bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Book Review: Diesen, G., & Lukin, A. (Eds), The Return of Eurasia: Continuity and Change
Authors: Joshi Nirmala
Published: December 2021

Diesen, G., & Lukin, A. (Eds), The Return of Eurasia: Continuity and Change (The Palgrave Macmillan, 2021). Pp. v-xv, 213, €10399 (Hardcover). ISBN: 978-981-16-2178-9.
Detection and residence time of bisphosphonates in bone of horses
Authors: Knych Heather K. , Janes Jennifer , Kennedy Laura , McKemie Daniel S. , Arthur Rick M. , Samol Monika A. , Uzal Francisco A. , Scollay Mary
Published: December 2021

Bisphosphonates are potent anti-resorptive agents that have the potential to adversely affect bone healing in equine athletes, and normal bone adaption in young racehorses. A concern exists that bisphosphonate inhibition of normal bone metabolism could lead to increased bone fractures during high-intensity exercise. We found only a single report describing concentrations of tiludronate in the bone of horses, and no studies describing clodronate. Knowledge of the residence time in bone could allow for a better understanding of the long-term effects of these compounds. Our objectives were to develop a method for detection of bisphosphonates in bone and add to the limited information available regarding the disposition of these drugs in the bone of horses. Two horses received clodronate and 2 tiludronate disodium. Postmortem collection of bones and teeth occurred either 4 or 30 d post drug administration. Additionally, postmortem blood, synovial fluid, aqueous humor, and bone samples from racehorses with various histories of bisphosphonate administration were collected, and concentrations determined using the developed LC-MS/MS method. Bisphosphonates were detected in bones and teeth tested at 4 and 30 d. In a postmortem sample, clodronate was detected in bone from a horse with reported administration 18 mo prior; clodronate was not detected in other sample types collected from this horse. Bisphosphonates reside in bone for extended periods of time, which could lead to potential long-term effects, increasing the potential for bone fractures in young and/or athletic horses.
Bounded Solidarity as an Asset for Public Health Care Intervention
Authors: Yter Mireia , Murillo David , Georgiou Andreas
Published: December 2021

The relationship between social capital and public health has been extensively analyzed. However, not much has been written about the formation of social capital among citizens and public health workers in times of a pandemic. Our aim is to analyze social capital development through the prism of bounded solidarity and seek its manifestations toward public health workers. A qualitative self-administered survey was used to analyze what actions, practices, attitudes, and reasons inspired citizens to behave as they did with respect to public health workers during the first weeks of lockdown under the COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents, mostly from European countries, reveal that citizens aimed to prevent the collapse of the public health system through reinforcing trust toward institutions, legitimizing health care personnel expertise, practicing reciprocity and altruism, giving recognition to public health workers, and providing them with means. Finally, recommendations for public health communication on risks and crises are discussed.
Maternal Common Cold or Fever During Pregnancy and the Risk of Orofacial Clefts in the Offspring: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Shi Fang-ping , Huang Ying-ying , Dai Qiao-qun , Chen Yu-lu , Jiang Hai-yin , Liang Si-Yuan
Published: December 2021

The common cold and/or an associated fever during pregnancy have/has been suspected to harm the developing fetus. We sought possible correlations between a maternal common cold or fever during pregnancy and the risk of orofacial clefts in the offspring.

We systematically searched PubMed and Embase using appropriate keywords, and we checked the reference lists of retrieved articles. We used random-effects models to estimate overall relative risks.

Incidence of orofacial clefts.

We included 13 case-control studies. Modest but statistically significant associations were found between a maternal common cold and cleft lip with or without a cleft palate (CL/CP) (odds ratio [OR] 2.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.66–2.83) and a cleft palate only (CPO) (OR 3.08; 95% CI 1.5–6.34). Furthermore, maternal fever was also associated with an increased risk of CL/CP (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.3–2.8) and CPO (OR 1.48, 95% CI 0.83–2.63) in the offspring. Further analyses of maternal influenza (alone) yielded similar results.

Although evidence of heterogeneity should be carefully evaluated, our findings suggest that maternal common cold or fever during pregnancy may be associated with a greater risk of CL/CP or CPO in the offspring. Future cohort studies using valid assessments of maternal common cold exposure during pregnancy that consider the severity of fever are needed to clarify the contribution of maternal common cold or fever status to the risk of orofacial clefts in children.
Overbooking as a Means to Manage Restaurant No-Shows and Cancellations: A Novel Model Extension
Authors: Chiang C. I.
Published: December 2021

Newsvendor models have been developed to determine the optimal overbooking level of hotel rooms to manage no-shows and cancellations. This research note extends the newsvendor model to a restaurant context by taking into account the “stretched capacity” of restaurants to determine the optimal overbooking levels for restaurant seats. Data were collected from a restaurant in Taiwan to illustrate the model. The percentage of no-shows per day in this restaurant ranged from 11% to 16%. Utilizing its stretched capacity, the restaurant can overbook up to five more seats than the estimated number of no-shows. The extended model will be most suitable for restaurants that largely depend on reservations (rather than walk-ins), such as luxury or fine-dining restaurants. Directions for future research on restaurant overbooking are provided.
Phacomatosis pigmentovascularis with sturge-weber syndrome and congenital glaucoma: A rare case report
Authors: Manavalan Vijaikrishnan , Kaliaperumal Subashini , Subramanian Swathi , Mani Malavika
Published: December 2021

Phacomatosis pigmentovascularis (PPV) is a rare congenital disease characterized by the co-existence of cutaneous vascular malformation and pigmentary nevi with or without extracutaneous systemic involvement. Here, we present a 2-month old child diagnosed with phacomatosis cesioflammea type of PPV with Sturge-Weber syndrome and secondary congenital glaucoma of the left eye. She underwent combined trabeculotomy and trabeculectomy in the left eye for glaucoma and was started on anti-epileptics for seizure control following pediatric evaluation. Early screening and treatment initiation can prevent blindness and other systemic complications associated with PPV.
Continuous administration of voriconazole enhances therapeutic effect for recalcitrant fungal keratitis
Authors: Liang Weiyan , Liu Chang , Zhang Xiansen , Li Ling , Dou Zexia , Li Dandan , Li Xinxin , Wu Bowen , Wang Mingwu , Li Shaowei
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of incorporating continuous administration of voriconazole in the treatment of recalcitrant fungal keratitis.

Methods

In this prospective case study, 5 consecutive patients (5 eyes) with fungal keratitis were treated with a standard protocol after the failing maximal conventional medical treatment. The protocol involved continuous lavage of the ulcer with 1% voriconazole through an irrigator for 2 h, twice a day, combined with local and systemic antifungals. Visual acuity, slit lamp findings of the ulcer, and fungal hyphae density by confocal microscope were documented, respectively.

Results

In 4 patients, the clinical symptoms and slit lamp examination were significantly improved after only 3 days of treatment. The hyphae were shown to decrease in number and morphologically fragmented in corneal stroma by confocal microscopy. After the infection was controlled, 2 cases required further keratoplasty. In one case, the treatment was deemed ineffective and a conjunctival flap had to be created to help control the infection. In all 5 patients, the best spectacle-corrected visual acuity had improved after treatment. With more than 3 months of follow-up, no recurrence of infection was seen in any cases.

Conclusion

Our treatment protocol demonstrated improvement in the treatment of clinically resistant fungal keratitis. Continuous lavage of voriconazole is easy to be implemented and well-tolerated by patients. Modification of the current protocol should be further explored to optimize the therapeutic effectiveness in future.
Brake friction composite materials: A review on classifications and influences of friction materials in braking performance with characterizations
Authors: Sathyamoorthy G. , Vijay R. , Lenin Singaravelu D.
Published: December 2021

Brake friction materials play an important role in automobiles to reduce speed and to stop the vehicles. Advances in friction materials were updated to ensure effective performances in braking systems and to provide the maximum safety and comfort. Presently eco-friendly friction materials have been used as a replacement for conventional friction materials. Many synthetic and natural products were identified and claimed as better alternatives to banned toxic materials like asbestos and copper. Friction materials developed from natural products are eco-friendly and assure a great promise when applied in modern vehicles. To develop innovative formulations, basic knowledge of common ingredients and their effects in friction materials was needed. This review focuses mainly on providing detailed information about the common ingredients used, processing methods and the characteristics of brake friction materials.
If it ain’t Dutch, it ain’t much: Vereeniging Nederlandsch Fabrikaat, the citizen-consumer and Dutch nationalist consumption in the interwar Netherlands
Authors: Onstenk Joep
Published: December 2021

Recent scholarship has paid considerable attention to the emergence of the citizen-consumer in the interwar era. Drawing on the literature from the fields of ethical consumption and consumer history, this paper opts for a broader perspective on the emergence of the citizen-consumer in historical analysis. It combines the polysemic nature of the hybrid citizen-consumer from food studies and ethical consumption, and the socio-historic analysis concerning political and cultural citizenship, by showing how consumption practices have been used to shape Dutch national citizenship. In the Netherlands, the private association Vereeniging Nederlandsch Fabrikaat (VNF) was one of the earliest and most vocal organisations that linked consumerism with an ideal of citizenship. Scholars typically tend to see the rise of the citizen-consumer as a product of three interest groups: the consumers, the state, or the industry. The VNF did not just appeal to consumers themselves, but also the government, and the business community to play their part in the development of the ideal Dutch citizen-consumer. By studying the practices of this association this paper thus offers a new perspective on the emergence of the citizen-consumer within a transnational perspective.
Political Attacks in 280 Characters or Less: A New Tool for the Automated Classification of Campaign Negativity on Social Media
Authors: Petkevic Vladislav , Nai Alessandro
Published: December 2021

Negativity in election campaign matters. To what extent can the content of social media posts provide a reliable indicator of candidates' campaign negativity? We introduce and critically assess an automated classification procedure that we trained to annotate more than 16,000 tweets of candidates competing in the 2018 Senate Midterms. The algorithm is able to identify the presence of political attacks (both in general, and specifically for character and policy attacks) and incivility. Due to the novel nature of the instrument, the article discusses the external and convergent validity of these measures. Results suggest that automated classifications are able to provide reliable measurements of campaign negativity. Triangulations with independent data show that our automatic classification is strongly associated with the experts’ perceptions of the candidates’ campaign. Furthermore, variations in our measures of negativity can be explained by theoretically relevant factors at the candidate and context levels (e.g., incumbency status and candidate gender); theoretically meaningful trends are also found when replicating the analysis using tweets for the 2020 Senate election, coded using the automated classifier developed for 2018. The implications of such results for the automated coding of campaign negativity in social media are discussed.
The Role of Chemotherapy in the Survival Benefits of Patients Aged Older Than 40 Years With Osteosarcoma
Authors: Cao Zhiyou , Zhang Yuelin , Xu Qiang , Yu Xiaolong , Liu Xuqiang , Dai Min
Published: December 2021

Objectives: The value of chemotherapy in the survival benefits of patients aged > 40 years with osteosarcoma is controversial. We aimed to explore the impact of chemotherapy on the survival benefits of patients aged >40 years with osteosarcoma. Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to select eligible patients. The selected patients were divided into the chemotherapy and non-chemotherapy groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the potential factors contributing to the selection of chemotherapy. The overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of the two groups were compared using the Kaplan–Meier method with a log-rank test. Cox proportional risk models were used to determine the prognostic factors for OS and CSS. Stratified analysis was performed according to tumour grade and stage. Results: A total of 1032 eligible patients were included in our analysis. Of these, 586 and 446 patients were in the chemotherapy and nonchemotherapy groups, respectively. Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that grade III/IV and distant stage were associated with chemotherapy. Kaplan–Meier plots showed that patients did not achieve an improved OS or CSS after receiving chemotherapy. Cox regression analysis indicated that age > 60 years, axial, grade III/IV, and regional and distant stage were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in both OS and CSS. Stratified analysis revealed a survival benefit from chemotherapy in patients with grade III/IV and distant stage. Conclusions: Chemotherapy did not significantly improve OS and CSS in patients aged > 40 years with osteosarcoma. In this age group, survival benefit from chemotherapy was observed in patients with high-grade tumours (grade III/IV) and metastasis (distant stage).
Androgen Deprivation Therapy and the Risk for Inguinal Hernia: An Observational Nested Case Control Study
Authors: Hermann Maria , Vikman Hanna , Stattin Pär , Katawazai Asmatullah , Gustafsson Ove , Styrke Johan , Sandblom Gabriel
Published: December 2021

It has been suggested that hypogonadism increases the risk for inguinal hernia (IH). The aim of this study was to investigate any association between androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer and increased risk for IH. The study population in this population-based nested case-control study was based on data from the Prostate Cancer Database Sweden. The cohort included all men with prostate cancer who had not received curative treatment. Men who had been diagnosed or had undergone IH repair ( n = 1,324) were cases and controls, where not diagnosed, nor operated on for IH, matched only on birth year ( n = 13,240). Conditional multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess any temporal association between ADT and IH, adjusting for marital status, education level, prostate cancer risk category, Charlson Comorbidity Index, ADT, time since prostate cancer diagnosis, and primary prostate cancer treatment. Odds ratio (OR) for diagnosis/repair of IH 0 to 1 year from start of ADT was 0.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.38, 0.68]); between 1 and 3 years after, the OR was 0.35 (95% CI = [0.26, 0.47]); between 3 and 5 years after, the OR was 0.39 (95% CI = [0.26, 0.56]); between 5 and 7 years after, the OR was 0.6 (95% CI = [0.41, 0.97]); and >9 years after, the OR was 3.68 (95% CI = [2.45, 5.53]). The marked increase in OR for IH after 9 years of ADT supports the hypothesis that low testosterone levels increase the risk for IH. The low risk for IH during the first 8 years on ADT is likely caused by selection of men with advanced cancer unlikely to be diagnosed or treated for IH.
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy and Conventional Radiotherapy Induce Cytoskeleton Extension and Enlargement of Cell Morphology in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Wang Xiao , Lu Yanwei , Qin Zhiquan , Guo Haiwei , Chen Wenjuan , Ding Ting , Tang Jianming , Zhang Haibo
Published: December 2021

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is now widely used in cancer therapy. However, the biological effects of SBRT compared with conventional radiotherapy (CRT) are not clear. The cytoskeleton plays an important role in many biological processes and cellular life activities. The effects of SBRT or CRT on the morphology and cytoskeletal structure of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells remain unknown. Based on the biologically equivalent dose (BED) formula, we designed SBRT and CRT fractionation regimens with the same BED. The morphology was captured during radiation, and rhodamine-phalloidin immunofluorescence was used to study the cytoskeleton. A lactate dehydrogenase assay kit was used to determine the cell membrane permeability, and western blot was used to detect the cytoskeleton protein expression levels. The morphology and cytoskeleton expanded after SBRT or CRT, with an increase in cell membrane permeability and stable cytoskeleton protein levels. Besides, different dose of SBRT (10,20,30 Gy) induce similar morphology and cytoskeleton enlargement. Our findings indicate that SBRT and CRT can induce cytoskeleton reorganization and the enlargement of cell morphology (at different rates) in NSCLC. The morphology and cytoskeleton enlargement after SBRT are dose independence.
Protocol for a Qualitative Study: Exploring Loneliness and Social Isolation in Emerging Adulthood (ELSIE)
Authors: Creaven Ann-Marie , Kirwan Emma , Burns Annette , O’Súilleabháin Páraic S.
Published: December 2021

Background:

This article describes a protocol for a qualitative study to explore experiences and views and experiences of loneliness and social isolation in young adults, in Ireland.

Methods:

A youth Research Advisory Group will be consulted on the development of study materials. Our data collection methods will be guided by participant preferences, with potential participants choosing between virtual interviews, focus groups, and an online survey including the open-ended questions contained in the interview/focus group schedule. The data will be analyzed using framework analysis.

Discussion:

This protocol highlights methodological considerations relevant to a qualitative research study co-designed with young adults. Study findings will be relevant to mental health policy makers and other stakeholders involved in youth mental health.
Brush grinding aluminum alloy mechanism of single steel wire based on finite element approach
Authors: Yuan Xiuhua , Wang Chong , Sun Qun , Zhao Ling
Published: December 2021

In the process of surface treatment, steel wire brush can not only efficiently remove surface contaminants, such as deteriorated paint film and rust, but also increase the adhesive strength. However, the associated brush mechanics of material removal is still not clear. In order to reveal the brush mechanics of material removal, this paper assumed the tip of steel wire were ball–cone shaped, constructed contact force model, and calculated the brush grinding force under different process conditions based on finite element approach. The simulated results show that the brush grinding can be changed from plastic plowing to chip formation when the penetration depth is increased to 10 μm, then changed from chip formation to plastic plowing when the inclination angle is increased to 30°, respectively. The simulated value of brush force rises with the increasing penetration depth and inclination angle, which was consistent with the experimentally obtained values, and the relative errors are within 9%. The quantity of material removal increases with the ascending of penetration depth, and decreases with the ascending of inclination angle. This paper provides guidance to understand the mechanics of material removal, predict the brush grinding force, and contribute well to an automatic grinding control application.
UK Stroke Supplement: 001 – High Scoring Oral Presentation – Swallowing and Nutrition: SWALLOWING THERAPY FOR DYSPHAGIA IN ACUTE AND SUB-ACUTE STROKE (COCHRANE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW)
Authors: Wilkinson G. , Benfield J. , Bath P.
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Swallowing difficulties (oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD)) are common post-stroke but there is no specific guidance on treatment. We have updated the 2018 Cochrane review of dysphagia interventions to explore whether there is evidence of a significant benefit from OD interventions on swallowing impairment.

Methods

RCT’s of patients with a new onset of OD after stroke published before January 2021 were included. Results were screened and analysed by two independent researchers. Trials were divided to specific intervention types and data was analysed against 8 outcomes, the primary outcome being swallowing impairment (SI).

Results

83 additional trials were analysed producing a review to a total of 129 trials. Three interventions were associated with reductions in outcomes: Acupuncture: SI (SMD −0.94 [95% CI−1.25,−0.63], p < 0.0001); dysphagia (OR 0.41 [95% CI 0.33, 0.49], p < 0.0001); and penetration aspiration scale score (PAS) (MD −0.68 [95% CI −1.17, −0.19], p = 0.006). Behavioural therapy: SI (SMD −0.88 95% CI −1.28, −0.48], p < 0.0001); dysphagia (OR 0.41 [95% CI 0.29, 0.59], p < 0.0001); PAS (MD −0.77 [95% CI −1.11, −0.42], p < 0.0001); and chest infection/pneumonia (OR 0.43 [0.25, 0.74], p = 0.002). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES): SI (SMD −0.96 95% CI −1.38, −0.54], p < 0.0001) and dysphagia (OR 0.39 [95% CI 0.27, 0.56], p < 0.0001). The limited number of trials precluded comment on other interventions included within the review. Heterogeneity of trials ranged from mild-significant.

Conclusions

Low-to-moderate quality evidence from small-moderate sized trials suggest that Acupuncture, Behavioural and NMES interventions reduce swallowing impairment after stroke. Large, high-quality trials are needed to test whether specific interventions are effective.
Space–time spectral collocation method for Klein–Gordon equation
Authors: Zhang Ping , Li Te , Zhang Yuan-Hao
Published: December 2021

By using the Legendre–Laguerre collocation method, we can construct a spectral collocation scheme to solve the Klein–Gordon equation on the half-line. The Laguerre function collocation method (based on the Lagrange interpolation) in space and the Legendre–Gauss–Lobatto collocation method in time are used. A Newton iterative algorithm is provided. The numerical results demonstrate the high efficiency and accuracy of suggested algorithms.
Predicting metacarpal length using paired ratios with bilateral X-ray films
Authors: Foley David P , Cox Cameron T , Foley Allison S , Nisbet Rebecka J , Kharbat Abdurrahman F , MacKay Brendan J
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

When the metacarpal bones sustain severe osseous injury requiring reconstruction, functional recovery relies on the precise distribution of tension throughout full range of motion. While the small scale of hand structures compounds the effects of altering normal anatomy, literature lacks consensus recommendations for the acceptable degree of length alteration and/or appropriate methods of length estimation in reconstructive procedures. Length asymmetry has been reported in human metacarpal bones; however, studies assessing this phenomenon in living subjects with attention to functional implications or length prediction are lacking.

Methods:

Hand X-rays were obtained for 34 patients aged 25–80 without history of metacarpal trauma, joint degeneration, or pathologic bone metabolism. A scaled bivariate model predicted metacarpal length using an ipsilateral paired metacarpal and matching contralateral ratio: Estimate_Dx_R = Median_Dy_R * (Median_Dx_L/Median_Dy_L). A second set of predictions used the contralateral metacarpal as a control. Pearson correlation coefficients, paired t-tests, and chi-square tests evaluated the symmetry between bilateral metacarpal lengths and paired metacarpal ratios as well as the accuracy of each predictive method.

Results:

The contralateral control and target metacarpal differed significantly in digits 1, 2, 3, and 5. No significant difference in matched metacarpal ratios of the right and left hands was found. For all digits except 5D, bivariate model predictions generated were more strongly correlated with actual target length. Chi-square tests did not detect a significant difference in predictive value of the two models.

Conclusion:

The scaled bivariate model we describe may be useful and economic in generating accurate length estimates of metacarpals for reconstructive procedures.
Effect of Streptococcus mutans on surface-topography, microhardness, and mechanical properties of contemporary resin composites
Authors: Rios-Madrigal América Monserrat , Orea-Vega Dulce Carolina , Vega-González Marina , Espinosa-Cristóbal León Francisco , Arenas-Arrocena Ma. Concepción , Castro-Ruiz Jesus Eduardo , Correa-Prado Rodrigo , Domínguez-Pérez Rubén Abraham
Published: December 2021

Objective:

Dental caries is the most prevalent disease globally, and Streptococcus mutans ( S. mutans) is a common associated oral bacteria. Additionally, S. mutans possess esterase activity capable of degrading resin composites (RC). However, the effect of degradation on the physical-mechanical properties of the RC has not been extensively studied. We evaluated the flexure strength (FS), the diametral tensile strength (DTS), the modulus of elasticity (ME), and the microhardness of three contemporary RC to establish if S. mutans could affect them.

Methods:

One hundred thirty-eight bar-shaped and 276 disc-shaped specimens were fabricated with Enamel Plus HRi, IPS Empress Direct, and Clearfil AP-X, and physical-mechanical testing was done after been incubated during 30 and 60 days in culture media with or without S. mutans. Also, a scanning electron microscope was used to identify surface changes.

Results:

None of the tested RC were affected in their mechanical properties (FS, ME, and DTS). However, Clearfil AP-X and Enamel Plus HRI showed eroded surfaces and a decreased microhardness after 30 and 60 days S. mutans incubation. IPS Empress Direct presented the lowest values in all the tests, but its physical-mechanical features and surface were not affected by bacteria’s exposure.

Conclusions:

Exposure to S. mutans could affect some contemporary RC; however, the effect seems superficial since its mechanical features were not affected.
Prevalence of Malaria and Associated Factors Among Children Attending Health Institutions at South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Workineh Lemma , Lakew Misganew , Dires Shega , Kiros Teklehaimanot , Damtie Shewaneh , Hailemichael Wasihun , Muleta Dassalegn , Eyayu Tahir
Published: December 2021

Malaria is a fatal disease among children in malaria-prone locations such as Addis Zemen and Woreta because of their weak immune systems. Despite the severity of the disease in children, the majority of research conducted in Ethiopia has focused on adult populations rather than children. Furthermore, there is no data on malaria prevalence, risk factors, or parasite density among children in the Addis Zemen and Woreta catchment areas. Therefore, this study was aimed at filling the above gap in the study area. About 422 children were enrolled in the study by systematic sampling technique. A capillary blood sample was collected from each child to do blood film. The overall prevalence of malaria among children attending South Gonder health institutions was 14.7%. The majority of parasite density was moderate parasitemia followed by low parasitemia, giving 71.0% and 16.0%, respectively. Malaria parasite infection was linked to a history of malaria and the presence of stagnant water near a home, but utilization of insecticide-treated bed nets was found to be protective against the infection. Therefore, health education should be strengthened on proper utilization of bed nets, indoor residual spraying, removing stagnant water by discarding old tires that may collect rainwater, and removing debris from streams so streams flow more freely.
Health Related Quality of Life of Caregivers of Children and Adolescents With Phenylketonuria: A Systematic Review
Authors: Shaji Thomas Deepa , K. Y. Divya , Arulappan Judie
Published: December 2021

Introduction. Caregivers of children with chronic illness are at risk of having impairment in their quality of life (QOL). We systematically reviewed the available literature related to the Health Related Quality Of Life (HRQOL) of caregivers of children with Phenylketonuria (PKU). Methods. We comprehensively searched in electronic databases including Scopus, Science Direct, CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, Google scholar, and ProQuest. The search criteria included studies with samples more than one, children suffering from PKU, exploring parents or primary caregiver’s HRQOL, published from 2010 to 2020, full article available for download and published in English. Eight studies including 5 cross sectional studies, 1 open label trial, and 2 surveys were systematically reviewed. Results. Seven out of 8 studies have established a negative correlation between PKU and parent’s HRQOL in at least 1 of the domains. In one study, the HRQOL of parents is higher than their population norms. Conclusion. Most of the caregivers had poor to moderate HRQOL. More studies are required to explore HRQOL of caregivers of children with PKU using similar tools and outcome measures addressing all the domains of HRQOL in order to have more clarity on the impact of PKU on caregiver’s HRQOL. Interventional studies might help in improving the HRQOL of caregivers.
Potential anti-tumor activity of 13.56 MHz alternating magnetic hyperthermia and chemotherapy on the induction of apoptosis in human colon cancer cell lines HT29 and HCT116 by up-regulation of Bax, cleaved caspase 3&9, and cleaved PARP proteins
Authors: Jahangiri Saba , Khoei Samideh , Khoee Sepideh , Safa Majid , Shirvalilou Sakine , Pirhajati Mahabadi Vahid
Published: December 2021

Background

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of chemo-magnetic hyperthermia (MH), a combination of alternating magnetic field (AMF) and superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with Polyethylene glycol-Poly(butyl acrylate)-Polyethylene glycol (PEG-PBA-PEG) carrying 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu), at inducing apoptosis in the human cancer cell lines HT29 and HCT116. This process can be mediated by alterations in the expression of apoptotic effector proteins, including Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase 3&9, and cleaved PARP, which are involved in the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. For this purpose, the cells were cultured as monolayers. Then both cell lines were treated with 5-Fu/magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic hyperthermia. Finally, the effect of treatment on cancer cells was determined by Western blot analysis and flow cytometry.

Results

Our results showed that combined chemo-magnetic thermotherapy significantly increased the apoptosis in colon cancer cells compared to chemotherapy or hyperthermia alone (P < 0.05). Up-regulation of Bax, cleaved caspase 3&9, and cleaved PARP proteins was indicative of apoptosis induction in cancer cells, which are involved in the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that localized hyperthermia was able to significantly trigger the 5-Fu release and inhibit cell viability, which, due to the synchronization of hyperthermia and chemotherapy, exacerbated the damage of cancer cells.

Graphical Abstract
Concept recognition as a machine translation problem
Authors: Boguslav Mayla R. , Hailu Negacy D. , Bada Michael , Baumgartner William A. , Hunter Lawrence E.
Published: December 2021

Background

Automated assignment of specific ontology concepts to mentions in text is a critical task in biomedical natural language processing, and the subject of many open shared tasks. Although the current state of the art involves the use of neural network language models as a post-processing step, the very large number of ontology classes to be recognized and the limited amount of gold-standard training data has impeded the creation of end-to-end systems based entirely on machine learning. Recently, Hailu et al. recast the concept recognition problem as a type of machine translation and demonstrated that sequence-to-sequence machine learning models have the potential to outperform multi-class classification approaches.

Methods

We systematically characterize the factors that contribute to the accuracy and efficiency of several approaches to sequence-to-sequence machine learning through extensive studies of alternative methods and hyperparameter selections. We not only identify the best-performing systems and parameters across a wide variety of ontologies but also provide insights into the widely varying resource requirements and hyperparameter robustness of alternative approaches. Analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of such systems suggest promising avenues for future improvements as well as design choices that can increase computational efficiency with small costs in performance.

Results

Bidirectional encoder representations from transformers for biomedical text mining (BioBERT) for span detection along with the open-source toolkit for neural machine translation (OpenNMT) for concept normalization achieve state-of-the-art performance for most ontologies annotated in the CRAFT Corpus. This approach uses substantially fewer computational resources, including hardware, memory, and time than several alternative approaches.

Conclusions

Machine translation is a promising avenue for fully machine-learning-based concept recognition that achieves state-of-the-art results on the CRAFT Corpus, evaluated via a direct comparison to previous results from the 2019 CRAFT shared task. Experiments illuminating the reasons for the surprisingly good performance of sequence-to-sequence methods targeting ontology identifiers suggest that further progress may be possible by mapping to alternative target concept representations. All code and models can be found at:https://github.com/UCDenver-ccp/Concept-Recognition-as-Translation.
Characterization of atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels with low oxygenated blood and blood pressure (Pulmonary trunk): role of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15)
Authors: Bonaterra G. A. , Struck N. , Zuegel S. , Schwarz A. , Mey L. , Schwarzbach H. , Strelau J. , Kinscherf R.
Published: December 2021

Background

Growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15 is linked to inflammation, cancer, and atherosclerosis. GDF-15 is expressed in most tissues but is extremely induced under pathological conditions. Elevated serum levels are suggested as a risk factor and a marker for cardiovascular diseases. However, the cellular sources and the effects of GDF-15 on the cardiovascular system have not been completely elucidated including progression, and morphology of atherosclerotic plaques. Thus, this work aimed to characterize the influence of GDF-15 deficiency on the morphology of atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels with low-oxygen blood and low blood pressure as the pulmonary trunk (PT), in hypercholesterolemic ApoE−/− mice.

Methods

GDF-15−/− ApoE−/− mice were generated by crossbreeding of ApoE−/−- and GDF-15−/− mice. After feeding a cholesterol-enriched diet (CED) for 20 weeks, samples of the brachiocephalic trunk (BT) and PT were dissected and lumen stenosis (LS) was measured. Furthermore, changes in the cellularity of the PT, amounts of apoptosis-, autophagy-, inflammation- and proliferation-relevant proteins were immunohisto-morphometrically analyzed. Additionally, we examined an atherosclerotic plaque in a human post mortem sample of the pulmonary artery.

Results

After CED the body weight of GDF-15−/−ApoE−/− was 22.9% higher than ApoE−/−. Double knockout mice showed also an 35.3% increase of plasma triglyceride levels, whereas plasma cholesterol was similar in both genotypes. LS in the BT and PT of GDF-15−/−ApoE−/− mice was significantly reduced by 19.0% and by 6.7% compared to ApoE−/−. Comparing LS in PT and BT of the same genotype revealed a significant 38.8% (ApoE−/−) or 26.4% (GDF-15−/−ApoE−/−) lower LS in the PT. Immunohistomorphometry of atherosclerotic lesions in PT of GDF-15−/−ApoE−/− revealed significantly increased levels (39.8% and 7.3%) of CD68 + macrophages (MΦ) and α-actin + smooth muscle cells than in ApoE−/−. The density of TUNEL + , apoptotic cells was significantly (32.9%) higher in plaques of PT of GDF-15−/−ApoE−/− than in ApoE−/−. Analysis of atherosclerotic lesion of a human pulmonary artery showed sm-α-actin, CD68+, TUNEL+, Ki67+, and APG5L/ATG+ cells as observed in PT. COX-2+ and IL-6+ immunoreactivities were predominantly located in endothelial cells and subendothelial space. In BT and PT of GDF15−/−ApoE−/− mice the necrotic area was 10% and 6.5% lower than in ApoE−/−. In BT and PT of GDF15−/−ApoE−/− we found 40% and 57% less unstable plaques than ApoE−/− mice.

Conclusions

Atherosclerotic lesions occur in both, BT and PT, however, the size is smaller in PT, possibly due to the effect of the low-oxygen blood and/or lower blood pressure. GDF-15 is involved in atherosclerotic processes in BT and PT, although different mechanisms (e.g. apoptosis) in these two vessels seem to exist.
Risk factors for wound-related complications after surgical stabilization of spinal metastases with a special focus on the effect of postoperative radiation therapy
Authors: Jarvers Jan-Sven , Lange Maximilian , Schiemann Samuel , Pfränger Jan , Heyde Christoph-Eckhard , Osterhoff Georg
Published: December 2021

Background

Advancements in the field of oncological therapies during the last decades have led to a significantly prolonged survival of cancer patients. This has led to an increase in the incidence of spinal metastases. The purpose of this study was to assess risk factors for wound-related complications after surgical stabilization of spinal metastases with a special focus on the effect of postoperative RT and its timing.

Methods

Patients who had been treated for metastatic spine disease by surgical stabilization followed by radiotherapy between 01/2012 and 03/2019 were included and a retrospective chart review was performed.

Results

Of 604 patients who underwent stabilizing surgery for spinal metastases, 237 patients (mean age 66 years, SD 11) with a mean follow-up of 11 months (SD 7) were eligible for further analysis. Forty-one patients (17.3%) had wound-related complications, 32 of them before and 9 after beginning of the RT. Revision surgery was necessary in 26 patients (11.0%). Body weight (p = 0.021), obesity (p = 0.018), ASA > 2 (p = 0.001), and start of radiation therapy within 21 days after surgery (p = 0.047) were associated with an increased risk for wound complications. Patients with chemotherapy within 3 weeks of surgery (12%) were more likely to have a wound-related surgical revision (p = 0.031).

Conclusion

Body weight, obesity and ASA > 2 were associated with an increased risk for wound complications. Patients with chemotherapy within 3 weeks of the surgery were more likely to have a wound-related revision surgery. Patients who had begun radiation therapy within 21 days after surgery were more likely to have a wound complication compared to patients who waited longer.
Enzymatic degradation is an effective means to reduce aflatoxin contamination in maize
Authors: Schmidt Monica A. , Mao Yizhou , Opoku Joseph , Mehl Hillary L.
Published: December 2021

Background

Aflatoxins are carcinogenic compounds produced by certain species of Aspergillus fungi. The consumption of crops contaminated with this toxin cause serious detrimental health effects, including death, in both livestock and humans. As a consequence, both the detection and quantification of this toxin in food/feed items is tightly regulated with crops exceeding the allowed limits eliminated from food chains. Globally, this toxin causes massive agricultural and economic losses each year.

Results

In this paper we investigate the feasibility of using an aflatoxin-degrading enzyme strategy to reduce/eliminate aflatoxin loads in developing maize kernels. We used an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) targeted sub-cellular compartmentalization stabilizing strategy to accumulate an aflatoxin-degrading enzyme isolated from the edible Honey mushroom Armillariella tabescens and expressed it in embryo tissue in developing maize kernels. Three transgenic maize lines that were determined to be expressing the aflatoxin-degrading enzyme both at the RNA and protein level, were challenged with the aflatoxin-producing strain Aspergillus flavus AF13 and shown to accumulate non-detectable levels of aflatoxin at 14-days post-infection and significantly reduced levels of aflatoxin at 30-days post-infection compared to nontransgenic control Aspergillus-challenged samples.

Conclusions

The expression of an aflatoxin-degrading enzyme in developing maize kernels was shown to be an effective means to control aflatoxin in maize in pre-harvest conditions. This aflatoxin-degradation strategy could play a significant role in the enhancement of both US and global food security and sustainability.
Design of bionic active–passive hybrid-driven prosthesis based on gait analysis and simulation of compound control method
Authors: Xu Xinsheng , Xu Xiaoli , Liu Ying , Zhong Kai , Zhang Haowei
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design a prosthetic limb that is close to the motion characteristics of the normal human ankle joint.

Methods

In this study, combined with gait experiments, based on a dynamic ankle joint prosthesis, an active–passive hybrid-driven prosthesis was designed. On this basis, a real-time control algorithm based on the feedforward compensation angle outer loop is proposed. To test the effectiveness of the control method, a multi-body dynamic model and a controller model of the prosthesis were established, and a co-simulation study was carried out.

Results

A real-time control algorithm based on the feedforward compensation angle outer loop can effectively realize the gait angle curve measured in the gait test, and the error is less than the threshold. The co-simulation result and the test result have a high close rate, which reflects the real-time nature of the control algorithm. The use of parallel springs can improve the energy efficiency of the prosthetic system.

Conclusions

Based on the motion characteristics of human ankle joint prostheses, this research has completed an effective and feasible design of active and passive ankle joint prostheses. The use of control algorithms improves the controllability of the active and passive ankle joint prostheses.
Combinatorial use of environmental stresses and genetic engineering to increase ethanol titres in cyanobacteria
Authors: Andrews Fraser , Faulkner Matthew , Toogood Helen S. , Scrutton Nigel S.
Published: December 2021

Current industrial bioethanol production by yeast through fermentation generates carbon dioxide. Carbon neutral bioethanol production by cyanobacteria uses biological fixation (photosynthesis) of carbon dioxide or other waste inorganic carbon sources, whilst being sustainable and renewable. The first ethanologenic cyanobacterial process was developed over two decades ago using Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942, by incorporating the recombinant pdc and adh genes from Zymomonas mobilis. Further engineering has increased bioethanol titres 24-fold, yet current levels are far below what is required for industrial application. At the heart of the problem is that the rate of carbon fixation cannot be drastically accelerated and carbon partitioning towards bioethanol production impacts on cell fitness. Key progress has been achieved by increasing the precursor pyruvate levels intracellularly, upregulating synthetic genes and knocking out pathways competing for pyruvate. Studies have shown that cyanobacteria accumulate high proportions of carbon reserves that are mobilised under specific environmental stresses or through pathway engineering to increase ethanol production. When used in conjunction with specific genetic knockouts, they supply significantly more carbon for ethanol production. This review will discuss the progress in generating ethanologenic cyanobacteria through chassis engineering, and exploring the impact of environmental stresses on increasing carbon flux towards ethanol production.
Technical–tactical analysis of small combat games in male kickboxers: effects of varied number of opponents and area size
Authors: Ouergui Ibrahim , Delleli Slaheddine , Bouassida Anissa , Bouhlel Ezdine , Chaabene Helmi , Ardigò Luca Paolo , Franchini Emerson
Published: December 2021

Background

To handle the competition demands, sparring drills are used for specific technical–tactical training as well as physical–physiological conditioning in combat sports. While the effects of different area sizes and number of within-round sparring partners on physiological and perceptive responses in combats sports were examined in previous studies, technical and tactical aspects were not investigated. This study investigated the effect of different within-round sparring partners number (i.e., at a time; 1 vs. 1, 1 vs. 2, and 1 vs. 4) and area sizes (2 m × 2 m, 4 m × 4 m, and 6 m × 6 m) variation on the technical–tactical aspects of small combat games in kickboxing.

Method

Twenty male kickboxers (mean ± standard deviation, age: 20.3 ± 0.9 years), regularly competing in regional and national events randomly performed nine different kickboxing combats, lasting 2 min each. All combats were video recorded and analyzed using the software Dartfish.

Results

Results showed that the total number of punches was significantly higher in 1 versus 4 compared with 1 versus 1 (p = 0.011, d = 0.83). Further, the total number of kicks was significantly higher in 1 versus 4 compared with 1 versus 1 and 1 versus 2 (p < 0.001; d = 0.99 and d = 0.83, respectively). Moreover, the total number of kick combinations was significantly higher in 1 versus 4 compared with 1 versus 1 and 1 versus 2 (p < 0.001; d = 1.05 and d = 0.95, respectively). The same outcome was significantly lower in 2 m × 2 m compared with 4 m × 4 m and 6 m × 6 m areas (p = 0.010 and d = − 0.45;p < 0.001 and d = − 0.6, respectively). The number of block-and-parry was significantly higher in 1 versus 4 compared with 1 versus 1 (p < 0.001, d = 1.45) and 1 versus 2 (p = 0.046, d = 0.61) and in 2 m × 2 m compared with 4 m × 4 m and 6 × 6 m areas (p < 0.001; d = 0.47 and d = 0.66, respectively). Backwards lean actions occurred more often in 2 m × 2 m compared with 4 m × 4 m (p = 0.009, d = 0.53) and 6 m × 6 m (p = 0.003, d = 0.60). However, the number of foot defenses was significantly lower in 2 m × 2 m compared with 6 m × 6 m (p < 0.001, d = 1.04) and 4 m × 4 m (p = 0.004, d = 0.63). Additionally, the number of clinches was significantly higher in 1 versus 1 compared with 1 versus 2 (p = 0.002, d = 0.7) and 1 versus 4 (p = 0.034, d = 0.45).

Conclusions

This study provides practical insights into how to manipulate within-round sparring partners' number and/or area size to train specific kickboxing technical–tactical fundamentals.

Trial registration

This study does not report results related to health care interventions using human participants and therefore it was not prospectively registered.