bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Personal Health Record Implementation in Rural Primary Care: A Descriptive Exploratory Study using RE-AIM Framework
Authors: Davis Selena , Smith Mindy , Burton Lindsay , Rush Kathy L
Published: May 2022

BackgroundDemand is emerging for personal health records (PHRs), a patient-centric digital tool for engaging in shared decision-making and healthcare data management. This study uses a RE-AIM framework to explore rural patients and providers’ perceptions prior to and following implementation of a PHR. MethodsHealth care providers and their patients were recruited from early-adopter patient medical home clinics and a local patient advisory group. Focus groups were used to explore patient and provider pre-implementation perceptions of PHRs and post-implementation provider perspectives. Patients were invited through participating clinics to use the PHR. Data sources included pre-/post-intervention patient surveys and PHR/EHR administrative data. ResultsBoth patient and provider focus groups described PHRs as providing a comprehensive health story and enhanced communication. Patients prioritized collection of health promotion data while providers endorsed health-related, clinical data. Both groups expressed the need for managing expectations and setting boundaries on PHR use. The evaluation indicated Reach: 16% of targeted patients participated and an additional 127 patients used the PHR as a tool during the COVID-19 pandemic. Effectiveness: Patient satisfaction with use was neutral, with no significant changes to quality of life, self-efficacy, or patients’ activation. Adoption: 44% of eligible clinics participated, primarily those operated publicly versus privately, in smaller communities, and farther from a regional hospital. Implementation: Despite system interoperability expectations, at time of roll out, information exchange standards had not been reached. Additional implementation complications arose from the onset of the pandemic. One clinic on-boarded additional patients resulting in a rapid spike in PHR use. Maintenance: All clinics discontinued PHR within the study period, citing several key barriers to use. Conclusions RE-AIM offers a valuable process evaluation framework for a comprehensive depiction of impact, and how to drive future success. Interoperability, patient agency and control, and provider training and support are critical obstacles to overcome in PHR implementation.
The Impact of COVID-19 on an Irish Emergency Department (ED): Unlocking the Factors influencing Decision to Attend the ED in a Repeated Measure, Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Cummins Niamh M. , Garavan Carrie , Barry Louise A. , Devlin Collette , Corey Gillian , Cummins Fergal , Ryan Damien , McCarthy Gerard , Galvin Rose
Published: May 2022

Background Emergency Department (ED) crowding is a global public health crisis which has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. The collateral damage of SARS-CoV-2 is a serious concern in the Emergency Medicine (EM) community, specifically in relation to delayed care increasing morbidity and mortality in attendances unrelated to COVID-19. The objectives of this study are to describe the profile of patients attending an Irish ED prior to, and during the pandemic, and to investigate the factors influencing ED utilisation in this cohort.Methods This was a repeated measure, cross-sectional study with recruitment at three time-points prior to the onset of COVID-19 in December 2019 (n=47) and February 2020 (n=57) and post-Lockdown 1 in July 2020 (n=70). At each time-point all adults presenting over a 24h period were eligible for inclusion. Clinical data were collected via electronic records and a questionnaire provided information on demographics, healthcare utilisation, service awareness and factors influencing the decision to attend the ED.Results The demographic and clinical profile of patients across time-points was comparable in terms of age (p=0.904), gender (p=0.584) and presenting complaint (p=0.556). Median length of stay in the ED decreased from 7.25h (IQR 4.18-11.22) in February to 3.86h (IQR 0.41-9.14) in July (p≤0.005) and differences were observed in disposition (p≤0.001). COVID-19 influenced decision to attend the ED for 31% of patients with 9% delaying presentation. Post-lockdown, patients were less likely to attend the ED for reassurance (p≤0.005), for a second opinion (p≤0.005) or to see a specialist (p≤0.05).Conclusions This study illustrates the importance of addressing capacity and flow in the wider hospital and within community services. Sustainable system-wide solutions are required to tackle ED crowding and COVID-19 may have provided further evidence that the solutions lie largely outside of the ED. These findings provide useful information for hospitals with regard to pandemic preparedness and also have wider implications for planning of future health service delivery.
Evaluation of a Novel Optical Smartphone Blood Pressure Application: A Method Comparison Study against Invasive Arterial Blood Pressure Monitoring in Intensive Care Unit Patients
Authors: Desebbe Olivier , Anas Chbabou , Alexander Brenton , Kouz Karim , Knebel Jean-Francois , Schoettker Patrick , Creteur Jacques , Vincent Jean-Louis , Joosten Alexandre
Published: May 2022

BackgroundArterial hypertension is a public health problem worldwide. It is currently diagnosed and monitored non-invasively using the oscillometric method. Being able to measure blood pressure (BP) using a smartphone application could provide more widespread access to hypertension screening and monitoring. In this observational study in intensive care unit patients, we compared blood pressure values obtained using a new optical smartphone application (OptiBP™; test method) with arterial BP values obtained using a radial artery catheter (reference method).MethodsWe simultaneously measured three BP values every hour for five consecutive hours on two consecutive days using the two methods. Bland-Altman and error grid analyses were used for agreement analysis between both methods. The performance of the smarphone application was investigated using the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) definitions, which require the bias ± SD between two technologies to be below 5 ± 8 mmHg.ResultsAmong the 30 recruited patients, 22 patients had adequate OptiBP™ values and were thus analyzed. The Bland-Altman analysis revealed a mean of the differences ± SD between both methods of 0.9 ± 7 mmHg for mean arterial pressure (MAP), 0.2 ± 14 mmHg for systolic arterial pressure (SAP), and 1.1 ± 6 mmHg for diastolic arterial pressure (DAP). Error grid analysis demonstrated that the proportions of measurement pairs in risk zones A to E were 88.8% (no risk), 10% (low risk), 1% (moderate risk), 0% (significant risk), and 0% (dangerous risk) for MAP and 88.4%, 8.6%, 3%, 0%, 0%, respectively, for SAP.ConclusionsThis method comparison study revealed good agreement between BP values obtained using the OptiBP™ and those done invasively. The OptiBP™ fulfills the AAMI/ISO universal standards for MAP and DAP (but not SAP). Error grid showed that the most measurements (≥ 97%) were in risk zones A and B.ClinicalTrials.gov registrationNCT04728477
Design a novel nonlinear controller based on sum of square relaxation to obtain an optimal controller with stability guarantee applied on PEMFC nonlinear model
Authors: Sobhani Behnam , Rahmani Zahra
Published: May 2022

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is considered a type of fuel cell in industry and is significantly welcome since it is an environmentally friendly technology that eliminates the pollution caused by burning fossil fuels. Minimizing the consumption power internally through the air-feed systems of PEMFCs along with maximizing the net power output lead to the most optimal control results. Hence, the present paper is conducted to control these parameters optimally. Most previous works used linear models of PEMFC to deal with control problems. Linear models cannot exactly model the nonlinear behavior of the PEMFC stacks. Accordingly, the open-loop nonlinear system is presented as state-dependent polynomial equations, and the state feedback method is employed to design the controller. Furthermore, semi-definite programming (SDP) based on the sum of square (SOS) relaxation is used to solve the state-dependent polynomial nonlinear model numerically. On the other hand, due to the high response time of SOS-based control design methods, the feasibility problem of SOS-based method is conceived as an optimization problem to decrease the response time. The most important advantage of the proposed method is that this method guarantees the stability. This method is applied to PEMFC stack. A comparison is also made between the results obtained in this study and the results of one of the most valuable previous studies. Accordingly, the proposed method could outperform its counterpart method regarding the accuracy and efficiency.
A New Implantation Method for Orthodontic Anchor Screws
Authors: Tokuyama-Toda Reiko , Umeki Hirochika , Ide Shinji , Kobayashi Fumitaka , Tooyama Shunnosuke , Umehara Mai , Tadokoro Susumu , Tomonari Hiroshi , Satomura Kazuhito
Published: May 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether the positional relationship between the underside of the screw head and the surface of the alveolar bone could alter the stress on the two surfaces and affect the stability of implanted anchor screws. Materials and Methods: Animal experiments show that, in the conventional screw implantation procedure, oral mucosa between the base of the screw head and the bone creates a spatial gap. Removal of the oral mucosa eliminates this gap. We compared the positional difference of the screw in a contact and gap group by analyzing stress distribution on the bone and screw. Results: Analysis using the finite element method showed that more stress was loaded on both the bone and screw in the gap group than in the contact group. Cortical bone thickness did not affect stress in either group. The effects of different load strengths were similar between groups. Conclusions: A surgical procedure in which mucosal coverings are removed so that implanted anchor mini-screws are in contact with the bone surface was found to reduce stress load on both the bone and screw. Clinical Relevance: This procedure can be used to prevent undesirable dislodgement of implanted mini-screws.
Study of the Quality of Life in Egyptian University Students with IBS
Authors: Ahmed Nancy , Wakil Hala El , Agwa Ramy , Ahmed Mohamed
Published: May 2022

Background/ Purpose:
The assessment of QoL grew, yet little attention had been given to QoL of university students. We aimed to study quality of life in different Egyptian university students, find the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome among university students and the relation of IBS to QoL.
Methods:
656 students were included in the study 82 from each faculty, two questionnaires (quality of life and ROME IV) were handed over to students of Faculties of Medicine and Education in Mansoura, Alexandria, Port Said and Assiut Universities.
Results:
Only 365 students completed the questionnaire, Medical students had significantly lower QoL than students in Faculty of Education (median score of QoL in medical students = 127 vs 152 in non-medical students). Male students (median score of QoL = 142) had higher QoL than female students (median score of QoL = 134). Younger students had higher QoL scores in all dimensions than older students (median score of QoL = 147 vs 129). Only 40 students had IBS (11%).
Conclusion:
Medical students had significantly lower QoL than non-medical students. Male and younger students had significantly higher QoL than female and older students respectively. Prevalence of IBS among students was 11%.
Simulation and optimization of surface gas injection system for underground gas storage
Authors: Lin Mingzhen , Wu Xiayue , Liu Ting , Yu pengpeng
Published: May 2022

Background: With the rapid development and popularization of sensing technology and information technology，the oil and gas industry has an increasingly strong demand for intelligence，which is also true for gas storage，and the optimized operation of surface engineering is an important embodiment of intelligence. In order to master the operation law of surface engineering of gas storage, improve the level of production management and reduce the cost of gas injection, we investigate the stimulation and optimization of a surface gas injection system of practical underground gas storage. Method: According to the ideal gas equation of state, the calculation formula for gas injection well pressure is proposed and verified by actual data, which is taken as the constraint condition, the surface gas injection system is modeled by using Aspen HYSYS simulation software. Results: Through the variation of compressor power, it is consumed that the optimal injection pattern is pressure equalizing injection and the optimal number of injection wells is three wells. Besides, the relationship between injection flow and well pressure with injection time under the optimal injection pattern is studied. Finally, the functional formulas of well pressure and injection flow with injection time are obtained. Conclusions: The results obtained can not only provide a basis for the gas injection decision-making of production systems but also can provide basic guarantee for the digital transformation and intelligent operation of enterprises.
Dacomitinib overcomes afatinib-refractory carcinomatous meningitis in a lung cancer patient harbouring EGFR Ex.19 deletion and G724S mutation; A case report
Authors: Kunimasa Kei , Sugimoto Naotoshi , Tamiya Motohiro , Inoue Takako , Kawamura Takahisa , Nishino Kazumi
Published: May 2022

Dacomitinib is an irreversible, oral small-molecule inhibitor of not only EGFR but also the entire ErbB family. Both dacomitinib and afatinib are classified as second-generation EGFR-TKIs (tyrosine kinase inhibitors). Afatinib was approved in 2013, prior to dacomitinib, which was approved later in 2018. In the meantime, osimertinib, a third-generation EGFR-TKI, was approved in 2015. Consequently, the position of dacomitinib in EGFR-TKI treatment is unclear due to the differences in approval timing. Recently, it has been reported that the efficacy of EGFR-TKI is predicted, not by which exon of the EGFR gene is mutated, but by the structural change in the EGFR protein due to the mutation. Here, we present an EGFR-mutated lung cancer patient with a long history of treatment, in which EGFR ex.19 deletion (E746_S752 > V) and G724S mutations were detected by liquid biopsy during afatinib resistance, and switching to dacomitinib showed improvement of cancerous meningitis. The optimal EGFR-TKI may be selected by understanding the EGFR compound mutation profile by next generation sequencing and predicting the effect based on the structure. Dacomitinib may be effective in afatinib-refractory carcinomatous meningitis.
The SHDRA syndrome associated gene TMEM260 encodes a protein-specific O-mannosyltransferase
Authors: Larsen Ida , Povolo Lorenzo , Zhou Luping , Tian Weihua , Mygind Kasper , Hintze John , Jiang Chen , Hartill Verity , Prescott Katrina , Johnson Colin , Mullegama Sureni , McConkie-Rosell Allyn , McDonald Marie , Hansen Lars , Vakhrushev Sergey , Schjoldager Katrine , Clausen Henrik , Worzfeld Thomas , Joshi Hiren , halim Adnan
Published: May 2022

Mutations in the TMEM260 gene cause structural heart defects and renal anomalies syndrome (SHDRA), but the function of the encoded protein remains unknown. We report that TMEM260 is an ER-located protein O-mannosyltransferase that selectively glycosylates defined extracellular immunoglobulin, plexin, transcription factor (IPT) domains of the hepatocyte growth factor receptor (cMET), macrophage-stimulating protein receptor (RON), and plexin receptors. We demonstrate that disease-causing TMEM260 mutations impair O-mannosylation of IPT domains and that TMEM260 knock out in cells results in receptor maturation defects and abnormal growth of 3D cell models. Thus, our study identifies a new, receptor-specific O-mannosylation pathway that serves critical functions during epithelial morphogenesis.
Opiorphin as a biomarker of orofacial conditions: a meta-analysis
Authors: Porporatti André Luís , Machado Claudia Aparecida De Oliveira , Alajbeg Ivan , Alajbeg Iva , Paszynska Elzbieta , Dmitrzak-Weglarz Monika , Braud Adeline , Boucher Yves
Published: May 2022

ObjectivesThe aim of this meta-analysis was to answer the following question: “Which are the different concentrations of Opiorphins biomarker in orofacial conditions compared to control?”.Materials and MethodsTwo reviewers searched for observational studies that evaluate the effect of Opiorphin in orofacial conditions, published on seven main databases and three from grey-literature.ResultsOf the 443 articles obtained, 08 met the inclusion criteria for quantitative analyses. Relative percentage showed mean 24.1% more opiorphin concentration in Chronic Conditions (Burning Mouth Syndrome, Oral Potentially Malignant and Temporomandibular Disorder) than controls; 33.2% more opiorphin in sustained pain (Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis, Symptomatic Apical Periodontitis, Painful Oral Soft-tissue Conditions); and 21.7% more opiorphin after stimuli (Corneal Foreign Body, Capsaicin). Meta-analysis found that chronic group showed 0.62 ng/ml [0.02, 1.22] more absolute concentration of opiorphin in saliva than controls. Sustained group showed 2.24 ng/ml [0.34, 4.14] more absolute concentration of opiorphin. Stimuled group showed 0.43 ng/ml [0.00, 0.85] more absolute concentration of opiorphin after stimulus. No difference in opiorphin were founded after Local Anesthesia before Tooth Extraction and Apicectomy.ConclusionsBased on the available evidence, in general, a statistically higher level of opiorphin was founded in orofacial conditions. Clinical Relevance: Salivary opiorphin levels are elevated in chronic, sustained and acute pain conditions, reflecting a physiological homeostatic adaptative response to different conditions such as fear, stress or pain. Salivary opiorphin might therefore be used as a valuable biomarker in several oral conditions.
Propolis in the Diet of Blue-Fronted Amazons (Amazona aestiva spp): Digestibility of Minerals
Authors: Silva Cínthia Rio Branco da , Vieira José Cavalcante Souza , Teixeira Carlos Roberto , Padilha Pedro Magalhães , Veiga Nabor , Orsi Ricardo Oliveira
Published: May 2022

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of propolis on the digestibility of minerals in the diet of blue-fronted amazon (Amazona aestiva). For this, 10 adult birds (5 males and 5 females) were separated into two groups (Control and Propolis 0.5% m/m). The apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of the following minerals was analyzed by spectrometry: calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni). ANOVA was used to evaluate ADC analyzes of the minerals, as well as the Pearson correlation between the ADC of the control and propolis rations. There were lower correlations in the ADC of the minerals of the birds that received propolis ration. It was concluded that parrots consuming propolis-containing ration showed better ADC levels, possibly due to the reduction in the interaction between the minerals and the alteration of the intestinal flora by propolis.
Conditions for uptake of evidence-based knowledge in municipal care for older people in Sweden – A developmental evaluation
Authors: Hultqvist Sara , Ekstam Lisa , Andersson Janicke , Nilsson Maria H , Overton Marieclaire , Zingmark Magnus , Iwarsson Susanne
Published: May 2022

ObjectiveThe objective of this paper is to describe the initial phase of a long-term collaboration initiative between a municipality and the medical faculty at a university in Sweden. The overall ambition of the collaboration is to strengthen the quality of care for older people. The concrete goal is to equip academically trained registered health care professionals (HCP) with tools for transferring evidence-based knowledge into practice. As municipal healthcare for older people is mainly carried out by staff lacking academic education, reg. HCP are key actors to bring in and consolidate an evidence-based approach in this setting. Developmental evaluation (DE) has been used to evaluate four separate activities in the initial phase. The activities where sequenced in a cumulative design to provide knowledge for further development of adequate tools.ResultsThe cumulative design originally planned did not fit the internal logic of the municipality. Therefore, workflow and pace adjustments were made to proceed towards the joint ambition; the creation of fruitful conditions for the uptake of evidence-based knowledge. Long-term collaboration between academia and organizations outside academia demands a sensitive and flexible research approach, recognizing that collaboration implies mutuality and restricts the sovereignty of academia in designing research.
Assessment of integrated Community Case Management of Childhood illness (iCCM) practices by trained Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) in Ebonyi and Kaduna States, Nigeria
Authors: Oko Akpu Blessing , Anyanti Jennifer , Adizue Jane Chinyere , Nwankwo Nelson , Idogho Omokhudu , Onyezobi Chinedu Edward , Aizobu Dennis
Published: May 2022

Introduction Malaria, Pneumonia and diarrhea has remained the leading cause of high mortality among children under the age of five years in Nigeria despite government responses in form of policies and programs. The most identifiable cause of these deaths has been attributed to service delivery gaps that limits access to quality child health services in the rural and hard to reach communities were most of these deaths occur at the household level. Patent and proprietary medicine vendors have remained a good resource to addressing the service delivery gaps that lead to the unacceptable high mortality, however little has been done by the government, agencies and organizations to strengthen their capacity and improve their skill to provide quality health services in their various communities. Methods In Ebonyi and Kaduna States, 387 registered PPMVs were selected and trained on integrated community case management of childhood illness, out of which 165 with consistent and accurate data reporting practice were selected for study. The 165 PPMVs selected for this study were assessed on the first and last quarter of the intervention to measure the quality-of-service delivery of child health services in their various communities. Results The study revealed a significant improvement in the quality of treatment provided by the PPMVs across the three disease areas. 21.8% trained PPMVs could not appropriately treat malaria in the first quarter of the intervention, however, there was a significant decrease to 1.8% in second quarter in the number of those that cannot appropriate diagnose and treat malaria. There was also a decrease in the number of those who could not treat cough and fast breathing from 47(28.5%) to 14(8.5%) in the second quarter and for diarrhea from 33.3% in the first quarter to 2.4% in the second quarter. Conclusion Due to the ubiquitous nature of the PPMVs and their outnumbering presence in the hard-to-reach communities, they serve as valuable resource in addressing the health care delivery gap that has led to the continuous rise in the unacceptable high mortality rate of children under the age of five years in Nigeria. Trial registration: Project No: IRB/20/099 dated 12th Jan 2021
Identifying transient and stable bacteria- metabolite interactions from longitudinal multi-omics data
Authors: Zhang Dan , Mullish Benjamin H , Wang Jinfeng , Barker Grace , Chrysostomou Despoina , Gao Shengtao , Chen Lu , McDonald Julie A K , Marchesi Julian R. , Cheng Lu
Published: May 2022

Background
Understanding the complex relationships between bacteria and metabolites in ecological systems are extremely important in studies of different microbiomes. Longitudinal multi-omics study is adopted to investigate interactions between bacteria and metabolites, by directly associating their longitudinal profiles. Since a bacteria/metabolite may involve in many different biological processes, the longitudinal profile is an average of different interactions. Therefore, direct association could only uncover the strongest interactions.
Results
Here we present a computational approach that can rebuild short- and long-term bacteria-metabolite interactions from longitudinal multi-omics datasets. For this task, we re-analyse data (both microbial sequencing and metabolomic analysis) from an in vitro model of Clostridioides difficile infection and faecal microbiota transplant, a disease state and mode of therapy in which perturbed microbiome-metabolome interactions (and their reversal) are well-established to be pertinent. By analysing such a dataset, we generated both a short-term and a long-term interaction network, which predicted many new interactions. Four new interactions were randomly selected to be validated. In batch culture experiments, we validated two of them: (1) Ruminococcus gnavus and Ruminococcus luti could generate 3-ketocholanic acid (2) Blautia obeum could consume succinate.
Conclusions
The deconvolution of the raw longitudinal signal into short- and long-term trends can help users to gain a deeper understanding of their data. This tool will be useful for high-throughput screening of microbe/metabolite/host interactions from a longitudinal multi-omics setting.
Toward a Smart Health: Reality Mining and Big Data Analytics for Real-Time Disease Prediction
Authors: Asri Hiba , Jarir Zahi
Published: May 2022

Background
We are living in an age where data is everywhere and grows up in a very speedy way. Thanks to sensors, mobile phones and social networks, we can gather a hug amount of information to understand human behavior as well as his individual life. In healthcare system, big data analytics and machine learning algorithms prove their effectiveness and efficiency in saving lives and predicting new diseases. This triggered the idea of taking advantages of those tools and algorithms to create systems that involve both doctors and patients in the treatment of disease, predict outcomes and use real-time risk factors from sensors and mobile phones.
Methods
we distinguish three types of data: data from sensors, data from mobile phones and data registered or updated by the patient in a mobile app we created. We take advantages from IoT systems such as Raspberyy Pi to collect and process data coming from sensors. All data collected is sent to a NoSql Server to be then analyzed and processed in Databricks Spark. K-means centroid clustering algorithms is used to build the predictive model, create partitions and make predictions. To validate results in term of efficiency and effectiveness, we used clustering validations techniques: Random K, Silhouette and Elbow methods.
Results
The advantage of the proposed system is its capability to be applied in several prediction disease researches. As a case study, we create an e-monitoring real-time miscarriage prediction system to save baby’s lives and help pregnant women. In fact, doctors receive the results of clustering and track theirs patient through our mobile app to react in term of miscarriage to avoid non-suitable outcomes. While pregnant women receive only advices based on their behaviors. The system uses 15 real-time risk factors and our dataset contains more than 1000000 JSON files. Elbow method affirm three as the optimal number of clusters and we reach 0.99 as a value of Silhouette method, which is a good sign that clusters are well separated and matched.
Library Services amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: Study of Remotely Exploitable Electronic Academic Databases in Selected University Libraries in Nigeria
Authors: Ishola Bolanle Clifford , Ojokuku Yemisi Beatrice , Akpobasah-Amugen Sarah , Eluyemi Omotoyosi Victoria
Published: May 2022

The study adopted a research design of the qualitative type to investigate library services amid the COVID-19 Pandemic using remotely exploitable electronic academic databases in two Nigerian foremost university libraries, as case studies. An Interview guide was used to elicit data from E-Librarians of the two Federal University libraries randomly selected for the study. The interview guide contains seventeen questions that seek to proffer answers to the main objective of the study. Response retrieved were analyzed using thematic analysis to extract codes, identify patterns, and create themes relevant to the study’s objective. The study revealed that both libraries have a functional E-library and subscribes to key databases. The study also revealed that both libraries’ websites are connected to open source databases remotely accessible to library users. The study reinforces the need to embrace the change in the global architecture of library services in the wake of the COVID − 19 pandemic and make their E-resources remotely accessible to users. The study recommended that library managers should adopt best practices in providing users with remote access to their E-resources. Also, the study underscores the need for library managers to reappraise their memorandum of understanding with E-databases aggregator, allowing their E-resources to be remotely accessible to library users’ thereby limiting users contact with their physical library environment amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Quality of Life in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhang Qian , Zhang Tiantian , Li Li , Xu Chunhua
Published: May 2022

Background
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have dramatically prolonged survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, but little research had focused on its impact on quality of life. The purpose of our study was to compare the quality of life (QOL) in patients with NSCLC treated with programmed cell death protein-1/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors versus chemotherapy.
Methods
We searched for randomized controlled trials utilizing the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) and the EuroQol Five Dimensions Questionnaire-3L (EQ-5D-3L) to assess the QOL of NSCLC treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors versus chemotherapy. We collected hazard ratios (HRs) for the time from baseline to the first clinically deterioration (TTD) and Effect Size as the difference in mean change between and within treatment groups in patients reported outcomes (PROs). (PROSPERO registration number CRD42022296680).
Results
In the five trials reported by QLQ-C30, TTD was longer in PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors compared with control groups (HR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.76, 0.97; P = 0.013), with similar results in terms of physical function, role function, and pain. The difference in mean change between the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors group and the chemotherapy group in QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D VAS was 3.64 (95% CI = 1.62, 5.66; P = 0.001) and 4.74 (95% CI = 2.65, 6.83; P = 0.001), which supported PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the EQ-5D Utility index (mean change = 0.03; 95% CI = -0.01, 0.07; P = 0.094). The mean change from baseline to follow-up in PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors group was 2.57 (95% CI = 0.43, 4.71; P = 0.019) and chemotherapy group was − 1.31 (95% CI = -3.71, 1.09; P = 0.284), correspondingly. The subgroup analysis (≤ 15 w vs. > 15 w) for the mean difference between groups in QLQ-C30 favored PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors could improve the QOL of patients with NSCLC compared to chemotherapy and reduce the unfavorable symptoms during treatment.
Attomolar detection of hepatitis C virus core protein powered by molecular antenna-like graphene effect
Authors: Palacio Irene , Moreno Miguel , Náñez Almudena , Purwidyantri Agnes , Domingues Telma , Cabral Patrícia , Borme Jerome , Marciello Marzia , Mendieta-Moreno Jesús , Torres-Vázquez Beatriz , Martinez Jose , Lopez Maria Francisca , Garcia-Hernandez Mar , Vázquez Luis , Jelinek Pavel , Alpuim Pedro , Briones Carlos , Martin-Gago Jose
Published: May 2022

Biosensors based on graphene field-effect transistors have become a promising tool for detecting a broad range of analytes. However, they lack the stability and reproducibility required to step into biotechnological and biomedical applications. In this work, we use a controlled in-vacuum physical method for the covalent functionalization of graphene to construct ultrasensitive aptamer-based biosensors (aptasensors) able to detect hepatitis C virus core protein. These devices are highly specific and robust, achieving attomolar detection of the viral protein target in human blood plasma. The improved sensitivity is rationalized by theoretical calculations showing that induced polarization at the graphene interface caused by the proximity of covalently bound probe molecule modulates the charge balance at the graphene/molecule interface. This charge balance causes a net shift of the Dirac cone providing enhanced sensitivity towards the attomolar detection of proteins. Such an unexpected effect paves the way for using this kind of graphene-based platform for real-time diagnostics of different diseases.
G-CSF Promotes the Viability and Angiogenesis of Injured Liver via Direct Effects on the Liver Cells
Authors: Liu Zifeng , Zhang Guiling , Chen Jing , Tong Jingjing , Wang Hongmin , Chen Jing , Yang Dong , Hu Jinhua
Published: May 2022

Background: Presently, liver transplantation is the only treatment strategy for liver failure (LF). Although granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) exerts protective functions in LF, it is unclear whether it directly affects the liver cells.Methods and Results: We established an injured liver cell model and observed that G-CSF treatment promoted cell viability and enhanced Ki67 and VEGF-A expression. Then, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in a conditioned medium collected from the G-CSF-treated injured liver cells. HUVECs’ proliferation and tubule formation were promoted. Further, in an injured liver mouse model, confirmed via haematoxylin–eosin staining, we evaluated serum alanine aminotransferase activity, Ki67 expression, and micro vessel density (MVD). G-CSF treatment significantly relieved liver injury, upregulated Ki67 expression, and enhanced MVD in the injured mouse liver tissue. Additionally, AKT and ERK signal targets were explored, and it was demonstrated that the effects of G-CSF on injured liver cells were mediated through the AKT and ERK signalling pathways. Conclusions: G-CSF promotes injured liver viability and angiogenesis by directly affecting injured liver cells via the AKT and ERK signalling pathways. These findings enhance understanding regarding the role of G-CSF in recovery from LF.
Performance of the polarization leakage correction in the PILOT data
Authors: Bernard Jean-Philippe , Bernard Adam , Roussel Helene , Ilyes Choubani , Alina Dana , Jonathan Aumont , Hughes Annie , Ristorcelli Isabelle , Samantha Stever , Matsumura Tomotake , Sugiyama Shinji , Komatsu Kunimoto , de Gasperis Giancarlo , Ferrière Katia , Guillet Vincent , Ysard Nathalie , de Bernardis Paolo , Masi Sylvia , Maffei Bruno , Mot Baptiste , Pajot Francois , Ponthieu Nicolas , Savini Giorgio , Vacher Francois , Ade Peter , Tucker Carole , Crane Bruno , Dubois Jean-Pierre , Longval Yuying , Sauvage Valentin
Published: May 2022

The Polarized Instrument for Long-wavelength Observation of the Tenuous interstellar medium (PILOT) is a balloon-borne experiment that aims to measure the polarized emission of thermal dust at a wavelength of 240 μm (1.2THz). The PILOT experiment flew from Timmins, Ontario, Canada in 2015 and 2019 and from Alice Springs, Australia in April 2017. The in-flight performance of the instrument during the second flight was described in [1]. In this paper,we present data processing steps that were not presented in [1] and that we have recently implemented to correct for several remaining instrumental effects. The additional data processing concerns corrections related to detector cross-talk and readout circuit memory effects, and leakage from total intensity to polarization. We illustrate the above effects and the performance of our corrections using data obtained during the third flight of PILOT, but the methods used to assess the impact of these effects on the final science-ready data, and our strategies for correcting them will be applied to all PILOT data. We show that the above corrections, and in particular that for the intensity to polarization leakage, which is most critical for accurate polarization measurements with PILOT, are accurate to better than 0.4% as measured on Jupiter during flight#3.
Effects of low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields exposure on the condylar subchondral bone at the early stage of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis
Authors: Ma Yuanjun , Chen Xiaohua , He Feng , Li Shi , He Rui , Liu Qian , Dong Qingshan , Zhou Shuncheng , Miao Hui , Lu Qian , Li Feifei , Yang Hongxu , Zhang Mian , Lin Yuan , Yu Shibin
Published: May 2022

Backgrounds: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a group of diseases occurring frequently in females during puberty or reproductive years. As the most severe manifestation of TMD, temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is characterized by abnormal subchondral bone remodeling and cartilage degeneration. As a non-invasive biophysical technology, pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) treatment has been proven to be efficient in promoting osteogenesis. However, the potential bone protective effect and mechanism of PEMF on abnormal subchondral bone remodeling in TMJOA are unknown. Methods: In this study, unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC) was used to create TMJOA model in rats, and 17β-estradiol (E2) daily injections were injected daily to mimic patients with high-physiological levels of estrogen. Mouse osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells treated with recombinant murine IL-1β was used to establish inflammatory environment in vitro. The treatment group were subjected to PEMF (2.0mT, 15 Hz, 2h/d). Micro-CT scanning, histological staining, real-time PCR and western blotting assays were preformed to observe the changes in the subchondral bone. Results: The results showed that the abnormal resorption of subchondral bone induced by UAC, characterized by decreased bone mineral density, increased osteoclast activity and down-regulated expression of osteogenesis-related factors (OPG, ALP, Runx2 and OCN) at the early stage, could be reversed by PEMF, which was similar to the effect of estrogen. In addition, PEMF exposure and E2 supplement may have a synergistic effect to some extent. Moreover, PEMF intervention could promote the ALP activity and osteogenic mineralization ability of MC3T3-E1 cells. It had found that PEMF promoted the expression of factors related to Wnt/β-Catenin signal pathway in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions: Our results reveal that appropriate PEMF exposure have a protective effect on subchondral bone in TMJOA at early stage, in which canonical Wnt/β-Catenin pathway may be involved. PEMF may be a promising biophysical approach for early intervention of TMJOA in clinic.
Revealing the sustainability performance of novel food system technologies- a systematic scoping review
Authors: Bunge Anne Charlotte , Wood Amanda , Halloran Afton , Gordon Line
Published: May 2022

Food system technologies (FSTs) are being developed at an unprecedented rate to accelerate the transformation towards sustainable food systems. Sustainability is a multi-faceted concept and innovations may inadvertently promote one facet while compromising another. Yet, limited empirical evidence on the sustainability performance and trade-offs of novel FSTs exist. We conducted a systematic scoping review that accounts for multiple dimensions of sustainability to synthesize peer-reviewed research assessing the sustainability performance of four novel FSTs: plant-based alternatives, vertical farming, food delivery and blockchain technology. Included literature assessed a wide range of sustainability indicators, with a dominant focus on environmental sustainability. Significant research gaps on the public health and socio-economic implications of these FSTs remain. Additional research is explicitly required to understand the general sustainability implications of plant-based seafood alternatives and blockchain technology, public health consequences of food deliveries, and socio-economic consequences of vertical farming. The sustainability performance of FSTs varied across the literature and for sustainability indicators. The development of a holistic sustainability assessment framework that illustrates the implications of deploying and scaling FSTs is needed. This can guide investments in and the development of sustainable food innovation.
Single-shot ptychography at a soft X-ray free-electron laser
Authors: Kharitonov Konstantin , Mehrjoo Masoud , Ruiz-Lopez Mabel , Keitel Barbara , Kreis Svea , Gang Seung-gi , Pan Rui , Marras Alessandro , Correa Jonathan , Wunderer Cornelia , Plonjes Elke
Published: May 2022

Ptychograhy is a scanning coherent diffraction imaging technique capable of providing images of extended samples with diffraction-limited resolution. However, ptychography experiments are time-consuming due to their scanning nature which also prevents their use for imaging of dynamical processes. Recently, setups based on two con-focal lenses were proposed to perform single-shot ptychography in the visible regime by measuring the diffraction pattern produced by multiple overlapping beams in one shot. However, this approach cannot be extended straightforwardly to X-ray wavelengths due to the application of refractive optics. In this work, we demonstrate a novel and nascent single-shot ptychography setup utilizing the combination of X-ray focusing optics with a two-dimensional beam-splitting diffraction grating. It allows single-shot imaging of extended samples at X-ray wavelengths. As a proof of concept, we performed single-shot ptychography in the XUV range at the free-electron laser FLASH and obtained a high-resolution reconstruction of the sample.
Outcomes of elderly patients following thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer
Authors: Kuwabara Shirou , Kobayashi Kazuaki , Sudo Natsuru
Published: May 2022

Purpose: Thoracoscopic esophagectomy (TE) is widely used for esophageal cancer treatment. However, the short- and long-term outcomes of TE in older patients remain unknown. Thus, we investigated those outcomes as well as the effectivity of TE in this patient cohort.Methods: A total of 228 consecutive patients who underwent TE for esophageal cancer from 2002 to 2015 were included in the study and divided into the elderly (≥75 years) and non-elderly (<75 years) groups. The background was adjusted by propensity score matching. The short- and long-term outcomes were then compared between the two groups.Results: There was no difference in the short-term outcomes between the two groups. The elderly group had significantly lower overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) than the non-elderly group. When pulmonary complications occurred, the OS and RFS were significantly decreased in the elderly group but not in the non-elderly group. Without pulmonary complications, the OS and RFS in the elderly group did not differ from those in the non-elderly group. The multivariate analysis showed that pulmonary complications were independent poor prognostic factors for OS and RFS in the elderly group but not in the non-elderly group.Conclusion: Minimally invasive esophagectomy is safe and feasible for older patients. However, the OS and RFS of the elderly group were significantly worse than those of the non-elderly group, especially when pulmonary complications occurred. Therefore, perioperative management to prevent pulmonary complications is essential to improve the long-term outcomes of older patients receiving TE.
Generalised flat morphology, II: more properties and hybrid operators
Authors: ICube Christian RONSE
Published: May 2022

In a previous paper, we gave a new general theory of the construction of flat operators on grey-level or multivalued images from operators on binary images. While the traditional approach was based on threshold superposition, we rely instead on threshold summation, and this allows a correct formulation for non-increasing flat operators, and also for operators with non-binary outputs. We obtained then some basic properties of flat operators, valid for both increasing and non-increasing operators. Here we pursue this work by investigating further properties of flat operators, which differ in the increasing and non-increasing cases, in particular the composition, join and meet of operators, and the commutation with contrast mappings. We study dual-ity under inversion and characterise discrete linear convolution operators as flat operators. This allows to integrate various hybrid morphological operators into our framework.
Elasti̇ci̇ty of Leg Muscles and Ri̇sk of Falls İn Older Adults: a Prospecti̇ve Cohort Analysi̇s
Authors: Cavusoglu Cagatay , Sendur Halit Nahit , Cerit Mahi Nur , Candemir Burcu , Ileri Ibrahim , Borazan Funda Yildirim , Dogrul Rana Tuna , Goker Berna
Published: May 2022

Background: Aging impacts muscle strength and elasticity, which in turn influence dynamic balance, walking speed, and physical performance. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the elasticity of leg muscles and the incidence of falls in older adults.Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort analysis with outpatients from a geriatric clinic. Participants underwent comprehensive geriatric assessments and timed up and go tests. Any history of fall in the past year was recorded. Elasticities of the gastrocnemius medialis and rectus femoris muscles were evaluated using shear wave elastography. All patients were asked to record their falls in a diary and additional phone calls were made each month. A regression analysis was performed to identify parameters associated with fall incidence during the follow-up period.Results: The median age of the included patients (n = 55) was 75 years (66–89); 72 % were women. The gastrocnemius muscle showed significantly lower elasticity in patients with a history of fall in the past year than in those without (8.08 kpa [3.90–16.17] vs. 9.70 kpa [4.99–20.95]; p = 0.028). A similar negative correlation between gastrocnemius elasticity and fall incidence was noted among those with additional falls during the follow-up period (6.96 kpa [3.90–12.41] vs. 9.13 kpa [4.99–20.95]; p = 0019). Gastrocnemius muscle elasticity was significantly correlated with the timed up and go test score (r = -0.612, p < 0.001), handgrip strength (r = 0.384, p = 0.015), and muscle thickness (r = 0,232, p = 0.049). No such associations were observed for the rectus femoris muscles.Conclusions:Gastrocnemius muscle elasticity is associated with alterations in muscle structure that may lead to falls in older adults; therefore, muscle elasticity may be a fall predictor in older adults.