bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The feasibility and reliability of measuring forearm muscle thickness by ultrasound in a geriatric inpatient setting: a cross-sectional pilot study
Authors: Meza-Valderrama Delky , Sánchez- Rodríguez Dolores , Perkisas Stany , Duran Xavi , Bastijns Sophie , Dávalos-Yerovi Vanesa , Da Costa Elizabeth , Marco Ester
Published: February 2022

Background

Given the potential benefits of introducing ultrasound in the clinical assessment of muscle disorders, this study aimed to assess the feasibility and reliability of measuring forearm muscle thickness by ultrasound in a geriatric clinical setting.

Methods

Cross-sectional pilot study in 25 participants (12 patients aged ≥ 70 years in an acute geriatric ward and 13 healthy volunteers aged 25–50 years), assessed by three raters. Muscle thickness measurement was estimated as the distance between the subcutaneous adipose tissue-muscle interface and muscle-bone interface of the radius at 30% proximal of the distance between the styloid process and distal insertion of the biceps brachii muscle of the dominant forearm. Examinations were repeated three times by each rater and intra- and inter-rater reliability was calculated. Feasibility analysis included consideration of technological, economic, legal, operational, and scheduling (TELOS) components.

Results

Mean muscle-thickness measurement difference between groups was 4.4 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4 mm to 6.3 mm], p < 0.001). Intra-rater reliability of muscle-thickness assessment was excellent, with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.947 (95%CI 0.902 to 0.974), 0.969 (95%CI 0.942 to 0.985), and 0.950 (95%CI 0.907 to 0.975) for observer A, B, and C, respectively. Inter-rater comparison showed good agreement (ICC of 0.873 [95%CI 0.73 to 0.94]). Four of the 17 TELOS components considered led to specific recommendations to improve the procedure’s feasibility in clinical practice.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that US is a feasible tool to assess the thickness of the forearm muscles with good inter-rater and excellent intra-rater reliability in a sample of hospitalized geriatric patients, making it a promising option for use in clinical practice.
Two-year immune effect differences between the 0–1–2-month and 0–1–6-month HBV vaccination schedule in adults
Authors: Wang Juan , Liu Chang-Hai , Ma Yuanji , Zhu Xia , Luo Liru , Ji Yulin , Tang Hong
Published: February 2022

Background

The short-term 0–1–2-month hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination schedule was previously implemented in the adult population; however, its long-term immune effect remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate (1) the 2-month and 2-year immune effects of HBV vaccination and (2) the compliance rate between the 0–1–2-month and 0–1–6-month vaccination schedules in adults.

Method

A total of 1281 subjects tested for hepatitis B surface antigen HBsAg(−) and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs)(−) were recruited. Participants from two distant counties were inoculated with the hepatitis B yeast vaccine at 10 µg per dose, with vaccination schedules of 0, 1, and 2 months (n = 606) and 0, 1, and 6 months (n = 675); sequential follow-up was performed at 2 months and 2 years after the 3rd injection.

Results

There were no significant differences in the anti-HBs seroconversion rates between the those in the 0–1–2-month and 0–1–6-month vaccination schedule groups at 2 months (91.96% vs. 89.42%, p = 0.229) and 2 years (81.06% vs. 77.14%, p = 0.217). The quantitative anti-HBs level in those in the 0–1–2-month vaccination schedule group was not different from that in those in the 0–1–6-month vaccination schedule group at 2 months (anti-HBs1) (342.12 ± 378.42 mIU/ml vs. 392.38 ± 391.96 mIU/ml, p = 0.062), but it was higher at 2 years (anti-HBs2) (198.37 ± 286.44 mIU/ml vs. 155.65 ± 271.73 mIU/ml, p = 0.048). According to the subgroup analysis, the 0–1–2-month vaccination schedule induced better maintenance (p = 0.041) and longer reinforcement (p = 0.019) than the 0–1–6 vaccination schedule. The 0–1–2-month vaccination schedule group also had a higher 3rd injection completion rate (89.49% vs. 84.49%, p = 0.010).

Conclusion

The 0–1–2-month vaccination schedule was associated with a similar short-term immune effect and might induce better long-term immune memory and a higher completion rate in the adult population.

Trial registration None
Audit identified modifiable factors in Hospital Care of Newborns in low-middle income countries: a scoping review
Authors: Ogola Muthoni , Njuguna Emily Mbaire , Aluvaala Jalemba , English Mike , Irimu Grace
Published: February 2022

Background

Audit of facility-based care provided to small and sick newborns is a quality improvement initiative that helps to identify the modifiable gaps in newborn care (BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 14: 280, 2014). The aim of this work was to identify literature on modifiable factors in the care of newborns in the newborn units in health facilities in low-middle-income countries (LMICs). We also set out to design a measure of the quality of the perinatal and newborn audit process.

Methods

The scoping review was conducted using the methodology outlined by Arksey and O’Malley and refined by Levac et al, (Implement Sci 5:1-9, 2010). We reported our results using the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. We identified seven factors to ensure a successful audit process based on World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations which we subsequently used to develop a quality of audit process score.

Data sources

We conducted a structured search using PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, POPLINE and African Index Medicus.

Study selection

Studies published in English between 1965 and December 2019 focusing on the identification of modifiable factors through clinical or mortality audits in newborn care in health facilities from LMICs.

Data extraction

We extracted data on the study characteristics, modifiable factors and quality of audit process indicators.

Results

A total of six articles met the inclusion criteria. Of these, four were mortality audit studies and two were clinical audit studies that we used to assess the quality of the audit process. None of the studies were well conducted, two were moderately well conducted, and four were poorly conducted. The modifiable factors were divided into three time periods along the continuum of newborn care. The period of newborn unit care had the highest number of modifiable factors, and in each period, the health worker related modifiable factors were the most dominant.

Conclusion

Based on the significant number of modifiable factors in the newborn unit, a neonatal audit tool is essential to act as a structured guide for auditing newborn unit care in LMICs. The quality of audit process guide is a useful method of ensuring high quality audits in health facilities.
Demographic, practice and clinical management characteristics of osteopaths referring to podiatrists: secondary analysis of a nationally representative sample of Australian osteopaths
Authors: Fleischmann Michael , Vaughan Brett , Bird Adam , Grace Sandra , Fitzgerald Kylie , McLeod Gopi
Published: February 2022

Background

Interprofessional care is paramount in contemporary healthcare practice. How different professions interact, and the characteristics of those practitioners who practice in an interprofessional way are rarely described in the literature. The aim of the current work was to identify the demographic, practice and clinical management characteristics of Australian osteopaths who report referring to podiatrists.

Methods

The study was a secondary analysis of data from the Osteopathy Research and Innovation Network (ORION). Inferential statistics were generated to identify statistically significant demographic, practice and clinical management characteristics associated with referrals to podiatrists by Australian osteopaths.

Results

Nine-hundred and ninety-two Australian osteopaths responded to the questionnaire. Sending referrals to a podiatrist was reported by 651 participants (65.6%). Female Australian osteopaths were less likely to report referring to podiatrists compared to male osteopaths (OR 0.76, 95%CI 0.59–0.99). Australian osteopaths who reported referring to podiatrists were more likely to report receiving referrals from podiatrists (OR 9.75, 95%CI 6.98–13.61), use orthopaedic testing in patient assessment (OR 7.62, 95%CI 2.82–20.60), and often treat patients with postural disorders (OR 1.71, 95%CI 1.03–2.26), compared to osteopaths who do not refer to podiatrists.

Conclusion

This study provides initial evidence for the referral relationship between Australian osteopaths and podiatrists. Further work could explore the nature of these referrals, including the complaints resulting in referral and outcomes of care. This information will be useful to those involved in health policy development and the professions advocating for their role in the wider healthcare system.
A myxozoan genome reveals mosaic evolution in a parasitic cnidarian
Authors: Guo Qingxiang , Atkinson Stephen D. , Xiao Bin , Zhai Yanhua , Bartholomew Jerri L. , Gu Zemao
Published: February 2022

Background

Parasite evolution has been conceptualized as a process of genetic loss and simplification. Contrary to this model, there is evidence of expansion and conservation of gene families related to essential functions of parasitism in some parasite genomes, reminiscent of widespreadmosaic evolution—where subregions of a genome have different rates of evolutionary change. We found evidence of mosaic genome evolution in the cnidarianMyxobolus honghuensis, a myxozoan parasite of fish, with extremely simple morphology.

Results

We comparedM. honghuensiswith other myxozoans and free-living cnidarians, and determined that it has a relatively larger myxozoan genome (206 Mb), which is less reduced and less compact due to gene retention, large introns, transposon insertion, but not polyploidy. Relative to other metazoans, theM. honghuensisgenome is depleted of neural genes and has only the simplest animal immune components. Conversely, it has relatively more genes involved in stress resistance, tissue invasion, energy metabolism, and cellular processes compared to other myxozoans and free-living cnidarians. We postulate that the expansion of these gene families is the result of evolutionary adaptations to endoparasitism.M. honghuensisretains genes found in free-living Cnidaria, including a reduced nervous system, myogenic components, ANTP class Homeobox genes, and components of the Wnt and Hedgehog pathways.

Conclusions

Our analyses suggest that theM. honghuensisgenome evolved as a mosaic of conservative, divergent, depleted, and enhanced genes and pathways. These findings illustrate that myxozoans are not as genetically simple as previously regarded, and the evolution of some myxozoans is driven by both genomic streamlining and expansion.
An artificial intelligence method to assess the tumor microenvironment with treatment outcomes for gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy
Authors: Chen Tao , Li Xunjun , Mao Qingyi , Wang Yiyun , Li Hanyi , Wang Chen , Shen Yuyang , Guo Erjia , He Qinglie , Tian Jie , Zhu Mansheng , Wu Jing , Liang Weiqi , Liu Hao , Yu Jiang , Li Guoxin
Published: February 2022

Background

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer (GC) and is widely used to assess the treatment outcomes of GC patients. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and gene sequencing are the main analysis methods for the TME but are limited due to the subjectivity of observers, the high cost of equipment and the need for professional analysts.

Methods

The ImmunoScore (IS) was developed in the TCGA cohort and validated in GEO cohorts. The Radiomic ImmunoScore (RIS) was developed in the TCGA cohort and validated in the Nanfang cohort. A nomogram was developed and validated in the Nanfang cohort based on RIS and clinical features.

Results

For IS, the area under the curves (AUCs) were 0.798 for 2-year overall survival (OS) and 0.873 for 4-year overall survival. For RIS, in the TCGA cohort, the AUCs distinguishing High-IS or Low-IS and predicting prognosis were 0.85 and 0.81, respectively; in the Nanfang cohort, the AUC predicting prognosis was 0.72. The nomogram performed better than the TNM staging system according to the ROC curve (all P < 0.01). Patients with TNM stage II and III in the High-nomogram group were more likely to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy than Low-nomogram group patients.

Conclusions

The RIS and the nomogram can be used to assess the TME, prognosis and adjuvant chemotherapy benefit of GC patients after radical gastrectomy and are valuable additions to the current TNM staging system. High-nomogram GC patients may benefit more from adjuvant chemotherapy than Low-nomogram GC patients.
Revealing potential anti-fibrotic mechanism of Ganxianfang formula based on RNA sequence
Authors: Liu Zongyi , Xiang Huanyu , Xiang Dejuan , Xiao Shuang , Xiang Hongyan , Xiao Jing , Ren Hong , Hu Peng , Liu Huabao , Peng Mingli
Published: February 2022

Background

Ganxianfang (GXF) formula as a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is used for liver fibrosis in clinical practice while its mechanism is unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the molecular mechanism of GXF against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis rats.

Methods

Detected the main compounds of GXF by UPLC-MS/MS. Evaluated the efficacy of GXF (1.58, 3.15, 4.73 g/kg/day) and Fuzheng Huayu (FZHY, positive control, 0.47 g/kg/day) through serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and histopathological changes. Explored the underlying mechanisms by integrating our total liver RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data with recent liver single-cell sequencing (scRNA-seq) studies. Verified potential pharmacodynamic substances of GXF by hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-T6 line.

Results

Main compounds were identified in GXF by UPLC-MS/MS, including baicalin, wogonoside and matrine etc. With GXF-high dose treatment, the elevation of ALT and AST induced by CCl4 were significantly reduced, and the protective effect of GXF-high dose treatment was better than FZHY. Liver histopathological changes were alleviated by GXF-high dose treatment, the ISHAK scoring showed the incidence of liver cirrhosis (F5/F6) decreased from 76.5 to 55.6%. The results of liver hydroxyproline content were consistent with the histopathological changes. RNA-seq analysis revealed the differential genes (DEGs) were mainly enriched in ECM-receptor interaction and chemokine signaling pathway. GXF effectively inhibited collagen deposition and significantly downregulated CCL2 to inhibit the recruitment of macrophages in liver tissue. Integrating scRNA-seq data revealed that GXF effectively inhibited the expansion of scar-associated Trem2+CD9+ macrophages subpopulation and PDGFRα+PDGFRβ+ scar-producing myofibroblasts in the damaged liver, and remodeled the fibrotic niche via regulation of ligand-receptor interactions including TGFβ/EGFR, PDGFB/PDGFRα, and TNFSF12/TNFRSF12a signaling. In vitro experiments demonstrated that baicalin, matrine and hesperidin in GXF inhibited the activation of hepatic stellate cells.

Conclusions

This study clarified the potential anti-fibrotic effects and molecular mechanism of GXF in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis rats, which deserves further promotion and application.
The social contagion of temporal discounting in small social networks
Authors: Bixter Michael T. , Luhmann Christian C.
Published: February 2022

Decisions often require a tradeoff between immediate and long-term gratification. How individuals resolve such tradeoffs reflects constructs such as temporal discounting, the degree that individuals devalue delayed rewards. Recent research has started to focus on temporal decisions made in collaborative contexts (e.g., dyads, small groups). Results suggest that directly interacting with others leads to revisions in preferences, such that decision makers become more similar to their collaborative partners over time (e.g., more patient following collaboration with a patient other). What remains to be seen is whether this social influence extends to indirect social effects, such as when an individual influences another’s preferences through a shared collaborative partner. In the current study, the focus was on decisions regarding hypothetical monetary rewards. Groups of three participated in a collaborative decision-making chain, in which network member X collaborated with member Y, who then subsequently collaborated with member Z. Though network members X and Z never directly interacted, a significant indirect link was observed between member X’s pre-collaborative decision preferences and member Z’s post-collaborative decision preferences. These results demonstrate that temporal decision preferences can be transmitted through intervening connections in a small social network (i.e., social contagion), showing that indirect social influence can be empirically observed and measured in controlled environments.
Effect of extraction technique, solvent polarity, and plant matrix on the antioxidant properties of Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don (African Star Apple)
Authors: Akinmoladun Afolabi C. , Falaiye Olubusola Elizabeth , Ojo Olubukola Benedicta , Adeoti Abimbola , Amoo Zainab Abiola , Olaleye Mary Tolulope
Published: February 2022

Background

Chrysophyllum albidum is a well-known medicinal plant in Africa and has many medicinal properties. This study investigated the effect of sonication, solvent polarity (acetone and ethanol), and plant matrix (bark and seeds) on the antioxidant property of C. albidum. The bark of C. albidum was subjected to sonication and soaking with acetone to evaluate the effect of sonication on the antioxidant property, and C. albidum bark and seeds were subjected to ultrasonic-assisted extraction of acetone and ethanol to evaluate the effect of solvents and plant matrix on the antioxidant property of C. albidum. The phytochemical composition, total flavonoid content, total antioxidant activity, total phenol content, lipid peroxidation (LPO) inhibition activity, nitric oxide, and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals scavenging activities were evaluated in all extracts.

Results

Sonication increased the percentage yield of extracts compared to maceration. Flavonoids and terpenoids were present, while saponins were absent in all extracts evaluated. Ultrasound-assisted extraction increased C. albidum antioxidant property compared to maceration. Ethanol was the most suitable solvent for C. albidum bark, while acetone was the most suitable solvent for C. albidum seeds. C. albidum bark extracts were most active as free radical scavengers, while the seed extracts were most active as inhibitors of lipid peroxidation.

Conclusions

Extraction technique, extraction solvent, and plant matrix significantly affect the antioxidant properties of C. albidum. This study indicates that the selection of an effective extraction process for medicinal plants depends on the phytochemical compound responsible for the biological activity of interest.
Significance of promoter methylation of multiple tumor suppressor genes in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tahoon Alaa , El-Khateeb Doaa , Mosbeh Asmaa , Tantawy El Sayed Ibrahim , Khalil Ashraf
Published: February 2022

Background

Methylation of the promoter at CpG islands is a mechanism of silencing tumor suppressor genes and therefore enhances cancer progression. The study aimed to examine promoter methylation frequencies of five tumor suppressor genes in hepatocellular carcinoma and their implication on the first-year outcome of surgical resection of the tumor. Fifty specimens of hepatocellular carcinoma and the adjacent non-tumorous liver tissue were collected from the surgically resected hepatic tumor. The status of promoter methylation of tumor suppressor genes RASSF1A, CHFR, MGMT, GSTP1, and hMLH1 was investigated using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The frequency of promoter methylation of these tumor suppressors genes (TSG) genes in hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly higher than non-tumorous tissue all, P < 0.05, with a methylation rate of 80% in RASSF1A, 70% in CHFR, 46% in GSTP1, 56% in MGMT, and 10% in hMLH1. Methylation of RASSF1A, CHFR, and MGMT promoter genes was significantly associated with decreased first-year postoperative survival and increased recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma, P < 0.05.

Conclusion

Methylated RASSF1A, CHRF, and MGMT promoters indicated poor prognosis among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and may serve as potential prognostic indicators in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Determining shear failure gradient and optimum drilling mud window in the Ourhoud oil field, Berkine Basin, Algeria
Authors: Baouche Rafik , Sen Souvik , Feriel Hadj Arab
Published: February 2022

Optimum drilling mud window provides a workable downhole mud pressure range to prevent formation fluid influx, borehole instabilities, and fluid loss into the formation while drilling, and this can be achieved by a comprehensive geomechanical modeling using well data. We have integrated the wireline logs, drilling data, and measured downhole data to assess the vertical stress, pore pressure, minimum horizontal stress, and shear failure (SF) gradient of the 3400 m thick Mesozoic and Paleozoic succession in the Ourhoud field, Berkine Basin. We have interpreted the hydrocarbon pressure gradient in the Triassic Argilo-Greseux Inferieur reservoir as 0.32 psi/ft and found the overburden shales to be hydrostatically pressured (0.46 psi/ft). Poisson’s ratio-based minimum horizontal stress has a 0.73–0.80 psi/ft gradient, whereas frictional faulting theory provides a lower limit of 0.66 psi/ft. We have observed massive wash outs in the caliper logs against the Cretaceous shales, which is more prone to compressive failures. To address this wellbore failure, we have modeled SF gradient by Mohr-Coulomb rock failure criteria and compared the results with the mud pressure used in drilling. We have inferred that at least 10.5 ppg drilling mud weight is required to prevent such wellbore instabilities in the Mesozoic shales, whereas the minimum allowable mud weight for the Carboniferous shale is 10 ppg. Based on the interpreted pressure gradients, we have recommended an optimum downhole drilling window for the Ourhoud field, which will be helpful to deliver stable wellbores in future drilling campaigns.
Influence of pedestrian psychology on evacuation dynamics with the guide of emergency signage
Authors: Jiang Qiao , Zhou Ying , Zhang Lei , Li Kun , Li Huan
Published: February 2022

How to simulate the true pedestrians' psychology who face an emergency is an important issue that decides evacuation efficiency. Pedestrian psychology during the evacuation process is complex, abstract and difficult to quantify directly. Based on the typical social force model, this paper improves the pedestrian direction selection procedure and introduces a “weight factor” to adjust the degree of contribution of “the density factor” and “the distance factor” to pedestrians' choice of moving direction. In this model, pedestrians can not only roughly estimate the distance between themselves and each exit, but also judge the degree of crowd gathering near each exit by virtue of the electronic display screen in the center of the cross-shaped aisle. Simulation results show that, for a configuration with multi-rooms and multi-exits, when the pedestrian number reaches a certain level, only considering the distance factor will lead to uneven distribution of the crowd, therefore inducing obvious congestion. On the other hand, concentrating too much on the density factor makes pedestrians hesitate to choose the appropriate exit. In conclusion, we should comprehensively consider the impact of the “density factor” and the “distance factor”, which helps to provide feasible evacuation strategies for emergency situations and to improve both evacuation efficiency and exit utilization.
Cold-Induced Thermogenesis Shows a Diurnal Variation That Unfolds Differently in Males and Females
Authors: Straat Maaike E , Martinez-Tellez Borja , Sardjoe Mishre Aashley , Verkleij Magdalena M A , Kemmeren Mirjam , Pelsma Iris C M , Alcantara Juan M A , Mendez-Gutierrez Andrea , Kooijman Sander , Boon Mariëtte R , Rensen Patrick C N
Published: February 2022

Context

Cold exposure mobilizes lipids to feed thermogenic processes in organs, including brown adipose tissue (BAT). In rodents, BAT metabolic activity exhibits a diurnal rhythm, which is highest at the start of the wakeful period.

Objective

We investigated whether cold-induced thermogenesis displays diurnal variation in humans and differs between the sexes.

Methods

This randomized crossover study included 24 young and lean male (n = 12) and female (n = 12) participants who underwent 2.5-hour personalized cooling using water-perfused mattresses in the morning (7:45 am) and evening (7:45 pm), with 1 day in between. We measured energy expenditure (EE) and supraclavicular skin temperature in response to cold exposure.

Results

In males, cold-induced EE was higher in the morning than in the evening (+54% ± 10% vs +30% ± 7%; P = 0.05) but did not differ between morning and evening in females (+37% ± 9% vs +30% ± 10%; P = 0.42). Only in males, supraclavicular skin temperature upon cold increased more in morning than evening (+0.2 ± 0.1 °C vs −0.2 ± 0.2 °C; P = 0.05). In males, circulating free fatty acid (FFA) levels were increased after morning cold exposure, but not evening (+90% ± 18% vs +9% ± 8%; P < 0.001). In females, circulating FFA (+94% ± 21% vs +20% ± 5%; P = 0.006), but also triglycerides (+42% ± 5% vs +29% ± 4%, P = 0.01) and cholesterol levels (+17% ± 2% vs 11% ± 2%; P = 0.05) were more increased after cold exposure in morning than in evening.

Conclusion

Cold-induced thermogenesis is higher in morning than evening in males; however, lipid metabolism is more modulated in the morning than the evening in females.
First Year Metabolic and Hormonal Behavior Define two Different Populations of SGA Newborn for Weight or Height
Authors: Guazzarotti Laura , Mauri Silvia , Santi Daniele , Pogliani Laura , Zuccotti Gianvincenzo
Published: February 2022

Context

Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) children have a particular metabolic and hormonal pattern at birth that changes rapidly.

Objective

To evaluate the linear and weight growth in the first year of life in SGA children.

Design

Prospective, monocentric cohort study.

Setting

Real-world data collected from April 2012 to January 2016.

Patients

SGA newborns uniformly defined by either growth or length lower than -2 SDs for gestational age.

Interventions

All children were evaluated for 1 year after birth, at 3 days of life, then 3, 6, and 12 months after birth.

Main outcome measures

Anthropometric parameters and biochemical variables, such as blood glucose, insulin, leptin, IGF-1, IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and homeostasis model assessment - insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index.

Results

A total of 133 SGA children were enrolled. Length significantly improved 1 month after birth, whereas weight significantly increased only at 3 months after birth. Biochemical variables increased during the first year of life, showing a prediction by IGFBP-3 and HOMA-IR index. Then, the variables were divided considering either weight, length, or both, showing a different incidence. The biochemical variable changes recorded in the first step were maintained considering SGA children for weight or length, whereas they disappeared when weight and length were considered together.

Conclusions

Our study shows a specific catchup growth for weight and length in SGA children. Moreover, we highlight that weight and length should be considered as independent parameters in SGA children, defining 2 different metabolic-hormonal populations with different conceivable predictive role in early catchup growth and in later growth and metabolic status.
Thrombin Generation in Cardiac Versus Noncardiac Surgical Cohorts
Authors: Ericksen W. Leif , Levy Jerrold H. , Kim Ethan S. , Nie Lizhou , Senzel Lisa B. , Bennett-Guerrero Elliott
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND:

Bleeding can be a significant problem after cardiac surgery. As a result, venous thromboembolism (VTE) or anticoagulation or both following mechanical valve implantation are often delayed in these patients. The calibrated automated thrombin (CAT) generation assay has become the gold standard to evaluate thrombin generation, a critical step in clot formation independent of other hemostatic processes (eg, platelet activation, fibrin cross-linking, and fibrinolysis), and is increasingly used to examine thrombotic and hemorrhagic outcomes. No study has currently used this assay to compare the thrombin generation profiles of cardiac surgical patients to noncardiac surgical patients. We hypothesize that noncardiac patients may be less prone to postoperative changes in thrombin generation.

METHODS:

A prospective, observational, cohort study was undertaken using blood samples from 50 cardiac and 50 noncardiac surgical patients preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and on postoperative days 1 to 4. Platelet-poor plasma samples were obtained from patients preoperatively, on arrival to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) or intensive care unit (ICU), and daily on postoperative days 1 to 4 if patients remained inpatient. Samples were evaluated for CAT measurements. Patient and surgical procedure characteristics were obtained from the electronic medical record.

RESULTS:

The primary outcome variable, median endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), measured in nanomolar × minutes (nM × min), was decreased 100% in cardiac surgical versus 2% in noncardiac patients (P < .001). All parameters of thrombin generation were similarly depressed. Cardiac (versus noncardiac) surgical type was associated with −76.5% difference of percent change in ETP on multivariable regression analysis (95% confidence interval [CI], −87.4 to −65.5; P value <.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Cardiac surgical patients exhibit a profound decrease in thrombin generation postoperatively compared with noncardiac surgical patients evaluated by this study. Hemodilution and coagulation factor depletion likely contribute to this decreased thrombin generation after cardiac surgery.
Evaluation of the Duration of Preanesthesia Consultation: Prospective and Multicenter Study
Authors: Compère Vincent , Froemer Benoit , Clavier Thomas , Selim Jean , Burey Julien , Dureuil Bertrand , Gillibert André , Besnier Emmanuel
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND:

The time allocated to the preanesthesia consultation (PAC) of a patient undergoing an elective surgical procedure is an important factor to optimize consultation sessions. The main objective of this study was to build a model predictive of the duration of the PAC.

METHODS:

We prospectively studied 1007 patients undergoing a PAC from January 2016 to June 2018 in 4 different hospitals. A general linear model was fitted to predict the overall duration of the PAC. Secondary models predicted the time spent on clinical evaluation and the time assigned to delivering information.

RESULTS:

After exclusion of 40 patients with major data inconsistencies, the mean (standard deviation [SD]) overall duration of the PAC was 11.2 (5.8) minutes, split into 6.8 (4.1) minutes of information and 4.4 (2.7) minutes of clinical evaluation. It was, respectively, 11.4 (5.9), 6.9 (4.2), and 4.4 (2.7) in the 924 patients ≥16 years of age and, respectively, 8.3 (2.3), 4.3 (1.8), and 4.1 (1.8) in 43 children. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, the number of comorbidities or treatment, surgery discipline, and context (ambulatory, conventional hospitalization, and intensive care unit) were significantly correlated to PAC time. In the 924 adult patients, the models had an R
2 adjusted for overfitting at 0.47 for the total duration of PAC, 0.45 for the clinical examination time, and 0.24 for the information time. The estimated residual standard deviations were, respectively, 4.3, 3.1, and 2.7 minutes.

CONCLUSIONS:

The predictive performances of the model explaining the overall duration of PAC were average (R
2 = 0.47) and should be confirmed by further studies to use it for optimizing the organization of the consultation by individualizing the time dedicated to each consultation.
Identification of enhancer regulatory elements that direct epicardial gene expression during zebrafish heart regeneration
Authors: Cao Yingxi , Xia Yu , Balowski Joseph J. , Ou Jianhong , Song Lingyun , Safi Alexias , Curtis Timothy , Crawford Gregory E. , Poss Kenneth D. , Cao Jingli
Published: February 2022

The epicardium is a mesothelial tissue layer that envelops the heart. Cardiac injury activates dynamic gene expression programs in epicardial tissue, which in zebrafish enables subsequent regeneration through paracrine and vascularizing effects. To identify tissue regeneration enhancer elements (TREEs) that control injury-induced epicardial gene expression during heart regeneration, we profiled transcriptomes and chromatin accessibility in epicardial cells purified from regenerating zebrafish hearts. We identified hundreds of candidate TREEs, which are defined by increased chromatin accessibility of non-coding elements near genes with increased expression during regeneration. Several of these candidate TREEs were incorporated into stable transgenic lines, with five out of six elements directing injury-induced epicardial expression but not ontogenetic epicardial expression in larval hearts. Whereas two independent TREEs linked to the gene gnai3 showed similar functional features of gene regulation in transgenic lines, two independent ncam1a-linked TREEs directed distinct spatiotemporal domains of epicardial gene expression. Thus, multiple TREEs linked to a regeneration gene can possess either matching or complementary regulatory controls. Our study provides a new resource and principles for understanding the regulation of epicardial genetic programs during heart regeneration.

This article has an associated ‘The people behind the papers’ interview.
Emerin self-assembly and nucleoskeletal coupling regulate nuclear envelope mechanics against stress
Authors: Fernandez Anthony , Bautista Markville , Wu Liying , Pinaud Fabien
Published: February 2022

Emerin is an integral nuclear envelope protein that participates in the maintenance of nuclear shape. When mutated or absent, emerin causes X-linked Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD). To understand how emerin takes part in molecular ­­scaffolding at the nuclear envelope and helps protect the nucleus against mechanical stress, we established its nanoscale organization using single-molecule tracking and super-resolution microscopy. We show that emerin monomers form localized oligomeric nanoclusters stabilized by both lamin A/C and the SUN1-containing linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex. Interactions of emerin with nuclear actin and BAF (also known as BANF1) additionally modulate its membrane mobility and its ability to oligomerize. In nuclei subjected to mechanical challenges, the mechanotransduction functions of emerin are coupled to changes in its oligomeric state, and the incremental self-assembly of emerin determines nuclear shape adaptation against mechanical forces. We also show that the abnormal nuclear envelope deformations induced by EDMD emerin mutants stem from improper formation of lamin A/C and LINC complex-stabilized emerin oligomers. These findings place emerin at the center of the molecular processes that regulate nuclear shape remodeling in response to mechanical challenges.
«Οι κουβέντες γίνονται ακόμη πιο ωραίες, αφού έχουμε ξεπεράσει τα εμπόδια τα γλωσσικά»: Διδάσκοντας σε μαθητές και μαθήτριες της μουσουλμανικής μειονότητας
Authors: Μαλιγκούδη Χριστίνα
Published: February 2022

Η διδασκαλία σε δίγλωσσους/ες μαθητές/τριες και σε μαθητές/τριες-μέλη μειονοτικών ομάδων που ενδέχεται να μην γνωρίζουν τη γλώσσα-στόχο σε ικανοποιητικό βαθμό, απαιτεί διαρκείς αναθεωρήσεις και αναπροσαρμογές των διδακτικών μεθόδων, του διδακτικού υλικού και των διδακτικών τεχνικών εκ μέρους του/της εκπαιδευτικού. Οι αναθεωρήσεις αυτές, ωστόσο, προκύπτουν, όταν ο/η εκπαιδευτικός αντιλαμβάνεται τις προκλήσεις που αντιμετωπίζουν οι μαθητές/τριές του από την εφαρμογή παραδοσιακών διδακτικών μεθόδων και επιθυμεί ή επιδιώκει να διαφοροποιηθεί. Στην παρούσα εργασία εξετάζονται οι αντιλήψεις επτά (7) εκπαιδευτικών, απέναντι σε όψεις της γλωσσικής αλλά και της γενικότερης εκπαίδευσης μαθητών/τριών που ανήκουν στη μουσουλμανική μειονότητα. Οι εκπαιδευτικοί (αυτοί/ές) υπηρετούν σε σχολεία δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης στη Θράκη με πολυετή εκπαιδευτική εμπειρία. Οι συμμετέχοντες/ουσες εκπαιδευτικοί στην έρευνα αναδεικνύουν διάφορα ζητήματα σχετικά με θέματα γλώσσας, ταυτότητας και ιδεολογίας στην εκπαίδευση των παιδιών της μειονότητας, η προσέγγιση των οποίων από τους ίδιους/τις ίδιες μπορεί να τοποθετηθεί σε ένα συνεχές με διαφοροποιήσεις μεταξύ τους με βάση τις αντιλήψεις τους και κυρίως με βάση την επιθυμία τους για ένταξη των παιδιών αυτών στη σχολική τάξη και για μετασχηματισμό της διδακτικής πράξης.
Ολοκληρωμένο σύστημα σύστασης εργασίας - εργαζομένου βασισμένο στην εισαγωγή περιορισμών
Authors: Αλμαλής Νικόλαος
Published: February 2022

Έκρηξη Πληροφοριών είναι ο όρος που χρησιμοποιείται για να δηλώσει την ταχεία αύξηση των διαθέσιμων πληροφοριών. Ο όρος αυτός, φαίνεται να περιγράφει με τον πλέον ακριβή τρόπο το πρόβλημα που αντιμετωπίζει η δικτυοκεντρική και προσανατολισμένη στου Η/Υ κοινωνία μας. Καθημερινά, βρισκόμαστε αντιμέτωποι με μια πληθώρα δεδομένων, προερχόμενη από διαφορετικές πηγές. Όσο αυξάνεται ο αριθμός των διαθέσιμων δεδομένων, οι προκλήσεις διαχείρισης γίνονται πολυπλοκότερες. Επιπλέον, η Πληροφοριακή Υπερπληθώρα είναι υπεύθυνη για τις λανθασμένες ή άστοχες αποφάσεις των τελικών χρηστών. Η ύπαρξη πολλών επιλογών είναι ένα από τα μεγαλύτερα επιτεύγματα της κοινωνίας μας, αλλά χωρίς καμία μορφή ελέγχου ή φιλτραρίσματος, αυξάνεται η δυσκολία σωστών επιλογών. Προκειμένου να ξεπεραστεί το πρόβλημα της Πληροφοριακής Υπερπληθώρας, η επιστημονική κοινότητα στράφηκε στην βελτίωση των διαθέσιμων τεχνικών φιλτραρίσματος. Τα Συστήματα Σύστασης (Recommender Systems) αναπτύχθηκαν για να αντιμετωπίσουν τα προβλήματα και να μετριάσουν τις αντιξοότητες που υφίσταται η κοινωνία μας. Η αναζήτηση εργασίας είναι ένας τομέας που μαστίζεται από το φαινόμενο της Πληροφοριακής Υπερπληθώρας. Στην παρούσα διατριβή αντιμετωπίζουμε το πρόβλημα της Πληροφοριακής Υπερπληθώρας στον τομέα της αναζήτησης εργασίας, μέσω του προτεινόμενου Συστήματος Σύστασης Εργασίας Βασισμένο σε Περιορισμούς. Αρχικά διατυπώνεται μαθηματικά το πρόβλημα της αναζήτησης εργασίας και στην συνέχεια παρουσιάζεται η αρχιτεκτονική σχεδίαση του συστήματος με τον προτεινόμενο Αλγόριθμο Σύστασης Τεσσάρων Διαστάσεων. Σύμφωνα με τον αλγόριθμο κάθε δεξιότητα μπορεί να εκφραστεί υπό την μορφή τεσσάρων περιοριστικών κατηγοριών: ακριβούς τιμής, με κάτω όριο, με άνω όριο και με άνω και κάτω όριο. Με την προσέγγιση αυτή υπολογίζουμε την καταλληλότητα του εργαζόμενου για μια θέση εργασίας και όχι απλά την ομοιότητα. Τέλος, το πλαίσιο της διατριβής ολοκληρώνεται μέσω συγκριτικών πειραμάτων με πραγματικά δεδομένα.
Optical sampling based on Mach-Zehnder interferometer with semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA-MZI) for analog applications
Authors: Καστρίτσης Δημήτριος
Published: February 2022

Η φωτονική δειγματοληψία είναι μια διαδικασία που χρησιμοποιείται σε διάφορα συστήματα τελευταίας τεχνολογίας, καθώς επιτρέπει έναν μοναδικό συνδυασμό πλεονεκτημάτων, όπως την χαμηλή διακύμανση χρονισμού, την μικρή εξασθένηση, το υψηλό εύρος ζώνης και την ανοσία σε ηλεκτρομαγνητικές παρεμβολές. Η παρούσα διατριβή στοχεύει στη διερεύνηση και την επίδειξη της σκοπιμότητας χρήσης του SOA-MZI, ενός αμιγώς φωτονικού δομοστοιχείου, ως φωτονικού δειγματολήπτη στη θέση άλλων ηλεκτροοπτικών λύσεων, παρακάμπτοντας την ανάγκη για πρόσθετες αργές και δαπανηρές ηλεκτροοπτικές μετατροπές. Οι αρχιτεκτονικές Switching και Modulation είναι δυνατές με τον φωτονικό δειγματολήπτη SOA-MZI. Το κύριο πλεονέκτημα της αρχιτεκτονικής Modulation είναι ότι επιτρέπει τη χρήση πολύ υψηλών ρυθμών δειγματοληψίας. Χρησιμοποιώντας την αρχιτεκτονική Modulation, μια μέθοδος γραμμικοποίησης με μετεπεξεργασία αναπτύσσεται και επικυρώνεται. Πειραματικά, παρατηρείται σημαντική βελτίωση της Ολικής Αρμονικής Παραμόρφωσης (THD) μεταξύ 7 dB και 23 dB για ημιτονοειδή σήματα προς δειγματοληψία με συχνότητες μεταξύ 0,25 GHz και 2 GHz. Ο φωτονικός δειγματολήπτης SOA-MZI, χρησιμοποιούμενος ως φωτονικός μίκτης συχνότητας, εξετάζεται θεωρητικά αναπτύσσοντας ένα μοντέλο ανάλυσης μικρού σήματος και επικυρώνεται πειραματικά για τις αρχιτεκτονικές Switching και Modulation για το μετρικό του Κέρδους Μετατροπής (CG). CG ίσο με 16 dB επιτυγχάνεται για τη μετατροπή από 1 GHz σε 9 GHz, ενώ CG ίσο με 9 dB για τη μετατροπή από 1 GHz σε 39 GHz. Ρυθμός δεδομένων έως και 1 Gbps επιτυγχάνεται για δεδομένα διαμορφωμένα με σύνθετες μεθόδους διαμόρφωσης που έχουν μετατραπεί σε υψηλότερες συχνότητες.
Natural language processing for aviation safety: extracting knowledge from publicly-available loss of separation reports
Authors: Buselli Irene , Oneto Luca , Dambra Carlo , Verdonk Gallego Christian , García Martínez Miguel , Smoker Anthony , Ike Nnenna , Pejovic Tamara , Ruiz Martino Patricia
Published: February 2022

Background: The air traffic management (ATM) system has historically coped with a global increase in traffic demand ultimately leading to increased operational complexity.

When dealing with the impact of this increasing complexity on system safety it is crucial to automatically analyse the losses of separation (LoSs) using tools able to extract meaningful and actionable information from safety reports.

Current research in this field mainly exploits natural language processing (NLP) to categorise the reports,with the limitations that the considered categories need to be manually annotated by experts and that general taxonomies are seldom exploited.

Methods: To address the current gaps,authors propose to perform exploratory data analysis on safety reports combining state-of-the-art techniques like topic modelling and clustering and then to develop an algorithm able to extract the Toolkit for ATM Occurrence Investigation (TOKAI) taxonomy factors from the free-text safety reports based on syntactic analysis.

TOKAI is a tool for investigation developed by EUROCONTROL and its taxonomy is intended to become a standard and harmonised approach to future investigations.

Results: Leveraging on the LoS events reported in the public databases of the Comisión de Estudio y Análisis de Notificaciones de Incidentes de Tránsito Aéreo and the United Kingdom Airprox Board,authors show how their proposal is able to automatically extract meaningful and actionable information from safety reports,other than to classify their content according to the TOKAI taxonomy.

The quality of the approach is also indirectly validated by checking the connection between the identified factors and the main contributor of the incidents.

Conclusions: Authors' results are a promising first step toward the full automation of a general analysis of LoS reports supported by results on real-world data coming from two different sources.

In the future,authors' proposal could be extended to other taxonomies or tailored to identify factors to be included in the safety taxonomies.
PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: KAITMAZOVA N. , ILCHENKO V.
Published: February 2022

The article presents the results of an empirical study of the problem of psychological well-being of an individual in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation with the coronavirus pandemic, the self-isolation regime and many other factors significantly influenced the psychological well-being of the individual. Correlations between psychological well-being and attitudes towards the COVID-19 pandemic have been identified. Significant differences in the studied indicators between respondents with different levels of psychological well-being were revealed.
Evaluación de la formación ética en la psicología colombiana
Authors: Ballesteros de Valderrama Blanca Patricia , Berrío-Acosta Gloria María , Sánchez-Ramírez Maritza
Published: February 2022

Este artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación dirigida a evaluar la formación ética recibida en los estudios de psicología, que hizo parte del Proyecto “Razonamiento y juicio ético de profesionales de la psicología en Iberoamérica, estudio en Colombia”. Para ello, se utilizó una metodología multimétodo con grupos focales en seis campos del ejercicio profesional, un cuestionario de datos sociodemográficos y una escala de valoración de la formación ética, adaptada de  Pope et al. (1987). Respondieron la escala 528 psicólogas y psicólogos de diferentes regiones del país, la mayoría  gresados después de la Ley 1090 de 2006. En los grupos focales participaron 44 psicólogas y 17 psicólogos, con experiencia en el respectivo campo disciplinar. El 86.3% calificó como buena o excelente la formación recibida en el programa de grado, lo mismo que la mayoría de quienes la recibieron en programas de posgrado o de educación continua. En los grupos focales se comentaron las falencias de la formación ética en los programas académicos y se hicieron recomendaciones para orientarla a modelos situados, previa preparación de los docentes. Se resaltó la importancia del Colegio Colombiano de Psicólogos (Colpsic), en la función de promover espacios para análisis y discusión ética de casos, y la función de la Asociación Colombiana de Facultades de Psicología (Ascofapsi), en la promoción de una educación ética de calidad en los programas de psicología. Se discuten los resultados a la luz del proyecto y de laliteratura especializada.