bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Costal Chondrocyte–Derived Pellet-Type Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation for Treatment of Articular Cartilage Defect
Authors: Yoon Kyoung-Ho , Park Jae-Young , Lee Jin-Yeon , Lee EunAh , Lee Jungsun , Kim Sang-Gyun
Published: March 2020

Background:

Because articular chondrocyte-based autologous chondrocyte implantations (ACIs) have restrictively restored articular cartilage defects, alternative cell sources as a new therapeutic option for cartilage repair have been introduced.

Purpose:

To assess whether implantation of a costal chondrocyte–derived pellet-type (CCP) ACI allows safe, functional, and structural restoration of full-thickness cartilage defects in the knee.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

In this first-in-human study, 7 patients with symptomatic, full-thickness cartilage lesions were enrolled. The chondrocytes isolated from the patients’ costal cartilage were expanded, followed by 3-dimensional pellet culture to prepare the CCP-ACI. Implantation of the pellets was performed via minimal arthrotomy and secured with a fibrin sealant. Clinical scores, including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective, Lysholm, and Tegner activity scores, were estimated preoperatively and at 1, 2, and 5 years postoperatively. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging was also performed to evaluate cartilage repair as well as to calculate the MOCART (magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue) score.

Results:

The costal chondrocytes of all patients formed homogeneous-sized pellets, which showed the characteristics of the hyaline cartilaginous tissue with lacunae-occupied chondrocytes surrounded by glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen-rich extracellular matrix. There were no treatment-related serious adverse events during the 5-year follow-up period. Significant improvements were seen in all clinical scores from preoperative baseline to the 5-year follow-up (IKDC subjective score, 34.67 to 75.86; Lysholm score, 34.00 to 85.33; Tegner activity score, 1.17 to 4.67; and MOCART score, 28.33 to 83.33). Two patients had complete defect filling on magnetic resonance imaging evaluation at 1 year. Moreover, at 5 years postoperatively, complete defect filling was observed in 4 patients, and hypertrophy or incomplete defect filling (50%-100%) was observed in 2 patients.

Conclusion:

The overall results of this clinical study suggest that CCP-ACI can emerge as a promising therapeutic option for articular cartilage repair with good clinical outcomes and structural regeneration and with stable results at midterm follow-up.

Registration:

NCT03517046 ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier)
Comparative study of greenhouse gas emissions between national government and local governments in Korea
Authors: Been Eun-Mi , Park Young-Kwon , Kim Kyung-Tae
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study is to calculate and analyze emissions using the uniformity of national and local emission calculation institutions, unification of calculation methods, and common statistical data. The Korea Environment Corporation has reported the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from local governments in Korea since 2015. On the other hand, the reliability of the emissions amount has been questioned because of the inconsistency of the figures between the national emissions calculated by the green in regulation and the total emissions of local governments. To validate the reliability of the emissions report, this study examined the causes of the differences between the national government and 17 local governments nationwide over a 10-year period from 2005 to 2014. The national GHG inventory was designed to make reporting at home and abroad, but the local GHG inventory was built to support the GHG reduction activities of local governments. The most important reason why the sum of state and local governments GHG emissions did not coincide was the difference in the guidelines applied to establish the calculation standard for the GHG inventory. Discrepancies in the calculation criteria were also shown to cause differences in the calculation methodology, range of calculation categories, emissions coefficients, and available activity data.
Impact of Length of Hospice on Spending and Utilization Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Lung Cancer
Authors: Kalidindi Yamini , Jung Jeah , Segel Joel , Leslie Douglas
Published: March 2020

Objectives:

To estimate differences in spending and utilization between hospice users and non-users with lung cancer by length of hospice enrollment.

Study Design:

Retrospective analysis using 2009-2013 Medicare claims.

Methods:

The study sample was a 10% random sample of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries with lung cancer who died between 2010 and 2013. We identified different categories of hospice users (hospice enrollment for 1-7 days, 8-14 days, 15-30 days, 31-60 days, 61 days – 6 months) and non-users. We used propensity score matching to match users in each enrollment category with non-users. The outcomes were: a) total Medicare spending, b) number of hospitalizations, c) number of emergency department (ED) visits, d) number of physician-administered chemotherapy claims, and e) number of radiation therapy sessions. Regression analysis was used to compare outcomes between users and non-users by enrollment period.

Results:

Hospice users had significantly lower spending, fewer hospitalizations, and fewer ED visits than non-users across all categories of hospice enrollment.  Large savings occurred when patients stayed in hospice for at least one month (US$16,566 for those enrolled 61 days – 6 months; US$16,409 for those enrolled 31-60 days). Significant reduction in use of outpatient services including chemotherapy and radiation therapy was observed among patients using hospice for at least 1 month.

Conclusions:

Hospice led to cost savings by reducing utilization of aggressive care towards end-of-life among lung cancer patients. While cost savings were realized even when hospice is utilized for a short duration, large savings occurred when hospice is used for at least 1 month.
Confined in Waiting: Young Asylum Seekers Narrating In and Out of Temporary Shelter
Authors: Petäjäniemi Maria , Kaukko Mervi , Lanas Maija
Published: March 2020

This research considers the waiting and confinement experienced by young asylum seekers during and after their stay at a temporary shelter in Finland. The data for this research consists of interviews and ethnographic ‘hanging out’ with nine young asylum seekers throughout their asylum process. In order to generate new knowledge about the situated and fluid experiences of young adult asylum seekers’ confinement, this article focuses on four in-depth interviews with two young men, Kokab and Mahammed. They arrived in Finland in 2015, and are, at the time of writing this article, still waiting for their final asylum decisions. The results show, first, that while the time in the temporary shelter resembles physical, punitive confinement, it is also experienced as warm and social time. Second, the article argues that the confinement of young asylum seekers extends beyond the physical confinement, as they are for years confined in forced movement, indefinite waiting and othered as a number in the system.
Nonsurgical radiologic intervention for management of abdominal wall endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cope Adela G , Narasimhulu Deepa M , Khan Zaraq , VanBuren Wendaline M , Welch Brian T , Burnett Tatnai L
Published: March 2020

Objective:

To describe reported outcomes of nonsurgical radiologic interventions for abdominal wall endometriosis in comparison with surgery where available.

Data sources:

A systematic search of Ovid Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials was performed from inception to January 2019 with no language restrictions.

Study eligibility criteria:

Studies were included if they evaluated a nonsurgical intervention in women with symptomatic abdominal wall endometriosis with both comparative and noncomparative study designs.

Study appraisal and synthesis methods:

Titles and abstracts were reviewed for relevance, and full-text articles were obtained and evaluated for inclusion, all in duplicate. Meta-analysis was performed when possible using a fixed effects model.

Results:

Of the 114 records reviewed, 16 full-text articles were assessed and 7 were included in analysis. The standard mean difference between pre- and post-intervention pain scores was similar between ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) (−3.00; 95% confidence interval −3.34, −2.66) and cryoablation (−3.93; 95% confidence interval −5.73, −2.12). The mean percent decrease in lesion size following intervention was similar between USgHIFU (−61.38%; 95% confidence interval −78.64%, −44.11%), and cryoablation (−88.16%; 95% confidence interval −83.90%, −55.06%). When compared with surgical excision, mean length of stay was 2.78 days less in the nonsurgical intervention group (95% confidence interval −3.78, −1.79).

Conclusions:

Both USgHIFU and cryoablation are effective at reducing pain scores and lesion size in abdominal wall endometriosis. Mean length of stay was significantly less following a nonsurgical radiologic intervention for abdominal wall endometriosis compared with surgery. More studies are needed comparing complication and recurrence rates between nonsurgical radiologic interventions for abdominal wall endometriosis and surgery.
Expert curation of the human and mouse olfactory receptor gene repertoires identifies conserved coding regions split across two exons
Authors: Barnes If H. A. , Ibarra-Soria Ximena , Fitzgerald Stephen , Gonzalez Jose M. , Davidson Claire , Hardy Matthew P. , Manthravadi Deepa , Van Gerven Laura , Jorissen Mark , Zeng Zhen , Khan Mona , Mombaerts Peter , Harrow Jennifer , Logan Darren W. , Frankish Adam
Published: March 2020

Background

Olfactory receptor (OR) genes are the largest multi-gene family in the mammalian genome, with 874 in human and 1483 loci in mouse (including pseudogenes). The expansion of the OR gene repertoire has occurred through numerous duplication events followed by diversification, resulting in a large number of highly similar paralogous genes. These characteristics have made the annotation of the complete OR gene repertoire a complex task. Most OR genes have been predicted in silico and are typically annotated as intronless coding sequences.

Results

Here we have developed an expert curation pipeline to analyse and annotate every OR gene in the human and mouse reference genomes. By combining evidence from structural features, evolutionary conservation and experimental data, we have unified the annotation of these gene families, and have systematically determined the protein-coding potential of each locus. We have defined the non-coding regions of many OR genes, enabling us to generate full-length transcript models. We found that 13 human and 41 mouse OR loci have coding sequences that are split across two exons. These split OR genes are conserved across mammals, and are expressed at the same level as protein-coding OR genes with an intronless coding region. Our findings challenge the long-standing and widespread notion that the coding region of a vertebrate OR gene is contained within a single exon.

Conclusions

This work provides the most comprehensive curation effort of the human and mouse OR gene repertoires to date. The complete annotation has been integrated into the GENCODE reference gene set, for immediate availability to the research community.
Using four different clinical tools as predictors for pain after total hip arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Geisler Anja , Zachodnik Josephine , Laigaard Jens , Kruuse Laura S. , Sørensen Charlotte V. , Sandberg Magnus , Persson Eva I. , Mathiesen Ole
Published: March 2020

Background

Treatment of postoperative pain remains a significant clinical problem, and prediction of patients with a risk of higher postoperative pain levels is an important focus. We aimed to identify patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) with risk of higher pain levels at 24 h postoperatively by using four simple and easily available clinical tools.

Methods

This prospective observational cohort study included 102 patients having THA at Zealand University Hospital in Denmark. The following predictive tools were investigated for identifying patients with higher postoperative pain levels at 24 h postoperatively, both at rest and during mobilization: preoperative pain by peripheral venous cannulation (PVC) (dichotomized according to numerical rating scale pain ≤ 2/> 2 (PVC-Low/PVC-High) (primary outcome); the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) nurses’ expectations of patients pain levels; patients early pain levels at the PACU; and patients own forecast of postoperative pain levels. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze comparisons between prediction groups. For the primary outcome we considered a p-value < 0.01 as statistically significant and for other outcomes a p-value of 0.05.

Results

We found no significant differences between the PVC groups for pain during mobilization at 24-h postoperatively: PVC-Low: 6 (4–8) (median, (IQR)) versus PVC-High: 7 (5–8) (median, (IQR)), p = 0.10; and for pain at rest: PVC-Low 2 (0–3) (median, (IQR)) versus PVC-High 3 (2–5) (median, (IQR)), p = 0.12. Other comparisons performed between predictive groups did not differ significantly.

Conclusions

In this prospective cohort study of 102 THA patients, we did not find that preoperative pain by PVC, when using a cut-off point of NRS ≤ 2, were able to predict postoperative pain at 24 h postoperatively. Neither did PACU nurses’ prediction of pain, patients forecast of pain, nor did maximum pain levels at the PACU.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered 20th February 2018 at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03439566).
Evaluating the impact of onsite diabetes education teams in primary care on clinical outcomes
Authors: Gucciardi Enza , Xu Changchang , Vitale Michele , Lou Wendy , Horodezny Stacey , Dorado Linda , Sidani Souraya , Shah Baiju R.
Published: March 2020

Background

To evaluate the impact of integrating diabetes education teams in primary care on glycemic control, lipid, and blood-pressure management in type 2 diabetes patients.

Methods

A historical cohort design was used to assess the integration of teams comprising nurse and dietitian educators in 11 Ontario primary-care sites, which delivered individualized self-management education. Of the 771 adult patients with A1C ≥ 7% recruited, 487 patients attended appointments with the diabetes teams, while the remaining 284 patients did not. The intervention’s primary goal was to increase the proportion of patients with A1C ≤7%. Secondary goals were to reduce mean A1C, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol-high density lipoprotein, and diastolic and systolic blood pressure, as recommended by clinical-practice guidelines.

Results

After 12 months, a higher proportion of intervention-group patients reached the target for A1C, compared with the control group. Mean A1C levels fell significantly among all patients, but the mean reduction was larger for the intervention group than the control group. Although more intervention-group patients reached targets for all clinical outcomes, the between-group differences were not statistically significant, except for A1C.

Conclusions

Nurse and dietitian diabetes-education teams can have a clinically meaningful impact on patients’ ability to meet recommended A1C targets. Given the study’s historical cohort design, results are generalizable and applicable to day-to-day primary-care practice. Longer follow-up studies are needed to investigate whether the positive outcomes of the intervention are sustainable.
Recruitment and reach in a pragmatic behavioral weight loss randomized controlled trial: implications for real-world primary care practice
Authors: Befort Christie A. , Kurz Danny , VanWormer Jeffrey J. , Ellerbeck Edward F.
Published: March 2020

Background

Obesity is a major risk factor behind some of the most common problems encountered in primary care. Although effective models for obesity treatment have been developed, the ‘reach’ of these interventions is poor and only a small fraction of primary care patients receive evidence-based treatment. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that impact the uptake (reach) of an evidence-based obesity treatment program within the context of a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial comparing three models of care delivery.

Methods

Recruitment and reach were evaluated by the following measures: 1) mailing response rates, 2) referral sources among participants contacting the study team, 3) eligibility rates, 4) participation rates, and 5) representativeness based on demographics, co-morbid conditions, and healthcare utilization of 1432 enrolled participants compared to > 17,000 non-participants from the clinic-based patient populations. Referral sources and participation rates were compared across study arms and level of clinic engagement.

Results

The response rate to clinic-based mailings was 13.2% and accounted for 66% of overall program recruitment. An additional 22% of recruitment came from direct clinic referrals and 11% from media, family, or friends. Of those screened, 87% were eligible; among those eligible, 86% enrolled in the trial. Participation rates did not vary across the three care delivery arms, but were higher at clinics with high compared to low provider involvement. In addition, clinics with high provider involvement had a higher rate of in clinic referrals (33% versus 16%) and a more representative sample with regards to BMI, rurality, and months since last clinic visit. However, across clinics, enrolled participants compared to non-participants were older, more likely to be female, more likely to have had a joint replacement but less likely to have CVD or smoke, and had fewer hospitalizations.

Conclusions

A combination of direct patient mailings and in-clinic referrals may enhance the reach of primary care behavioral weight loss interventions, although more proactive outreach is likely necessary for men, younger patients, and those at greater medial risk. Strategies are needed to enhance provider engagement in referring patients to behavioral weight loss programs.

Trial registration

clnicialtrials.gov NCT02456636. Registered May 28, 2015, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=&term=RE-POWER&cntry=&state=&city=&dist=.
Silica and asbestos exposure at work and the risk of bladder cancer in Canadian men: a population-based case-control study
Authors:   The Canadian Cancer Registries Epidemiology Group, Latifovic Lidija , Villeneuve Paul J. , Parent Marie-Élise , Kachuri Linda , Harris Shelley A.
Published: March 2020

Background

Silica and asbestos are recognized lung carcinogens. However, their role in carcinogenesis at other organs is less clear. Clearance of inhaled silica particles and asbestos fibers from the lungs may lead to translocation to sites such as the bladder where they may initiate carcinogenesis. We used data from a Canadian population-based case-control study to evaluate the associations between these workplace exposures and bladder cancer.

Methods

Data from a population-based case-control study were used to characterize associations between workplace exposure to silica and asbestos and bladder cancer among men. Bladder cancer cases (N = 658) and age-frequency matched controls (N = 1360) were recruited within the National Enhanced Cancer Surveillance System from eight Canadian provinces (1994–97). Exposure concentration, frequency and reliability for silica and asbestos were assigned to each job, based on lifetime occupational histories, using a combination of job-exposure profiles and expert review. Exposure was modeled as ever/never, highest attained concentration, duration (years), highest attained frequency (% worktime) and cumulative exposure. Odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using adjusted logistic regression.

Results

A modest (approximately 20%) increase in bladder cancer risk was found for ever having been exposed to silica, highest attained concentration and frequency of exposure but this increase was not statistically significant. Relative to unexposed, the odds of bladder cancer were 1.41 (95%CI: 1.01–1.98) times higher among men exposed to silica at work for ≥27 years. For asbestos, relative to unexposed, an increased risk of bladder cancer was observed for those first exposed ≥20 years ago (OR:2.04, 95%CI:1.25–3.34), those with a frequency of exposure of 5–30% of worktime (OR:1.45, 95%CI:1.06–1.98), and for those with < 10 years of exposure at low concentrations (OR:1.75, 95%CI:1.10–2.77) and the lower tertile of cumulative exposure (OR:1.69, 95%CI:1.07–2.65). However, no clear exposure-response relationships emerged.

Conclusions

Our results indicate a slight increase in risk of bladder cancer with exposure to silica and asbestos, suggesting that the effects of these agents are broader than currently recognized. The findings from this study inform evidence-based action to enhance cancer prevention efforts, particularly for workers in industries with regular exposure.
Correction to: Resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma neo-adjuvant FOLF(IRIN)OX-based chemotherapy - a multicenter, non-comparative, randomized, phase II trial (PANACHE01-PRODIGE48 study)
Authors: Schwarz Lilian , Vernerey Dewi , Bachet Jean-Baptiste , Tuech Jean-Jacques , Portales Fabienne , Michel Pierre , Cunha Antonio Sa
Published: March 2020

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported an error in the “Samples size calculation and statistical considerations” section.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis resulting from a cytokine storm triggered by septicemia in a child with chronic granuloma disease: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wei Ang , Ma Honghao , Zhang Liping , Li Zhigang , Zhang Qing , Wang Dong , Zhang Li , Lian Hongyun , Zhang Rui , Wang Tianyou
Published: March 2020

Background

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare potentially fatal illness characterized by impaired natural killer and cytotoxic T cell function. Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited immune deficiency caused by a defect in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase complex. CGD patients display an increased susceptibility to infection with bacteria and fungi. Repeated infections lead to an increased risk for developing HLH. The case of CGD with repeated Salmonella septicemia complicated with HLH is very rare, and the CGD mutation identified has not been reported.

Case presentation

A 3-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital for fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia. According to the clinical manifestations and laboratory results, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) was diagnosed. Blood and bone marrow culture confirmed septicemia due to Salmonella Typhimurium. On the basis of antiinfection treatment, methylprednisolone was used to control HLH. After treatment, the clinical symptoms and laboratory results improved. Gene analysis showed a novel hemizygous CYBB gene mutation: c.302A > G (p.H101P). Combined with a past history of recurrent infection, the child was diagnosed with HLH secondary to CGD triggered by septicemia.

Conclusions

In case of a known (or highly suspected) CGD with a documented infection, clinical or biological features of HLH should encourage the physician to make possible to confirm or not the HLH. Therefore, to initiate the adequate treatment in association with anti-infective therapy.
Study protocol of personal characteristics and socio-cultural factors associated with mental health and quality of life of residents living in violent territories
Authors: Cruz Marcelo Santos , Sousa Silva Eliana , Krenzinger Miriam , Valiati Leandro , Gonçalves Dalcio Marinho , Vasconcellos Maurício Teixeira Leite de , Villar Livia Melo , Priebe Stefan , Heritage Paul
Published: March 2020

Background

Throughout the world, millions of people living in deprived urban environments with frequent experiences of violence are mentally distressed. There is little evidence about which characteristics of people living in such environments are associated with lower or higher levels of mental distress and how they may cope with experiences of violence.

Methods/Design

This study is part of the research project ‘Building the Barricades’ (ES/S000720/1 ESRC-AHRC GCRF Mental Health 2017), which uses a mixed-method approach. Quantitative and qualitative studies will be conducted in 16 favelas in the area of Maré in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The quantitative study consists of a survey of 1200 randomly selected adults living in Maré and of 200 individuals who frequent the open-use drug sites. The survey will assess sociodemographic characteristics, experiences of different forms of violence, physical and mental health status (including drug use) and active participation in cultural consumption and production. In the qualitative study we will conduct 60 in-depth interviews and 8 focus groups of participants selected from respondents to the survey to assess in more detail their experiences of violence and coping strategies. In order to analyze the quantitative data we will use descriptive statistics and explore associations in uni- and multi-variable analyses. Qualitative data will be subjected to thematic analysis.

Discussion

This is an exploratory study to identify characteristics and coping strategies that appear to help people to overcome experiences of violence in deprived areas without developing mental distress. The findings could inform policies to reduce mental distress and improve the quality of life of people living in urban areas affected by violence.
Validation of the patient assessment of chronic illness care (PACIC) short form scale in heart transplant recipients: the international cross-sectional bright study
Authors:   on behalf of the BRIGHT study team, Iglesias Katia , De Geest Sabina , Berben Lut , Dobbels Fabienne , Denhaerynk Kris , Russell L. Cynthia , Helmy Remon , Peytremann-Bridevaux Isabelle
Published: March 2020

Background

Transplant recipients are chronically ill patients, who require lifelong follow-up to manage co-morbidities and prevent graft loss. This necessitates a system of care that is congruent with the Chronic Care Model. The eleven-item self-report Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) scale assesses whether chronic care is congruent with the Chronic Care Model, yet its validity for heart transplant patients has not been tested.

Methods

We tested the validity of the English version of the PACIC, and compared the similarity of the internal structure of the PACIC across English-speaking countries (USA, Canada, Australia and United Kingdom) and across six languages (French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese). This was done using data from the cross-sectional international BRIGHT study that included 1378 heart transplant patients from eleven countries across 4 continents. To test the validity of the instrument, confirmatory factor analyses to check the expected unidimensional internal structure, and relations to other variables, were performed.

Results

Main analyses confirmed the validity of the English PACIC version for heart transplant patients. Exploratory analyses across English-speaking countries and languages also confirmed the single factorial dimension, except in Italian and Spanish.

Conclusion

This scale could help healthcare providers monitor level of chronic illness management and improve transplantation care.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov ID:NCT01608477, first patient enrolled in March 2012, registered retrospectively: May 30, 2012.
Functional somatic disorders: discussion paper for a new common classification for research and clinical use
Authors:   on behalf of the EURONET-SOMA Group, Burton Christopher , Fink Per , Henningsen Peter , Löwe Bernd , Rief Winfried
Published: March 2020

Background

Functional somatic symptoms and disorders are common and complex phenomena involving both bodily and brain processes. They pose major challenges across medical specialties. These disorders are common and have significant impacts on patients’ quality of life and healthcare costs.

Main body

We outline five problems pointing to the need for a new classification: (1) developments in understanding aetiological mechanisms; (2) the current division of disorders according to the treating specialist; (3) failure of current classifications to cover the variety of disorders and their severity (for example, patients with symptoms from multiple organs systems); (4) the need to find acceptable categories and labels for patients that promote therapeutic partnership; and (5) the need to develop clinical services and research for people with severe disorders.

We propose ‘functional somatic disorders’ (FSD) as an umbrella term for various conditions characterised by persistent and troublesome physical symptoms. FSDs are diagnosed clinically, on the basis of characteristic symptom patterns. As with all diagnoses, a diagnosis of FSD should be made after considering other possible somatic and mental differential diagnoses. We propose that FSD should occupy a neutral space within disease classifications, favouring neither somatic disease aetiology, nor mental disorder. FSD should be subclassified as (a) multisystem, (b) single system, or (c) single symptom. While additional specifiers may be added to take account of psychological features or co-occurring diseases, neither of these is sufficient or necessary to make the diagnosis. We recommend that FSD criteria are written so as to harmonise with existing syndrome diagnoses. Where currently defined syndromes fall within the FSD spectrum – and also within organ system-specific chapters of a classification – they should be afforded dual parentage (for example, irritable bowel syndrome can belong to both gastrointestinal disorders and FSD).

Conclusion

We propose a new classification, ‘functional somatic disorder’, which is neither purely somatic nor purely mental, but occupies a neutral space between these two historical poles. This classification reflects both emerging aetiological evidence of the complex interactions between brain and body and the need to resolve the historical split between somatic and mental disorders.
Impact of seasonal malaria chemoprevention on hospital admissions and mortality in children under 5 years of age in Ouelessebougou, Mali
Authors: Issiaka Djibrilla , Barry Amadou , Traore Tiangoua , Diarra Boubacar , Cook David , Keita Mohamed , Sagara Issaka , Duffy Patrick , Fried Michal , Dicko Alassane
Published: March 2020

Background

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention is widely implemented in Sahel and sub-Sahel countries in Africa. Few studies have assessed the impact of the SMC on hospital admission and death when it is implemented in the health system. This retrospective study assessed the impact of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) on hospitalizations and deaths of children under 5 years of age during the second year of implementation of SMC in the health district of Ouelessebougou in Mali.

Methods

In February 2017, a survey was conducted to assess hospital admissions and deaths in children under 5 years of age in two health sub-districts where SMC was implemented in 2015 and two health sub-districts where SMC was not implemented. The survey reviewed deaths and hospitalizations of children under 5, in the four health sub-districts. The crude and specific incidence rates of hospitalizations and deaths were determined in both groups and expressed per 1000 children per year. A negative binomial regression model and a Cox model were used to estimate the relative risks of hospitalization and death after adjusting for confounders. The R software was used for data analysis.

Results

A total of 6638 children under 5 years of age were surveyed, 2759 children in the SMC intervention areas and 3879 children in the control areas. All causes mortality rate per 1000 person-years was 8.29 in the control areas compared to 3.63 in the intervention areas; age and gender adjusted mortality rate ratio 0.44 (95% CI 0.22–0.91), p = 0.027. The incidence rate of all causes hospital admissions was 19.60 per 1000 person-years in the intervention group compared to 33.45 per 1000 person-years in the control group, giving an incidence rate ratio (IRR) adjusted for age and gender of 0.61 (95% CI 0.44–0.84), p = 0.003.

Conclusion

The implementation of SMC was associated with a substantial reduction in hospital admissions and all-cause mortality.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02646410.
miR-544 promotes maturity and antioxidation of stem cell-derived endothelial like cells by regulating the YY1/TET2 signalling axis
Authors: Guo Jianming , Xiang Qiuling , Xin Yaojie , Huang Yongyi , Zou Gang , Liu Te
Published: March 2020

Background

Inflammation and oxidative stress induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein are the main causes of vascular endothelial injury and atherosclerosis. Endothelial cells are important for the formation and repair of blood vessels. However, the detailed mechanism underlying the regulation of maturity and antioxidation of stem cell-derived endothelial like cells remains unclear. Besides, YY1 and TET2 play a key role on epigenetic modifications of proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. However, the regulatory mechanism of epigenetic modification induced by YY1 and TET2 on stem cells to iECICs is also not clear.

Aim

Here, we want to investigate detailed mechanism underlying the regulation of maturity and antioxidation of stem cell-derived iECICs by by YY1 and TET2.

Methods

The qPCR, Western blot, immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometric analysis were used to analyze the expression level of each gene. Luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the binding sites between microRNA and target genes. The hMeDIP-sequence, ChIP-PCR and dot blot were used to detect the 5-hydroxymethylcytosine modification of genomic DNA. ATP, ROS, SOD assay were used to evaluate of oxidative stress in cells. The iECICs transplantation group The ApoE−/− mice were intravenous injected of iECICs to evaluation of therapeutic effect in vivo.

Results

Our studies have found that as the differentiation of human amniotic epithelial cells (HuAECs) is directed towards iECICs in vitro, the expression levels of vascular endothelial cell markers and miR-544 increase significantly and the expression level of YinYang 1 (YY1) decreases significantly. The luciferase reporter assay suggests that Yy1 is one of the targets of miR-544. Hydroxymethylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing showed that compared with HuAECs, iECICs had 174 protein-coding DNA sequences with extensive hydroxymethylation modifications. Overexpression of miR-544 inhibits the activity of the YY1/PRC2 complex and promotes the transcription and expression of the ten-eleven translocation 2 (TET2) gene, thereby activating the key factors of the serotonergic synapse pathway, CACNA1F, and CYP2D6. In addition, it promotes ability of maturity, antioxidation and vascular formation in vitro. Meanwhile, transplantation for miR-544-iECICs can significantly relieve oxidative stress injury on ApoE−/− atherosclerotic mice in vivo.

Conclusions

miR-544 regulates the maturity and antioxidation of iECICs derived from HuAECs by regulating the YY1/TET2/serotonergic synapse signalling axis.
Implementation of the Clinically Oriented Reasoning Evaluation: Impact on the European Diploma in Radiology (EDiR) exam
Authors:   European Board of Radiology (EBR)
Published: March 2020

The aim of the study is to perform an analysis of the results that have been compiled in the nine years that the examination has existed.
Fabrication of Ag nanoparticles adhered on RGO based on both electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)
Authors: Pattarith Kongsak , Areerob Yonrapach
Published: March 2020

The electrode plays an important role in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Preparation of the electrode should be simple and should result in high performance of its DSSC. We herein demonstrated high-performance and easily prepared Silver nanoparticles adhered on Reduced graphene oxide–Platinum composites (Ag–RGO/Pt) as counter electrodes (CEs) and TiO2 on RGO sheets with Ag (TiO2–RGO/Ag) as photoanode (PE) in DSSCs. The 1:2 Ag–RGO/Pt CE and 0.5% TiO2–RGO/Ag PE showed an overall highest power conversion efficiency of 9.15% under (1.5 AM) solar irradiation. The optimal weight ratio of Ag:RGO:Pt materials was also examined. Moreover, we showed that incorporation of Ag nanoparticles into the counter electrode successfully improved interfacial charge transfer resulting in high electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of triiodide to iodide redox, which in turn could enhance the performance of the DSSCs.
Low-Dose Abiraterone in Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Is It Practice Changing? Facts and Facets
Authors: Patel Amol , Tannock Ian F. , Srivastava Priyanka , Biswas Bivas , Gupta Vineet Govinda , Batra Atul , Bhethanabhotla Sainath , Pramanik Raja , Mahindru Shubh , Tilak TVSVGK , Das Chandan Krishna , Mehta Prashant
Published: March 2020

PURPOSE

It is projected that approximately 50,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 2020 in India. Survival has improved because of the development of effective drugs such as abiraterone acetate, but universal accessibility to treatment is not always possible because of cost constraints in lower- and middle-income countries. Recently, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has included low-dose abiraterone (250 mg/day) with food as an alternative treatment option to full-dose abiraterone (1,000 mg/day) fasting.

METHODS

The Science and Cost Cancer Consortium conducted a survey to evaluate the use of abiraterone in India and the opinions of medical oncologists about using low-dose treatment. Modeling was used to estimate potential financial benefits to individual patients and to estimate overall costs of health care in India if low-dose abiraterone is prescribed.

RESULTS

Of 251 Indian medical oncologists who were invited to participate in the survey, 125 provided their e-mail address and received the survey; 118 responded (47% of the total). Of these, 25% were not aware of the recent NCCN recommendation, 55% were already prescribing low-dose abiraterone when resources were limited, 7% had already changed their practice, and 29% agreed to switch to a universal practice of using low-dose abiraterone with food; 9% of practitioners would not use low-dose abiraterone. Estimated mean per patient savings was US$3,640, with annual savings of US$182 million in India.

CONCLUSION

Use of lower-dose abiraterone would increase access to treatment in India and globally and lead to large cost savings.
Whale jaw joint is a shock absorber
Authors: Werth Alexander J. , Ito Haruka
Published: March 2020

The non-synovial temporomandibular jaw joint of rorqual whales is presumed to withstand intense stresses when huge volumes of water are engulfed during lunge feeding. Examination and manipulation of temporomandibular joints (TMJs) in fresh carcasses, plus CT scans and field/lab mechanical testing of excised tissue blocks, reveals that the TMJ's fibrocartilage pad fully and quickly rebounds after shrinking by 68–88% in compression (by axis) and stretching 176–230%. It is more extensible along the mediolateral axis and less extensible dorsoventrally, but mostly isotropic, with collagen and elastin fibers running in all directions. The rorqual TMJ pad compresses as gape increases. Its stiffness is hypothesized to damp acceleration, whereas its elasticity is hypothesized to absorb shock during engulfment, allow for rotation or other jaw motion during gape opening/closure, and aid in returning jaws to their closed position during filtration via elastic recoil with conversion of stored potential energy into kinetic energy.
Αστέρες “Τα μυστικά πίσω από την λάμψη”
Authors: Τάσκος Χρύσανθος , Λουκά Αναστασία
Published: March 2020

Οι αστέρες είναι αυτόφωτα ουράνια σώματα και μπορούμε να τους παρομοιάσουμε με ζωντανούς οργανισμούς αφού γεννιούνται, ζουν και πεθαίνουν. Γεννιούνται μέσα σε νεφελώματα, ζουν ήρεμα για πολύ καιρό και πεθαίνουν με τρόπο που συνδέεται με τη μάζα και το μέγεθός τους. Χωρίζονται σε τρεις κατηγορίες οι οποίες βασίζονται στην παρατηρησιμότητά τους. Το Νεφέλωμα του Ωρίωνα μας έχει δώσει πολύτιμες πληροφορίες για το πώς γεννιούνται οι αστέρες (Εικόνα 1).Επίσης, στον γαλαξία μας υπάρχουν σύνολα αστέρων που έχουν τις ρίζες τους στην αρχαία Ελλάδα, οι λεγόμενοι αστερισμοί. Τέλος, αν και τα άστρα που είναι ορατά από την γη είναι αμέτρητα, αυτά είναι μόνο τα κοντινά στον πλανήτη μας και ο αριθμός τους είναι μικρός μπροστά σε αυτόν, των άστρων όλου του γαλαξία μας και ... υπάρχουν αμέτρητοι γαλαξίες.
Τα «τραγούδια» του ωκεανού
Authors: Κοντσέ Αθανασία , Ζαρφτζιάν Μαριλένα
Published: March 2020

Υπάρχει ποικιλία ήχων στα βάθη των ωκεανών∙ οι ήχοι από την θραύση του πάγου, των κυμάτων, της ανθρώπινης δράσης μέσα ή κοντά στη θάλασσα, αλλά το εντυπωσιακότερο όλων, οι ήχοι που παράγονται από τα ίδια τα θαλάσσια ζώα. Όχι μόνο όσοι προκαλούνται κατά την κίνησή τους, αλλά κυρίως οι φωνές τους, φωνές που θυμίζουν χαρούμενα ή λυπητερά τραγούδια.Η παρούσα εισήγηση στοχεύει ακριβώς να ξεναγήσει τον ακροατή στα βάθη του ωκεανού και να τον βοηθήσει να αφουγκραστεί τους ήχους των θαλάσσιων ζώων. Να δείξει αν όλα τα ζώα της θάλασσας παράγουν ήχους ή μόνον μερικά από αυτά. Να εξοικειώσει τον ακροατή με τους ήχους των θαλάσσιων ζώων, να τον ενημερώσει για τη συχνότητα που έχουν τα σχετικά ακουστικά κύματα, αλλά και για τους λόγους που ωθούν τα ζώα να παράγουν ήχους. Θα φανεί έτσι ότι η συχνότητα του κύματος είναι ανάλογη εν μέρει του βάθους στο οποίο ζουν τα ζώα που τους παράγουν. Επίσης, ότι η παραγωγή φωνής συνδέεται με βασικές βιοτικές ανάγκες, όπως η αναζήτηση τροφής, η αποφυγή κινδύνου, το κάλεσμα σε βοήθεια, η επικοινωνία των μελών μιας ομάδας ζώων του ίδιου είδους, η εύρεση συντρόφου κλπ..
Relay protection and automation systems elektroenergeticheskim
Authors: Biryulin Vladimir , None Aleksey , Kudelina Dar'ya , Larin Oleg , Tancyura Anton
Published: March 2020

The manual includes basic information about the element base of relay protection and automation, principles of operation and circuit implementation of various types of relay protection and automation systems, algorithms of calculation of parameters of the action of relay protection and automation.
Designed for students in specialty "power and electrical engineering", as well as professionals involved in the design and operation of relay protection and automation of electric power systems.
Summative Assessment, Test Scores and Text Quality: A Study of Cohesion as an Unspecified Descriptor in the Assessment Scale
Authors: Ahmad Zulfiqar
Published: March 2020

Summative assessment of students' writing predicts not only the extent to which the course learning objectives have been achieved but also reveals the relevance of the assessment design with the construct of writing being assessed. Any dichotomy between the assessment criteria and the construct of writing or between the assessment criteria and test scoring procedures can produce unreliable and invalid interpretations of the students' writing proficiency. Assuming cohesion as a measure of writing quality, the present study chose samples of academic writing which did not specify cohesion as a descriptor in the assessment scale. A cohesion index was, therefore, developed to investigate how cohesive devices created texture in the sample texts and correlated with the test scores. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric correlation analysis revealed that cohesive devices were positively associated with appropriate use to create texture; however, they only weakly correlated with the test scores. The findings imply that there is the need for developing assessment criteria which consistently measures the text-forming resources to reliably ascertain the writing proficiency of the students. The study recommends a research initiative based on an analytical assessment criteria to ensure a more accurate analysis of the role of cohesion in text-formation and writing quality.
Minimum-Volume Covering Ellipsoids: Improving the Efficiency of the Wolfe-Atwood Algorithm for Large-Scale Instances by Pooling and Batching
Authors: Kudela Jakub
Published: March 2020

The Minimum-Volume Covering Ellipsoid (MVCE) problem is an important optimization problem that comes up in various areas of engineering and statistics. In this paper, we improve the state-of-the-art Wolfe-Atwood algorithm for solving the MVCE problem with pooling and batching procedures. This implementation yields significant improvements on the runtime of the algorithm for large-scale instances of the MVCE problem, which is demonstrated on quite extensive computational experiments.
Design of an amplitude-splitting hard x-ray delay line with subnanoradian stability
Authors: Li Haoyuan , Sun Yanwen , Sutton Mark , Fuoss Paul , Zhu Diling
Published: March 2020

We present the design and analysis of a hard x-ray split-delay optical arrangement that combines diffractive and crystal optics. Transmission gratings are employed to achieve the much-desired amplitude splitting and recombination of the beam. Asymmetric channel-cut crystals are utilized to tune the relative delay time. The use of a dispersion-compensation arrangement of the crystals allows the system to achieve subnanoradian pointing stability during a delay scan. It also minimizes wavefront distortion and preserves the pulse front and pulse duration. We analyze the performance of a prototype design that can cover a delay time range of 15 ps with a sub-20 fs time resolution at 10 keV. We anticipate that this system can fully satisfy the very demanding stability requirements for performing split-pulse x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy measurements for the investigation of fast atomic scale dynamics in complex disordered matter.
‘Waiting for the wow factor’: Perspectives on computer technology in classroom composing
Authors: Devaney Kirsty
Published: March 2020

Due to advancements, affordability and increased accessibility of technology, composing using computer technology has become prevalent in English secondary music classrooms. Despite this, there is still little research investigating the use of technology in music classrooms, resulting in teaching and learning approaches going unchallenged. This article explores how and why computer technology is being used for composing in upper secondary school music classrooms in England. Data were collected through a mixed-methodology approach involving five case-study schools and a survey of 112 classroom music teachers in England. Findings outline both positive and negative aspects of using computer technology to compose, such as how it was often perceived as a shortcut; however it can be argued that the computer software encourages a linear approach to composing, and the unrealistic Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) sounds can be a demoralising factor for students’ creativity.