bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary Exposure Assessment of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins through Shellfish Consumption in Shenzhen Population, China
Authors: Zhou Yan , Li Shenpan , Zhang Jianying , Zhang Jinzhou , Wang Zhou , Pan Liubo , Huang Baiqiang , Huang Ke , Chen Xiao , Zhao Qionghui , Jiang Tianjiu , Liu Jianjun
Published: July 2021

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) produced by certain marine dinoflagellates accumulate in filter-feeding marine bivalves. We used LC-MS/MS to detect and quantify 13 PSTs in 188 shellfish samples of 14 species collected from Shenzhen city’s Buji seafood wholesale market from March 2019 to February 2020. Twenty-six of 188 shellfish samples (13.8%) were PST- positive, with highest values in samples of the Noble clam Chlamys nobilis (10/34, 29.4%). Samples originating from Nan’ao island among 11 source sites in China recorded the highest detected rate (7/17, 41.2%). Samples containing PSTs were concentrated in Spring and Winter, with the highest levels in March > December > January. Among PSTs detected, C1 was dominant. Acute dietary exposure assessments for Shenzhen residents were based on P99 consumption data (139.2g/day) and maximum PST concentration for each shellfish species. The outcome for Chlamys nobilis was 2.4 ~ 3.7-fold higher than recommended ARfDs (0.5 ~ 0.7 µg STX eq./kg bw/day). Mean PST concentration (10.9 ~ 134.1 µg STX Eq. /kg), mean shellfish consumption (4.8 g/day) and P99 consumption data were used to assess chronic dietary exposure. The results were lower than the recommended ARfDs. In conclusion, residents in Shenzhen are at risk for acute PST poisoning, while relatively safe from chronic PST exposure.
Hemodynamic Impact of Stenting on Carotid Bifurcation: A Potential Role in the Stented Segment and External Carotid Artery
Authors: Fan Zhenmin , Liu Xiao , Zhang Yingying , Zhang Nan , Ye Xia , Deng Xiaoyan
Published: July 2021

Carotid stenting near the bifurcation carina is associated with adverse events, especially in-stent restenosis, in-stent thrombosis, and side branch occlusion in clinical data. This study aims to determine the potential biomechanical mechanisms for these adverse events after carotid stenting. The patient-specific carotid models were constructed with different stenting scenarios to study the flow distribution and hemodynamic parameters, such as wall shear stress (WSS), flow velocity, relative residence time (RRT), and oscillating shear index (OSI) in the carotid bifurcation. The results suggested that existing stent obviously reduced blood flow to external carotid artery (ECA) but enhanced local flow disturbance both in ECA and stented internal carotid artery (ICA), and the inner-posterior wall of stented ICA and the outer-posterior wall of ECA might endure a relatively low level of WSS and remarkably elevated OSI and RRT. In addition, the implanted stent leads to more ECA adverse flow than stented ICA. While disturbed flow in the vicinity of strut increased as stent length increased, blood flow and areas of local flow disturbance in ECA slightly decreased as stent length increased. In conclusion, the results revealed that ECA might be in relatively high levels of abnormal local hemodynamics after stenting, followed by stented ICA, leading to potential adverse events after interventions.
The Piezo1 Mechanosensitive Ion Channel Promotes Melanoma Malignant Progression by Activating PI3K-AKT Signaling
Authors: zhang simei , cao shuang , gong mengyuan , zhang wunai , zhang weifan , zhu zeen , wu shuai , shi yue , wang lin , yue yangyang , qian weikun , ma qingyong , wang shengpeng , wang zheng
Published: July 2021

Background: Melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer that can metastasize at early stage. The mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 plays a crucial role in embryonic development, tumour growth, migration, invasion and vascularization. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of Piezo1 and its potential mechanism in regulating the malignant phenotypes of melanoma.Methods: The expression of Piezo1 in melanoma was analysed using quantitative real-time PCR and public databases. The effect of Piezo1 on cell viability was examined using a cell counting kit-8 assay. Cell invasion and migration ability were assessed using wound healing assays, transwell assays, transendothelial migration assays and a tail vein cancer metastasis model in vivo. Bioinformatics and western blot assayses were used to explore the effect of Pieoz1 on P13K/AKT signalling.Results: Piezo1 was upregulated in melanoma and was positively associated with poor survival. Piezo1 knockdown significantly weakened the intracellular calcium signal significantly and inhibited the viability of melanoma cells. Furthermore, Piezo1 knockdown inhibited the invasion and metastasis ability in vitro and in vivo by inducing the expression of cell cycle, invasion and metastasis related genes. To clarify the possible mechanism, it seems that Piezo1 activates the PI3K-AKT signalling to maintain malignant phenotypes of melanoma.Conclusion: Piezo1 acts as an oncogene in melanoma cells and provides a novel candidate for melanoma diagnosis and treatment.
Wound-Healing Properties of Green (Using Lawsonia Inermis Leaf Extract) and Chemically Synthesized Zno Nanoparticles in Albino Rats
Authors: Metwally Asmaa A. , Abdel-Hady Abdel-Nasser A.A. , Haridy Mohie A.M. , Ebnalwaled Khaled , Saied AbdulRahman A , Soliman Ahmed S.
Published: July 2021

Wound healing is one of the utmost medical issues in human and veterinary medicine, which explains the urgent need for developing new agents that possess wound-healing activities. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of green and chemical ZnO-NPs for wound healing. ZnO-NPs (chemical and green using Lawsonia inermis leaf extract) were synthesized and characterized by XRD; FTIR, and HRTEM. The gels containing the nanomaterials were prepared and inspected. Forty-five albino rats were divided into three groups, the control group was treated with normal saline 0.9 % and the other two groups were treated with gels containing green and chemical ZnO-NPs, respectively. On the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st dpt, the wounds were clinical and histologically examined. Both nanomaterials have good crystallinity and high purity, but green ZnO-NPs have a longer nanowire length and diameter than chemical ZnO-NPs. The formed gels were highly viscous with a pH of 6.5 to 7. Both prepared gels showed clinical improvements, such as a decrease in WSA and WSA%, increase in WC%, and reduced healing time (P < 0.05) in both treated groups when compared with control group. The histological scoring of this study showed that the epithelization score was significantly higher at 21st dpt in treated groups than in the control group (P < 0.05), but the vasculature, necrosis, connective tissue formation, and collagen synthesis scores were mostly similar. The green and chemical ZnO-NPs gels showed promising wound healing properties however, the LI mediated-ZnO-NPs were more effective.
Dipole Moment and Charge Reorganization in Photoredox Catalysts
Authors: Earley Justin , Zieleniewska Anna , Ripberger Hunter , Lazorski Megan , Mast Zachary , Sayre Hannah , Knowles Robert , McCusker James , Scholes Gregory , Reid Obadiah , Rumbles Garry
Published: July 2021

We report evidence of excited-state ion pair reorganisation in a cationic iridium (III) photoredox catalyst in 1,4-dioxane. Microwave-frequency dielectric-loss measurements combined with accurate calculations of dipolar relaxation time allow us to assign both ground and excited-state molecular dipole moments in solution and determine the polarizability volume in the excited-state. These measurements show significant changes in ground-state dipole moment between [Ir[dF(CF3)ppy]2(dtbpy)]PF6 (10.74 Debye) and [Ir[dF(CF3)ppy]2(dtbpy)]BArF4 (4.86 Debye). Photoexcitation of each complex results in population of highly mixed ligand centered and metal-to-ligand charge transfer states with enormous polarizability. Relaxation to the lowest lying excited-state leads to a negative change in the dipole moment for [Ir[dF(CF3)ppy]2(dtbpy)]PF6, and a positive change in dipole moment for [Ir[dF(CF3)ppy]2(dtbpy)]BArF4. These observations are consistent with a sub-nanosecond reorganization with the PF6- counter-ion, which cancels the dipole moment of the lowest lying excited-state, a process which is absent for the BArF-4 counter-ion. Taken together, these observations suggest contact-ion pair formation between the cationic metal complex and the PF6- anion and, at most, solvent-separated pairing with BArF-4. The dynamic ion pair reorganisation we observe with the PF6- counter-ion may substantially modify both the thermodynamic potential available for electron transfer and kinetically inhibit oxidative catalysis, as the anion moves to cover the positively charged end of the molecule, providing a possible mechanistic explanation for recently observed trends in the catalytic activity of these complexes as a function of anion identity in low-polarity solvents. These tunable ion-pair dynamics could prove to be a valuable tool for tailoring the reactivity of both new and extant photocatalysts.
Stimulating TRPM7 Suppresses Cancer Cell Proliferation and Metastasis by Inhibiting Autophagy
Authors: Xing Yanhong , Wei Xiangqing , Liu Yucheng , Wang Meng-meng , Fei Yuan-hui , Sui Zhongheng , Zhang Yang , Jiang Yi , Lu Chen , Zhang Peng , Chen Rong , Liu Nan , Wu Mengmei , Ding Lin , Wang Yuqing , Guo Feng , Qi Jiansong , Wang Wuyang
Published: July 2021

Background-The transient receptor potential melastatin-subfamily member 7 (TRPM7) is a ubiquitous cation channel possessing kinase activity. TRPM7 mediates a variety of physiological responses by conducting flow of cations such as Ca2+, Mg2+, and Zn2+. TRPM7 has been reported to contribute to basal autophagy and tumorigenesis, however, its precise role in autophagy and functional effects on cancer still need to be elucidated. Methods-We have utilized various TRPM7 modulators as well as the overexpression or knockdown of the TRPM7 channel to modulate TRPM7 activity in order to systematically define the role of TRPM7 in autophagy. Results-Here, we show that the activation of TRPM7 channel stimulated by chemical agonists of TRPM7, Clozapine or Naltriben, inhibited autophagy via mediating Zn2+ release to the cytosol, presumably from the intracellular Zn2+-accumulating vesicles where TRPM7 localizes. Zn2+ release following the activation of TRPM7 disrupted the fusion between autophagosomes and lysosomes by disturbing the interaction between Sxt17 and VAMP8 which determines fusion status of autophagosomes and lysosomes. Ultimately, the disrupted fusion resulting from stimulation of TRPM7 channels arrested autophagy. Functionally, we demonstrate that the autophagy inhibition mediated by TRPM7 triggered cell death and suppressed metastasis of cancer cells in vitro, more importantly, restricted tumor growth and metastasis in vivo, by evoking apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation. Conclusion-We demonstrate that stimulating TRPM7 channels inhibits autophagy by disrupting the fusion between autophagosomes and lysosomes. Moreover, the TRPM7-induced autophagy inhibition suppresses cancer cell proliferation and metastasis by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Our findings represent TRPM7 channels a great potential for cancer treatment.
Hypertrophy of the Ligamentum Flavum in Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis is Associated with Abnormal Accumulation of Specific Lipids
Authors: Yamada Tomohiro , Horikawa Makoto , Sato Tomohito , Kahyo Tomoaki , Takanashi Yusuke , Ushirozako Hiroki , Kurosu Kenta , Mamun Md. Al , Mihara Yuki , Oe Shin , Arima Hideyuki , Banno Tomohiro , Yosida Go , Hasegawa Tomohiko , Yamato Yu , Setou Mitsutoshi , Matsuyama Yukihiro
Published: July 2021

Purpose. Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy (HLF) is the most important component of lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS). Analysis of hypertrophied ligamentum flavum (HLF) samples from patients with LSCS can be an important que. The current study analyzed the surgical samples of HLF samples in patients with LCSC using quantitative and qualitative high performance-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.Methods. We collected ligamentum flavum (LF) tissue from twelve patients with LSCS and from four patients with lumbar disk herniation (LDH). We defined LF from LSCS patients as HLF and that from LDH patients as non-hypertrophied ligamentum flavum (NHLF). Total lipids were extracted from the LF samples and evaluated for quantity and quality using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.Results. The total lipid amount of the HLF group was 3.6 times higher than that of the NHLF group. Phosphatidylcholines (PCs), ceramides (Cers), O-acyl-ω-hydroxy fatty acids (OAHFAs), and triglycerides (TGs) in the HLF group were more than 32 times higher than those of the NHLF group. PC(26:0)+H+, PC(25:0)+H+, and PC(23:0)+H+ increased in all patients in the HLF group compared to the NHLF group. The thickness of the LF correlated significantly with PC(26:0)+H+ in HLF. Conclusion. We identified the enriched specific PCs, Cers, OAHFAs, and TGs in HLF.
Shielding Properties Enhancement of Bentonite Clay Nano Particles Coated by Polyvinyl Alcohol Polymer
Authors: Sallam Fawzy Hammad , Ibrahim Eman Mohamed , Hassan Sayed Fahmy , Omar Ahmed
Published: July 2021

Calcination process is a method used for gamma rays mass attenuation coefficient enhancement of natural bentonite clay nano-particles. This process eliminates water and organic matter from bentonite clay structure which have low mass attenuation coefficient values. There are two opposite effects on mass attenuation coefficient values; oxides content increases after calcination process which enhances mass attenuation coefficient values and particle size of calcinated bentonite increases which decreases mass attenuation coefficient values. In order to enhance mass attenuation coefficient value for natural bentonite, a physical ball milling must introduced after calcination process that decreases particle size. Calcination process is done at 700 ̊C for two hours because dehydration is completed above 500 ˚C while dehydroxylation observed at 700 ˚C. Mass attenuation coefficients are measured for calcinated and ball milled bentonite clay at different energies (662, 1173 and 1332 keV) and different pressing pressures (50, 100 and 150 bar). Narrow beam transmission technique and two different sources (Cs-137 and Co-60) are used for mass attenuation coefficient measurements, also particle size are measured by two different methods dynamic light scattering and Williamson-Hall size analyses using XRD patterns. All samples are coated by polyvinyl alcohol polymer.
The Novel Method for Delivery miRNA-34a: a New Cationic PEGylated Niosomal Formulation for the Treatment of Breast Cancer
Authors: Abtahi Najmeh Alsadat , Haghiralsadat Fateme , Siyadatpanah Abolghasem , Reza Javad Zavar , Nissapatorn Veeranoot , Mahboob Tooba , Pereira Maria De Lourdes , Wilairatana Polrat , Hossain Rajib , Islam Muhammad Torequl
Published: July 2021

Background: The reactive surface of nanoparticles makes it possible to simply modify with a biocompatible coating and load with therapeutic agents such as siRNA, miRNA, an anti-cancer drug, and antibody. MicroRNAs, like the noncoding RNAs, contribute critical to the regulation of numerous cellular functions via transcriptional silencing. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have enormous potential in cancer treatment, however, it is difficult to deliver them effectively to most solid tumors. The encapsulation of miRNA-34a in niosome nanoparticles is an attractive strategy for biopharmaceutical resources against cancer. The present study investigated the effectiveness of anticancer activity against MCF-7 and T47D human breast adenocarcinoma cells of a new noiosome system composed of nonionic surfactants. Methods: We used the optimum formulations to transfer miRNA-34a to breast cancer cells, providing potential benefits, such as exceptionally high entrapment efficiency (almost 100%), spherical shape, suitable positive charge (zeta potential~ + 24 mV) and small diameter (~100 nm). Results: The miRNA-34a-niosomes represented improved cytotoxic activity against the cancer cells compared to readily dispersed miRNA-34a. The resulting data indicate that delivery of miRNA-34a via niosome can affect tumor suppression, highlighting its promising anticancer effects in breast cancer cells. Conclusion: In conclusion, the developed a new carrier to improve the delivery of miRNA-34a into the tumor cells. The formulation provided in the present work is stable with a sustained release, high efficiency of miRNA-34a loading having a diameter of 115 nm. miRNA loading is performed without potentially harmful chemical reactions. Niosomes loaded with miRNA-34a in this study represented significant cytotoxic effects against the human breast cancer MCF-7 and T47D cells, which highlights their potential effect on this type of cancer cells.
Halloysite Nanotubes (HNTs)-filled Ethylene-propylene-diene Monomer/styrene-butadiene Rubber (EPDM/SBR) Composites: Mechanical, Swelling, and Morphological Properties
Authors: P Sendil Ganeche , P Balasubramanian , S Vishvanathperumal
Published: July 2021

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were incorporated into an EPDM/SBR rubber/styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) composite by melt blending of HNTs into the EPDM/SBR blend. The mechanical properties, abrasion and swelling resistance of HNTs ranging from 2 parts per hundred rubber (phr) to 10 parts per hundred rubber (phr) were investigated in EPDM/SBR base rubber. Tensile strength, 100% modulus (modulus at 100 percent elongation), elongation at break and tear strength were evaluated at ambient temperature using electric universal tensile testing equipment in accordance with ASTM D-412. Hardness, abrasion and swelling resistance were determined using Shore-A Durometer, DIN abrader and immersion techniques, respectively. The results show that increasing HNT content increased tensile strength, tear strength, hardness (stiffness), and crosslink density. The surface morphology of tensile-fractured material was studied using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). According to FE-SEM results, the most roughness of the surface was seen at HNTs filled rubber nano-composites.
Vascular Response after Directional Coronary Atherectomy for Left Main Bifurcation Lesion
Authors: Kobayashi Norihiro , Yamawaki Masahiro , Hiraishi Mana , Mori Shinsuke , Tsutsumi Masakazu , Honda Yohsuke , Chishiki Toshiki , Makino Kenji , Shirai Shigemitsu , Mizusawa Masafumi , Yamaguchi Kohei , Nakano Takahide , Abe Kaori , Fukagawa Tomoya , Kishida Toshihiko , Ito Yoshiaki
Published: July 2021

Purpose: To evaluate the vascular response after directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) for left main (LM) bifurcation lesion.Methods: This study was a retrospective, single-center study enrolling 31 patients who underwent stent-less therapy using DCA followed by drug-coated balloon angioplasty for LM bifurcation lesion. We compared the intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) findings pre- and post DCA. Results: After DCA, the lumen and vessel areas significantly increased whereas the plaque area (PA) and %PA significantly decreased. When the lesions were divided into small and large vessel groups using the median vessel area value, the maximum balloon pressure of the DCA catheter was greater in the large than in the small vessel group. Changes in the lumen and vessel areas were also significantly greater in the large than in the small vessel group. Conversely, the PA and %PA changes were similar between the groups. Conclusion: The main vascular responses associated with lumen enlargement after DCA were plaque reduction and vessel expansion. Contribution of vessel expansion to lumen enlargement was larger than the effect of plaque reduction in large than in small-vessel lesions.
Seasonality of Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Cave Microhabitats and The Rediscovery of Sergentomyia Minuta (Rondani, 1843) After Fifty Years
Authors: Cazan Cristina Daniela , Horváth Cintia , Panait Luciana Cătălina , Porea Daniela , Marinov Mihai , Alexe Vasile , Mihalca Andrei Daniel
Published: July 2021

Background: In a countrywide study with the aim to update the knowledge on diversity of sand fly species in Romania, a sand fly population was observed in an isolated system of cave microhabitats. The caves are located in the protected area of Canaraua Fetii, Dobrogea region, southeastern Romania. The highest sand fly diversity was recorded at the above-mentioned area between 1968 and 1970. This work presents an abundance study, which was conducted in order to estimate the seasonal variation of the sand fly species in correlation with the particular environmental factors of the isolated system of cave microhabitats.Methods: Sand flies were collected between May and October 2020 from one trapping site of interest, from Canaraua Fetii. The trapping site consisted of a system of cave entrances. CDC miniature light traps, and sticky traps were used to collect insects from the exterior walls of the cave entrances. Species identification of collected sand flies was done using morphological keys. Statistical analysis of the trapping and climatic data was performed.Results: From all collected sand flies, 99.63% (818/821) were Phlebotomus neglectus, 0.12% (1/821) Ph. balcanicus, and 0.25% (2/821) Sergentomyia minuta. Sand fly activity was firstly observed in 2nd of July and lastly in 24th of September. A monomodal abundance trend was present, with the peak activity between 16th and 17th of July. The analysis of the climatic data showed correlations between the total number of captured sand flies and both, average temperature and average relative humidity. The total number of collected specimens was statistically higher when CDC miniature light traps were used compared to sticky traps. The number of females on the sticky traps was significantly higher than the number of males on the same trap type. When compared with the sticky traps, a significantly higher number of males were collected by CDC miniature light traps. This is the first record of Se. minuta in Romania after 50 years of no records (despite the trapping effort of the last five years in the country). Also, Ph. sergenti, previously present in this location, was not found.Conclusions: In the investigated natural habitat, the diversity of the sand fly species appears to have changed, with the predominance of Ph. neglectus instead of Ph. balcanicus and Se. minuta (recorded as the two predominant species in 1968-1970). A monomodal abundance trend was observed as in other regions of the country. The sand fly activity in this particular cave microhabitat appears to be longer than in other regions in Romania. A longer sand fly activity increases the zoonotic risk of various pathogenic species’ transmission, with an impact in the public health, as sand flies are important insect vectors.
Biomarkers Associated with CD8+ T Cell Infiltration in Childhood AML
Authors: Zheng Jiafeng , Zhou Caili , Zhang Tongqiang , Guo Wei , Cui Xiaojian , Han Chunjiao , Xu Yongsheng , Cai Chunquan
Published: July 2021

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a common hematological malignant tumor in children. AML is characterized by high morbidity, recurrence and mortality rates worldwide. Immune cell infiltration in tumor microenvironment plays an important role in tumor progression. This study aimed at exploring biomarkers related to CD8+T cell infiltration in children with AML. Transcriptome data and clinical data were retrieved from TARGET database. We collected whole blood samples from some AML children to verify the results. Through the joint analysis of the data of multiple databases we found that CAMK2D, MPZL3, MSL3 are associated with CD8+ immune infiltration. Through PCR analysis, it was found that CAMK2D, MPZL3, MSL3 was highly expressed in the whole blood of children with AML. Analysis showed that CAMK2D, MPZL3 and MSL3 are potential clinical prognostic markers related to CD8+T cell infiltration in children with AML. The findings of this study show that CAMK2D, MPZL3, MSL3 are implicated in prognosis of AML. Notably, the three genes are implicated in CD8+T cells-related pathways.
Adoption of Scientifically Recommended Artificial Insemination Practices by Paravets: A Depiction of Current Scenario of Four States in India
Authors: PANDA PRATIKSHYA , Tiwari Rupasi , Joshi Pragya , Singh Amandeep , Dutt Triveni
Published: July 2021

The present investigation was done to assess the different practices followed by the AI technicians (paravets) while performing Artificial Insemination (AI). A total of 160 paravets were selected for the study having equal representation from 4 different states of India (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana and Odisha). Questionnaire and telephonic survey was used for collecting data. Several practices followed by paravets were assessed under three sub-groups viz., practices followed prior to, during and post-artificial insemination. In as many as seven practices viz., gathering pre AI information, storage of semen straw, time of performing AI, thawing container, wiping of semen straw, cutting of semen straw and record keeping the adoption gap was found to be Nil. Maximum adoption gap (30.60 %) was seen in ‘adopting basic sanitary measures’. Whereas about 13 percent of adoption gap was found in case of ‘monitoring of heat post calving’ followed by ‘checking of heat prior to AI’ (8.00 %). Hence, along with provision of necessary measures for water bath, apron and gumboots by State Department of Animal Husbandry (SDAH), the paravets should be made aware about the importance of basic sanitary measures. Crystoscope availability should also be ensured as it is easy to use by paravets and farmers for heat detection.
Supraclavicular Lymphadenitis Following COVID-19
Authors: Al-Ani Raid M. , Rashid Rasheed Ali
Published: July 2021

IntroductionCervical lymphadenopathy in children is a common problem in daily clinical practice. Many cases of cervical lymphadenopathy after the COVID-19 vaccine were reported. However, there is no yet reporting a case of supraclavicular cervical lymphadenopathy as a result of COVID-19.Case presentationA 12-years-old girl presented with fever, cough, fatigue, anosmia, and ageusia. COVID-19 was confirmed by real-time PCR. The symptoms were resolved within 10 days. After 7 days, she complained of supraclavicular swelling. Physical examination revealed painless, multiple, and mobile supraclavicular lymph nodes. Ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration cytology were suspicious. Therefore, an excisional biopsy of the largest node was performed. The specimen was sent for histopathology and immunohistochemistry evaluation which confirmed the benign nature of the lymph node.ConclusionTo our best knowledge, this is the first case of supraclavicular lymphadenopathy in a child with COVID-19. It is essential to put COVID-19 in the differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy.
WITHDRAWN: Shunt-Dependent Hydrocephalus After Aneurysm Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Predictors and its Relationship with Lumbar Puncture
Authors: Shi Kaiwen , Yu Zuan , Shi Songsheng , Chen Jin
Published: July 2021

Objective
To identify predictors of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus (SDHC) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and determine the effect of postoperative lumbar puncture (LP) on the incidence of SDHC.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive patients with aSAH who underwent surgical clipping or endovascular embolization for cerebral aneurysm in our hospital from October 2009 to May 2019. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to characterize risk factors for SDHC after aSAH. The incidence of SDHC in the LP and No LP groups were compared after propensity score matching analysis.
Results
A total of 414 patients were enrolled in this study. SDHC developed in 59 patients (14.3%). On multivariate analysis, age > 55 years (P = 0.004), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (P = 0.038), Fisher grade ≥ 3 (P = 0.043), Hunt and Hess grade (H&H) ≥ 3 (P = 0.027), acute hydrocephalus (P = 0.001), central nervous system infection (CNSI) (P = 0.021), placement of external ventricular drainage (EVD) (P = 0.044), and a history of postoperative LP (P < 0.016) were independently associated with SDHC after aSAH. Propensity score matched cohorts exhibited a significantly higher incidence of SDHC after LP treatment than that without LP (20.7% vs 12.1%, P = 0.019). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.818 for the final regression model.
Conclusion
Evaluating risk factors can help identify patients at high risk of developing SDHC. Postoperative LP may increase the incidence of SDHC after aSAH. Strategies for treatment of ruptured aneurysms should be used to mitigate SDHC and minimize poor outcomes.
Child Drawing Development Optimization Algorithm based on Child’s Cognitive Development
Authors: Abdulhameed Sabat , Rashid Tarik A.
Published: July 2021

This paper proposes a novel metaheuristic Child Drawing Development Optimization (CDDO) algorithm inspired by the child's learning behaviour and cognitive development using the golden ratio to optimize the beauty behind their art. The golden ratio was first introduced by the famous mathematician Fibonacci. The ratio of two consecutive numbers in the Fibonacci sequence is similar, and it is called the golden ratio, which is prevalent in nature, art, architecture, and design. CDDO uses golden ratio and mimics cognitive learning and child's drawing development stages starting from the scribbling stage to the advanced pattern-based stage. Hand pressure width, length, and golden ratio of the child's drawing are tuned to attain better results. This helps children with evolving, improving their intelligence and collectively achieving shared goals. CDDO shows superior performance in finding the global optimum solution for the optimization problems tested by 19 benchmark functions. Its results are evaluated against more than one state of art algorithm such as PSO, DE, WOA, GSA, and FEP. The performance of the CDDO is assessed, and the test result shows that CDDO is relatively competitive through scoring 2.8 ranks. This displays that the CDDO is outstandingly robust in exploring a new solution. Also, it reveals the competency of the algorithm to evade local minima as it covers promising regions extensively within the design space and exploits the best solution.
A Comprehensive survey on Heart Disease Prediction using Machine Intelligence
Authors: Dogiparthi Santhosh Gupta , K Jayanthi , Pillai Ajith Ananthakrishna
Published: July 2021

Objectives: The latest statistics of World Health Organization anticipated that cardiovascular diseases including Coronary Heart Disease, Heart attack, vascular disease as the biggest pandemic to the world due to which one-third of the world population would die. With the emerging AI trends, applying an optimal machine learning model to target early detection and accurate prediction of heart disease is indispensable to bring down the mortality rates and to treat the cardiac patients with best clinical decision support. This stems for the motivation of this paper. This paper presents a comprehensive survey on heart disease prediction models derived and validated out of popular heart disease datasets like Cleveland dataset, Z-Alizadeh Sani dataset. Methods: This survey was performed using the articles extricated from the Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, Research Gate and PubMed search engines between 2005 to 2020. The main keywords for search were Heart Disease, Prediction, Coronary disease, Healthcare, Heart datasets and Machine Learning.Results: This review explores the shortcomings of various approaches used for the prediction of heart diseases. It outlines pros and cons of different research methodologies along with the validation parameters of each reviewed publication.Conclusion: The machine intelligence can serve as a genuine alternative diagnostic method for prediction, which will in turn keep the patients well aware of their illness state. Despite the researcher’s efforts, still uncertainty exist towards standardization of prediction models which demands further exploration of optimal prediction models.
Time Investment of Medical Students during COVID19 Pandemic lockdown
Authors: Hassan Mohajer Ibrahim , Alfatih Mohammed , TAHA MOHAMED SHARFALDEEN KHIDER , Alhusseini Radi Mohd Fawzey Rdi Tofaha , Shaban Mohanned Abdalfdeel Amahie , Ahmed Afra kamal Yahya , Abdallah Muaz Hasan Abdalaziz , Ahmed Khabab Abbasher Hussien Mohamed , Omer Mohammed Eltahier Abdalla
Published: July 2021

Background: As the world is fighting against the COVID19 outbreak most of the countries closed universities nationwide, impacting nearly 80% of students globally. In order to obtain information and to identify differences between medical students the study has been asset. The primary objective of this survey is to better understand the motivations and obstacles for medical students investing their time during COVID 19 obligatory home stay.Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional survey-based study in 333 medical students in medical college of Alzaeim al Azhari university in Sudan. Data from students was collected by using an online self-design questionnaire. The participants approached by the lead investigator through their social media groups by link enabling the individual willing to participate to access a google form containing the study questionnaire. Analyses was carried out using SPSS statistics package version 24 (IBM).Results: (57.1%) of the participants were females and (42.9%) were males. (37.8%) of medical students who participated in the study think that they make use of their time, while (38.1%) don’t think that and (24.1%) don’t know if they make use of their time or not during staying home due to COVID19 outbreak.Conclusion: There is a considerable variation in time investment (making use of time) during staying home due to COVID 19 outbreak according to medical student’s insight. The research results indicate that medical students need more encouragement and facilities to get benefits from their time during the quarantines and such situation in the future.
Usability of Novel Major TraumaApp for Digital Data Collection
Authors: Butler Joanna , Wright Evan , Longbottom Lucy , Whitelaw Alan S. , Thomson Kevin , Gordon Malcolm WG , Lowe David J.
Published: July 2021

Background: Delivery of major trauma care is complex and often fast paced. Clear and comprehensive documentation is paramount to support effective communication during complex clinical care episodes, and to allow collection of data for audit, research and continuous improvement. Clinical events are typically recorded on paper-based records that are developed for individual centres or systems. As one of the priorities laid out by the Scottish Trauma Audit Group was to develop an electronic data collection system, the TraumaApp was created as a data collection tool for major trauma that could be adopted worldwide.Methods: The study was performed as a service evaluation based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Emergency Department. Fifty staff members were recruited in pairs and listened to five paired major trauma standby and handover recordings. Participants were randomised to input data to the TraumaApp and one into the existing paper proforma. The time taken to input data was measured, along with time for clarifications and any errors made. Those using the app completed a System Usability Score.Results: No statistically significant difference was demonstrated between times taken for data entry for the digital and paper documentation, apart from the Case 5 Handover (p<0.05). Case 1 showed a significantly higher time for clarifications and number of errors with digital data collection (p=0.01 and p=1.79E-05 respectively). There were no other differences between data for the app and the proforma. The mean System Usability score for this cohort was 75 out of 100, with a standard deviation of 17 (rounded to nearest integer).Conclusion: Digital real-time recording of clinical events using a tool such as the TraumaApp is comparable to completion of paper proforma. The System Usability Score for the TraumaApp was above the internationally validated standard of acceptable usability. There was no evidence of improvement in use over time or familiarity, most likely due to the brevity of the assessments and the refined user interface. This would benefit from further research, exploring data completeness and a potential mixed methods approach to explore training requirements for use of the TraumaApp.
Predicting In-hospital Death in Pneumonic COPD exacerbation via BAP-65, CURB-65, and Machine Learning
Authors: Shiroshita Akihiro , Kimura Yuya , Shiba Hiroshi , Shirakawa Chigusa , Sato Kenya , Matsushita Shinya , Tomii Keisuke , Kataoka Yuki
Published: July 2021

IntroductionThere is no established clinical prediction model for in-hospital death among patients with pneumonic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation. We aimed to externally validate BAP-65 and CURB-65 and to develop a new model based on the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm.MethodsThis multicentre cohort study included patients aged ≥40 years with pneumonic COPD exacerbation. The input data were age, sex, activities of daily living, mental status, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, and heart rate, peripheral blood eosinophil count, and blood urea nitrogen. The primary outcome was in-hospital death. BAP-65 and CURB-65 underwent external validation using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) in the whole dataset. We used XGBoost to develop a new prediction model. We compared the AUROCs of XGBoost with that of BAP-65 and CURB-65 in the test dataset using bootstrap sampling.ResultsWe included 1190 patients with pneumonic COPD exacerbation. The in-hospital mortality was 7% (88/1190). In the external validation of BAP-65 and CURB-65, the AUROCs [95% confidence interval (CI)] of BAP-65 and CURB-65 were 0.69 [0.66–0.72], and 0.69 [0.66–0.72], respectively. XGBoost showed an AUROC of 0.71 [0.62–0.81] in the test dataset. There was no significant difference in the AUROCs of XGBoost vs BAP-65 (absolute difference, 0.054; 95% CI, -0.057–0.16) or vs CURB-65 (absolute difference, 0.0021; 95% CI, -0.091–0.088). ConclusionBAP-65, CURB-65, and XGBoost showed low predictive performance for in-hospital death in pneumonic COPD exacerbation. Further large-scale studies including more variables are warranted.
How can an agent-based model explore the impact of interventions on children’s physical activity in an urban environment?
Authors: Almagor Jonatan , Martin Anne , McCrorie Paul , Mitchell Rich
Published: July 2021

Insufficient physical activity (PA) among most children and adolescents is a global problem that is undermining the realisation of numerous developmental and health benefits. The aim of this study was to explore the potential impact of interventions on PA by using an agent-based model (ABM) simulating children’s daily activities in an urban environment. Three domains for interventions were explored: outdoor play, school physical education and active travel. Interventions increased children’s average daily moderate-to-vigorous PA by 2-13 min and reduced the percentage of children not meeting PA guidelines, from 34% to 10%-29%, depending on the intervention. Promotion of active travel and outdoor play benefited more those in a higher socio-economic position. Agents’ interactions suggested that: encouraging activity in diverse groups will reduce percentage of the least active in the population; and initiating outdoor events in neighbourhoods can generate an enhancing effect on children’s engagement in PA. The ABM provided measurable outcomes for interventions that are difficult to estimate using reductionist methods. We suggest that ABMs should be used more commonly to explore the complexity of the social-environmental PA system.
Some systematic aspects of self-initiated mobile device use in face-to-face encounters
Authors: Oloff Florence
Published: July 2021

This contribution is interested in the interactional management of mobile phone use in face-to-face encounters. Early observational studies of mobile phone use have emphasized the tension between the participants’ presence in “public” spaces and their “private” activities on mobile phones. This assumed dichotomy and possible conflict between different communication involvements will be revisited by using a conversation analytic approach to mobile phone use in video recorded everyday encounters among friends and family members. Three examples of self-initiated text messaging or calling will illustrate how and on which sequential (or other interactional) grounds participants frame their mobile phone use for co-present others. More specifically, the analysis will discuss how participants format and respond to announcement sequences or their absence, and how they can orient to the phone users’ accountability.
The determinants of purchase intention and willingness to pay for cosmetics and personal care products
Authors: Yildirim Kadir , Saygili Metin , Yalcintekin Tolga
Published: July 2021

This study focuses on purchase intention and willingness to pay based on consumer innovativeness, novelty seeking, and trustworthiness. In the study, the authors revealed the above in a holistic framework by emphasizing the direct relationships among the five variables. As this study focuses on consumers seeking novelty for cosmetics and personal care products in a constantly developing and growing sector, the study is different from the others and deemed necessary. This study seeks to examine the effect of consumer innovativeness, novelty seeking, and trustworthiness on purchase intention and willingness to pay for cosmetics and personal care products. It is quantitative research. The sample of the study consists of consumers aged 18 and over. The data of the study were collected from 407 people selected by convenience sampling via an online questionnaire. In the study, hypotheses were developed based on the conceptual framework and were tested via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results of the study showed that consumer innovativeness had a positive effect on both purchase intention (β= 0.154; p <0.05) and willingness to pay (β = 0.317; p <0.05). While it was found that Novelty seeking had a positive effect on purchase intention (β = 0.312; p <0.05), it did not yield a statistically significant effect on willingness to pay (β = 0.018; p> 0.05). The results also indicated that trustworthiness had a positive effect on both purchase intention (β = 0.427; p <0.05) and willingness to pay (β = 0.410; p <0.05). The structural equation model employed in the study explains 55% of the variance in consumers' purchase intention and 39% of the variance in willingness to share, respectively. The research results revealed that consumer innovativeness, novelty seeking, and trustworthiness are among the important determinants of purchase intention for cosmetics and personal care products and that consumer innovativeness and trustworthiness are influential on the formation of willingness to pay for these products.
Company global competitive strategy and employee’s awareness
Authors: Urbanski Mariusz
Published: July 2021

In the era of industrialization, the role of company's global strategy has a significant role in surviving in a competitive environment. The global strategy has the major weapon to compete with the competitors and achieve a higher level of performance. In this direction, the awareness of global strategy among employees has key importance. However, in most companies, the level of awareness among the employees is low, which has a negative effect on the global strategy. This study aims to examine the level of awareness among employees concerning the company's global strategy. This study selected large enterprises from Poland. Data were collected from the employees of large enterprises from Poland. A cross-sectional research design was used in the present study under a quantitative research approach. In this research, first-hand data was collected from one point in time. A total of 200 questionnaires were used to collect data and distribute it to employees, of which 82 valid responses were received for data analysis. It is an important investigation that is not documented in previous studies. Particularly, large enterprises from Poland were not considered by the previous studies. This study significantly contributed to the body of knowledge. Along with the theoretical implications, the current study also has practical implications. Results of the study highlighted valuable insights for the large enterprises to enhance the company's global strategy through employee awareness. It is also evident from the results that awareness about the global strategy could promote the employee motivational level. Therefore, employees want to adopt the global strategy. Employees also highlighted that global strategy is important for brand building, innovation, and expansion to the new market. According to the employees, the major benefits of the global strategy include increasing the product quality, increasing sales, brand recognition promotion, increasing the profit, increasing the customers, gaining competitive advantage, and reducing the cost. Thus, to achieve higher performance through global strategy benefits, a company must have well planned global strategy. Therefore, the study's findings have valuable importance for the practitioners to promote large enterprises in Poland.
Innovative methods of evaluating business efficiency: a comparative study
Authors: Cabinova Veronika , Fedorcikova Renata , Jurova Nikola
Published: July 2021

This paper evaluates the efficiency level of medical spa businesses operating in Slovakia. The research aims to compile an efficiency ranking of these specific healthcare facilities to apply both methods and analyze their alternative use within the efficiency level measurement. The object of research is the Slovak spa businesses over the years 2014-2018. The study involved the Simplex Method of Linear Programming and the selected Data Envelopment Analysis model. In the study frame, the authors quantified the efficiency of medical spa businesses as the optimization task of SMPL and BCC input-oriented DEA model to identify prosperous businesses from non-prosperous ones. The study applied the Spearman rank correlation to reveal a potential degree of association of business rankings. The calculations were provided by the MS Excel, MS Excel Solver package, and the statistical program Gretl. The findings indicated that the business efficiency measured by SMPL provided similar results to the DEA model. These methods could be considered equivalent. Therefore, their alternative use was confirmed. The obtained results showed that both methods almost equally divided the businesses into two groups: 1) with efficiency score above (10 DMUs) and 2) below the overall achieved average (11 DMUs). According to the average results of both applied methods, the most efficient DMUs were DMU09 (Spa Lúcky, j.s.c.) and DMU03 (Spa Bojnice, j.s.c.), vice versa, the lowest efficiency score was achieved by DMU04 (Spa Brusno, j.s.c.). This research could be considered an important opportunity to identify new gaps in the prior literature and present the need for further development in these specific healthcare facilities, not only in Slovakia. The presented research findings are also beneficial for practice as they may lead to the formulation of recommendations for improvement of the current state of Slovak spa tourism and the spa businesses themselves.