bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The efficacy of temozolomide combined with levetiracetam for glioblastoma (GBM) after surgery: a study protocol for a double-blinded and randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sun Maoyuan , Huang Ning , Tao Yihao , Wen Rong , Zhao Guanjian , Zhang Xiang , Xie Zongyi , Cheng Yuan , Mao Jinning , Liu Guodong
Published: March 2022

Background

Temozolomide is applied as the standard chemotherapy agent in patients with glioblastoma (GBM) after surgery. However, the benefit of this treatment for patients is limited by the invasive growth of gliomas and drug resistance. There are indications from fundamental experimental and retrospective studies that levetiracetam has the potential to improve the survival rate of patients with GBM. However, it has yet to be determined whether the combination of temozolomide and levetiracetam is more effective than standard temozolomide chemotherapy. Therefore, we designed a randomized clinical trial to investigate the therapeutic effect of the new combined regime for treating GBM.

Methods/design

This is a double-blind and randomized clinical trial conducted in a single center. One hundred forty-two patients will be recruited and screened for the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then, eligible participants will be randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group in a 1:1 ratio. Based on the administration of radiation therapy (RT), participants in the experimental group will be prescribed levetiracetam plus temozolomide chemotherapy for 34 weeks while participants in the control group will receive placebo tablets plus temozolomide for the same duration. A 3-year follow-up will be conducted on all patients after intervention. Accordingly, the primary outcome will be progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), the objective response rate (ORR), and adverse event incidence.

Discussion

It is expected that the results of this trial will provide high-level evidence regarding the clinical benefits of levetiracetam and temozolomide combined in the treatment of GBM.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100049941. Registered on 14 August 2021
The application of augmented reality in craniofacial bone fracture reduction: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lin Li , Liu Xiangqi , Gao Yuan , Aung Zin Mar , Xu Haisong , Wang Bingshun , Xie Le , Yang Xianxian , Chai Gang
Published: March 2022

Background

Augmented reality (AR) is a new technology that increases users’ perception of the real world. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of augmented reality navigation system in treatment with craniofacial fracture reduction.

Methods

This will be a single-center prospective randomized controlled trial. Twenty-two patients will be assigned to two groups of 11, and those with zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures will undergo preoperative three-dimensional CT modeling and have operational plans designed. The control team will use traditional optical navigation to perform the surgery, and the experimental team will use an AR navigation system. The primary outcome measures will be the accuracy of the key points of surgical area between the preoperational surgical plan and post-operation. The secondary outcome measures will be the blood loss, operation time, bone reduction time, hospital time, and complication rate. The findings obtained through this study are expected to evaluate efficacy and safety of the augmented reality navigation system in the treatment of zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures.

Discussion

This controlled trial of augmented reality navigation system in treatment with zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture reduction will clarify the efficacy and safety of this technology by measuring the accuracy of the key points of surgical area and blood loss, operation and bone reduction times, hospital stay duration, and complication rates. This is a single-center study, and the results are expected to promote the application of augmented reality in craniofacial fracture reduction to improve surgery accuracy and efficacy.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900022626. Registered on April 19, 2019.
Randomized Evaluation of Surgery in Elderly with Traumatic Acute SubDural Hematoma (RESET-ASDH trial): study protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial with multicenter parallel group design
Authors: Singh Ranjit D. , van Dijck Jeroen T. J. M. , van Essen Thomas A. , Lingsma Hester F. , Polinder Suzanne S. , Kompanje Erwin J. O. , van Zwet Erik W. , Steyerberg Ewout W. , de Ruiter Godard C. W. , Depreitere Bart , Peul Wilco C.
Published: March 2022

Background

The rapidly increasing number of elderly (≥ 65 years old) with TBI is accompanied by substantial medical and economic consequences. An ASDH is the most common injury in elderly with TBI and the surgical versus conservative treatment of this patient group remains an important clinical dilemma. Current BTF guidelines are not based on high-quality evidence and compliance is low, allowing for large international treatment variation. The RESET-ASDH trial is an international multicenter RCT on the (cost-)effectiveness of early neurosurgical hematoma evacuation versus initial conservative treatment in elderly with a t-ASDH

Methods

In total, 300 patients will be recruited from 17 Belgian and Dutch trauma centers. Patients ≥ 65 years with at first presentation a GCS ≥ 9 and a t-ASDH > 10 mm or a t-ASDH < 10 mm and a midline shift > 5 mm, or a GCS < 9 with a traumatic ASDH < 10 mm and a midline shift < 5 mm without extracranial explanation for the comatose state, for whom clinical equipoise exists will be randomized to early surgical hematoma evacuation or initial conservative management with the possibility of delayed secondary surgery. When possible, patients or their legal representatives will be asked for consent before inclusion. When obtaining patient or proxy consent is impossible within the therapeutic time window, patients are enrolled using the deferred consent procedure. Medical-ethical approval was obtained in the Netherlands and Belgium. The choice of neurosurgical techniques will be left to the discretion of the neurosurgeon. Patients will be analyzed according to an intention-to-treat design. The primary endpoint will be functional outcome on the GOS-E after 1 year. Patient recruitment starts in 2022 with the exact timing depending on the current COVID-19 crisis and is expected to end in 2024.

Discussion

The study results will be implemented after publication and presented on international conferences. Depending on the trial results, the current Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines will either be substantiated by high-quality evidence or will have to be altered.

Trial registration

Nederlands Trial Register (NTR), Trial NL9012. ClinicalTrials.gov, Trial NCT04648436.
Social network-based group intervention to promote HIV prevention in Uganda: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial of Game Changers
Authors: Wagner Glenn J. , Bogart Laura M. , Green Harold D. , Storholm Erik D. , Klein David J. , McBain Ryan K. , Serunkuuma Richard , Mubiru Kuraish , Matovu Joseph K. B. , Okoboi Stephen
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Innovative strategies are needed to disseminate HIV prevention messages across communities efficiently, as well as reduce HIV stigma while promoting HIV prevention. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the efficacy of a social network-based group intervention,Game Changers, which trains persons living with HIV (PLWH) to encourage members of their social network to use HIV protective behaviors

Methods

PLWH in HIV care for at least 1 year will be randomly assigned to receive the 8-session group advocacy training intervention or no-intervention control group. Each enrolled PLWH (index participant) will be asked to recruit up to four social network members (alter participant). Assessments will be administered at baseline and months 6, 12, and 18 to both index and alter participants. The primary outcomes are HIV testing and condom use among alter participants; secondary outcomes are engagement in HIV prevention advocacy and internalized HIV stigma among index participants. Repeated-measures multivariable regression analyses will be conducted to compare outcomes between the intervention and control arms, in addition to a cost-effectiveness evaluation.

Discussion

This social network-based approach to HIV prevention is particularly timely in the era of biomedical interventions, which require widespread penetration of effective HIV prevention and care messaging into communities. Positioning PLWH as central to the solution for controlling (vs. causing) the HIV epidemic has the potential to reduce HIV stigma and improve prevention outcomes at the individual and network levels.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNIH Clinical Trial Registry NCT05098015. Registered on October 18, 2021.
Transgenesis in parasitic helminths: a brief history and prospects for the future
Authors: Quinzo M. J. , Perteguer M. J. , Brindley P. J. , Loukas A. , Sotillo J.
Published: March 2022

Helminth infections impact the health of hundreds of millions of persons globally and also cause important economic losses in livestock farming. Methodological limitations as well as the low attention given to the study of helminths have impacted biological research and, thus, the procurement of accurate diagnosis and effective treatments. Understanding the biology of helminths using genomic and proteomic approaches could contribute to advances in understanding host–helminth interactions and lead to new vaccines, drugs and diagnostics. Despite the significant advances in genomics in the last decade, the lack of methodological adaptation of current transgenesis techniques has hampered the progression of post-genomic research in helminthology. However, the application of new techniques, such as CRISPR, to the study of trematodes and nematodes has opened new avenues for genome editing-powered functional genomics for these pathogens. This review summarises the historical advances in functional genomics in parasitic helminths and highlights pending limitations that will need to be overcome to deploy transgenesis tools.

Graphical Abstract
Lessons from the Winter Paralympic Games disclosing the epidemiology of winter sports injury in paralytic athletes: a meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Fengyu , Liu Yitong , Zhuang Maohua
Published: March 2022

Background

In this study, the incidence rate of the injury in Winter Paralympic Games was summarized. Besides, to testify the underlying factors of injury incidence heterogeneity, the difference of these events incidence between different Paralympic Winter Games was investigated by meta regression analysis.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched for full-text publications on sports related injury in Winter Paralympic Games. And meta-regression was used to analyze the heterogeneity.

Results

Four studies were included. The incidence of sports related injury was 0.21 (95% CI 0.15–0.31) in all items, 0.22 in female athletes (95% CI 0.12–0.32), and 0.21 in male athletes (95% CI 0.11–0.30), respectively. The incidence of sports related injury was 0.10 (95% CI 0.08–0.12) in alpine skiing, 0.01 (95% CI 0–0.02) in Nordic skiing, and 0.22 in sledge hockey (95% CI 0.05–0.40). Meta-regression suggested the year and the host country couldn’t influence the injury incidence.

Conclusion

The present study summarized the incidence of sports related injury in Winter Paralympic Games, indicated similar injury risk between female athletes and male athletes, and accentuated the careful protection on sledge hockey. This study pointed out that sledge hockey with the highest risk of sports related injury should draw great attention to improve the corresponding protective measures to decrease its injury probability.
Establishment of a novel assessment of the quality of human spermatozoa measuring mitochondrial oxygen metabolism
Authors: Taniguchi Hisanori , Matsuo Yoshiyuki , Shimoi Kayo , Yoshimura Masahiro , Hirota Kiichi , Kinoshita Hidefumi
Published: March 2022

Objective

We aimed to establish a novel sperm quality evaluation technology by measuring mitochondrial oxygen metabolism in human spermatozoa.

Results

Normozoospermic human sperm samples were used. After establishing the optimal parameters for measuring the oxygen metabolism of human sperm cells using the extracellular flux analyzer, we measured the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of human spermatozoa exposed to different storage temperatures. Although sperm motility was significantly lower at 4 °C when compared with sperm motility at 37 °C, there were no significant differences in sperm vitality and the OCR under both conditions. The present study established a methodology for human sperm quality evaluation using extracellular flux analysis technology. The OCR evaluation could be a reliable measurement tool for assessing human sperm quality.
VALCOR: a protocol for the validation of SARS-corona virus-2 assays
Authors: Arbyn Marc , Dhillon Sharonjit Kaur , Martinelli Marianna , Simoens Cindy , Cuypers Lize , Bode Jannes , Van Ranst Marc , Corbisier Philippe , Bonde Jesper , Cocuzza Clementina
Published: March 2022

Background

Testing for SARS-CoV-2, together with vaccination, is one of the most vital strategies in curbing the current COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has led to an unprecedented need for diagnostic testing and the rapid emergence of an abundance of commercial assays on the market. Due to the nature of the pandemic and in the interest of health protection, many of these assays received provisional authorisation for emergency use without thorough validation. To limit false negative and false positive results, it is key to define common criteria that SARS-CoV-2 assays need to fulfil. VALCOR or “VALidation of SARS-CORona Virus-2 assays” is a protocol designed to set up a framework for test validation of SARS-CoV-2 virus assays.

Objectives

VALCOR is a study protocol for the validation of assays used for confirmation of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in patients with COVID-19 disease or the screening of carriers of SARS-CoV-2 virus by the identification of viral RNA in oropharyngeal and/or nasopharyngeal specimens or other specimens from the human respiratory tract.

Methods

The VALCOR panel of samples will contain clinical human specimens and standardised artificial specimens. The collection of clinical specimens will include nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal specimens or other specimens from the respiratory tract obtained from COVID-19 patients and healthy carriers of SARS-CoV-2 as well as specimens from subjects not carrying SARS-CoV-2. Artificial specimens include calibrated amounts of viral RNA of SARS-CoV-2 sequences provided by established competent agencies that produce reference materials for the assessment of the limit of detection of each assay. The panel of samples are sent from a central reference laboratory (having access to biobanks of clinical specimens tested already for SARS-CoV-2 with a reference comparator assay) to participating laboratories for testing with a SARS-CoV-2 index assay that requires evaluation.

Discussion

VALCOR provides a harmonised and standard framework to benchmark the testing performance of SARS-CoV-2 assays that are rapidly evolving. As the pandemic incited an urgent need for testing capacity, there is a gap in the comprehensive validation of SARS-CoV-2 assays. This study will generate comprehensive validation data for assays used for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 and may serve as a basis for other validation protocols.
How to improve the COVID-19 health education strategy in impoverished regions: a pilot study
Authors: Wang Huimin , Liao Rujun , Chen Xin , Yu Jie , Zhu Tianyu , Liao Qiang , Zhang Tao
Published: March 2022

Background

It is of great challenge to raise the public coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related health literacy (CRHL) in impoverished regions due to the limits of poor infrastructure, large proportion of vulnerable groups, etc. However, those limits cannot be solved in the short term. Therefore, this study chose Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, one of the poorest areas in China, as a pilot, to reveal the quantitative relationships among different dimensions under the COVID-19 health education framework, clarify the key points for health promotion, and provide specific suggestions for COVID-19 health education strategy in impoverished regions.

Methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in five regions of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in 2020. There were 2,100 individuals sampled by multi-stage method. This survey mainly measured the four dimensions: CRHL, COVID-19 related tense psychological reactions (CRTPR), COVID-19 related information report acquisition (CRIRA), and general health literacy (GHL). The multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the influence of demographic characteristics on each dimension. Furthermore, to quantify the relationships among different dimensions, this study employed the structural equation model (SEM), and analyzed the mediating effects of CRHL and CRIRA as well as the moderating effects of regional characteristic variables.

Results

The CRHL played an important role in promoting COVID-19 health education, reaching 52.5% in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture. The GHL (β = 0.336) and age (β = 0.136) had statistically positive impacts on CRHL. The CRHL affected CRTPR negatively (β = − 0.198) and CRIRA positively (β = 0.052). The CRHL played significant mediating roles among the four dimensions (P < 0.05). Effectiveness of government prevention and control as well as the ethnicity moderated not only the relationships between CRHL and other dimensions, but also the mediating effect of CRHL (P < 0.05). People with lower income and education levels had lower GHL (β = 0.286, 1.292). The youth were more likely to show CRTPR (β = − 0.080).

Conclusions

By proposing and verifying the theoretical framework, this study put forward specific suggestions on how to improve COVID-19 health education strategies in impoverished regions via implementation methods, key groups and effect evaluation, which also provided references about future public health emergencies for other impoverished regions of the world.

Graphical Abstract
Voriconazole injection may induce delayed methotrexate excretion: a case report and experimental study
Authors: Watahiki Daisuke , Saito Daisuke , Nishida Naonori , Tsuri Hiroyuki , Nomura Keiko , Adachi Yuichi , Taguchi Masato
Published: March 2022

Background

We report a case of delayed excretion of methotrexate (MTX) in a pediatric patient on high-dose MTX therapy in response to a change in the concomitant dosage of voriconazole from oral to intravenous. As the intravenous, but not the oral formulation of voriconazole includes sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBECD), which has an anionic residue, we hypothesized that SBECD inhibits the renal excretion of anionic compounds.

Methods

We evaluated the inhibitory effects of SBECD on renal excretion of phenolsulfonphthalein (PSP), which is eliminated in urine via organic anion transport systems. PSP was administered intravenously to rats at 2.5 and 25 mg/kg with or without SBECD pretreatment (320 mg/kg).

Results

The plasma concentration of PSP at the dosage of 2.5 mg/kg were comparable between control and SBECD groups. On the other hand, at 25 mg/kg the elimination of PSP was delayed. The clearance of PSP at the dosage of 25 mg/kg was 9.71 ± 1.65 and 4.13 ± 0.76 mL/min/kg in control and SBECD groups, respectively (p < 0.05). This suggested that SBECD partly inhibits the renal excretion of anionic drugs.

Conclusion

The present case report discusses the delayed elimination of MTX in high dose therapy and possible mechanism involving SBECD as an excipient in concomitant drugs. It seems better to avoid choosing injection containing SBECD for patients undergoing HD-MTX treatment. Further studies are needed to confirm the inhibitory effects of SBECD on the renal excretion of MTX, especially in high-dose regimens.
Pancreatic morphological abnormality that was challenging to differentiate from an ectopic pancreas: a case report
Authors: Yoshida Takuto , Kawamura Hideki , Mino Kazuhiro , Konishi Yuji , Saito Tomoya , Shimizu Yuichi , Taketomi Akinobu
Published: March 2022

Background

Protrusion of the lateral contour of the pancreatic head is a pancreatic morphological abnormality, which is known as rare shape atypia. We present a rare case of protrusion of the lateral contour of the pancreatic head, which was challenging to distinguish from an ectopic pancreas.

Case presentation

The patient was a 40-year-old man with a history of acute pancreatitis that occurred twice in the past. He complained of epigastric pain since the day before the visit; his blood workup showed high serum amylase level and a CT scan revealed a 25-mm-large mass with contrast effect from the anterior wall of the gastric pylorus to the duodenum and increased surrounding fatty tissue density. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a mass lesion in the gastric pylorus with continuity with the gastric wall and suspected partial continuity with the pancreatic head. Thus, the possibility of pancreatic morphological abnormality or an ectopic pancreas was considered. Following which, resection was attempted and intraoperative findings showed a wide extension of the pancreatic parenchyma from the pancreatic head to the anterior wall of the gastric pylorus to the duodenal bulb. Since the patient only had mild pancreatitis, the resection was judged to be too invasive and was completed by exploratory laparoscopy.

Conclusions

Even if the findings on preoperative CT are suspicious for an ectopic pancreas or tumor, a pancreatic morphological abnormality, such as a protrusion of the lateral contour of the pancreatic head, should be included in the differential diagnosis.
The Effects of High-Intensity Multimodal Training in Apparently Healthy Populations: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sharp Tijana , Grandou Clementine , Coutts Aaron J. , Wallace Lee
Published: March 2022

Background

High-intensity multimodal training (HIMT) is emerging as a popular training method that combines aerobic and resistance training throughout a single exercise session. The current literature is limited by a lack of terminology that broadly encompasses all styles of combined aerobic and resistance training. The magnitude of chronic or long-term (i.e.  ≥ 4 weeks) effects of HIMT participation on aerobic and muscular fitness also remains unclear. Additionally, one of many complex reasons for the growing popularity of HIMT may be attributed to the affective response to exercise, namely levels of enjoyment. However, this concept is not yet well understood across all styles of HIMT. A comprehensive systematic review is required to synthesise the available literature and attempt to provide an operational definition of HIMT to capture the breadth of combined training styles that exist.

Objective

The objective of this systematic review was to determine the chronic effects of HIMT participation on aerobic and muscular fitness and to compare HIMT to established concurrent training methods. Enjoyability and other adherence-related subjective responses were also examined in HIMT participants. This review critically assessed the level of evidence and feasibility of current HIMT guidelines.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus to identify studies up until March 2021.

Results

A total of 20 studies were included for review. Studies generally reported moderate to large effects on aerobic fitness and subjective responses in favour of HIMT interventions. Mixed outcomes were demonstrated in muscular fitness. These results should be treated with caution due to high risk of bias among included studies.

Conclusions

Few studies have assessed the chronic effects of HIMT participation on aerobic, and musculoskeletal adaptations and subjective responses, in particular exercise enjoyment. Research conclusions are limited by heterogeneity of experimental protocols and outcome measures. Furthermore, the inability of the literature to make adequate comparisons between various styles of HIMT and other concurrent training protocols limits understandings of the efficacy of HIMT.

RegistrationThis systematic review was registered on the Open Science Framework (10.17605/OSF.IO/2RE4B; 26 March 2021).
An app with brief behavioural support to promote physical activity after a cancer diagnosis (APPROACH): study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lally P. , Miller N. , Roberts A. , Beeken R. J. , Greenfield D. M. , Potts H. W. W. , Counsell N. , Latimer N. , Thomas C. , Smith L. , Gath J. , Kennedy F. , Martin C. , Wyld L. , Fisher A.
Published: March 2022

Background

There are multiple health benefits from participating in physical activity after a cancer diagnosis, but many people living with and beyond cancer (LWBC) are not meeting physical activity guidelines. App-based interventions offer a promising platform for intervention delivery. This trial aims to pilot a theory-driven, app-based intervention that promotes brisk walking among people living with and beyond cancer. The primary aim is to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of study procedures before conducting a larger randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Methods

This is an individually randomised, two-armed pilot RCT. Patients with localised or metastatic breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer, who are aged 16 years or over, will be recruited from a single hospital site in South Yorkshire in the UK. The intervention includes an app designed to encourage brisk walking (Active 10) supplemented with habit-based behavioural support in the form of two brief telephone/video calls, an information leaflet, and walking planners. The primary outcomes will be feasibility and acceptability of the study procedures. Demographic and medical characteristics will be collected at baseline, through self-report and hospital records. Secondary outcomes for the pilot (assessed at 0 and 3 months) will be accelerometer measured and self-reported physical activity, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, and patient-reported outcomes of quality of life, fatigue, sleep, anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, and habit strength for walking. Qualitative interviews will explore experiences of participating or reasons for declining to participate. Parameters for the intended primary outcome measure (accelerometer measured average daily minutes of brisk walking (≥ 100 steps/min)) will inform a sample size calculation for the future RCT and a preliminary economic evaluation will be conducted.

Discussion

This pilot study will inform the design of a larger RCT to investigate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of this intervention in people LWBC.

Trial registration

ISRCTN registry,ISRCTN18063498. Registered 16 April 2021.
A reappraisal of public engagement in Oxford during the pandemic: three case studies
Authors: Farrell Milly , Wilkinson Clare
Published: March 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the majority of public engagement with research work moving online. This shift to online engagement is likely to affect inclusivity and diversity in such events and this requires further consideration as a result of the pandemic. Through comparing case-studies both pre-dating and during the pandemic, we are able to discern areas for ongoing improvement and learning in the public engagement sphere.

Main body

The public engagement work of the Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities has sought to include a broad discussion on its research from a range of demographics, attempting to be inclusive in the engagement work of the Centre. However such efforts have not always been successful and we reflect here on two different pre-pandemic ‘in-person’ case studies assessing public views on vaccination and medical data sharing. In contrast we compare these pre-pandemic activities to a fully online case study coordinated and completed during the pandemic. These three case studies are compared and assessed for evidence of their efficacy in a post-pandemic world.

Conclusion

Research and public awareness benefit when multiple views are included in engagement events. Broader demographics enrich our ways of understanding societal responses to healthcare issues such as vaccination, data sharing and social responsibility. The move to online engagement as a result of the pandemic may open opportunities to widening engagement geographically, but it could also pose a threat to inclusivity with certain public groups on a more local level. Enabling access to online engagement is key, but considerations must be made regarding the new barriers created by a solely online world and the many groups of people inadvertently excluded from this work.
Improving face identification of mask-wearing individuals
Authors: Manley Krista D. , Chan Jason C. K. , Wells Gary L.
Published: March 2022

Research has consistently shown that concealing facial features can hinder subsequent identification. The widespread adoption of face masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical and urgent need to discover techniques to improve identification of people wearing face coverings. Despite years of research on face recognition and eyewitness identifications, there are currently no evidence-based recommendations for lineup construction for cases involving masked individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine identification accuracy of a masked perpetrator as a function of lineup type (i.e., unmasked or masked lineups) and perpetrator presence (i.e., absent or present). In both experiments, discriminability was superior for masked lineups, a result that was due almost exclusively to higher hits rates in target-present conditions. These data suggest that presenting a masked lineup can enhance identification of masked faces, and they have important implications for both eyewitness identification and everyday face recognition of people with face coverings.
Physiological and molecular characterization of Metarhizium isolates and their acaricidal activity against Tetranychus urticae Koch (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae)
Authors: Cua Basulto Marcos , Ruiz Sánchez Esaú , Ballina Gómez Horacio , Reyes Ramírez Arturo , Hernández Núñez Emanuel , Valencia Yah Teresita , Martín Mex Rodolfo , Chan Cupul Wilberth
Published: March 2022

Background

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae), is one of the most damaging mites in agriculture. Due to the concern for the intensive use of synthetic acaricides, entomopathogenic fungi represents a feasible alternative to T. urticae management. In the present study, 7 isolates of Metarhizium were characterized physiological and molecularly (based on the ITS1-5.8s-ITS2 rDNA) and evaluated for their acaricidal activity [mortality, mean and 90 lethal concentration (LC50: LC90) and mean and 90 lethal time (LT50: LT90)] against T. urticae under laboratory conditions.

Results

Sequencing of the ITS1-5.8s-ITS2 rDNA region indicated that the 7 isolates belong to M. anisopliae. The isolates Ma114 (3.7 ± 0.006 mm day−1), Ma109 (3.5 ± 0.009 mm day−1) and Ma106 (3.5 ± 0.006 mm day−1) had the highest radial growth rate and Ma114 (92.2 ± 0.86%) and Ma108 (94.4 ± 1.07%) had the highest germination percentage. All isolates were pathogenic to T. urticae, causing mortality that ranged from 45.3 to 85.3%. The LC50 and LC90 were 1.2 and 2.8, 1.1 and 2.5, and 1.2 and 2.8 × 108 conidia mL−1 for isolates Ma110, Ma109 and Ma106, respectively, while the LT50 and LT90 were 7.7 and 16.5, and 7.2 and 16.1 days for isolates M110 and Ma109, respectively.

Conclusion

The isolates Ma110 and Ma109 of M. anisopliae were moderately pathogenic and virulent against T. urticae.
A different look on the importance of lateralization and localization of figure 4 symptoms in epilepsy
Authors: Morkavuk Gulin , Isık Kubra , Leventoglu Alev
Published: March 2022

Background

Clinical seizure semiology provides valuable information in the evaluation of focal-onset bilateral tonic–clonic seizures. In the evaluation of these patients, long-term video-EEG monitoring (VEM) and neuroimaging studies are of great significance in determining lateralization together with clinical semiology. In this study, we examined the features of the figure 4 sign that we detected in patients with refractory epilepsy whom we followed up in the VEM unit.

Methods

In the study, 175 patients followed in the VEM unit were examined. Twenty-two patients for whom the figure 4 sign was detected were included in the study. Patients with the side indicated by the figure 4 sign comply with ictal EEG compatible were named as 1st group (G1), and those not were named as 2nd group (G2). Demographic characteristics, seizure type, number of seizures per month, duration of epilepsy, number of seizures during VEM, duration of figure 4 sign, medical history, and cranial MRI characteristics were compared between the two groups.

Results

When G1 and G2 were compared, it was observed that temporal lobe seizures were statistically significantly higher in G1. When the figure 4 sign durations were examined, this period was 16.3 ± 8.2 s in frontal lobe seizures and 20.8 ± 7.4 s in temporal lobe seizures. When the duration of the figure 4 sign was examined by gender, it was found that the duration was longer in males, which was statistically significant.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is essential to evaluate ictal EEG findings together with brain imaging while performing semiological localization and lateralization in epileptic patients.
An AnteOwl WR intravascular ultrasound-guided parallel wiring technique for chronic total occlusion of below-the-knee arteries
Authors: Hayakawa Naoki , Kodera Satoshi , Hirano Satoshi , Arakawa Masataka , Inoguchi Yasunori , Kanda Junji
Published: March 2022

Background

Although endovascular therapy is used to treat chronic limb-threatening ischemia, long chronic total occlusion (CTO) is still challenging to treat. Especially in patients with poor run-off below-the-knee (BTK) arteries, it is difficult to perform a retrograde approach, and even guidewire passage may be difficult.

Case presentation

We treated two cases of chronic limb-threatening ischemia using our novel extreme antegrade guidewire crossing technique by AnteOwl WR intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided parallel wiring to a BTK artery (EXCAVATOR technique). Case 1 was a 70-year-old man with ulceration of the right toe. The AnteOwl WR IVUS was intentionally advanced into the subintimal space of the posterior tibial artery, and the totally intraplaque route was advanced by IVUS-guided parallel wiring that was successfully passed from the lateral plantar aspect to the true lumen of the digital artery. Case 2 was a 76-year-old woman with rest pain and cyanosis of the right lower limb. Angiography showed total occlusion from the superficial femoral artery to BTK arteries. AnteOwl WR IVUS-guided parallel wiring was repeatedly performed until the distal true lumen of the peroneal artery was reached, and revascularization was successfully achieved via the antegrade approach alone.

Conclusions

With its excellent crossable performance, good image quality, and high navigational ability within the CTO, the AnteOwl WR can be used to pass parallel wiring into the distal true lumen for BTK CTO.
Chemical composition, in vitro antioxidant properties, and phenolic profile of shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.)-enriched plantain biscuit
Authors: Adeyemo Aanuoluwapo Elizabeth , Omoba Olufunmilayo Sade , Olagunju Aderonke Ibidunni , Josiah Sunday Solomon
Published: March 2022

Background

Plant foods have gained tremendous consideration as a significant progenitor of bioactive substances with several therapeutic advantages over synthetic drugs. Shallot(Allium ascalonicumL.) together with plantain (Musa paradisiacaL.; particularly unripe ones) holds their applications as spice/food and folk medicine. Hence, this research pursues to explore the chemical composition, antioxidant activities (in vitro), and phenolic profile of shallot-enriched plantain biscuits. Processed shallot flour and unripe plantain flour were blended in different proportions (100% Plantain (SB0), 95% Plantain + 5% Shallot (SB5), 90% Plantain + 10% Shallot (SB10), 85% Plantain + 15% Shallot biscuit (SB15) and 80% Plantain + 20% Shallot biscuit (SB20), mixed with other ingredients to prepare biscuits. The proximate, mineral, anti-nutrient compositions, as well as antioxidant activities of shallot-enriched plantain biscuits and a commercial onion biscuit (COMBIS), were assessed using standard methods. Also, the physical properties and sensory attributes were evaluated using standard methods and polyphenols present in the developed biscuits were identified using HPLC–DAD.

Results

The study revealed that shallot-enriched plantain biscuits contained substantial nutritional contents as the protein content increased upon substitution of shallot flour. The mineral components and their anti-nutrient mineral ratio suggested their physiological impacts on nutrient bioavailability. In addition, the developed biscuit showed good physical and sensory characteristics and displayed remarkable antioxidant activities in vitro. Five polyphenols were detected in the biscuits (shallot-enriched plantain biscuit and COMBIS) with hydroxybenzoic acid being the predominant compound.

Conclusion

The developed shallot-enriched plantain biscuit may possess potential usefulness as a functional snack in the management of oxidative stress-related pathologies owing to the remarkable nutritional composition and significant antioxidant activities exhibited by the developed biscuit.
An ultralight geometry processing library for parallel mesh refinement
Authors: Wang Bohan , Chen Bo , Yu Kaixin , Xie Lijun , Chen Jianjun
Published: March 2022

In applications such as parallel mesh refinement, it remains a challenging issue to ensure the refined surface respects the original Computer-Aided Design (CAD) model accurately. In this paper, an ultralight geometry processing library is developed to resolve this issue effectively and efficiently. Here, we say the kernel is ultralight because it has a very small set of data-structures and algorithms by comparison with industrial-level geometry kernels. Within the library, a simplified surface boundary representation (B-rep) and a radial edge structure are developed respectively to depict the geometry model and the surface mesh, plus hash tables that record the connections between the geometry model and the surface mesh. Based on these data structures, a set of efficient algorithms are developed, which initializes the connection tables, projects a point back to the original geometry, etc. With these data-structure and algorithmic infrastructures set up, the callings of eight well-designed Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are powerful enough to enable the parallel mesh refinement algorithm outputs a mesh respecting the input CAD model accurately. Numerical experiments will be finally presented to evaluate the performance of the overall parallel mesh refinement algorithm and the algorithms in relation with the developed library.
Assessment of left ventricular systolic function using two- and three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography among healthy preschool-age pediatric children
Authors: Kamel Heba , Elsayegh Ayah Tarek , Nazmi Hany , Attia Hebatallah Mohamed
Published: March 2022

Background

Accurate measurements of left ventricular (LV) volumes and function are important in the management of patients with various cardiac abnormalities. Two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is shown to be accurate in detecting subclinical myocardial dysfunction when most of the conventional echocardiography parameters were normal. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography is a new noninvasive imaging technique that has been shown to be accurate in determining cardiac volume and performance. Establishment of normal range values of 3D STE over a different range of ages is crucial before applying this recent technology in clinical applications. This study aimed to assess feasibility of 3D LV STE and establish normal values for the LV systolic function among healthy Egyptian preschool-age pediatric population using 2D and 3D STE.

Results

A total of 200 subjects (95%) met the criteria for 2DSTE analysis, 10 were excluded from the 2D analysis and 180 subjects (85%) met the criteria for 3D STE analysis. Regarding the 2D STE GLS, the mean was -22.1345 ± 2.166%, GCS was f -19.02 ± 1.23%, and GRS was 42.25 ± 2.35%. There was a strongly positive significant correlation between age and 2D values of GLS (P = 0.001). The GCS showed a weakly positive nonsignificant correlation with age (P = 0.28), while GRS showed a strongly negative significant correlation with age (P = 0.001). Regarding the 3D STE data, GLS mean was -20.48 ± 1.526%, GCS mean was -13.90 ± 2.05%, while GRS mean was 47.21 ± 2.382%. 3D GLS values had a strongly positive significant correlation with age (P = 0.001). While GCS showed a weakly positive nonsignificant correlation (P = 0.955), GRS showed a strongly negative significant correlation (P = 0.001). Linear correlation analysis of 2D and 3D values of strain showed that GLS had a strongly positive significant correlation (P = 0.001), while GCS showed a weakly positive nonsignificant correlation (P = 0.161) and GRS showed a strongly positive significant correlation (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

3D global strain analysis using the 3D STE is feasible in the preschool-age pediatric population. Results were almost concordant with previous observations in most of the values except for GCS, especially 3D values which could be attributed to different vendor system used and different ethnicity. Further studies are required to reinforce these data using the GE vendor machine.
Scope of SARS-CoV-2 variants, mutations, and vaccine technologies
Authors: Wambani Josephine , Okoth Patrick
Published: March 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 is disseminated by respiratory aerosols. The virus uses the spike protein to target epithelial cells by binding to the ACE2 receptor on the host cells. As a result, effective vaccines must target the viral spike glycoprotein. However, the appearance of an Omicron variant with 32 mutations in its spike protein raises questions about the vaccine’s efficacy. Vaccines are critical in boosting immunity, lowering COVID-19-related illnesses, reducing the infectious burden on the healthcare system, and reducing economic loss, according to current data. An efficient vaccination campaign is projected to increase innate and adaptive immune responses, offering better protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Main body

The presence of altered SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating around the world puts the effectiveness of vaccines already on the market at risk. The problem is made even worse by the Omicron variant, which has 32 mutations in its spike protein. Experts are currently examining the potential consequences of commercial vaccines on variants. However, there are worries about the vaccines’ safety, the protection they provide, and whether future structural changes are required for these vaccines to be more effective. As a result of these concerns, new vaccines based on modern technology should be developed to guard against the growing SARS-CoV-2 variations.

Conclusion

The choice of a particular vaccine is influenced by several factors including mode of action, storage conditions, group of the vaccinee, immune response mounted, cost, dosage protocol, age, and side effects. Currently, seven SARS-CoV-2 vaccine platforms have been developed. This comprises of inactivated viruses, messenger RNA (mRNA), DNA vaccines, protein subunits, nonreplicating and replicating vector viral-like particles (VLP), and live attenuated vaccines. This review focuses on the SARS-CoV-2 mutations, variants of concern (VOCs), and advances in vaccine technologies.
Does mass management of chronic hepatitis C protect the Egyptian population against fulminant coronavirus disease-2019? “Postulating a hypothesis”
Authors: Negm Essamedin M.
Published: March 2022

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by the pathogenic virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Egypt has launched a national treatment program to provide a cure for Egyptian patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). A common mechanism is shared between both the anticipated and unexpected aspects of COVID-19. The activity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is intrinsically high in the lungs, which is a major source of ACE and hence a significant site of systemic synthesis of Ang II. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2, the etiological agent of the COVID-19 disease. ACE-2 and its angiotensin 1–7 (Ang 1–7) product, which acts on the Mas oncogene receptor, have been shown to play a protective role in fibrogenesis and inflammation of many organs, including the liver and lung. Antiviral treatment with interferon (IFN) in conjunction with ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C reduces serum ACE activity and indirectly affects liver parenchyma fibrogenesis. The antifibrotic activity of sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir (SOF/DAC) is independent of its antiviral action. Elimination of HCV infection by DAA therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C could improve natural killer (NK) activity by increasing the frequency of CD 16+ CD 56+ NK cells. COVID-19 individuals exhibit enhanced platelet activation and aggregation, as well as platelet-monocyte aggregation, which is linked to coagulative disorders. Lower systemic inflammation and enhanced hepatic synthesis of both pro- and anti-coagulant factors were noticed soon after antiviral therapy. In order to protect against the severity of COVID-19, treatment of chronic hepatitis C has been observed as a possible key as a prophylaxis beside the vaccine and should be tested for evidence or rejection of observation.
Velocity calibration by incremental pseudomaster events for single-well microseismic monitoring
Authors: Jiang Xingda , Yang Hui , Zhang Wei
Published: March 2022

The velocity model plays a critical role in accurately determining microseismic event locations during hydraulic fracturing. Conventional velocity optimization methods, such as updating the velocity model using perforation shots, have the drawback of weak ray coverage during single-well monitoring. The microseismic events distributed in different areas can broaden the ray coverage and help improve the accuracy of the velocity model, whereas only a few perforation shots are available for a given stage. We have developed an incremental pseudomaster (IPM) method to reduce the velocity errors. The master event location technique is used to determine the positions of representative events in each iteration of the IPM method. These events then act as new pseudomasters to further optimize the velocity model using Bayesian inference. With progressive iterations, the number of pseudomaster events increases and their distribution range expands. The accuracy of the velocity model continuously improves, which means that the final IPM-based velocity model, generated based on the pseudomasters distributed throughout the study area, more accurately locates all microseismic events than the perforation shot alone method. One synthetic example and one field test have been conducted, and the results demonstrate that the IPM method could overcome the drawbacks of weak ray coverage and improve the accuracy of the inverted velocity model and event locations.