bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cluster analysis of patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) based on clinical presentation symptoms: a UK population-based cohort study
Authors: Thayakaran Rasiah , Goel Ruchika , Adderley Nicola J. , Chandan Joht Singh , Zemedikun Dawit , Nirantharakumar Krishnarajah , Harper Lorraine
Published: August 2022

Background

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is small vessel vasculitis with heterogeneous clinical presentation. In the present population-based cohort study, we classified patients with GPA based on clinical features at presentation using an unsupervised clustering approach and compared their mortality, infections and frequency of comorbidities.

Methods

In this open cohort study, de-identified primary care data of patients with GPA included in the IQVIA Medical Research Data database between 1 January 1995 and 25 September 2019 was analysed retrospectively. Latent class analysis was performed to create symptom clusters of patients based on 16 categories of symptoms representing various organ involvement. All-cause mortality of resultant clusters was compared after adjusting for age, sex, Townsend deprivation quintile and smoking status at index date using extended Cox proportional hazards models. Prescription of antibiotics, considered as an indirect indicator of recurrent bacterial infection, was compared using a recurrent event model, after adjusting for quarterly use of steroid as a time-dependent covariate. Cumulative frequencies of common comorbidities were compared among the clusters at index visit, 1-year and 3-year follow-up.

Results

Altogether, 649 patients with GPA [median age 60.0 (IQR: 49.6–70.1)] were included. Three clusters were identified: patients with limited disease mainly with involvement of ENT and cough were classified into cluster 1 (n = 426); cluster 2 had generalised non-renal disease (n = 176); while patients in cluster 3 had renal-predominant disease (n = 47). Many patients in cluster 1 developed generalised disease at the end of 1 year. Mortality in clusters 2 and 3 was higher compared with cluster 1. Mortality in cluster 1 itself was 68% higher than the general population without GPA. The duration of antibiotics prescription and frequency of coexisting medical illnesses was also higher in clusters 2 and 3.

Conclusions

In a primary care setting, patients with GPA can be classified into three distinct clusters with different prognosis, susceptibility to recurrent infections and presence of comorbidities. The tendency of cluster 1 to evolve into a more generalised disease raises questions about current immunosuppressive treatment approaches in these patients.
Muse cells: ushering in a new era of stem cell-based therapy for stroke
Authors: Li Han , Wei Jinghui , Liu Xuejia , Zhang Ping , Lin Juntang
Published: August 2022

Stem cell-based regenerative therapies have recently become promising and advanced for treating stroke. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have received the most attention for treating stroke because of the outstanding paracrine function of MSCs and the three-germ-layer differentiation ability of iPSCs. However, the unsatisfactory homing ability, differentiation, integration, and survival time in vivo limit the effectiveness of MSCs in regenerative medicine. The inherent tumorigenic property of iPSCs renders complete differentiation necessary before transplantation, which is complicated and expensive and affects the consistency among cell batches. Multilineage differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells are natural pluripotent stem cells in the connective tissues of nearly every organ and thus are considered nontumorigenic. A single Muse cell can differentiate into all three-germ-layer, preferentially migrate to damaged sites after transplantation, survive in hostile environments, and spontaneously differentiate into tissue-compatible cells, all of which can compensate for the shortcomings of MSCs and iPSCs. This review summarizes the recent progress in understanding the biological properties of Muse cells and highlights the differences between Muse cells and other types of stem cells. Finally, we summarized the current research progress on the application of Muse cells on stroke and challenges from bench to bedside.
A porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)-specific IgM as a novel adjuvant for an inactivated PRRSV vaccine improves protection efficiency and enhances cell-mediated immunity against heterologous PRRSV challenge
Authors: Chen Rui , Liu Bing , Zhang Xiangmei , Qin Mengmeng , Dong Jianhui , Gu Guoqian , Wu Chunyan , Wang Jingyu , Nan Yuchen
Published: August 2022

Current strategies for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) control are inadequate and mainly restricted to immunization using different PRRS virus (PPRSV) vaccines. Although there are no safety concerns, the poor performance of inactivated PRRSV vaccines has restricted their practical application. In this research, we employed the novel PRRSV-specific IgM monoclonal antibody (Mab)-PR5nf1 as a vaccine adjuvant for the formulation of a cocktail composed of inactivated PRRSV (KIV) and Mab-PR5nf1 along with a normal adjuvant to enhance PRRSV-KIV vaccine-mediated protection and further compared it with a normal KIV vaccine and modified live virus vaccine (MLV). After challenge with highly pathogenic (HP)-PRRSV, our results suggested that the overall survival rate (OSR) and cell-mediated immunity (CMI), as determined by serum IFN-γ quantification and IFN-γ ELISpot assay, were significantly improved by adding PRRSV-specific IgM to the PRRSV-KIV vaccine. It was also notable that both the OSR and CMI in the Mab-PR5nf1-adjuvanted KIV group were even higher than those in the MLV group, whereas the CMI response is normally poorly evoked by KIV vaccines or subunit vaccines. Compared with those in piglets immunized with the normal KIV vaccine, viral shedding and serum neutralizing antibody levels were also improved, and reduced viral shedding appeared to be a result of enhanced CMI caused by the inclusion of IgM as an adjuvant. In conclusion, our data provide not only a new formula for the development of an effective PRRSV-KIV vaccine for practical use but also a novel method for improving antigen-specific CMI induction by inactivated vaccines and subunit vaccines.
Urological cancer organoids, patients' avatars for precision medicine: past, present and future
Authors: Chen Haotian , Zhang Wentao , Maskey Niraj , Yang Fuhan , Zheng Zongtai , Li Cheng , Wang Ruiliang , Wu Pengfei , Mao Shiyu , Zhang Junfeng , Yan Yang , Li Wei , Yao Xudong
Published: August 2022

Urological cancers are common malignant cancers worldwide, with annually increasing morbidity and mortality rates. For decades, two-dimensional cell cultures and animal models have been widely used to study the development and underlying molecular mechanisms of urological cancers. However, they either fail to reflect cancer heterogeneity or are time-consuming and labour-intensive. The recent emergence of a three-dimensional culture model called organoid has the potential to overcome the shortcomings of traditional models. For example, organoids can recapitulate the histopathological and molecular diversity of original cancer and reflect the interaction between cancer and surrounding cells or stroma by simulating tumour microenvironments. Emerging evidence suggests that urine-derived organoids can be generated, which could be a novel non-invasive liquid biopsy method that provides new ideas for clinical precision therapy. However, the current research on organoids has encountered some bottlenecks, such as the lack of a standard culture process, the need to optimize the culture medium and the inability to completely simulate the immune system in vivo. Nonetheless, cell co-culture and organoid-on-a-chip have significant potential to solve these problems. In this review, the latest applications of organoids in drug screening, cancer origin investigation and combined single-cell sequencing are illustrated. Furthermore, the development and application of organoids in urological cancers and their challenges are summarised.
Inhibition of the cardiac fibroblast-enriched histone methyltransferase Dot1L prevents cardiac fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction
Authors: Xu Jie , Wang Jinghuan , Long Fen , Zhong Wen , Su Haibi , Su Zhenghua , Liu Xinhua
Published: August 2022

Background

Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition that contributes to compromised cardiac function and potentially heart failure. Disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (Dot1L) is the catalytic enzyme required for histone H3K79 methylation which has been demonstrated to play a role in transcriptional activation. However, the functions of Dot1L in the process of cardiac fibrosis still remain unknown.

Results

In the present study, we found that endogenous Dot1L is upregulated in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) treated with angiotensin II (Ang II) or transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, along with elevated extracellular matrix (ECM) such as fibronectin, collagen I and III. Silencing or inhibiting Dot1L mitigated Ang II-induced myofibroblast generation and fibrogenesis. We identified the transcription factor-forkhead box O (FoxO) 3a as a novel substrate of Dot1L, the transcriptional activating mark H3K79me3 level on the promoter of FoxO3a was increase in activated-CFs, and inhibition of Dot1L markedly decreased FoxO3a transcription accompanied by a significant decrease in the expression of fibrogenic gene. Knockdown of FoxO3a could alleviate ECM deposition induced by Ang II, on the contrary, overexpression FoxO3a resulting in CFs activation. Consistently, in vivo Dot1L ablation rescued myocardial ischemia-induced cardiac fibrosis and improved cardiac function.

Conclusions

Our findings conclude that upregulation of Dot1L results in activation of the cardiac fibroblasts to promote profibrotic gene, eventually causes cardiac fibrosis. Pharmacological targeting for Dot1L might represent a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of human cardiac fibrosis and other fibrotic diseases.
Melatonin inhibits NaIO3-induced ARPE-19 cell apoptosis via suppression of HIF-1α/BNIP3-LC3B/mitophagy signaling
Authors: Wang Kai , Chen Yong-Syuan , Chien Hsiang-Wen , Chiou Hui-Ling , Yang Shun-Fa , Hsieh Yi-Hsien
Published: August 2022

Background

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) leads to gradual central vision loss and eventual irreversible blindness. Melatonin, an endogenous hormone, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects; however, the role it plays in AMD remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the anti-AMD molecular mechanism of melatonin after sodium iodate (NaIO3) treatment of ARPE-19 cells in vitro and in animal models with the goal of improving the therapeutic effect.

Results

The in vitro results showed that melatonin protected against NaIO3-induced cell viability decline, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in ARPE-19 cells, and melatonin also alleviated NaIO3-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy activation. Melatonin reduced NaIO3-induced mitophagy activation through HIF-1α-targeted BNIP3/LC3B transcription, whereas ROS inhibition realized with N-acetylcysteine (NAC, a ROS inhibitor) combined with melatonin reduced the effect of NaIO3on mitophagy. An animal model of AMD was established to confirm the in vitro data. Mouse tail vein injection of NaIO3and melatonin was associated with enhanced repair of retinal layers within 7 days, as observed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. A reduction in BNIP3 and HIF-1α levels, as determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay, was also observed.

Conclusions

These results indicate that melatonin attenuated NaIO3-induced mitophagy of ARPE-19 cells via reduction in ROS-mediated HIF-1α targeted BNIP3/LC3B signaling in vitro and in vivo. Melatonin may be a potential therapeutic drug in the treatment of AMD.
Existence results for a self-adjoint coupled system of nonlinear second-order ordinary differential inclusions with nonlocal integral boundary conditions
Authors: Ahmad Bashir , Almalki Amal , Ntouyas Sotiris K. , Alsaedi Ahmed
Published: August 2022

A coupled system of nonlinear self-adjoint second-order ordinary differential inclusions supplemented with nonlocal nonseparated coupled integral boundary conditions on an arbitrary domain is studied. The existence results for convex and nonconvex valued maps involved in the given problem are proved by applying the nonlinear alternative of Leray–Schauder for multivalued maps and Covitz–Nadler’s fixed point theorem for contractive multivalued maps, respectively. Illustrative examples for the obtained results are presented. The paper concludes with some interesting observations.
Battle of the axes: Simulation-based assessment of fine needle aspiration biopsies for thyroid nodules
Authors: Samargandy Shireen , Philteos Justine , Manojlovic Kolarski Mirko , Xu Jason , Monteiro Eric , Vescan Allan
Published: August 2022

Importance

Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies (UGFNA) play a crucial role in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. There are two techniques for performing an UGFNA: short-axis technique and long-axis technique. There is sparsity in the literature regarding the differences between these two techniques.

Objective

To compare the efficiency between long-axis and short-axis thyroid UGFNA techniques in trainees. Our secondary outcomes were to define the comfort level and learning curves of trainees.

Design

A longitudinal prospective cohort study, completed from December 2018 to November 2019, using the Blue Phantom Thyroid Model© for UGFNA. Face and construct validity of the model were verified. Residents completed UGFNA on an assigned nodule using both long-axis and short-axis techniques, the order of which was sequentially allocated. The rate and time to successful biopsy were obtained for both techniques. Biopsy attempts were repeated to establish learning curves.

Setting

Single-center study.

Participants

Fourteen Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery residents at the University of Toronto.

Main outcome measure

Biopsy success and efficiency for novice learners completing UGFNA on a simulated thyroid model using long-axis and short-axis techniques.

Results

A trend towards higher odds of successful biopsy using the long-axis technique with no difference in procedure duration was observed (OR = 2.2, p = 0.095, CI = 0.87–5.39). Learning curve graphs appeared heterogenous according to trainee level. Trainees found the long-axis technique easier to perform (10/14, 71%), and the simulator valuable for learning (12/14, 86%).

Conclusion

Thyroid UGFNA using the long-axis technique may have an increased success rate and is generally favored by trainees for being easier to perform. Thyroid simulators have the potential to increase learner comfort and efficiency with UGFNA.

Graphical Abstract
Association between histological diaphragm atrophy and ultrasound diaphragm expiratory thickness in ventilated patients
Authors: Dot Irene , Pérez-Terán Purificación , Francés Albert , Díaz Yolanda , Vilà-Vilardell Clara , Salazar-Degracia Anna , Chalela Roberto , Barreiro Esther , Rodriguez-Fuster Alberto , Masclans Joan Ramon , Marin-Corral Judith
Published: August 2022

Background

Diaphragm fiber atrophy has been evidenced after short periods of mechanical ventilation (MV) and related to critical illness-associated diaphragm weakness. Atrophy is described as a decrease in diaphragm fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) in human diaphragm biopsy, but human samples are still difficult to obtain in clinics. In recent years, ultrasound has become a useful tool in intensive care to evaluate diaphragm anatomy. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of diaphragm expiratory thickness (Tdi) measured by ultrasound to predict diaphragm atrophy, defined by a decrease in diaphragm fiber CSA obtained through diaphragm biopsy (the gold standard technique) in ventilated patients.

Methods

Diaphragm biopsies and diaphragm ultrasound were performed in ventilated donors and in control subjects. Demographic variables, comorbidities, severity on admission, treatment, laboratory test results and evolution variables were evaluated. Immunohistochemical analysis to determine CSA and ultrasound measurements of Tdi at end-expiration were performed, and median values of the control group were used as thresholds to determine agreement between them in further analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of an ultrasound Tdi cutoff for detecting histologic atrophy were calculated. Agreement between two ultrasound observers was also assessed.

Results

Thirty-five ventilated organ donors and 5 ventilated controls were included, without differences in basic characteristics. CSA and Tdi were lower in donors than in controls. All donors presented lower CSA, but only 74% lower Tdi regarding control group thresholds. The cut-off value for lower diaphragm expiratory thickness (Tdi < 1.7 mm) presented a sensitivity of 73%, a specificity of 67%, a positive predictive value of 96% and a negative predictive value of 17% for determining the presence of diaphragm atrophy (CSA < 2851 μm2).

Conclusions

Diaphragm atrophy and thickness reduction is associated to MV. While a lower Tdi in diaphragm ultrasound is a good tool for diagnosing atrophy, normal or increased Tdi cannot rule atrophy out showing that both parameters should not be considered as synonymous.
Determinants of postnatal care service utilization among married women in rural areas in western Ethiopia
Authors: Beyene Tesfalidet , Melka Alemu Sufa , Yadecha Birhanu
Published: August 2022

Background

Worldwide studies have shown that three-fourths of the total deaths during the neonatal period occur in the first week of the postnatal period. However, most of these deaths can be prevented with care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care. According to the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey report, 17% of women in Ethiopia had received postnatal care after childbirth. This study aimed to identify determinants of postnatal care service utilization among married women in rural areas in Western Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 798 women who had given birth in the past 2 years prior to the survey between 2 and 31 January 2015. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to determine factors affecting utilization of postnatal care. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the strength of the associations.

Results

The study showed that 188 (23.6%) women utilized postnatal care services during their last pregnancy. Women’s educational level (AOR = 3.29, 95%CI = 1.89–5.73), utilization of antenatal care (AOR = 2.07, 95%CI = 1.28–3.36), awareness on the advantage of postnatal care (AOR = 2.10, 95%CI = 1.41–3.13), and knowledge of at least one danger sign during the postnatal period (AOR = 3.04, 95%CI = 2.07–4.46) showed a significant positive association with the utilization of postnatal care.

Conclusion

Educating women and creating awareness of maternal health care services during pregnancy increase the utilization of postnatal care services. Health care professionals should provide information on the importance of postnatal care for pregnant women during antenatal care visits.
Incomplete faces are completed using a more average face
Authors: Kramer Robin S. S. , Jones Alex L.
Published: August 2022

Facial first impressions are known to influence how we behave towards others. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we often view incomplete faces due to the commonplace wearing of face masks. Previous research has shown that perceptions of attractiveness are often increased due to these coverings, with initial evidence suggesting that this may be caused by viewers using a mental representation of the average face to complete any missing information. Here, we directly address this hypothesis by presenting participants with incomplete faces (either the lower or upper half removed) and asking them to decide how they thought the actual, full face looked. Participants were able to manipulate the missing half of the face onscreen by increasing or decreasing the averageness of its shape. Our results demonstrated that participants did not select the original versions of the faces but instead chose more average versions when manipulating both the lower and upper face. Further, the typicality of the original image influenced responses, with less typical faces (in comparison with more typical ones) being completed using an even more average version of the missing half of the faces. Taken together, these findings provide the first direct evidence that people utilise an average/typical internal representation when inferring information about incomplete faces. This result has theoretical importance in terms of visual perception, as well as real-world relevance in a time where face masks are commonplace due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conceptualization and content validation of the MEDication literacy assessment of geriatric patients and informal caregivers (MED-fLAG)
Authors: Gentizon Jenny , Fleury Mapi , Pilet Eric , Büla Christophe , Mabire Cedric
Published: August 2022

Background

The assessment of patients’ medication literacy skills (i.e., abilities to access, comprehend and interact with medication-related information) is an important step in assisting clinicians to plan for appropriate care. Despite several attempts by researchers to develop measures of medication literacy, an instrument tailored to the specific needs of older adults remains a significant shortfall. Therefore, an interprofessional team that included a citizen co-researcher conceptualized a new standardised measure of medication literacy—the MEDedication Literacy Assessment of Geriatric patients and informal caregivers (MED-fLAG). MED-fLAG was designed as a three-dimensional self-reported measure of functional, interactive and critical skills. This study describes the conceptualization process and provides the results of an evaluation of MED-fLAG’s content validity, acceptability, and feasibility during a hospital stay.

Methods

MED-fLAG was developed in accordance with the guidance on scale development and standards for good content validity, by using the following steps: (I) conceptualization of a provisional version of MED-fLAG; (II) iterative qualitative evaluation of its content validity by older adults, informal caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Results

The qualitative assessment of the initial 54-item MED-fLAG was conducted in 36 participants, namely 13 home-dwelling older adults and/or informal caregivers and 23 healthcare professionals. Six rounds of revisions were performed to achieve content validity and to propose a 56-item revised MED-fLAG. Participants reported benefits of using a standardized assessment of medication literacy during a hospital stay but warned about certain limitations and prerequisites. The extent to which MED-fLAG could be integrated into discharge planning needs to be further investigated.

Conclusions

MED-fLAG is the first medication literacy measure tailored to the specific needs of older patients and informal caregivers. A unique feature of this measure is that it includes prescribed and non-prescribed medications, irrespective of the galenic form. Additional studies are required to evaluate the other measurement properties of MED-fLAG, and to reduce the number of items before considering its clinical application.
Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm associated with infective endocarditis: an autopsy case report
Authors: Rahimi Razuin , Anuar Nur Shafaradila Shamsul , Kornain Noor Kaslina Mohd , Noor Norizal Mohd
Published: August 2022

Background

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a bacterial infection of the heart valves or endocardium, with complications such as valve perforation, ring abscess, fistula, or damage to the subaortic structures. This case report aims to illustrate an atypical complication of IE which is a pseudoaneurysm depicting a periannular hemorrhage.

Case presentation

We describe a case of a 19-year-old male youth who presented with fever and cough a few days prior to his demise. There was no known risk factor for IE. The autopsy revealed a bulging anterior surface, upper part of the left ventricle which was soft and slightly fluctuant. Cut section of the heart revealed large vegetations affecting the right and left coronary cusps of the aortic valve. The vegetations at the left coronary cusp were mobile, with necrotic and hollow area underneath, appearing like a cavity and containing blood clots. The course of the cavity was determined to be at the periannular region and contained within the myocardium. These findings were consistent with left ventricular pseudoaneurysm. Culture of the vegetations specimen yielded growth of Granulicatella adiacens sp. anti-streptolysin O titre (ASOT) was 400 IU/mL and reported as positive.

Conclusions

IE secondary to Granulicatella sp is rare and may result in catastrophic complications. Therefore, this case report is intended to highlight the autopsy findings of the disease as well as to create awareness of its subtle clinical symptoms.
New records and an annotated checklist of the thick-headed flies from Algeria (Conopidae, Brachycera, Diptera)
Authors: El-Hawagry Magdi S. A. , Boulaouad Belkacem A. , Soliman Ahmed M. , Ebrahim Ayman M. , Al Dhafer Hathal M.
Published: August 2022

Background

The Conopidae are an interesting family of small- to large-sized endoparasitic flies, commonly known as thick-headed flies. These flies have been proposed as potential biological control agents of invasive social wasps (subfamilies: Polistinae and Vespinae, family: Vespidae).

Results

All known Algerian thick-headed flies (family Conopidae) are listed in the present study. Four subfamilies, nine genera and 23 species were treated. Three of these species are recorded herein from Algeria for the first time, namely Myopa pellucida (Robineau-Desvoidy), M. picta Panzer and Thecophora fulvipes (Robineau-Desvoidy). As far as they are known, Algerian localities and collection dates are provided, which comprise some new locality records. The data for this study were compiled from both available literature and material collected from some Algerian localities.

Conclusion

The family Conopidae (thick-headed flies) is hitherto represented in Algeria by four subfamilies, nine genera and 23 species. Three of these species are recorded herein for the first time.
Flow field reconstruction and shock train leading edge position detection of scramjet isolation section based on a small amount of CFD data
Authors: Chen Hao , Tian Ye , Guo Mingming , Le Jialing , Ji Yuan , Zhang Yi , Zhang Hua , Zhang Chenlin
Published: August 2022

Scramjet is the main power device of hypersonic vehicles. With the gradual expansion of wide velocity domain, shock wave/shock wave and shock wave/boundary layer are the main phenomena in scramjet isolator. When the leading edge of the shock train is pushed out from the inlet of the isolator, the engine will not start. Therefore, it is very important to detect the flow field structure in the isolator and the leading edge position of the shock train. The traditional shock train detection methods have low detection accuracy and slow detection speed. This paper describes a method based on deep learning to reconstruct the flow field in the isolator and detect the leading edge of the shock train. Under various back pressure conditions, the flow field images of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) data and the corresponding upper and lower wall pressure data were obtained, and a data set corresponding to pressure and flow field was constructed. By constructing and training convolutional neural networks, a mapping model with pressure information as input and flow field image as output is obtained, and then the leading edge position of shock train is detected on the output flow field image. The experimental results show that the average structure similarity (SSIM) between the reconstructed flow field image and the CFD flow field image is 0.902, the average peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) is 25.289, the average correlation coefficient (CORR) is 0.956, and the root mean square error of shock train leading edge detection is 3.28 mm. Moreover, if the total pressure input is appropriately reduced, the accuracy of flow field reconstruction does not decline significantly, which means that the model has a certain robustness. Finally, in order to improve the detection accuracy of the leading edge position, we fine tuned the model and obtained another detection method, which reduced the root mean square error of the detection results to 1.87 mm.
Impact of climate change-induced natural disasters on intangible cultural heritage related to food: a review
Authors: Dembedza Vimbainashe Prisca , Chopera Prosper , Mapara Jacob , Macheka Lesley
Published: August 2022

The increased frequency of extreme climate-induced natural disasters (floods, cyclones, mud slides, heat waves, droughts), attributed to climate change, is causing stress to already vulnerable livelihoods by affecting both tangible and intangible cultural heritage (ICH) assets. There are limited studies that have established how the climate-induced disasters have impacted the ICH elements of food. As such, there is need to first establish the ICH elements or components of food and then how these ICH elements of food are being affected by climate change-induced disasters. This review was therefore aimed at identifying based on the literature the different ICH elements of food and how these can be affected by climate-induced disasters such as floods, cyclones, and droughts. This review paper shows that food is not only considered an ICH because of it being specific to a territory or ethnic group, but there are several dimensions or elements of food that makes it qualify as an ICH, which we grouped into six categories or domains. These domains of food as ICH are (i) food traditions and customs, (ii) food production, processing, and storage, (iii) dietary culture, (iv) eating and social practices, (v) culinary, and (vi) geographical indications. These ICH domains of food as ICH we created them based on the similarity of the different characteristics of the ICH elements are identified in the literature. This new insight is useful in assessing the impact of climate-induced natural disasters on intangible cultural heritage in food systems. More so, the identified categories of ICH elements of food can be viewed as constructs in a framework that can be used to assess the impact of climate-induced disasters on intangible cultural heritage in food systems and the ultimate impact on nutrition outcomes. Further research can be directed toward the development of a framework or tool to enable the assessment of the impact of climate-induced natural disasters on intangible cultural heritage in food systems.
Cardiac CT evaluation of left atrial diverticulum and accessory appendage
Authors: Şimşek Sadullah , Özmen Cihan Akgül , Kansu Yasemin
Published: August 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, location, size, and morphological features of the left atrial accessory appendage and diverticulum with cardiac computed tomography. Cardiac computed tomography obtained consecutively from 1415 patients with normal ECG findings during a 2-year period were analyzed. Left atrial appendage and diverticulum type, location, and size were recorded and analyzed according to age and gender.

Results

Cardiac computed tomography of 1415 (796 males and 619 females) participants aged 44.1 + 12.2 years old were re-evaluated, and 238 atrial diverticulum were found in 234 (16.5%) patients, accessory appendage in 93 (6.5%), and atrial diverticula and accessory appendage together in eight (0.56%) patients. The atrial diverticulum was most frequently observed in the anterosuperior localization (n = 157, 49.2%). One hundred and twenty-three (52%) of the atrial diverticulum were cystic, and 107 (45%) were tubular form. Accessory appendage was observed most frequently in the anterior superior location (n = 65, 20.4%).

Conclusions

The frequency of left atrial diverticulum was found to be 16%, and the frequency of accessory appendage was 6%, consistent with the majority of the literature. Left atrial diverticulum and accessory appendage were detected more frequently in men than in women. Cystic form is more common in left atrial diverticulum.
Computational modelling studies of some 1,3-thiazine derivatives as anti-influenza inhibitors targeting H1N1 neuraminidase via 2D-QSAR, 3D-QSAR, molecular docking, and ADMET predictions
Authors: Abdullahi Mustapha , Uzairu Adamu , Shallangwa Gideon Adamu , Mamza Paul Andrew , Ibrahim Muhammad Tukur
Published: August 2022

Background

Influenza virus disease remains one of the most contagious diseases that aided the deaths of many patients, especially in this COVID-19 pandemic era. Recent discoveries have shown that the high prevalence of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 coinfection can rapidly increase the death rate of patients. Hence, it became necessary to search for more potent inhibitors for influenza disease therapy. The present study utilized some computational modeling concepts such as 2D-QSAR, 3D-QSAR, molecular docking simulation, and ADMET predictions of some 1,3-thiazine derivatives as inhibitors of influenza neuraminidase (NA).

Results

The 2D-QSAR modeling results showed GFA-MLR ($$R_{{\text{train }}}^{2}$$Rtrain2 = 0.9192,Q2 = 0.8767,R2adj = 0.8991, RMSE = 0.0959,$$R_{{{\text{test}}}}^{2}$$Rtest2 = 0.8943,$$R_{{{\text{pred}}}}^{2}$$Rpred2 = 0.7745) and GFA-ANN ($$R_{{\text{train }}}^{2}$$Rtrain2 = 0.9227,Q2 = 0.9212, RMSE = 0.0940,$$R_{{{\text{test}}}}^{2}$$Rtest2 = 0.8831,$$R_{{{\text{pred}}}}^{2}$$Rpred2 = 0.7763) models with the computed descriptors as ATS7s, SpMax5_Bhv, nHBint6, and TDB9m for predicting the NA inhibitory activities of compounds which have passed the global criteria of accepting QSAR model. The 3D-QSAR modeling was carried out based on the comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA). The CoMFA_ES ($$R_{{\text{train }}}^{2}$$Rtrain2 = 0.9620,Q2 = 0.643) and CoMSIA_SED ($$R_{{\text{train }}}^{2}$$Rtrain2 = 0.8770,Q2 = 0.702) models were found to also have good and reliable predicting ability. The compounds were also virtually screened based on their binding scores via molecular docking simulations with the active site of the NA (H1N1) target receptor which also confirms their resilient potency. Four potential lead compounds (4, 7, 14, and 15) with the relatively high inhibitory rate (> 50%) and docking (> − 6.3 kcal/mol) scores were identified as the possible lead candidates for in silico exploration of improved anti-influenza agents.

Conclusion

The drug-likeness and ADMET predictions of the lead compounds revealed non-violation of Lipinski’s rule and good pharmacokinetic profiles as important guidelines for rational drug design. Hence, the outcome of this research set a course for the in silico design and exploration of novel NA inhibitors with improved potency.
Design of hexagonal chalcogenide photonic crystal fiber with ultra-flattened dispersion in mid-infrared wavelength spectrum
Authors: James Raja S , Jose Tony , Charlcedony R , Sam Paul M , Chakravarthi R
Published: August 2022

In the last few decades, silica-based photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) have been the subject of extensive research. Traditional silica-based PCFs, however, experience considerable propagation loss when used beyond 3000 nm. On the other hand, soft glasses, notably tellurite, fluoride, and chalcogenide glasses, offer exceptional optical transparency in the mid-IR wavelength region and are a desirable replacement for silica in MIR applications. A comprehensive investigation of chromatic dispersion properties in the hexagonal chalcogenide photonic crystal fibers is presented. The dependency of fiber dispersion on the structural parameters of photonic crystal fibers is thoroughly described in this study. Utilizing the interaction between material and geometrical dispersion, we were able to develop a well-defined framework for making specific predefined dispersion curves. In the mid-infrared wavelength spectrum, we are concerned with flattened, if not ultra-flattened, dispersion behaviors. In the wavelength range of 3500–6500 nm, the hexagonal chalcogenide microstructured fiber was engineered to achieve a typical dispersion profile flattened to within −3.41 to 9.5 ps/[nm–km] for the six-ring structure and −3.91 to 8.17 ps/[nm–km] for the four-ring structure. This proposed chalcogenide PCF can be used for soliton generation, gas sensing, biomedical imaging, supercontinuum generation, and long-distance high-speed communication applications in the mid-infrared wavelength range due to its nearly zero ultra-flattened dispersion characteristics.
Differences in associations between family functioning and anxious and depressive symptoms in Chinese women and their partners in early pregnancy
Authors: Qin Xuemei , Xu Shuyin , Ma Mohan , Fan Xing , Nie Xueqing , Zhang Yan , Liu Bangshan , Li Lingjiang
Published: August 2022

Background

Family functioning is associated with anxiety and depression. Perinatal depression and anxiety are common and influence the well-being of women, partners and their offspring. However, little is known about differences in associations between family functioning and mood symptoms in women and their partners in early pregnancy.

Aims

Investigating differences in associations between family functioning and anxious and depressive symptoms in women and their partners in early pregnancy.

Method

In total, 171 woman–partner pairs were enrolled. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item scale (GAD-7) and Family Assessment Device (FAD) were performed. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were applied to investigate the associations.

Results

In pregnant women, all the subscale scores on the FAD were correlated with total scores on the EPDS and GAD-7 (all P < 0.05), whereas only the Roles subscale showed a predicting effect in regression models (P < 0.01). In partners, all the subscale scores on the FAD were related to total scores on the PHQ-9 (all P < 0.05), whereas only the Problem Solving subscale showed a predicting effect (P = 0.029).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that family functioning in the domain of roles is associated with anxious and depressive symptoms in pregnant women and functioning in the domain of problem solving is associated with depressive symptoms in partners. Clinicians should pay special attention to roles and problem solving when assessing mood symptoms in pregnant women and their partners. This study also provides a basis for family health education in early pregnancy.
Economic analyses of supported employment programmes for people with mental health conditions: A systematic review
Authors: Park A-La , Rinaldi Miles , Brinchmann Beate , Killackey Eoin , Aars Nils Abel P. , Mykletun Arnstein , McDaid David
Published: August 2022

Background

Employment is intrinsic to recovery from mental health conditions, helping people live independently. Systematic reviews indicate supported employment (SE) focused on competitive employment, including individual placement and support (IPS), is effective in helping people with mental health conditions into work. Evidence is limited on cost-effectiveness. We comprehensively reviewed evidence on the economic case for SE/IPS programmes.

Methods

We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, IBSS, Business Source Complete, and EconLit for economic and return on investment analyses of SE/IPS programmes for mental health conditions. Traditional vocational rehabilitation, sheltered work, and return to work initiatives after sickness absence of less than 1 year were excluded. Studies were independently screened by two reviewers. We assessed quality using the Consolidate Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards checklist. The protocol was preregistered with PROSPERO-CRD42020184359.

Results

From 40,015 references, 28 studies examined the economic case for IPS, four IPS augmented by another intervention, and 24 other forms of SE. Studies were very heterogenous, quality was variable. Of 41 studies with quality scores over 50%, 10 reported cost per quality-adjusted life year gained, (8 favourable to SE/IPS), 14 net monetary benefits (12 positive), 5 return on investment (4 positive), and 20 cost per employment outcome (14 favorable, 5 inconclusive, 1 negative). Totally, 24 of these 41 studies had monetary benefits that more than outweighed the additional costs of SE/IPS programmes.

Conclusions

There is a strong economic case for the implementation of SE/IPS programmes. The economic case is conservative as evidence on long-term impacts of programmes is limited.
Communication About Fall Risk in Community Oncology Practice: The Role of Geriatric Assessment
Authors: Jensen-Battaglia Marielle , Lei Lianlian , Xu Huiwen , Loh Kah Poh , Wells Megan , Tylock Rachael , Ramsdale Erika , Kleckner Amber S. , Mustian Karen M. , Dunne Richard F. , Kehoe Lee , Bearden James , Burnette Brian L. , Whitehead Mary , Mohile Supriya G. , Wildes Tanya M.
Published: August 2022

PURPOSE:

Falls are a modifiable source of morbidity for older adults with cancer, yet are underassessed in oncology practice. In this secondary analysis of a nationwide cluster-randomized controlled trial, we examined characteristics associated with patient-oncologist conversations about falls, and whether oncologist knowledge of geriatric assessment (GA) resulted in more conversations.

METHODS:

Eligible patients (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02107443 ) were age ≥ 70 years, had stage III/IV solid tumor or lymphoma, were being treated with noncurative treatment intent, and ≥ 1 GA domain impairment. Patients in both arms underwent GA. At practices randomly assigned to the intervention arm, oncologists were provided a GA summary with management recommendations. In both arms, patients had one clinical encounter audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded to categorize whether a conversation about falls occurred. Generalized linear mixed models adjusted for arm, practice site, and other important covariates were used to generate proportions and odds ratios (ORs) from the full sample.

RESULTS:

Of 541 patients (intervention N = 293 and usual care N = 248, mean age: 77 years, standard deviation: 5.3), 528 had evaluable audio recordings. More patients had conversations about falls in the intervention versus usual care arm (61.3% v 10.3%, P < .001). Controlling for the intervention and practice site, history of falls (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.6; P = .005) and impaired physical performance (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.7 to 12.8; P = .002) were significantly associated with patient-oncologist conversations about falls.

CONCLUSION:

GA intervention increased conversations about falls. History of falls and impaired physical performance were associated with patient-oncologist conversations about falls in community oncology practice.
Tales Told by Empty Sleeves: Disability, Mendicancy, and Civil War Life Writing
Authors: Franzino Jean
Published: August 2022

This article considers texts written or sold by disabled Civil War veterans for their economic support as an understudied precursor to twentieth-century disability memoir and an instructive subgenre of the literature of poverty. These so-called mendicant texts challenged contemporary disability representations in both “empty sleeve” discourse and in US pension law, drawing attention to how economic structures shaped the experience of living with an impairment and to the social determinants of poverty. At the same time, mendicant texts stopped short of arguing for a wholesale reorganization of society; thus, they testify to the partial and uneven postbellum evolution in understandings of disability and poverty as social categories. If mendicant texts tell us about the historical circumstances of disability and its intersection with economic suffering, they also offer productive challenges to scholars studying life writing from the perspectives of US literary studies, disability studies, and poverty studies. While mendicant narratives’ ambiguous authorship and departures from the truth trouble expectations of authentic and resistant self-representation, these elements offer new insights into the rigid constraints upon acceptable disability presentation in this era, as well as the creative choices made by veterans who peddled literature in order to survive.
Picturing Poverty in the Mid-Nineteenth Century
Authors: Merish Lori
Published: August 2022

“Picturing Poverty” addresses the striking absence of discussion of poverty in US cultural criticism by turning to the archive to examine historically significant and influential, but previously neglected, early photographs of the poor alongside more familiar literary texts. The essay demonstrates that the period’s photographic apprehension of the poor haunts literary depictions. Tracing rich, productive exchanges between nineteenth-century visual and literary texts, it argues that the photographic project of bearing witness to urban poverty helped authorize the emergence of realism as a nineteenth-century literary mode. “Picturing Poverty” illustrates this argument by analyzing the work of Horatio Alger, who plainly incorporates ideals of photographic legibility into his fictional narratives and vision of reform.
The Scene of Eviction: Reification and Resistance in Depression-Era Narratives of Dispossession
Authors: St. Clair Cody C.
Published: August 2022

Because evictions pervaded US working-class cityscapes during the Great Depression, newspapers actively covered their developments and aftermaths, trading in eviction as a commodifiable experience that could entertain readers at the expense of pathologizing evictees and naturalizing summary process. Against this eviction reportage, this essay identifies a disconnected coterie of authors and artists who represented evictions and anti-eviction protests in their works, mapping out an urban geography that attends to the sociospatial and historical politics of forced ejection. In the writings of H. T. Tsiang and Ralph Ellison in particular, eviction constitutes a spatial politics of violence and exclusion, revealing the state’s protection of private property and bourgeois class interests over the well-being of its working-class and unemployed residents. Illustrating the sociospatial politics of eviction, these authors exploited and contested popular genres of eviction reportage, which narrated dispossession as a pathology of the poor to legitimate the state’s violent protection of private property. Challenging this pathologization as well as the scapegoating of Communist agitation, this essay contends that these texts account for how the juridical architecture of eviction itself creates the space and social mechanisms for anti-eviction resistance to take place. In so doing, this article positions housing and homeless justice as a politics central to the aesthetic experimentations and legacy of 1930s proletarian modernisms.