bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FDG PET Findings Post–COVID Vaccinations
Authors: Moghimi Saba , Wilson Don , Martineau Patrick
Published: March 2021

Vaccinations can cause hypermetabolic axillary lymphadenopathy on FDG PET. We present the case of a 71-year-old man who underwent FDG PET/CT for melanoma staging 6 days following a COVID (coronavirus disease) vaccination. Imaging showed a prominent intramuscular mass at the vaccination site, in addition to extensive axillary lymphadenopathy. The mass was compatible with a hematoma at the vaccination site, and the lymphadenopathy was most likely reactive. This case demonstrates unconventional findings in response to a routine vaccination event—findings that, in light of current world events, are likely to be routinely encountered on PET imaging and that should be recognized reactive rather malignant.
Ambulatory EEG Usefulness in Epilepsy Management
Authors: Hasan Tasneem F. , Tatum William O.
Published: March 2021

Long-term video-EEG monitoring has been the gold standard for diagnosis of epileptic and nonepileptic events. Medication changes, safety, and a lack of recording EEG in one's habitual environment may interfere with diagnostic representation and subsequently affect management. Some spells defy standard EEG because of ultradian and circadian times of occurrence, manifest nocturnal expression of epileptiform activity, and require classification for clarifying diagnostic input to identify optimal treatment. Some patients may be unaware of seizures, have frequent events, or subclinical seizures that require quantification before optimal management. The influence on antiseizure drug management and clinical drug research can be enlightened by long-term outpatient ambulatory EEG monitoring. With recent governmental shifts to focus on mobile health, ambulatory EEG monitoring has grown beyond diagnostic capabilities to target the dynamic effects of medical and nonmedical treatment for patients with epilepsy in their natural environment. Furthermore, newer applications in ambulatory monitoring include additional physiologic parameters (e.g., sleep, detection of myogenic signals, etc.) and extend treatment relevance to patients beyond seizure reduction alone addressing comorbid conditions. It is with this focus in mind that we direct our discussion on the present and future aspects of using ambulatory EEG monitoring in the treatment of patients with epilepsy.
Left/right asymmetry disruptions and mirror-image reversals to behavior and brain anatomy inCiona
Authors: Kourakis Matthew J. , Bostwick Michaela , Zabriskie Amanda , Smith William C.
Published: March 2021

Background

Left-right asymmetries are a common feature of metazoan nervous systems. This is particularly pronounced in the comparatively simple larval central nervous system (CNS) of the tunicateCiona, whose swimming tadpole larva shows a clear chordate ground plan. While common pathway elements for specifying the left-right axis are found in the chordates, particularly a requirement for Nodal signaling,Cionadiffers from its vertebrate cousins by specifying its axis at the neurula stage, rather than at gastrula. Additionally,Ciona, and other ascidians, have a requirement for an intact chorionic membrane for proper left/right specification.

Results

We present here results showing that left-right asymmetry disruptions caused by removal of the chorion (dechorionation) are highly variable and present throughout theCionalarval nervous system. While previous studies have documented disruptions to the conspicuously asymmetric sensory systems in the anterior brain vesicle, we document asymmetries in seemingly symmetric structures such as the posterior brain vesicle and motor ganglion. Moreover, defects caused by dechorionation include misplaced or absent neuron classes, loss of asymmetric gene expression, aberrant synaptic connectivity, and abnormal behaviors. In the motor ganglion, a brain structure that has been equated with the vertebrate hindbrain, we find that despite the apparent left/right symmetric distribution of interneurons and motor neurons, AMPA receptors are expressed exclusively on the left side, which equates with asymmetric swimming behaviors. We also find that within a population of dechorionated larvae, there is a small percentage with apparently normal left-right specification, and approximately equal population with inverted (mirror-image) asymmetry. We present a method based on a behavioral assay for isolating these larvae. When these two classes of larvae (normal and inverted) are assessed in a light dimming assay they display mirror-image behaviors, with normal larvae responding with counterclockwise swims, while inverted larvae respond with clockwise swims.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the importance of left-right specification pathways not only for proper CNS anatomy, but also for correct synaptic connectivity and behavior.
Impact of the Asian gall waspDryocosmus kuriphiluson the radial growth of the European chestnutCastanea sativa
Authors: Marcolin Enrico , Pividori Mario , Colombari Fernanda , Manetti Maria Chiara , Pelleri Francesco , Conedera Marco , Gehring Eric
Published: March 2021

The invasion of the Asian chestnut gall waspDryocosmus kuriphilus(ACGW) in Europe has caused serious biological and economic impacts on chestnut stands that have been partially solved with the introduction of the biological control agentTorymus sinensis. However, information concerning tree‐ring growth during the ACGW epidemic has been lacking so far.

Using dendrochronology techniques, we analysed the impact of the ACGW on tree‐ring growth and the capacity of the chestnut tree to recover when biocontrol was achieved in seven sites covering the area of first detection and subsequent spread of the ACGW in Europe. In each site, a non‐target control species (i.e. trees not attacked by the ACGW) has been included as a reference in the analysis.

Results show a reduction in the tree‐ring increment by 60% on average during the ACGW epidemic. Such effects were higher in the magnitude and longer in the duration when compared to other stresses such as insect defoliation or extreme summer droughts.

Synthesis and applications. Marked reductions in radial growth were evident in the years of ACGW attack regardless of the age of the chestnut coppices. Since most of the trees only recovered to an almost normal growth rate after 3–4 years of biocontrol byT. sinensis, an immediate release of the antagonist at the first ACGW appearance is highly recommended. The consequences and perspectives of ACGW's attacks on the quality of the timber produced are also discussed.
Did Medicaid slow declines in access to health care during the great recession?
Authors: Benitez Joseph A. , Perez Victoria E. , Chen Jie
Published: March 2021

Objective

We examine whether broadened access to Medicaid helped insulate households from declines in health coverage and health care access linked to the 2007‐2009 Great Recession.

Data Source

2004‐2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Study Design

Flexible difference‐in‐difference regressions were used to compare the impact of county‐level unemployment on health care access in states with generous Medicaid eligibility guidelines versus states with restrictive guidelines.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Nonelderly adults (aged 19‐64) in the BRFSS were linked to county unemployment rates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program. We created a Medicaid generosity index by simulating the share of a nationally representative sample of adults that would be eligible for Medicaid under each state's 2007 Medicaid guidelines using data from the 2007 Current Population Survey's Annual Social and Economic Supplement.

Principal Findings

A percentage point (PPT) increase in the county unemployment rate was associated with a 1.3 PPT (95% CI: 0.9‐1.6, P < .01) increase in the likelihood of being uninsured and a 0.86 PPT (95% CI: 0.6‐1.1, P < .01) increase in unmet medical needs due to cost in states with restrictive Medicaid eligibility guidelines. Conversely, a one PPT increase in unemployment was associated with only a 0.64 PPT (P < .01) increase in uninsurance among states with the most generous eligibility guidelines. Among states in the fourth quartile of generosity (ie, most generous), rises in county‐level unemployment were associated with a 0.68 PPT (P < .10) increase in unmet medical needs due to cost—a 21% smaller decrease relative to states with the most restrictive Medicaid eligibility guidelines.

Conclusions

Increased access to Medicaid during the Great Recession mitigated the effects of increased unemployment on the rate of unmet medical need, particularly for adults with limited income.
Preoperative plasmapheresis in patients with Graves' disease intolerant to antithyroid drugs
Authors: Apaydin Tugce , Gogas Yavuz Dilek
Published: March 2021

Antithyroid drugs (ATDs) are the mainstay of treatment for Graves' disease with possible detrimental adverse effects. Surgery or radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation is the second choice among the treatment options in cases of non‐remission. Normalization of serum thyroid hormone levels as much as possible is required before surgery or RAI to prevent thyrotoxic crisis in patients with uncontrolled Graves' disease. In recent decades, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been used in the treatment of thyroid storm, drug‐induced hepatotoxicity and agranulocytosis, or patients with hyperthyroidism scheduled for emergency surgery. TPE is an effective method to reduce serum FT3, FT4, and TRAB levels in severe hyperthyroid conditions. Although TPE‐related complications are rare, the risk of bleeding needs to be taken into consideration in patients who were scheduled for surgery within 24 h after TPE. In terms of reducing intraoperative bleeding, patients can be referred to surgery 24–48 h after TPE, or fresh frozen plasma transfusion can be the preferred treatment for emergency cases.
Oxycodone/naloxone prolonged‐release tablets in patients with moderate‐to‐severe, chronic cancer pain: Challenges in the context of hepatic impairment
Authors: Le Brian H , Aggarwal Ghauri , Douglas Carol , Green Michael , Nicoll Amanda , Ahmedzai Sam
Published: March 2021

Opioids such as oxycodone are recommended in the management of moderate‐to‐severe, chronic cancer pain. All opioids can potentially cause constipation, which may be a significant barrier to their use. Multiple randomised clinical trials have shown that the use of naloxone as a peripherally acting mu‐opioid receptor antagonist, in combination with oxycodone can prevent or reduce opioid‐induced constipation while having equivalent analgesic efficacy to oxycodone alone. However, clinical experience has shown that unexpected events may occur in some patients when unrecognized liver impairment is present. We describe the underlying biological reasons and propose simple, but effective steps to avoid this unusual but potentially serious occurrence. In healthy individuals, naloxone undergoes extensive hepatic first pass metabolism resulting in low systemic bioavailability. However, in patients with hepatic impairment, porto‐systemic shunting can increase systemic bioavailability of naloxone, potentially compromising the analgesic efficacy of oral naloxone–oxycodone combinations. This reduced first pass effect can occur in a range of settings that may not always be apparent to the treating clinician, including silent cirrhosis, non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension and disruption of liver internal vasculature by metastases. Hepatic function test results correlate poorly with presence and extent of liver disease, and are not indicative of porto‐systemic shunting. Presence of hepatic impairment should thus be considered when medication‐related outcomes with oxycodone–naloxone combination are not as expected, even if liver function test results are normal.
Allergenic components of the mRNA‐1273 vaccine for COVID‐19: Possible involvement of polyethylene glycol and IgG‐mediated complement activation
Authors: Klimek Ludger , Novak Natalija , Cabanillas Beatriz , Jutel Marek , Bousquet Jean , Akdis Cezmi A.
Published: March 2021

Following the emergency use authorization of the mRNA‐1273 vaccine on the 18th of December 2020, two mRNA vaccines are in current use for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). For both mRNA vaccines, the phase III pivotal trials excluded individuals with a history of allergy to vaccine components. Immediately after the initiation of vaccination in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, anaphylactic reactions were reported. While the culprit trigger requires investigation, initial reports suggested the excipient polyethylene glycol 2000 (PEG‐2000)—contained in both vaccines as the PEG‐micellar carrier system—as the potential culprit. Surface PEG chains form a hydrate shell to increase stability and prevent opsonization. Allergic reactions to such PEGylated lipids can be IgE‐mediated, but may also result from complement activation‐related pseudoallergy (CARPA) that has been described in similar liposomes. In addition, mRNA‐1273 also contains tromethamine (trometamol), which has been reported to cause anaphylaxis to substances such as gadolinium‐based contrast media. Skin prick, intradermal and epicutaneous tests, in vitro sIgE assessment, evaluation of sIgG/IgM, and basophil activation tests are being used to demonstrate allergic reactions to various components of the vaccines.
Estimating benefits: Proposed national paid family and medical leave programs
Authors: Hartmann Heidi I. , Hayes Jeffrey
Published: March 2021

Using a sophisticated simulation model to estimate worker leave access, eligibility, and usage behaviors, this study examines the distributional impact of program design elements across four programs that could provide paid family and medical leave insurance to American workers. Overall, paid family and medical leave benefits are well targeted to low wage workers, compared with moderate and higher wage workers, under all potential national programs whose effects are simulated here. Workers at all earnings and income levels would gain access to new leave benefits. Suggestions for improving the benefits to low wage workers are also discussed.
CDK4/6 and PI3K inhibitors: A new promise for patients with HER2‐positive breast cancer
Authors: Agostinetto Elisa , Debien Véronique , Marta Guilherme Nader , Lambertini Matteo , Piccart‐Gebhart Martine , de Azambuja Evandro
Published: March 2021

Background

HER2‐positive (HER2+) breast cancer represents a heterogeneous breast cancer subtype, including both oestrogen receptor (ER) positive and negative tumours. A deeper understanding of the crosstalk between ER and HER2 receptor pathways has led to the development of treatment strategies consisting of a simultaneous blockade of both signalling pathways, as a reasonable approach to prevent the onset of mechanisms of resistance.

Methods

This review was based on the material searched on PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase databases and on conference proceedings from major oncology conferences up to 15 December 2020. The search strategy included the following keywords: ‘HER2‐positive breast cancer’, ‘CDK4‐6 inhibitors’ and ‘PI3K inhibitors’, and was adapted for use with different bibliographic databases.

Results

CDK4/6 and PI3K inhibitors are two classes of agents already approved in patients with hormone receptor positive, HER2‐negative breast cancer. Recently, promising data with their use have been also shown in HER2+ disease. Results from preclinical and clinical studies are shedding light on the role of these classes of agents in HER2+ breast cancer, and are paving the road for a forthcoming change in clinical practice.

Conclusions

Treatment landscape for HER2+ breast cancer is rapidly changing, and CDK4/6 and PI3K inhibitors represent a new promising strategy to improve patients’ outcomes.
Sociability‐based fitness approach in Parkinson’s disease: Comparison with conventional rehabilitation
Authors: Mitsui Takao , Arii Yoshiharu , Tsukamoto Ai , Taniguchi Koichiro , Mabuchi Masaru , Shimizu Arisa , Sumitomo Nichika , Maki Yukiko Kuroda
Published: March 2021

Background and purpose

The effect of a sociability‐based fitness approach on parkinsonian disability in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) was assessed.

Methods

Eighty patients diagnosed with PD were randomly assigned to either the group‐based rehabilitation (GBR) group (n = 40) or the individual‐based rehabilitation (IBR) group (n = 40). The primary outcome was the difference between the two groups in the mean change from baseline to post‐training in the total score on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). The secondary outcomes included the change in mental status and the difference in the mean change from baseline to month 3 and month 6 in the total score on the UPDRS.

Results

The mean (±SD) UPDRS scores were 72.0 ± 21.0 in the GBR group and 72.1 ± 18.6 in the IBR group. The UPDRS scores from baseline to post‐training were 22.8 ± 13.5 in the GBR group and 10.9 ± 8.8 in the IBR group (difference 11.8 points; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.0–18.6; p = 0.001). The difference between the groups from baseline to month 3 (difference 10.06 points; 95% CI 3.3–16.8) and the difference between the groups from baseline to month 6 (difference 11.7 points; 95% CI 4.9–18.5) were also significant (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001, respectively). The scores of cognitive function and depression had not changed significantly.

Conclusions

Patients receiving GBR demonstrated significant improvements in parkinsonian symptoms, suggesting that the sociability‐based fitness can be applied to clinical treatment by sustaining the motivation in PD.
Osteochondral fragmentation of the palmarolateral/plantarolateral aspect of the distal phalanx in four horses: A novel location
Authors: Lloyd K. A. , Smith M. R. W. , Whitton R. C. , Stent A. W. , Steel C. M.
Published: March 2021

Four horses presenting for lameness were diagnosed with unilateral osteochondral fragmentation (OCF) of the palmarolateral/plantarolateral aspect of the distal phalanx within the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ). Histological evaluation of one case supported a diagnosis of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), with patient age and history from two cases suggesting a traumatic origin. Lesion appearance on conventional radiography, computed tomography (CT), nuclear scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are described. Fragmentation was best identified on dorsal 65° proximal‐palmaro/plantarodistal oblique (D65°PrPDiO/D65°PrPlDiO) and dorsal 65° proximal‐palmaro/plantarodistal lateral oblique (D65°Pr45°L‐PDiMO/D65°Pr45°L‐PlDiMO) radiographic projections of the foot, but articular pathology appeared more severe on cross‐sectional imaging modalities. In all cases, lameness was refractory to conservative management. Arthroscopic evaluation of the DIPJ was performed in three horses, although the lesion was inaccessible in two. In one horse, access to the lesion was possible due to increased joint laxity, presumably due to concurrent soft tissue injury. One horse was euthanased after failed conservative management, one was pasture sound following palmar digital neurectomy 12 months after initial presentation, one returned to racing and one was lost to follow‐up. Osteochondral fragmentation at this location has not previously been described, treatment options are limited and the prognosis appears to be poor.
A Probabilistic Approach to Address Data Uncertainty in Regionalization
Authors: Wei Ran , Rey Sergio , Grubesic Tony H.
Published: March 2021

Spatial data regularly suffer from error and uncertainty, ranging from poorly georeferenced coordinate pairs to sampling error associated with American Community Survey data. Geographic information systems can amplify and propagate error and uncertainty through the abstraction and representation of spatial data, as can the manipulation, processing, and analysis of spatial data using exploratory and confirmatory statistical techniques. The purpose of this article is to explore and address uncertainty in regionalization, a fundamental spatial analytical method that aggregates spatial units (e.g., tracts) into a set of contiguous regions for strategic purposes, including school districting, habitat areas, and the like. Specifically, we develop a new regionalization method, the uncertain‐max‐p‐regions problem that explicitly incorporates attribute uncertainty and allows its impacts to be evaluated with a degree of statistical certainty. We also detail an efficient solution approach for dealing the problem. The results suggest that the developed problem can out‐perform existing regionalization approaches and that the addition of a measure of statistical confidence can help to facilitate more clarity in planning and policy decisions.
Exploring critical perspectives on labour market information through the lens of elite graduate recruitment
Authors: Staunton Tom
Published: March 2021

This article provides a critical discourse analysis of how career is discussed on elite graduate recruitment websites. Building on previous work from Handley (2018, https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017016686031) and Ingram and Allen (2019, https://doi.org/10.1177/0038026118790949) this article draws attention to how career is constructed, first, as something which graduates consume and, second, as a ‘liminal experience’ which transforms the graduates' identities and allows them to gain access to a new authentic self, now able to progress towards their personal goals. This ideological reading of careers information is different to traditional understandings of careers information in Higher Education research which focuses on the objective nature of information which can be used to support the rational decision making. Focussing on the ideology of career draws attention to the need for careers delivery, in Higher Education and beyond, to engage with more critical pedagogical approaches.
Intense emission at 2.9 μm from Yb3+/Ho3+ co‐doped TeO2–Ga2O3–ZnO tellurite glasses
Authors: Zhang Yongqi , Li Xiaoxi , Wang Weichao , Zhang Xianghua , Xu Yinsheng
Published: March 2021

Mid‐infrared lasers have important applications in infrared countermeasures, sensing, environmental monitoring, biomedicine, and many military and civilian fields. In this work, an intense emission at 2.9 μm from Yb3+/Ho3+ co‐doped TeO2‐Ga2O3‐ZnO (TGZ) glass was reported. The 2 μm, 1.2 μm and visible emissions were also performed to understand the competitive luminescent mechanism. With the increase in Yb3+ concentration, all the emissions of Ho3+ increased, whereas the emission of Yb3+ decreased due to the phonon‐assisted energy transfer from Yb3+ to Ho3+. The lifetimes of optimized 3 mol% Yb2O3 and 1 mol% Ho2O3 co‐doped TGZ glass, which has the maximum emission intensity, are 548 μs and 1.7 ms at 2.9 and 2 μm, respectively. The Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters, absorption, and emission cross sections were calculated to evaluate the mid‐infrared fluorescence properties of this new glass matrix material. The gain coefficients show that the 2 and 2.9 μm laser gain can be realized by small pump energy, indicating that this glass is a promising medium for the mid‐infrared optical fiber laser.
Association between influenza and the incidence rate of new‐onset type 1 diabetes in Japan
Authors: Nishioka Yuichi , Noda Tatsuya , Okada Sadanori , Myojin Tomoya , Kubo Shinichiro , Higashino Tsuneyuki , Nakajima Hiroki , Sugiyama Takehiro , Ishii Hitoshi , Imamura Tomoaki
Published: March 2021

Aim

This study aimed to determine whether there is an association between influenza and new‐onset type 1 diabetes.

Materials and methods

This population‐based retrospective cohort study used data from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Check‐ups of Japan. Influenza was defined based on drug prescriptions and the onset of type 1 diabetes was defined using specific medical codes indicating a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. The incidence rate ratio of new‐onset type 1 diabetes within 180 days after an influenza diagnosis was calculated and it was compared with that at other times using Poisson regression and generalized estimating equations. Sensitivity analyses were performed to confirm the robustness of this finding.

Results

The data of 10,400 patients with new‐onset type 1 diabetes were analyzed, including 2,196 (952 male 1,244 female) patients diagnosed with influenza between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2017. Although only patients with type 1 diabetes were included, adjusted analysis showed that individuals had a 1.3‐fold (95% confidence interval: 1.15–1.46) higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes in the first 180 days after influenza diagnosis than that at other times.

Conclusions

In this Japanese population‐based cohort, the risk of new‐onset type 1 diabetes may increase after the diagnosis of influenza. These results, which must be confirmed in other populations, suggest that influenza may be a causal factor for new‐onset type 1 diabetes. The molecular mechanisms underlying the potential etiological relationship between influenza and type 1 diabetes should be elucidated.
The causal linkage between inflation and inflation uncertainty under structural breaks: Evidence from Turkey
Authors: Apergis Nicholas , Bulut Umit , Ucler Gulbahar , Ozsahin Serife
Published: March 2021

The goal of this paper is to examine the relationship between inflation and inflation uncertainty for Turkey through monthly data spanning the period 2004:01–2019:12. To this end, the paper first builds the inflation uncertainty series using inflation data. Second, it examines the cointegration relationship between inflation and inflation uncertainty. Finally, it searches for causal relationships between inflation and inflation uncertainty. The paper employs econometric methods which explicitly consider structural breaks. After examining the inflation–inflation uncertainty nexus for the whole sample, the analysis also investigates this relationship in two subperiods, i.e., 2004:5–2010:10 and 2010:11:2019:12 considering the change in the monetary policy framework of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT). The findings provide evidence that there exists unidirectional causality running from inflation to inflation uncertainty for both the whole sample and the second subperiod, while there is no causality between inflation and inflation uncertainty for the first subperiod. Overall, the results show that during the second subperiod (i) when the CBRT tried to achieve not only price stability, but also financial stability and (ii) when the inflation rate is more volatile and higher, the increase in the inflation rate results in an increase in inflation uncertainty.
Multisectoral nutrition planning in Nepal: Evidence from an organizational network analysis
Authors: Ruducha Jenny , Bhatia Amiya , Mann Carlyn , Torlesse Harriet
Published: March 2021

Multisectoral approaches are central to the global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement and the Sustainable Development Goals. Nepal joined SUN in 2011 and approved the first 5‐year Multisectoral Nutrition Plan (MSNP) in 2012, covering 2013–2017. This mixed methods study draws on organizational network analysis (ONA) and qualitative interviews with a sample of 22 organizations to examine (1) levels of engagement and network dynamics among government sectors and development organizations and (2) milestones and processes in the development and implementation of Nepal's MSNP. Findings suggest that the development of the MSNP was related to the high density of organizational connections; the leadership role of the Nepal's National Planning Commission and the National Nutrition and Food Security Secretariat; and the bridging roles played by a few government ministries and UN agencies that linked organizations that did not have direct relationships with each other. Specialized roles were observed for the three types of working relationships: policy dialogue, strategic planning and implementation. Partners were less connected on MSNP implementation than for policy dialogue and strategic planning, which may have constrained collaborative scale‐up efforts. The Ministry of Agricultural Development, in particular, was the conduit for connecting non‐health sectors into the broader network. Our study offers insights into the structure and dynamics of multisectoral planning in Nepal. It also contributes to a small but growing literature that illustrates how ONA can be applied to measure and use network results to elucidate the processes for strengthening multisectoral planning and implementation of nutrition‐specific and nutrition‐sensitive interventions.
Is sexual dysfunction associated with periodontal status in perimenopausal women?: A pilot study
Authors: Gürlek Beril , Zihni Korkmaz Meltem , Kurt Bayrakdar Sevda , Alan Yasemin , Akça Nezih , Uzun Hakkı
Published: March 2021

Objective

The current study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between periodontal status and sexual dysfunction in perimenopausal women.

Materials and Methods

This study was conducted on 106 participants. After the evaluation of the sexual functioning of participants with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), their periodontal status and decayed–missing–filled teeth (DMFT) were assessed using appropriate indexes and obtained results were recorded for comparisons. Participants were divided into two groups by the periodontal status. Patients with periodontitis were grouped by the stage and the extent of the disease. Besides, participants were grouped according to the bleeding on probing (BOP) ratios for more detailed analyses.

Results

A negative significant correlation was observed between total FSFI scores and each of the clinical periodontal parameters. Total FSFI scores and the scores of arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain domains were significantly lower in periodontitis patients (p < .05). When the patients were grouped as having localized or generalized periodontitis or whether they had stage‐I, ‐II, and ‐III periodontitis, no statistically significant differences were observed in the distribution of general sexual dysfunction parameters across the groups (p > .05).

Conclusion

Periodontal status in perimenopausal women may be associated with sexual dysfunction.
Predictive value of blood eosinophil count in COPD
Authors: Zhu Shiping , Lv Xin , Cai Wanru
Published: March 2021

See related reply
The effective elastic thickness of the lithosphere in the Amerasia Basin, Arctic Ocean
Authors: Ling Zi‐Long , Zhao Li‐Hong , Zhang Tao , Zhai Guo‐Jun , Yang Fan‐Lin
Published: March 2021

As a proxy for the lithospheric strength at the time of loading, the effective elastic thickness of the lithosphere (Te) can aid in understanding the structure and evolution of the lithosphere. Here, we obtain spatial variations in Te of Amerasia Basin and surrounding regions using the fan‐shaped Morlet wavelet method. Our results show that variations in Te generally agree well with tectonic provinces in the region. The eastern part of Makarov Basin has the same lithospheric strength as Alpha and Mendeleev ridges, which may be attributed to the influence of the High Arctic large igneous province. N‐S and E‐W Te variations in Podvodnikov Basin may reflect two phases of its formation. Western and eastern parts of south Canada Basin have prominent low and high Te values, respectively. This study provides the reliable Te results of central Arctic and improves our understanding of the evolution of the Arctic.
A new model combining building block displacement and building block area reduction for resolving spatial conflicts
Authors: Pilehforooshha Parastoo , Karimi Mohammad , Mansourian Ali
Published: March 2021

Applying pre‐processing and geometric transformation, for the generalization of building blocks, can lead to spatial conflicts which are mainly resolved by displacement. However, the conflicts may not be resolved, due to the insufficient space for displacement or the existence of other objects that prevent displacement. This article proposes a novel model combining building block displacement and building block area reduction for resolving spatial conflicts. In this model, first the immune genetic algorithm with improved objective function, with the goal of minimizing the total conflicting area, is used for displacement. Second, a building block area reduction model is applied to reduce the area of the unresolved conflicting building blocks. For this, a building segment partitioning model is developed for partitioning the boundaries of conflicting building blocks. Then, the conflicting segments are locally simplified for more adaptation to the initial generalized ones. We generalized two datasets from scale 1:25 to 1:50k and then used the datasets with scale 1:50k to assess the proposed model. The results demonstrate that the proposed model has improved the correctness and completeness by 3.62 and 4.24% for dataset 1 and 5.67 and 7.92% for dataset 2, respectively, compared to one of the recent models for resolving conflicts.
Health and social outcomes of HIV‐vulnerable and HIV‐positive pregnant and post‐partum adolescents and infants enrolled in a home visiting team programme in Kenya
Authors: Levy Marcy , Duffy Malia , Pearson Jennifer , Akuno Job , Oduong Samuel , Yemaneberhan Aida , Coombs Alexandra , Davis Nicole , Yonga Isabella , Kerubo Mokaya Rose
Published: March 2021

Objectives

HIV‐positive and HIV‐vulnerable pregnant adolescent girls and adolescent mothers face significant barriers and vulnerabilities. Infants born to adolescent mothers are also more likely to die and be exposed to life‐threatening conditions. This paper presents findings from an evaluation of a programme that used a home visitation model and offered a case‐management, team‐focused approach to increase family and community supportiveness to enhance health and social service uptake among pregnant adolescent girls and adolescent mothers in Kenya.

Methods

The study used a quasi‐experimental design with before and after comparisons among a non‐randomised population to examine the effectiveness of bi‐monthly household visits to 384 enrolled pregnant adolescent girls, adolescent mothers (ages 10–19) and their infants (0–24 months) between March 2018 and February 2019 in three counties in Kenya.

Results

During the programme, household support increased from 57% to 85%, while 100% of eligible participants were on ART and virally suppressed (total of 20 adolescents). Nearly all pregnant adolescent girls (94%) delivered under skilled care vs. 78% of those who were post‐partum at the time of enrolment (P < 0.001); 100% of infants (total of 17 infants) had an up‐to‐date PCR test with no seroconversions. Uptake of modern family planning increased from 39% at baseline to 64% at end line (P < 0.001). The referral rate declined from 84% to 78% from baseline to end line with low uptake of referrals for mental health services (17.3%).

Conclusions

A team‐focused approach of home visits to HIV‐vulnerable and HIV‐positive pregnant and post‐partum adolescent girls and their infants combined with efforts to reduce stigma and increase supportiveness of households and the community can help address critical socio‐cultural and behavioural barriers to accessing and using health and social services.
Incremental and Localized Update of Convex Decomposition for Form Feature Decomposition
Authors: Parienté Frédéric , Kim Yong Se
Published: March 2021

Alternating Sum of Volumes with Partitioning (ASVP) decomposition is a volumetric representation of a part obtained from its boundary representation, organizing the faces of the part in an outside-in hierarchy. A Form Feature Decomposition (FFD) which can serve as a central feature representation for various applications is obtained from ASVP decomposition. In a typical design procedure, part designs are analyzed for a given application context and redesign suggestions are made; design changes are then propagated from one context to another through the FFD. Thus, incremental update capability is crucial to support design refinement. FFD incremental update can be achieved by incrementally updating the corresponding ASVP decomposition.

This paper describes how ASVP incremental update is achieved by exploiting the hierarchical structure of the decomposition. ASVP incremental update seeks to determine the new decomposition tree of a part, after its boundary representation is changed, without computing it from scratch. Based on local face alteration and extremality considerations, we look for active components that need to be updated. For a connected delta volume, defined as the volumetric difference between the old and new parts, active components are localized in a subtree of the decomposition tree, called active subtree. Then, the new decomposition is obtained by only updating the active subtree using localized ASVP decomposition operations.
Manufacturability Analysis Using Fuzzy Cognitive Maps
Authors: Gavankar Prasad S. , Rao Subramanya K.
Published: March 2021

Today’s designers face a challenge of designing newer products in a shorter period of time. The task can be achieved successfully only if the designers are aware of manufacturability constraints throughout the design process. In this paper, a novel framework is outlined that will make a design easy to manufacture. Fuzzy cognitive maps are employed to develop the design framework.

Fuzzy logic is being increasingly used in engineering decision making. Fuzzy logic models the reality better than crisp logic since uncertainties are involved in most design and manufacturing problems. In this research, a framework is built to couple design features with manufacturing constraints. Fuzzy cognitive maps are employed to build the framework. The goal is to evaluate the implications of changing design features on the relative ease of manufacture. The presented concepts are illustrated using a real life design problem.
Some Results on Coatoms and Comolecules in BL-Algebras
Authors: Motamed Somayeh , Moghaderi Javad
Published: March 2021

In this paper, some new properties and results of coatoms and comolecules in BL-algebras are given. Also, the notion of a strong coatom in BL-algberas, is defined and investigated.
Effect of conditioning and physiological hyperthermia on canine skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxygen consumption
Authors: Davis Michael S. , Barrett Montana R.
Published: March 2021

Athletic conditioning is expected to increase exercise capacity through improved function of cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal tissues. Our finding of decreased calculated efficiency of skeletal muscle mitochondria in one of the premier mammalian athletes suggests that this mandate for improved function may take the form of sacrificing capacity for maximal oxidative phosphorylation to minimize exercise-induced muscle damage caused by mitochondrial oxidative stress.
Robotic Arm Control System Based on AI Wearable Acceleration Sensor
Authors: Chen Liang , Sun Hanxu , Zhao Wei , Yu Tao
Published: March 2021

The position of mechanical arm in people’s life is getting higher and higher. It replaces the function of human arm, moving and moving in space. Generally, the structure is composed of mechanical body, controller, servo mechanism, and sensor, and some specified actions are set to complete according to the actual production requirements. The manipulator has flexible operation, good stability, and high safety, so it is widely used in industrial automation production line. With the development of science and technology, many practical production requirements for the function of the manipulator are more and more refined, especially in the high-end research field. For example, medical devices, automobile manufacturing, deep-sea submarines, and space station maintenance put forward higher requirements for it. In terms of miniaturization and precision, it can meet the needs of scientific research and actual production. But these are inseparable from the motion control system technology. This paper mainly introduces the research of manipulator control system based on AI wearable acceleration sensor, aiming to provide some ideas and directions for the research of wearable manipulator. This paper presents the research method of manipulator control system based on AI wearable acceleration sensor, including the establishment of manipulator kinematics model, common filtering algorithm, and PI algorithm of speed control system. It is used for the research and experiment of manipulator control system based on AI wearable acceleration sensor. The experimental results show that the average matching rate of the manipulator control system based on AI wearable acceleration sensor is as high as 88.89%, and the stability of the feature descriptor is high.
A 3D Machine Vision-Enabled Intelligent Robot Architecture
Authors: Zhang Yanjun , zhao Jianxin , Han Heyong
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the principle of camera imaging is studied, and the transformation model of camera calibration is analyzed. Based on Zhang Zhengyou’s camera calibration method, an automatic calibration method for monocular and binocular cameras is developed on a multichannel vision platform. The automatic calibration of camera parameters using human-machine interface of the host computer is realized. Based on the principle of binocular vision, a feasible three-dimensional positioning method for binocular target points is proposed and evaluated to provide binocular three-dimensional positioning of target in simple environment. Based on the designed multichannel vision platform, image acquisition, preprocessing, image display, monocular and binocular automatic calibration, and binocular three-dimensional positioning experiments are conducted. Moreover, the positioning error is analyzed, and the effectiveness of the binocular vision module is verified to justify the robustness of our approach.
Reversible Pulmonary Hypertension due to Combined Fistula between the Left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD) and Pulmonary Artery and Severe Stenosis of the LAD
Authors: Schizas N. , Patris V. , Giannaraki S. , Ifanti G. , Anagnostopoulos I. , Argiriou M.
Published: March 2021

Coronary artery fistulas are usually diagnosed accidentally without the presence of any symptoms. On the other hand, the combination of fistula between the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and pulmonary artery (PA) and severe stenosis of the LAD, as in this case report, is a potential life-threatening condition. A 72-year-old patient was treated surgically after being diagnosed with fistula between the LAD and PA, severe stenosis of the LAD, and severe pulmonary hypertension. In following paragraphs, the case of this man and significant issues regarding the development and management of coronary artery fistulas are analyzed.
Resistance Status of Bacteria from a Health Facility in Ghana: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Inusah Abass , Quansah Elvis , Fosu Kwabena , Dadzie Isaac
Published: March 2021

Background. Regardless of the global concerted effort to control the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance, increasing cases are continually documented at many medical centres. This situation is reinforced by inadequate information on the trend of resistance resulting from lack of regular antimicrobial resistance surveillance. The present study sought to detect the number of multidrug-resistant (MDR), extended drug-resistant (XDR), and pandrug-resistant (PDR) bacterial isolates at a health facility in Ghana from January 2018 to July 2020. Method. A total of 800 data on antimicrobial testing results were extracted from the records of the health facility. The extracted data were explored for the detection of MDR, XDR, and PDR. The study further determined the use of antibiotics using the multiple-drug resistance index (MDRI). Results. Except for Staphylococcus and Neisseria spp., all bacterial isolates showed extremely high (100%) proportion of MDR. Although only Staphylococcus spp. (38 (4.8%)) was observed to be XDR, the rest of the bacteria showed the potential to attain the status of XDR or PDR. MDRI indicated high use of antibiotics in the health facility. Conclusion. The high antimicrobial resistance observed by the study underscores the need for prompt and effective antibiotic resistance control strategies.
Lacunary Statistical Convergence in Measure for Double Sequences of Fuzzy Valued Functions
Authors: Kişi Ömer
Published: March 2021

Based on the concept of lacunary statistical convergence of sequences of fuzzy numbers, the lacunary statistical convergence, uniformly lacunary statistical convergence, and equi-lacunary statistical convergence of double sequences of fuzzy-valued functions are defined and investigated in this paper. The relationship among lacunary statistical convergence, uniformly lacunary statistical convergence, equi-lacunary statistical convergence of double sequences of fuzzy-valued functions, and their representations of sequences of

α

-level cuts are discussed. In addition, we obtain the lacunary statistical form of Egorov’s theorem for double sequences of fuzzy-valued measurable functions in a finite measurable space. Finally, the lacunary statistical convergence in measure for double sequences of fuzzy-valued measurable functions is examined, and it is proved that the inner and outer lacunary statistical convergence in measure are equivalent in a finite measure set for a double sequence of fuzzy-valued measurable functions.
Upregulation of CDC7 Associated with Cervical Cancer Incidence and Development
Authors: Wang Qingwei , Zheng Weiping
Published: March 2021

Background. Cervical cancer is a common malignant tumor of women. Using integrated bioinformatics, this study identified key disease‐causing genes in cervical cancer that may provide effective biomarkers or therapeutic targets for early diagnosis and treatment. Results. We used high‐throughput sequencing data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to identify new cervical cancer biomarkers. The GSE63678 dataset was downloaded. The data was analyzed via bioinformatics methods, and 61 differentially expressed genes were obtained. These differential genes were analyzed by the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichments analyses. GO analysis demonstrated that the basic biological functions of differential genes were mostly regulating cell division, mitotic nuclear division, and immune response. Analysis of the KEGG pathway showed the primary involved in the cell cycle, p53 signaling pathway, and cytokine‐cytokine receptor interactions. Using TCGA database to query differential expression of differential genes in cervical cancer, the CDC7 gene was found to be highly expressed. In silico analysis of protein interactions using the STRING database revealed that CDC7 interacts with many proteins. These findings were then validated in vitro with immunohistochemistry and qRt‐PCR to confirm that CDC7 is highly expressed in cervical cancer tissues. Cell function tests demonstrated that inhibition of CDC7 expression could inhibit the proliferation and migration of cervical cancer HeLa and SiHa cells and promote apoptosis. Conclusion. With comprehensive bioinformatics combined with clinical and cellular function analysis, CDC7 is important to the development of cervical cancer. Targeting of this biomarker may improve the early diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer.