bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness analysis of advanced radiotherapy techniques for post-mastectomy breast cancer patients
Authors: Xie Yibo , Guo Beibei , Zhang Rui
Published: August 2020

Background

Prior cost-effectiveness studies of post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) only compared conventional radiotherapy versus no radiotherapy and only considered tumor control. The goal of this study was to perform cost-effectiveness analyses of standard of care (SOC) and advanced PMRT techniques including intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), standard volumetric modulated arc therapy (STD-VMAT), non-coplanar VMAT (NC-VMAT), multiple arc VMAT (MA-VMAT), Tomotherapy (TOMO), mixed beam therapy (MIXED), and intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT).

Methods

Using a Markov model, we estimated the cost-effectiveness of various techniques over 15 years. A cohort of women (55-year-old) was simulated in the model, and radiogenic side effects were considered. Transition probabilities, utilities, and costs for each health state were obtained from literature and Medicare data. Model outcomes include quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER).

Results

For the patient cohort, STD-VMAT has an ICER of $32,617/QALY relative to SOC; TOMO is dominated by STD-VMAT; IMRT has an ICER of $19,081/QALY relative to STD-VMAT; NC-VMAT, MA-VMAT, MIXED are dominated by IMRT; IMPT has an ICER of $151,741/QALY relative to IMRT. One-way analysis shows that the probability of cardiac toxicity has the most significant impact on the model outcomes. The probability sensitivity analyses show that all advanced PMRT techniques are more cost-effective than SOC at a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $100,000/QALY, while almost none of the advanced techniques is more cost-effective than SOC at a WTP threshold of $50,000/QALY.

Conclusion

Advanced PMRT techniques are more cost-effective for breast cancer patients at a WTP threshold of $100,000/QALY, and IMRT might be a cost-effective option for PMRT patients.
The effects of nudging and pricing on healthy food purchasing behavior in a virtual supermarket setting: a randomized experiment
Authors: Hoenink Jody C. , Mackenbach Joreintje D. , Waterlander Wilma , Lakerveld Jeroen , van der Laan Nynke , Beulens Joline W. J.
Published: August 2020

Background

Evidence on what strategies - or combination of strategies - are most effective and equitable in promoting healthier diets is needed. This study examined the efficacy of nudging and pricing strategies on increasing healthy food purchases and the potential differential effect by socio-economic position (SEP) among Dutch adults in a virtual supermarket.

Methods

A randomized study design was conducted within a virtual supermarket (SN VirtuMart). Participants were exposed to five within-subject study conditions (control, nudging, pricing, price salience and price salience with nudging) and randomized to one of three between-subject study arms (a 25% price increase on unhealthy products, a 25% discount on healthy products, or a 25% price increase and discount). In total, 455 participants of low and high SEP (using either education or income as proxy) were randomized to conduct their weekly shopping in a virtual supermarket for five consecutive weeks. The primary outcome included the percentage of healthy purchases. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models.

Results

In total, 346 (76%) adults completed all five shops within the SN VirtuMart. Median age was 32.5, 49.2% had high education and 32.8% had high income. Out of the 12 conditions, four conditions were statistically significantly different from the control condition. Nudging and non-salient pricing strategies alone did not statistically significantly increase healthy food purchases, whereas a combination of salient price increases and discounts led to an increase in the percentage of healthy food purchases (B 4.5, 95%CI 2.6; 6.4). Combining salient pricing and nudging strategies led to increases in the percentage of healthy products in all three pricing arms, with largest effects found in the combined price increase and discount arm (B = 4.0, 95%CI = 2.0; 6.0). Effects were not modified by SEP.

Conclusions

Combining health-related price increases and discounts and combining these salient pricing strategies with nudges in a supermarket setting seems to stimulate healthy food purchases for both low and high SEP populations. However, further research in real-world settings is needed.

Trial registration

This randomized trial (NTR7293) was registered in the Dutch trial registry (www.trialregister.nl).
Adolescent and covert family planning users’ experiences self-injecting contraception in Uganda and Malawi: implications for waste disposal of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate
Authors: Burke Holly M. , Packer Catherine , Wando Laura , Wandiembe Symon Peter , Muwereza Nelson , Pradhan Subarna , Zingani Akuzike , Ngwira Bagrey
Published: August 2020

Background

Self-administered subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) is poised to increase access to contraception; however, governments are concerned about the waste management of used units. Self-injectors in Malawi and Uganda are currently instructed to store used units in containers and return them to health workers for disposal. However, this may not be feasible in low-resource settings, especially for younger or covert self-injectors. We describe adolescent (15–19 years) and adult (20–49 years) self-injectors’ disposal experiences in Uganda and Malawi. When possible, we compare covert and overt users’ experiences.

Methods

We conducted cross-sectional qualitative studies in 2019 with 50 self-injectors in Uganda and 60 in Malawi. We purposively selected approximately half adolescents and included those trained by clinic-based providers and community health workers. We conducted semi-structured interviews and thematic data analysis and compared the findings across settings.

Results

Just under half of both samples were adolescents, substantially more of whom were covert users in Uganda (68%) than Malawi (~ 10%). Most participants reported being told to store used units in a container and return them to health workers. About two-thirds of Uganda participants had disposed of at least one unit by the interview, most commonly returning them to health workers. Over one-third of Malawi participants had disposed of at least one unit by the interview, slightly more disposed into latrines compared to returning to health workers. Participants in both settings reported compliance with health workers’ disposal instructions as a primary reason for their disposal method. One-fifth of Uganda participants, mostly adolescent covert users, and one-quarter in Malawi said they were told they could dispose into latrines, and often did so. The majority in both settings said they would prefer to dispose units in latrines because they worried about needlestick injuries to others and because it was convenient. Some Uganda adolescent covert users felt returning units to health workers was challenging due to privacy concerns.

Conclusions

While most self-injectors disposed of used units as instructed, findings from both studies suggest that returning units to health workers is not preferred and may not be feasible for some adolescent covert users. More convenient disposal solutions should be identified.
Persons post-stroke improve step length symmetry by walking asymmetrically
Authors: Padmanabhan Purnima , Rao Keerthana Sreekanth , Gulhar Shivam , Cherry-Allen Kendra M. , Leech Kristan A. , Roemmich Ryan T.
Published: August 2020

Background and purpose

Restoration of step length symmetry is a common rehabilitation goal after stroke. Persons post-stroke often retain the ability to walk with symmetric step lengths (“symmetric steps”); however, the resulting walking pattern remains effortful. Two key questions with direct implications for rehabilitation have emerged: 1) how do persons post-stroke generate symmetric steps, and 2) why do symmetric steps remain so effortful? Here, we aimed to understand how persons post-stroke generate symmetric steps and explored how the resulting gait pattern may relate to the metabolic cost of transport.

Methods

We recorded kinematic, kinetic, and metabolic data as nine persons post-stroke walked on an instrumented treadmill under two conditions: preferred walking and symmetric stepping (using visual feedback).

Results

Gait kinematics and kinetics remained markedly asymmetric even when persons post-stroke improved step length symmetry. Impaired paretic propulsion and aberrant movement of the center of mass were evident during both preferred walking and symmetric stepping. These deficits contributed to diminished positive work performed by the paretic limb on the center of mass in both conditions. Within each condition, decreased positive paretic work correlated with increased metabolic cost of transport and decreased walking speed across participants.

Conclusions

It is critical to consider the mechanics used to restore symmetric steps when designing interventions to improve walking after stroke. Future research should consider the many dimensions of asymmetry in post-stroke gait, and additional within-participant manipulations of gait parameters are needed to improve our understanding of the elevated metabolic cost of walking after stroke.
A feasibility study of mHealth and wearable technology in late onset GM2 gangliosidosis (Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff Disease)
Authors: Davies Elin Haf , Johnston Jean , Toro Camilo , Tifft Cynthia J.
Published: August 2020

Background

As part of a late onset GM2 gangliosidosis natural history study, digital health technology was utilized to monitor a group of patients remotely between hospital visits. This approach was explored as a means of capturing continuous data and moving away from focusing only on episodic data captured in traditional study designs. A strong emphasis was placed on real-time capture of symptoms and mobile Patient Reported Outcomes (mPROs) to identify the disease impact important to the patients themselves; an impact that may not always correlate with the measured clinical outcomes assessed during patient visits. This was supported by passive, continuous data capture from a wearable device.

Results

Adherence rate for wearing the device and completing the mPROs was 84 and 91%, respectively, resulting in a rich multidimensional dataset. As expected for a six-month proof-of-concept study in a disease that progresses slowly, statistically significant changes were not expected or observed in the clinical, mPROs, or wearable device data.

Conclusions

The study demonstrated that patients were very enthusiastic and motivated to engage with the technology as demonstrated by excellent compliance. The combination of mPROs and wearables generates feature-rich datasets that could be a useful and feasible way to capture remote, real-time insight into disease burden.
Application of fibrin-based hydrogels for nerve protection and regeneration after spinal cord injury
Authors: Yu Ziyuan , Li Hongru , Xia Peng , Kong Weijian , Chang Yuxin , Fu Chuan , Wang Kai , Yang Xiaoyu , Qi Zhiping
Published: August 2020

Traffic accidents, falls, and many other events may cause traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs), resulting in nerve cells and extracellular matrix loss in the spinal cord, along with blood loss, inflammation, oxidative stress (OS), and others. The continuous development of neural tissue engineering has attracted increasing attention on the application of fibrin hydrogels in repairing SCIs. Except for excellent biocompatibility, flexibility, and plasticity, fibrin, a component of extracellular matrix (ECM), can be equipped with cells, ECM protein, and various growth factors to promote damage repair. This review will focus on the advantages and disadvantages of fibrin hydrogels from different sources, as well as the various modifications for internal topographical guidance during the polymerization. From the perspective of further improvement of cell function before and after the delivery of stem cell, cytokine, and drug, this review will also evaluate the application of fibrin hydrogels as a carrier to the therapy of nerve repair and regeneration, to mirror the recent development tendency and challenge.
Assessment of statistical methods from single cell, bulk RNA-seq, and metagenomics applied to microbiome data
Authors: Calgaro Matteo , Romualdi Chiara , Waldron Levi , Risso Davide , Vitulo Nicola
Published: August 2020

Background

The correct identification of differentially abundant microbial taxa between experimental conditions is a methodological and computational challenge. Recent work has produced methods to deal with the high sparsity and compositionality characteristic of microbiome data, but independent benchmarks comparing these to alternatives developed for RNA-seq data analysis are lacking.

Results

We compare methods developed for single-cell and bulk RNA-seq, and specifically for microbiome data, in terms of suitability of distributional assumptions, ability to control false discoveries, concordance, power, and correct identification of differentially abundant genera. We benchmark these methods using 100 manually curated datasets from 16S and whole metagenome shotgun sequencing.

Conclusions

The multivariate and compositional methods developed specifically for microbiome analysis did not outperform univariate methods developed for differential expression analysis of RNA-seq data. We recommend a careful exploratory data analysis prior to application of any inferential model and we present a framework to help scientists make an informed choice of analysis methods in a dataset-specific manner.
Species composition and relative abundance of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Romania
Authors: Hristescu Doru , Bărbuceanu Florica , Dascălu Lenuța , Nițescu Cristina , Goffredo Maria , Santilli Adriana , Quaglia Michela , Balenghien Thomas , Predoi Gabriel
Published: August 2020

Background

Culicoides biting midges are vectors involved in the biological transmission cycle of important animal diseases such as bluetongue and African horse sickness. In Romania, the first outbreaks of bluetongue were reported in 2014, leading to increased activities within the existing entomological surveillance network. The main goals of the surveillance activities were the establishment of the vector free period in relation to animal trade and the identification of Culicoides species involved in the transmission of the pathogen. This study was conducted on the composition and relative abundance of the species belonging to the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in certain regions of Romania and provided the opportunity to update the existing checklist of Culicoides species of this country.

Methods

The study was conducted in 33 of the 42 administrative units (counties), including a total of 659 catches, in 102 locations. The collections were carried out with UV blacklight suction traps (OVI type). The collected insects were preserved in 70% ethanol. Morphological insect identification was carried out using a stereomicroscope, according to established identification keys. In ten localities the relative abundance of the cryptic species of the Obsoletus complex was determined by multiplex PCR assay based on the ITS2 segment. The identification of the Culicoides chiopterus (Meigen) species by morphological examination was confirmed by PCR assay based on the ITS1 segment.

Results

Eleven species were identified using morphological and PCR tools. The rest of the individuals were separated into five taxa. The species of the Obsoletus complex (grouping Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen) and Culicoides scoticus Downes & Kettle) were the most abundant, accounting for 59% of the total number of captured Culicoides spp. Three of the identified species are mentioned, according to our knowledge, for the first time in Romania: Culicoides newsteadi Austen, Culicoides flavipulicaris Dzhafarov and Culicoides bysta Sarvašová, Kočisová, Candolfi & Mathieu.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that the Culicoides species most commonly cited as being involved in the transmission of arboviruses in Europe (i.e. bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses) make up a high proportion of adult Culicoides trapped in Romania.
HISTome2: a database of histone proteins, modifiers for multiple organisms and epidrugs
Authors: Shah Sanket G. , Mandloi Tushar , Kunte Pooja , Natu Abhiram , Rashid Mudasir , Reddy Divya , Gadewal Nikhil , Gupta Sanjay
Published: August 2020

Background

Epigenetics research is progressing in basic, pre-clinical and clinical studies using various model systems. Hence, updating the knowledge and integration of biological data emerging from in silico, in vitro and in vivo studies for different epigenetic factors is essential. Moreover, new drugs are being discovered which target various epigenetic proteins, tested in pre-clinical studies, clinical trials and approved by the FDA. It brings distinct challenges as well as opportunities to update the existingHIstomedatabase for implementing and applying enormous data for biomedical research.

Results

HISTome2focuses on the sub-classification of histone proteins as variants and isoforms, post-translational modifications (PTMs) and modifying enzymes for humans (Homo sapiens), rat (Rattus norvegicus) and mouse (Mus musculus) on one interface for integrative analysis. It contains 232, 267 and 350 entries for histone proteins (non-canonical/variants and canonical/isoforms), PTMs and modifying enzymes respectively for human, rat, and mouse. Around 200 EpiDrugs for various classes of epigenetic modifiers, their clinical trial status, and pharmacological relevance have been provided inHISTome2. The additional features like ‘Clustal omega’ for multiple sequence alignment, link to ‘FireBrowse’ to visualize TCGA expression data and ‘TargetScanHuman’ for miRNA targets have been included in the database.

Conclusion

The information for multiple organisms and EpiDrugs on a common platform will accelerate the understanding and future development of drugs. Overall,HISTome2 has significantly increased the extent and diversity of its content which will serve as a ‘knowledge Infobase’ for biologists, pharmacologists, and clinicians.HISTome2: The HISTone Infobaseis freely available onhttp://www.actrec.gov.in/histome2/.
Clinical efficacy and bleeding outcomes of tissue plasminogen activator and dornase alfa in pleural space infection with once daily concurrent administration: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Jiang Chuan , Xie Meng , Cervellione Kelly , Thurm Craig
Published: August 2020

Objective

The use of intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and dornase alfa (DNase) is common in the management of pleural space infection. We review our experience with the efficacy and safety of this therapy. We performed a single center, retrospective study of consecutive patients with complicated parapneumonic effusion or empyema who received tPA/DNase therapy. Treatment success was defined as radiographic and clinical improvement in pleural space infection that precluded the need for surgical intervention, and the absence of mortality related to pleural infection.

Results

Fifty-six patients received concurrent once daily tPA/DNase therapy (median 3 days) from July 2014 to July 2019. Fifty-two patients (92.9%) had treatment success. Median duration of chest tube therapy was 10 days and length of stay was 15 days. Significant pleural bleeding requiring transfusion therapy occurred in five patients (8.9%). Of these, three patients (5.4%) required operative intervention. Concurrent once daily administration of tPA/DNase in patients with pleural infection yielded comparable rates of treatment success as compared to twice daily concurrent or sequential administration. However, adverse events highlight potential safety concerns with using once daily concurrent administration of tPA/DNAse.
Computed tomography radiation doses for common computed tomography examinations: a nationwide dose survey in United Arab Emirates
Authors: Abuzaid Mohamed M. , Elshami Wiam , Tekin Huseyin Ozan , Ghonim Hatem , Shawki Mona , Salama Dina H.
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Computed tomography (CT) scanning is an essential part of diagnostic and treatment plans, providing swift and accurate diagnostic images. The aim of this study is to develop diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for the adult common CT examination in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods

This study presents results of the survey of CT dose indices. The data were collected from 91% of the scanners registered at the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) for five common examinations: head, chest, and abdomen-pelvis with and without CM.

Results

CT dose index, dose-length product, and patient weight were analyzed; the reference dose was calculated on the 75th percentile, and an achievable dose was proposed from the median value. The results were compared with the UAE initial National Dose Report as well as the international reports.

The proposed dose for CTDIvol (mGy) and DLP (mGy cm) is as follows: head without CM 40 and 695, head with CM 48 and 820, chest 10 and 275, abdomen-pelvis without CM 14 and 810, and abdomen-pelvis with CM 20 and 1025.

Conclusions

The results show low dose variations between the MOHAP scanners. The data also revealed CTDIvol and DLP values comparable to those in the initial NDRL report and international standards. The establishment of diagnostic reference levels will require a continuous dose monitoring system.
Analysis of Caputo fractional-order model for COVID-19 with lockdown
Authors: Ahmed Idris , Baba Isa Abdullahi , Yusuf Abdullahi , Kumam Poom , Kumam Wiyada
Published: August 2020

One of the control measures available that are believed to be the most reliable methods of curbing the spread of coronavirus at the moment if they were to be successfully applied is lockdown. In this paper a mathematical model of fractional order is constructed to study the significance of the lockdown in mitigating the virus spread. The model consists of a system of five nonlinear fractional-order differential equations in the Caputo sense. In addition, existence and uniqueness of solutions for the fractional-order coronavirus model under lockdown are examined via the well-known Schauder and Banach fixed theorems technique, and stability analysis in the context of Ulam–Hyers and generalized Ulam–Hyers criteria is discussed. The well-known and effective numerical scheme called fractional Euler method has been employed to analyze the approximate solution and dynamical behavior of the model under consideration. It is worth noting that, unlike many studies recently conducted, dimensional consistency has been taken into account during the fractionalization process of the classical model.
Network perception task migration in cloud-edge fusion computing
Authors: Ling Chen , Zhang Weizhe , He Hui , Tian Yu-chu
Published: August 2020

With the development of cloud computing, edge computing has been proposed to provide real-time and low-delay services to users. Current research usually integrates cloud computing and edge computing as cloud-edge fusion computing for more personalized services. However, both cloud computing and edge computing suffer from high network consumption, which remains a key problem yet to be solved in cloud-edge fusion computing environments. The cost of network consumption can be divided into two parts: migration costs and communication costs. To solve the high network consumption problem, some virtual machines can be migrated from overloaded physical machines to others with the help of virtualization technology. Current network perception migration strategies focus more on the communication cost by optimizing the communication topology. Considering both communication and migration costs, this paper addresses the high network consumption problem in terms of the communication correlations of virtual machines and the network traffic of the migration process. It proposes three heuristic virtual machine migration algorithms, LM, mCaM and mCaM2, to balance communication costs and migration costs. The performance of these algorithms is compared with those of existing virtual machine migration algorithms through experiments. The experimental results show that our virtual machine migration algorithms clearly optimize the communication cost and migration cost. These three algorithms have a lower network cost than AppAware, an existing algorithm, by 20% on average. This means that these three algorithms improve the network performance and reduce the network consumption in cloud-edge fusion computing environments. They also outperform existing algorithms in terms of operation time by 70% on average.
Increased prediction value of biomarker combinations for the conversion of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s dementia
Authors: Zhao Aonan , Li Yuanyuan , Yan Yi , Qiu Yinghui , Li Binyin , Xu Wei , Wang Ying , Liu Jun , Deng Yulei
Published: August 2020

Background

Progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia can be predicted by clinical features and a combination of biomarkers may increase the predictive power. In the present study, we investigated whether the combination of olfactory function and plasma neuronal-derived exosome (NDE) Aβ1–42 can best predict progression to AD dementia.

Methods

87 MCI patients were enrolled and received the cognitive assessment at 2-year and 3-year follow-up to reevaluate cognition. In the meanwhile, 80 healthy controls and 88 AD dementia patients were enrolled at baseline as well to evaluate the diagnose value in cross-section. Olfactory function was evaluated with the sniffin sticks (SS-16) and Aβ1–42 levels in NDEs were determined by ELISA. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the risk factors for cognitive decline in MCI at 2-year and 3-year revisits.

Results

In the cross cohort, lower SS-16 scores and higher Aβ1–42 levels in NDEs were found in MCI and AD dementia compared to healthy controls. For the longitudinal set, 8 MCI individuals developed AD dementia within 2 years, and 16 MCI individuals developed AD dementia within 3 years. The two parameter-combination of SS-16 scores and Aβ1–42 level in NDEs showed better prediction in the conversion of MCI to AD dementia at 2-year and 3-year revisit. Moreover, after a 3-year follow-up, SS-16 scores also significantly predicted the conversion to AD dementia, where lower scores were associated with a 10-fold increased risk of developing AD dementia (p = 0.006). Similarly, higher Aβ1–42 levels in NDEs in patients with MCI increased the risk of developing AD dementia by 8.5-fold (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

A combination of two biomarkers of NDEs (Aβ1–42) and SS-16 predicted the conversion of MCI to AD dementia more accurately in combination. These findings have critical implications for understanding the pathophysiology of AD dementia and for developing preventative treatments for cognitive decline.
Inflammation-induced PINCH expression leads to actin depolymerization and mitochondrial mislocalization in neurons
Authors: Natarajaseenivasan Kalimuthusamy , Shanmughapriya Santhanam , Velusamy Prema , Sayre Matthew , Garcia Alvaro , Gomez Nestor Mas , Langford Dianne
Published: August 2020

Background

Diseases and disorders with a chronic neuroinflammatory component are often linked with changes in brain metabolism. Among neurodegenerative disorders, people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are particularly vulnerable to metabolic disturbances, but the mechanistic connections of inflammation, neurodegeneration and bioenergetic deficits in the central nervous system (CNS) are poorly defined. The particularly interesting new cysteine histidine-rich-protein (PINCH) is nearly undetectable in healthy mature neurons, but is robustly expressed in tauopathy-associated neurodegenerative diseases including HIV infection and AD. Although robust PINCH expression has been reported in neurons in the brains of patients with HIV and AD, the molecular mechanisms and cellular consequences of increased PINCH expression in CNS disease remain largely unknown.

Methods

We investigated the regulatory mechanisms responsible for PINCH protein-mediated changes in bioenergetics, mitochondrial subcellular localization and bioenergetic deficits in neurons exposed to physiological levels of TNFα or the HIV protein Tat. Changes in the PINCH-ILK-Parvin (PIP) complex association with cofilin and TESK1 were assessed to identify factors responsible for actin depolymerization and mitochondrial mislocalization. Lentiviral and pharmacological inhibition experiments were conducted to confirm PINCH specificity and to reinstate proper protein-protein complex communication.

Results

We identified MEF2A as the PINCH transcription factor in neuroinflammation and determined the biological consequences of increased PINCH in neurons. TNFα-mediated activation of MEF2A via increased cellular calcium induced PINCH, leading to disruption of the PIP ternary complex, cofilin activation by TESK1 inactivation, and actin depolymerization. The disruption of actin led to perinuclear mislocalization of mitochondria by destabilizing the kinesin-dependent mitochondrial transport machinery, resulting in impaired neuronal metabolism. Blocking TNFα-induced PINCH expression preserved mitochondrial localization and maintained metabolic functioning.

Conclusions

This study reported for the first time the mechanistic and biological consequences of PINCH expression in CNS neurons in diseases with a chronic neuroinflammation component. Our findings point to the maintenance of PINCH at normal physiological levels as a potential new therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases with impaired metabolisms.
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation without target temperature management for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients prolongs the therapeutic time window: a retrospective analysis of a nationwide multicentre observational study in Japan
Authors: Kitada Maki , Kaneko Tadashi , Yamada Shu , Harada Masahiro , Takahashi Takeshi
Published: August 2020

Background

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a promising therapy for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) compared with conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CCPR). The no and low-flow time (NLT), the interval from collapse to reperfusion to starting ECMO or to the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in CCPR, is associated with the neurological outcome of OHCA. Because the effects of target temperature management (TTM) on the outcomes of ECPR are unclear, we compared the neurological outcomes of OHCA between ECPR and CCPR without TTM.

Methods

We performed retrospective subanalyses of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine OHCA registry. Witnessed cases of adult cardiogenic OHCA without TTM were selected. We performed univariate, multivariable and propensity score analyses to compare the neurological outcomes after ECPR or CCPR in all eligible patients and in patients with NLT of > 30 min or > 45 min.

Results

We analysed 2585 cases. Propensity score analysis showed negative result in all patients (odds ratio 0.328 [95% confidence interval 0.141–0.761], P = 0.010). However, significant associated with better neurological outcome was shown in patients with NLT of > 30 min or > 45 min (odds ratio 2.977 [95% confidence interval 1.056–8.388], P = 0.039, odds ratio 5.099 [95% confidence interval 1.259–20.657], P = 0.023, respectively).

Conclusion

This study revealed significant differences in the neurological outcomes between ECPR and CCPR without TTM, in patients with NLT of > 30 min.
Understanding first-generation undergraduate engineering students’ entry and persistence through social capital theory
Authors: Martin Julie P. , Stefl Shannon K. , Cain Lindsey W. , Pfirman Aubrie L.
Published: August 2020

Background

The higher education literature is replete with deficit-based studies of first-generation college students. By thinking of students’ social relationships as embedded assets, our research adds to an anti-deficit, or asset-based, framing of first-generation students majoring in engineering. Our multi-institution study qualitatively characterizes how the various people (alters) in students’ social networks provide expressive and instrumental social capital that helps students decide to enter and then to persist in undergraduate engineering majors. Our work compares and contrasts social capital assets described by first-generation college students and those described by continuing-generation college students.

Results

Both first-generation college students and continuing-generation college students described how they leveraged the social capital inherent in their social relationships. In our comparison of the two groups, we found far more similarities than differences in the way participants described their social capital. For example, the network compositions (the specific alters providing resources) were similar for both groups. Both groups reported how parents, family members, peers, middle and high school teachers, individuals associated with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs, university professors, academic advisors and other personnel, employers and coworkers, professional organization contacts, and graduate students provided social capital related to major choice and persistence. One difference between the two groups relates to the type of social capital provided by parents and intergenerational family members. First-generation college students described their familial relationships as assets that provided robust emotional support (expressive social capital) while the students decided upon a college major and vigorous encouragement to persist once the students enrolled in undergraduate studies. Continuing-generation college students described their families as providing engineering-specific instrumental actions and information during their selection of a college major, and then familial support changing to that of an expressive nature while the students were enrolled in engineering studies.

Conclusions

Our findings illustrate that engineering undergraduates’ social relationships and networks are critical to their success in engineering. The relational assets first-generation college students possess support an anti-deficit framing of this group. Our work helps us understand specifically how students gain support from a variety of alters, and it provides implications for how to better support all students’ engineering educational pathways.
Effect of carbon-rich-waste addition as co-substrate on the performance and stability of anaerobic digestion of abattoir wastewater without agitation
Authors: Hailu Abrha Mulu , Asfaw Seyoum Leta , Tegaye Tenalem Ayenew
Published: August 2020

Multiple wastes’ co-digestion is one of the alternatives for improved anaerobic digestion (AD) process of industrial and municipal wastes. The present work investigated the influence of fruit–vegetable solid waste (FVW) addition as a co-substrate on the performance of AD of abattoir wastewater (AWW). The co-digestion was done at a lab-scale-based experiment under mesophilic condition using a two-phase anaerobic sequencing batch reactor without agitation. It was tested at different mixing ratios (100%AWW; 75%AWW:25%FVW; 50%AWW:50%FVW; 25%AWW:75%FVW; 100%FVW) with the intention of looking for the best mixing ratio with the best performance. It was fed on a semi-continuous basis and operated for 18 days (d) total retention time (HRT): 3 days for the acidogenesis reactor and 15 days for methanogenesis reactor. The addition of FVW enhanced biogas yield and VS removal by 70.26% and 57.11%, respectively, at optimum mixing ratio. Moreover, to some extent improvement of AD process stability verified by the decreased TVFA:TAlk ratio and free ammonia nitrogen was observed upon progressive addition of FVW. Finally, this co-digestion process should further be studied for its performance at different HRTs with agitation.
Application of the human estrogen receptor within a synthetic transcription factor in Trichoderma reesei
Authors: Derntl Christian , Mach Robert , Mach-Aigner Astrid
Published: August 2020

Background

Synthetic gene expression systems offer a possibility for controllable and targeted induction of the expression of genes of interest, which is a fundamental technique necessary for basic research and industrial applications. The human estrogen receptor α contains a ligand binding domain that enforces dimerization and nuclear import upon binding of the inducer 17β-estradiol. In this study, we tested the potential of this ligand binding domain to be used in filamentous fungi as an auto-regulatory domain in a synthetic transcription factor.

Results

We constructed the synthetic transcription factor SynX by fusing the DNA-binding domain of Xyr1 (Xylanase Regulator 1), the transactivation domain of Ypr1 (Yellow Pigment Regulator 1), and the ligand binding domain of the human estrogen receptor α. SynX is able to strongly induce the gene expression of xylanases and an aldose reductase by addition of 17β-estradiol, but SynX does not induce gene expression of cellulases. Importantly, the induction of xylanase activities is mostly carbon source independent and can be fine-tuned by controlling the concentration of 17β-estradiol.

Conclusion

The ability of SynX to induce gene expression of xylanase encoding genes by addition of 17β-estradiol demonstrates that the ligand binding domain of the human estrogen receptor α works in filamentous fungi, and that it can be combined with a transactivation domain other than the commonly used transactivation domain of herpes simplex virion protein VP16.
The quality of early childhood education and care services in Greece
Authors: Megalonidou Christina
Published: August 2020

High-quality early education and care experiences are critical for children’s growth and development, families’ ability to work, and the future health of society. In Greece, with regard to research for children under 3 years of age in early childhood education and care services, the issue of quality has been only marginally researched. The lack of available information on the quality of childcare services has been widely documented. The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of early childhood education and care services in North Greece. Nonprofit and for-profit centers (one hundred and thirty-one classrooms) for children under 3 participated in this study. For quality assessment, we used the ITERS-R scale (Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-Revised). Results suggested the existence of mediocre average quality.
IgG4-related focal retroperitoneal fibrosis in ureter suggestive of colon cancer recurrence and resected laparoscopically: a case report
Authors: Ueki Tomoyuki , Miyake Toru , Narita Mitsuhiro , Kojima Masatsugu , Kaida Sachiko , Iida Hiroya , Shimizu Tomoharu , Tani Masaji
Published: August 2020

Background

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a novel disease concept of unknown cause that is characterized by abundant infiltration of IgG4-positive cells, mass-forming lesions, and elevated serum IgG4 levels. The infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells and lymphocytes causes swelling, inflammation, fibrosis, and obliterative phlebitis in multiple organs. On the other hand, IgG4-RD occurring in the ureters has rarely been reported. To our knowledge, this is the first report of laparoscopic partial ureteral resection for IgG4-related focal retroperitoneal fibrosis in a ureter with suspected colon cancer recurrence.

Case presentation

A 72-year-old man with a history of sigmoid colon cancer visited Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital for regular follow-up in December 2019. Enhanced abdominal computed tomography revealed a mass involving the left ureter. Furthermore, fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed significant accumulation of fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the same region. Due to the possibility of colon cancer recurrence, a laparoscopic excisional biopsy with partial ureteral resection was performed. Histologically, IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration exceeding 10 cells per high-power field and a high ratio of IgG4-positive/IgG-positive cells exceeding 40% were observed. The postoperative serum IgG4 level was 384 mg/dL. With the application of these findings to the diagnostic algorithm in the comprehensive diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RD, the mass-forming lesion was diagnosed as definitive IgG4-related focal retroperitoneal fibrosis.

Conclusions

IgG4-RD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal lesions. Moreover, laparoscopic surgery may be useful for making the diagnosis in difficult-to-biopsy cases.
Multidrug-resistant and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing uropathogens in children in Bhaktapur, Nepal
Authors: Raya Ganendra Bhakta , Dhoubhadel Bhim Gopal , Shrestha Dhruba , Raya Sunayana , Laghu Ujjwal , Shah Ashok , Raya Bijendra Bhakta , Kafle Rita , Parry Christopher M. , Ariyoshi Koya
Published: August 2020

Background

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing uropathogens has complicated the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI). Paediatric UTI is a common illness, which if not treated properly, may lead to acute and long-term complications, such as renal abscess, septicaemia, and renal scarring. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MDR and ESBL-producing uropathogens among children.

Methods

During the study period (April 2017–April 2018), midstream urine samples were collected following aseptic procedures from children < 16 years in Siddhi Memorial Hospital. Standard culture and biochemical tests were performed to identify uropathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility test was done by modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method following Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. ESBL-producing uropathogens were screened by ceftazidime (30 μg) and cefotaxime (30 μg) discs, and confirmed by the combination disc tests: ceftazidime + clavulanic acid (30/10 μg) or cefotaxime + clavulanic acid (30/10 μg) as recommended by CLSI.

Results

We processed 5545 non-repeated urine samples from the children with symptoms of UTI. A significant growth of uropathogens was observed in 203 samples (3.7%). The median age of the children was 24 months (interquartile range (IQR), 12–53 months). Escherichia coli (n = 158, 77.8%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 30, 14.8%) were common among the uropathogens. Among them, 80.3% were resistant to amoxycillin and 51.2% were resistant to cotrimoxazole. Most of them were susceptible to amikacin, nitrofurantoin, and ofloxacin. MDR was detected in 34.5% (n = 70/203) and ESBL producers in 24.6% (n = 50/203) of them. The proportion of MDR isolates was higher in children < 5 years (n = 59/153, 38.6%) than children ≥ 5 years (n = 11/50, 22%) (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Nitrofurantoin, ofloxacin, and amikacin can be used for the empirical treatment for UTI in children in Bhaktapur, Nepal. MDR and ESBL-producing uropathogens are prevalent; this warrants a continuous surveillance of antimicrobial resistance.
Status, perspectives and trends of satellite navigation
Authors: Hein Guenter W.
Published: August 2020

This paper reviews the status of satellite navigation (as per 11 May 2020)—without claim for completeness—and discusses the various global navigation satellite systems, regional satellite navigation systems and satellite-based augmentation systems. Problems and challenges for delivering nowadays a safe and reliable navigation are discussed. New opportunities, perspectives and megatrends of satellite navigation are outlined. Some remarks are closing this paper emphasizing the great value of satellite navigation at present and in future.
Annual Meeting Update
Authors: Nedorub Olga , Swinford Bryce
Published: August 2020

The SEG Annual Meeting is rapidly approaching (11–16 October), and we are looking forward to providing a top-notch online event experience. In this article, we will discuss the 2020 Technical Program's focus as defined by the program's content, challenges, and resulting improvements, and we will briefly discuss the new virtual experience, which has been introduced in response to the unprecedented environment that has affected everyone around the globe.
Unexplored deepwater basins of North Andaman Sea
Authors: Kalra Rajesh , Fainstein Roberto , Chandrashekar Srinivas
Published: August 2020

Deepwater basins of the North Andaman Sea in the northern edge of the Far East Archipelago were assessed recently by state-of-the-art seismic technology. The North Andaman Sea embraces several Tertiary basins consisting of a forearc basin, a volcanic arc, and a back-arc basin. Their massive but largely unknown stratigraphy consists of deeper Neogene lacustrine and deltaic sediments that infill basal synrift half-grabens, blanketed by massive sequences of the Late Oligocene, Miocene, and recent strata. In the extensional forearc, the deeper seismic marker horizons were structurally mapped and identified by acoustic impedance contrasts as carbonates, mass-transport complexes, synrift, and basement. The shallower Pliocene and Pleistocene sequences are dominated by low-seismic-velocity hemipelagic clays that were investigated using seismic attributes and seismic inversion. In the back arc, the relatively larger graben features were affected by tectonic inversion contemporaneous with the foundering of the basin into deep water in the Late Miocene. In the forearc and back arc, main hydrocarbon plays are the rimmed Early Miocene carbonate platforms, the paralic and deltaic sediments beneath the platform, and the deepwater clastics of hemipelagic clays and sands that form the dominant strata of the Mio-Pliocene. This modern seismic exploration involved acquisition, processing, and interpretation to assess the hydrocarbon prospectivity of undrilled deepwater regions in the forearc and back arc.
Unravelling an abandoned giant in Central Luconia Province, offshore Sarawak, Malaysia — Success story of Lang Lebah
Authors: Jamalullail Aqilah Amir , Keong Ong Swee , Ruhadi Nik Ruzaimi Akmal Nik , Hassan Tengku Mohd Syazwan Tengku , Ittharat Detchai , Thamniyom Phalaphoom , Thanudamrong Suphawich , Anas Zulkarnain , Kampit Stanley
Published: August 2020

In 1994, two exploration wells were drilled consecutively to explore for gas prospectivity in Lang Lebah, a Miocene carbonate buildup in the geologic province of Central Luconia located in the Sarawak Basin in Malaysia. High overpressure and operational problems prevented both wells from fully evaluating the target. Postdrill analysis concluded that Lang Lebah has limited potential due to poor reservoir quality, small gas column, and challenging drilling conditions. For these reasons, it was left dormant for 25 years. In 2016, new 3D broadband seismic acquisition and megamerge reprocessing of 3D seismic data sets followed by an integrated application of multidisciplinary workflows successfully derisked key petroleum system elements of the Lang Lebah structure, yielding a more optimistic view of its potential. A new well was justified at Lang Lebah and resulted in one of the major gas discoveries of 2019.
Geophysics Bright Spots
Authors: Behura Jyoti
Published: August 2020

Welcome to the latest installment of Geophysics Bright Spots. To follow is a list of research the editors found interesting in the latest issue of Geophysics.
Student Zone
Authors: Girard Aaron
Published: August 2020

Since 2006, the SEG Challenge Bowl has brought students together from universities all over the world to compare geoscience and SEG knowledge in a contest of wit and speed.