bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Significance of pulmonary resection in patients with metachronous pulmonary metastasis from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Mashiko Taro , Nakano Akira , Masuoka Yoshihito , Yamamoto Seiichiro , Ozawa Soji , Nakagohri Toshio
Published: May 2021

Background

Pulmonary metastases from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are relatively rare. Systemic chemotherapy is the first choice of treatment in patients with distant metastases, and the role of metastasectomy is controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with pulmonary metastases after resection of PDAC and the indications for metastasectomy.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed patients with pulmonary metastases as the first recurrence after resection of primary PDAC between January 2006 and December 2018. Clinical data were obtained from the patients’ medical records. Relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were analysed using the Kaplan–Meier method, and statistical significance was evaluated by the log-rank test.

Results

Of the 417 patients with resected PDACs, 24 (7.9%) had pulmonary metastases. Six patients (25.0%) underwent pulmonary resection and 18 (75.0%) received systemic chemotherapy and best supportive care. There were no major complications requiring therapeutic intervention after pulmonary resection. The median RFS was 24.0 months (95% CI 10.8–37.2), and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year RFS rates were 66.7%, 33.3%, and 4.2%, respectively. The median OS was 50.0 months (95% CI 15.9–84.1), and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 95.8%, 70.3%, and 46.4%, respectively. All patients with resected pulmonary metastases were alive at the end of the study, whereas the median OS of the patients who did not undergo resection was 37.0 months (95% CI 34.4–39.6). Therefore, patients with resected pulmonary metastases had a significantly better prognosis (p = 0.008).

Conclusions

Pulmonary resection may improve the prognosis in selected patients with pulmonary metastases from PDAC. However, the present study is based on a small number of patients and may include a selection bias; therefore, a multi-institutional prospective study is needed to clarify the indications for pulmonary resection.
Comparison of mandibular cross-sectional morphology between Class I and Class II subjects with different vertical patterns: based on CBCT images and statistical shape analysis
Authors: Chen Haotian , Liu Zijin , Hu Xinnong , Wu Ben , Gu Yan
Published: May 2021

Background

This study is aimed to (1) investigate the influence of sagittal and vertical patterns on mandibular cross-sectional morphology and to (2) provide visualized mandibular cross-sectional morphology in different groups with General Procrustes Analysis (GPA), canonical variance analysis (CVA) and discriminant function analysis (DFA).

Methods

324 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were collected to analyze mandibular cross-sectional morphology and were categorized into 12 groups according to sagittal and vertical pattern and gender. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the difference among the groups. Thirty equidistant points were marked along the contour of mandibular cross-section and GPA, CVA and DFA were applied.

Results

(1) Mandibular height in hyperdivergent groups was significantly higher than that in normodivergent and hypodivergent groups (P < 0.05). (2) Hypodivergent groups showed significantly wider upper third of mandibular width from symphysis to molar region than that in hyperdivergent group (P < 0.05), except for the premolar and molar regions in male groups (P > 0.05). (3) Class II hyperdivergent group showed narrowest lower third width in the molar region, with the mean value of 12.03 mm in females and 11.98 mm in males. (4) For males and females, the ratio between height and lower third width at symphysis was significantly higher in Class II hyperdivergent group than that in Class I hyperdivergent group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

(1) The influence of vertical facial patterns on mandibular cross-sectional morphology is more obvious than that of sagittal skeletal pattern. (2) Subjects with increased vertical dimension presented with a remarkable “slimer” mandibular cross-sectional morphology at symphysis. (3) A deeper curve along the anterior contour of symphysis in Class II hyperdivergent group was noted with GPA.
Effect of multimorbidity on utilisation and out-of-pocket expenditure in Indonesia: quantile regression analysis
Authors: Anindya Kanya , Ng Nawi , Atun Rifat , Marthias Tiara , Zhao Yang , McPake Barbara , van Heusden Alexander , Pan Tianxin , Lee John Tayu
Published: May 2021

Background

Multimorbidity (the presence of two or more non-communicable diseases) is a major growing challenge for many low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Yet, its effects on health care costs and financial burden for patients have not been adequately studied. This study investigates the effect of multimorbidity across the different percentiles of healthcare utilisation and out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE).

Methods

We conducted a secondary data analysis of the 2014/2015 Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS-5), which included 13,798 respondents aged ≥40 years. Poisson regression was used to assess the association between sociodemographic characteristics and the total number of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), while multivariate logistic regression and quantile regression analysis was used to estimate the associations between multimorbidity, health service use and OOPE.

Results

Overall, 20.8% of total participants had two or more NCDs in 2014/2015. The number of NCDs was associated with higher healthcare utilisation (coefficient 0.11, 95% CI 0.07–0.14 for outpatient care and coefficient 0.09 (95% CI 0.02–0.16 for inpatient care) and higher four-weekly OOPE (coefficient 27.0, 95% CI 11.4–42.7). The quantile regression results indicated that the marginal effect of having three or more NCDs on the absolute amount of four-weekly OOPE was smaller for the lower percentiles (at the 25th percentile, coefficient 1.0, 95% CI 0.5–1.5) but more pronounced for the higher percentile of out-of-pocket spending distribution (at the 90th percentile, coefficient 31.0, 95% CI 15.9–46.2).

Conclusion

Multimorbidity is positively correlated with health service utilisation and OOPE and has a significant effect, especially among those in the upper tail of the utilisation/costs distribution. Health financing strategies are urgently required to meet the needs of patients with multimorbidity, particularly for vulnerable groups that have a higher level of health care utilisation.
Drying methodology effect on the phenolic content, antioxidant activity of Myrtus communis L. leaves ethanol extracts and soybean oil oxidative stability
Authors: Snoussi Ahmed , Essaidi Ismahen , Ben Haj Koubaier Hayet , Zrelli Houda , Alsafari Ibrahim , Živoslav Tesic , Mihailovic Jelena , Khan Muhummadh , El Omri Abdelfatteh , Ćirković Veličković Tanja , Bouzouita Nabiha
Published: May 2021

In this study, different drying methodologies (convective air, oven and microwave) of Myrtus communis L. (M. communis L.) leaves were conducted to investigate their effects on the levels of phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity of ethanolic extracts (EEs) as well as the soybean oil oxidative stability. Drying methodology significantly influenced the extractability of phenolic compounds. Microwave drying led to an increase in the amounts of total phenols, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins followed by oven drying at 70 °C. Higher temperature of drying (100 and 120 °C) led to a significant reduction of their amounts (p < 0.05). An ultra-performance liquid chromatography method combined with high resolution mass spectroscopic detection was used to analyze the phenolic fraction of extracts. Higher amounts of the identified compounds were observed when leaves were heat treated. Furthermore, the evaluation of the antioxidant activity showed that the studied extracts possess in general high antioxidant capacities, significantly dependent on the employed drying methodology. The incorporation of the different extracts at 200 ppm in soybean oil showed that its oxidative stability was significantly improved. Extracts from leaves treated with microwave (EE_MW) and at 70 °C (EE_70) have better effect than BHT. The results of the present study suggest that microwave drying could be useful to enhance the extractability of phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity of M. communis L. leaf extract.
Methylated markers accurately distinguish primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL) from other CNS tumors
Authors: Downs Bradley M. , Ding Wanjun , Cope Leslie M. , Umbricht Christopher B. , Li Wenge , He Huihua , Ke Xiaokang , Holdhoff Matthias , Bettegowda Chetan , Tao Weiping , Sukumar Saraswati
Published: May 2021

Background

Definitive diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) requires invasive surgical brain biopsy, causing treatment delays. In this paper, we identified and validated tumor-specific markers that can distinguish PCNSL from other CNS tumors in tissues. In a pilot study, we tested these newly identified markers in plasma.

Results

The Methylation Outlier Detector program was used to identify markers in TCGA dataset of 48 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and 656 glioblastomas and lower-grade gliomas. Eight methylated markers clearly distinguished DLBCL from gliomas. Marker performance was verified (ROC-AUC of ≥ 0.989) in samples from several GEO datasets (95 PCNSL; 2112 other primary CNS tumors of 11 types). Next, we developed a novel, efficient assay called Tailed Amplicon Multiplexed-Methylation-Specific PCR (TAM-MSP), which uses two of the methylation markers, cg0504 and SCG3 triplexed with ACTB. FFPE tissue sections (25 cases each) of PCNSL and eight types of other primary CNS tumors were analyzed using TAM-MSP. TAM-MSP distinguished PCNSL from the other primary CNS tumors with 100% accuracy (AUC = 1.00, 95% CI 0.95–1.00, P < 0.001). The TAM-MSP assay also detected as few as 5 copies of fully methylated plasma DNA spiked into 0.5 ml of healthy plasma. In a pilot study of plasma from 15 PCNSL, 5 other CNS tumors and 6 healthy individuals, methylation in cg0504 and SCG3 was detectable in 3/15 PCNSL samples (20%).

Conclusion

The Methylation Outlier Detector program identified methylated markers that distinguish PCNSL from other CNS tumors with accuracy. The high level of accuracy achieved by these markers was validated in tissues by a novel method, TAM-MSP. These studies lay a strong foundation for a liquid biopsy-based test to detect PCNSL-specific circulating tumor DNA.
Involvement of Indigenous young people in the design and evaluation of digital mental health interventions: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Povey Josie , Raphiphatthana Buaphrao , Torok Michelle , Nagel Tricia , Shand Fiona , Sweet Michelle , Lowell Anne , Mills Patj Patj Janama Robert , Dingwall Kylie
Published: May 2021

Background

Indigenous young people worldwide are at greater risk of developing mental health concerns due to ongoing inequity and disadvantage. Digital mental health (dMH) interventions are identified as a potential approach to improving access to mental health treatment for Indigenous youth. Although involvement in the development and evaluation of dMH resources is widely recommended, there is limited evidence to guide engagement of Indigenous young people in these processes. This scoping review aims to examine the methods used to involve Indigenous young people in the development or evaluation of dMH interventions.

Methods

Articles published in English, involving Indigenous young people (aged 10–24 years) in the development or evaluation of dMH interventions, originating from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA will be eligible for inclusion. PubMed, Scopus and EBSCOhost databases (Academic Search Premiere, Computer and Applied Science complete, CINAHL, MEDLINE, APA PsychArticles, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences collection, APA PsychInfo) will be searched to identify eligible articles (from January 1990 onwards). Infomit and Google Scholar (limited to 200 results) will be searched for grey literature. Two reviewers will independently screen citations, abstracts and full-text articles. Study methods, methodologies, dMH intervention details, participant information and engagement, and dissemination methods will be extracted, analysed (utilising content analysis), and qualitatively assessed for alignment with best practice ethical guidelines for undertaking Indigenous health research. A narrative summary of findings will be presented. Reporting will follow the Consolidated Criteria for Strengthening Reporting of Health Research involving Indigenous peoples (CONSIDER) and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.

Discussion

To date, there are no reviews which analyse engagement of Indigenous young people in the development and evaluation of dMH interventions. This review will appraise alignment of current practice with best practice guidelines to inform future research. It will highlight appropriate methods for the engagement of young people in study processes, providing guidance for health practitioners, policy makers, and researchers working in the field of Indigenous youth and dMH.

Systematic review registration

Open Science Framework (osf.io/2nkc6).
Well-posedness results and blow-up for a class of semilinear heat equations
Authors: Yen Dang Van , Binh Ho Duy , Long Le Dinh , Van Ho Thi Kim
Published: May 2021

This paper considers the initial value problem for nonlinear heat equation in the whole space $\mathbb{R}^{N}$

R
N

. The local existence theory related to the finite time blow-up is also obtained for the problem with nonlinearity source (like polynomial types).
Gut microbiota contributes to the development of endometrial glands in gilts during the ovary-dependent period
Authors: Xu Baoyang , Qin Wenxia , Yan Yiqin , Tang Yimei , Zhou Shuyi , Huang Juncheng , Xie Chunlin , Ma Libao , Yan Xianghua
Published: May 2021

Background

The hyper-prolificacy Meishan gilts achieved a superior endometrial gland development (EGD) than white crossbred gilts during the ovary-independent period (before 60 d of age). Then, the EGD continues under the management of ovary-derived steroid hormones that regulated by gut microbiota (after 60 d of age). However, whether Meishan gilts’ superiority in EGD lasting to the ovary-dependent period (after 60 d of age) and the role of gut microbiota in this period both remain unclear.

Methods

Meishan gilts and Landrace x Yorkshire (LxY) gilts were raised under the same housing and feeding conditions until sexual maturity and then we compared their EGD and gut microbiota. Meanwhile, we transplanted fecal microbiota from Meishan gilts to L×Y gilts to explore the role of gut microbiota in EGD. We sampled plasma every 3 weeks and collected the uterus, ovary, liver, and rectal feces after the sacrifice. We then determined the hormone concentrations and expressions of the EGD-related genes. We also profiled the gut microbiota using 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolites of plasma and liver tissue using untargeted metabolomics. Finally, the correlation analysis and significant test was conducted between FMT-shifted gut microbes and EGD-related indices.

Results

Meishan gilts have larger endometrial gland area (P < 0.001), longer uterine horn length (P < 0.01) but lighter uterine horn weight (P < 0.05), a distinctive gut microbiota compared with L×Y gilts. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) increased endometrial gland area (P < 0.01). FMT markedly shifted the metabolite profiles of both liver and plasma, and these differential metabolites enriched in steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway. FMT increased estradiol and insulin-like growth factor 1 but decreased progesterone dynamically. FMT also increased the expression of the EGD-related genes estrogen receptor 1 gene, epithelial cadherin, and forkhead box protein A2. There is a significant correlation between FMT-shifted gut microbes and EGD-related indices.

Conclusion

Sexually matured Meishan gilts achieved a superior EGD than LxY gilts. Meanwhile, gut microbiota contribute to the EGD potentially via regulating of steroid hormones during the ovary-dependent period.
Whole lung tissue is the preferred sampling method for amplicon-based characterization of murine lung microbiota
Authors: Baker Jennifer M. , Hinkle Kevin J. , McDonald Roderick A. , Brown Christopher A. , Falkowski Nicole R. , Huffnagle Gary B. , Dickson Robert P.
Published: May 2021

Background

Low-biomass microbiome studies (such as those of the lungs, placenta, and skin) are vulnerable to contamination and sequencing stochasticity, which obscure legitimate microbial signal. While human lung microbiome studies have rigorously identified sampling strategies that reliably capture microbial signal from these low-biomass microbial communities, the optimal sampling strategy for characterizing murine lung microbiota has not been empirically determined. Performing accurate, reliable characterization of murine lung microbiota and distinguishing true microbial signal from noise in these samples will be critical for further mechanistic microbiome studies in mice.

Results

Using an analytic approach grounded in microbial ecology, we compared bacterial DNA from the lungs of healthy adult mice collected via two common sampling approaches: homogenized whole lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. We quantified bacterial DNA using droplet digital PCR, characterized bacterial communities using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and systematically assessed the quantity and identity of bacterial DNA in both specimen types. We compared bacteria detected in lung specimens to each other and to potential source communities: negative (background) control specimens and paired oral samples. By all measures, whole lung tissue in mice contained greater bacterial signal and less evidence of contamination than did BAL fluid. Relative to BAL fluid, whole lung tissue exhibited a greater quantity of bacterial DNA, distinct community composition, decreased sample-to-sample variation, and greater biological plausibility when compared to potential source communities. In contrast, bacteria detected in BAL fluid were minimally different from those of procedural, reagent, and sequencing controls.

Conclusions

An ecology-based analytical approach discriminates signal from noise in this low-biomass microbiome study and identifies whole lung tissue as the preferred specimen type for murine lung microbiome studies. Sequencing, analysis, and reporting of potential source communities, including negative control specimens and contiguous biological sites, are crucial for biological interpretation of low-biomass microbiome studies, independent of specimen type.
Psychometric properties of the contextual body image questionnaire for athletes: a replication and extension study in female collegiate athletes
Authors: Stewart Tiffany , Kilpela Lisa , Wesley Nicole , Baule Kate , Becker Carolyn
Published: May 2021

Background

Although the link between body dissatisfaction and eating disorder (ED) pathology is well-established in general female samples, less is known about contextual body image (CBI) among female athletes. CBI refers to female athletes’ body image concerns in two contexts: sport and daily life. The Contextual Body Image Questionnaire for Athletes (CBIQA) measures four dimensions of body image (Appearance, Thin-Fat Self-Evaluation, Thin-Fat Others’ Evaluation, and Muscularity) in both contexts. In a sample of female collegiate athletes, this study sought to A) investigate the psychometric properties of the CBIQA, B) examine the cross-sectional relation of CBI with ED pathology and negative affect, and C) assess the degree to which CBI prospectively predicts ED pathology and negative affect.

Method

Using self-report data collected from a multi-site parent trial, we examined the psychometric properties of the CBIQA by confirmatory factor analysis. We assessed construct and criterion validity via cross-sectional bivariate correlation analyses with thin-ideal internalization, negative affect, and ED pathology. Using data from Time 1 and 6 months later (Time 2), we investigated the degree to which CBI prospectively predicted ED pathology and negative affect.

Results

Results from the CFA largely confirmed de Bruin et al.’s (2011) original factor analysis. Two CBIQA dimensions (Thin-Fat Self and Appearance) in both contexts correlated with ED pathology and negative affect. Thin-Fat Others also correlated with ED pathology in both contexts and negative affect in the sport context. The Muscularity dimension was predominantly orthogonal with other measures. CBIQA dimensions were uncorrelated with thin-ideal internalization. When controlling for BMI and Time 1 scores, daily life and sport appearance concerns predicted ED pathology, whereas perceived evaluation of thin-fat by others in the sport context predicted negative affect 6 months later.

Conclusions

Results support the psychometric validity of the CBIQA and suggest that it captures variance discrete from thin-ideal internalization. The Muscularity dimension largely was not related to other outcomes. Further, specific elements of perceived self- and other-evaluation in both contexts is relevant to risk for ED pathology and negative affect. Future research could examine the impact of dual body image between sports seasons and after transitioning out of sport.

Clinical trials registration

NCT01735994.
Correction to: A review of analytical methods for assessing preservation in waterlogged archaeological wood and their application in practice
Authors: High Kirsty E. , Penkman Kirsty E. H.
Published: May 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Microanatomy of the female reproductive system of the viviparous freshwater whipray Fluvitrygon signifer (Chondrichthyes: Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae). II. The genital duct
Authors: Somsap Nittaya , Srakaew Nopparat , Chatchavalvanich Kannika
Published: May 2021

Background

Fundamental knowledge on microscopic structures of the whole female chondrichthyan genital ducts from a single species remains unavailable. The present study describes microanatomy of the entire female genital duct (anterior oviduct, oviducal gland, uterus and vagina) of the freshwater dasyatidFluvitrygon signifer.

Results

The females have only the left genital duct. The genital ducts reveal histological variation among individuals in terms of tissue organization, histochemical profiles and secretory activities. The anterior oviducts of mature females possess branched mucosal folds and exhibit dynamic relationship between production and secretion of secretory substances, while those of immature/regenerating females have short, unbranched mucosal folds and inactive secretory activities. The oviducal gland comprises glandular tubules, which show histological and histochemical heterogeneity and, thus, can be classified into three types. The uterus is categorized into five patterns principally based on histological features of the trophonematal and uterine mucosa. The vagina displays different histochemical reactions, likely reflecting various degrees of glycosylation of secretory granules.

Conclusions

The genital ducts of the females ofF. signifershow differential microscopic and histochemical characteristics, indicating their different reproductive statuses.
Proteomic analysis of human frontal and temporal cortex using iTRAQ-based 2D LC-MS/MS
Authors: Xu Long , Sun Haidan , Zhang Yang , Guo Zhengguang , Xiao Xiaoping , Zhou Xin , Hu Kun , Sun Wei , Wang Bo , Liu Weiming
Published: May 2021

Background

The human brain is the most complex organ in the body, and it is important to have a better understanding of how the protein composition in the brain regions contributes to the pathogenesis of associated neurological disorders.

Methods

In this study, a comparative analysis of the frontal and temporal cortex proteomes was conducted by isobaric tags of relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) labeling and two-dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (2D LC-MS/MS). Brain protein was taken from relatively normal tissue that could not be avoided of damage during emergent surgery of the TBI (traumatic brain injury) patients admitted in Beijing Tiantan Hospital from 2014 to 2017. Eight cases were included. Four frontal lobes and 4 temporal lobes proteome were analyzed and the proteins were quantitated. Gene Ontology (GO), Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were used to analyze the biological function of identified proteins, unchanged proteins, and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs).

Results

A total number of 2127 protein groups were identified in the frontal and temporal lobe proteomes. A total of 1709 proteins could be quantitated in both the frontal and temporal cortex. Among 90 DEPs, 14 proteins were screened highly expressed in the temporal cortex, including MAPT, SNCG, ATP5IF1, GAP43, HSPE1, STMN1, NDUFS6, LDHB, SNCB, NDUFA7, MRPS36, EPDR1, CISD1, and RALA. In addition, compared to proteins expressed in the frontal cortex, 14 proteins including EDC4, NIT2, VWF, ASTN1, TGM2, SSB, CLU, HBA1, STOM, CRP, LRG1, SAA2, S100A4, and VTN were a low expression in the temporal cortex. The biological process enrichment showed that unchanged proteins between the frontal and temporal cortex mainly take part in regulated exocytosis, axon guidance, and vesicle-mediated transport. The KEGG pathway analysis showed that unchanged proteins between the frontal and temporal cortex mainly take part in oxidative phosphorylation, carbon metabolism, Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

Conclusions

The majority of proteins are unchanged between the frontal and temporal cortex, and unchanged proteins are closely related to its function. Among DEPs, MATP (tau) is upregulated in the temporal cortex, closely related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and is one of the targets for the treatment of AD. CLU is downregulated in the temporal cortex which functions as an extracellular chaperone that prevents aggregation of non-native proteins. It was suggested that the temporal lobe may not be the “functional dumb area” of the traditional view, but could be involved in important neural metabolic circuits.
Virulence of Beauveria bassiana Balsamo to red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Ahmed Rizwan , Freed Shoaib
Published: May 2021

Background

The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a cosmopolitan pest of palms. Current management strategies largely depend on insecticides, and use of insect pathogenic fungi is needed in integrated pest management (IPM) programs.

Results

The effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana was determined against 3rd instar R. ferrugineus larvae by using the following concentrations, i.e., 3 × 108, 2 × 108, 1 × 108, 1 × 107, and 1 × 106 spores/ml. The lowest LC50 value (1.3×107 spores/ml) was recorded at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) population, followed by those populations from Punjab, Sindh, and Baluchistan, which had LC50 values of 1.5×107, 5.3 ×107, and 1.02 ×108 spores/ml, respectively, on the 7th day post-treatment; the highest mortality rates were 90.0, 85.0, 77.5, and 75.0% for the KPK, Punjab, Sindh, and Baluchistan populations, respectively, at the highest tested concentration of B. bassiana.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate the potential use of B. bassiana in IPM programs for R. ferrugineus that are more ecologically sound than those programs that are heavily reliant on insecticides.
Convolutional neural networks for the diagnosis and prognosis of the coronavirus disease pandemic
Authors: Kugunavar Sneha , Prabhakar C. J.
Published: May 2021

A neural network is one of the current trends in deep learning, which is increasingly gaining attention owing to its contribution in transforming the different facets of human life. It also paves a way to approach the current crisis caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from all scientific directions. Convolutional neural network (CNN), a type of neural network, is extensively applied in the medical field, and is particularly useful in the current COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we present the application of CNNs for the diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19 using X-ray and computed tomography (CT) images of COVID-19 patients. The CNN models discussed in this review were mainly developed for the detection, classification, and segmentation of COVID-19 images. The base models used for detection and classification were AlexNet, Visual Geometry Group Network with 16 layers, residual network, DensNet, GoogLeNet, MobileNet, Inception, and extreme Inception. U-Net and voxel-based broad learning network were used for segmentation. Even with limited datasets, these methods proved to be beneficial for efficiently identifying the occurrence of COVID-19. To further validate these observations, we conducted an experimental study using a simple CNN framework for the binary classification of COVID-19 CT images. We achieved an accuracy of 93% with an F1-score of 0.93. Thus, with the availability of improved medical image datasets, it is evident that CNNs are very useful for the efficient diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19.
Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) in esophageal varices post-band ulcer refractory bleeding: a retrospective study
Authors: Elbahr Osama , Kamal Ahmad , Alsebaey Ayman , Amin Mohamed , Abbasy Mohamed , Edris Ahmad , Nada Ali , Sabry Alyaa , Afiffy Sameh , Helal Abd El-Aleem , Abd El-aziz Mohamad , Gad-Allah Abd El-naser
Published: May 2021

Background

Post-variceal band ligation bleeding ulcer is a severe complication with considerable mortality. We tried evaluating self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) with concern to the ulcer morphology not well studied.

Results

We did a retrospective analysis of patients with bleeding post-band ulcers and treated by SEMS with concern to control bleeding and 6 weeks survival. Twenty-eight patients studied had their age (mean ± S.D.) 57.8 ± 8.6 years, and 85.7% were males. The Child-Pugh score range was 5–12]. Control of bleeding by SEMS was achieved in 23 (82.1%) patients, and overall, 6-week survival was 75%. Both post-band ulcer types B (oozing blood and type C (active spurted) were a risk for 6 weeks mortality (P = 0.04, OR 1.58, CI 95% 1.12–2.23).

Conclusion

SEMS is considered an excellent choice to control esophageal post-banding ulcer bleeding and a definite treatment bridge.
Integrated reservoir, geology, and production data for reservoir damage analysis: A case study of the Miocene sandstone reservoir, Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Authors: Radwan Ahmed. E.
Published: May 2021

Reservoir damage is considered one of the major challenges in the oil and gas industry. Many studies have been conducted to understand formation damage mechanisms in borehole wells, but few studies have been conducted to analyze the data to detect the source, causes, and mitigations for each well where damage has occurred. I have investigated and quantified the reasons and mitigation of reservoir damage problems in the middle Miocene reservoir within the El Morgan oil field at the southern central Gulf of Suez, Egypt. I used integrated production, reservoir, and geologic data sets and their history during different operations to assess the reservoir damage in El Morgan-XX well. The collected data include the reservoir rock type, fluid, production, core analysis, rock mineralogy, geology, water chemistry, drilling fluids, perforations depth intervals, workover operations, and stimulation history. The integration of different sets of data gave a robust analysis of reservoir damage causes and helps to suggest suitable remediation. Based on these results, I conclude the following: (1) Workover fluid has been confirmed as the primary damage source, (2) the reservoir damage mechanisms could be generated by multisources including solids and filtrate invasions, fluid/rock interaction (deflocculating of kaolinite clay), water blockage, salinity chock, and the high sulfate content of the invaded fluid, and (3) multidata integration leads to appropriate reservoir damage analysis and effective design of the stimulation treatment. Furthermore, minimizing fluid invasion into the reservoir section by managing the overbalance during drilling and workover operations could be very helpful. Fluid types and solids should be considered when designing the stimulation treatment and compatibility tests should be performed. Long periods of completion fluid in boreholes are not recommended, particularly if the completion fluid pressure and reservoir pressure are out of balance, as well as the presence of sensitive formation minerals.
Holy water and biomedicine: a descriptive study of active collaboration between religious traditional healers and biomedical psychiatry in Ethiopia
Authors: Baheretibeb Yonas , Wondimagegn Dawit , Law Samuel
Published: May 2021

Background

Religious and traditional healers remain the main providers of mental healthcare in much of Africa. Collaboration between biomedical and traditional treatment modalities is an underutilised approach, with potential to scale up mental healthcare.

Aims

To report the process and feasibility of establishing a collaboration between religious healers and psychiatrists in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. To gain insight into the collaboration through studies of patient demographics, help-seeking patterns, nature of illness and receptivity of the project.

Method

This case study describes the process and challenges in establishing a collaborative psychiatric clinic for patients who are simultaneously receiving treatment with holy water, including an examination of basic clinical records of 1888 patients over a 7-year period.

Results

The collaboration is feasible and has been successfully implemented for 8 years. A majority (54%) of the clinic's patients were seeing biomedical services for the first time. Patients were brought in largely by families (54%); 26% were referred directly by priest healers. Most patients had severe mental illness, including schizophrenia (40%), substance misuse (24%) and mood disorders (30%). A vast majority (92.2%) of patients reported comfort in receiving treatment with holy water and prayers simultaneously with medication, and 73.6% believed their illness was caused by evil spirit possession.

Conclusions

A cross-system collaborative model is a feasible and potentially valuable model to address biomedical resource limitations. Provider collaboration and mutual learning are ultimately beneficial to patients with severe mental illness. Open-minded acceptance of cultural benefits and strengths of traditional healing is a prerequisite. Further study on outcomes and implementation are warranted.
Turystyka w czasach pandemii – wprowadzenie do zagadnienia
Authors: Borodako Krzysztof
Published: May 2021

Obecnie targi są jedną z popularniejszych form promocji oraz dotarcia do klienta. Jednak, tak jak i w przypadku innych dziedzin życia, nie omijają ich wpływy nowych ruchów czy trendy. Jednym z takich aspektów jest idea Slow Movement, której główną myślą przewodnią jest zmniejszenie tempa życia i skupienie się nie na ilości, a jakości – jej wpływy można odnaleźć m.in. na krakowskich targach. Celem pracy była analiza rozwoju poszczególnych aspektów idei Slow Movement oraz wpływu, jaki wywierają one na obecne wydarzenia. Metodą, którą wykorzystano w badaniach, były wywiady. Badania dotyczyły okresu pandemii, która także wpłynęła na organizację targów. Ich wyniki potwierdziły znaczenie idei Slow Movement w branży spotkań dla organizatorów i uczestników.
Wykorzystanie nowych technologii jako element współczesnego marketingu hotelu niezależnego
Authors: Hapek Dominika
Published: May 2021

Wykorzystanie nowych technologii stało się integralną częścią otaczającego nas świata w każdej dziedzinie życia. Trend ten przeniósł się na płaszczyznę funkcjonowania obiektów hotelowych, w których współczesny marketing jako podstawowe narzędzie pozyskiwania klientów nierozerwalnie połączony jest z zastosowaniem nowych rozwiązań w budowaniu przewagi konkurencyjnej. Dotychczasowe badania opierały się na ocenie i analizie popytowej strony użycia nowych technologii w branży turystycznej z wyszczególnieniem obiektów hotelowych. Celem rozdziału jest określenie wykorzystania nowych technologii jako elementu współczesnego marketingu hoteli niezależnych na przykładzie wybranych hoteli województwa małopolskiego. Badania pilotażowe zostały przeprowadzone na podstawie wywiadów z menedżerami hoteli metodą analizy studium przypadków. Wyniki potwierdziły, że urządzenia mobilne i media społecznościowe stały się głównymi kanałami marketingu badanych hoteli
Aktywność wybranych obiektów szlaku zabytków techniki w mediach społecznościowych w czasie pandemii ­COVID-19
Authors: Żychoń Patrycja , Piwowarczyk Michał
Published: May 2021

Celem pracy jest zidentyfikowanie różnic w aktywności obiektów Szlaku Zabytków Techniki w mediach społecznościowych w czasie pandemii. Analizie poddano media społecznościowe wybranych obiektów ze szlaku, zgrupowane według 3 kategorii: browar, kopalnia oraz muzeum. Analiza wykazała, że obiekty ze sobą współpracowały, przeprowadzały dużo akcji promujących swoje ekspozycje oraz wychodziły z aktywizującymi inicjatywami. Podstawę badań stanowiła krytyczna analiza literatury przedmiotu oraz studium przypadku – Szlaku Zabytków Techniki.
Znaczenie dziedzictwa kulturowego dla rozwoju turystyki w rejonie Parku Narodowego Gór Stołowych
Authors: Żyto Artur
Published: May 2021

Wzrastający ruch turystyczny w Górach Stołowych generuje potrzebę jego deglomeracji, co możliwe jest m.in. poprzez wykorzystanie obiektów dziedzictwa kulturowego. Celem rozdziału jest określenie ich znaczenia dla rozwoju turystyki na badanym obszarze. W tekście przedstawiono preferencje turystów dotyczące wyboru odwiedzanych atrakcji kulturowych, ich przegląd, a także ogólną charakterystykę zasobów kulturowych na terenie Parku Narodowego Gór Stołowych. Metodyka badań obejmowała pozyskanie danych od turystów przy użyciu kwestionariusza wywiadu oraz inwentaryzację terenową. Dziedzictwo kulturowe Gór Stołowych jest komplementarnym celem wyjazdów turystycznych. Turystyka kulturowa rozwija się głównie w większych miejscowościach, a obiekty kulturowe na obszarze parku wymagają promocji i udostępnienia, np. w postaci szlaków tematycznych.
Wpływ rozwoju infrastruktury sportowo-rekreacyjnej na turystykę sportową w Łodzi
Authors: Łuć Bartłomiej
Published: May 2021

Niniejszy rozdział podsumowuje rozważania dotyczące łódzkiej infrastruktury sportowo-rekreacyjnej i szeroko rozumianej turystyki sportowej. Zebrane materiały źródłowe i literatura umożliwiły autorowi opisanie wpływu rozwoju bazy sportowo-rekreacyjnej w Łodzi na turystykę sportową. Główną metodę badawczą stanowiła kwerenda literatury związanej z turystyką sportową i inwentaryzacja łódzkich obiektów sportowo-rekreacyjnych. Ponadto autor zaprezentował część wyników swoich badań przeprowadzonych w trakcie Młodzieżowych Mistrzostw Świata U-20 w Piłce Nożnej Mężczyzn 2019. Nadrzędnym celem było pokazanie, w jaki sposób rozwój wspomnianej infrastruktury wpłynął na turystykę sportową w Łodzi. Analiza pozwoliła stwierdzić, że dynamiczny rozwój łódzkiej infrastruktury sportowo-rekreacyjnej wywarł istotny wpływ na wzrost znaczenia turystyki sportowej, głównie w postaci rosnącej liczby wydarzeń sportowych.
Eventy sportowe jako czynnik rozwoju turystyki na obszarach goszczących (na przykładzie siatkarskich imprez organizowanych w Krakowie)
Authors: Mależyna Aleksandra
Published: May 2021

Kraków dzięki doskonałemu położeniu komunikacyjnemu, infrastrukturze sportowej – TAURON Arena Kraków – może być areną wielkich wydarzeń sportowych. Rozdział poza zagadnieniami teoretyczno-terminologicznymi zawiera analizę wpływu Memoriału Huberta Jerzego Wagnera i Mistrzostw Europy Siatkarzy 2017 na gospodarkę Krakowa w świetle własnych badań empirycznych. Celem badań była próba wykazania, w jakim stopniu kibice podejmują dodatkową aktywność turystyczną w mieście przy okazji udziału w tych eventach. Imprezy siatkarskie typu mistrzowskiego generują większy ruch turystyczny, przyciągają większą liczbę osób spoza obszaru, w którym się odbywają. Osoby te łączą kibicowanie ze zwiedzaniem miejsca, w którym przebywają, dłużej zostają w Krakowie i chcą skorzystać m.in. z bogatej oferty kulturalnej.
Wykorzystanie nowoczesnych technologii dla celów promocyjnych przez touroperatorów prowadzących działalność na rynku polskim
Authors: Dulewska Aleksandra
Published: May 2021

W niniejszym rozdziale dokonano rozpoznania sposobów wykorzystania nowoczesnych technologii dla celów promocji przez największych touroperatorów funkcjonujących na rynku krajowym (polskim). Badania empiryczne zrealizowano w drodze analizy środowiska internetowego, tj. stron internetowych 22 największych touroperatorów działających na rynku krajowym (polskim) oraz ich profili w mediach społecznościowych. Badania pokazały podobieństwa i różnice występujące w promocji większych touroperatorów, stopień wykorzystania poszczególnych narzędzi oraz możliwości ich zastosowania w kampaniach promocyjnych. Wyodrębniono zbiór nowoczesnych technologii, jakie stanowią podstawę funkcjonowania przedsiębiorstwa w środowisku internetowym.
Crowdfunding jako forma finansowania innowacyjnych produktów turystycznych
Authors: Kamińska Ewa
Published: May 2021

Crowdfunding to stosunkowo nowa i dynamicznie rozwijająca się forma finansowania różnego rodzaju innowacyjnych projektów. Dane pokazują, że crowdfunding to przykład źródła finansowania o sporym znaczeniu dla wielu przedsiębiorstw, szczególnie w początkowej fazie ich rozwoju. Celem pracy jest ocena crowdfundingu w Polsce jako alternatywnego źródła finansowania poprzez zaprezentowanie najefektywniejszej platformy crowdfundingowej dla innowacyjnego produktu turystycznego. Wybrana metoda badawcza polegała na analizie porównawczej platform crowdfundingowych w Polsce. Analiza ta nie pozwoliła wyodrębnić jednego typu platformy, najchętniej stosowanego do finansowania społecznościowego w specyficznym produkcie turystycznym na terenie miasta Krakowa. Jednak udowodniono, że crowdfunding to forma odpowiednia do finansowania projektów innowacyjnych, zwłaszcza start-upów o podwyższonym poziomie ryzyka.
Analiza technologii informacyjno- -komunikacyjnych w aspekcie ekonomii współdzielenia na przykładzie sektora turystycznego
Authors: Kędziera Maciej
Published: May 2021

Technologia informacyjno-komunikacyjna stanowi siłę napędową współczesnego rynku i usprawnia procesy biznesowe. Nowoczesne platformy internetowe rozpowszechniające ekonomię współdzielenia cieszą się coraz większą popularnością w branży turystycznej. Celem pracy jest ukazanie znaczenia budowania wirtualnej społeczności platformy internetowej Couchsurfing w aspekcie ekonomii współdzielenia w turystyce. W części teoretycznej zaprezentowano przegląd literatury. Część badawcza przedstawia studium przypadku międzynarodowej platformy internetowej Couchsurfing. Badanie pokazuje wpływ technologii informacyjno-komunikacyjnej, umożliwiającej budowanie wirtualnej społeczności w kontekście ekonomii współdzielenia, na branżę turystyczną. Dzięki wykorzystaniu nowych technologii wzrasta popularność i dostępność ekonomii współdzielenia, która przynosi korzyści społeczne, materialne i ekologiczne.
Healthcare use by people who use illicit opioids (HUPIO): development of a cohort based on electronic primary care records in England
Authors: Lewer Dan , Padmanathan Prianka , Qummer ul Arfeen Muhammad , Denaxas Spiros , Forbes Harriet , Gonzalez-Izquierdo Arturo , Hickman Matt
Published: May 2021

Background: People who use illicit opioids such as heroin have substantial health needs, but there are few longitudinal studies of general health and healthcare in this population. Most research to date has focused on a narrow set of outcomes, including overdoses and HIV or hepatitis infections. We developed and validated a cohort using UK primary care electronic health records (Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD and AURUM databases) to facilitate research into healthcare use by people who use illicit opioid use (HUPIO).

Methods: Participants are patients in England with primary care records indicating a history of illicit opioid use. We identified codes including prescriptions of opioid agonist therapies (methadone and buprenorphine) and clinical observations such as ‘heroin dependence’. We constructed a cohort of patients with at least one of these codes and aged 18-64 at cohort entry, with follow-up between January 1997 and March 2020. We validated the cohort by comparing patient characteristics and mortality rates to other cohorts of people who use illicit opioids, with different recruitment methods.

Results: Up to March 2020, the HUPIO cohort included 138,761 patients with a history of illicit opioid use. Demographic characteristics and all-cause mortality were similar to existing cohorts: 69% were male; the median age at index for patients in CPRD AURUM (the database with more included participants) was 35.3 (interquartile range 29.1-42.6); the average age of new cohort entrants increased over time; 76% had records indicating current tobacco smoking; patients disproportionately lived in deprived neighbourhoods; and all-cause mortality risk was 6.6 (95% CI 6.5-6.7) times the general population of England.

Conclusions: Primary care data offer new opportunities to study holistic health outcomes and healthcare of this population. The large sample enables investigation of rare outcomes, whilst the availability of linkage to external datasets allows investigation of hospital use, cancer treatment, and mortality.
Stage 1 Registered Report: How responsibility attributions to self and others relate to outcome ownership in group decisions.
Authors: Jaquiery Matt , El Zein Marwa
Published: May 2021

Responsibility judgements have important consequences in human society. Previous research focused on how someone's responsibility determines the outcome they deserve, for example, whether they are rewarded or punished. Here, we investigate the opposite link: How outcome ownership influences responsibility attributions in a social context. Participants in a group of three perform a majority vote decision-making task between gambles that can lead to a reward or no reward. Only one group member receives the outcome and participants evaluate their and the other players' responsibility for the obtained outcome. Two hypotheses are tested: 1) Whether outcome ownership increases responsibility attributions even when the control over an outcome is similar. 2) Whether people's tendency to attribute higher responsibility for positive vs negative outcomes will be stronger for players who received the outcome. The findings of this study may help reveal how credit attributions can be biased toward particular individuals who receive outcomes as a result of collective work.