bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influences of wing gate turnstiles’ characteristics on pedestrian evacuation based on agent-based egress model
Authors: Ding Yuanchun , Liu Xinxin , Weng Falu , Li Qi , Li Wenjian
Published: May 2021

Wing gate turnstiles are widely used in airports, subway stations, railway stations, movie theaters, parks, etc., and influence the pedestrian evacuation greatly while accidents happen. Thus, doing some researches on how to improve the evacuation speed for wing gate turnstiles are meaningful and necessary. In response to this issue, the influences of the wing gate turnstiles on pedestrian evacuation are investigated by pathfinder in this paper. Pathfinder is an agent-based egress simulator that uses steering behaviors to model occupant motion. First of all, by Pathfinder, two evacuation models with flat-shaped and wedge-shaped hosts wing gate turnstiles, respectively, are established, and the simulations of pedestrian evacuation are carried out by computer. The results show the evacuation speed obtained by the wedge-shaped host is faster than that obtained by the flat-shaped host. Moreover, the longest evacuation time is obtained when the channels’ width is 90 cm, and the shortest is obtained when the channels’ width is 51.4 cm. For a small number of evacuees, the evacuation time is mainly influenced by the original distributions of the evacuees, however, as the number of the evacuees increases, the evacuation time is mainly influenced by the number of the evacuees. Furthermore, the wing gate turnstiles with widened hosts can get less evacuation time no matter whether the hosts are flat-shaped or wedge-shaped, however, the evacuation-time-saved rate obtained by wedge-shaped host is much higher than that obtained by flat-shaped host. Then, the influences of the wedge angle on the pedestrian evacuation are discussed, and the optimal wedge angle is obtained. The obtained results can not only provide helps for managers to evacuate crowds under emergency, but also offer some assistances for designers to design those gate turnstiles or building exits.
Fully convolutional network-based multi-output model for automatic segmentation of organs at risk in thorax
Authors: Zhang Jie , Yang Yiwei , Shao Kainan , Bai Xue , Fang Min , Shan Guoping , Chen Ming
Published: May 2021

Purpose:

To propose a multi-output fully convolutional network (MOFCN) to segment bilateral lung, heart and spinal cord in the planning thoracic computed tomography (CT) slices automatically and simultaneously.

Methods:

The MOFCN includes two components: one main backbone and three branches. The main backbone extracts the features about lung, heart and spinal cord. The extracted features are transferred to three branches which correspond to three organs respectively. The longest branch to segment spinal cord is nine layers, including input and output layers. The MOFCN was evaluated on 19,277 CT slices from 966 patients with cancer in the thorax. In these slices, the organs at risk (OARs) were delineated and validated by experienced radiation oncologists, and served as ground truth for training and evaluation. The data from 61 randomly chosen patients were used for training and validation. The remaining 905 patients’ slices were used for testing. The metric used to evaluate the similarity between the auto-segmented organs and their ground truth was Dice. Besides, we compared the MOFCN with other published models. To assess the distinct output design and the impact of layer number and dilated convolution, we compared MOFCN with a multi-label learning model and its variants. By analyzing the not good performances, we suggested possible solutions.

Results:

MOFCN achieved Dice of 0.95  ±  0.02 for lung, 0.91  ±  0.03 for heart and 0.87  ±  0.06 for spinal cord. Compared to other models, MOFCN could achieve a comparable accuracy with the least time cost.

Conclusion:

The results demonstrated the MOFCN’s effectiveness. It uses less parameters to delineate three OARs simultaneously and automatically, and thus shows a relatively low requirement for hardware and has potential for broad application.
Baicalin alleviates chronic obstructive pulmonary disease through regulation of HSP72-mediated JNK pathway
Authors: Hao Dexun , Li Yanshuang , Shi Jiang , Jiang Junguang
Published: May 2021

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airway obstruction and progressive lung inflammation. As the primary ingredient of a traditional Chinese medical herb, Baicalin has been previously shown to possess anti-inflammatory abilities. Thus, the current study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which baicalin alleviates COPD.

Methods

Baicalin was adopted to treat cigarette smoke in extract-exposed MLE-12 cells after which cell viability and apoptosis were determined. The production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. A COPD mouse model was constructed via exposure to cigarette smoke and lipopolysaccharide, baicalin treatment. Lung function and inflammatory cell infiltration were determined and the production of Muc5AC, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was assayed by ELISA. The effect of HSP72 and JNK on COPD following treatment with baicalin was assessed bothin vivoandin vitroby conducting loss- and gain- function experiments.

Results

Baicalin improved lung function evidenced by reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration and Muc5AC, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 levels observed in BALF in mice. Baicalin was further observed to elevate cell viability while inhibited apoptosis and TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 levels in MLE-12 cells. Baicalin treatment increased HSP72 expression, while its depletion reversed the effect of baicalin on COPD. HSP72 inhibited the activation of JNK, while JNK activation was found to inhibit the effect of baicalin on COPD.

Conclusions

Baicalin upregulated the expression of HSP72, resulting in the inhibition of JNK signaling activation, which ultimately alleviates COPD.
Xa7, a Small Orphan Gene Harboring Promoter Trap for AvrXa7, Leads to the Durable Resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae Pv. oryzae
Authors: Wang Congying , Chen Shen , Feng Aiqing , Su Jing , Wang Wenjuan , Feng Jinqi , Chen Bing , Zhang Meiying , Yang Jianyuan , Zeng Liexian , Zhu Xiaoyuan
Published: May 2021

Background

The rice (Oryza sativa) geneXa7has been hypothesized to be a typical executor resistance gene againstXanthomonas oryzaepv.oryzae(Xoo), and has conferred durable resistance in the field for decades. Its identity and the molecular mechanisms underlying this resistance remain elusive.

Results

Here, we filled in gaps of genome inXa7mapping locus via BAC library construction, revealing the presence of a 100-kb non-collinear sequence in the line IRBB7 compared with Nipponbare reference genomes. Complementary transformation with sequentially overlapping subclones of the BACs demonstrated thatXa7is an orphan gene, encoding a small novel protein distinct from any other resistance proteins reported. A 27-bp effector binding element (EBE) in theXa7promoter is essential for AvrXa7-inducing expression model. XA7 is anchored in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and triggers programmed cell death in rice and tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana). TheXa7gene is absent in most cultivars, landraces, and wild rice accessions, but highly homologs of XA7 were identified inLeersia perrieri, the nearest outgroup of the genusOryza.

Conclusions

Xa7acts as a trap to perceive AvrXa7 via EBEAvrXa7in its promoter, leading to the initiation of resistant reaction. Since EBEAvrXa7is ubiquitous in promoter of rice susceptible geneSWEET14, the elevated expression of which is conducive to the proliferation ofXoo, that lends a great benefit for theXoostrains retaining AvrXa7. As a result, varieties harboringXa7would show more durable resistance in the field.Xa7alleles analysis suggests that the discovery of new resistance genes could be extended beyond wild rice, to include wild grasses such asLeersiaspecies.
Bladder hamartoma in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: a rare case report
Authors: Kumar Jai , Albeerdy Mohammad Irfaan , Shaikh Nadeem Ahmed , Qureshi Abdul Hafeez
Published: May 2021

Background

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by mucocutaneous pigmentation and hamartomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). There have also been cases of extra GIT polyps such as the renal pelvis, urinary bladder, lungs and nares. Bladder hamartoma is an extremely rare finding, with only 12 cases described in the literature up to now. The rarity of the condition necessitates a comprehensive compilation of managements up to now so as to provide a better tool for the treatment of such conditions in the future.

Case presentation

A twenty-year-old male, known to have Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, presented to us complaining of obstructive urinary symptoms. A urethrogram done showed a filling defect at the base of the urinary bladder. The mass was resected transurethrally, and histopathology revealed a hamartoma of the bladder. The patient has since remained tumor-free on follow-up.

Conclusions

Transurethral resection of the bladder mass proved to be an effective therapy in this patient with no recurrence on the patient’s follow-up till now. There is still, however, a dearth of knowledge regarding the management of bladder hamartomas owing to the extreme rarity of the case.
Abundance alteration of nondominant species in fecal-associated microbiome of patients with SAPHO syndrome
Authors: Zhen Jianhua , Sun Yuxiu , Zhao Pengfei , Li Chen , Wang Hesong , Li Yini , Zhao Lu , Wang Li , Huang Guangrui , Xu Anlong
Published: May 2021

Background

SAPHO syndrome is a group of symptoms consisting of synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteosis. There is no specific laboratory index assist in the diagnosis of SAPHO because of its highly heterogeneous clinical manifestations. Pathogenic microorganisms had been identified in biopsies of some SAPHO cases and particular gene mutations were also linked to the occurrence of SAPHO. It is largely unknown whether intestinal microbiome plays a role in pathogenesis of SAPHO. To explore the intestinal microbiome structure of SAPHO syndrome, fecal samples from 17 SAPHO patients and 14 healthy controls (HC) were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing.

Results

Our results showed that there was no significant difference in alpha indexes and beta diversity between SAPHO and HC samples, while there were 14 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and 42 OTUs in the MetagenomeSeq analysis showed significant difference in distribution between the SAPHO and HC groups, 3 of which in Firmicutes were also observed in the random forest analysis and used to construct a receiver operating characteristic curve to evaluate the diagnostic value, the area under the curve was 0.86.

Conclusion

Fecal-associated microbiome in the SAPHO samples was characterized by the alteration in abundance of some nondominant species, and the 3 selected OTUs in Firmicutes could serve as candidate biomarkers for SAPHO syndrome diagnosis.
A data-driven metapopulation model for the Belgian COVID-19 epidemic: assessing the impact of lockdown and exit strategies
Authors: Coletti Pietro , Libin Pieter , Petrof Oana , Willem Lander , Abrams Steven , Herzog Sereina A. , Faes Christel , Kuylen Elise , Wambua James , Beutels Philippe , Hens Niel
Published: May 2021

Background

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, several countries adopted measures of social distancing to a different degree. For many countries, after successfully curbing the initial wave, lockdown measures were gradually lifted. In Belgium, such relief started on May 4th with phase 1, followed by several subsequent phases over the next few weeks.

Methods

We analysed the expected impact of relaxing stringent lockdown measures taken according to the phased Belgian exit strategy. We developed a stochastic, data-informed, meta-population model that accounts for mixing and mobility of the age-structured population of Belgium. The model is calibrated to daily hospitalization data and is able to reproduce the outbreak at the national level. We consider different scenarios for relieving the lockdown, quantified in terms of relative reductions in pre-pandemic social mixing and mobility. We validate our assumptions by making comparisons with social contact data collected during and after the lockdown.

Results

Our model is able to successfully describe the initial wave of COVID-19 in Belgium and identifies interactions during leisure/other activities as pivotal in the exit strategy. Indeed, we find a smaller impact of school re-openings as compared to restarting leisure activities and re-openings of work places. We also assess the impact of case isolation of new (suspected) infections, and find that it allows re-establishing relatively more social interactions while still ensuring epidemic control. Scenarios predicting a second wave of hospitalizations were not observed, suggesting that the per-contact probability of infection has changed with respect to the pre-lockdown period.

Conclusions

Contacts during leisure activities are found to be most influential, followed by professional contacts and school contacts, respectively, for an impending second wave of COVID-19. Regular re-assessment of social contacts in the population is therefore crucial to adjust to evolving behavioral changes that can affect epidemic diffusion.
The Body Confident Mums challenge: a feasibility trial and qualitative evaluation of a body acceptance program delivered to mothers using Facebook
Authors: Wallis Krystina , Prichard Ivanka , Hart Laura , Yager Zali
Published: June 2021

Background

Motherhood is a time of intense physical, psychological, and identity transformation, and body dissatisfaction may emerge through the process of pregnancy, birth, and adaptation to parenting. We present a feasibility trial of the Body Confident Mums Challenge, a program developed by adapting existing, effective interventions that focus on self-compassion and appreciation of body functionality to be specific to mothers.

Methods

The program was delivered using the social learning function in a closed Facebook group. Qualitative evaluation of evidence of change was conducted by gathering individual written reflections posted during the challenge (n = 120). Feasibility and acceptability was determined using a feedback survey (n = 22).

Results

Participant’s reflective posts indicated that they were embracing self-compassion, and de-prioritising body image concerns during the challenge. Feedback indicated that the program was mostly feasible and acceptable for mothers, with recommendations from some participants relating to slowing the pace of content delivery and reducing the time commitment of the Challenge.

Conclusions

The social media environment may therefore be a useful setting in which to implement brief intervention programs to improve body image and wellbeing.
Prevention services via public long-term care insurance can be effective among a specific group of older adults in Japan
Authors: Ito Tomoko , Mori Takahiro , Takahashi Hideto , Shimafuji Natsumi , Iijima Katsuya , Yoshie Satoru , Tamiya Nanako
Published: May 2021

Background

To evaluate the effects of prevention services provided by long-term care insurance (LTCI) for older adults who require support from LTCI in Kashiwa City, Japan.

Methods

We conducted an analysis using the following population-based longitudinal data in Kashiwa City between April 2012 and March 2015: Data of National Health Insurance and LTCI claims, the survey for certification of LTCI, the register, and premium tier classification. All data was linked using the pre-assigned anonymous identifying numbers. We analyzed the Cox regression model using the time for the deteriorations of levels of certified care need in LTCI as an outcome and the use of preventive care services as the primary exposure among participants aged 75 years or older, who had either support levels 1 or 2 at the beginning of this analysis. The study was further stratified by both age and initial support level.

Results

The final analysis included 1289 participants. The primary result showed, among all participants, that preventive service was not effective (hazard ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.78–1.19). In our sub-analysis, the preventive service was effective in avoiding deteriorations only among those aged 85 and older with support level 1 (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.43–0.97) out of four groups.

Conclusions

The preventive services of LTCI in Kashiwa City showed a significant effect on the deterioration among subjects aged 85 or older, whose disability level were low (support level 1). Our results suggest that the prevention services provided by LTCI may not be effective for all older individuals; to provide these services efficiently, local governments, as insurers of LTCI, will need to identify the specified groups that may benefit from the preventive services. Additionally, it is necessary to re-examine what preventive interventions may be effective, or redesign the health system if necessary, for those who were not affected by the intervention.
A novel phosphoramide compound, DCZ0805, shows potent anti-myeloma activity via the NF-κB pathway
Authors: Gao Xuejie , Li Bo , Ye Anqi , Wang Houcai , Xie Yongsheng , Yu Dandan , Xu Zhijian , Shi Bingqing , Zhang Hui , Feng Qilin , Hu Ke , Zhang Yong , Huang Cheng , Yang Guang , Shi Jumei , Zhu Weiliang
Published: May 2021

Background

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a highly aggressive and incurable clonal plasma cell disease with a high rate of recurrence. Thus, the development of new therapies is urgently needed. DCZ0805, a novel compound synthesized from osalmide and pterostilbene, has few observed side effects. In the current study, we intend to investigate the therapeutic effects of DCZ0805 in MM cells and elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying its anti-myeloma activity.

Methods

We used the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, immunofluorescence staining, cell cycle assessment, apoptosis assay, western blot analysis, dual-luciferase reporter assay and a tumor xenograft mouse model to investigate the effect of DCZ0805 treatment both in vivo and in vitro.

Results

The results showed that DCZ0805 treatment arrested the cell at the G0/G1 phase and suppressed MM cells survival by inducing apoptosis via extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. DCZ0805 suppressed the NF-κB signaling pathway activation, which may have contributed to the inhibition of cell proliferation. DCZ0805 treatment remarkably reduced the tumor burden in the immunocompromised xenograft mouse model, with no obvious toxicity observed.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that DCZ0805 can serve as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of MM.
Clinical outcomes after implantation of a sutureless aortic bioprosthesis with concomitant mitral valve surgery: the SURE-AVR registry
Authors:   on behalf of the SURE-AVR investigators, Baghai Max , Glauber Mattia , Fontaine Raphael , Castillo Jose Cuenca , Walker Antony H. , Livi Ugolino , Montiel José , Royse Alistair , Bisleri Gianluigi , Pacini Davide , Argano Vincenzo , Roumy Aurelien , Asimakopoulos George , Solinas Marco
Published: May 2021

Background

Early treatment of aortic valve stenosis is recommended in eligible symptomatic patients with severe aortic valve stenosis who would otherwise have a poor prognosis. The sutureless aortic valve bioprosthesis offers an alternative to standard aortic valve replacement with a sutured valve, but limited data are available in patients who have undergone multiple valve procedures involving the new, sutureless technology. We sought to investigate outcomes in high operative risk patients with previous or concomitant valve surgery who were implanted with a sutureless valve.

Methods

SURE-AVR is an ongoing, prospective, multinational registry of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. In-hospital and post-discharge outcomes up to 5 years were collected.

Results

The study population comprised 78 patients (mean ± SD: age 73.6 ± 7.6 years, logistic EuroSCORE 18.0 ± 17.5) enrolled at 13 sites who presented for concomitant or previous mitral valve repair (n = 45) or replacement (n = 33), with or without additional concomitant procedures, and were implanted with a sutureless valve. Mean ± SD overall aortic cross-clamp time was 109 ± 41 min and cardiopulmonary bypass time was 152 ± 49 min. Mean ± SD aortic pressure gradients decreased from 37.6 ± 17.7 mmHg preoperatively to 13.0 ± 5.7 mmHg at hospital discharge, and peak aortic pressure gradient from 61.5 ± 28.7 to 23.4 ± 10.6 mmHg. Early events included 1 death, 1 transient ischaemic attack, and 1 bleed (all 1.3%); a permanent pacemaker implantation was required in 6 patients (7.7%), and 2 reoperations (not valve related) (2.6%) took place. Over a median follow-up of 55.5 months (Q1 13.4, Q3 68.6), 12 patients died (6 cardiovascular and 6 non-cardiovascular, both 2.1% per patient-year). Five-year survival was 81.3%. Late paravalvular leak occurred in 2 patients (0.7% per patient-year) and permanent pacemaker implantation was required in 3 patients (0.1% per patient-year). There was no apparent rise in mean or peak aortic pressure gradient over the study.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the sutureless implant is a technically feasible procedure during mitral surgery and is associated with good clinical outcomes.
Correction to: Comprehensive genetic characteristics of dystrophinopathies in China
Authors: Ma Peipei , Zhang Shu , Zhang Hao , Fang Siying , Dong Yuru , Zhang Yan , Hao Weiwei , Wu Shiwen , Zhao Yuying
Published: June 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Acute manic state with psychotic features in a teenager with autoimmune encephalitis: a case report
Authors: Wallengren Sara , Johansson Björn Axel , Rask Olof
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Autoimmune disorders have become increasingly acknowledged as having a more causative role in encephalitis than previously assumed. Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis seems to be the most prevalent disorder. Symptoms of the neuropsychiatric phase in children and adolescents include abnormal behavior, seizures, and neurologic symptoms. We present a report on a teenage girl with predominantly psychiatric symptoms, highlighting the need for awareness of the disease and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Case presentation

Our patient, a 17-year-old girl of Middle Eastern origin, had no earlier medical history, but a family history of autoimmune disease. One morning, she could not recognize her mother and soon developed increased energy and pressured speech. The condition worsened, with paranoid delusions. In the emergency unit, she ran around speaking incoherently. The condition was interpreted as a full-scale mania. After pediatric clearance, the patient was admitted to the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Mood-stabilizing treatment was initiated with second-generation psychotics and lithium, but this brought no improvement. A multidisciplinary discussion was held with physicians from psychiatry and neurology. A lumbar puncture showed N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibodies, and autoimmune treatment was initiated. Computed tomography thorax/abdomen revealed a right-sided ovarian tumor. After salpingo-oophorectomy, our patient’s mental status gradually improved, as demonstrated by repeated testing. Seven months post discharge she was in a stable relationship and performing well in school.

Conclusion

This case underlines the importance of collaboration between child and adolescent psychiatry and pediatrics, and gives pointers for timely diagnosis. Manic adolescents who do not respond to mood-stabilizing treatment should be subjected to further consultations and investigations. Psychiatrists and neurologists should develop an integrated approach to the management of brain disorders.
Cervical spine injury after virtual reality gaming: a case report
Authors: Baur D. , Pfeifle C. , Heyde C. E.
Published: May 2021

Background

We report a patient who fractured the seventh cervical vertebra while playing a virtual reality (VR) game, without any other trauma.

This case report aims to describe the spinal trauma incurred during the use of a VR headset in a video game.

Case presentation

The Caucasian patient presented with pain and swelling in the lower cervical spine at our clinic after playing a video game involving a combination of shoulder, arm and head movements while wearing a VR headset. Preexisting comorbidities were not present in the 31-year-old male. No history of regular medication use or drug abuse was recorded. After performing a clinical examination and radiological diagnostics, we found a dislocated traumatic fracture of the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. After a soft tissue defect was excluded through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnostics, a conservative therapy regimen with pain therapy and immobilization was started.

After hospitalization, outpatient controls were conducted at 4, 6 and 12 weeks. At 6 weeks after hospitalization, the patient had recovered from the injury without complications.

Conclusions

Rapid movements during VR gaming can lead to injuries of the cervical spine. In addition to rapid movements, the additional weight of the VR headset as well as the decoupling of audiovisual stimuli from the perceived proprioceptive information should be considered. Determining whether this is an isolated incident induced by unknown preexisting factors or whether the trauma mechanism alone can lead to severe spinal trauma needs to be studied further with additional cases.
Challenges in exploring and manipulating the human skin microbiome
Authors: Boxberger Manon , Cenizo Valérie , Cassir Nadim , La Scola Bernard
Published: May 2021

The skin is the exterior interface of the human body with the environment. Despite its harsh physical landscape, the skin is colonized by diverse commensal microbes. In this review, we discuss recent insights into skin microbial populations, including their composition and role in health and disease and their modulation by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, with a focus on the pathobiological basis of skin aging. We also describe the most recent tools for investigating the skin microbiota composition and microbe-skin relationships and perspectives regarding the challenges of skin microbiome manipulation.
Comparison of cephalometric measurements between conventional and automatic cephalometric analysis using convolutional neural network
Authors: Jeon Sangmin , Lee Kyungmin Clara
Published: May 2021

Objective

The rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies for medical imaging has recently enabled automatic identification of anatomical landmarks on radiographs. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of an automatic cephalometric analysis using convolutional neural network with those obtained by a conventional cephalometric approach.

Material and methods

Cephalometric measurements of lateral cephalograms from 35 patients were obtained using an automatic program and a conventional program. Fifteen skeletal cephalometric measurements, nine dental cephalometric measurements, and two soft tissue cephalometric measurements obtained by the two methods were compared using paired t test and Bland-Altman plots.

Results

A comparison between the measurements from the automatic and conventional cephalometric analyses in terms of the paired t test confirmed that the saddle angle, linear measurements of maxillary incisor to NA line, and mandibular incisor to NB line showed statistically significant differences. All measurements were within the limits of agreement based on the Bland-Altman plots. The widths of limits of agreement were wider in dental measurements than those in the skeletal measurements.

Conclusions

Automatic cephalometric analyses based on convolutional neural network may offer clinically acceptable diagnostic performance. Careful consideration and additional manual adjustment are needed for dental measurements regarding tooth structures for higher accuracy and better performance.
A genetic-based pairwise trip planner recommender system
Authors: Qomariyah Nunung Nurul , Kazakov Dimitar
Published: May 2021

The massive growth of internet users nowadays can be a big opportunity for the businesses to promote their services. This opportunity is not only for e-commerce, but also for other e-services, such as e-tourism. In this paper, we propose an approach of personalized recommender system with pairwise preference elicitation for the e-tourism domain area. We used a combination of Genetic Agorithm with pairwise user preference elicitation approach. The advantages of pairwise preference elicitation method, as opposed to the pointwise method, have been shown in many studies, including to reduce incosistency and confusion of a rating number. We also performed a user evaluation study by inviting 24 participants to examine the proposed system and publish the POIs dataset which contains 201 attractions used in this study.
The role of domestic violence in fatal mass shootings in the United States, 2014–2019
Authors: Geller Lisa B. , Booty Marisa , Crifasi Cassandra K.
Published: May 2021

Background

Fatal mass shootings, defined as four or more people killed by gunfire, excluding the perpetrator, account for a small percentage of firearm homicide fatalities. Research has not extensively focused on the role of domestic violence (DV) in mass shootings in the United States. This study explores the role of DV in mass shootings in the United States.

Methods

Using 2014–2019 mass shooting data from the Gun Violence Archive, we indexed our data by year and mass shooting and collected the number of deaths and injuries. We reviewed news articles for each mass shooting to determine if it was 1) DV-related (i.e., at least one victim of a mass shooting was a dating partner or family member of the perpetrator); 2) history of DV (i.e., the perpetrator had a history of DV but the mass shooting was not directed toward partners or family members); or 3) non-DV-related (i.e., the victims were not partners or family members, nor was there mention of the perpetrator having a history of DV). We conducted descriptive analyses to summarize the percent of mass shootings that were DV-related, history of DV, or non-DV-related, and analyzed how many perpetrators died during the incidents. We conducted one-way ANOVA to examine whether there were differences in the average number of injuries or fatalities or the case fatality rates (CFR) between the three categories. One outlier and 17 cases with unknown perpetrators were excluded from our main analysis.

Results

We found that 59.1% of mass shootings between 2014 and 2019 were DV-related and in 68.2% of mass shootings, the perpetrator either killed at least one partner or family member or had a history of DV. We found significant differences in the average number of injuries and fatalities between DV and history of DV shootings and a higher average case fatality rate associated with DV-related mass shootings (83.7%) than non-DV-related (63.1%) or history of DV mass shootings (53.8%). Fifty-five perpetrators died during the shootings; 39 (70.9%) died by firearm suicide, 15 (27.3%) were killed by police, and 1 (1.8%) died from an intentional overdose.

Conclusions

Most mass shootings are related to DV. DV-related shootings had higher CFR than those unrelated to DV. Given these findings, restricting access to guns by perpetrators of DV may affect the occurrence of mass shootings and associated casualties.
Evaluation of the surgical and prosthetic success of All-on-4 restorations: a retrospective cohort study of provisional vs. definitive immediate restorations
Authors: Korsch Michael , Walther Winfried , Hannig Matthias , Bartols Andreas
Published: May 2021

Background

All-on-4 concept allows an immediate restoration, which is frequently a provisional restoration (PR), and will be replaced by a definitive restoration (DR) a few months later. However, this approach involves much higher treatment efforts and costs, compared to a DR immediately after implantation. PRs were mostly incorporated in the introductory phase of the All-on-4 concept in our respective clinics. Today, PRs are only used for referred patients and bimaxillary restorations. The aim of the study was to investigate whether PRs and DRs have comparable success rates.

Methods

A total of 126 patients with 136 All-on-4 restorations supported by 544 implants were included in this retrospective cohort study. The observation period was 1 year. In 42 cases, a PR was placed initially and replaced by a DR 3 months later. In 94 cases, a DR was placed immediately. Biological, technical, and severe (loss of an implant or PR/DR) complications associated with PRs and DRs were compared. The absence of a serious complication was considered a success.

Results

A total of 27 patients were affected by 33 complications, 19 biological (2 PR and 17 DR) and 14 technical (6 in PR and 8 in DR) in the first 3 months. Eight patients had ten severe complications (1 PR and 9 DR). Severe complications were all implant losses. Implant survival rate was 98.2% (99.4% PR and 97.6 DR), and restoration survival rate was 94.4% (97.6% PR and 92.6% DR). Six out of the ten implant losses occurred in the posterior maxillae of male patients. After 3 months, ten complications occurred in six patients within 1 year. One of these complications was an implant loss in the posterior maxillae of a male patient.

Conclusion

PRs and DRs showed comparable complication rates during the observation period. Only in male patients did implant losses occur more frequently in the posterior maxilla.
Parties beyond national borders: exploring the activities of Israeli political parties abroad
Authors: Friedman Avital , Kenig Ofer
Published: May 2021

In recent decades it has become a common practice for political parties to have active branches operating outside of their countries. The main reason for this practice is to mobilize potential voters living abroad. Israel, however, is a country in which citizens cannot vote abroad yet some parties nevertheless invest resources for sustaining their activities and branches outside of the country. Using the Israeli case, we aim to uncover additional incentives for parties to be present and active abroad. To do so, we map the activities of Israeli parties abroad and analyse their incentives, relying on documents and in-depth interviews with the parties’ directors of external relations. We find that parties’ activities can be divided into two basic groups. The first one includes diaspora-oriented activities, focusing mainly on maintaining ties with the Jewish communities abroad and gaining control over the institutions of the Zionist organizations. The second is focused on the Israeli state, by both improving the position of the party domestically and promoting Israel internationally according to the party’s ideology.
Assessing public perception of a sand fly biting study on the pathway to a controlled human infection model for cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Parkash Vivak , Jones Georgina , Martin Nina , Steigmann Morgan , Greensted Elizabeth , Kaye Paul , Layton Alison M. , Lacey Charles J.
Published: May 2021

Background

A controlled human infection model (CHIM) involves deliberate exposure of volunteers to pathogens to assess their response to new therapies at an early stage of development. We show here how we used public involvement to help shape the design of a CHIM to support future testing of candidate vaccines for the neglected tropical disease cutaneous leishmaniasis, a disease transmitted by the bite of infected sand flies in tropical regions.

Methods

We undertook a public involvement (PI) consultation exercise to inform development of a study to test the safety and effectiveness of a sand fly biting protocol using uninfected sand flies (FLYBITE: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03999970) and a CHIM using Leishmania major-infected sand flies (LEISH_Challenge: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT04512742), both taking place in York, UK. We involved 10 members of the public including a patient research ambassador and a previous CHIM volunteer. The session took place at The University of York, UK and examined draft study volunteer-facing material and included the CHIM study design, potential adverse events and therapeutic interventions at study endpoints. A discussion of the scientific, ethical, humanitarian and economic basis for the project was presented to the participants to provoke discourse. An inductive, thematic analysis was used to identify the participants’ key concerns.

Results

Themes were identified relating to i) quality of volunteer-facing written information, ii) improving study design, and iii) factors to motivate involvement in the research. Group participants responded positively to the overall study aims. Initial concerns were expressed about potential risks of study involvement, but further explanation of the science and mitigations of risk secured participant support. Participants provided advice and identified improved terminology to inform the volunteer-facing material. Lastly, treatment options were discussed, and excision of any cutaneous lesion was favoured over alternatives as a treatment.

Conclusion

The consultation exercise provided invaluable information which led to improved study design and enhanced clarity in the volunteer-facing material. The session also reinforced the need to maintain public trust in scientific rigour prior to initiation of any study. The investigators hope that this description strengthens understanding of PI in clinical research, and encourages its use within other studies.
An associational study: preschool teachers’ acceptance and self-efficacy towards Educational Robotics in a pre-service teacher training program
Authors: Schina Despoina , Valls-Bautista Cristina , Borrull-Riera Anna , Usart Mireia , Esteve-González Vanessa
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study explores pre-service preschool teachers’ acceptance and self-efficacy towards Educational Robotics (ER) during a university course, and also examines their perceptions of the course.

Methodology

This is a one-group intervention study with an associational research design that includes both quantitative and qualitative research methods: two pre-questionnaires and two post-questionnaires on pre-service teachers’ acceptance and self-efficacy towards ER, and participants’ training journals.

Findings

The results show that pre-service teachers’ acceptance and self-efficacy towards ER improved after they completed the ER teacher training course. There was a significant difference between the start and the end of the ER training in the pre-service teachers’ acceptance of ER in the areas of perceived ease of use, enjoyment and attitudes, and in their self-efficacy. The findings based on the training journals show that participants positively evaluated the course. The participants also provided suggestions for improving it, such as additional training sessions, resources and time for experimentation.

Value

Our study reveals the impact of an ER training program and showcases the importance of integrating ER in pre-service teachers’ education.
The hepatoprotective effect of gooseberry and black mulberry extracts against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats
Authors: Elmasry Shimaa , Moawad Mahmoud
Published: May 2021

Background

Liver is the vital organ of the human body responsible for nutrition, immunity, and metabolism. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is an environmental pollutant that causes hepatotoxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the possible hepatoprotective effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of gooseberry and black mulberry on liver injury induced by CCl4 in rats.

Results

CCl4 caused significant (P≤0.05) elevation in the liver function tests and hydroxyproline (a major marker of fibrosis); also, there was a significant increase in the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and plasma inflammatory biomarkers, whereas a significant decrease in the hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and plasma adiponectin levels was observed in the CCl4-treated group compared with control. These results were also confirmed by histological examination of liver tissue. Administration of gooseberry or black mulberry extracts alone decreased the hepatic level of hydroxyproline, ameliorated the antioxidant/oxidant status in liver tissue, and decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to normal control. Treatment with the tested extracts along with CCl4 was effectively able to ameliorate the abovementioned imbalances induced by CCl4 and protect the liver tissue.

Conclusion

These results indicate that gooseberry and black mulberry extracts have a hepatoprotective effect against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats.
A phase Ib study of proxalutamide (GT0918) in women with androgen receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer.
Authors: Li Huiping , Jiang Hanfang , Yin Yongmei , Tong Zhongsheng , Ouyang Quchang , Shen Kunwei , Yuan Zhongyu , Geng Cuizhi , Ran Ran , Zhang Ruyan , Liu Ya-Xin , Zhang Jiayang , Li Wei , Qu Qing , Zhou Qiaoxia , Dong Xunwei , Meng Luping , Zhu Xiaoyan , Yi Zhen , Tong Youzhi
Published: June 2021

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Background: Androgen receptor (AR) is an emerging prognostic marker and therapeutic target in breast cancer. AR is expressed in 60% to 80% of breast cancers. Recent studies have shown the association between AR signaling and tumor carcinogenesis in breast cancer, suggesting AR pathway as a potential target for breast cancer treatment. However, no AR targeting therapies have been approved for treating breast cancer. GT0918 is a new chemical entity of AR antagonist with possible AR down-regulation. We had finished the phase I study and submitted the paper. Here we present a multicenter, open-label phase Ib trial assessing the safety and efficacy of GT0918 in women with AR positive metastatic breast cancer. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of GT0918. The secondary objectives are to assess its safety and to explore the relevant biomarkers. Methods: This is an expansion study of a phase I dose-escalation trial. In this phase Ib study, only patients with AR positive metastatic breast cancer were enrolled. All eligibled patients would take GT0918 orally once a day, of a 28 -day cycle. After 2 cycles’ safety and tolerability assessment, patients could choose to continue their treatment until they experience disease progression, intolerable toxicities, death, or withdrew consent. The primary efficacy endpoints were 8-week disease control rate (DCR) and 16-week DCR. The secondary efficacy endpoint was progression free survival (PFS). Results: In total, 45 patients were enrolled in the study at 200mg (n = 30) and 300mg (n = 15) doses. The most common (≥10%) treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were asthenia (42.2%), aspartate aminotransferase increased (26.7%), blood cholesterol increased(17.8%), alanine aminotransferase increased (17.8%), decreased appetite (17.8%), blood triglycerides increased (13.3%), blood lactate dehydrogenase increased (13.3%), anaemia (13.3%), blood alkaline phosphatase increased (11.1%), gamma-glutamyltransferase increased (11.1%), urinary tract infection (11.1%). Grade 3/4 AEs were reported in 9 patients (20%). No treatment-related deaths occurred. The 8-week and 16-week DCR were both 22.2% (n = 10) (95% CI 10.08%, 34.37%). The median PFS was 1.8 months (95% CI 1.8, 1.9) in all patients. 12 out of 45 (26.7%) were triple negative breast cancer cases. The median PFS was 1.9 months (95% CI 1.7, 9.1), 4 out of 12 patients (33.3%) > 6 months, 2 out of 12 patients (16.7%) > 9 months. Conclusions: GT0918 has been shown to be well tolerated and may provide potential clinical benefits to AR positive metastatic breast cancer patients. This study demonstrated triple negative in AR positive patients had more benefit. Clinical trial information: NCT04103853 .
Comparison of therapy benefit from standard anti-HER2 directed approaches in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) between initially HER2-positive patients and patients initially HER2-negative with switch to HER2-positive.
Authors: Kolberg Hans-Christian , Yüksel Özlem , Fasching Peter A. , Brucker Sara , Tesch Hans , Wallwiener Diethelm , Haeberle Lothar , Wallwiener Markus , Hadji Peyman , Fehm Tanja N. , Janni Wolfgang , Lüftner Diana , Lux Michael P , Ettl Johannes , Hartkopf Andreas D. , Müller Volkmar , Taran Florin-Andrei , Belleville Erik , Hein Alexander , Schneeweiss Andreas
Published: June 2021

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Background: Metaanalyses have demonstrated that 5% of initially HER2 negative breast cancer patients switch to HER2 positive during the course of the disease. Whether there is a difference in benefit from standard HER2 targeted therapies between patients initially HER2 positive and patients switching from negative to positive is unclear. We used data from the PRAEGNANT registry to compare the outcome of those patients. Methods: PRAEGNANT is a prospective advanced breast cancer registry (NCT02338167) focusing on molecular biomarkers. Patients in all therapy lines receiving any kind of treatment are eligible. This analysis compared progression-free survival (PFS) with standard HER2 targeted therapies between patients with tumors initially HER2 negative and switched to HER2 positive and patients with tumors that were initially HER2 positive adjusted for age and hormone receptor status. Results: At the time of this analysis 4061 patients with MBC were included in the PRAEGNANT registry, 49 of which met the requirements for this analysis. Median age was 56 (IQR 48-64) years and 87.8% of the patients were hormone receptor positive. At first diagnosis 15 patients were HER2 negative and 34 patients were HER2 positive. Within a median observation time of 9 months (95%CI: 3.8, 23.7) 35 PFS events occurred. Median observation time was 9 months (95% CI: 3.8, 23.7). Initially HER2 positive patients had a longer progression-free survival (HR = 0.49, 95% CI (0.24, 1.03), p = 0.07) as compared to initially HER2 negative patients switched to HER2 positive. The 1- and 2-year-PFS rates were also higher for patients initially HER2 positive: 1-year-PFS: 52% (95% CI: 36%, 73%) versus 26 % (95% CI: 12%, 52%); 2-year-PFS: 44% (95% CI: 29%, 67%) versus 19% (95% CI: 7%, 50%). Conclusions: Median PFS and 1- and 2-year PFS rate seem to be better in patients HER2 positive at initial diagnosis receiving standard HER2 directed therapies. Although our result has to be interpreted with caution because of the small cohort and the retrospective nature of our analysis, it justifies prospective research including the group of initially HER2 negative patients switched to HER2 positive as a distinct entity. Clinical trial information: NCT02338167 .