bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An aetiology‐based subanalysis of the Telerehabilitation in Heart Failure Patients (TELEREH‐HF) trial
Authors: Szalewska Dominika , Główczyńska Renata , Piotrowicz Ryszard , Kowalik Ilona , Pencina Michael J. , Opolski Grzegorz , Zaręba Wojciech , Banach Maciej , Orzechowski Piotr , Pluta Sławomir , Irzmański Robert , Kalarus Zbigniew , Piotrowicz Ewa
Published: February 2021

Aims

The aim of our study was to analyse the benefits of a 9 week hybrid comprehensive telerehabilitation (HCTR) programme in heart failure (HF) patients according to aetiology, as a subanalysis of the Telerehabilitation in Heart Failure Patients (TELEREH‐HF) trial.

Methods and results

Overall, 555 (65.3%) patients with ischaemic (IS) and 295 (34.7%) patients with non‐ischaemic (NIS) HF aetiology were randomized. There were no differences between the effect of HCTR and usual care (UC) on the primary outcome of number of days alive and out of the hospital in 26 months from the time of randomization in either aetiology (Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test), and no heterogeneity of effect between the aetiologies was noted (van Elteren test, P = 0.746). In Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, treatment was not independently associated with the secondary outcomes. For all‐cause mortality, the adjusted hazard ratio for HCTR vs. UC was 0.90 (95% confidence interval, 0.54–1.51) in IS and 1.42 (95% confidence interval, 0.69–2.94) in NIS (P interaction = 0.316). Differences between HCTR and UC in terms of change in the 6 min walk test distance and cardiopulmonary exercise test time after 9 weeks reached statistical significance in the IS arm (P = 0.015 and P < 0.001, respectively), but not in the NIS arm; however, tests of heterogeneity indicated no statistically significant differences.

Conclusions

The trial showed no difference between HCTR and UC in the primary outcome of percentage of days alive and out of the hospital for either IS or NIS aetiology. Moreover, the magnitude of changes in the clinical and functional statuses of the HF patients did not differ by aetiology. HCTR might have had beneficial effects on the 6 min walk test distance and cardiopulmonary exercise test time after 9 weeks in the IS patients; however, the effect was not statistically significantly different from that observed in the NIS patients.
IgE in the pathophysiology and therapy of food allergy
Authors: Michelet Marine , Balbino Bianca , Guilleminault Laurent , Reber Laurent L.
Published: February 2021

Food allergy is becoming a major public health issue, with no regulatory approved therapy to date. Food allergy symptoms range from skin rash and gastrointestinal symptoms to anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal systemic allergic shock reaction. IgE antibodies are thought to contribute importantly to key features of food allergy and anaphylaxis, and measurement of allergen‐specific IgE is fundamental in diagnosing food allergy. This review will discuss recent advances in the regulation of IgE production and IgE repertoires in food allergy. We will describe the current understanding of the role of IgE and its high‐affinity receptor FcεRI in food allergy and anaphylaxis, by reviewing insights gained from analyses of mouse models. Finally, we will review data derived from clinical studies of the effect of anti‐IgE therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in food allergy, and recent insight on the efficiency and mechanisms through which these mAbs block IgE effector functions.
Comparison between traditional fast Fourier transform and marginal spectra using the Hilbert–Huang transform method for the broadband spectral analysis of the electroencephalogram in healthy humans
Authors: Arrufat‐Pié Eduardo , Estévez‐Báez Mario , Estévez‐Carreras José Mario , Machado‐Curbelo Calixto , Leisman Gerry , Beltrán Carlos
Published: February 2021

The fast Fourier transform (FFT) has been the main tool for electroencephalographic (EEG) Spectral Analysis (SPA). However, as the EEG dynamics show nonlinear and non‐stationary behavior, results using the FFT approach may result meaningless. A novel method has been developed for the analysis of nonlinear and non‐stationary signals known as the Hilbert–Huang transform method. In this study we analyze the differences for the broadband (SPA) of the EEG using the traditional FFT approach with those calculated with the Hilbert Marginal Spectra (HMS) after decomposition of the EEG with a multivariate empirical mode decomposition algorithm. EEG segments recorded from 19 leads of 47 healthy volunteers were studied. Statistically significant differences between methods were found for almost all leads by variance analyses. The agreement assessment shows that mean weighted frequencies have a good agreement for almost all bands, with the exception of beta‐2 and gamma bands where values for the HMS where higher than 3 Hz. Also the HMS method received lower than 5% energy values for alpha activity with an increment in the adjacent bands. The HMS may be considered a good alternative for the SPA of the EEG when nonlinearity or non‐stationarity may be present.
Mechanism study of vehicle‐bridge dynamic interaction under earthquake ground motion
Authors: Cui Cunyu , Xu Yan
Published: February 2021

With increasing traffic congestion happening across the world nowadays in the busy highway bridge systems and urban areas, seismic interaction between vehicle and bridge is a subject that has attracted increasing research interests. A few studies were conducted in recent years. There seems to be a cursory consensus that the behavior of vehicle is similar to a tuned‐mass‐damper and usually results in beneficial effect to bridge seismic responses. However, the mechanism of seismic interaction between vehicle and bridge still remains unclear. Present study statistically investigates the seismic responses of both vehicle and bridge under real earthquakes and a reasonable explanation as to the interaction mechanism between vehicle and bridge is given based on energy analysis. The results show that dynamic interaction would affect the energy distribution between vehicle and bridge. Vehicle has little influence on seismic responses of bridge in the horizontal directions because of the change of energy imparted to bridge caused by vehicle is very small. On the contrary, vehicle responses in the horizontal directions, under some circumstances, are extremely large as a result of relatively large energy imparted from bridge to vehicle. In the vertical direction, a surge of energy imparted to bridge, at some instant of time, caused by vertical compression force between vehicle and bridge could result in significant increases in peak responses of bridge. However, the total input energy imparted to bridge over the duration of earthquake is reduced lessening the overall damage of bridge.
Laboratory simulation of salt weathering under moderate ageing conditions: Implications for the deterioration of sandstone heritage in temperate climates
Authors: Wang Yinghong , Viles Heather , Desarnaud Julie , Yang Shanlong , Guo Qinglin
Published: February 2021

Salt weathering is a significant process affecting the deterioration and conservation of stone‐built heritage in many locations and environments. While much research has focused on the impact of salt weathering under arid or coastal conditions with characteristic climatic conditions and salt types, many sites found to be experiencing salt‐induced deterioration, such as sandstone rock‐hewn cave temples in Gansu Province, China and sandstone buildings in the northern UK, experience high humidities, moderate temperature ranges, and different salt types. To evaluate the impact of salt weathering on sandstone‐built heritage under such mild humid environmental conditions, a lab simulation experiment was designed. The experiment was carried out on three types of sandstone (used in the northern UK and Gansu Province, China) and utilized a realistic diurnal humidity and temperature cycle (85% RH/16°C + 60% RH/22°C), and three widespread damaging salts, that is, Na2SO4, MgSO4, and the mixture of Na2SO4–MgSO4. The nature and extent of deterioration was monitored by photography, weight loss, and the changes in petrophysical properties measured using hardness, ultrasonic pulse velocity (P‐wave velocity), water absorption coefficient by capillarity, open porosity, and apparent density. All three sandstones were found to be susceptible to MgSO4 and the mixture of Na2SO4–MgSO4, but weakly affected by Na2SO4 under mild humid environmental conditions.
African mistletoe (Tapinanthus bangwensis Lor.) infestation improves the phenolic constituents, antioxidative and antidiabetic effects of almond (Terminalia catappa Linn.) host leaf in sucrose‐rich diet‐induced diabetic‐like phenotypes in fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster Meigen)
Authors: Oyeniran Olubukola H. , Ademiluyi Adedayo O. , Oboh Ganiyu
Published: February 2021

Almond is a medicinal plant commonly infested with mistletoe, and its leaves are consumed as food and/or medicine due to their health‐promoting benefits. Mistletoe infestation may interfere with the chemical composition and biological activities of host plants. Therefore, we investigated the influence of mistletoe infestation on polyphenol constituents, antioxidative and hypoglycemic activities of almond leaves in sucrose‐rich diet (SRD)‐induced diabetic‐like phenotypes in the Drosophila melanogaster model. Infested almond leaf (IAL) had higher polyphenol constituents; ellagic acid and isorhamnetin were the most abundant phenolic acid and flavonoid constituents in the almond leaves. However, this study revealed significant (P < 0.05) infestation‐induced increase in some phenolic acids (p‐hydroxybenzoic, protocatechuic, gallic, and chlorogenic acids) and flavonoids (apigenin and catechin) with known antioxidative, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective properties. Moreover, IAL had higher in vitro antioxidant and inhibition of α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities. The SRD‐fed flies had significant (P < 0.05) decrease in percentage survival and locomotion and increase in weight. In addition, elevated levels of glucose, trehalose, insulin‐like peptides and triglycerides coupled with increased oxidative and AChE activities were obtained. However, treatment with the leaves significantly (P < 0.05) lessened the negative alterations caused by SRD with IAL having higher hypoglycemic activities. Hence, we suggest that improved antidiabetic activities of IAL could be related to its higher phenolic constituents.
Credit risk in derivative securities: A simplified approach
Authors: Baule Rainer
Published: February 2021

The pricing of options and other derivatives which are subject to the default risk of the writer usually requires the calibration of a sophisticated model and substantial effort in determining the input parameters. We propose a very simple method to incorporate correlated credit risk into the pricing of vulnerable derivatives. The approach is based upon some approximations of more complex models and requires a minimum of input parameters. It is therefore easily applicable and maintains the accuracy of sophisticated models to a large extent, as shown in numerical studies for call options, put options, and discount certificates.
Geochemistry and zircon U–Pb ages of the Neoproterozoic Shimian plutons on the western margin of the Yangtze Block, Sichuan Province
Authors: Xie Qi‐Feng , Cai Yuan‐Feng , Zhai Ming‐Guo
Published: February 2021

The Shimian Neoproterozoic plutons are located on the western margin of the Yangtze Block and are important for reconstructing the tectonic environment of this region. We present in situ zircon LA–ICP–MS U–Pb geochronological and Hf isotopic analyses for the plutons, as well as whole‐rock major‐ and trace‐element compositions. The monzogranite and syenogranite yield concordant ages of 773.6 ± 5.6 Ma and 812.2 ± 1.8 Ma, respectively, which indicates that they formed during the Tonian of the Neoproterozoic. The samples have very similar geochemistry, with high SiO2 (71.45–75.46 wt%) and Al2O3 (12.38–14.36 wt%) contents. The samples have a geochemical characteristics typical of peraluminous A‐type granites, including high Ga/Al and Rb/Sr ratios and elevated contents of high‐field‐strength elements. The samples also display high Rb/Sr (13.9–23.0) and Rb/Nb (12.5–19.2) ratios. The monzogranite and syenogranite yield positive εHf(t) values (+1.6 to +9.4 and + 5.2 to +9.8, respectively) and T2DM ages of 1.54–1.22 Ga and 1.51–1.21 Ga, respectively, which indicates that they were derived from partial melting of Mesoproterozoic crust or contamination with upper mantle. We propose that the syenogranite and monzogranite formed in a syn‐orogenic extensional setting during the Tonian period and that continuous subduction was responsible for the Neoproterozoic magmatic activities.
Benefits of intraoral stents in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy: Systematic review
Authors: Alves Lísia D. B. , Menezes Ana C. S. , Pereira Débora L. , Santos Marco T. C. , Antunes Héliton S.
Published: February 2021

Intraoral stents aim to reduce the oral complications associated with head and neck cancers radiotherapy. The aim of this study is to determine the benefits associated with these devices. A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases selecting full articles published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish until June 6, 2020 (PROSPERO registration: CRD42020185065). The studies were evaluated by Hadorn and Somerfield criteria and guidelines were established. Nineteen studies were identified suggesting the use of intraoral stent for radiotherapy for patients with cancer on/near the mandible to reduce oral mucositis, trismus, xerostomia (LoE III), and dose in healthy structures (LoE IV) and for cancer on/near the maxilla to reduce oral mucositis and dose in healthy structures (LoE IV). Despite the limited scientific evidence, several benefits associated with the use of intraoral stent for radiotherapy of the head and neck neoplasia have been reported.
Exploring the co‐benefits of environmental volunteering for human and planetary health promotion
Authors: Patrick Rebecca , Henderson‐Wilson Claire , Ebden Matthew
Published: February 2021

Issue addressed

Health promotion has adopted the planetary health perspective to address the threats posed by climate change, environmental degradation and environmental deprivation. Nature is a setting for health promotion that can produce co‐benefits for human health and the protection of the environment. This paper presents the findings of a New South Wales (NSW) study of peoples’ motivations for, and co‐benefits of, environmental volunteering.

Methods

This paper combines the findings of a literature review and qualitative data from a larger mixed‐methods study of environmental volunteering (eg administration and co‐ordination, bush regeneration, advocacy, tour guiding) in NSW. A review of international literature from 2005 yielded 100 documents for analysis. Maximum variation and stratified purposeful sampling strategies were applied to engage 12 environmental volunteers and 30 employees of environmental organisations in a series of focus groups (n = 2) and interviews (n = 22). Qualitative thematic analysis techniques were applied and data triangulated.

Results

Motivations for environmental volunteering include the following: personal, for example, new skills or knowledge, environmental, for example, improve the environment and social/community, for example, forming connections. Environmental volunteering offers a range of benefits for individuals, environmental organisations and the natural environment. These include enhanced mental and social health, and connection to place and learning about the environment.

Conclusions

Environmental volunteering has the potential to address key determinants of health – social inclusion, employment and education. From a planetary health perspective, there are multiple co‐benefits of human‐environmental interaction arising from environmental volunteering. Environmental volunteering is a planetary health strategy that could be incorporated into community‐based health promotion.

So what?

Health promotion has a mandate to act on ecological determinants of health. Environmental volunteering is an untapped resource for community‐based health promotion and for achieving planetary health goals.
Isotopic temporal and spatial variations of tropical rivers in Thailand reflect monsoon precipitation signals
Authors: Laonamsai Jeerapong , Ichiyanagi Kimpei , Patsinghasanee Supapap
Published: February 2021

Stable isotopic compositions (δ18O andd‐excess) from 25 rivers in Thailand were analysed monthly during 2013–2015. Results indicated that monsoon precipitation fundamentally influences the river isotopes. The overland flow supplied from monsoon precipitation and human‐altered flow regimes produces considerable isotopic variability. Spatial and temporal variations were observed among four principal geographical regions. The seasonality of monsoon precipitation in mountainous Thailand produced large variations in isotopic compositions because most rainfall occurred during the southwest monsoon, and dry conditions prevailed during the northeast monsoon. The northern and northeastern regions are mountainous, highland areas. Low δ18O values were found in these regions, likely because of altitude effects on precipitation. Conversely, monsoonal precipitation continually supplies rivers in southern Thailand all year round, producing higher and more consistent δ18O values than in the other regions. The Chao Phraya plain in the central region experienced enrichment of δ18O river runoff related to evaporation in irrigation systems. Larger catchment areas and longer residence times resulted in more pronounced evaporation effects, producing lower values ofd‐excess and local river water line slopes compared with precipitation. The isotopic differences between river waters and precipitation were utilized to determine river recharge elevations and water transit time. The methods presented here can be used to explore hydrological interactions in other tropical river basins.
Innovation and financial performance: An assessment of patenting strategies of Chinese listed firms
Authors: Li Hong
Published: February 2021

We examine the impacts of explorative and collaborative innovations on financial performance within the potential‐outcome framework using the patent information of 1716 Chinese listed firms over 2009–2017. By identifying the firms' patenting strategies on the basis of their positioning in the matrix of exploitative‐explorative by solitary‐collaborative dichotomies, as opposed to the separate dichotomies used in the existing studies, we obtain evidence for the impacts that are new to the literature. Firstly, the relationships between the shares of explorative and collaborative innovations and the performance are at most U shaped and only observed in firms pursuing some specific patenting strategies. Furthermore, the thresholds that permit these firms to benefit from the improvement of financial performance through increasing the shares of explorative and collaborative innovations are at least as high as 63%. Secondly, the patenting strategies in the extremes of the exploitative‐explorative and solitary‐collaborative dichotomies, such as the solitarily exploitative patenting and the collaboratively explorative patenting, have a greater value‐enhancing potential than those falling between the extremes of the dichotomies, failing to support the proposition that firms adopting an innovation strategy balancing between exploitation and exploration have better financial performance in the long run.
Stock returns and interest rate differential in high and low interest rate environments
Authors: Salisu Afees A. , Sikiru Abdulsalam Abidemi
Published: February 2021

In this study, we contribute to the literature in three ways. First, we test whether the response of stock returns to interest rate differential contrasts between high and low interest rate environments. Second, we further test whether positive and negative interest rate differentials impact differently on stock returns. For completeness, we examine the role of negative interest rate policy in the nexus by testing whether the response of stock returns to interest rate differential varies between negative and positive low interest rate environments. The third objective becomes necessary as negative interest rate may not necessarily translate into negative interest rate differential and vice versa. Using panel data methods that allow for nonstationarity, mixed order of integration and cross‐sectional heterogeneity in the estimation process, we find contrasting evidence between the two interest rate environments. While the relationship is negative for the low interest rate economies, a positive sign is observed for the high interest rate group. The ‘asymmetry’ effect in the relationship is only evident in the short run and in addition interest rate differential tends to improve stock returns in negative interest rate environment albeit in the short run. We also find contrasting evidence between the positive and negative low interest rates where the nexus remains negative for the positive (low) interest rate group and positive nexus for negative (low) interest rate category.
Do you feel happy when other members look happy? Moderating effect of community‐level social capital on interconnection of happiness
Authors: Fukushima Shintaro , Uchida Yukiko , Takemura Kosuke
Published: February 2021

One's happiness is expected to be affected by the happiness of surrounding others. This socio‐psychological nature of happiness, however, has not been fully examined in the literature of social psychology. The current study examined if this “psychological interconnection of happiness” occurs when (i) individuals have strong personal social capital and/or (ii) individuals belong to a community where other members have strong social capital. We analysed a large social survey dataset sampled from 408 communities in Japan (N = 7295). The psychological interconnection of happiness was measured by calculating the correlation between individual happiness and perceived community happiness. The multilevel analyses revealed that the psychological interconnection of happiness was moderated by community‐level social capital above and beyond individual‐level social capital, while individual‐level social capital did not have a significant moderation effect.
Urinary retention in adult hypospadias patient resolved by unroofing of a mildly enlarged prostatic utricle
Authors: Oshima Koichi , Kanematsu Akihiro , Hashimoto Takahiko , Shimatani Kimihiro , Nojima Michio , Yamamoto Shingo
Published: February 2021

Introduction

A prostatic utricle is a congenital saccular indentation in the prostatic urethra and frequently enlarged in hypospadias patients. We present a case of urinary retention associated with a mildly enlarged utricle.

Case presentation

A 20‐year‐old male, who underwent multiple repair procedures for hypospadias during childhood, was referred to us for dysuria. Retrograde urethrogram, voiding cystourethrogram, and cystoscopy results revealed only a mildly enlarged prostatic utricle, with no apparent lower urinary tract obstruction or urethral valves. A meatotomy was performed under suspicion of meatal stenosis, though urinary retention occurred following that procedure. Transrectal ultrasonography revealed flapping of the prostatic urethra floor over the utricle. Transurethral unroofing of the utricle relieved the dysuria.

Conclusion

A mildly enlarged prostatic utricle can cause dysuria. To the best of our knowledge, no case similar to the present has been previously reported.
Quantum and blockchain based Serverless edge computing: A vision, model, new trends and future directions
Authors: Gill Sukhpal Singh
Published: February 2021

Serverless computing has become an important cloud model delivering service to users based on the amount of resources consumed by the Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Edge computing can be utilized for Serverless computing to process small or deadline oriented jobs efficiently at edge devices helping to reduce latency. Furthermore, security and computation speed have become important challenges for Serverless edge computing. Blockchain and Quantum computing can be used to provide secure and reliable edge Serverless service while also improving security and computation speed respectively. This letter identifies and integrates various emerging paradigms to develop a conceptual model for Quantum and Blockchain based Serverless edge computing. Promising future research directions and open challenges are also discussed.
Remote teaching of publication‐quality, single‐case graphs in Microsoft Excel
Authors: Lehardy Robert K. , Luczynski Kevin C. , Hood Stephanie A. , McKeown Ciobha A.
Published: February 2021

Microsoft Excel is ubiquitous, cost‐effective, and can be used to create publication‐quality single‐case design graphs. We systematically replicated the GraphPad Prism video tutorial by Mitteer et al. (2018) to teach 24 master's students to create multiple‐baseline graphs using Excel 2016. Students' mean accuracy on the multiple‐baseline graph was 25% in pretraining, 86% with the video tutorial, and 96% with the review checklist. Next, students used the same video tutorial to create multielement and reversal graphs. Students' mean accuracy on the multielement graph was 93% with video tutorial and 94% with review checklist, and accuracy on the reversal graph was 82% with video tutorial and 94% with review checklist. Students reported moderate to high satisfaction with both training components. The results support scientist‐practitioners using the video tutorial and review checklists to create three common graphs using Excel 2016, Excel 2019, and Excel Office 365.
Research progress on the carcinogenicity of metal nanomaterials
Authors: Liu Lin , Kong Lu
Published: February 2021

With the rapid development of nanotechnology, new nanomaterials with enormous potentials continue to emerge, especially metal nanomaterials. Metal nanomaterials possess the characteristics of metals and nanomaterials, so they are widely used in many fields. But at the same time, whether the use or release of metal nan4omaterials into the environment is toxic to human beings and animals has now attained widespread attention at home and abroad. Currently, it is an indisputable fact that cancer ranks among the top causes of death among residents worldwide. The properties of causing DNA damage and mutations possessed by these metal nanomaterials make them unpredictable influences in the body, subsequently leading to genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Due to the increasing evidence of their roles in carcinogenicity, this article reviews the toxicological and carcinogenic effects of metal nanomaterials, including nano‐metal elements (nickel nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, and cobalt nanoparticles) and nano‐metal oxides (titanium dioxide nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, and alumina nanoparticles). This article provides a reference for the researchers and policymakers to use metal nanomaterials rationally in modern industries and biomedicine.
Global longitudinal strain evaluated by speckle‐tracking echocardiography as a surrogate marker for predicting replacement fibrosis detected by magnetic resonance‐late gadolinium enhancement in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ota Shingo , Hozumi Takeshi , Tanimoto Takashi , Takemoto Kazushi , Wada Teruaki , Kashiwagi Manabu , Shimamura Kunihiro , Shiono Yasutsugu , Kuroi Akio , Matsuo Yoshiki , Kitabata Hironori , Ino Yasushi , Kubo Takashi , Tanaka Atsushi , Akasaka Takashi
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate whether left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) evaluated by speckle‐tracking echocardiography (STE) can be used as a surrogate marker for the detection of replacement fibrosis by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM).

Methods

This study analyzed 41 NICM patients who successfully underwent both STE and CMR, and were divided into those with (Group A, n = 18) and those without CMR‐LGE (Group B, n = 23). Echocardiographic indexes, including GLS, were compared between the two groups.

Results

No significant differences were observed in LV end‐diastolic and end‐systolic volume indexes, LV ejection fraction, mitral E/A, deceleration time, E/e′, left atrial volume index, and the systolic trans‐tricuspid pressure gradient between Groups A and B. STE‐GLS was significantly worse in Group A than in Group B (−7.6% ± 3.0% vs −9.9% ± 3.2%, P = .01). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that STE‐GLS of −7.9% was the best cut‐off value for detection of CMR‐LGE (sensitivity, 78%; specificity, 74%; and area under the curve, 0.74).

Conclusions

STE‐GLS may be a potential surrogate marker for the detection of CMR‐LGE‐derived replacement fibrosis in patients with NICM.
Renal arterial resistance index among subjects with liver cirrhosis in a Nigerian population
Authors: Onwuka Chidiogo Chukwunweike , Ayoola Oluwagbemiga Oluwole , Adekanle Olusegun , Famurewa Olusola Comfort , Abidoye Ibukun Anuoluwa
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To describe the relationship between renal artery resistance index (RARI) and liver function based on Child‐Pugh system among patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) in Southwest Nigeria.

Methods

About 50 patients with LC and 50 controls were consecutively recruited into this prospective comparative case control study. Each LC patient was classed based on Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh (CTP) system after relevant tests. Subjects underwent abdominal ultrasonography with triplex Doppler examination of the right kidney to obtain RARI.

Results

About 50 cirrhotic and 50 controls completed the study. Age range of cirrhotic subjects was 19‐69 years (mean ± SD = 47.5 ± 13.3) while that of controls was 18‐69 years (46.9 ± 15.0). RARI was higher (P = <.001) in patients with LC (0.68) than in controls (0.57). RARI was also significantly higher (P = <.001) in cirrhotic subjects in CTP class C (0.72) than in those in classes B (0.66) and A (0.58). Additionally, RARI showed significant correlation with CTP total score (r = .662; P = <.001), serum bilirubin (r = .297; P = .036), serum albumin (r = −.494; P = <.001), serum sodium (r = −.369; P = .008), Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (r = .316; P = .026) and MELD‐Na score (r = .470; P = .001). RARI showed no significant relationship with serum creatinine (r = .110; P = .445) and blood urea nitrogen (r = .112; P = .437).

Conclusion

Liver cirrhosis is associated with renovascular changes which manifest as increased resistance in the renal arteries. RARI is a useful noninvasive tool for the assessment of these changes and should be done routinely in the evaluation of patients with LC.
Hands‐on live demonstration vs. video‐supported demonstration of an aesthetic composite restoration in undergraduate dental teaching
Authors: Schlafer Sebastian , Pedersen Kamilla , Jørgensen Jette N. , Kruse Casper
Published: February 2021

Purpose/Objectives

Live hands‐on demonstration of dental procedures is a central format in undergraduate dental teaching. It captures the immediacy of the clinical situation and allows for direct communication between instructor and students, but it also requires an experienced instructor who is able to handle both the performed treatment and its visualization alongside the actual teaching. The aim of the present work is to compare the hands‐on demonstration of a class IV composite restoration to a teaching format where the instructor guided the students through a prerecorded procedural video of the same treatment.

Methods

The effect of both interventions on the students’ self‐perceived learning outcomes was analyzed by questionnaires (response rate 100%) in a randomized controlled double‐blind (participants, outcome assessor) parallel group design (September 10 to October 3, 2019). In‐class discussions were explored qualitatively by thematic analysis.

Results

Both teaching formats increased the students’ self‐reported motivation, self‐efficacy, and patient‐centeredness in a similar way, with no significant differences between interventions. During in‐class discussions, both the instructor and the students were more active in the video group. In contrast to the hands‐on group, discussions in the video group also involved patient‐related topics, such as aesthetics and general health. The video‐supported teaching format considerably reduced the amount of time spent on optimizing the visualization of the performed treatment.

Conclusion

Video‐supported instructor‐guided demonstrations may represent a promising teaching format as an alternative to live hands‐on demonstrations of dental procedures in undergraduate dental education.
Osteoinduction within adipose tissue fragments by heterodimeric bone morphogenetic Proteins‐2/6 and ‐2/7 versus homodimeric bone morphogenetic protein‐2: Therapeutic implications for bone regeneration
Authors: Betz Volker M. , Ren Bin , Betz Oliver B. , Jansson Volkmar , Müller Peter E.
Published: February 2021

Background

Fragments of subcutaneous adipose tissue that have been genetically modified to express bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) regenerate large segmental osseous lesions in rodents. Gene‐activated adipose tissue can be implanted into osseous defects without prior cell extraction and cell culture. The present study aimed to explore whether the heterodimers BMP‐2/6 or BMP‐2/7 exceed the osteoinductive effect of BMP‐2 on adipose tissue.

Methods

In an in vitro tissue culture system, freshly harvested rat subcutaneous adipose tissue was cultivated in the presence of either BMP‐2 or BMP‐2/6 or BMP‐2/7 at a high (200 ng/ml) and low (50 ng/ml) concentration. Gene expression analysis as well as histological and immunohistochemical methods were applied to test for osteoinduction.

Results

A concentration of 200 ng/ml of homodimeric BMP‐2 induced osteogenic differentiation most potently, showing more calcification and a higher expression level of bone markers than both concentrations of BMP‐2/6 or ‐2/7. A concentration of 50 ng/ml of BMP‐2 was a significantly stronger osteogenic inducer than both concentrations of BMP‐2/6 and the low concentration of BMP‐2/7. The most potent heterodimeric driver of osteoinduction was BMP‐2/7 at a high concentration, demonstrating effects similar to those of BMP‐2 at a low concentration.

Conclusions

Homodimeric BMP‐2 evoked osteoinduction within adipose tissue more potently and at a lower concentration than heterodimeric BMP‐2/6 or BMP‐2/7. This result agrees well with the fact that it might be easier to translate adipose grafts activated by homodimeric BMP‐2 clinically. Preclinical in vivo gene transfer studies are necessary to confirm the results of the present study.
Psychedelic philanthropy: The nonprofit sector and Timothy Leary's 1960s psychedelic movement
Authors: Elcock Chris
Published: February 2021

Little has been written on the financial support behind Timothy Leary's unorthodox research into mind‐altering drugs like LSD and psilocybin and his subsequent psychedelic movement. Indeed several individuals and organizations helped the psychedelic cause by directly funding Leary's ventures, offering legal and logistic assistance, and organizing fund‐raising campaigns. I argue that classic philanthropic attitudes and wealthy patrons played a major supporting role for Leary's psychedelic movement in the first part of the decade and that the changes in Leary's research objectives and his transition from academic to LSD guru were accompanied by changes in the patterns of support that occurred throughout the 1960s. This paper also connects Leary's legal troubles in the second part of the decade with the rise of the movement to legalize cannabis and points to historical continuity by looking at contemporary endeavors to fund psychedelic research.
Preventing Staphylococcus aureus stainless steel‐associated infections in orthopedics. A systematic review and meta‐analysis of animal literature
Authors: Tsikopoulos Konstantinos , Sidiropoulos Konstantinos , Kitridis Dimitrios , Moulder Elizabeth , Ahmadi Milad , Drago Lorenzo , Lavalette David
Published: February 2021

Surgical site infection in the presence of orthopedic implants poses significant healthcare and socioeconomic burden. To assess the potential of various prevention strategies against Staphylococcus‐induced stainless steel‐associated infections, a review of animal evidence was designed. The databases of PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched until March 10, 2020, for articles including animal models with stainless steel instrumentation and techniques to prevent Staphylococcus infection. We conducted a random‐effects meta‐analysis of standardized mean differences (SMD) with subgroup analysis linked to various protection strategies and we recorded complications. Quality was assessed with the SYRCLE's risk of bias tool. Twenty‐five studies were included. Combined active coating (featuring organic antibacterial compound release) and degradable passive finishing (lipid‐ or polymer‐based structure modification reducing bacterial adhesion) was favored over untreated controls (SMDs for methicillin‐sensitive Staphylococcus aureus [MSSA] and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] were −3.46, 95% CI [−4.53 to −2.4], p < .001 [n = 4 head‐to‐head comparisons]; and −6.67, 95% CI [−10.53 to −3], p < .001 [n = 5 head‐to‐head comparisons], respectively). Systemic vitamin D supplementation and systemic antibiotic administration with or without local antibiotics demonstrated favorable outcomes against MSSA infection. On the contrary, no benefit was seen following vaccination. Of note, no side effects were documented. On the basis of data gathered from eight studies, which comprised 294 animals, a bioresorbable polymer‐ or lipid‐based surface modification supplemented with organic coating yielded improved infection‐related outcomes against MSSA and MRSA stainless steel infections, and therefore, this strategy could be further investigated in human research.
Pathological factors associated with non‐sentinel lymph node metastasis in early stage cervical cancer
Authors: Diniz Thiago P. , Faloppa Carlos C. , Mantoan Henrique , Gonçalves Bruna T. , Kumagai Lillian Y. , Menezes Ademir N. O. , Badiglian‐Filho Levon , Guimaraes Andrea P. G. , da Costa Alexandre A. B. A. , De Brot Louise , Baiocchi Glauco
Published: February 2021

Objective

To analyze the predictive factors for non‐sentinel lymph node (non‐SLN) metastasis in early‐stage cervical cancer.

Methods

We analyzed a series of 113 patients who underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping for cervical cancer. The SLNs were examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) when the hematoxylin–eosin stain was negative.

Results

The overall bilateral detection rate was 81.5%, with a median of two SLNs resected. The study ultimately included 92 patients with SLNs that were mapped who had also undergone systematic pelvic lymph node dissection. Thirteen (14.1%) patients had positive SLNs, with a median of one positive SLN. Regarding the size of SLN metastasis, one (1.1%) had isolated tumor cells (ITC), seven (7.6%) had micrometastases, and five (5.4%) had macrometastases. Notably, 46.1% (6/13) had lymph node metastases detected only after IHC. Five (38.5%) cases had positive non‐SLNs, with a median count of one positive lymph node. Parametrial invasion was the only risk factor for positive non‐SLN (p = .045). Regarding the size of SLN metastasis, non‐SLN involvement was present in the only case with ITC (1/1), 42.9% (3/7) of cases with micrometastases, and in 20% (1/5) with macrometastases.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that parametrial invasion correlates with the risk of non‐SLN metastasis in cervical cancer.
Clinical correlation of cadherin‐17 marker with advanced tumor stages and poor prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Zheng Bo‐Hao , Shen Sheng , Wong Kwong‐Fai , Gong Zi‐Jun , Sun Wen‐Tao , Ni Xiao‐Jian , Wang Ji‐Wen , Hu Mei‐Yu , Liu Han , Ni Xiao‐Ling , Liu Hou‐Bao , Luk John M. , Suo Tao
Published: February 2021

Background and Objectives

In this retrospective study, we examined the CA17 tissue expression and analyzed its clinical significance in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).

Materials and Methods

Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess CA17 expression on tissue microarrays in a training cohort enrolling 120 CCA patients and a validation cohort comprising 60 CCA patients. Image pro plus was applied to score the staining intensity and expression level of CA17 marker. Kaplan‐Meier analysis, Cox's proportional hazards regression, and nomogram were applied to evaluate the prognostic significance of CA17.

Results

CA17 cancer biomarker over‐expression was significantly observed in CCA compared to their non‐tumor counterparts, and positively correlated with aggressive tumor phenotypes, like lymph node metastasis. Meanwhile, patients with high expression of CA17 correlated with worse postoperative overall survival (OS) and recurrence‐free survival. Besides, multivariate analysis identified that CA17 expression was an independent prognostic factor for cholangiocarcinoma patients, which indicated that the CA17 could be more efficient than serum CA19‐9 in predicting the OS of CCA patients. Notably, the nomogram integrating CA17 expression had better prognostic performance as compared with current TNM staging systems.

Conclusion

CA17 was an independent adverse prognostic factor for CCA patients’ survival, which may serve as a promising prognostic biomarker for CCA patients.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Dropout Among Military and Veteran Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Edwards‐Stewart Amanda , Smolenski Derek J. , Bush Nigel E. , Cyr Betty‐Ann , Beech Erin H. , Skopp Nancy A. , Belsher Bradley E.
Published: February 2021

High treatment dropout rates reported in recent literature have brought into question the effectiveness of trauma‐focused posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments among military populations. The aim of the current systematic review was to evaluate PTSD treatment dropout rates among military populations by treatment type and other study‐level variables. We searched four databases as well as gray literature for randomized controlled trials that evaluated evidence‐based PTSD treatments in samples of active duty personnel and/or veterans. In total, 26 studies were included in this review, with a total of 2,984 participants. We analyzed dropout rates across treatment types using multivariate meta‐analysis. Across all forms of treatment, the aggregated dropout rate was 24.2%. Dropout percentages based on treatment type were 27.1% for trauma‐focused treatments, 16.1% for non–trauma‐focused treatments, and 6.8% for waitlist groups. We found substantial heterogeneity between studies that was not explained by military status or other study‐level covariates. Summary risk ratios (RRs) comparing relative dropout between treatment groups indicated that trauma‐focused treatment groups had a higher risk of dropout compared to non–trauma‐focused treatments, RR = 1.60. The statistical heterogeneity of within‐treatment dropout risk ratios was negligible. Dropout rates among military patients receiving trauma‐focused therapies were only slightly higher than those reported in the literature among civilian populations and were not explained by study‐level covariates.
Interannual evolution of hydrosedimentary connectivity induced by forest cover change in a snow‐dominated mountainous catchment
Authors: Jautzy Timothée , Maltais Maxime , Buffin‐Bélanger Thomas
Published: February 2021

Hydrosedimentary connectivity is a key concept referring to the potential fluxes of water and sediment moving throughout a catchment. In forested catchments, these fluxes are prone to alterations caused by anthropogenic and natural disturbances. In this study, we modelled the interannual spatiotemporal evolution of hydrosedimentary connectivity influenced by forest cover change over the last four decades in the Mont‐Louis catchment, a medium snow‐dominated mountainous catchment in eastern Canada, which had 62% of its total surface affected by forest disturbances (mainly logging, but also wildfires and diseases) between 1979 and 2017. Using a geomorphometric index of connectivity (IC) and a historical forest cover database, we produced one IC map per year that considered anthropogenic and natural disturbances affecting the forest cover of the studied catchment. To account for vegetation recovery, forest disturbances were weighted with local hydrological recovery rates. Over the four decades, the mean IC of the Mont‐Louis catchment dramatically increased by 35% in response to different types of disturbances. The spatial evolution of IC over the whole catchment and at the sub‐catchment scale revealed that disturbance location has a strong influence on hydrosedimentary connectivity to the main channel. Our results also highlight the sharp contrast between IC computed from topography‐based impedance to those computed from vegetation‐based impedance. Forest disturbances appear to connect hillslopes with the hydrological network by producing pathways for sediment and water. Finally, the proposed reproducible framework could be useful for predicting the potential impact of harvesting and preventing damage to fish habitat and sensitive river reaches.
An advanced iterative model for computing approximated blocking probabilities and measuring the quality of service in optical communication networks
Authors: Khan Akhtar Nawaz , Ali Amjad , Imtiaz Waqas A. , Ullah Sibghat
Published: February 2021

Existing analytical models (EAMs) are used to find the quality of service of optical networks with wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). However, the convergence of EAMs decreases with an increase in traffic load and the numbers of wavelength (w) channels. EAMs are used to compute approximated numerical values of blocking probabilities (BPs) which are based on an iterative approach. There are cases in EAMs when numerical BP values do not converge to a single point after numerous iterations. In this paper, the converge issues of EAMs have been addressed by considering a recursive approximation based on iterative approach with the convergence criteria which is called an advance approximated BP model (AABPM). The accuracy of the AABPM for WDM optical networks is examined by comparing with an EAM as well as simulation results which shows that AABPM converges to give similar approximated numerical values with less convergence time.
Ultrawideband inkjet‐printed monopole antennas for energy harvesting application
Authors: Alex‐Amor Antonio , Palomares‐Caballero Ángel , Moreno‐Núñez Javier , Tamayo‐Domínguez Adrián , García‐García Carmelo , Fernández‐González José M.
Published: February 2021

Multiple communication and identification systems are taking advantage of inkjet‐printing techniques for the production of flexible, low‐cost, and lightweight printed radiating elements. In this paper, we bring the advantages of inkjet printing to the design of efficient and low‐cost wideband radio‐frequency (RF) energy harvesters. We present the design, manufacturing, and measurement of two inkjet‐printed ultrawideband monopole antennas. Both elliptical and circular monopoles are printed with a silver conductive ink on a thin polyethylene terephthalate film that lays on a foam substrate. Measurements show that the antennas operate efficiently from 0.6 to 8 GHz, covering the most relevant power contributions coming from the radio spectrum. In addition, the antennas show omnidirectional characteristics, highly desirable for broad spatial coverage in RF energy harvesting.