bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrical stimulation to promote osseointegration of bone anchoring implants: a topical review
Authors: Pettersen Emily , Anderson Jenna , Ortiz-Catalan Max
Published: March 2022

Electrical stimulation has shown to be a promising approach for promoting osseointegration in bone anchoring implants, where osseointegration defines the biological bonding between the implant surface and bone tissue. Bone-anchored implants are used in the rehabilitation of hearing and limb loss, and extensively in edentulous patients. Inadequate osseointegration is one of the major factors of implant failure that could be prevented by accelerating or enhancing the osseointegration process by artificial means. In this article, we reviewed the efforts to enhance the biofunctionality at the bone-implant interface with electrical stimulation using the implant as an electrode. We reviewed articles describing different electrode configurations, power sources, and waveform-dependent stimulation parameters tested in various in vitro and in vivo models. In total 55 English-language and peer-reviewed publications were identified until April 2020 using PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Chalmers University of Technology Library discovery system using the keywords: osseointegration, electrical stimulation, direct current and titanium implant. Thirteen of those publications were within the scope of this review. We reviewed and compared studies from the last 45 years and found nonuniform protocols with disparities in cell type and animal model, implant location, experimental timeline, implant material, evaluation assays, and type of electrical stimulation. The reporting of stimulation parameters was also found to be inconsistent and incomplete throughout the literature. Studies using in vitro models showed that osteoblasts were sensitive to the magnitude of the electric field and duration of exposure, and such variables similarly affected bone quantity around implants in in vivo investigations. Most studies showed benefits of electrical stimulation in the underlying processes leading to osseointegration, and therefore we found the idea of promoting osseointegration by using electric fields to be supported by the available evidence. However, such an effect has not been demonstrated conclusively nor optimally in humans. We found that optimal stimulation parameters have not been thoroughly investigated and this remains an important step towards the clinical translation of this concept. In addition, there is a need for reporting standards to enable meta-analysis for evidence-based treatments.
Does health-related poverty publication landscape reflect global needs in the light of the current poverty rebound?
Authors: Klingelhöfer Doris , Braun Markus , Brüggmann Dörthe , Groneberg David A.
Published: March 2022

Background

After nearly a quarter-century of declining poverty, the numbers are rising again significantly. This is due not only to effects of climate change but also to the COVID-19 pandemics and armed conflict. Combined with the enormous health impacts, that will cause misery and health care costs worldwide. Therefore, this study provides background information on the global research landscape on poverty and health to help researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers determine the best way to address this threat.

Results

The USA is the key player, dealing mainly with domestic issues. European countries are also involved but tend to be more internationally oriented. Developing countries are underrepresented, with Nigeria standing out. A positive correlation was found between publication numbers and economic strength, while the relationship between article numbers and multidimensional poverty was negatively correlated.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the need for advanced networking and the benefits of cross-disciplinary research to mitigate the coming impacts.
Predictors of radiation-induced hypothyroidism in nasopharyngeal carcinoma survivors after intensity-modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Zhai Ruiping , Lyu Yingchen , Ni Mengshan , Kong Fangfang , Du Chengrun , Hu Chaosu , Ying Hongmei
Published: March 2022

Background

The aim of the study is to identify clinical and dosimetric factors that could predict the risk of hypothyroidism in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients following intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Methods

A total of 404 non-metastatic NPC patients were included in our study. All patients were treated with IMRT. The thyroid function were performed for all patients before and after radiation at regular intervals. The time onset for developing hypothyroidism was defined as the time interval between the completion of RT and the first recorded abnormal thyroid hormone test. The cumulative incidence rates of hypothyroidism were estimated using Kaplan–Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to detect the most promising factors that were associated with hypothyroidism.

Results

Median follow up was 60.6 months. The 3-, 5- and 7- year cumulative incidence rate of hypothyroidism was 39.4%, 49.1% and 54.7%, respectively. The median time to primary hypothyroidism and central hypothyroidism were 15.4 months (range 2.9–83.8 months) and 29.9 months (range 19.8–93.6 months), respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that younger age, female gender and small thyroid volume were the most important factors in predicting the risk of hypothyroidism. Dtmean (mean dose of thyroid), V30-V50 (percentage of thyroid volume receiving a certain dose level) and VS45-VS60 (the absolute volumes of thyroid spared from various dose levels) remained statistically significant in multivariate analyses. Cutoff points of 45 Gy (Dtmean), 80% (Vt40) and 5 cm3 (VS45Gy) were identified to classify patients as high-risk or low-risk group.

Conclusion

Thyroid Vt40 highly predicted the risk of hypothyroidism after IMRT for NPC patients. We recommended plan optimization objectives to reduce thyroid Vt40 to 80%.

Trial registration: Retrospectively registered.
Methods for bone quality assessment in human bone tissue: a systematic review
Authors: Wang Fangxing , Zheng Leyu , Theopold Jan , Schleifenbaum Stefan , Heyde Christoph-Eckhard , Osterhoff Georg
Published: March 2022

Background

For biomechanical investigations on bone or bone implants, bone quality represents an important potential bias. Several techniques for assessing bone quality have been described in the literature. This study aims to systematically summarize the methods currently available for assessing bone quality in human bone tissue, and to discuss the advantages and limitations of these techniques.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was carried out by searching the PubMed and Web of Science databases from January 2000 to April 2021. References will be screened and evaluated for eligibility by two independent reviewers as per PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies must apply to bone quality assessment with imaging techniques, mechanical testing modalities, and compositional characterization. The terms used for the systematic search were: “(bone quality”. Ti,ab.) AND “(human bone specimens)”.

Results

The systematic review identified 502 relevant articles in total. Sixty-eight articles met the inclusion criteria. Among them, forty-seven articles investigated several imaging modalities, including radiography, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), CT-based techniques, and MRI-based methods. Nineteen articles dealt with mechanical testing approaches, including traditional testing modalities and novel indentation techniques. Nine articles reported the correlation between bone quality and compositional characterization, such as degree of bone mineralization (DBM) and organic composition. A total of 2898 human cadaveric bone specimens were included.

Conclusions

Advanced techniques are playing an increasingly important role due to their multiple advantages, focusing on the assessment of bone morphology and microarchitecture. Non-invasive imaging modalities and mechanical testing techniques, as well as the assessment of bone composition, need to complement each other to provide comprehensive and ideal information on the bone quality of human bone specimens.
The effects of preoperative rehabilitation on pain and functional outcome after total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Su Wanying , Zhou Yang , Qiu Hailing , Wu Hui
Published: March 2022

Background

There have been controversial findings for the effectiveness of rehabilitation before operation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aimed to conduct an updated, comprehensive systematic review. On that basis, the review was to be combined with meta-analysis to measure the effects of rehabilitation before operation on functions and pain after TKA.

Methods

Articles were searched by using Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane, Pubmed, CNKI, Wanfang, Weipu and the Chinese Biomedical Database from the beginning to December 10, 2021. The major outcomes included pain, knee flexion and extension, as well as knee range of motion (ROM). Secondary outcomes included timed-up-and-go (TUG), 6-min walk, and patient-reported functional outcome (the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) or Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)). Third outcomes included the length of hospital stay.

Results

Nineteen studies recruiting 1008 patients satisfied with the inclusion criteria. Significant difference was identified in knee flexion, TUG, KOOS (knee-associated life quality and functions in sports and recreation), as well as the length of hospital stay (P < 0.05). Insignificant statistical difference was identified in pain, 6-min walk, ROM, knee extension, KOOS (pain, symptoms and function of daily living) after TKA between the two groups. No difference was found between the groups in WOMAC.

Conclusions

Preoperative rehabilitation could significantly shorten hospital stay, whereas there is not any conclusive evidence of the improvement of postoperative functions. Accordingly, in-depth high-quality studies should be conducted to confirm the effectiveness of preoperative rehabilitation in patients having received TKA.
Factors affecting mortality after coronary bypass surgery: a scoping review
Authors: Hardiman Sean Christopher , Villan Villan Yuri Fabiola , Conway Jillian Michelle , Sheehan Katie Jane , Sobolev Boris
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Previous research reports numerous factors of post-operative mortality in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery. However, this evidence has not been mapped to the conceptual framework of care improvement. Without such mapping, interventions designed to improve care quality remain unfounded.

Methods

We identified reported factors of in-hospital mortality post isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery in adults over the age of 19, published in English between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2019, indexed in PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE. We grouped factors and their underlying mechanism for association with in-hospital mortality according to the augmented Donabedian framework for quality of care.

Results

We selected 52 factors reported in 83 articles and mapped them by case-mix, structure, process, and intermediary outcomes. The most reported factors were related to case-mix (characteristics of patients, their disease, and their preoperative health status) (37 articles, 27 factors). Factors related to care processes (27 articles, 12 factors) and structures (11 articles, 6 factors) were reported less frequently; most proposed mechanisms for their mortality effects.

Conclusions

Few papers reported on factors of in-hospital mortality related to structures and processes of care, where intervention for care quality improvement is possible. Therefore, there is limited evidence to support quality improvement efforts that will reduce variation in mortality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Ringed fluorodeoxyglucose uptake predicted poor prognosis after resection of pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma
Authors: Shishido Yutaka , Aoyama Akihiro , Hara Shigeo , Sato Yuki , Tomii Keisuke , Hamakawa Hiroshi , Takahashi Yutaka
Published: March 2022

Background

Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma (PPC) is a relatively rare and poorly differentiated non-small cell carcinoma. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features including programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression status in patients with PPC who underwent curative resection.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 29 consecutive patients who had undergone anatomical lung resections for PPC. Perioperative and pathological variables, including radiological findings, were investigated to define prognostic factors.

Results

Overall survival (OS) rates were 71.8% at 1 year and 60.0% at 5 years. Disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 54.8% at 1 year and 43.6% at 5 years. Univariate analysis revealed that ringed fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) (p = 0.003), a cavity in the tumor on CT (p = 0.004), and tumor size (> 40 mm) (p = 0.014) were poor prognostic factors for OS. Regarding DFS, ringed FDG uptake (p = 0.002), a cavity on CT (p < 0.001), tumor size (p = 0.007), and pleural invasion (p = 0.014) were poor prognostic factors. PD-L1 expression was not a prognostic factor.

Conclusion

This study showed for the first time that ringed FDG uptake on PET/CT is a poor prognostic factor of PPC. PD-L1 expression status was not related to the prognosis.

Trial registration The study was approved by the Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital’s ethics board (No. 20112) on August 20, 2020.
NMR-based metabonomics reveals the dynamic effect of electro-acupuncture on central nervous system in gastric mucosal lesions (GML) rats
Authors: Huang Miaosen , Peng Yiwei , He Qida , Lian Linyu , Wang Yichen , Zhang Longbin , Zhang Yuan , Shen Jiacheng , Yang Zongbao
Published: March 2022

Background

Gastric mucosal lesions (GML) are common in gastric diseases and seriously affect the quality of life. There are inevitable side effects in drug therapy. Acupuncture is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. Electro-acupuncture (EA) has unique curative effect in treatment of GML. However, there are still few reports on the central mechanism of electro-acupuncture in treatment of GML. In this study, NMR metabonomics was used to explore the central metabolic change mechanism of electro-acupuncture in treatment of GML.

Methods

SD rats were randomly divided into Control, GML and EA groups. According to different intervention time, each group was further divided into 3 subgroups. This study mainly established GML model rats by 75% ethanol. Dynamic expressions of metabolites in cerebral cortex and medulla were observed by 1D 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) metabolomics, combined with gastric mucosal histopathological examination to evaluate the time-effect relationship of electro-acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) and Liangmen (ST21) points for 1 day, 4 days and 7 days treatment of GML.

Results

The results showed that the repair effect of electro-acupuncture on gastric mucosal injury was the most obvious in 4 days and stable in 7 days, and 4 days electro-acupuncture can effectively inhibit GML gastric mucosal inflammation and the expression of inflammatory cells. Meanwhile, the NMR spectrum results of medulla and cerebral cortex showed that, 21 potential metabolites were identified to participate in the mechanism of pathogenesis of GML and the regulation of electro-acupuncture, including 15 in medulla and 10 in cerebral cortex. Metabolic pathway analysis showed that the differential metabolites involved 19 metabolic pathways, which could be divided into energy, neurotransmitters, cells and cell membrane and antioxidation according to their functions. The correlation analysis of stomach, medulla and cerebral cortex shows that the stimulation signal of GML may reach the cerebral cortex from the stomach through medulla, and electro-acupuncture can treat GML by regulating the central nervous system (CNS).

Conclusions

4 days electro-acupuncture treatment can significantly improve gastric mucosal injury, and the curative effect tends to be stable in 7 days treatment. Meanwhile, the pathogenesis of GML and the efficacy of electro-acupuncture involve metabolic pathways such as energy, neurotransmitters, cells and antioxidation, and electro-acupuncture can treat GML by regulating CNS.
A comprehensive HPV-STI NGS assay for detection of 29 HPV types and 14 non-HPV sexually transmitted infections
Authors: Ma Zhihai , Gharizadeh Baback , Cai Xingsheng , Li Mengzhen , Fellner María Dolores , Basiletti Jorge Alejandro , Correa Rita Mariel , Colucci María Celeste , Baldoni Gabriela , Vacchino Martín , Galarza Patricia , Picconi María Alejandra , Wang Chunlin
Published: March 2022

Background

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are prevalent throughout the world and impose a significant burden on individual health and public health systems. Missed diagnosis and late treatment of STIs can lead to serious complications such as infertility and cervical cancer. Although sexually transmitted co-infections are common, most commercial assays target one or a few STIs. The HPV-STI ChapterDx Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) assay detects and quantifies 29 HPVs and 14 other STIs in a single-tube and single-step PCR reaction and can be applied to tens to thousands of samples in a single sequencing run.

Methods

A cohort of 274 samples, previously analyzed by conventional cytology/histology and Roche cobas HPV Test, were analyzed by ChapterDx HPV-STI NGS assay for detection of 43 HPV and STI. A set of 43 synthetic control DNA fragments for 43 HPV and STI were developed to evaluate the limit of detection, specificity, and sensitivity of ChapterDx HPV-STI NGS assay.

Results

The assay was evaluated in this study, and the limit of detection was 100% at 50 copies for all targets, and 100%, 96%, 88% at 20 copies for 34, 8, and 1 target, respectively. The performance of this assay has been compared to Roche cobas HPV test, showing an overall agreement of 97.5% for hr-HPV, and 98.5% for both, HPV16 and HPV18. The assay also detected all HPV-infected CIN2/3 with 100% agreement with Roche cobas HPV results. Moreover, several co-infections with non-HPV STIs, such as C. trachomatis, T. vaginalis, M. genitalium, and HSV2 were identified.

Conclusions

The ChapterDx HPV-STI NGS assay is a user-friendly, easy to automate and cost-efficient assay, which provides accurate and comprehensive results for a wide spectrum of HPVs and STIs.
Incidental pineal gland cyst in girls with early onset of puberty
Authors: Filippo Gianpaolo De , Gaudino Rossella , Calcaterra Valeria , Villani Alberto , Bozzola Elena , Bozzola Mauro
Published: March 2022

Background

The causes of an early onset of puberty are still not clearly defined and may vary from subject to subject. In girls, even if 90% of early puberty is idiopathic, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is performed to exclude secondary causes of precocious puberty, in particular pathological lesions as hypothalamic tumours (hamartoma). In some cases, other intracranial lesions are considered as incidental findings. Aim of the study is evaluating the prevalence of abnormal intracranial lesions detected by brain magnetic resonance imaging MRI with particular focus on the prevalence of pineal gland cysts in the diagnostic work-up of girls with central precocious puberty (CPP) as onset before 8 years and central early puberty (CEP) as onset before 10 years.

Material and methods

MRI data of girls referred from January 2010 to December 2015 to the Pediatric Endocrinology Unit of University of Pavia for early onset of breast development were collected.

Results

We collected 123 MRI data of girls referred to the Pediatric Endocrinology Unit of University of Pavia for early onset of breast development in the study period. Out of them, 25 (20.3%) had cerebral abnormalities and 15 (12.2%) had pineal gland cysts. No significant differences were noted in auxological, ultrasound and hormonal parameters at diagnosis among girls with or without pineal cysts. Patients have been observed for at least three years after the discontinuation of therapy. None of our patients had an unfavorable evolution.

Conclusions

Although pineal cysts seem to be not involved in the onset of puberty, the relevance of the finding remains controversial. Our study wants to provide further insight into the incidence of pineal cysts in pubertal advances. Of note, pineal cysts are often asymptomatic and do not evolve over time.
scINSIGHT for interpreting single-cell gene expression from biologically heterogeneous data
Authors: Qian Kun , Fu Shiwei , Li Hongwei , Li Wei Vivian
Published: March 2022

The increasing number of scRNA-seq data emphasizes the need for integrative analysis to interpret similarities and differences between single-cell samples. Although different batch effect removal methods have been developed, none are suitable for heterogeneous single-cell samples coming from multiple biological conditions. We propose a method, scINSIGHT, to learn coordinated gene expression patterns that are common among, or specific to, different biological conditions, and identify cellular identities and processes across single-cell samples. We compare scINSIGHT with state-of-the-art methods using simulated and real data, which demonstrate its improved performance. Our results show the applicability of scINSIGHT in diverse biomedical and clinical problems.
Phylogenomic analysis of the diversity of graspetides and proteins involved in their biosynthesis
Authors: Makarova Kira S. , Blackburne Brittney , Wolf Yuri I. , Nikolskaya Anastasia , Karamycheva Svetlana , Espinoza Marlene , Barry Clifton E. , Bewley Carole A. , Koonin Eugene V.
Published: March 2022

Background

Bacteria and archaea produce an enormous diversity of modified peptides that are involved in various forms of inter-microbial conflicts or communication. A vast class of such peptides are Ribosomally synthesized, Postranslationally modified Peptides (RiPPs), and a major group of RiPPs are graspetides, so named after ATP-grasp ligases that catalyze the formation of lactam and lactone linkages in these peptides. The diversity of graspetides, the multiple proteins encoded in the respective Biosynthetic Gene Clusters (BGCs) and their evolution have not been studied in full detail. In this work, we attempt a comprehensive analysis of the graspetide-encoding BGCs and report a variety of novel graspetide groups as well as ancillary proteins implicated in graspetide biosynthesis and expression.

Results

We compiled a comprehensive, manually curated set of graspetides that includes 174 families including 115 new families with distinct patterns of amino acids implicated in macrocyclization and further modification, roughly tripling the known graspetide diversity. We derived signature motifs for the leader regions of graspetide precursors that could be used to facilitate graspetide prediction. Graspetide biosynthetic gene clusters and specific precursors were identified in bacterial divisions not previously known to encode RiPPs, in particular, the parasitic and symbiotic bacteria of the Candidate phyla radiation. We identified Bacteroides-specific biosynthetic gene clusters (BGC) that include remarkable diversity of graspetides encoded in the same loci which predicted to be modified by the same ATP-grasp ligase. We studied in details evolution of recently characterized chryseoviridin BGCs and showed that duplication and horizonal gene exchange both contribute to the diversification of the graspetides during evolution.

Conclusions

We demonstrate previously unsuspected diversity of graspetide sequences, even those associated with closely related ATP-grasp enzymes. Several previously unnoticed families of proteins associated with graspetide biosynthetic gene clusters are identified. The results of this work substantially expand the known diversity of RiPPs and can be harnessed to further advance approaches for their identification.
Maximising recruitment of research participants into a general practice based randomised controlled trial concerning lung diagnosis—staff insights from an embedded qualitative study
Authors: Prout Hayley , Tod Angela , Neal Richard , Nelson Annmarie
Published: March 2022

Background

The ELCID Trial was a feasibility randomised controlled trial examining the effect on lung cancer diagnosis of lowering the threshold for referral for urgent chest X-ray for smokers and recent ex-smokers, aged over 60 with new chest symptoms. The qualitative component aimed to explore the feasibility of individually randomising patients to an urgent chest X-ray or not and to investigate any barriers to patient recruitment and participation. This would inform the design of any future definitive trial. This paper explores general practice staff insights into participating in and recruiting to diagnostic trials for possible/suspected lung cancer.

Methods

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 general practice staff which included general practitioners, a nurse practitioner, research nurses and practice managers.

Interviews were analysed using a framework approach.

Results

Findings highlight general practice staff motivators to participate in the trial as recruiters, practice staff interactions with patients recruited onto the study, methods of organisation staff used to undertake the trial, the general impact of the trial on practice staff, how the trial research team supported the practices and lastly practice staff suggestions for trial delivery improvement.

Conclusions

The integration of a qualitative component focused on staff experiences participating in a lung diagnostic trial has demonstrated the feasibility to recruit for similar future studies within general practice. Although recruitment into trials can be difficult, results from our study offer suggestions on maximising patient recruitment not just to trials in general but also specifically for a lung diagnosis study.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01344005. Registered on 27 April 2011
Financially incentivized knowledge assessments to improve provider compliance with treatment guidelines: a cluster-randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fink Günther , Fritsche György , Samaha Hadia , Sese Claude , Shapira Gil
Published: March 2022

Background

Despite increasing access to health care, under-5 mortality remains high in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Interventions to improve quality of care have mostly focused on additional training for medical staff, but generally shown little impact. We will assess the impact of financially incentivized quarterly provider knowledge assessment on compliance with Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) protocols in Congo, DRC.

Methods

Out of a total of 1738 facilities currently receiving results-based financing under an ongoing health financing program, 110 facilities were chosen for this study. All health care workers providing outpatient services to children under age 5 in these facilities will be included in the study. Facilities were randomized with equal probability to control and treatment. Treatment facilities will receive quarterly medical staff knowledge assessments using interactive vignettes. Performance on these vignettes will be rewarded through financial bonus payments to facilities. A baseline survey of health worker knowledge was conducted in 2018. An endline assessment is scheduled to start in the second half of 2021. The primary outcome of interest is health worker compliance with Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) guidelines. Compliance will be verified through direct observation of medical staff-patient interactions.

Discussion

This is to our knowledge the first trial assessing whether linking health financing to health care worker performance on knowledge assessments can increase compliance with under-5 case management protocols.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04634019. Registered on November 18, 2020.
Efficacy of approach bias modification as an add-on to smoking cessation treatment: study protocol for a randomized-controlled double-blind trial
Authors: Wittekind Charlotte E. , Takano Keisuke , Sckopke Philipp , Winkler Markus H. , Werner Gabriela G. , Ehring Thomas , Rüther Tobias
Published: March 2022

Background

Although effective treatments for smoking cessation are available, long-term abstinence is the exception rather than the norm. Accordingly, there is a need for novel interventions that potentially improve clinical outcome. Although implicit information processing biases, for example approach biases for smoking-related stimuli, are ascribed a dominant role in the maintenance of tobacco dependence, these biases are hardly targeted in current treatment. Past research has shown that so-called Approach Bias Modification (AppBM) trainings, aiming to modify this bias, lead to improved long-term abstinence in abstinent alcoholic inpatients when delivered as an add-on to treatment-as-usual. Findings on the efficacy of AppBM in smoking have been inconsistent. The present large-scale clinical trial pursues two goals. First, it aims to investigate the efficacy of AppBM as an add-on to treatment-as-usual in a representative sample of adult smokers. Second, possible mechanisms of change are investigated.

Methods

The study is a randomized-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group superiority trial. We aim at a final sample of at least 336 adult smokers. Participants are allocated with a 1:1:1 allocation ratio to one of the following conditions: (1) treatment-as-usual + AppBM, (2) treatment-as-usual + Sham, (3) treatment-as-usual only. During the add-on training, participants are presented smoking-related and positive pictures and are instructed to respond by either pushing or pulling a joystick, depending on the tilt of the pictures (5○ to the left/right). During AppBM, all smoking-related pictures are tilted in the direction that is associated with pushing, thereby aiming to train an avoidance bias for smoking. All positive pictures are tilted in the direction associated with pulling. During Sham, the contingency is 50/50. Participants are assessed before and after the intervention and at a 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome is prolonged abstinence, and secondary outcomes include smoking-related variables and psychological distress. Additionally, the motivational significance of smoking-related stimuli (i.e., approach bias, valence) is assessed with different experimental tasks (Approach-Avoidance Task; Single Target Implicit Association Test) and psychophysiological measures.

Discussion

This is the first large-scale clinical trial investigating the efficacy of AppBM as an add-on in smokers including a TAU only condition. Additionally, it is the first study to systematically investigate potential mechanisms mediating the effects of treatment on clinical outcome.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00019221, 11/11/2019
Minimal effective dose of ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block to reduce oral analgesic requirement after ambulatory laparoscopic tubal resection: a randomized controlled superiority trial
Authors: Siripruekpong Sirikarn , Aphinyankul Jinsupha , Chanchayanon Thavat , Oofuvong Maliwan , Pakpirom Jatupon , Choksuchat Chainarong , Packawatchai Patrapon , Klongdee Jumras Na
Published: March 2022

Background

The effective dose during ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block (URSB) for reducing pain after laparoscopic tubal ligation is reported to be 100 mg of 0.25% bupivacaine. We examined the minimal effective dose of 0.25% bupivacaine for URSB on oral analgesic requirement after ambulatory single-port laparoscopic tubal resection.

Methods

A prospective, randomized controlled, superiority trial was conducted among patients who had been scheduled for ambulatory laparoscopic tubal resection between September 2015 and January 2019 at a tertiary care hospital in southern Thailand. Anesthesia was induced following protocol. The intervention group was allocated to receive a bilateral URSB using 10 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine on either side after intubation (total 50 mg) while the control group did not receive the sham block. Patients and assessors were blinded to the study intervention. All patients received a multimodal analgesia regimen as follows: fentanyl and ketorolac intraoperatively and fentanyl and oral acetaminophen at the post-anesthetic care unit. Postoperative oral analgesic requirement (acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen) at home was the primary outcome. Postoperative time to first analgesic requirement, oral analgesia (acetaminophen/ibuprofen), and pain score at 6 and 24 h were accessed via telephone interviews. Percentage, effect size (ES), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were presented.

Results

A total of 66 out of 79 eligible patients were analyzed (32 intervention, 34 control). Intraoperative fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in the intervention group (ES [95% CI]: 0.58 [0.08, 1.07] mcg, p = 0.022). Time to first oral analgesia in the intervention group was significantly longer than that of the control group (ES [95% CI]: 0.66 [0.14, 1.16] h, p = 0.012). The proportion of oral analgesia requirement at 24 h after surgery in the control group was significantly higher than that in the intervention group (97% vs 75%, p = 0.012). Pain scores at 6 and 24 h were similar in both groups although slightly lower in the intervention group (ES [95% CI]: 0.22 [−0.26, 0.71], p = 0.368 and 0.33 [−0.16, 0.81], p = 0.184, respectively).

Conclusion

A dose of 0.25% bupivacaine 50 mg for URSB reduced the oral analgesic requirement at 24 h and prolonged the time to first analgesic requirement after ambulatory laparoscopic tubal resection.

Trial registration

Thaiclinicaltrials.orgTCTR20150921002. Registered on 18 September 2015
Synthesis, screening as potential antitumor of new poly heterocyclic compounds based on pyrimidine-2-thiones
Authors: Abdelrehim El-Sayed M. , El-Sayed Doaa S.
Published: March 2022

Background

Continuing our interest in preparing of new heterocyclic compounds and examining their various biological activities, this work was designed to prepare new condensed and non-condensed heterocyclic compounds 9a-c, 10a-c, 11a-c, 13a-c and 14a-c were synthesized starting with pyrimidine-2-thiones 4a-c.

Results

Thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidines 9a-c were synthesized by S-alkylation of pyrimidine-2-thiones,4a-c, internal cyclization in alkaline medium with ammonia, condensation with benzaldehyde and finally reaction with hydroxylamine hydrochloride.[1,2,4]thiadiazolo[4,5-a]pyrimidines 11a-c were formed by heating of the 4a-c with benzoylcholride to afford 10a-c followed by reaction with sodium hypochlorite, ammonia and sodium hydroxide. Cyclocondensation of 4a-c with ethyl acetoacetate or formic acid yielded pyrazol-3-ones 13a-c or [1,2,4] triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidines 14a-c, respectively Elements analysis, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and mass spectra were used to validate the structures of newly synthesized heterocycles. Screening of the selected compounds 4a, 6a, 7a, 9a, 10a, 13a and 14a against colon carcinoma cell lines (HCT-116) and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG-2).

Conclusions

Elements analysis, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and mass spectra were used to validate the structures of newly synthesized heterocycles. Screening of the selected compounds 4a, 6a, 7a, 9a, 10a, 13a and 14a against colon carcinoma cell lines (HCT-116) and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG-2) showed that compound 10a exhibited the most cytotoxic, while compounds 4a, 6a and 14a exhibited considerable cytotoxic activity.
Proteomic profiling of hydatid fluid from pulmonary cystic echinococcosis
Authors: dos Santos Guilherme Brzoskowski , da Silva Edileuza Danieli , Kitano Eduardo Shigueo , Battistella Maria Eduarda , Monteiro Karina Mariante , de Lima Jeferson Camargo , Ferreira Henrique Bunselmeyer , Serrano Solange Maria de Toledo , Zaha Arnaldo
Published: March 2022

Background

Most cystic echinococcosis cases in Southern Brazil are caused by Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus ortleppi. Proteomic studies of helminths have increased our knowledge about the molecular survival strategies that are used by parasites. Here, we surveyed the protein content of the hydatid fluid compartment in E. granulosus and E. ortleppi pulmonary bovine cysts to better describe and compare their molecular arsenal at the host-parasite interface.

Methods

Hydatid fluid samples from three isolates of each species were analyzed using mass spectrometry-based proteomics (LC-MS/MS). In silico functional analyses of the identified proteins were performed to examine parasite survival strategies.

Results

The identified hydatid fluid protein profiles showed a predominance of parasite proteins compared to host proteins that infiltrate the cysts. We identified 280 parasitic proteins from E. granulosus and 251 from E. ortleppi, including 52 parasitic proteins that were common to all hydatid fluid samples. The in silico functional analysis revealed important molecular functions and processes that are active in pulmonary cystic echinococcosis, such as adhesion, extracellular structures organization, development regulation, signaling transduction, and enzyme activity.

Conclusions

The protein profiles described here provide evidence of important mechanisms related to basic cellular processes and functions that act at the host-parasite interface in cystic echinococcosis. The molecular tools used by E. granulosus and E. ortleppi for survival within the host are potential targets for new therapeutic approaches to treat cystic echinococcosis and other larval cestodiases.

Graphical Abstract
Validation in the ESPOIR cohort of vitamin K-dependent protein S (PROS) as a potential biomarker capable of predicting response to the methotrexate/etanercept combination
Authors: Vittecoq Olivier , Guillou Clément , Hardouin Julie , Gerard Baptiste , Berenbaum Francis , Constantin Arnaud , Rincheval Nathalie , Combe Bernard , Lequerre Thierry , Cosette Pascal
Published: March 2022

Background

To validate the ability of PROS (vitamin K-dependent protein S) and CO7 (complement component C7) to predict response to the methotrexate (MTX)/etanercept (ETA) combination in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who received this therapeutic combination in a well-documented cohort.

Method

From the ESPOIR cohort, RA patients having received the MTX/ETA or MTX/adalimumab (ADA) combination as a first-line biologic treatment were included. Serum concentrations of PROS and CO7 were measured by ELISA prior to the initiation of ETA or ADA, at a time where the disease was active (DAS28 ESR > 3.2). The clinical efficacy (response/non-response) of both combinations has been evaluated after at least 6 months of treatment, according to the EULAR response criteria with some modifications.

Results

Thirty-two were treated by MTX/ETA; the numbers of responders and non-responders were 24 and 8, respectively. Thirty-three patients received the MTX/ADA combination; 27 and 5 patients were respectively responders and non-responders. While there were no differences for demographic, clinical, biological, and X-rays data, as well as for CO7, serum levels of PROS tended to be significantly higher in responders to the MTX/ETA combination (p = 0.08) while no difference was observed in the group receiving MTX/ADA. For PROS, the best concentration threshold to differentiate both groups was calculated at 40 μg/ml using ROC curve. The theranostic performances of PROS appeared better for the ETA/MTX combination. When considering the response to this combination, analysis of pooled data from ESPOIR and SATRAPE (initially used to validate PROS and CO7 as potential theranostic biomarkers) cohorts led to a higher theranostic value of PROS that became significant (p = 0.009).

Conclusion

PROS might be one candidate of a combination of biomarkers capable of predicting the response to MTX/ETA combination in RA patients refractory to MTX.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT03666091 and NCT00234234.
Centralized fusion robust filtering for networked uncertain systems with colored noises, one-step random delay, and packet dropouts
Authors: Li Shuang , Liu Wenqiang , Tao Guili
Published: March 2022

This paper studies the estimation problem for multisensor networked systems with mixed uncertainties, which include colored noises, same multiplicative noises in system parameter matrices, uncertain noise variances, as well as the one-step random delay (OSRD) and packet dropouts (PDs). This study utilizes the centralized fusion (CF) algorithm to combing all information received by each sensor, which improve the accuracy of the estimation. By using the augmentation method, de-randomization method and fictitious noise techniques, the original uncertain system is transformed into an augment model with only uncertain noise variances. Then, for all uncertainties within the allowable range, the robust CF steady-state Kalman estimators (predictor, filter, and smoother) are presented based on the worst-case CF system, in light of the minimax robust estimation principle. To demonstrate the robustness of the proposed CF estimators, the non-negative definite matrix decomposition method and Lyapunov equation approach are employed. It is proved that the robust accuracy of CF estimator is higher than that of each local estimator. Finally, the simulation example applied to the uninterruptible power system (UPS) with colored noises and multiple uncertainties illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed CF robust estimation algorithm.
A low complexity STPAP algorithm based on an alternating polarization-sensitive array
Authors: Sha Shuang , Lyu Tingting , Zhang Hao , Gulliver T. Aaron , Dong Ying
Published: March 2022

Background

Space–time adaptive processing (STAP) has been widely used in the fields of communication, radar, and navigation anti-jamming. However, the traditional scalar arrays used with STAP have limitations because they can only obtain spatial information. To improve the performance, joint space–time filtering is proposed using an alternating polarization-sensitive array (APSA). Compared to a dual-polarization sensitive array (DPSA), this array can provide polarization information and reduce the computational complexity.

Methods

An alternating polarization-sensitive array space–time polarization adaptive processing (APSA-STPAP) algorithm is proposed based on the linear constraint minimum variance (LCMV) criterion. Different from the traditional LCMV criterion, the space–time polarization joint steering vector of the desired and interference signals is used as the constraint matrix, and the “set 1” and “set 0” conditions are used as the constraint conditions to effectively suppress the interference signals and enhance the desired signals.

Results

Simulation results are presented which show the following. (1) Filtering with the proposed APSA-STPAP algorithm is similar to that with the DPSA-STPAP algorithm. From the perspective of the spatial, time, and polarization domains, it can form nulls in the directions of the interference and realize space–time-polarization adaptive processing. (2) The APSA-STPAP algorithm has lower computational complexity than the DPSA-STPAP algorithm. Moreover, the dipole of the alternating polarization sensitive array is halved, which reduces the coupling effect between electric dipoles and makes implementation easier. (3) The APSA-STPAP algorithm maintains good anti-interference performance even when the electric dipole and anti-jamming degrees of freedom are reduced by half, and the anti-jamming performance is similar to that of a polarization-sensitive array. There is little difference between the anti-interference performance of the APSA-STPAP and DPSA-STPAP algorithms when SNR ≥  − 10 dB.
A novel zero-watermarking scheme based on NSCT-SVD and blockchain for video copyright
Authors: Wu Xiangqi , Ma Peng , Jin Zihan , Wu Yuxuan , Han Wenbao , Ou Wei
Published: March 2022

With the advent of information era, the issues on video copyright continue to emerge. In the grey industrial chain of piracy, the film industry is suffering a major disaster area. The current protection schemes for video copyright are inefficient and costly so that video industry still has to face the infringement. To address poor robustness, weak imperceptibility and difficulty in traceability of the current protection schemes for video copyright, this paper proposes a novel zero-watermarking scheme based on NSCT-SVD and blockchain for video copyright. In addition, we research the feasibility and reason of combining zero-watermarking with blockchain. The designed zero-watermarking algorithm is based on NSCT-SVD, Arnold Transform and key-frames extraction algorithm which is based on distance threshold clustering. The results show the extracted features from video are stable and secure than DWT-SVD based and the past non-blocking. The performance of the blockchain scheme designed for video copyright practices well. Comparatively, the discussion and results showed that the proposed scheme has been  verified more credible and efficient in authoritative traceability compared to trusted third party based. The registration information cannot be tampered and be more suitable for copyright protection.
Improvement of triangle centroid localization algorithm based on PIT criterion (ITCL-PIT) for WSNs
Authors: Li Mao , Jiang Feng , Pei Cong
Published: March 2022

One of the most significant study directions is node positioning in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Because the existing RSSI-based triangle centroid localization technique is susceptible to the surrounding environment, this paper proposes an improved triangle centroid localization algorithm based on point-in-triangulation (PIT) criterion (ITCL-PIT) in terms of positioning accuracy and response speed. When combined with the actual placement situation in conventional triangle centroid localization, the suggested algorithm considers the estimated coordinates of the junction points as extra beacon nodes. As a result of the new beacon nodes, the size of the triangle in the junction region is decreased. Then, using the PIT criteria, keep calculating until the predicted position of the node is outside the triangle. Finally, the unknown node's coordinates are determined using the centroid approach. Based on the guaranteed response time, when the communication distance is 15–30 m, the ITCL-PIT method may enhance localization accuracy by up to five times when compared to the standard triangle centroid localization approach. Furthermore, the proposed technique has higher localization accuracy and faster response speed than the centroid iterative estimation approach, and the response time of the ITCL-PIT algorithm is reduced by around 17%. In addition, the experimental platform is built to ensure that the proposed strategy effectively lowers positioning error.