bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exiguobacterium sp. is endowed with antibiotic properties against Gram positive and negative bacteria
Authors: Cavanaugh Nicole T. , Parthasarathy Anutthaman , Wong Narayan H. , Steiner KayLee K. , Chu Jonathan , Adjei Joseph , Hudson André O.
Published: June 2021

Objective

In order to isolate and identify bacteria that produce potentially novel bactericidal/bacteriostatic compounds, two ponds on the campus of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) were targeted as part of a bioprospecting effort.

Results

One of the unique isolates, RIT 452 was identified as Exiguobacterium sp. and subjected to whole-genome sequencing. The genome was assembled and in silico analysis was performed to predict the secondary metabolite gene clusters, which suggested the potential of Exiguobacterium RIT452 for producing antibiotic compounds. Extracts of spent growth media of RIT452 were active in disc diffusion assays performed against four reference strains, two Gram-negative (E. coli ATCC 25922 and P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and two Gram-positive (B. subtilis BGSC 168 and S. aureus ATCC 25923). Differential extraction and liquid chromatography was used to fractionate the extracts. Efforts to identify and elucidate the structure of the active compound(s) are still ongoing.
Initiating buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder without prerequisite withdrawal: a systematic review
Authors: Adams K. K. , Machnicz M. , Sobieraj D. M.
Published: June 2021

Background

Opioid withdrawal symptoms prior to buprenorphine initiation may be intolerable and as a result, alternative strategies have emerged. We aim to systematically review the efficacy and safety of buprenorphine initiation that aims to omit prerequisite withdrawal.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search of MEDLINE and CENTRAL from 1996 through April 10, 2020, augmented with searches in Google Scholar andwww.clinicaltrials.gov. A study was included if it was in patients with substance use disorder or chronic pain that were taking a full mu opioid agonist and transitioning to buprenorphine without preceding withdrawal, and reported withdrawal during initiation as an outcome. Two investigators independently screened citations and articles for inclusion, collected data using a standardized data collection tool, and assessed study risk of bias.

Results

We included 15 case reports/series, reporting 24 unique cases, in our qualitative synthesis. No controlled studies were identified. Microdosing and bridging with a buprenorphine patch were the most common strategies reported. Transition to buprenorphine with complete cessation of opioid agonists was achieved in 87.5% (n = 21) of cases. Withdrawal during initiation occurred in 58.3% (n = 14) of cases, two of which were at least moderate in severity.

Conclusion

Buprenorphine initiation strategies that omit prerequisite withdrawal have emerged. Low quality evidence from case reports suggests withdrawal during initiation is common but most often mild in severity. There is an unmet need for controlled studies to inform their efficacy and safety compared with traditional strategies, including outcomes during initiation and in the long-term.
Salvage surgery after definitive chemoradiotherapy through VATS for an initial unresectable locally advanced lung cancer: an alternative consolidative modality to radiotherapy?
Authors: Yu Hsuan-Hsuan , Chen Yi-Wei , Yeh Yi-Chen , Huang Chien-Sheng , Chiu Chao-Hua
Published: June 2021

Background

Definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) is the first choice treatment for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but up to 35% of dCRT-treated tumors may have persistent or recurrent disease. Since the last decades, multimodality therapy showing potential for cure has become the mainstream for treatment of locally advanced NSCLCs, even some that were initially inoperable. Although salvage lung resection after dCRT has been reported with acceptable survivals, experiences in this respect are still limited. Other concerns remain debatable and inconclusive, such as dosage of radiation exposure, long interval between dCRT and surgery, and surgical comorbidity.

Case presentation

A 73-year-old male former smoker with diagnosis of right lower lobe of lung squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) with multiple mediastinal lymphadenopathy, cT4N2M0, stage IIIB, received salvage right lower lobe + right middle lobe bilobectomy through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) after dCRT and adjuvant CRT to a total of 9000 cGy dosage of radiation. The interval from the 1st and 2nd ends of radiation to the salvage surgery was 980 and 164 days, respectively. The pre-operative forced expiratory volume in the first second was 2.33 L (101% predicted) and the diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide was 56% predicted. The operating time was 6.5 h, and the total estimated blood loss was 50 ml. The patient was discharged on the 7th postoperative day without major complications or bronchopleural fistulas. The patient was still alive 42 months after the initial diagnosis of advanced N2 lung SqCC, and kept progression-free for 7 months after salvage lung resection.

Conclusions

Salvage lung resection performed long after high-dose radiation therapy of dCRT is technically feasible through VATS approach in a patient with initially inoperable cT4N2M0 stage IIIB NSCLC, and can be an alternative consolidative treatment for locally advanced NSCLC.
Efficacy of some native entomopathogenic nematodes against the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and the lucerne beetle, Gonioctena fornicata (Brüggemann) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), adults under laboratory conditions
Authors: Çağlayan Ayşegül , Atay Turgut , Kepenekci İlker
Published: June 2021

Background

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have more important role in biological control of economic insect pests. The effect of native EPNs on adults of the lucerne beetle, Gonioctena fornicata (Brüggemann, 1873) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal, 1813) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), which are important alfalfa pests in Turkey and around the world, was investigated.

Results

Dose-mortality assays were carried out with 5 isolates [Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser, 1955) (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) (Black sea isolate), S. feltiae Filipjev, 1934 (isolate 09-31), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar, 1976 (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) (isolate 09-43), H. bacteriophora Tokat-Songut, and S. carpocapsae Tokat-Ulas] using doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 IJs ml−1 under the laboratory conditions. Studies showed that all isolates had an effect 90% and more at 2000 IJs ml−1 and at the end of 112 h [except, H. bacteriophora (isolate 09-43) and H. bacteriophora Tokat-Songut isolates against H. postica]. In addition, LT30, LT50, and LT90 values at 1000 IJs ml−1 were determined.

Conclusions

According to the results, G. fornicata adults were susceptible to all isolates tested in the study and H. postica adults were susceptible to the isolates S. carpocapsae (Black sea isolate), S. feltiae (isolate 09-31), and S. carpocapsae Tokat-Ulas. This is the first study conducted in Turkey for the virulence of EPNs against G. fornicata and H. postica.
Giant axillary lipoblastoma in an African child: a case report
Authors: Oyinloye Adewale Olaotan , Raheem Nasiru , Dahiru Aminu M. C. , Rikin Christopher Uruku , Abubakar Auwal Mohammed
Published: June 2021

Background

Lipoblastoma is a rare benign neoplasm of the adipose tissue occurring most commonly in infants and young children. This tumor can present as a localized, well-circumscribed lesion (lipoblastoma) or as a multi-centric lesion (lipoblastomatosis).

Case presentation

This is a case report of lipoblastoma in a 19-month-old male with 9 months history of rapidly progressing axillary mass. Examination revealed a well-circumscribed right axillary mass measuring 25 cm × 20 cm with normal overlying skin and prominent, visibly distended superficial veins. He had surgical excision of the mass. Histologic examination revealed lipoblastoma. There has been no recurrence in the last 21 months of follow-up.

Conclusion

The report is presented for its rarity and also for its potential to pose diagnostic difficulty to surgeons. Surgical excision offers the best chance of cure. Long-term follow-up is also important to detect recurrence.
How is COVID-19 affecting patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder? A longitudinal study on the initial phase of the pandemic in a Spanish cohort
Authors: Alonso P. , Bertolín S. , Segalàs J. , Tubío-Fungueiriño M. , Real E. , Mar-Barrutia L. , Fernández-Prieto M. , Carvalho S. , Carracedo A. , Menchón JM.
Published: June 2021

Background

Although the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on emotional health are evident, little is known about its impact on patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Methods

One hundred and twenty-seven patients with OCD who attended a specialist OCD Clinic in Barcelona, Spain, were assessed by phone from April 27 to May 25, 2020, during the early phase of the pandemic, using the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and a structured interview that collected clinical and sociodemographic information. Results were compared with those for 237 healthy controls from the same geographic area who completed an online survey.

Results

Although 65.3% of the patients with OCD described a worsening of their symptoms, only 31.4% had Y-BOCS scores that increased >25%. The risk of getting infected by SARS-CoV2 was reported as a new obsession by 44.8%, but this only became the main obsessive concern in approximately 10% of the patients. Suicide-related thoughts were more frequent among the OCD cohort than among healthy controls. The presence of prepandemic depression, higher Y-BOCS scores, contamination/washing symptoms, and lower perceived social support all predicted a significantly increased risk of OCD worsening.

Conclusions

Most patients with OCD appear to be capable of coping with the emotional stress of the COVID-19 outbreak and its consequences during the initial phase of the pandemic. Nevertheless, the current crisis constitutes a risk factor for a significant worsening of symptoms and suicidal ideation. Action is needed to ensure effective and individualized follow-up care for patients with OCD in the COVID-19 era.
The Effects of Anesthetics and Perioperative Medications on Immune Function: A Narrative Review
Authors: Ackerman Robert S. , Luddy Kimberly A. , Icard Benjamin E. , Piñeiro Fernández Julián , Gatenby Robert A. , Muncey Aaron R.
Published: June 2021

Preclinical and clinical studies have sought to better understand the effect of anesthetic agents, both volatile and intravenous, and perioperative adjuvant medications on immune function. The immune system has evolved to incorporate both innate and adaptive components, which are delicately interwoven and essential for host defense from pathogens and malignancy. This review summarizes the complex and nuanced relationship that exists between each anesthetic agent or perioperative adjuvant medication studied and innate and adaptive immune function with resultant clinical implications. The most commonly used anesthetic agents were chosen for review including volatile agents (sevoflurane, isoflurane, desflurane, and halothane), intravenous agents (propofol, ketamine, etomidate, and dexmedetomidine), and perioperative adjuvant medications (benzodiazepines, opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], and local anesthetic agents). Patients who undergo surgery experience varying combinations of the aforementioned anesthetic agents and adjuncts, depending on the type of surgery and their comorbidities. Each has unique effects on immunity, which may be more or less ideal depending on the clinical situation. Further study is needed to better understand the clinical effects of these relationships so that patient-specific strategies can be developed to improve surgical outcomes.
Οι μετασχηματισμοί του κοινωνικού κράτους και οι διαστάσεις των δημοσίων πολιτικών από τη σκοπιά του τρίτου δρόμου και της νέας σοσιαλδημοκρατίας
Authors: Μαυροζαχαράκης Εμμανουήλ
Published: June 2021

H θέση που εξετάζεται στην διατριβή είναι ότι, υπό την επιρροή του Bernstein, η σοσιαλδημοκρατία στην ιστορική της εξέλιξη ακολούθησε ιδεολογικά και πολιτικά ένα συνεχή ρεβιζιονισμό των θέσεων της, σε μία προσπάθεια συστηματικής αναπροσαρμογής στην πολιτική, στην κοινωνική και στην οικονομική πραγματικότητα. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, η σοσιαλδημοκρατία διατήρησε ένα σταθερό πυρήνα αξιών προσαρμοζόμενη στην πραγματικότητα και συμβιβαζόμενη, με αυτήν. Αναλόγως του βαθμού υποχώρησης της απέναντι σε συμβιβασμούς, η σοσιαλδημοκρατία χαρακτηρίζεται ως επιθετική ή αμυντική. Με βάση τις κοινωνικές πολιτικές που ασκήθηκαν από τις σοσιαλδημοκρατικές κυβερνήσεις Blair στη Μεγάλη Βρετανία, Schröder στη Γερμανία, Jospin στη Γαλλία και Σημίτη στην Ελλάδα, επιχειρείται η τεκμηρίωση της θέσης ότι ο τρίτος δρόμος αποτέλεσε μία δημιουργική, αλλά ταυτόχρονα αμυντική εκδοχή νέας σοσιαλδημοκρατίας. Παράλληλα ενισχύεται το επιχείρημα ότι σε όλες τις εξεταζόμενες περιπτώσεις υπήρξαν πεδία κοινωνικής πολιτικής στα οποία διατηρήθηκαν υπό όρους οι παραδοσιακές σοσιαλδημοκρατικές αρχές, της ισότητας, και της αλληλεγγύης ακόμα και υπό δυσχερείς συνθήκες νεοφιλελεύθερης κυριαρχίας. Η νέα σοσιαλδημοκρατία δεν εγκατέλειψε ποτέ το μοντέλο του κοινωνικού κράτους. Το ανασκεύασε όμως κατά τέτοιο τρόπο, ώστε οι πολιτικές κοινωνικής προστασίας και ασφάλειας να μη βασίζονται πλέον στην παραδοσιακή αρχή της γενικής παροχής, αλλά στην αρχή της επιλεκτικότητας και της ατομικής ενεργοποίησης.
Factors in an Auto-Brewery Syndrome group compared to an American Gut Project group: a case-control study
Authors: Cordell Barbara , Kanodia Anup , Miller Gregory K.
Published: June 2021

Background: Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS), also known as Gut Fermentation Syndrome, is a rare but underdiagnosed condition. While scores of case studies of ABS are published, only one previous study examined ABS patients’ demographics, health history, lifestyle factors, and diet compared to a control group of household members.

Methods: We designed a case-control study to identify factors that individuals with a diagnosis of ABS and those who live with them might have that differ from a larger general group. We administered a survey to 46 patients known to have a diagnosis of ABS and their household members. Here, we compare our group of survey takers to a cohort of the American Gut Project (AGP) participants (N=11,297) for the 30 questions that were identical.

Results: With a response rate of 88% and using Rank Sum Tests, the data demonstrate that patients with ABS and their household members are more likely than participants of the AGP to own a pet (p=.03 for cat; p=.0001 for dog), get less sleep (p=.0001), and have lesser quality of bowel movements (p=.03). In addition, the ABS group consumes more water (p=.02) and less alcohol (p=.0004), eats at home more often (p=.0056), and reports more aversion to sweets (p=.01). The most striking difference is a higher presence of non-food allergies in all five subcategories of the survey in the ABS group compared to the AGP group.

Conclusion: Patients with ABS and their household members show several significant differences in their lifestyle and health, diet, and medical history compared to a large group of AGP participants. These differences lead to several hypotheses about co-morbidities that warrant further research.
Vasoactive agents in acute mesenteric ischaemia in critical care. A systematic review
Authors: Brennan Christopher A , Osei-Bonsu Peter , McClenaghan Rachael Eimear , Nassar Ahmed , Forget Patrice , Kaye Callum , Ramsay George
Published: June 2021

Background: Acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) is a surgical emergency which has an associated high mortality.  The mainstay of active treatment includes early surgical intervention, with resection of non-viable bowel, and revascularisation of the ischaemic bowel where possible. Due to the physiological insult of AMI however, perioperative care often involves critical care and the use of vasoactive agents to optimise end organ perfusion. A number of these vasoactive agents are currently available with varied mechanism of action and effects on splanchnic blood flow. However, specific guidance on which is the optimal vasoactive drug to use in these settings is limited. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the current evidence comparing vasoactive drugs in AMI.

Methods: A systematic search of Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Review was performed on the 5th of November 2020 to identify randomised clinical trials comparing different vasoactive agents in AMI on outcomes including mortality. The search was performed through the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSEng) search support library. Results were analysed using the Rayyan platform, and independently screened by four investigators.

Results: 614 distinct papers were identified. After screening, there were no randomised clinical trials meeting the inclusion criteria.

Conclusions: This review identifies a gap in literature, and therefore recommends an investigation into current practice and clinician preference in relation to vasoactive agents in AMI. Multicentre randomised controlled trials comparing these medications on clinical outcomes will therefore be required to address this question.
Effects of mobile health education on sexual and reproductive health information among female school-going adolescents of rural Thailand
Authors: Narkarat Premyuda , Taneepanichskul Surasak , Kumar Ramesh , Somrongthong Ratana
Published: June 2021

Background: Adolescent pregnancy is one of the major public health issues globally, as well as in Thailand. Sexual health literacy (SHL) has been a proved effective intervention for preventing teenage pregnancy.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of mobile messages to improve sexual and reproductive health literacy among secondary school female students.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study with pre–post design was conducted in two secondary schools of rural Thailand. 128 respondents were selected through a simple random sampling method; equal number of female secondary school students were selected from each school. Health education through mobile messages on sexual and reproductive health literacy were delivered in one group while the other group was observed through routine care for 24 weeks. Baseline (pre) and endline (post) measurement was taken to compare the effects of mobile messages. Study was ethically approved by the institutional review board of Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.

Results: Both groups were same at baseline and found statistically non-significant (p>0.05). After the 24-week health education program, the mean scores of health education groups was found statistically significant (p<0.05), while the mean score in observed group did not show any statistical change (p>0.05) . Level of sexual health literacy scores among female students in the health education group was found statistically significant (p<0.05) in all four domains. While, the observation group was remained same at both measurements pre and post (p=0.521).

Conclusion: The study concluded that the mobile messages have proved an effective information method for sexual and reproductive health information among female secondary students of rural Thailand.
Laparoscopic TAPP Single Access Hernioplasty with Simultaneous Appendectomy for Chronic Appendicitis
Authors: Parkhomenko K. Yu.
Published: June 2021

Aim. To investigate the technological features and immediate results of simultaneous laparoscopic hernioplasty of inguinal hernia and appendectomy in chronic appendicitis.Methods. Was performed the analysis of the initial data, complications, duration of surgery and hospitalization in patients after simultaneous appendectomy and TAPP inguinal hernia repair in comparison with isolated TAPP.Results. Simultaneous appendectomy during laparoscopic hernioplasty does not significantly affect the performance of TAPP inguinal hernia repair, but it increases the duration of the intervention due to additional manipulations. This does not affect the incidence of complications and the length of hospital stay.Conclusions. Simultaneous laparoscopic appendectomy for TAPP hernioplasty is advisable in patients with chronic appendicitis and inguinal hernias.
Structure of the relationship between psychophysiological indicators of players in modern volleyball
Authors: Bondar R. O.
Published: June 2021

The paper defines the relationship structure of setter players psychophysiological indicators in modern volleyball using factor analysis. It is found that this structure is composed of five orthogonal factors with total fraction 72,2% of the total variance of the study group. The most important components are the regulatory factor, cognitive, the adaptive response factor, athlete psycho-emotional state factor and neurodynamic factor.
Prognostic significance of some clinical psycho-physiological signs in women - IDPs with Threatened Interruption of Pregnancy, Living in Lugansk Region
Authors: Romanenko I. Yu.
Published: June 2021

The threatened interruption of pregnancy (TIP) is the most common pregnancy complication that occurs in 15-20% of cases of ongoing pregnancy. Chronic stress can affect the course of pregnancy, leading to an increase in the number of complications. The aim of the study was to develop a mathematical model for assessing the risk of premature birth in IDPs women with threatened interruption of pregnancy in the I and II trimesters, living in the Lugansk region in the area of armed conflict in Eastern Ukraine, to improve treatment and prophylactic measures and prevent obstetric and perinatal complications in such women. Material and methods. The study included 220 pregnant women in first and second trimesters of pregnancy who were hospitalized regarding threatened miscarriage in the hospitals, located in the Luhansk region, 47 women of which had IDPs status. The control group consisted of 30 pregnant women with non-complicated obstetric anamnesis and physiological course of pregnancy with similar gestational period of pregnancy and place of residence. The General clinical laboratory test, biochemical blood tests, coagulogram, colpocytology, pH determination and microscopic examination of the vaginal content, concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), serotonin, vitamin 25-(OH)D were carried out. Psychological research included the Beck’s depression Inventory, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PICS). The subjective severity of headache (tension-type headache (TTH) and migraine) was determined by visual analogue scale (VAS). Results and discussion. The following discriminant variables can be predictors of the risk of premature birth: a displacement factor, a presence of comorbidities, diseases of the urinary tract, bacterial vaginosis, indicators of Beck’s depression Inventory, State and Trait anxiety, autonomic dystonia, PICS, concentrations of TSH, progesterone, DHEA-s, cortisol, serotonin, vitamin 25-(OH)D, an expressiveness of TTH by VAS. Conclusions. The developed mathematical model for assessing the risk of preterm birth in IDPs women has an informative value of 88.2% and can be used for primary screening. The above formula allows us to identify a group of patients who need further in-depth diagnostic search and indications for preventive measures.
Peculiarities of treatment and prevention of recurrences in women with intrauterine pathologies
Authors: Gibson Okolokh Onieka , Makarchuk O. M.
Published: June 2021

The study is devoted to the problem of surgical treatment, rehabilitation program and prevention of recurrences in intrauterine pathologies (polyposis and uterine adhesion) in women with reduced reproductive potential. The urgency of this problem is characterized by a high frequency of abnormal uterine bleeding, hypomenstrual syndrome and amenorrhea, infertility and miscarriage. Clinical data include the own experience of treatment and rehabilitation of 66 patients; women with intrauterine synechiae (32 people) were included in group 1; 34 patients with hyperplastic form of chronic endometritis and polyposis were included in group 2. The control group included 30 healthy patients without gynecological pathology and menstrual irregularities. All women underwent therapeutic hysteroscopy with adgeolysis and polypectomy. In the postoperative period, 24 patients of the main group received the proposed program to restore the endometrium and its implantation potential. The comparison group included 42 patients with general principles of postoperative management. The key points of the proposed program were: immunomodulatory therapy, hormone replacement therapy and the use of autoplasma. As a result of the study, a reduction in the recurrence of the adhesive process was proved, as well as a significantly higher number of cases of pregnancy. Thus, for the comprehensive treatment of intrauterine pathology in young women with reduced reproductive potential it is important not only to use minimally invasive office hysteroscopy, an active postoperative rehabilitation period is of great importance too.
Crohn's disease - diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Ręba Patrycja
Published: June 2021

AdmissionCrohn's disease belongs to the group of chronic and still incurable diseases. It has periods of exacerbation and partial or complete remission. It mainly affects young people. The peak incidence is between the ages of 15 and 35, but it is possible to develop the first symptoms of the disease at any age. Due to its chronicity, incurability and the possibility of various complications, this disease is a heavy psycho-physical as well as social burden. AimThe aim of the study is to analyze the diagnosis and treatment of Crohn's disease.Material and method Review of the available literature on the subject.ResultsCrohn's disease is a disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract (most often the end segment of the small intestine), causing a significant reduction in the quality of life and impairment of the patient's efficiency. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in the stools, testable (often tender) abdominal resistance, weight loss, weakness, low-grade fever, and fever. They are often accompanied by changes in the anal area - fistulas, fissures and abscesses, as well as entero-skin fistulas. Diagnosis is based on endoscopy with biopsy, histopathology and radiological methods using contrast. Despite better recognition and easier access to diagnostics, some cases are diagnosed during the procedure due to obstruction or misdiagnosed appendicitis. The most commonly used treatments are 5-aminosalicylates, glucocorticosteroids and thiopurines. Currently, two anti-TNF-α antibodies used in biological therapy are registered in Poland. ConclusionsTreatment with classical methods and biological drugs does not always avoid surgical intervention. Long-term observation shows that most patients undergo at least one surgery. New reports more and more boldly indicate the desirability of early introduction of biological and immunosuppressive therapy (top-down strategy). Although the chance of disease change as a result of aggressive treatment from the moment of diagnosis is tempting, due to the possible complications of such therapy, especially infectious, caution should be exercised until we have more data. These complications also require that this treatment be dealt with by reference centers with extensive experience in this field.
Optimization of diagnostics of combat injuries of the abdomen
Authors: Herasymenko O. S. , Shapovalov V. Y. , Yenin R. V. , Koshikov M. A. , Haida Y. I. , Herasymenko S. D. , Muradyan K. R. , Okolets A. V.
Published: June 2021

The aim - to optimize the diagnostic scheme for combat abdominal injuries at the II level of medical care by identifying the most informative and fast instrumental diagnostic methods.A clinical and statistical analysis of the results of surgical treatment of 496 wounded with combat abdominal injuries treated in military mobile hospitals from June 2014 to August 2017 was carried out. Additional diagnostic tests were conducted for the injured with BPH in the comparison groups - FAST protocol, laparocentesis and diagnostic laparoscopy.In the general array of the study (n = 496), the FAST protocol was performed by 208 wounded (41.9%), laparocentesis - 270 (54.4%), video laparoscopy - 103 (20.8%). The number of emergency ultrasound studies in the volume of the FAST protocol with combat abdominal injuries in group 1 was 19.2%, in group 2 - 40.7%, in group 3 - 66.5%. A more frequent FAST protocol for injured with BPG at level II of medical care in groups 2 and 3 resulted in a decrease in the number of laparocentesis performed from 68.3% (in group 1) to 38.6% (in group 3), and an increase in the number of video laparoscopic studies from 14.9% (in group 1) to 26.6% (in group 3), most of which turned into therapeutic laparoscopy.The data obtained indicate that the widespread introduction of the FAST protocol into the PID diagnosis scheme at the II level of medical care helps to reduce the number of invasive (often unfounded) methods, namely, laparocentesis and diagnostic laparotomy, reduce the time spent on diagnosis and the choice of optimal surgical tactics.
The role of vitamin D in the human body and the influence of vitamin D on the proliferation of cancer cells
Authors: Dudzińska Wioleta , Chilińska Oliwia , Warias Paulina , Maskiewicz Paulina , Maniak Eliza , Strońska Aleksandra
Published: June 2021

The publication focuses on the presentation of the role of vitamin D3 in the human body. The content contains important information on the influence of vitamin D3 on the course of Covid-19 disease caused by the Sars-Cov-19 virus. Cholecalciferol has been studied for years. Its basic functions include the regulation of bone mineral metabolism and calcium-phosphorus metabolism. In addition, the publication characterizes the course of vitamin D3 synthesis and presents the important role of vitamin D3 in the body. Additionally, the currently conducted research in terms of anti-cancer properties of selected vitamin D3 analogues was described.
Dual-frequency unidirectional reflectionless propagation in a non-Hermitian graphene plasmonic waveguide-cavity coupling system
Authors: Yang Guofeng , Ding Jian , Wang Yueke
Published: June 2021

We theoretically investigate a controllable dual-frequency
unidirectional reflectionlessness at exceptional points by applying
external voltage in a graphene plasmonic waveguide system. The system
consists of a graphene waveguide and two end-coupled resonators.
COMSOL simulation results show that the reflection of edge fundamental
graphene surface plasmon polaritons mode for forward (backward)
incidence is near to zero at frequency 24.418 THz (20.865 THz), while
that for backward (forward) incidence is 24.71% (22.945%),
respectively. In addition, the non-Hermitian scattering matrix is
proposed to verify the existence of double exceptional points, and the
tunable unidirectional reflectionless phenomenon is also achieved by
changing the Fermi level (

E
f

) of graphene.
Laser regulation for variable color temperature lighting with low
energy consumption by microlens arrays
Authors: Liu Peng , Guan Zuwei , Zhou Tianfeng , Xie Qiuchen , Yu Qian , He Yupeng , Zeng Zihao , Wang Xibin
Published: June 2021

The construction of a smart city puts forward new requirements for lighting systems, such as variable color temperature adapting to environment and low energy consumption. We introduce a variable color temperature laser lighting system that produces uniform light with minimum energy. The color temperature is controlled by tri-color RGB diode lasers, and uniform lighting is achieved by microlens arrays. Tri-color diode lasers with wavelengths of 650, 556, and 450 nm are used as the lighting sources, and the white light laser output is achieved by combining the three beams. The color temperature is controlled by changing the power ratio of each lighting source. Finally, the homogenization of laser energy is regulated by the microlens arrays, and the energy uniformity reaches 91.1%. Moreover, we do an experiment to compare LED street lighting and laser street lighting, finding that the street lighting system with this design can increase the energy utilization rate by 113.33%, and the color temperature of the car headlamps with this design can be changed according to the environment. Therefore, this laser lighting system is an effective solution for modern smart lighting systems and energy saving, which have vast application.
Supercontinuum generation in single-crystal YAG fibers pumped around the zero-dispersion wavelength
Authors: Tripepi Michael , Barrette Andrew , Ferdinandus Manuel , Eshel Ben , Averett Kent L. , Chowdhury Enam A. , Liebig Carl M.
Published: June 2021

Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) is a common host material for both bulk and single-crystal fiber lasers. With increasing interest in developing optical technologies in the short-wave infrared and mid-infrared wavelength range, YAG may be a potential supercontinuum medium for these applications. Here, we characterize femtosecond laser pumped supercontinuum generation with 1200–2000 nm pump wavelengths (

λ

p

) for undoped, single-crystal YAG fibers, which are representative of the normal, zero, and anomalous-dispersion regimes. Supercontinuum was observed over the spectral region of about 0.2 to

1.6

λ

p

. Z-scan measurements were also performed of bulk YAG, which revealed little dispersion of the nonlinear index of refraction (

n

2

) in the region of interest. The measured values of

n

2

(

∼

1
×

10

−
6

c
m

2

/

G
W

) indicate a regime in which the nonlinear length,

L

N
L

, is less than the dispersion length,

L

D

, (

L

N
L

≪

L

D

). We report intensity clamping of the generated filament in the normal group velocity dispersion (GVD) regime and an isolated anti-Stokes peak in the anomalous GVD regime, suggesting further consideration is needed to optimize supercontinuum generation in this fiber medium.
Configurable topological phonon polaritons in twisted hBN metasurfaces
Authors: Li Shaopeng , Zhou Jing , Du Wei
Published: June 2021

Phonon polaritons are hybrid excitations that originate from coupling of photons with optical phonons in polar crystals. Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is a representative phonon polariton material in mid-infrared that exhibits long lifetimes and ultraslow propagation. However, due to in-plane isotropic permittivities, the dispersion engineering and highly canalized ray-like propagation along the in-plane surface required in photonic and optoelectronic applications cannot be realized in a bare hBN structure. In this paper, we theoretically investigate phonon polaritons in twisted hBN metasurfaces. Due to interactions between different propagating polaritons in the top and bottom metasurfaces, configurable polaritons can be hybridized. Importantly, the hybridized polariton dispersion can be changed from the hyperbolic type to elliptical type via tuning the twisting angle. The demonstrated steerable dispersion evolution and highly canalized propagating polaritons hold promise for nano-optical applications such as in-plane hyperlensing, waveguiding, and focusing.
Quantification of blood flow index in diffuse correlation spectroscopy using long short-term memory architecture
Authors: Li Zhe , Ge Qisi , Feng Jinchao , Jia Kebin , Zhao Jing
Published: June 2021

Diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) is a noninvasive technique that derives blood flow information from measurements of the temporal intensity fluctuations of multiply scattered light. Blood flow index (BFI) and especially its variation was demonstrated to be approximately proportional to absolute blood flow. We investigated and assessed the utility of a long short-term memory (LSTM) architecture for quantification of BFI in DCS. Phantom and in vivo experiments were established to measure normalized intensity autocorrelation function data. Improved accuracy and faster computational time were gained by the proposed LSTM architecture. The results support the notion of using proposed LSTM architecture for quantification of BFI in DCS. This approach would be especially useful for continuous real-time monitoring of blood flow.
Histogram clustering for rapid time-domain fluorescence lifetime image analysis
Authors: Li Yahui , Sapermsap Natakorn , Yu Jun , Tian Jinshou , Chen Yu , Day-Uei Li David
Published: June 2021

We propose a histogram clustering (HC) method to accelerate fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) analysis in pixel-wise and global fitting modes. The proposed method’s principle was demonstrated, and the combinations of HC with traditional FLIM analysis were explained. We assessed HC methods with both simulated and experimental datasets. The results reveal that HC not only increases analysis speed (up to 106 times) but also enhances lifetime estimation accuracy. Fast lifetime analysis strategies were suggested with execution times around or below 30 μs per histograms on MATLAB R2016a, 64-bit with the Intel Celeron CPU (2950M @ 2GHz).
Conical phase front and aberration beam shaping for manipulating femtosecond laser chemical etching
Authors: Alimohammadian Ehsan , Ertorer Erden , Herman Peter R.
Published: June 2021

The countering and enhancing influence of surface aberration in combination with conical phase front beam shaping was examined over shallow to deep focusing inside of fused silica to facilitate the geometric control of chemical etching tracks formed by femtosecond laser inscription. The tuning of the collective shaping effects is shown to compensate for a wide focusing range to favorably manipulate the chemical etching rate, the resolution, the surface roughness, and the cross-section profile of the resulting micro-channels. Using only a single laser scanning track, micro-channels have been tailored from symmetrical to highly asymmetric cross-section of up to 1:13 aspect ratio, permitting distortion-free processing to depths of 1.5 mm. The combined shaping effects thus expand the utility of laser chemical etching for micromachining of transparent substrates.
Melanocytic lesions ≤ 6mm: Prospective series of 481 melanocytic trunk and limb lesions in Brazil
Authors: Campos-do-Carmo Gabriella , Nobre Aretha Brito , Cuzzi Tullia , Argenziano Giuseppe , Ferreira Carlos Gil , Thuler Luiz Claudio Santos
Published: June 2021

Early diagnosis when melanoma is still small and thin is essential for improving mortality and morbidity. However, the diagnosis of small size melanoma might be particularly difficult, not only clinically but also dermoscopically. This study aimed to define clinical and dermatoscopic parameters in the diagnosis of suspicious pigmented cutaneous lesions with a diameter of ≤ 6mm and determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values as well as the accuracy of each clinical and dermatoscopic criterion. This is a transversal, descriptive and analytical study of dermatoscopic analysis with the gold standard being the pathologic examination obtained from the excisional biopsy of suspicious melanocytic lesions with a diameter of ≤ 6mm. Trunk and limb lesion data from a public health service and a private clinic were prospectively collected from 2011 to 2017 by a unique observer. In total, 481 melanocytic lesions were included, with 73.8% being ≤ 4mm in diameter. Overall, 123 were diagnosed as melanoma, 56.0% in situ and 22.0% as thin melanomas (Breslow index 0.1 to 1.0mm). Melanoma presented symmetry in 53.7% of cases, regular borders in 54.5% and a single color in 60.2%. Regarding evolution, 13.8% of melanomas versus 10.9% of benign lesions (p = 0.116) were new by comparing photos from baseline with photos from the follow-up. The majority of melanomas (65%) were found on the limbs compared to 37.2% of the benign lesions at this location (p<0.001). A multiple logistic regression model adjusted for age, gender and location was created. The independent variables associated with the diagnosis of melanoma ≤ 6mm, adjusted for age, gender and location, were: streaks (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 2.5; 95% CI 1.3–4.7; p = 0.006), and the presence of a structureless area (aOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2–4.0, p = 0.011). Conversely, a symmetric typical pigment network was a protection variable (aOR 0.4, 95% 0.7–0.9, p = 0.040). In conclusion, dermatoscopic criteria have been identified which help to diagnose cases of small size melanoma. These include streaks and structureless areas that can be taken, particularly in consideration for the diagnosis of this subset of small difficult melanomas.
COVID-19 detection using federated machine learning
Authors: Abdul Salam Mustafa , Taha Sanaa , Ramadan Mohamed
Published: June 2021

The current COVID-19 pandemic threatens human life, health, and productivity. AI plays an essential role in COVID-19 case classification as we can apply machine learning models on COVID-19 case data to predict infectious cases and recovery rates using chest x-ray. Accessing patient’s private data violates patient privacy and traditional machine learning model requires accessing or transferring whole data to train the model. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in federated machine learning, as it provides an effective solution for data privacy, centralized computation, and high computation power. In this paper, we studied the efficacy of federated learning versus traditional learning by developing two machine learning models (a federated learning model and a traditional machine learning model)using Keras and TensorFlow federated, we used a descriptive dataset and chest x-ray (CXR) images from COVID-19 patients. During the model training stage, we tried to identify which factors affect model prediction accuracy and loss like activation function, model optimizer, learning rate, number of rounds, and data Size, we kept recording and plotting the model loss and prediction accuracy per each training round, to identify which factors affect the model performance, and we found that softmax activation function and SGD optimizer give better prediction accuracy and loss, changing the number of rounds and learning rate has slightly effect on model prediction accuracy and prediction loss but increasing the data size did not have any effect on model prediction accuracy and prediction loss. finally, we build a comparison between the proposed models’ loss, accuracy, and performance speed, the results demonstrate that the federated machine learning model has a better prediction accuracy and loss but higher performance time than the traditional machine learning model.
Vitamin D3 attenuates doxorubicin-induced senescence of human aortic endothelial cells by upregulation of IL-10 via the pAMPKα/Sirt1/Foxo3a signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Lei , Holder Rachel , Porter Charles , Shah Zubair
Published: June 2021

The toxicity of doxorubicin to the cardiovascular system often limits its benefits and widespread use as chemotherapy. The mechanisms involved in doxorubicin-induced cardiovascular damage and possible protective interventions are not well-explored. Using human aortic endothelial cells, we show vitamin D3 strongly attenuates doxorubicin-induced senescence and cell cycle arrest. We further show the protective effects of vitamin D3 are mediated by the upregulation of IL-10 and FOXO3a expression through fine modulation of pAMPKα/SIRT1/FOXO3a complex activity. These results have great significance in finding a target for mitigating doxorubicin-induced cardiovascular toxicity.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated acute kidney injury and mortality: An observational study
Authors: Koks Marije S. , Ocak Gurbey , Suelmann Britt B. M. , Hulsbergen-Veelken Cornelia A. R. , Haitjema Saskia , Vianen Marieke E. , Verhaar Marianne C. , Kaasjager Karin A. H. , Khairoun Meriem
Published: June 2021

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, approved for the treatment of various types of cancer, are known to cause a unique spectrum of side effects, including acute kidney injury (AKI). The aim of this study was to describe the incidence, risk factors, renal outcomes, and mortality of AKI in patients receiving checkpoint inhibitors.

Methods

Patients receiving checkpoint inhibitors between January 2013 and May 2020 at the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, were identified using the Utrecht Patient Oriented Database. AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine of ≥1.5 times the baseline value, based on the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to assess risk factors for AKI and to evaluate the relationship between AKI and mortality. Persistent renal dysfunction was diagnosed in AKI patients with a final serum creatinine measurement of >1.3 times the baseline value.

Results

Among 676 patients receiving checkpoint inhibitors, the overall incidence of AKI was 14.2%. Baseline variables independently associated with AKI were a gynecologic malignancy, monotherapy with ipilimumab, and the use of a diuretic, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blocker, or proton pump inhibitor at baseline. AKI was checkpoint inhibitor-associated in one third of all patients with AKI. Checkpoint inhibitor-associated AKI was mostly low-grade, occurred a median of 15 weeks after checkpoint inhibitor initiation, and resulted in persistent renal dysfunction in approximately 40% of the patients. Patients with all-cause AKI had a twofold increased mortality risk, but checkpoint inhibitor-associated AKI was not associated with increased mortality.

Conclusions

In this study, patients receiving checkpoint inhibitors frequently developed AKI due to various etiologies. AKI directly related to the effect of checkpoint inhibitor toxicity did not increase mortality. However, AKI not related to the effect of checkpoint inhibitor toxicity was associated with increased mortality.
Iraqi media entrepreneurs across social media: Factors and challenges
Authors: Bali Ahmed Omar , Jabar Sherko , Jalal Hazhar , Sofi-Karim Mahdi
Published: June 2021

Influenced by digital technologies, the cost of media production has considerably decreased, and the traditional media is faced with new agile, flexible and low-cost media entrepreneurs. This article examines the dynamics of the Iraqi media market transformation with an emphasis on factors that help to merge media entrepreneurs and digital media firms that target an audience on social media. A qualitative method was adopted in this study using open, in-depth interviews with nineteen media entrepreneurs and three managers of media firms. The study revealed that relative freedom and advanced communication technologies have encouraged media entrepreneurs to drive the new media on producing short videos and broadcast them on social media, which has become popular among media consumers. This new era in Iraqi media entrepreneurship has created an abstract space in which media entrepreneurs get involved in the media market, collaborate with international media and deliver values through the use of user-generated content and flexible journalism. This opportunity is shaped by three key interrelated factors: first, the relative freedom of journalism that resulted from the political environment, current regulations and advanced communication technologies that provide more space of freedom; second, the development of communication technologies that allow journalists and media entrepreneurs to employ the media market effectively; third, the emergence of media entrepreneurs themselves who are convinced to seize the opportunities presented by the two previous factors.