bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single-staged laparotomy versus multiple-staged laparotomy for traumatic massive hemoperitoneum with hemodynamic instability: a single-center, propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Matsuda Masaki , Sawano Makoto
Published: June 2022

Background

Currently, damage control surgery (DCS) employing multiple-staged laparotomy (MSL) is a standard hemostatic approach for treating trauma patients with unstable hemodynamics attributable to massive hemoperitoneum. Based on these findings, we had frequently employed MSL as a part of our hemostatic strategy for the patients, but with unsatisfactory outcomes. On the other hand, with the establishment of damage control resuscitation (DCR), it has become possible to avoid trauma-induced coagulopathy and to achieve adequate hemostasis with single-staged laparotomy (SSL). Consequently, our institutional strategy for surgical hemostasis of the patients has gradually shifted from MSL to SSL with implementation of DCR. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the impact of this shift in the strategy by comparing outcomes of the patients between those underwent MSL and those underwent SSL employing propensity score matching.

Methods

This retrospective, single-center, observational study evaluated outcomes of hemodynamically unstable patients with traumatic massive hemoperitoneum requiring surgical intervention between 2005 and 2020. The patient population was divided into two groups: a SSL group and a MSL group. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics in the two groups, a one-to-one matched analysis using nearest-neighbor matching was performed based on the estimated propensity score of each group. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes were 48-h mortality and 28-day mortality.

Results

A total of 170 patients met the inclusion criteria; 141 patients underwent SSL, and 29 underwent MSL. In the propensity-matched analysis with 27 pairs, the SSL group had significantly lower in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 0.154; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.035 to 0.682) and 28-day mortality (OR 0.200; 95% CI 0.044 to 0.913) than the MSL group, but the 48-h mortality did not differ significantly between the two groups (25.9% vs. 44.4%; OR 0.375; 95% CI 0.099–1.414).

Conclusions

Single-staged laparotomy may be an effective surgical treatment for the traumatic massive hemoperitoneum cases with hemodynamic instability, if conducted following sufficient damage control resuscitation and performed by an experienced surgeon.
Diagnostic value of serum cystatin C for diabetic nephropathy: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liao Xueling , Zhu Yan , Xue Chao
Published: June 2022

Background

Although dozens of studies have investigated the relationship between the content of serum cystatin C (Cys-C) and diabetic nephropathy (DN), the results are still controversial. Hence, This study aims to explore the accuracy of serum Cys-C for diagnosing DN by meta-analysis.

Methods

The studies about serum Cys-C diagnosing DN were searched from six online databases from inception to September 22, 2020. The data were processed by Stata 15.0 statistic software. The corresponding diagnostic effect sizes, such as sensitivity and specificity, were obtained. We drew a summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve. We assess the risk of literature bias was following the QUADAS-2 guidelines.

Results

Twenty-six published studies were identified. The results showed a pooled sensitivity of 0.86 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.82–0.90), specificity of 0.89 (95%CI: 0.85–0.92), positive likelihood ratio of 7.59 (95%CI: 5.66–10.19), negative likelihood ratio of 0.16 (95%CI: 0.12–0.21), and diagnostic odds ratio of 48.03 (95%CI: 30.64–75.29). The area under the SROC curve was given a value of 0.94 (95%CI: 0.91–0.96).

Conclusion

Serum cystatin C has an excellent diagnostic value with good sensitivity and specificity for diabetic nephropathy.
Inequalities in overweight and obesity among reproductive age group women in India: evidence from National Family Health Survey (2015–16)
Authors: Kumar Pradeep , Mangla Sherry , Kundu Sampurna
Published: June 2022

Background

In developing nations like India, fertility and mortality have decreased, and diseases related to lifestyle have become more common. Females in India are more prone to being overweight and obese than their male counterparts, more specifically in affluent families than the poor ones. Understanding the overweight and obesity trend may help develop feasible public health interventions to reduce the burden of obesity and associated adverse health outcomes.

Methods

The study utilizes the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), 2015–16. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate analysis was used to check the significant relationship between overweight and obesity, and other background characteristics. Income-related inequality in overweight and obesity among women was quantified by the concentration index and the concentration curve. Further, Wagstaff decomposition analysis was done to decompose the concentration index, into the contributions of each factor to the income-related inequalities.

Results

Overweight & obesity among women had a significant positive association with their age and educational level. The odds of overweight and obesity were 57% more likely among women who ever had any caesarean births than those who did not [AOR: 1.57; CI: 1.53–1.62]. The likelihood of overweight and obesity was 4.31 times more likely among women who belonged to richest [AOR: 5.84; CI: 5.61–6.08] wealth quintile, than those who belonged to poor wealth quintile. Women who ever terminated the pregnancy had 20% higher risk of overweight and obesity than those who did not [AOR: 1.20; CI: 1.17–1.22]. The concentration of overweight and obesity among women was mostly in rich households of all the Indian states and union territories. Among the geographical regions of India, the highest inequality was witnessed in Eastern India (0.41), followed by Central India (0.36).

Conclusion

The study results also reveal a huge proportion of women belonging to the BMI categories of non-normal, which is a concern and can increase the risks of developing non-communicable diseases. Hence, the study concludes and recommends an urgent need of interventions catering to urban women belonging to higher socio-economic status which can reduce the risks of health consequences due to overweight and obesity. Development nutrition-specific as well as sensitive interventions can be done for mobilization of local resources that addresses the multiple issues under which a woman is overweight or obese.
Effects of relaxing breathing paired with cardiac biofeedback on performance and relaxation during critical simulated situations: a prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Schlatter Sophie T. , Thérond Corentin C. , Guillot Aymeric , Louisy Simon P. , Duclos Antoine , Lehot Jean-Jacques , Rimmelé Thomas , Debarnot Ursula S. , Lilot Marc E.
Published: June 2022

Background

Active participation in high-fidelity simulation remains stressful for residents. Increased stress levels elicited during such simulation impacts performance. We tested whether relaxing breathing, paired or not with cardiac biofeedback, could lead to enhanced performance of residents during simulation.

Methods

This randomized pilot study involved the fifth-year anesthesiology and critical care residents who participated in high-fidelity at Lyon medical simulation center in 2019. Residents were randomized into three parallel interventions: relaxing breathing, relaxing breathing paired with cardiac biofeedback, and control. Each intervention was applied for five minutes immediately after the scenario briefing. The primary endpoint was the overall performance during the simulation rated by two blinded independent investigators. The secondary endpoints included component scores of overall performance and changes in psychological states.

Results

Thirty-four residents were included. Compared to the control group, residents in the relaxing breathing (+ 7%, 98.3% CI: 0.3 to 13.7, P = 0.013) and relaxing breathing paired with cardiac biofeedback (+ 8%, 98.3% CI: 0.82 to 14.81, P = 0.009) groups had a higher overall performance score. Following the interventions, compared to the control group, stress level was lower when participants had performed relaxing breathing alone (P = 0.029) or paired with biofeedback (P = 0.035). The internal relaxation level was higher in both the relaxing breathing alone (P = 0.016) and paired with biofeedback groups (P = 0.035).

Conclusions

Performing five minutes of relaxing breathing before the scenario resulted in better overall simulation performance. These preliminary findings suggest that short breathing interventions are effective in improving performance during simulation.

Trial registration

The study protocol was retrospectively registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04141124, 28/10/2019).
Willingness to pay for community based health insurance scheme and factors associated with it among households in rural community of South West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Negera Mebratu , Abdisa Desu
Published: June 2022

Background

Out-of-pocket payments are the major significant barrier in achieving universal health coverage, particularly in developing countries' rural communities. In 2011, the Ethiopian government launched a pilot community-based health insurance (CBHI) scheme with the goal of increasing access to modern health care services and providing financial security to households in the informal sector and rural areas. The main objective of this study is to estimate willingness to pay (WTP) for CBHI scheme and factors that influence it among rural households in the South West Shoa Zone.

Methods

A household-level cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the WTP for the CBHI scheme and factors associated with it in rural communities of South West Shoa Zone. The study used a sample of 400 rural households. Systematic random sampling was employed during household selection, and double-bounded contingent valuation method was used to estimate WTP for the CBHI scheme.

Results

About 65 percent of the households are willing to pay for CBHI scheme. Moreover, the study found that the households were willing to pay 255.55 Birr per year on average. The result of the study also revealed that amount of bid, household income, family size, household head's education, household health status, membership to community-based health insurance scheme, membership in any association, and awareness about the scheme are factors that are significantly associated with WTP for the scheme.

Conclusions

Households are willing to pay a higher price than the policy price. Therefore, setting a new premium that reflects households' willingness to pay is highly valuable to policymakers. Social capital and awareness about CBHI scheme play an important role in influencing WTP. Thus, the study suggests that local communities need to strengthen their social cohesion and solidarity. It is also necessary to create awareness about the CBHI’s benefits.
Evaluating the potential of third generation metagenomic sequencing for the detection of BRD pathogens and genetic determinants of antimicrobial resistance in chronically ill feedlot cattle
Authors: Freeman Claire N. , Herman Emily K. , Abi Younes Jennifer , Ramsay Dana E. , Erikson Nathan , Stothard Paul , Links Matthew G. , Otto Simon J. G. , Waldner Cheryl
Published: June 2022

Background

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality and is responsible for most of the injectable antimicrobial use in the feedlot industry. Traditional bacterial culture can be used to diagnose BRD by confirming the presence of causative pathogens and to support antimicrobial selection. However, given that bacterial culture takes up to a week and early intervention is critical for treatment success, culture has limited utility for informing rapid therapeutic decision-making. In contrast, metagenomic sequencing has the potential to quickly resolve all nucleic acid in a sample, including pathogen biomarkers and antimicrobial resistance genes. In particular, third-generation Oxford Nanopore Technology sequencing platforms provide long reads and access to raw sequencing data in real-time as it is produced, thereby reducing the time from sample collection to diagnostic answer. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of nanopore metagenomic sequencing to traditional culture and sensitivity methods as applied to nasopharyngeal samples from segregated groups of chronically ill feedlot cattle, previously treated with antimicrobials for nonresponsive pneumonia or lameness.

Results

BRD pathogens were isolated from most samples and a variety of different resistance profiles were observed across isolates. The sequencing data indicated the samples were dominated byMoraxella bovoculi, Mannheimia haemolytica, Mycoplasma dispar,andPasteurella multocida,and included a wide range of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), encoding resistance for up to seven classes of antimicrobials. Genes conferring resistance to beta-lactams were the most commonly detected, while thetetHgene was detected in the most samples overall. Metagenomic sequencing detected the BRD pathogens of interest more often than did culture, but there was limited concordance between phenotypic resistance to antimicrobials and the presence of relevant ARGs.

Conclusions

Metagenomic sequencing can reduce the time from sampling to results, detect pathogens missed by bacterial culture, and identify genetically encoded determinants of resistance. Increasing sequencing coverage of target organisms will be an essential component of improving the reliability of this technology, such that it can be better used for the surveillance of pathogens of interest, genetic determinants of resistance, and to inform diagnostic decisions.
Evaluation of the Pfs25-IMX313/Matrix-M malaria transmission-blocking candidate vaccine in endemic settings
Authors: Mulamba Charles , Williams Chris , Kreppel Katharina , Ouedraogo Jean Bosco , Olotu Ally I.
Published: June 2022

Malaria control relies heavily on the use of anti-malarial drugs and insecticides against malaria parasites and mosquito vectors. Drug and insecticide resistance threatens the effectiveness of conventional malarial interventions; alternative control approaches are, therefore, needed. The development of malaria transmission-blocking vaccines that target the sexual stages in humans or mosquito vectors is among new approaches being pursued. Here, the immunological mechanisms underlying malaria transmission blocking, status of Pfs25-based vaccines are viewed, as well as approaches and capacity for first in-human evaluation of a transmission-blocking candidate vaccine Pfs25-IMX313/Matrix-M administered to semi-immune healthy individuals in endemic settings. It is concluded that institutions in low and middle income settings should be supported to conduct first-in human vaccine trials in order to stimulate innovative research and reduce the overdependence on developed countries for research and local interventions against many diseases of public health importance.
Collective analysis of the expression and prognosis for LEM-domain proteins in prostate cancer
Authors: He Tianzhen , Zhang Yulian , Li Xueyu , Liu Caihong , Zhu Guanqun , Yin Xinbao , Zhang Zongliang , Zhao Kai , Wang Zhenlin , Zhao Peng , Wang Ke
Published: June 2022

Background

Mammalian LEM-domain proteins (LEMs) are encoded by seven genes, including LAP2, EMD, LEMD1, LEMD2, LEMD3, ANKLE1, and ANKLE2. Though some LEMs were involved in various tumor progression, the expression and prognostic values of LEMs in prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) have yet to be analyzed.

Methods

Herein, we investigated the expression, survival data, and immune infiltration levels of LEMs in PRAD patients from ATCG, TIMER, LinkedOmics, and TISIDB databases. We also further validated the mRNA and protein expression levels of ANKLE1, EMD, and LEMD2 in human prostate tumor specimens by qPCR, WB, and IHC.

Results

We found that all LEM expressions, except for that of LAP2, were markedly altered in PRAD compared to the normal samples. Among all LEMs, only the expressions of ANKLE1, EMD, and LEMD2 were correlated with advanced tumor stage and survival prognosis in PRAD. Consistent with the predicted computational results, the mRNA and protein expression levels of these genes were markedly increased in the PRAD group. We then found that ANKLE1, EMD, and LEMD2 expressions were markedly correlated with immune cell infiltration levels. High ANKLE1, EMD, and LEMD2 expressions predicted a worse prognosis in PRAD based on immune cells. DNA methylation or/and copy number variations may contribute to the abnormal upregulation of ANKLE1, EMD, and LEMD2 in PRAD.

Conclusions

Taken together, this study implied that ANKLE1, EMD, and LEMD2 were promising prognosis predictors and potential immunotherapy targets for PRAD patients.
A first-in-human phase 1/2 study of FGF401 and combination of FGF401 with spartalizumab in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or biomarker-selected solid tumors
Authors: Chan Stephen L. , Schuler Martin , Kang Yoon-Koo , Yen Chia-Jui , Edeline Julien , Choo Su Pin , Lin Chia-Chi , Okusaka Takuji , Weiss Karl-Heinz , Macarulla Teresa , Cattan Stéphane , Blanc Jean-Frederic , Lee Kyung-Hun , Maur Michela , Pant Shubham , Kudo Masatoshi , Assenat Eric , Zhu Andrew X. , Yau Thomas , Lim Ho Yeong , Bruix Jordi , Geier Andreas , Guillén-Ponce Carmen , Fasolo Angelica , Finn Richard S. , Fan Jia , Vogel Arndt , Qin Shukui , Riester Markus , Katsanou Vasiliki , Chaudhari Monica , Kakizume Tomoyuki , Gu Yi , Porta Diana Graus , Myers Andrea , Delord Jean-Pierre
Published: June 2022

Background

Deregulation of FGF19-FGFR4 signaling is found in several cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), nominating it for therapeutic targeting. FGF401 is a potent, selective FGFR4 inhibitor with antitumor activity in preclinical models. This study was designed to determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), characterize PK/PD, and evaluate the safety and efficacy of FGF401 alone and combined with the anti-PD-1 antibody, spartalizumab.

Methods

Patients with HCC or other FGFR4/KLB expressing tumors were enrolled. Dose-escalation was guided by a Bayesian model. Phase 2 dose-expansion enrolled patients with HCC from Asian countries (group1), non-Asian countries (group2), and patients with other solid tumors expressing FGFR4 and KLB (group3). FGF401 and spartalizumab combination was evaluated in patients with HCC.

Results

Seventy-four patients were treated in the phase I with single-agent FGF401 at 50 to 150 mg. FGF401 displayed favorable PK characteristics and no food effect when dosed with low-fat meals. The RP2D was established as 120 mg qd. Six of 70 patients experienced grade 3 dose-limiting toxicities: increase in transaminases (n = 4) or blood bilirubin (n = 2). In phase 2, 30 patients in group 1, 36 in group 2, and 20 in group 3 received FGF401. In total, 8 patients experienced objective responses (1 CR, 7 PR; 4 each in phase I and phase II, respectively). Frequent adverse events (AEs) were diarrhea (73.8%), increased AST (47.5%), and ALT (43.8%). Increase in levels of C4, total bile acid, and circulating FGF19, confirmed effective FGFR4 inhibition.

Twelve patients received FGF401 plus spartalizumab. RP2D was established as FGF401 120 mg qd and spartalizumab 300 mg Q3W; 2 patients reported PR.

Conclusions

At biologically active doses, FGF401 alone or combined with spartalizumab was safe in patients with FGFR4/KLB-positive tumors including HCC. Preliminary clinical efficacy was observed. Further clinical evaluation of FGF401 using a refined biomarker strategy is warranted.

Trial registration

NCT02325739.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients initiating rituximab with low number of previous bDMARDs failures may effectively reduce rituximab dose and experience fewer serious adverse events than patients on full dose: a 5-year cohort study
Authors: Bertsias Antonios , Avgoustidis Nestor , Papalopoulos Ioannis , Repa Argyro , Kougkas Nikolaos , Kalogiannaki Eleni , Bertsias Georgios , Flouri Irini , Sidiropoulos Prodromos
Published: June 2022

Background

Rituximab is used for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis. In the present study, we examined the long-term flare risk and safety of reduced doses of rituximab.

Patients-methods

This was a prospective, observational, single-center study of patients starting rituximab on standard dose (SD). Patients were switched to low dose (LD) (1 g every 6 months), based on the treating rheumatologist’s decision after having achieved sustained clinical responses, while the rest of the patients continued on standard dose (SD). During a 60-month period, we assessed (Kaplan–Meier survival analysis) the relapse rate (increase ≥ 1.2 in DAS28-ESR for ≥ 6 months) and discontinuations due to treatment failure in the low dose group, and we compared the incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs) between LD and SD groups.

Results

Out of 361 patients [females 83.4%, mean age 61.9 (10.6) years, seropositive 50.3%, median total comorbidities count 4], 81 patients (22.4%) entered LD in a median time of 24 months (95% CI 18–30 months). Seropositivity (OR 1.823), more than 2 previous bDMARDs failures (OR 0.428), and DAS28 < 4.88 at 6 months (OR 2.329) predicted the odds of entering LD (p < 0.05 for all). During 60 months of follow-up, only 7.5% of patients on LD relapsed. Patients on LD had significantly less SAEs and all-cause hospitalizations as compared to the SD group (p < 0.05 for all). Linear regression analysis showed that previous hospitalization while on bDMARDs (p < 0.0001), use of prednisolone > 5 mg/day while on rituximab (p < 0.0001), and a history of ≥ 2 previous csDMARDs (p = 0.041) predicted the risk of SAEs.

Conclusion

In a cohort of patients with established RA and significant comorbidities who taper rituximab after substantial initial disease activity improvement, a low rate of relapses and lower risk of SAEs compared to SD were recorded. Seropositivity, a lower number of previous bDMARDs use, and lower DAS28 at 6 months predicted the probability of entering the LD regimen.
Honey bee venom re-challenge during specific immunotherapy: prolonged cardio-pulmonary resuscitation allowed survival in a case of near fatal anaphylaxis
Authors: Micaletto Sara , Ruetzler Kurt , Bruesch Martin , Schmid-Grendelmeier Peter
Published: June 2022

Background

Specific immunotherapy for patients with honey bee hypersensitivity is commonly applied. Re-challenge with venom is performed to prove protection in individual cases.

Case presenation

We report a case of near fatal anaphylaxis with asystole for 24 min in a 35-years-old patient with mastocytosis after honey bee sting challenge, despite 5-years of specific immunotherapy. Successful cardio-pulmonary resuscitation was applied for 32 min.

Conclusion

This intervention demonstrates, that in anaphylaxis with cardio-vascular arrest, prolonged cardio-pulmonary resuscitation for up to 40 min may be appropriate to overcome the half-life of massively released histamine. Failure of specific immunotherapy was possibly due to sensitization to the allergen Api m10, potentially underrepresented in commercial honey bee venom extracts. Molecular analyses may provide additional clues to the potentially unsuccessful outcome of venom specific immunotherapy, especially in high-risk patients such as mastocytosis.
Flow cytometry optimizing the diagnostic approach in inborn errors of immunity: experience from Egypt
Authors: Meshaal Safa , EI Hawary Rabab , Eldash Alia , Erfan Aya , Abd Elaziz Dalia , Alkady Radwa , Lotfy Sohilla , Galal Nermeen , Boutros Jeannette , Elmarsafy Aisha
Published: June 2022

Background

Human inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are a group of inherited genetic disorders of the immune system. IEI Patients suffer from severe repeated infections, autoimmunity, lymphadenopathy and/or increased susceptibility to malignancies. IEI are due to absence, disproportion, or loss of function of immune cells; mostly inherited in autosomal recessive manner, hence are more common in countries with high rate of consanguinity. Definite diagnosis of IEI is achieved by genetic analysis, however it is not always available. Aim: to report on different IEI categories and impact of expanding the use of flow cytometry (FCM) in diagnosis, categorization and follow up of IEI patients in a highly consanguineous population.

Methods

Retrospective chart review on different IEI categories diagnosed at the primary immunodeficiency center in Cairo University Specialized Pediatric hospital from 2011 to 2021 based on expanding the use of FCM.

Results

1510 IEI patients were diagnosed; 480 were diagnosed genetically with FMF, 11 with cystic fibrosis and 1019 patients were diagnosed with other IEI disorders. Phagocytic defects were the commonest (30%) followed by severe combined immunodeficiency (22%) and combined immunodeficiency (18.3%). FCM testing properly diagnosed and categorized 73% of the cases.

Conclusion

Using multi-color FCM to evaluate immune cells populations, subpopulations, functions, and intracellular proteins expression is proved a useful cost-effective method for screening, categorization and follow up of IEI patients. FCM can improve the diagnosis of IEI significantly when tests are properly targeted and well designed. This study presents a 10-year experience in diagnosis of IEI using FCM at a tertiary referral center in a setting of limited resources and yet high prevalence of IEI.
Health diplomacy to promote multisectoral participation in fighting against fragmentation and increasing budget for internalization of the health financing progress matrix in Burundi
Authors: Nimubona Alexandre
Published: June 2022

Background

Regardless of its form, financing health in isolation will never raise sufficient funds to lead to universal health coverage. Achieving this goal which is not a pure health policy, requires multisectoral collaboration to support financing mechanisms. Within this framework, the World Health Organization has created the Health Financing Progress Matrix to assess a country’s progress in health financing. The World Health Organization calls for multisectoral support for health financing systems to achieve universal health coverage. This paper aims to explain how health diplomacy can be defined and implemented to influence and facilitate multisectoral participation in fighting against fragmentation and increase necessary budget to internalize the health financing progress matrix in Burundi.

Main text

Burundi’s health financing system is characterized by multiple fragmentation of resources and services, which reinforces economic and health inequities, referred to as de-universalization of universal health coverage. The health financing system in Burundi is inadequate to meet the health needs of the population. Different people with different needs form different segments, and coverage may be inconsistent, duplicative, or incomplete. Health diplomacy can alleviate this situation by appointing health finance attachés in each of the 19 sectors that make up the life of the country. Health finance attachés may have three main tasks:1) promoting confidence building, 2) seeking consensus, and 3) building solidarity for universal health coverage. The practices of health finance attachés can help to improve budget for more coverage. Following the World Health Organization’s progress matrix on health financing, internalization can be achieved in four ways: (i) raising the profile of health diplomats to be accredited in non-health sectors, (ii) establishing offices of health finance attachés in each sector, (iii) creating means by which sectors benefiting from internalization act, (iv) operationalizing proportionate universal health coverage.

Conclusion

Health diplomacy holds an ethical practice (representation approach) for internalizing the matrix. Measuring the size of the health gap and the steepness of the health gradient determines the degree of matrix internalization. Health diplomacy needs to be included in all health financing agendas to achieve proportionate universal health coverage in poor countries like Burundi.
Anticancer effects of disulfiram: a systematic review of in vitro, animal, and human studies
Authors: Wang Ling , Yu Yang , Zhou Cong , Wan Run , Li Yumin
Published: June 2022

Background and objectives

Cancer morbidity and mortality rates remain high, and thus, at present, considerable efforts are focused on finding drugs with higher sensitivity against tumor cells and fewer side effects. Disulfiram (DSF), as an anti-alcoholic drug, kills the cancer cells by inducing apoptosis. Several preclinical and clinical studies have examined the potential of repurposing DSF as an anticancer treatment. This systematic review aimed to assess evidence regarding the antineoplastic activity of DSF in in vitro and in vivo models, as well as in humans.

Methods

Two authors independently conducted this systematic review of English and Chinese articles from the PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases up to July 2019. Eligible in vitro studies needed to include assessments of the apoptosis rate by flow cytometry using annexin V/propidium iodide, and studies in animal models and clinical trials needed to examine tumor inhibition rates, and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

Overall, 35 studies, i.e., 21 performed in vitro, 11 based on animal models, and three clinical trials, were finally included. In vitro and animal studies indicated that DSF was associated with enhanced apoptosis and tumor inhibition rates, separately. Human studies showed that DSF prolongs PFS and OS. The greatest anti-tumor activity was observed when DSF was used as combination therapy or as a nanoparticle-encapsulated molecule. There was no noticeable body weight loss after DSF treatment, which indicated that there was no major toxicity of DSF.

Conclusions

This systematic review provides evidence regarding the anti-tumor activity of DSF in vitro, in animals, and in humans and indicates the optimal forms of treatment to be evaluated in future research.
Fixed point results via extended $\mathcal{FZ}$-simulation functions in fuzzy metric spaces
Authors: Moussaoui Abdelhamid , Hussain Nawab , Melliani Said , Nasr Hayel , Imdad Mohammad
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we introduce a new class of control functions, namely extended$\mathcal{FZ}$FZ-simulation functions, and employ it to define a new contractive condition. We also prove some new fixed and best proximity point results in the context of anM-complete fuzzy metric space. The presented theorems unify, generalize, and improve several existing results in the literature.
Experience and perspectives of infection prevention staff of the COVID-19 response in Australian hospitals
Authors: Baswa Alisha , Russo Philip L. , Doyle Joseph S. , Ayton Darshini , Stewardson Andrew J.
Published: June 2022

Background

Hospital infection prevention and control (IPC) staff have played a key role in adapting and implementing jurisdictional COVID-19 policy during the current pandemic. We aimed to describe the experiences of IPC staff in Australian hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic to inform future pandemic preparedness plans.

Methods

A cross-sectional study involving an online survey distributed to IPC practitioners employed in Australian hospitals. Survey content was informed by in-depth interviews, and addressed work conditions, redeployed workforce, personal protective equipment, communication, and guidelines. Participants were recruited through the mailing lists of Australasian College of Infection Prevention and Control and the Australasian Society of Infectious Diseases.

Results

We received fully or partially completed responses from 160 participants, including 38 (24%) and 122 (76%) with nursing and medical backgrounds, respectively. Respondents reported access to sufficient information about PPE (75%, 114/152), PPE was of sufficient quantity (77%, 117/152) and was of sufficient quality (70%, 106/152). Barriers to infection prevention guideline implementation included frequently changing guidelines (57%, 84/148), timing of updates (65%, 96/148) and contradictory sources of information (64%, 95/148). Respondents described a need for better communication channels from government authorities to hospital IPC teams. All respondents described an increase in workload leading to difficulty completing work (63%, 97/154) and feeling burnt out (48%, 74/154).

Conclusions

These data identify avoidable barriers to implementation of COVID-19 infection prevention guidance in Australian hospitals. These findings can inform future national preparedness strategies.
Acute cardiac side effects after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination: a case series
Authors: Freise Noemi F. , Kivel Milena , Grebe Olaf , Meyer Christian , Wafaisade Bahram , Peiper Matthias , Zeus Tobias , Schmidt Jan , Neuwahl Judith , Jazmati Danny , Luedde Tom , Bölke Edwin , Feldt Torsten , Jensen Björn Erik Ole , Bode Johannes , Keitel Verena , Haussmann Jan , Tamaskovics Balint , Budach Wilfried , Fischer Johannes C. , Knoefel Wolfram Trudo , Schneider Marion , Gerber Peter Arne , Pedoto Alessia , Häussinger Dieter , van Griensven Martijn , Rezazadeh Amir , Flaig Yechan , Kirchner Julian , Antoch Gerald , Schelzig Hubert , Matuschek Christiane
Published: June 2022

Background

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has been the main tool to contain the pandemic. The rush development of the 3 vaccines and their expedited approval have led to inoculation of millions of patients around the world, leading to a containment of the disease. Despite continuous viral mutations and the identification of weaker variants, the severity of the infections has been mild, with many patients being either asymptomatic or recovering at home. Currently the focus has shifted from the host of organ damage related to the infection to potential side effects of the vaccine. Myocarditis has been reported as one of the potential side effects from the mRNA vaccine, affecting young healthy individuals.

Up to September 30, 2021, 1.243 cases of myocarditis after vaccination with BNT162b2 Comirnaty© were registered in young adults by the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute in Germany alone. The exact pathophysiology and the risk factors for myocarditis following vaccination remain unclear. We present a case series of eight patients with cardiac symptom shortly after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination (BNT162b6, Biontech, Comirnaty© or mRNA-1237 Moderna, Spikevax©).

Patients and methods

Eight patients between 13 and 56 years of age, vaccinated with either BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 mRNA vaccine between January and August 2021 developed cardiac side effects shortly after either their first or second dose of the vaccine. Clinical data were retrieved from the clinical information system and analyzed. To support diagnosis of myocarditis or pericarditis, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed shortly after the onset of symptoms, with further investigations in severe cases. Symptoms were defined as dyspnea, chest pain and cardiac arrhythmia as determined by electrocardiography.

Results

Eight patients (5 males and 3 females) developed cardiac symptoms compatible with myocarditis, according to the CDC criteria, shortly after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. Three patients (2 males, 1 female) required hospitalization due to severe chest pain and elevated troponin levels. All patients recovered fully within 7 days from the symptom onset.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that cardiac adverse events such as myocarditis or pericarditis shortly after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination are rare but possible and occur particularly in male patients.
Efficient spatial data partitioning for distributed $$k$$NN joins
Authors: Zeidan Ayman , Vo Huy T.
Published: June 2022

Parallel processing of large spatial datasets over distributed systems has become a core part of modern data analytic systems like Apache Hadoop and Apache Spark. The general-purpose design of these systems does not natively account for the data’s spatial attributes and results in poor scalability, accuracy, or prolonged runtimes. Spatial extensions remedy the problem and introduce spatial data recognition and operations. At the core of a spatial extension, a locality-preserving spatial partitioner determines how to spatially group the dataset’s objects into smaller chunks using the distributed system’s available resources. Existing spatial extensions rely on data sampling and often mismanage non-spatial data by either overlooking their memory requirements or excluding them entirely. This work discusses the various challenges that face spatial data partitioning and proposes a novel spatial partitioner for effectively processing spatial queries over large spatial datasets. For evaluation, the proposed partitioner is integrated with the well-known k-Nearest Neighbor ($$k$$
k
NN) spatial join query. Several experiments evaluate the proposal using real-world datasets. Our approach differs from existing proposals by (1) accounting for the dataset’s unique spatial traits without sampling, (2) considering the computational overhead required to handle non-spatial data, (3) minimizing partition shuffles, (4) computing the optimal utilization of the available resources, and (5) achieving accurate results. This contributes to the problem of spatial data partitioning through (1) providing a comprehensive discussion of the problems facing spatial data partitioning and processing, (2) the development of a novel spatial partitioning technique for in-memory distributed processing, (3) an effective, built-in, load-balancing methodology that reduces spatial query skews, and (4) a Spark-based implementation of the proposed work with an accurate $$k$$
k
NN spatial join query. Experimental tests show up to $$1.48$$

1.48

times improvement in runtime as well as the accuracy of results.
Oscillation of linear third-order impulsive difference equations with variable coefficients
Authors: Tripathy A. K. , Chhatria G. N.
Published: June 2022

The present work discusses the qualitative behaviour of solutions of third-order difference equations of the form: $$\begin{aligned} w(l+3)+a(l)w(l+2)+b(l)w(l+1)+c(l)w(l)=0,\,l\ne \theta _{k},\,l\ge l_{0} \end{aligned}$$

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subject to the impulsive condition $$\begin{aligned} w(\theta _{k})=\alpha _{k} w(\theta _{k}-1),\, k\in {\mathbb {N}}. \end{aligned}$$

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Our state of the art is the inequality technique under the control of fixed moments of impulsive effect. We give some numerical examples to illustrate our findings.
To Measure Is to Feel: The Mathematics of Middle English Metric Relics
Authors: Allen Valerie
Published: June 2022

Christian devotion often focused on holy measurements such as those of Christ's height, side wound, and the nails that pierced him. This article focuses on ones occurring in English manuscripts, primarily from the late fourteenth to the mid-sixteenth century. The devout touched, kissed, beheld, and wore these measures, drawn scaled or life-sized, in expectation of protections in life or indulgences after death. These metric relics are considered in light of the mathematics of medieval measurement, which essentially comprised laying one body against another to deliver some kind of ratio or relation. None of the textual amulets delivers a discrete statistic but instead requires a gauging operation, such as multiplying a length fifteen times, thereby placing the worshipper in the position of measurer. By imaginatively measuring the wounds and nails, as if present at the Passion, the votaries interrogate even as they touch.
THE FORCES THAT CAME TOGETHER TO INFLICT THAT PAIN”: CLASS, RACE, AND SEXUALITY IN ELLEN FELDMAN’S SCOTTSBORO
Authors: GONZÁLEZ GROBA CONSTANTE
Published: June 2022

In the infamous Scottsboro case (Alabama, 1931), nine black youths were falsely accused of raping two low-class white girls that happened to be sexually promiscuous with both white and black males. The Scottsboro Boys were innocent victims of the southern rape complex and the automatic legal lynching of any black male accused of raping a white woman. The main character of Ellen Feldman’s novel Scottsboro (2008) is based largely on two progressive northern reporters, Mary Heaton Vorse and Hollace Ransdall, both of whom looked into the case. She visits Alabama and learns about the complex racial, class, and gender relations there, as well as her own bigotry and class-privilege. Like Ransdall and Vorse, she reports on an event in which two poor victims of capitalist oppression are elevated from the level of “white trash” to be made representatives of “defiled” white womanhood, while eight of the nine black youths, stereotyped as hypersexualized and inherently criminal, are given death sentences because of the tyranny of values which mean nothing in the life of the girls themselves.
Modelización del tiempo que tarda un paciente con cáncer diferenciado de tiroides en presentar la primera recaída
Authors: Madrid Idarraga Yarly Katery , Lizarazo Herrera Edwin Alexander , Alvear Rodríguez Carlos Armando , Sánchez de Guzmán Gabriel , Tovar Cuevas José Rafael
Published: June 2022

Introducción: de todos los carcinomas de tiroides, los diferenciados son los predominantes. Según la Asociación Colombiana de Endocrinología, la tasa de recaída puede ser de hasta del 30%, especialmente en pacientes mayores de 45 años y con características tumorales agresivas. En esta investigación se estimó el tiempo libre de enfermedad que transcurre entre la finalización del tratamiento y la ocurrencia de la primera recaída. Materiales y métodos: se tomó un archivo de datos con los registros de 469 pacientes con cáncer diferenciado de tiroides (CDT) tratados en una clínica especializada de cuarto nivel de complejidad en Bogotá (Colombia). Los datos se recolectaron entre enero de 1997 y diciembre de 2012 y se analizaron estadísticamente usando modelos paramétricos y no paramétricos para obtener las curvas de supervivencia y riesgo. Resultados: con el método no paramétrico se evidenció que en 8.5 años el 75% de los pacientes no habrán presentado la primera recaída en CDT; mientras que en el método paramétrico el 50% de los pacientes que no presentaron una tiroglobulina postratamiento menor o igual a 1 ng/mL y un tamaño del tumor menor o igual a 2 cm, su tiempo estimado de la primera recaída fue 29.2 años. Conclusiones: el tiempo libre de enfermedad y el riesgo de hacer recaída para pacientes con cdt está afectado por la presencia de un tamaño de tumor mayor a 2 cm en el momento de la consulta y una cantidad de tiroglobulina mayor a 1 ng/mL, registrada al terminar el tratamiento.
Avaliação de uma Abordagem de Ensino-Aprendizagem de Programação Orientada a Objetos
Authors: Silva Santos Pereira Francisco Tito
Published: June 2022

A evasão e a reprovação nos cursos de TI nos primeiros semestres são dois assuntos que são frequentemente abordados na área. Tais fatos podem ocorrer pela desmotivação do estudante para aprender programação, que muitas vezes pode parecer difícil e abstrata.
Ferramenta de Análise de Eficácia Baseada em Diversidade para Sistemas de Recuperação de Informação
Authors: Do Carmo Peixoto Raul
Published: June 2022

Sistemas de Recuperação de Informação (RI) visam a obtenção de dados requisitados por um usuário a partir de uma consulta em uma base de dados.
LOCUÇÕES MARCADORAS NOS PANFLETOS EDITADOS DE EULÁLIO MOTTA
Authors: Anunciação dos Santos Geyziane Nadyele
Published: June 2022

Nos últimos anos muito se tem pesquisado sobre a Fraseologia, ramo da Linguística que, além de servir de base para pesquisas lexicográficas, possibilita reformular a classificação de diversas áreas do campo lexical e fraseológico, como por exemplo, os marcadores do discurso.
ANÁLISE DOCUMENTAL DO PROCESSO DE INTERNACIONALIZAÇÃO E PROGRAMAS DE MOBILIDADE E COOPERAÇÃO INTERNACIONAL DA UEFS
Authors: Sampaio Soares Laís
Published: June 2022

O investimento em processos de internacionalização da pesquisa em cooperação internacional e no ensino superior foi intensificado pelas universidades mundais, a partir da década de 90 (Morosini, 2006).
Temperature and wavelength drift tolerant WDM transmission and routing in on-chip silicon photonic interconnects
Authors: Roumpos Ioannis , Chrysostomidis Themistoklis , Grimaldi Vittorio , Zanetto Francesco , Toso Fabio , Heyn Peter De , Ban Yoojin , Campenhout Joris Van , Ferrari Giorgio , Sampietro Marco , Morichetti Francesco , Melloni Andrea , Alexoudi Theonitsa , Pleros Nikos , Moralis-Pegios Miltiadis , Vyrsokinos Konstantinos
Published: June 2022

We demonstrate a temperature and wavelength shift resilient silicon transmission and routing interconnect system suitable for multi-socket interconnects, utilizing a dual-strategy CLIPP feedback circuitry that safeguards the operating point of the constituent photonic building blocks along the entire on-chip transmission-multiplexing-routing chain. The control circuit leverages a novel control power-independent and calibration-free locking strategy that exploits the 2nd derivative of ring resonator modulators (RMs) transfer function to lock them close to the point of minimum transmission penalty. The system performance was evaluated on an integrated Silicon Photonics 2-socket demonstrator, enforcing control over a chain of RM-MUX-AWGR resonant structures and stressed against thermal and wavelength shift perturbations. The thermal and wavelength stress tests ranged from 27°C to 36°C and 1309.90 nm to 1310.85 nm and revealed average eye diagrams Q-factor values of 5.8 and 5.9 respectively, validating the system robustness to unstable environments and fabrication variations.
Dynamic phase measurement of fast liquid crystal phase modulators
Authors: Fells Julian A. J. , Salter Patrick S. , Welch Chris , Jin Yihan , Wilkinson Timothy D. , Booth Martin J. , Mehl Georg H. , Elston Steve J. , Morris Stephen M.
Published: June 2022

We present dynamic time-resolved measurements of a multi-pixel analog liquid crystal phase modulator driven at a 1 kHz frame rate. A heterodyne interferometer is used to interrogate two pixels independently and simultaneously, to deconvolve phase modulation with a wide bandwidth. The root mean squared optical phase error within a 30 Hz to 25 kHz bandwidth is <0.5° and the crosstalk rejection is 50 dB. Measurements are shown for a custom-built device with a flexoelectro-optic chiral nematic liquid crystal. However, the technique is applicable to many different types of optical phase modulators and spatial light modulators.
Ultrathin, reflective light-field imaging film realized by self-releasing UV-curable nanoimprinting lithography
Authors: Zhan Gangyao , zhong Hao , Zou Wenlong , Zhou Yun , Shen Su
Published: June 2022

Light-field imaging has emerged as a technology allowing the capture of richer visual information from the world. Ultrathin, reflective light-field imaging film is fabricated by using self-releasing ultraviolet (UV)-curable nanoimprinting lithography. The plenoptic function is built to generate the dense reflective light field in a two-dimension plane in which the occlusion perception can be seamlessly incorporated in the recording process. A self-releasing nanoimprinting technique is developed to realize the imaging film with a thickness of 25 µm and a full field of view (FOV). The results pave the way toward developing high-performance light-field imaging device that can be used as a visual security feature or in virtual/augmented reality and computer vision applications, etc.