bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shoulder Internal Rotator Strength as Risk Factor for Shoulder Pain
in Volleyball Players
Authors: de Lira Claudio Andre Barbosa , Vargas Valentine Zimermann , Vancini Rodrigo Luiz , Hill Lee , Nikolaidis Pantelis Theodoros , Knechtle Beat , Andrade Marília dos Santos
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study was to identify the intrinsic factors that could increase
risk of shoulder pain in adolescent volleyball players. Twenty-eight young male
volleyball players (between 14 and 18 years old) participated in this study.
Athletes were submitted to: isokinetic muscle strength assessment of shoulder
rotator muscles, ball service speed assessment, anterior and posterior drawer
test, apprehension test, groove sign and scapular dyskinesia test. Athletes were
followed for 16 weeks to monitor the presence of shoulder pain. All athletes
were submitted to the same training protocol. During the 16 weeks, 28.5%
of the athletes (n=8) experienced shoulder pain in the dominant limb
higher than 3 according to Numerical Rating Scale criteria; 71.5% of the
athletes (n=20) did not experience pain, or pain equal or lower than 3.
The main result of our study was that the odds of feeling pain higher than 3 was
significantly higher among players who presented higher values for internal
rotation peak torque (OR=1.113, CI 95%=1.006 to 1.232
and p=0.038). The odds of feeling pain increased by 11% for
every N·m of the internal rotator muscles. Pre-season isokinetic rotator
strength assessments can help identify adolescent volleyball players at
increased risk of a shoulder injury.
Photodynamische Therapie als Therapieoption bei Follikulitis decalvans
Authors: Forster Anna-Maria , Plaza Tobias
Published: November 2022

Follikulitis decalvans ist eine seltene chronisch verlaufende Entzündung der Kopfhaut, die zur
Zerstörung der Haarfollikel und Vernarbung führt. Obwohl die Ätiopathogenese nicht vollständig
geklärt ist, gibt es Grund zur Annahme, dass die Follikulitis decalvans durch eine
fehlgeleitete Immunantwort auf Kopfhaut assoziierte Mikroben begünstigt wird, insbesondere
durch Staphylococcus aureus. Wir berichten von einem 51-jährigen Mann, der sich mit
schmerzhaften follikulär gebundenen papulopustulösen Läsionen am Kapillitum in unserer Klinik
vorstellte. Seit seiner Jugend zeigten systemische Therapien mit Doxycyclin, Clindamycin und
13-cis-Retinsäure nur kurzzeitig Wirkung. Wir leiteten eine photodynamische Therapie mit
Methyl-5-amino-4-oxopentanoat (Metvix) und LED-Rotlicht, 37 J/cm2 ein. Nach 4
Zyklen zeigten sich die papulopustulösen Läsionen fast vollständig abgeheilt und ein diskreter
Nachwuchs der Kopfbehaarung war zu verzeichnen.
Mikroinvasive medikamentöse Therapie bei Labyrintho- und Cochleopathien
Authors: Liebau Arne , Plontke Stefan K.
Published: November 2022

Die mikroinvasive lokale Medikamentenapplikation an das Innenohr wird in der klinischen Praxis hauptsächlich mittels intratympanaler Injektion realisiert. Das sensorische Epithel des Vestibularapparates und der Cochlea kann über die Diffusion der Wirkstoffe aus dem Mittelohr über das runde und ovale Fenster erreicht werden. Im Innenohr bilden sich jedoch Wirkstoffkonzentrationsgardienten aus. Damit der Konzentrationsgradient in der Cochlea weiter in Richtung Apex reicht, muss die Diffusion über das runde Fenster optimiert werden, um höhere Wirkstoffkonzentrationen in der Basis der Cochlea zu erhalten. Dies bedeutet eine möglichst hohe Ausgangskonzentration des Wirkstoffs im Mittelohr zu wählen, um einen engen Kontakt der Wirkstofflösung mit der Rundfenstermembran zu gewährleisten und um eine möglichst lange Kontaktzeit der Wirkstofflösung mit der Rundfenstermembran zu realisieren. Um einen Konzentrationsgradienten mit flacher Ausprägung zu erhalten, welcher damit weiter in Richtung Apex reicht, müssen geeignete Wirkstoffmodifikationen gewählt werden, die eine gute Gewebegängigkeit besitzen und einen effektiven Übertritt über das runde Fernster ermöglichen, aber gleichzeitig eine möglichst lange Verweildauer in der Cochlea haben.
BERA und VEMPs war’s das schon, oder geht noch mehr?
Authors: Hecker Dietmar , Scherer Hans , Schönfeld Uwe , Bozzato Alessandro , Schick Bernhard , Metzler Patrick
Published: November 2022

Gegenstand und Ziel Computerbasierte Diagnosegeräte sind im klinischen Alltag allgegenwärtig und erweitern über die Möglichkeit einer komplexen Datenverarbeitung (z. B. Künstlichen Intelligenz) immer mehr unser Leben. Ist die Tumorforschung schon seit vielen Jahren dabei, Bilddaten elektronisch zu erfassen und zu verarbeiten, so erfolgt die Befundung akustisch evozierter Potenziale noch visuell auf gemittelten Daten.

Material und Methoden In einer Publikation haben die Autoren erstmals ein Verfahren beschrieben 7, womit es möglich ist, Single sweeps bei vestibulär evozierten myogene Potenzialen (VEMPs) zu erfassen und detailliert zu verarbeiten. Weiterhin wurde 2018 ein Patent eingereicht, womit Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometrie (BERA)-Daten über maschinelles Lernen ausgewertet werden können.

Ergebnisse Der neuartige Single-sweep-Algorithmus kann bei VEMP-Messungen noch weitere Parameter über neuronale Grundaktivität und Latenzrauschen erfassen. Mittels Künstlicher Intelligenz (KI) können Amplitudenwachstumsfunktionen von BERA-Daten automatisiert erhoben werden.

Schlussfolgerungen Single sweeps haben das Potenzial, automatisiert neue Merkmale zu erfassen und intelligent zu verarbeiten.
Wirksamkeit und pharmakologische Eignung von Cinnarizin und Dimenhydrinat zur Behandlung von Schwindel und damit verbundenen Symptomen
Authors: Plescia Fulvio , Salvago Pietro , Dispenza Francesco , Messina Giuseppe , Cannizzaro Emanuele , Martines Francesco
Published: November 2022

Ziel der vorliegenden nicht interventionellen Studie war die Untersuchung der klinischen Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit einer Fixkombination aus Cinnarizin (20 mg) und Dimenhydrinat (40 mg) bei Patienten, die unter Schwindel und Gleichgewichtsstörungen leiden. Zu diesem Zweck wurden 120 Erwachsene (70 Männer) mit einem Durchschnittsalter von 64 Jahren in die Studie aufgenommen. Vor Beginn der pharmakologischen Behandlung wurden alle Patienten anhand der Visual Scale of Dizziness Disorders und des Dizziness Handicap Inventory auf die Intensität des Schwindels und dessen Begleitsymptome untersucht. Im Anschluss an die anamnestische Untersuchung erhielten die Patienten 60 Tage lang 3-mal täglich die Fixkombination aus Cinnarizin und Dimenhydrinat.

Unabhängig von der Art des Schwindels führte die Fixdosiskombination 15 Tage nach Behandlungsbeginn bei mehr als 75 % aller Patienten zu einer Verringerung der mit Schwindel und Gleichgewichtsstörungen verbundenen Symptome – bei einer weiteren Verbesserung nach 60 Tagen. Interessanterweise fanden wir Unterschiede zwischen männlichen und weiblichen Patienten, was die pharmakologische Wirkung der Therapie betraf.
Evidenzbasierte Schwindeltherapie
Authors: Waldfahrer Frank , Scholtz Arne W.
Published: November 2022

Das Ziel der vorliegenden Metaanalyse war es, die Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit der Fixkombination aus Cinnarizin 20 mg und Dimenhydrinat 40 mg im Vergleich zu anderen Antivertiginosa bei Patienten mit zentralem und/oder peripherem vestibulärem Schwindel zu untersuchen. Hierzu wurden die individuellen Patientendaten von 4 randomisierten, doppelblinden, kontrollierten klinischen Studien mit nahezu identischem Studiendesign, zusammengeführt. Insgesamt wurden die Daten von 795 Patienten mit Schwindel verschiedener Genese (zentral- und/oder peripher-vestibulär) in die Analyse einbezogen.

In allen 4 Studien wurden die Patienten 4 Wochen mit der Testmedikation (Fixkombination aus Cinnarizin 20 mg und Dimenhydrinat 40 mg), mit verschiedenen Vergleichsmedikationen (Cinnarizin 20 mg, 50 mg, Dimenhydrinat 40 mg, 100 mg, Betahistin-Dimesilat 12 mg, Betahistin-Dihydrochlorid 16 mg) oder einem Placebo behandelt. Als Hauptzielkriterium der Metaanalyse diente die Veränderung der Schwindelsymptomatik nach 4-wöchiger Behandlung. Die subjektiven Schwindelbeschwerden der Patienten wurden mit Hilfe eines validierten Schwindel-Scores (mittlerer Vertigo Score, MVS) ermittelt. Die Nebenzielkriterien umfassten verschiedene Ansprechraten, die Veränderung der vegetativen Begleitsymptomatik und die Beurteilung der Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit durch Untersucher und Patienten.

Zusammenfassend deuten die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Metaanalyse darauf hin, dass die Fixkombination aus Cinnarizin 20 mg und Dimenhydrinat 40 mg bei zentralem und/oder peripherem Schwindel eine potenziell überlegene Behandlungsoption mit besserer Wirksamkeit im Vergleich zu anderen Antivertiginosa bei gleichzeitig guter Verträglichkeit ist.
Prüfungsthema: Pilze
Authors: Schmid Eva C.
Published: November 2022

In diesem HPA-Prüfungstrainer beschäftigen sich alle Fragen mit Pilzen.
Altered Core Temperature and Salivary Melatonin in Athletes with a
Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Murphy Conor J , Hartescu Iuliana , Leicht Christof A , Goosey-Tolfrey Victoria L
Published: November 2022

Sleep disturbances are common in athletes with a cervical spinal cord injury
(cSCI) and may be associated with circadian alterations. Therefore, the purpose
of this study was to compare physiological circadian outputs between athletes
with a cSCI and non-disabled controls (CON). Eight male wheelchair athletes with
a cSCI and eight male CON (30±4 and 30±6 yrs,
respectively) had their core body temperature (Tcore), skin
temperature (Tskin), and salivary melatonin measured during a
24 h period. In the cSCI group, daytime Tcore was
significantly lower (36.5 (0.2) vs 36.9 (0.3)°C; p=0.02) and
time of the Tcore sleep minimum was significantly earlier
(23:56±00:46 vs 02:39 ± 02:57; p=0.04). The
athletes with a cSCI had significantly lower Tcore values during the
beginning of the night compared with the CON group, but their Tcore
increased at a greater rate, thereafter, indicated by a significant
time/group interaction (p=0.04). Moreover, the cSCI group did
not display a salivary melatonin response and exhibited significantly lower
concentrations at 22:00 (p=0.01) and 07:00 (p=0.01) compared
with the CON group. Under natural living conditions, athletes with a cSCI
displayed circadian changes in the Tcore rhythm and nocturnal
melatonin production.
Das periokuläre Merkel-Zell-Karzinom – eine Übersicht klinischer Aspekte und aktueller Therapieoptionen
Authors: Esser Eliane , Grünewald Inga , Mihailovic Natasa
Published: November 2022

Das Merkel-Zell-Karzinom (MCC) stellt einen seltenen, jedoch hochaggressiven und rasch expandierenden malignen Hauttumor dar. Die periokuläre Region ist in etwa 10% der Fälle betroffen. Die
aktuelle Therapieempfehlung des resektablen, nicht metastasierten MCC umfasst die chirurgische Totalexzision, allerdings sind bei Diagnosestellung bereits häufig Lymphknoten- oder
Fernmetastasen vorhanden. Seit der Erstzulassung einer Immun-Checkpoint-Inhibitor-Therapie mit Avelumab für das metastasierte MCC im Jahr 2016 hat sich das mittlere Überleben im Vergleich
zur zytostatischen Therapie erheblich gebessert bei gleichzeitig seltenerem Auftreten schwerwiegender therapieassoziierter unerwünschter Ereignisse. Weitere Immun-Checkpoint-Inhibitoren mit
ersten vielversprechenden Ergebnissen sind derzeit noch in der klinischen Erprobung. Eine interdisziplinäre Betreuung an einem spezialisierten Zentrum mit Vorstellung in einem Tumorboard ist
bei Patienten MCC aufgrund der komplexen Diagnostik, Therapie und Prognoseabschätzung essenziell.
Heilmittel und Superfood
Authors: Bös Dorothee
Published: November 2022

Vitalpilze wie Agaricus, Auricularia, Schopftintling, Raupenpilz, Hericium oder Reishi liefern nicht nur diätetisch wertvolle Proteine, sondern rund 200 bislang erforschte therapeutisch wirksame Inhaltsstoffe. In erster Linie handelt es sich bei Vitalpilzen um Adaptogene: Stärkungsmittel, die den Organismus wieder in eine gesunde Eigenregulation bringen können. Zu den Indikationen zählen die Senkung von erhöhtem Blutdruck, Cholesterin und Blutzucker sowie die Verbesserung von Mikrobiom, Darm- und Nervenfunktion, Frauenbeschwerden, Stoffwechsel, Durchblutung, Immunreaktion und Entzündungslage.
Unwissenheit schützt vor Strafe nicht
Authors: Pietruck Vivien
Published: November 2022

Werbung im Internet kann zum Beispiel auf Social Media, der eigenen Website, einem Newsletter oder einem Blog erfolgen. Sollen Heilpraktikertätigkeiten online beworben werden, sind verschiedene Gesetze zu beachten, um insbesondere Abmahnungen zu vermeiden. Zur Rechtssicherheit von Onlinewerbung sollte ein entsprechender Fachanwalt zurate gezogen werden; wichtig ist ein rechtssicheres Grundgerüst.
Ein Ausflug ins Reich der Fadenwesen
Authors: Lüder Rita
Published: November 2022

Pilze zersetzen absterbende Blätter, Nadeln, Zweige und Stämme der Bäume und verwandeln diese zu Humus. Über das Fadennetzwerk im Boden versorgen die Pilze Pflanzen und dadurch indirekt auch Tiere mit Nährstoffen. In Mitteleuropa gibt es etwa 100 essbare Pilzarten und 150 giftige Arten und von diesen wiederum ca. 10 tödliche Arten. Der Geschmack kann täuschen: Die tödlich giftigen Arten schmecken weder scharf noch bitter. Bei Vergiftungen mit Pilzen ist häufig nicht der Verzehr von giftigen Arten, sondern die Zubereitung eigentlich essbarer Pilze ursächlich. Beispielsweise sollten aufgrund der sich schnell zersetzenden Eiweiße nur frische Pilze verzehrt werden. Eine ausreichende Garzeit ist ebenfalls wichtig.
Association of the CKM rs8111989 Polymorphism with Injury
Epidemiology in Football Players
Authors: Varillas-Delgado David , Morencos Esther , Gutierrez-Hellín Jorge , Aguilar-Navarro Millan , Maestro Antonio , Perucho Teresa , Coso Juan Del
Published: November 2022

The influence of the rs8111989 polymorphism in the muscle-specific creatine
kinase gene (CKM) on injury incidence is unknown. The aim was to
investigate CKM polymorphism on injury incidence in high-performance
football players. A cohort of 109 high-performance players was genotyped by
using saliva samples. Injury incidence was similar in players with the GG, GA,
and AA genotypes and did not modify incidence during training or match exposure
(p=0.583 and p=0.737 respectively). GG players had a higher
frequency of slight-severity injuries (60.0 vs. 10.2 vs. 24.2%,
p<0.001), while GA players had a higher frequency of severe injuries
(16.7 vs. 30.8 vs. 10.0%, p=0.021). GA players also had a higher
frequency of muscle tears (34.8 vs. 59.0 vs. 20.0%, p<0.001).
Muscle contracture was a more frequent injury in players with the GG genotype
(40.0%, p<0.001). G allele carriers had lower frequencies of
gradual-onset injuries (4.1 vs. 16.7%, p=0.035) and recurrent
injuries (6.1 vs. 16.7%, p=0.003) than AA players. A allele
carriers had higher frequency of severe injuries (10.0 vs. 21.9%,
p=0.044) than GG players. Genotypes in the CKM rs8111989
polymorphism did not affect injury incidence in high-performance football
players. Players with the GA genotype were more prone to severe injuries and
muscle tears when compared to GG and AA players.
Diabetische Neuropathie
Authors: Ziegler Dan , Keller Jutta , Maier Christoph , Pannek Jürgen
Published: November 2022

Die diabetische Neuropathie ist eine klinisch manifeste oder subklinische Erkrankung der peripheren Nerven, die infolge eines Diabetes mellitus ohne andere Ursachen auftritt. Sie kann das somatische (diabetische sensomotorische Polyneuropathie, DSPN) und/oder das autonome Nervensystem (autonome diabetische Neuropathie, ADN) betreffen. Eine DSPN ist in 85–90 % an der Ätiologie des diabetischen Fußsyndroms beteiligt und hat damit einen erstrangigen Stellenwert in der Risikokonstellation für Fußulkus und Amputation. Wenn die auf Symptomen beruhende Verdachtsdiagnose einer diabetischen Neuropathie nicht durch die Basisuntersuchungen gesichert werden kann, sollen spezifische Untersuchungen (Elektroneurografie und vor allem bei Verdacht auf eine sog. Small-Fiber-Neuropathie eine Quantitative Sensorische Testung) durchgeführt werden. Eine frühzeitige Kontrolle der Stoffwechseleinstellung und bestehender Risikofaktoren (z. B. Rauchen, übermäßiger Alkoholkonsum, Bluthochdruck) kann die Progression einer diabetischen Neuropathie verhindern oder zumindest hinauszögern oder verlangsamen. Die Therapie der schmerzhaften diabetischen Polyneuropathie umfasst pharmakologische und nicht-pharmakologische Ansätze. Im Rahmen der analgetischen Pharmakotherapie sind wichtige Leitsätze zu beachten und individuelle Therapieziele anzustreben. Bei ADN lassen sich symptomatische Manifestationen von asymptomatischen nur durch Funktionstests unterscheiden. Grundsätzlich kann die ADN jedes autonom innervierte Organ betreffen, die Einteilung erfolgt entsprechend den betroffenen Organen und Funktionssystemen. Das stufenweise Vorgehen bei der Diagnostik entspricht grundsätzlich dem bei der sensomotorischen Neuropathie. Im Vordergrund stehen organspezifische Untersuchungen in Zusammenarbeit mit anderen Fachdisziplinen. Die Grundsätze der allgemeinen Behandlungsstrategien und Prävention bei der diabetischen sensomotorischen Neuropathie gelten gleichermaßen für die autonomen Neuropathien. Die symptomatische Pharmakotherapie an verschiedenen Organ- und Funktionssystemen ist in der Regel durch die entsprechenden Spezialisten im Rahmen der interdisziplinären Zusammenarbeit einzuleiten.
Hypertensive Schwangerschaftserkrankungen und
SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19: Auswertung des nationalen
CRONOS-Registers
Authors: Zöllkau Janine , Bohlmann Michael , Mingers Nina , Pecks Ulrich , Weschenfelder Friederike , Groten Tanja ,   Collaborating authors (in alphabetic order)
Published: November 2022

SARS-CoV-2-Infektion und COVID-19-Erkrankung sind in internationalen
Registerstudien mit einem erhöhten Risiko für hypertensive
Schwangerschaftserkrankungen assoziiert. Hypertensive Erkrankungen stellen zudem
einen Risikofaktor eines schweren COVID-19-Verlaufes in der Schwangerschaft dar.
Als pathophysiologische Gemeinsamkeit beider Erkrankungen wird die
Schädigung des Endothels angesehen.

Daten des nationalen CRONOS-Registers (Datenstand 05/2021; 1104
schwangere Frauen mit SARS-CoV-2-Infektion) wurden hinsichtlich des
Zusammenhangs zu hypertensiven Schwangerschaftserkrankungen und dem Outcome von
Mutter, Schwangerschaft, Neugeborenen und COVID-19-Erkrankung analysiert. Bei
Vorliegen einer hypertensiven Schwangerschaftserkrankung war signifikant
häufiger ein schweres kombiniertes Outcome der Schwangerschaft (17,3 vs.
4,3%, p=0,001), der Mutter (25,0 vs. 9,4%,
p=0,001) und des Neugeborenen (28,8 vs. 9,1%, p<0,0005)
zu verzeichnen. Das Outcome der COVID-19-Erkrankung unterschied sich hingegen
nicht (3,8 vs. 7,5%, p=0,424). Hypertensive
Schwangerschaftserkrankungen sollten im Management einer SARS-CoV-2-Infektion in
der Schwangerschaft als Risikofaktor angesehen werden. Dies kann Implikationen
auf die Therapie haben, wie zum Beispiel mit monoklonalen Antikörpern
haben.
Discrepancies Between Osteoporotic Fracture Evaluations in Men Based
on German (DVO) Osteoporosis Guidelines or the FRAX Score
Authors: Witzel J C , Giessel A , Heppner C , Lamersdorf A , Leha A , Glüer C C , Siggelkow H
Published: November 2022

Introduction Established scores estimate 10-year fracture risk in
osteoporosis to assist with treatment recommendations. This study compared the
risk probabilities of major osteoporotic and hip fractures calculated by the
FRAX tool with those of the DVO score, established in German-speaking
countries.

Material and Methods This seven-year retrospective study analyzed data of
125 male patients (mean age: 59.2±10.7 years) evaluated for
osteoporosis. For the DVO score, the therapy threshold of>30%
for vertebral and hip fractures suggested by DVO guidelines was implemented. We
calculated fracture risks based on FRAX scores with aBMD and applied a common
therapy threshold of≥3% for hip fracture and subsequently
determined the “DVO-equivalent risk level” for FRAX-based
assessment that would identify as many male patients as identified by the DVO
score.

Results Based on DVO score, 60.0% of patients had a 10-year risk
of hip and vertebral fractures>30%. The recommendations for
individuals based on FRAX scores for hip fracture with aBMD with
risk≥3% overlapped with those based on DVO score in 36%
of patients. Patients identified for treatment only by DVO score presented a
higher percentage of spine fractures (65 vs. 41%). The thresholds for
this “DVO-equivalent risk level” for ‘FRAX with
aBMD’ was estimated to be≥6.7% for major osteoporotic
fracture and≥2.1% for hip fracture.

This study demonstrates that the DVO score was more sensitive than the FRAX score
for patients with prevalent spinal fractures. We suggest considering the
appropriate score and therapy threshold carefully in the daily care of male
patients.
Three-Point Vertical Mattress Suture: A Simple Technique for Mild Blepharoptosis Correction in Partial-Incision Double-Eyelid Surgery
Authors: Chen Bo , Ma Li , Wang Jingyi
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study was to introduce a simple technique for mild blepharoptosis correction using a three-point vertical mattress suture in partial-incision double-eyelid surgery. The medical records and preoperative and postoperative images of 57 patients who underwent simultaneous mild blepharoptosis correction and partial-incision double-eyelid surgery from January 2018 to July 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. The surgical procedure mainly involves three small incisions in the proper eyelid crease, levator aponeurosis exposure by conservative dissection, and three-point vertical mattress suture to plicate levator aponeurosis and fix the orbicularis muscle with the plicated levator aponeurosis. All patients underwent bilateral partial-incision double-eyelid surgery: 10 unilateral and 47 bilateral blepharoptosis corrective surgeries. The average age was 25.3 ± 7.4 years. The mean operative and follow-up duration were 50 minutes and 13 months, respectively. The pre- and postoperative mean marginal reflex distance was 3.04 ± 0.27 and 3.75 ± 0.35 mm, respectively. The overall surgical success rate was 93%. Complications including undercorrection (5.3%), asymmetry (7.0%), and double-eyelid crease disappearance (5.3%) were reported. Three-point vertical mattress suture is considered an effective, safe, and simple technique for mild blepharoptosis correction in partial-incision double-eyelid surgery.
Hemostasis in Neonates with Perinatal Hypoxia—Laboratory Approach: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tsaousi Marina , Iliodromiti Zoi , Iacovidou Nicoletta , Karapati Eleni , Sulaj Alma , Tsantes Andreas G. , Petropoulou Chrysa , Boutsikou Theodora , Tsantes Argirios E. , Sokou Rozeta
Published: November 2022

Birth asphyxia, with an estimated prevalence of 1 to 6 per 1,000 live births, may lead to multiorgan dysfunction due to impaired oxygen and/or blood supply to various organ systems, including the hemostatic system. Coagulopathy, a common complication of perinatal asphyxia, has been described since the 1960s. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature for records on the use of hemostasis tests in the evaluation of coagulation disorders, in neonates who had suffered from perinatal hypoxia or asphyxia. We identified published studies by searching PubMed and Scopus, up until April 2022. The literature search retrieved 37 articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria of the review. According to the bibliography, thrombocytopenia is commonly associated with perinatal hypoxia/asphyxia. The thrombocytopenia is usually described as mild and platelets return to normal levels by the 10th day of life. Additionally, hypoxic neonates usually present with a hypocoagulable profile, as reflected by the prolongation of standard coagulation tests, including prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and international normalized ratio, findings commonly associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation, and by the reduction of the levels of the physiologic inhibition of coagulation system. A few studies thus far using ROTEM/TEG in hypoxic neonates have come to the same conclusion as well; hypoxic newborns seem to be characterized by a hypocoagulable profile compared with healthy neonates. It should be emphasized, however, that standard coagulation tests provide only a rough estimation of the true bleeding or thrombotic risk of hypoxic neonates. On the contrary, viscoelastic methods seem to be more precise in the early detection of hemostasis disorders in the neonatal population. However, until now, there was uncertainty as to the most appropriate coagulation assays for diagnosis and management of coagulation derangement in neonates with perinatal hypoxia indicating the need for further research on this field.
Third Trimester Ultrasound Stratifies Risk of Peripartum Complications in Pregnancies Complicated by Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Authors: Crimmins Sarah , Martin Lucille , Solaru Opeyemi , Desai Andrea , Esteves Kristyn , Elsamadicy Emad , Kopelman Jerome N. , Turan Ozhan M.
Published: November 2022

Objective The objective of our study was to investigate the effect of impaired glucose metabolism (IGM) and ultrasound (US) findings consistent with hyperglycemia on maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Study Design This was a retrospective case-control study of singleton, nonanomalous pregnancies with an elevated 1-hour glucose screening test (GST) completed after 23 weeks of gestation. IGM was defined as a 1-hour GST of >130, but less than two abnormal values on 3-hour glucose tolerance test (GTT). Gestational diabetes was defined as two or more abnormal values on 3-hour GTT. Ultrasound evidence of hyperglycemia was defined as abdominal circumference >95th centile and/or polyhydramnios. Individuals with IGM were divided into those with ultrasound evidence of hyperglycemia (impaired glucose metabolism consistent with ultrasound findings [IGM-US]) and those without IGM. Maternal demographics, delivery outcomes (gestational age at delivery, delivery mode, shoulder dystocia, lacerations), postpartum hemorrhage, and neonatal outcome (birth weight centile [BW%], neonatal intensive care unit admission, hypoglycemia, and glucose) were recorded. Composite morbidity was tabulated. Delivery and neonatal outcome variables were compared in individuals with IGM-US, IGM, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Odds ratios were calculated and adjusted for maternal age, BMI, and gestational weight gain.

Results A total of 637 individuals with an abnormal 1-hour GST were included (122 with IGM-US, 280 with IGM, and 235 with GDM). When compared to the IGM group, IGM-US had higher rates of cesarean delivery and BW% > 90th centile at delivery (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.7 [1.1–2.8] and aOR: 5.9 [2.7–13.0], respectively). Individuals with GDM also demonstrated similar rates with BW% > 90% but not cesarean section(aOR: 3.9 [1.8–8.5] and aOR: 1.4 [0.9–2.1], respectively). The remaining maternal and fetal outcomes were similar.

Conclusion Women with impaired glucose tolerance should have a third-trimester ultrasound to identify an increased risk of perinatal complications.

Key Points
Evolution of non-fatal burden estimates for cardiovascular disease in Australia: a comparison of national and state-wide methodology of burden of disease
Authors: Weber Courtney , Hobday Michelle , Sun Wendy , Kirkland Laura , Nedkoff Lee , Katzenellenbogen Judith M.
Published: November 2022

Objective Burden of disease studies measure the impact of disease at the population level;however, methods and data sources for estimates of prevalence vary. Using a selection of cardiovascular diseases, we aimed to describe the implications of using different disease models and linked administrative data on prevalence estimation within three Australian burden of disease studies. Methods Three different methods (A = 2011 Australian Burden of Disease Study; B = 2015 Australian Burden of Disease Study; C = 2015 Western Australian Burden of Disease Study), which used linked data, were used to compare prevalence estimates of stroke, aortic aneurysm, rheumatic valvular heart disease (VHD) and non-rheumatic VHD. We applied these methods to 2015 Western Australian data, and calculated crude overall and age-specific prevalence for each condition. Results Overall, Method C produced estimates of cardiovascular prevalence that were lower than the other methods, excluding non-rheumatic VHD. Prevalence of acute and chronic stroke was up to one-third higher in Method A and B compared to Method C. Aortic aneurysms had the largest change in prevalence, with Method A producing an eight-fold higher estimate compared to Method C, but Method B was 10–20% lower. Estimates of VHD varied dramatically, with an up to six-fold change in prevalence in Method C due to substantial changes to disease models and the use of linked data. Conclusions Prevalence estimates require the best available data sources, updated disease models and constant review to inform government policy and health reform. Availability of nation-wide linked data will markedly improve future burden estimates.
Surface roughness – the key for roll bonding aluminium
Authors: Biradar Akash , Rijesh M.
Published: November 2022

In this study, the commercially pure aluminium is roll bonded at ambient temperatures. The effect of surface roughness and roll speed on the bond strength is evaluated by using the lap shear test. It is observed that the bond strength increased considerably with increasing surface roughness. The deformation caused owing to scratch brushing changed the surface roughness profile, which is the salient reason for the bond strength variation. Continuous striations with peaks and valleys of small-scale heights are observed at lower roughness values. Increasing roughness has reformed them into discrete profile asperities with sharp tips, influencing localised junction formation. On the other hand, the roll velocity has shown hardly any effect on the roll bonding of aluminium. With thorough investigation, it was conclusively explained that the effective change in the bond strength was not appreciable with varying the roll speed, provided the roll bonding takes place at optimised surface roughness conditions.
Interfacial evolution of titanium/steel clad plates during pulsed tungsten inert gas welding
Authors: Wu Tong , Yang Chunli
Published: November 2022

Joining titanium alloy with steel has important applications in the shipbuilding and aerospace industries. Successful titanium/steel joints fabricated by explosive welding have been reported recently. However, explosive welding is not ideal for welded structures with complex geometry. Here, pulsed tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding is introduced to promote the application of explosively welded transition joints. In this work, pulsed TIG of commercially pure titanium to mild steel with an explosively welded titanium/steel transition joint was carried out. The results showed that at peak current (Ip) ≤ 260 A, the TiC layer hampered the generation of FeTi and Fe2Ti. However, at Ip = 300 A, the TiC layer broke up, which resulted in the thickness of FeTi and Fe2Ti increasing sharply to 0.8 μm.
Surface quality optimization of laser cladding based on surface response and genetic neural network model
Authors: Zhang Yuhang , Xu Yifei , Sun Yaoning , Cheng Wangjun
Published: November 2022

The model was established to optimize the laser cladding process parameters, the coating surface topography can be predicted and controlled. Taguchi and Box-Behnken (BBD) experiments were used to carry out the experimental design of laser cladding multi-channel lap. 316 L stainless steel coating was cladded on the surface of 45 steel substrate. The genetic algorithm-back propagation (GA-BP) neural network and response surface methodology (RSM) models were established respectively. The prediction accuracy of the two models was compared. The coupling effect between cladding process and multi-channel lap forming quality was analyzed. The relationship between cladding process parameters, such as laser power, feeding speed, scanning speed and overlap ratio, and surface roughness of coating was studied. The experimental results show that: The root mean square error (RMSE) and absolute mean deviation (AAD) of the GA-BP model are smaller than those of the RSM model. The coefficient of determination R2 of the GA-BP model is closer to 1 than that of the RSM model. The minimum roughness predicted by GA-BP model is 20.89 μm, which is lower than that of RSM model (35.67 μm). The final findings: in the optimization of process parameters of laser cladding, overlap ratio and scanning speed has significant effects on coating surface roughness. The GA-BP model of the coating surface roughness prediction accuracy is better than the RSM model. The prediction and control of the coating surface roughness are realized by GA-BP model, for the precise forming of the laser cladding coating surface, which provides theoretical basis and technological direction.
RaMP-DB 2.0: a renovated knowledgebase for deriving biological and chemical insight from metabolites, proteins, and genes
Authors: Braisted John , Patt Andrew , Tindall Cole , Sheils Timothy , Neyra Jorge , Spencer Kyle , Eicher Tara , Mathé Ewy A
Published: November 2022

Motivation

Functional interpretation of high-throughput metabolomic and transcriptomic results is a crucial step in generating insight from experimental data. However, pathway and functional information for genes and metabolites are distributed among many siloed resources, limiting the scope of analyses that rely on a single knowledge source.

Results

RaMP-DB 2.0 is a web interface, relational database, API and R package designed for straightforward and comprehensive functional interpretation of metabolomic and multi-omic data. RaMP-DB 2.0 has been upgraded with an expanded breadth and depth of functional and chemical annotations (ClassyFire, LIPID MAPS, SMILES, InChIs, etc.), with new data types related to metabolites and lipids incorporated. To streamline entity resolution across multiple source databases, we have implemented a new semi-automated process, thereby lessening the burden of harmonization and supporting more frequent updates. The associated RaMP-DB 2.0 R package now supports queries on pathways, common reactions (e.g. metabolite-enzyme relationship), chemical functional ontologies, chemical classes and chemical structures, as well as enrichment analyses on pathways (multi-omic) and chemical classes. Lastly, the RaMP-DB web interface has been completely redesigned using the Angular framework.

Availability and implementation

The code used to build all components of RaMP-DB 2.0 are freely available on GitHub at https://github.com/ncats/ramp-db, https://github.com/ncats/RaMP-Client/ and https://github.com/ncats/RaMP-Backend. The RaMP-DB web application can be accessed at https://rampdb.nih.gov/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
SBMLDiagrams: a python package to process and visualize SBML layout and render
Authors: Xu Jin , Jiang Jessie , Sauro Herbert M
Published: November 2022

The systems biology markup language (SBML) is an extensible standard format for exchanging biochemical models. One of the extensions for SBML is the SBML Layout and Render package. This allows modelers to describe a biochemical model as a pathway diagram. However, up to now, there has been little support to help users easily add and retrieve such information from SBML. In this application note, we describe a new Python package called SBMLDiagrams. This package allows a user to add a layout and render information or retrieve it using a straightforward Python API. The package uses skia-python to support the rendering of the diagrams, allowing export to commons formats such as PNG or PDF.

Availability and implementation

SBMLDiagrams is publicly available and licensed under the liberal MIT open-source license. The package is available for all major platforms. The source code has been deposited at GitHub (github.com/sys-bio/SBMLDiagrams). Users can install the package using the standard pip installation mechanism: pip install SBMLDiagrams.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
B cells in human lymphoid structures
Authors: Montorsi Lucia , Siu Jacqueline H Y , Spencer Jo
Published: November 2022

Most B cells in the human body are present in tissues where they support immune responses to pathogens, vaccines, autoantigens, and tumours. Despite their clear importance, they are very difficult to study and there are many areas of uncertainty that are difficult to resolve because of limited tissue access.

In this review, we consider the zonal structure of lymphoid tissues, the B cell subsets they contain, and how these are regulated. We also discuss the impact that methods of deep interrogation have made on our current knowledge base, especially with respect to studies of cells from dissociated tissues. We discuss in some detail the controversial B cells with marginal zone distribution that some consider being archived memory B cells.

We anticipate that more we understand of B cells in tissues and the niches they create, the more opportunities will be identified to harness their potential for therapeutic benefit.
Cortical networks show characteristic recruitment patterns after somatosensory stimulation by pneumatically evoked repetitive hand movements in newborn infants
Authors: Ahtola Eero , Leikos Susanna , Tuiskula Anna , Haataja Leena , Smeds Eero , Piitulainen Harri , Jousmäki Veikko , Tokariev Anton , Vanhatalo Sampsa
Published: November 2022

Controlled assessment of functional cortical networks is an unmet need in the clinical research of noncooperative subjects, such as infants. We developed an automated, pneumatic stimulation method to actuate naturalistic movements of an infant’s hand, as well as an analysis pipeline for assessing the elicited electroencephalography (EEG) responses and related cortical networks. Twenty newborn infants with perinatal asphyxia were recruited, including 7 with mild-to-moderate hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Statistically significant corticokinematic coherence (CKC) was observed between repetitive hand movements and EEG in all infants, peaking near the contralateral sensorimotor cortex. CKC was robust to common sources of recording artifacts and to changes in vigilance state. A wide recruitment of cortical networks was observed with directed phase transfer entropy, also including areas ipsilateral to the stimulation. The extent of such recruited cortical networks was quantified using a novel metric, Spreading Index, which showed a decrease in 4 (57%) of the infants with HIE. CKC measurement is noninvasive and easy to perform, even in noncooperative subjects. The stimulation and analysis pipeline can be fully automated, including the statistical evaluation of the cortical responses. Therefore, the CKC paradigm holds great promise as a scientific and clinical tool for controlled assessment of functional cortical networks.
Cognitive flexibility: neurobehavioral correlates of changing one’s mind
Authors: Zühlsdorff Katharina , Dalley Jeffrey W , Robbins Trevor W , Morein-Zamir Sharon
Published: November 2022

Behavioral and cognitive flexibility allow adaptation to a changing environment. Most tasks used to investigate flexibility require switching reactively in response to deterministic task-response rules. In daily life, flexibility often involves a volitional decision to change behavior. This can be instigated by environmental signals, but these are frequently unreliable. We report results from a novel “change your mind” task, which assesses volitional switching under uncertainty without the need for rule-based learning. Participants completed a two-alternative choice task, and following spurious feedback, were presented with the same stimulus again. Subjects had the opportunity to repeat or change their response. Forty healthy participants completed the task while undergoing a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. Participants predominantly repeated their choice but changed more when their first response was incorrect or when the feedback was negative. Greater activations for changing were found in the inferior frontal junction, anterior insula (AI), anterior cingulate, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Changing responses were also accompanied by reduced connectivity from the AI and orbitofrontal cortices to the occipital cortex. Using multivariate pattern analysis of brain activity, we predicted with 77% reliability whether participants would change their mind. These findings extend our understanding of cognitive flexibility in daily life by assessing volitional decision-making.
Anonymity in sharing morally salient news: the causal role of the temporoparietal junction
Authors: Cui Fang , Zhong Yijia , Feng Chenghu , Peng Xiaozhe
Published: November 2022

Considering the crucial role of morality in shaping one’s reputation, exploring factors that modulate people’s decision to share morally salient news is important. Previous studies suggested that self-expression and socializing are 2 key factors for news-sharing behaviors, suggesting the key role of anonymity in such decisions. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), the present study focused on how anonymity modulates the sharing of morally salient information, as well as its neural mechanisms. Results showed that compared to moral news, people were more reluctant to share immoral news, especially when they share it with their real names shown. On the neural level, we found that this effect was associated with the activity of the left temporoparietal junction (TPJ), as well as its functional connection to its right counterpart. Dynamic causal modeling analysis revealed the moral valence of news and the anonymity of sharing modulated the effective connectivity between the left TPJ and the middle frontal gyrus as well as the medial frontal gyrus. There was no significant difference when sharing news anonymously. Further, a followed-up tDCS experiment supported the causal role of the left TPJ in this behavioral effect. Taken together, these results suggested that people concern more about social repercussion, when they share the news with their real-names shown, especially when sharing immoral news, and this effect is associated with stronger neural activation in the left TPJ, as well as changes in its functional connectivity with other brain regions.
Nutritional needs and mortality risk combine to shape foraging decisions in ants
Authors: Barbee Bryce , Pinter-Wollman Noa
Published: November 2022

When foraging, internal needs for particular nutrients might affect food choice, and external constraints, such as predation risk, might impact trade-offs between foraging and risk avoidance. Examining both internal and external constraints simultaneously can provide important insights into how animals make decisions. We examined how internal nutritional needs and external cues of mortality risk jointly impact the foraging behavior of ants. Ant colonies require carbohydrates to support workers energetically and proteins to raise brood. Furthermore, colonies adjust their foraging activity in response to the environment, such as food availability and the presence of predators or heterospecifics. Here we examine the foraging decisions of groups of Argentine ants Linepithema humile, which differ in their nutritional needs in high-risk environments. We starved groups of ants for either proteins or carbohydrates and determined the foraging choices that ants made when cues of heterospecifics were present. We found that ants preferentially forage for carbohydrates in high-risk conditions. Furthermore, starvation for carbohydrates increased the ants’ preference for carbohydrates, even when cues of heterospecifics were present at both carbohydrates and protein resources. Starvation for protein also resulted in preferential foraging for carbohydrates, but it increased visitation to a protein food source in high-risk environments compared to when ants were starved for carbohydrates or for both resources. Examining the effect of both nutrition and mortality risk on foraging simultaneously provides insights about state-dependent risk-taking behavior that may have important implications for predicting the invasion of species into novel habitats.
Monitoring and diagnosis of intermittent arrhythmias: evidence-based guidance and role of novel monitoring strategies
Authors: Carrington Mafalda , Providência Rui , Chahal C Anwar A , Ricci Fabrizio , Epstein Andrew E , Gallina Sabina , Fedorowski Artur , Sutton Richard , Khanji Mohammed Y
Published: November 2022

Technological advances have made diagnosis of heart rhythm disturbances much easier, with a wide variety of options, including single-lead portable devices, smartphones/watches to sophisticated implantable cardiac monitors, allowing accurate data to be collected over different time periods depending on symptoms frequency. This review provides an overview of the novel and existing heart rhythm testing options, including a description of the supporting evidence for their use. A description of each of the tests is provided, along with discussion of their advantages and limitations. This is intended to help clinicians towards choosing the most appropriate test, thus improving diagnostic yield management of patients with suspected arrhythmias.
Decolonizing Cyprus 60 Years after Independence: An Assessment of the Legality of the Sovereign Base Areas
Authors: Hadjigeorgiou Nasia
Published: November 2022

The Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) are two parts on the island of Cyprus, with a combined territory of 99 square miles, over which the United Kingdom exercises sovereignty. They were created by the Treaty of Establishment 1960, which is also the international agreement that granted the Republic of Cyprus its independence. This article maps out the implications of the Chagos Archipelago advisory opinion for the SBA. It argues that the process through which they were created disregarded the wishes of the Cypriot people and, therefore, was not in accordance with the right to self-determination.
Computed tomography to replace invasive coronary angiography? The DISCHARGE trial
Authors: Bolognese Leonardo , Reccia Matteo Rocco
Published: November 2022

Ongoing advancements of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) continue to challenge the role of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) as the gold standard for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD). To investigate the comparative effectiveness of ICA when compared with CTA as an initial diagnostic imaging strategy the DISCHARGE Trial enrolled 3561 patients with stable chest pain and an intermediate pre-test probability of obstructive CAD. The study showed no difference between CTA and ICA in the incidence of the primary composite outcome of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke during 3.5 years of follow up. As with many trials that advance a field, this trial raises several additional questions of interest that will be discussed. Furthermore, recent studies focused on the discrepancies of CTA vs. ICA indicate that the status of CTA remains unchanged in its ability to rule out disease but at present cannot be considered a substitute for ICA when coronary lesions are documented. Thus, a change in clinical practice patterns likely requires evidence from clinical studies demonstrating equivalence of CT to ICA for guiding medical management. Developments, however, are swift, and CT technology is catching up on its invasive counterpart.