bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Method for Estimating Throwing Speed in Handball using a Wearable Device
Authors: Skejø Sebastian D , Bencke Jesper , Møller Merete , Sørensen Henrik
Published: August 2020

Understanding the shoulder-specific load in handball is important for both prevention and rehabilitation of shoulder injuries. The shoulder-specific load is largely a result of the number and speed of throws. However, it is difficult to quantify number and speed of throws in handball due to limitations in the current technology. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a novel method to estimate throwing speed in handball using a low-cost accelerometer-based device. Nineteen experienced handball players each performed 25 throws of varying types while we measured the acceleration of the wrist using the accelerometer and the throwing speed using 3D motion capture. Using cross-validation, we developed four prediction models using combinations of the logarithm of the peak total acceleration, sex and throwing type as the predictor and the throwing speed as the outcome. We found that all models were well-calibrated (mean calibration of all models: 0.0 m/s, calibration slope range: 0.99-1.00) and precise (R2 = 0.71-0.85, mean absolute error = 1.32-1.82 m/s). We conclude that the developed method appear to provide practitioners and researchers with a feasible and cheap method to estimate throwing speeds in handball.
Syntropic Criterion for Removing Restrictions During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Vyatkin Viktor
Published: August 2020

A new – syntropic – criterion obtained using the synergetic theory of information has been proposed for determining the start date for the cancellation of restrictive measures in the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this criterion, the restrictions should be lifted when the average number of new cases per day during a week becomes disproportionately smaller than at the peak of the pandemic. The article gives the derivation of this criterion, and its practical use is shown by the example of a number of EU countries. In this case, a comparison is made of the dates set by the syntropic criterion with the actual dates of the beginning of the lifting of restrictions.
Landslide Susceptibility Mapping at Two Adjacent Catchments Using Advanced Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Pradhan Ananta Man Singh , Kim Yun-Tae
Published: August 2020

Landslides impact on human activities and socio-economic development especially in mountainous areas. This study focuses on the comparison of the prediction capability of advanced machine learning techniques for rainfall-induced shallow landslide susceptibility of Deokjeokri catchment and Karisanri catchment in South Korea. The influencing factors for landslides i.e. topographic, hydrologic, soil, forest, and geologic factors are prepared from various sources based on availability and a multicollinearity test is also performed to select relevant causative factors. The landslide inventory maps of both catchments are obtained from historical information, aerial photographs and performing field survey. In this study, Deokjeokri catchment is considered as a training area and Karisanri catchment as a testing area. The landslide inventories content 748 landslide points in training and 219 points in testing areas. Three landslide susceptibility maps using machine learning models i.e. Random Forest (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) and Deep Neural Network (DNN) are prepared and compared. The outcomes of the analyses are validated using the landslide inventory data. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) method is used to verify the results of the models. The results of this study show that the training accuracy of RF is 0.757 and the testing accuracy is 0.74. Similarly, training accuracy of XGBoost is 0.756 and testing accuracy is 0.703. The prediction of DNN revealed acceptable agreement between susceptibility map and the existing landslides with training and testing accuracy of 0.855 and 0.802, respectively. The results showed that, the DNN model achieved lower prediction error and higher accuracy results than other models for shallow landslide modeling in the study area
Lessons from Recent Advances in Ischemic Stroke Management and Targeting Kv2.1 for Neuroprotection
Authors: Yeh Chung-Yang , Schulien Anthony , Molyneaux Bradley , Aizenman Elias
Published: August 2020

Achieving neuroprotection in ischemic stroke patients has been a multi-decade medical challenge. Numerous clinical trials were discontinued in futility and many were terminated in response to deleterious treatment effects. Recently however, several positive reports have generated the much-needed excitement surrounding stroke therapy. In this review, we describe the clinical studies that significantly expanded the time window of eligibility for patients to receive mechanical endovascular thrombectomy. We summarize the results available thus far for nerinetide, which can be considered the most promising neuroprotective agent yet for stroke treatment. Lastly, we reflect upon aspects of these successful trials in our own studies targeting the Kv2.1-mediated cell death pathway in neurons for neuroprotection. We propose that recent changes in the clinical landscape must be adapted by preclinical research in order to continue progressing toward the development of efficacious neuroprotective therapies for ischemic stroke.
A Systematic Review of Inverse Agonism at Adrenoceptor Subtypes
Authors: Michel Martin C. , Michel-Reher Martina B. , Hein Peter
Published: August 2020

As many if not most ligands at G protein-coupled receptor antagonists are inverse agonists, we have systematically reviewed inverse agonism at the nine adrenoceptor subtypes. Except for β3-adrenoceptors, inverse agonism has been reported for each of the adrenoceptor subtypes, most often for β2-adrenoceptors, including endogenously expressed receptors in human tissues. As with other receptors, detection and degree of inverse agonism depends on the cells and tissues under investigation, i.e. is greatest when the model has a high intrinsic tone/constitutive activity for the response being studied. Accordingly, it may differ between parts of a tissue, for instance atria vs. ventricles of the heart, and within a cell type between cellular responses. The basal tone of endogenously expressed receptors often is low, leading to less consistent detection and smaller extent of observed inverse agonism. The extent inverse agonism depends on specific molecular properties of a compound but clusters by chemical class. While inverse agonism is a fascinating facet in attempts to mechanistically understand observed drug effects, we are skeptical whether an a priori definition of extent of inverse agonism in the target product profile of a developmental candidate is a meaningful option in drug discovery and development.
An Introduction to Probabilistic Record Linkage
Authors: Asher Jana , Resnick Dean , Brite Jennifer , Brackbill Robert , Cone James
Published: August 2020

Since its post-World War II inception, the science of record linkage has grown exponentially and is used across industrial, governmental, and academic agencies. The academic fields that rely on record linkage are diverse, ranging from history to public health to demography. In this paper, we introduce the different types of data linkage and give a historical context to their development. We then introduce the three types of underlying models for probabilistic record linkage: Fellegi-Sunter based methods, machine learning methods, and Bayesian methods. Practical considerations such as data standardization and privacy concerns are then discussed. Finally, recommendations are given for organizations developing or maintaining record linkage programs, with an emphasis on organizations measuring long-term complications of disasters such as 9/11.
ANALISIS PENDAPATAN DAN KEBERLANJUTAN USAHA BUDIDAYA IKAN SIDAT DI DESA KRATON KECAMATAN YOSOWILANGUN KABUPATEN LUMAJANG
Authors: Aulia Rizky Eka , Kusmiati Ati , Hapsari Triana Dewi
Published: August 2020

Abstract: The utilization rate of eel fish locally (in the country) is still very low, this is because many people still not familiar with this fish yet. Most of the population in Indonesia is still not familiar to consume an eel fish. Until now, the supply of eel fish seeds is still dependent on catching in nature. The condition of income decline experienced by eel fish farmers in the Kraton village, made changes to the production results caused by the price of eel fish that is still not affordable by the community. This change will have an impact on the sustainability of the eel fish cultivation business in Kraton village in Yosowilangun sub-district, Lumajang district. This study aims to know the income of eel fish farmers and the eel fish cultivation business sustainability. This study applied analysis of income and the sustainability of the Rapfish with the descriptive method. The results showed that (1) the eel fish farmers at Kraton village in Yosowilangun sub-district, Lumajang district earn income, (2) the status of sustainability of cultivation is at simply continues on dimension of ecological, social, economic and institutional.

 

Abstrak: Tingkat pemanfaatan ikan sidat secara lokal (dalam negeri) masih sangat rendah, hal tersebut diakibatkan belum banyak masyarakat yang kenal ikan ini. Sehingga kebanyakan penduduk Indonesia belum familiar untuk mengkonsumsi ikan sidat. Hingga saat ini pasokan benih ikan sidat masih tergantung pada penangkapan di alam. Kondisi penurunan pendapatan yang dialami oleh pembudidaya ikan sidat di Desa Kraton membuat perubahan terhadap hasil produksi yang disebabkan oleh harga ikan sidat yang masih belum terjangkau masyarakat. Perubahan tersebut akan berdampak pada keberlanjutan usaha budidaya Ikan Sidat di Desa Kraton Kecamatan Yosowilangun Kabupaten Lumajang. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pendapatan pembudidaya ikan sidat serta keberlanjutan usaha budidaya ikan sidat. Analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis pendapatan, analisis keberlanjutan Rapfish dengan metode diskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa (1) pembudidaya ikan sidat di Desa Kraton Kecamatan Yosowilangun Kabupaten Lumajang memperoleh pendapatan (2) status keberlanjutan usaha budidaya berada pada status cukup berlanjut pada dimensi ekologi, sosial, ekonomi dan kelembagaan.
The Role of Islamic Counselling in Pandemic COVID 19: A Conceptual Study for Developing Positive Emotion of Parents and Children
Authors: M. Suud Fitriah , Gaffar Abdul , Rouzi Kana Safrina , Chaer Moh. Toriqul
Published: August 2020

Pandemic COVID 19 had a global and comprehensive impact. The consequences arising from the epidemic of corona diseases are felt by all religious adherents, countries, and people without the age limit. COVID 19 also comes through economic, political, social, and spiritual space. This virus also not only assaults physical but has disrupted the psychological health of many people.  This study aims to discuss and propose several solutions that can be given related to the response due to COVID 19 through the Islamic counselling approach. This research is a literature review both in concept and the results of empirical studies. Data is collected through artificial intelligent search engines to find the right theme according to the survey within a specific time limit. The results of literature searches and phenomenological studies developed during the pandemic in this community have found that Islamic counselling can reduce the number of patients exposed to the virus. The virus can strike out the weak physical. The brittle physique is affected by a fragile mental condition. Therefore, Islamic counselling strengthens the psychological health that can enhance the body's resistance from corona disease through several stages.
The Ancestral Caddo Ceramic Vessel and Vessel Sherd Assemblage from the Nawi haia ina Site (41RK170) in the Angelina River Basin, Rusk County, Texas
Authors: Perttula Timothy
Published: August 2020

The Nawi haia ina site (41RK170), translated as “Our mother dwells below” (Mooney 1896:1096) in the Caddo language, contains habitation features and midden deposits from an ancestral Caddo residential occupation, as well as a small and spatially discrete cemetery (Perttula and Nelson 2003). These deposits date, based on the OxCal calibration of 11 C14 dates, between cal. A.D. 990-1190, A.D. 1185-1270, and A.D. 1297-1410 for the midden area and the Feature 2 burial, and between cal. A.D. 1432-1527 (see Selden and Perttula 2013) for the two investigated burials in the cemetery. The small cemetery appears to be contemporaneous as well as postdate the habitation deposits, and our excavations identified the extended burials of two adult Caddo women in reasonably good health. The excavations in the residential areas at the site documented a large midden, pit features, and post holes from one probable Caddo house, along with a large assemblage of utility ware and fine ware ceramics, the subject of this article. Also recovered were stemmed arrow points of Perdiz style and preforms, as well as expedient flake tools, and a smattering of lithic debris from tool manufacture. Faunal and floral remains indicate that the Caddo people here had a diverse diet that relied on deer, turtle, and small animals and birds, as well as maize, hickory, and walnut nuts. There was a heavy reliance on forest mast products, but the stable isotope analyses of the two adult burials indicates that maize comprised about 40-50 percent of the diet. These Caddo living, and buried, at the Nawi haia ina site, were part of a larger community living in the middle Sabine River basin.
The Consideration of the Caddo Area in “Food Production in Native North America: An Archaeological Perspective”
Authors: Perttula Timothy
Published: August 2020

Kristen J. Gremillion has written “a highly selective survey of Native North American food production systems from an archaeological perspective,” with a particular focus on plant food production in the Eastern Woodlands and the Southwest. The time frame of the book spans the period from ca. 3000 B.C. to post-European contact, extending up to ca. A.D. 1800. The archaeological evidence for plant food production in the Caddo Archaeological Area of Southwest Arkansas, Northwest Louisiana, eastern Oklahoma, and East Texas is mentioned by Gremillion, but only rather briefly in her chapter entitled “the Rise of the Three Sisters: Maize in the Eastern Woodlands.”
Analysis of Ancestral Caddo Ceramic Vessels from Sites in Anderson and Cherokee Counties, Texas
Authors: Perttula Timothy
Published: August 2020

In this article, I document 28 ancestral Caddo ceramic vessels from seven sites and one general collection in the whole vessel collections at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL) at The University of Texas at Austin (UT). These sites and general collection are in Anderson and Cherokee counties in East Texas (Figure 1), specifically the: Rube Beard site (41AN18, n=2), the Edward W. Ellis site (41AN36, n=1), the Ray Lookabaugh site (41AN37, n=1), the R. E. Daly site (41AN39, n=9), the Jasper Tucker/Mrs. Joe Watkins Farm site (41AN44, n=11; see also Perttula and Selden [2015]), the W. T. Todd site (41AN52, n=1), the N. B. Ruggles site (41CE40, n=2), and one vessel from the Cherokee County general collections. The methods of ceramic vessel analysis follow those specified in Perttula (2018:2-4), among other publications on Caddo ceramic vessel documentation, methods consistently employed since the 1990s in the documentation of ancestral Caddo ceramic vessels in East Texas sites.
An Ancestral Caddo Ceramic Vessel from the Mack Spence Site (41CS6) in the Sulphur River Basin in East Texas
Authors: Perttula Timothy
Published: August 2020

There is a single ancestral Caddo ceramic vessel in the vessel collections at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory at The University of Texas at Austin from the Mack Spencer site (41CS6) near the Sulphur River in Cass County, in East Texas. The 2D documentation of the vessel is put on record in this article.
Nature of Degradation in Semiconductor Lasers with Electronic Energy Pumping. Theoretical Background
Authors: Garkavenko A. S. , Mokritsky V. A. , Maslov O. V. , Sokolov A. V.
Published: August 2020

. Catastrophic degradation takes place in case of reaching critical values of laser radiation density power in semiconductor  lasers with  electronically pumped energy made  from  single  crystals of  some  compounds.  It has  been  accompanied by mechanical destruction of the surface at resonator ends, an irreversible decrease in radiation power and an increase in generation threshold. Moreover, during the catastrophic degradation of semiconductor lasers under the action of intrinsic radiation, significant changes in the crystal structure occur within the single crystal: dislocation density reaches a value more 1012–1015 cm–2. It has been shown that initial density of dislocations and critical power density of the intrinsic radiation are inversely proportional. Thus, the degradation process of semiconductor lasers is directly related to generation and multiplication of dislocations during laser operation. Mechanical destruction of a crystal lattice occurs at critical values of laser radiation power and dislocation density. To clarify the proposed mechanism for the degradation of semiconductor lasers, it is necessary to take into account an effect of dislocations on optical properties of semiconductors. Typically, this effect is considered as follows: dislocations cause an appearance of a local deformation field and, in addition, form space-charge regions that surround a dislocation core in the form of a charged tube. The paper proposes a model of the phenomenon under study: large stresses arise in the dislocation core, leading to a displacement of individual atoms and deformation of the crystal lattice. Lattice deformation in the dislocation core leads to a local change in the width of a forbidden band. This change value is about 10–2 eV for a screw dislocation and 10–1 eV for a boundary dislocation. The mechanism of this change is that aforementioned deformation leads to a multiple rupture of electronic bonds and an increase in the electron concentration in the dislocation core to approximately value 1018 cm–3. The developed analytical model of the degradation mechanism allows to perform selection of a semiconductor and estimation of a laser operating mode under conditions of increased radiation power.
Understanding Well Interference and Parent-Child Well Relationships With Liquid Molecular Chemical Tracer Technology
Authors: Banerjee Sudiptya
Published: August 2020

In an era where capital markets are hitting the brakes on funding the US shale sector, operators have increasingly pivoted from production growth to maximizing the rates of return via lower-cost wells. One of the major challenges of this new era is the determination of optimal stage and well spacing for a drilling area. For much of the US, the trend has been toward increased job size and rapid downspacing of infill or “child” wells. The unintended consequence of this trend has been an increase in fracture interference and excessive cross-well communication, which results in an overcapitalization of acreage and underperforming child wells as the drainage areas of wells overlap and compete for depleted resources. Within the SCOOP/STACK play, child wells completed in 2017/2018 have been half as productive as their 2015/2016 parent wells, a trend theorized to be directly related to negative fracture interactions.

Determining an optimal spacing between parent and infill wells is not a straightforward endeavor. An ideal development strategy is not just about well spacing, as decisions in completion design can exacerbate issues stemming from tight spacing. For this multivariate problem, operators have attempted to use bottomhole pressure measurements to extrapolate fracture interference or to use large data sets in a “trial-and-error” approach to understand well interference behavior. These approaches have significant downsides, relying either on data sets of questionable value or on extrapolating data to and from wells with significantly different geological conditions.

One operator in the SCOOP/STACK has attempted to understand well interference with chemical tracer technology. Using liquid molecular tracers, this operator achieved a quantified understanding of flow between parent/child wells with a high degree of confidence. This inexpensive technology has allowed the operator to experiment with well spacing and repressurization of parent wells. This, in turn, permits the rapid evaluation of mitigation techniques to optimize its field development strategy based on an accurate measurement of interwell fluid movement.

Tracer Selection

Two categories of chemical tracer are commonly used in conjunction with hydraulic fracturing operations: infused solid particulate tracers and liquid molecular tracers. While both tracer products have their strengths and weaknesses, liquid molecular tracers were chosen as a best practice in this study as they allow for quantification of the traced fluid phase, unlike infused solid particulate tracers.
Maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of Chinese women with infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization with embryonic cryopreservation : a retrospective cohort study
Authors: wang jingxue , liu qiwei , Deng Boer , chen fang , liu xiaowei , cheng jiumei
Published: August 2020

Background: To examine differences in the maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of Chinese women with various causes of infertility who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) with embryonic cryopreservation treatment.Methods: Cases were pregnancies after IVF-ET with embryonic cryopreservation; controls were spontaneously conceived pregnancies. Subgroup analysis was carried out according to etiology of infertility. The IVF treatment group was divided into 5 subgroups according to infertility etiology as follows: ovulation disorder, tubal disease, male infertility, endometriosis, and mixed infertility. Data on demographic characteristics, medical history, laboratory tests, and delivery were reviewed. Logistic regression analysis was performed for pregnancy and perinatal complications and neonatal outcomes. The multivariable model was adjusted for potential confounders.Results: Among singleton pregnancies, compared with spontaneous pregnancies, IVF pregnancies were associated with significant increases in the rates of the following: gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (aOR 1.76[95% CI 1.33-2.33]), preeclampsia (2.60[1.61-4.20]), preterm preeclampsia (4.52[2.03-10.06]), postpartum hemorrhage (1.57[1.04-2.36]), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (3.84[1.06-13.94]), preterm premature rupture of membranes (2.11[1.17-3.81]), preterm birth (1.95[CI 1.26-3.01]), low birthweight (1.90[1.13-3.20]), macrosomia (1.53[1.03-2.27]), and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (1.69[1.22-2.34]) in the ovulation disorder group; GDM (1.50[1.21-1.86]), placenta previa (2.70[1.59-4.59]), placenta accreta (1.78[1.10-2.89]), postpartum hemorrhage (1.61[1.19-2.18]), macrosomia (1.60[1.21-2.13]) and 5-minute Apgar score ≤7 (4.09[1.04-16.08]) in the tubal disease group; placenta previa (9.33[4.22-20.62]), small for gestational age (2.29[1.04-5.08]), macrosomia (2.00[1.02-3.95]) and NICU admission (2.35[1.35-4.09]) in the endometriosis group; placenta previa (4.14[2.23-7.68]) and placenta accreta (2.05[1.08-3.87]) in the male infertility group; and GDM (1.85[1.15-2.98]), placenta previa (4.73[1.83-12.21]), placental abruption (3.39[1.20-9.56]), chorioamnionitis (2.93[1.04-8.26]), preterm birth (2.69[1.41-5.15]), and 1-minute Apgar score ≤7 (4.68[1.62-13.51]) in the mixed infertility group. Among multiple pregnancies, most of the differences that were significant in singleton pregnancies were less extensive or had disappeared.Conclusions: Infertility etiology within the IVF population was found to affect maternal and neonatal outcomes among all births. During the perinatal period, infertility etiology appears to be an additional risk factor for abnormal pregnancy outcomes besides the use of IVF techniques compared with spontaneous pregnancies. Higher risk was found for ovulation disorders, and lower risk was found for male infertility.
Estimating the number of usability problems affecting medical devices: modelling the discovery matrix
Authors: Vandewalle Vincent , Caron Alexandre , Delettrez Coralie , Périchon Renaud , Pelayo Sylvia , Duhamel Alain , Dervaux Benoit
Published: August 2020

Background Usability testing of medical devices are mandatory for market access. The testings’ goal is to identify usability problems that could cause harm to the user or limit the device’s effectiveness. In practice, human factor engineers study participants under actual conditions of use and list the problems encountered. This results in a binary discovery matrix in which each row corresponds to a participant, and each column corresponds to a usability problem. One of the main challenges in usability testing is estimating the total number of problems, in order to assess the completeness of the discovery process. Today’s margin-based methods fit the column sums to a binomial model of problem detection. However, the discovery matrix actually observed is truncated because of undiscovered problems, which corresponds to fitting the marginal sums without the zeros. Margin-based methods fail to overcome the bias related to truncation of the matrix. The objective of the present study was to develop and test a matrix-based method for estimating the total number of usability problems. Methods The matrix-based model was based on the full discovery matrix (including unobserved columns) and not solely on a summary of the data (e.g. the margins). This model also circumvents a drawback of margin-based methods by simultaneously estimating the model’s parameters and the total number of problems. Furthermore, the matrix-based method takes account of a heterogeneous probability of detection, which reflects a real-life setting. Results We assessed the matrix-based method’s performance in a range of settings reflecting real-life usability testing and with heterogeneous probabilities of problem detection. In our simulations, the matrix-based method improved the estimation of the number of problems (in terms of bias, consistency, and coverage probability) in a wide range of settings. We also applied our method to five real datasets from usability testing. Conclusions Estimation models (and particularly matrix-based models) are of value in estimating and monitoring the detection process during usability testing. Matrix-based models have a solid mathematical grounding and, with a view to facilitating the decision-making process for both regulators and device manufacturers, should be incorporated into current standards.
Benefit of dosimetry distribution for patients with multiple brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer by a Cyberknife stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) system
Authors: YU Xuyao , Wang Yuwen , Yuan Zhiyong , Yu Hui , Song Yongchun , Zhao Lujun , Wang Ping
Published: August 2020

Background: To achieve high precision in treating tumors and a steep dose fall-off in healthy tissues for brain metastasis stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), this study investigated SRS planning optimization by comparing one multiple-lesions plan (MLP) with multiple single-lesion plans (SLPs) for patients with multiple brain metastases using the Cyberknife (CK) system.Methods: Fifty non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients (28 males and 22 females) with 2-4 brain metastases, inter-tumour distances less than 3 cm, were retrospectively replanned with the original prescription dose (12-32 Gy) in the original fractions (1-3). Two different clinical CK SRS plans (SLPs and MLP) were generated for the same patients with the same collimator and prescription isodose line (62-68%) by the CK Multiplan System. Both SLPs and MLP were able to achieve >95% PTV volume covered prescription dose and met the Timmerman 2011 organs at risk (brainstem, optic nerve and pituitary) constraints.Results: Compared with those in the SLPs, the maximum dose (Dmax) and mean dose (Dmean) of brainstem in the MLP were reduced 0.22-3.13% (2.62%) and 2.71-12.56% (5.57%), respectively, all P<0.05. Meanwhile, the volumes of the whole brain minus the tumors that received a single dose equivalent of 8-16 Gy (V8Gy-V16Gy) were effectively reduced in the MLP. The treatment time parameters, the total number of beams and monitor units, of the MLP were reduced by 3.31% and 1.47% (P<0.05), respectively. Although there were a few differences in the conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI) between the two treatment plans, the differences were not statistically significant (P = 2.94 and 1.08>0.05).Conclusion: One multiple-lesions plan for brain metastases could achieve higher precision in the target and lower doses in healthy tissue while shortening the treatment time and improving the treatment efficiency over multiple single-lesion plans.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Advanced Radiotherapy Techniques for Post-Mastectomy Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Xie Yibo , Guo Beibei , Zhang Rui
Published: August 2020

Background: Prior cost-effectiveness studies of post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) only compared conventional radiotherapy versus no radiotherapy and only considered tumor control. The goal of this study was to perform cost-effectiveness analyses of standard of care (SOC) and advanced PMRT techniques including intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), standard volumetric modulated arc therapy (STD-VMAT), non-coplanar VMAT (NC-VMAT), multiple arc VMAT (MA-VMAT), Tomotherapy (TOMO), mixed beam therapy (MIXED), and intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT). Methods: Using a Markov model, we estimated the cost-effectiveness of various techniques over 15 years. A cohort of women (55-year-old) was simulated in the model, and radiogenic side effects were considered. Transition probabilities, utilities, and costs for each health state were obtained from literature and Medicare data. Model outcomes include quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Results: For the patient cohort, STD-VMAT has ICER of $32,617 relative to SOC; TOMO is dominated by STD-VMAT; IMRT has ICER of 19,081 $/QALY relative to STD-VMAT; NC-VMAT, MA-VMAT, MIXED are dominated by IMRT; IMPT has ICER of 151,741 $/QALY relative to IMRT. One-way analysis shows that the probability of cardiac toxicity has the most significant impact on the model outcomes. The probability sensitivity analyses show that all advanced PMRT techniques are more cost-effective than SOC at a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of 100,000 $/QALY, while almost none of the advanced techniques is more cost-effective than SOC at a WTP threshold of $50,000/QALY. Conclusion: Advanced PMRT techniques are more cost-effective for breast cancer patients at a WTP threshold of 100,000 $/QALY, and IMRT might be a cost-effective option for PMRT patients.
A study of the mechanism of lncRNA-CR594175 in regulating proliferation and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Liu Quan , Yu Xuxu , Yang Minjie , Li Xiangke , Zhai Xuejia , Lian Yujin , Chen Zhong , Fan Qingxia , Song Lijie , Li Wencai
Published: August 2020

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the cancers of highest incidence and mortality worldwide. The proliferation and invasion of tumor cells are the main reason for poor prognosis after HCC surgery. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has been shown to play a key role in the progression of HCC. LncRNA-CR594175 is one of the highly expressed lncRNAs in HCC tumors and their metastatic tumors that we have obtained by the High-throughput screening method.Methods To elucidate the role of CR594175 in regulating the proliferation and invasion of HepG2 cells, and to initially try to use a genetic engineering operation plan-CR594175 silence to inhibit the HCC progression through functional experiments in vitro and subcutaneous tumor-bearing experiments.Results We found that lncRNA-CR594175 was lower in adjacent noncancerous tissues than in primary HCC, and was lower in primary HCC than in their metastases. SilencingCR594175 inhibited the proliferation and invasion of HepG2 cells and growth of subcutaneous tumors. The mechanism research revealed that CR594175, as a RNA sponge, broke the negative regulation of hsa-miR-142-3p on CTNNB1 (Catenin, beta-1), and once CR594175 was silenced, the hsa-miR142-3p regained its negative regulation on CTNNB1 which can promote HCC progression by activating the wnt pathway. Conclusions Our present study demonstrates for the first time that CR594175 silencing suppressed proliferation and invasion of HCC cells in vivo and in vitro by restoring the negative regulation of hsa-miR-142-3p on CTNNB1, laying a solid theoretic base for using lncRNA-CR594175 as genetic target therapy for HCC and offering a reasonable explanation for inactivation of miRNA in different tumors or tumor at different stages.
BrrICE1.1 is associated with putrescine synthesis through regulation of the arginine decarboxylase gene in freezing tolerance of turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa)
Authors: Yin Xin , Yang Yunqiang , Lv Yanqiu , Li Yan , Yang Danni , Yue Yanling , Yang Yongping
Published: August 2020

Background: In the agricultural areas of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, temperature varies widely from day to night during the growing season, which makes the extreme temperature become one of the limiting factors of crop yield. Turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa) is a traditional crop of Tibet grown in the Tibet Plateau, but its molecular and metabolic mechanisms of freezing tolerance are unclear. Results: Here, based on the changes in transcriptional and metabolic levels of Tibetan turnip under freezing treatment, the expression of the arginine decarboxylase gene BrrADC2.2 exhibited an accumulative pattern in accordance with putrescine content. Moreover, we demonstrated that BrrICE1.1 (Inducer of CBF Expression 1) could directly bind to the BrrADC2.2 promoter, activating BrrADC2.2 to promote the accumulation of putrescine, which was verified by RNAi and overexpression analyses for both BrrADC2.2 and BrrICE1.1 using transgenic hair root. The function of putrescine in turnip was further analyzed by exogenous application putrescine and its inhibitor DL-α-(Difluoromethyl) arginine (DFMA) under freezing tolerance. In addition, the BrrICE1.1 was found to be involved in the ICE1-CBF pathway to increase the freezing stress of turnip. Conclusions: BrrICE1.1 could bind the promoter of BrrADC2.2 or CBFs to participate in freezing tolerance of turnip by transcriptomics and targeted metabolomics analyses. This study revealed the regulatory network of the freezing tolerance process in turnip and increase our understanding of the plateau crops response to extreme environments in Tibet.
A Cluster Randomized Trial of Delivery of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy at the Community Level in Burkina Faso
Authors: Gutman Julie , Stephens Daniel K , Tiendrebeogo Justin , Badolo Ousmane , Dodo Mathurin , Burke Danielle , Williamson John , Vibbert Kristen , Youll Susan J , Savadogo Yacouba , Brieger William R.
Published: August 2020

Background Malaria in pregnancy is responsible for 8–14% of low birth weight and 20% of stillbirths in sub-Saharan Africa. To prevent these adverse consequences, the World Health Organization recommends intermittent preventive treatment of pregnant women (IPTp) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine be administered at each ANC visit starting as early as possible in the second trimester. Global IPTp coverage in targeted countries remains unacceptably low. Community delivery of IPTp was explored as a means to improve coverage. Methods A cluster randomized, controlled trial was conducted in 12 health facilities in a 1:1 ratio to either an intervention group (IPTp delivered by CHWs) or a control group (standard practice, with IPTp delivered at HFs) in three districts of Burkina Faso to assess the effect of IPTp administration by community health workers (CHWs) on the coverage of IPTp and antenatal care (ANC). The districts and facilities were purposively selected taking into account malaria epidemiology, IPTp coverage, and the presence of active CHWs. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were carried out in March 2017 and July–August 2018, respectively. A difference in differences (DiD) analysis was conducted to assess the change in coverage of IPTp and ANC over time, accounting for clustering at the health facility level. Results Altogether 374 and 360 women were included in the baseline and endline surveys, respectively. At baseline, women received a median of 2.1 doses; by endline, women received a median of 1.8 doses in the control group and 2.8 doses in the intervention group (p-value <.0001). There was a non-statistically significant increase in the proportion of women attending four ANC visits in the intervention compared to control group (DiD= 12.6%, p-value= 0.16). By the endline, administration of IPTp was higher in the intervention than control, with a DiD of 17.6% for IPTp3 (95% confidence interval (CI) -16.3, 51.5; p-value 0.31) and 20.0% for IPTp4 (95% CI -7.2, 47.3; p-value= 0.15). Conclusions Community delivery of IPTp could potentially lead to a greater number of IPTp doses delivered, with no apparent decrease in ANC coverage.
Outcomes of Treatment With CHOP and EPOCH in Patients With HIV Associated NHL in a Low Resource Setting
Authors: Okello Clement Dove , Omoding Abrahams , Ddungu Henry , Mulumba Yusuf , Orem Jackson
Published: August 2020

Background: The optimal chemotherapy regimen for treating HIV associated NHL in low resource settings is unknown. We conducted a retrospective study to describe survival rates, treatment response rates and adverse events in patients with HIV associated NHL treated with CHOP and dose adjusted-EPOCH regimens at the Uganda Cancer Institute. Methods: A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with HIV and lymphoma and treated at the Uganda Cancer Institute from 2016 – 2018 was done. Results: One hundred eight patients treated with CHOP and 12 patients treated with DA-EPOCH were analysed. Patients completing 6 or more cycles of chemotherapy were 51 (47%) in the CHOP group and 8 (67%) in the DA-EPOCH group. One year overall survival (OS) rate in patients treated with CHOP was 54.5% (95% CI, 42.8 – 64.8) and 80.2% (95% CI, 40.3 – 94.8) in those treated with DA-EPOCH. Factors associated with favourable survival were BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, (p=0.03) and completion of 6 or more cycles of chemotherapy, (p<0.001). The overall response rate was 40% in the CHOP group and 59% in the DA-EPOCH group. Severe adverse events occurred in 19 (18%) patients in the CHOP group and 3 (25%) in the DA-EPOCH group; these were neutropenia (CHOP=13, 12%; DA-EPOCH=2, 17%), anaemia (CHOP=12, 12%; DA-EPOCH=1, 8%), thrombocytopenia (CHOP=7, 6%; DA-EPOCH=0), sepsis (CHOP=1), treatment related death (DA-EPOCH=1) and hepatic encephalopathy (CHOP=1). Conclusion: Treatment of HIV associated NHL with curative intent using CHOP and infusional DA-EPOCH is feasible in low resource settings and associated with >50% one year survival.
Geographic location of health facility and immunization program performance in Hoima district, western Uganda: A health facility level assessment
Authors: Kwikiriza Nicholas Magambo , Bajunirwe Francis , Bagenda Fred
Published: August 2020

Background: Globally immunization coverage for childhood vaccines is below the immunization target of achieving at least 90% coverage with the pentavalent vaccine. In Uganda, a recent survey shows 80% of districts had poor immunization program performance. However, there is significant variation in performance within and between districts. We hypothesized that geographic location of health facility may influence performance of their immunization programs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether geographical location of health facility within a district is associated with performance of the immunization program in Hoima district, western Uganda.Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study using a mixed methods approach. The study unit was a health center and we interviewed health workers in-charge of the facilities and reviewed their health facility records. We reviewed the Uganda Health Management Information System (HMIS) 105 reports of six months to obtain data on immunization program performance. Performance was categorized using World Health Organization’s Reach Every District (RED) criteria and classified as poor if a facility fell in category 3 or 4 and good if 1 or 2. We also conducted key informant interviews with immunization focal persons in the district. We examined the association between dependent and independent variables using Fisher’s exact test. Results: We collected data at 49 health facilities. Most of the health units (55.1%) had poor immunization program performance. Proximal location to the central district headquarters was significantly associated with poor immunization program performance (p<0.05). Attitudes of health workers in the more urban areas, differences in strategies for outreach site selection and community mobilization in the rural and urban areas were suggested as possible explanations.Conclusions: Proximal location to the urban setting near district headquarters was strongly associated with poor immunization program performance. To be able to reach larger numbers of children for vaccination, interventions to improve performance should target health facilities in urban settings.
Cancer in Moroccan elderly: The first multicenter transverse study exploring the sociodemographic characteristics, clinical profile and quality of life of elderly Moroccan cancer patients
Authors: Amzerin Mounia , Laayachi Mohamed , Bazine Aziz , Aassab Rachid , Arifi Samia , Benbrahim Zineb , Khmamouche Mohamed Reda , Kairouani Mouna , Raiss Hanan , Majid Noura , Ouaouch Saloua , Ichou Mohammed , Afqir Said , Mellas Nawfal , Fetohi Mohamed , Razine Rachid , Errihani Hassan
Published: August 2020

Background

Moroccan incidence of cancer is increasing with the lengthening of life expectancy. Data regarding elderly Moroccan cancer patients are lacking. In the context of our project aiming to develop an adapted version of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment CGA to the Moroccan population, we launched the first Moroccan multicenter transverse study to explore the characteristics of elderly Moroccan cancer patients.

Methods

The study was conducted in nine Moroccan medical oncology departments. Patients were enrolled over 4 months. Inclusion criteria were patients aged 65 years or over with verified solid cancer. The questionnaire included four sections: socio-demographic and economic data, clinical data, vulnerability and EORTC-QLQ C30. We explored the entire included population. Then, we compared the results according to age (65-70 years old and ≥71 years old) and sex. We also explored the correlation between G8 scores and the ability to practice religion as an indicator of fitness level.

Results

In total, 164 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 73.18± 6.01 years. The majority of patients were married, lived with their children and received their financial income from them. Fifteen percent of families asked to hide the diagnosis from the patient. Breast (23%), colorectal (15.9%) and lung (14%) cancers were the most frequent, and 83.5% had an abnormal G8. The majority of the patients were independent for basic daily activities. Female patients had poorer social and economic conditions. Abnormal G8 was correlated with religious practice and quality of life scores.

Conclusion

This is the first multicenter prospective study designed to collect data on the lifestyle and clinical profiles of elderly Moroccan cancer patients as an Arab and Muslim population. Our study shows that it is a well-cared-for population with strong social ties. However, there is deep economic vulnerability, especially among women, requiring urgent care. Religious practice is an important daily activity for our elderly patients and should be included in the Moroccan CGA.
Effects of mouth breathing on facial skeletal development and malocclusion in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Authors: Zhao Ziyi , Zheng Leilei , Huang Xiaoya , Li Caiyu , Liu Jing , Hu Yun
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND: Mouth breathing is closely related to the facial skeletal development and malocclusion. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effect of mouth breathing on facial skeletal development and malocclusion in children. METHODS: An electronic search in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Medline, Web of Science, EMBASE and Sigle through February 23rd, 2020, was conducted. Inclusion criteria were children under 18 years of age with maxillofacial deformities due to mouth breathing. Methodological quality assessments of the selected articles were performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The risk of bias in nonrandomized studies of interventions (ROBINS-I) tool for controlled clinical trials. The Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used for the quality assessment. The included indicators were SNA, SNB, ANB, SN-OP, SNGoGn, MP-H, 1-NA, 1. NA, 1. NB, 1-NB, SPAS, PAS, and C3-H. Data concerning the mean difference in mesial molar movement and extent of canine retraction were extracted for statistical analysis. The mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were analyzed for continuous data. Review Manager 5.3, was used to synthesize various parameters associated with the impact of mouth breathing on facial skeletal development and malocclusion. RESULTS: Following full-text evaluations for eligibility, 6 studies were included in the final quantitative synthesis. In Sagittal direction, SNA (MD: -1.61, P <0.0001), SNB (MD: -1.99, P <0.0001), ANB (MD: 0.95, P = 0.0005),1-NA (MD: 0.72, P = 0.004), 1. NA (MD: 1.98, P = 0.020), 1-NB (MD: 1.06, P < 0.0001), In vertical direction, SN-OP (MD: 3.20, P < 0.0001), SNGoGn (MD: 4.34, P < 0.0001). In airway, SPAS (MD: -5.23, P < 0.0001), PAS (MD: -2.11, P < 0.0001), and C3-H (MD: -1.34, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the mandible and maxilla rotated backward and downward, and the occlusal plane was steep. In addition, mouth breathing presented a tendency of labial inclination of the upper anterior teeth. Airway stenosis was comm on in mouth-breathing children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: crd-register@york.ac.uk; registration number CRD42019129198