bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Patient Compliance With Remote Monitoring Following Discharge From Hospital After Major Surgery (DREAMPath): Protocol for a Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Khetrapal Pramit , Stafford Ronnie , Ó Scanaill Pádraig , Kocadag Huriye , Timinis Constantinos , Chang Angela H L , Hadjivasiliou Adamos , Liu Yansong , Gibbs Olivia , Pickford Eleanor , Walker David , Baker Hilary , Duncan Jacqueline , Tan Melanie , Williams Norman , Catto James , Drobnjak Ivana , Kelly John
Published: August 2021

Background

The incidence of major surgery is on the rise globally, and more than 20% of patients are readmitted to hospital following discharge from hospital. During their hospital stay, patients are monitored for early detection of clinical deterioration, which includes regularly measuring physiological parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and pulse oximetry. This monitoring ceases upon hospital discharge, as patients are deemed clinically stable. Monitoring after discharge is relevant to detect adverse events occurring in the home setting and can be made possible through the development of digital technologies and mobile networks. Smartwatches and other technological devices allow patients to self-measure physiological parameters in the home setting, and Bluetooth connectivity can facilitate the automatic collection and transfer of this data to a secure server with minimal input from the patient.

Objective

This paper presents the protocol for the DREAMPath (Domiciliary Recovery After Medicalization Pathway) study, which aims to measure compliance with a multidevice remote monitoring kit after discharge from hospital following major surgery.

Methods

DREAMPath is a single-center, prospective, observational, cohort study, comprising 30 patients undergoing major intracavity surgery. The primary outcome is to assess patient compliance with wearable and interactive smart technology in the first 30 days following discharge from hospital after major surgery. Secondary outcomes will explore the relation between unplanned health care events and physiological data collected in the study, as well as to explore a similar relationship with daily patient-reported outcome measures (Quality of Recovery–15 score). Secondary outcomes will be analyzed using appropriate regression methods. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing data will also be collected to assess correlations with wearable device data.

Results

Recruitment was halted due to COVID-19 restrictions and will progress once research staff are back from redeployment. We expect that the study will be completed in the first quarter of 2022.

Conclusions

Digital health solutions have been recently made possible due to technological advances, but urgency in rollout has been expedited due to COVID-19. The DREAMPath study will inform readers about the feasibility of remote monitoring for a patient group that is at an increased risk of acute deterioration.

Trial Registration

ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN62293620; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN62293620

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/30638
A Virtual Coach (Motibot) for Supporting Healthy Coping Strategies Among Adults With Diabetes: Proof-of-Concept Study (Preprint)
Authors: Bassi Giulia , Giuliano Claudio , Perinelli Alessio , Forti Stefano , Gabrielli Silvia , Salcuni Silvia
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

Motivation is a core component of diabetes self-management because it allows adults with diabetes mellitus (DM) to adhere to clinical recommendations. In this context, virtual coaches (VCs) have assumed a central role in supporting and treating common barriers related to adherence. However, most of them are mainly focused on medical and physical purposes, such as the monitoring of blood glucose levels or following a healthy diet.

OBJECTIVE

This proof-of-concept study aims to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of a VC intervention for psychosocial support before and after the intervention and at follow-up. The intent of this VC is to motivate adults with type 1 DM and type 2 DM to adopt and cultivate healthy coping strategies to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and diabetes-related emotional distress, while also improving their well-being.

METHODS

A total of 13 Italian adults with DM (18-51 years) interacted with a VC, called Motibot (motivational bot) using the Telegram messaging app. The interaction covered 12 sessions, each lasting 10 to 20 minutes, during which the user could dialogue with the VC by inputting text or tapping an option on their smartphone screen. Motibot is developed within the transtheoretical model of change to deliver the most appropriate psychoeducational intervention based on the user’s motivation to change.

RESULTS

Results showed that over the 12 sessions, there were no significant changes before and after the intervention and at follow-up regarding psychosocial factors. However, most users showed a downward trend over the 3 time periods in depression and anxiety symptoms, thereby presenting good psychological well-being and no diabetes-related emotional distress. In addition, users felt motivated, involved, encouraged, emotionally understood, and stimulated by Motibot during the interaction. Indeed, the analyses of semistructured interviews, using a text mining approach, showed that most users reported a perceived reduction in anxiety, depression, and/or stress symptoms. Moreover, users indicated the usefulness of Motibot in supporting and motivating them to find a mindful moment for themselves and to reflect on their own emotions.

CONCLUSIONS

Motibot was well accepted by users, particularly because of the inclusion of mindfulness practices, which motivated them to adopt healthy coping skills. To this extent, Motibot provided psychosocial support for adults with DM, particularly for those with mild and moderate symptoms, whereas those with severe symptoms may benefit more from face-to-face psychotherapy.
Public Policies and Programs for the Prevention and Control of Breast Cancer in Latin American Women: Scoping Review (Preprint)
Authors: Ramos Herrera Igor Martín , Lemus Flores María Guadalupe , Reyna Sevilla Antonio , González Castañeda Miguel Ernesto , Torres Gutiérrez Fernando Adolfo , Crocker Sagastume René Cristóbal , Robles Pastrana Juan De Dios , Vázquez Castellanos José Luis
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer has positioned itself worldwide as one of the main public health problems, especially in Latin America. In some countries, several programs for the prevention and control of breast cancer in women have been developed and implemented on a permanent basis, but there are no public reports on the policies that originated such programs.

OBJECTIVE

A scoping review of scientific publications that identify the type, extent, and scope of policies and programs for the prevention and control of breast cancer in Latin American women was performed, and the main results were presented in this paper.

METHODS

This scoping review was carried out according to the method by Arksey and O’Malley based on 3 fundamental questions about breast cancer prevention and control policies in Latin America: their type, extent and scope, and reference framework. The search period was from 2000 to 2019, and the search was carried out in the following databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), MEDLINE (EbscoHost), CINAHL (EbscoHost), Academic Search Complete (EbscoHost), ISI Web of Science (Science Citation Index), and Scopus in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and Scielo, Cochrane, and MEDES-MEDicina in Spanish and Portuguese. Of the 743 studies found, 20 (2.7%) were selected, which were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

The selected studies identified several Latin American countries that have generated policies and programs to prevent and control breast cancer in women, focusing mainly on risk communication, prevention and timely detection, effective access to health services, improvement of the screening process, and evaluation of screening programs. Evaluation criteria and greater participation of civil society in policy design and program execution are still lacking. This could undoubtedly help eliminate existing barriers to effective action.

CONCLUSIONS

Although several Latin American countries have generated public policies and action programs for the prevention and control of breast cancer, a pending issue is the evaluation of the results to analyze the effectiveness and impact of their implementation given the magnitude of the public health problem it represents and because women and civil society play an important role in its prevention and control.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

RR2-10.2196/12624
Applying attention-based models to classify small datasets: An example using community-engaged research protocols (Preprint)
Authors: Ferrell Brian J. , Raskin Sarah E. , Zimmerman Emily B. , Timberline David H. , McInnes Bridget T. , Krist Alex H.
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

Community-Engaged Research (CEnR) is a research approach in which scholars partner with community organizations or individuals with whom they share an interest in the study topic, typically with the goal of supporting that community’s wellbeing. CEnR is well-established in numerous disciplines including the clinical and social sciences. However, universities experience challenges reporting comprehensive CEnR metrics, limiting development of appropriate CEnR infrastructure and advancement of relationships with communities, funders, and stakeholders.

OBJECTIVE

n/a

METHODS

We propose a novel approach to identifying and categorizing community-engaged studies by applying attention-based deep learning models to human subjects protocols that have been submitted to the university’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). We manually classified a sample of protocols submitted to the IRB using a 3 and 6-level CEnR heuristic. We then trained an attention-based Bidirectional-LSTM on the classified protocols and compared it to transformer models such as BERT, Bio+ClinicalBERT, and XLM-RoBERTa. We applied the best performing models to the full sample of unlabeled IRB protocols submitted in the years 2013-2019 (n > 6000).

RESULTS

Transfer learning appears to be superior, receiving a .9952 testing F1 Score for all transformer models implemented compared to the attention-based Bi-LSTM model. This finding is consistent across several methodological adjustments: an augmented dataset with and without cross-validation, an unaugmented dataset with and without cross-validation, a 6 class CEnR spectrum, and a 3 class one. BERT and the transformer models showed an understanding of our data unlike the attention-based model, promising usability for real-world application.

CONCLUSIONS

Transfer learning is a viable method for differentiating small datasets characterized by the idiosyncrasies and errors of CEnR descriptions used by principal investigators in research protocols.
Pericardial Effusion Detection on Post-Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) Images using Convolutional Neural Network-based Models: Algorithm Development and Validation (Preprint)
Authors: Kong Haoyu , Rong Jia , Bain Chris , Bassed Richard , Lee Vincent Cheng-Siong , Zhang Xinyu
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

Pericardial effusion and hemopericardium are two common causes of death in the medicolegal setting. Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) has become an efficient tool to assist medicolegal death investigation by performing a quick whole-body examination which may avoid the need for traditional autopsy. However, forensic pathologists face challenges in processing a vast amount of PMCT images in practice due to the scarcity of human resources.

OBJECTIVE

In this work, a Pericardial Effusion Automatic Detection (PEAD) framework is proposed to automatically process many whole-body PMCT images to filter out the irrelevant images and focus on cardiac images, in order to perform pericardial effusion detection.

METHODS

In the PEAD framework, the standard convolutional neural network architectures of VGG and ResNet are carefully modified to fit the specific characteristics of PMCT images in this work. Comparing the experimental results proves the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed framework and modified models.

RESULTS

2,437 PMCT images were used in the heart region classification experiment while 1,124 PMCT images were used in the pericardial effusion classification experiment. Among the six examined models, the modified VGG8 model has the highest performance in both two tasks. It achieved precision 94.90%, recall 98.50% and 96.33% on testing set for heart region classification. For the pericardial effusion classification, it also achieved precision 94.09%, recall 88.37% and 91.16% on testing set which also overperformed the other five models.

CONCLUSIONS

In this work, we proposed a framework called PEADS which consist of two main stages. It first filters out the PMCT images that contain the various cardiac structures, and then further classifies whether there is pericardial effusion in the images. Based on the testing set from NMDID, the modified VGG8 shows the most promising performance which suggests it is the best model to utilize and the backbone in the PEAD framework.
Identifying Risk Factors for Acute Asthma Attacks: Application of Machine Learning in a Country-Wide Mobile Health Study (Preprint)
Authors: Tsang Kevin Cheuk Him , Pinnock Hilary , Wilson Andrew M. , Shah Syed Ahmar
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a variable long-term condition that affects 339 million people worldwide who are at risk of acute deteriorations or attacks. Because triggers, patterns, and risk of attacks vary from person to person, asthma can be difficult to study in small cohorts, but recent mobile-based studies like the Asthma Mobile Health Study (AMHS) provide an important opportunity to collect data from large populations. The AMHS is a publicly available dataset collected using a smartphone app from 10,010 asthma patients across the United States.

OBJECTIVE

Using data-driven methods, we aimed to identify different clusters of asthma patients based on patterns of clinical deterioration that may lead to loss of productivity, and determine key factors associated with each patient cluster.

METHODS

Based on existing asthma knowledge, 27 variables about the patient’s history, demographics, behaviour, and self-reported symptoms were extracted to generate 63 features. Of the 63 features, 10 were markers of attacks that were used to cluster patients with the k-means algorithm. We subsequently used a supervised learning approach, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), to rank the remaining 53 features and identify key risk factors associated with each patient cluster. The models were validated with 10-fold cross-validation.

RESULTS

Using data from 827 participants of AMHS with sufficient data, k-means clustering formed four patient clusters based on unscheduled healthcare usage and missed work. The most important factors contributing to the clustering were nocturnal symptoms, activity limitation, and sex. Being female, and having asthma that affects sleep and activity levels, were the key risk factors associated with having an asthma attack that necessitates the need for unscheduled medical care and time off work. Our internal validation resulted in an area under the curve (AUC) of up to 0.80.

CONCLUSIONS

The data-driven approach found risk factors associated with increased levels of asthma attacks that reflected those recognised in clinical practice. Future research about asthma risk factors should include these measures and also consider including work and school absence as markers of asthma attacks.
Лазерные источники с низким уровнем шума: от микроволновой фотоники до плазмоники и биотехнологий
Authors: Фотиади А.А.
Published: August 2021

Исследования в области оптоэлектроники, нелинейной оптики, волоконных лазеров не ограничиваются только фундаментальными задачами, на их основе создаются
различные датчики, приборы и устройства для широкого круга применений – от микроволновой фотоники до биотехнологий. Ряд направлений, таких как создание
интегрированных оптических чипов, требует уменьшения уровня шума лазерных источников, другие нуждаются в разработке новых принципов создания распределенных датчиков физических величин, методик фотодинамической
терапии различных поверхностных новообразований и управления биохимическими процессами в области клеточной терапии. Наша лаборатория работает в контексте
этих направлений и в перспективе может стать центром, предлагающим научное сопровождение проектов по "Радиофотонике" и "Нанофотонике", реализуемых совместно с наукоемкими коммерческими компаниями. О лаборатории квантовой
электроники и оптоэлектроники Научно-исследовательского технологического института имени С.П.Капицы (НИТИ) Ульяновского государственного университета, проводимых в ней исследованиях и их перспективах рассказывает кандидат физико-математических наук, руководитель лаборатории квантовой электроники и оптоэлектроники Фотиади Андрей Александрович.

Studies in optoelectronics, nonlinear optics and fiber lasers are not limited to fundamental tasks only but also include design of various sensors, instruments and devices intended for a wide range of applications starting from microwave photonics to biotechnology. A number of tasks, such as development of the integrated optical chips, require a progress in laser sources of high spectral purity while other directions need advanced distributed sensors of physical values to be developed, techniques for photodynamic therapy of various kinds of superficial tumors and means enabling to control biochemical processes in the cell therapy. Our laboratory works in these areas and in the future it can become a center offering scientific support for projects in Radiophotonics and Nanophotonics, being realized in collaboration with
high-tech commercial companies. The Head of the Quantum Electronics and Optoelectronics Laboratory of Technological Research Institute named after S.P.Kapitza of Ulyanovsk State University, Cand. Sc. (Physics
and Mathematics) Dr. Andrei A. Fotiadi tells about the studies conducted in the laboratory, the prospects of current research and future plans.
Оптическая микроскопия с использованием микролинз
Authors: Яминский И.В. , Ахметова А.И. , Сенотрусова С.А.
Published: August 2021

Микроскопия с использованием микросфер – новый метод получения 3D-изображений со сверх­высоким разрешением благодаря использованию прозрачной микросферы при визуализации в классическом оптическом микроскопе. С помощью микролинзовой микроскопии можно получить оптическое разрешение до ста нанометров по горизонтали, например, при визуализации канавок Blu-ray-диска. При этом не требуются метки, необходима лишь небольшая модернизация обычного оптического микроскопа.
Pasado, presente y futuro de la evaluación de la composición corporal en deportistas cubanos
Authors: Carvajal Veitia Wiliam
Published: August 2021

El presente trabajo da una panorámica de la evolución de los estudios de composición corporal (cc) en el sistema médico deportivo cubano. Se transita desde la etapa precursora a nivel internacional, donde se detalla el surgimiento de métodos tradicionales de empleo para la investigación en deportistas; pasando por las primeras contribuciones cubanas, basadas en estudios de pesaje hidrostático, y en propuestas novedosas generalizadas a nivel nacional e internacional. Por último, se resaltan las aportaciones más recientes, donde se profundiza en la importancia del perfeccionamiento en las investigaciones de la cc.  Para la exploración se accedió a todas las fuentes documentales existentes, a partir de la búsqueda de las fuentes del Instituto Nacional de Deportes y Recreación de Cuba, así como a partir de la Red Informática Mundial. Se realizó un ordenamiento cronológico de las fuentes que constituyen el hilo conductor de la presente propuesta. La importancia que posee esta investigación es que, de una forma muy sencilla, describe cómo se han dado los grados sucesivos de aproximación a la realidad, al estudio de un pilar de la cineantropometría que aun posee muchas limitaciones para su estudio a nivel internacional “la composición corporal”.     

 
A propósito de la educación y la diversidad lingüística en el Instituto Intercultural Ayuuk
Authors: Santiago Jazmín Nallely Arguelles
Published: August 2021

Considerando que la composición pluricultural y plurilingüe de México exige enfrentar los retos en pro de la riqueza cultural y lingüística que nos atañe a todos como humanidad, entonces el reconocimiento de los derechos lingüísticos de los pueblos originarios, la exigencia de una educación basada en el fortalecimiento de la identidad y el aprecio por la diversidad constituyen los elementos de una problemática que merece ser visibilizada para encontrar alternativas de solución concretas. 

El presente trabajo analiza y reflexiona sobre la propuesta educativa y la situación de las lenguas indígenas en el Instituto Superior Intercultural Ayuuk (ISIA), toda vez que la preservación y revitalización lingüística en la región es un imperativo actual. Hoy en día, resulta indispensable el ejercicio de los derechos lingüísticos de los pueblos indígenas y la obligación del Estado de garantizar una educación con pertinencia lingüística y cultural para una vida digna desde el escenario comunitario, así como su desarrollo integral en concomitancia con los ámbitos nacional e internacional.
Hacia la resignificación de la escritura: literacidad entre docentes de educación indígena
Authors: Vicente Ferrer Angel , Hernández Domínguez Rolando , Chávez Peón Mario Ernesto , Martínez Casas Regina María
Published: August 2021

La creciente y acelerada expansión del español, así como el progresivo desplazamiento de las lenguas indígenas mexicanas en nuestro país es un fenómeno que ha llamado la atención de los investigadores en las últimas décadas. Diversos movimientos se han manifestado a favor de la conservación y empoderamiento de las lenguas indomexicanas, apostando por su escritura como una de las principales estrategias. No obstante, el desarrollo de un sistema de escritura ha sido muchas veces complicado, discontinuo y con frecuencia ha dejado de lado la presencia de los docentes y hablantes. En el presente artículo se muestra que, mediante el ejercicio reflexivo de la escritura en lenguas indomexicanas, puede lograrse que los profesores bilingües lengua indígena-español construyan marcos de referencia propios. La tarea de “pensar la escritura” en lenguas indígenas ha permitido que los do-
 centes sean conscientes del lugar que ocupan sus lenguas dentro del diverso panorama lingüístico presente en el territorio nacional y de generar propuestas que fortalezcan los hábitos de cultura escrita en los idiomas indomexicanos, incluyendo secuencias didácticas, material escolar y talleres regionales. Las evidencias que aquí se presentan tuvieron su origen en los Diplomados en Bases Lingüístico-Pedagógicas para la Asignatura en Lengua Indígena que se impartieron en 2018 a docentes indígenas de educación básica, hablantes de 18 lenguas indomexicanas; dicho proyecto fue coordinado por un equipo multidisciplinario, multicultural y multilingüe, adscrito al Gabinete Nanginá del ciesas, en convenio con la DGEI.

 
Sistema locativo en tres lenguas otomangues
Authors: Ortiz Villegas Alejandra Itzel , Hernández Hernández Natalia , Mora Bustos Armando , García Zúñiga H. Antonio
Published: August 2021

En este artículo se describe el sistema locativo en amuzgo, mazahua y mazateco. Se destaca que dicho sistema, dividido en verbal y no verbal, permite caracterizar la marcación de la locación en estas lenguas como mixta, puesto que, por un lado, parte de la semántica propia de los verbos de naturaleza locativa y, por el otro, muestra divergencia entre unidades como los adverbios, los demostrativos locativos y los sustantivos relacionales. Se pone en relieve el sistema de las adposiciones locativas puesto que es el espacio de la gramática en el que las tres lenguas analizadas coinciden. El principal aporte del trabajo consiste en presentar ese sistema mixto y discutir la existencia de un tipo de adposiciones diferentes (las especificativas) a las dos ya identificadas (predicativas y no predicativas). La propuesta pretende ilustrar una prospección de la variedad de la marcación locativa existente al interior de la familia otomangue. La información procede de una muestra amplia de géneros (narraciones, historias de vida, diálogos) tomada, en cada caso, en campo. 

 
Mapping and verification of the snow cover timing in the Baikal region by remote sensing data MODIS “snow cover”
Authors: Rasputina Е.А. , Korepova A.S.
Published: August 2021

The mapping and analysis of the dates of onset and melting the snow cover in the Baikal region for 2000–2010 based on eight-day MODIS “snow cover” composites with a spatial resolution of 500 m, as well as their verification based on the data of 17 meteorological stations was carried out. For each year of the decennary under study, for each meteorological station, the difference in dates determined from the MODIS data and that of weather stations was calculated. Modulus of deviations vary from 0 to 36 days for onset dates and from 0 to 47 days – for those of stable snow cover melting, the average of the deviation modules for all meteorological stations and years is 9–10 days. It is assumed that 83 % of the cases for the onset dates can be considered admissible (with deviations up to 16 days), and 79 % of them for the end dates. Possible causes of deviations are analyzed. It was revealed that the largest deviations correspond to coastal meteorological stations and are associated with the inhomogeneity of the characteristics of the snow cover inside the pixels containing water and land. The dates of onset and melting of a stable snow cover from the images turned out to be later than those of weather stations for about 10 days. First of all (from the end of August to the middle of September), the snow is established on the tops of the ranges Barguzinsky, Baikalsky, Khamar-Daban, and later (in late November–December) a stable cover appears in the Barguzin valley, in the Selenga lowland, and in Priolkhonye. The predominant part of the Baikal region territory is covered with snow in October, and is released from it in the end of April till the middle of May.
Diversidad funcional de murciélagos frugívoros en dos fincas de producción ganadera en Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Authors: Mora Escobar Fabian , Maglianesi Maria Alejandra
Published: August 2021

Introducción: Las actividades ganaderas son una de las principales causas de la pérdida y degradación de los bosques tropicales. Como consecuencia, grupos de organismos como los murciélagos se ven afectados, afectando los servicios ecosistémicos. El análisis de la estructura funcional de los conjuntos de murciélagos permite conocer de forma efectiva las características y respuestas de las especies en un ecosistema, por lo que contribuye a la evaluación del estado de conservación de los ambientes. Objetivos: Describir la estructura funcional de los conjuntos de murciélagos frugívoros en dos fincas ganaderas en Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Métodos: Medimos dos rasgos funcionales relacionados con el tamaño corporal (masa corporal y longitud de antebrazo) en murciélagos frugívoros capturados con redes de niebla en dos localidades (Nambí y Hojancha). Cuantificamos la diversidad funcional de los conjuntos por medio de índices de riqueza funcional, equitatividad, y dispersión funcional, y calculamos la media ponderada de dichos conjuntos. Para identificar los grupos funcionales se utilizó un método de agrupamiento jerárquico basado en el análisis de componentes principales y posteriormente el cálculo de distancias euclidianas. Resultados: Capturamos un total de 191 individuos (14 especies y dos familias). De las especies capturadas, nueve corresponden a frugívoros de las subfamilias Stenodermatinae y Carollinae. El conjunto de murciélagos de Nambí presentó mayor riqueza funcional que el de Hojancha, mientras que los índices de equitatividad y dispersión funcional fueron similares en ambos sitios. Conclusión: Una mayor riqueza funcional del conjunto de murciélagos en Nambí indica una mayor cantidad de recursos explotados por los murciélagos frugívoros. Consecuentemente, los murciélagos en dicha comunidad podrían estar ofreciendo mayores servicios ambientales en comparación con Hojancha, lo cual evidencia la importancia de su conservación para el mantenimiento de comunidades ecológicas en ecosistemas antrópicos.
Novel Long-Acting Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b: Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety in a Phase I Clinical Trial
Authors: Huang Yi-Wen , Tsai Chung-Wei , Qin Albert , Fang Jane , Teng Chingleou , Larouche Richard
Published: August 2021

AIM Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a new site-specific conjugated 40 kDa
branched polyethylene-glycol recombinant interferon (IFN). The aim of
the study was to determine its safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and
pharmacodynamic (PD). METHODS Ropeginterferon alfa-2b was evaluated
first in human in 48 healthy male volunteers after a single dose
subcutaneous injection by either 24, 48, 90, 180, 225, 270mcg of the
product or 180mcg of marketed pegylated (peg)-IFN alfa-2a. Within each
dosing group, 6 subjects received ropeginterferon alfa-2b and 2 subjects
received peg-IFN alfa-2a. RESULTS Dose-related increases in
ropeginterferon alfa-2b PK parameters (Cmax, AUC, and AUC0-t) were
observed over the dose range 24 to 270mcg. The geometric mean values for
these PK parameters of ropeginterferon alfa-2b were higher than that of
peg-IFN alfa-2a at the 180mcg dose level of 176%, 166%, and 182%,
respectively. Mean PD parameters (Emax, Tmax, and AUC0-t) for
ropeginterferon alfa-2b increased with dose for both biomarkers
neopterin and 2’, 5’-OAS. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b has similar PD
profiles as peg-IFN alfa-2a. The treatment related adverse events are
similar between the two study drugs, but the overall incidence was
numerically lower for ropeginterferon alfa-2b (83%) than peg-IFN
alfa-2a (100%) at the 180mcg dose level. CONCLUSIONS Single
subcutaneous dose of Ropeginterferon alfa-2b of up to 270mcg is safe and
well tolerated. It displays dose related increase in PK and PD
parameters, potentially less frequent injection, and better safety
profiles. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is being developed for diseases in
which previous peg-IFN use has been limited by side effects.
Accessibility Analysis of the South Commuter Railway Project of the Philippines
Authors:   Asian Development Bank, Jiang Yi , Chen Liming ,   Asian Development Bank, Go Eugenia ,   Asian Development Bank
Published: August 2021

This brief outlines findings on how the 54.6 km South Commuter Railway (SCR) to be built between Metro Manila and Laguna province in the Philippines is expected to improve access to jobs. A quantitative analysis estimates that residents of cities and municipalities with an SCR station will be able to reach an average of 300,000 extra jobs within a 1-hour commute—an increase of 15.3% in the south and 8.5% in Metro Manila. This could lead to better labor market matching, higher income for workers and more job opportunities for low-income households. The study contributes to efforts to quantify the wider economic benefits of infrastructure projects, especially efficient urban transport systems.
Competitiveness of the Polish system of road transport on the EU system of road transport – selected issues
Authors: Jezierski Andrzej
Published: August 2021

Polish companies operating in the market of road transport services do not come only as some background for companies with foreign capital, but they are equal business partners and competitors in this market. Road cargo transport accounts for a major part of the system of transport in Poland and in the European Union. The paper is a comparative analysis of the structure of road transport sector, cost of carrier services in different countries and their economic performance. The paper is aimed at demonstrating that the structure of Polish road transport sector and its economic performance, compared to other EU countries, inhibit Polish entrepreneurs’ adaptation efforts connected with the so-called Mobility Package. Studies have shown that the implementation of proposed changes will deteriorate the competitiveness of Polish carriers, who currently enjoy cost advantage over their competitors, but whose labour productivity is low, economic performance poorer and who suffer from unfavourable structure of road transport.
Selected problems in the transport of food from Poland to the Middle East
Authors: Ziemian Marek , Kobryń Jarosław
Published: August 2021

The article discusses the main factors that affect the management of shipping covered by the ATP Convention to the Middle East, including the way of planning the route taking into account the specificity of cargo with low natural, technical and economic transport susceptibility, illustrated on a case study of food transport. Problems and their consequences in such transportation, which the carrier faces, can in particular cases, lead to bankruptcy. This market may soon become an alternative to the changing European transport market.
Integrated logistics solutions in the company`s development strategies
Authors: Cherchata Anzhela , Michalski Konrad , Tarasova Tetiana
Published: August 2021

The article discusses the concept of integrated logistics, which is an interconnected set of operations of the enterprise management system, providing for the balanced movement of material, information and financial flows of the company. Guided by the basic principles of integrated logistics is proposed the basic platform of the hierarchical structure of the enterprise logistics system in the form of logistics network configuration. This will allow real enterprises to build their own integrated logistics system, define their logistics mission and strategy, and identify business processes for managing resource flows. For the acceptance of the integrated logistic decisions within the limits of concrete strategic problems the simulation model of formation of economic streams of the building enterprise taking into account functioning of a set of the interconnected and interconnected streams corresponding to certain business processes is offered. The stages of logistic flows are defined, creating the basis for the formation of an integrated logistic system. A mechanism has been developed for the functioning of a construction company within the logistics system at the strategic and tactical levels of management, which makes it possible to coordinate the activities of units related to logistics activities.
Advancement level of logistic information management systems in Polish agri-food industry
Authors: Jałowiecki Piotr
Published: August 2021

The paper presents the results of research on differentiation of the advancement level of solutions and logistics management systems based on ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) used in the Polish food industry. The research was conducted in terms of industry, employment size and three market characteristics of the surveyed enterprises: investment level, financial situation and market position. The study used the IAI (Information Advancement Index) synthetic indicator and two methods for categorizing its values: uniform across the range of values and based on mean values and standard deviation. The paper also presents the reference of the obtained research results to the productivity paradox of Solow and the results of similar research previously carried out on the level of advancement of logistics solutions and systems in the Polish food industry.
The role of innovation in urban logistics on the example of Rzeszów
Authors: Stec Sławomir
Published: August 2021

The article presents the role of innovation in city logistics, and above all the impact of modern logistics investments on the quality of life of residents. On the example of the proceedings of the local government of the city of Rzeszów, a brief description was made of activities related to innovations in urban logistics of various types: technological, organizational, structural, process and image-related. On the basis of a survey among the inhabitants of Rzeszów and the Rzeszów agglomeration, the impact of innovations in urban logistics was examined, among others on changing the behavior of society, lifestyle, preferences in movement, quality of life, as well as the identification of residents with the city. As a result of the research, it was found that the inhabitants perceive very well all already implemented and being implemented innovations in urban logistics. It was also recognized that modern investments contribute to improving the quality of life, lifestyle, air quality, health and safety. In particular, it can be said that the innovations made it possible, among others, to shortening travel time by public transport, smoothing traffic in congested areas, infrastructure integration of ecological forms of transport operating in the urban and suburban areas, connecting public transport with individual bicycle, pedestrian and car communication, improving the mobility of people with disabilities or people with reduced mobility, energy efficiency of urban transport by investing in transport with alternative propulsion systems, reducing the negative impact on the environment, including reducing noise and vibrations as well as greenhouse gas emissions, mainly CO2.
Multicomponent plasmid protects mice from spontaneous autoimmune diabetes
Authors: Pagni Philippe P. , Chaplin Jay , Wijaranakula Michael , Wesley Johnna D. , Granger Jaimie , Cracraft Justen , O’Brien Conor , Perdue Nikole , Kumar Vijetha , Li Shangjin , Ratliff Sowbarnika Sachithanantham , Roach Allie , Misquith Ayesha , Chan Chung-leung , Coppieters Ken , Herrath Matthias von
Published: August 2021

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in
which insulin-secreting β-cells are destroyed, leading to a life-long
dependency on exogenous insulin. There are no approved disease-modifying
therapies available, and future immunotherapies would need to avoid generalized
immune suppression. We developed a novel plasmid expressing preproinsulin2 and a
combination of immune-modulatory cytokines (transforming growth factor-beta-1, interleukin
[IL] 10 and IL-2) capable of near-complete prevention of autoimmune diabetes in
non-obese diabetic mice. Efficacy depended on preproinsulin2, suggesting
antigen-specific tolerization, and on the cytokine combination encoded.
Diabetes suppression was achieved following either intramuscular or
subcutaneous injections. Intramuscular plasmid treatment promoted increased peripheral
levels of endogenous IL-10 and modulated myeloid cell types without inducing global
immunosuppression. To prepare for first-in-human studies, the plasmid was
modified to allow for selection without the use of antibiotic resistance; this
modification had no impact on efficacy. This pre-clinical study demonstrates
that this multi-component, plasmid-based antigen-specific immunotherapy holds potential
for inducing self-tolerance in persons at risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Importantly,
the study also informs on relevant cytokine and immune cell biomarkers that may
facilitate clinical trials. This therapy is currently being tested for safety
and tolerability in a phase 1 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT04279613).
Incidental Traumatic Liver Laceration Diagnosed at Caesarean Section in 37-Year-Old Patient at Kitwe Teaching Hospital in Zambia
Authors: Seke Kazuma M. E. , Soko Enock , Kashimu Phillip , Hansa Abidan C
Published: August 2021

Trauma is leading cause of non-obstetric maternal and perinatal mortality and affects 7% of pregnancies worldwide. We present a 37-year-old pregnant woman, who had a World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) grade II or American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade III liver injury with hemodynamic instability caused by blunt trauma to the abdomen, resulting in an incidental liver parenchymal laceration discovered only at Caesarian section five days later. Liver laceration was treated with perihepatic packing and definitive surgery was done by direct liver repair. We believe this is the first case to be reported in Zambia.
Impact of Training Resident Physicians in Self-Perception of Knowledge to Face Epidemics during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Reyna Figueroa Jesús , Cabañas Espinosa Berenice , Luna Rivera Eva M. , Esquivel Torruco Yamile N. , Bejarano Juvera Arely A. , Bustamante Flores Kinari A. , Aguilar Martínez Naomi , Azcorra López Jessica G. , Arce Salinas César A.
Published: August 2021

Background: Globally, training is the way to increase the knowledge to prevent COVID-19 in resident physicians.

Methods: We conducted an interventional study, not randomized, with baseline measurement and without a control group (before and after study) from April to September 2020; we evaluate the results of a training program in a group of resident physicians, on their self-perception of the ability to face an epidemiological contingency, as well as their willingness to work in these circumstances. The data were statistically evaluated with the chi-square and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study was approved by the Hospital's research ethics committee.

Results: In the baseline survey, the self-perceived qualification in the management of epidemics by influenza, Ebola and COVID-19 was failing (average of 5.5, 4.5 and 3, respectively. The average of the post-training evaluation was 7.1, 6.6 and 7, respectively, being significant only for COVID-19 (p <0.05).

Conclusion: The training improved the level of knowledge of resident doctors in epidemics management, particularly COVID-19.
Clinical Features of Kawasaki Disease during SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Nakada Toshimasa
Published: August 2021

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic, causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has rapidly spread worldwide. Recently, cases of Kawasaki-like syndrome associated with COVID-19 (MIS‐C/PIMS) have been reported in the USA and Europe. However, the clinical features of Kawasaki disease (KD) in Japan during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic remain unclear. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to evaluate the clinical features of KD in our department during the year of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020). Data were obtained from 45 KD patients who underwent acute-phase treatment from January 2018 to December 2020. The patients were divided into three groups: (1) 2018 group, in which 18 patients receiving acute-phase treatment during 2018; (2) 2019 group, in which 17 patients receiving acute-phase treatment during 2019; and (3) 2020 group, in which 10 patients receiving acute-phase treatment during 2020. The comparison of the clinical findings, treatments, and outcomes among the three groups (2018 vs. 2019 vs. 2020 group) revealed a significant difference in the rate of the male gender (72.2% vs. 41.2% vs. 10.0%, P < 0.010), recurrence (0.0% vs. 0.0% vs. 25.0%, P = 0.015), and coronary artery lesions (16.7% vs. 0.0% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.044). No patients required ventilation assistance or inotropic agents and met the diagnostic criteria of MIS‐C/PIMS. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the clinical features of KD during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic.
Predictors of Recurrence after a First Unprovoked Seizure in Childhood: A Prospective Study
Authors: Akter N. , Rahman M. M. , Akhter S. , Fatema K. , Billah S. M. B.
Published: August 2021

The second part of the revised definition of epilepsy by ILAE in 2014 allows a condition to be considered epilepsy after one seizure if there is a high risk of having another seizure; if the risk factor is not precisely be known we have to wait for another seizure. This definition necessitates search for probable risk factors. We aimed this study to assess the recurrence rate and associated risk factors for recurrences after a first unprovoked seizure in children within two years of first attack. This prospective study was conducted on in Banglabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from June 2016 to December 2018. Among 137 children finally 120 children aged between1 month to 14 years after a first seizure were followed up for 2 years. Diagnosis of seizure was confirmed on the basis of diagnostic criteria and none of the children was treated by any antiepileptic drugs after first episode. Overall recurrence rate within 2 years of follow up was 38%. Majority of recurrence (65%) observed within 6-10 months of initial seizure. Significant risk factors were an abnormal EEG finding (p=<0.001), focal seizure (p=<0.001), seizure at sleep (p=0.001) and initial presentation with status epilepticus (p=0.001). Abnormal neuroimage findings were also associated with seizure recurrence, but it was not statistically significant. Age of the patients and underlying motor and cognitive delay was not a significant risk factor for recurrence. A great percentage of first seizure didn’t show recurrence but there are so many factors can determine the possibilities of recurrence, early identification of risk factors specially the focal pattern of seizure, seizure in sleep, status epilepticus and abnormal electrophysiology are the best predictive factors of recurrence, so identifying the high risk group of recurrence helps to initiate early antiepileptic drug and prevent further recurrence.
Clinical Profile of US Combat Veterans with PTSD on M-FAST Items
Authors: Cernovsky Zack Z. , Mann Stephan C. , Velamoor Varadaraj R.
Published: August 2021

Background: The Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST; Miller, 2001) is a widely used but controversial instrument promulgated to measure malingering. Its use is encouraged by publications which are methodologically flawed such as the recent meta-analysis by Detullio et al. (2019). In this study, we examine which of M-FAST’s 25 items are most frequently endorsed by veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Method: Using tabular data published by Wolf’s team in 2020, we identified from a clinical perspective, the 7 M-FAST items endorsed by the highest proportions of 121 US combat veterans with a probable current diagnosis of PTSD. Since the M-FAST diagnostic cutoff is 6 or more points and each endorsed item counts as one point, the 7 most frequently endorsed M-FAST items provide a clinical profile, via their content, as to which items are most frequently involved in misdiagnosing veterans as malingerers.

Results and Discussion: Item 2 (“feeling depressed most of the time”) was endorsed by 67.8%, Item 23 (“feeling that I don’t really matter”) by 56.2%, Item 20 (formication) by 28.9%, and Item 17 (phantosmia, i.e., “false sensation of an odor”) by 24.0%. Formication and phantosmia are legitimate neuropsychological symptoms that may occur with whiplash injuries and head trauma or exposure to toxic chemicals in combat. Item 21 (“at times hearing music coming from nowhere”) endorsed by 22.3% may describe spontaneous intrapsychic activity of musically inclined persons. Item 14 (“Sometimes it seems as if someone controls my symptoms, turning them on and off”) endorsed by 20.7% may reflect the unpredictable fluctuation of frequency and severity of PTSD symptoms. Item 1 (“restlessness while seated”) endorsed by 19.8% is scored in the M-FAST as a discrepancy between the patient reporting that he “often” feels restless, and the examiner’s observation that no such nonverbal behavior during the brief M-FAST interview was noted. Restlessness is a post-concussive symptom that is not necessarily always present, such as during the M-FAST interview.

Conclusions: All 7 most frequently endorsed items by combat veterans are neither exclusive to malingerers nor pathognomonic of malingering. They form a pattern of legitimate medical symptoms fallaciously scored and interpreted in the M-FAST’s system as indicators of malingering.