bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Congenital epignathus associated with a cleft palate: a case report
Authors: Lele Mutombo Fabrice , Nzanzu Kikuhe Jason , Kasereka Mwanamolo Noé , Erickson Marc H. , Wetzig Neil , Kabuyaya Kakule Médard
Published: August 2021

Background

Epignathus is a rare, benign, congenital teratoma of the hard palate with an estimated incidence of 1 in 200,000 live births. Epignathus frequently leads to a high mortality (80–100%) due to airway obstruction in the neonatal period.

Case presentation

We report a case of successful management of a rare oropharyngeal teratoma in a African newborn girl who was referred to our institute with a large protruding intraoral mass, combined with cleft palate, causing some respiratory compromise. The palatal mass was removed on the fifth day after birth, and a palatoplasty performed on day 30.

Conclusion

Epignathus is a life-threatening condition at the time of delivery. Appropriate management begins with securing the airway, followed by complete resection of the tumor.
Regulation of neuropeptide Y in body microenvironments and its potential application in therapies: a review
Authors: Zhang Yan , Liu Chu-Yun , Chen Wei-Can , Shi Yan-Chuan , Wang Cong-Mei , Lin Shu , He He-Fan
Published: August 2021

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), one of the most abundant neuropeptides in the body, is widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems and acts on the cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, and nervous systems. NPY affects the nutritional and inflammatory microenvironments through its interaction with immune cells, brain-derived trophic factor (BDNF), and angiogenesis promotion to maintain body homeostasis. Additionally, NPY has great potential for therapeutic applications against various diseases, especially as an adjuvant therapy for stem cells. In this review, we discuss the research progress regarding NPY, as well as the current evidence for the regulation of NPY in each microenvironment, and provide prospects for further research on related diseases.
On a new Wigner-Ville distribution associated with linear canonical transform
Authors: Xin Hong-Cai , Li Bing-Zhao
Published: August 2021

Linear canonical transform as a general integration transform has been considered into Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD) to show more powerful ability for non-stationary signal processing. In this paper, a new WVD associated with linear canonical transform (WVDL) and integration form of WVDL (IWVDL) are presented. First, the definition of WVDL is derived based on new autocorrelation function and some properties are investigated in details. It removes the coupling between time and time delay and lays the foundation for signal analysis and processing. Then, based on the characteristics of WVDL over time-frequency plane, a new parameter estimation method, IWVDL, is proposed for linear modulation frequency (LFM) signal. Two phase parameters of LFM signal are estimated simultaneously and the cross term can be suppressed well by integration operator. Finally, compared with classical WVD, the simulation experiments are carried out to verify its better estimation and suppression of cross term ability. Error analysis and computational cost are discussed to show superior performance compared with other WVD in linear canonical transform domain. The further application in radar imaging field will be studied in the future work.
A travel route recommendation algorithm based on interest theme and distance matching
Authors: Cheng Xi
Published: August 2021

To solve the problem of low accuracy of traditional travel route recommendation algorithm, a travel route recommendation algorithm based on interest theme and distance matching is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the real historical travel footprints of users are obtained through analysis. Then, the user’s preferences of interest theme and distance matching are proposed based on the user’s stay in each scenic spot. Finally, the optimal travel route calculation method is designed under the given travel time limit, starting point, and end point. Experiments on the real data set of the Flickr social network showed that the proposed algorithm has a higher accuracy rate and recall rate, compared with the traditional algorithm that only considers the interest theme and the algorithm which only considers the distance matching.
Anxiety, stress, and binge eating tendencies in adolescence: a prospective approach
Authors: Lim Michele C. , Parsons Sam , Goglio Alessia , Fox Elaine
Published: August 2021

Background

Recent years have witnessed an increasing prevalence of binge eating tendencies in adolescence—warranting a clearer understanding of their underlying predisposing and precipitating factors. The current study investigated whether the interaction between high levels of anxiety and stress predicted increased levels of binge eating tendencies in a prospective cohort of adolescents (N = 324).

Methods

Measurements were taken over three waves (M ages: 13.33, 14.48, 15.65) as part of the CogBIAS Longitudinal Study. Longitudinal associations between levels of anxiety and stress with binge eating tendencies were estimated using a random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM), which calculates within-person fluctuations over time while accounting for individual trait-like stability and between-person variations. Binge eating tendencies were measured by the Cognitive Restraint, Uncontrolled Eating, and Emotional Eating styles from the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18. Two models were created for each binge eating tendencies variable: (1) a basic model with anxiety and stress as independent variables; (2) an interaction model with an additional anxiety*stress interaction term. Model fit was assessed by SEM fit indices: X2, CFI, NFI, TLI, RMSEA, SRMR. Superior model fit was ascertained by a chi-square difference test (p < .05).

Results

For Cognitive Restraint, the interaction model demonstrated superior fit to the data (p < .05). The anxiety*stress interaction at Waves 1 and 2 was significantly negatively associated with Cognitive Restraint at Waves 2 (β = −0.18, p = .002) and 3 (β = −0.14, p = .002)—suggesting that anxiety and stress interacted to predict increased binge eating tendencies linked with cognitive restraint over and above their independent effects. In contrast, the interaction term between anxiety*stress did not predict levels of Uncontrolled Eating or Emotional Eating over time.

Conclusions

The results highlight the importance of increasing awareness of the interaction between concurrently high anxiety and stress as a potential risk factor for binge eating tendencies in young people.

Trial registration

Not applicable.
Right temporal variant frontotemporal dementia is pathologically heterogeneous: a case-series and a systematic review
Authors: Ulugut Hulya , Dijkstra Anke A. , Scarioni Marta ,   Netherlands Brain Bank, Barkhof Frederik , Scheltens Philip , Rozemuller Annemieke J. M. , Pijnenburg Yolande A. L.
Published: August 2021

Although the right temporal variant frontotemporal dementia (rtvFTD) is characterised by distinct clinical and radiological features, its underlying histopathology remains elusive. Being considered a right-sided variant of semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), TDP-43 type C pathology has been linked to the syndrome, but this has not been studied in detail in large cohorts. In this case report and systematic review, we report the autopsy results of five subjects diagnosed with rtvFTD from our cohort and 44 single rtvFTD subjects from the literature. Macroscopic pathological evaluation of the combined results revealed that rtvFTD demonstrated either a frontotemporal or temporal evolution, even if the degeneration started in the right temporal lobe initially. FTLD-TDP type C was the most common underlying pathology in rtvFTD, however, in 64% of rtvFTD, other underlying pathologies than FTLD-TDP type C were present, such as Tau-MAPT and FTLD-TDP type A and B. Additionally, accompanying motor neuron or corticospinal tract degeneration was observed in 28% of rtvFTD patients. Our results show that in contrast to the general assumption, rtvFTD might not be a pure FTLD-TDP type C disorder, unlike its left temporal counterpart svPPA. Large sample size pathological studies are warranted to understand the diverse pathologies of the right and left temporal variants of frontotemporal dementia.
Applying the PECSL: using case studies to demonstrate the Pedagogy of Experience Complexity for Smart Learning
Authors: Lister Pen
Published: August 2021

This paper discusses the uses and applications of the Pedagogy of Experience Complexity for Smart Learning (PECSL), a four-tier model of considerations for the design and development of smart learning activities. Using existing mobile apps and relevant activities as illustrative examples, the PECSL is applied to indicate concepts and mechanisms by which useful pedagogical considerations can work alongside user-centred design principles for the design and development of smart learning in urban hyper-localities. Practical application of the model is discussed using real world examples of activities as a basis to demonstrate the potential for manifold opportunities to learn, and plan for experience complexity in a smart learning activity. Case study approaches reflect on aspects of the PECSL in how it might be a useful and pragmatic guide to some of the issues faced when designing digital citizen learning activities in complex urban environments.
The development and validation of prognostic models for overall survival in the presence of missing data in the training dataset: a strategy with a detailed example
Authors: Royle Kara-Louise , Cairns David A.
Published: August 2021

Background

The United Kingdom Myeloma Research Alliance (UK-MRA) Myeloma Risk Profile is a prognostic model for overall survival. It was trained and tested on clinical trial data, aiming to improve the stratification of transplant ineligible (TNE) patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Missing data is a common problem which affects the development and validation of prognostic models, where decisions on how to address missingness have implications on the choice of methodology.

Methods

Model building

The training and test datasets were the TNE pathways from two large randomised multicentre, phase III clinical trials. Potential prognostic factors were identified by expert opinion. Missing data in the training dataset was imputed using multiple imputation by chained equations. Univariate analysis fitted Cox proportional hazards models in each imputed dataset with the estimates combined by Rubin’s rules. Multivariable analysis applied penalised Cox regression models, with a fixed penalty term across the imputed datasets. The estimates from each imputed dataset and bootstrap standard errors were combined by Rubin’s rules to define the prognostic model.

Model assessment

Calibration was assessed by visualising the observed and predicted probabilities across the imputed datasets. Discrimination was assessed by combining the prognostic separation D-statistic from each imputed dataset by Rubin’s rules.

Model validation

The D-statistic was applied in a bootstrap internal validation process in the training dataset and an external validation process in the test dataset, where acceptable performance was pre-specified.

Development of risk groups

Risk groups were defined using the tertiles of the combined prognostic index, obtained by combining the prognostic index from each imputed dataset by Rubin’s rules.

Results

The training dataset included 1852 patients, 1268 (68.47%) with complete case data. Ten imputed datasets were generated. Five hundred twenty patients were included in the test dataset. The D-statistic for the prognostic model was 0.840 (95% CI 0.716–0.964) in the training dataset and 0.654 (95% CI 0.497–0.811) in the test dataset and the corrected D-Statistic was 0.801.

Conclusion

The decision to impute missing covariate data in the training dataset influenced the methods implemented to train and test the model. To extend current literature and aid future researchers, we have presented a detailed example of one approach. Whilst our example is not without limitations, a benefit is that all of the patient information available in the training dataset was utilised to develop the model.

Trial registration

Both trials were registered; Myeloma IX-ISRCTN68454111, registered 21 September 2000. Myeloma XI-ISRCTN49407852, registered 24 June 2009.
Assessment of anxiety and depression among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Thailand during the first wave of the pandemic: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Thaweerat Wajana , Pongpirul Wannarat Amornnimit , Prasithsirikul Wisit
Published: August 2021

Anxiety and depression in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Thailand during the first wave of the pandemic were investigated. Thai version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was chosen as an instrument for evaluation. Thirty-two voluntary participants completed the questionnaire. Three (9.4%) respondents had abnormal anxiety sub-scale scores while no respondents had abnormal depression sub-scale scores. There was no statistical demographic difference between the anxiety and non-anxiety groups.
Prevalence of dog-mediated rabies in Ethiopia: a systematic review and Meta-analysis from 2010 to 2020
Authors: Belete Shiret , Meseret Melke , Dejene Haileyesus , Assefa Ayalew
Published: August 2021

Background

Ethiopia accommodates the second largest number of human rabies deaths in Africa. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize and pool estimates of dog-mediated rabies status in Ethiopia.

Methods

Published researches between 2010 and 2020 were comprehensively searched and the required information was extracted. The prevalence was estimated using the random-effects meta-analysis because higher heterogeneity between studies was expected.

Results

The pooled estimate of rabies was 32% (95% CI: 19–46%), with individual study prevalence estimates ranged from 1 to 78%. Studies were approximately weighted equally with individual weight ranging from 5.19–5.28%. Subgroup analysis indicated that the random pooled prevalence of rabies was 28% (95% CI: 0–81%) in animals and 33% (95% CI: 20–47%) in humans. Furthermore, a subgroup analysis across regions indicated that the pooled prevalence was 78% in Addis Ababa, 46% in Oromia, 40% in Tigray and 5% in Amhara regional states. No single study was reported from the country’s eastern and southern parts to be included in this meta-analysis.

Conclusion

The estimated pooled rabies prevalence was found high and showed varying among study regions. Therefore, focusing on mass dog vaccination campaigns and public awareness should be implemented to control the disease.
Potential role of susceptibility-weighted imaging in the diagnosis of non-neoplastic pediatric neurological diseases
Authors: Abdelrahman Ahmed S. , Abbas Yasser A. , Abdelwahab Sarah M. , Khater Nivan Hany
Published: August 2021

Background

This study aimed to assess the added value and current applications of SWI in the diagnosis of pediatric non-neoplastic neurological diseases, including its ability to characterize hemorrhage in various brain lesions and its important role in the evaluation of both arterial as well as venous ischemic brain lesions.

Results

Forty pediatric patients with a median age of 9 years were included in our prospective study; 23 were males and 17 females. SWI had a significantly higher detection rate than conventional MRI for traumatic brain injury (TBI) lesions, hemorrhagic lesions in acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANEC), and cavernoma lesions (p = 0.005, p = 0.038, and p = 0.046, respectively). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of SWI for the detection of venous ischemic insult was 88.9%, 50%, and 76.9% respectively. SWI was significantly better than the conventional MRI (p = 0.046) for the detection of chronic ischemic brain insults and ischemic lesions with added hemorrhagic components.

Conclusion

SWI is a technique with reasonable acquisition time that could improve the diagnostic performance of MRI for the evaluation of various pediatric non-neoplastic neurological diseases.
Diffusion-weighted imaging or MR spectroscopy: Which to use for the assessment of the response to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients?
Authors: Mansour Sahar , Selim Ashraf , Kassam Loay , Adel Mirna , Hashem Aya Bassam
Published: August 2021

Background

Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) and MR spectroscopy (MRS) both are noninvasive MR sequences that could be used as a reliable tool to assess the functional behavior of the breast cancer. The aim of the study was to assess the value of DWI and MRS in predicting the early response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and absence of residual disease after treatment.

Results

One hundred thirty-three patients diagnosed with breast cancer and scheduled for NAC were enrolled in this study. All lesions were subjected to qualitative and quantitative analysis of DCE-MRI, DWI and MRS, where the lesions size, kinetic parameters, ADC values and MRS choline peak were recorded before the start of NAC and after completion of chemotherapy. The results of each MRI modality were correlated with the findings that were found at the pathology report of the complete surgical specimen. The sensitivity and specificity of the MR modalities to predict pathological complete remission post-NAC were 73.68% and 83.33%, respectively, using the kinetic curve pattern, 78.95% and 83.33%, respectively, using the ADC value and finally 78.95% and 91.67%, respectively, using the MRS choline peak. Similar sensitivity (89.47%) to predict pathological complete remission was presented by the ADC value and the MRS choline peak together when compared to the ADC value and dynamic curve patterns.

Conclusion

DWI and MRS are valuable MRI techniques and their accuracy in detecting residual disease is almost similar to that of DCE MRI. The inclusion of these sequences in the imaging protocol of NAC candidates improve monitoring of the response to treatment and allow early distinction between complete, partial and non-responders' cases in breast cancer patients.
Champions for improved adherence to guidelines in long-term care homes: a systematic review
Authors: Hall Amanda M. , Flodgren Gerd M. , Richmond Helen L. , Welsh Sheila , Thompson Jacqueline Y. , Furlong Bradley M. , Sherriff Andrea
Published: August 2021

Background

The champion model is increasingly being adopted to improve uptake of guideline-based care in long-term care (LTC). Studies suggest that an on-site champion may improve the quality of care residents’ health outcomes. This review assessed the effectiveness of the champion on staff adherence to guidelines and subsequent resident outcomes in LTC homes.

Method

This was a systematic review and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials. Eligible studies included residents aged 65 or over and nursing staff in LTC homes where there was a stand-alone or multi-component intervention that used a champion to improve staff adherence to guidelines and resident outcomes. The measured outcomes included staff adherence to guidelines, resident health outcomes, quality of life, adverse events, satisfaction with care, or resource use. Study quality was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool; evidence certainty was assessed using the GRADE approach.

Results

After screening 4367 citations, we identified 12 articles that included the results of 1 RCT and 11 cluster-RCTs. All included papers evaluated the effects of a champion as part of a multicomponent intervention. We found low certainty evidence that champions as part of multicomponent interventions may improve staff adherence to guidelines. Effect sizes varied in magnitude across studies including unadjusted risk differences (RD) of 4.1% [95% CI: − 3%, 9%] to 44.8% [95% CI: 32%, 61%] for improving pressure ulcer prevention in a bed and a chair, respectively, RD of 44% [95% CI: 17%, 71%] for improving depression identification and RD of 21% [95% CI: 12%, 30%] for improving function-focused care to residents.

Conclusion

Champions may improve staff adherence to evidence-based guidelines in LTC homes. However, methodological issues and poor reporting creates uncertainty around these findings. It is premature to recommend the widespread use of champions to improve uptake of guideline-based care in LTC without further study of the champion role and its impact on cost.

Trial registration

PROSPERO CRD42019145579. Registered on 20 August 2019.
Mask filtering to the Wigner-Ville distribution
Authors: Alsalmi Haifa , Wang Yanghua
Published: August 2021

The Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD) is a high-resolution time-frequency spectral analysis method for nonstationary signals; yet, it suffers from cross-term interference among signal components. We proposed applying a masking filter directly to the WVD time-frequency spectrum to suppress the cross-term interference. Conventional methods for suppressing interference include the smoothed pseudo-WVD (SP-WVD) method, which incorporates smooth filtering in the time and frequency directions. We exploited the SP-WVD spectrum as a reference to design the masking filter; thus, the mask-filtered WVD (MF-WVD) procedure is data-adaptive. The MF-WVD method preserves the high-resolution energy concentration in the spectrum portrayed by the standard WVD, while suppressing the cross-term interference cleanly as in the SP-WVD method. Applying the MF-WVD method to field 3D seismic data generates high-resolution spectral cubes for various frequencies, and these spectral cubes may be used intuitively for detecting reservoir-related characteristics.
Evaluation of hydromorphological conditions of Grand Popo Beach using two unique video cameras
Authors: Arnaud KoueKam K. , Bonou Frédéric , Sohou Zacharie , Angnuureng Donatus B. , Almar Rafael
Published: August 2021

Beaches are characterized by complex spatial and temporal patterns of erosion and accretion subjected to significant wave and tide influence. The objective of this study is to estimate the evolution of hydromorphodynamic conditions on the shoreline of Grand Popo Beach observed from two adjacent video camera setups. We have analyzed the impact of the variability of hydrodynamic parameters on the beach evolution and evaluated the variabilities of the hydrodynamic and morphologic parameters from the two cameras. Despite the nonhomogeneity within the cameras’ intrinsic properties, the various results obtained from the two systems indicate that wave conditions (peak period and significant height) from the cameras have the same variations, whereas the shoreline variations of camera A are not the same as those of camera B. It is generally during the summer that the Grand Popo Beach is exposed to an agitated environment with strong observed values of significant wave heights and wave energy flux, undoubtedly resulting in significant sediment transport along the beach leading a shoreline retreat. The results indicate that in 3.5 years the shoreline of Grand Popo Beach has retreated by 10 m.
Use of olanzapine compared with clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia in a real-world setting: nationwide register-based study
Authors: Jo Young Tak , Joo Sung Woo , Ahn Soojin , Choi Youngjae , Lee Jungsun
Published: August 2021

Background

Clozapine is generally considered as the treatment of choice for patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). However, its superiority has recently been questioned because olanzapine has been suggested as non-inferior to clozapine in its effectiveness.

Aims

We aimed to investigate the current status of clozapine prescriptions to identify any disparity between clinical guidelines and real-world practices.

Method

In this study, we utilised the Health Insurance Review Agency database in the Republic of Korea to investigate the real-world effectiveness of clozapine for patients with TRS. We compared differences in patient variables before and after clozapine administration, and we also performed survival analyses for both psychiatric admissions and emergency room visits among patients who used clozapine or olanzapine.

Results

This study investigated an incident cohort of 64 442 patients, and 2338 patients have been prescribed clozapine. Of these, 998 patients had TRS. In survival analysis, clozapine showed a worse survival rate for psychiatric admissions than olanzapine (hazard ratio 0.615). We also identified that clinicians tended to try a number of antipsychotics, as recommended, before starting patients on clozapine.

Conclusions

In conclusion, we found that olanzapine led to higher survival rates for psychiatric admissions than clozapine. Thus, considering the risk of serious adverse effects, clozapine may be used conservatively. Considering several studies advocating superior efficacy of clozapine, further studies with extensive data are recommended.
Patterns of Palliative Radiotherapy Utilization for Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer in Harare, Zimbabwe
Authors: Mushonga Melinda , Nyakabau Anna Mary , Ndlovu Ntokozo , Iyer Hari Subramaniam , Bellon Jennifer Ruth , Kanda Caroline , Ndarukwa-Jambwa Sandra , Chipidza Fallon , Makunike-Mutasa Rudo , Muchuweti David , Muguti Edwin G. , Cluff Elmore Shekinah Nefreteri
Published: August 2021

PURPOSE

In sub-Saharan Africa, radiotherapy (RT) utilization and delivery patterns have not been extensively studied in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of female patients with metastatic breast cancer seen at Parirenyatwa Radiotherapy Centre in Zimbabwe from 2014 to 2018 was conducted. Demographics, pathology, staging, and treatment data were abstracted through chart review. Fisher's exact test and chi-squared test of independence were used to compare proportions, and independent two-sample t-tests were used to compare means.

RESULTS

Of 351 patients with breast cancer, 152 (43%) had metastatic disease, median age 51 years (interquartile range: 43-61 years). Of those with metastatic disease, 30 patients (20%) received radiation to various metastatic sites: 16 spine; three nonspine bone metastases; six whole brain; and five chest wall or supraclavicular. Patients who received radiation were younger (46 v 52 years; P = .019), but did not differ significantly by performance status than those who did not. The most common dose prescription was 30 Gy in 10 fractions (33%). Five (17%) patients had treatment interruption and two (7%) had treatment noncompletion. Province of origin and clinical tumor stage were significant predictors of RT receipt ( P = .002; and P = .018, respectively).

CONCLUSION

A minority of patients with metastatic breast cancer received RT (20%), and these were likely to be younger, with advanced tumor stage, and resided in provinces where RT is available. Conventional courses were generally prescribed. There is a need to strongly consider palliative RT as an option for patients with metastatic breast cancer and use of hypofractionated courses (e.g. 8 Gy in one fraction) may support this goal.
Depression, Anxiety, and Other Mental Disorders in Patients With Cancer in Low- and Lower-Middle–Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Walker Zoe J. , Xue Siqi , Jones Michael P. , Ravindran Arun V.
Published: August 2021

PURPOSE

Cancer is a growing public health issue in low- and lower-middle–income countries (LLMICs), but the mental health consequences in this setting have not been well-characterized. We aimed to systematically evaluate the available literature on the prevalence, associates, and treatment of mental disorders in patients with cancer in LLMICs.

METHODS

We systematically searched Medline, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINAHL. We performed a random effects meta-analysis to determine the pooled prevalence of major depression or anxiety disorders in this population, defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or International Classification of Diseases criteria. We qualitatively reviewed studies that examined the prevalence of depressive or anxiety disorders defined by self-report tools, the prevalence of other mental disorders, associated factors of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and the treatment of mental disorders in this population.

RESULTS

Forty studies spanning a 15-year period were included in the review. The pooled prevalence defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or International Classification of Diseases criteria was 21% for major depression (95% CI, 15 to 28) and 18% for anxiety disorders (95% CI, 8 to 30). Depressive and anxiety symptoms were most frequently associated with advanced disease and low levels of education. Among the four studies evaluating treatment, three evaluated the effectiveness of psychotherapy and one evaluated a yoga program.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with cancer generally appears higher in LLMICs than in upper-income countries. Our findings demonstrate the existence of a significant and underappreciated disease burden. We suggest that clinicians remain vigilant to psychiatric symptoms. Improved screening and treatment are likely to improve quality of life and reduce both morbidity and mortality.
Clinical Characteristics and Incidences of Benign and Malignant Insulinoma Using a National Inpatient Database in Japan
Authors: Kurakawa Kayo Ikeda , Okada Akira , Manaka Katsunori , Konishi Takaaki , Jo Taisuke , Ono Sachiko , Uda Kazuaki , Michihata Nobuaki , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Yamaguchi Satoko , Yamauchi Toshimasa , Nangaku Masaomi , Yasunaga Hideo , Kadowaki Takashi
Published: August 2021

Context

Insulinoma is the most common pancreatic functional neuroendocrine neoplasm, yet little information on recent clinical practice in patients with insulinoma, especially malignant insulinoma, is available.

Objective

This work aims to clarify the characteristics and practice patterns in patients with insulinoma using a national inpatient database.

Methods

Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, we retrospectively identified patients with insulinoma admitted between 2010 and 2018. We compared background characteristics and therapeutic interventions between patients with benign and malignant insulinoma. We also estimated the incidence of insulinoma using the number of patients with newly diagnosed insulinoma in 2012.

Results

We identified 844 patients with benign insulinoma and 102 patients with malignant insulinoma. Patients with malignant insulinoma were younger (median, 55.5 vs 66.0 years, P < .001) and less likely to be female (55.9% vs 65.3%, P = .061) than patients with benign insulinoma. Analysis of therapeutic interventions revealed that patients with malignant insulinoma more frequently received medications (71.6% vs 49.6%, P < .001) but less frequently underwent pancreatic surgery (57.8% vs 72.0%, P = .003). Older patients were a smaller proportion of those undergoing surgery and a larger proportion of those managed with medications without surgery (P < .001). The incidence of insulinoma was estimated to be 3.27 (95% CI, 2.93-3.61) individuals per million Japanese adult population per year.

Conclusion

The present study using a nationwide database had a larger sample size than previous studies and revealed definitive differences in patient characteristics and therapeutic patterns between benign and malignant insulinoma.
The Politics of Decolonial Investigations
Authors: Mignolo Walter D.
Published: August 2021

In The Politics of Decolonial Investigations Walter D. Mignolo provides a sweeping examination of how coloniality has operated around the world in its myriad forms from the sixteenth century to the twenty-first. Decolonial border thinking allows Mignolo to outline how the combination of the self-fashioned narratives of Western civilization and the hegemony of Eurocentric thought served to eradicate all knowledges in non-European languages and praxes of living and being. Mignolo also traces the geopolitical origins of racialized and gendered classifications, modernity, globalization, and cosmopolitanism, placing them all within the framework of coloniality. Drawing on the work of theorists and decolonial practitioners from the Global South and the Global East, Mignolo shows how coloniality has provoked the emergence of decolonial politics initiated by delinking from all forms of Western knowledge and subjectivities. The urgent task, Mignolo stresses, is the epistemic reconstitution of categories of thought and praxes of living destituted in the very process of building Western civilization and the idea of modernity. The overcoming of the long-lasting hegemony of the West and its distorted legacies is already underway in all areas of human existence. Mignolo underscores the relevance of the politics of decolonial investigations, in and outside the academy, to liberate ourselves from canonized knowledge, ways of knowing, and praxes of living.
Identification of qPCR reference genes suitable for normalising gene expression in the developing mouse embryo
Authors: Hildyard John C.W. , Wells Dominic J. , Piercy Richard J.
Published: August 2021

Background: Progression through mammalian embryogenesis involves many interacting cell types and multiple differentiating cell lineages. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis of gene expression in the developing embryo is a valuable tool for deciphering these processes, but normalisation to stably-expressed reference genes is essential for such analyses. Gene expression patterns change globally and dramatically as embryonic development proceeds, rendering identification of consistently appropriate reference genes challenging.

Methods: We have investigated expression stability in mouse embryos from mid to late gestation (E11.5–E18.5), both at the whole-embryo level, and within the head and forelimb specifically, using 15 candidate reference genes (ACTB, 18S, SDHA, GAPDH, HTATSF1, CDC40, RPL13A, CSNK2A2, AP3D1, HPRT1, CYC1, EIF4A, UBC, B2M and PAK1IP1), and four complementary algorithms (geNorm, Normfinder, Bestkeeper and deltaCt).

Results: Unexpectedly, all methods suggest that many genes within our candidate panel are acceptable references, though AP3D1, RPL13A and PAK1IP1 are the strongest performing genes overall. HPRT1 and B2M are conversely poor choices, and show strong developmental regulation. We further show that normalisation using our three highest-scoring references can reveal subtle patterns of developmental expression even in genes ostensibly ranked as acceptably stable (CDC40, HTATSF1).

Conclusion: AP3D1, RPL13A and PAK1IP1 represent universally suitable reference genes for expression studies in the E11.5-E18.5 mouse embryo.
SCREENING OF COLLECTION SAMPLES OF OATS BY RESISTANCE TO DAMAGE OF A DUST SMUT IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE MIDDLE VOLGA
Authors: Mishen'kina Ol'ga
Published: August 2021

Studies to identify the sources of resistance to dust smut among the collection samples of oats of various ecological and geographical origin, and varieties and breeding lines created in Ulyanovsk Research Institute of Agriculture, were performed on an artificial infectious background of Ulyanovsk Research Institute of Agriculture in the Middle Volga region in 2016-2018. 36 samples were studied that showed varying degrees of resistance-susceptibility to the harmful pathogen, including five varieties with identified resistance genes to diseases caused by smut fungi Ustilago avenae (Pers.) Rostr. and Ustilago kolleri Wille. Allur variety susceptible to dust smut was used as a universal indicator. The indicator variety over the years of research on average was affected by-44.4 %, with the lowest value in 2018 - 25.6 % and the maximum in 2017-58.1 %, when the conditions for the development of the disease were the best. Most of the oat samples studied showed varying degrees of resistance to Ulyanovsk dust smut population: 9 samples were immune, 14 were practically resistant. A significant proportion of stable genotypes were collected samples whose country of origin is the United States (52.2 %) and varieties of local selection (12.7 %). Of particular interest are the stable naked forms of oats, including the new variety of oat Griva. It has shown a high degree of stability over all the years of testing. Weak and medium susceptibility was characterized by 8 and 3 samples, respectively. Severe dust smut damage, over 50 %, was observed in two samples
DESCRIPTION OF THE PARAMETERS OF THE ELLIPSE NEEDLE DISC OF THE SOIL PROCESSING TOOL
Authors: Aliakberov Il'fat , Yakhin Sergey , Nuriev Lenar
Published: August 2021

Due to the well-known advantages, rotary tillage implements are widely used in the cultivation of many agricultural crops. Structurally, the working units of rotary implements are located (installed) on the frame, as a rule, sequentially one after the other. This reduces the maneuverability of the tillage unit, increases the material consumption of the implement and the energy consumption of the technological operation. In the rotary tillage tool developed at Kazan State Agrarian University for pre-sowing soil cultivation, these disadvantages are eliminated by installing a spiral-screw working unit and a section of active ellipsoidal needle disks on the frame coaxially. The research was carried out in order to determine and substantiate the design parameters of the elliptical needle disk. A theoretical dependence is obtained to substantiate the angle α of inclination of the major axis of the ellipsoid disk to the axis of rotation. It was revealed that its rational value must correspond to the condition: α> 44°…62°. An expression for determining the number of needles on a disk is given. The calculation carried out with a disk diameter D= 0.4 m, an angle α= 65 °, an indicator of a kinematic mode λ= 2, a mulching depth a= 0.04 m, a ridging h= 0.004 m showed that a rational number of needles per disc k= 16. Analytically, a theoretical expression for determining the angle of inclination of the needles to the axis of rotation has been derived. The calculation performed at α= 65 ° revealed that the first needle is inclined to the axis of rotation at a minimum angle jmin= 65 °, the fifth and thirteenth needles are inclined to the axis of rotation at an angle of 90 °, the ninth needle is inclined to the axis of rotation at a maximum angle jmax= 115 °. Also obtained are theoretical dependences for determining the angle of attachment of the needles on the hub and the length of the needles along the entire perimeter of the disk. The calculation showed that each needle is fixed on the disc hub at its calculated angle of inclination, equal to 29.0°...32.6°, and the length of the needles along the perimeter of the hub varies within 0.1372 ... 0.1503 m
Intestinal Spirochetosis in an HIV-positive Patient
Authors: Trinidad Pereira Massimiliano Guillermo , Martínez Antolinos Consuelo , Canosa Fernandez Adriana , Martinez Alfaro Elisa , Solís García del Pozo Julián
Published: August 2021

We present the case of an HIV-positive patient admitted because of costal pain secondary to neoplasia. During investigations, a colonoscopy showed non-specific ulcerations. Histological examination resulted in a diagnosis of intestinal spirochetosis. This infection can be asymptomatic or cause non-specific symptoms such as diarrhoea or abdominal pain. Intestinal spirochetosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of colon lesions in patients with HIV infection.
Advance care planning in multiple sclerosis: reflections of a palliative care physician
Authors: Petersen Lorraine
Published: August 2021

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a long illness trajectory punctuated by serious acute events, with a later stage that is often accompanied by cognitive impairment. There is ample time for advance care planning (ACP) discussions. While there is much to be learned about the optimal way to approach ACP for people living with MS, it is possible to approach these discussions sensitively at all stages of the condition. However, as such voluntary discussions currently lie outside usual practice, people living with MS are denied the opportunities to consider the effect future medical treatments may have on their quality and length of life. How can clinicians assist in planning for a ‘good life’ and a ‘good death’?
Can multiple sclerosis nurses help reduce non-elective admissions? An analysis of a service delivery audit
Authors: Metcalfe Gale , Owen Audrey
Published: August 2021

Background:

It has been identified that nearly one-in-five people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have been admitted to hospital as a non-elective admission in 2018–2019. The average national stay is 7.7 days, at an average cost of £2844. Emergency hospital admissions for people with multiple sclerosis are rising nationally.

Method:

The authors conducted a 12-month audit of non-elective admissions across two clinical sites, comparing and contrasting the data gathered with national Hospital Episode Statistics. The outcome of the data collection influenced changes in local service delivery.

Findings:

The most common reasons identified for non-elective admissions related to MS were associated with respiratory issues (4255 admissions), with the most common single cause being urinary tract infections (2960 admissions). Bladder and bowel issues combined also accounted for 3550 admissions in 2018/19.

Conclusion:

The data identified urinary tract infections and sepsis as the largest presentation of non-elective MS admissions to both trusts. Certain recommendations have been made that will contribute to the improvement of service delivery and better quality care.
Popüler Müzik Videolarında Bedene Ait Normlar, Göstergeler ve Kodlar
Authors: Çalışkan Faruk , Karahasanoğlu Songül , Yavuz Elif , Kaya Arda
Published: August 2021

Bugün müzikle olan ilişkimiz duyuma dayalı bir deneyimden fazlasına işaret eder. Ses ile kazanılan düzeye görselliğin de eklenmesi, müziği sadece dinlenilen bir araç olmanın ötesine geçirir. Müzik videoları da bu deneyim dünyasının en çok anlam ve mesaj içeren ögesidir. Özellikle 1980’li yıllardan bugüne sanatçı ve kitleler arasındaki her türlü iletişim düzeyinin en etkin aracısı konumundadır. Kitle iletişim araçlarının ve teknolojinin hızla gelişimiyle müzik videolarının anlam dünyası çok daha fazla mesajın, göstergenin, kodun iç içe olduğu bir etkileşim alanı oluşturur. Bu etkileşime açık unsurlardan biri de bedendir. Bu çalışmada, 2007-2017 yılları arasında seçilen müzik videolarındaki bedenle ilişkilendirilen imaj, gösterge, kod ve normların nasıl ve ne şekilde sergilendiğini, oluşturulan sorgu maddeleri üzerinden analiz edip yorumlama amacı taşır. Görünen o ki, bedenin sahip olduğu yansıtıcı potansiyeli onu bazı semiyotik anlamı olan mesajların ve fiziksel görünüme ait normların aktarıcısı konumuna getirir. Müzik videolarında beden çoğunlukla ticarileşen, sergilenen ve etkileşime yönlendiren bir etki nesnesi durumundadır. Bu çalışma da, müzik videolarının bedenin sahip olduğu dinamikleri etkileme ve inşa etmede yönlendirici potansiyelini gösterir.
Formalisation of the methodology of the construction design documents taking into account the fuzzy logic
Authors: KLASHANOV Fjodor K.
Published: August 2021

This study investigates the methodology of formalisation of the process of development of design solutions for construction using artificial intelligence methods, taking into account fuzzy logic. The relevance of the subject matter is conditioned by the need to compile a description and methodology for solving problems for which cybernetic methods are not applicable or are limited. The purpose of this study is to make recommendations for managing the development of construction project documentation based on artificial intelligence systems. The main results obtained is: considered the definition of mathematical models for calculating methodological parameters and the hierarchical structure of the project document flow. A method of effective implementation of an organisational and technological solution using its information model and a system for developing management decisions based on the results of monitoring the construction process is proposed. The prospects for further research in the stated line are conditioned by the need for further development and practical implementation of accounting methods for construction design documents to systematise accounting processes in conditions of incomplete or limited information. The applied value of this study lies in the possibility of practical application of the results obtained to optimise the maintenance of construction design documents.
Challenges and perspective with using a group of small combat unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: ZOIDZE Mamuka Ya. , SANADZE Givi O. , KRAKHMALYOV Oleksandr V. , ZINCHENKO Olena I. , BRUSENTSEV Vitalii O.
Published: August 2021

The article discusses the features of small unmanned aerial vehicles, perspectives, directions for the development of unmanned aerial vehicles with integrated combat units. The development trends of unmanned aerial vehicles indicate the direction of the use of the unmanned aerial vehicle in the group of small unmanned aerial vehicles operating on the principle of autonomous management. The main problems are related to solving management and groupwork tasks in the group, which leads to the use of group intelligence methods. The possibilities of group use of unmanned aerial vehicles are analyzed. One of the main goals of small drone technology is to create energy sources with high energy capacity and power. The exchange of information within a group of unmanned aerial vehicles requires the use of group-based intelligent methods based on self-organized decentralized management. Such methods are based on the self-organization of movement and communication in a group of insects, fish or birds. The analysis shows that the development trends of small-scale drones are primarily driven by advances in micro and nano technology, new approaches to aerodynamics and management, the creation of high-capacity power supplies and engines, creating autonomous micro and nano systems for navigation and communication using agreed integrated concepts. The direction of new technologies for use in the group of small unmanned aerial vehicles based on the principle of autonomous control is revealed. An algorithm for organizing interaction in a group of unmanned aerial vehicles is presented and the relevant tasks are discussed.
De-noising imaging through diffusers with autocorrelation
Authors: Cheng Qianqian , Guo Enlai , Gu Jie , Bai Lianfa , Han Jing , Zheng Dongliang
Published: August 2021

Recovering targets through diffusers is an important topic as well as a general problem in optical imaging. The difficulty of recovering is increased due to the noise interference caused by an imperfect imaging environment. Existing approaches generally require a high-signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) speckle pattern to recover the target, but still have limitations in de-noising or generalizability. Here, featuring information of high-SNR autocorrelation as a physical constraint, we propose a two-stage (de-noising and reconstructing) method to improve robustness based on data driving. Specifically, a two-stage convolutional neural network (CNN) called autocorrelation reconstruction (ACR) CNN is designed to de-noise and reconstruct targets from low-SNR speckle patterns. We experimentally demonstrate the robustness through various diffusers with different levels of noise, from simulative Gaussian noise to the detector and photon noise captured by the actual optical system. The de-noising stage improves the peak SNR from 20 to 38 dB in the system data, and the reconstructing stage, compared with the unconstrained method, successfully recovers targets hidden in unknown diffusers with the detector and photon noise. With the help of the physical constraint to optimize the learning process, our two-stage method is realized to improve generalizability and has potential in various fields such as imaging in low illumination.