bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns, and Risk Factors Associated with Enterococci among Pediatric Patients at Dessie Referral Hospital, Northeastern Ethiopia
Authors: Abera Admasu , Tilahun Mihret , Tekele Saba Gebremichael , Belete Melaku Ashagrie
Published: April 2021

Background. Enterococcus species, which is previously considered as medically not important, now becomes one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections. Even though it becomes the most public health concern and emerging multidrug‐resistant pathogen, there is no enough data in the study area. Objective. To determine the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance pattern, and associated risk factors of enterococci infection in pediatric patients. Methods. A hospital‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted from February to May 2019 at Dessie Referral Hospital, Northeastern Ethiopia. A total of 403 pediatric patients were included in the study, and a pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and risk factor‐related data. Clinical samples such as urine, blood, wound swabs, discharges, and other body fluids were collected aseptically and inoculated on to Bile Esculin Azide Agar, and colony characteristics, Gram stain, catalase, salt, and temperature tolerance tests were employed for bacterial identification. Antimicrobial sensitivity tests were performed using the modified Kirby‐Bauer disk diffusion method. Data was entered into SPSS software version 25 and descriptive statistics; bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. In all cases, a P value ≤ 0.05 with corresponding 95% confidence interval were considered as statistically significant. Result. The overall prevalence of enterococci was 2.7% (11/403). Of which, the highest number of enterococci infection was recovered from urine sample (54.5%) followed by blood (27.3%), wound swab (9.1%), and other body fluids (9%). The overall multidrug resistance rate was 54.5%. Higher drug resistance pattern was observed against tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and amoxicillin/clavulanate. Having history of invasive procedure (P < 0.001), chronic illness (P < 0.001) and previous admission history of the children (P < 0.001) were statistically significant associated risk factors for pediatrics enterococci infection. Conclusion. The prevalence of enterococci from pediatric patients in this study was relatively low compared to other studies. Significant rates of MDR and VRE were identified, and the risk of infection became high when children had a history of different chronic illnesses and history of admission and underwent invasive treatment procedures. Therefore, efforts should be made to prevent enterococci infections and spread of multidrug‐resistant enterococci.
End‐Effector Pose Estimation in Complex Environments Using Complementary Enhancement and Adaptive Fusion of Multisensor
Authors: Luo Mingrui , Li En , Guo Rui , Liu Jiaxin , Liang Zize
Published: April 2021

Redundant manipulators are suitable for working in narrow and complex environments due to their flexibility. However, a large number of joints and long slender links make it hard to obtain the accurate end‐effector pose of the redundant manipulator directly through the encoders. In this paper, a pose estimation method is proposed with the fusion of vision sensors, inertial sensors, and encoders. Firstly, according to the complementary characteristics of each measurement unit in the sensors, the original data is corrected and enhanced. Furthermore, an improved Kalman filter (KF) algorithm is adopted for data fusion by establishing the nonlinear motion prediction of the end‐effector and the synchronization update model of the multirate sensors. Finally, the radial basis function (RBF) neural network is used to adaptively adjust the fusion parameters. It is verified in experiments that the proposed method achieves better performances on estimation error and update frequency than the original extended Kalman filter (EKF) and unscented Kalman filter (UKF) algorithm, especially in complex environments.
Positively Correlated CD47 Activation and Autophagy in Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells during Senescence
Authors: Kim Gee-Hye , Bae Yun Kyung , Kwon Ji Hye , Kim Miyeon , Choi Soo Jin , Oh Wonil , Um Soyoun , Jin Hye Jin
Published: April 2021

Autophagy plays a critical role in stem cell maintenance and is related to cell growth and cellular senescence. It is important to find a quality-control marker for predicting senescent cells. This study verified that CD47 could be a candidate to select efficient mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to enhance the therapeutic effects of stem cell therapy by analyzing the antibody surface array. CD47 expression was significantly decreased during the expansion of MSCs in vitro (

p
<
0.01

), with decreased CD47 expression correlated with accelerated senescence phenotype, which affected cell growth. UCB-MSCs transfected with CD47 siRNA significantly triggered the downregulation of pRB and upregulation of pp38, which are senescence-related markers. Additionally, autophagy-related markers, ATG5, ATG12, Beclin1, and LC3B, revealed significant downregulation with CD47 siRNA transfection. Furthermore, autophagy flux following treatment with an autophagy inducer, rapamycin, has shown that CD47 is a key player in autophagy and senescence to maintain and regulate the growth of MSCs, suggesting that CD47 may be a critical key marker for the selection of effective stem cells in cell therapy.
Efficient Path Tracking Control for Autonomous Driving of Tracked Emergency Rescue Robot under 6G Network
Authors: Gu Qing , Bai Guoxing , Meng Yu , Wang Guodong , Zhang Jiazang , Zhou Lei
Published: April 2021

This paper proposes a path tracking control algorithm of tracked mobile robots based on Preview Linear Model Predictive Control (MPC), which is used to achieve autonomous driving in the unstructured environment under an emergency rescue scenario. It is the future trend to realize the communication and control of rescue equipment with 6G and edge cloud cooperation. In this framework, linear MPC (LMPC) is suitable for the path tracking control of rescue robots due to its advantages of less computing resources and good real‐time performance. However, in such a scene, the driving environment is complex and the path curvature changes greatly. Since LMPC can only introduce linearized feedforward information, the tracking accuracy of the path with large curvature changes is low. To overcome this issue, combined with the idea of preview control, preview‐linear MPC is designed in this paper. The controller is verified by MATLAB/Simulink simulation and prototype experiment. The results show that the proposed method can improve the tracking accuracy while ensuring real‐time performance and has better tracking performance for the path with large curvature variation.
Efficacy and Safety of Qingpeng Ointment for Subacute and Chronic Eczema: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Li Yan , Li Ming , Zhou Boyang , Liu Zhou , Li Linfeng
Published: April 2021

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qingpeng ointment for the treatment of subacute and chronic eczema. Method. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on Qingpeng ointment for subacute and chronic eczema were searched on PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Journal from their inception to 30 November 2020. Quality assessment and data analysis were performed by Review Manager 5.3. Results. A total of 26 RCTs were included. Qingpeng ointment could significantly improve the total efficacy rate (TER) (RR = 2.60, 95% CI: 2.11 to 3.21, P < 0.00001), reduce the total symptom score (TSS) (SMD = −2.35, 95% CI: ‐3.74 to ‐0.97, P = 0.0009), and decrease visual analogue scale (VAS) for pruritus (MD = −3.86, 95% CI: ‐4.41 to ‐3.31, P < 0.00001) compared with the placebo. The TER of Qingpeng ointment was similar to that of topical corticosteroid (TCS) (RR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.88 to 1.03, P = 0.25), and the TSSs between Qingpeng ointment and medium or low potency TCS were not significantly different (SMD = −0.05, 95% CI: ‐0.22 to 0.12, P = 0.54). However, Qingpeng ointment was not superior to TCS in reducing VAS score (SMD = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.96, P = 0.05). In addition, Qingpeng ointment combined with TCS performed better than TCS alone in all three outcomes. For safety, nothing but skin irritative reactions occurred in the Qingpeng ointment group, and its incidence of skin irritative reactions was similar to those of the placebo (RR = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.61 to 3.55, P = 0.40) and TCS (RR = 1.82, 95% CI: 0.79 to 4.22, P = 0.16). The combined therapy did not increase the risk of skin irritative reactions (RR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.27 to 1.78, P = 0.44). Conclusion. Qingpeng ointment is an effective and safe treatment for subacute and chronic eczema. It is also an add‐on treatment to TCS for eczema. However, due to the suboptimal quality of the included studies, more large‐sample and high‐quality RCTs are needed to improve the evidence quality.
Immersion and Invariance Adaptive Control for Spacecraft Pose Tracking via Dual Quaternions
Authors: Shi Xiaoping , Peng Xuan , Gong Yupeng
Published: April 2021

This paper addresses the simultaneous attitude and position tracking of a target spacecraft in the presence of general unknown bounded disturbances in the framework of dual quaternions, which provides a concise and integrated description of the coupled rotational and translational motions. By virtue of the newly introduced dual direction cosine matrix, the dimension of the dual quaternion‐based relative motion dynamics written in vector/matrix form can be lowered to six. Treating the disturbances as unknown parameters, a modular adaptive pose tracking control scheme composed of two separately designed parts is then derived. One part is the adaptive disturbance estimator designed based on the immersion and invariance theory. Driven by the disturbance estimation errors, it can realize exponential convergence of the estimations and has the nice “parameter lock” property, which can hardly be expected in the conventional certainty equivalent adaptive controllers. The other part is a proportional‐derivative‐like pose tracking controller where the estimated disturbances are directly used. The closed‐loop stability of the relative motion system under different kinds of disturbances is proven by Lyapunov stability analysis. Simulations and comparisons with two previous dual quaternion‐based controllers demonstrate the novel features and performance improvements of the proposed control scheme.
Incidence and Impact of Routine Inflammatory Parameters on Outcome after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Patsalis Polykarpos C , Aweimer Assem , Scharkowski Henrik , Useini Dritan , Haldenwang Peter Lukas , Strauch Justus Thomas , Canbay Ali , Mügge Andreas , Katsounas Antonios
Published: April 2021

Background. Previous research reported adverse clinical outcomes in association with systemic inflammation (SI) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, data characterizing the impact of SI, as reflected by postprocedural routine inflammatory parameters (pRIP), on clinical outcome of patients undergoing TAVR are sparse. Objectives. In light of this, the present work aimed to analyze incidence and clinical significance of pRIP after transapical (TA) and transfemoral (TF)-TAVR. Methods and Results. Data of 81 high-risk consecutive patients undergoing TAVR in our center from 2017 to 2018 were analyzed in a retrospective manner. 40 out of 81 patients (49, 4%) were treated via TF access (group A) and 41 patients via TA access (group B). Incidence, cause, and amplitude of pRIP were analyzed in relation to pre- and peri-interventional data. Assessment of outcomes was conducted according to the valve academic research consortium (VARC-2). Postprocedural C-reactive protein (pCRP) and leucocytes (pL) were significantly increased in patients undergoing TA-TAVR (group B) vs. TF-TAVR (group A; 12.1 ± 9.7 vs. 22.1 ± 7.9 mg/dl,

p

 < 0.001 and 12.8 ± 4.0 vs. 14.2 ± 3.8/nl,

p

 = 0.002); however, there was no significant difference regarding incidence of postprocedural fever (pF) ≥38.0°C (12.5% vs. 22%,

p

 = 0.37). Furthermore, we observed a vast (though insignificant) trend towards a longer fever duration in group B vs. group A (9.9 ± 14.9 vs. 3.2 ± 5.9 hours,

p

 = 0.06). Further analysis identified pCRP >30 mg/dl (hazard ratio (HR) 3.15, confidence interval (CI) 1.22–8.14,

p

 = 0.018) and European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (logistic EuroSCORE I (ES)) >20% (HR 2.95, CI 1.17–7.47,

p

 = 0.02) as predictors of mortality; in this context, we also discovered a marginally significant trend for pL > 14/nl (HR 2.44, CI 0.97–6.14,

p

 = 0.05). Multivariate analysis by use of the fisher`s exact test revealed a significant association between pCRP >30 mg/dl and ES >20% (

p

 < 0.001). Conclusion. pRIP are significantly increased in patients undergoing TA-TAVR. pCRP >30 mg/dl, ES>20%, and pL > 14/nl are hallmark of adverse prognosis and require further investigation.
Identification of Metabolites of Aurantio-Obtusin in Rats Using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry with Parallel Reaction Monitoring
Authors: Qin Shi-han , Xu Yuan , Li Kai-lin , Gong Kai-yan , Peng Jie , Shi Si-lin , Yan Fang , Cai Wei
Published: April 2021

Aurantio-obtusin (AO) is a major anthraquinone compound isolated from Cassiae Semen or Duhaldea nervosa, which possesses diverse pharmacological effects. Previous studies have shown that it has a good effect on lowering blood lipids and treating various diseases. A few studies have also reported about its metabolites. A rapid and reliable method using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry and multiple data-processing technologies was established to investigate the metabolites of AO in the plasma and various tissues of rats, including the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidneys, and brain. Finally, a total of 36 metabolites were identified in the plasma of rats, which could be very beneficial for understanding the effective form of AO metabolites leading to new drug discovery. The result demonstrated that this strategy, especially parallel reaction monitoring, has shown a wide range of applications in the identification of metabolites.
Feasibility Study of an Alcohol-Based Liquid Scintillation Detector and Its Application
Authors: Kim Byoung Chan , Choi Ji Young , Joo Kyung Kwang , Park Seon Yeong , Song Ye Sung , Woo Hee Jin
Published: April 2021

This paper proposes a new base material, a mixture of alcohol and water, for liquid scintillators. A possibility of using alcohol as a new detection solution in a particle detector is described. A liquid scintillator is widely used in various fields because of its high light yield. In addition, it is very important to develop a stable liquid scintillator for particle detectors or other medical applications. To date, there have been no previous R&D studies elsewhere for the use of alcohol in particle detectors, and no market products are available of this type. Thus, there is a room for improvement. This paper describes the brief synthesizing process of the alcohol-based liquid scintillator by varying the mixing ratio of each component that makes up the liquid scintillator. The several feasible physical and optical properties of an alcohol-based liquid scintillator were investigated and presented. Finally, as one of its applications, a range (beam-path length) measurement using an electron beam in medical physics is introduced after irradiating an alcohol-based liquid scintillator with electron beam energies of 6~12 MeV. The measurement results were compared with a Monte Carlo simulation, Novalis Tx, a phantom, and a CT image. In the near future, the new alcohol-based liquid scintillator could be used for particle detector or medical imaging applications.
Comparison of Cell‐Free Extracts from Three Newly Identified Lactobacillus plantarum Strains on the Inhibitory Effect of Adipogenic Differentiation and Insulin Resistance in 3T3‐L1 Adipocytes
Authors: Oh Naeun , Lee Jaehoon , Kim Hyewon , Kwon Mijin , Seo Jeongmin , Roh Sangho
Published: April 2021

Obesity and associated metabolic disorders, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, are rapidly becoming serious global health problems. It has been reported that Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) extracts have the beneficial activities of antiobesity and antidiabetes, although few studies have compared the beneficial effects among various L. plantarum extracts. In this study, three new L. plantarum (named LP, LS, and L14) strains were identified, and the antiobesogenic and diabetic effects of their extracts were investigated and compared using 3T3‐L1 cells in vitro. Lipid accumulation in maturing 3T3‐L1 cells was significantly decreased by the addition of LS and L14 extracts. The mRNA expression levels of Pparγ, C/ebpα, Fabp4, Fas, and Dgat1 were significantly decreased by the addition of LP, LS, and L14 extracts. Interestingly, the protein expression levels of PPARγ, C/EBPα, FABP4, and FAS were downregulated in mature 3T3‐L1 cells with the addition of the L14 extract. Moreover, the LS and L14 extract treatments stimulated glucose uptake in maturing adipocytes. The L14 extract treatments exhibited a significant reduction in TNF‐α protein expression, which is a key factor of insulin resistance in adipocytes. Of the three extracts, L14 extract markedly reduced adipogenic differentiation and insulin resistance in vitro, suggesting that the L14 extract may be used as a therapeutic agent for obesity‐associated metabolic disorders.
Proliferative Glomerulonephritis: Risk Factor for Hypertension in Lupus
Authors: Mbengue Mansour , Lot Motula Latou , Diagne Seynabou , Niang Abdou
Published: April 2021

Studies report a high prevalence of hypertension in lupus, reaching up to 74%. The incidence of hypertension in SLE patients is increased with the severity of the kidney damage. This work was carried out with the objective of determining the prevalence of hypertension in lupus nephritis and to seek the existence of an association between the presence of a proliferative glomerulonephritis and hypertension. Patients and Methods. This was a case-control study, carried out in the nephrology department of the Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital in Dakar. All records of patients with lupus nephritis over a 10-year period, from January 01, 2007, to December 31, 2016, were included. Results. During the study period, out of 64 lupus nephritis records collected, 28 patients had hypertension, for a hospital prevalence of 43.75%. The mean age of the patients was 30.64 years ± 10.44. There were 24 women and 4 men. The mean systolic blood pressure was 156 mmHg (110–220) and the mean diastolic blood pressure was 100 mmHg (80–130). The mean serum creatinine was 29.48 mg/l ± 24.99. The mean proteinuria was 4.50 g/24 h ± 2.87. Hypertriglyceridemia was observed in one patient. Hypercholesterolemia was present in 3 patients. HDL levels were normal in all patients and elevated LDL levels were noted in all 4 patients. None of our patients had diabetes. Class III was found in 11 cases, class IV in 14 cases, pure class V in 2 cases, and class II in 1 case. Hypertension was associated with the presence of proliferative glomerulonephritis (odds ratio, 7.45; 95% CI, 1.9 to 29.1;

p
=
0.002

). Conclusion. Hypertension is common in lupus nephritis. The presence of a proliferative glomerulonephritis is a risk factor for the development of arterial hypertension. Screening and adequate management of hypertension are essential for the prevention of the progression of chronic kidney disease in lupus.
Spontaneous Renal Artery Dissection in COVID-19 Pneumonia: Potential Danger of Cytokine Storm
Authors: Parmar Jitendra , Patel Tapan , Shah Sandip , Kothari Jay , Dani Sameer , Vyas Sagar
Published: April 2021

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly spread across the globe since its first detection in March 2020. Its widespread manifestations and vascular complications are increasingly being reported even in young and middle-aged patients. Hyperinflammation is a continuum of host’s exaggerated inflammatory response representing cytokine dysregulation/storm which produces coagulopathy and vascular endothelial dysfunction, apart from a prothrombotic state. Cytokine storm or direct viral invasion of the vascular endothelial cells through surface angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors may result in endothelial dysfunction which can potentially result in dissection. Only a few case reports have been published in the literature describing vascular dissection without any inciting factors in COVID-19 patients. Herein, we present the first case report of bilateral renal artery dissection in a 41-year-old male patient who recently recovered from COVID-19 and was managed successfully in stages after many medical hurdles.
Sunitinib Combined with Th1 Cytokines Potentiates Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cells and Suppresses Tumor Growth in a Murine Model of HER-2pos Breast Cancer
Authors: Ghimirey Nirmala , Steele Chase , Czerniecki Brian J. , Koski Gary K. , Showalter Loral E.
Published: April 2021

Although immune-based therapies have made remarkable inroads in cancer treatment, they usually must be combined with standard treatment modalities, including cytotoxic drugs, to achieve maximal clinical benefits. As immunotherapies are further advanced and refined, considerable efforts will be required to identify combination therapies that will maximize clinical responses while simultaneously decreasing the unpleasant and sometimes life-threatening side effects of standard therapy. Over the last two decades, evidence has emerged that Th1 cytokines can play a central role in protective antitumor immunity and that combinations of Th1 cytokines can induce senescence and apoptosis in cancer cells. To explore the possibility of combining targeted drugs with Th1-polarizing vaccines, we undertook a study to examine the impact of combining Th1 cytokines with the relatively broad-spectrum receptor tyrosine kinase antagonist, sunitinib. We found that when a panel of five phenotypically diverse human breast cancer cell lines was subjected to treatment with sunitinib plus recombinant Th1 cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α, synergistic effects were observed across a number of parameters including different aspects of apoptotic cell death. Interestingly, sunitinib was found to have a profoundly suppressive effect of T cell’s capacity to secrete IFN-γ, indicating that in vivo use of this drug may hinder robust Th1 responses. Nonetheless, this suppression was circumvented in a mouse model of HER-2pos breast disease by supplying recombinant interferon-gamma to achieve a combination therapy significantly more potent than either agent.
Altering the Microbiome Inhibits Tumorigenesis in a Mouse Model of Oviductal High-Grade Serous Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Lixing , Zhai Yali , Wang Yisheng , Fearon Eric R. , Núñez Gabriel , Inohara Naohiro , Cho Kathleen R.
Published: April 2021

Studies have shown bacteria influence the initiation and progression of cancers arising in sites that harbor rich microbial communities, such as the colon. Little is known about the potential for the microbiome to influence tumorigenesis at sites considered sterile, including the upper female genital tract. The recent identification of distinct bacterial signatures associated with ovarian carcinomas suggests microbiota in the gut, vagina, or elsewhere might contribute to ovarian cancer pathogenesis. Here, we tested whether altering the microbiome affects tumorigenesis in a mouse model of high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) based on conditional oviduct-specific inactivation of the Brca1, Trp53, Rb1, and Nf1 tumor suppressor genes. Cohorts of control (n = 20) and antibiotic-treated (n = 23) mice were treated with tamoxifen to induce tumor formation and then monitored for 12 months. The antibiotic cocktail was administered for the first 5 months of the monitoring period in the treatment group. Antibiotic-treated mice had significantly fewer and less advanced tumors than control mice at study endpoint. Antibiotics induced changes in the composition of the intestinal and vaginal microbiota, which were durable in the fecal samples. Clustering analysis showed particular groups of microbiota are associated with the development of HGSC in this model. These findings demonstrate the microbiome influences HGSC pathogenesis in an in vivo model that closely recapitulates the human disease. Because the microbiome can modulate efficacy of cancer chemo- and immunotherapy, our genetically engineered mouse model system may prove useful for testing whether altering the microbiota can improve the heretofore poor response of HGSC to immunotherapies.

Significance:

This study provides strong in vivo evidence for a role of the microbiome in ovarian cancer pathogenesis.
NF-κB Blockade with Oral Administration of Dimethylaminoparthenolide (DMAPT), Delays Prostate Cancer Resistance to Androgen Receptor (AR) Inhibition and Inhibits AR Variants
Authors: Morel Katherine L. , Hamid Anis A. , Clohessy John G. , Pandell Nicole , Ellis Leigh , Sweeney Christopher J.
Published: April 2021

NF-κB activation has been linked to prostate cancer progression and is commonly observed in castrate-resistant disease. It has been suggested that NF-κB–driven resistance to androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer cells may be mediated by aberrant androgen receptor (AR) activation and AR splice variant production. Preventing resistance to ADT may therefore be achieved by using NF-κB inhibitors. However, low oral bioavailability and high toxicity of NF-κB inhibitors is a major challenge for clinical translation. Dimethylaminoparthenolide (DMAPT) is an oral NF-κB inhibitor in clinical development and has already shown favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodyanamic data in patients with heme malignancies, including decrease of NF-κB in circulating leuchemic blasts. Here, we report that activation of NF-κB/p65 by castration in mouse and human prostate cancer models resulted in a significant increase in AR variant-7 (AR-V7) expression and modest upregulation of AR. In vivo castration of VCaP-CR tumors resulted in significant upregulation of phosphorylated-p65 and AR-V7, which was attenuated by combination with DMAPT and DMAPT increased the efficacy of AR inhibition. We further demonstrate that the effects of DMAPT-sensitizing prostate cancer cells to castration were dependent on the ability of DMAPT to inhibit phosphorylated-p65 function.

Implications:

Our study shows that DMAPT, an oral NF-κB inhibitor in clinical development, inhibits phosphorylated-p65 upregulation of AR-V7 and delays prostate cancer castration resistance. This provides rationale for the development of DMAPT as a novel therapeutic strategy to increase durable response in patients receiving AR-targeted therapy.
Bioequivalence of a Generic Nateglinide Formulation in Healthy Chinese Volunteers under Fasting and Fed Conditions: A Randomized, Open-Label, Double-Cycle, Double-Crossover Study
Authors: Yu Ming , Li Xiaobin , Jin Hao , Chen Lu , Wang Nan , Wang Huawei , Cao Ying , Sui Xin , Gao Xue , Yang Hanyue , Wang Wenping
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Nateglinide or N-(trans-4-isopropylcyclohexyl-1-carbonyl)-D-phenylalanine is a drug with a rapid hypoglycemic effect that is mainly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Very few studies have assessed bioequivalence based on feeding status. This study aimed to assess the pharmacokinetic bioequivalence and safety of nateglinide-containing tablets (0.12 g) in healthy Chinese volunteers under fasting and fed conditions. Methods: The studies were performed in 2017–2018 in the Phase I Clinical Trial Ward of the Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China. Eligible Chinese volunteers received a single 0.12-g dose of the test or reference formulation, followed by a 7-day washout period and administration of the alternate formulation. Blood samples were collected at various time intervals, and plasma nateglinide concentrations were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Then, the adverse events, laboratory test results, vital signs, and physical exam findings were compared between the 2 groups. Results: The ratios of the geometric means of Cmax, AUC0-t, and AUC0-inf of the tested to reference preparations under fasting conditions were 105.03% (90% confidence interval [CI]: 99.53–110.83%), 104.02% (90% CI: 101.37–106.74%), and 104.04% (90% CI: 101.38–106.77%), respectively. The same ratios under fed conditions were 96.55% (90% CI: 85.80–108.65%), 103.08% (90% CI: 100.07–106.18%), and 103.07% (90% CI: 100.21–106.01%), respectively. The 90% CI values for Cmax, AUC0-t, and AUC0-inf fell within the accepted range of bioequivalence (80.00–125.0%). Common adverse events included hypoglycemia, heart rate increase, palpitation, sweating, dizziness, and diarrhea. Conclusions: The test formulation (0.12 g) met the CFDA’s regulatory definition for bioequivalence to the reference formulation. Both formulations were well tolerated by healthy Chinese subjects. Trial Registration: This trial has been registered in the Chinese Clinical trial registry (ChiCTR2000030694), March 10, 2020.
Sitagliptin and Narrow-Band Ultraviolet-B for Moderate Psoriasis (DINUP): A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Lynch Maeve , Malara Anna , Timoney Irene , Vencken Sebastian , Ahern Tomas , Awdeh Fatima , Sweeney Cheryl , Galligan Marie , Kelly Genevieve , Hughes Rosalind , Murad Aizuri , Hambly Roisin , O’Shea Donal , Doran Peter , Kirby Brian
Published: April 2021

Background: Sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), has been reported to improve psoriasis. Objective: We compared the effects of sitagliptin treatment, a DPP-4 inhibitor, in combination with narrow-band ultraviolet-B (NB-UVB) phototherapy compared to NB-UVB alone on psoriasis severity, quality of life, cardiovascular disease risk factors and immune parameters in people with moderate psoriasis without T2DM. Methods: In this 39-week, single-centre, randomised controlled trial, people were allocated randomly to receive sitagliptin for 24 weeks with NB-UVB or NB-UVB alone. The primary endpoint was the change in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) from baseline to 24 weeks. We estimated that 120 participants would be needed to have 80% power to find a significant difference between the groups. Results: A total of 118 patients were randomised. The median (IQR) baseline PASI was 8.8 (7.5–11.6). At 24 weeks, the mean difference from baseline in PASI (–1.0 [95% CI –2.0 to 0.0]) was significantly larger in the sitagliptin/NB-UVB arm than in the NB-UVB-alone arm (p = 0.044). There were significant differences in the change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (–2.5 [95% CI –4.0 to –1.0]; p = 0.002) and EuroQol 5-item questionnaire (0.1 [95% CI 0.0–0.1]; p = 0.036) values from baseline to 24 weeks between the sitagliptin/NB-UVB and the NB-UVB-alone arm. There were no treatment-related serious adverse events. Conclusion: Sitagliptin therapy combined with NB-UVB phototherapy significantly improved psoriasis severity, albeit modestly, compared to NB-UVB phototherapy alone in patients with moderate psoriasis without T2DM.
Effectiveness of Wet Cupping on Patients with Facial Acne Vulgaris: A 12-Week, Randomized, Single-Blind, Intervention-Sham-Controlled Trial
Authors: Tabatabaei Fatemeh , Pasalar Mehdi , Tajadini Haleh , Kamali Mohadese , Rampp Thomas
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is a widespread skin disorder. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of wet cupping in the treatment of moderate to severe facial acne vulgaris. Methods: Between August 2018 and January 2020, eligible patients with moderate to severe facial acne were recruited in this single-blind, intervention-sham-controlled clinical trial in Iran. The intervention group received wet cupping twice and likewise the control group received sham cupping. Also, both groups received 500 mg azithromycin 3 times/week for 12 weeks. Acne grades were assessed 6 weeks and 12 weeks after beginning of the treatment by the dermatologist uninformed of group allocation and participant self-assessment. Quality of life was assessed with valid questionnaire before and after the treatment. Result: Totally, 103 patients completed the trial. The patients in the intervention group had better improvement and grade of acne compared to the control group at the end of the trial. Patients showed a shorter time to removing facial lesions in the intervention group in contrast with the control group (p < 0.001). Quality of life significantly increased in the intervention group compared with the control group (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Wet cupping plus antibiotic therapy seems to be more effective than antibiotic therapy per se in patients with facial acne vulgaris.
Blood-Based Targeted Metabolomics Discriminate Patients with Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis from Those with Non-Cirrhotic Liver Damage: An Explorative Study
Authors: Meyer Jakob Johannes , Dreyhaupt Jens , Schwerdel Daniel , Ettrich Thomas Jens , Backhus Johanna , Dollinger Matthias Maximilian , Seufferlein Thomas , Berger Andreas Wolfgang
Published: April 2021

Background: Early detection of liver cirrhosis is crucial for secondary prevention of complications. However, noninvasive blood-based patient monitoring tools are lacking. In this explorative study, we conducted a targeted metabolomic analysis in order to identify possible serum markers indicating alcoholic liver cirrhosis (aLiC) with or without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Venous blood of 30 individuals was collected: healthy controls (“Con”, n = 12), patients with aLiC without and with HCC (“aLiC”: n = 6 and “aLiC + HCC”: n = 6), and patients with other liver diseases (“oLiD”: n = 6). A targeted metabolomic analysis was conducted using the AbsoluteIDQ® p180 Kit (Biocrates Life Sciences®, Innsbruck, Austria). Statistical analysis was performed by applying a one-way ANOVA on all subgroups followed by a t test for pairwise comparison of subgroups and logistic regression analysis. Results: ANOVA revealed 29 metabolites that significantly discriminate between the different cohorts. Among these analytes, 25 were significantly altered in Con versus aLiC, as indicated by t test, most importantly SM C18:1 (p < 0.001), SM C20:2 (p = 0.001), SM (OH) C22:2 (p < 0.001), lysoPC a C20:4 (p < 0.001), and PC aa C36:5 (p < 0.001). To a similar extent, the metabolites discriminated also between the oLiD and aLiC but less between the Con or oLiD and aLiC + HCC cohorts. Most of these analytes were either lyso- and phosphatidylcholines or sphingomyelins. Results were not significant for comparison of Con versus oLiD and aLiC versus aLiC + HCC. Conclusion: Decreased lyso- and phosphatidylcholine as well as sphingomyelin species in venous blood could help to detect liver cirrhosis in patients with non-cirrhotic liver disease.
Avaliação da capacidade informacional das demonstrações contábeis e fiscais no mercado secundário de títulos públicos brasileiro
Authors: Boente Diego Rodrigues
Published: April 2021

Este estudo de propôs avaliar a capacidade informacional das demonstrações contábeis e fiscais, a partir da construção de modelos que permitam identificar a relação entre um conjunto de variáveis representativas e o apreçamento dos títulos públicos do governo federal brasileiro. Para tanto, foram levantadas as séries históricas das taxas de juros de compra dos principais títulos públicos e mais 43 variáveis contábeis e fiscais, no período de 2010 a 2018. Após a estimação dos parâmetros através de modelos de regressão linear, os resultados sugerem que informações constantes no Balanço-Geral da União (BGU), Tesouro Transparente (TT), Relatório de Gestão Fiscal (RGF) e informações do Banco Central do Brasil (BCB), possuem capacidade predizer, refletir e/ou confirmar a expectativas dos investidores de títulos públicos. As implicações práticas desses achados contribuem como referências para melhorar a comunicação com os principais stakeholders das informações contábeis e fiscais do Governo Federal, em especial os investidores de títulos públicos. Ademais, permitem conhecer as potencialidades de cada relatório, possibilitando o uso complementar destas informações para fins de planejamento e acompanhamento da situação patrimonial e fiscal do Governo Federal.
An annotated checklist of amphibians in and around Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram, India
Authors: Decemson Ht. , Gouda Sushanto , Lalbiakzuala  , Lalmuansanga  , Hmar Gospel Zothanmawia , H.T. Lalremsanga
Published: April 2021

Amphibians are an integral part of the ecosystem and act as an ecological indicator.  As several species are added to the list of threatened species every year due to loss of habitat, it is important to understand the role of unmanaged landscape for sustenance of amphibian diversity.  In this study, 28 amphibian species were recorded from different modified habitat including 19 new records for Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR) and its surrounding areas.  Further, six species, Amolops indoburmanensis, Limnonectes khasianus, Microhyla mukhlesuri, M. mymensinghensis, Raorchestes rezakhani, and Sylvirana lacrima are new distribution records for the state of Mizoram and out of these, two species, Raorchestes rezakhani and Sylvirana lacrima, are new country records for India.  Amongst the recorded species, four species are Data Deficient, two Vulnerable, 14 Least Concern, and eight species are not assessed as per the IUCN Red List.  Within the core and buffer areas of DTR, we found that natural perennial stream, puddles, canals, natural ponds, fish ponds, roadside, primary forest, secondary forest, paddy fields, and human settlement areas are excellent microhabitats for amphibian population and need to be conserved for their rich ecological niches.
A new species of Kunbir Lameere, 1890 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) from Hubei, China
Authors: WANG XINYUE , WANG PING , WANG WENKAI
Published: April 2021

In this work, a new species, Kunbir shennongjiaensis sp. nov., from Shennongjia Forestry District, China, is described and illustrated. The differences between Kunbir shennongjiaensis sp. nov. and related species are provided.
Evaluating the Quality of Cost-Effectiveness Literature in Breast Surgery: What Do We Do Well and How Can We Do Better? A Systematic Review
Authors: Char Sydney N. , Bloom Joshua A. , DeMarco Danielle , Chatterjee Abhishek
Published: April 2021

Background

Surgical options for breast cancer are numerous and span multiple surgical disciplines. Decision analyses aid surgeons in making the most cost-effective choice, thus reducing health care expenditure while maximizing patient outcome. In this study, we aimed to evaluate existing breast surgery cost-effectiveness literature against the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) validated scoring system.

Methods

A PRISMA search was performed for cost-effectiveness within breast surgery. Articles were scored with CHEERS criteria on a 0-24 scale and qualitative data were collected. Subgroup analysis was performed comparing pre-CHEERS (published in 2013 or earlier) and post-CHEERS (published in 2014 or later) cohorts. Chi-squared analysis was performed to compare where studies lost points between cohorts.

Results

Of 2279 articles screened, 46 articles were included. The average CHEERS score was 18.18. Points were most often lost for characterizing heterogeneity, followed by discount rate, incremental costs and outcomes, and abstract. Quality-adjusted life year was the most commonly used health outcome, with visual model or analog scales as the most commonly used measure of effectiveness obtained primarily from surgeons or physicians. Most articles characterized uncertainty by deterministic sensitivity analysis, followed by both deterministic and probabilistic, then probabilistic. Average CHEERS scores were similar between pre- and post-CHEERS cohorts (17.67 vs. 18.40, P > .05) There were several significant differences in where articles lost points between pre- and post-CHEERS cohorts.

Discussion

In order to standardize the reporting of results, cost-effectiveness studies in breast surgery should adhere to the current CHEERS criteria and aim to better characterize heterogeneity in their analyses.
Adaptive optimal control approach to robust tracking of uncertain linear systems based on policy iteration
Authors: Xu Dengguo , Wang Qinglin , Li Yuan
Published: April 2021

In this study, an optimal adaptive control approach is established to solve the robust output tracking problem of a class of continuous time uncertain linear systems based on the policy iteration (PI) in actor-critic algorithm. First, by augmenting the integral variables of the tracking error into state variables, the robust tracking problem is transformed into a robust control problem of an augmented uncertain linear system. It is proven that the robust control law of the augmented system enables the output of the considered system to track a polynomial time signal asymptotically. Second, an optimal control method in the corresponding auxiliary nominal system is established, and based on the Bellman optimality principle, PI algorithms are proposed to solve online tracking controllers for the matched and the mismatched uncertain systems. Finally, for testing the availability of the proposed approach and theoretical results, two numerical experiments are provided.
The Virtue of Hope in Medical Training
Authors: Frush Benjamin W. , Eberly John Brewer
Published: April 2021

While many of the challenges of contemporary medical training are characterized uniformly as “burnout,” such a diagnosis is nonspecific and overlooks the degree to which the flourishing of medical practitioners depends on the development and exercise of virtue. The virtue of hope, in particular, is indispensable to sound medical practice generally and the flourishing of trainees. It is only through sound apprehension of the nature of the virtue of hope, the challenges to the cultivation of hope that residency poses, and practices that allow such cultivation, that contemporary trainees can learn to care well for patients and flourish in their own right.

While the general term “burnout” is used to describe many of the challenges of contemporary medical training, a more precise characterization that unifies these challenges is a deficiency of the virtue of hope. Medical trainees face many obstacles to the cultivation of hope during training, but learning both to correctly identify this deficiency, and practices which prove a fitting response, offers a way forward.
The Meaning of Death for Nursing Students and Their Attitudes Toward Dignified Death Principles
Authors: Bilgiç Şebnem
Published: April 2021

This study aims to determine the meaning of death for nursing students and their attitudes toward dignified death principles. The descriptive study was conducted with nursing students studying at a state university in Turkey. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Personal Meanings of Death Scale (PMDS), and the Assessment Scale of Attitudes toward the Principles of Dying with Dignity (ASAPDD). A positive and low-level significant relationship was determined between the students' age and the scores for the PMDS subdimensions and the ASAPDD. It was found that the students had positive perceptions of death and adopted the principles of a dignified death. It was determined that an increase in the students' perceptions of death positively affected their adoption of the principles of a dignified death.
The Impact of For-Profit Higher Education on Brazilian Education
Authors: Mesquita de Almeida Wilson
Published: April 2021

For-profit private higher education in Brazil emerged in the 1970s through state incentives such as educational credit and tax exemptions. In its most recent configuration, the logic of investment funds that trade on the stock exchange controls the largest institutions. The management of investment funds inserts a new variable into the investment of financial resources. It requires reducing costs to maximize shareholder value, but this means delivering precarious educational quality. Governed by a logic of maximum profit, for-profit private higher education in Brazil produces extremely poor education, with the result that most such institutions focus on simply being diploma factories for more socially destitute students

O ensino superior privado com fins lucrativos no Brasil surgiu na década de 1970 por meio de incentivos estatais, tais como crédito educacional e isenção de impostos. Na sua configuração mais recente, a lógica dos fundos de investimento que negociam em bolsa controla as maiores instituições. A gestão de fundos de investimento insere uma nova variável na aplicação dos recursos financeiros. Requer redução de custos para maximizar o valor para o acionista, mas isso significa a entrega de um nível educacional bastante precário. Regido por uma lógica de lucro máximo, o ensino superior privado com fins lucrativos no Brasil gera uma educação extremamente pobre e consequentemente a maioria delas focam somente no fato de se tornarem fábricas de diplomas para alunos dos meios socialmente mais desprovidos.
Phenotypic Mimicry Distinguishes Cues of Mating Competition From Paternal Investment in Men’s Conspicuous Consumption
Authors: Kruger Daniel J.
Published: April 2021

Evolutionary psychologists propose that men’s conspicuous consumption facilitates mate attraction because it predicts resource investment in offspring. This article elaborates on the ultimate functions of men’s luxury displays based on Life History Theory. Three studies provide evidence for phenotypic mimicry, in which consumer product features mimicking male secondary sex characteristics indicate investment in mating competition, at the expense of paternal investment. Men owning shirts with larger luxury brand logos were rated higher on mating effort, lower on parental investment, higher on interest in brief sexual affairs, lower on interest in long-term committed romantic relationships, higher in attractiveness to women for brief sexual affairs, lower in attractiveness to women for long-term committed relationships, and higher in developmental environment unpredictability compared with men owning shirts displaying a smaller logo. Participants recognized the strategic use of luxury display properties across social contexts but did not consistently associate product properties with owners’ physiological characteristics.
An ecological latent class model of adolescent risk and protective factors: Implications for substance use and depression prevention
Authors: Bayly Benjamin L. , Vasilenko Sara A.
Published: April 2021

To provide a comprehensive view of the unique contexts shaping adolescent development in the U.S., we utilized latent class analysis (LCA) with indicators of risk and protection across multiple domains (family, peers, school, neighborhood) and examined how latent class membership predicted heavy episodic drinking, illicit substance use, and depression in adolescence and 6 years later when participants were young adults. Data came from Wave 1 (W1) and Wave 3 (W3) of the nationally representative U.S.-based Add Health study ( N = 6,649; M age W1 = 14.06; M age W3 = 20.38; 53.8% female; 56.1% White/European American, 22.8% Black/African American, 9.5% Hispanic, 6.7% Biracial, Asian or Pacific Islander 4.2%, American Indian/Native American 0.7%). A six-class solution was selected with classes named: Two Parent: Low Risk, Two Parent: Relationship Risks, Two Parent: Neighborhood Risks, Single Parent: Low Risk, Single Parent: Relationship Risks, and Single Parent: Multidimensional Risk. Subsequent analyses suggested that adolescent social relationships are particularly important for prevention interventions as the classes marked by substance using peers and a lack of closeness to parents and teachers in adolescence (Two Parent: Relationship Risks and Single Parent: Relationship Risks) had consistently poorer outcomes in adolescence and young adulthood.