bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cars, compounds and containers: Judicial and extrajudicial infrastructures of punishment in the ‘old’ and ‘new’ South Africa
Authors: Super Gail
Published: February 2022

This paper examines non-state infrastructures of vigilante violence in marginalized spaces in South Africa. I argue that car trunks, shacks, containers, and other everyday receptacles function as the underside of official institutions, such as prisons and police lock-ups, and bear historical imprints of the extrajudicial punishments inflicted on black bodies during colonialism and apartheid. I focus on two techniques: forcing someone into the trunk of a vehicle and driving them around to locate stolen property, and confinement in garages, shacks, containers, or local public spaces. Whereas in formerly ‘whites only’ areas, residents have access to insurance, guards, gated communities, fortified fences, and well-resourced neighbourhood watches, in former black townships and informal settlements, this is not the case. Here, the boot, the shack, the shed, the car, and the minibus taxi play multiple roles, including as vectors and spaces of confinement, torture, and execution. Thus, spatiotemporality affects both how penal forms permeate space and time, and how space and time constitute penal forms. These vigilante kidnappings and forcible confinements are not mere instances of gratuitous violence. Instead, they mimic, distort, and amplify the violence that underpins the state's unrealized monopoly over the violence inherent in its claims to police and punish.
Performance comparison analysis of 3D reconstruction modeling software in construction site visualization and mapping
Authors: Keyvanfar Ali , Shafaghat Arezou , Rosley Muhamad SF
Published: February 2022

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has overcome the limitations of conventional construction management methods using advanced and automated visualization and 3D reconstruction modeling techniques. Although the mapping techniques and reconstruction modeling software can generate real-time and high-resolution descriptive textural, physical, and spatial data, they may fail to develop an accurate and complete 3D model of the construction site. To generate a quality 3D reconstruction model, the construction manager must optimize the trade-offs among three major software-selection factors: functionalities, technical capabilities, and the system hardware specifications. These factors directly affect the robust 3D reconstruction model of the construction site and objects. Accordingly, the purpose of this research was to apply nine well-established 3D reconstruction modeling software tools (DroneDeploy, COLMAP, 3DF+Zephyr, Autodesk Recap, LiMapper, PhotoModeler, 3D Survey, AgiSoft Photoscan, and Pix4D Mapper) and compare their performances and reliabilities in generating complete 3D models. The research was conducted in an eco-home building at the University of Technology, Malaysia. A series of regression analyses were conducted to compare the performances of the selected 3D reconstruction modeling software in alignment and registration, distance computing, geometric measurement, and plugin execution. Regression analysis determined that among the software programs, LiMapper had the strongest positive linear correlation with the ground truth model. Furthermore, the correlation analysis showed a statistically significant p-value for all software, except for 3D Survey. In addition, the research found that Autodesk Recap generated the most-robust and highest-quality dense point clouds. DroneDeploy can create an accurate point cloud and triangulation without using many points as required by COLMAP and LiMapper. It was concluded that most of the software is robustly, positively, and linearly correlated with the corresponding ground truth model. In the future, other factors involving software selection should be studied, such as vendor-related, user-related, and automation factors.
Fabrication and thermal assessment of three-layer woven heating fabrics
Authors: Nazem Boushehri Arash , Ezazshahabi Nazanin , Tehran Mohammad Amani
Published: February 2022

Due to the particular physiological conditions of the human body, activity in cold weather condition is of great importance and needs unique thermal clothing. In this research, three-layered heating fabrics were designed and woven to analyze their performance in cold climates. The samples consist of three types of heating elements (nickel-chrome, tungsten, and aluminum-chrome) and two different states for embedding the heating elements in the fabric structure. In order to investigate the effect of voltage on the heat flux and maximum temperature, all specimens were subjected to two voltage levels of 9 and 12 V for 10 min, the process of heat production, the influence of structural factors on the flux and temperature and also the thermal efficiency was analyzed. In addition, in order to select the optimum sample, the amount of required energy for maintaining body comfort was calculated based on the theoretical equations at the ambient temperatures of −5 and −10°C. The results showed that the woven sample using tungsten elements and the weft-to-element ratio of 12 had the desirable heating performance and could maintain the skin surface temperature around the thermal comfort zone.
Objective and subjective evaluation of various aspects of hand performance considering protective glove’s constructional parameters
Authors: Zare Bidoki Farzaneh , Ezazshahabi Nazanin , Mousazadegan Fatemeh , Latifi Masoud
Published: February 2022

Hands are one of the most vital parts of the body, and many tasks are carried out by hands. Particularly in industrial environments, hands may be exposed to various dangers and consequently injuries; thus protection of them is of great prominence. In this study, the effects of wearing a group of industrial protective gloves on hand performance, were investigated. The mentioned gloves varied in terms of material, thickness, and also the amount of layers. This research evaluates the effect of gloves’ constituent materials, including tarpaulin, leather, and protective layers such as neoprene and spacer, and a cotton nonwoven layer for added hand comfort, on hand performance. Objective and subjective experiments were performed for the assessment of pain threshold force, hand strength (dynamometers and gripping/lifting pipe test), tactile sensitivity (“two-point” discrimination method), and manual dexterity (bolt closure, valve opening, and wrist motion range tests) and an acceptable linear correlation was obtained between the objective and subjective (Thurston’s pair-comparison judgments) outcomes. The results showed that wearing gloves and increasing the number of gloves’ layers, improved the protective performance concerning the increased pain threshold tolerance. On the other hand, wearing multi-layer protective gloves decreased the gloved hand tactile sensitivity, strength capability, and also the range of finger and wrist motion as a measure of manual dexterity.
Preoperative Neutrophil-BMI Ratio As a Promising New Marker for Predicting Tumor Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Xie Weishun , Huang Xiaoliang , Wei Chunyin , Mo Xianwei , Ru Haiming , Zhang Lihua , Ge Lianying , Tang Weizhong , Liu Jungang
Published: February 2022

Background: Inflammation and nutritional status are highly associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the preoperative neutrophil-BMI ratio (NBR) in patients with CRC. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 2471 patients with CRC who underwent surgical resection between 2004 and 2019. Patients were divided into two groups based on the cutoff value for NBR. Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier curves were used to evaluate overall survival (OS). Results: High NBR was associated with female sex, low BMI, colon, right-sided CRC, poor differentiation, T3 to 4 stage, M1 to 2 stage, high carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, III-IV stage, microsatellite instability (MSI), and no adjuvant chemotherapy (all P < .05). The high NBR group had a shorter OS than the low NBR group. Female and right sided patients with CRC and with high NBR had a worse prognosis. Univariate Cox regression suggested that NBR was significantly associated with poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis confirmed that age (P = .019,HR:1.012), differentiation (P = .001,HR:1.306), TNM stage (P < .001,HR:2.432), CEA (P = .014,HR:1.001), and NBR (P < .001, HR: 3.309) were independent poor prognostic factors for OS. Subgroup univariate analysis indicated that female patients with high NBR had a worse prognosis. A nomogram composed of TNM stage, CEA, and NBR was developed, and internal validation was based on female patients with CRC. The nomogram provided good discrimination for both the training and validation sets, with area under the curve values of 0.79 and 0.769, respectively. Conclusions: High preoperative levels of NBR are indicators of poor prognosis in patients with CRC.
Role of Dipeptidyl Dipeptidase 4 Inhibitors in the Management of Diabetic Foot
Authors: Yu Wen-hui , Zhang Tong , Xu Heng
Published: February 2022

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus face difficulties in wound healing. It is important to explore therapeutic options for diabetic complications such as ulcers. This study evaluates the role of dipeptidyl dipeptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4i) in the management of diabetic foot. Methods: Literature search was conducted in electronic databases (Google Scholar, Ovid, PubMed, Science Direct, and Springer) and studies were selected for inclusion if they reported the incidence rate of diabetic foot ulcer during DPP4i treatment or evaluated the effect of DPP4i on wound healing. Incidence rates of foot ulcer, amputation and peripheral vascular disease were pooled to achieve overall estimates. Meta-analyses of odds ratios were performed to evaluate the risk of foot ulcer, amputation, and peripheral vascular disease with DPP4i, and to examine the effect of DPP4i treatment on ulcer healing. Results: Ten studies (532354 DPP4i and 2092010 non-DPP4i treated diabetes patients) were included. Incidence rates of foot ulcer, amputation, and peripheral vascular disease were 3.80 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.22, 7.39], 0.82 [95%CI: 0.60, 1.05], and 22.33 [95%CI: 9.14, 35.53] per 1000 person-years respectively in patients treated with DPP4i and 3.60 [95%CI: 1.77, 5.39], 0.76 [95%CI: 0.58, 0.94], and 20.9 [95%CI: 16.04, 25.81] per 1000 person-years respectively in patients treated with non-DPP4i drugs. Risk of ulcer or amputation with DPP4i was not consistent across studies. Odds of non-healing of ulcer were significantly lower with DPP4i in comparison with controls (odds ratio: 0.27 [95%CI: 0.10, 0.71]; p = 0.008). Conclusion: Incidence rates of diabetic foot and amputation are found to be similar with DPP4i and non-DPP4i drugs. DPP4i improved wound healing of diabetic foot in 3-month randomized trials.
Effects of Cognitive Training and Social Support on Cancer-Related Fatigue and Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Dun Liu , Xian-Yi Wu , Si-Ting Huang
Published: February 2022

Background:

Few studies have evaluated the effects of cognitive training and social support on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to examine the efficacy of cognitive training and social support in colorectal cancer patients and survivors.

Methods:

The PubMed, Ovid, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched from database establishment until August 2021 to identify suitable studies according to relevant key words, taking cancer-related fatigue and quality of life as the outcomes. The Jadad scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies. Stata 15.1 software was used for statistical analyses, and sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results:

Eleven studies (6 published in English and 5 published in Chinese) involving 980 patients and survivors were included in the meta-analysis. All studies had Jadad scores ≥3. Statistically significant effects of cognitive training and social support were detected for cancer-related fatigue within 14 weeks (SMD = −1.13, P < .001) and after 14 weeks (SMD = −0.56, P < .001), overall quality of life within 14 weeks (SMD = 0.73, P < .001) and after 14 weeks (SMD = 0.54, P = .003). However, no statistically significant effects of the combination intervention were detected on long-term QOL (SMD = 0.50, P = .435).

Conclusions:

Distinct cognitive interventions and a combination of cognitive and social support interventions can help to alleviate long-term and short-term CRF and short-term QOL. Further studies are needed to examine the mechanisms of cognitive training and social support for cancer-related fatigue and overall quality of life in patients and survivors with colorectal cancer.
Security of medical images over insecure communication channels using zero-steganography
Authors: Abdul Wadood
Published: February 2022

Secure and private communication has gained much focus on the international arena recently due to the ability of certain organizations to eavesdrop on private communication. This ability is further increased in the Internet of Medical Things scenario where medical images and private data are shared over insecure channels. This work is focused on a new and exciting question related to medical image steganography: is it possible to send hidden information through a cover medium, that is a medical image, without making any alteration to the cover medium in an effective manner? The proposed work has shown that it is possible to send hidden information through a medical image without making any alteration to the original medical image. This solves two problems at the same time. The first problem is that privacy and security approaches that depend on watermarking and steganography usually need some sort of modification to the medical images. The second is the knowledge that there is steganography taking place is completely hidden as no change is made to the medical image. Experiments have shown that the proposed approach under investigation demonstrates effective robustness against attacks like filtering, compression, and addition of noise.
Fluorescence Imaging Using Methylene Blue Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Melanoma
Authors: Cwalinski Tomasz , Skokowski Jarosław , Polom Wojciech , Marano Luigi , Swierblewski Maciej , Drucis Kamil , Roviello Giandomenico , Cwalina Natalia , Kalinowski Leszek , Roviello Franco , Polom Karol
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Fluorescence imaging of sentinel node biopsy in melanoma is a novel method. Both indocyanine green (ICG) and methylene blue (MB) have fluorescent properties. The aim of this study was to present, for the first time in a clinical series of patients, the possible usage of MB as a fluorescent dye for sentinel node biopsy during surgery for melanoma.

Material and methods

Twenty patients with skin melanoma, who were candidates for sentinel node biopsy were enrolled in our study. All patients underwent simultaneous use of standard nanocolloid and blue dye. Transcutaneous visualization of the sentinel node, visualization of lymphatic channels as well as sentinel node fluorescent visualization were all measured. We also performed calculations of Signal to Background ratios (SBR).

Results

In 15% (3/20) of patients, the fluorescent sentinel node was visible through the skin. The median SBR for the sentinel node visualization by fluorescence was 3.15 (range, 2.7–3.5). Lymphatic channels were visible in lymphatic tissue via fluorescence before visualization by the naked eye in 4 patients (20%). The median SBR ratio was 3.69 (range, 2.7–4.2). Sentinel nodes were visible by fluorescence in 13 cases (65%). The median SBR ratio was 2.49 (range, 1.5–5.7). No factors were found to be associated with fluorescent MB visualization of a sentinel node during biopsy.

Conclusion

This is the first clinical study presenting the usefulness of fluorescent sentinel node biopsy in melanoma patients using MB as a fluorophore. Further studies are necessary to provide methods for its’ clinical implementation.
Sawing energy in mechanical crank press drives
Authors: Hlavac Jan , Dekastello Jiri , Cechura Milan , Volejnicek Martin , Kubec Vaclav
Published: February 2022

The paper deals with the drive options of mechanical presses and their influence on energy efficiency. Although the main focus is on energy efficiency, we also emphasize design and operational issues. The press machine is divided into two separate sections – the machine side and the drive side. The machine side and its efficiency is described using an energy balance formula. We quantify the energy balance for an 80 MN forging press. We describe eight different types of drives from a typical drive with a flywheel to direct drive and their combinations. We describe individual losses and efficiencies for components of the drive side.
MicroRNA miR-34a-5p inhibition restrains oxidative stress injury of macrophages by targeting MDM4
Authors: Kong Juan , Liu Lei , Song Laixin , Zhao Ruifeng , Feng Ying
Published: February 2022

Objective

Atherosclerosis is a chronic cardiovascular disease associated with oxidative stress damage, which is caused by excessive oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). The role of microRNA miR-34a-5p on oxidative stress in ox-LDL–treated macrophages was investigated in this study.

Methods

Flow cytometry was prepared for assessing THP1-derived macrophage apoptosis. The protein and expression levels of miR-34a-5p and MDM4 were examined by Western blot and RT-qPCR, respectively. We also measured the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride to determine the lipid accumulation. Subsequently, the activities of superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and reactive oxygen species revealed the level of oxidative stress injury after miR-34a-5p and MDM4 knockdown.

Results

After ox-LDL treatment, cell apoptosis of macrophages increased in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. With the increase of ox-LDL treatment and the prolongation of treatment time, the expression level of miR-34a-5p was upregulated. Next, interfering with miR-34a-5p inhibited lipid accumulation and oxidative stress injury in ox-LDL–stimulated macrophages. MDM4 was a target gene of miR-34a-5p and was upregulated in ox-LDL–stimulated macrophages. With the increase of ox-LDL treatment and the prolongation of treatment time, the expression level of MDM4 was downregulated. Importantly, MDM4 knockdown partially counteracted the inhibitory effect of miR-34a-5p on oxidative stress injury.

Conclusion

MicroRNA miR-34a-5p knockdown suppressed oxidative stress injury via MDM4 in ox-LDL–treated macrophages.
Imagining emotional events benefits future-oriented decisions
Authors: Ballance Braedon C , Tuen Young Ji , Petrucci Aria S , Orwig William , Safi Omran K , Madan Christopher R , Palombo Daniela J
Published: February 2022

How does imagining future events—whether positive or negative—influence our choices in the present? Prior work has shown the simulation of hypothetical future events, dubbed episodic future thinking, can alter the propensity to engage in delay discounting (the tendency to devalue future rewards) and does so in a valence-specific manner. Some research shows that positive episodic future thinking reduces delay discounting, whereas negative future thinking augments it. However, more recent research indicates that both positive and negative episodic future thinking reduce delay discounting, suggesting an effect of episodic future thinking that is independent of valence. In this study, we sought to replicate and extend these latter findings. Here, participants ( N = 604; N = 572 after exclusions) completed an online study. In the baseline task, participants completed a delay discounting task. In the experimental task, they engaged in episodic future thinking before completing a second delay discounting task. Participants were randomly assigned to engage in either positive, neutral, or negative episodic future thinking. In accordance with Bulley et al., we found that episodic future thinking, regardless of valence, reduced delay discounting. Although episodic future thinking shifted decision-making in all conditions, the effect was stronger when participants engaged in positive episodic future thinking, even after accounting for personal relevance and vividness of imagined events. These findings suggest that episodic future thinking may promote future-oriented choices by contextualising the future, and this effect is further strengthened when the future is tied to positive emotion.
Pre-treatment lesional volume in older stroke patients treated with endovascular treatment
Authors: Duloquin Gauthier , Ferrigno Marc , Hassen Wagih Ben , Kyheng Maéva , Bricout Nicolas , Boulouis Grégoire , Seners Pierre , Labreuche Julien , Turc Guillaume , Naggara Olivier , Cordonnier Charlotte , Henon Hilde , Pasi Marco
Published: February 2022

Background:

Recent studies in the general stroke population treated with endovascular treatment (EVT) reported that higher pre-treatment lesional volumes were independently associated with poor neurological outcome and functional dependence after stroke. However, it has been not evaluated in older patients.

Aim:

We test the association between the pre-treatment lesional volume on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and relevant outcome measures in older adults with stroke treated with EVT.

Methods:

We included consecutive older adults with stroke (⩾80 years old) treated with EVT in two academic comprehensive stroke centers. The association between pre-treatment lesional volume and relevant outcome measures (poor outcome (modified Rankin scale 4–6), 3-month mortality and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH)) was evaluated using univariate and multivariable models.

Results:

Five hundred seventy-nine patients were included (mean age: 85.6 ± 4.1, median lesional volume was 10 ml; interquartile range: 3–30 ml). Pre-treatment lesional volume was associated with poor functional outcome (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.60–2.20, for +1 logarithmic increase of lesional volume), 3-month mortality (aOR: 1.50, CI: 1.28–1.76), and sICH (aOR: 1.67, CI: 1.27–2.20). A threshold lesional volume >35 ml predicted 90% of patients with poor functional outcome and a cut-off >51 ml predicted 90% of patients dead at 3 months.

Conclusions:

Pre-treatment lesional volume might contribute, in association with other relevant clinical features, to the selection of older stroke patients who will benefit from EVT.
What is an Emotion? A Connectionist Perspective
Authors: Suri Gaurav , Gross James J.
Published: February 2022

Researchers often disagree as to whether emotions are largely consistent across people and over time, or whether they are variable. They also disagree as to whether emotions are initiated by appraisals, or whether they may be initiated in diverse ways. We draw upon Parallel-Distributed-Processing to offer an algorithmic account in which features of an emotion instance are bi-directionally connected to each other via conjunction units. We propose that such indirect connections may be innate as well as learned. These ideas lead to the development of the Interactive Activation and Competition framework for Emotion (IAC-E) which allows us to specify when emotions are consistent and when they are variable, as well as when they are appraisal-led and when they are input-agnostic.
How did the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic affect urology practice in Arab countries? A cross-sectional study by the Arab Association of Urology research gr﻿oup
Authors: Noureldin Yasser A. , Elmohamady Basheer , El-Dakhakhny Amr S. , Omar Mohamed , Desoky Esam E.A. , Ghazwani Yahia , Hamri Saeed Bin , Alkhayal Abdullah , Alrabeeah Khalid , Kamal Wissam , Farag Fawzy , Farahat Yasser
Published: February 2022

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess of the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on urology practice in the Arab world during the first year of the crisis.

Methods:

An Internet-based questionnaire was created and sent out via email to members of the Arab Association of Urology (AAU) using ‘Google Forms’. The survey assessed participants’ demographics in terms of age, gender, country of origin, type of practice and position. Impacts of COVID-19 on urological practice were assessed in terms of the changes in hospital policies regarding consultations, and elective and emergency surgical cases. Moreover, impacts of COVID-19 on urologists were assessed.

Results:

A total of 255 AAU members across 14 Arab countries (Emirates, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Algeria, Kuwait, Yemen, Qatar, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Sudan and Syria) completed the survey; 4% were female urologists. Consultations at outpatient clinics were closed or restricted to emergency cases or replaced by telemedicine in almost 15%, 40% and 25% of hospitals, respectively. Elective surgeries were stopped or reduced to under 25% of surgical capacity in >10% and about 25% of hospitals, respectively. Almost 90% (228) reported changes in the policy for emergency theatres. Nearly 65% of hospitals offered preoperative COVID-19 testing to patients and 50% of hospitals provided personal protective equipment (PPE) to their urologists. Of 99% (253) who reported a change in urological education, 95% relied on online webinars. About 56% of respondents had their own private practice, of whom 91% continued private practice during the crisis. About 38% of participants reported exposure to intimidation (75% emotional, 20% verbal and 5% physical).

Conclusion:

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in major changes in hospitals’ policies regarding outpatient consultations, elective and emergency operative cases, and the shift to telemedicine. Arab urologists have been facing major challenges either in both the governmental or the private sectors, and some of them were exposed to emotional, verbal and even physical intimidation.
Overview of systemic therapy options in liposarcoma, with a focus on the activity of selinexor, a selective inhibitor of nuclear export in dedifferentiated liposarcoma
Authors: Thirasastr Prapassorn , Somaiah Neeta
Published: February 2022

Liposarcoma (LPS) is a common soft tissue sarcoma that encompasses diverse subtypes of well-differentiated/dedifferentiated, myxoid/round cell, and pleomorphic LPS. There is heterogeneity among the various LPS types with regard to prognosis, molecular pathogenesis, and response to treatment. Well-differentiated (WDLPS) and dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) are most common types, which share common genetic alteration of chromosome 12q13-15 amplification resulting in amplification of oncogenes, including MDM2 (Mouse double minute 2), CDK4 (cyclin-dependent kinase 4), and HMGA2 (High mobility group protein AT-hook 2). Despite sharing the same molecular alteration, DDLPS has a worse prognosis, with a higher recurrence rate and higher propensity for metastases compared to WDLPS. Here we provide an overview of the LPS treatment landscape focusing on recent developments in the treatment of DDLPS with a focus on selinexor. Selinexor, a selective inhibitor of XPO1, was recently evaluated in a phase 3 trial, the first prospective randomized trial in DDLPS, and we discuss its efficacy in context of other available agents for DDLPS.
Successful treatment of sirolimus in a Chinese patient with refractory LN and APS: a case report
Authors: Zhang Danting , Sun Fangfang , Ye Shuang
Published: February 2022

It has been reported that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and increasing evidence has shown the effect of mTOR-targeted therapies with sirolimus in SLE. The objective of this study was to report the successful treatment of sirolimus in a Chinese patient with refractory lupus nephritis (LN) and anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome (APS). A 44-year-old female with a previous diagnosis of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and APS secondary to SLE presented with lupus nephritis refractory to cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate. Renal biopsy met the criteria of WHO class III LN complicated by acute tubular injury and immunofluorescence confirmed the activation of the mTOR pathway. Treatment with the mTOR inhibitor sirolimus was initiated in this patient. Complete remission (CR) was achieved after 6 months, and flare-free remission was maintained for the next 3.5 years. The literature on the efficacy of sirolimus in patients with LN was reviewed. Although the available evidence is limited to retrospective studies with small sample sizes, sirolimus appeared to be efficacious in some patients with refractory LN. Well-designed clinical trials are warranted, and pathology-guided precision medicine might assist in guiding physicians’ treatment decisions.
Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. Seeds as a Dietary Source of Ellagic Acid
Authors: Zhang Ning , Li Jun , Jiang Hua
Published: February 2022

Ellagic acid (EA), a natural food component, has been identified as a functional food because of its role in disease prevention. In our previous study on the chemical component of the seeds of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc., ellagitannins (ETs) were firstly isolated and identified; these compounds can yield EA by acidic hydrolysis. Therefore, to evaluate the seeds as a potential source of EA, the free and total EA contents of the seeds, sarcocarps, and barks were evaluated separately. The highest total EA content was found in seeds (14.51-21.58 mg/g), followed by the sarcocarp (1.97-4.51 mg/g) and bark (trace amounts). EA mainly existed as ET in both the seeds and sarcocarps, while a small portion existed in free form. The findings of this study prove that the seeds of C. officinalis are a rich source of EA. This study reports a unique EA profile of C. officinalis for the first time, which may assist in the selection of EA sources for use in research and for the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Playing Both Sides: Russian State-Backed Media Coverage of the #BlackLivesMatter Movement
Authors: Bradshaw Samantha , DiResta Renée , Miller Carly
Published: February 2022

Russian influence operations on social media have received significant attention following the 2016 US presidential elections. Here, scholarship has largely focused on the covert strategies of the Russia-based Internet Research Agency and the overt strategies of Russia's largest international broadcaster RT (Russia Today). But since 2017, a number of new news media providers linked to the Russian state have emerged, and less research has focused on these channels and how they may support contemporary influence operations. We conduct a qualitative content analysis of 2,014 Facebook posts about the #BlackLivesMatter (BLM) protests in the United States over the summer of 2020 to comparatively examine the overt propaganda strategies of six Russian-linked news organizations—RT, Ruptly, Soapbox, In The NOW, Sputnik, and Redfish. We found that RT and Sputnik diverged in their framing of the BLM movement from the newer media properties. RT and Sputnik primarily produced negative coverage of the BLM movement, painting protestors as violent, or discussed the hypocrisy of racial justice in America. In contrast, newer media properties like In The NOW, Soapbox, and Redfish supported the BLM movement with clickbait-style videos highlighting racism in America. Video footage bearing the Ruptly brandmark appears in both traditional and new media properties, to illustrate, in real time, civil unrest across the US. By focusing on overt propaganda from the broad array of Russian-affiliated media, our data allows us to further understand the “full spectrum” and “counter-hegemonic” strategies at play in contemporary information operations.
Biomechanical, Morphological, and Biochemical Characteristics of Articular Cartilage of the Ovine Humeral Head
Authors: McCready Erin , Easley Jeremiah T. , Risch Makayla , Troyer Kevin L. , Johnson James W. , Gadomski Benjamin C. , McGilvray Kirk C. , Kisiday John D. , Nelson Brad B.
Published: February 2022

Objective.

Shoulder pain is commonly attributed to rotator cuff injury or osteoarthritis. Ovine translational models are used to investigate novel treatments aimed at remedying these conditions to prevent articular cartilage degeneration and subsequent joint degradation. However, topographical properties of articular cartilage in the ovine shoulder are undefined. This study investigates the biomechanical, morphological, and biochemical attributes of healthy ovine humeral head articular cartilage and characterizes topographical variations between surface locations.

Design.

Ten humeral heads were collected from healthy skeletally mature sheep and each was segregated into 4 quadrants using 16 regions of interest (ROIs) across the articular surface. Articular cartilage of each ROI was analyzed for creep indentation, thickness, and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) and collagen quantity. Comparisons of each variable were made between quadrants and between ROIs within each quadrant.

Results.

Percent creep, thickness, and sGAG content, but not collagen content, were significantly different between humeral head quadrants. Subregion analysis of the ROIs within each surface quadrant revealed differences in all measured variables within at least one quadrant. Percent creep was correlated with sGAG (r = −0.32, P = 0.0001). Collagen content was correlated with percent creep (r = 0.32, P = 0.0009), sGAG (r = −0.19, P = 0.049), and thickness (r = −0.19, P = 0.04).

Conclusions.

Topographical variations exist in mechanical, morphologic, and biochemical properties across the articular surface of the ovine humeral head. Recognizing this variability in ovine humeral head cartilage will provide researchers and clinicians with accurate information that could impact study outcomes.
Quality Improvement in Canadian Nephrology: Key Considerations in Ensuring Thoughtful Ethical Oversight
Authors: Glavinovic Tamara , Hingwala Jay , Harris Claire
Published: February 2022

Purpose of review:

Quality improvement (QI) work is a cornerstone of health care, and a growing area within nephrology. With such growth comes the need to ensure that QI activities are implemented in an ethically responsible manner. The existing institutional research board (IRB) framework has largely focused on reviewing the ethical suitability of traditional research projects, and it can be challenging to know if QI initiatives require formal ethics oversight. Several tools have been developed to assist in distinguishing between the two, such as the “A pRoject Ethics Community Consensus Initiative” tool. Our objective was to demonstrate how QI is distinct from research, to outline how QI-focused IRB process is used across Canada, and to develop a practical aid for clinicians embarking on QI-related projects.

Sources of information:

Publicly available institutional Web sites from academic and select nonacademic sites across Canada.

Methods:

Institutional Web sites across all academic centers within Canada were examined to determine local QI-specific ethics review processes. We have provided examples of QI processes from select community sites. We have developed a tool to assist clinicians navigate the ethical challenges of QI projects and to determine whether their project may require ethics approval.

Key findings:

This overview of the considerations of the research ethics approval process helps clinicians to determine whether IRB approval is required for QI studies. Examples of the current ethical processes employed in both academic and community institutions across Canada demonstrate the variability between centers. We have included examples of fictional nephrology-oriented QI initiatives to illustrate when ethics approval may be considered, along with a flowchart. This summary highlights the opportunity for QI-specific IRB review processes to be standardized across Canada, along with the need for creation of a separate stream with dedicated expertise for QI project review.

Limitations:

We did not do a formal environmental scan of the QI IRB review process in all hospital institutions across Canada.
Cutaneous xanthoma causing hypercalcaemia in a cat
Authors: Ma Doris , Romine Jessica F , Hardcastle Michael
Published: February 2022

Case summary

A 5-year-old male neutered cat weighing 3.56 kg presented owing to the development of two masses over the dorsal cervical and cranial thoracic areas, as well as weight loss, inappetence and vomiting. Diagnostic tests revealed a grossly lipaemic sample with hypercholesterolaemia (440 mg/dl; reference interval [RI] 90.0–205.0), hypercalcaemia (>16.0 mg/dl [RI 8.0–11.8]) and urine specific gravity 1.022 (RI ⩾1.035). When re-presented 9 months later, fasted blood analyses revealed elevated ionised calcium (1.87 mmol/l [RI 1.11–1.38]), persistently elevated total calcium, normal phosphate and persistent minimally concentrated urine with calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the masses produced blood-tinged purulent fluid with negative culture results. Excisional biopsies of both masses were undertaken, and histopathology was consistent with cutaneous xanthoma. No organisms were identified with special staining, and deep-tissue culture did not grow bacteria or fungi. Postoperatively, repeat fasted biochemical analysis revealed persistent hypercholesterolaemia with normal triglycerides, and normalisation of ionised and total calcium levels. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of cutaneous xanthoma causing hypercalcaemia due to primary dyslipidaemia was made. The cat was reported to be significantly improved in comfort and energy levels postoperatively and a transition to a fat-restricted diet was instituted. Eight months after xanthoma removal no recurrence was reported.

Relevance and novel information

To our knowledge, this is the first report of cutaneous xanthoma and associated granulomatous inflammation causing hypercalcaemia due to dyslipidaemia in a cat. Familial hypercholesterolaemia is an example of a primary condition that could cause dyslipidaemia in cats, and further studies are warranted to better describe the genetic characteristics. Xanthoma formation and the resultant granulomatous inflammation should be considered in cases of hypercalcaemia.
The “Healthy Meals” web app for the assessment of nutritional content and food allergens in restaurant meals: Development, evaluation and validation
Authors: Mandracchia Floriana , Tarro Lucia , Llauradó Elisabet , Valls Rosa M. , Solà Rosa
Published: February 2022

Objective

The development and the evaluation of the Healthy Meals web app designed for professionals from different disciplines related to food, aimed to assess the nutritional and food allergen content of restaurant meals, was described.

Methods

App evaluation concerned: (1) usability, scored on a 7-point scale by 6 restaurateurs and 10 nutritionists through the Computer System Usability Questionnaire; (2) quality, scored on a 5-point scale by 10 nutritionists through the Mobile App Rating Scale; (3) validation, by two nutritionists through differences in entered nutrient contents. Ratings reliability was assessed by the interclass correlation coefficient.

Results

Users agreed with the web app usability (mean 5.6/7 points, SD 0.9), with moderate reliability among ratings (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.57; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.82). The web app showed good objective quality (mean 4.0/5 points, SD 0.4), with excellent reliability among nutritionists (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.91; 95% CI, 0.85 to 0.96). For web app validation, no significant differences were observed between the two nutritionists’ data, with excellent reliability (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97 to 0.99). App data entry was identified as a point to improve.

Conclusions

The Healthy Meals web app designed for professionals related to food, such as restaurateurs, demonstrated to be usable, of good quality and valid for dishes nutritional assessment and food allergen identification. Points to improve were identified, while app effectiveness should be tested in trials.
Ingestible electronic sensors to measure instantaneous medication adherence: A narrative review
Authors: Chai Peter R , Vaz Clint , Goodman Georgia R , Albrechta Hannah , Huang Henwei , Rosen Rochelle K , Boyer Edward W , Mayer Kenneth H , O’Cleirigh Conall
Published: February 2022

Objective

Medication nonadherence contributes to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. While many techniques to measure adherence exist, digital pill systems represent a novel, direct method of measuring adherence and a means of providing instantaneous adherence supports. In this narrative review, we discuss digital pill system research based on clinical trials and qualitative investigations conducted to date and potential future applications of digital pill system in medication adherence measurement.

Methods

We conducted a literature search in PubMed of English language peer-reviewed articles describing the use of digital pill system for medication adherence measurement between 2000 and 2021. We included all articles that described the deployment of ingestible sensors and those involving qualitative investigations of digital pill system with human subjects.

Results

A total of 95 articles were found on initial search; 75 were removed based on exclusion criteria. Included articles were categorized as investigations that deployed an ingestible sensor in human populations ( n = 18), or those that conducted qualitative work ( n = 3). For pilot studies, the mean accuracy of the sensor to successfully detect a medication ingestion event ranged from 68% to 100%. When digital pill systems were deployed in real-world clinical settings, accuracy ranged from 68% to 90% with lower accuracy due to nonadherence to digital pill system technology. Qualitative studies demonstrated that providers and patients perceive the digital pill system as a facilitator for improving adherence and as a potential platform for delivering adherence interventions. Additionally, ingestion data from digital pill system was viewed as useful in facilitating adherence discussions between clinicians and patients.

Conclusions

This narrative review demonstrates that the use of digital pill system is broadly feasible across multiple disease states including human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C infection, solid organ transplants, tuberculosis, schizophrenia, cardiovascular disease, and acute fractures, where adherence is closely linked to significant morbidity and mortality. It also highlights key areas of research that are still needed prior to broad-scale clinical deployment of such systems.
Subclinical involvement of the trunk muscles in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies
Authors: Matsuda Nozomu , Kobayashi Shunsuke , Hasegawa Osamu , Yoshida Kenji , Kubo Hitoshi , Ugawa Yoshikazu , Kanai Kazuaki
Published: February 2022

Background

Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) is a useful tool for revealing the disease-specific distribution of affected muscles and clinically asymptomatic muscle involvements in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs).

Purpose

To examine inflammatory changes in the systemic skeletal muscles, including the thoracoabdominal trunk, in IIMs using WB-MRI.

Material and Methods

We prospectively obtained WB-MRI axial images from 10 patients with IIMs, including antisynthetase syndrome (ASS), immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), sporadic inclusion body myositis, and myopathy associated with antimitochondrial antibody. We evaluated 108 systemic skeletal muscles in short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) images and rated changes in signal intensity using a semiquantitative scale. Correlations between STIR sum score, peak creatine kinase (CK) and muscle strength were examined. We also investigated the correlation between STIR sum score within the thoracoabdominal trunk and forced vital capacity.

Results

High STIR signal changes were frequently identified in asymptomatic and routinely unexamined muscles. Thoracoabdominal trunk muscles were frequently involved in ASS and IMNM. Peak CK was positively correlated with the STIR sum score ( R2 = 0.62, p < .01). There was no significant correlation between the STIR sum score within the thoracoabdominal trunk and forced vital capacity.

Conclusion

WB-MRI can detect subclinical muscle inflammation in the systemic muscles including the trunk muscles. STIR sum score is positively correlated with serum peak CK level; therefore, it could be a biomarker of overall muscle inflammation.
Exploring Young Men’s Experience of Resistance to Masculine Norms
Authors: Nielson Matthew G. , Martin Carol Lynn , Rogers Leoandra Onnie , Lindstrom Johnson Sarah , Miller Cindy Faith , Berendzen Hannah
Published: February 2022

There are costs and benefits to conforming and resisting gender norms, and this ratio likely changes during the transition to adulthood. In this paper, we explore the development of young men’s masculine norm resistance from adolescence through emerging adulthood. Using thematic analysis on interviews with cisgender young adult men who reported feeling at least somewhat gender atypical ( N = 30, Mage = 23, White = 74%), we found that: (a) men reported more direct and indirect gender norm resistance (GNR) as they aged, (b) as men felt less pressure to conform to gender norms, they reported more ease with expressing indirect GNR, and (c) that direct GNR generally paralleled developing an understanding of critical consciousness of broader social inequities. Our study answers the call to utilize a developmental approach to study men and masculinities, and in so doing, illuminates men’s dynamic navigation of masculine norms during the transition into adulthood.
Can Natural Language Processing and Artificial Intelligence Automate The Generation of Billing Codes From Operative Note Dictations?
Authors: Kim Jun S. , Vivas Andrew , Arvind Varun , Lombardi Joseph , Reidler Jay , Zuckerman Scott L , Lee Nathan J. , Vulapalli Meghana , Geng Eric A , Cho Brian H. , Morizane Kazuaki , Cho Samuel K. , Lehman Ronald A. , Lenke Lawrence G. , Riew Kiehyun Daniel
Published: February 2022

Study Design

Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives

Using natural language processing (NLP) in combination with machine learning on standard operative notes may allow for efficient billing, maximization of collections, and minimization of coder error. This study was conducted as a pilot study to determine if a machine learning algorithm can accurately identify billing Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes on patient operative notes.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of operative notes from patients who underwent elective spine surgery by a single senior surgeon from 9/2015 to 1/2020. Algorithm performance was measured by performing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, calculating the area under the ROC curve (AUC) and the area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC). A deep learning NLP algorithm and a Random Forest algorithm were both trained and tested on operative notes to predict CPT codes. CPT codes generated by the billing department were compared to those generated by our model.

Results

The random forest machine learning model had an AUC of .94 and an AUPRC of .85. The deep learning model had a final AUC of .72 and an AUPRC of .44. The random forest model had a weighted average, class-by-class accuracy of 87%. The LSTM deep learning model had a weighted average, class-by-class accuracy 0f 59%.

Conclusions

Combining natural language processing with machine learning is a valid approach for automatic generation of CPT billing codes. The random forest machine learning model outperformed the LSTM deep learning model in this case. These models can be used by orthopedic or neurosurgery departments to allow for efficient billing.