bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short-term effects of rainfall on childhood hand, foot and mouth disease and related spatial heterogeneity: evidence from 143 cities in mainland China
Authors: Yang Fan , Ma Yue , Liu Fengfeng , Zhao Xing , Fan Chaonan , Hu Yifan , Hu Kuiru , Chang Zhaorui , Xiao Xiong
Published: October 2020

Background

Numerous studies have demonstrated the potential association between rainfall and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), but the results are inconsistent. This study aimed to quantify the relationship between rainfall and HFMD based on a multicity study and explore the potential sources of spatial heterogeneity.

Methods

We retrieved the daily counts of childhood HFMD and the meteorological variables of the 143 cities in mainland China between 2009 and 2014. A common time series regression model was applied to quantify the association between rainfall and HFMD for each of the 143 cities. Then, we adopted the meta-regression model to pool the city-specific estimates and explore the sources of heterogeneity by incorporating city-specific characteristics.

Results

The overall pooled estimation suggested a nonlinear exposure-response relationship between rainfall and HFMD. Once rainfall exceeded 15 mm, the HFMD risk stopped increasing linearly and began to plateau with the excessive risk ratio (ERR) peaking at 21 mm of rainfall (ERR = 3.46, 95% CI: 2.05, 4.88). We also found significant heterogeneity in the rainfall-HFMD relationships (I2 = 52.75%, P < 0.001). By incorporating the city-specific characteristics into the meta-regression model, temperature and student density can explain a substantial proportion of spatial heterogeneity with I2 statistics that decreased by 5.29 and 6.80% at most, respectively.

Conclusions

Our findings verified the nonlinear association between rainfall and HFMD. The rainfall-HFMD relationship also varies depending on locations. Therefore, the estimation of the rain-HFMD relationship of one location should not be generalized to another location.
Concomitant cemento-osseous dysplasia and aneurysmal bone cyst of the mandible: a rare case report with literature review
Authors: Yeom Han-Gyeol , Yoon Jung-Hoon
Published: October 2020

Background

Concomitant cemento-osseous dysplasia (COD) and aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) are rare in the head and neck region. In our search of the English language literature, we found only one case report describing the simultaneous occurrence of COD and ABC in the head and neck region. Here, we report a case of COD associated with ABC. Further, we performed a systematic search of the literature to identify studies on patients with COD associated with nonepithelial lined cysts of the jaws.

Case presentation

The patient was a 32-year-old woman who was referred from a private dental clinic because of a cystic lesion below the mandibular right first molar. She had no pain or significant systemic disease. After performing panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography, the imaging diagnosis was COD with a cystic lesion, such as ABC or solitary bone cyst. Excisional biopsy was performed, which revealed concomitant COD and ABC.

Conclusion

This case of ABC associated with COD provides insight for the diagnostic process of radiographically mixed lesions with cystic changes.
Deceased donor kidney allocation: an economic evaluation of contemporary longevity matching practices
Authors: Senanayake Sameera , Graves Nicholas , Healy Helen , Baboolal Keshwar , Barnett Adrian , Sypek Matthew P. , Kularatna Sanjeewa
Published: October 2020

Background

Matching survival of a donor kidney with that of the recipient (longevity matching), is used in some kidney allocation systems to maximize graft-life years. It is not part of the allocation algorithm for Australia. Given the growing evidence of survival benefit due to longevity matching based allocation algorithms, development of a similar kidney allocation system for Australia is currently underway. The aim of this research is to estimate the impact that changes to costs and health outcomes arising from ‘longevity matching’ on the Australian healthcare system.

Methods

A decision analytic model to estimate cost-effectiveness was developed using a Markov process. Four plausible competing allocation options were compared to the current kidney allocation practice. Models were simulated in one-year cycles for a 20-year time horizon, with transitions through distinct health states relevant to the kidney recipient. Willingness to pay was considered as AUD 28000.

Results

Base case analysis indicated that allocating the worst 20% of Kidney Donor Risk Index (KDRI) donor kidneys to the worst 20% of estimated post-transplant survival (EPTS) recipients (option 2) and allocating the oldest 25% of donor kidneys to the oldest 25% of recipients are both cost saving and more effective compared to the current Australian allocation practice.

Option 2, returned the lowest costs, greatest health benefits and largest gain to net monetary benefits (NMB). Allocating the best 20% of KDRI donor kidneys to the best 20% of EPTS recipients had the lowest expected incremental NMB.

Conclusion

Of the four longevity-based kidney allocation practices considered, transplanting the lowest quality kidneys to the worst kidney recipients (option 2), was estimated to return the best value for money for the Australian health system.
Implementation of guidelines on family involvement for persons with psychotic disorders in community mental health centres (IFIP): protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hestmark Lars , Romøren Maria , Heiervang Kristin Sverdvik , Weimand Bente , Ruud Torleif , Norvoll Reidun , Hansson Kristiane Myckland , Norheim Irene , Aas Eline , Landeweer Elisabeth Geke Marjan , Pedersen Reidar
Published: October 2020

Background

Family involvement for persons with psychotic disorders is under-implemented in mental health care, despite its firm scientific, economic, legal and moral basis. This appears to be the case in Norway, despite the presence of national guidelines providing both general recommendations on family involvement and support in the health- and care services, and specific guidance on family interventions for patients with psychotic disorders. The aim of this project is to improve mental health services and the psychosocial health of persons with psychotic disorders and their relatives, by implementing selected recommendations from the national guidelines in community mental health centres, and to evaluate this process.

Methods

The trial is cluster randomised, where 14 outpatient clusters from community mental health centres undergo stratified randomisation with an allocation ratio of 1:1. The seven intervention clusters will receive implementation support for 18 months, whereas the control clusters will receive the same support after this implementation period. The intervention consists of: 1. A basic level of family involvement and support. 2. Family psychoeducation in single-family groups. 3. Training and guidance of health care personnel. 4. A family coordinator and 5. Other implementation measures. Fidelity to the intervention will be measured four times in the intervention arm and two times in the control arm, and the differences in fidelity changes between the arms constitute the primary outcomes. In each arm, we aim to include 161 patients with psychotic disorders and their closest relative to fill in questionnaires at inclusion, 6 months and 12 months, measuring psychosocial health and satisfaction with services. Clinicians will contribute clinical data about patients at inclusion and 12 months. Use of health and welfare services and work participation, for both patients and relatives, will be retrieved from national registries. We will also perform qualitative interviews with patients, relatives, health care personnel and leaders. Finally, we will conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis and a political economy analysis.

Discussion

This project, with its multilevel and mixed methods approach, may contribute valuable knowledge to the fields of family involvement, mental health service research and implementation science.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03869177. Registered 11.03.19.
High glycated albumin is an independent predictor of low response to clopidogrel in ACS patients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhao Xiliang , Li Quan , Tu Chenchen , Zeng Yong , Ye Yicong
Published: October 2020

Background

Glycated albumin (GA) is a marker of short-term glycemic control and is strongly associated with the occurrence of diabetes. Previous studies have shown an association between GA and the effect of clopidogrel therapy on ischemic stroke. However, limited information is available regarding this relationship in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. In this study, we evaluated the effect of GA on platelet P2Y12 inhibition by clopidogrel in patients with ACS.

Methods

Consecutive Chinese patients with ACS who received loading or maintenance doses of clopidogrel in addition to aspirin were recruited. At least 12 h after the patient had taken the clopidogrel dose, thromboelastography (TEG) and light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) were used to calculate the quantitative platelet inhibition rate to determine clopidogrel-induced antiplatelet reactivity. A prespecified cutoff of the maximum amplitude of adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet-fibrin clot strength > 47 mm plus an ADP-induced platelet inhibition rate < 50% assessed by TEG or ADP-induced platelet aggregation > 40% assessed by LTA to indicate low responsiveness to clopidogrel were applied for evaluation. Patients were categorized into two groups based on a GA level of 15.5%, the cutoff point indicating the development of early-phase diabetes. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess the interaction of GA with clopidogrel antiplatelet therapy.

Results

A total of 1021 participants were evaluated, and 28.3% of patients (289 of 1021) had low responsiveness to clopidogrel assessed by TEG. In patients with elevated GA levels, low responsiveness to clopidogrel assessed by TEG was observed in 33.7% (139 of 412) of patients, which was a significantly higher rate than that in the lower-GA-level group (24.6%, P = 0.002). According to multivariate linear regression analysis, a GA level > 15.5% was independently associated with low responsiveness to clopidogrel after adjustment for age, sex and other conventional confounding factors. This interaction was not mediated by a history of diabetes mellitus. A GA level ≤ 15.5% was associated with a high positive value [75.4%, 95% CI 73.0–77.6%] for predicting a normal responsiveness to clopidogrel.

Conclusions

GA could be a potential biomarker to predict the effects of clopidogrel antiplatelet therapy in ACS patients and might be a clinical biomarker to guide DAPT de-escalation.
Validation of subscales of the Severe Asthma Questionnaire (SAQ) using exploratory factor analysis (EFA)
Authors: Lanario Joseph W. , Hyland Michael E. , Menzies-Gow Andrew , Mansur Adel H. , Dodd James W. , Fowler Stephen J. , Jones Rupert C. , Masoli Matthew
Published: October 2020

Background

The Severe Asthma Questionnaire (SAQ) is a health related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire validated for use in severe asthma. It is scored using the mean value of 16 items (SAQ score) in addition to a single item global rating of HRQoL (SAQ-global). The aim was to validate clinically relevant subscales using exploratory factor analysis (EFA).

Methods

The SAQ was completed, along with measures of asthma control and EQ5D-5L by patients attending six UK severe asthma centres. Clinical data were included in the analysis. EFA using principal axis factoring and oblimin rotation was used to achieve simple structure of data.

Results

460 patients with severe asthma participated, 65% women, mean age 51 (16–83) years. A three factor solution achieved best fit and showed that the SAQ items formed three distinct but inter-correlated groups of items where items were grouped in a way that was consistent with item content. The three subscales were differentially associated with clinically relevant variables (lung function and mood). Males and females interpreted the question of night disturbance in different ways.

Conclusions

This paper provides a template for best practice in the use of EFA when validating HRQoL subscales. The SAQ can be scored as three subscales with content reflecting three different constructs people with severe asthma use when making judgements about their lives. The subscale ‘My Life’ assesses the impact of severe asthma on different life activities, ‘My Mind’ assesses the perceived emotional impact and ‘My Body’ the impact of extra-pulmonary symptoms and side effects.
Scaling up population health interventions from decision to sustainability – a window of opportunity? A qualitative view from policy-makers
Authors: Lee Karen , van Nassau Femke , Grunseit Anne , Conte Kathleen , Milat Andrew , Wolfenden Luke , Bauman Adrian
Published: October 2020

Background

While known efficacious preventive health interventions exist, the current capacity to scale up these interventions is limited. In recent years, much attention has focussed on developing frameworks and methods for scale-up yet, in practice, the pathway for scale-up is seldom linear and may be highly dependent on contextual circumstances. Few studies have examined the process of scaling up from decision to implementation nor examined the sustainability of scaled-up interventions. This study explores decision-makers’ perceptions from real-world scaled-up case studies to examine how scale-up decisions were made and describe enablers of successful scale-up and sustainability.

Methods

This qualitative study included 29 interviews conducted with purposively sampled key Australian policy-makers, practitioners and researchers experienced in scale-up. Semi-structured interview questions obtained information regarding case studies of scaled-up interventions. The Framework Analysis method was used as the primary method of analysis of the interview data to inductively generate common and divergent themes within qualitative data across cases.

Results

A total of 31 case studies of public health interventions were described by interview respondents based on their experiences. According to the interviewees’ perceptions, decisions to scale up commonly occurred either opportunistically, when funding became available, or when a deliberate decision was made and funding allocated. The latter scenario was more common when the intervention aligned with specific political or strategic goals. Decisions to scale up were driven by a variety of key actors such as politicians, senior policy-makers and practitioners in the health system. Drivers of a successful scale-up process included good governance, clear leadership, and adequate resourcing and expertise. Establishing accountability structures and appropriate engagement mechanisms to encourage the uptake of interventions were also key enablers. Sustainability was influenced by evidence of impact as well as good acceptability among the general or target population.

Conclusions

Much like Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Theory of ‘policy windows’, there is a conceptually similar ‘window for scale-up’, driven by a complex interplay of factors such as political need, strategic context, funding and key actors. Researchers and policy-makers need to consider scalability from the outset and prepare for when the window for scale-up opens. Decision-makers need to provide longer term funding for scale-up to facilitate longer term sustainability and build on the resources already invested for the scale-up process.
Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 is a
key mediator in TLR3 ligand and Smac mimetic-induced cell death and suppresses TLR3
ligand-promoted invasion in cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Lomphithak Thanpisit , Choksi Swati , Mutirangura Apiwat , Tohtong Rutaiwan , Tencomnao Tewin , Usubuchi Hajime , Unno Michiaki , Sasano Hironobu , Jitkaew Siriporn
Published: October 2020

Background

Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) ligand which activates TLR3 signaling
induces both cancer cell death and activates anti-tumor immunity. However, TLR3
signaling can also harbor pro-tumorigenic consequences. Therefore, we examined
the status of TLR3 in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cases to better understand TLR3
signaling and explore the potential therapeutic target in CCA.

Methods

The expression of TLR3 and receptor-interacting protein kinase 1
(RIPK1) in primary CCA tissues was assayed by Immunohistochemical staining and
their associations with clinicopathological characteristics and survival data
were evaluated. The effects of TLR3 ligand, Poly(I:C) and Smac mimetic, an IAP
antagonist on CCA cell death and invasion were determined by cell death
detection methods and Transwell invasion assay, respectively. Both genetic and
pharmacological inhibition of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL and inhibitors targeting
NF-κB and MAPK signaling were used to investigate the underlying
mechanisms.

Results

TLR3 was significantly higher expressed in tumor than adjacent
normal tissues. We demonstrated in a panel of CCA cell lines that TLR3 was
frequently expressed in CCA cell lines, but was not detected in a nontumor
cholangiocyte. Subsequent in vitro study demonstrated that Poly(I:C)
specifically induced CCA cell death, but only when cIAPs were removed by Smac
mimetic. Cell death was also switched from apoptosis to necroptosis when
caspases were inhibited in CCA cells-expressing RIPK3. In addition, RIPK1 was
required for Poly(I:C) and Smac mimetic-induced apoptosis and necroptosis. Of
particular interest, high TLR3 or low RIPK1 status in CCA patients was
associated with more invasiveness. In vitro invasion demonstrated that
Poly(I:C)-induced invasion through NF-κB and MAPK signaling. Furthermore, the
loss of RIPK1 enhanced Poly(I:C)-induced invasion and ERK activation in vitro.
Smac mimetic also reversed Poly(I:C)-induced invasion, partly mediated by RIPK1.
Finally, a subgroup of patients with high TLR3 and high RIPK1 had a trend toward
longer disease-free survival (p = 0.078,
28.0 months and 10.9 months).

Conclusion

RIPK1 plays a pivotal role in TLR3 ligand, Poly(I:C)-induced cell
death when cIAPs activity was inhibited and loss of RIPK1 enhanced
Poly(I:C)-induced invasion which was partially reversed by Smac mimetic. Our
results suggested that TLR3 ligand in combination with Smac mimetic could
provide therapeutic benefits to the patients with CCA.

Graphical abstract
Effective inactivation of Nipah virus in serum samples for safe processing in low-containment laboratories
Authors: Watanabe Shumpei , Fukushi Shuetsu , Harada Toshihiko , Shimojima Masayuki , Yoshikawa Tomoki , Kurosu Takeshi , Kaku Yoshihiro , Morikawa Shigeru , Saijo Masayuki
Published: October 2020

Background

Nipah virus (NiV) is an emerging zoonotic paramyxovirus that causes severe encephalitis and respiratory disease with a high mortality rate in humans. During large outbreaks of the viral disease, serological testing of serum samples could be a useful diagnostic tool, which could provide information on not only the diagnosis of NiV disease but also the history of an individual with previous exposure to the virus, thereby supporting disease control. Therefore, an efficient method for the inactivation of NiV in serum samples is required for serological diagnosis.

Methods

We determined the optimal conditions for the inactivation of NiV infectivity in human serum using heating and UV treatment. The inactivation method comprised UV irradiation with a cover of aluminum foil for 30 min and heating at 56 °C for 30 min.

Results

With an optimized protocol for virus inactivation, NiV infectivity in serum samples (containing 6.0 × 105 TCID50) was completely inactivated.

Conclusions

We developed a recommended protocol for the effective inactivation of NiV. This protocol would enable a regional or local laboratory to safely transport or process samples, including NiV, for serological testing in its biosafety level-2 facility.
Risk factors for adolescents’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparison between Wuhan and other urban areas in China
Authors: Chen Shitao , Cheng Zeyuan , Wu Jing
Published: October 2020

Background

The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease is causing considerable acute risk to public health and might also have an unanticipated impact on the mental health of children and adolescents in the long run. This study collected data during the national lockdown period in China and aims to understand whether there is a clinically significant difference in anxiety, depression, and parental rearing style when comparing adolescents from Wuhan and other cities in China. This study also intends to examine whether gender, grade in school, single child status, online learning participation, parents’ involvement in COVID-19 related work, and parents being quarantined or infected due to the disease would lead to clinically significant differences in anxiety and depression. Beyond that, this study explored the pathways among the different variables in order to better understand how these factors play a part in impacting adolescents’ mental health condition.

Results

Results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in anxiety symptoms between participants who were from Wuhan compared to other urban areas, but not in depressive symptoms. In addition, participants’ grade level, gender, relative being infected, and study online have direct positive predictive value for depressive and anxiety symptoms, whereas location and sibling status have indirect predictive value. Having relatives who participated in COVID-19 related work only had positive direct predictive value toward depression, but not anxiety.

Conclusions

This study discovered several risk factors for adolescents’ depression and anxiety during the pandemic. It also called for a greater awareness of Wuhan parents’ mental wellbeing and recommended a systematic approach for mental health prevention and intervention.
CT-guided hook-wire localization of malignant pulmonary nodules for video assisted thoracoscopic surgery
Authors: Zhang Huijun , Li Ying , Yimin Nadier , He Zelai , Chen Xiaofeng
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) can currently be used to diagnose and treat pulmonary nodules. However, intraoperative location of pulmonary nodules in VATS is challenging due to their small diameter and deep location in the pulmonary parenchyma. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical safety and effectiveness of CT-guided hook-wire for preoperative localization of malignant pulmonary nodules smaller than 1 cm in diameter.

Methods

From February 2017 to January 2018, we collected the data of 80 patients with malignant pulmonary nodules less than 1 cm in diameter who underwent CT-guided hook-wire preoperative localization and VATS surgery. The effectiveness of preoperative localization was evaluated based on surgical duration, success rate of VATS surgery, and localization-related complications.

Results

The diameter of pulmonary nodules were 0.85 ± 0.17 mm with a distance to the pleural surface of 19.66 ± 14.10 mm. The length of the hook-wire in the lung parenchyma was 29.17 ± 13.14 mm and hook-wire dislodgement occurred in 2 patients. Complications included 27 cases of minor pneumothorax and 18 cases of mild parenchymal hemorrhage. A significant correlation was observed between the length of the hook-wire in the lung parenchyma and mild parenchymal hemorrhage (P = 0.044). The average time of hook-wire localization was 9.0 ± 2.6 min and the average operation time for VATS was 89.02 ± 23.35 min without conversion thoracotomy.

Conclusions

CT-guided hook-wire localization of the lesion during VATS resection is safe for malignant pulmonary nodules with diameter less than 1 cm.
Presentation and management of N-acetylglutamate synthase deficiency: a review of the literature
Authors: Kenneson Aileen , Singh Rani H.
Published: October 2020

Background

N-Acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS) deficiency is an extremely rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder affecting the urea cycle, leading to episodes of hyperammonemia which can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Since its recognition in 1981, NAGS deficiency has been treated with carbamylglutamate with or without other measures (nutritional, ammonia scavengers, dialytic, etc.). We conducted a systematic literature review of NAGS deficiency to summarize current knowledge around presentation and management.

Methods

Case reports and case series were identified using the Medline database, as well as references from other articles and a general internet search. Clinical data related to presentation and management were abstracted by two reviewers.

Results

In total, 98 cases of NAGS deficiency from 79 families, in 48 articles or abstracts were identified. Of these, 1 was diagnosed prenatally, 57 were neonatal cases, 34 were post-neonatal, and 6 did not specify age at presentation or were asymptomatic at diagnosis. Twenty-one cases had relevant family history. We summarize triggers of hyperammonemic episodes, diagnosis, clinical signs and symptoms, and management strategies. DNA testing is the preferred method of diagnosis, although therapeutic trials to assess response of ammonia levels to carbamylglutamate may also be helpful. Management usually consists of treatment with carbamylglutamate, although the reported maintenance dose varied across case reports. Protein restriction was sometimes used in conjunction with carbamylglutamate. Supplementation with citrulline, arginine, and sodium benzoate also were reported.

Conclusions

Presentation of NAGS deficiency varies by age and symptoms. In addition, both diagnosis and management have evolved over time and vary across clinics. Prompt recognition and appropriate treatment of NAGS deficiency with carbamylglutamate may improve outcomes of affected individuals. Further research is needed to assess the roles of protein restriction and supplements in the treatment of NAGS deficiency, especially during times of illness or lack of access to carbamylglutamate.
Treating depression with a smartphone-delivered self-help cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia: study protocol for a parallel group randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hui Victoria Ka-Ying , Wong Christy Yim-Fan , Ma Eric Ka-Yiu , Ho Fiona Yan-Yee , Chan Christian S.
Published: October 2020

Background

Depression is a major public health concern. Emerging research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is effective in treating individuals with comorbid insomnia and depression. Traditional face-to-face CBT-I encounters many obstacles related to feasibility, accessibility, and help-seeking stigma. CBT-I delivered via smartphone application could be a potential solution. This paper reports a protocol designed to evaluate the efficacy of a self-help smartphone-based CBT-I, using a waitlist group as control, for people with major depression and insomnia.

Methods

A two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial is conducted in a target sample of 285 non-suicidal Hong Kong Chinese older than 17 years of age with major depression and insomnia. Participants complete an online rapid screening, followed by a telephone diagnostic interview. Those who meet the eligibility criteria are randomized in a ratio of 1:1 to receive either CBT-I immediately or to a waitlist control condition. The CBT-I consists of six weekly modules and is delivered through a smartphone application proACT-S. This smartphone app has been pilot tested and revamped to improve user experience. An online randomized algorithm is used to perform randomization to ensure allocation concealment. The primary outcomes are changes over the measurement points in sleep quality, insomnia severity, and depression severity. The secondary outcomes include changes over the measurement points in anxiety, subjective health, treatment expectancy, and acceptability of treatment. Assessments are administered at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-week follow-up. The recruitment is completed. Important adverse events, if any, are documented. Multilevel linear mixed model based on intention-to-treat principle will be conducted to examine the efficacy of the CBT-I intervention.

Discussion

It is expected that proACT-S is an efficacious brief sleep-focused self-help treatment for people with major depression and insomnia. If proven efficacious, due to its self-help nature, proACT-S may be applicable as a community-based early intervention, thereby reducing the burden of the public healthcare system in Hong Kong.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04228146. Retrospectively registered on 14 January 2020.
Approximately two-dimensional harmonic $(p_{1},h_{1})$-$(p_{2},h_{2})$-convex functions and related integral inequalities
Authors: Butt Saad Ihsan , Kashuri Artion , Nadeem Muhammad , Aslam Adnan , Gao Wei
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study is to introduce the notion of two-dimensional approximately harmonic$(p_{1},h_{1})$(p1,h1)-$(p_{2},h_{2})$(p2,h2)-convex functions. We show that the new class covers many new and known extensions of harmonic convex functions. We formulate several new refinements of Hermite–Hadamard like inequalities involving two-dimensional approximately harmonic$(p_{1},h_{1})$(p1,h1)-$(p_{2},h_{2})$(p2,h2)-convex functions. We discuss in detail the special cases that can be deduced from the main results of the paper.
Attitude and experience of neurologists towards percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: an Egyptian study
Authors: Farag Sherien , Georgy Shady S. , Fathy Mai , elSadek Ahmed , Abdulghani Khaled O.
Published: October 2020

Background

Dysphagia is a common symptom among various neurological diseases. Guidelines recommend gastrostomy insertion for prolonged dysphagia with lower rate of intervention failure encountered with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) as compared to nasogastric tube insertion.

Methods

Neurology consultants only were included and completed a self-administered questionnaire concerning their practice backgrounds and previous experience with PEG feeding during their practice.

Results

Ninety-eight percent stated that they would recommend PEG for patients with prolonged need of nasogastric feeding. However, only 88% actually referred patients to perform PEG, with the cerebrovascular disorders being the most common cases to be referred. The main barriers the surveyed neurologists faced were family resistance and financial reasons (53.5%). Interestingly, younger neurologists practicing for less than 15 years referred patient to perform PEG significantly more frequent than older ones (p = 0.01). About 18% of our sample confirmed the lack of sufficient knowledge about the benefits of PEG feeding, and only 22% previously attended scientific sessions about the benefits and indications of PEG.

Conclusion

Based on our study, we recommend that PEG should be more encouraged in indicated neurological cases. Scientific sessions targeting neurologists and public awareness about the benefits of PEG and its relatively infrequent complications are highly demanded.
Methods for quantification of cannabinoids: a narrative review
Authors: Pourseyed Lazarjani Masoumeh , Torres Stephanie , Hooker Thom , Fowlie Chris , Young Owen , Seyfoddin Ali
Published: October 2020

Background

Around 144 cannabinoids have been identified in cannabis plant, among them tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the most prominent ones. Because of the legal restrictions on cannabis in many countries, it is difficult to obtain standards to use in research; nonetheless, it is important to develop a cannabinoid quantification technique with pharmaceutical applications for quality control of future therapeutic cannabinoids.

Method

To find relevant articles for this narrative review paper, a combination of keywords such as medicinal cannabis, analytical, quantification and cannabinoids were searched for in PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library (Wiley) databases.

Results

The most common cannabinoid quantification techniques include gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). GC is often used in conjunction with mass spectrometry (MS) or flame ionization detection (FID). The major advantage of GC is terpenes quantification however, for evaluating acidic cannabinoids it needs to be derivatised. The main advantage of HPLC is the ability to quantify both acidic and neutral forms of cannabinoids without derivatisation which is often with MS or ultraviolet (UV) detectors.

Conclusion

Based on the information presented in this review, the ideal cannabinoid quantification method is HPLC- MS/MS for the cannabinoids.
The most influential papers in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty
Authors: Holzer Lukas A. , Holzer Gerold
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is a treatment option for anteromedial osteoarthritis of the knee. The number of UKA has been increasing constantly worldwide in recent decades. The aim of this study was to determine the most frequently cited scientific articles addressing this subject and to establish a ranking of the 50 most influential papers.

Methods

The 50 most cited articles related to UKA were searched in Web of Science® (Clarivate Analytics, Penn., USA) by the use of defined search terms. All types of scientific papers with reference to this topic were ranked according to the absolute number of citations and analyzed for the following characteristics: journal title, year of publication, number of citations, citation density, geographic origin, article type, and level of evidence.

Results

The 50 most cited articles had up to 453 citations. Most papers were published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (British volume). More than half of the articles were published in the 2000s and 2010s (n = 30). Ten countries contributed to the top 50 list, with most contributions from the UK (n = 17). Most articles could be attributed to the category of Clinical Science (n = 33), and most reported level IV studies.

Conclusion

Most of the frequently cited articles in UKA are clinical studies that have a low level of evidence. Few basic scientific studies could be identified, which suggests that most product development is done by commercial companies.
Reparameterized full-waveform inversion using deep neural networks
Authors: He Qinglong , Wang Yanfei
Published: October 2020

Full-waveform inversion (FWI) is a powerful method for providing a high-resolution description of the subsurface. However, the misfit function of the conventional FWI method (metric [Formula: see text]-norm) is usually dominated by spurious local minima owing to its nonlinearity and ill-posedness. In addition, FWI requires intensive wavefield computation to evaluate the gradient and step length. We have considered a general inversion method using a deep neural network (DNN) for the FWI problem. This deep-learning inversion method reparameterizes physical parameters using the weights of a DNN, such that the inversion amounts to reconstructing these weights. One advantage of this deep-learning inversion method is that it can serve as an iterative regularization method, benefiting from the representation of the network. Thus, it is suitable to solve ill-posed nonlinear inverse problems. Furthermore, this method possesses good computational efficiency because it only requires first-order derivatives. In addition, it can easily be accelerated by using multiple graphics processing units and central processing units, for weight updating and forward modeling. Synthetic experiments, based on the Marmousi2, 2004 BP, and a metal ore model, are used to show the numerical performance of the deep-learning inversion method. Comprehensive comparisons with a total-variation regularized FWI are presented to show the ability of our method to recover sharp boundaries. Our numerical results indicate that this deep-learning inversion approach is effective, efficient, and can capture salient features of the model.
Interactions of Anemia, FGF-23, and Bone in Healthy Adults—Results From the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP)
Authors: Hannemann Anke , Nauck Matthias , Völzke Henry , Weidner Heike , Platzbecker Uwe , Hofbauer Lorenz C , Rauner Martina , Baschant Ulrike
Published: October 2020

Context

Osteoporosis and anemia are among the most common diseases in the aging population with an increasing prevalence worldwide.

Objective

As the bone-derived hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) was recently reported to regulate erythropoiesis, we examined age-related associations between hemoglobin levels and bone quality, bone turnover, and FGF-23 concentrations.

Design

We used data from more than 5000 adult subjects who participated in the population-based cohorts of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP and SHIP-Trend). Bone quality was assessed by quantitative ultrasound at the heel, bone turnover by measurement of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), and intact amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P1NP) serum concentrations, respectively. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin <13 g/dL in men and <12 g/dL in women. Carboxy-terminal FGF-23 levels were measured in plasma in a subset of 852 subjects.

Results

Anemic subjects had poorer bone quality, higher fracture risk, and lower serum levels of P1NP than nonanemic individuals. Linear regression models revealed positive associations between hemoglobin and bone quality in subjects aged 40 or above and inverse associations with CTX in subjects aged 60 or above. Hemoglobin and FGF-23 concentrations were inversely associated, while FGF-23 was not related to bone quality or turnover.

Conclusion

Our data corroborate a close link between FGF-23 and anemia, which is related to poor bone quality in elderly people. We observed no direct association of FGF-23 with bone parameters. Further studies are needed clarifying the role of FGF-23 on bone and red blood cell production.
Norms for Clinical Use of CXM, a Real-Time Marker of Height Velocity
Authors: Coghlan Ryan F , Olney Robert C , Boston Bruce A , Coleman Daniel T , Johnstone Brian , Horton William A
Published: October 2020

Context

Height velocity (HV) is difficult to assess because growth is very slow. The current practice of calculating it from measurements taken at several-month intervals is insufficient for managing children with growth disorders. We identified a bone growth by-product (collagen X biomarker, CXM) in blood that in preliminary analysis in healthy children correlated strongly with conventionally determined HV and displayed a pattern resembling published norms for HV vs age.

Objective

The goal was to confirm our initial observations supporting the utility of CXM as an HV biomarker in a larger number of individuals and establish working reference ranges for future studies.

Design, Settings, and Participants

CXM was assessed in archived blood samples from 302 healthy children and 10 healthy adults yielding 961 CXM measurements. A total of 432 measurements were plotted by age, and sex-specific reference ranges were calculated. Serial values from 116 participants were plotted against observed HV. Matched plasma, serum, and dried blood spot readings were compared.

Results

A correlation of blood CXM with conventional HV was confirmed. Scatter plots of CXM vs age showed a similar pattern to current HV norms, and CXM levels demarcated the pubertal growth spurt both in girls and boys. CXM levels differed little in matched serum, plasma, and dried blood spot samples.

Conclusions

Blood CXM offers a potential means to estimate HV in real time. Our results establish sex-specific, working reference ranges for assessing skeletal growth, especially over time. CXM stability in stored samples makes it well suited for retrospective studies.
TPH2 in the Dorsal Raphe Nuclei Regulates Energy Balance in a Sex-Dependent Manner
Authors: Liu Hailan , Wang Chunmei , Yu Meng , Yang Yongjie , He Yang , Liu Hesong , Liang Chen , Tu Longlong , Zhang Nan , Wang Lina , Wang Julia , Liu Feng , Hu Fang , Xu Yong
Published: October 2020

AbstractCentral 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), which is primarily synthesized by tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) in the dorsal Raphe nuclei (DRN), plays a pivotal role in the regulation of food intake and body weight. However, the physiological functions of TPH2 on energy balance have not been consistently demonstrated. Here we systematically investigated the effects of TPH2 on energy homeostasis in adult male and female mice. We found that the DRN harbors a similar amount of TPH2+ cells in control male and female mice. Adult-onset TPH2 deletion in the DRN promotes hyperphagia and body weight gain only in male mice, but not in female mice. Ablation of TPH2 reduces hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neuronal activity robustly in males, but only to a modest degree in females. Deprivation of estrogen by ovariectomy (OVX) causes comparable food intake and weight gain in female control and DRN-specific TPH2 knockout mice. Nevertheless, disruption of TPH2 blunts the anorexigenic effects of exogenous estradiol (E2) and abolishes E2-induced activation of POMC neurons in OVX female mice, indicating that TPH2 is indispensable for E2 to activate POMC neurons and to suppress appetite. Together, our study revealed that TPH2 in the DRN contributes to energy balance regulation in a sexually dimorphic manner.
How Do We See COVID-19? Visual Iconographies of Racial Contagion
Authors: Ostherr Kirsten
Published: October 2020

Contagion media have historically performed the dual functions of scientific and ideological persuasion, often deploying an iconography of racial contagion that combines these two functions. In efforts to halt the spread of the virus, health, science, and media organizations create visual imagery to teach the public to imagine we can see and therefore avoid contaminants that are invisible to the naked eye. Comparison of COVID-19 with other global disease outbreaks shows how a core set of contagion media visualizations are repeatedly deployed with subtle adaptations for unique diseases and display interfaces. The variations among different corpora of contagion media point to the interplay among persistent, transhistorical tropes, particular sites of meaning production, and novel technical affordances. This article will examine a subset of these representational techniques, including microscopic images of the virus, close-ups of disease vectors, global and local maps of contagion, health workers in biohazard suits, and visibly ill patients. The essay argues that techniques for visualizing the invisible produce a narrative logic of causality in COVID-19 that reinforces racist and xenophobic discourses of containment and control with direct and deadly consequences. Mitigation of this pandemic and future pandemics will require not only medical but also representational interventions.
A comparative perspective on lung and gill regeneration
Authors: Cadiz Laura , Jonz Michael G.
Published: October 2020

The ability to continuously grow and regenerate the gills throughout life is a remarkable property of fish and amphibians. Considering that gill regeneration was first described over one century ago, it is surprising that the underlying mechanisms of cell and tissue replacement in the gills remain poorly understood. By contrast, the mammalian lung is a largely quiescent organ in adults but is capable of facultative regeneration following injury. In the course of the past decade, it has been recognized that lungs contain a population of stem or progenitor cells with an extensive ability to restore tissue; however, despite recent advances in regenerative biology of the lung, the signaling pathways that underlie regeneration are poorly understood. In this Review, we discuss the common evolutionary and embryological origins shared by gills and mammalian lungs. These are evident in homologies in tissue structure, cell populations, cellular function and genetic pathways. An integration of the literature on gill and lung regeneration in vertebrates is presented using a comparative approach in order to outline the challenges that remain in these areas, and to highlight the importance of using aquatic vertebrates as model organisms. The study of gill regeneration in fish and amphibians, which have a high regenerative potential and for which genetic tools are widely available, represents a unique opportunity to uncover common signaling mechanisms that may be important for regeneration of respiratory organs in all vertebrates. This may lead to new advances in tissue repair following lung disease.
The phase shift between potential and kinetic energy in human walking
Authors: Cavagna Giovanni A. , Legramandi Mario A.
Published: October 2020

It is known that mechanical work to sustain walking is reduced thanks to a transfer of gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy as in a pendulum. The factors affecting this transfer are unclear. In particular it is not known the phase relationship between potential and kinetic energy curves of the center of mass. This relationship has been measured in this study. The normalized time intervals: i) α, between maximum of kinetic energy in the sagittal plane Ek and minimum of gravitational potential energy Ep, and ii) β, between minimum of Ek and maximum of Ep, have been measured during walking at various speeds (0.5-2.5 m s−1). In our group of subjects, α=β at 1.6 m s−1, indicating that, at this speed, the time difference between Ep-Ek extremes is the same at the top and the bottom of the trajectory of the center of mass. It turns out that at the same speed: i) the work done to lift the center of mass equals the work to accelerate it forwards, ii) the Ep-Ek energy transfer approaches a maximum and iii) the mass specific external work per unit distance approaches a minimum.
New records of the Mediterranean land snail Massylaea vermiculata (O. F. Müller, 1774) in Hungary and Slovakia
Authors: Páll-Gergely Barna , Fehér Zoltán , Čejka Tomáš
Published: October 2020

The Mediterranean Massylaea vermiculata (O. F. Müller) is reported from Slovakia for the first time (two sites), and from Hungary for the first time since the 1980 record. There is a reason to suspect the existence of further, yet undetected, specimens or even populations in Central Europe. Based on the dynamics of similar invasions of terrestrial molluscs, we expect that in 2–3 decades the species may become locally abundant and widespread in both the Hungarian and the Slovak capitals.
EU Policies in time of coronavirus crisis
Authors: Koutsopoulou Danai-Georgia
Published: October 2020

This paper seeks to uncover the link between the current crisis in the field of migration and asylum policies and the rise of populist polarization in Europe. Provided that normative consistency serves effectiveness, the study reflects on the existing literature, selected legislative acts, and cases. Hence, criticism against the European Union’s heterodetermination and inertia in the political debate is simmering. Populist phenomena all over the spectrum define the supranational policymaking, outweighing voices of inclusion and democracy, if not the very essence of the Union’s value-based system. Contrariwise, liberal democracy shall not only be capable of defending itself and including the alien when the fears come true but also educating its citizens in the democratic realm before enforcement promptitude is practically imperative.  All in all, primary and secondary legal norms entail adequate solutions to address the issue institutionally, subject to political determination, and courage.