bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MOG antibody-associated encephalitis in adult: clinical phenotypes and outcomes
Authors: Lee Woo-Jin , Kwon Young Nam , Kim Boram , Moon Jangsup , Park Kyung-Il , Chu Kon , Sung Jung-Joon , Lee Sang Kun , Kim Sung-Min , Lee Soon-Tae
Published: October 2022

Background

We investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated autoimmune encephalitis (MOGAE) in adult patients.

Methods

From an institutional cohort, we analysed adult patients with MOGAE followed-up for more than 1 year. Disease severity was assessed using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) and Clinical Assessment Scale in Autoimmune Encephalitis scores. Immunotherapy profiles, outcomes and disease relapses were evaluated along with serial brain MRI data.

Results

A total of 40 patients were enrolled and categorised into cortical encephalitis (18 patients), limbic encephalitis (LE, 5 patients) and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM, 17 patients). 80.0% of patients achieved good clinical outcomes (mRS 0‒2) and 40.0% relapsed. The LE subtype was associated with an older onset age (p=0.004) and poor clinical outcomes (p=0.014) than the other subtypes but with a low rate of relapse (0.0%). 21/25 (84.0%) relapse attacks were associated with an absence or short (≤6 months) immunotherapy maintenance. On MRI, the development of either diffuse cerebral or medial temporal atrophy within the first 6 month was correlated with poor outcomes. MOG-antibody (MOG-Ab) was copresent with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-antibody in 13 patients, in whom atypical clinical presentation (cortical encephalitis or ADEM, p<0.001) and disease relapse (46.2% vs 0.0%, p<0.001) were more frequent compared with conventional NMDAR encephalitis without MOG-Ab.

Conclusions

Outcomes are different according to the three phenotypes in MOGAE. Short immunotherapy maintenance is associated with relapse, and brain atrophy was associated with poor outcomes. Patients with dual antibodies of NMDAR and MOG have a high relapse rate.
Benign but fatal: management of endotracheal Rosai-Dorfman disease with acute onset
Authors: Wang Bin , Song Zhi-min , Li Jin-dong , Zhao Yin-long , Sun Ping-li , Tian Jia-kun , Yin Jin-zhi , Zhang Yan
Published: October 2022

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a non-malignant condition mainly manifesting as a proliferation of histiocytes in lymph nodes. Endotracheal RDD (ERDD) with an acute onset presentation is extremely rare. There are few case reports of ERDD mainly concerning its pathology, diagnostics and bronchoscopic treatment, without providing sufficient clinical information from a comprehensive perspective. As a novel and challenging technique, tracheal resection and reconstruction (TRR) with spontaneous-ventilation video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (SV-VATS) has been reported as feasible and safe in highly selected patients, but few centres have shared their experience with this approach. This case-based discussion includes not only practical issues in the management of a life-threatening ERDD patient, but also specialists’ views on the management of acute obstructive airway, and the surgeons’ reflection on TRR with SV-VATS.
Mediators of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD): systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Fields Aislin , Potel Koray N , Cabuhal Rhandel , Aziri Buena , Stewart Iain D , Schock Bettina C
Published: October 2022

Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is rare, poorly understood, with heterogeneous characteristics resulting in difficult diagnosis. We aimed to systematically review evidence of soluble markers in peripheral blood or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as biomarkers in SSc-ILD.

Method

Five databases were screened for observational or interventional, peer-reviewed studies in adults published between January 2000 and September 2021 that assessed levels of biomarkers in peripheral blood or BALF of SSc-ILD patients compared with healthy controls. Qualitative assessment was performed using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists. Standardised mean difference (SMD) in biomarkers were combined in random-effects meta-analyses where multiple independent studies reported quantitative data.

Results

768 published studies were identified; 38 articles were included in the qualitative synthesis. Thirteen studies were included in the meta-analyses representing three biomarkers: KL6, SP-D and IL-8. Greater IL-8 levels were associated with SSc-ILD in both peripheral blood and BALF, overall SMD 0.88 (95% CI 0.61 to 1.15; I2=1%). Greater levels of SP-D and KL-6 were both estimated in SSc-ILD peripheral blood compared with healthy controls, at an SMD of 1.78 (95% CI 1.50 to 2.17; I2=8%) and 1.66 (95% CI 1.17 to 2.14; I2=76%), respectively.

Conclusion

We provide robust evidence that KL-6, SP-D and IL-8 have the potential to serve as reliable biomarkers in blood/BALF for supporting the diagnosis of SSc-ILD. However, while several other biomarkers have been proposed, the evidence of their independent value in diagnosis and prognosis is currently lacking and needs further investigation.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021282452.
Concussion in the UK: a contemporary narrative review
Authors: Toman Emma , Hodgson Sam , Riley Max , Welbury Richard , Di Pietro Valentina , Belli Antonio
Published: October 2022

Concussion has been receiving an increasing amount of media exposure following several high-profile professional sports controversies and multimillion-dollar lawsuits. The potential life-changing sequalae of concussion and the rare, but devasting, second impact syndrome have also gained much attention. Despite this, our knowledge of the pathological processes involved is limited and often extrapolated from research into more severe brain injuries.

As there is no objective diagnostic test for concussion. Relying on history and examination only, the diagnosis of concussion has become the rate-limiting step in widening research into the disease. Clinical study protocols therefore frequently exclude the most vulnerable groups of patients such as those with existing cognitive impairment, concurrent intoxication, mental health issues or learning difficulties.

This up-to-date narrative review aims to summarize our current concussion knowledge and provides an insight into promising avenues for future research.
Sex differences and indications of metabolic compensation in within-day energy balance in elite Division 1 swimmers
Authors: Lundstrom Emily A. , De Souza Mary Jane , Canil Hannah N. , Williams Nancy I.
Published: October 2022

To determine whether mismatched energy intake and expenditure across the day and associated sex differences may be related with metabolic compensation and/or negative health outcomes, we assessed total-day and hourly energy balance (TDEB and EB), total-day and hourly energy intake (TDEI and EI), total-day and hourly energy expenditure (TDEE and EE) and within-day energy balance (WDEB) in elite male and female swimmers ( n = 25; 18–22 years). Total triiodothyronine (TT3), resting metabolic rate (RMR), and the ratio of actual-to-predicted RMR were determined. Males exhibited higher TDEB (+758 ± 702 kcal vs +52 ± 505 kcal, t-test; p = 0.007) than females. Males exhibited a more positive hourly EB, driven by greater hourly EI at 11:00, 13:00, 16:00, and 19:00 h (ANOVA, p < 0.05), while EE did not differ. TT3 was negatively correlated with consecutive hours of negative EB ( R = −0.604, p = 0.049) and positively correlated to hours in EB ( R = 0.740, p = 0.009) in those exhibiting metabolic suppression ( n = 12). In individuals in TDEB ( n = 21), “backloaders” (consumption of ≥50% daily kcals at or after 1700 h) had lower TT3 (79.3 ng/dL vs 92.9 ng/dL, p = 0.009) than “nonbackloaders” ( n = 12). WDEB analyses indicate a greater risk of energy deficiency in females and may capture indices of metabolic compensation not evident with EB analyses alone.
Synthesis of Tin oxide nanoparticles using Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract for electrochemical sensing of dopamine
Authors: Harshavardhan A. , Matt Santhosh Bullapura , Khan M. Ijaz , Prakash K. K. , Alnuwaiser Maha Abdallah , Betageri V. S. , Sidlinganahalli Manjappa
Published: October 2022

In this investigation, SnO2 nanoparticles are prepared through environmental benign method using Nelumbo nucifera (lotus leaf) leaves extract as a reducing agent without any other reagents. The phase formation and the morphology of the as-synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nanoparticle size is obtained using selected area diffraction patterns of transmission electron microscope (TEM). The synthesized material modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is used for electrochemical detection of the dopamine (DA). In cyclic voltammetry (CV), the modified GCE shows effective electrochemical sensing performance than the bare GCE electrode. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of DA were calculated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Aforementioned material has high sensitivity and selectivity towards DA oxidation through electrochemical sensing.
Loop correction to the scalar Casimir energy density and generation of topological mass due to a helix boundary condition in a scenario with Lorentz violation
Authors: Farias Junior A. J. D. , Santana Mota Herondy F.
Published: October 2022

In this paper, the effective potential approach in quantum field theory is used in order to investigate self-interaction loop correction to the Casimir energy density and generation of topological mass for both massless and massive real scalar fields. It is assumed that the scalar field obeys a helix boundary condition. In addition, it is also considered a CPT-even aether-type violation of the Lorentz symmetry. In the absence of the Lorentz violation, we obtain analytical expressions for the loop correction to the Casimir energy density and to the mass of the scalar field. The same expressions are also obtained assuming the Lorentz violation in each of the spacetime directions. We also show some graphs that exhibit how the loop correction and the Lorentz violation affect the Casimir energy density and the mass of the scalar field.
Noncommutative SUSY black holes
Authors: Crespo-Hernández A. , Mena-Barboza E. A. , Sabido M.
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we propose a generalization to the Schwarzschild metric and define noncommutative SUSY black holes. We introduce the noncommutative deformation to the minisuperspace variables and derive the noncommutative supersymmetric (SUSY) Wheeler–DeWitt (WDW) equation for the Schwarzschild black hole. We calculate the metric and find that the singularities are not removed.
HIP ANKYLOSIS AS SEQUELAE OF CHILDHOOD HIP PATHOLOGY TREATED WITH TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY: REPORT OF TWO CASES
Authors: Santoso Asep , Anwar Iwan Budiwan , Sibarani Tangkas , Soetjahjo Bintang , Saddalqous  , Adriansyah Denny
Published: October 2022

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an emerging surgery in the field of orthopedics with a successful outcome in treating various problems of the hip joint. THA in hip ankylosis is a challenging procedure. Comprehensive pre-operative planning is needed to avoid complications and obtain reasonable functional outcomes. Complete history taking is needed to determine the etiology, indications, type of ankylosis (spontaneous or surgical), age since ankylosis occurred, and previous complications. Physical examination is also important and is focused on the location of the previous incision, limb length discrepancy (LLD), femoral and sciatic nerves, vascular status, pelvic obliquity, spine problems, and range of motion of the ipsilateral knee, and also of contralateral hip and knee. In addition, surgery rehabilitation also becomes one of the important points to get a good clinical outcome. We reported the results of total hip arthroplasty to treat hip ankylosis as sequelae of childhood hip pathology.
TROPICAL PYOMYOSITIS OF THE FLEXOR DIGITORUM SUPERFICIALIS WITH “POINTING FINGER” SIGN IN A CHILD
Authors: Liew SK , Saaid FM , Looi CSK , Arumugam M
Published: October 2022

Tropical pyomyositis (TP) of the upper limb is uncommon, especially in forearm and hand. The incidence was around 2.2% of paediatric TP. Cases reported in the literature were from pre-school and school age children. We describe a case of an 11-month-old girl with concurrent dengue fever and Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia who presented with TP of flexor digitorum superficialis showing “pointing finger” sign of the hand. She was treated with surgical drainage and antibiotics and recovered well. This case describes a new clinical sign for tropical pyomyositis of the flexor muscles in the forearm in a young child and the challenges in making the clinical diagnosis.
FEMORAL HEAD OSTEONECROSIS POST-COVID-19 INFECTION, A PROPHECY COMING TRUE. A REPORT OF SEVEN HIPS
Authors: Mahran Mohamed A. , Moustafa Mohamed MA , Hassan Ahmed Abdelazim A. , Bakr Hatem , Abdelaal Ahmed M. , Khalifa Ahmed A.
Published: October 2022

Musculoskeletal complications following COVID-19 infection or because of its medications had been reported in the literature. Here, we report on seven hips in four patients who presented with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) after having COVID-19 infection, and their treatment regimen included glucocorticoid. Four patients presented to us complaining of hip pain (bilateral in three patients and unilateral in one), all reported being diagnosed as having COVID-19 infection, and their line of management included corticosteroid intake for various durations. The diagnosis was confirmed by plain hip radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. The disease was in the early stages in all patients without femoral head collapse. Thus, all hips were treated by core decompression. ONFH is a real concern in patients who have COVID-19 infection, especially when corticosteroids are administered as part of their management. A follow-up and screening strategy should be established for patients who had COVID-19 infection to detect the early development of hip osteonecrosis.
Asymptotic pressure on some self-similar trees
Authors: Petersen Karl , Salama Ibrahim
Published: October 2022

The vertices of the Cayley graph of a finitely generated semigroup form a set of sites which can be labeled by elements of a finite alphabet in a manner governed by a nonnegative real interaction matrix, respecting nearest neighbor adjacency restrictions. To the set of these configurations one can associate a pressure, which is defined as the limit, when it exists, of averages of the logarithm of the partition function over certain finite subgraphs. We prove that for shifts of finite type on generalized Fibonacci trees and many primitive interaction matrices, the limit exists and is given by an infinite series. We also show that the limit of any cluster points of the pressure on finite subtrees as the number of generators grows without bound, which we call the asymptotic pressure, equals the logarithm of the maximum row sum of the interaction matrix.
VALIDATION OF FINITE ELEMENT MODEL OF THE HUMAN ABDOMINAL FASCIA
Authors: PASHKOULEVA DESSISLAVA , NIKOLOV NIKOLA , KIRILOVA-DONEVA MIGLENA
Published: October 2022

Finite element (FE) analysis is widely used for exploring the mechanical properties of layers and organs of the human body. The aim of this study was to construct and validate an FE model to monitor human abdominal fascia behavior under an uniaxial tensile test. In this study, our previous experimental results for abdominal fascia from three human cadavers where the age distance is about 20 years are chosen to validate FE model. The Yeoh hyperelastic constitutive model was used for the chosen abdominal fascia samples. The FE analysis was applied to simulate the experimental conditions and to calculate stress and strain distributions generated by the uniaxial tension test. The fitting accuracy of the experimental data to the theoretical one was evaluated. The analysis of the results showed a good correlation between the numerical and experimental data. The percentage error between experimental and FE results is in the interval 4.7–9.4%.
A NON-INVASIVE BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITORING FOR DIABETICS WITH BREATH BIOMARKERS: AN ENSEMBLE-OF-CLASSIFIERS MODEL
Authors: GADE ANITA , VIJAYABASKAR V. , PANNEERSELVAM JOHN
Published: October 2022

As a supplemental technique for disease diagnosis, expelled breath monitoring is becoming extremely prevalent. Nevertheless, because of the significant number of factors that must be considered, researchers are forced to create new algorithms for accurate data interpretations. In our study, a novel noninvasive breath biomarkers-based diabetic detection strategy is introduced by upcoming three main processes “pre-processing, feature extraction and diabetes detection”. Raw data (breath signal) are initially pre-processed via data normalization to increase acquired breath signal quality. Most important features, such as “Improved empirical wavelet functions (IEWF), empirical mode decomposition (EMD), local mean decomposition (LMD), continuous wavelet transform (CWT) method, and entropy-based feature,” are extracted from the pre-processed data. These attributes are fused together and are subsequently used to train the ensemble of classifiers in the diabetes detection stage. An ensemble of classifiers, including an “optimized quantum deep neural network (QDNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), and a recurrent neural network (RNN)”, is used to depict the diabetes detection phase. The CNN and RNN are trained using the retrieved fused features. The optimized QDNN receives the output of the CNN and RNN. The final detected result is provided by the optimized QDNN. A unique hybrid optimization model, Archimedes Principle with Enhanced Honey Badger Exploitation (APEHBE) algorithm, that combines the Archimedes Optimization Algorithm (ArchOA) and the Honey Badger Algorithm (HBA) is used to fine-tune the weight of QDNN. The effectiveness of the anticipated model is then verified by a comparison analysis.
Robust ABC Inventory Classification Using Hybrid TOPSIS-Alternative Factor Extraction Approaches
Authors: Hadi-Vencheh A. , Wanke P. , Jamshidi A. , Antunes Jorge
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we propose a robust ABC classification for inventories using a hybrid technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution-alternative factor extraction approach (TOPSIS-AFEA) as the cornerstone method to calculate and rank importance scores for each item in stock. This is done to mitigate multicollinearity that may exist among different inventory criteria, which artificially inflates total data variance. Besides, and differently from previous research, information reliability techniques such as information entropy and gray relational analysis (GRA) are used as an auxiliary tool to differentiate alternative ABC methods proposed in the literature in terms of the principle of maximal entropy. This principle states that the probability distribution that best represents the current state of knowledge given prior data is the one with largest entropy. Results suggest that the proposed robust TOPSIS-AFEA provides an adequate representation of score ranks that may be computed on different datasets by using existing alternative ABC inventory classification models.
Estimation of sub-endmembers using spatial-spectral approach for hyperspectral images
Authors: Chetia Gouri Shankar , Devi Bishnulatpam Pushpa
Published: October 2022

In Blind Hyperspectral Unmixing, the accuracy of the estimated number of endmembers affects the succeeding steps of extraction of endmember signatures and acquiring their fractional abundances. The characteristics of endmember signature depend on the nature of the material on the ground and share similar characteristics for variants of the same material. In this paper, we introduce a new concept of sub-endmembers to identify similar materials that are variants of a global endmember. Identifying the sub-endmembers will provide a meaningful interpretation of the endmember variability along with increased unmixing accuracy. This paper proposes a new algorithm exploiting both the spatial and spectral information present in hyperspectral data. The hyperspectral data are segmented into homogenous regions (superpixels) based on the Simple Linear Iterative Clustering (SLIC) algorithm, and the mean spectral of each region is accounted for in finding the global endmembers. The difference of eigenvalues-based thresholding method is used to find the number of global and sub-endmembers. The method has been tested on synthetic and real hyperspectral data and has successfully estimated the number of global endmembers as well as sub-endmembers. The method is also compared with other state-of-the-art methods, and better performances are obtained at a reasonably lower computational complexity.
Research on Teaching Reform of Innovative and Entrepreneurial Talents Training Course in Local Undergraduate Universities Based on Intelligent Blended Learning
Authors: Ding Yanhong , Yang Na
Published: October 2022

In order to make college development better accord with the development demand of regional society, the
innovation and entrepreneurship (IE)
training course reform in local undergraduate colleges is studied. To begin with, the research background as well as necessity of the teaching reform of basic courses in local undergraduate colleges for IE are analyzed. Moreover, the current situation of
IE education (IEE)
in the local undergraduate colleges in Shaanxi Province is investigated to understand the implementation status of IEE in local undergraduate colleges in Shaanxi Province. Then, the adverse factors affecting the IEE implementation process are studied. Finally, the adverse factors and the causes of the problems are analyzed. From the four aspects of educational philosophy, curriculum structure, curriculum content as well as teaching staff, the suggestions and programs of basic courses reform for IEE are provided. The survey results show that more than 50% of the students have their own unique understanding of IEE, and think that IEE is quite necessary and helpful for their own development. The school has also attached importance to IEE, but the effect is mediocre at present. It suggests that students’ demand for IEE cannot be satisfied now. The methods and survey results proposed give guidance as well as data support to the IEE reform in local undergraduate colleges.
Perspective—Doped ZnO Nanostructures Based on Ultraviolet Photosensors
Authors: Young Sheng-Joue , Liu Yi-Hsing
Published: October 2022

In the past decades, the variety morphologies and doping zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials have attracted significant attention due to its outstanding properties for photodetectors (PDs). This perspective article provides the state of recent advancements regarding the doping of ZnO-based PDs and discusses future directions of ZnO-based optoelectronic devices. The article can provide a useful reference for those who are interested in PDs.
Treatment of Wastewater from Thermal Desorption for Remediation of Oil-Contaminated Soil by the Combination of Multiple Processes
Authors: Xiao Feng , Yin Jun , Shen Dongsheng , Chen Ting , Lv Li
Published: October 2022

Thermal desorption (TD) is one of the methods commonly used to remediate contaminated soil. However, as water is the liquid adsorbent of the off-gas treatment system in the TD stage, the wastewater generated after multiple cycles in the TD stage has low biodegradability and contains complex organic pollutants. In addition to petroleum hydrocarbon, there are also a lot of ammonia, emulsified oil, phenols, aldehydes, and ketones. In this study, effective removal of contaminants was achieved using a combined process of demulsification and flocculation (DF), ammonia stripping (AS), Fenton oxidation (FO), and reverse osmosis (RO). The combined process was optimized, and the maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD), NH3-N, turbidity, and extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPH) removal efficiencies reached 93.3%, 79.8%, 97.6%, and 99.9%, respectively. The FO was the key process for the efficient removal of contaminants. Ultraviolet-visible (UV/Vis), excitation-emission matrix (EEM), fluorescence spectroscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) showed that refractory macromolecular organic pollutants in water were removed, especially aromatics, phenols, and conjugated aldehydes or conjugated ketones, and further ring cleavage of benzene rings and carbocycles with carbon double bonds was observed. The cost-benefit analysis of the combined process was also carried out. The operating cost was 8.73 US$/m3, indicating that the combined process involved moderate costs for recalcitrant wastewater treatment. No studies have been published on combined processes for the treatment of wastewater from TD for the remediation of oil-contaminated soils. Therefore, this study could provide fundamental information based on experimental results and guidelines for wastewater treatment in engineering applications.
Mobile Health (mHealth) Technology in Early Detection and Diagnosis of Oral Cancer-A Scoping Review of the Current Scenario and Feasibility
Authors: Dailah Hamad Ghaleb
Published: October 2022

Objective. Oral cancer is one of the most common types of cancer with dreadful consequences. But it can be detected early without much expensive equipment. Screening and early detection of oral cancer using Mobile health (mHealth) technology are reported due to the availability of the extensive network of mobile phones across populations. Therefore, we aimed to explore the existing literature regarding mHealth feasibility in the early detection of oral cancer. Materials and Method. An extensive search was conducted to explore the literature on the feasibility of mobile health for early oral cancer. Clinical studies reporting kappa agreement between on-site dentists and offsite health care workers/dentists in the early detection of oral cancer were included in this review. Studies describing the development of a diagnostic device, app development, and qualitative interviews among practitioners trained in using mobile health were also included in this review for a broader perspective on mHealth. Results. While most of the studies described various diagnostic accuracies using mHealth for oral cancer early detection, few studies reported the development of mobile applications, novel device designs for mHealth applications, and the feasibility of a few mHealth programs for early oral cancer detection. Community health workers equipped with a mobile phone-based app could identify “abnormal” oral lesions. Overall, many studies reported high sensitivity, specificity, and Kappa value of agreement. Effectiveness, advantages, and barriers in oral cancer screening using mHealth are also described. Conclusion. The overall results show that remote diagnosis for early detection of oral cancer using mHealth was found useful in remote settings.
The Effectiveness of Learning Mathematics according to the STEM Approach in Developing the Mathematical Proficiency of Second Graders of the Intermediate School
Authors: Mohamed Elsayed Sahar Abdo
Published: October 2022

This study explored the effectiveness of learning mathematics according to the STEM approach in developing mathematical proficiency with its five components (conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, strategic competence, adaptive reasoning, and productive disposition) in some mathematical concepts among second graders of intermediate school. The quasi-experimental method with the experimental and control group design was used. The participants were 40 second graders of the intermediate school in the second semester of the school year 2021-22. The experimental group (N = 20) was taught according to the STEM approach, while the control group (N = 20) was taught according to the conventional approach. Data were collected by a researcher-developed mathematical proficiency test measuring conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, strategic competence, adaptive reasoning, and productive disposition. Results of the t-test revealed significant differences in mathematical proficiency between the post-test mean scores for the experimental and control groups in favor of the experimental group. Implications drawn from the results are offered.
Effect of TGF-β1-Mediated Exercise Analgesia in Spared Nerve Injury Mice
Authors: Sun Xinzheng , Wang Chenghao , Wu Junqi , Chen Xiaoke , He Hui
Published: October 2022

Peripheral nerve injury leads to severe neuropathic pain. Previous studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of physical exercise on alleviating neuropathic pain. Exercise regulating transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) can improve several diseases and relieve neuropathic pain induced by peripheral nerve injury. Here, we investigated whether exercise could alleviate neuropathic pain by modulating TGF-β1 expression. We assessed mechanical and cold pain behavior and conducted molecular evaluation of the spinal cord. We found that spared nerve injury (SNI) led to mechanical and cold allodynia in the hind paw, elevated the expression of latency-associated peptide- (LAP-) TGF-β1, and activated astroglial in the spinal cord. Exercise decreases allodynia, astroglial activation, and LAP-TGF-β1 in SNI mice. Intrathecal injection of a TGF-type I receptor inhibitor attenuated exercise analgesia and enhanced astroglial activation. These findings demonstrate that exercise induces analgesia by promoting TGF-β1 activation and inhibiting astrogliosis. Our study reveals a new underlying mechanism for exercise-attenuated neuropathic pain in the maintenance stage of neuropathic pain after nerve injury.
Mathematical Modelling of the Spatial Epidemiology of COVID-19 with Different Diffusion Coefficients
Authors: Barnes Benedict , Takyi Ishmael , Emmanuel Owusu Bright , Ohene Boateng Francis , Saahene Augustine , Saarah Baidoo Emmanuel , Aduko Adombire Jennifer
Published: October 2022

This paper addresses the discrepancy between model findings and field data obtained and how it is minimized using the binning smoothing techniques: means, medians, and boundaries. Employing both the quantitative and the qualitative methods to examine the complex pattern involved in COVID-19 transmission dynamics reveals model variation and provides a boundary signature for the potential of the disease’s future spread across the country. To better understand the main underlying factor responsible for the epidemiology of COVID-19 infection in Ghana, the continuous inflow of foreigners, both with and without the disease, was incorporated into the classical Susceptible-Exposed-Quarantined-Recovered

SEIQR

model, which revealed the spread of the COVID-19 by these foreigners. Also, the diffusion model provided therein gives a threshold condition for the spatial spread of the COVID-19 infection in Ghana. Following the introduction of a new method for the construction of the Lyapunov function for global stability of the nonlinear system of ODEs was observed, overcoming the problem of guessing for the Lyapunov function.
The Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Silk Cocoon on Hypothalamic-Pituitary –Gonadal Axis in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rats
Authors: Ahi Salma , Ebrahimi Fatemeh , Abedi Hassan Ali , Kargar Jahromi Hossein , Zarei Safar
Published: October 2022

Background. Diabetes mellitus impairs the reproductive system by damaging the glands and changing their function and hormone secretions. Given the previous studies on medical properties of silk cocoon, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of silk cocoon on pituitary-gonadal axis hormones and the testis changes in diabetic male rats. Methods. In this experimental study, 35 male rats were divided into 5 equal groups. Control (C), nontreated diabetic rats (DNT1), and experimental diabetic rats treated (DT1) with a silk cocoon extract at concentrations of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg for 56 days. Diabetes was induced by an injection of streptozotocin. Blood sampling was performed by the tail and heart after fasting. Body weight, serum levels of glucose, prolactin, leptin, inhibin A, IGF-2, activin A, insulin, LH, testosterone, FSH, and GnRH were measured along with the testis weight and diameter as the outcome of the study. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 20. Results. Investigation of hormonal factors indicated that all diabetic groups had higher prolactin, inhibin A levels than those in C group and lower leptin, IGF-2, activin A, insulin, LH, testosterone, FSH, and GnRH levels than controls. Silk cocoon treatment significantly decreased prolactin and inhibin in comparison of DNT1 group. While there was a significant increase in leptin, IGF-2, activin A, insulin, LH, testosterone, FSH, and GnRH levels compared with DNT1 (

P
<
0.05

). A significant decrease in both the testis weights and diameters was observed in diabetic male rats compared to controls (

P
<
0.05

). While silk cocoon treatment improved gonadal weight, the diameter of tunica albuginea, and seminiferous tubules as long as increased in numbers of spermatocytes and Sertoli-Leydig cells. Spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid, spermatozoid, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cell count were significantly lower in the DNT1 group in comparison with the control group, while all groups receiving the highest dose of SC800 mg/kg daily had a higher count of cells than the DNT1 group. Conclusion. It seems that silk cocoon treatment decreases the effects of diabetes on hypothalamic-pituitary–gonadal axis.
An Exceptional Case of Light Chain Only Variant of Proliferative Glomerulonephritis with Monoclonal Immunoglobulin Deposits Secondary to Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: De La Flor José C. , Apaza Jacqueline , Díaz Francisco , Sandoval Edna , Linares Tania , Marschall Alexander , Núñez Patricia , Rivas-Nieto Andrea Cecilia , Ruiz Elisa
Published: October 2022

We present the case of an 86-year-old Caucasian male with an 11-year history of low-grade chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) presenting with nephrotic syndrome (NS). Renal biopsy findings showed a diffuse mesangial and endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN) lesion with fine granular deposits, consistent with a rare morphologic variant of proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits (PGNMID)-lambda light chain (LC) only. Monthly combination therapy of rituximab (500 mg/m2 on day 1), fludarabine (30 mg/m2 on days 1–3), and cyclophosphamide (750 mg/m2 on days 1–3) was administered. Five courses of this regimen resulted in hematological remission, as well as a partial renal response with a reduction in the spot urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) of 815.3 mg/g (reduction > 50% proteinuria without improvement in kidney function). This condition is a rare morphological variant of PGNMID, poorly described in CLL patients. We review the literature and suggest that this case provides sheds light on the unknown pathophysiological mechanisms of monoclonal immunoglobulins (MIg)-mediated glomerular damage in CLL patients, and may be helpful for the investigation of a more effective treatment.
Deep Learning-Assisted Efficient Staging of SARS-CoV-2 Lesions Using Lung CT Slices
Authors: Sukanya S. Arockia , Kamalanand K.
Published: October 2022

At present, COVID-19 is a severe infection leading to serious complications. The target site of the SARS-CoV-2 infection is the respiratory tract leading to pneumonia and lung lesions. At present, the severity of the infection is assessed using lung CT images. However, due to the high caseload, it is difficult for radiologists to analyze and stage a large number of CT images every day. Hence, an automated, computer-assisted technique for staging SARS-CoV-2 infection is required. In this work, a comparison of deep learning techniques for the classification and staging of different COVID-19 lung CT images is performed. Four deep transfer learning models, namely, ResNet101, ResNet50, ResNet18, and SqueezeNet, are considered. Initially, the lung CT images were preprocessed and given as inputs to the deep learning models. Further, the models were trained, and the classification of four different stages of the infection was performed using each of the models considered. Finally, the performance metrics of the models were compared to select the best model for staging the infection. Results demonstrate that the ResNet50 model exhibits a higher testing accuracy of 96.9% when compared to ResNet18 (91.9%), ResNet101 (91.7%), and SqueezeNet (88.9%). Also, the ResNet50 model provides a higher sensitivity (96.6%), specificity (98.9%), PPV (99.6%), NPV (98.9%), and F1-score (96.2%) when compared to the other models. This work appears to be of high clinical relevance since an efficient automated framework is required as a staging and prognostic tool to analyze lung CT images.
Blood Eosinophil Endotypes across Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Authors: Luo Jia-Ying , Chen Hui-An , Feng Yuan-Yu , Chen Ye-Peng , Lei Xiang-Cheng , Guo Shuang-Lin , Huang Xiao-Bin , Liang Zhi-Man , Li Ning , Sun Bao-Qing
Published: October 2022

Background. Eosinophils were common inflammatory cells involved in the occurrence and development of various inflammatory diseases. Multiple recent studies have pointed to the increasingly important role of eosinophils in respiratory diseases. This article aims to compare the expression differences of blood eosinophil counts between asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma-COPD overlap (ACO). Methods. Patients with asthma, COPD, and ACO who were seen in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 2012 to June 2019 were included. We collected information such as age, gender, diagnosis, the eosinophil counts from the medical records. Moreover, the levels of 10 cytokines in the plasma of each group were detected by using the Meso Scale Discovery method. Results. We included 9787 patients with asthma, 15806 patients with COPD, and 831 ACO patients. From our results, it can be first found that eosinophil levels were age-related in the three diseases (asthma and ACO:

p
<
0.001

; COPD:

P
=
0.001

); in asthma and COPD, the number of eosinophils in males was more significant than that in females (asthma:

p
<
0.001

; COPD:

p
=
0.012

). Second, asthma patients had higher blood eosinophil counts than those with COPD and ACO (

p
<
0.001

). Moreover, we found out that eosinophil levels were highly expressed in the stable group of all three diseases. Finally, we found that most cytokines in ACO patients showed a downward trend when the level of eosinophils was low, whereas the results were reversed in asthma patients; 7 cytokines had similar trends in COPD and ACO patients. Conclusions. In conclusion, eosinophils have their own unique endotypes in asthma, COPD, and ACO patients, which were reflected in the fluctuation of their levels and changes in cytokine secretion.
Study on the Technical Status of Old Concrete Truss‐Arch Bridge Based on Vehicle‐Bridge Interaction
Authors: Xie Renchao , Li Ming , Xu Chihao
Published: October 2022

With the rapid development of the country’s economy, a large number of heavy vehicles are being used due to the expansion of transportation demand and increased transportation costs. For the old concrete truss‐arch bridges built in the last century, the bridges may hardly meet the modern traffic volume. With respect to old bridges in poor condition, it takes more time and resources to evaluate the technical status by field load tests, and there are some safety risks. A finite element method based on vehicle‐bridge coupled vibration theory was proposed for evaluating the technical status of concrete truss‐arch bridges in this paper. An old concrete truss‐arch bridge in the suburbs of Suzhou, China, was selected as the research object. The field static and dynamic load tests were conducted and the results are consistent with the results of the numerical simulation based on the method proposed in this study. It can be concluded that the proposed numerical method can be widely used to assess the technical state of the old concrete truss‐arch bridges in poor condition.
Intrinsic Molecular Subtypes of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Feng Eric , Rydzewski Nicholas R. , Zhang Meng , Lundberg Arian , Bootsma Matthew , Helzer Kyle T. , Lang Joshua M. , Aggarwal Rahul , Small Eric J. , Quigley David A. , Sjöström Martin , Zhao Shuang G.
Published: October 2022

Purpose:

Although numerous biology-driven subtypes have been described previously in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), unsupervised molecular subtyping based on gene expression has been less studied, especially using large cohorts. Thus, we sought to identify the intrinsic molecular subtypes of mCRPC and assess molecular and clinical correlates in the largest combined cohort of mCRPC samples with gene expression data available to date.

Experimental Design:

We combined and batch-effect corrected gene expression data from four mCRPC cohorts from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (N = 157), a small-cell neuroendocrine (NE) prostate cancer (SCNC)–enriched cohort from Weill Cornell Medicine (N = 49), and cohorts from the Stand Up 2 Cancer/Prostate Cancer Foundation East Coast Dream Team (N = 266) and the West Coast Dream Team (N = 162).

Results:

Hierarchical clustering of RNA-sequencing data from these 634 mCRPC samples identified two distinct adenocarcinoma subtypes, one of which (adeno-immune) was characterized by higher gene expression of immune pathways, higher CIBERSORTx immune scores, diminished ASI benefit, and non–lymph node metastasis tropism compared with an adeno-classic subtype. We also identified two distinct subtypes with enrichment for an NE phenotype, including an NE-liver subgroup characterized by liver metastasis tropism, PTEN loss, and APC and SPOP mutations compared with an NE-classic subgroup.

Conclusions:

Our results emphasize the heterogeneity of mCRPC beyond currently accepted molecular phenotypes, and suggest that future studies should consider incorporating transcriptome-wide profiling to better understand how these differences impact treatment responses and outcomes.
Anterior Uveal Melanocytoma: Role of Diagnostic FNAB
Authors: Melendez-Moreno Alexander , Singaravelu Janani , Brainard Jennifer , Davanzo Jacquelyn M. , Singh Arun D.
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Anterior uveal melanocytoma (AUM) pose a diagnostic challenge as they can mimic growing melanomas. Establishing a definitive diagnosis of melanocytoma necessitates cytologic or histopathologic confirmation. We describe the clinical presentation and characteristics of fifteen pathologically proven AUM cases and assess the role of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) as a safe and effective tool for diagnosis. Methods: Retrospective review of pathologically confirmed AUM cases was performed. Demographic data, presenting symptoms, clinical features, diagnostic approach, cytological and histological features, and clinical outcomes were collected. Results: Fifteen patients with pathologically confirmed AUM were identified. The mean and median age of diagnosis were 50 and 53 years, respectively (range 3–77 years). The melanocytoma was localized to the iris (5, 33%) or ciliary body (7, 47%), and 3 patients had iridociliary involvement (20%). Presentation was due to concern for growth in 4 (29%), visual symptoms in 1 (7%), and was an incidental finding in 10 (64%) patients. Pigmentation of the tumor varied with 9 (60%) appearing brown and 3 (20%) black in color. The color of 3 (20%) ciliary body tumors could not be assessed. The diagnosis was confirmed with FNAB in 6 (40%), excisional biopsy in 7 (47%), and incisional biopsy in 2 (13%). Cytologic and histologic preparations demonstrated predominance of round to polygonal cells with heavily pigmented cytoplasm and small round nuclei. One patient who underwent excisional biopsy had prior FNAB that was interpreted as suspicious for melanoma (false-positive). Instances of false-negative cytology were not observed as demonstrated by the subsequent stable clinical course during the mean follow-up of 21.2 months (range = 1.0–63.0 months). FNAB-related complications were not observed in any case. Conclusion: FNAB offers a minimally invasive and safe diagnostic approach for pathologic confirmation of AUM. However, limitations of FNAB including false-negative and false-positive biopsies must be considered when excluding underlying malignancy. Continued observation to document tumor stability should be considered.
Umbilical Cord Blood Cell Clearance Post-Infusion in Immune-Competent Children with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Crompton Kylie , Godler David E. , Ling Ling , Elwood Ngaire , Mechinaud-Heloury Francoise , Soosay Raj Trisha , Hsiao Kuang-Chih , Fleming Jacqueline , Tiedemann Karin , Novak Iona , Fahey Michael , Wang Xiaofang , Lee Katherine J. , Colditz Paul B. , Edwards Priya , Reddihough Dinah
Published: October 2022

Umbilical cord blood cells have therapeutic potential for neurological disorders, through a paracrine mechanism of action. A greater understanding of the safety and immunological effects of allogeneic donor cord blood cells in the context of a healthy recipient immune system, such as in cerebral palsy, is needed. This study aimed to determine how quickly donor cord blood cells were cleared from the circulation in children with cerebral palsy who received a single intravenous infusion of 12/12 human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling cord blood cells. Twelve participants with cerebral palsy aged 2–12 years received cord blood cell infusions as part of a phase I trial of umbilical blood infusion for cerebral palsy. Digital droplet PCR analysis of DNA copy number variants specific to donor and recipient was used to assess donor DNA clearance at five timepoints post-infusion, a surrogate measure of cell clearance. Donor cells were cleared by 3 months post-infusion in 11/12 participants. When detected, donor DNA was at a fraction of 0.01–0.31% of total DNA with no signs of graft-versus-host disease in any participant. The donor DNA clearance times provided by this study have important implications for understanding the safety of allogeneic cord blood cell infusion for cerebral palsy and translational tissue engineering or regenerative medicine research in other disorders.
Meninos do Rio
Authors: Corpas Danielle
Published: October 2022

O artigo compara os contos “Rolézim” (Geovani Martins, O sol na cabeça) e Dois amores (Paulo Lins), discutido o modo como se configura a representação do cotidiano de pessoas pobres.