bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Promoting the use of the PRECISE score for prostate MRI during active surveillance: results from the ESOR Nicholas Gourtsoyiannis teaching fellowship
Authors: Giganti Francesco , Aupin Laurene , Thoumin Camille , Faouzi Ingrid , Monnier Hippolyte , Fontaine Matthieu , Navidi Alexandre , Ritvo Paul-Gydéon , Ong Valentin , Chung Cecile , Bibi Imen , Lehrer Raphaële , Hermieu Nicolas , Barret Eric , Ambrosi Alessandro , Kasivisvanathan Veeru , Emberton Mark , Allen Clare , Kirkham Alex , Moore Caroline M. , Renard-Penna Raphaële
Published: July 2022

Objectives

The PRECISE criteria for serial multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate during active surveillance recommend the use of a dedicated scoring system (PRECISE score) to assess the likelihood of clinically significant radiological change. This pilot study assesses the effect of an interactive teaching course on prostate MRI during active surveillance in assessing radiological change in serial imaging.

Methods

Eleven radiology fellows and registrars with different experience in prostate MRI reading participated in a dedicated teaching course where they initially evaluated radiological change (based on their previous training in prostate MRI reading) independently in fifteen patients on active surveillance (baseline and follow-up scan), and then attended a lecture on the PRECISE score. The initial scans were reviewed for teaching purposes and afterwards the participants re-assessed the degree of radiological change in a new set of images (from fifteen different patients) applying the PRECISE score. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed. Confirmatory biopsies and PRECISE scores given in consensus by two radiologists (involved in the original draft of the PRECISE score) were the reference standard.

Results

There was a significant improvement in the average area under the curve (AUC) for the assessment of radiological change from baseline (AUC: 0.60 [Confidence Intervals: 0.51–0.69] to post-teaching (AUC: 0.77 [0.70–0.84]). This was an improvement of 0.17 [0.016–0.28] (p = 0.004).

Conclusions

A dedicated teaching course on the use of the PRECISE score improves the accuracy in the assessment of radiological change in serial MRI of the prostate.
Fibrin glue injection method for complex fistula after laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: a case report
Authors: Izumi Hideki , Yoshii Hisamichi , Abe Rin , Mukai Masaya , Nomura Eiji , Makuuchi Hiroyasu
Published: July 2022

Background

Pancreatic fistula is the most problematic complication in pancreatectomy. Although drainage can be used to relieve this complication, pancreatic surgeons often encounter refractory pancreatic fistula. Fibrin glue injection, with the use of a twofold diluted solution B and a double-lumen tube, was found effective in treating this complicated pancreatic fistula.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 64-year-old Japanese man who underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic tail cancer. After initial drainage of the pancreatic fistula diagnosed 4 days postoperatively, on day 134, refractory pancreatic fistula was observed using contrast-enhanced computed tomography. We used fibrin glue injection, with a twofold diluted solution containing thrombin and calcium chloride and a double-lumen tube, for treating the refractory fistula; the fluid drainage was almost stopped with no fever or abdominal pain. No recurrence of pancreatic cancer has been observed since the procedure.

Conclusions

Fibrin glue injection was effective for complicated pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy. Using a twofold diluted solution B containing thrombin and calcium chloride and a double-lumen tube makes possible the thorough injection of fibrin glue.
Sex differences in cardiac remodeling post myocardial infarction with acute cigarette smoking
Authors: Kaplan Abdullah , Abidi Emna , Diab Reine , Ghali Rana , Al-Awassi Hiam , Booz George W. , Zouein Fouad A.
Published: July 2022

Background

Whether cigarette smoking affects the heart post-myocardial infarction (MI) in a sex-dependent way remains controversial. Using a mouse model, we investigated cardiac remodeling under the influence of acute cigarette smoke (CS) exposure following ischemic injury in both sexes.

Methods

Ten cigarettes were smoked twice daily for 2 weeks followed by MI and then 1 additional week post permanent LAD ligation. Cardiac function, histology, and infarct size were assessed, and inflammatory markers quantified by RT–PCR. Statistical comparisons were performed using an unpaired t test or ANOVA followed by Tukey post hoc test.

Results

We observed that cigarette smoking exacerbated both left and right ventricular remodeling only in males at an early stage of post-MI. Females did not display a significant structural and/or functional alteration within 7 days of cardiac remodeling post-MI upon CS exposure. Worsened right ventricular remodeling in males was independent of pulmonary congestion. CS-exposed males exhibited enhanced increases in left ventricular end systolic and diastolic volumes, as well as reductions in ejection fraction and fractional area changes of left ventricular base. At day 7, infarct size was increased by cigarette smoking in males only, which was accompanied by enhanced collagen deposition in both the infarcted and peri-infarcted areas. Both IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression significantly increased in CS-exposed MI male group only at day 7 post-MI suggestive of prolonged inflammation.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that CS exposure worsens the progression of cardiac remodeling post-MI in male sex in a significant manner compared to female sex at least at early stages.
Sex-related differences in left ventricular remodeling and outcome after alcohol septal ablation in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: insights from cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Chen You-Zhou , Zhao Xing-Shan , Yuan Jian-Song , Zhang Yan , Liu Wei , Qiao Shu-Bin
Published: July 2022

Background

Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) has been proven to reverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, there are no studies on the effect of sex on LV remodeling after ASA. We aimed to investigate whether sex differences affect the process of LV remodeling and outcome after ASA.

Methods

A total of 107 patients with obstructive HCM (54 men and 53 women, mean age 51 ± 8 years) were recruited. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed at baseline and 16 months after ASA. The extent of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was measured.

Results

Women had a higher indexed LV mass and smaller indexed LV end-systolic volumes than men at the time of ASA. After ASA, both men and women exhibited a regression of LV mass, and the percentage of mass regression was greater in men than women (15.3% ± 4.3% vs. 10.7% ± 1.8%, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, male sex, higher reduction of LV outflow tract (LVOT) gradient and lower baseline LV mass index were independently associated with greater LV mass regression after ASA. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significantly higher cardiovascular events in women than in men (p = 0.015). Female sex [hazard ratio (HR) 3.913, p = 0.038] and LV mass preablation (HR, 1.019, p = 0.010) were independent predictors of cardiovascular outcomes.

Conclusions

Males with HCM had favorable reverse remodeling with greater LV mass regression post-ASA than female patients. This favorable LV reverse remodeling might provide a mechanistic explanation for the survival advantage in men.
BitterMatch: recommendation systems for matching molecules with bitter taste receptors
Authors: Margulis Eitan , Slavutsky Yuli , Lang Tatjana , Behrens Maik , Benjamini Yuval , Niv Masha Y.
Published: July 2022

Bitterness is an aversive cue elicited by thousands of chemically diverse compounds. Bitter taste may prevent consumption of foods and jeopardize drug compliance. The G protein-coupled receptors for bitter taste, TAS2Rs, have species-dependent number of subtypes and varying expression levels in extraoral tissues. Molecular recognition by TAS2R subtypes is physiologically important, and presents a challenging case study for ligand-receptor matchmaking. Inspired by hybrid recommendation systems, we developed a new set of similarity features, and created the BitterMatch algorithm that predicts associations of ligands to receptors with ~ 80% precision at ~ 50% recall. Associations for several compounds were tested in-vitro, resulting in 80% precision and 42% recall. The encouraging performance was achieved by including receptor properties and integrating experimentally determined ligand-receptor associations with chemical ligand-to-ligand similarities.

BitterMatch can predict off-targets for bitter drugs, identify novel ligands and guide flavor design. The novel features capture information regarding the molecules and their receptors, which could inform various chemoinformatic tasks. Inclusion of neighbor-informed similarities improves as experimental data mounts, and provides a generalizable framework for molecule-biotarget matching.

Graphical Abstract
Antibiotic exposure prevents acquisition of beneficial metabolic functions in the preterm infant gut microbiome
Authors: Xu Yanping , Milburn Olivia , Beiersdorfer Traci , Du Lizhong , Akinbi Henry , Haslam David B.
Published: July 2022

Background

Aberrations in the preterm microbiome following antibiotic therapy have been reported in previous studies. The objective of this study was to probe potential underlying mechanisms between this observation and susceptibility to adverse prematurity-related outcomes.

Results

Metagenomic shotgun sequencing was performed on 133 stool and 253 skin samples collected at 1 and 3 weeks of age from 68 infants born at <36 weeks postmenstrual age and birth weight <2000 g. After accounting for gestational age and maternal antibiotics, the distribution of organisms in all samples and the corresponding metabolic pathway abundance were compared between infants exposed to postnatal antibiotics and antibiotics-naïve infants.

In antibiotic-naïve infants, gestational and postnatal age imparted similar trajectories on maturation of the microbial community and associated metabolic functional capacity, with postnatal age exerting greater contribution. Antibiotic exposure was associated with reversal in maturation trajectory from the first week to the third week of age (p< 0.001). Butyrate-producing genera, including Clostridium and Blautia, were significantly more abundant in antibiotic-naïve neonates at 3 weeks postnatal age. Correspondingly, metabolic pathways required for short-chain fatty acid synthesis were significantly increased in antibiotic-naïve infants, but not in antibiotic-exposed neonates, at 3 weeks after birth.

Conclusions

Early brief antibiotic exposure markedly disrupts developmental trajectory of the neonatal microbiome and its corresponding functional capacity. Our findings may provide a mechanistic explanation for the known associations between antibiotic use and adverse outcomes in preterm infants.
Ink and support characterization of typologically established papyrus groups from the Palau-Ribes collection
Authors: Nodar Alberto , Pereira Fernando José , Ferrer Núria , López Roberto
Published: July 2022

Most of papyrus documents have reached us in a very fragmentary state due to their excavation conditions and, because of the early history of papyrology, without an archaeological contextualisation. Traditionally, papyrologists have only relied on the bibliological characterisation of the documents they work on to provide such a chronological, geographical and socio-cultural context within which to fully understand the texts they edit and study. This study, following previous research on ink characterisation of papyrus documents, uses infrared spectroscopy and SEM/EDX for the analysis of ink and the papyrus surface. To this purpose, 67 samples of coherent groups of papyri from the Palau-Ribes collection in Barcelona, organised according to chronological, geographical and bibliological criteria, have been analysed to identify trends in their composition that may contribute to their characterisation and further enlarge our knowledge of written culture in Antiquity. The samples have been categorised into seven groups: Papyri that are (1) dated to II CE; (2) dated to VI CE; (3) from Oxyrhynchus; (4) from the Monastery of Bawit; (5) written in chancery hands; (6) written in bookhands, and (7) brown ink. All samples have been analysed using infrared spectroscopy, and SEM/EDX has also been used for analysis of a small subset of sample in order to confirm the presence of iron, sulphur and other elements. The results confirm previous findings in iron-gall ink distribution for texts written in bookhands from the Byzantine period, and adds to the characterisation of other groups, such as the Bawit one, with high levels of lignin in the composition of the writing surface, or the degradation of the cellulose shown for the Oxyrhynchus group, suggesting peculiar traits in the manufacturing and conservation of written documents from ancient times.
Closed-loop automated critical care as proof-of-concept study for resuscitation in a swine model of ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Patel Nathan T. P. , Goenaga-Diaz Eduardo J. , Lane Magan R. , Austin Johnson M. , Neff Lucas P. , Williams Timothy K.
Published: July 2022

Background

Volume expansion and vasopressors for the treatment of shock is an intensive process that requires frequent assessments and adjustments. Strict blood pressure goals in multiple physiologic states of shock (traumatic brain injury, sepsis, and hemorrhagic) have been associated with improved outcomes. The availability of continuous physiologic data is amenable to closed-loop automated critical care to improve goal-directed resuscitation.

Methods

Five adult swine were anesthetized and subjected to a controlled 30% estimated total blood volume hemorrhage followed by 30 min of complete supra-celiac aortic occlusion and then autotransfusion back to euvolemia with removal of aortic balloon. The animals underwent closed-loop critical care for 255 min after removal of the endovascular aortic balloon. The closed-loop critical care algorithm used proximal aortic pressure and central venous pressure as physiologic input data. The algorithm had the option to provide programmatic control of pumps for titration of vasopressors and weight-based crystalloid boluses (5 ml/kg) to maintain a mean arterial pressure between 60 and 70 mmHg.

Results

During the 255 min of critical care the animals experienced hypotension (< 60 mmHg) 15.3% (interquartile range: 8.6–16.9%), hypertension (> 70 mmHg) 7.7% (interquartile range: 6.7–9.4%), and normotension (60–70 mmHg) 76.9% (interquartile range: 76.5–81.2%) of the time. Excluding the first 60 min of the critical care phase the animals experienced hypotension 1.0% (interquartile range: 0.5–6.7%) of the time. Median intervention rate was 8.47 interventions per hour (interquartile range: 7.8–9.2 interventions per hour). The proportion of interventions was 61.5% (interquartile range: 61.1–66.7%) weight-based crystalloid boluses and 38.5% (interquartile range: 33.3–38.9%) titration of vasopressors.

Conclusion

This autonomous critical care platform uses critical care adjuncts in an ischemia–reperfusion injury model, utilizing goal-directed closed-loop critical care algorithm and device actuation. This description highlights the potential for this approach to deliver nuanced critical care in the ICU environment, thereby optimizing resuscitative efforts and expanding capabilities through cognitive offloading. Future efforts will focus on optimizing this platform through comparative studies of inputs, therapies, and comparison to manual critical care.
How learner engagement impacts non-formal online learning outcomes through value co-creation: an empirical analysis
Authors: Wang Cenlan , Mirzaei Tala , Xu Tao , Lin Hui
Published: July 2022

From the perspective of service science and its core concept of value co-creation, promoting learner engagement is critical for learning outcomes in a non-formal online learning environment. To promote online learning performance, we study how multidimensional learner engagement affects both instrumental and experiential learning outcomes. By incorporating the service-dominant logic perspective into the research model, we designed an online survey to investigate the impact of platform value co-creation on learners’ engagement outcomes. By employing a partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), the results show that behavioral engagement, cognitive engagement, and emotional engagement have a significant impact on learning outcomes through the mediating effect of platform value, a second-order hierarchical latent variable. This study has multiple theoretical contributions and practical implications. First, we found new evidence that pursuing good learning outcomes in a non-formal online learning setting is not just a technological architecture or pedagogic guidelines, but also a “win–win” value co-creation process. Second, our results confirm the posited direct and indirect effects, thus evidencing functional value, emotional value, social value, and personalized value as components of the platform value construct, and it as a driver and mediator for better online learning outcomes. Third, our results underscore the importance of platform value in studying the impact of learner engagement on learning outcomes and provide a sharper theoretical lens to evaluate online learning platform value from the perspective of online learners.
Pathogenic potential of Metarhizium anisopliae and Lecanicillium longisporum on tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse (Hemiptera: Miridae)
Authors: Bharathi Nagaraj Santhana , Mahendran Pannerselvam , Sujatha Krishnaswamy , Ashokraj Shanmugam , Rabeesh Thattante Parambil
Published: July 2022

Background

The study was focused on identifying the pathogenic potential of native entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) viz.,Metarhizium anisopliae(Metsch.) andLecanicillium longisporum(Zimm.) against adult tea mosquito bug (TMB),Helopeltis theivora(Waterhouse) under in vitro conditions.

Results

Four EPF were isolated and the sequence has deposited to NCBI Genbank with accession numbers of MZ930378 (Metarhizium anisopliaeisolate UPASI_1), MZ930384 (Lecanicillium longisporumisolate UPASI_2), MZ930388 (Metarhizium anisopliaeisolate UPASI_3) and MZ930389 (Metarhizium anisopliaeisolate UPASI_4). Isolates were evaluated against adult TMB using dipping and direct spray methods under in vitro conditions. TheM. anisopliaeisolates achieved 100 and 69–81% of adult mortality in dipping and direct spray method, respectively after the 10th day of application with 1 × 109spores/ml. Among the tested isolates, a significant (p < 0.001) and highest mortality were observed inM. anisopliae(MZ930388). On the other hand, spraying ofL. longisporumwith 1 × 109, 1 × 107and 1 × 105spores/ml caused the adult mortality of 76, 55 and 46% respectively after the 10th day of application.

Conclusions

The study found that the indigenous EPF,M. anisopliae(MZ930388) was an effective and promising biocontrol agent against adult TMB under in vitro conditions.
Outcome and characteristics of COVID-19 patients associated with stroke: a multicenter hospital-based study in Egypt
Authors: Elsheshiny Ahmed H. , El Gharieb Hussein Awad , Sabrh Mostafa Ahmed
Published: July 2022

Background

 Nearly 55 percent of patients are said to be affected by the neurological effects of COVID-19. COVID-19 was shown to be related with stroke in 0.9 to 5% of people. It's critical to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the outcomes of acute ischemic stroke. The goal of this study was to look at the outcomes and characteristics of patients who had an acute ischemic stroke due to covid-19 infection.

Results

 The participants in this study were 399 people who had had a stroke. COVID-19 positivity was confirmed in 77 cases, while COVID-19 negativity was confirmed in 322. In the COVID-19 and control groups, the average age of the patients was 65.4 ± 10.2 and 65.3 ± 11.8, respectively. The Covid-19 and control groups had a mean stroke onset of 5.2 ± 2.1 and 5.7 ± 3.8 h, respectively (P = 0.12). There was a high in-hospital mortality rate among patients with COVID-19 with a rate of 11.7% compared to 4.04% among the control group (P = 0.02). At discharge, the number of patients with mRS > 2 was higher (P = 0.001) among the COVID-19. There was a correlation between the mean levels of D-Dimer (r = 0.668, P < 0.001), the severity of COVID-19 (r = 0.802, P < 0.001), and mRS > 2.

Conclusion

Despite receiving equal acute care as non-COVID-19 patients, COVID-19 patients had more severe strokes and had worse outcomes. This includes a high chance of death while in the hospital as well as a significant level of disability. Neurologists should use timely and effective therapies, particularly for patients who are at a higher risk of having a stroke. This includes elderly patients, patients with severe COVID-19, patients with high levels of D-Dimer, and those with high NIHSS.
Examining impairment and kinetic patterns associated with recent use of hemp-derived Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol: case studies
Authors: Wurz Gregory T. , Montoya Edward , DeGregorio Michael W.
Published: July 2022

Background

As a result of the legalization of U.S. industrial hemp production in late 2018, products containing hemp-derived Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) are increasing in popularity. Little, however, is known regarding Δ8-THC’s impairment potential and the associated impacts on roadway and workplace safety, and testing for Δ8-THC is not yet common. The present study explored impairment patterns and cannabinoid kinetics associated with recent use of Δ8-THC.

Methods

Hemp-derived Δ8-THC concentrate was administered by vaporization ad libitum to three male frequent cannabis users aged 23–25 years. In addition to self-assessments of impairment using a 10-point scale, horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) was evaluated in each subject as a physical means of assessing impairment before and after vaporization. To examine cannabinoid kinetic patterns, exhaled breath and capillary blood samples were collected prior to vaporization up to 180 min post-vaporization and analyzed by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry for cannabinoid content using validated methods. The impairment and cannabinoid kinetic results were then compared to analogous results obtained from the same three subjects after they had smoked a ∆9-THC cannabis cigarette ad libitum in a previous study to determine whether any similarities existed.

Results

Patterns of impairment after vaporizing Δ8-THC were similar to those observed after smoking cannabis, with self-assessed impairment peaking within the first hour after use, and then declining to zero by 3 h post-use. Likewise, HGN was observed only after vaporizing, and by 3 h post-vaporization, evidence of HGN had dissipated. Cannabinoid kinetic patterns observed after vaporizing Δ8-THC (short ∆8-THC half-lives of 5.2 to 11.2 min at 20 min post-vaporization, presence of key cannabinoids cannabichromene, cannabigerol, and tetrahydrocannabivarin, and breath/blood Δ8-THC ratios > 2 within the first hour post-vaporization) were also analogous to those observed for ∆9-THC and the same key cannabinoids within the first hour after the same subjects had smoked cannabis in the previous study.

Conclusions

Hemp-derived Δ8-THC and Δ9-THC from cannabis display similar impairment profiles, suggesting that recent use of Δ8-THC products may carry the same risks as cannabis products. Standard testing methods need to incorporate this emerging, hemp-derived cannabinoid.
Nutritional properties of wheat flour supplemented with modified tacca (Tacca involucrata) flour for production of healthy biscuits
Authors: Ojewumi Emmanuel Omotayo , Omoba Olufunmilayo Sade , Awolu Olugbenga Olufemi
Published: July 2022

Background

Tacca flour obtained from tacca tubers, an underutilized crop rich in carbohydrate and phytochemicals, was subjected to physical, chemical and enzymatic modifications which were supplemented into wheat flour for the production of healthy wheat–tacca flour biscuits. While the proximate composition and the antioxidants properties of the native and modified samples were carried out in order to produce modified samples with the best antioxidant properties for subsequent  preparation of biscuits. The haematological, in vitro antioxidative and lipid peroxidative potentials of the biscuit samples were evaluated.

Results

The results show that while native tacca flour had the best proximate composition, the flour sample from enzymatic modification had the best antioxidants properties. The biscuit produced from wheat–tacca flour at varying compositions of tacca flour ranging from 5 to 20% incorporations (TEB5%, TEB10%, TEB15 and TEB20%) showed that all the samples substituted with modified tacca flour had better haematological properties, in vitro antioxidative properties and lipid peroxidative properties compared to the 100% wheat biscuit. Specifically, the sample TEB20% (20% tacca flour incorporation) had the best nutritional qualities. The toxicological studies showed that the samples with tacca flour incorporation are better than 100% wheat flour biscuit and basal diet.

Conclusion

Tacca flour would successfully supplement wheat flour in the production of nutritionally rich and toxicologically safe biscuit with over 70% overall sensory acceptability.
Impaired olfaction post-coronavirus disease 2019: a systematic review of smell recovery predictive factors
Authors: Utomo Nunki Puspita , Iswarini Arin Dwi
Published: July 2022

Background

The devastating coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic seemed not yet to cease. Numerous studies regarding its typical sign and symptoms have been done, presenting one of the most promising predictors of the infection: olfactory dysfunction. Although not life-threatening, the symptom could decrease one’s quality of life, especially if persistent throughout their entire life. Among the countless literature regarding loss of smell, only limited studies denote predictors of smell recovery. This systematic review aimed to bridge the knowledge gap of olfactory impairment prevalence and recovery predictors in people with COVID-19.

Methods

This review was carried out through journal databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and medRxiv. Literature published from 2020 to 2022 that complied with the inclusion and exclusion criteria was retrieved, scanned for duplicates with Zotero, and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols 2020 (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results

Of the 2243 studies, seven were assessed with the Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool (PROBAST) to analyze the risk of bias, which five cohort studies deemed relevant. Olfactory dysfunction, olfactory recovery, and its predictive factors are noted. This review is registered in PROSPERO (Registration Number CRD42022318412).

Conclusions

No clinical markers predicted the recovery of olfactory dysfunction, but patients who are more likely to recover are associated with younger age, female sex, and having COVID-19-related symptoms such as nasal congestion and trigeminal sensation. Modifiable factors are still dubious in predicting the olfaction recovery.
The diagnostic utility of squash smear cytology in lung malignancies
Authors: Baro Bhanita , Lad Shilpa K. , Utpat Ketaki , Saha Anurag
Published: July 2022

Background

Lung malignancy is the most common cause of death worldwide. The main role of pathologist is to differentiate small cell from other cell types as treatment and prognosis varies. Although histopathology is routinely done, squash smears yield better cytomorphology.

Aims and objectives

To study the clinical history, evaluate the diagnostic yield by means of cytology and histopathology correlation followed by determination of sensitivity and specificity of squash smear cytology for detection of lung malignancies.

Materials and methods

The present study was an observational analytical study conducted over a period of 3.5 years. Total 60 squash smears were obtained by computed tomography-/bronchoscopy-guided biopsy and stained with Papanicolaou and May-Grunwald stain. Squash smears were correlated with histopathological findings.

Statistical analysis

Statistics in the form of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio were done.

Results

Out of total 60 cases, 71.67% cases were males and 65% cases were smokers. Right lung was mostly involved (65%). The major symptom noted was dyspnea on exertion (90%). In 66.7% cases, malignancy was reported while in 10% suspicious and in 23.3% negative for malignancy. The most common malignancy diagnosed was squamous cell carcinoma (18.3%). The sensitivity and specificity of 92.1% and 83.3% were calculated respectively for squash smear, while the positive predictive value (PPV) was 94.6% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 76.9%.

Conclusion

Squash smear cytology utilization in diagnosis of lung malignancy is a simple, fast, and reliable procedure with good sensitivity and specificity. It can be used as complementary to histopathology when need arises.
Perspectives on family-based suicide prevention and postvention
Authors: Krysinska Karolina , Andriessen Karl
Published: July 2022

Suicide remains an important public health problem worldwide. Many countries have developed national suicide prevention policies or guidelines, which often include family-based recommendations regarding suicide prevention, intervention or postvention. A recent systematic review, published in this journal, failed to find evidence of an impact of family-based recommendations in national guidelines on national suicide rates. In this editorial, we review other studies providing promising evidence of effectiveness of family-based interventions in the field of suicide prevention and postvention, and note that further studies are needed, especially in adult and older adult populations.
Relativistic Bose-Einstein condensate in the rainbow gravity
Authors: Furtado J. , Assunção J. F. , Muniz C. R.
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we study the effects of a modified theory of gravity —the rainbow gravity— on the relativistic Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). We initially discuss some formal aspects of the model in order to compute the corrections to the relevant quantities of the condensate. Following, we evaluate the generating functional from which we obtain some thermodynamic parameters. Then we calculate the corrected critical temperature T

c
that sets the relativistic Bose-Einstein condensate considering the three principal rainbow functions, finding, in addition, a phenomenological upper bound for the parameters involved in the model. Finally, we discuss how harder it is for the particles at an arbitrary temperature T < T

c
to enter the condensed state compared to the usual scenario, i.e., without rainbow gravity.
Childhood Factors Associated with Muscular Strength Trajectories between Childhood and Mid-Adulthood
Authors: FRASER BROOKLYN J. , BLIZZARD LEIGH , CLELAND VERITY , BUSCOT MARIE-JEANNE , SCHMIDT MICHAEL D. , DWYER TERENCE , VENN ALISON J. , MAGNUSSEN COSTAN G.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To promote greater muscular strength across the life course and, in turn, help improve long-term health outcomes, strategies aimed at increasing muscular strength are required. To inform these strategies, this study identified childhood factors associated with muscular strength trajectories.

Methods

Prospective longitudinal study of 1280 Childhood Determinants of Adult Health participants who had a range of potentially modifiable factors (e.g., anthropometric measures, physical activity) and health and risk motivation items (e.g., attitudes, beliefs, and intentions on health-related actions) measured in childhood and had their muscular strength assessed up to three times between childhood and midlife. Associations between childhood factors and three predetermined life course muscular strength trajectories (identified previously using group-base trajectory modeling as follows: above average and increasing, average, and below average and decreasing) were examined using log multinomial regression.

Results

Greater physical fitness, physical activity, fat-free mass, enjoyment of physical activity, physical education, and school sports, and positive attitudes regarding the importance of exercising, staying fit, and body image were associated with a lower likelihood of being in the below average and decreasing muscular strength trajectory (relative risk range, 0.45–0.98). Greater physical fitness, physical activity, and fat-free mass, and attending an independent school were associated with a higher likelihood of being in the above average and increasing muscular strength trajectory (relative risk range, 1.03–1.93).

Conclusions

In addition to providing health benefits in the short term, physical activity, physical fitness, positive health attitudes, and healthy weight in childhood may lead to better muscular strength in the long term.
Push-off Dynamics Reveal Task-independent Alterations in Athletes Returning to Sport Following ACL Reconstruction
Authors: Huby Claire Louise , Miari Ioanna , Hagen Michiel , Verschueren Sabine , Vanrenterghem Jos , Smeets Annemie
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Athletes with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction show persisting biomechanical and neuromuscular landing alterations. So far, most research focused on the landing phase of dynamic tasks where most ACL injuries occur. This study will assess whether these landing alterations are also present in the propulsion phase, in an attempt to identify generalised movement alterations.

Methods

Twenty-one athletes with ACLR (cleared by their surgeon and/or physiotherapist for return-to-sport) and twenty-one controls performed five single leg hop tasks. Propulsion kinematics, kinetics and muscle activations were compared between legs and between groups.

Results

Increased hamstrings activation was found during propulsion when comparing the ACLR limb to both the uninjured limb and the controls. Additionally, decreased internal knee extension moments were found in the ACLR limb compared to the uninjured limb.

Conclusions

Athletes with ACLR show task independent alterations that unload the knee during the propulsion phase of single leg hopping tasks. If longitudinal data deems these alterations to be maladaptive, more emphasis must be placed on their normalization during the propulsion phase, assuming beneficial carryover effects into the landing phase. Normalizing these patterns during rehabilitation may potentially reduce the risk of long-term complications such as re-injuries and posttraumatic osteoarthritis.
Από τη Realpolitik στη Machtpolitik
Authors: Κουτσολίας Νικόλαος
Published: July 2022

Στην παρούσα διδακτορική Διατριβή πραγματοποιείται μία απόπειρα ενδελεχούς εξέτασης και ανάλυσης του αμφιλεγόμενου ζητήματος, το οποίο αφορά τη μετάβαση από τη Realpolitik στη Machtpolitik κατά τη διάρκεια του πρώτου μισού του 5ου αιώνα π. Χ. στο πλαίσιο της αθηναϊκής πολιτικής, κυρίως στον ελλαδικό χώρο. Αναδεικνύονται οι εκφάνσεις της Machtpolitik και τα τεκμήρια εκείνα, κυρίως στο θουκυδιδικό έργο, μέσω των οποίων καθίσταται σαφής επιστημονικά η εξέλιξη της αθηναϊκής ισχύος και φυσικά ο τρόπος κατά τον οποίο αυτή μετεβλήθη προοδευτικά σε ηγεμονία (αρχή).
MRI data harmonization across sites using ComBat enhances classification of meningioma and glioma brain-tumors in dogs: a case study
Authors: Nandy Debmalya , Yang Xinyi , Jin Xin , Griffin Lynn , Kechris Katerina , Xing Fuyong
Published: July 2022

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in clinical patients is often evaluated for diagnostic purposes. However, to develop a disease classifier, imaging data can be “noisy”, as in being heterogeneous (e.g., obtained from multiple sites), having significant crossover between normal and pathological processes, being highly imbalanced for the outcome variable (i.e., unequal numbers of cases and controls), or due to a lack of accurate quantitative analysis tools that are transferable, easily usable, and accurate to generate the final image variables for machine learning analyses.

Methods: In this article, we demonstrate the effectiveness of ComBat harmonization of heterogeneous MRI data on dogs’ brains, collected across multiple sites, prior to using them in the random forest (RF) classifier to attempt to differentiate the meningioma and the glioma tumor-types. We consider three image variables generated from each of the brain scans and three clinical covariates – age, sex, and breedtype – for each subject. The scans are generated either at Colorado State University (CSU) or outside CSU. We compare the RF classifier performance in identifying the two tumor types, with and without preprocessing the data with ComBat site-specific harmonization.

Results: The post-ComBat disease classification accuracy measures – sensitivity, specificity, and total accuracy – indicate an overall significant edge in the RF performance compared to their without-ComBat counterparts across different scenarios. Moreover, incorporating both the image variables and the clinical covariates in the RF model results in the highest total accuracy.

Conclusions: Use of MRI data in combination with clinical covariates is more informative than using only clinical covariates in classifying meningioma and glioma brain-tumors in dogs. Moreover, as a preprocessing step for MRI data, we recommend adjusting for the site-specific variability using ComBat harmonization prior to performing downstream analyses, such as disease classification.
Edge computing for Vehicle to Everything: a short review
Authors: Abdullah Mohd. Fikri Azli , Yogarayan Sumendra , Abdul Razak Siti Fatimah , Azman Afizan , Muhamad Amin Anang Hudaya , Salleh Mazrah
Published: July 2022

Vehicle to Everything (V2X) communications and services have sparked considerable interest as a potential component of future Intelligent Transportation Systems. V2X serves to organise communication and interaction between vehicle to vehicle (V2V), vehicle to infrastructure (V2I), vehicle to pedestrians (V2P), and vehicle to networks (V2N). However, having multiple communication channels can generate a vast amount of data for processing and distribution. In addition, V2X services may be subject to performance requirements relating to dynamic handover and low latency communication channels. Good throughput, lower delay, and reliable packet delivery are the core requirements for V2X services.  Edge Computing (EC) may be a feasible option to address the challenge of dynamic handover and low latency to allow V2X information to be transmitted across vehicles. Currently, existing comparative studies do not cover the applicability of EC for V2X. This review explores EC approaches to determine the relevance for V2X communication and services. EC allows devices to carry out part or all of the data processing at the point where data is collected. The emphasis of this review is on several methods identified in the literature for implementing effective EC. We describe each method individually and compare them according to their applicability. The findings of this work indicate that most methods can simulate the EC positioning under predefined scenarios. These include the use of Mobile Edge Computing, Cloudlet, and Fog Computing. However, since most studies are carried out using simulation tools, there is a potential limitation in that crucial data in the search for EC positioning may be overlooked and ignored for bandwidth reduction. The EC approaches considered in this work are limited to the literature on the successful implementation of V2X communication and services. The outcome of this work could considerably help other researchers better characterise EC applicability for V2X communications and services.
Pediatric malaria incidence and risk mapping in Sussundenga Municipality, Mozambique
Authors: Ferrao Joao , Mendes Roberto , Tungadza Alberto , Bernardo Bernardo , Searle Kelly
Published: July 2022

Background: Malaria is a parasitic borne disease that affects red blood cells. The disease is preventable, detectable and treatable and more common in poor resource settings. Malaria is undoubtedly one of the main public health concerns impacting families and the economy in Mozambique. Age category plays a significant important role in malaria occurrence and can affect the course and progression of the disease and correct treatment. Very few studies on pediatric malaria exists in Mozambique and the existing ones use a simplistic and coarse grouping. The knowledge of malaria pediatric incidence and, the need to evaluate the local heterogeneity by generating malaria risk maps can improve the understanding of pediatric malaria being the objective of this study. 

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using existing malaria positive data from 2018 to 2019 at Rural Sussundenga Hospital (RSH) in Sussundenga municipality. Attributable factors of the disease and incidence were calculated. Proportion of gender, age category and location were tested using G test. For malaria risk mapping, ten malaria factors (anthropic, sociodemographic, climatic and clinic) were used to produce two maps: one using malaria incidence and other without. Bioclimatic, Diva GIS 7.4.0 and, Landsat 8 image were used to produce the map. 

Results: The findings revealed that of the 42,248 patients who visited the local hospital f, 51.2% tested positive for malaria with an incidence of 45.7 per 100 persons. There is a difference between residential areas in malaria incidence, with both maps showing malaria risk in Nhamazara, Nhamarenza and Unidade communities.  

Conclusions: This implies that malaria high risk areas seem to be located in high populated areas and areas close to water bodies. Relevant information is provided for effective planning in malaria intervention.
A statistical analysis plan for the Adjunctive Corticosteroids for Tuberculous meningitis in HIV-positive adults (ACT HIV) clinical trial
Authors: Donovan Joseph , Khanh Trinh Dong Huu , Thwaites Guy E. , Geskus Ronald B. ,   ACT HIV investigators
Published: July 2022

TBM is the most severe form of tuberculosis. Clinical trial data are required to provide an evidence base for adjunctive dexamethasone in HIV-positive individuals with TBM, and to guide clinical practice. This document details the planned analyses at 12 months post randomisation for the ACT HIV clinical trial (NCT03092817); ‘a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of adjunctive dexamethasone for the treatment of HIV co-infected adults with tuberculous meningitis (TBM)’. The primary endpoint of the ACT HIV trial is death (from any cause) over the first 12 months after randomisation. This statistical analysis plan expands upon and updates the analysis plan outlined in the published study protocol.
Prophet Inequality for Bipartite Matching: Merits of Being Simple and Nonadaptive
Authors: Gravin Nick , Wang Hongao
Published: July 2022

We consider the Bayesian online selection problem of a matching in bipartite graphs, that is, the weighted online matching problem where the edges arrive online and edge weights are generated from a known distribution. This setting corresponds to the intersection of two matroids in the work of Kleinberg and Weinberg [ 40 ] and Feldman et al. [ 27 ]. We study a simple class of nonadaptive policies that we call vertex-additive policies. A vertex-additive policy assigns static prices to every vertex in the graph and accepts only those edges whose weight exceeds the sum of the prices on the edge endpoints. We show that there exists a vertex-additive policy with the expected payoff of at least one-third of the prophet’s payoff and present a gradient descent algorithm that quickly converges to the desired vector of vertex prices. Our results improve on the adaptive online policies of Kleinberg and Weinberg and Feldman et al. for the intersection of two matroids in two ways: our policy is nonadaptive and has a better approximation guarantee of 3 instead of the previous guarantees of 5.82 in Kleinberg and Weinberg and 5.43 in Feldman et al. We give a complementary lower bound of 2.25 for any online algorithm in the bipartite matching setting.

Funding: This work was supported by Fundamental Research Funds of the Central Universities in China, a Science and Technology Innovation 2030 major project [“New Generation of Artificial Intelligence,” Project 2018AAA0100903], the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission Innovation Program, and the Program for Innovative Research Team of the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (IRTSHUFE).
Predicting Speech and Language Development at 18-20 Months from Automated Language ENvironment Analysis Measures
Authors: Ha Seunghee , Kim Ho , Lee Yuran
Published: July 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore whether automated measures from Language ENvironment Analysis (LENA) at 6-8 months and 12-14 months of age predict speech and language development at 18-20 months.Methods: One-day home recordings from 18 children were collected using a LENA recorder at 6-8, 12-14, 18-20 months. Three automated measures; adult word count (AWC), conversational turn count (CTC), and child vocalization count (CVC); were obtained from recordings at 6-8 and 12-14 months. Number of different words (NDW), consonant inventory, and utterance structure inventory were identified from recordings of 18-20 months. Correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were performed to investigate whether automated measures of LENA at 6-8 and 12-14 months were predictive of speech and word measures at 18-20 months.Results: The results showed that CTC and CVC were positively correlated with all speech and word measures at 18-20 months. Multiple regression analysis revealed that CTC at 6-8 months could significantly predict NDW, consonant inventory, and utterance structure inventory at 18-20 months. Also, CTC, AWC, and CVC at 12-14 months could predict NDW at 18-20 months and CTC at 12-14 months could predict consonant inventory and utterance structure inventory at 18-20 months.Conclusion: This study highlights that conversational interactions between infants and caregivers have positive effects on children’s later speech and language outcomes and confirms that early language environment plays a critical role in child speech and language development.
The role of nutrition in the management of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Ramadan Francesca
Published: July 2022

Health writer Francesca Ramadan discusses the importance of appropriate nutritional management in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, highlighting the need for evidence-based dietary recommendations.
Treatment as a whole approach to intervention without consent
Authors: Griffith Richard
Published: July 2022

Richard Griffith, Senior Lecturer in Health Law at Swansea University, discusses this provision under the Mental Health Act 1983, to include physical disorders that are increasingly remote from the person's mental disorder
How to unlock nurse leadership potential
Authors: Foster Sam
Published: July 2022

Sam Foster, Chief Nurse, Oxford University Hospitals, considers the recommendations of the new Messenger report that explores ways to develop leadership and management in health and social care
It's not what you say, it's how you say it!
Authors: Silver Rebecca
Published: July 2022

Rebecca Silver looks at the different ways to communicate successfully.
National Smile Month: a worthy cause
Authors: Hannan Muireann
Published: July 2022

Muireann Hannan looks at the aims of the Oral Health Foundation's flagship campaign.
Spreading the word!
Authors: Fuller Liz
Published: July 2022

Dental Nursing talks to Liz Fuller about her practice's approach to National Smile Month.
Taking the message out of the practice
Authors: Birkett Leanne
Published: July 2022

Leanne Birkett discusses her efforts towards National Smile Month.
Are you (and your patients) hooked on the sweet stuff?
Authors: Ives Timothy
Published: July 2022

We are a nation addicted to sugar – so how can dental teams help break those habits of a lifetime? Timothy Ives shares his insight on the power of the ‘tribe’.