bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Current and Future Role of Radiation Therapy in the Era of CAR T-cell Salvage
Authors: DeSelm Carl
Published: August 2021

Radiation therapy has the potential to modulate the immune system in a variety of ways, and given the critical role of the immune system in cancer elimination, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how radiation can be strategically implemented in conjunction with approved immunotherapies to improve the cancer patient’s chance of cure and/or quality of life. Current successful, approved cancer immunotherapies fall into two broad classes: antibodies and cellular therapies. Approved cellular therapies thus far consist of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells targeting CD19 for refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma and relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Part of the ardor surrounding CAR T-cells stems from the fact that the survival curve of treated patients has a clear plateau, meaning that a number of patients with aggressive, disseminated disease who would have otherwise died rather rapidly appear to now be cured, commonly after just one dose. Despite an encouraging number of these durable remissions, the majority do still relapse. In this review, we discuss the potential for strategically utilizing radiation to further improve CAR T-cell patient outcomes. Given that there are currently over 750 cellular therapies in development, half of which are now in clinical trial, CAR T-cell usage will inevitably expand; as the field grows in importance and effectiveness, radiation oncology has the opportunity to coevolve symbiotically and steer these novel, exciting live therapies to new depths.
Atuação do enfermeiro na prevenção do câncer do colo de útero em Unidades de Saúde
Authors: Dias Ernandes Gonçalves , Carvalho Beatriz Celestino de , Alves Naiara Silva , Caldeira Maiza Barbosa , Teixeira Jeisabelly Adrianne Lima
Published: August 2021

Objetivo: investigar a atuação do Enfermeiro na prevenção do câncer do colo de útero nas Unidades de Saúde da Atenção Básica de município de Espinosa, Minas Gerais. Metodologia: trata-se de um estudo descritivo, exploratório, de natureza qualitativa. Os dados foram coletados no período de setembro a outubro de 2019, com nove enfermeiros submetidos a uma entrevista semiestruturada. Resultados: as ações assistenciais de enfermagem direcionadas para prevenção do câncer de colo do útero são, essencialmente, a educação em saúde e a coleta de material citopatológico para realização do exame. As ações são programadas e organizadas dentro de um fluxo de trabalho previamente estabelecido na rotina das equipes. Conclusão: é importante resignificar as ações de prevenção, tanto para os profissionais como para as mulheres, para romper os estigmas de uma cultura curativista que dificulta a adesão das mulheres ao exame preventivo.
Assessment of the performance of the Brazilian Portuguese Nottingham Health Profile in adult growth hormone deficiency and pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Heaney Alice , de Oliveira Rafael W. R. , Bizzi Mariana , Correa Ricardo Amorim , Corso Pereira Monica , Simao Mol Suelem , Santana Soares Beatriz , McKenna Stephen P. , Ribeiro-Oliveira Jr Antonio ,   Study Investigators
Published: August 2021

Background: The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) is a generic measure of perceived distress that has been used widely as an outcome measure in clinical practice and trials. The availability of two Brazilian datasets provided the opportunity to assess the psychometric performance of the NHP in different populations - adult growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH). The purpose of the study was to see how valuable the NHP could be in assessing outcomes in diseases where no disease-specific measures are available.

Methods: Secondary analyses were performed with NHP data. Patients diagnosed with adult GHD or PH were administered the NHP during clinic visits on two occasions, two weeks apart. A disease-specific measure of quality of life (QoL) was also administered to the relevant sample of patients on each occasion.

Results: The psychometric properties of the NHP were good for both disease groups. As expected, both samples reported high scores on energy level, the PH sample scored high on physical functioning and the GHD sample on emotional reactions. For both samples, most of the NHP sections were able to distinguish between groups of respondents with different ratings of perceived general health. While most sections of the NHP were relatively highly correlated with the QoL measures, pain and sleep did not seem to be important predictors of QoL in either of the samples.

Conclusions: The use of the NHP in adult GHD and PH populations in Brazil is not recommended as there are high-quality disease-specific measures available for each disease. However, where no disease-specific measures are available, the NHP can provide good descriptive information of the impact of disease on different patient populations.
Case Report: Infected primary hydatid cyst of the thigh
Authors: Jrad Myriam , Zlitni Haifa , Zouari Hakim , Boumediene Miriam , Soussi Ines , Bouzrara Meriem
Published: August 2021

Hydatic cyst may occur in many organs such as the liver, lung, brain or heart with radiologic features of liver and lung involvement being well known. The musculo-skeletal site is infrequent accounting for 0.7–3% cases of all cases resulting from direct implantation of oncospheres more often than hematic dissemination.

We report the case of an 18-year-old female student who visited our hospital because of a swelling in the posteroexternal aspect of the left thigh that had grown during the previous six months and had become tender in the previous month with setup of fever three days before admission. Superficial ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a cystic mass of the posterior compartment of the thigh developed within the short chief of the biceps femoris. Serology for hydatid cyst was positive. The diagnosis of an infected hydatid cyst was suspected preoperatively, and the patient was given antibiotics and anthelminthic treatment. The cyst was then completely excised and the histopathologic exam confirmed the hydatic origin. The patient was put on oral anti-helminthics and has been on regular follow up for last twelve months with no evidence of recurrence.

Hydatidosis rarely occurs in the soft tissues and the diagnosis is challenging particularly when it is secondary infected. Hydatid serology provides certainty in the diagnosis of echinococcosis when it is positive. When it’s negative, imaging (Ultrasound, Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) may be an approach for making the diagnosis revealing the most characteristic features of hydatid cyst.
Case Report: A case of tuberculosis lymphadenitis mimicking a gastric tumor
Authors: Hadded Dhafer , Zouaghi Alia , Mesbahi Meryam , Khanchel Fatma , Bellil Nawel , Benzarti Yazid , Benzarti Zeineb , Ben Maamer Anis
Published: August 2021

Solitary tuberculosis of the upper gastrointestinal tract is a rare pathology that usually mimics the clinical and radiological features of malignant tumors. A gastric subepithelial tumor is usually detected during diagnostic endoscopy. Stomach tuberculosis, in particular, can appear as a subepithelial tumor of the stomach wall. Several cases of gastric tuberculosis imitating subepithelial gastric tumors have been reported recently. We describe the case of a patient with tuberculous lymphadenitis that mimics a submucosal gastric tumor. A 52-year-old female was admitted to our surgical department for epigastric pain and weight loss. Endoscopy was inconclusive; it revealed either a submucosal compression or an anterior submucosal lesion with erosive anterior gastropathy and a fistulous orifice located in the bulb. The patient was diagnosed with a gastric tumor and an endoscopic ultrasound demonstrated a rounded hypoechogenic antral lesion that was not vascularized and was distant from the gastric wall, whose five layers appeared of a normal aspect. The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy. A biopsy was sent intraoperatively for frozen section examination, and concluded that the diagnosis was tuberculous intraperitoneal lymphadenitis. The patient received anti-tuberculosis treatment. This case demonstrates that gastric tuberculosis remains a challenging diagnosis.
Effectiveness of quality improvement strategies for type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Ryan Paul M , Zahradnik Michael , Konnyu Kristin J , Rader Tamara , Halasy Michael , Shulman Rayzel , Ivers Noah , Hawkes Colin P , Grimshaw Jeremy M
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Optimal glycaemic control is often a challenge in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Implementation of patient, clinician or organisation-targeted quality improvement (QI) strategies has been proven to be beneficial in terms of improving glycaemic outcomes in adults living with diabetes. This review aims to assess the effectiveness of such QI interventions in improving glycaemic control, care delivery, and screening rates in children and adolescents with T1D.

Methods and analysis: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane CENTRAL databases will be searched for relevant studies up to January 2021. Trial registries, ClinicalTrials.gov and ICTRP, will also be explored for any ongoing trials of relevance. We will include trials which examine QI strategies as defined by a modified version of the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care 2015 Taxonomy in children (<18 years) with a diagnosis of T1D. The primary outcome to be assessed is glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), although a range of secondary outcomes relating to clinical management, adverse events, healthcare engagement, screening rates and psychosocial parameters will also be assessed. Our primary intention is to generate a best-evidence narrative to summarise and synthesise the resulting studies. If a group of studies are deemed to be highly similar, then a meta-analysis using a random effects model will be considered. Cochrane Risk of Bias 1.0 tool will be applied for quality assessment. All screening, data extraction and quality assessment will be performed by two independent researchers.

Dissemination: The results of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication in order to inform invested partners (e.g., Paediatric Endocrinologists) on the potential of QI strategies to improve glycaemic management and other related health outcomes in children with T1D, thereby guiding best practices in the outpatient management of the disorder.

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021233974 (28/02/2021).
Rhythmic Control of Automated Traffic—Part II: Grid Network Rhythm and Online Routing
Authors: Lin Xi , Li Meng , Shen Zuo-Jun Max , Yin Yafeng , He Fang
Published: August 2021

Connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology is providing urban transportation managers tremendous opportunities for better operation of urban mobility systems. However, there are significant challenges in real-time implementation as the computational time of the corresponding operations optimization model increases exponentially with increasing vehicle numbers. Following the companion paper (Chen et al. 2021), which proposes a novel automated traffic control scheme for isolated intersections, this study proposes a network-level, real-time traffic control framework for CAVs on grid networks. The proposed framework integrates a rhythmic control method with an online routing algorithm to realize collision-free control of all CAVs on a network and achieve superior performance in average vehicle delay, network traffic throughput, and computational scalability. Specifically, we construct a preset network rhythm that all CAVs can follow to move on the network and avoid collisions at all intersections. Based on the network rhythm, we then formulate online routing for the CAVs as a mixed integer linear program, which optimizes the entry times of CAVs at all entrances of the network and their time–space routings in real time. We provide a sufficient condition that the linear programming relaxation of the online routing model yields an optimal integer solution. Extensive numerical tests are conducted to show the performance of the proposed operations management framework under various scenarios. It is illustrated that the framework is capable of achieving negligible delays and increased network throughput. Furthermore, the computational time results are also promising. The CPU time for solving a collision-free control optimization problem with 2,000 vehicles is only 0.3 second on an ordinary personal computer.
Where to look: sources of research in paramedicine
Authors: Holland Matt , Dutton Michelle , Glover Steve
Published: August 2021

This article explains how to approach searching for paramedicine research, and the order in which you should consider types of sources, from synthesised sources to individual studies. Databases and sources for literature are covered and common issues about the search process are addressed, including when a search is complete and finding a gap in the literature.
Suramin attenuates intervertebral disc degeneration by inhibiting NF-κB signalling pathway
Authors: Liu Zi-Miao , Lu Cheng-Chang , Shen Po-Chih , Chou Shih-Hsiang , Shih Chia-Lung , Chen Jian-Chih , Tien Yin Chun
Published: August 2021

Aims

Interleukin (IL)-1β is one of the major pathogenic regulators during the pathological development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). However, effective treatment options for IDD are limited. Suramin is used to treat African sleeping sickness. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological effects of suramin on mitigating IDD and to characterize the underlying mechanism.

Methods

Porcine nucleus pulposus (NP) cells were treated with vehicle, 10 ng/ml IL-1β, 10 μM suramin, or 10 μM suramin plus IL-1β. The expression levels of catabolic and anabolic proteins, proinflammatory cytokines, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor (NF)-κB-related signalling molecules were assessed by Western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and immunofluorescence analysis. Flow cytometry was applied to detect apoptotic cells. The ex vivo effects of suramin were examined using IDD organ culture and differentiation was analyzed by Safranin O-Fast green and Alcian blue staining.

Results

Suramin inhibited IL-1β-induced apoptosis, downregulated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-4, and ADAMTS-5, and upregulated collagen 2A (Col2a1) and aggrecan in IL-1β-treated NP cells. IL-1β-induced inflammation, assessed by IL-1β, IL-8, and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) upregulation, was alleviated by suramin treatment. Suramin suppressed IL-1β-mediated proteoglycan depletion and the induction of MMP-3, ADAMTS-4, and pro-inflammatory gene expression in ex vivo experiments.

Conclusion

Suramin administration represents a novel and effectively therapeutic approach, which could potentially alleviate IDD by reducing extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and inhibiting apoptosis and inflammatory responses in the NP cells. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(8):498–513.
Iatrogenic peripheral nerve injury: a guide to management for the orthopaedic limb surgeon
Authors: Bage Timothy , Power Dominic M.
Published: August 2021

Nerves may be inadvertently injured during trauma surgery due to distorted anatomy, traction applied to a limb, soft tissue retraction, by power tools, instrumentation and from compartment syndrome. Elective orthopaedic surgery has additional risks of joint dislocation for arthroplasty surgery, limb lengthening, thermal injury from cement and direct injury from peripheral nerve blocks. The true incidence is unknown, and many cases are diagnosed as neurapraxia with the expectation of a full and timely recovery without the need for intervention. The incorrect assignation of a neurapraxia diagnosis may delay treatment for a higher grade of injury and in addition fails to recognize that a diagnosis of neurapraxia should be made with caution and a commitment to regular clinical review. Untreated, a neurapraxia can deteriorate and result in axonopathy. The failure to promptly diagnose such a nerve injury and instigate treatment may result in further deterioration and expose the clinician to medicolegal challenge. The focus of this review is to raise awareness of iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries in orthopaedic limb surgery, the importance of regular clinical examination, the role of investigations, timing and nature of interventions and also to provide a guide to when onward referral to a specialist peripheral nerve injury unit is recommended.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:607-617. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200123
Image encryption scheme based on alternate quantum walks and discrete cosine transform
Authors: Ma Yulin , Li Nachuan , Zhang Wenbin , Wang Shumei , Ma Hongyang
Published: August 2021

As an important information medium, the digital image exists widely on the Internet. Quantum walks have the property of encrypting information. For the eneryption problem of optical digital images, an encryption scheme based on discrete cosine transform (DCT) and alternate quantum walks (AQW) is proposed in this paper. First, we use AQW and XOR operation to preprocess images in the spatial domain. Then, AQW are used to generate two random phase masks which can operate the preprocessed image and the DCT image, respectively. Finally, the encrypted image is obtained by using discrete cosine inverse exchange. The control parameters of AQW can replace the random phase mask as the key in the encryption and decryption process, so it is convenient for key management and transmission. The experimental simulation carried out the analysis of the image pixel histogram, the correlation of adjacent pixels, the robustness against noise and the sensitivity of secret keys, the results show that the image encryption method has strong security.
OPA-driven hollow-core fiber as a tunable, broadband source for coherent multidimensional spectroscopy
Authors: Sonnichsen Colin , Brosseau Patrick , Reid Cameron , Kambhampati Patanjali
Published: August 2021

Despite the impressive abilities of coherent multi-dimensional spectroscopy (CMDS), its’ implementation is limited due to the complexity of continuum generation and required phase stability between the pump pulse pair. In light of this, we have implemented a system producing sub-10 fs pulses with tunable central wavelength. Using a commercial OPA to drive a hollow-core fiber, the system is extremely simple. Output pulse energies lie in the 40-80 μJ range, more than sufficient for transmission through the pulse shaping optics and beam splitters necessary for CMDS. Power fluctuations are minimal, mode quality is excellent, and spectral phase is well behaved at the output. To demonstrate the strength of this source, we measure the two-dimensional spectrum of CdSe quantum dots over a range of population times and find clean signals and clear phonon vibrations. This combination of OPA and hollow-core fiber provides a substantial extension to the capabilities of CMDS.
Method of lines for the analysis of tunable plasmonic devices composed of graphene-dielectric stack arrays
Authors: Ziaee Bideskan Mehri , Forooraghi Keyvan , Atlasbaf Zahra , Mehrdadian Ali , Lavrinenko Andrei V.
Published: August 2021

Due to the increasing interest in emerging applications of graphene or other 2D material-based devices in photonics, a powerful, fast and accurate tool for the analysis of such structures is really in need. In this paper, the semi-analytical method of lines (MoL) is generalized for the diffraction analysis of tunable graphene-based plasmonic devices possessing three dimensional periodicity. We employ Floquet’s theorem to handle analytically propagation of waves in the periodicity of the graphene-dielectric arrays in the direction of the layers stacking. This makes the method very effective in terms of computational time and memory consumption. To validate its efficiency and accuracy, the method is applied to plasmonic devices formed by alternating patterned graphene sheets and dielectric layers. Direct comparison with results available in literature and those obtained by a commercial software exhibits their full consistency.
Reprogrammable optical metasurfaces by electromechanical reconfiguration
Authors: Han Yu , Chen Shanshan , Ji Changyin , Liu Xing , Wang Yongtian , Liu Juan , Li Jiafang
Published: August 2021

Metasurfaces, with artificially designed ultrathin and compact optical elements, enable versatile manipulation of the amplitude, phase, and polarization of light waves. While most of the metasurfaces are static and passive, here we propose a reprogrammable metasurface based on the state-of-art electromechanical nano-kirigami, which allows for independent manipulation of pixels at visible wavelengths through mechanical deformation of the nanostructures. By incorporating electrostatic forces between the top suspended gold nano-architectures and bottom silicon substrate, out-of-plane deformation of each pixel and the associated phase retardation are independently controlled by applying single voltage to variable pixels or exerting programmable voltage distribution on identical pixels. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, the metasurfaces are digitally controlled and a series of tunable metasurface holograms such as 3D dynamic display and ultrathin planar lenses are achieved at visible wavelengths. The proposed electromechanical metasurface provides a new methodology to explore versatile reconfigurable and programmable functionalities that may lead to advances in a variety of applications such as hologram, 3D displays, data storage, spatial light modulations, and information processing.
Enhancing cross-Kerr coupling via mechanical parametric amplification
Authors: Feng Ling-Juan , You Yu , Dong Heng-Xing , Wang Feng-Chao , Gong Shang-Qing
Published: August 2021

We present a proposal to enhance the cross-Kerr coupling between the cavity and the mechanical oscillator significantly. Specifically, the periodic modulation of the mechanical spring constant induces strong mechanical parametric amplification, which leads to the cross-Kerr nonlinear enhancement. Also, we discuss its application in photon-phonon blockade and phonon-number measurement. We find that under the strong cross-Kerr coupling condition, not only the photon-phonon blockade effect is dramatically enhanced but also different phonon number is clearly distinguished. Our results offer an alternative approach to perform quantum manipulation between photon and phonon.
LDV-induced stroboscopic digital image correlation for high spatial resolution vibration measurement
Authors: Sheng Zhipeng , Chen Bing , Hu Wenxin , Yan Keyu , Miao Hong , Zhang Qingchuan , Yu Qifeng , Fu Yu
Published: August 2021

Vibration measurement, particularly mode shape measurement, is an important aspect of structural dynamic analysis since it can validate finite element or analytical vibration models. Scanning laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) and high-speed digital image correlation have become dominant methods for experimental mode shape measurement. However, these methods have high equipment costs and several disadvantages regarding spatial or temporal performance. This paper proposes a laser Doppler vibrometer induced stroboscopic digital image correction for non-contact mode shape and operational deflection shape measurement. Our results verify that single-point LDV and normal rate cameras can be used obtain high spatial resolution mode shape and operational deflection shape. Measurement frequency range is much higher than the camera capturing rate. We also show that the proposed approach coincides well with time-averaged electronic speckle pattern interferometry.
Hybrid integrated low-noise linear chirp frequency-modulated continuous-wave laser source based on self-injection to an external cavity
Authors: Tang Liwei , Jia Hongxiang , Shao Shuai , Yang Sigang , Chen Hongwei , Chen Minghua
Published: August 2021

A hybrid integrated low-noise linear chirp frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) laser source with a wide frequency bandwidth is demonstrated. By employing two-dimensional thermal tuning, the laser source shows frequency modulation bandwidth of 10.3 GHz at 100 Hz chirped frequency and 5.6 GHz at 1 kHz chirped frequency. The intrinsic linewidth of 49.9 Hz with 42 GHz continuous frequency tuning bandwidth is measured under static operation. Furthermore, by pre-distortion linearization of the laser source, it can distinguish 3 m length difference at 45 km distance in the fiber length measurement experiment, demonstrating its application potential in ultra-long fiber sensing and FMCW light detection and ranging.
Trip duration drives shift in travel network structure with implications for the predictability of spatial disease spread
Authors: Giles John R. , Cummings Derek A. T. , Grenfell Bryan T. , Tatem Andrew J. , Erbach-Schoenberg Elisabeth zu , Metcalf CJE , Wesolowski Amy
Published: August 2021

Human travel is one of the primary drivers of infectious disease spread. Models of travel are often used that assume the amount of travel to a specific destination decreases as cost of travel increases with higher travel volumes to more populated destinations. Trip duration, the length of time spent in a destination, can also impact travel patterns. We investigated the spatial patterns of travel conditioned on trip duration and find distinct differences between short and long duration trips. In short-trip duration travel networks, trips are skewed towards urban destinations, compared with long-trip duration networks where travel is more evenly spread among locations. Using gravity models to inform connectivity patterns in simulations of disease transmission, we show that pathogens with shorter generation times exhibit initial patterns of spatial propagation that are more predictable among urban locations. Further, pathogens with a longer generation time have more diffusive patterns of spatial spread reflecting more unpredictable disease dynamics.
The 20-minute whole blood clotting test (20WBCT) for snakebite coagulopathy—A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy
Authors: Lamb Thomas , Abouyannis Michael , de Oliveira Sâmella Silva , Shenoy K. Rachana , Geevar Tulasi , Zachariah Anand , Sharma Sanjib Kumar , Bhatt Navin , Mukaka Mavuto , Harriss Eli , Lalloo David G. , Ashley Elizabeth A. , Monteiro Wuelton Marcelo , Smithuis Frank , Eddleston Michael
Published: August 2021

Background

The 20-minute whole blood clotting test (20WBCT) has been used to detect coagulopathy following snakebite for almost 50 years. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the 20WBCT was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of the 20WBCT to detect coagulopathy, indicative of systemic envenoming.

Methods and findings

Databases were searched from inception up to 09/12/2020 to identify studies that compared the 20WBCT and INR/fibrinogen on five or more subjects. Data was extracted from full-text articles by two reviewers using a predetermined form. Authors of 29 studies that lacked sufficient details in the manuscript were contacted and included if data meeting the inclusion criteria were provided. Included studies were evaluated for bias using a tailored QUADAS-2 checklist. The study protocol was prospectively registered on PROSPERO database (CRD42020168953).

The searches identified 3,599 studies, 15 met the inclusion criteria and 12 were included in the meta-analysis. Data was reported from 6 countries and included a total of 2,270 patients. The aggregate weighted sensitivity of the 20WBCT at detecting INR >1.4 was 0.84 (CI 0.61 to 0.94), the specificity was 0.91 (0.76 to 0.97) and the SROC AUC was 0.94 (CI 0.91 to 0.96). The aggregate weighted sensitivity of the 20WBCT at detecting fibrinogen <100 mg/dL was 0.72 (CI 0.58 to 0.83), the specificity was 0.94 (CI 0.88 to 0.98) and the SROC AUC was 0.93 (0.91 to 0.95). Both analyses that used INR and fibrinogen as the reference test displayed considerable heterogeneity.

Conclusions

In the absence of laboratory clotting assays, the 20WBCT remains a highly specific and fairly sensitive bedside test at detecting coagulopathy following snakebite. However, clinicians should be aware of the importance of operator training, standardized equipment and the lower sensitivity of the 20WBCT at detecting mild coagulopathy and resolution of coagulopathy following antivenom.
Use of lay vaccinators in animal vaccination programmes: A scoping review
Authors: Duamor Christian Tetteh , Hampson Katie , Lankester Felix , Sambo Maganga , Kreppel Katharina , Wyke Sally , Cleaveland Sarah
Published: August 2021

Background

The human resource gap in veterinary sectors, particularly in low-income countries, imposes limitations on the delivery of animal healthcare in hard-to-reach populations. Lay animal health workers have been deployed in these settings to fill the gap though there are mixed views about the benefits of doing this and whether they can deliver services safely. We mapped evidence on the nature and extent of roles assigned to lay animal vaccinators, and identified lessons useful for their future deployment.

Methodology/Principal findings

Following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, we searched seven bibliographic databases for articles published between 1980 and 2021, with the search terms lay OR community-based OR volunteer AND "animal health worker" OR vaccinator*, and applied an a priori exclusion criteria to select studies. From 30 identified studies, lay vaccinators were used by non-government developmental (n = 12, 40%), research (n = 10, 33%) and government (n = 5, 17%) programmes to vaccinate domestic animals. The main reason for using lay vaccinators was to provide access to animal vaccination in the absence of professional veterinarians (n = 12, 40%). Reported positive outcomes of programmes included increased flock and herd sizes and farmer knowledge of best practice (n = 13, 43%); decreased disease transmission, outbreaks and mortality (n = 11, 37%); higher vaccination coverage (10, 33%); non-inferior seroconversion and birth rates among vaccinated herds (n = 3, 10%). The most frequently reported facilitating factor of lay vaccinator programmes was community participation (n = 14, 47%), whilst opposition from professional veterinarians (n = 8, 27%), stakeholders seeking financial gains to detriment of programmes goals (n = 8, 27%) and programming issues (n = 8, 27%) were the most frequently reported barriers. No study reported on cost-effectiveness and we found no record from a low and middle-income country of lay vaccinator programmes being integrated into national veterinary services.

Conclusion

Although the majority of included studies reported more benefits and positive perceptions of lay vaccinator programmes than problems and challenges, regularization will ensure the programmes can be designed and implemented to meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Can an android’s posture and movement discriminate against the ambiguous emotion perceived from its facial expressions?
Authors: Yagi Satoshi , Nakata Yoshihiro , Nakamura Yutaka , Ishiguro Hiroshi
Published: August 2021

Expressing emotions through various modalities is a crucial function not only for humans but also for robots. The mapping method from facial expressions to the basic emotions is widely used in research on robot emotional expressions. This method claims that there are specific facial muscle activation patterns for each emotional expression and people can perceive these emotions by reading these patterns. However, recent research on human behavior reveals that some emotional expressions, such as the emotion “intense”, are difficult to judge as positive or negative by just looking at the facial expression alone. Nevertheless, it has not been investigated whether robots can also express ambiguous facial expressions with no clear valence and whether the addition of body expressions can make the facial valence clearer to humans. This paper shows that an ambiguous facial expression of an android can be perceived more clearly by viewers when body postures and movements are added. We conducted three experiments and online surveys among North American residents with 94, 114 and 114 participants, respectively. In Experiment 1, by calculating the entropy, we found that the facial expression “intense” was difficult to judge as positive or negative when they were only shown the facial expression. In Experiments 2 and 3, by analyzing ANOVA, we confirmed that participants were better at judging the facial valence when they were shown the whole body of the android, even though the facial expression was the same as in Experiment 1. These results suggest that facial and body expressions by robots should be designed jointly to achieve better communication with humans. In order to achieve smoother cooperative human-robot interaction, such as education by robots, emotion expressions conveyed through a combination of both the face and the body of the robot is necessary to convey the robot’s intentions or desires to humans.
To achieve 95-95-95 targets we must reach men and youth: High level of knowledge of HIV status, ART coverage, and viral suppression in the Botswana Combination Prevention Project through universal test and treat approach
Authors: Lebelonyane Refeletswe , Bachanas Pamela , Block Lisa , Ussery Faith , Alwano Mary Grace , Marukutira Tafireyi , El Halabi Shenaaz , Roland Michelle , Abrams William , Ussery Gene , Miller James A. , Lockman Shahin , Gaolathe Tendani , Holme Molly Pretorius , Hader Shannon , Mills Lisa A. , Wirth Kathleen , Bock Naomi , Moore Janet
Published: August 2021

Background

Increasing HIV treatment coverage is crucial to reducing population-level HIV incidence.

Methods

The Botswana Combination Prevention Project (BCPP) was a community randomized trial examining the impact of multiple prevention interventions on population-level HIV incidence and was conducted from October 2013 through June 2017. Home and mobile campaigns offered HIV testing to all individuals ≥ age 16. All identified HIV-positive persons who were not on antiretroviral therapy (ART) were referred to treatment and tracked to determine linkage to care, ART status, retention in treatment, and viral suppression

Results

Of an estimated total of 14,270 people living with HIV (PLHIV) residing in the 15 intervention communities, BCPP identified 13,328 HIV-positive persons (93%). At study start, 10,703 (80%) of estimated PLHIV knew their status; 2,625 (20%) learned their status during BCPP, a 25% increase with the greatest increases occurring among men (37%) and youth (77%). At study start, 9,258 (65%) of estimated PLHIV were on ART. An additional 3,001 persons started ART through the study. By study end, 12,259 had initiated and were retained on ART, increasing coverage to 93%. A greater increase in ART coverage was achieved among men (40%) compared to women (29%). Of the 11,954 persons who had viral load (VL) test results, 11,687 (98%) were virally suppressed (HIV-1 RNA ≤400 copies/mL). Overall, 82% had documented VL suppression by study end.

Conclusions

Knowledge of HIV-positive status and ART coverage increased towards 95–95 targets with universal testing, linkage interventions, and ART. The increases in HIV testing and ART use among men and youth were essential to reaching these targets.

Clinical trial number

NCT01965470.
Molecular diversity and relationships of fig associated nematodes from South Africa
Authors: Kruger Meike S. , Kanzaki Natsumi , Giblin-Davis Robin M. , Greeff Jaco M.
Published: August 2021

Nematodes of figs and fig wasps have received limited attention in Africa since their discovery in 1973. Sixteen of the 25 species of native South African figs were sampled for nematode associates using molecular barcoding with three loci (SSU, LSU D2-D3 and mtCOI) and fourteen (93%) were positive for at least one nematode species. Thirty-three putative species of nematodes were identified and classified according to the loci that were amplified and successfully sequenced. Fourteen putative nematode species were classified as Aphelenchoididae, of which nine were identified as Ficophagus from four species of Ficus from the section Galoglychia (i.e., five ex F. burkei including one shared with F. natalensis, one ex F. glumosa, one ex F. lutea, and one ex F. stuhlmannii) and one species ex F. sur from the section Sycomorus. In addition, there were four nematode species classified as Schistonchus s.s. from section Galoglychia figs (i.e., one ex F. burkei, two ex F. trichopoda, and one ex F. glumosa). There was also one species of Bursaphelenchus nematode recovered from F. sur from the section Sycomorus. Sixteen putative nematode species were classified as Diplogastridae, of which eight occurred in two clades of what is currently called Parasitodiplogaster with one (P. salicifoliae) being recovered from two Ficus species in the section Urostigma (F. salicifolia and F. ingens) and seven diplogastrids being associated with six species of Ficus from the section Galoglychia (i.e., two ex F. burkei including P. sycophilon, one ex F. stuhlmannii, one ex F. burtt-davyi, one ex F. trichopoda, one ex F. abutilifolia and one ex F. sansibarica). Three Acrostichus spp., a Teratodiplogaster and a Pristionchus species were recovered from F. sur and two Teratodiplogaster spp. and Pristionchus sycomori were recovered from F. sycomorus with both Ficus species belonging to the subgenus and section Sycomorus. The identities of the previously described T. martini and Parasitodiplogaster doliostoma (= Pristionchus sp. 35) are discussed. Lastly, there was a panagrolaimid identified from F. petersii.
A Bayesian approach to reveal the key role of mask wearing in modulating projected interpersonal distance during the first COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Lisi Matteo P. , Scattolin Marina , Fusaro Martina , Aglioti Salvatore Maria
Published: August 2021

Humans typically create and maintain social bonds through interactions that occur at close social distances. The interpersonal distance of at least 1 m recommended as a relevant measure for COVID-19 contagion containment requires a significant change in everyday behavior. In a web-based experimental study conducted during the first pandemic wave (mid-April 2020), we asked 242 participants to regulate their preferred distance towards confederates who did or did not wear protective masks and gloves and whose COVID-19 test results were positive, negative, or unknown. Information concerning dispositional factors (perceived vulnerability to disease, moral attitudes, and prosocial tendencies) and situational factors (perceived severity of the situation in the country, frequency of physical and virtual social contacts, and attitudes toward quarantine) that may modulate compliance with safety prescriptions was also acquired. A Bayesian analysis approach was adopted. Individual differences did not modulate interpersonal distance. We found strong evidence in favor of a reduction of interpersonal distance towards individuals wearing protective equipment and who tested negative to COVID-19. Importantly, shorter interpersonal distances were maintained towards confederates wearing protective gear, even when their COVID-19 test result was unknown or positive. This protective equipment-related regulation of interpersonal distance may reflect an underestimation of perceived vulnerability to infection; this perception must be discouraged when pursuing individual and collective health-safety measures.
High resolution flat-panel CT arthrography vs. MR arthrography of artificially created osteochondral defects in ex vivo upper ankle joints
Authors: Pöhler Gesa H. , Sonnow Lena , Ettinger Sarah , Rahn Alexandra , Klimes Filip , Becher Christoph , von Falck Christian , Wacker Frank K. , Plaass Christian
Published: August 2021

Purpose

High resolution flat-panel computed tomography arthrography (FPCT-A) and magnetic resonance arthrography (MR-A) are well suited to evaluate osteochondral lesions. The current study compares the performance of FPCT-A versus MR-A in an experimental setting.

Methods

Fourteen cadaveric ankles were prepared with artificial osteochondral defects of various sizes in four separate talar locations. After intra-articular contrast injection, FPCT-A and 3-T MR-A were acquired. Each defect was then filled with synthetic pallets. The resulting cast was used as reference. Two independent radiologists measured the dimensions of all defects with FPCT-A and MR-A. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated. Data were compared using t-tests and Bland-Altman plots.

Results

The correlation for FPCT-A and cast was higher compared to MR-A and cast (ICC 0.876 vs. 0.799 for surface [length x width]; ICC 0.887 vs. 0.866 for depth, p<0.001). Mean differences between FPCT-A and cast measurements were -1.1 mm for length (p<0.001), -0.7 mm for width (p<0.001) and -0.4 mm for depth (p = 0.023). By MR-A, there were no significant differences for length and width compared to cast (p>0.05). Depth measurements were significantly smaller by MR-A (mean difference -1.1 mm, p<0.001). There was no bias between the different modalities.

Conclusions

Ex vivo FPCT-A and MR-A both deliver high diagnostic accuracy for the evaluation of osteochondral defects. FPCT-A was slightly more accurate than MR-A, which was most significant when measuring lesion depth.
Role of diabetes in lung injury from acute exposure to electronic cigarette, heated tobacco product, and combustible cigarette aerosols in an animal model
Authors: Daou Michella Abi Zeid , Shihadeh Alan , Hashem Yasmine , Bitar Hala , Kassir Alaa , El-Harakeh Mohammad , Karaoghlanian Nareg , Eid Assaad A. , El-Sabban Marwan , Zaatari Ghazi , Husari Ahmad
Published: August 2021

Background

Patients with diabetes are more vulnerable to the detrimental respiratory effects of combustible cigarette smoke (CS) when compared to the general population. Electronic cigarettes (ECIG) and heated tobacco products (HTP) are marketed as less harmful alternatives to CS. In this study, we compared the effects of acute ECIG, HTP and CS exposure on the lungs of type II diabetes versus non-diabetic mice in an animal model.

Methods

Type II Diabetic (Diab) and Non-Diabetic (Non-Diab) mice were divided into Control, ECIG, HTP and CS groups. Animals were exposed for 6 hrs./day to either air, ECIG, HTP or CS for seven days. Lung injury was determined by a) histopathology, b) wet to dry ratio, c) albumin concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, d) expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1 β, e) reactive oxygen species production (ROS), and f) assessment of cellular apoptosis.

Results

Lung histology revealed increased edema and inflammatory cells in diabetic mice exposed to ECIG, HTP and CS. The expression of Inflammatory mediators was, in general, more significant in the Diabetic groups as well. TNF-α expression, for example, was upregulated in Diab + ECIG but not in Non-Diab + ECIG. ROS was significantly increased in Diab + CS, less in Non-Diab + CS and weakly noted in ECIG + Diab. Significant albumin leak was observed in Diab and Non-Diab HTP-exposed animals. CS exposure worsened lung injury in Diab when compared to Non-Diab mice.

Conclusion

Comorbid medical conditions like diabetes may amplify ill effects of CS, ECIG or HTP exposure.
Identifikasi Karakteristik Kawasan Informal Pesisir Kota Bandar Lampung dan Kerentanan terhadap Dampak Perubahan Iklim (Studi Kasus : Kelurahan Kota Karang dan Kangkung)
Authors: Ilmi Warid Zul , Asbi Adnin Musadri , Syam Tamaluddin
Published: August 2021

This research aims to identify the characteristics of informal areas in Kelurahan Kota Karang and Kelurahan Kangkung and their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Climate change is a high-risk threat in the future, events such as flash floods, tidal flooding and water crisis will continue to worsen in coastal areas, and informal communities as a vulnerable group will be greatly affected by this. The method of data collection in this study uses the independent interview method, literature review and observation. The data analysis method used is descriptive qualitative analysis. According to the results of the analysis, the region has endeavored to deal with various shocks and pressures, and has characteristics of resilience as a capital of resilience in facing the impacts of climate change. However, they have not been able to solve all the existing problems.
Negativní parlamentarismus v Ústavní listině Československé republiky, inspirace a její limity
Authors: Preuss Ondřej
Published: August 2021

It has been 100 years since the adoption of the Constitutional Charter of the Czechoslovak Republic. The tradition of this document is alive in the constitutional order of the Czech Republic. However, this tradition cannot be absolutized, it would confuse the interpretation of the current legal system. While the Constitutional Charter of the Czechoslovak Republic from 1920 was built on the so-called principle of negative parliamentarism, today the constitutional order is built on the so-called positive parliamentarism, which does not allow “non-political” government. De lege ferenda, the question is whether it would not be more appropriate to strengthen the positive parliamentarism and return to 1918 – to elect a government.
Tarwacka, A. Obrócić prawo w żart. Instytucje prawne w zbiorze dowcipów „Philogelos“
Authors: Skřejpek Michal
Published: August 2021

Book review on Tarwacka, A. Obrócić prawo w żart. Instytucje prawne w zbiorze dowcipów „Philogelos“. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwesytetu Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego, 2016, 260 s.
Neuromarkers from Whole-Brain Functional Connectivity Reveal the Cognitive Recovery Scheme for Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy after Liver Transplantation
Authors: Cheng Yue , Shen Wen , Xu Junhai , Amey Rachel C. , Huang Li-Xiang , Zhang Xiao-Dong , Li Jing-Li , Akhavan Cameron , Duffy Ben A. , Simon Julia Pia , Jiang Wenjuan , Liu Mengting , Kim Hosung
Published: August 2021

Neurocognitive impairment is present in cirrhosis and may be more severe in cirrhosis with overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE). Liver transplantation (LT) can restore liver function, but how it reverses the impaired brain function is still unclear. MRI of resting-state functional connectivity can help reveal the underlying mechanisms that lead to these cognitive deficits and cognitive recovery. In this study, 64 patients with cirrhosis (28 with OHE; 36 without OHE) and 32 healthy control subjects were recruited for resting-state fMRI. The patients were scanned before and after LT. We evaluated presurgical and postsurgical neurocognitive performance in cirrhosis patients using psychomotor tests. Network-based statistics found significant disrupted connectivity in both groups of cirrhotic patients, with OHE and without OHE, compared with control subjects. However, the presurgical connectivity disruption in patients with OHE affected a greater number of connections than those without OHE. The decrease in functional connectivity for both OHE and non-OHE patient groups was reversed after LT to the level of control subjects. An additional hyperconnected network (i.e., higher connected than control subjects) was observed in OHE patients after LT. Regarding the neural–behavior relationship, the functional network that predicted cognitive performance in healthy individuals showed no correlation in presurgical cirrhotic patients. The impaired neural–behavior relationship was re-established after LT for non-OHE patients, but not for OHE patients. OHE patients displayed abnormal hyperconnectivity and a persistently impaired neural–behavior relationship after LT. Our results suggest that patients with OHE may undergo a different trajectory of postsurgical neurofunctional recovery compared with those without, which needs further clarification in future studies.