bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Achieving pain control in early rheumatoid arthritis with baricitinib monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate versus methotrexate monotherapy
Authors: Taylor Peter C. , Alten Rieke , Álvaro Gracia Jose María , Kaneko Yuko , Walls Chad , Quebe Amanda , Jia Bochao , Bello Natalia , Terres Jorge Ross , Fleischmann Roy
Published: March 2022

Objectives

This post hoc analysis assessed speed, magnitude and maintenance of pain improvement in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving baricitinib, baricitinib and methotrexate (MTX), or MTX over 1 year. Cumulative pain and quality of life benefits were also assessed.

Methods

Randomised, double-blind, phase 3 study RA-BEGIN (NCT01711359) compared baricitinib 4 mg (N=159), baricitinib 4 mg +MTX (N=215) and MTX (N=210) in patients with RA who had no or limited prior disease-modifying antirheumatic drug treatment. Pain was assessed on a 0–100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Proportion of patients with ≥30%, ≥50% and ≥70% pain improvement from baseline; ≤20 mm and ≤10 mm on the pain VAS; and time to achieve pain improvement thresholds were assessed over 52 weeks, as were Patient Global Assessment (PtGA) and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Physical Component Score (SF-36 PCS) outcomes.

Results

Baricitinib monotherapy or combination with MTX provides greater (least square mean changes (LSM) from baseline −40 mm and −43 mm, respectively) and more rapid (median 12 and 8 weeks to ≥70% improvement, respectively) pain relief than MTX alone (LSM −31 mm, median 20 weeks to ≥70% improvement) over 52 weeks. Baricitinib, alone or combination, provides 9–10 additional weeks of limited to no pain, similar gain in achievable wellness measured through PtGA, and 5–7 additional weeks with change in SF-36 PCS ≥5 vs MTX over 1 year.

Conclusions

Patients treated with baricitinib reported significantly greater and more rapid pain relief, more weeks with limited to no pain, and clinically meaningful improvements in physical health than patients treated with MTX alone over 1 year.
Geometric features of middle cerebral artery are associated with spontaneous basal ganglia intracerebral haemorrhage
Authors: Liu Dehan , Zhang Guopeng , Wang Yingliang , Li Jing , Cao Peng , Yin Xiaoxv , Zhou Changjun , Wang Mengdie
Published: March 2022

Background and purpose

Haemodynamics around the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and lenticulostriate arteries is believed to play important roles in the vascular rupture and local haemodynamics is subject to vascular geometry. Nonetheless, the relationship between the geometric features of MCA and spontaneous basal ganglia intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) has not been investigated. To examine the relationship between the MCA geometric features and spontaneous basal ganglia ICH.

Methods

This study was of retrospective and observational nature. The study recruited 158 consecutive hospitalised patients with consecutive CT-confirmed unilateral spontaneous basal ganglia ICH. Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records, and imaging data were evaluated by two trained radiologists. The MCA-related geometric features were examined and their relationship with spontaneous basal ganglia ICH was analysed. Haemodynamic analyses under different MCA structural features were conducted.

Results

Compared with the contralateral MCA, the ipsilateral MCA had greater M1 diameter ratio (proximal/distal) and a smaller M1/M2 angle and MCA bifurcation angle (p＜0.01). Imaging study showed differences in the MCA shape in both sides on coronal plane (p＜0.05). These MCA features were significantly correlated with the spontaneous ICH in basal ganglia. The greater M1 diameter ratio (proximal/distal), the inferior-oriented M1, the smaller M1/M2 angle and the superior-oriented M1 conditions increased the pressure, from high to low. The greater M1 diameter ratio (proximal/distal) and the inferior-oriented M1 increased the shear stress at the distal end of M1 segment.

Conclusions

The geometric features of MCA were significantly related to the spontaneous ICH in basal ganglia. The risk of haemorrhage, from high to low, included the greater M1 diameter ratio (proximal/distal), the inferior-oriented M1 (distal end), the smaller M1/M2 angle and the superior-oriented M1. Mechanistically, these vascular structural features contribute to increased vascular wall pressure and shear stress, which eventually lead to haemorrhage.
First-service pregnancy rate among beef heifers with different residual feed intake
Authors: Behrouzi Amir , Colazo Marcos , Li Changxi , Fitzsimmons Carolyn
Published: March 2022

The effect of residual feed intake (a measure of feed efficiency) adjusted for backfat thickness (RFIfat) on pregnancy rate (PR) was examined in Angus heifers over 2 yr. High- or Low-RFI heifers were timed artificially inseminated (TAI) with semen from High- or Low-RFI sires, respectively. There was a negative association (P < 0.05) between RFIfat value and PR in Year II for Low-RFI heifers. In Year I, the interaction between RFIfat and AI sires was significant in High-RFI heifers (P < 0.05) and tended to differ in Low-RFI heifers (P < 0.1). Therefore, selecting for feed efficiency may have negative consequences on fertility.
Pd–Ni bimetallic nanoparticles supported on TiO2 as an efficient catalyst for catalytic transfer hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol
Authors: Faturachman Ilham , Kurniawan Hendris Hendarsyah , Yunarti Rika Tri , Widjaya Robert Ronal , Dwiatmoko Adid Adep , Maryati Yati , Rinaldi Nino
Published: March 2022

Bio-oil is a sustainable energy source, produced from pyrolysis of lignocellulosic materials or algae. It is, however, difficult to directly use the bio-oil for fuels due to several drawbacks, such as its viscosities and high oxygen content. One of the ways to solve this is upgrading of the bio-oil through hydrodeoxygenation (HDO). In this study, guaiacol was used as a bio-oil model compound in HDO reaction via catalytic transfer hydrogenation. The reaction was conducted in the presence of TiO2-supported palladium catalysts, with isopropyl alcohol as a hydrogen source. Nickel and molybdenum were added into the Pd catalyst to investigate their effects on the catalyst activity. The prepared catalysts were characterized using XRD, N2 physisorption, hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction, and transmission electron microscopy. HDO reaction was carried out using a pressurized batch reactor at 250 °C for 1 h with 30 bar of helium. Liquid products were analyzed by GC–MS and GC–FID to identify and quantify the conversions and product yields. The result showed that the presence of nickel on the catalyst could improve the catalytic activity of Pd/TiO2. Guaiacol conversion over Pd–Ni/TiO2 was 32.2%, while the conversion of guaiacol over Pd/TiO2 was only 17.9%. In addition, Pd–Ni/TiO2 showed good selectivity to produce cyclohexanol, while Pd/TiO2 showed good selectivity to produce one oxygenated compound such as 2-methylphenol and phenol.
Functional relationship between leaf/stem pseudobulb size and photosynthetic pathway in the Orchidaceae
Authors: Fu Zhenzhu , Martin Craig E. , Do Jeney , Ho Che-Ling , Wagner Babs
Published: March 2022

Water storage has been commonly cited as an important function of orchid pseudobulbs, and it is reasonable to assume that orchids which utilize crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis have larger pseudobulbs than those of C3 orchid taxa, because these foliar (or stem) structures may reflect another type of succulent tissue in CAM plants. On the other hand, it is equally plausible that C3 orchids have larger pseudobulbs, as they lack succulent tissue, as well as the water-conservative CAM pathway. The goal of this study was to compare pseudobulb size in over 100 living orchid species growing at the Missouri Botanical Garden by measurement. Pseudobulb volumes of C3 species did not differ from those of species with CAM photosynthesis in a family-wide comparison of all sampled species, as well as in comparisons of taxa with these two photosynthetic pathways among three subtribes and within one genus. The results did not support a functional relationship between pseudobulb volume and photosynthetic pathway in the Orchidaceae. Pseudobulbs are equally important structures in C3 and CAM orchid taxa, and may function similarly in water, carbohydrates, and (or) essential elements storage in the two groups of orchids. This study lays a foundation for further research into pseudobulb evolution in orchids.
Nonlinear Klein–Gordon equation and the Bose–Einstein condensation
Authors: Megías E. , Teixeira M. J. , Timoteo V. S. , Deppman A.
Published: March 2022

The interest in the Klein–Gordon equation with different potentials has increased in recent years due to its possible applications in Cosmology, Hadron Physics and High-Energy Physics. In this work, we investigate the solutions of the Klein–Gordon equation for bosons under the influence of an external potential by using the Feshbach–Villars method. We present detailed results for two cases: the Coulombic potential and the harmonic potential. For the latter case, we studied the effects of self-interacting particles by adopting a mean-field approach. We show that our results converge smoothly to the solution of the Schrödinger equation for the same systems as the relativistic effects diminish.
HIGH-FREQUENCY ULTRASOUND FOR DETECTING CHRONIC KNEE JOINT LESIONS IN MINERS: AN EXPLORATORY CONTROLLED STUDY
Authors: SONG PING , JIA YI-PING , LUO WEI-DONG , GONG JIAN , ZHAO QIN , LENG QIAN-YING , WANG ZHAN-WEN
Published: March 2022

Objective: To explore the clinical value of high-frequency ultrasound in the detection of chronic knee injuries in miners. Methods: A total of 53 Chinese coal miners from the China, as well as 33 nonminers without history of knee conditions were prospectively examined using high-frequency ultrasound. Blood flow was observed using color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS). In the event of slow blood flow, parameters for color Doppler were set to maximal gain and minimal noise. Results: Chronic knee joint injuries were detectable as lesions in bursa around the joint and infrapatellar soft tissues. Various proportions of miners had nodular, finger-like or focal protrusions extending from the bursa synovium into the synovial cavity. Such protrusions were observed in the suprapatellar bursa (15, 28.3%), prepatellar bursa (17, 32.1%), and deep infrapatellar bursa (4, 7.5%). Infrapatellar soft tissues were significantly thicker in miners ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mm) than of controls ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mm; [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]). Miners showed substantial thickening of the synovia, as well as nodular, finger-like and focal protrusions in the synovia of suprapatellar bursa and/or prepatellar bursa (infrapatellar bursa). Synovium in miners showed more blood flow signals, especially in the supra- and prepatellar bursae, than synovium in controls. Echoes from the interior of infrapatellar soft tissues were enhanced and uneven in 47 of 53 miners, showing hyperecho patterns of scattered dots, short lines or flakes. Conclusion: Ultrasound can complement X-ray imaging and magnetic resonance imaging for detecting and characterizing chronic knee joint injuries in miners.
Evaluation and Promotion of a Multidimensional Information Intelligent Speech System in Dialect Teaching
Authors: Pang Ya
Published: March 2022

Due to the wide scale of learners, large individual differences and scattered distribution, dialect teaching is difficult to carry out effectively by traditional school education. In order to improve the teaching level of dialect, taking Cantonese as an example, this paper constructs a teaching evaluation system based on multidimensional information. Through the questionnaire and investigation of large Cantonese training institutions in Guangdong Province, the data set is formed, the CMA-ES algorithm with efficient optimization ability is selected to optimize the SVM, and the model is compared with ACO and SVM without optimization algorithm. Experimental results show that the average accuracy of CMA-ES algorithm is 95.85% and the average running time is 21.0 ms on 8 data sets, which has obvious advantages relatively. Based on the evaluation model, the basis for teaching optimization is found through sensitivity analysis, and student’s language expression is the most important index. And with the help of the intelligent voice system, the improvement measures for Cantonese teaching are proposed from the aspects of scene, oral, and scoring.
Adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Based Computerized Tomography (CT) Evaluation of Comprehensive Nursing in the Operation Room in Laparoscopy-Guided Radical Surgery of Colon Cancer
Authors: Duan Xiuping , Su Dechun , Yu Haiwei , Xin Wei , Wang Yang , Zhao Ziming
Published: March 2022

This research aimed to discuss the application of traditional nonlocal mean (NLM) algorithm-based computerized tomography (CT) images in intervention evaluation of the nursing for patients performing laparoscopy-guided radical surgery of colon cancer. A total of 100 patients who were diagnosed with colon cancer after enteroscopy and performed laparoscopic radical surgery were chosen as the research objects. They were divided into an observation group (comprehensive nursing in operation room) and a control group (routine nursing), each of which included 50 cases. All cases received CT examination. Meanwhile, the improved traditional NLM (INLM) algorithm was proposed, and the effects of image reconstruction were analyzed to improve the quality of CT images. The result showed that structural similarity index measure (SSIM) and figure of merit (FOM) of INLM were obviously higher than those of filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm and NLM algorithm, and the average running time was significantly less than that of FBP algorithm and NLM algorithm (P < 0.05). The operation time and the amount of intraoperative blood loss of patients in the observation group were both less than those of patients in the control group, and differences had statistical significance (P < 0.05). Besides, the time of getting out of bed, ventilation recovery time, postoperative meal time, stomach tube encumbrance time, and catheter encumbrance time of patients in the observation group were all less than those of patients in the control group, and the differences had statistical significance (P < 0.05). In the observation group, there were 3 cases with postoperative complications, and 2 out of them got incision infection while 1 suffered from constipation. In contrast, there were 9 cases with postoperative complications in the control group, 3 of which were patients with incision infection, and 2 suffered from urinary retention while the other 4 suffered from constipation. According to the above results, the INLM algorithm proposed in this research could improve the image reconstruction accuracy of traditional algorithm, shorten the running time, and enhance the overall diagnostic efficiency. The comprehensive nursing in operation room with laparoscopic radical surgery of colon cancer could improve the cure rate and prognosis of patients, so it was worthy of clinical promotion and application.
Optimal Design of Intelligent Control System in the Communication Room Based on Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Yao Benkun , Kler Rajnish , Khan Sarfraz Fayaz , Bansal Gourav , Khan Ihtiram Raza , Singh Bhupesh Kumar
Published: March 2022

With the current data-driven era, there is the potential to employ controllers that can store a large amount of data, which is not achievable with traditional controllers. Our goal is to propose an intelligent controller system for computer room management based on artificial intelligence that maintains data integrity, saves memory, minimizes computation, and simplifies program design. To upgrade the computer room management system’s intelligence that is not high, the management mode that is not flexible, and the distributed large-scale management of the whole school that is difficult to realize, the original system is improved to the distributed computer room management system based on artificial intelligence. By starting from the actual situation of higher vocational college computer room, combined with the characteristics of the school computer room, we designed framework model based on distributed artificial intelligence machine room management system, the system by means of network communication technology and database access technology, put forward the B/S combined with C/S structure to realize the computer room management system model, and used radio frequency identification technology to develop radio frequency card. The results show that the optimization results of the traditional computer automatic control system in the computer room vary greatly and fluctuate between 0.6 and 0.8, while the control results of the automatic control system in this paper keep stable at 0.8, which can reach the ideal state in a short time. Through the outcome, it can be said that the proposed control method can be used of higher level of automation, flexibility, and robustness which will work effectively. Therefore, the improved system integrates software, hardware, communication, and distributed system technology into one, which greatly improves the control effect of computer automatic control process, and control result of computer automatic control process is more stable and has a certain practical application value.
Retrospection of Nonlinear Adaptive Algorithm-Based Intelligent Plane Image Interaction System
Authors: Guan Zixi , Pamba Raja Varma , Balachander Bhuvaneswari , Khare Deepak Kumar , Deb Nabamita , Boddu Rajasekhar
Published: March 2022

This paper introduces the application and classification of an adaptive filtering algorithm in the image enhancement algorithm. And the filtering noise reduction impact is compared using MATLAB software for programming, image processing, LMS algorithm, RLS algorithm, histogram equalisation algorithm, and Wiener filtering method filtering noise reduction effect. To optimize the intelligent graphic image interaction system, the proposed nonlinear adaptive algorithm of intelligent graphic image interaction system research is based on the digital filter and adaptive filtering algorithm for simulation experiment. The experimental results of several noise index data filtering algorithms show that the fuzzy coefficient k of LMS index is 0.86, RLS index is 0.91, the histogram equalization index is 0.53, and the Wiener filtering index is 0.62. LMS index of quality index Q is 0.90, RLS index is 0.95, histogram equalization index is 0.58, Wiener filtering index is 0.65. According to the above results, comparing LMS with the RLS method and according to SNR, k, and Q values in the simulation results in the process of processing, it is found that the convergence speed of the RLS algorithm is obviously better than that of the LMS algorithm, and the stability is also good. Additionally, the differential imaging data can provide a strong reference for the clinical diagnosis and qualitative differentiation of TBP and CP, and MSCT is worthy of extensive application in the clinical diagnosis of peritonitis. The processing effect of the image with high similarity to the original image is greatly improved compared with the histogram equalization and Wiener filtering methods used in the simulation.
Facile Synthesis of NaYF4:Yb Up-Conversion Nanoparticles Modified with Photosensitizer and Targeting Antibody for In Vitro Photodynamic Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Ding Jingyi , Jin Yan , Zhu Fengqi , Zhu Cunle , Peng Jiang , Su Tiantian , Cai Jinzhen
Published: March 2022

Rare Earth up-conversion nanoparticles NaYF4:20%Yb,2%Er@PEI (UCNPs) were generated via a one-step hydrothermal technique at relatively reduced temperatures. Photosensitizer Ce6 and anti-EpCAM, a highly expressed monoclonal antibody in cancer stem cells of hepatocellular carcinoma, were linked to UCNP surfaces via the formation of amide linkage between carboxyl from Ce6 or anti-EpCAM and abundant amino from PEI, leading to the formation of Ps-Ce6 and anti-EpCAM-UCNPs-Ce6 nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles characterized by XRD, TEM, and IR, and their zeta potential, ROS generation ability, Ce6 loading rate, and up-conversion fluorescence properties were investigated. It has been revealed that all the products were uniformly dispersed nanoparticles (25–32 nm), which crystallized primarily as hexagonal structures, and their up-conversion fluorescence spectra were similar to that of NaYF4:20%Yb,2%Er. The Ce6 loading rate in the anti-EpCAM-UCNPs-Ce6 nanoparticles was about 2.9%, thereby resulting in good ROS generation ability. For anti-EpCAM-UCNPs-Ce6, the biosafety, targeting effect, and PDT effect exposed under near-infrared (NIR) laser (980 nm) were evaluated using human liver cancer cells (BEL-7404). The results showed that it has good biocompatibility and biosafety as well as high targeting and PDT treatment efficiencies, which renders it a potential experimental material for the near-infrared PDT study.
Study on the Performance of Image Color Style considering Brushstroke Control Factors
Authors: Feng Yonghui
Published: March 2022

To address the issues of high time consumption, low recall rate of image color styles, and poor image color processing outcomes in existing methods, we proposed an image color style performance analysis method that takes brushstroke control elements into account. We investigate the connection between brushstroke control parameters and picture color style performance. Furthermore, assuming that the brushstroke components are completely considered, we evaluate the image’s color composition to derive the R, G, and B values and apply the cloning process to prejudge the image’s color style. Based on the color style prejudgment, the median segmentation method for color quantization is used to increase the efficiency of image color style extraction, and the cumulative histogram is used to categorize the image color style. The experimental findings reveal that the suggested technique has low time complexity, good picture color accuracy, and recall and does not generate uneven image color brightness.
Gastric Cancer Screening Methods: A Comparative Study of the Chinese New Gastric Cancer Screening Score and Kyoto Classification of Gastritis
Authors: Liu Xiao-ming , Ma Xiao-yu , Liu Fen , Liu Zhi-ling , Tang Xiang-yu , Ji Ming-zhu , Zheng Jin-xin
Published: March 2022

Objective. To evaluate the Chinese new gastric cancer screening score (i.e., Li’s score) and Kyoto Classification of Gastritis for screening gastric cancer. Methods. A total of 702 patients were scored using the two scoring methods. Gastric atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and gastric cancer (including early gastric cancer) were compared between the two scoring methods. The area under the ROC curve, sensitivity, and specificity of the two scoring methods were evaluated. Results. Both of the two scoring methods found that gastric atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and gastric cancer (including early gastric cancer) were all significantly higher in the medium-risk and high-risk group patients than those in the low-risk group patients. According to the Kyoto Classification of Gastritis, patients in the high-risk group had more gastric atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and gastric cancer than those in the medium-risk group patients. Gastric atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and gastric cancer in the low-risk and medium-risk group patients evaluated by the Li score were all significantly higher than those in patients with corresponding risk level evaluated by Kyoto Classification of Gastritis, respectively. The area under the ROC curve of the Li score was 0.702, and the sensitivity and specificity were 57.6% and 85.3%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve of the Kyoto Classification of Gastritis was 0.826, and the sensitivity and specificity were 75.4% and 83.6%, respectively. Conclusion. Both Li’s score and Kyoto Classification of Gastritis showed good screening value for gastric cancer, but Kyoto Classification of Gastritis was more sensitive than the Li score.
A Novel Pyroptosis-Related Prognostic Signature for Risk Stratification and Clinical Prognosis in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Pan Xiao-qiong , Huang Wen , Jin Ling-wei , Lin Hua-zhen , Xu Xiao-yan
Published: March 2022

Emerging research has substantiated that pyroptosis-related biomarkers were mightily related to the clinical outcome of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, a single-gene biomarker’s moderate predictive power is insufficient, and more accurate prognostic models are urgently needed. We conducted this investigation in order to develop a robust pyroptosis-related gene signature for use in risk stratification and survival prognosis in colorectal cancer. We downloaded transcriptomic data and survival information of ccRCC patients from TCGA. Bioinformatic methods were used to generate a pyroptosis-related gene signature based on data from TCGA training cohort. ROC curve, uni- and multivariate regression analyses were used for the prognostic assays. What is more, we explored the relationship between model-based risk score and the tumor microenvironment. Herein, 11 pyroptosis-related hub genes (CASP9, TUBB6, NFKB1, BNIP3, CAPN1, CD14, PRDM1, BST2, SDHB, TFAM, and GSDMB) were determined as risk signature for risk stratification and prognosis prediction for ccRCC. Kaplan-Meier curves, ROC curves, and risk plots were employed to analyze and verify its performance in all groups. Multivariate assays exhibited that risk score could be an independent prognostic factor for patients’ OS. ESTIMATE algorithm showed a higher immune score in the group of high-risk. Overall, a novel pyroptosis-related gene signature generated can be employed for prognosis prediction of ccRCC patients. This may assist in individual treatment of clinical decision-making.
Risk Factors Associated with Impairment in Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity among Patients with Noncystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis
Authors: Zhang Kaijun , Zou Xin , Ma Zhiyi , Liu Xiaohong , Qiu Chencheng , Xie Lingyan , Lin Zhaosheng , Li Saiyu , Wu Yongming
Published: March 2022

This study aims to investigate the risk factors associated with impaired pulmonary diffusing capacity among patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) and compare the predictive value of several scoring systems for the impairment in these patients. Between July 2019 and June 2021, patients who were admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with NCFB were included in this study. Clinical data were collected and analyzed retrospectively. A total of 175 NCFB patients were included in the analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that impaired pulmonary diffusing capacity diagnosed by carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) <80% prediction was associated with age, Reiff score, body mass index (BMI), comorbid chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Disease duration, frequency of exacerbation, hemoglobin level, and COPD were independent risk factors for impaired pulmonary diffusing capacity diagnosed by DLCO/alveolar volume (VA) <80% prediction. Age, Reiff score, and smoking status were independent risk factors for decreased VA diagnosed by VA <80% prediction. The areas under the curve (AUC) for discrimination of DLCO <80% prediction were 0.822 (0.760–0.885) for Bronchiectasis Severity Index (BSI), 0.787 (0.718–0.856) for FACED, 0.795 (0.729–0.863) for E-FACED, and 0.767 (0.694–0.839) for modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scores; the AUC for discrimination of DLCO/VA <80% prediction was 0.803 (0.727–0.880) for BSI, 0.752 (0.669–0.835) for FACED, 0.757 (0.676–0.839) for E-FACED, and 0.762 (0.679–0.845) for mMRC, respectively. The BSI had the largest AUC, but the differences between those scoring systems had no statistical significance (

P
=
0.181

for DLCO <80% prediction and

P
=
0.105

for DLCO/VA <80% prediction). The mMRC score (up to 2 grades) showed a high specificity for discriminating diffusing dysfunction (88.3% for DLCO <80% prediction and 76.1% for DLCO/VA <80% prediction). In NCFB patients, several factors such as age, Reiff score, BMI, exacerbation frequency, disease duration, and comorbid COPD and ILD were associated with impaired pulmonary diffusing capacity, which requires more attention in managing those patients. In addition, several scoring methods, including a simple index of mMRC, showed a comparable and moderate performance for predicting pulmonary diffusing impairment and would facilitate the systematic evaluation of the diffusing capacity of NCFB patients.
Molecular Modeling and Phenotypic Description of a Patient with a Novel Exonic Deletion of GALNS with Resultant Morquio Syndrome with Two Successful Pregnancies
Authors: Selvam Pavalan , Jain Angita , Abbott Jessica , Ahuja Abhimanyu S. , Cheema Anvir , Bruno Katelyn A. , Atwal Herjot , Forghani Irman , Caulfield Thomas , Atwal Paldeep S.
Published: March 2022

In this report, we describe phenotypic features of a patient with mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (Morquio syndrome) harboring a novel exon 1 deletion in GALNS with enzymatic confirmation consistent with Morquio syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of this variant. Additionally, we protein modelled wild-type GALNS and the pathogenic variant with an exon 1 deletion for comparative analysis using statistical mechanics methods described herein. We demonstrate that, even when the protein is translated, the mutation would affect protein stability and function via homodimer interaction modifications. Lastly, given the patient’s 2 successful pregnancies, data about the management of pregnancies in mucopolysaccharidoses are reviewed, and we discuss the management of pregnancy in patients with Morquio syndrome.
Menstrual Cycle-Related Changes in Women with Schizophrenia: A Resting-State fMRI Study
Authors: Noyan Handan , Hamamci Andac , Firat Zeynep , Sarsilmaz Aysegul , Ucok Alp
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Different influences of ovarian hormones in schizophrenia (SCZ) have been reported, but no study to date has assessed their effects on the brain dynamics at rest. The present study aimed to examine the hormonal and clinical changes related to the menstrual cycle and alterations in the resting-state functional connectivity (RS-FC) depending on cycle phase and/or hormonal fluctuations in SCZ. Method: This study was conducted based on both between- and within-subject experimental designs, including 13 clinically stable female patients with SCZ (32 ± 7.7 years) and 13 healthy women (30 ± 7.3 years). RS-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning, as well as hormonal and clinical assessments, was applied to each participant twice during two cycle phases: early follicular and mid-luteal. Results: A difference in mid-luteal progesterone levels was found between groups, with a large effect size (Cohen’s d) of 0.8 (p < 0.05). Also, the estradiol levels negatively correlated with the negative symptom severity of the patients during their mid-luteal phase. In the patients, estrogen positively correlated with the auditory network connectivity in the left amygdala during the early follicular phase. In the controls, progesterone had positive correlations with the connectivity of the posterior default mode and the left frontoparietal networks in the bilateral precuneus during the early follicular phase and had a negative correlation with the executive control network connectivity in the mid-luteal phase. Conclusion: The present study showed hormonal differences between groups and suggested that the levels of cycle-dependent hormones might be associated with the changes in clinical symptom severity and the RS-FC in the groups. Our RS-fMRI findings warrant further investigation.
Impact of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients and Young Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Magalhães Tiago , Granado Maria Cristina , Manuel Ana Rute , Espinheira Maria do Céu , Trindade Eunice
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Acute COVID-19 in pediatric and young adult patients tends to be milder in severity compared to adult infection. Recent studies seem to show that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are at no greater risk than the general population. We aim to describe our experience in the follow-up of pediatric and young adult patients with IBD followed in our center and determine possible risk factors of said population for severe COVID-19. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of all patients aged under 25 years followed for IBD at the Unit of Pediatric Gastroenterology in a tertiary center between December 2019 and April 2021 evaluating the incidence of COVID-19 and characterization of positive cases. Results: Of the 268 participants, 24 had COVID-19: the mean age was 19 years old and gender had an equal distribution; 75% (n = 18) had Crohn’s disease, whereas only 25% (n = 6) had ulcerative colitis. Most patients were in clinical remission (n = 21). The majority of patients were under treatment with a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist (58%, n = 14), mainly infliximab, and most had no comorbidities other than IBD (83%). Regarding COVID-19, 17% of the patients were asymptomatic while the rest had only mild symptoms. There were no reported gastrointestinal complaints, no complications nor hospitalizations. Most patients did not require interruption of their IBD treatment. Conclusions: Our data suggest that pediatric and young adult IBD patients have a low risk for complications and hospitalization, regardless of IBD treatment. We believe that this experience is encouraging and allows for safe counseling regarding treatment options and school attendance in pediatric and young adult IBD patients.
The Citrullination-Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Axis in Chronic Diseases
Authors: Maronek Martin , Gardlik Roman
Published: March 2022

Citrullination of proteins is crucial for the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) – strands of nuclear DNA expulsed in the extracellular environment along with antimicrobial proteins in order to halt the spread of pathogens. Paradoxically, NETs may be immunogenic and contribute to inflammation. It is known that for the externalization of DNA, a group of enzymes called peptidyl arginine deiminases (PADs) is required. Current research often looks at citrullination, NET formation, PAD overexpression, and extracellular DNA (ecDNA) accumulation in chronic diseases as separate events. In contrast, we propose that citrullination can be viewed as the primary mechanism of autoimmunity, for instance by the formation of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) but also as a process contributing to chronic inflammation. Therefore, citrullination could be at the center, connecting and impacting multiple inflammatory diseases in which ACPAs, NETs, or ecDNA have already been documented. In this review, we aimed to highlight the importance of citrullination in the etiopathogenesis of a number of chronic diseases and to explore the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential of the citrullination-NET axis.
Comorbidities in Patients with Lichen Planopilaris: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Nasimi Maryam , Garmaroudi Gholamreza , Ghiasi Maryam , Lajevardi Vahideh , Fooladi Zahra , Hassan Zadeh Tabatabaei Mahgol Sadat , Ansari Mahshid Sadat
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is a lymphocyte-mediated type of scarring alopecia and considered to have autoimmune etiology. Studies about systemic comorbid conditions are limited. Our goal is to identify the prevalence of medical comorbidities in patients with LPP. Methods: In a retrospective case-control study, the medical records of 208 LPP patients and 208 controls were reviewed for existing comorbidities such as thyroid diseases, cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and lupus erythematous. Results: Hyperlipidemia was found in 41.8% of all patients with LPP and in 17.3% of controls (p value <0.001, OR = 4.167). Chances of hypertension and cardiovascular disorders were lower in the LPP group in comparison to controls (p value = 0.009). Thyroid disorders were more prevalent in LPP patients, but the difference was not statistically significant (p value = 0.277). Conclusion: Our study further emphasizes that LPP patients should be screened for medical comorbidities, especially lipid profile abnormalities.
Pedagogia Griô: paradigmas para a arte/educação com a tradição oral
Authors: Santos Iago Cerqueira dos , Pinto Carolina Eiras , Croda Pamella Correia , Correa Thiago de Jesus
Published: March 2022

O presente artigo busca discutir a importância da oralidade e das tradições de culturas contra-hegemônicas para a educação, tendo como base a pedagogia Griô e as experiências da educadora Silvania Francisca de Jesus, relatadas em entrevista. O texto explora as vivências propostas por essa pedagogia como estratégia de humanização da educação.
Depression associated variables among lower limb amputees in Santa Catarina State - Brazil
Authors: Botelho Mariana Francisco , Watanabe Rafael Gustavo Sato , Ferreira Leticia Goulart , Back Isabela de Carlos , Freitas Sérgio Fernando Torres de
Published: March 2022

The amputation of the lower limbs and depression has been studied by different groups with a wide prevalence range and some variables were related to depressive symptoms. Depression and anxiety have been related with a major impact on adherence to rehabilitation, functional prognosis, and quality of life. Knowing the patients at highest odds of presenting depressive symptoms may favor an early approach and treatment, ultimately optimizing the rehabilitation process and social reintegration. Depression can be related to a lower rate of adaptation to the prosthesis and its use. Objective: To determine the association among demographic, socioeconomic, clinical variables with depressive symptoms in amputees before the prosthetic adaptation. Methods: A case-control study was performed to analyze variables associated with depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II) in lower limb amputees. Results: Patients with previous depression (OR= 17,08; CI95:2,14-136,28) and low socioeconomic class (OR= 3,04; CI95:1,24-7,47) are at highest odds of depression after amputation in the state of Santa Catarina. The model explained 71,4% of cases, classifying 88,1% of negative and 23,8% of positive cases. According to our model amputees recruited rarely presented the diagnosis of depression if they belong to a higher socioeconomic class and have no previous depression. On the other hand, patients who presented Brazilian low socioeconomic class D-E, and previous depression should be referenced to a psychological evaluation because they have a chance of depression, close to 1 in 4 cases. Conclusion: Previous depression and low social class were associated with the highest odds of depression after amputation in our population.
Relação entre dependência para realização de atividades básicas de vida diária e risco de sarcopenia em idosos internados
Authors: Licoviski Pamela Tainá , Bordin Danielle , Mazzo Débora Melo
Published: March 2022

O processo de envelhecimento pode ser influenciado pelo estilo de vida adotado pelo indivíduo e os determinantes sociais de saúde, acarretando em limitações oriundas de alterações morfológicas, funcionais, biológicas e psicológicas, que podem ser intensificadas durante um processo de internamento hospitalar. Objetivo: Analisar a prevalência e a relação entre dependência para realização de atividades básicas de vida diária e risco de sarcopenia em idosos internados. Método: Estudo transversal, de caráter quantitativo, realizado junto a idosos internados nos setores de clínica médica e cirúrgica, no período de março de 2021 a junho de 2021, em um hospital universitário do Paraná. Aplicou-se o instrumento sociodemográfico, Escala Índice de Katz para avaliar a capacidade funcional do idoso em relação às atividades básicas de vida diária (ABVD), Questionário SARC-F para selecionar risco de sarcopenia, avaliação da força muscular com o dinamômetro e mensuração da circunferência da panturrilha como preditor da quantidade e função muscular. Realizou-se análise teste qui-quadrado e regressão logística. Resultados: A amostra final compreendeu 162 idosos, com predomínio do sexo masculino (55,6%) e com idade entre 60 e 69 anos (59,9%). A prevalência de dependentes para realização de ABVD foi de 66,7% e para risco de sarcopenia 61,7%. Verificou-se que idosos com risco de sarcopenia dispunham de 3,8 mais chances de ser dependentes para realização de ABVD (p<0,001). Conclusão: Identificou-se alta prevalência para dependência na realização de ABVD e risco de sarcopenia, sendo essas condições associadas. Idosos com dependência para realização de ABVD apresentaram maior risco de sarcopenia.
Reabilitação ambulatorial da COVID longa: uma chamada à ação
Authors: Imamura Marta , Shinzato Gilson Tanaka , Uchiyama Sabrina Saemy Tome , De Pretto Lucas Ramos , Ayres Denise Vianna Machado , Oshiro Simone Hitomi , Leite Valéria Dini , Rossi Daniela Aguilera Moura Antonio , Kaihami Harumi Nemoto , Lopes Rosana Aparecida de Freitas , Tsukimoto Denise Rodrigues , Naves Gabriella Souza , Matheus Denise , Santos Artur César Aquino dos , Miyazaki Margarida Harumi , Battistella Linamara Rizzo
Published: March 2022

A COVID-19 tem consequências sensório motoras, cognitivas, psíquicas e nutricionais que necessitam de reabilitação. Objetivo: Descrever o programa de reabilitação ambulatorial desenvolvido no Instituto de Medicina Física e Reabilitação do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, otimizado, intensivo e de curta duração. Método: Obtivemos informações sociodemográficas e clínicas de 12 adultos com diagnóstico laboratorial de COVID-19, grave e crítica, que necessitaram de hospitalização na fase aguda. Avaliações funcionais: Escala de Medida de Independência Funcional (MIF), EQ-5D-5L, World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), Post-COVID-19 Functional Status scale, Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea scale, escala visual analógica (EVA) para dor, DN-4 (Douleur Neuropathique 4), escala de sonolência de Epworth, Índice de Gravidade da Insônia, Montreal Ontario Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), escala de Depressão, ansiedade e estresse (DASS-21), avaliação nutricional, Timed Up and Go, teste de caminhada de 10 metros, teste de preensão palmar, MRC sum score, ultrassonografia musculoesquelética da coxa antes, durante e após programa de reabilitação ambulatorial. Este incluiu estimulação magnética indutiva e elétrica musculoesquelética, tratamento por ondas de choque extracorpóreas, exercícios isocinéticos, abordagem emocional, estimulação cognitiva, estimulação do desempenho ocupacional, orientação nutricional e programa educacional por aplicativo COMVC. O tratamento foi realizado duas vezes por semana até atingir os critérios de alta pré-estabelecidos. Resultados: VAS e TUG proporcionaram melhora estatisticamente significante (p <0,001). PCFS, MIF, Handgrip, 10 MWT e DASS-21 domínio ansiedade apresentam tendências de melhora. Conclusão: O programa melhora a dor, mobilidade e ansiedade em pacientes com COVID longa.
Assimilação, trajetória literária e intelectual: o caso de José Albasini (1908-1935)
Authors: Sampaio Thiago Henrique
Published: March 2022

Em finais de Oitocentos e nas primeiras décadas da centúria seguinte, desenvolveu-se em Moçambique uma imprensa oriunda de uma elite negra local. Esse grupo conhecido como assimilados, buscaram denunciar as mazelas, desleixos e corrupções da administração colonial portuguesa nos territórios moçambicanos. Um destes periódicos que denunciaram foi O Africano, criado em 1908 pelo Grêmio Africano de Lourenço Marques e que teve duração até 1919 sobre a direção dos irmãos João Albasini e José Albasini. A figura de José Albasini por muito tempo esteve a sombra da trajetória intelectual do seu irmão. Entretanto, José trilhou um caminho próprio e é considerado como o primeiro cronista de origem africana em Moçambique com sua série de textos Em busca de sáude: crônicas de um doente. O presente artigo busca pontuar as potencialidades existentes dentro da trajetória intelectual de José Albasini e sua atuação em Moçambique.
Realismo Literário e Experiência Moderna no início do século XX: reflexões a partir da obra proustiana
Authors: Haiduke Paulo Rodrigo Andrade
Published: March 2022

o presente artigo busca problematizar o romance A la recherche du temps perdu, obra do escritor francês Marcel Proust (1871-1922) publicada originalmente em Paris entre 1913 e 1927. A abordagem aqui proposta busca discutir alguns elementos do que podemos chamar de realismo desta obra, tentando fazer um diálogo com questões que foram importantes para a modernidade no início do século XX. Partindo da deflagração  da crise de identidade e identificação como elemento importante neste contexto, o trabalho analisa como a obra proustiana buscou analisar e também construir ideais para sua respectiva superação. Neste sentido, o reencontro de si pela reminiscência parece ter sido importante, e inclusive sugere a forma pela qual o romance proustiano tentou conciliar as realidades externa e subjetiva, entre tempo físico e temporalidade vivida. Por fim, o artigo busca apontar como a noção de memória involuntária funciona como sinal de realismo, indicando através da leitura da obra de Marcel Proust e de alguns exemplos de sua recepção para a atenção grande neste conjuntura às dimensões temporaris das estruturas e processos que formariam uma realidade supostamente mais profunda.
Effects of Structure and Meaning on Cortical Tracking of Linguistic Units in Naturalistic Speech
Authors: Coopmans Cas W. , de Hoop Helen , Hagoort Peter , Martin Andrea E.
Published: March 2022

Recent research has established that cortical activity “tracks” the presentation rate of syntactic phrases in continuous speech, even though phrases are abstract units that do not have direct correlates in the acoustic signal. We investigated whether cortical tracking of phrase structures is modulated by the extent to which these structures compositionally determine meaning. To this end, we recorded electroencephalography (EEG) of 38 native speakers who listened to naturally spoken Dutch stimuli in different conditions, which parametrically modulated the degree to which syntactic structure and lexical semantics determine sentence meaning. Tracking was quantified through mutual information between the EEG data and either the speech envelopes or abstract annotations of syntax, all of which were filtered in the frequency band corresponding to the presentation rate of phrases (1.1–2.1 Hz). Overall, these mutual information analyses showed stronger tracking of phrases in regular sentences than in stimuli whose lexical-syntactic content is reduced, but no consistent differences in tracking between sentences and stimuli that contain a combination of syntactic structure and lexical content. While there were no effects of compositional meaning on the degree of phrase-structure tracking, analyses of event-related potentials elicited by sentence-final words did reveal meaning-induced differences between conditions. Our findings suggest that cortical tracking of structure in sentences indexes the internal generation of this structure, a process that is modulated by the properties of its input, but not by the compositional interpretation of its output.