bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization, antioxidant and anticoagulant properties of exopolysaccharide from marine microalgae
Authors: Mousavian Zahra , Safavi Maliheh , Azizmohseni Farzaneh , Hadizadeh Mahnaz , Mirdamadi Saeed
Published: March 2022

The sulfated exopolysaccharide extracted from marine microalgae attracted considerable attention from both the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. In the present study biomass of five marine microalgae were screened to find strains with high capacity for the production of sulfated exopolysaccharides. The anticoagulant and antioxidant activities of extracted sulfated polysaccharides were evaluated using activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. The sulfated polysaccharides extracted from Picochlorum sp. showed a strong DPPH scavenging effect with 85% antioxidant activity. The sulfated polysaccharides of Chlorella sorokiniana, Chlorella sp. (L2) and Chlorella sp. (D1) scavenged more than 90% of the ABTS radicals. However, the sulfated polysaccharide extracted from Chlorella sorokiniana, and Chlorella sp. (N4) showed anticoagulant properties. The dual anticoagulant-antioxidant activities in Chlorella sorokiniana could be explained by the combination of various factors including sulfate content and their binding site, monosaccharide residue and glycoside bond which are involved in the polysaccharide’s bioactivity.
A systematic study of the production of Monacolin K by solid state fermentation of Monascus ruber
Authors: Liu Xiuhe , Sun Aonan , Li Qing , Du Yamin , Zhao Tao
Published: March 2022

Monacolin K is one of the bioactive substances produced by Monascus ruber during fermentation. The multi-factors and their interactions on the effect of solid-state fermentation of Monascus for high yield of monacolin K were attractive to industrial production. A detailed study of 7 single-factor experiments and a series of experiments with Plackette-Burman and Box-Benhnken design, data fitting and modeling, and analyzing the visual 3D response surface plots for investigation of the key factors for Monacolin K production. The results showed that initial moisture (50 ~ 55%) and bran content (4.5 ~ 5.5%) as the key factors of transport for nutrients and oxygen during the solid-state fermentation (SSF) process of Monascus. Under the optimal conditions, a temperature shifting of the SSF with a higher Monacolin K yield of 14.53 ± 0.16 mg·g− 1 compared with the content of monacolin K in the commercially available functional red yeast rice of 8 mg g− 1.
Incidence and outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest in Japan 2011–2017: a nationwide inpatient database study
Authors: Ohbe Hiroyuki , Tagami Takashi , Uda Kazuaki , Matsui Hiroki , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: March 2022

Background

Although numerous studies have investigated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, few studies have been conducted on in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). Knowledge of the nationwide epidemiology of IHCA in Japan, with its super-aging society, is important to understand the current situation of IHCA and to establish evidenced-based medicine in the future. The present study aimed to determine the incidence and outcomes of IHCA and their trends in Japan.

Methods

This observational cohort study was performed using a national administrative inpatient database for more than 1600 acute-care hospitals covering about 50% of all acute-care hospital beds in Japan from April 2011 to March 2018. We defined cardiac arrest patients who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (chest compression) during hospitalization as IHCA. We excluded out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients from the source population. The incidence of IHCA per 1000 hospital admissions and survival to discharge rate was reported with trend analyses by calendar year 2011–2017.

Results

Among 53,871,101 hospitalized patients without out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in 1626 hospitals, 2,136,038 (4.0%) had cardiac arrest. Of them, 274,664 (12.9%) received cardiopulmonary resuscitation at least once during hospitalization and were identified as IHCA, and 1,861,374 (87.1%) did not receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The incidence of IHCA per 1000 hospital admissions was 5.1, with a significant decreasing trend from 6.1 in 2011 to 4.6 in 2017 (P for trend = 0.033). Our estimated incidence can be translated to approximately 87,000 IHCA cases in Japan each year. The percentage of IHCA patients among cardiac arrest patients was 12.9%, with a significant decreasing trend from 14.0% in 2011 to 12.2% in 2017 (P for trend = 0.006). The overall rate of survival to discharge was 12.7%, with a significant increasing trend from 10.5% in 2011 to 14.0% in 2017 (P for trend < 0.001).

Conclusions

We found substantial associations between mortality and loss of health and IHCA in Japan. The incidence of IHCA showed a decreasing trend over time, the percentage of treated cardiac arrest patients also had a decreasing trend, and the overall survival to discharge rate improved over time.
Educational data mining: prediction of students' academic performance using machine learning algorithms
Authors: Yağcı Mustafa
Published: March 2022

Educational data mining has become an effective tool for exploring the hidden relationships in educational data and predicting students' academic achievements. This study proposes a new model based on machine learning algorithms to predict the final exam grades of undergraduate students, taking their midterm exam grades as the source data. The performances of the random forests, nearest neighbour, support vector machines, logistic regression, Naïve Bayes, and k-nearest neighbour algorithms, which are among the machine learning algorithms, were calculated and compared to predict the final exam grades of the students. The dataset consisted of the academic achievement grades of 1854 students who took the Turkish Language-I course in a state University in Turkey during the fall semester of 2019–2020. The results show that the proposed model achieved a classification accuracy of 70–75%. The predictions were made using only three types of parameters; midterm exam grades, Department data and Faculty data. Such data-driven studies are very important in terms of establishing a learning analysis framework in higher education and contributing to the decision-making processes. Finally, this study presents a contribution to the early prediction of students at high risk of failure and determines the most effective machine learning methods.
Differentiating Black and Hispanic: outcome differences of segregated communities and police shootings in the USA, 2015–2020
Authors: Leslie Timothy F. , Frankenfeld Cara L. , Hattery Angela J.
Published: March 2022

Background

Police shootings are unevenly spatially distributed, with substantive spikes throughout the USA. While minorities are disproportionately the victims of police force, social or structural factors associated with this distribution are not well understood. The objective of this work was to evaluate police shootings in relation to victim race or ethnicity and residential segregation and racial diversity.

Methods

Validated crowdsourced data from the Washington Post’s Fatal Force (2015–2020) were linked with census tract-level data from the American Community Survey. Residential minority dissimilarity, interaction, and a racial and ethnic diversity metric were calculated in order to assess the potentially variant importance of evenness in distribution, exposure likelihood, and general representation. Logistic and multinomial regression was used to model associations between segregation and diversity, adjusted for other ecological characteristics. Analyses were stratified by victim race or ethnicity (Black, Asian, or Hispanic).

Results

Across all races combined, the odds of a police shooting in a particular census tract were associated with non-Hispanic Black dissimilarity (OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.97, 0.99) and racial and ethnic diversity (1.046, 95% CI 1.044, 1.060). Areas with higher racial diversity had a higher likelihood of having a police shooting event with Black victims (OR = 1.092, 95% CI 1.064, 1.120) or Asian victims (OR = 1.188, 1.051, 1.343) than less diverse areas. Higher non-Hispanic Black interaction was associated with a lower likelihood of having a police shooting event with Black victims (OR = 0.914, 95% CI 0.833, 0.946) than lower interaction areas. Higher Hispanic dissimilarity was associated with a lower likelihood of having a police shooting event with a Hispanic victim (OR = 0.398, 95% CI 0.324, 0.489) than lower dissimilarity areas.

Conclusions

The variant effects of residential segregation are only seen when victims are analyzed separately by race. There appears to be a protective effect for Hispanic populations in Hispanic communities, while the reverse is true of Black individuals. We urge law enforcement responsible for locations with segregated communities to monitor individual interactions that police have with residents as well as the patterns of frequency and context of those interactions.
The Use of Fitness-Fatigue Models for Sport Performance Modelling: Conceptual Issues and Contributions from Machine-Learning
Authors: Imbach Frank , Sutton-Charani Nicolas , Montmain Jacky , Candau Robin , Perrey Stéphane
Published: March 2022

The emergence of the first Fitness-Fatigue impulse responses models (FFMs) have allowed the sport science community to investigate relationships between the effects of training and performance. In the models, athletic performance is described by first order transfer functions which represent Fitness and Fatigue antagonistic responses to training. On this basis, the mathematical structure allows for a precise determination of optimal sequence of training doses that would enhance the greatest athletic performance, at a given time point. Despite several improvement of FFMs and still being widely used nowadays, their efficiency for describing as well as for predicting a sport performance remains mitigated. The main causes may be attributed to a simplification of physiological processes involved by exercise which the model relies on, as well as a univariate consideration of factors responsible for an athletic performance. In this context, machine-learning perspectives appear to be valuable for sport performance modelling purposes. Weaknesses of FFMs may be surpassed by embedding physiological representation of training effects into non-linear and multivariate learning algorithms. Thus, ensemble learning methods may benefit from a combination of individual responses based on physiological knowledge within supervised machine-learning algorithms for a better prediction of athletic performance.

In conclusion, the machine-learning approach is not an alternative to FFMs, but rather a way to take advantage of models based on physiological assumptions within powerful machine-learning models.
AMP5A modulates Toll-like receptors 7 and 8 single-stranded RNA immune responses in PMA-differentiated THP-1 and PBMC
Authors: Thomas Gregory , Hirter Kristen , Frederick Elizabeth , Hausburg Melissa , Bar-Or Raphael , Mulugeta Yetti , Roshon Michael , Mains Charles , Bar-Or David
Published: March 2022

Background

Dysregulation of antiviral immunity has been implicated in the progression of acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection into severe cases of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). Imbalances in the inflammatory response drive the overabundant production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The low molecular weight fraction of 5% human serum albumin commercial preparation (AMP5A) is a novel biologic drug currently under clinical investigation for the treatment of osteoarthritis and the hyperinflammatory response associated with COVID-19. This study aims to elucidate AMP5A effects following the activation of immune cells with agonists of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and/or 8, which detect ssRNA viral sequences.

Methods

CXCL10 ELISAs were used to evaluate the dynamics of myeloid cells activated with CL075 and CL307, agonists of TLR7/8 and TLR7, respectively. In addition, enrichment analysis of gene sets generated by ELISA arrays was utilized to gain insight into the biologic processes underlying the identified differentially expressed cytokine profiles. Finally, relative potency (REP) was employed to confirm the involvement of mechanisms of action paramount to AMP5A activity.

Results

AMP5A inhibits the release of CXCL10 from both CL075- and CL307-activated PMA-differentiated THP-1 and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Furthermore, AMP5A suppresses a distinct set of pro-inflammatory cytokines (including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, and CXCL10) associated with COVID-19 and pro-inflammatory NF-κB activation. REP experiments using antagonists specific for the immunomodulatory transcription factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor, also indicate that these pathways are involved in the ability of AMP5A to inhibit CXCL10 release.

Conclusion

Due to the biphasic course of COVID-19, therapeutic approaches that augment antiviral immunity may be more beneficial early in infection, whereas later interventions should focus on inflammation suppression. In this study, we show that AMP5A inhibits TLR 7/8 signaling in myeloid cells, resulting in a decrease in inflammatory mediators associated with hyperinflammation and autoimmunity. Furthermore, data demonstrating that AMP5A activates immunomodulatory transcription factors found to be protective in lung disease is provided. These findings suggest that the modes and mechanisms of action of AMP5A are well suited to treat conditions involving dysregulated TLR 7/8 activation.

Graphical Abstract
Toxicity and lethal effects of herbaceous plant crude extracts against Spodoptera litura
Authors: Singh Divyansh , Bapatla Kiran Gandhi
Published: March 2022

Background

Tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura, attacks various cultivated plants and causes significant yield losses. In this study, an eco-friendly approach like using botanical insecticides was adopted to examine the toxicological effect of six herbaceous plants (Phyllanthus niruri, Cyperus rotundus, Euphorbia hirta, Boerhavia diffusa, Parthenium hysterophorus and Cynodon dactylon) against S. litura.

Results

Six herbaceous plants crude extract showed a definite level of toxicity against S. litura larvae (3rd instar) using the surface diet contamination method. Among tested herbaceous plants crude extract at 5 μg/ml concentration, C. dactylon showed significant high larval mortality (75%) against S. litura larvae compared to P. niruri (39%), C. rotundus (36%), P. hysterophorus (26%), B. diffusa (22%) and E. hirta (22%) treatments. A cent percent S. litura larval mortality was achieved at lower concentration from crude extract of C. dactylon (11.2 μg/ml) compared to E. hirta (18.6 μg/ml), B. diffusa (24.39 μg/ml), P. hysterophorus (31.4 μg/ml) crude extracts. The lethal concentration (LC50) of C. dactylon, P. hysterophorus, C. rotundus, P. niruri, B. diffusa and E. hirta crude extracts was estimated to be 1.45, 4.09, 5.74, 6.75, 10.92 and 13.62 μg/ml, respectively.

Conclusion

The study results suggested that C. dactylon crude extract possesses the potential to reduce the S. litura damage on crops as a natural alternative to the chemical insecticides with no toxicity to beneficial species.
Prevalence and sero-epidemiology of bluetongue with special reference to eastern and north-eastern states of India
Authors: Joardar Siddhartha Narayan
Published: March 2022

Background

Bluetongue (BT), an infectious, non-contagious arthropod borne viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants is caused by bluetongue virus (BTV), a type species ofOrbivirusgenus andReoviridaefamily. Albeit bluetongue in India is endemic to southern and western parts, eastern and north-eastern parts of the country didn’t experience any outbreak or reported active disease.

Main body of abstract

International, national and regional disease statuses including some un-published data were narrated to give a clear picture. Until 1940s, BT was mainly restricted to African countries, however started spearheading to Asian and European countries subsequently. Extensive epidemiological surveys were conducted in central parts of America and Caribbean countries during late 80’s. Massive ingression of BT was observed in northern Europe 2006 onward. In India, although first reported in 1964, BT became endemic in southern states during 1980s and became alarming in late 1990s. A thorough sero-epidemiological study was conducted in different agro-climatic zones of eastern and north-eastern states of India during 2001 to 2017. Sero-epidemiological information of different states had been tabulated. This was the first comprehensive document of BT sero-epidemiology of eastern and north-eastern parts of India. Although BT was not reported officially, sero-epidemiology showed BTV was in circulation in animals and vectors of eastern and north-eastern states of India. Published as also un-published data clearly showed animals and vectors harbor BTV in this part of the country.

Short conclusion

All the epidemiological components of BT  are present in eastern and north-eastern parts of India that warrants presence of the disease in these parts also. Hence, further surveillance and preparedness  are recommended to avoid future BT outbreak, if any.
Impact of different diets' nutrition on the fitness and hemocytic responses of the greater wax moth larvae, Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Mohamed Hend O. , Amro Abdulraouf
Published: March 2022

Background

The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is the major devastating insect pest of beekeeping industry all over the world; however their larvae were valuable to be the most favorable alternative invertebrate model. For this purpose, new-hatched larvae were reared on five different nutritional diets based on: old wax-comb (natural food); wheat flour diet (Triticum aestivum L.); soybean diet (Glycine max); wheat germ diet; and date syrup diet (Phoenix dactylifera L.) till reaching the fully grown 6th instars to evaluate their fitness and hemocytic responses.

Results

Fully grown larvae from soybean diet had the highest rates of fresh (280 mg) and dry weights (104 mg), water contents (175.6 mg), carbohydrates (1.97%), total hemocyte count (THC) (4746/mm3), total soluble solid (TSS) (21.7%), hemolymph protein concentration (HPC) (1662.5 mg/100 ml), and hemolymph content (density 3.82 mg/µl and volume 70.35 µl/larva), followed by wheat germ diet in comparable to the natural food. All suggested diets considered as rich protein-materials; recording high protein rates on their larvae (39.51–41.87%), with only the exception of old wax-comb had the lowest one (36.63%). Moreover, five types of hemocytes were classified in the larval hemolymph as (prohemocytes (PR), plasmatocytes (PL), granulocytes (GR), oenocytoids (OE) and spherulocytes (SP)), but with different rates related to different diets. Regardless the rearing diets, PR type was the most frequently recorded cell type (73.31%) in hemolymph, followed by PL (8.37%), and the lowest one was OE cells (5.82%).

Conclusions

The suggested diets of soybean and wheat germ recorded the best results than the other diets used almost, and could be recommended as standard diets to mass-produce healthy and high-quality G. mellonella for in vivo experimentation and/or microbiological studies.
Comparison between dexmedetomidine versus magnesium sulfate infusions for mitigating emergence agitation in obese adults undergoing nasal surgery
Authors: Salman Ossama H. , Ali Mohamed Hatem S.
Published: March 2022

Background

Emergence agitation is a potentially serious post-anesthetic event occurring in the early phase of recovery from general anesthesia, characterized by anxiety, disorientation, violent, and irrational behavior. Many agents have been used as prophylaxis with varying degrees of success. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine to magnesium sulfate in mitigating emergence agitation. Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups of 35 each. Dexmedetomidine group (D group) received intraoperative Dex 0.7 μg/kg/h infusion (no loading dose). The magnesium sulfate group (M group) received intraoperative magnesium sulfate 20 mg/kg/h infusion (no loading dose). The control group (C group) received equal volume of saline infusion as placebo.

Results

The total incidence of emergence agitation was significantly lower in group D, 5.6% and group M, 8.5% compared to control group, 54.2%. The median time to extubation was significantly longer in group D than C and M groups (13, 7, and 8, respectively) and was not significantly different between group C and M. During recovery, the number of patients who experience pain was significantly lower in D and M groups compared to patients in control group (P < 0.002). The total dose of rescue analgesic was also significantly lower in D and M group versus control group (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulfate infusion are both equally effective in reducing the incidence of emergency agitation in obese adults undergoing nasal surgery. Extubation time and post-operative anesthesia care time were rather longer in dexmedetomidine than other groups.

Trial registration

Registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04531371
In vitro antioxidants and antihypertensive properties of corn silk–lemon infusion
Authors: Rabi Ocheni Ojoma , Omoba Olufunmilayo Sade , Aderonke Ibidunni Olagunju
Published: March 2022

Background

Agricultural waste generated annually results to environmental pollution; these wastes are rich sources of important bioactive compounds and could be used therapeutically in the management of some ailments. Corn silk, a by-product of sweet corn and whole lemon were processed separately into corn silk flour (CSF) and lemon flour (LF). Flour blends formulation used were as follows: 100% CSF (A), 95% CSF and 5% LF (B), 90% CSF and 10% LF (C), 85% CSF and 15% LF (D) and 80% CSF and 20% LF (E). Chemical compositions of the blends were investigated, while the total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), polyphenol profile, antioxidant activities, α-amylase, α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, nitric oxide, L-arginase, Angiotensin-I-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitions as well as the colour and sensory attributes of the infusions were investigated using standard methods.

Results

The moisture and total ash contents increased proportionally with increased substitution of LF as moisture content ranged from 4.83 to 8.40% and the total ash content ranged from 2.32 to 3.25%. The calculated energy values decreased from 390.48 to 361.42 kcal, with increase in LF. Potassium (K) contents also increased with values ranging from 4.65 to 5.82 mg/100 g, increase in LF incorporation promoted a decrease in the Na/K ratio from 0.8 to 0.55; the Phy:Ca and Phy:Zn ratios ranged from 1.20 to 2.86 and 2.08 to 4.04, respectively. No significant difference was observed in consumer acceptability but there were total colour differences (ΔE) in the infusion as compared to the control samples. Samples A and B exhibited notable antioxidant properties, α-amylase, α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, nitric oxide, L-arginase and the ACE inhibitory activities compared favourably with the commercial samples.

Conclusion

This study revealed that corn silk–lemon infusion especially sample A (100% CSF) may be a therapeutic tool in lowering blood pressure because it possesses potent antihypertensive properties.
A study to investigate variations in biochemical and nutritional profile among severely wasted children on medical nutrition therapy: a hospital-based study
Authors: Viswanathan Varun , Dias Bina , Sawant Vishal D. , Karnik Prachi , Jadhav Alka , Jadhav Madhubala , Rodrigues Blossom , Fernandes Lavina
Published: March 2022

Aim and objectives

To study variations in biochemical and nutritional profile among children with severe thinness receiving medical nutrition therapy.

Methods

This study was conducted in 52 children of age between 5 and 12 years in Paediatric ward at Tertiary Care Centre over the period of 18 months. Serial anthropometry and blood collection was done on enrolment, 8 weeks and 6 months. Samples were analysed for serum lipid profile, calcium, magnesium, malondialdehyde and vitamin C levels.

Results

On enrolment all subjects had insufficient vitamin C levels, increased malondialdehyde levels, micronutrient deficiencies and altered lipid profile with less than desirable cholesterol, borderline HDL, severely low LDL and acceptable triglyceride levels. Subjects were started on MNT, i.e. indigenously prepared Ready-to-use therapeutic food. At 8 weeks, MNT improved vitamin C levels (91.1%) and 80% subjects had normalised malondialdehyde values and improvement in micronutrients with cholesterol (desirable in 44.4%), HDL (desirable in 51.1%), LDL values (acceptable in 24.4%) and triglyceride (high in 20.5%). At 6 months, subjects maintained vitamin C values to sufficient (81.5%) with normalising of MDA in 81.8% of subjects and with cholesterol (desirable in 55%), HDL (desirable in 33.1%) LDL (acceptable in 22.1%), and triglyceride (acceptable in 60%) and maintaining of micronutrients within normal ranges. 33.33% subjects showed improvement to thinness at the end of 6 months, while 44% subjects became normal by the end of study.

Conclusion

MNT or Ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) is effective in treating acute malnutrition and promoted as the treatment of choice for children in age group of 5–12 years.
Use of multiplex PCR in diagnosis of childhood acute viral diarrhoea caused by rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus and adenovirus in Upper Egypt
Authors: Othma Amr Abulhamd Sayed , Gomaa Howayda Ezz Eldin , El Anany Mervat Gaber , Abdul Rahman Eiman Mohammed , Hassan Eman Mahmoud , Abd Elbaky Abeer M. Nour Eldin , Soliman May Mohamed Sherif , Awadallah Eman
Published: March 2022

Background

Diarrhoea is still a major public health issue in developing countries, and it is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children. We aimed to assess the use of a multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay forthe detection of five viruses, includingrotavirus, norovirus (genogroups 1 and 2), astrovirus, and adenovirus, responsible for gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old in primary care centres in Upper Egypt.

Subjects and methods

A total of 500 stool samples were collected. Fifty samples were randomly selected for viral examination using multiplex RT-PCRfor the detection of rotavirus, norovirus (genogroups 1 and 2), astrovirus, and adenovirus, causing diarrhoea.

Results

Viruses were detected in 45 (90%) of the 50 stool samples. The most frequently identified virus was norovirus G2, followed by Group A rotavirus, astrovirus and adenovirus. Mixed infection by two and three viruses was observed in 7/50 cases (14%) and 2/50 cases (4%), respectively. Norovirus G1 was not detected in the samples examined.

Conclusion

Our study reveals that multiplex PCR allows for the detection of multiple viral targets in only one reaction, rendering the assay easier to perform compared to existing testing methodologies (RT-PCR and electron microscopy). Additionally, most of the viruses were detected in summer, and the highest prevalence was in the age group less than 1 year. Norovirus G2 and rotavirus were the most frequent agents and the most common coinfections responsible for gastroenteritis in children.
Management of massive bilothorax post-percutaneous trans-hepatic biliary drainage
Authors: Vrachliotis Thomas G. , Spiliopoulos Stavros , Voros Dionisios
Published: March 2022

Background

Iatrogenic bilothorax is an infrequent major complication of percutaneous trans-hepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and optimal treatment remains under-reported. The authors herein describe a case of PTBD complicated by a massive bilous effusion.

Case presentation

An 80-year-old male underwent PTBD due to malignant obstructive jaundice (total bilirubin 20.0 mg/dL). Following discharge, the patient was readmitted with severe dyspnea and recurrence of jaundice (total bilirubin 15.0 mg/dL). CT depicted the drainage catheter traversing the right costophrenic sulcus, complete obliteration of the right pleural space, no aerated right lung parenchyma and left mediastinal shift. The pleural effusion was successfully drained, and the biliary drainage catheter tract was sealed with Gelfoam pledgets and coils, to prevent bilopleural fistula formation and recurrence of the effusion.

Conclusions

In this case, a successful totally percutaneous management of iatrogenic bilothorax following PTBD is described. Due to the potential of rapid clinical deterioration and empyema formation, immediate evaluation and treatment are warranted. Prompt pleural drainage with antibiotic therapy and bile flow diversion from the pleural cavity are required.
A retrospective study of electrodiagnostically evaluated ulnar neuropathies with special guidelines for ulnar neuropathies at elbow
Authors: Yadav Ram Lochan
Published: March 2022

Background

The diagnosis of type, severity of ulnar neuropathy based on symptoms and clinical tests are unsatisfactory. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze ulnar neuropathies at different sites evaluated through electrodiagnostic studies (EDx), especially for ulnar neuropathy at elbow (UNE).

Results

Total 270 ulnar neuropathy patients’ data were recruited from laboratory record over a five-year period (2016–2021).Their demographic data, clinical history and EDx parameters were analyzed focusing on etiology, nerve lesion types, 5th-digit sensory, dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve (DUCN) conduction, motor nerve conduction velocity (NCV) across elbow along with EMG of ADM, FDI, FCU, FDP muscles. The patients grouped into traumatic injuries—27.8% (T) and 72.2% non-traumatic (NT) had varied sensory-motor symptoms: pain—10%, altered sensation—28.1%, pain-paresthesia—14.8%, atrophy—25.2% and clawing—8.9%. UNE was the most prevalent (82.75%-NT, 66.67% -T) with < 50 m/s motor and sensory NCV across elbow. Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude > 50% drop across elbow was seen in 55.17%-NT and 54.16%-T groups. Abnormal DUCN and short-segment inching NCV were less frequently noted. In EMG, ADM (T-83.33% and NT-65.51%) and FDI (T-70.83% and NT-68.96%) muscles were evaluated the most and FDP the least.

Conclusion

UNE was the most common followed by forearm and wrist. NCV and CMAP across elbow are stronger EDx parameters for UNE. Neuropathy was irrespective of gender and prevalent at early of middle age. The EDx could be considered as one of the most valuable tests in confirming the localization, severity and type of ulnar nerve lesion, which favors management and prognosis of patient.
Differences in postoperative complications and prognosis of sacrococcygeal teratoma and presacral tumors in Currarino syndrome
Authors: Sakurai Tsuyoshi , Hashimoto Masatoshi , Nakamura Megumi , Endo Naobumi
Published: March 2022

Background

While sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is a tumor originating from the tip of the sacrum, presacral tumors are accompanied by Currarino syndrome (CS) and classified as the Altman’s type IV sacrococcygeal tumors. They are quite different in their pathologies despite the similar location. To the best of our knowledge, there are no published reports comparing their prognosis; therefore, we analyzed their postoperative results and long-term prognosis. Twenty patients with SCT, including CS, who were being followed up at the outpatient clinic of the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Miyagi Children's Hospital between 2004 and 2020, were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: those who developed SCT without anorectal malformation and sacral dysplasia, and those who developed presacral tumors with anorectal malformation or sacral dysplasia as CS. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed for clinical details, postoperative complications, and long-term prognosis.

Results

Tethered cord syndrome occurred significantly more frequently in the CS group (p = 0.0108). However, no significant differences were observed for malformations other than tethered cord syndrome. Early complications in the CS group were significantly higher than those in the SCT group (p = 0.023); the most common complication was dysuria. Regarding long-term prognosis, 70% of patients in the CS group complained of defecation disorders, which was significantly higher than that in the SCT group (p = 0.0198). Voiding dysfunction was also more common in the CS group.

Conclusions

There were significant differences between SCT and CS regarding the rate of development of tethered cord syndrome, short-term postoperative complications, and long-term prognosis. Thus, they are different diseases with the only commonality being the presence of a sacrococcygeal tumor. Furthermore, this study indicated that the background and prognosis of the two conditions were also quite different.
Clinical literature on postoperative delirium and neurocognitive disorders: a historical systematic review
Authors: Villa Gianluca , Foti Lorenzo , Piazzini Tessa , Russo Gaetano , Verrengia Marin , Sangermano Corinne , Bilotta Federico , Romagnoli Stefano
Published: March 2022

Background

Since the appearance of the first report on postoperative cognitive impairment in 1955, the number of papers focusing on perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) has constantly increased, both in the field of basic science and clinical research. A critical comprehensive review may explore the perception of how noteworthy PND is for physicians and clinical researchers. The aim of this systematic review is to describe how the clinical papers published to date with PND as primary or secondary outcome have changed over time in terms of editorial characteristics.

Results

A literature search was performed on PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, up to March 2021. Human prospective or retrospective clinical studies in which incidence, risk factors, treatments, or outcomes associated with PND are described among primary or secondary outcomes were included. A total of 2109 articles were considered.

Conclusions

The bibliometric analysis suggests a stable increase in attention towards PND, particularly in general surgery adult-elderly patients, and underlines the importance for the clinicians not to underestimate this specific field.
Impact on psychiatrists in intellectual disability of Court of Protection orders for section 49 (Mental Capacity Act) reports: online survey
Authors: Perera Suraj , Leyland Nathalie , Coshever Jonathan
Published: March 2022

Aims and method

To gain an understanding of court orders for reports under section 49 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in terms of the incidence, topics instructed, time taken, impact on working practice and well-being, and support available to psychiatrists. We used Microsoft Forms to generate an online survey. Domains within the survey included demographics, number of reports, support, clinical impact and personal well-being.

Results

Of the 104 psychiatrists who responded, 65.4% had been ordered to undertake a section 49 report; 51.5% of those had been asked to provide an opinion outside their subjective expertise, 25% were somewhat or fully confident in writing reports and 85% stated that they experienced stress as a result.

Clinical implications

There is a need for national and local regulation of the process of ordering reports under section 49, and for psychiatrists to be trained and supported by their employers.
“There Is Not a Factory Today Where This Same Immoral Condition Does Not Exist”: Strikes against Sexual Harassment, 1912–2019
Authors: Orleck Annelise
Published: March 2022

From 1912 to 2019, low-wage women workers have used the strike to resist sexual violence and harassment on the shop floor. This article examines two strike actions, more than a century apart. First it looks at the 1912 Kalamazoo Corset Co. strike, the first known strike against sexual harassment in the United States. Comparing it to a multicity anti-sexual-harassment strike wave by McDonald’s workers in 2018–19 (mostly women of color), the article assesses the increasing importance of race in women’s union organizing as well as the impact of the #MeToo movement on women’s labor activism.
Protocol for the Birth Asphyxia in African Newborns (Baby BRAiN) Study: a Neonatal Encephalopathy Feasibility Cohort Study
Authors: Nanyunja Carol , Sadoo Samantha , Mambule Ivan , Mathieson Sean R , Nyirenda Moffat , Webb Emily L , Mugalu J , Robertson Nicola J , Nabawanuka A , Gilbert Guillaume , Bwambale J , Martinello Kathryn , Bainbridge Alan , Lubowa Samson , Srinivasan Latha , Ssebombo H , Morgan Cathy , Hagmann Cornelia , Cowan Frances M , Le Doare Kirsty , Wintermark Pia , Kawooya Michael , Boylan Geraldine B , Nakimuli Annettee , Tann Cally J
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND: Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is a leading cause of child mortality worldwide and contributes substantially to stillbirths and long-term disability. Ninety-nine percent of deaths from NE occur in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). Whilst therapeutic hypothermia significantly improves outcomes in high-income countries, its safety and effectiveness in diverse LMIC contexts remains debated. Important differences in the aetiology, nature and timing of neonatal brain injury likely influence the effectiveness of postnatal interventions, including therapeutic hypothermia.

METHODS: This is a prospective pilot feasibility cohort study of neonates with NE conducted at Kawempe National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. Neurological investigations include continuous video electroencephalography (EEG) (days 1-4), serial cranial ultrasound imaging, and neonatal brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy (MRI/ MRS) (day 10-14). Neurodevelopmental follow-up will be continued to 18-24 months of age including Prechtl’s Assessment of General Movements, Bayley Scales of Infant Development, and a formal scored neurological examination. The primary outcome will be death and moderate-severe neurodevelopmental impairment at 18-24 months. Findings will be used to inform explorative science and larger trials, aiming to develop urgently needed neuroprotective and neurorestorative interventions for NE applicable for use in diverse settings.

DISCUSSION: The primary aims of the study are to assess the feasibility of establishing a facility-based cohort of children with NE in Uganda, to enhance our understanding of NE in a low-resource sub-Saharan African setting and provide infrastructure to conduct high-quality research on neuroprotective/ neurorestorative strategies to reduce death and disability from NE. Specific objectives are to establish a NE cohort, in order to 1) investigate the clinical course, aetiology, nature and timing of perinatal brain injury; 2) describe electrographic activity and quantify seizure burden and the relationship with adverse outcomes, and; 3) develop capacity for neonatal brain MRI/S and examine associations with early neurodevelopmental outcomes.
In their own words: a comparison of the medical school applications of low and exceptional performing students
Authors: Maciuba Joseph M. , Teng Yating , Pflipsen Matthew , Andrews Mary A. , Durning Steven J.
Published: March 2022

Background: Medical school admissions committees cannot predict performance. Previous research has studied whether standardized test scores, grade point averages, or letters of recommendation portend success, but an applicant’s reporting of their past experiences and activities has not been well studied. This research aimed to determine the themes present in the applications of low performing medical students and to compare these themes with those in the applications of exceptional performers.

Methods: The authors performed a qualitative analysis of the Work and Activities section of the American Medical College Application Service application in low performing medical students (those referred to the student promotions committee where an administrative action occurred). A constant-comparative approach was used that applied an a priori thematic framework developed in exceptional students (those inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society and Gold Humanism Honor Society).  Frequencies of themes were counted and compared in each population by calculating the absolute number of themes and the diversity of themes per applicant. 

Results:  Thirty-nine students met the definition of low performer in graduation years 2017 to 2019.  Thematic saturation occurred after 18 applications; 21 files were reviewed.  All seven themes present in exceptional performers (teamwork, altruism, success in a practiced activity, wisdom, passion, entrepreneurship, and perseverance) were present in low performers, although at lower frequencies. Three low performer themes were found: witnessing teamwork, description of a future event, and embellishment of achievement.

Conclusions: Experience descriptions that prospective students write may predict future performance and could be used by admission committees to inform entry decisions into medical school. Low performers had comparatively lower frequencies of every exceptional performer theme; the difference was most notable in the “perseverance” and “success in a practiced activity” themes. Unique themes were found in low performers. Further studies are recommended to enhance the generalizability of these results.
THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO SELF-ORGANIZATION IN MANAGEMENT
Authors: Plotnikov Andrei V.
Published: March 2022

The paper compares approaches to self-organization. The term can refer to various subjects and objects of research. Theoretical approaches contain the following elements: adaptability, self-regulation and openness of the system, consistency of actions, relevant competencies to tasks, self-development and self-training of personnel, dynamic equilibrium or its absence. Self-organization occurs when the subject of management delegates to the management object. Consequently, any decisions initiated by an object with a leadership is self-organization. The management object migrates to the domain of the management subject based on self-organization. It leads to self-development and restructuring of the management system based on motivational factors such as doing tasks, responsibility (according to McGregor’s Theory Y of motivation) and effectiveness based on the use of delegation and employee initiatives. Scrum-masters, research and teaching staff, graduate students in the field of management and readers interested in management intend the article for reading.

Purpose: comparing to self-organization theoretical approaches and creating self-development model and a management system based on the self-organization principle.

Methodology: the paper analyzes the research papers of foreign and Russian authors. The author applies deductive, synthesis, decomposition and graphical methods in research.

Results: the author created self-development model and the management system based on the self-organization principle.

Practical implications: the results obtained are applicable for the management system making focused on the agile organizations.
TREASURY CONTROL IN THE SYSTEM OF CONTROL AND SUPERVISORY BODIES
Authors: Matveeva Elena E.
Published: March 2022

In order to improve the quality of public finance management in the Russian Federation, priority areas of large-scale reform have been identified, including: development of the financial control system; ensuring a competitive and transparent procurement system for public needs; formation of a unified information contour of the public finance management system. Modern technological solutions make it possible to integrate business processes for the execution of expenditure budgets with procurement processes and procedures, thus achieving an integrated approach to budget expenditure management, which in turn is one of the promising areas of digitalization within the framework of the implementation of the National Program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation”.

Purpose. The purpose is to define and improve the control powers of various state bodies in the field of budget expenditures, primarily treasury control.

Method or methodology of the work: the following methods were used in the article: analysis, synthesis of scientific information, the method of analogies, as well as statistical methods of analysis.

Results: the most informative parameters showing some aspects of treasury control were obtained. Scope of application of the results: it is advisable to apply the results obtained by regulatory authorities exercising control over economic entities.
ANALYSIS OF THEORETICAL APPROACHES AND INTERACTION MANAGEMENT PRACTICES WITHIN MAIN ENTITIES TO ENSURE SUSTAINABLE REGION DEVELOPMENT IN A STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Kirillova Elena A.
Published: March 2022

In the existing concepts of competitive advantages sources determining tools for analyzing and evaluating resources, abilities and competencies in relation to cooperative formation are rather poorly presented. Although, as foreign practice shows, it is precisely such forms of joint organization of activities that currently have the greatest effectiveness. These features determined the purpose of this study – the analysis of existing theoretical approaches and proven practices for identifying and evaluating unique resources and abilities of complex socio-economic systems.

Method or methodology of the work: mainly general logical methods of analysis and synthesis, generalization were used. The results show that one of competitive advantages sources of modern organizations is the network of their partnerships, in which scientific organizations play an important role. At the same time, they are not static, but represent a constantly changing combination of properties, parameters, skills, competencies, interests and abilities, which determines the need to describe such competitive advantages through «action» abilities – the ability of the system to develop, learn, increase the volume of resources and increase the efficiency of their use through integration, formation, recombination and reconfiguration of key competencies in the interests of compliance with the changing external environment, thereby ensuring the strategic flexibility of the organization through the implementation of the maximum possible synergetic effect from the totality of available resources and competencies. There is an increasing need for such a model of innovation implementation as the «triple helix». Such a change in the composition of participants leads to a change in the movements of information, financial, material and personnel flows within the system of cooperative formation, transformation of its structure, targets and allocation of resources to achieve them. The roles of the subjects of interaction themselves are also changing quite a lot now. The conducted research made it possible to identify a number of features, patterns and trends in the development of complex socio-economic systems and their impact on the sustainable development of the region, which can serve as a basis for working on current scientific and practical problems of implementing innovative activities at the regional level.
APPLICATION OF MACHINE ALGORITHMS FOR FORECASTING REAL ESTATE COSTS
Authors: Pavlova Anna I. , Korzh Alexander A.
Published: March 2022

Purpose – development of web-application using the system of automated interaction with enterprise clients (Customer Relationship Management, CRM-system), aimed at conducting anti-collector activity.

Method or methodology of the work: programming methods were used in the article.

Results: the web application for the management of the anti-collectors’ activity integrated with the CRM system Bitrix 24 was developed.

The sphere of application of the results: the received results are to be applied to the management of the activity of anti-collector enterprises which is connected with structuring and liquidation of debts of physical and legal persons.