bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Key regulators of sensitivity to immunomodulatory drugs in cancer treatment
Authors: Wang Shichao , Li Zhiyue , Gao Shaobing
Published: June 2021

Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) include thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide, which have shown significant efficacy in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with deletion of chromosome 5q (del(5q)) and other hematological malignancies. IMiDs hijack the CRL4CRBNubiquitin ligase to target cellular proteins for ubiquitination and degradation, which is responsible for their clinical activity in MM and MDS with del(5q). However, intrinsic and acquired resistance frequently limit the efficacy of IMiDs. Recently, many efforts have been made to explore key regulators of IMiD sensitivity, resulting in great advances in the understanding of the regulatory networks related to this class of drugs. In this review, we describe the mechanism of IMiDs in cancer treatment and summarize the key regulators of IMiD sensitivity. Furthermore, we introduce genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screenings, through which the regulatory networks of IMiD sensitivity could be identified.
E-Cadherin expression in human tumors: a tissue microarray study on 10,851 tumors
Authors: Burandt Eike , Lübbersmeyer Felix , Gorbokon Natalia , Büscheck Franziska , Luebke Andreas M. , Menz Anne , Kluth Martina , Hube-Magg Claudia , Hinsch Andrea , Höflmayer Doris , Weidemann Sören , Fraune Christoph , Möller Katharina , Jacobsen Frank , Lebok Patrick , Clauditz Till Sebastian , Sauter Guido , Simon Ronald , Uhlig Ria , Wilczak Waldemar , Steurer Stefan , Minner Sarah , Krech Rainer , Dum David , Krech Till , Marx Andreas Holger , Bernreuther Christian
Published: June 2021

Background

The E-Cadherin gene (CDH1, Cadherin 1), located at 16q22.1 encodes for a calcium-dependent membranous glycoprotein with an important role in cellular adhesion and polarity maintenance.

Methods

To systematically determine E-Cadherin protein expression in normal and cancerous tissues, 14,637 tumor samples from 112 different tumor types and subtypes as well as 608 samples of 76 different normal tissue types were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray format.

Results

E-Cadherin was strongly expressed in normal epithelial cells of most organs. From 77 tumor entities derived from cell types normally positive for E-Cadherin, 35 (45.5%) retained at least a weak E-Cadherin immunostaining in ≥99% of cases and 61 (79.2%) in ≥90% of cases. Tumors with the highest rates of E-Cadherin loss included Merkel cell carcinoma, anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, lobular carcinoma of the breast, and sarcomatoid and small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas of the urinary bladder. Reduced E-Cadherin expression was linked to higher grade (p = 0.0009), triple negative receptor status (p = 0.0336), and poor prognosis (p = 0.0466) in invasive breast carcinoma of no special type, triple negative receptor status in lobular carcinoma of the breast (p = 0.0454), advanced pT stage (p = 0.0047) and lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer (p < 0.0001), and was more common in recurrent than in primary prostate cancer (p < 0.0001). Of 29 tumor entities derived from E-Cadherin negative normal tissues, a weak to strong E-Cadherin staining could be detected in at least 10% of cases in 15 different tumor entities (51.7%). Tumors with the highest frequency of E-Cadherin upregulation included various subtypes of testicular germ cell tumors and renal cell carcinomas (RCC). E-Cadherin upregulation was more commonly seen in malignant than in benign soft tissue tumors (p = 0.0104) and was associated with advanced tumor stage (p = 0.0276) and higher grade (p = 0.0035) in clear cell RCC, and linked to advanced tumor stage (p = 0.0424) and poor prognosis in papillary RCC (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

E-Cadherin is consistently expressed in various epithelial cancers. Down-regulation or loss of E-Cadherin expression in cancers arising from E-Cadherin positive tissues as well as E-Cadherin neo-expression in cancers arising from E-Cadherin negative tissues is linked to cancer progression and may reflect tumor dedifferentiation.
LED light sources improved the essential oil components and antioxidant activity of two genotypes of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.)
Authors: Ahmadi Tayebeh , Shabani Leila , Sabzalian Mohammad R.
Published: June 2021

Background

Nowadays, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a new lighting technology, have been emerged as an alternative source of light for plants due to their wavelength specificity, the narrow width of their bands, small size, solid structure, long lifetime, and low heat generation. Here we investigated the effect of different LED light sources on the essential oil components and antioxidant activity of Melissa officinalis. Two genotypes of lemon balm (Ilam and Isfahan) were subjected to four artificial light treatments, including white, red, blue, red + blue LEDs, and greenhouse light as natural lighting.

Results

The LED lights significantly increased shoot fresh and dry weights and leaf number in the two genotypes as compared to greenhouse condition. The results showed that the content and composition of essential oil in the two genotypes were variable under different light treatments and the total amount of compounds in the Ilam genotype was higher than the other genotype. The results of analysis of the essential oil by GC/MS indicated that the highest amount of monoterpenes in the genotypes was related to citronellal under red + blue LED lamps (15.3 and 17.2% in Ilam and Isfahan genotypes, respectively) but blue, white, and greenhouse condition had the most effect on sesquiterpenes content in both genotypes. The results showed that the observed variation between the two genotypes in the essentials oil composition was related to the relative percentage of the constituents and not to the appearance or lack of a specific component. Red + blue lighting also provided the highest radical scavenging activity in both genotypes (80.77 and 82.09% for Ilam and Isfahan genotypes, respectively). Based on principal component analyses (PCA), three main groups were identified regarding genotypes and all light treatments.

Conclusions

Overall, results indicated that the essentials oil composition of two genotypes of lemon balm was affected both qualitatively and quantitatively by different LED light sources; hence, LED lights might be used to improve monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and antioxidant activity in the selected genotypes.
A data value metric for quantifying information content and utility
Authors: Noshad Morteza , Choi Jerome , Sun Yuming , Hero Alfred , Dinov Ivo D.
Published: June 2021

Data-driven innovation is propelled by recent scientific advances, rapid technological progress, substantial reductions of manufacturing costs, and significant demands for effective decision support systems. This has led to efforts to collect massive amounts of heterogeneous and multisource data, however, not all data is of equal quality or equally informative. Previous methods to capture and quantify the utility of data include value of information (VoI), quality of information (QoI), and mutual information (MI). This manuscript introduces a new measure to quantify whether larger volumes of increasingly more complex data enhance, degrade, or alter their information content and utility with respect to specific tasks. We present a new information-theoretic measure, called Data Value Metric (DVM), that quantifies the useful information content (energy) of large and heterogeneous datasets. The DVM formulation is based on a regularized model balancing data analytical value (utility) and model complexity. DVM can be used to determine if appending, expanding, or augmenting a dataset may be beneficial in specific application domains. Subject to the choices of data analytic, inferential, or forecasting techniques employed to interrogate the data, DVM quantifies the information boost, or degradation, associated with increasing the data size or expanding the richness of its features. DVM is defined as a mixture of a fidelity and a regularization terms. The fidelity captures the usefulness of the sample data specifically in the context of the inferential task. The regularization term represents the computational complexity of the corresponding inferential method. Inspired by the concept of information bottleneck in deep learning, the fidelity term depends on the performance of the corresponding supervised or unsupervised model. We tested the DVM method for several alternative supervised and unsupervised regression, classification, clustering, and dimensionality reduction tasks. Both real and simulated datasets with weak and strong signal information are used in the experimental validation. Our findings suggest that DVM captures effectively the balance between analytical-value and algorithmic-complexity. Changes in the DVM expose the tradeoffs between algorithmic complexity and data analytical value in terms of the sample-size and the feature-richness of a dataset. DVM values may be used to determine the size and characteristics of the data to optimize the relative utility of various supervised or unsupervised algorithms.
Analysis of Bayesian optimization algorithms for big data classification based on Map Reduce framework
Authors: Banchhor Chitrakant , Srinivasu N.
Published: June 2021

The process of big data handling refers to the efficient management of storage and processing of a very large volume of data. The data in a structured and unstructured format require a specific approach for overall handling. The classifiers analyzed in this paper are correlative naïve Bayes classifier (CNB), Cuckoo Grey wolf CNB (CGCNB), Fuzzy CNB (FCNB), and Holoentropy CNB (HCNB). These classifiers are based on the Bayesian principle and work accordingly. The CNB is developed by extending the standard naïve Bayes classifier with applied correlation among the attributes to become a dependent hypothesis. The cuckoo search and grey wolf optimization algorithms are integrated with the CNB classifier, and significant performance improvement is achieved. The resulting classifier is called a cuckoo grey wolf correlative naïve Bayes classifier (CGCNB). Also, the performance of the FCNB and HCNB classifiers are analyzed with CNB and CGCNB by considering accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, memory, and execution time.
Automatic analysis of social media images to identify disaster type and infer appropriate emergency response
Authors: Asif Amna , Khatoon Shaheen , Hasan Md Maruf , Alshamari Majed A. , Abdou Sherif , Elsayed Khaled Mostafa , Rashwan Mohsen
Published: June 2021

Social media postings are increasingly being used in modern days disaster management. Along with the textual information, the contexts and cues inherent in the images posted on social media play an important role in identifying appropriate emergency responses to a particular disaster. In this paper, we proposed a disaster taxonomy of emergency response and used the same taxonomy with an emergency response pipeline together with deep-learning-based image classification and object identification algorithms to automate the emergency response decision-making process. We used the card sorting method to validate the completeness and correctness of the disaster taxonomy. We also used VGG-16 and You Only Look Once (YOLO) algorithms to analyze disaster-related images and identify disaster types and relevant cues (such as objects that appeared in those images). Furthermore, using decision tables and applied analytic hierarchy processes (AHP), we aligned the intermediate outputs to map a disaster-related image into the disaster taxonomy and determine an appropriate type of emergency response for a given disaster. The proposed approach has been validated using Earthquake, Hurricane, and Typhoon as use cases. The results show that 96% of images were categorized correctly on disaster taxonomy using YOLOv4. The accuracy can be further improved using an incremental training approach. Due to the use of cloud-based deep learning algorithms in image analysis, our approach can potentially be useful to real-time crisis management. The algorithms along with the proposed emergency response pipeline can be further enhanced with other spatiotemporal features extracted from multimedia information posted on social media.
Determining threshold value on information gain feature selection to increase speed and prediction accuracy of random forest
Authors: Prasetiyowati Maria Irmina , Maulidevi Nur Ulfa , Surendro Kridanto
Published: June 2021

Feature selection is a pre-processing technique used to remove unnecessary characteristics, and speed up the algorithm's work process. A part of the technique is carried out by calculating the information gain value of each dataset characteristic. Also, the determined threshold rate from the information gain value is used in feature selection. However, the threshold value is used freely or through a rate of 0.05. Therefore this study proposed the threshold rate determination using the information gain value’s standard deviation generated by each feature in the dataset. The threshold value determination was tested on 10 original datasets transformed by FFT and IFFT and classified using Random Forest. On processing the transformed dataset with the proposed threshold this study resulted in lower accuracy and longer execution time compared to the same process with Correlation-Base Feature Selection (CBF) and a standard 0.05 threshold method. Similarly, the required accuracy value is lower when using transformed features. The study showed that by processing the original dataset with a standard deviation threshold resulted in better feature selection accuracy of Random Forest classification. Furthermore, by using the transformed feature with the proposed threshold excluding the imaginary numbers leads to a faster average time than the three methods compared.
Smart learning environments: a basic research towards the definition of a practical model
Authors: García-Tudela Pedro Antonio , Prendes-Espinosa Paz , Solano-Fernández Isabel María
Published: June 2021

This paper is basic research focused on the analysis of scientific advances related to Smart Learning Environments (SLE). Our main objective is to single out the common aspects to propose a new definition which will constitute the starting point to design an innovative model which we can apply to the analysis of real cases and good practices. For this, we have proposed a qualitative methodology that has been implemented in two phases: on the one hand, a documentary analysis of the existing definitions for SLE using the NVIVO program (frequency of words, coding and cross-references) and, on the other, an expert judgement by means of the Delphi method in order to validate the proposed model. The main results are reflected in the coalescence of a new definition of SLE and the proposal of the model entitled SLE-5. With the present research, we have been able to provide a model, defined in five dimensions and other key elements in SLE such as ergonomics and learning analytics, which transcends the technological-pedagogical gap of the SLE and offers a framework for the design and analysis of didactic proposals based on this model.
Citizen advisory groups for the creation and improvement of decision aids: experience from two Swiss centers for primary care
Authors: Selby Kevin , Cardinaux Regula , Metry Beatrice , de Rougemont Simone , Chabloz Janine , Meier-Herrmann Verena , Stoller Jürg , Durand Marie-Anne , Auer Reto
Published: June 2021

Background

Guidelines for patient decision aids (DA) recommend target population involvement throughout the development process, but developers may struggle because of limited resources. We sought to develop a feasible means of getting repeated feedback from users.

Methods

Between 2017 and 2020, two Swiss centers for primary care (Lausanne and Bern) created citizen advisory groups to contribute to multiple improvement cycles for colorectal, prostate and lung cancer screening DAs. Following Community Based Participatory Research principles, we collaborated with local organizations to recruit citizens aged 50 to 75 without previous cancer diagnoses. We remunerated incidental costs and participant time. One center supplemented in-person meetings by mailed paper questionnaires, while the other supplemented meetings using small-group workshops and analyses of meeting transcripts.

Results

In Lausanne, we received input from 49 participants for three DAs between 2017 and 2020. For each topic, participants gave feedback on the initial draft and 2 subsequent versions during in-person meetings with ~ 8 participants and one round of mailed questionnaires. In Bern, 10 participants were recruited among standardized patients from the university, all of whom attended in-person meetings every three months between 2017 and 2020. At both sites, numerous changes were made to the content, appearance, language, and tone of DAs and outreach materials. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the participative process.

Conclusions

Citizen advisory groups are a feasible means of repeatedly incorporating end-user feedback during the creation of multiple DAs. Methodological differences between the two centers underline the need for a flexible model adapted to local needs.
A novel approach to explore Safety-I and Safety-II perspectives in in situ simulations—the structured what if functional resonance analysis methodology
Authors: MacKinnon Ralph James , Pukk-Härenstam Karin , Kennedy Christopher , Hollnagel Erik , Slater David
Published: June 2021

Objectives

With ever increasingly complex healthcare settings, technology enhanced simulation (TES) is well positioned to explore all perspectives to enhance patient safety and patient outcomes. Analysis from a Safety-II stance requires identification of human adjustments in daily work that are key to maintaining safety. The aim of this paper is to describe an approach to explore the consequences of human variability from a Safety-II perspective and describe the added value of this to TES.

Methods

The reader is guided through a novel application of functional resonance analysis methodology (FRAM), a method to analyse how a system or activity is affected by human variability, to explore human adaptations observed in in situ simulations (ISS). The structured applicability of this novel approach to TES is described by application to empirical data from the standardised ISS management of paediatric time critical head injuries (TCHI).

Results

A case series is presented to illustrate the step-wise observation of key timings during ISSs, the construction of FRAM models and the visualisation of the propagation of human adaptations through the FRAM models. The key functions/actions that ensure the propagation are visible, as are the sequelae of the adaptations.

Conclusions

The approach as described in this paper is a first step to illuminating how to explore, analyse and observe the consequences of positive and negative human adaptations within simulated complex systems. This provides TES with a structured methodology to visualise and reflect upon both Safety-I and Safety-II perspectives to enhance patient safety and patient outcomes.
Embracing informed learner self-assessment during debriefing: the art of plus-delta
Authors: Cheng A. , Eppich W. , Epps C. , Kolbe M. , Meguerdichian M. , Grant V.
Published: June 2021

The healthcare simulation field has no shortage of debriefing options. Some demand considerable skill which serves as a barrier to more widespread implementation. The plus-delta approach to debriefing offers the advantages of conceptual simplicity and ease of implementation. Importantly, plus-delta promotes learners’ capacity for a self-assessment, a skill vital for safe clinical practice and yet a notorious deficiency in professional practice. The plus-delta approach confers the benefits of promoting uptake of debriefing in time-limited settings by educators with both fundamental but also advanced skills, and enhancing essential capacity for critical self-assessment informed by objective performance feedback. In this paper, we describe the role of plus-delta in debriefing, provide guidance for incorporating informed learner self-assessment into debriefings, and highlight four opportunities for improving the art of the plus delta: (a) exploring the big picture vs. specific performance issues, (b) choosing between single vs. double-barreled questions, (c) unpacking positive performance, and (d) managing perception mismatches.
Effects of bicarbonate/lactate-buffered neutral peritoneal dialysis fluids on angiogenesis-related proteins in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Ueno Hiromichi , Miyamoto Tetsu , Morimoto Hiroyuki , Sanada Kenya , Furuno Ikutaro , Nakazono Kazutoshi , Hasegawa Emi , Kuma Akihiro , Oginosawa Yasushi , Tsuda Yuki , Araki Masaru , Tamura Masahito , Ueta Yoichi , Otsuji Yutaka , Kataoka Masaharu
Published: June 2021

Background

In order to facilitate the safe and long-term delivery of peritoneal dialysis (PD), it is necessary to improve the biocompatibility of peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDFs). The novel bicarbonate/lactate-buffered neutral PDFs (B/L-PDFs) are expected to be improved biocompatible. This study evaluated the biocompatibility of B/L-PDFs by analysis on the profile of angiogenesis-related proteins in drained dialysate of patients undergoing PD.

Methods

Concentrations of 20 angiogenesis-related proteins in the dialysate were semi-quantitatively determined using a RayBio® Human Angiogenesis Antibody Array and were compared between B/L-PDFs and conventional lactate-buffered neutral PDFs (L-PDFs).

Results

The expression of growth-related oncogene (GRO α/β/γ), which belongs to the CXC chemokine family, decreased significantly after use of the B/L-PDFs compared to the L-PDFs (P = 0.03). The number of the proteins with lower level in the B/L-PDFs compared with L-PDFs was significantly negatively correlated with the PD duration (Spearman ρ = − 0.81, P = 0.004).

Conclusion

This study suggested that B/L-PDFs are more biocompatible than conventional PDFs.
Pretransplant dialysis treatment and vascular calcification of the iliac artery and abdominal aorta in kidney transplant patients
Authors: Nakai Kentaro , Yamamoto Shutaro , Inoue Megumi , Kohara Chiaki , Shukuri Tomoya , Motoyama Kentaro , Mitsuiki Koji
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Patients with chronic kidney disease often suffer from cardiovascular disease, and vascular calcification has been identified as one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. We aimed to examine the effect of dialysis treatment before kidney transplantation on graft survival, vascular calcification, and its progression after kidney transplantation.

Methods

Among the 102 patients who underwent kidney transplant between 2008 and 2017, two patients were excluded for moved and lost to follow-up and primary nonfunction. The clinical characteristics and laboratory data were assessed according to pretransplant treatment modality. Rapid progression of vascular calcification was defined when patients showed an increase in the highest tertile of progression of each iliac artery calcification thickness (IACT) and aortic calcification index (ACI).

Results

Cox proportional hazard models did not show any significant association between pretransplant treatment modality and graft survival to the doubling of creatinine from nadir creatinine during the first 3 months after kidney transplantation. At baseline, the IACT was significantly higher in hemodialysis patients than in preemptive kidney transplant patients, whereas the ACI was comparable among the pretransplant treatment modality groups. IACT was independently associated with dialysis vintage. There was no significant association between rapid progression of vascular calcification (IACT and ACI) and dialysis modality.

Conclusions

Dialysis modality was an independent factor related to IACT, whereas there was no legacy effect for the progression of vascular calcification after kidney transplantation.
Examining the measurement equivalence of the Maslach Burnout Inventory across age, gender, and specialty groups in US physicians
Authors: Brady Keri J. S. , Sheldrick R. Christopher , Ni Pengsheng , Trockel Mickey T. , Shanafelt Tait D. , Rowe Susannah G. , Kazis Lewis E.
Published: June 2021

Background

Disparities in US physician burnout rates across age, gender, and specialty groups as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI) are well documented. We evaluated whether disparities in US physician burnout are explained by differences in the MBI’s functioning across physician age, gender, and specialty groups.

Methods

We assessed the measurement equivalence of the MBI across age, gender, and specialty groups in multi-group item response theory- (IRT-) based differential item functioning (DIF) analyses using secondary, cross-sectional survey data from US physicians (n = 6577). We detected DIF using two IRT-based methods and assessed its impact by estimating the overall average difference in groups’ subscale scores attributable to DIF. We assessed DIF’s practical significance by comparing differences in individuals’ subscale scores and burnout prevalence estimates from models unadjusted and adjusted for DIF.

Results

We detected statistically significant age-, gender-, and specialty- DIF in all but one MBI item. However, in all cases, average differences in expected subscale-level scores due to DIF were < 0.10 SD on each subscale. Differences in physicians’ individual-level subscale scores and burnout symptom prevalence estimates across DIF- adjusted and unadjusted IRT models were also small (in all cases, mean absolute differences in individual subscale scores were < 0.04 z-score units; prevalence estimates differed by < 0.70%).

Conclusions

Age-, gender-, and specialty-related disparities in US physician burnout are not explained by differences in the MBI’s functioning across these demographic groups. Our findings support the use of the MBI as a valid tool to assess age-, gender-, and specialty-related disparities in US physician burnout.
Endotension: twenty years of a controversial term
Authors: Torres-Blanco Álvaro , Miralles-Hernández Manuel
Published: June 2021

Use of the term endotension in the treatment of aortic aneurysm is currently controversial. Initially it was proposed to define the circumstance in which there is an enlargement of the aneurysm sac after endovascular repair without a demonstrable endoleak. The term was established with the aim of transmitting the possibility of causes other than pressure applying stress to the aneurysm wall. Twenty years have passed since the proposal of this terminology was published. The literature is reviewed with the purpose of providing an update on advances in the knowledge of the possible etiological mechanisms. The experimental studies call into question that causes other than pressure determine the increase of the aneurysm. On the basis of this review, the term `Sac Expansion Without Evident Leak´ (SEWEL) is proposed as a more accurate and precise denomination for what is aimed to be defined. Evidence suggests that the more likely mechanisms of persistent pressurization of the aneurysm sac are an unidentified endoleak (likely type I or low-flow Type II) or thrombus occluding wide and short channels that connects with the excluded aneurysm sac (at the attachment sites of the stent-graft or at the branch vessels orifices).
Sacroiliitis in children and adolescents with familial Mediterranean fever
Authors: Kaçmaz Hülya , Aldemir Esin , Tanatar Ayşe , Karadağ Şerife Gül , Çakan Mustafa , Sönmez Hafize Emine , Ayaz Nuray Aktay
Published: June 2021

Background

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and serositis. Sacroiliitis can be observed in some FMF patients. This study aimed to compare the demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings, and treatment in children with FMF and sacroiliitis, and children with juvenile spondyloarthropathy (JSpA).

Methods

In total, 1687 pediatric FMF patients that were followed-up between May 2010 and June 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. Among them, those with sacroiliitis (n = 63) were included in the study and compared to patients with JSpA (n = 102).

Results

The study included 63 FMF patients with sacroiliitis (38 males [60.3%] and 25 females [39.7%]) with a mean age of 15.2 ± 4.1 years. Mean age at symptom onset was 7.2 ± 5.05 years and mean age at diagnosis was 9.74 ± 4.67 years. The most common mutation in the FMF patients was M694V/M694V (n = 22). Patients were diagnosed with sacroiliitis with a mean of 12 months (range: 6–36 months) after the diagnosis of FMF. Among the FMF patients, 28 (44.4%) had enthesitis, 23 (36.5%) had heel pain, and 11 (17.4%) had low back pain. The study also included 102 JSpA patients (90 males [88.2%] and 12 females [11.8%]). Mean age of patients with JSpA was 16.1 ± 2.8 years. As compared to 102 JSpA patients, patients with FMF and sacroiliitis had higher acute phase reactants, whereas HLA-B27 positivity rate was lower. In addition, axial involvement rate was higher in the JSpA patients.

Conclusion

Sacroiliitis is a common co-morbidity in FMF patients. The phenotypic features of these patients are different from patients with JSpA.
Translation, cultural adaptation and reproducibility of a Portuguese version of the Functional Index for Hand OsteoArthritis (FIHOA)
Authors: de Azevedo Francisco Vileimar Andrade , Rocha Hermano Alexandre Lima , Jones Anamaria , Natour Jamil , da Rocha Francisco Airton Castro
Published: June 2021

Background

The Functional Index for Hand Osteoarthritis (FIHOA) is a simple, reliable, and reproducible specific instrument to evaluate hand OA that can be applied both in clinical practice and research protocols. In order to be used in Brazil, FIHOA has to be translated into Portuguese, culturally adapted and have the reliability of the translated FIHOA version tested, which is the purpose of this study.

Methods

The FIHOA was translated into Brazilian Portuguese and administered to 68 patients with hand OA recruited between May 2019 and February 2020. The test-retest was applied to 32 patients and the reliability was assessed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The internal consistency reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha. External construction validity was assessed using the Spearman’s correlation test between FIHOA and pain, assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Cochin Hand Functional Scale (CHFS) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).

Results

The 30 participants that initially answered the translated version of the FiHOA did not report difficulties in understanding or interpreting the translated version. The test-retest reliability for the total score was strong (r = 0.86; ICC = 0.89). Mean differences (1.37 ± 0.68) using Bland Altman’s analysis did not significantly differ from zero and no systematic bias was observed. Cronbach’s alpha was also high (0.89) suggesting a strong internal coherence in the test items. There were also correlations between FIHOA and the CHFS (r = 0.88), HAQ (r = 0.64) and pain in the hands both at rest (r = 0.55) and in motion (r = 0.44).

Conclusion

The translation of the FIHOA into Brazilian Portuguese proved a valid instrument for measuring the functional capacity of patients with hand OA who understand Brazilian Portuguese.
Consumption of spices and ethnic contamination in the daily diet of Italians - consumers’ preferences and modification of eating habits
Authors: Chironi Stefania , Bacarella Simona , Altamore Luca , Columba Pietro , Ingrassia Marzia
Published: June 2021

Currently, consumers appear to have diversified characteristics with regard to food tastes and consumption habits. The globalization of markets and the migration phenomenon contributed to the modification of food preferences of consumers who gradually introduce into their eating habits foods and recipes typical of the tradition of foreign countries. In this scenario, also in Italy, it is going to increase the use of “foreign products” with the consequent fusion of traditional cuisine techniques and recipes with ingredients that are typical of foreign countries and cultures. Foods and ingredients originally consumed in Asian or South American countries are increasingly consumed by Italian people, who have notoriously a strong “food identity,” who generally follow the Mediterranean Diet, and who consume typical products of the country. More particularly, the use of “new” or “novel” spices compared to those traditionally used in the preparation of Italian food has grown in the last 10 years. This study is an exploratory survey on the consumption of spices in Sicily (Southern Italy), which is an Italian Region with a high level of immigrated people and a good level of social integration and progressive inclusion. The objective of this study is to know whether and how Sicilian consumers’ consumption preferences, use, and purchasing behaviors with regard to spices changed in the last few years. The results highlight an increasing use of novel spices for the preparation of the traditional recipes and a good appreciation by consumers. These results are interesting because they provide information about spices’ market development and food product marketing and internationalization. The survey gives interesting inputs for reflections about the relationship between food contaminations and social integration and insight into consumers’ preferences in Italy.
Retrieval and repositioning of an embolized atrial septal defect closure device using a gooseneck snare
Authors: Batta Akash , Naganur Sanjeev , Rajan Ajay , Ary Kunwer Abhishek , Gawalkar Atit , Barwad Parag
Published: June 2021

Background

Closure of all haemodynamically significant atrial septal defects (ASDs) is recommended irrespective of symptoms. Percutaneous device closure offers a favourable alternative to surgery with lower morbidity, shorter duration of hospital stays, and avoidance of a surgical scar. Though device closure is generally a safe procedure with high success rates, certain complications can arise including device embolization which poses a significant challenge for the treating team.

We report one such case in which the ASD closure device got spontaneously released and embolized from the delivery cable into the left atrium prior to its deployment. We describe our approach for its retrieval and subsequently its successful deployment across the septal defect using a gooseneck snare.

Case presentation

A 5-year-old asymptomatic child was found to have a murmur on a routine check-up. Evaluation revealed a haemodynamically significant, 18-mm ostium secundum ASD with normal pulmonary pressures and suitable margins for device closure. A 20-mm ASD closure device was traversed via an 8-Fr delivery system. While manipulating the left atrial (LA) disc from the right upper pulmonary vein (RUPV) approach, the device got spontaneously released. The right atrial (RA) disc was caught across the ASD, into the left atrium. This was confirmed by intraoperative transthoracic echocardiography and fluoroscopy. The haemodynamics and rhythm were stable. A 20-mm gooseneck snare was immediately passed through the delivery sheath and an attempt was made to catch the screw. With difficulty, the RA screw was caught with the snare and multiple attempts to retrieve the device into the sheath were unsuccessful. However, while negotiating, we were able to secure a favourable position of the device across the atrial septal defect, and after fluoroscopic and echocardiographic confirmation, the device was released. The child remained stable thereafter and was discharged 2 days later.

Conclusions

Gooseneck snare is a valuable tool in the management of embolized ASD closure device. Occasionally, like in the index case, one may be successful in retrieving the embolized device and repositioning it across the ASD using a gooseneck snare, thus obviating the need for emergency surgery.
A more practical guide to incorporating health equity domains in implementation determinant frameworks
Authors: Woodward Eva N. , Singh Rajinder Sonia , Ndebele-Ngwenya Phiwinhlanhla , Melgar Castillo Andrea , Dickson Kelsey S. , Kirchner JoAnn E.
Published: June 2021

Background

Due to striking disparities in the implementation of healthcare innovations, it is imperative that researchers and practitioners can meaningfully use implementation determinant frameworks to understand why disparities exist in access, receipt, use, quality, or outcomes of healthcare. Our prior work documented and piloted the first published adaptation of an existing implementation determinant framework with health equity domains to create the Health Equity Implementation Framework. We recommended integrating these three health equity domains to existing implementation determinant frameworks: (1) culturally relevant factors of recipients, (2) clinical encounter or patient-provider interaction, and (3) societal context (including but not limited to social determinants of health). This framework was developed for healthcare and clinical practice settings. Some implementation teams have begun using the Health Equity Implementation Framework in their evaluations and asked for more guidance.

Methods

We completed a consensus process with our authorship team to clarify steps to incorporate a health equity lens into an implementation determinant framework.

Results

We describe steps to integrate health equity domains into implementation determinant frameworks for implementation research and practice. For each step, we compiled examples or practical tools to assist implementation researchers and practitioners in applying those steps. For each domain, we compiled definitions with supporting literature, showcased an illustrative example, and suggested sample quantitative and qualitative measures.

Conclusion

Incorporating health equity domains within implementation determinant frameworks may optimize the scientific yield and equity of implementation efforts by assessing and ideally addressing implementation and equity barriers simultaneously. These practical guidance and tools provided can assist implementation researchers and practitioners to concretely capture and understand barriers and facilitators to implementation disparities.
Ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Olax subscorpioidea Oliv (Olacaceae): a review
Authors: Ahmad Mubarak Hussaini , Jatau Abubakar Ibrahim , Alshargi Omar Yahya , Julde Sa’adatu Muhammad , Mohammed Mustapha , Muhammad Surajuddeen , Mustapha Sagir , Bala Auwal Adam , Wada Abubakar Sadiq , Aminu Musa , Usman Abba Musab
Published: June 2021

Background

The plant Olax subscorpioidea Oliv (Olacaceae) is a shrub that is widely available in Africa. It has been used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases including asthma, pain, inflammation, gastrointestinal and central nervous system (CNS) disorders, cough, diabetes mellitus, cancer, infectious diseases, hepatic diseases, and many other diseases. Several phytochemical and pharmacological investigations were conducted on this plant. However, comprehensive information on this medicinally important plant is not available in the literature. Therefore, in this review, we aimed to provide comprehensive and critical information on all the reported ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and potential toxicity of Olax subscorpioidea to highlight its therapeutic potentials based on traditional usage and identify research gaps as a basis for further investigations to develop novel therapeutic compounds.

Main body

The available information about the plant was retrieved from the online bibliographic databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) and published PhD dissertation using the search terms Olax subscorpioidea, traditional uses, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and safety. Phytochemical studies have shown that the plant contains several bioactive compounds such as rutin, morin, quercetin, caffeic acid, santalbic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, squalene, nonacosane, hentriacontane, and many more compounds. Also, pharmacological investigations revealed that Olax subscorpioidea has antidepressant, antiepileptic, anti-Alzheimer’s, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, analgesic, antiinflammatory, antiarthritic, antidiabetic, anticancer, antiulcer, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, apoptotic, antiprotease, and other CNS effects.

Conclusion

Several pharmacological studies on Olax subscorpioidea have established its ethnopharmacological uses. However, there are limited phytochemical and pharmacological studies to validate other folkloric claims of the plant. Therefore, extensive phytochemical and further pre-clinical efficacy and safety evaluations to fully establish its therapeutic potentials and elucidate its mechanisms of pharmacological actions could be necessary.

Graphical abstract
Comparative study between conventional adenoidectomy and adenoidectomy using micro-debrider
Authors: Abo Elmagd Essam A. , Khalifa Mahmoud S. , Abeskharoon Beshoy K. , El Tahan Abdelrahman A.
Published: June 2021

Background

Adenoidectomy is a common ENT procedure. This article aims to evaluate micro-debrider-assisted adenoidectomy as a substitute for the conventional curettage method.

Results

The study aimed to compare between two study groups: micro-debrider-assisted adenoidectomy (group A) and conventional adenoidectomy (group B). The average time needed in group A was 34.1 min while it was 22.83 min in group B (p<0.001). The average amount of blood lost in group A was 29.57 ml and 16.67 ml in group B (p<0.001). The resection was nearly complete in group A, while in group B, five (16.66%) cases had more than 50% of the adenoid tissue left behind. Four cases in group B had damage to collaterals while in group A no major injuries were noted. Postoperative pain has only been studied in cases where adenoidectomy solely was done. Candidates in group A (n=8) reported a pain score of 3.5-3.09 whereas candidates in group B (n=11) reported a pain score of 2.75-2.55. The mean recovery time was 2.8 days in group A and 8.23 days in group B (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Endoscopic adenoidectomy using micro-debrider is both an effective and safe adenoidectomy tool. The strengths of this technique include resection completeness, precise resection under vision, minor damage to collaterals, and a more rapid recovery period. Conventional adenoidectomy, however, scored better regarding lesser operative time and bleeding intraoperatively.
Coblation-assisted excision of hypopharyngeal venous malformation: a case report
Authors: Kumar Amit , Subash Anand , Singh Abhijeet , Patro Sourabha , Bakshi Jaimanti
Published: June 2021

Background

Adult hypopharyngeal venous malformations are rare. Unlike hemangiomas, venous malformations require surgical excision wherever feasible. We describe the case of a hypopharyngeal venous malformation and use of coblation to achieve complete excision.

Case presentation

A 28-year-old male presented to the emergency department with sudden-onset hematemesis, and melena for 3 days. Examination revealed a broad-based reddish polypoidal lesion (mulberry like) arising from the left aryepiglottic fold and medial wall of the pyriform sinus. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance scan and angiogram of the neck was done, which revealed an intensely enhancing vascular lesion. He underwent a selective embolization of the feeder vessels achieving 80% reduction in the post run blush. We excised the lesion in toto using coblation considering its superior hemostatic control and maneuverability.

Conclusion

The use of coblation is a relatively safe and easy technique to learn and perform in management of vascular tumor of hypopharynx and upper airway. When appropriately performed, it provides a bloodless field and causes minimal damage to surrounding tissue. However, knowledge of external approaches is mandatory for management of complications.
Evaluating the frequency of anatomical variations of the sinonasal region in pediatric and adult age groups according to gender: computed tomography findings of 1532 cases
Authors: Bora Adem , Koç Merve , Durmuş Kasım , Altuntas Emine Elif
Published: June 2021

Background

The aim of the present study was to evaluate retrospectively the frequency of anatomical variations in sinonasal region, which were frequently seen in our cases, for whom coronal section paranasal computed tomography imaging (CPNCT) was taken, as well as the correlation of these variations with age and gender and correlations of identified anatomical variations with one another.

In the study, CBCT scans of a total of 1532 (825 males and 707 females) cases were evaluated in order to determine the prevalence of anatomical variations of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. All the images were taken by a multi-detector CT device (Aquilion, Toshiba medical system, Tokyo, Japan).

Results

Most frequently detected three anatomical variations were septum deviation (79.7%), concha bullosa (40.9%), and ethmoid bulla (21.0%) according to the frequency order. When the frequency of anatomical variations was evaluated according to gender, septum deviation, concha bullosa, and anterior clinoid process pneumatization were more frequently observed in males and Onodi cell in females (p < 0.05).

When the relationships of the anatomical variations with one another were evaluated, it was found that the possibility of the presence of concha bullosa in the septum deviation cases and the presence of ethmoid bulla in the cases with Haller cell septum were higher (p < 0.05).

In terms of the anatomical variations that were evaluated by taking age as the independent variable, a statistically significant difference was observed in pterygoid process pneumatization, Haller cell, pneumatized crista galli, ethmoid bulla, and paradoxical middle concha between the adult and children age groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In terms of the frequency of occurrence to various sinonasal region variations, statistically significant differences were observed between both genders and age groups. The correlations of the detected variations with each other were also remarkable. Consequently, it is believed that comprehensive studies and serious objective evaluations evaluating the change of frequency of anatomical variations according to age and gender besides their correlation with each other are required.
Incremental dynamic analysis of the long-span continuous beam bridge considering the fluctuating frictional force of rubber bearing
Authors: Liao Man , Wu Bin , Zeng Xianzhi , Deng Kailai
Published: June 2021

In the seismic design of long-span bridges, the classic bi-linear model was used to simulate the frictional restoring force of the rubber bearings. However, in actual earthquake, the rubber bearing suffered fluctuating axial pressure in earthquake, even separated from the beam when vertical component of the earthquake was too strong. Employing the bi-linear model for the bearing may incorrectly estimate the seismic response of the bearings, as well as the whole bridge. This paper developed a nonlinear frictional bearing model, which can consider the variation of the frictional restoring force in the bearings, even the separation with the beam in vertical directions. A typical continuous beam bridge was modeled in ABAQUS, and incremental dynamic analysis was conducted for the quantitative comparison of the seismic responses using different bearing models. The intensity measure was selected as the ratio of the peak ground acceleration (PGA) in the vertical direction to the PGA in the horizontal direction. The analysis results indicated that the different bearing model led to the significant different seismic response for the bearings and piers, even the vertical component was small. The bi-linear bearing model would underestimate the seismic demand of the bearing and piers.