter the ability of the proposed method compared to the competing methods to create faithfully low-dimensional embeddings is shown on two real-world data sets, the single-cell transcriptomics data and the MNIST image data. In addition, the only hyper-parameter of the method can be automatically chosen in a data-driven way, which is consistently optimal across all test cases in this study.

Conclusions

In this work we show that the proposed shape-aware stochastic neighbor embedding method creates low-dimensional visualisations that robustly and accurately reveal key structures of high-dimensional data.
Seed priming to optimize germination in Arthrocnemum Moq.
Authors: Ramírez Esteban , Chaâbene Zayneb , Hernández-Apaolaza Lourdes , Rekik Mariem , Elleuch Amine , de la Fuente Vicenta
Published: November 2022

Background

Seed germination and seedling growth constitute the first stage of a plant's life cycle for crop establishment. Arthrocnemum Moq. is a halophyte of the subfamily Salicornioideae (Amaranthaceae), which could be recognized in the foreseeable future as an emerging candidate in applied biosaline agricultural programs, mainly due to the large biomass it represents in coastal and inland saltmarshes, in addition to its interesting nutritional and pharmacological properties. However, to ensure their subsequent use as a crop, it is necessary to optimize their germination through appropriate seed priming treatments. The main goal of this work was to seek the optimization of Arthrocnemum germination process using different pretreatments: exposure to sodium chloride (100 to 1200 mM) in the dark and its subsequent transferred to distilled water separately and together with the combination of pH (5, 7, 9), salinity (0, 100, 200 mM NaCl), and iron conditions (0, 200, 400 µM FeSO4). The experiments were tested on six samples of two different species: A. meridionale (from Tunisia) and A. macrostachyum (from Spain).

Results

Salinity priming of seeds for 15 days in darkness improved germination percentages by almost 25% at 600 mM NaCl, in both Tunisian and Spanish species. However, keeping seeds at different salt concentrations for 30 days produced higher improvement percentages at lower concentrations in A. meridionale (100–200 mM NaCl), while in A. macrostachyum the highest improvement percentages were obtained at 600 mM NaCl (percentage improvement of 47%). When the dark time period is reduced to 5 days at higher salt concentrations, the greater germination percentages were reached in all the samples at the concentration of 800 mM NaCl, increasing the improvement of germination between 17 and 50%. Finally, the conditions of pH = 7, pretreatment in darkness at 800 mM NaCl and 400 µM or iron, turned out to be an effective medium for seed germination.

Conclusions

Therefore, before using Arthrocnemum seeds in applied biotechnological programs, a seed priming treatment based on prior exposure to high salt concentrations (600–1000 mM NaCl) is recommended in order to maximize germination percentages.
Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) responses to salt stress and alkali stress: transcriptional and metabolic profiling
Authors: Lu Xu , Ma Lei , Zhang CongCong , Yan HaoKai , Bao JinYu , Gong MeiShuang , Wang WenHui , Li Sheng , Ma ShaoYing , Chen BaiHong
Published: November 2022

Background

Soil salinization and alkalization are widespread environmental problems that limit grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) growth and yield. However, little is known about the response of grapevine to alkali stress. This study investigated the differences in physiological characteristics, chloroplast structure, transcriptome, and metabolome in grapevine plants under salt stress and alkali stress.

Results

We found that grapevine plants under salt stress and alkali stress showed leaf chlorosis, a decline in photosynthetic capacity, a decrease in chlorophyll content and Rubisco activity, an imbalance of Na+ and K+, and damaged chloroplast ultrastructure. Fv/Fm decreased under salt stress and alkali stress. NPQ increased under salt stress whereas decreased under alkali stress. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment showed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced by salt stress and alkali stress were involved in different biological processes and have varied molecular functions. The expression of stress genes involved in the ABA and MAPK signaling pathways was markedly altered by salt stress and alkali stress. The genes encoding ion transporter (AKT1, HKT1, NHX1, NHX2, TPC1A, TPC1B) were up-regulated under salt stress and alkali stress. Down-regulation in the expression of numerous genes in the ‘Porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism’, ‘Photosynthesis-antenna proteins’, and ‘Photosynthesis’ pathways were observed under alkali stress. Many genes in the ‘Carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms’ pathway in salt stress and alkali stress were down-regulated. Metabolome showed that 431 and 378 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were identified in salt stress and alkali stress, respectively. L-Glutamic acid and 5-Aminolevulinate involved in chlorophyll synthesis decreased under salt stress and alkali stress. The abundance of 19 DAMs under salt stress related to photosynthesis decreased. The abundance of 16 organic acids in salt stress and 22 in alkali stress increased respectively.

Conclusions

Our findings suggested that alkali stress had more adverse effects on grapevine leaves, chloroplast structure, ion balance, and photosynthesis than salt stress. Transcriptional and metabolic profiling showed that there were significant differences in the effects of salt stress and alkali stress on the expression of key genes and the abundance of pivotal metabolites in grapevine plants.
Evolution of different rice ecotypes and genetic basis of flooding adaptability in Deepwater rice by GWAS
Authors: Wang Xueqiang , Zhao Yan , Jiang Conghui , Wang Libing , Chen Lei , Li Fengmei , Zhang Yanhong , Pan Yinghua , Zhang Tianzhen
Published: November 2022

Background

Rice is the world’s second largest food crop and accelerated global climate change due to the intensification of human activities has a huge impact on rice. Research on the evolution of different rice ecotypes is essential for enhancing the adaptation of rice to the unpredictable environments.

Results

The sequencing data of 868 cultivated and 140 wild rice accessions were used to study the domestication history and signatures of adaptation in the distinct rice ecotypes genome. The different populations had formed distinct rice ecotypes by phylogenetic analyses and were domesticated independently in the two subspecies of rice, especially deepwater and upland rice. The domestication history of distinct rice ecotypes was confirmed and the four predicted admixture events mainly involved gene flow between wild rice and cultivated rice. Importantly, we identified numerous selective sweeps that have occurred during the domestication of different rice ecotypes and one candidate gene (LOC_Os11g21804) for deepwater based on transcriptomic evidence. In addition, many regions of genomic differentiation between the different rice ecotypes were identified. Furthermore, the main reason for the increase in genetic diversity in the ecotypes of xian (indica) rice was the high proportion of alternative allele frequency in new mutations. Genome-wide association analysis revealed 28 QTLs associated with flood tolerance which contained 12 related cloned genes, and 20 candidate genes within 13 deepwater QTLs were identified by transcriptomic and haplotype analyses.

Conclusions

These results enhanced our understanding of domestication history in different rice ecotypes and provided valuable insights for genetic improvement and breeding of rice in the current changing environments.
Spanish version of the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale: translation and cross-cultural adaptation
Authors: Epulef Valeria , Muñoz Sergio , Alarcón Ana María , Vial Manuel
Published: November 2022

Background

Emergence delirium (ED) is a mental disturbance in children during recovery from general anaesthesia. The Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale is the only validated scale that assesses ED in paediatric patients undergoing general anaesthesia. The aim of this study was the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the PAED scale into Spanish (Chile). 

Methods

A five-stage translation and cross-cultural adaptation process was carried out. The reliability of the Spanish version of the PAED scale was evaluated in paediatric patients independently by a set of two raters (anaesthesiologists or postanaesthesia care unit nurses) in the postanaesthetic period after major outpatient surgery. ED was defined by a cut-off level of ≥ 10 points on the PAED scale. 

Results

The PAED scale was evaluated in 353 consecutive children. Patients had a mean age of 7.4 ± 3.22 years. The preoperative ASA Physical Status class was 62%, 37%, and 1% (ASA class I, II and III, respectively). The distribution of patients by service was as follows: 45% of patients underwent paediatric surgery; 33% underwent otorhinolaryngological surgery; 11% underwent orthopaedic surgery; 10% underwent ophthalmological surgery; and 1% underwent other types of surgery. The interrater agreement ranged from 96.9% to 97.9%, with Kappa values ranging from 0.59 to 0.79. The Cronbach’s alpha value was 0.91. The ED global incidence was 9.1% and was higher in the younger age groups (3–10 years).

Conclusions

The translated and cross-culturally adapted Spanish version of the PAED scale is a reliable instrument to measure ED in the postanaesthetic period in Chilean children.
Coronary stenosis is a risk marker for impaired cardiac function on cardiopulmonary exercise test
Authors: Li Siyuan , Yuan Yifang , Zhao Lanting , Lv Tingting , She Fei , Liu Fang , Xue Yajun , Zhou Boda , Xie Ying , Geng Yu , Zhang Ping
Published: November 2022

Background

Cardiac function varies in different ways in ischemic heart disease (IHD). We aimed to evaluate the characteristics of cardiac function on cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in IHD with different coronary stenoses.

Methods

Totally 614 patients with IHD were divided into non-obstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD) (stenosis < 50%), obstructive coronary artery disease (OCAD) (stenosis 50-90%) and severe OCAD ( stenosis > 90%) according to the coronary angiography. And 101 healthy volunteers as controls. All participants performed CPET to assess cardiac function by oxygen uptake (VO2), estimated cardiac output (CO), and heart rate (HR).

Results

Generally, the values of VO2, CO, and HR in IHD were significantly lower than in healthy volunteers. Among 289 NOCAD, 132 OCAD, and 193 severe OCAD, significantly decreased values of VO2, CO, HR were observed (VO2 peak: 16.01 ± 4.11 vs. 15.66 ± 4.14 vs. 13.33 ± 3.4 mL/min/kg; CO: 6.96 ± 2.34 vs. 6.87 ± 2.37 vs. 6.05 ± 1.79 L/min; HR: 126.44 ± 20.53 vs. 115.15 ± 18.78 vs. 109.07 ± 16.23 bpm, P < 0.05). NOCAD had significantly lower VO2 at anaerobic threshold (-1.35, 95%CI -2.16 - -0.54) and VO2 peak (-2.05, 95%CI -3.18 - -0.93) compared with healthy volunteers after adjustment. All IHD patients were associated with low stroke volume and inefficient gas exchange (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

IHD with increasing atherosclerotic burdens were associated with impaired cardiac output and chronotropic response on CPET. NOCAD should be given more early prevention and rigorous follow-up.
Assessing the burden of Taenia solium cysticercosis in Burundi, 2020
Authors: Minani Salvator , Devleesschauwer Brecht , Gasogo Anastasie , Ntirandekura Jean-Bosco , Gabriël Sarah , Dorny Pierre , Trevisan Chiara
Published: November 2022

Background

Taenia solium cysticercosis is a zoonotic disease that is endemic in many low- and middle-income countries where risk factors for disease transmission are present. The economic impact of cysticercosis on public health and on the pig production sector is not well known in many of those countries, including Burundi. This study aimed at estimating the burden of T. solium cysticercosis in Burundi including data on humans and pigs.

Methods

Epidemiological and economic data were collected from literature up to July 30, 2021 and governmental and non-governmental agencies. Direct and indirect costs for neurocysticercosis (NCC)-associated epilepsy and losses due to porcine cysticercosis were estimated to assess the economic burden, while the health burden was estimated using zoonotic disability-adjusted life years (zDALYs). Different probability distributions (Uniform, Beta, Dirichlet and Gamma) were applied depending on the type of epidemiological parameter. Monte Carlo simulations and 100,000 iterations were used to calculate the 95% uncertainty interval (UI) for each parameter and perform sensitivity analyses.

Results

In Burundi, 4.26 million USD (95% UI, 1,858,308–8,190,951) were estimated as economic impact due to T. solium cysticercosis in humans and pigs, of which 40.2% (95% UI, 10.3–75.1) of the total costs were due to NCC-associated epilepsy and 59.8% (95% UI, 24.9–89.7) of the losses due to porcine cysticercosis. The cost per NCC-associated epilepsy case was 72 USD (95% UI, 25–168), representing 30.8% of the GDP per capita in 2020. The probable incident cases and deaths for NCC-associated epilepsy were 9065 (95% UI, 2370–16,716) and 61 (95% UI, 16–114), respectively. More than 2 zDALYs (95% UI, 1.1–3.4) per thousand person-years was estimated, of which an average of 1.3 DALYs [0;0] (95% UI, 0.3–2.6) was due to NCC- associated epilepsy and 0.8 animal loss equivalents (ALEs) (95% UI, 0.3–1.5) due to porcine cysticercosis.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence of a significant burden of T. solium cysticercosis for Burundi’s population. We urge policy makers to use these evidence-based results and put T. solium cysticercosis on the public health agenda of the country. This study recommends urgent action to find solutions for integrated control strategies for T. solium cysticercosis in Burundi.