bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preoperative identification of clinicopathological prognostic factors for relapse-free survival in clinical N1 non-small cell lung cancer: A retrospective single center-based study
Authors: Aragaki Masato , Kato Tatsuya , Fujiwara-Kuroda Aki , Hida Yasuhiro , Kaga Kichizo , Wakasa Satoru
Published: May 2020

Background
Given the difficulty of preoperative diagnosis of lymph node metastasis, patients with Stage I–III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are likely to be included in the clinical N1 (cN1) group. However, better treatment options may be selected through further stratification. This study aimed to identify preoperative clinicopathological prognostic and stratification factors for patients with cN1 NSCLC.
Methods
This retrospective evaluated 60 patients diagnosed with NSCLC from 2004 to 2014. Clinical nodal status had been evaluated using routine chest computed tomography (CT) and/or positron emission tomography (PET). To avoid the bias of the fluorodeoxyglucose uptake values based on inter-institution or inter-model differences, we historically used only two different models for PET instruments (one PET and one PET/CT). Relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were the primary study outcomes. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was calculated for the tumors and categorized as low or high based on the median value. Patient sex, age, histology, tumor size, and tumor markers were also assessed.
Results
Poor OS was associated with older age (P = 0.0159) and high SUVmax values (P = 0.0142). Poor RFS was associated with positive carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) expression (P = 0.0035) and high SUVmax values (P = 0.015). Multivariate analyses confirmed that poor OS was independently predicted by older age (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.751, confidence interval [CI]: 1.300-5.822; P = 0.0081) and high SUVmax values (HR = 5.121, 95% CI: 1.759–14.910; P = 0.0027). Furthermore, poor RFS was independently predicted by positive CEA expression (HR = 2.376, 95% CI: 1.056–5.348; P = 0.0366) and high SUVmax values (HR = 2.789, 95% CI: 1.042–7.458; P = 0.0410). The primary tumor’s SUVmax value was also an independent prognostic factor for both OS and RFS.
Conclusions
For patients with cN1 NSCLC, preoperative prognosis and stratification might be performed based on the CEA expression, age, and the primary tumor’s SUVmax. In particular, regarding SUVmax, minimizing the bias between facilities and models could lead to a more accurate prognosis.
Advance Directives and End-of-Life Care: Knowledge and Preferences Among Brain Cancer Patients in Anhui,China
Authors: Wang Yi Xin , Zhang Yong Kang , Hong Yang , Zeng Ping , Hu Zong Tao , Xu Xiu Li , Wang Hong Zhi
Published: May 2020

Background: Advance directives and end-of-life care has not been well acknowledged among tumor patients in China Mainland,especially in brain tumor patients who may have unconsciousness at the early stage of illness.Thus,this study aims to clarify the knowledge and preferences of advance directives and end-of-life care of brain tumor patients and to investigate the predictors of patients’ preferences.Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional survey conducted by a face-to-face interviews. Information on sociodemographic factors, brain tumor diseases, knowledge and preferences of advance decisions, end-of-life care were collected.Results: 88.61% participants had never heard of AD but 65.18% would like to make an AD. Knowledge of AD, receiving the treatment of surgery or radiotherapy, less than 70 years old, male, educational qualification of college or more, without children, medical insurance for non-working or working urban residents, pay their medical expenses by themselves as predictors of preferring to make an AD .79.43% participants would like to discuss end-of-life arrangements with medical staff and 63.29% were willing to receive end-of-life care though it cannot delay death. 65.82% brain tumor patients wanted resuscitation, as high as 45.45% thought they didn’t need life support if they were in a persistent vegetative state. Brain primary tumor, less than 70 years old, male, educational qualification of junior middle school or less, have children, new rural cooperative medical insurance, pay their medical expenses by their children or spouse as predictors of choosing end of life care though it cannot delay death.Conclusions: Advance directives and end-of-life care has not been well acknowledged among brain tumor patients in China Mainland. More efforts should be encouraged in the patients with primary brain tumors, who undergoing surgery and radiotherapy and low socioeconomic status, and an appropriate decision-making timing with a technology-based communication is encouraged in promoting advance directives in Chinese brain tumor patients.Key PointsAdvance directives and end-of-life care has not been systematically applied to Chinese brain cancer patients and the knowledge of advance directives is limited.More efforts should be made for the participants with primary brain tumors, who undergoing surgery and radiotherapy and low socioeconomic status.An appropriate decision-making timing with a technology-based communication is encouraged in promoting advance directives in Chinese brain tumor patients.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Proton Beam Therapy for Treatment Decision Making in Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancers in China
Authors: Li Guo , Qiu Bo , Huang Yi-Xiang , Doyen Jerome , Bondiau Pierre-Yves , Benezery Karen , Xia Yun-Fei , Qian Chao-Nan
Published: May 2020

Background: Cost-effectiveness is a pivotal consideration for clinical decision making of advanced cancer treatment in developing countries. Intensity-modulated proton radiation therapy (IMPT) has been found to improve the prognosis of the patients with paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancers compared with intensity-modulated photon-radiation therapy (IMRT). However, the cost-effectiveness of IMPT has not yet been fully evaluated. This study aimed at evaluating the cost-effectiveness of IMPT versus IMRT for treatment decision making of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancers in Chinese settings.Methods:A 3-state Markov modelwas designed for cost-effectiveness analysis. A base case evaluation was performed on a patient of 47-year-old (median age of patients with paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancers in China). Model robustness was examined by probabilistic sensitivity analysis, Markov cohort analysis and Tornado diagram. Cost-effective scenarios of IMPT were further identified by one-way sensitivity analyses and stratified analyses were performed for different age levels. The outcome measure of the model was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). A strategy was defined as cost-effective if the ICER was below the societal willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of China (30,828 US dollars ($) / quality-adjusted life year (QALY)).Results: IMPT was identified as being cost-effective for the base case at the WTP of China, providing an extra 1.65 QALYs at an additional cost of $38,928.7 compared with IMRT, and had an ICER of $23,611.2 / QALY. Of note, cost-effective scenarios of IMPT only existed in the following independent conditions: probability of IMPT eradicating cancer ≥ 0.867; probability of IMRT eradicating cancer ≤ 0.764; or cost of IMPT ≤ $52,163.9. Stratified analyses for different age levels demonstrated that IMPT was more cost-effective in younger patients than older patients, and was cost-effective only in patients ≤ 56-year-old.Conclusions: Despite initially regarded as bearing high treatment cost, IMPT could still be cost-effective for patients with paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancers in China. The tumor control superiority of IMPT over IMRT and the patient’s age should be the principal considerations for clinical decision of prescribing this new irradiation technique.
Radiobiological Model-based approach to determine the potential of dose-escalated robust intensity-modulated proton radiotherapy in reducing gastrointestinal toxicity in the treatment of locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer of the head.
Authors: Raturi Vijay Parshuram , Hojo Hidehiro , Hotta Kenji , Baba Hiromi , Takehashi Ryo , Rachi Toshiya , Nakamura Naoki , Zenda Sadamoto , Motegi Atsushi , Tachibana Hidenobu , Ariji Takaki , Motegi kana , Nakamura Masaki , Okumura Masayuki , Hirano Yasuhiro , Akimoto Tetsuo
Published: May 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the potential of escalated dose radiation (EDR) robust intensity-modulated proton radiotherapy (ro-IMPT) in reducing GI toxicity risk in locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (LAUPC) of the head in term of normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) predictive model. Methods: For 9 patients, IMRT was compared with ro-IMPT. For all plans, the prescription dose was 59.4GyE (Gray equivalent) in 33 fractions with an equivalent organ at risk (OAR) constraints. Physical dose distribution was evaluated. GI toxicity risk for different endpoints was estimated using published NTCP Lyman Kutcher Burman (LKB) models for stomach, duodenum, small bowel, and combine stomach and duodenum (StoDuo). A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for dosimetry parameters and NTCP values comparison. Result: The dosimetric results have shown that, with similar target coverage, ro-IMPT achieves a significant dose-volume reduction in the stomach, small bowel, and stoduo in low to high dose range in comparison to IMRT. NTCP evaluation for the endpoint gastric bleeding of stomach (10.55% vs . 13.97%, P = 0.007), duodenum (1.87% vs . 5.02%, P = 0.004), and stoduo (5.67% vs. 7.81%, P = 0.008) suggest reduced toxicity by ro-IMPT compared to IMRT. ∆NTCP IMRT – ro-IMPT (using parameter from Pan et al. for gastric bleed) of ≥5 to <10% was seen in 3 patients (33%) for stomach and 2 patients (22%) for stoduo. An overall GI toxicity relative risk (NTCP ro-IMPT /NTCP IMRT ) reduction was noted (0.16-0.81) for all GI-OARs except for duodenum (>1) with endpoint grade ≥3 GI toxicity (using parameters from Holyoake et al .). Conclusion: With similar target coverage and better conformity, ro-IMPT has the potential to substantially reduce the risk of GI toxicity compared to IMRT in EDR of LAUPC of the head. This result needs to be further evaluated in future clinical studies.
PDGF-BB and IL-4 co-overexpression is a potential strategy to enhance mesenchymal stem cell-based bone regeneration
Authors: Zhang Ning , Lo Chi-Wen , Utsunomiya Takeshi , Maruyama Masahiro , Huang Ejun , Gao Qi , Yao Zhenyu , Goodman Stuart B.
Published: May 2020

Background
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy has the potential for immunomodulation and enhancement of tissue regeneration. Genetically modified (GM) MSCs that over-express specific cytokines, growth factors or chemokines have shown great promise in pre-clinical studies. In this regard, the anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin (IL)-4 converts pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages into an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype; M2 macrophages could potentially enhance osteogenesis by MSC lineage cells. However, IL-4 inhibits osteogenesis during the acute inflammatory period. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB has been shown to enhance osteogenesis of MSCs with a dose-dependent effect.
Methods
In this study, we generated a lentiviral vector that produces PDGF-BB under a weak promoter (phosphoglycerate kinase, PGK) and lentiviral vector producing IL-4 under a strong promoter (cytomegalovirus, CMV). We infected the MSCs with the PDGF-BB and IL-4-producing lentiviral vectors separately or in combination to investigate protein expression, cell proliferation and viability as well as the capability for osteogenesis.
Results
Co-overexpression of PDGF-BB and IL-4 was observed in the co-infected MSCs and shown to enhance cell proliferation and viability, and osteogenesis compared to IL-4 overexpressing MSCs alone.
Conclusions
Thus, overexpression of both PDGF-BB and IL-4 may be a potential strategy to facilitate osteogenesis in scenarios of both acute and chronic inflammation.
High triglyceride-glucose index is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Zhang Yue , Ding Xiaosong , Hua Bing , Liu Qingbo , Gao Hui , Chen Hui , Zhao Xue-Qiao , Li Weiping , li Hongwei
Published: May 2020

Background Triglyceride glucose (TyG) index is considered a new marker for metabolic disorders. Although recent studies have found an association between TyG index level and vascular disease development, the prognostic value of TyG index in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains unclear. Methods A total of 3181 patients with AMI, who underwent coronary angiography, were identified from the Cardiovascular Center of Beijing Friendship Hospital Database Bank and included in the analysis. Patients were stratified into 2 groups according to their baseline TyG index levels: the TyG index <8.88 group and the TyG index ≥8.88 group. Clinical characteristics,biochemical parameters, and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) during a median of 33.3-month follow-up were recorded. The TyG index was calculated using the following formula: ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) ×fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Results Compared with the TyG index<8.88 group, the TyG index≥8.88 group had significantly higher incidences of non-fatal MI, revascularization, cardiac rehospitalization and composite MACEs. Multivariable Cox regression models revealed that the TyG index was positively associated with all-cause death [HR (95% CI): 1.51 (1.10,2.06), P=0.010], cardiac death [HR (95%CI): 1.68 (1.19,2.38), P=0.004], revascularization [HR (95%CI): 1.50 (1.16,1.94), P=0.002], cardiac rehospitalization [HR (95%CI): 1.25 (1.05,1.49), P=0.012], and composite MACEs [HR (95%CI): 1.19 (1.01,1.41), P=0.046] in patients with AMI. The independent predictive effect of TyG index on all-cause death and cardiac death was mainly reflected in the subgroups of male gender, body mass index ≥25kg/m 2 , smoker, diabetes mellitus, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60ml/min/1.73m 2 , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥1.01mmol/L and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥0.50. The results also revealed that diabetes mellitus, previous AMI, eGFR, LVEF, and multi-vessel/left main coronary artery lesions were independent predictors of MACEs in patients with AMI (all P<0.05). Conclusions High TyG index levels appeared to be associated with an increased risk of MACEs in patients with AMI. The TyG index might be a valid predictor of cardiovascular outcomes of patients with AMI.
Head & Neck Acinar Cell Carcinoma: A Population-Based Study Using the Seer Registry
Authors: Yibulayin Feiluore , Wang Meng , Lu Meng-meng , Luo Yuan , Liu Hui , Feng Lei , Yang Zhi-cheng , Wushou Alimujiang
Published: May 2020

Background:to explorethe clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment and prognostic factors of head and neck acinar cell carcinoma (HNACC) comprehensively.Methods:A population-based study was conductedusing data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1975- 2016). Overall survival (OS) and HNACC-specific survival of patients with different clinicopathologic variables were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox multivariate regression.Results:A total of 2624 primary HNACC cases (1052 males, 1572 females) were identified. There was a significant difference in gender distribution. Among the total cohort, 2416 cases originated from salivary glands, including 2325 parotid gland ACC cases. Regardless of confounding factors, the 10-year and 20-year disease-specific survival (DSS) was 93.6% and 90%, respectively. Surgery was favourably associated with better DSS and OS [HR= 0.13, P = 0.0092 andHR = 0.23, P = 0.0203]. Gender was the only demographic independent prognostic factor for both DSS and OS [male vs female, HR = 3.3, P = 0.0028 for DSS; HR = 2.44, P = 0.0376 for OS]. Higher pathological grade was adversely associated with DSS and OS [Grade II, HR= 4.03, P = 0.0444; Grade III + IV, HR = 35.64, P = 0.0000 for DSS; Grade III + IV, HR = 4.49, P = 0.0000 for OS, Grade I as reference]. In addition, TNM/AJCC stage was commonly associated with prognosis.Conclusion:Surgerywasthe only favourable prognostic indicator for both DSS and OS. Gender, age, pathological differentiation and TNM/AJCC stage were independent prognostic factors for survival.
Genome-scale metabolic modelling underscores the potential of Cutaneotrichosporon oleaginosus ATCC 20509 as a cell factory for biofuel production
Authors: Pham Nhung TT , Reijnders Maarten , Suarez-Diez Maria , Nijsse Bart , Springer Jan , Eggink Gerrit , Schaap Peter
Published: May 2020

Background: Cutaneotrichosporon oleaginosus ATCC 20509 is a fast growing oleaginous basidiomycete yeast that is able to grow in a wide range of low-cost carbon sources including crude glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production. When glycerol is used as a carbon source, this yeast can accumulate more than 50% lipids (w/w) with high concentrations of mono-unsaturated fatty acids. Results: To increase our understanding of this yeast and to provide a knowledge base for further industrial use, a FAIR re-annotated genome was used to build a genome-scale, constraint-based metabolic model containing 1553 reactions involving 1373 metabolites in 11 compartments. A new description of the biomass synthesis reaction was introduced to account for massive lipid accumulation in conditions with high carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio in the media. This condition-speciﬁc biomass objective function is shown to better predict conditions with high lipid accumulation using glucose, fructose, sucrose, xylose, ethanol and glycerol as sole carbon source. Conclusion: Contributing to the economic viability of biodiesel as renewable fuel, C. oleaginosus ATCC 20509 can eﬀectively convert crude glycerol waste streams in lipids as a potential bioenergy source. Performance simulations are essential to identify optimal production conditions and to develop and ﬁne tune a cost-eﬀective production process. Our model suggests ATP-citrate lyase as a target for overexpression to further improve lipid production.
MELK inhibition effectively suppresses growth of glioblastoma and cancer stem-like cells by blocking AKT and FOXM1 pathways
Authors: Liu Xuejiao , Wang Jie , Wang Yifeng , Zhang Xu , Liu Guanzheng , Li Huan , Yu Jiefeng , Wu Runqiu , Gao Shangfeng , Liang Jun , Niu Mingshan , Yu Rutong
Published: May 2020

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a devastating disease yet no effective drug treatment has been established to date. Glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs) are insensitive to treatment and may be one of the reasons for the relapse of GBM. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase gene (MELK) plays an important role in the malignant proliferation and the maintenance of GSC stemness properties of GBM. However, the therapeutic effect of targeted inhibition of MELK on GBM remains unclear. Methods: This study analyzed the effect of a MELK oral inhibitor, OTSSP167, on GBM proliferation and the maintenance of GSC stemness. Results: OTSSP167 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and migration of GBM. OTSSP167 treatment reduced the expression of cell cycle G2/M phase-related proteins, Cyclin B1 and Cdc2, while up-regulation the expression of cell cycle inhibitor protein p21 and subsequently induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. OTSSP167 effectively prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice and inhibited tumor cell growth in an in vivo mouse model. It also reduced protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation by inhibiting MELK, thereby disrupting the proliferation and invasion of GBM cells. Furthermore, OTSSP167 inhibited the proliferation and neurosphere formation of GSCs by reducing forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) phosphorylation and transcriptional activity. Interestingly, the inhibitory effect of OTSSP167 on the proliferation of GSCs was 4-fold more effective than GBM cells. Conclusion: In conclusion, MELK inhibition suppresses the growth of GBM and GSCs by double-blocking AKT and FOXM1 signals. Targeted inhibition of MELK may thus be potentially used as a novel treatment for GBM.
Intravenous Bolus Fentanyl vs. Rectal Acetaminophen in Outcome and Quality of Anesthesia in Infants Undergoing Pyloromyotomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Sharabiani Behzad Aliakbari , Sheikhzadeh Daryosh , Akbari Sahar , Arjmand Nasim , Parsay Sina , hejazi Mahin Seyed
Published: May 2020

Background

Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis (HPS) is one of the most common diseases requiring surgery in infants. Regardless of recruited surgical reconstruction techniques, preoperative evaluation, using proper anesthesia induction, perioperative, and postoperative care are the main determining factors in the outcome of these patients. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the premedication with intravenous fentanyl versus rectal acetaminophen on the anesthesia-related outcome of patients.
Methods

In this double-blinded randomized clinical trial, 24 infants who were managed to underwent a pyloromyotomy surgery due to the HPS were enrolled. Patients then randomly allocated into two groups of Fentanyl (F) or Acetaminophen (A). Anesthesia procedure was initiated with premedication with midazolam (0.03 mg/kg) co-administrated with fentanyl (1 µg/kg) in group F, and rectal acetaminophen (40 mg/kg) administrated 20 minutes prior to midazolam (0.03 mg/kg) in group A individuals. All patients’ vital signs, the period of each step of anesthesia, and the incidence of apnea were measured and recorded.
Results

Although the time duration from anesthesia termination till extubation and the recovery time were relatively shorter among the patients of the acetaminophen group, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Patients in the acetaminophen group showed a lower level of pain in all evaluated timelines than those who were treated with fentanyl (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the apnea incidence in two groups.
Conclusion

The use of rectal acetaminophen in infants who are planning to undergo pyloromyotomy due to HPS offers a better treatment outcome than fentanyl.
Trial Registration:

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences under the registry code of IR.TBZMED.REC.1397.511. It was also registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT). The trial’s registration number (TRN) is IRCT20180726040601N1 ‘retrospectively registered’
Oral health-related quality of life and related factors among facial burn injury patients in Pakistan.
Authors: Chaudhary Farooq Ahmad , Ahmad Basaruddin , Bashir Ulfat , Sinor Mohd Zulkarnain
Published: May 2020

Background: There is a limited understanding of the long-term effect of facial burn injury on oral health. This study was aimed to describe the oral health-related quality of life of patients with facial burn injury and determine the associated risk factors.Methods: Patients with facial burn who attended the Burn Care Center in Islamabad, Pakistan were systematically and randomly selected and invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. They underwent extra- and intra-oral examinations and, completed self-administered questionnaires. The severity of disfigurement and, caries (DMFT), periodontal (CPI) and oral hygiene (OHI-S) statuses were assessed. Validated Urdu language instruments were used to collect information on sociodemographic background, oral health behaviours, oral health-related quality of life (OHIP-14) and satisfaction with appearance (SWAP). Information relating to the time of burn injury event and, cause and severity (type, TBSA) of burn were obtained from medical records. The OHIP- 14 severity (add-score) and prevalence of impact measures were derived and analysed using simple and multiple linear regression.Results: A total of 271 patients had participated in the study. The OHIP-14 prevalence of impact was 94% mean the mean add-score 37 = unit (sd = 8.5). The domains with the greatest impact prevalence were the physical pain (87%), psychological disability (87%), social disability (85%) and physical discomfort (83%). Poor clinical oral health status – particularly dental caries, oral health behaviours, severe burn injury, psychological distress and time of burn event, were associated with poor oral health-related quality of life (p< 0.05).Conclusion: Poor oral conditions, particularly caries, and severity of burn injury are the main factors that affect the oral health-related quality of life in facial burn patients. Addressing issues related to oral health behaviours, especially dental visit, may reduce the impact.
Preliminary Validation of a Chinese Version of the Comprehensive Assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Processes
Authors: Chen Yue , Luo Houyuan , Wang Shujuan , Bai Xiaoyu , Zhu Zhuohong
Published: May 2020

Civil servants are bridges that connect the general public and the government in China. Because their mental health may influence the rise and fall of the country, it is important to study their mental health and living conditions. The Comprehensive Assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Processes (CompACT) is a general measure of ACT processes and reflects individual psychological flexibility. We investigated the psychometric properties of CompACT in a non-clinical sample of civil servants. The Chinese CompACT demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.87) and reliability (Guttman split-half coefficient = 0.69). Confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the three-factor model. Our findings suggest that the Chinese version of the CompACT has acceptable psychometric properties and is a valid instrument for the assessment of psychological flexibility.
Acute presentation of papillary glioneuronal tumor due to intra-tumoral hemorrhage in a toddler: An odd presentation of a rare pathology
Authors: Tavallaii Amin , Keykhosravi Ehsan , Rezaee Hamid
Published: May 2020

Background and Importance: Papillary glioneuronal tumor is a recently known entity in central nervous system tumors. These benign WHO grade I tumors are mostly seen in young adults. Pediatric PGNT is rare and there is no report of these tumors in toddlers. Headache, nausea/vomiting and seizure are most common clinical symptoms. Acute presentation with focal neurological deficits or loss of consciousness are not amongst the expected presentations. These tumors are typically cystic with enhancing mural nodule. Although case with chronic intermittent microhemorrhages are reported in the literature but overt intra-tumoral hemorrhage is an odd radiological presentation with just one reported case in the literature.Clinical presentation: We present an extremely rare case of PGNT presenting with sudden onset hemiparesis and impaired consciousness due to acute intra-tumoral hemorrhage in a toddler which was surgically treated with favorable outcome.Conclusion: PGNTs can also be seen in very young children even in toddlers. Also, it should be kept in mind that these tumors have potential for overt intra-tumoral hemorrhage and acute presentation with focal neurological deficits mimicking more common pathologies which should be considered to plan optimal patient management.
The COVID-19 Pandemic: Model-Based Evaluation of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions and Prognoses
Authors: De Visscher Alex
Published: May 2020

An epidemiological model for COVID-19 was developed and implemented in MATLAB/GNU Octave for use by public health practitioners, policy makers and the general public. The model distinguishes four stages in the disease: infected, sick, seriously sick, and better. The model was preliminarily parameterized based on observations of the spread of the disease. The model assumes a case mortality rate of 1.5 %. Preliminary simulations with the model indicate that concepts such as “herd immunity” and “flattening the curve” are highly misleading in the context of this virus. Public policies based on these concepts are inadequate to protect the population. Only reducing the R0 of the virus below 1 is an effective strategy for maintaining the death burden of COVID-19 within the normal range of seasonal flu. The model is illustrated with the cases of Italy, France, and Iran, and is able to describe the number of deaths as a function of time in all these cases although future projections tend to slightly overestimate the number of deaths. The case mortality rate is still prone to large uncertainty, but modeling combined with an investigation of blood donations in The Netherlands imposes a lower limit of 1 %.
Network proteins of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 but not angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 itself are host cell receptors for SARS-Coronavirus-2 attachment
Authors: Kumar Arun
Published: May 2020

Background: Coronaviruses causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) are known to enter the host cells by attaching to the membrane bound angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Using molecular docking the efficiency of interaction between SARS-CoV-2 surface proteins and ACE2 network proteins was assessed. Materials and Methods: The ACE2 protein network was identified using the STRING database. The reported SARS-CoV-2 target proteins were searched in the protein data bank and uniport database. The protein-protein interactions were assessed by molecular docking using the Chimera software. The PubChem database was searched for known inhibitors of host cell receptors interacting with SARS-CoV-2 surface proteins. Molecular docking was performed to evaluate the binding efficacy of these compounds against the SARS-CoV-2 targets using AutoDock Vina and the docked protein-ligand complex were visualised using the Chimera and PyMOL software. Results: A low binding affinity was observed between SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins (protein S, M and 6YLA) and ACE2. Coronaviruses are also reported to bind to dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), which is a network protein of ACE2. Network analysis showed five membrane proteins associated with ACE2. The ACE2 network proteins were assessed for their binding affinity with all known SARS-CoV-2 surface proteins. The SARS-CoV-2 surface proteins showed preferential binding to network proteins such as DPP4 and Meprin A alpha but not ACE2. The binding efficacy (affinity (-5.86 to -7.10 Kcal/mol), Ki (6.32 – 22.04 mM) and IC50 (12.63 – 113.71 mM) values) of DPP4 inhibitors (saxagliptin and sitagliptin) against SARS-CoV-2 surface proteins, was observed to be at a therapeutically feasible concentration to prevent SARS-CoV-2 attachment and entry into host cells. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 surface proteins has better interactions with DPP4 and Meprin A alpha host cells receptors rather than ACE2. DPP4 inhibitors (saxagliptin and sitagliptin) by binding with SARS-CoV-2 surface proteins may be helpful in preventing the virus entry into the host cells.
Psychological distress and internet-related behaviors between schoolchildren with and without overweight during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Chen Chao-Ying , Chen I-Hua , O’Brien Kerry , Latner Janet D , Lin Chung-Ying
Published: May 2020

Objective: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and its resulting social policy changes, may result in psychological distress among schoolchildren with overweight. This study thus aimed to (1) compare psychological distress (including fear of COVID-19 infection, stress, anxiety, and depression), perceived weight stigma, and problematic internet-related behaviors between schoolchildren with and without overweight; (2) assess whether perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors explained psychological distress.Methods: Schoolchildren (n=1 357; mean age=10.7 years) with overweight (n=236) and without overweight (n=1 121) completed an online survey assessing their fear of COVID-19 infection, stress, anxiety, depression, perceived weight stigma, problematic smartphone application use, problematic social media use, and problematic gaming.Results: Schoolchildren with overweight had significantly higher levels of COVID-19 infection fear, stress, depression, perceived weight stigma, and problematic social media use than those without overweight. Regression models showed that perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors were significant predictors of psychological distress among schoolchildren with overweight.Conclusion: Strategies to manage perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors may have a positive influence on mental health among schoolchildren with overweight under health-threatening circumstances, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Neither Chest CT nor RT-PCR Fits All
Authors: Teng Yue , Dai Hui , Shang Yalei , Xia Jianguo , Chen Yuehua , Tian Weizhong , Zhang Tao , Li Yonggang
Published: May 2020

BackgroundComputed tomography (CT) and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) are the recommended tools for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between chest CT and RT-PCR while describing the atypical CT imaging features of COVID-19.MethodsIn this study, 418 patients in Jiangsu, China, clinically diagnosed with COVID-19 from January 10 to February 17, 2020, were included. Patients who fulfilled the following conditions were evaluated further: (1) Patients had positive RT-PCR and negative CT; (2) Patients had initial negative RT-PCR and positive CT, and follow-up PT-PCR tests were positive; (3) Patients had atypical CT findings.ResultsOf the 418 initial chest CT scans, 30 (7.2%) patients had normal CT presentation, and 6 (1.4%) patients had initial negative RT-PCR results and positive CT scans. Next, 10 (2.4%) cases of patients showed atypical CT findings, including 2 case of solid nodule, 4 cases of halo sign (solid nodule or mass surrounded by ground glass opacity), and 4 cases of predominant fibrous stripes.ConclusionsFalse-negative results can be found on both chest CT and RT-PCR; hence, the diagnosis of COVID-19 should consider both CT and RT-PCR. CT manifestations, such as solitary nodule, halo sign, and pulmonary fibrous stripes, might indicate the possibility of COVID-19 to the radiologists.
A EXCEÇÃO DE PRÉ-EXECUTIVIDADE COMO AMPLIAÇÃO DA DEFESA NA EXECUÇÃO FISCAL
Authors: MORANDINI João Paulo Dias , SILVEIRA Marcelo Augusto da
Published: May 2020

É patente que a via dos embargos à execução é e continuará sendo a via que comporta a maior possibilidade de defesa do executado onde se discutirá as matérias meritórias que demandem dilação probatória. Dessa forma, o ponto central do estudo não é desconstituir a via ordinária/legal de defesa citada, pelo contrário, é explicitar e delimitar as matérias arguíveis nas vias ordinárias e extraordinárias de defesa, no caso a Exceção de pré-executividade, com a finalidade de lastrear os limites jurisprudenciais de cada via. O estudo foi realizado através de densa análise bibliográfica estabelecendo, de proêmio, as bases sobre as quais estão amparadas as legislações processuais, bem como alguns dos princípios basilares que permeiam os procedimentos executórios. Traçado o panorama geral, foi abordada a exceção de pré-executividade, iniciando-se o estudo a partir da concepção desse no direito brasileiro, demonstrando como uma simples ideia doutrinária acabou sendo absorvida pelo ordenamento jurídico até ser incorporada a esse pela súmula n.º 393 do Excelso Superior Tribunal de Justiça.
A CONSTITUCIONALIDADE DA AUDIÊNCIA DE CUSTÓDIA E A PROTEÇÃO DOS DIREITOS FUNDAMENTAIS DO PRESO PROVISÓRIO
Authors: SOUSA Letícia Cruz Alves de , TOFFANO Marcelo
Published: May 2020

Apesar de ainda não haver previsão expressa no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, o instituto das audiências de custódia está previsto no Pacto Internacional sobre Direitos Civis e Políticos (PIDCP) e na Convenção Americana de Direitos Humanos (CADH) e, porque ratificados pelo Brasil, equiparam-se aos direitos e garantias previstos na Constituição Federal (CRFB/88). No entanto, a implementação da audiência de custódia no processo penal brasileiro traz grande repercussão nos planos constitucional e tangível, apresentando questões relacionadas à proteção e defesa dos direitos humanos do preso provisório e ao subsequente combate à cultura do encarceramento. É por meio deste ato judicial pré-processual que a pessoa presa em flagrante é apresentada pessoalmente e com rapidez à autoridade judiciária competente, a fim de que seja analisada de forma mais humana a legalidade, a necessidade e a adequação da prisão provisória. Com o presente trabalho de iniciação científica, pretende-se discutir a respeito da constitucionalidade da audiência de custódia e da sua relevância em face da instrumentalização da prisão provisória como antecipação da pena ou com qualquer outra finalidade alheia à cautelaridade, em manifesto desrespeito à presunção de inocência, dignidade da pessoa humana, ampla defesa e contraditório, entre outros princípios e direitos assegurados pelo ordenamento jurídico brasileiro.
A REVISÃO DA LEI BRASILEIRA DE INCLUSÃO À PESSOA COM DEFICIÊNCIA (LEI N.13146/15) E AS FALHAS NA SUA APLICAÇÃO
Authors: SANTANNA Beatriz Gomes , GOMES Ana Cristina
Published: May 2020

A Convenção Internacional dos Direitos Humanos, instituída pela Organização das Nações Unidas ONU, introduziu na ordem mundial a universalidade, a indivisibilidade e a interdependência dos direitos, que em seu artigo 1º, primou pela igualdade de dignidade e de direitos. Desde então, a ordem internacional passou a desenvolver legislações compatíveis com a nova determinação de promoção da igualdade a todos os seres humanos, mas, principalmente, com olhar voltado aos grupos vulneráveis. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho tem o objetivo de analisar e discutir as alterações promovidas com o advento do da Lei nº 13.146/2015 intitulada Lei Brasileira de Inclusão - Estatuto da Pessoa com Deficiência - e suas consequências. Inicialmente, será abordado o princípio da dignidade humana, por ser um dos alicerces da emancipação dos direitos das minorias. Posteriormente, será analisado o Estatuto da Pessoa com Deficiência, a capacidade civil e a alterações do Código Civil de 2002. Por fim, apontar a manutenção ou não do instituto da interdição Pós-Estatuto da Pessoa com Deficiência.
CONSEQUÊNCIAS DA QUEBRA DA CONFIANÇA NAS RELAÇÕES AMOROSAS COM CONTÁGIO DO VÍRUS HIV: DOS DANOS MORAL E MATERIAL
Authors: MENDONÇA Cláudia Gil , AYLON Lislene Ledier
Published: May 2020

O presente artigo trata sobre a responsabilização civil daquele que, possuindo uma relação amorosa tida como de caráter sério, buscou fora dessa, relações sexuais e destas, levou para dentro de seu relacionamento o vírus HIV. Aqui, tem-se a confiança quebrada duas vezes: a primeira no ato da traição e a segunda, no ato da contaminação do vírus. Objetiva-se impor uma responsabilização àquele que antes compartilhava consigo pilares familiares, em razão do preconceito que traz consigo o vírus, visando a amenização da transgressão da dignidade pela segurança do ordenamento jurídico.
CROWDSOURCED CONSTITUTION COMO MEIO DE EXERCÍCIO DA DEMOCRACIA DIRETA
Authors: ARANTES Gustavo Henrique Silva
Published: May 2020

O objetivo desse artigocientífico é demonstrar a inovação da democracia participativa, por meio da inserção do Crowdsourced Constitutuion na comunidade jurídica, o qual possibilita o novo meio alternativo de consulta à população,  instrumento este que habilita  a sociedade virtual  decidir sobre os  mais e variados temas que vem a ter relevância dentro da sociedade, por meio do “plebiscito virtual”. Tal tema será embasado no procedimento adotado pela Islândia.
Novel coronavirus infection
Authors: Veselova E. I. , Russkikh A. E. , Kaminskiy G. D. , Lovacheva O. V. , Samoylova A. G. , Vasilyeva I. A.
Published: May 2020

The article presents the review of 59 publications describing the aspects of etiology, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and treatment of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

The authors state that they have no conflict of interests.
Lattice Bisognano-Wichmann modular Hamiltonian in critical quantum spin chains
Authors: Zhang Jiaju , Calabrese Pasquale , Dalmonte Marcello , Rajabpour Mohammad Ali
Published: May 2020

We carry out a comprehensive comparison between the exact modular
Hamiltonian and the lattice version of the Bisognano-Wichmann (BW) one
in one-dimensional critical quantum spin chains. As a warm-up, we first
illustrate how the trace distance provides a more informative mean of
comparison between reduced density matrices when compared to any other
Schatten nn-distance,
normalized or not. In particular, as noticed in earlier works, it
provides a way to bound other correlation functions in a precise manner,
i.e., providing both lower and upper bounds. Additionally, we show that
two close reduced density matrices, i.e. with zero trace distance for
large sizes, can have very different modular Hamiltonians. This means
that, in terms of describing how two states are close to each other, it
is more informative to compare their reduced density matrices rather
than the corresponding modular Hamiltonians. After setting this
framework, we consider the ground states for infinite and periodic XX
spin chain and critical Ising chain. We provide robust numerical
evidence that the trace distance between the lattice BW reduced density
matrix and the exact one goes to zero as \ell^{-2}ℓ−2
for large length of the interval \ellℓ.
This provides strong constraints on the difference between the
corresponding entanglement entropies and correlation functions. Our
results indicate that discretized BW reduced density matrices reproduce
exact entanglement entropies and correlation functions of local
operators in the limit of large subsystem sizes. Finally, we show that
the BW reduced density matrices fall short of reproducing the exact
behavior of the logarithmic emptiness formation probability in the
ground state of the XX spin chain.
Filosofía franciscana en Chile: dos principales exponentes
Authors: Caiceo Escudero Jaime
Published: May 2020

La Orden Franciscana está presente en Chile desde 1553 y en este artículo se destacan dos principales filósofos: Alfonso Briceño Arias (1587-1668) y Eduardo Rosales Rojas (1906-1970). Al primero se le conoce como el Segundo Escoto, pues su pensamiento se inspira en el famoso beato inglés. El segundo se doctora en la Universidad Católica de Chile, en donde será académico de Teología Moral.

El objeto de este artículo es desarrollar el pensamiento filosófico de ambos pensadores franciscanos chilenos. Este trabajo es fruto de una investigación más amplia acerca de la Filosofía Franciscana. Para realizarla se ha recurrido a la metodología histórica -revisando fuentes primarias y secundarias- y al análisis filosófico de los escritos de los pensadores.
Mental Health COVID 19: Part 1
Authors: Pallitt Nicola
Published: May 2020

The guidance below is a brief compilation of suggestions that might help you better manage your mood and anxiety over the lockdown period (or help prevent these from worsening), when so many of our normal coping mechanisms are necessarily curtailed. The list starts with some general suggestions that are applicable to all of us,

including those who already struggle with psychological distress, and then goes on to describe some specific suggestions for those of us who struggle with specific anxiety disorders and depression. However, this is not a substitute for psychological or psychiatric treatment.
Support for Online Learning at Rhodes University
Authors: Pallitt Nicola
Published: May 2020

Support for Online Learning at Rhodes University: a tabulated list of names and contact details for your online learning support at Rhodes University
Statistical analysis of turbo generator sets failure causes
Authors: Babin Alexander , Polyakov Roman , Savin Leonid , Tyurin Valentin
Published: May 2020

Failure diagnostics and general decrease of accident rate at power plants is a major task of energy generation industry, and solution of it provides reliable energy supply country wide and technological progress in mechanical engineering. Along with some other crucial means, the task could be solved by means of teaching the maintenance staff based on accidents that have already occurred. That is no secret that everywhere in the world due to indecision or misinterpretation a huge number of accidents have happened merely because the personnel were not aware of similar cases at other power plants. Nevertheless with the development of computational technologies and mathematical algorithms the role of personnel in some cases has been reduced to observation and action in critical situation, while the rest is performed by machines: various types of diagnostics and prediction of failure systems based on artificial neural networks are widely applied and developed. However, in order to train these systems, it is absolutely required to know the reasons that could lead to and consequences that could follow some deterioration in turbo generator sets performance. The aim of the present paper is to give statistical analysis of turbo generator sets failure reasons based on open source data presented by Russian and foreign researchers and analysts in the field. The statistical data could be used to perform classification and ranking of failure reasons in terms of frequency of occurrence, possibility to identify or detect, etc. and the paper also gives brief listing of possible ways of detection or identification of failure modes and possible consequences for the main units of a turbo generator.
Modeling and simulation of intermittent arc effects on traveling wave based fault location techniques for distribution network
Authors: Liu Xiaoxin , Kong Biguang , Yu Kun , Pu Bicai , Liu Baiyang , Feng Jianhui
Published: May 2020

With rapidly developing of the distribution networks the rate of the earth fault increases sharply. Aiming to fault location for distribution networks, many techniques are proposed and applied in distribution networks throughout the world. However, until now the technology for precise fault point location has not been successfully implemented in engineering practice. Traveling wave based methods as common techniques are widely applied in transmission line protection for locating fault point. However, these methods face severe challenge in fault location for distribution networks. The main reason is that the intermittent arc fault easily results in failure of detecting inceptive travelling wave and this intermittent arc is a common earth fault in distribution networks compared with transmission networks. In this paper, a simplified distribution line is built by making reference to the two parallel lossless transmission lines system. Then, the intermittent arc effects on traveling wave based method are modeled and discussed. Finally, the reason why these travelling wave based methods are hard to locate fault point precisely is illustrated.
A validation of the stress power spectral density method with zero-order moment
Authors: Zhuang N. N. , Chen H. B. , Wang Y. Y.
Published: May 2020

To give a fatigue life prediction for problems with bimodal stress power spectral density which is commonly observed in the dynamic response of structures, the bimodal triangular model is established first and a large sum of bimodal stress power spectral densities with different characteristics are built. Then the error analysis of the fatigue life prediction results of bimodal stress power spectral densities with different shapes are calculated by the stress power spectral density method with zero-order moment (SPSD0) and the classical frequency-domain fatigue life prediction method, which is under single frequency band process and broadband process. The simulation results show that, for single frequency band process or broadband process being divided into appropriate segments, the fatigue damage is not sensitive to the real curve shape of bimodal stress power spectral density.