bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An empirical evaluation of the impact scenario of pooling bodies of evidence from randomized controlled trials and cohort studies in medical research
Authors: Bröckelmann Nils , Stadelmaier Julia , Harms Louisa , Kubiak Charlotte , Beyerbach Jessica , Wolkewitz Martin , Meerpohl Jörg J. , Schwingshackl Lukas
Published: October 2022

Background

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies are the most common study design types used to assess treatment effects of medical interventions. We aimed to hypothetically pool bodies of evidence (BoE) from RCTs with matched BoE from cohort studies included in the same systematic review.

Methods

BoE derived from systematic reviews of RCTs and cohort studies published in the 13 medical journals with the highest impact factor were considered. We re-analyzed effect estimates of the included systematic reviews by pooling BoE from RCTs with BoE from cohort studies using random and common effects models. We evaluated statistical heterogeneity, 95% prediction intervals, weight of BoE from RCTs to the pooled estimate, and whether integration of BoE from cohort studies modified the conclusion from BoE of RCTs.

Results

Overall, 118 BoE-pairs based on 653 RCTs and 804 cohort studies were pooled. By pooling BoE from RCTs and cohort studies with a random effects model, for 61 (51.7%) out of 118 BoE-pairs, the 95% confidence interval (CI) excludes no effect. By pooling BoE from RCTs and cohort studies, the median I2 was 48%, and the median contributed percentage weight of RCTs to the pooled estimates was 40%. The direction of effect between BoE from RCTs and pooled effect estimates was mainly concordant (79.7%). The integration of BoE from cohort studies modified the conclusion (by examining the 95% CI) from BoE of RCTs in 32 (27%) of the 118 BoE-pairs, but the direction of effect was mainly concordant (88%).

Conclusions

Our findings provide insights for the potential impact of pooling both BoE in systematic reviews. In medical research, it is often important to rely on both evidence of RCTs and cohort studies to get a whole picture of an investigated intervention-disease association. A decision for or against pooling different study designs should also always take into account, for example, PI/ECO similarity, risk of bias, coherence of effect estimates, and also the trustworthiness of the evidence. Overall, there is a need for more research on the influence of those issues on potential pooling.
Pro-thrombotic changes associated with exposure to ambient ultrafine particles in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: roles of lipid peroxidation and systemic inflammation
Authors: Wang Teng , Chen Xi , Li Haonan , Chen Wu , Xu Yifan , Yao Yuan , Zhang Hanxiyue , Han Yiqun , Zhang Lina , Que Chengli , Gong Jicheng , Qiu Xinghua , Zhu Tong
Published: October 2022

Background

Exposure to particulate matter air pollution is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the underlying mechanisms are not yet understood. Enhanced platelet and pro-thrombotic activity in COPD patients may explain their increased cardiovascular risk. We aim to explore whether short-term exposure to ambient particulate matter is associated with pro-thrombotic changes in adults with and without COPD, and investigate the underlying biological mechanisms in a longitudinal panel study. Serum concentration of thromboxane (Tx)B2 was measured to reflect platelet and pro-thrombotic activity. Lipoxygenase-mediated lipid peroxidation products (hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids [HETEs]) and inflammatory biomarkers (interleukins [ILs], monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1], tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], and macrophage inflammatory proteins [MIPs]) were measured as potential mediating determinants of particle-associated pro-thrombotic changes.

Results

53 COPD and 82 non-COPD individuals were followed-up on a maximum of four visits conducted from August 2016 to September 2017 in Beijing, China. Compared to non-COPD individuals, the association between exposure to ambient ultrafine particles (UFPs) during the 3–8 days preceding clinical visits and the TxB2 serum concentration was significantly stronger in COPD patients. For example, a 103/cm3 increase in the 6-day average UFP level was associated with a 25.4% increase in the TxB2 level in the COPD group but only an 11.2% increase in the non-COPD group. The association in the COPD group remained robust after adjustment for the levels of fine particulate matter and gaseous pollutants. Compared to the non-COPD group, the COPD group also showed greater increases in the serum concentrations of 12-HETE (16.6% vs. 6.5%) and 15-HETE (9.3% vs. 4.5%) per 103/cm3 increase in the 6-day UFP average. The two lipid peroxidation products mediated 35% and 33% of the UFP-associated increase in the TxB2 level of COPD patients. UFP exposure was also associated with the increased levels of IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, TNF-α, and IL-1β in COPD patients, but these inflammatory biomarkers did not mediate the TxB2 increase.

Conclusions

Short-term exposure to ambient UFPs was associated with a greater pro-thrombotic change among patients with COPD, at least partially driven by lipoxygenase-mediated pathways following exposure.

Trial registrationChiCTR1900023692. Date of registration June 7, 2019, i.e. retrospectively registered.
Clinical impact of cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with suspected coronary artery disease associated with chronic kidney disease (AQUAMARINE-CKD study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Noguchi Teruo , Ota Hideki , Matsumoto Naoya , Morita Yoshiaki , Oshita Akira , Kawasaki Eiji , Kawasaki Tomohiro , Moriwaki Kensuke , Kato Shingo , Fukui Kazuki , Hoshi Tomoya , Watabe Hiroaki , Kanaya Tomoaki , Asaumi Yasuhide , Kataoka Yu , Otsuka Fumiyuki , Takagi Kensuke , Yoneda Shuichi , Sawada Kenichiro , Iwai Takamasa , Matama Hideo , Honda Satoshi , Fujino Masashi , Miura Hiroyuki , Nishimura Kunihiro , Takase Kei
Published: October 2022

Background

Although screening for coronary artery disease (CAD) using computed tomography coronary angiography in patients with stable chest pain has been reported to be beneficial, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) might have limited benefit due to complications of contrast agent nephropathy and decreased diagnostic accuracy as a result of coronary artery calcifications. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has emerged as a novel imaging modality for detecting coronary stenosis and high-risk coronary plaques without contrast media that is not affected by coronary artery calcification. However, the clinical use of this technology has not been robustly evaluated.

Methods

AQUAMARINE-CKD is an open parallel-group prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial of 524 patients with CKD at high risk for CAD estimated based on risk factor categories for a Japanese urban population (Suita score) recruited from 6 institutions. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive a CMR examination that includes non-contrast T1-weighted imaging and coronary magnetic angiography (CMR group) or standard examinations that include stress myocardial scintigraphy (control group). Randomization will be conducted using a web-based system. The primary outcome is a composite of cardiovascular events at 1 year after study examinations: all-cause death, death from CAD, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal ischemic stroke, and ischemia-driven unplanned coronary intervention (percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary bypass surgery).

Discussion

If the combination of T1-weighted imaging and coronary magnetic angiography contributes to the risk assessment of CAD in patients with CKD, this study will have major clinical implications for the management of patients with CKD at high risk for CAD.

Trial registration

Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT) 1,052,210,075. Registered on September 10, 2021.
Methotrexate improves endothelial function in early rheumatoid arthritis patients after 3 months of treatment
Authors: Cafaro Giacomo , Petito Eleonora , Bistoni Onelia , Falcinelli Emanuela , Cipriani Sabrina , Borghi Maria Chiara , Bonifacio Angelo F. , Giglio Elisa , Alunno Alessia , Perricone Carlo , Gerli Roberto , Gresele Paolo , Bartoloni Elena
Published: October 2022

Background

Endothelial dysfunction contributes to increased cardiovascular (CV) disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Angiogenic T cells (Tang) are a key regulator of vascular function via their interaction with endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Methotrexate (MTX) has been associated to reduced CV disease risk, but its effects on endothelial homeostasis have been poorly explored. We investigated MTX effects on endothelial homeostasis in early, treatment-naïve RA patients.

Methods

Fifteen untreated, early RA patients and matched healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. RA patients with long-standing disease in remission or low disease activity treated with MTX for at least 6 months were selected as controls. Circulating CD28+ and CD28null Tang cell, endothelial microparticle (EMP), EPC and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM)-1 levels were measured.

Results

Tang percentage was higher in early RA than in HCs and significantly increased after 3-month MTX treatment. Tang cells in RA were characterized by higher percentage of CD28null and lower CD28-positive cells than HCs. MTX restored a Tang cell phenotype similar to HCs. Altered sVCAM-1, EMP and EPC were restored to levels similar to HCs after a 3-month MTX. Biomarker levels after 3 months of MTX were not different to those of patients with long-standing treatment.

Conclusions

MTX has a positive effect on Tang, sVCAM-1, EPCs and EMPs in RA. Restoration of imbalance between CD28 + and CD28null Tang by MTX may be one of the mechanisms underlying its favourable effects on endothelial dysfunction. These effects seem to be long-lasting and independent from systemic inflammation reduction, suggesting a direct effect of MTX on the endothelium.
Amphibian richness along modified riparian areas of central Mexico: conservation priorities
Authors: Oropeza-Sánchez Marco Tulio , Suazo-Ortuño Ireri , Benítez-Malvido Julieta , Monroy-Hernández Erandi , Munguía-Steyer Roberto
Published: October 2022

Background

Land-use change frequently affects faunistic populations and communities. To achieve successful conservation strategies, we need suitable information about species distribution and the causes of extinction risk. Many amphibian species depend on riparian vegetation to complete their life cycles. About 41% of amphibian species are globally threatened, and accurate estimations of population size, species richness and the identification of critical habitats are urgently needed worldwide. To evaluate the magnitude of changes in species richness and demography, estimations that include detection probability are necessary. In this study, we employed multi-species occupancy models to estimate detection probability and the effect of land cover type (i.e., cropland, artificial pasture, secondary and mature forest) in a 500-m radius on the occupancy probability and richness of diurnal amphibians in 60 riparian zones in the state of Michoacán in central Mexico. Furthermore, we evaluated the potential of the endemic salamander Ambystoma ordinarium as a flagship species for the conservation of other native amphibian species.

Results

We registered a total of 20 amphibian species in the diurnal assemblage, of which 10 species are considered at risk of extinction. We found that cropland was the most important land-use type for explaining amphibian distribution in riparian zones, with negative effects on most amphibian species. We found no differences in species richness between zones with and without A. ordinarium. In riparian zones occupied by A. ordinarium, however, we found a higher number of species at risk of extinction.

Conclusions

Our findings showed negative effects of croplands on the distribution of most amphibian species. The riparian zones are important for the maintenance of native diurnal amphibian communities and A. ordinarium can act as a flagship species for the conservation of threatened amphibian species.
Cornin protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by preventing autophagy via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway
Authors: Lan Tianchi , Xu Yangyang , Li Shucui , Li Ning , Zhang Shuping , Zhu Haibo
Published: October 2022

Background

Ischemia stroke is the leading cause of disability, which is a consequence of vascular occlusion. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of cornin which is isolated from the fruit of Verbena officinalis L, against astrocytes autophagy induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CI/R) injury in vitro and in vivo and its potential mechanism.

Methods

Cornin at dose of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg were intravenously injected to MCAO rats at 15 min after reperfusion. The infarction volume, blood–brain barrier (BBB), neurological severity score (mNSS), and autophagy related protein were used to evaluated the protective effects and potential mechanism of cornin in autophagy with or without phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)inhibitor LY294002 and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) small interfering RNA (siRNA) at 24 h after CI/R injury. The potential protective effects and mechanism of cornin at concention of 10 ~ 1000 nM were also evaluated in oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) in U87 cells.

Results

The results suggest that cornin at dose of 5 or 10 mg/kg significantly reduce the cerebral infarction volume and blood–brain barrier (BBB) leakage, and improve neurological recovery in MCAO rats. Cleaved caspase-3 and Bax levels were significantly decreased, while B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and the apoptosis regulator ratio (Bcl-2/Bax) were markedly increased when treated with 2.5–10 mg/kg cornin. The obvious decreased expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), myosin-like BCL2 interacting protein (Beclin-1) and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 II (LC3-II) and increased of neuronal nuclei (NeuN), sequestosome-1 (p62), phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) were observed in MCAO rats treated with 10 mg/kg cornin, which was counteracted by LY294002. The expression of autophagy-related proteins with or without LY294002 and mTOR siRNA presented the similar results as in vitro in OGD/R in U87 cells.

Conclusions

These results indicate that cornin improved neurological recovery after cerebral ischemia injury by preventing astrocytes autophagy induced by CI/R via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
Therapeutic effects of sialendoscopy for diagnosis and treatment of hyposalivation patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Lee Seung-Jun , Kim Euy-Hyun , Lee Sung-Jae , Chun Young-Joon , Song In-Seok , Jun Sang-Ho
Published: October 2022

Background

Hyposalivation is disease with multiple symptoms. This disease is hard to be diagnosed and to be treated, and there are not enough clinical protocols to cure the disease. In this study, we propose our own treatment protocols which aim not only to cure the disease but also to care for the disease-related symptoms.

Methods

At the 1st visit, we collect patient-related information. This procedure includes an intraoral exam, patient history taking, VAS value and unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) measurement, and salivary buffer test. Following the interview and oral examination, objective results are obtained by radiological image, CT, and sialoscintigraphy. At the 2nd visit, we analyze radiographic images including neck CT and salivary scintigraphy. These images can allow accurate diagnosis and help the patients to better understand the current condition. Depending on the severity of symptoms and patient’s discomfort, we try a surgical approach at the 3rd visit, sialendoscopy.

Results

With treatment, we can manage the discomfort of patients in daily life. The VAS value of hyposalivation patients dropped gradually with the trial of sialendoscopy. In the case of Sjogren’s syndrome patients, the treatment efficacy has been decreased with low reactivity of treatment. The true meaning of this treatment is in not only curing the disease, but also caring for the disrupted patients. Overall, the amount of UWS increased with the progress after the procedure. Especially in the lower UWS at the 1st visit, there was a more significant increase after the procedure.

Conclusion

Although many factors that cause hyposalivation have not been identified, the efficacy of sialendoscopy to relieve discomfort in hyposalivation patients has been observed. However, treatment was more difficult and complicated in the group of patients with systemic disease. This study will not only present a treatment protocol for hyposalivation patients, but also consider methods for diagnosing more precisely and improving treatment efficacy. Hyposalivation is a curable and manageable disease in some cases, so interpretation between the clinician and the patient is important.
Reflexive pedagogy at the heart of educational digital transformation in Latin American higher education institutions
Authors: Useche Ana Carolina , Galvis Álvaro H. , Díaz-Barriga Arceo Frida , Patiño Rivera Alberto Elí , Muñoz-Reyes Claudia
Published: October 2022

This paper makes a critical review of educational and operational issues related with pandemic and postpandemic lessons in Latin American higher education institutions (LATAM HEI), as background for uncovering key elements to innovate educational practices in technology-mediated higher education. The authors adapted the reflexive pedagogy framework to conduct in depth analysis of innovation experiences mediated with educational technologies and draw conclusions for curricular and digital transformation of LATAM HEI.
Measures to address the stalled development of health law education in Chinese universities
Authors: Xu Jingyi , Wang Yue
Published: October 2022

Health law education, an important part of global health education, is beneficial for both medical and law schools. This field can help lawyers and policy makers to develop their careers and equip traditional health professionals, such as doctors and nurses, with a basic knowledge of health law. However, unlike in western universities, health law education in China is still at its infant stage and, as such, lacks a systematic pedagogical approach among institutions of higher education in China. Considering the advancements in the field of health law education, this study systematically reviews the status of health law education in institutions of higher learning in China and suggests ways to make the pedagogical approach more consistent. This systematic review revealed that, between 2012 and 2021, major law schools and medical schools that have developed the subject of health law education in China lack consensus on the aim, scope, mode, and methods of health law education. The first problem is that Chinese universities are unable to agree on how to classify the subject of health law. Another set of problems relate to institutions themselves. Not only do universities lack qualified health law faculty, but they also rely on relatively uninspiring teaching materials. This leads to ineffective, generic pedagogical approaches in both medical and law schools. These problems leave future lawyers, future doctors and nurses unclear about their choices for health law study at the graduate level and their ultimate career development. We therefore propose four preliminary solutions to continue to develop this new interdisciplinary subject—health law education—in Chinese universities: clearly classify the subject of health law, equip the health law field with more professional textbooks, enact joint degree programs between medical schools and law schools, and establish a health law research center in either law schools or medical schools.
Variability of noninvasive MRI and biological markers in compensated cirrhosis: insights for assessing disease progression
Authors: Bradley Christopher R. , Cox Eleanor F. , Palaniyappan Naaventhan , Aithal Guruprasad P. , Francis Susan T. , Guha Indra Neil
Published: October 2022

Background

We annually monitored stable compensated cirrhosis (CC) patients to evaluate serial variation in blood serum, liver stiffness, and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) measures to provide reference change values (RCV) and sample size measures for future studies.

Methods

Patients were recruited from a prospectively followed CC cohort, with assessments at baseline and annually over three years. We report on blood markers, transient elastography liver stiffness measures (LSM) and noninvasive mpMRI (volume, T1 mapping, blood flow, perfusion) of the liver, spleen, kidneys, and heart in a stable CC group and a healthy volunteer (HV) group. Coefficient of variation over time (CoVT) and RCV are reported, along with hazard ratio to assess disease progression. Sample size estimates to power future trials of cirrhosis regression on mpMRI are presented.

Results

Of 60 CC patients enrolled, 28 with stable CC were followed longitudinally and compared to 10 HVs. CoVT in mpMRI measures was comparable between CC and HV groups. CoVT of Enhanced Liver Fibrosis score was low (< 5%) compared to Fibrosis-4 index (17.9%) and Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet-Ratio Index (19.4%). A large CoVT (20.7%) and RCV (48.3%) were observed for LSM. CoVT and RCV were low for liver, spleen, and renal T1 values (CoVT < 5%, RCV < 8%) and volume (CoVT < 10%, RCV < 16%); haemodynamic measures were high (CoVT 12–25%, RCV 16–47%).

Conclusions

Evidence of low CoVT and RCV in multiorgan T1 values. RCV and sample size estimates are provided for future longitudinal multiorgan monitoring in CC patients.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02037867, Registered: 05/01/2013.
Make or buy: IT-based decision support for grid imbalance settlement in smarter electricity networks
Authors: Wederhake Lars , Schlephorst Simon , Zyprian Florian
Published: October 2022

Decision (support) systems are a particularly important type of information system to energy informatics. A key challenge in energy informatics is that electricity supply must be in balance with demand at all times. More volatile renewable energy sources increase the relevance of electricity network balancing, i.e., imbalance settlement. Typically, electricity distribution network operators bought balancing power from external service providers (Buy option). Interestingly, however, more local energy resources help smarter electricity networks develop a Make option, as in our real-world evaluation. Choosing the better decision alternative within the relevant timeframes challenges human decision-making capabilities. Therefore, this research proposes a model-based decision system to improve the operators’ decisions concerning Make or Buy under various levels of data quality represented by availability, granularity, and timeliness. The study reports savings up to 40% of costs for imbalance settlement supporting ambitious development efforts by the municipality we study in our real-world evaluation.
Feeding: the hidden variable affecting prognosis of critically ill children
Authors: El-Mekkawy Muhammad Said , Shabaan Gamal Ibrahim , Abdelaziz Alyaa Ahdy
Published: October 2022

Background

Nutrition of critically ill children is a frequently ignored issue. The purpose of this study was to describe nutritional practices in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in a resource-limited country and evaluate their association with prognosis.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study, conducted on critically ill children admitted into PICU. Nutritional status was assessed, and nutritional practices (enteral and parenteral) were recorded. The primary outcome was PICU mortality.

Results

Two hundred twenty-one patients were recruited. Mortality rate was 17.6%. Parenteral nutrition (PN) administration and longer PN duration were associated with mortality (p<0.001 for each). Early enteral nutrition was associated lower rates of mortality (5.6% vs 26.9%, p<0.001); hospital-acquired infections (18.9% vs 67.3%, p<0.001); and enteral feeding intolerance (13.3% vs 28.8%, p=0.018), compared with late enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition onset correlated with length of PICU stay (rs=0.66, p<0.001); mechanical ventilation duration (rs=0.53, p<0.001); vasoactive infusion days (rs=0.25, p<0.001); central venous catheter days (rs=0.69, p<0.001); and time to full enteral caloric intake (rs=0.63, p<0.001). Bolus nasogastric feeding was superior to continuous nasogastric feeding since it was associated with a shorter time to full enteral caloric intake, without a higher risk of feeding intolerance or mortality. Malnutrition was associated with higher PN (75.4% vs 60.3%, p=0.03) and mortality (26.2% vs 14.1%, p=0.032) rates, in addition to longer mechanical ventilation duration (p=0.041) and time to full enteral caloric intake (p=0.010).

Conclusion

Malnutrition, PN, and late enteral nutrition are associated with poor outcome of PICU patients. Bolus nasogastric feeding appears to be superior to continuous feeding.
A two-step singular spectrum analysis method for robust low-rank approximation of seismic data
Authors: Huang Weilin
Published: October 2022

The singular spectrum analysis (SSA) method can detect the low-rank structure of data and therefore has become a powerful tool in seismic data processing and analysis. In particular, the SSA method can effectively suppress seismic random noise according to the different behaviors of coherent signal and random noise in the singular spectrum. However, there has been much research and experimentation indicating that the basic SSA method performs poorly when the noise becomes erratic. One of the reasons is that the quadratic misfit adopted in SSA is sensitive to non-Gaussian disturbances. One solution to this problem is to iteratively reweight the low-rank approximation of using the SSA method and finally achieve a particular kind of robust misfit. The low-rank approximation is robustified in this study by a more direct strategy, which consists of two main steps, prediction and elimination, and is called the two-step SSA method. The whole algorithm only runs the SSA filtering twice and hence is more computationally efficient compared to the iteratively reweighted SSA technique. The two-step SSA method adopts two criteria to calculate a weighting matrix and predict the erratic disturbance. This strategy also can be generalized into an iterative reweighting-based technique (e.g., the iteratively reweighted SSA technique) for robust denoising. The performance of the proposed two-step SSA method is tested using simulated and real seismic data. The results demonstrate its feasibility.
Porosity and permeability prediction using a transformer and periodic long short-term network
Authors: Yang Liuqing , Fomel Sergey , Wang Shoudong , Chen Xiaohong , Chen Wei , Saad Omar M. , Chen Yangkang
Published: October 2022

Effective reservoir parameter prediction is important for subsurface characterization and understanding fluid migration. However, conventional methods for obtaining porosity and permeability are based on either core measurements or mathematical/petrophysical modeling, which are expensive or inefficient. In this study, we develop a reliable and low-cost deep learning (DL) framework for reservoir permeability and porosity prediction from real logging data at different regions. We leverage an advanced learning architecture (i.e., the transformer model) and design a new regression network (RPTransformer) that is sensitive to the depth period change of the logging data. The RPTransformer is composed of 1D convolutional, long short-term memory (LSTM), and transformer layers. First, we use a 1D convolutional layer for the first layer of the network to extract significant features from the logging data. Then, the nonlinear mapping relationships between logging data and reservoir parameters are established using several LSTM layers with a period parameter. Afterward, we use the encoder in the vision transformer with the self-attention mechanism to further extract logging data features. The developed network is a data-driven supervised learning framework and indicates highly accurate and robust prediction results when applied to different geographic regions. To demonstrate the reliable prediction performance of our network, we compare it with several classic machine learning and state-of-the-art DL methods, e.g., random forest, multilayer LSTM, and long short-term time-series network (LSTNet). More importantly, we find the generalization and uncertainty of the network in real-world applications through comprehensive numerical experiments.
Pressure-dependent joint elastic-electrical properties of calcite-cemented artificial sandstones
Authors: Han Tongcheng , Wang Pan , Fu Li-Yun
Published: October 2022

Understanding the correlations between the elastic and electrical properties of various types of rocks is the key to the successful joint interpretation of seismic and electromagnetic survey data to provide petrophysical parameters to better assess the subsurface earth. However, the pressure-dependent joint elastic-electrical properties of calcite-cemented sandstones remain poorly understood, even though such rocks are widely distributed in nature and are all experiencing pressures. To obtain such knowledge, a new method has been developed for the manufacture of calcite-cemented artificial sandstones and investigated comprehensively the effects of porosity and cementation content on the confining pressure-dependent joint elastic-electrical properties of the synthetic samples made using the new recipe. Confining pressure is found to more significantly affect the P- and S-wave velocities and electrical resistivity in the samples with higher and lower porosity, respectively, when their cementation content remains the same. On the other hand, cementation content impacts the pressure-dependent elastic and electrical properties more complexly, and the effects of cementation content can be influenced by the minor fluctuation of porosity in the samples, especially at low confining pressures. More interestingly, P- and S-wave velocities are found to approximately linearly correlate with electrical resistivity as confining pressure varies, and the slopes of the linear joint correlations are demonstrated to vary distinctly with porosity and cementation content. The experimental data are interpreted in terms of the competing effects of porosity and cementation content on the microstructure of the samples. The results have helped to reveal the nature that porosity and cementation content find on affecting the joint elastic-electrical properties with varying pressure and have important practical implications for discriminating the porosity and cementation effects that will pave the way to a more successful interpretation of the joint seismic and electromagnetic survey data.
Fault identification based on the KPCA-GPSO-SVM algorithm for seismic attributes in the Sihe Coal Mine, Qinshui Basin, China
Authors: Ren Ke , Zou Guangui , Peng Suping , Yeh Hen-Geul , Deng Bowen , Ji Yin
Published: October 2022

Faults are geological structures that can cause disasters and thereby affect the safety of coal mines. To achieve improved fault interpretation accuracy during 3D seismic exploration of coal mines, we propose a seismic fault identification method based on a combination of kernel principal component analysis (KPCA), genetic particle swarm optimization (GPSO) and a support vector machine (SVM). The Dongwupan area of the Sihe Coal Mine in Shanxi Province, which mainly contains small faults, is the research area, and we extract 20 types of seismic attributes. According to the median difference between fault and nonfault data, we select the 12 leading seismic attributes with differences greater than 0.1 in descending order. Considering information redundancy and the nonlinear relationships among seismic attributes, we adopt the KPCA method to reduce and optimize the selected seismic attributes, thereby effectively capturing the main information contained in the data and eliminating noise. Moreover, we introduce the GPSO algorithm to effectively optimize the SVM model parameters, and we construct a KPCA-GPSO-SVM model to classify and predict faults. Through model testing, the average fault identification accuracy of the model is 98.89%. Relative to the KPCA-PSO-SVM, PCA-GPSO-SVM and GPSO-SVM models, the accuracy is improved by 3.3%, 7.8% and 16.7%, respectively. We apply the proposed model to predict the fault distribution in the research area, and we compare the predictions to the actual exposed faults. The results indicate that the KPCA-GPSO-SVM model can suitably realize fault distribution prediction in a mining area. Moreover, compared to manual fault interpretation, the proposed method is faster, more intuitive and can better identify small faults.
Substrate adhesion determines migration during mesenchymal cell condensation in chondrogenesis
Authors: Casanellas Ignasi , Jiang Hongkai , David Carolyn M. , Vida Yolanda , Pérez-Inestrosa Ezequiel , Samitier Josep , Lagunas Anna
Published: October 2022

Mesenchymal condensation is a prevalent morphogenetic transition that is essential in chondrogenesis. However, the current understanding of condensation mechanisms is limited. In vivo, progenitor cells directionally migrate from the surrounding loose mesenchyme towards regions of increasing matrix adherence (the condensation centers), which is accompanied by the upregulation of fibronectin. Here, we focused on the mechanisms of cell migration during mesenchymal cell condensation and the effects of matrix adherence. Dendrimer-based nanopatterns of the cell-adhesive peptide arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD), which is present in fibronectin, were used to regulate substrate adhesion. We recorded collective and single-cell migration of mesenchymal stem cells, under chondrogenic induction, using live-cell imaging. Our results show that the cell migration mode of single cells depends on substrate adhesiveness, and that cell directionality controls cell condensation and the fusion of condensates. Inhibition experiments revealed that cell–cell interactions mediated by N-cadherin (also known as CDH2) are also pivotal for directional migration of cell condensates by maintaining cell–cell cohesion, thus suggesting a fine interplay between cell–matrix and cell–cell adhesions. Our results shed light on the role of cell interactions with a fibronectin-depositing matrix during chondrogenesis in vitro, with possible applications in regenerative medicine.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Artificial intelligence system for automated landmark localization and analysis of cephalometry
Authors: Jiang Fulin , Guo Yutong , Yang Cai , Zhou Yimei , Lin Yucheng , Cheng Fangyuan , Quan Shuqi , Feng Qingchen , Li Juan
Published: October 2022

Objectives:

Cephalometric analysis is essential for diagnosis, treatment planning and outcome assessment of orthodontics and orthognathic surgery. Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to achieve automated landmark localization has proved feasible and convenient. However, current systems remain insufficient for clinical application, as patients exhibit various malocclusions in cephalograms produced by different manufacturers while limited cephalograms were applied to train AI in these systems.

Methods:

A robust and clinically applicable AI system was proposed for automatic cephalometric analysis. First, 9870 cephalograms taken by different radiography machines with various malocclusions of patients were collected from 20 medical institutions. Then 30 landmarks of all these cephalogram samples were manually annotated to train an AI system, composed of a two-stage convolutional neural network and a software-as-a-service system. Further, more than 100 orthodontists participated to refine the AI-output landmark localizations and retrain this system.

Results:

The average landmark prediction error of this system was as low as 0.94 ± 0.74 mm and the system achieved an average classification accuracy of 89.33%.

Conclusions:

An automatic cephalometric analysis system based on convolutional neural network was proposed, which can realize automatic landmark location and cephalometric measurements classification. This system showed promise in improving diagnostic efficiency in clinical circumstances.
Διερεύνηση της οργανωσιακής δέσμευσης και επαγγελματικής ικανοποίησης σε εργαζομένους/εργαζόμενες στον χώρο των φαρμακευτικών επιχειρήσεων
Authors: Θεοφίλου Παρασκευή
Published: October 2022

Οι συνθήκες εργασίας αποτελούν στην σύγχρονη εποχή έναν βασικό παράγοντα που σχετίζεται με την κόπωση, την οργανωσιακή δέσμευση και την επαγγελματική ικανοποίηση των εργαζομένων στις φαρμακευτικές επιχειρήσεις. Σκοπός της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι η διερεύνηση των επιπέδων κόπωσης, οργανωσιακής δέσμευσης και επαγγελματικής ικανοποίησης εργαζομένων σε φαρμακευτικές επιχειρήσεις στην περιοχή της Αθήνας. Επίσης, διερευνήθηκε η επίδραση της κόπωσης στις δύο προαναφερθείσες μεταβλητές (οργανωσιακή δέσμευση και επαγγελματική ικανοποίηση). Στην έρευνα συμμετείχαν 102 άτομα, προσωπικό διαφορετικών ειδικοτήτων και θέσεων (στελέχη φαρμακευτικών επιχειρήσεων, ιατρικοί επισκέπτες/επισκέπτριες, διοικητικό προσωπικό, εργαστηριακό προσωπικό κ.ά.) που εργάζεται σε φαρμακευτικές επιχειρήσεις στην ευρύτερη περιοχή της Αθήνας με μέση ηλικία τα 43 έτη. Οι συμμετέχοντες/συμμετέχουσες συμπλήρωσαν την κλίμακα «The Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS)», το ερωτηματολόγιο οργανωσιακής δέσμευσης των Meyerκαι Allen και το ερωτηματολόγιο καταγραφής της επαγγελματικής ικανοποίησης (Employee Satisfaction Inventory, ESI). Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν την στατιστικά σημαντική συσχέτιση (p<0,05) της κόπωσης με την οργανωσιακή δέσμευση και την επαγγελματική ικανοποίηση. Επίσης, στατιστικά σημαντική επίδραση (p<0,05) στην κόπωση, την οργανωσιακή δέσμευση και την επαγγελματική ικανοποίηση παρουσίασε η ηλικία, η κατοχή ή μη θέσης ευθύνης, η εκπαίδευση και η οικογενειακή κατάσταση, η ειδικότητα του προσωπικού, οι ώρες εργασίας εβδομαδιαίως, ο συνολικός χρόνος εργασίας καθώς και τα χρόνια εργασίας στο τμήμα, στο οποίο τώρα υπηρετούν οι εργαζόμενοι/εργαζόμενες. Συμπερασματικά, φαίνεται ότι υπάρχει επίδραση της κόπωσης στην οργανωσιακή δέσμευση και την επαγγελματική ικανοποίηση καθώς και επίδραση διαφόρων κοινωνικοδημογραφικών και εργασιακών παραγόντων στα επίπεδα κόπωσης, οργανωσιακής δέσμευσης και επαγγελματικής ικανοποίησης.
Τα προγράμματα απεξάρτησης σε σωφρονιστικό περιβάλλον
Authors: Αναγνοπούλου Μαρία
Published: October 2022

Κύριος στόχος της διδακτορικής διατριβής με θέμα «Τα προγράμματα απεξάρτησης σε σωφρονιστικό περιβάλλον: η σχέση ποινικού και ιατρικού μοντέλου στη διαχείριση των ναρκωτικών» είναι η διερεύνηση της ιδιαίτερης σχέσης που αναπτύσσεται μεταξύ του ποινικού και του ιατρικού προτύπου στο πλαίσιο της μεταχείρισης του εξαρτημένου δράστη εγκληματικών πράξεων. Κατ’ αρχάς, επιχειρείται η κατανόηση της σχέσης αυτής, με τις όποιες ιδιαιτερότητες, αντιφάσεις και δυσχέρειες συνεπάγεται, όπως αποτυπώνεται στον δημόσιο λόγο, που εκφέρεται στο πλαίσιο των νομοθετικών εργασιών του ελληνικού κοινοβουλίου κατά το χρονικό διάστημα 1990-2020. Πρόκειται, συγκεκριμένα, για τη συζήτηση και ψήφιση οκτώ νομοσχεδίων, τα οποία εμπεριέχουν ρυθμίσεις σχετικές με το ζήτημα της μεταχείρισης του εξαρτημένου εγκληματία. Εκτός αυτού, επιχειρείται η ανάδειξη των σημασιών που αποδίδονται στη λειτουργία των προγραμμάτων απεξάρτησης εντός του σωφρονιστικού συστήματος. Η μέθοδος που επιλέχθηκε είναι η έρευνα τεκμηρίων, ως η πλέον κατάλληλη για τη μελέτη των πρακτικών της ολομέλειας του ελληνικού κοινοβουλίου, ενώ η ποιοτική ανάλυση του υλικού πραγματοποιήθηκε με την αξιοποίηση, κυρίως, της θεματικής ανάλυσης.
Inter-Professional Teamwork Challenges in the Emergency Room and Critical Care Unit
Authors: Kapritsou Maria
Published: October 2022

No abstract
Genetics and functional significance of the understudied methamphetamine sensitive circadian oscillator (MASCO)
Authors: Taufique S K Tahajjul , Ehichioya David E , Pendergast Julie S , Yamazaki Shin
Published: October 2022

The last 50 years have witnessed extraordinary discoveries in the field of circadian rhythms. However, there are still several mysteries that remain. One of these chronobiological mysteries is the circadian rhythm that is revealed by administration of stimulant drugs to rodents. Herein we describe the discovery of this circadian rhythm and its underlying oscillator, which is frequently called the methamphetamine-sensitive circadian oscillator, or MASCO. This oscillator is distinct from canonical circadian oscillators because it controls robust activity rhythms independently of the suprachiasmatic nucleus and circadian genes are not essential for its timekeeping. We discuss these fundamental properties of MASCO and integrate studies of strain, sex, and circadian gene mutations on MASCO. The anatomical loci of MASCO are not known, so it has not been possible thus far to discover its novel molecular timekeeping mechanism or its functional significance. However, studies in mutant mice suggest that genetic approaches can be used to identify the neural network involved in the rhythm generation of MASCO. We also discuss parallels between human and rodent studies that support our working hypothesis that a function of MASCO may be to regulate sleep-wake cycles.
Dignity in the care of older adults living in nursing homes and long-term care facilities
Authors: Wachholz Patrick , Giacomin Karla
Published: October 2022

Depending on the fields and actors involved, dignity may involve, signify, and encompass different meanings. This fundamental right can be subjectively experienced and rooted in a person's perception of being treated and cared for. Care refers to a set of specific activities combined in a complex life-sustaining network, including long-term Care, which involves various services designed to meet a person's health or personal care needs. However, older residents' human rights have been disrespected and widened the gaps between theory and practice regarding the precarious protection of their rights and dignity inside long-term facilities and nursing homes. This paper aims to discuss threats to dignity and elucidate some strategies to promote and conserve dignity in care, including the person-centered practice in long-term care. Some barriers to the dignity of older residents involve the organizational culture, restraints of time, heavy workload, burnout, and lack of partnership between the residents, their families, and the long-term care homes' staff. Person-centered integrated care quality frameworks are core components of a good quality of care in these spaces in high-income countries. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how weak long-term care policies were and demonstrated that much progress in the dignity of care in long-term care facilities and nursing homes is needed. In low- and middle-income countries, long-term care policies do not accompany the accelerated and intense aging process, and there are other threats, like their invisibility to the public sector and the prejudices about this service model. It's urgent to create strategies for designing and implementing sustainable and equitable long- term care systems based on a person-centered service with dignity to everyone who needs it.
What influences a person’s willingness to share health information for both direct care and uses beyond direct care? Findings from a focus group study in Ireland
Authors: Flaherty Sarah Jane , Duggan Catherine , O'Connor Laura , Foley Barbara , Flynn Rachel
Published: October 2022

Background: The sharing of health information is invaluable for direct care provision and reasons beyond direct care, such as for health services management. Previous studies have shown that willingness to share health information is influenced by an individual’s trust in a healthcare professional or organisation, privacy and security concerns, and fear of discrimination based on sensitive information. The importance of engaging the public in policy and practice development relating to the use and sharing of health information has been identified as an essential step for countries to take. This study’s aim was to examine the factors that influence the Irish public’s willingness to share their health information as part of a national public engagement on health information.

Methods: A qualitative study using online focus groups was conducted as part of a wider national public engagement on health information. Participants were purposively recruited from a combination of public, patient, and service user groups in Ireland. Focus group interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive content analysis.

Results: In total, 85 participants took part in 14 focus groups between January and March 2021. Two major themes were identified, trust and personal and public benefits of sharing health information. The ability to exercise control over personal information, perceived transparency of the process, and the extent to which the healthcare service was viewed as confidential, all influenced the level of trust a person held. Perceived benefits were influenced by the extent to which participants believed information sharing would support improved care or provide broader public benefit, and balanced against the potential for personal harm.

Conclusions: The findings allow for new insights into the views of the public on the use and sharing of personal health information and can be used to inform the development of a consent model for health information.
PROFILES with the CanMEDS model as a guiding framework for conveying basics in clinical medicine and physician roles to health sciences students: a qualitative study
Authors: Odermatt Florence , Schirlo Christian , Babst Reto , Gysin Stefan
Published: October 2022

Background: PROFILES (Principal Relevant Objectives and Framework for Integrative Learning and Education in Switzerland), a competency-based framework for medical students in Switzerland, was used to structure a course aiming at conveying the roles of physicians and basics in clinical medicine to future health scientists. The goal of this study was to explore how this PROFILES-based approach was experienced and perceived by students, teachers and experts.

Methods: For this exploratory qualitative study, semi-structured interviews with seven students, four teachers and two experts in medical education were held. Themes were identified by conducting a thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke.

Results: We identified four themes: (1) PROFILES as a guiding framework, (2) strengths and weaknesses of the course, (3) general teaching aspects and (4) potential benefits for future interprofessional collaboration. Some students initially struggled to comprehend the novel approach, but overall, the structure of the course was positively perceived by most interviewees, especially teachers and experts.

Conclusions: PROFILES, particularly the integrated CanMEDS model, may be suitable to convey the roles and tasks of physicians and basic medical knowledge to future health scientists. Further studies are required to evaluate the effects on potential interprofessional collaboration.