bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on Machining Gap Distribution in Wire Electrochemical Micromachining
Authors: Zhou Zhongqi , Fang Xiaolong , Zeng Yongbin , Zhu Di
Published: April 2021

Wire electrochemical micromachining (WECMM) has become a research hotspot in recent years due to its advantages in machining metallic microstructures. Profiles of metallic microstructures fabricated by WECMM are determined by the machining gap distribution. This paper focuses on equilibrium machining gap distribution in WECMM. A two-dimensional electric field model of WECMM was established and the evolution process of slit profile was investigated. It was found that in machining equilibrium status, the machining gap gets the minimum value at the wire electrode feeding direction and exponentially increases with the increase of the induced angle between the wire electrode normal direction and its feeding direction. Furthermore, the effects of wire electrode diameter, machining voltage, and wire electrode feed rate on the equilibrium machining gap distribution were studied through machining simulation. The quantitative relationship among the machining gap at any wire electrode normal direction, the machining voltage, and the wire electrode feed rate was determined through function fitting. Finally, machining experiments were carried out to verify the regularity of the machining gap distribution. Experimental results are basically consistent with the simulation and function fitting results, with the ratio of the calculation error to the experimental value less than 12.78%.
Review—Recent Advances Based on a Sensor for Cancer Biomarker Detection
Authors: Crulhas Bruno P. , Basso Caroline R. , Castro Gustavo R. , Pedrosa Valber A.
Published: April 2021

Cancer is a worldwide disease with a high mortality rate and traditional methods for the diagnosis and monitoring are performed through invasive techniques. Currently, the advance of research in medical and biomedical engineering allowed the use of molecular tools combined with nanotechnology to develop portable sensors specific for major biomarkers to diagnose, monitor, and treatment of several diseases. This sensor can offer a means of homogeneous classification of a disease and risk factor and can extend the basic information about the underlying pathogenesis of the disease. Therefore, they can play a critical role in all stages of the disease. To address all this requirement is important to have a rigorous evaluation, including analytical validation, before incorporated into routine clinical treatment. This review described the current stage in the development of sensors in the study of cancer with an emphasis on surface modification, immobilization of biological agents, and detection approach.
Advanced single-cell technologies to guide the development of bioengineered lungs
Authors: Wanczyk Heather , Jensen Todd , Weiss Daniel J. , Finck Christine
Published: April 2021

Lung transplantation remains the only viable option for individuals suffering from end-stage lung failure. However, a number of current limitations exist including a continuing shortage of suitable donor lungs and immune rejection following transplantation. To address these concerns, engineering a decellularized biocompatible lung scaffold from cadavers reseeded with autologous lung cells to promote tissue regeneration is being explored. Proof-of-concept transplantation of these bioengineered lungs into animal models has been accomplished. However, these lungs were incompletely recellularized with resulting epithelial and endothelial leakage and insufficient basement membrane integrity. Failure to repopulate lung scaffolds with all of the distinct cell populations necessary for proper function remains a significant hurdle for the progression of current engineering approaches and precludes clinical translation. Advancements in 3D bioprinting, lung organoid models, and microfluidic device and bioreactor development have enhanced our knowledge of pulmonary lung development, as well as important cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, all of which will help in the path to a bioengineered transplantable lung. However, a significant gap in knowledge of the spatiotemporal interactions between cell populations as well as relative quantities and localization within each compartment of the lung necessary for its proper growth and function remains. This review will provide an update on cells currently used for reseeding decellularized scaffolds with outcomes of recent lung engineering attempts. Focus will then be on how data obtained from advanced single-cell analyses, coupled with multiomics approaches and high-resolution 3D imaging, can guide current lung bioengineering efforts for the development of fully functional, transplantable lungs.
[Retracted] An Improved Particle Swarm Optimization‐Powered Adaptive Classification and Migration Visualization for Music Style
Authors: Liu Xiahan
Published: April 2021

Based on the adaptive particle swarm algorithm and error backpropagation neural network, this paper proposes methods for different styles of music classification and migration visualization. This method has the advantages of simple structure, mature algorithm, and accurate optimization. It can find better network weights and thresholds so that particles can jump out of the local optimal solutions previously searched and search in a larger space. The global search uses the gradient method to accelerate the optimization and control the real‐time generation effect of the music style transfer, thereby improving the learning performance and convergence performance of the entire network, ultimately improving the recognition rate of the entire system, and visualizing the musical perception. This kind of real‐time information visualization is an artistic expression form, in which artificial intelligence imitates human synesthesia, and it is also a kind of performance art. Combining traditional music visualization and image style transfer adds specific content expression to music visualization and time sequence expression to image style transfer. This visual effect can help users generate unique and personalized portraits with music; it can also be widely used by artists to express the relationship between music and vision. The simulation results show that the method has better classification performance and has certain practical significance and reference value.
Keratinocyte Skin Cancers in General Surgery: The Impact of Anaesthesia, Trainee Supervision, and Choice of Reconstruction
Authors: McSweeney William , Leaning Matthew , Dastouri Darius
Published: April 2021

Background. Keratinocyte skin cancers are common in Australia, incurring disproportionately high health expenditure in comparison with mortality. General surgeons often excise these lesions as day-surgery. Balancing individual complexities of these cancers with trainee supervision and health expenditure is key to deliver efficacious care and maintain day-surgery volume for patients during a pandemic. Methods. A retrospective, cross-sectional study was performed, examining 414 procedures from January 2019 to December 2020. Pathology was reviewed, and benign lesions excluded. Complete excision was based on 5 mm margins for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 0.5 mm microscopic margins for low-risk basal cell carcinoma (BCC) subtypes, and 3 mm for high-risk. Results of trainee-performed local anesthetic (LA) excision and general anesthetic (GA) excision (consultant scrubbed) were compared. Results. 288 excisions were reviewed for completeness, location, and reconstruction modality. 69% were BCC (199), and 31% were SCC (89). These were excised under GA (72.5%) and LA (27.5%). 25.6% of BCC excisions were “close,” and 22.6% were “positive” under GA, whilst 31% were “close” and 15.5% were “positive” under LA. 52.8% of SCC excisions were “close,” and 7.8% were “positive” under GA, compared with 42.8% “close” and 9.5% “positive” under LA. Complex reconstruction (skin graft, flap) was more common under GA (38% SCC and 36.1% BCC), but occurred at a modest rate under LA (22% BCC and 28.5% SCC). Conclusions. The results confirm that comparable margins and reconstruction options are achievable when excising keratinocyte cancers under LA by surgical trainees. This is fundamental in cost and timesaving, as well as reducing risk of aerosolisation of virus during GA, in a pandemic.
[Retracted] The Effect of Mobile Marketing Design on Consumer Mobile Shopping
Authors: He Junhong , Li Fu , Li Zhongxiang , Liu Hongxiu
Published: April 2021

The rapid popularity of mobile shopping makes people’s lives more convenient, but it also makes it easier for customers to change providers. How to use marketing stimulus to retain customers has become an urgent concern for mobile sales companies. However, the theoretical researches in this field are not enough. For this reason, this study used the methods of literature review and structural equation to explore the effects of mobile marketing design factors on the continual intention of consumers in mobile shopping by using the S‐O‐R model and its extended theories. The conclusions of the research showed that interface quality of mobile sales terminal and integrity of mobile sales terminal had significant positive impacts on consumption emotion; sales promotion in mobile sales terminal had a significant positive impacts on continual intention of mobile shopping; consumption emotion had a significant positive effect on continual intention of consumers in mobile shopping; consumption emotion played a significant mediating role in the relationship between interface quality of mobile sales terminal and continual intention of mobile shopping and between integrity of mobile sales terminal and continual intention of mobile shopping. The conclusions could not only enrich the theories of mobile shopping behavior but also provide guidance for companies to carry out mobile marketing activities and allocate marketing resources rationally.
A Clinical Case Report of a Potential Acute Allergic Reaction with Titanium Dental Implant
Authors: Alqahtani Ali Robaian , Gufran Khalid , Silva Fred , Rocha Mateus Garcia , Chang Jia
Published: April 2021

Titanium hypersensitivity is rare, but it may exist among patients who need dental implant treatment. It could contribute to mild or severe peri-implant tissue hypersensitivity reactions and affect patients’ oral and general health according to some clinical reports. In extreme cases, it may lead to implant failure or extraction. In this case report, a 64-year-old Caucasian female patient received a titanium implant placement on #5. Right after the implant placement, she reported the symptoms of pain, eczema, and slight extraoral swelling, along with significant burning sensation occurring intra- and extraorally. The symptoms were not released after the systemic intervention of antibiotics for six days. On retrieving her medical history, the patient reported a previous allergic reaction to jewelry-like earrings in her childhood. The diagnosis of titanium hypersensitivity was made based on the rapid onset of symptoms and her metal allergy history. Therefore, the dental implant was removed after diagnosis, and a bone allograft was used to preserve the alveolar bone volume. Immediately after implant extraction, the swelling and burning sensation were receded. A complete recovery was achieved three weeks later. The dimension of the alveolar ridge bone was found well maintained in 10 weeks follow-up visit. Conclusion. Rapid onset of peri-implant gingival swelling may indicate a hypersensitivity to titanium implant in the clinic. For patients with a history of allergy to jewelry, the hypersensitivity tests to titanium alloy such as patch test or lymphocyte transformation test should be recommended as part of the dental implant treatment plan.
Analysis of the Magnus Moment Aerodynamic Characteristics of Rotating Missiles at High Altitudes
Authors: Xu Yihang , Chen Shaosong , Zhou Hang
Published: April 2021

The Magnus moment characteristics of rotating missiles with Mach numbers of 1.3 and 1.5 at different altitudes and angles of attack were numerically simulated based on the transition SST model. It was found that the Magnus moment direction of the missiles changed with the increase of the angle of attack. At a low altitude, with the increase of the angle of attack, the Magnus moment direction changed from positive to negative; however, at high altitudes, with the increase of the angle of attack, the Magnus moment direction changed from positive to negative and then again to positive. The Magnus force direction did not change with the change of the altitude and the angle of attack at low angles of attack; however, it changed with altitude at an angle of attack of 30°. When the angle of attack was 20°, the interference of the tail fin to the lateral force of the missile body was different from that for other angles of attack, leading to an increase of the lateral force of the rear part of the missile body. With the increasing altitude, the position of the boundary layer with a larger thickness of the missile body moved forward, making the lateral force distribution of the missile body even. Consequently, Magnus moments generated by different boundary layer thicknesses at the front and rear of the missile body decreased and the Magnus moment generated by the tail fin became larger. As lateral force directions of the missile body and the tail were opposite, the Magnus moment direction changed noticeably. Under a high angle of attack, the Magnus moment direction of the missile body changed with the increasing altitude. The absolute value of the pitch moment coefficient of the missile body decreased with the increasing altitude.
The Effect of Suppression Taurine on Relocation and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Mankind Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Deng Yongyan , Li Hongjin , Tang Yujiao
Published: April 2021

Aim. Taurine is believed to have antioxidant properties and has been implicated in the treatment of neurodegenerative disease, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and prostate cancer. This research focused on taurine inhibition effects of expression related to migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition- (EMT-) A549 study on related genes of human being non-small-cell lung cancer. Methods. MTT assays assessed cell viability and a RadiusTM assay showed that taurine also inhibited the lung cancer cell migration. Using RT-PCR and Western blot, the migration and EMT markers were identified and evaluated. Results. We found that taurine significantly decreased the expression of migration markers matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In contrast, TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 2 (TIMP-2) expressions were increased with taurine treatment. In addition, we found an association between taurine treatment and the expression of EMT markers. The expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin and the mesenchymal marker N-cadherin TWIST-1 was decreased, but the expression of zinc finger protein SNAIL-1 and E-zinc finger homeobox 1 (ZEB-1) was increased. Conclusion. Taken together, our study strongly suggests the therapeutic significance of taurine, which possesses antimigration activity and induces EMT markers expression in lung cancer cells.
Iatrogenic Hypotension Induced by the Improper Treatment of Normal Grief
Authors: Robinson Kyle E.
Published: April 2021

We report the case of a 28-year-old male in rural Madagascar with iatrogenic hypotension induced by improper treatment of a normal grief response. The man lost both of his children in the spring of 2019 during a measles outbreak that infected at minimum 152,000 individuals on the island. After developing symptoms of chest pain, intermittent tachycardia, and widespread pain when he would think of his children in the weeks following their loss, he was prescribed gabapentin, lisinopril, and metoprolol by a general practice nurse. He subsequently developed dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue. After visiting Mada Clinics two weeks later, all medications were stopped, and the man’s symptoms resolved. This case demonstrates the effects of a lack of available mental health care in Madagascar, a country with sixteen available psychiatrists for a rapidly expanding population of over 26 million people.
SS‐31 Protects Liver from Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury via Modulating Macrophage Polarization
Authors: Shang Longcheng , Ren Haozhen , Wang Shuai , Liu Hanyi , Hu Anyin , Gou Peng , Lin Yunzhen , Zhou Jingchao , Zhu Wei , Shi Xiaolei
Published: April 2021

Ischemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI) is a common complication in liver surgeries. It is a focus to discover effective treatments to reduce ischemia‐reperfusion injury. Previous studies show that oxidative stress and inflammation response contribute to the liver damage during IRI. SS‐31 is an innovated mitochondrial‐targeted antioxidant peptide shown to scavenge reactive oxygen species and decrease oxidative stress, but the protective effects of SS‐31 against hepatic IRI are not well understood. The aim of our study is to investigate whether SS‐31 could protect the liver from damages induced by IRI and understand the protective mechanism. The results showed that SS‐31 treatment can significantly attenuate liver injury during IRI, proved by HE staining, serum ALT/AST, and TUNEL staining which can assess the degree of liver damage. Meanwhile, we find that oxidative stress and inflammation were significantly suppressed after SS‐31 administration. Furthermore, the mechanism revealed that SS‐31 can directly decrease ROS production and regulate STAT1/STAT3 signaling in macrophages, thus inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization. The proinflammation cytokines are then significantly reduced, which suppress inflammation response in the liver. Taken together, our study discovered that SS‐31 can regulate macrophage polarization through ROS scavenging and STAT1/STAT3 signaling to ameliorate liver injury; the protective effects against hepatic IRI suggest that SS‐31 may be an appropriate treatment for liver IRI in the clinic.
Synchronization of a Class of Chaotic Systems with Different Dimensions
Authors: Zheng Jiming , Li Juan
Published: April 2021

In this paper, two scaling matrices are used to research the synchronization of different dimensional chaotic systems with unknown parameters. Firstly, the definition of synchronization of chaotic systems with different dimensions is introduced. Secondly, based on Lyapunov stability theorem and adaptive control method, an adaptive feedback hybrid controller and parameter adaptive laws are designed to realize synchronization of uncertain chaotic systems with different dimensions. Finally, three numerical experiments are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Cosmetic Syndrome Correction with Calcium Hydroxylapatite-Based Filler in Patients with Connective Tissue Dysplasia
Authors: Shirshakova Maria , Morozova Elena , Sokolova Daria , Pervykh Svetlana , Kayumova Lyailya
Published: April 2021

Undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia is one of the most common diseases of nowadays, which does not fit into the group of hereditary syndromes. This condition is diagnosed in 20–50% of the population at any age. The study aimed to correct the facial soft tissues of patients with undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia through the cosmetic procedure of calcium hydroxylapatite injection. In 2018, a 36-year-old patient addressed the beauty salon with signs of undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia, such as severe asymmetry of the face, infraorbital and nasolabial sulci, and thin and easily folding skin. Signs were observed from the age of 22, i.e., for 14 years. The therapy was performed using special features of the correction of facial soft tissue changes in patients with connective tissue dysplasia (CTD) using calcium hydroxylapatite-based products (Radiesse®, Merz North America, Inc., USA). Particular attention is given to the need for early correction to prevent premature skin aging related to this condition. After 14 days, a significant improvement of the patient’s skin condition was noted after the passing of two procedures. Her condition was estimated as consistent with T1-2P0G0A1Zh1 P1M1K1 and corresponded to grade I age-related changes in the superficial soft tissues. The performed treatment showed high efficacy in case of mild connective tissue dysplasia diagnosis. The results showed that when collecting information from anamnesis, the diagnostic criteria for dysplasia should be considered. If the criteria are met, the cosmetological correction with collagen stimulators becomes possible.
Text Mining-Based Drug Discovery in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Yu Rong-Guo , Zhang Jia-Yu , Liu Zhen-Tao , Zhuo You-Guang , Wang Hai-Yang , Ye Jie , Liu Nannan , Zhang Yi-Yuan
Published: April 2021

Background. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and degenerative joint disease, which causes stiffness, pain, and decreased function. At the early stage of OA, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are considered the first-line treatment. However, the efficacy and utility of available drug therapies are limited. We aim to use bioinformatics to identify potential genes and drugs associated with OA. Methods. The genes related to OA and NSAIDs therapy were determined by text mining. Then, the common genes were performed for GO, KEGG pathway analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Using the MCODE plugin-obtained hub genes, the expression levels of hub genes were verified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The confirmed genes were queried in the Drug Gene Interaction Database to determine potential genes and drugs. Results. The qRT-PCR result showed that the expression level of 15 genes was significantly increased in OA samples. Finally, eight potential genes were targetable to a total of 53 drugs, twenty-one of which have been employed to treat OA and 32 drugs have not yet been used in OA. Conclusions. The 15 genes (including PTGS2, NLRP3, MMP9, IL1RN, CCL2, TNF, IL10, CD40, IL6, NGF, TP53, RELA, BCL2L1, VEGFA, and NOTCH1) and 32 drugs, which have not been used in OA but approved by the FDA for other diseases, could be potential genes and drugs, respectively, to improve OA treatment. Additionally, those methods provided tremendous opportunities to facilitate drug repositioning efforts and study novel target pharmacology in the pharmaceutical industry.
Efficacy and Safety of Combined Endovascular Embolization and Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Patients with Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Jiang Zhiqun , Zhang Xuezhi , Wan Xichen , Wei Minjun , Liu Yue , Ding Cong , Wan Yilv
Published: April 2021

Whether the use of endovascular embolization could provide additional benefits in patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for intracranial arteriovenous malformations (IAVMs) remains controversial. The current meta‐analysis was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of SRS with and without prior endovascular embolization in patients with IAVMs. The electronic databases of PubMed, EmBase, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for eligible studies published from inception to August 12, 2020. The pooled results for obliteration rate, rehemorrhage rate, and permanent neurological deficits were calculated by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using the random‐effects model. The sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and publication bias for investigated outcomes were also evaluated. Nineteen studies (two prospective and 17 retrospective studies) involving a total of 3,454 patients with IAVMs were selected for the final meta‐analysis. We noted that prior embolization and SRS were associated with a lower obliteration rate compared with SRS alone (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.44–0.74; P < 0.001). However, prior embolization and SRS were not associated with the risk of rehemorrhage (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.81–1.34; P = 0.729) and permanent neurological deficits (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.48–1.33; P = 0.385) compared with SRS alone. The sensitivity analysis suggested that prior embolization might reduce the risk of permanent neurological deficits in patients with IAVMs treated with SRS. The treatment effects of prior embolization in patients with IAVMs could be affected by nidus volume, margin dose, intervention, and follow‐up duration. This study found that prior embolization was associated with a reduced risk of obliteration in patients with IAVMs treated with SRS. Moreover, prior embolization might reduce the risk of permanent neurological deficits in patients with IAVMs.
Prolonged Postoperative Pyrexia and Transient Nonnephrogenic Vasopressin-Analogue-Resistant Polyuria following Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Resection of an Infundibular Epidermoid Cyst
Authors: Yoneoka Yuichiro , Seki Yasuhiro , Akiyama Katsuhiko , Sakurai Yuki , Ohara Nobumasa , Hasegawa Go
Published: April 2021

Prolonged postoperative pyrexia (PPP) due to Mollaret’s meningitis following endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (eTSS) for an intracranial epidermoid cyst can be confused with postoperative meningeal infection after transsphenoidal resection, especially in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Anosmia, as well as dysgeusia, cannot be evaluated in patients of eTSS for a while after surgery. We report a case of an infundibular epidermoid cyst with post-eTSS Mollaret’s meningitis (MM). The post-eTSS MM caused vasopressin-analogue-resistant polyuria (VARP) in synchronization with PPP. A 59-year-old man experiencing recurrent headaches and irregular bitemporal hemianopsia over three months was diagnosed with a suprasellar tumor. The suprasellar tumor was an infundibular cyst from the infundibular recess to the posterior lobe of the pituitary, which was gross-totally resected including the neurohypophysis via an extended eTSS. Since awakening from general anesthesia after the gross total resection (GTR) of the tumor, the patient continuously had suffered from headache until the 13th postoperative day (POD13). The patient took analgesics once a day before the surgery and three times a day after the surgery until POD11. Pyrexia (37.5–39.5 degree Celsius) in synchronization with nonnephrogenic VARP remitted on POD18. Intravenous antibiotics had little effect on changes of pyrexia. Serum procalcitonin values (reference range <0.5 ng/mL) are 0.07 ng/mL on POD12 and 0.06 ng/mL on POD18. His polyuria came to react with sublingual desmopressin after alleviation of pyrexia. He left the hospital under hormone replacement therapy without newly added neurological sequelae other than hypopituitarism. After GTR of an infundibular epidermoid cyst, based on values of serum procalcitonin, post-eTSS MM can be distinguished from infection and can be treated with symptomatic treatments. The postoperative transient nonnephrogenic VARP that differs from usual central diabetes insipidus can react with sublingual desmopressin after alleviation of PPP in the clinical course of post-eTSS MM. An infundibular epidermoid cyst should be sufficiently resected in one sitting to minimize comorbidities, its recurrence, or postoperative MM to the utmost.
An Experiment‐Based Simplified Method for the Model of Building Groups in CFD Simulation
Authors: Guo Hongling , Zhou Ying , Li Yingxin , Zhang Zhihui , Li Heng
Published: April 2021

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has been widely used in the simulation and analysis of community or urban wind environments. However, the CFD‐based wind simulation of large‐scale building groups usually consumes a lot of computing resources with high computing costs. To improve the efficiency of CFD‐based wind simulation, this paper presents an experiment‐based simplified method for the model of building groups. Two rectangular buildings are adopted as the basic unit and four control parameters (B/L, W/L, H/L, and D/L) are selected as the experiment factors to analyze the geometrical relationship of the two buildings. Note that L, W, and H, respectively, represent the windward edge length, width, and height of a building, B is building interval distance, and D is the distance between two building center axes. Then, a single factor experiment and an orthogonal experiment are designed and performed to determine the reasonable value range of each factor. Based on the experiment results and actual situation, the value ranges of four factors for the simplification of building group models are determined as follows: B/L∈{0, 1.5}, W/L∈{0, 2}, D/L∈{0, 0.25}, and H/L∈{0, 1}. Furthermore, a real case is presented to evaluate the performance of the proposed simplified method. The results indicate that the simplified method is able to improve the efficiency of CFD‐based wind simulation of building groups, with the number of buildings decreasing from 620 to 395 (by 36.3%), and the number of tetrahedral grids decreasing from 8,832,199 to 7,766,778 (by 12.1%). Thus, this research contributes to the CFD‐based wind simulation method of large‐scale building groups and the analysis of the urban wind environment.
Unilateral Urogenital Disontogeny in a Dog
Authors: Tambella Adolfo Maria , Martin Stefano , Cerquetella Matteo , Spaziante Daniele , Palumbo Piccionello Angela , Marchegiani Andrea , Faccenda Umberto , Rossi Giacomo
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this report was to describe an uncommon congenital anomaly in a dog. An 8-year-old, mixed-breed, male dog, was referred because of progressive difficulties on defecation. A complete diagnostic work-up (hematological analysis, radiology, ultrasound, and computed tomography), followed by surgery and histopathology, allowed us to diagnose the condition as unilateral urogenital disontogeny. The disorder was characterized by unilateral anomalies of the urinary tract (ectopic and dilated hydroureter, hydronephrosis, and renal dysplasia) associated with ipsilateral anomalies of the genital system (partial permanence of the duct of Wolff evolved into an epididymal-like structure and testicular agenesis). En bloc surgical excision of the complex of urogenital anomalies was performed with no complications during or after surgery. Surgery was considered to be effective in this dog since he no longer showed clinical signs of illness.
Min‐k‐Cut Coalition Structure Generation on Trust‐Utility Relationship Graph
Authors: Kong XiangLong , Tong XiangRong , Wang YingJie
Published: April 2021

Trust relationships have an important effect on coalition formation. In many real scenarios, agents usually cooperate with others in their trusted social networks to form coalitions. Therefore, the trust value between agents should constrain the utility of forming coalitions when cooperating. At the same time, most studies ignore the impact of the number of coalitions in coalition structure. In this paper, the coalition formation of trust‐utility relationship in social networks is researched. Each node represents an agent, and the trust‐utility networks that connect the agents constrain coalition formation. To solve the task assignment problem, this paper proposes a greedy algorithm which is based on the edge contraction. Under the premise of ensuring the agent’s individually rationality, this algorithm simulates the formation process of coalitions between agents through continuous edge contraction and constrains the number of forming coalitions to k to solve the problem of coalition structure. Finally, the simulation results show that our algorithm has great scalability because of the ability of solving the coalition structure on a large‐scale agent set. It can meet the growing demand for data intensive applications in the Internet of things and artificial intelligence era. The quality of the solution is much higher than other algorithms, and the running time is negligible.
Seroconfirmed Typhoid Fever and Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices among Febrile Patients Attending at Injibara General Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Mulu Wondemagegn , Akal Chalachew Genet , Ababu Kidist , Getachew Solomon , Tesfaye Fenkil , Wube Asamrew , Chekol Desalegn
Published: April 2021

Introduction. Typhoid fever (TF) is a febrile global health problem caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) with relatively high prevalence in low‐ and middle‐income countries including Ethiopia. Identifying local prevalence and gaps in knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards TF is recommended by the World Health Organization to implement preventive measures. Therefore, this study determined the prevalence of S. Typhi and KAP of febrile patients towards TF in Injibara General Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods. Hospital‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted from January to March 2020. A total of 237 patients were included conveniently. Data on KAP and demographic variables were collected using a structured questionnaire by face‐to‐face interview. After the interview, 5 ml venous blood was collected and processed using the Widal test following the manufacturer’s instruction. Mean scores and percentages were used to determine the level of KAP. Multivariable analysis was done to correlate KAPs with TF. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. The overall prevalence of S. Typhi was 25.7%. The highest seroprevalence was observed among the age group of 30‐34 years (33.3%) and patients with no education. The majority of participants know the major ways of TF transmission (59.1‐90.7%) and prevention (81.4%) methods. However, the misconception on the route of TF transmission was observed in 13.5‐36.7% of participants. About 65.4% and 67.5% of study participants were considered knowledgeable and had good preventive practice towards TF, respectively. Being a student (AOR = 0.227, CI = 0.053 − 0.965) and considering mosquito bite as transmission routes (AOR = 2.618, CI = 1.097 − 6.248) were significantly associated with TF. Conclusion. High S. Typhi prevalence was observed in the study area. Moreover, the misconception on the transmission of typhoid fever and educational level was a risk factor for TF. Thus, health facilities should incorporate topics on typhoid fever as part of their health education system within health facilities and in the community.
Dynamic Cross‐Market Volatility Spillover Based on MSV Model: Evidence from Bitcoin, Gold, Crude Oil, and Stock Markets
Authors: Zhang Jing , He Qi-zhi
Published: April 2021

This paper examines the spillover effect between bitcoin, gold, crude oil, and major stock markets by using the MSV model with dynamic correlation and Granger causality. The empirical results of the DC‐GC‐MSV model are logically correct and convergent. The DIC test result has proved that the DC‐GC‐MSV model is better and more accurate. Bitcoin has no significant Granger causality spillover effect than other assets. As a safe haven product for stock assets, gold price has one‐way spillover effect from stock market volatility. Moreover, crude oil has the highest correlation with the stock market. In the recent COVID‐19 epidemic and the sluggish economic environment, investors need to consider a balanced asset allocation among low‐correlation assets, medium‐correlation assets, and high‐correlation assets to reduce risks.
Faecal Inflammatory Biomarkers and Gastrointestinal Symptoms after Bariatric Surgery: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Westerink Floris , Huibregtse Inge , De Hoog Marieke , Bruin Sjoerd , Meesters Eelco , Brandjes Desiderius , Gerdes Victor
Published: April 2021

Background: Bariatric surgery induces various gastrointestinal (GI) modifications. We performed the first study longitudinally assessing the effect of bariatric surgery on faecal inflammatory biomarker levels and its relation with GI complaints. Method: Faecal calprotectin, lactoferrin, and calgranulin-C levels were determined in 41 patients (34 Roux-en-Y [RYGB], 7 sleeves) before and at 6–16 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. Changes in biomarker levels and percentage of patients above reference value were determined. Gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) was used to assess GI complaints at corresponding time points. The postoperative relation between GSRS score and biomarker levels above reference value was investigated. Results: After RYGB, median calprotectin levels are significantly higher (>188, 104–415 μg/g) than before surgery (40, 19–78 μg/g; p < 0.001), and over 90% of patients have levels above reference value 1 year after surgery. Median lactoferrin was 0.4 (0.2–1.6) μg/g before, and >5.9 (1.8–13.6) μg/g after surgery (p < 0.001). Median calgranulin-C levels remained far below the reference value and were 0.13 (0.05–0.24) μg/g before and <0.23 (0.06–0.33) μg/g after surgery. Similar results were found after sleeve gastrectomy. No difference was seen in GSRS score for patients with calprotectin and lactoferrin levels above reference values. Conclusion: Faecal inflammatory biomarkers calprotectin and lactoferrin, but not calgranulin-C, rise above reference values shortly after bariatric surgery and remain elevated in the majority of patients. The discrepancy between calprotectin and calgranulin-C levels suggests no GI inflammation. Furthermore, patients after RYGB with biomarkers above the population reference value do not seem to have more GI complaints.
Effects of Mental Imagery on Prospective Memory: A Process Analysis in Individuals with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Cheng Lin , Tu Min-Chien , Huang Wen-Hui , Hsu Yen-Hsuan
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Prospective memory (PM) is a multiphasic cognitive function important for autonomy and functional independence but is easily disrupted by pathological aging processes. Through cognitive simulation of perceptual experiences, mental imagery could be an effective compensatory strategy to enhance PM performance. Nevertheless, relevant research in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been limited, and the underlying mechanism of the therapeutic effect has not been sufficiently elucidated. The present study aimed to examine complex PM performances and the effect of mental imagery on each phase in older adults with MCI and to investigate the underlying cognitive mechanism from a process perspective. Methods: Twenty-eight MCI and 32 normal aging controls completed a seminaturalistic PM task, in addition to a series of neuropsychological tests. Participants from each group were randomly assigned to a mental imagery condition or a standard repeated encoding condition before performing the PM task. Four indices were used to measure performance in the intention formation, intention retention, intention initiation, and intention execution phases of PM. Performances in each phase was compared between the 2 diagnostic groups and the 2 instruction conditions. Results: The MCI group performed worse than the normal aging group in the intention formation and intention retention phases. The participants in the mental imagery condition performed significantly better than those in the standard condition during the intention formation, intention retention, and intention execution phases, regardless of the diagnostic group. Moreover, there was a significant interaction between the group and condition during intention retention, showing that people with MCI benefited even more from mental imagery than normal aging in this phase. Performance in the intention retention phase predicted performance in the intention initiation and intention execution phases. Discussion: PM deficits in MCI mainly manifest during planning and retaining intentions. Mental imagery was able to promote performance in all but the initiation phase, although a trend for improvement was observed in this phase. The effects of mental imagery may be exerted in the intention retention phase by strengthening the PM cue-action bond, thereby facilitating the probability of intention initiation and bolstering fidelity to the original plan during intention execution.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Extracorporeal Blood Purification with HA-380 and High-Volume Hemofiltration: A New Therapeutic Challenge at the Neurocritical Care Unit? A Case Report
Authors: Ramírez-Guerrero Gonzalo , Oliva Alarcón Rocio , Villagrán Cortés Francisco , Torres Cifuentes Vicente , Baghetti Hernández Romyna , Flores Fernandez Pablo , Godoy Tello Cristian , Torres Moyano Francisco , Lucero Córdova Cristian , Rojas Doll Simón , Garay Coloma Osvaldo
Published: April 2021

We present the case of a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) secondary to a ruptured cerebral aneurysm and a refractory shock with high doses of vasopressors without a proven source of infection. This patient received therapy with high-volume hemofiltration plus adsorption, resolving the hemodynamic deterioration and with good neurological evolution. Our clinical case proposes that extracorporeal therapies may have a feasibility role in the management of complications of SAH.
Contribution of the laboratory to a diagnosis process by sequential reflective testing: Paraprotein interference on a direct bilirubin assay
Authors: Yilmaz Niyazi Samet , Sen Bayram , Gulbahar Ozlem
Published: April 2021

Errors in laboratory medicine occur in the preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical phases. The errors are mostly detected in the preanalytical period. However, analytical errors are still an important source of error, despite their frequency is reduced significantly in years thanks to developments in laboratories. In this case, an analytical error was noticed during the verification of a patient’s results. The direct bilirubin of a 66-year-old male patient admitted to the emergency department was higher than the total bilirubin. The patient’s symptoms were fatigue and dyspnoea. Albumin and haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations of the patient were significantly low. After considering the patient’s demographics and laboratory results, the laboratory specialist suspected a paraproteinemia interference. Total protein was performed as a reflective test. The albumin/globulin ratio was reversed. Thereafter, serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) were performed as another reflective tests, respectively. SPEP and IFE results were in favour of monoclonal gammopathy. The patient was directed to a haematologist, underwent a bone marrow biopsy, and the result was reported as Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia with plasma cell differentiation expressing IgM-Kappa. The patient went on a chemotherapy protocol, and his condition has been improved in subsequent months. Detection of analytical errors is of great importance, like in our case, and may be used as a tool to identify patients who have not yet been diagnosed. The laboratory specialist must dominate the entire process of each test in the laboratory, be aware of the limitations of tests, and turn these disadvantages into advantages when necessary.
Delayed diagnosis and treatment of extreme hypertriglyceridemia due to rejection of a lipemic sample
Authors: Van Elslande Jan , Langlois Michel , Vermeersch Pieter , Frans Glynis , Van der Schueren Bart , Mertens Ann , Meijers Björn , De Vusser Katrien , Hijjit Samira
Published: April 2021

Most laboratories routinely determine haemolysis, icterus and lipemia indices to identify lipemic samples and reject potentially affected results. Hypertriglyceridemia is the most common cause of lipemia and severe hypertriglyceridemia (≥ 11.3 mmol/L) is a major risk factor of acute pancreatitis.
A 56-year-old woman attended the outpatient clinic for a follow-up visit 1 month after a kidney transplantation. Her immunosuppressive therapy consisted of corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and mycophenolic acid. The routine clinical chemistry sample was rejected due to extreme lipemia. The comment “extreme lipemic sample” was added on the report, but the requesting physician could not be reached. The Cobas 8000 gave a technical error (absorption > 3.3) for the HIL-indices (L-index: 38.6 mmol/L) which persisted after high-speed centrifugation. The patient was given a new appointment 2 days later. The new sample was also grossly lipemic and gave the same technical error (L-index: 35.9 mmol/L).
The second sample was manually diluted 20-fold after centrifugation to obtain a result for triglycerides within the measuring range (0.10–50.0 mmol/L). Triglycerides were 169.1 mmol/L, corresponding to very severe hypertriglyceridemia. This result was communicated to the nephrologist and the patient immediately recalled to the hospital. She received therapeutic plasma exchange the next day and did not develop acute pancreatitis.
This case illustrates the delicate balance between avoiding the release of unreliable results due to lipemia and the risk of delayed diagnosis when results are rejected. Providing an estimate of the degree of hypertriglyceridemia might be preferable to rejecting the result.
The Chinese Gazette in European Sources from the Late Qianlong Period: The Case of the Siku Quanshu
Authors: Standaert Nicolas
Published: April 2021

The publicly available government gazette (often called dibao 邸報) that was published in a variety of formats in imperial China has recently caught new academic interest both in China and in the West. While most of these studies focus on the Peking Gazette (jingbao 京報) in the (late) nineteenth century, information about the gazette for earlier times remains very scarce. To address this gap, the present study focuses on the gazette from the Qianlong period (1736–1795). It uses and describes both Chinese sources, specifically the tizou shijian 題奏事件, and European sources, especially the French translations of gazettes by Jean-Joseph-Marie Amiot (1718–1793). A case study of translated reports on the Siku quanshu 四庫全書 sent to Europe shows how the Chinese gazette became part of a remarkable and lively global information network.
A new status for two varieties previously included in the southern Malagasy Kalanchoe rosei, now included in K. variifolia (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae)

Authors: SHTEIN RONEN , KLEIN DAVID-PAUL , SMITH GIDEON F.
Published: April 2021

Kalanchoe rosei (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae) is a phyllo-bulbiliferous species endemic to southern Madagascar. Historically, two varieties, K. rosei var. seyrigii and K. rosei var. variifolia, have been recognised in K. rosei. One of the two specimens cited when K. rosei var. seyrigii was described bears much resemblance to K. peltigera. However, regardless of how K. rosei var. seyrigii was originally described, the type of the name K. rosei var. seyrigii, which determines its application, is that of the synonym it replaced, i.e., K. rosei subsp. serratifolia. The two varieties, K. rosei var. seyrigii and K. rosei var. variifolia, were originally described as subspecies and are sometimes treated at that rank, as K. rosei subsp. serratifolia and K. rosei subsp. variifolia. Kalanchoe rosei var. seyrigii and K. rosei var. variifolia are morphologically very similar and, based on reproductive morphology alone, can hardly be distinguished, which reaffirms the close relationship between them. Kalanchoe rosei is most closely related to K. peltigera, as well as to K. daigremontiana, K. laetivirens, and K. sanctula, a group of pink-flowered constitutively phyllo-bulbiliferous species from Madagascar. In contrast, K. rosei var. seyrigii and K. rosei var. variifolia rather share several morphological similarities with orange-flowered representatives included in the informal group “Suffrutescentes”, and frequently hybridise with them. Kalanchoe rosei var. variifolia is here elevated to species rank, as K. variifolia, for material hitherto treated as belonging to K. rosei var. seyrigii and K. rosei var. variifolia. Two varieties, the autonymic one and K. variifolia var. seyrigii, are recognised in K. variifolia. The typification of K. rosei subsp. variifolia and K. rosei var. seyrigii, the basionyms of K. variifolia var. variifolia and K. variifolia var. seyrigii, respectively, is clarified.