bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing Social Skills of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder for Physical Activity Using a Movement-Based Program
Authors: Lee Jihyun , Chang Seung Ho , Jolin Jerred
Published: November 2020

The motor and social skill difficulties experienced by many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can create challenges when participating in age appropriate physical activity contexts. Although behavioral interventions can increase the general social communicative skills of children with ASD, often the skills targeted are not relevant to physical activity contexts. Thus, this pilot study utilized a movement-based intervention program to support children with ASD in learning both social and movement skills that are relevant to physical activity contexts. Nineteen children with ASD with a mean age of 9.3 (±3.0) years participated in this program for 8 weeks, twice a week, at a recreation center as an afterschool activity. Six object control skills were selected and tested before and after the intervention because these gross motor skills were considered to elicit human interactions and place demands on social skills. Ten social skills were selected, aligned to each program context, taught, and evaluated. This intervention resulted in significant improvements in object-control skills for the participants. Additionally, there were significantly more participants who demonstrated improvements in their performance of the target social skills than who did not demonstrate improvements. These preliminary findings provide support for the feasibility of developing interventions that address social skill deficits in the context of physically active settings for children with ASD.
Aerobic Fitness Unrelated to Acquisition of Spatial Relational Memory in College-Aged Adults
Authors: Chandler Madison C. , McGowan Amanda L. , Burles Ford , Mathewson Kyle E. , Scavuzzo Claire J. , Pontifex Matthew B.
Published: November 2020

While compelling evidence indicates that poorer aerobic fitness relates to impairments in retrieving information from hippocampal-dependent memory, there is a paucity of research on how aerobic fitness relates to the acquisition of such relational information. Accordingly, the present investigation examined the association between aerobic fitness and the rate of encoding spatial relational memory—assessed using a maximal oxygen consumption test and a spatial configuration task—in a sample of 152 college-aged adults. The findings from this investigation revealed no association between aerobic fitness and the acquisition of spatial relational memory. These findings have implications for how aerobic fitness is characterized with regard to memory, such that aerobic fitness does not appear to relate to the rate of learning spatial–relational information; however, given previously reported evidence, aerobic fitness may be associated with a greater ability to recall relational information from memory.
Multimodularity of a GH10 Xylanase Found in the Termite Gut Metagenome
Authors: Wu Haiyang , Ioannou Eleni , Henrissat Bernard , Montanier Cédric Y. , Bozonnet Sophie , O’Donohue Michael J. , Dumon Claire
Published: November 2020

Xylan is the major hemicellulosic polysaccharide in cereals and contributes to the recalcitrance of the plant cell wall toward degradation.
Bacteroidetes
, one of the main phyla in rumen and human gut microbiota, have been shown to encode polysaccharide utilization loci dedicated to the degradation of xylan. Here, we present the biochemical characterization of a xylanase encoded by a bacteroidetes strain isolated from the termite gut metagenome.
Genome Sequences of Bacteriophages ClearAsMud and Kauala, Isolated from Microbacterium foliorum
Authors: Lin Heidi , Reeves Michael , Acevedo Melissa , Bass Kelsey , Chau Elizabeth , Ching Brandon , Enriquez Elisaelena , Evans Skylar , Mamora Kaitlyn , Pang Caitlyn , Santos Michelle , Tafoya Chelsea , Vaca Madyllyne , Van Iderstein Wiliam , Velasco Luis , Williams Vivianna , Yonemoto Grant , Yonemoto Tyler , Choi Jessica , Dean Natasha , Diaz Arturo
Published: November 2020

Cluster EC ClearAsMud and cluster EA4 Kauala are lytic
Siphoviridae
bacteriophages that were isolated from soil in southern California using
Microbacterium foliorum
NRRL B-24224 as the host. The ClearAsMud and Kauala genomes are 52,987 bp and 39,378 bp, respectively, and contain 92 and 56 predicted protein-coding genes, respectively.
Draft Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium simiae, a Potential Pathogen Isolated from the Normal Human Oral Cavity
Authors: Chauhan Varsha , Shrivastava Kamal , Anand Sakshi , Kumar Chanchal , Singh Anupriya , Varma-Basil Mandira
Published: November 2020

We report the draft genome sequence of
Mycobacterium simiae
, a slowly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) isolated from a mouthwash sample of a healthy person. This genome of 6,603,693 bp exhibited a 66.13% GC content and 6,391 genes with 6,257 coding sequences, 3 rRNAs, and 78 tRNAs.
Rituximab in childhood steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome: are multiple subsequent courses safe and effective?
Authors: Subun Chantida , Suwannahitatorn Picha , Webb Hazel , Tullus Kjell
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is the most common glomerular disease in children. The majority of patients respond well to steroids. However, the relapse rate is high and many develop steroid dependency. Although other immunosuppressive medicines are successfully used as steroid-sparing agents, some children still have frequent relapsing episodes. Rituximab (RTX), a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has shown to be effective in treating difficult frequently relapsing/steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (FR/SDNS). Data on the effectiveness and long-term treatment outcomes of repeated courses of RTX are, however, scarce.

Material and methods

Children and young people with FR/SDNS, aged 1–18 years, who received RTX at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) from 2006 to 2018 were reviewed.

Results

During these 12 years, 103 children with FR/SDNS received RTX infusions at GOSH. Among these, 58 cases needed repeated courses of RTX: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 repeated courses were given to 21, 21, 7, 5, 1 and 3 patients, respectively. The overall median time to relapse post-RTX was 11 months (range 1–53 months). There was no change in relapse-free interval with subsequent courses of RTX. No difference was found between age groups, genders and ethnicities. No severe side effects were noted.

Conclusions

RTX seems to be safe even after several repeated courses. However, long-term follow-up and further studies are needed, with a focus on side-effects in particular.
Ten years later: a review of the US 2009 institute of medicine report on conflicts of interest and solutions for further reform
Authors: Torgerson Trevor , Wayant Cole , Cosgrove Lisa , Akl Elie A , Checketts Jake , Dal Re Rafael , Gill Jennifer , Grover Samir C , Khan Nasim , Khan Rishad , Marušić Ana , McCoy Matthew S , Mitchell Aaron , Prasad Vinay , Vassar Matt
Published: November 2020

Conflicts of interest (COIs) in healthcare are increasingly discussed in the literature, yet these relationships continue to influence healthcare. Research has consistently shown that financial COIs shape prescribing practices, medical education and guideline recommendations. In 2009, the Institute of Medicine (IOM, now the National Academy of Medicine) publishedConflicts of Interest in Medical Research, Practice, and Education—one of the most comprehensive reviews of empirical research on COIs in medicine. Ten years after publication of theIOM’s report, we review the current state of COIs within medicine. We also provide specific recommendations for enhancing scientific integrity in medical research, practice, education and editorial practices.
Protocol for a systematic review on the methodological and reporting quality of prediction model studies using machine learning techniques
Authors: Andaur Navarro Constanza L , Damen Johanna A A G , Takada Toshihiko , Nijman Steven W J , Dhiman Paula , Ma Jie , Collins Gary S , Bajpai Ram , Riley Richard D , Moons Karel GM , Hooft Lotty
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Studies addressing the development and/or validation of diagnostic and prognostic prediction models are abundant in most clinical domains. Systematic reviews have shown that the methodological and reporting quality of prediction model studies is suboptimal. Due to the increasing availability of larger, routinely collected and complex medical data, and the rising application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) techniques, the number of prediction model studies is expected to increase even further. Prediction models developed using AI or ML techniques are often labelled as a ‘black box’ and little is known about their methodological and reporting quality. Therefore, this comprehensive systematic review aims to evaluate the reporting quality, the methodological conduct, and the risk of bias of prediction model studies that applied ML techniques for model development and/or validation.

Methods and analysis

A search will be performed in PubMed to identify studies developing and/or validating prediction models using any ML methodology and across all medical fields. Studies will be included if they were published between January 2018 and December 2019, predict patient-related outcomes, use any study design or data source, and available in English. Screening of search results and data extraction from included articles will be performed by two independent reviewers. The primary outcomes of this systematic review are: (1) the adherence of ML-based prediction model studies to the Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis (TRIPOD), and (2) the risk of bias in such studies as assessed using the Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool (PROBAST). A narrative synthesis will be conducted for all included studies. Findings will be stratified by study type, medical field and prevalent ML methods, and will inform necessary extensions or updates of TRIPOD and PROBAST to better address prediction model studies that used AI or ML techniques.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required for this study because only available published data will be analysed. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and scientific conferences.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO, CRD42019161764.
Technology and implementation science to forge the future of evidence-based psychotherapies: the PRIDE scale-up study
Authors: Wainberg Milton L , Gouveia Maria Lídia , Stockton Melissa Ann , Feliciano Paulino , Suleman Antonio , Mootz Jennifer J. , Mello Milena , Fiks Salem Andre , Greene M. Claire , Bezuidenhout Charl , Ngwepe Phuti , Lovero Kathryn L , Fortunato dos Santos Palmira , Schriger Simone H. , Mandell David S. , Mulumba Rogerio , Neves Anube Anibal , Mabunda Dirceu , Mandlate Flavio , Cournos Francine , Alves-Bradford Jean-Marie , Nicholson Terriann , Kann Bianca , Fumo Wilza , Duarte Cristiane S , de Jesus Mari Jair , Mello Marcelo F. , Mocumbi Ana O , Oquendo Maria A , Weissman Myrna M
Published: November 2020

Objective

To report the interim results from the training of providers inevidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) and use of mobile applications.

Design and Setting

The Partnerships in Research to Implement and Disseminate Sustainable and Scalable Evidence (PRIDE) study is a cluster-randomised hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial comparing three delivery pathways for integrating comprehensive mental healthcare into primary care in Mozambique. Innovations include the use of EBPs and scaling-up of task-shifted mental health services using mobile applications.

Main outcome measures

We examined EBP training attendance, certification, knowledge and intentions to deliver each component. We collected qualitative data through rapid ethnography and focus groups. We tracked the use of the mobile applications to investigate early reach of a valid screening tool (Electronic Mental Wellness Tool) and the roll out of the EBPs

Participants

Psychiatric technicians and primary care providers trained in the EBPs.

Results

PRIDE has trained 110 EBP providers, supervisors and trainers and will train 279 community health workers in upcoming months. The trainings improved knowledge about the EBPs and trainees indicated strong intentions to deliver the EBP core components. Trained providers began using the mobile applications and appear to identify cases and provide appropriate treatment.

Conclusions

The future of EBPs requires implementation within existing systems of care with fidelity to their core evidence-based components. To sustainably address the vast mental health treatment gap globally, EBP implementation demands: expanding the mental health workforce by training existing human resources; sequential use of EBPs to comprehensively treat mental disorders and their comorbid presentations and leveraging digital screening and treatment applications.
Are we addressing the top 10 research priorities in IBD?
Authors: Geldof Jeroen , LeBlanc Jean-Frédéric , Lucaciu Laura , Segal Jonathan , Lees Charlie W , Hart Ailsa
Published: November 2020

Background

Since publication of the top 10 research priorities in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) based on the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership, the question remains whether this has influenced the IBD-research landscape. This study aimed to create an overview of the current distribution of research interests of trials in the UK.

Methods

The ClinicalTrials.gov database and European Union Clinical Trials Register were screened for clinical trials set up from 9 August 2016 to 16 November 2019 in the UK involving adult patients with IBD.

Results

Of 20 non-industry-sponsored studies, a quarter investigated treatment strategies considering efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness (priority 1). Four evaluated the role of diet (priorities 3 and 7). Development/assessment of biomarkers for patient stratification (priority 2) and fatigue (priority 8) were subject of three studies. IBD-related pain and control of diarrhoea/incontinence were each subject of 2 studies (priorities 4 and 6). The effect of gut microbiota (priority 10) and optimal strategy for perianal Crohn’s disease (priority 5) was the focus of 2 studies each. One study evaluated surgery for terminal ileal Crohn’s disease (priority 9). Of 63 industry-sponsored studies, 59 focused on priority 1.

Conclusions

This study presents an impression of the breadth of the IBD-research landscape in the UK, in light of the top 10 research priorities published in 2016. Optimal treatment strategy has been the most studied research priority by academic and industry-sponsored trials. Fewer studies focused on patient-reported outcomes. It remains debatable to what extent the current research landscape adequately represents all stakeholders’ viewpoints on needs for expanded knowledge in IBD, particularly the patients’ perspective.
Creating an ethical culture to support recovery from substance use disorders
Authors: Williamson Laura
Published: November 2020

There is a long-standing failure to create an ethical culture around substance use disorders (SUDs) or dependence that actively supports people’s recovery efforts. Issues which impede the development of prorecovery environments are complex, but include the far-reaching effects of the social stigma that surrounds SUDs; and the failure to harness relational and social support that allows debates to transcend blaming individual substance users. As part of efforts to create prorecovery environments, it is important to acknowledge that bioethics debate on SUDs is narrow in scope, prioritising topics related to its traditional interests in individual autonomy and novel technologies. As a result, it has not played a significant role in helping to transform the ethical cultures in which substance use recovery takes place. For example, it largely neglects the ethical challenges of developing an empathic, person-centred approach to substance use problems that listens and responds to the voices of clients. It has also participated little in efforts to develop a positive response to reducing the toxic effects of stigma. Indeed, some contributions from the field fan stigma, rather than alleviate it. The aim of this paper is to seed broader ethical debate, in academic literature and lay/professional communities, on how societies should respond to SUDs: steering a course between the critical, but narrow approach of bioethics and the empowerment discourse of evidence-based treatments.
Severe organising pneumonia following COVID-19
Authors: Vadász István , Husain-Syed Faeq , Dorfmüller Peter , Roller Fritz C , Tello Khodr , Hecker Matthias , Morty Rory E , Gattenlöhner Stefan , Walmrath Hans-Dieter , Grimminger Friedrich , Herold Susanne , Seeger Werner
Published: November 2020

Various forms of diffuse parenchymal lung disease have been proposed as potential consequences of severe COVID‑19. We describe the clinical, radiological and histological findings of patients with COVID‑19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome who later developed severe organising pneumonia including longitudinal follow-up. Our findings may have important implications for the therapeutic modalities in the late-phase of severe COVID‑19 and might partially explain why a subgroup of COVID‑19 patients benefits from systemic corticosteroids.
Menthol cigarette use in substance use disorder treatment before and after implementation of a county-wide flavoured tobacco ban
Authors: Guydish Joseph R , Straus Elana R , Le Thao , Gubner Noah , Delucchi Kevin L
Published: November 2020

Introduction

This study examined the impact of a San Francisco City and County ban on all flavoured tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, among clients in residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.

Methods

We conducted cross-sectional surveys of clients at two residential SUD programmes before the County began enforcing the ban (n=160) and twice after enforcement began (n=102, n=120). The samples were compared on demographic characteristics, smoking status, smoking behaviours and the proportion reporting menthol as their usual cigarette. Menthol smokers were asked whether they smoked only menthol cigarettes, mostly menthol, both menthol and non-menthol or mostly non-menthol. Post-ban samples were asked about awareness of the ban and access to menthol cigarettes.

Results

In multivariate analyses, we found no evidence that the ban was associated with decreased number of cigarettes per day or increased readiness to quit among current smokers. However, odds were lower post-ban for reporting menthol as the usual cigarette (OR=0.80, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.90), and for smoking only menthol cigarettes (OR=0.19, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.19). Perhaps most importantly, and with the ability to influence all other findings, 50% of self-identified menthol smokers reported purchasing menthol cigarettes in San Francisco nearly 1 year after the ban was implemented.

Conclusion

In subgroups where smoking has remained elevated, like those receiving SUD treatment, local menthol bans may have only modest impacts on smoking behaviour. Broader regional, state or national bans, that effectively restrict access to menthol products, may be needed to show stronger effects on smoking behaviour.
Ethanol and cyclophosphamide induce similar nephrotoxic effects: possible role for Nox4 and superoxide
Authors: Sousa Arthur H. , do Vale Gabriel T. , da Silva Carla B.P. , Awata Wanessa M.C. , Pinheiro Lucas C. , Tirapelli Carlos R.
Published: November 2020

We tested the hypothesis that ethanol consumption would aggravate the renal damage induced by cyclophosphamide (CYP). Male C57BL/6 J mice from control (n = 8) and CYP (n = 12) groups had free access to filtered water and standard rodent chow for 12 weeks. Then, 24 h before euthanasia mice received an intraperitoneal injection of saline or CYP (300 mg/kg). Mice from ethanol (n = 8) and CYP + ethanol (n = 12) groups had free access to increasing doses of ethanol for 12 weeks. Twenty-four hours before euthanasia, mice from ethanol and CYP + ethanol groups received an intraperitoneal injection of saline or CYP, respectively. Ethanol, CYP, or the association of both drugs augmented serum levels of creatinine and increased the levels of superoxide ([Formula: see text]) generation and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the renal cortex. Upregulation of Nox4 and increased activity of superoxide dismutase were detected in the renal cortex of mice treated with ethanol, CYP, or the combination of these drugs; however, these molecular alterations induced by CYP were not potentiated by ethanol consumption. Our findings revealed that chronic ethanol consumption had no potentiating effect on the nephrotoxic effects displayed by CYP. It is possible that the combination of these drugs showed no synergistic effect because they share the same molecular mechanisms of renal toxicity.
Lepton dark matter portal in the inert Zee model
Authors: Gaviria Alexandra , Longas Robinson , Rivera Andrés
Published: November 2020

The inert Zee model is an extension of the Zee model for neutrino masses. This new model explains the dark matter relic abundance, generates a one-loop neutrino masses and forbids tree-level Higgs-mediated flavor changing neutral currents. Although the dark matter phenomenology of the model is similar to that of the inert doublet model, the presence of new vector-like fermions opens the lepton portal as a new dark matter annihilation channel. We study the impact of this new portal in the low-mass regime and show the parameter space allowed by direct and indirect searches of dark matter. Remarkably, the region for [Formula: see text] GeV is recovered for [Formula: see text]. We also show that future experiments like LZ and DARWIN could probe a large region of the parameter space of the model.
Relation between Surface Composition and Electronic Properties of Native Oxide Films on an Aluminium-Copper Alloy Studied by DFT
Authors: Cornette P. , Costa D. , Marcus P.
Published: November 2020

We performed a DFT modelling of Al2O3(001)/Al(001) and Al2O3(001)/Al2Cu(001) surfaces and of Al(010)/Al2Cu(010) interfaces covered with Al2O3(001). We focus on the electronic properties (work function, valence band and electronic gap) computed for the different models. We show that both on Al and Al2Cu, the oxide layer induces a significant increase in work function. The effect of the composition of the first metallic layer underneath the oxide film is also investigated. Cu enrichment under the oxide film induces an increase in work function, however less marked than the one caused by the oxide layer. We show that the work function increase is due to a charge transfer from the interfacial metal layer to the oxide layer. The same result is found at the oxidized Al(010)//Al2Cu(010) interface. The work function of the oxidized Al2Cu zone is higher than the one of oxidized Al.
Intestinal extracellular vesicles are altered by vertical sleeve gastrectomy
Authors: Myronovych Andriy , Peck Bailey C. E. , An Mingrui , Zhu Jianhui , Warm Anna , Kupe Aleksander , Lubman David M. , Seeley Randy J.
Published: November 2020

This is the first study that investigates the impact of bariatric surgery on protein composition of intestinal extracellular vesicles. Extracellular vesicle composition is greatly altered after vertical sleeve gastrectomy and may potentially modulate various signaling pathways. In our study, extracellular vesicles from vertical sleeve gastrectomy-treated mice promote bacterial proliferation but exhibit cytotoxic effect on epithelial cells and reduce proliferation of intestinal progenitor cells in mice.
In well-differentiated primary human bronchial epithelial cells, TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 induce expression of furin
Authors: O’Sullivan Michael J. , Mitchel Jennifer A. , Mwase Chimwemwe , McGill Maureen , Kanki Phyllis , Park Jin-Ah
Published: November 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing threat to public health. Since the identification of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, no drugs have been developed to specifically target SARS-CoV-2. To develop effective and safe treatment options, a better understanding of cellular mechanisms underlying SARS-CoV-2 infection is required. To fill this knowledge gap, researchers require reliable experimental systems that express the host factor proteins necessary for the cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2. These proteins include the viral receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and the proteases, transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) and furin. A number of studies have reported cell-type-specific expression of the genes encoding these molecules. However, less is known about the protein expression of these molecules. We assessed the suitability of primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells maintained in an air-liquid interface (ALI) as an experimental system for studying SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. During cellular differentiation, we measured the expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2, and furin over progressive ALI days by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining. We also explored the effect of the fibrotic cytokine TGF-β on the expression of these proteins in well-differentiated HBE cells. Like ACE2, TMPRSS2 and furin proteins are localized in differentiated ciliated cells, as confirmed by immunofluorescence staining. These data suggest that well-differentiated HBE cells maintained in ALI are a reliable in vitro system for investigating cellular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We further identified that the profibrotic mediators, TGF-β1 and TGF-β2, increase the expression of furin, which is a protease required for the cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2.
Characterization of the circulating and tissue-specific alterations to the lipidome in response to moderate and major cold stress in mice
Authors: Pernes Gerard , Morgan Pooranee K. , Huynh Kevin , Mellett Natalie A. , Meikle Peter J. , Murphy Andrew J. , Henstridge Darren C. , Lancaster Graeme I.
Published: November 2020

This study analyzed the effects of 24 h of cold stress (22°C or 5°C vs. mice maintained at 30 °C) on the plasma, brown adipose tissue (BAT), subcutaneous (SubQ) and epididymal (Epi) white adipose tissue (WAT), liver, and skeletal muscle lipidome of mice. Using mass spectrometry-lipidomics, 624 lipid species were detected, of which 239 were significantly altered in plasma, 134 in BAT, and 51 in the liver. In plasma, acylcarnitines and free fatty acids were markedly increased at 5°C. Plasma triacylglycerols (TGs) were reduced at 22°C and 5°C. We also identified ether lipids as a novel, cold-induced lipid class. In BAT, TGs were the principal lipid class affected by cold stress, being significantly reduced at both 22°C and 5°C. Interestingly, although BAT TG species were uniformly affected at 5°C, at 22°C we observed species-dependent effects, with TGs containing longer and more unsaturated fatty acids particularly sensitive to the effects of cold. In the liver, TGs were the most markedly affected lipid class, increasing in abundance at 5 °C. TGs containing longer and more unsaturated fatty acids accumulated to a greater degree. Our work demonstrates the following: 1) acute exposure to moderate (22°C) cold stress alters the plasma and BAT lipidome; although this effect is markedly less pronounced than at 5°C. 2) Cold stress at 5°C dramatically alters the plasma lipidome, with ether lipids identified as a novel lipid class altered by cold exposure. 3) Cold-induced alterations in liver and BAT TG levels are not uniform, with changes being influenced by acyl chain composition.
Incidence and Mechanisms of Coronary Perforations during Rotational Atherectomy in Modern Practice
Authors: Wang Yen-Hsiang , Chen Wei-Jhong , Chen Yu-Wei , Lai Chih-Hung , Su Chieh-Shou , Chang Wei-Chun , Wang Chi-Yen , Liang Kae-Woei , Liu Tsun-Jui , Lee Wen-Lieng
Published: November 2020

Objective. Heavy calcifications remain formidable challenges to PCI, even for well-experienced operators. However, rotational atherectomy (RA)-induced coronary perforations (CPs) still could not be obviated. This study was to explore incidence and mechanisms of RA-induced CP in real-world practice. Knowing why CPs occur in RA should help operators avert such mishaps. Method. Patients who received coronary RA from April 2010 to December 2019 with keywords related to perforations were retrieved from database. The procedure details, angiography, and clinical information were reviewed in detail. Results. A total of 479 RAs were performed with 11 perforations in 10 procedures among 9 patients documented. The incidence of RA-induced CP was 2.1%. The RA vessels were distributed in different territories, including first diagonal branch. Most CPs could be treated conservatively, but prolonged profound shock predisposed to poor outcome. CPs caused by rotawire tip occurred in 18.2% of cases, inappropriately sized burrs in 18.2% of cases, and rotawire damage with subsequent transection and perforation in another 18.2% of cases. A total of 5 (45.5%) perforations were caused by unintended and unnoticed bias cutting into noncalcified plaques (4, 36.4%) or through calcified vessel wall (1, 9.1%). The mechanisms for certain CPs were unique and illustrated in diagrams. Conclusion. CPs due to RA occur in certain percentage of patients. The mechanisms for CPs are diverse. Wire damage with subsequent transection could occur due to inappropriately repetitive burr stress on the wire body. A significant portion was due to unintended and unnoticed bias cutting into noncalcified plaque or through calcified vessel wall.
Low Stroke Volume Index in Healthy Young Men Is Associated with the Incidence of Acute Mountain Sickness after an Ascent by Airplane: A Case‐Control Study
Authors: Ke Jingbin , Liu Chuan , Yu Shiyong , Bian Shizhu , Zhang Chen , Yang Jie , Zhang Jihang , Jin Jun , Rao Rongsheng , Zeng Ying , Huang Lan
Published: November 2020

Background. The aims of this study were to explore the characteristics of left ventricular (LV) functional changes in subjects with or without acute mountain sickness (AMS) and their associations with AMS incidence. Methods. A total of 589 healthy men were enrolled and took a trip from Chengdu (500 m, above sea level (asl)) to Lhasa (3700 m, asl) by airplane. Basic characteristics, physiological data, and echocardiographic parameters were collected both at Chengdu and Lhasa, respectively. AMS was identified by the Lake Louise Questionnaire Score. Results. The oxygen saturation (SpO2), end‐systolic volume index, end‐diastolic volume index (EDVi), stroke volume index (SVi), E‐wave velocity, and E/A ratio were decreased, whereas the heart rate (HR), ejection fraction, cardiac index (CI), and A‐wave velocity were increased at the third day after arrival, as evaluated by an oximeter and echocardiography. However, AMS patients showed higher HR and lower EDVi, SVi, CI, E‐wave velocity, and E/A ratio than AMS‐free subjects. Among them, SVi, which is mainly correlated with the changes of EDVi and altered LV filling pattern, was the most valuable factor associated with AMS incidence following receiver‐operator characteristic curves and linear and Poisson regression. Compared with subjects in the highest SVi tertile, subjects in the middle SVi tertile showed higher multivariable Incidence Rate Ratios (IRR) for AMS with higher incidences of mild headache and gastrointestinal symptoms, whereas subjects in the lowest SVi tertile showed even higher multivariable IRR with higher incidences of all the symptoms. Conclusions. This relatively large‐scale case‐control study revealed that the reduction of SVi correlated with the altered LV filling pattern was associated with the incidence and clinical severity of AMS.
Random Network Transmission and Countermeasures in Containing Global Spread of COVID-19-Alike Pandemic: A Hybrid Modelling Approach
Authors: Zhou Yimin , Li Jun , Ye Lingjian , Chen Zuguo , Luo Qingsong , Wu Xiangdong , Ni Haiyang
Published: November 2020

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the beginning of December 2019, there have been more than 28.69 million cumulative confirmed cases worldwide as of 12th September 2020, affecting over 200 countries and regions with more than 920,463 deaths. The COVID-19 pandemic has been sweeping worldwide with unexpected rapidity. In this paper, a hybrid modelling strategy based on tessellation structure- (TS-) configured SEIR model is adopted to estimate the scale of the pandemic spread. Building on the data pertaining to the global pandemic transmission over the last six months around the world, key impact factors in the transmission and control procedure have been analysed, including isolation rate, number of the infected cases before taking prevention measures, degree of contact scope, and medical level, so as to capture the fundamental factor influencing the pandemic. The quantitative evaluation allowed us to illustrate the magnitude of risks of pandemic and to recommend appropriate national health policy of prevention measures for effectively controlling both intra- and interregional pandemic spread. Our modelling results clearly indicate that the early-stage preventive measures are the most effective action to be taken to contain the pandemic spread of the highly contagious nature of the COVID-19.
Verification of the Efficacy and Safety of Qi‐Replenishing Chinese Medicine in Treating Prediabetes: A Meta‐Analysis and Literature Review
Authors: Xia Shujie , Gao Bizhen , Chen Shujiao , Lin Xuejuan , Zhang Ping , Chai Yujuan , Li Candong , Asakawa Tetsuya
Published: November 2020

Background. Qi‐replenishing Chinese medicines (QCMs) are used for treating prediabetes in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical practice. The aims of this meta‐analysis were to (i) verify the efficacy and safety of QCMs in treating prediabetes and (ii) investigate the clinical outcomes between the trials complying with and not complying with the principle of “syndrome differentiation.” Methods. We included only randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) whose Jadad scores were not less than 4. The overall clinical outcomes, including the incidence rate of diabetes, normalization of blood glucose, changes in fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2 h postprandial blood glucose, HbA1c, and occurrence of adverse events, were evaluated. Subgroup analyses were performed. Results. A total of 11 RCTs that enrolled 2210 patients with prediabetes were included. We observed that overall treatment with QCMs significantly ameliorated the clinical outcomes of prediabetes without increasing incidence of adverse events. The results of subgroup analyses revealed that prescribing QCMs complying with syndrome differentiation ameliorated all the clinical indices, whereas prescribing not complying with syndrome differentiation could not achieve significant amelioration in FBG and HbA1c levels. Furthermore, the subgroup with syndrome differentiation reported more adverse events. Conclusions. The overall results suggested that QCMs are effective and safe in treating prediabetes. Results of subgroup analyses indicated that the groups with syndrome differentiation presented better efficacy but had a higher occurrence of adverse events. This study indicated the important role of the principle of syndrome differentiation in TCM and that the adverse events of QCMs cannot be ignored in TCM clinical practice.
On Criticality for a Generalized Couette Flow of a Branch-Chain Thermal Reactive Third-Grade Fluid with Reynold’s Viscosity Model
Authors: Salawu S. O. , Disu A. B. , Dada M. S.
Published: November 2020

This research considers the third-grade liquid flow and criticality branched-chain of a thermal reaction in a Couette generalized medium with a nonlinear viscosity model. A dimensionless transformation of the system momentum and heat equations are carried out. Compared with the diffusion coefficient, the flow is stimulated by initiation reaction rate, reaction branch-chain order, non-Newtonian term, thermal Grashof number, and pressure gradient. The reactive fluid is fully exothermic with consumption of the material, and the heat exchange in the system is greater than the exchange of heat with the ambient. A semianalytical collocation weighted residual scheme is employed for the branch-chain slice bifurcation, dimensionless energy, and momentum solutions. The results show that exponential decreases in the thermal fluid viscosity can help in controlling the boundless heat produced by the Frank-Kamenetskii term and initiation reaction rate. Therefore, the results will help in stimulating positive combustion processes.
Evaluation of Plasma Amino Acid Levels in Preterm Infants and Their Potential Correlation with Retinopathy of Prematurity
Authors: Ozcan Yasin , Huseyin Gumus , Sonmez Kenan
Published: November 2020

Aim. The aim of this study is to ascertain whether the level of circulating amino acids (aa) is associated with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods. This is a randomized controlled study of 55 infants born at gestational age (GA) ≤32 weeks or birth weight (BW) ≤1500 grams. Serum samples were obtained from two groups: Group A comprised of 26 preterm infants with ROP and Group B comprised of 29 preterm infants without ROP. Plasma aa levels were analyzed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Correlation test and multivariate regression analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between plasma aa levels and variables. Results. The mean serum arginine and glutamine levels were significantly higher, but the mean lysine and aspartic acid levels were significantly lower in Group A, compared to Group B (

p
=
0.04

,

p
=
0.002

,

p
=
0.029

, and

p
=
0.002

, respectively). In multivariate analysis, the mean arginine and lysine levels were significantly associated with the stage of the disease (

p
=
0.03

and

p
=
0.01

, respectively). No significant differences were determined between the groups in terms of alanine, asparagine, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, serine, proline, citrulline, cysteine, ornithine, tryptophan, methionine, threonine, taurine, and isoleucine amino acids (

p
>
0.05

, respectively). Conclusions. These results indicate a significant association between high arginine and glutamine, with low lysine and aspartic acid serum concentrations with ROP. Due to higher serum concentrations in ROP, extra arginine-glutamine supplementation in hyperoxic conditions may be unfavorable through pathways involving reactive oxygen, particularly in patients with ROP.
Methods to Measure the Network Path Connectivity
Authors: Li Yinwei , Jiang Guo-Ping , Wu Meng , Song Yurong
Published: November 2020

The functionalities, such as connectivity and communication capability of complex networks, are related to the number and length of paths between node pairs in the networks. In this paper, we propose a new path connectivity measure by considering the number and length of paths of the network (PCNL) to evaluate network path connectivity. By comparing the PCNL with the typical natural connectivity, we prove the effectiveness of the PCNL to measure the path connectivity of networks. Because of the importance of the shortest paths, we further propose the shortest paths connectivity measure (SPCNL) based on the number and length of the shortest paths. Then, we use edge-betweenness-based malicious attacks to study the relationship between the SPCNL and network topology in five types of networks. The results show that the SPCNLs of the networks have a significant corresponding relationship and similar changing trend with their network topology heterogeneities with the increase of the number of deleted edges. These findings mean that the SPCNL is positively correlated with the heterogeneity of the network topology, which provides a new perspective for designing complex networks with high path connectivity.
Foreign Body Granuloma in the Tongue by a Pequi Spine
Authors: Pereira Rafael Martins Afonso , de Oliveira Afonso Pereira Patrícia Cristine , Rodrigues Vitor Carvalho , de Andrade Luiz Fernando Braga , de Carvalho Elisa Morais , Júnior Helvécio Marangon
Published: November 2020

Substances considered foreign to the human organism can penetrate it due to local trauma, initially causing an acute inflammatory response against these substances, involving a neutrophilic infiltrate that, when it fails to deal with these foreign bodies, ends up generating a granulomatous inflammatory response. Granuloma formation has been associated with a variety of conditions. The correct clinical and imaging diagnoses are extremely important for the dentist to choose an appropriate therapeutic approach, aiming at the best possible treatment. This work is aimed at describing a case report of a foreign body granuloma, formed on the tongue, from the penetration of a pequi spine, in a 76-year-old patient, in whom, after an imaging diagnosis with ultrasound, surgical removal of the lesion was performed, and the piece was sent for histopathological examination, which confirmed the initial diagnostic hypothesis of a foreign body granuloma. The initial diagnosis of foreign body granulomas is challenging. For this reason, more sophisticated means of diagnosis such as tomography and magnetic resonance become important in the diagnosis, as they can show with greater clarity and reliability the nature of the lesion and its relationship with adjacent anatomical structures. In the case in question, an ultrasound examination was chosen, which was extremely important as an aid to diagnosis, considerably improving surgical planning. In addition, after surgical removal, the result of the histopathological analysis is essential to determine the definitive diagnosis, as it determines the granulomatous characteristic of the lesion.
Headache in a Child with Pseudohypoparathyroidism: An Alarming Symptom Not to Miss
Authors: Poon Sarah Wing-yiu , Chung Brian Hon-yin , Tsang Anita Man-ching , Poon Grace Wing-kit
Published: November 2020

Background. While the endocrine manifestations of pseudohypoparathyroidism are well known, less is known about the associated brain and spine abnormalities. These abnormalities may present with nonspecific symptoms in the paediatric population, and lack of awareness to these uncommon manifestations of the disease may result in a delay in necessary intervention. Case Presentation. We herein present a case of known pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a who presented initially with minor head injury. She later developed progressive worsening headache, increased irritability, and vomiting. Repeated imaging showed hydrocephalus and Chiari malformation type 1 necessitating emergency craniectomy. Conclusion. Growth hormone deficiency, a common manifestation of pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a, results in underdevelopment of the posterior cranial fossa and may account for the higher incidence of Chiari malformation in this group of patients. Other associated neurological features reported in pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a include spinal stenosis, syringomyelia, and craniosynostosis. While less commonly seen, awareness to these associations is important in order to optimize the multidisciplinary care to this group of patients.
Performance Investigation of Stochastic Resonance in Three Types of Asymmetric Bistable System Driven by Trichotomous Noise
Authors: Zhao Si-Hai , Xu Jiang-Ye , Liu Yu-Xiao , Zhao Ze-Xing , Qin Zhong-Shun
Published: November 2020

This paper proposes a new system whose potential function is with three types of asymmetric potential wells, driven by trichotomous noise. Firstly, the three types of asymmetric bistable system are described in detail, and the changes of asymmetric bistable system potential function under different asymmetric factors are analyzed. Secondly, the effect of potential function parameters, asymmetric factorα, noise intensity D, and the probability of particle transition q is discussed, using numerical simulation. The detection effects of traditional symmetric SR and three types of asymmetric SR are observed and compared under the driving of trichotomous noise and periodic signals. The mean of signal-to-noise ratio gain is the indicator of the system's effectiveness on enhancing weak signal. The results indicate that it can make the detection effect of the asymmetric system better than that of the traditional bistable system by adjusting the parameters of the asymmetric stochastic resonance system and trichotomous noise.
Dentogingival Smile Analysis of Young Adults of Al Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mohan Minu P. , AlOlayan Rahaf A. , AlSweed Mohammad A.
Published: November 2020

Objectives. The present study aims to analyse the smiling components among young adults within Al Qassim region by evaluating typical smile parameters. Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 324 female and male participants between 18 and 35 years, within Al Qassim Province of Saudi Arabia. The dentogingival macro-aesthetic elements of the smile, the parallelism between the incisal curve and lower lip line, midline, and buccal corridors were determined by using Canon Rebel t7i (Canon, Melville, NY, USA) and evaluated by photo editing software Adobe Photoshop CC2019. The data were analysed using a chi-square test and Spearman’s correlation test for nonparametric data. Results. 62.5% of young adults had no buccal corridors. The nonparallel smile was found in 53.2% of young adults. A high smile line was observed in 33% of participants. 59.3% of young adults lacked a coinciding dental and facial midline. There was a statistically significant difference in the parallelism of the incisal curve and lower lip line as well as in the position of the upper lip line across genders (

P
<
0.05

). Conclusion. Understanding macro-aesthetic elements of teeth and their interrelation with the surrounding oral structures can be a guide in creating natural and aesthetically pleasing restorative treatment.
Simulation and Recognition of Concrete Lining Infiltration Degree via an Indoor Experiment
Authors: Wang Dongsheng , Feng Jun , Zhao Xinpeng , Bai Yeping , Wang Yujie , Liu Xuezeng
Published: November 2020

It is difficult to form a method for recognizing the degree of infiltration of a tunnel lining. To solve this problem, we propose a recognition method by using a deep convolutional neural network. We carry out laboratory tests, prepare cement mortar specimens with different saturation levels, simulate different degrees of infiltration of tunnel concrete linings, and establish an infrared thermal image data set with different degrees of infiltration. Then, based on a deep learning method, the data set is trained using the Faster R-CNN+ResNet101 network, and a recognition model is established. The experiments show that the recognition model established by the deep learning method can be used to select cement mortar specimens with different degrees of infiltration by using an accurately minimized rectangular outer frame. This model shows that the classification recognition model for tunnel concrete lining infiltration established by the indoor experimental method has high recognition accuracy.