bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preoperative communication between anaesthetists and patients with obesity regarding perioperative risks and weight management: a structured narrative review
Authors: Hodsdon Anthony , Smith Natalie Anne , Story David A.
Published: August 2020

Background

Individuals with obesity frequently present for anaesthesia and surgery. Good communication during the preoperative consultation can optimise the provision of relevant health information and guide improvement of health status preoperatively.

Methods

We planned a systematic literature review to assess existing guidelines and evidence of effectiveness for how anaesthetists should communicate with patients who have obesity in the preoperative period about perioperative risks and weight management. Database searches used keywords related to perioperative weight loss conversations. We found no papers that directly addressed our aim. The literature identified as most relevant was analysed in the form of a narrative review.

Results

The majority of suggestions for weight loss conversations came from primary care. Four primary themes potentially relevant to anaesthetists were identified: barriers to such conversations, communication tools, language and communication and specific recommendations. Identified barriers included lack of skills, training, poor remuneration, pessimism and time constraints for clinicians. Established discussion tools including the ‘5A’s’ approach (Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist, Arrange) and motivational interviewing may hold promise to improve preoperative conversations. The papers highlighted a need for empathetic language, including use of patient-specific language where possible.

Conclusions

There are currently no published guidelines for how anaesthetists could most effectively discuss weight in the perioperative period with patients who have obesity. Much of the literature for obesity communication is based on the primary care setting. The perioperative period may represent an increased time of receptiveness for patients. Guidelines for discussions about weight management and associated perioperative risk are suggested.
Coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic in impoverished area: Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture as an example
Authors: Liao Ru-Jun , Ji-Ke Chun-Nong , Zhang Tao , Liao Qiang , Li Ling , Zhu Tian-Yu , Bian Shao-Yong
Published: August 2020

Background

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had spread worldwide. Although the world has intensively focused on the epidemic center during this period of time, it is imperative to emphasize that more attention should also be paid to some impoverished areas in China since they are more vulnerable to disease outbreak due to their weak health service capacities. Therefore, this study took Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture as an example to analyze the COVID-19 epidemic in the impoverished area, evaluate the control effect and explore future control strategies.

Methods

In this study, we collected information including age, gender, nationality, occupation, and address of all COVID-19 cases reported from 25 January 2020 to 23 April 2020 in Liangshan Prefecture from the Nationwide Notifiable Infectious Diseases Reporting Information System (NIDRIS), which were used under license and not publicly available. Additionally, we retrieved other information of cases through epidemiological investigation reports reviewing. Data were analyzed using the software Excel 2010 and SPSS 17.0. The geographic distribution of cases was mapped using ArcGIS10.2.

Results

By 23 April 2020, a total of 13 COVID-19 cases and two asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriers were reported in Liangshan, in three family clusters. Among the cases, eight cases had a history of sojourning in Hubei Province (61.54%), of which six were related to Wuhan. Cases aged under 44 years accounted for 61.54%, with no child case. The delay of patients’ hospital visiting, and the low degree of cooperation in epidemiological investigation are problems.

Conclusions

During the study period, Liangshan was well under control. This was mainly contributed to strict preventive strategies aimed at local culture, inter-sectoral coordination and highly degree of public cooperation. Besides, some possible environmentally and culturally preventive factors (e.g., rapid air flow and family concept) would affect disease prevention and control. In the next step, the health education about COVID-19 should be strengthened and carried out according to the special culture of ethnic minorities to enhance public awareness of timely medical treatment.
Type a botulinum toxin in the management of spontaneous salivary otorrhea: A case report
Authors: Chan Teffran J. , Lewis Trevor A. , Sommer Doron D.
Published: August 2020

Background

Spontaneous salivary otorrhea is a rare presentation only previously documented twice in literature where parotid salivary secretions are found in the external auditory canal. Conventional treatment of spontaneous parotid salivary fistulas includes surgical management with interposed grafts, fistula tract ablation, and possible superficial parotidectomy. Associated risks include facial nerve injury, Frey syndrome and facial scarring. Here we report the first case of spontaneous salivary otorrhea conservatively managed with a type A botulinum toxin (BTA) injection.

Case presentation

A 17-year-old female presented with a 5-month history of left sided otorrhea and transient left facial swelling associated with gustatory stimulation. The otorrhea fluid tested positive for salivary amylase and negative for beta 2 transferrin. Fifty units of BTA were injected into the left parotid gland under ultrasound guidance. Cessation of symptoms was achieved 3 weeks after intervention. The patient remains symptom-free at the 2 year follow up.

Conclusion

BTA injection was well tolerated under ultrasound guidance and has led to long-term resolution of the patient's symptoms. BTA injection appears to be a safe and effective way to conservatively manage this rare presentation of spontaneous salivary otorrhea.
Big Data architecture for intelligent maintenance: a focus on query processing and machine learning algorithms
Authors: Lehmann Claude , Goren Huber Lilach , Horisberger Thomas , Scheiba Georg , Sima Ana Claudia , Stockinger Kurt
Published: August 2020

Exploiting available condition monitoring data of industrial machines for intelligent maintenance purposes has been attracting attention in various application fields. Machine learning algorithms for fault detection, diagnosis and prognosis are popular and easily accessible. However, our experience in working at the intersection of academia and industry showed that the major challenges of building an end-to-end system in a real-world industrial setting go beyond the design of machine learning algorithms. One of the major challenges is the design of an end-to-end data management solution that is able to efficiently store and process large amounts of heterogeneous data streams resulting from a variety of physical machines. In this paper we present the design of an end-to-end Big Data architecture that enables intelligent maintenance in a real-world industrial setting. In particular, we will discuss various physical design choices for optimizing high-dimensional queries, such as partitioning and Z-ordering, that serve as the basis for health analytics. Finally, we describe a concrete fault detection use case with two different health monitoring algorithms based on machine learning and classical statistics and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. The paper covers some of the most important aspects of the practical implementation of such an end-to-end solution and demonstrates the challenges and their mitigation for the specific application of laser cutting machines.
A case of repeat resection for recurrent pulmonary metastasis from sebaceous gland carcinoma
Authors: Kawagishi Sachi , Kanzaki Ryu , Taniguchi Seiji , Kimura Kenji , Kimura Toru , Takabatake Hiroyuki , Morii Eiichi , Inoue Masayoshi , Shintani Yasushi
Published: August 2020

Background

Sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) of the eyelid is an aggressive malignant eyelid tumor, and it can metastasize to the regional lymph nodes and distant organs. There have been only a few reported cases of patients who underwent pulmonary metastasectomy for metastatic SGC. We herein report a patient who underwent repeat pulmonary metastasectomies for recurrent pulmonary metastases from SGC.

Case presentation

Bilateral small pulmonary nodules were detected in a 59-year-old woman with a history of eyelid SGC. She underwent wide wedge resection of the left lower lobe, and the disease was diagnosed as pulmonary metastases from SGC. Six months after the first pulmonary resection, CT showed that the nodules of right S2 and S10 had increased in size, and three small nodules had newly appeared in the right lung. The patient therefore underwent six wide wedge resections of the right lung through thoracotomy. After that, she underwent pulmonary metastasectomy 2 times. Ninety months after the first pulmonary resection, the patient is doing well without disease.

Conclusions

Given that a long-term survival was ultimately achieved in the present case, repeat pulmonary metastasectomy may be beneficial for recurrent pulmonary metastasis from SGC.
Cricopharyngeal myotomy for cricopharyngeus muscle dysfunction after esophagectomy
Authors: Kobayashi Shinichiro , Taniguchi Ken , Tanaka Fujinobu , Maeda Shigeto , Hirayama Takanori , Tokunaga Takayuki , Takeshita Hiroaki , Miura Shiro , Kuroki Tamotsu
Published: August 2020

Background

Pharyngoesophageal dysphagia sometimes develops after esophagectomy. However, severe dysphagia after esophagectomy due to cricopharyngeus muscle dysfunction is a rare complication. There are no recommended clinical treatments for cricopharyngeus muscle dysfunction after esophagectomy. We report a case of myotomy for cricopharyngeus muscle dysfunction after esophagectomy.

Case presentation

A 75-year-old man with mild dysphagia diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer by esophagogastroduodenoscopy at a clinic was admitted to our hospital. He had occasional mild dysphagia when he swallowed solid foods. After chemotherapy, the patient underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy with regional lymph node dissection and was reconstructed with a gastric conduit and cervical anastomosis by the retrosternal route. Aspiration pneumonia developed after esophagectomy without paralysis of the vocal cords. In esophagoscopy, there was no stricture around the anastomosis. However, severe pharyngoesophageal dysphagia with cricopharyngeus muscle dysfunction was revealed by videofluoroscopic examination. Bilateral cricopharyngeal myotomy was performed because balloon dilations had failed. The histological findings revealed atrophy and fibrosis of the cricopharyngeus muscle fibers. Pharyngoesophageal dysphagia improved immediately after myotomy. The patient swallowed solid food easily without dysphagia 12 months after myotomy.

Conclusion

Dysphagia after esophagectomy was worsened by cricopharyngeus muscle dysfunction. Cricopharyngeus myotomy may lead to long improvement of pharyngo-oesophageal dysphagia after esophagetomy.
Ascorbic acid interaction with phytol: a modulatory effects on the anti-pyretic activity of paracetamol in Swiss albino mice
Authors: Rahaman Md. Mizanur , Hassan S. M. Hafiz , Martorell Miquel , Sharifi-Rad Javad , Islam Muhammad Torequl
Published: August 2020

Background

Antioxidants have protective capacity, and can be used combinedly with other substances. Both, ascorbic acid (AA) and phytol (PHY) have many important biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and organ protective activity. Recently, PHY has been found to exert an anti-pyretic effect in a mouse model. This study aims to evaluate the combined effects of AA and/or PHY with paracetamol (PARA) in Brewer’s yeast-induced fever mice model.

Methods

AA (125 mg/kg) and/or PHY (200 mg/kg) were orally co-treated with the PARA (100 mg/kg, p.o.) in Brewer’s yeast-induced feverSwissmice. Data were analyzed by using GraphPadPrism software (version: 6.0), consideringp < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval, and using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) through time, followed by Dunnett’s post hoc multiple comparison test.

Results

PARA alone and with PHY and/or AA significantly (p < 0.05) reduced rectal temperature at 1st h of observation. PHY reduced rectal temperature at 2nd h, then maintained basal temperature over the observation period (4 h). AA showed an insignificant anti-pyretic effect in experimental animals. However, in combination groups, AA (i.e., with PHY or PARA) did not found to interfere the PHY and PARA mediated reduction of rectal temperature in the animals. Furthermore, AA when co-treated with the PARA + PHY, it caused a slight hypothermic temperature at 1st h, which was then started to restablish from 2nd to 3rd h, and normalized at 4th h.

Conclusion

Taken together, AA did not interfere anti-pyretic effects of PARA and PHY, suggesting its possible use as a combination substance.
Synthesis and characterization of a silver nanoparticle-containing polymer composite with antimicrobial abilities for application in prosthetic and orthotic devices
Authors: Quintero-Quiroz Catalina , Botero Luz E. , Zárate-Triviño Diana , Acevedo-Yepes Natalia , Escobar Jorge Saldarriaga , Pérez Vera Z. , Cruz Riano Luis Javier
Published: August 2020

Background

The presence of skin problems in patients using external lower limb prosthesis is recurrent. This has generated the need to develop interfaces for prosthesis with the ability to control microbial growth. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been implemented in the development of biomaterials because of their high antimicrobial activity. This article discusses the development of an AgNP-containing polymer composite with antimicrobial activity for developing prosthetic liners.

Methods

AgNPs were synthesized using a photochemical method and certain physicochemical properties were characterized. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of AgNPs against
Staphylococcus aureus
ATCC 25923 and methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA), was assessed on the basis of their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). AgNPs were incorporated into a silicon elastomer to assess certain physicomechanical properties, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxic effect of the material.

Results

The maximum antimicrobial activity of the material against
Staphylococcus aureus
ATCC 25923 and MRSA was 41.58% ±2.97% at AgNP concentration of 32.98
μ
g/mL and 14.85% ±5.94% at AgNP concentration of 16.49
μ
g/mL, respectively. Additionally, the material exhibited tensile yield strength, rupture tensile strength, and tensile modulus of elasticity of 0.70 - 1.10 MPa, 0.71–1.06 MPa, and 0.20 - 0.30 MPa, respectively. The mechanical characteristics of the material were within the acceptable range for use in external lower limb prosthetic and orthotic interfaces.

Conclusions

It was possible to incorporate the AgNPs in a silicone elastomer, finding that the composite developed presented antimicrobial activity against
Staphylococcus aureus
ATCC 25923 and MRSA when compared to non-AgNP material samples.
Changes in the hyoid bone, tongue, and oropharyngeal airway space after mandibular setback surgery evaluated by cone-beam computed tomography
Authors: Kim Seon-Hye , Choi Sung-Kwon
Published: August 2020

Background

Mandibular setback surgery can change the position of the mandible which improves occlusion and facial profile. Surgical movement of the mandible affects the base of the tongue, hyoid bone, and associated tissues, resulting in changes in the pharyngeal airway space. The aim of this study was to analyze the 3-dimensional (3D) changes in the hyoid bone and tongue positions and oropharyngeal airway space after mandibular setback surgery.

Methods

A total of 30 pairs of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images taken before and 1 month after surgery were analyzed by measuring changes in the hyoid bone and tongue positions and oropharyngeal airway space. The CBCT images were reoriented using InVivo 5.3 software (Anatomage, San Jose, USA) and landmarks were assigned to establish coordinates in a three-dimensional plane. The mean age of the patients was 21.7 years and the mean amount of mandibular setback was 5.94 mm measured from the B-point.

Results

The hyoid bone showed significant posterior and inferior displacement (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Significant superior and posterior movements of the tongue were observed (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). Regarding the velopharyngeal and glossopharyngeal spaces, there were significant reductions in the volume and minimal cross-sectional area (P < 0.001). The anteroposterior and transverse widths of the minimal cross-sectional area were decreased (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). In addition, the amount of mandibular setback positively correlated with the amount of posterior and inferior movement of the hyoid bone (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusion

There were significant changes in the hyoid bone, tongue, and airway space after mandibular setback surgery.
Climate change adaptation, coffee, and corporate social responsibility: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Bianco Gino B.
Published: August 2020

Climate change is making a profound impact on agricultural production across the globe. Coffee (especially the Arabica variety) is one of the most severely affected crops. Adaptive measures are therefore needed to ensure the industry’s survival. Although large coffee companies have a long history of environmental action, less is known about their strategies and attitudes related to climate adaptation. This paper attempts understand how global coffee companies are addressing climate change adaptation as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies and what barriers may exist to prevent future scale-up. To answer this question, I analyzed overall global adaptation needs and the specific needs of the coffee industry, which revealed serious financial, capacity-related, and principle-based challenges. To better understand how the industry may view climate adaptation, I reviewed CSR theoretical literature and the history of CSR within the coffee industry. Through this analysis, I determined the promotion of climate adaptation in the coffee industry can best be explained by the “Creating shared value” (CSV) framework. Using the CSV framework and an understanding of global adaptation challenges, I reviewed the CSR strategies of five major coffee companies as well as supporting literature and industry information. I find that all five companies have expansive CSR programs, yet none seriously undertake climate adaptation efforts and/or make them public. I suggest several reasons for this absence, including competing CSR priorities, lack of awareness, competition, lack of leadership, the controversial nature of climate change, and the overemphasis of certification. I end the paper with a call for more collaboration and research around the adaptation issue for the coffee industry.
Interactions between baculoviruses and entomophagous insects
Authors: Abbas Mohamed Samir Tawfik
Published: August 2020

Some laboratory studies revealed that predators can readily attack and consume virus-infected prey with no detrimental effects on their biological parameters. Most tested predacious species did not discriminate between healthy and virus-infected prey. In addition, such predators were found to excrete detectable amounts of polyhedral inclusion bodies for few days that might infect healthy prey. Field studies demonstrated that the population densities and dispersal of the predators were not affected in fields sprayed with entomopathogenic virus formulations. Some laboratory studies stated that egg and larval parasitoids did not discriminate between healthy and virus surface-contaminated or virus-infected hosts. However, some parasitoids did not lay or laid few eggs in virus-infected hosts. Parasitoid adults that laid eggs in virus-infected host larvae could transmit the virus to healthy hosts through the ovipositor. Also, adult parasitoids emerged from virus-infected hosts transmitted the virus to healthy hosts whereas other parasitoids did not transmit the virus.
A review on herbal drug loaded into pharmaceutical carrier techniques and its evaluation process
Authors: Sandhiya V , Ubaidulla U
Published: August 2020

Background

The herbal drug is molded in nanocarriers to boost growing interest in a pharmaceutical era for various fields in sort to amplify therapeutic worth. Nowadays, a promising interest has been developed in nanotechnology using herbal medicines as core material to provoke its activity on the target site.

Main body

By administering herbal medicine in the nano-size form, there are chances for improving the bioavailability, binding receptor selectivity due to higher active surface energy thereby enhancing the effectiveness and safety of the active entity. In the last few decades, formulations with nano-sized herbal active ingredients have emerged as nano-phytomedicines owing to its wide range of interest and effectiveness because of its unique nature. Nanonized drug delivery structure of herbal drug has an approaching outlook for getting bigger the doings and overcome problems associated with plant medicine. The current review will focus on nanoparticles, herbal drug-loading techniques, herbal nanoformulations, and applications in various fields.

Conclusion

We conclude that by formulating herbal drug in nanocarriers would be a promising guide for the progress of core remedy and will act as a promising proposal for many pathological conditions.
The possible antioxidant capabilities of formononetin in guarding against streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats
Authors: Jain Pankaj G. , Nayse Priti G. , Patil Dipali J. , Shinde Sachin D. , Surana Sanjay J.
Published: August 2020

Background

Oxidative stress has been considered as a contributory aspect for major complications of diabetes mellitus consisting of diabetic nephropathy. This study aimed to examine the therapeutic effect of formononetin in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy through measuring biochemical parameters, oxidative indicators, and histopathological examination of renal tissues.

Results

Administration of a dose of STZ (55 mg/kg of body weight) intraperitoneal induced diabetic nephropathy in rats as indicated by an increase in serum glucose, creatinine, triglyceride, cholesterol, and BUN levels related to the depletion of serum albumin level. Besides, STZ treatment led to the depletion of antioxidant enzymes together with superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT). Administration of formononetin at the dose of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg extensively decreased biochemical parameters with a rise in serum albumin level. Formononetin was observed to improved antioxidant enzyme ranges and offered protection against lipid peroxidation (LPO). STZ administered rats show an elevated level of TNF-α and IL-6. Meanwhile, formononetin-treated rats inhibited the elevated level of cytokine.

Conclusion

This study concluded that formononetin may additionally modulate oxidative stress and protected renal tissues from STZ injury. It also showed improvement in renal histopathological architecture in STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy.
A weighted Runge-Kutta discontinuous Galerkin method for reverse time migration
Authors: Qiu Chujun , Yang Dinghui , He Xijun , Li Jingshuang
Published: August 2020

Reverse time migration (RTM) is widely used in the industry because of its ability to handle complex geologic models including steeply dipping interfaces. The quality of images produced by RTM is significantly influenced by the performance of the numerical methods used to simulate the wavefields. Recently, a weighted Runge-Kutta discontinuous Galerkin (WRKDG) method has been developed to solve the wave equation, which is stable, explicit, and efficient in parallelization and suppressing numerical dispersion. By incorporating two different weights for the time discretization, we have obtained a more stable method with a larger time sampling. We apply this numerical method to RTM to handle complex topography and improve imaging quality. By comparing it to the high-order Lax-Wendroff correction method, we determine that WRKDG is efficient in RTM. From the results of the Sigsbee2B data, we can find that our method is efficient in suppressing artifacts and can produce images of good quality when coarse meshes are used. The RTM results of the Canadian Foothills model also demonstrate its ability in handling complex geometry and rugged topography.
6D phase-difference attributes for wide-azimuth seismic data interpretation
Authors: Yuan Sanyi , Wang Jinghan , Liu Tao , Xie Tao , Wang Shangxu
Published: August 2020

Phase information of seismic signals is sensitive to subsurface discontinuities. However, 1D phase attributes are not robust when dealing with noisy data. In addition, variations of seismic phase attributes with azimuth are seldom explored. To address these issues, we have developed 6D phase-difference attributes (PDAs) derived from azimuthal phase-frequency spectra. For the seismic volume of a certain azimuth and frequency, we first construct stacked phase traces at each common-depth point along a certain decomposed trending direction. Then, the 6D PDA is extracted by calculating the complex-valued covariance at a 6D phase space. The proposed method enables characterization of the subsurface discontinuities and indicates seismic anisotropy. Moreover, we provide one q-value attribute obtained by singular value decomposition to describe the variation intensity of PDA along different azimuths. Simulated and field wide-azimuth seismic data sets are used to illustrate the performance of the proposed 6D PDA and the derived q-value attribute. The results show that PDA at different frequencies can image various geologic features, including faults, fracture groups, and karst caves. Our field data example shows that PDA is able to discern the connectivity of karst caves using large-azimuth data. In addition, PDA along different azimuths and the q-value attribute provide a measurement of azimuthal variations, as well as the anisotropy. Our 6D PDA method can be used as a potential tool for wide-azimuth seismic data interpretation.
Solutions of P-SV and SV-P waves in single-well imaging through reciprocity relations
Authors: Xu Jiaqi , Hu Hengshan
Published: August 2020

Single-well imaging (SWI) is a borehole measurement technique for detecting geologic structures outside a borehole by using arrays of receivers to record the waves reflected from these structures. The asymptotic solutions of P-P, SV-SV, and SH-SH waves in SWI have been obtained, but the P-SV and SV-P waves have been ignored in previous studies. It is necessary to know when these conversion waves are large and to estimate these waves when they are not ignorable. The analytical solutions of P-SV and SV-P waves are first derived using reciprocity relations between virtual concentrated forces and acoustic sources. The analytical results agree well with finite-difference solutions for monopole and dipole sources. We have found that, for a given source-receiver offset, the detected converted waves first increase and then decrease with the increase of the source-reflector distance. The relative amplitudes of converted waves to reflected waves are larger than 20% and cannot be ignored when the ratio of source-reflector distance to source-receiver offset is smaller than four. However, when the source-reflector distance is 10 or more times the source-receiver offset and the dip angle of the reflector is smaller than 10°, the amplitudes of the converted waves are smaller than 5% of the reflected waves. Furthermore, the relative amplitudes of converted waves increase with the dip angle of the reflector. The analytical solutions of converted waves are useful for simulating SWI wavefields and checking the inversion results in field logging.
Target-oriented waveform redatuming and high-resolution inversion: Role of the overburden
Authors: Guo Qiang , Alkhalifah Tariq
Published: August 2020

Target-oriented inversion (TOI) is an approach aimed at enhancing the ability of full-waveform inversion (FWI) to achieve a high-resolution delineation of a reservoir. FWI has demonstrated its potential to address the challenge of imaging complex structures on a considerable number of field data applications. Nevertheless, it is still impractical costwise to implement FWI with the full band of seismic data because, in this case, we need to discretize the whole subsurface model space with a fine grid to handle the high frequencies and satisfy the interpretation of, for example, reservoir-scale features. Redatuming techniques enable us to obtain a virtual data set at the target level from the original data acquisition that is most commonly deployed on the earth’s surface. The virtual data set can help us apply a high-resolution FWI to the target region, which often occupies a small area of the entire model space. To analyze such a redatuming process, we need to estimate an overburden model that can accurately describe the kinematics and dynamics of the wave propagation. Fortunately, our virtual data retrieval can rely on the overburden estimation with relatively low resolution, because the high-frequency multiple scattering has a limited effect on the deep part and on the corresponding virtual data. Therefore, we start with macro-overburden models that contain reasonably accurate kinematics, and we then apply FWI on the overburden with only low-frequency data. The resulting model is used to implement a least-squares waveform redatuming using the full band. The Marmousi model and Chevron 2014 benchmark data set are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of our strategy, which results in the high-resolution inversion of the target areas. Our TOI workflow leads to an obvious boost in efficiency and reduces the memory requirement because the finer grid needed for the high frequencies is only adopted for the redatuming and the TOI.
Generalized positivity constraint on magnetic equivalent layers
Authors: Reis André L. A. , Oliveira Jr. Vanderlei C. , Barbosa Valéria C. F.
Published: August 2020

It is known from the potential theory that a continuous and planar layer of dipoles can exactly reproduce the total-field anomaly produced by arbitrary 3D sources. We have proven the existence of an equivalent layer having an all-positive magnetic-moment distribution for the case in which the magnetization direction of this layer is the same as that of the true sources, regardless of whether the magnetization of the true sources is purely induced or not. By using this generalized positivity constraint, we have developed a new iterative method for estimating the total magnetization direction of 3D magnetic sources based on the equivalent-layer technique. Our method does not impose a priori information about the shape or the depth of the sources, does not require regularly spaced data, and presumes that the sources have a uniform magnetization direction. At each iteration, our method performs two steps. The first step solves a constrained linear inverse problem to estimate a positive magnetic-moment distribution over a discrete equivalent layer of dipoles. We consider that the equivalent sources are located on a plane and have a uniform and fixed magnetization direction. In the second step, we use the estimated magnetic-moment distribution and solve a nonlinear inverse problem for estimating a new magnetization direction for the dipoles. The algorithm stops when the equivalent layer yields a total-field anomaly that fits the observed data. Tests with synthetic data simulating different geologic scenarios show that the final estimated magnetization direction is close to the true one. We apply our method to field data from the Goiás alkaline province, over the Montes Claros complex, in the center of Brazil. The results suggest the presence of intrusions with remarkable remanent magnetization, in agreement with the current literature for this region.
Azimuthal Fourier coefficient inversion for horizontal and vertical fracture characterization in weakly orthorhombic media
Authors: Zhang Guangzhi , Li Lin , Pan Xinpeng , Li Hengxin , Liu Junzhou , Han Lei
Published: August 2020

Horizontally and vertically aligned fractures (joints) permeated in an isotropic background can give rise to a long-wavelength equivalent orthorhombic medium, which is common for naturally fractured reservoirs. We have developed a feasible approach to characterize the horizontal and vertical fractures using observed azimuthal seismic reflection data. For weak anisotropy, we assume that the horizontal and vertical fractures are decoupled. Using a linear-slip orthorhombic model, we first obtain analytic expressions for the effective elastic stiffness matrix and the corresponding perturbed matrix of an effective orthorhombic anisotropic elastic medium. Combining the scattering function and the perturbed matrix of the orthorhombic medium, we then derive a linearized PP-wave reflection coefficient of effective orthorhombic medium in terms of compressional-wave (P-wave) and shear-wave (S-wave) moduli, density, and horizontal- and vertical-fracture-induced normal and tangential weaknesses. To handle the inverse problem for multiple model parameters in an orthorhombic medium, we reexpress the linearized PP-wave reflection coefficient as a Fourier series. According to the sensitivity analysis of Fourier coefficients (FCs) to isotropic background elastic parameters and four fracture weaknesses, we finally establish a three-step inversion approach to describe the orthorhombic model, which involves (1) estimation of the FCs at different incidence angles from observed azimuthal seismic data and determination of the symmetry axis azimuth, (2) an iterative Bayesian inversion for isotropic background elastic parameters and fracture weaknesses of horizontal fractures from the zeroth-order FC, and (3) an iterative Bayesian inversion for fracture weaknesses of vertical fractures from the second-order FC. The proposed approach is validated by tests on synthetic and field data sets, which demonstrates that the inversion results of P- and S-wave moduli, density, and four fracture weaknesses are robust and reasonable for gas-bearing fractured reservoir characterization with orthorhombic symmetry.
Mitigating the cycle-skipping of full-waveform inversion by random gradient sampling
Authors: Yang Jizhong , Li Yunyue Elita , Liu Yuzhu , Wei Yanwen , Fu Haohuan
Published: August 2020

Full-waveform inversion (FWI) is a highly nonlinear and nonconvex problem. To mitigate the dependence of FWI on the quality of starting model and on the low frequencies in the data, we apply the gradient sampling algorithm (GSA) introduced for nonsmooth, nonconvex optimization problems to FWI. The search space is hugely expanded to have more freedom to accommodate large velocity errors in the starting model. The original implementation of GSA requires explicit calculation of the gradient at each sampled vector, which is prohibitively expensive. Based on the observation that a slight perturbation in the velocity model causes a small spatial shift of the wavefield, we have approximated the sampled gradients by crosscorrelating the space-shifted source- and receiver-side wavefields. Theoretical derivation suggests that the two wavefields should be shifted in the same direction to obtain reasonable low-wavenumber updates. The final descent search direction is obtained by summing all the shifted gradients. For practical implementation, we only take one random space shift at each time step during the gradient calculation. This simplification provides an efficient realization in which the computational costs and memory requirements are the same as conventional FWI. Multiple numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed method alleviates the cycle-skipping problem of conventional FWI when starting from very crude initial velocity models without low-frequency data.
Integrating multigeophysical data to improve structural imaging in the Dayangshu Basin
Authors: Yang Bo , Liu Zhan , Xu Kaijun
Published: August 2020

We have used the integrated interpretation of gravity, magnetotelluric (MT) data, and seismic data to improve the structural imaging of the Dayangshu Basin. The Dayangshu Basin is mainly composed of clastic and volcanic rocks. The logging data in the basin show different degrees of direct hydrocarbon indication, suggesting that the Dayangshu Basin has good potential for exploration. However, the widely distributed volcanic rocks attenuate seismic waves and lead to poor seismic imaging. Thus, the seismic signal is weak in the Ganhe Formation (K1g) and reliable seismic images cannot be obtained below that formation. MT data can accurately obtain images of deep structures because the resistivity of volcanic rocks is significantly higher than that of sedimentary rocks. Therefore, to obtain a more reliable geologic model, we combine the traditional 3D MT inversion result with logging and seismic data to establish an initial model. The 3D MT fuzzy constrained inversion (FCI) produces a more reliable geophysical model and geologically meaningful results. The resistivity model inverted from FCI shows that volcanic rocks are widely distributed in the Ganhe Formation, and the resistivity value of the lower section of the Longjiang Formation is greater than that of the upper section of the Longjiang Formation. Finally, the 3D gravity inversion with structural constraints from 3D MT FCI method was performed to improve the model resolution in depth and to highlight the density variations within the Jiufengshan Formation, which can further optimize the geologic model. We have determined how the effective integration of gravity, MT, and seismic data can improve the structural imaging of the Dayangshu Basin.
Musculoskeletal interventional oncology: current and future practices
Authors: Cazzato Roberto Luigi , Garnon Julien , Koch Guillaume , Dalili Danoob , Rao Pramod Prabhakar , Weiss Julia , Bauones Salem , Auloge Pierre , de Marini Pierre , Gangi Afshin
Published: August 2020

Management of musculoskeletal (MSK) tumours has traditionally been delivered by surgeons and medical oncologists. However, in recent years, image-guided interventional oncology (IO) has significantly impacted the clinical management of MSK tumours. With the rapid evolution of relevant technologies and the expanding range of clinical indications, it is likely that the impact of IO will significantly grow and further evolve in the near future.

In this narrative review, we describe well-established and new interventional technologies that are currently integrating into the IO armamentarium available to radiologists to treat MSK tumours and illustrate new emerging IO indications for treatment.
Assessment of Hounsfield unit in the differential diagnosis of odontogenic cysts
Authors: Uehara Kyonori , Hisatomi Miki , Munhoz Luciana , Kawazu Toshiyuki , Yanagi Yoshinobu , Okada Shunsuke , Takeshita Yohei , Saito Emiko Arita , Asaumi Junichi
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of Hounsfield unit (HU) assessment with multislice-CT in the differentiation of radicular cysts (RCs), dentigerous cysts (DCs) and odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs).

Methods:

In total, 307 odontogenic cysts (RCs, DCs and OKCs) were included in this study. Cysts with lesion diameter <10 mm, cysts with artefacts affecting measurement of HU values, cysts involving infection and recurrent cysts were regarded as exclusion criteria. Images were acquired in three different types of CT scanners: Aquilion ONE, Discovery CT750 HD and SOMATOM Definition Flash. Differences in HU values among scanners and among types of odontogenic cysts were assessed using one-way analysis of variance; multiple comparisons were performed post hoc, using the Tukey–Kramer honestly significant difference test.

Results:

In total, 164 cysts were analysed in this study (64 RCs, 57 DCs and 43 OKCs). Regardless of the type of lesion, the Aquilion ONE scanner demonstrated a significant difference in HU value, compared with the Discovery CT750 HD scanner. Regardless of CT scanner model, HU values significantly differed between DCs and OKCs (p < 0.0001), as well as between OKCs and RCs (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

HU values were found to vary among CT scanners and should always be associated with other lesion imaging features while interpreting and elaboration diagnostic hypothesis. Notably, the results suggested that OKCs might be able to be differentiated from DCs and RCs by using HU values.
A lncRNA-regulated gene expression system with rapid induction kinetics in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Garg Angad
Published: August 2020

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is an excellent model organism for the study of eukaryotic cellular physiology. The organism is genetically tractable and several tools to study the functions of individual genes are available. One such tool is regulatable gene expression and overproduction of proteins. Limitations of currently available overexpression systems include delay in expression after induction, narrow dynamic range, and system-wide changes due to induction conditions. Here I describe a new long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-regulated, thiamine-inducible expression system that integrates lncRNA-based transcriptional interference at the fission yeast tgp1 promoter with the fast repression kinetics of the thiamine-repressible nmt1 promoter. This hybrid system has rapid induction kinetics, broad dynamic range, and tunable expression via thiamine concentration. The lncRNA-regulated thiamine-inducible system will be advantageous for the study of individual genes and for potential applications in the production of heterologous proteins in fission yeast.
Liderança em tempos de Covid-19
Authors: Story Joana
Published: August 2020

Líderes precisam demonstrar: credibilidade, com visão e valores novos; coragem, ao falar a verdade e tomar decisões rapidamente; e compaixão, com paciência e empatia.
Rising HIV seroconversion rates & associated risks among employees of organization ‘X’: A case control study, Pakistan, 2017
Authors: Mansoor Eisha , Azam Naila , Niazi Saifullah Khan , Sheikh Naveen , Baig Mirza Amir , Azim Mansoor Tariq , Klair Nimra
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives: In 2004 Pakistan escalated from ‘low-prevalence’ to ‘concentrated’ phase of HIV epidemic. Despite global decline in HIV incidence since 1997, rate of HIV infections in Pakistan is persistently rising since 1990. Available literature focusses on key populations or localized outbreaks limited by short study duration and regional applicability of results. We studied HIV seroconversion trends over a period of 8 years in a geographically diverse population and evaluated associated risk factors.

Methods: A desk review of HIV surveillance data from 2010 to 2017 was carried out at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. A case was defined as any adult employed in organization ‘X’, initially screened for HIV but later seroconverted on ELISA and western blot. Case-control study was conducted on cases diagnosed in 2017. Age and sex matched controls were identified from same population sub-group. Structured telephonic interviews were conducted and statistical analysis done at 5% margin of error.

Results: The annual HIV diagnosis rate remained relatively stable till 2015 (< 40 /100,000/yr) after which it rose sharply to 60/100,000/yr in 2016. Upward trend continued in 2017 to reach 125/100,000/yr (>200% increase from baseline). Acquisition of HIV was significantly associated with commercial sex activities (OR=9; 95%CI: 1.25-395).

Conclusion: HIV seroconversion rates among employees of organization X have increased significantly in the past two years. Unlike HIV outbreaks previously reported from Pakistan, sexual route seems to be the predominant mode of transmission. Focus is mandated on prevention of sexual transmission of HIV at national level as well for all vulnerable populations.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.1735

How to cite this:Mansoor E, Azam N, Niazi SK, Sheikh N, Baig MA, Azim MT, et al. Rising HIV seroconversion rates & associated risks among employees of organization ‘X’: A case control study, Pakistan, 2017. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1349-1354.   doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.1735

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Metabolic syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus was closely related to body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, and arthritis
Authors: Jin Lai-Run , Tao Meng-Jun , Zhou Jun , Xu Liang , Li Qiang , Li Zhi , Peng Hui , Yuan Hui
Published: August 2020

Background and Objective: Prevention and control of metabolic syndrome is the key to improving the development of systemic lupus erythematosus. The aim of this study was to analyze the relevant factors regarding metabolic syndrome (MS) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: A total number of 1238 SLE patients in Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Anhui province, from February 2012 to July 2017, were analyzed retrospectively. SLE patients with MS were grouped to group SLE-MS, the others without MS was grouped to group SLE-nMS. The two groups were compared with respect to general characteristics, clinical signs, and laboratory parameters. Random forest approach and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to analyze the related factors regarding MS in SLE.

Results: The constituent ratio of metabolic syndrome was 27.14% (336/1238). More SLE patients with MS presented with more farmers, more married people, lower education level, and more lupus nephritis, proteinuria, oral ulcers, tubular urine, hematuria than SLE patients without MS (P<0.05). Moreover, eighteen important variables, whose average importance scores were highest and whose error rates were lowest, were selected by random forest method. Data from multivariate logistic regression showed that MS in SLE was related with BMI, diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, arthritis, urea, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and white blood cells.

Conclusion: MS in SLE was closely related to BMI, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, arthritis, white blood cells, and urea. Targeted prevention and conclusion measures for the risk factors should be taken as early as possible.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2093

How to cite this:Jin LR, Tao MJ, Zhou J, Xu L, Li Q, Li Z, et al. Metabolic syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus was closely related to body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, and arthritis. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1220-1227.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2093

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.