bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-precision and robust localization system for mobile robots in complex and large-scale indoor scenes
Authors: Wang Jibo , Li Chengpeng , Li Bangyu , Pang Chenglin , Fang Zheng
Published: October 2021

High-precision and robust localization is the key issue for long-term and autonomous navigation of mobile robots in industrial scenes. In this article, we propose a high-precision and robust localization system based on laser and artificial landmarks. The proposed localization system is mainly composed of three modules, namely scoring mechanism-based global localization module, laser and artificial landmark-based localization module, and relocalization trigger module. Global localization module processes the global map to obtain the map pyramid, thus improve the global localization speed and accuracy when robots are powered on or kidnapped. Laser and artificial landmark-based localization module is employed to achieve robust localization in highly dynamic scenes and high-precision localization in target areas. The relocalization trigger module is used to monitor the current localization quality in real time by matching the current laser scan with the global map and feeds it back to the global localization module to improve the robustness of the system. Experimental results show that our method can achieve robust robot localization and real-time detection of the current localization quality in indoor scenes and industrial environment. In the target area, the position error is less than 0.004 m and the angle error is less than 0.01 rad.
Safety of anti-TNF agents in patients with compensated cirrhosis: a case-control study
Authors: Kapila Nikhil , Gonzalez Adalberto , Rosado Jose Melendez , Flocco Gianina , Salomon Fayssa , Abusaif Mohammad , Hussain Ishtiaq , Moor Molly A. , Modaresi-Esfeh Jamak , Castro Fernando J.
Published: October 2021

Background:

There is limited data on the use of anti-TNF agents in patients with concomitant cirrhosis. The aim of this study is to assess the safety of anti-TNF agents in patients with compensated cirrhosis who used these medications for the treatment of an underlying rheumatologic condition or IBD.

Methods:

Multicenter, retrospective, matched, case-control study. A one to three case-control match was performed. Adults who received anti-TNF therapy were matched to three adults with cirrhosis who did not receive anti-TNF therapy. Patients were matched for etiology of cirrhosis, MELD-Na and age. Primary outcome was the development of hepatic decompensation. Secondary outcomes included development of infectious complications, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), extra-hepatic malignancy, and mortality.

Results:

Eighty patients with cirrhosis who received anti-TNF agents were matched with 240 controls. Median age was 57.2 years. Median MELD-Na for the anti-TNF cohort was seven and median MELD-Na for the controls was eight. The most common etiology of cirrhosis was NAFLD. Anti-TNF therapy did not increase risk of decompensation (HR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.64–1.30, p = 0.61) nor influence the time to development of a decompensating event. Anti-TNF therapy did not increase the risk of hepatic mortality or need for liver transplantation (HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.55–2.53, p = 0.67). Anti-TNF therapy was not associated with an increased risk of serious infection (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.68–2.17, p = 0.52), HCC (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.13–1.57, p = 0.21), or extra-hepatic malignancy (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.29–2.30, p = 0.71).

Conclusions:

Anti-TNF agents in patients with compensated cirrhosis does not influence the risk of decompensation, serious infections, transplant free survival, or malignancy.
Machine learning for prediction of intra-abdominal abscesses in patients with Crohn’s disease visiting the emergency department
Authors: Levartovsky Asaf , Barash Yiftach , Ben-Horin Shomron , Ungar Bella , Soffer Shelly , Amitai Marianne M. , Klang Eyal , Kopylov Uri
Published: October 2021

Background:

Intra-abdominal abscess (IA) is an important clinical complication of Crohn’s disease (CD). A high index of clinical suspicion is needed as imaging is not routinely used during hospital admission. This study aimed to identify clinical predictors of an IA among hospitalized patients with CD using machine learning.

Methods:

We created an electronic data repository of all patients with CD who visited the emergency department of our tertiary medical center between 2012 and 2018. We searched for the presence of an IA on abdominal imaging within 7 days from visit. Machine learning models were trained to predict the presence of an IA. A logistic regression model was compared with a random forest model.

Results:

Overall, 309 patients with CD were hospitalized and underwent abdominal imaging within 7 days. Forty patients (12.9%) were diagnosed with an IA. On multivariate analysis, high C-reactive protein (CRP) [above 65 mg/l, adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 16 (95% CI: 5.51–46.18)], leukocytosis [above 10.5 K/μl, aOR: 4.47 (95% CI: 1.91–10.45)], thrombocytosis [above 322.5 K/μl, aOR: 4.1 (95% CI: 2–8.73)], and tachycardia [over 97 beats per minute, aOR: 2.7 (95% CI: 1.37–5.3)] were independently associated with an IA. Random forest model showed an area under the curve of 0.817 ± 0.065 with six features (CRP, hemoglobin, WBC, age, current biologic therapy, and BUN).

Conclusion:

In our large tertiary center cohort, the machine learning model identified the association of six clinical features (CRP, hemoglobin, WBC, age, BUN, and biologic therapy) with the presentation of an IA. These may assist as a decision support tool in triaging CD patients for imaging to exclude this potentially life-threatening complication.
A case of advanced adenocarcinoma genetically confirmed with EGFR/BRAF co-mutation in both primary and metastatic lesions
Authors: Morikawa Kei , Iinuma Masahiro , Shinozaki Yusuke , Nishine Hiroki , Inoue Takeo , Mineshita Masamichi
Published: October 2021

Driver mutations in lung cancer have been generally considered mutually exclusive; however, multiple gene screenings have recently become mainstream. Therefore, it is not uncommon to identify two or more mutations at first diagnosis, making it difficult to determine which tyrosine kinase inhibitor to administer. A 69-year-old woman complaining of back pain was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma T4N3M1c, stage IVB. Although PCR mutation test detected exon21 L858R point mutation by bronchoscopic sample, the therapeutic effect of afatinib was poor. Subsequently, next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel test of a metastasized bone specimen confirmed BRAF V600E. Furthermore, high sensitivity NGS panel system found the gene mutation allele frequency was higher for BRAF V600E than EGFR exon21 L858R for both primary lung tissue and the metastasized specimen. Subsequent BRAF/MEK inhibitor administration showed a remarkable treatment effect. When two or more driver mutations are detected in lung cancer, confirming the allelic frequency of the mutant gene might be useful in selecting more effective agents for front-line treatment.
Copious amount of bloody stool in a newborn shortly after birth
Authors: Shehab Norane , Isalmovic Florinda , Williams Patty , Naymick S Andrew , Alissa Rana
Published: October 2021

Melena neonatorum is not uncommon; it presents as bloody stool in newborns and is caused by ingestion of maternal blood. This case presents an infant who had multiple episodes of copious amount of blood in his stool starting at 10 min of life, which raised multiple concerns requiring further investigation. The alkali denaturation test confirmed that the blood was maternal; however, due to the amount of bloody stool and the time required for the alkali denaturation test to result, further workups such as abdominal radiograph and hemoglobin/hematocrit were completed to ensure nothing was overlooked. Our infant remained clinically stable under the newborn nursery care, and did not require a higher level of care. He was discharged with his mother at 52 Hours of Life with a follow-up appointment the next day with the Primary Care Physician.
Realisation of the Speech Act of Request, Suggestion and Apology by Libyan EFL Learners
Authors: Alfghe Abudalslam , Mohammadzadeh Behbood
Published: October 2021

This study investigates the three speech act strategies of request, suggestion and apology in Libyan Arab EFL undergraduate students (AREFLUS) and Amazigh EFL undergraduate students (AMEFLUS). It also examines their linguistic and pragmatic competence in these strategies. Two Libyan universities (Sebha and Zwara) are selected for the study, which includes 50 AREFLUS and 37 AMEFLUS participants. To investigate the students’ socio-pragmatic and pragma linguistic competence, two instruments are used: a questionnaire in the form of a Discourse Completion Test (DCT) and a rating scale. The results reveal numerous similarities between the Libyan Arab and Amazigh participants in performing all the speech act strategies of request, suggest and apology. However, some significant differences regarding gender are found among Libyan EFL students. Overall, both groups appear to be more competent in functioning than in structuring the three mentioned speech act strategies.
The Role of Financial Inclusion in Eliminating Household Poverty: Evidence from the Rural Wa West District of Ghana
Authors: Timbile Adams Nuhu , Kotey Richard Angelous
Published: October 2021

It has been acclaimed that financial inclusion is one sure way of moving the poor out of poverty. In Ghana, poverty levels are particularly high in the Northern regions. In the Wa West district of the Upper West Region, the poverty incidence rate is as high as 92.4% (GSS, 2015). In this study, the researchers survey 378 households across the Wa West district to ascertain and examine the level of poverty and financial inclusion among households. Specifically, we examine the extent to which financial inclusion affects household income in the district. The study confirmed high levels of poverty and extremely low levels of financial inclusion among households in the district. The findings showed that households that had less access to financial products and services, had low levels of household income making them poor. Our findings confirm that in our sample, financial inclusion is a significant factor in determining household income and by extension, poverty levels. Secondly, using ordinary least squares (OLS) estimation adjusting for robustness, we found that access to credit and withdrawal frequency significantly affect household expenditure, a proxy for poverty. We also found very low levels of education in our sample but ironically, the households did not consider education a major intervention to improve their standard of living, rather preferring farming and livestock support. We recommend that governments and other policymakers adopt a two-pronged approach by increasing financial inclusion in rural areas whilst tackling low poverty level issues.
Dual-Task Accuracy and Response Time Index Effects of Spoken Sentence Predictability and Cognitive Load on Listening Effort
Authors: Hunter Cynthia R.
Published: October 2021

A sequential dual-task design was used to assess the impacts of spoken sentence context and cognitive load on listening effort. Young adults with normal hearing listened to sentences masked by multitalker babble in which sentence-final words were either predictable or unpredictable. Each trial began with visual presentation of a short (low-load) or long (high-load) sequence of to-be-remembered digits. Words were identified more quickly and accurately in predictable than unpredictable sentence contexts. In addition, digits were recalled more quickly and accurately on trials on which the sentence was predictable, indicating reduced listening effort for predictable compared to unpredictable sentences. For word and digit recall response time but not for digit recall accuracy, the effect of predictability remained significant after exclusion of trials with incorrect word responses and was thus independent of speech intelligibility. In addition, under high cognitive load, words were identified more slowly and digits were recalled more slowly and less accurately than under low load. Participants’ working memory and vocabulary were not correlated with the sentence context benefit in either word recognition or digit recall. Results indicate that listening effort is reduced when sentences are predictable and that cognitive load affects the processing of spoken words in sentence contexts.
The role of ablation in the treatment of dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus
Authors: Sullivan Rebecca , Mulki Ramzi , Peter Shajan
Published: October 2021

Endoscopic eradication therapy for Barrett’s esophagus has been established as an effective management strategy for patients with Barrett’s esophagus with dysplasia and early esophageal cancer. Among the endoscopic therapies, ablation techniques such as radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation are effective primary treatment interventions with acceptable low complication rates forming the spectrum of a multimodal approach. Appropriate selection of patients, high-definition endoscopic evaluation, and dedicated histological assessment are important cornerstones to help navigate to the best effective treatment method. Carefully structured surveillance programs and preventive measures will be needed to provide long-term durability for maintaining complete remission.
ILRC: a hybrid biomarker discovery algorithm based on improved L1 regularization and clustering in microarray data
Authors: Yu Kun , Xie Weidong , Wang Linjie , Li Wei
Published: October 2021

Background

Finding significant genes or proteins from gene chip data for disease diagnosis and drug development is an important task. However, the challenge comes from the curse of the data dimension. It is of great significance to use machine learning methods to find important features from the data and build an accurate classification model.

Results

The proposed method has proved superior to the published advanced hybrid feature selection method and traditional feature selection method on different public microarray data sets. In addition, the biomarkers selected using our method show a match to those provided by the cooperative hospital in a set of clinical cleft lip and palate data.

Method

In this paper, a feature selection algorithm ILRC based on clustering and improved L1 regularization is proposed. The features are firstly clustered, and the redundant features in the sub-clusters are deleted. Then all the remaining features are iteratively evaluated using ILR. The final result is given according to the cumulative weight reordering.

Conclusion

The proposed method can effectively remove redundant features. The algorithm’s output has high stability and classification accuracy, which can potentially select potential biomarkers.
The effects of tea plants-soybean intercropping on the secondary metabolites of tea plants by metabolomics analysis
Authors: Duan Yu , Shang Xiaowen , Liu Guodong , Zou Zhongwei , Zhu Xujun , Ma Yuanchun , Li Fang , Fang Wanping
Published: October 2021

Background

Intercropping, especially with legumes, as a productive and sustainable system, can promote plants growth and improves the soil quality than the sole crop, is an essential cultivation pattern in modern agricultural systems. However, the metabolic changes of secondary metabolites and the growth in tea plants during the processing of intercropping with soybean have not been fully analyzed.

Results

The secondary metabolomic of the tea plants were significant influence with intercropping soybean during the different growth stages. Especially in the profuse flowering stage of intercropping soybean, the biosynthesis of amino acids was significantly impacted, and the flavonoid biosynthesis, the flavone and flavonol biosynthesis also were changed. And the expression of metabolites associated with amino acids metabolism, particularly glutamate, glutamine, lysine and arginine were up-regulated, while the expression of the sucrose and D-Glucose-6P were down-regulated. Furthermore, the chlorophyll photosynthetic parameters and the photosynthetic activity of tea plants were higher in the tea plants-soybean intercropping system.

Conclusions

These results strengthen our understanding of the metabolic mechanisms in tea plant’s secondary metabolites under the tea plants-soybean intercropping system and demonstrate that the intercropping system of leguminous crops is greatly potential to improve tea quality. These may provide the basis for reducing the application of nitrogen fertilizer and improve the ecosystem in tea plantations.
Response rate of patient reported outcomes: the delivery method matters
Authors: Neve Olaf M. , van Benthem Peter Paul G. , Stiggelbout Anne M. , Hensen Erik F.
Published: October 2021

Background

Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) are subjective outcomes of disease and/or treatment in clinical research. For effective evaluations of PROs, high response rates are crucial. This study assessed the impact of the delivery method on the patients’ response rate.

Methods

A cohort of patients with a unilateral vestibular schwannoma (a condition with substantial impact on quality of life, requiring prolonged follow-up) was assigned to three delivery methods: email, regular mail, and hybrid. Patients were matched for age and time since the last visit to the outpatient clinic. The primary outcome was the response rate, determinants other than delivery mode were age, education and time since the last consultation. In addition, the effect of a second reminder by telephone was evaluated.

Results

In total 602 patients participated in this study. The response rates for delivery by email, hybrid, and mail were 45, 58 and 60%, respectively. The response rates increased after a reminder by telephone to 62, 67 and 64%, respectively. A lower response rate was associated with lower level of education and longer time interval since last outpatient clinic visit.

Conclusion

The response rate for PRO varies by delivery method. PRO surveys by regular mail yield the highest response rate, followed by hybrid and email delivery methods. Hybrid delivery combines good response rates with the ease of digitally returned questionnaires.
Psychometric properties of the Malay version Women’s Views of Birth Postnatal Satisfaction Questionnaire using the Rasch measurement model: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Norhayati Mohd Noor , Fatin Imtithal Adnan , Nor Akma Yunus
Published: October 2021

Background

Maternal satisfaction must be assessed in order to reflect the quality of care, which is considered an outcome of healthcare services. It can also be used to contrast and compare satisfaction with various care models or service configuration or to assess overtime changes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Malay version Women’s Views of Birth Postnatal Satisfaction Questionnaire (WOMBPNSQ) based on the Rasch scale model of labour satisfaction.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study. Postpartum women were identified from a tertiary hospital and evaluated at 1-month postnatal period using WOMBLSQ. The Rasch model was used to investigate the reliability, unidimensionality, item and person misfits and distribution map.

Results

A total of 195 women were involved. The Rasch analysis revealed that the 30 items had a high level of reliability at 0.99 and item separation at 9.02. It has a low level of reliability at 0.45 and persons separation at 0.90. All the items are considered fit. Five people have most misfitting response strings based on item IPS_Q15, ‘I was given little advice on contraception following the birth of my baby’, but extremely trivial differences were found in the parameter estimates after refitting the model. The more difficult item to endorse satisfaction is item CA_Q17 ‘I was given little advice on contraception following the birth of my baby’.

Conclusions

The WOMBLSQ tested in postpartum women proved to have high item reliability index but with an adequate sample. The analysis shows that the 30 items target the right form of respondents, have similar latent characteristics of postpartum women and a shared sense of satisfaction. For future improvement, more difficult items endorsing satisfaction should be created, and the common items in which satisfaction is expected should be reduced.
Preemptive analgesic effectiveness of single dose intravenous ibuprofen in infants undergoing cleft palate repair: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Peng Zhe Zhe , Wang Yan Ting , Zhang Ma Zhong , Zheng Ji Jian , Hu Jie , Zhou Wan Ru , Sun Ying
Published: October 2021

Background

Correction surgery for cleft palate is recommended between 9 and 18 months of age. Patients suffer from acute pain after palatoplasty. Clinicians are hesitant to use opioids for analgesia concerning the potential high risk of respiratory adverse events. Intravenous ibuprofen perhaps be a suitable adjuvant to pain relief. We try to assess whether preoperative administration of intravenous ibuprofen can decrease opioid requirements following cleft palate repair in infants.

Methods

This single center prospective randomized clinical trial was performed from February to April 2021 at Department of Anesthesiology in Shanghai Children’s Medical Center. Forty patients ASA I-II, aged 9–24 months with isolated cleft palate and undergoing palatoplasty were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a single dose of 10 mg/kg ibuprofen intravenously or normal saline at induction. Children and infants postoperative pain scale (CHIPPS) was used for pain assessment. Those patients CHIPPS pain score equal or higher than 4 received analgesic rescue with titrating intravenous fentanyl 0.5 μg/kg and repeated in 10 min if required. The primary outcome was the amount of postoperative fentanyl used for rescue analgesia in postanesthesia care unit (PACU).

Results

Patients (n = 20 in each group) in IV-Ibuprofen group required less postoperative fentanyl than those in placebo group (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between two groups in first rescue analgesia time (p = 0.079) and surgical blood loss (p = 0.194). No incidence of obvious adverse events had been found within the first 24 h after surgery in both groups.

Conclusions

Preemptive intravenous administration ibuprofen 10 mg/kg at induction had a significant opioid sparing effect in early postoperative period without obvious adverse effects in infants undergoing palatoplasty.

Trial registration

CHICTR, CTR2100043718, 27/02/2021 http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=122187
Subjective burdens among informal caregivers of critically ill patients: a cross-sectional study in rural Shandong, China
Authors: Fu Wenhao , Li Jiajia , Fang Feng , Zhao Dan , Hao Wenting , Li Shixue
Published: October 2021

Background

Informal caregivers are the main source of care for the critically ill, especially after discharge or during the terminal stages at home. However, the concern for informal caregivers is often overshadowed by critically ill patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the influencing factors of the subjective burden of informal caregivers and to seek solutions accordingly.

Methods

Between July and August 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Shandong, China, focusing on family caregivers and critically ill patients. Subjective caregiver burden was measured by the Chinese version of Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). The stress process model was used to identify conditions relevant to the caregiving burden and to assess their impact on family caregivers.

Results

554 samples were selected for analysis. The average scores of Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI) scores in this study was 30.37±19.04 (n=554). ZBI scores of older, less educated, and spouse caregivers were significantly lower (4.12; 95%CI, 0.42 to 7.81; P =0.029). Objective and subjective burdens increased proportionally. Secondary role stress factors included the higher out-of-pocket (OOP) costs of critical diseases and lower household income, both of which increased caregivers’ subjective burdens (1.28; 95%CI, -0.06 to 2.63; p=0.062). Formal medical aid systems played a positive role in reducing subjective caregiving burdens (-7.31; 95%CI, -13.23 to -1.40; p=0.016).

Conclusions

Health policies should address both the direct medical burdens and the intangible psychological burdens of critical diseases.
The dignity of burn patients: a qualitative descriptive study of nurses, family caregivers, and patients
Authors: Tehranineshat Banafsheh , Rakhshan Mahnaz , Torabizadeh Camellia , Fararouei Mohammad , Gillespie Mark
Published: October 2021

Background

As an ethical principle, showing respect for human dignity is a professional duty of all nurses. The aggressive nature of severe burn injuries makes it hard to respect the existential values and dignity of burn patients. However, only a few studies have been conducted on the preservation of the dignity of burn patients. The purpose of this study is to identify and describe burn patients’ dignity as perceived by nurses, family caregivers, and burn patients.

Methods

The present study has a descriptive, qualitative research design. Nurses, family caregivers and patients in the biggest burns hospital in the south of Iran were selected via purposeful sampling from October 2017 to August 2018 (n = 25). Data were collected using semi-structured, in-depth, individual interviews. Thereafter, data analysis was performed through conventional content analysis.

Results

Three main themes were extracted from the information obtained in the interviews: empathic communication, showing respect, and providing comprehensive support.

Conclusion

The care provided to burn patients should be combined with effective communication, spending time with them, and attending to their repetitive requests, so that they can freely express their feelings and concerns. In addition, the patients’ human values and beliefs should be respected and all aspects of their existence should be taken into account to preserve their dignity. Workshops designed based on the findings of the present study can help with improving the quality of burn nursing care.
Exploring utilisation of the allied health assistant workforce in the Victorian health, aged care and disability sectors
Authors: Huglin J. , Whelan L. , McLean S. , Greer K. , Mitchell D. , Downie S. , Farlie M. K.
Published: October 2021

Background

Allied health assistants (AHAs) support allied health professionals (AHPs) to meet workforce demands in modern healthcare systems. Previous studies have indicated that AHAs may be underutilised in some contexts. This study aims to identify factors contributing to the effective utilisation of AHAs across health, aged care and disability sectors and possible pathway elements that may optimise AHA careers in Victoria.

Methods

Using an interpretive description approach data collection included a workforce survey and semi structured interviews (individual and group). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent t-tests and thematic analysis. Participants included allied health assistants, allied health professionals and allied health leaders in the health, aged care or disability sectors; educators, managers or student of allied health assistance training; and consumers of Victorian health, disability or aged care services.

Results

The literature scan identified numerous potential barriers to and enablers of AHA workforce utilisation. A total of 727 participants completed the survey consisting of AHAs (n = 284), AHPs & allied health leaders (n = 443). Thirteen group and 25 individual interviews were conducted with a total of 119 participants. Thematic analysis of the interview data identified four interrelated factors (system, training, individual and workplace) in pre-employment training and workplace environments. These factors were reported to contribute to effective utilisation of the AHA workforce across health, aged care and disability sectors. Study findings were also used to create a conceptual diagram of potential AHA career pathway elements.

Conclusion

This study identified pre-employment and workplace factors which may contribute to the optimal utilisation of the AHA workforce across Victorian health, aged care and disability sectors. Further study is needed to investigate the transferability of these findings to national and global contexts, and testing of the conceptual model.
WEE1 promotes endometriosis via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Shi Liya , Xue Xue , Tian Hui , Ye Hongjuan , Wang Hui , Wang Rongxiang , Liu Yu , Zhang Caixia , Chen Qiuju , Sun Lihua
Published: October 2021

Background

Endometriosis, the presence of active endometrial tissue outside the lining membrane of the uterine cavity, is a common disease in women of childbearing age. The ectopic endometrium has some characteristics of tumor tissue, including invasive and migratory abilities. In addition, endometriosis is associated with inflammation and reduced cellular apoptosis.

Methods

Western blot analysis, qPCR, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence microscopy, Transwell assay, wound healing assay, and TUNEL staining.

Results

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) induced WEE1 expression in endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), suggesting that WEE1 may be upregulated during the endometriosis-induced inflammatory response. Overexpression of WEE1 in cultured ESCs promoted ESC migration while inhibiting apoptosis, whereas WEE1 knockdown reduced ESC migration while promoting apoptosis. Inhibition of WEE1 attenuates fibrosis in ESCs and female C57BL/6 J mice. This pro-fibrotic effect of WEE1 was significantly decreased by treatment with the Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor XAV939, suggesting that WEE1 acts via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that WEE1 promotes ESC migration and fibrosis via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Thus, WEE1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of endometriosis.
Implantation of an attachment tube preserves knee extension after nonunion of Felix IV fracture: a case report
Authors: Richter Alena , Windhagen Henning , Ettinger Max
Published: October 2021

Background

While commonly utilized to fix tissue and muscles to megaprostheses to restore function and stability after tumor surgery, an attachment tube was used as a synthetic reconstruction of the knee joint’s extension mechanism after nonunion of Felix IV C fracture. Fixation of the tibial fragment, and therefore its osteointegration, is complicated after total knee arthroplasty, causing tibial tubercle dislocation.

Case presentation

A 61-year-old German patient presented to our clinic with Felix IV C fracture, persistent knee pain, and reduced knee extension strength. In this special case, mobilization and reattachment of the tibial tubercle was not possible because of necrosis and underlying tibial component. Therefore, we covered the defect with cement and used an polyethylene terephthalate tube for knee extension system augmentation. Follow-up after 10 months demonstrated a good clinical result.

Conclusion

The management of Felix IV C fractures is complicated by the underlying prosthesis resulting in redislocation of the fragment and persistent symptoms of pain and reduced functionality. We here present a new surgical technique to treat periprosthetic fracture complicated by tibial tubercle dislocation. Good clinical and radiologic results on follow-up after 10 months indicate the use of attachment tubes as a suitable surgical technique to restore knee joint extension and to reduce knee pain after dislocated Felix IV C fracture.
Unfounded claims about productivity beyond density for reindeer pastoralism systems
Authors: Stien Audun , Tveraa Torkild , Ims Rolf Anker , Stien Jennifer , Yoccoz Nigel Gilles
Published: October 2021

We point out problems with the article Productivity beyond density: A critique of management models for reindeer pastoralism in Norway by Marin and co-workers published in Pastoralism in 2020. In our opinion, there are several misleading claims about the governance of the reindeer pastoralist system in Norway, the Røros model for herd management and density dependence in reindeer herds in their article. We point out the errors in their empirical re-evaluation of previous work on the relationship between reindeer densities and the productivity and slaughter weights in herds. These errors have a significant bearing on their conclusions. We agree that weather variability has a substantial impact on reindeer body mass growth, fecundity and survival, but disagree with Marin et al. when they argue that reindeer densities are of minor importance for reindeer productivity and animal welfare.
Responses of soil microbial communities to freeze–thaw cycles in a Chinese temperate forest
Authors: Sang Changpeng , Xia Zongwei , Sun Lifei , Sun Hao , Jiang Ping , Wang Chao , Bai Edith
Published: October 2021

Background

Freeze–thaw events are common in boreal and temperate forest ecosystems and are increasingly influenced by climate warming. Soil microorganisms play an important role in maintaining ecosystem stability, but their responses to freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) are poorly understood. We conducted a field freeze–thaw experiment in a natural Korean pine and broadleaf mixed forest in the Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve, China, to determine the dynamic responses of soil microbial communities to FTCs.

Results

Bacteria were more sensitive than fungi to FTCs. Fungal biomass, diversity and community composition were not significantly affected by freeze–thaw regardless of the stage. Moderate initial freeze–thaw resulted in increased bacterial biomass, diversity, and copiotrophic taxa abundance. Subsequent FTCs reduced the bacterial biomass and diversity. Compared with the initial FTC, subsequent FTCs exerted an opposite effect on the direction of change in the composition and function of the bacterial community. Soil water content, dissolved organic carbon, ammonium nitrogen, and total dissolved phosphorus were important factors determining bacterial community diversity and composition during FTCs. Moreover, the functional potentials of the microbial community involved in C and N cycling were also affected by FTCs.

Conclusions

Different stages of FTCs have different ecological effects on the soil environment and microbial activities. Soil FTCs changed the soil nutrients and water availability and then mainly influenced bacterial community composition, diversity, and functional potentials, which may disturb C and N states in this temperate forest soil. This study also improves our understanding of microbial communities regulating their ecological functions in response to climate change.
Stigma toward people with COVID-19 among the Lebanese population: a cross-sectional study of correlates and mediating effects
Authors: Haddad Chadia , Bou Malhab Sandrella , Malaeb Diana , Sacre Hala , Saadeh Danielle , Mourtada Vanessa , Salameh Pascale
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Stigma develops during outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic due to the human fear that arises from the anxiety about a disease of an unknown etiology, with the associated detrimental consequences on both the individual and society. This study was conducted to assess if knowledge about COVID-19, attitude, practice and behavior regarding preventive measures against COVID-19, fear, and anxiety towards COVID-19 will affect the level of stigma and evaluate the mediating effect of fear, anxiety, and diagnosis of COVID-19 on stigma.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey conducted between December 20, 2020, and January 05, 2021, enrolled 405 participants recruited from the Lebanese population. Two scales were created and adapted to the Lebanese context to measure the current stigma (stigma discrimination scale, self-stigma scale) toward COVID-19.

Results

More than half of the sample had moderate to severe stigma discrimination (62%) and self-stigma (65.9%). The multivariable analysis showed that higher fear of COVID-19 scale (Beta = .143) was significantly associated with a higher stigma discrimination scale. Whereas, higher knowledge score (Beta =  −.153) was significantly associated with a lower stigma discrimination scale. Fear of COVID-19, anxiety from COVID-19, being diagnosed with COVID-19, and having a family member with COVID-19 partially mediated the association between knowledge and stigma discrimination scale. No mediation effect of fear and anxiety scale was found between the knowledge and self-stigma score.

Conclusion

Our main findings indicate that a considerable proportion of the Lebanese population has stigma discrimination behaviors toward COVID-19 patients and that those who were infected with the virus experienced COVID-19-related stigmatization.
The relative effect of student, family and school-related factors on math achievement by location of the school
Authors: Tomul Ekber , Önder Emine , Taslidere Erdal
Published: October 2021

This study aims to examine the relative effects of student, family and school-related characteristics on 4th grade students’ math achievement according to location of the school in Turkey. The data of 6435 students studying at 260 primary schools were analyzed using TIMSS-2015 database. The dependent variable of the study was students’ math scores and 19 factors constituting the student, family and school-related characteristics were the independent variables. The location of the school was classified as urban, suburban, medium-size city and village. The data was analyzed via single level multiple linear regression. The results revealed that the entire models explained the largest amount of variance (52%) in the schools located in the villages and the least amount of variance (44%) in those located in the urban area. Although all of the student, family and school-related characteristic sets were found to be significantly related with the achievement, the student-related characteristics explained the largest amount of variance in achievement. Students’ confidence in math contributed almost the highest amount of variance, and the early numeracy tasks, absenteeism in school, parents’ highest education level, parents’ highest occupation level, early numeric activities before school explained small amounts of variance in students’ math achievement in the schools of all locations.
PARP Inhibition in Prostate Cancer With Homologous Recombination Repair Alterations
Authors: von Werdt Alexander , Brandt Laura , Schärer Orlando D. , Rubin Mark A.
Published: October 2021

PURPOSE

With the broad use of next-generation sequencing assays, it has become clear that mutations in DNA repair genes are more commonly found than previously reported. In advanced prostate cancer patients with BRCA1/2 or ATM mutations, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibition (PARPi) causes an increased overall survival advantage compared with patients without these mutations. This review explores the advantages and limitations of PARPi treatment and its use beyond BRCA1/2-altered tumors. Furthermore, it discusses the benefits of current biomarkers and what role functional biomarkers and organoids may play in addressing the involvement of homologous recombination repair mutations in tumor development and progression.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted in MEDLINE, National Library of Medicine, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify studies published between January 1, 2016, and August 31, 2021. The search strategy incorporated terms for PARPi, BRCA, DNA damage, homologous recombination, organoids, patient-derived organoids, biomarker AND prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer.

RESULTS

A total of 261 records remained after duplicate removal, 69 of which were included in the qualitative synthesis.

CONCLUSION

To improve the outcome of targeted therapy and increase sensitivity of tumor detection, patients should be repeatedly screened for DNA repair gene alterations and biomarkers. Future clinical studies should explore the use of PARPi beyond BRCA1/2 mutations and focus on finding new synthetically lethal interactions.
Long-Term Efficacy of T3 Analogue Triac in Children and Adults With MCT8 Deficiency: A Real-Life Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: van Geest Ferdy S , Groeneweg Stefan , van den Akker Erica L T , Bacos Iuliu , Barca Diana , van den Berg Sjoerd A A , Bertini Enrico , Brunner Doris , Brunetti-Pierri Nicola , Cappa Marco , Cappuccio Gerarda , Chatterjee Krishna , Chesover Alexander D , Christian Peter , Coutant Régis , Craiu Dana , Crock Patricia , Dewey Cheyenne , Dica Alice , Dimitri Paul , Dubey Rachana , Enderli Anina , Fairchild Jan , Gallichan Jonathan , Garibaldi Luigi R , George Belinda , Hackenberg Annette , Heinrich Bianka , Huynh Tony , Kłosowska Anna , Lawson-Yuen Amy , Linder-Lucht Michaela , Lyons Greta , Monti Lora Felipe , Moran Carla , Müller Katalin E , Paone Laura , Paul Praveen G , Polak Michel , Porta Francesco , Reinauer Christina , de Rijke Yolanda B , Seckold Rowen , Menevşe Tuba Seven , Simm Peter , Simon Anna , Spada Marco , Stoupa Athanasia , Szeifert Lilla , Tonduti Davide , van Toor Hans , Turan Serap , Vanderniet Joel , de Waart Monique , van der Wal Ronald , van der Walt Adri , van Wermeskerken Anne-Marie , Wierzba Jolanta , Zibordi Federica , Zung Amnon , Peeters Robin P , Visser W Edward
Published: October 2021

Context

Patients with mutations in thyroid hormone transporter MCT8 have developmental delay and chronic thyrotoxicosis associated with being underweight and having cardiovascular dysfunction.

Objective

Our previous trial showed improvement of key clinical and biochemical features during 1-year treatment with the T3 analogue Triac, but long-term follow-up data are needed.

Methods

In this real-life retrospective cohort study, we investigated the efficacy of Triac in MCT8-deficient patients in 33 sites. The primary endpoint was change in serum T3 concentrations from baseline to last available measurement. Secondary endpoints were changes in other thyroid parameters, anthropometric parameters, heart rate, and biochemical markers of thyroid hormone action.

Results

From October 15, 2014 to January 1, 2021, 67 patients (median baseline age 4.6 years; range, 0.5-66) were treated up to 6 years (median 2.2 years; range, 0.2-6.2). Mean T3 concentrations decreased from 4.58 (SD 1.11) to 1.66 (0.69) nmol/L (mean decrease 2.92 nmol/L; 95% CI, 2.61-3.23; P < 0.0001; target 1.4-2.5 nmol/L). Body-weight-for-age exceeded that of untreated historical controls (mean difference 0.72 SD; 95% CI, 0.36-1.09; P = 0.0002). Heart-rate-for-age decreased (mean difference 0.64 SD; 95% CI, 0.29-0.98; P = 0.0005). SHBG concentrations decreased from 245 (99) to 209 (92) nmol/L (mean decrease 36 nmol/L; 95% CI, 16-57; P = 0.0008). Mean creatinine concentrations increased from 32 (11) to 39 (13) µmol/L (mean increase 7 µmol/L; 95% CI, 6-9; P < 0.0001). Mean creatine kinase concentrations did not significantly change. No drug-related severe adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

Key features were sustainably alleviated in patients with MCT8 deficiency across all ages, highlighting the real-life potential of Triac for MCT8 deficiency.
Posterior Cervical Brown Fat and CXCL14 Levels in the First Year of Life: Sex Differences and Association With Adiposity
Authors: Garcia-Beltran Cristina , Cereijo Rubén , Plou Cristina , Gavaldà-Navarro Aleix , Malpique Rita , Villarroya Joan , López-Bermejo Abel , de Zegher Francis , Ibáñez Lourdes , Villarroya Francesc
Published: October 2021

Context

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is particularly abundant in neonates, but its association with measures of adiposity and metabolic health in early infancy is poorly delineated. Besides sustaining nonshivering thermogenesis, BAT secretes brown adipokines that act on systemic metabolism. The chemokine CXCL14 has been identified as a brown adipokine in experimental studies.

Objective

To determine the relationships among BAT activity, adiposity, and circulating CXCL14 levels in the first year of life in girls and boys.

Methods

Indices of fat accretion, circulating endocrine–metabolic parameters and serum CXCL14 levels were assessed longitudinally in a cohort of infants at birth and at 4 and 12 months. BAT activity was estimated using infrared thermography only at age 12 months.

The main outcome measures were weight and length Z-scores, total and abdominal fat content (by dual X-ray absorptiometry), BAT activity at the posterior cervical and supraclavicular regions, serum levels of glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I, high-molecular-weight adiponectin, and CXCL14; CXCL14 transcript levels in neonatal BAT and liver.

Results

Posterior cervical BAT was more active in girls than in boys (P = .02). BAT activity was negatively associated with adiposity parameters only in girls. CXCL14 levels were higher in girls than in boys at age 12 months and correlated positively with the area of active posterior cervical BAT in girls. Neonatal BAT showed high CXCL14 gene expression levels.

Conclusion

BAT activity and the levels of CXCL14—a potential surrogate of BAT activity—are sex specific in the first year of life. Posterior cervical BAT activity associates negatively with indices of adiposity only in girls.
Postural control in the elephant
Authors: Dewolf A. H. , Ivanenko Y. P. , Mesquita R. M. , Willems P. A.
Published: October 2021

As the largest extant legged animals, elephants arguably face the most extreme challenge for stable standing. In this study, we investigated the displacement of the centre of pressure of 12 elephants during quiet standing. We found that the average amplitude of the oscillations in the lateral and fore–aft directions was less than 1.5 cm. Such amplitudes for postural oscillation are comparable with those of dogs and other species, suggesting that some aspects of sensorimotor postural control do not scale with size.
Nitric oxide for the prevention and treatment of viral, bacterial, protozoal and fungal infections
Authors: Bath Philip M. , Coleman Christopher M. , Gordon Adam L. , Lim Wei Shen , Webb Andrew J.
Published: October 2021

Although the antimicrobial potential of nitric oxide (NO) is widely published, it is little used clinically. NO is a key signalling molecule modulating vascular, neuronal, inflammatory and immune responses. Endogenous antimicrobial activity is largely mediated by high local NO concentrations produced by cellular inducible nitric oxide synthase, and by derivative reactive nitrogen oxide species including peroxynitrite and S-nitrosothiols. NO may be taken as dietary substrate (inorganic nitrate, L-arginine), and therapeutically as gaseous NO, and transdermal, sublingual, oral, intranasal and intravenous nitrite or nitrate. Numerous preclinical studies have demonstrated that NO has generic static and cidal activities against viruses (including β-coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2), bacteria, protozoa and fungi/yeasts in vitro. Therapeutic effects have been seen in animal models in vivo, and phase II trials have demonstrated that NO donors can reduce microbial infection. Nevertheless, excess NO, as occurs in septic shock, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In view of the dose-dependent positive and negative effects of NO, safety and efficacy trials of NO and its donors are needed for assessing their role in the prevention and treatment of infections. Trials should test dietary inorganic nitrate for pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis and gaseous NO or oral, topical or intravenous nitrite and nitrate for treatment of mild-to-severe infections, including due to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). This review summarises the evidence base from in vitro, in vivo and early phase clinical studies of NO activity in viral, bacterial, protozoal and fungal infections.