bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meister Eckhart’s Ethical Universalism, Confucianism, and the Future of Christianity
Authors: Davies Oliver
Published: March 2021

Meister Eckhart is known for having developed a sophisticated form of inclusivist Christian universalism in the late Middle Ages. This universalism arose from the particular “globalizing” contexts of his times, for which there are real parallels in our own day. The author argues that in key respects, Eckhart’s ethical universalism shows strong affinities with Confucian principles, and can be informed by these as set out historically by Xinzhong Yao and in a contemporary setting by Tu Weiming. In the conclusion, the author sketches the possible influence of Confucianism on a future Christianity, in the light of the Eckhartian universalist inheritance.
The Importance of Being God-Less: The Unintended Universe and China’s Spiritual Legacy
Authors: Ziporyn Brook
Published: March 2021

The idea of a nous as arche, of a single purposive rational mind that creates the world or otherwise accounts for the world being as it is, has dominated most Western thought in one form or another since it was proposed by Plato, quoting Socrates, quoting Anaxagoras, in the Phaedo, particularly in the form given it in monotheist religions and theologies and, less explicitly but still powerfully, in their secular aftermaths. Each of the dominant traditions in pre-modern China is however “God-less” in the sense of lacking just this conception. This article takes a look at the forms of God-less religiousness developed in these traditions, as a way of recovering some of the ethical and epistemological alternatives obscured by the idea of God idea in monotheistic cultures.
Receptivity and Creativity in Hermeneutics: From Gadamer to Onto-Hermeneutics (Part One)
Authors: Cheng Chung-Ying
Published: March 2021

There are two aspects of the hermeneutic: the receptive and the creative. In this article, first of all, I shall identify the strengths of these two aspects of the hermeneutic in the main development of hermeneutics in Western world. Heidegger and Gadamer take ontological receptivity as the source of the meaning of existence as well as the meaningfulness of texts. In my view such a form of receptivity has shaped the predominant paradigm of hermeneutic thinking in contemporary Europe or West. Therefore, I move to the creative formation and positive projection of a transformative cosmological philosophy, namely the Yijing《易經》philosophy in Chinese tradition. In these two contrasts we shall not only notice the strong divergence between the two paradigms but come to see how receptivity and creativity of the hermeneutic could be divergently identified and located in concrete understanding of nature of reality and nature of the human being.
The Art of Interpretation: Rosenweig’s Midrash and Heidegger’s Hermeneutics
Authors: Simon Jules
Published: March 2021

The shared trajectory and thought between the phenomenological hermeneutics of Martin Heidegger and midrashic analysis of Franz Rosenzweig is established with respect to the task of taking up existing “classical” texts such as “The Song of Songs” and “The Ister” as well with respect to the embodied conditions of understanding through language with a view to delineating the motivating factors and the structural guidelines that determine our interpretive activities; specifically, intentional structures that distinguish communicative acts from one another that either brings them into conflict or into fruitful and harmonious communities.
“Mother” (Mu 母) and the Embodiment of the Dao
Authors: Cook Constance
Published: March 2021

This article employs newly discovered Warring States texts to reexamine questions regarding the use of the word mother (mu 母) in the Laozi—did it refer to the feminine role of providing and caring for the descendants of an inherently male cosmic and social order or was it simply a metaphor for an abstract philosophical concept? The author reinforces the latter interpretation suggesting that Mother referred to that existential moment of temporal transition between the cycle of life and death.
Wang Yangming on Spontaneous Action, Mind as Mirror, and Personal Depth
Authors: Cocks Samuel
Published: March 2021

The intention of this paper is to reveal how Wang Yangming’s account of spontaneous action includes the development of a sense of personhood and world that both involve historical depth. This will require me to demonstrate how Wang’s use of the mirror metaphor does not necessitate a strictly empty account of the human person and their experienced world. I will first elucidate how it is possible to interpret Wang as suggesting that the latter two are poor in depth and identity. Then I will go on to demonstrate that the latter reading does not do justice to Wang’s insistence on the rectification and hence stabilization of the person and things across time, past and future.
On the Contemporary Study of “Chinese Philosophy” in Europe
Authors: Weber Ralph
Published: March 2021

What is the state of affairs with regard to the academic study of “Chinese philosophy” in Europe? This is the rather straightforward question that I address in the present article. Focusing on developments since 2007, I depict the institutional landscape in terms of associations and journals, present an overview of translations, and offer a survey of research, mostly of works published in languages other than English. The aim is not in the first instance to offer an exhaustive bibliography, but to document the many research activities taking place in all parts of continental Europe. Personal comments about the prospects of “Chinese philosophy” in Europe conclude the article.
Flourishing, Sports, and Doping: A Confucian Virtue-Ethical Meditation
Authors: Panza Christopher
Published: March 2021

In most sports ethics, doping is addressed from a deontological or consequentialist perspective. It is suggested here that a virtue-ethical analysis informed by Confucianism can capture intuitions about the need to cultivate flourishing in sports. Specifically, it is argued that the Confucian virtues of zhong 忠 and shu 恕, necessary for Confucian ren 仁, can help us to articulate an account of flourishing in sports. As each Confucian virtue is articulated and then applied to sports, consideration is given to how it will alter the approach to doping as an ethical issue.
Greening Confucius: Appropriating the Analects for a Future-Oriented Reading
Authors: Schönfeld Martin
Published: March 2021

The unsustainability of the Western paradigm points to the need for alternatives. Confucian philosophy suggests itself as a cultural resource for human evolution in the Anthropocene, because of its emphasis on good governance, information-based policy, and factbased practices. However, patriarchy is a liability of Confucian philosophy, and the Analects in particular is sexist. Ecological wisdom, progressive thought, and feminism go hand in hand. How can the Analects be utilized for a future-oriented reading? I suggest an interpretive pathway for a non-patriarchic, ecological, and feminist appropriation of Confucius.
A Confucian-Kantian Response to Environmental Eco-Centrism on Animal Equality
Authors: Palmquist Stephen R. , Chan Keith Ka-Fu
Published: March 2021

Environmental eco-centrism, the claim that all members of the biosphere are ontologically and axiologically equal, presents a challenge to traditional ethical conceptions of the special status of humanity. Confucian and Kantian ethics approach this topic, and its application to other animals, in different ways: Confucianism employs stories that promote insight into the importance of sincerity and compassion to all animals, including non-human ones; Kant employs abstract reasoning to argue that non-human animals deserve respect because we humans share their basic nature. We argue that, taken together, these two approaches preserve what is most important in eco-centrism, but without sacrificing human dignity in the process.
Dialectics of Enlightenment, East and West
Authors: Wenning Mario
Published: March 2021

Critical theorists have argued that the concept of Enlightenment is paradoxical. While it designates the liberation from superstition through the use of reason, Enlightenment also sets up new forms of superstition. This article focuses on Gan Yang’s and Wang Hui’s rereading of the dynamic processes of Enlightenment in China and in Europe. It argues for a transcultural perspective on Enlightenment’s tendency to give rise to a deformation of reason. Only if the culturally varying forms of reason and unreason in Europe as well as China are being reflected might it be possible to continue pursuing the self-critical project of Enlightenment at a global level.
Hegel, “China” And Imihigo
Authors: Mccumber John
Published: March 2021

Hegel’s account of China, based mainly on the reports of European travelers and missionaries, is hardly trustworthy. Attention to it, however, can illuminate Hegel’s own critical practices. Displacing his claims about China onto the imaginary nation of “Baffinland,” I argue that Hegel’s critical standards derive from the basic nature of his thought, which requires that a good society be one that not merely tolerates but encourages the full development of human diversity. As an example of how this might work, I turn to the Rwandan practice of imihigo, in which an individual publicly spells out the contributions that only he or she can make to the community.
Neo-Daoism and Neo-Confucianism: Three Common Themes
Authors: Hanmin Zhu
Published: March 2021

This paper presents the thesis that Neo-Confucianism and Neo-Daoism have shared basic unity concerning the following three themes: the inner logic of the life world, spiritual world and personality ideal; the intrinsic logic of the learning of body and mind; and the inner logic of textual interpretation methods. This is a deepening process from historical phenomena (the life world) to philosophy and to the interpretation of classics.
The Akedah and “Guo Ju Buries His Son” 郭巨埋儿: A Cross-Textual Reading
Authors: Meng Zhenhua
Published: March 2021

The biblical narrative of the Akedah and the Chinese tale “Guo Ju Buries His Son” (to piously support his mother), both of which are extensively circulated in their respective cultures, share many similarities and remain controversial. Ancient biblical scholars and Confucian literati have exerted interpretational efforts to reduce the tensions of the narratives and respond to the many critiques raised related to the conduct of Abraham and Guo Ju. This cross-textual reading of the two tales provides clarity and enriches the understanding of both texts by exploring their historical settings.
The Western Wall Controversy
Authors: Sapir Gideon
Published: March 2021

Since 1988 a group of Jewish women in Israel, who later organized as the “Women of the Wall,” have been battling to realize what they see as their right to hold a public prayer service, while wearing prayer shawls and phylacteries and reading from a Torah scroll, in the women’s section of the Western Wall Plaza. Some of the Orthodox are fiercely opposed to the WoW and its project. This issue has reached the Israeli courts several times and has repeatedly engaged the political system. This article examines whether one of the two positions can draw on constitutional arguments that would justify a ruling in its favor.
The Value of Sacred Places
Authors: Seglow Jonathan
Published: March 2021

This article explores the neglected topic of the value of sacred places of various religions. The great value that adherents of these religions ascribe to these places cannot account for their public political value, given that the duty to treat such places with respect falls on all citizens, whatever their faith. The article considers and rejects three views regarding the value of sacred places: that they are protected by cultural rights, that damaging them would hurt the feelings of religious believers, and that they are the collective property of religious groups. It then considers the right to religious liberty, which has been argued in recent scholarship on religious accommodation to be best defended through the value of integrity and by honoring one’s religious commitments. Although integrity is too individualistic a concept to explain the value of sacred places directly, the way in which these places embody sacredness here on earth helps enable integrity by showing what one’s commitments are invested in. This view of the value of sacred places can account for the value of non-religious sacred places and for the duty to respect them all.
Time, Power, and Religion
Authors: Cesari Jocelyne
Published: March 2021

The main argument of this paper is that the sacred time and space of the nation has displaced the meaning of sacredness of the religious sites, and legitimized the national community. By comparing the Temple Mount and Ayodhya disputes, the paper exposes the tensions between two polarities, sacred/profane and religious/political, which helps explain the influence of national identities on the contested sacredness of religious sites. The competition over the Temple Mount is nested within a “thicker” context of conflicting political claims over Jerusalem and national territory between Jewish groups on one hand and between Jews and Muslims on the other. The Ayodhya disagreement is related to the political tensions between the dominant and the minority religions, which have turned the religious dispute over a holy site into a debate on the sacredness of the national community.
Radiofrequency ablation for selective fetal reduction in complicated Monochorionic twins; comparing the outcomes according to the indications
Authors: Rahimi-Sharbaf Fatemeh , Ghaemi Marjan , Nassr Ahmed A. , Shamshirsaz Alireza A. , Shirazi Mahboobeh
Published: March 2021

Background

To evaluate the perinatal outcomes in women with complicated monochorionic diamniotic twins who underwent selective reduction using radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with complicated monochorionic diamniotic twins between 16 to 28 weeks who underwent selective reduction using RFA.

Results

During the study period, 143 women with complicated monochorionic twins underwent RFA including 52 with selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR), 48 with twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), 33 with major fetal anomalies in one of the twins, and 10 with reversed arterial perfusion sequence (TRAP). The overall survival was 71.3% (102/143). The procedures were technically successful in achieving selective termination in all cases. The mean ± SD of gestational age at the time of the procedure was 21.0 ± 2.3 weeks. The mean ± SD of gestational age at delivery was 34.6 ± 3.3 weeks. The mean ± SD of overall procedure-to-delivery time was 12 ± 1.7 weeks. The pregnancy success rates among sFGR, TRAP, TTTS and anomaly groups were 82.7, 80, 73 and 60.7% respectively. There were no maternal complications.

Conclusion

Radiofrequency ablation for fetal reduction in complicated monochorionic twin pregnancies appears to be a reasonable option. The pregnancy success rate following RFA selective reduction was highest among sFGR and TRAP groups and lowest in the anomaly group.
Evaluation of an occipito-cervico fusion with a new implant design: a biomechanical study
Authors: Migliorini Filippo , Baroncini Alice , El Mansy Yasser , Quack Valentin , Prescher Andreas , Mischer Max , Greven Johannes , Tingart Markus , Eschweiler Jörg
Published: March 2021

Background

A novel implant for occipitocervical fusion consisting of a median plate with an additional hook inserting in the foramen magnum was tested. Aim of this study was to test the stability of a new implant for occipitocervical fusion against the already available and employed median plate implant without hook.

Material and method

36 rigid polyurethane foams occipital artificial bones were used. The two occipital implants, namely the occipital plate with hook (Group 1) and the one without hook (Group 2), were applied to the artificial occiput trough three occipital screws and ensured into the experimental setup trough a crossbar. The test parameters were set using the testing machine software as follows: (1) test speed: 10 mm/ min, with 25 mm/ min maximum; (2) preload: 5 N; (3) force switch-off threshold: 90% force drop from F_max. Failure force and path were recorded. Failure force is defined as the maximum reaction force under which failure occurs (F_max), while failure path is the travel path during which failure occurs (dL).

Results

Group 1 (plate with hook) showed a mean failure force of 459.3 ± 35.9 N and a mean failure path of 5.8 ± 0.3 mm Group 2 (plate without hook) showed a mean failure force of 323.9 ± 20.2 N and a mean failure path of 7.2 ± 0.4 mm. The Shapiro-Wilk test score was not significant (P >  0.1), assuming that data were normally distributed. Group 1 had a statistically significant greater F_max (+ 135.37; P >  0.0001) and less dL (− 1.52; P > 0.0001) compared to group 2.

Conclusions

Medial plates with foramen magnum hooks showed to be more stable that plates without a hook. These new implants may represent a new tool in OCJ fixation, but further studies are required to investigate their behavior in an anatomical setting.
Ideal cardiovascular health at age 5–6 years and cardiometabolic outcomes in preadolescence
Authors: Jaspers Faijer-Westerink Hester , Stavnsbo Mette , Hutten Barbara A. , Chinapaw Mai , Vrijkotte Tanja G. M.
Published: March 2021

Background

The American Heart Association (AHA) developed a definition of ideal cardiovascular health (ICH) based on the presence of both ideal health behaviours (diet, physical activity, weight status and smoking) and ideal health factors (glucose, total cholesterol and blood pressure levels). However, research of ICH in the paediatric population is scarce. We aimed to study ICH at age 5–6 years by extending the original ICH score with the health behaviours: sleep duration, screen time and prenatal smoke exposure, and to evaluate its association with cardiometabolic outcomes at age 11–12.

Methods

A total of 1666 children aged 5–6 years were selected from the database of the ABCD-study, a prospective cohort study on the health and development of children born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Of these, 846 (50.8%) were boys and 1460 (87.6%) had a healthy weight. Data on self-reported health behaviours and health factors were used to calculate the ICH scores (original and extended) by adding the frequency of scoring ‘healthy’ on each indicator, based on international cut-offs. The children were followed up for 6 years and cardiometabolic outcomes (carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), blood pressure, glucose and lipids) were measured. Associations between ICH (both original and extended) and cardiometabolic outcomes were examined using multivariable regression models.

Results

At age 5–6 years, 11% scored poor (score 1–5), 56% intermediate (score 6–7) and 33% good (score 8–9) on extended ICH. Healthy diet and normal total cholesterol concentrations were the least prevalent. Neither the original nor the extended ICH scores were associated with CIMT at age 11–12. A higher score on the extended ICH was associated with lower total cholesterol (pfor trend < 0.001), lower systolic (pfor trend = 0.012) and diastolic blood pressure (pfor trend = 0.011), and lower body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001) at age 11–12. The original ICH score was associated with lower total cholesterol (p < 0.001) and BMI (p < 0.001) only.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that extending the ICH score in young children with additional health behaviours improves prediction of some cardiometabolic outcomes, but not CIMT in preadolescence, compared to the original ICH score. We would recommend other researchers to incorporate objective measures of health behaviours and longer follow-up to find out whether associations persist into adulthood.
Rosaceae, Brassicaceae and pollen beetles: exploring relationships and evolution in an anthophilous beetle lineage (Nitidulidae, Meligethes-complex of genera) using an integrative approach
Authors: Liu Meike , Huang Min , Cline Andrew Richard , Mancini Emiliano , Scaramuzzi Andrea , Paradisi Simone , Audisio Paolo , Badano Davide , Sabatelli Simone
Published: March 2021

Background

Meligethes are pollen-beetles associated with flowers of Rosaceae as larvae. This genus currently consists of 63 known species in two subgenera, Meligethes and Odonthogethes, predominantly occurring in the eastern Palaearctic. We analyzed 74 morphological and ecological characters (169 states) of all species, as well as of 11 outgroup species from 7 Meligethinae genera (including Brassicogethes), to investigate their phylogeny. We also conducted a parallel molecular analysis on 9 Meligethes, 9 Odonthogethes, 3 Brassicogethes and 2 Meligethinus species based on DNA sequence data from mitochondrial (COI, 16S) and nuclear (CAD) genes.

Results

Morphological phylogenetic reconstructions supported the monophyly of the whole genus and clades corresponding to purported subgenera Meligethes s.str. and Odonthogethes. Main species-groups were mostly confirmed, however some unresolved polytomies remained. Molecular data placed members of Brassicogethes (including 42 mostly W Palearctic species associated with Brassicaceae) as sister to Odonthogethes, with this clade being sister to Meligethes s.str. This phylogenetic scenario suggests that monophyletic Meligethes s.str., Odonthogethes and Brassicogethes should be regarded alternatively as three subgenera of a monophyletic Meligethes, or three genera in a monophyletic genus-complex, with mutually monophyletic Brassicogethes and Odonthogethes. Molecular analyses estimated the origin of this lineage at ca. 14–15 Mya from a common stem including Meligethinus.

Conclusions

We hypothesize that the ancestor of Meligethes specialized on Rosaceae in the Middle Miocene (likely in Langhian Age) and subsequently radiated during Late Miocene and Plio-Pleistocene maintaining a trophic niche on this plant family. This radiation was primarily due to geographic isolation in E Asiatic mountain systems. Combined evidence from morphology, ancestral state parsimony reconstruction of host-plant associations and molecular evidence suggested that Rosoideae (Rosa spp.) represented the ancestral hosts of Meligethes s.str., followed by an independent shift of ancestral Odonthogethes (ca. 9–15 Mya) on Rubus (Rosoideae) and members of Rosaceae Spiraeoideae. Other ancestral Odonthogethes probably shifted again on the unrelated plant family Brassicaceae (maybe 8–14 Mya in S China), allowing a rapid westward radiation of the Brassicogethes clade.
A survey of International Health Regulations National Focal Points experiences in carrying out their functions
Authors: Packer Corinne , Halabi Sam F. , Hollmeyer Helge , Mithani Salima S. , Wilson Lindsay , Ruckert Arne , Labonté Ronald , Fidler David P. , Gostin Lawrence O. , Wilson Kumanan
Published: March 2021

Background

The 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR (2005)) require States Parties to establish National Focal Points (NFPs) responsible for notifying the World Health Organization (WHO) of potential events that might constitute public health emergencies of international concern (PHEICs), such as outbreaks of novel infectious diseases. Given the critical role of NFPs in the global surveillance and response system supported by the IHR, we sought to assess their experiences in carrying out their functions.

Methods

In collaboration with WHO officials, we administered a voluntary online survey to all 196 States Parties to the IHR (2005) in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South and North America, from October to November 2019. The survey was available in six languages via a secure internet-based system.

Results

In total, 121 NFP representatives answered the 56-question survey; 105 in full, and an additional 16 in part, resulting in a response rate of 62% (121 responses to 196 invitations to participate). The majority of NFPs knew how to notify the WHO of a potential PHEIC, and believed they have the content expertise to carry out their functions. Respondents found training workshops organized by WHO Regional Offices helpful on how to report PHEICs. NFPs experienced challenges in four critical areas: 1) insufficient intersectoral collaboration within their countries, including limited access to, or a lack of cooperation from, key relevant ministries; 2) inadequate communications, such as deficient information technology systems in place to carry out their functions in a timely fashion; 3) lack of authority to report potential PHEICs; and 4) inadequacies in some resources made available by the WHO, including a key tool – the NFP Guide. Finally, many NFP representatives expressed concern about how WHO uses the information they receive from NFPs.

Conclusion

Our study, conducted just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, illustrates key challenges experienced by NFPs that can affect States Parties and WHO performance when outbreaks occur. In order for NFPs to be able to rapidly and successfully communicate potential PHEICs such as COVID-19 in the future, continued measures need to be taken by both WHO and States Parties to ensure NFPs have the necessary authority, capacity, training, and resources to effectively carry out their functions as described in the IHR.
Parent–child-agreement on health-related quality of life and its determinants in patients born with Esophageal Atresia: a Swedish–German cross-sectional study
Authors: Witt Stefanie , Dellenmark-Blom Michaela , Kuckuck Susanne , Dingemann Jens , Abrahamsson Kate , Dingemann Carmen , Chaplin John Eric , Ure Benno , Bullinger Monika , Gatzinsky Vladimir , Jönsson Linus , Quitmann Julia Hannah
Published: March 2021

Background

The aim was to compare parent and child-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children born with esophageal atresia (EA) and determine factors that affect the level of parent–child agreement.

Methods

We included 63 parent–child dyads of children born with EA aged 8–18 from Germany and Sweden. The generic PedsQL 4.0™ questionnaire and the condition-specific EA QOL questionnaire were used to assess children’s HRQOL from parents' and children’s perspectives. The PedsQL™ Family Impact Module was used to assess parental HRQOL and Family Functioning.

Results

On an individual level, intra-class correlation coefficients indicated strong levels of parent–child agreement (.61–.97). At the group level, the analyses showed no significant differences between the responses of parents and children. When a disagreement occurred, parents were more likely to rate generic HRQOL lower than the children (19–35%) and condition-specific HRQOL higher than the children (17–33%). Findings of the binary logistic regression analyzes showed that the child’s age, gender, and country (Germany vs. Sweden) were significant predictors of parent–child agreement in condition-specific HRQOL. We did not identify any significant variables that explain agreement for the generic HRQOL.

Conclusion

The parent–child agreement is mostly good, suggesting that parent-reports are a reliable source of information. However, discrepancies may occur and can be explained by the child's age, gender, and country (Sweden vs. Germany). Both perspectives are essential sources for treating EA patients and should not be considered right or wrong. Instead, this information broadens the perspective on pediatric EA patients.
Construction autophagy-related prognostic risk signature to facilitate survival prediction, individual treatment and biomarker excavation of epithelial ovarian cancer patients
Authors: Fei Hongjun , Chen Songchang , Xu Chenming
Published: March 2021

Background

Existing clinical methods for prognosis evaluating for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) patients had defects of invasive, unsystematic and subjective and little data are available for individualizing treatment, therefore, to identify potential prognostic markers and new therapeutic targets for EOC is urgently required.

Results

Expression of 232 autophagy-related genes (ARGs) in 354 EOC and 56 human ovarian surface epithelial specimens from 7 independent laboratories were analyzed, 31 mRNAs were identified as DEARGs. We did functional and pathway enrichment analysis and constructed protein–protein interaction network for all DEARGs. To screen out candidate DEARGs related to EOC patients’ survival and construct an autophagy-related prognostic risk signature, univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were established separately. Finally, 5 optimal independent prognostic DEARGs (PEX3, DNAJB9, RB1, HSP90AB1 and CXCR4) were confirmed and the autophagy-related risk model was established by the 5 prognostic DEARGs. The accuracy and robustness of the prognostic risk model for survival prediction were evaluated and verified by analyzing the correlation between EOC patients’ survival status, clinicopathological features and risk scores.

Conclusions

The autophagy-related prognostic risk model can be independently used to predict overall survival in EOC patients, it can also potentially assist in individualizing treatment and biomarker development.
Spontaneous resolution of atopic dermatitis incidental to participation in benralizumab clinical trial for severe, uncontrolled asthma: a case report
Authors: Pham David N.
Published: March 2021

Background

T cell-mediated eosinophilia is associated with numerous conditions—including atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and asthma—collectively known as the “atopic march.” Benralizumab is a recombinant, humanized, afucosylated monoclonal antibody directed against the ⍺ chain of the eosinophil cell surface receptor IL-5R. Benralizumab treatment causes near-complete depletion of circulating eosinophils and was approved in 2017 for add-on, maintenance treatment of severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype, based on the results of the CALIMA and SIROCCO pivotal trials. Benralizumab is not currently approved for the treatment of eosinophilic conditions besides asthma; however, during the CALIMA trial, spontaneous resolution of atopic dermatitis was observed in a patient, concurrent with reduction in her asthma symptoms.

Case presentation

In January 2015, a 14-year-old Asian girl with severe, uncontrolled asthma was enrolled in CALIMA. The patient’s baseline eosinophil blood count was 1200 cells/μL, her pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 1.9 L and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio was 71.4%, and her post-bronchodilator FEV1 was 3.2 L (FEV1/FVC of 115.9%). Her overall baseline asthma symptom score was 3.9 and her asthma exacerbation rate in the prior year was 4. She also displayed a pronounced, pruritic, chronic, inflammatory rash consistent with atopic dermatitis across her face. The investigator was blinded to the patient’s treatment group during treatment; however, her asthma symptoms diminished over the course of the study (FEV1 at 56 weeks, 3.01 L/110.5% (pre) and 3.25 L/119.3% (post); overall asthma symptom score 2.1; one influenza-associated exacerbation). Furthermore, her atopic dermatitis symptoms resolved spontaneously within the first 5 months of the study. After unblinding, the patient was confirmed to have been randomized to an active treatment arm, and her blood eosinophil count had dropped below the limit of detection after the first study dose.

Conclusions

Given the potential shared mechanisms between eosinophilic asthma and atopic dermatitis, it is plausible that benralizumab-induced eosinopenia factored into the resolution of the patient’s atopic dermatitis. Further clinical studies are warranted to determine whether benralizumab or other drugs targeted against IL-5/IL-5R may be useful in managing multiple conditions associated with eosinophilia.
Complete convergence for weighted sums of widely orthant-dependent random variables
Authors: Chen Pingyan , Sung Soo Hak
Published: March 2021

The complete convergence results for weighted sums of widely orthant-dependent random variables are obtained. A strong law of large numbers for weighted sums of widely orthant-dependent random variables is also obtained. Our results extend and generalize some results of Chen and Sung (J. Inequal. Appl. 2018:121, 2018), Zhang et al. (J. Math. Inequal. 12:1063–1074, 2018), Chen and Sung (Stat. Probab. Lett. 154:108544, 2019), Lang et al. (Rev. Mat. Complut., 2020, 10.1007/s13163-020-00369-5), and Liang (Stat. Probab. Lett. 48:317–325, 2000).
Hyperchaotic behaviors, optimal control, and synchronization of a nonautonomous cardiac conduction system
Authors: Baleanu Dumitru , Sajjadi Samaneh Sadat , Asad Jihad H. , Jajarmi Amin , Estiri Elham
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the hyperchaos analysis, optimal control, and synchronization of a nonautonomous cardiac conduction system are investigated. We mainly analyze, control, and synchronize the associated hyperchaotic behaviors using several approaches. More specifically, the related nonlinear mathematical model is firstly introduced in the forms of both integer- and fractional-order differential equations. Then the related hyperchaotic attractors and phase portraits are analyzed. Next, effectual optimal control approaches are applied to the integer- and fractional-order cases in order to overcome the obnoxious hyperchaotic performance. In addition, two identical hyperchaotic oscillators are synchronized via an adaptive control scheme and an active controller for the integer- and fractional-order mathematical models, respectively. Simulation results confirm that the new nonlinear fractional model shows a more flexible behavior than its classical counterpart due to its memory effects. Numerical results are also justified theoretically, and computational experiments illustrate the efficacy of the proposed control and synchronization strategies.
A nationwide assessment of the burden of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use among surgical patients: results from Serbian point prevalence survey, 2017
Authors: Šuljagić Vesna , Bajčetić Milica , Mioljević Vesna , Dragovac Gorana , Mijović Biljana , Janićijević Ivana , Đorđević Zorana , Krtinić Gordana , Rakić Violeta , Ćirković Ivana , Nikolić Vladimir , Marković-Denić Ljiljana
Published: March 2021

Background

As the only non-European Union (EU) country, Serbia participated in a second point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial use (AMU) organized by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in the EU countries. Here, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of HAI and AMU in patients who had recently undergone a surgery and to compare risk profile, HAI rates, and AMU among surgical patients and non-surgical patients.

Methods

A national PPS was performed in 65 Serbian acute-care hospitals, in November 2017. In this paper, the data of 61 hospitals for adult acute-care were analyzed. To ensure the comparability of study design we used the Serbian translation of ECDC case definitions and ECDC PPS protocol. The trained infection control staff, led by a hospital coordinator, reviewed medical records to identify HAI active at the time of the survey and AMU. Only inpatients admitted to the ward before 8 a.m. on the day if the survey were included.

Results

A total of 12,478 patients from 61 hospitals for adult acute-care were eligible for inclusion in this study. Significantly higher proportions of surgical patients were female, belonged to the 60-to-79 age group, and were less severely ill. Also, extrinsic factors (invasive devices, hospitalization at the ICU, and prior antibiotics therapy) were more frequent in surgical patients. Prevalence of HAIs was higher among surgical patients (261/3626; 7.2%) than among non-surgical patients (258/8852; 2.9%) (p < 0.0001). The highest prevalence of all HAIs was noted in patients who had kidney transplantation (4/11; 36.4%), while SSIs were the most prevalent among patients who had peripheral vascular bypass surgery (3/15; 20.0%). Non-surgical patients received treatment for community-acquired infections in significantly higher proportion (2664/8852; 64.3) (p < 0.001). Surgical prophylaxis for more than 1 day was applied in 71.4% of surgical patients.

Conclusion

We have provided an insight into the burden of HAIs and AMU among Serbia acute-care hospitals, and highlighted several priority areas and targets for quality improvement.
Trends in burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in countries, regions, and worldwide from 1990 to 2017: results from the Global Burden of Disease study
Authors: Ou Ze-Jin , Yu Dan-Feng , Liang Yuan-Hao , He Wen-Qiao , Li Yong-Zhi , Meng Ya-Xian , Xiong Hu-Sheng , Zhang Min-Yi , He Huan , Gao Yu-Han , Wu Fei , Chen Qing
Published: March 2021

Background

Antituberculosis-drug resistance is an important public health issue, and its epidemiological patterns has dramatically changed in recent decades. This study aimed to estimate the trends of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which can be used to inform health strategies.

Methods

Data were collected from the Global Burden of Disease study 2017. The estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to assess the trends of MDR-TB burden at global, regional, and national level from 1990 to 2017 using the linear regression model.

Results

Globally, the age-standardized rate (ASR) of MDR-TB burden including incidence, prevalence, death and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) had pronounced increasing trends from 1990 to 1999, with the EAPCs were 17.63 [95% confidence interval (CI): 10.77–24.92], 17.57 (95% CI 11.51–23.95), 21.21 (95% CI 15.96–26.69), and 21.90 (95% CI 16.55–27.50), respectively. Particularly, the largest increasing trends were seen in areas and countries with low and low-middle sociodemographic index (SDI). However, the trends in incidence, prevalence, death and DALYs of MDR-TB decreased globally from 2000 to 2017, with the respective EAPCs were − 1.37 (95% CI − 1.62 to − 1.12), − 1.32 (95% CI − 1.38 to − 1.26), − 3.30 (95% CI − 3.56 to − 3.04) and − 3.32 (95% CI − 3.59 to − 3.06). Decreasing trends of MDR-TB were observed in most regions and countries, particularly that of death and DALYs in Slovenia were − 18.96 (95% CI − 20.82 to − 17.06) and -19.35 (95% CI − 21.10 to − 17.55), respectively. Whereas the pronounced increasing trends of MDR-TB occurred in Papua New Guinea, Singapore, and Australia.

Conclusions

The ASR of MDR-TB showed pronounced decreasing trends from 2000 to 2017. However, the MDR-TB burden remains a substantial challenge to the TB control globally, and requires effective control strategies and healthcare systems.
Increased spatial resolution of sampling in the Carpathian basin helps to understand the phylogeny of central European stream-dwelling gudgeons
Authors: Takács Péter , Ferincz Árpád , Imecs István , Kovács Balázs , Nagy András Attila , Ihász Katalin , Vitál Zoltán , Csoma Eszter
Published: March 2021

Background

Phylogenetic studies of widespread European fish species often do not completely cover their entire distribution area, and some areas are often excluded from analyses than others. For example, Carpathian stocks are often omitted from these surveys or are under-represented in the samples. However, this area served as an extra-Mediterranean refugia for many species; therefore, it is assumed that fish stocks here may show special phylogenetic features. For this reason, increased spatial resolution of sampling, namely revealing genetic information from unexamined Carpathian areas within the range of doubtful taxa, may help us better understand their phylogenetic features. To test this hypothesis, a phylogenetic investigation using a partial mtCR sequence data was conducted on 56 stream-dwelling freshwater fish (Gobio spp.) individuals collected from 11 rivers of the data-deficient Southeastern Carpathian area. Moreover, we revieved the available phylogenetic data of Middle-Danubian stream-dwelling gudgeon lineages to delineate their distribution in the area.

Results

Seven out of the nine detected haplotypes were newly described, suggesting the studied area hosts distinct and diverse Gobio stocks. Two valid species (G. obtusirostris, G. gobio), and a haplogroup with doubtful phylogenetic position” G. sp. 1" were detected in the area, showing a specific spatial distribution pattern. The distribution of the detected lineages in the Middle-Danubian area correspond with recent and paleo hydrogeographic features, at the same time mainly on their bordering areas show considerable overlap.

Conclusions

Despite the relatively limited geographic range of the study, our results provide important information which contributes to a better understanding of the phylogenetic, taxonomic and distribution features of Central European gudgeons. The genetically confirmed distribution data of the indicated lineages corresponds well with the recent and near-recent hydrogeographic features of the area, and assumes several hybrid zones in the Carpathian Basin. Additionally, the results show that the middle and lower Danubian watershed cannot be excluded from the range of G. gobio. Moreover, the” G. sp. 1", is slightly differentiated but phylogenetically distinct entity, and is the only Gobio taxa thus far detected in the middle and lower Tisza-basin. However, further investigations are necessary to clarify the taxonomic position of this group.
Large-cube 30° × 25° optical coherence tomography in diabetic macular edema
Authors: Mahdjoubi Amir , Bousnina Youcef , Bendib Fatma-Samia , Bensmaine Faiza , Idlefqih Wafa , Chahed Sadri , Ghezzaz Amina
Published: March 2021

Background

To evaluate the contribution of large-cube 30° × 25° optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the characterization of diabetic macular edema (DME) by assessing its extent and the presence of additional retinal edemas and to evaluate the factors that influenced their occurrence.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled patients with diabetes who presented with retinal edema detected by horizontal large-cube 30° × 25° (8.7 × 7.3 mm) OCT. Two individualized areas were selected from the thickness map: the area within the 6-mm Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid, and that outside the ETDRS grid. Retinal edemas located within the ETDRS grid were designated as “main DME” and those located outside the ETDRS grid were designated as “peripheral retinal edemas.” For each area, OCT features were assessed while the extent of the main DME and the presence of peripheral retinal oedema were analysed in the area outside the ETDRS grid. Finally, part of included eyes was followed by the same protocol, of which a part benefited from intravitreal injections.

Results

Peripheral events were detected outside the ETDRS area in 279 eyes (74.4%) of the 375 eyes of the 218 patients included in this study: an extension of the main DME outside ETDRS grid in 177 eyes (47.2%) and/or the presence of peripheral retinal edemas in 207 eyes (55.2%). The analysis of associations between main DME and peripheral retinal edemas patterns did not find an association for retinal cyst localization (P = 0.42) while a week association was found fort cyst size (Cramer’s V = 0.188, p = 0.028). Nevertheless, a moderate association was found for the presence of microaneurysms (Cramer’s V = 0.247, p < 0.001) and strong association for hard exudates (Cramer’s V = 0.386, p < 0.001), The binary logistic regression analysis retained the following influencing factors of the occurrence of peripheral events: advanced DR stage (Odds ratio OR = 2.19, p = 0.03), diffuse DME (OR = 7.76, p < 0.001) and its location in outer fields (OR = 7.09, p = 0.006). Likewise, the extension of the main DME outside the ETDRS area in was influenced by the same factors in addition to CMT (OR = 0.98, p = 0.004) while the presence of peripheral retinal edema was influenced by the same factors except the outer location of the Main DME. Finally, from the 94 eyes treated by intravitreal injections, extension of the main DME outside the ETDRS grid was detected in 54 eyes (56.44%) at baseline visit and still remained detectable in 37 eyes (39.36%) after treatment initiation.

Conclusions

Large-cube 30° × 25° OCT allowed for more precise assessment of DME extension and better detection of retinal thickening mainly in the advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy with significant DME whether at the baseline visit or during follow-up. The combination of this protocol with a wider ETDRS grid would enhance DME detection and topography.
Perinatal outcomes of human singletons conceived naturally versus assisted reproductive technologies: analysis of the effect of stimulated IVF, modified natural IVF, and frozen embryo transfer
Authors: Khudhari Adhwaa , Mourad Ali , Phillips Simon , Alam Mohammad Zubair , Hemmings Robert , Jamal Wael
Published: March 2021

Background

Obstetrical outcomes in assisted reproduction techniques (ART) were compared with naturally conceived pregnancies and among each other in multiple reports. However, many important changes in the practice of in vitro fertilization (IVF) over the years, including single embryo transfers (sET) and the introduction of modified natural IVF (mnIVF), and the advances in the frozen embryo transfer (FET) might have impacted the outcomes. Our study is the first to our knowledge to assess four different groups, including spontaneous pregnancies, mnIVF, stimulated IVF (sIVF), and FET altogether in a head-to-head comparison. This is a retrospective study on perinatal outcomes of singleton babies conceived naturally or using three different ART protocols between 2011 and 2014. The primary objective was the comparison of gestational age and birth weight between spontaneously conceived pregnancies (NAT, n= 15,770), mnIVF (n=235), sIVF (n=389), and FET (n=222).

Results

Our results show a significant difference in favor of naturally conceived pregnancies over ART in term of gestational age. In fact, the gestational age of babies in the NAT group was statistically higher compared to each one of the ART groups alone. Regarding the birth weight, the mean was significantly higher in the FET group compared to the other categories.

Conclusion

Differences in perinatal outcomes are still found among babies born after different modes of conception. However, there is still need for well-designed high-quality trials assessing perinatal outcomes between naturally conceived pregnancies and different ART protocols based on different maternal and treatment characteristics.