bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic performance of simplified TI-RADS for malignant thyroid nodules: comparison with 2017 ACR-TI-RADS and 2020 C-TI-RADS
Authors: Chen Zhiguang , Du Yue , Cheng Linggang , Zhang Yukang , Zheng Shuai , Li Rui , Zhang Wenkai , Zhang Wei , He Wen
Published: August 2022

Background

The aim of this study is to propose a new TI-RADS and compare it with the American College of Radiology (2017 ACR)-TI-RADS and the 2020 Chinese (2020 C)-TI-RADS.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 749 thyroid nodules was performed. Based on the calculated odds ratio of ultrasonic signs between benign and malignant nodules, a new thyroid nodule score and malignancy rate were calculated. A receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to analyze the new system’s effectiveness in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules and was compared with the 2020 C-TI-RADS and 2017 ACR-TI-RADS. Five ultrasound physicians with different qualifications graded another 123 thyroid nodules according to the 2017ACR-TI-RADS, 2020 C-TI-RADS, and the newly proposed TI-RADS. Intergroup and intragroup consistency was evaluated using the Kappa test and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) test.

Results

1) The new thyroid nodule score was divided into 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 points, with malignancy rates of 1.52%, 7.69%, 38.24%, 76.00%, 90.75%, and 93.75%, respectively. Using 3 points as the cutoff value to diagnose benign and malignant thyroid nodules, the sensitivity and specificity were 94.03% and 67.39%, respectively, which were higher than those of the 2017 ACR-TI-RADS and 2020 C-TI-RADS. The simplified TI-RADS, namely, sTI-RADS, was established as follows: sTI-RADS 3 (0 points), malignancy rate < 2%; sTI-RADS 4a (1 point), malignancy rate 2–10%; sTI-RADS 4b (2 points), malignancy rate 10–50%; sTI-RADS 4 (3 points), malignancy rate 50–90%; and sTI-RADS 5 (4 and 5 points), malignancy rate > 90%. 2) Five ultrasound doctors graded thyroid nodules by the 2017 ACR-TI-RADS, 2020C-TI-RADS and sTI-RADS. Intragroup consistency was good among all tests; ICC were 0.86 (0.82–0.90), 0.84 (0.78–0.88), and 0.88 (0.84–0.91), respectively, while only sTI-RADS had good intergroup consistency.

Conclusion

In summary, we proposed a new TI-RADS, namely, sTI-RADS, which was obtained using a simple assignment method with higher specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and Youden index than the 2017 ACR-TI-RADS and 2020 C-TI-RADS.
Arterial spin labeling and diffusion-weighted imaging for identification of retropharyngeal lymph nodes in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Yu Xiaoduo , Yang Fan , Liu Xue , Zhao Yanfeng , Li Yujie , Lin Meng , Xie Lizhi , Shang Yuqing
Published: August 2022

Background

To evaluate the parameters derived from arterial spin labeling (ASL) and multi-b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for differentiating retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RLNs) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

This prospective study included 50 newly diagnosed NPC and 23 healthy control (HC) participants. RLNs of NPC were diagnosed according to the follow-up MRI after radiotherapy. Parameters derived from ASL and multi-b-value DWI, and RLNs axial size on pre-treatment MRI among groups were compared. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency.

Results

A total of 133 RLNs were collected and divided into a metastatic group (n = 71) and two non-metastatic groups (n = 62, including 29 nodes from NPC and 33 nodes from HC). The axial size, blood flow (BF), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of RLNs were significantly different between the metastasis and the non-metastasis group. For NPC patients with a short axis < 5 mm or < 6 mm, or long axis < 7 mm, if BF > 54 mL/min/100 g or ADC ≤ 0.95 × 10−3 mm2/s, the RLNs were still considered metastatic. Compared with the index alone, a combination of size and functional parameters could improve the accuracy significantly, except the long axis combined with ADC; especially, combined size with BF exhibited better performance with an accuracy of 91.00–92.00%.

Conclusions

ASL and multi-b-value DWI could help determine the N stage of NPC, while the BF combination with RLNs size may significantly improve the diagnostic efficiency.
Gayet-Wernicke’s encephalopathy complicating prolonged parenteral nutrition in patient treated for colonic cancer – a case report –
Authors: Slim Skander , Ayed Karim , Triki Wissem , Baccar Abdelmajid , Baraket Oussama , Rahal Khaled , Ganzoui Imen , Bouchoucha Sami
Published: August 2022

Background

Gayet-Wernicke’s encephalopathy (GWE) is a neurological pathology caused by a Thiamine deficiency. While it is most often related to chronic alcoholism, GWE can occur in any situation that results in thiamine deficiency. It is a fairly common pathology that is frequently underdiagnosed and therefore under-treated, and is associated with a high mortality and morbidity rate. In the absence of pathognomonic signs, the diagnosis of GWE relies on a range of clinical, biological and radiological assessments. GWE is considered a medical emergency.

We present a case of Gayet-Wernicke’s Encephalopathy resulting from complete parenteral nutrition in an undernourished North African male operated for a left colon tumor. Through this report, our aim was to put the light on this often underknown disease and to remind the interest of thinking about this pathology in patients at risk of undernourishment especially in oncology.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old North African male with no personal or family history was operated for a sigmoid colon tumor. He was put on exclusive parenteral nutrition on day thirteen post-operatively and presented with a GWE on day sixteen post-operatively. The patient was treated with intravenous vitamin B1 on day eighteen post-operatively and deceased on day twenty-four post-operatively.

Conclusions

Although most often associated with chronic alcoholism, GWE occurs in any situation where there is an increased energy demand or decreased nutritional intake especially in oncology.

GWE is common but under-diagnosed and remains lethal if not treated urgently, hence the importance of prophylactic treatment.
Acute effects of a motor coordination intervention on executive functions in kindergartners: a proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial
Authors: Haas Petra , Sudeck Gorden , Kelava Augustin , Cattarius Marcel , Meibohm Marie , Schmid Johanna , Kistoglidou Eirini , Gawrilow Caterina
Published: August 2022

Background

Executive functions are pivotal for future academic and social functioning. Causal effects of physical activity on executive functions have been shown in adults. The primary objective of this study was to test the proof-of-concept (i.e., feasibility of implementation and acceptance) of a motor coordination intervention and a sedentary control condition in kindergartners and its preliminary effectiveness on subsequent executive function performance.

Methods

The study used a two-group post-test only design. All children aged between 4 and 7 years old were eligible. One hundred and three children (46% girls; age: M = 5.71 years, 95% CI = 5.50 to 5.92) recruited in a middle-sized town in Germany were randomly assigned to a 20-min motor coordination intervention (n = 51) or a sedentary control condition (n = 52), both of which were conducted in a one-on-one experimenter-child setting in the university or kindergarten. A second blinded-to-condition experimenter assessed the executive function outcomes directly following the conditions. Proof-of-concept criteria were the implementation of the intervention with a moderate-to-vigorous physical activity level assessed via heart rate sensors, and with motor coordination demands, analyzed via video recordings; children’s acceptance via self-reported enjoyment of the conditions; and the post-assessments of executive functions with a behavioral and computerized task.

Results

The motor coordination intervention and the control condition were feasible in a one-on-one setting with kindergartners. The intervention revealed heart rate increases and challenging motor coordination tasks. Children in both conditions indicated they enjoy them. Performance in the two executive function tasks did not differ between children in the motor coordination intervention and the control condition.

Conclusions

A one-on-one experimenter-child setting was feasible to deliver in kindergartners. Future intervention studies should consider pre-testing of executive functions and take into account children’s characteristics as potential moderators, such as motor coordination skills.
Pathogenicity, ultra-structural growth and development of green muscardine fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) on maize fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Kiruthiga G. , Jeyarani S. , Sathiah N. , Murugan M. , Sivakumar U. , Uma D.
Published: August 2022

Background

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a devastating pest of maize, difficult to manage using a single pest management tactic. The entomopathogenic fungus (EPF), Metarhizium anisopliae being an eco-friendly component, could be an effective tool for managing this notorious pest owing to its preferred habitat, principally the whorl region.

Results

Metarhizium anisopliae (TNAU-MA-GDU) isolated from FAW was evaluated against 2nd instar larvae of S. frugiperda reared under laboratory conditions. The pathogenicity and infection process were also studied through scanning electron microscope (SEM). The LC50 value for M. anisopliae isolate TNAU-MA-GDU was recorded as 5.8 × 104 spores ml−1 against the second instar larvae of S. frugiperda. SEM observations on the infection process revealed the adherence of the conidia on the head, cuticular ornamentations of the thorax, sensory seta, and legs at 24 h post-infection (hpi). Formation of germ tube and appressoria was observed from 48 hpi with subsequent hyphal development at 72 hpi. Complete networking of mycelium and conidiogenesis observed after 168 hpi.

Conclusion

An understanding of fungal–host interactions at the ultramicroscopic levels could reform present tactics for developing hyper-virulent EPF strains.
Enhancing cellular uptake and membrane permeability of gallic acid for breast cancer therapy via folate-tagged PEGylated iron oxide nanoparticles has theronastic agent
Authors: Sandhiya V. , Ubaidulla U.
Published: August 2022

Background

In an attempt to prove biological activity enhancement upon escalating the cellular uptake response through ligand and carrier-based via nanoframework, gallic acid was chosen to be formulated into PLGA-based polymeric nanoparticles with iron oxide as the theranostic agent.

Results

The pre-formulation studies like FTIR, DSC, XRD, and TGA were carried out, which implies good compatibility between drug and polymer. Furthermore, the nanoparticles were prepared by using a single nanoprecipitation method, and the prepared nanoparticles were optimized using the Box–Behnken design. This design was used to optimize the gallic acid-loaded PEGylated nanoparticles by considering the effects of three factors (X1; lipid, X2; PLGA, and X3; drug) on the response variables Y1 (EE), Y2 (size), and Y3 (drug release). The findings of surface response plots are attributed to an optimized nanoparticle. The in vitro drug release followed a biphasic release profile in both tested media, pH 4.8 and 7.4. The desirable physicochemical characteristics involved small particle size with considerable stability, which was attained due to the anionic nature of PLGA. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay of gallic acid, GA/PLGA-IONPs, and optimized FA-GA/PLGA-PEGylated-LIONPs were evaluated using the MTT assay, which showed an inhibition effect on MCF-7 cells to induce apoptosis. Cellular uptake and fluorescence studies show higher cellular uptake and destruction of cells based on concentration dependence.

Conclusions

The above results show that prepared nanoparticles sustain the therapeutic concentration of the drug on target cells by enhancing permeability through the PEGylated lipid delivery system.
Food systems and rural-urban linkages in African secondary cities
Authors: Zimmer Andrew , Guido Zack , Davies Julia , Joshi Nupur , Chilenga Allan , Evans Tom
Published: August 2022

Urban populations globally are expected to increase by approximately 2.5 billion by 2050. Much of this growth is taking place in African cities, where about 40% of Africans live in urban areas with populations of less than 250,000. In many of these cities, rapid urban growth has outpaced economic and social development, resulting in high levels of urban poverty and widespread food insecurity. As one response strategy, urban households may leverage their linkages with rural areas and other towns or cities to supplement their food consumption, for example through food remittances or food purchases from remote retailers. While this strategy has been found to occur among inhabitants of large cities where existing research on urban food systems and urban food linkages with other areas has focused, the dynamics in smaller cities are likely different. In this paper, we draw on data from 837 surveys collected in 2021 to investigate household food sourcing strategies across 14 urban areas in Zambia with populations less than 100,000. We find that rural-urban food linkages are dominated by grains while urban-urban food linkages are predominantly composed of higher value foods. Our data further suggest that urban area characteristics explain more of the variability in food sourcing behaviors than household level characteristics, and that urban food purchasing preferences in secondary urban areas are sensitive to the food retail landscape available to households. These relationships highlight the disparate role that rural and urban linkages play across cities of different sizes. They suggest a need for food-related policies to consider diverse urban food systems among smaller cities.
Serum miR-34a as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases in Egyptian patients
Authors: Fouad Amina , Tarek Marwa , Abdel Hamid Rehab Ahmed , Mahmoud Yosra H. , Mohamed Ahmed Abdelhaleem , Saleh Mohamed , Samir Nehal
Published: August 2022

Background

IBD is a multifactorial disease. Although dysbiosis of commensal bacteria and breakdown of the intestinal barrier are considered as major pathological mechanisms in the development of IBD, other important factors such as genetic aberrations also contribute to its development.

Results

Our results revealed that serum miR-34a RQ values were significantly lower and serum MACF1 RQ values were significantly higher in IBD patients compared to healthy controls. In addition, serum miR-34a in relation to pathological activity and disease severity in the IBD group revealed a significant difference (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Serum miR-34a RQ and serum MACF1 RQ value-based biomarker panels can act as a potential biomarker for IBD diagnosis and prognosis.
Evaluatıon of the descriptive values and occlusion effects of air and bone conducted cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in normal individuals
Authors: Taşcı Betül , Gençtürk Ertuğrul , Şerbetçioğlu Mustafa Bülent
Published: August 2022

Objective

This study was aimed to establish the descriptive statistical values of cVEMPs’s responses which are evoked by air and bone conducted stimuli and to examine the effects of occlusion on bone conducted (BC) cVEMPs test.

Methods

The study was carried out on 20 individuals (n = 40 ears), 11 women and 9 men, at the Medipol Mega University Hospital. cVEMPs tests were applied in five stages to the individuals who are volunteer to participate in this study. Firstly, the air conducted (AC) cVEMPs test was applied. Then, BC cVEMPs tests were applied in four different conditions with the aim of examining the occlusion effect.

Results

Latency values of the AC cVEMPs response were 15.17 ± 0.77 ms for P1 and 24.12 ± 1.38 ms for N1 and 8.95 ± 1.12 ms for interpeak latencies. P1N1 amplitude value was 149.73 ± 75.00 μV. VEMPs asymmetry ratio (VAR) was 0.16 ± 0.16. Latency measurements of the BC cVEMPs response were 14.38 ± 0.85 ms for P1 and 23.40 ± 1.50 ms for N1 and 9.05 ± 1.57 ms for interpeak latencies. P1N1 amplitude value was 107.58 ± 54.08 μV. VAR was 0.15 ± 0.12. Both AC cVEMPs and BC cVEMPs parameters were demonstrated that there are not any significant differences between female-male and left ear-right ear. When AC and BC cVEMPs responses were compared, the mean P1 and N1 latencies of BC cVEMPs were significantly shorter than those of AC cVEMPs (p < 0.01). The mean amplitudes of AC cVEMPs were significantly larger than those of BC cVEMPs (p < 0.01). When the impact of the occlusion effect on cVEMPs parameters was examined, no statistical significance was found.

Conclusion

As a result, it was thought that the BC cVEMPs, which is not widely used in clinics, might be used in the vestibular assessment of conductive hearing losses (CHL) in clinics, by obtaining descriptive values with this study. In addition, it was thought that it might be used as an auxiliary test to diagnose patients with hyperacusis who are disturbed by loud noises.
Pharmacogenomics: an opportunity for personalised psychotropic prescribing in adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Perera Bhathika , Steward Charles , Courtenay Ken , Andrews Timothy , Shankar Rohit
Published: August 2022

There is growing evidence for the use of pharmacogenomics in psychotropic prescribing. People with intellectual disabilities are disproportionately prescribed psychotropics and are at risk of polypharmacy. There is an urgent need for safeguards to prevent psychotropic overprescribing but it is equally crucial that this population is not left behind in such exciting initiatives. Understanding how genetic variations affect medications is a step towards personalised medicine. This may improve personalised prescribing for people with intellectual disabilities, especially given the high rate of psychiatric and behavioural problems in this population. Our editorial explores opportunities and challenges that pharmacogenomics offers for the challenges of polypharmacy and overprescribing of psychotropics in people with intellectual disabilities.
Impact of Somatic Mutations on Survival Outcomes in Patients With Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Jennifer Rui , Montierth Matthew , Xu Li , Goswami Maitrayee , Zhao Xiao , Cote Gilbert , Wang Wenyi , Iyer Priyanka , Dadu Ramona , Busaidy Naifa L. , Lai Stephen Y. , Gross Neil D. , Ferrarotto Renata , Lu Charles , Gunn Gary Brandon , Williams Michelle D. , Routbort Mark , Zafereo Mark E. , Cabanillas Maria E.
Published: August 2022

PURPOSE

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) uniformly present with aggressive disease, but the mutational landscape of tumors varies. We aimed to determine whether tumor mutations affect survival outcomes in ATC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent mutation sequencing using targeted gene panels between 2005 and 2019 at a tertiary referral center were included. Associations between mutation status and survival outcomes were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

A total of 202 patients were included, where 122 died of ATC (60%). The median follow-up was 31 months (interquartile range, 18-45 months). The most common mutations were in TP53 (59%), BRAF (41%), TERT promoter (37%), and the RAS gene family (22%). Clinicopathologic characteristics and overall survival (OS) significantly correlated with mutations in BRAFV600E and RAS, which were mutually exclusive. The BRAFV600E mutation was associated with the presence of a papillary thyroid carcinoma precursor and significantly better OS (median OS: 24 months). RAS-mutated patients more commonly presented without cervical lymph node involvement but had the worst OS (median OS: 6 months). Tumors that were wild-type for both BRAF and RAS were enriched for NF1 mutations and harbored intermediate prognosis (median OS: 15 months). In multivariate analyses, RAS mutations were associated with a more than 2.5-fold higher risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.66 to 4.20) compared with BRAFV600E. In patients treated with BRAF-directed therapy (n = 60), disease progression occurred in 48% of patients (n = 29). The median progression-free survival was 14 months. The presence of a TP53 mutation was independently associated with reduced progression-free survival in BRAFV600E-mutated patients treated with BRAF-directed therapy (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.35 to 6.21).

CONCLUSION

Mutation analysis provides prognostic information in ATC and should be incorporated into routine clinical care.
Red Blood Cell Transfusion and Postoperative Infection in Patients Having Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery: An Analysis of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database
Authors: Mazzeffi Michael A. , Holmes Sari D. , Taylor Bradley , Ghoreishi Mehrdad , McNeil John S. , Kertai Miklos D. , Bollen Bruce A. , Tanaka Kenichi , Raphael Jacob , Glance Laurent
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND:

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common cardiac surgical procedure in the world and up to one-third of patients are transfused red blood cells (RBCs). RBC transfusion may increase the risk for health care-associated infection (HAI) after CABG, but previous studies have shown conflicting results and many did not establish exposure temporality. Our objective was to explore whether intraoperative RBC transfusion is associated with increased odds of postoperative HAI. We hypothesized that intraoperative RBC transfusion would be associated with increased odds of postoperative HAI.

METHODS:

We performed an observational cohort study of isolated CABG patients in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons adult cardiac surgery database from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2019. The exposure was intraoperative RBC transfusion modeled as 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4+ units. The authors focused on intraoperative RBC transfusion as a risk factor, because it has a definite temporal relationship before postoperative HAI. The study’s primary outcome was a composite HAI variable that included sepsis, pneumonia, and surgical site infection (both deep and superficial). Mixed-effects modeling, which controlled for hospital as a clustering variable, was used to explore the relationship between intraoperative RBC transfusion and postoperative HAI.

RESULTS:

Among 362,954 CABG patients from 1076 hospitals included in our analysis, 59,578 patients (16.4%) received intraoperative RBCs and 116,186 (32.0%) received either intraoperative or postoperative RBCs. Risk-adjusted odds ratios for HAI in patients who received 1, 2, 3, and 4+ intraoperative RBCs were 1.11 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.20; P = .005), 1.13 (95% CI, 1.05–1.21; P = .001), 1.15 (95% CI, 1.04–1.27; P = .008), and 1.14 (95% CI, 1.02–1.27; P = .02) compared to patients who received no RBCs.

CONCLUSIONS:

Intraoperative RBC transfusion is associated with a small increase in odds of HAI in CABG patients. Future studies should explore whether reductions in RBC transfusion can also reduce HAIs.
Moderators of Resistance Training Effects in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: LOPEZ PEDRO , RADAELLI RÉGIS , TAAFFE DENNIS R. , GALVÃO DANIEL A. , NEWTON ROBERT U. , NONEMACHER ELISA R. , WENDT VICTÓRIA M. , BASSANESI RENATA N. , TURELLA DOUGLAS J. P. , RECH ANDERSON
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze whether the effects of resistance exercise on whole-body fat and lean mass are moderated by exercise dosage (i.e., duration, volume, and intensity), age, body mass index, baseline values, assessment methods, and prescription of aerobic exercise and caloric restriction in overweight/obese adults.

Methods

A systematic search was undertaken in 11 databases from inception to December 2020, with an updated search undertaken in April 2022. Eligible randomized controlled trials examined the effects of resistance-based exercise programs on whole-body fat mass and lean mass in adults who were overweight or obese. Meta-analysis was undertaken with a random-effects model. Associations between mean differences and potential moderators were tested by meta-regression models.

Results

Sixty-seven articles describing 65 trials (n = 2537) were included. Resistance-based exercise programs resulted in a significant change of −1.6 kg (95% confidence interval [CI] = −1.9 to −1.3 kg, P < 0.001) in whole-body fat mass and +0.8 kg (95% CI = 0.6 to 0.9 kg, P < 0.001) in lean mass. Male participants experienced greater effects than females (P < 0.001), whereas those presenting with higher levels of fat mass at baseline experienced greater reductions in this outcome (P = 0.084). For lean mass, younger adults experienced greater improvements compared with older participants (P = 0.009), whereas programs comprising resistance exercise and caloric restriction resulted in significant reductions in lean mass (P = 0.035). Resistance exercise dosage or prescription of aerobic exercise was not associated with change in these outcomes.

Conclusions

Resistance-based programs improve body composition regardless of the resistance exercise dosage or aerobic component prescribed in adults who are overweight or obese. In addition, subgroups based on demographic characteristics, baseline levels, and presence of caloric restriction may present with more favorable responses in body composition.
The Relationship between Physiological Characteristics and Durability in Male Professional Cyclists
Authors: SPRAGG JAMES , LEO PETER , SWART JEROEN
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to determine if durability can be predicted from laboratory measures in a professional cycling population.

Methods

Data were collected from 10 professional cyclists (age = 19.2 ± 0.8 yr, body mass = 70.4 ± 5.5 kg, height = 182.9 ± 4.0 cm, body mass index = 21.0 ± 1.3 kg·m−2, V̇O2max = 74.4 ± 4.8 mL·kg−1·min −1, critical power [CP] = 5.6 ± 0.6 W·kg−1, W′ = 23.7 ± 5.4 kJ). Participants completed a laboratory test and a CP test on two occasions. The second occasion was preceded by a novel fatiguing protocol, which consisted of five bouts of 8-min of exercise at 105%–110% of CP. CP in a fatigued state was expressed as a percentage of the fresh CP and coined delta CP (∆CP). The Pearson product correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between laboratory-based measures and ∆CP.

Results

Significant positive relationships were found between ∆CP and relative peak power output (r = 0.891, P < 0.001), relative maximum oxygen uptake (r = 0.835, P = 0.003), relative power output at the second ventilatory threshold (r = 0.738, P = 0.015), power output at the first ventilatory threshold (r = 0.748, P = 0.013) and relative power output at the first ventilatory threshold (r = 0.826, P = 0.003), gross efficiency at 300 W (r = 0.869, P = 0.001), and at 200 W (r = 0.792, P = 0.006). Significant negative relationships were found between ∆CP and carbohydrate oxidation at 200 W (r = −0.702, P = 0.024). A multiple linear regression demonstrated that ∆CP can be predicted from laboratory measures (R
2 = 0.96–0.98, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate the physiological determinants of durability in a professional cycling population.
Effects of Desk Pedaling Work Rate on Concurrent Work Performance among Physically Inactive Adults: A Randomized Experiment
Authors: ROVNIAK LIZA S. , CHO JAY , FREIVALDS ANDRIS , KONG LAN , DE ARAUJO-GREECHER MARIELENA , BOPP MELISSA , SCIAMANNA CHRISTOPHER N. , ROTHROCK LING
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Under-desk pedaling devices could help reduce health risks associated with the global decline in work-related energy expenditure. However, the optimal pedaling work rate to facilitate concurrent work performance among physically inactive adults is unclear. We examined the effects of two light-intensity pedaling work rates on physically inactive adults’ work performance.

Methods

We recruited equal numbers of older (45–65 yr) versus younger (20–44 yr), male versus female, and overweight/obese (body mass index [BMI], 25–35 kg·m−2) versus normal weight (BMI, 18.5–24.9 kg·m−2) participants. Using a Graeco-Latin square design, participants (n = 96) completed a laboratory experiment to evaluate the effects of using an under-desk pedaling device at two seated light-intensity work rates (17 and 25 W), relative to a seated nonpedaling condition on objectively measured typing, reading, logical reasoning, and phone task performance. Ergonomic comfort under each pedaling work rate was also assessed. Equivalence tests were used to compare work performance under the pedaling versus nonpedaling conditions.

Results

Treatment fidelity to the 17- and 25-W pedaling work rates exceeded 95%. Mean work performance scores for each pedaling and nonpedaling condition were equivalent under alpha = 0.025. Age, sex, and BMI did not significantly moderate the effect of pedaling on work performance. Participants reported greater ergonomic comfort while completing work tasks at the 17-W relative to the 25-W work rate.

Conclusions

Physically inactive adults obtained similar work performance scores under the 17- and 25-W pedaling and the nonpedaling conditions, suggesting that either pedaling work rate could help reduce health risks of sedentary work time. The 17-W work rate yielded greater ergonomic comfort and may be an appropriate starting point for introducing diverse inactive workers to under-desk pedaling.
Symptom Number and Reduced Preinfection Training Predict Prolonged Return to Training after SARS-CoV-2 in Athletes: AWARE IV
Authors: SNYDERS CAROLETTE , SCHWELLNUS MARTIN , SEWRY NICOLA , KAULBACK KELLY , WOOD PAOLA , SEOCHARAN ISHEN , DERMAN WAYNE , READHEAD CLINT , PATRICIOS JON , OLIVIER BENITA , JORDAAN ESME
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to determine factors predictive of prolonged return to training (RTT) in athletes with recent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Athletes not vaccinated against COVID-19 (n = 207) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (predominantly ancestral virus and beta-variant) completed an online survey detailing the following factors: demographics (age and sex), level of sport participation, type of sport, comorbidity history and preinfection training (training hours 7 d preinfection), SARS-CoV-2 symptoms (26 in 3 categories; “nose and throat,” “chest and neck,” and “whole body”), and days to RTT. Main outcomes were hazard ratios (HR, 95% confidence interval) for athletes with versus without a factor, explored in univariate and multiple models. HR < 1 was predictive of prolonged RTT (reduced % chance of RTT after symptom onset). Significance was P < 0.05.

Results

Age, level of sport participation, type of sport, and history of comorbidities were not predictors of prolonged RTT. Significant predictors of prolonged RTT (univariate model) were as follows (HR, 95% confidence interval): female (0.6, 0.4–0.9; P = 0.01), reduced training in the 7 d preinfection (1.03, 1.01–1.06; P = 0.003), presence of symptoms by anatomical region (any “chest and neck” [0.6, 0.4–0.8; P = 0.004] and any “whole body” [0.6, 0.4–0.9; P = 0.025]), and several specific symptoms. Multiple models show that the greater number of symptoms in each anatomical region (adjusted for training hours in the 7 d preinfection) was associated with prolonged RTT (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Reduced preinfection training hours and the number of acute infection symptoms may predict prolonged RTT in athletes with recent SARS-CoV-2. These data can assist physicians as well as athletes/coaches in planning and guiding RTT. Future studies can explore whether these variables can be used to predict time to return to full performance and classify severity of acute respiratory infection in athletes.
Influence of the Thermal Environment on Work Rate and Physiological Strain during a UCI World Tour Multistage Cycling Race
Authors: PÉRIARD JULIEN D. , WILSON MATHEW G. , TEBECK SAMUEL T. , GILMORE JAMES B. , STANLEY JAMIE , GIRARD OLIVIER
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to characterize the thermal and cardiovascular strain of professional cyclists during the 2019 Tour Down Under and determine the associations between thermal indices and power output, and physiological strain.

Methods

Gastrointestinal temperature (T
gi), heart rate (HR), and power output were recorded during the six stages (129–151.5 km) of the Tour Down Under in ≤22 male participants. Thermal indices included dry-bulb, black-globe, wet-bulb, and wet-bulb-globe (WBGT) temperature; relative humidity (RH), Heat Index; Humidex; and universal thermal climate index. The heat stress index (HSI), which reflects human heat strain, was also calculated.

Results

Dry-bulb temperature was 23°C–37°C, and RH was 18%–72% (WBGT: 21°C–29°C). Mean T
gi was 38.2°C–38.5°C, and mean peak T
gi was 38.9°C–39.4°C, both highest values recorded during stage 3 (WBGT: 27°C). Peak individual T
gi was ≥40.0°C in three stages and ≥39.5°C in 14%–33% of cyclists in five stages. Mean HR was 131–147 bpm (68%–77% of peak), with the highest mean recorded in stage 3 (P ≤ 0.005). Mean power output was 180–249 W, with the highest mean recorded during stage 4 (P < 0.001; 21°C WBGT). The thermal indices most strongly correlated with power output were black-globe temperature (r = −0.778), RH (r = 0.768), universal thermal climate index (r = −0.762), and WBGT (r = −0.745; all P < 0.001). Mean T
gi was correlated with wet-bulb temperature (r = 0.495), HSI (r = 0.464), and Humidex (r = 0.314; all P < 0.05), whereas mean HR was most strongly correlated with HSI (r = 0.720), along with T
gi (r = 0.599) and power output (r = 0.539; all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Peak T
gi reached 40.0°C in some cyclists, although most remained <39.5°C with an HR of ~73% of peak. Power output was correlated with several thermal indices, primarily influenced by temperature, whereas T
gi and HR were associated with the HSI, which has potential for sport-specific heat policy development.
Case Report: Treatment of porphyria cutanea tarda with low dose hydroxychloroquine
Authors: Awad Andrew , Nirenberg Alexander , Sinclair Rodney
Published: August 2022

Background: Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a complex metabolic disease resulting from altered activity of the enzyme uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD) in the liver resulting in accumulation of uroporphyrin. PCT presents as a blistering photodermatitis with skin fragility, vesicles, scarring and milia.

Case: We report a case of PCT in a 67-year-old man with hemochromatosis (HFE) gene mutation who, following a major syncopal episode in response to venesection was commenced on low dose hydroxychloroquine.

Conclusions: Low dose hydroxychloroquine provided a safe and effective alternative to venesection in this patient who was needle phobic.
Inconclusive results of SARS-CoV2 RT-qPCR: To retest or not?
Authors: Ardianto Christian , Venna Anastasia , Thantry Anita Devi K. , Kaisar Maria M M
Published: August 2022

Background: Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is widely used to detect SARS-CoV-2 infections. A small proportion (3-5%) of the samples turn out to be inconclusive which are difficult to interpret and require repeat testing.

Methods: This study utilizing RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 collected data from the viral RNA extracted using Maccura Mag-Bind RNA from NPOP specimen, then amplified and quantified using Maccura SARS-CoV-2 Fluorescent PCR kit. The data with inconclusive interpretation and re-test results were selected and further analysed.

Results: The retrospective analysis of 247 inconclusive samples that were retested was included in the study. Among the inconclusive results from the first test, 80% of samples which expressed SARS-CoV-2 N and E genes (without ORF1ab gene) turned out to be positive in the repeat test (p < 0.001), while 55% of samples that had only one gene expressed initially, were positive on repeat testing. The E gene was detected (without N and ORF1ab gene) in nine samples, of which seven were negative on re-testing.

Conclusions: Our study suggests that it is beneficial to repeat the SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR test, especially when two genes are expressed, while detection of only E gene in the first test can be regarded as negative.
The social prescribing of psychosocial interventions in the treatment of addictions and substance use disorders with military veterans: a reclamation of identity and belonging
Authors: Mottershead Richard
Published: August 2022

Social prescribing is a way of connecting individuals to a source of support within the community to help improve their health and well-being. Social prescribing programmes are being widely promoted within the United Kingdom (UK) and United States as non-pharmaceutical interventions for those living with addiction and substance misuse needs. These needs have been exasperated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic and global economic crisis, with emerging research indicating short-term and long-term detrimental effects on physical and mental health due to substance misuse and addictions. Psychosocial interventions utilize psychological or social factors rather than an overreliance on biological interventions to treat the health impacts of mental illnesses such as addictions and substance use disorder. In this paper, I will discuss the associated determinants of addictions and substance for the military veteran population, as well as how the social prescribing of psychosocial interventions could be used to reaffirm participant’s identity and enhance their sense of belonging for military veterans, using a real-world example in Wales, UK.
Parallel Machine Scheduling Under Uncertainty: Models and Exact Algorithms
Authors: Song Guopeng , Leus Roel
Published: August 2022

We study parallel machine scheduling for makespan minimization with uncertain job processing times. To incorporate uncertainty and generate solutions that are, in some way, insensitive to unfolding information, three different modeling paradigms are adopted: a robust model, a chance-constrained model, and a distributionally robust chance-constrained model. We focus on devising generic solution methods that can efficiently handle these different models. We develop two general solution procedures: a cutting-plane method that leverages the submodularity in the models and a customized dichotomic search procedure with a decision version of a bin packing variant under uncertainty solved in each iteration. A branch-and-price algorithm is designed to solve the bin packing problems. The efficiency of our methods is shown through extensive computational tests. We compare the solutions from the different models and report the general lessons learned regarding the choice between different frameworks for planning under uncertainty.

History: Accepted by Andrea Lodi, Area Editor for Design & Analysis of Algorithms—Discrete.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 72101264 and 71801218] and the Science and Technology Innovation Team in Higher Educational Institutions of Hunan Province [Grant 2020RC4046].

Supplemental Material: The online supplement is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2022.1229 .
A Chance-Constrained Two-Echelon Vehicle Routing Problem with Stochastic Demands
Authors: Sluijk Natasja , Florio Alexandre M. , Kinable Joris , Dellaert Nico , Van Woensel Tom
Published: August 2022

Two-echelon distribution systems are often considered in city logistics to maintain economies of scale and satisfy the emission zone requirements in the cities. In this work, we formulate the two-echelon vehicle routing problem with stochastic demands as a chance-constrained stochastic optimization problem, where the total demand of the customers in each second-echelon route should fit within the second-echelon vehicle capacity with a high probability. We propose two efficient solution procedures based on column generation. Key to the efficiency of these procedures is the underlying labeling algorithm to generate new columns. We propose a novel labeling algorithm based on simultaneous construction of second-echelon routes and a labeling algorithm that builds second-echelon routes sequentially. To further enhance the performance of the solution procedure, we use statistical inference tests to ensure that the chance constraints are met. We reduce the number of customer combinations for which the chance constraint needs to be verified by imposing feasibility bounds on the stochastic customer demands. With these bounds, the runtimes of the labeling algorithms are reduced significantly. The novel labeling algorithm, statistical inference, and feasibility bounds can also be applied to dependent, correlated, and data-driven (scenario-based) demand distributions. Finally, we show the value of the stochastic formulation in terms of improved solution cost and guaranteed feasibility of second-echelon routes.

Funding: This work was funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) DAREFUL project [Grant 629.002.211] and was carried out on the Dutch national e-infrastructure with the support of SURF Cooperative.

Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.1162 .
The Pickup and Delivery Problem with Time Windows and Incompatibility Constraints in Cold Chain Transportation
Authors: Deng Faheng , Qin Hu , Li Jiliu , Cheng Chun
Published: August 2022

This study investigates a new variant of the pickup and delivery problem with time windows (PDPTW) applied in cold chain transportation, which quantifies the effect of time on the quality of perishable products. Multiple commodities with incompatibility constraints are considered, where some types of products cannot be transported in a vehicle simultaneously because of their different properties and requirements for storage temperatures. The aim is to determine vehicles’ pickup and delivery routes as well as their departure times from the depot such that the travel cost and refrigeration cost of vehicles and the quality decay cost of products are minimized. We formulate this problem as a set partitioning model, which is solved exactly by a tailored branch-and-price (B&P) algorithm. To tackle the asymmetry issue arising from the pricing problem of the B&P framework, we develop a novel asymmetric bidirectional labeling algorithm. Benchmark instance sets based on real-world statistical data and classic PDPTW instance sets are first generated for this problem. Numerical results show that our B&P algorithm can solve most instances to optimality in an acceptable time frame. Moreover, our results demonstrate that integrating the refrigeration and quality decay costs into the objective function can significantly lower the total cost of cold chain transportation activities, compared with the widely adopted objective function minimizing only the travel cost.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China [Grant 2018YFB1700600] and the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 72101049, 71971090, 71821001].

Supplemental Material: The online supplement is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.1167 .
An Effective SEO Techniques and Technologies Guide-map
Authors: Roumeliotis Konstantinos I. , Tselikas Nikolaos D.
Published: August 2022

The paper analyzes from a technical point of view the search engine optimization (SEO) techniques and technologies, which lead to effective results up to date. More specifically, it examines the potential SEO alternatives, with ultimate target to increase the organic visitors of a website and climb it up on top of the ranking in respective search engine’s queries. The main problem every website’s owner has to solve is which of these SEO techniques have to be implemented in order to increase the organic traffic with the minimum budget. This paper aims to present the dominant SEO techniques and evaluate their effectiveness to organic traffic. This paper aims to present the way well-known websites apply SEO nowadays. Taking advantage of this information, Webmasters will know in advance which exactly SEO techniques should apply to their websites and in which specific order to gain higher search results, resulting to higher traffic.
Competitive Capsule Network Based Sentiment Analysis on Twitter COVID’19 Vaccines
Authors: Prabha V. Diviya , Rathipriya R.
Published: August 2022

COVID-19 is an extremely contagious virus that has rapidly spread around the world. This disease has infected people of all ages in India, from children to the elderly. Vaccination, on the other hand, is the only way to preserve human lives. In the midst of a pandemic, it’s critical to know what people think of COVID-19 immunizations. The primary goal of this article is to examine corona vaccination tweets from India’s Twitter social media. This study introduces CompCapNets, a unique deep learning approach for Twitter sentiment classification. The results suggest that the proposed method outperforms other strategies when compared to existing traditional methods.
An Analysis of U.S. Hardwood Log Exports from 1990 to 2021
Authors: Luppold William , Bumgardner Matthew , Jacobson Michael
Published: August 2022

In 1990, the major destinations for hardwood logs exported by the United Sates were Europe, Canada, and three East Asian markets: Japan, Taiwan, and Korea. From 1990 to 2005, the volume of hardwood logs exported to Canada increased by 402 percent. During this period, another East Asian log market developed, consisting of China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam (CHV). While increased Canadian exports were an apparent result of increased U.S. bilateral trade with Canada, the development of the CHV market was associated with increased U.S. furniture imports from that region. The volume of U.S. log exports worldwide peaked in 2005, and the value of log exports peaked in 2007. Exports to all regions declined in 2009. After 2009, exports to CHV increased and surpassed shipments to Canada in 2014. In the past decade, much of the increase in exports to CHV appears to be the result of demand within China. Recently, these exports have been affected by trade disputes and the COVID-19 pandemic. For most of the study period, the dominant log export species were white oak, red oak, maple, or cherry in terms of value. Since 2018, walnut has become the most important log export species (value basis) as a result of increased shipments to China.
Optimal design for a broadband Stokes polarimeter of liquid crystal variable retarders
Authors: Wu Jiaxin , Li Yanqiu , Ning Tianlei , Long Chenhui , Zhou Guodong
Published: August 2022

Liquid crystal variable retarders (LCVRs) are the core component for rapid and high-precision broadband polarization detection. Additionally, the ability to suppress noise greatly affects the results of polarization measurements. In this work, a solving optimal design approach is proposed for building a high-performance broadband Stokes polarimeter based on LCVRs, which greatly reduces the influences of data fluctuation from liquid crystals and dispersion on the experimental results. This method relies on evaluation criteria of the condition number (CN) to build a gradual optimization that includes the following three steps: fixing the fast axis angles, meeting the requirements of a wideband, and ensuring a minimum CN. Additionally, with the method of increasing the measurement analysis vector, we ensure the whole band in the low CN and offer a solution to the problem of the difficulty in optimizing the LCVRs caused by the large change of retardance at 490–700 nm. Finally, the rapid and high-precision Stokes measurement of 490–700 nm wavelengths is achieved. We test the performance of the polarimeter after optimization in our simulation and experiment, which shows that the total RMS error is less than 0.032 and the single point error is small. This work not only reduces the influence of LCVR error on the experimental results but also makes it possible to apply LCVRs to 490–700 nm detection.