bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FEATURES OF INTERDISCIPLINARY INTERACTION IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ODONTOGENIC FORMS OF SINUSITIS AND PREPARATION FOR DENTAL IMPLANTATION
Authors:   Nizniy Novgorod regional clinic hospital N.A.Semashko, Larin R.A. , Smirnova D.D. ,   Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Krasilnikova S.V. ,   Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Mhitaryan A.A. ,   Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Shakhov A.V. ,   Privolzhsky Research Medical University
Published: February 2021

In recent years, against the backdrop of actively developing technologies in therapeutic and surgical stomatology, as well as endoscopic technologies in ENT practice, there has been an increase in the number of patients with various, including previously unobserved forms of odontogenic sinusitis (OS). Аccording to various data, from 5 to 30% of all cases of chronic rhinosinusitis are some odontogenic forms. Their specific gravity in the structure of the pathology of ENT hospitals is also growing. Accordingly, the number of surgical interventions is also increasing, which, in turn, necessitates a unification of indications for surgical interventions for some form of odontogenic sinusitis and, especially, in preparation for dental implantation. In the latter case, situations are not uncommon when the patient is referred to the maxillary sinus surgery proactively, “just in case”, which is unacceptable. This leads to the appearance of neglected, chronic forms, what is called "difficult-to-treat rhinosinusitis." The odontogenic (phlogogenic) reasons may include: foreign bodies of the sinus, complicated periodontitis, the consequences of sinus lifting, implantation, etc. It is necessary to study and specify the leading ones in each patient, which is important for building a competent medical strategy. Not all issues of diagnosis and treatment of odontogenic sinusitis, preparation for dental implantation are regulated by legal documents (standards, clinical guidelines). In the most difficult situations, collegial decision-making with the participation of all interested specialists is necessary. The number of diagnostic errors is increasing, especially in preparation for dental implantation and differential diagnosis of odontogenic and rhinogenic forms of sinusitis. At the same time, the bulk of such errors are allowed when interpreting data from radiation studies, or when prescribing radiation studies in the wrong format (MRI, radiography). All this determines the relevance of this study
ANATOMICAL TOPOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF THE FACIAL NERVE ON CONE-BEAM CT
Authors:   Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Zubareva A.A. , Beiseyeva Zh.Y. ,   Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
Published: February 2021

Introduction. Cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT) was introduced into the ENT practice more than 10 years ago. In recent years, it is actively used to visualize temporal bones in acute and chronic diseases of the middle ear (especially in visualizing implants of the middle and inner ear, shunts), but there is no precise description of anatomical features of the temporal bone’s structure. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of tomogram, made on a Sirona tomograph, Galaxis / Galileos software for the period from 08/04/2016 to 23/06/2017, in overall, there was analyzed 82 images, from which 71 images of temporal bones were selected from 41 people. Group 1 - CT of the temporal bone in patients with signs of acute inflammation of the middle ear, group 2 - CT of the temporal bone in patients with signs of chronic inflammation of the middle ear, group 3 - CT of the temporal bone in patients without signs of inflammation. Results. An algorithm for assessing the temporal bone according to the above parameters is(was) proposed. When three groups were compared, the length of the mastoid and drum part of the facial nerve, the canal of the facial nerve near the aditus ad antrum and the horizontal semicircular canal were revealed, and the distance between them, regardless to the progress of the disease, corresponds to the parameters of the norm. Conclusion. Thus, taking into account the data of the retrospective analysis, it should be noted that there was no significant difference between the quantitative indices of the facial nerve’s canal structure without inflammation and in the acute and chronic pathology of the middle ear
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY THERAPY OF THROAT DISEASES
Authors:   Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Kolesnikova O.M. , Karpishchenko S.A. ,   Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Legkova Y.V. ,   Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
Published: February 2021

Sore throat is one of the most common complaints faced by doctors of various specialties. This symptom accompanies many diseases of the pharynx and larynx, and may be a manifestation of certain diseases that are not associated with the respiratory tract. When choosing therapy, it is necessary by doctors to rationally use the criteria for the appointment of systemic antibiotic therapy. However, local anti-inflammatory therapy as a symptomatic treatment should be selected before accurate confirmation of the etiology of the disease. This provides patients with a quick return to an active life and an improvement in the quality of life in general. The article discusses the etiology and pathogenesis of pain in diseases of the pharynx, modern diagnostic methods and optimal tactics for treating patients. As a symptomatic treatment, to reduce inflammation in the pharynx, the drug Vertum LOR, which belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs of local action, may contain benzidamine as an active substance.
CASE OF MAXILLARY SINUS FOREIGN BODY REMOVAL
Authors:   Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Karpishchenko S.A. , Usmanova D.A. ,   Rehabilitation center of hearing, voice and speech, Bolozneva E.V. ,   Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Karpishchenko E.S. ,   Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
Published: February 2021

Maxillary sinus foreign bodies are interrelated with different types of treatment of pathologies of teeth of the maxilla. Foreign bodies can be presented by pins, sillers, impression materials, teeth, dental implants etc. Features of anatomical development of maxilla, degree of pneumatization of it and many other factors promote hit of the foreign body to the maxillary sinus. Detection of the foreign body in the maxillary sinus during the operation sometimes can become a serious technical difficulty and needs a surgeon to be a man of experience. Important part of success of the surgery is selection of access to the maxillary sinus based on the 3D computed tomography data. We represent a clinical case of treatment the patient with the maxillary sinus foreign body after two non-resultative surgeries. After the implantation of dental implant, patient appealed for medical treatment, complaining on the discomfort, passing pain at the right buccal region and secrete from the right part of nose. We know from the anamnesis, that the patient was operated through the anterior maxillary wall under the general anesthesia for two times. The foreign body was removed only during the third surgery, that was done under the local anesthesia under the control of the rigid endoscopes. The patient was conversed to the out-patient treatment at the day of the surgery. The efficacy of the endoscopic endonasal approach to the maxillary sinus through the inferior nasal meatus in case of maxillary sinus foreign body was approved.
ESTIMATION OF EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY OF APPLICATION AQUA MARIS® ECTOIN (ANS01) NASAL SPRAY IN THE THERAPY OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS IN PREGNANT WOMEN
Authors:   Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Ryabova M.A. , Georgieva L.V. ,   Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
Published: February 2021

The prevalence of allergic diseases is increasing: according to recent data, about 20% of the worlds' population suffers from allergic rhinitis. About 30% of the reproductive age women are known to suffer from allergic rhinitis, and in a third of cases, symptoms of allergic rhinitis increase during pregnancy. Allergic inflammation is the result of contact with a causative allergen and elimination of causative allergens is not always possible. The creation of a protective barrier preventing the adhesion of allergens on the surface of the nasal mucosa reduces the penetration of allergens and helps control allergic rhinitis. Aqua Maris® Nasal Spray Ectoin is a completely natural remedy that creates a physical barrier (“barrier”) for attaching allergens to the nasal mucosa and prevents the development of allergic rhinitis. Aqua Maris® Ectoin can be used for allergic rhinitis treatment in pregnant and nursing women. Non-comparative open-label trial investigating the efficacy and safety of the Aqua Maris® Nasal Spray Ectoin was carried out from September to June 2019 at the Center of early diagnosis of allergic diseases in women of childbearing age Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University. The study included 45 pregnant women with allergic rhinitis. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by the severity of clinical symptoms and rhinoscopic data of patients in dynamics during treatment. As a result of the use of Aqua-Maris Ectoin in pregnant women, a significant reduction in complaints on the 10th day of therapy and a decrease in inflammatory phenomena in the nasal cavity were observed. In addition, a significantly significant decrease in secretory nasal IgE was noted. This indicates the effectiveness of the Aqua Maris® Nasal Spray Ectoin in the treatment of allergic rhinitis in pregnant women. Adverse events associated with the use of Ectoin Aqua Maris® Nasal Spray in pregnant women were not detected. Aqua Maris® Nasal Spray Ectoin can be used for effective and safe treatment of allergic rhinitis in pregnant women.
Organizational Compliance During COVID-19: Investigating the Effects of Anxiety, Productivity, and Individual Risk Factors Among Iranian Healthcare Employees
Authors: Rahmani Diyako , Zeng Cheng , Goodarzi Ali Moazami , Vahid Farhad
Published: February 2021

This study investigates the impact of anxiety, productivity, and individual characteristics on employee compliance in an Iranian medical science university during the COVID-19 outbreak. The data of 160 healthcare employees of various professions were collected with reliability and validity on the measurements performed. Two regression tests revealed that higher anxiety reduces and higher productivity increased compliance. Participants with higher education and non-medical professions were found to have higher compliance. Productivity was also found to be positively associated with tenure and having a medical position. Implication and limitation are discussed.
Innate Immunity Mediated Inflammation and Beta Cell Function: Neighbors or Enemies?
Authors: Citro Antonio , Campo Francesco , Dugnani Erica , Piemonti Lorenzo
Published: February 2021

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is still considered a huge burden because the available treatments are not effective in preventing the onset or progression of the disease. Recently, the idea that diabetes is an autoimmune disease mediated exclusively by T cells has been reshaped. In fact, T cells are not the only players with an active role in beta cell destruction. Macrophages and neutrophils, which physiologically reside in pancreatic tissue, can also participate in tissue homeostasis and damage by promoting innate immune responses and modulating inflammation. During the development of the pancreatic islet inflammation there is a strong interplay of both adaptive and innate immune cells, and the presence of innate immune cells has been demonstrated both in exocrine and endocrine pancreatic compartments during the earliest stages of insulitis. Innate immune cell populations secrete cytokines, which must be considered both as physiological and pathological mediators. In fact, it has been demonstrated that cytokines could regulate directly and indirectly insulin secretion and, simultaneously, trigger inflammatory reaction. Indeed, cytokines pathways could represent targets both to improve glucose metabolism and to prevent autoimmune damage. Concordantly, the combination of immunomodulatory strategies against both innate and adaptive immunity should be tested in the next future, as they can be more efficient to prevent or delay islet damage and T1D onset.
Towards ‘Creative Participatory Science’: Exploring Future Scenarios Through Specialist Drought Science and Community Storytelling
Authors: Liguori Antonia , McEwen Lindsey , Blake James , Wilson Michael
Published: February 2021

There is a growing interest in different forms of participatory modeling that bring science and lay knowledge into the same space. This recognizes that, traditionally, the environmental science community has mostly seen stakeholder engagement as a ‘follow on’ activity to be undertaken once the key scientific research has been completed. By excluding communities from the scientific process, or at best approaching communities in one-way communication, scientists are missing out on the wealth of local community knowledge about the very facets of the environment which they seek to understand. The challenge, however, is in identifying, developing and adopting appropriate platforms for communication and co-creation to allow scientists and local communities to have effective dialogue, efficiently gather, interpret and evaluate lay knowledge, and develop relevant, scientifically robust, but widely comprehensible, results. DRY (Drought Risk and You) was a 4-year project, funded under the RCUK Drought and Water Scarcity Program, with the aim of developing an evidence-based resource to support better decision-making in United Kingdom drought risk management. In DRY, scientific data and multiple narrative approaches have been brought together to facilitate decision-making processes and improve community resilience. Creative experiments were designed by the DRY interdisciplinary team to engage local communities in using specialist science as a stimulus for storytelling at catchment level, but also to give scientists the insight required to develop meaningful scenarios of local change to explore potential drought impacts in a particular river catchment. One challenge of working with storytelling is that it is very often retrospective and linked to past experiences and memories. It can be seen as a backward-looking activity, learning principally from what has happened before. The participatory approaches applied in DRY demonstrated that storytelling can be also used to imagine, interrogate and plan for a future that communities might collectively wish to subscribe or adapt to. In particular, by co-designing and facilitating storyboarding workshops, the DRY team, together with local stakeholders, have been exploring the ‘scenario-ing’ of possible futures as a way of creating a story and visualizing a picture for the future of the community. By allowing the scientists, community and local stakeholders to develop model drought scenarios iteratively together using storytelling, these scenarios should not only be scientifically accurate, but should also reflect local interests and aspirations, as well as local drought mitigation practices. This process integrates valuable knowledge exchange and the building of mutual capital to support local risk decision-making - scaling up from the level of the individual to the collective.
The Systemic and Cellular Metabolic Phenotype of Infection and Immune Response to Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Johnson Robert M. , Olatunde Adesola C. , Woodie Lauren N. , Greene Michael W. , Schwartz Elizabeth Hiltbold
Published: February 2021

It is widely accepted that infection and immune response incur significant metabolic demands, yet the respective demands of specific immune responses to live pathogens have not been well delineated. It is also established that upon activation, metabolic pathways undergo shifts at the cellular level. However, most studies exploring these issues at the systemic or cellular level have utilized pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that model sepsis, or model antigens at isolated time points. Thus, the dynamics of pathogenesis and immune response to a live infection remain largely undocumented. To better quantitate the metabolic demands induced by infection, we utilized a live pathogenic infection model. Mice infected withListeria monocytogeneswere monitored longitudinally over the course of infection through clearance. We measured systemic metabolic phenotype, bacterial load, innate and adaptive immune responses, and cellular metabolic pathways. To further delineate the role of adaptive immunity in the metabolic phenotype, we utilized two doses of bacteria, one that induced both sickness behavior and protective (T cell mediated) immunity, and the other protective immunity alone. We determined that the greatest impact to systemic metabolism occurred during the early immune response, which coincided with the greatest shift in innate cellular metabolism. In contrast, during the time of maximal T cell expansion, systemic metabolism returned to resting state. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the timing of maximal metabolic demand overlaps with the innate immune response and that when the adaptive response is maximal, the host has returned to relative metabolic homeostasis.
A New Marine Biomaterial: The Shell of Mangrove Horseshoe Crabs, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda (Latreille, 1802) Emphasizing Its Physico-Chemical Characteristics
Authors: Wardiatno Yusli , Riyanto Bambang , Iskandar Nopa Aris , Kleinertz Sonja , Funch Peter , Kurniawan Fery
Published: February 2021

The paper aims to elucidate the physico-chemical characteristics of the shell of mangrove horseshoe crabs (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda) and determine the compilation matrix for the first time. The shell composition matrix of C. rotundicauda has never been studied in detail before, especially the shape of the foam, the chemical composition, the functional groups and the mechanical-physical and thermal properties of the shell. Based on this study, the shell structure of the mangrove horseshoe crab has the potential to be used as the base structure for developing bio-foam insulator material in the future. Therefore, the shell of mangrove horseshoe crabs has a unique natural structure in the form of foam. Its robust and elastic structure has the potential for further development for new marine biomaterials. The formation and composition of horseshoe crab shells foam are also believed to be multifunctional in mobility, used for defense mechanisms and thermal stability. The horseshoe crab samples were collected from Pacitan coastal waters, East Java, Indonesia. The research was conducted using physico-chemical and mechanical-physical analysis. The scanning electron microscopy was used in order to clarify the physico-chemical characteristics. The measurements of the mechanical-physical characteristics included density, unit cell size, and water absorption. The tensile strength and compressive strength were analyzed based on the American Society for Testing Material. Thermal resistance was measured by thermal gravimetric analysis. The results showed that the horseshoe crab shells have a unique structure, where chitin, protein and some minerals are the main chemical elements. The combination and major constituents of the horseshoe crab shell material provide strong and plastic mechanical properties with a maximum tensile strength of 60.46 kPa and maximum compressive strength of 110.55 kPa, water absorption of 0.01195 ± 0.001% and a density value of 0.1545 ± 0.011 g/cm3 as well as the capability to withstand thermal loads with peak decomposition values of 267.4–823.2°C and thermal stability of 60.59%. Using natural marine biomaterials in the future will be beneficial because it leaves no harmful residues and therefore has environmental advantages and at the same time, it is also more cost-effective.
Collagen Binding Proteins of Gram-Positive Pathogens
Authors: Arora Srishtee , Gordon Jay , Hook Magnus
Published: February 2021

Collagens are the primary structural components of mammalian extracellular matrices. In addition, collagens regulate tissue development, regeneration and host defense through interaction with specific cellular receptors. Their unique triple helix structure, which requires a glycine residue every third amino acid, is the defining structural feature of collagens. There are 28 genetically distinct collagens in humans. In addition, several other unrelated human proteins contain a collagen domain. Gram-positive bacteria of the generaStaphylococcus,Streptococcus,Enterococcus, andBacillusexpress cell surface proteins that bind to collagen. These proteins of Gram-positive pathogens are modular proteins that can be classified into different structural families. This review will focus on the different structural families of collagen binding proteins of Gram-positive pathogen. We will describe how these proteins interact with the triple helix in collagens and other host proteins containing a collagenous domain and discuss how these interactions can contribute to the pathogenic processes.
A Review on the Health Effects of Pesticides Based on Host Gut Microbiome and Metabolomics
Authors: Zhou Meng , Zhao Jiang
Published: February 2021

Due to their large number of applications, the pesticides pose potential toxicity risks to the non-target organisms. In recent years, the studies on the toxic effects of pesticides on non-target organisms, based on their gut microbiome and metabolome, have been continuously reported. As a dense and diverse microbial community, the gut microbiota in the mammalian gut plays a key role in the maintenance of host metabolic homeostasis. The imbalance in the gut microbiota of host is closely associated with the disturbance in the host's metabolic profile. A comprehensive analysis of the changes in the gut microbiota and metabolic profile of host will help in understanding the internal mechanism of pesticide-induced toxic effects. This study reviewed the composition and function of the gut microbiota of host, as well as the analysis methods and applications of metabolomics. Importantly, the latest research on the toxic effects of the exposure of pesticide to host was reviewed on the basis of changes in their gut microbiota and metabolic profile.
Machine Learning for Diagnosis of AD and Prediction of MCI Progression From Brain MRI Using Brain Anatomical Analysis Using Diffeomorphic Deformation
Authors: Syaifullah Ali Haidar , Shiino Akihiko , Kitahara Hitoshi , Ito Ryuta , Ishida Manabu , Tanigaki Kenji
Published: February 2021

Background: With the growing momentum for the adoption of machine learning (ML) in medical field, it is likely that reliance on ML for imaging will become routine over the next few years. We have developed a software named BAAD, which uses ML algorithms for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and prediction of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) progression.

Methods: We constructed an algorithm by combining a support vector machine (SVM) to classify and a voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to reduce concerned variables. We grouped progressive MCI and AD as an AD spectrum and trained SVM according to this classification. We randomly selected half from the total 1,314 subjects of AD neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) from North America for SVM training, and the remaining half were used for validation to fine-tune the model hyperparameters. We created two types of SVMs, one based solely on the brain structure (SVMst), and the other based on both the brain structure and Mini-Mental State Examination score (SVMcog). We compared the model performance with two expert neuroradiologists, and further evaluated it in test datasets involving 519, 592, 69, and 128 subjects from the Australian Imaging, Biomarker & Lifestyle Flagship Study of Aging (AIBL), Japanese ADNI, the Minimal Interval Resonance Imaging in AD (MIDIAD) and the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies (OASIS), respectively.

Results: BAAD's SVMs outperformed radiologists for AD diagnosis in a structural magnetic resonance imaging review. The accuracy of the two radiologists was 57.5 and 70.0%, respectively, whereas, that of the SVMst was 90.5%. The diagnostic accuracy of the SVMst and SVMcog in the test datasets ranged from 88.0 to 97.1% and 92.5 to 100%, respectively. The prediction accuracy for MCI progression was 83.0% in SVMst and 85.0% in SVMcog. In the AD spectrum classified by SVMst, 87.1% of the subjects were Aβ positive according to an AV-45 positron emission tomography. Similarly, among MCI patients classified for the AD spectrum, 89.5% of the subjects progressed to AD.

Conclusion: Our ML has shown high performance in AD diagnosis and prediction of MCI progression. It outperformed expert radiologists, and is expected to provide support in clinical practice.
Time-Frequency Representation of Motor Evoked Potentials in Brain Tumor Patients
Authors: Machetanz Kathrin , Gallotti Alberto L. , Leao Tatagiba Maria Teresa , Liebsch Marina , Trakolis Leonidas , Wang Sophie , Tatagiba Marcos , Gharabaghi Alireza , Naros Georgios
Published: February 2021

Background: The integrity of the motor system can be examined by applying navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) to the cortex. The corresponding motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in the target muscles are mirroring the status of the human motor system, far beyond corticospinal integrity. Commonly used time domain features of MEPs (e.g., peak-to-peak amplitudes and onset latencies) exert a high inter-subject and intra-subject variability. Frequency domain analysis might help to resolve or quantify disease-related MEP changes, e.g., in brain tumor patients. The aim of the present study was to describe the time-frequency representation of MEPs in brain tumor patients, its relation to clinical and imaging findings, and the differences to healthy subject.

Methods: This prospective study compared 12 healthy subjects with 12 consecutive brain tumor patients (with and without a paresis) applying nTMS mapping. Resulting MEPs were evaluated in the time series domain (i.e., amplitudes and latencies). After transformation into the frequency domain using a Morlet wavelet approach, event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP), and inter-trial coherence (ITC) were calculated and compared to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) results.

Results: There were no significant differences in the time series characteristics between groups. MEPs were projecting to a frequency band between 30 and 300 Hz with a local maximum around 100 Hz for both healthy subjects and patients. However, there was ERSP reduction for higher frequencies (>100 Hz) in patients in contrast to healthy subjects. This deceleration was mirrored in an increase of the inter-peak MEP latencies. Patients with a paresis showed an additional disturbance in ITC in these frequencies. There was no correlation between the CST integrity (as measured by DTI) and the MEP parameters.

Conclusion: Time-frequency analysis may provide additional information above and beyond classical MEP time domain features and the status of the corticospinal system in brain tumor patients. This first evaluation indicates that brain tumors might affect cortical physiology and the responsiveness of the cortex to TMS resulting in a temporal dispersion of the corticospinal transmission.
Clinical Study of Autonomic Dysfunction in Patients With Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis
Authors: Yan Lulu , Zhang Shuang , Huang Xiaoxue , Tang Yao , Wu Jun
Published: February 2021

Objectives: Autonomic dysfunction is a common symptom of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis; however, it has been poorly researched. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical features, tumor occurrence, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, imaging assessment, cerebrospinal fluid examination, disease severity, and immunotherapy in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis with or without autonomic dysfunction.

Methods: A retrospective study of anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients diagnosed between January 2016 and April 2020 was performed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had autonomic dysfunction, and their clinical features, treatment, and prognosis were compared.

Results: A total of 119 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis were included in this study. Seventy-three patients (61.3%) had autonomic dysfunction, while the remaining 46 (38.7%) did not. Sinus tachycardia (69.9%) was the autonomic dysfunction with the highest incidence, while the incidences of symptoms including constipation, central hypopnea, and others gradually decreased. Compared to the group without autonomic dysfunction, the prevalence of the main clinical symptoms such as epileptic seizure (P = 0.003), involuntary movement (P = 0.028), and decreased consciousness (P < 0.001) were higher in the group with autonomic dysfunction, which also more frequently presented with complications such as pulmonary infection (P < 0.001) and abnormal liver function (P = 0.001). Moreover, the rates of ICU admission (P < 0.001) and mechanical ventilation (P = 0.001), as well as the modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores at admission (P < 0.001), maximum mRS scores during the course of disease (P < 0.001), and mRS scores at discharge (P < 0.001) were higher in the patients with autonomic dysfunction than in those without. The number of patients in the autonomic dysfunction group who underwent ≥2 immunotherapies was also higher than that in the group without autonomic dysfunction (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Sinus tachycardia is the most common type of autonomic dysfunction in anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Compared to patients without autonomic dysfunction, those with autonomic dysfunction had a higher incidence of epilepsy, involuntary movements, decreased consciousness, pulmonary infections, abnormal liver function, ICU admissions, and mechanical ventilation; moreover, the severity of the disease was greater, and their prognosis worse. Therefore, such patients require intensive immunotherapy.
The Survival Benefit of Postoperative Bacterial Infections in Patients With Glioblastoma Multiforme: Myth or Reality?
Authors: Kazim Syed Faraz , Martinez Erick , Hough Tyler J. , Spangler Benjamin Q. , Bowers Christian A. , Chohan Muhammad Omar
Published: February 2021

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common malignant brain tumor, universally carries a poor prognosis. Despite aggressive multimodality treatment, the median survival is ~18–20 months, depending on molecular subgroups. A long history of observations suggests antitumor effects of bacterial infections against malignant tumors. The present review summarizes and critically analyzes the clinical data providing evidence for or against the survival benefit of post-operative bacterial infections in GBM patients. Furthermore, we explore the probable underlying mechanism(s) from basic science studies on the topic. There are plausible explanations from immunobiology for the mechanism of the “favorable effect” of bacterial infections in GBM patients. However, available clinical literature does not provide a definitive association between postoperative bacterial infection and prolonged survival in GBM patients. The presently available, single-/multi-center and national database retrospective case-control studies on the topic provide conflicting results. A prospective randomized study on the subject is clearly not possible. Immunobiology literature supports development of genetically modified bacteria as part of multimodal regimen against GBM.
Acute Stroke Biomarkers: Are We There Yet?
Authors: Dagonnier Marie , Donnan Geoffrey A. , Davis Stephen M. , Dewey Helen M. , Howells David W.
Published: February 2021

Background: Distinguishing between stroke subtypes and knowing the time of stroke onset are critical in clinical practice. Thrombolysis and thrombectomy are very effective treatments in selected patients with acute ischemic stroke. Neuroimaging helps decide who should be treated and how they should be treated but is expensive, not always available and can have contraindications. These limitations contribute to the under use of these reperfusion therapies.

Aim: An alternative approach in acute stroke diagnosis is to identify blood biomarkers which reflect the body's response to the damage caused by the different types of stroke. Specific blood biomarkers capable of differentiating ischemic from hemorrhagic stroke and mimics, identifying large vessel occlusion and capable of predicting stroke onset time would expedite diagnosis and increase eligibility for reperfusion therapies.

Summary of Review: To date, measurements of candidate biomarkers have usually occurred beyond the time window for thrombolysis. Nevertheless, some candidate markers of brain tissue damage, particularly the highly abundant glial structural proteins like GFAP and S100β and the matrix protein MMP-9 offer promising results. Grouping of biomarkers in panels can offer additional specificity and sensitivity for ischemic stroke diagnosis. Unbiased “omics” approaches have great potential for biomarker identification because of greater gene, protein, and metabolite coverage but seem unlikely to be the detection methodology of choice because of their inherent cost.

Conclusion: To date, despite the evolution of the techniques used in their evaluation, no individual candidate or multimarker panel has proven to have adequate performance for use in an acute clinical setting where decisions about an individual patient are being made. Timing of biomarker measurement, particularly early when decision making is most important, requires urgent and systematic study.
Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease Using Brain Network
Authors: Lama Ramesh Kumar , Kwon Goo-Rak
Published: February 2021

Recent studies suggest the brain functional connectivity impairment is the early event occurred in case of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as well as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We model the brain as a graph based network to study these impairment. In this paper, we present a new diagnosis approach using graph theory based features from functional magnetic resonance (fMR) images to discriminate AD, MCI, and healthy control (HC) subjects using different classification techniques. These techniques include linear support vector machine (LSVM), and regularized extreme learning machine (RELM). We used pairwise Pearson’s correlation-based functional connectivity to construct the brain network. We compare the classification performance of brain network using Alzheimer’s disease neuroimaging initiative (ADNI) datasets. Node2vec graph embedding approach is employed to convert graph features to feature vectors. Experimental results show that the SVM with LASSO feature selection method generates better classification accuracy compared to other classification technique.
Basolateral Amygdala Serotonin 2C Receptor Regulates Emotional Disorder-Related Symptoms Induced by Chronic Methamphetamine Administration
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Li Chen , Ding Jiuyang , Li Yanning , Zhou Zhihua , Huang Yanjun , Wang Xiaohan , Fan Haoliang , Huang Jian , He Yitong , Li Jianwei , Chen Jun , Qiu Pingming
Published: February 2021

Globally, methamphetamine (MA) is the second most abused drug, with psychotic symptoms being one of the most common adverse effects. Emotional disorders induced by MA abuse have been widely reported both in human and animal models; however, the mechanisms underlying such disorders have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, a chronic MA administration mouse model was utilized to elucidate the serotonergic pathway involved in MA-induced emotional disorders. After 4 weeks of MA administration, the animals exhibited significantly increased depressive and anxious symptoms. Molecular and morphological evidence showed that chronic MA administration reduced the expression of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) rate-limiting enzyme, tryptophan hydroxylase 2, in the dorsal raphe and the concentrations of 5-HT and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) nuclei. Alterations in both 5-HT and 5-HT receptor levels occurred simultaneously in BLA; quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and fluorescence analysis revealed that the expression of the 5-HT2C receptor (5-HT2CR) increased. Neuropharmacology and virus-mediated silencing strategies confirmed that targeting 5-HT2CR reversed the depressive and anxious behaviors induced by chronic MA administration. In the BLA, 5-HT2CR-positive cells co-localized with GABAergic interneurons. The inactivation of 5-HT2CR ameliorated impaired GABAergic inhibition and decreased BLA activation. Thus, herein, for the first time, we report that the abnormal regulation of 5-HT2CR is involved in the manifestation of emotional disorder-like symptoms induced by chronic MA use. Our study suggests that 5-HT2CR in the BLA is a promising clinical target for the treatment of MA-induced emotional disorders.
Linear and Non-linear Quantification of the Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia Using Support Vector Machines
Authors: Morales John , Borzée Pascal , Testelmans Dries , Buyse Bertien , Van Huffel Sabine , Varon Carolina
Published: February 2021

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is a form of cardiorespiratory coupling. It is observed as changes in the heart rate in synchrony with the respiration. RSA has been hypothesized to be due to a combination of linear and nonlinear effects. The quantification of the latter, in turn, has been suggested as a biomarker to improve the assessment of several conditions and diseases. In this study, a framework to quantify RSA using support vector machines is presented. The methods are based on multivariate autoregressive models, in which the present samples of the heart rate variability are predicted as combinations of past samples of the respiration. The selection and tuning of a kernel in these models allows to solve the regression problem taking into account only the linear components, or both the linear and the nonlinear ones. The methods are tested in simulated data as well as in a dataset of polysomnographic studies taken from 110 obstructive sleep apnea patients. In the simulation, the methods were able to capture the nonlinear components when a weak cardiorespiratory coupling occurs. When the coupling increases, the nonlinear part of the coupling is not detected and the interaction is found to be of linear nature. The trends observed in the application in real data show that, in the studied dataset, the proposed methods captured a more prominent linear interaction than the nonlinear one.
The Integration and Development of Piano Art and Media Education and Its Influence on the Long-Term Care and Happiness of the Elderly People
Authors: Chen Xuan , Huang Fangwei , Wang Yingfeng
Published: February 2021

To analyze the influence of the integration of piano art and media on long-term care of the elderly in the aging society, and to improve the living standard and happiness of the elderly, based on educational psychology, several scales of self-compiled personal information, the Ackerson personality inventory, and the memorial university of Newfoundland happiness scale were introduced for statement, and questionnaire method was adopted for information collection. Then, the mechanism of the integration of piano art and media on the happiness of the elderly was summarized. The results showed that there were significant differences in the happiness of the elderly in terms of monthly average income, economic pressure, health status, and living conditions. The happiness of the elderly with a monthly income of more than 5,000 yuan was significantly higher than that of the elderly with a monthly income of <3,000 yuan (p < 0.05). The happiness of the elderly with low economic pressure was significantly higher than that of the elderly with high economic pressure (p < 0.05). The happiness of the elderly with good living conditions was significantly higher than that of the elderly with ordinary living conditions (p < 0.05). The happiness score and positive experience (PE) of the elderly with learning over 5 years were significantly higher than those with learning <5 years and the non-piano learning group (p < 0.05). The total score of happiness in the piano learning group was significantly positively correlated with positive affection (PA) and PE, and negatively correlated with neuroticism and psychosis (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the piano art learning process based on educational psychology can improve the subjective well-being of the elderly. In addition, the elderly who have been exposed to piano art for a long time are more active in life. Piano art edification is an important factor affecting the psychological well-being of the elderly. The research has a good guiding significance for improving the happiness of the elderly.
Pronouns Are as Sensitive to Structural Constraints as Reflexives in Early Processing: Evidence From Visual World Paradigm Eye-Tracking
Authors: Han Chung-hye , Moulton Keir , Block Trevor , Gendron Holly , Nederveen Sander
Published: February 2021

A number of studies in the extant literature report findings that suggest asymmetry in the way reflexive and pronoun anaphors are interpreted in the early stages of processing: that pronouns are less sensitive to structural constraints, as formulated by Binding Theory, than reflexives, in the initial antecedent retrieval process. However, in previous visual world paradigm eye-tracking studies, these conclusions were based on sentences that placed the critical anaphors within picture noun phrases or prepositional phrases, which have independently been shown not to neatly conform to the Binding Theory principles. We present results from a visual world paradigm eye-tracking experiment that show that when critical anaphors are placed in the indirect object position immediately following a verb as a recipient argument, pronoun and reflexive processing are equally sensitive to structural constraints.
Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Behavior of Families in Italy: A Focus on Children and Adolescents
Authors: Uccella Sara , De Grandis Elisa , De Carli Fabrizio , D'Apruzzo Maria , Siri Laura , Preiti Deborah , Di Profio Sonia , Rebora Serena , Cimellaro Paola , Biolcati Rinaldi Alessandra , Venturino Cristina , Petralia Paolo , Ramenghi Luca Antonio , Nobili Lino
Published: February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed individuals' lifestyles to a great extent, particularly in Italy. Although many concerns about it have been highlighted, its impact on children and adolescents has scarcely been examined. The purpose of this study was to explore behavioral consequences and coping strategies related to the pandemic among families in Italy, by focusing on developmental ages from the caregivers' perspective, 3 weeks into quarantine. An exploratory cross-sectional online survey was conducted over 14 days. Google Forms was employed to conduct the survey. Demographic variables and pre-existing Psychological Weaknesses (PsW) were asked. Adults' sleep difficulties (SleepScore) and coping strategies during quarantine were assessed. Behavioral changes related to quarantine of both subjects completing the form (COVIDStress) and their children (when present) were questioned. Of the 6,871 respondents, we selected 6,800 valid questionnaires; 3,245 declared children aged under 18 years of age (caregivers). PsWs were recognizable in 64.9% among non-caregivers and in 61.5% of caregivers, with a mean PsW score of 1.42 ± 1.26 and 1.30 ± 1.25 over 3 points, respectively. The 95.5% of the non-caregivers and the 96.5% of caregivers presented behavioral changes with a mean COVIDStress of 3.85 ± 1.82 and 4.09 ± 1.79 over 8, respectively (p<0.001). Sleep difficulties were present in the 61.6% of the non-caregivers and in the 64.4% of the caregivers (p < 0.001), who showed higher SleepScores (2.41 ± 1.26 against 2.57 ± 1.38 points over 6, p < 0.001). COVIDStress (and SleepScore) strongly correlated with PsW (p < 0.001). Caregivers observed behavioral changes in their children in the 64.3% of the <6 years old and in 72.5% of 6–18 years old. Caregivers' discomfort related to quarantine (COVIDStress, SleepScore) was strongly associated to behavioral changes in both age groups of <6 and 6–18 (p < 0.001). Presence of caregivers' coping strategies was less associated to behavioral changes in the <6 sample (p = 0.001) but not in the 6–18 (p = 0.06). The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted families in Italy with regard to behavioral changes, especially in high-risk categories with PsWs and caregivers, especially the ones with children aged <6 years. While coping strategies functioned as protective factors, a wide array of stress symptoms had implications for children's and adolescents' behaviors. It is recommended that public children welfare strategies be implemented, especially for higher-psychosocial-risk categories.
Effect of Negative Pressure Therapy on Open Abdomen Treatments. Prospective Randomized Study With Two Commercial Negative Pressure Systems
Authors: Auer Thomas , Sauseng Siegfried , Delcev Pavle , Kohek Peter
Published: February 2021

Introduction:The use of negative pressure dressings for open abdominal therapy has made a great impact on strategies for open abdominal treatment. Observed intestinal damage and developement of fistula formation raises questions about safety of commonly used systems (AB-Thera). The most common used system uses foils for shielding intestines directly from negative pressure. As an alternative a system with open pore dressing in double layer film was introduced (Suprasorb CNP) and proved to safe in animal studies. We compared the effects of this two systems on patients requiring open abdominal treatment.

Materials and methods:Patients with secondary peritonitis in at least two abdominal quadrants were included in this randomized study. Inclusion criteria were secondary peritonitis (ACS), abdominal compartment syndrome, and abdominal trauma combined with ACS and/or contaminated abdomen. Patients with active bleeding and pancreatitis were not included. We examined Mannheim peritonitis Index (MPI), bloodcount, PCT, amount of fluid collected, and morphological changes on the bowel. Data were collected on day 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Primary end point was fascial closure. Examination was terminated in case of death and damage to the abdominal organs. Groups were compared using Mann WhitneyU-test and chi square test. Trend evaluation was evaluated using an one way repeated measure analysis of variance.P-values below 0.05 was considered significat.

Results:Thirty four patients were included between August 2010 and September 2012. There were no significant difference between two groups in MPI, age, and gender. Mean duration of treatment, WBC, CRP, and abdominal closure rate were not significantly different between groups. Suprasorb CNP System collected twice more fluid than AB-Thera and decreased PCT on significantly faster rate than AB-Thera. Four patients died (11%) and four patients developed enteric fistula (11%). Closure rate was achieved in 27 out of 34 Patients (79.5%). Closure rate was not significantly different between groups.

Conclusion:The use of both systems proved to be efficient and safe. The application of well-dosed, moderate negative pressure on contaminated areas of the abdomen seems to have a lot of potential and it is worth directing greater research potential in this direction.