bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Liver Fibrosis by Transient Elastography in Children and Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease With and Without Iron Overload
Authors: Alvarez Ofelia , Cumming Vanessa , Fifi Amanda
Published: January 2024

Objectives: Transfusion-associated iron overload may cause liver
fibrosis. We compared transient elastography (TE) and aspartate
aminotransferase-platelet ratio index (APRI), non-invasive markers for
hepatic fibrosis, to percutaneous liver biopsy in children and young
adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). Methods: Subjects had serum
ferritin was >500 ng/mL and lacked history of viral
hepatitis. APRI scores, FerriScan® R2-MRI, liver biopsies, and TEs were
obtained. Hepatic fibrosis was scored according to Metavir system.
Age-matched controls with SCD but without iron overload were enrolled
for APRI and TE assessments. Results: Nineteen subjects (cases: 12
males, 7 females), ages 10-21 years (mean 15.9 years), were transfused
an average of 9.67 years, had a mean serum ferritin of 4,899±2849 ng/mL
(range 693-11,604 ng/mL), and a liver iron concentration (LIC) of
8.46±3.95 mg/g dry liver weight by R2-MRI. Mean APRI was 0.33±0.13
(0.13-0.61) in cases and 0.27±0.10 in five controls. The mean liver
stiffness measures (LSM) in cases, assessed by TE, was 8.46±3.95 kPa,
ranging from 3.5-14.6 kPa (expected normal less than 7 kPa). Controls
had a mean LSM of 5.72±1.74 kPa (4.6-8.7 kPa). Comparison of LSM to
histological fibrosis for cases revealed a T-value of 6.94,
p<0.0001. There was no significant correlation between APRI
and histological fibrosis and between LSM and APRI or LSM and ferritin.
Conclusion: TE measures but not APRI significantly correlated with
histologic fibrosis. Although the small sample size limits
generalization, LSM > 10 kPa suggests liver fibrosis in
children and young adults with SCD and may merit histologic confirmation
especially if persistent.
Assessment of 20 disyllabic Albanian word lists for speech audiometry in normal hearing young adults and children
Authors: xhuvani adrien , HERVOCHON Rémi , Ferrary Evelyne , vasili dritan , sulaj holta , TANKERE Frederic
Published: January 2024

Objectives Because there is no validated speech audiometry word list in
Albanian, the aim of this study was to create and evaluate lists of
words in normal hearing children and young adults. Methods In total, 20
lists of 10 spondaic disyllabic words were created, taking into account
the idiosyncrasies of the Albanian language. Eighty-three young adults
and 86 children were included. For each ear, the difference between the
speech recognition threshold (SRT) and the pure tone average threshold
(PTA) was calculated. The psychometric function slope was also
calculated. Results The difference between the SRT and PTA was 3.2±2.1dB
in adults and 3.3±2.4dB in children. A value ≤7dB was observed in 93%
of adults and 92% of children. The psychometric function slope was
7.3%/dB in adults and 7.9%/dB in children. Conclusion Speech
audiometry in the Albanian language can now be performed using the lists
defined in the present study.
Gestational period-specific renal functions: Evidence from a large, community-based, prospective cohort in rural Sri Lanka
Authors: Agampodi Suneth , Agampodi Thilini , Amarasinghe Gayani , Warnasekara Janith , Hettiarachchi Ayesh , Jayasinghe Imasha , Koralagedara Iresha , Abeyrathna Parami , Srimantha Shalka , Silva Nirmani de , Wickramasinghe Nuwan Darshana
Published: January 2024

Objective To estimate the gestational age-specific serum creatinine
(sCr) in pregnancy. Design A population-based prospective cohort study.
Settings Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka Population or sample Study
group: Healthy pregnant women with a period of gestation less than 12
weeks and without pre-existing medical conditions. Comparison group: A
sample of non-pregnant reproductive age females from a population-based
renal screening. Methods Baseline data were compared among pregnant and
non-pregnant groups and the pregnant women were followed-up until the
end of the second trimester. Main Outcome Measures Gestational
period-specific sCr. Results A total of 2,259 pregnant women and 2.012
non-pregnant women were recruited. The mean (SD) sCr of the 2,012
nonpregnant women was 62.8(12.4) μmol/L, with the 97.5th percentile of
89.0 μmol/L. The mean (SD) eGFR was 105.1(27.9) mL/min/1.73 m2. At 4-7,
8-9, 10-12, 24-27 and 28-30 weeks of pregnancy, the mean sCr was 55.1,
52.7, 51.0, 47.2, and 49.3, while the 97.5th percentile for sCr was
72.4, 69.2, 69.3, 63.9, and 66.0 μmol/L, respectively, in the sample of
pregnant women. In the first and second trimesters, the average sCr
value was 84.7% and 76.4% of that of the nonpregnant group,
respectively. The mean eGFR increased up to 129.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the
24th week of gestation. The analysis of cohort data clearly confirmed a
significant reduction in sCr with advancing pregnancy (p<0
.001). Conclusions This study confirms that the precise normative data
needs to be considered in the interpretation of sCr in pregnancy, based
on the period of gestation.
The future of DNA barcoding: reflections from early career researchers
Authors: Grant Danielle , Brodnicke Ole , Evankow Ann , Ferreira André , Fontes João Tadeu , Hansen Aslak Kappel , Jensen Mads , Kalaycı Tuğba , Leeper Alexandra , Patil Shalaka , Prati Sebastian , Reunamo Anna , Roberts Aradhana , Shigdel Rajesh , Tyukosova Valentina , Bendiksby Mika , Blaalid Rakel , Costa Filipe , Hollingsworth M. , Stur Elisabeth , Ekrem Torbjørn
Published: January 2024

Over the last two decades, the use of DNA barcodes has transformed our
ability to identify and assess life on our planet. Both strengths and
weaknesses of the method have been exemplified through thousands of
peer-reviewed scientific articles. In the light of novel sequencing
approaches, currently capable of generating millions of reads at low
cost, we reflect on the questions: what will the future bring for DNA
barcoding? Will identification of species using short, standardized
fragments of DNA stand the test of time? We present reflected opinions
of early career biodiversity researchers in the form of a SWOT-analysis
and discuss answers to these questions.
Nutritional management of chylous leakage following surgery for high-risk neuroblastoma in a toddler
Authors: Casirati Amanda , Mulazzani Giulia , Luksch Roberto , Morosi Carlo , Biasoni Davide , Valle Serena Della
Published: January 2024

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumour in
preschool-aged children, with a median age of onset of 2 years. The most
frequent site of occurrence is retroperitoneum. An extensive surgical
resection is often needed and is an important tool in the management of
this disease even in metastatic patients. We describe the nutritional
management of a chylous leakage occurred in a toddler with metastatic
neuroblastoma after its surgical resection. A multimodal approach
including a-lipidic diet and parenteral nutrition allowed both chylous
fistula closure and specific nutritional requirements coverage without
impairment of neither oncological treatment following surgery nor
child’s growth.
Pharmacokinetics of Cefoperazone/sulbactam in Critically Ill Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Patients Undergoing Therapeutic Plasma Exchange
Authors: Li Haitao , Gao Chunlu , Fan Shengjin , Zhang gensheng , Hai Xin , Zhou Jin
Published: January 2024

AIMS The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics
of CFP and SUL in critically ill thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
(TTP) patients undergoing TPE. METHODS Critically ill TTP patients
receiving a dose of 3 g CFP/SUL (2.0 g/1.0 g) intravenously every 8 h
were included in the study. Serial blood samples were collected at 0, 1,
2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 h at the third infusion with TPE (Session I) and the
sixth infusion without TPE (Session II). Effluent samples were also
collected at the effluent port of plasma eliminated during TPE.
Concentrations of CFP and SUL in plasma and effluent were measured using
LC/MS/MS. RESULTS Specific pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated to
evaluate the effect of TPE on CFP and SUL. The amount of drug eliminated
during TPE (QPE) were 395.75±147.38 and 35.25±11.32 mg, respectively.
Percentage eliminated by TPE (fe%) were 11.38±3.18% and 2.74±1.13%,
respectively. Calculated percentages of total drug clearance by TPE
(%CLPE) were 27.71±10.8% and 6.16±2.16%, respectively. There were no
significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC0-8, Vd,
T1/2a) between session I and session II for both CFP and SUL.
CONCLUSIONS A single plasma volume TPE does not remove clinically
significant amounts of CFP and SUL. Dosage adjustment in critically ill
TTP patients after the procedure is not necessary. CFP is more likely to
be removed than SUL during TPE due to its small Vd and high protein
binding (Pb). Elevated plasma drug concentration due to organ
dysfunction may permit more drug removal during TPE.
Prevalence and molecular characteristics of feline coronavirus in southwest China from 2017 to 2020
Authors: Zhou Qun , Li Yan , Huang Jian , Fu Nengsheng , Song Xin , Sha Xue , Zhang Bin
Published: January 2024

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is the causative agent of feline infectious
peritonitis and diarrhea in kittens worldwide. In this study, a total of
173 feline diarrheal fecal and ascetic fluid samples were collected from
15 catteries and six veterinary hospitals in southwest China from 2017
to 2020. FCoV was detected in 80.35% (139/173) of the samples using the
RT-nPCR method; these included infections with 122 type I FCoV (87.8%)
and 57 type II FCoV (41%). Interestingly, 51 cases (36.7%, 51/139) had
co-infection with types I and II, the first such report in mainland
China. To further analyze the genetic diversity of FCoV in southwest
China, we amplified 23 full-length spike genes, including 18 type I and
five type II FCoV. The 18 type I FCoV strains shared 85.9%–100%
nucleotide sequence identities between one another and the five type II
FCoV strains shared 97.4%–98.9% nucleotide sequence identities
between one another. This result suggests that the N-terminal domain
(NTD) of 23 FCoV strains showed a high degree of variation
(73.6%–80.3%). There was five type I FCoV strains with two aa
insertions (159HL160) in the NTD region. In addition, 18 strains of type
I FCoV belonged to the Ie cluster, and five strains of type II FCoV were
in the IIb cluster based on phylogenetic analysis. It is worth noting
that five type I FCoV strains also had recombination in the NTD, and the
recombination region was 135–625 nucleotides of the S gene. This study
constitutes a systematic investigation of the current infection status
and molecular characteristics of FCoV in southwest China.
MARIJUANA USE IN WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE AND RECURRENT BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS: A Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Vallejo Victoria , Shan Weiwei , Ilagan John , Goldberg Gary
Published: January 2024

Objective: To evaluate whether marijuana use in reproductive age women
is associated with recurrent bacterial vaginosis. Design: Retrospective
chart review. Setting: Ten underserved clinics in New York City, NY.
Population: All women of reproductive age (15-45 years old) who
presented with a complaint of vaginal discharge from January 1st-
December 31st, 2019 and subsequently diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis.
Methods: The cohort was divided based on whether they met criteria for
recurrent bacterial vaginosis, defined as three or more separate
positive vaginal cultures with Gardnerella vaginalis in a year.
Descriptive statistics were used to compare both groups in terms of
sociodemographic and medical history. Logistic regression analysis was
used to estimate adjusted odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval
(CI). Main outcome measures: Compare between marijuana users and
non-users the odds of developing recurrent BV. Results Of 4,752 women
who presented with a complaint of a vaginal discharge, 1,380 (29.04%)
had bacterial vaginosis and of those, 5.8% met the criteria for
recurrent bacterial vaginosis. Marijuana use had an adjusted odds ratio
of 1.98 for recurrent bacterial vaginosis by multiple logistic
regression analysis (95% CI [1.15- 3.34]). Non-Hispanic women had
increased odds of developing recurrent bacterial vaginosis compared to
Hispanic women (adjusted odds ratio 1.79; 95% CI [1.07- 2.92]).
Conversely, increase in age was associated with a slightly decreased
likelihood of developing recurrent bacterial vaginosis (adjusted odds
ratio 0.95; 95% CI [0.92- 0.98]). Conclusion Reproductive age women
who self-report the use of marijuana have twice the odds of developing
recurrent BV.
COVID-19 Severity Prediction in SARS-CoV-2 RNA-Positive Patients by Different Ensemble Learning Strategies
Authors: GÜLDOĞAN Emek , KIVRAK Mehmet , Colak Cemil
Published: January 2024

Objective: While the coronavirus persists marginally for ninety-five
percent of the infected case count, the remaining five percent have been
placed in a critical or vital condition. This study investigates to
design an intelligent model that predicts the disease severity level by
modeling the relationships between the severity of COVID-19 infection
and the various demographic/clinical characteristics of individuals.
Material and Methods: A public dataset of a cross-sectional study
included the demographic and symptomatological characteristics of 223
COVID-19 patients. The dataset was randomly divided into training (75%)
and testing (25%) datasets. During training, the class imbalance
problem was solved, and the related factors with the COVID-19 severity
were selected using the evolutionary method supported by a genetic
algorithm. Neural Network (NN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), QUEST
algorithms together with confidence weighted voting, voting, and highest
confidence wins strategies (HCWS) were constructed, and the predictive
power of models was evaluated by performance metrics. Results: Of the
individual models, the NN model outperformed SVM and QUEST algorithms
based on the performance metrics in the training and testing datasets.
However, ensemble approaches gave better predictions as compared to the
individual models regarding all the evaluation metrics. Conclusions: The
proposed voting ensemble model outperforms other ensemble and individual
machine learning approaches for the severity prediction of COVID-19
disease. The proposed ensemble learning model can be integrated into web
or mobile applications in classifying the severity of COVID-19 for
clinical decision support.
The protective farm effect against allergies in a holoBLG based FSMP (food for specific medical purposes)-lozenge confers immune resilience in BALB/c mice
Authors: Afify Sheriene , Regner Andreas , Pacios Luis , Blokhuis Bart , jensen sebastian , Redegeld Frank , Pali-Schöll Isabella , Hufnagl Karin , Bianchini Rodolfo , Guethoff Sonja , Kramer Matthias , Fiocchi Alessandro , Dvorak Zdenek , Jensen-Jarolim Erika , Roth-Walter Franziska
Published: January 2024

Background: We previously proposed the whey protein beta-lactoglobulin
(BLG) loaded with iron-siderophore complexes as the active principle in
the farm protective effect against allergies. A lozenge as food for
specific medical purposes (FSMP) was formulated to assess its
therapeutical efficacy in BALB/c mice and in-vitro experiments. Methods:
Binding of iron-catechin into BLG was confirmed by spectroscopy and
docking calculations. Serum IgE binding of children allergic to milk, or
tolerating milk, was assessed to loaded (holo-) versus empty (apo-) BLG
and for human mast cell degranulation. BLG and Bet v 1 double-sensitized
mice were orally treated with the lozenge or placebo, and
immunologically analysed after systemic allergen challenge. Human PBMCs
of pollen allergic subjects were flow cytometrically assessed after
stimulation with holoBLG in conjugation with catechin-iron complexes as
ligands in a dietary supplement or with the apoBLG. Results: One major
IgE- and T cell epitope were masked by catechin-iron complexes, which
impaired IgE binding of milk allergic children and degranulation of mast
cells. In mice, only supplementation with the lozenge reduced clinical
reactivity to BLG and Bet v 1, promoted Tregs, and suppressed antigen
presentation. In allergic subjects, stimulation of PBMCs with holoBLG
led to a significant increase of intracellular iron in circulating CD14+
cells with significantly lower expression of HLADR and CD86 compared to
their stimulation with apoBLG. Conclusion: The FSMP lozenge targeted
antigen presenting cells and dampened immune activation in human immune
cells and allergic mice in an antigen nonspecific manner, thereby
conferring immune resilience against allergic symptoms.
Range expansion shifts clonal interference patterns in evolving populations
Authors: Krishnan Nikhil , Fusco Diana , Scott Jacob
Published: January 2024

Increasingly, predicting and even controlling evolutionary processes is
a sought after goal in fields ranging from agriculture, artificial
intelligence, synthetic biology, oncology, and infectious diseases.
However, our ability to predict evolution and plan such interventions in
real populations is limited in part by our understanding of how spatial
structure modulates evolutionary dynamics. Among current clinical assays
applied to predict drug response in infectious diseases, for instance,
many do not explicitly consider spatial structure and its influence on
phenotypic heterogeneity, despite it being an inextricable
characteristic of real populations. As spatially structured populations
are subject to increased interference of beneficial mutants compared to
their well-mixed counter-parts, among other effects, this population
heterogeneity and structure may non-trivially impact drug response. In
spatially-structured populations, the extent of this mutant interference
is density dependent and thus varies with relative position within a
meta-population in a manner modulated by mutant frequency, selection
strength, migration speed, and habitat length, among other factors. In
this study, we examine beneficial mutant fixation dynamics along the
front of an asexual population expanding its range. We observe that
multiple distinct evolutionary regimes of beneficial mutant
origin-fixation dynamics are maintained at characteristic length scales
along the front of the population expansion. Using an agent-based
simulation of range expansion with mutation and selection in one
dimension, we measure these length scales across a range of population
sizes, selection strengths, and mutation rates. Furthermore, using
simple scaling arguments to adapt theory from well-mixed populations, we
find that the length scale at the tip of the front within which ‘local’
mutant fixation occurs in a successive mode decreases with increasing
mutation rate, as well as population size in a manner predicted by our
derived analytic expression. Finally, we discuss the relevance of our
findings to real cellular populations, arguing that this conserved
region of successive mutant fixation dynamics at the wave tip can be
exploited by emerging evolutionary control strategies.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Deletion of ITGB1 Decrerased the Proliferation, Survival and Motility of Gastric Cancer Cells
Authors: Cheng Sinan , Li Xinyao , Yuan Yue , Jia Chenshuang , Chen Lirong , Gao Qian , Lu Zheng , Yang Ruina , Nie Guochao , Yang Jin , Duan Wei , Hou Yingchun
Published: January 2024

ITGB1 (Integrin β1, CD29) is a member of the integrin family and roles
as a major adhesion receptor. Gastric cancer (GC) is an important cause
of mortality worldwide, especially in China. As a potential cancer
enhancer, the roles ITGB1 plays in GC progression keep unclear. In the
current study, our assay on the databases about tumor associated gene
expression and interaction found that the high expression of ITGB1 was
closely correlated with the poor prognosis of GC patients. To explore
the roles ITGB1 plays in GC progression, an ITGB1 deleted cell line
(ITGB1-/-SGC7901) was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 method. The tumor
malignancy associated cell behaviors and microstructures were detected,
imaged, and analyzed using MTT, wound healing, transwell, scanning
electron microscope (SEM), laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) and
others. The results indicated that ITGB1 deletion decreased the GC cell
proliferation and motility, and inhibited motility relevant
microstructures, such as pseudopodia and filopodia markedly in
ITGB1deleted SGC7901 cells. The analysis of STRING database suggested
that ITGB1 contributes to the malignancy of GC mediated by Src-mediated
FAK/PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Taken together, the results above
showed that ITGB1 may be a potential targeting marker for GC diagnosis
and therapy, and it enhances GC progression via Src-mediated
FAK/PI3K/Akt signal pathway that needs further validation in future.
Tracking the northern expansion of an ancient amphibian species with high habitat-specialization using two types of genetic markers
Authors: Mosher Cherie , Johnson Chris , Murray Brent
Published: January 2024

Reconstruction of historical relationships between geographic regions
within a species’ range, determined through phylogeographic study, can
indicate dispersal patterns and help predict future responses to shifts
in climate. Ascaphus truei (coastal tailed frog) is an indicator
species of the health of forests and perennial streams in the Coastal
and Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest of North America. We used
two genetic techniques — microsatellite and genotype-by-sequencing
(GBS) — to compare the within region genetic diversity of populations
near the northern extent of the species’ range (British Columbia,
Canada) to two geographic regions in British Columbia and two in
Washington, USA, moving towards the core of the range. Allelic richness
and heterozygosity declined substantially as latitude increased. The
northernmost region had the lowest mean observed heterozygosities for
both techniques (microsatellite, M = 0.19, SE = 0.073; GBS, M = 0.028,
SE = 0.0011) and the southernmost region had the highest
(microsatellite, M = 0.86, SE = 0.072; GBS, M = 0.18, SE = 0.0027). For
both genetic techniques, geographic regions (N=5) separated into 4
genetic clusters with the two most northern regions clustering together.
Our discovery of reduced diversity may have important conservation and
management implications for population connectivity and the response of
A. truei to climate change.
Characteristics of Photo-thermal Effect during Microwave-induced Metal Discharge
Authors: Li Longzhi , Tan Yongdong , Zhang Yue , Sun Jifu , Zhang Lianjie , Cai Dongqiang , Zhang Qiang , Song Zhanlong , Zou Guifu , Bai Yonghui
Published: January 2024

Characteristics of photo-thermal effect and the functional relationship
between the discharge intensity and the released heat are still unclear.
In this work, the discharge intensity and the released heat of
microwave-induced metal discharge were quantitatively measured using
photo-voltage conversion and hydro-thermal exchange method,
respectively. The mechanism of microwave-induced metal discharge was
also discussed. The average discharge intensity obtained with three
wires within 10 min was 44.6% higher than that obtained with one wire.
The released heat increased from 67.81 kJ to 113.7 kJ when three wires
were inserted instead of one wire. The rate of heat evolution changed by
a step way with the decrease of discharge intensity. The electron
enrichment on the metal tip causes a skin effect, and then the
enhancement of electron enrichment forms Joule heat. After the stage,
the electrons escape from the metal surface and cause the breakdown of
the medium, forming the discharge.
Neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio as a potential predictor of the pregnancy outcome in women with threatened late miscarriage: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lin Xiaoying , Li Rong , Huang Cheng , Zhang Le , Mao Qiuxian , Lin Daihua , Huang Lvyin , Gao Zhen , Chen Huoying , Wei Jiaxue
Published: January 2024

Objectives: To assesses the value of systemic inflammatory markers in
evaluating the prognosis of threatened late miscarriage (TLM) patients.
Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Single tertiary center.
Population: A cohort of 220 TLM patients (128 remained pregnant until
delivery and 92 developed into inevitable miscarriage (IM)) from January
2015 to August 2020, in addition to a control group of 200 normal
pregnancies. Methods: Using routinely collected clinical data. Main
Outcome Measures: Data of characteristics at baselines, complete blood
counts and neonatal outcomes of live births. Predictive value of
neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for the pregnancy outcome of TLM.
Results: The mean counts for the total white blood cells (WBCs) and
neutrophils in women with TLM increased and exceeded the reference
ranges, resulting in a significant increase NLR. The counts for the
total WBCs and neutrophils exceeding the upper limit were present in
approximately 66% and 82% of TLM pregnancies, respectively. Besides,
the prevalence of adverse neonatal outcomes was higher in the live-birth
group of TLM. In TLM pregnancies, the NLR of the IM group was
significantly higher than that of the live-birth group, and NLR showed
considerable value in diagnosing IM (area under the curve = 0.67,
sensitivity = 55.44%, specificity = 77.34%). A cutoff value of NLR
> 6.05 indicated an increased risk of IM. Conclusion:
Higher NLR in TLM pregnancies indicates that systemic inflammation may
be involved in TLM progression, and the NLR value obtained at the
initial stage of TLM has potential predictive value for the outcome of
TLM.
Stability analysis and synthesis for a 2-D switched systems with random disturbance
Authors: Shen Xuyu , Meng Fei , Li Xiaofeng
Published: January 2024

In this paper, the stability analysis and controller design of a 2-D
switched system with random disturbances are studied. First, based on
the Fornasini-Marchesini local state-space model, a random discrete 2-D
switched system model is proposed. Secondly, based on the method of
switching quadratic Lyapunov function, Schur complement and linear
matrix inequality the criterion of the sufficiency of the asymptotical
stability under any switching signal is established. The extended
average residence time method is used to obtain a sufficient criterion
of the mean square exponential stability of the random discrete
two-dimensional switching system under restricted switching conditions.
According to the stability analysis results, the conditions for the
existence of the state feedback controller are given and the
corresponding state feedback controller is designed. Finally, two
examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed
method.
Surgical Management of Condylomata Acuminata of the Male Urethra
Authors: Bacalbasa Nicolae , Gingu Costin , Dick Alexandru , olaru vlad , baston catalin , crasneanu mugurel , andresanu andrei , ianiotescu stelian , domnisor liliana , sinescu ioanel
Published: January 2024

Rationale, Aims and Objectives: Human Papilloma Virus is responsible for
the disease of condylomata acuminata (CA), also known as genital warts.
In men these lesions are superficial, involving the skin of the glans
and prepuce, and are treated by dermatologists. When lesions involve the
urethra and are not directly visible, the patients are referred to
urologists for more advanced surgeries. Methods: between January 2012 –
January 2017 133 cases of CA were addressed to our center; 64
non-complicated forms were further referred to the dermatologist, 45
were resected and cauterized, and 24 cases were operated in our center.
Among these cases 21 patients presented warts at the levels of the
urethral meatus and navicular fossa, while the other 3 had multiple
urethral lesions after previous resections, up to the peno-scrotal
junction. Results: surgery consisted in a limited ventral opening of the
meatus and fossa navicularis till the lesions were completely exposed
and was followed by electrocauterization of the tumor bed, no further
urethral reconstruction being needed. In 3 cases with previous
endoscopic treatment attempts (urethroscopy and resection), with the
lesions progressed to the peno-scrotal junction, an extensive ventral
incision of the urethra was required, in order to reveal and remove all
the warts. To prevent recurrence and allow for healing, the penile
urethra was kept open for 6 months, then reconstructed in a second
procedure. No immediate or distant complications were encountered. The
histopathological examination of the resected tissue did not reveal any
signs of urethral carcinoma. After a follow-up period of 6 to 46 months
no recurrence of the disease was observed. All patients have good
functional and aesthetic results. Conclusions: While simple cases of
genital warts can be successfully managed by dermatologist, the more
severe forms that progress inside the urethra require surgical
treatment.
Evaluation outcome of patients with chronic thromboembolic disease by exercise right heart catheterization before and after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy
Authors: Rashidi Farid , Parvizi Rezayat , Bilejani Eisa , Mahmoudian Babak , Koohi Ata
Published: January 2024

Objectives: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a
serious condition that results from insufficient resolution of
thromboemboli in the pulmonary arteries. Some of symptomatic patients
with chronic thromboembolic disease have normal hemodynamic at rest. The
aim of this study is to assess the outcome of pulmonary
thromboendaterectomy (PEA) in symptomatic patients with chronic
thromboembolic disease (CTED) in the absence of PH as currently defined
(mean PAP>25 mmHg). Methods: Here we report 4 symptomatic
chronic thromboembolic patients with normal hemodynamic at rest
(mean.PAP<=25) who underwent PEA between September 2015 and
September 2017. The main outcome measures were Functional New York Heart
Association [NYHA] class, 6 Minute Walk Distance, hemodynamic
measures in right heart catheterization, morbidity and mortality. There
were significant improvement in function class (p2.6+-0.54 vs. 1+-0.2,
p=0.00), mean PAP (23.3+-0.5 mmHg vs. post 18.6+-1.5 mmHg, p=0.02), 6MWD
(378.2+-68.7m vs. post 432.9+-44.5m, p= 0.01 ), and pulmonary vascular
resistance (215.33+-91dynes • sec 1 • cm 5 vs 101+-32dynes • sec 1 • cm
5, p= 0.1 ). Six month after surgery after exercise under right heart
catheterization (RHC) mean PAP decreased significantly (37+-7.7 mmHg vs.
post 28+-3.2 mmHg, p=0.06). Conclusions: In these 4 CTED patients
performing PEA could improve function class and hemodynamic. Considering
improvement hemodynamic in this group of patients after PEA, definition
of CTEPH may need to be revised
How effective are face coverings in reducing transmission of COVID-19?
Authors: Robinson Joshua , Anda Ioatzin Rios de , Moore Fergus , Gregson Florence , Reid Jonathan , Husain Lewis , Sear Richard , Royall C.
Published: January 2024

In the COVID–19 pandemic, billions are wearing face masks, in both
health care settings and in public. Which type of mask we should wear in
what situation, is therefore important. There are three basic types:
cotton, surgical, and respirators (e.g. N95 and similar). All are
essentially air filters worn on the face. Here we show that the
underlying physics of air filtration ensures particles with diameters ≥
1 to 3 µm are efficiently filtered out by all three types. However, for
particles in the submicrometre range the efficiency depends on the
material properties of the masks. For good quality cotton and surgical
masks it is in the range 30 to 60%, while it is above 95% for
respirators. So air filtration is relatively well understood, however,
we have almost no direct evidence on the relative role played by
aerosols of differing sizes in disease transmission. Without this data,
selecting the correct mask will inevitably involve some guess work. If
the virus concentration is assumed independent of aerosol size, then
most virus will be in aerosols & 1µm and we expect both surgical masks
and multi-layered cotton masks to be effective at reducing the risk of
airborne transmission in most settings.
Successful implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy device assisted with Impella in a patient with severe decompensated heart failure
Authors: Unno Kyoko , Sano Makoto , Kaneko Yutaro , Sakakibara Tomoaki , Narumi Taro , Mogi Satoshi , Naruse Yoshihisa , Ohtani Hayato , Urushida Tsuyoshi , Maekawa Yuichiro
Published: January 2024

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a cornerstone of heart
failure with reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and a wide
QRS duration. Implantation of a CRT device is usually scheduled in the
compensated phase of heart failure. We report a case of a successful
semi-urgent implantation of a CRT device assisted with Impella at the
decompensated phase of severe heart failure dependent on inotropic
agents. Both mechanical resynchronization by CRT and LV unloading by
Impella might contribute to a decrease in LV end-diastolic pressure and
early recovery from acute pulmonary edema.
Using an intubating bougie as a guide for flexible biopsy forceps in laryngoscopy
Authors: Seymour Nicky , Dodds Isobel , Moore Andrew
Published: January 2024

Key points Laryngoscopy is performed to diagnose and treat diseases of
the hypopharynx and larynx Adequate exposure is essential for the
procedure and can be limited by a short neck, limited neck extension and
other patient factors When standard laryngoscopy biopsy forceps cannot
access an area of the pharynx, then flexible pulmonary or gastric biopsy
forceps can be used The flexible biopsy forceps can be loaded down a cut
intubating bougie to access difficult areas This correspondence explains
how to perform this technique and outlines the efficacy
Numerical simulation of impact of Different Heating Furnaces on Heat Intensity of Furnace Tubes and NOX Production
Authors: shuo wang
Published: January 2024

The physical field, furnace tube heat intensity and NO production of
different heating furnaces were studied through numerical simulation.
Firstly, by studying the heating furnaces of different shapes, namely
triangle furnace, square furnace and cylindrical furnace, it was found
that the heat intensity of the cylindrical furnace tubes was evenly
distributed, but the NOX emission at the outlet of the cylindrical one
was relatively higher than that of the square one. By studying the
cylindrical furnaces with different dip angles of 95°, 93°, 90°, 87° and
85°, it was found that the NOX emission at the outlet has been
effectively reduced with the decrease of the dip angle, but the heat
intensity of furnace tubes was more unevenly distributed, which led to
more serious tube coking.
Behavioral correlations across multiple stages of the antipredator response: do animals that escape more readily also hide longer?
Authors: Ortiz-Jimenez Chelsea , Michelangeli Marcus , Pendleton Erika , Sih Andrew , Smith Jennifer
Published: January 2024

While numerous studies have examined either initial prey responses to an
approaching predator (flight initiation distance, FID), or subsequent
hiding behavior (e.g. latency to resume activity), to our knowledge, no
previous studies have repeatedly tested multiple individuals in nature,
to quantify whether both FIDs and latencies to resume activity are
repeatable, and whether these two stages of the antipredator response
are positively correlated. This correlation is ecologically important in
that opportunity costs of predator avoidance are particularly large if
the same individuals tend to both escape more readily and hide longer.
Here, we examined California ground squirrels’ (Otospermophilus
beecheyi) responses to human approach, and provided the first example
showing that, as predicted: FIDs, latencies to resume activity, and
other aspects of prey responses post-FID were repeatable and positively
correlated. Interestingly, we also found that across a gradient of human
activity, squirrels in areas with higher human activity were generally
bolder.
Resilience and Emotions of Frontline Obstetrics and Gynaecology Healthcare Workers During the Novel Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: Cross-sectional Retrospective Descriptive Study
Authors: Lau Hester , Soe Ni Ni , Chua Monica , Lee Jill , Sulaiman Suzanna
Published: January 2024

Objective: To explore impact of COVID-19 outbreak on resilience and
emotions of frontline healthcare workers (HCW) during the pandemic
Design: Cross-sectional retrospective descriptive study Setting: KK
Women and Children’s Hospital, Singapore, Department of Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, between 7 February to 30 April 2020 Population: One hundred
and one (101) HCW who worked in COVID-19 screening facilities and wards
Methods: The participants were given a survey designed to understand
their emotions when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed
COVID-19, and how their various aspects of health were affected. The
Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) was used to evaluate their resilience.
Results: Normal resilience scores were found in 72.6% of HCW, 11.3%
had high resilience scores while 16.1% had low resilience scores.
Doctors had higher resilience scores than nurses (3.8 vs 3.3, p-value
0.017). HCWs perceived their mental health was most affected, followed
by social and physical health as a result of COVID-19 related work. The
main stressors faced were related to their personal safety and that of
their family. A positive attitude at work with good teamwork, time away
from routine clinical work and appreciation received helped to relieve
the emotional and psychological stress faced. Conclusion: It is
essential to explore appropriate interventions for HCW with low
resilience to better assist the coping mechanism during this pandemic.
Stressors identified and feedback received through this study are useful
for implementing supportive workforce resources during an infectious
disease outbreak.
The Association of Otalgia with Nasal Septum Deviation: A Prospective Study
Authors: Wright Alex , Kay Joshua , Cowthran James , Karam Wade , Chaaban Mohamad
Published: January 2024

Objectives: There has been anecdotal evidence that otalgia and ear
fullness are associated with a deviated nasal septum (DNS). The goal of
this novel, pilot study is to evaluate if eustachian tube dysfunction
(ETD) is associated with a DNS and improved following septoplasty.
Design: Prospective comparative pilot study Setting: Tertiary hospital
at an academic institution Participants: Twenty-five patients with
septal deviations (16 with otalgia and 9 controls) underwent septoplasty
with inferior turbinate reduction between November 2016 and May 2018.
Main Outcome Measures: ETDQuestionnaire (ETDQ-7), Sino-nasal Outcome
Test (SNOT-22), and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) assessed
quality of life pre and post operation. Results: Mean SNOT-22 scores
decreased significantly for both groups (p< 0.05). The results
of the ETDQ-7 showed aural symptoms significantly decreased for case
patients at 6 weeks (-17.4, p=0.016) which continued through week 12.
Symptoms of ear fullness and pain were significantly reduced in the case
group (p<0.05). With both groups experienced a reduction in
all questionnaires, decreased SNOT-22 scores correlated with ETDQ-7
(p=0.0012) and NOSE (p<0.036) improvements while the control
group did not see test correlations. Conclusions: Overall, our study
demonstrated otalgia or ear fullness could be associated with a DNS. The
data suggests significant correlations between all three questionnaires
in evaluating patients with nasal obstruction and aural symptoms, and
that they are reasonable tools in evaluating ETD outcomes concerning
septoplasty. Thus, we propose that nasal septum deviation be evaluated
and included in any algorithm for the diagnosis and management of
patients with ETD.
Dynamics of a pollinator-plant-herbivore mathematical model
Authors: Castellanos Víctor , Castillo Miguel De la Rosa , Sánchez-Garduño Faustino
Published: January 2024

In this paper we carried out the analysis of a three-dimensional ODE
nonlinear autonomous system which is derived with the aim of describing
the interaction between three populations. These take the form of two
mutualistic (pollinators and plants) and a third population (herbivores)
is introduced. This one is feeded by consuming plants which, in turn,
damages the pollinators population too by reducing the rate of visits
(to plants) behalf the pollinators. The specific type of interactions
between the populations are described by two types of functional
responses of type IV. One of these measures what we call “saciety
rate” of consuming plants behalf the herbivores. The main result
contained in this paper is the proof of the existence of an attracting
limit cycle for the ODE system. This emerges from a supercritical Hopf
bifurcation. Its existence is proved by using the Hopf-Andronov
bifurcation theorem and its stability is proved by using the first
Lyapunov coefficient. In addition of the analysis, a series of numerical
simulations are carried out on the full ODE system. These show how the
stability feature of an equilibrium point changes: from asymptotic
locally stable to unstable hence the emergence of a stable limit cycle
within the positive octant of the phase space.
Characterization and stability analysis of the advanced multi-quadratic functional equations
Authors: Bodaghi Abasalt , Moshtagh Hossein , Dutta Hemen
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we introduce a new quadratic functional equation and by
using this equation, we investigate $n$-variables mappings which are
quadratic in each variable. We show that such mappings can be unified as
an equation, namely, multi-quadratic functional equation. We also apply
a fixed point technique to study the stability for the multi-quadratic
functional equations. Furthermore, we present an example and a few
corollaries corresponding to some known stability and hyperstability
outcomes.
On the trail of the novel coronavirus at the start of the pandemic in the Lazio region: a retrospective research of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swabs.
Authors: Sberna Giuseppe , Lalle Eleonora , Bordi Licia , Nicastri Emanuele , Ippolito Giuseppe , Amendola Alessandra , Capobianchi Maria
Published: January 2024

SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in 219 nasal/oro-pharyngeal swabs,
analyzed for respiratory disease diagnosis at the National Institute for
Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, from November 2019 to
January 2020; these results suggest lack of unrecognized SARS-CoV-2
circulation before the identification of the first two cases in Italy.
A Case of Intrahepatic Biliary Atresia in Pediatrics
Authors: Darisi Srikanth
Published: January 2024

The chief objective of this case report is to give a overview of how
Biliary atresia (BA) occurs, presents, and management. Biliary atresia
is a congenital abnormality with mostly affects the biliary tract
(intrahepatic or extrahepatic) and often presents with symptoms of
jaundice, the prevalence of this disease is more in Asian females than
males. This case demonstrates a male patient of 6 months 8 days old he
presented with fever, abdominal distension, severe anemia, and also
yellowish discoloration of skin sclera and urine, he was diagnosed with
intrahepatic biliary atresia, It is important to diagnose if it is intra
hepatic or extrahepatic biliary atresia as the treatment Caries for
both, Treatment in case of extrahepatic biliary atresia is Kasai
procedure but the diagnosis in his case is intrahepatic biliary atresia
Kasai procedure is not done, the patient is given symptomatic treatment
and is enlisted for a liver transplant.
Effectiveness and safety of cryoablation in patients with atrial fibrillation within 24-hour episode duration: a propensity-matched analysis
Authors: Jiang Chunying , Zhao Dongdong , Tang Kai , Wang Yiqian , Li Xiang , Jia Peng , Xu Yawei , Han Bing
Published: January 2024

Background: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is closely related to
pathophysiologic processes and clinical outcomes. However, it is
uncertain whether cryoablation of pulmonary veins isolation is effective
and safe for patients of symptomatic and drug-refractory AF type within
24-hour episode duration. Methods: The patients were designed into Group
A (253 patients of paroxysmal AF within 24-hour episode duration) and
Group B (253 patients of paroxysmal AF lasted for 24 hours or longer) on
a 1:1 basis by identical propensity scores. Mortality, stroke/transient
ischemic attack (TIA) and complications relevant to the cryoablation
procedure were compared and recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia was
analyzed for clinical independent predictors. Results: The rate of
atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence was 21.74% in Group A and 30.04% in
Group B, respectively (P=0.042). At 12-month follow-up from procedure,
lower incidences of stroke/TIA endpoint of the patients were observed in
Group A compared with Group B by Kaplan–Meier analysis [HR 0.34
(0.13–0.87), P= 0.025]. No significant differences about mortality
and complications relevant to the cryoablation procedure were observed
between Group A and Group B. Moreover, adjusted multivariable Cox
regression analysis showed that < 24-hour paroxysmal AF type
(HR 0.644, 95% CI: 0.455–0.913, P=0.014) and left atrium diameter
(>40 mm) (HR 1.696, 95% CI: 1.046–2.750, P=0.032) were
independently associated with the incidence of recurrence of atrial
tachyarrhythmia in the study. Conclusions: Cryoablation of AF within
24-hour episode duration is effective and safe for patients with
paroxysmal AF.
Features associated with contagiousness among COVID-19 cases in Shanghai, China
Authors: Kong Dechuan , Fang Qiwen , Wu Huanyu , Hu Linjie , Wagner Abram , Lu Yihan , Zheng Yaxu , Gong Xiaohuan , Zhu Yiyi , Jin Bihong , Xiao Wenjia , Mao Shenghua , Lin Sheng , Han Ruobing , Yu Xiao , Cui Peng , Jiang Chenyan , Pan Hao , Sun Xiaodong
Published: January 2024

Background: Little is known about the characteristics of those who
transmit SARS-CoV-2 infection vs those who do not, but this information
could inform disease control policies. This study described the features
of clusters in the first wave of COVID-19 in Shanghai and compared
contagiousness by clinical and health care risk factors. Methods: In
this retrospective cohort study of cases in Shanghai in January and
February 2020, cases with successive generations were considered to be
“contagious.” Characteristics of contagious and non-contagious cases
were compared in log-binomial models that also adjusted for age and sex.
Results: Between January 21 and February 17, 2020, 333 cases of COVID-19
were reported in Shanghai across 28 known infection chains.
Contagiousness was higher among cases with a sore throat (risk ratio
[RR]: 3.41, 95% CI: 1.59, 7.35, P=0.0051), and those with heart
disease (RR: 2.06, 95% CI: 0.72, 5.90). Delays in diagnosis were also
associated with higher risk of contagiousness. Having ≥2 medical visits
before diagnosis was associated with 4.46 times higher risk of
contagiousness (95% CI: 2.03, 9.83, P=0.0002), and there was a
non-significant increase in risk with increasing numbers of days between
disease onset and isolation (for each day, RR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01,
1.16, P=0.1734). Conclusions: Individuals with mild COVID-19 symptoms in
the upper respiratory tract may still be contagious, and such
individuals should be prioritized for early diagnosis and isolation to
limit further chains of transmission.