bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dalbavancin as an option for treatment of S. aureus bacteremia (DOTS): study protocol for a phase 2b, multicenter, randomized, open-label clinical trial
Authors: Turner Nicholas A. , Zaharoff Smitha , King Heather , Evans Scott , Hamasaki Toshimitsu , Lodise Thomas , Ghazaryan Varduhi , Beresnev Tatiana , Riccobene Todd , Patel Rinal , Doernberg Sarah B. , Rappo Urania , Fowler Vance G. , Holland Thomas L. ,   on behalf of the Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group (ARLG)
Published: May 2022

Background

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia is a life-threatening infection and leading cause of infective endocarditis, with mortality rates of 15–50%. Treatment typically requires prolonged administration of parenteral therapy, itself associated with high costs and potential catheter-associated complications. Dalbavancin is a lipoglycopeptide with potent activity against Staphylococcus and a long half-life, making it an appealing potential therapy for S. aureus bacteremia without the need for durable central venous access.

Methods

DOTS is a phase 2b, multicenter, randomized, assessor-blinded, superiority, active-controlled, parallel-group trial. The trial will enroll 200 adults diagnosed with complicated S. aureus bacteremia, including definite or possible right-sided infective endocarditis, who have been treated with effective antibiotic therapy for at least 72 h (maximum 10 days) and with subsequent clearance of bacteremia prior to randomization to study treatment. Subjects will be randomized 1:1 to complete their antibiotic treatment course with either two doses of dalbavancin on days 1 and 8, or with a total of 4–8 weeks of standard intravenous antibiotic therapy. The primary objective is to compare the Desirability of Outcome Ranking (DOOR) at day 70 for patients randomized to dalbavancin versus standard of care. Key secondary endpoints include quality of life outcomes and pharmacokinetic analyses of dalbavancin.

Discussion

The DOTS trial will establish whether dalbavancin is superior to standard parenteral antibiotic therapy for the completion of treatment of complicated S. aureus bacteremia.

Trial registration

US National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.govNCT04775953. Registered on 1 March 2021
Effectiveness of a clinical decision support system for hypertension management in primary care: study protocol for a pragmatic cluster-randomized controlled trial
Authors: Song Jiali , Wang Xiuling , Wang Bin , Gao Yan , Liu Jiamin , Zhang Haibo , Li Xi , Li Jing , Wang Ji-Guang , Cai Jun , Herrin Jeph , Armitage Jane , Krumholz Harlan M. , Zheng Xin ,   on behalf of the LIGHT Collaborative Group
Published: May 2022

Background

Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) are low-cost, scalable tools with the potential to improve guideline-based antihypertensive treatment in primary care, but their effectiveness needs to be tested, especially in low- and middle-income countries such as China.

Methods

The Learning Implementation of Guideline-based decision support system for Hypertension Treatment (LIGHT) trial is a pragmatic, four-stage, cluster-randomized trial conducted in 94 primary care sites in China. For each city-based stage, sites are randomly assigned to either implementation of the CDSS for hypertension management (which guides doctors’ treatment recommendations based on measured blood pressure and patient characteristics), or usual care. Patients are enrolled during the first 3 months after site randomization and followed for 9 months. The primary outcome is the proportion of hypertension management visits at which guideline-based treatment is provided.

In a nested trial conducted within the CDSS, with the patient as the unit of randomization, the LIGHT-ACD trial, patients are randomized to receive different initial mono- or dual-antihypertensive therapy. The primary outcome of the LIGHT-ACD trial is the changes in blood pressure.

Discussion

The LIGHT trial will provide evidence on the effectiveness of a CDSS for improving guideline adherence for hypertension management in primary care in China. The nested trial, the LIGHT-ACD trial, will provide data on the effect of different initial antihypertensive regimens for blood pressure management in this setting.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: LIGHT (NCT03636334) and LIGHT-ACD (NCT03587103). Registered on 3 July 2018.
Effectiveness of a health technician-delivered brief intervention for alcohol: a Bayesian reanalysis of a clinical trial
Authors: Barticevic Nicolas A. , Poblete Fernando , Bradshaw Laura , Bendtsen Marcus
Published: May 2022

Objective

To reanalyze a clinical trial on the effectiveness of a Brief Intervention (BI) delivered by non-professionals to reduce risky alcohol drinking. Our previous null-hypothesis test of the effects of the BI yielded a ‘non-significant’ p-value, yet remained uninformative. Here we use the Bayesian paradigm which allows for expressing the probability of different effect sizes to better inform public policy decisions.

Results

The posterior probability of the odds of risky drinking at follow-up favored a marked effect of the BI, with 96% of the probability mass being less than OR = 1, and 84% being less than OR = 0.8. Our findings show that there is a high probability that the BI delivered by health technicians lowered risky alcohol use. The posterior distributions of the BI’s effects are presented to help contextualize the evidence for policy making in Chile.
Folic acid intervention during pregnancy alters DNA methylation, affecting neural target genes through two distinct mechanisms
Authors: Ondičová Miroslava , Irwin Rachelle E. , Thursby Sara-Jayne , Hilman Luke , Caffrey Aoife , Cassidy Tony , McLaughlin Marian , Lees-Murdock Diane J. , Ward Mary , Murphy Michelle , Lamers Yvonne , Pentieva Kristina , McNulty Helene , Walsh Colum P.
Published: May 2022

Background

We previously showed that continued folic acid (FA) supplementation beyond the first trimester of pregnancy appears to have beneficial effects on neurocognitive performance in children followed for up to 11 years, but the biological mechanism for this effect has remained unclear. Using samples from our randomized controlled trial of folic acid supplementation in second and third trimester (FASSTT), where significant improvements in cognitive and psychosocial performance were demonstrated in children from mothers supplemented in pregnancy with 400 µg/day FA compared with placebo, we examined methylation patterns from cord blood (CB) using the EPIC array which covers approximately 850,000 cytosine–guanine (CG) sites across the genome. Genes showing significant differences were verified using pyrosequencing and mechanistic approaches used in vitro to determine effects on transcription.

Results

FA supplementation resulted in significant differences in methylation, particularly at brain-related genes. Further analysis showed these genes split into two groups. In one group, which included the CES1 gene, methylation changes at the promoters were important for regulating transcription. We also identified a second group which had a characteristic bimodal profile, with low promoter and high gene body (GB) methylation. In the latter, loss of methylation in the GB is linked to decreases in transcription: this group included the PRKAR1B/HEATR2 genes and the dopamine receptor regulator PDE4C. Overall, methylation in CB also showed good correlation with methylation profiles seen in a published data set of late gestation foetal brain samples.

Conclusion

We show here clear alterations in DNA methylation at specific classes of neurodevelopmental genes in the same cohort of children, born to FA-supplemented mothers, who previously showed improved cognitive and psychosocial performance. Our results show measurable differences at neural genes which are important for transcriptional regulation and add to the supporting evidence for continued FA supplementation throughout later gestation. This trial was registered on 15 May 2013 at www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN19917787.
Uterine torsion as an elusive obstetrical emergency in pregnancy: is there an association between gravid uterus torsion and Ehlers–Danlos syndrome?: a case report
Authors: Ghalandarpoor-Attar Seyedeh Noushin , Ghalandarpoor-Attar Seyedeh Mojgan
Published: May 2022

Background

Timely diagnosis of uterine torsion can lead to acceptable maternal and fetal outcomes. This article presents the case of a 42-year-old pregnant woman, diagnosed with a rare 270° uterine torsion, in whom proper management led to good maternal outcomes but, unfortunately, severe prematurity and metabolic acidosis led to neonatal death. Moreover, the mother was clinically suspected for Ehlers–Danlos syndrome.

Case presentation

In December 2020, a 42-year-old pregnant Iranian woman, Gravid 3 para2 live2, at 30 weeks of gestation presented to the obstetric emergency department of Vali-Asr Hospital (Birjand, Iran) suffering from acute severe generalized abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness while she was hemodynamically unstable. After resuscitation, owing to persistent fetal bradycardia on fetal heart rate monitoring, she underwent an emergency cesarean section. Infra-umbilical midline skin incision was made, and when the abdominal cavity was opened, owing to abnormal appearance of the uterus, we further investigated the abdominopelvic cavity. Surprisingly, the uterus was dextrorotated by 270°. After uterine detorsion through a Kerr incision, a nonvigorous male baby was born with severe metabolic acidosis that led to his death soon after birth. Interestingly, we could find no predisposing factors such as pelvic abnormalities during surgery. Nevertheless, as her postoperative detailed physical examination revealed skin hyperextensibility, joint laxity, pelvic organ prolapse, and trivial exophthalmos, connective tissue disorders, mainly Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, were suspected. Unfortunately, for significant financial, cultural, and religious reasons, the patient refused to undergo further investigations. Additionally, despite severe congested uterus and subsequent uterine atony, timely diagnosis and anatomical correction of the gravid uterus before uterine incision prevented iatrogenic complications. The mother was discharged 2 days later without any postpartum complications.

Conclusion

Although uterine torsion is an extremely rare condition during pregnancy, based on severe associated maternal and perinatal complications, it is important to take this diagnosis into consideration as an differential diagnosis. Moreover, connective tissue disorders seem to be a potential risk factor for uterine torsion, although further studies on this subject are required.
Epigenetic therapy targeting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for age-related bone diseases
Authors: Zhao Yi , He Jiawei , Qiu Tao , Zhang Haoyu , Liao Li , Su Xiaoxia
Published: May 2022

As global aging accelerates, the prevention and treatment of age-related bone diseases are becoming a critical issue. In the process of senescence, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) gradually lose the capability of self-renewal and functional differentiation, resulting in impairment of bone tissue regeneration and disorder of bone tissue homeostasis. Alteration in epigenetic modification is an essential factor of BMSC dysfunction during aging. Its transferability and reversibility provide the possibility to combat BMSC aging by reversing age-related modifications. Emerging evidence demonstrates that epigenetic therapy based on aberrant epigenetic modifications could alleviate the senescence and dysfunction of stem cells. This review summarizes potential therapeutic targets for BMSC aging, introduces some potential approaches to alleviating BMSC aging, and analyzes its prospect in the clinical application of age-related bone diseases.
Meniscus repair: up-to-date advances in stem cell-based therapy
Authors: Bian Yixin , Wang Han , Zhao Xiuli , Weng Xisheng
Published: May 2022

The meniscus is a semilunar fibrocartilage between the tibia and femur that is essential for the structural and functional integrity of the keen joint. In addition to pain and knee joint dysfunction, meniscus injuries can also lead to degenerative changes of the knee joint such as osteoarthritis, which further affect patient productivity and quality of life. However, with intrinsic avascular property, the tearing meniscus tends to be nonunion and the augmentation of post-injury meniscus repair has long time been a challenge. Stem cell-based therapy with potent regenerative properties has recently attracted much attention in repairing meniscus injuries, among which mesenchymal stem cells were most explored for their easy availability, trilineage differentiation potential, and immunomodulatory properties. Here, we summarize the advances and achievements in stem cell-based therapy for meniscus repair in the last 5 years. We also highlight the obstacles before their successful clinical translation and propose some perspectives for stem cell-based therapy in meniscus repair.
The assessment of mesenchymal stem cells therapy in acute on chronic liver failure and chronic liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials
Authors: Liu Yuwei , Dong Yutong , Wu Xiaojing , Xu Xiaotong , Niu Junqi
Published: May 2022

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy is showing potential therapeutic effects on liver function improvement in patients with chronic liver disease; however, the consensus on efficacy and safety of MSCs has not been reached.

Methods

We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MSCs therapy for patients with chronic liver disease. A detailed search of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases was conducted to find studies published prior to September 15, 2021. The outcome measures were survival rate, model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, albumin, total bilirubin, coagulation function, and aminotransferase.

Results

A literature search resulted in 892 citations. Of these, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. It was found that compared with conventional treatment, MSCs therapy was associated with improved liver function including the MELD score, albumin levels, and coagulation function. However, it had no obvious beneficial effects on survival rate and aminotransferase levels. Subgroup analyses indicated that MSCs therapy had therapeutic effects on patients with both acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) and cirrhosis. BM-MSCs and UC-MSCs treatment had similar efficacy to improve liver function. The effectiveness varied slightly between the peripheral intravenous injection and hepatic arterial injection. Five studies reported that the only adverse event of the MSCs therapy was fever, and no serious adverse events and side effects were reported. Analysis on clinical symptoms showed that encephalopathy and gastrointestinal hemorrhage events were reduced after MSCs therapy.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this study suggested that MSCs therapy could be a potential therapeutic alternative for patients with chronic liver disease in clinical practice.
Comparing the effect of bone marrow mono-nuclear cells with mesenchymal stem cells after acute myocardial infarction on improvement of left ventricular function: a meta-analysis of clinical trials
Authors: Hosseinpour Alireza , Kheshti Fatemeh , Kazemi Asma , Attar Armin
Published: May 2022

Background

The effect of transplantation of bone-marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on ejection fraction (LVEF) has been studied in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in clinical trials. This raises the question that which type of cell may help improve LVEF better in AMI patients. No meta-analysis of clinical trials has yet addressed this question.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched thoroughly to find eligible trials on the effects of transplantation of BM-MNCs and MSCs in patients with AMI. The primary outcome was improvement in LVEF. Data were synthesized using random-effects meta-analysis. For maximizing the credibility of subgroup analysis, we used the instrument for assessing the Credibility of Effect Modification of Analyses (ICEMAN) for meta-analyses.

Results

A total of 36 trials (26 on BM-MNCs and 10 on MSCs) with 2489 patients (1466 were transplanted [1241 with BM-MNCs and 225 with MSCs] and 1023 as controls) were included. Both types of cells showed significant improvements in ejection fraction in short-term follow-up (BM-MNCs: WMD = 2.13%, 95% CI = 1.23 to 3.04, p < 0.001; MSCs: WMD = 3.71%, 95% CI = 2.32 to 5.09, p < 0.001), and according to ICEMAN criteria, MSCs are more effective. For selected population of patients who received stem cell transplantation in early course after AMI (less than 11 days), this effect was even more pronounced (BM-MNC: WMD = 3.07%, 95% CI = 1.97 to 4.17, p < 0.001, I2 = 40.7%; MSCs: WMD = 5.65%, 95% CI = 3.47 to 7.84, p < 0.001, I2 = 84.6%).

Conclusion

Our results showed that transplantation of MSCs after AMI might increase LVEF more than BM-MNCs; also, based on ICEMAN, there was likely effect modification between subgroups although uncertainty still remained.
Human integrin α10β1-selected mesenchymal stem cells home to cartilage defects in the rabbit knee and assume a chondrocyte-like phenotype
Authors: Andersen Camilla , Uvebrant Kristina , Mori Yuki , Aarsvold Stacie , Jacobsen Stine , Berg Lise Charlotte , Lundgren-Åkerlund Evy , Lindegaard Casper
Published: May 2022

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promising results in stimulating cartilage repair and in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the fate of the MSCs after intra-articular injection and their role in cartilage regeneration is not clear. To address these questions, this study investigated (1) homing of labeled human adipose tissue derived integrin α10β1-selected MSCs (integrin α10-MSCs) to a cartilage defect in a rabbit model and (2) the ability of the integrin α10-MSCs to differentiate to chondrocytes and to produce cartilage matrix molecules in vivo.

Design

Integrin α10-MSCs were labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) co-conjugated with Rhodamine B to allow visualization by both MRI and fluorescence microscopy. A cartilage defect was created in the articular cartilage of the intertrochlear groove of the femur of rabbits. Seven days post-surgery, labeled integrin α10-MSCs or vehicle were injected into the joint. Migration and distribution of the SPION-labeled integrin α10-MSCs was evaluated by high-field 9.4 T MRI up to 10 days after injection. Tissue sections from the repair tissue in the defects were examined by fluorescence microscopy.

Results

In vitro characterization of the labeled integrin α10-MSCs demonstrated maintained viability, proliferation rate and trilineage differentiation capacity compared to unlabeled MSCs. In vivo MRI analysis detected the labeled integrin α10-MSCs in the cartilage defects at all time points from 12 h after injection until day 10 with a peak concentration between day 1 and 4 after injection. The labeled MSCs were also detected lining the synovial membrane at the early time points. Fluorescence analysis confirmed the presence of the labeled integrin α10-MSCs in all layers of the cartilage repair tissue and showed co-localization between the labeled cells and the specific cartilage molecules aggrecan and collagen type II indicating in vivo differentiation of the MSCs to chondrocyte-like cells. No adverse effects of the α10-MSC treatment were detected during the study period.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated migration and homing of human integrin α10β1-selected MSCs to cartilage defects in the rabbit knee after intra-articular administration as well as chondrogenic differentiation of the MSCs in the regenerated cartilage tissue.
The ability of Oxygen Reserve Index® to detect hyperoxia in critically ill patients
Authors: de Courson Hugues , Julien-Laferrière Thomas , Georges Delphine , Boyer Philippe , Verchère Eric , Biais Matthieu
Published: May 2022

Background

Hyperoxia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit. Classical noninvasive measurements of oxygen saturation with pulse oximeters are unable to detect hyperoxia. The Oxygen Reserve Index (ORI) is a continuous noninvasive parameter provided by a multi-wave pulse oximeter that can detect hyperoxia. Primary objective was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the ORI for detecting arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) > 100 mmHg in neurocritical care patients. Secondary objectives were to test the ability of ORI to detect PaO2 > 120 mmHg and the ability of pulse oximetry (SpO2) to detect PaO2 > 100 mmHg and PaO2 > 120 mmHg.

Methods

In this single-center study, we collected ORI and arterial blood samples every 6 h for 3 consecutive days. Diagnostic performance was estimated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).

Results

There were 696 simultaneous measurements of ORI and PaO2 in 62 patients. Considering the repeated measurements, the correlation between ORI and PaO2 was r = 0.13. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), obtained to test the ability of ORI to detect PaO2 > 100 mmHg, was 0.567 (95% confidence interval = 0.566–0.569) with a sensitivity of 0.233 (95%CI = 0.230–0.235) and a specificity of 0.909 (95%CI = 0.907–0.910). The AUROC value obtained to test the ability of SpO2 to detect a PaO2 > 100 mmHg was 0.771 (95%CI = 0.770–0.773) with a sensitivity of 0.715 (95%CI = 0.712–0.718) and a specificity of 0.700 (95%CI = 0.697–0.703). The diagnostic performance of ORI and SpO2 for detecting PaO2 > 120 mmHg was AUROC = 0.584 (95%CI = 0.582–0.586) and 0.764 (95%CI = 0.762–0.766), respectively. The AUROC obtained for SpO2 was significantly higher than that for ORI (p < 0.01). Diagnostic performance was not affected by sedation, norepinephrine infusion, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide, hemoglobin level and perfusion index.

Conclusion

In a specific population of brain-injured patients hospitalized in a neurointensive care unit, our results suggest that the ability of ORI to diagnose hyperoxia is relatively low and that SpO2 provides better detection.
Accurate visual localization with semantic masking and attention
Authors: Li Tunan , Zhan Zhaohuan , Tan Guang
Published: May 2022

Visual localization is the task of accurate camera pose estimation within a scene and is a crucial technique for computer vision and robotics. Among the various approaches, relative pose estimation has gained increasing interest because it can generalize to new scenes. This approach learns to regress relative pose between image pairs. However, unreliable regions that contain objects such as the sky, persons, or moving cars are often present in real images, causing noise and interference to localization. In this paper, we propose a novel relative pose estimation pipeline to address the problem. The pipeline features a semantic masking module and an attention module. The two modules help suppress interfering information from unreliable regions, while at the same time emphasizing important features with an attention mechanism. Experiment results show that our framework outperforms alternative methods in the accuracy of camera pose prediction in all scenes.
An overview of machine learning and other data-based methods for spatial audio capture, processing, and reproduction
Authors: Cobos Maximo , Ahrens Jens , Kowalczyk Konrad , Politis Archontis
Published: May 2022

The domain of spatial audio comprises methods for capturing, processing, and reproducing audio content that contains spatial information. Data-based methods are those that operate directly on the spatial information carried by audio signals. This is in contrast to model-based methods, which impose spatial information from, for example, metadata like the intended position of a source onto signals that are otherwise free of spatial information. Signal processing has traditionally been at the core of spatial audio systems, and it continues to play a very important role. The irruption of deep learning in many closely related fields has put the focus on the potential of learning-based approaches for the development of data-based spatial audio applications. This article reviews the most important application domains of data-based spatial audio including well-established methods that employ conventional signal processing while paying special attention to the most recent achievements that make use of machine learning. Our review is organized based on the topology of the spatial audio pipeline that consist in capture, processing/manipulation, and reproduction. The literature on the three stages of the pipeline is discussed, as well as on the spatial audio representations that are used to transmit the content between them, highlighting the key references and elaborating on the underlying concepts. We reflect on the literature based on a juxtaposition of the prerequisites that made machine learning successful in domains other than spatial audio with those that are found in the domain of spatial audio as of today. Based on this, we identify routes that may facilitate future advancement.
Delivering an off-grid transition to sustainable energy in Ethiopia and Mozambique
Authors: Gebreslassie Mulualem G. , Cuvilas Carlos , Zalengera Collen , To Long Seng , Baptista Idalina , Robin Enora , Bekele Getachew , Howe Lorraine , Shenga Carlos , Macucule Domingos A. , Kirshner Joshua , Mulugetta Yacob , Power Marcus , Robinson Sandy , Jones David , Castán Broto Vanesa
Published: May 2022

Background

Off-grid and decentralized energy systems have emerged as an alternative to facilitate energy access and resilience in a flexible, adaptable way, particularly for communities that do not have reliable access to centralized energy networks both in rural and urban areas. Much research to date on community energy systems has focused on their deployment in Europe and North America. This paper advances these debates by looking at how community energy systems can support energy transitions in Africa. Specifically, it asks: what role can community energy systems play in the energy transition in East and Southern Africa?

Results

This article investigates the potential for community energy to foster sustainable and just energy transitions in two countries in East and Southern Africa, namely Ethiopia and Mozambique. To do so, it explores transformations in Ethiopia and Mozambique’s energy systems through the lens of energy landscapes. This concept enables us to situate energy transitions within recent developments in energy governance and to understand current and future possibilities for change through the involvement of communities that currently lack access to reliable and clean energy. Our results show that when countries face the prospects of lucrative energy investments in natural gas or large hydropower, renewables are often deprioritized. Their suitability to address energy challenges and access gaps is de-emphasized, even though there is little evidence that investment in large-scale generation can handle the energy needs of the most disadvantaged groups. Initiatives and policies supporting community-focused renewable energy have remained limited in both countries. They tend to be designed from the top-down and focused on rural areas when they exist.

Conclusions

Energy transitions in Ethiopia and Mozambique, and many other countries with significant gaps in access to centralized energy systems, require putting inclusivity at the forefront to ensure that energy policies and infrastructure support the well-being of society as a whole. As long as investments in off-grid energy continue to depend on international organizations’ goodwill or development aid programs outside the ambit of national energy plans, energy access gaps will remain unaddressed, and there will not be a genuine and just transition to sustainable energy.
Effects of long-term nitrogen addition on the δ15N and δ13C of Larix gmelinii and soil in a boreal forest
Authors: Liu Guancheng , Yin Zhiwei , Yan Guoyong , Liu Shuang , Wang Xiaochun , Xing Yajuan , Wang Qinggui
Published: May 2022

Background

Natural abundance of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) has been used to indicate the state and cycle of ecosystem C and N. However, it is still unclear how C and N cycle of boreal forests respond to the N deposition.

Results

We conducted an 8-year continuous N addition field experiment in a Larix gmelinii forest in Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China. Four N treatments (0, 25, 50, 75 kg N ha−1 year−1) were built. The effects of N addition on the δ13C and δ15N of needle, branch, bark, and fine root of Larix gmelinii and soil were studied. The result of the balance between the N input and output flux showed that N addition significantly increased the δ15N in each organ of Larix gmelinii, but did not change the δ15N of soil. We also found that the N absorption by needles of Larix gmelinii could increase the needle photosynthesis rate and δ13C by increasing carboxylation, but N addition had no significant effect on the δ13C of soil and other organs. In addition, both the soil δ15N and δ13C increased with the soil depth.

Conclusions

Long-term N addition may lead to more open C and N cycles and further affect plant nutrient acquisition strategies in boreal forest ecosystems.
Spline-based specimen shape optimization for robust material model calibration
Authors: Chapelier Morgane , Bouclier Robin , Passieux Jean-Charles
Published: May 2022

Identification from field measurements allows several parameters to be identified from a single test, provided that the measurements are sensitive enough to the parameters to be identified. To do this, authors use empirically defined geometries (with holes, notches...). The first attempts to optimize the specimen to maximize the sensitivity of the measurement are linked to a design space that is either very small (parametric optimization), which does not allow the exploration of very different designs, or, conversely, very large (topology optimization), which sometimes leads to designs that are not regular and cannot be manufactured. In this paper, an intermediate approach based on a non-invasive CAD-inspired optimization strategy is proposed. It relies on the definition of univariate spline Free-Form Deformation boxes to reduce the design space and thus regularize the problem. Then, from the modeling point of view, a new objective function is proposed that takes into account the experimental setup and constraint functions are added to ensure that the gain is real and the shape physically sound. Several examples show that with this method and at low cost, one can significantly improve the identification of constitutive parameters without changing the experimental setup.
Materials and technology of mosaics from the House of Charidemos at Halikarnassos (Bodrum, Turkey)
Authors: Rasmussen Kaare Lund , Delbey Thomas , Jørgensen Bjarke , Jensen Kasper Høegh , Poulsen Birte , Pedersen Poul
Published: May 2022

An excavation in 1856 by Charles T. Newton and a re-excavation in 1990–93 by a joint Danish-Turkish team revealed several mosaic floors in a late-antique domus from the fifth century CE, now called the House of Charidemos. Nineteen tesserae from the floor have been analysed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, Raman micro-spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and X-ray diffraction. Seven tesserae were made of opaque glass, eleven from various rock/lithic materials, while one of them was a ceramic fragment. This case-study reports the first analyses undertaken of tesserae from late-antique Halikarnassos. The results show the use of recycled Sb–Mn decoloured glass and two types of red glass. A comparison with tesserae from other sites in Anatolia from the same period shows similarities in the base glass composition, but also some particularities of the colouring and opacifying agents used for the mosaic of the House of Charidemos. The characterisation of the stone tesserae shows a homogeneity in the choice of the materials of the same colours, but no certain provenance has been established in the present work mainly due to the lack of comparative materials.

Graphical Abstract
Improved distribution of leg forces after fibular resection and synostosis
Authors: Rahman Tariq , Oleas-Santillan Geovanny , Wee Jinyong , Mackenzie William G.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Genu varum- a common symptom in achondroplasia- may lead to ankle valgus in children. Ankle valgus may be mitigated by tibiofibular synostosis, but this is not always the case. The mechanical environment around the growth plates plays an important role in ankle valgus. The purpose of this project is 1) to determine the strain through the distal fibular growth plate before and after tibiofibular synostosis, and 2) postulate whether the change in strain affects ankle valgus. This project measured the distal fibular strain in a porcine hind leg model.

Methods

The lower legs of seven pigs were removed, instrumented with strain gauges, and loaded compressively in a material testing machine. Loads were applied at three phases: 1) the intact leg, 2) leg with fibula resected, and 3) leg with fibula resected and tibiofibular synostosis. Mean strains were compared between phases using a mixed affect model. The significance level was adjusted for multiple comparisons using the Bonferroni method.

Results

Phase 1, intact leg, had the highest strain value at 1247.9μɛ. In phase 2, the mean strain was 106.2μɛ. In phase 3, the compressive mean strain dropped to 477.4μɛ, which is 38% of the strain in phase 1. Standard error was 86.8μɛ; p < 0.001.

Conclusion

Results indicate that more of the force through the leg is transmitted through the tibia after fibular resection and tibiofibular synostosis, which improves the balance of forces through the leg.
Patient-specific dosimetry adapted to variable number of SPECT/CT time-points per cycle for $$^{177}$$Lu-DOTATATE therapy
Authors: Vergnaud Laure , Giraudet Anne-Laure , Moreau Aurélie , Salvadori Julien , Imperiale Alessio , Baudier Thomas , Badel Jean-Noël , Sarrut David
Published: May 2022

Background

The number of SPECT/CT time-points is important for accurate patient dose estimation in peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. However, it may be limited by the patient’s health and logistical reasons. Here,  an image-based dosimetric workflow adapted to the number of SPECT/CT acquisitions available throughout the treatment cycles was proposed, taking into account patient-specific pharmacokinetics and usable in clinic for all organs at risk.

Methods

Thirteen patients with neuroendocrine tumors were treated with four injections of 7.4 GBq of $$^{177}$$

177

Lu-DOTATATE. Three SPECT/CT images were acquired during the first cycle (1H, 24H and 96H or 144H post-injection) and a single acquisition (24H) for following cycles. Absorbed doses were estimated for kidneys (LK and RK), liver (L), spleen (S), and three surrogates of bone marrow (L2 to L4, L1 to L5 and T9 to L5) that were compared. 3D dose rate distributions were computed with Monte Carlo simulations. Voxel dose rates were averaged at the organ level. The obtained Time Dose-Rate Curves (TDRC) were fitted with a tri-exponential model and time-integrated. This method modeled patient-specific uptake and clearance phases observed at cycle 1. Obtained fitting parameters were reused for the following cycles, scaled to the measure organ dose rate at 24H. An alternative methodology was proposed when some acquisitions were missing based on population average TDRC (named STP-Inter). Seven other patients with three SPECT/CT acquisitions at cycles 1 and 4 were included to estimate the uncertainty of the proposed methods.

Results

Absorbed doses (in Gy) per cycle available were: 3.1 ± 1.1 (LK), 3.4 ± 1.5 (RK), 4.5 ± 2.8 (L), 4.6 ± 1.8 (S), 0.3 ± 0.2 (bone marrow). There was a significant difference between bone marrow surrogates (L2 to L4 and L1 to L5, Wilcoxon’s test: p value < 0.05), and while depicting very doses, all three surrogates were significantly different than dose in background (p value < 0.01). At cycle 1, if the acquisition at 24H is missing and approximated, medians of percentages of dose difference (PDD) compared to the initial tri-exponential function were inferior to 3.3% for all organs. For cycles with one acquisition, the median errors were smaller with a late time-point. For STP-Inter, medians of PDD were inferior to 7.7% for all volumes, but it was shown to depend on the homogeneity of TDRC.

Conclusion

The proposed workflow allows the estimation of organ doses, including bone marrow, from a variable number of time-points acquisitions for patients treated with $$^{177}$$

177

Lu-DOTATATE.
Investigation of ground fissures at Kausaltar, Kathmandu by in-situ testing and spatial geographical mapping
Authors: Shiga Masataka , Konagai Kazuo , Pokhrel Rama Mohan , Ikeda Takaaki
Published: May 2022

On April 25th, 2015, the Gorkha earthquake jolted the central region of Nepal, causing extensive damage to buildings and grounds in the urban areas of Nepal. One embankment section of Kathmandu-Bhaktapur Road, crosses a small valley in the center of the Kathmandu Basin. The earthquake has caused this embankment to deform with its supporting soil. Investigating the mechanism of this ground deformation from the geotechnical and geological viewpoints was deemed necessary to examine possible countermeasures. For this purpose, we conduct several in-situ tests such as microtremor measurements, standard penetration tests, and Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves. These investigations make two soft soil layers emerge as a causative factor. The estimated 3D soil profile shows that the deformed ground overlaps the area where the weak soil layers are below the groundwater level. The 3D soil profile also suggests that groundwater lowering using existing wells can reduce the water-saturated area by 81%. Carbon dating shows that the causative layer formed before the Paleo-Kathmandu Lake dried up.
Development and content validity of a rating scale for the pain and disability drivers management model
Authors: Naye Florian , Décary Simon , Tousignant-Laflamme Yannick
Published: May 2022

Background

Establishing the biopsychosocial profile of patients with low back pain (LBP) is essential to personalized care. The Pain and Disability Drivers Management model (PDDM) has been suggested as a useful framework to help clinicians establish this biopsychosocial profile. Yet, there is no tool to facilitate its integration into clinical practice. Thus, the aim of this study is to develop a rating scale and validate its content, to rapidly establish the patient’s biopsychosocial profile, based on the five domains of the PDDM.

Methods

The tool was developed in accordance with the principles of the COSMIN methodology. We conducted three steps: 1) item generation from a comprehensive review, 2) refinement of the scale with clinicians’ feedback, and 3) statistical analyses to assess content validity.

To validate the item assessing with Likert scales, we performed Item level-Content Validity Index (I-CVI) analyses on three criteria (clarity, presentation and clinical applicability) with an a priori threshold of > 0.78. We conducted Average-Content Validity Index (Ave-CVI) analyses to validate the overall scale with a threshold of > 0.9.

Results

In accordance with the PDDM, we developed a 5-item rating scale (1 per domain) with 4 score options. We selected clinical instruments to screen for the presence or absence of problematic issues within each category of the 5 domains. Forty-two participants provided feedback to refine the scale’s clarity, presentation, and clinical applicability. The statistical analysis of the latest version presented I-CVI above the threshold for each item (I-CVI ranged between 0.94 and 1). Analysis of the overall scale supported its validation (Ave-CVI = 0.96 [0.93;0.98]).

Conclusion

From the 51 biopsychosocial elements contained within the 5 domains of the PDDM, we developed a rating scale that allows to rapidly screen for problematic issues within each category of the PDDM’s 5 domains. Involving clinicians in the process allowed us to validate the content of the first scale to establish the patient’s biopsychosocial profile for people with low back pain. Future steps will be necessary to continue the psychometric properties analysis of this rating scale.
Sustainability performance indicator trends: a Canadian industry-based analysis
Authors: Coulmont Michel , Berthelot Sylvie , Gagné Vincent
Published: May 2022

This study aims to examine the trends in the sustainability performance indicators disclosed in sustainability reports by Canadian companies. Our sample is comprised of eight companies in four sectors and our observations cover a 19-year period. The results of our analysis show a general increase over time of sustainability performance indicators disclosed, as well as varying degrees of coverage of the three sustainability dimensions. While the focus was more on environmental performance in the early 2000s, social performance indicators, such as employment practices and human rights, have now gained more traction. In addition, the scope of sustainability performance indicators disclosed in sustainability reports reached a plateau around 2010. Our results highlight the need for a standardised approach to sustainability reporting that would help overcome the shortcomings of voluntary initiatives and improve the overall comparability of voluntary reporting mechanisms.
A bibliometric analysis of online faculty professional development in higher education
Authors: Gao Yanjun , Wong Su Luan , Md. Khambari Mas Nida , Noordin Nooreen
Published: May 2022

Research on online faculty professional development (OFPD) in higher education has increased in recent years. As there is, nevertheless, a scarcity of quantitative investigations on research publications in this area, a bibliometric analysis of 248 publications collected from the Scopus database was conducted. Biblioshiny and VOSviewer software tools were used for descriptive and network analyses. The research results showed that the overall trend of publication in this domain increased steadily at an annual growth rate of 14.11% during the past 25 years. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Network and Computers and Education ranked the highest among journals with regard to publication number and citation number, respectively. With a total of 298 citations to his paper, Peter Shea was ranked the most impactful author while Maria Northcote, with five publications, was the most productive. In terms of geographical location of research activity, America played the leading role, with Asia emerging in this field. The publication entitled “A Research Agenda for Online Teacher Professional Development” by Dede et al. topped the list for both total citations and average yearly citations. As to recent trends, teacher professional development through online teaching was emergent partly due to the outbreak of Covid-19. Pedagogy training, online community building, and facilitating online teachers were the themes that researchers favored. The study will contribute toward better understanding of the existing literary landscape of research on OFPD given the potential of OFPD in enhancing faculty’s effectiveness in their classrooms and over the course of their teaching careers.
Medico-legal history taking from the victims of sexual assaults: the role of nurse examiners
Authors: Yesodharan Renjulal , Shehata Shaimaa A. , Jose Tessy Treesa , Hagras Abeer M. , Nayak Vinod
Published: May 2022

Background

Sexual assault examiners provides comprehensive health care to victims of sexual assault. Communication with the victim is important to collect relevant information from the victims. Ineffective communications can cause re-victimization and hamper the medico-legal evidence collection.

Main text

This article aims to orient the novice examiner and nurses to the prerequisites of medico-legal history collection, techniques of building trust, establishing rapport, ensuring privacy and confidentiality, taking consent, communicating effectively with the victims of sexual assault, and components of medico-legal history collection.

Conclusions

Novice examiners and nurses need to be trained in collecting medico-legal history and evidence. The examiners who conduct the examination should be dedicated to delivering compassionate and high-quality care to individuals who have disclosed sexual assault.
Insecticidal effect of entomopathogenic nematodes and the cell-free supernatants from their symbiotic bacteria against different larval instars of Agrotis segetum (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Yüksel Ebubekir , Imren Mustafa , Özdemir Esengül , Bozbuğa Refik , Canhilal Ramazan
Published: May 2022

Background

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) and their symbiotic bacteria are pathogenic for a wide range of insect pests and have been used successfully as a biological control agent. Although EPNs are well studied against many agricultural insect pests, the efficacy of their symbiotic bacteria still remains unclear for many insect pests of agricultural importance. In the present study, the virulence of native EPN isolates and their cell-free supernatants of symbiotic bacteria were tested against the 3rd and 4th larval instars of Agrotis segetum (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1 °C and R.H. 60%).

Results

The 4th instar larvae were more susceptible to infective juveniles (IJs) and mortalities over (95%) were achieved by all tested EPN isolates at the concentration of 100 IJs/cm2 after 72 hrs of exposure. The cell-free supernatants were more effective against the 3rd instar larvae and the highest mortalities were recorded as 42 and 60% in the contact and leaf disc bioassays, respectively.

Conclusion

The results indicated that the cell-free supernatants can be an ideal application for young larval stages of A. segetum. However, further studies are required to test the effectiveness of both EPNs and the cell-free supernatants of their symbiotic bacteria in field conditions.
Photobiomodulation (PBMT) and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in oral manifestations of patients infected by Sars-CoV-2: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pacheco Juliano Abreu , Molena Kelly Fernanda , Martins Camila Raíssa Oliveira Gontijo , Corona Silmara Aparecida Milori , Borsatto Maria Cristina
Published: May 2022

Background

In 2019, a viral and respiratory pathology called COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China, and spread to other continents. Its main symptoms include fever, cough, dyspnea, myalgia, anorexia and respiratory distress in the most severe cases, which can lead to death. Furthermore, manifestations in the oral cavity such as ageusia and dysgeusia, as well as lesions in other regions of the oral cavity, can be observed.

Main body

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to critically assess the clinical evidence on the use of photobiomodulation (PBMT) and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) for the treatment of oral lesions in patients infected with Sars-Cov-2. The literature extracted from electronic databases such as PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, and Google Scholar was screened for eligibility, and relevant articles were included. The review is limited to manuscripts published in English, Spanish and Portuguese language between December 2019 and October 2021. A total of 5 articles with 11 cases retracting PBMT and aPDT as therapeutic strategies for the regression of oral lesions and painful symptoms. The results show favoring the associated use of PBMT with aPDT (P = 0.004), and the isolated use of PBMT with the result of significant “P = 0.005” and good confidence interval (7.18, 39.20) in ulcerative lesions, herpetic, aphthous, erythematous, petechiae and necrotic areas.

Conclusions

PBMT and aPDT could be effective in the treatment of oral lesions of patients infected with Sars-Cov-2 in a short period of time; however, more long-term randomized clinical trials studies are needed to define the therapeutic strategy.